The invitation from Southwestern President Jake Schrum to join the Alumni Self Study Committee came as a surprise to Cullen Lutz.

"I felt honored, but at the same time I was concerned that my lack of previous involvement as an alumna would limit my ability to contribute," she says. "But I was assured they were looking for diverse perspectives. It has turned out to be a wonderful learning experience for me."

The Alumni Self Study Committee members were selected as alumni who are leaders in their chosen endeavors. They have been charged to review all Southwestern alumni programs, communications and leadership development; identify all facets of relationship between Southwestern and its alumni; find and visit model alumni programs among national liberal arts colleges and determine if any of those programs could be adapted for Southwestern; invite leaders of "best practice" programs to visit and critique Southwestern's alumni activities; and develop and present recommendations for alumni programming to the Board of Trustees that matches aspirations for the University as stated in the Strategic Plan for 2010.

The 15 members committed to meeting for one or two days at least five times over a three-month period in Houston, Dallas and Georgetown. "We've all balanced time between this, our families, our work and other volunteer commitments.

"The most positive benefit from my involvement with the committee is reconnecting to Southwestern. I feel a great responsibility for us to do a first-rate job. After this, I plan to be more active with the alumni program, and hopefully I'll be able to make a significant contribution."

A native of Beaumont, Lutz came to Southwestern after looking for a school where individual attention was a priority. She was especially impressed with the campus and the people she met during her visit.

As a student, she studied art history and joined the Delta Delta Delta sorority. "I found the liberal arts environment was suited perfectly for me. I enjoyed the opportunity to explore subjects I might never have taken at a different university. It's still paying off, too! I'm taking a ceramics course at night because (Associate Professor of Art) Mary Visser got me so excited about it as a student. I'm living proof that a liberal arts education can work out exactly how you hope—both professionally and personally."

After graduating, Lutz pursued graduate studies at the University of North Texas in art history and art museum education. She went on to serve as curator of education at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas in Beaumont and the San Antonio Museum of Art. She now works for the Amarillo Museum of Art as deputy director.

"I'm responsible for all of the educational programming, volunteer recruitment and training, publicity efforts, electronic communications and grant writing efforts. Working in a smaller museum is right for me because I have the opportunity to get my hands on a number of projects, although my main focus continues to be art museum education. I help both children and adults learn about the world around us through art."

Her spouse, John Lutz '93, grew up in Amarillo and currently works as director of sales and marketing for an oil company. Together they are working to renovate a 1927 Arts and Crafts style bungalow in a historic neighborhood near downtown.

-Greg Holland