RAISED IN A BARNE: RHD Luanne Goffnett raises large family while working, living on campus

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Benjamin Ericksen described Barnes Residence Hall Director Luanne Goffnett as someone who knows how to make time for everyone.

In addition to her RHD duties, Goffnett raises four children and has joint custody of two with their biological mother. She lives with the kids along with her husband in a four-bedroom Barnes Hall apartment. While others may find maintaining her job and motherly duties difficult, Goffnett said it is not that hard.

“It’s like she has 25 hours in her day and that extra hour is used to make everyone’s lives better,” said Ericksen, a Shepherd freshman.

Goffnet said she feels blessed to have the apartment.

“Home isn’t about how big it is,” she said. “I think (the RHD job) is a great opportunity for my children to be exposed to the environment and a great opportunity to model service to others.”

Luanne said Chris Goffnett, her husband, is dean of Business and Liberal Arts at Mid Michigan Community College and has just as busy of a life.

Before marrying Chris, Luanne had to raise her triplets on her own.

“It definitely humbled me a lot,” she said. “It made me realize that I needed help and I couldn’t do it on my own.”

She will have been an RHD for 20 years in July.

“It started out as a great way to do grad school,” she said. “But I really enjoyed what I was doing.”

Though Goffnett loves being an RHD, she said she and her husband have developed a plan for the year 2020, in which they hope to travel abroad and become full-time missionaries.

Goffnett and her family attend Mount Pleasant Community Church, 1400 W. Broomfield St., and in their spare time they volunteer with Orphanage Outreach and other philanthropic organizations.

In addition to athletics, each of Goffnett’s children volunteer within their own organizations at school, such as the Key Club, Builder’s Club, Girl Scouts and Girls on the Run.

Campus Life

David Durkee, Caledonia senior and Barnes Hall resident assistant, said he loves hanging out with the Goffnett kids.

“Colten and I like to battle with each other,” he said. “And Chloe always talks about Justin Bieber and I always make fun of her for it.”

Durkee said he wonders how Goffnett does so well in managing all of her responsibilities.

“Luanne is so much farther in her development as a leader than me,” Durkee said.

Durkee said he admires Goffnett because she is all about finding teachable moments. Even though he has been an RA for four years, Durkee said he is still learning like a first-year staff member.

Goffnett, he said, is always looking to help people improve.

Durkee added, ”She has the ability to see the big picture at all times and knows how to fit pieces into the framework of what she’s trying to accomplish.”