Alliance Gardens: Tyler Laubach

By: Emily Lehner

Tyler Laubach graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University last Spring with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pre-med Biology. Although he had plans to attend graduate school this fall, he decided differently and began working for the IWU Alliance Gardens.

Laubach is originally from Pennsylvania and said, “coming to Indiana for college was a leap of faith. It was a great learning experience, and I had to take it one step at a time.” He knew that he was at IWU to run cross country and track and that he wanted to become a doctor. Everything else was unknown to him. Eventually, Laubach said that he fell in love with the team, the professors, the people here and the campus.

Tyler Laubach and members of the IWU track team.
Tyler Laubach, far right, and other members of the IWU track team.

During his time at IWU, Laubach was heavily involved in extracurricular activities. He participated in athletics and was a tutor at Upward Bound. He questioned his call to become a doctor and decided to switch his major to BioChemistry. However, he returned to Pre-med Biology soon after, and realized that this was God’s plan for him. He learned during his time at IWU that the professors care deeply about integrating their faith with their teaching. Laubach remembered Grace Miller, a professor of Biology, doing devotionals before every class.

Laubach now teaches as an adjunct professor for the science department at Indiana Wesleyan. He aims to incorporate his faith into his teaching, just like he witnessed professors do when he was a student. Laubach said, “The professors and members of the cross country and track teams showed me examples of godly leadership. I apply these examples to my everyday life.” IWU gave Laubach the exposure to live out his faith.

One day, Miller mentioned the Alliance Garden job opportunity to Laubach, and he decided to apply. Even with his little knowledge of agriculture, he got them job. Laubach spoke much about the things he learned during his time working for the Alliance Garden. “Seeing the transformation of the garden come to life was such a testimony of God’s Creation,” he said.

The garden is used as an avenue for missions. “I learned that planning and intentionality is necessary for future growth. Initial investment brings success.” he stated. “We learned to be creative with the limited resources we had at the garden.” Similar to faith, when uncertainty arises, it is important to have strong roots.

Laubach plans to attend medical school and eventually, practice as a doctor. He is open to the possibility of mission work in the future as well. Laubach remembered a concept from one of his professors that encouraged him to acknowledge the fact that God made the body and cells intricately, which is why Laubach believes we should have reverence towards the creator and His work.

 

Written by Emily Lehner, a writer for the Alumni Center and a sophomore Writing major at IWU. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com.