Vanguard Magazine Fall-Winter 2019

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FALL + WINTER 2019 | VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 1

UNI V E R S I T Y GOV E R NANCE + ADM I NI S T R AT I ON CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dr. John C. Martin PRESIDENT Dr. Michael J. Beals ’81, MA ’89 VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS/PROVOST Dr. Pete C. Menjares ’87 VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT Kim Johnson VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT Justin McIntee ’98, MBA ’09 VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS Dr. Tim Young VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCE/CFO Jeremy Moser ’97, MA ’04

VANGUAR D M AGAZ I NE EDITOR IN CHIEF Melanie Vogel MANAGING EDITOR Devon Johnson CREATIVE DIRECTOR + LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER Tawny Marcus

I S S UE CONT R I B UT OR S Michelle Sullivan Photography Lead Photographer

Keturah Barr (Senior) Writer

Andre Niesing Photographer

Tommy Hilliker Writer

Chris and Jenn Robertson Photographers

Jeff Melton ’11 Writer

Jackie Gutierrez (Senior) Writer + Editor

Miriam “Yuli” Ruvalcaba ’19 Writer

Sevana Adourian (Senior) Writer

Joselyn Sibole (Senior) Writer VA N GUAR D

On the cover: Construction continues on the new student center, opening spring 2020.

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I N T H IS IS S U E

VU NOW 12 VU100: VANGUARDS OF TRUTH

FOUNDATION OF DIVERSITY:

Showcasing Vanguard’s rich, diverse history.

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28 FEATURE

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VU100: THE FIRST 100

The University launches its centennial celebration.

25 MY TAKE

LEADING THE PACK:

Former Student Body President Don Hall ’59 and current SGA President Joe Contreras (junior) have a chat about SGA’s history.

VU MISSION

VU FORWARD

28 VU100: VANGUARDS OF VIRTUE

44 VU100: VANGUARDS OF SERVICE

100 YEARS OF ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS:

Whether as Vanguards or Lions, Vanguard University athletics have continued to thrive and revive.

FOUNDATION TO FUTURE:

Incoming students share why they said “yes” to Vanguard.

31 EXPERTISE

CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY:

Laura (Buckner ’08) and Ross ’08 Nelson share how Vanguard Lions have impacted them.

50 FEATURE

LET’S IMAGINE TOGETHER:

Explore the soon-to-open student center.

54 SCENE

LEAVING A LEGACY:

Professor Vince Gil ’69 retires from teaching, leaving a lasting legacy.

NEW GROWTH FOR STEM:

Associate Dean of STEM Dr. Sirvent ’96 champions growth for the science departments.

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

“NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO IMMEASURABLY MORE THAN ALL WE ASK OR IMAGINE, ACCORDING TO HIS POWER THAT IS AT WORK WITHIN US, TO HIM BE GLORY IN THE CHURCH AND IN CHRIST JESUS THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS, FOREVER AND EVER! AMEN.” – EPHESIANS 3:20-21 I am the son of an electrical

this year. Serving as the University’s

student center grand opening and

contractor and I grew up around

tenth president during such a

anniversary celebration on pages

construction sites in the 1960s

milestone in the history of my own

46 and 50-53. Though a profound

and ‘70s. My dad was very safety-

alma mater is a true honor and

moment on its own, this special

conscious, so he took time to teach

privilege. My heart and hope are

event represents much more than

me how to navigate a construction

continually directed toward what is

the opening of a building; we are

site without hurting myself or

beyond the horizon – I am dedicated

building a future far greater than

others. One thing he taught me

to leading the Vanguard community

our students and community can

that became a life lesson was how

toward that horizon, and beyond.

imagine. We are at the tipping point

to walk on a beam. Now we’re not talking about skyscrapers here, but crossing a piece of lumber a couple of feet off the ground. Yet, whether it’s a floor joist or a log over a trout stream, knowing how to walk across without falling is an important skill. My dad told me that the trick is not to watch your feet. Pick a point a yard or two ahead of you on the beam, keep your eyes steady on the beam at that distance, and “your feet will go where your eyes are looking.”

I’ve been steady on beams and logs ever since. That’s my approach to following Jesus and institutional vision as well. Fix my eyes, and my feet will follow.

I invite you to celebrate with me as Vanguard University turns 100

of promise and possibility for this

Beginning this fall and continuing through spring 2021, “VU100” will

“vine of His own planting.”

mark Vanguard’s 100th anniversary

Beyond the horizon, a great cloud

celebration. This remarkable

of witnesses is cheering us on.

moment in Vanguard’s storied and

Beyond the horizon, the Lord is at

resilient history will feature special

work and His voice is calling us

events, unique campus experiences

forward in faith and action to live

and dedicated storytelling to

out our unique mission and identity

commemorate and recognize the

in real time with sturdy resolve,

people, places and moments that are

transformational grace and a deep

emblematic of a century of student-

confidence about our future.

focused Kingdom service.

God’s faithfulness is the foundation

The grand opening of our student

on which our beloved University

center in February 2020 will

has been established and built to

serve as the centerpiece of the

this moment. We know He will

100th anniversary celebration.

bless us abundantly in the days and

All are invited to this “birthday

years to come, far more than what

party” which will honor Lions

we can ask or imagine.

and Vanguards of all generations and decades. Read more about the Serving with you,

VA N GUAR D

DR. MICHAEL J. BEALS ’81, MA ’89 P R E S I D E N T, VA N G U A R D U N I V E R S I T Y

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CAMPUS EVENTS

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A U G U S T 2 019 – FEBRUARY 2020

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CALENDAR ALL EVENTS HOSTED AT VANGUARD UNIVERSITY, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

AUGUST

OCTOBER 12

LION FAMILY DAY

FEBRUARY 2020

AUGUST 23-25

OCTOBER 18-19

FEBRUARY 14

WELCOME WEEKEND/ NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

CREATING HEALTHY ORGANIZATIONS CONFERENCE

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL VS. HOPE INTERNATIONAL 7 PM

AUGUST 27

CONVOCATION CHAPEL

SEPTEMBER

NOVEMBER

HALL OF FAME WEEKEND

NOVEMBER 7

FEBRUARY 15

WRESTLING VS. SAN FRANCISCO STATE/LIFE PACIFIC

ALUMNI NIGHT AT “THE PIT”

SEPTEMBER 27

1-10PM

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL VS. WESTMONT

NOVEMBER 11-12

7PM

FEBRUARY 14-15

FALL PRE-VU

5:30 + 7:30 PM

FEBRUARY 15

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. WESTMONT 5:30PM

SEPTEMBER 28

ALUMNI SOCCER EVENT 4PM

DECEMBER DECEMBER 6

OCTOBER OCTOBER 3

WOMEN’S SOCCER VS. THE MASTER’S 1:30PM

WRESTLING VS. MENLO COLLEGE 2-10:30PM

DECEMBER 9

CHRISTMAS FANTASIA AT SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS 8PM

4PM

OCTOBER 12

VANGUARD CROSS COUNTRY INVITATIONAL

MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. WESTMONT 7:30PM

FEBRUARY 28

VU100 BIRTHDAY PARTY + STUDENT CENTER GRAND OPENING FEBRUARY 28

BASEBALL VS. HOPE INTERNATIONAL 11AM

FEBRUARY 29

OCTOBER 3

MEN’S SOCCER VS. THE MASTER’S

FEBRUARY 15

JANUARY 2020 JANUARY 10

BASEBALL VS. HOPE INTERNATIONAL 11AM

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

8AM VA N GUAR D

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EVENTS, VISIT VANGUARD.EDU/CALENDAR, VANGUARDLIONS.COM (ATHLETICS) AND SEE PAGE 14 FOR VANGUARD ARTS EVENTS

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SOCIAL

1. @vanguardu “We welcomed the #Classof2019 into our @vanguardalumni family and we’re so excited for our new Lion graduates who are going to accomplish great things for the Kingdom of God!” 2. @vanguardu “Thank you to all of our nurses who continue to bring comfort, ease pain, and provide compassionate care for their patients both here and globally. We celebrate and honor you during National Nurses Week. #wearevu”

4. @vulions “Guess who’s headed to the World Series for the first time since 2007 #vusoft”

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5. @vulions “Meet @amanda.chan8…

Vanguard’s first EVER women’s track & field NATIONAL CHAMPION!!”

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3. @vu_intercultural “Intercultural Shine was awesome! We are thankful for all of those who played a part in making this happen. #wearevu” 6. @vanguardalumni “#FBF to our exciting VU Alumni Night in the Pit last month! What a great time of fellowship and reunion with many of our Alumni (and future Lions) from various decades!”

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7. @lyceumtheater “Congratulations to the cast and crew of ⁣The Pirates of Penzance on an amazing run.⁣ We couldn’t be prouder of all the hard work and dedication put into this production.”

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8. @vu_intercultural “ISP COMPASSION RETREAT ’19. We push for racial reconciliation seeking oneness not sameness. Thank you all for choosing to engage with us this weekend! #wearevu”

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9 9.@vanguardmusic “What do Frank Sinatra, Coldplay, John Mayer, and our students all have in common?

They’ve all stepped foot in the same iconic recording studios.”

10 10. @vanguardsga “CONGRATULATIONS TO JOE AND MIREYA!!! Your 2019-2020 Student Body President/Vice President!! We can’t wait to see how The Lord will use you to lead this campus next year!!”

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11. @vanguardsga “SGA had a super fun morning touring the new Student Center!!”

#weareVU

F R O M O U R FA C U LT Y

INTRODUCTION + EXCERPT FROM

JESUS THE SPIRIT BAPTIZER: CHRISTOLOGY IN LIGHT OF PENTECOST

BY DR. FRANK MACCHIA ’74 PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY

I wrote this book to view Jesus’ life and mission through the lens of what he did at the culminating point of his resurrection and ascension, namely, pour forth the Holy Spirit from the heavenly Father upon all flesh (Acts 2:33-36).

The divine Son took on anointed flesh so as to provide the means by which all flesh could drink of the Spirit in union with him, in conformity to his faithful life.

This excerpt expresses the central idea: “John baptized in the Jordan

fullness dwell in him’ (Col. 1:19).

‘Whoever drinks of the water that

River, but the Spirit that rests on

This fullness is abundant and

I will give him shall never thirst;

Christ will not be thus localized

overflowing. It crashes through

but the water that I will give him

or have such boundaries. Christ is

the barriers of sin and death at the

will become in him a well of water

excessively filled with the Spirit in

resurrection and permeates every

springing up to eternal life’ (John

order to grant all flesh a share in

dimension of Jesus’s humanity

4:14). Jesus is the ultimate source

his rich and boundless abundance.

with the glory of God. Not only

of the Spirit’s fullness—once and

Christ’s reception of the Spirit at

that, but it overflows Jesus’s

for all time.”

the Jordan will eschatologically

exalted body in order to come

transcend the historical moment

upon all flesh … Indeed, out of

as the abundant and overflowing

him will flow rivers of living water

bestowal of the Father’s love

(John 7:38), and drinking from

through the medium of the life

these streams will satisfy the soul

of the faithful Son ... Pointing to

to the point that we will ultimately

the eschatological destiny of Jesus

never thirst again. Baptized in

as the source of life (the firstborn

the Spirit, we drink of the Spirit

from the dead), Paul says, ‘For

from Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). Jesus

God was pleased to have all his

said to the woman at the well:

VA N GUAR D

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VU NOW

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C E L E B R AT I N G A N D C O M M E M O R AT I N G C U R R E N T VA N G UA R D U N I V E R S I T Y H A P P E N I N G S .

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IN T HIS SE C T ION 12

FOUNDATION OF DIVERSITY: Showcasing Vanguard’s rich, diverse history.

15 LOYALTY +

LEADERSHIP:

Shree Carter ’90, MA ’00 shares five principles for leading and serving well.

16 OF DYNAMIC DESCENT:

Creating space for Vanguard’s multiracial community.

28 VU100:

THE FIRST 100:

The University launches its centennial celebration.

22 VOICES OF HOPE:

Alumna Sarah Grandpré ’06 leads her children’s choir to America’s Got Talent.

24 A PRESTIGIOUS

PERFORMANCE:

Vanguard’s Music Department performs at the iconic Carnegie Hall.

25 LEADING THE PACK:

Former Student Body President Don Hall ’59 and current SGA President Joe Contreras (junior) have a chat about SGA’s history.

VA N GUAR D

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V U 1 0 0 : VA N G U A R D S O F T R U T H

F O U N D AT I O N OF DIVERSITY

BY DEVON JOHNSON

CONCEIVED DURING THE AZUSA STREET REVIVAL THAT FAMOUSLY ENCOURAGED AND SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATED THE IDEA THAT DIVERSITY WAS WELCOME AND NEEDED IN THE CHURCH, VANGUARD UNIVERSITY HAS CONSISTENTLY WELCOMED AND SUPPORTED ALL RACES, GENDERS AND AGES. “As we turn 100 and reflect upon Vanguard’s rich history, it’s impossible to not look to our roots in the Azusa Street Revival,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Pete C. Menjares ’87.

“In 1906, William Seymour, a black preacher, began revival meetings in Los Angeles that would ignite a worldwide multicultural and multiracial Pentecostal movement that today accounts for 280 million constituents, with 67 million in the Assemblies of God (AG) denomination,” continued Dr. Menjares. “The

California College) and presidents, the University has remained committed to empowering its students to be agents for change in every area of study.

Amanda Lebrecht ’09, Associate Dean of Student Success, reiterates Vanguard’s dedication to student success; “Vanguard has always been about empowerment, and gender empowerment was something that Vanguard excelled in from the beginning.”

Though there were years Vanguard was not as ethnically diverse as

Bible College and Southern

Christian Colleges and Universities

Current President Dr. Michael J. Beals ’81, MA ’89 continues to make serving diverse students a priority. Along with offering more than 20 student clubs serving various ethnic and interest groups, Vanguard is a HispanicServing Institution, a designation granted by the US Department of Education to higher education institutions that “expand the educational opportunities for Hispanic Americans and other underrepresented populations.”

Chief Diversity Officer Dr. April Harris Akinloye said, “A majority of our students come from underrepresented populations, so supporting diversity is integral to all we do. The right people, minds and actions are in motion and are dedicated to making this place a true reflection of the body of Christ in our spiritual formation and through the leadership on campus.”

VA N GUAR D

As Vanguard has gone through several transitions, name reiterations (Southern California Bible School, Southern California

it has become, the University demonstrated diversity through closing the gender gap. Women continue to hold prominent leadership roles on campus, participate in women’s sports teams and receive degrees in ministry and religion — all of which has been true since Vanguard’s early days. A leader in women’s empowerment for Christian higher education, Vanguard appointed Dr. Carol Taylor as the first female president in the history of the Council for

ensuing explosive growth of the ethnically and racially diverse movement has imprinted itself on the AG community and Vanguard University. Today, Vanguard is the most ethnically diverse AG university and the SoCal Network is the most ethnically diverse AG district in the nation!”

in 2009. Under Dr. Taylor’s leadership, gender and ethnic programs became core priorities.

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VA N G U A R D A RT S SEPTEMBER 9 T O 5 TH E M U SI C A L SE PT E M B E R 2 0 - 2 2, 26-29, O CTO B E R 3 - 6 Vanguard Lyceum Theater

OCTOBER

TH E LE ARNED L ADIES

CONCERT BAND CONCERT

OC TOB E R 1 7 -1 9 AT 7: 30 P M ( F R EE AD MISSIO N )

N O V E MBE R 1 7 AT 7 P M

Vanguard Lyceum Theater

DECEMBER

NOVEMBER

CHRIST MAS FANTASIA

J A ZZ FAL L CONCERT

OR C H E ST R A FA L L C O N CE RT

N OVEM BE R 5 AT 7 P M

O CTO B E R 2 4 AT 7P M

Newport Mesa Church

Newport Mesa Church

A N O T SO SIL ENT NIG HT

S IGH N O M O R E : SHA K E S PE A R E ’S LOV E R S RE I M A G I NE D

N OVEM BE R 2 2 -2 4 , D EC EMBE R 5 -8

O CTO B E R 2 5 - 2 7 , 31, NOVE M B E R 1 - 3

Vanguard Lyceum Theater

Vanguard Lyceum Theater

WOMEN’S CHORUS FALL CONCERT N OVEM BE R 8 AT 7 P M + N OVEM BE R 9 AT 4 P M

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Needham Chapel

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Newport Mesa Church

D E C E MBE R 9 AT 8 P M Segerstrom Center for the Arts

CHRIST MAS CABARET (AM E R I C A N COAST T HEAT ER COMPA N Y ) D E C E MBE R 1 2 -1 5 , 1 9 -22 Vanguard Lyceum Theater

F O R T HEAT R E T ICK ET S, V I S I T VA NG U A RD T ICK ET S. CO M

EXPERTISE

L O YA L T Y + L E A D E R S H I P

BY DEVON JOHNSON + MELANIE VOGEL WHETHER IN THE OFFICE O F T H E P R E S I D E N T, O F F I C E OF THE REGISTRAR OR S U P P O R T I N G S T R AT E G I C PLANNING, FIERCE LEADER, CHANGE AGENT A N D L O YA L L I O N S H R E E CARTER ’90, MA ’00 H A S S E R V E D VA N G U A R D UNIVERSITY IN SEVERAL ROLES FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS. HERE, SHE SHARES FIVE GUIDING PRINCIPLES T H AT S H A P E H O W S H E APPROACHES HER WORK.

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Serve the Students, Always – “The primary purpose of every employee at Vanguard, regardless of their position, should be to recruit and retain students as well as engage alumni and donors. Everything I do, whether serving as Board professional, executive assistant to the President, director of operational and strategic planning or interim registrar – every decision I make or process I engage in is done so with our students at the core.”

Think Holistically – “While working under the Provost, I encouraged collaboration with departments across campus to break down the ‘us versus them’ approach that seemed to cause students to choose between curricular and co-curricular programs. I helped create space where both programs could coexist and support each other. For me, the blend of the curricular and co-curricular programs engages the student and allows them to develop holistically.”

Go Where God Calls – “If God is calling me to do something, I have to say ‘yes’ the first time. I know I’ll still end up where He wants me to be, so why go through a more painful process in getting there? To anyone open to following God’s leading, serve where you are and look for opportunities to impact others and be impacted in return.”

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Professional Development is Paramount – “I consider myself fortunate enough to have worked several years for two different presidents that understand the value of professional growth and development in their employees. For me, they recognized that God wired me to take on multiple complicated projects, strategically and systematically deconstruct them and then develop operational processes that are sustainable.”

Be Faithful and Disciplined – “As with any organization, there are good and bad days. More often, I leave work really excited about what God is doing on this campus nearly 100 years after its founding. In the 20 years I’ve worked at Vanguard, I’ve learned that this university is resilient as long as we remain faithful and disciplined.”

DID YOU KNOW

VA N GUAR D

SHREE CARTER HOLDS A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MUSIC EDUCATION AND MASTER OF ARTS IN RELIGION LEADERSHIP STUDIES FROM VANGUARD, ALONG WITH A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND RECONCILIATION FROM ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY.

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OF DYNAMIC DESCENT

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CO-CURRICULAR

BY JACKIE GUTIERREZ (SENIOR)

WHEN THE PURSUING INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE

Chief Diversity Officer Dr. April Akinloye leads the

AND RECONCILIATION OFFICE (PIER) REALIZED 3%

PIER, supported by Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

OF THE CURRENT TRADITIONAL UNDERGRADUATE

Coordinator Lindsay Dumas. Together, they oversee

STUDENT BODY WAS MULTIRACIAL OR FROM

all Intercultural Student Programs clubs, along with

MIXED BACKGROUNDS, THEY SAW A NEED TO

services to support international students and those who

EXTEND SPECIAL CARE TO THESE STUDENTS. THE

have served in the Armed Forces.

MIX WAS FORMED.

“The Mix has created a sense of belonging for students

The Mix celebrates diverse cultures and promotes an

who haven’t had that before,” Dumas said. “Even if

appreciation for all backgrounds. It supports mixed-race

it’s a small population, plugging these students into the

students, along with international and multi-cultural

Vanguard student experience and caring for them the

students who have grown up as “missionary kids” and

best we can is really important.”

have lifestyles and backgrounds of diverse experiences.

For The Mix’s first event, students gathered to

Mattea Presse ’19, who served as the inaugural president

watch “Outside the Box,” featuring people of mixed

of The Mix before graduating in May, is Chinese and

races sharing inaccurate stereotypes they’ve heard

Polynesian and was adopted and raised by Caucasian

about themselves, followed by a discussion moderated

parents in Canada.

by Presse.

“This club [is] for students like me who feel they don’t

“I don’t want students to just identify with what you

fit into one box, have felt rejected from a group they

look like and put yourself in a box because there is so

identify with or haven’t found a place of belonging,”

much more to our identity,” Presse said. “I would love

said Presse. “We want students to connect with others

for people to embrace more of their roots and their

like them and, ultimately, feel valued and embraced.”

diverse identities and not just identified by the color of their skin.”

“WE WANT STUDENTS TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS LIKE THEM AND, ULTIMATELY, FEEL VALUED AND EMBRACED.” M AT T E A PR E S S E ’ 1 9

VA N GUAR D

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE MIX AND OTHER VANGUARD CLUBS AT VANGUARD.EDU/CAMPUS-LIFE.

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F E AT U R E

VU100: THE FIRST 100

BY MELANIE VOGEL

In 1920, Huldah and Harold Needham were called to start a school to educate Spirit-empowered, Christcentered leaders. Then a small Bible school devoted to sending missionaries out to serve throughout the world, Vanguard University became the first four-year college in Orange County and now educates nearly 2,200 students across seven graduate degree programs and more than 30 undergraduate majors and concentrations. Though its name and location have changed over its nearly century-long existence, Vanguard remains committed to equipping and preparing young men and women to find their true calling, serve God and to change the world.

Since its early days, Vanguard – then the Southern California Bible School – has been a leader in educational innovation, both within the Assemblies of God denomination and in Southern California. Though once devoted to training Christian missionaries, the University has expanded programs across multiple disciplines including psychology, nursing, business, communication, natural and social sciences, accounting, theology and more.

Each department is taught and led by faculty dedicated to fostering academic excellence, integrating faith with learning and to serving not just as professors, but as mentors and leaders to each student.

Beyond granting degrees, Vanguard remains committed to training young leaders to impact communities near and far. Whether in a boardroom or laboratory, mission field or ministry, Vanguard students are making a lasting and profound impact across the globe. From Anaheim to VA N GUAR D

Mexico, the Philippines to Morocco, Vanguard students,

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staff and faculty have painted, paved, prayed and

growth, we’ve begun the fulfillment of a 30-year campus

played throughout the world, making a lasting

master plan. Approved by the Costa Mesa City Council

impact for nearly a century. Beyond missions, the

in February 2019, the master plan establishes a long-

Vanguard community extends via 34,000 alumni

term vision for the campus with new and reimagined

serving and working worldwide. Vanguard also is

buildings such as a learning resource center, gym and

making a difference locally as a significant economic

events center, STEM and multidisciplinary academic

contributor to Orange County, generating $89 million

buildings, student housing, a parking structure and

in economic impact, supporting 830 jobs and $39

more. The first phase of the master plan will be complete

million in earnings.

in early 2020 with the opening of the University’s first-

With ten decades of milestones and achievements

ever multi-function student center.

behind, we now focus on what is beyond the next

As Vanguard begins its centennial celebration and forges

horizon. To best position the University for continued

ahead into the next century, our mission remains the same: serve and equip students to find their true calling while promoting academic excellence and cultivating Spirit-empowered lives.

VU100, COMMEMORATING VANGUARD’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY, BEGINS THIS FALL AND CONTINUES THROUGH SPRING 2021. JOIN THE

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CELEBRATION AT VANGUARD.EDU/VU100.

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WITH TEN DECADES OF MILESTONES AND ACHIEVEMENTS BEHIND, WE NOW FOCUS ON WHAT IS BEYOND THE HORIZON. OUR MISSION REMAINS THE SAME: SERVE AND EQUIP STUDENTS TO FIND THEIR TRUE CALLING.

VA N GUAR D

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SCENE

VO I C E S O F H O P E

BY MELANIE VOGEL

When Sarah Grandpré ’06

of “How Far I’ll Go” from Disney’s

Since their time on America’s

became Director of Voices of

Moana. Along with rave reviews

Got Talent, Voices of Hope has

Hope Children’s Choir in 2015,

and a standing ovation, the group

performed with artists including

she knew she’d be bringing joy

earned the show’s coveted Golden

Josh Groban, Pentatonix, Michael

through music to the community

Buzzer, pressed by Jeong, earning

Ketterer and Britain’s Got Talent

through their tuition-free program.

them a place in the quarterfinals.

winner Tokyo Myers. They also

She had no idea, though, that community would be worldwide.

What began as a dozen kids performing at Shepherd’s Grove Presbyterian Church in Orange County, California quickly grew to more than 100 children winning hearts – and votes – on season 13 of America’s Got Talent, a televised nationwide talent search on NBC.

by the show’s producers, Voices of Hope auditioned in front of celebrity judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Mel B. and Howie Mandel. Despite mixed reviews from the panel, the group made it to the next round of auditions and another week on the show. For their following performance, actor Ken Jeong joined the judges to hear Voices of Hope’s inspirational cover

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VOICES OF HOPE is comprised of nearly 100 children, ages 5-18, from throughout Orange County.

forget,” said Grandpré. “The kids worked so hard to get there, and I know it meant so much to each of them. It was this beautiful moment of affirmation that we were where we were meant to be, doing what we were called to be doing.”

Voices of Hope then earned a placed in the semifinals but were cut

After an invitation and vetting

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“It was a moment I’ll truly never

are featured on “REBELS,” an album by faith-based artist collective Influence Music now available for download through most music platforms. Grandpré continues to lead the group, along with performing as a solo artist on Hour of Power with Bobby Schuller. Most recently, she joined Vanguard’s choir to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York.

after a live tiebreaker.

Though she’s had incredible

“We were sad to leave the

more than ten-year musical career,

competition but were so

Grandpré says directing Voices of

honored and proud of what we

Hope is her true calling.

accomplished,” said Grandpré.

“Winning wasn’t a measure of our success. We set out to bring smiles to people and be a light to those in darkness – and we did just that. We won in my book.”

2 VOICES OF HOPE CHILDREN’S CHOIR is a non-profit organization within Shepherd’s Grove Presbyterian Church in Irvine.

opportunities throughout her

Though she’s had incredible opportunities throughout her more than ten-year musical career, Grandpré says directing Voices of Hope is her true calling.

3 IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE MUSIC AVAILABLE TO ALL CHILDREN despite social or economic barriers, Voices of Hope is entirely tuition-free.

4 SARAH GRANDPRÉ RECEIVED A Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance and Music Education in 2006 and has more than 10 years of teaching and directing experience in choral music, musical theater and vocal technique.

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EXPLORE

A PRESTIGIOUS PERFORMANCE

BY DEVON JOHNSON

Wrapping around the stairs of the

Dr. Joni Prado. Music Department

grand horseshoe-shaped Carnegie

Chair Susanne Reid, along with

Hall are names, photographs and

faculty and staff members Jenny

signatures of the greats: Whitney

Park, Abigail Song, Len Wicks, Sorah

Houston, Judy Garland and The

Myung and Gloria Traulle provided

New York Philharmonic, to name

musical support for the evening.

a few. On the stage, aside these esteemed artists, is the Vanguard Music Department for an entire Saturday evening performance.

our current students but with my faculty colleagues, directors and very talented adjunct professors

Music students received their first

who have given so much to our

and possibly only invitation to

university and department over the

perform at the prestigious venue.

years,” said Dr. Melton.

locals visited the historic site for a Saturday night of musical expertise and worship. On the night’s program were hymns, folk, gospel, classical and jazz styles, which showcased the department’s vast talent and diverse representation.

Senior Kayla Harrell was honored to participate in the event. “Coming together to not just perform at one of the most well-respected concert halls in the world, but also worship the Lord and minister to the audience through music was FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9

musical experience not only with

Earlier this year, 66 Vanguard

Alumni, faculty and New York

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“I was most privileged to share this

one of the most humbling and incomparable experiences.”

Russell Peavy ’70 was astonished by the nearly 3,000 patrons and alumni who attended the special performance. “This was an experience beyond description.

Makes me proud to be a Vanguard alumnus!”

As the students and alumni gathered on stage for the final song, there was no doubt that this was a memorymaking experience. Students, faculty and the audience smiled, and clapped, and several had tears in their eyes. The whole experience was an uplifting gift that blessed not only the listeners but the students who had worked so hard to be on the

The evening was conducted by Dr.

famous stage that housed so many

James Melton, with faculty guest

diverse talents over the decades. It

conductors Dr. Ken Foerch and

was a night to remember!

M Y TA K E

on improving the overall student experience by advocating for them to University administration and influencing effective change that makes a difference.

The structure of the student government on campus has changed many times in the past 60 years to serve the student body. During Hall’s time in office, the structure included class presidents, social chairman,

LEADING T H E PA C K

athletic commissioner, student service director

BY JOE CONTRERAS (JUNIOR)

Hall served a student body of about 300 students,

and missionary curators. The new structure as of Fall 2018 is made up of housing representatives, commuter representatives, athlete representatives, a STEM representative and a fine arts representative.

much smaller than the nearly 1,500 traditional I N P R E PA R AT I O N F O R H I S U P C O M I N G ROLE, SENIOR AND 2019-2020 STUDENT G O V E R N M E N T A S S O C I AT I O N P R E S I D E N T J O E C O N T R E R A S S P O K E W I T H VA N G U A R D ’ S OLDEST LIVING FORMER STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT DON HALL ’59.

It was a real honor to speak with 1959 Student Body President Don Hall, who shared his tips, tricks and memories from serving our students six decades ago.

undergraduate I will serve. Though larger, Hall and I agree that Vanguard – then Southern California Bible College – students are dedicated to being spiritually focused. “[Students] didn’t want to just play around the edges of their work with the Lord,” said Hall. “They were passionate and determined to grow educationally and spiritually.”

Spiritual formation is still an anchor of the student

Student Council, later the Associated Student Body and

experience at Vanguard – something I hope remains

now Student Government Association – student leaders

unchanged for decades to come.

who represent the full student body have remained focused

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Together, we discovered that regardless of the name – once

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VU MISSION

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H I G H L I G H T I N G T H O S E W H O E N G AG E W I T H A N D R E F L E C T T H E VA N G UA R D U N I V E R S I T Y M I S S I O N B E YO N D T H E CA M P U S B O R D E R S .

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IN T HIS SE C T ION 28

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100 YEARS OF ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS: Whether as Vanguards or Lions, Vanguard University athletics have continued to thrive and revive.

CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY: How Laura ’08 and Ross ’08 Nelson are championing future generations of Lions.

GLOBAL CHAMPIONS: Vanguard Athletics alumni have a global reach.

LEAVING A LEGACY: Professor Vince Gil ’69 retires from teaching, leaving a lasting legacy.

RELENTLESS FAITH: Alumni Hillary ’09 and Chad ’08 Blake meet their miracle baby.

BEADS AS BLESSINGS: One student launches a small business with a big impact.

RETURN OF THE MAT MEN: Coach Caleb Flores revives wrestling at Vanguard.

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V U 1 0 0 : VA N G U A R D S O F V I R T U E

100 YEARS O F AT H L E T I C ACHIEVEMENTS WHETHER VANGUARDS OR LIONS, STUDENT ATHLETES HAVE DOMINATED FIELDS, COURTS AND MORE FOR NEARLY 100 YEARS — AND THE NEXT 100 SHOULD BE NO DIFFERENT. AS TEAMS CHANGE AND REVITALIZE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, ONE THING HAS REMAINED CONSISTENT: STUDENT ATHLETES BRING PERSEVERANCE, PASSION AND DILIGENCE TO EVERY GAME.

CURRENT SPORTS: Men’s: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country,

BY THE NUMBERS

Golf, Soccer, Track and Field, Volleyball, Wrestling Women’s: Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cross Country, Golf, Sideline Cheer, Soccer, Softball, STUNT, Track and Field, Volleyball

NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: Men’s Basketball (2014)

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265

620

GSAC Team Championships

NAIA All-Americans

All-GSAC Athletes

485

102

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Scholar-Athletes

NAIA Scholar Teams

NAIA Teams of Character

Women’s Basketball (2008)

INDIVIDUAL NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: Amanda Chan - High Jump (2019) Winston Lawson - Heptathlon (2018) Kevin Carlson - High Jump (1996) Don Turri - Shot Put (1975 + 1974) Jack Causey - High Jump (1974) Jim Feeney - Javelin (1974) Mike Singletary - 500m + 400m (1974)

3 VA N GUAR D

NAIA Hall of Famers: (Bob Wilson, Russ Davis and Mattias Johansson)

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THE PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE IS A GROUP OF DONORS DEDICATED TO MAKING A PROFOUND IMPACT AT VANGUARD UNIVERSITY. WHY YOUR GIFT MATTERS President’s Circle is an opportunity for you to partner with Vanguard University in pursuing knowledge, cultivating character, deepening faith, and equipping students for a Spirit‑empowered life of Christ‑centered leadership and service.

Members of President’s Circle give $1,000 or more each calendar year, accelerating the vision and mission of the university.

WHATEVER YOUR PASSION, YOUR GIFT WILL FUND A HOST OF PROGRAMS AND DEPARTMENTS, ALLOWING YOU TO SUPPORT THE INITIATIVES CLOSEST TO YOUR HEART. Contact Us Today.

714.966.5440 | vanguard.edu/circle

EXPERTISE

CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY

BY MELANIE VOGEL Successful business people and power couple Laura (Buckner ’08) and Ross ’08 Nelson attribute much of what they’ve accomplished in life and their careers to one thing: the people they met through Vanguard University.

who is the west coast account manager at Barrington Nutritionals. “These people have helped shape us into who we are and have challenged us to grow in our relationship with Christ.”

“Vanguard has provided us with friendships that will last a lifetime and business relationships that have tremendously blessed us financially,” said Ross, who is the CEO of Marshall Reddick Real Estate and a member of the Vanguard Alumni Board. “I started my first business, Krotchet Kids International, with four fellow Lions while we were still students. Travis [Hartanov ’08] taught me to adapt to situations and not be consumed by worry, Stew [Ramsey ’08] taught me to be creative and care about details, Adam [Thomson ’08] taught me that people are everything and you cannot accomplish anything without them, and Brad [Holdgrapher ’08] taught me to not focus on others’ opinions and to do what I feel is right. And these are just a few examples of the endless talent that comes from Vanguard.”

Grateful for all the University has provided for them, Laura and Ross, members of the Vanguard President’s Circle, are committed to giving back to their alma mater – and encourage their close-knit community to do the same.

“Whether in time, talent or money, everyone should stay connected and support their college,” said Ross. “The more resources Laura and I have poured into Vanguard, the more we’ve received in return.”

“We didn’t notice it at first, but a couple years ago, we realized that all of the people who have made the biggest impacts in our lives and who we love – friends, our church community and people we’ve worked with – are Vanguard alumni,” said Laura,

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GLOBAL CHAMPIONS A S T H E 2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9 A C A D E M I C Y E A R C L O S E S O U T A N D A N E W Y E A R F O R VA N G U A R D AT H L E T I C S B E G I N S , VA N G U A R D C E L E B R AT E S PA S T A N D C U R R E N T L I O N S T H AT A R E C O N T I N U I N G T O D O M I N AT E T H E S P O R T S I N D U S T R Y A C R O S S T H E U N I T E D S TAT E S A N D A B R O A D .

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BY JEFF MELTON ’11

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JORDAN OSEGUERA ’10

ZACHARY ALLMON ’14

S PORT: Baseball

S P O RT: Men’s Basketball

B IG WINS : Played when Vanguard helped form the NAIA Champions of Character Initiative. Currently works for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, splitting time between the Major League facility in Anaheim and the minor league training grounds in Arizona.

B I G W IN S : Was a member of the 2014 National Championship team. After graduation, took his talents overseas working in the professional leagues of Taiwan, Sweden and most recently, with the South Adelaide Basketball Club in South Australia.

PR O PHIL OS OPH Y: “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no.’ Stand by your moral values regardless of the circumstances you are in and let your character be a reflection of your work ethic.”

P R O P H I L O S O PHY: “My philosophy as a professional athlete stems from the important values I learned while competing at Vanguard. I desire to be an athlete that every coach wants to coach, and every teammate wants to play with. My faith helps shape this philosophy because it is an everyday reminder of how much God has blessed me.

Traveling the world and playing the game I love is a blessing.”

CHRISTIANA GEROSTERGIOU ’18 S PO RT: Women’s Basketball BI G W I N S : Gerostergiou considers her journey from Athens, Greece to Vanguard (after two years at the University of Maine) one of her biggest wins.

PE RS O N AL PHI L O S O PHY: “When training to become a professional athlete, basketball becomes more of an occupation than a passion,” she recalls but leans on her Vanguard experience which taught her, “to keep me at a high standard, never hold back, and lead by example.”

Her faith allows her passion for basketball to remain as she can cast aside the things that are not important and focus on the things that matter eternally.

CO-CURRICULAR

CLAIRE LAMUNU ’17

HAYLEY GONZALES ’18

BRIAN KIM ’18

S PORT: Women’s Basketball

S P O RT: Women’s Soccer

B IG WINS : Named the top player in the nation her senior year and helped guide the women’s basketball team to the Fab Four.

A native of Uganda, she found her way to Vanguard, later played in Portugal for the Uganda 3-on-3 National Team and now plays professionally for Kouvottaret in Finland.

B I G W IN S : Joined the Santa Clarita Blue Heat in the United Women’s Soccer League after graduation, trained throughout Europe and now works alongside Nike Football and Nike Los Angeles to make attending camps, clinics and events possible for young athletes across all ethnic, gender, religious and socioeconomic lines.

S PO RT: Men’s Basketball (2003-2005 season)

PER S ONA L PHIL O S O P H Y: “Vanguard helped me come to know Christ on a personal level and develop a relationship with Him. As a student-athlete, I learned the importance of hard work and discipline, which I have taken with me into professional basketball. It’s easy to get lost as a pro athlete, and ‘worth’ can be defined by statistics.

But I’ve learned that my true value is in who I am in Christ.”

P E R S O N AL PHI L O S O PHY: “I was pushed and challenged in many ways at Vanguard. Not only did it grow me as an athlete but it also is where I took responsibility for my faith, allowing it to dictate who I am both on and off the pitch. My philosophy as a pro athlete is that it doesn’t matter where you come from, if you want it bad enough, you’ll get it. It’s all about your mindset and attitude.”

BI G W I N S : After two years at Vanguard, Kim departed for the Korean Basketball League as the second overall pick and spent over a decade playing professionally. He returned to Vanguard in 2018 to complete his degree and assist with the men’s basketball team. He now works for the Detroit Pistons NBA G-League Affiliate.

VA N GUAR D

PE RS O N AL PHI L O S O PHY: “Vanguard taught me that winning and losing matter, but life is bigger than basketball. It should never be taken to where people forget humanity during competition. For me, being good at something is easy to obtain through practice and repetition but being a good person with high character entails a high volume of compassion and sympathy.”

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F E AT U R E

L E AV I N G A LEGACY

BY MELANIE VOGEL

Few Vanguard professors have had as broad an impact on Vanguard University and on students directly as has Dr. Vince Gil ’69, one of the University’s most respected and influential faculty, now entering “Emeritus” status. God did have a plan for Dr. Gil, but a very different one that he imagined: more than four decades later, he’s retiring from the same university from which he graduated.

While completing a PhD in Anthropology, Dr. Gil received a call from Vanguard (then the Southern California College, or SCC) Dean Russ Spittler, asking him to adjunct a course in the summer of 1973. Dr. Gil caught a spark of how it would be to teach emerging Christian minds.

Forward to the summer before Dr. Gil’s PhD graduation, and another call inviting him to “come to SCC full time.” In a mental conversation with the Lord, Dr. Gil was thinking, “This is crazy, to consider coming back to my small alma matter …” But the feelings, “this is where I should be,” and, “this is where I need you to be” kept recurring. He said “yes.”

Dr. Gil came serving two roles, one as professor teaching inaugural cultural anthropology and sociology courses and serving as assistant to Spittler.

By 1980, Gil had worked up enough interest in anthropology and sociology to establish a combined major, the cultural anthropology segment growing independent by the mid-1980s and being the first such VA N GUAR D

major offered at a Christian university. In his role as

35

founder, he wrote curriculum, taught most classes and

But the most rewarding work, “... is the work with my

directed the “Social Sciences Division” of the college.

students. Mentoring and giving back to them has been,

But it was Dr. Gil’s involvement with students, their lives and issues that directly led him to pursue a

And he’s right: Most of Gil’s students and others who

postdoctoral in sexological sciences. He says, “I never

took his classes will fondly recall intersections with Dr.

thought of having a specialty in ‘sex’ – but so many

Gil. He reads from a recent letter from one of them:

students with sex-related questions for which ‘pat answers’ wouldn’t suffice,” led him to the Masters and Johnson Institute. Two years later, Gil established the first Human Sexuality course at Vanguard, one he taught every semester for 36 years. The class became one of Vanguard’s most popular courses. Ask any student who took the class: “It was life-changing.”

thankful for; it’s the way you challenged me beyond what I thought I could do. You made time outside of class for me, to hear me, support me in what I needed, and give me tools to be an independent thinker, be self-educated. It’s been a while, Vince, but I still call and email you for guidance, advice and prayer. I am forever indebted to you for the

Dr. Gil was invited to China. Another door opened—

impact you made on my life (Matt Hines ’92)

cross-culturally. Feeling the need for more medical preparation, he returned to UCLA to do another postdoc. This time, Public Health Epidemiology with emphasis on STIs/HIV-AIDS. That led to sixteen years of international HIV/AIDS work, where Dr. Gil developed programs and introduced novel testing technologies to curb infection. Some would call Dr. Gil a true Christian pioneer.

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It’s not ‘you the professor’ I remember most or am

Then came HIV/AIDS, and no real answers globally. this time, researching what fueled HIV infection

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and continues to be, my main calling.”

It’s no wonder that Dr. Gil “graduates” to Emeritus with significant distinctions: Four-time Professor of the Year at Vanguard (’79, ’82, ’98, ‘05); 2001 Distinguished Educator, Assemblies of God; and among other awards, Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists (2000). Vanguard thanks him for his decades of service!

To read more about Dr. Gil’s legacy at Vanguard, visit vanguard.edu/gil.

“I HAVE KEPT RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS FOR OVER FORTY YEARS, WHICH IS INSANE TO ME! SOME OF MY FORMER STUDENTS ARE NOW FRIENDS, AND SOME ARE COLLEAGUES. TO ME, I CAN’T TREASURE ANYTHING MORE THAN THAT!” VI NC E G IL ,

PROFESSO R EMERIT U S

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SCENE

R E L E N T L E S S FA I T H

BY MELANIE VOGEL

Hillary (Madison ’09) and Chad

for trying to have a baby. They

Again, it was successful. They were

’08 Blake had a perfect plan

found a renowned IVF doctor in

nervous but held on to hope.

for their life together: focus on

Denver, CO and began the months-

their marriage for two years, get

long journey.

pregnant with their first child during a romantic trip to Paris and then have babies two, three and four precisely two years apart. A medical diagnosis of “unexplained fertility” was not in their plan.

to hear: they were pregnant with

about beginning a family.

a baby boy. They held a surprise gender reveal party with their families, bought tiny boy outfits rollercoaster of emotion was

pregnant — from special diets and

perched at the height of joy.

and grief grew with each negative pregnancy test.

There was a sense of brokenness, a fear that you are not good enough and a sense that you are failing at something that so many women can do effortlessly.”

In December 2016, Hillary and Chad made the prayerful decision to begin the process for in vitro fertilization (IVF), which they were told was their last and only option

Chad. “But we’ve also recognized that everybody’s story doesn’t end the way ours did. I’ve learned to to continue to have this relentless

sweet baby’s heart had stopped

faith, to really go to war each day.”

sometime between their eight-week and 10-week ultrasounds. The news the pregnancy to their community.

coaster that isn’t coming to a stop.

throughout [our journey],” said

and sorrow when they learned their

trenches of infertility are countless,”

loss. It’s like you’re on a roller

me that God’s hand wasn’t

just continue to walk the journey,

came just weeks after announcing

about the same cycle of hope and

“You’ll never be able to convince

Sadly, it quickly plummeted to grief

“The different emotions within the said Hillary. “Each month brought

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walked through Paris and dreamed

tried umpteen ways to get

procedures. Their sense of loss

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30, 2019 — six years after they

received news they waited years

and planned the nursery. Their

treatments and invasive medical

Edwin Blake, was born on January

In July 2017, Hillary and Chad

For nearly five years, the couple

homeopathic remedies to hormone

Their healthy miracle son, Lewis

“When I think about our faith journey with all of this, it’s something that we never wanted to be part of our story,” said Hillary.

“I don’t regret for one second

“We made plans for our life and

sharing about his life so soon in

we thought that we were on this

the pregnancy,” Hillary wrote in

trajectory. And all of a sudden,

an email to friends and family. “It

we were faced with asking, ‘If this

allowed for our son to be loved and

doesn’t happen, are we going to be

prayed for by so many. He was our

okay?’ And ultimately, the answer

miracle baby. His life mattered. And

was ‘absolutely, Jesus is enough.’

now we entrust him to Jesus, to take

And our identity is children of God,

care of our beloved boy. We believe

and that is enough.”

we will see him again someday.”

With baby Lewis in their arms,

Expectant in God’s grace and

Hillary and Chad now have more

faithfulness, Hillary and Chad

than enough.

underwent another round of IVF.

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EXPLORE

she saw online, taught herself to tie bracelets and launched Moon Beads.

Months later, Global Education and Outreach (GEO) intern Abby Navarro noticed Moon Beads gaining popularity on campus and social media. She recommended the GEO office partner Luna with Operation Christmas Child through evangelical organization Samaritan’s Purse. Director of GEO Kayli Hillebrand ’06 agreed.

Luna then spent weeks selling jewelry on campus and held a “packing party” with fellow students who helped her fill nearly 90 Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts. The boxes were sent to people in need

BEADS AS BLESSINGS

BY KETURAH BARR (SENIOR)

When Junior Business Administration major Maddy Luna

around the world.

“I was overwhelmed by the support I received from my friends and fellow students,” Luna said. “We were thrilled to fill so many boxes and give so many gifts to kids around the world. Now I get to make money and serve those in need – amazing!”

Follow Moon Beads (@_moon.beads_) on Instagram for more information.

(pictured above right) launched Moon Beads, a small FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9

handmade jewelry business, she was unaware it would

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soon serve impoverished people around the world.

Luna started Moon Beads after realizing that working part-time in a “desk job” was too mundane for her. Like many, she turned to Pinterest for inspiration. She married her unique taste in jewelry with the successful businesses

DID YOU KNOW? • B US I NE S S M AJOR LUNA US E D S OCI AL M E DIA T O P R OM OT E M OON B E ADS . H E R B US I NE S S I NS TAGR AM ACCOUNT H E LP E D H E R I NCR E ASE B R AND AWAR E NE S S AND B UI LD A COM M UN ITY OF LI KE -M I NDE D F OLLOW E R S .

• LUNA M AKE S $100 T O $150 E ACH W E E K ON H E R JE W E LRY, R E P LACI NG T W O PART-T I M E JOBS.

M Y TA K E

RETURN OF T H E M AT M E N

BY DEVON JOHNSON

Caleb Flores, the new head wrestling coach for Vanguard University, shares how he plans to make a “Mat Men” comeback.

“I started wrestling at the age of seven and my dad was a wrestling coach,” Flores said about his relationship with the sport.

“Wrestling is about hard work, and 90% of the time, all the effort you put in is what you’ll get out of it.

My father was a great mentor and coach, and that’s what I hope to be.”

Although wrestling is a very physical sport, Flores is more concerned about the character qualities that wrestling teaches, rather than the athleticism required.

“I come from a family of pastors, so leadership was just something that happened; it’s just who we are.” Flores will focus on teaching his team members how to lead and become independent hard workers.

“All the success or failure is on you;

it’s something that initially drew me to the sport.”

When Flores was hired to bring back a retired sport at Vanguard, he said he had nothing but excitement to share.“In the ’70s, there was a lot of success in the program, so I want to continue that tradition.”

Flores hopes that the reprised sport is supported and encouraged by Vanguard’s alumni community.

“Vanguard comes with a built-in fan page, the alumni who deserve honor.

Getting them involved is crucial to the success of our program.”

The “Mat Men” return for their first season this winter, and Flores is excited about the men he’s recruiting for this first season.

“I’m looking for men who fit into the Vanguard culture, good Christian young men. I can’t wait to get started on training and leading these young men.”

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: THE FIRST HOME MEET IS NOVEMBER 7 AGAINST SAN FRANCISCO STATE, DURING WHICH THE TEAM WILL HONOR FORMER “MAT MEN.”

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V U F O R WA R D

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C E L E B R AT I N G T H E V I S I O N A RY I M AG I N AT I O N A N D E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L S P I R I T T H AT C H A M P I O N S VA N G UA R D ’ S F U T U R E .

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IN T HIS SE C T ION 44

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FOUNDATION TO FUTURE: Incoming students share why they said “yes” to Vanguard.

PETE THE PROVOST: Dr. Pete C. Menjares ’87 shares his vision for his time as Provost.

LION PRIDE: Students build community and school spirit.

LET’S IMAGINE TOGETHER: Explore the soon-to-open student center.

NEW GROWTH FOR STEM: Associate Dean of STEM Dr. Sirvent ’96 champions growth for the science departments.

CURING THE NURSING SHORTAGE: Vanguard transforms students into the nurses the community needs.

HEART FOR UNITY: Campus Pastor Mike Whitford ’99, MA ’17 shares his heart for Vanguard’s students.

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F O U N D AT I O N T O F U T U R E

BY DEVON JOHNSON

AS THEY BEGIN THEIR VANGUARD UNIVERSITY STORY, INCOMING STUDENTS SHARE WHAT DREW THEM TO THE UNIVERSITY, AS WELL AS HOW IT WILL CREATE A FOUNDATION ON WHICH THEIR HOPES, EXPECTATIONS AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE WILL BE BUILT.

SAMMY KIM ’22

AUDREY CURRIE ’23

KINESIOLOGY

PRE-NURSING

“I am excited about the small campus and close

“For me, it was important for me to go to a Christian

community I get to be a part of. I’m looking forward

school because I am going into the medical field. As

to finding people who can encourage each other and

my dreams of being a nurse become a reality, I know

professors who are intentional about getting to know

Vanguard will not only teach me but guide me in my

their students. This whole [admissions] process has been

faith as I train to be a nurse!”

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a huge leap of faith for me, and I’m so thankful Vanguard

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is where I will land and feel so safe immediately.”

V U 1 0 0 : VA N G U A R D S O F S E R V I C E

JACK GOULD ’23

AIDAN MILLER ’23

CINEMA ARTS

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP

“I have a long legacy here at Vanguard. My grandpa

“I said ‘yes’ to Vanguard because of the people who

and both my parents are alumni, and my older brother

helped me through the process of applying. All the

just graduated from it. I’m continuing the family legacy

counselors were so kind to me and I am forever grateful

at this amazing University, but I get to make my own

for that. Also, my goal is to have great relationships with

story at Vanguard. I’m also looking forward to building

people and a stronger knowledge of God by the time I

a network of people, which will help later on in life. But

graduate. And I know Vanguard University will help me

most importantly, Vanguard will make my relationship

accomplish that.”

with God so much stronger. Having chapel, taking religion courses and being close to other Christians daily said yes – plus, it’s close to the beach!”

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will help me stay strong with my faith. So, that’s why I

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EXPERIENCE HISTORY IN THE MAKING. J O I N VA N G U A R D U N I V E R S I T Y AS W E C E L E B R AT E T W O H I S T O R I C A L M I L E S T O N E S : O U R 10 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y A N D THE GRAND OPENING OF A BRAND-NEW STUDENT CENTER.

S AV E T H E D AT E – F E B R U A R Y 2 8 , 2 0 2 0

MAKE A FREE RESERVATION AT VA N G U A R D . E D U / V U 10 0 PA R T Y.

EXPERTISE

PETE THE PROVOST

BY DEVON JOHNSON + MELANIE VOGEL Dr. Pete C. Menjares ’87 is no stranger to leadership. He has served in many leadership roles throughout his career, including Chief Diversity Officer for Biola University, Senior Fellow for Diversity with the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, Board of Trustees member for Seattle Pacific University, President of Fresno Pacific University and Senior Director for the Institute of Faculty Development at Vanguard University.

His ethnic background and love for God’s creation have led him to be an advocate for diversity in education and an example of leadership that will inspire and impact generations of students.

“Pete has already impacted Vanguard in such a positive way, and we are confident he will continue to do so in his new role,” said Vanguard President Dr. Michael J. Beals ’81, MA ’89. “He is a trusted resource to faculty, valued

friend to staff, dedicated advocate for students and wise counsel to all.”

Beyond academia, Dr. Menjares is known for his work with the Good News Club (GNC), an outreach group within the Child Evangelism Fellowship network. Through the GNC, Dr. Menjares shares his life journey to fellow members of the Latinx community and children in underserved neighborhoods as a means of encouragement and support. Wherever Dr. Menjares leads, his story follows, creating a powerful and inspirational impact on students and communities.

DR. P E TE M E N J A RE S WA S I N S TA L L E D A S P R O V O S T DURING A SPECIAL CEREMONY ON APRIL 18, 2019.

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CO-CURRICULAR

LION PRIDE

BY JACKIE GUTIERREZ (SENIOR)

If you attend a Vanguard Athletics

To entice students to attend,

event and shout “Lions!,” students,

Howard finds incentives such as

staff and faculty will yell back

free food, Roar gear and more,

“Claws up!” with arms crossed in

help engage students in showing

the air, “claws” out and game face

their Lion spirit to hype up and

on. This new cheer is one of several

excite fellow athletes.

to now fill stadiums, courts and fields — all thanks to a new studentled spirit section called “The Roar.”

As an athlete herself, Howard plays on the Vanguard Softball team, so she can testify to how the energy of

Senior and student leader Emily

a supportive crowd impacts athletes

Howard became the first Program

and their team’s performance.

Board Athletics Director to join the Bridge. Her role is to encourage more students to attend home games to build school spirit and support student athletes.

“Planning these events is really fun, but seeing the students who come and the friendships built through it is the biggest payoff,” Howard said.

“As an athlete, it says a lot when students take time out of their busy schedules to come out and support us,” she said. “When we see that in the stands, it motivates us to play with pride for our school.”

The Roar hosts monthly informational meetings where around 50 students attend to find

Among basketball, soccer, cross

out about upcoming events and to

country and volleyball, The Roar

get their assigned tasks for each.

attended 10 games this semester, cheering in excitement.

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THOUGH THE ROAR IS NEW, SHOWING SCHOOL SPIRIT HAS BEEN INTEGRAL TO THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE AT VANGUARD FOR DECADES.

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Volunteers help wave the blue and gold Roar flag with pride throughout the game, others hold down the cheers with the beat of drumsticks on trash cans and many students yell in a unified voice, “Hey, we’re coming for you! We are VU!”

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49

LET’S IMAGINE TOGETHER

BY TOMMY HILLIKER

Once a small Bible school devoted to sending missionaries out to serve throughout the world, Vanguard is now educating nearly 2,200 undergraduate and graduate students.

The University stands as a testimony of God’s faithfulness

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to keep His promises. As we enter our centennial year, the

50

next chapter of our story begins to unfold with Imagine: The Campaign for Vanguard University.

F E AT U R E

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51

Vanguard’s rich heritage is one of

relational, spiritual and physical

depth spiritual development. Imagine

faith and trust in Jesus to do great

growth. Phase one of the campaign

a place to relax and unwind with

things through the University. The

focuses on two main areas: helping

friends, whether on the basketball

deep faith that gave birth to this

secure our future as a Christian

court, in the fitness center or on a

University still holds strong today,

university by strengthening our

couch next to the fireplace. Imagine a

not in distant memories of a sacred

endowment and, of course, building a

place designed for studying, creating

past, but in the students, staff and

new state-of-the-art student center.

and engaging in community and for

faculty who have chosen to make

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Vanguard part of their story.

52

Through the milestone Imagine

finding one’s true calling. Imagine a

TH E ST UDENT CENT ER

place where everyone belongs.

Opening spring 2020, the student

campaign, the University is preparing

Imagine a place to build community,

center will be more than just another

for our next 100 years by ensuring

share a meal with friends and

building; it will be a place to further

generations of students have places

connect with professors. Imagine

our mission and create much-

and resources needed for academic,

enjoying a space created for more in-

needed space for our students, staff,

recreational space, dining hall,

“ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH, IT WILL BE DONE UNTO YOU.”

food service area, lounge and study

MATTH EW 9:29

faculty, alumni and community

to share God stories, encourage

members to connect under one

one another, explore career and

roof. This space will be designed to

academic goals and deepen faith.

serve the whole person: mentally,

For more information and to

emotionally, relationally, physically and spiritually. It will have a fitness center, multi-functional

support, visit vanguard.edu/imagine.

areas, all providing an inviting “living room” experience.

But these are just venues to create VA N GUAR D

what is most important: a place

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54

FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9

SCENE

NEW GROWTH FOR STEM

BY DEVON JOHNSON

NEW SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES OCCUR EVERY DAY. SCIENCE IS A PROCESS OF DISCOVERY THAT ALLOWS US TO UNDERSTAND GOD’S CREATION AND TO BECOME BETTER STEWARDS OF HIS CREATION AND THE WORLD. JUST AS GOD IS NEVER DONE CREATING NEW WORK IN US, VANGUARD IS CONTINUING TO SHIFT AND ADAPT TO THE NEEDS OF ITS STUDENTS. With the introduction of new labs (pictured adjacent

Dr. Sirvent was also a leading force in launching

left), classes and equipment in Vanguard University’s

four new majors: environmental science in 2018 and

science departments, students can get the information

engineering physics, actuarial science and data science in

and education they desire within their major and general

fall 2019. The introductory courses for these majors also

courses outside the major.

serve as an expanded menu of options for non-major

Specifically, an Anatomage Table, which is shared by the Biology, Kinesiology and Nursing departments, is a 3D digital cadaver, allowing students to have a more handson learning experience.

“It has four real cadavers that have been scanned into the system so students can see a real person, said Chair of the Kinesiology Department Dr. Diana Avans. “It allows us to create more visuals for learning, which means you ‘re not dependent upon a cadaver.”

A new state-of-the-art metabolic measurement machine, created and manufactured in Italy, also is new to the

students to complete their core curriculum requirement in the sciences – introduction to environmental sciences, introduction to data science, introduction to computer science and general geology. Developing courses for students who are not pursuing a science degree supports Vanguard’s position as a liberal arts school, allowing students to take what they learn in science courses and apply it to learning within their majors.

“For me, it’s a calling about exposing students to a discipline that I love – where God’s nature is revealed through His creation,” said Dr. Sirvent. “As a Christian, engaging in the scientific process of exploring God’s

Kinesiology department.

creation turns one’s heart toward God. It is in that process

“This system is portable, so we can conduct field

cares for His creation and for us as His children.”

that we find the beautiful example of how He loves and

testing,” Dr. Avans said. “If you’re interested in working with athletes, you need to be in an environment in which they act, and this allows us to do that. We’re fortunate to have it. It’s incredible.”

new equipment, thanks to Associate Dean of STEM Dr.

THANKS TO WORK LED BY D R . S I R V E N T , VA N G U A R D WA S AWA R D E D A G R A N T

Tara Sirvent ’96. Dr. Sirvent has championed the launch

F R O M T H E F L E T C H E R J O N E S F O U N D AT I O N T H AT F U N D E D

of several new majors over the past two years and has

A N E W O U T D O O R L E A R N I N G L A B O R AT O R Y T H AT W I L L

initiated plans for an accelerated Bachelor of Science

O P E N T H I S Y E A R W I T H A B U T T E R F LY C O N S E R VAT O R Y

and Masters of Science program in the future.

(PICTURED ADJACENT RIGHT) AND AQUAPONICS LAB.

The growth of the science departments goes beyond

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EXPLORE

CURING THE NURSING SHORTAGE

BY DEVON JOHNSON + MELANIE VOGEL

challenge and has expanded nursing

new program is an impactful step

program offerings at the graduate

for Vanguard and the community.

and undergraduate levels.

“We hope to develop [the students]

Vanguard has offered an RN to BSN

to deeply appreciate the importance

(Bachelor of Science in Nursing)

of lifelong learning. No matter

program for more than 13 years

where they are, we teach them

and an onsite Master of Science in

to keep learning and growing

Nursing (MSN) for seven. In 2017,

throughout their career. This is what

the University partnered with St.

will empower and equip them to be

Jude Medical Center in Fullerton to

life-changing health professionals.”

offer a hands-on MSN program to the Center’s staff. Just a year later, the University hosted its inaugural White Coat Ceremony for 24 students in the pre-licensure BSN cohort; 32 students will be admitted fall 2019 and ongoing.

This first class will graduate during VU100, Vanguard’s centennial celebration, which will serve as the first commissioning of students to be the healing hands and feet of Christ, wherever He leads them.

Pre-licensure Chair Dr. Katherine Tong attributes the uniqueness of the program to Vanguard’s status as a Christian liberal arts college.

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The US is projected to experience

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“[AS NURSES], WE GET THE PRIVILEGE TO BE

“[Students] get to be the hands and

WITH STRANGERS AT

feet of Christ while learning in a safe

THEIR MOST VULNERABLE

space where they can ask for prayer

MOMENTS AND

and advice if they are struggling.”

SHOW LOVE AND

an ongoing shortage of Registered

The program welcomed a second

Nurses (RNs) as “baby boomers”

state-of-the-art simulation lab with

age and the need for health care

the pre-licensure program start

grows, according to the American

up. The simulation labs provide

Association of Colleges of Nursing.

environments and tools for

The shortage is due in large part

students to practice and recreate

because nursing schools across the

real-life scenarios.

country are struggling to expand to meet the demand. Vanguard

Nursing Department Director Dr.

University, however, embraced the

Mary Wickman firmly believes the

COMPASSION. THE TIME OUR PROFESSORS DEVOTE TO SPIRITUAL CARE, INTEGRATING FAITH INTO LEARNING, HAS KEPT US ROOTED IN WHAT TRULY MATTERS. WE ARE CONSTANTLY WATCHING GOD’S PLAN UNFOLD AND ARE HUMBLED BY THE GIFT OF GOOD HEALTH.” C H A R L O T T E W I SN I E W SK I ’13

M Y TA K E

H E ART FOR UNITY B Y M I R I A M “ Y U L I ” R U VA L C A B A ( ’ 1 9 )

The power that unity brings to a community is what sets it apart and makes it’s story impactful. Vanguard University’s newest Campus Pastor, Michael Whitford ’99, MA ’17, who comes from an Assemblies of God (AG) background, has a unique mission and heart for unity on Vanguard’s campus.

position students to grow and gain from denominational church history.

He believes that there is more to be learned in honoring the past victories of the church and taking mindful steps toward bridging the gaps between generations in hopes of unifying and growing together in Christ.

“There are many good denominations out there, but this is our denomination, and we have to take care of it,” said Whitford. “This is my tribe, and I want it to be better.” He shares that his heart’s desire is to see the current leaders in the AG ready to help prepare those called to minister to the present generation.

Whitford is excited to invite the Holy Spirit to move and congregate the campus. He also comes with great tools to keep the community on track. One of these is intentionality when leading chapels and building consistent training across leadership on campus. In serving the local church as one body, future leaders can become more compassionate leaders.

The current generation of students is filled with passion for the Lord to move and desires discipleship from those who have gone before them.

As these new leaders are mentored, Whitford knows there is room to

“There is something special in today’s AG environment,” Whitford shares, “We have to come together in that unified effort to advance the kingdom of God. We are better that way.”

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CLASS NOTES 1960s

volunteers. He continues his community service started by his parents in Mt. Angel. His Father was a firefighter/EMT for 41 years and the Fire Chief for 15 years and his mother

PASTORS JUDY (BROOKSHIRE ’62) and BILL DROPKO ’62 pastored in Phoenix, Arizona, and San Jose, California, after graduating from Vanguard, and now have been pastoring Greenacres Christian Fellowship near Spokane for the last 20 years. Somebody told Bill he could not retire ... he was born to inspire. They are “healthy, happy and still shoveling snow.”

RALPH BLANKENSHIP ’66 is a four-time Vanguard University Baseball MVP and two-time Vanguard

was the Mayor of Mt. Angel. Victor resides in Mt Angel.

DR. DANIEL AMEN ’78, American psychiatrist, tentime New York Times bestselling author, brain disorder specialist, and founder and director of Amen Clinics, served as the 2018 Commencement speaker at Vanguard, marking 40 Years since his graduation from the University in 1978.

1990s

University Basketball MVP. He was the athlete of the year in 1962 and again in 1965. He has contributed significantly

KATHIE (HOUTING ’92) and BOBBY BLOOM ’94

to the legacy of Vanguard athletics and the university.

have been married 25 years on July 26th and have a son,

Mr. Blankenship currently resides with his wife in Arizona.

Branden. They live in Carlsbad, CA and attend Venture Church in Encinitas, CA. Kathie is co-owner of Escapes

JOY (MCELFRESH ’67) and RICHARD VARNELL ’66,

by Escala, a boutique travel agency specializing in

were recognized at the Southern California Assemblies

destination weddings and 5-star travel experiences. Bobby

of God Network Conference in May 2019. Richard

spent 15 years at Black & Decker, where he worked in

was honored for being an Ordained Minister of the

various sales and marketing roles and received his MBA

Gospel for 50 years. Richard is a member of the Alumni

from the University of Southern California in 2008. His

Association Board.

last position at B&D was as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Builder Channel. He departed B&D and spent

BRADFORD ROSENQUIST ’68 is working on his

two years at Jacuzzi Group Worldwide in Chino Hills, CA

second doctoral dissertation for his Doctorate of

and then left to become the Executive Vice President and

Education with California Coast University in Santa Ana,

General Manager for BOSCH Automotive Aftermarket,

CA. He currently works as an unarmed security guard, as

N.A. After four successful years at BOSCH and living in

well as a chaplain for the Tennessee State Guard for the

the Chicago area, Bobby had the opportunity to move

past 11 years. He recently moved to Gallatin, TN where

back to Southern California in order to take over as the

he resides with his wife, Carol.

President and Chief Executive Officer of Corona, CAbased DECRA ROOFING SYSTEMS. He has been at

1970s

DECRA since November 2015. He is a past member of the Board of Directors for Northwood University of the Aftermarket and is a member of the Leading Suppliers

VICTOR HOFFER ’76, received the Paramedic of the Year FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9

Award for 2017, from the Marion County Fire District #1

58

in Salem, Oregon at their recent awards banquet. He also received the Excellence in Training Award for 2017. Victor

Council for the National Association of Home Builders.

DARYN MILLER ’97 has been appointed by the Kern County Employees Retirement Association, as its new

Hoffer is a career paramedic with Marion County Fire.

chief investment officer. “Miller previously served as the

In addition, he received the Paramedic of the Year Award

Before working for the city, he worked five years as the

for 2017, from the Mt. Angel Fire District #15 where he

vice president of equity research for Goldman Sachs.

interim chief investment officer for the City of San Jose.

CLASS NOTES

Miller has a masters of business administration from the

using so many great skills she learned from Vanguard.

University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree

She is working as an Enrollment Counselor for Western

in accounting from Vanguard University. He also holds a

Governor’s University and has learned so much about

Chartered Financial Analyst designation.”

higher education as well. She is looking forward to her next visit home to SoCal, but the mountains in Utah really speak to her soul. Keep on dreaming! Adventure is

2000s

out there!

CLAIRE FRIDAY ’04 joined the staging

PASTOR JOSH HARRISON ’01

and production staff of the 2019

has recently been appointed as the

Sundance Film Festival as Assistant

fire chaplain for the Costa Mesa

Director and Production Stage Manager

Fire Department amid the launch of

on their closing ceremony awards

their new chaplain program. Josh

night in February. Claire is currently

was called upon to help provide support for the department and the community following the tragic death of their Fire Capt. Mike Kreza. “The Chaplain program is a long

the Founder and Executive Producer of Done By Friday, a production consultancy based in Las Vegas. Claire graduated with a B.A. in Theatre in 2004.

overdue addition for us, and we are very fortunate to

JAMES VALDEZ ’09 has passed the

have Josh and his family as a part of our fire family

CSET in Social Studies and joined the

now,” Chief Stefano said. Josh moved to Orange County

Army Reserve. He is currently serving

from northwest Montana in 1995 to attend Vanguard

in a unit based out of Dublin and has

University and currently resides in Costa Mesa with his

been working as an Itinerant Teacher

wife HEATHER (STEPHENS ’00) HARRISON, and

(Contracted Guest Teacher) with

their three kids, Buzè, Marta and Elijah.

ERIN (BONGIORNO ’02) DONOVAN was formally inducted as the newest Vanguard University Alumni

Salinas Union High School District. He plans to gain his credential through Cal State Monterey Bay’s Intern Pathway.

Board President on January 24 and University Trustee

JAYME (BADOUD ’09) SMITH

on June 5, 2019. Erin has been an invaluable member to

completed her Ph.D. in Biology from

the Alumni Board since 2017 and is excited and eager to

the University of Southern California

step into her new role. Erin was previously the executive

in August 2018 and recently was hired

director of the Baltimore-based nonprofit HopeSprings,

as a scientist at Southern California

an organization that seeks to awaken, equip, and engage

Coastal Water Research Project in

the faith community by building capacity within HIV service providers. Currently, Erin is consulting and has various clients that she works with, as well as serving on the World Relief Board. Erin lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband Brian and their two children.

CHARITY SWANSON ’03 loves her

Costa Mesa, CA. She also recently celebrated eight years of marriage with her husband and fellow VU alumus JERREN SMITH ’09.

2010

new life in Utah! She has found a DAVID VAZQUEZ ’12 graduated from USC Price School

City that is based in San Diego, so

of Public Policy with a Master of Public Administration

it’s like having a piece of home with

and has been appointed as a planning commissioner for the

her every Sunday. She is co-leading

City of Orange.

a youth group of about 15 kids and

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fantastic church called C3 Salt Lake

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SELAH COSENTINO ’14 is the newest member of the Vanguard Alumni Association Board. She currently works

F U T U R E LIO N S

as a Senior Communications Specialist at Vantage West Credit Union and lives in Tucson, AZ. During her time

ALLI (WILLIAMS ’12) and DAVID

at Vanguard University, she was a psychology research

VAZQUEZ ’12 welcomed Elijah

assistant, resident assistant (RA), frontline leader, and

David Vazquez on May 25, 2019. On

commuter assistant. After graduation, she continued to

becoming parents, David and Alli said,

invest in the university as a story shapers mentor, VU rec

“We are grateful in every way. God

volunteer, guest lecturer, and much more. Selah hopes to

is so good.” Aside from their role as

be able to give back to the University that changed the

parents, Alli is the founder of Alli Joy

course of her life and serve the 25,000+ Vanguard alumni

Ministries and David is the Director of External Relations

as we usher in the next century of Vanguard’s impact.

at Vanguard. Alli, David and Elijah live in Orange, CA.

KRISTEN ACHZIGER ’14 After years

AMANDA (MCKENZIE ’12) and

of metaphorically walking through the

TYLER HILLMAN ’11 welcomed

desert (and actually living in one), the

their first child in early December.

Lord uprooted Kristen and planted

Cooper hopes to attend Vanguard one

her in Sacramento, CA in June 2018.

day! The Hillman family currently

She finds it beautifully symbolic that

resides in Glendale, AZ, and own a

she now lives on the edge of a river.

small business together.

Sacramento has provided Kristen with an uplifting creative environment where she can pursue and grow

KELLY (FECHTER ’10) and

her web copywriting business, Going Ultraviolet. She’s

CHRISTIAN ’10 KAYSEN welcomed

already fallen head over heels for the “City of Trees” and

Wesley True Kaysen on November 7,

looks forward to the story God is writing through her life.

2017. Dada, Mama and big brother Porter (4 years old) are in love. Christian

JUST M ARRIED MAISON (ENS ’17) and SHANE ’16 ARCHER married in Camarillo, CA on May 20, 2018.

LISA (LEE ’17) and CHRIS ’18 SHEPPARD married on April 28, 2019 in Reedly, CA.

is a wedding photographer and Kelly is blessed to be a stay-at-home Mom. HILLARY (MADISON ’09) and CHAD ’08 BLAKE welcomed miracle boy Lewis Edwin Blake on January 30, 2019. See pages 38-39 to read the Blakes’ story.

STEFFANY (LEE ’12) and TULLY ’12 WILKINSON celebrated the birth of twins Isla June and August Lee on April 10, 2019. Isla and August join

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two-year-old sister Hazel James in the

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Wilkinson family.

Remington Jasper Cullen Stewart was born on June 19, 2019 to SARAH (BEALS) and CALEB ’09 STEWART.

CLASS NOTES

IN ME MO RY

MURELLA “MERLE” (SCHLIEBE ’49) VALDEZ entered heaven on September 25, 2018, in Orange County, CA,

VA N G U A R D U N I V E R S I T Y C E L E B R AT E S S E V E R A L A L U M N I A N D F R I E N D S of the

following a brief illness. She was born

University who passed away recently and send our support

1923. She attended Southern California

in Pasadena, CA on September 16, Bible College and graduated from

and prayers to their loved ones. Their service to the Lord and Vanguard have impacted generations. Many of these

California State University Fullerton with a bachelor’s

pillars of Vanguard’s history will be honored in the next

degree in Musicology. Merle was proceeded into heaven

issue of vanguard Magazine, releasing early next spring.

by her husband Donald in 1994. She is survived by her children, Kaye Stump and Don Valdez; their respective

KENNETH L. HUNT, husband to NORMA

spouses, Blair and Cindy; five grandchildren, Jared, Jordan

(HEINRICHS ’54) HUNT, passed away on October 1,

& Jackie Valdez and Greg & Jeff Stump; and four great-

2016. His Memorial Service was held at Whittier Area

grandchildren, Farrah, Kaylee, Wade and Thomas.

Community Church on Monday following Thanksgiving 2016. Ken was not a student at Vanguard but met his

JIMMY MATOSSIAN ’16 passed away on

wife Norma through his brother, Harold while she was

September 30, 2018.

a student here. They had 62 years of marriage with four

SYLVIA LUCENA TURNER SCBS

children and now four great-grandchildren.

CLASS OF 1937, died October 6, 2018, age 103, in Chapel Hill, NC.

ENRIQUE ORLANDO MARQUEZ, a Tustin resident, was a year shy of graduating from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics when he was tragically killed in a three-car crash early on May 1, 2018. “Our faculty and Enrique’s classmates will remember him for his sense of humor, laughter, and thoughtfulness.

He was a wonderful part of our campus community during his time here and he will be greatly missed. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Marquez family,” said Mike

JOHN LACKEY passed away November 3, 2018.

DOUG ADAMS ’76 passed away on December 9, 2018.

BETTY “B” PRICE passed away on December 31, 2018.

Wilson, associate provost and dean of Vanguard University.

“Enrique shined for the glory of his savior and now walks

JOHANNA (PINKSTON) TOWNSEND ’66 passed away

with him forever,” his church stated in a Facebook post.

on January 3, 2019.

TIMOTHY SMITH ’17 passed away on July 5, 2018.

RICK SAILORS ’66 passed away on January 29, 2019.

WAYNE TURNBULL ’50 passed away on July 14, 2018.

JACK NOBLE ’68 passed away on February 18, 2019.

ANDREW STOECKLIN ’11 passed away on

DONALD DOCKER ’59 passed away on March 6, 2019.

August 26, 2018.

JO ANNE “JODY” (RUBIY ’68) JONES passed away on

PAUL HEATH ’55 passed away on August 29, 2018.

March 21, 2019.

PAUL ODDO - passed away August 31, 2018.

GEORGE TUTTLE passed away on April 28, 2019.

ARTHUR PRICE passed away on June 15, 2019.

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS! WE’D LOVE TO SHOWCASE PICTURES OF YOUR NEW BABY, WEDDING OR ANNIVERSARIES IN CLASS NOTES. EMAIL YOUR UPDATES TO ALUMNI@VANGUARD.EDU.

VA N GUAR D

REV. DR. JESSE MIRANDA passed away July 12, 2019.

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A L U M N I AWA R D W I N N E R S Honoring three graduates whose contributions enhance the University at the local, state, national or international levels, the 38th Annual Vanguard University Alumni Awards highlight the difference Vanguard graduates are making in the world.

ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR

LARRY ALLBAUGH ’86 Buzz Oates is ranked in the Top 20 Industrial Development firms nationally. As CEO, Larry demonstrates his commitment and vision by leading a talented executive team through execution of the mission to be an integrated real estate development organization that performs with excellence and consistently creates value for its investors and customers.

Prior to joining Buzz Oates more than two decades ago, Larry earned a BA in Business Administration from Vanguard University and a Master of International Management through American Graduate School of International Management. He was also the former Legislative Aide for US Senator David Durenberger.

Outside of the office, Larry is on the board of many organizations including Marvin Buzz Oates Charitable Foundation, Five Star Bank, Vanguard University Board of Trustees, River Oak Center for Children, NAIOP, ULI, and Lambda Alpha International. Larry lives in Folsom with his lovely wife of over 28 years. He has two grown sons and loves the outdoors when he has time to run, bike and hike.

Lastly, in the words of his nominator, Larry Allbaugh is an incredible, humble Godly man, who day in and day out serves and models Jesus in everything he does. “I’ve known him for the past 25 years and he continues to serve and lead his family, the elder board at Sun River Church, other charity/business boards and friends and mentors, all while running a large Real Estate portfolio, as

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the CEO of Buzz Oats Real Estate. Larry devotes his life

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to Jesus, and it pours out into everything he does!”

A L U M N I AWA R D S

YOUNG ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR

CAPTAIN CATHERINE (RILEY ’09) SANTIAGO Captain Catherine Santiago currently serves as Staff Judge Advocate and legal instructor for the United States Air Force Special Investigations Academy, or AFOSI, located at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, or FLETC, in Glynco, Georgia. She also is a Senior Instructor to the FLETC Legal Division. In these roles, she supports the organizations’ missions of providing investigative, counterintelligence, training, and education and support to the AFOSI, US air force members, investigators, the Department of Defense and more than 90 agencies.

Captain Santiago previously served as a Special Victims’ Counsel at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, where she provided independent legal representation and counsel to victims of sexual assault throughout the military justice process. Before that, Captain Santiago served as the Chief of Military Justice at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington, where she advised commanders on the fair administration of justice.

Throughout her career, Captain Santiago has been lauded as a fierce prosecutor. She has tried misdemeanor and felony level offenses in military courts-martial, notably trying several sexual assaults, domestic violence, DUI, drug, and arson cases, amongst others.

Along with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Vanguard, Captain Santiago holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and entered active duty in January 2014 after direct commission as an Air Force judge advocate. She is permitted to practice law before the Supreme Courts of Colorado, the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals and the United States Court of Criminal Appeals for the Armed Forces, and she Codes of Military Justice.

DR. MARY MAHON ’81, MA ’87 Dr. Mary Kathleen Mahon has been appointed Executive Director and President of ChildHope. This ministry has provided lifetransforming education for children in 20 nations of Latin America and the Caribbean for more than 50 years. There are currently more than 100,000 children in over 300 schools being given an opportunity to quality education and an encounter with Jesus Christ in the context of a ChildHope school. Dr. Mahon has served with Assemblies of God World Missions for more than 25 years. During her extensive missionary career, she has served ChildHope in both Costa Rica and Venezuela. Her pioneering work in Venezuela established the ChildHope school in El Pauji, a notoriously dangerous barrio in the capital city of Caracas. Despite the current political upheaval in that South American nation, this school in El Pauji remains resilient, serving hundreds of children in that violent community with transforming hope.

During her long tenure in Costa Rica, she has been involved in every aspect of ChildHope’s ministry. Most recently she founded Chicas de Promesa (Girls of Promise), a girl’s empowerment program designed to help adolescent girls in ChildHope schools overcome the obstacles they face in their communities. In addition, she is developing a parallel ministry; the Chicos Project (Champions for Change) for boys who live in these same communities. These pioneering efforts, begun by Dr. Mahon, are a critical part of ChildHope’s continuing efforts to bring the transforming power of the Gospel to the domestic abuse and gang violence that plagues communities where ChildHope schools are located.

Dr. Mahon received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Vanguard University of Southern California.

Her Ph.D. in Intercultural Education is from Biola University. Dr. Mahon is an ordained Assemblies of God minister with the Southern California Network.

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is qualified and certified under two prestigious Uniform

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

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FA C U LT Y N O T E S DOUG PETERSON ’76 talked on the power of “miracle

DR. SEON CHUN-BURBANK attended and led a

stories” and the effect they have on believers and led

workshop at the CAAEYC (California Association for the

a study at the ChildHope Leadership Conference in

Education of Young Children) conference this year. Her

Dallas. “Stories allow us to see the Spirit at work in

workshop, titled, Renewing Accreditation, was geared for

real life. In fact, stories of God’s grace may be the most

directors and teachers of NAEYC (National Association

important indicators of the efficacy of social work and its

for the Education of Young Children) accredited early

transformational effect on the whole person — body, soul

childhood centers. There was an emphasis on empowering

and spirit.”

people in the profession of early childhood education.

Faculty present at the Alliance for Hispanic-Serving Institution Educators (AHSIE) “The annual AHSIE conference provides members with opportunities to network and share their knowledge with other HSI members while learning how to

effectively manage educational initiatives and maximize grant funding.” Those who presented from Vanguard were staff members Tom Shirey, Phil Newlin and Montana Mellody, faculty members DR. SYLVIA KANE, DR. BONNI

DR. FRANK MACCHIA ’74 published his latest book

STACHOWIAK

this Fall, Jesus the Spirit Baptizer: Christology in Light of

and DR.

Pentecost (Eerdmans, 2018). This book by one of our

JENNIFER

most renowned scholars represents another significant

RUSSUM, and

contribution to the field of Pentecostal scholarship by Dr.

recent graduates

Macchia. “Drawing from both classical and contemporary

Melissa Zeid

sources, Jesus the Spirit Baptizer probes the fundamental

’19 and Tabitha

connection between the person of Christ and the Holy

Blessum ’19.

Spirit, arguing that Christology properly explicates Jesus

Select Vanguard faculty were chosen for the Summer Institute on Teaching sponsored by Yale’s Center of

as the one who bears the Spirit so as to impart the Spirit to all flesh.”

Teaching Excellence. This following team will attend a week-long workshop on improving STEM education from June 17-21, 2019 with ~30 other faculty from across the nation. DR. JULIUS AGBOR, DR. ADRIENNE WILLIAMS, Joshua Thompson, Montana Mellody,

FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9

DR. JULIA WILSON, and DR. SEON CHUN-BURBANK.

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FOLLOW OUR FACULTY AT IFD.VANGUARD.EDU

FA C U LT Y N O T E S

DR. JACKIE PARKE has been

about HSIs, Latinx/o/a students, and at the same time

collaborating with two child/adolescent

demonstrate ways faculty can make small shifts in their

psychologist colleagues on refugee

practice that make a big difference in bridging cultural

research for the past few years. They

differences between the traditional college classroom and

were in Lebanon together in March

Latinx/o/a students’ communication styles and cultural

of 2018 to train Lebanese mental

ways of knowing and understanding.

health professionals serving Syrian refugee youth. The visit helped solidify their partnership with SKILD, a branch of LSESD - the largest Christian non-profit organization in Lebanon. Dr. Parke and her collaborators shared their research by presenting a poster at the National Conference in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology.

VANGUARD UNIVERSITY’S ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM held its second annual Creating Healthy Organizations (CHO) Conference on October 12-13, 2018. The theme of the event was “Managing Well: Creating Environments for Optimal and Sustained Productivity”. Participants were able to select from a variety of research-focused and practice focused

DR. BONNI STACHOWIAK was

presentations, as well as SHRM continuing education

a keynote speaker at the University

credit workshops. A Healthy Organizations Awards

of Houston College of Education’s

Breakfast was held on October 12, 2018 to honor local

Learning, Design, and Technology

business and not-for-profit leaders for their commitment

Conference. Her talk was entitled:

to creating and sustaining healthy workplace. Visit

CREATE. She also led a workshop

vanguard.edu/cho-conference for information on the 2019

in the afternoon, which allowed the

CHO Conference.

participants to get hands-on with creation tools, such as screencasting applications, pencasting hardware and software, and interactive polling services. Additionally, Dr. Stachowiak’s podcast on was featured on EdTech’s Dean’s List: as one of 30 Higher Ed’s 30 Must-Read Higher Education IT Influencers and has been featured in The Chronicle a few times recently. The most recent Chronicle feature was in regards to her Teaching in Higher Ed podcast celebrating the milestone of having a million downloads of

DR. MARY WICKMAN and DR. ANNETTE CALLIS traveled to San Diego to attend the California Organization of Associate Degree Nursing/California Association of Colleges of Nursing (COADN/CACN) Joint Fall 2018 Conference on October 24-26, 2018. The event allowed them the opportunity to network with nursing deans and directors across the state as well as leaders from the California Board of Registered Nursing.

the podcast.

On September 14 and 15, 2018, ESCALA EDUCATIONAL SERVICES INC., a professional development consortium that focuses on Hispanic Serving Institutions, facilitated a two-day reflective retreat for approximately 35 faculty, staff and administrators at Vanguard. The overarching goal of the gathering was to come to consensus on what it means to be an asset-based, equity-oriented Hispanic Serving Institution. ESCALA’s facilitated exercises and structured discussions were aimed to help dispel misconceptions

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For nearly 100 years, Vanguard University has remained committed to equipping and preparing Christcentered leaders to find their true calling and impact the world. Paramount to success is ensuring students have access to facilities where they can thrive. Soon to be the heart of campus and an extension of the classroom, the student center will exist as a place where all students – undergraduate and graduate, residential and commuter – will experience a sense of belonging, community and holistic care.

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