After 26 years of service at Bluffton University, Louise Matthews’ many roles are coming to an end Friday, Oct. 29 . Matthews has served as the resident caretaker of the nature preserve, director of The Lion and Lamb Peace and Arts Center, advisor of International Connection (ICon), advisor of Tennis Club, an advocate for students who commute and an advocate and ally for Brave Space.
Louise Matthews standing in front of the international flags displayed in The Lion and Lamb Peace and Arts Center. Photo by Payton Stephens.
“When I graduated with an elementary education major from Bluffton, I never guessed there would be a perfect job for me at Bluffton,” said Matthews. “It has given me the opportunity to share a vision for a better world with audiences of all ages, but especially with children. It has provided me with an opportunity to give back to students and colleagues in many ways.”
As director of The Lion and Lamb Peace and Arts Center, Matthews has worked with Bluffton Elementary School in bringing in classes and showing them the importance of diversity, equality and culture. Students come to sing songs and read books with Matthews as well as try on costumes and taste foods from different countries.
Beth Raeburn, a third-grade teacher at Bluffton Elementary and a Bluffton University alumna, has been taking her students to see Matthews for years. She says the students love their visits to The Lion and Lamb Peace and Arts Center and that it turns out to be one of their favorite memories. With last years COVID-19 restrictions preventing the classes from visiting The Lion and Lamb, students were eager to go back to the center.
“They [the students] don’t have to wear masks at the elementary school, so I told them we would get to go back to The Lion and Lamb this year, they would just need to wear masks,” said Raeburn. “I only had one student kind of groan about the masks and before I could even say anything, one of the other students said ‘It’s worth it! You can stand to wear a mask for an hour!”
Beth Raaeburns 3rd grade class at The Lion and Lamb Peace and Arts Center, smiling for a photo after trying on outfits from around the world. Photo provided by Louise Matthews.
In the past, Matthews has organized events for the students, including the most recent Christmas program. Students were able to go to Maple Crest and exchange gifts and sing songs with the senior citizens. Maple Crest residents even shared their talents, playing piano and showing artwork to the students.
Raeburn says Matthews is great at speaking with different ages and is able to teach them about things that can be difficult to understand at a young age, like cultural awareness. Raeburn has much respect for Matthews and her ability to connect with the students, commenting on her calm and inviting personality.
Matthews admitted that after so many years of connecting with students and community members, the decision to resign at the end of October wasn’t easy.
Matthews reading a book about culture, kindness, equality and diversity with Raeburns 3rd grade class. Photo provided by Beth Raeburn.
“During opening convocation, Reverend Daniel Hughes challenged first-year students to wrestle with the tension of inconsistencies, contradictions and paradox that they would undoubtedly observe at Bluffton and wherever they end up next,” said Matthews. “So, it was a tough decision. There was a lot of wrestling involved.”
Though, as a Bluffton alumna and spouse of Lawrence Matthews, director of financial aid at the university, Matthews plans to continue her support and presence in the campus community. At this time, the university’s future plans for The Lion and Lamb Peace and Arts Center are undecided, but Matthews and Raeburn are among those who hope to see it continue to thrive and grow.
