Corban Connection November - December 2021

CORBAN CONNECTION NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021

EDUCATING CHRISTIANS WHO WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD FOR JESUS CHRIST.

NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT There is a different part of God’s creativity, beauty, and glory on display with each page of the calendar. As the chilly, foggy mornings return to our area, they draw me to praise God for His power and sovereignty. God’s power set in motion the changing seasons.

Every season brings unique holidays and activities to anticipate. Sometimes, however, these shifts can be disappointing or difficult. We might prefer warmer weather and bluer skies, or we may know the upcoming season will bring about undesirable adjustments.

Front left to right: Lori Schelske, Craig Thomas, Nicole Frangella, Reagan Miller Back left to right: Wendy Mikkelsen, Rebekah Skaggs, Summer Sheldon

Whether we enjoy these transitions or would rather have things stay as they are, we can be at rest as our powerfully good God is sovereign over them all. He brings the harvest and the cooler weather. He sends the rains in the spring, and the summer sun to shine. The changing seasons display our changeless God’s power not only to bring transformation, but to keep His promises.

CORBAN'S PARTNERSHIP WITH SALEM FREE CLINICS MEETS CRITICAL MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS IN SALEM “The state of mental health in Oregon is really bad, and in Salem, it’s even worse,” says Dr. Lori Schelske, Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Corban University. Throughout the city, practices are full, with lengthy waiting lists. Fees are high, and few practices even accept insurance due to high demand.

In the middle of this desperate climate sits Salem Free Clinics, an organization committed to providing healthcare at no cost to the uninsured of the greaterSalem community. And at the heart of their clinical counseling service rests the compassionate care of Corban University’s own students. As a part of Corban’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, students have the opportunity to give back to their community while gaining crucial practical work experience and supervision hours, working as intern counselors for Salem Free Clinics' counseling center. “2021 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Salem Free Counseling Clinic,” says Salem Free Clinics’ CEO, Trina Fowler.

“Its consistency and excellent care of our patient population has been a tremendous gift to our community.”

Through this partnership, Corban students are reaching a wide range of people that are often overlooked. “The clients that come in are the unserved and underserved as far as mental health is concerned,” Schelske says. “They are people who don’t have mental health insurance or are underinsured.”

After the flood, He made a covenant with Noah to never stop the patterned seasons. He said, “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease” (Gen. 8:22). The fall and winter months remind me of this promise. During what might seem like instability, we can choose to embrace each new season with joyful anticipation of what God has planned next.

Since 2011, Corban students have helped provide a wide range of vitally-needed services from group sessions to individual counseling and online sessions.

“I am so grateful for the professionalism and the vulnerability Corban students show their clients,” says Fowler. “We hear nothing but positive remarks about the wonderful care people receive through this program. People who utilize this resource don't have the finances to go anywhere else, so this clinic is such a blessing to so many.”

To Christ be all Glory,

Sheldon C. Nord, Ph.D. President

NON PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID SALEM OR PERMIT NO. 51

CORBAN GIVING TUESDAY IS COMING Scores of students who want to be at Corban University still lack the means.

Giving Tuesday is your chance to put Corban’s Christ-centered education within their reach, increasing global kingdom impact as they move into God’s calling on their lives. All donations received on Giving Tuesday will go toward the Corban Fund, supporting student scholarships.

Again this year, you can give permanence to your impact as each gift of $500 or more will help shape a student’s future and be memorialized with a custom engraved brick in our Legacy Plaza, beneath the clock tower. Engrave your legacy on Corban’s campus with a meaningful Bible verse, a special dedication to a friend or loved one, or a short message of encouragement that will be seen for years to come.

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CORBAN UNIVERSITY 5000 DEER PARK DRIVE SE SALEM, OR 97317-9392

Together, we will reach our goal of $100,000 for student scholarships.

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Your Next Step Can Begin at Corban Alumni Connections Kijani Forestry Brings New Growth to Uganda Corban Welcomes Golden Grad Class of '70 and '71

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The Giving Crowd to Host Free Planned Giving Webinar Daily Wisdom for Men 2022 Devotional Collection OAC Campaign Update Give the Gift of Coffee

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Alum Selected for Competitive Genentech Program New Provost Hired for Nontraditional Learning Christmas at Corban Events

Kijani Forestry co-founders Paul Mukiibi, Beau Milliken, and Quinn Neely ('08).

YOUR NEXT STEP CAN BEGIN AT CORBAN Did you know that Corban has a wide offering of graduate degrees? Catered to the reality of everyday life and the busyness that comes with it, our graduate programs focus on flexibility, equipping students to further their education and professional future without compromising their present.

One-Year Online Graduate Programs Master of Business Administration Master of Business Intelligence & Analytics Master of Leadership in Kinesiology Master of Public Administration Master of Public Safety Administration

Additional Graduate Programs Graduate Teacher Licensure Master of Arts in Christian Leadership Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master of Divinity Master of Science in Education

Post-Graduate Programs Doctor of Ministry in Strategic Leadership

ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP

KIJANI FORESTRY BRINGS NEW GROWTH TO UGANDA “Uganda used to be essentially one big forest,” says Corban alum and CEO of Kijani Forestry, Quinn Neely (‘08). Known for its verdant beauty, one hundred years ago Uganda was comprised of nearly 85% forest. Today, that figure sits at just 7%.

At the heart of Uganda’s deforestation problem sits the $5 billion charcoal industry. “They call it black gold,” Neely says. Demand for charcoal has nearly tripled within the eight years Quinn has lived in Gulu. Uganda is the number one country in the world for urbanization rates and routinely sits in the top five for yearly population growth.

“With massive amounts of people transitioning into these big cities, they are all relying on charcoal,” Neely says. “You now have charcoal in the cities and firewood in the villages. Both mean cutting down trees.” The economic effects have been massive, with growing scarcity causing prices to triple, and the environmental effects have been equally devastating.

This was the climate that precipitated Neely’s desire to co-found Kijani Forestry. This year, the young organization planted over a million trees, with plans to plant over 50 million in the next two years.

Already, they have secured funding from several large international organizations, were selected as a charter member of the World Economic Forum’s “Trillion Tree Cohort,” and have become a destination for major research universities.

But this is not how Kijani began. Like the trees they plant, it did not simply grow overnight, but took time and careful cultivation. Neely and two of his friends, Paul Mukiibi and Beau Milliken,

Graduate students who have previously completed any undergraduate, licensure, or other graduate program at Corban University, Western Baptist College, or Northwest Baptist Seminary are eligible for the Alumni Scholarship. This scholarship will cover 20% of tuition costs for your Corban University graduate program.

with a cumulative total of zero years of agricultural experience, decided to start growing. “We wanted to find ways to bring money into communities and create as many jobs as possible, all while figuring out how to produce charcoal more sustainably,” says Neely. “There’s a lot of talk around tree planting and not a lot of doing. We decided to try and grow a lot of trees and see if that worked. It didn’t.”

The trio bought land, planted 40,000 seedlings in pots, and waited. A few weeks later, only 200 seeds had germinated. “We started to wonder if this might not be the best business plan, but we still felt like God was guiding us through this and that it was what we needed to be doing.” Kijani’s first failed crop, a gnarled collection of trunks littered with unwieldy spikes, still stands at a corner of their farm—a reminder of growth through adversity.

“People don’t mention the name of that type of tree in front of me anymore,” Neely laughs. “But that ended up being a turning point for us. People were seeing that we were actually trying to do stuff. Even though it was wrong, with guidance, we eventually we began to succeed.”

Now Kijani owns over 400 acres of property, planted with new species of fast-growing trees, and their high-efficiency charcoal production method has yielded incredible results. “With traditional charcoal production, you put 100 kilograms in and get 6 kilograms out, but with our kilns, we’ve seen up to a 42% yield,” Neely says. “Our method is generating at least 50% more charcoal through our kilns. This can be sustainable. You can plant trees and harvest them indefinitely, and you’re getting a lot more charcoal out of the same product.”

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS FACEBOOK: Alumni Page: Corban University/Western Baptist Visit our page for University updates and event information.

Alumni Group: Corban University/Western Baptist Join our alumni group for more relational involvement within our alumni community.

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CORBAN HOSTS GOLDEN GRAD CLASS OF '70 AND '71

LINKEDIN: Corban University

On October 7-9, Corban University was ecstatic to finally be able to host the Golden Grad Reunion for the classes of ’70 and ’71. The event launched with a coffee reception where previous Golden Grads welcomed in this newest group, followed by an honorary luncheon in the El Cerrito room, where attendees were treated by Corban’s new dining service, Pioneer College Caterers, and entertained

by Corban’s eight-voice Chamber Choir, led by Director, John Wack (’78). Friday night’s athletic event featured a record-setting win for the women’s

EMAIL: alumni@corban.edu

Email to share updates such as name changes, marriages, obituaries, or special acknowledgments for yourself, or fellow alumni (that are deemed public information).

Do you have questions about transcript or diploma requests, course descriptions, or faculty information?

Contact: registrar@corban.edu.

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Golden Grads (left to right): Catherine (Cox) Jacobson (‘71), Craig Lucas, Jane (Glass) Lucas (‘70), Chip Van Gilder (‘70), Karen (Spoon) Yates (‘71), Gerry Snelson (‘71), Steven Yates (‘71)

volleyball team against conference rival Eastern Oregon, and the weekend concluded with a traditional plated brunch where guests heard about the continuing mission of Corban University.

This year’s reunion was highlighted by community as our newest class of Golden Grads rediscovered their campus and reminisced about the many fond memories made here on Corban’s quiet hill. Plans are in place for honoring the upcoming class of ‘72 in May, scheduled around Commencement.

THE GIVING CROWD TO HOST FREE PLANNED GIVING WEBINAR Corban University is pleased to offer a free webinar with Richard Blackmon, the CEO of The Giving Crowd (TGC), on December 7.

Richard has spent over 25 years helping non-profits across America improve their Richard Blackmon, CEO services by connecting them of The Giving Crowd with the generous donors who are passionate about what they do.

Before co-founding The Giving Crowd, Blackmon was CEO and President of one of the largest campaign consulting companies in America. He has helped clients raise hundreds of millions of dollars.

Richard has had the privilege of working with schools and universities, churches, denominational bodies, and arts and world health organizations.

Richard recently spent three days on Corban’s campus speaking at two sessions with employees on how to create an effective will that limits what taxes beneficiaries will pay. He also met one-on-one with donors to hear their dreams and share his expertise on how to plan and meet their goals.

Blackmon says to expect something different with TGC. “This will be an experience, not a sales process,” he says. “We will help you capture a legacy that might have otherwise have been lost. We start by listening. Every plan is customized to fit your family, your needs, and your goals.”

Corban University is pleased to offer this service to our employees and donors. Those who have worked with TGC have already been impressed with Richard and Greg Ring, the co-founders, and the expertise they provide. And Corban has continued to benefit through our incredible donors’ generosity in their plans. It is a win-win.

Richard’s webinar, “Accelerating Your Impact,” will take place on December 7 at noon PST. To register, visit http://go.corban.edu/tgcwebinar or use the following QR code.

If you have questions about TGC or their upcoming webinar, please call Holly at 503-316-3383.

DAILY WISDOM FOR MEN 2022 DEVOTIONAL COLLECTION “It’s been a privilege to write for this men’s devotional book. They asked for 30 devotionals this year and even let me cover the Song of Solomon! I think I learned more than the readers will, but I’m thankful for the opportunity to impact people in this way.”

- Dr. Marty Trammell (contributing author) In the latest devotional collection of Daily Wisdom for Men, men will find inspiration, challenge, and their spirits encouraged as they experience the wisdom of God’s Word every day of 2022.

scriptures, devotional readings, and prayers that remind you that no matter what challenges or difficult times come, God is firmly in control and His ways are good. Daily scripture readings follow a Read-through-the-Bible-in-aYear plan that you may choose to complete alongside the devotional.

In these pages you’ll find encouragement, inspiration, and spiritual blessing as you strengthen your faith all 365 days of the year.

Preorder a copy by scanning this QR code.

Every day for an entire year, you will be inspired by

PROGRESS FOR NEW OUTDOOR ATHLETIC COMPLEX RESTS ON FIRM FOUNDATION In spite of the weather, and added challenges exacerbated by COVID, construction remains on schedule. “Supply chain issues have caused a few delays in the project, as well as some rain at times, but K&E Excavation has done a remarkable job of keeping the project moving forward,” says Vice President for Advancement, Shannon Johnson.

“They continue to go above and beyond to be an excellent partner for Corban, and we are so thankful that we are working with them as our general contractor on this project.”

Progress on construction of the new Outdoor Athletic Complex continues with the pouring of the track foundation.

As a scorching summer hands the baton off to the rainy days of an Oregon fall, Corban’s new Outdoor Athletic Complex is beginning to take physical shape. The groundwork, drainage installation, and surface grading have all been completed, with the location now handling the heavy rain like it never has before.

Track curbs have been installed and the pavement foundation for the new track surface is set and cured. Field turf is scheduled to be installed in

mid-November, but the installation of the actual track surface will be postponed until the spring, when an extended stretch of necessary dry weather and warm temperatures is more feasible. “There are very tight constraints on allowable temperatures and moisture conditions in order to apply track surfacing,” says Director of Campus Facilities and Operations, Troy Croff. “Waiting until the spring will allow us to ensure effective installation without risking future structural issues.”

With K&E’s guidance, the project remains on schedule, with donor support gaining major traction in recent months. “Since August 2021, donors have made gifts and commitments of $295,000,” Johnson says. “Each gift brings us closer to fully funding this critical project through donor support. With only $1.4 million left to finish funding the track and field phase of the Outdoor Athletic Complex, we are urging our alumni, donors, and friends of Corban to get involved and help us reach the finish line.”

Scan the QR code to discover more about this exciting project, and to partner with us today.

GIVE THE GIFT OF COFFEE AND JOIN A SPECIAL CAUSE THIS CHRISTMAS Give a gift that truly keeps on giving. This holiday season, you can purchase 1 lb. bags of our custom Corban Coffee blend as a special holiday gift. Proceeds from all sales go to support our students through the Corban Fund.

This blend was lovingly crafted by alumni coffee roasters, Timm and Lori Taff. Scan the QR code below to purchase your gift today. Bags can also be purchased on campus while supplies last. Simply call 503-375-7130 to make an on-campus order.

And it’s not too late to receive exclusive Corban Coffee Club gifts by becoming a club member today. Join our growing community of monthly donors, united by their love of all things coffee and Corban. Along with exclusive membership benefits like special coffee blends and your own handcrafted Corban coffee mug, all proceeds from the Corban Coffee Club go directly to supporting the University and student scholarships, making the dream of an affordable, biblically-focused education possible for so many.

Join the club or give the gift of coffee today by scanning this QR code:

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interview. “All the interviews were at the end of the workday when I was already exhausted,” Montanez says. “And for my video interview, the fire alarm went off right in the middle.”

Despite these added challenges, Montanez’s name rose to the top of the list. One advantage was that he was already an intern at Genentech’s commercial department, Access Solutions, but another major distinguishing factor was his Corban MBIA degree.

“It was one of the things that the selection panel really said stood out,” he says. “And it was also a major reason why my mentor originally thought I would be a good candidate for the program.”

ALUM EMMANUEL MONTANEZ SELECTED FOR COMPETITIVE GENENTECH PROGRAM “I was baffled. I did not expect it,” says Corban alum, Emmanuel Montanez. A recent graduate of Corban’s online Master of Business Intelligence and Analytics (MBIA), Montanez was recently selected for major pharmaceutical company Genentech’s highly competitive Operations Rotation Development Program (ORDP).

Montanez, who also received his undergraduate degree from Corban in biomedical sciences in 2020, was one of five applicants selected out of a pool of over 1,000. He describes the program as an “internship on steroids.” Structured as a twoyear, full-time, salaried position with benefits, the rotational program takes emerging talent through four major sectors of the pharmaceutical industry.

For Montanez and the pool of 1,000 applicants, most from the Ivy League or major California tech schools, the interview process was intense—a five-phase evaluation culminating in a video panel

Through his time as an intern at Access Solutions, Montanez began to see a shift in the company’s hiring focus. “A lot of these large biotech companies are moving more toward data analysis, not only in their research and development, but in their operations and finance as well,” he says. “The biotech sector is a little behind the big tech companies, and they are trying to catch up and hire more people with an information and analytics background.”

EVENTS CORBAN GIVING TUESDAY On November 30, you can help fund student scholarships by joining the world’s largest global generosity movement, Giving Tuesday.

Again this year, give permanence to your impact, as each gift of $500 or more will not only help shape a student’s future, but be memorialized with a custom engraved brick in our Legacy Plaza. Become a part of Corban’s legacy and together we will reach our goal of $100,000 for the Corban Fund.

To give today, scan this QR code.

With the value of an MBIA degree on the rise, Montanez knew it was a degree he wanted to pursue. The unique blend of personalized focus and flexibility moved Corban’s program to the top of his list. “It was way more affordable, for one,” he says. “But I also thought it would be a good balance between hard science and business.”

Due to the convenient structure of Corban’s online graduate business programs, Montanez was able to complete his degree in one year while working at his initial Genentech internship. “I loved the flexibility of it in that I was able to work a full eight hours and pay off the program as I went through,” he says.

Equipped with the knowledge to succeed, Montanez looks ahead to a career in the exciting new convergence of biotech and analytics. “This is an amazing opportunity for me,” he says. “Not only to have a massive stepping stone into my career future, but for whatever else God has for me after this.”

DR. RICHARD WEBER HIRED AS NEW PROVOST FOR NONTRADITIONAL LEARNING “There are a lot of people who got a good start on a program and want to finish it, or who find themselves wanting to make a career change later in life,” says Corban’s new Provost for Nontraditional Learning, Dr. Richard Weber.

their church to go back to school, or individuals who are at a stage in life where they can’t leave their family and jobs, we structure our programs to engage the adult learner where they are and how they think,” Weber says.

After sixteen years of teaching theology courses at Moody Bible Institute, where he also helped to spearhead their online program, Dr. Weber is excited to start this new initiative at Corban University, continuing to meet adult learners where they are at by catering to their unique educational needs.

“Whether our students are pastors who can’t leave

As Weber prepares to expand and diversify the ways in which Corban can train and equip individuals to make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ, his focus is aimed toward their futures. “We want to help people know how to make a difference in their called professions in a way that will glorify God, regardless of their age, stage in life, or career.”

FALL PLAY: REMEMBER MY NAME Corban Theatre’s fall play will officially open with a matinee on Nov. 11, with in-person and virtual tickets now available for purchase.

The acclaimed drama, Remember My Name, directed by Tamara McGinnis, follows the story of a young girl’s survival in war-torn France and the bravery of those who risk their lives to protect her.

For additional information and to purchase your tickets, scan this QR code.

CORBAN MUSIC DEPARTMENT TO WELCOME BACK COMMUNITY WITH "CHRISTMAS AT CORBAN" EVENT “The anticipation is building,” says Corban Music Program Director, Dr. Mark Stanek. “The thought of bringing people back on to campus for a Christmas celebration has us all really excited.”

“The Christmas message put to music is always impactful,” Stanek says. “Music speaks to a certain part of our humanity and a distinct aspect of God’s image that nothing else quite reaches.”

This year, Corban students and faculty are preparing for “Christmas at Corban” with a new sense of joy. “It’s just good to be bringing people back,” Stanek says. “Whatever it ends up looking like, the anticipation of a Psalm Center full of people enjoying themselves is exciting for our musicians.”

Marked by growing anticipation among Corban’s young musicians, the event offers the chance to join the celebration of the most anticipated event in history—the coming of the Savior to the world.

Free to the public, “Christmas at Corban” will highlight the wonder of the season as Corban bands, choirs, and orchestras aim to delight and inspire audiences with a repertoire of primarily sacred music.

To RSVP and reserve your seat, please visit go.corban.edu/christmas2021 or scan this QR code.

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CHRISTMAS AT CORBAN On December 3 at 7:30pm, and December 4, at 2:00pm, the Corban Music Department will be inviting the community for a special seasonal showcase of sacred music.

This year's event, “Christmas at Corban,” is free to the public and will feature performances by the university's choral, band, and orchestral groups.

REACH OUT TO US Do you have something you would like to see featured in an upcoming issue? Let us know by email at advancement@corban.edu, or by mail.

www.corban.edu | 5000 Deer Park Dr. SE, Salem, OR 97317

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