LETU Sophomore Guaranteed Medical School Acceptance

Acceptance into medical school can be a worrisome experience for students hoping to become physicians; competition is fierce and getting the grades to qualify is no easy feat. But LETU student Keren Engulu doesn't have to worry about getting into medical school. This sophomore is already in.

Keren is one of very few college students in Texas to have guaranteed acceptance into medical school. The biology major was chosen for the Joint Admissions Medical Program (JAMP), which offers only 100 spots in the state to highly-qualified college students studying biology, chemistry, math or physics. JAMP provides students paid summer internships, free MCAT preparation courses, and guaranteed acceptance to one of Texas' nine medical schools.

While JAMP holds a high GPA as a crucial factor for entering the program, they also consider "personal factors such as motivation, maturity, integrity, interpersonal communication, service to others and a demonstrated commitment to study medicine." 

Read below to hear from Keren about her path toward JAMP acceptance and future plans as a physician. 

Keren Engulu

How did LETU prepare you for acceptance into JAMP?

LeTourneau has a distinct incorporation of Christ in its curriculum. It is very obvious that our school holds members of the body of Christ; professors speak of God in their classes and students show their love for the Lord through kindness for others and selflessly building community. How can one not learn and feel encouraged to do their best in this environment? I am at LeTourneau to learn and gain a strong foundation for whatever God has for me. For this reason, I feel I am prepared for the rigorous work JAMP will require of me as I prepare for medical school. I know God will be with me every step of the way.

Why did you choose to study biology?

Originally, I chose to major in chemistry with a biological concentration. After a reflection of the classes I would have to take, I chose to switch my major to biology. I enjoyed studying chemistry, but some of the courses required to graduate were not topics that I personally enjoyed studying. The courses I will take for my major in biology are much more suited to my interests and will prepare me for medical school.

Why did you choose LETU?

Two weeks before my high school graduation, I came to visit LeTourneau. Students had gone home for the summer, but my tour guide, Ally, made me feel like I was already part of the LeTourneau family, along with other staff and students who were still on campus. The Christian environment was so authentic.

What are your career plans? 

I want to become a physician and a medical missionary. With JAMP, I have been gifted with the opportunity to make these dreams of mine a reality. Though I am not entirely sure what specialty I will go into, I know I want to work with children and help those who are in most need. I am willing to do whatever God has for me and go wherever He calls me. The future is such a mystery to me, but I know God is already there. 

Interested in studying biology like Keren? Click here. 

Student Perspectives: Beach Reach 2016

Amman Beeftu is a senior communications major at LETU from Colorado Springs, CO. He's a proud resident of Tyler Hall and enjoys soccer and acrylic painting when he's not longboarding around campus. 

Spring break at a typical university involves parties, beaches, and drinks all around. LeTourneau, however, isn’t a typical university. Instead of traditional spring break partying, I had the opportunity to serve with LETU’s Beach Reach team. 

Beach Reach is a 36-year-old mission to reach out to people who are partying on South Padre Island during their spring break. It shows God’s love in a practical way by offering free van rides to anyone who may need one. During these van rides, Beach Reachers have the opportunity to share the gospel with their passengers or challenge them to think about their faith. Beach Reach effectively shares the love of Christ while keeping students safe and intoxicated drivers off the road. 

This spring break, I went on Beach Reach for the first time. From what I heard about previous years, God did amazing things in and through so many people who went on the trip. I knew that it would be a challenging environment, but I was excited for what God planned for me.

Beach Reach 2016 team

Looking back at my trip, I can say that I was a completely different person going into Beach Reach than I am now. I was so nervous about sharing my faith to strangers or how I would bring up God in conversations. I was looking at my own life and seeing how broken I was, but God showed up in the midst of my brokenness and healed my heart. He showed me His unconditional love; love that doesn’t give up on the broken, love that always heals, love that I can never fully understand. He gave me a heart for the countless broken people in this world and He showed me how His heart breaks for all His lost sons and daughters. He challenged me to rely on Him when I am completely physically, emotionally and spiritually drained. He taught me that the gospel isn’t just shared through eloquent words and refined speech, but can be expressed through actions as simple as loving someone regardless of what they do. 

When I first signed up for Beach Reach I was so excited for the opportunity to impact and change people’s lives with the love of Christ. I didn’t realize that God would so greatly impact my own life.

Beach Reach South Padre began in 1980 with 20 college students and has since grown to hundreds in number. The mission of Beach Reach is to provide for physical and spiritual needs of college students during their spring break. 

Incredible Aviation: Top Hawk 2016

It's a powerhouse partnership: the renowned Cessna Aircraft Company has teamed up with LeTourneau University Aviation, Texas' only comprehensive, university-level aviation program.

LETU's Skyhawk 172S

Cessna, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation, chose LETU as one of four universities in the nation as a Top Hawk Partner University. Partners are chosen based on their commitment to excellence in aviation and training the next generation of pilots.

Along with the partnership, LETU has received a brand-new Cessna Skyhawk 172S, custom-branded with LETU colors and logo. The aircraft will be used to conduct flight training and for outreach and recruiting trips across the country.

Director of Flight Operations Laura Laster explains the benefit of adding the aircraft to LETU's fleet:

"The Top Hawk program will give LETU students and flight instructors a unique opportunity to build flight experience while sharing the joy of aviation with people all over Texas and beyond. All of our students will benefit from the use of a brand-new Cessna Skyhawk 172S, as they will be able to utilize the aircraft for flight training activities."

One LETU aviation student will land a coveted internship with Cessna, where he or she will job-shadow different positions and take part in marketing, sales and customer service events.

The Cessna Skyhawk 172S is officially presented to LETU.

The Skyhawk 172S was recently unveiled at LETU's world-class Abbott Aviation Center where it received a warm welcome from students and faculty.

"I have accepted a summer internship in flight operations at Textron Aviation (outside of the Top Hawk program). Working with Top Hawk will give me even more exposure to some of the products I may be working with this summer," LETU aviation student Kyle van Kooten said. "I'm excited to be a part of this program as it allows me to promote involvement in a field I am passionate about and in which LeTourneau excels."

Want to take a ride in the Cessna Skyhawk 172S? Schedule a free flight here.