From Minnesota with love

Ncot many women would be willing to make a daily 150-mile round trip to finish their education after they have raised a family. Notmany women could lose a beloved husband and,only seven months later, have thestability to relocate 1,375 miles away from home and family in an unfamiliar place and position. But Irene Larson is"strengthened by God," andHe has made hera unique woman.

Driven by a challenge to continue her education, this mother of three married daughters overcame her unusual circumstances to earn a master's degree in 1971 from Mankato State University inMinnesota Shortly after hergraduation, herhusband, who had suffered for 15 months from heart failure, died Sheknew, however,that God wasin control and shecould honestly say, "I will trust and not be afraid."

God had prepared Irene Larson for widowhood. Shehadtaught English for three years, developing a love forher teaching ministry,especially for teaching literature. A phone call from Dr. Guillermin on December 3,1972,was thefirst stepdirecting her toLBC, where shebegan teaching on January 3,1973 She knelton the sidewalk of her lovely home, asked the Lord to keep it safe and left Westbrook, Minn., for Lynchburg, Va.

Larson can share many interesting storiesof her early days at LBC Living in the downtown hotel,riding buses to and from school, and teaching from cardboard box podiums areonly a few "learning experiences" ofthis adventurous woman

"Ithink I am the most privileged English teacher thisschool willever have, because I was here atthe beginning." Larson is now the school's senior faculty member, currently on her 11thcontract. She teaches fivesectionsof literatureclasses,spending much time on class preparation "I'vegiven everything toteaching because I've had to and wanted to."

Now living in a Lynchburg apartment, Larson says,"I'm alone, but I'mnotlonely I can be alone Icanenjoy things by my- self." When she began teaching at LBC, she "hadtolearn with thestudents," and learning consumed most of hertime Today shefinds enjoyment inbaking bread, going to plays and poetry readings; and, being a musician and singer herself, she enjoys classical music concerts

Literature comes alive in Larson's classes Shebelieves that the classics she teaches are"atonce beautiful, morallyedifying, and replete with philosophical truth."Hersincere beliefinthe importance of literature isa gift tothestudents who she feelscan bebetter persons from studying literature "1 can prove it helps,even in Bible study."

Irene Larson receivedthePresident's Service Award from Dr. Guillerman inApril. She retired this year after teachingat LBC for 10 years.

Larsons advises students,"Ifwe are going to get into the arena, we must get serious about our studying and performing.We've got toknow what others know and we can't make judgments unless we know."

Vacations highlight Larson's life.She has traveled to many foreign countries, and the next country on her agenda is Greece Since she loves to write, she always createsan interesting synopsis of her travels Andshedoesjourney toherMinnesota home for the summers There she enjoys working outside, manicuring the lawns, gardening on hertwoacres,fixing her home, and refinishing antiques.

Irene Larson hasfound thesecret fora successful future: "Delight in,and have obedience for,theLord." Shehasa burning desire to read and study and to get back tomusic inthefuture Shealso wants tospend more time writing "even if no one reads it."Butwherever Irene Larson may go orwhatever she maydo,herone-on-one relationships with LBC students have provided lasting friendships that will always accompany her