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President's Pen - Fall 2025

Students relax on the front porch of a historic building, some in rocking chairs and one leaning against a white column.

'Rooted and Open' at Roanoke

As I sat down to write this note, I received the most delightful email from an incoming student named Austin. He wrote, “There is no point to this email other than my expressing my joy to be here. I am using the school computers for the first time and figured telling you this would be a great way to begin.” 

While many of you are years removed from your days as students at the college, I’ll bet you still remember that same sense of excitement — and recognize how the possibilities that were ahead of you then turned into the life you are living today. 

That sense of possibility is exactly what drew me to Roanoke College over three years ago. Early in the interview process, someone shared an inspiring document with me from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Network of Colleges and Universities. Called “Rooted and Open,” it puts into words what has been part of our DNA for nearly 200 years: an educational mission rooted in tradition and enduring values yet open to new traditions, ideas, perspectives, and people. Called to “serve the neighbor,” our greatest responsibility is to help students “discern their gifts and hone their skills so that they are able to contribute capably, confidently and courageously to the needs of a world that desperately needs them.” To that I say, Amen. 

I have the joy of watching students’ lives transform in big and small ways every day at Roanoke College, starting from those very first steps, thanks to our talented and dedicated faculty and staff and the support of our alumni, partners, and friends. At this moment in the world, when it can be all too easy to believe that hope is in short supply, our students make me certain that something new and beautiful is always being born, and the future is full of surprising potential, generosity, and love. 

So from me to you, I want to say thank you for all the ways you’re staying connected to building a hope pipeline into the world. Our students are poised to follow in your footsteps, planting seeds of goodness and service as leaders and citizens for a brilliant tomorrow.  

Thanks be to God — and you. 

 

With hope, 

Frank Shushok Jr.

This column was originally published in Issue Two, 2025, of Roanoke College Magazine. You may read the full issue on the magazine archives page.