NOVEMBER 2019 Vol 5, Iss 11 The
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NOVEMBER 2019 Vol 5, Iss 11 The newsletter for alumni and friends of Central Christian College INAUGURATION THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS Long Island, New York. Later, as my We recognize that to pursue truth is family divided, I spent part of my year to pursue God. As we pursue knowl- in Florida and the other part of the year edge and grow in our understanding of trekking through the mountains of truth, we will invariably find ourselves Colorado. So, you can imagine that my on a crash course with God. Therefore, journey to the Great Plains was a tor- I believe we have a moral responsibil- nadic experience for me. Furthermore, ity to ensure that our students are not the structure and mission of this col- just equipped to critically engage the lege was not in my plans. Like Dorothy science, but also to actively engage the landing in Munchkin land, my entry One who brought it into being. into this place left me a little dazed and confused. THE TINMAN What was his problem? No heart. And that was where the journey began. The following are excerpts from Presi- Because it was in those moments that I cannot think of a more appropriate il- dent Favara’s inaugural address. You may my search for a “home” began. It was lustration to demonstrate the reality of watch the full address and view pictures at the lessons that I learned on that jour- what living without a heart looks like, ccckfoundation.org/inauguration. ney, a journey that happened right here other than to point to the current state of our good union. If there was ever a s the newly installed president on this campus, that forever altered the time that this nation, this world, needs of this college, my job here to- direction and focus of my life. A men and women of integrity, honor, day is to provide you with a visionary and civility – that time is now. glimpse into the future of this college, to set the agenda, to pronounce pros- “So for us, each time we step Nearly gone are the days that an indi- perity, and boldly go where no one has back on campus, we reminisce, vidual was judged primarily by his or gone before. her character, rather than the level of celebrate, and rekindle the success of his or her conquests. I think However, before I do that, you need to we all long for the day when virtue, be aware this is Homecoming Week- quest we once embarked upon.” courtesy, and respect were lauded over end on the campus of Central Chris- possessions, personality, and power. tian College of Kansas. Interestingly enough, this year’s theme is “There’s So, let’s take a little journey. Central’s mission speaks directly to No Place Like Home”. this need and is truly the distinctive of THE SCARECROW this College. Yes, we are unapologeti- Now, you need to understand that I The first key character that Dorothy en- cally and unswervingly Christ-Cen- have a bit of an infatuation with the countered was the Scarecrow (who had tered. That is a fundamental reality Wizard of Oz. Not like a weird one or no brain). – our position for 135 years, and our anything. My interest is purely aca- perspective for the next 135. However, demic in nature as it pertains to the so- As you would expect, my journey here we are not the only institution to carry cio-cultural aspects of the production. at CCCK has been a journey of learning. the banner of Christ. Therefore, it is not You could imagine my delight as it in- As I see it, this is an essential element necessarily our distinction. Our distin- stantly gave me a platform to use the of our missional existence. The pursuit guishing mark, the element that sets us imagery of this story as a backdrop to of knowledge and the advancement of apart, is our focus to touch both heart my own understanding of the impact academic achievement will continue to and mind. Luke 2:52 asks us to exhort and future of this great institution. play a key role in all we do. our students, to help them grow in wis- There once was a time, much like Dor- However, there are many educational dom, while also increasing in stature othy, that I stood dreaming of a great institutions, who at face value, might and in favor with God and humanity. someday. And then BANG – I found echo this dedication to pursue knowl- edge and truth. Yet, it is our assertion Therefore, I say that it is time to bring myself in central Kansas at a little the heart back into the hallowed halls school called Central College. that any pursuit of truth that attempts to circumnavigate the reality and exis- of higher education. Now, unlike Dorothy, I was not from tence of our Creator is really chasing Kansas. As a young child I grew up on after the wind. Ctd. on page 2 1 TODAY NEWSLETTER INAUGURATION Ctd. from page 1 THE LION Our next character is the Lion. He lacked courage. Our world has a very real need for people who have the grit to see things through, who do not melt under the burden of great expectations. God needs people who are able to perse- vere in the face of hardship, to fight for the oppressed, to enter the breach and boldly proclaim truth. Again, that is why I believe CCCK is unique in its ability to touch the heart. We have here a unique environment forced her to grow in knowledge (the cur – a soul that needed to fully grasp that allows students to test and tackle mind of the Scarecrow), character (the the potential provided to her. new skills, abilities, and achievements. heart of the Tinman), and tenacity (the courage of the Lion). In doing so, she Those shoes remind me that the core Our future will continue to be tied to herself was transformed. element of both our past and our fu- providing an environment of explora- ture is wrapped up in the all sufficient, tion and discovery, characterized by This brings me to the core element sustaining blood of Christ. Those shoes people equipping and encouraging of our conversation here today. It all represent the ruby red blood of Christ each individual to valiantly forge for- comes down to those ruby slippers. that allows our feet to be shod with ward, to reach for higher ground, to For, in the very moment that Dorothy’s the ready power that comes from the fulfill the God-given potential knitted feet were encapsulated in those shoes, gospel of peace; both justifying us and into every life. she fell under the protection of a power sanctifying us, protecting us and em- that no evil could overcome. Every at- powering us. DOROTHY tempt to harm her was thwarted by the There is still one last character we need presence of those ruby slippers. This is what excites me about the fu- to address here – that is the charac- ture of Central, because this journey ter Dorothy, herself. Remember, the This is the exact same invitation given – the journey of mind, heart, soul, and whole reason we were introduced to to each and every student who walks strength – is a journey that has been go- the scarecrow, the tinman and the lion through the doors of this College – the ing on in the lives of Central students was because of the deficit in her own chance to appropriate the ruby red for over 135 years. That is why we call life – the need for meaning: a home. blood of Christ to wash them, cleanse this place home. them, and purify them – to save them I think it is important that you un- from the power of evil. So for us, each time we step back on derstand the strategic model that in- campus, we reminisce, celebrate, and forms the work of CCCK. Our mission However, that is not where the story rekindle the quest we once embarked is fleshed out by defining character ends. Protection from evil and deliver- upon. Perhaps even taking up the jour- through something we call the Core ance from the curse of death were only ney, yet again. And so, before God and Four. The Core Four recognizes that the starting point for Dorothy, as it is this good company, I commit to ensur- true character is achieved through an with us. It was the first stage of grace, ing that we shall never lose sight of the appreciation for and development of which justified and protected her. As foundational truths that have shaped heart, mind, soul, and strength. Dorothy journeyed, safe in the vindi- our journey so far. cating work of those ruby slippers; as Because there simply is no place like Dorothy’s journey through Oz was she had opportunity to grow in mind, Central. There is no place like home. defined by a quest to find home. How- in heart, and in strength; the evolution ever, in order to complete that quest of her soul allowed her to appropri- she first had to deal with an internal ate the power afforded to her through journey of the soul, which challenged those shoes. While the shoes covered her to wrestle with her priorities and her externally, there was an internal Dr. Lenny F. Favara discover her true identity. Her journey transformation that also needed to oc- President | CC '89, '91 2 TODAY NEWSLETTER INAUGURATION 2:45 PM Beginning at Science Hall, the president, dignitar- ies, faculty, staff, and the choir line up to prepare for the processional.