Dear Fellow Perpetual Students,

Remember when we felt excited, nervous, open, trusting, expectant because we were in a new class? In classes, we learned new things and solidified what we were already doing in our contexts? The weekly ritual of being in a learning community, exchanging thoughts and reflections with classmates across the world, the novelty of having different time zones, accents, and styles of teaching from a global faculty. Wasn’t it energizing and life-giving?

Remember when our readings stretched our minds, affected us personally to step up, to pursue God’s shalom, and then had to consolidate all that in 500 words? Some books will always remain on our shelves to be used again and again, corners bent and well-used.

Remember when we hustled to get our papers on time and our professors generously gave us extensions? What a relief that was! It enabled us to produce quality and increase our contributions to our contexts.

Remember when we got to meet some of our professors in person and how our hearts were warmed by each other's mutual appreciation. I remember so many who taught as mutual learners, imparting a new way of thinking, a depth of reflection, or even knowledge I lacked.

For those of you who were in Dallas for graduation, remember when Judi Melton was the graduation coordinator and handed us our gowns? We had finally completed the long and hard journey of being graduate students.

In light of my taking you down memory lane, I want to invite you to consider some of the following:

• There are new certificates coming out periodically. Would you (or people in your context) be interested in one? https://bgu.edu/certificates

• We are looking for alumni who would be interested in developing a certificate. Is that something that interests you? Please email certificates@bgu.edu.

• We have a larger number of students throughout the Global South. Many of these students receive discounted tuition rates. Financial donations help BGU pay the world-class faculty and staff while still passing on these discounts. Would you be willing to contribute financially to BGU to sustain students who cannot afford tuition? Please check this LINK.

In a world obsessed with productivity and efficiency, we see “university” as a stepping stone to getting us to what we want next. In the world of spiritual formation, “university” is a community experience that is past, present, and future. It is a permanent part of you. I encourage you to savor, to remember, to anticipate your university.

With Joy and Gratitude

Dr. Nita Kotiuga

Director of Spiritual Formation