Continuing the Legacy
By Traci Manos
January 15, 2025
In July 2024, Anne (Kooi) Tohme ’99 joined JBU as vice president for student development, succeeding Steve Beers, who retired after 26 years in the role.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
A: I grew up in Heartland, Wisconsin, and I come from “a JBU family.” My parents graduated from JBU in 1969, as did my older sister, Amy (’95), and brother-in-law, Jeremy Burns (’97). I currently have a niece and second cousin attending JBU.
I graduated from JBU in ’99 with a degree in business administration and earned my Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. I served at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, for 17 years, working in various roles in student development. For the past four years, I served as vice president for student life at Warner University in Lake Wales, Florida.
I’ve been married to Kelvin Tohme for 17 years, and we have served in Christian higher ed for most of our careers. Kelvin is working in information technology at JBU and is passionate about soccer, specifically, the life-changing impact of sports ministry. We have two children — Landon, who is 15 and in 10th grade, and Lauryn, who is 13 and in eighth grade. We also have a mini Goldendoodle named Daisy. We love opening our home to friends and family and hosting and entertaining college students! I enjoy running — I have run four marathons — love to travel, drink coffee with friends, and I am a huge Bon Jovi fan.
Q: How does it feel to be back at JBU?
A: JBU has never left me. The opportunity to return and invest in a place that has been so impactful and meaningful in my personal, professional and spiritual development feels like a sweet gift from God. Worshipping in the Cathedral of the Ozarks again feels like a “welcome home” experience.
This fall, I participated in a true full-circle moment when I spoke at Breakaway, JBU’s fall student retreat. In my senior year, I was the CAUSE ministries director, and back then, the director spoke at Breakaway. It was extraordinary to be there and to speak at the retreat again.
Q: What was your experience like as a JBU student?
A: I made some of the best friends of my life at JBU, and I learned the life-changing impact of a Christ-centered community. My time as a student played a significant role in my spiritual development and was pivotal in helping me discern my gifts and calling. Being mentored by women like Delia Haak, Becci Rothfuss and Tracy Balzer gave me a vision of godly women in leadership, mentoring and discipleship. They called out gifts in me I didn’t know I had and showed me a career path I didn’t realize existed. I am honored to build on and continue the legacy of these amazing women at JBU.
Q: What is your vision for students at JBU?
A: I’m so grateful to follow in Dr. Steve Beers’ footsteps and his exceptional work in student development. The department is healthy and thriving, and I feel fortunate to be able to continue to build on that. I work with an incredible team of gifted and talented people in student development, and I am so impressed with their intentionality, discipleship mentality and genuine love for students. It’s a great privilege to join with them in this meaningful work.
I hope to continue to build on the legacy of those who have gone before me and to cast a vision of hospitality, grace and accountability. I believe every aspect of what we do with students is to be infused with these elements. I want students to experience the extravagant welcome and love of Christ — know that they are seen and wanted here (hospitality). I want students to know they are loved and accepted simply for who they are and just as they are (grace). I believe that God calls us to live holy lives and to honor him in all we do and that part of our work is to call students up into all that God has for them as followers of Christ, collectively and individually (accountability).
My deep desire is that our students become deeply rooted in their identity as loved children of God who fully embrace what it means to be “the beloved.” Out of this understanding of identity will flow how they think about God, themselves and others, and their decisions and choices about work, relationships and service. Frederick Buechner defines vocation as “the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” I am passionate about helping students find that intersection — the sweet spot of their calling — and then creating a path of growth for them to live it out.
Q: Why does Christian higher education matter?
A: It matters because we need disciple makers in all spheres and places of society. A Christian education equips students to be salt and light in the world, representing Christ and loving others in ways that advance the kingdom of God. JBU college years are unique for our students; it’s a season in life when all the adults around them are genuinely cheering for and supporting them, challenging and growing them and wanting to disciple and build into them. That is a unique experience and one we hope students will take full advantage of — a time of education and preparation.
Graduation is my favorite event because it signifies sending hundreds of students into the world with the gospel’s message — bringing light to the darkness and hope to the hopeless. These students have undertaken four years of training to be ready to bring grace, wisdom and love-infused leadership to their fields and spheres of influence. What a privilege to have a small part in the stories God is writing as he sends his people into the world to advance his kingdom.
