November 13, 2006
Edification
"Ode to LeTourneau University" by Patty Starnes Healey (as printed in the latest issue of NOW magazine)
LeTourneau has for 60 years sent its Christian students out
into the world armed with godly knowledge to turn the world about.
Integrity, wisdom and fortitude are in short supply today,
LeTourneau has taught thousands to live their lives that way.
Discovering purpose, broadening knowledge and deepening professional skills,
These traits are taught at LeTourneau to strengthen its students' wills.
Students learn there's a mighty God who leads a willing soul,
they put on God's armor as He shows them where to go.
Grounded in godly values, students show others that they care
as they volunteer thousands of hours in communities everywhere.
If one person can make a difference, how much more will thousands do?
Alumni are spread throughout the world to help God's will come true.
God has blessed LeTourneau University as its successes can attest,
it has sent godly leaders into the world, it has sent its very best.
May other universities follow the path that LeTourneau has defined,
education and excellence in all one does, following God's Word divine.
*Blink. Blink*
Posted by: Knight's Disciple at November 13, 2006 03:35 PM"Integrity, wisdom and fortitude are in short supply today,
LeTourneau has taught thousands to live their lives that way."
I know that LU tried to teach me to live without integrity, wisdom and fortitude... but that's probably not something they should advertise in poetic form.
Incidentally, this sort of self-worship on LU's part probably isn't healthy.
Posted by: Vengeful Cynic at November 15, 2006 09:30 AMTo paraphrase Randy: Just because it rhymes doesn't make it poetic.
I talk a lot about Southern literature and how great it is, and that's the truth. The South has produced a lot of really great stuff. But as with any country or region, such achievements stand out here because they are the exception, not the rule. The vast majority of artistic endeavour down here looked a lot like this.
I say "looked" because I had hoped this sort of thing went out decades ago. I suppose it can still be found lurking in church newsletters and the occasional small-town paper. I'd have hoped to avoid its like in campus publications, but I guess that is one of the hazards of attending a Christian institution. We'll let you get away with anything so long as it says the right things.
Posted by: Blame Jared at November 15, 2006 10:25 AMWhile I must say I am a strong advocate of the "Christian College", as for the poem...
well it serves a purpose- it certainly makes the good stuff look better. No rose smells sweeter than the one growing in the manure pile.
(NOW mag? I didn't know the National Organization for Women had a magazine.....)
Posted by: fry at November 16, 2006 12:26 PMThough my internet wanderings, I stumbled across a "bad poetry contest" being hosted by someone on LJ. Such a contest caused this poem to immediately spring to mind, but it also brought with it an idea that I find rather amusing.
Perhaps you should "host" a LETU-themed bad poetry contest. Who could create the absolute worst tripe praising LETU? I'd be interested in the results, and the winning author could even submit it to NOW (under a pseudonymn, of course).
Posted by: Randy at November 29, 2006 03:45 PMThe trouble is ... bad as my poetry can be, I don't think I could possibly top this.
Posted by: Wilson at November 29, 2006 05:36 PMIf I saw this poem, I would have thought it was korny and withdrawn my application.
I also think that the words "edification" and "edifying" are used more than they should be.
Posted by: asa at December 3, 2006 05:53 PMI find your discernment very convicting, Asa.
Posted by: Wilson at December 3, 2006 06:19 PMWilson, you are far too academic to be convicted by my random comments... it is I who am in need of your great discernment.
Posted by: asa at December 5, 2006 09:12 PMUh... just to be clear, I found the poem strange but I'm not sure I could do better either...
Posted by: asa at December 5, 2006 09:14 PM