Lunsford's leap of faith achieved one step at a time
FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

Photo courtesy Tom Barnard Louie Gohmert joins LeTourneau staff in prayer for Dale Lunsford.

Dr. Dale Lunsford believes, without a doubt, that God designed a path for him since before he was ever born. And he is grateful for the faith that he has been blessed with, that keeps his eyes fixed on God as he walks down that path.

That path has led him down many roads. One road led to Whitehouse.

Leaving his native Tulsa, Okla., Lunsford brought his family to Whitehouse after taking a position in student affairs at The University of Texas at Tyler in 1999.

"When we visited Whitehouse, we had a very good feeling about the community and the school district," Lunsford said. "My wife Marsha was raised in the small town and we wanted that advantage for our girls."

The couple agreed that the community offered the values and atmosphere they wanted daughters Rachel and Hannah to grow up in. And it has been what they expected.

Lunsford brought along a variety of experiences in the college classroom, research and university directorships as he came into the fold of the growing administration of UT Tyler.

Photo courtesy Hillsman S. Jackson LeTourneau president Dale Lunsford with wife Marsha, daughters Hannah and Rachel, and yorkie Emma.

"At UT Tyler, I focused on student affairs, which included nearly doubling enrollment and creating a residential life program, student success services, and an NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletics program," Lunsford said.

It is no wonder that he was the unanimous choice of a presidential search committee representing trustees, faculty, staff students and alumni of LeTourneau University. Lunsford took the reins as the sixth president of the interdenominational Christian university July 1, 2007.

With this prestigious position comes tre- mendous responsibility and a busier schedule than ever. Lunsford said it has been a real challenge to give his family and the university the time they both deserve.

"As the presidential search was under way last year, I told the committee I was uncomfortable with the thought of pulling my kids out of school this late in the high school career," Lunsford said. "I really wanted to give them the opportunity to graduate from Whitehouse High School with their friends."

With so many friends in place and being so actively involved in drill team and other school activities, the decision was made that the family would continue to live in Whitehouse and he would commute to Longview.

"The committee was very understanding and so has my family," Lunsford said. "This week was a good example. I had several important meetings on campus the same day that the girls were performing at the basketball game."

While Lunsford has been in the pilot's seat at LeTourneau for less than a year he says he looks forward to many wonderful years there, if that is God's plan for him. Lunsford says he is taking time to listen to everyone on campus: faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends, to let others share their dreams about what they would like to see LeTourneau University become in the future and then seek God's will for the next steps.

Next steps, carefully placed, with his eyes fixed on God, that's what Dale Lunsford looks forward to most.