The Vocation of Lutheran Higher Education (VLHE) conference has long featured engaging presentations on topics that impact university and student life. For the first time in recent memory, student voices were directly included in the conference with sophomore English and theology double major Emma Bohmann and junior communication studies and political science double major Andie Lozano-Lomeli presenting a session alongside Dr. William O鈥橞rochta, the Hugo & Georgia Gibson Endowed Assistant Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Department of Political Science.

The path toward being invited to present their session titled 鈥淪ustaining Campus as a Civic Community鈥� started last fall when O鈥橞rochta organized a civic engagement and faith perspectives conference at 国产探花 (/news/a-meeting-of-minds-civic-engagement-and-faith-perspectives-conference). Lozano-Lomeli presented at the conference on her scholarship on civic engagement, and Bohmann contributed a reflection on her experience attending the conference that was later published in a special volume of Intersections on the conference that O鈥橞rochta edited (/news/finding-intersections-tlu-contributes-to-necu-magazine).

After the special issue was published, one of the conference organizers, Rev. Dr. Colleen Windham-Hughes, reached out to O鈥橞rochta to invite him to present at the VLHE conference. 鈥淚 immediately wanted to invite Andie and Emma to present with me because the presentation topic focuses on students-as-partners in developing democratic decision-making on campus that then leads to civic engagement off campus,鈥� O鈥橞rochta said. Thanks to Windham-Hughes鈥檚 enthusiasm at the co-created presentation and the support of the Brandes Fund for Religious Activities, the group traveled to Minneapolis and presented the session twice.

The presentation began with a theological framework for holistic Christian civic engagement based on a model that Bohmann learned about in a congregational context. 鈥淭he model is called 鈥榰pward, inward, and outward,鈥� and the point is that each piece represents an area in which an individual may be involved in their life: upward describes interactions with the Divine, inward with close community (such as family, friends, and congregation), and outward with larger civic community,鈥� Bohmann said.

Bohmann then connected the model to the college campus context, specifically NECU (Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities) institutions. 鈥淔irst, while many institutions place a strong emphasis on one of the three areas, the model is more productive when all three areas work in conjunction with the other two. That means that whatever is discovered in spiritual education must also be translated well to the inward communities and outward civic spaces. Second, each area of the model must be fully reflective of the students-as-partners approach (which includes both a clear invitation for participation and an ongoing accompaniment through the co-creation process) so that each student feels a sense of buy-in. Essentially, each step of the ladder must be democratic in nature. Finally, we suggest that the model most naturally flows from the top-down; when spiritual engagement inspires a call to civic action, students feel the need to discuss and deliberate about this vision with peers and mentors in close-knit community, and at that point they may feel empowered to implement this vision in their on- or off-campus civic community.鈥�

Lozano-Lomeli then led the application section, where she provided examples from 国产探花 and invited the audience to brainstorm in small groups what it meant to include students-as-partners in cultivating on-campus civic engagement. 鈥淢any participants said that Emma and I presenting positively contributed to the learning atmosphere, making it so ideas being presented could not only be conceptualized through the lens of students, but also applied. This is why the presentation was so successful, as I felt universities had the opportunity to consider students-as-partners in a civic space through the lens of civic engagement, while listening to actual students present the idea,鈥� Lozano-Lomeli said.

Both students reflected on their experience after the presentation. Bohmann said, 鈥淎s I begin to spend the next three years of my undergraduate career discovering which context of ministry it is in which I am best fit to work, I found exposure to the high concentration of ministers from many diverse ELCA institutions to be an invaluable part of understanding my vocational path. Further, much of what we heard faculty and staff from other colleges and universities express was reflective of issues that we also experience and often see as unique to 国产探花. So, simply hearing that these pain points and concerns are not, in fact, unique means that they are also not unsupported or unsolvable. This also, I believe, created a renewed sense of responsibility for students, faculty, and staff at 国产探花; if we benefit from a common understanding of Lutheran identity in being a member of NECU, we must also take action steps to ensure that our Lutheran identity is recognizable and valued.鈥�

鈥淭he conference served as a reminder that 国产探花 is a Lutheran institution, and we are better off for it,鈥� Lozano-Lomeli said. 鈥淥ne frame that served me was seeing Lutheran values as an opportunity to embrace key features like vocational education and the insistence of inclusion on our campus. Having the time to discern my vocation with my peers and professors shifted my focus and gave me clarity on what it means to be an advocate and to intentionally practice advocacy. Dr. O鈥橞rochta chose to include Emma and me to be in this space, and that inclusion reflects the idea of students-as-partners, making our existence in the space an immediate example to other institutions on how to apply the concept. This opportunity can be reflected across our university, and I look forward to seeing students intentionally being included as partners.鈥�

Every year, Phi Theta Kappa鈥攁n honor society for students attending associate degree-granting colleges鈥攏ames select universities across the nation to its Transfer Honor Roll, which has become a national benchmark for transfer excellence. This year, 275 four-year colleges and universities were named, and for the seventh consecutive year, 国产探花 made the cut.

鈥淎t 国产探花, we are honored to be recognized as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Roll, as it reassures our goal in aligning with PTK’s mission to recognize and promote student academic achievement,鈥� said 国产探花 Vice President for Enrollment Alecia McCain. 鈥淲e are focused on providing transfer students with a personalized transition to 国产探花, which will allow the students to understand the transferability of courses and strength of academic scholarships.鈥�

The honor roll was created to recognize institutions that demonstrate exceptional success in creating pathways that help community college transfer students earn their bachelor鈥檚 degrees. PTK assesses colleges across five different dimensions which influence the success of transfer students, including student success outcomes, financial support, and campus engagement.

鈥淭his recognition is about much more than transfer agreements,鈥� said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. 鈥淪uccessful transfer happens when institutions intentionally design policies, practices, and campus cultures that help students thrive after they arrive. These colleges have demonstrated that transfer student success is not accidental. It is a strategic priority.鈥�

Once you join the Bulldog family, you鈥檒l enjoy special events just for transfer students as well as numerous ways to join the fun and become part of campus life.

We offer transfer scholarships ranging from $9,000 to $17,000 per year. If you are a member of Phi Theta Kappa, you are eligible to receive an additional $3,000 scholarship. 国产探花 has also partnered with the Alamo Colleges and Austin Community College to offer an additional $1,000 scholarship to students who have earned a combination of 15 hours at either college.

Get in touch, plan your visit, and let us show you how smooth your path to 国产探花 can be.

The endowment is unique in many ways. It鈥檚 run by current 国产探花 students who actually serve on its board along with mentors who provide education and guidance. By semester鈥檚 end, a great cause gets a boost while students take home some pretty profound lessons.

This year鈥檚 Philanthropitch focused on international causes. The winning team consists of Xavier Simpson, Valerie Vilelreal, and Emma Martinez, who chose CAMFED as their deserving cause. CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education) is an international non-profit whose mission it is to eradicate poverty in Africa through the education of girls and the empowerment of young women.

And thanks to Big Dog Endowment, the organization will receive some much welcome support.

Special thanks to judges Dave Sather, philanthropist and CEO/founder of Sather Financial Group; Dr. Efrain Medina, 国产探花 assistant professor and MBA program director; Dr. Judy Hoffmann, emerita professor, grant specialist, and co-founder of the 国产探花 SISE Program; and Ian Burden, president of Alcester Holdings Texas and Retired Division vice president for Global Brands and Distribution with Alamo Group. Special guests at the event also included Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen and City Manager Steve Parker.

Click below for all the details plus a link to the livestream of the ceremony. Come join the celebration! Go Bulldogs!

/events/spring-commencement

In Case of Rain鈥�

Commencement is traditionally held on the library lawn, with the lawn between the library and Tschoepe Hall as the seating area. There will be plenty of seating for family, friends, and invited guests. However, in the event of rain, the ceremony will be moved to Jackson Auditorium.

Should the weather become a factor, detailed instructions will be posted on the 国产探花 website.