BEACONS ONLINE: SPECIAL REPORT President’s Report Dr. Joe Womack, president of Northwest Christian University What is essential? That question has found a new answer for many of us. Like all of you, NCU has redefined our answer to that question over the past few weeks. Responding to the fluid instructions we have received from state and federal governments, we find ourselves in a strange reality attempting to fulfill our essential mission: Chasing after the wisdom of God, centered on faith in Jesus Christ, leading to lives of fruitful service.
» Our staff continues to engage students in a multitude of ways to maintain a sense of community through online outreach, social media, and live video. Close to fifty remaining resident students enjoy the ongoing care of campus staff, with respect for social distancing.
Questions abound in our world as the global community reacts to the coronavirus pandemic. Questions can bring anxiety and fear, even while they motivate us to find answers and gain perspective. The Apostle Paul struggled as we do. Along with persecution from others, Paul suffered a “thorn in the flesh” that led him to rely on Christ more and more. While Paul’s “thorn” was never taken away, he learned that the grace of God is sufficient and God’s power is made perfect in our weakness (II Corinthians chapter 12). We find His power at work when we surrender our fears to Him, even where we feel most vulnerable. This season invites us to learn this lesson together. As we struggle to ensure the essential efforts of our mission flourish amid uncertainty, we have dedicated ourselves to view this “thorn” as an opportunity to be Beacons – to be light in this world.
» Our leadership is wrestling with budget impacts amidst uncertain circumstances to maintain a strong forwardoriented fiscal plan.
Many are asking about the health of the University. We praise God that He led us into this crisis from a progressively fortified financial position resulting from several years of increasing enrollment and a nimble and talented team capable of the adjustments needed to remain effective. I am proud of our NCU community and the way our excellent faculty, dedicated staff, capable administration, and wonderful students have responded to business as everything but usual: » At the outset, our CIRT (Crisis Intervention Response Team) team began meeting daily to wrestle with how to keep our campus safe and inform our staff, students and their families about decisions related to the challenge and this team continues to meet as needed. » Over the past decade, we have honed and polished our online course development and delivery. Faculty that primarily teach traditional face-to-face courses quickly converted their classes to online delivery, so that every one of our students were in class, online a week before the start of spring break.
» Our IT staff has worked creatively and tirelessly to equip all but a few of our most ‘place-bound’ employees with the technology they need to work from home. In this way, we have continued to keep our employees employed, and we are committed to continue to do so.
What is essential right now is to ensure that our students continue to advance toward their degrees and that we continue to pursue the fulfillment of our mission. While much of higher education is experiencing drastic enrollment declines, I am pleased to report that we are, to date, not. However, we are hearing from students and families that they are experiencing significant financial challenges in a badly affected economy. Each year the University awards almost $6 million in total aid. That significant assistance includes close to $500,000 from endowed scholarships and almost $5 million in unfunded institutional grants and scholarships boosted every year by the generosity of our alumni and friends. That need will no doubt be much greater in the months and even years ahead. As we assess this growing need, we will reach out again to ask for help and partnership from those who are able. Until then, your prayers and friendship mean so much. Blessings,
Joseph D. Womack, Ed.D. President
Table of Contents President’s Report Crisis Incident Response Team Activated Teaching & Learning in the Digital Sphere Wisdom, Faith, Service Online Women’s Basketball - To Iowa and Back Name Transition On-Track
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crisis Incident REsponse Team Activated Pat Walsh, senior director of marketing and communications The Crisis Incident Response Team (CIRT) was formally activated in response to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus after Oregon Governor Kate Brown declared a state emergency on March 8, 2020. Led by Greg Brock, dean of students and director of residence life, CIRT is charged to gather information and then respond to and communicate with students, faculty, staff, and other members of the campus community about how the University will manage emergencies and crises, including the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. Team members monitor student, faculty, and staff needs, health agency information, government decisions, and information shared by higher education professional associations. The gathered information and directives are shared among team members so the CIRT can make recommendations to the Cabinet so timely decisions can be made for the health and safety of the campus community. “The CIRT members are the conduits between the various campus departments and constituencies whose information and voices must be considered in times of crisis,” Brock said.
“After carefully consideration, we make recommendations to leadership that are in the best interest of the students, faculty, staff, and the broader community.” The campus response to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus is communicated from the appropriate CIRT member to the campus and broader communities through email, video, social media, phone calls, mail, and the media. As information becomes available, individual academic and administrative offices are also following up with students, faculty, and staff about classes, housing, financial aid, and other campus needs and activities. Messages to the campus community can be found at www.nwcu.edu. “We have come together as the Christ-centered family that we are at NCU,” said NCU president Dr. Joseph D. Womack. “The CIRT, Cabinet, and the NCU staff and faculty are committed to keep this health crisis from interrupting the quality Christian educational experience that our students expect and deserve.”
Teaching & Learning in the Digital Sphere Cami Ogden, director of annual giving Over a single weekend in March, mid-semester, all face-toface university courses moved online. It was a tremendous accomplishment achieved by a nimble and willing faculty, positive and adaptable students, and a first-rate instructional technology department. With well-established online courses and practices already in place, our institution was positioned to make this move quickly and (relatively) pain-free. The transition of all academic courses online was less about the logistics and more about the potential loss of community. Luckily, Beacons know how to prioritize, so connectivity has not been lost because of physical distancing and online learning models. Academic excellence, a core value of our university, continues in all courses because of our collective resilience, creativity, and extensive use of online platforms. Faculty are meeting students where they already live digitally, from Instagram and Facebook to Slack and Microsoft Teams. Professors are innovative, students are embracing their efforts, and new skills are being aquired. For example, speech and communication professor Dr. Doyle Srader has his public speaking students webcast their presentations. This is new for his courses but a highly relevant skill for the workplace. In addition to the new, Dr. Srader has kept scraps of familiarity within his courses, keeping them at set times
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and studying for exams in the same way (Jeopardy-style) now via Zoom and a shared desktop. Dr. Melisa Ortiz Berry, Assistant Professor of History and World Christianity, not only prays with her students daily via Facebook Live, she also managed to transition a roleplaying game, Reacting to the Past, for her history students from an in-class experience to Flip Grid, an online tool. Though this change was a major challenge, Dr. Ortiz-Berry discussed options with other professors in the country and has adapted the game to be played both “synchronously” (live) and “asynchronously” (chat) to meet the various needs and schedules of her students. Dr. Ortiz-Berry says, “It has been bumpy, but it’s happening. Students are playing the game, learning, and more importantly—participating in community virtually.” Dr. Srader sums up the experience of this massive online transition poignantly, “Life doesn’t slow down just because we have to turn loose some of the amusements and conveniences we took for granted. God gives and God takes away, and blessed be His name.” Though we have lost the face-to-face classroom environment for a time, we have not lost our connection or commitment to academic excellence. NCU will endure these challenging and uncertain times by continuing to pursue knowledge and faith together, even while apart.
Wisdom, Faith, Service Online The events of Spring 2020 around the globe challenged NCU students, staff, faculty, administrators and coaches to think creatively about what it looks like to fulfill our mission in a new and unique ways. Here are a few examples of what it’s like to live as Beacons in a digital world. To learn more, follow the link at the end of each story.
Virtual Career Development: Navigating internships and post-graduation plans takes creativity in a digital age. Career appointments continue to be conducted virtually and students are completing internships remotely. Learning to leverage technology to collaborate and communicate digitally is a relevant and critical skill for Beacons to develop as they prepare to enter the evolving workforce. These unprecedented times provide an even richer training ground in which to nurture and encourage students. The process may look different than planned, but together students will emerge wiser, more resilient, and more creative. Learn more about career development moving online: news.nwcu.edu/career-development-goes-virtual
No Final Season: Celebrating Senior Athletes Spring athletes entering their final season of competition were hit hard by the cancellation of all spring sports. In lieu of a senior night, the NCU Department of Athletics staff and coaches are giving all their seniors a day to shine—online. Each graduating senior athlete in a spring sport is being highlighted on all Beacon Athletics social media sites with their very own digital “Senior Day”. Photos of key athletic moments, meaningful stories, and senior quotes are giving each of these athletes a moment to commemorate their achievements and the teams that have given them so much joy. Learn more about our senior athletes by visiting Northwest Christian University Beacons on Facebook and Instagram or visit gobeacons.com.
Campus Life: Coming Together While Living Apart Proximity, physical presence, and shared experiences are essential in community-building. How do you foster community within our student body when those students are scattered all over the nation and world? The student and residential life teams continue to serve both those students who have chosen to remain in their on-campus residence and those who have returned home. Resident Assistants are leading their peers by reaching out and providing empathy and support. Campus health and safety has been a priority and staff members have sought creative solutions to retain a measure of normalcy. Campus “events” have taken on new forms, including livestreamed talent shows, mini-concerts, and synchronized online movie nights. Learn more about campus life under COVID-19 restrictions: news.nwcu.edu/campus-life-covid-19-era.
Feeding the Soul: Spiritual Growth in Crisis Campus Ministry has worked hard to provide opportunities for online spiritual engagement for students in this unique season. Campus pastor Troy Dean began an online devotional series called “Daily Doses of Shalom” on Instagram, a continuation of this school year’s chapel theme of “Shalom.” A Virtual Prayer Wall, an online Maundy Thursday communion service, and other special devotional elements provided students with ways to experience Holy Week. Although missions trips had to be cancelled, all graduating seniors have been offered the chance to return and join as alumni next year. Learn more about spiritual growth in this season of crisis: news.nwcu.edu/spiritual-life-has-no-walls-boundaries
Keeping Mental Health a Priority In the midst of Governor Brown’s directives to maintain social distancing, students have ongoing mental health needs that NCU is committed to meeting. NCU’s mental health clinic continues to serve NCU students and community members through Telehealth counseling services. The current crisis brings added psychological stress to those already struggling, therefore this service remains vital. CHMC counselors offer trauma-informed care to assist individuals in resiliency development. Staff and student counselors are meeting this challenge with a willingness to serve, flexibility, and grace. Learn more about Telehealth and the NCU mental health clinic: news.nwcu.edu/supporting-mental-health
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“We can rest, smile, and reflect on an amazing season and know that the 2019-2020 Beacons accomplished much while serving our community, representing all Beacons everywhere, and know we have the resolute toughness to turn this difficulty into a time we can all be proud of.” - Coach Chad Meadors
Women’s Basketball - to Iowa and Back Dr. Keith Potter, vice president for advancement “After a thorough examination of widespread health risks posed by COVID-19,” the NAIA cancelled the National Division II women’s basketball tournament in Sioux City, Iowa. The news landed hard while the Beacons were at their morning shoot-around, preparing for their first-round game later in the day. Up to that point, the Beacons were enjoying the greatest season in school history. Bringing a 26-5 record to the tournament, including Cascade Collegiate Conference (17-3) and conference tournament championships, the team was on a roll. Half of the 32 teams competed the previous day and Coach Chad Meadors liked NCU’s chances. “Some teams peak early and are not playing their best basketball of the year. In our case, we were having breakthroughs both as a team and individually and were clearly playing our best basketball of the year. Momentum was on our side.” Instead, Coach Meadors faced one of the biggest challenges of his career—putting this profound disappointment in perspective. He allowed for some down time for each player to process the news. Then he pulled them all together at their hotel, thanking them for their hard work and love for one another. “I wanted our team to know how much they had already accomplished and what characteristics helped us get to here: positivity, problem solving, togetherness, and playing or living in the moment each day. We improved each day and were focused on today and not worried about the destination. I am proud of them for having that type of focus and leadership to carry that mission out.”
Three seniors, Shanay Dotson ‘20, Dani Baker ‘20, and Hannah Eddens ‘20, felt the loss most of all. Dotson says, “It’s been a hard adjustment. It felt like there was no closure. There was no doubt in my mind that we were going to go far if given the chance, but getting that opportunity stripped away from us is almost impossible to accept.” The team had to break up into two groups for the scramble home from Sioux City. A few traveled with their parents. A “cascade” of awards brought some condolence. After setting school records for points (584), field goals (222), field goal percentage (.541) and three-point percentage (.464), Morgan McKinney ’21 became NCU’s all-time leading scorer (1325). All of that earned her NAIA Division II First Team All American status, as well as WBCA All American (Divisions I and II combined), becoming the first female Beacon baller to earn first-team honors. McKinney was also the CCC Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference. The accolades didn’t end there. Aspen Sifka ’23 was named Freshman of the Year for the CCC. Shanay Dotson ’20 earned Co-Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference awards. Kayce Mock ’21, after setting a school record of 26 rebounds in one game, was named Honorable Mention on the All-CCC squad. To cap all of that, Coach Meadors was named CCC Coach of the Year. For the team and all who followed them, it will be impossible to resist asking what might have been. But nothing can take away what was. This 2019-20 team was, simply, the most storied women’s basketball team in school history.
NAME TRANSITION ON TRACK
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Northwest Christian University is continuing its name transition to Bushnell University, effective July 1, 2020. The response to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus has opened a window to begin some of the transition work ahead of schedule. For example, work on the gymnasium floor and walls has already begun and students have received the first Bushnell t-shirts. A community-wide celebration of NCU and Bushnell University will be scheduled for later in the year. More information about the name transition is at nwcu.edu/bushnell.