2019 Midland Magazine by Midland University

M I D Lmagazine AND

100 YEARS AT HOME

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Randy Eikmeier, Chair Mark Fahleson, Vice Chair Steve Feye Pastor Peggy Hall, Secretary Dr. Ryan Hendrickson Mike Herre Roger Lambourn Ryan Taliaferro Tom Walker

L EA DER S HIP TE AM Jody Horner, President Jodi Benjamin, Vice President for Finance and Administration Dr. Lawrence Chatters, Vice President for Student Affairs David Gillespie, Athletic Director Jessica Janssen Wolford, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. Susan Kruml, Vice President for Academic Affairs Merritt Nelson, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing

E DITOR Brad Eberspacher

DES IGN BLK.59 Design Group

CONTRIBUTORS Kyle Thomas

MI D LA N D U N I V ERSIT Y Ofﬁce of Development 900 N Clarkson Fremont, NE 68025 alumni@midlandu.edu

Eric Taylor (’92) McCoy Worthington (‘10/’15)

Letter from the President Welcome to this edition of the Midland Magazine where we celebrate a century of calling Fremont, Nebraska home. Whether you knew this special place from your time at Midland College, Luther College, Midland Lutheran College, the Immanuel School of Nursing, or most recently, Midland University, this is an opportunity to celebrate our shared history as well as look forward to our shared future through a vision of being relentlessly relevant. As we look back and share memories from the past 100 years, I am reminded of the importance of having a “sense of place and belonging,” and what it means to call somewhere home. Consider what it must have felt like for the faculty members and administration back in 1919 when they made the difficult decision to relocate their beloved Midland College from Atchison, Kansas to Fremont, Nebraska. I’m sure that many were questioning the idea of a new home. Would they be welcomed in Fremont? How would their families adjust? Would the college sustain on this new campus, with new challenges, new students, and new unexplored horizons? These questions are very familiar to me, my husband Blair, and our family as we have relocated throughout the years, from: Minnesota to New York, to Kansas, to Minnesota, to California, to Utah, to Minnesota, to Kansas, and finally our relocation to Nebraska four years ago. Would this place become our home? Would we be welcomed? As Blair and I explored these and other questions, it was the sense of community, and the support for Midland, that first stood out to us. It was clear to us at that moment that this place, Fremont, Nebraska, and its people, have been and continue to be truly invested in the success of Midland and its students. It was clear that there was a long history, and like most histories, it was peppered with both good and challenging times. But the history of this place has consistently revolved around a community of people that throughout previous generations actively chose to give Midland, and Fremont by extension, the opportunity to become home to students from across the globe. As we look to the future of Midland, 100 years after that transformational move, we look forward to a bold vision of being “relentlessly relevant” and to a future that provides academic instruction and co-curricular opportunities through a new lens of innovation, relevant learning and dynamic experiences. And all the while, our Midland community continues to be grounded by our values and our mission to “inspire people to learn and lead in the world with purpose.” January 2019 marked the beginning of the public phase of our comprehensive campaign, aptly titled “With Purpose.” This $50 million campaign is the largest in Midland’s history. The “With Purpose” campaign has supported, and will continue to support, enhanced academic programs, improved facilities, and our area of greatest need – scholarships. There have been many highlights of our “With Purpose” campaign success thus far, including the naming of the Walker School of Education, opening of our new Omaha location, partnering with Methodist Fremont Health to bring a high fidelity simulation lab to the community, renovating of our dining hall and Eikmeier Commons, and the upcoming construction of the new Miller Hall. You’ll enjoy reading more about several of these in this issue. As we forge ahead into the future, we remain intentional, acting “with purpose,” so that future generations of students might continue to consider Midland their home. At the end of the day, what makes somewhere home is not the geography of the place, or even the physical nature of where you hang your hat, but it’s the culture, the collection of experiences that become memories, and the people that influence the surroundings, that start to shape an individual’s “sense of place and belonging.” Midland is proud to call Fremont home. Warm Regards,

Jody Horner President, Midland University

Letter from the President

Diversity Decades Apart

Miller Hall

Miller Hall Facts

100 Years at Home

O UR MISSION Midland University inspires people to learn and lead in the world with purpose.

O UR VI SION To provide relevant, innovative, and dynamic learning experiences for our students by working from the marketplace back to ensure their career readiness. We strive every day to be relentlessly relevant.

CO R E VALU ES Midland University is a liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We hold the following core values to be the foundation of our identity as a community:

Faith. Quality. Respect. Stewardship and Learning. Midland is an affirmative action, Title IX, equal opportunity institution.

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TABLE OF contents

Alex France

Midland 1:1

Teaching Through the Arts

Midland’s M.Ed

Connecting Through Community

Community Service

Sherri Harnisch

FO R M OR E INFOR M AT ION, V ISIT OU R W EBSITTable E: M ID AND U. E DU of LContents 5

Diversity Decades Apart G E N E RAT I O N -W I D E CON N ECT ION SH OWS M I D L A N D ’S AG E LESS QUA LIT IES When Dr. Lawrence Chatters ‘02 returned to Midland after almost two decades, he wondered if the campus’ best qualities had endured. On cue, a chance meeting at a Midland Kappa Phi event last fall solidified the truth. It was there that Dr. Chatters, fresh off being named Midland’s new Vice President for Student Affairs, ran into current student Marlando Sparks. Face to face, the pair shook hands and shared eerily similar stories. Through the encounter, a time-tested reality showed its face: even through nearly 20 years, the Midland campus still held a special feel and unique opportunities through diversity. “We’re decades apart,” Dr. Chatters explains, “but we still have similar stories.” As the pair went back and forth, striking similarity emerged. They had both come to Midland as African American men, attending college thousands of miles from their family. Both were accepted as Kappa Phi fraternity members, and both even signed on to dance among a minority class of men within a Midland dance squad. However, they soon saw they had a much deeper experience in common: they both benefited from a diverse campus and some steadfast university qualities. Dr. Chatters first came to Midland as an undergrad in the late 90s. His sister, Dr. Seria Chatters-Smith ’00, attended the college when he first arrived, but

soon after moving to Fremont, the rest of his family uprooted from Bellevue to Tampa, Florida. He says being from a minority background, with his family thousands of miles away, presented challenges. “It required a different level of buy-in for me to persist, because I didn’t have a chance to leave,” Dr. Chatters recalls. “It also provided me with an opportunity to do some additional things on the weekends.” Flash forward to 2016, and plenty had changed. The campus had a facelift, buildings like the Olson Student Center were completely renovated, social media and handheld video screens replaced payphones. However, Sparks faced the same dilemma Dr. Chatters once did. He wouldn’t be able to go home to Washington state on the weekends or for short holidays. He needed a place to belong. He says he knew after the first visit Midland would become a secondary home, and he knew the campus would fill that role right away. “I just fell in love with it when I did my tour,” recalls Sparks. “Fremont is small and very family-oriented. [People at Midland] just went out of their way to be friendly.” Unlike Sparks, that feeling of being “home” took some time to build for Dr. Chatters. Ultimately, however, he found it by taking advantage of diversity groups on campus and growing deep connections with students from a wide range of backgrounds.

Diversity Decades Apart

“Fortunately, my roommate was from Uzbekistan, and he couldn’t go home on the weekends either,” says Dr. Chatters. “Plus there were international students on campus from places like Japan, Tanzania, and Nigeria that were really close with each other. I think that smaller subset of people, their close relationships, as well as people from Nebraska and all over the country, is really what made it welcoming for me.” Those close-knit groups are a piece of Midland’s culture that has endured, according to Sparks. Just like Dr. Chatters of decades before, he says Midland has exposed him to new views, new ideas, and a wealth of perspective from around the world. “I’ve met people who are different races, different ethnicities, different everything,” Sparks says. “It’s a very, very diverse university, and I think it’s cool because it’s a huge melting pot. I feel like I wouldn’t have had the same experiences if I hadn’t met the people I’ve met here.” Still, even after locking into the community, like students today, an 18-year-old Dr. Chatters struggled to find a set direction. In his second semester, Dr.

Chatters says a different type of diversity helped set his course. It was a diversity of opportunity. “I worked in the cafeteria, there was the student center where there was recreational stuff we could do…I was really into academics, so I spent a lot of time in the Olson Center studying; and not everyone had a laptop, so we spent a lot of time in the computer lab,” he recalls. “Everything I needed was here on campus, which helped me continue to grow my second family.” Additionally, he found a connection through oncampus activities, like a student-run dance group called “The Midland Force” – a group his sister had started. “We formed this dance team and would perform in the cafeteria or a basketball game. It was really just for fun,” he explains. “It was something that was a natural fit for me at the time.” This natural love of dance is shared by both Dr. Chatters and Sparks. However, time has certainly changed this aspect of life for the newest generation at Midland. That student dance group was a small precursor to the regionally-known Midland dance team of today. Now, Sparks competes as an official NAIA and GPAC Championship varsity athlete. What’s more, Midland

“I WAS FO RTUNATE TO HAV E GRE AT M EN TOR S IN MY ADVISORS AND FACULTY THAT SET ME ON A P OSI TI V E TRAJ ECTO RY.” - DR. C HAT T ER S 8 Midland Magazine

University’s dance squad is now known for its regional dominance. The team has won the GPAC Conference Championship in the last six consecutive years, plus four regional championships, three NDA Championships, and two NAIA National Championships. Even though this team is highly competitive, Sparks says the team still embraces the creativity, expression, and ability for dance to communicate across different cultures – similar to the values cherished within Dr. Chatter’s group decades before. “Being able to be on stage and perform and make people feel different things is what is most powerful about dance,” explains Sparks. “There are a lot of people who use dance in the same way others may use speech. You can still express the same emotions through dance as someone can through speaking.” Yet, Dr. Chatters’ time as a student in the late 90s and early 2000s wasn’t without difficulties. At the time there weren’t many mentors who shared his experience as an ethnic minority on campus. Although he had to find his own way, he says the mentors he did have access to stepped up as leaders. “I was fortunate to have great mentors in my advisors and faculty that set me on a positive trajectory,” says Dr. Chatters. That trajectory was momentous. He went on to earn the Prauner Award, the top honor a graduating senior can earn at Midland, before graduating with a degree in psychology in 2002. From there, he went on to become a successful business owner, philanthropist who raised money for children’s medical research,

and leader in a variety of student-driven positions. At University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he served as Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator and in the UNL Women’s Center as the Men’s Program Coordinator. He also worked as an academic advisor, course instructor, and mental health counselor before earning a terminal degree as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services at Penn State. In January of 2019, he came back to Midland as the new Vice President for Student Affairs. His homecoming has brought his journey full circle, but his presence has also let him pay forward the mentorships of his own past. Sparks has seen his own success as a student-athlete at Midland. In 2018, he was named GPAC Dancer of the Year and to the All-GPAC Team, plus was dubbed an NAIA All-American. He says throughout his experience, he’s felt support from his coaches and advisors, as well as a whole tight-knit community. Truly, that’s an aspect of Midland’s culture that hit Dr. Chatters when he returned to campus for his homecoming last fall. “When I came back I got that same feeling of home and family. The fact that the faculty and staff are still very much student oriented, I just fell in love with it again,” he recalls. “I felt like this is where I belong and needed to be again to help that next generation of students.” Today, Midland is the most culturally diverse College or University campus of any size in Nebraska. And, through students like Sparks, he is meeting that next generation head on to ensure that each student finds their second home. Diversity Decades Apart

Miller Hall T H E I N S PI R I N G N A ME BEH IN D MID LA N D ’S N E W M I L L E R H ALL James Miller ’52 was killed in a car crash late one afternoon in 1962. As tragic as all unexpected deaths are, his hit the Fremont community especially hard. Still, despite being cut short, the legacy of James Miller, and his wife Donna, has carried on. And as powerful as his short life was, the Miller name has grown with time, inspiring, providing leadership, and giving students new opportunities to have their own Midland experience. When he reflects on his uncle’s memory, James’ nephew, Dean Olson, recalls how quickly James was able to impact the world around him. “He was only 30 when he died, and he had accomplished all of those things and established himself in the Fremont community already as a leader at a very young age,” says Olson. Even before finishing school at Midland in 1952, James excelled as a leader. At Midland he was a standout athlete, lettering four years as a basketball player. In fact, his athleticism came so naturally, he was able to join the Midland football team without playing organized high school football prior to college. He jumped at leadership opportunities in college, serving as class president, student council president, and president of the dormitory board.

He used his involvement and Midland education to springboard into Georgetown University’s law program. In fashion fitting to his legacy, he came back to Fremont after graduation, jumping into the community with both feet. “You would say he was a rising star in the community as a young professional, lawyer, and a businessman and community leader – all at a very young age,” recalls Olson. In Fremont, he immersed himself in leadership positions. In addition to practicing law, he was elected Justice of the Peace. He was later named President of the City Council and served as Vice President of the YMCA Board of Directors. In 1961 he was recognized as one of three outstanding young men of the year by Nebraska Junior Chamber of Commerce. With all of that, somehow, he also found time to teach. As an adjunct professor at Midland, he was known for his passion-driven ability to bring out the best in his students. His own enthusiasm was imprinted in his teaching style, and as he paced the classroom, striding athletically and sometimes waving his arms to express a point, he was admirably referred to as “Jungle Jim” by adoring students.

Miller Hall 11

At the same time, his wife, Donna, was leading the community as a teacher at Clarkson Elementary in Fremont. The pair was married in 1957, and they rapidly became prominent young leaders in the area.

“He was always there,” says Olson. “In one way or another as a guiding star, a mentor, like an older brother. I’m sure my decision to go to law school, the example he set, must have been a factor.”

Then, one Sunday afternoon in July, while driving near Valley, James and Donna’s car collided with a cattle truck. Jim was killed instantly.

Donna drew on the strength of James’ memory also. She overcame serious injuries from the car wreck herself. She pushed on, later earning her master’s degree in education. She moved to California and taught elementary children for nearly 30 years. Donna continued to lead children until her retirement in 1995. She passed away in Fremont last January at the age of 82.

Easily, the legacy of James and Donna Miller could have stopped there. It didn’t. Shortly after, a scholarship fund was set up in James’ name. The endowment grew and was given to students at Midland who wanted to pursue law careers. It would result in bright new chances for students in generations to come. For those who knew him, his legacy sprouted into inspiration. Through the scholarship and his memory, the Miller name became a beacon for young students who wanted to build careers in law. Likewise, for his nephew, the memory of his solidarity lit a path well after James’ untimely death.

A childhood neighbor of the pair, Dave Simmons, says their kindness and genuine interest was something special. He especially recalls Donna’s unique sincerity and caring nature. “She would be particularly nice to me and pay attention to me when I was running around,” he recalls. “And she was just a wonderful, wonderful neighbor and an adult who took interest in me as a boy.”

“H E WAS A LWAYS THE RE . I N O NE WAY OR A N OT H ER AS A GU IDIN G STA R, A MENTOR, LIKE AN OLDER BROTHER.” -DEAN OLSON

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People in her orbit say Donna had a knack for making people feel special, even through the smallest acts of kindness. Simmons says, even decades later, when she returned to Fremont, Donna showed her care by seeking him out and re-introducing herself.

bathroom, and private bedrooms. It will replicate the shape of the former Men’s Memorial Hall, but the new space will put a fresh focus on community, interaction, and connection. The co-ed, sophomore residence hall will feature new lounges, laundry rooms, and designated study rooms.

“They treated everybody with a high degree of care and interest, and I remember that because not all people are that way to precocious little boys,” says Simmons.

Fitting to the active, involved images James and Donna promoted through their lives, the building taking their name is part of an even broader, $50 million initiative to improve the Midland student experience.

Now, the pair’s legacy will continue to shine even brighter. Recently, decades since their first connection with the university, the two donated a generous gift to lay the foundation for Midland’s newest campus addition – a revamped, experiencecentered residence hall. In their honor, Midland has announced it will dedicate the new residence hall, Miller Hall, to honor James and Donna. The new Miller Hall will provide Midland students with nearly 100 beds and suite-style rooms – most of which are equipped with a kitchen, shared

Olson says he sees the naming of Miller Hall as a powerful tribute to James and Donna’s lives. “It just took my breath away, and I’m sure with all of the connections that Jim and our family had and have with Midland, I’m sure Jim would have reacted the same way,” Olson says, recalling first hearing of the naming of Miller Hall. “I was almost speechless.” Construction on Midland’s Miller Hall has begun, and is expected to be completed by fall of 2020.

Miller Hall 13

SUITE-STYLE LIVING 98 BEDS

within two and four bedroom suites

MAIN FLOOR

offering full kitchen facilities, living area, outdoor patio, meeting spaces and residence director suite

LAUNDRY FACILITIES on each floor

LOWER LEVEL to include a theater and small fitness center

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MILLER HALL FACTS

Braska Patterson Class & Major: Senior, Secondary English Education Hometown: Stanton, Nebraska Campus Activities: Cross Country, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Cardinal Key, Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, Student Education Association (SEA), Midland Honors Program, Bits of Flint

What is your dream job after graduation? To teach English at the high school level and to help coach a sport.

What is your favorite thing about your major? My favorite thing about my major is that I get to be creative, and I get to apply this creativity to my writing. I also love that I am able to work with students. Seeing their minds work in the classroom is a really cool experience.

Why did you choose Midland? I decided to attend Midland because of the relationship I was able to build with my cross country coach. I could tell that he was truly invested in me as a runner and as a student.

How has your experience at Midland changed you? My experience at Midland has changed me into a more outgoing person. Before college, I was very shy and quiet, and Midland has helped me ﬁnd my voice.

Student Miller Hall Spotlight Facts 15

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From the Archives: 100 years equals a lot of memories. Photos, scrapbooks, programs & more – enjoy a few of our favorites!

100 Years at Home 17

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100 Years at Home

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100 Years at Home 21

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100 Years at Home 23

Alex France A GUIDING HAND Alex France always had a dream of running for Midland University. Thanks to a guiding hand, the freshman from Millard North has been able to live out that dream. Despite suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, an eye disease that causes vision impairment, France has never stopped running. With the help of guide runner Tim Grundmayer, France’s cross country career has continued to flourish at the collegiate level. Retinitis pigmentosa has led to tunnel vision for France, a condition that has rendered him legally blind. “I describe it to people that if you took a picture and then distort it, that’s what I see,” France said. “There are a lot of variations and I’m pretty sure the kind I have is unique. I have blind spots and I can’t read.”

France first noticed trouble with his vision when he was in eighth grade. "I played basketball and I started having a hard time seeing the ball and was missing passes," he said. "My parents knew it was serious, so I went to get checked out. The first doctor I saw wasn't able to diagnose anything. So I went to see a specialist in Iowa City and that's where they confirmed it." Even with the diagnosis, France was still able to run on his own throughout his first three years at Millard North. But his vision would continue to decline and by the time he was a junior, he found himself running into objects like fire hydrants, trees and even cars (thankfully, not moving ones).

“I DESCRIBE IT TO PEOPLE THAT IF YOU TOOK A PICTURE AND TH E N D I STO RT I T, THAT’S WHAT I SEE.” -A L EX F RA N CE

Alex France 25

As he entered his senior year at Millard North, he knew he could no longer run alone. "Going into my senior year, I knew I was going to need a guide runner," he said. "I needed someone who could do my workouts with me.” Enter Grundmayer, himself an accomplished runner at both Gretna High School and Northwest Missouri State University. France's coach at Millard North, Emily Janda, put the word out that the school was looking for a guide runner. Grundmayer, who had just graduated from Northwest Missouri State, answered the call. "My mom worked in the Millard school district, so I had a little bit of familiarity," he said. "He needed a guide runner, and I'm a runner. Coach Janda called me before the first meet and said Alex is running no matter what, but he'd like to have you there." There was little time for introduction as France and Grundmayer formally met at the first race of France's senior season. "We connected at the first meet, we literally said hello and then had to race," France said.

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"I remember the first place I guided him to was the restroom," Grundmayer laughed. A bond was quickly formed on the course as France and Grundmayer, who would wear bright clothing to signify his role as a guide runner, were joined by a tether each runner would hold in his hand. France realizes he and Grundmayer stand out during each race, but he hasn’t been bothered by the extra attention his situation may garner. “I don’t mind the attention, I actually think it’s kind of cool,” France said. “I like it when people come up to talk to me after races.” Learning on the fly, the duo learned to rely on each other and determine each others tendencies as runners. "Being tethered causes us to react to things more quickly," Grundmayer said. "I had to learn how to react and not just think about myself, but be able to pay attention to more things and focus on what was ahead." France said a good portion of his senior year was spent learning how to work side-by-side with Grundmayer. "The starts were tough," he said. "I spent a lot of that year following him and kind of testing what was going to work."

The pair has developed an outstanding rapport over the last two years. Sometimes, to the point where it feels like they've been together for many years. "I always tell them they remind me of an old married couple," MU Coach Erich Whitemore said. "They kind of communicate through their own little language.” Even as his vision worsened, France never lost sight of his vision to run in college, and run at Midland University. “From the time I started to run, I knew I wanted to run in college,” France said. “When Whitemore came to talk to me, I knew I wanted to be here. He didn’t have to sell it too hard. My grandparents live in Fremont and it was always my dream to run at Midland. I never realized I would need the help of a guide runner to make that dream come true.” France was a key performer throughout the season for the Warriors and his value to the squad went well beyond the results. “He should be an inspiration to his teammates by the courage he shows each race,” Whitemore said. “But Alex isn’t just a blind runner. He’s a good runner. You would never be able to tell there’s anything different with him when you see his interaction with the team. He’s just another dude on the team.”

His first official race for the Warriors came during the Augustana Twilight race in Sioux Falls, S.D. “I have night blindness so that was probably the scariest meet I’ve ever run,” he said. “But once I got started, I felt pretty good and it was actually one of the better races I’ve ever run. I figured if I could do that, I could do anything.” He handles life in the classroom as well, thanks to the use of a voice-over iPad. He uses audio textbooks that he’s able to listen to at a rate of 640 words per minute. France doesn’t know what the future holds for him. He knows his eyesight will continue to get worse and that could lead to total blindness eventually. “I hope it balances off, but if it doesn’t, it doesn’t,” he said. “I’ll still keep doing what I do. The biggest thing for me is to accept it. This is my life and if it involves blindness, then blindness will be a part of me. There’s really nothing the doctors can do for me so as of now; they’ve told me to go live my life.”

“M Y G RA N DPA RE N TS L I V E I N F R E MO NT A ND I T WAS ALWAYS A DRE A M FOR ME TO RUN AT MI D L A ND. I NE V ER R EA LIZ E D I WOU L D N E E D T HE HE L P O F A G U I D E RUNNER TO MAK E TH E DRE A M CO ME T RUE .” -A L E X F RA NC E FOR MO RE IN FORMAT I O N, VI SI T O U R WE BSI TE : M ID L AND U. ED U

Alex France 27

Midland 1:1 THE DRIVE BEHIND MIDLAND’S DIGITAL CAMPUS When Dr. Courtney Wilder, Professor of Religion, first started teaching at Midland, Apple’s iPhone had been on the market for less than one year. Today, her students live on smart devices, heads buried in everything from small smart phones to laptops. And this rapid digital transformation hasn’t been lost on university leaders. In fact, Midland is meeting change head-on. In the next two years, the university will boot up innovative, digital-friendly programs. This will include the Midland 1:1 program. It will also include a new academic core, and a cutting-edge, campuswide learning initiative for success in this digital age. “I'm constantly amazed by how quickly my students adapt to new technology,” remarks Dr. Wilder, “and I'm struck by how many of our students balance multiple roles - students, athletes, performing arts participants, volunteers, employees, family members, friends. Building an academic core

experience that supports students as they use their experiences from all areas of their life to enrich their academic pursuits has been really exciting.” Earlier this year, Midland announced it would give each student an Apple iPad as part of a new Midland 1:1 initiative. Beginning in the fall of 2019, full-time undergrads will all get Apple iPads and an Apple Pencil at no cost. It's expected to unify learning resources, level the playing field for all students, and open classrooms to new possibilities. With the new Midland 1:1 program, classrooms like Wilder’s will be prepped for digital learning. That means no more squinting at the small print on phones or glitches from competing software programs. It means the whole campus’ digital learning capabilities will suddenly come together. Everyone will be on the same operating system, trained in the same devices, and mission-focused.

“I’ M CO N STA N TLY AMAZE D BY HOW Q UI C KLY M Y ST U DEN TS ADAPT TO NEW TECHNOLOGY.” - DR. COURTNEY WILDER

Midland 1:1 29

For a campus that’s as active as Midland’s, that unification could be a guiding star. It makes learning mobile. That's handy for students who participate in 32 varsity sports, a robust performing arts department, and countless campus clubs and activities. It will also put valuable tools in the hands of all students, regardless of their financial circumstances. All of a sudden, students who were once limited to a pen and paper will have their own digital learning devices by their sides. “Students were really excited, and particularly the students who can’t afford to assist themselves with the latest cutting edge technology,” explains Dr. Wilder. “Especially for students who maybe don’t have a lot of family resources, who are self-supporting or are non-traditional students, for them to have this kind of access to technology that their peers might have already, it’s really exciting for them.” As impactful as it’s expected to be, the Midland 1:1 program will run alongside an even deeper strategic vision. It’s a vision propelled by what leadership is calling its DRIVE Model.

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The DRIVE Model will focus on five underlying goals: digital fluency, research and critical thinking, innovation, vocation and leadership, and engagement and expression. As a result, the university plans to use this new initiative to set students up for success long after graduation. That means reaching into Midland’s active student body and tight-knit residential community. The DRIVE Model’s umbrella is designed to hover over the whole of Midland’s studentcentered experience, but soon it will spark big upgrades in the classroom. In the fall of 2020, Midland will launch a key piece to this new model: a new DRIVE academic core. Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Susan Kruml says this new core is designed with the endgame in mind. It looks at student success in a world postgraduation and builds curriculum for that outcome. “Our approach is forward thinking and flexible, both hallmarks for Midland University, as well as being marketplace back, as we design approaches and programs that are ‘relentlessly relevant,’” says Kruml.

The new academic core will push digital literacy, but it’s expected to revamp the classroom experience drastically in other ways too. Dr. Wilder, who cochaired the task force that created the Academic Core Experience, says it will mean more choices and an emphasis on hands-on opportunities. “We'll see increased opportunity for students to select courses that interest them, and new courses and updated course design addressing the DRIVE goals,” explains Dr. Wilder. “Students will also have an increased number of touch points along the path to graduation where they will prepare themselves for future employment and other educational pursuits.” Many of those “touch points” will include things like internships, capstone projects, and critical thinking initiatives. It will open students up to more support, especially through key skills like writing. Perhaps most fitting for the new digital world, the core will bring a personalized approach to quantitative literacy. That means students will learn to filter the flood of data, news, journals, and web materials that's constantly streaming in. Better yet, they'll learn to analyze it, and use it effectively. In addition to setting up students for success, the DRIVE Model is expected to help university leaders as well. United under a common set of goals,

FOR MO RE IN FORMAT I O N, VI SI T O U R WE BSI TE : M ID L AND U. ED U

faculty, staff, coaches, and advisors will have a clear path to pave for students. Dr. Wilder says lining up the academic core and learning initiatives in all of Midland’s campus-wide opportunities is an exciting concept. “I'm really excited to have a clear, unified set of goals for students across the campus,” says Dr. Wilder. “We are an educational institution first and foremost, so recognizing the value of our students' other activities as meaningful learning opportunities is really valuable to them.” Fittingly, the Midland 1:1 initiative goes hand-in-hand with this new DRIVE Model and this vision for an interconnected campus. Still, the Midland 1:1 program provides even more than iPads. In addition to handing iPads to students, the university’s new initiatives also include investments in classrooms, common spaces, Apple TVs, and the launch of a Midland app. With these new resources, the DRIVE Model aims to guide students to a life-changing campus experience and future success. Midland University will launch its Midland 1:1 initiative in the fall of 2019. It plans to implement its DRIVE-inspired academic core in the fall of 2020.

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MIDLAND VS. BRIAR CLIFF Hall of Fame Awards • Alumni Awards • Reunions

Jonathan Quintanilla Class & Major: Junior, Business Administration-Management Hometown: Emporia, Kansas Campus Activities: Track and Field, Phi Beta Lambda, Blue Key

What is your favorite thing about your major? Having a degree in business can open many doors across different types of industries. Plus, my late uncle was a successful businessman, so I strive to be just as great as he was.

What do you think of Midland’s Faculty & Staff? The faculty and staff are what make Midland great. My professors strive to help me prepare for the real world, and they do everything they can to achieve that.

How has your experience at Midland changed you? Midland has signiﬁcantly increased my work-ethic and focus. Also, as an introvert, I’ve learned to open up more through the opportunities I have been given to lead and speak to others.

Why did you choose Midland? Midland offered me a track and ﬁeld scholarship and my sister lived in Fremont. I saw it as a great opportunity to compete at the college level and convenient for having a family member nearby. Student Spotlight 33

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Teaching Through the Arts PERFORMING ARTS STUDIO PROVIDES COMMUNITY YOUTH WITH ARTS EDUCATION EXPERIENCES “Hands-on experience” is a phrase that is heard often in the Performing Arts programs at Midland. Outside of their daily academic load, Music Education and Arts Management majors whisk away to internships, check into rehearsals, travel to practicum observations, clock in work-study hours, and schedule event planning meetings. But now, they have one more opportunity to boost their resume. The Midland Performing Arts Studio began its inaugural classes in the fall of 2018. Classes in theatre, dance, and private lessons in instrumental and vocal music and dance are offered to local youth ages five and up. But these classes are not taught by the faculty at Midland. They are taught by current Midland students. “We are a major hub for the arts in our community,” said Director of Performing Arts, Anne SorensenWang. “We have a responsibility to foster artistic expression and experience in our students, and also the Fremont area.” Midland students work under the guidance of a performing arts director as they create curriculum and plan lessons. Through donations to the Performing Arts Society (www.midlandu.edu/pas), the directors of the Performing Arts Studio are beginning to create scholarship funds for youth in the area that might not be able to afford classes.

“Our goal is to offer children in Fremont, who might not have access to performing arts classes or private lessons, a chance to explore the arts in a safe and affordable environment. Performing arts education is often a luxury, and we want to create a place where all children, regardless of their background or situation, have the chance to experience the joy of the arts. Not to mention, this gives our Midland students a chance to practice the skills they’ll need after graduation” said Sorenson-Wang. While Midland gives students the academic foundation they need to succeed as educators, there are many additional skills and experiences that students must have to be truly prepared to lead a classroom. “We don’t just want our students to be certified to teach, we want them to have as much experience as possible before their first day on the job. We believe we can give our students a better chance to get hired immediately if they have the credentials plus experience teaching private lessons, working with show choirs, directing musical theatre, choreographing, writing marching band drill, and conducting. It’s those ‘hands-on experiences’ that set our graduates apart” said Sorenson-Wang. For more information about the Midland Performing Arts Studio, visit midlandperformingartsstudio.org

Teaching Through the Arts 35

Midland’s M.Ed R E F R ES H E D M . Ed P ROVID ES N EW LEA D ERSH IP O PP O RT U N I T I ES Thanks to the Master of Education program through Midland University, teachers are able to gain further education beyond their own classrooms. Midland is the only institution in the state that offers teachers the opportunity to prepare to become a National Board Certified Teacher. It’s a program that Dr. Sue Evanich, professor with Midland University’s Walker School of Education, believes offers great value for teachers. “Being a certified teacher is not a requirement, but it is the pinnacle of performance for a teacher,” Evanich said. “It’s giving these teachers an opportunity to do something that will impact students.” Through the two-year program, there is also a Principal Endorsement that is offered where teachers can gain increased knowledge of the classroom with the goal of potentially becoming an

administrator. Currently, 31 teachers are going through the Master of Education program, 20 hoping to gain teacher certification and 11 more in the principalship. “Both groups go through the same leadership programs in the first year, then they can pick their certification from there,” Evanich said. Midland University has formed a partnership with Omaha Public Schools (OPS) to get teachers involved in the program. Thanks to a grant from the Sherwood Foundation, everything but the cost of the books is covered for teachers interested in going through the program. Evanich says the partnership is a great start in getting more teachers involved in wanting to become certified. “I applaud OPS for encouraging those teachers to become part of this program,” Evanich said. “It’s a five-year grant and we’re hoping to get 18-20 teachers in the program through OPS. It’s the first year in the partnership and our longrange goal is to get more districts involved.”

“I APP L AU D O PS FO R E NCO URAGI NG TH OSE T EACH ER S TO B ECO ME PA RT O F THI S P RO GRAM.” - D R. SU E EVA N ICH

Midland’s M.Ed 37

Nebraska is lagging behind other states when it comes to National Board Certified teachers and Evanich believes this program and partnership will be vital in seeing that dynamic change. “Nebraska is 47th among states in the number of certified teachers so we’re really lacking,” she said. “But I think some of that is that we don’t offer the support other states offer. We’ve talked with the state Department of Education to figure out what we need to do. I think Nebraska is really missing out not having more National Board Certified teachers.” Christina Warner, Staff Development Coordinator for OPS, said that having more certified teachers is beneficial to both OPS and the teachers. “Increasing skills and knowledge while working in education is paramount to becoming a successful teacher,” she said. “The needs of students are an ever changing dynamic and teachers must always strive to improve teaching methods and subject area knowledge. Supporting teachers in earning advanced degrees works toward the stated objective in the OPS Strategic Plan to insure a highly qualified teacher is in every classroom."

The school district also benefits from an increased level of commitment to OPS from teachers and paraprofessionals completing programs at Midland University. Teachers benefit from completing programs at Midland by increased earnings after degree completion and the enhancement of skills needed in the everyday work of education. About 75 to 80 percent of the program can be completed online, according to Evanich, and she added that two face-to-face-meetings take place every eight weeks. Evanich said two years of teaching experience is required to join the program. “We’ve found that the success is higher for those teachers who have at least two years of experience,” she said. “It’s not an easy program and there is a great deal of work. It’s a process that involves exams and a lot of writing and research. Not every teacher is cut out for it. It takes people who are interested and passionate about teaching.” Once a teacher has gone through the program, they then push to qualify through the National Board to gain their certification. Evanich compares it to a lawyer attempting to pass a bar exam.

“TH E N E EDS O F STUDE NTS ARE AN E VER CH A N GIN G DY N A M IC A N D TEACH E R S M UST ALWAYS STRI V E TO IM PROVE T EACH IN G M ET H ODS A N D SU BJ ECT AR E A K NOWLE DGE .” - CH R IST IN A WA R N ER

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Evanich said going through the program carries great value for all involved. “It’s as much about the process as it is the outcome,” she said. “Even if those teachers don’t get certified, they will see their academics improve. If they don’t get certified the first time, we will continue to support them for an additional year while they prepare to resubmit.” Evanich has seen first-hand the success teachers can have in the classroom after gaining certification. Before her tenure at Midland, she spent many years in the Nebraska Public School System. “I was a middle school principal and I hired the first certified teacher in Nebraska,” she said. “I saw the difference in how it impacts students. Two decades of research has shown us that the academic gain for a certified teacher is greater than their counterparts. It is a proven, effective method to raise student achievement.” Warner said the partnership has been a success on multiple levels. “It allows for a broader array of support opportunities for teachers working on advanced degrees,” Warner says. “Teachers must consider many factors when deciding to pursue a

Master’s Degree. Family, teaching work load, and time and effort required to earn the degree are just a few of the important considerations teachers must make in deciding to move into an advanced degree program. Midland provides a flexible structure to class delivery and schedule. “Another valuable support is the cohort model utilized in the program. This structure allows teacher/students to develop close relationships with peers,” said Evanich. “Part of these peer relationships is the development of a support systems among program participants. Working with the same individuals throughout a course of study can have a huge effect on the success of candidates.” Evanich is hopeful that more districts will follow the lead of OPS and integrate more teachers into this invaluable program. “OPS recognizes the importance of this and wants to do more for children,” she said. “Whether it’s through us, or on their own, we want teachers and administrators to recognize the value of being a National Board Certified teacher.”

“ WH E T H E R IT ’S THROUG H US, OR ON THEIR OWN , WE WAN T T E ACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS TO R ECO GN IZE T HE VALUE OF BEING A NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHER.” - DR. SUE EVANICH FOR MO RE IN FORMAT I O N, VI SI T O U R WE BSI TE : M ID L AND U. ED U

Midland’s M.Ed 39

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Connecting Through Community M I D L A N D ST U D EN T-AT H LET ES DA N C E TO S U CC ESS T H RO U GH COMMUN IT Y ACT ION When Katie Speicher, Midland’s Director of Dance, first arrived at Midland, she had already seen the power of community interaction first-hand. As a leader for the Young Americans International Outreach Tour, she worked on a volunteer basis, guiding hundreds of workshops, directing performances, and reaching more than 20,000 students worldwide. Now, at Midland University, the lessons she learned are being passed on through the Midland dance team, and they’re radiating throughout the community. “By giving of yourself to others, it allows you to get a new perspective on performing, and it opens your perception of what your community is,” Speicher explains. “It allows us to connect with our audience and develop a deeper relationship with them.” This year alone, the Midland dance team will spend more than 300 hours volunteering at events including Alzheimer’s Walks, Omaha Dance Teachers’ Workshop, Salvation Army bell ringing, and a summer Safe Kids event. They will also perform at Omaha’s Open Door Mission and at Nye Square, an assisted living facility in Fremont.

Why has the team, already busy with a packed schedule of classwork, performances and competitions, decided to take on so many community outreach projects? Speicher says it’s all about building lasting character in student-athletes while strengthening the community. “I want all of my students to have a positive and meaningful experience outside of just dance,” she says. “So, it’s not just about dance training and performing, but also providing them opportunities to become wellrounded individuals and make sure they’re learning compassion and organization and that community aspect of being able to work with one another.” One especially impactful outreach event was this year’s November visit to Fremont’s Nye Square. As a team, the Midland dance program put on performances and played games with residents. Since many student-athletes plan to go on to careers in nursing and healthcare, the volunteer event served dually beneficial. The fun-filled program was centered around joy, interaction, and the love of dance. At several points, residents even participated by getting up and dancing with the team.

“BY GI V I N G O F YO UR S E LF TO OTHE R S I T A L LOWS YOU TO GET A NE W P E R SP ECTI V E O N P E RFO RMI NG, A N D IT OPEN S YOU R P ERCE PTI O N O F WHAT YO UR CO MMUNIT Y IS. ” - KAT IE SPEICH ER

Connecting Through Community 41

While the types of events do vary, the majority of the dance team’s outreach is done through dance workshops and performances. Students are put in charge of creating routines and executing those performances. Speicher’s teams have put on clinics, seminars, and dance courses in Nebraska and throughout the United States. She says these events let her student-athletes learn through hands-on practice. “I kind of throw them to the wolves,” she says. “They’re in charge of the whole thing, including the choreography and taking notes. They’re truly the teachers and organizers of these events. It’s a great leadership opportunity for these students.” These seminars are set up to help student-athletes learn to lead, organize, and give. However, they also help students put down roots for future career opportunities. They help students practice leading through dance before graduation and starting their careers. “Some of the Midland student-athletes are aspiring professional dancers, and others may want to own a studio or manage a dance team one day,” she says. “I coach but I let them choreograph each piece and create formations and staging. With that not only comes creative leadership but it also comes with organization, time management, and how to manage your peers and manage people who are older than you,” she says. “It’s really developing those leadership skills and the assurance that they can lead with confidence.”

Speicher is quick to point out that the majority of her student-athletes don’t have plans to enter dance-centered careers. For those students, she says giving back to others helps build life-skills and uncovers the power of community. “My goal is that they take these skills they’ve learned in the dance program into their career,” she says. “I want them to be great leaders that also show great compassion throughout the rest of their lives.” In addition to building character, Speicher also says their volunteer work helps the team build comradery, trust, and a support network. “We really truly are a family here at Midland, and our dancers, they do everything together,” she says. “That’s one thing that helps us perform well. We are so connected, and we do care about each other. That care shows in every one of our performances.” That family feel has contributed to a wealth of success for the dance team in recent years. Midland’s squad recently won its sixth consecutive Great Plains Athletic Conference Championship, and the young program won the NAIA National Championship in 2017 and again in 2019. The Midland dance team is made up of several tracks, including game day performance, athletic competitions, recreational dance, and company programs. For more information about the dance program, visit www.midlandperformingarts.org/dance or contact Coach Katie Speicher directly at speicher@midlandu.edu.

“I WANT THEM TO BE GREAT LEADERS THAT ALSO SHOW GREAT COMPASSION T H RO U G H O UT THE R EST O F THE I R L IVES.” - KAT IE SPEICH ER

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“ YOU M U ST B E T HE C HA NG E YO U WI S H TO S E E IN T HE WO R L D ”

Mahatma Ghandii A Midland education isn’t just about success in the classroom or in competition. It’s about learning how to become change makers within our families and communities. Each year, Midland students, faculty, and staff spend thousands of hours volunteering at organizations throughout Fremont and surrounding communities. With a wide variety of projects from Habitat for Humanity and the United Way, Omaha City Mission, and even teaching kids throughout the community, Midland strives to be a part of change in our communities.

7,418

# OF VOLUNTEER HOURS

1,300 # OF VOLUNTEERS

141,980 $ IMPACT IN COMMUNITY

Community Service 43

Sherri Harnisch D E V E LO PI N G L I VES T H ROUGH P H OTOGRA P H Y Her photography has touched countless people and has been featured on massive stages, but Sherri (Lee) Harnisch ’02 says her career was something she fell into. Fittingly, this same pattern has radiated throughout her life. Time and time again, the photographer has taken hold of both challenges and triumphs, dipped them in optimism, shaken them off, and let the brilliance of life develop and shine. “I love the art of weaving words and images together to tell a story,” says Harnisch. “In doing so, I find myself digging deeper, seeing things more clearly, from fresh new perspectives, always searching for the beauty in life.” Harnisch graduated from Midland with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in 2002. After graduation, she worked in everything from media sales and advertising to media planning and the worship arts. Then, one fateful Christmas her husband bought her a camera, and she started reminding herself of the skills she once learned in college. “In an effort to get the most use out of it, I quickly re-familiarized myself with those manual settings,” she recalls.

After rediscovering her rhythm and capturing moments of her first daughter’s childhood, fate struck again. Her second daughter, Macy, was born. She says it was after Macy’s birth that her passion for photography was truly re-sparked. Macy was born with Down Syndrome, and Harnisch says her daughter inspired her in an instant. “From that moment on, I wanted the world to see people with disabilities in the best light, from all perspectives, and through a non-discriminating lens,” she explains. She started taking photos and posting her projects online. Soon after, people began asking for her to take photos for them. “In an effort to share our new journey of navigating this world of special needs, I found myself finding the beauty in the most unexpected, every day, ordinary things,” she recalls. “I enjoyed taking and sharing these images on my blog, and all of a sudden people started asking me to take pictures of them.” As demand started growing around her, she decided it was time to set up her own business.

“I FO U N D MYSE L F FI NDI NG THE BE AUTY IN T H E M OST U NEXP ECTED, EV E RY DAY, O RDI NARY T H IN GS.” Sherri Harnisch 45

The result was Sherri Harnisch Picture Taker – an on-location and in-studio professional photography service. Now, after nearly a decade, she spends her days bringing out the best in a variety of clients.

Looking back, she says she cherishes the relationships she built at Midland and the “small feel” of campus, noting the guidance professors gave her within the journalism department.

“I enjoy capturing images of families, high school seniors, newborns, and children,” she says. “My clients have come to appreciate that I can accommodate their photographic needs regardless of Mother Nature’s given mood, year-round.”

“I am grateful for my journalism professor, Doug McCallister, for being the first teacher who truly believed in me,” she says. “He saw potential and encouraged me to pursue broadcast journalism more seriously.”

Even though her photography career was sparked spontaneously, she didn’t enter it ill-prepared. In college at Midland, Harnisch grew her skills through both knowledge and experience. She was a producer for Midland’s MLC on the Air program and spent hours practicing photography.

She says the practical classroom experience and latest technology at Midland helped her prepare for success after college.

“I especially learned so much in my film and black and white photography classes,” she says. “I truly appreciated having to learn the history and fine art of film photography. I spent a lot of time – making many mistakes – in the dark room, learning the ins and outs of creating photographic images from start to finish.”

“I loved and learned so much through the handson, television news program,” she says. “As students, we were trusted with the journalism department’s high-end video cameras, up-to-date computer technology, state-of-the-art studio spaces, cutting-edge editing equipment and industry-standard software.”

“MY CL I E N TS HAV E CO ME TO AP P REC IAT E T H AT I CA N ACCOM M ODAT E TH E I R P H OTOGRAP HI C NE E DS R EGA R DL ESS OF M OT H ER N AT U R E’S G I V E N MO O D, YE AR -RO UND.”

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As she worked within the program, her life was also changed through the relationships she built at Midland. At the top of those experiences was one particular night during her sophomore year at the PiEp and Kappa Phi St. Patty’s Celebration at Kennard Auditorium. It was here she met her husband of 19 years, Joe. Today, the duo has two children, and Harnisch says she enjoys photographing both of them. However, her second daughter, Macy, inspired her to fight for the rights of all people. As a Past-President of the Board for Down Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands, Harnisch has helped countless individuals with Down Syndrome and their families. She’s an active advocate. She fights for new legislation, promotes education, and is building support networks across the region. Truly, her compassion has reached masses in grandiose fashion. Since 2011, her work has been featured four times as part of a National Down Syndrome Society video featuring larger-than-life photos to promote the value and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome in Times Square.

What’s more, her actions are pouring into nation-wide legislation. She’s frequented Washington, D.C., in recent years to fight for reforms and update laws. One major piece of legislation she has championed was the ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Act, which eased financial strains on people with disabilities and opened the door to financial freedoms. Still, as she fights to help those with disabilities reach their full potential, Harnisch continues bringing out the best in all people every day through her photography. She says she sees it as a fulfilling endeavor and a chance to help highlight the beauty in life. “I am so grateful and feel wonderfully blessed to have this opportunity,” she says. “Photography brings my heart joy and truly fills my bucket to no end.” Harnisch lives in Elkhorn with her husband, Joe, and two children, McKenzie and Macy. More information about Harnisch and her business can be found at sherriharnischpicturetaker.com.

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