Summer 2010

Vanguard University of Southern California

Summer 2010

The Right Fit

Entrepreneur and prosthetist

RICHARD MYERS ’85

Sisters’ Music Trio 6

Student Leader’s Legacy 9

New VP 19

Baseball Team Success 20

www.vanguard.edu

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mission statement As an Assemblies of God university, the purpose of Vanguard University is to pursue knowledge, cultivate character, deepen faith, and equip each student for a life of leadership and service.

contents volume 11 number 1

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in this issue

summer 2010

Features Out on a Limb ................................................. 4 Entrepreneur Richard Myers ’85 helped build successful medical

Loving God and serving people with excellence is in Vanguard University’s DNA. That is apparent throughout this issue, where you will meet alums who are serving with excellence in a variety of professional fields.

device companies, until he realized that his passion was fitting patients with prosthetic limbs.

Trio of Musical Sisters ...................................... 6 The Jung sisters have played Carnegie Hall, the Disney Concert Hall and with performers such as Andrea Bocelli. As VU faculty, they are helping students reach new musical heights.

Aiming for a Legacy ......................................... 9 Student body president David Vazquez wants his generation of students to leave a lasting legacy at Vanguard as previous classes have done.

Baseball Reborn ............................................ 20 With a new coach and a renovated field, the Lions baseball team launched into the national tournament and notched their best season in decades.

Departments Message from the President ............................. 1 On Campus ..................................................... 2 Class Notes ..................................................... 7 A Vine of His Own Planting ............................. 16 Postcards...................................................... 21

University Governance Chair, Board of Trustees David Oddo University Administration President Carol Taylor Provost / Vice President for Academic Affairs Jeff Hittenberger Vice President for Business and Finance Bob Allison Vice President for Enrollment Management Jessica Mireles Vice President for Student Affairs Ann Hamilton Vice President for University Advancement Ron Harris

Editor Joel Kilpatrick Associate Creative Director Tawny Marcus Photographer Chauncey D. Bayes Director of Alumni Relations Heather Clements Associate Director of Marketing and Communications Erin Schell

Rick Myers ’85 has a wonderful story. He graduated from Vanguard and became a successful entrepreneur in the medical devices industry. There he discovered his passion for providing amputees with high-quality prosthetics. That passion eventually led him to step away from the CEO role so he could personally fit patients with artificial limbs, giving them caring personal service. You’ll love reading about his journey.

Speaking of passion, the Jung sisters, three marvelous musicians with degrees from the best music conservatories in the country, have brought their passion for chamber music to our music program. They serve students here with excellent instruction and offer an outstanding example as they perform in some of the world’s premier concert halls. You will enjoy learning how this trio of sisters brought their high level of musical expertise to Vanguard.

Student David Vazquez is also passionate about service, and as the 2010-2011 student body president he is encouraging his fellow students to leave a legacy on campus as many previous generations have done. David is a confident, gifted leader who has a wonderful appreciation for Vanguard’s rich history and how his generation can contribute to those traditions. I have no doubt that he’ll succeed.

This issue includes other updates you’ll want to read — from an alum who works as a producer at Fox News, to another who is the preferred physical therapist for the U.S. men’s and women’s volleyball teams, to another who works at the U.S. Census Bureau. Each of these people reflects our University’s goal: to equip men and women to serve God and others to the best of our abilities. This issue also includes the always-popular Class Notes, an introduction to our new vice president for university advancement, and a recap of the most successful baseball season at Vanguard in nearly twenty years.

Thanks for being part of the Vanguard community!

Chief Communications Officer Kelly Kannwischer Vanguard University of Southern California, in compliance with laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, disability, national origin, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures.

President, Vanguard University

vanguard magazine is a free publication published 3 times per year by Vanguard University of Southern California. All contents copyrighted, 2009, Vanguard University of Southern California.

Bulk rate postage paid at Las Vegas, NV. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: VUSC Alumni Relations Office, 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.

vanguard magazine summer 2010 1

on campus

Grad Education Speakers Series Features Alum Daniel Amen

Amen is the CEO and medical director of Amen Clinics. He

VU alum Dr. Daniel Amen ’78 gave a lecture to a packed

Magnificent Mind at Any Age.

Lyceum Theatre as part of a guest speaker series presented

For more information on the Vanguard University graduate

by the graduate program in education. Amen, a physician,

program in education or their guest speaker series, visit www.

psychiatrist and best-selling author who has appeared on the

vanguard.edu/graded.

has written more than twenty books, including New York Times bestsellers Change Your Brain, Change Your Life and

Dr. Oz show, Larry King Live and the Today Show, called the lecture “a homecoming.”

New Veterans Center Opens VU has officially become a veteran-friendly university, offering a range of services to veterans and helping them connect to programs which can cover nearly all of their tuition.

“Last year a new GI bill was passed providing veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars phenomenal education benefits,” says Jamie Brownlee, director of the School for Professional Studies. “So we asked, how can we better serve and support veterans here at Vanguard?”

“I am excited to be coming back to Vanguard to share practical tips on having a better brain and better life,” he said.

Amen offered educators and parents ideas to improve the use of their own brains and the brains of their students and children. He discussed his pioneering research in brain imaging which allows him to observe correlations between what he calls “brain hardware” and resulting life problems.

Restoring brain function in the affected areas can help resolve depression and violent tendencies, he said.

“Dr. Amen helped me think differently about dealing with students,” says Krissy Tolzda, a student in the grad ed

From L-R: Allan Mansoor, mayor, Costa Mesa; Lt. Jim Peugh MA ’01, MTS ’02 CHC, USN; Erin Wendorf ’08, veteran, US Army; Congressman Dana Rohrabacher; Dr. Carol Taylor, president Vanguard University; Adm. Vern Clark, USN (ret.), trustee; Sarah Lee, representative from Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez’ office; Dr. Del Tarr, Jr., trustee; Brent Theobald, current SPS student, veteran, USMC; Jon Basalone, trustee

One answer was to establish a veterans center on campus which offers vets career counseling and academic support, and helps them find out about their benefits.

program. “If a student is continuously working hard and still not ‘getting it,’ there may be something stifling his progress which can be due to the environment, head injuries or the food they eat. As an educator, my job is to find these reasons

Another important step came when the undergraduate school and the School for Professional Studies were approved for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Yellow Ribbon program, which supplements the GI Bill in paying tuition to private colleges.

and keep working with the student until we come up with the correct solution.”

2 vanguard magazine summer 2010

“This means that tuition for veterans will be completely covered and they won’t have any school debt,” says Brownlee.

on campus

In June, Vanguard’s Veterans Center was opened with a formal ceremony keynoted by VU board member and former member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Vernon E. Clark, USN (Ret.). Also attending was the mayor of Costa Mesa,

Faculty Books

Allan Mansoor, and Congressman Dana Rohrabacher. The ceremony recalled the VU campus’s history as a military base

Craig Rusch’s ’86 co-authored book Managing the

and the school’s long track record of training chaplains.

Millennials: Discover the Core Competencies for Managing

“It was a phenomenal event,” says Brownlee. “One attendee

Today’s Workforce was published by Wiley in February.

said he was proud to be an American that evening, proud to

The book is co-authored

honor veterans and proud to be part of Vanguard. I think that’s

with VU alum and former

what everyone felt. We’re going to serve veterans and support

adjunct professor, Chip

them well. We want veteran students to succeed and to be

Espinoza ’87 and Mick Ukleja.

satisfied with their experience here.”

Managing the Millennials offers research-based solutions for understanding differences between generations. It identifies nine points of tension and nine approaches for building better relationships between younger workers and the people who manage them.

Rusch is a professor of psychological anthropology at Vanguard and chief strategy officer with GeNext Solutions. He received his doctorate from UCI in social sciences emphasizing cross-cultural cognition and social networks. His current work is developing generationally effective leaders. In his university and business activities Craig works closely with millennials as an educator and mentor.

Gary Tyra’s book Defeating Pharisaism: Recovering Jesus’ Disciple-Making Method was published by Paternoster in October. For the past two years Tyra has served as the chair of the department of religion,

gary tyra

and is an associate professor of biblical and practical theology. The book deals with the problem of pharisaism in evangelical churches, offering church leaders a strategy by which they can cultivate a disciple-making environment that mitigates the presence

D E F E AT I N G PHARISAISM Recovering Jesus’ Disciple-Making Method “Carefully study this book” —DALLAS WILLARD

of pharisaism (characterized by legalism, dogmatism, separatism and hypocrisy) while steering congregation members toward a more grace-oriented approach to the spiritual life.

On Campus, continued on page 18

vanguard magazine summer 2010 3

alumni profile

Out on a Limb or twenty years Rick Myers ’85 has been a successful entrepreneur in the field of medical devices, founding industry-leading companies and rising to national leadership in his field. But a few years ago he made a significant career change, stepping away from his CEO role to work in the trenches as a prosthetist, the one who fits patients with their new prosthetic limb. Today, Myers serves amputees one-on-one with caring and professional service at his clinic in Irvine.

f

“The faculty were incredibly instrumental in my life,” he says. “Don Lorrance was one of my academic advisors. Larry McHargue was another.

I had a whole bunch of desire and absolutely no discipline. Those guys formed me in terms of being a systematic thinker, in doing my work as unto the Lord and in just working hard. They taught me that things don’t come easily. I’ve always said that two of the most profound influences in my life in terms of business and academics are Don and Larry.”

“If you sit down and talk with these patients, it doesn’t take two minutes to understand the powerful attraction of this from a ministry standpoint,” Myers says. “It parallels being a pastor, caring for people on the most basic level. I used to struggle with sharing my faith in a business context. Not now. Patients have looked me in the face and said, ‘Why did God do this to me?’ They don’t even know I’m a Christian. We have two hours together as I’m working on their arm or leg, aligning them for the prosthetic limb. I often tell them, ‘There’s a much bigger purpose we have in this world. Lots of times God uses something like this to wake us up. Do you know Christ?’ People are not offended at all. It’s the most natural conversation you could ever have.”

Another key relationship was with Liesel (Strohschein ’84) and Cecil Miller ’84, then students. Cecil is now professor of physiology and cell and molecular biology at Vanguard.

Myers’ business record has been golden: he has been involved in starting, buying, selling and turning around a number of medical device companies since 1987. He founded Freedom Innovations in 2002, developing it into a leading provider of carbon-fiber prosthetic feet and micro-processor controlled knees. He was vice president of global operations for Ossur, an international leader in orthotics and prosthetics, and held executive positions at Baxter Healthcare (working with cardiovascular implants), and Steri-Oss (working with dental implants). His expertise spans operations, marketing, product development, business development and acquisitions.

None of it would have been possible without his Vanguard education, he says.

“Vanguard provided an environment that was safe and effective, with small classes and professors who were very involved with students,” he says. “It was an incredible experience.”

Myers came to California from Georgia in 1981 as a new Christian. He and wife Megan had no plan but to follow God’s leading and evangelize the world.

“If you had anybody screaming at you at the Newport Pier in the early ’80s, it was probably me,” he says of his early proselytizing efforts.

Wanting to study for a “ministry-focused” career in medicine, he followed the example of his pastor, Edmund Pratt ’79, and enrolled at Vanguard University.

“They were good friends and a godly, spiritual influence on us as young parents,” says Myers. “We both had kids pretty young. We needed people who had been Christians for a while who could help us. The whole community in married student housing at Vanguard was powerful.”

“Amputees have this overcoming spirit in them. They see meaning and value in things that other people don’t see. That spirit is contagious.”

Myers won the American Chemical Society student of the year award for Orange County during his senior year. After graduating he joined the first dental implant company in the U.S. as their third employee.

“I didn’t really know anything about it, but my training in chemistry and systematic thinking at Vanguard helped me,” he says.

Within a few years the company was sold to Bausch & Lomb for $23 million. Myers then worked for Baxter Healthcare, and helped turn around a small medical device company before joining FlexFoot, a prosthetics company, as part of the executive team that prepared the company to go public. His role was to clean up operations and improve the research and development pipeline. There he discovered the ministry value of prosthetics.

“Amputees have this overcoming spirit. They see meaning and value in things that other people don’t see,” he says. “That spirit is contagious. After a few weeks in prosthetics I decided I had found a home for the rest of my career.”

Rick Myers, continued on page 14

vanguard magazine summer 2010 5

faculty profile

From L-R: Ellen Jung, Jennie Jung and Julie Jung

A Trio in Life and Music

T

hree sisters, Jennie, Ellen and Julie Jung, are VU faculty members and artists-in-residence, bringing impressive credentials to the music program. The Jungs are members of a nationally-known piano, violin and cello trio and hold advanced music degrees from Yale University, the Juilliard School of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music.

But Jennie “never imagined we would become professional musicians,” she says. She was a pre-med major in college, then switched to music to see if it might become a career. She soon was accepted to Yale and then Juilliard to study piano.

For a time, all three sisters attended Yale for graduate work. They continued performing together at summer programs, in recitals and at chamber music series.

“They are extremely talented and play with wonderful musicality and passion,” says James Melton, chair of the department of music.

But when their mother was diagnosed with cancer, they dropped “Their skills and personalities greatly enhance our music program. everything and moved to California to be with her.

We’re so blessed and thrilled to “We really didn’t have any plan have adjunct professors of such but to take care of our mom,” outstanding quality at Vanguard The Jungs sit in for local symphonies Jennie says.

— musicians who are world-class and play for television and movie performers in their own right.”

The west coast was new territory for them, but they persevered soundtracks and top ten sitcoms.

The Jungs, who have played through the culture shock and at the Disney Concert Hall and They have performed with Andrea began teaching private lessons.

Carnegie Hall, with various After their mother passed away, Bocelli, Dave Koz and Barry Manilow. symphonies and on soundtracks Jennie made plans to return to for popular television shows, New York and the familiarity of grew up in Toronto, Canada, with the east coast.

Before she could, she was invited to play the Easter music-loving parents. The sisters played together from hymnals and services at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church.

There she met James Christmas song books, then studied at Toronto’s Royal Conservatory Melton who asked her to teach at Vanguard. of Music.

“We would spend weekends at the Conservatory studying theory, history, chamber music, youth orchestra,” says elder sister Jennie.

“Since then we have always played together.”

“I thought, ‘This is where I have to stay,’” Jennie says. “I had a very good feeling about it. Dr. Melton is such a welcoming person. The people are so warm and friendly. It had been a long time since I’d Jung Trio, continued on page 11

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class notes

’70s

Vanguard on Facebook The next time you’re on Facebook, join the hundreds of other Vanguard alums who have become fans of our Vanguard University alumni Facebook page! It’s the place to catch up with old friends, see what’s happening at your alma mater and maintain your connection to the Vanguard community. On top of that, it’s great fun!

We have had a growing response all year to the page. People are finding old quad-mates and plugging in to current activities at Vanguard — attending sports events, theatre productions and more.

Alums from the ’50s through the ’00s are discovering that our Facebook page is a convenient way to stay connected. Some have even organized mini-reunions and posted photos at the page. We like to think of it as a round-the-clock, multigenerational reunion where you can drop in when you like, post a comment or picture or respond to an interesting post.

Speaking of interesting posts, there are plenty of fun conversations taking place in the comments section in response to posts like, “What was your favorite Friday night hangout spot?” or “Who did you sit next to in Bible 101?” One recent

Michael Landsman ’75 has been in South Africa for eight years working as the assistant dean of Rhema Training Centre in Randberg, part of the Rhema Bible Church South Africa.

Michael is married and has three children and three granddaughters.

post — “Who was your favorite professor?” — garnered nearly forty responses, all passionate and appreciative. Around graduation time we asked, “What advice or encouragement would you give the graduating class of 2010?” Many people posted their thoughts. We’d love to hear from you, too!

So head over to Facebook and search “Vanguard University alumni.” Our page will come up and you can jump right in to the conversation. See you there!

Heather (Rachels ’02) Clements Director of Alumni Relations

Beverly (Thatcher ’71) Littau and husband John live in Woodland.

John is a pastor at The Sanctuary, and Beverly is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a busy practice (cornerstone-counseling. org). They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.

Augustine Molina ’73 has worked in consumer affairs for many institutions including the Orange County Mental Health Department, and was recognized for his work by the U.S. Consumer Affairs director under President Ronald Reagan. Molina later served as the military health services administrator in Desert Storm and at the Pentagon. He retired in 2005 and lives in San Antonio, where he is a consultant to federal military agencies.

Augie has three children, Stephanie, Stephen and Daniel.

’80s Kaiti (O’Brien ’88) Ketner received her educator certificate from Lone Star College in January. She lives in

alumni@vanguard.edu

Kingwood, Texas.

’50s

’60s

Marita (McNutt) Gladson ’56 retired in 1995 from teaching in the Brea Olinda School District. She received her marriage and family therapist license in 1996 and practices in Fullerton. Her passion is Saboba’s Hope, a public charity that supports the Saboba Medical Centre in Soboba, Ghana.

Elaine Gomez ’65 and husband Johnny have been missionary evangelists since 1975 (johnnyandelaine.com).

In that time, they built Bible schools in Russia, churches throughout Latin America and sixteen Christian radio stations in Argentina and Madagascar. They have traveled to thirty countries and have been hosts on national Christian television.

Betty (Hogan ’50) Seekman and her husband of 50 years, Vic, will celebrate her eightyfourth birthday this year. Since attending SCBC Betty has been a business owner, piano teacher, and has ministered in a local nursing home. The Seekmans have two children, Valerie and Victor, and four grandchildren.

They reside in Beaverton, Ore.

Joyce (Smiley ’67) Guerra has been a kindergarten teacher for 27 years and plans to retire this summer. She has spent 32 years in the public school system and considers it her ministry to children.

Send us your photos! We would love to showcase pictures of your new baby, wedding or anniversary in Class Notes. Email your photos (at least 1 megabyte in file size) to alumni@vanguard.edu or mail your prints (at least 3” by 4”) to: Alumni Relations, 55 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Prints will not be returned.

Wendy Kliewer ’80 is a psychology professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. She received a Fulbright Award to study in South Africa in 2011. She will be working in Durban and studying parental messages about coping with violence and drug use.

David Rogers ’82 is the senior pastor at Fellowship Bible Church. He and wife Tina have been married 19 years and have three children, Dallas, Alexi and Carson. They live in Bend, Ore. Jodi (Hanson ’85) Slyter lives in Meridian, Idaho, with husband Gordon, their three children and three pugs. Gordon is the senior pastor and divisional superintendant at Meridian Foursquare Church, which they planted in 1992. Jodi is the women’s ministry coordinator and directs and teaches at the church’s school.

Scott Sorgea ’88 is the director of team Class Notes, continued on page 8

vanguard magazine summer 2010 7

class notes Class Notes, continued from page 7

sports and youth sports camps at Bayside Church in Granite Bay. He is married to Laura and has three children.

Constance (Ternes ’80) Wells earned her second doctoral degree in November 2009, in clinical psychology from the California Institute of Human Science Graduate School.

In addition to her integrative therapy work, she remains the senior vice president at Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Constance lives in La Cañada with husband Ritch and their 12-year-old sons, Spencer and Conner.

’90s Al Contrera ’94 is the president of Almark Sports, which distributes baseball training gloves for kids ages eight and up (greathandsglove.com).

Shannon Dobson ’99 manages a T-Mobile location in Turlock and continues to work as a junior and senior high youth group volunteer at Covenant Grove in Modesto.

Christy (Varnell ’91) and Bruce Durkee ’90 celebrated 20 years of marriage. They recently helped launch a new church (shadowrockchurch.net). Bruce is an estate planning attorney and CPA in a private practice in Palm Desert. Christy works as an office manager at the law firm. They live in La Quinta and have two daughters.

Matt Fairchilds ’98 was called to be a hospital minister after surviving a traumatic bicycle accident when he was 16. Since graduating Vanguard, Matt attended graduate school and studied counseling and psychology.

Deborah (Gunzel ’94) and Daniel Gatchel ’92 live in Texas with their four daughters. Daniel is completing a BA in information technology; Deborah plans to pursue an MA in education curriculum and instruction next year. The Gatchels helped start a library system in their church and support a private Christian school in the Shama region of Ghana, West Africa.

Kevin Snow ’94 is a member of the Christian band Dust (fromdust.com). They celebrate 10 years of prison ministry in the state of Texas.

Kevin lives in The Colony.

Barry Vaudrin ’91 is the founder and host of Cruising Authority (vmanetconcepts.com/ talkshow/), a cruiserelated talk show. He has worked on six ships with four different cruise lines. Barry has been

8 vanguard magazine summer 2010

a cruise industry consultant for a number of travel agencies and has been instrumental in the start-up of several cruise-only agencies.

a dental assistant for a local oral surgeon and continues her babysitting and personal assistance business, Jennie of All Trades. She lives in Orange.

’00s

Rachel (Hodges ’06) and Matt Burns ’07 are expecting their first child, Madison Faylynn, in October. Rachel has worked for JCTV, a Christian youth television network, for the past three years.

Cheriss Bayard ’06 spent a year in China as an English teacher and hosting an English TV show. She then served as a youth pastor in Palm Springs before returning to Orange County. Cheriss is now the site coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club in Garden Grove. She is also the vocal team leader at Free Chapel in Irvine and is pursuing a career in music.

Colie Cassidy ’10 was recently promoted to manager of the t.b.d. department at Nordstrom in South Coast Plaza. She traveled to Costa Rica after

Jennie Bryant ’04 attended the Bethel Church School of Worship in Redding last summer. She is currently Class Notes, continued on page 10

Dusty’s Riders Sarah (Crawford) Williams ’86 left a 16year career at the Walt Disney Co. to run Dusty’s Riders, a non-profit organization that invites inner-city kids to interact with horses.

“We take at-risk kids on horse outings,” says Williams, who created Dusty’s Riders and named it after her appaloosa. “They get hands-on time with my horse, Dusty, and a trail ride in Griffith Park. It helps their self-esteem and self-confidence.”

Williams started Dusty’s Riders in 2000 after praying about how she could serve others while she pursued a career in acting. She felt prompted to start a horse program for young people.

“I was a horse lover as a kid, but hadn’t been around them for years,” she says.

“Then I started riding weekly and Dusty was one of my lesson horses. God gave me the perfect horse for this organization.”

On horse outings, kids brush Dusty, handfeed him carrots, groom him, take a trail ride on rental horses — and overcome their fears.

“Many have never touched a horse before,” she says. “It’s all about showing them new horizons, teaching them

about goals, getting them thinking about the future.”

Some youth organizations and clubs use it as an incentive program.

Williams says she “loved Vanguard and had a blast. The theatre department was great. It taught me self-discipline and planning.”

She hopes to acquire a ranch in the San Fernando Valley where she can run the program all week long. Dusty’s Riders is supported by private donations and fundraisers.

Learn more at www.dustysriders.org.

student profile

Student Leader Aims at Lasting Legacy

D

avid Vazquez has his sights set on political office, and as Vanguard’s student body president he’s getting valuable leadership experience now. Vazquez, a junior, is also helping this year’s student body focus on how they can impact Vanguard well into the future.

“Students help to create the identity of Vanguard,” he says. “Things that are instrumental to our community came from students, like the Cove, which was named by a student. Frontline, our student orientation, was revamped and renamed by a student. One reason I wanted to be student body president was to empower students. My question for them is, what will the student body of 2010-2011 leave as a lasting legacy for Vanguard University?”

Vazquez’s interest in politics goes back to the disputed U.S. presidential election of 2000. A fourth-grader at the time, he stayed up all night to watch the drama play out.

“I was fascinated by the election results, the commentary, the back and forth,” he says. “I was trying to understand, who is the president? Since then politics has become a passion. I’m a U.S. history buff.”

He ran for student council in sixth grade and won, lost his next campaign in seventh grade and then ran successfully for office all the way through high school.

“Since I was young I have wanted to help people,” he says. “In the

broadest terms, politics is a vehicle to help others.”

When it came time for college he toured the Vanguard campus and felt “this incredible sense of peace and longing, like, ‘You belong here,” he says. “God was being really obvious. I knew this was where I should go.”

Since coming to VU, he has grown in his passion for the political process, he says.

“Students help to create the identity of Vanguard. My question is, what will the student body of 2010-2011 leave as a lasting legacy for Vanguard University?”

“I’ve learned to articulate why I feel something is important,” he says. “God has opened speaking opportunities. As a freshman I spoke to the board of trustees and at the Southern California Assemblies of God District Council meeting. I was able to go to Florida for the General Council meeting and represent Vanguard. There have been leadership opportunities at seminars that Vanguard has allowed me to go to. That’s all been confirmation to me.”

“David is a natural leader,” says Darren Guerra, assistant professor of political science and Vazquez’s academic advisor. “He has a conDavid Vazquez, continued on page 17

vanguard magazine summer 2010 9

Screening the U.S. volleyball teams

events including the Kennedy Center Honors and Warner Brothers TV Gala. She is an on-call assistant production manager for the Kodak Theater in Hollywood and lives in Los Angeles.

Matt Swift ’02 has been helping the U.S. men’s and women’s volleyball teams avoid injury and strengthen weak areas in their bodies with a test called the Functional Movement Screen. The test screens the athletes for issues related to mobility and stability with seven simple exercises.

Heidi Giacomantonio ’06 spent a year in New Zealand working at a hospital. She is now in the business development department of a large health organization in Orange County and travels around the U.S. She hopes to finish writing her book by the time she is 30.

“It’s a good test to do in the beginning of a season to help you avoid injuries and to find your weakest link,” Swift says.

Swift’s Change Sports Physical Therapy Institute is the preferred physical therapy provider for the national teams and shares a facility with them at the American Sports Center in Anaheim.

Swift also sees non-professional patients.

He began working with the national teams in 2008, right after the men’s team won the Olympic gold medal. Swift, who has his doctorate in physical therapy, helps non-pro’s with the same problems.

“I’ll see people with knee pain who started running four months ago,” Swift says. “If they had done this screen before, that injury could have been prevented. That’s the whole purpose.”

Swift says he had a “wonderful

experience at Vanguard” where he played on the soccer team, went on several Mexico mission trips and led worship in chapel.

“It opened my eyes spiritually,” he says.

“And I met my wife there.”

VU prepared him well for his doctoral program.

“I was ahead of the game compared to other students, mainly because of my experience at Vanguard,” he says. “I felt really good about my preparation.”

For the past several years he has taught pharmacology classes at VU and will be teaching the neuroscience lab course this fall. He and wife Kahanah (Rapport ’01) have two young children, and Matt is an assistant pastor at The Father’s House church in Orange County. Learn more about his practice at sportschange.com.

Class Notes, continued from page 8

graduating and plans to pursue an MBA. Tina Collman ’06 works at the Cody Rose Salon in Irvine, styling hair and teaching product education classes. Her blog features her recent work (blowdrythis. blogspot.com). Tina lives in Costa Mesa.

Katie (Boddorf ’06) and Brendan Cotter ’05 live in Laguna Hills.

Brendan works at Bentley Prince Street, a commercial flooring manufacturer. Katie is a sales representative for clothing designer BB Dakota (dakotacollective.com) and travels to boutiques throughout the West Coast.

Kristina (Petrosino ’04) Dritan is an equity researcher and analyst of the health insurance industry for First Horizon Bank in Boston. Husband Tony is a medical

10 vanguard magazine summer 2010

devices engineer from Albania. She received an MBA from Northeastern University and volunteers at the Posse Foundation, tutoring high school students in writing research papers and college preparations.

Jessica and Rudy Estrada ’08 are excited to be back in California among family and friends. Rudy completed the MTS program at Duke University. Jessica worked for the Duke facilities management department and volunteered at the Durham Crisis Response Center in North Carolina.

Claire Friday ’04 received an MFA in stage management from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2008. Since then, she has held stage management positions at La Opera and Walt Disney Concert Hall. She also coordinated productions for various television shows and

Dana (Nelson ’05) and Gabriel Goldman ‘04 were married in August 2005 and welcomed daughter Brinley in January 2009. Gabe furthered his education at Southern California University of Health Sciences to become a doctor of chiropractic.

His practice, Grecian Chiropractic and Wellness (gchiro.com), is located in Costa Mesa and provides a chiropractic presence for the Vanguard athletic program, students, staff and alumni. Dana worked as the inquiry coordinator in the Vanguard admissions office and is now a stay-at-home mother. They live in Aliso Viejo and expect their second child in December.

Krystal Hernandez ’09 went to Washington, DC, on behalf of the Vanguard INTERSECT program that coordinates high school students to serve in local neighborhoods. She is pursuing a teaching credential and MA in education at Vanguard and is excited to participate as an alumna in Hands Across the Border’s twentieth anniversary.

Mikala Hooper ’03 lived in England for a year and is now a drama teacher at Lake Norman Christian School and the director of college ministry at Ardent Faith Christian Fellowship. She will lead a team of ladies from her church to Uganda to serve at Cherish Uganda (www.cherishuganda.org), a non-profit organization that nurtures a village of kids with HIV/AIDS. Rebecca ’05 and Michael Johnstone ’07 live in Apple Valley with son Justin, 10. Michael is a teacher at the Academy for Academic Excellence, and Rebecca is the front office receptionist. They are raising support to enter into full-time missions to serve students K-12 in Vienna, Austria (johnstonefamilyadventure.blogspot.com).

Class Notes, continued on page 11

Jung Trio, continued from page 6

stage,” says Julie.

been in that kind of environment. It was such a comfort to me.”

They have toured Europe, Asia and Africa, and Julie and Ellen have performed in Carnegie Hall several times with different orchestras.

Jennie began accompanying the Vanguard Concert Choir, taught a music history course and helped with chamber music. When her sisters were also hired as faculty, the threesome began teaching chamber music together.

“The students are very hard-working,” Ellen, the second sister, says. “It’s rewarding. I didn’t realize how much we would get out of it.”

Julie, the youngest, says she enjoys “the close feeling of community” and is happy to be able to teach at a university. “I like my students a lot,” she says. “They are eager to learn.”

“It’s wonderful to perform all this music with [my sisters]. I learn from their strengths. There is an intuition that isn’t there with other instrumentalists.”

“Teaching at the university level had always been a dream of mine,” adds Jennie. “I feel very fortunate that I was able to get a job at Vanguard, and I have a lot to thank Dr. Melton for. He has been so supportive of my sisters and me.”

Ben Cave, a music major and first violinist, says the student response to the Jungs has been “overwhelmingly positive.”

“The string players in particular, myself included, are highly enthusiastic about the opportunity to study under world-class performers,” he says. “As an ensemble, they do more than simply stay in time with one another — it’s as if they’re reading each other’s minds.

It’s obvious they have spent years carefully honing their technique, as the technical difficulties of the music are navigated effortlessly.”

The Jungs continue to perform as a trio. Two years ago they played the Disney Concert Hall.

“That hall is made for an orchestra, not a little piano trio, so the sense of space was intimidating, but it was exciting to be on such a huge

They now play almost monthly as a trio, sit in for local symphonies and play for television and movie soundtracks, including independent features and top ten sitcoms.

Ellen and Julie have performed with Andrea Bocelli, Seal, Vanessa Williams, Dave Koz and Barry Manilow. The Jungs’ first CD, Dvorak’s F minor trio, has been well-received.

“I feel very lucky to have my sisters to play with,” says Ellen.

“It’s wonderful to perform all this music with them. I learn from their strengths. There is an intuition there that isn’t there with other instrumentalists I play with.”

The trio will play several concerts at Vanguard as part of the faculty series. They also join their students in the orchestra for the spring classical concert and Christmas Fantasia. Julie is leading a student cello ensemble.

“The students enjoy playing with each other so they are enthusiastic,” she says.

Jennie dreams of starting a summer music festival and a chamber music series. For now, all three are enjoying their role as artists-inresidence at VU. “It feels like everything happened for a reason,” says Julie. “To play together as a family, the fact that we’re able to stay close is something I’m grateful for.

Class Notes, continued from page 10

Sarah Kang ’07 is an English teacher in Seoul, South Korea. She works with junior high students and has renewed her contract to teach for another year.

Alisa Manjarrez ’04 is the media manager at Paprika Studios (paprikastudios.com), a web-focused marketing and communication firm in Fresno.

Dennis Luce ’04 has served as youth pastor for various churches in California and Minnesota since graduating.

His current post is the youth, children and missions pastor at Sheffield Family Life Center in Kansas City, Mo. Dennis and wife Necole have been married 15 years and have three children, Grace, Theo and Lily.

Luke Martin ’05 and wife Laurie have been English teachers in Korea for two years.

Luke teaches middle school students, Laurie elementary school.

In their free time, they write ROKetship (roketship.com), a comic strip about living in the Republic of Korea, and will publish a book collection this summer.

Rachel Martinez ’06 has worked in the Vanguard music department for four years. She is involved in worship and youth ministries in various churches including His Place in Huntington Beach. She is pursuing an MA in Christian leadership at Fuller Seminary.

Briana (Helmick ’04) and James Moore ’05, MA ’07 moved to Boston where James is pursing post-graduate work at Brandeis University. Briana will return to school to become an RN and continues to do freelance photography (labohemephotography.com).

Class Notes, continued on page 15

vanguard magazine summer 2010 11

Commencement 2010 More than 400 students graduated at Vanguard University’s 2010 commencement ceremonies in May at Mariners Church in Irvine. Student speakers included Crystal Kirch, Dan Hickman and Mike Hartanov, and VU was honored to have Admiral Vernon E. Clark, USN (ret.) as the commencement speaker.

vanguard magazine summer 2010 13

wife’s hair. I had been a Christian my whole life and was very active in church, but I realized I had drifted far away from the man I believed God wanted me to be.

I had slowly put aside most of what was really important to me for business. I had forgotten what God had really called me to do.”

Myers made a bargain with God: “Give me my hand back and I’ll serve you. I won’t forget what you showed me with this experience.”

Rick Myers, continued from page 5

After selling FlexFoot to Ossur, he founded his own company, Freedom Innovations, to make electronic knees controlled by a microprocessor, and high performance carbon fiber feet that are recognizable for their “J” shape.

Freedom Innovations is now one of largest prosthetics manufacturers in the industry.

“I’ve always been an entrepreneur,” Myers says. “I like to work at small companies that are focused on technology.”

In 2005, Myers had a life-changing experience. After undergoing surgery for a ruptured tendon in his arm, he woke up with his left hand crippled. The surgeon said it would only be temporary, but it sent Myers into a time of deep introspection.

“Our company was successful, but I was traveling all the time and missing out on a lot of the important stuff — family, faith and friends,” he says. “With this injury I got a brief glimpse of what it is like to have a limb difference like an amputee. My world slowed way down. I started saying things like, ‘I can’t believe I’m never going to play piano or guitar again.’ Then I realized it had been years since I had done those things with any regularity. What was I doing with my life? Because of the paralysis I could no longer throw a baseball or stroke my 14 vanguard magazine summer 2010

Three and a half months after the surgery, he recovered full use of his arm. Within a year God opened a door for him to sell his interest in the company. Myers then began seeking a more ministry-oriented path. He and several other families founded Heritage Christian School in Mission Viejo. He served on the board of directors at Providence Christian College and consulted with Christian businesses. But he missed working in prosthetics. Then a Christian friend, one of the most prominent prosthetists in the country, suggested Myers go back to school to become a prosthetist.

The idea stuck and Myers returned to prosthetic school in 2008. Because of his prominence in the industry he was already well known among his professors and fellow students.

Today, at his Southern California Prosthetics clinic, Myers fits and fabricates prosthetics for amputees. Often, he uses products he himself helped create.

“God is really blessing the work,” he says.

“You can tell how effective a product is by the amount of tears when the person first wears it. It’s a powerful experience. Their whole world opens up when they get their hand or leg back.”

He also feels he has returned to his original calling.

“I am convinced I am exactly where God wants me to be, doing exactly what he wants me to do,” Myers says. “I always

believed God called me to see patients, from the time I first went to Vanguard twenty-five years ago.”

The challenge with prosthetics is to make artificial limbs that fit the body, even as the body continues to change in shape.

“It’s a very customized process to create something that will take a person’s weight comfortably so they can walk,” Myers says.

“Performance, comfort, aesthetics, safety and durability are all considered. And because our bodies change, that socket will eventually need to be re-shaped or even re-made. So it’s a lifelong relationship. Our philosophy is we’re going to fit you and it’s going to be comfortable whether it takes one time or a hundred times. We do our work as unto the Lord.

That’s unusual in this industry.”

His 4,000-square-foot facility is intentionally cozy, with nice fitting rooms and a large gym with a treadmill, stationary bike and basketball hoops.

“Vanguard provided an environment that was safe, with very small classes and professors who were very involved with students. It was just an incredible experience.”

“I want patients to come in, visit, fellowship and relax, like it’s home,” he says. “That’s innovative in our industry, too. I want them to enjoy coming back so they’ll come even when they only need minor changes.”

Rick Myers, continued on page 16

Class Notes, continued from page 11

Amy Neville ’05 is a full-time intercessory missionary at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City.

She teaches music and works in the academics office there.

Steve Reese ’00 works at Trinity Christian Center in Tustin. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, writing music and activism to support national sovereignty.

Meghan Reeve ’07 works at Lil’ Lighthouse Preschool day camp and is pursuing an MA in leadership and spirituality at Vanguard. She hopes to start her own non-profit called Become Restored (becomerestored.blogspot.com). She lives in Newport Beach.

Chris Reilly ’05 purchased a home in Morrison, Colo., where he lives with his dog. He works with youth in the South Jefco Sports Association (southjeff.org) and manages a little league baseball team which qualified for the state tournament this season.

Laura (Werbowski ’03) Reyes received her multiple subject credential and is a substitute teacher in local school districts. She also tutors privately and through Professional Tutors of America. Laura and husband Eduardo were married in 2008 and live in Winchester.

Bethany Schaefer ’06 taught the writing and grammar lab course at VU for three years. Bethany now teaches written and oral communications courses at Radford University in Virginia where she was offered a scholarship to pursue an MS in English.

Galina Tramposh ’05 worked with David Riley Associates in Orange County before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in residential interior design and is now working on iPad and iPhone television ads for Apple/Chiat Day. Galina and Dan Holechek ’03 plan to wed in October. She resides in Santa Monica with her Pomeranian, Louie.

Vanessa Vargas ’09 lives on the central coast of California where she leads the marching band and color guard at her former high school. She is involved in children’s ministry at her church.

Alum works at FoxNews Jennifer Rivera ’09 became an assistant producer at FoxNews in New York City after interning there as a VU student.

“I am where I am thanks to a great staff and faculty at Vanguard that polished me and challenged me to work hard,” she says.

Rivera works in the documentary unit, helping to produce investigative reports and specials drawn from the day’s headlines. After her internship ended last year, she beat out scores of applicants for her full-time position. She works with others to write show scripts, gather footage and conduct interviews.

“We do everything except hosting,” she says. “It’s a lot of detail.”

Rivera came to VU sight unseen from New Jersey.

“Vanguard was the answer to many of my prayers,” she says. “It has a great communications department.”

She intended to study to be an on-air reporter, but quickly learned she was going to be taught everything from editing to producing.

Elise (Loncosky ’00) and Ryan Williams ’00 are parents to sons Ben, 5, and Caden, 2. They are enjoying their recent move to Wilsonville, Ore. Marilyn Williams ’09 and her husband have served as Wycliffe associates in Kenya and Sudan.

This summer they will travel to the Solomon Islands to help set up a compound to train nationals in Bible translation.

Marilyn’s work and testimony have been featured on The 700 Club and were highlighted at a recent women’s conference in London (marilynwilliams.com).

Future Alumni Ronni (Hamilton) Ernenputsch ’04 moved to Phoenix in 2004 to participate in an internship at lifeconnectionchurch.net. She went on to receive an MA in secondary education from

“That’s one of the biggest reasons I was hired by FoxNews, because I had an opportunity to learn everything at Vanguard,” she says. “Ann-Caryn Cleveland was a key person throughout my whole experience because she challenged me, and I decided to take up the challenge.”

Rivera has helped produce five one-hour FoxNews documentaries on subjects ranging from terrorism to modern sea pirates to education.

“It’s a great privilege to go into someone’s home every day and have them listen to us and trust us,” she says. “With that comes a lot of responsibility.”

She looks forward to one day stepping into a hosting role.

“I hope this is just the beginning,” she says. “Learning how things work behind the scenes will help me in the future.”

Grand Canyon University in 2009. She is now an English teacher at La Joya High School in Avondale, Ariz. She and husband Brett are proud parents to stepdaughter Kaylee, 6. They expect their first child, Suri Janine, in October.

Rachel (Metzger ’01) and Brenton Fessler ’02 live in Fullerton and work in Brea. Rachel is a fifth grade teacher.

Brenton has been the associate pastor at North Hills Church since 2001 and received an MA in theology in June. They have two children, Aubrey, 4, Micah, 1, and expect their third child this September.

Alicia (Baldwin ’98) LaJoie and husband Mike welcomed first child, Jonathan, on October 5, 2009. They celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary this summer.

David Lara ’97 and wife Consuelo have been Assemblies of God missionaries in Mexico for

Class Notes, continued on page 17

vanguard magazine summer 2010 15

Lewis Wilson

a vine of his own planting

Academic Dean Emeritus

The Rise of VU’s Theater Program Vanguard’s Department of Theatre Arts, which has won local praise and accreditation with the National Association of Schools of Theatre (see On Campus), can be dated to the spring of 1982.

Such plays as Papa Was a Preacher (1963), The Diary of Anne Frank (1972), and You Can’t Take It With You (1977) had been regularly staged over the years but were hampered without a resident director, an inventory of props and costumes, or even a theater. This began to change in 1980 when Morris Pike joined the faculty and was charged with developing a theatre program. Over the next two years he produced The Importance of Being Earnest, The Matchmaker, Tartuffe and A Christmas Carol, all staged in a converted classroom or on the green between the library and the dining commons.

As the opening performance drew near, campus excitement grew.

With the completion of the new Newport Mesa Church facility

The many students, friends and alumni who were participating in

late in 1981, the vacated college chapel was appropriated and,

the production, combined with the promise of the new theater,

with assistance from the maintenance department, reconfigured

assured a packed house for each of the six performances. And from

by creating a thrust stage surrounded by raised seating. With the

the opening night’s prelude the audience was captivated as it was

addition of an orchestra pit and a bank of dimmers for appropriate

transported to the charming Russian village where it could empathize

lighting effects, the new theater was ready for its first production, the

with the challenges of a persecuted people.

musical Fiddler on the Roof.

Over the next twelve years two plays per year were successfully

Costumes were borrowed, sets constructed, and a twenty-two piece

produced including Man of La Mancha (1983), You Can’t Take It With

student orchestra led by Noel Wilson began practicing the musical

You (1988), and The Merchant of Venice (1992). Then, sadly, in the

score. The thirty-seven member cast drawn from the student body

summer of 1994 an unknown arsonist destroyed the theater. But

was augmented with several faculty children. The campus pastor,

nearly thirty years later many who participated in, or simply enjoyed,

Don Baldwin, was given the role of Tevye. His natural gifts, and his

Fiddler on the Roof fondly remember the musical in which Vanguard

five children, made him perfect for the role.

theatre came of age.

Rick Myers, continued from page 14

Myers has served on the board of directors of the Amputee Coalition of American since 2004. He still helps to run businesses, but less so than in the past. And he continues to champion Vanguard. As a part-time high school science teacher, he brought his students to Vanguard every year to introduce them to the university. As a result more than a dozen have since attended VU. “I tell them, ‘Here’s the place I went to school, and it’s a great place,’” he says.

Rick and Megan have four sons, and their son Benjamin was a VU student from 20022004. Learn more about Myers’ practice at scprosthetics.com.

16 vanguard magazine summer 2010

Class Notes, continued from page 15

the two years. Daughter Victoria Raquel was born March 3, 2010.

covered VU’s rich history of student involvement.

Beth (Weidler ’02) and Joshua Schultz ’00 are proud parents to Lucas, born in August 2009. Joshua is a teacher at California Elementary School in Costa Mesa and Beth is a teacher at Friends Christian School in Yorba Linda.

They reside in Anaheim.

“I spent time in the Vanguard archives and looked at yearbooks going back to the late 1920s,” he says.

“I found out that students really influenced the university. That gave me a vision for the future.”

He cites the student-led Wednesday night worship service, now called Shine, which was started by students as Prayer and Praise in the 1970s.

Just Married Corri (Albouy-Vaughan ’08) and Kyo Edmoundson ’95 were married in July 2009 and live in Costa Mesa. Corri is a teaching assistant for Ashford University; Kyo is on staff in the communication department at Vanguard.

Becky (Lopez ’06) King married Kyle on December 26, 2009, in Downey. Kyle is a sergeant in the Marine Corps and in the officer program to be considered for a lieutenant ranking. Becky is a Spanish interpreter at the local hospital. They live in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Erinn (Rouse ’04) Lunde taught English in Barcelona and travelled throughout Europe for a year before receiving her teaching credential from Vanguard. She and husband Brent were married September 2009 and moved to Vancouver, Wash. where Erinn teaches kindergarten.

Michael Mulligan ’06 married Kristin in September 2009.

He has performed at the Hollywood Bowl, done voice work for Disney and recently finished Bonnie and Clyde at the La Jolla Playhouse, which will debut on Broadway next year. Michael and Kristin are enjoying their new home in New York City.

Elicia (MacLean ’04) and Derek Olson ’05 were married in May 2009. Derek is in the Army, and Elicia is a preschool teacher. They are expecting their first child in November and will be relocating to Florida in 2011.

In Memory Rev. Dudley Boyd ’44 passed away April 17, 2010.

Sarah (Urshan) Goss ’41 passed away October 14, 2009.

Rosa (Garrett ’89) Griffith passed away February 23, 2010.

Rev. Lynn Kanaga, professor emeritus, passed away April 9, 2010.

Captain Thomas L. Sanderson ’67 passed away February 14, 2010.

David Vazquez, continued from page 9

fidence that other students are drawn to. He is well-spoken, ambitious and clearly serious about his faith, which infuses all that he does. I am excited about the plans God has for his life.”

But for a time Vazquez wondered if he should use his gifts in the pulpit instead of in politics.

“I struggled with that,” he says. “When you have a father who is a pastor, a grandmother who was an evangelist in Puerto Rico and a long heritage of family in the ministry, you think about whether you should follow in those footsteps.”

The question was resolved last year in Ed Rybarczyk’s history of Pentecostalism class.

“Professor Rybarczyk said something I needed to hear: ‘We’re not all called to ministry or missions, but we’re all called to a missional life,’” says Vazquez. “I wrote that down and have carried it with me. If I want to impact this world for Christ, it’s not just starting a church or being a pastor, it’s living my life for God’s glory in whatever profession I have.”

Vazquez now chairs the legislation committee, which recently updated and revamped the student constitution.

Among the changes is a switch in terminology from ASBG (Associated Student Body Government) to SGA (Student Government Association) which puts VU in line with other universities.

“That is one of the biggest strands of our spiritual DNA,” he says. “It’s an awesome experience for our community, and it was started by students. I want to say, what are we going to do to make this university what we want it to be? To implement things that will make it memorable for students to come?”

One idea he’s considering: commissioning a university fight song.

After graduating, Vazquez hopes to head east for graduate studies. For now he’s enjoying his undergraduate experience.

“Here at Vanguard I’ve seen many doors open, and I feel liked I’m being developed spiritually, academically and s o c i a l l y. I r e a l l y admire the education I’m getting.”

“Here at Vanguard I’ve seen many doors open, and I feel liked I’m being developed spiritually, academically and socially,” he says. “I really admire the education I’m getting. I enjoy being around people, hearing their stories, where they came from, how students have this desire to change the world with all these creative ideas. It’s been really encouraging.”

During the process, Vazquez also disvanguard magazine summer 2010 17

on campus On Campus, continued from page 3

Summer of Service offers twomonth missions experience

VANGUARD UNIVERSITY

PRE-VU 2010 Sixteen VU students are participating in the Summer of

Discover what Vanguard University has to offer — a great education, great community, and great location. Meet our faculty, stay in our dorms, and get a taste of college life, at Fall Pre-VU, November 8 & 9!

www.vanguard.edu/prevu

Service, a two-month missionary internship that sends

800-722-6279

students across the globe.

admissions@vanguard.edu

Jackie Yousef, a senior, felt God calling her back to Ethiopia after a short-term missions trip there last summer. So this summer she is returning to spend two months with three other VU students, working at an orphanage for HIV-positive

Theatre program receives prestigious accreditation

children and a home for abandoned women.

“I feel like God might be calling me into missions, so this longer experience will give me a better feel for it,” she says.

“This is a next step in testing this as a life calling.”

That’s exactly what the program is designed to do, says Josh Harrison, coordinator of global initiatives.

VU’s theater program has become one of only 170 universities in the country to receive accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Theater (NAST).

“This is the culmination of a rigorous process that now puts us in the company of schools like UCLA, Temple, Penn State and the University of Arizona,” says Daniel de Roulet, dean of the

“The SOS program is for students who’ve gone on a trip with

College and associate provost.

us before,” he says. “A lot of them come back and think God is calling them in this direction. So we say why don’t you spend a summer seeing what that looks like?”

NAST is the national accrediting agency for theatre and theatre-related disciplines at the collegiate level. It accredits programs which meet NAST’s high qualifications for

In the Summer of Service, students serve as interns for a

educational quality and institutional probity. NAST also

missionary and get a realistic picture of what the life of a

produces statistical research and provides professional

missionary looks like in the field.

development for leaders of theatre schools.

Last summer, Nick Billing, now a senior, went on a short-term

VU is now one of two Christian schools in the CCCU with

trip to Tanzania. This summer, he’s going back with SOS.

NAST accreditation.

“I feel like that’s the next step in practicing my ministry and

“Meeting the criteria of this national standard puts Vanguard’s

going in the direction God would want me to grow,” he says.

program in a whole new league,” says Sue Berkompas, the

Other groups this year are in Eastern Europe, El Salvador

producing artistic director of the theatre arts department.

and Mozambique. When students return they attend

“It means that we will constantly be held accountable for

workshops where they learn how to continue relationships

excellence in programming, curriculum and overall quality

with missionaries and how to “psychologically unpack” their

of art. It also means a lot for a student theatre major to be

experience overseas, says Harrison.

able to say that our program is nationally accredited. It gives additional credibility to their degree and major.”

18 vanguard magazine summer 2010

vu spotlight

Advancing Vanguard University capital campaign completed at $39.5 million.

He also was a key consultant for the recently completed $109.5 million campaign at Bethel.

“We transformed their approach by talking about the vision and putting resources with it,” he says.

R

onald Harris, a veteran of university marketing, fundraising and administration, has joined Vanguard University as the vice president for university advancement.

“Everywhere Dr. Harris has worked, he has had a strong impact,” says VU president Carol Taylor. “He is recognized for building solid advancement teams and leading by example with the greatest of integrity and respect for donors.”

Harris brings several decades of experience to his new post. He began his career in marketing but soon moved into administration and fundraising at Montana State University. There he wrote grant proposals that brought in substantial amounts of money for faculty projects.

Harris then became a consultant for various ministries, groups and schools. That eventually brought him back to working with universities.

Most recently, he served as interim vice president of advancement at Cedarville University where he helped rebuild their advancement department while a national search for a permanent vice president was conducted.

“Though I loved consulting, I found myself wanting to be back in a Christian university doing this work of advancement,” he says. “I really love this setting.”

Harris will help President Carol Taylor strategize and communicate Vanguard’s vision to alumni and other constituencies, and will help the university raise the resources to carry out that vision.

“Excellence starts with vision, but the vision must have resources behind it,” Harris says. “Success takes a dedicated people and resources to achieve the goal.”

“That became my hallmark, being a faculty member but also procuring and administering money for these projects,” Harris says. “I

He is enthusiastic about President Taylor’s vision for “positioning this as one of the great Christian universities in this part of the world,” he says. “God in his providence is assembling a group of leaders of

have always carried this burning in my heart for raising money for academic institutions.”

substantial gifts at this university. They stand out for their grace and their eagerness for God. I love working with them. What’s happening

He served as the editor of the International Journal for Cooperative Education at the tender age of thirty-five, and then went to Cal Poly Pomona where he taught marketing and raised money for the busi-

at Vanguard is a leading of the Spirit.”

Harris says that his efforts, and the efforts of the entire University, will continue to be undergirded by prayer.

ness program. After that he served as vice president of advancement at Bethel University, and was recognized by the Council for Advance-

“We can’t do any of this without being people of prayer,” he says. “I

ment and Support of Education for excellence in fundraising because of his development program performance. Harris’ accomplishments at Bethel include achieving over $100 million in all categories of charitable giving, an increase in the annual fund from $1.5 million

to meet monthly. Together we will seek God’s wisdom. The history of this great University is filled with people who loved and served God.”

to $2.9 million, an increase in planned giving from $284,000 to over $4 million each year, grants that accumulated over $3 million and a

will be asking thousands of people around the world to volunteer to pray for this University and our vision for the future. We will ask them

Harris and his wife Barbara have three grown children and five grandchildren.

vanguard magazine summer 2010 19

sports

New energy: Ralph Grajeda coached the Lions to their most successful season since 1997.

Revitalized baseball team shines in post-season Vanguard’s baseball team had its best season in decades, setting school records for number of wins and reviving a program which had been in a several-season slump.

Helping to instill new energy is coach Ralph Grajeda, who previously coached throughout Orange County at the high school and college levels, and was an assistant coach at UC Davis when the

Vanguard roared into the season, sweeping APU in a four-game series, a first for the Lions. Then they rolled over Biola, a baseball powerhouse, 20-5, handing them their worst home loss since 1998.

Soon, VU was nationally ranked for the first time ever, peaking at #6.

“Our players took ownership of the club and had a sense of identity from building that field,” says Grajeda. “They took this program into the rankings and into the playoffs.”

team finished fifth at the Division 2 World Series in 2003. He came

By the time they reached the post-season the Lions had set a school

to VU in 2008.

record for home runs for the second time in two years, and had the

One of his first challenges was to revamp Vanguard’s playing field.

Grajeda and the players raised $30,000, much of it from baseball alums, to improve the field and its facilities. Several baseball alums donated critical materials and services.

best hitter in the conference, Eric Krzysiak, a catcher and designated hitter who set a school record with 86 hits and a .438 average. He and Robert Purpura, a relief pitcher, were all-conference selections.

Right fielder Brandon Young, a junior, received a Gold Glove from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) conference.

The players themselves contributed the sweat equity.

Right-handed pitcher Peter Birdwell, a senior, was drafted by the

“We did most of the manual labor,” says Grajeda. “Alumni poured

New York Mets in the 25th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball

the concrete, fences were installed in front of the dugouts, the team

draft, the program’s second draft pick in two years.

laid sod, put in custom hat racks and bat racks, even re-did our

The team won two games in the first round of the post-season,

bullpens. We put a lot of time and treasure into it.”

including an epic 11-inning upset over #15 College of Idaho,

The result was not just a vastly improved field, but a sense of opti-

which Grajeda says is one of the best games he has been part of

mism and camaraderie that carried into the season.

as a coach.

“We had great team chemistry,” says Grajeda. “Not only was it one

“Our players would not give up,” he says. “They kept fighting.

of the best teams I’ve ever recruited, it’s one of the top teams in

Coming from behind was our M.O. all season. Coaches in our con-

terms of work ethic, chemistry and character.”

ference felt they had to really put it on us to beat us.”

Sports, continued on page 21

20 vanguard magazine summer 2010

postcards EDITOR’S NOTE: The column features an essay by a different alum each issue.

A Career that Counts Washington, DC

My family moved to Bolivia when I was four. Although I thoroughly enjoyed growing up there, I saw a lot of poverty and inequality. From a young age I wanted to do something to alleviate those problems wherever they existed, and I was driven by the principle that people are entitled to fair treatment and basic provisions.

I wanted to help people — but I didn’t yet know how.

Not only was Dr. Leonard tackling problems

work, and one my articles was recently

in an academic setting, she was helping

used in Senate testimony. I enjoy my job of

people in the everyday world, especially

designing surveys, evaluating data to ensure

imprisoned battered women. I was inspired

it’s accurate and making it available to the

by how she used her extensive knowledge

public. One of the things I work on is the

to help real people.

American Community Survey, the largest

I came to Vanguard and started out as a

use my critical thinking skills. I threw myself

psychology major. I had been considering

into the study of sociology, and joined the

a number of paths: getting a counseling

sociology club and Alpha Kappa Delta, the

degree so I could help people on a personal

sociology honor society.

level, or becoming a lawyer so I could defend them against unfair treatment. But a sociology class with professor Elizabeth Leonard transformed my life. The field of sociology seemed to open up before me.

Everything she said made sense, especially learning about social structure and how it impacts individuals’ lives.

Sociology became my major. When I told

household survey in the U.S.

Dr. Leonard, she gave me a big hug and

But I also enjoy the research component

welcomed me to the department. Every

— taking data and finding out what it says

class I took with Phil Robinette, Ed Clarke,

about society, then presenting that research

Vince Gil and Dr. Leonard were fantastic.

at conferences. I feel I’m working behind the

The people in that department shaped

scenes to help people in the way I always

the way I thought about issues and about

dreamed of doing.

my own future. Each professor provided a unique perspective. I learned how to process information analytically and how to

I still consider Dr. Leonard my mentor. She took time to get to know students, and she demonstrated how sociology works in the field. I ask myself from time to time, how would Dr. Leonard approach this or that issue or problem? Like her, I enjoy using applied research to improve people’s lives.

I graduated magna cum laude from

I’m glad she and the others in the sociology

Vanguard and spent the next five years

department helped me find the path toward

at UC Irvine earning my PhD in sociology.

a career that counts.

Today I am a statistician at the U.S. Census Bureau in Washington, DC. I received the

Christin (Anderson ’02) Hilgeman

U.S. Census Bureau Performance Award the last two years for my research and

Sports, continued from page 20

The Lions lost in the semi-final game of the regional, but set a school single-season record for 34 wins, with 22 wins in the Golden State Athletic Conference, considered the toughest conference in the NAIA. It was the Lions’ first 30-win season since 1997 and the first time they played in the national tournament since 1985 when they took fourth in the College World Series.

Grajeda is most pleased that his senior players got to taste success after helping to build the team over the past few years.

“They rolled up their sleeves and got it done,” he says. “They worked hard to rebuild the field, hard in the gym and on the field of play. This was our breakthrough team. Vanguard is now a nationally-ranked NAIA program. Those seniors get to leave on a high note. That was important to me. This was a special group.”

For more information visit vanguard.edu/athletics/baseball. vanguard magazine summer 2010 21

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