Cornerstone University Alumni Journal: Issue 1

Cornerstone University

Alumni Journal Connect | Celebrate | Contribute

what’s inside 4 Letter from the Alumni Director

5 Connecting to Lives that Matter Alumni Events – Homecoming highlights, Big Ticket Festival and other events designed to help you reconnect with each other and give back to CU Alumni Online – Visit our Web site or join us in social media Information Updates – Update your information and receive a gift

9 Celebrating Lives that Matter Making a Difference – Gary Gerds (M.B.A. ’08), Jeff (B.A. ’80) & Debbie (B.A. ’82) Davis and Michael Hidalgo (M.Div. ’02) are using their experience at Cornerstone University to build lives that matter.

Alumni News – Catch up with old friends.

17 Contributing to Lives that Matter Alumni Initiatives – New ways to contribute to CU through The Herald, an alumni benefits program and your stories.

18 Memory Lane

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A New Season – Director of alumni relations, Darci Irwin (M.S. ’09), shares an overview of changes in the alumni relations office.

The Cornerstone University Alumni journal is produced three times annually through a partnership between the Alumni Relations and Marketing & Communications Offices at Cornerstone University.

On the cover: The Alumni Association welcomed 665 new graduates during its traditional undergraduate, PGS and GRTS commencement ceremonies May 8-9. Congratulations 2010 graduates! (Photos: Ryan Prins Photography © 2010; Stacey Kathleen Photography © 2010)

Please send ideas, comments about the magazine, address corrections and mailing updates to: Office of Alumni Relations Cornerstone University 1001 E. Beltline Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525-5897 E-mail: alumni@cornerstone.edu

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Cornerstone University Alumni Journal Staff Director of Alumni Relations: Darci Irwin (M.S. ’09) Alumni Communications & Marketing Intern: Matthew Haller (B.S. ’10) Marketing Project Manager: Katherine Felber Art Director: Caroline Cahoon (B.A. ’03) University Writer/Editor: Kelli Cottrell Contributing Writers: Karissa Ryan (B.A. ’12), Lauren Hines (B.A. ’10), Ryan Wenger (B.A. ’12) Contributing Photographers: Jay Irwin, Coastline Studios, Christina Woolard (B.A. ’11), The Image Group, Karmen Low

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Founded in 1941, Cornerstone University is a Christ-centered institution of higher learning located in Grand Rapids, Mich.

More than 2,700 students attend Cornerstone’s undergraduate and graduate programs. www.cornerstone.edu Permission to quote short portions of this publication is granted as long as content is preserved and proper credit is given to the alumni journal.

Cornerstone University does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, sex, age or disability in its policies and programs.

2010 Cornerstone University. All rights reserved.

Build A Life That Matters

 Cornerstone University Alumni Magazine

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A New Season The

future is bright at cornerstone and personally I have never been more energized about being part of this university. The reason? I am meeting more of you. This new position has granted me opportunities to encounter you, the alumni who have occupied these sidewalks, desks and halls, who are living lives of unbelievable inspiration. We have pages of strategic plans and outlined goals regarding our service to you, but our primary aim in Alumni Relations is this: to tell your stories!

Beyond consistently updating our new Web site and sharing stories in the student newspaper, The Herald, the Cornerstone University Alumni Journal is a key communication tool to showcase alumni stories. You will now be receiving a copy three times annually. Each edition will feature three alumni stories, one from each area of the campus: Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, the Professional & Graduate Studies program and the traditional undergraduate program. We will also provide opportunities for you to connect, through upcoming events, highlights of past events, alumni news and trips down “memory lane.”

Your CU Alumni Association is driven by the “three C’s” – connecting with you, celebrating your life and offering you opportunities for you to contribute to the CU community. Our goals, objectives and communication to you will make these words active and real. The sections of this journal outline these initiatives and give you information on what we’re doing to accomplish those goals.

I look forward to helping each of you connect at the level and pace you desire as together we invest in lives that need to know how much they matter.

With great expectation,

Darci Irwin (M.S. ’09), your friend and Director of Alumni Relations

Darci Irwin lives in Grand Rapids with her husband, Jay, a photographer and cinematographer. She holds a degree in psychology from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. She began serving at Cornerstone University in 2007 as an admissions counselor before transitioning into the role of hospitality coordinator. Prior to her role at CU, she worked in local churches. She received her Master of Science in management degree from Cornerstone University’s Professional & Graduate Studies program in 2009.

connecting to lives that matter We want to make sure you have many opportunities to connect with your fellow alumni.

GRTS alumni attended a GRTS Alumni Banquet; Dr. Stowell held a Dessert Reception for Cornerstone and PGS alums and current students enjoyed a showing of the theater production Something’s Afoot. The next day on campus concerts and games enlivened the inaugural homecoming festival.

n Save the date: Fall Homecoming 2010 – Join us when we gather to support old and new friends when we reunite on campus Sept. 27 – Oct. 2, 2010.

Visit www.cornerstone.edu/homecoming/10 for more information about how you can be a part of this exciting event!

Pictured (top to bottom): The CU Women’s Volleyball players make an outstanding block; the alumni symphonic winds ensemble stirs up commotion; and games entertained both old and young.

Jay Irwin Photography © 2009

 Cornerstone University Alumni Magazine

Campus offices and resident halls competed to see who could earn the most points for the week to win “Java with Joe” at Dr. and Mrs. Stowell’s home. The men of Pickitt (yes, the first floor now houses men!) and the Spiritual Formation department were the triumphant champions.

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n fall homecoming 2009 – Alumni, students, faculty and staff were invited to embody the history of CU throughout the week of Oct. 5-10 for Homecoming 2009. Each day students “dressed the decade” and each night CU featured a special event on campus such as an ‘80s night at the women’s volleyball game, an old black and white film in the Corum and, of course, Mudbowl and Midnight Madness.

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Homecoming Highlights

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In this section you will find highlights of our exciting alumni events.

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n winter blast: basketball homecoming 2010 – Another

Winter Blast began with more than 100 students attending a pep rally to make some noise for the men’s and women’s Golden Eagle basketball teams. The night included outdoor S’mores and plenty of CU spirit, all culminating in a heartfelt prayer of encouragement for the teams.

The 7th Annual Basketball Homecoming celebration continued with alumni basketball games followed by a Basketball Alumni Brunch. Kevin Krass (’76; ’82), Steve Oswald (’78) and Sarah Zichterman (’05) were inducted into the Athletics Hall of Honor at this special event.

A student tailgate party in the field house kicked off the afternoon games, and the weekend concluded with the women’s basketball team face-off against Madonna.

It was a fantastic weekend!

Visit www.cornerstone.edu/alumni for more information and photos of Basketball Homecoming 2010.

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incredible weekend at Cornerstone celebrating lives that matter! As the Golden Eagles challenged the Crusaders of Madonna University, alumni reconnected with former teammates and classmates.

Cornerstone university has partnered with the 2010 Big Ticket Festival, one of the midwest’s largest family music festivals. The event will feature more than 100 bands, speakers, games, events and more June 24 – 26 in Gaylord, Mich. Exclusive alumni value packages are available!

For more information, visit www.cornerstone.edu or www.bigticketfestival.com or e-mail alumni@cornerstone.edu.

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Alumni Chapel & Lunch Events

www.cornerstone.edu

invited to join Cornerstone University for our 34th Annual Golf Invitational.

Proceeds from this event benefit the CU Annual Fund, which supports our 1,200 plus traditional undergraduate students. You’ll also have a chance to putt with Dr. Stowell, win prizes and enjoy food from local restaurants and businesses. For details and to register online for a foursome or hole sponsorship, visit www.cornerstone.edu/golfouting.

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Cornerstone University Alumni Magazine

Golf With Us...and Give Back to CU!

Cornerstone is a place where Jesus matters – where students can dive

into the love of Jesus and discover a deeper faith and stronger connection to God. Jesus is central in our academic programs, sports, extracurricular activities and, most of all, our worship. We’ve created an event designed to connect you with our president and join our students in a very special worship experience.

We have welcomed more than 40 alumni to campus during the spring semester through our “Alumni Chapel & Lunch” events with Dr. Stowell and Darci. Look for upcoming dates during the fall semester! We would love to have you reconnect with us.

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Alumni Online

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Not able to visit campus? We’ve developed several ways for you to connect with CU and your fellow alumni online.

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Information Updates During the months of june, july and august we are giving Alumni Window Decals to every alum who sends updated contact information for the database, including changes to any of the following: • Contact information: address, e-mail, phone • Professional news: job change, awards received, books published, etc.

• Familial changes: marriage news, births, adoptions, loss of an honored alumnus, etc.

Go to www.cornerstone.edu/alumni. Click “Connect” and then “Update Information.”

Please note: As we seek to save money on postage and printing, we intend to only send this magazine to your home mailbox. We need your correct e-mail address to send important updates throughout the year.

celebrating lives that matter

Making A Difference

The Davis’ developed a ministry to Muslims in Detroit that includes a style of ministering that is practical and integrated into every aspect of their lives.

“We live where they live,” said Debbie. “We send our kids to the same schools, we reach out through English classes, teen outreach and family counseling and love them.

“Americans see ethnic grocery stores and restaurants and assume immigrants’ needs are met, but there are so many very lonely people living in those communities, dealing with homesickness, cultural adaptation issues, even problems they may be ashamed to reveal to their own communities.”

After attending a summer boot camp through Christar, a ministry that teaches how to witness to Muslim and Chinese people, the couple experienced an intense desire to begin a church planting team. They began serving in Detroit where the largest concentration of Arabic Muslims are located outside the Middle East.

“With just a little encouragement and cultural training, it’s amazing how far the average Christian’s warmth and personal testimony could go to meet immense needs,” said Debbie, who also trains and organizes short-term trips to the area. “And then what great ambassadors these new believers can then be to their own nations.”

“And you don’t even have to leave the state of Michigan.”

“People ought to realize how much ministry can [and ought to] happen right here in our own communities,” said Jeff.

Please pray for Jeff and Debbie as they extend their lives to others every day.

Visit www.cornerstone.edu/alumni for links to Grabber, Inc. and Christar to see photos of the Davis’ ministry.

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So often many of us assume that ministering to other cultures involves leaving the United States, but Jeff (B.A. ’80) and Debbie (B.A. ’82) Davis didn’t have to go far to encounter their mission field.

Cornerstone University Alumni Magazine

by Karissa Ryan (B.S. ’12) & Lauren Hines (B.A. ’10)

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Traditional Undergraduate Alumni

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Jeff (B.A. ’80) & Debbie (B.A. ’82) Davis

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Our desire is to celebrate you, so when we come in contact with your story we want to share it in this section of the alumni journal. We’ll strive to highlight stories that show traditional undergraduates, PGS and GRTS alumni making a difference.

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celebrate

Gary Gerds (M.B.A. ’08) PGS Alumnus

by Karissa Ryan (B.S. ’12)

Business can be more than a livelihood. It can also provide an environment to reflect a powerful and authentic example of Christ.

Gary Gerds (M.B.A ’08), vice president, general manager and a member of the Board of Directors at Grabber, Inc., in Grand Rapids, Mich., is using his education gained from Cornerstone’s Professional & Graduate Studies program to influence those around him everyday.

“Doing business internationally has brought me into contact with people from different cultures and religions and often provides an opportunity to answer questions about my faith,” said Gerds, whose company produces air-activated warmers and other outdoor warmth and protection products. “Cornerstone helped me to be prepared when those doors opened.”

Through PGS, Gerds was able to build upon his foundation. He broadened his skill set and his understanding of diversity, he said.

While a lot of his connections are made overseas, Gerds also has the opportunity to impact those in the community.

Grabber, Inc, has donated products to God’s Kitchen, Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, the American Red Cross, International Aid, Habitat for Humanity and causes like Operation Gratitude (sending care packages to our service people stationed overseas) among many others.

“We are fortunate to be blessed with a company ownership that allows us to support good causes,” he said.

At work. At school. At home.

It was one of the ideas he grasped during his education at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.

“GRTS’s intentional engagement with the local church, and encouraging their students to work with the church, is probably the greatest strength of GRTS,” he said.

The philosophy he and his team purpose to reflect and develop at DCC is a community of men and women who are learning and experiencing more about how God has gifted them to touch lives around them.

Hidalgo noticed that many churches launch by focusing on the cultivation of unity and solidarity within the church, but admits this pursuit can often lead to nurturing the church alone rather than extending and offering to the community the healing we as Christians have experienced.

“If we, the Church, begin by reaching out, pursuing justice, serving our neighbor and giving to those in need, solidarity and unity will begin to grow,” Hidalgo said.

Michael, his wife, Beth, and their two children moved to Denver to be a part of the recently launched church, which seeks to be “a holistic, Christian, missional community.”

Hidalgo advises current students and other believers to pursue awe and the wonder of God in all of their study and everything they do.

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Hidalgo has seen men and women gain a deeper understanding of how they can use their gifts, talents, passions and resources to be a part of the healing of our broken world in their context.

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“Ministry is like artwork,” says Michael Hidalgo (M.Div. ’02), lead pastor at Denver Community Church (DCC).

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GRTS Alumnus by Ryan Wenger. (B.A. ’12)

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Michael Hidalgo (M.Div. ’02)

celebrate

Alumni News Together as alumni you

are influencing the lives of people for Jesus Christ all over the globe. Thank you for sharing the ways you are doing this and for keeping us up to date on the happenings in your life. (* denotes photo on our Web site.)

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* Russell (attended ’60 – ’63) and Mary Kaufman are retired in Avondale, Ariz., a Phoenix suburb, working in their local church and will celebrate the 40th Anniversary reunion of his Dallas Seminary class in May.

John Thompson (B.R.E ’72, M.R.E ’74) is celebrating 11 years of ministry at Armitage Baptist Church on the northwest side of Chicago. He welcomed three new grandchildren this year bringing the total to 12.

* Julie (Ackerman) Link (attended ’60-’71) authored “Above All, Love: Reflections on the Greatest Commandment” that was published by Discovery House Publishers.

She is a regular contributor to the devotional, Our Daily Bread, and is a founding partner of Blue Water Ink, a company that provides writing, editing, designing and typesetting services for the book publishing industry. A Bible study based on Above All, Love is also scheduled for publication.

Joe (B.R.E. ’66, M.Div. ’69) and Sharon (Rush, B.R.E. ’67) Hilyard came to Wealthy Street Baptist Church in 1963 and were married that same year. Sharon worked in the Ketcham Library while Joe attended seminary. Presently Joe is the spiritual chaplain of Hospice of Michigan and Sharon is retired, caring for granddaughters, Grace and Emily. The Hilyards have three children, Sally (Hilyard) Frahm (B.A. ’92), Joe Hilyard (attended ’90-92), Janette (Hilyard) Decker (B.A. ‘97) and eight grandchildren.

Ruth (Durham, certificate ’66) Lazar retired from her job as a special education teacher.

She and her husband, Robert, are active members of Community Baptist Church in Harrison, Mich.

Kathy Walters (attended ’74 – ’75) recently retired from secretarial work after 33 years.

Nathan Monell (B.A. ’78) earned his certified association of executive credential in Alexandria, VA., on July 9, 2009. Monell, chief executive officer of Foster Care Alumni of America, received the highest professional credential in the association industry.

1980s Ricardo Gonzalez (B.R.E. ’82) was featured in the book, “5 Principles for a Successful Life” by Newt Gingrich. He is included with people like former President Bill Clinton, Bill O’ Reilly, General David Petraus, Lou Holtz, Tom Brokaw and others. He also recently launched SpeakSpanish.com and is the publisher of The Gonzalez Report at GonzalezReport.com. Ricardo is the founder and CEO of Bilingual America.

Bill (M.Div. ’83) and Peggy Abernathy have moved to Portage, Mich., where Bill serves as lead pastor of Berean Baptist Church.

Dr. Robert Keys (B.A. ’84), associate professor of science, received tenure at Cornerstone University. He also mentored students who received a total of $20,100 in grants from the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings,

* Sheila (King) Boehning (B.A. ’88) received the “Mira Award” in 2009, which is the premiere award for technology in the state of Indiana. Dr. Boehning, an 8th grade Language Arts teacher, won the Technology Contribution to Education K-12 award based on how she uses technology to influence education.

Nate Clason (B.A. ’99; M.Div. ’06) presented a session on “Effective Leadership in Multicultural Contexts” at the Leadership Summit at GVSU, speaking to students and faculty from more than 10 colleges and universities. * Dr. Joy Fagan (M.R.E. ’99) was promoted to associate professor of Bible at Cedarville University in Ohio where she has worked since 1994.

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Krysta (Oechsle) Osweiler (B.A. ’01) was promoted to program assistant in a private non-profit school serving children with autism.

Doug Busch (B.A. ’93) was promoted to vice president and general manager of Fiber Optics at Molex Incorporated. He and his wife Crystal have two children, Claire and Jack.

* Adam Bonaventura (B.S. ’02) is now a reservist in the Marines after serving eight years in active duty. He is working as a law enforcement officer for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Mike (B.A. ’94) and Amy Krick have accepted positions with World Orphans, an organization that partners with churches to spread the gospel by planting churches internationally and building homes that rescue and care for abandoned children. To stay connected with Mike and Amy, e-mail mikek@worldorphans.org.

* Jonathan Shelley (B.S. ’03, M.A. ’08) published his first book in February 2009 entitled, “The Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden and the New Jerusalem: Hermeneutical Considerations in the Theologies of Augustine and Karl Barth, Saarbrücken,” Germany: VDM Verlag Dr. Müller.

Robert (B.S. ’94) and Amanda (Donegan, B.A. ’98) Teis along with their five children, have relocated to Bentonville, Arkansas.

Sarah (Wagner) Wassen (B.S. ’03) was awarded a master of theology by St. Vladimirs Orthodox Theological Seminary

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Tamara Witte (B.R.E. ’86) is a full-time seminary student at Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA, working towards her master of divinity degree. She currently serves as pastoral counselor for St. Mary’s Woods in Richmond. She plans to fulfill her hospital chaplaincy residency requirements in the area of pediatric oncology.

Jason Wesseldyk (B.A. ’98) published his first novel, Beyond Pearlberry. It is a story following a young woman through the betrayal of abuse, the impact it has on her life, and how she finds the road to forgiveness and returns to the God she loves. More info at www.beyondpearlberry.com.

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Kerisa Myers (B.A. ‘85) received tenure and was promoted to associate professor of education at Cornerstone University. She is also serving as interim chair for the Teacher Education Division for the 2009-2010 school year.

Cornerstone University Alumni Magazine

Alton Lauder (M.Div. ’85) received his 20 year letter from the Iowa Army National Guard. This recognizes 20 years as a Military Chaplain.

A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he is currently the State Chaplain of the Iowa National Guard holding the rank of Colonel.

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Scott Morter (B.R.E. ’84), associate professor of business, received tenure at Cornerstone University.

Chris Allers (B.A. ’95, M.A. ’05), a Ph.D. student in philosophy at the Institute for Christian Studies (Toronto), presented a paper entitled “Undoing What Has Been Done: Arendt and Levinas on Forgiveness” at Interdisciplinary. net’s 2nd Global Conference: “Forgiveness – Probing the Boundaries” on March 15, 2009 in Salzburg, Austria. His paper will be included with the conference proceedings in an ISBN e-book published by Inter-Disciplinary Press.

Chris was selected to be one of two editors of a hard copy publication that will focus on selected themes from the conference and will be published by Rodopi.

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Mich., to conduct research last summer. Keys will spend a month overseeing the student research projects at the institute.

celebrate in Crestwood, New York on May 16, 2009.

She was awarded a master of arts from the school in 2007. She and her husband, Fr. Gregory Wassen, have a son, Cassian, born Dec. 2006. Sarah plans to begin her Ph.D. studies in Historical Theology at Marquette University in Milwaukee.

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Linda Cooper (B.S. ’04) was recently from promoted from industrial engineer technician to engineer I. Brandon Farber (B.R.E. ’04) married Abigail (Balogh, B.A. ’03) Farber June 26, 2004 and celebrated their 5th anniversary in June. They celebrated their daughter Elizabeth’s first birthday on June 5, 2009. The Farbers are Independent Associates for Pre-Paid Legal Services,Inc. and teachers at the Goddard School in Brooklyn Park, MN. Abby works with the mobile infants, while Brandon works in a pre-kindergarten class. They reside in Forest Lake, MN. Kelly Kaneitha (B.S. ’04) completed her M.A. in management and leadership in May 2009 at Webster University.

She has recently been hired as program coordinator II at Vanderbilt University (Institute of Global Health).

Joseph (Joey) Novak (B.S. ’05) graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary with a master of divinity degree (summa cum laude). He was accepted for doctoral studies in Christian worship at Fuller Theological Seminary and began classes fall 2009.

Denver Parler (B.A. ’05) accepted the position of assistant director of communications with the University of Florida Athletic Department in Gainesville, Fla., in March. He serves as media liaison for the University of Florida football team, coordinating national and local publicity efforts for football players and coaches.

Brad Czernik (B.S. ’07), Gary Kuyper (B.S. ’07) and Julie Velthouse (B.S. ’09) were part of the team that implemented Bethany Christian Services Adoption Management System (AMS), which received the CIO100 award from CIO Magazine, a magazine that recognizes the top 100 companies internationally who are creating new business value by innovative technology.

* John Link (B.A. ’07) began employment at Cornerstone University in June as a web application developer. He and his wife live in Kentwood and attend Heritage Baptist Church in Kentwood.

Kathleen Peterson (B.A. ’07) is teaching Special Education at Robin’s Nest Children’s Home in Montego Bay, Jamaica for the 20092010 school year.

Anneshia Freeman (M.B.A. ’08) was featured on the 700 Club in October 2009. She was also highlighted in the “Your Life” section of The Grand Rapids Press last September.

Trisha Winkler (B.S. ’08) received a promotion with a relocation package. After serving in that location/position for a year, she has again received another promotion/relocation with another salary increase. * Jessica Biondo (B.A. ’09) teaches 4-7 grades through Back2Back Ministries at the Sierra Madre Christian Academy in Monterrey, Mexico.

Ryan Campbell (B.A. ’09) completed his fourth season coaching volleyball for Cornerstone University and was recently named head women’s volleyball coach.

Campbell received the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) “Thirty Under 30 Award,” a national honor given to 30 up-and-coming volleyball coaches.

Gillian Ferwerda (B.A. ’09) was honored with the 2009 President’s Award at Cornerstone’s commencement. She will work for Women at Risk International (WAR), a non-profit agency based in Grand Rapids, Mich., dedicated to the protection of women. Her work will be funded by a research grant to investigate the extent of human trafficking in the U.S. Dr. Linda Haveman (M.A. ’09) became an annual update reviewer and system appraiser for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). She also gave a presentation titled “Communicating Difficult Information to Parents” at the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children 2009 Annual Conference. Haveman set up a private practice and joined an association that provides free neurofeedback for veterans struggling with post traumatic stress syndrome.

Valeeta (Bishop) Boelter (attended ’64 – ’65) welcomed her fifth grandchild, Mya Belle Sobeck, on Oct. 29, 2009. She is in her 26th year of teaching physical education at Northeast Middle School in Kalamazoo, Mich.

* Ben (B.A. ’99) and Rachel (Cherne, B.A. ’99) Hammond welcomed Fiona Marie Hammond into their family on May 19, 2009. She joins siblings Madison, 4, and Parker, 2.

1990s * Paul and Beth (Bowald, B.A. ’91) Zelenka celebrate the adoption of their two sons, Ben, 5, and Sam, 2, who they welcomed home in August 2008. The boys join five older sisters, Courtney and Morgan, 18, Erin, 16, Hayley, 13, and Sophie, 13. * Charles (B.A. ’92) and Regina (Cole, B.A. ’90) Tassell welcomed Eliza Grace Tassell into their family on Sept. 20, 2008. She joins siblings CJ, 10, and Regan, 6. * Bart (B.A. ’95) and Debbie (Haase, B.A. ’00) Glupker welcomed their second son into their family on Dec. 31, 2008. Evan Mark weighed 9 lbs. and was 22 ½ inches long. His older brother, Ethan, turned two years old in April. Bart continues to serve Rollins Church in Manton as youth/associate pastor, where the Glupkers have been since August 2002.

Pete (B.A. ’95) and Jill (Moes, B.A. ’97) Wilson are pleased to announce the birth of their eighth child, Greta Claire. Greta was born at home on Sept. 6, 2009 and weighed 7 lbs, 5 oz. She is welcomed by siblings: Phillip, 13, JoyEllen, 11, Miriam, 9, Bethanie, 7, Levi, 6, Benjamin, 4, and Jared, 2. * Scott and Heather (Duff, B.A. ’96) Wiersma welcomed their daughter, Bailey Celeste, home in December 2008. She was born April

Matt and Rachel (Lanning, B.A. ’99) Sawatzy welcomed their second child, Caleb Andrew, on Aug. 19, 2009. Caleb was born in Taipei, Taiwan, where the couple have been living for 6 years. Their son, Micah, is 2 1/2 years old. Rachel works part-time for ORTV, an English-teaching media organization.

2000s Heather (Bartway) Mauriello (B.A. ’02) and her husband welcomed their second son, Louis Gilbert, born Sept. 2, 2009. He joins big brother Vinnie, who is three years old.

Erin (Stepleton) Morgan (B.A. ’02) announces the birth of her second child, Penelope Jean, born on Sept. 23, 2009. She was 6 lbs., 7 oz. and 19.25 inches long. She was welcomed by her older brother, Finnegan. * Nathaniel (B.A. ’03) and Angie (Tuck, B.A. ’03) Metzger welcomed their third child, Ian Boaz Metzger, on Oct. 12, 2008. He has an older sister and brother; Gabrielle, 7, and Jakin, 5.

Rachel (Morrison) Dube (B.A. ’04) welcomed Zakariah “Zak” Wesley into the family. He was born Sept. 8, 2009. He weighed 8lbs. 5 oz. and 20.5 inches long. He has a big sister, Zoë.

Justin (B.A. ’04) and Cathi (Velzen, B.A. ’06) Powell welcomed their first child, Halle Jo, on July 28, 2009.

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8, 2007 in Guatemala. She joins big sister Brittney, 9.

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Jeremiah Kuria (M.A. ’09) is in Kenya, working as the director of Comfort the Children International. This is a charity organization working to reach out the marginalized group of those living with HIV/AIDS and also the disabled community.

Rachel Watson (B.A. ’09) and Laurie (Hekman) Krieg (B.A. ’08) were chosen to write a devotional in Campus Voices: A Student to Student Guide to College Life (Miller & Buchanan, 2009), which is now available in stores.

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Kris Jansen van Galen (M.S. ’09) was named nurse manager of the assisted breathing center at Metro Health Hospital.

celebrate * Albert (B.S. ’06) and Katie (Schultz, B.A. ’04) Wouters celebrate the birth of their second child, Nolan Curtis, born April 26, 2009.

daughter, Kylie Kaydence. Kylie was born Jan. 5. They live in Brutus, Mich. Jessica teaches music at Pellston Public Schools.

* Brad and Jessica (Croft, B.A. ’07) Williams are proud to announce the birth of their

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unions 1990s * Laura Dillenbeck (B.A. ’99) married Marlon Cleghorn at Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church Sept. 17, 2008. The Cleghorn’s reside in Asheville, N.C. where Laura works in human resources.

2000s Robyn Wood (B.A. ’02) is engaged to Daniel Burroughs in her hometown of Indianapolis, Ind. * Jennifer Pirie (B.A. ’04) is engaged to Chadwick Charles Fauskee, a 2001 Calvin graduate. Chad proposed on Aug. 15, 2009 at Higgins Lake, MI. They will be married on June 5, 2010 at the same location. * James Link (M.B.A. ’07) married Lisa VanDyke (B.A. ’04; M.S. ’09) on Nov. 15, 2008.

The couple are employed at Cornerstone University. Lisa serves as the director of undergraduate admissions and James is enrollment manager for the Professional & Graduate Studies program.

Joe Boston (B.A. ’09) and Kayleigh Putnam (B.A. ’08) were married on July 25, 2009 at Grace Community Church in Belmont, MI. The couple reside in Cedar Springs, MI. * Matt Krieg (B.S. ’09) and Laurie Hekman (B.A. ’08) were married Feb. 7, 2009 at Crossroads Bible Church in Grand Rapids, MI. The couple reside in Holland, Mich.

Hannah Jean Hill (B.A. ’08) and Josh Thomas Shevel (B.A. ’09) were married in August.

The wedding took place at Shevel’s parents’ residence in West Farmington, OH. Hill, who is from Stow, Ohio, is employed at St. John’s Home in Grand Rapids, Mich.

In the spring 2009 issue of the Cornerstone Magazine, news about Julie Ackerman Link and Jennifer Culler were combined. The correct information is published in this issue. We regret the error.

Share YOUR News!

We can’t wait to hear from the rest of you! Share events in your life (professional accomplishments, graduate degrees or awards, honors received, additions to your family, alumni who have left us that we can honor). Please include a photo to post on the Web site version of your story. (* denotes photos on our Web site) Visit www.cornerstone.edu/alumni to read more alumni news with supplemental photos.

contributing to lives that matter

Checks can be sent to: Cornerstone University | Attn: Alumni Relations 1001 E Beltline Ave NE | Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Alumni Benefits Program Our “alumni benefits program” will

provide you with discounts to on-campus events as well as alumni businesses. If you are an alumnus with a service to offer, contact our office at 616.222.1439 for more details about partnering with our benefits program. We’ll be launching it this fall.

Your story is our story. Our story is your story. And

while we hope your time here helped build a life that matters, we know that God has used so much more to influence your story. We want others to be encouraged, challenged and moved by all that He has done in your life. These stories may be used in alumni publications or on the alumni Web page. Our hope is to collect and share 100 stories this year and invite one of those stories to be yours. Visit our Web site for more information.

 Cornerstone University Alumni Magazine

Remember picking up The Herald hot off the press? Keep up with CU news, sports, campus life and our new weekly page called “Your Alumni.”

Log in to www.herald.cornerstone.edu for The Herald online or if you’d like a copy delivered to your doorstep, subscribe to The Herald for only $50 per year.



The Herald

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experiences people have with Cornerstone University as students, parents, alumni or friends, help them build on the foundation they have in Christ. As alumni, you are an important resource in making these experiences a reality. While we appreciate your financial gifts, we also want to provide a variety of opportunities for you to contribute to the advancement of CU. This section features initiatives to connect you with our students and each other, to celebrate your accomplishments and to provide you with opportunities to contribute to building lives that matter.

www.cornerstone.edu

Cornerstone university believes that every life matters. It is our goal that the

Build A Life That Matters

 Cornerstone University Alumni Magazine

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In each issue of the alumni journal, we hope to take you on a walk down memory lane. We share a rich history and appreciate the fact that our alumni are different in many ways. In 1941, CU had a humble but solid beginning as a program offering evening courses to just a few students. Since then, God has grown this evening program into a multi-program university serving students and radio listeners across the state of Michigan. Enjoy the marked contrast we put together in this issue to show you how far we’ve come!

Then

• 1st class in 1941: 219 students (only evening classes offered)

• 1st class in 1941: student population represented seven denominations

Now •

2009: 2,825 students in its traditional undergraduate studies program, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, Asia Baptist Theological Seminary and Professional & Graduate Studies program. The incoming class had 383 students.

• More than 60 denominations are represented among students.

www.cornerstone.edu

 

Cornerstone University Alumni Magazine

Sept. 27 – Oct. 2, 2010 Register online between Sept. 1 – Sept. 20 at

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Homecoming 2010: Celebrating Lives That Matter

www.cornerstone.edu/homecoming/10

Alumni Association