I’m about to be a senior. I’m entering my last year here at Luther College and there is so much I have accomplished, but still so many things that remain for me to do.
I love Luther . I’ve taken out loans of way too much money to foot the bill of attending Luther because I love it so much, despite my trainwreck of a first year. The people constantly amaze me. My peers put on incredible events, bring speakers to campus, and push for change. Despite being understaffed, staff members always step up with a smile on their faces. Professors care about me and want nothing more than for me to be successful. Lately, Professor of Communication Studies Derek Sweet’s recurring lectures about how he believes his job here at Luther is to help students become better people echo through my mind frequently.
If this is my professors’ job, what is my job as a student? To learn, for one. Luther’s mission statement writes about the liberating power of faith and learning, embracing diversity, disciplining minds, developing whole persons and enlivening students, faculty and staff. I understand this to mean more than going to class and doing my homework. Not everyone does, and that’s okay, but I encourage you to allow yourself to get more out of being here than an expensive piece of paper.
Don’t like something? There are ways to get involved and work on fixing it. Love something and want more of it? There are ways to do that, too. From Food Council, to CHIPS, to Student Senate, to Student Activities Council, there are channels to have your voice heard. It might not always feel like you have complete agency or even full support from administration, but if you are loud enough, change is possible.
This year, my junior year, was my first real year of diving head first into being involved on campus. I wish I would have done it sooner. The connections I made through my involvement as a Welcome Week Leader, as President of Norse Against Sexual Assault, as a writer for CHIPS, and as a member of Student Senate — I tried my hand at both General Senator and Team Lead — are incredible. I may have become more aware of where Luther needs to grow, but I also have grown my love and appreciation for the things Luther does well and the incredible people I have come to know.
This is where I prompt you to take action. Run for a position on Senate. Learn what it is like to come up with a plan to fix a problem within our institution and implement it. Meet other people who are passionate about similar issues. The form to nominate yourself for a position is open now until April 26. Join SAC. Unhappy with current activities going on? Want a different artist for a concert? Want more Casino Nights? Walk into the SAC office and ask to be involved. Go to Food Council. Sick of jackfruit in the Caf? Miss the potato bacon soup? Your complaints will be brought directly to someone who has the control to do something about it (thanks to Dining Services for the spice rack and the more-frequent bread knots!).
My point is, being a student at Luther is about more than your degree. I want you to love Luther as much as I do. If you’re angry, fed up or frustrated, it is because you care. Help improve the Luther experience for your peers by doing something about it.
