Brown Bulletin - Summer 2010

TUITION PARTY + WHY INDIVIDUALS MATTER TO GOD + ALUMNI MILESTONES SUMMER 2010

The Official Magazine o f John Bro wn University

RENEWABLE

ENERGY

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{ presiden t ’ s L e t t er }

New Facility to Educate Christians To Design and Build Our World May 7, 2010 Dear Friends of JBU,

We recognize that God calls some Christians to understand, design, and build the infrastructure that so shapes, both for good and for ill, the ways in which we live our lives.

We have good news to share with you. In January, we received an anonymous gift commitment of $8 million to construct a new Engineering and Construction Management facility. This commitment is the third largest single gift in JBU’s history and a wonderful blessing for the university. We are deeply grateful to God for providing these resources.You can find more details about this project and the Keeping Faith Campaign in the special section of this Brown Bulletin.

JBU is the only Christian institution to offer a Construction Management degree and one of only a few to offer an Engineering degree. We offer these degrees in the context of a liberal arts education because we recognize that God calls some Christians to understand, design, and build the infrastructure that so shapes, both for good and for ill, the ways in which we live our lives.

For example, the interstate highway system has revolutionized how we travel, live and work, but it has also led to longer commuting time, bedroomonly communities, and increased carbon emissions. The microchip has increased productivity exponentially by Godspeed,

Dr. Charles W. Pollard President, John Brown University

transforming the storage and communication of knowledge, but it has also enabled more widespread distribution of pornography. We know how to build safer houses in an earthquake zone, but, as we have seen in Haiti, we don’t always have the resources and political will to implement that knowledge.

JBU’s Engineering and Construction Management students are trained to understand thoroughly the latest principles, technologies and processes of their discipline, and the new facility will greatly enhance the faculty’s capacity to achieve this end. However, we also want to educate students to use this learning in a way that honors God and serves others. In other words, we want to educate JBU engineers and construction management professionals to be not only technically excellent, but also culturally and spiritual insightful, so that they can design and build the infrastructure of our lives in a way that enables humans to flourish as children of God. It is good work to do, and I am deeply grateful to the alumni, parents, and friends of the university who support us in this work.

Thank you.

{ c o n t en t s }

Summer 2010 The official magazine of John Brown University, the Brown Bulletin is published by University Communications twice a year for alumni and friends in the JBU community.

FEATURES FOCUS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY 9 | JBU Switches On a New Major

by Jaime Smith ’00

Dr. Chip Pollard President

12 | RE Creates Life-Improving Technologies

Dr. Jim Krall Vice President for Advancement

13 | JBU’s Anemometer Loan Program

EDITORIAL STAFF Lucas Roebuck Editor and Director of University Communications Contributors Tracy Balzer, Anna Mulder, Jerry Rollene, Mindy Hunt, Lori Walker, Rebecca Marietta, Mark Jackson, Jamie Smith, Luke Davis, Scarlett Kerby Production Support Allen Dempsey, Rachel Fiet, Rebecca Ridings, Jean Atkins, Mike Peterson, Virginia Wietecha, Rebekah Krall Copy editing Mary Habermas, Andy Klungland, Cherissa Roebuck Thanks Mark Stoner, Ken Leonhard, Jacob Roebuck Submissions of news items, story ideas, letters and corrections can be made via electronic mail to: lroebuck@jbu.edu or via U.S. postal service to Brown Bulletin 2000 W. University Siloam Springs, AR 72761

by Rebcecca Marietta

by Scarlett Kerby ’11

KEEPING FAITH PROGRESS REPORT 16 | An $8 Million Gift for a New ECM Building

by Lucas Roebuck ’97 and Scarlett Kerby ’11

19 | Thank You for Your Involvement with JBU

by Dr. Jim Krall

20 | Keeping Faith Adds $10 Million to the Goal

by Advancement Staff

DEPARTMENTS JBU News — The Latest JBU Headlines — page 3 Chaplain’s Corner — Why Individuals Matter to God — page 6 Graduate Studies — Real Life Preparation — page 7 Advance — The Giraldo Story: A Cohort of Siblings — page 8 Retirements — JBU Faculty and Staff Finish Up — page 22 On Alumni — Are You Experiencing Growing Pains? — page 24 Alumni Milestones — Obituaries, Births and News — page 25 From the Editor — Why Tech Won’t Change JBU — page 32

ON THE COVER Hand model Rachel Fiet, JBU’s coordinator of public relations, holds a tomato plant, digitally altered into a wind turbine, to illustrate the growth potential of JBU’s new renewable energy program. Photo illustration by Allen Dempsey and Lucas Roebuck ’97.

. . . y r o t s r u o y e r a sh o t t n e d u t s a r e f e r Erin Bird graduates from JBU with a degree in music.

1995

JBU.

r o t as p t l u ad g n ou y a w o n Erin, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Erin tells Nathan about JBU 2007

Nathan, a junior at JBU, is majoring in Construction Management.

2010

Spring U JB t en ec r a on , an h at N s an e l r O w e N o t p i r t e Break servic go to

www.jbu.edu/refer or call 1-877-JBU-INFO

{ JBU NEWS } Student Newspaper Named Best in State The Threefold Advocate, John Brown University’s student newspaper, was awarded the top student newspaper honor in the state by the Arkansas College Media Association on April 9.

The Advocate took first in general excellence, beating the other 12 Arkansas colleges and universities represented, including the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University.

“All the editors have been passionate about putting out a quality paper every week and have wanted to make improvements,” said senior Grace Pennington, Advocate editor-in-chief. “The award is a reward for all the hard work the staff has put in.”

Pennington received the honor of Newspaper Editor of the Year and senior Jason Flack, Advocate designer, was named Designer of the Year.

JBU student journalists senior Brandon Benefield, junior Elizabeth Chance, junior Hannah Jeppsen, sophomore Russell Hixson, senior Anna Mulder, sophomore Brittany Reading, sophomore Jenny Redfern, sophomore Kristy Stevenson, sophomore Taylor Wood, Flack and Pennington were honored with 20 additional individual awards in various categories of writing, photography and design.

The ACMA’s annual awards ceremony was held in Fayetteville this year. The Threefold Advocate also took first in general excellence in 2008.

Governor’s Cup Team Takes Third Place The JBU team “Fore Your Swing” took third place in the undergraduate division at the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup competition. Students Natalia Ramirez, Susan Ashley, Brian Urquidez and Melinda Roberts created a company that seeks to provide customers an incomparable golfing experience that fosters both entertainment

and quick improvement for golfers in the communities served.

Basic Utility Vehicle Takes Second Place JBU’s Basic Utility Vehicle (BUV) took second place in the Open Class at the national competition hosted by the Institute for Affordable Transportation.

The vehicle was built by engineering students Caleb Shelburne and Alyssa Milroy as their senior capstone project.

They were mentored by Young-Gurl Kim and Clifford Peters.

Students Win Five ADDY Awards Seven JBU students won five district awards, three gold and two silver, at the American Advertising Federation (AAF) District 10 ADDY Awards in Amarillo, Texas. The students competed against schools from Arkansas, Oklahoma, and western Louisiana. Ian Barker, Ben Congdon, John Gibbons, Josh Adams, Kyle Weir, Mark Vazquez and Ana Schiwietz are now eligible to compete at the AAF National Conference and ADDY Gala Awards Show June 10–12 in Orlando, Fla. SIFE Students Named Regional Champions Students from the John Brown University chapter of SIFE, Students in Free Enterprise, were named “Regional Champions” during the annual SIFE Regional Competition that was held in Rogers, Ark., in April. The JBU team was also named a national finalist in the Environmental Sustainability individual

The 2nd Place JBU BUV team

topic competition.

Colleges and universities from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas were represented at the competition.

The JBU SIFE team was one of the six regional champions to be named during the recent competition in Rogers. They will try for a national title during the SIFE national competition that will be held in Minneapolis in May. “Our students represented JBU well and showed they can stand toe to toe with anyone,” said Joe Walenciak, SIFE sponsor and professor of business.

“Their presentation was filled with the same passion that fills their work, and the execution was flawless. With initiatives in places ranging from jails to boardrooms, it is hard not to be proud of this SIFE team!”

This year, the JBU chapter of SIFE has led a number of projects, including job training for inmates at the Washington County Jail, providing services and resources to clients of the Siloam Springs Genesis House, creating a cooking center for imperfect produce to be turned into meals for the hungry, and facilitating community development for villages in Central America.

Each of the projects highlighted in the JBU SIFE presentation met SIFE’s national objectives in one or more of six areas: Economics, Success Skills, Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy, Environmental Sustainability and BusiSummer 2010 |

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{ JBU NEWS } ness Ethics.

Last year the JBU SIFE team placed fourth among all participating colleges and universities across the U.S. at the National USA SIFE Exposition.

accomplishments and contributions that have had significant and sustained impact both in the United States and in other parts of the world.

Dr. Oliver Receives Lifetime Achievement Award Dr. Gary Oliver, executive director of the Center for Relationship Enrichment, was recently honored with the “Christian Caregiver” lifetime achievement award by the American Association of Christian Counselors.

“The highest and most meaningful honors are those that come from your friends and your peers—people who have known you and your life work over a period of many years and believe that by God’s grace what you’ve done has made a significant difference,” Oliver said. “It was very humbling, very encouraging and somewhat of a surprise to receive the award.”

The award was bestowed upon Oliver during the AACC World Conference in September in Nashville. At these conferences the AACC board usually awards one or two “Christian Caregiver” lifetime achievement awards for unique and outstanding contributions to Christian counseling and caregiving.

More than 6,000 people attended this year’s World Conference, and the 2009 awards were presented to Oliver and Joni Eareckson Tada.

The AACC is a 50,000 member organization of Christian counselors from around the world. Every two years it holds a World Conference, and for close to twenty years the board of AACC has awarded the Christian Caregiver lifetime achievement award at these events.

The honor is awarded based on the individual’s character, along with their

Verdery Receives Andrus, Moore and Swysgood Prestigious P&G Award Excellence Award is designed to honor Tom Verdery, JBU Graduate Business faculty who have demonstrated excelinstructor, recently received the Lifelence in teaching, scholarship, service time Achievement Award from Procter or spiritual modeling. & Gamble North America in CincinDiane Swysgood Administrative nati, Ohio.

Assistant, Biblical Studies was awarded “We are very proud of Tom, and the Golden Eagle Excellence Award. we believe that he is highly deserving The Golden Eagle Excellence in Serof this honor,” said Dr. Joe Walenciak, vice Award is given to a staff member director of graduate business programs. who sets a worthy personal example, “Tom will bring this same experience, puts forth extra effort, offers other energy and integrity into our graduate staff members and/or students special business classes.” encouragement. Runners-up were “I am deeply honFred Hough, Margaret Paulzine, Carol ored and humbled that Petross and Melanie Kennedy.

I was chosen for this award,” Verdery said.

KLRC Listeners ‘Pay it “My experience at Forward’ with Acts of Kindness Procter & Gamble has 101.1 FM KLRC teamed up with given me so much that Arvest Bank in November to spread I am excited to share goodwill throughout Northwest Arwith students and business leaders in kansas by encouraging people to “Pay Northwest Arkansas.”

It Forward” through random acts of Verdery now has two roles at JBU: kindness.

Executive in Residence for the Soder“‘Pay it Forward’ inspires us all to quist Center for Leadership and Ethics look for ways we can show love in tanand instructor in the graduate business gible ways with our community,” said program. Verdery is also developing a Keri Lynn, KLRC morning show host China Studies Program for JBU graduand promotions director. “Our listeners ate students. have been able to ‘Pay it Forward’ to an This honor is given annually to a elderly homebound couple in need of retiring P&G employee who has cona garbage disposal, as well as provide tributed well above and beyond expectawarm socks to the homeless and needy tions for the great majority of his or her in Fayetteville.” career. Verdery retired this year after This year, in commemoration of working at P&G for more than 34 years.

KLRC’s 25 years of making a positive difference in Northwest Arkansas, the Professors of Year, Golden station asked listeners to “Pay It ForEagle Award recipients named ward” for 25 days in November.

Dave Andrus, Professor of Visual Beginning Nov. 1, KLRC started askArts and Mandy Moore Instructor of ing listeners to go to KLRC.com and Business were awarded the JBU Faculty let them know how they would “Pay Excellence Award. The JBU Faculty

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Brown Bulletin | Summer 2010

{ JBU NEWS } it Forward” if they were given $101.

Thanks to Arvest Bank, three listeners were selected from the submissions and given a check for $101 to use for their “Pay it Forward” plan.

KLRC’s Drive-Thru Difference day also returned this year. On Nov. 12 listeners were invited to join hundreds of others in Northwest Arkansas who made a positive difference by simply paying for the car behind them in the drive-thru line.

KLRC and Arvest also teamed up with Good Neighbor Food Drive to help feed families in the community.

Listeners stopped by select Northwest Arkansas Arvest locations and dropped off non-perishable food items which were given to families in need from Nov. 13–25.

JBU SIFE Partners with World Garden to Fight Hunger JBU’s Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) has brought a successful hunger relief program, created by World Garden, from Bentonville to Siloam Springs.

The Siloam Springs team, named “The Garden,” began preparing meals on Sunday, Nov. 8. To date, over 4,000 servings of food have been delivered to Hunger and Thirst Ministry in Siloam Springs, where they are served to the hungry. First Christian Church has donated the use of its kitchen for JBU SIFE members and other volunteers to cook soup each Sunday afternoon.

“We discovered a need for hunger relief in Siloam Springs and felt we could take the successful model that World Garden was using and implement it in Siloam Springs,” said Charles Greathouse, a senior at JBU and SIFE president.

While running Bentonville-based restaurant World Garden, owner Rick Boosey came across flats of produce at distribution houses that could not be sold because of imperfections and be-

David Farley and Traci Rae Letellier ‘01 perform at Giving Voice.

gan cooking the food on Sundays when the restaurant is closed.

The JBU SIFE team was the first to be trained by Boosey, and now a group of volunteers has also been trained in Springdale.

Writing and Arts Festival Returns to JBU Giving Voice: A Festival of Writing and the Arts returned to JBU Feb. 11 – Feb. 12. The festival headlined Andrew Hudgins, Leif Enger, Sari Fordham, and Traci Rae Letellier, a group of poets, writers and songwriters.

“One festival goal is to engage high school students in writing and the arts,” said Dr. Gary Guinn, professor of English. “This festival is one of the few programs of its kind that targets the community as well as high school students.”

Poet Andrew Hudgins spoke in a chapel service, and The Sager Creek Art Center in downtown Siloam Springs hosted a public reading featuring the work of Hudgins, Enger, Fordham and

Letellier.

JBU also welcomed more than 200 students from area high schools for a workshop-filled day designed to encourage their creative skills. Workshops included choral music, poetry, fiction, readers theater and visual art.

JBU professors from the English, art, music and drama departments joined the featured guests in leading the various workshops.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) recently awarded JBU a $10,000 grant to support Giving Voice.

The grant funded the top-notch speakers as well as workshop scholarships for under served students in the area. JBU was one of nine organizations in Arkansas to receive an NEA grant for 2010.

FOR THE LATEST JBU NEWS UPDATES, VISIT the OFFICIAL JBU NEWS WEBSITE AT www.jbu.edu/JBUNEWS Summer 2010 |

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{ c h aplain ’ s c o rner — R O D R E E D }

Why We Know Individuals Matter to God

When we read passages that record the names of people we’ve never known, it tells us something about God. Individuals matter to God.

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Brown Bulletin | Summer 2010

A few weeks ago in chapel I preached a message from Nehemiah 3.

For those who don’t readily remember this passage, you’re not alone. Most commentators almost completely ignore this chapter.

At first glance, it’s easy to see why so many would ignore this chapter. While the first two chapters of Nehemiah record his prayer to God and his plea to the king to return and rebuild the city of Jerusalem, chapter 3 merely records the names of all the individuals and groups who participated in the project, and the areas on which they worked.

Is there anything that God could teach us from a list of people whose names we struggle to pronounce, who died thousands of years ago?

I think there is.

If we believe that all of Scripture is “God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” then this passage must hold something for us.

When we read passages that record the names of people we’ve never known, it tells us something about God. Individuals matter to God. Those walls were not built by groups of nameless people; they were built by Meremoth, Uzziel and the daughters of Shallum, and 39 other individuals and groups. Each of was part of God’s

work, and was remembered for it. This should be encouraging to us. They were people very much like us. They had regular jobs and regular lives, but God called them to be part of something important.

It is interesting to see how he assigned them their work. In many cases the people worked on the sections of the wall that they could see from their homes. Jedaiah “made repairs opposite his house” and “Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house.” In other words, God showed the people where to serve by having them look outside their windows.

This work wasn’t their life calling – none of the workers mentioned were carpenters or masons or engineers – but it was what God called them to in that moment.

We live lives very similar to those ancient Jews, raising families, working at our jobs, and being involved in our communities. But periodically, God calls us, as individuals, to be involved in some need. It’s not our life work, but it’s something that needs attention now.

And many times he places those needs right outside our windows. Have you looked out your window lately?

Rod Reed is university chaplain and assistant professor of biblical studies.

{ T h e gradua t e sc h o o l — M ind y H U N T ’ 8 8 }

Real Life Preparation Through Real World Partnerships Students in JBU’s graduate ministry and counseling programs not only benefit from the classroom knowledge they gain but also from the practical application of that knowledge made possible through several partnerships shared between JBU and other organizations. One such partnership was created in 2005 when JBU joined forces with Kanakuk Kamps as a result of a meeting between Dr. Chip Pollard and Joe White, president of Kanakuk Kamps. During that meeting, the two men discussed creating a new type of graduate degree.

JBU partners with the Kanakuk Institute Since 2005, the partnership between Kanakuk and JBU has grown in focus and success. Over 100 students have earned a master’s degree through the program, which combines the classroom and ministry setting of the Kanakuk Institute (KI) and the academic contributions of JBU faculty. The partnership enables students to earn a Master of Arts in Ministry degree in just two years. Students spend the first year at Kanakuk’s K-Kauai campus in Branson and the second year finishing one of six emphases, including biblical studies, youth ministry, leadership and ethics, pastoral counseling, international community development or higher education. They also have the option of earning an MBA in Leadership and Ethics. Most emphasis courses are available online.

According to Ministry Program Director Dr. Dan Lambert, “This partnership is unique in that it combines community living, intense discipleship, great teaching, and practical application.” Students spend eight months in KI, where they sit under teachers from

a variety of colleges, churches, and ministries learning about many aspects of Scripture and theology. Students apply what they learn through serving in one of several ministries in the Branson area working with children and youth.

In addition to this, students enroll in a total of 12 hours of JBU graduate classes focusing on Christian spirituality, healthy relationships, discipleship and evangelism, and communication skills. Most students finish the degree in the following year by completing their chosen emphasis with four online courses.

The majority of the KI/JBU students have been counselors at one of Kanakuk’s many camps and have graduated from a state university. “Through those experiences, they have decided to spend a year at KI to learn more about God’s word and his will for their lives.

Many will follow a call to full-time ministry,” says Dr. Lambert.

JBU’s CARE Clinic Partners with Local Organizations While ministry students are applying what they learn by serving in a variety of ministry capacities, counseling students are putting their knowledge to work in various counseling settings, thanks to partnerships between JBU’s CARE Clinic and several area organizations.

According to Dr. Ryan Martin, JBU’s CARE Clinic Director, “From the moment the first CARE Clinic in Siloam Springs opened, it was the graduate counseling department’s goal to provide JBU master’s level counseling students in the final stages of their counseling program a place to grow and learn as well as to serve the Kingdom of God. We also understand the struggles of individuals and families across our area and feel called to offer a

The CARE Clinic employs play therapy in rooms like this.

wide range of services to our communities at an affordable cost.”

With this mission in mind, the CARE Clinic system of care has expanded over the past year from three sites in Siloam Springs, Rogers and Ft. Smith, to seven sites allowing easier access for people in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley to find a place of comfort and help along their journey. New sites now include Samaritan House and the Church at Pinnacle Hills in Rogers, First Baptist Church in Springdale, and LifeSource in Fayetteville. With JBU’s recent growth, the CARE Clinics are even more committed to providing affordable counseling to those in need, and are able to provide more graduate counseling students with opportunities for practical application.

“The world we live in is full of hurt, frustration, trials and tribulations.

However, at the CARE Clinics we realize that God has given us all a path of hope and new life,” says Dr. Martin.

Mindy Hunt is the marketing project manager for JBU’s Graduate School.

Summer 2010 |

Brown Bulletin | 7

{ ad v ance P r o gram — L o ri wal k er }

The Giraldo Story: A Cohort of Siblings

Siblings Roger, Tatiana and Carlos Giraldo are part of the same Advance Program Organizational Management cohort.

“The people in our cohort are so supportive. It’s like a family; we talk, we share ideas, and we help each other. It motivates me to learn.”

— Tatiana Giraldo

The JBU Advance Program has locations in Fort Smith, Harrison, Hot Springs, Little Rock, Rogers, and the Sam M. Walton Development Center in Bentonville.

For information, visit www.jbu.edu/advance or call 866-YES-2-JBU. 8 |

Brown Bulletin | Summer 2010

For Carlos, Tatiana and Roger Giraldo, the JBU Advance Program not only provided them the opportunity to finish their bachelor’s degrees, it allowed them to do so as a family.

Born and raised in Colombia, the three siblings were attending NorthWest Arkansas Community College and working full-time when a human resource manager recommended JBU’s Advance Program.

“I did some research on the Internet about John Brown University,” Roger said. “And when I read about how great its academic reputation was, I was excited to enroll. So my brother and I drove to the Rogers Center to get some information, and then we told my sister about it.”

Along with 21 other students in Northwest Arkansas, the Giraldo siblings began the Organizational Management Degree Completion Program in August of last year with the NW70 cohort. The Advance Program’s unique class scheduling and cohort model particularly appealed to each of them.

“One of the things I really liked about the Advance Program is how everything is already set up for you,” Roger said. “You don’t do a lot of driving around from class to class.Your class schedule is already done and you know every night you’ll have class from the beginning.”

In addition to scheduling, the cohort system has been a major strength of the Advance Program for Tatiana. “I love the structure of the program,” she said.

“The people in our cohort are so supportive. It’s like a family; we talk, we share ideas, and we help each other. It motivates me to learn.”

Within the small cohorts, the varied backgrounds of the students provide perspective for business application.

“Our cohort is very diverse,” Carlos

said. “The students have a lot of different career experiences, so there are differing viewpoints. But each person in the group is adding to my understanding of the concepts, and giving me a broader understanding of business.”

And while the scheduling and sharing of experiences has been easy, Roger is quick to clarify that the classes aren’t.

“Don’t get me wrong; the program is tough,” he said. “But I love doing my homework. I’m working hard, but I know my effort will be rewarded with better preparation for my career.”

Unlike a traditional degree program, where students take multiple classes during a 16-week semester, the Advance Program delivery of one-class-ata-time for five weeks has been helpful for Tatiana. “The five-week class format allows me to master each subject,” she said. “I feel like I can focus on one subject and totally understand it before moving on.”

The Giraldo siblings are on track to receive their bachelor’s degrees in May, 2011. “Now that I’m getting my degree, I’ll have the credentials I need for my career,” Carlos said. “I already had the experience; now I’ll have the education to back up my knowledge.”

For Tatiana, a bachelor’s degree is the realization of a lifelong goal. “Education is very important to me,” she said. “Getting a degree makes me very proud; proud of myself, proud of my brothers.”

All three have career goals in management, with plans to become corporate CEOs or business owners after graduation. “Once I get a bachelor’s degree, there will be a sense of accomplishment. But I won’t stop. I want to get my MBA,” Roger said.

Lori Walker is director of admissions for the Advance Program.

{ C OV E R S TO R Y }

JBU SWI T CHES o n A GREEN MaJOR

By JaMIE Smith ’00 PHOTO IllUSTRATIONS

BY MARK JACKSON ’90

{ S wi t c h ing o n R enewable E nerg y }

r e n e w a b l e e n e r g y s tud e n t s p l u g g e d i n to s u s ta i n a b l e s o l ut i o n s a n d h e l p i n g d e v e l op i n g c ommu n i t i e s Sophomore Amanda Reed is charged up about JBU’s renewable energy program.

When she started her freshman year, she was not unlike many students who haven’t quite figured out their life plan.

So, she prayed for direction, and the answer came in the form of a newspaper article announcing a new major.

“I saw a headline that said we were going to have something for renewable energy,” she says. “I hadn’t heard much about renewable energy — but it sounded interesting.”

Reed took one class with instructor Fernando Vega, renewable energy program director, and was hooked. She now plans to double major in business administration and renewable energy.

Reed joins a growing number of JBU students in the renewable energy program, launched as a pilot program in the 2009–2010 school year. The program focuses on wind, solar and biomass (using organic matter to generate energy) renewable energy systems.

Getting plugged in Dr. Cal Piston, natural science division chair, said the program proposal was generated after the Office for Academic Affairs sent out a request for new ideas that were innovative and fit JBU’s mission. Renewable energy was 10 |

Brown Bulletin | Summer 2010

a perfect fit, plugging right into both criteria.

When approved in 2008, the renewable energy program was one of the first full-fledged degree programs of its kind in the United States. Most other colleges offering similar programs were engineering schools and none of them were Christian schools. That didn’t daunt the program backers, however — they knew that providing a program where JBU students could learn conservation of God’s creation, as well as gain knowledge in a career field becoming more relevant every day, could succeed.

“Ten to 15 years ago, these ideas were not mainstream — but now it’s a mainstream idea,” Piston says.

Vega agreed that now is the time for JBU to start the program because political, financial and environmental changes in American society are bringing the idea of renewable energy into the forefront.

“It’s a timely initiative,” he says.

“Energy is an important part of any business. We first need to learn how to avoid energy, waste then start learning how to use renewable energy.”

Vega, tapped to spearhead the renewable energy program, had the perfect background for the task. He graduated from JBU in 1990 with a

bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering; he earned a master’s of finance in Honduras ten years later, and then in 2003 he graduated with a master’s in renewable energies from a university in Germany.

Europe is well ahead of the United States in developing and using renewable energy, Vega explains.

When he was asked to head up the new renewable energy program, Vega was serving as the head of the college’s Institute for Biblical Community Development, which trains missionaries and local Christian leaders in “holistic community development,” including some concepts found in renewable energy, Vega says.

A program overview The renewable energy program to provides students with a bachelor’s of science in renewable energy. Students are required to choose one of three emphasis areas: design, international development or management. Students in the major have a core number of about half a dozen classes, then they take courses that develop their respective emphasis areas, Piston explains.

The design emphasis has a math and engineering focus. Students are trained to design and integrate the systems used to create renewable energy.

{ swi t c h ing o n renewable E nerg y } The management emphasis is essentially business courses combined with renewable energy. These students may go into sales, marketing or management — areas of the business that involve renewable energy beyond the technical aspects, Vega says.

The international development emphasis combines renewable energy courses with courses in intercultural studies. Students interested in international development may want to help impoverished communities develop safer water or find energy sources that won’t harm their communities. Vega recognizes that many organizations around the world are attempting to perform similar community development functions, but JBU has an even stronger calling in this area because of its Christian foundation.

“Many come to JBU because they are missionary kids or they are interested in international development and they want to go into that field,” Vega says.

“When we conduct international development, we don’t do it in a secular way.

We do it with Christian intention.”

Fitting the mission When any student attends JBU, they receive an education rich with academic, spiritual and practical application — Head, Heart, Hand. The new renewable energy program matches the threefold motto.

“Renewable energy fits our spiritual mission, starting with Genesis 1, when we are given dominion over the earth,” Piston says. “The Bible says the earth is yours to take care of, not yours to

exploit.

“But beyond that, there’s lots of hands-on work and there’s lots of science behind it. And we are teaching students to use renewable energy to help people.”

Reed, the sophomore double majoring in renewable energy and business administration, agrees.

“Renewable energy helps people improve their lives,” she says.

Brian Morsman, a senior renewable energy major, says the program fits JBU perfectly.

“Renewable energy allows people to get the energy they need to survive and to improve their lives,” he says.

“But in that process renewable energy is not doing as much damage as conventional forms of energy production. We have a biblical responsibility to be stewards and not consumers of creation.

“A lot of what JBU does is about ministry and about multiculturalism.

People in those programs learn a lot about missions and they learn a lot about the disadvantaged,” he says. “Renewable energy provides us with a real way to allow those people who aren’t specifically missionaries to alleviate the stresses on [the disadvantaged].

“If we don’t do something about the poor, we become what is described in 1 Cor. 13, where they talk about how you can speak with the tongues of angels but if you don’t have love, you’re just a clanging cymbal.”

Changes coming Even as it goes into its second year, the renewable energy program is already growing, transforming

and innovating. Vega says he wants to establish more labs with the necessary equipment, including labs for solar/ thermal energy, solar/electric energy, meteorology, a wind lab and a biomass/ biofuels lab.

A major administration change will come next school year when the program changes homes. The program originated in the natural sciences division, but will be moved to the engineering and construction management division. Most of the changes are administrative in nature, but the change will allow for more degree options.

Dr. Larry Bland, chair of the engineering and construction management division, explains that there will continue to be a bachelor’s of science in renewable energy with the three emphasis options.

They will be joined by a bachelor’s of science in engineering with a renewable energy concentration.

Bland says the program is not being redesigned, rather it’s simply being put under a more appropriate curriculum umbrella.

He says as the renewable energy program powers up, the primary focus will be student growth, program awareness efforts, and seeking grants for program enhancements.

“Energy touches nearly every area of human life,” said Bland.

“With the eventual supply limits of fossil fuels creating an almost certain energy crisis at some point in the future, JBU renewable energy hopes to be at the forefront of engineering new solutions that will provide clean, sustainable power for future generations.” n

Summer 2010 |

Brown Bulletin | 11

{ swi t c h ing o n renewable E nerg y }

P r o f. VEGA’ s W O RL D O F RENEWA B LE ENERGY E X P ERIENCE

renewable energy K N O W - H O W CREAT ES LIFE - I M P R O VING T ECH IN D EVEL O P ING C O U N T RIES Cardboard. Silver foil, like the type used to wrap Christmas packages. Five gallon buckets, emblazoned with the names of familiar lumber companies on the side. Things many Americans view as trash — these resources, in the talented hands of the faculty, staff, and students of the Institute for Biblical Community Development and the Engineering and Renewable Energy departments at JBU, have the potential to become life-enhancing technologies in underdeveloped countries.

“We improved the designs on a stove for New Hope Children’s Institute, an orphanage in Uganda,” Dr.Young-Gurl Kim, professor of engineering and director of IBCD, says. “This enables the staff of the orphanage to cook more efficiently and have access to hot water, which is vital for hygiene purposes.” In Bolivia, Cliff Peters, an IBCD technical specialist with 15 years experience in renewable energy and sustainability development, fashioned foil-covered 12 |

Brown Bulletin | Summer 2010

cardboard into solar panels for cooking, thereby reducing the need for wood or charcoal heat. Recently, Dr. Larry Bland, associate professor of engineering at JBU, along with Dr. Kim, received two grants from the EPA: one that allowed them to improve drinking water quality in a village in Guatemala; another, with the aid of undergraduate research assistant Katie Sessler, created a tracking solar water-heating system.

That study’s research will be sent to Uganda, once an additional grant is approved, to equip national workers in the use of this technology.

“Our call is to be stewards of God’s creation. We can be agents of blessing to others by teaching them how to make the best use of God’s resources,” says Dr. Kim. “Engineering and renewable energy studies are very effective tools for demonstrating Christ’s love in places where people’s very livelihoods are at stake.”

— Rebecca Marietta

Anyone asking questions about the renewable energy program at JBU will soon hear the name “Professor Fernando Vega.”

After graduating from JBU in 1990 with a degree in engineering, Professor Vega returned to his home country of Honduras and began working as an engineer for a well-known oil company. In 2002, Vega received his Master’s in Finance, and his research led him to feasibility studies in renewable energy projects, where he explored how wind, solar, and biomass energies fit into the national strategy for improvement.

Soon Vega began to feel restless in his work. “I really enjoyed renewables,” Vega says, “so I basically left this ‘conventional’ energy business and started looking for study programs abroad in renewable energies.”

His search led Vega to Germany, where he worked for a wind consulting company and pursued a Master’s of Science in Renewable Energies at the University of Oldenburg.

In 2005, Vega was asked by JBU to join the IBCD staff, doing research in indigenous technologies for community development, and in 2009, Vega found himself at the helm of JBU’s new Renewable Energy program.

“My hope is that I can give my students the tools that they will need to get started in the field of RE,” says Professor Vega, “but also, along the way, plant in them the desire to use their skills to help those people who desperately need it the most.”

— Rebecca Marietta

{ swi t c h ing o n renewable E nerg y } Most people can’t spell or even pronounce “anemometer.”

JBU’s renewable energy director Fernando Vega, however, knows the devices inside and out. Vega says JBU’s anemometer loan program is an important part of renewable energy at JBU. What is an anemometer? The device measures wind power at a specific location over time in order to determine whether or not it would be economically feasible to build a wind turbine.

JBU has four anemometers it loans out to help farmers, landowners and other businesspeople who are considering investing in green energy. JBU is the only university in Arkansas with an anemometer loan program.

Last year, the program received 26 applications and only four of the most promising locations in Arkansas were selected. After selecting the finalists, Vega and his students installed the 34-foot anemometers, a task which can take around eight hours. Now the students are analyzing the data gathered by the machine for an entire year to determine whether it would be profit-

able for the landowners to install an energy-generating windmill.

Green technology is expensive.

The anemometer alone costs more than $10,000. The loan program was funded in part by the Arkansas Energy Office at the cost of $47,000 for the four anemometers, some of which was covered partially by a $25,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Powering America Program.

Jenny Ahlen, coordinator of the Arkansas Energy Office in Little Rock, said she would like to see the JBU anemometer project develop into a longterm program with the company.

“We here at Arkansas Energy know that Fernando Vega has a great background and is a good fit for this program,” Ahlen said.

Vega’s passion for anemometers comes from wanting to find solutions to energy problems, as well as improving JBU’s home state. In fact, Vega even hopes to possibly power JBU with wind technology, which is why there was a 100-meter anemometer set up measuring the wind blowing over campus.

— Scarlett Kerby

J B U S T U D EN T S M EAS U RE WIN D F O R AR K ANSAS WI T H I T S U NI Q U E ANE M O M E T ER L O AN P R O GRA M

r e S T U D EN T P R O FILE : B RIAN M O RS M AN Brian Morsman, a JBU senior from Kansas, smiles at the idea of three more years in college. “As it stands right now, I’ll be graduating with both of my degrees in 2013,” he says. Originally a pre-med major with an almostcompleted degree in pre-professional biology, Brian realized in the fall of his junior year that his interest was not in medicine, but in renewable energy—and in the notion that how he was living had an impact on the environment.

In his free time, he found himself researching renewable energy and sustainability topics. When JBU implemented its new Renewable Energy program a short time later, Brian began praying and discussing the option with his wife, eventually deciding to pursue a Renewable Energy in Engineering degree.

Brian doesn’t hesitate to discuss the program’s appeal, citing a hands-on approach to instruction (such as learning how to make biodiesel in class), and the impressive knowledge and field experience of the professors. He also appreciates the biblical applications of what he is learning.

“We live in a world with a growing population but a finite amount of resources, and renewable energies are going to be one of the best ways to provide for people. I would love to be involved with closing the wasteful loop of throwaway culture, creating a holistic view of environment, people, and product.”

— Rebecca Marietta

Summer 2010 |

Brown Bulletin | 13

{ swi t c h ing o n renewable E nerg y }

P IC T U RE RENEWA B LE ENERGY Marco Manzanilla, Brian Morsman, Fernando Vega, Jeff Hobble, Churck Jen, Gabo Ramirez and Amanda Reed pose with the new evacuated solar thermal system that has been installed in the new outdoor solar lab.

Students listen to Fernando Veg a during a wind turbine lecture .

Engineering students Ryan Helmer and Mike Anthes install anchors for a wind measurement mast that will be used in the resource assessment course.

14 |

Brown Bulletin | Summer 2010

A NEW GOAL HAS BEEN SET — $110 MILLION

SUMMER 2010 CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Summer 2010 |

Brown Bulletin | 15

{ K E E P I N G F A I TH C A M P A I G N U P D A T E }

AN ANONYMOUS

$8 MillION GIFT GIVEN FOR THE

GLORY OF GOD LEADS THE WAY FOR A NEW

By LUCAS ROEBUCK ’97 & SCARLET KERBY ’11 PHOTOgraphy by

BY LuKE DAVIS ‘00 & MARK JACKSON ’90

ENGINEERING + CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT FACILITY

Dr. Pollard (below) and Dr. Krall (above) announce the $8 million anonymous gift at a Feb. 2 event.

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Brown Bulletin | Summer 2010

An anonymous $8 million gift will help JBU keep faith with the university’s legacy engineering and construction management programs by helping provide a critical new facility.

The donation is the lead gift to finance an approximately 35,000-to40,000-square-foot facility to house John Brown University’s growing engineering and construction management programs. President Chip Pollard announced the $8 million gift at a special event Feb. 2. The total cost of the project, including an endowment fund to pay for building maintenance and operational costs, will be in the range of $10.5 to 11 million. Students will begin using the facility as early as the fall of 2011.

“The lead donors wish to remain anonymous, in part, because they believe these funds are available only

by God’s grace and that God should receive the praise,” Dr. Pollard said. “This gift is one of the largest single gifts ever in the history of John Brown University, and we are deeply grateful.”

JBU’s engineering program is one of its largest, with over 90 majors and six faculty members. The construction management program has 55 students and three faculty members.

The building will also house the new

renewable energy program. Currently, the programs are spread out in three aging buildings. The new state-of-theart facility, which is expected to take 18 months to design and build, will bring the programs under one roof.

“We’re proud of our engineering students and their successes,” said Dr. Larry Bland, head of the engineering department. “Our undergrads have found jobs at firms like Texas Instruments, T.D. Williamson, Lockheed Martin and Boeing.”

“Our construction management program is 70 years old this year, and the work of our students can be seen in communities around the world,” said Professor Jim Caldwell, construction management department chair.

“From Nairobi, Kenya to Dallas, Texas, our alumni have gone on to manage projects valued in the billions.”

Although the new facility is still in the early design stage, current plans call for 20,000 to 25,000 square feet of classroom and office space with another 10,000 to 15,000 square feet of laboratory space, Dr. Pollard said.

The program’s existing facilities only have 26,000 feet of usable space, none designed specifically for teaching engineering or construction management.

Tentatively, the new building will sit on the northwest area of campus, adjacent to the currently-underconstruction Berry Performing Arts Center, occupying a portion of the existing Broadhurst Village. Broadhurst Village is being phased out over the next several years.

Hastings & Chivetta Architects will be designing the building; Nabholz Construction will serve as the project builder. n

MEGAN

{ K E E P I N G F A I TH C A M P A I G N U P D A T E } To help with Dr. Pollard’s Feb. 2 announcement of a new engineering and construction management building, four students from those programs told their JBU story.The new facility will enable JBU to continue to equip quality engineers and builders to be leaders in their respective industries.

Grant O’Neal Grant O’Neal is a senior construction management major and when he graduates, he already has a job lined up with Turner Construction, one of the largest and most prestigious general contractors in the United States. Turner’s buildings have included such landmarks as the United Nations Building in New York and INVESCO Field in Denver.

Grant said that, as a senior in college, Turner is more than he could ask for.

“The opportunities that this company offers are endless, “ he said.

Grant is from central Texas, and he came to JBU because his Bible study leader and close family friend was an alumnus and he encouraged him to visit. After he did, he said that he received multiple calls to see how he was doing, and he soon realized how much JBU cared for its students.

“I definitely did not receive this level of attention from any state school that I had applied to,” he said.

The care that JBU gave also

helped Grant with his faith. “I came into my freshman year in a very low point in my spiritual walk. I knew that coming to a university like JBU would help me get back on track. I instantly found accountability and acceptance among my fellow classmates. Through passion groups and the rugby team I found true community and a brotherhood that I would not trade for the world.”

The CM program graduates have an advantage in their hands-on experience.

“With interviews that I’ve had in the past, every company that I’ve talked to has been impressed by how hands-on JBU’s department has been. We actually get to see a project before we graduate instead of hearing about it and looking at pictures,” he said.

“Aside from my major, JBU has also prepared me to enter the ‘real world.’

I feel JBU creates an atmosphere that allows you to grow and strengthen yourself. I am prepared to graduate and begin the next stage of my life,” she said.

Megan will work as a Project Engineer for Flintco in Oklahoma City when she graduates.

“I have made friendships that will last a lifetime. The girls I have met are not only great friends, but they are also great examples of Godly women. The construction management guys have become close friends and at times, they feel like brothers. The most influential relationship I have from JBU is with my fiancé. Matt [Menhennett,’08], has continually pushed me and encouraged me throughout my time at JBU. His education in ministry has helped him show me how to be a better witness for Christ and how to continually strengthen my faith.”

Megan Owens The “hands-on” quality JBU offered was echoed by the senior construction management major Megan Owens.

“JBU’s Construction Management program offers a great opportunity for the freshmen and Grant the seniors each year to work on an actual construction project,” she said. “It really gives us a different side of construction that we can’t learn in the classroom, and I think it’s something that separates JBU’s program from other programs.”

Megan is from Siloam Springs and she moved from California in the sixth grade. She never had any intention of going to JBU once she graduated, but through prayer and JBU’s financial assistance, JBU ended up being a good fit for her. Megan said JBU has really helped in preparation for her career, and also for her life.

Summer 2010 |

Brown Bulletin | 17

{ K E E P I N G F A I TH C A M P A I G N U P D A T E } Thomas Congdon Thomas Congdon is a senior majoring in engineering. He attended high school in Kenya at Rift Valley Academy and he applied to a variety of leading Christian colleges, one of which was JBU. Thomas said that his decisionmaking process was focused on the financial package and the quality of the engineering program.

“Through a lot of prayer and research, it was clear to me that JBU was a good fit for me, and the high academic standards provided a first-class engineering program,” he said.

Thomas said that JBU has improved his life in numerous ways. Spiritually JBU provided him a safe environment to examine his beliefs and search out answers for many difficult questions that have helped him to develop well.

Academically, Thomas said that JBU has provided many challenging and valuable classes that have taught him everything

from essential life skills to tedious mathematical proofs.

“As a result of my time at JBU, I have a more focused vision for my life and I am now better equipped emotionally, mentally, and spiritually for the tasks that God sets before me.

More importantly, JBU has helped me develop a passion for learning that will benefit me as I continue to grow as an individual and learn to serve God in new ways,” Thomas said.

Thomas said that JBU is unique because it doesn’t compromise its Christian message or its academic excellence. This excellence has helped Thomas and three other students receive a $5,000 grant from NASA to develop a lunar excavator robot.

Thomas said that the goals of this project are to design, build, and test a robot that will dig dirt on the moon. In May, Thomas and his teammates will go to the Kennedy Space Center for the final competition. Only a select number of students received this opportunity, and Thomas said that the process has been daunting but rewarding.

“I have no idea what the competition will hold for our team, but I know that no matter the outcome, we will feel successful knowing we completed the project with our best efforts,” he said.

Katie Sessler Katie Sessler is a senior from Cleveland, Tenn., majoring in engineering, and after she graduates she will attend graduate school in Saudi Arabia at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Katie said this opportunity makes her anxious, however, she is more nervous about the academics of the school than the location.

“I am extremely

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Brown Bulletin | Summer 2010

THOMAS

excited about getting to experience a new culture and work with teams of people that are from all over the world. It will be a fascinating and a completely oncein-a-lifetime experience,” she said.

During her time at JBU, she went on the Jordan

studies trip, and said that she fell in love with the Middle Eastern culture. It was there that she felt the call to long-term missions in the Middle East.

Before she goes overseas, Katie will finish work on an EPA grant to create a solar water heater for developing countries (see story, page 12), a project that kept her busy for several semesters.

Katie said that the JBU engineering program is unique both because of its broad base in electrical and mechanical engineering and because of its teachers. “My professors have all been extremely supportive and helpful through everything that I have wanted to do over the years, and they have all pushed me to reach for a potential that I never saw in myself.” n

KATIE

{ A d v ancemen t — D r . J im Krall }

Thank You for Your Involvement with JBU A simple “thank you” hardly seems adequate, but please know it is heartfelt. I deeply appreciate and am thankful for the over 4,000 alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, foundations and businesses that have given to JBU this past academic year. JBU is a stronger, healthier and a much better university because of your involvement. Let me share with you some of the ways you make a difference in the lives of JBU students.

If you gave a gift to the JBU Scholarship Fund, you helped provide needbased scholarships to 515 students, making it possible for them to attend JBU. Ninety percent of JBU students receive some form of financial aid (need-based, academic, leadership or athletic). The JBU Scholarship Fund provides scholarship assistance to students who have some of the greatest financial need.

If you gave to the Berry Performing Arts Center, you are helping to improve the quality of the music and theater programs on campus as well as provide a new state-of-the-art home that will accommodate 500 people for cultural events.

If you supported the new Bill George Arena, you are helping to provide new athletic facilities that will greatly improve the quality of the basketball and volleyball programs. It will also provide space for other events such as chapels (a few that need more seating room than offered by the Cathedral), graduation and concerts.

If you gave to either of these new buildings, your gift helped to improve the quality of the JBU experience as well as keep future tuition costs reasonable, because these new buildings will be debt free. You also provided an operational endowment so that much

of the operational cost of the new buildings is covered. No debt service payments for these buildings and an operational endowment help keep tuition costs lower.

If you gave to an endowed scholarship and participated in the $20 million challenge, your gift was matched (doubled) and created an endowed scholarship that will provide needbased scholarships to future generations of JBU students.

If you supported one of JBU’s many programs such as the radio station (KLRC), athletics, Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE), or the centers, your support helps keep these programs strong as they provide unique learning experiences for students and numerous other people who are impacted by their programs.

If you are an alumnus who took the time to give in response to a telephone call from a student advancement worker or from a letter, you not only provided for JBU students but also you were counted among our alumni who support the university. This is important for two reasons: first is that broad support helps JBU’s ranking (currently number two) in U.S. News & World Report’s annual edition of America’s Best Colleges, Southeast Region Category. The alumni giving percentage is one of the criteria for the ranking.

The second reason is that those who are financially able to support JBU with large gifts are encouraged when there is broad participation. It tells them that they are not standing alone in their support of JBU. If you are a parent and gave to JBU, you gave in addition to providing for your son or daughter’s tuition, and helped another student study at JBU. Thank you for understanding that

tuition dollars do not provide all the resources needed for the high-quality JBU experience.

If you are part of the Inner Circle, you have committed to pray, promote and provide for JBU.Your annual gift of $500 or more to the JBU Scholarship Fund is a huge blessing to the students.

You as a group of alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff undergird the JBU Scholarship Fund with your faithful giving. New members from the classes of 2005 and 2006 have recently joined the Leadership Circle, swelling our ranks to 300 members. How special to have young alumni sacrificially giving back to JBU! Thank you to all who have given to the campaign.

If you have not yet had an opportunity to be involved with the Keeping Faith Campaign, perhaps now is the time to get involved and make an impact on current and future JBU students. If you have questions or thoughts on the campaign or giving to JBU, please feel free to contact me either by e-mail (jkrall@jbu.edu) or by telephone, 479-524-7145.

Dr. Jim Krall is vice president for university advancement.

Summer 2010 |

Brown Bulletin | 19

{ K E E P I N G F A I TH C A M P A I G N U P D A T E } JBU’s Keeping Faith Capital Campaign was publicly announced last October. Many exciting things have taken place since that time, one of which was the $8 million gift given to help build our new Engineering and Construction Management building. As a result of this gift, the Keeping Faith Campaign has been expanded to $110 Million. And, as a result of this gift, and many, many other gifts, JBU has received $90 million in gifts and pledges of the $110 million needed to complete the campaign!

As was explained in the last Brown Bulletin, the campaign began its quiet phase in July of 2005 and will come to an end on June 30, 2012. There have been many wonderful and creative gifts to the campaign during that time, and over the last six months. JBU has received current gifts of cash, stock, real estate and vehicles, and has received deferred gifts in the form of charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities and life insurance policies, among other things. JBU has received gifts from alumni, parents of current and former students, grandparents of current and former students, foundations and many other friends of the university.

Following is a partial list of remaining projects to be funded as part of the campaign. JBU has received (in gifts and pledges) over 76 percent of the funds needed to complete the Engineering and Construction Management building, 60 percent of the funds needed to complete the $20 Million Challenge, and 90 percent of the funds needed to complete both the Bill George Arena and Berry Performing Arts Center.

The campaign is seeing wonderful success, and we thank the Lord for his continued hand of blessing. We know the success comes from the generous hearts of those who are giving to the campaign and we know the campaign will not be completed without your continued involvement. — JBU Advancement Team 20 |

Brown Bulletin | Summer 2010

raising the BAR:

KEEPING FAITH

ADDS $10 MILLION TO THE CAMPAIGN GOAL PROGRESS REPORT

BY THE NUMBERS 0%

$90 MILLION IN PLEDGES AND GIFTS

50%

100%

$20 MILLION

TO MEET GOAL

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Bill George Arena

{ K E E P I N G F A I TH C A M P A I G N U P D A T E }

CAMPAIGN PROJECT PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS GIFTS & PLEDGES* $20 Million Challenge 60 percent complete

STILL NEEDED

$12 million

$8 million

$20 million total $200k

Bill GEORGE ARENA 90 percent complete

$8.5 MILLION $9.5 million total

$200k

Berry performing ARTS CENTER 90 percent complete

$750K MABEE CHALLENGE

$7.5 million $8.5 million total

ENGINEERING AND CM FACILITY 76 percent complete

$8 MILLION

$2.5 MILLION

$10.5 million total 100%

0%

*Numbers rounded

Berry Performing Arts Center

WATCH LIVE AT JBU.EDU/ KEEPINGFAITH

Summer 2010 |

Brown Bulletin | 21

{ JBU RETIREMENTS } 35 years

26 YEARS

21 years

Doris Seitz

Tom Wright

Mary Ann Guinn

When Doris Seitz retires from JBU in the spring, she can look back on 35 years of changes.

JBU hired Doris in May of 1975 to work in the admissions office where she mailed letters and gave tours.

Two years later, she took a job in the business office. She has also been a supervisor in the business office, and is currently the assistant controller.

While Doris has been employed, JBU transitioned to using computers, hiring several new presidents, and even allowing dancing. However, she said the hardest change happened when JBU tore down California dorm, where she lived as a student.

Doris said she will miss working at JBU because of the Christian influence.

“The people are wonderful. Everyone is like family. If you have a need, everyone prays for you.”

After Doris retires, she will continue to lead a women’s ministry as well as a Bible study. She, as well as her two children, two grandsons attended JBU. — Scarlett Kerby ’11

After 26 years of service at JBU, Tom Wright is retiring as engineering electronics technician.

Including his time at JBU, Wright has been an electronics technician for 45 years. His experience includes working for the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft communications technician, at Elecon Co. making digital scoreboard clocks and displays, and working at the University of Arkansas as an instrumentation technician.

When Wright first came to JBU, he worked as telephone technician for facility services and took care of nearly everything electronic on campus.

Wright has always viewed his work at JBU as a ministry, and he loves interacting with students and watching them grow between their freshman and senior years. He particularly enjoys seeing students have “ah-ha” moments.

He and his wife, Carol, have a small farm with horses, cows, dogs and cats that keeps them busy on weekends.

Wright has a number of projects planned for this farm after retirement.

— Anna Mulder ’10

Mary Ann Guinn, campus nurse, retires this year after 21 years serving the JBU campus.

Her medical expertise is not the only thing she’s contributed here. Mary Ann is an educator at heart, acknowledging that “A really great day” includes “dealing with more than just the physical issues of students…whole person stuff.”

She’s also has learned a great deal herself: that educational information is necessary, but it doesn’t guarantee changed behavior; that “people will forget what you say/do, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

And that sometimes, taking away pain is not necessarily what’s best for us.

“Sometimes,” she says, “we have to hurt to be able to understand.”

Mary Ann looks forward to gardening, sewing, walking her dog….and learning a new lesson: how to be a grandparent.

“There really is a time and season for everything, “ she says. “I am grateful for the grace of living where I am today.”

— Tracy Balzer

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Brown Bulletin | Summer 2010

{ JBU RETIREMENTS } 16 YEARS

6 YEARS

5 YEARS

Gary Warner

Judy Shoop

Margaret Paulzine

The world of journalism is changing, but the basics of writing, reporting and editing will always be central to the craft, said Gary Warner, JBU’s journalism professor since the fall of 1993.

For Warner, the rewards of teaching came as his students developed professional pride in their work, particularly the efforts in the Threefold Advocate.

“We always strived for excellence,” said Warner. “The students saw their work as important to the campus.”

Part of Warner’s academic legacy that will long be remembered by his students is his lifelong battle against grade inflation. “In this country, in too many places, a ‘C’ is failing. If you can get a ‘C’ in my class, you can do good work out in the profession.”

Warner said he will miss the collegiality of the noon-time players at JBU’s racquetball courts, where he often bested opponents half his age. “Some of them more than once.”

Warner is moving to Jonesboro, Ark., where his wife, Barbara, teaches political science at ASU. — Lucas Roebuck ’97

Judy Shoop has retired from her position of administrative assistant in assessment services. Judy began working for JBU’s CRE in 2004, desiring to “give back” to the college where two of her children had been students. Judy and her husband, Dave, are former missionaries to Zimbabwe, and Judy hopes that they will be able to take some short-term mission trips back to Africa. She also continues to be deeply involved in the various activities at Siloam Bible Church, where her husband is the pastor, and looks forward to volunteering more in the community.

— Rebecca Marietta

After five years of faithful service at John Brown University, Margaret Paulzine is retiring. As a postal clerk in the JBU mailroom, Margaret has distributed kindness as well as mail to students, offering hugs, words of encouragement, prayer, candy (or all of the above) whenever she sensed a need. After she leaves JBU, Margaret plans on staying busy, working parttime as a waitress, learning German, and becoming active in the Sager Creek Arts Center theatre department, both on stage and off. As she so succinctly puts it: “No rocking chairs for me!”

— Rebecca Marietta

Summer 2010 |

Brown Bulletin | 23

{ A L umni — jerr y R o llene ’ 7 5 }

Are You Experiencing Growing Pains?

In the book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell talks about the leadership style of automobile tycoon, Henry Ford. He had a vision to “build a motorcar for the multitude,” and by 1914 Ford Motor Company produced nearly 50 percent of all automobiles in the United States. By 1931, however, their market share had dropped to 28 percent. What happened?

Henry Ford was unwilling to change with the times. Maxwell recounts, “One day when a group of his designers surprised him by presenting him with the prototype of an improved model (over the Model T), Ford ripped its

Ford’s Model T

24 |

Brown Bulletin | Summer 2010

doors off the hinges and proceeded to destroy the car with his bare hands.” He was unwilling to accept technical innovations like his competitors had.

We are fortunate JBU has not fol-

lowed this type of leadership. Matter of fact, in the early 1920’s our founder, John E. Brown, Sr., thought that “Siloam Springs was not progressive and forward-thinking enough” due to “a few powerful men who retarded progress and initiative,” according to Rick Ostrander, author of Head, Heart, and Hand.

Throughout the years JBU has been blessed with “forward-thinking” leadership, and that is why our campus looks so different from when you were here.

You may lament that certain structures are gone, like the Arkansas Building, the MO and California Dorms, and the Catalina/QUOA/Faculty/Dormitory Building, and soon, the Hyde Engineering Building. Nevertheless, you can be thankful for the forward-thinking of our past and current leaders.

So, if you are one of those who are feeling some “growing pains” whenever you hear about older buildings, like Hyde, being replaced by new buildings, like the Engineering and Construction Management Building, do what I do.

Rejoice that JBU has been blessed with forward-thinking, godly leaders who know that while bricks and mortar do not define who we are, up-to-date facilities have a dramatic impact on the school’s ability to attract new students and provide a quality, Christ-centered education.

Another antidote to “growing pains” is to come back to campus this fall for homecoming (October 7th and 8th) and talk to our students, and you’ll see that even though our physical appearance has changed, our commitment to put “Christ Over All” has not.

Jerry Rollene ’75 is director of alumni and parent relations.

{ A L U M N I M I L E S TO N E S } OBITUARIES John Sherwood Dyer ’50 John Sherwood Dyer passed away on Sept. 25, 2009, in Austin, Texas. He was born on September 30, 1922, in Waco, Texas to Mary Thilena Sherwood and John Cisero Dyer. He married Virginia “Jan” Mitchell in 1947. He received a Bachelor of Science in Communications from JBU in 1950 and worked as a radio announcer in Siloam Springs, and Cleburne, Stephenville and Austin, Texas. During World War II, John served as a Marine in the battles of Saipan, Tinian, and Guadalcanal. He was a great man of great integrity who loved his fellow man and family. Surviving John is his loving wife of 62 years Virginia; their four children Sheralyn Nobles and husband Lynn, Robert Dyer and wife Belinda, Jacqueline DeVault and husband Mike, and Mary Gielstra and husband Glenn; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Bobby (Bob) Minick ‘53 Born in Oak Grove, Ark. in 1925, Minick was one of nine children who spent his childhood alternating between the hard-scrabble Ozarks of Arkansas and the dusty, dry plains of eastern Oklahoma. He was raised in a strict Pentecostal family and as a young man began singing in a gospel quartet. While singing at a Pentecostal camp meeting in eastern Oklahoma, he met Dorothy Abshier, who soon became his wife and mother to their four children. During World War II, he served as a conscientious objector in the Army, becoming a medic at Fort Dix, N.J. At the conclusion of the war, he and Dorothy and their first-born child returned to Morrow, Ark., where he tried farming for a time, raising chickens, milking cows and growing alfalfa. A couple of years later, he took advantage of the GI Bill and enrolled at JBU. He worked for a period as a teacher, principal and

preacher, before moving the family – which had grown to include two more children - out to Southern California in 1956. He went on teach high school for 17 years, the last five at San Gorgonio High School. The couple also added a fourth child to their family. In 1972, he ran George Brown Jr.’s successful campaign for U.S. Congress. Brown made Minick his district administrator.

For a time, he and family members also ran the family-style restaurant, Minick’s Barn in Rialto, Calif. In 2004 he lost his wife of 61 years, and in 2007 his daughter Mary died. He is survived by his son Roger Minick, daughter Alecia Dodge, son Storm Minick, eight grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

William Henley (Hank) Brokaw ’43 William Henley (Hank) Brokaw ’43 died on February 17, 2010, at his home in Santa Paula, Calif, surrounded by his family. Hank was born on March 23, 1927, in Whittier, Calif., where he grew up with his parents Robert Lee and Helen White Brokaw, and his sister Ruth. He started his education at Whittier Elementary School where his teacher pronounced that “Henley is a slow and careful learner.” Those qualities of patience and perseverance served him well all his life. His education continued at John Brown boarding school in Arkansas, Whittier High School, and, after a two year stint in the Navy, at Fullerton Junior College, Harvard University, and the University of Chicago. It was in Chicago that Hank met Ellen McGiffert, whom he married in 1954. Together, the newlyweds moved to Ojai where Hank taught high school science and math (at Nordhoff, Ventura, and Buena High Schools) for ten years. For the last eight of those ten years, Hank fostered what was then a hobby of raising avocado and citrus nursery trees, starting with 500 avocado seeds planted in the backyard.

From that beginning, Brokaw Nursery, under Hank’s leadership and with Ellen’s full partnership, has become a major specialized nursery for commercial growers of avocados, citrus, and kiwis.

Hank leaves behind his wife, Ellen; five children, Debbie (Randy Jackson), Rob (Katie), Elisabeth (Lee Rossi), Will, and Elena; nine grandchildren, Nate, Jessica, Steven, Tommy, Bridget, Leo, Claire, Evelyn, and Paul; two cousins, Bill Brokaw (Joanne) and Phil Brokaw (Sylvia); and two nieces, Linda Suzanne Walker and Beth Siebert.

Minnie Pearl West Burnside ’71 Minnie Pearl West Burnside ’71 of Sequim, Washington died January 13, 2010, at her home. She was born July 14, 1937, in Stockdale, Texas, to Elmo West and Ruth Marcrum West Hemby She married William Burnside September 26, 1955, and raised four children in Lakewood, California, and Northwest Arkansas. She graduated from John Brown University in 1971 and ministered to students as a faculty wife at JBU from 1969–1990. She taught junior and senior high school math in Decatur, Rogers and Gentry, Ark. from 1972–1990. After moving to Pacific Grove, Calif., she was math department head at Notre Dame High School in Salinas, California, from 1990 to 1994. After retirement, she served as a missionary in Taiwan and taught English at Christ’s College in Taipei from 199598. She was preceded in death by her sister, Patsy McGrew. She is survived by her children: Jeannine and Chris Little, Timothy and Olivia, Cheryl and Rulon Foster, and Jonathan and Belinda; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and brothers, Franklin (Buddy) West, Billy West, and L. H. West.

Harry Arnold Epperson, Jr. ’48 Harry Arnold Epperson, Jr. ’48 went home to be with his Lord and Savior Summer 2010 |

Brown Bulletin | 25

{ A L U M N I M I L E S TO N E S } on Saturday February 27, 2010. Born on April 29, 1923 in Ararat, Virginia, as the second son of Harry Arnold Epperson, Sr. and his wife Lula Watson Epperson, Mr. Epperson spent his childhood helping on their farm and attending the local one-room schoolhouse. He graduated from Blue Ridge High School, and began his college education. Mr. Epperson volunteered and served as an Army medic during World War II, earning a Purple Heart during the Battle of the Bulge. Upon returning from the Army, he earned a degree in Education from JBU in 1948. He went on to study engineering, acquired his FCC license, and pursued a career in radio. Epperson was instrumental in starting WKBX radio station in Winston-Salem, NC, and over the course of his lifetime, owned stations in Petersburg, VA; Wilson, NC; and Luray, VA. He also enjoyed basketball and skiing, and was an avid tennis player. Epperson loved to travel and take trips across the United States. He enjoyed being with his family and attending Salem Baptist church. Mr. Epperson is survived by his wife of 58 years, Olive Poore Epperson; and their children, Ruth (Steve) Mathis, Jan (Mandel) Owens, and Arnie (TC) Epperson. He leaves seven grandchildren: Sarah and David Mathis, Samuel and Benjamin Owens, and Christiana, Harrison, and Tyndale Epperson. In addition, he is survived by three siblings: Roy, Mary Lee, and Stuart; several aunts, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Epperson was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother, Ralph Epperson, and his sister, Lucy Bowman.

Dewey Ira Jones ’37 Lt. Col. Dewey Ira Jones ’37 passed away in Madeira Beach, Fla. on November 30, 2009 at the age of 96.

Ira was born in Telephone, Texas, on November 15, 1913. He graduated from JBU with a degree in Engineer26 |

Brown Bulletin | Summer 2010

ing. He was a veteran of the US Navy and the Air Force Reserves. He had been employed by Boeing Aircraft, Seattle, Wash., then moved to Dayton, Ohio for employment by Wright Patterson Air Force Base as a Civil Engineer, where he retired. He and his wife moved to Florida in 2001.Ira is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Ruthe Johnson Jones ’37, his daughter, Ruthann, granddaughters, Cindi and Chris, and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Ray. Myron J. (Pete) Peters ’50 Myron J. (Pete) Peters ’50 of Siloam Springs, died October 22, 2009, in Springdale, Ark. Born March 10, 1924 in Albin, Wyo., he was the son of Henry A. Peters and Clara Garber Peters. He was a World War II Navy Veteran and a 1950 graduate of John Brown University. Pete was a Farm Manager for John Brown University and also worked as a Reference Librarian for John Brown University. He was active in the Siloam Springs Hospital Auxiliary and volunteered at the Manna Center in Siloam Springs. Pete married Hulen Anderson in 1947 in Albin, Wyoming. He was preceded in death by one brother, Marion Peters. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Hulen; two daughters, Kathy McAlister and husband Lou of Little Rock, Ark. and Melody Taylor and husband Craig of Siloam Springs; four grandsons; two step-grandchildren; three great grandchildren; three brothers, Paul Peters of Pampa, Texas, Max Peters of Greenfield, Missouri, and Jack Peters of Girard, Illinois; two sisters, Louise Peters of Mountain Grove, Missouri and Peggy Jones of Miami, Oklahoma; and one sister-in-law, Helen Peters.

Marion D. Trowbridge ’57 Marion D. Trowbridge ’57 of Bella Vista, Ark. died July 21, 2009, in Rog-

ers, Ark.. He was born on October 8, 1933 in Wildhorse, Colorado to Social William Trowbridge and Hattie Corene Martin Trowbridge. He graduated from Kingston High School in Kingston, Ark. He attended John Brown University for two years and later Glendale College in California. He married Cecelia Nemeck on September 18, 1955, in Burbank, Calif. He began working with I.T.T. in California retiring after 25 years; and then working for Remco making parts for the Patriot Missile, where he retired. He is survived by his wife, CeCe of Bella Vista, Arkansas; two sons, David Trowbridge of Mt. Vernon, Washington, Mark Trowbridge and wife, Susan of Bentonville, Arkansas; one daughter, Laura Poe and husband, Stan of Bentonville, Arkansas.

He is survived by one brother, three sisters, and five grandchildren.

Fred Fidel Weahkee ’51 Fred Fidel Weahkee ’51 passed away in Los Lunas, NM July 25, 2009. Fred was a full-blooded Pueblo Indian and was born September, 1926 and raised on the Indian reservation in New Mexico. Fred got saved when he attended JBU studying electrical engineering.

He had a career working all over the country as a field engineer in Civil Service for the Air Force. Fred also worked many years with the many Indian tribe bureaus in New Mexico. Fred fought in World War II in the Marines in the South Pacific. He was with the first Marines to arrive in Nagasaki 45 days after the atom bomb was dropped.

Charles J. Wilshire ‘68 Charles J. Wilshire ’68 passed away unexpectedly on November 28, 2009 at home from heart valve related issues.

He leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Patty (Curtis) Wilshire (attended JBU ’65-’67), daughter Kathryn Taylor, son Chad Wilshire (’95), their spouses and four grandchildren. Chuck grew up in

{ A L U M N I M I L E S TO N E S } rural central California. He spent four years in the Air Force before meeting a group of JBU students in Wyoming who were home during the summer of 1964. He accompanied them on their return to JBU and was enrolled that fall. He was a chemistry major at JBU and taught math and science for over 30 years in the public schools in Long Beach, CA. After retiring, he enjoyed his grandkids, made multiple trips to China where he participated in English Teacher Training programs, was an Area Director for Gideon’s International, and had ample time for his favorite “therapy” – rebuilding old British motorcycles.

Earl Duane VerHoeven ’70 Earl Duane VerHoeven ’70 from Siloam Springs died March 17, 2010.

Earl was born April 9, 1926, in Linton, ND. He was the son of Anthony and Zina Mae VerHoeven. He lived in Michigan as a teenager and joined the Army Air Corps after graduating from high school in 1944. He served for two years as a photographer and returned to Michigan before moving to California to study at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (Biola). While in Los Angeles he met and married Marcia Bair. In 1952, they relocated to Siloam Springs, where Earl became the building maintenance supervisor at John Brown University. He served in that capacity for 38 years and retired in 1990. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marcia, and three older siblings—George, Ann, and Clara. He is survived by four children, Judy Trook of Enid, OK; Jon VerHoeven and wife Teri of Springdale, AR; Rochelle Lloyd and husband Ted of Hemet, CA ; and Rick VerHoeven and wife Leah of Twin Falls, ID; ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

q

California Dorm Memorial Project

When John Brown Sr. needed a dorm for his new college, his friends and supporters living in the state of California raised all the money that was needed for students to live on campus.

Thus, “California Dorm” came to be.

JBU’s Alumni Board has voted to erect a memorial to the California Dorm.

JBU’s construction management department has already built a concrete replica of the “California” sign near the top of the “one hundred steps.” The eventual memorial will incorporate

the California sign, the original cornerstone, some of the bricks from the dorm itself, and a bronze plaque with an etched picture of the dorm.

The estimated cost of this project is $7,000, which would include landscaping and two benches looking out over the valley. (This project is not included in JBU’s Keeping Faith campaign.) The Alumni Board hopes to have this monument finished by the summer of ’10 in time for the unveiling at Homecoming in the fall.

Becker ’42 Walks 67 Years ‘Late’ On Dec. 19, 2009, Donald Becker of Enid, Okla., participated in commencement exercises at JBU—67 years late. Becker, a former business and accounting major at JBU, left college in August 1942 to volunteer for active duty in the U.S. Air Force and fight in WWII. Although he had one semester of coursework remaining, JBU waived that requirement and granted his degree. Because of basic training, Becker missed the commencement ceremony that December and privately received his diploma after he returned from the war. In 1939, Becker had also missed commencement at Goltry (Okla.) High School because he had the measles.

At JBU’s invitation, Becker participated as a graduating student and also delivered a few remarks to the class of 2009. JBU Chancellor John E. Brown

Becker and Chancellor Brown

Jr., who was a classmate of Becker’s, presented him with his diploma.

Becker was part of a group of nine students from Northwest Oklahoma who attended JBU on scholarships from Union Equity in Enid. After his service with the U.S. Air Force during World War II, Becker had a long and successful career at Union Equity, eventually becoming vice-president for public relations.

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A

{ A L U M N I M I L E S TO N E S }

E

C B F

D

FUTURE ALUMNI Brian ’03 and Stephanie Claus ’03 welcomed Corinthia Elise on Aug. 23, 2009.

She weighed 5 lbs and 11 oz and was 18 inches long. (A)

on Nov. 16, 2009. He weighed 7 lbs and 9 oz and was 20.25 inches long. (E) Mark Maines ‘99 is proud to announce the arrival, Eilee Sivann Maines. She was born on April 22, 2010 weighing 7.10 lbs and was 20 inches long. (F)

Tyler ’08 and Meagan Dees ’08 welcomed Roman Alexander on Feb. 26, 2010. He weighed 7 lbs 2 oz, and was 20.5 inches long. (B)

Tony ’93 and Christy ‘94 Lehew welcomed Katy Lehew to the family on March 26, 2010. She joins big sisters Kayla and Kara and brothers Kyle and Kaden. (No photo)

James Tyler Gill MBA ‘09 and Michelle Denise Gill ‘05 welcomed James Kaysen Gill

Matt ‘01 and Rachel Hartgrove welcomed their second daughter, Elizabeth Marcia,

on Feb. 1, 2010. She weighed 9 lbs, 10 oz and was 21 inches long. She was welcomed by her big sister, Hannah, who is 2 1/2 years old. (No photo) Chad ’97 and Stephanie ’97 Cunningham welcomed Alexis Joy on Nov. 9, 2009. She weighed 9 lbs and is little sister to Brianne, Alayna and William. (C) Ken ‘97 and Christy ’97 Leonhard are pleased to announce the arrival of Sarah born September 2009. She weighed 8 lbs and was 20 and 1/2 inches long. (D)

Register for AlumNet!

An informal, mini-JBU reunion in Northern Philippines: From left to right, John Young ’70, Gayle Tinnin Young ’69, Tad Wulliman ’71, Barbara Field Wulliman ’70 and David Geraldson ’70. Tad and Barbara Wulliman serve with the Summer Institute for Linguistics in the Northern Philippines. John and Gayle Young reside in Birmingham, Ala. where John is a corporate pilot and Gayle is retired. David Geraldson is retired and lives in Fallbrook, Calif.

The reunion occured while John, Gayle and David were in the Philippines and visited the Wulliman’s at their translation center. Their trip included a hike through the Banaue Rice Terraces about an hour’s drive north of the Wulliman’s residence.

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Find your alumni friends on JBU’s AlumNet. Just go to jbualumni.com.

There you can find updates and news from your JBU friends. Other services available include: • Get a @jbualumni.com e-mail address • Access the ProQuest research database • Sign up for JBU official events To sign up, just use your JBU student ID number or the unique code on the mailing label of this magazine.

Send your alumni news, wedding, births & obituaries to:

lroebuck@jbu.edu

with “Brown Bulletin News” in the subject line.

{ ONLINE }

Why You Should ‘Friend’ JBU on Facebook Interested in what’s going on at JBU? Check out our Facebook pages to keep up with the latest happenings! From JBU athletics to SIFE to the Soderquist Center, you can stay up to date with any news, learn about events and programs, and get connected with JBU community friends. “Friend” JBU today! Here is a sample of our Facebook pages: John Brown University facebook.com/JohnBrownUniversity Learn more about JBU’s news and events and view photos of the campus by friending the John Brown University Facebook page.

JBU Athletics facebook.com/jbuathletics The JBU Athletics Facebook page provides game scores, athletic press releases and photos from the games.

JBU SIFE facebook.com/jbu.sife Visit JBU SIFE’s Facebook page for the latest news and events or just to learn more about what SIFE is.

KLRC FM facebook.com/klrcfm Keep up with the latest ways KLRC is impacting the Northwest Arkansas community and interact with locals involved in the station’s initiatives.You can also view photos and video clips of recent events.

KLRC Morning Show facebook.com/theklrcmorningshow For more about the KLRC morning show and the events and stories they have, visit this Facebook Page.

MyPositiveEdge.Com facebook.com/MyPositiveEdge Check out the Facebook page for the Internet radio station offering Christian alternative music to Northwest Arkansas and beyond. The page links directly to the station, so you can begin listening now!

JBU has dozens of official Facebook pages, Twitter streams, Blogs and more. Get Social with JBU and find all our Social Media outlets at:

jbu.edu/socialmedia

Summer 2010 |

Brown Bulletin | 29

O

n April 9, students held a party to be thankful that the tuition they paid for the 2009-2010 school year does not cover the cost of their education. Work Study students from University Advancement planned the event.

The actual cost to educate each student at JBU for the 2009-2010 school year—for tuition, fees, room and board—was approximately $30,000. Each student (before scholarships) was charged approximately $26,000.

The nearly $4,000 difference that it costs to educate each student is paid by outside gifts to the university. Even a student who receives no financial aid benefits from this tuition “subsidy.”

The party focused on allowing students to say “Thank You” to those who see them as an important investment.

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Summer 2010 |

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{ F r o m t h e edi t o r — L ucas R o ebuc k ‘ 9 7 }

Why New Technology Won’t Change JBU

Director of University Communications Lucas Roebuck holds up Apple’s iPad — the one he wrote this column on.

No matter what the technology, JBU has always fundamentally achieved its mission in the same way: through personal, human relationships.

Editor’s Note: This column was adapted from a Board of Trustees presentation in April where Dr. Chip Pollard invited several JBU faculty and staff to offer their ideas of what JBU will be like in 2020.

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I love technology. Few things excite me as much as thinking about how we can integrate the latest I-gadget or social media Web widget into the fulfillment of our mission at JBU. In the last 90 years, new technology has changed nearly every aspect of human life. Technology is changing fast.

Consider this iPad I hold in my hand.

This $500 device has hundreds of thousands of times the processing power used to put man on the moon. The Apollo Program computers used thousands of transistors. Computers you buy at Walmart use hundreds of millions.

How does technology’s snowball acceleration impact what life will look like at JBU in 2020? Let me prognosticate.

Young people who are just beginning to feel God’s call on their life will congregate in grand centers of learning where they will be challenged and encouraged to engage the world as change agents for the love of their fellow man and the glory of God. The source of this challenge will come from the relationships with master teachers who not only possess a command knowledge in a vocational or academic discipline, but also spiritual maturity and a stalwart commitment to the integration of faith in all aspects of life. In short, I believe 2020 will look a lot like 2010 which looks a lot like 2000 which looks a lot like 1990... you get the idea.

No matter what the technology, JBU has always fundamentally achieved its mission in the same way: through personal, human relationships. As a JBU alum, I can tell you that the most important things I learned were not theology from Dr. Andrew Bowling, AP writing style from Professor Warner or even Western Civilization from Dr. Evil, er ... Dr. Ed Ericson. The most important thing I learned is why and how we must engage the world for Christ.

Which brings me back to technology.

I submit that perpetually changing technology affects JBU not in how we teach, nor why we teach, but simply what we teach.

JBU has always embraced technology and adapted our vocational curriculum accordingly. The founder was aware of the advantage of using technology, as his institutional history with radio makes apparent. Later our engineering program, then our digital media program, and now our renewable energy programs are all obvious ways how JBU has been on the leading edge of technology.

I suppose it’s short sighted to say how we teach won’t change because of technology. Obviously, it will change in a mechanical sense. The device I am writing this on, Apple’s iPad, will revolutionize how we consume our text materials.

But with the exception of edges of the JBU experience, the in-person human aspect of our educational process will not change. If the last 90 years of über tech is any precedent, the human touch has endured. I believe it will continue, because that is how God wired us, as relational beings with longing for in-person interaction. It’s a transcendent, immalleable reality that technology cannot alter.

I even think about our relationship with God.We have great comfort and power in our prayer and even the presence of the Holy Spirit. And yet even with all that, our relationship is incomplete.We long to be in his presence, to be with our Savior. In person.

Personal, in the flesh, relationships are part of God’s design. We certainly will see that in the coming decade distance learning and online courses may flourish, at the edges of our educational mission.

But no matter how awesome the technology is in 10 years or 100 years, I believe JBU at the core will always be a physical, personal place where students, faculty and staff have communion in fulfilling our mission to glorify Christ over all.

You’ve Got Questions....

We’ve Got Answers!

Visit www.jbu.edu/giving/answers to find solutions to your estate planning questions and to research creative ways to make charitable donations.

Learn more about: • Long-term financial goal planning • Bequests through wills and trusts • Creative ways to give • Tax-wise planning • Latest news on planned giving issues • Charitable gift annuities • Charitable remainder trusts • Endowment gifts

Featured Resources: • Plan by Life Stage: If you’re considering a gift to support John Brown University, how do you know which method of support is most beneficial to you and your family? The key is planning. Ready to get started? At JBU’s new website, you can learn what steps to take at your stage of life.

• Essentials: This page includes resources to create a successful will, how to fulfill your long-term financial goals, etc. It also gives you access to a glossary of terms that are commonly used in estate planning and gift planning.

• Ways to Give: Explore this section to discover new ways to make a gift that also take into consideration your personal circumstances and the needs of your heirs.

• Hot Topics: You can learn about new tax laws affecting your estate plan, new ways to show your charitable side, how to pass retirement plan assests on to your family, and flexible gift options. The articles are updated on a regular basis to provide you with the most current information.

• Give Online: The “Give Online” page provides JBU supporters with a secure way of making a donation online by credit card. To give a gift online, visit:

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Class

of

SAVE THE DATE

OctOber 8 & 9!

’60 fifty-year reunion, as well as reunions for ’65, ’70, ’75, ’80, ’85, ’90, ’95, ’00, & ’05 DeDiCations of the new Berry Performing arts Center anD Bill george arena PhilliPs, Craig anD Dean ConCert friDay night in Bill george arena sPeCial showCase PerformanCes in Berry Performing arts Center soCCer games, VolleyBall tournament, & rugBy matCh athletiC hall of fame inDuCtion Banquet seminars for teaCher eDuCation alumni KiDZone & muCh more! n

Building dedications

ig & D ea PhilliPs, Cra

KidZone

sports