ECU Alums Make a Difference in India

Shaping the Future ECU Alums with a Mission

ECU GRADUATES USING TALENTS TO BRING CHRISTIANITY TO ISLANDS

Three East Central University graduates are using their medical talents to help ministers and teachers introduce Christianity to a remote island off the coast of India where no Christian missionaries had ever gone.

Dr. Creed Stewart, a dermatologist in Sherman, Texas, Dr. Eric Castillo, a dentist in Ardmore, Okla., and Dr. Wayne Lee, a chiropractor in Ada, have made missionary trips before, but now concentrate their efforts on Ghoramara, a small island in the Sundarbans delta complex in India’s Bay of Bengal.

The island is notable because it is sinking into the bay and is projected to disappear in several years from coastal erosion. Several of the islands in the delta have eroded over the last four decades. Many people have left Ghoramara as their homes or livelihoods have disappeared.

Stewart has traveled twice to Ghoramara with a team assembled by his church, Sherman Bible Church. The trips are more

evangelical based than medical, he pointed out.

“The medical work is an attempt to get people to come and listen,” he said. “We opened a clinic, and while people are waiting in the long lines, ministers went around preaching to the people and teaching the children.”

Of the 45-member group, 25 were pastors and Sunday school teachers, Stewart said. The rest were medical doctors, dentists, optometrists, three nurse practitioners, a physician’s assistant and nurses.

Stewart said they saw about the same types of diseases they see in the United States, plus exotic diseases such as malaria and cholera. He treated patients with eczema and fungal infections.

“We saw a total of 3,000 patients in three days,” Castillo said.

The dentists encountered something unique to them.

“We noticed they chew betel nuts and two of their front teeth where they bite were pretty worn down,” Castillo said. They have a dentist that’s not really a dentist that takes their teeth out a couple times a year, but they just break the tooth. We take out the root.”

Castillo made his first trip to Ghoramara last fall. He previously had gone on five medical missionary trips to Mexico with Stewart when Stewart worked in Ardmore. After Stewart moved to Texas, he still went on the trip with the Methodist Church in Ardmore for six years.

Stewart said the Sherman church started looking for an area to expand the gospel.

“We tried to look for an area of the world that was untouched by Christians,” Stewart said.

They found Ghoramara, a jungle island with 3,000 people, either Hindu or Muslim, and 500 Bengal tigers, the largest group of those tigers in the world. Stewart said 18 million people – all considered lower class people who aren’t accepted on the mainland – live on the islands.

“In five years this island is going to sink,” Stewart said. “If we spread the gospel and if 30 people accept it and they all go to different islands to live, hopefully they will take the gospel to other islands.”

When the missionaries leave, a church planner stays behind to teach and work with those who accept the Christian faith. The church has made a 10-year commitment to the area.

Castillo got involved after a visit from Dr. Gerald Williamson, retired ECU vice president for student services who now works in ECU’s Advancement Office. He gave Castillo a copy of “Come and See,” a book about Mother Teresa and her work in India written by Linda Schaefer, an instructor of communication at ECU who teaches photography.

“I read through it. I thought it was cool that she had spent so much time there taking photos,” Castillo said. “I called Dr. Williamson and said I’d like to get a book for Creed. I told Creed to let me know the next time they were going to India.”

Because of the book, Castillo said he was somewhat familiar with what to expect.

“We flew 10 hours to Frankfurt, Germany, had a two-hour layover and flew 10 hours to Calcutta,” Castillo said. “By the time we arrived, and with the time change, I was messed up. We drove through the city at 3 a.m. There was still movement, because it’s a big city.

“If you looked to the left, there were people lying on the street. Some were covered up, some were not. There were dogs, pigs and rats, all asleep on the same street. They were all living together. The homelessness is mind-boggling. Yes, that area needs help.”

After Calcutta, the group took a five-hour boat ride up the Ganges River to Ghoramara. They stayed on the ship and a ferry took them from the ship to the island because of the currents in the river. Then they walked a mile to the only brick building, a school where they set up their clinic. There is no electricity on the island.

“They bathe in dirty water and wash their clothes in dirty water,” Castillo said.

Castillo said the trip was exhausting, but he plans to go again next year.

“It’s all church based. We feel like we’re doing God’s work,” he said. “We’re helping people but

what’s more important is we’re being disciples for Christ. That’s where the satisfaction comes in. We’re doing what God wants us to do.

“This (India) is where I feel God wants me to be.”

Stewart said the aim of the group is not just to treat people, feed the hungry or build houses.

“We’re not doing this just to help people or feel good about ourselves,” Stewart said. “If that’s all I’m doing, it would be a wasted trip because you never run out of poor people to feed or houses to build. If only 30 people accept the gospel, it would be worth it.”

Stewart graduated from ECU in 1992 with a degree in biology. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in 1996 and did his dermatology residency at OU, finishing in 2000. He worked in Ardmore two years and moved to Sherman in 2002.

He and his wife Angelica have been married since 2008. They have an 18-month-old son, Jacob, and are expecting a baby in July.

Castillo worked in Valley View Regional Hospital’s emergency room two or three days a week while completing a degree in nursing at ECU in 1995. After a couple years he came back to ECU to take prerequisite classes to get into the OU College of Dentistry. He completed that degree in 2003 and began practicing in Ardmore.

Castillo’s wife, Benita, earned a bachelor’s degree in counseling from ECU in 1995 and a master’s degree in human resources administration in 1999.

The Castillos have two children, Sarah, 9, and Brooke, 7.

Lee attended ECU from 1993-98 and graduated from Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas in 2000. In 2001 he obtained his Oklahoma chiropractic license and opened a practice in Ada. Lee is currently living in Ada with his wife Melissa. His daughter Brittney is 15 and his step-daughter Clara is 9.

Bill S. Cole University Center Dedication

Bill S. Cole University Center Dedication

DR. BILL S. COLE REMEMBERED

ECU’s University Center became known as the Bill S. Cole University Center in a dedication ceremony on Nov. 29. The Estep Multimedia Center was packed as Dr. Cole was remembered. Speakers at the ceremony included OSRHE Chancellor Glen D. Johnson, RUSO Regent Joanna Hibler, ECU President John Hargrave and two of Cole’s sons who represented Dr. Cole’s family. Dr. Cole was the sixth president of ECU, serving from 1989 until his retirement in 2006. He oversaw 21 construction, renovation or expansion projects, 16 endowments of chairs, professorships and lectureships, approximately $100 million in grants, the growth of the ECU Foundation, Inc. from less than $2 million to approximately $20 million in assets, and ECU’s entry into NCAA Division II.

Kathy Hawkins Johnson has worked with so many East Central University students over the years that she’s a bit surprised when she sees students she doesn’t recognize at commencement ceremonies who are about to graduate. “Oh, I missed them,” she realizes. That’s because thousands of students have crossed her path since she came to ECU in 1991 as director of student activities, a position which oversees Homecoming, Welcome Week and other activities, three sororities, four fraternities, service programs and approximately 80 student organizations. Johnson will not be leading the students at Homecoming this fall. She retired Dec. 31, only one semester short of 20 years. “People would say, ‘I wouldn’t have your job,” she said. “But I had the perfect job. Students came into my office because they wanted to be there. There was no degree check that said they had to be there. Those students wanted to be there.” Her job was not just to find activities to entertain students. She implemented several major activities and programs at ECU that helped students develop and gain experience that would be helpful in their future careers. “Over the years we increased and diversified event programming, chartered Order of Omega, chartered BACCUS, implemented the National Student Exchange, Society of Success and Leadership and, more recently, Tiger Leadership, Service Saturdays and the Student Organization Support Series,” she said. In 1994 she started ECU’s student activities board, the CREW, then became ECU’s first director of international students. In four years, ECU grew from 19 students

Kathy Johnson Retires From “Perfect Job”

from seven countries to 74 students from 23 countries. Then she returned to Student Activities and started developing leadership development and service opportunities for students. That led to her last title, director of campus life and leadership. She also was interim vice president for student development for the fall 2006 semester after Dr. Gerald Williamson retired. Before CREW was established, the Student Senate functioned more as a student event board, Johnson said. After she and senate members attended a conference in 1994, they decided to implement a separate activities board, allowing the senate to focus more on governing. “CREW always has explored new opportunities,” she said. “They did traditional things but became more aggressive in looking for campus entertainment.” Student activities are called “the education outside the classroom,” Johnson said, whether students are participating in them or actually planning or and pulling off an event. Christi Green Beaver, charter CREW member said, “One of the things I remember her saying that has stuck with me through the years, which I have found myself repeating several times, is that 2/3 of what you learn in college is learned outside the classroom in extracurricular activities. I still believe that is true and those words inspired me to get involved whenever I could.” Johnson and her CREW members have made a number of presentations at the National Association of Campus Activities conference. They were always recognized at regional conferences for 100 percent volunteerism. “I am proud we have had eight CREW members accepted to the University of Arkansas on a full ride for their master’s work and now are working in higher education running their own programs,” she said. Her ninth student should begin next fall.

Beginning the Tiger Leadership Program and Service Saturdays in fall 2007 was one of the most significant changes in her duties, she said. Tiger Leadership includes research and discussions of how things apply to what the students are trying to do with their future careers. Service Saturdays allow students to volunteer to do community service projects at such sites as the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Ada Boys and Girls Club, Lake of the Arbuckles and ECU’s rock garden. “I got a lot of pleasure out of the service program,” she said. “People acted like it meant so much to them to participate. It helped students with personal development.” Johnson probably is recognized mostly for public activities that involve large numbers of students having a good time. “I always enjoyed Welcome Week. It is fast and furious. I didn’t have time to think about it not going well,” she said with a laugh. “Homecoming always stands out,” she added. “The majority of people put more emphasis on that. More entities of the campus are up for that because it’s so traditional.”

Probably her favorite memory is planing for the national NAIA football championship in 1993.

Kathy puts her faith in Student Senate members while participating in the ropes course at Rolling Hills Hospital in 1993.

“It doesn’t get any more exciting than that,” she said. ECU hosted dinners for the opposing teams before the playoff and final games. “Rebecca Kennedy (former director of public information and university relations) and I put all that together,” she recalled. “It was a lot of fun. It was a great experience. Not everybody gets to experience a national championship.” While sitting in the stands during the final playoff game, Johnson and Kennedy were so confident ECU was going to win they were already working on what they were going to do the next week before the final game. “At one point, I remember being in my office at 6 a.m. blowing up balloons,” she said. “There were students everywhere. Everyone was so excited. We had black and orange all over that campus.” Johnson holds bachelor’s and master’s of education degrees in health, physical education and recreation from Cameron University and the University of Oklahoma, respectively. She has a varied background that prepared her for working with all kinds of people, putting together events, keeping everything organized and, occasionally, she said, acting as a referee. She was the high school/college relations coordinator for both Cameron University in Lawton and the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond before becoming a corporate accounts manager for the Skirvin Plaza Hotel in Oklahoma City in 1985-86. Today, Johnson, her husband Richy and a partner own the Retail Merchants Association in Lawton. The Johnsons still live in Ada where he also owns Homecheck Inspection Service. They will handle the employee side of the Lawton business such as payroll and commissions. But she plans to spend more time in her garden, develop an artistic talent and participate in community projects. She walked in the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s Breast Cancer 3-Day in 2007 and 2008, 60 miles each, to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, part of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Now she plans to get back to the 3.5-mile Race for the Cure. “I came to East Central never intending to stay,” Johnson said. It’s been an honor to work with so many wonderful people. “I’m lucky. I enjoyed everything I did. “Although I’m not a graduate of East Central University, I’m proud to say ‘Once a Tiger... Always a Tiger.’” Calling all Alpha Gamma Delta alumnae -- East Central University’s AGD chapter has just started the Ada Junior Circle and invite you to join! What’s Junior Circle? Junior Circle is intended for alums under the age of 35. The chapter meets every third Sunday at the AGD Lounge at ECU. According to Junior Circle President Billie Witter Wood, “The purpose of the Junior Circle is to get alumnae members of Alpha Gamma Delta that have not been involved since college again involved in helping the collegiate chapter and to build a new sisterhood.” The group also plans to help new graduates transition from collegiate life to alumnae life while still remaining active in the fraternity. It allows younger alumnae to provide support to the chapter and make a difference in the chapter. “The Ada Junior Circle is a perfect opportunity for alumnae members to become more involved with, and make a difference in the chapter, while developing sisterhood throughout the generations of members, and networking for success, all while having a good time,” said Wood.

SAVE THE DATE:

Scrapbooking Fundraiser DATE: June 18, 2011 TIME: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. PLACE: AGD Lounge

For more information contact Billie Witter Wood at billiekay685@yahoo.com or 405-550-7924.

Alpha Gamma Delta was founded in 1904 at Syracuse University in New York. The fraternity has over 155,000 members at over 185 colleges and universities across North America. The ECU chapter was founded in 1968. The fraternity’s purposes include friendship, community service, honor and the possession of high ideals.

A new look for the Sig Taus

During the summer of 2010, the Sigma Tau Gamma Lounge at Pesagi received a much needed facelift. The lounge had been neglected and was screaming for a makeover. Without a great deal of funds the current members did much of their own renovations. They spent the summer redoing the floors and walls and purchased new furniture and an entertainment center. Now the Sig Taus can enjoy brotherhood in style – and recruiting new members has certainly become easier. Members want to encourage all Sigma Tau Gamma Alums to stop by and check it out.

Sigma Tau Gamma is a U.S. all-male college social fraternity founded on June 28, 1920 at the University of Central Missouri. The fraternity was born out of the desires and aspirations of 17 men in the belief that all men are social creatures and that friendships of college men are lasting ones. By dedicating themselves to the highest ideals of manhood, brotherhood and citizenship, they would inspire thousands of men from all parts of the country who would follow in their footsteps. Since the fraternity’s beginnings in 1920, it has since spread to more than 140 university campuses across the United States.