By Lori Bredemeyer, Copy Editor
Jenna Lucado’s dad didn’t tell her that he would receive the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year award from ACU; she heard from someone else.
“He’s so humble,” said Jenna, sophomore integrated marketing communication major from San Antonio. “He doesn’t tell me anything like that.
On Sunday, Max Lucado, pulpit minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio and author of several Christian books, will become the 47th alumnus to receive the award.
Lucado grew up in Andrews and graduated from ACU in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication.
He was involved in the student advisory board, the Optimist, and was member of the debate team and the social club Galaxy.
Jenna, Lucado’s oldest daughter, said she is happy for her dad.
“I’m so proud of him; it’s exciting,” Jenna said. “I wish he could get the alumnus of the world award.”
The Alumni Day Luncheon will be Sunday at noon in the Civic Center. Amber Peck, coordinator of Alumni Outreach, said the Office of Alumni Relations has planned to honor Lucado in several ways.
“He’ll be presented with a special plaque,” she said, “and numerous friends will honor him with tributes, including several by video. Jenna is part of a student singing group called KZren that will sing several of Max’s favorite hymns.”
Jenna said KZren will sing “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Blessed Assurance” and “When the Roll is Called up Yonder,” which she said was Lucado’s father’s favorite hymn.
Peck said family and friends send in nominations for the award year-round, and the alumnus is chosen by the Alumni Advisory Board in August.
She said Lucado was chosen because of some of his accomplishments: spiritual adviser to President Bush; writer of UpWords, a 60-second radio program; about 30 million books in print; and regular guest on Larry King Live.
He was also chosen because he “is one of the world’s best-selling Christian authors and ACU’s most recognized alumnus.”
“Through written and spoken word, he has touched the lives of literally millions and millions of people,” she said. “It doesn’t get much bigger than that. On the other hand, he’s one of us, and he has a simple message of Jesus.”
Besides accomplishing all that he has, Jenna said his biggest priority is his family. This weekend he has driven between Abilene and San Antonio twice to watch Jenna perform in Sing Song, see off his other two daughters, Andrea, 17, and Sara, 15, to a formal, and attend the luncheon on Sunday.
“That’s the best thing about him-he’s always been a dad first,” Jenna said.
