EASTERN The Magazine of Eastern University
SPRING 2019
WONDER
Wonder (n): sur with admiratio
rprise mingled on. Dear Alumni and Friends, WONDER. When we open our eyes, it's there. It’s there in the delight of curiosity and learning. In mysteries of revelation, beauty, creativity. In service. Humility. Joy of encountering greatness. In whispers of eternity. In loving God, neighbor, enemy. In faith, reason, and justice. Transformation. Centuries ago, Charles Wesley penned these beautiful lines: “Changed from glory into glory, Till in Heav’n we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise.” What a beautiful image of being enveloped in wonder, love, and praise. As you read this issue of EASTERN, may you be profoundly moved and encouraged by the stories of wonder. May we have the openness and wonder of children, experiencing others, hearing their stories, joining together and — at the risk of altering Wesley’s text — being found in wonder, love, and praise. Thank you for being a part of and supporting the Eastern Story. It is indeed, wonder-full. With grace and gratitude,
Ronald A. Matthews, President
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C O N T E N T S
06 CELEBRATION WEEK Spanning the anniversary of Eastern's founding, this joy-filled week included an array of activities and the inauguration of our 10th president.
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WONDER 6
COMMUNITY 10
F E AT U R E 22
ACA D E M I C S 26
AT H L E T I C S 28
ALUMNI
24 RUNNING Sometimes you hear God’s calling loud and clear. And sometimes, you run from it. Palmer alumnus Donald Moore shares about his attempt to squash his pastoral calling, and ultimately, his submission to the all-powerful tugging at his heart.
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23 CREATION STATION Esperanza College’s annual Creation Station event shares the wonder of science with children in a community that is underrepresented in STEM fields.
10 FEATURE: VOICES ON WONDER Opportunities to experience wonder are all around us; we just have to be intentional about recognizing them. We asked a sampling of our faculty and staff from diverse fields and areas of specialty to share stories about times when they experienced wonder.
ASSOCIATE VP & PUBLISHER / MICHAEL THOMAS, MBA ’18, PSYD Editor IN Chief / KELLY GODDARD Creative Director & Lead Designer / DANIEL PEIRCE Visual Director / LISA WOODS Photographer & Cover Photography / ELYSE GARNER ’13 ASSISTANT EDITOR / ALLY (HOLMES) ROSARIO '14 Designer / ALAINA MOSSO
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Please send comments or article suggestions to:
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHTS
Palmer Seminary alumni news should be sent to:
Men’s Volleyball made its program debut. Significant facility improvements included dramatic changes to the softball field. Men’s Soccer won the MAC Freedom Championship. Track and field athlete won two All-America Honors.
media@eastern.edu Alumni news should be sent to: alumni@eastern.edu palmeralum@eastern.edu PUBLISHED BY Marketing and Communications at Eastern University ONLINE AT eastern.edu/MAGAZINE
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S C U L P T U R E C R A F T E D B Y: FA I T H L AU F F E R ’22 C E L E B RAT I O N WEEK ART S H OW WIN N ER
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Wednesday Night
B y A l ly ( H o l m e s ) R o s a r i o ’ 1 4 String lights illuminate the floor and music spills out of Gough Great
“The figure in the back represents the Holy Spirit, who remains faceless
Room as the doors swing open and students funnel into the sacred space.
because we can only wonder at the face of God,” Faith shares. “The
This is Wednesday Night Worship — a weekly gathering for collaborative
figure being held is meant to represent all of us — it remains faceless
worship among the Eastern community: kneeling in awe, praying in
for others to see themselves in the figure.” Faith believes that wondering
confidence, and singing with boldness.
about God and his character isn’t tied up in worrying about the unknown,
“I have never once entered Wednesday Night Worship and left without
but in embracing curiosity and resting in His peace.
feeling the presence of God,” expresses aspiring physical therapist and
This sculpture is especially important to Faith because she one day hopes
exercise science major Faith Lauffer ’22. “It has changed the entire way I
to work with children experiencing debilitating physical conditions. Faith
view my faith and connection to God.”
is passionate about seeing people supported and well-cared-for during
Crafted with intention, Faith’s sculpture entitled The Spirit of Wednesday Night Worship was inspired by the transformative work of the Holy Spirit and the overwhelming comfort experienced in God's presence.
difficult seasons — a beautiful parallel to how the Holy Spirit cares for and sustains us through the experience of God’s presence found within the community of believers.
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Eastern university
Celebration Week A week of celebrating Eastern's history, legacy, and future in honor of the inauguration of our 10th president B y K e l ly G o d d a r d HISTORY. LEGACY. FUTURE. All of these wove
members of Eastern University leadership, the Board
together in the joy of an adrenaline-packed week that
of Trustees, ecclesiastical and institutional delegates,
spanned the anniversary of Eastern’s founding on
students, and alumni.
March 19, 1925. Eastern University Celebration Week included pop-up musical performances, service projects, school spirit activities, 1,925 minutes of giving, an art show, lectures, a campus-wide block party celebration — and the inauguration of Eastern’s 10th president, Dr. Ronald A. Matthews. While Dr. Matthews officially began his presidency a year ago on March 1, 2018, the inauguration ceremony was a joyful celebration of his first year as President, with the anticipation of many great years ahead. Gratitude and expectation filled the sanctuary of St. David’s Episcopal
“We have a new leader who is uniquely gifted to lead us through this next part of our institutional journey,” shared Dr. Kenton Sparks, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “...Dr. Matthews is by reputation amongst the kindest, most patient, and generous souls one will find.” “President Matthews has shown time and time again that he is truly a man after God’s own heart,” said Isaiah Hayes ’19, President of Eastern University’s Student Government Association.
Church through warm speeches, worshipful hymns, and
Dr. Matthews was officially installed as President by
cheers from the entire community.
members of the Board of Trustees, and was presented
The ceremony, which took place on March 22, 2019, featured collective thoughts to the President from
with the Presidential Medallion. The medallion is imprinted with the University’s seal, with Greek lettering
“We have a new leader who is uniquely
gifted to lead us through this next part of our institutional journey.
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that references Matthew 28:19 and Jesus’ charge to make disciples. A time of prayer and blessing followed the Presentation and Installation. President Matthews then shared a stirring message on the theme of “Transformational Love,” casting a vision to the community about the transformational power of the love of Jesus. “Love is both reactive and proactive. Love involves faith, reason, and justice. Love transforms everything — what and how we believe, how we develop and pursue knowledge and scholarship, how we live in community and develop systems of flourishing...May we continue to follow Jesus and courageously do the work of His kingdom.” To conclude the ceremony, President Matthews led the University Choir, Turning Point, Angels of Harmony, and the Alumni Choir in a powerful choral benediction of “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” Voices and instruments joined together as the President led the community in harmony, unity, and meaningful impact; a perfect metaphor for the years ahead.
More photos and videos at eastern.edu/inauguration-highlights
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CE LEBR ATION WEEK
HIGHLIGHTS
DAY OF GIVING In honor of Eastern’s founding in 1925, students, family, and friends of Eastern were invited to participate in our 1,925 Minutes of Giving to support Eastern’s amazing legacy.
BREAD MAKING Throughout Celebration Week, our community served alongside one of our partner ministries by kneading together tangible love in the form of freshly baked bread for those experiencing homelessness.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT WORSHIP Wednesday Night Worship arranged a special worship night in honor of Celebration Week including a moving worship set, a powerful exhortation, and the Student Government Association illuminating Willow Lake with floating candles.
INAUGURATION RECEPTION Immediately following President Matthews' Inauguration, the celebration continued at Mellon Hall of Valley Forge Military Academy where the community joined together for fellowship and refreshments accompanied by the brassy rhythms of The Joe Smith Band.
BLOCK PARTY Complete with competitive lawn games, a tie-dying station, live music, and delicious food truck options, Celebration Week’s closing block party signaled the end of the festivities and closed out a fun-packed, spirit-filled week.
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F E A T U R E
B Y K E L LY G O D D A R D
W H E N Y O U ' R E A C H I L D , it’s easy to feel
wonder. All of life is new, fresh, surprising. You’re delighted to discover that snowflakes fall from the sky, caterpillars turn into butterflies, and fire disappears when you blow out a candle. As adults, opportunities to experience wonder are still all around us — but sometimes we have to be intentional about recognizing them. In this issue of EASTERN magazine, we decided to explore wonder by surveying a sampling of our faculty and staff from diverse fields and areas of specialty. We asked them to tell stories about times when they felt wonder: “surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable.”* Our prayer is that these Voices on Wonder would spark that sense of delight in you as you read, reminding you of the unexpected beauty in the world God has created, and inspiring you to reflect on the unique wonders in your own life and work. May we all open our eyes — and our hearts — a little bit wider to wonder this year. *Google Dictionary
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Joy of Teaching BY NICOLE MCKEOWN, MED
D U R I N G M Y F I F T H Y E A R as an
of the class. Knowing that I believed in him
elementary school teacher, I had a student —
helped Jake feel comfortable, safe, and
let’s call him Jake — who was considered a
confident. At the end of the year, his mom
“behavior problem.” That year, I started calling
hugged me and told me what a positive
every student’s home during the first week to
influence I had on her son. She said this was
introduce myself and share something positive
his best school year ever.
about their child. When I called Jake’s home, his mother answered and said, “What did he do now?” I told her that I just wanted to call to introduce myself and let her know that Jake did really well on his math assessment. The phone went silent. Then his mother said, “You are the first teacher who has ever called home and said something nice about my son.” A week later Jake’s parents showed up at our open house, and then made sure to attend every meeting and school event we had that year. Jake had a great year! I wasn’t easy on
Every semester, I tell this story to my Eastern students to remind them that you have to believe in your students to help them achieve their dreams. This is why we become teachers! I am constantly amazed by what can happen when we believe in other people and empower
“ The wonder of watching a student transform is one of the greatest joys of teaching.
them to become who they were created to be. The wonder of watching a student transform is one of the greatest joys of teaching.
Nicole McKeown is Lecturer in Education and Chair of Special Education Programs.
him — I challenged him and had the same expectations for him that I had for the rest
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F E A T U R E
The Power Of Music b y s t e v e n f o r d , m fa , P h D ( A B D )
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he wonder of music has been the love of my life. Throughout that lifelong relationship, I have come to know that the fulfillment of my love for music is also the extension of my love for God. As an educator, music composer, and musician, my perspective of God has been continually expanded through music. Creation and history display countless wonders. However, the wonder of music holds significant importance because I believe that it qualifies as both natural and supernatural. In the Bible, God points to the supernatural wonder of music as he questions Job, asking:
In another unique experience, I was completely amazed by the healing power of
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s
recall that is embedded in a song. Around
foundation? …or who laid its cornerstone while
20 years ago my mother became ill and
the morning stars sang together and all the
her medical condition accelerated into a
angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4)
progressive case of dementia. It was very
In the natural, the wonder of music is the art
difficult to stand by her bedside and accept
of sound in time that expresses ideas and
the fact that she did not recognize me.
emotions in significant forms through elements
In her earlier years, my mother was an
of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color.
accomplished pianist and enjoyed playing
The wonder of music has afforded me two
music with my father, a guitarist. One day
unique experiences that I will never forget.
we decided to see if she would respond to music. I began playing a hymn, and to our
Last August, I decided to create a flash-mob
astonishment, my mother immediately began
choir that would spontaneously appear during
singing along. She continued singing every
Convocation at Eastern University. This special
hymn she heard — and not only did she match
gathering of voices, comprised of faculty, staff,
every lyric and pitch accurately, she also
and students, would sing an award-winning
directed an unseen choir as she suddenly sat
song that I produced and arranged entitled
up in her bed.
“Total Praise” (written by Richard Smallwood). Some were classically trained, while others
Music is so much more than a song. It is a
expressed that it was their first attempt to sing
wonderful, supernatural phenomenon. With
in a choir.
the power to open hearts, unify communities, and bring healing, the wonder of music shows
As we rehearsed, I was delighted by how the
us more of God — and for me, more reasons
choir members were willing to allow music to
to love Him.
become the conduit for networking and forming new friendships. The wonder of music opened
Steven Ford is Professor of Music, Chair of the
hearts, unified the choir, and inspired the entire
Music Department, and Executive Director of
university community when they performed
the Fine and Performing Arts Division.
at Convocation.
Watch Video feature at Eastern.edu/ford
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F E A T U R E
Grace An Abundance of
BY PETE ENNS, PHD
W E K N E W T H AT O U R S I X T E E N -Y E A R - O L D
And even as I was processing that thought, I felt a chill
daughter’s anxiety and depression were more than we
up my back, like something bigger, out of my control,
could handle. We knew she would need to leave home,
was about to happen.
bound for a long stay in a therapeutic boarding school in Arizona. She knew it too.
All I managed to blurt out was, “Hey, you’re wearing a Livestrong bracelet.” He turned and looked at me: “Do
A couple of weeks before she left, I just so happened
you want one? I have a garbage bag of them inside. You
to find myself in Arizona for unrelated reasons. My
can have a few.”
daughter asked if I could bring home for her, of all things, a yellow Livestrong bracelet to help her find
A bag full. An abundance of grace.
courage. This was at least something I could do to make
Funny, he answered the very question I had so
her feel better. But no luck. No one carried
quickly dismissed. I didn’t even ask a question! I just
them, which seemed odd, since they were all the rage.
made a polite comment, but he acted like he had
I told Lizz and moved on.
heard a question.
So later that week, I just so happened to find myself
“Sure,” was all I could bring myself to say.
with about forty others at a backyard cookout. The host seemed like a nice guy, so I struck up a conversation with him while he was flipping burgers. As he stretched out his arm to reach for the seasoning, what did I see on his wrist but the elusive yellow Livestrong bracelet. What are the odds? I couldn’t believe my luck.
I was emotionally frayed to begin with, but at this I had to turn away. My knees weakened, so I fell into the nearest chair and held back tears. The party went on around me. I was in a thick fog. Nothing else existed. Did that just happen? An ordinary rubber bracelet. But I felt God’s presence
I’ll bet he knows where I can find one. Maybe . . . nah,
and care for Lizz and me as sure as the chair I was
that’s crazy . . . but maybe he even has an extra one. . .
sitting in. “Cast your anxiety on him, because he cares
That’s stupid. . . NO ONE carries extra yellow
for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Indeed. God was in Arizona
Livestrong bracelets?!
waiting for us both.
But still, of all the possible strangers to meet in some
Pete Enns is the Abram S. Clemens Professor
random state I’d never been to, some random guy had
of Biblical Studies.
what I needed.
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“An ordinary rubber bracelet. But I felt God’s presence and care for Lizz and me as sure as the chair I was sitting in. 15
F E A T U R E
Faith of Their Own BY JACKIE IRVING, EDD N E W S T U D E N T S A R R I V E each
themselves, they continued getting
semester with a sense of belonging
to know each other in the weeks that
and connection to their own families,
followed. Today, they are good friends
religious denominations, and home
who attend Chapel and Wednesday Night
communities. Once they become members
Worship together.
of the Eastern community, they begin a journey of exploration — often with some excitement, nervousness, and trepidation.
There is beauty in witnessing these transformations as students expand their worldviews. There is beauty in walking into
This exploration often begins with
the dining commons and witnessing two
questioning what they’ve been told about
students from different faith backgrounds
different religious denominations, people
and ethnicities sharing a meal. There is
groups, communities, world issues, and
beauty in watching students from different
themselves. With encouragement from
communities develop a friendship that
faculty, staff, classmates, and new friends,
transforms an athletic team into a ministry
they begin to seek truth as they critically
that bears witness for Christ. And there is
challenge any presuppositions. My role
beauty in hearing one student tell another
in Student Development allows me the
student who is experiencing challenges,
privilege of engaging in conversations with
“Let me pray for you.”
students as they form a faith that is truly their own.
It is a delight to watch as strangers become friends, adolescents become
One year, I got to witness a friendship
adults, and students become scholars.
develop between two students of different
These scholars become transformational
faith backgrounds. When they met
Christian leaders, change agents, justice
during an orientation icebreaker game,
seekers, and productive citizens.
the only thing they had in common was their love for God and Eastern’s campus. After exchanging short stories about
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Jackie Irving is Vice Provost for Student Development.
There is beauty in hearing one student tell another student... ‘Let me pray for you.’
„
Traveling Traveling Starlight Starlight
BY DAV I D B R A D ST R E E T ’76, P H D A S T R O N O M Y I S A F I E L D O F S T U DY
we disentangled their combined light to reveal
of His universe, an invitation that requires us
that evokes awe and wonder at every turn.
their temperatures, shapes, masses, and all of
to learn how to look and how to decipher. But
Despite my decades of research, I am still
their primary physical characteristics.
even those skills are provided to us by Him
amazed that we can we take thousands of digital images through our telescopes, recording starlight that has been traveling through space for hundreds or thousands of years. The optics and electronics open up another level of understanding the mystery of
We mathematically modeled the light curves, and what was hidden to the naked eye and even the telescope became clear: two distinct stars, millions of years old. Unlocked through technology, science, and mathematics — all
as we learn more and more about how He sustains His creation. The world around us is an invitation to wonder, and discover...then discover, and wonder. Even after all of these years, it’s mind-blowing to me!
from thousands of light years away! I pulled
David Bradstreet is Professor and Chair of
back from my work feeling like I had just
I remember the first time I analyzed an
the Astronomy and Physics Department, as
uncovered a hidden treasure that no one had
eclipsing binary. This phenomenon looks
well as Director of the David H. Bradstreet
ever seen before.
Observatory and Julia Fowler Planetarium.
Astronomy teaches me that God has left clues
Watch Video at eastern.edu/bradstreet
God’s creation.
like a single star, but it is actually two stars orbiting around one another. We couldn’t see the two stars individually in the camera, but
all around us to invite us to share in the delight
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God Around The World BY ELOISE MENESES, PHD
I T I S N O T H A R D to experience wonder
that a women in their village became ill, and
filled with wonder at the work of God in a
in my discipline. Anthropology is the study
no one could heal her, neither the doctors
relatively remote and seemingly difficult
of people and cultures around the world,
nor the Hindu priests. In desperation, the
place for the gospel to take root. Nepal
and it produces an endless fascination
woman asked that the three Christians be
has a long history as a closed country to
with the human condition. For a Christian
brought out of the forest to pray for her.
Christianity. Even now, pastors are regularly
anthropologist, it also provides the
They came and prayed, and she was healed!
locked up for performing baptisms — quite
opportunity to see God at work in the world,
As a result, the entire village converted
a different experience from our churches
both through the church and beyond it.
to Christianity.
in America!
A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity
In another story, Christians were holding
In my sermon to the church in Kathmandu,
to go to Nepal to teach anthropology for
baptisms in the middle of the night at a local
I urged the Christians there not to imitate
a Christian development agency. While
river to avoid harassment by Hindus. During
the West, where Christianity is deeply
there, I was invited to speak at a church
one such baptism, they looked up to see a
entrenched within the culture, and at times
in Kathmandu, to attend the baptism of a
sizable group of people approaching them
seems to serve it. I encouraged them to
woman possessed by an evil spirit, and to
with torches. But when the group got to
instead follow the Holy Spirit as God guides
hear many, many stories of the remarkable
them, they all asked to be baptized too!
them through their time of persecution and
things that are happening in Nepal as part of a mass movement of conversions from Hinduism into Christianity.
Stories such as these are not at all isolated
culture change.
incidents. In fact, there is an emerging
Seeing God at work around the world, from
literature in anthropology on Christian
Eastern University to Kathmandu, is indeed
One man told the story of his uncle who,
conversion in Nepal due to its phenomenal
a wonder!
together with two Christian friends, was
growth and impact on the culture. As an
living in the forest to escape the death
anthropologist, I listened carefully to the
threats they had received from their village
stories to understand what they meant to
because of their conversions. It happened
the people involved. As a Christian, I was
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Eloise Meneses is Professor of Cultural Anthropology and Director of the MA in Theological and Cultural Anthropology.
F E A T U R E
B Y W A LT H U D D E L L , P H D
The
Math Factor
HOW THE INTRICACIES OF NUMBERS DELIGHT AND MOVE ME
athematics allows us
results that are widely used to describe
Yet the facet of this that is most profound
to catch glimpses of
different aspects of creation, such as space-
of all is that this exalted Truth, this eternal
the Infinite in ways that
time in Einstein’s General Relativity and
Word, would take on flesh and be united with
nothing else can. Of
Maxwell’s equations which govern light. It
His creation, in order to die for our salvation.
course, we finite creatures
even explains how cats can right themselves
In a unique way, mathematics allows us, as
cannot hope to take in all of the God “who
when they fall. All of this from one simple,
Paul says, “to comprehend with all the saints
dwells in unapproachable light” (I Tim. 6:16).
beautiful equation!
what is the breadth and length and height
But we sometimes will get hints of that wonder. As mathematicians, we are always striving to see things in greater generality, to capture more and more of reality using mathematical expressions of greater and greater simplicity. Often the richest propositions can be stated with great brevity, though they express volumes of truth.
Through studies like these, I began to understand just how powerful mathematics is: the mathematician’s desire for simplicity and generality turns out to correlate precisely with the practical usefulness of mathematics in the wider realm of physics. All of this also fits very nicely into an understanding of the world in which a Creator creates by means
and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge” (Eph. 3:18). Notice that Paul uses the mathematical imagery of spatial dimensions to describe the love of Christ — its “length” and “breadth” and so on. Yet he cannot confine his language to just three dimensions. No, the love of Jesus is too great! So it is not surprising that any glimpse of the truth, even the most basic
To cite one example, I recall learning
of His Word (logos), and creates one specific
the generalized Stokes’ Theorem, which
being in His own image (with a capacity for
undergraduate students encounter in our
“logic” that is rooted in the logos) so that this
Vector Calculus course. This theorem unifies
being can grasp and appreciate the most
many of the most important theorems
concise, abstract accounts of reality. Math
Walt Huddell is Professor of Mathematics,
in Calculus. It is expressed with a simple
both describes God’s creation and also gives
Chair of the Mathematics Department, and
equation using very few characters.
us a kind of direct, unfettered access to the
Advisor for the Engineering Program.
Furthermore, Stokes’ Theorem leads to
Truth Himself. Amazing!
mathematical formula, is actually telling us something about Jesus, since He Himself is the Truth.
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A C A D E M I C S
A New Home for
Eastern's Harrisburg Location B y K e l ly G o d d a r d
DID YOU KNOW that Eastern has been offering
be used for traditional class formats, two are set
classes in Harrisburg for over 20 years? While
up to host online discussion classes, and two are
this may come as a surprise to some, Eastern’s
designed for conference-style classes. All of the
Harrisburg location offers a variety of graduate
classrooms are equipped with large smart TVs
and adult undergraduate programs while
and WiFi hotspots.
partnering with a number of local organizations.
The location also includes a student lounge and
This January, the Harrisburg site made an exciting
kitchenette so that adult students coming from
transition to a new location. Conveniently
work can relax and enjoy a meal before class.
positioned at the intersection of several major
A new office area provides workspaces for the
highways, the new location provides convenient
entire Harrisburg administration, while new
access for Harrisburg’s adult students, along with
carpet, ceilings, and paint contribute to
dedication, and hospitality,” shares Provost
a state-of-the-art learning experience.
the contemporary and enjoyable aesthetics
Kenton Sparks. “This location provides the space
of the building.
and cutting-edge technology that students expect
The impressive new 4,600-square-foot building features six professional and exceptionally
“The new site will build on our rich history of
modern classrooms. Two of the classrooms will
serving students in Harrisburg with excellence,
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from an innovative, 21st-century university like Eastern.”
Creation Station Esperanza College's annual event shares the wonder of science with community children By Daniella Hobbs
IT’S A SATURDAY AFTERNOON at Esperanza
“It’s good for the children around here to know
Medical Assisting. “If that interest is nurtured
College of Eastern University. Brightly-colored
that there are options for them, and there are so
and encouraged, they will do better in science
tables speckle the student lounge, mini-lava
many creative things that can be done in your
and math classes as they move on in their
lamps bubble vibrantly, wires twirl around
own home,” explains Linda Morales Bryant, a
school years.”
tables, and the sound of ice rattles as ice cream
second-year Esperanza student, as she helps
is made. Children from the community bounce
make ice cream.
from table to table, eyes wide with wonder as the world of science comes to life in front of them. This is the Creation Station, an event designed by Esperanza College to celebrate engineering and other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. The children who arrive each year, ready and eager to learn, are part of a community that is underrepresented in these fields. The event
As the event comes to a close, members from the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers
“I’m going to try this at home!” exclaims a child
share about their careers while high school
at the next table as he creates an electrical
students from Esperanza Academy stay fixated
circuit on a piece of paper.
on every word.
In the science lab, a young boy perches on a tall
“Underrepresented students need to realize that
stool while mixing together green moon sand.
they too can make a big impact and contribution
At the next table, a little girl stirs together bright
in these fields,” explains Graciani. “Today they
blue slime in a beaker. Both of their faces light
may make a tower with marshmallows, but in
up as the different colors and textures slide
the future they may contribute to rebuilding the
through their fingers.
infrastructure of the city.”
aims to change that by exposing them to the
“Most children are fascinated by science when
excitement of science in an accessible way.
they are young,” explains Dr. Nilsa Graciani, Esperanza College Director of STEM and
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P A L M E R
Running When saying yes to your calling isn't easy
B y m i c h a e l t h o m a s , M b a ' 1 8 , P s y d a n d a l ly ( H o l m e s ) r o s a r i o ' 1 4
SOMETIMES YOU HEAR GOD’S CALLING
However, faced with pressures from peers
a Speech Communication program at
LOUD AND CLEAR.
and his own insecurities, he later attempted to
Fayetteville State University, and from there,
squash his pastoral calling, despite the all-
a master’s program in Speech-Language
powerful tugging at his heart.
Pathology at North Carolina Central University.
And sometimes, you run from it. At 7 years old, Rev. Dr. Donald Moore, MDiv ’10 first heard God’s calling to be a preacher. When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up,
“I did everything I could to avoid going into ministry.”
little Donald would respond with a confident
While Pastor Moore’s story lacks a three-night
“I want to be a preacher” — a far cry from the
stay in the belly of a fish, he can empathize with
future “all-star athlete” dreams of his friends.
Jonah’s desire to run. Pastor Moore escaped to
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For 21 years, he worked in clinical speech pathology, avoiding the call to ministry he still felt so prominently. It wasn’t until he began to pursue his PhD that Pastor Moore could no longer ignore the Spirit
”
I became a better person and a better pastor in staying true to my calling. and the sense of an overwhelming grip on his life. He relinquished
God has done exceedingly more than I ever expected and has
control and allowed the Lord to lead him right to Eastern Baptist
blessed me abundantly.”
Theological Seminary (now Palmer).
As Pastor Moore shares about the impact Mount Carmel is making
“The lifelong friendships I developed and the investment I received
on their local Philadelphia community, it is beautiful to see the
from my professors and advisor are some of my most precious
ways God is using Moore’s background as a speech pathologist
takeaways from my experience at Palmer Theological Seminary.
in his current ministry. With an emphasis on serving as the hands,
I became a better person and a better pastor in staying true to
feet, and voice of Jesus, Pastor Moore and Mount Carmel seek
my calling.”
to educate and empower children in their community through a
Running straight into God’s calling has landed Pastor Moore in the heart of Mount Carmel Baptist Church’s community since 2013, and he has never once looked back. “I have been given the opportunity and privilege to love these people. I’ve been called to lead, comfort, minister to, preach to, encourage, serve, develop, and work alongside this community.
weekly reading program. They also partner with multiple agencies that advocate for appropriate health and housing solutions for all. The wonder of calling is not that we pursue God, but that God pursues us, and keeps pursuing us even when we run from Him. We often think of a calling as something that must be found, but often, the process is more about letting ourselves be found.
25
A T H L E T I C S
Athletic
Highlights
fall / winter By dan mouw
( F r o m l e f t t o r i g h t: j a c o b m y e r s ’ 1 9 , K i e r r a Z a c k ’ 1 9 , a n d M a r q u i s e P e e l ’ 1 9 )
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL WINS FIRST FOUR
The Eagles, with five freshmen on the nine-
Eastern University Men’s Volleyball made its
another new program from Immaculata to start
Eastern’s outdoor facilities continued to
program debut with a 3-0 win at Neumann
the year 4-0.
improve throughout the fall and winter. After
man roster, recorded wins against established programs from Cairn and Lehman College and
University in January. Head Coach Randy Syracuse and his squad won the opening set 25-13 and hit a stunning .577 in the match to start Eastern’s newest varsity program out on
E A S T E R N
a much-needed resurfacing of Olson Field and The Eagles will need to add size and depth to rival the top teams in what promises to be a very competitive Middle Atlantic Conference, but the program is off to a great start.
the right foot.
/
A T H L E T I C S
MCNELLEY OVERSEES IMPROVEMENTS
the Auxiliary Field this past summer, Eastern Athletics, under the leadership of new Athletic Director Eric McNelley, made several other significant facility improvements.
WEENINK EARNS TWO ALL-AMERICA HONORS Nicole Weenink ’20 became Eastern University’s first Track and Field All-American Softball benefitted from the biggest upgrade. The field was slated for improvements, but when a flood wiped out the infield in August, McNelley saw an opportunity to make a dramatic improvement that would have a lasting impact. He decided to flip the field 180 degrees. This renovation includes drainage, irrigation, dugouts, and a new backstop. With skybox-type views from the library, the new facility promises to be a showpiece on campus. The baseball field, known as The Yard, also underwent serious renovation. The Eagles will
MEN'S SOCCER RUNS TO HISTORIC SEASON Eastern Men’s Soccer has a long history of success. The 2018 Eagles raised the bar another
with an eighth-place finish in the Long Jump at the 2019 Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. A little over 24 hours later, she became Eastern’s first two-time All-American with a fifth-place finish in the Triple Jump.
level with a historic run to the Third Round
Weenink, a junior from Mechanicsburg, PA,
of the NCAA Tournament. After starting the
reached the championships with qualifying
season 2-2, the Eagles did not lose for the
efforts during the season. After her first two
next 18 matches.
long jumps at Nationals, she was outside the
Led by a stout defense, Eastern finished the regular season 15-2-1 and were the first team to go unbeaten and untied in the MAC Freedom
top nine and in danger of missing finals. With the pressure on, she delivered and moved into seventh to earn a spot in finals.
since 2002. After beating Misericordia 5-2
On her second attempt in the Triple Jump,
in the opening round of the Conference
she hit an 11.8 meter jump to sit in fifth place
tournament, the Eagles claimed the league title
throughout finals. She seemed to improve that
The tennis courts had surface repair work done
with a convincing 3-0 win over King’s on Olson
mark by a lot on her final attempt, but her toe
as well, and new fencing provides better sight-
Field. Jacob Myers ’19, an All-American center
was over the edge of the board and the effort
lines for spectators and more effective wind-
back, was named MVP of the Championship.
did not get measured.
Anthony Hitchcock ’21 made two saves and
Kierra Zack ’19 also competed at the national
McNelley sees potential for growth well beyond
scored the deciding kick in penalties to win
meet. She qualified for finals in the Mile and
Eastern’s current number of student-athletes,
in the NCAA First Round. The next night,
finished in ninth place. The Eagles hope to
which is close to 400. He believes facility
Sam Sutherland ’21 struck in the first half and
qualify individuals this spring for the Outdoor
improvement is a first step toward continuing to
the Eagles held on for a 1-0 win. The Eagles
Championships which will be held in
grow programs and the department.
dropped a 1-0 decision to Rochester on a late
Geneva, Ohio.
play on a newly graded infield with drainage in front of a modern backstop and netting system.
screening for players.
goal in the Round of Sixteen. 27
Alumni News
Day of Giving:
Together, We did it b y A l ly ( H o l m e s ) R o s a r i o ’ 1 4
TOGETHER, WE DID IT: 1,925 minutes of unabashed giving from alumni, family, and friends of Eastern University. In honor of Eastern’s founding on March 19, 1925, the University celebrated with its first annual Day of Giving.
8%
c u r r e nt stu d e nts
20%
fac u lty & staf f
17%
f r i e nd s
55%
alu m ni
Our community was encouraged to give back to future generations of students by financially supporting the mission of Eastern. Throughout the 1,925 minutes, $20,000 in donor challenge gifts were unlocked, Eastern’s birthday cake was enjoyed, and our community collectively raised $116,737 in gifts to support the University's initiatives. Every generous gift celebrates Eastern’s legacy and enables the success of our future as we move forward for the glory of God. Thank you for making our 1,925 minutes of giving a resounding success!
It is not too late to partner with us — join the Eastern Community by making a gift with the enclosed envelope
155
669
60
Ne w ly E ngag e d
total d o no rs
cau ses serv ed
or at eastern.edu/giving
29
A L U M N I and Arts Conservatory of Santa Barbara, and as a Publicist for State Street Ballet. While many may associate the fine arts with high-end luxury, Barbara’s dream is for the entire community to have access to the performing arts, regardless of their socioeconomic status. “Everyone should have a chance to experience the wonder of the arts,” she muses. “Sitting in our historic theater, you experience a spellbinding moment —a hush before the musicians strike the first chord or the graceful performance of an exquisite pas de deux. How can you witness such beauty of movement and not be transformed?” Barbara came to Eastern in 1968 with a real desire to learn. Inspired as a teenager by Tony Campolo ’56, BD ’60, ThM ’61, she believed that Eastern could not only nurture her love for Christ, but provide a stimulating educational experience as
2019
Wonder in the Details
Alumna of the Year Barbara Burger ’71
b y A l ly ( H o l m e s ) R o s a r i o ’ 1 4 well. She recalls visiting campus for the first time and praying with her mother on a bench, asking God if Eastern Baptist DRIVING ALONG THE CALIFORNIA COAST, Barbara Burger ’71 watched the city of Santa Barbara race into view. With the world at her
College was the right place for her to attend. “It proved to be
the very best decision.”
fingertips and a fresh start before her, she breathed in the coastal sea breeze and prayed, “God, how can I make this city a better place to live?”
When asked about her time spent in Eastern’s music department, Barbara
Without knowing it, that prayerful whisper would eventually land her right
laughs and exclaims, “You would assume that I majored in music, right?”
in the heart of the city’s vibrant arts community.
Barbara actually majored in Anthropology and Sociology under Dr. Campolo himself. It was her love for culture coupled with the intricate
For 28 years, Barbara served as the Marketing Director for the Santa
weaving of life’s unexpected details that landed her in the middle of Santa
Barbara Symphony managing large-scale marketing campaigns,
Barbara’s diverse fine arts scene.
organizing fundraising events, and administrating six music education programs that benefit thousands of children in the greater Santa Barbara
From her first seaside prayer to the meaningful legacy she has now
area. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Opera Santa
created, Barbara’s life is a reminder to all of us of what God can do with a
Barbara, the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation, Music
heart that dreams of more for our cities.
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2019
Distinguished Young Alumnus of the Year
jonas dorsett ’16
Resilience through Unconditional Love
varsity team. The school marvelled at the major improvements in the students’ attendance, grades, and overall "self-value," and recognized that they needed this committed and innovative leader at their helm. “In order to do this ‘Christianity thing’ right,”
b y A l ly ( H o l m e s ) R o s a r i o ’ 1 4
Dr. Backues, MS ’93, an Economic Development
THE WORD “PRINCIPAL” OFTEN TIMES
a wonderful and informative class — it set
professor, challenged Jonas, “You have to get
conjures up images of stuffy and severe
my feet on the right path.” He remembers
your hands dirty and experience people on
authority figures. As the youngest principal in
reviewing a freshly graded paper with a short
their level.” This charge is the vehicle through
Denver Street School history, Jonas Dorsett ’16
and powerful snippet of feedback: “You should
which Jonas encounters wonder every day as
is smashing stereotypes and tearing down walls
think about teaching in the future.” That charge
he navigates the school hallway. “The resilience
of bias to help raise up a generation of world-
profoundly impacted his life and plowed the
of my students instills in me such a sense of
shapers.
path to Lakewood, Colorado’s Denver Street
awe,” Jonas shares. “When 40% of them have
School.
experienced homelessness, 81% of them have
Serving as principal at a nonprofit Christian
a family member incarcerated, and 88% have
high school for “at-risk youth” was never in the
After graduating, Jonas accepted his first
already experienced academic failure, I have
foreseeable plan for Jonas. An enthusiastic
position as a Denver Street School math
to wonder at their resilience and courage in
Economic Development major from Barre,
teacher. Very quickly, Jonas observed the
showing up ready to learn each and every day.”
Vermont, Jonas had resolve to take on the
disinterest his students had toward their
world and bring about social and economic
education, and wondered what he could do
Jonas, with the support of his wife Shannen
change through micro-finance. It wasn’t until he
to prompt some much-needed social change.
(Richards) ’15, is committed to serving
sat in a chance elective course that he felt the
When the overwhelming desire for organized
his students through unconditional love,
stirring and call to education. “It was a course
sports presented itself, Jonas revived DSS’s
overwhelming compassion, and deep respect
called Gilded Age and Progressivism with Dr.
dormant after-school basketball program,
for where they’ve come from and where they’re
Flynn,” Jonas recalls. “It went beyond being
which now currently competes as an official
going.
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A L U M N I
Alumni Class Notes
Eastern Alumni Class Notes
1950 S Willard Everitt ’57, BD ’60 and his wife, Judy, have been married for 58 years. They moved from their home of 33 years this spring to an apartment in the area. Will loved his years at both Eastern College and Seminary.
1960 S
taught him the importance of understanding a
provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and
person's culture (learned pattern of living) and
P.E.I in June this year.
of ministering to a person accordingly. He calls it “bridge building.”
Peter Mahon ’68 shares that he and his
one paying job and one non-paying job. She
wife have moved to Mesa, Arizona for a
says, "The Christian Life Academy called and
semi-retirement and an escape from winter
asked me to begin a choir program. I have kept
weather in Colorado. They have sold their
active in church, community choirs, and play
home in Colorado and are enjoying life in
the piano as well. I am also on the chaplaincy
their motorhome.
board of the hospital and have been a chaplain
part time in a family practice clinic. He is
for ten years. I love both jobs. The kids keep
enjoying ministering to the whole person - body,
me young and the chaplaincy keeps my
soul, and spirit and enjoys finding opportunities
counseling credits valid; plus I love the people
to teach people the interrelationship between
and the challenge."
shares how he received good, solid, Christian pre-medical training at Eastern. Dr. Grigolia
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writing and living in Nicaragua.
Beverly (Clark) Morris ’61 shares that she has
For 10 years, Alfred Cox ’60 has been working
physical, emotional, and spiritual health. He
S. Brian Willson ’64 shares that he is currently
1970 S David Laquintano ’72 and his wife, Christine (Hadley) Laquintano ’70, have been enjoying
Richard Church ’62 and his wife, Marilyn, love
retirement. They have been traveling and
to travel. Their next trip will be to the maritime
camping as well as visiting Italy during the
Martin's, Radnor. Both David and Christine tutor and are involved in Chester Eastside, which is an agency working out of St. Paul's Chester. Christine is the Organist and Choir Director at Tree of Life Presbyterian Church in Springfield, PA. They live next door to Swarthmore College and enjoy the concerts and master's classes offered there. They have seen the Eastern Baseball team play at the Swarthmore field. Stephen Murray ’73 has been married to Nancy for 15 years and they have 3 daughters. He has worked for over 37 years in the auto industry with Johnson-Matthey (7 years), KolbenSchmidt (4 years), and Honda of America (31 years & counting!) where he was also Purchasing manager for 20 years. He attends Zion Christian Fellowship in Powell, has been a soccer coach for 35 years with Radnor Soccer Club, and Union County Independent Soccer League in Marysville. Steve's favorite memory from Eastern was beating Villanova in soccer during his junior year (1971 season) at Eastern (4-3). Pamela (Niece) Powles ’79 and her husband, Rev. David M. Powles ’76, MDiv ’79, retired from St. John's Baptist Church in South Philadelphia on December 31, 2018. On January 1, 2019, they moved from their home of almost 30 years two doors down from the church to their new home in Lancaster County. The
1980 S After spending 25 years as an executive with Brooks Brothers, Reignette (Russ) Chilton ’80 has written a book about the coat the clothier made for President Lincoln's second inauguration. Lincoln's Greatcoat: The Unlikely Odyssey of a Presidential Relic was released in early 2019.
different remote village locations, for 2 days of clinic in each location, as part of the mobile medical care for the underserved. The group used Haitian translators to interview and assess the patients, determine their primary healthcare need, and enter data into the electronic medical record system before they were seen by a medical provider, given medication, as needed, and then prayed over. 400 patients received
faculty that most inspired Pam were the late
Bryan Stevenson ’80 was interviewed by the
care over the 4 days in the clinic.
Drs. Patricia Boehne and Enrique Fernandez.
New York Times Magazine on January 16,
Kerry (Martin) Hallam ’84 shares that she has a
She is so thankful for their dedication to mentor
2019, about "how he wants the US to face its
happy blended family with seven kids between
and encourage students to reach farther
history". On January 21, 2019, in Media, PA,
them. Well not really "kids"...the youngest
than they could have imagined. If not for
Bryan Stevenson '80 was one of three people
is a junior in high school. They have six
Eastern, she shares, “I would have never met
added to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit
grandchildren, a dog that is her "baby", and a
my husband! We met at Eastern when I was a
Wall of Fame this year for instilling the following
bearded dragon lizard! She is currently teaching
freshman and he was a senior, in God's perfect
qualities of the wall’s namesake: loyalty,
4th grade math, science, and social studies.
timing. And the rest is history…” Something
leadership, integrity, honesty, determination,
Two years ago she finished a second teaching
her classmates would be surprised to learn
and courage.
certificate (Special Education, Pre-K-8) giving
is that she homeschooled her three children
Elaine (Fonda) Fuguet ’83, eight nursing
from kindergarten through high school. The
students, and a Nurse Practitioner served on
big question she’s pondering is what to do with
a one-week trip to the campus of Mission of
the rest of her life now that she’s “retired” and
Hope, which lies about 15 miles north of Port-
moved away from her previous work.
au-Prince, Haiti. While there, they travelled to 2
her a Master’s +30. The faculty member that had the greatest impact on her was Dr. Martha Shalitta - she was her all-time favorite. She made Psychology so interesting and she helped her learn to believe in herself.
33
A L U M N I In May 2018, Chris Nickels ’97 graduated from Eastern Mennonite Seminary with an MA in Christian Leadership. He also received a Scholarly Achievement Award for research culminating in a project titled, "Including People with Autism in Anabaptist Worship Practice." The Rev. Dr. Tony Sundermeier ’97, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, was the featured preacher on January 27th for "Day 1", the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program, also accessible online at Day1.org. If you were around Eastern in the mid-1990s, you would have heard the voice of Kevin Casey ’98 announcing Eastern's home athletic games. 20 years late, and the opportunities and skills he honed at Eastern have led him to be the PA Announcer for the Philadelphia Union soccer team. Joy Grassman ’98 shares that her little one, Marley, continues to shine in chorus and musicals, making her very proud. Her eldest Christine (Burger) McCaffery ’84 shares that
Recently, Ethel (Storms) Swartley ’87 was
she is now a Nana to 5 year old Adalie and 8
invited to provide two 10-day workshops for
year old Michael. She is enjoying 30+ years of
STEM and English faculty in Iraq.
a joy filled marriage. She says she has finally left Alaska after 30 years, is now living in Grand View, WI, and is retired...for the moment. The staff member that made the greatest impact on her was the librarian, Jim Sauer, DA ’16. If not for Eastern, “I never would've known what it was like to receive true forgiveness and be given
daughter, Rebecca, recently graduated high school, was president of the National Honor Society, and has a full ride to the University of Alaska. Joy is a certified professional coder
Graduating seniors voted Dr. Jeanne (Wilson)
and works as a revenue integrity analyst at
Bundens ’89 as "Professor of the Year" for the
a Catholic hospital in Anchorage, AK. If not
2018 year. What a nice honor, especially on the
for Eastern, she never would have met "quite
occasion of celebrating 25 years of teaching
literally the most amazing people - you all - that
at Eastern!
I have ever been privileged to know. The mark you left on my life was indelible." Something her classmates would be surprised to know is that
Her classmates would be surprised to know her
1990 S
adopted son is Eskimo. Also, she got a speeding
The Rev. Dr. Jeff Dorn ’92 was ordained
ticket for going more than 20 mph over the
as a Deacon in the Anglican Diocese of New
speed limit. (She says she’s not proud of it, and
England on December 9, 2017. He is currently
2000 S
definitely not doing that anymore!)
the Director of Outreach and Family Ministry
Congratulations to Scott Davidheiser, MEd
at Anglican Church of the Redeemer,
’00 who was recently selected as the new
Franklin, MA, and is currently preparing
superintendent of schools for the Lower
for the Priesthood.
Moreland Township School District.
another chance when I made a bad mistake.”
In September 2018, Stuart Spencer ’84 was installed as the new pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Moorestown, NJ.
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she rescues unwanted and elderly ferrets.
UPS has promoted Charlene Thomas, MBA ’00
their profession. Something her classmates
book entitled, "Designed for More:
to West Region President, responsible for small
would be surprised to know is that she works in
Unleashing Christ's Vision for Unity in a Deeply
package business operations in 25 states.
children's and youth ministry in her church.
Divided World."
Congratulations to Scott Boorse, MBA ’02, who
The Board of Directors of Arthur Hall Insurance,
Kimberly (Mellon) Munsell ’05 shares she just
assumed a new role as director of technical
West Chester, announced that Joshua J. Isler
received her Masters degree in Pharmacology
programs and industry affairs at the Petroleum
’03 has been named as a principal shareholder
from Thomas Jefferson University in December,
Equipment Institute (PEI).
for the firm. He holds the insurance industry's
2018. She has worked for Janssen R&D since
premier Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)
2007 as a scientist and recently transitioned
designation recognized throughout the industry
into a management role overseeing the
as a standard of achievement, personal
inventory system which tracks our cells, DNA,
dedication, and expertise.
and protein. She is going to have her first child,
Brittany (Ruggles) Feathers ’03 married Dustin in 2003 and has a daughter, Emeline, who was born in 2006. She was a case manager at Agency on Aging from 2003-2007. Since
a baby girl, in April! She said she loved
2007, she has been a social worker at Home
Ian Snyder ’04 shares, "Lots of good in my
Nursing. If not for Eastern, she never would
life. Married for 14 years now. Amy and I have
have survived in the social work profession or
adopted three children. Landon (9,) Av (4), and
developed a strong Christian worldview that
Miles (1). Teaching and running an organization
Veronica (Beach) Cummings ’08 shares she is
continues to guide her today. The faculty/
called "The Refuge."
happily married to her husband Oliver and their
staff that made an impact on her were Dr. Ed Kuhlman and Dr. Sandy Bauer. They provided exceptional instruction not only in social work but in life and instilled in her the values behind
On June 24, 2018, Lucas Ramirez ’05 was featured on Fox & Friends discussing immigration. He also recently co-authored a
attending Eastern as it set her up very well for a career in science.
daughter is now 11 years old. She is still singing, instructing, and performing in the Lehigh Valley and Tri-State area. The faculty that inspired her was Mr. David Maness. He had an amazing
35
A L U M N I IN MEMORY BY CLASS YEAR:
way of encouraging and building confidence in
From there she became a co-located advocate
his students. He was more than a music/vocal
providing guidance and consultations around
mentor for her. He helped her through some life
handling domestic violence cases for child
Michel Marcel Remy ’56, MDiv ’76 / late 2018
changes she experienced while at Eastern and
welfare workers. She now works for the
Enid “E'de” (Smith) Winkler x’56, MRE ’57 / November 13,
she is extremely grateful.
Safe & Together Institute, an international
2018
The Center for Public Justice announced in December 2018 that it has been awarded the first-ever Reflective Leadership Grant from Duke Divinity School. Stephanie Summers, MS ’08, who will accept the award on behalf of CPJ, is one of twenty Christian leaders from a variety of faith-based organizations who have been selected in this first year of the new Reflective Leadership Grant program. Elliott Zaagman ’08 was a contributing author to a recent article in Foreign Policy. Since his graduation, he has spent much time in China and Thailand.
training and consulting company providing domestic violence-informed practice training to child welfare workers, domestic violence professionals, attorneys, and other community
Dorothy J. (Reinard) Burke ’58 / December 25, 2018 George A. McCahey ’58 / February 5, 2019 1960s George F. Cowperthwaite x’61 / February 28, 2019
Ministry of Defense in England! It's her dream
Lawrence R. Cook ’66 / November 25, 2018
job and she never thought her path would take her there.
William “Bill” K. Wilson ’67 / January 15, 2019 1970s Clara (Green) Lindley ’70 / November 17, 2018 Kathleen (Walton) Sands ’74 / January 2, 2019
2010 S Lindsay (Martin) Carson ’12 has been appointed the principal at Lancaster Mennonite school year. Carson will continue to teach as a
she worked with youth in a residential program
partner teacher for fifth grade Science, Bible,
for a few years, went on to get her Masters in
and Math.
became a NJ Domestic Violence Specialist.
James H. Word, Jr. ’56, BD ’60 / December 9, 2018
Waldemar “Bill” Vaskis ’60, BD ’64 / December 21, 2016
Brittany DiBella ’09 shares that after graduation
in Violence Against Women & Children and
Ruth (Balliette) St. Cyr ’54 / March 9, 2019
partners. She even got to work with the
School's New Danville Campus for the 2018-19
Social Work from Rutgers and became certified
1950s
The Alabaster, AL Board of Education has hired
Arnold Lindley, Jr. ’76 / July 6, 2014 Robert A. Shaw ’77 / October 5, 2018 William “Bill” B. Bloom ’78 / January 3, 2019 Dennis E. Thomas ’78, MDiv ’81 / December 7, 2018 1980s Linda A. Durkin ’87 / December 20, 2017 James D. Chudnovsky, MBA ’89 / October 25, 2018 1990s Gwendolyn A. (McConnaughey) MacNeill ’90 / February 12, 2019 Sherie L. (Thorpe) Mazzei ’90 / October 14, 2018
Daniel DeMasters, MEd ’13 to be the next girls'
Emmanuel T. Dolo, MS ’94 / December 7, 2018
head soccer coach and director of soccer for
Sandra L. (Grim) Seifarth ’94 / January 29, 2019 Robin (Peterman) A. Loercher ’98, MBA ’01 / December 3, 2018 Shirley A. Gregory, MBA ’99 / August 5, 2016 2000s James L. Everling, MBA ’03 / February 16, 2019 Jeanne (Atkins) Grater, MBA ’04 / February 10, 2019 Dallas L. (Shumaker) Genter x’06 / January 9, 2019 2010s David R. Schaffer ’11, MA ’15 / September 30, 2018 2020s Roseann B. McLaughlin x’20 / November 2, 2018 FA C U LT Y / S TA F F Michael A. Meneses (Former Adjunct Professor) / December 15, 2018
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A L U M N I
MEET YOUR ALUMNI COUNCIL
who was recently promoted to Chief Financial
Mel Bwint ’83
Honey Brook, PA.
Officer at Tel Hai Retirement Community in
Congratulations to Nicholas Jacobs ’14, who recently joined BellCornerStone Commercial Real Estate as a senior contracts analyst. Laura (Diestler) Park ’14 shares that she and her husband, John Park ’14 now live in downtown Manhattan. They are celebrating 5 years married this coming summer. Laura is working as a professional performer and just came off a national tour while John is working his dream job as a data scientist in tech. Laura shares that the Dance Department and Honors College had
1983 M A J O R : Psychology
PRESENT C U R R E N T E M P L O Y E R : Child and Family Focus
FA M I LY: Married to Sherri (Wilcox) Bwint ‘83 for almost 35 years. A very proud dad to three
children ranging in age between 23-30 with two sons-in law. W H Y D O Y O U S E R V E O N T H E C O U N C I L? : To support Eastern and to serve alongside
the greatest impact on her life while at Eastern. Misha (Miller) Pienta ’14 shares she got married to her husband Franklin Pienta on June 17, 2017. They had their first baby born on December 17, 2018 named Robert Franklin Pienta. She is currently working as a teacher in a local school district.
my wife. Ashley Serrano-Cuadrado ’15 earned a FAV O R I T E M E M O R Y: Too many to choose from, but my four years at Eastern were full of
developing friendships, playing tennis, meeting my wife, and gaining vision for my future.
graduate degree in nursing. Congratulations to Austin Little ’15, who was offered a full-year long-term substitute Grade 2 teacher with the Pottsgrove School District.
grades seven through twelve at Thompson
Residency Program, a Church Planting
High School and Thompson Middle School.
Internship at the Duluth Vineyard Church, and
DeMasters will teach math at THS as well.
currently works full time as the Connect &
Tom Klaus PhD ’13 co-authored the closing chapter of "Using Collective Impact to Bring Community Change." Over the past decade, Tom has been refining one of those, the Tenacious Change Approach. In 2016 his work on the Tenacious Change Approach resulted in an invitation to the Obama White House to meet with Promise Zone leaders from across the U.S and has been gaining attention and traction since then. Jared Tindall ’13 is married and they have a second cat whose name is Pippin. Jared completed the Vineyard Church Planting
Facilities Coordinator at Blue Route Vineyard Community Church. The faculty/staff that made an impact on him were Dr. Pete Enns & Dr. Kent Sparks because they both helped him
Abbie Storch ’16 graduated in 2018 with a master's degree in religion and literature from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music. She currently works as a publishing assistant at Yale University Press and a chapel singer at the Episcopal Church at Yale.
learn how to think critically and shaped how he
Congratulations to Brian Turner, MBA ’16
studied the Bible. If not for Eastern, he never
who has been accepted into the NAACP's new
would have discovered Chipotle. Something his
Next Generation (NEXTGEN) Young Professional
classmates would be surprised to know is that
Leadership Training Program geared towards
he lived in Minnesota for the past two years.
training young adults to be effective civil
Ashley Beck ’14 just finished her DMD at Nova
rights activists.
Southeastern dental school. Dr. Beck now
Bryan Luu ’17 is currently in medical school
begins her journey as a practicing dentist.
at Liberty University College of Osteopathic
Congratulations to Sharon Canull, MS ’14
Medicine in Virginia.
37
A L U M N I Christmas season. David serves as pulpit supply in churches in the South Jersey and Delaware
PA L M E R S E M I N A R Y A L U M N I IN MEMORY BY CLASS YEAR: 1940s Robert F. Cunningham, ABTHB ’45 / February 16, 2019 James H. Christian, BD ’46, THM ’47, THD '50 / January 6, 2019 George W. McCune, Jr. x’46 / March 1, 2016 1950s Charlotte (Spitzer) DeGregoris, AB ’52 / March 11, 2019 David J. Juroe, BD ’55, THM ’60 / September 28, 2018 Claude A. Pullis, BD ’55, MRE ’56 / December 12, 2018 William M. Stahl, BD ’56, DMin ’76 / November 14, 2018 Enid “E'de” (Smith) Winkler, x’56, MRE ’57 / November 13, 2018 1960s Arthur A. Fuller, MDiv ’67 / August 24, 2018 James H. Word, Jr., ’56, BD ’60 / December 9, 2018 Verle E. Holsteen, BD ’61 / January 6, 2019 Waldemar “Bill” Vaskis, ’60, BD ’64 / December 21, 2016 1970s
Caroline Lozzi ’18 is currently working in the lab
Thomas L. Maher, THM ’70 / November 30, 2018
transformation at Manor College in Jenkintown,
at Absorption Systems as well as doing some
Terry L. Leckrone, MAR ’72, MDiv ’75 / February 12, 2019
PA, its Board renewed President Jonathan Peri,
part-time coaching at Eastern.
Paul L. Shumate, MDiv ’72 / May 4, 2018
Kayli Martinez ’18 was accepted to a variety of
Jusuf Salam, MDiv ’79, DMin ’90 / November 10, 2018
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and
graduate schools and chose UC Berkeley on a
1980s
Southern New Jersey recently announced the
fellowship to pursue a PhD in Biochemistry and
Parker C. Thompson, DMin ’80 / October 21, 2018
addition of four executives to its leadership
possibly a career as a university professor. Kayli
Dennis E. Thomas, ’78, MDiv ’81 / December 7, 2018
team, including Ruth Roberts, PhD ’17,
earned the prestigious Fraser Award for the Life
who has been named Vice President of
Sciences and the American Chemical Society
Human Resources.
award at the EU graduation.
Abigail Crawford ’18 of Eastern’s Chemistry
Brian Plucinsky ’18 has been working as a
2000s
department and Templeton Honors College
cancer researcher at the Wistar Institute in
Richard L. Workman, MDiv ’02 / July 18, 2018
was awarded a research fellowship at Temple
Philly during a gap year before medical school.
Laurence “Tom” Sherwood, Jr., MTS ’04 / July 31, 2016
After more than three years of ambitious
PhD ’17's contract nearly a year early.
University and is working on her Ph.D. in physical chemistry.
school at St. George's in Grenada.
Nicholas Fales ’18 earned his BS Chemistry degree in 3.5 years and was part of the Templeton Honors College. He recently got engaged; congratulations, Nick! Lacrosse goalie extraordinaire and All-American Scholar award-winner Jameal Hadeed ’18 (BS Biochemistry) is taking a gap year before medical school.
E A S T E R N
Peter “PJ” Schaefer ’18 is currently in medical
/
A L U M N I
Tom Strazza ’18 landed a job as an analytical chemist for an environmental testing company in Long Island right after graduating.
Joe-Paul Robb, Jr., MDiv ’79 / December 15, 2016
Edward W. Levin Sr., DMin ’82 / June 26, 2017 Carl A. Malmgren, DMin ’88 / March 3, 2019 1990s Gerald Love, ESCM ’97 / February 19, 2019
2010s Janice A. Roberts, ESCM x’10 / February 9, 2019 John E. Bailey, ESCM ’15 / October 28, 2018 FA C U LT Y/ S TA F F/ B O A R D M E M B E R S Charlotte (Spitzer) DeGregoris, AB ’52 & Former Associate Director of Field Education / March 11, 2019
Palmer Alumni Class Notes
1980 S After retiring from the ministry in 2015, Maurice Smith, MDiv ’80, DMin ’86 had been living in OH with his wife, Terry, until early 2017, when they decided to move to western PA to be closer to their two children and seven
will be the first IM missionaries to serve in
2-12, a college preparation program for high
Colombia, South America. They will begin
schoolers, and weekly evening classes in the
their service this month and plan to reside
arts, literacy, language, health, fitness, and
in Cartagena, a port city on Colombia’s
environmental science for young people and
Caribbean coast. The family’s home church
adults. An awards ceremony was held on
is Primera Iglesia Bautista de Caguas in
November 20, 2018.
Caguas, Puerto Rico.
grandchildren. He is now serving as the pastor
Hurlock United Methodist Church celebrated its 31st annual Church Anniversary on February
Township, PA. Working part-time for the church
2000 S
means that the Smiths, who have been married
Michael Sission MDiv ’04, DMin ’10 was
UMC in Milford, DE and Wesley Chapel UMC
for nearly 42 years, can still enjoy their hobbies
officially installed as Executive Minister of
in Lincoln, DE.
and interests that include reading, sports,
the West Virginia Baptist Convention on
music, travel, history, and relaxing. He looks
Saturday, July 14, 2018.
of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in Wolf Creek
10th and C. Claudia Waters, MDiv '05 was the guest preacher. She serves as pastor of St. Paul
Founded in 2011 by Obed Arango, MDiv ’05,
2010 S
CCATE (the Center for Culture, Art, Training,
Sheila Tolbert, MTS ’15, Founder/CEO of Sheila
and Education), located in Norristown,
Tolbert Ministries, Ordained Minister, Chaplain,
Nevin Werron, MDiv ’82 was installed as the
PA, has been named 2018 recipient of the
speaker, and author was proud to announce the
Interim Pastor of the First Baptist Church of
renowned Ohtli Award, which recognizes
concurrent release of her two books, The Seven
Haddonfield, NJ, on December 9, 2018.
individuals and organizations that have aided,
Heavenly Crowns Of A Gentleman and The
1990 S
empowered or positively affected the lives of
Seven Heavenly Crowns Of A Lady on amazon.
Mexican nationals in the United States and
com in December 2018.
forward to bringing compassion, “preaching and teaching,” interpersonal connections, pastoral counseling, and more to his new home parish.
International Ministries (IM) is excited to announce that IM missionaries Carlos Bonillam MATS ’96 and Mayra Giovanetti, MATS ’96
other countries. Over 275 families currently participate in CCATE’s programs which include an afterschool program for students in Grades
On July 1, 2018, Evan Arkell, MDiv ’17 was appointed to serve as Area Minister for the Southwest Region of ABC, West Virginia.
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The Mall Cottage was once a __________ Oldest dorm building on campus _____ Library in Walton Hall Charles Walton’s profession The Warner Library is named after _____ Warner Sparrowk Hall, formerly known as ___ Original ______ and Beethoven manuscripts were found in the seminary basement Legend has it, the tombstone on campus rests on the grave of Walton’s _____ Reptiles that lurk in the campus ponds Official name for “Walton Pond” Eastern has one of the oldest working ___________ in Pennsylvania The Eastern Eagle statue was inherited from the famous _________ department store Before Eastern was a university or college, it was a ________ The Walton Prayer Chapel, formerly Walton’s ________ room The university that sits across the street from Eastern University The department you utilize to enroll in courses There are _____ dorm buildings on campus
E A S T E R N
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A L U M N I
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Abbreviation for Eastern’s worship ministry on Wednesday evenings University Chaplain ___ Modica First president of Eastern Baptist College Eastern’s newest NCAA sport: Men’s __________ Coffee shop on main campus: Jammin’ ____ Our newly turfed soccer field, _____ Field The name of Eastern University’s mascot Dr. _____ founded and built Eastern’s state-of-the-art observatory Eastern’s traveling musical ensemble: _______ Point Pond between Kea-Guffin and the park: ________ Pond Eastern’s Spanish speaking junior college The _________ Honors College ______ Theological Seminary Main campus is located in ________, PA The new Stone Furniture sits on the old foundation of the ________ Faith, Reason, & _______ Charles Walton’s daughter, _____ Walton
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