Don and Luanne Keith have worked together at Northwestern for half of their marriage.
It’s the season of love and love is in the air – all over the campus.
Northwestern staff members Don and Luanne Keith met at the student union of Jacksonville State University in Mississippi. Fifteen years later, married, Don got a job as head of food services at NW, and the couple moved to Orange City. Later, NW hired Luanne as well, and she became the Campus Ministry Assistant and Publicity Specialist.
“The position came open and it’s something I love doing, so I accepted,” Luanne said.
The majority of Luanne’s time is spent working out the logistics for Spring Service Projects (SSP) and Summer of Service (SOS) trips. She also oversees work-study and on-campus publicity.
“She’s always looking for ways to increase student involvement,” said freshman Megan Rustad, who works with Luanne.
Because the couples’ job descriptions are so different, they do not normally interact with the same students.
“Don knows way more students than I do, and he remembers them very well,” said Luanne. Still, she believes her favorite part about working at NW is “getting to know the students and watching them grow and mature during the four years that they are here.”
Students who work with Luanne describe her as “very caring and a good communicator.”
Both Don and Luanne help with and attend SSPs which makes spring an extremely busy time for the couple. This year, they will be traveling to South Carolina to volunteer with students at Miracle Hill. The energy and passion they demonstrate at work spread to all areas of their lives, including their marriage.
“We like to get away for the weekend, to celebrate and take a breather before things get busy,” said Luanne.
The couples’ ideal date consists of going to Minneapolis for a nice dinner, ice-skating and people-watching in the Mall of America.
“Sometimes, Don will have flowers sent to our hotel room. Not always; he likes to keep me guessing. But when he does there’s just something about them. They are so gorgeous,” said Luanne.
The Keiths have four children and will celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary on Sunday by taking a trip to San Diego.
“God has to be in the center,” Luanne said of making a marriage last. “Marriage is a three-stranded cord with God in the middle. And love covers a multitude of sins, including your own.”
