In 1970 I arrived on the Tabor campus from South Dakota to enroll as a freshman. I was constantly being asked if I knew Bob Glanzer or if I was related to Bob. Bob had graduated from Tabor in 1967 and was from South Dakota. So most people assumed that we either were related or knew each other. Truth was I had never met Bob, was not related to Bob, and did not know Bob. In my travels as president meeting alumni the question was asked again by people who attended Tabor during the 60’s. My answer was the same. I do not know Bob, never have met him, nor am I related to him.
This past week i met Bob. At an “Expanding Our Influence” campaign event in Huron, SD who should be at the event but BOB. It was great. I finally met the man who had been the motivation for many questions.
Bob is a very likable person. I now know why so many people asked if I was related or knew him. Who could not like Bob? But meeting him became secondary as I heard his Tabor story.
Like so many who attend Tabor, he came for a variety of reasons, many of which were not academic. Somewhere between his sophomore and junior year the faith of his parents, the experiences of his church while growing up, and the environment of Tabor took hold and Bob decided that following Jesus was for him. After graduation he applied for grad school. In the interview one of the professors asked him what happened between his sophomore and junior years being his transcript showed that his grades had improved dramatically from one semester to the next? Bob replied, “That is when I decided to follow Jesus Christ and turned my life over to Him.” What a transformation story.
Life transformation is part of the DNA of Tabor. For 100 years life transformation has happened and it will continue for the next 100 years.
The stadium campaign is about life transformation. The gifts that many people are making to the campaign are an investment in life transformation experiences for our student athletes. Yes, the money purchases steel, concrete, wood, and turf. But the investment is in an environment where young men and women experience life transformation.
4 responses so far ↓
Andrew // Apr 18th 2009 at 6:35 pm
Did Bob end up getting into grad school?
presidentsblog // Apr 18th 2009 at 10:09 pm
I am quite sure he did.
Tom Glanzer- SON of BOB // May 2nd 2009 at 12:47 pm
I feel your pain…try growing up as this guy’s son. I don’t go many places without someone knowing my dad.
The Real Bob Glanzer // May 5th 2009 at 11:22 pm
Yes, I did get into grad school. Completed 16 hours toward a degree in vocational business education!!! Then the economics of the decision came into play…It was going to cost me about $3,500 to complete the degree…I was teaching Business Ed in an area high school…the degree would add about $100 to my salary package…divide that into $3,500 and it would have taken 35 years of teaching to recoupe the investment. Besides, I could work for a farmer close to town and earn a $1,000 during the summer vacation??? Shortly after in Dec/1975 I left teaching to work for the State of SD as the SD State Fair Manager…the job benefits included a house, utilities, and phone right on the state fair grounds and great travel opportunities!!! I got a quick and intensive education in politics, managing employees, and spending government money…but no degree!!!
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