RPink for President NEW KID IN TOWN RNAIA Top 20 Agri-Business Begins RCampaign Goals Scott Simpson ’85
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The mission of York College is to transform lives through Christ-centered education and to equip students for lifelong service to God, family and society.
The Bartholomew Performing Arts Center hosted its first musical during the Homecoming weekend. It was sell-out crowds with each stunning performance of The Secret Garden as Nolan Henningson (above) performed a lead role in his final YC stage appearance. On The Cover: To promote the new agri-business program, Natalie Carrasco, Corey Holmes, and Natalie Ostrander "kid" around with goats at a local farm. See pg. 22
Sixty years ago God blessed us with the opportunity to reopen York College. Since that time, thousands of hearts have been touched and lives have been changed here. The men and women who had the vision, dedication and courage to see the possibilities of a college in Nebraska are the heroes on whom our present and future depend. In the eight years I have been here, we have experienced the passing of many of the early founders. Two heroes who are still with us are highlighted on page 28 of this Heritage. Hershel Dyer, a minister in Nebraska in mid-1950s, was with Dale Larsen when they stopped in York and called to inquire about a vacant campus – the first step in reopening the college. Dyer would later serve as secretary for the board of trustees. He continues to support the school to this day. Johnnie Conway led Helping Hands for York College in Bellevue, Nebraska, for the 50-year span of the organization. In that time, she planned hundreds of meals, cookbook sales, and other activities to raise money for York College students. A phone call. Five decades of fundraisers and donations. Simple acts that have meant changed lives for thousands of young men and women. During this season of the year LaRee and I usually watch the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. Following that film’s theme, it is hard to imagine how the church and the world would be different without this small college in the heartland of America. My life, and the lives of so many others, were directed to God and changed for eternity because of those who saw and became a part of God’s plan. There are so many times that the College has faced hard times since those early days, but God has always provided and not only helped the college survive, but has made it thrive. You will see in this Heritage that the work continues. We continue to highlight the accomplishments of our alumni and the work of our students and faculty. God is still at work here transforming lives. It is gratifying to be a part of that effort and to be able to see it firsthand. It is our goal to give you a taste of the difference York College continues to make through the people that lead and attend here. It’s a year to celebrate. York College could have ended with the 1954 closure. It didn’t. In my first speech as president, I made the point that it is time for alumni to provide the leadership for York College going forward. We stand on the shoulders of those who saw what this place could become. We are recipients of their faith and vision. At the same time, we have a different perspective because we see the results of what York College has become in our lives, our families and our faith. Would you pray for God’s continued blessing for our students and our campus? There is no more important contribution you could make.
Steve Eckman President
(above) Just before the Christmas break, Celebration Singers gave their annual Cocoa and Carols production to a capacity crowd each night in the Bartholomew Performing Arts Center.
Profile Excellence in
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he achievement gap between Native American K-12 students and their non-Native peers is staggering: test scores in reading and math are often well below grade level; graduation rates are at 67 percent, compared to the national average of 80 percent. Combine that with an outrageously high suicide rate among Native populations (nearly double the national average) and it’s more likely that a Native man will commit suicide than graduate from college. Schools on reservations are often understaffed, underfunded, and dealing with substandard facilities.
Renee Wubbenhorst and Bryce Tyler give the royal smiles as they represent the students' choice for 2016 Homecoming Queen and King.
In this issue: 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 19 20 22 24 26 27 29 31
Scott Simpson - Profile in Excellence Campus News Homecoming Awards Athletic Hall of Fame Clayton Museum Expands Criminal Justice - A Force for Good Touchton Clubhouse Ribbon Cutting Mission Possible Alumni News and Notes Christian Agriculture Panther Athletics Raise Your Paw Campus View Beyond 125 Around the Corner
At the end of an era of No Child Left Behind, it’s apparent that Native children have been. It’s a complex and multifaceted problem with no simple solutions. However, Dr. Scott Simpson ’85 and colleagues at the non-profit Technology and Innovation in Education (TIE) are addressing elements of the problem that they hope will have lasting effects not just in education in their home state of South Dakota, but across the United States. Simpson has worked with TIE since 2008. As the organization began looking at the problems Native students face, it quickly became apparent that a hidden issue was in the curriculum: Native voices were not represented. ...continued next page (left) Simpson poses with North Dakota Elder JT Shining Oneside. (above) In his spare time, Simpson is a singer-songwriter who records in his house under the independent label, Dancin' Moon. He has recorded 23 CDs, composed music for five documentary films, and also wrote the songs for "Deadeye's Wild West – Or Subterfuge in Spearfish" a musical melodrama performed in the summers of 2014 and 2015.
(above) Dr. Wayne White '63 gets sandwiched between his proud brothers Dr. Jim White and Don KeelanWhite after receiving the YC Alumni of the Year award. Heritage is a semi-annual publication for alumni and friends of York College. The magazine is available online at www.york.edu/alumni. Heritage Editor Vol. 20, No. 1 Chrystal Houston ’03 Director of Alumni and Communication 402-363-5607 chrystal.houston@york.edu Assistant Editor/Design Steddon Sikes ’84 Director of Publications Heritage Contributors Bob DeHart ’95 Trent Hinton '00 Titus Robison '02 Amber Soderholm '10
In most public school classrooms the curriculum is Euro-centric—from the literature that is chosen for study, to the names used in the word-math problems, to the worldview proposed by the science and social studies lessons. The message subtly reinforced is that EuroAmerican culture is more important than Native values.
“When students start to feel like ‘well, what they really want is for me not to be me,’ that’s a problem,” Simpson said. “Education shouldn’t be something that pushes individuals
If classrooms are culturally responsive, students are more likely to engage and have positive outcomes. not to be themselves, but to be more fully and completely exactly who they are in a real and productive way. That’s education at its best. If I feel like I have to leave who I am at home, I can’t learn.” To address this deficit, TIE and the South Dakota Department of Education worked with the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota tribes of South Dakota, asking tribal leaders to identify essential understandings of their shared culture that they wanted to pass on to the next generation. This grew out of recent research that shows if classrooms are culturally responsive, students are more likely to engage and have positive outcomes. The concepts the elders identified, the Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council Fires) Essential Understandings (OSEU)
Photographer: Neeta Lind
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are the core values of the people. They focus on lands and environment; identity and resiliency; culture and language; kinship and harmony; oral tradition and story; sovereignty and treaties; and tribal
way of life and community development. Simpson and his colleagues interviewed tribal elders on camera and created an online repository of oral history that is available to all, as well as a guidebook for educators on how to incorporate the OSEU in the classroom. The goal is for these principles to be discussed not just in history class or social studies units on Native populations, but to embed them into every part of the curriculum. “Teachers don’t need more to teach. They have plenty of material already to cover,” said Simpson. What TIE seeks to give them is resources for
ways of teaching that incorporate the OSEU concepts—such as examples or activities, to reinforce the message that Native voices are valuable. After developing the materials, TIE spent a year showing teachers at one particular reservation school how to implement them. At the end of the year, the teachers who had been most reluctant had become the biggest supporters. Another problem TIE is working to overcome is the high turnover rate for teachers in the state—especially in reservation schools. Simpson says that at some reservation schools, they have seen 100 percent turnover in 12 months. Many times, the school year starts and there are still teaching positions vacant. Even in non-reservation schools, there is a problem with teacher retention in rural areas in South Dakota. Giving new teachers a way into the local culture and helping them identify resources in the community has been an important part of Simpson’s work with TIE. They developed a mentorship program for new teachers called the WoLakota Project that incorporates the OSEU. In the three years that they’ve offered the program, they have successfully retained more participating teachers.
While there is not much data yet to prove the success of these programs, there is strong anecdotal evidence to show that they are working. The State of South Dakota is now implementing the OSEU in public schools across the state. TIE’s WoLakota Project is expanding their work to Native populations in Wyoming and North Dakota. The National Board of Teacher Certification and the Bureau of Indian Education are partnering with TIE to scale up the program into the HEART Initiative (Helping Educators Achieve, Reflect, and Teach) in Mississippi,
Hawaii and New Mexico—three other states with large Native populations. They are also investigating how this culturally responsive model could be used in other communities. Could they interview black, Hispanic or immigrant community elders to determine a set of core beliefs that legitimizes those cultures in particular classrooms? “The core of this system is allowing our educational practice to be deeply influenced by the elders of the community,” said Simpson. n
(top left) In February, Simpson was part of a productive visioning time in DC for making plans to increase the number of North Dakota and South Dakota *BIE National Board Certified Teachers. (lower left) A young Lakota shawl dancer takes a break at a 2013 powwow. (left) Simpson interviewed many tribal elders, including David Bald Eagle, Lakota chief and Chief of the National Indigenous People Coalition, for the OCEU project. You can watch recordings of all of the interviews with tribal leaders and learn more about the OCEU at www.wolakotaproject.org.
From 1993-96, Simpson taught communication and English at York College and directed the theatre productions. Scott and Sheryl (Lessly '85) live in Spearfish, SD. Both of their daughters, Maegan and Laurel, graduated from YC and currently work in the admissions office.
* Bureau of Indian Education
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CAMPUS NEWS ACADEMIC HONOR SOCIETIES INDUCT NEW MEMBERS The York College chapter of Alpha Chi, the collegiate national honor society, inducted 10 new members at a ceremony in October. Alpha Chi is an academic honor society that recognizes and promotes excellence in scholarship among college and university students of good character. Classified as a general honor society, meaning that it accepts members from all academic fields, Alpha Chi inducts no more than the top 10 percent of junior, senior, and graduate students at member institutions. Members receive recognition as distinguished students and members of one of the largest college honor societies in the world. Faculty sponsors Dr. Louise Bailey, associate professor of education, and Dr. Terence Kite, professor of physics, lead the York College chapter. Dr. Bailey says that in addition to promoting scholarship at YC, the York Chapter of Alpha Chi is a service organization. They are looking for service opportunities for the year and making plans for how they will give back.
York College Alpha Chi new members and faculty sponsors: (1st row) Natalie Ostrander (president), Brittany Eckerberg, Abby Gonzalez, Alyssa Brown, Andrea Way, Ainsley Mountjoy; (2nd row) Dr. Louise Bailey (sponsor), Kory Slaughter, Jacob Wirka, Caleb Magner, Robert Thompson, Dr. Terence Kite (sponsor) - not pictured Grady Johnson.
The York College chapter of Phi Beta Lambda, business honor society, is excited for growth in the 2016-2017 academic year. Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) is an organization that prepares undergraduate students for a successful career in business. PBL’s mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. Phi Beta Lambda has 230,000 members nationally and is recognized by employers globally. The York chapter is represented by seven officers and faculty sponsor Tim Lewis, assistant professor of business. In October, they inducted 27 members for the 2016-2017 academic year. As an organization, goals have been set for service outreach within the community as well as on campus, to provide hands-on business experience to our members, and to establish professional relationships within the York area. The chapter has begun preparing to conduct interviews for the D. Mark Moore Entrepreneurial Spirit Award that will be presented by officers at the 2017 Chamber of Commerce Banquet this January. In memory of former York College Professor D. Mark Moore, the chapter is honored to be recognizing an outstanding entrepreneur in the York Community. The community service committee was able to aid in clean-up for the Living Water Mission banquet in November. The chapter is open to service opportunities, organization donations and professional opportunities for members to gain experience.
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York College PBL 2016-17 members: (1st row) Matheus Oliveira, Robert Ozuna, Kevin Olmstead, Rachel Dollen; (2nd row) Connor Towle, Sabrina Austin, Hannah Parker, Ashley Spagnolo, Courtney Gibbs, Bre Goben, Tim Lewis (sponsor); (3rd row) Evans Francis, Jaraad Salas, Jeff Albers, Kaylee Becker, Melissa Strong, Kendall Fike; (4th row) Hugo Oliveira, Garrett Ewing, Justin Hukill, Halie Ewing, Molly Little, Leiah Reichel – not pictured: Cameron Coleman, Morgan Derengowski, John Mead, Rodrigo Peres, Jason Arreola. PBL chapter officers (l-r): Treasurer – Jeff Albers Secretary – Ashley Spagnolo President – Kaylee Becker Vice President – Hannah Parker Reporter – Rachel Dollen Public Relations – Halie Ewing
(PBL photos by Bob DeHart)
FA C U LT Y N E W S
Sarah (Barrett '99) Van Gomple has joined the York College education faculty. She holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Wichita State University and an English Language Learners endorsement from Kansas State University. She holds bachelor's degrees in education and psychology from York College.
photo by Sarah Van Gomple
Van Gomple has taught elementary school, served as an instructional coach where she facilitated staff development and provided support for new teachers, coordinated programming for English language learners, and served as a reading specialist. At York College she will be responsible for introduction to education, educational psychology, instructional technology, and teaching language arts classes. Sarah and her husband, Ken '00, have three sons, Andrew (11), Charlie (9), and Sam (6).
The Van Gomple family host YC students: Brian Aguilar, Ernest Green, Johann Derick, and Keenan Thorburn in their home for a meal.
SPIVEY WINS GRANT FOR LEARNING INNOVATION How do you make an Intro to Psychology class more fun and interesting? That was the challenge Dr. Jaclyn Spivey, assistant professor of psychology, considered as she crafted a curriculum that turned the course into a game. Students worked in teams for the duration of the semester, getting points for projects that took them into the community of York and paired learning, service and team effort.
photo by Bob Dehart
VAN GOMPLE JOINS FACULTY
During the first part of the fall semester, Dr. Spivey instructs her physiological psychology students on the art of dissecting a sheep's brain.
Students volunteered in eldercare, childcare, and the animal shelter. They also got points for certain activities online, such as interacting with the York College Department of Psychology’s content on Twitter and Facebook (which includes frequent links to psychology in the news and articles about new studies). Attending extra lectures and learning events also earned points. “They had a buffet of options,” said Spivey. “Psychology is a huge field. There’s more than we could ever cover in a semester. There’s always something more that someone wants to know about.” This system incentivizes students’ learning independently on topics that interest them. The first team to make it to a certain point value wins a prize—their choice of gift cards to a local restaurant or a meal at Spivey’s home. (They always pick the gift cards, Spivey says.) Spivey has been running her Intro to Psychology class this way for three years and has had success in getting students to buy-in to the course and the material. “I want them to see York and build skills and relationships. I want to increase their engagement with each other and with the course content," she said. Spivey recently received a grant from the Society for the Teaching of Psychology for her classroom innovation. Her proposal “Game-based experiential learning in Introductory Psychology” was one of three that were selected to receive Instructional Resource Awards from a nationwide pool of applicants. As part of the grant, Spivey created an instructor’s guide and a student’s guide so that others can implement her system. These resources are available free on the website teachpsych.org.
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HOMECOMING AWARDS
Alumni of the Year: Dr. R. Wayne White ’63
Young Alumnus of the Year: Lanny Gridley ’98
Dr. R. Wayne White has had a long career of distinguished service in education, coaching and ministry.
Lanny Gridley has worked for Sherwood Construction Co., Inc. since graduating from York College in 1998. He started as a staff accountant and network technician. Today he is the vice president and CFO of the civil construction outfit, which employs over 900 people in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado. In this position, he is responsible for the financial and information technology areas of the Sherwood group of companies. He facilitates mergers and acquisitions and provides financial management support to operating divisions.
He graduated from York College in 1963, then went on to earn degrees at Oklahoma Christian University, Harding University, and the Theological University of America. He worked as a teacher and basketball coach at Dallas Christian School and Ohio Valley Christian College during the 60s and 70s, while working in ministry part-time with the Hawn Freeway and Saturn Road Churches of Christ. Later he served as a couples minister at the Highland Oaks Church of Christ. White spent two successful years working in the real estate industry with Century 21, then went on to serve as dean for university services and instructor of history, religion, and ethics at Amber University. For the past 30 years, White has worked full time in ministry. He has served in many ministry capacities with the Preston Road and Webb Chapel Churches of Christ in the Dallas area, including work with singles, congregational care, pulpit ministry, and international missions. Today he is the interim pulpit minister for the Mesquite Church of Christ. White has been married for 51 years to Karen (Anderson). The couple has been blessed with two children, 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. They live in Carrollton, Texas. White has served on the York College Board of Trustees for 13 years.
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Gridley earned a B.S. in accounting at York College then went on to earn an M.B.A. at Newman University. Gridley and his wife Jenny have two children, daughter Maeve and son Harrison. Gridley has been a member of the York College President’s Council since 2011. He is also a member of many professional organizations, including the American Institute of CPAs and the Associated General Contractors of America. He serves on the board of the Eastern Oklahoma chapter of the March of Dimes and the advisory board of UMB Bank Tulsa.
photo by A llison Farrand MLive.com/The Grand Rapids Press
Pink Takes on the Presidency “Jesus has always been there for me — providing answers to my questions. Whether I thought it was the right answer or the wrong answer, it was the answer. York College was one of those answers… doing for me what I couldn’t do for myself.” Dr. Bill Pink '87 2016 Homecoming Chapel
Dr. Bill Pink '87 was named the 10th president of Grand Rapids Community College by its board of trustees on November 21. “As a board, we are pleased to name Bill Pink to this position,” board Chairperson Bert Bleke said. “Throughout the extensive interview process, it became clear that he has the level of expertise and vision necessary to take the college to the next level.” Prior to joining GRCC’s leadership team in March 2015 as the vice president and dean for Workforce Development, Pink served as vice president for academic affairs at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City. While Abilene, Texas, is his hometown, Pink lived in Oklahoma City for 18 years before making Grand Rapids his home. He has been an educator for more than 25 years, and has taught or coached in Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Oregon. As a college basketball player, Pink earned many awards for his athletic and academic achievements. At this year's Homecoming, he was inducted into the York College Athletic Hall of Fame. (See next page.) Pink contributes to his community through a variety of ways, including membership on the board of directors for Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids, as well as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids. Pink also serves as a board member of West Michigan Works!, the workforce development agency for seven counties in West Michigan. In January 2016, Pink completed a four-year appointment as a member of the National Selection Committee for the National Merit Scholarship Council. He also is a former national conference co-chair for Dream Deferred: The Future of African-American Education. He is a sought-after public speaker and has accumulated numerous invitations to speak at events across the United States. His topics are usually associated with diversity, leadership, career and workforce development, and faith-based presentations. Aside from being a teacher-educator, Pink teaches public-speaking courses as well as athletic administration courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Pink and his wife Lori have two children: Lance and Lydia. Lori, a Michigan native, is an Air Force retiree and currently works for the Federal Aviation Administration. Lance is a member of the Marines, and Lydia is in middle school.
Hall of Famers New members of YC's Athletic Hall of Fame An induction ceremony honoring Dr. Bill Pink, Misty (Wellman) Brestel, and Ashley (Wellman) Waldrep was held on October 21st during Homecoming weekend.
Dr. Bill Pink ’87
Misty (Wellman) Brestel ’02
Ashley (Wellman) Waldrep ’07
Teammates, colleagues, and players he’s coached describe Dr. Bill Pink ’87 as a talented player and teacher, with a kind word for all as he strives for excellence on the court and in the classroom. Pink has been an educator for more than 25 years. During that time he has worn many hats at schools in Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon and Nebraska. His leadership roles have included athletic director, head coach, professor, assistant to the president, committee chair, associate dean, and vice president. He began his academic career at York College, where he studied education and was a center on the basketball team. During Pink’s years on the court, the Panthers were conference champions (‘86) and co-champions (‘87). He was the team’s co-captain his sophomore year, led the team in scoring and was the second leading rebounder. That year he was named 1st Team All-Nebraska Junior College. Pink went on to attend Oklahoma Christian University, the University of Central Oklahoma, and the University of Oklahoma, eventually completing a PhD in instructional leadership and academic curriculum. He returned to York College for two years to teach and coach men’s basketball and men’s and women’s tennis. During that time, he was recognized as the first African-American junior college men’s basketball head coach in Nebraska history. Today Pink is the president of Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is a frequent presenter at education and athletic conferences throughout the United States. He has served as a board member for many civic organizations. He has been selected twice to participate in an American delegation to China.
Misty (Wellman) Brestel ’02 holds a special place in York College athletics: she is the first player in any sport to be named an All-American by the NAIA at York College. In addition, Brestel also was named by the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference to First Team All-Conference all four years. Brestel averaged a double-double for her entire career. She broke 17 school records in her four years as center on the basketball team and still holds six of those records, including career rebounds with 1,294. She holds single season records in points scored (561) and field goals made (203). Her single-game records include free throws made (15), rebounds (22), and blocked shots (9). Nationally, she was ranked in the top ten for rebounding. The 2001-2002 season was the highlight of her athletic career, as the team set a school record of 20 wins. She credits her team with the success of the season that resulted in her All-American status. Brestel earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at York College, then went on to earn a degree in mortuary science from Cypress College. Today she is a licensed funeral director and embalmer with Metz Mortuary in York. She was one of 50 funeral directors nationwide selected to participate in the National Funeral Directors Association’s inaugural Meet the Mentors Program hosted by Harvard University. She also served for two years as a district president for the Nebraska Funeral Directors Association (NeFDA), and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for NeFDA. Brestel has served as an assistant coach for YC's women’s basketball for eight seasons and is involved in many other community activities.
An impressive athlete, Ashley (Wellman) Waldrep ’07 set many school records during her years as a center on the basketball team, a number of which stand today. However, some of her greatest accomplishments have been off the court, as she has dedicated her career to caring for those with cancer as well as advancing cancer treatment through research. At York College, Waldrep racked up athletic accolades. She was named to the All-Conference team annually from 2004 to 2007. In 2003 she was named Freshman of the Year for the MCAC and in her senior year, she was named MCAC Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Beyond regional recognition, Waldrep was honored by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in 2006 as a Div. II All-American honorable mention. The following year, she earned NAIA Div. II First Team All-American status. She currently holds 13 York College records including career points (1,888), field goals made (658), field goals attempted (1440), free throws made (572), free throws attempted (883), and blocks (212). She holds single-season records in free throws made (172), rebounds (357), and blocks (68). Her single-game records include points scored (37), field goals made (18), field goals attempted (28), and free throws attempted (22). After earning a bachelor’s degree in biology at York College, Waldrep served in several clinical research positions, including director of research for Nebraska Hematology-Oncology. She holds a master’s degree in clinical research administration and is now completing her final year of physician assistant studies. She plans to return to the field of oncology as a PA, to continue her important work in patient care and research.
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(1) The Wellman family gathered for a family picture in front of the honor wall. (2) Dr. Bill Pink along with his wife Lori and daughter Lydia made the trip to York from Grand Rapids Michigan. (3) Ashley Waldrep shows off her copy of the plaque alongside Jared Stark, vice president of athletics and enrollment. (4) Matt Fike '90, talked about Ashley's servant heart and the privilege it was to coach her. (5) Coach Matt Madole '02 gave a tribute to Misty's loyalty to the program and her dedication as his assistant basketball coach.
Nominations for the 2017 Athletic Hall of Fame induction are now open. Look for information about the Lettermen's Association and the Hall of Fame at www.ycpanthers.com.
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Clayton Museum in Full Swing Amber Soderholm '10, curator of the Clayton Museum of Ancient History at York College, has maintained a steady stream of activities and events this fall. In September, the museum hosted a biblical archaeology lecture series with Dr. Dale Manor, professor of archaeology and Bible at Harding University. Manor has served as the field director of the Tel Beth-Shemesh excavation project in Israel since 2000. The
museum’s second temporary exhibit, Ancient Vessels, was opened in conjunction with the lecture series and features an impressive collection of pottery pieces from Israel collected by YC's own Dr. Frank Wheeler, chair of the biblical studies department. The exhibit will remain on display through March. October saw the long-awaited opening of the Little Kingdom, an interactive area which invites kids, young and
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(left) Dr. Dale Manor shares his knowledge of Jerusalem by the museum’s image of the Western Wall.
Ides of March event: The museum will host a​special fundraising dinner on March 14, featuring Romaninspired foods, special tours of the collection, and a program organized by Museum Curator Amber Soderholm and Associate Professor of History Tim McNeese. Look for more details coming soon at www.claytonmuseumofancienthistory.org.
old, to take part in an archaeological dig, "live" in an Israelite style house, "walk" a Roman road, and "shop" in a Roman market. 150 visitors came to experience the exhibit on its opening weekend and then an additional 200 guests came through the following week during Homecoming. In November, Soderholm directed the second Clay Potters event in which participants learned how to make
their own pinch pot and coil pot. A portion of the Saturday Studio was spent in the Ancient Vessels exhibit to help inspire creative designs. The next studio event will be Mosaic Makers on January 28, 2017. Learn about ancient mosaic styles and patterns while designing and creating your very own mosaic. Reserve your spot and materials by January 14 by contacting Amber at asoderholm@york.edu or calling 402-363-5748.
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A FORCE FOR GOOD CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM PREPARES STUDENTS FOR LIVES OF PUBLIC SERVICE If you’ve read the headlines lately, you’ve seen the urgent need for Christian women and men in uniform, keeping the peace and serving communities in their hour of need. The criminal justice program at York College is producing just that—graduates with the heart and the skills to serve in the diverse needs of law related careers, from officers to lawyers to forensic scientists. Dr. Billy Lones started the criminal justice program at York College in 2008. He still heads the program today, which is now the third largest major on campus behind education and psychology. “The Christian element is embedded in everything that we do because that’s who I am,” said Lones. At its heart, the criminal justice program is about serving people, he says. “We are dealing with people not at their best. How we treat them is important.” That was a key take-away for Randy Lewis ’12, one of the first graduates of the program. Lewis worked for several years in corrections in York and now works for the Department of Homeland Security. He recently graduated at the top of his class from a federal training program in border security and will soon move to Arizona to begin working as a border patrol officer. Lewis was one of 39 selected for this program. Only 34 completed the grueling training. Upon graduation, Lewis was recognized by his classmates with the Director’s Leadership Award, an award given to the trainee who best exemplifies the qualities of a leader. “Dr. Lones always instilled in us that we should do our work with honesty and integrity,” said Lewis. “My whole experience in the criminal justice department and at YC, seeing my instructors working together and treating all human beings with respect—that’s huge. A badge sometimes gives people a false sense of superiority. I have to remember that even though I’ve been given authority by our country...all people are still children of God and deserve to be treated as such as I carry out my duty.” (above) In full uniform, Quin Johnson stands ready to serve. (top right) Graduating at the top of the class from a federal training program in border security was a proud moment for Randy and Martha (Slater '13) Lewis.
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Quin Johnson ’12, a police officer in Memphis, Tenn., agrees. “The biggest challenge is treating people like people, not problems, no matter what they might have done.” Johnson says one of the most valuable classes he took at York College was ethics. Dr. Lones led the class in discussions about real world legal scenarios and explored many sides of a situation. “Policing has many gray areas,” said Johnson. “Learning about that in a Christian environment helps me think about the work differently as a Christian and an officer. Having these conversations ahead of time helps you handle the gray areas better in the moment.” Lones says many of his students tell him, politely, that his ethics class ruins their lives. “They learn to think, not just to act,” said Lones. “They have to think through consequences and weigh all options.” That was the experience of YC senior Courtney Lovelace. She said she both loved and hated ethics because of how it challenged her thinking. “It was really interesting and
Graduates of the criminal justice program have a terrific placement rate, with nearly 100 percent working in the field or accepted to graduate programs. Lones hears often from former students that their degree from York College was great preparation for their next step—be it police academy or law school or anything in between. “Wherever they go, I hear over and over they were very well prepared for it,” he said.
difficult. I started to think about ethics in every situation, even small things. It really shifted my mindset.” Lovelace will graduate in May and plans to attend law school in the fall. Her legal passion is for punishment to be fair and free of discrimination. “I want to protect the rights of people in the justice system,” she said. Lovelace recalled a classmate asking Lones a question that continues to resonate with her: “How can a Christian lawyer defend someone they know is guilty?” “No matter what, they still have rights and deserve justice, not just punishment,” said Lovelace, echoing Lones’ response to the question. “They are still children of God. Their mistakes are different than mine, but they are still people, who need to be treated with dignity and humanity— even people that others may see as the worst of the worst. People deserve to be treated as people. Always.” Lovelace has especially enjoyed studying criminology, the area of sociology that focuses on the study of crimes and their causes, effects, and social impact. A criminologist's job responsibilities involve analyzing data to determine why the crime was committed and to find ways to predict, deter, and prevent further criminal behavior. That study has fueled her passion for advocating for people in the legal system, from addressing underlying mental health issues, to substance use disorder treatment and recovery, to job preparedness and reentry services. “We have to be very intentional about how we handle people in the criminal justice system to make sure that they are getting more than punishment, but also getting what they need in order to not end up back in prison,” she said. (above) After completing her social science research presentation just before the holiday break, Courtney Lovelace gives a smile on a job well done. (left) Dr. Billy Lones listens to a student initiated discussion in his Introduction to Criminal Justice class. (right) Lones chairs the criminal justice program and volunteers as chaplain for the men's soccer team.
That was certainly the case for both Lewis and Johnson. Lewis said that Lones readied him for his job with Homeland Security by forcing him to think critically and pay attention to details. On Lones’ tests, “there was usually more than one right answer—you had to pick the one that was most right,” Lewis said. He didn’t know it at the time, but that is the same format as all of the tests he had to pass to get to his current position. “That prepared me to get this job,” he said. Johnson reported that the academic portion of police academy, a struggle for many, was pretty simple for him. “It was super easy because I’d had it all before,” he said. Of the hundreds that applied for positions with the Memphis police department, Johnson was one of 58 to enter the police academy; only 41 graduated and earned their badge. On the topic of race and policing in America, Lones encourages lots of dialog in the classroom. They study historical context and seek to dispel myths and throw out easy answers, as he challenges students to dig deeper for explanations. Policing in Memphis comes with a long history of racial tension. Johnson says he’s not afraid, despite the violence involving police that has been in the news in recent months. “You take it one day at a time and try not to think about it too much. You’ve got a job to do and you can’t do it well if you’re thinking about all the bad things that might happen,” he said. “I do get stopped by people who say ‘I support you guys’ or ‘I’m praying for you guys.’ That’s good to hear.” n
(right) The Touchton Clubhouse ribbon cutting ceremony included sophomore Connor Towle, associate head coach Dylan Connolly, head coach Brian Walth, Cheryl Touchton, Paul Touchton, Shaun Touchton, Tad Touchton, Kim Touchton, Lydia Touchton, senior Justin Hukill, and vice president for athletics and enrollment Jared Stark.
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(1) The crowd outside the clubhouse anxiously awaits its opening. (2) Coach Touchton gets an autographed bat that includes signatures from his 1971 all-stars Tom Miller and Bill MacKenzie.
The Golden Touch
Touchton Clubhouse dedicated
The program was brief and the enthusiasm was high at the Touchton Clubhouse dedication on Saturday, October 22 during Homecoming. Former players mingled with the current Panther squad as they toured the new facility, talking about glory days from the past and the ones yet to come. “We’ve come a long way from a dozen bats and two dozen baseballs,” said Paul Touchton '61, for whom the building was named. Touchton is credited with starting the baseball program at York College in 1965. The Touchton Clubhouse provides team meeting space as well as a locker room and laundry facilities. Despite a lot
of success, including national rankings, regular postseason play, and an appearance at the 2013 NAIA World Series, the baseball program had not previously had a home. “This is going to make a major difference to our program,” said Head Coach Brian Walth '03. “We finally have a facility that reflects our success. It will make recruiting that much easier. Our players work hard and play hard. They deserve a great home. I’m glad we can finally provide that for them.” Walth is also excited about the new baseball complex recently completed by the city of York where the Panthers will practice starting this spring. ...continued on next page.
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4 (3) Kevin Olmstead, Jarrell Cunningham, and Justin Hukill give their approval of the new facility. (4) Dr. Joseph Graziani '66 and Salah Ibrahim '67 share in the celebration with
5 Coach Touchton. (5) Major Alan Blackburn '74, Gary Bartholomew '67, Bill MacKenzie '71, Paul Touchton '61, Tom Miller '71, Roger Lowry '66, and Vernon Cole '66 proudly shoulder their bats in honor of the clubhouse dedication. WINTER 2017 |
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Great Things Ahead for Panthers
photo by Bob DeHart
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced November 8 that the York College baseball team was among the top teams in the country, as they entered the NAIA Baseball Coaches Pre-season Poll at No. 13. Behind a very strong senior pitching staff that accounted for 36 of last season's 46 wins, the Panthers are in great position to repeat their bid at winning the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The defense is equally matched by the team's offensive arsenal as it was ranked No. 1 in the NAIA last year in total runs scored (582) and runs scored per game (9.2). Billy Johnson, senior outfielder from Oakland, Calif., who topped the charts with his 88 runs last year, has been named to the 2017 Preseason All-American Team. The Panthers are one of two teams from the KCAC to be named in the pre-season poll, the other being Tabor College, who came in at No. 10.
Honorable Mention All-American Billy Johnson set a new YC record last year with 88 runs on the season. He was one of nine YC players who hit .300 or better (.360). Johnson's 12 home runs ranked third on the team while his 6 triples tied a YC record set in 2000 by now head coach Brian Walth.
photos by Bob DeHart
In 2015, Paul Touchton was inducted into the York College Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a basketball player during his years as a student, but his impact was multiplied when he worked at York College from 1964 until 1973, teaching and coaching baseball and soccer, along with many other duties. He also serves as a trustee for the college. “Coach Touchton has blessed the lives of a legion of young men and women in his role as coach, faculty member and mentor,” said Touchton’s former player Gary Bartholomew '67. “He is a significant figure in the lives of those of us who were privileged to play baseball, basketball, participate in his gym classes and/or live in Middlebrook Hall [where he was the manager].” While the clubhouse is named for Touchton, others are recognized in the building as well. The coach’s office is named in honor of Nick Harlan '01, who led Panther baseball from 2004-2013. During the Harlan era, the team earned five regional berths and four straight years of top 25 rankings. Current coach, Brian Walth, was an integral part of Harlan’s time at York College serving as Harlan’s assistant for nine years. Harlan now coaches at the University of Central Arkansas. The foyer space recognizes the accomplishments of Tom Miller '71, who was inducted into the York College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014. Miller was a multi-sport athlete, competing in basketball, baseball and golf during his years at York College. At one point during Miller’s sophomore year, he led the nation in hitting with a .561 average. He finished the year with a batting average of .529, which placed him first in the National Junior College Athletic Association. He also won the Prairie Junior College Conference batting title. He served as a starting and relief pitcher and was 6-1 his sophomore year with a 2.21 ERA. He was voted the Outstanding Player Award in the conference that year. Miller’s college bat is displayed in the clubhouse. The Touchton Clubhouse is the latest Beyond 125 Campaign priority to reach a successful conclusion. Funding and volunteer efforts from several former players, parents and other friends made the $120,000 project a reality. After the ribbon cutting, Touchton spoke for everyone in the crowd when he proclaimed, “We expect great things of the Panthers!” With this new facility, great things have never seemed more possible. n
Corey Mixon 11-3
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Tim Emory 9-2
Ulysses Ramos 7-4
Jaraad Salas 5-1
Jarrell Cunningham 4-2
From a remote village at the foot of a volcano in South America, to an historic metropolis in Europe, the Gospel message will be shared this summer by teams from York College. Two groups of students led by faculty members will heed Jesus’ call to “go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone,” as they travel to Tabacundo, Ecuador, and Korcha, Albania. Each group will focus on building relationships between the community and the local church through English lessons and other activities. These mission trips were organized by York Campus Ministries, an organization that seeks to minister to students on the YC campus as well as train students for lives of ministry.
Woods
York College senior Delaney Woods is a campus ministries intern and is the student leader for the trip to Tabacundo. This will be Woods’ third trip to Ecuador. In 2014 she interned in Quito (just south of Tabacundo) with Let’s Start Talking. “I’m really excited to return to a country that has my heart,” she said.
Nine students are participating in the trip to Ecuador, accompanied by Dr. Terry Seufferlein, professor of Bible, and Catherine Seufferlein, dean of student development. The team will work mostly with children at the public schools and in an after-school program provided by the church. They will work with local missionary Jerica Briggs (originally from York) and Josh ’01 and Julie (Stephens ’01) Marcum, who manage Operation Ecuador missions in Quito. Woods is eager to work in the public school, as she is an education major at YC with plans to pursue a career in educational ministry abroad.
The team of seven heading to Korcha, Albania are led by York Campus Ministries intern Sarah Shafer and Dr. Michael Case, professor of Bible. The team will spend four weeks teaching English and working with the local church on outreach, including a vacation Bible school program. Like Woods, Shafer is an education major with plans to teach and minister abroad. Last summer, she worked in Estonia with Let’s Start Talking. Immediately after the trip to Albania, she will travel to Haiti to work with an orphanage. When it comes to missions, Shafer says she is most excited about “Getting to show other people God’s love while getting to know them on a personal level.”
Shafer
The church in Korcha is small and many in the former communist nation are atheists. Dr. Case is looking forward to working in a country where the Gospel is relatively unknown. “I’m hoping to see how excited they are about Christ. It might be newer for them than it is for us. It might help us recharge our own batteries to see how precious the Gospel is to them,” he said. While the emphasis of the trip is on preaching the Word, Case is also thinking about the function of the trip for the students. “My goal for the team is to see serving Christ in their lives, for the remainder of their lives,” he said. “I want them to gain a greater spiritual perspective.” Each person on the mission trip teams is tasked with raising $3,500. If you would like to support these mission efforts, you may send your donation to York College, Attn: Campus Ministries, 1125 E 8th St, York, NE, 68467. Please write Albania or Ecuador in the memo line, or the name of a specific student you wish to support. You may also give online at www.york.edu/give. n
(left) Albert Cepi, minister of the church in Albania, and Kevin Morrill '02 welcome Hyrmet Zhuleku into the family. Zhuleku went to her reward in heaven in December of 2014, about five months after her baptism. (above) Kids in the after-school program in Tabacundo, Ecuador learn songs about Jesus as part of their afternoon activities. WINTER 2017 |
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1976 Class Reunion
1953 Dr. Telfer Epp recently lost his wife, Carol, after 60 years of marriage. The couple raised three sons and traveled extensively for mission work opportunities around the world. Carol will be greatly missed. 9429 Sharta Dr, River Ridge, LA 70123 tepp10@cox.net 1961 Paul and Cheryl Touchton have a new address: 873 Fontwell Ln, Franklin, TN 37064. Paul is retired and Cheryl is a senior account manager with PGI. 1965 Nathan Courtwrigt is retired after a career with AT&T. His wife Janet is a homemaker. nathan@centurylink.net 1966 Othman (Otto) Ibrahim passed away June 1, 2016, in Wilmington, Delaware. Otto led a successful 35year career as an industry leading, multi-award winning insurance agent. He not only took pride in his strong reputation and successful business, but truly relished the close friends he made throughout the years. Earl and Pam (Worley) Martin regretted that they could not attend the Homecoming class reunion, but "wish all their York comrades the best!" Earl is retiring as a program director at Emporia State University and Pam is retired from the Olathe School District. 12159 S Prairie Creek Pkwy, Olathe, KS 66061 marfam3@yahoo.com David and Connie (Benson) Sherlock celebrated 50 years of marriage on August 27. David is a retired college communication and theatre teacher and Connie is a retired teacher and pattern designer. 517 N 8th, Independence, KS 67301 connie@terraworld.net 1967 Gerald “Jerry” Esch passed into the loving arms of God after a five year battle with Alzheimer’s on May 19, 2016. He was surrounded by his family, loved ones, and friends. Salah Ibrahim is a math instructor at Palo Alto College in San Antonio, Texas. He and wife Nosaiba have three unmarried sons: Sami, Ramsey, and Shaady. 7711 Oakhill Park, San Antonio, TX 78249 salahibrahim1234@gmail.com
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Jim and Donna (Wolven) Reeves are retired and living in central Texas. New grandbaby, Lexy Ann, was born June 7 to Darrin and Dixie Reeves. Jim has written his third book entitled Jesus Is Coming Soon? which is now available in paperback or eBook format via Amazon.com and all major book outlets. PO Box 1443, Hilltop Lakes, TX 77871 jdr.reeves@gmail.com Danny and Blossom Weddle recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Danny directs Mentoring Missions and works in Belarus, Guyana and the Philippines. He is retired from the ARC of Evansville. Blossom is a missionary and a grandma. 733 South Hebron Ave, Evansville, IN 47714 Matruskadad@gmail.com 1972 Sherry (Ashley) and Effendi Daoedsjah ’73 have moved: 2502 Madrone Ave, Stockton, CA 95207. Sherry owns a daycare and Effendi is retired. The couple have six children. Edaoedsjah@aol.com 1975 Rebecca (“Becky” Engel) and Michael Legg recently welcomed their fourth grandchild. Rebecca is a retired dental assistant and Michael has worked for American Airlines for 29 years. They have three married sons.
Monty Newman was recently recognized with a Trustee of Free Enterprise Award, the University of the Southwest's most distinguished award. It is given for outstanding business achievements, community leadership, and investment of time and resources toward the preservation of free society. Monty and Vicki (Burleigh) Newman live in Hobbs, New Mexico, and own a real estate business which they began in 1986.
1976 Larry and Susan (Horsman) Nossaman have moved: 428 NE Mulberry St, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086 lsnossaman@att.net 1979 Scott Lambert accepted the role of Executive Director of Let's Start Talking Ministries. He and Kim have moved: 8025 Cahoba Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76135 Scott.Lambert@LST.org Jeffrey Lee Mileger is a sales rep. He and wife, Cari, have three children: Ashley, Kayley, and Tyler. 1520 Hackett Creek Dr, McKinney, TX 75979 Jmileger@hotmail.com 1981 Jeffrey and Shauna Hines have moved: 10465 Spaulding, Omaha, NE 68134. RunningBear1959@hotmail.com 1982 Scott and Vicki (Aspey ’76) Kinnison are grandparents! vasmkin@rtebb.net 1984 Glenn and Leanna (Hood ’83) Hawley have moved back to York! Glenn is now the pulpit mister at East Hill CofC. engdrh@gmail.com Alan and Crystal Shields are celebrating being empty nesters! Both work for GKN Aerospace, where Alan is a parts control clerk and Crystal is in assembly. Their sons are Zachary and Ethan. 1168 E 65th Ave North, Belle Plaine, KS 67013 as.bpks@gmail.com 1986 Amy (Sandquist) and Paul Pennington updated their contact info: 6804 Red Pine Dr, Fort Smith, AR 72916 1987 Bill Pink was named president of GRCC. See pg. 9 1991 Armando Gonzalez completed a Masters in Biblical Studies from Sunset International Bible Institute on May 14, 2016, and married Lynette (Shields ’85) on June 24. Armando is a preacher and Lynette is an art teacher. PO Box 1318, Meade, KS 67864 jesusnarmando@hotmail.com
Cheri (Buggeln) Lech married Charles Cantrell on March 17. Cheri is a substitute teacher and Charles works for Textron Aviation. They have five children: Eli (21), Teri (17), Abby (16), Lane (15), and Alexandra (11). 1508 E 19th Ave, Winfield, KS 67156 cherilech@gmail.com 1997 Richard James has been named to the 2017 Kansas Super Lawyers list as a premier personal injury attorney. He was recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer for six years running. Richard serves as the secretary on the Board of Trustees of York College. He and his wife Rachel (Nowlin), have two children, Abbey and Jackson, and are very active in the Wichita community and the East Point church family. 1998 Dave Morrow was named the Area V Middle Level Principal of the Year by the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals. He was selected by his peer principals based on his school leadership, school improvement, dedication, professionalism, and service to the students. Tally (Banning) is a music teacher at the same school where Dave is the principal, St. Francis Community Jr/Sr High School. They have one daughter, Mia (11). Christine O’Neil-Weatherby is an adjunct English teacher at Ivy Tech Community College. Her husband David works for Flexi-Van Leasing. They have two children: Cordelia (15) and Samuel (16). 408 Summer Dr, Schererville, IN 46375 mweatherby@ ivytech.edu 1999 Jane (Jasnoch) and Luke Rihanek have moved: 6951 North 13th Circle, Lincoln, NE 68521. Jane is an IT project manager at Nebraska Interactive and Luke works as a financial advisor at U.S. Bank. They have four children: Ken (13), Alexis (12), Mason (7), and Hunter (6). jjasnoch@hotmail.com
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1999 Brian Cain passed away on August 7, 2015, leaving behind a wife and four children. You can read his obituary at ricefuneralservice.com. 2001 Bryan and Leah (McQuiddy) Johnston have this update: After spending the last nine years serving as Youth and Family Minister for the Weatherford CofC in Oklahoma, we have been called to return to the North Bend CofC in Oregon as the Preaching Minister. Bryan served there as Youth Minister from 2001-2007. They have two children, Payden (10) and Finnley (6). 1904 Channel St, North Bend, OR 97459 bryanejohnston@yahoo.com 2002 Angel (Bevard) Dale is the office manager at Four Corners Health Department in York. She is married and has a son, Paul (7). PO Box 125, Utica, NE 68456 dalebrent@ windstream.net 2003 Born to Karissa (Gaer) and David Sears, a son, Ronin James. He joins big sisters Avelyn (2) and Evangeline (2). Karissa is a stayat-home mom and David is an IT portfolio manager for Nike. 8036 N Syracuse St, Portland, OR 97203 Karissasears@yahoo.com 2005 Christine (Folger) married James Gorsuch on September 24, 2016! 4325 Bedrock Circle Apt 303, Nottingham, MD 21236 cfolger@ gmail.com Sammie (Ballowe) and Sean Johnson have a new address: 27 Morris Dr, Belleville, ON K5P 5B3 Canada. Sammie has her own photography business and Sean is in the U.S. Air Force. They have one son, Nash. sammiejohnsonphotography@gmail.com 2006 Born to Jared and Amanda Bady, a daughter, Emily, May 24, 2016. Jared is a quality assurance analyst at Fiserv and Amanda is an RN at Bryan Medical Center. 3041 Pecos Rd, Lincoln, NE 68516 slimbady@ hotmail.com 2007 Born to Greg and Jaclyn (Coehoorn ’09) Smith, a son, Leviticus Allan, on August 20, 2016. Greg teaches 7-12 social science and physical education and is the head wrestling coach for the junior and senior high teams at DoniphanTrumbull. Jaci is a stay-at-home mom and piano tuner. They recently purchased their first home: 413 E 7th St, Hastings, NE 68901. gsmith@ york.edu jsmith@york.edu
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2008 Joel Fleck graduated from law school June 5, 2016 with a Masters in Law and a Juris Doctor. He was ranked 2nd in his class while working full time. Joel came to York from Sebastopol, Calif., and played baseball from 0608. He ranks 1st in appearances in a season with 30, 2nd in saves with 7, 8th in K’s per game with 10.3. “Joel was not only a great pitcher but a great person and a pleasure to coach. We are extremely proud of him.” - Coach Brian Walth Deyan and Sheila (Smesrud ‘07) Mihaylov welcomed a daughter, Maggie Ann, on Jan. 8, 2016. Deyan is working on a PhD in physics and Sheila is a physical therapist. 2155 5th Ave E, West Fargo, ND 58078 deyanandsheila@gmail.com Meghan (Boyle) and Marty ’11 Salsbury have moved: 3729 S 74th St Apt 104, Omaha, NE 68124. Meghan accepted an online learning librarian position at University of Nebraska Omaha and Marty is a manager at Buffalo Wild Wings.
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2010 Born to Michael and Jordan (Daniels) Carney, a daughter, Tessa Anne, July 10, 2016. She joins big brothers James (4) and Mason (2). The Carneys recently moved into a new house they built: 2821 E 31st St S, Muskogee, OK 74403. mjtcarney5@gmail.com 2011 Kelly (Splattstoesser) Andrews is a middle grades teacher at Ponca City Public Schools. She is married to Jotham Andrews ’12. 1905 N Osage St, Ponca City, OK 74601 ksplattstoesser@york.edu, jandrews@york.edu McKayla Ann Mabery updated her contact info: 46322 E Hwy PP, Braymer, MO 64624. Mctator@ yahoo.com Mitchel and Nathana (Faddis ’12) Clay have moved: 2209 Laclede Dr, Columbia, MO, 65202. Mitchel has been working in ministry and recently went back to school to study counseling. Nathana is a writer at www.theengagedhome.com. They have a daughter, Rebekah (1) and are expecting twins. mitchelclay@ gmail.com 2012 Joseph Weaver updated his contact info: jweaver@york.edu 2013 Megan Salfrank has updated her contact info: 602 Oak St, Wamego, KS 66547.
2009 Born to Ben ’07 and Natasha (Byrd) Hackett, a son, Roland Haven, July 14, 2016. Roland joins siblings Jayden (4) and Jasmine (2). Ben teaches middle school science at Cross Country Community Schools and Tasha has a successful in-home sewing business: Stromsburg Sewing. She also blogs occasionally at hackypie. wordpress.com and edits film for Jayden’s YouTube channel “Cooking Guy”: https://goo.gl/TDKaov. 215 E 9th St, Stromsburg, NE 68666 nhackett@york.edu
2014 Fall of 2016 has been an exciting time for both the Lowther Family and the Flagler, Colorado community.
team ended their season at 22-4. Head Coach Alex Lowther ’13 coached the High Plains Patriots to a State Championship for 6-man football. This was the first football championship for the Flagler community since 1976. Their dog, Kevin the Corgi, has enjoyed making appearances at multiple community events, including the Flagler Homecoming Parade in October. PO Box 44, Flagler, CO 80815 Daniel and Jasmine (Agee ’15) Magner have moved: 1837 Randolph Ave Apt C, St Paul, MN 55105. Daniel is enrolled in a master of library and information science program at St. Catherine University and Jasmine is building her acting career. dmagner@york.edu Megan Rae (Eberle) Teel is a middle school teacher. Her husband Brett is an autobody technician. PO Box 109, Trumbull, NE 68980 Tiffany Shimp has updated her contact info: 17316 White Hawk Dr, Edmond, OK 73012. 2015 Brady and Hannah (Sheldon) Sikes recently moved into their first home: 1228 N Delaware, York, NE 68467. Both are employed by Cornerstone Bank where Brady is a technical support specialist and Hannah is an audit specialist. Caleb and Brianna (Bailey) Smith have bought their first home: 7226 Audrey St, Omaha, NE 68138! Caleb is the youth minister at Southwest Church of Christ in Omaha and Brianna is a grad student at University of Nebraska Lincoln. 2016 Hannah Gund is getting ready to participate in The World Race, a mission trip that will take her to 11 countries in 11 months. World Race is part of Adventures in Missions. 12078 Hudgens Rd, Marion, IL 62959
Kenzie (Witt) helped coach the Flagler Panther volleyball team to the state playoff tournament. The
To get a Panther tee for your little one, submit an alumni update birth announcement. The shirts are 6 mon. size, so don't delay. Submit your alumni update at www.york.edu/alumni as soon as junior arrives. Send us pics of your family and we may use them in the magazine or YC Connect.
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CHRISTIAN AGRICULTURE AGRI-BUSINESS PROGRAM GROWS YC OFFERINGS Starting this spring, York College will offer a new area of study. Building on the success of the existing business department, agriculture courses are being added to create an opportunity unlike any other in Nebraska: an agribusiness program in a Christian college setting. Stacie Turnbull will be directing the new program, which grew out of conversations with local businesses and York College administrators. “So much of the area surrounding our campus is agriculture,” said Turnbull. “The need for many businesses in our area is employees Turnbull with ag expertise and a four year degree. They have employees with two year degrees that can’t progress in the company without additional education.” Across Nebraska and throughout the U.S., there is a shortage of qualified employees in this industry. “They can’t fill all the positions with the current workforce. There are not enough students wanting to go into agriculture,” Turnbull said. This is especially true in the York area, where there is the added challenge of attracting a skilled workforce to a small town in a rural area. Local industry partners, including banks and seed
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companies, are very excited about this new area of study at York College. Turnbull will teach some of the courses required for the degree and others will be taught by adjunct instructors from area businesses. “Our industry partners are the experts. They know what our students need to know. These are bright people with great skills – and a lot of knowledge to share with students,” Turnbull said. The added benefit of working with these industry partners is that staying current in agricultural technology is very expensive. “No college can keep up with the cost of the rapidly changing technology, but our industry partners can. Our students will have access to the best and newest information and tools due to these partnerships.” One core component of the program will be an emphasis on precision agriculture—self-driving tractors, GPS enabled sensors that can check crop nutrient and moisture needs, drone photography, and the like. “Technology is making agriculture more efficient and more environmentally friendly,” said Turnbull, who gave the example of using drones to pinpoint where in a field there is a problem and treating only the affected section and not surrounding plants. This is what the future of agriculture will be, says Turnbull. Students will need to know about more than growing plants and animals to be successful in this
arena. They also need to be equipped to handle developing technology and advanced mathematical modeling. The key differentiator for the program will be the Christian element, said Turnbull. For students who want to pursue a degree in agriculture, but want to learn in a Christian environment, York College is their only option in Nebraska. York College is also the only college among churches of Christ to offer this degree, and one of only a few in the country. “We'll teach current agricultural skills - but with a knowledge of the gifts God has provided and a responsibility to sustain others,” said Turnbull. The program at York College will be practical and handson, versus theoretical and researchfocused. Students will graduate with the skills needed to make an impact in the industry immediately. A vital part of the agribusiness degree will be an internship with an area business where students will learn the day-to-day operations of different positions in the industry. For animal science classes, students will visit working farms in the area. There are hog and cattle operations as well as a number of hobby farms with sheep, goats, chickens, and horses in York County. There are also companies working with animal nutrition and health. York College’s small size is an asset in this venture, said Turnbull. “You can’t easily take 300 students on an industry tour. But you can take 10 and have a really great, interactive experience.” Turnbull brings with her a wealth of knowledge, experience, and contacts. After earning a bachelor’s degree at UNL in agricultural education, she taught high school agriculture classes for a number of years and worked with the National FFA Organization. She completed a master’s degree at Iowa State University in agricultural education and is nearing completion of her PhD in the same field. She does consulting work for UNL’s Department of Agronomy
and Horticulture, developing curriculum for high school classrooms in biotechnology and plant genetics. She is a frequent presenter on topics pertaining to biotechnology. “I get really excited about agriculture,” says Turnbull, who touts the benefits of this kind of applied science education. Turnbull plans to work with other faculty members in a cross-disciplinary approach to infuse agriculture into every subject for students in her program. For example, in a statistics class, she could provide data from industry partners, so that students could work with real world models rather than hypothetical number sets. Papers and projects in other classes, from English to ethics, could have an agricultural component as well. Turnbull has also been tasked with the creation of community development programs. Called Cultivate events, these daylong on-campus workshops for high school students provide professional development opportunities to students ahead of their competitive season. There have been two such events for FFA thus far. In the spring there will also be events for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). The FFA events have drawn more than 120 students from as far as 200 miles away. “We hope the Cultivate events have value to the high school students,” said Turnbull. “High School students get onto campus and see what we do here and interact with our students. The high school teachers see our campus and think of us when talking to students. Our own students and faculty have the opportunity to learn from and interact with those high school students. Industry partners visit campus to help with these events, so it’s also a chance for professional networking. It’s great exposure for York College and our programs.” n
(top left) Corey Holmes, Natalie Carrasco, and Natalie Ostrander interact with livestock at a York-area farm.
(left: l-r) Kaylee Lisiecki, Magdalene O'Brien, Ally Schlueter, and Alayna Wry of Blair High School graciously give a team smile before giving their Agricultural Demonstration during the Cultivate FFA workshop November 10. The event provided agriculturally minded students a chance to practice their Leadership Skills Events ahead of district competitions.
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York College
Athletics New Look for Panther Athletics, Online Store for Panther Apparel Panther Athletics streamlined their branding with the creation of a new logo this fall. “We are very excited about the new look,” said Jared Stark, vice president of athletics and enrollment. “We were in the development phase with a designer for several months to create something unique to York College.” The logo has two versions, one with a growling Panther head encircled by a swooping open oval and another that incorporates the interlocking YC logo that athletics has used for the past several years. The interlocking YC is seen on many teams’ apparel as well as on the court in the Freeman Center Gymnasium. Moving forward, the new logo will replace all other panther iterations and will be used in conjunction with the interlocking YC. “Now that York College is fully immersed in our new athletic conference (KCAC), we felt our look needed a fresh start. This rebranding injects the momentum we were looking for. The new logo captures the spirit and pride of our campus, as well as giving a strong identity to showcase our character and teamwork of our student athletes and Panther fans," said Stark. Love the new logo? You can now shop for Panther gear online. Visit www.ycpanthergear.com to buy Panther PJs, jerseys, sweats, caps, and more! Launched this fall, the online store will have new items added every few months. Check back often to see the latest. Many of the items have optional customization, so you can add the name or jersey number of your favorite Panther player.
Represent! Lady Panthers named KCAC Team of Character Even though the York College volleyball team finished the season with a 3-21 record, they represented YC extremely well on an even larger stage. Named the 2016 KCAC Team of Character is not only a testimony to how these ladies were committed to each other and coach Freeman's program, but also to the respect they gave the other teams and how they conducted themselves both on and off the court. Congratulations to this great group of Christian athletes!
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2016 Volleyball Team: (1st row) Kayliana Cox, Delaney Woods, Taylor Abraham, Jolene Herzog, Natalie Carrasco, Quiana Hughes, Head Coach Erin Freeman; (2nd row) Kylie Wroot, Molly Little, Alyssa Didier, Student Manager Leiah Reichel, Katie Bell, Cassidy Wilson, and Halie Ewing - not pictured Assistant Coach Erica Berry
6'6" guard/forward Michael Johnson from Orlando, Fla., gives a University of St. Mary opponent plenty to think about. York beat the No. 24 Spires 84-71 on December 10.
photos by Bob DeHart '95
Making Their Mark
(inset) Cameron Coleman makes his move for an easy score against a Barclay College defender.
Panthers compete at national level
T
photo by Bob DeHart
he men's basketball team under seventh-year head coach Delton Deal, picked up where they left off in March... ranked in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll. Coming in this year at No. 15, the Panthers are again turning heads as they begin their season. Just ask Bellevue University. Even though they are no longer part of the same conference, back-to-back victories in November over the Bruins has already helped define the 2016-17 season. York is picked by the conference coaches to finish second in the KCAC behind 10th ranked Tabor College. Tabor did get the best of the Panthers when they met up during the Thanksgiving break, but players have their sights set on January 21 when a
rematch with the Bluejays will be played in the Freeman Center. Going into the holiday break, Deal's team is 10-3 and is once again led by 2nd Team All-American Cameron Coleman, a senior strong forward from Allen, Texas. Coleman leads the team with 17 pts/gm, 6.46 rebounds/gm, and 30 steals on the season. Senior point guard Johnny Cooksey from Shreveport, La., averages 14.5 pts/gm, and junior transfer Keith Mack, a 6'5" forward from Chicago, Ill., averages 13.5 pts/gm. The Panthers are tenaciously quick on both sides of the court and have gained a reputation with their defensive play. They are ranked 2nd in the NAIA in both steals per game at 11.23 and total steals 146, and 4th in their turnover margin at +5.85 per game. It goes without saying that they are exciting to watch, and if you get the chance — you would be glad you did. n
Coleman
Cooksey
(left) Trevor Lenear, a junior guard from Bellevue, Neb., elevates for two in the 96-71 victory over Southwestern College. Lenear averages 8 pts/gm. Mack
RAISE YOUR PAW PROGRESS REPORT ALUMNI: THE CLOCK IS STILL TICKING
The Beyond 125 Campaign is entering its final months. Already the most successful fund raising effort in York College history, we’ve got one last goal: an over-the-top alumni participation rate of Alumni participation for the campaign already exceeds
60%. 28%.
That’s huge! Thank you! Give online at www.york.edu/give Mail your gift to York College, 1125 E 8th St, York, NE 68467 Thank you, alumni! During October's 24-hour Raise Your Paw Challenge, donations and matching gifts totaled more than $136K!
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ALUMNI
$45,636 = $136,903
Can you help take us to the next level? Your gift—every gift—counts. And until June 30, 2017, your gift will be matched by the Alumni Challenge. Every gift is being matched by four anonymous alumni who have offered up to $250,000 benefitting student scholarships.
National Champions of Alumni Giving
Every year, schools across the nation compare the level of alumni participation in their giving programs. The measure is based on the number of alumni making a gift – not the total amount of dollars given. The top college usually receives gifts from about 60% of their alumni. This is a title we believe we can win, because of who we are – our size and the relationships and memories that tie us together. If you haven’t yet made a gift to the alumni campaign, let this be the moment you Raise Your Paw and join your classmates in a gift. Your generosity ensures that future generations of students will take their place alongside you as proud York alumni!
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60% 28% Alumni Giving
A Campus View – Lupe Jimenez “That was an amazing experience,” he recalls with a wide smile. “I got lightheaded. The adrenaline was pumping through me. It was pretty amazing. I’ve never experienced anything like that before.” The hour and a half flight from Wisconsin to Detroit was the most thrilling—and nerve wracking—thing he’s ever done. They had recently repaired a collapsed strut on the plane and they wondered, would the repair hold? “Everything went well. It’s a good thing we didn’t have to use the parachutes. The old fashioned kind can do serious harm to your body.” Lupe is a junior, double majoring in engineering and math. He spent last summer interning with the World Heritage Air Museum, restoring aircraft from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s to flying condition. While learning about and working on the planes was fun, he says his time at the helm of the Vampire was definitely the highlight of the summer. Aerospace engineering is interesting, says Lupe, but it’s not where his passion lies. After he graduates from York College in 2018, he plans to return to his home state of California to pursue a master’s degree in biomedical engineering at USC and then a career in prosthetics. His interest in that subject has a very personal origin. When Lupe was 12, his father was involved in a train accident that cost him multiple limbs. “Prosthetics are very expensive. My dad, when he has to upgrade to a newer leg, doesn’t want to do it. It’s so much money and insurance doesn’t cover all of it,” he said. “I want to design and build more cost effective prosthetics. Engineers don’t often have much contact with people. Working in prosthetics would allow me to see who I’m helping with what I’m building. Not only that, but it would impact people’s lives in an important way.” (above) The team chemistry is an unmistakable source of strength to this year’s wrestling squad. (inset) Lupe’s summer internship landed him in the co-pilot’s seat of a jet and gave him an experience of a lifetime. (right) One of Lupe’s dreams is to make affordable prosthetics, so people like his father can benefit from his work.
When he’s not studying, the Dean’s List scholar can be found in the wrestling room, working out and practicing with his teammates. Asked about his pastimes, Lupe chuckled. “Running and cutting weight,” he said. “My life revolves around wrestling and school.” Lupe is red shirting this season so that he can focus on doing well in some very challenging classes in the spring semester. Head Wrestling Coach Ramon Diaz says that what makes Lupe unique among college students is his incredible work ethic. “He really stands out in the classroom and in wrestling. He’s hard working. He’s had some challenges growing up and with his family life, but he’s overcome a lot of things and been very successful,” Diaz said. While Diaz is disappointed to lose Lupe’s talents on the team this season, he supports his player’s academic pursuits—and he’s looking ahead to the 2018 season, when he expects Lupe to earn AllAmerican status.
"Working in prosthetics would allow me to see who I’m helping... it would impact people’s lives in an important way." In the meantime, Lupe is keeping his nose to the grindstone. “I love to learn,” he said. “Knowledge is something I can’t get enough of. I want to know as much about science and history as I can. Math, I want to explore how far out it goes. That’s how I feel about every subject. The knowledge itself is what I want…I’m not working for the grades. I just want to learn.”
photo by Chrystal Houston
Lupe Jimenez-Martinez was cruising at 500 knots (575 mph), 15,000 feet in the air in an antique De Havilland Vampire T55 fighter jet named Elvira, wearing an antique parachute to match, when the pilot suggested he take control of the plane.
In Memory of ... June 2016 - November 2016 Don & Audrey Gardner Mr. & Mrs. William Miller Wayne Hammitt Mr. & Mrs. David Liehr Smith Kite Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Roseke Ruth Lawrence Mr. & Mrs. Wesley Hanson Mr. & Mrs. Tom Jackson Susanne Keller Yakima Valley College Dale & Phyllis Mackey Mr. & Mrs. Ed Shingleton John Mann Mr. & Mrs. Don Ellison Mr. & Mrs. Ed Shingleton Jeri Shute Kimball & Debbie Matkins Mr. & Mrs. Jason Matkins Kirk Miller Dr. & Mrs. Scott Simpson Mr. & Mrs. John Ratliff Cathy Pearson Dr. & Mrs. Ray Miller Rhonda Prychodnik Rebecca Evans Lowery Norma Jane Robbins Dr. & Mrs. Dickie Hill Dr. Thomas Schulz Dr. & Mrs. Ray Miller Dr. Dorris Schulz Esther Smith Mr. & Mrs. James Peoples Jr.
R
uth Lawrence, wife of emeritus faculty member Dr. Robert “Bob” Lawrence, passed away on October 12, 2016. In her 88 years of life, Ruth faithfully served the Lord in her quiet acts of kindness toward others. Ruth and Robert enjoyed 66 years of marriage, and were blessed with five children and many grandchildren. Ruth took great pleasure in reading, gardening, canning and cooking. She is remembered for her gentle strength and care for those who were overlooked or in need. For several years she drove a school bus transporting children with disabilities. "She looked upon this as one of her most satisfying opportunities," recalled Dr. Lawrence. Ruth was active also in Helping Hands for York College and worked for a time in Levitt Library. The Lawrences moved to York in 1968. Dr. Lawrence retired from teaching English at York College in 1995, but the couple remained active in the campus and church community.
HONORARY GIFTS The following were honored with donations in their name: Nick Harlan Mr. & Mrs. Henry Blevins Tom Miller Don James
photo by Titus Robison '02
Loy Banks James (Andy) Banks Steve Banks Linda Furan Mary Jackson BNSF Foundation John Bengtson Mr. & Mrs. John Aerni Anonymous Hon. & Mrs. Dave Arterburn Mr. & Mrs. Larry Becker Dr. Shawn Bengtson Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Bryan Mrs. Johnnie Conway Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Dees Matthew Ellis Saundra Ellison Mr. & Mrs. Barton Florea Mr. & Mrs. Wayne French Rose Marie Glover Mr. & Mrs. Robert McCauley Mr. & Mrs. Frank Montague Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Pash Mr. & Mrs. James Peoples Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Guy Robarge Southwest Church of Christ Dawn Timmerman Mr. & Mrs. James Tracy Mr. & Mrs. Rollie Whitworth WoodmenLife WoodmenLife Chapter 704 Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Wreschinig Hobart & Evelyn Brown GlaxoSmithKline Colis & Dolores Campbell Mr. & Mrs. John Williams Dr. Grant Cothier Mr. & Mrs. Gary Montford Dave Ellison Mr. & Mrs. James Peoples Jr. Teresa Evans Rebecca Evans Lowery
Lawrence Leaves Legacy of Love
Where past and present meet Rick Hendricks '72 recently presented a plaque to Hershel Dyer, recognizing his service and long history of support for York College. Dyer is the last living member of the original Board of Trustees when York College reopened under Church of Christ leadership 60 years ago. He served alongside Dale Larsen, Harvey Childress and others in cooperation with York city leaders, including Elijah Levitt, at this pivotal moment in the college's history. Hendricks currently serves as vice-chair of the York College Board of Trustees.
Conway: 50 years of service
F
rom fundraising dinners to bake sales to cookbooks for a cause, one woman has tirelessly worked to support the students of York College for more than 50 years: Johnnie Conway. Though diminutive in stature, “Miss Johnnie” is a giant in eyes of many at YC. She started the Helping Hands for York College (women’s auxiliary group) chapter in Bellevue, Nebraska, in the mid-60s. For the next 50 years, she served in various capacities, including many years as chapter president. Since Miss Johnnie founded it, the Bellevue Helping Hands chapter has given close to $50,000 to York College to benefit students. Miss Johnnie, age 94, recently passed the mantle of leadership for the chapter to others. After half a century of service, she certainly deserves a break. York College is forever grateful to Miss Johnnie and all of the women of the Bellevue chapter of Helping Hands for their decades of blessing students, one cookie at a time.
Levitt-Larsen Visionaries Recognizing individuals and organizations who have given financial support to York College for 20 or more years or who have lifetime giving of more than $500,000. Alumni Daniel '68 and Jill (Beaty '67) Amundson Peter and Liz (Olson '79) Anderson Dave '77 and Cindy (Sheldon '78) Arterburn Gary '67 and Gwen (Sims '66) Bartholomew Steve '76 and Michele Belden Troy '75 and Cindy Burr Jimmy '78 and Tina (Landon '78) Crouch Gary Cuda '74 Glen and Mary (Cumberledge '70) Davis Jerry and Kathie (Stevenson '84) Dickson David and Patty (Alley '60) Dowdey Roger '69 and Pam Elliott Bob and Sue (Voigts '77) Epley Gordon Fillman '51 Bart '80 and Shirley (Vance '79) Florea Kaylen (Hall '69) Fry Tom '68 and Dianna Gaer Steve and Yolanda (Smith '71) Giboney Ken '73 and Terry Gibson Terry Gutshall '67 Robert '63 and Nedra (Drake '62) Hance Rick '72 and Janice Hendricks Joy Herndon '68 Sherri Herndon '81 Bob '80 and Eva High Dickie '64 and Onita (Touchton '65) Hill Everett '70 and Ann Hinton
Bill and Linda (Main '67) Hooten Lucille (Wiles '62) Huber Bob '59 and Regina Jacobson Michael and Bev (Brown '73) Kuskie Scott '79 and Kim Lambert Bill '70 and Pam Lambert Sterling '74 and Catherine Lawrence Wayne '66 and Jean (Swoveland '67) Lindholm Roger '66 and Deb (Horton '80) Lowry David '74 and Judy (Layton '74) Lynn Brent '79 and Kay Magner Tom and Elaine (Darrah '79) Marcrom Rick and Sandy (Henderson '68) McElwee Tim '73 and Connie (Sims '74) Minnix Harold '60 and Dianne (Vincent '61) Mitchell Derryl '76 and Shelly (Sikes '76) Morgan Norman '63 and Mary Morrow Gayle and Grace (Black '69) Napier Scott '70 and Birgie (Collins '71) Niemann Gerry Nixon '72 Judy (Amundson '67) Odom John '70 and Ramona (Miller '69) Ratliff Phil '67 and Judy (Wayland '67) Roe Clark and Sue (Morris '01) Roush Mike '84 and Janet (Reno '83) Rush Norma (Craig '59) Schinnerer Dottie (Lott '58) Schulz
Art and Sandy (Sommer '61) Sheldon Todd '81 and Denise (Scott '81) Sheldon Ed and Marilyn (Oak '56) Shingleton Bruce Shotts '83 Steddon '84 and Brenda Sikes Stewart '80 and Dawn (Carpenter '96) Sikes Dave and Pat (Stockburger '72) Simpson Bob '87 and Marti Soderholm Joan Stirlen '79 Steve and Barbara (McNally '73) Sucsy Bruce '67 and Sheila (Howell '70) Tandy Harold and Deena (Smith '65) Tandy Janet (Lee '73) Tolley Paul '61 and Cheryl Touchton Elaine (Huddle '58) Townsdin Darrel '77 and Rene' (Poland '77) Vanhooser Bill and Sandra (Thurmond '62) Walker Larry and Luanne (Bukowich '79) Waterman Charlie '65 and Mary Ann Watts Mike '72 and Sharon (Swarm '72) Westerfield Connie White '64 Millie (Hamm '64) Whitlow Dennis '64 and Sue (Moore '64) Willard Art '62 and Jackie (Thayer '61) Williams Steve Willis '75 Greg '85 and Candi Woods Renee Zinck '78
Friends & Organizations Mr. and Mrs. Rex F. Allen Mrs. Bettye Alley Mr. and Mrs. Drew Arnold Mrs. Virginia Bailey Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Barber Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Barnacle Dr. and Mrs. Richard Blankenship Ms. Wanda Bonney Mr. and Mrs. James Byars Dr. and Mrs. Carroll Chambliss Mrs. Murlie Clark Mrs. Johnnie Conway Cornerstone Bank Cornerstone Insurance Group Dr. and Mrs. Wilbur Dabbs Mr. Harry Denewiler Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Dunn Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth M. Duvall Mr. Hershel Dyer Mr. and Mrs. Don Fischer Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Fitzgerald Dr. and Mrs. Clifton Ganus Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Genrich Mr. and Mrs. H. Jarrell Gibbs Mr. Richard Gibson
Mr. and Mrs. James Gilfilen Mrs. Donna Groves Mr. and Mrs. Charles Harrell Mrs. Virginia L. Harris Dr. and Mrs. LaVerne Haselwood Mr. and Mrs. L. R. Hawkins Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Heitmann Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Henderson Heritage Realtors, Inc. Dr. and Mrs. James Hinkle Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Holthus Mr. and Mrs. Earle Hoover Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hornbaker Mr. and Mrs. Travis Horton Mr. and Mrs. Dean Howard Mr. and Mrs. Emil Huber Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Tom Jackson Mr. and Mrs. Chester James Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Ivan John Mr. and Mrs. Melburn Johnston Kingman Church of Christ Mrs. Mary Kite Mrs. Minnie Kooiker Dr. Robert Lawrence Mr. Charles Locke Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Tim Mangan Mr. and Mrs. John E. Mansfield Mrs. Shirley Marley Dr. and Mrs. Robert McCrory Mr. and Mrs. Ed McLoud Dr. and Mrs. L. Ray Miller Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Muirhead National Helping Hands Chapter Dr. and Mrs. Terry Nelson Nebraska Independent College Fnd Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Norris Dr. and Mrs. Robert Oglesby Dr. and Mrs. Albert Ogren Mrs. Sandra Olson Mr. and Mrs. Harold Osborne Mrs. Mary Ouzts Mr. and Mrs. Joe Powell Mr. and Mrs. Daryl Pults R. L. Craft Co. Raindrop Repair, Inc Mrs. Berdine Rawlins Mr. and Mrs. Jim Reischl Mr. and Mrs. Gayland Roberts Dr. Harold E. Rosenau Mr. and Mrs. Perry Rubart
Mr. and Mrs. Russell Schoof Mr. and Mrs. Howard Sheldon Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Shields Mr. and Mrs. Paul Shirley Dr. and Mrs. C. Philip Slate Mr. C. Foster Stanback Mr. and Mrs. Bill Starks Mr. and Mrs. Emerson Stewart Mr. Bill Stolzenburg Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Studebaker Mrs. Donna Swanson Ms. Jereta Sykes Ms. Virginia W. Thomson Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Trimble Ms. Mary L. Waller Mrs. Ellen Welker Mrs. Betty Westerfield Mr. and Mrs. John White Mrs. Gladys Willis Mr. and Mrs. Donald Worten York Community Foundation York Printing Company York State Bank & Trust Co.
WINTER 2017 |
Heritage | 29
SHAYLEE CARLOCK
graduated from York College in 2014 with a double major in psychology and criminal justice. She works for the state of Nebraska at the women’s correctional facility in York, as well as for Region 5 Services, caring for people with mental disabilities. The All-American shot putter also serves as the assistant track coach at York College. Shaylee has taken several classes at York College Online and will be a part of the first cohort in the new Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership program beginning in March. So far, the most challenging class she has taken at York College Online has been Navigating in a Diverse Society, taught by Dr. Jackie (Hance ’59) Humphrey. “I was nervous to go back to school after being out for several years, but so far it’s been good,” said Shaylee. “The diversity class has been demanding. It’s high involvement with a lot of interaction and discussion. It has molded the way I think about people and ideas.” When she graduates from the program, Shaylee says she may pursue a career in prison administration.
LEADING THE WAY NEW MASTER’S PROGRAM ADDED TO YORK COLLEGE ONLINE York College Online has added another degree to its graduate level offerings. In addition to the Master of Arts in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, starting in spring 2017 a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership will also be offered. Dr. Kirk Mallette, Dean of York College Graduate and Online Studies, says that he hopes to attract students who are midcareer and are looking to advance to the next level. “This isn’t just for people in business. It’s for anyone who wants to develop leadership in any organization,” said Mallette, suggesting the degree will be of interest to those in fields such as nonprofit, ministry, law enforcement and fire fighters, and other public service areas where a master’s degree is required for promotion. Mallette
Mallette stressed that prospective students don’t need to wear the title of manager to be admitted to the program. “We are looking to develop leadership where they are in their organization. We recognize that leaders serve in many capacities.” The program will emphasize the Christian principle of servant leadership: “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.” (right) Dr. Mallette congratulates Brittany (Saylor '08) Wiley who was in the first graduating class for a York College master's degree in 2015. (above) Shaylee likes to do her online work at Captain Red Beard's, an alumni-owned coffee shop in downtown York.
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Mallette is excited about the high caliber faculty that will be teaching in this program, including Dr. Nathan Mellor, CEO of Strata Leadership, LLC, the world's largest character-based leadership company; Dr. Kay Green, a marketing, business management, and public relations consultant; and Dr. Angela Dixon, a successful lawyer. Dr. Monty McNair, retired engineer and professor of business, will direct the program. The 36-hour program can be completed in one year, if multiple classes are taken at once, said Mallette. However, Mallette suggests most students will complete in two years, taking the eight-week courses individually. The non-thesis program includes a capstone project that provides real world experience and application to the student’s workplace. “The program timeline is flexible to meet the needs of the students,” said Mallette, noting that it will have several entry points for enrollment each year, rather than one or two set enrollment deadlines. Enrollment is open now for the cohort beginning in March. For more information and to apply, visit online.york.edu.
...just around the
Ides of March, March 14
T
he Clayton Museum of Ancient History will host aspecial fundraising dinner on March 14, featuring Roman-inspired foods, special tours of the collection, and a program organized by Museum Curator Amber Soderholm and Associate Professor of History Tim McNeese. Look for more details coming soon at www.claytonmuseumofancienthistory.org.
Spring Panther Days/Songfest, April 13-15
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his is a great time to see many aspects of YC: stay in a residence hall, eat in the caf, visit classes and attend the academic fair. Parents of current and prospective students are invited to a free brunch on Saturday. The weekend will include performances by the Concert Choir, Traveling Children’s Theatre, and of course the 40th Annual Songfest! Tickets for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Songfest performances are $10—but all the other activities this weekend are FREE!
RoundUp, May 21-27
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oundUp is a little bit Bible camp, a little bit college, and a whole lot of fun! It’s a week-long retreat for “Golden Agers” hosted on the York College campus. The theme of RoundUp 2017 will be centered around the renaissance era and will feature history lectures by Tim McNeese and Bible with Dr. Terry Seufferlein. For registration information, contact Gayle Good at gagood@york.edu or (402) 363-5621.
Soul Quest, June 11-17
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ork College will be hosting the 37th annual Soul Quest, June 11-17. Our summer camp is for 6th12th grade campers and features incredible worship times, exciting classes and activities, and awesome friendships with teens from across the country. As we near spring, visit our camp website at www.york.edu/events/soulquest to get more details.
Presidential Leadership Institute, July 9-15
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ork College and Strata Leadership will once again partner to offer an innovative program for high potential students, grades 10-12. The Presidential Leadership Institute will provide students from across the United States the opportunity to interact with nationally recognized leaders while participating in an indepth team building and problem solving experience with their classmates.
Alumni and Friends Work Days, August 3-5
L
ooking for a fun way to help out YC? Join us for York College Alumni and Friends Workdays, August 3-5, where volunteers pitch in to improve the campus prior to the start of a new school year. Contact Scott and Lisa Eckman (YC ‘79) at s.eckman@juno.com for more details or to register.
Homecoming and Panther Days, October 20-22
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ark your calendars now for Homecoming and Fall Panther Days, October 20-22. The weekend promises to bring together some of the best experiences that YC has to offer.
1125 E 8th Street York, NE 68467
Looking for a new direction? YC offers online bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Learn more at online.york.edu.
COMING EVENTS January 17
Classes Begin
March 2-5 14 11-19 28-29
Theatre: Peter and the Starcatcher Ides of March - Clayton Museum Spring Break Celebration Singers Spring Show
April 14-15
Spring Panther Days (Songfest: April 13-15, 7:00 p.m.)
May 1 6 21-27 June 11-17
Concert Choir Spring Works: 7:30 p.m. Commencement: 10 a.m. RoundUp Soul Quest
July 9-15
Join us for Spring Panther Days and York College's premier showcase event, the 40th annual production of Songfest. Mark your calendars and join us this spring for a great weekend on campus. Admissions Office: 800-950-YORK • www.york.edu/PD
photo by Bob DeHart '95
April 13–15, 2017
Presidential Leadership Institute
August 3-5 19-22 23
York College Work Days New Student Orientation Classes Begin
October 20-22
Homecoming & Fall Panther Days
(left) Soren Tobey and Moses Guillen perform a duet in the Homecoming musical production The Secret Garden.