JGBS Series: Noah Francis and Marykay Birtcil
- Isabella Schultz
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Isabella Shultz | Crestview Hills, KY
April 1, 2026
As two highly regarded medical school hopefuls, some might pit Marykay Birtcil and Noah Francis against each other. Though the two tenacious student-athletes and everyone around them know that that is, frankly, not the case, it is actually quite the opposite.
The two are not interested in competing against each other or others outside of their respective sports, which include volleyball, track & field, and cross country.
However, what the two are interested in is showing their community what it means to be true followers of Christ through the virtues of compassion, humility, and kindness.
With that being said, the two great minds came together and decided that the best way to help Thomas More and the James Graham Brown Scholars grow as a community was by making sure their students were being taken care of. Ultimately leading to the redevelopment of “The Compassion Pantry”.
To Marykay Birtcil, a senior on the Thomas More women’s volleyball team, the most prominent way she has watched her two very different lives in the classroom and on the court bleed into each other was through the sense of learned selflessness and sacrifice.
Two traits that one must learn to play such a key role in the compassion pantry.
In addition to selflessness, Noah Francis, a senior on Thomas More’s cross country and track & field teams, feels as though the organization is all about teaching others how to live a life on a mission, not just going through the motions.
So, what is the compassion pantry? Francis best describes it as a way for students not to have to experience any kind of food insecurity. “We have a team of 20 people that meet weekly to make sure everything's stocked and make sure we're addressing the needs that need to be met,” said Francis. “We started out with food items, and that's always been our primary focus … We feel that food insecurity has become less of a need while schools are in session, so we still work with students that stay on campus during breaks … but now we focus more on hygiene supplies [and] school items.”
Located in Room 3302 of the Administration Building, it is more than just a room. The Compassion Pantry was first created before Birtcil and Francis were even at Thomas More. However, during their sophomore year, the two helped advance it alongside seniors David Moore and Bella (Young) Bailey. So, after Moore and Bailey graduated, it was left in the hands of two of Thomas More’s finest.
When first revived, they wanted the organization to focus mostly on being a way for others to get involved with their community and help fight the hidden or even invisible needs of their peers. So, like Francis said, in addition to food, those who want to get involved in the pantry can also donate clothing and personal care supplies.
In the past, the pantry has done its best to focus on more outreach, building connections in the community by doing community service that benefits all through events like shoe and coat drives to the local emergency shelter.
Working with a philosophy professor and director of the JGBS program, Dr. Cate Sherron, the duo has made connections that have helped provide more and more necessities to the Thomas More students.
Through their drives and outreach, the two have been able to get connections through Panera, Master Provision, and other JGBS members’ connections. Birtcil and Francis both give major credit to the JGBS for the creation and growth of the compassion pantry.
Students in the program must complete 45 service hours a semester, causing many of its members to create projects, like the compassion pantry. “Each of us in the honors program have our own little side projects like, whether it's the compassion pantry [or] ‘The mental health group’,” said Birtcil. “Essentially, there are other little projects that go on in the honors program, so we get to kind of come together [in meetings] and bounce ideas off each other.”
Even though most of the time Birtcil and Francis are off attending to their busy schedules of meetings, classes, and their respective sports, they try their best to improve the pantry and the lives of others.
And at the same time, it is important to them that they are also incorporating their faith into every aspect of their lives. “Hebrews 12 talks about running the race set before you, and I struggle with, like, slowing down at times,” said Francis. “But honestly, taking the time out of each morning to just spend it in the Word, and with Jesus has helped me to slow down better …. It is really important to live life with a purpose, and I know that …. his placement in certain positions, and around certain people, impacts them and brings them closer to God. And so, honestly, if that is where I'm supposed to be, [then] that is where I'm supposed to be, and that's what I love about everything I do.”
So yes, Birtcil and Francis may be two successful student athletes at Thomas More, but what matters most to them is living their lives on a mission. A compassionate mission that gives all students security in every part of their lives.
“The compassion pantry is such a good outlet to see what that sanctification has done in my life,” said Birtcil. “It is a chance to just be selfless and [to give] back to Thomas More and the greater community.”
Additional Information:
If you or someone you know wants to help support and donate to the compassion pantry, there are multiple ways to help:
Mail to the Thomas More mailroom with the label “Attention: Compassion Pantry.”
Amazon order from Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2D978KPA8PDFR?ref_=wl_share
Bringing donations directly to the compassion pantry (Located in Room 3302 of Administration building. | Thomas More University 333 Thomas More Pkwy, Crestview Hills, KY 41017) or giving donations directly to a Thomas More staff member
If you or someone you know has any questions, please feel free to contact Marykay Birticil, Noah Francis, or Dr. Cate Sherron:
Marykay Birtcil: mebirt11@thomasmore.edu
Noah Francis: nrfran12@thomasmore.edu
Dr. Cate Sherron: Sherroc@thomasmore.edu
Comments