Beacon Bulletin - Spring/Summer 2016

The Bulletin Support President Joseph D. Womack, Ed.D.

President’s Corner

Vice President for Academic Affairs Dennis Lindsay DR. THEOL. Vice President for Advancement Keith Potter ’84, D.D. ’11

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Vice President for Finance & Administration Gene DeYoung Vice President for Student Development & Enrollment Michael Fuller Administrative Support Carla Aydelott Editor Pat Walsh Director of Marketing & Communications Contributors Corey Anderson Nick Askew Sarah Freeman MBA ’10 Corynn Gilbert David Hubbs ’06, MBA ’10 Kasandra Larsen Keith Potter ’84, D.D. ’11

The Bulletin is published by Northwest Christian University as an information service, and is posted on the NCU website.

For information, call 541-684-7318.

Readers are encouraged to submit text for publication to the Office of Advancement, attention Pat Walsh.

Email: pwalsh@nwcu.edu, or Mail to: 828 E. 11th Ave. Eugene OR 97401-7345 NCU reserves the right to edit all copy.

Articles should include names and class years (if applicable) for all pictured.

On the cover: 1st Lt. Alan Mishler ’16, a Beacon on the frontlines in Afghanistan earned a bachelor’s degree from NCU while serving on active duty with the Oregon Army National Guard. He is now enrolled in NCU’s MBA program.

Contents Academic News Congratulations Graduates

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Run with Love (commencement address)

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Faculty & Staff News 10 Beacon News Hall of Fame

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Feature

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Beacons on the Battlefield

Alumni Notes Noteworthy In Memoriam

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Community News

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New Additions

Evening of Tribute 2016

Upcoming Events Please Join Us

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EMORIAL DAY REFLECTIONS feel fresh as I write this letter. The 4th of July will land at the same time you receive this Bulletin edition. It seems timely to celebrate our longstanding relationship with the United States Armed Services. At NCU, we’re grateful for the men and women who have served our country, will serve our country, or are serving as they attend NCU.

In this magazine, you’ll see a feature story about one student writing papers for his New Testament class from hostile areas of Afghanistan.

You’ll meet a married couple, fresh out of the Marines, pouring their energy and experience into NCU—and our men’s and women’s basketball teams. And you’ll read a tribute to one of our many veterans, who finished his long career of service and now enjoys his eternal reward. Finally, one of our recent graduates is just now launching out into the Marines.

These are but a few of many stories, past and present, that mark our heritage of blessing and being blessed by students and alumni who serve our country.

As a Christian university, our primary battles are spiritual and our prime mission is to seek God’s wisdom in faith and service. Still, it’s good to know that we can contribute strong leaders for our country. Even more, it’s good to know that NCU is poised to receive America’s heroic servants during or following their active service. It is our privilege to walk with these people as they discover and answer God’s call in their lives.

As you pray for NCU, please remember this unique part of our community. And as you make gifts, consider giving with their sacrifice in mind. These people are an inspiration to all of us as we pursue God’s kingdom agenda.

God bless,

Joseph D. Womack, president Spring/Summer 2016

The Bulletin | Spring/Summer 2016

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Commencement2016

Congratulations

BACHELOR OF ARTS

Northwest Christian University’s 117th Commencement

Northwest Christian University‘s 117th Commencement took place on Saturday, May 7, 2016, in the Morse Event Center. The graduating class of 2016 is comprised of 157 students. Bachelor’s degrees were conferred for 88 undergraduates and 69 graduate students received master’s degrees. It is one of the largest graduating classes in the university’s storied history.

Professor, author, and pastor, Rev. Dr. A.J. Swoboda was the commencement speaker. He is pastor of Theophilus, a Christian community in southeast Portland and teaches theology, biblical studies, and Christian history at George Fox Evangelical and Fuller seminaries as well as several other universities and Bible colleges.

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Spring/Summer 2016 | The Bulletin

Miles Emery Adkisson Jessi A. Alley Snell Carly Joy Bigby Brian Darrell Blaser §§ Melinda Gayle Bryant § Jordan Zachary Buhler Noah S. Cabalona Aaron Robert Chesnut Brian R. Deatherage Sarah Kristine Delp Curtis Robert Fields §§§ Travis Frederickson § Patrick H. Fritter, V Garth Calvin Gant § Jessica Ellen Harwood § Emily Laurann Helt §§§ Robert Aaron Henderson §§§ Raquel April Inman §§§ Erica Rose-Marie Johnston Brian William Jones Andrew Joseph Loyd §§§ Yue Ma (Masha) Kaeli Danielle Massetto § Taylor Jan Medley §§§ Eric Scott Meyer Kaitlyn Moore §§ Isaac O’Casey §§§ William Christopher Reed §§§ Karen Dee Reynolds §§ Omar C. Richards Hannah Margaret Roddy §§§ Candace A. Rodgers §§§ Michael T. Rogers Barry Steven Sommer Jillian Bo Stout Megan Irene Temple §§ Jaime R. Terwilliger Michael Lee Tingue Cheryl L. Turnbo Hunter Tyler Samantha Volta Danielle Walker §§ Madison Amanda Womack §§§

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Shaneesa M. Applegate Tysen J. Buhler John Castro Molly Kathleen Clark Hans Coburn§§ Chloe Sloane Davis Amber Su Dellsite § Jessa J. Fricke § Parker Haley Bonife Fritter § Kallie J. Gardiepy § Ryan S. Gaughan §§ Nathanael Shane Gepford

Michelle Elizabeth Giron Noam Glater Andrea Gloss § Jovani Manuel Guzman Eric D. Hannum §§ Candis Marie Hatfield § Ian T. Hawksford Jessica Hirte §§ Kathleen M. Jimenez §§ Steven R. Jusko §§ Emily Ann Kaelin §§§ John Kennedy §§ Taylor Dean Kraal § Sarah Ann Lawhorn Hayley Noelle Leno §§ Peter Donald Lentz § Brandon Lotts Mindy Rose McLeod MeShel Rad Madison Jo Reed § Janelle Marie Richards Danielle C. Schneider § Darcy C. Snyder Nicholas Frederick Sullivan Jillyn Dawn Suratt Maximilian James Torres Harley Turner, III Ciara Nycole Nanea Wainwright Miriham Walle Colleen Stafford Walsh § Jacob Timothy Wathen §§ Remington White Christopher D. Zirkle

MASTER OF ARTS

Krista Marie Bryson Chase Crescione Clark Nicole Demaris Conley Sari Beth Coven Jaime Lynn Cranmer Larry L. Y. Dompierre Staci R. Donley Lisa Lynn Drilling April Elizabeth Esry Sanford E. Esry Kyle Matthew Freske Paula Fulton Cross Michael A. Gonzales Alysha J. Green Brittney N. Hanley Samuel Miesen Harder Tammy Hatling Diana E. Hawkins Robin L. Hawks Shani Lauren Hulst Alesha Nicole Hunt Bonnie Lee Hylton Heather Lynn Johnson

Marie Claire Kempf Melissa Lyn Lass Emilie M. LeLaCheur Kelli Alicia Long Sandra G. Mackerell Kyle E. McClain Jordan James Miller Kimberly R. Mincher Allyssa Mittleider Adalberto Montes Contreras Shannon Mullins Ryan M. Murphy Heather J. Swaney Monica Vanderbush Emily Jean Veale Philip D. Velie Jennifer Jane Wells Shannon Marie Witty Ryan Yoshiro Yonamine

MASTER OF BUSINESS

Administration Larissa Nicole Balzer Matthew C. Brockelmeyer Lisa A. Chiles Marcus Anthony Clark Nicole Elaine Golf Teresa Ann Libert Nathan G. Mart Christopher A. Meloy Brian John Mills Paul D. Ramirez Janice Reynolds Racquel Dominique Vig

MASTER OF EDUCATION

Kelsey Marie Atkins Jennifer L. Boswell Cheryl A. Brint Rosemarie Clifford Quincey Blair Davis Chelsea Nicole Harris Jessica J. Huff Christopher M. Johnson Elspeth Anne Liermann Chelsea Lynn McGowan Ramiro Antonio Quero Coronel Amanda Louise Roberts Brian Jeffery Vaughn Melanie A. Vertrees

SCHOLASTIC AWARDS

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§§

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Cum Laude 3.50-3.69 GPA Magna Cum Laude 3.70-3.89 GPA Summa Cum Laude 3.90-4.00 GPA

Class of 2016

AcademicNews

Commencement .

Northwest Christian University

2016

Northwest Christian University conferred a total of 157 degrees at its 117th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 7, 2016 Wong Receives Honorary Doctorate NCU’s faculty and board of trustees conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities to Mr. Anthony Wong, a renowned architect and philanthropist living in Hong Kong,

A member of Hong Kong Baptist Church, Wong, along with business associates and Christian colleagues in Hong Kong, has worked for decades to collaborate with churches in rural China to design and build church buildings and community facilities that provide a place for local worship and ministry.

Halstead Recognized For Campus Leadership Stead Halstead, Northwest Christian University’s director of information technology, received the President’s Award for Exemplary Staff Performance and Campus Leadership.

“The President’s Award for Exemplary Staff Performance and Campus Leadership is awarded annually to the staff member who daily demonstrates the leadership qualities we expect our students to embrace,” said NCU President Dr. Joseph E. Womack, Ed.D. “As a highly-

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Spring/Summer 2016 | The Bulletin

skilled and well-respected professional, Stead tackles every task and challenge with his signature smile and contagious positive attitude that make the complex seem ordinary and easily understood to implement.”

Halstead and his team ensure the smooth functioning of all external and internal information systems, including server maintenance, switching, and Internet infrastructure. They also support faculty, student, and staff with their campus software and hardware needs.

Kaehlin Receives President’s Award Dr. Brian Kaelin, Ed.D. received the President’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership.

“The President’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership honors the faculty member who is not only an excellent teacher, but also a teacher who models the kind of leadership we strive every day to instill in our students,” said NCU’s President Dr. Joseph D. Womack, Ed.D. “Dr. Kaelin is an outstanding faculty member. The NCU values of Wisdom, Faitha and Service are at the core of every interaction he has with the students he teaches.”

Dr. Kaelin teaches students in NCU’s undergraduate Teacher Education program as well as graduate students in the Master of Arts in Teaching program.

He is the ’09—’10 Recipient of the Associated Students of Northwest Christian University Faculty of the Year Award.

Before joining the faculty, he spent 17 years in secondary education teaching language arts.

He has considerable experience integrating emerging technologies across content area in K-12 educational environments.

Dr. Kaelin’s areas of current research include interdisciplinary project-based learning environments and pre-service teacher identity development.

Kaelin and Coburn Earn Student Awards Seniors Emily Kaelin and Hans Coburn received Northwest Christian University’s highest student honors for academic achievement and leadership.

Kaelin received the President’s Scholastic Award for the highest cumulative grade point average with at least 61 credit hours earn at NCU. She graduated summa cum laude (3.90-4.0 GPA) with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.

Kaelin is from Eugene, Oregon.

Coburn was voted by the NCU student body and faculty to receive the Kendall E. Burke Award for high scholastic standing, inspiration to students and faculty, high ideals of Christian character, and contribution of talents to the NCU community. He graduated magna cum laude (3.70 to 3.89 GPA) with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and is from Eugene, Oregon.

e r ’ u o Y vited!

In

homecoming alumni weekend mark your calendar & join the festivities!

october

21

st

thru

23

rd

two thousand and sixteen

Beacon For Life!

The NCU Alumni Association welcomes you home for the 2016 Homecoming Alumni Weekend!

• Reunion Luncheon & A lumni Awards Brunch • Class of 1966: Golden Anniversary Dinner • Class Receptions: Classes of 1976, 1986, 1996 & 2006 • Alumni Chapel Service • NCU Choir Concert • Center for Leadership & Ethics Lecture/Reception • NCU Athletic Events • Men’s & Women’s Basketball Alumni Games and Basketball Signing • Family-friendly Carnival & Volleyball Tailgater • Young Alumni Networking Night Contact NCU’s Office of Alumni Relations at 541-684-7222 or alumni@nwcu.edu for more info.

Detailed Event Schedule & Registration: nwcu.edu/HomecomingAlumniWeekend2016

We hope to see you there!

AcademicNews The 117th NCU Commencement

All the best stuff about hope is written in prison cells.

Hope is when belief rolls up its sleeves and gets to work.

Professor, author, and pastor, Rev. Dr. A.J. Swoboda spoke to the largest graduating class in Northwest Christian University’s history at its 117th commencement on Saturday, May 7, 2016.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Go in love, friends.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

There is this little book by Helmut Thielcke.

Run with Love

But that is only half the story.

St. Paul.

The worst stuff comes out in prison cells too.

Hitler wrote Mein Kampf in prison, too.

Prison’s reveal a great deal about who we are.

A Little Exercise for Young Theologians (1961).

Two kinds of church people and two kinds of seminarians.

“Diabolical theology”; knowledge of God that is known and not lived.

The difference? Love.

Look at the cross of Jesus.

Love.

R. SWOBODA is pastor of Theophilus, a Christian community in southeast Portland, whose mission is to believe, embody, and bear the Good News of Jesus in the city of Portland. He teaches theology, biblical studies, and Christian history at George Fox Evangelical and Fuller seminaries as well as several other universities and Bible colleges.

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One of the criminals cried out for help; the other heaped insults upon Jesus.

May we all take with us our knowledge and lessons to love the world.

Dr. Swoboda also serves as director of operations for Blessed Earth Northwest, a think tank that creatively and strategically addresses creation care issues, known in more general terms as faith based environmentalism. In addition, he is also the national director for the Seminary Stewardship Alliance, a consortium of Christian schools of higher education that are thinking strategically about Christian education in creation care.

The real us comes out in prison.

To risk hope.

A former campus pastor at the University of Oregon, his doctoral research at the University of Birmingham (U.K.) explored the never-ending relationship between the Holy Spirit and ecology. He earned a master’s degree in Theological Studies from George Fox Evangelical Seminary and bachelor’s degrees in Pastoral Studies and Greek from New Hope Christian College.

But I think prison is a fluid idea.

Dr. Swoboda is a prolific writer and author. He has written many peer reviewed articles for scholarly publications and is the author of several books, including Tongues and Trees: Toward a Pentecostal Ecological Theology, Introducing Evangelical Ecotheology, and most recently The Dusty Ones: Why Wandering Depends Your Faith.

For some, difficult marriages.

What follows is an excerpt from his commencement address to graduates, families, faculty, staff, trustees, and friends of the university:

HOW TO FIND HOPE IN A PRISON CELL Congrats are in order.

First, congrats to the parents.

You did it.

Second, to the faculty.

Stuck in our jobs.

For others, challenging kids.

So much of life is stuckness.

And so much of your existence is going to be determined by what you do with your stuckness.

And he’s a short bald guy.

And I think that is what hope is.

And yet he is always writing about hope.

Hope is not something we conjure up when the environment is right, we get the right job, we have arrived.

I address you last because you won’t remember anything I’m about to say.

His context was horrific—he’s literally strapped to a Roman guard.

None of you are taking notes.

He’s older.

When I finished my Ph.D., my advisor pulled me into his office.

Neurotic—always defending his ministry.

Either Paul had something unique going on inside of him, or, he was in complete denial.

There is a story in the gospels when Jesus returns to his hometown.

When you start having re-unions, you find something really interesting.

Everybody gets really, really accomplished.

I wonder what it was like when Jesus returned to his hometown.

She wrote books about the grace of God.

The historical Paul.

The whole of Jesus was summed up in this.

What did she do?

He’s blind, possibly.

Fourth, to the students.

Take what you know and love, and hope, and act.

You feel naked.

Finishing here is not finishing; it is the starting point of the race.

He is hated.

There is an old African proverb: “Truth is but a rumor until it lives in our muscles.”

Flannery O’Connor had lupus.

He has struggles with sin.

Third, to the lunch-ladies.

Spring/Summer 2016 | The Bulletin

So much of our life is prison.

And he said, “You ready to get started?”

What will happen? Where will you go? What will your life look like?

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Now, I’m aware I’m not addressing a group of people who are leaving prison.

Hope is what happens while we are stuck.

Luther said, “Even if I knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow, I’d plant an apple tree today.”

“Went to carpentry school, stayed single, no kids, found out I’m in the Trinity.”

Jesus doesn’t gloat.

Jesus liberates, he loves, he serves.

This is the starting line.

Run with love, friends.

Faculty&StaffNews New Hires & Promotions Miles Adkisson ’16 has been named enrollment advisor for the School for Professional Studies. This promotion comes after serving part-time as the administrative assistant for the department since July 2015, all while completing his senior year of college. Adkisson, from Port Orchard, Wash., arrived to NCU in the fall of 2012 and graduated May 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.

Aubrey Bulkeley, M.Ed., was named administrative assistant to the adult degree & graduate enrollment team in February 2016.

Prior to joining the NCU community she served as an educational assistant with the 4J School District. Bulkeley earned both her bachelor's and master’s degree from the University of Oregon and spent 3 years teaching at an international school in South Korea.

Tom Andrecht joined the Information Technologies team in November 2015 as programmer and analyst. Andrecht came to NCU with exceptional programming experience from positions in both Oregon and Washington State. He has special experience in the area of system integration.

Bethany Dilla ’10 joined the academic advising team in June 2015, advising students in the Department of Business: accounting, business administration and Master of Business Administration. Dilla, a 2010 NCU graduate, was actively involved as an international student intern, office assistant in student development and athletics and served as a student mission’s coordinator.

Since graduating, she has served in a variety of positions, including health coach and patient care coordinator.

Tammara Bovee, M.S., will join the faculty as full-time instructor of exercise science in August 2016.

Bovee completed her bachelor’s degree in physical education and human movement studies from the University of Oregon and her master’s degree in exercise science and rehabilitation at California University in Pennsylvania. She has spent the last 17 years working as a rehabilitation and personal training manager for Creative Fitness, a business that she created serving the Eugene/Springfield area.

Amanda (Mandy) Brookshear, Ph.D., joined the graduate counseling faculty in the Clinical Mental Health Care program in January 2016. Dr. Brookshear holds a Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision from Old Dominion University in Norfold, Va., as well as an M.A. in counseling from Denver Seminary in Littleton, Colo. Prior to joining the NCU community, Dr. Brookshear held the position of assistant professor and clinic director at Tarleton State University in Waco, Texas.

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Spring/Summer 2016 | The Bulletin

Tyler Falk ’14 was named head golf coach for the men’s and women’s golf teams in May 2016. Falk, a 2014 NCU graduate, was three-time Male Athlete of the Year, NAIA Conference Champion and National Qualifier while a student-athlete for the Beacons. He served as interim golf coach for the 2016 season, leading the men’s golf team to a second place finish at the Cascade Conference Championship.

Brittany Ferrell ’15 has been promoted to undergraduate admissions counselor, beginning May 2016.

Ferrell is a 2015 graduate of NCU and in June 2015 began working as the office manager and visit coordinator for the NCU Admissions team.

Corynn Gilbert, M.Ed., accepted a new position within the NCU community in April 2016. After three years of service as the assistant director of career development & employer relations, Gilbert is now serving as the director of alumni relations. Her primary responsibilities will be facilitation of Homecoming and reunion activities, promote and support regional alumni groups and gatherings and to provide leadership and coordination for the NCU Alumni Association and Board.

Gilbert earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash. and a Master of Education from the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vt. In November 2015, she completed a graduate certificate in college counseling through UCLA. For more on NCU’s new alumni director, see page 19.

Mary Jo Goosman was named administrative assistant for academic services in August 2015, providing general support for the department, including the Office of the Registrar, Academic Advising, Career Development and Disability Services. In addition, she coordinates tutoring services for students.

Mary JO earned a bachelor's degvree in English from the University of Oregon in 2012.

Tammy Hatling ’10, M.A. ’16 was promoted to academic advisor in July 2015 after three and a half years of service as the administrative assistant for the Academic Services Department. Hatling provides administrative academic advising for all students in the Department of Counseling & Education: teacher education, school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Education. Hatling is a two-time graduate of NCU. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2010 and earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in May 2016.

Kaitlin McQuiston joined the NCU community as enrollment data coordinator in April 2016.

McQuiston previously served as a financial advisor with Edward Jones Investments, a coordinator for financial services and retirement plans with Jones and Roth, PC, a curatorial intern with the Smithsonian, and as an administrative assistant for both the UO College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office and Jones and Roth, PC. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from the UO Clark Honors College, graduating in 2011.

Shannon Miller joined the Academic Services Department in February 2016 as academic advisor. Miller provides administrative academic advising to students majoring in psychology, criminal justice as well as students within the RN to BSN program. She advises both traditional undergraduate and adult degree program students in general education and major requirements, course registration, degree completion plans and academic service referrals.

Alyson Ropp joined the NCU community in January 2016 as office manager for the Office of Student Life. Ropp is a graduate of New Hope Christian College (NHCC) in Eugene.

She brought a wealth of office support/ programming experience, having served as a creative arts intern at Willamette Christian Center, an admission assistant with NHCC and as a member of the front desk team with Courtsports Athletic Club.

Pat Walsh was named the director of marketing and communications in January 2016. Walsh has served the University in a consulting role for the past 16 years while serving as president of Vox Public Relations Public Affairs, providing public relations strategies and counsel to clients throughout the United States as well as overseas in Australia and China.

Timothy Werth ’15 was named full time media services technician in October 2015. Werth served as a help desk technician during his senior year of college, bringing excellent customer service and technical expertise. His primary responsibilities are to coordinate media needs for campus events, maintain and install classroom technology and assist with general technology needs throughout campus.

Werth graduated from NCU in May 2015 with a Bachelor or Arts in music industry.

Addison Wong joined NCU in May as the new music director. He will work with NCU’s new contemporary band “Rivers,” direct the instrumental section of the NCU Choir and Orchestra, and will oversee the a cappella group “Willow.” Addison will arrange music and teach music theory, ear training and sight-reading, arranging, and orchestration.

The Bulletin | Spring/Summer 2016

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Faculty&StaffNews

BeaconNews

Board of Trustees Welcomes New Members The Northwest Christian University Board of Trustees elected two new members to serve four-year terms on the board: Idong Ekwere, mortgage loan officer with Umpqua Bank in Eugene, Ore. and Sr. Minister Gene Hill ’75 at Parkview Christian Church in Meridian, Idaho.

Members of the Board of Trustees’ Executive Committee include: Gary Jurden, Chair, Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services; Bob Hutchins ’65 & D. Hum. ’00, Vice Chair, Sr. Vice President, The Hutchins Group/D.A. Davidson; Bridget Baker Kincaid, Secretary, Corporate Relations Director, Guard Publishing/The Register-Guard; Clare Buhler ’00, AtLarge, Sr. Pastor, Harrisburg Christian Church; Barbara Olson ’74, At-Large, retired hospice administrator; Judy Van Scholten, M.A. ’94, At-Large, community volunteer, At-Large; Sid Voorhees, At-Large, Voorhees & Assoc.; Clayton Walker, At-Large, Principal Broker, C.W. Walker & Assoc.

The 2016 NCU Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony took place on Sunday, May 1 as three members of the men’s basketball teams of the late 1970’s, Don Hodney ‘78, Mickey Loomis ‘79, and Greg Ishmael ‘78, were inducted.

Idong Ekwere

Gene Hill ’75

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During their three years of playing together, the Crusaders never won less than 19 games, earned the school’s first West Coast Region Championship and during their senior season, qualified for a national championship appearance for the first time. That 1977 team went 25-7 including a perfect 10-0 mark in the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Conference.

A local product who played at North Eugene High, Hodney was a four-year member of the Crusader basketball team from 1973-1977. He was a four-time All-PNCC selection and earned team MVP honors as a senior. During his sophomore season Hodney was recognized for his character and spiritual leadership with the team Most Inspirational award. He graduated from NCC in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in pastoral ministry.

During his speech, Hodney quoted the late Christian singer/songwriter Rich Mullins who said, “I want to seek out the people who had the greatest impact on my life and thank them. They are the people that I want to be to someone else. There is no greater joy in life than knowing that someone else’s life is richer because you lived.”

Hodney then added, “My hope is that as I look at my wife of 32+ years and my children and their significant others, that they will remember how I lived and that they saw Jesus in me.”

Loomis was a starting Point Guard for the Crusaders from 1975-1978. During his tenure he became well known as a tenacious defender. He went on to a highly successful career in sports management and is currently the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the New Orleans Saints and the Director of Basketball Operations for

Greg Ishmael ‘78, Mickey Loomis ‘79, and Don Hodney ‘78 the New Orleans Pelicans. His crowning achievement came in 2010 when he helped mold a New Orleans Saints roster that produced a Super Bowl XLIV Championship.

In 2006, after being the key figure in the hiring of Sean Payton, the signing of Drew Brees and essentially rebuilding a team that would advance to the NFC Championship, Loomis was voted the NFL Executive of the Year by Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America.

He was also honored by the Sporting News as the George Young Executive of the Year, an award voted on annually by NFL front-office executives and owners.

Loomis said, “I work in a profession where you get recognized a lot and I have been recognized a few times. Once in a while you get a recognition that is really special and this one is in that category.

I am honored to be here and to be inducted. If I have had success, the path to that started right here. The principles I learned at NCC are why I am where I am today. I wouldn’t trade this place for anything.”

After transferring to NCC from a community college, Greg Ishmael quickly

established himself as one of the greatest basketball players in Crusader history. By the time his career was complete, Ishmael was a three-time All-Pacific Northwest Collegiate Conference selection, a twotime team MVP and an All-West Coast Region selection. Ishmael was also a strong spiritual leader for the team and was twice named the team’s Most Inspirational player. He graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in educational ministry.

Ishmael said, “An honor like this isn’t an individual one as much as it is an honor bestowed on one person in recognition for the hundreds of people who had a part in the formation of their life. NCC was one of the most amazing chapters in my life. A chapter that God used to bless me, through relationships with coaches who were like fathers to me, who walked me through the most difficult years of my life, and through relationships with friends and teammates who helped shape my faith, my marriage and my family.”

Hodney, Loomis, and Ishamel bring the total number of individual inductees in the Hall of Fame to 11 since its inception in 2007. In addition, four teams have been inducted.

The Bulletin | Spring/Summer 2016

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Beacons on the Battlefield: Wisdom « Faith « Service Alan Mishler ’16: Fighting for Freedom, Earning a Degree and Finding Faith

O

NE MORE STUDENT strode across the commencement stage to claim his hard-earned diploma. A cheer erupted from a cluster of family and friends as he shook the President’s hand for the first time and took hold of his prize, before finding his seat and waiting to turn his tassel and meet his family in the lobby.

First Lieutenant Alan Mishler ’16 of the Oregon Army National Guard never lived on campus. Studying through the Adult Degree Program, he knew his classmates and professors only by the depth and give-and-take of their online writings—not by face. “At NCU,” Lieutenant Mishler confirms, “I was looking forward to the courses because of the interactions. Sometimes the responses from the professors were longer than my papers. The intense interest of the professors is nothing like other universities.”

Through the benefits of online learning, Alan completed a chunk of his degree program while serving as a platoon leader for twenty-eight soldiers in and around Kabul.

One crux moment came when he reached out to his New Testament professor. “This paper is being written from my FOB [Forward Operating Base] in Afghanistan. My gun is leaning against one wall, and today I might be asked to take someone’s life. How do I reconcile my emerging faith with the job that I’m being asked to do for my country?”

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This sparked an online “just war” conversation, not unlike thousands of similar dialogs in mess halls and seminary coffee shops around the world. Names like Dietrich Bonhoeffer get thrown around, the pastor and pacifist who died in a concentration camp after conspiring to assassinate Adolf Hitler. When is it all right to take a life? Is there such a thing as justified violence? Can I follow the ultimate peace-giver while trying to be a military peacemaker? And can peace be the product of war? The answers depend so much on motive and method.

This much is sure—the world is safer because some brave people are willing to grapple with those internal struggles.

Alan, a Eugene native from North Eugene High, admits that he hadn’t thought much about faith until he went to NCU. “My faith began challenging the simple notion of going to Afghanistan to kill bad guys. It became a cerebral game, and once I went out on mission, all I thought about was security and the security of my men. I finally justified my work in this way: I wouldn’t allow my friends’ lives to be taken, whatever my faith. I fought for the men beside me.”

Mishler reflects on when his platoon was charged with guarding the International Election Commission in their efforts to secure fair and safe balloting. “While others

were fighting around us, I had a paper that was due at NCU. For a while, things got really threatening, and I had to call Bonnie Temple [Senior Enrollment Advisor] to ask her to tell my professor that my paper might be late. She was so concerned and totally put me at ease.”

Alan’s story is extraordinary but not unique. We’ve had other students on active or reserve duty, coming and going between trainings and combat. NCU has earned the status of a “Military Friendly” university and the even higher mark of Yellow Ribbon Status from the Department of Veteran Affairs. We match government G.I. Bill funding so that members of the military can basically go to school free. NCU is committed to providing a solid and useful landing place for service members who want to take advantage of all military benefits.

As for the NCU experience, Alan says, “NCU has been an amazing place. In the past, I was going through the motions. Like, what do I have to do to get done? Then my education became personal and spiritual. It’s been so positive that I haven’t thought twice about where to go for graduate school, and now I’m partway through my MBA.”

Robert O. Sullivan ’53: Praying With Sailors and Marines

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VERY PASTOR SHOWS UP FOR PEOPLE during life or death moments that define our faith. This might be even more true for those shepherds and teachers who serve alongside our men and women in uniform. The legacy of The Reverend Doctor/Lieutenant Commander Robert O. Sullivan ’53 embodies NCU’s rich history of students and graduates who serve in the United States Military.

As a pastor with deep faith and patriotism, Bob Sullivan ministered as a Navy Chaplain for twenty years, including several deployments in the Pacific and Viet Nam during that conflict. Bob served every military branch, ministering at Camp Pendleton, the San Diego Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Lemoore Air Force Base and the San Diego Naval Training Center.

in NCU’s traveling groups in the 1970s and 80s. They’ve continued to sing and lead worship in settings all over the West Coast.

Before any of them, this family already had a rich history at NCU. Bob’s mother, Emma Smelser Sullivan, attended NCU in the 1930s. Another relative by marriage, Roy Rodruck, was President of Spokane University, which merged with NCU in 1934.

There may yet be a fourth or fifth generation making their way to our campus.

Robert O. Sullivan, DMin, MDiv LCDR, CHC, USN August 9, 1929 August 8, 2015

And that was AFTER serving as pastor of Christian Churches in Woodland, Wash., Cayuga, IN, Othello, Wash. and Auburn, Wash. After retiring from the military, Bob accepted a position at First Christian Church of El Cajon, Calif., where he served alongside Keith Potter ’84, D.D. ’11 and John Tastad ’84. Dr. Potter remembers Bob’s insatiable sense of humor, his loud holiday ties and his passion for biblical history. As Rev. Tastad reflects on Bob, he writes, “Bob put his patriotism on display through faithful service to his country and a rich spirituality demonstrated by compassionate ministry and academic curiosity. And his extraordinary love for family and friends was woven into everything.”

Military chaplaincy is so unique. Commitment to the soldiers puts you in harms way with them. You see some horrific stuff, but you represent God, give counsel and serve communion to people of every faith and no faith.

Colonel Gaylord Hatler ’63, D.D. ’95 U.S. Army Senior Chaplain for Desert Storm and Desert Shield

Born in La Jolla, Calif., Bob served as Senior Class President at NCU, where he met and married Betty Carey ’53 from Tillamook. While in Eugene, they started their family. All four Sullivan children—Dennis, Jim, Pam (Biccum) and Sheryl (Nadeau)—attended NCU and sang

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In 1996, after finishing his Doctor of Theology degree at Fuller Seminary, Bob suffered a life-altering stroke. Greatly limited but not defeated, Bob loved his growing family until his death in August of 2015. Family members highlight Bob’s “sense of humor and playful nature, along with strength, organization and integrity.” A graveside at Miramar National Cemetery and a memorial at Vista La Mesa Christian Church celebrated Bob’s life with military and church honors.

Betty lives in Spring Valley, Calif., retired after a long career as church secretary at the El Cajon church.

Much more could be written about the role of a pastor’s wife, and still more about the sacrifices of a military wife and mother. In a unique and successful combination, Betty played all of those roles with great dexterity.

While this magazine can’t pay adequate homage to each alumnus who has served in the United States military, this one tribute in memoriam exemplifies our deep respect and gratitude for all. If you are an NCU graduate, or know one, who has served or is serving in the United States Military, please send contact information to Corynn Gilbert, NCU's new director of alumni relations, at cgilbert@nwcu.edu.

Kenny Blackwell ’20: From U.S. Marine to Beacon Point Guard

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HEN NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY’S point guard Kenny Blackwell ’20 brings the basketball down the court, he is gathering intelligence about the defense, his teammates, and the shot clock to determine when, where, and how his fellow Beacons will get the ball.

Sgt. Kenneth Blackwell, United States Marine Corps, was stationed in Japan as an intelligence analyst. Like a point guard he was gathering intelligence, but instead of trying to score points, the information he gathered kept our country and our allies safe.

Sgt. Blackwell became Beacon student athlete Kenny Blackwell in 2015 after serving our country for six years. He is an accounting major, point guard, and most importantly a husband to Hinako Blackwell ‘20, a guard on the Beacon women’s basketball team and a teacher education major. They met playing basketball while he was stationed in Japan.

“I chose to go back to school because I felt it was imperative to further my education in order to pursue a successful career following the military,” Blackwell said.

“Coach Jackson was straightforward and helpful to us in making the right decision for our family.”

Beacon’s Head Basketball Coach Luke Jackson recruited Blackwell to NCU after watching him play in a Marine Corps basketball tournament at Camp Pendleton near San Diego. Blackwell says Coach Jackson made a strong case for attending NCU. “We talked with some counselors assigned to help Marine’s transition to civilian life and at the end of the day we were headed to NCU.” NCU offers students an experience where the faculty and staff work to help every student succeed. It is the benefit of a college with a smaller enrollment and faculty dedicated to the art of mentor teaching.

“NCU is similar to the Marine Corps in that faculty, staff, and students work together as a team in the classroom and out,” Blackwell said. “We are expected to conduct ourselves on campus and off with the highest degree of integrity and to be straightforward in our words and actions; and that we go above and beyond to help others.”

Patrick Fritter ’16: Beacon Student Body President Enlists

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VEN BEFORE PATRICK H. FRITTER, V ’16 walked across the stage at graduation in May, he knew where he was going once he left the Morse Events Center.

Marine Corps pays for Parker’s graduate education and mine after my five-year enlistment is completed. Even though we are apart for several months, it is a nice benefit.

Armed with a bachelor’s degree in English and all that could be gained from serving as NCU’s student body president, four years as an athlete, and summers in Alaska crabbing on the Bering Sea or working on a Bristol Bay salmon tender, the Seaside, Oregon, native followed a family tradition to serve in the armed forces.

NCU: Do you see any similarities between NCU and the U.S. Marine Corps?

“Both my grandfathers and several uncles served in the military, my two cousins served in the United States Marine Corps, and my brother in-law is currently a Marine,” Fritter said. “I have always believed it is important to put people ahead of myself and enlisting in the Marine Corps gives me the opportunity to put our country and others first.”

Before leaving for boot camp at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Fritter gave the Bulletin some insight into his decision to enlist:

Patrick: Yes! Both find strength in small numbers and have focused missions. There is no question NCU is a faithbased university. We are educated to serve others. It is a personal education—professors know you, coaches know you, administrators know you. It is a great education. I think the Marine Corps is similar to NCU. It is one of the smallest armed forces. The training is exceptional. It is personal, close-knit, and there is no question about the mission.

NCU: What will you take from your education and experience at NCU to your new life as a United States Marine?

Patrick: No matter how crazy things will get, being educated at NCU, I know that God is always with me.

NCU: When most recent NCU graduates are considering jobs, ministry or graduate school, what made you chose to enlist in the Marine Corps?

NCU: Current NCU basketball player Kenny Blackwell is a Marine Corps veteran. What advice did he offer you?

NCU: Once you complete boot camp, what will your job be in the Marine Corps?

NCU: You aren’t taking this journey alone, are you?

Spring/Summer 2016 | The Bulletin

New Alumni Director Brings Unique Military Experience to NCU Greetings from Goodrich!

There are few things more clear in my life than the path the Lord paved for me to land in Eugene, Ore. Ironically, NCU was not the reason for my family’s relocation, but has been one of the brightest surprises in our journey. After three years in the Office of Career Development as the Assistant Director, I was asked to spread my wings and take on a new role as the Director of Alumni Relations. It has been a wonderful move that allows me to develop relationships with so many others who love NCU as much as I already do.

This is an exciting time to be a part of the NCU community and mission. I have a strong passion for Christian higher education and college student development, both of which are pillars of the NCU student experience. Our alumni and our students are literally changing lives around the globe and I find it a privilege to support them in their callings.

Patrick: My job or “MOS” will be artillery. Where I will be sent to artillery school is yet to be determined.

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Corynn getting a “high-speed taxi ride” in the backseat of an F-16 at Misawa Air Base, Japan in 2008.

This issue of the Bulletin magazine is near and dear to my heart as well. As a spouse of a former Air Force officer and one who served alongside my husband during seasons of war, I am particularly passionate about our NCU students and alumni who currently serve or who have served in the past. NCU serves our veteran students with pride and commitment, just as those who serve our country do so with pride and commitment.

Patrick: They were really helpful. Kenny told me that during the first few weeks of boot camp to keep my head down and blend in with the other recruits. He said there is a lot to learn and the opportunity to demonstrate leadership abilities will come as boot camp progresses.

Patrick receives his degree from President Womack at the 117th commencement ceremony in May 2016.

Donors to Northwest Christian University are investing in the lives of students. You can take pride in knowing your gift is ensuring students have access to a premier Christ-centered education that promises superb career preparation.

There are a variety of ways to invest in NCU that may fit your needs:

As a part of the greater Advancement division, Alumni Relations has a special focus on serving the NCU Alumni community. Whether you seek to network with other alumni, want to return to campus for events, or desire to serve our current students, I get to be your primary connection and resource. Because I bring a 20+ year history in higher education, I have a birds-eye view of the role NCU can play in the lives of all who are part of our collective story. I am faithfully committed to the overall success and bright future of NCU and look forward to getting to know all our alumni.

Patrick: Enlisting is something I have wanted to do since I was in high school. After I met with recruiters from all branches of the military, I laid out all the recruiting material side-by-side. In the end, the Marine Corps captured my interest based on their strength, integrity, and leadership opportunities for enlisted and noncommissioned officers.

Patrick: My wife, Parker Bonife Fritter ’16 (Vancouver, Wash.), graduated in May with a degree in accounting. We were married last fall. While I am at boot camp and school, she will work and attend the MBA program at NCU. The

AlumniNotes

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN HELP FUND AN EDUCATION?

Beacons for life, Corynn Gilbert

ANNUAL FUND FOR EXCELLENCE Tuition and fees only cover 50% of the total cost to educate a student. Gifts to this fund create an essential bridge between tuition revenues and the actual cost of an NCU education.

MATCHING GIFT PROGRAMS Many companies and corporations will generously match donations made by their employees and some retirees.

Your gift could be doubled or even possibly tripled!

=

MEMORIAL & TRIBUTE GIFTS If you have a loved one who has been impacted by NCU, establishing a memorial or tribute gift is a meaningful way to honor your loved one or celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday, while supporting the work of our mission.

Visit our website to see how you can help make a difference: nwcu.edu/alumnifriends/invest-in-ncu or call Advancement at 541-684-7318 if you would like to discuss giving opportunities.

NCU Rated Military Friendly Northwest Christian University is rated as a Military Friendly® university by Victory Media, who for more than a decade has surveyed thousands of institutions and assembled lists that capture best practices in recruitment and retention of military employees and students.

“Men and women who serve our nation in the armed forces deserve our respect and the opportunity to continue their education,” said NCU President Joseph Womack, Ed.D. “As a Military Friendly university, NCU is called to support veterans and their families, who through Christian higher education prepare to transition from active duty to a fully engaged civilian career and family life.”

The Bulletin | Spring/Summer 2016

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2010s continued

AlumniNotes

Kaeli Massetto ’16 will teach 6th grade at Trinity Classical Academy in Santa Clarita, Calf.

NOTEWORTHY

1960s

2000s

Jim Keefe ’65 retired from the Christian Church of Hillsboro in January 2016, after 47 years of pastoral service. Keefe, along with his wife Carolyn (Brown) Keefe ’65, also served churches in Kimberly, Idaho; Cottage Grove, Ore.; and Edmonds, Wash. Sam Owen ’67 was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) by Africa Nazarene University, Nairobi in October 2015. Owen is the founder of Kenya’s National Prayer Breakfast and the Men’s Gathering and Africa Youth Forum of Leadership.

Sam Owen ’67 was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa)

by Africa Nazarene University, Nairobi in October 2015. Owen is the founder of Kenya’s National Prayer Breakfast and the Men’s Gathering and Africa Youth Forum of Leadership.

1980s

Ryan Stevenson ’02 had his song, “Eye of the Storm” hit #1 on the Christian Music Billboard on May 22, 2016.

Carly Bigby ’16 is a Title 1 teacher with School District 4J in Eugene, Ore.

Jairos Hlatywayo ’04 moved to Kenya in January 2016 to serve as the executive secretary with the All Africa Conference of Churches.

Quincy Davis, M.Ed.’16 will teach 4th grade at Horizon Elementary School in Glendale, Ariz.

Kimberly Lee ’04 was promoted to the position of regional director for California of Bethesda Lutheran Communities in January 2016.

Bethesda Lutheran Communities is a Christian organization that provides homes and other services to people with developmental disabilities.

Kerry Grogan ’89 began serving as senior pastor of Englewood Christian Church in Yakima, Wash. in November 2015.

2010s

Heather (Rosen) Ivey ’99 completed her Master of Education degree with Cedarville University in August 2015. She is a fourth grade teacher at Faith Christian School in Dallas, Ore.

Taylor Lind ’14 accepted the position of youth pastor at Salem (Ore.) First Christian Church in May 2016.

Kelsey Gardiepy ’14 was named content writer at Ascential Digital Marketing in Wichita, Kansas in May 2016.

Nathan Gepford ’16 will teach math at Barcelona Middle School in Glendale, Ariz.

Noam Glater ’16 is a finance and accounting intern at CBS Studios in Los Angeles.

Emily Helt ‘16 is a missionary with CMF International.

1990s

Erin (Jasmer) Richardson ’99 has been named the new fourth grade teacher for Eugene Christian School. She will complete her seventeenth year of teaching in public education and begin her new position in the fall of 2016.

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Gio Guzman ’15 is the front desk supervisor at Inn at the 5th in Eugene, Ore.

Isaac O’Casey ’15 began serving as youth pastor Redmond (Ore.) Christian Church in May 2015.

Taylor Kraal ’16 is a physical therapy aide in Kennewick, Wash.

Andrew Loyd ’16 is pursuing a Masters of Divinity Degree at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif.

Chelsea McGowan ’14, M.Ed. ’16 will teach English at South Albany (Ore.) High School and will also coach the girls’ varsity basketball team.

Taylor Medley ’16 will teach 5th grade at Heights Elementary School in Salem, Ore.

Allyssa Mittleider ’14, M.A. ’16 will do missionary work in Cambodia with Blossom Training Center and Cafe.

Jillyn Suratt ’16 is an accountant with Houck Evarts CPAs in Lake Oswego, Ore.

Megan Temple ’16 will teach 6th grade language arts and social studies at Horizon Elementary School in Glendale, Ariz.

Colleen Walsh ’16 is pursing a Masters of Education degree in Special Education at Western Oregon University.

Madison Womack ’16 is pursuing a graduate degree in Literature focused on Biblical languages at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

NEW ADDITIONS Kimberly (Steele) Faria (1995-1998) and husband Brent, welcomed Elyse Brooke on July 3, 2015. She weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces and was 20 inches long. The Faria family makes their home in Oregon City, Ore. Brooke (Stribling) Crow ’09 and husband Logan welcomed their first Beacon Baby on August 4, 2015. Lincoln Archer Crow weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. The family currently lives in Hermiston, Ore. Bethany (Howard) Dilla ’10 and Aaron Dilla ’11 welcomed son Jude Elliot on May 1, 2016.

Baby Jude arrived weighing 5 pounds, 7 ounces and was 18.5 inches long. Bethany currently serves as an academic advisor for NCU and Aaron serves as head pastor of Twin Oaks Community Church in Eugene.

BEAC N BABY Are you the proud parents of a new Beacon Baby? The Alumni Association wants to know! Send a photo and information about your bundle of joy to be included in the next edition of the Bulletin magazine and we will send you a Beacon Baby t-shirt. E-mail your announcement news to: alumni@nwcu.edu.

Brittany (Arch) Petersen ’12 and husband Ryan welcomed their first baby, a son, Maxell Wesley. Max was born on July 24, 2015.

Sarah Halstead, M.A. ’15 and husband Stead, welcomed their first baby, a son, on February 23, 2016. Samuel James weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces and was 20.75 inches long. Sarah works as a master’s level therapist with Christians As Family Advocates (CAFA) and Stead serves as the director of information technology for NCU.

WEDDING BELLS Alex Ritzman ’09 married Jen Bayley on September 5, 2015 in Hawaii. The two live in Beaverton, Ore. Riztman is currently working on his Master of Arts in Teaching through Pacific University in and works at Banks School District.

Brittney Yip ’12, M.A. ’15 married Nathan Reineke on December 31, 2015. The two live in Gresham, Ore. where the new Mrs. Reineke serves as a mental health therapist at Morrison Child and Family Services.

Rory - daughter of Tracy (Lyle) ’07 and Skyeler Lewkowicz ’08

CALLING ALL BEACONS NCU Alumni, we want to hear from you! If you would like to share recent news (i.e. new job, promotion, new baby, wedding, new degrees, military service, or long-term missionary work) please contact us at alumni@nwcu.edu or complete our online form at www.nwcu.edu/AlumniUpdate.

If you send photos, they must be high resolution digital photos.

We will do our best to include submissions in the subsequent publication of the Bulletin, but reserve final editorial rights.

AlumniNotes Dona Jean Dorsey, age 86, of Outlook, Wash. died Jan. 25, 2016 in Sunnyside, Wash. She married Keith Dorsey in 1947, and made their home on a ranch in Outlook, growing Concord grapes and apples. Dona was lifetime member of Sunnyside Christian Church. A friend to NCU, she served as church secretary for many years. Dona is survived by her husband of 68-years, Keith and their children Jill (Steve) Hilmes, Gay (Mike) Poppoff, and Jeff (Janice) as well as nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her sister Donella (Karl) Evans and sister-in-laws Jean Dorsey and Myra Dorsey.

IN MEMORIAM Dr. John Allan Clarke died on June 5, 2015. He is survived by his wife Laurel; brother Francis; sister Ethel; sons John (Jan), Richard (Nancy), Michael (Shawn); six grandchildren; and six greatgrandchildren. Allan earned a bachelor’s degree from Fresno State University, a Master of Arts in Music from University of Washington and a doctorate from Phillips University in Oklahoma. During his teaching career, he taught in Clovis, Calif., Tacoma, Wash., served as the chairman of the Choral Music Program at Tacoma Community College and later led the business office. Allan completed his professional career in service NCU’s academic dean. The University presented Dr. Clarke with the Distinguished Service Award in 1986.

Larry McVicker ’59 died Sept. 13, 2015, in Longview, Wash. He was 79 years old.

On Sept. 2, 1957, he married his wife, Janie, in Eugene. They lived in the local area for 56 years. Larry was a funeral director and a realtor, retiring in 2005.

He was a member of Calvary Community Church. He is survived by his wife, a daughter, Edwina Harriman of Vancouver, Wash., a son, Mike McVicker of Vancouver, Wash., as well as a grandson and a granddaughter.

Chester Junior Miller ’43, died Sept. 19, 2015, at his home in New Braunfels, Texas. He was 93 years old. A long-time friend and generous supporter of NCU, Chester endowed a memorial scholarship in memorial for each of his two wives: Ruth Marsh Miller Endowed Scholarship and Nina Thomas Miller Endowed

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Scholarship. A retired secret service agent (1951 -1978). Chester is survived by his sister, Barbara Miller Echols, daughters Marilyn Miller, Cynthia Miller and Linda Miller David, four grandchildren, four great grandchildren and a foster daughter, Wanda Harder.

Rev. Loren Arnett ’49 died Sept. 30, 2015, in Washington. He was a pastor of churches in Michigantown, Ind. and in Aberdeen and Yakima, Wash.

A U.S. Navy Pilot in WW II, during his ministry, he served on the staff of the Northwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), was the Associate General Secretary and Lobbyist of the Washington-North Idaho Council of Churches and then served as General Secretary. His leadership and ecumenical vision led to the creation of the Washington Association of Churches in 1975, and he served as Executive Minister until he retired in 1989. In 1984, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Ministry degree by Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Loren also served on the National Council of Churches Commission on Regional and Local Ecumenism and the national board of Church World Service.

He is survived by June Arnett, his wife of 46 years; sisters, Beverly Pfouts and Dolores Hanson; children, Meri ArnettKremian, Norman (Patricia Gawley) Arnett and Doug (Lenee) Arnett; stepchildren, David Stone, Ellen (Mack) Sands and Janet (Don) Wodjenski; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Pastor Thomas Henry Shelton ’52 died on Oct. 19, 2015, in Gresham, Ore. A U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII, he married Ruby Pile, whom he met at NCU, on Aug. 31, 1947. During his ministry, he pastored churches in Bend, Eugene, and Powell Butte, Ore. He baptized 832 people and married 294 couples. He is survived by his wife Ruby, a son, Randy and a daughter Joy Thompson, as well as five grandchildren and one great- grandchild.

Rev. Dr. Gail Fremont Davis ’57, died at home on Oct. 22, 2015 in Spokane, Wash.

Gail and Eva were married in September 1953. Gail graduated from NCC in 1957.

In 1957, he was ordained a minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and pastored several churches during his ministry in Oregon, Oklahoma, and Washington. He also served on the regional staff of the Northwest Regional Christian Church as associate Regional Minister and as the Regional Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona. He was known throughout the Disciples denomination for his passion for stewardship, teaching people the importance of giving their time, talents and resources based on their love for God and the church. Gail is survived by his wife Eva, daughters, Sheri Kight and Judy Davis; six grandchildren, and three greatgrandchildren, Virgina Robbins ’43, died at home on November 18, 2015, in Anderson, Calif.

She was 93 years old.

Harry Gordon Blakley ’57, died Feb. 7, 2016 at age 80. On July 16, 1954, he married Carol Jean Wheeler in Pleasant Hill, Ore. Harry worked for Himber’s Magazine Wholesalers for 40 years and then for Aramark & News Group for 5 years. A member of Norkenzie Christian Church and an Elder for 25 years, Harry taught Sunday School and was Bible study leader. He is survived by Carol, their four children: Steven (Wynetta), Doug, Colleen Cole and Mark (Alana); his six grandchildren; and two great grandsons.

David Alger Fitch ’71, died on Feb. 17, 2016, in Woodburn, Ore. He was 67 years old. He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Darcy, two sisters: Luana and Marcia, four daughters: Bethany (Gabriel ) Canada, Rachael McLeod, Miriam (Joseph) Watkins, and Rebecca Fitch, as well as eight grandchildren and countless friends.

Joyce Mae (Nelson) Sawyer ‘55, died on Feb. 26, 2016, in Nevada. She was 82.

She met her husband Dale Sawyer at NCU and they married in 1953. They had three children: Rhonda, Daniel and Diane. Later they adopted Ricky (preceded in death in 1976) and David. Dale’s ministerial duties took him to small churches in the western US until he joined the Air Force in 1964. As a preschool teacher she taught in many locations where the family was transferred. She was a leader, a public speaker, pianist, soloist, Sunday school teacher, choir director, hospice volunteer for 10 years, and avid reader and always encouraged her children to do their best.

A generous NCU friend and supporter, a scholarship is established in her name: Joyce Mae Sawyer Endowed Scholarship.

Mayreta June Whisler ’55, died on March 8, 2016. She was 83 years old. Mayreta married her high school sweetheart, David Whisler, on June 19, 1954. When David was discharged from the Army, they moved to Eugene where they had previously attended NCU together.

He was killed in a plane crash in Oct., 1965. Mayreta was very active at First Christian Church in Eugene and was the first woman chairman of the board in that church. She was a teacher’s aide, a voting poll worker and volunteered at the NCU library. She also worked at Allison Park Christian Church for two years as the church receptionist, and later at First Baptist Church for 14 years, before retiring in the spring of 2003. Mayreta is a member of the Bash-Whisler family, benefactors of the Bash-Whisler Bible Reading Competition held annually at NCU. Mayreta is survived by her daughter, Marcia Whisler and son Ron Whisler, and their families.

Rev. William K. Backstrom ’59, died March 12, 2016. He lived in Altadena, Calif. During his ministry, he served congregations in Northern and Southern California as well as in Oregon and Washington. He served by his wife Mary and their daughters Heather Backstrom and Melissa Gonzales, and a granddaughter, Taylor Gonzales.

Thomas R. Barnett ’49, a Forest Grove community member, died March 19, 2016 in Hillsboro, Ore. A World War II Era Veteran, Thomas married Beverly June Lilly on July 10, 1948. He worked as a Mechanical Technician for Tektronix Inc. in Beaverton for 23 years until his retirement in 1983. Thomas was a member of the First Christian Church in Forest Grove. Survivors include his wife, Beverly; his three children and their spouses, Mike (Sumi) Barnett, Irvine, Calif.; Jacqueline Lopez, Kauai, Hawaii, and Ron (Toni) Barnett, of Vacaville, Calif.; Tomoko Nishino of Tokyo, Japan; and his sister, Marilyn Herbster, of Vancouver, Wash.

Also surviving are his four grandchildren, six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jean Lenore Marsh Neufeld ’59 died March 22, 2016, in La Quinta, Calif. She is survived by her husband Rey and many dear friends and family members.

Rev. Arthur Raymond Lindley ’64, died at home in Albany, Ore. on April 15, 2016, at age 75. He was a pastor at Webster Groves Church in St. Louis, Mo. from 1967 to 1970 and worked for the Pension Fund of the Christian Church in Indianapolis from 1970 to 1975. The majority of his ministry was served at First Christian Church in Albany, Ore. from 1975 to 2006. Ray married Linda McPherson and had three children. He then married Judie Nielsen in 1979 and had 35 wonderful years together. He is survived by his wife, Judie, children, David (Dana) Lindley, Stephanie (Charlie) Perry and Brian (Michelle) Lindley, and stepsons Tom and Scott Nielsen as well as eight grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren, and sisters Wanda Dowdy and Carol (Mark) Gehring.

Gwen Hershiser ’55, died April 23, 2016 at her home in Eugene, Ore. at age 82.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Pastor Leroy Hershiser, whom she married at Eugene First Christian Church.

Gwen was a special education teacher and was a and had also served as a health care representative in the Bakersfield (CA) School District and led the Washington state teachers health care program in Spokane. Gwen is also survived by two children, Timothy James (Dianna Webster) and Stephanie Sue, both of Eugene, Ore; two grandchildren, and one greatgrandchild.

Heide Ogawa Nakamura died June 2, 2016 at her home in Reedley, Calif. She was 96-years old. After graduating high school in Hood River, Ore., she attended Northwest Christian University. Heide and George Ito were married on New Year’s Day 1944 at the Tule Lake internment camp in California. While in internment, she worked as a nurse’s aide. Once released from the internment camp, she and George moved to Los Angeles where they worked for actor William Haines and met many famous actors. After several years, they moved to Reedley, Calif., where she worked in a packaging plant, retail, and a bowling alley. In 1964, she married Nbo Nakamura. She is survived by sisters Kiyo Kamikawa, June Masatani, and Lois Okita, a brother, Mas Ogawa, and a son, Daniel (Arietta) Ito and a daughter, Shirley Ito as well as six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

The Bulletin | Spring/Summer 2016

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An Evening of Tribute NCU Honors the Leadership and Service of Ada O.L. Lee, Market of Choice and Holt International

“Ada O.L. Lee, Market of Choice and Holt International embody the very best of what we strive to teach our students in the classroom and through internships and missional work. We applaud these real-life examples of integrity and ethical leadership and point to them as examples of the values our institution holds dear: wisdom, faith and service.”

Keith Potter ’84, D.D. ’11 Vice President for Advancement.

On Thursday, May 5, over 340 alumni, friends and community members gathered for the 8th Annual An Evening of Tribute. Together, attendees and sponsors raised over $113,000 for the University’s scholarship fund. This generosity ensures continued scholarship support for NCU students, providing them with the ability to receive a college education that is Christ-centered and where ethics-based values are part of the core curriculum.

The evening began with a reception where guests enjoyed the musical talents of NCU student Rachael Warren on saxophone and assistant musical director Addison Wong on the piano. Guests were ushered into the main ballroom to then enjoy two musical pieces performed by Willow, one of the University’s musical ensembles.

The highlight was the recognition of the 2016 Exemplary Ethical Leadership Award recipients, presented by the NCU Center for Leadership and Ethics (CLE). The awards are presented annually to an outstanding individual and business that exemplifies the ideals of integrity and ethical leadership. The presentation features a tribute video1 produced in honor of each award recipient. “These awards are significant because they recognize individuals and businesses for consistently demonstrating honorable and ethical practices while achieving personal, organizational and community relevance,” said Mitch Hagstrom, executive vice president and chief banking officer with Pacific Continental Bank and member of the CLE Advisory Board.

1

Tribute videos can be viewed on NCU’s YouTube channel.

Visit youtube.com/user/HowdoyouNCU

continued on page 26

The Bulletin | Spring/Summer 2016

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ADA O.L. LEE

President Joseph Womack with Ada Lee

With the support from strangers, Ada O.L. Lee moved from Hong Kong to Vancouver, Canada and then to Eugene in the early 1950’s, with the help of the University President Ross Griffeth. While a student at Northwest Christian University, Ada met and married Bill, a student at Oregon State University.

Soon thereafter she and late husband signed a five-year lease to operate a Chinese restaurant near downtown. A savvy entrepreneur, Ada has never forgotten those who helped and partnered with her over the decades. She is an example of a hardworking, faith filled business woman who lives with zeal to give back, help others and strengthen our community. At a time when most would retire to a life of leisure, Ada still leads B&A International Inc., a Real Estate and Business Consulting Firm, they founded many years ago. She continues to serve in a wide array of activities, including serving on the boards of directors for Sacred Heart Medical Center Foundation, Northwest Christian University’s Board of Trustees, the Jordon Schnitzer Museum of Art, and Lane Community College, among others.

MARKET OF CHOICE

President Joseph Womack with the Wright family.

A regional supermarket leader, Market of Choice has nine stores throughout the state of Oregon with a tenth slated to open in June 2016. Family-owned and operated for more than 35 years Market of Choice was originally known as Thriftway Market, later changing its name to Price Chopper and becoming Market of Choice in 2000. The store name reflects the family’s priority to provide conventional, natural and organic products to its customers. The company operates on seven values: superior customer service, exceptional quality and freshness, atmosphere, honesty, teamwork, resourcefulness, and competence.

We wish to thank our 2016 sponsors!

PRESENTING SPONSOR

EVENT SPONSORS

TABLE SPONSORS Arnold Gallagher Attorneys at Law Brad’s Cottage Grove Chevrolet Carl’s Jr. Chambers Construction D.A. Davidson & Co. of Medford Dari Mart Stores, Inc. Hughes Fire Equipment Kendall Subaru Murphy Northwest Community Credit Union Oakway Center Pacific Benefit Consultants, Inc. The Register-Guard Sacred Heart Medical Center Nat Stock TechnaPrint Umpqua Bank US Bank Wildish Companies

Strong, smart, ethical leaders make all the difference. In a complex world we need influences who care about doing the right things the right way.

At NCU, we believe that all of our students can be “Beacons” of integrity and agents of real change.

The NCU Center for Leadership and Ethics strives to equip and inspire ethical leaders by providing faith-integrated and values-based training for our students, alumni and surrounding community.

Center for Leadership and Ethics

The CLE strategy: Relationships The best way to grow character and leadership skill is by proximity to healthy leaders.

Events Events provide clear instruction and inspiring stories to prove what strong, ethical leadership can accomplish.

Examples and Models The Center for Leadership and Ethics is committed to finding and celebrating ambassadors of ethical leadership around us.

The CLE program is supported by five community businesses:

With special thanks to:

HOLT INTERNATIONAL In 1955, Creswell resident Harry Holt traveled to Seoul, Korea to care for orphaned and abandoned children. Just three months later, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Holt Bill into law, allowing Harry and his wife, Bertha, to adopt 8 children from South Korea. Feeling led by God to help more children, Harry returned to Seoul in March 1956 to establish, along with David Kim, the Holt Adoption Program. Sixty years later, Holt International continues the work of Harry and Bertha, offering programs that strengthen and preserve families in 13 countries around the world.

President Joseph Womack with Phil Littleton and Susan Cox.

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Spring/Summer 2016 | The Bulletin

Jay Jones Squiddl creative director Sid Voorhees Auctioneer and NCU Board of Trustee member Addison Wong NCU assistant musical director Willow NCU musical ensemble

To submit a nomination for consideration of the 2017 Exemplary Ethical Leader Awards, visit nwcu.edu/forms/ethicalleader

An Evening of Tribute

NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID EUGENE OR PERMIT NO. 921

For Your Calendar

JULY 31 – AUGUST 5 Wi-Ne-Ma Week of Mission Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp AUGUST 17 Alumni Volleyball Game NCU Campus AUGUST 20 Men’s & Women’s Alumni Soccer Game Mike Kelly Field, Springfield AUGUST 27-30 New Student Orientation NCU Campus AUGUST 31 Fall Semester Begins NCU Campus

SEPTEMBER 1 Convocation Chapel NCU Campus SEPTEMBER 7 Labor Day Campus Closed SEPTEMBER 16 & 17 nd 22 Annual NCU Golf Classic Shadow Hills Country Club, Junction City SEPTEMBER 20 Embrace the Community Day Eugene/Springfield SEPTEMBER 30 – OCTOBER 1 Family Weekend NCU Campus OCTOBER 21-23 Homecoming Alumni Weekend NCU Campus

NOVEMBER 10 Veteran’s Luncheon for Faculty, Staff, Students & Alumni NCU Campus NOVEMBER 24-25 Thanksgiving Holiday Campus Closed DECEMBER 3-4 Experience Christmas Concert NCU Campus DECEMBER 16 Fall Commencement Ceremony NCU Campus For more information on these and other upcoming events, visit www.nwcu.edu