EVERETT — A small Lutheran college here is going to get a big plug.
An upcoming segment on the CNN television program, “Viewpoints with Terry Bradshaw,” will feature Trinity Lutheran College. The school, at 2802 Wetmore Ave., enrolls more than 175 students in 10 majors.
The show, hosted by the former football star, profiles people, businesses and other stories and airs on several television networks. The show’s producers called college president John Reed in May and told him they were looking for innovative faith-based colleges to feature. A family member of a production staff member knew about Trinity Lutheran College and that led to the call, Reed said.
“They kind of got word that there was this little place so they interviewed me to see if we had an interesting enough story to tell,” he said.
A broadcast date has not been announced, said Annemarie Russell, interim director of communications at the college. It is scheduled to be televised in November or December, on 19 regional networks, as well as nationally, Russell added.
Last month, Reed was filmed talking about what makes the college innovative, He answered questions including, “How does Trinity provide real world experiences for its students?”
“Our students will do between 150 and 200 hours of service learning during their time here,” Reed said. “Some students will do as many as 800 hours through practicums and internships, so there’s a lot of real world experience at Trinity.”
It seems to work, he added. Over the past three years, 95 percent of graduating students have either been placed in graduate school or a job after six months.
Reed’s interview was just part of the filming Sept. 12 by video producer Rick Barnes. Filming for the five-minute segment included time in the rooftop garden above the Trinity parking garage and inside the Brammer Chapel during morning service. Barnes also shot footage of students and professors at lunch and in classrooms, and of college soccer athletes playing a game at Lincoln Field.
Russell was interviewed about Trinity’s small size and how the college is unique in its faith-based education.
“Lots of Bible schools are pretty narrow focused in terms of ‘if you come here, this is what you need to believe and what you need to do.’” she said. “We’re saying we think (the Bible) is an important part of a liberal arts education and we also welcome a broad variety of voices to the table.”
Alex Couweleers, a senior at Trinity, transferred to the school from Whatcom Community College. Now in his third semester and a member of the college soccer team, Couweleers said he likes the small-school atmosphere.
“I like knowing everyone and being in a closer community,” he said. “You can walk everywhere. There’s so much right around the area.”
Couweleers, 22, helped move camera equipment throughout the school during the filming. He plans to watch the segment when it airs.
“It’s good for the school and it will give everyone a taste of what we’re all about,” he said.
Reed is looking forward to the segment and the exposure he hopes it will create for Trinity Lutheran College.
“When you’re not well known, which we’re not, and when someone else is saying you’re good, then that’s a win,” Reed said. “So this is an opportunity for us to create buzz.”
Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491; adaybert@heraldnet.com.
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