Northwest Passages Winter 2023

Northwest Passages FOR FRIENDS AND ALUMNI OF NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY | WINTER 2023

Generations.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear friends, As we look to the beginning of 2024, I remember that our

founding occurred in 1934—90 years ago. Moses writes in Psalm 90, “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations” (v. 1 NIV). For some reason I imagine that Moses was 90 years old when he wrote Psalm 90, but he writes, “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures” (v. 10 NIV). He would go on to live to 120 years of age, but whatever his age was at the time he wrote this prayer, he was looking back at the generations he had known and probably looking forward to the generations to come. The wistful tone of the prayer ends with a call for God to establish the work of our hands. Moses realizes, even after 90 years, that his works are fragile and utterly dependent upon the Lord’s favor for their survival.

As we prepare to observe the 90th year of our work as “Northwest,” we recount the many times that God has favored us. The college teetered on the brink of destruction in 1949 when Charles Butterfield inherited a Bible institute that was deeply at odds about its future. Enrollment plummeted, but Butterfield trusted the Lord and boldly led a new vision, authoring a new chapter and inhabiting a new day. Before a decade could pass, the college faced extinction when I-5 plowed through its home and left it in search of new grounds. God miraculously provided the campus in Kirkland and shortly afterward provided the funds for developing the property into Northwest College.

Seasons of favor continued over the years, but in 2019, a new threat emerged. I remember deciding that I would go to work every day at 8 a.m. no matter what, for as long as the

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university lasted—because I did not know whether we

could survive COVID-19 or not. We made it through the pandemic, but it took a devastating toll on us. Enrollment at private colleges in Washington dropped by about 30% over the years of the pandemic, and we were no exception. The result has been a smaller college serving a new generation of students who have lived through a life-altering trial. Even as I write, admissions trends are pointing to recovery.

Every generation of students at Northwest has faced trials and triumphs. This issue of Northwest Passages will tell the stories of many of them. Our current community— administrators, faculty, staff, and students especially—faces the challenges of our own time. But this we remember: God has always been our dwelling place, and we trust Him to make His presence known powerfully in our house—His house. Beginning on January 1, 2024, would you celebrate our 90th year by joining with us in prayer every day for 90 days that God will grant us favor for the next 90 years and “establish the work of our hands” (v. 17 NIV)?

Sincerely,

Joseph L. Castleberry, EdD President Follow Dr. Castleberry’s blog at northwestu.edu/president/blog.

C O N T E N T S

CONTRIBUTORS PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Joseph Castleberry, EdD EDITOR Steve Bostrom

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MANAGING EDITORS Allyson Farstad Beth Boyd STAFF WRITERS Steve Bostrom Jessica Pillay

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Letter from President and Call to Prayer

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Generations United by Faith

PHOTOGRAPHERS Eli Haney Tyler Milligan John Vicory Jake Campbell Vivian Rice

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A Generational Journey

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What The Chapel Has Meant to Me

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Academic Excellence: Sarah Drivdahl

CONTACT passages@northwestu.edu

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Snapshots

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First-Generation Student Story

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Equipping Next-Generation Leaders

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A Soaring Start for NU Athletics

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College and Faculty Updates

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Upcoming Events

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Alumni Updates

ART DIRECTOR Amy St.Clair

NU MISSION We, the people of Northwest University, carry the call of God by continually building a learning community dedicated to spiritual vitality, academic excellence, and empowered engagement with human need.

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Northwest University is accredited by:

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Faith

Generations United by

Much has been written about the changing generations. Indeed, each generation is formed by the times in which it lives, by the culture in which it is immersed, and by the shared experiences that shape it. Baby boomers, millennials, Generation Z, and others all have certain characteristics that uniquely define them.

You see it in clothing styles, in the vernacular of the times, even in styles of worship.

But regardless of generation, one thing has remained. Way down deep, the human soul has not changed. It still seeks a home and tries in a million ways to find it.

90 DAYS

That home is Jesus Christ.

At Northwest University, we have seen generations walk across our commencement stages since 1934. And while these generations differ in certain ways, they have all received an academic experience that is grounded in the unchanging gospel of Jesus Christ.

In Him, there is no generation gap. From the early apostles to today, we are all unified eternally in Jesus.

The gap has been bridged. God calls us His very own. And we are united with Him forever.

We ask all generations to join us in 90 days of prayer beginning January 1, 2024—that God’s favor would rest upon Northwest University, the students who prepare for their callings, the faculty and staff who bless it with their faithful service, and all the generations who have gone before.

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Journey

A Generational

God began orchestrating a beautiful generational story for the Jamison family in 1980, when pastors Steve (’82, ’17) and Cheryl Jamison (’82) met as transfer students at Northwest College. Their obedience to the call of ministry in their young adulthood led to marriage and a flourishing decades-long ministry career alongside their son, Josh (’07), and daughter-in-law, Carrie (’07, ’08), at Eastridge Church in Issaquah, Washington. Here, the four of them share how NU shaped their identities and calling, and they offer advice to Christian parents and students who are navigating faith in today’s challenging world.

How did Northwest University prepare you for your life and ministry?

Steve: During our time at Northwest, we

learned how to really listen to God’s voice. NU cultivated these spiritual encounters through chapel services, spiritual emphasis weeks, and also the opportunity to engage and serve in the local church. It’s one thing to learn some spiritual truths in a classroom and another to get to actually practice ministry.

Cheryl: Also, the relationships that we formed

at NU have really stood the test of time. There’s a real sense of camaraderie that comes from navigating life with other people who are also on the same journey of learning how to discern God’s call and discovering how to be obedient to that.

What was it like for you as parents when two of your children decided to also attend Northwest University?

Cheryl: It was a really sweet season. Our oldest son, Josh, would often bring his friends home on the weekends since we lived 20 minutes

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away from campus, and it was wonderful to be that kind of landing spot for those students. I’m pretty sure we fed half of Northwest University!

Steve: NU was definitely the right fit for our

daughter, Janelle (’09, ’10), as well. She always wanted to be a teacher—ever since first grade.

But she also had a deep love for God and a passion for ministry. NU was a space where she could pursue both. She currently works for a ministry based in Dallas, Texas, that is all about helping churches engage with public schools and bring ministry into the school system.

What advice do you have for parents who are helping their children navigate faith in today’s cultural climate?

Steve: First: Be a good model. Be transparent in sharing the fact that you had your own journey.

Second: Be involved in the lives of your children and their friends. Open your home to your children’s friends. Whenever Josh would bring his college friends home, it was an opportunity for us to speak a little bit of hope and truth into those students. And by osmosis, our own kids were picking up those ideas.

Cheryl: Remember that who you are now is

not who you were in your twenties. Just like you, your children have their own journey and process to go through. And the same God who led you and redeemed you will do that for your children as well. So have the confidence that He will steer them. As you speak truth in their lives, you can trust that God is over you and your kids.

Why do you think it’s important for folks to invest—financially or otherwise—in Christian higher education?

Steve: I think of the biblical principal of

sowing and reaping. If we believe that the most important thing people can be involved with is serving God with all their heart, then we need to support institutions that allow people to grow and develop in their faith.

If you would like to support future generations of scholars and leaders at Northwest University, consider making a donation today at give.northwestu.edu.

You both followed in your parents’ ministerial footsteps and are in vocational ministry now.

When did you know that God was calling you into ministry?

Josh: I felt called into ministry as early as junior high—and even spent some of my teen years trying to talk myself out of that calling. But it was really my time at NU where I had some definitive moments that confirmed that I was supposed to give my life to this.

Carrie: I always loved the idea of being a teacher, but I also felt called into ministry in eighth grade.

Since my parents were also pastors, I was always involved in worship ministry or youth ministry or some combination of both while growing up. I decided to get a teaching degree because I knew that could open a variety of doors in my career and then pursued teaching full time while also doing worship ministry in a part-time capacity.

Then in 2018, I stepped into a full-time role as the worship director at Eastridge. The Lord has been faithful to use every season to equip me for the work I get to do now.

How did NU help shape your faith?

Carrie: It really helped solidify my beliefs. I grew up in Montana, so coming to Northwest meant leaving home. When I first got here, I spent time really learning who God was to me—apart from my family, my church, and how everyone back home knew me. I realized that my faith is not about what I do or how I serve the Lord but about my own personal walk with Him. I am grateful for my years spent at NU and the impact that chapels, Bible classes, and serving in ministry have had on my faith.

Who were some of your mentors at NU, and how did they influence your life?

Josh: Phil (’86) and Brenda (’83) Rasmussen were heavily involved in our lives. Between our time serving in Campus Ministries and Choralons, they’re the people we probably spent the most amount of time with. We traveled with them quite a bit with the Choralons band, and there were a lot of moments during road trips and rehearsals and so on where they spoke encouragement and direction into our lives.

Carrie: Many of the music professors really impacted me—like Bill Owen (’99), Ken Prettyman, and Mizue Fells (’79). Mizue taught me piano for four years. She was always such a gift. Not only was I able to talk to her about piano but also about life. They all really cared about me as a person and not just as a student.

What advice do you have for Generation Z and Generation Alpha as they navigate their walk with Christ in today’s cultural climate?

Josh: In a world that is constantly changing, it’s so important to anchor yourself to the things that never change, like the timeless truths of Scripture. There are so many things that feel unique to this generation—like how we interact with technology and artificial intelligence—but at the core of it all are issues of the human heart.

Those deep-rooted questions around self-worth, identity, and purpose are the same ones that many generations prior have dealt with, and the answers are in God’s Word.

Jamison Family: Daughter-in-law Carrie, son Josh, Steve, and Cheryl.

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WORSHIP CENTER VISION WALL recognizing their generosity and vision

Plaque image is a sample only.

Investing in Generations To Come.

We’ve extended the opportunity to give to the Chapel Renovation campaign and add your name to the Vision Wall that will be installed in the foyer. If you haven’t already, now is your chance to invest in the next generation of NU students who will—like those before them—raise their voices in song and praise for all that God has done.

Once completed, the new Worship Center will feature:

• A new Westbrook Global Prayer Center that is available 24 hours a day to students, faculty, and staff.

• Upgraded Creatio recording capabilities that will transform the chapel into a large recording studio capable of accommodating entire orchestras for film and gaming scores.

• An expanded atrium to enlarge the gathering space for students and visitors.

• Improved staging and technical equipment to elevate the worship experience.

• A new hospitality suite to better host guests and the ministry team.

• A new storage room so equipment can be housed on-site.

• A new front façade to improve the chapel’s appearance.

To make your donation and see the requirements to add your name to the Vision Wall, go to northwestu.edu/campaign.

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Meant to Me

What the Chapel Has

“

The chapel and Northwest were the most miraculous and marvelous experiences of our lives. When I think of the services we had in the chapel and the downpour of the Holy Spirit upon us, we didn’t even realize the impact it would have on the rest of our lives.

- B E V DYA L ( ’6 2 )

“

NU was the point of solidifying my faith. When you spend so many years here, you’re in an environment where Christ is honored. Everything is Christ first. Whether you’re going to a biology class or a class on the Gospels—it’s all Christ first. NU is a point in my life that I can look back to and say, “This is where I gained my anchor.”

- J O H N DYA L ( ’6 6 )

“

There’s one line that I remember from chapel to this day, and it was “Dare to do the ridiculous, and God will do the impossible.” I’ve never forgotten that, and we’ve seen Him do the impossible in our lives so many times. That was spoken 40 years ago, and I still remember it.

- JA N I N E R I DI N G S ( ’8 2 )

“

Butterfield Chapel is a holy and sacred space that reminds me of God’s faithfulness and nearness. In my 10 years at NU, the chapel has been a physical space where God has been incredibly faithful, time and time again, to reveal Himself to me in powerful, life-changing ways.

- M I CA H LO R E N Z ( ’1 8 )

“

Chapel is a place where I worship Jesus and am poured into time after time by the speakers and the worship. It’s also a place where friends have helped me grow and build on my relationship with Jesus. There’s also a generational impact with the chapel, as my sister and parents also spent time there as NU students. My time at NU wouldn’t be the same without the chapel.

- JOSH B O OT H ( C U R R E N T ST U D E N T )

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At the helm of these efforts is our new provost, Dr. Sarah Drivdahl.

Dr. Drivdahl is only the second person to hold this prestigious title at NU, and she is the first woman to do so. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge, focused leadership skills, and a Christ-centered outlook that ensures our students will receive an excellent, Jesusfirst education.

The New Face of Academic Excellence: Sarah Drivdahl At Northwest University, we are entering an exciting new season when it comes to

our academic programs. The future looks

promising as we add new degrees in areas such as health care, technology, and more to meet the demands of today’s changing workforce.

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Her own academic journey has been a robust one and reflects her lifelong passion for learning and research.

She earned her PhD from Kent State University in 2000, an MA from the same institution in 1997, and a BA from Western Washington University in 1994. Her research interests focus in the area of memory—particularly in eyewitness and autobiographical memory. She has also coauthored seven empirical papers and has contributed to presentations at meetings of the Psychonomic Society, Midwestern Psychological Society, and Western Psychological Association.

And she is no stranger to the NU community. Having previously served as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and as a professor of psychology, Dr. Drivdahl is a familiar face on campus and is beloved by students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

We are delighted to welcome her into this new role and to see the strides she will make as the new face of academic excellence at Northwest University.

For Unto You Is Born This Day in the City of David a Savior, Who Is Christ the Lord.

On a silent night in the city of Bethlehem, God entered the world in a way that no one expected.

One day He would atone for the sins of the world in a way that no one could possibly imagine.

It is the unexpected, unimaginable love of God that we celebrate on Christmas.

From all of your friends at Northwest University, may the presence of Christ be with you this Christmas season and throughout the new year.

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SNAPSHOTS NU THROUGH THE YEARS

Do you have any snapshots from your time at NU that you’d like to share with the community?

If so, submit them to passages@northwestu.edu.

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Generation One: Fernando Lopez-Mata’s Story

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Every year, Northwest University welcomes hundreds of new students to campus as they embark on their college journeys. And when you ask them how they found us, some may respond like this: My parents went to NU. My older sister went to NU. My pastor went to NU. It’s always a joy to meet new students whose families have a rich history and legacy at NU. Many of our faculty who have taught here for several years have had the pleasure of teaching multiple generations of one family.

But when we think about generations, there’s another group of students who are helping us write the next chapter of Northwest University’s story: our first-generation students.

Fernando Lopez-Mata is one of those students.

Fernando grew up in Lakewood, Washington, in a close-knit

school with their college applications. It’s been rewarding

family with his mother, grandparents, and younger brother.

to give them advice on how to succeed in college. This is

Before he enrolled in college, the highest level of education

the community that helped me get to where I am, and now I

in his household was high school, which his mother attended.

get to pour back into them. I’ve also been able to inspire my

But during his own high school experience, he had the

brother, who is currently a senior in high school. He seems

opportunity to enroll in Upward Bound, a federally funded

excited about going to college and asks me questions about

college prep program that sparked his interest in pursuing

things like scholarships. It’s been fun to help him out.”

higher education.

With his service-oriented heart, it doesn’t feel coincidental

“For one of my Upper Bound courses, we spent part of a

that of all the colleges out there, God led Fernando to

summer staying on a college campus. Getting to experience

Northwest. He says a smaller Christian university has been

things like having a roommate, sitting in on classes with

the perfect fit for him because he is surrounded by people

actual professors, and simulating what life in college would

who know him, care about him, and share his values and

be like was pretty exciting,” he reflects. “Then I visited NU

beliefs. He wasn’t interested in a party school or a huge

before my senior year and learned about student leadership

public institution where he’d get lost in the shuffle. Instead,

and the different organizations on campus. It made me really

he wanted a school where he could make meaningful

excited to be the first one in my family to go to college.”

connections and grow in his faith.

As a current sophomore, Fernado is already hard at work

“The Bible and theology classes here have really helped

building an impressive resumé for himself and dreaming about

me.” he says. “For example, Professor Jack Wisemore’s class

his future career. He’s an Act Six scholar, a video production

helped me understand the foundation of my faith and the

major, and currently serves in a student leadership role with

importance of having spiritual disciplines—not just reading

MOSAIC (Multicultural Organization of Students Active in

God’s Word, but living it.”

Christ). In the future, he hopes to use his video production education to one day make a documentary series about health care in underrepresented communities.

But he isn’t waiting until after graduation to make an impact.

He’s already doing it now: “I’ve been able to help some of the current Upward Bound students at my former high

When asked to summarize his experience at NU, his answer was powerfully succinct: “It feels like home.”

For many first-generation college students, the concept of home is a critical one. We are so thankful that Fernando found his at Northwest University.

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F A C U LT Y I N S I G H T S

Equipping Next-Generation Leaders in the World of Artificial Intelligence DR. CLINT BRYAN Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

An age-old tension still exists for Christians today: how to live in the world without being of the world.

Consider the emergence of generative artificial

Historically, devout believers would occasionally

knowing the benefits, risks, and best practices of AI

withdraw to cloistered communities to maintain

may make candidates more appealing to prospective

purity, becoming Desert Fathers and Mothers of the

employers. The same is true for marketing majors,

contemplative tradition. Others heard the call to “go

who rely on AI software for content creation.

into all the world” and launched the Student Volunteer

Conversely, students in the humanities, ministry, or

Movement for Foreign Missions, Pentecostal world

education wrestle with how technology can support

missions, and the Jesus Movement. Separation and

learning without disrupting the community known as

assimilation. Church historians can almost predict the

the body of Christ.

intelligence (AI) programs. Software applications like ChatGPT stand to alter the way individuals communicate. Moreover, the ethical use of AI proves a fascinating topic in a Christ-centered university.

For students enrolled in user experience (UX) design,

next swing of the proverbial pendulum.

From an AI task force to faculty workshops, panels, In an increasingly hostile age where fewer people

and student programming, we’re meeting this

affiliate with any religion, students at Northwest

challenge head-on at Northwest. American author

University learn about Kingdom influence without

Wendell Berry clarifies the stakes: “It is easy for me

compromising basic gospel tenets. Under the banner

to imagine that the next great division of the world

“Jesus first, Jesus always,” faculty integrate faith-filled

will be between people who wish to live as creatures

lessons within courses as varied as Developmental

and people who wish to live as machines.” As His

Psychology, Sound Design for Video Games, and

creation, God bids us to shape the future for Christ.

Survey of World Literature. More importantly, students

And the next generation of students from NU will do

discover how essential the practice of engaging in

precisely that.

contemporary issues is to their eventual careers. NU graduates are able to offer different perspectives than their secular counterparts.

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Dr. Clint Bryan serves as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, overseeing the academic disciplines that form the core of the undergraduate curriculum at Northwest University—subjects that university students have studied as the Liberal Arts for centuries. Prior to this role, Clint served as an associate professor of English at Northwest University for eight years.

Rhetoric and Composition (2023), and The Routledge Handbook of Language and Religion, (2023). His first coauthored textbook, Writing Letters of Recommendation: Evaluative Discourse in Academic Settings (University of Michigan Press) will be released January of 2024. His research has also appeared in the academic linguistics journals Culture and Religion and Text & Talk.

Clint’s research has focused on the intersection of contemporary preaching and digital rhetoric and on the written genres that people applying for academic positions struggle to master (e.g., letters of recommendation, teaching statements, and research statements).

He has been an ordained Assemblies of God minister since 1992, serving in a variety of pastorates throughout the Midwest and mid-South. Clint and his wife, Sally, lead the care team at their local church as volunteers.

He has recently contributed to chapters in anthologies published by the Modern Language Association: Lost Texts in

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A SOARING START FOR NU ATHLETICS

By Dr. Gary McIntosh, Athletics Director and Men’s Soccer Head Coach

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Northwest University athletic programs are in full swing for the 2023–24 academic year. As I begin my 21st year at Northwest as the athletic director and men’s soccer head coach, I am excited to say that this year is off to a great start.

Many fall sports returned on August 2, including cross-country, volleyball, and men’s and women’s soccer. Our basketball teams, track, and beach volleyball kicked off later in the fall.

We are already seeing impressive accomplishments from our NU Eagles.

Volleyball beat the No. 1 ranked team in the nation in front of a packed pavilion. This was a great night and only the second time in NU’s history to knock off a No. 1 seed.

Women’s soccer finished second in conference and are currently on their way to the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship.

Men’s soccer recruited 16 new players to the team to join 15 returners, with several being international players, including three student-athletes from Portugal and one from Brazil. The men’s soccer team finished the season with a record of 7-7-3.

The men’s basketball team brought back nine returners and has added six new faces to the roster so far creating a well-assorted group of freshmen and transfers. The mix of talent should make for a successful year in conference.

Women’s basketball competed in its first counting game at the beginning of November with 18 returners and six newcomers. Only losing two members from the previous season, they are competing at a high level with a strong and experienced core.

NU Athletics is also incredibly proud to be the recipients of the 2023 NAIA Five-Star Champions of Character Award. This prestigious award honors student-athletes who demonstrate high character through character training, conduct in competition, academic achievement, and character promotion.

Some key areas of consideration for the award include a student-athlete’s grade point average and having minimal or no ejections during competition throughout the year.

Come cheer on your NU Eagles at an upcoming game or match! To view schedules and to keep up with all the latest news on our sports teams, visit nueagles.com.

Want to invest in the lives of our student-athletes?

Scan the QR code and donate to Northwest University to help make athletic scholarships a possibility for our current and future players.

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High Demand.

Higher Rewards.

Health Care Degrees Designed To Help You Live Out Your Faith.

Did you know that health care jobs are currently

Health Care Programs at NU • BA or BS in Exercise Science.

• BS in Biology, Pre-Med, Pre-Vet, Pre-Health, or Pre-Dental Track.

on the rise? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that over the next decade, the health care industry will grow at a rate of 13 percent— which is much faster than the projections for many other fields.

People have a lot of opinions these days about the value of college and whether a degree can actually help you get a job. As far as a health

• BS in Nursing.

care career goes, the future looks bright.

• MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

At NU, we offer several programs that can help

• MS in Physician Assistant Studies.

• Doctor of Physical Therapy.

• PsyD in Counseling Psychology.

you land a fulfilling job in health care, and we’re regularly adding new programs—like our Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies—to help meet the needs of today’s changing job market. With one of our degrees, you’ll gain the tools you need to thrive in the workplace. And perhaps more importantly, you’ll learn in a Jesus-first

Find out more about each of these degrees at northwestu.edu/programs.

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environment how to bring your faith directly into your work. The industry not only needs health care workers—it needs health care workers who can serve with Jesus’ grace and compassion.

Jesus First.

Jesus Always.

the PRESIDENT’S BANQUET Presented by the Northwest University Foundation Board of Trustees

the23, 2024 February

PRESIDENT’S BANQUET

COLLEGE OF MINISTRY Dr. Joseph Castleberry (president) spoke in seven sessions on the topic of church leadership in English and Spanish at Church Conference 2023 at Christian Faith Center in Nampa, Idaho, on November 3–5.

Dr. Debbie Lamm Bray, ’90 (dean) recently published the book Embracing the Collision: Ministry, Humanity, Mental Health, and the Faithfulness of God.

C O L L E G E A N D F A C U LT Y U P D A T E S

Dr. J.P. O’Connor (associate professor, Ministry) wrote “Forward: A Theological Reckoning,” pages xi–xxii in Jeremiah Webster’s Notes for a Postlude: Poems and provided a review of Jonathan Bernier’s “Rethinking the Dates of the New Testament: The Evidence for Early Composition” in Catholic Biblical Quarterly.

Dr. Bill Oliverio (associate professor, Public Theology), Simo Frestadius, L., Sanna Urvas, and Wolfgang Vondey coauthored “Are We Still Perplexed by Pentecostalism? A Roundtable Discussion on Wolfgang Vondey’s Pentecostalism: A Guide for the Perplexed, a Decade After Publication,” in the Journal of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity.

AT H L E T I C S Steven Bain (head coach, Women’s Volleyball), who is also a research associate professor at the University of Washington, was a contributing author for the following articles: “Adrenergic Receptor Selective Antagonist Enhances Mechanically Stimulated Bone Anabolism in Aged Mice” in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research Plus, “A Convolutional Neural Network to Characterize Mouse Hindlimb Foot Strikes During Voluntary Wheel Running” in Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, and “A MicroCT-based Platform to Quantify Drug Targeting to Inhibit Heterotopic Ossification” in Insights into Imaging.

B U N TA I N C O L L E G E O F N U R S I N G Dr. Danette Ver Woert, ’11, ’22 (associate professor) earned her PhD in Organizational Leadership from Northwest University.

Her dissertation is titled “A Phenomenological Exploration of Nursing Faculty’s Experiences of Ethical Challenges in Their Administrative Duties.”

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Dr. Clint Bryan (dean) contributed a chapter called “Greetings to Those Joining Us for Church Online: Pandemic Sermon Rhetoric and Evangelism” for the Routledge Handbook on Language and Religion.

His coauthored book, Writing Letters of Recommendation: Evaluative Discourse in Academic Settings (University of Michigan Press), written for graduate students entering academia, comes out in January 2024.

Dr. Charlotte Easterling (assistant professor, Biology and Physics) was a contributing author to “The Lesser-Known Transitions: Organismal Form and Function Across Abiotic Gradients,” published by Integrative and Comparative Biology.

Dr. Naomi Fanshier (assistant professor, Music) earned her Doctorate of Music Education from Liberty University. Her dissertation is titled “Musical Excellence and Faith: A Study of Service-Learning as Pedagogy for Instrumental Ensembles at Northwest University.” She also has had an article related to her dissertation work, “Musical Excellence: Considering Service-Learning as Pedagogy for Orchestra,” accepted for publication in the College Orchestra Directors Association Journal.

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Professor Alex Johnson (assistant professor, Biology and Environmental Science) and Dr. Eric Steinkamp (professor, Biology and Environmental Science) coauthored an article with two other scholars titled “Behavioral Response of the Endangered Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomos ingens) to Vehicle Vibrations” accepted for publication in Western North American Naturalist journal in the November 2023 issue.

Dr. Joe McQueen, ’08 (associate professor, English) will submit his book manuscript, Liturgy, Ritual and Secularization in NineteenthCentury British Literature, this month to Cambridge University Press, with a 2024 projected publication date. He also contributed a chapter titled “Rituals and Sacraments” to The Cambridge Companion to Religion in Victorian Literary Culture, edited by Mark Knight (forthcoming 2024).

Dr. Jeremiah Webster’s (professor, English) essay, “A Terrible Mercy is Born: Starbuck Finds a Musket in Melville’s Apocalypse,” appeared in the summer “Mercy” issue of Mockingbird magazine. He also recently published a collection of poetry titled Notes for a Postlude (Wipf and Stock) with a theological introduction by Dr. J. P. O’Connor (associate professor, Ministry).

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Dr. Rowlanda Cawthon (dean and associate professor, Management) presented a leadership workshop on “Transformational Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, and Leadership Philosophy Development” for the Washington State Department of Corrections.

She conducted a two-part webinar series on “The Causes and Effects of Workplace Incivility on Employees” and “The Role of Leadership and Managers in Cultivating a Workplace of Civility” for the Department of Justice’s National Institute of Corrections. Dr. Cawthon also served as a keynote speaker and workshop presenter for the City of Kirkland Women’s Leadership Summit. Her topics included “Women Empowering Women” and “How to Lead Yourself, Your Team, and Your Organization.”

Dr. Angela Craig, ’07, ’23 (assistant professor, Marketing) earned her PhD in Organizational Leadership from Northwest University. Her dissertation is titled “A Phenomenological Exploration of the Impact of Recognition by a Teacher on Historically Represented Students as it Relates to Their Persistence in Higher Education.”

Dr. Shannon Fletcher (associate professor, Business) presented “Thriving Workplace Behaviors” for Northwest University’s Staff Professional Development Day.

SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY Dr. Austin Alexander (assistant professor), Dr. Ann Pharr (associate professor and codirector of Clinical Education), and Dr. Tania Tablinsky (assistant professor) were part of a group that presented “Maximizing Acute Care Functional Outcome Measures in Aging Adults” at the Texas Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference.

Dr. Ann Pharr was also one of the authors of “The Impact of Virtual Laboratories on Student Clinical Education Preparedness: A MixedMethod Analysis,” which was published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Education.

N U AWA R D E D G O L D FOR BEST IN THE N O R T H W E S T. The people have spoken and voted Northwest University as the gold winner in the category of best colleges in the Seattle Times. Thanks to our faculty and staff for creating a quality academic experience where Jesus is still first. And congratulations to NUhope for being selected as best in the PNW for mental health services!

People are discovering what we’ve known all along: NU is an exceptional university.

Mizue Fells After 40 years of teaching in the Music department at Northwest University, Professor Mizue Fells (’79), will retire at the end of the 2023–24 school year. She has profoundly impacted many generations of NU music students through courses such as piano lessons, music theory, and ear training. Watch for the next issue of Northwest Passages, which features an article that highlights the legacy Mizue leaves on this university.

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EVENT RECAPS

GENERAL COUNCIL AND ALUMNI RECEPTION AUGUST 1–4 This year’s General Council took place in Columbus, Ohio, and was the council’s 60th conference. Northwest University hosted a booth where our staff greeted attendees, gave out free swag, and answered questions about what makes NU unique from other universities.

For many, the highlight of General Council was the NU Alumni Reception where over 70 NU alumni and friends gathered to hear from Dr. Castleberry, enjoy gelato and giveaways, and thank God for a university that remains wholly committed to proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.

NU GOLF TOURNAMENT OCTOBER 2 The annual NU Golf Tournament was hosted again at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge. It was a record year with over $65,000 raised for student athletic scholarships and the Opportunity Fund! The tournament field consisted of 120 registered golfers—the most in the tournament’s history.

HOMECOMING & F A M I LY W E E K E N D OCTOBER 6–7 NU alumni, parents, current students, prospective students, and friends came together on a sunny weekend for our annual Homecoming & Family Weekend. Two alumni chapel services occurred on Friday, each featuring alumnus Steve Jamison (’82, ’17) as the guest speaker. On Friday evening, we gathered for a worship service led by an alumni worship team. Other weekend activates included Fall Fest, volleyball games, an improv show, open class visits, and an alumni lunch.

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UPCOMING EVENTS PRESIDENT’S BANQUET

February 23, 2024 | 7 p.m.

The Westin Bellevue | Bellevue, Washington Join us for our annual President’s Banquet—a powerful evening of reflection, testimony, worship, and generous giving. You’ll be inspired as you hear stories from our board of trustees, leadership team, alumni, and current students on the impact that Northwest University has had on their lives and will be invited to help us raise money for student scholarships through our Opportunity Fund.

HER VOICE, HER FAITH CONFERENCE

April 5–6, 2024 | Time TBA Butterfield Chapel | Northwest University Are you a woman business professional or entrepreneur?

Gather with other like-minded women in business for an empowering weekend of networking, fellowship, and professional development at the Her Voice, Her Faith Conference, hosted by the College of Business. Hear from industry leaders about today’s most relevant business topics and form friendships with other professionals from around Puget Sound.

COMMENCEMENT

May 4, 2024 | 10 a.m.

Overlake Church | Redmond, Washington Mark your calendar for the 88th Commencement ceremony of Northwest University. We hope to see you, your friends, and your family at one of the most important events of the year where we will reflect on another remarkable academic year and celebrate the graduating class of 2024.

For a complete list of upcoming events at Northwest University, visit northwestu.edu/events.

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Alumni of the Year We are pleased to announce that this year’s Alumni of the Year is Tyler Sollie (’02). Tyler’s life passion is to help people know Jesus and make Him known.

After completing degrees in Youth Ministry and Biblical Studies at Northwest University in 2002, he and his wife, Amber, served as youth pastors at Eastridge Church in Issaquah. From there, Tyler became the executive pastor at Stone Church in Yakima where he and Amber also served as the network youth directors for the Northwest Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God. Today, Tyler and Amber are senior pastors of Life Center in Tacoma and have three children: Judah,

Congratulations, Tyler! Your fellow Eagles are proud of all you’ve done—and will continue to do—for the glory of God.

Justus, and Faith.

N O M I N AT E A N A LU M N I O F T H E Y E A R Do you know someone who graduated from NU who is doing outstanding things for the Kingdom of God through their work, family, and community engagement? Consider nominating them for the Alumni of the Year award!

Scan the QR code or visit our website to submit your nomination.

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New Alumni Board President

LLOYD LORENTZEN (’50) Lloyd became a Christian under Henry Ness and attended Northwest Bible Institute when it was in Hollywood Temple in Seattle. One of Lloyd’s favorite memories was going to Dan and Esther Pecota’s home for Christmas meals with his wife, Arline (’49). He turned 98 years old this year.

We are very grateful to Ryan Kidwell (’04) for

JOHN DYAL (’66)

board president. We’re thrilled to congratulate

and doctorate degrees. Today, Terra works in

John was part of the original crew that built the chapel!

Contractors told the crew they couldn’t construct the chapel where they wanted to because of water and drainage concerns. But John and other students cleaned out the foundation so construction could continue.

primary care and is section head of Virginia

MARTY FOLSOM (’82, ’85, ’89)

Mason Edmonds Medical Center. She has also

Marty graduated in 1982 with a BA in Youth Ministry.

He was the last person to graduate with a Bachelor of Theology (ThB) and did the AG Theological Seminary MA in Biblical Literature at Northwest, graduating in 1989. He has three degrees completed at NU! This year, he released his second volume with Zondervan in the series Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics for Everyone.

Dr. Terra Mangum (’08) on her ratification as the new board president. After graduating from NU, Terra went on to earn her master’s

been recognized for her service within the community. In 2022 Terra won the Rick Steves Service Above Self Award, and in 2023 she took home the Hyundai Hometown Hero award.

A LU M N I U P DAT E S

his six years of faithful service as NU alumni

DR. SARA WILKINSON (’12) NU nursing graduate Dr. Sara Wilkinson is a nurse anesthesiologist who won the 2023 Advanced Practice Nurse Hero Award. The annual award honors nurses who are positive role models, demonstrate innovative ideas in nursing practice, and show strong leadership in interpersonal skills with colleagues and patients.

JUANA GALLEGOS (’17) Juana was selected as the second U.S. recipient of the

Queen Silva Nursing Award for her work to improve the quality of care for older adults and people living with dementia. A graduate of NU’s Master of Science in Nursing program in 2017, Juana flew to Sweden where she was honored by the queen for her innovative idea of developing a smart video app that uses AI to interface with an individual living with dementia by learning trusted family members’ prerecorded responses.

We want to hear from you!

Send us your updates at northwestu.edu/alumni.

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P.O. Box 579 Kirkland, WA 98083-0579 ADDRESS SERVICES REQUESTED

THE NU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION: Membership Has Its Privileges.

Join the NU Alumni Association! This is an excellent way to stay in touch

with NU and your fellow alumni, and you’ll receive plenty of benefits when you join. Joining is easy. Simply complete the online form and begin your

membership privileges right away: northwestu.edu/alumni/association.

Take a Free Class

NU grads have the opportunity to attend an undergraduate day or evening class totally free of charge every year.

NU ID Card

The NU ID card will provide access to a variety of benefits—both on and off campus.

Northwest Passages

We’ll send you Northwest Passages, a 28-page magazine that will help you stay connected with NU and your fellow alumni.

Alumni E-Newsletter

Stay up to date on NU news and events with our e-newsletter, which comes out several times each year.

Eagle Fitness Center

The fitness center is located in the Barton Building. As an NU alum, you have access for $15/month for individuals or $25/month for family memberships.

Library

You’ll have full borrowing privileges at Hurst Library. To check out books, all you need is your NU ID card.

Hotel Discounts

Receive discounts at Kirkland hotels when visiting the campus during university events.