Last night our family attended a social hosted by the Andrews University College of Technology. Our son, Tyler, is a freshman in the B.F.A. program with an emphasis in photography and design, and we've also been assisting the university in various areas of video and audio production. This association has given us an up-close and behind-the-scenes look.

We had already realized the school's motto, "Seek Knowledge. Affirm Faith. Change the World.," through our daughter Josie's experience as a student missionary to India. She has returned to complete a degree in English and communications, with an emphasis in writing, and hopes to use her skills to address needs in the global community. Now we are seeing our son find his niche through photography and design—an opportunity provided by caring deans and faculty who saw his potential.

It is good to see his enthusiasm for learning the art of imaging. But what is greater is to see how the image of God is being instilled in our children through dedicated and self-sacrificing teachers, professors, and deans who see their roles as partnerships—with God, with parents, and with each other.

Sharon Prest Ullom, one of Tyler's photography teachers and his advisor, inspires her students to consider their creative gifts as communication tools on a mission for good—to embrace their giftedness as a calling similar to being a teacher, doctor, or pastor. We are glad that she and her husband Marc, another one of Tyler's photography teachers, have dedicated and united their lives to see young people develop their creative gifts in His image.

Gary Burns is the Lake Union Conference communication director.