The Bridge by Crown College

Fall 2011

A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME

from the president

A New Sign for Important Times

Fall 2011

never lose the excitement of the fall school year. My first teaching job out of college was more than 35 years ago. It never gets old. This fall is particularly exciting as we celebrate a new sign at Crown’s front entrance. It matches so well with our main campus and the timing was perfect in that we were able to match a donor’s interest with the update of our brand. Crown College is committed to three central values: Christ-centered, Academic Excellence, and being Globally Connected. This fall’s incoming undergraduate class is once again, larger than last year’s. We also have the largest group of new international students ever to enroll at Crown. Within our Undergraduate and AGS programs, we have students from over 40 states and 34 countries. In keeping with our value of academic excellence, the North Central Association, our accrediting body, will have a team on campus this November to do a onceevery-decade review of our campus and programs. Accreditation certifies Crown’s competency and credibility as a higher learning institution, an important signal to prospects, students, employees, alumni and donors that Crown is the quality institution it claims to be. On a related note, our incoming class of undergraduate students has the highest ACT scores in the history of the College. As you read the story about military chaplains, you see once again that Crown’s Christ-centered focus continues. Thanks to Jonathan and the many others who serve Christ and our nation through the military. I am also pleased to announce the establishment of Crown Cornerstone, an organization created to honor those who make exceptional annual financial gifts to Crown College. Throughout our history, Crown has been lifted up by a dedicated group of alumni, friends, faculty and staff who have provided time, talent and treasure to advance the mission of the College. These individuals fortify the spirit and success of Crown and we are deeply grateful to them all. To advance Crown to a more effective and vigorous future, we need our partners to provide consistent and significant resources. Crown Cornerstone will recognize this community of partners who provide gifts of $1,000 or more within a calendar year. I encourage those of you who embrace our vision to develop Christian leaders who will serve and influence the world for Christ to become a member of Crown Cornerstone and renew that affiliation each year. Lastly, please pray for us–these are, indeed, important times for fulfilling God’s purpose. Thank you for your prayers and support of Crown College. Blessings,

Crown College

The Bridge is published by the Crown College Office of Marketing & Media Relations.

Rick Mann, PhD President

P.S. This year’s theme is MERGE from Romans 15:5, 6. We want to see the fullness of God’s unifying spirit merge in the life of our campus. “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6 (NIV)

The Bridge Mission Statement The mission of The Bridge magazine is to enhance Crown College’s connection with its alumni, and the alumni with each other. This will be accomplished with up-to-date news stories and features that are designed to inform and educate its readership. The editorial content will speak to contemporary events and issues from a Christian perspective. Ultimately, this publication will provide a quality resource for Crown’s alumni and friends, further equipping them as Christian leaders in today’s global landscape. ____________________________ College Administration Rick Mann, Ph.D., President Wendy Edgar, Vice President of Advancement Scott Moats, Ph.D., Vice President for Academics Michael Price, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing Michael Sohm, Interim Vice President of Student Development David Tarrant, Vice President of Finance ____________________________ Alumni Executive Committee Rick Yount ’01, President; Rob Wilkening ’05, Vice President; Dave Osterhus ’55; Dwight Williams ’72; Kathi Braland ’94; Alisia Guild ’96; Karl Jensen ’99 Mike Wood, Alumni Director ____________________________ Magazine Staff and Contributors Editor Brian Wright Director of Marketing & Media Relations Creative Director Tim Prusha Contributing Writers Karol Allen, Carol Aslanian, Josh Dunwoody, Wendy Edgar, Rick Mann, Scott Moats, Mike Wood, Brian Wright Please send comments to editor@crown.edu ____________________________ Financial contributions may be made online at www. crown.edu/give or by calling 1-800-646-2586 or mail to: Office of Advancement, Crown College 8700 College View Drive, St. Bonifacius, MN 55375 ____________________________ Crown College is the Midwest regional college of The Christian and Missionary Alliance. Crown has a strong evangelical Christian commitment. No discrimination with regard to gender, age, handicap or national/ethnic origin is practiced. Crown College is a nonprofit organization funded by student tuition as well as through gifts and contributions from alumni and friends. The Bridge magazine (USPO 979-20) is published by Crown College, 8700 College View Dr, St. Bonifacius, MN 55375-9001.

Called to Serve. Prepared to Lead.

www.crown.edu

around campus

Around Campus

Crown’s Online Programs Nationally Ranked in Top 10 Crown College’s online programs, offered through the Adult & Graduate Studies division (AGS), have been recognized among the nation’s best in a recent ranking of online programs offered by Christian colleges and universities across the U.S. According to TheBestColleges.org, Crown College’s online program is characterized by “exemplary student satisfaction indicators, a low student-to-faculty ratio and relatively competitive admissions, [which helps] Crown College to stand out from the crowd of online Christian colleges.” (See page 18 for a related article about how Online Education is a growing trend in higher education.)

Crown Named Military Friendly School Crown College has been named by G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School® for 2012! This honor ranks Crown in the top 20% of all colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide and is the result of extensive research and a datadriven survey of more than 8,000 schools. Noted, were Crown’s efforts to improve its military-friendliness each year by bolstering its policies, efforts and results used to recruit and retain military and veteran students. There are 8 million military members and veterans currently seeking a school. For information about Crown’s veterans programs, go to www.crown.edu/veterans.

Main Building Restoration Project As faithful stewards, taking care of “our house” helps extend our service into the next century. The Main academic building at Crown College is in year two of a three year project to restore the Mankato Stone exterior. The Main building, built in 1958, was constructed with natural Mankato Stone, concrete, and steel. Over time, the extreme weather conditions in Minnesota causes natural wear on the stone surface, mortar joints, and sealant joints on window and door frames. In addition, the slight erosion on the surface of the stone allows dirt accumulation, and eventually moisture penetrates through the stone walls and begins wicking into interior spaces. The College contracted with J. Carlson and Sons to clean the building’s masonry and concrete sections, tuck point loose mortar joints, replace individual loose stones, re-caulk windows, doors and building expansion joints, and reseal through-wall flashing systems above openings to stop moisture infiltration. This process is quite involved but is needed to restore the integrity of the exterior stone structure. The most notable result of this work is that the stone has a “new” appearance and has been restored to its original color. The third and final phase of the project is scheduled to begin in May of 2012 after our graduation ceremonies. Phase two, completed this summer, restored the building’s Mankato Stone to it’s original appearance.

www.crown.edu

around campus

Watch the full video on Crown’s Youtube channel at www.youtube.com/crowncollege1916

Q&A

with Don Berglund Crown’s new Chairman of the Board

Q: Can you tell us a bit about you, your family and your career? A: I am a Twin Cities native, having grown up in the Minnetonka area. I received both my undergrad and graduate degrees from the University of Minnesota, and have spent most of my career in healthcare, running hospitals and hospital systems. Currently, I am in the blood industry specializing in services that help people donate blood and provide a safe supply of blood to hospitals and the medical community. My wife Cindy and I have been married for almost 35 years and we have four wonderful kids all in their 20’s. Cindy and I met while we were both on staff at Campus Crusade for Christ. God had it in mind for us to fall in love and have this wonderful ministry together. We just love being parents, love being married, love the ministry together.

Crown College

Q: How did you come to know Christ? A: I came to know Jesus as my Savior when I was a young child, growing up in a church where Christ was proclaimed and the Bible was taught. I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t know that God loved me. Because of my sin, I was separated from him and needed a Savior; Jesus Christ was God’s provision for my sin. During my college years, I became involved in several on-campus student ministries. In the process, God worked in my heart to change my plans. I had planned to get my undergraduate degree and move right into graduate courses in healthcare management at the University of Minnesota. I had a pretty solid focus on that and spent a lot of time and energy preparing for that. But while I was a senior, God placed a desire in my heart to spend time in vocational ministry. So I became involved in Campus Crusade for Christ, spending four years with this ministry on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City. During this time, I had an opportunity to spend the summer in Hong Kong working with a local church. It was wonderful to get a taste of cross-cultural international missions by going into another part of the world. Getting students to know Christ and then sending them into the world through this ministry made a significant impact on my life.

Q: What is your history with Crown College? A: We have a history with Crown dating back to growing up at Minnetonka Community Church-they had a strong relationship with St. Paul Bible College (now Crown). A number of my peers growing up attended St. Paul Bible College as did my younger brother, Marty, who attended and met his wife here. He went on to seminary where he became a C&MA pastor for 30 years in the northeastern part of the United States. In addition, our daughter, Sarah, transferred to Crown from another college. Our four children have attended four very different colleges. By comparison, Sarah said that the welcoming and caring environment at Crown was wonderful, and that it was also challenging and stimulating academically. As a parent, I saw a difference in Sarah’s life as a student on several fronts. She became more engaged as a student and would often talk about her interaction with faculty in a way that she hadn’t in her other college experience. She would also comment on how she appreciated Crown’s encouraging and safe environment. I’m thankful she had a great experience here! Q: As a parent, what advice would you give to other parents looking at colleges today? A: As I think about being a parent of a Crown student, a number of the things that my daughter experienced here are consistent with what we focused on at home. For one thing, it’s important for your kids to have the right circle of friends because who they choose as friends will have a lot of influence on who they become. It’s also important to make sure you’re doing what you can to insure your child is being exposed to what God says is true. There are thousands of messages that we each receive every day suggesting that certain things may be true. As Christians, we have to keep centering ourselves on what God says is true in His word. One of our challenges as parents is to have our kids keep God’s Word in front of them, especially during their college years. A place like Crown allows your daughter or son to be a student, having the opportunity to pursue the skill-set that God is leading them toward, all in the context of biblical truth. That’s an amazing opportunity presented to students—and their parents—at Crown.

around campus student experience here. As I have begun to meet them, and some have been here for decades, they are all passionate about their role in pursuing academic excellence but doing so in a way that integrates their own personal faith while they coach students on how to think about their particular topic in the context of biblical truth. One of the great things about Crown is that students can be prepared to do whatever God calls them to do for the rest of their life in the context of great biblical understanding and commitment to follow Christ. As a parent, a professional and a believer, I’m encouraged by the atmosphere at Crown. That’s one of things that drives my passion for being involved at Crown and supporting all that

“I believe God is directing Crown in a clear direction for a great future, based on its core values.” The Board also likes the passion we see in the students, staff, faculty and administration—all are clearly supportive of Crown’s vision, values and distinctives. Our faculty adds incredible value to the

God wants Crown to be. As I have had a chance to meet leaders of other Christian colleges and compare notes, I am so impressed with Crown’s relationship with The Christian

and Missionary Alliance (C&MA). I’m so impressed with how Crown is being loyal to the principles of faith of the C&MA and their focus on the world and on making a difference. This past February, while on a missions trip to Vietnam, I was stirred to think back on all the persecution the country had endured over the past few decades and how the C&MA church has persevered in that country. Crown has enabled people to be part of that ministry. Q: How can the Crown Community be praying for you and the rest of our Board? A: As a board you can pray that we would be wise and courageous as Board members who are trusting God to set the direction for Crown College through its leaders. My life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path.” I believe God is directing Crown in a clear direction for a great future, based on its core values. Pray, too, that Crown will be a distinctive force in Christian ministry in the decades to come. I’ve been impressed within my own family, through my daughter and brother, how God has used Crown College to accomplish His purpose in their parts of the world. n

5 www.crown.edu

Q: From the Board’s perspective, what does the future look like for Crown College? A: This is an exciting time to be a Crown College. As a Board, we support the vision that Dr. Mann has established for the College. It’s exhilarating to be a part of an institution that prepares Christians to serve and influence the world! We’re glad to hear of Crown’s continued growth in enrollment and new programs like the recent addition of the online MBA. We’re also very passionate about the fact that Crown has distinctives that no other college in the region can claim. The genuine integration of faith into the equipping process is more than a statement in a brochure.

around campus

Each week, the Presiden’ts Cabinet meets to discuss important issues and to to pray. Cabinet members include (from left): Mike Sohm, Wendy Edgar, Miike Price, Scott Moats, President Rick Mann and David Tarrant.

Recent Changes to President’s Cabinet

Mike Price (top) is an avid fisherman and lives in St. Bonifacius with his wife, Kathy, and their three children. During lunch, you’ll find Mike Sohm (bottom)

Crown College

playing hoops in the gym. He and his wife, Nancy (also a Crown employee), live in nearby Waconia.

Mike Price

Mike Sohm

Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing

Interim Vice President of Student Development

With three children of his own, Mike Price is passionate about the need for Christ-centered higher education. Joining Crown in June, 2010, with fifteen years of higher-ed admissions experience, Mike knows the best-practices of running an enrollment and marketing division for a growing private Christian college like Crown. Most of all, Mike realizes that without seeking the Lord’s guidance through prayer, none of it will work. Mike’s tenure in higher education includes both for-profit and non-profit institutions. Prior to coming to Crown, he was the Admissions Director for Adult Programs at Bethel University (St. Paul, MN). He also serves on a leadership committee for NACCAP, a coalition of Christian admissions professionals. Mike is motivated by making progress—moving an organization forward, not resting on the past. His vision for Crown, by the end of this decade, is to have 1,000 undergrad students on campus and 2,000 online adult students. He feels confident with an engaged and passionate staff who is also ignited by this common vision. Mike’s top priorities include enrollment growth, building Crown’s awareness, creating a framework with professional processes and systems, and developing key partnerships for the College. While he knows these are bottom-line priorities, Mike says, “There is so much more to this job than the bottom-line; we are doing kingdom work at Crown, equipping students to combine their learning with their faith in Christ, in very real ways.”

Mike Sohm is not new to Crown College. For the last five years, Mike has been the College’s Executive Vice President—a role that, in Mike’s words, was “heavily administrative.” If you know Mike Sohm, you know his personality and passion lean more toward leadership development. With Dwight Carlblom’s recent departure to Korea, Mike saw this as a perfect opportunity to move back into his sweet spot, playing an integral role in developing the leadership skills of student leaders and staff. This key role within Student Development is at the core of developing a ministry mindset. Referring to Matthew 9: 36-38, Mike believes it’s this ministry mindset that prepares the “few” workers for being “sent out to his harvest fields.” As Mike says, “It is important that our alumni understand that we are staying true to our historic mission of providing an authentic Christian education for the purposes of equipping marketplace ministers.” One near-term priority for Mike is to hire a Dean of Students who will strengthen resident living. To parents, Mike would say, “Crown’s campus is a safe place. Not only do we have an excellent relationship with the County Sheriff, but this is also a safe place for your daughter’s and son’s to ask the difficult questions, about faith, about self, about the world. And, the answers will be grounded in Scripture. Your child’s education at Crown will be more integrated with Christian faith than a number of other places available.”

around campus

International Student Population at Crown Grows by More Than 200%

OUR STUDENTS COME FROM AROUND THE GLOBE Countries represented at Crown Australia Austria Brazil Burkina Faso Cambodia Cameroon Canada China Dominican Republic Ecuador Ethiopia Ghana Honduras Hong Kong Kenya Korea Kyrgyzstan Liberia Malaysia Mali Moldova Morocco Panama Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Russia Rwanda Singapore Somalia Tanzania Thailand United States Vietnam

grow cross-culturally.” International students currently participate in both our resident undergraduate and Adult & Graduate Studies (AGS) programs. In addition, Crown’s faculty and staff exhibit a vast history of cross-cultural service in education, business and ministry. With our low faculty to student ratio, students are given significant access to globally connected mentors, who understand the importance of advising and serving around the globe. Edgar says, “We believe we have one of the best environments available for incoming international students and MKs.

We intentionally help these students adjust to life in the United States and Minnesota. Crown provides one week of international orientation to undergraduate students prior to the arrival of other new and returning students. International students participate in a variety of activities on the campus including athletics, intramurals, music, choir, theater, debate, student government, urban ministry, and InterCultural Experiences (ICE Trips) as well as serving in local churches. Crown is rapidly becoming a national collegiate leader in the area of multi-cultural diversity among students.”

“Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.” (Isaiah 55:5)

7 GALA KEYNOTE SPEAKER WITH POWERFUL MESSAGE Don’t miss this year’s President’s Gala on Friday, October 21, 2011 as Dr. Daniel Shayesteh shares his transforming journey of helping bring the Ayatollah Khomeini into power in Iran, to becoming an outspoken Christian evangelist and author. You will be captivated! (See page 23 for registration and details.)

www.crown.edu

This year, Crown’s student body represents 35 countries. More than ever, International students, Missionary Kids (MKs) and Third Culture Kids (TCKs) bring an important and valued dynamic to the Crown College community. Global connection and diversity are integral to the mission of Crown enabling our students to experience the world in a greater context and it is our responsibility to develop leadership in the students we serve from throughout the world. According to Crown’s International Admissions Recruiter, Bob Edgar, “Crown seeks to attract international students based on their intellectual interests, desire for spiritual growth and their aspiration to

By Brian Wright Director of Marketing and Media Relations

The Updating of a Brand

AFTER NEARLY 20 YEARS, CROWN’S BRAND GETS AN UPDATE THAT HONORS ITS PAST, ENGAGES ITS FUTURE, AND FORTIFIES ITS FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.

W Crown College

hen you think of a brand, what first comes to mind? Many think of a logo…the Golden Arches, the stylized apple missing a bite, a red bull’s-eye. Others recall an experience…seeing Cinderella’s Castle for the first time, not paying for luggage when you fly, disappointment when the server says they offer the “other cola.” Some will remember a slogan… “Just do it” or “What can Brown do for you?” A “brand” is an experiential relationship created between two entities. You experience a brand. A brand’s logo is the visual representation of the desired experience. The brand’s value is the amount of incremental emotional change that happens when you experience the brand. Based on recollections of your experiences,

you may choose to drive ten miles further, knowing you’ll pay more to shop where the salesperson remembers you, your size and that you purchased the navy blazer two months ago. So, what about the Crown College brand? What does it mean to you, your family, the community, the world? Why is our brand important, and why did it need updating? With alumni in nearly every time zone around the world, it is safe to say that the Crown College brand has global influence. Our stakeholders include not only our alums, but current and prospective students, parents, faculty, staff, administration, the Board of Trustees, neighbors, service providers, the media, even other Christian colleges and universities, and the C&MA. With the multiple ways we communicate…via social media, the

KEY FINDINGS FROM RESEARCH • Initial sources of awareness about Crown are “close to home” -- Alums, current students and family members represented – 47%

In addition, e10 conducted research among Crown’s faculty and staff, to help identify the need for and themes surrounding the importance of a unified approach to marketing and branding strategies. Key findings (see sidebar) from e10’s research revealed Crown’s brand has much influence, especially among its most immediate stakeholders. Yet, there were important areas to improve upon. For example, internal constituents expressed a desire to create a unified message and appearance for prospective students, donors and other stakeholders. In addition to the research, a brand audit was conducted reviewing all logos, marketing materials and websites involving the Crown brand. The audit revealed significant inconsistencies in how the Crown brand was represented in the marketplace. In fact, one of the primary logos used during the period of the audit was actually creating a negative perception of Crown’s academic excellence. One of the branding tools Mike Price, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing, recommended during this process was a book called, BrandTender

• Most influential sources of information about Crown are “insiders” -- Campus visit and Admissions Counselor – 48% -- Crown’s website – 24% • While there is a high awareness of other area Christian colleges and universities, relatively few apply to other colleges than Crown. • Relative to other colleges, Crown is perceived to do more to: -- Provide a Christ-centered curriculum -- Develop a heart for service -- Build life-time relationships -- Be more affordable • Other schools are perceived to do more to -- Offer academic excellence and rigor

9 www.crown.edu

phone, in-person, over email, snailmail, direct mail, at college fairs, on billboards, advertisements, financial aid award letters, donor proposals… our brand is communicated in dozens of ways. Strong brands also have a positive impact on financial results. In the corporate world, from 2000-2009, the Top 100 Global Brands outperformed the S&P 500 by nearly 50%. Given the vastness of our stakeholders, communication channels and financial implication, the topic of branding is quite important. With Crown’s centennial on the horizon, our Cabinet expressed a desire to enter the next century with new vigor and a fresh look. In addition, much of the NCA Self-Study focuses on Crown’s ability to articulate and execute why and how the College exists (i.e. brand messaging). Therefore, a solid plan for gathering information and research was essential to turn the complexity of branding into something concrete. The best place to start was with our students. In January, 2010, an extensive research project was undertaken with Crown’s branding partner, e10, a marketing and branding agency located in Minneapolis. More than 500 surveys were completed by current Crown students as well as from recently withdrawn students. Student groups from both, traditional Undergrad and Adult & Graduate Studies (AGS) programs were represented in the survey feedback. The objective of the research was to gain a meaningful understanding of: • Initial sources of brand awareness • Most valuable sources of influence and information about Crown • Other schools of interest during the application process • Perceptions of Crown relative to the competitive set • Relative importance of Crown’s attributes, and how well we deliver on the promised attributes

1) The gym floor was refinished with the new crest featured prominently at center court, new logo running along the baseline and new protective pads under the hoops 2) The football scoreboard truss was replaced 3) Student athletes, coaches and visitors have new seats to sit on 4) The Crown College Bookstore is well-stocked with new Crown clothing and gear 5) All marketing materials have been updated for consistent look and messaging.

5 4

Crown College

Marketing: True Customer Engagement from the Inside Out, by Dan Day. At Mike’s suggestion, the entire Enrollment and Marketing division read the book. As the author points out, “Great brands get their strength from inside the organization. True customer engagement can be driven only by brand-conscious insiders who are engaged themselves.” An organization’s insiders are the strongest allies of the brand—they are the “brandtenders.” That came through in the research as well; those who know Crown the best are the primary and most influential source of information about Crown. How and what we communicate about Crown College to our family, friends, church, work associates and community makes us Crown’s brandtenders. While the College’s Mission Statement remains unchanged, the research, brand audit and added awareness, helped establish the vision, values and visuals which unify the Crown College brand message. These elements combine to reinforce our history and beliefs, fortify our aspirations and intensify our commitment to serving God around the globe.

Called to Serve. Prepared to Lead. While the brand message remains constant over the long term, it is supported by something called a tagline. Taglines are updated periodically, every couple of years. In developing the new tagline, featured above, the Marketing department presented a dozen tagline options to the President’s Council and Cabinet, who narrowed them down to six. These six were sent via an online survey to alumni, parents, students, prospective students, donors, faculty and staff. Almost 800 survey responses were tallied. The overwhelming winner—in every segment—was: Called to Serve. Prepared to Lead. This tagline has begun appearing on new marketing materials for the College over the last few months. As we enter a new academic school year, our 95th, after nearly two years of research and engagement, Crown’s new brand presence is beginning to appear in what we see as well as what we say. Students coming to campus this fall will see a new sign by the highway featuring the College’s new logo (see page 26). The Marketing department is creating new brochures,

will be announced in the next edition of The Bridge. As you reflect on your own experiences at Crown College, think about the brand and what it represents. Many will be reminded of the famous Hustad-Gianoulis bantering, Jay Steele’s beard, Bill Bedford’s one-liners or Don Hardy’s dry humor. Others will recall John Auer’s pregame pep talks, Karen Gustafson’s lectures, chapel worship, prayer time with RA’s, Christmas in Crown Chapel, the Homecoming Regatta, Dr. Mann’s vision or Dr. Benedict’s slap on the back. THESE are the Crown College brand, and YOU are the Crown College brandtenders. ALL for the glory of God, our Heavenly Father. n

Mission Statement The mission of Crown College is to provide a biblically-based education for Christian leadership in The Christian and Missionary Alliance, the church-at-large, and the world.

Vision Statement Christians prepared to serve and influence the world.

Core Values

• Christ-centered—Uphold a curriculum and community that is focused on Christ • Academically excellent—Prepare students for a wide range of professional careers • Globally connected—Interaction with learning communities around the world

Planning Values

• Affordable—A private college experience within reach of the average American home • Accessible—Open to students across a continuum of academic abilities • Professional—Over 40 accredited undergraduate and graduate-level degree programs

Visuals (logo)

• Crest and Word mark—Traditional symbols of excellence reinforce Crown’s high academic standards • Stylized Crown (do you see the “C” under the crown?)—Crown’s acknowledgement of Christ as King • Curve and Colors—Crown’s role in the world (gray) is to equip students for moving heavenward (majestic purple) through knowledge of, and reliance on, Jesus Christ.

PHOTO CONTEST HAVE BRAND—WILL TRAVEL Show us how far you’ll go to show-off your Crown College pride! Send us a photo of you wearing your Crown gear. The four photos from the furthest distance away from St. Bonifacius win NEW Crown gear (for future travels, of course!). Winning photo (furthest distance) wins $100 of new Crown gear. (next three will each win $50 of new gear; top ten photos will appear in next edition of the Bridge). Tell us your size and where the photo was taken (show us visual evidence in the photo). Send your Photo Contest entries to Marketing@crown.edu

Entries must be received by December 1, 2011.

11 www.crown.edu

collateral materials, letterhead and campus signage that not only features the new logo, but also speaks directly to our core values whenever possible. The Crown Bookstore has all new inventories of apparel and other merchandise featuring the new look. In addition, faculty and staff have attended various information sessions about the updated brand, its meaning and importance of being brandtenders. In addition, Crown’s website is in the midst of a massive update, which will launch later in the year. The new update will, of course, feature the new look as well as a new philosophy on key market segments (such as prominent display for those interested in online learning; see page 18) and a streamlined user experience getting you where you want to go within no more than three clicks. More on this

ac•cred•i•ta•tion “The lengthy process of having an external organization certify the competency and credibility of a higher education institution.”

Crown College

You do not see the word ‘decennial’ in print very often. Perhaps many have never seen the word before now. It’s a word reserved for events that happen every ten years ... like the event that’s happening at Crown College in November– an accreditation visit from NCA. By Scott Moats, PhD

also be a member of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities. This accreditation and membership is a signal to our graduates, employees, and donors that Crown is a quality institution. The process of accreditation is not easy or quick. To prepare for a ten-year visit, an institution assembles a core group (a self-study committee) to collect evidence. Once the evidence is verified, individuals describe the evidence and document its existence. The self-study coordinator assembles all the descriptions and evidence and formulates a self-study document. A team of external auditors read the document and visits the institution to verify the veracity of its content. The self-study process spans several semesters and requires significant institutional commitment. In our most recent self-study, more than 45 staff, faculty, administration and students were involved over four semesters to assemble and write our Self Study. Alumni and community leaders were also consulted. This intuition-wide commitment marks a new level of involvement from our last self study (2001). The work culminated this summer with a 300-plus-page document that was mailed to external auditors in August. The self-study process provides us the opportunity to understand how the institution has grown and changed over the last ten yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;this is a key and immediate benefit of compiling this information. During the on-campus visit portion of the accreditation process, students, staff, faculty, administration, or alumni may provide input to the visiting team of auditors.

Some interesting highlights Key findings have emerged from the selfstudy. Crown has renewed its commitment to professional preparation in the areas of ministry, business, nursing, and education. While this has been a focus of Crown College, the self study has shown us that this professional preparation is at the core of who we are. Crown has developed its strategic plan around solid professional preparation.

NCA SELF STUDY CRITERIA

1. Mission and Integrity 2. Preparing for the Future 3. Student Learning and Effective Teaching 4. Acquisition, Discovery, and Application of Knowledge 5. Engagement and Service

Crown is also committed to hiring high-quality employees and providing competitive salaries. The College has developed a greater capacity to understand data using it to plot a bright future. Finally, the College is more committed than ever to maintaining a global focus. While this focus is not new for Crown, the College has recommitted efforts and personnel to expand our reach across the globe. Our decennial study has shown us that we are completing our mission to provide a biblically-based education for Christian leadership. As this is the last self study prior to our centennial, the accreditation process propels us into our next 100 years of educating the next generation. We have grown in strength, in size, and in reach and plan to continue moving forward in these areas. We covet your prayers during this semester and particularly in early November when the team of external auditors arrives. If you would like more information or would like to participate in the accreditation visit, please do not hesitate to contact the College to see how you can get involved. n

t To view the full self-study report, go to: http://goo.gl/3fKwt

13 www.crown.edu

egional accreditation is the process used by the federal government, specifically the United States Department of Education, to certify to the public that an institution of higher education is credible and stable. The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) regionally accredits Crown College and more than 1,000 other colleges and universities in nineteen states. Candidate status was originally granted to Crown College (then St. Paul Bible College) in 1974 and full accreditation was granted in 1980. This first accreditation was sponsored by the University of Minnesota and culminated in regional accreditation along side our American Association of Biblical Higher Education accreditation. Crown College is regionally accredited and is seeking recertification for another ten years. Accreditation is the process where an external organization certifies the competency and credibility of an institution. NCA has five criteria that are used to evaluate an institutionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s level of competency and credibility. These criteria are: Mission and Integrity; Preparing for the Future; Student Learning and Effective Teaching; Acquisition, Discovery, and Application of Knowledge; and Engagement and Service. Accreditation makes it possible for colleges and universities to distribute federal financial aid, import and export class credits, and participate in transferring students in and out of the institution. Crownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accreditation allows us to

Crown College

if there’s one thing that could be said about Jonathan Groeneweg (’07), it’s that he’s a good steward. Jonathan doesn’t waste time or opportunities. By Karol Allen

I grew up in the C&MA (Christian & Missionary Alliance). “I never wanted to go anywhere else. It’s the only place I visited or applied to.” Jonathan said the Quest youth convention for high school students held at Crown also contributed to his enthusiasm for the school. Jonathan learned as a freshman that juggling homework, choir, football, a part-time job and weekend drills, along with a bustling social life, were just too much. So he gave up football his sophomore year. “I was more into the social aspects than academic. I spent a lot of time with people. The most fun was concert choir and going on tour to the East Coast and then touring for three weeks in Scandinavia over the summer. I got good grades, but my parents shook their heads and thought if I tried harder I could do even better.” Nevertheless, God would use the relational gifts He gave Jonathan to His good purposes. Jonathan began at Crown as a Youth Ministry major, switched to Biblical and Theological Studies, then to Communication, reasoning that he would be more marketable. He interned as a play-by-play radio announcer for Crown sports, and announced the national championship game for the 2006 women’s soccer team. There was always the potential that he could be called to active duty during his time at Crown, but he wasn’t. “I just wanted to get my four years and be done.” That’s what God had in mind, too, and Jonathan graduated in December 2007, but not without some challenges. “Before my last semester at Crown, the Guard announced a full-time chaplain assistant position was opening up.” Even though they wanted the person to start right away, Jonathan applied. While he wasn’t their first choice, he was God’s choice. The first person selected turned the position down, and the unit was willing to wait until Jonathan graduated. Well, sort of. “I started full time during finals week. “In my life so far, I’ve gone where the wind was

15 www.crown.edu

he Crown 2007 graduate enlisted in the military before his senior year of high school in Marshall, Minn., and in just eight years, he’s lived through experiences and touched lives in ways that many of us will only read about. Jonathan deployed to Iraq as a chaplain assistant in February 2009 – a member of the famed 34th Infantry Red Bull Unit of the Minnesota National Guard. He served there until February 2010, and now serves God and country as a sergeant in the reserves and as a civilian contractor, who provides long-term care to families who have lost soldiers. His story invites thoughtful consideration – not only because his persistence and drive are compelling, but also to appreciate the value of a Crown College education in preparing students to lead and serve on any frontier and in any arena – even in harm’s way. So let’s start at the beginning. It was the summer before his senior year of high school – in 2002 – that Jonathan, then 18 years old, walked into the local Guard recruiting office and “demanded” to be a chaplain assistant. The recruiter told him that no positions were available, so Jonathan “called his bluff,” saying, “thanks but no thanks” to other positions, and walked out. Two weeks later, the phone rang, and it was the recruiter offering him the chaplain assistant position he desired. It’s the only position he’s ever wanted and the only position he’s ever held. He began to drill with his unit in Willmar, Minn., one weekend a month, but attended basic training and then, advanced individual training, when he graduated from high school in June 2003. He completed his training in December 2003 and started at Crown in January 2004. “It was a shoo-in that I’d go to Crown,” Jonathan says, chuckling. “I’m a third-generation Crown alum. My parents attended Crown when it was known as St. Paul Bible College, and were married in the chapel. My grandmother attended St. Paul Bible Institute in St. Paul.

Jonathan, on assignment in Kuwait, with 34th Red Bull Infantry Division Chaplain (1st Lt.) Mike Lotzer.

blowing. I walk through doors where I feel an opportunity has been given to me. That decision has shaped my life. I’m more of a red light Christian than a green light Christian. Some people want to wait on God until they see a flashing green light. That’s not how I operate. I mostly go where opportunities present themselves and stop when I see a red light. I try not to be a

without the distractions of many other universities. Most important, he says that while at Crown he saw and interacted with faculty and staff who didn’t just teach faith, but demonstrated it every day. Seeing that over several years made a significant impression. “It created a desire in me for that as well. “Being at Crown helped me make

“My father always told me, ‘God can’t steer a parked car.’” parked car God can’t steer. My father always told me, ‘God can’t steer a parked car.’” As a chaplain assistant, Jonathan provides religious support to all the soldiers, including helping with weekend services, Bible studies and marriage retreats. He said Crown prepared him for the military by giving him “a good and virtuous foundation.” Crown was a safe place to establish the roots of his faith – a place

faith a priority, which has helped me serve God and the soldiers in my role as a chaplain assistant.” The highlight of his military career has been his deployment to Iraq, where he led a team for worship services, helped out with different Bible classes and financial seminars, delivered care packages and interacted with the soldiers and encouraged them. “I didn’t have any expectations of what

it would be like. I knew it would be a long year and tough to be away from home. I chose to roll with the punches and invest in my time there, which made the experience meaningful and purposeful.” One of the larger challenges was maintaining war zone resiliency. Chaplains and chaplain assistants absorb the secondary trauma of problems and soldiers’ issues – from marital problems to depression and loneliness. “You hear many sad and hard stories. You need to be intentional about taking care of yourself. We lost four soldiers there and that was the low point. We had to deal with those deaths. I helped plan and execute a memorial service for them. “You can get lonely – miss the home rituals, family, friends and activities.” Jonathan says it was the formative things at Crown that helped him prepare for the demands and hardships of military service. He makes it clear that a college education is much more than academics – something we don’t always value in our success-oriented culture. In the trenches

Crown College

16 Crown Announces Yellow Ribbon Program Program provides matching funds for military personnel to cover portion of education expenses. Beginning with the 2011-12 academic school year, Crown College will participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. This program allows degree-granting, private institutions to enter into an agreement with the Department of Veteran Affairs to fund tuition expenses that exceed the Post 9/11 funding cap of $17,500. Students must qualify for the maximum benefit under Chapter 33 to be eligible for Yellow Ribbon Funding. For more information, visit www.crown.edu/veterans.

assistance for service men and women. And he has other ideas as to how students can get involved. He suggests that a student group could lead and organize support for military families when a spouse is deployed – everything from mowing the lawn to shoveling snow to babysitting the children. Today, Jonathan is a full-time Survivor Services Coordinator, a civilian contractor, who works with military families who have lost a soldier. The Army helps the family manage and cope with the initial details of receiving the body, if the soldier was killed overseas, managing the funeral, working with benefits and other paperwork. Once the short-term support has ended, Jonathan works with the military to provide assistance as long as the family desires. This support includes working as a resource referral to help them collect benefits to which they are entitled and to find appropriate support groups, continuing education classes or counselors in mental health or financial services – to “reinvest in life and move forward.” How does he keep from taking the problems and issues home with him? “I’m a guy, so I compartmentalize,” Jonathan says, laughing. On a serious note. “I meet amazing people and families, so there’s a lot of joy in what I do. I get to serve fallen soldiers by taking care of their families. I’m really blessed. It’s pretty cool. An honor.” And now, Jonathan has found a partner with whom to share his passion and

mission – his new wife, Laura – who is also employed as a civilian contractor, working with the children of soldiers who will be or have been deployed. “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” – John 3:8 (NIV) Karol Allen is a freelance writer and communications consultant from Minnetonka, Minnesota. Read more at www.karolallen.com.

Clockwise from top right: Jonathan fellowshipping with two local nationals on Camp Basra; having fun at a ziggurat during downtime in Iraq; taking a photo to send back home; a photo of a bootstand honoring three soldiers killed during an attack.

www.crown.edu

of everyday living – whether you’re a civilian or a soldier – good character and dependence on God are required. “It’s really hard to relate one world (civilian) with the other (military), because they are so different. But Crown prepared me to face next to anything – to do whatever I needed to do to help the soldiers. The most powerful thing is that Crown prepared me ‘period’ for what lay ahead.” But it’s all in the line of his work, he says, matter-of-factly. What civilians need to understand is that soldiers do not want to be “overhyped.” They don’t want to be known only for being a soldier; they want to be appreciated as a person. He says another way the college community can be sensitive to a soldier’s needs is to understand the time and energy it takes to serve their country while they attend classes, if they are mingling school and service. There are college course conflicts with military obligations that require educators to be flexible and sensitive. Jonathan says his Crown gym class requirement was waived because his drills were physically demanding. He also recommends that colleges make it possible for service men and women to receive academic credit for equivalent military service or experience to help them continue or complete their education. Crown was recently named a Yellow Ribbon institution, which means that Crown is partnering with the Veterans Administration to provide college tuition

New Classroom

The

by Carol Aslanian and Susan Baer

Delivery of higher education is changing dramatically, especially for adult learners. Find out why Crown’s AGS program sees a bright future for its Online programs.

Crown College

hen you were in college or graduate school, did you or anyone you knew take courses outside of a classroom, through the Internet? If you graduated before the late 90’s, chances are good you answered “no.” But the delivery of higher education has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. Today nearly 30 percent of college and university students take at least one online course. Even more impressively, ten percent of students take all of their courses online. And these numbers are growing fast: by 2014, one out of every two students is projected to take one or more courses online, and one in five will study online exclusively. This growth is far outpacing the overall growth rate in higher education. While enrollments in colleges and universities overall is projected to grow at a rate of two percent between 2008 and 2014, the growth rate for online-only programs is pegged at 21 percent. Most students entering college today already have experience with online learning. Enrollments in online high school courses are growing even faster than in college programs. According to International Association of K-12 Online Learning, supplemental or full-time K-12 online learning opportunities are now available in 48 states plus the District of Columbia. Having experienced the unique benefits of this kind of learning in high school or even earlier, many more students come to college today expecting a range of opportunities to take coursework online. Although for-profit online education providers such as the University of Phoenix and DeVry University have become a highly visible force in online higher

education, the majority of enrollment in online-only courses and degree programs—close to 60 percent—is based at not-for-profit institutions, both public and private, such as Crown. The growing demand for courses and degrees delivered online has posed a significant challenge for many colleges and universities that are struggling to keep up. In a recent study conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, close to 70 percent of colleges surveyed reported that their supply of online courses did not meet the demand. There are numerous reasons colleges may be behind in offering online courses, including lack of technology infrastructure, objections from faculty, and a common tendency of higher education institutions to resist major change. Online postsecondary education is taking hold especially quickly with adult learners: in 2007-2008, about 45 percent of graduate students taking at least one online course were age 24 and older. For undergraduates, the proportion of adults was even higher: 60%. For adult students, online learning affords the kind of flexibility and convenience they need to pursue a degree or other credential while also juggling jobs, families and other commitments. These commitments are significant: about 60 percent of adult online learners are employed full time and another 23 percent have parttime jobs. Nearly 70 percent of adults studying online are women with a median age of 37, many of whom have one or more children under 18 living with them. One aspect of convenience most frequently cited by adults who study online is the ability to do so from their home without having to

NATIONAL TRENDS IN ONLINE EDUCATION AMONG ALL COLLEGE STUDENTS CLASSROOM ONLY 60% ONLINE ONLY 10%

TODAY’S ONLINE ADULT STUDENT BY THE NUMBERS

By the year

70% Female 37 Median Age 60% Employed Full-time

at least

AMONG ADULT STUDENTS

50%

of students will take at least one course online.

CLASSROOM ONLY 25% ONLINE ONLY 31%

travel to a campus for classes. Interestingly enough, even when online learners never have to set foot on their school’s campus, they are still most likely to choose an institution that is within their region. Although each day more fully-online courses and degree programs become available, adult students also show an increased interest in courses that include at least some portion of face-to-face instruction. This so-called “hybrid” model is preferred by 43 percent of all adult students, while 31 percent would choose online-only and only 25 percent want their courses given entirely in the classroom. Another aspect of convenience and flexibility that adult learners seek from online programs is shorter terms. Since more than two-thirds of adults study part time, courses of shorter duration allow them to complete more courses during the year than the traditional 15-week semester model permits. While one in five adult online learners was most recently enrolled in semester-length courses, less than ten percent would prefer to do so in the future. Courses, like those offered in Crown’s AGS Online program, lasting eight weeks or fewer are sought by close to 50 percent of undergraduate adults and more than half of those pursuing graduate study. The majority of adult online learners—53 percent—enroll in undergraduate or graduate degree programs. Another 24

2014

percent take courses towards a certificate or professional license, while the remainder take individual courses. Among undergraduate degree seekers, one third pursue an online associate degree and the remainder a bachelor’s. Online master’s degrees are the focus of 91 percent of graduate degree seekers, with only 9 percent working towards a doctorate. These courses and credentials are often a second go-round for many learners age 25 and older who enroll in online programs. According to Aslanian Market Research’s national study of online learners, conducted between 2007 and 2009, about 30 percent of adults taking graduate courses online had already completed a master’s degree or higher. Among adults pursuing undergraduate studies online, nearly one in five had already earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. For the majority of adult students, an undergraduate or graduate degree is seen as a critical step for their careers. When asked about their primary motivation for enrolling in college most recently, 80 percent of adult undergraduates in the Aslanian study said “advance in a current career,” “change careers” or “enter a first career.” For graduate students, those three choices plus “keep up-to-date in current career” encompassed fully 94 percent of the responses.

This focus on careers is also evident in the subject areas in which adults are pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees online: the top three programs are business, health professions and education, together comprising 69 percent of the total number of online degree programs pursued. Non-degree study leans heavily towards these same three subjects, representing 58 percent of all online courses taken. Because of its “anytime, anywhere” quality, online learning is especially suited to members of the military. Recognizing this, the U.S. Army in 2001 launched eArmyU, a higher education program that lets active duty members participate for free in over one hundred online degree programs offered by regionally-accredited colleges and universities. To date, more than 1,900 degrees have been conferred on soldiers enrolled through the eArmyU program. More than 32,000 U.S. soldiers participate in eArmyU from 50 countries, four U.S. territories, and all 50 states. Clearly, online learning is in higher education to stay, and its participants— especially among adults and other “nontraditional” students—will continue to grow. Carol Aslanian is the Executive Vice President of Aslanian Market Research and has conducted market research studies for hundreds of universities. Susan Baer is a research project manager at Aslanian Market Research.

TRENDS IN CROWN’S AGS PROGRAM • Top 10 National Ranking-Online (see page 3) • Nearly 80% of AGS programs offer online classes • 2011 AGS online enrollment increased 22% over 2010 • Crown’s online MBA launched in February 2010 • Crown is one of only 4 Christian colleges in the nation to offer an online B.S. degree in Psychology/Counseling

CROWN AGS PROGRAMS Christian & Ministry Leadership - 40% Business & Communications - 30% Psychology & Nursing - 16% Education & Other - 14%

30%

40%

16% 14%

19 www.crown.edu

COURSE DELIVERY

athletics

Tyler Hallblade

Naomi Anderson

Brady Griffith

New Look, Same Commitment to Excellence By Josh Dunwoody, Director of Athletics

he early indicators of the transition from summer to fall in the Crown athletic department have nothing to do with colorful leaves or chilly Minnesota mornings. Fall comes much earlier for the coaches and athletic staff in the form of football players, soccer players, volleyball players, crosscountry runners, and golfers. Each year, these student-athletes return to campus well before the general student body to immerse themselves in intense physical training before the academic rigors of the classroom demand their focused attention. It is an exciting time as the impending season for each student-athlete is filled with possibility and the unwritten chapter that will unfold during their 2011 athletic experience. Our coaching staff is excited for the opportunity to welcome back returning players, deepen their relationships with incoming players and are on the lookout for the inevitable life-changing moments God will orchestrate between student-athletes and coaches this season. As we continue this year with the theme “Training for Sport. Training for Life.”, we are reminded that the true preparation for this season happens not only on the sports field in the heat of the late August sun but also in the hearts of each student-athlete and coach as God uses the events of this season to shape and mold these young men and women through the cauldron of athletic competition. With an annual average of around 25% of the studentbody who are student-athletes, our coaches are a critical part of

Crown College

Crown’s mission to educate and prepare Christian leaders. This year we look forward to significantly updating our virtual presence with an entirely new website and an increased presence on our social media sites. We are particularly excited about beginning to “live webcast” many of our sports for the first time. This will allow us to reconnect Crown College athletics with alumni family, friends and fans from all over the nation and the world! You may also notice an updated look for the athletic department. This is in conjunction with some updating throughout the college to better represent who we are as an institution. You can see a prime example of our new branding in photos of our new gym floor on our Facebook page. As we look to the future as an NCAA Division III program, I envision a Crown athletic department with full rosters of competitive student-athletes who want that unique blend of a Christian environment with competitive athletics and prioritized academics. I envision a full staff of committed coaches who are available to their student-athletes on a full-time basis. I also envision an outdoor athletic facility complete with spacious locker rooms and artificial turf so our football and soccer players can practice and play in safety despite the unpredictability of Minnesota weather. As we work toward that end we welcome your support of our coaches and student-athletes and look forward to seeing you at one of our many athletic events this fall.

Coach of the Year Finalist Liberty Mutual

Head Football Coach John Auer was one of five national finalists in the NCAA III for the 2010 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award, and was highlighted in the December 2010 issue of Sports Illustrated.

“Today a group of your players came in, all wearing their Crown College football shirts, and impressed my entire staff at how respectful they were…unlike many of the college students that come into the store. It was refreshing—keep up the great work.” Josh Lawson, manager of the Mall of America’s Brookstone store.

athletics 2011 FALL HOME SCHEDULE For complete game schedule, visit us at www.crowncollegeathletics.com

TIME

VS.

TEAM

DAY

n CC - Cross Country n FB - Football n MS - Men’s Soccer n WS - Women’s Soccer n VB - Volleyball

As part of Crown’s updated brand strategies, the Athletic Department website and web address are also being updated (see new url below). The new website look and feel enables students, parents, family and friends to get updated game information and statistics much quicker. There’s also a direct feed to the UMAC conference website, so Crown’s statistics will be automatically integrated into the entire conference stats. You’ll find up-to-date schedules, standings, game-day photos, YouTube videos, and much more.

www.crowncollegeathletics.com

Watch Crown Games From Anywhere! Another exciting feature of the new website, is the ability to provide streaming video of the action from the field or court right to your computer…no matter where (in the world) you are located! This exciting new feature is in partnership with the Athletic department and Crown’s Communication department.

HOMECOMING 2011 ATHLETIC EVENTS FRIDAY 9/23 • 7 PM | Volleyball vs Martin Luther

SATURDAY 9/24 •11 AM | Volleyball vs. Bethany •1 PM | Football vs. Martin Luther

North Central