Page 30 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2024 - Online Magazine

Friendship
the
FACTOR

LCU Associates

Intentional Purpose, Heartfelt Service

by Sheila Dye

2023 – 2024 Board: (L-R bottom) Kathy Prather, Jeannie Jones, Donna Hamil,
Beverly Crossnoe, Sandra Blackwood, Sheila Dye, Paula Gannaway, Sharla Huddle;
L-R top) Shirley Bobbitt, Sue Beene, Jeanette Tidwell, Dona Richardson, Kathy
Sanderson, Maxine Stutler, Carol Dahlstrom; missing from photo: Linda Willis, S.J. (Nathan) Dahlstrom, author of the award-winning
Christi Hadley, Jan Crockett, Bennie Raney, Pat Stumbo, Janelle Thornton, Hoycille Wilder Good book series, was guest speaker at the full-
Valentine capacity 2024 Spring Luncheon.

ubbock Christian College, Steve and Emily Lemley, 1965
now the four-year university alumni of the university, have
Lknown as Lubbock Christian devoted their lives to Christian
University (LCU), was a fledgling higher education. Through the
two-year college when it welcomed years, Steve faithfully served
its first student body of 110 on in faculty, administrative, and
September 24, 1957. Financial times executive leadership roles at LCU
were hard. Campus needs were and Pepperdine University. He was
many. Belief in the mission was the fourth president of LCU from
unwavering. 1982 to 1993 and served as a member
of the Board of Trustees from 1982
An organizational meeting of 144 to 2012. Steve credits the Associates
women was held in the on-campus for always giving him and the Kathy Sanderson and Donna Hamil serve year
cafetorium barracks on April 29, university encouragement, positive after year in the LCU Pie Booth at the SP Fair.
1958. Inaugural members of the reinforcement, and support.
Associates of LCC included local and service ethic established by the
and regional women of faith, who Emily, a lifelong educator and women who started the organization
dedicated their efforts, time, and champion for Christian higher so many years ago.” Sixty-six years
resources to recruiting members, education in her own right, has been later, this organization continues
promoting Christian higher a proud member of the Associates with the same purpose and heart
education, and raising funds for for many years. She says, “The of service. Membership ranges
the school. By September 1959, the Associates are some of the most between 130 and 150, and children
not-for-profit organization was loving women I know. They do not and grandchildren of some of the
1,000-members-strong, with local hold grudges. They do not criticize. original members serve with long-
chapters throughout the South They just serve Jesus. They love term and newer members. Sandra
Plains, all united in a mission to meet each other. The teamwork they Blackwood, organization president
the needs of LCU. exhibit is unusual in today’s world. from 2022-2024, credits early and
I see a continuation of the culture longtime members for inspiring

30 Lubbock Senior Link