Lydia Lowery (’24) is LBC’s first-ever Christian Thought in the Humanities graduate.
Lancaster Bible College’s online Christian Thought in the Humanities program has some exciting news! This relevant and unique LBC program will celebrate Lydia Lowery (’24) as a December 2024 graduate later this month.
While December graduates will walk in one unified college ceremony at the main campus in Lancaster, Pa., this spring, Lydia will soon wrap up her humanities capstone project, which will mark a final milestone in the completion of her program. The Christian Thought in the Humanities major added a specialization in Rhetoric & Writing to further tailor her degree.
Arts & Sciences Department Chair Dr. Krissi Castor (’13) supervised Lydia’s first of two practicum learning experiences, while Sherry Bell, LBC’s Manager of Faculty Support, served as the faculty mentor during her second practicum. A practicum experience gives students the opportunity to put into practice and apply what they previous learned throughout their studies.
“Lydia demonstrates the deep critical thinking, cultural awareness, empathy and creativity that our studies in Christian Thought and the Humanities cultivate,” Castor said. “And she exemplifies the purpose of the Rhetoric & Writing specialization: ‘To be undergirded by a growing love for God, His Word and others [and] to be a reflective, articulate thinker and proficient writer who actively participates in current academic, cultural and professional conversations as Christ’s ambassador of reconciliation.’”
Get to know this soon-to-be graduate who will forever have a place in LBC history through this Q&A with Lydia.
WHERE I WORK & WHAT I DO: I work at Portersville Christian School (Portersville, Pa.) as the Development Director. In that role, I work directly with my team to market the school to prospective families and solidify the long-term financial stability of the school. I also work at the Presbyterian Church of Portersville as the Youth Director. In my church role, I lead youth group weekly and coordinate events for the students in middle and high school.
HOW MY LBC EDUCATION PREPARED ME ‘TO PROCLAIM CHRIST BY SERVING HIM IN THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY’: LBC intentionally cultivates a desire for excellence and integrity in the work of their students. Through the intentionality behind the design of the courses and the feedback of the professors, I have been equipped to create a culture of excellence in Christ in the spheres that I participate in. LBC has expanded my ideas for what I believed was possible in my ministry and has encouraged me to do all my work for the glory of the Lord and the eternal kingdom of God.
GETTING MY COLLEGE DEGREE OPENED DOORS FOR ME BY: Providing me with a valuable internship experience. I was hired at my first practicum placement (Portersville Christian School) two months following my time as an intern in the development office. I was able to market myself and demonstrate the skills that I acquired through LBC in a way that proved me to be a qualified candidate.
MORE ABOUT MY PRACTICUM: My second practicum placement was with EduNations, an international nonprofit that uses sponsorships and donations to provide over 3,700 students in 15 schools a free education throughout six villages in Sierra Leone, West Africa. During my time with EduNations, I worked closely with the U.S. team on a project for its transportation program. I had learned that, in the previous school year, the canoes that 150 students used to get to school every single day were no longer in working condition. In response, I made appeals to churches that had a relationship with EduNations to support the replacement of the canoes and also provide bicycles for those who travel miles to get to school every day. In total, the project raised $4,597—providing the two needed canoes and 59 bicycles for students. Without these means of transportation, these children would not receive an education. It was very humbling to see the way that $50 USD can alter the life of a child forever.
MY LIFE’S BIBLE VERSE IS: My favorite passage of Scripture is Proverbs 3:5-7: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” This is valuable reminder to me that through our obedience and submission to the plans of God, our path is straight, and we can trust God to provide in ways that are exponentially greater than what we know or expect.
THE LAST BOOK I READ WAS: The last book that I read for enjoyment (I read a lot for my courses!) was “Kingdom of Ash” by Sarah J. Maas. It is the last book within the “Throne of Glass” series. I highly enjoy reading a wide variety of books!
WHEN I HAVE 30 MINUTES OF FREE TIME, I LIKE TO: I like to spend as much free time as I can with my younger sisters and close friends. We love to spend time in fellowship and meaningful discussion. If I am by myself, I like to take care of my house plants, read or bake.
MEET MY FAMILY: My parents are Miriam and Shawn Lowery. I have three younger sisters (I am the oldest), Sophia, Madeline and Elizabeth. Maddie and Lizzie are twins! We have grown up in Portersville, about 45 minutes north of Pittsburgh. Sophia is at Waynesburg University for Nursing, Maddie and Lizzie are seniors at Portersville Christian School, Maddie is excited to attend LBC next fall for Psychology!
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD? I would love to express my thanks and gratitude to Sherry Bell for her mentorship and guidance throughout my educational journey at LBC. She has been a stellar example of discipleship, and her care for my academic journey has been formative to who I am as a person and a graduate.