Life lessons from PLNU alumni

Dave Spaite

Reverend David M. Spaite graduated in 1976 with a B.A. in Christian Education and Youth Ministry and later received his M.A. in Theology in 1985. He was a busy student who founded “Wilderness Adventures,” the precursor to Great Escapes, served as his Senior Class Vice President and played on the tennis team. He now serves as a pastor at Visalia Church of the Nazarene in Visalia, Calif.

The Point Weekly: What is one favorite memory from your time at Point Loma Nazarene University?

Dave Spaite: My most favorite memory at PLNU was when I was privileged to be wedded to my wife, Kristi – one of the first weddings to be held in Brown Chapel – on June 27, 1987.

PW: What would you say is the most important lesson you learned while in college?

DS: The pursuit of knowledge is not the same as the pursuit of wisdom & “A true leader is at his best in the most baffling of circumstances” – Oswald Sanders from “Spiritual Leadership.”

PW: Looking back on your years in college, what is one thing you wish you had known?

DS: I wish that I could have foreseen how incredibly significant the decision of whom you will marry becomes. Of the thousands of decisions that I made during my time at PLNU – this was the most significant life determination that I was to make. It has eternal ramifications and should be sought with profound spiritual diligence & wise counsel. Look beyond the veneer- as often, things are not as they appear to be at the outset. In addition – ‘You marry the family, not just the person’.

PW: Since graduating from college, what is one thing you have found fulfillment and purpose from?

DS: The most fulfilling thing in life beyond pouring yourself into a Godly family and raising spiritually deep kids is being and making Disciples of Jesus. So, your kids are your primary Disciples that are to be made for Jesus. Then, secondly, take as many people to heaven with you as possible. This life is so short, so let’s help God change the roll call of heaven!

Linda Milburn

Linda Louise Milburn graduated from PLNC in 1988 with a degree in liberal studies and received her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She played on the college’s tennis team for two years. Milburn still lives in San Diego and teaches 3 grade in the La Mesa/Spring Valley School District. She has been teaching for 23 years, inspiring and nurturing children. Milburn loves to travel and remembers studying elephants alongside a team of researchers in Namibia, Africa as one of the best times of her life.

The Point Weekly: What is one favorite memory from your time at Point Loma Nazarene University?

Linda Milburn: I think my favorite memory would have to be my graduation day. After working so hard at school, tennis team, and a part time job, I got to be the first person in my family to get a degree. I remember walking down the stairs into the amphitheater, beautiful view, all my family and friends yelling my name. It was such a feeling of accomplishment. It was an emotional day. I had made my family proud.

PW: What would you say is the most important lesson your learned while in college?

LM: One important lesson I learned was to utilize all resources and to ask questions when needed. I was insecure and never wanted to look like I did not know something, understand something or that I needed help. When I got to PLNC I realized I could not stay that way. On the tennis team we helped each other and stuck together. I loved those times.

PW: Looking back on your years in college, what is one thing you wish you had known?

LM: I wish I had known how difficult my career in teaching was going to be. I did not know how much time I was going to have to put into my daily planning. Kids are our future and I take it very personally. I don’t have children of my own, and want each of them to succeed and make our world better. However, you are not only a teacher but a caregiver and a counselor. It takes so much out of you, to want to help every child succeed.

PW: Since graduating from college, what is one thing you have found fulfillment and purpose from?

LM: Everyday that I go to work in my classroom is another day I have a chance to make a difference. When those kids walk into my room they cannot enter without a hug, a handshake or a high five. I want that connection to start our day off, and we must end our day with the same contact. It is my moment with the 33-35 of them individually, to let them know how important they are. You never know if or how you make a difference in the kids, but you try your hardest each and every day.

Tommy Williams

Tommy Williams attended Roosevelt University in Arkansas before he transferred to Pasadena Nazarene College where he dedicated his life to the Christian faith. He graduated in 1960 with a degree in business and has since worked for several Savings and Loan companies and has opened his own Real Estate office. He has been married for 52 years and has four children. In his spare time Williams loves to hunt and fish.

The Point Weekly: What is one favorite memory from your time at Point Loma Nazarene University?

Tommy Williams: I have so many wonderful memories of Paz Naz. While there I ran Track and spent a lot of time at the beach. I would have to say that the best memories I have are the wonderful friends that I met while there. I am still friends with a lot and so is my wife and we get together from time to time. My friends and I also pulled lots of pranks in school and were really mischievous. One time we took a Porsche car that belonged to one of the rich kids and pushed it into the library where we left it.

PW: What would you say is the most important lesson your learned while in college?

TW: I would say that the most important thing that I learned in college is that if I don’ make it to heaven, it will be the little things that keep me out, not the big things. That was taught to me by Dr. Henry Ernst, who taught German and was a well known and loved professor.

PW: Looking back on your years in college, what is one thing you wish you had known?

TW: While in college I wish I had known how to study better. I did very little studying in the State College I attended in Arkansas. I made nearly straight Fs inAfter I got saved I knew I had to study if I was going to graduate. I couldn’t cheat anymore.

PW: Since graduating from college, what is one thing you have found fulfillment and purpose from?

TW: The best thing that I took from ole Paz Naz is a knowledge of Jesus Christ as my Savior and a wonderful wife who has given me four precious children and a degree that has served me well.

Vance Huston

Col. Harold Vance Huston graduated from Pasadena College in 1953 with a degree in Biology. He then served for 23 years as a Marine Pilot through deployments in Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan, along with the piloting of Marine One under Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson. Huston has also worked as a Jr. ROTC instructor and serves in prison ministries. He now lives in Kentucky with his wife.

The Point Weekly: What is one favorite memory from your time at Point Loma Nazarene University?

Vance Huston: My favorite memory from my time at PC was asking Ella Mae out to a taping (or was it filming) of an episode of “I Love Lucy”… and having her accept! From that date began the most wonderful experience of my life … 61 years of marriage to a very, very special lady!

PW: What would you say is the most important lesson your learned while in college?

VH: The most important lesson I only began to learn at PC was just how critically important the choice of a spouse would become as our lives progressed together. As a college 19 year old, I could not possibly know the full magnitude of that choice until many years later. I only had a very dim, hazy understanding of that momentous decision at the time, but God gave me (us) just enough insight to guide me (us) through that life-changing choice. 61 years later, I now see God’s hand in that tremendously important choice and shudder at just how ill-prepared two “children” were to embark on marriage. Thank you Lord for your guiding hand!

PW: Looking back on your years in college, what is one thing you wish you had known?

VH: The thing I wish I’d known (understood) was just how important a good education really was … had I really understood that truth, I would have concentrated more on my education and less on being a renegade!

PW: Since graduating from college, what is one thing you have found fulfillment and purpose from?

VH: When I graduated, my goals were professional success, excellence in my life’s work, and a comfortable life for my family. Now, I see those goals as very self-serving. The last half of my life I’ve found that if we want true happiness, we need to follow Christ’s example in John 13 … “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” and “now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” I have certainly found fulfillment and purpose in attempting to follow Him in my own halting, inadequate way. “Inasmuch as you’ve done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you’ve done it unto me,” Matthew 25. What a marvelous, yet simple concept! Lord, please guide us as we attempt to follow your example!