Rebekah is a sophomore, Physical Therapy major from Graham, Texas. She’s here to tell us about the vibrant faith community and how LCU meets students right where they are, on their faith journey, providing a nurturing environment for individual spiritual growth. Rebekah, tell us more.
– Thank you for the introduction, Alex. To be a student at Lubbock Christian University has truly been a gift and I cannot thank the Lord enough for providing me the rich opportunity to get my education here. As I look back, I can see vividly how LCU has played a vital role in my spiritual growth. My professors have become mentors in my life and my peers have become some of my best friends. The Lord has placed these people here to walk with me and encourage me in my relationship with God. Beyond my community here, they’re very special spots on campus that I can point to, as being a place where I encounter God. For instance, Virginia Bryant Park is a garden on campus that I regularly visit to be with the Lord. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” It is in that spot that I pray some of my most intimate prayers and have seen the Lord draw near to me, time and time again. We also have numerous opportunities for students to gather in worship and encounter God together in community, like campus wide chapel and small groups that meet weekly to discuss spirituality. We often have guest speakers who broaden our understanding of biblical topics. Just a few weeks ago, we enjoyed a biblical scholar from England that shared her perspective on CS Lewis and Dorothy Sayer. The Lord’s fingerprints are all around the LCU campus. Daily I see his spirit, actively moving through the hearts, minds and hands of students. The LCU community truly walks with you and no matter where you come from or your faith background, LCU will meet you right where you are. That’s all for me. Back to you Alex.
– What a powerful story, Rebekah. It is so encouraging to hear how the hearts, minds and hands of students are being transformed to know that LCU meets students right where they are by providing local service opportunities as well as overseas mission trips and medical mission trips. It’s truly inspiring. Thanks again.
Let’s meet Esmeralda, a senior Middle School Education major from New Mexico. Esmeralda wants to be a teacher and she chose LCU for its renowned college of education with this 100% job placement for graduates. When she got here, she fell in love with the city of Lubbock, named a top college town, Lubbock doesn’t disappoint. Esmeralda, we cannot wait to hear more. Take it away.
– Thanks Alex. . Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. As a first gen student that speaks English as a second language, I also knew that I wanted to be in a diverse and thriving college town that is welcoming, fun and safe. From the moment I stepped foot onto campus, I knew Lubbock Christian University was a perfect fit for me. What I love about LCU is the community, the relationships I have built and the strong networking opportunities. The professor’s efforts to guide and support students on their path has inspired in me, the kind of teacher I wanna be. With a hundred percent job placement rate for education majors, I knew LCU is where I needed to be and what a great college town Lubbock is, exactly what I was looking for. With big city attractions and small town charm, Lubbock has something for everyone. My friends and I enjoy everything from concerts and Saturday farmer’s markets to the amazing cultural district and the first Friday art trail. We get Broadway touring musicals and Lubbock has locally owned boutique coffee shops and restaurants. There’s always something fun to do. It was important to me when deciding on a college to consider the city. Lubbock is one of the top three cities in America for recent college graduates. It is also one of the fastest growing cities. The booming job market, social scene and affordability are just a few reasons many college grads are starting their careers here and calling it home. As I look toward graduation and my future as a bilingual teacher in Lubbock, LCU has given me the confidence to know that I’m prepared and equipped to not only teach future generations, but inspire them. Back to you Alex.
– Thank you, Esmeralda. We love how the LCU College of Education prepares future teachers and administrators. We can see why a full, one third of the school districts in the region are led by LCU graduates. It’s incredible and you’re right, Lubbock entertainment, cultural and food scene are amazing. That was an amazing story. Thanks again for sharing.
Let’s hear from Hagen, a senior Exercise Sports Science major. LCU offers students a variety of residential living options, including a state-of-the-art residence hall, complete with a rooftop deck. Hagen, we’ll be quick to tell you, however, it’s the connected community within the residence halls that truly sets LCU apart. Hagen, you are up.
– Thanks for the intro, Alex. When I was searching for a college, Lubbock Christian University caught my attention, because of a track and field scholarship, but what I experienced once I arrived was so much more. I found a community of genuine people and authentic believers that welcomed me with open arms. While I came to LCU not quite knowing what to expect, I found myself getting involved in everything. I’ve competed as part of the track and field and cross country teams, rush to the social club, Alpha Chi where I got involved in intramurals and master follies and most impactfully became a part of the res life team as a resident assistant. I’m now the community advisor at Johnson Hall and I really enjoy getting to routinely check in with everyone in our residence hall. It gives me the chance to celebrate the great day they may have had or to be a listening ear when one of the guys has had a particularly challenging day and I’ve seen how a residence hall can create a space for students to thrive. Just the other day, we hosted an open mic night and we had a blast just hanging out and enjoying good music. Living in campus housing, perfectly represents LCU’s brand promise, we walk with you. It is a great environment for freshmen to be mentored as they learn to live independently from their parents and resident assistants are well trained to help students navigate the good and rough times, the campus community that exists in residential life is extremely important to the college experience. LCU strength lies in its caring community, they we’re genuinely kind people. I hope you’ll consider coming to be a part of this very special Christ-centered community. Thanks for visiting. Back to you Alex.
– What an amazing res life experience, Hagen, we love seeing the incredible opportunities for students to fully encounter college life, have fun, connect with the community, while maintaining a sense of home away from home. It sounds like the perfect college environment. Thank you for sharing your story.
Let’s meet Ellie. She recently graduated from UNW from the School of Nursing and was hired immediately following graduation. Her class of nursing students was the third in a row to achieve a 100% first time pass rate on the NCLEX, the National Exam for Aspiring Nurses. This shows the excellence of Northwestern’s nursing program. Ellie, the floor is yours.
– Hey, Alex. Thanks so much for the introduction. For me the University of Northwestern St. Paul has kind of become a family affair. Both my parents went here, I went here. One of my sisters is a senior, another sister is a freshman, and I met my fiance here. It’s great. Aside from that, I was drawn to Northwestern by its commitment to providing a Christ-centered education and because of all the great ways that I could get involved. As a May of 2024 graduate, I can say that UNW’s nursing program is fantastic. I was given a ton of hands-on opportunities from being on med surg floors to labor and delivery to inpatient mental health and everything in between. Each cohort also takes a transcultural trip, so I spent two weeks in Brazil with my cohort where we worked in a local Brazilian hospital, partnered with a church disability ministry and ate a ton of great food. The academic side of the program is rigorous, but our professors do a fantastic job of making sure that faith is integrated in everything we do. This has prepared me to care for patients, not just physically and mentally, but spiritually and emotionally as well. I took my boards and passed in June and started working as a full-time RN in July, feeling incredibly prepared for my new career. Aside from academics, there are a ton of other great ways to be involved here on campus. I played tenor saxophone in the concert band and loved glorifying God through our music. I played on the women’s tennis team and made lifelong friendships, participating in residence life events, attending concerts and athletic events, and being involved in chapel opportunities are all great ways to make the most of your time at UNW. People will tell you that college is going to be the fastest four years of your life and as a new grad, I agree to that. In my four years at Northwestern, I’ve been stretched academically, spiritually, and have made the most incredible friendships. My advice to you is to get involved, to step outside of your comfort bubble and to eat as many of the cafe muffins as you are physically able to. That’s all I’ve got. Thanks, Alex.
– Thanks for sharing your experience in the nursing program, Ellie, The fact that you got hands-on experience in multiple hospitals before you graduated is awesome. We love that the nursing program prepares students like you to care for the whole person, not just physically and mentally, but spiritually and emotionally. Take care, Ellie.
Okay, everyone, let’s meet Jaxon. He can’t wait to tell you about finding community and belonging at Northwestern through all kinds of unexpected avenues. UNW is constantly making improvements to the student experience, including new ways for students to explore challenging topics in chapel and engaging campus wide events. Jaxon, we have questions and you have answers. Take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey. When I started thinking about my college experience, I actually had my heart set on another school. It was important to me to both further my education and my spiritual growth. It was my mom who actually inspired me, if you will, to apply to the University of Northwestern, and at the end of the day, I’m super glad it turned out the way it did. UNW really won me over through the basketball recruiting process, but my first year playing was rough. I got injured less than halfway through the season and spent months figuring out what was wrong. One of my coaches asked me what the Lord was telling me through this journey, and I realized the Lord used basketball to get me to Northwestern, but that’s not why he wanted me at Northwestern. I was having a really hard time swallowing this pill, but at the end of my first year, I got recommended to be an admissions tour guide. I got to help cultivate student leadership and pour into potential incoming students through tours and admission events. I’d say it has been one of the most fun things for me. The community here is everything. Being completely transparent, life is hard. College is hard. When life has gotten hard for me, the Northwestern community has shown me nothing but grace. I’m able to have conversations with professors, deans, public safety officers, and all other staff members. Everyone here is unique and there’s a culture of love. The small campus allows you to see familiar faces and truly become part of the community. At Northwestern, I’ve learned the importance of investing in one another. We may not always agree, but with respect and love, we can cultivate a sense of belonging. That’s what’s special about Northwestern. Take it back, Alex.
– Jaxon, it’s so cool to see how God called you to Northwestern. The environment at UNW is what truly creates long lasting friendships and relationships. Fostering these connections with peer, staff, and faculty really allows students to have an immersive campus experience. Thanks so much, Jaxon.
Now, introducing Caleb. He’s had two internships so far in his time at Northwestern, one in Washington, DC and another in the Minnesota State senate. His story is powerful. His original internship in Washington DC got canceled, but his professor reached out through his network to create a new internship for Caleb. Caleb, tell us more.
– Thanks for the intro, Alex and hey everyone. When I was a kid, deciding what I wanted to do with my life was really difficult. I wanted to find something that I was passionate about, but also something that I could build into a strong career. Once I landed on politics, I was drawn towards the University of Northwestern. They had the exact program I was looking for and I was already familiar with UNW through my parents who are both alumni. One of my greatest opportunities was an internship in Washington DC with United States Senator Tim Scott. This experience gave me a closeup view into how the government is run from participating in constituent representation, to leading tours of the Capitol building and even helping to author some legislation. On a personal level, my time in this internship helped me to channel my passion for politics into a more specific career path of teaching. It also taught me a lot about collaborating with and encouraging those with different political views and backgrounds than my own. My faith is a huge part of my life, and I can’t imagine a better school environment for a growing Christian. We have chapel daily and classes focused on spiritual growth, but what sticks out to me the most is the strong Christian community on campus. I have supportive brothers and sisters in Christ who have walked with me through my faith journey and every challenge that life throws at me. I’ve taken on several leadership roles, including being on student government and president of the Christians for Liberty Club. This is all to solidify the valuable skills that UNW has given me for leading in a godly and serving way before I have the privilege of going out and doing it in the world. Back to you, Alex.
– Wow, Caleb, through internships, leadership roles, and a powerful Christian community, you’ve built a strong foundation for a meaningful career. Truly an inspiring example of living out faith in action. It’s so great to see Northwestern encourage and support you through those opportunities. Thanks, Caleb.
We can’t wait for you to meet Maisy. She is so involved around campus and serves as a Resident Disciple Assistant. At UNW, along with Resident Assistants, every dorm has a Resident Disciple Assistant that leads with the RA and helps foster community and spiritual development in the dorms. In her spare time, she’s also a football super fan. Take it away, Maisy.
– Thanks, Alex, I chose Northwestern because of its intentional and relational environment. Coming from a public school, I wanted to be in an enriching Christian community where I could grow spiritually while pursuing my calling. Upon my first visit here, I knew it was exactly where I needed to be. When I arrived, I thought I knew enough about the Trinity in the Bible, yet I was still filled with a lot of doubt. God has truly transformed me here. Classes cover the Bible, its interpretation, Christian living, and God is woven into everything we do here. The professors pray over you, integrate scripture in their classes, and they intentionally invest in your lives. The biggest impact I had was a Holy Spirit class where I learned about the power and authority we’re given, that we can do everything Jesus did and more because what he did was by the spirit and the gifts we are given and can seek after. In that class, my professor prayed over my spine as I have scoliosis. Miraculously, as he prayed, the upper half of my spine completely straightened. It was the coolest thing I’ve ever experienced. I’ve gained some incredible friends here who are a daily answer to prayer. They’re the most genuine God honoring people I’ve ever met. We do all sorts of things together, whether that’s going on road trips, attending events and sports games. We play spike ball. I even lead a Bible study with them. In fact, last season I went to almost every football game, not just home games, but away games too. I even drove 12 hours to one game, so some might say I’m a super fan. As a resident discipleship assistant, I intentionally invest in women’s lives and teach them about the Bible. Northwestern has allowed me to become a leader, fully trusting in God. The school shapes its students into to becoming servant leaders full of the spirit who spend time with Christ to become like him. I have learned so much here and I’m so excited to see how God uses me and equips me for his purpose. Well, that’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Maisy, that was incredible to hear about how your spine was healed in class. Your story is so powerful and it’s awesome to see how you’ve grown in your faith and been equipped to help others grow in theirs. Thanks again for sharing your story, Maisy. That was awesome.
All right, let’s hear from Carter. UNW has one of the largest stages in the Twin Cities area that includes a fly space, an elevated orchestra pit, and state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment. Carter, tell us all about the thriving art scene at Northwestern and in the Twin Cities. Take it away.
– Thank you, Alex. I had a unique childhood as my family owned a theater company and I was involved in every aspect. When I was looking at colleges, I wanted a theatrical education that would strengthen my current skills and challenge me to develop more. The University of Northwestern has provided that growth with the bonus of being Christ-centered. A week after I got to UNW, the theater department hosted a big party and offered freshmen the opportunity to join the first show of the season as crew. I jumped at the chance and it was a blast. UNW Theater has so many opportunities to get involved and put yourself out there that it’s hard not to be involved. There are tons of interactive classes for new and returning students alike. The University of Northwestern has two performance spaces, Knight Performance Hall or KPH, which is one large performance space, as well as the Patsy Miller Studio Theater, which is our black box space. Both of these spaces provide a great challenge in acting or designing. The opportunities to shine don’t lie only on the stage, but off stage or in the classroom as well. A recurring comment we get from our audiences is how our performances feel different, and that’s because we don’t create art to glorify ourselves. Instead, we create art to glorify our heavenly father. You can see this at events like our theater performances, dance showcases, art galleries, festivals, band and choir concerts, and more throughout the year. I’ve already taken what I’ve learned here at UNW to the real world. I’ve staged several of my own shows with the help of the community I’ve built and the knowledge I’ve gained from UNW. Being a theater major is about pursuing your creative dreams and UNW allows me to pursue my dreams confidently. Back to you, Alex.
– Carter it’s amazing that you’ve already staged multiple shows of your own as a junior, absolutely incredible. We love that you’ve been prepared with purpose to pursue your creative dreams, and it’s awesome to hear about how you’ve grown in your faith through a Christ-centered education on and off stage. Thanks again, Carter.
Let’s meet Ethan. He’s a member of one of Northwestern’s Choral ensembles. From 300 musicians on stage during Christmas at Northwestern to intimate chamber ensembles, UNW has offerings to serve both the aspiring music performer as well as the dedicated non-major. Ethan, take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey, everyone. As a junior in high school, I was drawn to the University of Northwestern for their commitment to Biblical Truth, strong business program, and opportunities to stay involved on campus. As a singer, I was especially excited about joining the choir. ♪ Jesus I adore thee ♪ ♪ Lord of truth and peace ♪
– Unlike many universities, Northwestern provides the opportunity for non-music majors like me, a business administration and Bible major to be an integral part of their music programs. In addition to our Christmas at Northwestern performances, my favorite memory was touring England and Scotland my sophomore year. On just our second day and still a bit jet lagged, we kicked off our tour with a performance in Westminster Abbey where King Charles III had been crowned just weeks earlier and for the next two weeks, we sang our way through some of England’s finest cathedrals like Ely and Church of the Holy Sepulcher all with plenty of time to explore the likes of London, Cambridge, Oxford, and my personal favorite, Glasgow, Scotland, where we hiked the beautiful countryside. To top it off, our university president and his family joined us on tour, which made it extra special. If you’re a singer, this is the group you want to be a part of. Northwestern also has great athletic facilities available to all students in a vibrant intramural community. As a former athlete, getting to play on the basketball and volleyball intramural team here has been a great competitive outlet, place to make friends, and made for some of the best college memories along the way. The ability to balance academics and campus involvement is part of what makes Northwestern special. I’m so glad I could continue singing and enjoy athletics while still working two internships at Olympus and Ameriprise Financial that have prepared me for my next chapter. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Ethan, touring England and Scotland is an epic highlight to your time at Northwestern. You have been well equipped to use your spiritual gifts, relevant experience and applicable skills to go out and serve your communities and the world. That was great. Thanks again.
Alright, everyone, it’s time to meet Ari. She’s a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in marketing and she’s a volleyball athlete. New NW’s volleyball team is the winner of 13 consecutive conference championships and recently competed in the Elite eight NCAA national tournament. Take it away, Ari.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey guys. I decided that I wanted to play college volleyball after my sophomore year of high school, except I didn’t know what my next steps were. I went to a really small school where not a lot of people went on to play college athletics. I ended up touring about 15 different schools. After my first visit at Northwestern, I liked it, but I wasn’t entirely sold. It was after my second visit that I realized the best thing about this campus is the people. The team and staff that facilitated my visit had a huge impact on my decision to come to Northwestern. As an athlete, it’s easy to tell when people care more about how you’ll benefit their program than who you are as a person, but everyone at Northwestern made it clear that they cared about me as a person and a student before an athlete. It was really refreshing. After three years, I can say that hasn’t changed at all. Northwestern is such a community based campus and that’s what made my decision so easy. One of my favorite things about Northwestern’s community is seeing everybody come together at sporting events. Game days normally have a large turnout and it’s so fun playing in front of so many familiar faces. It makes home games feel like I’m really at my home. I know the connections I’ve made at UNW and the friends I’ve met here will follow me into the outside world after graduation. I’m so glad that I chose a campus that has equipped me not only with a degree, but with lifelong friends that’ll be by my side as I move into the next chapters of my life. Back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Ari, and thanks for sharing your experience as a student athlete at Northwestern. It’s so cool to hear about how the community comes together for sporting events and how you’ve been cared for as a whole person spiritually, mentally, and physically. Thanks again, Ari.