table | salt Summer 2023

The Magazine of North Central University

Summer 2023

Senior Leadership Team

Doug Graham ’86, D.Min. Interim President

Tim Hager, D.Min.

VP, Advancement

VP, Business & Operations

Bethany (Nelson ’11) Harshbarger, M.A.

VP, Enrollment & Student Development

Desirée (Bontrager ’06) Libengood, Ed.D. Interim VP, Academic Affairs

Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

Joshua Edmon, M.A.

AVP, Spiritual Life

Dean, Multicultural Engagement

Jeremy Williamson ’09, M.A.

AVP, Student Life

Dean of Students

Editorial

Nancy Zugschwert, ’19 M.A., Editor in Chief

Erica (Hanson ’13) Hobbs, Managing Editor

Chloe Eckstein, Creative Director/Designer

Alicia Ostman, Proofreader

Photography

William Appleby ’25

Katie Ditmarson

Chloe Eckstein

Rodrigo de Mendoza ’20, ’22 M.A.

Isaiah Rustad ’17

Unless noted, photos are by NCU Marketing

Contributors

Tabby (Wilson ’89) Finton

Judy (Oftedahl ’77) Jones

Aimee (Perrin ’97) Robertson

Nathan Stuart, MBA

Rose Xiong ’16

Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC)

Contact Marketing and Communications communications@northcentral.edu

612.343.5005

Alumni Relations alumni@northcentral.edu

612.343.4743

Admissions admissions@northcentral.edu

800.289.6222

table | salt 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 © 2023 North Central University

All Rights Reserved

SUMMER 2023

athletics page 21

Track Standout Wins

UMAC Award

NCU to Host NCCAA National Tournament

Athletic Hall of Fame

campus news

page 4

Hagan Steps Down Give Day Recap

Digital Transformation

Academic Partners College Highlights

Faculty & Staff of the Year

features page 23

An Unprecedented Presidency

alumni page 28

Commencement In Memory

Faithfully Forward: Roger Lane

On the cover: North Central University’s seventh president, Scott Hagan, Ph.D., and his wife, Karen, worship with the Class of 2023 at Commencement on May 5. Scan

Scott Hagan steps down, Doug Graham named interim president

In March, North Central University’s seventh president, Scott Hagan, Ph.D., announced his resignation, stating he and his wife, Karen, will be embarking on a new season of life focused on writing, speaking, pastoring, and spending more time with family.

In a letter announcing Hagan’s decision, Board of Regents Chair Shawn Dockter said, “We fully respect and support President Hagan’s decision and are excited about his future. I deeply appreciate his incredible work over the last six years and his faithful leadership of our university through a season of many challenges.” (Read about Hagan’s NCU contributions starting on page 23.)

Dockter announced on April 14 that Doug Graham ’86, D.Min., has accepted the invitation of the Board of Regents to serve as the Interim President for North Central University while the search for the future president is underway.

In the announcement, Dockter said, “Dr. Graham, an alumnus of NCU, will begin immediately and will be fully engaged before President Hagan’s departure.

“Dr. Graham brings a wealth of experience to this role. He holds a master’s degree from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and a D.Min. degree from Bethel Seminary. He has served on both the Alumni Board and the Board of Regents of NCU, and has a distinguished career in ministry, including serving as a pastor in North Dakota and Wisconsin. He joined NCU as Vice President of Spiritual Life in 2014, later serving as Dean of the College of Church Leadership, then Special Advisor to the President. Currently, he is the Assistant Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Minnesota and continues to teach several classes in leadership and ministry at NCU.

“Dr. Graham has been married to Vicki since 1984. They have four children who attended NCU—Kyle, Kirk, Kaleb, and Karlee and 10 grandchildren.

“ With his deep connection to NCU as an alumnus, extensive experience in ministry, and higher education leadership, Dr. Graham will be an amazing leader for this season at North Central, and we are incredibly grateful for his willingness to serve the university in this role.”

President Scott and Mrs. Karen Hagan greet students during their farewell chapel on April 28.

letter from the interim president

When I graduated from North Central Bible College in 1986, if you had told me that I would one day be sitting at my desk writing a letter for this magazine as the Interim President of North Central University, I’m sure I would have said, “Are you talking to me?”

I was just a Montana boy who loved Jesus, ready to reach the world for Christ as a pastor. I assumed that was God’s plan, too, and it was; but it wasn’t His only plan.

A favorite verse of many is Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Notice, God says “plans,” not “plan.” He is good. He is sovereign. And He gets to do what He wants in our lives.

My life did include pastoring for many years in Wisconsin and North Dakota, before God’s plans found me on my way back to North Central in 2014 to serve as Vice President of Spiritual Life. Since then, I’ve served in various roles at NCU and in the Minnesota District of the Assemblies of God. Now, His plans include serving this university from the president’s office, holding space for the anointed leader that God has prepared and will soon make known to us.

North Central has been a tremendous part of my life and my family’s life. My wife, Vicki Graham ’17, and our four children are all alumni, and countless friends we hold dear have connections to this university. I receive it as a sacred trust to guide the

university in the year ahead. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Scott Hagan for his leadership over the past six years. Working closely with him, I know he bore burdens most of us could not fathom. He also brought awareness of North Central to new places across the globe, and the university will see fruit from his efforts for years to come. I join with the faculty, staff, students, and alumni to wish Dr. Hagan and Karen all the best as they enjoy new endeavors and time with their children and grandchildren.

This Holy-Spirit-empowered university belongs to the Lord. We know we are here because God has a special job for us in the Kingdom—to prepare leaders who will impact the world for Christ. As we go through this interim season, I ask for your prayers for North Central and its people. The ardent support of the extended North Central family will make a tremendous difference for our current team and the next leader.

It is my honor to serve in this season. Doug Graham,

D.Min. Interim President

Give Day raises $57,000 for skyway renovation

The Give Day campaign raised over $57,000 in March to help renovate the skyway connecting Miller Hall and the Trask Word & Worship Center.

The skyway provides safe (and warm!) passage between buildings year-round. The skyway connecting the College Life Center and Carlson Hall was renovated using funds from Give Day in 2021.

Work on the newest skyway renovation project began in May and includes these improvements:

• Storefront window system that mirrors the system installed in the Carlson Skyway.

• LowE3 insulated glass by Cardinal Glass, providing better cooling in summer and warming in the winter.

• New spray foam insulation, shielding the bottom deck of the sky bridge from Minnesota winters.

• Full sand and pressure washing of the super structure.

• New black epoxy coating on the entire super structure that will last another 40 years.

• Exposed interior metal ceiling and duct work to increase headroom and mirror the industrial appearance of the Carlson Skyway.

• Suspended, motion-activated lighting to illuminate the space.

• Flooring to match the Carlson skyway –Carpet by Tarkett.

• New underside corrugated metal.

• Exterior lighting to illuminate the walkway under the skyway at night for increased visibility and safety for our community.

• NCU-branded window art, providing visibility to the university.

In a letter to supporters, David Duxbury, Associate Director of Advancement, said, “Your generosity has made a tangible difference in the lives of students, staff, faculty, and alumni. This would not be possible without you! Thank you for being a part of NCU’s vision for the future.”

North Central University’s skyways connect buildings and people and enhance the accessibility of campus for all. If you missed Give Day, it’s not too late to give! You can make a donation of any size at giveday.northcentral.edu.

driving digital transformation

By Nathan Stuart, MBA, Executive Director of Technology & Innovation and Nancy Zugschwert, ’19 M.A.

In spring 2022, NCU’s Office of Technology & Innovation (OTI) worked with university leaders and stakeholders to establish the university’s first digital transformation and user experience initiatives.

The goal of these initiatives is to partner with the university community and understand their experiences to provide expertise and guidance for creating a digitally enabled NCU. This allows OTI to leverage current and new skill sets to transform user experiences, build effective partnerships, empower university departments, utilize innovative technologies, and optimize processes and infrastructure. Through this process of digital transformation, the university will have the tools needed to develop and implement sustainable, data-driven digital strategies.

Under these initiatives, OTI established the Constituent Relations Management (CRM) steering group to explore and address ways that Salesforce, North Central’s CRM, could transform university operations and the journeys of our students and employees.

Salesforce expansion

In fall 2022, OTI began the process of expanding the current use of Salesforce at the university by starting the implementation of Salesforce Student Success Hub and Salesforce Experience Cloud. The Student Success Hub will go live this summer. With a focus on service and retention, Student Success Hub will provide a 360-degree view of students and allow the One Stop office, Academics, and other student services to interact, communicate, and serve students more effectively. Salesforce Experience Cloud will also launch in the summer and transform the way that faculty, staff, and students utilize university resources and services.

Throughout the summer, the university will begin the process of rebuilding the current deployment of Salesforce for Admissions. OTI is partnering with Admissions and Salesforce to deliver an exciting and dynamic applicant experience with the delivery of a new admissions application, applicant portal, and transformed recruitment and admission processes.

The university is also leveraging Salesforce to serve other university functions to connect disparate systems and eliminate data silos,

allowing for greater transparency and more informed decision-making. For instance, the foundation of Student Success Hub is driving more effective communication and automation for Academic Partnerships, Athletics, university operations, and more.

learning management

New technologies have also transformed other functions of the university. On the academic side, North Central recently migrated its learning management system (LMS) from Moodle to Canvas, a broadly adopted system noted for its intuitive user experience. Utilized by major institutions such as Harvard University, Canvas has provided a significantly more user-friendly experience for students and faculty.

advancing advancement

Using technology to maintain and enhance relationships with the extended NCU family and supporters of the institution, the Office of Advancement switched from a former CRM, Raiser’s Edge NXT, to Virtuous. According to David Duxbury, Associate Director of Advancement, this switch has allowed the advancement team to process charitable gifts in a timelier fashion, issue receipts to donors immediately, and to better personalize communication to alumni and other constituents of NCU.

“The switch to Virtuous allows our office to spend less time doing administrative tasks and more time making connections with NCU’s valued supporters,” Duxbury said. “With more personalized communication going out to constituents and better internal processes, we have seen a 10 percent increase in year-overyear giving from last fiscal year.”

When former President Scott Hagan, Ph.D., arrived in 2017, North Central had no online students. During the past six years, the addition of online programs and changing technologies in every area of campus have called for innovation and investment. The dedication of departments throughout campus to pursue innovative technology and the support of the OTI to coordinate and bring NCU’s technological expertise to new levels have positioned the institution for success in the digital age.

Nathan Stuart, MBA, is Executive Director of the Office of Technology and & Innovation. He has served at NCU since 2016, and has played a pivotal role in creating a robust technology infrastructure at the university.

academic

partners summit fosters connection and collaboration

The Third Annual Academic Partners Summit on March 28–29 was a significant milestone for the five-year-old program. The summit was envisioned and executed by Aimee (Perrin ’97) Robertson, Executive Director of Academic Partnerships, and Bill Tibbetts, MBA, Dean of the College of Business & Technology. The pair designed the experience for site directors to help them learn from one another, identify areas where they could collaborate, and provide essential skills to do their jobs more effectively.

“One of the unique roles of site directors is that they’re not only leading students through their academic career,” Robertson said, “but also serving as recruiters for the program. They guide students through to the point of graduation.” However, Robertson pointed out, site directors wear multiple hats at their churches, and she frequently receives feedback that they want more support in marketing and sales.

At the summit, Tibbetts brought his extensive experience in marketing and business to the table through a hands-on marketing training session. “It was a wild success,” Robertson said. “The site directors left with confidence, knowing exactly what they needed to do.”

Robertson plays a vital role in the program as she works with the site directors who run the program at their local churches. She streamlines communication between the directors and the university and ensures that they have the tools they need to run the program effectively.

power of connection

Kent Wells, Site Director for NCU with Lakeview in Indianapolis, Indiana, said the annual summit

Students and site staff from The Academy at Christ Place (Lincoln, Nebraska), one of NCU’s Academic Partner sites, visited campus and created connections to enhance their remote-learning experience.

is a valuable experience. “The Summit is ‘the’ event I look forward to each year,” Wells said. “It helps me to realize that I am a part of a group of individuals who really care about the value of education for our future leaders. Interacting with the other directors lets me see/feel what the Holy Spirit is doing across the country. In addition, I can glean best practices to use at my location.”

Site Director Sherry Ellis of Life Church in Noblesville, Indiana, appreciated the support from NCU staff and other directors. “I loved being on the campus of NCU,” she said. “The staff, faculty, and students are all so welcoming and uplifting. NCU support, encouragement, and guidance is phenomenal. The summit was an experience full of socializing with peers, learning from leaders, attending chapel, and leaving with fresh ideas and inspiration!”

Site Director Bruce Riddle is a committed advocate for the Academic Partners program—he drove from Nebraska to Minnesota with students from The Academy at Christ Place (Lincoln) last fall to help their students create stronger connections with their university (pictured on p. 8). Riddle said, “The ongoing connection with NCU is vital for me! It’s the reason I chose NCU over another online program!”

Riddle said this year’s summit provided a powerful time of connection. “I feel incredibly honored to be a part of the leaders of NCU’s Academic Partners program,” Riddle said. “It feels more like a community than a program; we are all focused on helping to equip our students with the best education we can. I’m so grateful to be associated with this stellar group!”

a good fit for different reasons

The Academic Partners program aims to offer Christian higher ed to people who cannot access traditional education for various reasons. Robertson said traditional college-aged students might

participate in the program instead of the residential campus experience because of financial constraints or family dynamics, or they may simply desire to maintain strong ties with their home church and community.

Academic Partnerships allow students to access accredited Christian education through their church and participate in the practicum portion, which is an internship-style program through which they serve the church. They not only get an education but also pour back into their church.

Another group that benefits from the program includes nontraditional students, such as single parents or career professionals who need the flexibility of online education. Robertson noted that the program is affordably priced, offered through their church—which they trust and it offers them a chance to pursue their education without disrupting their work or family life.

A third group attracted to the program includes church staff members who may be newer Christians or individuals who want to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith. They receive education from a Christian perspective while they build connections with their local church.

aggressive growth trajectory

Since its beginning in 2018, the Academic Partners program has grown to include an associate’s degree, eight bachelor’s degrees, and two master’s degrees. There are currently 19 Academic Partner sites across the U.S. Robertson said she expects the program to continue on an aggressive growth trajectory in the next few years. “We are talking to more than 20 churches right now, exploring whether the program fits their goals.”

The Academic Partners program enhances relationships and creates partnerships between the university and churches nationwide, while providing students with a North Central education in a unique, local church setting.

NCU staff share essential operations and marketing information at the Academic Partners Summit in March.

1

program updates

In response to increased interest among students, the School of Education (SOE) developed a Special Education Certificate program, approved and set to launch this fall.

The SOE is redesigning and realigning the curriculum to meet the required Standards of Effective Practice being redesigned by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB), enabling students to continue to qualify for education licensure programs upon graduation.

The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) has over 80 students between Psychology and Social Work, not including Interdisciplinary students. The need for mental health professionals is dramatically rising, and SBS is prepared to welcome even greater numbers next year.

SBS has also begun a new research suite, offering courses that allow students to begin preparing for graduate school earlier and with more instruction to improve writing quality and begin their senior research project as early as their freshman year.

The School of Science and Math launched 14 new lab and lecture courses in the past year. These courses provide students with a scientific worldview that will be analyzed using their faith and with foundations of Scripture.

The Communications majors previously offered by the College of Arts and Sciences are moving to the College of Business and Technology under the new School of Marketing and Communications (see p. 14)

2 Student success

A group of 12 NCU Education students recently participated in a one-week international teaching practicum at the Doulos Discovery School in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. Under the guidance of Gail Weinhold, Ed.D., Director of the School of Education, the students worked side by side with students and teachers in this experiential learning school that is changing lives and creating future leaders.

college of arts & sciences highlights faculty notes

Accomplishments: Regina Daniels, M.A., (Carlstrom ASL) is working on several projects and workshops, including Deaf Culture Awareness in the medical field and sharing about accessibility for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community nationwide.

Sydney Groven ’12, ’19 M.A., (Carlstrom ASL) has been working with the Upper Midwest Translators and Interpreters Association as a consultant to regain organizational health and will continue to work with them as they redefine their mission and structure. In May, Groven and Nan Muhovich, Ph.D., (Global Studies) accompanied a group of students on a mission trip to schools for the Deaf in Uganda.

NCU student Mary Botz (English major) works with a student at Doulos Discovery School.

fulbright scholar Rose expandsXionghorizons in

South Korea

Rose Xiong ’16 (Interdisciplinary Studies) has been named a 2023 Fulbright scholar and is currently serving as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in South Korea. As an ETA, Xiong assists her peers and acts as a cultural ambassador for the U.S.A. while she shares the English language and culture with her Korean coworkers and students through teaching in a classroom setting and daily conversations.

Her six-week ETA orientation began in January, when Xiong spent four hours a day learning Korean, Monday–Friday. She also attended teaching and cultural workshops with the other 67 people in her Fulbright cohort. She began her ETA assignment on March 2 in Hwacheon-gun, South Korea.

Pursuing the Fulbright honor required Xiong to push herself outside of her comfort zone, but the benefits have been tremendous. She has had the chance to experience culture in a country she had only dreamed of visiting—traveling and exploring her host country at a deeper level than most tourists experience. She has also made lifelong friends from other states and her host country.

The Fulbright application process was rigorous, but Xiong felt joy and gratitude at each stage. She said her experience has also been a journey of faith. “I had a feeling I was going to be a Fulbright finalist,” she said, “because the opportunity arrived at the right time; I knew it was what the Lord had prepared for me.”

Xiong is thrilled to have this experience. “The Fulbright has been one of the most memorable moments of my life,” she reflected. “I am truly thankful every day to be a part of the Fulbright community.”

The Fulbright program provides grants to students, scholars, and professionals to undertake research, teaching, or work in a foreign country. (fulbright.org)

Rose Xiong ’16 displays credentials she earned during her Fulbright Scholar experience in South Korea.

Allen Tennison selected for national AG role

The U.S. Assemblies of God (AG) recently appointed Allen Tennison, Ph.D., as Theological Counsel for the national office in Springfield, Missouri. Tennison has taught at NCU for 12 years and has been Dean of the CCL for the past five years. He will conclude his time at NCU in August.

At the recommendation of former NCU president Gordon Anderson, Ph.D., Tennison was invited to join the AG Commission on Doctrines and Practices in 2015. Last year, he stepped into the chairman’s role.

In light of rapidly changing norms on social issues and the impact this has inside and outside the church, AG leaders recognized the importance of having a continuous theological presence at the national office in an advisory capacity. Tennison expressed his deep sense of honor and optimism for this position’s impact on the AG’s theological endeavors.

“It is crucial to understand that the role of the Theological Counsel is purely advisory,” Tennison said, “with no decision-making power.” He explained, “The commission’s function is to provide advice and expertise,” and noted that in his new role, with the commission’s support, they will assist AG leaders by drafting papers on specific issues. For an issue statement to become an official position of the AG, it must undergo a rigorous process that includes extensive review, editing, and approval by the General Presbyter. “The commission’s recommendations are not binding but serve as valuable input for the leadership to consider,” Tennison said.

In a culture where Christian values no longer automatically align with cultural values, Tennison pointed out that it is crucial to strengthen the foundations of the Christian faith in a rapidly changing world.

Allen Tennison, Ph.D., outgoing Dean of the College of Church Leadership, addresses students in chapel. The Assemblies of God (AG) national office has called him to serve as Theological Counsel to the AG in Springfield, Missouri.

1

Program updates

The major in Pastoral Studies has further diversified with five distinct tracks: Church Administration, Pastoral Counseling, Bible and Theology, Church Ministry, and Pastoral Leadership. These tracks allow students to specialize in related fields (business, psychology, leadership, etc.) as part of their education in Pastoral Studies.

The majors in Church Leadership and in Youth, Children, and Family Ministries (YCF) are growing online and residentially. YCF’s growth is due, in part, to the impact of the Institute for Next Gen under the leadership of Jeff Grenell.

faculty notes

college of church leadership highlights

2 conferences

The an nual Worldgate Conference on Feb. 6 and 7 introduced the student body to many Assemblies of God World Missions global workers representing the various regions of the world, International Ministries, and Chi Alpha.

Accomplishments: Allen Tennison, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Church Leadership and Professor of Theology, has accepted a new role as Theological Counsel for the Assemblies of God (see p. 12).

Phil Zarns ’00, Ph.D., Director of the School of Global Studies (pictured above), was recently elected to serve as faculty representative on NCU’s President’s Council.

Adam Sikorski ’03, D.Min., Director of the School of Pastoral Studies, and Tabby (Wilson ’89) Finton, Alumni Relations, led a team of NCU alumni to Israel at the beginning of spring semester. Sikorski led another team of students for a threeweek study course in May. He recently published “Who is my neighbor? A Guide for Increasing Cultural Competency” (Wipf and Stock 2023).

college businessof& technology highlights

1 program updates

The School of Marketing and Digital Communications has been established to better support market demands, create synergy between disciplines, and better utilize university resources. Mark Skeba, MBA, has been named director of the school. The former Communication Arts and Digital Media degrees offered by the College of Arts and Sciences will sunset and be replaced with a degree in Digital Communications.

2 student success

Each fall, dozens of students gain powerful networking skills—and often acquire jobs and internships—as a result of College of Business and Technology’s annual social mixer. The mixer continues to grow in influence, and the fall 2023 event will be held at U.S. Bank Stadium and include guests from all Fortune 100 companies in the Twin Cities.

3 about COBAT

The College of Business and Technology (COBAT) includes three schools— the School of Business, the School of Technology, and the School of Marketing and Digital Communications—and 11 majors: Business Administration, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Global Entrepreneurship, Accounting, Finance, Sports Management, Healthcare Administration, Applied Studies, Computer Science, Digital Communications, and Information Science. It also houses the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

The annual College of Business and Technology social mixer each year combines education and networking to equip students with essential marketplace skills and connections.

partnership provides certificationtechnology for local students

North Central University’s College of Business and Technology (COBAT), in collaboration with Milestone Community Development, launched a certificate program in January that provides non-credit technology training and certification to underserved students in the Minneapolis community.

The program is supported by a grant from Minnesota’s Ramsey County. Students from local communities are identified and recruited by Milestone for the eight-week certificate program, which allows young adults to learn new technologies in an accelerated timeframe. The first two course offerings were IT Support and Data Analytics.

The training provides skills needed to compete in the job market and gain opportunities for upward mobility. The program is accessible to students from various backgrounds and includes assisting students with internship placements that will take place after the coursework is completed. The program provides valuable credentials to students and demonstrates North Central’s commitment to the surrounding community.

Shawn Sauve, MBA, MATS, Associate Dean of COBAT, serves as the certificate program’s project manager. He is enthusiastic about the opportunities it provides for the participating students and the university. He noted that offering the certificate opportunity serves the missions of North Central and Milestone and presents a powerful model for community collaboration while laying the groundwork for North Central to provide more certificate programs in the future.

A new collaboration between North Central’s College of Business and Technology and Milestone Community Development allowed area students to earn a technology skill certificate and receive assistance with internship placement. Funded by a grant from Ramsey County, the program reached underserved students in the Twin Cities metro area.

“North Central is positioned here in Minneapolis to be a blessing to our community,” Sauve said. “We have opportunities at times to collaborate on community development that doesn’t sacrifice our Christian mission. [This partnership] allows us to tangibly represent our faith in the broader Twin Cities community with people who may not necessarily identify with our faith background.”

Colin Miller, MAR, Director of the COBAT School of Technology, and Komla Adevoun, Client Service Coordinator for NCU’s Office of Technology and Innovation, served as program instructors. Miller is pleased with how students have responded and is confident the certification process will have a positive impact.

“This is likely to increase their optimism for their futures as they gain the confidence and ability to pursue career opportunities in these areas,” Miller said.

Larry Bach named Professor Emeritus

North Central University has named Larry Bach, M.M., as Professor Emeritus in recognition of his significant contributions to the university. Bach served as a faculty member and dean in the College of Fine Arts for more than four decades and retired in 2022. He joins three other previous faculty members who have received this designation: James Allen, D.Min., who served for nearly 30 years as the chair of the Pastoral Studies department; Buzz Brookman, Ph.D., 40-year member of the Bible and Theology faculty, who retired in 2018; and Carolyn Tennant, Ph.D., who served in multiple roles and departments—both as faculty and administrator—for more than 26 years.

Professor Emeritus is a prestigious honorary title given to retired faculty members who have given exemplary service and made notable contributions, not only through their academic endeavors but also through their profound personal and relational impact on students, colleagues, and alumni. The “emeritus” designation is an indication of the respect and esteem that the university holds for their contributions and accomplishments and is considered to be the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a former faculty member.

NCU in NYC: chorale and alumni at Lincoln Center

Twenty-eight members of the NCU Chorale traveled to New York City March 23–26 to join forces with several alumni Chorale members and Professor Emeritus Larry Bach for an epic performance. The trip was originally planned for 2020 and postponed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Bach, the delay caused a venue switch—from Carnegie Hall to the Lincoln Center—but it was a blessing in disguise. The David Geffin Hall in Lincoln Center is home to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Bach noted, “The hall went through a twoyear renovation and is now aesthetically and acoustically absolutely world class!”

Bach and the Chorale, accompanied by Josh Tompkins, D.M.A., Associate Professor of Fine Arts, performed “Te Deum” by John Michael Trotta, a work commissioned for Bach’s final concert at NCU last year, and also Trotta’s “Gloria.”

Larry Bach, M.M., who retired in 2022, joined three previous faculty members who have been granted “emeritus” status in recognition of their service and contribution to the university.

1 program updates

Due to declining program enrollment, North Central University is discontinuing the Theatre major, beginning in fall 2023. While no longer offering the Theatre major or minor to new students, current students who want to complete a theatre major or minor may work with their advisor or Academic Affairs for consideration of certain course offerings or directed research on a case-by-case basis.

Professor Wayne Matthews, M.A., will not return full-time to NCU but may stay engaged with productions and courses. A memo from Academic Affairs stated, “We are so thankful for [Professor Matthews’] commitment, love, and care for NCU, its students, and the theatre program.

Theatre productions for the 2023–24 academic year will run as a cocurricular activity.

faculty notes

2 student success

The NCU Jazz Workshop placed first in the “College Combo” category at the Eau Claire (Wisconsin) Jazz Festival in April. Three NCU students also received “Outstanding Soloist” awards: Alec St. John, Guitar, Toni Li, Guitar, and Jack Long, Piano.

3 stream NCU favorites

NCU Worship Live now has over 22,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. The two latest singles, “Thank You” and “Restoring,” are now available. Listen to Worship Live on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube.

college of fine arts highlights

Peter Shu ’98, M.Mus., has stepped down after 24 years as an Adjunct Faculty and 22 years as the Director of the Jazz Workshops ensembles at NCU. Under his leadership, NCU Jazz has received numerous awards in competition and played for many NCU events.

Alec St. John was among several NCU students recognized as “Outstanding Soloist” at the Eau Claire Jazz Fest.

college graduateof& professional studies highlights

1 program updates Students at Academic Partner sites will be able to participate in NCU’s master’s programs beginning the fall 2023 semester.

A new Worship Studies track has been added to the Master of Arts in Biblical Theology, and a new Organizational Development track has been added to the Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership (MASL) beginning in the spring 2024 semester.

The MASL core courses audit is complete. By adjusting consistency in writing expectations and grading rubrics, an even stronger program is now available for graduate students.

The Graduate Studies team has been working to update policies and procedures for the graduate school. Virtual community meetings for faculty and students are held regularly to keep lines of communication open and provide high levels of student support.

academic partner church brings hope and support through foster care initiatives

Fostering Hope is a ministry program established by Destiny Church in De Pere, Wisconsin, to support foster children and social workers in Brown County. The program started in 2020 by providing Christmas gifts to kinship placements, which later expanded to involve foster families in Easter egg hunts and a Kids Summer Jam. The church is also home to one of North Central’s Academic Partner sites, Destiny School of Leadership.

Led by church members Bethany and Bob Angst, Fostering Hope works to build relationships with the county to show that the church is a trustworthy community that supports them. Bob was appointed as a missionary associate to foster care through the chaplaincy of the Assemblies of God, supporting the Fostering Hope program.

new academic leaders named

Desirée Libengood, Ed.D., Interim

Vice President, Academic Affairs

Desirée (Bontrager ’06) Libengood has been named Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs by Interim President Doug Graham ’86, D.Min. She has served for the past two years on the Senior Leadership Team as Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and for the past five years as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; she joined NCU as a faculty member in 2011. Libengood graduated from North Central, earned her Master of Arts in English from the University of St. Thomas, and holds a Doctor of Educational Leadership degree from Bethel University.

Alaine Buchanan, Ph.D., Dean, College of Graduate and Professional Studies and Digital Education

The Office of Academic Affairs and the Deans’ Council announced that Alaine Buchanan, Ph.D., has been named Dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies and Dean of Digital Education. Buchanan started as an associate director last year. Buchanan is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. She holds a Ph.D. from Regent University, has taught at Northwest University, SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary, Pacific Rim Christian University, Evangel University, and Methodist University.

In 2021, Fostering Hope renovated the intake rooms of the agency to make them more welcoming and child-friendly. The church rallied a team of volunteers to refurbish the rooms with new floors, paint, furniture, and toys. One house even had a new playhouse built, which became a favorite of all the kids. The involvement in this project helped build trust with the county and social workers, and it showed that the church is committed to supporting the community.

Fostering Hope demonstrates how a church community can support foster children and social workers through small gestures, such as providing gifts and thank you notes. Bob said the long-term vision for the program is to expand in De Pere and establish more Fostering Hope locations throughout the U.S.

Tom Barrett sees powerful connections between the work of the church through education and serving the community. “It’s exciting when people in the church recognize the call on their lives and get equipped to answer the call,” he said. “Destiny School of Leadership’s relationship with NCU is an important avenue to help equip God’s people for God’s work.”

Desirée Libengood

Alaine Buchanan

Photo courtesy of Destiny Church.

faculty of the year

The Office of Academic Affairs has announced The Dr. Gordon L. Anderson Faculty of the Year Awards for 2023. This award was created to honor faculty members who demonstrate the spirit of leadership embodied by North Central’s sixth president. It recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the classroom through excellent teaching and mentoring, achievement, and scholarship within the academic discipline, as well as service to the NCU academic community. Students and faculty nominate the recipients of this award.

This year’s recipient of the Dr. Gordon L. Anderson Faculty of the Year, for nine years or less of teaching excellence, is Andy Schuttinga, M.S.(Psychology)

The recipient of the Dr. Gordon L. Anderson Faculty of the Year, for 10 years or more of teaching excellence, is Shawn Sauve, MBA, MATS(Business & Technology)

Schuttinga holds a Master of Science in Community Counseling from Minnesota State, Mankato, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Dordt College. He will soon complete his Ph.D. in General Psychology from Grand Canyon University. He is

passionate about teaching psychology from a faith-based perspective because it helps students understand how creation unfolds through the study of the mind, behaviors, thoughts, and feelings.

Sauve holds an MBA in Finance and Economics from University of Rochester, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Bethel Seminary, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Oral Roberts University. He is currently completing his Doctor of Business Administration at Grand Canyon University. Sauve seeks to equip students with language, ideas, and tools that allow them to be effective managers, whether they will run their own businesses or work for others. He focuses on ideas and tools rooted in timeless principles that are true today and will be true tomorrow.

Schuttinga and Sauve join a distinguished list of faculty who have received the award since its inception in 2019:

2019 – Gail Weinhold, Ed.D. (Education)

2020 – Amy Anderson, Ph.D. (Biblical & Theological Studies)

2021 – Regina Daniels, Ed.D. (Carlstrom School of ASL-Interpreting); Wayne Matthews, M.A. (Theatre)

2022 – Mark Skeba, MBA (Business & Technology); Nan Muhovich, Ph.D. (Global Studies)

staff of the year

Two North Central University staff members were named “Staff of the Year” at the annual Staff Development Event on May 12. Judy (Oftedahl ’77) Jones, Advancement Services Assistant, and Matt Lehman, Multimedia Coordinator, received their awards from President Scott Hagan during the celebration.

Jones has worked at North Central since 2002. Her original position was as a receptionist for the busy executive offices in the College Life Center, and her skills and job titles have evolved over the years. She plays a vital role for the Office of Advancement, and continues to be a gracious and steady force—and she is the first face of NCU for countless university visitors.

Lehman joined the Marketing staff in 2018. His work as lead visual storyteller for the university has been viewed by millions of people via North Central’s website, YouTube, and other social media channels and at NCU events throughout the years.

Andy Schuttinga

Shawn Sauve

Matt Lehman Judy Jones

NCU track standout wins UMAC award

Elizabeth Lofstad ’22 has been named the 2023 women’s UMAC Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award winner. This award recognizes athletes who have excelled academically, demonstrated leadership skills, and provided community service. Lofstad was selected as the winner from a group of finalists who were nominated by the UMAC Faculty Athletics Representatives.

Lofstad is a two-year team captain in both Cross Country and Track & Field. She has earned multiple academic accolades and maintained a 4.0 GPA while completing her degree in American Sign Language in just 2.5 years.

During her track career, Lofstad has received multiple awards and notable recognition, including being twice named the NCCAA North Region Runner of the Year. She is the second-most decorated female Track and Cross Country athlete in NCU history, and was most recently recognized as NCU’s 2023 Female Athlete of the Year.

In addition to her athletic and academic achievements, Lofstad has also been actively involved in student leadership in NCU’s American Sign Language Student Organization, and in community service and internships serving the Deaf community.

Lofstad, who graduated in December, was honored to be selected from among conference athletes she met while competing for NCU. “Sports have always been so much more than just fitness to me,” Lofstad said. “They provide community, passion, dedication, and an outlet that is so good for my mental health. I always knew I wanted to run in college and was very glad to be able to be part of the track and cross country teams.”

Track Coach Paul Theorin weighed in on Lofstad’s selection for the UMAC honor. “My first year as the head track and field coach was also Liz’s first year at North Central University and as a student-athlete on a team of nine track athletes,” Theorin said. “Since then, we have grown the track and field team to over 40 athletes, and Liz has been a huge asset in driving the culture of the program and putting NCU on the map. Liz will go down as one of the best student-athletes in North Central’s history. This award is testament to her daily approach as a student-athlete, team leader, and community member.”

Since graduation, Lofstad has been utilizing her degree working as an ASL interpreter for Sorenson Communications and ASL Interpreting Services. But her running days are far from over: she has started training for the Twin Cities Medtronic Marathon in October 2023.

Information for this article was provided by the UMAC. https://umacathletics.com/news/2023/4/12/general-umac-scholar-athlete.aspx

national basketball tournaments to be held at NCU

North Central University has been selected as a host for the National Christian College Athletic Association’s (NCCAA) Division II Men’s and Women’s Basketball National Championships for the academic years 2023–24 through 2025–26, along with Crown College in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota.

According to the announcement of the site selection on thenccaa.org, the events will be held on both campuses in March 2024, 2025, and 2026; details about how each championship will rotate between the two campuses will be announced later.

NCU Director of Athletics Mike Knipe ’19, MBA, commented in the NCCAA article, saying, “North Central University is so honored to host the NCCAA Division II Basketball Championships. We firmly believe in the mission of the NCCAA and are excited to welcome so many of our sister schools to the great city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, for not only great basketball but more so, the opportunity to represent Christ in another way.”

meet the 2023 athletic hall of fame honorees

North Central University has announced the 2023 Athletic Hall of Fame honorees: Trey Meadows ’04, Jon High, and Jamie High ’16. The Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding athletes, coaches, teams, and friends of the university who have made remarkable contributions to the advancement of NCU Athletics. Specific eligibility criteria for induction into the Hall of Fame in each category are available at ncurams.com. This year’s honorees were formally recognized at the annual Hall of Fame Banquet and StudentAthlete Award Ceremony in May. This year’s honorees join the 2022 Hall of Fame recipients, Greg Hayton, Eydie (Clark ’00) Reiser, and the 2009 Men’s Golf team.

Trey Meadows (coach)

Trey Meadows ’04, M.Ed., served as Head Coach of North Central’s Cross Country and Track & Field programs from 2005–2018. In NCCAA

Cross Country, Meadows led his program to eight straight women’s team titles, six men’s team titles, and nine individual national championships. Meadows was also named the Men’s National Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2013.

Jon High (coach)

Jon High, M.S., served as Head Coach for the Men’s Basketball team from 2008–2019. During his tenure, he led the Rams to seven total NCCAA North Regional titles. When North Central joined the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) in 2012, Coach High led his team to their first ever UMAC playoffs. They also appeared in the UMAC playoffs in 2015 and 2016.

Jamie High (athlete)

Jamie High ’16 was a standout Women’s Basketball player for North Central from 2012–2016. In her career as a Ram, High posted 1,612 points, 1,212 rebounds, and 266 assists for career averages of 13.7 points per game, 10.3 rebounds per game, and 2.3 assists per game. In each year of competition, High received recognitions from the NCCAA and UMAC for athletic and academic performance.

One year after Scott Hagan, Ph.D., began his role as the seventh president of North Central University, he said in a video interview that it was an “…uneventful eventful first year.” The irony of that statement is not lost on Hagan or anyone who has followed his presidency. As Hagan concluded his presidency after six years, it is accurate to say that it fell during some of the most “eventful” years in NCU’s history.

Looking back at the whole of his presidency, Hagan holds a positive perspective and a

By Nancy Zugschwert, ’19 M.A.

forever place in his heart for North Central. “I would say the experience exceeded my expectations,” he reflected. “The thrills and feels and the opportunities of the presidency were all wonderful. I found it to be rewarding and fun as a leader.”

Hagan was continually surprised by North Central and its people. Coming to NCU with some knowledge of the school and connections as a parent of a graduate and adjunct instructor, he didn’t grasp the worldwide impact graduates have made over

the years through missions and ministry— in churches and the marketplace.

“The school is deeper, wider, broader, and greater than you imagine it to be from the outside,” he said. “The impact of the school globally over 93 years is jaw-dropping. Leaders from here have watered the earth, and I’m not just saying this to be gracious. It’s stunning how that ‘little’ Bible college in Minneapolis has impacted the planet as it has, historically and still today.”

years in review

In his final interview as president, Hagan shared his perspective of his tenure, starting with the noteworthy events, year by year:

2017 Kicking off his first semester as president with a block party on Elliot Avenue, Hagan thought, “Wow. This is my job. It just all felt very possible, very upward”; celebrating Inauguration as North Central’s seventh president; partnering with Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine for athletic training; creating the NCU Fund; initiating the annual alumni awards at Partners for Progress.

2018 Serving as the command center for law enforcement during Super Bowl LII; launching digital education; renovating Clay Commons.

2019 Launching the national Academic Partners program; Hosting The Now & The Next leadership conference; traveling with a group of alumni to Nepal to climb to Mt. Everest Base Camp; creating the AGWM Missionary Scholarship for children of AGWM missionaries (now known as the Grant Pennington AGWM Scholarship); renovating the Carlson Corridor.

2020 Mourning the health-related death of student Micah Pennington; facing the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic during spring break; pivoting to deliver ALL curriculum virtually to complete the spring semester; delaying the Class of 2020 commencement exercises until December, with only graduates allowed in the Lindquist Sanctuary while family and friends watched virtually from around the world; experiencing violence in Minneapolis and around the world following the murder of George Floyd; hosting the George Floyd memorial service before a worldwide audience; initiating the George Floyd Memorial Scholarship nationwide; renovating the Dining Center in Carlson Hall; reopening campus in the fall amidst the realities of social distancing, masking, and myriad pandemic protocols; celebrating North Central’s 90th anniversary; completing his Ph.D. studies at Gonzaga University.

2021 Hosting the virtual Leadership Roundtable conference; navigating the social and emotional trauma and disruption to downtown Minneapolis related to the Derek Chauvin trial; returning to in-person spring commencement for graduates and families, with limited numbers due to continued pandemic concerns; introducing NCU’s second master’s degree program; renovating the skyway connecting Carlson Hall and the College Life Center; returning to “normal” operations without COVID protocols in the fall (including daily chapel).

2022 Renovating the 2nd floor of the T.J. Jones Library; hosting the funeral of Deshaun Hill; reinventing Campus Safety and Security staffing model; introducing eSports as a varsity athletic program; celebrating the legacy of Larry Bach after 40 years of service to NCU; returning to a full “normal” commencement ceremony at a new venue, Emmanuel Christian Center; hosting a record-breaking Partners for Progress that raised $600,000+ for student scholarships.

weight of leadership

“Looking back,” Hagan said, “I feel like Caleb on the back side of the wilderness. We made it through, of course, never dreaming in a million years what was in store when I came here. I found great strength in the sense of being prophetically placed here by the Lord—almost like a chess piece—with God saying, ‘I need you to be standing right here and you’ll know why shortly.’”

Outgoing Dean of the College of Church Leadership Allen Tennison, Ph.D., served on the presidential search committee that selected Hagan. “I met Scott Hagan almost before anyone else,” Tennison said. “I remember thinking during his first interview, ‘I think I’m listening to my new boss.’”

Tennison noted that Hagan came ready to lead. “He hit the ground running,” Tennison said. “Scott Hagan has obvious gifts of leadership, including the ability to communicate, generate excitement, and see people and their full potential. He was president at one of the most critical times in our university ’s history, and I believe that the presidency of Scott Hagan was proof that God has his hand on North Central University.”

prophetic whisper

Advice Hagan received from North Central’s sixth president, Gordon Anderson, Ph.D., became a guidepost marking Hagan’s tenure at the university. “The last thing Gordon told me as he left North Central—he whispered in my ear: ‘Your number one job is to protect the Pentecostal spiritual atmosphere of this place.’”

Reflecting on this mandate, Hagan shares, “I firmly believe that the Holy Spirit’s presence on this campus has not waned. And that is a tremendous blessing!”

Hagan recalled witnessing the Holy Spirit ’s work at the 2023 commencement ceremony when he invited evangelist Reggie Dabbs ’86, M.A. ’23, to pray over the graduates. “These students had only one ‘normal’ semester before COVID hit,” Hagan said. “And they all just came to the altar, hands up, singing and praising at the top of their lungs.”

With the thread of spiritual vitality marking his presidency, Hagan holds certain moments and accomplishments as significant and hopes these will remain markers of his legacy.

digital education

“We digitized the school and created a digital educational world that did not previously exist for NCU in 2017,” Hagan noted. “We have created sustainable and profitable online digital education led by Bill Tibbetts. Online has allowed us to almost double the size of our graduate program.”

technology improvements

“North Central invested over $4 million in technology to produce online learning and dramatically improve our technology infrastructure,” Hagan said, noting that the evolution of the Office of Technology & Innovation has brought vital stability to NCU systems and tools.

developing leaders

Hagan loves to help leaders flourish, and he watched many faculty and staff members rise up during his time at NCU. “All of our current deans became deans under my presidency. I love seeing people’s careers advance!”

Desirée (Bontrager ’06) Libengood, Ed.D., Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, witnessed Hagan’s growth, leadership, and mentorship firsthand. “I believe President Hagan made many significant contributions to NCU’s academic future,” Libengood said.

“Two of the biggest were his support of digital education and his unwavering commitment to ministerial education through church partnerships. Under his leadership, we launched fully online undergraduate degrees, which allowed the church partnerships to develop. This means NCU can support students worldwide in attaining their education.”

Libengood added, “President Hagan was an incredible external president, as well, helping elevate NCU across the country and making sure our story was told wherever he went.”

diversity

“The diversity of our student population has gone from about 15 percent to 34 percent,” Hagan pointed out. “My passion to create a ‘university that looks like Heaven’ was something I expressed from the moment I was considered for this role. It has been wonderful to see our growth in this area.”

advancement and support for missionary families

Creating the Grant Pennington AGWM Scholarship at Hagan’s recommendation has encouraged missionary families.

Tim Hager, D.Min., Vice President of Advancement and Business & Operations, noted that fundraising increased dramatically under Hagan’s leadership. He said, “[As of May 2023], the tally [verified by audit] to date is $9.4 million, a 73 percent increase from the previous six-year period.” The fiscal year ending May 31 was a record year.

leadership presence in Minneapolis

Under Hagan’s leadership, awareness of North Central as part of the fabric of Minneapolis increased exponentially.

“In the past six years, I believe North Central has transitioned from ‘best kept secret’ status to being a well-known partner and servant in the greater Minneapolis community,” Hagan reflected. “Our participation in the 2018 Super Bowl, the opportunity to provide a table of healing during the distressing times following the murder of George Floyd, and providing refuge for the city a second time by hosting the funeral services for 15-year-old Deshaun Hill, a North High football quarterback who was murdered, were unexpected but important events for us to be involved with.” He noted many other ways NCU has impacted the neighborhood, including the neighborhood music program (WOVEN), tutoring, donating computers, the new certificate program (see p. 15), and a partnership with Maakhir University in Somalia.

Paul Hurckman ’96, M.A., who lives and works in Minneapolis, observed North Central’s role and impact on the city from the vantage of an alumnus and citizen. “The lasting impact of President Hagan’s season of leadership at NCU will not be measured in students, diplomas, or majors, but rather in his courage to step up in our city ’s most broken and divisive chapter,” Hurckman said. “He not only led our university, but also our city and, in many ways, our nation, as he humbly allowed our chapel to serve as a table of healing, modeling a way forward for other universities and communities to move forward with love, humility, and reconciliation, and to create space for those who feel far away and forgotten from our institutions of education and power.”

growth in athletics

As an athlete who raised his own athletes, Hagan’s passion for sports is well known, and elevating athletics was a personal and professional goal. “Our athletics program has grown by nearly 60 percent,” he said. “There were 168 recruited athletes when I arrived; this fall, we expect to exceed 300! This has had a great impact on enrollment during an overall enrollment downturn!”

economic realities

The “unprecedented season” through which Hagan led the university provided great opportunities but came with a price. “As proud as we are of how North Central weathered what happened internationally and locally in 2020 and 2021,” Hagan reflected, “the impact on our enrollment was significant. Through the fallout from students deciding against returning to school for many reasons, we lost enough students to significantly impact us as a tuition-driven institution. The challenges remain for Dr. Graham in the interim and NCU’s future president, but I have confidence in our phenomenal faculty and staff, our alumni, and our board; everybody has worked to keep the school strong. As we look at our second year of rebounding freshman enrollment, we all know God is not done with NCU!”

the next generation of leaders

“In this generation, you have a dichotomy,” Hagan observed. “On one hand, it’s not difficult to quantify the collapse of our moral fabric. I have challenged our Gen Zs and millennials, teaching them how to be the only Christian in the room. But when you really get with them, they are wholly committed to the spiritual process of transformation. They are the smartest, most consecrated, focused, optimistic students I’ve ever seen. I absolutely believe they will triumph over the moral collapse and serve Christ faithfully. So, I hold great hope.”

advice for NCU’s next leader

“There’s a lot of complexity in front of the new president,” Hagan admitted. “To the next leader(s) I say take heart, keep the ethos of the Bible college here, and trust that ethos will carry this university. I would also say teach; make sure you’re teaching a class so that you constantly know the students, because it all makes sense again when you’re with students—this is why we’re here.”

heart of gratitude

Scott Hagan readily acknowledges his season as president was undergirded by a team of supporters. “I’m grateful to my precious bride, Karen (Mrs. H),” he said. “She’s been phenomenal. I’m thankful for Chancellors, Dr. Rich and Dr. Robyn Wilkerson, who helped me raise the standard for who we could become as a university. I’m thankful for my Chief of Staff, Kristie Kerr, and her husband, Jeff. To my deans and faculty, and our staff, I’m grateful.”

time to move on

As Scott and Karen Hagan spent time last fall talking about all facets of their lives, the president came to the professional realization that North Central needs powerful leadership to take it through the next stage of growth and stabilization. With the growth of their family (now boasting 11 grandchildren), they also felt called to love their kids and grandkids, invest in their marriage, and return to working side by side as they did when they served as pastors in their pre-North Central life.

Hagan is confident this move is right for his family and North Central.

“I feel like the Lord prepared us to emotionally assimilate to our world and to understand our environment; I had enough experience in my life to know when we came here that this is what we were supposed to do next,” he said.

“Did I do it the right way? I hope so. We have been honored to serve.”

Hagan leaves North Central with the most important element intact.

“I do believe that the number one responsibility was to keep the fire of Heaven alive on this campus, which is what makes it unique,” he said. “We are not just a Christian university; we are mandated by God to be an on-fire Christian University. Seeing how it all culminated at this year’s commencement was deeply satisfying.”

NCU’s newest alumni

commencement provides sweet conclusion for class most affected by pandemic

On May 5, 2023, the students whose freshman year was interrupted by the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic celebrated the triumph of completion— in person and side by side—as they graduated from North Central. Nearly 200 graduating seniors and graduate students, along with friends and families, filled the sanctuary at Emmanuel Christian Center for NCU’s annual commencement exercises.

in memory

North Cent ral University extends condolences to the families of these NCU community members who have passed away.

Howard Skinner, of Fort Collins, CO, on July 20, 2022

Phyllis Nygaard ’45, of Maple Grove, MN, on Jan. 18, 2023

Robert Doorm ’47, of Mt. Dora, FL, on Jan. 18, 2023

Thelma (Barth ’48) Hartwick, of Harleysville, PA, on Nov. 3, 2022

faithfully forward: Roger Lane recognized through honorary degree

At NCU’s commencement exercises on May 5, North Central University conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters award to the late Roger Lane ’89, a distinguished member of the university community.

According to Tim Hager, D.Min., Vice President of Advancement and Business & Operations, “The award is

Marilu (Crowell ’48) Hoferman, of Rice Lake, WI, on May 12, 2022

Everett Cole ’50, of Othello, WA, on April 20, 2022

Marlys (Hozempa ’50) Kingsriter, of Minneapolis, MN, on May 5, 2023

Patricia (Rasmussen ’75) Netterlund, of Minneapolis, MN, on May 5, 2023

Rebecca (Swelland ’88) Boyum, of Camp Verde, AZ, on May 4, 2023

Lance Beachem ’91, of Moorhead, MN, on April 13, 2023

Craig Cunningham ’92, of Indio, CA, on June 5, 2023

Tim Jenney, Ph.D., former Pastoral Ministries Professor, of Columbia, MO, on April 30, 2023

alumni now: find alumni updates online

Find alumni updates and news on the Alumni Now page on the North Central University website. No need to wait for the next magazine to share what God’s been doing in your life!

Use the QR code here or visit northcentral.edu/alumninow to catch up with the latest news from your classmates. You can also submit your latest news through the Alumni Update form located on the same page.

a recognition of his distinctive life achievement and distinguished contribution to the university. This is the highest award conferred by North Central University in its 93-year history, and only a few individuals have been recipients of this award.”

Roger Lane passed away on January 5. The university recognized Lane for his exceptional contribution to the institution. Scott Hagan, Ph.D., presiding over his last graduation ceremony as

president, acknowledged that Lane had raised over 200 million dollars for Kingdom work over the course of his career, including millions for the university, funding the building of Phillipps Hall and other projects.

Hagan said, “Yet far more, far more than the millions of dollars that were raised is the fruit of [Roger’s] life.” This award recognizes Lane’s exceptional leadership, dedication, and generosity toward North

Central University, his lifelong commitment to the university, and his inspiration to other members of the university community to strive toward excellence and distinguished contribution. Lane’s wife, Ann, and daughters Kate (Lane ’92) Ketterling and Kristie (Lane ’96) Kerr, and their families, gathered on stage to receive the award presented by President Hagan.

Complete your fully online graduate degree at North Central University.

Business Administration

• Church Leadership

• Worship Arts Leadership

• Organizational Development

Biblical Languages

• New Testament

• Old Testament/Jewish Scriptures

• Worship Studies

IS YOUR ORGANIZATION READY TO PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS?

As a North Central University Academic Partner site, your church or nonprofit ministry can provide an online Christian college experience through discounted degree programs.

Through Academic Partners, students receive a diploma from a fully accredited university while also participating in meaningful internships and learning experiences at the partner church or organization.

Take a stand for the next generation of Christian leaders in your community as a North Central University Academic Partner.

Learn more at northcentral.edu/academicpartners or contact Aimee Robertson at Aimee.Robertson@northcentral.edu.

In January, the first Alumni tour to the Holy Lands included 17 NCU alumni. It was an incredible journey as they were guided by the Center for Holy Lands Studies through places where Jesus and other heroes of the Bible had walked. The group included: Todd Marshall ’85, Adam Sikorski ’03, Brenda (Bradford ’85) Marshall, Ordean Peterson ’75, Marlene (Waller ’77) Peterson, Lindsey Semrau ’21, Darla (Kuglin ’88) Thompson, Keith Thompson ’87, Bethany Engstrom ’20, Trent Redmann ’93, Ashley Abbott ’22, Melinda Redmann ’22, Tabby (Wilson ’89) Finton, Trevor Westad ’23, Ellie Beard ’22, Brenda (Buckman ’85) Johnson, and Dani Johnson ’22.