Welcome to the University!

Dear student and co-learner,

Hello and welcome to the university!

I am Carl Trovall and I teach ethics and history at Concordia University Texas.

I remember the day I first set foot on the university campus I would graduate from.⁠ (1) I was excited and terrified.  Perhaps you are, too. I had a lot of questions:

• What adventures awaited me?

• Would I graduate? 

• Did I have the grit and smarts to succeed?

• How hard would it be? 

• How will I live away from home for so long, or wash my own clothes, or get myself to bed on time?

• Would I make friends? 

I did survive. In fact, I thrived. And you can, too.

I have taught thousands of students like you for over 25 years. And, I want you to succeed and flourish as I did. 

My passion is to see students succeed, and so, I have decided to share a few insights based on my experience to help you have a flourishing first year of college. I also hope that this site can help you cultivate habits that will give you a deeper sense of purpose, meaning, and happiness for the rest of your life.

These insights will not be not new.  Nor will each suggestion work for everyone—we are too unique and complicated for that.  Yet, I hope to distill and share with you what some ancients called “wisdom,” suggestions that have proven effective in helping people across diverse cultures and ages find deeper meaning and joy.  When possible, I will provide scientific support for these insights when possible. (2)

Each week, I will post items for you to think about, along with possible actions to consider. I pray that they will be helpful in your journey.

Feel free to email me at carl.trovall@concordia.edu if you wish to respond. I would love to hear from you.

Congratulations on your exciting journey ahead! I look forward to walking with you.

With joy,

Dr. Trovall

(1) I graduated from Concordia University, St. Paul, MN in 1983.

(2) Philosophy comes from the Greek and literally means “the love of wisdom.”