以前的乔熊作为校园牧师回来了

Joe Bear is coming back to lead worship at Lenoir-Rhyne University

LR is pleased to announce that alumnus — and former Joe Bear mascot — the Rev. 托德刀 is coming home to serve as university campus pastor and director of spiritual life.

"I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to be present with students at one of the most important phases of their life,他说. "When we're in college, we look at what we believe and flesh out why we believe it. I love that Lutheranism grew out of a university setting, and I look forward to encouraging students to ask questions and think more deeply."

A veteran parish minister with more than 15 years at the pulpit, 刀 has LR black and red coursing through his veins.

He earned a bachelor's in elementary education in 1996 from LR, having served in student government and spending his last two years as an undergraduate as the school mascot Joe Bear.

"I got back from a study abroad semester in England, and the cheerleading coach was one of the admissions counselors. She remarked that they didn't have a Joe Bear, and I told her I'd do it. The first costume I had smelled awful," he laughed. "They got a new one my senior year, and it was the most terrifying costume in the world. 远不如全球网赌十大网站现在的好."

毕业后, 刀 joined the admissions department as a staff member where he began to work on his master's in counseling. He then followed his calling into the ministry, 在LTSS注册, 在与劳氏合并之前, graduating in 2004 with a Master of Divinity.

"We are delighted that Pastor 刀 and his family have decided to come home," said Dr. 弗雷德·惠特，大学校长. "As a minister in both the parish and higher education, he has the experience to help our students. In addition, as an alumnus, he understands the tradition and values we hold dear here at LR."

刀 accepted his first call to a parish in Southern Pines, 北卡罗莱纳, 不久之后, 遇见了他的妻子萨拉. 他们回到了南卡罗来纳州, where he accepted a position as campus pastor at Newberry College, 同时完成了她在LTSS的学业. 他们在辛辛那提待了10年, 俄亥俄州, 最后三次是在萨凡纳的一个教区, 乔治亚州, 在接受LR的职位之前.

In addition to leading chapel services at LR, 刀 plans on supporting faith-based groups on campus while reviving some groups that have shrunk in size and strengthening relationships with community churches such as St. 安德鲁斯·路德教会，是LR的邻居.

"There is so much structure with working in a parish between getting ready for Sunday service every week and day-to-day meetings that I look forward to the freedom that comes with working on a college campus,他说. "I can connect with students in the morning over a cup of coffee or in the afternoon while walking my dog."

刀, 他的妻子和女儿阿米莉亚, 9, 要搬到山核桃镇吗, 他计划于8月5日开始在LR工作. 16.

受召服务

Since officially joining the Bear family on Aug. 全球网赌十大网站追上了卡特，简短地问了一下&A to learn more about LR's new spiritual leader. 

Q: Which Bear statue on campus is your favorite?

A: 肖广场的小熊. I especially love it because my daughter says it looks like it has a human face.

Q: Where were your former residence hall rooms?

A: I was in Morgan as a freshman and spring semester of my junior year. 大二的时候，我在普莱斯村. 在我大三的秋季学期, I was in Carriage House to complete my study abroad experience. 最后, 作为大四学生, 我在Theta Xi House, 也就是现在, 可悲的是, a parking lot after the old house was torn down.

问:你最喜欢校园里的哪个地方?

A: 四轴飞行器. As a student, I especially enjoyed studying and napping there.

Q: What are your favorite LR events to attend?

A: Theater and music events, and any and all athletic games. I feel like I also better say chapel since I’m the campus pastor.

问:你最喜欢的教授是谁?

A: 作为一名本科生, 这是盖尔·萨默的四人平局, 苏西杰弗斯, 西尔玛·拉斯特和比尔·里希特. Amy Wood and Ray Wooten were my favorite graduate school professors.

问:哪位LR教授最让你害怕?

A: 洛厄尔清道夫. 我害怕他的考试.

Q: Any plans to reclaim your position as Joe Bear? 也许是吉祥物拉拉队?

A: Ha! I think I’ll leave it to the experts, but I’d enter a cheer-off. Better yet, maybe Joe Bear could preach at chapel.

Q: What is something new to campus that you’re excited to experience?

A: 一切都是新的感觉. This place has changed so much since I was a student and employee here. I’m most excited about experiencing the LREDI [Lenoir-Rhyne Equity and Diversity Institute] program.

Q: Anything that used to be on campus that you miss?

A: Theta Xi House. Although not technically on LR’s campus, I miss El Sombrero. It was a Mexican restaurant that was right across the street from Fritz-Conrad. I enjoyed many fun times with friends at “The Hat.”

问:最喜欢的活动在山核桃或附近?

A: 运行. I became a serious runner when I lived in Hickory in the ’90s. 我喜欢城市街道的流畅度.

Q: The first restaurant you visited upon your return to Hickory?

A: 老山核桃水龙头房.