CU Magazine 2012 by Cornerstone University

CO R N E R STO N E U N I V E R S I T Y

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FROM PIRATES TO PURPOSE

PHOTO BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF SHARING MISSION NEWS

UNIQUE MAJOR TARGETS NONPROFIT SECTOR

IMAGINE

FROM PIRATES TO PURPOSE

Dr. Matt Bonzo, professor of philosophy, talks about the three goals of Cornerstone’s new Institute for Christianity and Cultural Engagement. by ann byle

CORNERSTONE WELCOMES NEW FACULTY

Kim Nguyen, assistant professor of religion, fought pirates, hopelessness and depression until she whispered a prayer during her darkest moment. Read about how she was transformed by an infinite love and the promise she kept to the one who loves her. by tom rademacher

HATING TO LOSE: FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS

After two national championships, head men’s basketball coach Kim Elders, explains his drive for winning and what keeps the fire burning. Elders reveals a personal side that is rarely seen by the public, unveiling the heartbeat of Cornerstone’s successful basketball program. by steve vedder

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE ON THE COVER Pictured: Miller Library – the library turns 30 this year. 2010, PHOTO BY MICHAEL NE WST E D

BEYOND BASEBALL

Advancing the vision of Cornerstone University through two strategic opportunities. CENTER PULLOUT

FROM THE PRESIDENT 2012 | CORNERSTONE.EDU

1001 E BELTLINE AVE NE GRAND RAPIDS MI 49525

MAIN SWITCHBOARD: 616.949.5300

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS BOB SACK

PROJECT MANAGER KATHERINE FELBER

WRITER/EDITOR KELLI COTTRELL

ART DIRECTOR CAROLINE CAHOON (B.A. ‘03)

GRAPHIC DESIGNER KARMEN LOW

WEB DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR JACLYN VISBEEN

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ANN BYLE STEVE VEDDER TOM RADEMACHER CALEB WILLIAMS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS PHOTO BY COASTLINE STUDIOS

JOHNNY QUIRIN RYAN PRINS PHOTOGRAPHY

2011 WAS A BANNER YEAR FOR CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY. SINCE LAST JANUARY, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED GOD’S RICHEST BLESSINGS.

MICHAEL NEWSTED COASTLINE STUDIOS CALEB WILLIAMS

COVER PHOTO BY MICHAEL NEWSTED

Enrollment has increased, bringing even more committed and qualified students into our community. We have hired several outstanding faculty members, each of whom contributes to CU’s spiritually contagious, academically excellent learning environment. In April, the men’s basketball team took the NAIA National Championship title for the second time in CU’s history! Most recently, Cornerstone was honored to announce a major private donation, which will enable us to launch a state-of-the art baseball program and facility. A portion of this gift also kicks off a campaign to fund and construct our longawaited chapel, media studies and music building.

CONTRIBUTING ARTIST KAYLA PLOSZ Cornerstone Magazine is an annual publication produced by the Marketing and Communications Office at Cornerstone University. Approximately 22,000 copies are distributed to friends of the university to connect them to happenings at CU.

IDENTITY Cornerstone is a Christ-centered university with a passion for global influence through the transforming power of the gospel.

We are thrilled to see God’s hand at work as we move forward with our vision to provide a robust, Christ-centered learning experience. At Cornerstone University, we strive to be diligent, entrepreneurial, creative and intentionally focused on our mission and vision. By God’s grace and favor I remain confident that 2012 will be another rewarding year as we prepare the next generation to make their mark for Christ.

MISSION We exist to empower men and women to excel as influencers in our world for Christ by offering a student-focused learning community where Jesus Christ is central. VISION We aspire to create a thriving community of fully devoted followers of Jesus in a spiritually contagious, academically excellent, richly resourced and culturally diverse learning environment that attracts outstanding students, faculty and staff who influence our world for Christ, his church and his kingdom.

Dr. Joe Stowell President of Cornerstone University

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

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

MNN CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF SHARING WORLDWIDE CHRISTIAN NEWS

IN 2007, ON HER CAR RADIO, NANCY CARDOZA OF MASSACHUSETTS HEARD ABOUT EVERY CHILD MINISTRIES AND THE SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN IN NORTHERN UGANDA. The ministry was being featured on Mission Network News (MNN), a daily report about missions activity around the world. Cardoza started to sponsor a child that year and a year later she went on a short term mission trip to Uganda with Every Child Ministries (ECM). Three years later in 2011, she felt called to be a full-time

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missionary with ECM teaching vocational skills to young women who came out of a 20-year civil war in 2006. It all started when she heard Mission Network News on her radio. Thousands of others have been touched and informed of ways to serve and pray through the 20-year ministry of Mission

by kelli cottrell

“HEARING UPDATES FROM THE FIELD, THE TRENCHES, IS ENCOURAGING AND UPLIFTING. IT’S A QUICK INTERJECTION INTO NORMAL LIFE TO REMIND US WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE KINGDOM AND WHAT MATTERS FOR ETERNITY.” MARY KEALY, A FLORIDA LISTENER

Network News, a news service of Cornerstone University Radio. Started in 1991 in Washington state by World Concern, the network began on 200 radio stations. In 1995, MNN was acquired by Cornerstone University. Greg Yoder and Jenni McNealy were hired to oversee the transition where MNN became a news service, instead of a missions program. In 1996 the news service grew to more than 800 stations nationwide and mnnonline.org made its debut. Producer Ruth Kramer was hired to replace Jenni McNealy a couple years later and the news service began to grow internationally. Today MNN is heard on more than 1,200 stations and in 33 countries worldwide and translated into Spanish. Many people have been encouraged and informed everyday with what is going on around the world. “Hearing updates from the field, the trenches, is encouraging and uplifting,” wrote Mary Kealy, a listener in Florida. “It’s a quick interjection into normal life to remind us what’s going on in the kingdom and what matters for eternity.” Seven years ago Chim Onyebilanma, a Nigerian missionary working in Togo in West Africa, began listening to MNN. “I have been blessed by the ministry of MNN since I began receiving it,” he said. “Not only has MNN continually been a window to the world and fuel

for prayer, as an editor I depended on it for several years to provide missionary updates in our French language missionary magazine LEVEZ LES YEUX. Presently I am the editor of ‘Kairos’ – another missions magazine also produced by my mission – Calvary Ministries (CAPRO) (www. capromissions.org) and once again MNN provides us help to mobilize the Church in Africa for missions as it continues to serve as a window on what God is doing around our world.” As the news service celebrates 20 years of ministry, Yoder, who serves as anchor and executive director is excited about the future and how technology will play an important part. “Mission Network News is poised for growth,” he said. “We want to be more of a just-in-time news service. Today our radio broadcast drives our website. Going forward, we would like our website to drive our radio broadcast.” Instead of featuring only four or five stories a day (limited by five minute newscasts) the website will feature an unlimited amount of stories. “As funding allows, we hope to add additional writers to help our website be the launching point for that. Ultimately that will enable Mission Network News to accomplish our mission of calling ordinary Christians to share an extraordinary message, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

MISSION NETWORK NEWS RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS NRB AWARD Mission Network News was awarded the 2012 National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) International Impact Award, which is annually presented to a U.S.-based NRB member having a global impact for the cause of Christ through electronic media.. The news service was nominated by its peers in the Christian broadcasting industry for the award. “We’re honored by this award,” said Greg Yoder, anchor and executive director of Mission Network News, who will pick up the award in February at the 69th Annual NRB Convention in Nashville, Tenn. “I want to thank God for allowing us to serve Him.“

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 20 TH CELEBRATION OF MNN, VISIT WWW.MNNONLINE.ORG.

CO R N E R STO N E U N I V E R S I T Y

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FEATURE

IMAGINE A CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY WHERE STUDENTS LEARN TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE CULTURE, EMBRACE THEIR CALL TO LIVE FOR JESUS, AND GRADUATE WITH BOTH ACADEMIC PROWESS AND AN EAGERNESS TO STEP INTO A WORLD THAT NEEDS THEIR CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE. CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY HAS TAKEN GIANT STEPS TOWARD THAT VISION THANKS TO A NEW ENDEAVOR THAT WAS YEARS IN THE MAKING. by ann byle

UNTITLED BY KAYLA PLOSZ OIL ON MASONITE (KAYLAPLOSZ.COM)

FEATURE

PHOTO BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

CU’S INSTITUTE FOR CHRISTIANITY AND CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT IS NOW IN FULL OPERATION AND EMBRACING ITS MISSION. IT HAS THREE GOALS: TO ENGAGE STUDENTS IN THE INTERPLAY OF CULTURE AND CHRISTIANITY, TO INVITE THE GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY INTO THE DISCUSSION AND TO INCLUDE THE BROADER CHRISTIAN WORLD IN THE VISION.

Its charge is to create and implement curricular, program opportunities and events, according to CU President Dr. Joseph Stowell. “We want to drive the goals forward into every aspect of university culture.” Enter Dr. Matt Bonzo, named director of the Institute for

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Christianity and Cultural Engagement, ICCE for short, in Spring 2011. The philosophy professor spends half his time as director, half as teacher. “I was honored to be asked,” said Bonzo. “This is the kind of thing we’d been hoping and dreaming about for years.”

FACULTY AND STUDENT INVOLVEMENT Students and faculty will play key roles in advancing the ICCE mandate of cultural engagement. Bonzo is planning to use funds to send students and faculty to conferences, implement study-abroad programs and bring guest lecturers to the CU campus for extended visits. “We’re trying to be creative and responsible with our resources,” said Bonzo of the three-year grant. “ICCE is designed to be the focal point where we think about and form students most deeply.” Stowell foresees a CU faculty trained to carry the ICCE mandate forward and curriculum designed around the purpose. “We’ve sensed the faculty and students really owning this,” he said. “When I hear students saying, ‘When we go out to influence the world for

abroad to be on campus for several weeks to visit classes, speak in chapel and hold lectures open to the public. He’ll also work on raising additional funds for ICCE. Stowell visualizes a university deeply committed to influencing the world for Christ and ICCE leading the way. “I would love to see in five years that we have articulated the vision that Cornerstone primarily exists to send people out to influence the world for Christ. I trust that we will deeply embed all that in our culture. I’m very excited and satisfied that our trajectory is strong. Matt Bonzo is offering good leadership. I’m happy about the movement we’ve been able to make via ICCE,” said Stowell. For Matt Bonzo, assisted in his role by Dr. Michael Stevens, he wants ICCE and its programs to touch students as soon as they walk on campus for the

“WE WANT TO CREATE A VIBRANT INTELLECTUAL COMMUNITY ON CAMPUS THAT IS READY TO ENGAGE THE WORLD HOSPITABLY, WITH A WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN AND A WILLINGNESS TO SPEAK THE TRUTHS OF THE GOSPEL SO ALL CAN HEAR.”

Christ,’ that’s the happiest thing I can hear. We have a lot of unity around this vision.” Said Bonzo: “We’re leading the university in engaging culture as a Christian, as well as providing ways for students to do so.” His plans for the Spring 2011 semester include sponsoring weekly forums, getting both students and faculty involved in discussing how Christianity can impact cultural norms such as technology, economics, family and media. Longer-range goals include an emphasis on world Christianity, with guests coming from

first time. He knows he and others will find ways to do that as the vision for ICCE expands and solidifies. He has a dream for ICCE: “We want to create a vibrant intellectual community on campus that is ready to engage the world hospitably, with a willingness to listen, and a willingness to speak the truths of the Gospel so all can hear.”

ONE OF DR. STOWELL’S FIRST JOBS WHEN NAMED PRESIDENT IN 2009 WAS TO CRAFT MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS FOR THE UNIVERSITY. “We want to provide a learning environment for students that enables, empowers and impassions them to influence the world for Christ,” he said. What began as the Cornerstone Project in those early days grew and matured into ICCE, Cornerstone’s primary vehicle for cultural engagement. ICCE received a $250,000 grant that allowed the real work to begin. ICCE hosted its first-ever series of events, titled “Creativity and Wisdom,” in conjunction with Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize in late September 2011. Guests included Rick DeVos, social entrepreneur and founder of ArtPrize; singer, songwriter, and author Michael Card; musician and author Calvin Seerveld; creativity expert Don Perini; and artists Rachel Durfee and Bette Lynn Dickinson. “The conference announced us on the scene and allowed us to make valuable connections with the community and those who came to speak,” said Bonzo. “We wanted to make the events accessible to the public and tied to ArtPrize, to speak to the notion of creativity and wisdom.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.CORNERSTONE.EDU/ICCE.

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CORNERSTONE WELCOMES NEW FACULTY

by caleb williams

SEVERAL NEW FACULTY JOINED CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY IN 2011.

Cornerstone welcomed Dr. Martin Spence, Dr. Kim Nguyen, Jason Stevens and Dr. Kent Walters, while the Grand Rapids Theological Seminary greeted Dr. Peter Osborn and Dr. Tim Gombis. Dr. Spence serves as assistant professor of European history, teaching world civilization and European history electives. Before Cornerstone, Dr. Spence taught history for three years at International Christian College in

about where we might be heading,” said Dr. Spence. Before coming to Cornerstone, Dr. Nguyen taught as an associate lecturer at University of Wisconsin-Madison and as an adjunct professor at Union University of California. At CU she teaches Old Testament literature and history, Old Testament history and theology and New Testament literature and history.

“I’M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO INTRODUCING THE BIG STORIES OF HISTORY TO STUDENTS IN A WAY THAT CONNECTS WITH WHO WE ARE NOW, AND HELPS US THINK ABOUT WHERE WE MIGHT BE HEADING.” DR. MARTIN SPENCE

Glasgow, Scotland. He earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Oxford University, focusing his doctoral dissertation on the 19thcentury evangelical movement in Great Britain. While studying at Oxford, he met and married his wife, Molly. “I’m really looking forward to introducing the big stories of history to students in a way that connects with who we are now, and helps us think

Jason Stevens, younger brother of Professor of English Dr. Michael Stevens, joined the Humanities Division as an assistant professor of English. He came to Cornerstone from the University of Dallas where he is earning a doctorate. Stevens is teaching writing in culture, world literature and a class on Shakespeare. He said he likes what he sees at Cornerstone in the Humanities

Division and its emphasis on classical education. Dr. Kent Walters joins Cornerstone as associate professor of music and director of choral studies. “I’m most excited about interacting with and impacting the lives of students,” said Dr. Walters. “Helping to form disciples of Christ, whatever their academic discipline, is a very rewarding responsibility.” Before coming to CU full-time, Dr. Walters was Pastor of Worship and Music at Grace Bible Church in Grandville, Mich. where he served for 31 years. He has also been an adjunct professor at Cornerstone for several years, teaching various music courses including aural perception, vocal diction and advanced choral conducting. Dr. Walters will add conducting of Chorale and Credo to his duties this year. GRTS introduced Dr. Peter Osborn to the full-time faculty. Dr. Osborn, who previously served at GRTS as dean of students and assistant professor, has been working at Rochester Institute of Technology, where he oversaw teaching and learning services. Dr. Osborn will teach ministry courses and provide leadership to Cornerstone’s graduate theological studies online programs. GRTS also welcomed Dr. Timothy Gombis as associate professor of New Testament. Dr. Gombis received his Ph.D. from University of St. Andrews. Before coming to GRTS, Gombis served as a faculty member at Cedarville University.

FOR RECENT UPDATES ON NEW FACULTY, VISIT WWW.CORNERSTONE.EDU/FACULTY.

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NEW MAJOR TARGETS NONPROFIT SECTOR

by kelli cottrell

THE NUMBERS ARE SIGNIFICANT. NEARLY ONE IN EVERY 10 WORKERS IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ARE EMPLOYED IN THE NONPROFIT SECTOR, ACCORDING TO AN ARTICLE IN THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS IN APRIL 2011.

Michigan employs nearly 375,000 nonprofit employees with West Michigan housing 2,558 nonprofit organizations. With these statistics as a backdrop, Cornerstone University recognized a need for its students to be better prepared for a career in this sector. Subsequently, Cornerstone is now offering a nonprofit administration major and minor to meet the rising demand, not just in Michigan, but nationally. “It is a growing sector with a multitude of career opportunities and ways for students to use their gifts to

BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

impact lives for Christ,” said Bridgette Bassford, assistant executive director at Degage Ministries, a nonprofit that ministers to the homeless in Grand Rapids, Mich. Bassford, a CU alum, knows well what it is like to enter a career feeling somewhat uneasy about her readiness. As a student at Cornerstone, she was uncertain about her major. “I wanted to work in the nonprofit field and felt I had to choose between social work and business,” said Bassford. “I

knew my gifts were not in social work so I majored in business management, even though it was not a perfect match. While some of the lessons learned from business management can transfer to nonprofit management, there are many elements that make nonprofit management unique – such as focusing on the mission versus the bottom line, fund development, board governance, working with volunteers, managing religious organizations and many others. I would have been better prepared after graduation had Cornerstone offered a nonprofit major like they are launching now.” Four courses are being added for the major, including: introduction to nonprofit administration, human resources management for nonprofits, fund development and nonprofit law and governance. A committee was formed earlier this year with Dave Gilman, operations director for Pregnancy Resource Center

THE IMPACT OF THE NONPROFIT SECTOR IS CRITICAL. ACCORDING TO A RECENT STUDY, THE U.S. NONPROFIT SECTOR: • • • • • •

Provides employment for more than 9 percent of the U.S. workforce Generates 8.3 percent of the U.S. wages and salaries Includes 1.4 million organizations Manages $3 trillion of the United States’ total assets Manages $1.4 trillion in annual revenues Produces 11 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product

nonprofit organizations and 70,000 people employed,” said Dr. Young. “It would be of interest to our current students and prospects given their desire to be in ministry and meaningful work. It falls in line with the belief

“AS A DIVISION WE BELIEVE THAT THE NPA DEGREE FITS THE MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY AND WAS A NATURAL FOR WEST MICHIGAN GIVEN THE ALMOST 2,600 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND 70,000 PEOPLE EMPLOYED.” DR. MICHAEL YOUNG, PROFESSOR OF BUSINESS

in Grand Rapids, Mich.; Dr. Michael Young, professor of business; Bassford and Dr. Brad Stamm, professor of economics, to study the feasibility of the new degree. “As a division we believe that the NPA degree fits the mission of the university and was a natural for West Michigan given the almost 2,600

system of our faculty that business can be used for transformation.” A recent feasibility study commissioned by Cornerstone University for nonprofit administration related programs by Hanover Research found that management positions at nonprofit organizations will grow significantly in the future. In addition,

while nonprofit management education opportunities are on the rise, there are few such programs in Michigan. There are currently less than a dozen institutions that offer courses or undergraduate degrees in this specialization. “I am proud of the fact that Cornerstone recognized the need and potential of a nonprofit major,” said Bassford. “I think many students overlook careers in the nonprofit field because they are unaware of what it really is and what opportunities exist in it. Others may not believe they possess the necessary skills for the field. The classes being offered in the NPA major will be useful for those going full-time into the nonprofit sector as well as those who wish to serve in other capacities such as being a board member, serving through their church, or even just being a more knowledgeable steward of their resources as they contribute to nonprofits.” “My hope would be that every student graduating from Cornerstone becomes involved in a nonprofit at some point in their lives.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE NONPROFIT ADMINISTRATION MAJOR OR THE BUSINESS DIVISION, VISIT, WWW.CORNERSTONE.EDU/BUSINESSDIVISION.

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BUILDING GLOBAL LEADERS

by kelli cottrell

IN THE PAST YEAR, CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY’S PROFESSIONAL AND GRADUATE STUDIES PROGRAM HAS EXPANDED SOME OF ITS PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE THE GLOBAL EDUCATION OF STUDENTS TO BETTER HELP THEM DISCOVER THE EVER CHANGING BUSINESS AND CULTURAL CLIMATE AROUND THE WORLD.

With a mission to educate students to have a passion to influence the world for Christ, Cornerstone’s Professional and Graduate Studies Program has added new locations to its Global Business Experience class required for all M.B.A. students. And, an additional location has been added to the masters program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The new one-week class will be held in Prague in June, 2012. Students in the M.B.A. program now have an opportunity to travel to Israel, China, South Africa and Czech Republic. “In each location, participants are encouraged to look at the society as a continually transforming community which is shaped through spiritual, economic, social and educational influences,” said Rob Simpson, associate provost of the PGS program at Cornerstone. “The students specifically observe how each of the four factors interact and influence each other and how the society adjusts in response.” The global travel requirement is unique to an M.B.A. program and meets all accredited academic requirements. Many students appreciate the opportunity as they realize the growing need to interact with other cultures and countries. “The opportunity to connect classroom knowledge and a dynamic interactive experience was tremendously beneficial,” said Nancy Schoonmaker, an M.B.A. student who

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recently traveled to Czech Republic on a Global Business Experience trip. “We are truly a global economy and there is no way to fully comprehend the magnitude of this without an experience such as the CU Global Business Experience trip.” Trips are held throughout the year with an average of 15-20 students per trip. “The Global Business Experience offers each individual the keys to impact the culture for the kingdom through professional training,” said Simpson, who has led several of the trips. “If you want to be an effective 21st century business leader, the Global Business Experience is for you.”

in Prague and one week on campus in Grand Rapids during the summer. “We are excited because we can serve missionaries and others living in Central and Eastern Europe who want to earn a masters in TESOL from a distinct Christian perspective without having to travel to the U.S.,” said Dr. Pasquale.

TESOL MEETS A GROWING DEMAND

DR. MICHAEL PASQUALE, PROFESSOR OF LINGUISTICS

Since the TESOL program began in 2006, plans were underway to expand the program offerings, said Dr. Michael Pasquale, who will teach the Prague class. “I am excited that we can expand our M.A. TESOL program offerings in this way,” he said. “This has been a long term goal of ours.” Over the past five years the program has had students from more than a dozen different states and students from Brazil, Japan, South Korea, Kenya and other countries. Students enrolled in the M.A. in TESOL program are required to spend two weeks on the Cornerstone campus in the summer but throughout the year take online courses. Now, one week of class will be held

“I AM EXCITED THAT WE CAN EXPAND OUR M.A. TESOL PROGRAM OFFERINGS IN THIS WAY. THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TERM GOAL OF OURS.”

He plans to tailor courses to a student’s specific situation so they will learn about specific issues facing ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers in Central and Eastern Europe. The course taught in Grand Rapids will cover issues relating to public school ESL education in the U.S. “We are looking to do a similar program like this in the future in other locations such as Asia and South America,” said Dr. Pasquale. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TESOL AND PGS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS, VISIT PGS.CORNERSTONE.EDU.

Alumni Journal • Welcome Back Wednesdays • Alumni Reunions CU Theatre Events • Yearbooks Online • Assessement Survey 2012 Homecoming • Big Ticket Festival

Looking forward to connecting with you soon! phone 616.222.1439 • email alumni@cornerstone.edu website www.cornerstone.edu/alumni “Cornerstone University Alumni Association” @CornerstoneAlum

Alumni Association

FEATURE

KIM NGUYEN, PROFESSOR OF RELIGION, FOUGHT PIRATES, HOPELESSNESS AND DEPRESSION UNTIL SHE WHISPERED A PRAYER. by tom rademacher

FEATURE

PHOTO BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

YOU WOULDN’T KNOW IT TO MEET HER IN A SCHOOL HALLWAY, ENGAGE HER IN CASUAL CONVERSATION, ENJOY THE SMILE THAT DEFINES HER COUNTENANCE. BUT IN HER LIFETIME, CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY RELIGION PROFESSOR KIM LAN NGUYEN KNOWS WHAT IT’S LIKE TO LOSE EVERY BIT OF ONE’S WORLDLY POSSESSIONS.

At 22 – the age at which many Cornerstone students are celebrating their graduation from college – Nguyen was adrift at sea without food or water . She and her sister endured the terror that accompanies being robbed by pirates. And Nguyen was once stuck in a job so filled with hopelessness that she would cry night and day. In fact, she was so consumed with a sense of dread and depression that during the lowest point in her life, she considered taking it.

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Today though, Nguyen bubbles with the enthusiasm of a woman reborn. And that’s exactly who she is, thanks to a moment in time more than 25 years ago when she whispered a small prayer that transformed her into what she celebrates as “God’s infinite love.” Born and raised in Vietnam, Nguyen was nicknamed “Goose” by her carpenter father, which in her native tongue has connotations associated with being stubborn. She grew up poor, the fourth of five children. She was traumatized early, when the home her father built

burned to the ground amid a great fire that largely consumed her village, thought to be ignited by Communists. The family lived for months in a tent, and Nguyen had an epiphany while watching women struggle to carry large containers of water a long distance from a cistern. “I couldn’t bear the sight,” she recalls. “I was touched at that moment, and wanted to do something to alleviate the people’s toil. That’s when I decided I wanted to be a successful engineer.” As a teen, she immersed herself in reading, and drew mostly from Western Literature – everything from Twain to Poe to Albert Camus and Oscar Wilde. It helped her endure the rigors of digging canals and performing other demeaning work to please the nowruling Communist Party. “They wanted to humiliate us, to lord over us. It was a very tense time.” Escaping the country became an obsession, and in 1979, at the age of 22, she and her sister scrounged up enough gold to buy passage on a boat bound for Malaysia. Their five-day voyage was filled with adversity. Some 200 people competed for space so limited that “you couldn’t even stretch your arm or leg. We were sitting that tight.” There were no formal restrooms. Twice, the boat was raided by Thai pirates, and Nguyen and her sister were robbed of sapphire rings. Because some of the Viet refugees spoke Thai, it was enough to convince the pirates not to rape the women aboard. The refugees spent seven months in Malaysia, surviving on bread, water and canned fish. Finally, sponsors affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church intervened, and Nguyen and her sister were flown to San Francisco, where “it was like another world.” Eight years passed before Nguyen earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Houston, in 1987. But Nguyen never found fulfillment in her job as a control systems engineer. Her world began to disintegrate. “I

“IT WAS LIKE BEING BROUGHT FROM ONE SPHERE TO ANOTHER, INTO GOD’S INFINITE LOVE, AS THOUGH IMMERSED INTO A WHOLE DIFFERENT MEDIUM.”

had broken dreams, no hope for the future. I questioned the meaning and purpose of life. I needed purpose, to do something for humankind. I was completely self-absorbed.” Often, she cried herself to sleep. At her job, when others left for lunch, she’d gaze out a window and weep. “I just cried and cried.” “I didn’t want to live anymore.” Nguyen had always had an affection for the Bible, but now, she began turning to its pages in earnest. Something else happened about the same time: She kept running across the same car bearing the bumper sticker “Jesus Loves You.” At first, she resented its reoccurring presence because “I never felt love at all.” In her darkest moment, she whispered a prayer: “Jesus, if you exist and love me, then come to love me and I will be yours forever.” Immediately, she was struck by what she’s convinced was the Holy Spirit, calling her to a life of service. “It was like being brought from one sphere to another, into God’s infinite love, as though immersed into a whole different medium.” So intense was her transformation, Nguyen contemplated becoming a nun. Instead, she threw herself into the study of Scripture, eventually focusing on the Old Testament. Last year, she earned her doctorate in Hebrew Bible

and Northwest Semitic Languages from the University of WisconsinMadison. Today, she takes her place at Cornerstone as Assistant Professor of Religion. Division Chair Douglas C. Mohrmann lauds Nguyen as an outstanding scholar, and is impressed with how she’s forged her way against all odds. “When I’m interviewing someone for a job, I’m focusing on their professional qualities,” he says, “but there certainly is a compelling side to her personal story.” Nguyen calls the Cornerstone campus “especially friendly,” and says “I love people wherever I am, and so I love Cornerstone, my new colleagues, my work.” Professionally, she will never abandon her quest to better know the Lord. “All I want to do is study God’s word, to be closer to Him, and be able to convey the things He’s taught me.”

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FEATURE

AFTER TWO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, COACH KIM ELDERS EXPLAINS HIS DRIVE FOR WINNING AND WHAT KEEPS THE FIRE BURNING.

NOW IN HIS 19 TH SEASON, THE GOLDEN EAGLES’ MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH ADMITS THOSE FLAMES RAGE AS FIERCELY AS WHEN HE FIRST JOINED CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY FROM FREEDOM BAPTIST ACADEMY IN 1990. EVEN WITH A LONG LIST OF CHAMPIONSHIPS ON HIS RESUME, INCLUDING WINNING A SECOND NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS DIVISION II NATIONAL TITLE A YEAR AGO, ELDERS SAID HE IS MOTIVATED TO SUCCEED MORE THAN EVER. by steve vedder

FEATURE

PHOTO BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

“I HATE TO LOSE, LET’S PUT IT THAT WAY,” SAID ELDERS ON THE EVE OF THE 2011-12 SEASON. “I GUESS THAT’S WHAT OBSESSES ME. THAT AND TO COACH GUYS TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE. THAT’S STILL THERE, PROBABLY EVEN STRONGER THAN WHEN I FIRST CAME IN.

“I want to keep this program where it is and I still have that drive to do it.” “This” program ranks among the finest in the NAIA. In addition to the two national titles (the first coming in 1999), Cornerstone has made it to three Final Fours, three Elite Eights and a Sweet 16. Fourteen of Elders’ 18 Golden Eagles teams have won at least 20 games. With a 34-4 record a year ago, Elders is 459-182 entering the 2011-12 season including six conference titles. While it’s common for many coaches to battle fatigue as

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their careers progress, Elders said he still enjoys the rigors of recruiting, attending off-season camps and the long hours associated with a five-month basketball season. “It hasn’t happened to me,” Elders said of facing coaching burnout. “I feel some day that could happen. But right now I still have that ambition and hopefully it will continue. “It’s a lot of work. It’s more like a 12-month job than it used to be. But I still enjoy it.” The 57-year-old, who played three sports at Hudsonville High School, said his competitive instincts can be traced to

his father, Lewis, also a former athlete at Hudsonville. His father taught him everything from the values of hard work to perseverance in the face of difficulty. “I grew up in an athletic family, that’s what we did all the time,” Elders said. “I hated to lose. Being a perfectionist, I tried to do things the right way. That’s what has driven me - to do things the right way and not get outworked.” The Cornerstone players notice there has been no slowing down by “Coach E”, according to senior captain Ronald Bates. “He’s great to play for and you can see he still enjoys coaching a lot,” Bates said. “He has this steely drive, not for perfection, but to move us to reach our capabilities. He sees the good in players and pushes us to our highest potential.” “I enjoy working with young men and helping shape their lives and being a positive influence,” Elders said. “Most importantly though, I try to lead them in their desire to walk with God.” Elders said that while there is no single explanation why the competitive juices continue to flow, there is little doubt about why Cornerstone University is at the heartbeat of his full court press.

PHOTO BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

“God’s hands are on this program,” he said. “He brings me good players and it starts with that. It might have been a tough sell early on, with the crackerbox gym and all. Back then, I don’t know if we were thought of that highly and it was a hard sell.” However, God’s blessing on the

“I ENJOY WORKING WITH YOUNG MEN AND HELPING SHAPE THEIR LIVES AND BEING A POSITIVE INFLUENCE. MOST IMPORTANTLY THOUGH, I TRY TO LEAD THEM IN THEIR DESIRE TO WALK WITH GOD.”

“Cornerstone is where God wants me to be and hopefully I can finish strong here,” he said. “To be honest, I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t coach. God called for me to work in a Christian setting and this is where He wants me. My family is here and I love it here.”

basketball program and the growth of the university, including the addition of the $13 million Hansen Athletic Center in 2000, has made the university a preferred destination for quality basketball players. The pressures of recruiting those

players, along with the strategy of coaching, building a quality program, and succeeding in a region known for good small college basketball are all parts of college basketball which continue to captivate the husband and father of four, who admits he isn’t necessarily a basketball junkie. Matter of fact, he didn’t have a favorite basketball player or team growing up, but he did, early in his coaching career, embrace the philosophy of former UCLA coach John Wooden. Now he’ll follow what he considers well-coached teams such Michigan State, Michigan, Duke and Kentucky if he sees them on television. “But I’m not a diehard,” he said. If he wasn’t a college basketball coach, Elders said he would likely be a teacher. However, retirement, he said, is something that has yet to be even contemplated. “I enjoy working with young men in trying to shape their lives,” Elders said. “I like working with them and competing and, for me, the enjoyment of the game is still there.”

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SEMINARY ALUM REFLECTS ON HER PARTICIPATION IN ARTPRIZE

BETTE DICKINSON, A 2010 GRADUATE OF GRAND RAPIDS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, ENTERED A PIECE OF ART INTO ARTPRIZE, THE LARGEST PUBLIC VOTING ART CONTEST IN THE COUNTRY. HER PIECE WAS ORIGINALLY COMMISSIONED BY THE SEMINARY LAST YEAR TO BE DISPLAYED IN THE GRTS LOBBY. DURING THE THREE-WEEK ARTPRIZE COMPETITION, HER PIECE WAS EXHIBITED IN THE FORD MUSEUM WHERE THOUSANDS OF VISITORS VIEWED IT BEFORE IT WAS RETURNED TO THE SEMINARY. AFTER THE COMPETITION, BETTE TOOK SOME TIME TO ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE DURING THIS YEAR’S ARTPRIZE.

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YOU WERE ABLE TO EXPLAIN YOUR ENTRY HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF TIMES DURING THE COMPETITION. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? WHAT TYPES OF RESPONSES DID YOU GET? DID ANY COMMENTS SHOCK YOU? Explaining my work was both exhilarating and exhausting. It was a thrill to be able to share God’s story through my work to hundreds of onlookers. Many seemed to be inspired and encouraged. The comments I enjoyed the most were when viewers took the time to discover their own interpretation of the work and share it with me, or watch them study it with intent faces and report the story from their lens. ENTERING THE CONTEST WERE THERE SURPRISES EITHER WITH OTHER ARTISTS OR VIEWERS OF THE ART? There are always surprises at ArtPrize. Anytime you set an artist loose to create with no parameters, you get a surprise, let alone 1,500 plus artists on the loose! What surprised me the most, however, was the commitment I saw among artists to their work and to the public. As an artist I gained a deeper appreciation for those who stood in front of their piece for long hours throughout the event to speak with their viewers. One woman at my venue in the Ford Museum traveled all the way from Canada and stood in high heels, a hoop skirt and a ballroom gown all day for the first week of the competition...now that’s commitment! WEST MICHIGAN IS KNOWN FOR HAVING A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF EVANGELICALS, DO YOU FEEL THIS HURT OR HELPED YOUR ENTRY? WHY? Many of my most passionate viewers were clearly evangelicals and I suppose that helped. It was encouraging to see the amount of Christians who supported my work and thoughtfully engaged with it. It was exciting to

see the shift that’s happening among Christians who are now beginning to grasp the significance of art and support those who seek this as a profession. WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THIS EXPERIENCE? In the process of talking about my work among thousands of strangers, I learned that I have limits. I was exhausted sooner than I thought I’d be after engaging with crowds all day long for several days. It was difficult for me to step away from my work because I so deeply wanted to answer questions and discuss my work with my viewers, particularly those who had questions about its content and their own spiritual journey. Yet, God taught me in the process that He is more than able and willing to speak through my work without my physical presence... the work can stand on its own without me blubbering it up! Many people may dispute this, especially given the amount of Christians pleading with me to write descriptions for every possible meaning and representation of the work, but I do not think this is necessary. I also think giving too much explanation can sometimes hinder the viewer. In our culture, we are fascinated with “knowing” everything and

knowing it immediately. However, this is not the kind of faith journey God desires for us. Sometimes the Bible gives us more questions than answers, and we have to be content with the long process of wrestling through those questions even if we never find the answers. When I created this work, I specifically left things abstract for this very reason; that people could wrestle with it like they must wrestle with the text, and in the process, be transformed by it. During ArtPrize, I recognized that some who do not “get it” right away will simply shrug and walk away and I’m okay with that. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHER ARTISTS CONSIDERING ENTERING THIS CONTEST? WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY NEXT YEAR? Pace yourself! It is really easy to get burned out in the midst of lots of crowds and intense conversation about your work. Take the time to rest and get the help and prayer of friends and family that you need. Next year, I would spend more time getting to know some of the other artists.

BETTE’S WORK CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.BETTEDICKINSON.COM.

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CORNERSTONE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

by caleb williams

by kelli cottrell

PHOTO BY RYAN PRINS PHOTOGRAPHY

LAST SUMMER CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY RECEIVED A BIT OF A FACE LIFT. SEVERAL SUMMER PROJECTS INCLUDED RENOVATING EXISTING STRUCTURES AND ADDING A FEW NEW ONES. FIRST ON THE LIST WAS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FACULTY OFFICE BUILDING ON CAMPUS. THIS ALLOWED QUINCER HALL, WHICH WAS BEING USED AS FACULTY OFFICES, TO BE RETURNED TO ITS ORIGINAL USE AS A RESIDENCE HALL. 26

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The new faculty office building, which began construction in March and had professors moving in by July, holds 22 offices, a faculty lounge, a prayer room, two conference seminar rooms and a reception area. The renovation projects began in a meeting of the trustees. Marc Fowler, executive vice president and chief operations officer, said in a Herald interview, “It’s always exciting to do something new. It’s been very encouraging. This idea came up in the trustees meeting on Feb. 18. That day, they [the board] committed to doing this; they thought it was that important. “You have the trustees sitting there committing their own money saying ‘Yeah, this is something we want to be a part of.’ That’s really exciting.” New student registration numbers are on the rise, and residence halls such as Pickitt are getting too crowded for students to comfortably live in. Pickitt Hall had some work done to it, including new windows and updates to the bathrooms. Quincer’s reconstruction included revamping the bathroom with individual shower stalls, new sinks and countertops and reinstating the laundry room. Up next on the list was the much anticipated Dining Commons renovation. The dining area received new carpet, pillars and paint, while the service area underwent a major change that includes new floors, windows looking out on the Corum lobby and new service stations. Cindy Wiltheiss, director of food services, said the new dining commons provides “a dining experience to fellowship with students and faculty alike.” “I never thought I’d see this. I’ve been here for 32 years, and I honestly never thought I’d see a new dining commons.” The walls surrounding the food service area were torn down and replaced with a curved wall with windows. The kitchen area and its

equipment were revamped. Double glass doors were added so guests can see the dining room space. The food service area is built similar to a food court, with different stations serving different dishes. “The idea is that students can pick and choose what they want to eat. It isn’t meant to have people wait in each line,” said Wiltheiss. A new pizza oven was also added, which serves homemade pizza daily. “We make the dough from scratch,” said Wiltheiss. “That’s what makes it so good.” Students agree that the pizza is definitely a high point of the new dining commons. “The vision for this project was always there,” said Wiltheiss. “It’s awesome how far we’ve come.” The renovation of Quincer and the construction of the new faculty building were funded by operational funds, but the new dining hall did not come as an extra expense to students. Money for that project came from trustees. Gordon Hall saw a newly-renovated recital hall, including new seats, paint,

“I NEVER THOUGHT I’D SEE THIS. I’VE BEEN HERE FOR 32 YEARS, AND I HONESTLY NEVER THOUGHT I’D SEE A NEW DINING COMMONS.” CINDY WILTHEISS DIRECTOR OF FOOD SERVICES

carpet, acoustic treatments, lights and sound equipment, while the practice rooms in Gordon received acoustic treatments and new practice pianos. Daverman Hall had a bit of work done as well, with Room 101 converted from a lab to a general classroom. The Administration Building received a new main entrance and lobby area.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUTURE BUILDING PLANS SEE THE CENTER PULLOUT.

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NEW SCHOLARSHIP HELPS PASTORAL STUDENTS

by caleb williams

PHOTO BY RYAN PRINS PHOTOGRAPHY

GRAND RAPIDS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY HAS PARTNERED WITH THE KERN FAMILY FOUNDATION FOR A NEW SCHOLARSHIP.

GRTS was one of eight evangelical seminaries that received a $1.5 million grant from the foundation. According to Craig Johnson, the Kern Scholars Program Director, the Kern family originally partnered with GRTS when it provided funding for a program called “Leading through Change: Innovation in Theological Schools.” The Kern Family Initiative was created in 2002 by Robert and Patricia Kern, in honor of Robert’s parents, the

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Rev. John and Irene Kern, who served American Baptist churches for more than 50 years in Iowa and Illinois. Johnson said in a Herald article that the Kern family has a “deep passion and concern for the Christian church” and wanted it to be strengthened. This is what led to the decision to offer scholarships to students with high potential. In order to apply for the Kern scholarship, students must be in the Masters of Divinity program, specializing in pastoral ministries, must be 27 years old or younger and must maintain a 3.25 grade point average. The scholarship covers 75 percent of tuition costs for all four years that a student is in the program. The Kern family has initially committed to partner with GRTS for eight years, allowing five groups of students to graduate from the fouryear program. The scholarship will be

awarded to 52 students in all. Said Patrick Shea, one of the current Kern scholars, “I really appreciate the support and focused attention of the program from faculty, staff, the other Kern Scholars, and the Kern foundation itself. I really look forward to finishing my seminary journey with such a great network to support me along the way.” Shea said that without the Kern scholarship, he wouldn’t normally be receiving substantial financial support. He said the scholarship is a huge provision for him and his family. “I look forward to the many ministry benefits that I will have an opportunity to take advantage of once I graduate and become a part of the Kern pastor’s network,” said Shea.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE KERN SCHOLARSHIP, VISIT GRTS.CORNERSTONE.EDU/KSP.

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2012

A PUBLICATION OF CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY