The 2012 Alumni Dinner was held during Homecoming weekend, and preparations are being made for the next Alumni Awards Dinner. Check it out at LCU Alumni.
Distinguished Alumnus Award: Linda Gaither ('72)
The recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus Award for significant personal or professional achievement is Linda Gaither. Linda, a Lubbock native, attends the Broadway Church of Christ and graduated in the first-ever four year class from Lubbock Christian College with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She went on to receive her Master’s in Special Education and Guidance and Counseling from Texas Tech University where she also earned her Diagnostician Certification. After completing her education, Linda taught in the Lubbock Independent School District for 20 years and is currently a realtor at WestMark Realty. Linda serves as a notable civic and professional leader in the Lubbock community and is active in the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. She has also participated on several boards and committees, including Leadership Lubbock, the Texas Boys Ranch, the Children’s Home of Lubbock, the Covenant Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, and the CitiBus Advisory Board. Linda has many great memories from her days at LCC, including mud fights, clubs, intramurals, Chapel, JO Bell’s famous cinnamon rolls, and Miss Etta Chandler’s Mail Call. Linda says that her greatest role model while at LCC was Dr. Bruce Max Evans for his caring attitude and attentiveness to her well being as a student. Dr. Harvie Pruitt, Dr. Elaine Perrin, Dr. Janis Perrin, June Bearden, and Mary Johnson Lewis also made quite the impact on Linda’s life while she was a student. Linda says that the greatest lesson she learned as a Lubbock Christian student is that strong foundations are vital for every aspect of our lives. Regardless of our circumstances, a Godly foundation will support us through the good, the bad, and the ugly times.
F.W Mattox Award: Dr. Jean Hines ('82)
Dr. Jean Hines is the 2012 recipient of the F.W. Mattox Award. This award is presented for excellence and outstanding service to the university. Jean currently lives in Lubbock, Texas where she is a member at Sunset Church of Christ with her husband H. Terry Hines. They have three children; Kenneth Hines (’87), Tammy Turner, and Kerri Greer. After graduating from Lubbock Christian University first in 1982 with her Bachelor of Science in Education, Jean continued to receive her Master’s in Education in 1988. In 1996, she graduated from Texas Tech University with her Doctorate in Education. Dr. Hines has worked as a teacher at Lubbock Christian School and in the Lubbock Independent School District, and has served as a faculty member of Lubbock Christian University since 1989. She has enjoyed being involved in a number of things during her time at LCC, including serving as a Lambda Omega Alpha and Student Education Association Sponsor, and attending many fine arts and athletic events. Dr. Hines says that her greatest role model during her time as a student here at LCC was Dr. Joyce Hardin. Dr. Hardin taught Jean not only how to teach students content, but how to use that content to impact the world. Another positive influence to Jean was Dr. Leon Crouch, a former faculty member of the Bible department at LCU. Jean says that the greatest lesson she learned while at LCC is to value people and to do whatever you can to help them be successful in their lives. She says that we are all children of God and are here to change lives for the better, something that LCU has always strived to do.
K.C. Moser Award: Marcelino Banda ('99)
This year’s recipient of the 2012 K.C. Moser Award for excellence and outstanding service to the church is Marcelino Banda. Marcelino lives in Lubbock, Texas and is the founder and preaching minister of the Lubbock Bilingual Church of Christ. He has been married for 35 years to his wife Orphila Banda, and they have three daughters; Yvette Banda Perez (’01), Yvonne Banda (’03), and Christina Banda Ramirez (’08). Marcelino received his Certificate of Graduation in Preaching and in Missions in 1982 from the Sunset International Bible Institute. In 1999, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Bible and Ministry from Lubbock Christian University where he also earned his Master’s in Bible and Ministry in 2002. He has been involved in preaching and ministry for 33 years, and has worked as the Bilingual Minister at the Denver City Iglesia de Cristo, the Brownfield Church of Christ, the Church of Christ in Edinburg, the Church of Christ in Mineola, and the Broadway Church of Christ. Since becoming the Preaching Minister at the Lubbock Bilingual Church of Christ, Marcelino has been involved in vacation bible school and community outreach programs at the Parkway Church of Christ. He also visits local hospitals, adult community centers, the local Montford Prison, and the Lubbock County Jail. Marcelino says that what he enjoyed most during his time at LCU were his bible classes as a non-traditional student. He says that his greatest role model at Lubbock Christian was Dr. Steve Joiner because of his practical teaching methods in all of his Ministry and Family Ministry classes. Marcelino says that the things he learned from Dr. Joiner are things he still uses in his ministry today.
Young Alumnus of the Year: Amanda Hale ('98)
Amanda Hale has been selected to receive the 2012 Young Alumnus of the Year Award. Amanda currently lives in New York, New York and is in a relationship with Kevin Wheeler. Amanda’s parents are Dan and Sharon Hale (’91). Amanda graduated from Lubbock Christian University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and a minor in Foreign Languages. She went on to receive her M.B.A. with an emphasis in Marketing from Texas Christian University in 2001. She has recently celebrated her 10th anniversary at Deloitte LLP, where she currently serves as the Senior Manager of the U.S. Global Office. Amanda is a member at St. Bartholomew’s Church in New York City and has been involved in many community outreach programs including one to teach and mentor underprivileged and first generation college students in ethical decision-making for their future careers. Her favorite memories from LCU consist of the ongoing dialogue with her professors, both in and out of class. It meant a great deal to Amanda that the faculty at LCU would always take the time to thoughtfully answer her questions and keep her engaged in meaningful discussions. Her biggest role model at Lubbock Christian was her mother and former International Student Counselor in Admissions, Sharon Hale. Amanda says that her mother always took international students under her wing and went out of her way to make them feel at home; something that Amanda still remembers and admires today. Dr. Susan Blassingame, Dr. Stacy Patty, Dr. Keith Owen, and Dr. Steve German also made a measurable impact on Amanda’s character through their leadership, guidance, and Christian examples. Amanda says that the greatest thing she learned while at LCU was to cultivate strong friendships. Many of her friends she made during her time on campus still bring her immense happiness and support. To her, that is what LCU is all about, with God in the center of it all.