LCC : Alumni

Recipients

Saulius Karosas - the fourth recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award 2008 Saulius graduated from LCC in 2001. He started his studies in 1993 in the Winter Language Institute and entered his first year of college in 1994. After a year of studies Saulius joined a Christian ministry group Covenant Players and served there for three years. He returned back to LCC in 1998 together with his new wife and they both were very active members of the LCC community.

Saulius is currently working as the pastor of the City church in Klaipeda. He is an active and passionate leader, a faithful pastor, a great teacher, and a person with a big heart. Saulius is involved in many social projects in the city, is developing a Christian retreat center and continues having close connections to LCC. For several years Saulius has been a key person in helping plan the annual Christian youth conference Saltshaker that takes place at LCC International University.

When accepting the award, Saulius commented: "The faculty and staff that worked here always had one quality – they believed in the students, and saw the students’ potential more than the students did themselves. Many of my professors, like Dean Pinter, Steve Trotter, and David Shenk had more dreams for me than I dared to dream for myself. The professors did not just teach – they mentored, cared and inspired me to realize that life is too short to just “go with the flow.” Life without passion, life without sacrifice, life without search to find one‘s call in this world is not a life worth living. Seeing the passion and dedication of those who were giving their lives to make this university what it is today inspires me to likewise serve people, accept them as they are and help them find their call in life. I thank God and everyone who were, and are my help and inspiration. Thank you."

Roman Gaiduk – third recipient of LCC Distinguished Alumni Award 2007 Roman has been selected as the 2007 recipient of the LCC Distinguished Alumni Award. His career at the consulting company ERRA, his successful teaching and involvement at LCC International University, and his service in the Christian community have earned him this award. LCC is proud of him and proud that Roman is an LCC alumnus.

Linas Bodendorf receives LCC Distinguished Alumni Award 2006 Linas Bodendorf has worked in computer, in travel and hospitality, and most recently in the oil industry. In his spare time, he has created a bookstore in Klaipda that offers used books and excellent Christian literature. An outstanding point guard of LCC basketball teams as a student, Linas has also worked with basketball program for young people. The recipient of the award is also an active participant and leader in his home church.

"When I received the presidents letter about the award, I told Jim that Im undergoing some big changes in my life. I do not think I have achieved something yet. My dreams are not one-day wishes. I would take this nomination as an encouragement to keep on. Im no longer working for the biggest enterprise in the Baltics. At the moment, Im starting everything from scratch. One needs great encouragement and faith when going into the unknown. So, from the bottom of my heart, I am thankful for this encouragement," Linas Bodendorf expressed his gratitude during LCCs eleventh annual Commencement exercises.

Edita Kriščiūnienė, recipient of the first LCC Distinguished Alumni Award 2005 Edita Kriščiūnienė graduated from LCC in 1997 and was the first of a series of LCC graduates to be retained by Andersen Accounting (now Ernst and Young). Edita is engaged with both the business and Christian church community in Vilnius. In addition, she has made an outstanding contribution as a member of the LCC Board of Directors since 1999. She stands as a superb example of the LCC vision "to create a new generation of leaders for Eastern Europe".

Edita commented: It is a great honor and pleasure for me to be chosen as the first recipient of this LCC Distinguished Alumni Award. It also makes me hesitate because in this kind of situation one always tries to answer questions like "What are theexpectations? What am I supposed to do?"

On the other hand, it is not difficult to receive the award. In fact, it would be more difficult to not be a distinguished alumni coming from a very distinguished school. Yes, there is no question that LCC is different from other schools. I believe that many of the students and alumni have experienced these differences in some way. I have experienced them myself and I must say that these are definitely positive differences. What are they? What are these things that make us the distinguished people from the distinguished place? Naming those is difficult. It is personal. It is touching and emotional. It is not commonplace. It is defined by the good spirit of, if I may coin a phrase, "distinguishment" that is shared by all of us.

I hope that as we leave these walls once again, we will have refreshed this good spirit. I hope that each one of us will name for himself or herself what the differences are. I hope that we will take them further with us, so that more people can see and experience LCC in the ways we have. I hope we can build on these differences to make a difference elsewhere.