Cornerstone Magazine 2011 by Cornerstone University

CREATIVITY 101 ON THE PULSE OF MODERN Health care SERVING THE UNDERSERVED 1 CO R N E R STO N E U N I V E R S I T Y

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Staying on top of your claSSeS and your budget Managing your Money at ScHool juSt becaMe a lot eaSier. With Virtual Wallet® Student by pnc, you can see all your money in one place, so you know what’s for bills, what’s saved, and what’s free to spend. Helpful tools like danger days, a weekly calendar, and parent alerts take the stress out of keeping track of your finances, so you can focus on other things. and with free Mobile and text Message banking, plus pnc atMs around town and one on campus, there’s no easier way to access and manage your money at school. to open your account, stop by your local branch at 3950 plainfield ne or call 1-877-PNC-1000.

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

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Table of Contents

CREATIVITY 101 cornerstone university 2011 cu sees record high enrollment

CREATIVITY 101

on THE PULSE OF MODERN HEALTH CARE

SERVING THE UNDERSERVED

Professor Don Perini has a goal: unleash students’ creative potential to develop them into the skilled innovators and problem solvers the world desperately needs.

Cornerstone University and its Professional and Graduate Studies program reaches into Grand Rapids’ emerging medical culture thanks to the new Health Care Master of Business Administration program.

An anonymous donor recognized the need for equitable access to theological training for those serving in urban settings — GRTS saw it, too. A dream was matched with a donor and the Urban Cohorts Initiative was birthed.

by ann byle

journalism program continues to grow

EXCELLENCE ON THE STAGE

CU PARTNERS WITH BIG TICKET FESTIVAL

ON THE COVER Pictured: the Welch Clock Tower built in 2006 to honor Dr. Wilbert Welch, former president and chancellor since 1984, and his wife, for their many years of service to the university. 2010, PHOTO BY MATTH E W FOW L E R

FROM THE PRESIDENT 2011 | cornerstone.edu

1001 E BELTLIN E AVE NE GRAND RAPIDS MI 49525 Main Switchboard: 616.949.5300

executive director of mark eting an d commu nications bob sack

writer/editor kelli cottrell

art director caroline cahoon (CU ‘03)

graphic designer karmen low

PROJECT MANAGER katherine felber

photographer karmen low

web developmen t coordinator jacly n visbeen

contributing WRITERS stasha gies e (CU ‘13) nicole ricks (CU ‘13) ann byle alyssa helm (CU ‘13) AMENA ANDER SON (CU ‘11) RYAN WENGER (CU ‘12)

As a person passionate about community, higher education and, most of all, serving Jesus, I am excited about the forward movement at Cornerstone University.

con tributing photographers ryan prins SHORELINE STUD IOS a & M Photograhphy Matthew Fowler

In the past year we have made major strides in expanding our academic programs and increasing academic rigor. We have deepened our commitment to the spiritual growth of our students, and added to our already-successful adult and online learning opportunities. The current financial growth and astounding enrollment rates remind us of God’s favor on Cornerstone. As we continue to focus resources and energies on our Christ-centered goal to build lives that matter, I believe CU is quickly becoming one of West Michigan’s most valuable assets. The students, faculty and staff at Cornerstone are committed to effectively engaging the cultures of our world with the transforming power of the gospel, and are 2

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

living this out in ways that enrich Grand Rapids and our surrounding communities. The Cornerstone Magazine will highlight how our faculty, staff and students are living out our goal: Building Lives that Matter. You will see a thread of what really matters at Cornerstone. Jesus matters. Resources matter. Academics matter. Community matters. It is my prayer that you will be both encouraged and inspired by the stories of Christ’s work in and through us. Blessings in 2011,

Joe Stowell President of Cornerstone University

Andy Visockis Photography coastline stud ios gre g yoder

cover photo by matthew fowler

special thanks to: spectrum health w.a.r. c hest

Cornerstone Magazine is an annual publication produced by the Marketing and Communications Office at Cornerstone University. Approximately 25,000 copies are distributed to friends of the university to connect them to happenings at CU. Cornerstone University exists to empower men and women to excel as influencers in our world for Christ by offering a studentfocused learning community where Jesus Christ is central.

Slap on a pair of these red/blue shades, and you’ll see you the way we see you: In 3D. With depth and dimension. Because you’re more than a GPA waiting to happen. More than a brain in waiting. You are your head, heart, hands, hair, hello and hold the pickles! You are depth and dimension with friends, goals, faith, heart, love, summer jobs, top tunes and whatever else makes you, you. You’re 3D. We’re CU, a university for 3D people. We offer programs like digital media and social work, to business and youth ministry. So if you’re looking for a strong university full of people with a strong love for Christ that’ll give you a strong future, check us out online or call us and ask for a “CU IN 3D” brochure. Think of it as a free 3D novel about your next four years. CU stands for Cornerstone University. It also stands for Call Us, or Contact Us! That’s step one to getting into a college that sees you in 3D — that’s step one to being who you are while becoming who you’re meant to be. CU here. CU in 3D!

www.cornerstone.edu admissions@cornerstone.edu 800.787.9778 1001 E BELTLINE AVE NE GRAND RAPIDS MI 49525

CU Sees Record High Enrollment

b y n i c o l e r i c k s (CU ‘13)

Cornerstone University was recently featured in the Grand Rapids Press as the school with the highest percent increase in enrollment among all of west Michigan’s private schools. The university’s 8.1 percent increase this year is the school’s largest jump in enrollment since 2000. Meanwhile, some nearby colleges and universities experienced declines in enrollment. Cornerstone has a record total of 3,054 students enrolled in all of its programs including: undergraduate, seminary and Professional and Graduate Studies. “That tells people on the outside that something good is going on here,” said Dr. Joe Stowell, president of Cornerstone University. “Everybody likes to be in a place that’s growing. It’s kind of like we are

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

on a winning team, and that affects faculty and student moral.” Increasing enrollment is a result of the hardworking recruitment by the admissions staff, particularly the experience a prospective student receives when visiting campus on a Golden Eagle Day, according to Provost Rick Ostrander. “A student’s visit to campus makes or breaks the deal – meeting students and staying in dorms, meeting professors and sitting in on classes,” Ostrander said. Retention is another factor to which Stowell attributes the growth. “One reason for the big growth this year has been retention,” he said. “I think it reflects that we are intentionally trying to make this environment a place where students thrive. Our vision statement says that we want this to be a place where students thrive as followers of Christ. So if we are making progress on that then students want to return.” Cornerstone’s undergraduate enrollment totals for fall 2010 were 1,271, the university’s largest since 2006. And the freshman class of 2014 is the largest class size to date. “You can recruit and have a big class, but if you don’t have a good environment you don’t retain,” Stowell said.

Both Ostrander and Stowell agree that numerical growth isn’t a big priority. “It’s a fallacy among Christians that size equals success,” Ostrander said. “I don’t equate growth with success, but it does fit with other indicators that we continue to provide better academics to students. It’s a byproduct and confirmation that we are doing something right.” Stowell said there is a real value to a smaller college community. “We are not excited to think that one day we may be at 10,000 students,” he said. “We may not want to be at 10,000. We may feel that a Cornerstone education is best served at 3,000 or whatever the number is. We are working on where that mark is where we can still offer real quality and community.” The Cornerstone administration is looking at campus development to determine what types of buildings, faculty and services are needed to accommodate a growing student body. More students on campus, however, will not affect financial aid or tuition. Stowell said he plans on keeping financial aid as generous as possible and tuition as low as possible. The growth is projected to continue this fall. “We have seen a good number of applications,” said Stowell in January. “They are already above this time last year. We think we are on a trajectory where word is getting out that good things are happening on this campus.”

FEATURE

Professor Don Perini defines creativity as the ability to come up with something new and useful. That definition applies perfectly to IDS 101: Creativity, Innovation and Problem Solving. by ann byle

FEATURe “How many of you know what a Ticonderoga #2 is? It’s a yellow pencil,” Perini says in class. “And you’re going to come up with a commercial for it.”

The class doesn’t know they are learning the Perini Pyramid, a tool he invented to teach basic brainstorming techniques. “You have one minute to come up with five description words,” he hollers. “Now come up with five locations. Now five random words. Pick one from each category. Now tell me how you’ll use those three things in a television commercial.” In 20 minutes, students have learned the fundamentals of brainstorming. It’s not the ideas he’s concerned about, but the knowledge of how to come up with them. “I want them to know that brainstorming yields lots of ideas because more ideas increases the chances of one great idea,” said Perini. “The brain can’t keep two opposite things opposite. It automatically tries to connect them.” Don Perini came up with the idea for a class on creativity while reading on the subject. He asked himself, “What would it look like to teach a class on creativity?” He put together an all-new class curriculum that turned

Prof. Don Perini works with students on descriptive words.

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

creativity into one of the most useful skills a student can learn. “Creativity is something to be developed. We all have the potential for creativity,” said Perini, who came to Cornerstone University in 2003 to redesign the youth ministry program. The first creativity class, offered as an elective in May term 2006, had 10 students. The Spring 2007 class had 70 students. By Fall 2008, the revamped core curriculum included IDS 101 as a requirement for all freshmen and Perini had a new title: Associate Professor of Ministry and Creativity. Cornerstone University is the only school to make creativity a requirement for all freshmen. “It was like, ‘Grab your surfboard and ride the wave,’” said Perini. And forget the lectures. Constant motion is the norm in creativity classes. Students stretch and move, break into groups, move to new groups, write on white boards lining the walls, play games. They think about ways to create a new and useful classroom (think bean bag chairs and floor lighting). They devise ways to revamp the cafeteria menu; the chapel format; education in general. “I want students to have the brain that enables them to come up with new and useful ideas, products, processes, etc.,” said Perini. “I want them to be able to ask, later in life, ‘How do I make this manufacturing line move better?’ or ‘How can this car be designed better?’” The goal, he said, is not to be a creative teacher but to do things to make creative students. Each activity is designed to

Perini’s class splits into groups to participate in active learning — games, brainstorming sessions and small group discussions.

Elizabeth Wing (CU ‘10) took more than her degree in Bible and youth ministry to her first post-college job.

Students work in small groups to develop an innovative board game to be evaluated by their peers and professors.

encourage new ways to be creative and innovative. He and fellow creativity teacher Jeanette Banashak use two of Perini’s own works on creativity as textbooks. “Rhyming with Orange” helps students learn how to unleash their creative potential. “Capture Machine” offers visual cues to encourage creativity. Students must also write an essay that examines the life of one creative person (ie. Leonardo da Vinci, Sir Isaac Newton), write a review of a book on creativity using the “Freeway” method of reading, and – often the pinnacle of the class – design a new card or board game. “Each thing we do has intention and purpose,” he said. Perini moves beyond creativity to explore tangential subjects of innovation and problem solving. He wants students to ask themselves questions such as, “How do I fix this?” and “How can I make this process more efficient?” “The world is changing,” he said. “Businesses are changing, and their products must change and evolve as well if they want to remain in operation. Creative employees come up with original and useful ideas that keep the business going.” Creativity, innovation and problem solving have a strong redemptive element as well. Teachers, business leaders, law enforcement personnel, factory workers exercise redemption when they come up with new and useful ways to benefit people. “We are made in God’s image. He is creative and so are we,” said Perini. “We want students, who go on into the world, to unleash their creative potential to change lives in the world.” Perini envisions a creativity minor offered at Cornerstone University and dreams of more than just one class requirement. He sees potential in offering creativity classes pertinent to each major at junior and senior levels. “Creativity is a lifestyle, a way of thinking,” he said. “If we are to be influencers and Build Lives That Matter, we have to be in positions of influence. And to be there, we have to be able to come up with new and useful ways to do things.”

She took the lessons she learned from IDS 101 straight into her roll as programmer for Spring Hill Camps. “I took a lot of what I learned and use it daily in my job,” said Wing, who creates and implements ideas, events, and programs for guests and campers at Spring Hill. She took the creativity class as a sophomore, then spent a semester as creativity assistant during her senior year. She graduated in May 2010. “Professor Perini taught us about freedom and principles. I can think of something really crazy for Spring Hill, come up with all these ideas, then bring it down to start implementing it. There’s the freedom to brainstorm, then comes making the ideas useful,” she said. Wing also uses her knowledge of what kind of thinker she is – highly divergent – to understand that she is an idea person, but needs convergent thinkers to narrow down her ideas. “I also learned the beauty of creativity. I’m capable of being creative, and now I can help empower others to be creative,” said Wing, 22. “Professors Perini and Banashak have opened my eyes to what it means to live a creative life and really redeem the world through creativity. It was a gift to learn that.”

For more information on Perini’s creativity tools and creativity consulting business, contact him at 616.949.5300, ext. 1944.

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Award-Winning journalism Program Continues to Grow of the many growing majors on campus, one major continues to win awards annually – journalism. Cornerstone journalism students won 11 awards in the Michigan Press Association’s Better Newspaper College Contest and four awards in Baptist Press’ Excellence in Journalism contest. The Herald, Cornerstone University’s student-run campus newspaper, competed in Division 2 of the MPA newspaper contest, against schools such Hillsdale College, Calvin College and Ferris State University. In the Baptist Press contest, the Herald competed in Division 1 against 14 colleges and universities, including noted schools such as Liberty University, Biola University, Patrick Henry College and Baylor University. This was The Herald’s first time competing in Baptist Press’ contest. Amena Anderson (CU ‘11) won two awards for her front-page story “Michigan legislature passes texting bill”: first place for a news story in the Baptist Press contest and second place in the MPA contest in the news story category. Other notable awards included second place overall in the Baptist Press contest and third place overall

in the MPA contest. Overall, the Herald won five first place awards, four second place awards, five third place awards and one honorable mention. “God has continued to bring us very talented students who ply their writing, photography and editing skills on the campus newspaper, ‘The Herald’,” said Alan Blanchard, associate professor of journalism and director of the journalism department. “Winning awards is a gratifying event and a validation of the abilities and skills of our journalism students.” With 169 students majoring in the Communication and Media Studies Division (CMS), the journalism program has grown dramatically since last year, according to Pete Muir, CMS division chair and assistant professor of media. Each year the journalism major evolves to keep up with trends in the field. “A few years ago, after exploring (and) studying programs at other universities like Northwestern University, Indiana University, Hillsdale College, Michigan State University and others, and in my contacts with newspaper editors around the state, it became apparent to me that we needed to equip our journalism students with some basic skills in the use of videography, still photography and audio,” Blanchard said. When people think of journalism, they think of writing for the newspaper, and newspapers seem

for the complete list of 2010 awards won by the herald scan the qr code to the right with a barcode scanning app on your smartphone.

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

to be dying, Muir said. But Blanchard has made sure journalism graduates are equipped with tools to get them hired. “Journalism is evolving and has been doing so for at least the past 10 years, as print media-like newspapers and magazines are fully engaged in creating and embracing their own online publications that involve the use of video, audio, still photography and the printed word,” Blanchard said. The skills a journalist needs are becoming broader, Muir said. CU’s goal – specifically in the journalism program – is to provide students with an education that is both deep and broad. An academic team is designing the schedule and curriculum for photography as a minor. And while the photography minor would include taking feature and news photos for a newspaper, the minor would include ways to capture wedding photos and nature, he said. “Students are not taught to be good journalists; students are taught to be good Christians in the world of journalism,” said Provost Rick Ostrander. He believes that one reason the journalism program has flourished is because of its focus on Christianity.

The Cornerstone Student Fund H e l p i n g B u i l d Li v e s th at M at t e r

Cornerstone University has a rich heritage of equipping students with biblical truths to make an impact in the world for Christ. We are training hundreds of students to have a passion for global influence through the transforming power of the gospel! Y o u r s u p p o rt i s va l u ab l e t o u s ! No gift is too small. Your participation and contribution will help support the development of students, faculty and staff. It will better our University as a whole and enhance students’ lives through scholarships, improved classroom environments and help create an environment where students thrive. The Cornerstone Student Fund keeps tuition affordable! To support and provide for students today, please go to www.cornerstone.edu/give or call 616.254.1659 to give a lifechanging gift to the Cornerstone Student Fund.

I am grateful for the donations because they help improve our wonderful campus and because they provide an opportunity to attend this school at less cost than if they hadn’t donated. Eric Beaudoin (CU ‘13)

FEATURE

on the pulse of modern health care

Chyrisha Brown yearns to become a person of faith, a person of knowledge and a health care worker who truly understands the people she helps. When she learned about the Health Care Master of Business Administration program offered by Cornerstone Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Professional and Graduate Studies program, she knew it was the place for her. by ann byle

FEATURe

Dr. Sandra Upton helped create a program that meets a need for health care leaders.

Brown, who has been working at the University of Michigan Hospital after graduating from the university, moved back to her hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich., in part to be near family and in part because of the new Health Care M.B.A. program. “I knew an M.B.A. would open a lot of doors and I knew I wanted to work in health care; then I heard about the program and talked to admissions counselor Leslie Iverson. It’s all falling together in a way no one could have structured,” said Brown. “What stands out are the program’s faith component and its cultural perspective.” Grand Rapids, once known for furniture and automobile industries, is now known for its cuttingedge medical research facilities and innovative health care strategies and alliances. Cornerstone and its PGS program reaches into Grand Rapids’ emerging medical culture thanks to the new Health Care M.B.A..

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

“We’ve been watching the Medical Mile in downtown Grand Rapids,” said Dr. Sandra Upton, Dean of Business Programs at PGS. “We conducted focus groups with Grand Rapids’ health care industry experts and asked about their needs now and in the future. They all said they need leaders.” Cornerstone and PGS have spent the last year or two creating a program that meets that need for leaders. Upton has helped design classes and recruit teachers for the Health Care M.B.A. that begins in February 2011. “This is a practitioner’s program. The health care industry told us what they wanted and we have created a program to answer that,” said Upton, who was raised in Grand Rapids and has taught in the PGS program since 1998. She came on as Dean in 2008.

Upton outlines the core needs of the industry and what the Health Care M.B.A. addresses: business acumen, cultural intelligence, leadership skills, and global perspective. Cornerstone adds a Christian perspective to both deepen and broaden its distinctive program. The program’s aim is two-fold: First is to provide leadership development for clinicians who want to expand their skills (doctors, nurses, lab technicians, etc.); second is to provide a health care focus for those already trained in business leadership. “We want to help health care businesses position themselves with a great pool of employees. We want to train individuals just entering the field, but also help grow employees who are already there,” said Upton. Chad Tuttle is executive director of Sunset Retirement Community and a long-time adjunct professor in the PGS business program. He helped develop the Health Care M.B.A. on a contract basis. “One of the distinctives of this program is its emphasis on the industry itself. Each course is customized for the health care industry, which helps equip students specifically for it,” said Tuttle. “And we’re always talking about program content with health care officials to make sure we’re staying tailored to the industry.”

Business skills with health care focus The Health Care M.B.A. is an 18-month, 39-credit program that provides baseline business administration skills with a health care focus. The class on organizational behavior and human resources issues, for example, addresses those topics from a

“One of the distinctives of this program is its emphasis on the industry itself. Each course is customized for the health care industry, which helps equip students specifically for it.” Chad Tuttle

health care perspective. The class on finance looks at the distinct issues relevant to health care such as third-party payments and hospital operating budgets. Upton lauds the program’s global component. Each student must participate in a 10-day overseas trip to Central Europe, China or South Africa. Students participate in business meetings, visit hospitals, and attend cultural events to help them understand health care issues affecting the larger world. “I don’t know of any program in the area that makes global travel a requirement for its core curriculum,” said Upton. Brown is excited about gaining global experience, eager to put her classroom knowledge into real-life action. Real-world experience is part of what drew her to the program. “Global is exactly where it’s going,” said the 23-year-old. “I’ll get to apply the things I learn, and not just right outside my back door.” As a leader in the health care industry, Tuttle is thrilled with the program. “There are lots of M.B.A. programs out there, but Cornerstone and PGS have spent much time finding out what is specifically needed in the workplace. I can point people toward a program such as this as the next step in their careers. And I know a lot of people in the industry who are thrilled as well.” The program will follow the cohort model, in which around 14 students

begin the program together, staying together throughout. Classes are offered one after the other for each cohort, with new cohorts starting as students sign on to the program. Instructors are usually part of the local health care community. “Our vision for the Health Care M.B.A. very much mirrors Cornerstone’s vision to ‘Build a Life That Matters.’ We want to engage students to reach into the world for Christ,” said Upton. “The health care industry is changing dramatically, and it makes all kinds of sense to be part of that change. “We show Christ’s love by serving in excellence. Our students are just as qualified as anyone else, but also have a real desire to serve with excellence,” said Upton. She sees only growth for the program in the next five years as the health care industry expands and changes. Upton sees potential for a fully online program, sees continued collaboration between Cornerstone and the local health care field. “We’re always looking to refine classes as new business and ethical issues must be faced and responded to. We will always be improving,” said Upton. “We expect a very vibrant program.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE Health care MBA PROGRAM AT CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY, VISIT PGS.CORNERSTONE.EDU

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FEATURe

SERVING THE UNDERSERVED BY ANN BYLE

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

Pastor Daniel Parker and his sister Pastor Doriane Parker admit that seminary was out of their reach. Busy schedules, lack of funds, and accessible venues kept them away. THAT IS, Until Grand Rapids Theological Seminary reached into their lives with a deal neither could resist.

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FEATURe

Rev. Royce Evans, director of the Urban Cohort Initiative, teaches one of the many cohorts.

“I probably would never have been able to go to seminary without the scholarship package Grand Rapids Theological Seminary offered,” said Daniel Parker, co-pastor of Kingdom Life Ministries in Grand Rapids. His sister agrees. “I would not have been able to go to seminary under any other circumstances,” Doriane Parker (GRTS ‘07) said. “I’m a parent, a pastor and have a traveling ministry that keeps me extremely busy.” They are part of the Urban Cohort Initiative (UCI), a program that brings seminary education to the urban centers of West Michigan. GRTS provides the instructor and financial aid, as well as a meeting place near where pastors and lay leaders minister in the city’s core. Grand Rapids Theological Seminary matched a donor and a dream to reach this under-served section of ministry leaders. An anonymous donor saw a need for theological training for those working in an urban setting. He noted a marginalization of urban leaders on the

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

increase and resources to help them decreasing. He saw a lack of equitable access to education. Grand Rapids Theological Seminary saw it too and stepped in to help. The Urban Cohort Initiative, launched in Fall 2008, is reaching urban church and parachurch leaders with a seminary education brought right to their doors. What grew from that initial dream is a vital urban initiative that reaches almost 90 students in four West Michigan venues who are working toward their seminary degrees. The students are divided into cohorts, or groups, that meet in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Lansing, and Kalamazoo. Rev. Royce Evans (GRTS ‘08, PGS ‘05) is Director

of the Urban Ministry Initiative at GRTS. He received his B.A. through Cornerstone’s PGS program, then his M.A. from GRTS. He worked with the seminary for several years planning the urban initiative, then was hired full-time to oversee the program. “We asked urban ministry leaders— pastors, lay leaders, parachurch ministry leaders such as those at Youth For Christ and Salvation Army—across denominational lines about their challenges and how we could help them,” said Evans. Answers focused on the lack of access to resources and the need for training both theologically and economically in stewardship. The Urban Cohort Initiative was designed with those needs in mind. Around 20 students—sometimes more, sometimes less—begin working toward a seminary degree at the same time. This cohort meets weekly at a specified location, all taking the same class. All are working toward their seminary degrees and are taught by GRTS professors. “Our goals are to identify ministry leaders, assist them in assessing their ministry’s effectiveness, provide theological education, academic credibility and credential, to enhance their ministry’s effectiveness,” said Evans. Another purpose is to engage those in different denominations and with different doctrines to find common ground, to focus on where they are in sync instead of where they are different. Once common ground is found, partnerships can occur to maximize limited resources for more effective ministry. “A person in need of help doesn’t care if the person providing service was baptized by sprinkling or by immersion; that person just wants the sandwich the churches are handing out,” said Evans.

He describes urban ministry as complex in part because of the needs of the urban culture, but also because of the huge differences in those who do urban ministry, including race, gender, education level, ministry costs and theological practices. “We want to help those in the urban cohorts to transition into academia for their studies, but also help academia better understand urban ministry,” said Evans. “We want to bring people into a safe

instruction and use it in my sermons, Bible studies, and other areas.” Both Parkers see peer collaboration as a benefit to the cohort model. They have become friends with their fellow students, fellowshipping outside of class and visiting each other’s churches. “I love the relationships we are building with fellow pastors and leaders in the community,” said Doriane Parker. Daniel Parker agrees. “The cohort is awesome by way of collaboration

“I thought it was a great opportunity not only for the community but for myself as a pastor to expand my horizons and further engage in the learning process.” DANIEL PARKER

atmosphere to engage in theology that is perhaps different than their own.” Pastor Doriane Parker and brother Daniel, Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life, are working toward their Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership via the cohort that meets at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. They have been enrolled in the cohort since it was launched in Fall 2008. “I thought it was a great opportunity not only for the community but for myself as a pastor to expand my horizons and further engage in the learning process,” said Daniel Parker. “I’m very blessed to be part of it.” “The Urban Cohort Initiative is a wonderful opportunity to receive biblical training and a seminary education,” said Doriane Parker. “Any time you receive excellent biblical training, you can take that training and apply it to whatever world you’re in. As a pastor, I take that biblical

with my peers in urban ministry. I work side by side with them, they experience the same things I experience day to day, and we are doing so with the same goal.” The benefits to urban ministry leaders are obvious, but the seminary benefits as well. Instructors are engaging in new teaching experiences, and gaining a heightened sense of responsibility in their teaching because, as Evans says, “what you write on the white board may become next week’s sermon.” Instructors, too, learn from cohort students who often have years of ministry experience and know what works and what doesn’t, as well as how theological concepts translate into real-world experiences. “The Urban Cohort Initiative is introducing GRTS to a ministry context that we haven’t engaged before,” said Evans. “The school will never be the same, and that’s a good thing.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE URBAN COHORT INITIATIVE, VISIT GRTS.CORNERSTONE.EDU.

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excellence on stage

Outstanding Lead Actor Nominee, Ian Grell, in a CU stage production of Anne of Green Gables.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a College Production, Leah Hoffman

ON STAGE at Cornerstone University are humble, hardworking students deservedly recognized for their outstanding performances. 20

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

The Cornerstone University theatre program, directed by Jennifer Hunter, recently received eight nominations for Grand Awards. The Grand Awards is an annual event held to celebrate local actors and actresses in community and college theatre groups in Grand Rapids, much like the Tony Awards for Broadway shows. Each year, Cornerstone’s theatre students receive between two to 10 nominations as they compete against area schools like Aquinas, Calvin and Grand Rapids Community College. Leah Hoffman (CU ‘12) received a trophy for Outstanding Actress in a College Production for her role as Anne in last fall’s production of Anne of Green Gables. Rebekah Hughes (CU ‘09) won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a College Production for Mrs. Lynde in Anne of Green Gables. “It’s funny, I also performed a scene at the Grand Awards from Midsummer and when I won I was actually in costume,” said Hughes who was also nominated for her role as Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. “I was very excited, very humbled and my speech was terrible! I’m so awkward in front of people when I’m not acting.” Anne of Green Gables was also nominated for Outstanding College Production. Kyle Juresich (CU ‘11)

b y s ta s h a g i e s e (CU ‘13) a n d k e l l i c o t t r e l l

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a College Production, Rebekah Hughes, and Outstanding Lead Actress Nominee, Alyssa Karnes, appearing in a scene of Anne of Green Gables.

was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in the play, Ian Grell (CU ‘13) for Outstanding Lead Actor and Alyssa Karnes (CU ‘10) for Outstanding Lead Actress. Hughes and Juresich were also nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress and Actor for a college production in a Midsummer Night’s Dream. With eight nominations to add to the six they earned last year, Visser said it shows that Cornerstone theatre students mean business. “I think it says that we work

hard and try to do our best,” she said, “hopefully always keeping [our] eyes on Christ and doing it for his glory, not our own... which always produces the best results.” The theatre students are not just in it to win awards. Hunter said that they acknowledge God as their judge. “We are really there to shine a light,” said Hunter. Building Lives That Matter through theatre, happens during weekly Bible studies together and during the semester as they hold two Kappa Theta Gamma (KTG, a theatre organization) Talks

where they visit other college productions and then talk about the spiritual implications of each. “We are always praying between scenes,” said Hoffman of the atmosphere behind stage at Cornerstone productions. “Everyone is very humble and excited to lift others up.”

FOR A SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS BY CU THEATRE, scan the qr code to the RIGHT using a barcode scanning app on your smartphone or visit www.cornerstone.edu.

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Combining Character and Champions

Misty May-Treanor, a two-time gold medal winner, signs autographs at the 2010 Champions of Character Kick-Off event.

A couple thousand area high school athletes were riveted to the words of A two-time Olympic gold medal winner on the value of character in sports. Misty May-Treanor, who holds two Olympic gold medals in beach volleyball, told the crowd that playing as a team and treating others well is required on and off the court. “Character matters,” she said. “I wish I had someone to teach me this when I was young.” That is the goal of the Champions of Character program at Cornerstone University. In 2004, “Champions of Character,” a program within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), hired Mike Riemersma as the program director for Cornerstone University Athletics. “It’s come from nothing to pretty well known in most circles of character development,” said Riemersma who organized the kickoff event with Misty May-Treanor last August.

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

“We are now able to go to all high schools in the Ottawa-Kent Conference (O-K Conference) and make an impact on young athletes.” Riemersma works year-round speaking to area schools and community teams about the five core values of the program that Cornerstone has implemented in its athletics. The five core values are: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. Cornerstone has formed partnerships with the O-K Conference that includes 50 local high schools, both of the Grand Rapids’ professional sports franchises (the Grand Rapids Griffins and West Michigan Whitecaps) and the West Michigan Sports Commission. “Through these partnerships it is our desire to be a resource for all coaches, athletes, parents, youth programs, booster clubs and administrators not only in the Grand Rapids area but the entire Midwest,” said Riemersma. Through the years, Riemersma has “beat the drum” many times to inculcate the message of the five core values into the minds of student athletes, parents and coaches.

by amena anderson

“Anytime you talk about changing culture, it takes years of diligence in sending the message,” he said, but this message has changed how CU coaches recruit and how athletes view their sport and each other. Riemersma said that when coaches are looking to recruit new athletes, they look for more than just fast movement on the basketball court or quick footwork on the soccer field. “There’s more to it than just being athletic, it’s the type of person that they are,” he said. He encourages coaches to watch a recruit at practice to ascertain their true character. “Does this person represent who we are as an institution and what we want our program to be?” Riemersma said the coaches need to ask themselves. The Champions of Character program has “fundamentally changed how we recruit athletes,” Riemersma said. Unfortunately, today’s popular culture of professional sports doesn’t always highlight athletes who exhibit the five core values. With athletes being arrested for illegal activity or getting suspended from a game due to poor sportsmanship but still making big money, how does someone teach a young athlete the right way to act? “It’s a constant battle to fight against that culture, and it’s difficult because that’s what we see every day,” Riemersma said. When he talks to athletes, he tells

Thousands of students fill the Hansen Athletic Center for the Champions of Character Kick-Off event.

them that it comes down to “when you go to sleep at night, is your conscience clear? In addition to good advice, Riemersma has also brought respected professional athletes to CU’s campus who exhibit the five core values, including May-Treanor. “It’s important to have someone the athletes respect and all know just reinforce the fact that character matters,” he said. Riemersma said May-Treanor mentioned that she never had a program like Champions of Character when she was young. “She wished that when she was growing up, there was a program like Champions of Character, and someone she respected had come in and talked to her about those things,” he said.

Now that the program is established at CU, Riemersma said the next step is embedding it into the community. “[The] nucleus starts here on campus and now we are broadening out into West Michigan and the state of Michigan,” he said. Riemersma regularly travels to O-K Conference high schools to do character training. “We have to get kids at an early age and talk about these character issues,” he said.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER AT CU, SCAN THE CODE TO THE RIGHT WITH A BARCODE SCANNING APP ON YOUR SMARTPHONE or visit cugoldeneagles.com

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Business Professor Helps Readers Understand Financial Market and Invest in Future

b y a ly s s a h e l m (CU ‘13)

“Studies show that there is no difference in the way Christians handle their money versus nonChristians,” said Eric Hoogstra, an associate professor of business at Cornerstone University. His goal is to inform people about appropriate ways to manage their money from a biblical perspective, which is why he wrote this book, he said. “The 7-Day Financial Makeover is a book that tells you about your finances, tells you where you are

future. It includes worksheets and daily tasks to work toward this goal. Hoogstra said other financial books miss the point of what people should do after they get out of debt. His book stresses what to do after getting out of debt, how to go farther with finances and plan for what is important in one’s future. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he helps families and individuals with crisis budget counseling and works with Crown Financial Ministries and is a corporate facilitator for Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University where he speaks and teaches seminars on finance nationally. He also plans to develop a seminar for churches based off of his book, he said. His passion for helping families succeed in managing money is evident. “My friend Eric has compiled some great advice that is both wise and practical. Money matters! Which is why this book matters!,” said Dr. Joe Stowell, president of Cornerstone University. The book can be purchased at

“...Eric has compiled some great advice that is both wise and practical. Money matters! Which is why this book matters!”

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

Day One Assess and verify income and expenses; complete a projected monthly statement; list assets, prepare list of current debts and prepare a personal financial statement.

Day Two Understand the role as stewards and God’s ownership in our lives. Seek God’s direction for your finances.

Day three How to create an effective and maintain an effective budget.

Day four How to eliminate “budget busters.”

Day five How to set both short-term and long-term personal and financial goals for the future.

Day six Focus on investing to meet goals.

Day seven

Dr. JOe STOWELL

at, and gives you a few directions about what to do and how to invest,” Hoogstra said. Hoogstra’s book helps people understand the financial market and invest for the future, he said. It is not a “get out of debt” book, but helps readers plan their financial

hoogstra’s 7-day financial makeover

Kregel Bookstores, on Amazon. com or in the Cornerstone University Bookstore. “It’s a great book for people of all ages - newlyweds, engaged couples, long-married couples, families or for groups at churches.

Plan for the future, which includes training your children about finances.

Earn your HEaltH CarE MBa With the rapid changes taking place right now in the West Michigan health care industry, don’t miss the opportunity to gain the knowledge that will help you become a leader in this field. Cornerstone University’s Professional & Graduate Studies (PGS) division is now offering a Health Care MBA.

Health Care MBA Begins Feb. 2011 Call 800.947.2382 to sign up. Classes are forming now! PGS programs are designed for the convenience of working adults.

2pgs.cornerstone.edu/degrees

• One course at a time • Competitive tuition rates • Accelerated completion

CU Partners with largest CHRISTIAN music festival in Michigan Christ-centered music for the whole family has always been a part of the Cornerstone University vision with its radio stations WCSG and WayFM, but the vision continues to expand. by kelli cottrell

For the third year Cornerstone is presenting partner of the three-day Christian music extravaganza, Big Ticket Festival, held in Ionia, Mich. “The event provides Cornerstone with awareness and exposure throughout the state in the days leading up to the festival,” said Bob Sack, Cornerstone’s executive director of marketing and communications who was instrumental in organizing the partnership. “Plus, it serves as a wonderful ministry.” This year’s event, scheduled for June 23-25, will feature over 100 bands, including headliners Toby Mac, Skillet and Newsboys. There will be numerous activities for the entire family including extreme sports, a Kidszone, Veggie Tale characters and Bibleman as well as speakers, entertainers and food.

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

Evangelist Nick Vujicic, 27, born without arms or legs, will share his testimony how God is using him when others may have deemed him useless. Cornerstone hosts a tent area for prospective students and alumni with free games and hospitality. During Winter Homecoming at Cornerstone Feb. 10-11, a Battle of the Bands will be held to vie for a spot to perform at the festival. Cornerstone’s radio stations (WCSG-FM 91.3 and WAYG-FM 89.9) will also be connected with the music festival and have a presence at the Ionia event. Campsites and hotel rooms are available. For tickets or more information about the artists, visit www.bigticketfestival.com.

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Films that Matter Courtesy Photo

Teaching global business classes at Cornerstone’s Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS) allows Jerry Zandstra to dive into a subject and escape the limelight of being an actor and film producer.

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

“I really look forward to time in the classroom,” said Zandstra, who has taught PGS classes since 1993. “Most of my students don’t know who I am.” But they may find out in February as his film “The Genesis Code” is launched in theatres nationwide. The feature-length drama from American Saga Productions, where Zandstra serves as vice president, was shot in Lowell and Grand Rapids at a cost of $8 million. The film is an original screenplay about a college hockey player and his relationship with a female reporter at the school newspaper. The underlying story involves their struggle to convene their spiritual faith with their scientific studies. Scenes were shot at the Calvin College campus, and hockey-game sequences were filmed at Patterson Ice Arena. Zandstra, a part-time Christian Reformed pastor, was cast as a preacher in “The Genesis Code”

by kelli cottrell

Courtesy Photo

Jerry Zandrstra plays a preacher in The Genesis Code. In real life he serves as a pastor and instructor in Cornerstone’s PGS program.

The film previously premiered in Grand Rapids theatres to select audiences before the decision could be made to release it nationwide, Zandstra said. Zandstra is the Executive in Charge of Production for American Epic Entertainment, LLC and serves as vice-president of American Saga Productions, American Epic’s television production division. The Genesis Code follows several American Saga cinematic projects. Although he has never taken any acting classes, he was cast as a preacher and father of one of the main characters in the film. In the film he works alongside veteran actor and Academy Award winning actors, Ernest Borgnine and Louise Fletcher as well as Fred Thompson. As he begins traveling nationwide to promote the film, Zandstra is already working on a few

more projects. “A film process takes a long time,” said Zandstra, who said it has been a two-year process from when he began working on the “code.” “Now that we’re in the final stage of “The Genesis Code” - this is fun,” he said. Hundreds of scripts come across his desk but, he has a specific genre he is hoping to capture in his productions. “A good film will make you laugh, cry, think and maybe inspire you to do something,” he said. “It has to be entertainment or it’s a documentary.” And, it has to be family friendly. “I want to make family films that kids can be proud of,” he said. “There has to be a Christian theme.” For more information about the film, visit www.thegenesiscodemovie.com.

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Reconstructing Haiti One Life at a Time JUST OVER ONE YEAR AGO, A YOUNG HAITIAN GIRL WAS Trapped inside her home LAYING UNDERNEATH HER DEAD SISTER after the earthquake. TODAY SHE has dedicated her life to being a Christian teacher. Although she was seriously injured “God spared her to make a difference in the lives of OTHERS,” she says. She wants to help lead young people to Christ.

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

by kelli cottrell

After losing his mother in the earthquake, one young Haitian man, sang “Hallelujah, I have Jesus.” Greg Yoder, anchor for Mission Network News (MNN), a Cornerstone radio station, heard those stories and more about how God miraculously saved people and how they now want to serve him. “They’re ready for the future. Christians are excited about what God has planned,” said Yoder, who spent a week in Haiti traveling with Compassion International for the first anniversary since the devastating natural disaster destroyed the country. During his trip, Yoder conducted radio reports to the 1,000-plus network stations of MNN and helped Compassion with its “Remember Haiti with Compassion” radio special. “It was mainly to focus on the continued needs there, but also talk about the good news – which

most of the secular media is ignoring,” said Yoder, who reported from Haiti three weeks after the earthquake hit. “I also did a number of live interviews with radio stations while in the country.” Compassion International performed a “Laying of the First Stone” ceremony to begin the rebuilding process of 44 schools that were destroyed in the earthquake. Yoder traveled with Dan Woolley, a Compassion International staffer who was trapped in Hotel Montana for 65 hours. The five story hotel entombed about 60 people after the building pancaked during the earthquake. “What surprised me the most was the amount of hope in people’s eyes,” said Yoder. “It was a totally different feel than it was a year ago. Also, most of the debris was out of the streets. Based on reports we had received, not much had been done. But, that’s just not the case.” Before the earthquake, Haiti had no building codes

and the residents had to wait for those to be in place before rebuilding could happen, Yoder said. “We will now begin to see a lot of changes. Haiti didn’t have any building codes but those are now in place. I believe we’ll start seeing reconstruction.” And the spiritual climate has changed as well, Yoder said. “The churches are bursting at the seams,” he said. “Most pastors in Port au Prince said they have 30 percent more people in the churches – which is amazing because many of the pastors are meeting in tents, private homes and open air areas.” But, there is still much that needs to be done. Homes need to be rebuilt. People are out of work. Businesses need to be rebuilt. Schools need to be rebuilt. There are many ways to contribute to the rebuilding of Haiti. Visit the MNN website at www.mnnonline.org and search ‘Haiti’ to find opportunities to help and to hear ministry updates.

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Business education In Action Last year a Cornerstone university chapter of Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) was birthed. SIFE, an international non-profit organization, gives students opportunities to be leaders and entrepreneurs in the community giving them hands on experience. Last year, Cornerstone’s SIFE chapter, headed by Janelle Brown (CU ’12), president of the business organization, tackled four projects that included raising awareness of human trafficking, preventing run-off water from entering the campus pond, teaching financial seminars at inner-city high schools and teaching social networking to non-profit organizations. This year, SIFE has increased its work in the community with seven projects. Members will work on projects with Women At Risk (WAR), helping the environment, networking, finances, state parks, social media and sustainability. SIFE members join a team each semester that focuses on different areas based on their interests. One group is teaching students how to make resumes, teaching interview techniques. A team is working with Women At Risk (WAR) for the second year

promoting products sold to stop human trafficking. Another group is painting storm drain warnings on drains leading to the Grand River. One team has partnered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to help support

“Last year after we won our competition we were surprised that heads of several companies approached us with job opportunities...It was nice to know they were impressed with our presentations which gives us more confidence.” janelle brown

state parks by selling “recreational passports.” A social media team is teaching Cornerstone interns how to use social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, and sending them to nonprofit organizations in the Grand Rapids area to help their business or ministry use social media. “It’s a good opportunity to use my business skills, better the community and help people,” said Alyssa Vandermate (CU ‘11), a SIFE member who is leading the team working with the DNR. The Cornerstone chapter earned Regional Rookie of the Year and National Rookie of the Year awards at the National SIFE competition where students gave presentations about the chapter projects. Brown plans to have the chapter compete again in June in Chicago.

For more information about partnering or sponsoring SIFE, call the Cornerstone University Business Division at 616.949.5300 or scan the qr code to the RIGHT with a barcode scanning app on your smartphone.

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

“SIFE is a great way for all students to do a hands-on project, it’s a great resume builder and students can choose what they want to work on,” said Brown, who is also captain of the Women’s Cross Country Team.

And the team has built numerous connections through the SIFE projects. “Last year after we won our competition we were surprised that heads of several companies approached us with job opportunities,” said Brown. “It was nice to know they were impressed with our presentations which gives us more confidence.” Cornerstone is one of 600 American universities with a SIFE chapter, and participate with nearly 1,000 universities around the world.

CELEBRATE LIVES THAT MATTER Serving Alumni of Traditional Undergraduate, Professional & Graduate Studies and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

Connect Alumni Journal Monthly e-Newsletters Fall Homecoming Winter Homecoming Big Ticket Festival Reunions and other events Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter Data Updates

Celebrate Alumni News (arrivals, milestones, unions & more) Alumni Stories

Contribute Campus Alumni Liaisons Event Volunteers Reunion Coordinators Financial Gifts Invest in Students (New Student Arrival Day, Mentoring, Scholarships, & more)

Find it all on the web! www.cornerstone.edu/alumni.

2011

A publication of Cornerstone University

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS