student life

Get involved!

This is my third year living on the second floor of Gilbert Hall, also known as G2 M.E.D.S. I have never been involved with my floor as much as I have been this year, and it has been filled with days and weekends of fun and spontaneous activities. The girls on my floor are very friendly and caring for each other. I have never had any sisters, but if I had, I would imagine it being like living on G2!

 

Having an amazing brother floor 41 (second floor of Thomas Hall) only adds to the fun. I’ll be honest…my first impression was that they were nerdy and really yellow (floor t-shirt color). My first impression wasn’t wrong, but I have learned that nerdy guys can be fun (not all guys on the floor are nerdy), and yellow isn’t such a bad color after all! Since the beginning of this semester, we have gone out to Shreveport and Dallas on weekends and breaks; 41 threw a party for us in their lounge; we have gone outside randomly to play frisbee or volleyball together; and every Thursday night has been “Man Your Mug” where we have a brother-sister floor coffee/study party.

 

LeTourneau, or any university for that matter, can be tough, filled with days and nights of hard studying, difficult classes, and times when we just want to give up. But that shouldn’t be an excuse not to hang out with the people around you. Some of the huge encouragements during the tough times for me have been the girls on the floor and the guys on my brother floor. I am excited to spend the rest of the school year with these amazing people surrounding me!

- Maasa Magita
Accounting Major

Cross Country 2009

This was my first time to ever run cross country. This was also LeTourneau’s first time to have a cross country team.

I absolutely love running, but I had never been given the opportunity to run with a team. Our team was composed of ten runners, four seniors, five sophomores, and one freshman. Being on this team together strengthened each and every one of our relationships. It taught us how to push through the pain that comes along with running and strive to give our best for both ourselves and the team.

We competed in five meets this season and trained hard to get better every race. This cross country season was an experimental season. I believe our girls are the proof that we are ready for next year and the opportunity to compete again!

- Sam Reyna
B.A. Christian Ministry, Cross-Cultural Concentration

 
 

Library Fun

As I sit here in the quiet comfort of the LeTourneau University library, I can not help but remember my view of this building before I walked in for the first time.  I would always joke about students spending their entire lives in the library studying and how they would never see the sun.  I didn’t think that I would ever feel the need to enter the library, but it did not take long until that changed.  I was intimidated the first time I walked in; however, that changed shortly after entering.  Now I spend a lot of time in the library.  I know this sounds crazy, but the library can be fun. 

Early this semester, I had forgotten about a lengthy assignment for one of my classes that was due by eight the next morning.  I went to the library hoping that I might get it done.   I walked in to find most of my class, with books open, trying to finish the same assignment.  Soon homework became an event as we helped each other find resource books, talked (but not too loudly), and took pictures.  Last minute study times happen on occasion but when it is with friends in the library they tend to be more productive and fun at the same time.

During my casual trips to the library, I see people doing everything from students intently studying to students catching a quick nap (or a long one).   Some people go in to get work done as others just relax and read a magazine.  The choice is really yours.  As long as you are not disrupting anyone else, no one will disturb you.

Some of my more entertaining days are when one of my friends has gotten a package and opened it in the library.  It seems almost like Christmas when someone gets a package because they rarely know what is inside.  It may be an old t-shirt or pictures of family but it does not take much to excite most college students.  A time of quiet frantic whispering usually follows as the recipient tries to explain why they are red-faced and giggling.

Whether you are looking for a place to hide and focus on your studies or a lounge to relax and spend time with good friends, the library is a wonderful place to go.  You will not instantly become a social outcast or even a devoted student.  You will leave the same person as you were when you walked in.  The library is just another place on campus that you are free to be yourself.
 
- Charles Mosiman
Mechanical Engineering

TOGAS ANYONE?

What crosses your mind when you hear the word “Toga”? You might not even know what a toga is. I hope you do, because everyone at Letourneau gets a chance to wear one at the annual toga party! This is the one opportunity you have to sport a toga in style and not get laughed at. Okay, maybe you’ll still get laughed at, but oh well. Togas come in all shapes and sizes: small togas, big togas, some are fancy, some simple… whatever fits your taste. They even come in NEON YELLOW! So you’re probably wondering… a blog on togas… WHY? Well, read on, my friend.

It all started a couple weeks before the party. I was talking to some of the guys on my floor and mentioned the toga party. Several of them said they were planning to go wrapped in bed sheets. I did some extensive research and after half an hour of searching the web was a self-proclaimed expert on togas. I convinced them to buy fabric at Wal-Mart because it would make better togas. Little did I know of the events that would unfold… On the night of the party the seven of us went to Wal-Mart to look for fabric. First we looked through the expensive cloth. But obviously it cost too much, then the Christmas fabric. How awesome would that be, a Rudolph toga? Um, no. Soon we came to the sale racks, now that is the best place to find toga material, cheap and a good variety. That was when I picked up the neon pink bolt and asked who wanted it. Of course no one did. Then one of the guys pointed to the neon yellow and said that he wanted to wear it. He didn’t know that we would take him seriously… 10 minutes later… we walked out of Wal-Mart with two bolts of neon yellow cloth some plastic leaves for a garnish and a package of safety pins.

 

Now, if you have never wrapped a toga before, you might want to practice before you actually need to wear one. After much difficulty and lots of pinning, we were all ready, except Sean. His toga did not want to stay on. Finally, after rewrapping it and lots of safety pins, it was satisfactory. Then it was photo shoot time! Now most people just walk to a toga party, but that didn’t float our boat, we rode in style in the back of Tyler’s jeep. Just imagine 7 guys crammed into a jeep all in bright yellow togas, yeah quite a sight!

 

The party was great, Kabobs and nachos (yeah not quite Greek, but still good). Lots of people were wearing different style togas. Some were bed sheets, some fabric, some bright, some not. There was even a guy wearing a cape. Yeah, don’t know what was going on there… I guess who am I to talk, I was wearing a neon yellow toga!

- Thomas Oskamp
Mechanical Engineering Major

Locks of Love

When I hang out with three other girls on a Saturday afternoon, a typical reason is to catch up, eat some food, and maybe shop. Well, September 26th was not typical for me. Brittney Haynes, Jennifer Holland, Jessica Kirschman, and myself left LeTourneau’s sunny campus at noon and returned a couple hours later with a couple feet less hair.

Earlier that month, Brittney told the girls at our floor devotion about how September was cancer awareness month and how she was going to donate her hair to Locks of Love at the end of the month. Locks of Love is an non-profit organization that takes hair donations and provides hairpieces to needy children suffering from long-term medical hair loss. Two others from my floor, ELH1, and myself all decided to join her.

This was not an easy decision for me. I had been growing my hair out for years and loved my long hair. But, shortly after I was presented with the idea and initially thought no, I realized how much power I had given my hair in determining my beauty. I knew this way of thinking was completely wrong, so, to rebel against this thought, of how external beauty effects self-worth, I committed to joining the group. I am so happy with my decision, not only did I contribute to a headpiece for a less fortunate child, but I also bonded with the girls on my floor.

The four of us are so much closer now after sharing this experience. I am so happy that I donated to Locks of Love. My hope is that others in the future can bond through serving as well.

 

- Christy Grider
Accounting Major

Cornerstones Campout

“Freshman Retreat” (a.k.a.- the “Cornerstones’ Campout”). Two words that some new freshmen were dreading earlier this semester. Those two words were vague enough that only speculation fueled the meaning behind them. To most it meant camping by a lake, with people you barely knew, and probably playing the usual “ice breaker” games. But our group’s redemption came in the form of an announcement- we were to “camp” in our mentor’s backyard! It wasn’t just any backyard, but one with a pool, a beautiful porch, a hot tub, a fire pit, a trampoline, and these really cool hammock swings! So within two minutes, the dreaded two words brought only anticipation.

When the day finally arrived, everyone in my group was excited. Homework and electronics were banned. We would have to survive the evening, night, and morning without them… well, the forbidden homework was not going to be a problem at all. Once we arrived, our mentor, Dr. Olson, had us divide into groups for meal/setup responsibilities. I was on the cookie crew which turned out to be the best team (of course)! Our job was to make the cookies for dessert. We wanted to be creative and put something “surprising” in them, but it was decided that for the best of the group, we would forgo that idea. Too bad for the tea… it would have made an interesting flavor…

After dinner we did in fact play a game, but it was a very entertaining one! Everyone linked arms in a circle and began to jerk each other. The goal was not to break the link or touch the box in the middle of the circle. It soon became fairly competitive when it got down to three people; it only ended when our peer advisor threw the box on one of them! We had a group worship and discussion time later in the evening which provided a good opportunity to hear some of the other students’ view points on certain subjects. The rest of the evening was filled with swimming, cards, singing, and conversation.

 As it got later, people began finding places to crash for the night. I fell asleep around 1:30am-ish on the porch swing. The next morning I was amused to discover the various places people had decided to sleep. There were several sleeping in the yard, some on the living room floor inside, one in a hammock, and several guys on the trampoline. One guy seriously looked like he had tripped and fallen asleep where he had landed! The ones on the trampoline learned quickly that when you choose a trampoline to sleep on you should never sleep later than some of the other guys in our group. It was quite comical to see two of the guys become jumping “alarms.” The rest of the morning mainly consisted of conversation, eating some of the fluffiest pancakes ever (props to the breakfast crew!), swimming, and just hanging out in general. Several of us began a game of Catch Phrase that soon included most of the group.

After a late lunch we had to face the harsh reality that homework was awaiting. But at the same time, there was the realization that I knew a little more about the people around me and the future would most likely hold many more fun memories with them. I can safely say it has not been a disappointment yet. College is place of learning, discovering, and growing, but even more importantly it is about the relationships you make with other people. Letourneau proves themselves again as a university that educates the “whole you” by requiring a course like Cornerstones. I know that, at least for me and my group, it has been our favorite and one of the most beneficial classes this semester!

-Dana Edwards
Business Marketing

Sisters & Soccer

The thing I was most worried about in coming to college was leaving my soccer team from back home. The girls on my team were seriously like sisters to me. We had been through so much together, supporting each other in every step of our lives. I felt like going to college meant that I would have a hole in my life where they were supposed to be, but couldn’t. So when Coach Plunk contacted me about playing soccer here, I saw it as a chance to try to fill that space so I wouldn’t feel so out of place. I came to the campus and fell in love with it, and talking to Coach only made me more excited about coming here.

Even though I planned on playing here, I wasn’t expecting the LeTourneau team to be able to replace the one I was leaving, but maybe just fill the gap a little. However, when I got here, I soon realized that this team would mean so much more to me than I had originally expected. The girls here are so amazing to be around. They are always so full of energy and ready to play. The seniors this year are incredible role models for the freshman and sophomores. We all really look up to them for help, not only on the field, but with troubles we are facing in life as well. They are all such strong Christians and I see them as big sisters that I can depend on.

Our first two home games were definitely an experience that I will never forget. Despite the rain and the muddy fields, there were so many people there to support us. It really felt great to see everyone that was there to cheer us on. I have never had that many crazy fans at a game before, it was incredible. I didn’t realize how much school spirit LeTourneau had, and I am so impressed by it. At the beginning of the game on Saturday, Coach promised us that if we won by four he would slide through the mud afterwards. Although we all think he was just looking for an excuse to do it, we still got a kick out of him running full speed to a huge mud puddle in the middle of the field. And of course, we took a minute to get a picture of the team covered in mud after the game.

In the short amount of time that we have been here, I have gained close relationships with seventeen unbelievable girls. I don’t know how I would have made it through my first month of college without them by my side, and I can’t wait for the rest of the season and the year that I get to spend with them. Being a part of this team has changed my life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

-Stefani Davis
Kinesiology Exercise Science

 

Becoming Sisters!

It was an overcast Friday evening. Following STOMP (STudent Organization Mall Party), seventeen ladies from the renown G1 floor (GO SUPERHEROES!) scrambled into four cars, and set out on a five hour drive to Galveston, TX. As the saying goes, "Time flies when you are having fun", so the hours soon turned into minutes as we sang N'SYNC songs and played the "Celebrity Game" where you think of a name that begins with the letter of the previous last name (e.g. Jessica Simpson... Sarah Jessica Parker... and so on). 

We spent the night at Natalie's older brother's empty house, where we gave back massages, piled on top of Megan, and practiced Karate tricks taught by Mr. LeMont. When midnight rolled around we unrolled our sleeping bags and called it a day.

The following morning, we packed up our bags, refueled our bodies with delicious bagels provided by Bon Appétit, and cleaned up before heading towards the beach. After a couple more hours of driving we found ourselves on a ferry. We were all really excited because many of us girls had never been on a ferry. Our silliness such as "Titanic Poses" were accompanied by odd looks from onlookers who were puzzled to see young women acting like little girls. But what did we care? We were having a blast.

Upon arrival we drove to the sandy sanctuary and devoured sandwiches (also provided by our loving Corner Café). We did not wait the suggested thirty minutes to let our food digest, but ran straight into the warm water while throwing mud pies at one another. After our shameless amusement, everyone changed into jeans and white shirts so that we could documented our fun with group photos, thanks to the help of a kind stranger. After climbing on the jungle gym and taking "What is over there?" photos, six of the ladies packed up to return to LeTourneau due to prior engagements.

The remaining eleven girls traveled to Lake Jackson to hang out at Miss Jane's home (A close family friend of one of the girls). For dinner, each girl made an individual foil pack (foil wrapped assortment of food goodness) to be baked in the oven. While waiting on our baked goodness to cook, we circled around the grand piano to sing karaoke while one of our new friends played. When our food was ready to eat, we sat in the living room and watched a movie. For desert we munched on brownies (Man, does the Corner Café love us or what!?).

The next morning we left with our tummies full of breakfast burritos and journeyed our way back to LeTourneau. After a few pit stops such as Dairy Queen for their succulent Blizzards, we returned with stories to tell about burnt backs, ferry rides, and pictures to laugh at. The trip hardly went as expected, but with God's provision and care, the weekend proved successful and we grew closer- from just floor buddies to sisters in Christ.

- Elise Lanning
Psychology Major

My 18th Birthday!

18.  The age when you can vote and are “officially” an adult.  That grand day, when I would pass from adolescence into adulthood, was September 4.  I was super excited to finally turn 18... that is until it dawned on me that I would be away at college, many states away from my family and friends, in a new, unfamiliar environment.  My birthday would be during the first couple weeks of school and, I thought to myself with dread, no one would even know.  I wouldn’t have made many friends yet because everyone is just getting to know each other and they wouldn’t realize that day was significant unless I ran around campus with balloons, shouting to the world, “Hey, it’s my 18th birthday today!”  All in all I was feeling pretty down about the whole thing.  Little did I know, God had something more in mind.

 

I arrived at LeTourneau for orientation at the end of August, and although college life was unfamiliar and somewhat foreign to me I somehow managed to make new friends because guess what?  It was new for them too!  What I thought would be two lonely weeks were instead jam packed with activities designed to help you meet people and make friends.  It worked pretty well and, with a little help from Facebook, my 18th birthday was a huge success.  My new friends decorated my door with balloons and wrote birthday greetings on my mirror.  Cards from people back home made it that much more special.  My friends even took me out for a fun birthday dinner.

So, whether your birthday is like mine and near the beginning of the school year, or you are simply worried about making friends, don’t sweat it!  You are not alone.  It’s a lot of other people’s first time too, so just have fun, be yourself, and let God introduce you to a whole new world.

- Katya Rempel
Elementary Education

My Summer Internship - It was a blast!

 

This summer, I had the privilege of working as an intern for Titan Specialties Ltd in Milford, Texas.  I was able to interview with them during the Letourneau University career fair last fall.  The internship was a great experience for me. I was able to see how industry works and where engineers fit into the big picture.  I was incorporated into the manufacturing side of the industry and was able to analyze the manufacturing process.  I really enjoyed my stay at Titan. The internship was a wonderful opportunity for me because it really appealed to my style of learning which is learning through experience.  I was very fortunate to be able to see every part of the industry, from charge and system design, to manufacturing, to research and development.

In addition to beginning to learn the ins and outs of the engineering industry, I was also able to live away from home in an apartment in Waxahachie, TX.  That was a great experience because was able to see how all of the experiences and things I have been taught are coming together and helping me survive in the real world.  It is very humbling to know that you are only one person in the whole world, but also a huge confidence booster to be able to live and survive on your own for the first time.  I am so thankful for the experiences I have had at LeTourneau, and I know that I will continue to learn and understand more as I finish my time here at LETU this year and move out into the working world after I graduate.

- Andy Lane
Mechanical Engineering Major