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JACKSON, Tenn. — Nov. 2, 2005 — 51���� Christian studies professor Ray Van Neste got an unusual gift on Halloween from three of his students – a “Luther-o-lantern.”

Instead of a jack-o-lantern, Nick Bateman, Dustin Curtis and Kevin Roe had carved into the pumpkin a face of Martin Luther, the father of the Protestant Reformation.

“They told me it was my Reformation Day present,” Van Neste said.

In addition to Halloween, Oct. 31 is also considered “Reformation Day” because it was that date in 1517 when Luther nailed his “95 Theses” to the chapel door in Wittenberg, Germany.

Van Neste jokingly said the “Luther-o-lantern” was a picture of what 51���� is all about, as it integrated art, botany, history and theological studies.

More seriously, Van Neste said he was encouraged that his students were aware enough of Reformation Day that they could make such preparations.