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 Koranek’s
devotional was titled “The Legacy of LCU: The Character of Christ.”
Over the past eight months, Koranek said there has been talk about
LCU’s history and local, regional and global impact. There has also
been talk about the names, traditions, artifacts, the buildings, the
heritage and legacy of an institution that has been here so many
years.
Although Koranek has not found much interest in many of these
conversations, she has been pondering what it means to be one of the
last graduating students at the school. She has wondered what
academic foundation one has when their alma mater shuts down.
Next Koranek asked what legacy is there to carry on when the name of
the seminary will soon crown the door of a different building on a
different campus in a different state. Koranek has questioned what
difference has it made or will it make that she went to school at
LCU.
As Koranek first walked through the campus over six
years ago, she never would have imagined her time at LCU would end
this way with the school closing and the opportunities she has been
given.
When Koranek transferred to LCU in spring 2018, she had a desire to
get educated, get out and get going. Koranek commuted to campus and
said she had no real desire to make friends, to be cared for by
faculty and staff or to receive anything more than the education she
came here for.
Soon, however, Koranek found herself making friends. She realized
professors learned about her than just her name and academic
abilities. Koranek got jobs in the library and Student Development
Office. She did not just learn about ministry but began receiving
ministry from those who cared deeply about their students.
Over and over, Koranek began to recognize how the campus provided
the most beautiful revelation of Jesus Christ and his people she had
ever seen.
For Koranek, the difference it has made and will
make is that we [the graduates] were discipled by the people who
carried Christ’s character within themselves. The legacy of LCU has
helped the students nurture the character of Christ within
themselves. The gospel of the crucified Lord and risen savior is at
work in this place.
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While recognizing the change these past two years,
Koranek remembered many truths. Her word is to remember the legacy
of LCU is not the numbers, the statistics, the property or
buildings. It is not even the diplomas, but it is the character of
Christ revealed in the people who have worked, taught and studied
here. Koranek thanked God for the ways her professors helped her
better know God and His Son.
As she mentioned several undergraduate and graduate faculty and
staff, Koranek said she and others have known delight by the way
they care, work hard, provide gentle guidance, show grace, pay
attention to all the details, and listen to the students. The
students have been the recipients of Christ’s selfless service and
experienced God’s faithfulness through their work.
An innumerable list of faculty members has helped Koranek know
Christ better. Koranek has heard alumni and faculty speak of many
others from the recent past and the beginning of the school who have
been great.
Thinking about the long list, Koranek said she cannot help but
imagine how infinitely wonderful God must be when he chooses to
reveal himself to us.
The legacy of LCU is the character of Christ revealed
by both those who have worked, taught and studied here. Koranek said
through the legacy the students have not just been taught but
reshaped. She hoped LCU’s mission can be carried on.
In closing, Koranek said the evidence of Christ’s work will continue
to make the gospel more real. It will allow the graduates to say to
those to minister, counsel and teach in the future, yet not I, but
through Christ in me. All along at LCU, Koranek said it has been yet
not us, but through Christ in us.
[Angela Reiners]
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