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University News
University News Senior Banquet
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Seniors gather every spring for an evening of fun and fellowship during the Senior Banquet & Celebration. The banquet is organized by a student committee in collaboration with the NCU Office of Alumni Relations.
University News
Pacific Islander Club Launched Gerlach Wins Bash-Whisler
Students from left to right: Dylan Silva, Lydia Ka’aloa, Sera Tyrell, Yashu Lanki
Aloha, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, ‘Iorana, ‘Ia ora na, Kia Ora, Bula Vinaka, Kumasta, and Hello!
With a growing student population representing cultures of Hawai’i, Marshall Islands, American Samoa, Tonga, and other Pacific Islands, a Pacific Islander Club has been organized for students to share the region’s cultural richness with the campus and with each other.
“We want to help everyone learn more about the diversity that is found in the Pacific Islands. I didn’t know any of the other students from Hawaii before coming to NCU but this club is a great way for us to share the love that is rooted deeply in the Polynesian culture. We welcome all students to join us!” said Sera Tyrell, a sophomore, psychology major from Halawa Valley on Oahu, who is copresident of the organization.
The Pacific Islander Club meets every other week each semester. The meetings consist of sharing food from the Islands, discussion of culture and everyday life as well as how to manage the opportunities and challenges with attending school many miles away from home.
“This club is more than just hanging out, because it has a purpose.
Co-Presidents Dylan Silva and Sera Tyrell
We are hoping to change the misconception about who is Hawaiian and who is from Hawaii. This club is an avenue to share the heritage represented in each student from Hawaii or the Pacific Islands,” said Dylan Silva, a sophomore majoring in interdisciplinary studies, from the east side of Oahu, who is the club’s other co-president. “Even though someone from Oregon is an Oregonian, it doesn’t work the same way in Hawaii. Not everyone from Hawaii is Hawaiian. I am a quarter Hawaiian, but there are so many other cultures expressed in the state of Hawaii, this is our opportunity to learn about them all.”
For the second consecutive year, Jesse Gerlach, a sophomore communications major from Eugene, Oregon, has won the Bash-Whisler Bible Reading Competition and Angela Cusano, a senior communications major from Simi Valley, California, was the runner-up. Katy Noel from Eugene, Oregon, also a senior communications major, placed third.
The competition was established 57 years ago, and continues with the Whisler family's generous ongoing support. Students from all majors are encouraged to select two 12-verse scripture passages, one from the Old Testament, to read aloud, and another from the New Testament, that is recited from memory. Doyle Srader, Ph.D., professor of Speech & Communications at NCU is the competition coordinator.
Semifinalists were Ariana Henton, a senior majoring in music/Christian worship, from Otis, Oregon; Brianna Reay, a junior teacher education, early childhood & elementary major from Sheridan, Oregon and Jessica Sacker, a junior teacher education major from San Diego, California.
Gerlach recited his Bash-Whisler passage at baccalaureate on May 10. All competitors received a cash award for their work and participation in the contest.
Night of Jazz
Meet A Few of NCU’s Jazziest Performers
Drumming To His Own Beat “Music can express emotions and ideas when words fail,” said Matt Geronimo, a junior from Hayward, California, majoring in music/Christian worship. “Music touches you regardless of who you are and where you come from.”
Geronimo comes from a family of musicians. His dad plays the piano. A brother plays the alto-saxophone. His sister is a classically trained pianist. He began playing the drums at 3Crosses church in Castro Valley, California, at age eight.
“I believe music is a gift from God,” Geronimo said. “Music is one way we reflect on God’s word.”
In addition to the drums, he has honed his skills on the electric and bass guitars during his time at NCU. He adds that the faculty help all students to hear their calling by identifying their strengths and guiding them to shape their spiritual and academic interests.
“I love NCU’s music/Christian worship program because I am not pigeon-holed as only a drummer or only a guitar player,” he said. “I have had the opportunity to learn from faculty who are masters of their craft and then pick up additional skills by learning audio mixing and song writing that help me to share God’s word in different ways.”
Geronimo says playing jazz music is “fun” and that the concert brought musicians and singers together to perform in new and different ways.
“I like jazz,” Geronimo said. “But I believe that as Christian musicians we must develop our skills to be as good or better than the best musicians in the secular world.” On the Fast Track To Score Ruth Meeker is fast. She is a former Oregon State Champion in the 200 meters. After graduating from St. Stephen’s Academy in Beaverton, Oregon, she came to NCU to major in exercise science as well as to sprint for the Beacon track and field team.
Once on campus, Meeker caught her stride. She traded her starting blocks and relay baton to focus her talents on music notes, the 88 keys on a piano, and violin strings in the NCU music department.
“I like being part of a group that makes music together,” said Meeker, now a junior music composition major from Portland. “Music touches people and speaks to them in ways that words alone simply cannot.”
Meeker is a vocalist, but also plays the violin and piano in several NCU music ensembles and chorale groups, including in the Music Department’s recent Night of Jazz performance.
“Jazz is a challenge,” she said. “Learning to play a variety of music helps us to become well-rounded musicians.”
In high school, Meeker combined her love for track and field with music, but at NCU she found her calling.
“When I graduate, I want to write the musical scores for movies,” Meeker said. “Music is another way to show people God’s love.”
All That Jazz
The Ross Evans Chapel in the Price Music Building was the jazziest place in Lane County on March 16. Night of Jazz, a concert to celebrate styles of contemporary jazz, fusion, funk and swing featured NCU’s Jazz Ensemble, Ladies Contemporary A Cappella Group, and soloists chosen from among the most talented students. Patrons heard students perform the music of Snarky Puppy and Gordon Goodwin, as well as original compositions and arrangements by NCU students and music faculty.
Night of Jazz
University News
M.J. Murdock Memorial Trust Awards $383,750 Grant to Northwest Christian University
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust of Vancouver, Washington has awarded Northwest Christian University a $383,750 grant to upgrade the University’s student information system used to maintain student records, provide enhanced transparency in the academic journey, and keep students connected through technology to their
Stead Halstead M.B.A. '13, Information Technology Director
professors, classmates, educational resources, and campus community.
“The generous grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust is a gamechanger for Northwest Christian University,” said Joseph D. Womack, Ed.D., the University’s President. “With our thanks and gratitude, NCU’s implementation team will use the funds received from the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust to upgrade the University’s technology platform to meet the needs of a growing and diverse student population enrolled in our curriculum based in wisdom, faith and service.”
In the last eight years, NCU’s student population has grown 60%. Because the current technology platforms are stretched to the limits of their capabilities, a crossdepartmental team, led by Information Technology Director Christopher (Stead) Halstead M.B.A '13, has engaged in a robust process refinement and software search and selection effort to support student recruitment and retention initiatives.
“The team identified Jenzabar and its ‘One’ platform as our partner and solution moving forward,” said Halstead, who spent two years ministering to college students after completing his undergraduate education with generous grant support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. “The successful migration to this platform will resource our staff and students with the necessary tools to ‘train purposeful graduates,’ a core tenant of our mission. “No service interruptions are expected for students and faculty during the platform migration slated to be completed in June 2020.
Halstead led the campuswide grant development team, including with support from the NCU Office of Advancement, to submit the application to the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.
M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, created by the will of Melvin J. (Jack) Murdock, provides grants to organizations in five states of the Pacific Northwest – Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington–that seek to strengthen the region’s educational and cultural base in creative and sustainable ways.
NCU Earns Military Friendly Status
Northwest Christian University has again been designated Military Friendly® by Military Friendly®, a nationally recognized organization that annually ranks universities and colleges as a service to members of the military, veterans and their families. Military Friendly® schools represent the top tier of institutions nationally who provide the best higher education opportunities for military service members and spouses.
Other colleges and universities joining NCU in earning the Military Friendly® rating include: Amherst College, Abilene Christian University, California Baptist University, Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Liberty University, Seattle University and George Washington University, among others.
Developed through more than a decade of proprietary research, Military Friendly® ratings and resources provide service members and their families with the information they need to make decisions about
civilian careers and education opportunities. The universities and colleges do not pay to participate in the survey or to receive the Military Friendly® designation.
University News
New Members Join the Board of Trustees
Matt Hogan
Melaney Grenz, M.Sc.
Rodger Terrall
Michael Dryden, D.D.S.
Northwest Christian University welcomes four new members to its Board of Trustees: Matt Hogan, principal broker and partner with C.W. Walker & Associates, a commercial real estate firm in Eugene, Oregon, and the executive director of Lane County Youth for Christ; Melaney Grenz, M.Sc., a speech language pathologist with Springfield (Oregon) Public Schools is from Junction City, Oregon; Rodger Terrall, a retired bank executive and educator from Eugene, Oregon; and Michael Dryden, D.D.S., a partner in Valley River Endodontics in Eugene, Oregon.
NCU’s MSN Earns Prestigious CCNE National Accreditation
Northwest Christian University’s Master’s of Science degree in Nursing has received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. NCU’s RN to BSN degree is also
accredited by CCNE.
“Being accredited by CCNE, a national accreditation agency, serves the public interest by ensuring the mission, goals, education practices, and outcomes of our RN to BSN and MSN programs are appropriate for preparing nurses for their expected roles,” said Linda Veltri, Ph. D., RN, Associate Professor/Director of Nursing (pictured). “CCNE accreditation is a reflection of the dedication, faculty, and support we receive from our community and other partners.” RN to BSN degree programs are designed for working adults who have graduated from an accredited nursing program who want to enhance their knowledge and advance their nursing career.
For prospective students with a BSN from an accredited university, NCU’s MSN can be completed online within as little as 18 months.
NCU’s RN to BSN degree program is 30-credit program open to RNs with an active, unencumbered nursing license. This program is also online and can be
completed in as little as 12 months.
“Quality healthcare is important to all of us,” Veltri said. “Educating the next generation of nurses and nurse leaders is central to NCU’s mission of education grounded in wisdom, faith, and service."
University News
NCU Accredited by National Financial Accountability Organization
Northwest Christian University is accredited by The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, including transparency, sound board governance and ethical fundraising based on the ECFA‘s Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship™. NCU is accredited by ECFA, because it follows the model of biblical accountability.
ECFA, founded in 1979, provides accreditation to leading Christian nonprofit organizations that faithfully demonstrate compliance with the ECFA Standards pertaining to financial accountability, fundraising and board governance. For more information about ECFA, including information about accreditation and a listing of ECFA-accredited members, visit www.ECFA.org.
SheShines Brings Women Business Leaders Together
SheShines moderators and speakers: Caitlin Vargas M.B.A. ’15, Cornerstone Community Housing; Samantha Matta, CBT Nuggets; Kristina Payne ’99, Lane Workforce Partnership; Jenny Ulum, Obie Media and King Estate Winery: and Jen McFadden ’18, Northwest Community Credit Union.
March is women’s history month. To celebrate, key members of NCU’s Center for Leadership and Ethics advisory board partnered with community members, businesses, and alumni to launch a pilot event, SheShines. This event is the first of a women’s leadership series which will meet quarterly to spotlight professional women and esteemed alumnae in the community to discuss topics of leadership, mentorship, career development, and personal growth. Each event will be capped at 50 participants to ensure lively discussion and easy networking. The pilot program was a huge success and led by a panel of thoughtful, funny, and exemplary women:
Kristina Payne '99, Executive Director, Lane Workforce Partnership; Jenny Ulum, Public Affairs Counsel, Obie Companies, Senior Director, Communications King Estate Winery, and First Citizen 2019; and Samantha Matta, CBT Nuggets, Learner Experience Team. The panel was moderated by two outstanding NCU alumnae, Jen McFadden ’18 and Caitlin Vargas M.B.A. ’15.
While the topic focused on “Speaking Your Truth” and the art of assertive communication, each panelist brought a unique perspective and the program offered an opportunity for the rest of the impressive women in the room to workshop, share, and mentor one another. The past attendees and extended community are very excited about this program and are already planning a September event which will again be sponsored by The Center for Leadership and Ethics, VitalityBowls, and Northwest Community Credit Union.
For more information, please email Camille Ogden at cogden@nwcu.edu.
Staff News Doty Earns Prestigious Career Counselor Certification
Angela Doty ’00, M.A.’05, GDCF, has earned the prestigious Certified Career Counselor credential from the National Career Development Association (NCDA).
“Angela is recognized by her career development peers as a leader in guiding students to find their professional calling,” said Dennis Lindsay, Dr. Theol., Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty. “Earning the Certified Career Counselor credential is further evidence of her unwavering commitment to the profession, her staff, as well as the students and alumni to whom she offers career counseling services.”
The Certified Career Counselor credential is intended for career counselors with an advanced degree (master’s or higher) in counselor education, counseling psychology, rehabilitation counseling or closely related counseling degree, engaged primarily in a career counseling practice or other career counseling-related services. The Certified Career Counselor credential is a recognition of two important factors in training and experience, including both counseling and a specialization in career development, theory and practice.
To earn the certification, applicants must have already earned a master’s degree, completed 600 hours of clinical career development experience, and successfully passed a battery of competency assessments.
“It is an honor and privilege to live out my calling by providing quality career counseling to NCU students and alumni,” Doty said. “We have developed a comprehensive career development program, with an intentional focus on vocation and calling. This credential elevates the good work that we are already doing. We continue to seek new opportunities to serve those who trust us to guide them in discerning their calling and developing their career.”
NCDA, since its establishment in 1913, is the premier provider of professional development in the career field. NCDA is the recognized leader in developing standards for the career development profession and for the provision of career counseling programs and services. NCDA works to support the preparation, professional development and recognition of the education and experience of career counselors and specialists, particularly career services providers.
Faculty News Melton Receives SIPS Certification From Yale
NCU’s Ryan Melton, Ph.D., LPC, ACS, director and assistant dean of clinical mental health counseling, is one of five mental health professionals in the world certified by Yale University’s PRIME Research Clinic to use and teach Structure Interview of Psychosis-risk Syndrome (SIPS) to diagnose a patient’s clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis and cases of first-episode psychosis.
“Dr. Melton is a national expert on schizophrenia psychosis and was chosen by Yale from among the leading academics and clinicians in the world for certification in this breakthrough diagnostic protocol,” said Dennis Lindsay, D.Theol., NCU’s Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty. “We are pleased that he will train clinicians, mental health professionals and NCU Clinical Mental Health students to use SIPS to help people live their best lives.”
By diagnosing one or more of the three CHR syndromes (Attenuated Psychotic Syndrome, Brief Intermittent Syndrome, and Genetic Risk and Deterioration), SIPS is designed to predict the onset of psychosis even when it has never been present and if a patient has a current psychosis. SIPS is used with adults 18 to 45 years of age and adolescents 12 to 17 years old.
“What makes SIPS unique is that it provides clinicians and patients the information needed to make an accurate diagnosis today and provides a better understanding about psychosis as a possible condition, with the goal being to prevent the onset of psychosis all together,” Melton said. “I am looking forward to offering the SIPS training to clinicians throughout the western United States and beyond.”
To be certified in SIPS, Melton was identified by researchers at Yale University’s PRIME Research Clinic as an expert in schizophrenia and then completed 100 SIPS assessments, passed five written clinical examinations based on patient presentations, passed an examination about the SIPS tool, submitted three videos conducting SIPS that were rated by SIPS’ authors to ensure he met the programs “gold standard” and completed SIPS training under the supervision of the SIPS authors.
“The nationally recognized work that Dr. Melton is conducting is just one example of the significant academic research and teaching that NCU’s faculty does to create and gather the latest information to bring back to the classroom to share with our students,” Lindsay said. “Our faculty’s outstanding work, on campus and off, provides students with an education grounded in wisdom, faith, and service.”
Jill Workman Anderson, ‘84
When listening to Jill Workman Anderson ’84 talk about her time as a student at Northwest Christian and about her career as a bank executive, there is this feeling of deep faith and caring that wraps you like a warm blanket on a cool fall day.
Workman Anderson graduated from NCU with a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies. She also took classes in geography at Portland State University. Growing up she attended camp and events at the WiNe-Ma Christian Camp, a place she and her husband, Don, continue to volunteer.
She credits Dr. Song Nai Rhee and Dr. William Moore as professors who impacted her experience on campus.
For nearly 30 years, Workman Anderson has been with Wells Fargo Bank in Portland. Over the decades, she has experienced many changes in the financial services industry. As a vice president in her division, she helps people with retirement plans to make sure they are in compliance and administered properly within the law.
Taking care of people is what she does with clients at Wells Fargo, church, and her other community
volunteer commitments. She says she was lucky to “find a place (Wells Fargo) that pays me to help people. It is a good place to work. They even give us paid days off to volunteer in the community.”
One place Workman Anderson volunteers her time is with As Is Church. The congregation focuses on supporting people in drug and alcohol recovery, as well as people living on the street. She helps organize meals for attendees of the church’s Celebrate Recovery program on Monday nights. In addition, she also volunteers in the church nursery and is the wedding coordinator.
Brian Terrett M.B.A. ’06
Brian Terrett M.B.A. ‘06 is the director of public After talking with friends who were not having the relations, marketing and communications for Legacy M.B.A. experience that they had expected, Terrett Health in Portland. He leads a team charged to tell enrolled in NCU’s program. the Legacy Health story. Using video, articles, social media, news media, and other communications “The program was exactly what I wanted,” he said. “I strategies, the team shares stories about how Legacy spent two years learning and studying with smart, Health’s people serve patients throughout the motivated people.” community, and the world, from its six hospitals, 18 “I received a great education that included writing urgent care locations, 27 primary care clinics, and and defending a thesis,” Terrett said. “Without 35 specialty clinics located from Silverton, Oregon an NCU M.B.A., I probably would not be in the to the Portland Metropolitan Area to Southwest professional position that I am today.” Washington. “I love that I work with people to help them succeed,” of one of his favorite NCU professors, Annie Maggs, Terrett said. “I to the front of am fortunate in so many ways, “Without an NCU M.B.A., I probably would the classroom. As an adjunct but I like that no two days are ever alike for not be in the professional position that I am today.” faculty member, he taught classes in healthcare me.” A graduate of Metropolitan -Brian Terrett M.B.A. '06 marketing and healthcare strategic State University planning. in Denver, Terrett, and his wife Diane, moved with “I enjoyed teaching at NCU and I expect to teach their two boys to Eugene in 1996. He served as again after I retire in several years,” he said. the public information officer with Eugene Police After graduation, Terrett followed in the footsteps Department and then for the city of Eugene. He Terrett has been with Legacy Health in Portland left government to lead local communications and for 10 years. At about the time he and Diane made community relations for U.S. West, eventually making the move north on I-5, he began researching the a career shift to healthcare communications and Camino de Santiago after watching a Rick Steves marketing at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical travel program about pilgrimages on Oregon Public Center, located across Alder Street from NCU. It was Broadcasting. at Sacred Heart when he began his involvement with the University. “I read every thing that I could find about the Camino,” Terrett said. “I talked with people on message boards “In healthcare, education and credentials are and met with people in Portland who had made the important,” he said. “I wanted to earn an M.B.A., but journey. I knew it was something that we had to do.” the program had to be challenging, designed for professionals, and flexible.” The Camino de Santiago, known in English as the Way continued on next page
of Saint James, is a network of pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain. It is believed that is where the remains of the saint are buried. Many people from around the globe and many faith traditions walk its routes as a form of retreat for their spiritual growth.
To prepare for their 500-mile, sixweek walk, the Terretts trained. They went on daily walks, walking long distances on the weekends. They would even walk to the grocery store and carry their groceries home.
“We built up endurance and strength so we could walk every day of our pilgrimage,” Terrett said.
After a decade of planning, the Terretts headed to Barcelona, Spain to begin their walk up
Brian Terrett M.B.A. '06, takes a rest along the Camino de Santiago
and down part of the Pyrenees Mountain Range with other pilgrims in prayer and fellowship. Most walked to deepen and broaden their faith in God.
Nightly sleeping reservations were made well in advance, mostly at hostel-styled properties. They enjoyed the local food and the various people they met along the way.
The Terretts had no access to media or mobile phones during their time on the Camino de Santiago. They carried all the possessions they needed on their backs. They prayed and attended Mass. The solitude on the walk allowed them to focus on Him and what He wants for us.
continued from WORKMAN ANDERSON, pg. 19
“We are all just working to help others,” Workman Anderson said.
Her commitment to faith extends beyond her immediate community to Wi-Ne-Ma, where she serves as an associated member of the board of directors. She, with other supporters, is raising money to celebrate Wi-Ne-Ma’s 75th anniversary, so its property and activities can continue to be part of people’s faith journey for another 75 years, including for many NCU faculty, staff and students.
The Sierra Club has been a Workman Anderson passion since 1989. Her volunteer experience has taken her from working on projects in Central Oregon’s desert wildlands to the halls of the U.S. Capitol and Congressional Office Buildings to lobby for Steens Mountain, legislation that was signed into law in 2000 to protect these lands from development and to preserve an environment created by God.
Whether you meet Workman Anderson at the bank, Wi-Ne-Ma, at her church’s Celebrate Recovery meetings or in the desert, it is wisdom, faith, and service that stoke the fires to her warm commitment to people and the environment.
