Student Advocate: Bruce Lindsay Passes Away
Bruce Lindsay
February 28, 1929 - February 22, 2009
Bruce Lindsay is a household name within the multiple generations of students who have attended Vanguard University over the past five decades. His celebrity status among students comes from the fact that Bruce loved students and students knew it.
Bruce wanted every student to gain a quality education
that integrates faith, learning, and living.
Found at most times in the presence of students when he was on campus, Bruce broke bread with Vanguard students typically three times a day in the university’s Dining Commons. There around the table, Bruce mentored students to take advantage of their incredible opportunity to gain a college education at a Christian university. He also learned about the challenges that students face in achieving their college degrees. Students loved his attentive and compassionate ear in understanding their difficult situations and knew Bruce would do what he could personally and advocated to others on their behalf to remove the hurdles that block their success in achieving their educational goals.
In his double role as student mentor and student advocate, Bruce established an incredible track record in bringing about policy changes at the university that affect the lives of all students, as well as helping out individual students in tough circumstances. Bruce understood that his success in advocacy was tied to his relationships with administrative leaders and other decision makers. So practically on a daily basis, Bruce made his rounds in Smith Hall with the president, the VPs, their staffs, and other decision makers who helped him get things done in bringing about students success and satisfaction. As part of his everyday ritual, he also made his trek to the library to read the daily newspaper—for gratis—and talk with his close friend, Librarian Mel Covetta.
Bruce’s long-term love affair with Vanguard came about through a student who invited Bruce to the campus Dining Commons to get a great meal at a great price. Such an offer for the frugal Bruce was too tempting to resist. Bruce, however, found more than he bargained for! Oh, he got a great meal at a great price. He also found Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior in the Dining Commons as his new-found student friends led Bruce to the Lord. Thus began Bruce’s life-long journey with Jesus Christ, which was greatly matured over the years by Pastor Chuck Smith and Calvary Chapel.
Bruce had a deep faith in the Lord and spoke of it frequently in recent weeks. He was not impressed with the material wealth that so many flaunt. Bruce valued relationships and integrity. He loved the Lord, his church, his pastor, this university, and its students. It was that simple. It was not hard to know what was important to him. He lived a simple life but it was full in a special way. We, Vanguard University, will miss him and his anecdotal advice. Though Bruce has gone on to meet his Lord and Savior, he will continue to live on in the Vanguard community through the legacy he established. May his story inspire all of us to live with a robust faith in God as faithful stewards of our time, talents, and treasure.
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