NCUMagazine The Magazine of North Central University
GRAND FINALE
CELEBRATING LARRY BACH’S 41-YEAR CAREER Spring 2022 | 1
NCU Magazine Spring 2022 North Central University Senior Leadership Team Scott Hagan, Ph.D. President Tim Hager, D.Min. VP, Operations & Business Bethany (Nelson ’11) Harshbarger, M.A. VP, Enrollment & Student Development Jason Wenschlag, Ed.D. VP, Academic Affairs Joshua Edmon, M.A. AVP, Spiritual Life/ Dean, Multicultural Engagement Desirée (Bontrager ’06) Libengood, Ed.D. AVP, Academic Affairs/ Dean, College of Arts & Sciences Jeremy Williamson ’09, M.A. AVP, Student Life/Dean of Students Editorial Nancy Zugschwert, ’19 M.A., Editor Chloe Eckstein, Lead Designer Tracey Finck, M.A., Proofreader Photography Rodrigo de Mendoza ’20, Lead Photographer Chloe Eckstein Unless noted, photos are by NCU Marketing Contributors Nathan Droege ’19 Tabby (Wilson ’89) Finton Erica Hanson ’13 Judy (Oftedahl ’77) Jones Michael Knipe ’19 Sophia Ramberg ’23 Aimee (Perrin ’97) Robertson Bill Tibbetts, MBA Rachelle (Poppema ’14) Waldon, M.L.I.S. Contact Marketing and Communications communications@northcentral.edu 612.343.5005
VISIT NORTHCENTRAL.EDU/MASTERS
Alumni Relations alumni@northcentral.edu 612.343.4743 Admissions admissions@northcentral.edu 800.289.6222 NCU Magazine is produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications and distributed free of charge to alumni, donors, and friends of North Central University. NCU Mission North Central University is a dynamic Christian learning community educating students for lives of service throughout society, the marketplace, and the church. In keeping with its Pentecostal heritage and mission, NCU models and expects excellence in both academic practice and Christian faith. See more at northcentral.edu/about/mission Copyright © 2022 North Central University All Rights Reserved
2 | NCU Magazine
On the cover and below: Larry Bach, M.M., conducts the NCU Chorale, 120+ alumni singers, and orchestra at his farewell concert on April 5. Bach is retiring after nearly 41 years at North Central.
IN THIS ISSUE NEWS 5 » Burgin elected Student Body President Give Day 2022 is one for the books 6 » Daily chapel continues as cornerstone of student experience 8 » New staff, faculty roles 9 » Academic highlights 10 » Online education: Setting the course, expanding our reach
ATHLETICS 13 » A game changer: eSports launches at NCU 14 » Making history: Women’s basketball 15 » New Athletic Director Michael Knipe
FEATURES 16 18 22 25 26
» » » » »
Legendary Larry A legacy of influence and impact A time for honor: Alumni reflections Protégé and biggest fan Passing the baton
ALUMNI 28 » Alumni updates 30 » Faithfully forward
To view additional photos of NCU events and happenings, scan the QR code or visit northcentraluniversity. pixieset.com Spring 2022 | 3
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT In full disclosure, I’m glad COVID postponed the retirement of Larry Bach. Sometimes a delay ends up orchestrating a more precise and timely outcome. Delays can also uniquely curate and crystalize historic moments of honor so that their effect is broadened. This past semester North Central University celebrated the 41-year career of Larry Bach. The twoday celebration, highlighted in this issue, convened over 120 former alumni from all over the country. The energy and optimism they brought with them revitalized a weary campus. It’s no secret that the past two years have required supernatural amounts of focus and energy as NCU navigated both COVID and social unrest in Minneapolis. The honoring of Larry Bach was right on time. Every aspect was a beautiful (and educational) expression of Christ’s kingdom. Over the last 41 years, Larry Bach has demonstrated a steady and stellar career as a servant leader. Effective servant leadership is a combination of your motor and your motive. It takes an equal mix of energy and expertise to become great at what you do. Servant leadership is about being thoughtful, focused, and trustworthy. It’s about kindness and passion, willingness to take risks, and going where no others dare. Larry Bach has embodied all these traits. There’s a reciprocal and beautiful concurrence when age and youth gradually develop a free and unbiased bond. The college setting is a wonderful incubator of this truth. When stories from the proven life are wedded together with the aspirations and dreams of the promising life, an irresistible community of nostalgia and wonder forms. One of my favorite writers, Shann Ferch, envisioned this quintessential communal outcome this way: “To engage well as generations is to evoke in others a sense of their own best potential.” Larry Bach engaged well with an ever-changing youth culture. Whether it was in the 1980s, the 1990s, or the new millennium, Larry Bach never lost his relevancy or his anointing. I’ve noticed that older leaders commonly place a high value on honor. Younger leaders place a much higher value on energy. Honor and energy are best served, however, as a collective force. Truly successful servant leaders like Larry Bach not only lead with care and vision, but they welcome the synergies of honor and energy. A big part of Larry’s success has been his ability to address and mitigate the pedestals and loopholes of leadership, opportunity, and self-meaning that naturally come with a life of public success. For 41 years, Larry Bach never embarrassed this great university, nor brought reproach to the Church he loved.
4 | NCU Magazine
On behalf of former Presidents Don Argue and Gordon Anderson, we are deeply thankful for Larry’s consistency and faithfulness. Let this issue inspire you to go the distance, run with joy, and lead like Larry.
DEREK BURGIN ELECTED STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT By Nathan Droege ’19
Derek Burgin has been named Student Body President of North Central University for the 2022–23 school year. Burgin, a sophomore and Interdisciplinary Studies major, is also North Central’s first George Floyd scholarship recipient. He will begin his term in the fall with junior Kaylie Crabtree as Student Body Vice President. Burgin became open to pursuing the key student-leadership role after peers encouraged him to step up. It’s the latest leadership experience in a succession of opportunities throughout high school and college. At his home church in Illinois, Burgin started by being “voluntold” for leadership roles by family members who worked at the church. “My cousin is the youth pastor, another cousin is the worship leader, another cousin is the head pastor, and my grandparents are elders,” said Burgin. Equipped by this heritage and by a steady stream of leadership experiences, Burgin discovered natural skills and is
eager to serve the North Central student body. Building up the student population is a core value for Burgin, and he also wants to prioritize efforts to increase unity on campus. “We’ve been talking about being unified for the past year, and we’ve seen a little bit of it progress, but we really want to … push [unity] even more,” he said. Receiving the George Floyd scholarship has been a rewarding mix: both “fun” and “unreal,” and he sees student leadership as a way to reciprocate what he’s been given. Burgin said that giving back is a central part of his and Crabtree’s motivation to lead the student body. “We think that this best represents what Christ wants us to do,” he said, and wants the students they lead to know, “We love you guys; we’re here for you.” The George Floyd Memorial Scholarship was initiated in 2020 by President Scott Hagan. You can read more of Derek Burgin’s story at northcentral.edu/derek Nathan Droege ’19 is Assistant Dean of Housing and Student Development.
GIVE DAY 2022 IS ONE FOR THE BOOKS North Central University’s annual GIVE DAY on March 10 and 11 raised $63,575 to renovate the second floor of the TJ Jones Library. The donations from 289 alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of the university were augmented by generous matching funds from an anonymous donor, setting new GIVE DAY records for participation and money raised. The beloved TJ Jones Library is a 108-year-old building that serves as the academic epicenter of North Central University. The remodel will preserve the elegance and grandeur of the neighborhood icon and, at the same time, create updated, upgraded, state-of-the-art library spaces on
the second floor. In addition to the generosity from GIVE DAY donors, the high-density shelving needed to house the second-floor collection is being donated to NCU by Colorado Christian University (CCU). The library staff is thrilled about the project and the NCU community’s support for the library. The Facilities Management crew is overseeing the renovations and began the project in late March, with completion anticipated by the time students return for fall semester. Find renovation progress updates on our social media channels throughout the summer. Spring 2022 | 5
DAILY CHAPEL CONTINUES AS CORNERSTONE OF STUDENT EXPERIENCE By Sophia Ramberg ’23
Imagine walking into the sanctuary at your school for chapel and seeing three giant ladders set up on the stage. You may be as confused as I was when I arrived that day and heard Mike Burnette, the pastor at LifePoint Church in Clarksville, Tennessee, preach on loving the ladder that you have. Burnette’s message encouraged us to be content with the responsibilities that we have instead of envying those with responsibilities at a higher level. As students, we were challenged with the question, “What am I doing with what I’ve been given?” To this day, Pastor Burnette’s sermon has stuck in my head and heart as words of conviction and encouragement. 6 | NCU Magazine
Daily chapel has been a part of North Central University’s culture since the founding of the institution in 1930. It continues to create an atmosphere of community and faith for students, faculty, and staff alike. Chapel is an important time for students to be intentional with their faith and spend time with the Lord in the midst of a busy week. Jonah Spadgenske, a senior pursuing his degree in Youth, Children, and Family Ministries, appreciates the influence that a daily chapel has had in his life. The opportunity to experience a community inside of a spiritual atmosphere was one of the reasons that he chose NCU. He enjoys being able to connect with the worship and his faith in both an academic and community setting. His favorite chapel experience this year was communion with Dr. Vinnie Zarletti, Dean of the College of Fine Arts.
NCU daily chapel includes music led by Worship Live. In addition to recording a number of original songs each year, music videos are filmed during chapel to share the NCU worship experience through digital media. Visit Spotify to listen, or scan the code above to see NCU’s worship videos on YouTube.
Chapel is a place in which students can both learn from and be poured into by leaders from around the country. Fayth Roos, a junior Elementary Education major, stated how unique of an experience chapel really is. She remarked on how edifying it is to hear from speakers across the country as well as leaders from within the NCU community who truly care and pour back into students. Roos recalls the sermon that Martha Tennison, the Moen Chair, shared with the student body. “Part of the reason that she is such a good speaker is that she knows how to tell stories,” Roos said. “When you are sitting there, it does not feel like another Bible lecture.” Roos admires the contagious joy that Martha Tennison, a crowd favorite, brings with her teachings.
The closer I get to graduation, the more I appreciate chapel as an opportunity to have space and time to spend with Jesus in my everyday life. The ability to build community, worship, and learn from people willing to pour back into students is something I wish I had not taken for granted in my first couple of years here. Being able to worship as a school is an experience that helps North Central University to stand out. Chapel has become a part of the school’s legacy and will continue to leave a lasting impact upon the hearts and minds of students, faculty, and staff alike throughout the years to come. Sophia Ramberg ’23 is a junior Marketing major and Communications Assistant for the Office of Marketing and Communications. Spring 2022 | 7
NEW STAFF, FACULTY ROLES
Aimee Robertson
Bill Tibbetts
Melissa Gear, M.S. (Photo not available) Executive Director of Digital Education Melissa Gear holds a master’s degree in Educational Technology from Northern Arizona University and a B.S. in Mathematics from Ottawa University. She previously served as Dean of Academic Affairs at Carrington College and the Art Institute of California and has been Director of Course Development at North Central University since 2019. Her repertoire also includes opening new schools, spearheading teacher training programs, online and classroom training, and experience in K-12 public, private, charter, forprofit, and nonprofit institutions. She has experience with programmatic and university accreditation, project management, process improvement, and data analytics. Aimee Robertson Executive Director of Academic Partners Aimee (Perrin ’97) Robertson takes on this new role after serving since 2018 as the Executive Director of Advancement. At NCU, Robertson has worked in Academic Affairs, PSEO, Alumni Relations, and Institutional Advancement, and she served 10 years at Augustana Care in Elliot Park. She is also an adjunct faculty member with the College of Business and Technology. Robertson holds a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from NCU.
WORK AT NORTH CENTRAL Scan the QR code to explore opportunities to help shape the next generation of Spirit-empowered leaders.
8 | NCU Magazine
Rachel Wendorf Bill Tibbetts, MBA Dean of the College of Business and Technology and Digital Education Bill Tibbetts is in the dissertation phase toward his Ph.D. at Grand Canyon University. He earned an MBA from Regent University and holds a B.S. in Business/Corporate Communications and Journalism from Purdue University. He has been at NCU since 2008 and has served as Dean of the College of Business and Technology since 2014. The recent addition of Digital Education to Tibbetts’ portfolio includes oversight of online learning, academic partnerships, and program development. He will serve on the Deans’ Council and New Academic Programs Committee to deliver the strategic plan for digital education. Rachel Wendorf Executive Director of One Stop Rachel (Eiden ’07) Wendorf is a North Central University College of Business and Technology graduate. In her new role, she will work with Student Financial Services and the Office of the Registrar to create an integrated customer service experience for on-campus, online, and graduate students. Wendorf worked most recently at St. Catherine University as a Business Analyst and worked as the and Director of Student Accounts at North Central (2007–2019).
ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS NOTABLE ACTIVITIES OF NCU FACULTY
Jeff Deyo
Colin Miller
Neely Tamminga
Steve Tebbs
Jeff Deyo (School of Worship Arts) released his second book, “Spark: A comprehensive worship leadership handbook: Igniting the culture of pure worship in your teams and your congregation” (Worship City Ministries 2021) in November. “Spark” is a Scripture-rich, Holy Spirit-inspired tool to help worship leaders touch a hurting world by developing and sustaining an authentic, vibrant, Christ-following, Spirit-led community of believers. Deyo encourages readers to be the spark within their teams and their congregation to establish genuine love for God and for each other. (Source: Amazon.com) Colin Miller, M.A.R. (School of Technology), works with his students in IT courses to build and donate computers to local nonprofit organizations. The donated computers provide help for area students and their families by providing access to technology.
Shawn Sauve
Shawn Sauve, MBA, MATS (College of Business and Technology), collaborated this year with a dozen nonprofit organizational executives who lead organizations that provide human service assistance in the Twin Cities. This collaboration focused on research into nonprofit organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Sauve also regularly represents North Central in high schools, presenting about college and career preparation. Neely Tamminga, MBA (College of Business and Technology), co-founder of DISTILL (distilladvisory. com) celebrated five years since launching her specialized research advisory firm which provides guidance and insights about consumer behavior, all through an economic lens. Steve Tebbs, M.S. (Sports Management), was hired by the National Basketball Association (NBA) as the Courtside Administrator. The CA position is the liaison between the game referees and the replay center in Secaucus, New Jersey. NBA Referees consult with the NBA Replay Center based on 15 instant replay triggers monitored throughout a game. Spring 2022 | 9
10 | NCU Magazine
ONLINE EDUCATION: SETTING THE COURSE, EXPANDING OUR REACH By Bill Tibbetts, MBA Dean of the College of Business and Technology and Digital Education
One of North Central University’s strategic initiatives for academic quality is to provide innovative programming, further our mission, and meet market demand. Under this overarching goal, the plan states, “Create robust growth and investment in online and graduate education by launching new academic programming.” I’m excited about this initiative, and earlier this year, I applied and was appointed Dean of Digital education to bolster online and digital education at NCU. I am still serving as Dean of the College of Business and Technology (COBAT) and adding the digital component to my portfolio of responsibilities. There were several factors I considered when deciding to take this on. First, the digital team is made up of incredibly seasoned and dedicated teammates, so I knew we would collectively be able to carry the responsibility. Second, our COBAT team was willing to step up to assist in covering areas that are normally my responsibility, allowing me to include digital in my workload. Finally, I am in the dissertation stage for my Doctor of Business Administration in Organizational Studies from Grand Canyon University. I am thrilled to apply the extensive knowledge I’ve gained through this advanced education, and as a result of my dissertation, I’ve come into this role with a very clear sense of what the future of NCU online education could look like. While there is no magic bullet for North Central’s future success, our senior leaders are enthusiastic about our direction and the possibilities digital education affords.
TEAM SUPPORT Online programming at NCU and the team supporting online students are positioned on an excellent trajectory for growth. Our core leaders Melissa Gear, M.S., Executive Director of Digital Education, and Sharon (Decker ’99) Kuntz, M.A., Program Director and Academic Coach, have played key roles in advancing online education Spring 2022 | 11
amid leadership transitions in this area and the impact of the pandemic over the past two years. Our online graduate program support comes from Nicole Morgan, Associate Director and Academic Coach of the College of Graduate and Professional Education. With the digital leadership team in place, we are also adjusting the organizational chart within the digital space to better reflect demand and future growth.
LEARNING PLATFORM AND DEGREES One development in the digital sphere at NCU is the learning management software (LMS) transition. We are moving from Moodle to Canvas in spring 2023. NCU’s current LMS, Moodle, has been used by NCU for about a decade, but it has not evolved as quickly as online education practices. Canvas is being broadly adopted LMS because it is more intuitive for users. Harvard University recently transitioned its colleges over to this LMS. The user experience with Canvas will be a night-and-day difference for our students and faculty. North Central currently offers six online undergraduate degrees, and three more will launch in fall 2022*: • AA Church Leadership • BS Business Administration • BS Church Leadership • BS Digital Media • BS Humanitarian Leadership • BS YCF Ministry • BS Sports Management* • BS Marketing* • BS Biblical & Theological Studies* NCU’s graduate program offers the following degrees online: • Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership, three tracks: F Business Administration F Church Leadership F Worship Arts • Master of Arts in Biblical Theology, three tracks: F Biblical Languages F Old Testament F New Testament 12 | NCU Magazine
In the coming months and years, we plan to expand online programming for both undergrad and graduate students, as well as introduce new certificate programs.
GROWING PARTNERSHIPS A cornerstone for online education is the Academic Partners program. NCU currently partners with churches across the U.S. to offer the online Christian college experience through discounted degree programs. We are developing new mission-aligned partners that can be ambassadors for the NCU brand. We are working to evolve the partner concept in a few ways: • Focusing on procuring partners across various sectors, including churches, nonprofits, and businesses • Creating a community within and among all partners • Providing exceptional service, support, and direction. Ultimately, we want to add value to what our partners are already accomplishing Our team focusing on expanding and supporting academic partnerships includes Executive Director of Academic Partners Aimee (Perrin ’97) Robertson and Director of Academic Partners Jeff Grenell, M.A.
BUILDING ON HISTORY AND STRENGTH People ask me, “Do you think we are too late to the online education game?” I answer with an emphatic, “NO!” Online education is a highpotential platform for taking the best of what we are already doing and developing innovative means of education. We are building on NCU’s history and strength as a residential institution to bring that to the digital space—Godcentered relational commitment and academically excellent Christian education. With a powerful mission to stand on, our team in place, and an LMS that provides a stable platform for growth, North Central is poised to make significant strides in online education for the foreseeable future.
There is a new varsity team coming to North Central University in fall 2022: eSports. Through the North Central Rams Varsity eSports team, students have the opportunity to play video games competitively with teams across the country. NCU’s varsity eSports team is the first of its kind in the Twin Cities, offering student athletes the chance to engage in competitive online gaming* while also earning a degree. Student athletes will have a coach and the opportunity to apply for scholarships. The first college eSports program in the nation was launched in 2014. Since then, more than 200 colleges have added eSports program to their varsity sports offerings. While the growth is significant, it is still a small representation when considering the thousands of colleges and universities across the country. Being an early entrant into the eSports arena in Minnesota is a key factor in North Central’s decision to launch a program at this time.
GOOD FIT FOR THE MISSION Before starting the program, Director of Athletics, Recreation and Wellness Michael Knipe ’19 and his staff did extensive research and concluded that eSports could flourish at North Central. “We see eSports as a fit with North Central’s mission,” Knipe said. He pointed out that NCU’s focus on creating Christian leaders means that students who are active in an activity that is predominant in youth culture will now have a place to combine their faith with their love of gaming.
Launching the program with a state-of-the-art gaming arena and embedding a strong work ethic in the new student athletes will be key to the program’s success, according to Knipe. “By offering a structure and framework for gaming in the context of the academic experience,” Knipe explained, “we will be able to help eSports athletes to develop holistically. Time spent gaming will be structured and balanced with the same accountability we provide for all student athletes, such as weekly grade checks, team spiritual activities, and connections with coaches.” Athletes in the eSports program will receive coaching and instruction in nutrition, health habits such as sleep, and how these factors contribute to mental agility. Vice President of Academic Affairs Jason Wenschlag, Ed.D., sees several ways Christian liberal arts education can support students who engage in online gaming. “A career in electronic gaming can develop in many ways, beyond playing and competing for prizes,” Wenschlag said. “Students may participate on the marketing side, maybe through computer science and programming, or as an entrepreneur or operations specialist. Regardless of the role, as with any vocation, a Christian liberal arts education can provide those in the electronic gaming industry with the knowledge, wisdom, and faith formation needed to maximize their talents and do great work, love and serve people well, and reflect God’s character in all they do.” Learn more at northcentral.edu/esports *The term “gaming,” as referenced in conjunction with North Central’s eSports program, refers to video games that are played in a highly organized competitive environment and does not involve gambling of any kind. Spring 2022 | 13
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM CAPTURES FIRST-EVER UMAC TITLE By Sophia Ramberg ’23 hen the North Central University women’s basketball team won the UMAC championship and progressed to the NCAA DIII National Tournament, it was a dream come true and a historic moment for the school. Hannah Grubbs, a senior journalism major and Rams guard, described the night as a surreal experience for the team.
14 | NCU Magazine
Grubbs grew up watching March Madness, never once imagining that she would be a part of the D3 level. Being able to see the names of her team members on the big TV screen, traveling, and playing in a packed gymnasium only added to the memorability and wonder of this event. After gaining a steady momentum at the start of the season, COVID forced the Rams to slow down and reprioritize their team goals and strategies for the remaining games. They focused a lot of time and energy on trusting both the process on the court and their teammates. Communication became the key, especially in a packed gym. “We had to be steady and realize that if they score or go on a run, it’s okay; we’ll bounce back,” stated Grubbs. The women’s basketball team did just that. This season not only boasted NCU’s first-ever UMAC Tournament Championship title, but the longest winning streak, the best winning percentage, and the most UMAC wins. Behind the team and these statistics is sevenyear veteran Head Coach Paul Brunner ’14, ’22 M.A. “We tried all season long to be intentional with our mission as a Christ-centered basketball program that develops champions and graduates leaders,” Brunner said. “For us, this means it’s less about how we play and more about who we desire to become—as athletes, students, leaders, and people.”
NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR MICHAEL KNIPE FOCUSES ON PASSION AND PROGRESS M ichael Knipe ’19 has been named Director of Athletics, Recreation, and Wellness. Knipe previously served as Interim Director and has been with the department in many different roles throughout the past four years, including Director of Athletic Communications and Head Coach for Track and Cross Country. He has also served in the Office of the Registrar. He serves on the Finance Committee of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) in his new role. Knipe also serves in the United States Army Reserve and finished a year-long deployment overseas in August. Before NCU, he coached football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. Knipe is completing an MBA from the University of Northwestern – St. Paul. He started his undergraduate work at Trinity and completed his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from NCU. Knipe is an innovator committed to advance the university through athletics and is the driving force behind the introduction of eSports, NCU’s latest varsity sport coming this fall. (See page 13.) “I am excited to continue the major progress made on this campus over the years,” Knipe said. “We will be dedicated to continuing to develop passionate champions of excellence in athletics and in life as we build leaders for God’s Kingdom.” He emphasized a commitment to a “we over me” attitude throughout all of athletics at NCU.
Brunner said the team never stated a specific goal to win the UMAC but instead focused all their energy and effort on becoming the type of people that would be able to accomplish things we desired. “We often used the phrase, ‘Who we become is far more important than what we achieve,’” Brunner said. “The ‘who’ our players became is what I am most proud of as I reflect on this season.” Despite being historic and exhilarating, the end of the season was bittersweet for Grubbs and the other upper-class students. Seven seniors played their last season and said farewell to the court. Grubbs remarked that the upperclassman put in hard work and extra time, pushing towards success and UMAC Championship because they would only have that chance once. “Most people don’t recognize what goes into having a historic season like this,” Brunner said, “and the students deserve all of the credit. This season was so special for our program because we felt embraced by the entire university, and we always felt like we were a part of something much bigger than just ourselves. As we talked as a team after the season, we all agreed that trophies are cool, but relationships are cooler.”
BATTING IN STYLE A generous foundation grant provided for a major upgrade to the batting cages used by NCU Rams softball and baseball teams. With Minnesota’s slow-to-arrive spring, the cages play an important role in the teams’ practice regimen. Head Baseball Coach David Babcock expressed gratitude for the project, saying, “We could not be more grateful for the donations made to upgrade our baseball and softball facility. During my time here, God has continued to bless our program. After everything He has done for us, it is only right that we give Him our best, and that is what we are doing thanks to the generosity of all our donors.” Spring 2022 | 15
By Nancy Zugschwert, ’19 M.A. arry Bach and his wife, Jerilyn, came to Minnesota from Pennsylvania. Not having grown up in the Assemblies of God (AG), Larry was leading music at an AG church but had never heard of North Central Bible College until he met Rick Olson ’75 at a Pennsylvania youth camp. Larry was leading music for the camp, and Rick was there in his role as the AG National Youth Director. They both loved sports, Rick loved the music Larry was doing, and they became friends. Because Rick traveled nationally for his job, the administration at North Central reached out to the alumnus when they needed to fill a role in the Music Department. Larry recalled that Rick told them, “I know somebody nobody knows,” and gave them Larry’s name. 16 | NCU Magazine
The Bachs moved to Minneapolis, and their North Central story officially began in August 1981.
Larry received a call from Don Meyer, Ph.D., who oversaw Academic Affairs at North Central at the time, and later became president of Valley Forge Christian College. Larry, who was 27 years old at the time, recalled asking Dr. Meyer, “Do you know how old I am?” Meyer said, “Yes. But you came highly recommended by Rick Olson … we’d love for you to come out.” However, it wasn’t just Olson’s recommendation that helped Larry snag the job. David Owen was a North Central faculty member who had previously served at the church where Jerilyn grew up, and it happened that he was on the search committee when Larry came to interview. “I’ll never forget this,” Larry said, “because, at the end of the interview, the chair of the committee said, ‘Well, Brother Owen, do you have any questions you would like to ask Brother Bach?’ (because that’s how everybody spoke back then). And [Owen] said, ‘I have no questions, but I will say this: Any man smart enough to marry Jerilyn Sorbo is smart enough to teach in this college.’”
In the nearly 41 years since their arrival, Larry has served as an instructor, conductor, professor, chair, and dean. He has led or provided oversight to the worship experience in daily chapel throughout his tenure. Until her retirement in 2021, Jerilyn also served at North Central in many capacities, from support staff to faculty member in the Education Department. To say that Larry Bach has left his mark on North Central University would be an understatement, and chronicling his influence is no small task. The visual and textual snapshots of “the Larry Bach years,” like a photo album, include stories and images—markers that remind us of shared experiences. However, the complete story can only be told in the hearts and memories of those whose lives have been touched by the 41-year career of Legendary Larry. Photos in this section are from North Central yearbooks, NCU Magazine, Marketing and Communications photo archives, and the Chorale concert on April 5. Spring 2022 | 17
A LEGACY OF INFLUENCE AND IMPACT TRAINER OF PSALMISTS Anyone who has worked with Larry Bach knows he is a man with ideas—lots and lots of ideas. But Larry is also a doer who knows how to work with people to make things happen. In an interview in 2018, Larry recalled the genesis of many changes that transpired under his leadership. “Dr. Don Argue was the president when I came to North Central, and when he left, I distinctly remember sitting down with our new president, 18 | NCU Magazine
Dr. Gordon Anderson. At that time, we had one music degree, Church Music. I told Dr. Anderson there were a lot of things that I thought we could potentially do: We could get into recordings, we could be writing new music, we could be teaching our students to be psalmists for the next generation; we could have a recording studio, and we could be teaching people how to do recordings. I had all these ideas! I thought, ‘Well, I’m either going to do these things here or go in a different direction.’ And I remember this conversation with Dr. Anderson, and he said, ‘I don’t see why we can’t do that.’ Nothing happens overnight, but from those early nineties until today, every single thing that we talked about has happened.” The implementation of Larry Bach’s ideas over time has had a tremendous impact on North Central and people all over the world. In one area alone— worship—the creation of Worship Live teams has led to hundreds of recordings and hundreds of churches singing NCU music. Under Larry’s leadership, thousands of students have gone out from North Central to serve in music and ministry careers around the globe. Indeed, North Central continues to create psalmists for the next generation.
CHANGEMAKER To prepare the next generation of psalmists, Larry realized North Central needed to change the music and format of daily chapel services. Larry was the song leader for chapel in his early years, and the only instruments they used were piano and sometimes organ. Outside of North Central, churches were starting to expand their worship music to include contemporary songs and utilize a broader range of instruments. Larry wanted to do this in chapel but had a significant obstacle: all of the faculty were required to sit on the stage for chapel, and there was no room for instruments like guitars or drums. “For me to do worship the way I knew we needed to do it—with a full band and singers and monitors and with a high level of excellence—meant that all the faculty had to get off the platform,” Larry recalled, “and that was no little thing.”
But for Larry Bach, where there’s a will, there’s a way. He approached Gordon Anderson at the beginning of his first year as president and said, “You know, I can make you such a popular president! Tell all the faculty that they no longer have to sit on the platform and tell them it’s my fault. If anybody complains to you, you can just say, ‘You know … those musicians!’” The faculty moved off the stage, and the instruments and band members moved on. “That was definitely a pivotal moment,” Larry said. Although he had been considering pursuing other options, such as conducting, classical music, or professional singing, the chapel change caused him to believe he could accomplish everything he had envisioned for the school. “That was the time I thought: I’ll probably be here my entire career.”
RECRUITER AND FUNDRAISER One of Larry Bach’s most significant contributions to North Central may not be musical but monetary. He is a North Central ambassador wherever he goes and is relentless in recruiting students and raising funds. Under his leadership, the music program grew from approximately 15 majors to nearly 150 today. Larry knows how to raise money—and he doesn’t mind asking for funds whenever there’s a need. There are not sufficient records to point to all the dollars that have come into North Central through Larry’s words, the presence of student musicians or actors at events, concerts, fundraising events, camps, and more. Larry leaves a truly lasting legacy for the College of Fine Arts as he retires: The Fine Arts Endowment. “The biggest thing of all that I took on in fundraising,” Larry said, “was the dream that I felt came directly from God about starting an endowment for the College of Fine Arts 11 years ago.” Bach’s ultimate goal is for the endowment to reach $1 million, and as of May 2022, it is getting close, with Larry’s latest “pitch” at the 2021 Christmas concert resulting in moving the needle toward the $700,000 mark. It was fitting that the first expenditure Spring 2022 | 19
funded by the endowment was the commissioning of an original piece by composer Michael John Trotta, which North Central debuted at Bach’s farewell concert on April 5.
CONDUCTOR AND COACH For much of his career at NCU, Larry Bach could be spotted in the gym almost as much as in the choir room. “Early on, I loved sports,” Larry said. “All the athletic directors were my best friends. I spent almost every afternoon in the gym, played with the basketball team, hung out with the basketball coaches throughout the ’80s and ’90s.” Larry also coached the golf and tennis teams and became a United States Professional Tennis Association tennis pro. He still plays golf and tennis regularly—something he plans to continue in retirement. Larry recalled when NCU had a “really good faculty basketball team. The five of us would play the North Central Varsity team with refs and the student body. The students would fill the gym and root against us. It was so fun.” Playing on the faculty basketball team led to an injury his former students still talk about. “My favorite Larry story,” said Gina Zarletti ’05, “is when he walked into Chorale one day after he had broken his pinky playing basketball. The top part of his pinky was sticking out in the other direction, and is still doing that because he told us if he put it back in place, he would lose the movement. So he kept it the way that it is.”
GRAND REUNION As a leader, Larry Bach often stands in front of the crowd or walks the road ahead, but he knows that his success was never due to himself alone. “I want to thank all the great professors who have been part of the College of Fine Arts. We’ve had incredible part-time people who have come and taught their instrument or taught voice and many full-time faculty over the years.” Larry reflected. “And I’m just so grateful for all those people’s lives that have intersected. We have just had great faculty, and then I think of nearly 41 years of students, and it’s just amazing.”
20 | NCU Magazine
Larry has a particularly soft spot in his heart for all the students who have been part of the North Central Chorale. “The one class I’ve done from the day I got here is Chorale. I have had hundreds and hundreds of the alums over the years, and the time I’ve spent with them—and the fact that I still intersect with so many of them—I just can’t be thankful enough.” Judging by the presence of more than 120 alumni on campus to sing under Bach for his grand-finale concert on April 5, the feelings are mutual. For three days that included rehearsals, banquets, and the performance itself, stories of Bach’s influence were part of every conversation. Larry and Jerilyn have impacted generations.
NO UNFINISHED BUSINESS Larry Bach originally planned to retire in 2020, but COVID affected this goal for two years in a row. Bach stayed on at the request of President Scott Hagan, but the time has come, at last, to say goodbye. Larry is leaving with a heart of gratitude, no regrets, and a sense that he has left nothing undone. “I don’t know that there are a lot of people that can say that in their life,” Bach reflected. “And I think that’s why I’ll probably always be grateful to have had this career. So yes, I might have had to argue. I might have had to … you know … have a few ‘come-to-Jesus’ times. But there’s always that give and take, and in the end, as I look back, there’s not one thing that I really wanted to do that I didn’t get to do. I feel like I have no unfinished business and feel so great about that.”
Spring 2022 | 21
A TIME FOR HONOR NCU ALUMNI SHARE THEIR FAVORITE LARRY BACH STORIES By Nathan Droege ’19 NCU is a university full of fixtures— from the skyline views to the chapel altar, from the Miller Hall entrance to the book spines lining library shelves, constants are something we take for granted. But there are a few things, and a few people, that have gone on to surpass the “fixture” status and become practically inevitable, and Larry Bach has become so much a part of North Central and the College of Fine Arts that his retirement seems almost impossible. Bach’s final concert and alumni choir gathering was all about honoring his impressive legacy and was a chance to recognize a lifetime of inspiration, leadership, and progress. Gathering four decades of alumni together provided the perfect opportunity to spotlight what Larry Bach offered to his many students—his innovation, encouragement, and excellence. Few of us sang under Larry for more than a few years, but somehow, we all took away so much from his leadership. As you read the following reflections and stories from alumni who submitted stories or sand in the final concert, perhaps it will spark a favorite memory of you singing with, learning from, or working alongside one of NCU’s favorite constants—Larry Bach.
22 | NCU Magazine
Todd Marshall ’85 “I probably should have never made Chorale in the first place. My freshman year was Larry’s first year. I tried out first semester and did not make it. Then I tried out the second semester. Didn’t hear from him. As we were walking through the hallway between classes with a bunch of people, I was walking beside Larry. I’m like, ‘So am I in?’ And he looks at me, like, ‘All right, come on.’” Briana Manzari ’22 (December) “When I was a freshman, I was in Festival Choir and Larry was just so mad because there were so many people that were skipping choir that day. He chewed out the whole choir. And somebody posted it on social media and was like, ‘You guys better come to choir.’ And a lot of my friends who skipped choir that day saw it and they were terrified. So they didn’t miss choir for the rest of the semester.” Karalynn (Johnson ’08) Hemmer “I teach piano now and will frequently use the tools that Larry gave me in Chorale to be able to explain to my students how to bring color into their music, how to turn them into sounds and how to turn them into pictures, because of how he explained things. I’m able to use the things that he taught in vocal music to transfer to piano and to everything else.” Connie (Kyllonen ’86) Hammer “I was in One Accord, the small group. Larry was quite concerned that we were stiff and unemotional while we were singing, and he couldn’t get it in our head. So we were on the chapel stage and we had a rehearsal and he said, ‘I’m fed up. You guys are stiff as boards.’ So he went to the back of the chapel and said, ‘Now, look. When I walk in the back door, I am Jesus, and Jesus is walking in the room. And I wanna know how would you respond to that?’ So he walks in the room, and we all kind of snicker. And he said, ‘I’m Jesus!! If Jesus is in the room, what are you gonna do? You can’t do nothing because that changes everything!’ “And so he’s like dancing and demonstrative. And he’s saying, ‘Everything changed. Jesus walked in a room, show it, show it, show it!’ “I still come into worship experiences where Larry Bach is in my head saying, ‘If Jesus walked in the room, how would you respond?’”
Joe McLaughlin ’17 “On our Ireland tour, the day we flew into Ireland, Larry had told all of us we needed to stay awake until seven o’clock that night, so we wouldn’t get jetlagged. But we needed to be on the bus at a specific time the next morning. And he said, ‘If you are late—and I have left students—we will leave without you. So all of us get on the bus the next morning and who are the two people that are late? Larry and Josh [Tompkins]. We gave him garbage, but it was all in fun, because he made such a big deal the day before, ‘You gotta make sure you’re on the bus and in your seat on time.’ And he and Josh were late.” Kristi (Shields ’00) Northup “Larry told us the truth in love. One time we were in Italy and my best friend wanted to be with her boyfriend. And so we switched groups and then we switched again. And then Larry asked everybody, ‘Hey, please don’t do any switching.’ Well, then we switched again. And we got off the bus and he pulled me aside and said, ‘Kristi, I asked you not to do that. I asked the entire group not to do that. And why do you think you’re the exception to the rules? You need to follow us and I need you not to do that again.’ “Then five minutes later, Larry was laughing and talking about something else. And I realized, he said what he needed to say and moved on. He didn’t hold a grudge or hang it over my head. And I looked at that moment and I thought, ‘I can do that. I want to be like that. I want to be like Larry. Larry wasn’t complicated or hard to figure out, just straightforward. Always. I love that.” Celeste (Engelson ’89) Johnson “I realized Larry gave us himself. He took all this richness of his own life and showed us the world. And we’re all richer because of that. Not just music and beauty and art, but culture … and relationships with each other. Just seeing just how big this world is that God gave us—Larry just served it up on a platter.” Gina Zarletti ’05 “Larry teaches people how to work hard. So I feel like part of my work ethic when it maybe comes to music and singing is in part due to all my years in Chorale and how he was able to just pull so much out of us and instill in us to work hard.” Larry and Jerilyn Bach share moments with the NCU Chorale and alumni singers prior to the farewell concert on April 5. Spring 2022 | 23
Mariah Simonson ’14 “I remember … I was very nervous and a little bit timid with my voice. And when I got into Chorale, I started to gain … skills and … confidence. And then towards the end of my time, I actually gained the confidence to audition for a solo. And I remember auditioning for the solo and afterwards, Larry just looked at me and he said, ‘It’s so great to hear your voice.’ And I’ll never forget that. All the confidence that he gave me and the technical skills … I definitely wouldn’t be where I am as a musician without him.” Romalee (Morgan ’86) Droba “I was doing my senior recital and I kept stopping in the middle of a piece and Larry kept telling me, ‘You just need to keep going. You just need to keep going.’ Well, I kept stopping and stopping and he kind of tugged on my arm and I finally said, ‘You’re not the boss of me!’ And then I went on to teach here for 25 years. So he really was the boss of me.” Taylor Marshall ’18 “Larry has been one of the most influential leaders in my life. He has been one of the core leaders that have influenced where I’m at and my ability and the way that I do things. I’m so thankful for Larry’s leadership. He’s not just a teacher, but he’s a father-figure friend. I’ve seen him in different elements of life and he’s so consistent and excellent in everything he does.” Gary Grogan ’73 “I appreciate and applaud Larry’s faithfulness, excellence, passion, kindness, steadfastness— only in eternity will we know all he has done for the Kingdom. His impact is deep and wide!” Bob Ona ’77 “I deeply appreciate his commitment to Christ, and the contributions he has made to so many of us. Bravo!” Dave Collins ’79 “Larry has been so generous and was instrumental in my getting hired full-time at NCU. We had the best time working together and continue to enjoy a valuable friendship. I learned so much from Larry about teaching, administration, vision-casting, supporting coworkers, and being a generous leader.” Carol (Schmele ’85) Vidic “I remember Larry’s joyful spirit and his intensity in his love for God first, and love of music. We all admired him and wanted to follow his example of a life well lived!” Casandra (Tudor ’91) Carlson “Larry always challenged us to our core and I 24 | NCU Magazine
can totally see his serious face and emphasis as he would look at the Chorale (so often!) and say, “You’re BETTER than that!” And, oh, the sheer joy of making beautiful music under him traveling! I’ll never forget the time in Munich, Germany when we all were enjoying those delicious hot fresh Bavarian pretzels stacked on the tables before dinner and none of us realized they were NOT free … and we ALL had to pitch in to help pay for those pretzels because there wasn’t enough money in the dinner fund that night.” Jeanette (Thulin ’05) Claesson “My absolute favorite memory of Larry was when I in my senior year at North Central was able to help him book a tour with Chorale to Sweden, my home country. One day after a Chorale concert, Larry said, ‘We should do a tour to Sweden!’ and I was like, ‘Sure, let’s do it!’ We immediately started planning for it and were able to fully book a tour in different churches, a junior college, and even the famous Gothenburg Cathedral (Domkyrkan) in my hometown (This was not a planned event, but as we were walking through downtown Gothenburg, Larry spotted the church and decided to go inside and just tell them who we were and ask if we could do a concert there. They said ‘Yes,’ and we were able to do a lunch concert in this iconic church from the 17th century. I love how he just goes for things, fearlessly! His heart for people and love for the Lord is evident, and his pursuit of excellence the same, whether directing at North Central, at his home church, overseas, or in the streets of Stockholm. I know he has touched the hearts of many students and taken countless trips overseas. I’m so grateful God led me to North Central when He did and that I got to be a small part of Larry’s 41 years there. “Another memory I have is during chapel one fall morning as we were getting ready to lead worship, we were discussing whether to turn the clock back or forward the upcoming Daylight Savings Sunday. Larry proceeds to very confidently say “FALL FORWARD,” as he dramatically falls forward on stage to demonstrate that the clocks will be turned forward. We all looked at him and said, ‘No Larry! It’s fall back, spring forward.’ It was hilarious!!” Eileen (Panek ’90) Fisher “Larry and the Chorale were such an important and vital part of my experience at North Central. Singing was definitely a place where I found joy, peace and rest, and Larry helped provide that for me. Larry has touched so many lives; I feel so fortunate to have been part of that legacy.”
PROTÉGÉ AND BIGGEST FAN DAVE PEDDE REFLECTS ON LARRY BACH’S LEGACY By Nancy Zugschwert, ’19 M.A.
Dave Pedde ’85, D.W.S., came to North Central Bible College in 1982, at the start of Larry Bach’s second year on faculty. Pedde was a slightly older student who loved music but had no formal training and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sacred Music. Pedde recalled, “I couldn’t read a note when I came to North Central, and they let me in by probation—Joanne Kersten was the department chair then—because they thought I might have some talent and potential.” It appears they were right. After graduating in 1985 with a degree in Sacred Music, Pedde served as a church worship leader for seven years before returning to North Central to teach for a one-year term while Larry Bach was on sabbatical. That term turned into 18 years as Composer in Residence and Assistant Professor of Music. While on faculty at NCU, Pedde earned his master’s degree in Worship Arts and later his Doctor of Worship Arts from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. Pedde feels privileged to know Larry Bach as his professor and later as mentor, colleague, and friend. “I was there at the beginning of Larry’s years there and learned a lot from him,” Pedde reflected. “I think he’s the finest conductor I’ve ever worked with. I learned about musical excellence and directing from him!” To Pedde, Bach’s impact goes far beyond music. “Larry’s a visionary,” Pedde said. “He’s a schemer and dreamer who always has big ideas.” One big idea that came to fruition during the years Pedde and Bach worked together was a focus on original music. “We had never had any original recordings at North Central,” Pedde said, noting that between One Accord
and Worship Live recordings during his 18-year season on faculty, North Central recorded nearly 180 original songs. It was Bach’s idea to form One Accord, a music ensemble that led worship on campus and became a mainstay at camps, conventions, and churches across the country. Bach and Pedde also formed Worship Live, which became the driving force for worship in daily chapel and today continues the tradition of creating original music and leading worship beyond NCU. Pedde is deeply appreciative of Bach’s leadership and impact on thousands of students and colleagues over the years. “Larry gave us a lot,” Pedde said. “I find myself talking about him all the time. I don’t think there’s ever been a moment for the last 40 years that Larry wasn’t thinking about North Central.” Beyond the area of fine arts, Pedde pointed out that Larry Bach has personally helped raise millions of dollars for the university—yet another piece of Bach’s influence. Pedde can’t imagine North Central or his own life without Bach in the picture. Legacy is a big word, but Pedde has no problem ascribing it to Bach. “So much of the DNA of North Central has Larry Bach on it,” Pedde reflected. “But when I think of how many people are out there in ministry and music who had Larry as part of their life, I believe the lasting legacy of Larry Bach is people.” After leaving North Central, Pedde founded Sanctus School for Worshippers in Canada and has since continued in higher education. He has been the Director of the Center for Worship Arts at Bluefield College (Virginia) since 2018. He will soon be moving to Washington to serve as Associate Professor of Worship and Music at Northwest University. Spring 2022 | 25
VINNIE ZARLETTI BRINGS EXPERIENCE AND PERSPECTIVE TO COFA LEADERSHIP ROLE By Nancy Zugschwert ’19 M.A.
hen the College of Fine Arts (COFA) was formed in 2011, Larry Bach was the natural choice to serve as its first dean. In 2021, in anticipation of Bach’s retirement, the Senior Leadership Team named a successor, and Bach passed the leadership baton to Vincent (Vinnie) Zarletti ’02, D.W.S. Zarletti serves as the COFA dean, but brings different skills and gifts than his predecessor. While he will fill Bach’s administrative role, his musical focus will stay in the worship arena, and a search is underway for a full-time faculty member who will serve as a choral conductor. 26 | NCU Magazine
Zarletti knows there is a “Larry-shaped hole” that he can’t fill, but he doesn’t believe that’s expected of him. In a message Zarletti shared at an event during Bach’s farewell celebration April 4–6, Zarletti said, “I would like to just publicly say that Larry’s gonna take his shoes with him because they only fit him. And he has done such a great job walking in them. I don’t need those shoes. He can take them because I don’t have any business in those shoes at all.”
our students to have. If we follow Larry’s model, it doesn’t mean keep doing what we’ve always done because Larry hasn’t ever done what he’s always done!”
With incredible respect for Bach’s vision and what he did at and for NCU, Zarletti pointed out that it was never about doing the “same old thing” under Bach.
The adage says, “Familiarity breeds contempt,” but for Zarletti, familiarity with the person and talent of Larry Bach has bred nothing but respect. He pointed out that many in the North Central family—outside of the music world—may not know how esteemed Bach is outside of Elliot Park. He noted that Bach served for years as a singer and assistant conductor with the world-renowned Dale Warland singers and was a sought-after guest conductor for concerts and festivals worldwide.
“What I think is unique about Larry’s leadership is that it’s been ever-evolving,” Zarletti pointed out. “He has established a culture that recognizes the value in a traditional, strong academic take on music—as you would receive in a conservatory—but he’s also been able to keep his ear to the ground for the changing trends in popular music and worship culture and keep moving ahead while holding the line on the academic standards that we want
“What has made Larry so unique is that he came with a credible classical music background as a world-class conductor,” Zarletti said. “He could have conducted anywhere he wanted to conduct.” Zarletti knows it was love that kept Bach at NCU, and that’s a legacy he wants to continue. “I understood that this guy was here because he wanted to be here,” Zarletti said. “This wasn’t just the job he could get.” Spring 2022 | 27
2000s
ALUMNI UPDATES
1960s Rolf ’60 and Bartha (Ott ’61) Bergman celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in 2022. They rejoice at the arrival of their first great-grandchild in August 2021.
1970s Rich Scherber ’72 is retiring this year as CEO of Minnesota Teen Challenge.
1980s Cindy Ohlin ’84 moved to Wyoming after living for 25 years in Denver. She’s pleased to have a house built for her wheelchair, on 35 acres with room for rescue donkeys and Nigerian dwarf goats.
Chilly Chilton Chilly ’89 and Netta (Hoke ’88) Chilton serve at Abundant Life Community Church, a multi-site AG church just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, MO, where Chilly is Lead Pastor.
1990s
Kurt and Tonilee Cullison
Kent and Stacy Hulbert Kent ’88 and Staci (Collier ’88) Hulbert live in Missouri. Staci is working toward her coaching credentials with AG Coaching and Coach Approach Ministries. This year marks 25 years serving in Youth Alive.
Laurie Johnson Laurie (Temple ’88) Johnson works at Cedar Valley Church, Bloomington, MN, as the Deaf Ministry Pastor, after serving as the lay leader. 28 | NCU Magazine
Kurt ’91 and Tonilee (Holmgren ’89) Cullison have been married and in ministry for 30 years. Their current assignment is in Saginaw, MI, as Lead Pastor (Kurt). Their church is in the midst of a church revitalization and celebrated its 100th birthday in February. Paul Wiese ’92 celebrated 30 years at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in October 2021. He started serving at BGEA during his senior year of college, when the headquarters were located in Minneapolis. Daniel ’93 and Colleen (Mulshine ’93) Epperson live in Ione, CA. Daniel celebrates 20 years pastoring King’s View Assembly of God in May. He has also served 12 years on the Ione City Council and as mayor for five years.
Shannon Moyer Shannon (Struck ’01) Moyer was licensed in 2020 by the State of Pennsylvania as a marriage and family therapist. She is site coordinator and practicing therapist at a Christian non-profit agency striving to provide mind/body/spirit integrated care.
Karie Pitts Karie (Wuerffel ’01) Pitts and her husband, Jeremiah, have been full-time missionaries with African Bible Collages in Uganda for one year. She notes, “It has been a challenging year but the joy of seeing students dig into God’s Word and train in biblical studies, education, or business makes every challenge worth it.”
Micah Williams Micah (Keen ’02) Williams completed her M.Div. from Global Awakening Theological Seminary in August 2021 and began her Th.D. in September 2021. She and her husband, Benjamin
Williams ’03, pastor The Church @ New Bern in New Bern, NC.
Exceptional Services Through Training and Support award for 2021. She serves as a case manager on the Ramsey TCM team.
Brandon and Rachel Powell Erik Lindeen Erik Lindeen ’03 is Lead Pastor at Mosaic Church in Maple Grove, MN, a church he and his wife, Kristin, planted six years ago. Elisha (DeGrave ’09) Robertson and her husband, Daniel, are itinerating as U.S. Missionaries for Church Mobilization (formerly MAPS), serving in Indiana and Ohio.
Jonathan Maus
Brandon ’14 and Rachel (Ritter ’14) Powell welcomed Leo James Rogers Powell on Feb. 16, 2022.
Jonathan Maus ’13 and his wife, Ting, married in May 2020, and had their baby daughter, ChenYan (宸燕) in June 2021. Jonathan is an Executive Pastor at Leeward Community Church in Pearl City, HI. Miranda Barker
2010s
Miranda (Rowenhorst ’16) Barker transitioned from being a Child Protection Investigator to Therapist at Ellie Mental Health in August 2021. Ryan and Casey Sampson
Alan Bach Alan Bach ’11 is starring as Ren McCormack in the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ production of “Footloose.” He and his wife, Janette (Fulks ’11) Bach welcomed Ivy Joy in March 2022; she joins brother Louis. Photo credit: Dan Norman Photography
Ryan ’13 and Casey (Mack ’13) Sampson have 3 daughters ages 6, 4, and 2. Riley has served as a youth pastor in Lake Geneva, WI for nearly six years. Casey owns an e-commerce retail business.
Corry Hammett
Allison Fure Allison (Dahl ’11) Fure works for MHR, Inc., and received the MHR
Corry Hammett ’14 has transitioned to a new industry which allows for more work-life balance! She’s excited to move into a new season as she plans her fall 2023 wedding.
Mykelti Blum Mykelti (Shirk ’16) Blum worked for five years as a licensed social worker. She now focuses on writing books, hosting her personal podcast, The Empower Hour, and running Bridging the Gap’s podcast, E^3. She and her husband, Wyatt, welcomed their first son, Nathaniel, in November 2020. Samuel ’17 and Kaitlyn (Gifford ’19) O'Connor welcomed Melika Faye on Sept. 29, 2021. Kaitlyn started a new job at Quincy House in January.
Spring 2022 | 29
2020s Candace (Smith ’21) Ball and her husband, Patrick, moved to Blue Ridge, TX. She homeschools their three kids and has begun writing books on various topics.
IN MEMORY North Central University extends condolences to the families of these NCU community members who have passed away. Carolyn J. (Pederson ’58) Gage, of Brandon, SD, on Feb. 11, 2022 Kenneth Peterson ’58, of Two Harbors, MN, on Oct. 4, 2021 Clyde Whyel ’63, of Nixa, MO, on Feb. 2, 2022 Richard Nelson ’67, of Gravette, AR, on Oct. 19, 2021 David Will ’68, of Hendersonville, TN, on March 4, 2022 Steven Robins ’73, of Bonners Ferry, ID, on Oct. 22, 2021 Robert Hahn ’80, of Joliet, IL, on Jan. 15, 2022 Wayne Westfall ’12, of Jenison, MI on Dec. 27, 2021 Katie (O'Loughlin ’15) Dalluge, of Burnsville, MN, on Feb. 19, 2022
30 | NCU Magazine
FAITHFULLY FORWARD: A LEGACY OF GENEROSITY
Landmark library’s existence and purpose stem from gifts that built it and filled it By Rachelle (Poppema ’14) Waldon Dr. Jacob Francis Tourtellotte*, a former military surgeon, and his wife, Harriet Arnold Tourtellotte (a direct descendent of Benedict Arnold), moved to Winona, Minnesota, in 1870. As the Tourtellottes prospered financially, tragedy touched their personal lives through the loss of both of their children. Their first-born daughter, Harriet Lucina, died in 1870 of scarlet fever when she was 11 months old. Their second daughter, Frances Harriet, died in 1884, at age 10, from what was suspected to be food poisoning or appendicitis. The Tourtellottes then moved to Minneapolis, where Jacob continued a successful career in real estate. While still grieving the loss of her children, Harriet focused her efforts on philanthropy. In Harriet’s hometown of Thompson, Connecticut, the only way for children to attend school had been to take a trolley into a nearby town, resulting in many children missing out on education— something about which Harriet was quite passionate. In 1906, Harriet funded the building of a school near Harriet’s hometown: the Tourtellotte Memorial High School, in memory of Hattie and Lucy. (The Connecticut high school looks remarkably similar to North Central's library!) When Dr. Tourtellotte died
in 1912, the Minneapolis Tribune reported that even as a wealthy, successful man, he remained humble and “never missed an opportunity to do a charitable act.” A few years later, Harriet donated $125,000 to build the Tourtellotte Memorial Deaconess Home in honor of her husband. The building, completed in 1914, was first used as housing and training grounds for the deaconesses of the Methodist Church until 1946. This stately mansion housed the students and nurses of Asbury Hospital, then became a home for retired nurses until 1968, when North Central Bible College acquired it. In its first five years, North Central utilized the space to house chapel speakers, pastors, professors, and other college guests. Some of the building’s most notable residents were former NCU President Gordon Anderson and his family, who lived on the second floor when he first arrived as a faculty member. In 1973, the building was remodeled and renamed for the late Professor T.J. Jones after his family donated 20,000 volumes from his personal library. Known as “Brother Jones” to students and colleagues, the beloved professor taught Bible and theology at North Central from 1947 to 1969. At various points in his tenure, he also served as Principal, Dean, and Regent. He was a perennial favorite among students in classes such as Devotional Practice, Archaeology, Truth and Testimony, New Testament Synthesis, and Christian Evidences, and Bible Atlas.
As we prepare this space for a substantial renovation made possible by generous GIVE DAY donations (see page 5), I can’t help but think about these two legacies of generosity. The gift of 20,000 books from the T.J. Jones family served as the foundation for North Central’s library that would serve students for generations to come. And Harriet Arnold Tourtellotte, in the face of profound personal tragedies, devoted her time and wealth to enriching the lives of others through education. I think she would be pleased to hear of the many teachers, pastors, missionaries, CEOs, and scholars who have spent time learning and preparing for lives of service within the walls of the building she built more than one hundred years ago. *The Tourtellotte name is not exclusive to the historical building on North Central University’s campus. Jacob Tourtellotte’s older brother John Eaton Tourtellotte was a Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General and was in command of the 4th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. John became a successful businessman after the war and built and donated a hospital in Mankato, Minnesota. His generosity to the city was honored years later when city leaders named one of Mankato’s largest parks and recreation areas and a local street after him. Rachelle (Poppema ’14) Waldon, M.L.I.S., is the Director of North Central’s T. J. Jones Library. Spring 2022 | 31
Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 1397 910 Elliot Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404 612.343.4400 northcentral.edu
FULL COMMENCEMENT RETURNS
Following two years of missed or modified Commencement ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic, North Central University faculty, staff, and administration welcomed students and their families for the 2022 Commencement on April 30 at Emmanuel Christian Center in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota. Ryan Sparks ’22 (pictured above left) spoke as the senior class representative and Larry Bach gave the Commencement address. To view additional Commencement photos, scan the QR code or visit northcentraluniversity.pixieset.com/commencement22
READ NCU MAGAZINE ONLINE AT NORTHCENTRAL.EDU/MAGAZINE.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA /northcentraluniversity
@northcentral_mn
@northcentral_mn
North Central University
/northcentraluniversitympls
/ncualumni
Scan to update your alumni profile or visit northcentral.edu/update
