SnyderMotivates Toward Success

By Melody Walker

To have a professor honestly concerned about you is an encouragement for you to succeed and continue evenwhen timesget rough. Dr. AlSnyder,LU journalism department chairman, is one of them.

"Motivating students is a tremendous job," Snyder said."Seeingthe juniorand seniorstudentswork hard to prepare for their future is exciting. Ireally enjoy what Ido and how itcontributes to the lives of the students."

"The Lord has raised up the journalism program," Snyder said "We have aseriousneed for Christians in journalism today. They are the 'key gatekeepers'in society. Journalism istoo tightly controlled by antiChristianforces. W e need Christiansin journalism to influenceour nation forChristand for truth."

"Liberty'sjournalism program ratesfavorably with the bestin thecountry inquality," Snyder added. "LU hasatop-notch faculty, excellentpracticum opportunitiesand stateoftheartequipment."

SnyderhasaB.A.in journalism,aM.A.in broadcast journalismand adoctoratein publicrelations. He came to Libertyfrom themissionfield, after serving21 years in missionary radio ministry in Liberia and the East Caribbean

As ayoung person Snyder sang duetswithhis sister on the KYB Club children's program over Christian radiostationWMBI inChicago. They alsoplayed the parts of Billy and PattyBangle in live dramatic stories That is where Snyder got his interest in radio and journalism.

Snyder did sports reporting forhiscity newspaper while inhigh school. In college he served as sports editor and news editor forthe school newspaper and was editorofthe yearbook.

He went to Wheaton College which had a strong missions influence. Students from Wheaton started a missionaryradio stationin Liberiain 1954, and Snyder joined them therein1955.

Snyderworked for 17 yearswithradiostationELW A, serving as news director, public relations manager, and stationmanager. He alsodid morning music and devotional programs in the English service. ELWA was a shortwave operation, broadcasting over five transmitters in40languages.

Snyder alsostarted and directed aYouth For Christ ministryfor 15yearsin Monrovia, the Liberiancapital, which realized over350 professionsof faith eachyear.

Snyder met his wifeEvelyn in Africa, where shealso was a missionary. He said he fell in love with her because ofher "beautifulfeet," inreference to Romans 10:15: "How beautifularethefeet of them who bring gladtidings."

The Snydershave two children. Steve, who is now a lawyer,wasatelecommunicationsmajorat Liberty and went on to theUniversity of Virginia's law school. He worked two yearsas news directorat WRV L and as the producerof the Old-TimeGospelHour radioprogram Dan wasa businessmajorat Liberty,worked in personnelfor OTGH, and now serveson thebusinessdepartment faculty for LUSLLL

The Snyders leftthe mission field in 1976 so their sons could go toschool inthe statesduring their last two years ofhighschool

Both Al and Evelyn Snyder are stillactive in missions work. Mrs. Snyder teachesmissionsand education courses part-time at LU, and Dr. Snyder works withSIM Internationalas apublicrelations consultant