Cornerstone University Alumni Journal Spring 2015 by Cornerstone University

Legacy 1

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yellowstone alumni trip FEATURE STORIES

CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI JOURNAL

june 14-20, 2015 Reserve your place now to experience one of the richest displays of God’s creation with people deeply committed to reflecting His glory.

2 www.cornerstone.edu/yellowstone

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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On the cover have generously given of their time and talents for more than 25 years. Penny serves as a mentor, Terra Firma leader, and she regularly welcomes international students.

campus updates

feature Stories

share your news

Letter From the President Dr. Joe Stowell shares his thoughts on legacy.

Alumni Awards

Rising In The Rankings

Chapel Memories

Fighting A War In West Michigan

CU named “Best Online School” in Michigan.

Letter from the Provost CU Provost, Rick Ostrander, shares Cornerstone’s steps to uniquely prepare graduates for the job market.

Three-Ball

Men’s Basketball rolls to third national championship.

Hitting the Heights

Kern Foundation Creates New Series

Alumnus of the Year award recipients, Athletic Hall of Honor inductees and the newest inductee into the Faculty Hall of Honor.

Updates from Classmates Catch up on what alumni are doing personally and professionally.

As construction on Christ Chapel nears completion, alumni recall chapel services from days gone by.

Cornerstone alumni and students are helping to heal and restore victims of human trafficking.

CU senior Brittany Murray captures second national title in Women’s Track & Field.

GRTS receives $150,000 grant to fund programs on faith and economics.

ALUMNI JOURNAL STAFF Nate Clason Executive Director of Alumni Programs & Information

Amanda Lawrence Alumni Relations Coordinator Bob Sack Vice President for University Advancement Caroline Cahoon Art Director Kelli Smith University Writer/Editor Ashley Giovannucci Communications Liaison, President’s Office

Ann Byle Freelance Writer Photography: Carrie Lyzenga Photography Christina Marie Photography Coastline Studios Gilson Graphics The Image Group Jessica Leng Photography Jill DeVries Photography Megan Rice Photography Rush From Above Photography Ryan Prins Photography

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION The CU Alumni Association is a community of people who reflect Cornerstone University’s history, steady its present and cultivate its future. The Cornerstone University Alumni Journal is produced twice annually through a partnership between the Alumni Relations and Marketing & Communications offices at Cornerstone University. Permission to quote short portions of this publication is granted as long as content is preserved and proper credit is given to the Alumni Journal.

Cornerstone University does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, sex, age or disability in its policies and programs.

CONTACT US www.cornerstone.edu/alumni alumni@cornerstone.edu 616.222.1439 Cornerstone University Office of Alumni Relations 1001 E Beltline Ave NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 © 2015 Cornerstone University. All rights reserved.

Cecil (B.R.E. ’67, M.Div. ’71) and Penny (Perry, ’68) Patterson

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campus News LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT THERE ARE SOME THINGS that never seem to change here at CU – Gator’s bog walk, the candlelight engagement shenanigans (yes, they still throw the guy into the pond), chapel services, Larry Bos teaching business, spontaneous prayer meetings in the dorms, deep discussions about life’s seemingly unanswerable questions, Mudbowl, amazing Thanksgiving dinners, finals week and the throwing of graduation hats at commencement. It’s timeless traditions like these that we embrace as memory markers of our time at CU or, for some, Grand Rapids Baptist College. It is the ongoing community pursuit of academic excellence, both in the classroom and on the marshy bogs, that continues to mark our university.

I’m proud to be president of a school with so many alums like you who are impacting our world for Christ. Alumni whose memories recall the traditions, friendships, learning experiences and intellectual growth that has equipped them to succeed in their life calling. So here’s to the timeless traditions, great memories, progress and achievements that you’ll read about in this edition of the Alumni Journal.

Then there are some things that do change – for the good. Wearing jeans to class, holding hands with the one you love, the building of the long-awaited Christ Chapel where we will worship together.

Joe Stowell, President

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RISING IN THE RANKINGS CU EARNS “BEST ONLINE SCHOOL IN MICHIGAN” A SURVEY BY EDUDEMIC, an online educational source for teachers and students, ranked Cornerstone University as the best online school in Michigan. “After a comprehensive survey of 212 Michigan colleges, we narrowed the list to nine schools offering at least four, 100 percent fully online programs,” Edudemic wrote in a report on its website. “This analysis included scouring the web for data, several emails and follow up phone calls. We believe Cornerstone University is the best online school in Michigan.”

Colleges were ranked based on the Edudemic College Methodology. Cornerstone also earned No. 1 online programs in Michigan for best business/accounting degree and best M.B.A and psychology program. U.S. News and World Report also placed Cornerstone University in the Top 100 2015 Best Online Programs, out of 1,200 online degree programs.

“Transparency is a very important part of evaluating an online school,” the report continued. “It’s critical to be able to find important contacts, understand the various tuition rates and fees and establish contact with different departments such as financial aid and career services. Cornerstone University did an especially good job answering our questions about their online programs and financial aid.”

CU’s online programs focus on degrees in business, education, psychology, ministry, human services and TESOL.

For more information about the online degree programs at CU, visit:

Behind Cornerstone at No. 2 is Western Michigan University, while Central Michigan University checks in at No. 3.

www.cornerstone.edu/cu-online

Pictured Above: Kassidy Tubergen (M.B.A., 2014).

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LETTER FROM THE PROVOST RICK OSTRANDER DISCUSSES PREPARING STUDENTS FOR TRUE SUCCESS LIKE MANY OTHER INDUSTRIES, higher education undergoes new fads from time to time. When I was a young professor in the late 1990s, “internationalization” was all the rage. The college where I worked at the time developed several new study abroad programs and received a government grant to internationalize the curriculum. When I became provost at Cornerstone a few years ago, the new “big thing” was digital technology. Massive Open Online Courses, many predicted, would put traditional universities such as Cornerstone out of business. While the globalization wave and the digital revolution have declined in visibility recently, they continue to produce positive changes in how we do education.

after completing a master’s degree and Ph.D. in history, I stumbled into a position as a college professor and ended up as a provost. In today’s competitive job market, however, in which a college degree is viewed as essential for landing a good job, the bar has been raised significantly for career services. When students and parents invest significant dollars in a college education, they need to be convinced of the value of that degree, and that value is most easily measured in terms of future salary.

Now the next big thing is career services. Universities across the country are developing more robust career preparation programs for their students in an effort to tout the job placement rates of their graduates. Politicians have jumped on the bandwagon, and some now propose to rank universities based on the salary levels of their graduates.

This new emphasis on career development poses both opportunities and risks for Christ-centered universities such as Cornerstone. On the one hand, our relatively small size means that we can provide the most important element in career preparation: personal attention and mentoring from a qualified, full-time professor. On the other hand, college has always been about more than job preparation; it’s about developing a curiosity about the world and an ability to wrestle with important ideas. Moreover, as a Christian university, our calling is to nurture students who will influence their world as Kingdom citizens – and Christ may lead them to a Calcutta orphanage, not a Chicago law firm.

Of course, one of the purposes of higher education has always been to prepare students for career success. But today the emphasis on the economic value of college has increased significantly. When I went to college thirty years ago, things were different. I majored in history and never darkened the door of the “career services” office. In fact, I’m not sure I even knew that such a thing existed. I just studied what I was interested in and didn’t worry about a future career. Eventually,

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PICTURED (L-R): Dean of Career and Life Calling, Jason Clayton, talks with student Mario Williams. Jill DeVries Photography © 2014 Each student who makes a deposit to CU receives a copy of “Finding Your Way,” aiding them in determining a major before they begin classes. Ashley (VanderGeld) Giovannucci (B.A. ’13) on camera during her internship at WOOD TV 8. Paul Doane (B.R.E. ’74), associate director of financial aid for Grand Rapids Community College, shares career advice with students during a recent “From Career to Calling” event. Carrie Lyzenga Photography © 2012

Moreover, while we can’t take credit for the revitalization of Grand Rapids, we certainly benefit from our location in one of America’s most dynamic cities which consistently ranks near the top of Forbes Magazine’s list of best cities for finding a job. That’s something that few of our fellow private universities in the Midwest can offer.

That’s why at Cornerstone, we’re investing in career development, but doing so in a way that advances our Christian mission. We have established a new Center for Career and Life Calling. Our new dean of Career and Life Calling, Jason Clayton, is leading a number of initiatives designed to prepare our students for professional success and cultural influence as Christ-followers. For example:

As a Christ-centered university, our commitment to career development is rooted in a Christian understanding of vocation and life calling, not in a secular narrative of career success. We’re firmly committed to preparing our students for success; but true success consists of serving Christ in one’s calling. So whether Cornerstone produces the next CEO of Steelcase or a social worker in Saginaw, we will have achieved our mission of empowering our graduates to make a difference in the world for Christ.

>> Our unique LifePath program begins even before a student arrives on campus. Upon submission of a deposit to Cornerstone, high school seniors and transfer students receive a book, “Finding Your Way,” that initiates a process of helping them to understand their distinctive talents and prompts them to choose a major accordingly. >> All CU students take a course entitled Creativity, Innovation, and Problem-Solving that develops the creative thinking skills that employers are seeking. >> Every degree program at Cornerstone requires a professional internship or a research project in collaboration with a faculty mentor.

Rick Ostrander, Provost

>> Students complete a Capstone Seminar in their major that prepares them for success in their field and equips them to use their future career as a means to influencing their culture for Christ. >> The Alumni Department is expanding its efforts to involve Cornerstone alums in providing internships and career opportunities for our students.

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THREE-BALL MEN’S BASKETBALL ROLLS TO THIRD NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN EAGLES used a suffocating defense and a balanced offense on their way to the 2015 NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship. The tournament, held March 11-17, saw Coach Kim Elders’ team win all five games by at least 10 points. Cornerstone finished the season 33-5, including 25-1 from midDecember to the title. The Golden Eagles earned high praise for their work off the court as well.

The championship game – a 66-45 win over Dakota Wesleyan – was a defensive clinic by the Golden Eagles. Dakota entered the game as the nation’s highest scoring offense, averaging 87 points per game. Yet, CU’s stingy defense held them to just 23 percent shooting.

“This team stands out, in terms of character, as one of the best I’ve ever coached,” added Elders.

“In Branson, the (team’s) focus was unbelievable,” said Elders. “Once we won the WHAC tournament on March 2, we knew we were capable of a long tourney run.”

For complete championship coverage, visit: cugoldeneagles.com

PICTURED (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT): Dozens of CU students and fans made the trek to Branson, Mo. for the national semifinals and finals. Senior captain Ty Mason (#14; Comstock Park, Mich.) saved his best for last, with a season-high 22 points in the second-round win of the national tournament. Mason was named to the WHAC’s Champions of Character team. Ben Lanning (#21), a junior from Grandville, Mich., tallied a double-double (points and rebounds) in the final two games, after missing six weeks of the regular season with a broken wrist. The crowning moment to a magical March: at the conclusion of the March 23 bannerraising celebration, players joined hands during CU’s Benediction Song. Freshman Kyle Steigenga (#32; Holland, Mich.) capped off a brilliant rookie season by earning MVP honors at the national tournament and first-team all-American status.

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HITTING THE HEIGHTS CU SENIOR CAPTURES SECOND NATIONAL TITLE IN WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD BRITTANY MURRAY, a senior from Monclova, Ohio, recently won the 2015 NAIA Indoor Pentathlon National Championship. She posted a school record 3,842 points to take the top spot at the meet hosted in Geneva, Ohio. youth. She is an incredible woman of God, and I am sure the Lord is as pleased with her devotion to Him, even more so than we are proud of her as a student-athlete.”

Murray won two of the five events, registering 722 points in the shot put with a throw of 12.92m (42-4.75) and 717 points in the long jump, traveling 5.56m (18-3). She also placed second in the high jump (1.68m; 830 pts) and third in the 60 meter hurdles (9.10 - 889 pts). Ironically, Murray was runner-up in the 2014 event.

The championship is the second of Brittany’s celebrated career at Cornerstone. Last spring, she claimed the 2014 NAIA Outdoor National Championship in the heptathlon. Her husband, Ben Murray, is studying to be a pastor at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.

“Brittany is that perfect trifecta of athlete of which every coach dreams,” said her coach, Paul Koutz. “Athletically she is extremely gifted, academically, she is a dean’s list student, and spiritually, she is a rock-solid ministry major who has a heart for

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KERN FOUNDATION CREATES NEW SERIES GRTS RECEIVES $150,000 GRANT TO BEGIN PROGRAMS ON FAITH AND ECONOMICS THE KERN FOUNDATION, which funds the Kern Scholars Program, has awarded Grand Rapids Theological Seminary a grant to fund a unique series of events that engage pastors in helping integrate faith, work and economics. “We want to help pastors and the church think about their work and their engagement with the economy through the lens of faith and a Christian worldview,” said Darrell Yoder, director of the Kern Scholars Program and overseer of the $150,000 grant.

The third prong is for pastors who attend the events to become part of the Made to Flourish Pastors Network created by the Kern Foundation. This program allows pastors to apply for Kern Foundation grants and build a relationship with the foundation facilitated by GRTS.

Yoder has a three-pronged goal for using the grant money. First is a series of four Talking Points events for pastors that will take place monthly from February to May 2015, and during that same time frame in 2016. Keynote speakers and panelists will include a number of local pastors and professors, as well as nationally known experts in the field of economics and faith.

“My prayer is that GRTS can help pastors as they disciple people in the areas of work and faith,” said Yoder. “For the seminary, it’s an exciting opportunity to serve the church in a new and direct way.”

For more information about the new program, contact Yoder at:

The second prong of the grant is to use the 2016 iteration of the Talking Points events to create a video-based curriculum for churches that captures the lectures and Q&A, plus additional information.

darrell.yoder@cornerstone.edu

Or visit:

“We want to create curriculum for pastors attending Talking Points to use in their churches, but also make it available later for other churches to use,” said Yoder.

www.cornerstone.edu/talking-points

Pictured Above: Eric Lapata (M.A., 2014). Youth Developer, The Chapel.

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Legacy AS CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY PREPARES to celebrate its 75th Anniversary this fall, there are ample opportunities to reflect on the legacy left by many faculty, staff, alumni and events. In this section, we recognize outstanding alumni, celebrate the tradition of chapel and get a glimpse at what five CU community members are doing to make a difference in lives every day.

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To learn more about the 2015 honorees and to see more photos from the Winter Gala, visit cornerstone.edu/gala.

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TRIBUTES AND TRADITIONS ANNUAL WINTER GALA HONORS ACHIEVEMENTS CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY’S ANNUAL WINTER GALA, hosted at Fredrick Meijer Gardens in February, honored distinguished members of the Cornerstone University “family.” For the CU community, it was a splendid evening of fellowship and memories. Best of all, it was a moment to reflect on the ways in which God has blessed Cornerstone University in the past and present. ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR AWARDS

ATHLETIC HALL OF HONOR INDUCTEES

The annual distinguished Alumni Awards provide Cornerstone University and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary an opportunity to recognize outstanding alumni who have achieved success in their personal and professional lives. The following individuals are flourishing as influencers in our world for Christ, embodying the very mission and identity of Cornerstone University.

The Cornerstone University Athletic Hall of Honor pays tribute to former CU athletes who are distinguished for their performance, records, capacity for positive influence and contribution to fellow players, spectators and the broader community. >> Mary Koscielniak (B.S. ’08) Women’s Soccer | 2004-2008 www.cornerstone.edu/alumni-koscielniak

>> Katya Covrett (M.T.S. ’02) Grand Rapids Theological Seminary Alumna of the Year Executive Editor | Zondervan Academic www.cornerstone.edu/alumni-covrett

>> Jeremy Underwood (B.A. ’05) Track & Field | 2001-2005 www.cornerstone.edu/alumni-underwood >> Shannon (Bambach) Underwood (B.A. ’06) Track & Field | 2002-2006 www.cornerstone.edu/alumni-underwood

>> Wade Wyant (B.S. ’02) Professional & Graduate Studies Alumnus of the Year President | ITS Partners www.cornerstone.edu/alumni-wyant

In addition to honoring former athletes, the CU Athletic Hall of Honor pays tribute to coaches, faculty and staff, and friends of the university who are distinguished for their contributions to furthering the mission of Cornerstone University Athletics.

>> Stan Jensen, Ph.D. (B.A. ’75; M.Div. ’79) Traditional Undergraduate Alumnus of the Year President | Henry Ford College www.cornerstone.edu/alumni-jensen

>> Carla Fles Head Women’s Basketball Coach | 1999-2012 www.cornerstone.edu/alumni-fles

FACULTY HALL OF HONOR INDUCTEE

>> Andy (B.A. ’77; M.Div. ’81) & Nancie (Adams, ’77) Smith Men’s Basketball Broadcaster | 2001-present www.cornerstone.edu/alumni-smith

The Cornerstone University Faculty Hall of Honor pays tribute to past and longtime current faculty members for their uncompromising dedication, tireless service and steady commitment to the school and its students. The impact of these “life changers” is felt by their students and colleagues, and bestows glory upon Christ our Lord. >> Judith Fabisch, Ph.D. (B.A. ’77; B.A. ’83) Emeritus Professor of English | 1983-2011 www.cornerstone.edu/alumni-fabisch

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CHAPEL MEMORIES A NEW BUILDING TRIGGERS NOSTALGIC REFLECTIONS OF PAST CHAPELS

By Ann Byle

STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF AND GUESTS can’t miss construction fences, mounds of materials and the rising structure that is becoming Christ Chapel, Cornerstone University’s first-ever dedicated chapel. By Fall 2015, the 1,475-seat chapel will welcome all with open doors and open arms. By the time Elizabeth Osborn Alber attended Grand Rapids Baptist College from 1980-1984, chapel was back on campus and held in the gymnasium, which was in the same location as is the current Hansen Center. Every day, she said, students set up the chairs before chapel and took them all down after chapel. A large rack held the hymnals that were distributed each day. She remembers faculty members all sitting in the front on the right side.

The grand opening on Sept. 14 will be the ultimate moment in a storied history that has seen the CU family experience chapel in church sanctuaries, the dining hall and small and large gymnasiums on campus. Cornerstone’s early years were located at Wealthy Street Baptist Church in Grand Rapids. What began with evening Bible classes for lay workers soon became a day school in 1944, offering two-and three-year programs of study. Eventually, the school became a four-year Bible college and seminary.

“One day Don Wyrtzen did a wonderful chapel presentation on worship, but students had decided before it started to let mice out because the chapels had been so boring,” said Alber. “But that chapel was so good that some kids didn’t let theirs out and some did. Dr. Welch stood up and said, ‘You know who you are and you’ll turn yourself in.’”

David Egner, professor of English at CU from 1964-1973, remembers attending chapel at Wealthy Street as a seminary student. He also remembers chapels held in the new location’s dining commons, which he attended as a faculty member. “On the East Beltline, we met at 10 a.m. at least four out of five days,” he said. “Chapels lasted about half an hour, and we sang and always had a speaker. When our numbers grew too big, we all trooped over to Calvary Church every day.”

She remembers class-level chapels once a month with Dr. Welch speaking often until his retirement after her junior year. The late 1980s saw students, including Julie Ellens Wittmer, sitting on chairs and in bleachers and checking names off long lists to record chapel attendance. Wittmer regularly performed with the Chancel Singers under the direction of Orpha Galloway. President Dr. Charles Wagner often spoke. Music was a high point thanks to Greg Good, Joyce Horn,

Calvary Church is located south of the Cornerstone campus across Bradford Street. Students walked across CU’s property, across Bradford and through the church’s parking lot, to get to the building.

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For a peek into the new chapel plus information on how you can help complete the funding, visit cornerstone.edu/chapel-project.

for chapel use in the 2000s. Katrina Scheer attended chapel there from 2006-2010 when chapel was three days a week, plus Evensong, a Sunday evening service led by students.

Richard Stewart and performances by various campus music groups. By the time Angie Morter Cizauskas attended Cornerstone beginning in 2001, students were back to walking the roughly quarter mile to nearby Calvary Church – with chapel outgrowing the old gymnasium. Long gone were the printed lists of student names. She and her cohorts scanned their ID cards to record attendance, which had been modified so that students were required to attend a set number of chapels per semester instead of the mandatory everyday. She remembers President Rex Rogers speaking often, including the time he donned a cardigan and sat on the steps in a Mr. Rogers flashback.

Scheer remembers the quirky and fun Matthew Westerholm, director of worship arts at CU, the messages of President Joe Stowell and Evensong. “I always loved the benediction at the end of Evensong when everyone held hands,” says Scheer. “There was such awesome unity and synergy.” Christ Chapel, she says, is a fitting testimony to who Dr. Stowell is. “He’s really poured into the campus and Cornerstone as a whole to make it all that it can be,” says Scheer. “This chapel is pivotal for the Cornerstone campus and the university as a whole.”

And, finally, it was again back to the CU campus for chapel when the Bernice Hansen Athletic Center was made available

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FIGHTING A WAR IN WEST MICHIGAN MEMBERS OF THE CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY HELP VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IT HAS BEEN CALLED a “hidden crisis” with 2,400 estimated victims in West Michigan and 300,000 American children at great risk of trafficking. Commonly thought of as a third world problem, human trafficking is prevalent in West Michigan communities. Five members of the Cornerstone community choose to leave a legacy of hope and grace for those victimized by human trafficking. JULIE SLAGTER (GRTS '09)

program equips youth and young adults with the lures, signs and ways to respond to human trafficking. Her passion is to raise awareness on the dangers of human trafficking that are not only abroad but also here in the U.S. Jenn currently shares her program at schools, universities, churches, youth events and camps.

Michigan Abolitionist Project Julie Slagter, an advocate for human rights, founded the Michigan Abolitionist Project (MAP) in May 2011 after working with International Teams. MAP has now grown to 11 community groups around the state of Michigan with countless volunteers preventing human trafficking through education and various initiatives.

ANDY SOPER (CU '02) HQ | The Manasseh Project

The non-profit organization also advocates for legislation to protect victims of sex trafficking, publishes an annual magazine and helps businesses address corporate responsibility as it relates to labor trafficking. Julie serves on MAP’s Board of Directors and works for the Cultural Intelligence Center, a company that helps people assess and develop their cultural intelligence.

Andy Soper was honored in October 2014 by the Grand Rapids Business Journal as one of Grand Rapids’ 40 Under 40 Business Leaders. Soper was selected from a record number of 171 nominations this year for the GRBJ class, chosen annually based on the business and leadership success of the individual. Soper, who founded the Manasseh Project Trauma Recovery Center at Wedgwood Christian Services in 2010 for female victims of sex trafficking, opened a new center for Grand Rapids teens in November. The new homeless youth drop-in center, called HQ, provides a safe space for teens that includes counseling, employment training, housing, laundry facilities, education and case management. The new facility is funded through Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville where Soper serves as director of mobilization. Mars Hill launched HQ, but it exists as an independent non-governmental organization.

JENN (LUEDEMAN) AMO (CU '99) Women At Risk, International (WAR Int’l) Jenn Amo was recently featured in a Ford Motor Co. commercial as part of a media contest. The “Jenn at WAR” commercial, produced by the Compass College of Cinematic Arts & GSM Creative, highlighted the prevention-based program she created. As an Ambassador with WAR Int’l, her

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BECKY MCDONALD (GRTS '80)

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employees, contributes a portion of its proceeds to fight human trafficking in Grand Rapids. Jacobson also started an outreach in Traverse City and Grand Rapids, where she and others minister weekly to more than 50 women working in strip clubs. New Creation donated gift bags worth $40 to each female employee at the club. The bags included makeup, toiletries, Bibles and devotional books.

Women at Risk International Becky McDonald, Founder of Women at Risk, Intâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l (WAR), based in Grand Rapids, works in more than 40 countries, including America. Giving voice to the silenced, WAR creates and partners with 170 programs and safehouses, each restoring to dignity between 10 and 550 trafficked and wounded. Escaping slavery, honor killings and more, those at risk receive job training, education, safety and holistic care. WAR has helped train lawyers, doctors, jewelry makers, goat herders and so much more, making dreams come true. McDonald speaks nationally and globally, training staff at universities, hospitals, government departments, the Pentagon, churches and more.

For more information and to learn how you can get involved, visit the following websites: www.michiganabolitionistproject.org www.WARinternational.org www.hqgr.org

BRITTANY JACOBSON (CU '16)

www.manassehproject.org

New Creation Cupcakes

www.newcreationcupcakes.com

Brittany Jacobson, a current CU student and editor of The Herald, started New Creation Cupcakes in her campus apartment last year. She recently partnered with Wedgwood Christian Services in Grand Rapids to teach baking skills to victims of human trafficking. The company, with its three

Pictured Above (left to right): Julie Slagter, Jenn Amo, Andy Soper, Becky McDonald, Brittany Jacobson

Cornerstone Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s year-long anniversary celebration begins with the

Christ Chapel Dedication MONDAY, SEPT. 14, 2015

Learn more at cornerstone.edu/75th-anniversary. #CUsince1941

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share your News 1950s DAVID GARDNER (GRTS ’59, ’84) passed away on Nov. 6, 2014. He served in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence during the Korean War and as a missionary with his family for many years in the Philippine Islands and in Papua, New Guinea. While in Papua, New Guinea, he had founded and administered the Goroka Baptist Bible College, which is now 40 years old. His first wife, JOAN (AUSTIN, ’57) of 41 years preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 15 years, LOIS (HENTSCHEL, GRSBM ’54). His three children and her four step-children have given him 22 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. (PHOTO 3)

1960s VIVIAN BEALS (BROWN; B.R.E. ’67, B.A. ’76) passed away on Dec. 1, 2014. She attended Wheaton College, where she met her husband, Dr. Paul Beals. She went on to receive degrees from Moody Bible Institute (diploma, 1948) and Cornerstone University. Mrs. Beals served along with her husband in the Central African Republic under Baptist Mid-Missions (BMM) from 1952 to 1964. She held the title of Missionary Emeritus with BMM. She taught in the business department at CU for 25 years and in 1989 was honored as CU’s Alumna of the Year. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, who, along with Dr. John Wilson, is the namesake of the Wilson/Beals Faculty Center at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. Mrs. Beals is survived by her four children, 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. (PHOTO 1) RICHARD (M.DIV. ’67) AND MARILEE (WIITALA, B.R.E. ’66) DUNCAN serve as managers of Little Mary’s Hospitality House in Wellston, Mich. Little Mary’s is a home that ministers to families with children who are battling life threatening or terminal illnesses. Richard has served as a pastor for 38 years and is currently the pastor of Antioch Bible Church in Mesick, Mich. (PHOTO 2)

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CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI JOURNAL

A GRAND RAPIDS BAPTIST COLLEGE REUNION in September 2014 brought together friends and alumni who attended and/or graduated in the 1960s. (PHOTO 7)

1970s RICH (B.R.E. ’70, M.R.E. ’72) and Kathie KIFER currently live in Highland, Mich., where Rich serves as the minister of music at Highland Church of the Nazarene. ALLEN FERRY (B.R.E. ’73, M.R.E. ’82) recently came out of a two-year retirement to begin a new ministry. He joined the faculty at Appalachian Bible College to establish a new Bible College inside the Mount Olive Correctional Facility in West Virginia. He now serves as the director and primary instructor at Mount Olive Bible College. (PHOTO 4) ALLAN (B.R.E. ’75, M.R.E. ’78) AND ROBIN (CUTHERELL, B.A. ’76) CUTHBERT helped found and are currently serving with Horizon International Schools in Michigan, a division of ABWE. The school, located in Grand Rapids, Mich., partners with national theological schools throughout the world to provide online ministry training in five languages. (PHOTO 5) GLENN (M.R.E. ’79) and Gwenn EYER recently published a book with their adopted daughter, Valerie, 11. “Why Did We Have to Say Goodbye?” is Valerie’s story about the loss of her two-year-old brother, a victim of child abuse. Valerie’s book is a view of love, loss, and hope from a child’s perspective. (PHOTO 6)

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1980s PAMELA LASHER (M.R.E. ’83) recently transitioned from 36 years as a teacher to the role of grant writer/alumni coordinator at NorthPointe Christian Schools in Grand Rapids, Mich. She is married to DAVE LASHER (B.MUS. ’81). ALTON LUDER, JR. (M.DIV. ’85) completed his Ed.D. in education from Northcentral University in June 2014. His dissertation is titled: “A Phenomenological Study of the Call, Theological Education, and Lived Experiences of Pastors Who Left the Ministry.” He and his wife, RITA ANN (BAUMGARTH, ’82), live in Illinois where he serves as a hospice chaplain and bereavement counselor. (PHOTO 8)

1990s KEVIN WICKLIFFE (B.A. ’96) passed away on July 13, 2014 in Santa Clara, Calif. A top-20 scorer in the CU Men’s Basketball record books, Wickliffe is survived by his wife, SONYA (LEFEBRE, ’92), and children, Daryenne and Jase. JONATHAN GAUS (M.T.S. ’96) is the founding pastor of Canyon Bible Church in Prescott Valley, Ariz., a Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated, disciple-making church that is training, equipping, and sending out church planters. Jon and his wife, Beth, have three children: Libby, 17, Gabe, 15, and Leah, 13. (PHOTO 9) RICHARD CHARD (B.A. ’98, M.S. ’05) recently came out of retirement to serve at Barclay College in Haviland, Kansas, as a resident director overseeing six resident assistants. (PHOTO 10)

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2000s BRAD GRAY (B.A. ’02) recently published a book, “Make Your Mark: Getting Right What Samson Got Wrong.” Brad serves as teaching pastor at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland, Mich. He and his wife, Shallon, have four children: Denyon, Aryah, Calyx and Xyler. (PHOTO 11) JOAN (MIKKOLA, M.R.E. ’02) GUEST and her husband, Dr. Steven Guest, currently serve as support staff at South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies. Together, they mentor and disciple seminary students and their spouses. JON ACKERMAN (B.A. ’03) recently accepted the position of creative director at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Mich. He and his wife, CHAELI (O’NEILL, B.A. ’04), have two sons, Brennan and Brody. NOAH (B.S. ’04, M.A. ’09) AND JENNIFER (GOOD, B.MUS. ’05) FILIPIAK welcomed their second child, Sage Krystyne, on Aug. 28, 2013. Lexi is older sister to Sage. (PHOTO 12) DENNIS BOURDO II (B.A. ’03) serves as a psychologist in the United States Air Force and recently completed a six-month overseas deployment. While he was away, his wife, JANA BOURDO (CAMPBELL, B.A. ’03), gave birth to their third child, Isaac Richard, born on May 25, 2014. Isaac is welcomed by older sisters Makenna and Layla. (PHOTO 13) BRANDON (B.R.E. ’04) AND ABIGAIL (BALOGH, B.A. ’03) FARBER welcomed their third child, Leah Hope, into their family on Dec. 26, 2013. Leah was welcomed by siblings Elizabeth, 6, and Hannah, 3. REBEKAH FULLER (B.A. ’04) is currently living in L.A. where she is pursuing a career in acting.

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KATIE (BRINKS, B.A. ’04) MACBRIEN and her husband, Tim, celebrate the birth of their son, Jonah Lucas, born on Feb. 21, 2014. Ezra is older brother to Jonah. (PHOTO 15) ROB VAN ENGEN (M.A. ’05) completed his Ph.D. in organizational leadership from Regent University in 2014. He is currently the assistant professor in the school of religion and assistant director of the Center for Christian/Community Service at Liberty University. (PHOTO 16) RODNEY LLOYD (B.S. ’05) currently serves as the mayor of the city of Coopersville, Mich. (PHOTO 14) DAVID WORKMAN (B.S. ’06) passed away on July 17, 2014. He is survived by his wife, Pamela, and son, Daniel. (PHOTO 17) MARK AWABDY (M.DIV. ’07) recently published a book, “Immigrants and Innovative Law.” The book, published by Mohr Siebeck, is the fruit of his dissertation. ROB BOOMERSHINE (B.A. ’07) recently accepted a position as consumer lending manager at Kalsee Credit Union. He brought eight years of lending experience with him to the new job. (PHOTO 18) LUKE (B.A. ’07) AND ELIZA (NYBLAD, B.A. ’08) OWENS live in New Stuyahok, Alaska, where Luke serves as the assistant principal and Eliza as the special education teacher in the Southwest Region School District. Their ministry in New Stuyahok is focused on providing hope and healing to those struggling with addictions. LAURA HALMI (B.A. ’13) joined their team this year in Alaska. (PHOTO 19) ANTHONY (B.A. ’07) AND VALERIE (EATON, B.A. ’07) SEMINARO announce the birth of their daughter, Catherine Clara, born on July 15, 2014. Anthony currently works as Chief Financial Officer of Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren, Ohio.

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CARRIE (BAAS, B.A. ’08) and Philip LYZENGA announce the birth of their daughter, Elsie Jae, born on June 13, 2013. (PHOTO 20) DARCI (FAGERSTROM, M.S. ’09) and Jay IRWIN celebrate the birth of their daughter, Kyra Saige, born on Aug. 30, 2014. (PHOTO 21)

MELISSA KERSJES (B.A. ’09) recently accepted the position of copywriter and SEO specialist at Fusion Education Group in Grand Rapids, Mich. (PHOTO 22) MATT (B.S. ’09, M.A. ’11) AND LAURIE (HEKMAN, B.A. ’08) KRIEG currently live in California, where together they work with at-risk youth in the 180 Youth Program. The teen center focuses on gang prevention, programing and mentorship, and counseling. (PHOTO 23)

2010s STACEY (WIECK, ’10) and Alex CARPENTER were married on Aug. 24, 2013. (PHOTO 25) AMY SPARLING (B.A. ’10, M.A. ’13) currently works as program manager for Goodcity NFP in Chicago, Illinois. DAVID (B.A. ’10) AND GRACIE (KNOTT, B.A. ’12) VANDYKE welcomed their daughter, Elizabeth Perry, into their family on May 14, 2014. (PHOTO 24) KATIE (BEACHY, B.S. ’11) and David BULTMAN were married on June 27, 2014.

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KORY CHESSER (B.S. ’11) and his wife, Linda, live in Muskegon Mich., where Kory currently serves as the youth director at Central United Methodist Church. MICHELE (CREPAS, B.A. ’11) HARRIS and her husband, Nick, announce the birth of their daughter, Adalyn Grace, born on Oct. 3, 2014. (PHOTO 26) AMANDA THORPE (M.A. ’11) received the 2014 Journalism Teacher of the Year Award from the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association. She is in her sixth year of teaching at Portage Community High School. (PHOTO 27) MITCH (B.S. ’11) AND KATE (ZWIER, B.A. ’13) WIERENGA were married on June 22, 2013. (PHOTO 30) FAITH (HEPLER, B.A. ’12) and Randell GANCHUA were married on Sept. 14, 2014. Faith currently serves as the communications coordinator at The Potter’s House School in Grand Rapids, Mich. (PHOTO 28) EMILY (OSTRANDER, B.A. ’12) and Ben VANDERBILT welcomed their daughter, Willow Anne, into their family on Jan. 24, 2014. (PHOTO 29) JASON WOODARD (M.B.A. ’12) and his wife, Shellie, live in Battle Creek, Mich., where he works as plant manager for Brembo North America. DEREK (B.S. ’12) AND MADISON (BUCILLA, B.S. ’13) VLIETSTRA were married on July 19, 2013. (PHOTO 31)

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TYLER (B.S. ’13) AND SAMANTHA (COOK, B.S. ’13) MARTIN were married on March 2, 2014. (PHOTO 32) JARED (B.S. ’14) AND PAIGE (KNOTT, B.S. ’13) COURTRIGHT were married on July 25, 2014. (PHOTO 35) JORDAN (M.DIV. ’14) and Melody DOTSON celebrate the birth of their daughter, Georgianna Blythe, born on Sept. 6, 2014. (PHOTO 36)

DARRYL (B.S. ’14) AND KAYLA (BROWN, B.A. ’12) SLUKA were married on May 17, 2014. (PHOTO 34) TAYLOR (B.S. ’14) AND BROOKE (HOUSENGA, B.A. ’14) WALBURG were married on Aug. 2, 2013. (PHOTO 33)

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time to Replace your Mudbowl t-shirt. Bleach can only go so far. Find new university gear at the Cornerstone University Bookstore. Apparel for all ages – including the official men’s basketball National Championship celebration shirt.

on campus or at CUBooksOnline.com

Spring 2015 | Cornerstone University Alumni Journal | Legacy