Anthem Spring 2019

SPRING 2019 THE MAGAZINE OF AMBROSE UNIVERSITY

Golden!

Futsal nets Alberta championship

New BA – Psych | Heart of Service | Joyful at Juilliard

Your generosity begins with your philanthropic goal to support the causes you care about most.

A strategic and tailored approach to your generosity plan enables you to use complex donations, such as a gift in a will or a gift of publicly traded securities, to amplify your charitable giving now and in the future, for an even greater impact.

Learn more at abundance.ca or call 1.800.772.3257 to speak with a Gift Planning Consultant.

Generosity changes everything Abundance Canada is a faith-based public foundation registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Since 1974, we have helped individuals with their charitable giving in their lifetime and estate through our donor-advised model.

Charity Registration No: 12925-3308-RR0001.

insideanthem The players really grew throughout the year and built great chemistry.

6 Futsal nets its first gold!

History is made when Ambrose’s Women’s Futsal team roars to the top spot in Alberta.

8 Joyful at Juilliard

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10 New BA – Psych makes its debut High-quality, high-calibre program is a degree for our times, combining all the advantages of an Ambrose learning experience.

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11 Where do we fit in poverty reduction?

Ambrose-led research aims to bridge the gap between faith-based organizations and government, benefitting all Canadians living in poverty.

12 Hosts with the most

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Joyful excellence is on full display when Ambrose University hosts its first ACAC Women’s Volleyball championships.

16 Spotlight: Whose story is our history?

Does removing historical monuments mean Canada’s history is being erased? Or are we recognizing that there’s more to our nation’s story?

Paul Barnett Read the story about the Futsal team’s first provincial gold medal on page 6.

Composing a smooth transition to one of the world’s elite arts schools, by blending music and words.

20 Heart of service

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Severed Internet cables and power outages are just part of the adventure when working on a degree overseas.

22 Smooth sailing on digital marketing seas A Business alum charts a course for success in the rapidly changing world of marketing.

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3 Campus notebook 24 Coming events Join us on October 10, 2019 to learn more about leaving a legacy of generosity. Following our Thanksgiving Chapel, we encourage you to stay for lunch and learn about legacy giving with special guests Abundance Canada. Additional details are available online at ambrose.edu/legacy-giving. anthem magazine • spring 2019

26 Family and friends 29 Looking forward “The purpose of business” by Alexandria Friesen, 2019 Bachelor of Business Administration graduating class Valedictorian.

Cover Photo: Dan Yu

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Spring 2019 Director of Communications and Marketing; Editor Wes Campbell Copy Editor Cathy Nickel Design/Layout John Pollock Contributors Sandy Ayer, Elise Gaetz, Cathy Nickel, Alexandria Friesen, Bronwyn Schuman Printer CBN Commercial Solutions General Inquiries 403-410-2000 ambrose.edu Address Changes 403-410-2000 advancement@ambrose.edu Enrolment 1-800-461-1222 enrolment@ambrose.edu Contact Anthem ambrose.edu/anthem anthem@ambrose.edu Anthem is published by Ambrose University Communications 150 Ambrose Circle SW Calgary, AB T3H 0L5 Publications Agreement Number 40063422

No ambivalence about excellence There is a mantra from my youth that I must have heard 1,001 times as a teenager — a way of thinking and speaking that reflected my religious sub-culture. It went like this: “God is not looking for ability, but availability.”

On the one hand, the statement was well-intended.

We wanted to affirm the deep spiritual principle that we need to be willing to do what God was calling us to do — as simple as that. We needed to be available for the vocation to which the Spirit of God was inviting us.

We all need to appreciate that God gives us talent and capacity and opportunity. We offer it back as an offering to God.

And yet, an unfortunate by-product of this line is that we tended to downplay excellence and quality and tenacity in order to get something right. In a strange kind of way, we came to not only accept mediocrity, but almost to view it as a badge of honour. That in all our weakness and with our various limitations, God was able to do something significant, almost despite us.

There is truth here, of course. We need to be available, as noted, and yes, God often works through us in ways that reflect the particular and gracious work of the Spirit. But this is no excuse for mediocrity, for not bringing our very best in talent and skill as an offering to God and to the purposes of God in the world.

Like Bezalel — in Exodus 31 — who was called to excellence in the arts, we all need to appreciate that God gives us talent and capacity and opportunity.

We offer it back as an offering to God. And so there can be no ambivalence on this score: we are committed to excellence as a fundamental spiritual commitment.

This issue of Anthem is a testimony to the diverse ways in which our alumni, students and faculty excel. As you read the stories in this issue, celebrate with us the myriad wonderful ways in which excellence is being lived out on campus and beyond.

ISSN 2368-2868 Published two times per year, Anthem informs, educates, inspires and engages its audience of alumni and supporters by telling the story of the accomplishments and contributions of alumni, students, faculty, staff and supporters of Ambrose University.

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Gordon T. Smith, PhD President Professor of Systematic and Spiritual Theology

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NEW! BA – Psychology

Ambrose’s new BA – Psychology makes its debut this fall. This highquality, high-calibre program combines the “bests” of an Ambrose education: rigorous curriculum, low faculty-tostudent ratio, the chance to take part in research and opportunities for selfreflection and personal growth. Learn more on page 10 of this issue of Anthem.

For the latest news and information, visit ambrose.edu/news

anthem magazine • spring 2019

Elevating Excellence at Ambrose Students know how much Ambrose faculty and staff contribute to the learning experience and to an enriched campus community. But that’s only one part of the giving. Faculty and staff also donate to the University. The Elevating Excellence campaign invites and encourages every member of the Ambrose family to contribute financial support that has far-reaching impact. In addition to helping to develop programs and services — and therefore students — donations also send a powerful message ELEVATING to the wider community that those who are most EXCELLENCE Faculty & Staff Supporting engaged with the University want to make it even Student Success ambrose better. Discover more about Elevating Excellence at ambrose.edu/elevating. univer sity

The most wonderful time of the year!

Pomp, pageantry, proud parents (and many proud faculty) were front and centre on April 27, 2019, for the 78th Ambrose University Commencement. Three separate events — Undergraduate, Education and Seminary ceremonies — shone the spotlight on students’ achievements. High-fives, hugs, handshakes and more than a few tears marked the day on which students officially become alumni. Watch the ceremonies online at ambrose.edu/grad2019.

Read what Alexandria Friesen, Undergraduate Valedictorian, has to say about her journey beyond Ambrose in the Looking Forward section of this issue of Anthem.

LYC 2019: Chosen The 2019 Legacy Youth Conference brought together hundreds of high school students from March 15–17, 2019. This is the culmination of seven months of planning and development by Ambrose students who are responsible for all facets of the popular weekend. LYC has engaged students from Grades 9–12 for more than 70 years, providing a uniquely different opportunity to meet with God and go deeper in their faith. The conference is intentionally structured to blend worship and preaching with challenge (and a healthy amount of food and laughs along the way).

“Chosen” was the theme of LYC 2019 and Lane Moss, Program Director on the MOVE team at Christ in Youth, was the featured speaker. Check out the postLYC videos on Facebook: facebook.com/LYCambrose.

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campusnotebook Celebrating scholarly activity Writing books or chapters in books, journal or magazine articles, critiques or reviews. Editing. Presenting at conferences, workshops and other events. Ambrose faculty do it all! They’re actively contributing to the expansion of knowledge, ideas and discussions on campuses and in communities everywhere. The annual Scholars’ Corner luncheon on April 24, 2019, showcased recent works and enabled faculty to share the ins and outs of publishing.

Anthem highlights just some of this work in a new column, Biblio, which premieres in this issue. Visit the Ambrose Bookstore for faculty-authored titles: ambrose.edu/bookstore.

biblio biblio

Scholars’ Corner

Through publications, presentations and myriad other scholarly activities, Ambrose faculty contribute to the expansion of knowledge worldwide. A sampling of recent works includes:

Jo-Ann Badley “Like an Unnamed Woman” The Other Journal – An intersection of Theology and Culture, April 2019

Mark Buchanan “Hope for the Journey” Christianity Today, Lent/Easter 2019 Christina Conroy “Goodness Turns” Unsettling the World: Biblication Experiments in Decolonization, February 2019

Jim Cresswell “Ideal Football Culture: A cultural take on self-determination theory” Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, January 2019

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Kyle Jantzen “Review of Beth A. Griech-Polelle, Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust; Language, Rhetoric and the Traditions of Hatred” Contemporary Church History Quarterly, March 2019

Angie Redecopp Review of Minimum Contract Justice: A Capabilities Perspective on Sweatshops and Consumer Contracts in Business and Human Rights Journal, 2019

Kathy Crawford, Sherry Martens “Embracing Wonder and Curiosity: Transforming teacher practice through escape room design” Journal of Childhood Education, March 2019

Tim Vanderpyl “HR’s Role in Organizational Effectiveness” Human Resource Management International Digest, July 2018

Sherry Martens “Seeing Ourselves on the Walls: Teacher Identity and Visual Displays in Schools” Chapter 9 in Fostering a Relational Pedagogy: Self-Study as Transformative Praxis, November 2018 Pam Nordstrom “Becoming a Nurse: Student Experience of Transformation and Professional Identity” Quality Advancement in Nurse Education, October 2018

Chris Wang “A Bio-Coupling Approach Using a DextranBinding Domain to Immobilize an Engineered Streptavidin to Sephadex for Easy Preparation of Affinity Matrix” Scientific Reports, March 2019 Visit the Ambrose Bookstore for books and other materials authored by Ambrose faculty, ambrose.edu/bookstore.

ambrose university

Certificate program grows school leaders Bachelor of

EDUCATION Ambrose Education is AFTER DEGREE building on its rigorous, respected and relevant curriculum, and its experienced faculty, to enable teachers to follow the career path to leadership.

The new Principal Certification program will enable teachers to realize their passion for education and meet Alberta standards to become a school principal. It comprises two non-credit courses that can be completed through a blend of face-to-face and online delivery. Learners have the flexibility to choose how and when to complete the courses, and can do so simultaneously or in sequence. The courses centre on becoming transformative leaders and transformative principals, strengthening the ability to inspire, mentor and coach students and teacher colleagues. Learn more about the program and when courses are offered at ambrose.edu/ program/extended-learning.

Design learning experiences that empower students

How does faith affect/ effect life?

Ambrose’s Mark Buchanan (Chair of Continuing Education and Pastoral Formation, and Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology) and Bernie Van De Walle (Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology) believe there’s a lot to talk about when an issue as multifaceted as how faith both effects and affects life. Ambrose’s new Faith Æffects podcast, which launched on Jan. 19, 2019, captures some of that conversation. The two, along with invited guests, will explore a variety of topics that will challenge listeners and, it’s hoped, keep them on the edge of their seats for each 30-minute episode.

Want to hear more? Listen to Faith Æffects through a podcast app or visit ambrose.edu/podcasts.

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anthem magazine • spring 2019

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Futsal nets its first gold!

History is made when Ambrose’s Women’s Futsal team roars to the top spot in Alberta

Hard work.

A deep bench.

Commitment to team.

Skilled and passionate players.

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Daniel Yu Photography

Hard work. A deep bench. Commitment to team. Skilled and passionate players. It all added up to a gold-medal recipe for Ambrose University’s Women’s Futsal team, which claimed its first-ever gold medal in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference on March 17, 2019. The win capped off a stellar season for one of the province’s futsal pioneers, a school that’s often under-rated because Ambrose is relatively small compared to the rest of the ACAC. The team had claimed a bronze medal in 2015 and the gold reflects not only the 2019 players’ work ethic, but their success in coming together as a team.

“It came down to executing on three main goals,” explains coach Paul Barnett. “We wanted to be unified as a team, competing consistently and playing with excellence. Achieving the first made the rest possible, and the team peaked at just the right time.”

The group blended new and returning players with alumni who came back to Ambrose, putting Barnett in the enviable position of having enough talent for two “A teams.”

“It was a unique year,” he acknowledges. “The players really grew throughout the year and built great chemistry.

We felt very blessed this year to bring together the coaching staff and every one of the players. We all believed we were there for a purpose, and I believe everyone was able to fulfill it.”

Adding to the accolades, returning player and team captain Bethany Herman was named Tournament MVP, while Janelle Perry and Kaitlin Vail were named All-Stars. The team also won the academic award amongst all Ambrose teams for achieving a team GPA of 3.32. “We desire to be about excellence on the court, but also so much more,” says Colin Kubinec, Ambrose’s Director of Athletics. “This win is a huge boost to the confidence of our program, and puts the spotlight on our team and our school.” p

A sport of its own Futsal is often described as “indoor soccer.” While there are similarities to outdoor soccer, futsal is its own game. Played indoors, it centres on quick action, strategy and technical foot skills. There are four players and a goalie, and the ball is smaller and heavier than a soccer ball. The pitch has out-of-bounds lines and the game has a set playing time.

anthem magazine • spring 2019

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Joyful at

Juilliard Composing a smooth transition from Ambrose to one of the world’s elite arts schools by blending music and words

by Bronwyn Schuman B.Mus., BA (English) 2018

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ambrose university

When people ask me what I like to do in my spare

time, I often answer that I like to play piano and I like to read.

But when I began studying for both my Bachelor of Music and my Bachelor of Arts in English at Ambrose University, I knew piano and words were more than hobbies for me.

Ambrose provided the foundation for me to pursue the study of sound and language as a career and a lifestyle. I am now working towards my Master of Music at The Juilliard School in New York City. My degree is in Collaborative Piano, which refers to pianists who work one-on-one with other instrumentalists and singers.

Photo courtesy Bronwyn Schuman

Both of my degrees helped prepare me for the work I do every day at Juilliard, such as performing and analyzing music, collaborating with other musicians and artists, and discussing language and poetic meaning. Ambrose’s amazing professors, small class sizes and faith-based context contributes to my everyday experience as a Christian artist.

In one of my first Music History classes at Ambrose, we read a quotation from Saint Augustine’s Confessions on music’s role in the church, and how music has the potential to enhance or diminish the words of the liturgy. I had never read a passage that resonated with me like this one, and I see this as the start of a journey that has shaped my life, my art and my faith.

Interestingly, one of Saint Augustine’s most influential teachers was Saint Ambrose of Milan. Ambrose University definitely lives up to its namesake in its exceptional teaching.

My music and English professors were a constant source of patience, wisdom and guidance; and the classes were challenging and rewarding. Christian Faith classes helped me to grow in my love of Church history, tradition and the Scriptures. Every professor created a space in which students were free to think and express, and in which we were encouraged to search with honesty for truth in all things. I believe professors who can do this are rare in the world, yet Ambrose has the gift of having so many of them!

Ambrose also reflects the values of Saint Ambrose is in its devotion to the arts in a faithbased context. Saint Ambrose is very well known for writing hymns for church congregations — his pairing of words and music. Ambrose Arts integrates music, drama and dance.

Interdisciplinary arts are crucial for performing artists, and students are able to learn in new ways, collaborate with other artists and regularly perform unique works.

I feel fortunate to find myself in a place that is similar to Ambrose in many ways. Ambrose Arts’ model is not so different from The Juilliard School’s. Juilliard comprises music, drama and dance, and it is also working towards creating even more interdisciplinary opportunities.

I feel fortunate to find myself in a place that is similar to Ambrose in many ways.

Ambrose Arts’ model is not so different from The Juilliard School’s.

I recently took part in the new “All Juilliard Jam,” in which students from all three divisions were divided into small groups to create short, improvised performance pieces. This was such a unique experience, as I could watch and learn from how students of other disciplines communicate their ideas to people inside and outside their disciplines, and I was able to practice this communication as well.

Juilliard and Ambrose also share a commitment to high standards of excellence and to smaller class sizes that make achieving that excellence possible. Thanks to Ambrose and Juilliard, I have found friends for life. These friends, both students and professors, have supported and encouraged me, challenged me and held me accountable. They have been a constant source of joy.

I will always be grateful for how well Ambrose University prepared me for Juilliard, and for the ways in which Ambrose shaped my life. p

anthem magazine • spring 2019

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NEW BA – PYSCH DEGREE makes its debut This high-quality, high-calibre program is a degree for our times, combining all the advantages of an Ambrose learning experience

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Earning a Psychology degree equips grads to gain insights into and help others. Ambrose University’s new BA – Psychology, which launches formally in fall 2019, takes things a step further, enabling students to gain insights into themselves as well.

“This is a strong, strong degree,” explains Dr. Jim Cresswell, Associate Professor of Psychology and the driving force behind the program.

“Critical self-reflexivity is a key focus.

This means taking the theory students learn and using it as a tool to look back on themselves, to learn who they are in greater depth.

“Students will be preparing for a career in which they’ll help others, and they’ll also be vigorously honest about who they are, developing a deep understanding that will enable them to serve others while also taking

responsibility for themselves while offering that help.”

The BA – Psychology is a rigorous program, meeting the best-practice guidelines of the Canadian and American Psychological Associations.

It also exceeds what students would typically experience in an undergraduate program.

“We’ve been told that what Psychology degree students will do at Ambrose is on par with honours programs at other institutions,” Cresswell notes. “We recognize the world is changing and there is a greater need for flexible and dynamically skilled people who know how to apply theory. This degree is a recipe for career success.”

The program centres on growing adaptable, creative, critical thinkers who can manage, interpret and

ambrose university

Where do we fit in poverty reduction?

What is the role of faith-based organizations in reducing poverty?

What should it be? When the federal government released Canada’s first poverty reduction strategy in 2018, these questions remained unanswered. Despite arguably having one of the longest histories of working with people in poverty, the opinions of faith-based organizations weren’t part of the strategy’s development.

Research being led by Dr. Jim Cresswell, Associate Professor of Psychology, through Ambrose University’s Canadian Poverty Institute, aims to shed light on the subject, and to inform decisions that can improve the lives of millions of Canadians.

Cresswell, Dr. Kyle Jantzen (Professor of History) and a group of

What Psychology degree students will do at Ambrose is on par with honours programs at other institutions.

students are undertaking a historical analysis of different churches, learning about what they did in the past, do now and plan to do in the future. In June 2019, the project team and scope expanded to include interviews with a representative sample of key people representing faith-based organizations from across Canada.

“How people talk reveals aspects of their culture that they don’t readily see,” Cresswell explains. “Just like a fish doesn’t see its water, churches don’t always see their culture. There are parts of our lives that we are blind to in daily life.”

The interviews will be followed by “strategic sampling” to drill down further, and data analysis is slated for summer 2019. A summit, bringing together the project’s key players to present the study’s conclusions, is tentatively planned for 2020.

communicate the large amounts of data that underpin decision-making in both the public and private sectors.

There will be opportunities to engage in community-based research alongside faculty, working on projects that have a real impact on people and communities.

And it will all be done at a university that encourages students to pause and reflect on how “loving thy neighbour” is lived.

BA – Psychology graduates will be ready to go into practice or to enrol in graduate study to become a registered psychologist or pursue a research career.

“I have a high level of confidence in what this degree means and how it will equip graduates,” Cresswell says.

“I’m excited by that.” p Learn more about the BA – Psychology at ambrose.edu/ program/psychology.

anthem magazine • spring 2019

“My vision would be to see a tighter working relationship between faith-based organizations and government,” Cresswell says. “There is lots of overlap in what we do, but there are inherent tensions in the relationship.

“It’s almost like the two communities don’t know each other, and we don’t have a way to move forward when we hit an impasse.”

This research project, Cresswell hopes, will help to build bridges and be the basis for developing a formal strategic response to the federal government. “A lot of churches and faith-based organizations are working to reduce poverty, and these are massive efforts that contribute to the fabric of Canada. This a cost-effective contribution to the social good. Not reflecting this is a huge blind spot in government strategy.”

Dr. Jim Cresswell is an Associate Professor of Psychology whose courses centre on culture, immigration and identities in an increasingly globalizing world. His book on the challenge of studying religion, Culture and the Cognitive Science of Religion, was published in 2017 and is available at the Ambrose Bookstore.

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h t i w s t s o H Photos by Todd Basaraba

Joyful excellence is on full display when Ambrose hosts its first ACAC Women’s Volleyball championships

The Hype Kitchen helps cook up some fun during the quarter finals.

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t s o m e h t Roll out the welcome mat for guests from across the province? Check. Give people something to cheer about? Check. Create life-time memories? Check and double check. Ambrose Athletics checked all the boxes February 21–23, 2019, hosting the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Women’s Volleyball championships for the first time — a milestone in University athletics history.

Eight provincial teams, four from the south and four from the north, vied for top honours, and the Ambrose Lions were in the thick of the hardware hunt. While the team eventually lost a heartbreaker and finished out of the medals, the squad had much to celebrate.

“Of the 14 women’s teams in the ACAC, Ambrose is one of the smaller schools,” explains Colin Kubinec, Director of Athletics and team coach. “The program was launched five years ago and I’m so proud of how it has progressed and grown, and how the players have had faith even in the early dark days, when we lost a lot of games. Joyful excellence is our philosophy and it describes pursuing excellence, doing it joyfully and being positively intense. Joy flows out of gratitude, and there is so much to be grateful for: playing sports, healthy bodies, gratitude to God.”

there's a huge benefit in hosting the championships.

It offered great exposure for the sport and for Ambrose, and really brought our community together.

That positive energy was on full display all weekend long, kicking off with a classy banquet, followed by three days of high-level play broadcast live on ACAC TV, and wrapping up with closing ceremonies and treasured mementos for tournament MVPs and All-Stars [see story on page 14].

“There’s a huge benefit in hosting the championships,” Kubinec says. “It offered great exposure for the sport and for Ambrose, provided an opportunity to showcase sponsors to strengthen those relationships for the future and really brought our entire community together.”

Calgary club teams were invited to attend and a host of volunteers, many of whom were students’ parents, got involved in all facets of the event (from prayer and hospitality committees, to being part of the game day crew and taking tickets). Even the “Hype Kitchen” (a cheer group decked out in chef’s hats and aprons that came together spontaneously a few years ago) put in an appearance. “Gratitude produces joy, and this was a very fun event,” Kubinec says.

“We would absolutely be interested in doing it again.” p anthem magazine • spring 2019

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While top teams compete on court at the ACAC Women’s Volleyball Championships, a remarkable behindthe-scenes team ups the game to capture special memories for players

The Basaraba Family team (L–R): Todd, Tereasa, Taneille and Tori

Team

spirit

Photo courtesy the Basarabas

The Basaraba family is passionate about volleyball. Mom and dad, Tereasa and Todd, met when both were playing in city leagues, and they have season’s tickets for Ambrose University volleyball games.

Their daughters also play. The eldest, Tori, who just completed her first year at Ambrose and is heading into the B.Ed. program, helps manage the Women’s Volleyball team. Daughter Taneille is in Grade 9 and her team just won a silver in national competition.

Which is all to say that when it comes to volleyball — and especially a marquis event like the ACAC Women’s Volleyball Championships — you can count the Basarabas in. “Usually, when one of us gets involved in something, the others get dragged along,” Todd says with a laugh. “This was a fun opportunity and a sideline pass to be right where the games were being played.”

But it wasn’t all fun and games. Todd and Tereasa put their talents to great use, logging long hours to produce framed posters for every one of the tournament all-stars — a first for an ACAC Championship.

Players were amazed and delighted to receive a 20x30 poster featuring championship action, presented within minutes of being named to the all-star team.

To pull it off, Todd took more than 6,000 photos, from which the best were selected. Tereasa edited and touched up photos and designed the posters, working until 4 a.m. one night to make sure everything was ready for the final moment. Posters were printed and frames were at the ready, waiting for the allstars’ names to be announced. With just 10 minutes’ advance notice, the Basarabas matched photos to frames — and every all-star was given a customized poster.

“Some of the teams were leaving right away, so they got their posters and 20 minutes later they were on the bus home,” Tereasa says. “The players were blown away. It was quite emotional.” It was all possible, Tereasa says, because of the team ethic the Basarabas have developed through volleyball and as a family.

“Volleyball is the kind of game where you have to work very well as a team. ‘Team’ is how Todd and I express ourselves. It also helps our kids work well with others. You just can’t be successful on the job or in life without being a team.” p

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You just can’t be successful on the job or in life without being a team

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With an Ambrose B.Ed. in hand, Alicia Enslen steps to the head of the class — and is ready to help inspire her students to change the world for the better

Teachable

M MENT Alicia Enslen (Bachelor of Education ’18) grew up in Strathmore but was always fascinated by and attracted to northern Alberta. After living there for a couple of years, she knew she would return. Becoming a teacher has allowed her to do so.

Today, Enslen is a Grade 4 teacher in the High Prairie School Division in Slave Lake, Alta. Keenly interested in what’s going on in the world, politically and socially, she built on a BA in Political Science, changing her career path from law to teaching.

“I realized that one of the biggest ways we can see transformation in how people treat others as they go through life is through education,” she says.

There’s no doubt in her mind that the Ambrose experience plays a key role in both her professional and personal life.

“Although the school’s name wasn’t necessarily known, it quickly became apparent in the interview process that Ambrose delivered an excellent program,” she says. “In every interview, I heard: ‘You sound like you have been teaching for 20 years.’”

“The practicum experiences, especially the ones at the beginning of the year, were real highlights,” Enslen notes. “They were well-organized and challenged me in a positive way. The B.Ed. professors really highlighted all of the minute details that teachers need to think about on a daily basis. Without that, I would be lost.”

The program’s small class sizes — which Enslen says mirror what Alberta Education is ultimately trying to foster in the public education system itself — and time serving as the Treasurer of the Education Students’ Association were assets, helping develop skills outside teaching and build a peer network.

On the personal side, being able to attend a university where she felt like she really belonged and was accepted enabled Enslen to explore and deepen her faith, and to reconnect with God.

One of the biggest ways we can see transformation in how people treat others as they go through life is through education�

It all added up to Enslen being especially well-prepared to for the start of her new teaching assignment last fall. “I was excited that I was able to start off with my own classroom and put everything I learned at Ambrose to the test,” she says.

“At the beginning of the school year, there are a thousand things running through my mind, and I’m planning for and thinking about them all. Ambrose gave me the confidence and capability to manage it all.” p

anthem magazine • spring 2019

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spotlight whose story is our history?

In Victoria, a bronze figure of Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, is removed from its high-profile location at City Hall.

In Calgary, a bridge named after Hector-Louis Langevin, a Father of Confederation, is renamed Reconciliation Bridge.

In Halifax, a statue of city founder Edward Cornwallis is packed into a box and moved to an industrial yard.

Does removing these monuments, made in the spirit of reconciliation, mean Canada’s history is being erased?

Or are we recognizing that there’s more to our nation’s story — our history — than a one-dimensional view of our past?

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As human beings, we need to know where we’ve come from.

Our identity is framed by our past. The question public history raises is: What stories are we telling or not telling about that past?

For decades, learning history meant learning undisputable dates and facts that chronicled the exploits of elites and politicians, and traced political movements and confl icts. It was but a small slice of human experience, however, and this approach gradually gave way to social history, a richer and more nuanced way to understand the past by including stories of how people and societies change over time.

Public history, which includes oral history, builds on this. It moves the study of history outside the academy, and questions how history is told in public places, such as how it is refl ected in monuments, museums and even the ubiquitous Heritage Minutes on TV, as well as in Ambrose University History classes. When the view is widened, the story — the carved-in-stone notion of “our history” — can change. Those monuments meant to be permanent can move.

anthem magazine • spring 2019

“Public history talks about the idea of shared authority,” explains Dr. Ken Draper, Professor of History. “Who really owns the past? Does the historian or researcher, who might have spent years studying what happened? Or do people who were there own it, because they were part of it? Public history says it’s not one or the other, but both. The people who were there might know what they saw or how they felt, but the researcher might have more knowledge about larger issues at play. So to shut out one or the other, you lose something.”

Because history has so much to do with perspective, much depends on who is telling the story. A century ago, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada — described by one historian as a “Victorian gentleman’s club” aiming to strengthen the British imperial tradition in Canadians’ collective memory by commemorating the imperial story — began to memorialize Canada’s history. Today, many monuments and sites established decades ago are being seen through a new lens. Sir John A. Macdonald, for example, has long been celebrated by Canadians as the leader who brought French and English together to forge a nation. But for Indigenous peoples, there is another, darker story about displacement, violated treaties and residential schools that isn’t represented in statues.

“Monuments tend to be put up by the ‘winners,’ and for a long time the dominant voices have been white and male,” Draper says. “Public history asks about whether monuments should be removed, because they’re off ensive, or whether they should remain and become a focal point for telling all sides of a story.

Bringing more into the picture can make it harder to tell Canada’s story, but there’s a growing attentiveness, especially in museums, to tell stories that have been ignored or suppressed.

There’s a growing interest in women’s history, in family history, in refugees and displacement. That doesn’t change

the fact that it can be uncomfortable when what you think you know is challenged, when every “truth” has a “counter truth.” But accepting the value of multiple perspectives opens a window to greater understanding of the human experience.

“As human beings, we need to know where we’ve come from,” Draper says.

“Our identity is framed by our past.

The question public history raises is: What stories are we telling or not telling about that past?

“This is why monuments can become such a focus of debate and controversy.

The reason we put up monuments is to remind us of certain things about ourselves and our past. So when a monument is removed, there is a sense that part of who we are, our identity is also being removed or is under attack.

“But this should make us look inside ourselves a bit more, to ask what we believe and what we ‘know.’ It should prompt us to reassess the notions of our own story and how our past shapes our identity.”

While this can leave people feeling like they’re standing on shaky historical ground, Draper says this is precisely what makes public history fun and engaging, because it links past and present.

“In public history, we want to create a cultural memory, a collective memory, of what Canadians know and remember about their past. The challenge is when that collective memory comes to be contested. Sometimes people are open to that and see the value of a bigger story that doesn’t just celebrate who we are, but recognizes there are aspects of the past that are quite dark. We have a real opportunity to have these important conversations and to rethink our own stories.

“When we ask how the stories that we tell about ourselves shape us, and see our world from diff erent perspectives, then we can understand how to live in the positive and authentic ways that will enable humans to continue to fl ourish.” >>>

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whose story is our history?

gathering and sharing refugees’ stories

words of real people as they shared real stories of their experiences — students deepened their knowledge and gained more nuanced insights into what was happening at the time.

German-Canadian communities throughout Alberta are involved in the Refugee Stories project, which is supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada Alberta Synod, the Lutheran Church Alberta-BC Synod and the Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta. It is funded in part by Canadian Lutheran World Relief, the University of Winnipeg Chair in German-Canadian Studies and Ambrose. The project continues to invite immigrants to share their stories.

Public History @ Ambrose Visit publichistory.ambrose.edu to learn more about two innovative oral history research projects led by faculty and students in Ambrose University’s History program.

Placing Memory in High River’s Built Environment Life in the town of High River, Alta.

Refugee Stories: The Immigration and Resettlement of Germans in Western Canada The history of immigration to Canada

Photos courtesy Canadian Lutheran World Relief, Erhard Nickel

In 2016, as part of its commitment to enrich public history, Ambrose University launched an oral history research project to capture a lifechanging moment in Canada’s history that is fascinating, sobering and inspiring.

“Refugee Stories: The Immigration and Resettlement of Germans in Western Canada” is documenting the stories and memories of ethnic German refugees from Eastern European countries and Germany who came to Western Canada in the 15 years after the Second World War. Immigrants’ stories of leaving and arriving, coming to a new country where they had no status, and even what they ate and where they slept in the first few years in Canada, deepen the understanding of how relocation shaped lives and changed the face of Western Canada.

Lead investigator Dr. Kyle Jantzen and Dr. Ken Draper, both Professors of History, spearhead the project.

Jantzen is conducting personal interviews with immigrants and their family members, recording thoughts and feelings about coming to live in a new country.

Draper engages Ambrose Public History students, who also take part in the project, a rare opportunity for undergraduate students to experience the work of practicing historians.

The students have played a key role in reading the interview transcripts, identifying themes consistent across multiple interviews and exploring how best to present the stories to the public.

One major theme to emerge, for example, was how women had a heightened role in keeping their families together and managing the transition to a new country. With many husbands and fathers, the traditional family leaders, in camps, missing or dead, this great responsibility fell to mothers and wives.

In their classes, students reviewed the academic literature and learned about the bitter story of dislocation and resettlement. Immigrants who shared their stories, by contrast, may not have had this wider perspective of what was happening at the time.

Bringing the literature and the stories together — listening to the

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FRIENDS ON THE JOURNEY FRIENDS OF AMBROSE

A HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE TO ISRAEL, PALESTINE AND JORDAN May 7-21, 2020

Friends of Ambrose are invited to take part in an immersive and inspiring guided tour: A Holy Land Pilgrimage to Israel, Palestine and Jordan, May 7–21, 2020.

President Gordon T. Smith, Campus Chaplain Terry Fach and intrepid explorer Bronwyn Spilsbury will guide travellers on a journey rich in history and insight. A portion of the trip fee will go towards supporting Ambrose University’s commitment to facilitate transformational change in the lives of students, the community and society (receipt provided).

Learn more at ambrose.edu/holyland

anthem magazine • spring 2019

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Hea rt ofService

Severed Internet cables and power outages were just part of the adventure for Kristi Hopf, who worked on her degree overseas and in Canada while following her calling to serve in Niger

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Photo courtesy Kristi Hopf

S

tudying overseas always has its hiccups, but few are quite like the one experienced by Kristi Hopf (Master of Arts in Intercultural Ministries ’18). “My best excuse for missing a due date was when a ship off the coast dropped its anchor onto the Internet cable feeding the country,” she says.

“I lost the Internet and wasn’t able to submit my paper, but Dr. Charles Cook was understanding and didn’t deduct any marks.”

Hopf was in Niger, West Africa, at the time, living with the Fulani people and working on her Ambrose Seminary studies at a distance, an endeavour that took the better part of 12 years.

Today, the International Worker with The Christian & Missionary Alliance follows her heart to serve and minister to people who are stuck in poverty and least reached. With Niger ranking 187th on the UN Human Poverty Index in 2016, the need is great.

“In the development side of my ministry, I work to help the local people build sustainable systems and ways of living that will improve their quality of life, by reducing poverty and disease and helping fi nd economic opportunities for the future,” she says.

Her work has been aided greatly by what Hopf learned at Ambrose. She completed courses online and also returned to Canada every fi ve years to join with others in a supportive on-campus community that enriched her learning and her life.

“The courses allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of my surroundings and to adapt what I was learning to my work,” she says. “At the same time, I felt loved and cared for at all times.”

Hopf learned how to eff ectively adapt her approach and theological teachings to reach diff erent cultures and how to walk beside people in their physical needs and meet them where they are spiritually.

anthem magazine • spring 2019

The courses allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of my surroundings and to adapt what I was learning to my work. At the same time, I felt loved and cared for at all times.

“I was better able to grapple with a theology of suff ering, poverty and development aid,” she explains, “which was helpful as I learned how to live and respond in a world where I see need all around me and suff er at times with compassion fatigue.”

Other courses were invaluable in helping Hopf understand her own culture and heritage, the culture of the people to whom she ministers, and how the two intersect in ministry and sharing the Gospel.

Helping the Fulani villagers “understand the urgency of change” or “catch the vision” (both key lessons from Ambrose courses) is integral to Hopf’s work. “The villagers themselves have asked for help in agricultural practices and health lessons, yet they are tied in their religion to a fatalistic view that they cannot change their path. It is only the will of God that determines the outcome of their path, and they are further chained in a spirit of poverty that hinders them from taking risks.

“I am developing ways to discuss change with the elders of the community, to learn about their view of change and vision and to help them sense the urgency of change in what they desire for their lives.

“As I continue in ministry and ever-deepening relationships with the Fulani, the process of learning about faith, ministry and culture will never cease. That which I learn through development work about culture, worldviews and sensing an urgency of change … this becomes an integral part of sharing the truth as I continue to tell stories of Jesus and the power He has to change their lives.” p

THE PAPER CHASE A severed Internet cable wasn’t Kristi Hopf’s only challenge when trying to get the paper mentioned in this Anthem story to her professor.

“It was in hot season and I lost power for two weeks as well during the writing of this paper,” she says.

“I had, on average, sporadic 1–2 hour bursts throughout the day.

“I calculated that I did 13 hours of research/study by flashlight and spent nine hours in restaurants with a generator to work, drinking about 11 milkshakes and eating multiple meals and copious amounts of fries to ‘earn’ an ongoing table throughout the day.

“I also waited six weeks for a book to be delivered from the United States for research. I had it mailed from Amazon U.S. to a friend’s mom who flat boxed it to Niger!”

Kristi Hopf teaches a group of women about preventing malaria.

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Smooth sailing on digital marketing seas

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o

n graduation day, many people are thinking about taking a short break or going on a holiday to celebrate the end of classes. Chantelle Little (Bachelor of Business Administration ’10) was thinking about hiring her first employee. Today, the founder and CEO of Tiller Digital has a business partner, a full-time staff of 12 and a team of independent contractors that can push the total complement to 20 on any given assignment.

The aptly named agency works in the rapidly evolving world of digital marketing, helping companies in myriad industries, including large global brands — among them, Royal Dutch Shell, Directive Consulting, MyStrengthBook and a host of others whose names are kept in confidence — successfully navigate what can be rough and perilous digital marketing seas: developing brand strategies, marketing websites and web apps.

The intertwined services encompass everything from positioning and visual identity, to enhancing websites to better qualify leads or close sales, to creating custom apps to support online business needs. Every project is tailored to meet the client’s distinct needs.

“I love to create,” Little says. “Even now that I have an established business, what gets me out of bed is the excitement of creating something new … growing … changing ... learning … and working with my team. It’s very motivating.”

Little hadn’t originally planned on starting her own business, but a summer job with a small company sowed the seeds of possibility. “I loved the small entrepreneurial environment and realized that what I was doing could be done for lots of businesses,” she explains.

So much is changing.

You need to have an appetite to learn in any industry, and especially in ours. I’m excited to see what’s on the frontier.

An admittedly quick learner who isn’t shy about taking on big challenges or a heavy workload, she decided to pursue the idea while still a full-time student. She even used money received from scholarships to offset start-up costs. What Little learned in class dovetailed with what she needed to do to establish her new business. She was guided by “incredible professors” with entrepreneurial experience, classmates who offered different perspectives and, in a self-directed study course, was able to research digital marketing and advertising. In her Entrepreneurship and New Ventures course, she developed her business plan, which was pitched, Dragon’s Den style, to a panel that provided feedback.

“There was a lot of evening and weekend work,” Little says with a laugh, “but running a business while you’re in school is great. You have a real-life playground and get to try things out, before you have a family or a mortgage. But even so, in school, you learn the business fundamentals and you get a grade. The real-life need to make sure money is going into the bank is a whole other level of learning. I’m always aware of how much I don’t know, and seek advice and learning.”

After 11 years in business, and steadily building momentum, Tiller Digital is now embarking on a bold new adventure, moving to a significantly larger location in southwest Calgary and launching its first marketing initiative to grow the business and take it in new directions.

“We’re launching a major campaign to reach some aggressive growth goals over the next couple of years,” Little says. “So far, we’ve largely built on word of mouth, but now it’s time to rebrand ourselves, build a sales team and reach out to new markets, including entering the U.S., so we can be a bit more of a global player.

In doing so, Little will be tapping into her own resources to steer Tiller Digital towards new horizons. “So much is changing,” Little says. “You need to have an appetite to learn in any industry, and especially in ours.

“I’m excited to see what’s on the frontier.” p Learn more about the Tiller Digital story at tillerdigital.com

anthem magazine • spring 2019

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joinus!

Here are just some of the many events happening at Ambrose University in coming months.

Visit ambrose.edu/events for a complete listing and all the details.

comingevents Notable Camps Drum Set Camp August 12–16, 2019 Calgary’s premier drum event, offering intensive, amazing and fun drum instruction from world-class drummers. Master classes focus on big band chart reading, jazz combo, funk, stick and pedal techniques, Cuban and Brazilian rhythms and improvisation.

John Riley

> Registration $300 until June 28, $375 after

All events take place at Ambrose University, unless otherwise noted.

Jon May

Jon M

ay

Tyler Hornby

Jazz Camp August 19–23, 2019

music

A week of daily master classes, combo sessions, workshops and jam sessions with Ambrose Jazz instructors. Daily concerts by the faculty included. Final concert on Aug. 23 will feature all combos and participants. > Registration $300 until July 5, $375 after

jazzcamp

*

* For details, visit ambrose.edu events and search by date, or email music@ambrose.edu

Landscapes: Beyond Sight The Gallery @ Ambrose Current Exhibition

Jill Weston is a floral, animal and landscape watercolour artist based in Calgary, Alta. Weston describes painting as food for the soul; simultaneously therapeutic and challenging. Drawing inspiration from her garden and the surrounding Alberta landscapes, Weston hopes to nurture feelings of joy and tranquility with her work. > Ambrose Gallery; 2nd floor, main building For more information about the artist and the exhibition, visit ambrose.edu/gallery

Good Business

Soul of the Next Economy November 14–15, 2019 Where business, the non-profit sector, government and educational institutions meet to change the way business is done — for the benefit of all. Hosted

by Ambrose University, Vibrant Communities Calgary, the Alberta SDG Network, REAP and Thrive.

Super early bird pricing, $99/person, in effect now > For details and to register, go to soulofthenexteconomyforum.com

Important Fall Semester Dates New Student Orientation September 1–3, 2019 Residence opens September 1, 2019 First day of classes September 4, 2019 Last day of classes December 11, 2019

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GREATER TOGETHER D.L. Deeks Insurance and Ambrose University form a winning partnership.

Bernie Van De Walle, a historical theologian and Mark Buchanan, a pastoral theologian, riff and banter about faith and life as they interview a colourful cast of thinkers and doers on what they’re, well ... thinking and doing, and why it matters.

ambrose.edu/podcasts

AMBROSE SEMINARY

...A SEMINARY THAT FITS YOUR LIFE Can’t make it to campus?

Register for our live-stream or online seminary courses and keep on track for a certificate, diploma or master’s. ambrose.edu/seminary

anthem magazine • spring 2019

LIVE-STREAM ED 621 Teaching Children for Faith Formation ED 641 Strategies of Youth Ministry NT 606 Romans PT 501 Personal Formation and Development

ONLINE MI 501 Personal and Corporate Outreach PR 501 Between Two Worlds: Scripture for Preaching and Teaching

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family&friends

Ambrose University is blessed to be part of a large, growing and vibrant community.

Meet some of the many people within it — and share your own news with others by visiting ambrose.edu or emailing anthem@ambrose.edu.

Stay in TOUCH! facebook.com/AmbroseAlumni youtube.com/ambroseuniversity @ambrose_uni @ambrose_uni

An engaging Bible School story Norm Morris attended CBI in 1954, a new Christian who was just getting to know the Bible and discovering God’s promises for the first time in his life. It is where he received the formal training for future pastoral ministry — and where he met his wife, Shirley. Norm recently shared an “engaging” story. Following are a few highlights (edited for length) from his note.

“Dating was not only limited by a heavy study routine but also by the rules of the Bible School, so I didn’t get serious about Shirley until I was into my third and fourth year. There was a bearing about her in every situation that caught my attention. I felt certain that she loved the Lord and was committed to Him, and desired with all her heart to serve Him. “After overcoming my fears of rejection, I got up the courage to ask her to skate with me at the arena. We went to a restaurant with classmates, Al and Shirley Rempel, were asked to babysit at the home of Prof. Murray and Edna Downey and another Christian couple, and finally we were invited for an evening meal and fellowship at the home of President George M. and Mrs. Blackett. You will note I didn’t take her to the symphony for an evening. I had no money for that!

“Engagement was not permissible until after graduation was over. While on a date, I playfully tried her signet ring on my rather large fingers.

She had no clue what I was up to, but a few days later I visited a jeweller, and found a ring of the proper size (in my price range). After graduation exercises at the Dark Hall were over, on the return trip to the Bible School, I took the engagement ring from my pocket and reached over for Shirley’s left hand, then slipped the diamond ring on her ring finger. We began then to make plans for our wedding.”

Feeling Right at Home The 10th anniversary of Ambrose’s campus “home” was celebrated on May 4, 2019, replete with campus tours, lunch and a concert featuring award-winning musician — and Ambrose alumnus — Keith Kitchen (Bachelor of Theology – Theology/ Biblical Studies ’00). The event was a prime opportunity to see how the campus has matured over the past decade, and to connect with classmates and faculty from Ambrose and its founding schools.

Alumni and Friends For more information regarding upcoming Alumni events visit https://ambrose.edu/alumni

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ambrose university

Ian Charter (Associate Professor of Music) is retiring from Ambrose University in 2019. Ian began his teaching career at Prairie Bible College in Three Hills, Alta., moving later to Canadian Bible College in Regina. He was among the first faculty members when Ambrose University was established, and taught conducting, music theory and composition in the Bachelor of Arts (Music) and Bachelor of Music programs. He also directed the 40-voice Ambrose College Singers.

Ed Kirk (CBC, CTS ’88) officially retired from pastoring Luseland Alliance Church, Sask., in 2013, following 23 years of pastoral ministry. After suffering two strokes that greatly affected his health, Ed entered a permanent long-term care facility in Kindersley in January 2018.

Dan Degaris (CBC ’82) and his wife, Joy, transitioned out of pastoral ministry a number of years ago. Dan is the Ontario Team Lead with FamilyLife Canada, overseeing a team of 17 to offer help and hope to marriages and families.

Last year, ministry took the couple to Chatham, Ottawa and Big Trout Lake, Ont. Dan also took on the role of parttime transitional pastor with Freedom in Christ Church, a wonderful Filipino church in Mississauga, and he has been pulpit supplying at the Carmel Mandarin Alliance Church.

Dr. Bill McAlpine (Professor of Practical Theology) is retiring from Ambrose University, after serving students for more than 25 years. He shared his retiral/transition message with colleagues and friends at Ambrose Chapel on April 2, 2019. The video can be viewed on Ambrose’s Facebook page at facebook. com/ambroseuniversity. Bill blogs for the Flourishing Congregations Institute at flourishingcongregations. org. “I can honestly think of no other ministry and/or place I would rather find myself in than my role at Ambrose,” he says.

Al Fedorak (CTS ’99) is retiring from his responsibility as District Superintendent of the Canadian Midwest District, Christian and Missionary Alliance. At Anthem’s press time, he was not sure where he would be transitioning. A celebration for Al and his wife was held at the CMD Conference, June 10–12.

John Healey (CBC ’79, CTS ’83) retired in May after 12 years as District Superintendent of the C&MA’s Eastern Canadian District. John has been a great encourager and supporter of POWER Teams since its inception, and is transitioning to Calgary in 2019.

anthem magazine • spring 2019

Liz (Jantzen) (BA – English ’14) and Jason Klammer (BA – Behavioural Science ’14) welcomed daughter Lily Grace to the family on January 25, 2019. Liz works for Inclusion Alberta at Ambrose.

Sheena (Nixon) and Brandon Murray welcomed son Atlas Nixon Murray to their family on February 26, 2019. Sheena is the Aramark Operations Manager at Ambrose.

Don (CBC ’66) and Chris (CBC ’59) Olsen have packed their bags and moved from Vancouver Island to Cambridge, Ont.

Don Quantz (Professor of Music) retired from Ambrose University in 2018, and is now Professor Emeritus.

Don’s many years leading students and choirs including more than 20 international tours to places including Europe and Costa Rica. He founded the Ambrose Chamber Orchestra in 2005 and led the Ambrose Community Singers.

Chris (BA – Behavioural Science ’14) and Megan (Rutledge) Silver (BA – Behavioural Science ’11) welcomed their second child, daughter Gabriella Margarita Silver, to the family on January 25, 2019. Megan works in Enrolment at Ambrose.

Gordon and Ruth Stock (CBC ’79) are following Jesus’ voice into the next stage of their lives, knowing that in retirement God continues to have a plan and purpose for their lives. The couple has served in a variety of settings and vocational capacities, including education (Gordon) and nursing (Ruth). They lived for many years in Fort St. John, B.C., and Brandon, Man., led numerous overseas mission trips, and currently reside in Chilliwack, B.C. They continue to serve in their local Yarrow Alliance Church and with the homeless of their community.

Jim Williams (CBC ’71) married Marlene Wuest (CBC) in 1969, and the couple moved to Belleville, Ont., where Jim worked as an area Youth for Christ Director. Since then, he has worked as a carpenter and cabinet maker and, for 13 years, with young offenders in the correctional system. Jim is now retired and Marlene continues to work cleaning homes and helping the elderly. The couple has four children and 12 grandchildren.

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Farewell to a great friend of the Library Joyce Froehler helped write the first chapter of the Ambrose Library.

It was long and tedious work to insert magnetic security strips, one book at a time, into the more than 50,000 volumes Canadian Bible College/Canadian Theological Seminary contributed to those held

by Nazarene University College.

What started in 2003 grew into 15 years of volunteering for the Library, and expanding further to support the Ambrose Archives (where Joyce’s comprehensive knowledge of The Christian & Missionary Alliance in Canada enabled her to identify the people in scores of photographs who otherwise would have remained unknown) and the Music Department (where she maintained the choral score library for several years).

Over recent years, Joyce volunteered in the Library every Friday morning, where she helped label journals for students’ use. She loved interacting with students, reading articles on subjects both devotional and controversial, and having the opportunity for coffee and conversation with Library staff. Spending time with Joyce was always uplifting. Her conversation overflowed with gratitude and joy (not surprisingly, “joy” was her computer password).

Joyce passed away on Dec. 8, 2018, at the age of 89. She may have left us, but her fingerprints are all over Ambrose.

Do you have a fond or fun memory from your student, teaching or work days?

Share it with Family & Friends in Anthem!

Send a note, a few bullet points or a thought or two (and a photo, if you have one) to anthem@ambrose.edu to be included in an upcoming issue.

Passing into the presence of Jesus Prayers and condolences are extended to friends and family who have passed away. Please submit your memorial announcements at ambrose.edu/ anthem.

Earl Swanson (CBC ’49) passed away on March 2, 2019.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Edna (Sawatsky) Swanson, whom he met while both were students at CBC. Earl was an ordained minister and served with the Christian and Missionary Alliance as a pastor and youth director in Western Canada and Ohio from 1949–61. He moved on to become the Canadian President of Scripture Press Publications from 1961–90. The couple moved to Brantford, Ont., in 1989.

David Tjart (WCBI ’55) passed away in Edmonton on April 12, 2019. He was predeceased by his wife, Dagmar (Westcott) Tjart. After meeting at WCBI, the couple married in Lethbridge and moved to Sudbury where they planted a church and started a family. They subsequently moved to Edmonton, where David served at Beulah Alliance Church and also was the founding pastor of Southgate Alliance. He also spent more than 20 years as a teacher and guidance counsellor.

David’s eldest daughter, Carol Petkau, works in Advancement at Ambrose University.

You’ll help grow the Ambrose community and inspire others to do the same!

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lookingforward

By using the powerful tool of business to bring healing to broken communities, to be honest and open with consumers about products, and to give individuals reasonable choices to goods and services, we serve the Lord.

The PURPOSE of BUSINESS

by Alexandria Friesen

In his book Why Business Matters to God, Jeff Van Duzer makes the point that the purpose of business in society, particularly businesses run by Christians in society, is to promote human flourishing. This book has played an instrumental role in my academic journey at Ambrose University.

In the first semester of my degree, the Introduction to Business class read this text to set the tone for what a Business degree from Ambrose would look like. I and many of my classmates came into that class having heard the age-old advice to keep “church and state” separate. The first step toward success in my discipline, one that would not have happened if not for my education at Ambrose, was to shatter this belief and to create a new definition about the real purpose of business.

In my final semester at Ambrose, we reread this text, and I was very aware of how my perceptions of business and its purpose had changed for the better.

We live in the period of time Van Duzer calls the “messy middle” — the time between the two comings of Christ. Christians are called to engage in redemptive and restorative work during this time, to not only exemplify Christ in all that we do, but to also bring to life a piece of the picture that God had intended for humanity.

This is where creating flourishing communities comes into play.

Alexandria Friesen was the Valedictorian for Ambrose University’s Bachelor of Business Administration 2019 graduating class. The Accounting major served as Vice-President, Finance, on the Ambrose Student Council and the Business Society, and was also a peer tutor for Business courses. She joins MNP (Meyers Norris Penny) in September and plans to pursue her CPA. Read the inspiring words she shared with peers, parents and the wider University community at Commencement on Ambrose’s YouTube channel.

By using the powerful tool of business to bring healing to broken communities, to be honest and open with consumers about products, and to give individuals reasonable choices to goods and services, we serve the Lord.

There will always be those in the business world who are willing to cut corners for the sake of their profit margins. These people have forgotten that the purpose of business is to provide those who are without with something they need.

There will always be companies which donate or give back to their communities only to improve their public reputation. These companies have lost touch with the individuals they were originally trying to serve.

In almost every class I took at Ambrose, there were opportunities for me and others to develop into the godly business people that we were created to be.

My educational journey at Ambrose was one where I could ask difficult questions and where I was provided with the resources to answer those questions in a way that was educated and aware.

Going into my future career, I will constantly be reminded that I am working for God to serve others. This mindset is one that was developed as a key part of my education at Ambrose.

The impact that graduates from Ambrose — from Business and all disciplines — can have in our city, country and world is astounding. I cannot imagine being better equipped to head into the heart of downtown Calgary to be a light for Christ in the business world. p

anthem magazine • spring 2019

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Come visit and experience the university for yourself. Sit in on a class. Meet the faculty. Walk around the campus. Learn more about programs, admissions, financial aid and the remarkable places an Ambrose education can take you.

Coming in from out of town?

With an Ambrose University travel bursary, your visit could be on us.

AIM HIGHER. For a university education with a higher purpose, choose Ambrose.

ambrose.edu 403-410-2900

RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: 150 - Ambrose Circle SW Calgary, Alberta T3H 0L5 Ambrose University Advancement@ambrose.edu Publications Mail

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