B E YON D T H E H OR IZ ON
FA L L + W I N T E R 2 0 1 9
TA K E T H E NEXT STEP Join the Vanguard community. Live the story God has for you. SCHEDULE A VISIT of the Vanguard campus VA N G U A R D . E D U / V I S I T
R E A DY T O A P P LY ? V I S I T VA N G U A R D . E D U / A P P L Y N O W OR CALL 800.722.6279
Our admissions counselors are here to answer your questions and guide you through the application process.
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.
1
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.
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
28 FEATURE
2
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.
VA N GUAR D
34 FEATURE
3
4
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
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
5
CAMPUS EVENTS
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
A U G U S T 2 019 – FEBRUARY 2020
6
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
7
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”
1
2
5. @vulions “Meet @amanda.chan8… Vanguard’s first EVER women’s track & field NATIONAL CHAMPION!!”
4
5
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!”
3
6
8
7
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.”
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
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”
8
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!!”
11
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
9
VU NOW
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
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 .
10
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
11
12
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
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.
13
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
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
Needham Chapel
14
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.
1
2
3
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.”
4
5
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.
15
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
OF DYNAMIC DESCENT
16
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.
17
18
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
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,
19
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
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
CELEBRATION AT VANGUARD.EDU/VU100.
20
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
21
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
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
22
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
1
“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.
VA N GUAR D
23
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
24
“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
VA N GUAR D
Together, we discovered that regardless of the name – once
25
VU MISSION
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
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 .
26
IN T HIS SE C T ION 28
31
32
34
38
40
41
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.
VA N GUAR D
27
28
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
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)
48
265
620
GSAC Team Championships
NAIA All-Americans
All-GSAC Athletes
485
102
16
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)
29
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,
VA N GUAR D
31
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 .
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
BY JEFF MELTON ’11
32
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.”
33
34
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
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.
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
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
36
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
VA N GUAR D
37
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
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
walked through Paris and dreamed
tried umpteen ways to get
procedures. Their sense of loss
38
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.
VA N GUAR D
39
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
40
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.”
VA N GUAR D
41
V U F O R WA R D
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
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 .
42
IN T HIS SE C T ION 44
47
48
50
54
56
57
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. VA N GUAR D
43
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!”
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
a huge leap of faith for me, and I’m so thankful Vanguard
44
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!”
VA N GUAR D
will help me stay strong with my faith. So, that’s why I
45
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. VA N GUAR D
47
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.
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
THOUGH THE ROAR IS NEW, SHOWING SCHOOL SPIRIT HAS BEEN INTEGRAL TO THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE AT VANGUARD FOR DECADES.
48
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!”
VA N GUAR D
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
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
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
VA N GUAR D
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
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
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
53
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
VA N GUAR D
55
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.
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
The US is projected to experience
56
“[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.”
VA N GUAR D
57
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
VA N GUAR D
fantastic church called C3 Salt Lake
59
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
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
two-year-old sister Hazel James in the
60
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.
61
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
FA LL + WI N TER 20 1 9
the CEO of Buzz Oats Real Estate. Larry devotes his life
62
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.
VA N GUAR D
is qualified and certified under two prestigious Uniform
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
63
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.
64
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
VA N GUAR D
65
NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE
PAID VANGUARD UNIVERSITY
55 FAIR DRIVE, COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA 92626 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
B U I L D I N G A F U T U R E FA R G R E AT E R THAN OUR STUDENTS CAN
imagine.
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.
LEARN MORE AND SUPPORT AT VANGUARD.EDU/IMAGINE
O P E N I N G
S P R I N G
2 0 2 0