About LeTourneau University
- About
- Mission Statement
- Vision Statement
- Center for Faith & Work
- President Profile
- History
- Going Green at LETU
- Chapel Audio and Video
- Traditional LeTourneau University Campus
About
LeTourneau University is an interdenominational, evangelical Christian university serving more than 20,000 LETU alumni and close to 3,000 students - from 20 countries and 50 states - from its beautiful main campus in Longview, Texas and education locations in Austin, Bedford, Dallas, Houston, Athens, Harlingen, and Tyler. LETU also offers a wide range of online courses designed to fit the needs of non-traditional students.
LeTourneau offers degree programs in engineering, technology, the liberal arts, business, aeronautical science, education and the sciences, plus master's degree programs in Aeronautical Science, Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering and Engineering Technology.
LeTourneau University is consistently recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of "America's Best Colleges" and has also been honored for distinguished community service by being named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts.
Entering freshman class averages of SAT scores range from approximately 140-160 points above the national average, and our students evidence a strong academic ability, although provision is made for students with lower scores who possess evidence of potential achievement.
LETU students benefit from outstanding faculty, small classes and hands-on learning opportunities in an environment that develops leadership from a Christian perspective. LETU is known for graduating students who exhibit a strong work ethic, character and immediate effectiveness in the marketplace, across the nation and around the world.
Claiming every workplace in every nation as our mission field, LeTourneau University graduates are professionals of ingenuity and Christ-like character who see life's work as a holy calling with eternal impact.
Mission Statement
LeTourneau University is a co-educational, interdenominational Christian university built upon a foundation of biblical authority, which seeks to glorify God by integrating faith, learning and living. Recognizing that all knowledge comes from the Creator, the university helps students develop a maturing relationship with God, encouraging them to know Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. LeTourneau is a comprehensive academic institution, offering undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, and setting standards of excellence in engineering, technology, the liberal arts, business, aeronautical science, education and the sciences. These programs are distinguished by an approach that provides students with the pure intellectual excitement of learning, coupled with real life problem-solving opportunities. At the core of all programs is an emphasis on developing communication and critical thinking skills.
This integrated philosophy of education extends to all aspects of student life at LeTourneau, providing tangible opportunities for intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social and physical development. LeTourneau helps students mature and develop leadership skills, self-sufficiency and self-discipline by providing a campus community that enables faculty, staff and students to interact on a uniquely personal level. In addition, our university encourages the faculty and staff to serve as role models in spiritual, personal and professional growth.
Beyond its campus in Longview, Texas, the university is mindful of the need for service and Christian witness in the broader community and throughout the world. In January 2011, LeTourneau University created the Center for Faith and Work to equip, connect and mobilize Christians to live out their faith in the workplace. LeTourneau develops in its students the qualities of ingenuity and entrepreneurship that contribute to free enterprise and the democratic process, and encourages students to responsibly communicate their views, values and Christian faith to the world.
LeTourneau University Vision Statement
"Claiming every workplace in every nation as our mission field, LeTourneau University graduates are professionals of ingenuity and Christ-like character who see life's work as a holy calling with eternal impact."
President Profile
Dale A. Lunsford, Ph.D. is the sixth president of LeTourneau University. Lunsford joined the LeTourneau family in July 2007 and has been instrumental in improving students’ quality of life at LETU.
Under his leadership, the university completed construction of The Paul and Betty Abbott Aviation Center which provides a new home for the School of Aeronautical Science at the East Texas Regional Airport. In addition, construction was completed on The Café, a new dining facility with an upgrade of on-campus meal service, now provided by Bon Appétit, one of the nation’s premier restaurant-quality food management companies.
To further the university’s international presence, Lunsford has expanded LETU’s relationship with Handong Global University, a Christian University in Pohang, South Korea. Additionally, he was invited by the U.S. State Department to attend the first ever "Higher Education Summit for Global Development" in Washington, D.C. to promote the partnership of higher education institutions in worldwide social and economic development.
Lunsford has also been named to the board of directors for the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas to serve a two-year term through 2010.
Lunsford attended The University of Tulsa, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1982 and a Masters of Business Administration in 1985. In 1989, he received a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University.
Prior to his tenure at LETU, he served in academic and administrative roles at The University of Texas, The University of Tulsa and Oklahoma State University. Lunsford was associate dean and director of undergraduate programs at The University of Tulsa’s College of Business Administration. At Tulsa, Lunsford was an award-winning business professor. He has published numerous research studies, served as editor of a marketing education journal and co-hosted a popular radio program, "Businessworld," on a National Public Radio affiliate in Tulsa.
The University of Texas at Tyler led the state in enrollment growth during Lunsford’s years there as vice president. He was a fellow in Texas Governor George Bush’s Executive Development Program and has testified numerous times before the Texas Legislature on concerns regarding higher education. For his work following the Hurricane Katrina disaster, Lunsford received the Tyler Ministerial Alliance’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award.
Lunsford and his wife, Marsha, have been married twenty plus years and have two daughters: Rachel and Hannah, and one grandchild. The Lunsfords are members of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas where they are active in several ministries.
History
LeTourneau University is named for its founder, R.G. LeTourneau, one of the world’s greatest inventors of earthmoving equipment. A businessman and devout Christian, LeTourneau toured Longview, Texas, with his wife, Evelyn in 1946 to consider a manufacturing site for his next earthmoving equipment factory. While flying over a sprawling complex of a vacated Army hospital consisting of over 200 frame buildings, Mrs. LeTourneau inquired about the facility. When told it was no longer in use, she suggested establishing a school to educate returning World War II veterans.
The site became LeTourneau Technical Institute, founded in 1946 with only male students. In 1961 the school became LeTourneau College, a co-educational four-year school. In 1989 LeTourneau College became LeTourneau University, a SACS* and ABET** accredited, nondenominational Christian university, offering four-year and two-year degree programs in engineering, technology, the liberal arts, business, aeronautical science, education, and the sciences, plus master's degree programs in business, leadership, engineering, and education.
In that same year, the university began expanding into offering programs for non-traditional students in evening and weekend classes. Calling it the LEAP program, which stood for LeTourneau Education for Adult Professionals, classes with the same students making a group, or cohort, met weekly for six to eight weeks per course. Cohorts were kept on track through to degree completion with students automatically enrolled in each next class, and as each class finished, the next course began in the same location the following week with a different professor. Many other universities have adopted this format to reach non-traditional students.
Longview and Tyler both opened learning centers for evening and weekend classes in 1989. Dallas and Bedford opened in 1990. Houston followed in 1993 with several other partnership locations with San Jacinto College, Lee College, and Lone Star College. The city of Austin was added in 2001. Partnership locations opened with Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas and TSTC in Harlingen, Texas in 2011.
*LeTourneau University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, and masters degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of LeTourneau University.
**LeTourneau University's Bachelors programs in Engineering and Engineering technology are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission and the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET (www.abet.org).
Today the university has five schools:
- School of Arts and Sciences
- School of Aeronautical Science
- School of Business
- School of Education and Kinesiology
- School of Engineering and Engineering Technology
Today LeTourneau University is led by its sixth president, Dr. Dale A. Lunsford, and its board of trustees.
LeTourneau University is an unapologetically Christian university. While it has no direct denominational ties, it welcomes students of all denominations who love and seek after God. It is a place where students have found a deeper relationship with Him, grown in their spiritual walk and discovered God’s purpose for their lives.
Going Green at LETU
University Wide Efforts
- President Lunsford appoints Christian Lehman to oversee LETU's green efforts
- Trayless Tuesdays in the Corner Café conserves water & reduces waste
- Integrated energy management solution for HVAC controls
- Electronic documents/files replacing paper
- New netbook laptops are more power-efficient
- Majority of campus lighted by T8 energy star rated
- Printer cartridges recycled by School of Business students
- Office furniture "free-cycled"
- Paper-shredding company recycles
- Unplugging cell phone chargers and digital picture frames
- Recycling old letterhead/forms into notepads
- Encouraging faculty/staff to turn off office lights when leaving for 5+ minutes
Business & Administration
- Energy Smart power supply units in new desktops & servers
- Energy efficient LCD monitors at 97%, replacing CRT monitors
- Desktop virtualization controls multiple networked computers
- Server virtualization savings in data center
- Thomas Hall—pilot program uses two-way toilet handles, using about half the water
- Police & custodial staff turn off unnecessary lighting—weekends, evenings and holidays
- University Police use foot & bicycle patrols
- Athletic fields irrigated with rain water
- Rechargeable electric golf carts used
- Riding bicycles to work/around campus when possible
Development Office
- Recycles paper, aluminum cans and printer cartridges
- Proceeds from aluminum cans donated to charity
- Refurbishment & reuse of printer cartridges
- Using rechargeable batteries in cordless mice
External Relations
- Summer NOW offers electronic publication; to date 100+ responses will "go green"
- Electronic enrollment communications replace paper: inquiries, applications, newsletters, FAFSA, etc.
Opportunities
- Volunteer to coordinate an end-of-year recycling effort for old clothes, computers, etc. in the residence halls
- Volunteer to serve on a LETU-Green Committee to review areas for campus improvement
- Send your ideas for sustainable recycling efforts to ChristianLehman@letu.edu
