Texas Lutheran University

Date: Oct 02 2008
Major: Religion/Religious (This Major's Salary over time)
I found TLU to be a great place of community, accessable faculty, and I had plenty of opportunities to take responsibility and leadership.

I had visited Duke, UNC, Davidson, Wake, NC State, Lenoir-Rhyne (another ELCA school), Bradley, Rice, Baylor, Mizzou, Trinity University and a number of others. I even got letters from Harvard and Yale encouraging me to apply (and no I am not making that up). I didn't have to worry about being accepted anywhere or getting scholarships, so I had my choice. None of those places captured me, and several really turned me off. I didn't know Texas Lutheran by reputation, I actually happened upon it when I was in the area and visited on a lark. I liked the people I met and the atmosphere, I liked that the institution shared my values (faith based but open minded). While the school doesn't have a big-name reputation, I have always felt that education is as much about what you put into it as anything else.

I started as a Psychology major, changed to a Theology major with a minor in Greek. My Master of Divinity program later was a breeze because of the quality of education I received at TLU. I had classes ranging from 40-50 for some intro level courses to 4-5 for some upper level courses, and even 3 upper level language courses where I did one on one oral translation with professors. Smaller class sizes helped make sure I knew my stuff.

Extra-curricular and leadership opportunities also really helped me grow. I was in the Concert Choir and got to tour the country. I was a Theology Department Assistant in which capacity I led review sessions, occasionally gave lectures, edited both the department newsletter and journal, and was responsible for a department symposium. I was a Campus Ministry Assistant with duties relating to contemporary worship, and preached several times. I led a youth ministry team sponsored by the church relations department which travelled to congregations to lead weekend youth events. I was in a full-scale musical my freshman year, as well as playing regularly at campus open mics. I was president of the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity for two years and learned a lot about leading volunteers. I also got to serve on the board of the local HfH affiliate. I was also a columnist for the school paper my senior year.

As a student leader, one of those groups I led took some controversial stands, and the administration backed up my right to do so, even as they took some heat for it. I will not forget that.

I never had trouble finding parties when that was what I wanted - I would advise students at any school that it's a lot more fun to go to parties with fun people than just going to binge-fests. Figure out who is a friend to everybody and go to their parties, everyone will be having fun. Avoid groups that are concerned with popularity and where there always seems to be drama, because their parties won't be nearly as fun. Also, if you want to go to clubs or live music, you can't do better than Austin, which is just an hour away. Finally, the Hill Country just to the north is beautiful and great for outdoor fun.

Seguin is what it is - a small city with a significant poverty rate, and some challenges in overcoming its history. For me, it was a place I could make a difference. I invested myself in the town, and I was better for it.

Spending more time in town, I also discovered some good restaurants that I didn't know about at first. I don't know what is still there but my favorites were Craig's, Saigon Cuisine, and El Napolito. I still miss those places 9 years and 4 states later.

I advise students to know what they want - if the type of experience I describe isn't what you want, if a small school isn't what you want, then be true to yourself. But TLU can be a great place and a good education if you invest yourself.