Lakeland Mirror

Issue date: 4/13/06 Section: Features

Media Credit: Justin Lyman Lynne and Rev. David Lauer

Imagine this: it's 1968 and you're moving from the relatively large University of Miami (OH) to Lakeland. It's more than a culture shock. "We thought we were lost... no one puts a college in the middle of nowhere," Lynne Lauer exclaimed.

Now, 38 years, three children, and hundreds of tennis matches later, David "Rev" and Lynne Lauer are retiring from teaching at Lakeland. During their time at Lakeland, the Lauer's lived on Prof. Row for over 30 years and finally moved off-campus in 1999 into a home in Elkhart Lake.

Rev was ordained in 1966 after graduating from Eden Seminary in St. Louis, MO, making this his 40th year in ministry. Rev. Lauer was called to the Oxford Community United Church of Christ in Oxford, OH, where he also served as one of 12 campus ministers at the University of Miami (OH).

While at LC, the Lauer's have seen many different students come and go. Both Rev and Lynne really enjoyed the exchange of relationships with many students they have taught over the years, and especially the ones that return for more guidance.

Rev commented that some of his fondest memories were of chapel musicians and the music they they were able to create over the years. Stretching from Jazz to more traditional tunes, Lauer enjoyed them all. Even current Associate Professor of German and Music, Dr. Martin Ulrich participated as a chapel musician.

Rev and Lynn's appreciation of music is also apparent in their attendance at almost every choir and band concert that the college has ever put on.

Anyone who has ever been to a chapel service knows that Rev's love for music is also present in his singing. Loudly bellowing out tunes with a grin larger than the Christmas wreath in Ley Chapel, Rev was always heard.

However, his singing talents were not confined to the chapel. Rev recalled one incident where he and younger faculty members dressed in their academic robes to sing a very proper version of the "Alma Mater." "Then they turned on the strobe light... we took off our robes and we were all wearing very bright stripes and other kinds of clothing that made it look like we were wavy, and then we rocked out to the 'Alma Mater'," Rev said, "I'm not too sure the administration liked that one."

Continued...

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