FACE VALUEGrace Rohrer

Northwestern’s her cup of tea

DOUG BURG

Ming Chen Lo, known on campus as Grace Rohrer, left her home in Taiwan for Orange City in 1998. Fluent in crossing cultures, she has served as Northwestern’s international student counselor for nearly 13 years.

What was your transition to Orange City like?
I missed my family, my friends who I love dearly, the church community I was deeply involved with, and the career I was passionate about. Learning the language was one of the main challenges after I arrived; I struggled with understanding others and helping others understand me.

What do you enjoy about working with Northwestern’s international students?
Serving them reminds me of the story in Genesis when Abraham receives the three strangers. He is blessed by those strangers, who were actually angels. Working with international students provides me with an opportunity to respond to God’s calling in my life. I discovered who I am and who God is through his handiwork. I’m thankful to have a job I love.

Why is it important for college students to experience other cultures?
It broadens their worldview. It will not only improve their cultural competency and ability to celebrate diversity, but it will also help them to be passionate about building an inclusive society.

How do you spend your spare time?
I love to write. I wrote devotionals for Church Press for many years and still write articles for them. I also translated Interpretation: a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching into Chinese. I am very passionate about providing good commentary to Taiwanese and Chinese Christian societies so they can better understand the word of God.

What is something about you that most people don’t know?
During a time of political struggle in Taiwan, I engaged in a street protest. I was the executive editor of my college’s magazine and wanted to report on what was happening in Taipei and what my peers and faculty were thinking. I learned a lot through that experience and was also proud to be a part of a social movement during a crucial time in my homeland.

What is your favorite spot on campus?
I like the art building. I wish I could spend a lot more time there being creative, making sculptures and meditating.

If you could work in any other department on campus, which one would you choose?
I would love to teach biblical study. That was my passion before I moved to the United States. I could also see myself working in campus ministry or with the study abroad department.