The Collegiate Review sat down with Matthew Geiner, president of Penn State Altoona’s Student’s Actively Living the Truth (SALT), to learn what the organization is doing for the student body.
SALT is a christian organization that provides bible study and emotional support for students who are interested in learning more about Christianity. “We want every student on the Penn State Altoona campus to know God’s love,” stated Geiner. SALT hopes to accomplish this through activities like Bible study, one-on-one meetups, a large group meeting on Thursday nights, and other events. This semester, SALT is putting a special focus on community building and ensuring people feel welcomed and loved as students cope with increased isolation brought on by Covid-19.
There are no prerequisites to joining SALT, and any student, whatever their religious leaning, can attend a group meeting and enjoy the free food and company, but Geiner does hope that students who attend will, “[realise] there is a God there for us, throughout our entire lives, that loves us no matter what we do.” Geiner believes that by forming a relationship with God, students will be better able to understand the world they live in and how they fit into it.
Although not a trained minister, Geiner is happy and eager to answer any student’s questions regarding faith and life in general. “I know that I do not know everything […] and a lot of […] the questions students ask me […] the answer is: I don’t know, but let’s find out together,” stated Geiner.
The Old and New Testaments were written a long time ago in societies different, in many ways, from our own. Some students may regard religious texts as superstitious myth cycles with no relevance for modern society and people. Geiner, however, believes the teachings of Jesus to have as much gravity today as they did 2,000 years ago. “A lot of Jesus’ teachings were in parables,” stated Geiner, “they’re basically […] stories that give us an example on how to act.” One of Geiner’s favorite parables is the story of the man sowing seeds, an allegory about spreading the word of God. “Sometimes [faith] can truly take root in someone’s life and truly transform them,” stated Geiner, “and then grow and multiply.” Geiner believes his faith is responsible for many of his personal breakthroughs. “It’s helped me learn to understand other people,” stated Geiner, “it helped me confront a lot of the problems that I deal with myself. Things that keep me up late at night […] It’s shown me many ways to love those around me.”
Many students take advantage of the freedom provided by University life. Alcohol, and sometimes other drugs, circulate through college campuses. With parties being held most weekends at student housing, instant gratification is at-hand for many students. SALT tries to teach its students that greater fulfillment can be found through meditation and devotion, without using drugs or seeking approval from peers. Drugs and hook-up culture may be coping mechanisms that keep people from confronting the fears and issues that are holding them back. “It can feel good,” stated Geiner, “but it doesn’t help you with some of the real problems in life. Living with God can help you find the true meaning of life, and find joy in yourself rather than in other people.”
Interested in joining one of PSU Altoona’s faith-based student groups? Learn more at https://altoona.psu.edu/offices-divisions/student-affairs/student-diversity-inclusion-programming/campus-ministry