Tom and Sue Dahlstrom Model Christ's Love to the Eastern Community
Some people leave their mark through public, flashy achievements. Others, like Tom and Sue Dahlstrom, MEd ’99, do it by faithfully showing up each day. Whether Tom is analyzing data or Sue is welcoming a homesick student into their home, their approach has always been the same: rigorous excellence combined with genuine care. As the 2026 Lamplight Society inductees, the Dahlstroms embody four decades of the kind of personal investment that transforms both institutions and lives.
Tom Dahlstrom arrived at Eastern in 1982 as Assistant Professor of Business. He went on to teach a variety of subjects, including management, marketing, and information systems.
“I began every class meeting with a brief devotional and prayer, endeavoring to tie in the devotional with the topic of the class period so that students could see that our everyday lives, not just the Sunday sermons we heard, should be guided by biblical principles.”
This ethos guided him as he developed new programs, sponsored student organizations, and moved into bigger-picture roles such as the Director of Institutional Research and Assistant Vice President for Planning and Effectiveness.
Sue Dahlstrom, worked part time at Eastern, teaching statistics and working for Tony Campolo’s Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education (EAPE). Beyond her official capacities, Sue has served as a consistent source of encouragement and hospitality to students and staff.
“Over the years,” Sue shares, “we have seen Eastern as an integral part of our lives and it has been our joy to serve the EU community through sponsoring clubs, hosting international students for meals, and providing holiday support for students far away from home.”
“Tom and Sue Dahlstrom truly live out the mission and values of Eastern in their selfless commitment to their colleagues, the broader community, and especially our students. I've been blessed to learn so much from them in their modeling of faithful servant leadership.”
While Tom plans for his retirement this June, the Dahlstroms’ light will continue to shine brightly through the generations they have impacted.
“The motto of Eastern says it all: Faith, Reason, and Justice,” Sue comments. “I pray that our family’s involvement with this community has called us and others to rely on God’s Word in our actions, to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our troubled world, and to seek justice for the poor, the oppressed, and the underserved.”