IN PERSON hosted by fellow Catholic Stephen Colbert. The host recently introduced Martin as the “Colbert Report Chaplain.” It’s a moniker that Martin says he was surprised to hear, but willing to accept. Part of Martin’s appeal is his ability to identify with a cross section of people. His humor enables him to exchange one-liners with the likes of Colbert and in doing so, engage an audience that might not otherwise encounter Christianity. Additionally, Martin can also relate to the many wealthy business people who have suddenly found themselves with much less financially.
“Don’t underestimate the suffering it causes,” he said. Yet, Martin also knows of the hope that can be found during times of such loss. “I think it offers a window for people into the way most of the world lives—that is, with a great deal of uncertainty. It may be an invitation to experience God more deeply,” he said. “That doesn’t underestimate the suffering, but such vulnerability can bring about openness to God and a revelation of priorities. The Christian message is that surrendering of things can often bring new life.” By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
TRAINING UP A CHILD Couple Runs Preschool ‘For God’s Glory’ him. It’s never too early to start training up children Leavitt began his career as an Air Force Weather Offito impact the culture, and John Leavitt, DartDARTMOUTH cer, but when advances in automation sidelined him to a remouth ’69, would know. The former industrial search position, he took a job in meteorology with a private meteorologist turned preschool owner is working to instill consulting firm. He worked with a variety of industries imthe very basic values of character within some of Connectipacted by weather events, such as utility companies and cut’s youngest future leaders. even stone quarries concerned about dissipating blast noise. The Preschool of the Arts, owned by Leavitt and his After 17 years with that organization, a series of profeswife Susan, strives to provide a rich curriculum for children sional and personal events led him to look for a different as young as age three. It incorporates visual arts, music, and opportunity, and he took a position with a utilities comdance as part of the core curriculum, and while not desigpany in Connecticut. Eventually, Leavitt was given an opnated as a Christian school, the Leavitts put a premium on portunity for early retirement, but continued working teaching values. through consulting and part-time opportunities forecasting “I want them to have a love and respect for one another the weather for sailors. and to realize that at age three, four, and five, they aren’t Leavitt says he sees it all as part of God’s plan. the center of their own world. They need to learn to share, “I didn’t realize until a meeting to give and take with other people,” two weeks ago [with a fellow Chrissays Leavitt, who runs the business tian], how through every one of those side of the school. situations, God was preparing me for “I guess I view each kid, each where I am now,” he said. family, as one mission opportunity, For example, he learned about in some sense, for today. We’re tendgrowing a successful small business ing the mission field of the day one from one of the companies he child at a time,” he said. worked for. He can also see God’s But raising up a quality prework in the purchase of the small inschool isn’t all fun and games, and terest his wife Susan initially made in the success the school has recently the preschool. experienced is the result of hard John Leavitt, Dartmouth ‘69, (pictured with his wife Susan) has learned to follow While only an initial investment, work and fervent prayer, says LeavGod’s leading in a career that has spanned due to changes in administration, etc, itt. It’s also the result of following from meteorology to running a preschool. the Leavitts came to acquire full the paths that have been laid before
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