Brown Bulletin - Summer 2004

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A publication for the alumni and friends of John Brown University

S UMMER 2004

[CONTENTS]

President’s Perspective

JOHN BROWN B

Managing Editor Alumni News Editor Copy/Feature Editor Contributing Writers

The decision to step down from the presidency of JBU was a difficult one indeed. God has blessed and used the people of JBU wonderfully during our ten years here. Alice and I are very enriched to have had the privilege of working with the people of JBU.

More students are involved in Christian service and international missions than ever. More faculty are providing academic leadership nationally and internationally. JBU continues to receive awards and recognition in the areas of athletics, debate, music, business, broadcasting, and overall student scholarship.

We’re appreciating our new Walker Student Center and Bell Science Hall, and we just moved into a new art center. We’re building a new residence hall and planning construction for a business center funded last fall.

The endowed Center for Marriage and Family Studies (CMFS) and the endowed Soderquist Center for Leadership and Ethics (SCLE) are already nationally recognized. They’re providing expert Christian leadership so urgently needed by families and business leaders.

So this is God’s time for us to step aside from the presidency and for the next era of leadership to be initiated. There will be no waiting or lapse of effort during the transition. The people of JBU are people of vision and passion. The historic mission is as strong as ever. God is blessing and challenging us with plenty of opportunities even now.

Alice and I are excited about the future of John Brown University. Indeed, this is where we hope our grandchildren will get their distinctly Christian, top-quality university education. There is no better place in the world for them to grow in Christ, in relationships, in understanding, and in Christian virtues. We hope you’ve caught this spirit and vision of your university.

May God continue to bless John Brown University!

Lee Balzer President, 1994-2004

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Spring 2004

Dear Alumni and Friends of JBU,

There is a strong spirit of Christ-centered vitality and Christian formation among students, faculty, and staff. Our academic programs have enjoyed tremendous leadership by faculty and students, including numerous national honors and awards. Alumni and friends of the university have given financially so that basic needs as well as urgently needed new facilities could be provided. Enrollment and retention are the highest ever.

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Cathedral Choir Tours Ireland. Director Paul Smith took 50 Cathedral Choir members along with faculty and staff from JBU throughout Ireland for two weeks.

Advancing in Life: Alumnus Dave Cameron. Dave describes how JBU’s Advance Program changed his life.

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Circle of Friends. A 42-year-old letter keeps a group of JBU alumni friends connected.

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Joe Walenciak Spends Sabbatical in Guatemala.

Dr. Walenciak, professor of business, spent his sabbatical teaching in a classroom in Guatemala.

His experiences with children on the street had a dramatic impact. This story contains excerpts from newsletters he sent to friends while he was there.

Designer Photographers

Print Coordinator Printer Production Assistants

Andrea Phillips Adriane Carr Andrea Phillips Adriane Carr Luke Davis Cherissa Dees Lindsay Dikes Luke Friesen Laura Gray Delia Haak Stan McKinnon Andrea Phillips Sarah Seward Carrie Burns Luke Davis Mark Jackson Jon VerHoeven Patrick Carr Just-Us Printers David Adair Traci Collins Matthew Feyerabend

The John Brown Bulletin is the official publication of John Brown University. It is published at 2000 W. University Street, Siloam Springs, Arkansas 72761.

To submit stories, photos, feedback: Andrea Phillips, Director of University Communications aphillips@jbu.edu

John Brown University’s mission is to provide Christ-centered higher education which contributes dynamically to the intellectual, spiritual and occupational effectiveness of men and women in God-honoring living and service.

Alumni news and photos: Jean Frase, Alumni Office jfrase@jbu.edu

C OV E R P H O TO S

The Fund for Student Financial Support:

Top: Joy Potter ’01, prays during chapel Middle: The Engineering Building in the spring Bottom: Rachel Haddon ’73, and Evie Coates, daughter of John ’72 and Marty ’69 Coates

Steve Onnen, Director of Advancement Services sonnen@jbu.edu Admissions information: Don Crandall, Vice President for Enrollment Management www.jbu.edu/admissions

[IRELAND]

Cathedral Choir Tours

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The CD includes African pieces, hymns, and a selection of modern and traditional works.

The recording also features student choral assistant Ian Aipperspach performing a fanfare on the Down Cathedral organ.

As you sit and talk to Paul Smith, intently to the concert.”

“Recording in Downpatrick director of the Cathedral Choir at “The JBU Cathedral Choir is John Brown University, about his known for their extensive repertoire Cathedral was both a privilege and recent trip to Ireland, excitement of a capella music, a style not well an honor,” said Paul Smith, who is also an associate professor of music. washes over his face. Most people known in Ireland,” Smith said. would not spend part of their sum“Listeners were extremely “The choir worked hard for two days mer vacation with a group of college interested in the fact that a choir to produce the recording.”

Midway through the tour, students touring overseas. However, could sing beautiful six- to eight-part his passion for music is the driving music that blended in pitch and tone the choir traveled to the northern force that led Paul to take a group of complemented by rich lyrics,” Smith coast to visit Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Dunluce Castle, and Giant’s students to Ireland. said.

Causeway. The northern Last year Paul took coast became a favorite the 50 Cathedral Choir spot of the students. members, along with The choir also visited faculty and staff from many schools where they JBU, throughout Ireland gave concerts and shared for two weeks, May 16-30, with the students about JBU on the annual Cathedral and the music program.

Choir tour. Traditionally, “I can’t stop talking the choir goes on tour about this trip! There was during spring break in something about it I just late March. In 2003, for can’t explain,” Sbanotto the first time in the history said. “It was a beautiful of the choir, the tour took Members of the Cathedral Choir outside of Scrabo Tower with the country with beautiful people place outside the U.S. County Down Valley and the Irish Sea in the background that responded to God’s While on tour, the choir performed a selection of com“The people of Ireland outpouring of love. The choir worked positions from different musical responded so graciously to our every very hard; they literally shined.”

The CD recorded at eras for audiences in Ballynahinch, performance,” Elaine Sbanotto said.

Downpatrick, Portstewart, Carry- Sbanotto accompanied the choir Downpatrick Cathedral was released duff, and Bangor. Approximately to help with the logistics of taking in the fall and can be purchased 1,875 people heard the music of the a large group of students on tour. through the JBU music department “The experience was priceless,” by calling Becky Pohle at (479) 524Cathedral Choir during the tour.

7154. Or you can receive the CD “Night after night the choir Sbanotto said. received thunderous ovations,” The choir was granted as a gift from JBU if you make a Smith said. “It was hard to come to permission to spend several days donation of $40 or more to the the end of the concerts.” recording at Downpatrick Cathedral Fund for Student Financial Support.

People came from miles around in Down County, Northern Ireland. Contact Linda Welch, Coordinator to hear the rich sounds of the choir. The choir spent two days and over of Donor Relations, at (479) 524Smith recalls that “an electric hush 14 hours of tedious work recording 7107 and request the CD when fell over the audience as they listened songs performed on tour. giving your FSFS donation.

Ireland

2 John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004

40 PURPOSE Days of

[CAMPUS NEWS]

a student’s PERSPECTIVE Luke Davis, a junior graphic design major, wrote a devotional message to his friends in response to reading The Purpose Driven Life. He allowed us to share his message with John Brown Bulletin readers. Luke’s words encourage us all that the Lord is still impacting students’ hearts and lives as they study here at JBU. Once Upon a Bridge

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In the midst of a busy fall semester, students, faculty and staff took time to reflect on God’s purposes for their lives. Over 500 individuals in the John Brown University community participated in a nationwide initiative called “40 Days of Purpose.”

Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life and the “40 Days of Purpose” initiative have been tools used by churches around the world to bring people to a deeper understanding of God’s design for life.

At JBU, participants in “40 Days of Purpose” read a daily devotional chapter from Rick Warren’s bestselling book, The Purpose Driven Life, and attended a weekly small group discussion to share what each had learned about God’s purpose for their lives. One long-time staff member commented after finishing the study, “This has been the best spiritual growth activity I have participated in since I’ve been at JBU.” Students were also highly impacted as they considered God’s purpose for them in the midst of making decisions about vocation, faith and relationships that will have a lifelong impact.

The introduction to The Purpose Driven Life states, “Self-help books often suggest that you try to discover the meaning and purpose of your life by looking within yourself, but that is the wrong place to start. You must begin with God, your Creator, and his reasons for creating you. You were made

by God for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense.”

We pray that because of this study, John Brown University will have its purpose renewed in educating the Head, Heart and Hand of its students with Christ Over All.

Last week I found myself out on one of my drives again, around Siloam Springs, as I frequently do. I like to go out for drives as often as possible, usually out on the Arkansas country roads at sunset or evening. It’s my favorite way to do my quiet times; getting out into His creation. I love to see the world around us, the sun setting, the stars twinkling, the trees swaying in the breeze. Somehow, by simply getting off campus and outside, I can relax, focus more easily on God and life and think a little more clearly. It is my introspective time. Every once in a while on these drives, my mind races so furiously that driving becomes a distraction (and well, possibly a hazard to pedestrians and other cars...(grin),) and I am forced to stop and go outside to continue my deep thoughts.

This time though, the drive was late, and I found myself needing to stop, but the closest stop was the downtown park near college. It was very late, and the world was asleep.

It was just me, the park, a few street lights and the moon. So, I walked, and about a hundred steps later I stopped on a bridge over the creek that runs through town. It was there [cont’d on next page]

John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004 3

[ DAV E C A M E RO N ]

[CAMPUS NEWS]

[cont’d from previous page]

on that bridge last week by myself after midnight that I met with God. It was a miracle. It has always been a miracle. I, a simple sinful human, can talk to the Creator of the universe. It’s a miracle because the one and only God is interested in talking to me at 1:30 in the morning on a wooden paint-chipped bridge surrounded by a terribly sinful world. He met me there, where I was. He met me there because He loves me and wants a deep relationship with me. That is a miracle.

I pray every night before bed and during the day as much as I remember, but last week on that bridge was different. On that bridge it was more vivid, more powerful, more real. It was different, and I think I know why. Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life says, “If you want a deeper, more intimate connection with God you must learn to honestly share your feelings with Him, trust Him when He asks you to do something, learn to care about what He cares about, and desire His friendship more than anything else.”

I learned something valuable on that bridge in the park that night, and it’s been in my mind ever since. I yelled out to God. I told Him exactly what I thought on different issues in my life. I told Him that I couldn’t understand why He did the things He did and that many times He didn’t make any sense to me. I told Him that I wanted more faith in Him. I told Him that I wanted to affect the world but I didn’t know how. I told Him many of the areas I fail in. I didn’t act more spiritual or speak in lofty prayer language and use words such as “blessed,” “salvation” or “beloved.” I was me, and I spoke what I was thinking. Me and God. No bars. No barriers. Nothing to hide. I was real with God. It was not just a prayer; it was an open, honest conversation with God. I think God liked our “bridge” conversation at least as much as I did. I believe that God desires us to be completely real with Him. I’m going to go out on a limb, but I imagine that God gets pretty tired of us pulling back in prayer and not being real, especially considering that He happens to be all-knowing. He knows we mess up, He knows what we’ve done, He knows where we’ve been, and He knows that we do not always understand Him. Be real and talk to Him; that is what He wants! Plus, I figure that I am in good company, considering that men such as Moses, David and Job openly voiced their opinions to God. I’ve been really challenged since the “bridge” to live a life that is real before God. We have a real God who is really involved in our real lives, and we really need to involve Him in a real way...really! “The truth is you are as close to God as you choose to be. Intimate friendship with God is a choice, not an accident. You must intentionally seek it” (Warren, 98).

I’ve found that the key to real, deep, honest relationships is real, deep and honest conversations. So go meet with God, and this time be yourself.

Together in Him, Luke

4 John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004

Alpha Chi

Receives Award JBU’s chapter of Alpha Chi, the national college honor scholarship society, received the President’s Cup Outstanding Chapter Award at the national convention of Alpha Chi in 2003. Granted biennially, this award recognizes the single society chapter in the nation that makes the most significant contribution in scholarship and service to its host institution.

Alpha Chi awards the President’s Cup based on a chapter’s campus activities, community activities, number of student presentations, nominees for scholarships and participation in regional and national conventions.

In addition to receiving the President’s Cup, JBU’s Alpha Chi chapter also received several other honors at the convention: two members were awarded scholarships, and one received Honorable Mention in competition for the Edwin W. Gaston Fellowship. The JBU chapter was also once again named a Star Chapter of Alpha Chi, an honor it has received consecutively for the past eight years.

Advancing in Life: ALUMNUS DAVE CAMERON

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C HERISSA R OEBUCK ’02

Three years ago, when David Cameron ’03 received a promotion working for the City of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, he felt inadequate to lead the city employees newly placed in his charge.

A feeling of frustration characterized Cameron’s life, he said. His new leadership responsibilities were overwhelming, and although his determined personality helped him accomplish many goals, he admits he lacked the skills to be an effective leader.

“I got results, but I was destroying relationships. As a whole, I was a frustrated man. I wasn’t leading by example, wasn’t active in church, wasn’t fulfilled in life,” Cameron said. He knew he needed more education and training to handle his new responsibilities.

As a husband and father of three young children, Cameron made the difficult decision to return to school in August 2001 to finish his bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management through the JBU Advance Program.

The JBU Advance Program allows adults with 60 hours of transferable college credit to complete their bachelor’s degree through night

Dave (back row, far right) and his staff at a departmental retreat. “I love this group of guys tremendously. They have played a major role in my success as a leader.Two years ago they did not want to have anything to do with me. It’s amazing what God has done for me. He changed my heart for people, and I’m truly humbled,” he said.

classes so they can maintain work and family schedules. And like the classes offered to traditional students on campus, classes in the Advance Program include Christian perspectives as a foundation for learning.

Academically, the program was the perfect answer for Cameron, whose goal was to earn his degree and learn how to lead effectively.

Cameron didn’t know it would impact his personal life as much as his professional career.

“I realized that I was inadequate to lead my employees. I didn’t have the tools or the know-how, and the last place I was going to look was the Bible,” Cameron said.

Then Cameron took a course with Steve Seward, and his life hasn’t been the same since.

“I’ll never forget the night Dr. Seward said, ‘You’ll never be an effective leader until you can lead yourself,’” Cameron recalled. “The light came on for me, and I realized that I needed to be right with God before I would be able to get things right in life. That day I found my identity as a leader—I wanted to extend the same grace to others that God had extended to me.”

From that point on, Cameron

began to make many changes in both his professional life and his family life. His family–wife, Michelle, and three children, Alex, Baily and John Michael–once again took their place as the priority in life instead of his job, Cameron said. The Cameron family now attends church where one of Cameron’s Advance Program classmates, Jay Foley ’03, is the pastor.

Things are better than ever for Cameron at the City of Siloam Springs. He recently received his third promotion to Public Works Director, and now he oversees 43 employees. Cameron said that after he graduated with his John Brown University bachelor’s degree from the Advance Program in May 2003, he knows that he is now equipped to lead all of his new employees effectively.

“The Advance Program gave me such a new perspective on life and family as well as my job,” Cameron said. “When I first started at JBU, it was about earning the degree. But the degree doesn’t do justice to what I have learned and the leader I’ve become because of the program.”

To learn more about the Advance Program and classroom locations throughout Arkansas, visit www.jbu.edu/advance.

John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004 5

CAMPUS Dedicated...

Recently Opened...

On the Way...

Future Business Center

William H. Bell Science Hall The William H. Bell Science Hall was dedicated October 10, 2003 as part of Homecoming Weekend.

Dr. Walter R. Hearn, professor of science and Christianity at New College for Advance Christian Studies, was the honored speaker at the dedication chapel that morning. A ribbon and dedication ceremony took place immediately afterward.

The $8.5 million, 44,000 square -foot facility is home to the natural science division and is three times the size of the original science building. Over 80 science majors are currently enrolled in the science division, studying biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics and mathematics.

Among the building’s state-of-the-art amenities are seven large instructional laboratories in addition to smaller lab spaces that can be used for student and faculty research. A large greenhouse, equipment labs and prep rooms complete the facility. Each classroom also has been equipped with multimedia technology including computers and projection systems with DVD/VHS capabilities.

Students began using the facility in January 2003.

Arts & Digital Media Building On Monday, January 12, 2004, the renovated John Brown University Arts & Digital Media building opened its doors to students. Over 170 undergraduate students are enrolled in digital media, graphic design and illustration courses that meet in the updated facility.

JBU spent $2.3 million to drastically remodel the three-floor, 18,000 square-foot building originally built in 1958. Now designed to serve JBU’s rapidly growing graphic design and digital media programs, the facility served as the university’s science building for over 40 years.

The completely modernized building now houses an art gallery with gallery lighting, a 20-station PC lab, a 24-station Mac G5 lab, multimedia theater style classrooms, drawing and painting rooms and offices.

The building was dedicated in a ceremony on April 2, 2004. Artist Timothy Botts unveiled an original artwork, commissioned by JBU and now hanging in the foyer of the building.

Future Residence Hall JBU began construction of a new residence hall last summer, after receiving more than half the funding for the building. The residence hall is being built on the north part of the campus across from the townhouses.

With rising enrollment in recent years, the need for an additional residence hall is urgent. When construction began, JBU was running at 101% resident capacity and expected that number to rise before the fall semester. The building features handicappedaccessible rooms, lobbies and common areas. When the hall opens for the fall 2004 semester, it will house 114 students. The design of the building allows for the addition of a second wing sometime in the future.

John Brown University completed the funding last fall for a proposed $6.5 million business center scheduled to open in the fall of 2005.

“We are extremely pleased that the university can provide a high quality education in an excellent facility,” president Lee Balzer said. “The support from donors who recognize the value of investing in JBU is outstanding.

This is such an exciting time for our community!”

The business center will become home to the Soderquist Center for Leadership and Ethics and JBU’s division of business.

The university wanted to bring these two successful programs together into one headquarters where business students will regularly interact with corporate and organizational leaders. Students will benefit from the experience of professionals, while professionals will benefit from the energy and vitality of students.

The two-story, 34,000 square-foot business and academic center will include classrooms, meeting rooms, a computer lab, offices and a distancelearning facility. Construction will begin this summer.

[CAMPUS NEWS]

SIFE Team

Captures Awards The JBU Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team is receiving national recognition for their efforts to serve and educate people in Northwest Arkansas and Central America in the areas of business, commerce and free enterprise.

[CAMPUS NEWS]

The Forgotten Gift: Life Insurance Do you have a life insurance policy you no longer need?

Perhaps your other assets have grown to provide the protection you require, and the insurance policy lies forgotten in a safedeposit box.

Did you know that the policy could be a wonderful, taxdeductible gift to John Brown University?

JBU SIFE students prepared descriptions of their ongoing projects in a DVD presentation with live narration and presented their SIFE story in competition with about 800 other college and university teams from across the country. JBU took first place in the region in 2003 and 2004 and went on to the national competition both years.

Vying for national recognition with 180 other college and university teams, JBU students were judged by corporate executives from such companies as Wal-Mart, Procter & Gamble, Radio Shack, and Sprint. In the end, JBU’s SIFE students were named among the top teams in the country, taking home the thirdplace trophy in 2003 and tying for fifth place with three other teams in 2004.

8 John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004

The dormant dollars in your life insurance policy could be used to give the annual Fund for Student Financial Support (FSFS) a mighty boost. You could establish a future endowment fund in your name or in the name of someone you’d like to honor. The policy also could be used to assist with a capital project or in a number of other ways.

To discover how your insurance policy can become an investment in the lives of JBU students, contact the Director of Planned Giving, Paul Eldridge, at (800) 446-2450.

Pollard Named Next JBU President On April 3, 2004, JBU announced that, after an almost year-long search, Charles W. Pollard, Ph.D. will be the sixth president of JBU. “Dr. Pollard was quickly identified as an outstanding candidate,” Dr. Richard McCartney, chairman of the presidential search committee, said. “The breadth of his education and experience gives him a thorough understanding of the academic world, business world, and service in the Christian community.”

Dr. Pollard received his undergraduate degree with summa cum laude honors from Wheaton College (Ill.) in 1985, a juris doctorate with magna cum laude honors from Harvard Law School in 1988, a master’s in English from Oxford University in 1990, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Virginia in 1999.

Before entering the academic

world as a professor, Dr. Pollard was an associate for the international law firm of Latham & Watkins in Chicago, where he worked with major corporate clients such as Marriott, Citicorp, and Sears.

In 1997, Dr. Pollard moved to Michigan, to join Calvin College, a comprehensive liberal arts Christian college in Grand Rapids. As a tenured faculty member, his teaching and scholarship focus on 20th-century literature. He has also served on various boards and committees, including the Planning and Priorities Committee, which reviewed the annual budget, faculty compensation plan, and the comprehensive plan on ethnicity and race. He has been published frequently, including a forthcoming book on T. S. Eliot and Caribbean poetry from the University of Virginia Press.

While in Michigan, Dr. Pollard served as the president of the board of a non-profit private Christian school from 1999 to 2002. In that capacity, he led the board and school through an extensive long-range planning process. He planned and managed a capital expansion project and led a $12.5 million capital campaign to successful completion.

He has also served with a number of non-profit and foundation boards across the U.S. After interviewing with JBU’s presidential search committee in March, Dr. Pollard visited campus where he met with university leaders

and student leaders to learn as much as he could about JBU, its mission, and its people. He returned to campus a week later for open meetings with the faculty, staff and students, after which he was presented to the board of trustees for vote.

“Dr. Pollard has overwhelmingly exceeded the board’s expectations,” Don Walker, chairman of the board of trustees, said. “We feel confident that Dr. Pollard will do a fantastic job and successfully lead the university into the future.”

The presidential transition will occur this summer as Dr. Lee Balzer retires June 30th and Dr. Pollard assumes office July 1st.

“I am excited about the future at John Brown University because we will be building on such a rich, Christ-centered past,” Dr. Pollard said. “JBU offers a unique and distinguished education that is characterized by academic excellence, Christian formation, and professional relevance. I look forward to serving with JBU’s dedicated faculty, committed staff, inquisitive students, loyal alumni, and forwardthinking board to continue this educational mission, where Christ is over all.”

John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004 9

[CIRCLE OF FRIENDS]

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Waiting years for a story to unfold has become a thing of the past. Cell phones, fax machines and computers with high-speed internet access have increased the speed of information and our lives. Lost to most of us at this pace is the art of letters: placing pen to paper to keep in touch with friends, then waiting for hand delivery and then waiting some more for the responses. Those receptacles in front of our homes, stuffed with bills and advertisements, hold few pieces of personal correspondence anymore. But some graduates from John Brown University have patiently kept a habit of letter writing alive for a very long time.

For over forty years, a special group of women has built a story and shared a connection through a round-robin letter that began shortly after graduation in 1962.

Jan (Rankin) Hollingsworth, Kathy (Brentner) Taylor, Lynda

A story of friendship, life and a 42-year-old letter BY

(Springfield) Walters, Doris (Klett) Smallman, Lois Breitkreuz, Thera (Smith) Barber, Judi (Erckman) Stewart, Robyn (Lewis) Petelski, Carolee (Chaney) Cundiff, Donna (Stanley) Bechtel and Francene (Davis) Sharp began writing to each other, including their letters in a single packet, and passing that packet on. They have sustained the letter for over three generations, several times between continents. Today they are living across the U.S.: from Oregon to Michigan, California to Texas, Kansas, Louisiana and Arkansas, and the tradition continues.

“It’s special because we’ve gone from college graduates to falling in love to first babies to second babies to grandbabies, and now it’s ailments and death,” says Doris.

It began shortly after many of the women graduated from John Brown University in the spring of 1962. Many (in what would later

L AURA G RAY

become the group) were writing to each other individually and passing along news they’d heard to other interested friends. Jan Hollingsworth thought it might be a good idea to organize the efforts. She sent out her first letter and suggested an order of recipients for the letter to follow.

Then, each friend who received the letter in turn added her letter to the envelope and passed it along to the next. When the letter returned to Jan, she removed her first letter, included a new one, and sent the letters to be circulated again. With each woman removing her old letter and adding a new one, the letters continue to circulate even today.

Excerpts from the letters announce milestones, chronicle major events and describe everyday activities of life. Jan saved her letters, and they create a kind of diary for her and her family. Often newspaper clippings, photographs

Those pictured at Homecoming 2003 ... Front row: Lynda Walters. Back row (l-r): Judi Stewart, Carolee Cundiff, Donna Bechtel ’66, Jan Hollingsworth, Fran Sharp, Thera Barber.

and announcements accompany the letters. Over the years, some members of these women’s families have come to anticipate news and pictures with as much excitement as members of the original group.

When the letter started, some of the women did not know each other as well as others. Jan, Kathy, and Doris all lived in California Dorm. Some were dormmates, some even roommates. Others knew each other only through classes or mutual friends. But, following the individual lives of the group for so many years, learning about their families and experiences, sharing the challenges and joys and hopes and aspirations has bonded them all.

That the letter has survived for so long is unusual. Many of these kinds of letters start, but most do not endure so long. There was a time when the letter crossed oceans.

Donna and Doris both served as missionaries and were living overseas.

Donna and her husband worked in

Japan, and Doris and her husband worked in Brazil. In those days, the letter took as long as a year to make the round over such distances. The letter has been lost at least once, but it was promptly started again without ado. In 40 years, only one person has dropped out of the loop.

The letter has had a powerful effect on each member. Because they have come to know each other so well, the letter offers hope and affirms their interconnectedness.

“When news of Carolee and her daughter’s mission trip to Romania arrived, I was moved,” Kathy shares. “Reading the details about their work with children reminded me of the good news that is out there. The letter continues to show the wonderful ways God has worked in all our lives. It provides remarkable encouragement. I continued to pray for Carolee and her daughter once I’d read the news.”

As life continues, the letter allows the women to share bad news

as well as the good. Two members of the group have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and one with cancer. One member went through a divorce, and one member recently lost her son. The women have shared the tragedies of illness, separation and loss. It’s hard to receive this kind of news in a letter, but the connection these women have has been helpful in hard times.

Kathy writes about how the group responded to hardship and supported a friend through the letter: “We trust she was uplifted and could feel our sympathy and love when she received the packet—even months later. It’s just so nice to know we have such a loving and caring support group out there—still, after all these years.” The letter also provides the opportunity to pick up the phone to comfort each other. One person could receive phone calls from several women as the letter comes to each member down the line.

The letter has circulated through many changes, not only in their own lives, but also in the world: the letter was moving during the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, the women’s rights movement, the terms of eight presidents, Operation Desert Storm and 9/11. The letter was going around before e-mail, fax machines and cell phones. The letter moved in and around PTA and Scouts meetings, t-ball games, work, travel, church, the preparation of many meals, promotions and holidays. In other words, a lot of life happened to these women while the letter traveled from mailbox to mailbox. Through it all, the women shared the comfort that comes from knowing friends are out there.

Though Jan, Kathy, Doris, Lois, Thera, Lynda, Judi, Robyn, Carolee, Donna and Francene [cont’d on page 28]

10 John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004

John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004 11

“It was great to see so many old

“Congratulations on a great

friends and classmates....Our thanks to

homecoming. Though I was able to

Skip, Roy and John for the memories

participate minimally, everything I

they brought back to us!”

heard about it was complimentary.”

D AVE & M ARSHA P RITZ ’71 ’78

I DA A DOLPHSON ’48

2003 : Celebrating

Debi Oates ’70, Mary Kline ’71, Marty Coates ’68 and Marjorie Nantz ’68

The music brunch in Walker Student Center

Buchanan and Joan Smith ’56 ’54

Homecoming w

JBU!

What a weekend we had at JBU! Everywhere on campus there were alumni visiting, renewing friendships and just enjoying being here. The athletic reunion and music brunch brought classmates, teammates and music ministry groups together again, many who had not been on campus or seen each other for many years.

We hope you enjoy seeing some of the photos and hearing what alumni said about the weekend. Then, mark your calendars, make those hotel reservations and plan on attending Homecoming 2004, Friday and Saturday, October 8 and 9!

Hank Brame ’75 remembering the 100 steps workout with Coach Cleek

“Homecoming was great and I loved the Showcase, even though

Thanks to all of you who made the effort to find your way to Siloam Springs and return to your alma mater. It was great to have you here.

I attended JBU after the time that was highlighted. To hear and

Since the Showcase, requests keep coming for the Homecoming Showcase 2003 video and CD of music. These are now available–$20 for the video and $15 for a CD. E-mail jfrase@jbu.edu or call 1-888-JBU-ALUM.

see what was part of our heritage made me appreciate what came before me and feel part of a great group of alumni. Thank you!”

C ONNIE M ATCHELL ’77 Jim Sheets ’53, Outstanding Alumnus of the Year 2003

Coaches at the athletic reunion

“Whew!! I am still regrouping from a great time this last

2003 : Celebrating Homecoming

JBU!

weekend. Hats off for doing a fantastic job. All I have heard has been how great a time people had.”

G RADY N ICHOLS ’69 Coach Wally Moon

Changing Tyde entertaining the crowd at the Showcase

“WOW! Fantastic! Entertaining!

Memorable! These are just a few of the adjectives that come to mind in describing the JBU Homecoming for 2003!”

B ARBARA B RAGG ’55 Doug Chamberlain ’64, Dick Wilson ’63, and Bob Hollingsworth ’62

Dr. Glenna Belle Davis speaking to the crowd

J. R. Whitby ’73 and his saxaphone

Skip Murphy ’63 and Mike and Nell Bryant ’70 ’72, at the Athletic Reunion

Trumpet Trio—Bill Wilkenson ’74, Bobby Wells ’76, and Les Kline ’69

The Sound Generation singing their “Patriotic Package” to close the evening

“Thanks for a fantastic homecoming weekend! I have been back to campus a number of times over the years and have watched the building projects evolve over the years to what is now a magnificent, beautiful campus.”

B ILL P ETTETT ’64 Harmonaires sing their medley

Mick Leibold ’80 pleased with his shot

June 25, 2003 I wanted to send you a picture of the place I am working.

I am on the fifth floor of the Administration Business building at [Universidad Francisco Marroquin]. The attached picture is of the courtyard I “have” to look at every time I walk out of the office. Pretty rough, huh?! At the moment, it is raining, and the temperature is about as perfect as one could ask.

Joe Walenciak spendssabbatical in Guatemala Siloam Springs, Arkansas and Guatemala City, Guatemala have many things in common: a beautiful city, many John Brown University graduates, and hard-working people whose lives reflect their love of God, family and country. The two cities are even closer after this past fall because they now share a “native” son, JBU business professor, Joe Walenciak ’81. Dr. Joe, “Walito” to his many Latino brothers and sisters, followed the increasing tug on his heart to live and teach in Central America.

During his sabbatical in 2003, Walenciak taught at Guatemala’s most prestigious university, connected with many JBU graduates in the region and served as a volunteer for what can only be described as one of the most challenging, heartbreaking, yet inspiring children’s charities worldwide. Speaking Spanish fluently, savoring the culture and its cuisine, Dr. Joe is torn between two “worlds” with much in common and much to offer each other. While in Guatemala, Walenciak sent regular e-mail newsletters back to family and friends describing his experiences. Here are a few excerpts.

Dr. Delia Haak, associate professor of business.

16 John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004

By the way, I am getting acquainted with the people here, including some Christians who teach at the university.

They are a good group. UFM has been really good to me.

They have given me wireless broadband connection to the Internet… I can have Internet access from ANYWHERE on the UFM campus. Much faster than JBU or even my high-speed cable at my house in Arkansas. They are very gracious to me.

July 12, 2003

August 1, 2003

It has been a good week here in Guatemala.

Friends,

I was finally able to meet with Herbert Paiz this week, and I will start work with El Castillo street teams this coming week. Right now, it looks like I will be out with street teams every Thursday night. This will be a challenge, but I am really looking forward to it. We will see where it leads.

I am compelled to share because of some experiences last night that impacted me profoundly. Finally, after a couple of weeks of cancellations due to broken vehicles and rioting in the streets, I was able to go out with the El Castillo street team. We left sometime after 6:30 in the evening, and I finally made it home around 11:00 last night.

It has been a real blessing to see some JBU alumni this week over lunch and dinner. I’m still trying to get together with some. It is a little bit more difficult than I had anticipated.

Oh, and I had the experience of trying to drive through the Obelisco at rush hour. This is a major intersection (traffic circle) in the city, and there is a LOT of traffic at that time of the day trying to go in one direction in particular. It backs everyone up and becomes a real mess. You just have to stick the nose of your car in and go. A BETTER strategy is to avoid those places at those times. I’m learning…

Classes continue to go well. It is different, but it is a good experience. I am developing new perspectives that I will bring back to JBU. And the Lord is showing me many doors of opportunity for future collaborations between schools and other organizations. We will see where it leads...

We visited several locations. The first was la farmacia (“the pharmacy”). This is what the kids call it. We drove down a very dark street in an unattractive part of the city… I’m not sure exactly where. There were a few young people wandering the streets in the dark … staggering about. In the middle of the street, someone had started a fire with the trash. We stopped right in front of a place that had an open gate. I learned that this was a solvent distribution location and “flop house.” (Solvent is the “drug” used by the street kids…they take rags soaked in solvent, hold it in their hands, and suck the fumes in through their mouths.

It immediately starts to damage their brains, but at least it leaves them numb…not feeling hunger or pain.)

The kids call this place “the pharmacy” because this is where they come for their “medicine.” Some rather rough looking youths and adults were coming and going the John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004 17

whole time. There is a “lady” who runs this place, and in addition to selling solvent, she also lets the kids sleep there … for a price. They would not let us go in, but we could stand in the street outside and talk to the kids who would come out and talk to us. About 8 or 10 did, and the youngest was probably about 2 or 3 years old … it is hard to tell. We heard so many other little voices coming from inside this awful, filthy place. My heart broke for Elly, a 12-year-old (?) girl who pulled up her shirt to expose her stomach so that we could see she was pregnant … and she was just so casual about it. And several of the little ones just played and ran like normal little kids, in the middle of such an ugly life. The mission is working to get these kids to CHOOSE to leave this place and come to the Center.

This has been a week of extremes. I started the week with those incredible views of Guatemala City and the Mexican volcanoes, which reminded me of God’s majesty. And last night reminded me of the depths to which Satan can drag mankind, especially attacking the children. But I am thankful that the story doesn’t end there. In the midst of such ugliness, there is the beauty of these Christian people going out and literally shining the light of love into a dark world. Even very little acts of love and compassion can make a huge difference.

I met a young man named Pedro who has been in the [El Castillo] homes for two years now and is doing really well.

Two years ago, he remembers a “gringo” who went out with a street team, bought a box of donuts and started passing them out to the kids. He called that guy “Mr. Donut”… and still does. He remembers that act of kindness. As Herbert says, don’t ever underestimate how even a small act of kindness directed toward a child will make a memorable and lasting impact. To be honest, I felt a little bit worthless last night … I knew it would be hard for me to understand [the language of these] kids, and it was. Even if I don’t understand them, I can still hug them. Maybe some little guy will call me “Mr. Hug” someday…

August 13, 2003 I went to a big marimba concert on Sunday… called Fabumarimbas! The marimba is the national instrument of Guatemala, and they are very proud of this piece of their culture. It is really pretty impressive. It takes 7 people to play one marimba, and then a couple or three more to play drums, bass, etc. So there are about 10 people per group, and in this mass performance, there were 11 groups. Do the math! Also, most of these marimbas are pretty famous here and have been around perhaps for decades … like Chapinlandia and La Estrella de Guatemala. Needless to say, it was a fantastic experience…four and a half hours that seemed like 20 minutes.

haircuts “One high point was Thursday night. Steve (my brother-in-law) gave haircuts to street kids. He also brought a couple hundred shampoo samples, so we took big bottles of water and washed hair too. This was all in the street. The place where these kids live has no electricity, and the ‘neighbors’ would not let us plug in our razors on their power, so we went down the street to a fire station (bomberos) who were happy to help us out.”

18 John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004

sing. She stood there in the street and sang songs to us, although she was a little bit “foggy” due to inhaling solvent.

Singing, drawing … you have to wonder what she would have done with her life if it had gone another direction. Even more, you have to wonder what would be happening in Guatemala today (and in so many other countries, including the U.S.) if these talented children were being developed instead of destroyed.

It started to rain, and we left. But we also remember that as we left them there, they were going to spend the night right there JBU alumna, Malu, with a few of the girls off the street including Jomara (far left) on the street, many of them sleeping right there on that dark, cold, dangerous, rainy Now, on to more important things…. street corner. I was thankful for my bed and pillow last night, but I must admit I didn’t sleep well. Lots of images in I was on the streets with El Castillo again last night, and will my head… go again tomorrow. I’m trying for two nights each week.

Last night we were joined by JBU graduate, Maria Luis August 28, 2003 (Malu) Queme ‘03 and a friend named Eric from the States.

I was extremely proud of Malu … she is a natural at this.

Well, tonight I was back out on the streets with the El Castillo street teams. And as always, it was an experience.

We went to a street corner near a pretty busy intersection.

There is a group of kids that lives there. El Castillo has a We started by going to a place called Parque Berlin. The particular focus on street girls right now, and since several girls showed up, we stayed there for quite a while. Some of strange thing is that this park is only a few blocks from where I live, and in fact, you can see my building from there. the guys kicked around a soccer ball, some drew pictures, There is a group of boys living there. This group doesn’t some practiced writing with staff workers, and everyone inhale solvent ... they inhale glue fumes. Same difference was sucking down solvent fumes. They carry their solvent ... different smell. The “leader” was a fellow named Bayron around in little white plastic bottles, and after a while, you who was probably about 30 years old. He actually seemed just want to grab those things and throw them as far as to take an interest in these kids, and although he was a you can throw them. glue-sniffing street guy, we watched him “counseling” these guys to “sniff in moderation,” and he even broke up One [of the kids there] was a young girl named Jomara a fight. We pulled out the papers for the little ones to start who is about 15 or 16, if I recall. She has a two-year-old coloring, and as usual, even the older ones wanted to do it. child. Jomara works as a prostitute on the streets. Her As I’ve said before, they are all emotionally stunted. They mother has the baby, and she won’t let Jomara see are all kids. I sat and chatted with a fellow named Jairo the baby unless she brings in enough money from her Daniel, and he just loved coloring. He kept telling me “me prostitution. I have no words to describe what is in my ENCANTA”...which means he REALLY likes to color. He used heart for a person who would exploit her own children to color a lot in school. Of course, every few minutes, he in such a way. The fact is, many poor families “rent” their had to pull out his glue bottle and suck on that for a while... children out to beg or sell in the streets … or worse. Well, Jomara spent a lot of time talking with Malu, and she also Then we went up into Zone 1 near the center of the city. sat down and colored some pictures with the other youth.

We stopped in one location where a group of teens lives in (The staff like to give the kids things like this to do … so a little alcove on the street. One of them is dying of AIDS ... they can be kids for a little while.) Oh, and she likes to John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004 19

[CAMPUS NEWS]

and he has a “girlfriend” who has not been tested but looks really bad. We talked with them for a while, and they were friendly, but they would not take help. They would rather die in the streets than give it up. It doesn’t make sense.

From there we went to a market area just a few blocks away from the Parque Central. At night, it is just a collection of booths and tables under a tin roof. Each of the booths had become home to a group of children and youths. We could have spent the entire night there ... kids all over the place. There is a group that El Castillo has been working with, and some of them showed up tonight. One young man claims to be 12 years old, but I don’t think so.

Anyway, he told us his teeth were hurting. We examined his teeth, and all of the lower teeth on the left side of his mouth are so rotten they are simply solid black, with really bad infection and abcess. I’ve never seen anything like it.

He agreed to meet the team tomorrow at the same place during the day, and they will take him to a dentist who helps them from time to time. His name is Manuel ... please pray that he shows up before this gets worse.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about a place we went where four street youths came up and started singing Christian songs to us. We were there visiting a group that “lives” on the street at that spot ... a young lady and some children. The young lady’s name was Lilian, and she cared for her family there. They were all whacked out on solvent. Tonight, we learned that Lilian is dead. She was beaten to death on the streets about a week ago. Nobody knows why. In fact, nobody really knows why any of this happens.

Also, a short time ago, I wrote to you about Lupe, the girl who was shot. We also found out tonight that she has gotten worse. Apparently, the bullet is still in her, and she is having complications ... severe complications. The mission is trying to help her.

I said it a while back and I’ll say it again. It is incredible to think what these young people could be doing for Guatemala if they were not being destroyed ... and destroying themselves. They are creative, talented kids. No matter where we go, they always jump up and shake our hands when we arrive and when we leave. Somewhere beneath the filth is a little person ... slowly dying. Or in Lilian’s case ... dying a bit more quickly.

October 8, 2003 Tonight, I had the chance to go along with the “in process” group. Juan Manuel and Marisol picked them up and took them to Campo Marte to run and play soccer for two hours.

It is kind of hard for drugged up kids to play soccer, but it is good for them to run and breathe clean air. There were nine boys in this group today, and Juan Manuel took them to Burger King and let them all have a big cheeseburger!

We pulled up with this load of boys at Burger King. Before unloading, Juan Manuel had to go in and ask permission to bring these children in the restaurant. Remember, these are street kids. They are dirty and smelly. Many restaurants won’t let street kids inside, even when they are sponsored in a group like this. I am thankful that Burger King welcomed the group openly, but it is sad that these kids are “not good enough” for some establishments.

We were chatting with the boys during the meal. They are a good group. They are crude, rude and socially unacceptable, but ya gotta love ‘em. We were chatting with one little guy named Giovanni, and we asked him what his dreams were. Sadly, he didn’t have any. Not only that, but he couldn’t even relate to the concept of having a dream.

All of the boys got kind of quiet … like they didn’t even understand what we were asking. Finally, we explained what that meant, and we asked them to tell us what they wanted to do with their lives … what they wanted to become. They all just shook their heads, except for little Giovanni who looked at us very seriously and said, “I want to sell solvent.” This is the ONLY thing that many of these kids can even conceive … it is all they can become … it is the only thing they see themselves doing. That is why it is SO significant when a street kid says, “Hey, I could be….”

And that is what El Castillo is trying to do … let these kids know that there is more to life than solvent.

Just like the solvent eats away at these kids’ brains and bodies, I hope this thought eats at your heart. It eats at mine. Don’t let yourself dismiss it easily and go to sleep.

May the Lord give us ALL sleepless nights until we are doing all we can to reach out to those around us.

So we played, ate, had a devotion, prayed, … and watched them go back to the streets and their solvent.

Pray for these little guys.

20 John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004

A LICE M C Q UAY

a

Alice McQuay ’58, Executive Associate for the President’s Office, retired after 33 years of service at John Brown University. The JBU board of trustees formally recognized McQuay for her years of service to JBU. “Alice McQuay is the perfect example of the heart and dedication that is evident in so many of our students, faculty and staff at JBU,” said President Lee Balzer. “Her investment in this university is immeasurable, and as we wish her well in her retirement, we also want her to know that she will be greatly missed.”

After graduating from JBU, McQuay began working for the university in 1969 as a secretary in the division of development.

For the next 33 years, McQuay served the university in a variety of capacities, all of which focused on fundraising, alumni and public relations or other external university

Alice Balzer (left) and Alice McQuay (right)

BY

S ARAH S EWARD ’93

relations. During McQuay’s years at JBU, some of the positions she held include: Coordinator of the Alumni Office and the Five-Year Campaign, Director of the Department of Development, Director of University Relations and Director of Fundraising Support. In 1998 she became Executive Associate for the President’s Office, where she stayed until retiring.

During her employment at John Brown University, McQuay was also actively involved in recruiting students and directing the Alumni Board. She witnessed many changes on the JBU campus during her 33year tenure.

“I worked directly for three presidents, and it was a tremendous place of ministry. I was always in the right place to be totally involved in the life of the university,” Alice said.

It was evident to all around McQuay that she was intensely involved in her career at JBU.

“My career here really was my mission. That is what sells John Brown University—when you believe in it from the heart. A person’s success in any job is finding out how he/she can best contribute to the success of the organization and then get to work giving 100 percent toward that end,” McQuay said.

McQuay earned the respect of everyone she touched. A former colleague wrote these words at the time of McQuay’s retirement and presented them to her. In part it reads: “True, JBU may have given you much, but JBU has reaped ten-fold in return—a dedicated, loyal, energetic, devoted, efficient support person. You have worked under a number of presidents and administrators. You have seen people come and go. None of it seemed to change your loyalty, efficiency, and dedication. It is people like you that have made this institution what it is today. I believe working at JBU has been your offering to the Lord, your ministry—as it has for others.

Those of us that have been around a good number of years have seen and deeply appreciate who you are and what you have given, and understand the reasons behind that giving—And we simply say from our hearts—THANK YOU!” Since her retirement, McQuay has taken several trips, including a trip to Alaska, hosting friends and family at Homecoming, and spending a great deal of time studying for a women’s Bible study she teaches at her church.

A scholarship has been endowed in her honor. If you are interested in more information about the Alice D. McQuay scholarship, please contact Paul Eldridge at peldridge@jbu.edu or by calling (479) 524-7468.

John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004 21

[CAMPUS NEWS]

[CAMPUS NEWS]

The FSFS: UnderstandingANNUAL JBU’S F U N D S TEVE O NNEN ’82 D IRECTOR OF THE F UND W HAT

IS THE

FOR

FSFS?

FSFS stands for “Fund for Student Financial Support” and is the current name given to JBU’s annual fund program. This name is only three years old, but the annual fund has existed under several different names since its beginning in 1981.

Although there have been many name changes to JBU’s Annual Fund through the years, the heart of program has remained unchanged—to help needy students financially.

Practically every academic institution in America today has an annual fund program. Most schools apply gifts given to their annual fund programs to a variety of needs, including scholarships, research, financial aid, athletics, equipment, faculty salaries, programs, and the list goes on.

The difference in JBU’s annual fund program is that 100% of the gifts given to the FSFS go directly to students in the form of either “need-based scholarships” or “institutional work-study” jobs.

Yes, that’s 100% of the funds going to students!

W HY

SHOULD YOU GIVE TO THE

FSFS?

The costs of providing a higher education unfortunately continue to climb at rates far greater than inflation. JBU does all it can to keep costs as low as possible for a private, liberal arts institution, but to remain competitive with today’s academic needs, we must continually update equipment, tools and resources. This is the primary reason for the increases in tuition and room and board.

From the beginning, the founder’s dream was to offer a Christian, higher education to any individual who desired one. In the early years of JBU, all students went to class for half a day and then worked half a day at an assigned job on campus to cover the costs of their 22 John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004

S TUDENT F INANCIAL S UPPORT education. Although times have changed, JBU strives to stay true to the foundational goal of making a quality, Christian education affordable to any student.

Did you know that every student receives a reduced rate to attend JBU regardless of his or her financial need? That’s right. JBU’s endowment provides funds that subsidize the costs of each student’s education. Every student receives a reduction in tuition, which amounts to roughly a $1,800 discount. Gifts to the FSFS become scholarships and work-study wages that help students toward funding the remaining tuition costs. Without this assistance, most students would not be able to attend JBU. This past year 87% of students attending JBU received some form of financial aid.

W HY

ARE WE ASKING FOR MORE ?

You may have noticed an increase in the number of times that we have asked for your help this year. We’ve done this intentionally to increase everyone’s awareness of the importance of the FSFS. Last year we increased our alumni giving percentage from 15% to 22%, and while this was very encouraging, we still missed our overall financial goal by $131,000. When faced with such shortfalls, we have to take money from other vital areas of campus to provide the necessary financial aid to students.

We are also asking more often because we don’t know the exact time when people are able to make a gift to JBU. One month may be good for some, but not for others. By increasing our communication with alumni, parents and friends, you’re more likely to hear about the FSFS at a time that’s right for you.

Donor by donor, dollar by dollar, we are working together to impact students who are laying foundations for their lives in this Christian academic environment.

Your gifts to the Fund for Student Financial Support, regardless of size, are essential to helping John Brown University accomplish the mission of preparing the heads, hearts and hands of students to impact our world.

RUGBY TEAM ’ S CHARACTER STANDS OUT In October, JBU received this e-mail that reminded us faculty and staff why we serve students at JBU. Dear John Brown University Rugby Team, Sponsors and University Administration, This past weekend the JBU Rugby team took part in the Cowtown Rugby Tournament in Fort Worth, TX. I had the opportunity to watch a portion of three of their matches against such opponents as Texas A & M, Stephen F. Austin University, and the University of Texas-Dallas. It was clear that the JBU Rugby team carried themselves differently than any of the other collegiate teams that attended this event. In a sport that is rough, passionate and intense in its design, it is also often a culture of vulgarity, retaliation and post-game gluttonous behavior.

Despite the youth of JBU’s players, the passion of the sport of rugby and the culture of a rugby tournament, your young men represented themselves with dignity, honor and respect, while at the same time matching their opponents’ passion on the field. Clearly these young men are different!!! Players showed what are often uncommon courtesies such as helping up an opponent, genuine concern for someone suffering from an injury, or simply referring to someone older as “Sir.” While I do not know how many of the games JBU won or lost, I heard the team’s rendition of one verse of the old Thomas Ken hymn, “Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun” (specifically, “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”) after every contest. And regardless of their record at Cowtown, I would say that the John Brown University Rugby team was the biggest winner of the weekend for the impression they left on others.

Members of the 2003 Rugby Team

BOOK CELEBRATIONS BOOKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY JBU FACULTY AND STAFF

Robbie Castleman Department of Biblical Studies Parenting in the Pew (2nd ed.)

InterVarsity Press 2002

Ronald T. Habermas Department of Biblical Studies The Complete Disciple: A Model for Cultivating God’s Image in Us Cook Communications 2003 Galen Johnson Department of Biblical Studies Prisoner of Conscience: John Bunyan on Self, Community and Christian Faith 2003

Thank you for allowing the Lord to work through you and congratulations John Brown University for generating such God-honoring young men.

With the greatest sincerity and respect of the Lord Jesus, Dennis W. Dennis is a professor at a university in Texas and a rugby player who competed in a different division in the tournament.

Richard S. Ostrander Department of History Head, Heart, Hand: A History of John Brown University 2002

John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004 23

“

LEE BALZER HAS PROVED HIMSELF TO be a visionary with his head in the clouds and his feet firmly planted on the ground.

Dick McCartney Member, Board of Trustees

”

[ I N LOV I N G M E M O RY ]

[ I N LOV I N G M E M O RY ]

R OBERT P. V OSSLER ROBERT P. VOSSLER ’38,

A MAN WHOSE

career in accounting spanned over 60 years died Santa

July

23,

Monica,

2003,

at

St.

California,

Vossler was a native of Norwood, Ohio. He graduated in 1938 with a major in business. He met Mary Campbell of Siloam Springs on campus in 1936. Following her graduation in 1939, she moved to California where she served as secretary to the university founder, Dr. John E. Brown Sr. Mary and Bob were married in Los Angeles, California, in 1939, with Ralph Pifari, a JBU alumnus in attendance. Their marriage of nearly 65 years evidenced the enduring love of this very special couple.

Vossler began a successful career in accounting in 1938. He spent over 40 years with Miller 26 John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004

at

John’s the

Hospital age

of

in 85.

& Company, a prestigious Los Angeles accounting firm.

He established his own firm in 1980 with a branch office in Hawaii and was still active as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) until his death.

Beginning in 1948, Vossler became the consulting accountant for the university properties in southern California. His counsel regarding the purchase of radio station KGER was extremely beneficial to the university’s endowment. Vossler’s foresight and recommendations over the many years of his service to the John Brown University schools was oustanding, and his

love for his alma mater was evident over more than half a century.

He was active in Southern California with the Certified Public Accountants Association and the United States Air Force Veterans Association. Vossler was an officer in World War II, serving as a B-29 navigator-bombardier in the Pacific Theater. He also served on the board of Manufacturers Bank. A highlight of his career was service as CPA for Winthrop Rockefeller’s interests in California. Rockefeller resided in Arkansas and served two terms as governor of the state.

Vossler is survived by his widow, Mary Campbell Vossler; Mary’s sister, Katy Sue Campbell, who has resided for many years in the same complex in Santa Monica; his sister, Mildred Vossler of Torrance, California; a nephew, Paige Vossler of Baltimore, Maryland; and a neice Susan Black of Half Moon Bay, California.

C ARL“K ELLY ” B IHL FORMER

CAMPUS PASTOR

CARL “KELLY”

Bihl ’60 passed away on May 1, 2003 at the age of 86. Bihl’s long relationship with JBU began in 1954 when he began his studies as a radio engineering major.

After graduating in 1960, he went to Moody Bible Institute, earning a degree in theology and meeting his wife, Bettie. He then began a dynamic career in ministry, hosting the Children’s Bible Hour in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1965, he became the fourth president of Youth for Christ, an organization that remains linked to the university today.

Bihl is perhaps best remembered as campus pastor from 1967 to 1974. Jerry Rollene ’75, said of Bihl, “He cared very much about the eternal security of each student and communicated the gospel with

passion. He led the services and preached on Sunday. Roger Cox led the music.” Another former student, John Hill ’75, recalled that when he had a tough decision to make, he consulted Bihl and found his counsel very helpful.

Many significant events occurred during Bihl’s tenure, including the first summer missionary project in 1969 and the closing of campus Sunday church services in 1974.

Bihl’s influence was closely felt among the Sound Generation members. J. R. Whitby ’73 recalls, “During our travels with the Sound

Generation, Kelly would often be with us to speak after our music. I have fond memories of handing him my sax and getting him to play “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” on several occasions. There was one particular way he would play a line of the song that I have tried to imitate to this day.”

Bihl then moved from campus to use his radio training on JBU’s California radio station, KGER. He was the voice of the John Brown Hour Bible study for eight years. Bihl continued his support of JBU for the rest of his life.

He will be most remembered for his ability to correctly interpret the word of God. His wife Bettie said, “I think his ministry and his teaching will be the most missed.

He knew the Bible so well. He just opened his mouth and the Scriptures would roll.” Bihl has left this legacy for the many students he touched.

John Brown Bulletin Summer 2004 27

JOHN BROWN B

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John Brown University 2000 W. University St. Siloam Springs, AR 72761

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