Former Lone Star Lutheran editor Steve Schuenke ’86 and his wife Kim understand how important writing, critical thinking, and communication skills are for careers across all industries.

These foundations—ones Steve credits for helping him excel as a medical illustrator—are why the couple has established an estate gift to fund and maintain equipment, supplies, materials, and software for the Communication Studies Department. Existing in perpetuity, the endowment will provide resources for significant program needs not covered in the departmental budget.

After a freshman composition professor told him he had a journalistic style, Steve began writing for the Lone Star Lutheran (LSL), eventually serving as both assistant and managing editor. His experience as a Communication Arts major helped him flourish as a young professional.

“Working in a deadline-oriented environment where you’re editing other people’s work, making assignments, and evaluating their strengths and weaknesses was almost like a real job,” he said. “It was a great foundation for my career, where I was responsible for putting projects together while working with everyone from researchers to surgeons and students, helping them visualize their ideas for grants.”

Now retired, Steve worked on graphics, illustrations, and photography throughout his career as a medical illustrator in the Department of Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston. Pairing his creative talents with project management and critical thinking enabled him to be more versatile due to his communications background at TLU.

Kim also understands the value of a liberal arts education, having attended Chatham University in Pittsburgh before earning her Ph.D. in Experimental Pathology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The two met while she was doing graduate research at UTMB. Kim is the former Associate Director of UTMB’s Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases program.

“Liberal arts education shaped our lives and careers in a very good way,” she said. “Our world is changing so much, and the great thing about a liberal arts foundation is that it’s broad enough yet focused so it gives you an idea of how to think about all kinds of career opportunities—even ones outside of your major.”

Not only does a liberal arts education make you a more versatile candidate, but Kim also says a communications background prepares graduates for success in a variety of fields. As someone who has worked as a laboratory researcher and in administration writing grants, the ability to clearly communicate and write well are needed in both areas.

“If you can write well, think critically, and problem solve, you’re already what employers want,” she said. “For example, technical writers must be able to articulate their ideas and the works of scientists to people that aren’t in those fields and who may not have any type of STEM background. It requires both critical thinking and strong writing skills.”

The Schuenkes are excited to establish their estate gift, noting that Communication Studies is often an underappreciated field, and it’s important to recognize the benefit these majors provide within the workplace. Steve also acknowledges that the support he received at TLU went beyond the classroom.

“My father passed away while I was a student and I just remember how great everybody was to me during that time,” he said. “It made me appreciate being at a smaller university. TLU was so good to me. I can tie everything I did in my career to things I learned there. You really can take a communications degree into almost any field, especially if you’re forward thinking about what kinds of jobs will exist in the future. I know I made the right decision.”
Steve Schuenke ’86