NWTrucker: LeTourneau University Graduation

The Date: April 30, 2009.
The Occasion: Kevin's Graduation from LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas.

Below is a picture of Jennie and I at SeaTac Airport, preparing for our flight to Dallas, TX.

After arriving in Dallas late Thursday evening, we stayed at a hotel close to the airport, returning Friday morning to secure our rental car. We then drove to Longview and met up with Kevin at his Society House, KZX. Later that day, Henry showed up, and just before the Graduation Celebration Banquet, Stephen showed up. Once again, we are together as a family, even if only for a short time.

Below are two pictures taken at the "meet and greet" reception just before the banquet. This was an opportunity to meet some of the staff of LeTourneau and also to meet some of the other parents.

Below is a picture of the upcoming graduate just before the banquet started.

The following morning, Saturday, the 2nd of May, 2009, was the graduation ceremony. Below is a somewhat fuzzy picture of a page taken from the graduation program. The page heading was School of Engineering and Engineering Technology. The column heading is Engineering--Mechanical Concentration, B.S. Towards the bottom of the column is Kevin's name.

If you look real close, just to the left of the cap with the letters ZA, you should be able to just make out another cap with the letters KZX on it. That is Kevin.

Here is a short movie clip of Kevin's moment, the moment he spent 6 years looking forward to. Take a couple of seconds and watch the video. Just a few seconds of his life, but it is the beginning of many years of better opportunities for him.

And now it is my honor and privilege to present to you, Kevin James Haveman.

Here is Kevin with his proud mother.

And here is Kevin with both of his proud parents.

And here he is again with the whole family.

At this time, I would like to give a brief history of Mr. LeTourneau and LeTourneau University.

Le Tourneau University is named for its founder - R. G. LeTourneau. World famous inventor, engineering genius, designer of heavy duty earth moving equipment, huge off-shore drilling platforms, and the electric drive wheel, he was, first and foremost, a Christian. He acknowleged his responsibility to God by investing millions of dollars in missionary development projects in Liberia, West Africa and Peru, South America, bringing the Gospel, education, and medical aid to thousands.

For over thirty years, he traveled across the US, Canada and other foreign countries sharing his testimony about the satifaction and joy of serving Jesus Christ. Each time he spoke, he began by saying, "I'm just a mechanic that God has blessed, and it seems He wants me to go around telling how He will bless you, too."

Probably his most significant ministry will prove to be the school he and his wife, Evelyn, established in Longview, Texas. While flying over the area in 1946 to select a manufacturing site, Mrs. LeTourneau saw the sprawling complex of a vacated Army hospital consisting of over two hundred frame buildings. When told that it was no longer in use, she asked about establishing a school to serve the many GI's returning from the war.

The site was secured and LeTourneau Technical Institute was established. From 1946 to 1961, more then 7,000 men received technical training in the new school. By 1961, the institution had outgrown the tech school mold. In 1961, LeTourneau Tech became LeTourneau College as the school became a four year college, broadened its curriculum to include many technical and non-technical majors, and became co-educational. In 1989, LeTourneau College became LeTourneau University, reflecting the quality and diversity of academic programs, the aptitude and international flavor of the student body, and the service orientation, research capabilities, and the professional nature of the curriculum.

The LeTourneau University of today is an accredited, interdenominational, comprehenseive Christian university, offering four-year and two-year programs in engineering, technology, the liberal arts, business, aeronautical science, education and the sciences, plus graduate programs in business and education. In the legacy of R. G. LeTourneau, the University today prepares professionals of ingenuity and Christ-like character to serve in the workplace of every nation.

The life verse of Mr. R. G. LeTourneau was Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

After the graduation ceremony, and after changing our clothes, we all went out for lunch at a place called Texas Roadhouse. Gotta say, the food there was excellent. Then it was time to say goodbye to Henry and Stephen, as they had to return to their respective places, one in Houston and one in Shawnee, OK. Kevin had arranged for one of his friends to take Jennie and I on a sight seeing flight in a Piper PA28-180, a four place, low wing airplane.

Below, you will see an aerial picture of the LeTourneau University campus.

Here is a photo of the three Society Houses on campus. On the right, you can see that one of them has some letters on the roof. Above and to the left of that one is a brown colored house. Between those two, kinda hidden in the trees is the house that Kevin lived in, KZX.