Beacon Family Newsletter - Spring 2020

BEACON FAMILY NEWSLETTER

Spring 2020 (1st Ed.) What’s in a Name?

1 Student Mental Health 2-3 Off- Campus Study Abroad 4-5 Commuter Programming 6 Spring Start 6 Spanish 7 Fall ACE Day Recap 8-9 Athletics Update 10-11 More Info & Links 12

What’s in a Name?

By: Pat Walsh, sr. dir. of marketing and communications

Since it was founded in 1895, Northwest Christian University has had several names including Eugene Divinity School, Eugene Bible University, Eugene Bible College, and Northwest Christian College.

With each name change the University deepened its commitment to providing a Christ-centered education to its students under a name that accurately reflected its academic offerings and standing in the community, region, and the world.

Following the significant expansion of academic programs for undergraduate, adult and on-line, and graduate students over the past decade, and after prayerful discernment, the Board of Trustees determined a new name would better reflect the University today while strongly maintaining its mission of Wisdom, Faith, and Service.

Bushnell University reflects who we are today and aspire to be tomorrow by also eliminating confusion with our athletic conference rival Northwest University, our neighbor Northwest Community Credit Union, Northwest Christian High School, and others.

We believe Bushnell University will open the door for more students in the region and globally to come to campus for a Christ-centered university education that will prepare them to hear God’s call for their lives.

It is important to remember that while our University name will change, its commitment to Christian higher education, mission and vision, school colors, academic accreditation, mission trips, and other University traditions and activities does not. We are Beacons for Life!

On July 1, 2020, the University will officially become known as Bushnell University. Bushnell is the last name of our University’s founding chairman of the board of trustees. Our namesake, James A. Bushnell, travelled the Oregon Trail to find a better life for his family. Along the way, he endured tragedy with an unwavering Faith in the Lord and built a life that included founding Lane County’s first bank, chamber of commerce, performing arts center, and grain co-op as well as helping plant three churches in the area that continue to offer Sunday services to this day.

The University’s name will officially change July 1, a community celebration is planned for June 4, and we will have an NCU to Bushnell pep rally the week before spring break with a surprise gift for each student.

Bushnell represents a deep Faith in Christ, preparation, perseverance, resilience, innovation, and spirit that all Beacons share in common on campus, in the community, at home and on the job.

More information can be found at nwcu.edu/bushnell.

We are excited and confident in Bushnell University.

We are proud of the rich heritage foraged by our faculty, staff, students, and friends as Northwest Christian University, Northwest Christian College, Eugene Bible College, Eugene Bible University and Eugene Divinity School.

Beacons for Life!

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student mental health challenges By: Mindi Barta, MA, clinic manager/internship coordinator and Ryan Melton, Ph.D., asst. dean for CMHC

Mental health challenges faced by students can range from situational stress due to academic, environmental, and/or personal factors to more severe impairments including severe anxiety, depression, substance use, psychosis, suicidal ideation, or even completion of suicide. While college students may present with a variety of these challenges, the need for services for depression and anxiety comprise the majority of collegiate mental health services and needs for these services have been in an upward trend in the last five years (The Center for Collegiate Mental Health, 2017).

The Healthy Minds Study (2007-2018), an annual survey that has been fielded at over 180 colleges and universities, with over 200,000 total survey respondents, also documents similar trends (see graph and statistics on the next page).

Nationwide, reports indicate that students are entering college with identified mental health concerns at increasing rates (The Center for Collegiate Mental Health, 2017). Although mental health and substance abuse is a national epidemic, some evidence suggests Oregon residents may be more heavily impacted compared to other states.

National %

Oregon %

depression or mood disorder

23

27

anxiety disorder

24

25

psychosis

0

1

substance abuse disorder

2

2

in the past 12 months experienced suicidal ideation

11

13

in the last 12 months attempted suicide

1

1

Students reported the following:

Being diagnosed with:

Parents, you still have an important role to play while your student navigates college. Staying connected through phone calls, text, video calls, visits, or care packages are great ways to support your student (even if they don’t express it). By continuing to engage in relationship with your student it helps them feel supported and less alone. Be curious. Listen to your child, help them feel heard by summarizing what they share and reflecting their feelings. Ask open ended questions that typically begin with how, could, what, or would. Try to stay away from “why” questions as they tend to put students on the spot where they may feel defensive. Remember the present moment is a new experience for both of you and you both have the opportunity to learn and grow.

If your student is experiencing increased anxiety or depression, you can act as a referral source for your student. Have your student call the clinic at 541.349.7471 to set up an appointment. This act demonstrates you are interested in your student’s challenges and empowers your student to advocate for themselves. Although the clinic will not be able to share information with you about the client without a release of information, you can call and give the clinic information about your student. You may also call the clinic to ask for additional referrals in the greater Eugene area.

For additional tips and resources visit the University of Michigan’s support your college student website. https://parents.umich.edu/page/supporting-yourcollege-student

Given these challenges faced by college students, Northwest Christian University Clinical Mental Health Program is committed to ameliorating these challenges.

We provide counseling, triage and support services at our campus clinic. Advanced clinical students trained in treating a wide range of challenges, including those listed in this article staff the clinic. Our clinic is private, supervised by licensed mental health professions and is free for NCU students. The clinic hours are 8am to 8pm Monday through Friday. To make an appointment please call 541.349.7471.

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Mindi Barta, MA

Ryan Melton, Ph.D

STATISTICS ON MENTAL HEALTH Epidemiological studies estimate that between 12-50% of college students meet criteria for a mental health disorder.

(Blanco et al., 2008; Hunt & Eisenberg, 2010; Verger et al., 2010)

More than 75% of indiviauls report experiencing mental helath challenges before the age of 24.

In a national sample, suicide is the second leading cause of death for college students.

(National Alliance on Mental Illness)

(Turner, Leno, & Keller, 2013; ACHA, 2016)

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off campus study programs By: Lauren Riley, M.S., academic advisor & off-campus study programs coordinator

Studying abroad is an excellent way for students to gain international skills and set themselves apart when applying for jobs. Northwest Christian University has several options for students to take advantage of through the Off Campus Study Programs; they can go abroad for a semester, join a faculty led program in the summer, or participate in an exchange program. When studying abroad, students are able to gain valuable skills such as critical thinking/ problem solving, teamwork/collaboration, and global/ intercultural fluency. The first two are among the 7 core competencies employers value in employees, according to NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers).

Study Abroad in Cusco, Peru

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The most common concern parents and guardians have related to study abroad is the issue of safety.

Every student who studies abroad is required to have international medical insurance. In addition, all students are required to take a 1 credit study abroad course where we cover preparation topics such as Health and Safety, Financial Matters, Culture, and much more. For students that go through a 3rd party or exchange program, there are qualified representatives in country that can assist students in the event of an emergency.

The study abroad experience that is most beneficial for students to gain the NACE competencies is spending a whole semester in another country. Students are able to fully immerse themselves in a new culture and many experience culture shock. This process results in creating new neural pathways in their brain so that when they return to the US and are presented with situations that challenge their problem solving skills, they are more adept to succeed. Many students are

Study Abroad in Rome, Italy

hesitant to go abroad for a whole semester due to cost or concerns of graduating on time. There are many program locations that cost the same or less than a semester at NCU. There are also many scholarships available to students to reduce financial barriers. As the Off Campus Study Programs Coordinator, I meet with every student wanting to study abroad and help them find a program that will best meet their needs.

There are other options for students wanting to study abroad, one of which is our faculty program. Every summer NCU faculty organize and lead 3-5 week study abroad programs for our students. Many students choose this program due to the familiarity of going with NCU faculty and students. Since over half of our students are athletes, this also offers a way for them to gain international exposure and not miss out on a semester at NCU. If students receive a Pell Grant, they are eligible for aid in the summer that cannot be used in the fall or spring. Some prime locations we’ve offered/will offer are: England/Ireland, France, Greece/ Turkey, Israel, Italy, and Mexico.

with 2 international institutions. Dankook University in South Korea is our longest running program.

Students from our partner institutions come to NCU for a semester, enriching the culture on our own campus. Though our students can go to Dankook for a semester, most take advantage of their 7 week summer program. NCU students start by teaching English to college students and then take 2 classes of their own.

No previous teaching experience is necessary and they receive a stipend for completing this responsibility.

Studying abroad is a valuable experience for every college student. It is much more than just having a great travel experience; it can produce significant returns on their investment in students’ academic, personal, and professional life.

For more information on NCU’s Off Campus Study Programs, visit: nwcu.edu/academics/off-campusstudy-programs/

The last option for study abroad is NCU’s Exchange Program. We currently have an exchange agreement

Study Abroad in Spain

Study Abroad in India

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commuter programming By: Kylie Hecker, student programs commuter programming coordinator

NCU’s undergraduate population includes thirty-eight percent of students who live off campus in Eugene or neighboring towns. The university is dedicated to provide support to the entire student body, and this year, an effort to host specific programming events for commuters was emphasized. Our commuter programming team has taken off. Last semester, the team hosted monthly events for the commuters, including donuts and discussions, pizza feed, and a thankfulness tree activity. A favorite so far, was the commuter trick-ortreat event in October. Commuter students picked up a “passport” card and went to different campus locations listed on the card in order to get a stamp (and candy, of course). Completed passports earned them an entrance to a drawing where the winner received a basket full of Beacon gear.

commuter students and their families. Realizing that a lot of our commuter students have families of their own, we want to provide events where they can bring their family along for a Beacon experience. We are hosting a Dairy Queen run after a basketball game, and when the weather is nicer at the end of the semester, we will invite commuter students and their families to Camp Putt for a free round of mini golf!

We are continuing to expand our commuter population and we hope that these efforts will help reiterate the message that they are a valuable member of our Beacon community. Of course, our commuters are invited to participate in ALL other events on campus and we hope that these special commuter events will encourage them to continue to immerse themselves in Beacon Life.

For spring semester, programming will be focused on

spring start

By: Megan Temple, admissions counselor

As an Admissions Counselor, we get the unique opportunity of connecting and working with students from all backgrounds and experiences. We get to welcome and cheer students on as they begin their NCU careers both in the fall and in the spring. We just had this opportunity once again as we welcomed our spring start students to campus at the beginning of January. These students are coming to us from near and far. From places like Romania, Alaska, China, and all over the Northwest, these students bring fresh perspectives to our campus. These fourteen new Beacons are hardworking, creative, determined, and fun. They are pursuing careers in fields such as youth ministry, counseling, music, biology, and much more.

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Each new group of students takes on a life of its own during the recruitment process. This particular group

has shown a passion for others. They are focused on not only achieving their own personal goals, but they also long to help others do the same. I got to sit down with several of them throughout the admissions process and hear about their heart for their ministry, no matter what job title they will have. These students come to us with backgrounds in mission trips, camp counseling, college basketball, volunteering with high school students, been RA’s, and served our country, and some have even spent time on the Dean’s List at their various schools. These students are passionate about people and how they can best serve them, making them an awesome addition to our campus community.

An overarching theme among these students was their desire to be challenged, both to grow in their faith and also to grow academically. Like all of our NCU students, this group was looking for an education that would prepare them to pursue not just a career but also a calling. I am so excited for our community to spend time learning about, and from this fun group of students!

Welcome to NCU spring students! Go Beacs!

program highlight: spanish By: Jenee Casarez, M.A., instructor of spanish and ESOL

Imagine graduating with a degree that provides you with the skills to speak with over 400 million people in a language other than English. Now, imagine in what ways you could use those skills. Our students majoring and minoring in Spanish are doing just that.

They come from a variety of backgrounds and plan to work in many different fields, but they each have something in common. They want to use Spanish in their everyday life to serve others and build relationships.

As I tell my students, Spanish isn’t a career. You can’t look up the job title “Spanish” in the employment opportunities section because it’s not a profession.

But you can use Spanish in any profession, which our students are actively demonstrating. Our program has students who are planning on working in teaching, ministry, business, psychology and medicine among others. Spanish complements all of these areas. Being bilingual not only makes them more marketable, but it helps them to reach a greater amount of people.

At Northwest Christian University, we strive to create global citizens. The Spanish major gives students the opportunity to learn not only another language but another culture as well. Many of our students are completing study abroad programs in Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica and Spain, and others are using their

Spanish in mission trips to Mexico and Puerto Rico. It brings me great joy and satisfaction to see them using their talents and the skills that they are learning in the classroom to help others and to communicate God’s love in Spanish.

This program was built with the students in mind and their current needs of learning a second language.

Students usually begin in first- or second- year Spanish where they learn and expand their knowledge of grammar and increase their vocabulary. They continue to the upper division classes focusing on various skills including conversation, composition, culture, Spanish cinema, advanced vocabulary and translating and interpreting. Finally, they combine all these to volunteer in a Spanish-speaking setting here in Lane County. Throughout the program, students gain the confidence to speak in Spanish with others, become more culturally sensitive, and they apply what they learn to real life situations. In the past, our students have translated documents for local church mission trips, worked at local agencies, aided in bilingual classrooms and helped teach English as a Second Language to Spanish speakers.

As I watch the students in this program, I am reminded of my own experience as a second language learner.

I see their excitement, their frustrations and their curiosity as they learn Spanish, and just as God has used Spanish in my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined, I know He is doing the same in their lives. I can’t wait to see where they go!

Spring Semester highlights March 2-6

Mental Health Awareness Week

March 23-27 Spring Break April 1 April 6 April 30

Undergraduate Registration Begins (Jrs. & Srs.) Traditional Undergraduate Registration

May 4-8

Spring Semester Finals

May 7

Cutting of the Ivy

May 8

Baccalaurreate

May 9

Commencement

Honors Chapel

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Fall ace day

By: Dr. Doyle Srader, Ph.D., professor, speech & communication

On a typical Wednesday, 9 AM is a very busy hour in classrooms all across the NCU campus. That wasn’t the case last fall, on December 2; the only scheduled gathering of students at that hour happened in the Ross Evans Chapel, just upstairs from the library. Bradley Keller led a small group of students in worship, and Jesse Gerlach delivered a brief devotional, both aimed at thanking God for His good gift of the opportunity to study and learn. At 9:30, the assembled students prayed that God would move powerfully in the day’s events and accept them as returned glory for His provision.

After “Amen,” they fanned out to play their roles in a busy day.

Academic Creativity and Excellence Day is the semi-annual research colloquium founded in 2009 by Dr. Tim Bergquist, Professor Emeritus of Quantitative Business Methods. It happens every semester on Wednesday in the fifteenth week of the term, just before final exams. All daytime classes are canceled, and students, faculty and staff are encouraged to turn out in force to support the seniors, honors students, and returning study abroad voyagers who bring reports of what they’ve learned. President Womack sits in on presentations when his schedule permits, and for the first time this fall, faculty from neighboring campuses were invited to join the celebration.

At 10 AM, the NCU campus shook itself awake, and students began delivering talks about their capstones, term projects, honors contracts and study abroad experiences. Four Biology majors presented capstones that addressed topics ranging from nanotechnology to air pollution to spinal cord injuries. Thirty Business students pitched their creative product ideas in a marketing expo.

Eighteen Education majors delivered poster presentations about strategies for teaching and classroom management, which honed their skills and confidence for future professional development conferences. And Dr. Melisa Ortiz

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Berry presided over the inaugural Bushnell History Symposium, with presentations by senior History majors about exhibiting relics of ancient civilizations, as well as media representations of minority groups.

At noon, students, faculty and staff gathered in NCU’s largest classroom for Scholar Lunch. The diners fellowshipped over pizza, and listened to five minute talks by outstanding students hand-chosen by the lead faculty of programs from all across campus. Cameron Binaley spoke for the History major, Grayson Rose Carmack for Psychology, Tanner Dean for English, Miranda Gutierrez for Spanish, Brad Keller for Communication, and Joshua McCluskey for Biology.

Afternoon sessions showcased capstones by English and Math majors. Brad Keller, his vocal cords rested up from the morning worship service and lunchtime talk, took on Nick Rodriguez in the final round of the campus debating championship.

The topic was “Resolved, that NCU students get a better education than University of Oregon students.” Brad argued in favor of the topic, and Nick argued against it; after a closely-contested exchange, a poll of the audience gave Brad the crown.

By 3 PM, the last of the sessions was finished, and it was time to tear down the posters and change out of professional attire into comfortable study clothes. Students who had poured months of work into their projects could breathe a sigh of relief that they had brought their work into focus and delivered coherent conclusions, and now were free to change task and allot their time to preparing for final exams. But the same gratitude for God’s good gift of the opportunity to study and learn continued to permeate the campus; setting a day aside to pin down the swirl of thoughts into precise words and sentences is the perfect thing to make it clear just how precious His gift really is.

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athletic updates

By: Nick Askew, assistant athletic director for communications

Winter Update: The Beacons Basketball teams have hit the post season!

The men’s team earned the sixth-seed for the conference tournament. Picked to finish in sixth-place in the CCC, the women’s team won the Conference Championship by two full games, earning an automatic bid to nationals, and the No. 1 seed for the CCC tournament.

Spring Preview: Track & Field, Softball, and Spring Golf seasons are right around the corner!

The track & field team began their brief indoor season in January and will start the outdoor season on March 6th. The team will look to qualify a high number of athletes for the CCC championship in May. Leading the way will be senior Anika Rasubala, the reigning CCC and NAIA 3000m Steeplechase champion and the returning CCC Track & Field Athlete of the Year. The team features three returning All-CCC athletes from last year. Shawn Johnson and Nicolas Delgado earned the honor with a second-place finish in the 4x400m relay while Delgado and Joshua McCluskey were named for their third-place in the 4x100m relay.

The NCU softball team started the preseason in early February with an eight-game trip to California. The CCC schedule began on February 21 at home against Southern Oregon University. Leading the Beacons will be returning All-Conference pitcher Emma Jegtvig.

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The Beacons also have 13 newcomers on a dramatically different lineup as the team looks to be in contention to qualify for the CCC post-season for the first time.

The NCU golf teams, under the direction of new head coach Larry Watts, will start their spring season on March 7 at the Oregon Tech Spring Invitational. The teams are coming off a very successful fall campaign that included six tournaments.

For the men, the year began with a third-place finish at the Multnomah Invitational. They had three other top-three placements including a victory at the Sierra Nevada Invite. Senior Drew Schwarz holds a team-best 75.0 stroke average. He was also the Cascade Collegiate Conference golfer of the week on October 28. That week he shot a two-under 70 in the second round of the NCU Fall Invitational and took a fifth-place individual finish in the tournament. Freshman Seth King also earned a Player of the Week prize from the conference, after tying for second-place at the Sierra Nevada Invite.

On the women’s side, the Beacons had four top-four finishes in their five events, highlighted by a second-place finish at the Sierra Nevada Invitational. In that event, Kelsie Hellwege took sixth-place and earned CCC golfer of the week honors for her efforts. Hellwege had a remarkable fall season that included a new NCU single-round record, shooting a 1-over 73 in the second round of the British Columbia Invitational.

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More Info: (clickable links) Residence Life Dates - https://www.nwcu.edu/studentlife/residence/ ACE Day - http://aceday.nwcu.edu/ Spring Commencement - https://www.nwcu.edu/academics/graduation/ Athletic Schedules - https://gobeacons.com/calendar

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