Academic News

Hamilton and Brewster Address NCU Graduates

Northwest Christian University’s Board of Trustees conferred undergraduate and graduate degrees for 247 students during the University’s Fall and Spring commencement ceremonies in December 2018 and May 2019. Commencement ceremonies were held the Morse Event Center on campus.

“The graduates met the challenges posed by academic rigor while balancing family, work, and campus responsibilities to earn a Christ-centered education,” said NCU President Joseph D. Womack Ed.D. “We are proud of these graduates who have entered the workforce or continue in their professions as beacons of wisdom, faith, and service.”

Lane Community College President Margaret Hamilton, Ph.D., gave the fall commencement speech. Dr. Hamilton joined Lane Community College as its seventh president on July 1, 2017. She is a widely respected executive in community college education, strategic planning, accreditation, curriculum development, human relations, workforce and economic development, and in building partnerships with post-secondary education, higher education, business, and industry. Dr. Hamilton and Dr. Womack had recently signed the historic Titan to Beacon agreement creating pathways for Lane graduates to earn bachelor’s degrees at NCU.

Prior to Lane, Dr. Hamilton served

Margaret Hamilton, Ph.D., President, Lane Community College

as Vice President for Academic Affairs, Institutional Effectiveness and Planning at Camden County College, where she provided leadership for over 25,000 credit and non-credit students at three locations across southern New Jersey. Her 29-year career in higher education includes leadership positions in academic and student affairs, administrative services, and human resources and labor relations. Dr. Hamilton’s teaching experience in nursing education provided her an opportunity to share her clinical experiences working in urban centers such as Children’s Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia, Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden, New Jersey, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Don Brewster, founder of Agape International Missions, was the spring commencement speaker. He was also chosen by the NCU Board of Trustees to receive an honorary Doctorate of Humanities for his work fighting human trafficking in southeast Asia.

In 2005, Don, and his wife Bridget, sold their home in Roseville, California, to move to Cambodia to lead Agape International Missions (AIM), a non-profit organization working to stop the cycle of human exploitation in Cambodia through a holistic approach to effective, lifelong and community-wide transformation. Based on their model, more than 12 programs have been established to support victims of sex trafficking, including a restoration home, a community center and church, the Lord’s Gym, transitional homes, employment centers, an accredited elementary and English language school, outreach programs, and a SWAT Team. Through these initiatives AIM offers children, families and survivors of sex trafficking freedom, spiritual and emotional restoration, and empowerment to pursue a safe, successful future.

Since its founding 14 years ago, AIM has impacted more than 7,500 children and adults at-risk or involved in human trafficking through prevention programs; rescued almost 1,200 children, women and men; restored 827 girls and women; and reintegrated 876 survivors back into the community.

Congratulations Graduates!

Associate of Arts Jason W. Bricker Olivia Pearl Morgan

Bachelor of Arts Conner Borigo * Angela Rose Cusano *** André Davids Jacqueline T. Donner Anthony J. Galindo Billy C. Halvorson Taylor Grace Irons ** Britnee Nicole Joaquin *** Micah Augustus Jury *** Taylorann F. Matz Robert McGowen Gabrielle Lexi Morales *** Kathryn Rose Noel ** Jordan Ashley Norris ** Alisha Kay Oliver ** Susan Oppenheimer ** Nicole Marie Paggett Gabriel Douglas Piechowicz *** Gianna Marie Rains *** Phillip A. Sailler * Laurie Ann Salness ** Brittney A. Seiders Jonathan Michael Sprouse * Samantha Isabel Wilson Shawn Robert Wilson

Bachelor of Science Alexander Matthew Abalan Jaime Alfonso Aguayo Amaral Antonio Emmanuel Alcala Courtney Alyssa Alldridge ** Jahzelle Erin Ambus Tayler Ann Anderson Michael J. Andrews Jason Michael Archibald *** Kaitlyn Joan Bailey *** Lisa Berry Johnathan Allen Boggs *** Brianna Brabander Katerina Brejchova Nicole Renee Brennen *** Anna Brooks * Cassandra L. Brownell Danielle Kelly Buhler Alicia R. Burgess

Anne-Marie Burns * Kaylynn Noel Bush ** Evangeline Emily Caldwell * Antonio Campos-Perez ** Tomás Lino Carradero ** Stacey M. Carson Brandie D. Caster Joshua David Chesnut ** Jenna D. Christenson * Douglas A. Church *** Ian Cole Conner Weston Covey *** Levi Dean * Charene L. Dehne Fernanda Merylu Delgadillo Tami Gayle Egli *** Sanad Kamal Elghanai Trisha L. Estes Tyler Anthony Dacumos Farmer Marcus B. Farset *** Sarah Rachelle Felt Justin W. Ferrell ** Jessica M. Fisher * Josefina Fisher ** Malcolm Tybirias Fleming Cassidy Danielle Galindo ** Jessica A. Garner *** Chelsea Suzanne Gillespie-Towne Harley Christopher Gilpin * Joshua J. Goins * Humberto Tito Gomez Amanda Jean Goodwin ** Katherine Gordon Jeffrey Lee Gordon Jr. Mary Lou Greene ** Elizabeth Kay Gregory *** Chantel Marie Hall *** Devon C. Halleman Michele Hatfield *** Ryan John Henrick Kamau Malik Heptot Kimberly Kae Hiibel Zephaniah Hollins ** Kamlyn Ruth Ku’uleialoha Icenhower ** Amarachi Irechukwu Myranda Grace Johnson Madison Elaine Jones * Brianna Marie Jury *** Micah Augustus Jury *** Krystal Lynn Kleman

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Scholastic Awards

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

Savanna Harley Lassen Lindsay Ann Lee Jessica L. Lemmon Isaac Henry Levi Michelle Dawn Loveless Karen Lynne Mace ** Lorna Malone *** Maggie Marin McCausland ** Holly A. Mathews *** Adam Jon Mellott Christopher James Miller ** Kayla Nikole Miller ** Rosa Mohlsick Emily Nicole Moon * Emily Joyce Morgan *** Luiz Munoz Tina Nash Jacquelyn E. Neuschwander Jordan Ashley Norris ** Olisaemeka Obianozie Alauna Caitlin O’Brien Benjamin C. Olive Lauren Ashley Oliver Erin Nicole Patterson

Congratulations Graduates!

Madillynn Janice Peterson Amie Dawn Pierce Brittany Starr Pitt *** Jacob E. Pitts Joseph S. Raade *** Hayley Lauren Racette Nathaniel Isaac Rarick * Tracey Raywinkle Joanna Renèe Richardson ** Melissa LeAnne Rios ** Courtney Oliva Robertson *** Reece Robinson Jeremiah Lee Rosenkrance Jordan Jean Sanders ** Nicholas Allan Schneider Stan J. Singleton Amanda K. Sloan * Eric Sorby ** Stephanie Danielle Steinhardt *** Michelle Emma Stinson Elizabeth Swacker Caroline K. Swearengin Suzan R. Swearengin Elizabeth Carol Taylor Janae N. Teige ** Kaylee M. Tharp Kathleen Marie Thilberg Amanda M. Thompson Daphna Tupper Austin D. Tyner Elizabeth Kate Verschingel * Colin Brutus Watters Michelle Renee Wharton Sarah E. White Elizabeth Ashlea Willet * Denise Raelene Thies Williams * Jamie M. Williams Allison G. Wyant Jeshua Lee Zabala *

Certificate in Special Education: Wendy Fields

Master of Arts: Allison Elizabeth Booth Shaun C. Breedlove Madison Jo Brock Christine Ann Bullock Rachel Camarena

Shirah Dawn Canaga Lindsay Gail Carlson Jonathan Kawikakele Carraher Abigail E. Charles Megan Aldean Cox Joshua M. Duffield Kimberly Kay Emmett Brittany Marie England Johnathan Ronald Felix Wyatt Toshihiko Fujii Kimberly Fuller-Kakiuchi Susan Joy Garver Rhett Andrew Gedies Diana Nicolae Glasser Celeste Marie Hansen Carl J. Hartzell Myndee Jean Heuer Alisen Rae Le Hinton Dejah Hobbs Xiaowen Wang Jensen Anna J. Johnson Jennifer Kelson Laura Jean Kingsbury Martin Teresa Darlene Knight Emily Knott-Nelson Katie L. Miller Melanie Romero Miller Wendy Lee Mollinary Jenna Lee Moore Jose Antonio Mora Santana Tauna Nicole Nelson Kirstin J. Nusser Sharon Wilke Otrembiak Michael J. Pecue Cynthia L. Peek Shelby Ellen Peterson Priscilla Lynn Piper Megan J. Reaves Zachary David Ropp Katarzyna Saczko Elizabeth Seagrave Lindsey M. Simons Heather Anne Thorn Gail Turner Jayde Walkup Jordan Nicole Walling Catherine E. Wilson Thad A. Wind Kate Winslow Anthony M. Yakovich Master of Business Administration: Miles Emery Adkisson Josue J. Aguilar Zachary R. Baker Madeline C. Bartholomew Nick T. Baszler Sabrina L. Bernier Clint E. Case Arthur Van Clements Jordan Don Davis William Jordan Dorsch Brittany Ferrell Victor Dean Francis Kassia Marie Galick Danielle L. Hamilton Bonnie Merritt Hargrove Katrina Marie Heine Gillian Heine Lucy Christina Henderson Gary D. Hill Jr. Michael Seizo Iwai Alex Koleber Zachary Adam Manley Pamela M. Martin Kaitlin Maureen McQuiston Rachelle Perkes Alyssa Lynn Sanford Emily Thompsen Marianne H. Walker Timothy J. Westerman

Master of Education: Kyle Crane Rebecca Lynn Hauge Sherry Michelle Reeder

Master of Philosphy: Tobin G. Johnston

We want to hear from you! Tell us what you think are the best things about attending NCU. It could be anything that made your time here meaningful and fun. Once we hear from you, we will publish 125 Best Things About Northwest Christian as we prepare to celebrate the University’s 125th Anniversary. Contact Pat Walsh, Sr. Director of Marketing and Communications at pwalsh@nwcu.edu. Go Beacons!

Spring Commencement

Student Award Winners Announced

Britnee Joaquin '19 and Tomás Carradero '19 received Northwest Christian University’s highest student honors for academic achievement and leadership during the University’s 120th Commencement.

Britnee Joaquin '19

Joaquin is from Simi Valley, California. She 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 in teacher education.

For its good work, AIM has received several accommodations, including the Cambodian government’s Royal Order of Sahametrei Award. Brewster has also been recognized by his alma mater, William Jessup University,

Tomás Carradero '19

The NCU student body and faculty voted Carradero to receive the Kendall E. Burke Award for high scholastic standing, an inspiration to students and faculty, high ideals of Christian character, and contribution of talents to the NCU community. He graduated magna cum laude (3.70-3.89 GPA) with a Bachelor of Science in business. Carradero is from San Jose, California. continued from GRADUATES, pg. 4

with the Faith and Service Award. Additionally, Brewster work has been published in the Washington Post and has been featured on ABC’s Nightline, CNN, CNN International, Christianity Today, and other major media outlets.

SRADER & PRUITT RECEIVE FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

The 2019 President’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership was awarded to Professor of Speech and Communication, Doyle Srader, Ph.D.

Dr. Srader has been a member of the NCU faculty since 2007. His primary teaching schedule includes public speaking, interpersonal communication, listening behavior, and other public address and interpersonal communication classes. He has authored numerous publications and writings including “Performative Listening,” which appeared in the International Journal of Listening, and “Before, After, During: Michael Chertoff’s Post-Katrina Arguments,” which appeared in Argumentation and Advocacy.

Dr. Srader earned a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Baylor University.

NCU Registrar Aaron Pruitt ‘98, M.B.A. ’04 received The President’s Award for Exemplary Staff Performance and Campus Leadership.

As registrar, Pruitt has been responsible for registration, course scheduling, and degree completion, as well as maintaining student records and veteran certifying official. Pruitt has worked at NCU for 20 years.