“Equipping students to think biblically, live wisely, and serve faithfully” is an important cornerstone of Park Christian School’s mission, explains Austen Schauer. As the Director of Community Relations, Schauer emphasizes the importance that their students graduate from Park Christian School strong in their faith and well prepared for the rigors of college, career, and relationships.
Schauer joined the Park Christian team approximately a year ago with the primary responsibility to tell the story of the school and to develop relationships with those who have the resources to support the Christian education financially. It is a crucial time for the school as they are embarking on a multi-million dollar expansion to south Moorhead called “Vision 2020 Looking Forward.”
Schauer, who is a household name in the area, has a rich history of over 30-years of success in the broadcasting world. He began his media career with WDAZ-TV in 1977 and concluded it as anchor on Fox-TV in 2013. At first glance, the transition from broadcasting to the world of development may seem somewhat unlikely. However, Schauer comes from a strong faith-based family. His father was a pastor who instilled in the family the importance of being well grounded in the Christian faith. This family faith has continued with him and his wife Angela, who have been married for 36 years and raised three children. They are blessed with five grandchildren. At Park Christian, he continues his reporting skills in telling the story of the benefits of a Christian education. “I’m a P.K. – preacher’s kid,” he said. “I’ve always had ministry close to my heart.”
As a youth, Schauer delivered newspapers, did kitchen work, and was an orderly at a facility for geriatric and mentally disabled people while in high school in Sacramento, CA. His work experience continued in college with restaurant duties and working as a farm hand. However, the early interest in being behind a microphone led him to attend and graduate from UND with a major in mass communications. Schauer has a longstanding commitment to the community as he has worked in North Dakota for 36 years. He started at WDAZ in Grand Forks, ND, in 1977. Three years later, he went to WDAY as the weekend anchor and reporter. In 2000, he joined KVRR as co-anchor and producer of the 6:00 and 9:00pm news.
Schauer said the move to Park Christian began when longtime friend Erv Inniger, former basketball coach at NDSU and now coaching at Park Christian, approached him. “Erv and I talked a lot about the future. It was his suggestion, and after visiting with the family and with much prayer, I took the position at Park Christian because I believe I could help not only the current kids, but the next generation.”
Schauer explains that in a Christian classroom, a child learns the Biblical truth, which is necessary for living a balanced life. Park Christian is dedicated to building up a child from the inside out by integrating a biblical perspective into all aspects of the school experience so that students may view life from God’s frame of reference. Park Christian School trains both the heart and mind of students in the development of Godly wisdom so they may reflect the character of Jesus Christ in everything they do.
Therefore, Schauer adds “We are grateful to our loyal supporters for recognizing the value of Christian education in the lives of our children. If you would like to make a difference in a child’s life, I am only a phone call away.”
Austen Schauer
Community Relations Director
Park Christian School
300 North 17th Street, Moorhead, MN 56560
aschauer@parkchristianschool.org
218 422-1145
