Campus News

And The Oscar Go es To

The spring All-College Banquet may have been cancelled due to the coronavirus, but that didn't keep the year-end honors from being awarded to all the well-deserving students, faculty and staff for their dedication and service.

Carter Price and Hannah Anderson were named Mr. and Ms. York College 2020. YC faculty and staff make the selection for this award from among graduating seniors. Candidates embody a commitment to the mission, purpose and core values of York College. They must be well-rounded individuals who pursue spiritual integrity and academic excellence while making contributions to the campus and community, forming healthy personal relationships and living godly lives. Carter, a senior from Rapid City, S.D., graduated magna cum laude with a degree in biology. During his track career at YC, Carter was named a two-time NAIA AllAmerican, earned NCCAA All-American seven times, and as well as a host of First Team All-Conference honors. In 2019 he was named YC Male Athlete of the Year. Carter has served as the president of the Price Concert Choir and received the WOW Award for his outstanding contributions in 2018 and Outstanding Male in 2020. Most recently he served as the Ignite Excellence Chairperson for Student Government.

Hannah, a senior from York, Neb., graduated summa cum laude with a degree in history and a minor in theatre. She served as the secretary and soprano section leader of the Concert Choir and was awarded Outstanding New Female in 2017. Her numerous theatre awards included Best Actress in a One-Act Play (2018), Best Actress (2019), Best

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Supporting Actress (2019), and Best Assistant Director (2019). She served as the secretary, businesswoman, and president for Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Society. Hannah was inducted into the Alpha Chi Honor Society and nominated to the Homecoming Court in 2019. She also served as the treasurer of Omega Phi social club and was a member of York Campus Ministries.

Congratulations are in order for the other Mr. and Ms. YC nominees: Cameron Merrill, Biblical studies major from Edmond, Okla., Christian Eggar, Biblical studies major from Miles City, Mont., Cole Satterfield, sports management, business administration, accounting major from Broomfield, Co., Olivia Nabb, theatre communications major from Lincoln, Neb., Kendall Fike, Biblical studies major from Ada, Okla., and Lydia Kirchhoff, elementary education major from Deshler, Neb.

Students voted Gail Miller, associate professor of biology, as the 2020 Faculty Member of the Year and Ana Carvalho, administrative assistant in the advancement and business offices as Staff Member of the Year. For going above and

Miller Carvalho Thompson

beyond in her role as director of student accounts, Barbara Thompson '76 was given the David and Nellie Reppart Award for Service.

Resilience Redefined

The York College chapter of Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) was one of the most active in the state of Nebraska from the officers’ planning meeting the first week of school to the national competition held online in June and all the activities and events in between. During the state leadership conference in the spring, York’s PBL chapter was recognized as having the largest membership and with the most points for business and social activities held throughout the year, student membership, community service, business engagement, and fundraising. Their efforts merited them the Gold Seal Chapter Award.

While overcoming social distancing challenges, members competed virtually in the Nebraska PBL State Leadership

Conference on March 28. Students quickly learned new technologies and stepped outside of their comfort zones to participate through Zoom video meetings. Thirteen YC students placed fourth or higher in their designated competitions, and Isaac Barnes, Logan Dye, Emily Eggar, Adriana Fajardo, Diego Korol, Caden Morris, Victoria Miller, and Taylor O’Brien qualified for PBL Nationals held online June 24-27.

“I am extremely proud of this entire group - they stuck with it and competed even when things were tough,” said Dr. Stacie Turnbull, YC PBL Co-Advisor. “Expectations were set, students stepped up, aimed high and they did not disappoint.” Korol, a junior from Santiago, Chile

Korol was named the Nebraska PBL Member of the Year and was elected as the Nebraska State PBL Vice-President of Membership for 2020-21. O’Brien was recognized with the Who’s Who in Nebraska PBL Award, an honor given to an individual who stands out in their local chapter for extraordinary leadership and service. O'Brien is a junior from Aurora, Colo., and serves as YC chapter president. n

Difference Makers – Take A Well-Deserved Bo w

What does a combined 113 years at York College look like? It looks like these wonderful faculty and staff who have gone the extra miles and years in serving our students. Thank you, thank you from your YC family and best wishes in all that awaits your future!

Gail Miller, associate professor of 35 biology, embraced retirement at the end of her 35th year in the science department at York College. Her chapel announcements were legendary — "Today is Tuesday, and Tuesday is Newsday" — along with each and every candid chapel talk she has ever given. But Miller's fame is in the classroom and science labs where she made every student feel important and inspired them Miller to succeed. In 2008 she was the recipient of the Dale R. Larsen Teacher Award, and this year she was voted by the student body as the 2020 Faculty Member of the Year. She and Dr. Ray are looking forward to having extra time with their grandkids.

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14 Dr. Alex Williams, associate professor of chemistry and chair of the department of natural sciences, has taught 14 years at York College. He and his wife Becky have been extremely involved with kingdom work at East Hill Church of Christ where Alex served as an elder and Becky a pre-K Bible class teacher. This summer they plan on returning to the Rolla, Mo., area where Dr. Williams plans to be involved in research.

Marti Soderholm started teaching 37 business classes at YC in 1983 and soon stepped into the PBL limelight as she sponsored York's Phi Beta Lambda chapter for many years. More recently, she has been the director of the SUCCESS Center on campus, providing assistance and accommodations for students who struggle in their studies. Soderholm was honored in 1987 and again in 2016 with the Dale Soderholm R. Larsen Teacher Award for her outstanding contributions to York College. She and her husband Bob are considering moving south to be closer to their family.

27 Leo Miller came to York College in 1993 and began his tenure in maintenance before he became a fixture in Levitt Library. He's known for giving that extra special touch, whether it's putting out fruit and munchies for those that venture into the library, cheering on athletic teams, or just eating with students Miller in the Caf'. Much loved by the student body, Leo was voted Staff Member of the Year in 2010 and again in 2019. We're going to miss you Leo! n

New Faces At YC

Dr. Bryan Kretz '08 will join the York College faculty this fall as assistant professor of biology. Kretz returns to York from Flower Mound, Texas, where he served as a science teacher at iSchool Virtual Academy of Texas. Prior to that, he practiced Chiropractic in both Texas and Nebraska, owning his own practice in Henderson, Neb. Kretz also previously

Kretz

taught at YC as an adjunct instructor. “We are excited to return to York College,” said Kretz. “York was one of the biggest influences in my life and it has always been a place that feels like home. I believe that the York College mission is unique and very important because it provides a high-quality education and also prepares students for a life with Christ.”

Kretz holds a degree in Biology from York College and a Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer College. He and his wife Brittany (Ellis '10) have three sons, Kye (6), Theodore (3), and Henry (1). n

Dr. Steven Hardy comes to York from Parkersburg, WV, where he has served for 22 years as a professor of English at Ohio Valley University as well as holding other roles such as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Director of Study Abroad Programs and Director of the Honors Program since 1998.

Hardy holds degrees from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where he studied English and Political Science. He completed

Hardy

his doctoral studies at the University of Minnesota in 2003. Hardy’s previous experiences include serving as an instructor and foreign expert in Hong Kong and Nanchang, China.

“I think every Nebraskan knows that Nebraska is a special place,” said Hardy. “I’m thrilled to be back here among its people and on these plains. I can’t think of a better fit for me than York College. I look forward to joining the community and helping the college fulfill its mission of transforming lives.”

He and his wife Nancy have four adult children, Esther, Eleanor, Isaac, and Aaron. n