Hello from Joe Swenson, class of 1978 and proud LAS alumni.
My wife, Jan, and I had the wonderful experience of visiting the campus of LeTourneau University on May 30th of this year. It had been over 40 years since I last visited the campus. Although I have tried to keep up with the happenings at LeTourneau through pictures, articles and descriptions of the changes over the decades, nothing compares with seeing the campus in person. My initial response was, "WOW and Praise God for all He has done and continues to do."
Thank you, Fred and Gail Ritchey, for driving us around the campus and airport and for explaining all the amazing things that have changed and all the amazing things yet to come.
Of course, being an aviation major, I have a special interest in the wonderful changes that have taken place in the aviation training, for both the flight and maintenance side of the industry. It was exciting to see the facility and see some of the students in action. It brought back many great memories of flight training and A&P classes with Roger Carr, Marty Donner, JC Harder, Floyd Bishop, Tom Clark and others. What a privilege to have been trained under their tutelage and to learn how to apply the skills we learned in a way that would honor God and open doors to share the gospel. I will forever be thankful and blessed by what I learned from these men who love God and their students and lived their faith in front of their students.
Another highlight for me was our stop at the LAS house. This was the first time I had seen the house in person. I had the privilege of living in the old barracks which certainly had great personality and many great memories but was well past it useful life. I wasn’t sure if any of the LAS students would be at the house since summer classes had started but to my great pleasure, several were home. How exciting it was to spend a few minutes (not nearly enough time) with these young men who share a common bond of knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, a great passion of aviation and being in LAS. I would love to have had more time to talk about all these subjects with them.
The biggest highlight, both in LAS and LeTourneau University was in finding that God still reigns at this place of learning. In a world where Christian colleges and universities have compromised or even forgotten their Christian heritage, it was pure joy to see that the leadership at LETU has done such an amazing job of keeping the important thing important; that Jesus is Lord, Savior, Leader, Teacher and always comes first.
This past fall we had a LAS reunion that was attended by 9 members from the years of 1976 – 1979. It was amazing to reconnect with these brothers and to hear how God has used every one of them over the past 45+ years. It was also amazing how each one had been so positively influenced by their time at LeTourneau and living in LAS. It is a bond that will certainly last a lifetime.
I am eternally grateful for my time at LeTourneau University. For my education, lasting friendships, mentoring and experiences that could not be duplicated anywhere else. I have a couple of grandchildren who are just entering high school and the LETU seeds have been planted.
Thanks, LETU, for the great education, the wonderful experiences, the lasting friendships and for serving God faithfully.
