My first daughter started kindergarten this fall a milestone that made both of us feel a whole lot older. Like many parents sending their kids into the public school system for the first time, I wasnt sure what to expect: Would she fit in? What kind of values would she encounter? Would she have a good teacher?

Thankfully, my concerns turned to relief during the very first week when her teacher came up to me and said, Youre the 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 dad! As it turned out, she was a fellow 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 graduate. Having earned her credential and masters degree from 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 several years ago, shed been excited to see my university email address on an emergency contact form.

I immediately felt reassured that my little girl was in good hands that she would be shaped by someone who had not only gone through 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s reputable education programs, but who also had the character and commitment that tends to come with 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 alumni. (That assumption has since proven to be completely accurate. Shes an amazing teacher!) When I bumped into June Hetzel, the dean of 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s School of Education, in the universitys parking lot a couple of days later, I gushed to her about my renewed sense of gratitude for the many hundreds of 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 alumni who are serving as teachers.

And its not just teachers, of course. Collectively, 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 graduates are doing an incredible amount of good for society. I continually meet and hear about alumni who are making a profound impact at hospitals, businesses, counseling practices, tech firms, media outlets, film studios, churches and nonprofit organizations all around the world. Among employers, 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023ns are known for their skill and integrity as the kind of people who make organizations better.

Thats partly because, as a university and as an alumni family, 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 is not driven primarily by accomplishment or prestige or a desire for money. Rather, as our vision statement puts it, were a community compelled by Christs love. We want the world around us to flourish the way God intends. And we want to be known for the sort of diligence and excellence that youd expect from people who actually believe were doing our work directly for God and not just for people.

Unfortunately, not everyone recognizes the value of faith-based education. In fact, a growing number of legislators seem to perceive Christian universities as a threat to the good of society, rather than one of its greatest contributors. It appears weve allowed ourselves to be defined by stereotypes and half-truths, rather than by the love and excellence that drives us.

And so with this issues cover story, were seeking to make the case for why Christian universities are so important to preserve and to protect. As youll read, schools like 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 serve a unique and important role in our pluralistic society. Drawing upon stories, statistics and even secular thinkers, we seek to demonstrate the real value that Christian schools provide.

Universities like 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 have something special to offer, and I hope youll join me in praying that well be able to continue offering it for many years to come, for the sake of people everywhere kindergartners and their dads included.