SARAH YORO | staff writer

Students find comfort in having their parents and siblings with them at APU.

Going away to college is never easy… or is it?

While some students feel the need to break away from their families, others feel the need to take a part of the nest with them.

According to director of undergraduate student financial services Todd Ross, there are currently 155 sets of siblings on campus and 119 students have at least one parent working there.

With a family history of nearly three decades, the Luchtenburgs have made their presence at APU a family affair.

“APU has always been in the family,” senior theater arts major Danielle Luchtenburg said. “My grandma worked here, my aunt, uncle and mom work here, my parents met here and my brother [David] goes to school here.”

As if family ties to the university were not enough, Danielle and David also share the same major.

“Sometimes it is strange having class with my little brother or being in a show, but it can be fun too,” Danielle said.

After graduating from APU in the early 80s, Danielle’s mother felt God was calling her back to the university, this time as a faculty member.

“When I started working here I did not know if any of my children would be attending,” coordinator of housing services Michelle Luchtenburg said. “Looking back, it is obvious that God had worked it out because if I did not work here, it would not be possible for our kids to attend.”

With multiple connections around campus, one may think Danielle and David would be inclined to special treatment. They say this is not the case.

“We did not get any special treatment since my mom works in housing,” Danielle said. “We had to take a number like everyone else and hope that one of our roommates drew a good number.”

While some parents may find it awkward to see their students school, Michelle considers the experience to be pleasant.

“It is really fun to be walking around campus and hear, ‘Mom,’ Michelle said. “I also know some of my children’s friends and they will also come to me and say ‘Hi’ or stop by the office.”

Although Michelle takes joy in seeing her children around school, she is sensitive to their needs for independence and space.

“Sometimes I am tempted to pop in and say ‘Hi’ when I really should be heading home,” Mrs. Luchtenburg said. “I want to make sure they have plenty of space to grow up and be themselves without feeling like mom is all over them.”

Mrs. Luchtenburg understands the situation her children are in since she was once in their shoes.

“My mom started working here my junior year,” Mrs. Luchtenburg said. “She was a great example because she did not follow me around. She gave me plenty of space, but I knew I could go to the business office and find her if I needed her.”

When it came to making decisions regarding college, Mrs. Luchtenburg made sure she did not interfere with her children’s desires.

“I whole-heartedly want them to go wherever they feel God is leading them,” Michelle said. “So, if this is where God wants them, great! If God had wanted them elsewhere it would have been hard for me, but I would have happily blessed them and sent them off.”

As a whole, the Luchtenburgs are satisfied with their family being on campus.

“I am just so thankful that God has blessed my family and my extended family through APU for so many years,” Mrs. Luchtenburg said. “We have grown in so many ways.”

For senior cinema and broadcast arts major Blake Heal, attending school with his sister, class of 2006 alumna Heather Heal and father, adjunct professor Doug Heal, has been an entertaining and positive experience.

“I did not want to come here at first because my family was here and I wanted to do my own thing, but it kind of came down to financial reasons,” Heal said. “It was cheaper than going to another Christian school and I had some friends from high school that were going here. After my first semester I just loved it.”

Heal explained how having his sister on campus benefited more than just in the classroom.

“My sister was an R.A. here and the girl who I am dating now was on her hall,” Heal said. “I needed some help getting into a relationship, so she helped me. So that was kind of funny.”

In addition to receiving help from his sister, Heal also enjoys the benefits of his father being nearby.

“Honestly, it is not that bad,” Heal said. “If anything, it is cool because whenever I want to go to lunch or need some extra money, I can just call him and ask ‘hey dad, want to go to lunch?’ and I get a free Chipotle instead of having to pay for it. Having a teacher on campus is a definite perk.”

In retrospect, Heal is satisfied with his initial decision in attending APU.

“At first, I was skeptical if I would like it here, but now, looking back, I am glad I came,” Heal said.

For junior athletic training major Samantha Hara, finding a small Christian college on the west coast was her main reason for choosing APU. Hara was here for three years before her brother, freshman pre-engineering major Nathan Hara decided to join her.

Like many siblings, the Haras have their share of conflict.

“Sometimes spending too much time together is the problem,” Samantha said. “We just get fed up with each other once in a while and realize we need some time apart.”

Despite their occasional bickering, Samantha and Nathan know their family will always be there.

While Samantha supported Nathan’s decision to attend APU, she admits there were some hesitations.

“At first, I had my doubts because I wanted him to be able to experience things on his own,” Samantha said. “I kind of had a fear he would cling to me a lot and I would end up having more of a mother-like attitude and worry about him.”

Although she had some reservations regarding Nathan’s decision, Samantha believes it turned out to be a great fit.

“I still worry about him, but he really does not cling to me, and I am glad he is here,” Samantha said.

With his sister living practically across the street, Nathan recalls a particular incident where Samantha came through for him.

“I had to go pick up a refund from my scholarships last semester and I did not know where to go,” Nathan said. “Sam showed me where to go and we went through the process together.”

Born and raised in Hawaii, Samantha and Nathan traveled approximately 3,000 miles to attend school. Unlike many students, Samantha and Nathan do not have the luxury of going home often.

“We come from a really close family so it is nice to have part of home with you,” Samantha said, “especially since we are from Hawaii and we cannot see our family every weekend like a lot of students are able to do.”