Crown College’s Alumni Newsletter
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION CASTS A NEW VISION read more on page 4
SUMMER 2018
GRADUATION 2018
CROWN COLLEGE HELD ITS COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
on May 12, 2018. This year’s graduation speaker was Dr. Verna Price (’84), President of The Power of People Consulting Group. Price received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Religious Education in Christian Education from Crown College, and her Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota. She is Leadership Institute Faculty at St. Catherine University and a Board of Trustees member at Crown College.
Crown College’s Alumni Newsletter
GRADUATE NUMBERS
On-campus Studies 137 Bachelor Degrees Awarded 7 Associate Degrees Awarded Online Studies 67 Bachelor Degrees Awarded 12 Associate Degrees Awarded 81 Master Degrees Awarded Reach Training Institute (Church Partnership with Salem Alliance Church, Oregon)
13 Master Degrees Awarded
2018 TOP PROGRAMS
29 B.S. in Christian Ministry (online) 22 M.A. in Christian Studies 21 M.A. in Organizational Leadership 21 B.S. in Nursing 19 B.S. in Sport Management 18 B.S. in Psychology/Counseling (online)
FRONT COVER PICTURED
Zach Schmitt (’16), Samuel Schmitt (’12), Lindsey Schmitt (’12), Liana Zook (’16), Vernice Zdrazil (’55), and Mitch Fisk (’96)
CONTRIBUTORS
Designer Pam Ackerman Marketing Communications Manager Tara Anderson Alumni Relations Manager Sarah Benbow Photographer Josiah Bondy Administrative Assistant for External Relations Julie Howe Sports Information Director Peter Ingraham Vice President of External Relations Jill Osborn Alumni Association President Zach Schmitt
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION CASTS A NEW VISION
COVER STORY
It is a great honor to introduce myself as the newly elected Alumni Association President. My name is Zach Schmitt, and before my graduation from Crown in 2016, I served on Student Senate and co-founded the Barnabas Student Scholarship. Among the most important lessons I learned as a student is that Crown is family, literally, in many ways, for me. My older brother, sister in-law, twin sister, and best friends have all graduated from the school. I have learned that being part of a family means you are cared for, given special privilege, and are uniquely included. Being part of the Alumni Association is a fancy way of saying that you are alumni of Crown College, but we want it to mean more than that. We want it to mean you are part of the family. The Alumni Association is currently governed by the Alumni Executive Board. The Board consists of me, Vice President Mitch Fisk (’96), Secretary Lindsey Schmitt (’12), and other alumni representing classes from the 1950s to the 2010s (there are a few decades we still need representation from within those years. If you are interested in joining the group, let me know). You can read our full Constitution and By-laws on the Crown College Alumni Facebook group, but the gist is this: Our goal is to engage and serve alumni by respecting the past and being future -minded. We want to accomplish this by being creative, having a culture of honor, and living in action.
of the box, and there are so many more in the works. Please continue to share ideas with us about how we can continue to be creative in our service to you! You are family, no matter how long it’s been since you’ve come home. We want to create a culture of honor among alumni. We want to help alumni remember the value of a Crown College experience, and then come back to share their stories of postCrown life in their fields, pastoral graduates to speak in chapel, and business grads to offer opportunities for student research. Supporting Crown shouldn’t be boring! Being part of an honor culture means Crown supports its alumni as well. We’re discussing creating avenues for alumni to request student volunteers for service projects, for businesses to receive qualified interns for summer work, or for alumni to have access to the most recent academic material in their professions. Honor involves mutual respect.
“You are family, no matter how long it’s been since you’ve come home.” - Schmitt
Alumni of Crown are so diverse, and reaching them means we have to think creatively. Some graduates may have little interest in being involved in Crown’s future, and others may want to serve and be updated as much as possible. We welcome both. What is important to me is making sure both groups feel at home every time they return to Crown. Creatively, there are ways we can make that a reality. Working with the college’s administration, we’re finding ways to give alumni special access to the campus. We’re working to create an alumni network that allows you to connect with other graduates in your career field. And we’re establishing alumni discounts to special events, (like Christmas at Crown) and in the campus store. These are a few ways we are thinking outside
Finally, we want to demonstrate initiative in our work. It’s easy to talk about these ideas but harder to see them through. Fortunately, hard work is what gets us excited. I truly believe we have turned a new page in the history of Crown’s alumni. This is an opportunity to connect old and new, to honor those succeeding in their callings, and to cherish each other in creative ways. I hope you will join us in this effort through prayer and feedback. I am excited for what comes next. Crown alumni are a unique and bold group. I welcome your ideas, your concerns, and your stories as I serve in this role. Feel free to communicate any questions or feedback you have with me. If you are recent alumni and are looking for ways to get involved, reach out to me. That is what family is for.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
Your brother,
President Zach Schmitt (’16)
Zach Schmitt Zach Schmitt
Vice President Mitch Fisk (’96) Secretary Lindsey Schmitt (’12) Members Norm Asplund (’56) Samuel Schmitt (’12) Vernice Zdrazil (’55) Liana Zook (’16)
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OLYMPIC HOPEFUL AND 49ERS COACH VISITS Crown College’s Exercise Science Program began only a few short years ago in 2015, and today it is one of the top 10 majors at Crown. The first Exercise Science students graduated this spring. Dr. Stacy Ingraham, professor and director of exercise science, credits this growth to a strong academic program, to the school’s state-ofthe-art equipment, and to delivering market-ready professionals upon graduation. Students also benefit from being able to do research, something that isn’t included in all undergraduate exercise science programs. This year, 2022 Olympic speed skating hopeful Allie Thunstrom tested at the Crown Human Performance Lab to learn how to increase her lactic acid tolerance level. Inside the lab, with a classroom full of exercise physiology students, Thunstrom battled through a strenuous run and bike ride. The class watched and assisted while pointing out significant findings. The tests identified how her muscles responded to exertion, and the equipment will explain how increased muscle strain affects her lactic acid levels. In another instance, students benefitted from hearing Dustin Perry, an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the San Francisco 49ers. Perry joined the Training Theory and Analytics class via Skype. He shared his experience working with some of the most elite athletes in the world. During the call Perry said of his position, “It’s all to God’s glory that I even have this platform.” Ingraham, who met Perry while the two attended the University of Minnesota, says, “Our students in the Exercise Science program need a different perspective than just mine. What better perspective than that of someone working in the field at the highest level?” Students who attended the Skype session asked questions and discovered just how much perseverance and dedication is required to reach the NFL. “As an Exercise Science student, I learned to maintain an athlete’s fitness level throughout the season,” says Jade-John Friederick, Crown College graduate. “Being willing to ‘do’ and not ‘wait’ is one of the lessons I caught during the class. You have to be willing to go out on a limb and try new things, and to be open to building relationships with others.” Ingraham’s work in the department is yielding great results for students and her work hasn’t gone unnoticed, as she was awarded this year’s Crown College Distinguished Scholarship Award. “I am so pleased with the one-on-one time that our students get in the Exercise Science program, and I think the program will continue to grow,” says Ingraham.
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ATHLETIC NEWS BASEBALL
New head coach Ryan Doheny spent his first year rebuilding the team following the graduation of several key contributors the year before. The team ended on a high note, sweeping Martin Luther in UMAC play, splitting with UMAC playoff participant UW-Superior, and nearly stealing a game from perennial UMAC front-runner St. Scholastica.
TRACK & FIELD
Sophomore Mackenzie Nelson (Gig Harbor, WA) won Crown’s first-ever UMAC Player of the Week award after a stellar performance as she bested MIAC and DII opponents for a win in the 3,000-meter race at UW-River Falls. The women increased their UMAC Conference point total to double digits this season.
TENNIS
In Crown’s first year with a tennis program, headed by coach Eric Shourds, Crown reached several milestones including both men’s and women’s teams besting North Central for their first conference wins. First-year Caleb Baumann (Columbia Falls, MT) won two UMAC Player of the Week awards, and first-year Abby Nelson (Spicer, MN) won one as well.
SOFTBALL
Coming off an outstanding season in 2017, Crown increased its playoff streak to four straight years and won a post-season contest for the second straight year. Crown started the conference season hot, with eight straight UMAC wins, including a sweep of the eventual UMAC champs, Northwestern. Junior Lis King (Buffalo, MN) continued her dominance on the mound and in batting, earning top five in the UMAC in nearly every category. King and senior Cassidy Valenzuela (Anaheim, CA) were named to the All-UMAC Honorable Mention team. King, the 2017 UMAC Player of the Year, now owns Crown’s career records in slugging percentage, onbase percentage, home runs, walks, ERAs, wins, appearances, complete games, shut-outs, innings pitched, and strikeouts!
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Senior Austin Van Der Heyden (Burnsville, MN) is now the leading scorer in program history with more than 1,500 career points. The team achieved its firstever NCAA-era win over Northwestern and hosted a UMAC Playoff Game for the first time in program history. Sophomore Tim Wendel (Montevideo, Uruguay) was named to the first-team All-UMAC for the first time in his collegiate career.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
This season marked the most successful season in Crown women’s basketball history since joining the NCAA, with 10 total wins along with the team’s first win over a MIAC as they beat Hamline on opening night. Senior Desiree Davis (Houston, TX) reached 1,000 points and is now the Crown NCAA-era career leader in rebounds, assists, and steals.
CROSS COUNTRY
Sophomore Mackenzie Nelson (Gig Harbor, WA) was selected first-team All-UMAC after finishing fourth in the UMAC Championship—this was her second AllUMAC selection two years running for Crown. The women’s cross country team took sixth place in the UMAC Championship, beating Northwestern, North Central, and Northland.
FOOTBALL
The football team had a tough season but battled with UM-Morris and Iowa Wesleyan. Sophomore Isaiah Zepeda (Los Fresnos, TX) was voted first-team All-UMAC, and senior Cody Bedlion (Bottineau, ND) was selected to the second team. Sophomore receiver David McIntosh (Pittsfield, MA) had a remarkable season, ending third in the conference in receptions, fifth in receiving yards, and fourth in receiving touchdowns. First-year running back Derek Chilcoate (Adna, WA) had two weeks of more than 100 rushing yards against both Iowa Wesleyan and St. Scholastica. Senior receiver Nick McCormick (Edwards, IL) and won Crown’s second-ever UMAC Student-Athlete Leadership Award.
CASSIDY VALENZUELA
took over Crown’s career records in at-bats, runs, hits, doubles, triples, and games played this year with an incredible 50 hits during her senior season.
Olympic Hopeful Allie Thunstrom
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DEAR ALUMNI, Crown College is a place of transformation. Through learning and experiencing Christ’s love, students’ faith grows. The following excerpts from students are great examples of the transformation we see on campus: “Before coming to Crown, I was struggling with depression and just wanted to go to a school where I could focus on God. Crown has helped me push forward and find a deeper meaning through my relationship with God. Students and professors have walked beside me in my journey, encouraged me, prayed for me countless times, and have given me hope in Christ.” -Junior, Business Administration “I wasn’t raised in a strong Christian home but knew I wanted to grow in my relationship with Christ at college. One of the areas of biggest growth has been in my role as captain of an athletic team. I realized leadership was not something everyone is born with, and a good leader has to set an example on and off the field. Playing for Christ has helped me develop into a leader for Him. My faith has grown!” - Junior, Business Administration “For the past three years, the Lord has been continuously molding me into a woman after His own heart. Each year I face new and challenging obstacles that teach and mold me to become a better Christian, friend, student, daughter, and disciple of Christ.” - Junior, Nursing Thank you to all of you who have donated to Crown to help the College provide the support students need to grow and prepare for all that God has planned for them. You can find more information about how to help our students on our giving page at www.crown.edu/give. Sincerely,
Jill Osborn Vice President of External Relations
CAMPUS UPDATES
NEW CENTER FOR GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT International students and students studying for international careers don’t always have opportunities to mingle, ask questions, and learn from each other, but doing so would reap big benefits for everyone.
That’s why the Board of Trustees and their spouses funded the new International Lounge in the Center for Global Engagement, a space where these students can gather to learn from one another. In the lounge, students build a shared identity as a group focused on navigating international experiences. The space also invites informal learning.
“Some of the conversations I hear are an extension of the classroom,” says Stephen Jones, assistant professor of international studies. “Students are using the room as a processing space with their fellow students.” Pictured: Daniel Kadima learning about the Geochron, a solaraccurate map showing where the sun’s illumination is at any time on the globe, all time zones, and the location of the International Space Station.
REVITALIZING FAITH VILLAGE The small village up the hill at Crown College has 54 two-story homes/units, which have housed students, families, and missionaries. This year, it was home to 108 students and 27 families. The goal of Faith Village is to provide inexpensive housing, but rent does not cover the cost of needed updates. Because units are aging—they were built 30 years ago—they require maintenance and new items, including new kitchen appliances, bathroom fixtures, and carpet. To repair and replace old items, the cost will be $4,000 per unit. Crown is seeking support from churches, small groups, and individuals interested in “adopting” a unit. Please consider if your church or small group could be the adopters. As a thank you, your church or group name will be embossed on the outside of the home. If the group would like to be even more involved, we can arrange a volunteer day to help with painting, weeding, and cleaning. Thomas (‘13) and Laura (‘12) Clapper currently live in Faith Village with their two children, while Thomas works on his master’s degree.
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ALUMNI NEWS We love to share about alumni, so please send updates about marriages, babies, new jobs, recent awards and accolades, or other recent news to alumni@crown.edu. Please include your full name, your graduation year, and the information you would like us to include. And remember, if you send us birth announcements, we’ll send your baby a Future Crownie onesie.
50s
Livingstone Chen (’57) has served churches in the Philippines, United States, and Canada. He is retired and still serving as minister of preaching at First Taiwanese Presbyterian Church at Mercer Island, Washington. Phil (’58) and Mary (Adamson, Kyle, ’59) Osterhus dated while at Crown College, but each married other people. After their spouses passed away a few years ago, the two reconnected and were married December 30, 2017.
60s 90s
Earl Spurlin (’68) passed away on January 16, 2018, at the age of 73.
Jesse and Gina (Browitt, ’91) Godding were always very active in Crown College athletics. Jesse was the Head Football Coach for 27 years at three collegiate institutions: Crown College, Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, North Dakota, and Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas. Gina has taught second grade for the last 16 years at Palmer Elementary in Texas.
00s
Katie (Hucek, ’06) Goodman lives in North Minneapolis with her three children (daughters 10 and 9, and son 7). She has maintained her teaching license from Crown and added a master’s in clinical social work in May 2018. She will be licensed in addiction counseling in December 2018. Katie works as a group and individual therapist in Perspectives, Inc., a co-occurring disorders out-patient clinic in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, and will be a program manager this fall. “I am very blessed to have found my landing spot in clinical social work and couldn’t be more humbled by the incredible people I work with every day, and the even more incredible women and children we serve!” Aaron (’06) and Nikki (Porter, ’03) Petersen welcomed daughter, Harvest Lyric, April 8, 2017. She joins brothers Samuel (11) and Ezra (8).
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Jennifer (Karkula, ’08) Raushel started a new job as the Retail Manager for Deerwood Bank in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in September 2017.
10s
Cindy (Williams, ’10) Bjerkaas became a chemical dependency tech at a residential treatment center in Alexandria in 2012. She returned to Crown where she earned a minor in alcohol and drug counseling program. In September 2017, Cindy took the test for licensure and in October 2017 became a licensed alcohol and drug counselor with New Visions Center in Alexandria. In February 2018, she began working for the State of Minnesota at the Community Behavioral Health Hospital. Kayla (Hellaby, ’10) Daniels’ children’s e-book has been published. The Adventures of Ted and Po will be a three-part series for children ages 0 to 9 that will teach them about different countries and take them on adventures around the world. The Adventures of Ted and Po: Riding on Trains is available on Amazon and iTunes (interactive version). Amy (Moorhead, ’10) Linder worked for three and a half years with New Life Family Services after graduation. She married her husband Chris in March 2012, and welcomed daughter Gracie in August 2013. She became a stay-at-home mom, and had son Jack in February 2016. They live in Champlin, Minnesota, and attend Vertical Church in Maple Grove. Jason (’12) and Kaitlin (Schlegel, ’12) Budish welcomed daughter, Daveney, on Christmas Day, December 25, 2017. Timothy (’14) and Erika (Foust, ’13) Herrmann welcomed daughter, Chloe Brynn, on January 17, 2018.
John (’12) and Kelly (Anderson, ’13) Knickerbocker welcomed daughter, Kira Jane, on October 6, 2017. Harry (’13) and Teshia (Barrett, ’13) Owczarek welcomed son, Oscar, on October 25, 2017. Ben (’14) and Caitlin (Sorensen, ’14) Coleman moved in October 2017 to Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, where Ben works as a transportation planner. Ben finished his Master of Regional Planning degree from Cornell University in May 2017. Nicholas (’14) and Aleta (Fisk, ’14) Krop were married March 6, 2015. Nick has his own business, is a realtor and an account manager at Re/Max Plus in Urbana, Maryland. Aleta started her own marketing business in November 2014 and is a stay-at-home mom. They welcomed daughter, Madison Rae, on October 16, 2016. Timothy Spokes (’14) is working as an operations specialist at TCF Bank in Plymouth, and he lives in Richfield, Minnesota. Kyle and Alicia (Kuhlmann, ’15) Smith welcomed twin boys, Malachi William and Levi Everrett, on September 3, 2017. Parker Lippold (’16) has been accepted into the Sports Law and Business program at Arizona State Law School, where he will begin classes in the fall.
FACULTY NEWS
Betty Anderson, wife of former choir
director, Dr. Lon Anderson, passed away January 23, 2018, at the age of 83. Linda Hustad, Staff Emerita who served 27
years at Crown, passed away February 17, 2018 at the age of 71. Linda was married to Crown Professor Emeritus Arnold Hustad.
STAY CONNECTED!
Read past editions. Visit our website at:
crown.edu/bridge
HOMECOMING
It’s strange to be thinking about fall, but it’s approaching faster than we think. This year, Crown College Homecoming is September 21 and 22, 2018. We want to make Homecoming more fun for you and your whole family, so we have new ideas and we welcome new ideas from you.
Share updates in future newsletters. Email us at:
alumni@crown.edu
New possibilities include holding a toddler dance party, karaoke, and trivia contests. Please send us your thoughts about the traditional events, our new possibilities, and your own ideas. Email the Alumni Office at alumni@crown.edu.
HOMECOMING SCHEDULE Thursday, September 20
Golden Grads Gathering (Classes 1965 and earlier)
Friday, September 21
Homecoming Chapel, Scholarship Luncheon, and 50th Class Reunion for Class of 1968
Connect with other alumni. Give us a call or email at:
952-446-4350 alumni@crown.edu
We will try to reach specific people for you.
Contact Marv Parker for information on the reunion or to RSVP. Email: mpjp863@gmail.com or Call: (952) 836-6891
Connect with Us!
Saturday, September 22
Soccer game, 5K color run, food trucks, chili cook out, bounce house, spirit tent, photo booth, trivia, cardboard boat regatta, football game, and more!
ALUMNI OF THE YEAR
If we have your email address, you should have received an email to nominate someone for Alumni of the Year. If you haven’t done so already, you can send us your recommendations for that as well. Contact us at alumni@crown.edu.
CHRISTMAS AT CROWN
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for tickets to go on sale for Christmas at Crown, which will be held November 30 and December 1, 2018. This special concert, held each year in the beautiful and historic Crown College Chapel, will celebrate the joy we have in our precious Savior.
Need to mail a check or update? Send us mail at:
Crown College Office of External Relations 8700 College View Dr. St. Bonifacius, MN 55375
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8700 College View Drive St. Bonifacius, MN 55375
REVITALIZING THE HEART OF CROWN
Crown’s beautiful chapel is the heart of Crown College, both because of its location in the center of the building and because it is a gathering place for worship. It’s been nearly 50 years since Crown acquired the campus in St. Bonifacius. Many areas of the chapel are in need of repair and enhancement. More information about the restoration is coming soon.