Brown Bulletin - Fall 2015

GOD’S NOT DEAD 2 + WALKING EL CAMINO

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NEXT CENTURY CAMPAIGN UPDATE FA L L 2 0 1 5

THE OFFICIAL M AGAZI N E OF JOHN BROW N U NI VE RSI T Y

JBU alumni David Murray employs local craftsmen to build high-end custom guitars in the foothills of the Himalayas

CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS Alumni Bring Solutions to Poverty, Creative Arts, Business Enterprise

{ PRESIDENT’S LETTER }

Creativity, Risk Taking Reflects God November 20, 2015 Dear Friends of JBU,

When people create new enterprises that help others to thrive, they reflect brilliantly the image of a God who has created all things good.

This issue of the Brown Bulletin highlights some of the JBU alumni who have flourished as entrepreneurs. JBU nourishes the creative thinking and risktaking that is essential to launch new enterprises.

For instance, JBU students in the Soderquist College of Business have routinely placed in the top three in both state and regional rankings in the Reynolds Cup business plan competition.

These students have collectively won over $500,000 in prize money and have incubated many new business ideas over the last decade.

JBU students have also been actively involved in Enactus for over 30 years.

In that program, JBU students have created a host of entrepreneurial projects, including teaching middle school students how to develop business plans for new products; creating water filtration cooperatives in Guatemala; and assisting the Siloam Springs adult development center in launching a paper shredding business. They too have received national recognition, regularly placing in the top 16 in the country and last year coming in third place. A JBU education offers rich soil for the cultivating of lifelong entrepreneurs.

JBU is also seeking to be innovative in its own program. For instance, we now offer three undergraduate and six graduate degrees fully online.

We have just begun a new MFA program in collaborative design, and our new nursing program will open in August 2016 in a state-of-the-art health education facility. We are using an advanced predictive modeling system to identify prospective JBU students, and our new JBU website is employing an innovative responsive web design to better communicate JBU’s mission.

Creativity and risk taking should be at the heart of a Christian college.

When people create new enterprises that help others to thrive, they reflect brilliantly the image of a God who has created all things good. When people recognize that they are beloved children of the living God, they are freed to take risks because “failure” will never separate them from the love of God. JBU was founded by a person who looked into a corn field and saw a university. JBU continues to thrive because its people see new possibilities to honor God and serve others in all areas of life.

It is a joy to witness the people of JBU living out our mission ingeniously and faithfully in their church, neighborhood, workplace, and family. May God continue to bless that good work.

Godspeed,

Dr. Charles W. Pollard President, John Brown University

{ CONTENTS }

FALL 2015 The Brown Bulletin is published by University Communications for alumni and friends in the JBU community.

Dr. Chip Pollard President Dr. Jim Krall Vice President for Advancement EDITORIAL STAFF Lucas Roebuck Editor and Director of University Communications

FEATURES COVER: Creative Entrepeneurs 12 | Walking El Camino De Santiago

By Claire Grant — A 75-Mile Spanish pilgrimage Gives Student New Perspective

14 | Alumni on Set

By Tarah Thomas — Eight JBU AlumniWork on Set, Produce ‘God’s Not Dead 2’

ALSO INSIDE 4 | TP Game Draws Standing-Room-Only Crowd

By AllyssaWesterfield — 35th Annual Toilet Paper Game Presented by Charmin, Featured on ESPN

Matt Snyder Creative Director

22 | Homecoming Guests Screen ‘Loving Lynda’

Julie Gumm Managing Editor

26 | Downtown Siloam Springs Base for Alumni

Contributors Tracy Balzer, John E. Brown III, Johanna Musgrave, Lorie Simpson, Tarah Thomas, Claire Grant, Valerie McArthur, Allyssa Westerfield, Cherissa Roebuck, Morgan Scholz Production Support Kelly Saunders Copy Editing Paul T. Semones, Andy Klungland Thanks Marikit Fain Schwartz, Sherry Miller, Jerry Rollene Submissions of news items, story ideas, letters and corrections can be made via email to: lroebuck@jbu.edu or via U.S. Postal Service to Brown Bulletin 2000 W. University Siloam Springs, AR 72761 ©2015 John Brown University

By AllyssaWesterfield & Julie Gumm ­— Nearly 500 Homecoming Attendees PreviewWalters Love Story

By Morgan Scholz — More Than a Dozen Alumni-Owned Businesses Help Downtown Flourish

DEPARTMENTS JBU News — The Latest JBU Headlines — Page 3 Athletics — News & Notes — Page 25 Campaign for the Next Century Update — Page 6 Donor Legacy — Character Before Career — Page 10 Alumni News — The Latest Milestones for JBU Alumni — Page 28 In Memoriam — Remembering JBU Friends — Page 30 From the Editor — Making History Digital — Page 32

On the cover: JBU alumni entrepreneurs are erasing poverty, creating stories and solving complex business problems.

See Page 16 for their stories.

Fall 2015 |

Brown Bulletin | 1

{ JBU NEWS } decorated team. JBU’s five Eaglenauts won the Judge’s Innovation Award and placed third in both the “Systems Engineering Paper” category and the “Presentation and Demonstration” category.

JBU Welcomes Largest Incoming Class in University History John Brown University saw 17 percent growth over last year’s incoming class with 456 new students in August. The new class, comprised of 364 freshmn and 92 transfer students, brings students from across the country from Hawaii to Connecticut and across the world from countries like Thailand, Brazil, Switzerland and Kenya. In total, the incoming class represents students from 25 states and 17 countries and is 59 percent female and 41 percent male.

(From left) Shermana Philpott, Tiffany Hunnicutt, David Bird, Brian Plank, Jordan Plank, Zach Huffaker, Lindsey Davis, Kaitlyn Bradley, and adviser Dr. Will Holmes.

Engineering Students Win NASA Innovation Award With Multi-Robot System John Brown University’s robotic team left NASA’s sixth annual Robotic Mining Competition (RMC) at Kennedy Space Center as the second most 2 | Brown Bulletin | Fall 2015

Brown University is one of the best colleges to work for. JBU is one out of 86 colleges nationally ranked based on professional development, compensation and benefits, job satisfaction, work environment and life balance.

Endowment Exceeds $100 Million JBU’s Campaign for the Next Century: A Hope and A Future, which has a goal of raising over $125 million for scholarships, endowment and building funds, is currently valued at $101 million, exceeding $100 million for the first time in JBU’s history.

Professor Awarded $265,000 INBRE Grant to Continue Bacteria Study Dr. Joel Funk, assistant professor of biology, was awarded $265,000 as part of the Arkansas IDEA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) grant to continue his research on the Protein Kinase C (PKC) as it relates to the Coxiella burnetii bacterium, which can cause the rare Q fever.

Student Engagement Earns National Recognition as College of Distinction John Brown University was recently recognized among 331 private and public institutions as a College of Distinction in the Colleges of Distinction Online College Guide, which recognizes institutions for excellence in learning initiatives such as study abroad programs and service learning opportunities.

John Brown University Named a ‘2015 Great College to Work For’ According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, a leading news source for higher education institutions, John

JBU’s award-winning University Advancement Team, (Back row from left) Matt Snyder, Jerry Rollene, Ken Leonard, Eric Greenhaw, Rebecca Huff, Kelly Saunders, Susan Nece, Lori Gryder, Olivia McCarver, Julie Gumm, Steve Onnen, Brian Meagher, Jim Krall, (Front row from left) Lucas Roebuck, Johanna Musgrave, Sherrill Davis, Kris Anderson, Maritta Mitchell, Sonya Price, Kim Anderson, Becky Wakefield, Kerry Pruett, Trina Holman, Darla Grimm, Jennifer Heathcote, Sherry Miller, April Moreton

JBU Receives Sustained Excellence CASE Award for Educational Fundraising John Brown University has recently received Educational Fundraising Awards in the Overall Performance and Sustained Excellence categories by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). The Sustained Excellence in Educational Fundraising Award recognizes the fundraising

{ JBU NEWS } tionally and internationally in the past 100 years. The lecture took place at The Anchorage Museum and was televised on C-SPAN. Jones has published three books on Alaskan history: “The City for Empire: An Anchorage History, 1914 – 1941” (2010), “Empire’s Edge: American Society in Nome, Alaska, 1898-1934” (2006) and “The Fires of Patriotism: Alaskans in the Days of the First World War 1910-1920” (2013).

programs that have garnered a CASE Award for Educational Fundraising in either Overall Performance or Overall Improvement in three of the last five years. This is the fifth time JBU has received a CASE Award in Overall Performance and the third time JBU has received the award in Sustained Excellence.

Construction Begins on $6 Million Health Education Building Construction for the new Health Education Building began Aug. 17 and will be completed by fall 2016. In recent weeks the steel was installed and the building is beginning to take shape. Follow the progress with our live construction cam at www.jbu.edu/ majors/nursing/news/

First Grandparents’ Day a Success Over 240 grandparents joined us on Sept. 17 for the first JBU Grandparents’ Day. They came from as far away as Arizona and Oregon and the oldest attendee was 99. Grandparents attended chapel, ate lunch with their grandchildren, attended classes, heard from President Pollard and toured campus.

Art Professor Continues to Win Accolades for Pastel Work Charles Peer, professor of visual arts, will be included in the December 2015 issue of Pastel Journal magazine in an article titled “Artists to Watch.” Seven Master Pastelists selected one emerging artist to be highlighted in the magazine.

His artwork was selected by acclaimed Canadian artist Andrew McDermott.

Charles Peer’s painting, “Silent Drama,” (above) has been selected to be part of the 2015 Pastel Society of America’s annual juried exhibit “Enduring Brilliance.” The September exhibit was held at the National Arts Club in New York City. For this prestigious show the jurors selected 78 paintings out of the 1,365 pieces submitted.

History Professor Lectures at Anchorage Centennial Celebration Dr. Preston Jones, associate professor of history, delivered a lecture in Anchorage, Alaska on the distinct influence Anchorage has had regionally, na-

JBU Wins Recycler of the Year Award The Arkansas Recycling Coalition (ARC) awarded JBU with their 2015 School/College/University Recycler of the Year Award based on JBU’s commitment to recycling. In 2012, JBU became the first zero-landfill campus in Arkansas. Since then, JBU has made viable steps to encourage students, faculty and staff to recycle, reuse and reduce.

‘Permission to Ponder’ Teaches Stillness in Noisy Society How do we learn to be aware of God’s voice and presence while living in a hectic, noisy society? Tracy Balzer, director of Christian formation, explores this dilemma in her new book, “Permission to Ponder: Contemplative Wisdom for the Spiritually Distracted.”

Released in October, Balzer’s book focuses on the ability to “slow down, make space for God, and tune our ears and hearts to God’s voice and presence.”

Using the four Marys of the gospels, the Psalms, and Balzer’s personal experiences, the book models the practical application of lectio divina (the ancient practice of praying the scriptures).

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{ JBU NEWS }

35-YEAR TOILET PAPER TRADITION PACKS ARENA In what ESPN called “one of the most surreal traditions in sports,” senior Luke Moyer sunk a three point basket to send the toilet paper soaring in the season opening Golden Eagle men’s basketball game against Barclay College.

Over 2,000 Golden Eagle fans crowded Bill George Arena on Oct. 31 for the much-anticipated and beloved JBU tradition presented this year by Charmin.

The 35th annual Toilet Paper basketball game was also the second year that JBU used the game to give back to the community, asking fans to bring a canned good to exchange for one of the 2,000 rolls of toilet paper donated by Charmin.

The canned goods, along with another 2,000 rolls of Charmin-donated toilet paper, were given to the Manna Center, a local food pantry in Siloam Springs. By the end of the game 1,526 food items were collected.

The Toilet Paper Game food drive began last year in response to the Sooner Athletic Conference’s “The SAC Gives Back” initiative. Because food pantries are hit hardest during the holiday season, the TP Game food drive was perfectly timed.

JBU beat Barclay 103-52, continuing a 15-year TP game winning streak.

4 | Brown Bulletin | Fall 2015

(Middle) Senior Kent McDonell decided his halloween costume should stick to the theme of the night and came dressed as a giant roll of toilet paper.

(Bottom) Hannah Meyers, Kate Barlowe and Brandi Vandygriff pose for a quick picture with Leonard the Charmin bear.

(Photo courtesy of Brandi Vandygriff.)

Watch video of the toss at on.jbu.edu/1GVDHEu - or scan the QR code.

(Top) President Chip Pollard joins the dedicated fans, including Jake Braschler, Levi Nordmeyer and Luke Dinger, in tossing toilet paper at the first field goal of the game.

(Above) Senior Luke Moyer, a transfer student, celebrates after putting up the three-point basket that sent the toilet paper flying 55 seconds into the game.

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COME VISIT: we’ll reimburse the gas for vehicles of 4+ prospective students!

PROGRESS UPDATE $8,587,468

$3,412,532

GIVEN AND PLEDGED

REMAINING

$125 MILLION GOAL FOR 2019

$68.1 Million

$56.9 Million

GIVEN AND PLEDGED

REMAINING

Overall

Nursing and Health Education Building

Million JBU broke ground on the $68.1 20,000-square-foot building in

Overall Nursing

GIVEN AND PLEDGED

August with plans to complete the building fall 2016. Nabholz Overall Nursing has completed all under-slab work and erected the steel frame.WLHC Overall Nursing WLHC Overall Estates The WLHC’s new HVAC system will be installed by mid-January Nursing 2016 and plans for the new north entrance and workout space WLHC Overall are in the design and development phase.

Estates Nursing Prog and Op WLHC Estates Overall Nursing and Op JBU has been blessed by generous estate gifts that haveProg helped WLHC Academic Excellence sustain and grow the university. The university is encouraging Estates Nursing alumni and friends to consider a bequest through their estate.

Prog and Op WLHC

$56.9 Million

$9 Million

REMAINING

GIVEN AND PLEDGED

$3 Million REMAINING

Walton Lifetime Health Complex

$4 Million

$1 Million

$1 Million

$24 Million

$12.3 Million

$12.7 Million

$0.9 Million

$0.9 Million

$8.6 Million

$1.4 Million

$2.5 Million

$3.3 Million

GIVEN AND PLEDGED

REMAINING

Estate Gifts for the Future

Estates Academic Excellence Scholarships Prog and Op WLHC Estates This priority dedicates $25 million to programs andAcademic Excellence Prog and Op organizations that play a significant role in shaping JBU culture Scholarships JBUSF and strengthening JBU’s impact around the world. Academic Excellence Estates Prog and Op Scholarships JBUSF Academic Excellence

GIVEN AND PLEDGED

REMAINING

Program and Operating Support

GIVEN AND PLEDGED

REMAINING

Endowment for Academic Excellence

This fall, JBU hosted the 2nd Abila Lecture: Dr. Steven Ortiz spoke Scholarships Prog and Op JBUSF about his excavations at Tel Gezer. Charles Peer willAcademic be featured Excellence in the Pastel Journal as one of seven “pastel artists to watch.”

Scholarships

Endowment for Scholarships

REMAINING

JBUSF Academic Excellence Scholarships JBUSF

Endowed scholarships make education affordable and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the university. JBU now has 256 Scholarships endowed scholarships that award over $1.9 million each year. JBUSF

JBU Scholarship Fund

GIVEN AND PLEDGED

GIVEN AND PLEDGED

REMAINING

JBUSF

All of the funds given to the JBU Scholarship Fund are used directly for need-based scholarships and work-study programs.

Yearly, more than 550 students receive help through the JBUSF.

GIVEN AND PLEDGED

REMAINING

SCHOLARSHIP IMPACT

Scholarship Fund Helps Daughter of Cancer Survivor Afford JBU We washed ziplock bags growing up. My least favorite chore was hanging the laundry on the clothesline, and I was always jealous of the kids who got to buy their lunches at school. When I started looking at colleges, the numbers on the screen were always too big and scholarships seemed too small. I would stare at my grades from my freshman year and wish I’d tried harder, done more.

I grew up in Guatemala, Central America. My parents have been missionaries there for over 35 years, working with Wycliffe Bible Translators. They are empowering indigenous groups to be able to produce Scripture-based materials in audio and video media for their own communities. My three older siblings and I were all born in the country and grew up there, identifying ourselves as “chapingos,” a mix between the common slang for a Guatemalan and a North American.

Higher education is a priority for my parents, but the cost made me nauseous. Things were tight when my sister went gone to college, and even tighter when my brother joined her.

My heart beat loudly when I got my award letter from JBU. “Please Lord, please let me at least have work study.” I clicked the email and it opened; I stared at it, unable to comprehend, my heart stuttering to a stop before it picked up its tempo again and beat faster. “Mom!” I yelled down the stairs.

She started to laugh when she saw the numbers. JBU was more gener-

ous than we ever expected, covering nearly two thirds of my costs. My worry eased.

Two weeks into the school year my mom was diagnosed with stage 1 follicular lymphoma. Unlike other cancers, catching this one early doesn’t increase your chance of survival. A short while later she went back for more tests, and it had progressed to stage 3.

She started chemotherapy right away, but I cried myself to sleep.

I flew home to Guatemala for Christmas, which was a blessing for a missionary kid. Mom was in remission. I was grateful to go home, but excited to come back to JBU at the end of the break.

My dreams for my future start with a bachelor’s degree. Then I want to go back overseas. East Asia is calling to me and I plan to apply for the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) when I graduate in May 2018 with a bachelor’s in communications, and a minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Without my scholarships I would never be able to pursue my dream. I’m grateful for the generosity of donors who are showing

love to someone unknown. I will never be able to repay the gift I have been given.

Valerie McArthur ’18

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PROJECT FEATURE

Renovations Expand Fitness Opportunities $5 Million Health Complex Renovation Benefits JBU and Local Community Helen Thompson ‘90 was a sophomore at JBU in 1988 when the Walton Lifetime Health Complex (WLHC) was under construction, and after the facility opened, Thompson became one of the first student building supervisors for the WLHC. “I was on the swim team as a student,” Thompson said. “When JBU built the health complex, that was such an exciting time. I remember Sam Walton coming to campus to dedicate the new building.”

Twenty-five years after graduating from JBU, Helen and her husband, Larry, recently moved back to Siloam Springs. Helen heard about a job opportunity at the WLHC, and now she’s back to work at her old stomping grounds as the instructor for the Silver Splash water aerobics class that meets three times per week in the WLHC. Two of the class members, Paul Kimball and Gil Weaver ’48, were Thompson’s professors when she was a JBU student.

“At first I kept calling him Dr. Kimball in the pool. Then one day he came up to me and smiled and said, ‘Hi, my name is Paul,’” Thompson said. “He was my professor, but now he’s become my friend.

They make me laugh– they are hilarious.”

Thompson and the members of the Silver Splash class are just a few of the thousands of JBU and Siloam Springs community members who regularly use the Walton Lifetime Health Complex. As part of The Campaign for the Next Century, John Brown University is planning a $5 million renovation of the WLHC to update the 27-year-old facility.

The renovation will include an expanded fitness center with new equipment, a new community entrance on the north side of the complex, the addition of HVAC to the entire facility including the recreation gym and walking track, renovation of the tennis courts, updated and expanded locker rooms,

and new mechanical systems and decking for the pool. JBU plans to begin the renovation in the summer of 2016 and complete the project by August 2017.

Thompson said she’s looking forward to using the health complex after the renovation is complete.

“The new fitness area excites me.

I think that’s going to be great for the whole community,” she said.

Silver Splash class member Wanda West said she is also eager to use the new fitness area and enjoy the updates to the pool and locker room areas. She said she can see how the Walton Lifetime Health Complex renovation will help encourage even more community members to use the facility.

“I’m noticing that things are starting to wear out, so the updates will be wonderful. Drawing more of the community in to use the health complex is what JBU has been trying to do for years. I think this renovation will do just that,” West said.

Cherissa Roebuck ’02 is the coordinator of grants.

First Floor

Second Floor

LEGACY DONORS

George and Marie Hurte: Character Before Career Many people don’t realize that John Brown University’s history includes several decades of owning and operating military academies in California that were intended to provide income for the benefit of the Arkansas campus. In 1937 JBU acquired the Brown School for Girls in Glendora and Brown Military Academy in San Diego.

Ten years later, the founder added the Southern California Military Academy (SCMA) in Long Beach — an elementary and middle school.

By the 1950’s, the girls’ school closed and both remaining academies were eventually sold when they did not generate a sufficient income to help JBU. Two of my most memorable days — the “worst” and the “best” — were experienced at SCMA. Witnesses to both of those days were Marie and “Major” George Hurte, JBU graduates and long-serving teachers, administrators and headmaster for the academy program.

George was a U.S. Navy veteran.

After his discharge in 1948 he met and married Marie. The newlyweds moved to Arkansas to attend JBU. After graduating they returned to teach at SCMA, whose mission paralleled that of the university — “Character before Career.”

My worst day? Our family drove to Southern California every summer, where Dad would have two weeks of Navy Reserve duty and various JBU-related activities. He 10 | Brown Bulletin | Fall 2015

would book us a room on the beach where I could play all day in the surf and sand, and watch the Navy ships through my binoculars.

One summer my parents decided that a couple of weeks as a cadet at SCMA would be a good idea for their only male offspring, who was eight or nine. I lasted two days. I remember sitting on a street curb and crying to go home. No baseball, no crafts and absolutely no marching for me. I wanted to be at the beach.

Major Hurte finally gave up and called my Dad. My embarrassed father had to come pick up the future president of JBU and take him back to his life at the beach. (Note: I did successfully complete Army ROTC and my reserve duty in the 1970’s.)

The “best” day of my life? Sitting on the reviewing stand at SCMA with four Medal of Honor winners, each from a different war. I sat beside a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, Spc. 4th Class John P. Baca who received the medal for risking his life to protect his team. After the citations were read, a young SCMA cadet asked permission to hand an American flag to each of the men.

He stood at attention in front of each one, saluted, and handed him a small flag. After his salute, Baca stretched out his arms and gave the little cadet a big hug. It was a moment I shall always treasure.

I believe George and Marie Hurte had many such moments as they faithfully lived their lives for Christ’s

Kingdom through three decades of service with SCMA and many more years giving their time, talents and treasures to JBU, including George’s time on the Board of Trustees from 1987 to 1999.

Both George and Marie were dedicated Christian servants.

Friends recall George as a man who “lived as he taught — loving God, family, country and community.”

Marie gave gracious guidance and support to their three sons — Ron, Brad, and Geoff — all of whom graduated from SCMA and attended JBU. She also sang in a traveling church group and was a volunteer with Meals on Wheels.

Over the years, the Hurtes helped young people in many ways, including establishing the SCMA Scholarship Fund at JBU, later endowed in part with the help of their sons.

John E. Brown III is president emeritus and served as JBU’s president from 1979-1993.

CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Campaign Construction, Renovations Underway as Fundraising Continues We are about halfway through the seven-year Campaign for the Next Century, and I wanted to share with you a progress report.

The campaign will fund critical priorities to help ensure that John Brown University will thrive in our next century. Our goal is to conclude the campaign with $125 million raised before JBU’s centennial celebration in 2019. We are well on our way, with more than $68 million already given.

One project I am particularly excited about is JBU’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and the construction of a new state-of-the-art Health Education Building. JBU broke ground on the facility in August, and I’ve been eagerly watching the daily construction progress. By this time next year, JBU nursing students will be taking nursing classes in the completed building. So far more than $9 million has been given to the $12 million initiative.

Another project that will greatly benefit the JBU community is the renovation of the Walton Lifetime Health Complex. We have received approximately $4 million of the $5 million renovation cost, and final plans are underway for the full renovation of the 27-year-old facility. By next fall, community members will be enjoying an expanded fitness center, a new north-side

community entrance, HVAC in the entire facility and several other improvements.

Facilities are a necessary part of JBU, but we know that the most important component to what we do at JBU is our students. The JBU Scholarship Fund and endowed scholarships provide assistance to students who otherwise would not be able to afford JBU. Hundreds of students studying at JBU right now would not be here if it weren’t for the generous gifts that have been given to the JBUSF and endowed scholarships through this campaign.

On page seven you can read how scholarships directly impacted sophomore communication major Valerie McArthur who dreams of teaching overseas.

While the details of Valerie’s financial challenges are unique, her story is not. Hundreds of students share Valerie’s story: without scholarships, there is no way they could afford a JBU education.

Approximately a third of the funds raised during the campaign will go toward endowed and funded student scholarships.

If you’ve been wondering how to get involved in the Campaign for the Next Century visit www.jbu. edu/giving or send me an email at jkrall@jbu.edu.

Jim Krall is the vice president for advancement

{ F E AT U R E S T O R Y }

WALKING EL CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CLAIRE GRANT ’17

WHEN MOST PEOPLE THINK OF SPAIN, THEY THINK OF SOCCER AND BEACHES IN BARCELONA. WHEN I THINK OF SPAIN, I THINK OF HIKING THROUGH SMALL VILLAGES AND SWEATING MY WAY ALONG THE NORTHERN COAST. 12 |

Brown Bulletin || Fall Fall 2015 2015

{ F E AT U R E S T O R Y }

The Camino de Santiago, translated as “The Way of St. James,” is a pilgrimage route running through Europe to Galicia in northwest Spain. Considered one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during the Middle Ages, the route ends at the shrine of the apostle St. James in the Cathedral of Santiago. Today, nearly 200,000 people still make the journey every year.

This summer, I walked on the Camino de Santiago with a group of 11 students and faculty from JBU. We started 75 miles from our final destination of Santiago de Compostela in Sarria, Spain — though the entirety of the trail is over 500 miles.

The trail is a spiritual journey for most people who travel it, while some just walk it for the experience or for the exercise. It was definitely a spiritual journey for us. Every team member had multiple conversations with other pilgrims about our faith, eating meals with some and praying with others.

The first day our group started in the early afternoon when most people are wrapping up their days on the trail.

The sun was at its hottest and I think

everyone felt tired and worn down even as we started. That day, and each day after, we stayed in hostels in cities along the way. We peeled off our sweaty layers and 15 (or more) pound packs and tried to regain our energy for the next day of hiking. The time in the hostels were some of my favorite moments with the group. After all we had been through that day, we connected and unwound with laughter and food.

I would like to say the trip became easier each day, but it did not; in fact, it became increasingly difficult. We learned quickly that complaints needed to stay in our head because, if spoken out loud, they would only bring the rest of the group down.

I struggled with perseverance, having never done something so physically demanding before. Remaining strong during five to six hours of daily hiking took a lot of effort and prayer.

One of the unique parts of the Camino is that the community of walkers encourage each other on the trail by saying “Buen Camino” to one another.

This simply means “good walk,” but to hikers the phrase binds us together and encourages us to keep going. Our

group did an amazing job of keeping each other motivated throughout the trip.

One day in particular we were struggling with the hills and were exhausted.

Three of us held walkie-talkies to check up on each other and share encouragement, often in the form of funny stories to lighten our exhausted hearts. Every so often the entire group would meet at a kilometer marker so we could be together.

One of the most important things I learned by walking on the Camino was a phrase that our leader, Steve Beers, JBU vice president of student development, repeated often: “Enjoy the journey.”

The trail was hard, the hills were steep and some days I just wanted to sit down and quit. But as I strived to enjoy the journey, it meant that no matter where I was or how hard times seem to be, I wanted to enjoy it and be thankful for the plans God has for me.

Even after coming back to the United States and returning to JBU this fall, I try to remind myself that God has the journey planned for me and I should enjoy every minute of it. n Fall Fall2015 2015 | | Brown BrownBulletin Bulletin || 13 13

{ F E AT U R E S T O R Y }

ALUMNI ON SET

JBU ALUMNI WORK CREW, PRODUCE SEQUEL TO $64 MILLION HIT, ‘GOD’S NOT DEAD’

BY TARAH THOMAS ’16 PHOTOS COURTESY JONATHAN DANIEL ’11

PROGRAM AND OPERATING SUPPORT ENDOWMENT FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE NEW & RENOVATED FACILITIES Joseph Pelegreen (above), Karson Holbrook and John Owen work on the Little Rock shoot of ‘God’s Not Dead 2’ to be released in April.

14 |

Brown Bulletin | Fall 2015

Filmmakers create small miracles every day by reinventing ways to best visually communicate stories that can make people laugh, cry, think deeply or even imagine life in a new way. For an $8 movie ticket, audiences can experience the result of that behind-thescenes magic that took many hands and hard work to produce.

Eight JBU alumni worked on the set of “God’s Not Dead 2” this summer.

Filled with a passion for film and storytelling, they gained experience, work connections and an opportunity to utilize their education. Alumni working on the film included Dustin and Jami Solomon ’01 (co-producers and visual FX), Jonathan Daniel ’11 (drone operator, publicity), Jesse Daniel ’12 (visual FX), Karson Holbrook ’13 (second asstistant camera), John Owen ’15 (grip), Joseph Pelegreen ’15 (grip) and Matt Lang ’15 (electric).

Premiering in April 2016, the sequel comes two years after the box-office surprise hit “God’s Not Dead,” which topped the weekend release at No. 1 and overall grossed $64 million.

{ A L U M N I F E AT U R E } The sequel, set with well-known cast and filmed in Little Rock, hopes to provide eye-catching scenery and teach Christians “how to defend faith in an increasingly hostile environment,” stated the “God’s Not Dead 2” press release.

The plot can be imagined within today’s headlines. The movie builds up to a tension-filled courtroom scene between a high school teacher, played by Melissa Joan Hart, a school superintendent and a civil liberty religious group, after Hart shared her faith within the classroom.

The director, Harold Cronk, sought out alumni Dustin and Jami Solomon, owners of Mutiny FX, to work on the visual effects as well as produce the film.

The Solomons worked with the Arkansas film commissioner to convince the director and lead producers to film in Arkansas as well as encourage on-site editing at the end of every day of shooting.

Many in the film business acquire jobs by word-of-mouth and the reputation from doing a job well.

“Film is different. Most places you go in for office hours from 9 to 5,” Pelegreen said. “Film, I’m finding out, is all about who you know. If you work with somebody and if they like you, they’ll call you back.You try to work hard and be a good employee.”

Pelegreen worked as a lighting technician, setting up power and lighting on set. Pelegreen attributes the hands-on classroom experience and outside work on various senior short film projects in helping him learn about the equipment and how to properly set it up.

Being on set creates a relational environment for graduates. The days are long, stressful and intensive, but the work’s rewarding when the crew collaborates as a team.

Daniel a digital cinema alumnus, worked with the editor, Dave Shook, in putting together behind-the-scenes

Dustin and Jami Solomon’s Mutiny FX is producing visual effects for the new film.

Here they are doing pick-up crowd shots with extras at John Brown University.

clips and interviews of the cast for “God’s Not Dead 2” Electronic Press Kits (EPK). Teaming with five others, Daniel learned from other talented film enthusiasts.

“Film is solving problems and has a lot of problems to be solved,” Daniel said. “Maybe it’s how do we make this shot work, or how do we fix this character’s story arc, or maybe it’s more practical of how do we feed the 300 extras on set today … I love teaming up with other creative people and coming to the end of the day — maybe we lost a lot of sleep, etc., but we solved the problem and got it done — that’s what’s really fun.”

Lang, digital cinema major and journeyman grip for “God’s Not Dead 2”, enjoyed working on his first featurelength movie and coordinating with other professionals.

“Even though the long hours and stress were difficult to push through, at the end of the day I couldn’t help but think about how lucky I was to be able

to have the opportunity to live out my passion making films,” Lang said.

Graduates agree that their passion for storytelling is the driving force to filmmaking. Movie production pushes the boundaries and enables people to imagine the bizarre or highlight reality.

“The best part for me on a business level is that there’s no rules,” Solomon, in explaining his love for film, said. “No one is going to tell you a way.You’re going to have to find a way.You feel like you’re free to find your way.”

Every cast and crew member plays a vital role in creating the best storytelling.

“Stories are how we, as humans, have communicated since the beginning of time. I want to see our soul stories, our heart stories and stories that make us dream widely and leap,” Solomon said.

“Our goal is to allow everyone to tell their stories, help them find a way to get their story out there.”

Graduates of JBU did just that for “God’s Not Dead 2.” n Fall 2015 |

Brown Bulletin | 15

Creati

Entrepr JBU students are encouraged to envision how they might

influence society and make a difference in their chosen profession.

Our alumni work and serve across the globe — erasing poverty, creating stories and solving complex business problems.

n DAVE AND MEL MURRAY ’98 ’01 | JOYN AND DEHRADUN GUITAR COMPANY

Social Entrepreneurs Give Global Artists Dignity Dave and Mel Murray met at JBU in 1998. Two years later they were married and spending their first summer as newlyweds in a Ugandan orphanage. That experience set them on a mission to bring opportunities and hope to some of the poorest places in the world.

The Murrays recognized that true change wouldn’t happen through handouts. What people really wanted, and needed, was an opportunity. They wanted to work, they just lacked the jobs.

In 2010 the couple founded JOYN in Raipur, In-

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dia where the Murrays now live with their two boys.

Through beautiful textile products handmade by local artisans — bags, purses, scarves — JOYN has brought hope and meaningful work to the nearly 30 local workers.

But JOYN provides much more than a job. Dave and Mel wanted to care for their employees wholistically, not only providing steady employment and a good work environment for their employees, but also medical care, training in English, schooling for their children and even a daily meal plan.

ive

reneurs en•tre•pre•neur

a person who organizes and operates a business, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so

At JOYN, local artisans do a small town in the north In100 percent of the work, indian Himalayas. The builders cluding weaving, block print— some former orphans, refuing and stitching. By the time gees and former addicts — are one of their products is in the trained in Dave’s workshop hands of a customer, at least 12 and have become a family. different pairs of hands have The team of 10 full-time worked with it. JOYN prodluthiers hand craft beautiful ucts are sold through Tom’s, at high-end guitars created to Mason’s Department Stores, the DGC customer’s unique online, and in a number of specifications and personalboutiques throughout the U.S. ity. Ordered by professional Mel Murray with a JOYN employee in India While in India Dave also musicians and hobbyists started a second endeavor, Dehradun Guitar Compaalike, each guitar takes several weeks to build and ny (DGC). Like JOYN, DGC employs local craftsmen in includes several kinds of wood and unique detailing.

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{ COVER STORY } n DUSTIN & JAMI SOLOMON ’01 ’01 | MUTINY FX

Filmmakers Create Stunning Visual Effects Dustin & Jami Solomon are causing a rebellion — not against the government or principalities, but against the norm of modern filmmaking. Their visual effects company, Mutiny FX, focuses on finding innovative ways to use off-the-shelf products and provide quality visual effects services to their clients.

Located in Bentonville, Ark., Mutiny FX executes visual effects production throughout all stages of filmmaking, collaborating with the director and editor in both pre-production and production to provide creative advising for an efficient post production.

Dustin and Jami will often join as producers on those films for more “skin in the game.” “[Mutiny FX] changes how films are made to be more profitable, ” Dustin said. “We try to take ownership in the product, so that if it does well, we can risk the cost up front to make the money later.”

Dustin and Jami met during JBU early registration in 1997 with Dustin being part of the first class of digital media majors. They married in 2000 and had their first child just weeks before Dustin earned his degree in digital media in 2001.

JAMI SOLOMON

The couple agreed to take any opportunity for Dustin to pursue his dream of film.

After working in film, including the motion picture “Return to the Hiding Place” in 2010, the Solomons moved back to Northwest Arkansas and started their company specializing in visual effects

DUSTIN SOLOMON

and editing for low-budget films.

“Our goal is to allow everyone to tell their stories and to help them find a way to get their story out there,” Jami said.

This past year has been spent working on “God’s Not Dead 2,” scheduled to be released in Spring 2016.

n EMILY MOBERLY ’04 | TRAVELING STORIES

Literacy Program Fights Poverty in US, Abroad In 2010 Emily Moberly ’04 founded Traveling Stories, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing reading material for villages around the world so they can “outsmart poverty one book at a time.”

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After graduating from John Brown University in 2004 with a degree in journalism, Moberly moved to Honduras to teach English and sociology to high school students.

{ COVER STORY } “This was the first time in my life that I lived in a place with almost no access to reading material,” Moberly said.

She wanted to do her job as their English teacher — she wanted her students to fall in love with reading as she had done as a child. But it was difficult without books for her classroom. When she went home during Christmas break she gathered 40 books and brought “Ms. Moberly’s Library” back to Honduras. She soon realized what the gift of reading could mean to someone.

Traveling Stories has established libraries in villages across the globe where children have never had access to books.

Traveling Stories is also dedicated to helping kids in the U.S. develop strong literacy skills through pop-

up story tents for at-risk children in San Diego. Held at farmer’s markets, community fairs and festivals, the StoryTent program rewards children for reading by giving them “Book Bucks.” Companies and individuals then sponsor prizes which the children can buy with their “Book Bucks” — everything from snacks to sporting goods.

“I realized that there are a lot of organizations taking care of people’s physical needs, but who’s investing in imaginations?” Moberly said.

Moberly’s innovative program garnered the attention of Forbes, which named her one of the “10 Female Entrepreneurs in San Diego to Watch,” and Microsoft, which featured her story on their blog and social media feeds.

DAVE AND MEL MURRAY

DAVID LEVAN

n DAVID LEVAN ’87 | ADVANTAX

Tax Consultant Saves Clients Millions David LeVan’s career in valuation consulting quickly took a turn into property tax when he went to work for Kraft Foods. After leading his team to save Kraft $10 million in taxes, LeVan, a 1987 graduate of JBU, saw the need in the property tax industry.

In 1994 he founded Advantax, one of the United States’ premier property tax consulting firms based in Illinois but serving clients in all 50 states.

LeVan has spent over 20 years contributing to property tax industry education through course development, leading professional education committees and teaching in conjunction with several tax re-

lated organizations. The Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT) recognized LeVan for his leadership in the development of the Intermediate Property Tax School at Georgia Tech. LeVan was also the winner of IPT’s inaugural instructor of the year award.

LeVan is also the president and founder of Harriette’s Song, a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for children in poverty. A portion of the company’s profits go toward work that has included building an orphanage in Nigeria.

LeVan and his wife Leslie ’87, established the LeVan Family Endowed Scholarship at JBU in 2014.

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{ COVER STORY } n DAVID FIELDS ’97 | SOLVE

Alumnus Tames Influx of Data for Clients Many businesses struggle with sorting through a massive influx of data on a daily basis. Co-founded by David Fields ’97, Solve is a business intelligence and application development firm that gives businesses a solution to their data problems.

With offices in Chicago, Milwaukee and Northwest Arkansas, Fields and his colleagues seek to distinguish themselves by listening to their clients and developing technology that helps their clients according to their unique business needs.

“Most companies drink from a fire hose of data of

EMILY MOBERLY

“I enjoyed serving people in a way that they were not regularly being served—they were usually really thankful and it felt gratifying,” said Fields. He then caught a vision for the company that would become Solve.

various kinds, and they struggle to tame it and turn it into an asset they can leverage to accomplish their mission,” said Fields. “Solve helps clients build systems to leverage data for all kinds of purposes — in retail, manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace, food production — really all kinds of industries.”

Fields originally came to JBU to major in engineering, but after three semesters, switched to math and math education. After graduation he taught school but then began doing after hours IT consulting.

NEIL GREENHAW

“I’d describe myself as an accidental entrepreneur— Solve is a surprise and a blessing. I never expected to do what I’m doing now. God blessed me with something special to steward and manage,” Fields said.

n TONY WRIGHT ’95 | WRIGHTIMC

Search Engine Pioneer Helps Clients Get Noticed With 4.71 billion web pages world wide, businesses, especially smaller ones, find it difficult to stand out.

Tony Wright ’95 has built a $3 million business helping companies get noticed online.

Wright is the founder and CEO of WrightIMC, which specializes in search engine optimization (SEO) 14 20 | | Brown BrownBulletin Bulletin| |Fall Fall2015 2015

and digital marketing. SEO is the process of maximizing the number of visitors to a specific website.

After graduating from JBU with a degree in journalism, Wright wrote for several newspapers before getting his master’s degree with an emphasis in advertising. His first post-grad school job was for Weber

{ COVER STORY } Shandwick, one of the largest PR firms in the world.

“I was asked if I could do search engine optimization.

Even though I had no idea what I was doing, I learned,” said Wright. “Now, 16 years later, I’m considered a pioneer in digital marketing and an expert in SEO.” His role as CEO revolves around new business

development, but he still gets involved in the SEO trenches. Wright says he’d like to hit the $10 million mark before the business turns 10 in two years.

After that, Wright says, “I find my dreams being more about what I can do for my family than what I can further accomplish.”

n NEIL GREENHAW ’04 | HAXTON ROAD STUDIOS

Bentonville Music Scene Bolstered by Alumnus Offering musicians an escape from the usual fastpaced, big-city music scene, the Northwest Arkansas area is rapidly becoming a center for the arts

DAVID FIELDS

for the arts. This is only the beginning.”

After living in Nashville for three years and touring worldwide with his band The Katinas, guitar player Greenhaw wanted a chance to bring his professional experience back to Northwest Arkansas. In 2007 Greenhaw relocated to Bentonville with the dream of cultivating its music scene.

“We saw a hole in this part of the country and we are doing our best to fill it,” Greenhaw said.

Following the opening of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in 2011, the city of Bentonville has developed into an epicenter for creativity and artistic expression.

Greenhaw says of the city, “I see this place as a breeding ground for creative people and of course the collaborative spirit here is like no other.”

and a developing hotbed for the music industry.

JBU alumnus and entrepreneur Neil Greenhaw ’04 believes, “Bentonville will be in the history books

TONY WRIGHT

Greenhaw founded Haxton Road Studios in 2011 with the hope of influencing the studio’s surrounding culture and providing artists with Nashville-quality recording in a small town atmosphere.

“I wanted to help create and shape culture, and in the case of Northwest Arkansas, help provide a professional music and arts industry. The studio was a direct result of that,” Greenhaw said.

Focusing on the client experience, Haxton Road Studios has enjoyed tremendous success. Greenhaw says that by the time the studio was ready to open they were completely booked with a six month waiting list.

The studio has even seen one of its artists, Barrett Baber, perform at the Grammys and be featured on the popular television singing competition, The Voice.

Fall 2015 |

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{ HOMECOMING }

HOMECOMING 2015

PHOTOS BY LORIE SIMPSON ’17, CLAYTON LYON ’17 & KELLY SAUNDERS ’12

Over 800 people visited campus Homecoming weekend Oct. 2-3. Along with class reunion gatherings, attendees enjoyed alumni rugby and men’s basketball games, the freshman production of “Harvey” and major-specific activities for English and digital cinema.

On Saturday nearly 500 people attended the early screening of “Loving Lynda,” a film produced by Jacob Roebuck ’97 featuring the love story of Professor Emeritus Jim Walters and his wife Lynda.

(Top) Current and alumni rugby players circle up for prayer. (Above Left) The freshman production of “Harvey” featuring Megan Hansen, Luke Merrick, Franklin Davidson, Ashley Burger, Josiah Coroama, Levi Branstetter, Dylan White. (Above Right) The 2015 Homecoming court included freshman Theo Young & Haven Brown; sophomores Humberto Smith Zuniga & Kate Barlowe; juniors Jacob Hash & Greta Smith; King Luke Dinger & Queen Elizabeth Flora-Swick; and seniors Ethan Penner, Ariel Lyon, Kenny Crane and Jana Strom (Above Middle) A Q&A session with Dr. Jim Walters and the films producers followed the screening of “Loving Lynda.” (Far Right) Current and alumni basketball players engage in a friendly rivalry. (Right) 1995 alumni Debra Olson, Mary Barnes, Julie Gumm, Kelley Burwick (’93) and Carrie Eben catch up over coffee in the Walker Student Center.

(Bottom Right) Alumni hop on golf courts to tour the campus.

See more photos on our Facebook page — just scan the QR code.

22 | Brown Bulletin | Fall 2015

{HOMECOMING}

HERITAGE SOCIETY

(Front Row) Donna Bowling, Ted Weathers, Jane Weathers, Martha Sheets, Jim Sheets, Margaret Weathers, Thera Barber, Miriam Feaster, Margaret Wills, Paul Wills, Betty Cook, Bob Cook, Nany Netherton, Flo Anglin, Karen Brown Wilt (Second Row) Rachel Van Amburg, Jo Moll, Phyllis Cauwels, Sally Weaver, John Garst, Helen Garst, Darali Phillips, Beverly Miller, Sue Felix, Joyce Richards, Frank Kinsman, Bill Miller, Jack Netherton, Marilyn Holliday, Ruth Miller, Alice McQuay (Third Row) Joe Zimmerman, Shelly VanAmburg, Allen Moll, Jack Cauwels, Gil Weaver, AJ Anglin, Paul Cauwels, Maurice Rankin, Fred Ludwig, Marion Snider, Clark Barnes, Skip Murphy, Lee Netherton, Nancy Janssen, Minnaclaire Arnold, Robyn Petelski, Nick Petelski (Back Row) Bill Brown, Armand Janssen

CLASS OF ’70

(Back Row) Marjorie Nanta, Carol Fowler, Peggy McNally, Val Eldridge, Linda Vissering, Stephen Moose, Dennis McClain, John Young, Bruce Tripke, Gayle Young, Bill Naramore, Donna Peters, Marvin Peters, Donald Emanuel, Unidentified, Unidentified, Steve Quigg, Unidentified (Front Row) Unidentified, Deborah Oates, Mary Kline, Edalyn Low, Unidentified, Jane Denial, Peggy Bodie, Dennis Gutenberger, Elaine Jury, Jan Peck, Janet Naramore, John McCollough, Unidentified, Unidentified, Betty Anne Tripke, Ann Quigg, Les Kline

CLASS OF ’65

(Front Row) Miriam Feaster, Sue Felix, Margaret Wills, Flo Anglin (Second Row) Darali Phillips, Beverly Miller, Joyce Richards, Jack Netherton (Back Row) Fred Lugwig, Armand Janssen CLASS OF ’05 Spouses, children and alumni of 2005 gather at Bob Henry Park. Alumni Pictured: Tim Miller, Jessica Naramore, Leah Saieg, Allie Bramon, Laura Burmeister, Chris Bush, Pam Gilbertson, Pam Ozenberger, Kyla Nichols, Rebecca Entwistle, Heidi Meythaler, Josue Galan, Abbi Andrus, Casey Haase, Chase Willsey, Jill Ellingson, Kristy Morrow, Marikit Schwartz Fain, Jeremy Turley, Kim Reading, Katy Seitzler, Ellen Davis, Luke Davis, Heidi Tankersley, Allie Arant

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{ H O M E C O M I N G AWA R D S }

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD: PAUL & MARGARET WILLS

Margaret (Harrell) Wills ’65 graduated from JBU with a degree in secondary education. She then earned her master’s and then a doctorate in higher education with a teaching field of history.

She taught American history at the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith and served on the board of the Arkansas Community Foundation as an appointee of Gov. Mike Huckabee.

A mother, grandmother, writer and poet, Wills is dedicated to helping people experience hope, wisdom and faith in their spiritual journey.

Paul graduated in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry before getting his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. He served two years in the U.S. Air Force before dedicating his life to the practice of medicine.

Paul has served on the board of directors of numerous organizations, including JBU, and is a past chairman of the Board of Governors of the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (AAOHNS). In 2000 Paul received the Presidential Citation from AAOHNS, the highest honor bestowed.

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: MARVIN SPEES

For the three years after graduating from JBU, Marvin worked in the regional office for YFC organizing camps, 24 |

Brown Bulletin | Fall 2015

conferences and trips for a 10 state region. His father, who had suffered some health issues, and his business partner asked Spees to return to the oil company where he had worked at as a high schooler. He returned, eventually buying the company in 1985. In the tough oil and gas industry, Spees has tried to create a company based on integrity and honesty, where people can see God’s love through his dealings with them. In 1995 Marvin served as the president of his state trade association, and since then has been active in state and national politics.

CHRISTIAN SERVICE AWARD: ANDREW JAMES PEARSON

During his time teaching at JBU, Pearson and his wife Melly led three summer trips to radio station HCJB in Ecuador.

During each trip, Pearson took a group of students to work on various engineering projects.

Pearson has also been on the Board of Directors of New Life Ranch and on the Board of Earth Mission for over 30 years.

YOUNG EAGLE AWARD: BENJAMIN RASMUSSEN Benjamin Rasmussen grew up in a missionary family in the Philippines and came to JBU in 2003 to major in journalism. He quickly realized that his passion was photojournalism.

Rasmussen has a master’s degree in

photojournalism and has worked for publications including GQ, Businessweek, ESPN the Magazine, The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

He has been written about in TIME and Wired, and talked about on CNN, NPR and ABC. He the 2010 Picture of the Year Award and was named one of Photo District News 30 new and emerging photographers to watch in 2014.

CHRISTIAN MINISTRY AWARD: LINDA VISSERING

Linda Vissering has spent her career as a missionary at Wycliffe Bible Translators.

She has spent the majority of her time in Papua New Guinea. She earned a master’s degree in linguistics from the University of Hawaii. She and her husband, Norm, have studied Aramaic and moved to Fort Morgan, Colo.

OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD: EMILY HACKETT

Emily Hackett dedicates much of her time to helping others, whether working as a learning coach, tutor or mentor through programs at JBU, in the Siloam Springs community and in nearby Watts, Okla. Hackett, an Honors Program student, also has led growth groups and Bible studies and plays keyboard in JBU’s Jazz Band. She also spent four weeks teaching school in Uganda during the summer of 2014.

Know an alumnus that deserves recognition? You can find the Alumni Award Criteria and the nomination form at www.jbu.edu/alumni/recognition.

{ GOLDEN EAGLE NEWS & NOTES }

Men’s Soccer Team Starts Season Serving Camp Siloam The men’s soccer team kicked off their preseason by serving at Camp Siloam, which offers programs for elementary to high school age children.

The team built part of a bike trail, cleaned up brush and moved fallen trees within a week’s time.

With 13 new players, it was essential that the team learn to work together to accomplish projects. Initial plans to host a soccer camp in Memphis were changed when the heat index went over 100 degrees. Despite the change of plans, the men were able to make a visible impact at the camp.

Women’s Soccer Team Returns to Texas Town to Serve Community The women’s soccer team returned to Peñitas, Texas, once again to host a soccer camp after serving the community in the summer of 2012. The team taught technical soccer skills and biblical principles to kids ranging from five to 18 years of age. A worship concert was held each night after camp ended as people from other communities were invited to gather and celebrate the gospel.

Holt Named NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week Sophomore keeper Adam Holt was named the NAIA men’s soccer National Defender of the Week on Sept. 29.

Holt, a native of Tulsa, Okla., led JBU to one of the most historic wins in program history on Sept. 22 at Oklahoma Wesleyan. Holt made five saves in JBU’s 1-0 victory over thenNo. 13 OW in Bartlesville. The upset victory came against the highest-ranked team that John Brown has ever beaten on the road.

athletes to spend time with the youth of our community.

Tennis Begins Annual Junior Clinic The JBU Tennis teams and Coach Paul Pautsch have a desire to build a “tennis community” in Siloam Springs. In conjunction with the US Tennis Association, the team offered a free clinic for kids in the community ages 6-18.

The goal was to learn about tennis and have the opportunity for our student-

Fall Sports Make History For the first time, all three teams — men’s soccer (8-1-0), women’s soccer (7-1-1) and volleyball (10-6) will host Sooner Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinal games. Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams finished in second place in the conference while volleyball finished in fourth place.

Men’s Soccer Captures Best Conference Finish In Program History For the first time in program history, the men’s soccer team finished the Sooner Athletic Conference slate with an 8-1-0 record. It set program singleseason records in wins, win percentage (.889) and overall finish (2nd). The lone loss came at top-seeded and undefeated Science & Arts (Okla.).

JBU finished the regular season with a 12-5-1 overall record, it’s best winning percentage (.632) since the 2004 season.

Freshman midfielder Tainara Oliveira, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, cuts around the defense in the Oct. 3 game against Bacone (Okla.). JBU defeated Bacone 8-0.

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{ A L U M N I F E AT U R E }

JBU ALUMNI MOVE DOWNTOWN

BY MORGAN SCHOLZ ‘13

Alumni entrepreneurs and artisans contribute to downtown renaissance Just one mile from JBU’s main campus, alumni may have many memories of historic downtown Siloam Springs.

The small, sleepy downtown you may remember is in the middle of a vibrant renaissance.

Some major catalysts for this downtown boom are JBU alumni who chose to remain in or return to Siloam Springs, and their spirit of entrepreneurship is burgeoning not only the economic vitality of Siloam Springs, but also the connectedness of the entire community.

“All it takes is a quick stroll through downtown to see that John Brown University Alumni are a vital part of the Siloam Springs historic district revitalization,” said Meredith Bergstrom ’08, executive director of Main Street Siloam Springs. Bergstrom explained that many JBU alumni have become entrepreneurs responsible for opening businesses downtown, and several more have invested as property owners completing commendable building restoration projects.

“Downtown Siloam Springs has 26 | Brown Bulletin | Fall 2015

changed drastically over the last eight to 10 years, literally transforming from a street full of vacant storefronts to a vibrant business district with eateries and unique retail, in no small part due to JBU alumni who are part of that movement,” Bergstrom said.

Take, for example, brothers-in-law Scott Jones ’96 and Tom Leadabrand ’02, owners of Fratelli’s Woodfire Pizzeria. Scott and Tom opened their business in downtown Siloam Springs after realizing that this region lacked a very important item: real Italian pizza.

Established in 2009, Fratelli’s is now a celebrated Siloam staple. But great pizza isn’t all Scott and Tom brought to downtown Siloam Springs – they also brought a sense of community to their business. They offer pizza even to those who can’t pay, open their Rialto room to myriad community events, and have become a hub for soccer fans to watch tournaments.

Care and community are trends in JBU alumni business owners. Bruce Williams ’76 moved away from Siloam Springs shortly after graduation, but he

and his wife Joyce (Lomax) Williams ’73 say that even though they don’t live in Siloam Springs, they still feel a part of the community. “We never left this town – we don’t live here, but we’ve never left.”

They’ve invested in property throughout Siloam Springs for over 45 years, including the stunning development of the old Morris Hotel downtown. The Williams continue to invest in Siloam for two reasons, according to Mr. Williams: “It’s pretty simple. The people here are really genuine, and we love our alma mater.”

Though they’ve invested in lots of places and properties, Siloam Springs is the most rewarding, and not just financially: “Siloam has the most consistent returns we’ve ever seen, yes, but investing here keeps me connected to the people I care about.You can’t buy that.”

Luke Davis ’05, owner of Main Street Studios, knows all about staying connected. As a professional photographer for over 10 years, Luke hypothesizes that he’s documented about half

{ A L U M N I F E AT U R E }

of Siloam Springs. The result? “Every time I go anywhere, I end up stopping to chat with someone about something.

I love that. I have discovered that there is so much more to this town than I knew as a student at JBU.” Anna Buck ’10, owner of Joy of Motion Dance Studio, has made that discovery too. Anna moved to Siloam in her senior year at JBU and realized that it was an ideal place to grow her dance business. Anna opened her dance studio in January 2014, and her business doubled within a year. But it’s not just

business to Anna – it’s community.

“I enjoy having ballet students that I see regularly around town, at church, etc. I like the feel of a smaller community with people who support me,” she said.

That support is always mutual in downtown Siloam Springs. Matt ’05 and Meghan ’07 Feyerabend, owners of Lokalen Frame Shop, Feyerabend Photoartists, and Pure Joy Ice Cream, contribute countless hours of volunteerism and leadership towards defining and expanding the artistic culture of Siloam Springs. According to Matt, “We really felt that Siloam had a great community of people and businesses. It was an unusual mix of highly creative people with talent and vision in a small town with tons of potential.”

This “unusual mix” is what draws prospective business owners to downtown Siloam Springs, and these business owners, in turn, draw visitors, investors, students, and residents. It’s hard to say what happened first – the supportive downtown community or the uniquely engaged businesses – but they certainly wouldn’t have happened apart from each other, and they are, together, what makes downtown Siloam Springs the vibrant, growing place that it is.

(Opposite) The historic downtown buildings once vacant are now nearly all full. (Top Left) JBU alumni Meredith Bergstrom and Morgan Scholz walk past one of the many boutique shops. (Photos courtesy Main Street Siloam Springs) (Top right) Tom Leaderbrand tosses pizza dough in the kitchen of Fratelli’s Woodfire Pizzeria. (Above right) Luke Davis bought Main Street Studios in 2007.

(Left) Students of Anna Buck’s Joy in Motion Dance Studio pose near a historic advertisement on an old fire escape (Photo Samuel Skeirik).

Additional Downtown Alumni Entrepreneurs Bryson Moore ’06 Verge Videos Tyler Carroll ’05 TC Screenprinting Mike Butler ’93 Ehrlich Motorwerks Robin Stewart ’87 Bathe David Fields ’97 Solve

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{ ALUMNI NEWS }

ALUMNI MILESTONES Mark Bowling ’85 works at South-

west Power Pool (SPP) as a regional power grid operator and has been appointed Director of Compliance and Security. Bowling will oversee the company’s compliance policies and procedures. Bowling is a certified FBI Computer Intrusion and Computer Crime Investigator.

Hannah Hall ’05 recently released

“God Bless Our Fall,” the sixth book in the “God Bless” children’s series. Hall ministers to moms through speaking and her blog and plans to release three books in 2016.

Ralph Hudson ’04 graduated from

the organizational management program and was appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson in January to be the deputy director of the Arkansas Department of Labor. He lives in Little Rock during the week, and drives home to Springdale during the weekends.

Tami (Leadabrand) Jones ’98 released a CD, “To Fly” — a collection of piano compositions.

She has been composing since college and the Cathedral Choir performed one of her compositions on a tour in 1998.

Bill Naramore ’70 former Cathedral 28 | Brown Bulletin | Fall 2015

Copyright 2015 Ben Bugg

Choir member, and a member of First Baptist Choir (Dallas), participated in a joint concert with Sandi Patty at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Included on the program was Janet (Ezell) Naramore ’72, who signed one of the choir’s anthems in American Sign Language. Bill is now a financial advisor with Granite Financial Group and Janet teaches American Sign Language at First Baptist Academy in Dallas, Texas.

Derick “DB” Palmer ’02 is assistant

professor and lead faculty of outdoor studies and adventure film for the University of Alaska at Prince William Sound College in Valdez. He was selected to speak at the Balta Film Festival and be a judge for the Why Not? Adventure Film Festival in Ireland. Palmer developed and directs the only regionallyaccredited adventure film program in the nation. Palmer and his wife Greta, (Nousen) ’01, work internationally and all over the western U.S.

Brad Poland ’91 just celebrated his

15-year anniversary with ExxonMobil, currently working as a CAT Sector Manager. Poland had previously worked with Sapp Bros. Petroleum for 11 years and served as a vice president and division manager. He is living in Grand Island, Neb. Matt Schulte ’02 was elected to the Lincoln Public School Board on May 5, 2015. On the LPS Board, Matt

will help oversee a school district serving 40,000 students and a general fund budget of nearly $400 million. Matt and his family have lived in Lincoln, Neb. for five years where he also serves as the executive director of Youth for Christ.

Bill Smallman ’62 and his wife Doris Klett ’62 served in Manaus, Amazo-

nas, Brazil through the 1970s, teaching and planting a church. Bill earned his doctorate of missiology from Trinity International University and retired from Baptist Mid-Missions in 2009. He has written several books on theology and religion. The Smallmans live near Cleveland, Ohio.

John W. Stuart ’90 was recently

named president of Reyco Granning, a company that designs and manufactures air, steel spring, and auxiliary suspensions used by truck, trailer and specialty vehicle OEMs. Stuart has 25 years of experience in the heavyduty transportation industry.

Steve Tuzeneu ’84 began a new job

as network staff engineer with the Bible Broadcasting Network in Charlotte, N.C. He lives in the Carolinas with his wife Lois (Kurlowich), ’83. They are planning to buy a home in South Carolina in the upcoming months. Tuzeneu would like to someday own a radio station.

Matt Williams ‘10 graduated from

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and

{ ALUMNI NEWS } was awarded the Robert A. Lee Award in Church History.

The award is given to the student with the highest academic ranking in the Department of Church History. He now lives in Pittsburgh, Penn., and works for Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon as its Director of Christian Education. He plans to continue ministering with the Presbyterian Church (USA) by focusing on education, and hopes to teach humanities in academia.

N E W A R R I VA L S

organized by Golden Globe nominated actress Joey Lauren Adams.

WEDDINGS Kayla Hubbell ’12 married Logan Reed on Jan. 3 at San Moritz Lodge in Crestline, Calif. They live in St. Petersburg, Fla. They currently serve in a variety of ministries with their church.

Alumnus Creates Life-Saving Flooring Solution for Refugees Scott Key ’09 (above left) and business partner, Sam Brisendine, created a unique flooring solution for refugee buildings to shield against parasites, soil and waterborne diseases, and hypothermia.

A L U M N I F E AT U R E S Below are excerpts from recent alumni stories featured on our website.

Read full stories at jbu.edu/features.

Jon Crenshaw ’99 & ’05 and wife Nikki welcomed daughter Lexi Kate on Nov 29, 2014.

John Daugherty ’06 and wife Mar-

sha welcomed daughter Crislee Ann on June 30. John and Marsha are both educators in Natchitoches Parish, La.

Emily (Ortiz) & Steven Madsen ’11

welcomed their son, Noah Andrew, on Oct. 29 in Raleigh, N.C.

Film Delves into Issue of Genetically Modified Food The films of Jeremy Seifert ’99 document and expose large-scale social issues. His most recent film, “GMO OMG” explores the effects that GMOs have on public health.

Alumnus Celebrates Hometown with Vintage Postcard Mural Alumnus and adjunct instructor Kirk Demarais ’95 painted a 60 by 20 foot mural, titled Greetings from Siloam Springs, designed to look like a vintage postcard to welcome incoming guests into the city.

Cinema Alumnae and Students Screened Films at Local Festival JBU alumnae screened their narrative and documentary films as part of the Bentonville Film Festival (BFF) in May. The BFF was founded by Academy Award and Golden Globe award winner Geena Davis and producer Trevor Drinkwater, and the screenings were

Lutz Follows Her Dreams, Sets Sights on Broadway Janelle Lutz’09 has set her sights on Broadway in New York City after climbing the theater ranks in Dallas, Texas with roles like Judy Garland in “The Boy From Oz.” Send your news for publication in the Brown Bulletin to jgumm@jbu.edu.

Fall 2015 |

Brown Bulletin | 29

{ IN MEMORIAM } Mildred (Cossey) Barnard, age

101, died Sept. 5.

She majored in office administration at JBU, and later worked for Wheaton College in Illinois and Horder’s in Chicago.

the U.S. Army during World War II, and retired with over 30 years of service from Western Electric as senior engineer.

Hardy Hayes ’49, age 91, died Aug.

11. He received his bacherlors degree in physical health and education from JBU and a master’s degree in education administration from University of Missouri-St. Louis. He was a youth minister, high school athletic director, teacher and coach as well as serving in several community organizations.

18. He graduated from JBU with a bachelor’s degree in radio production. He served in the Army from 1943 to 1946. As a missionary in Japan and Ecuador he helped start Christian radio stations.

He then managed Christian radio stations in Florida and Wisconsin, spent 11 years with Northwestern College Radio Network, and helped Rio Grande Bible Institute begin Radio Hope.

William Conner, Jr. ’47, age 94, died

Samuel Hendrich ’49, age 96, died

Troy Brody ’95, age 47, died Oct.

March 6. Born in Osage County, Okla., he graduated from JBU with a degree in building construction technology.

William Foreman, age 78, died June

9. He attended JBU for three semesters, beginning in 1959. He worked at an insurance company in Oklahoma City and then in Siloam Springs. He later joined Franklin Electric and retired after 37 years as the corporate vice president.

Joel Freeman ’12, age 25, died June 28. He graduated from JBU with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering.

He was employed by Exterran Corp and a member of Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, Okla.

Walter Hartman, Jr. ’52, age 91, died May 13. He was a student at JBU in the class of 1952. He was a veteran of 30 | Brown Bulletin | Fall 2015

April 19. He graduated from JBU with a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering and was a World War II Navy veteran.

He helped build Grace Baptist Church in Smith Center, Kan., where he taught adult Sunday school, and was a deacon, trustee and treasurer.

Joseph Kendrick ’07, age 39, died on

Aug. 19. He graduated from JBU with a degree in organizational management. An avid sportsman, he worked 18 years at Ken’s Discount in El Dorado, Ark., where he became manager.

Joseph Keyser, age 80, died on March 17. He was a member of the class of 1957 and majored in broadcasting. He served in the Air Force, graduated from Boise State

University in 1972, and retired from Caldwell School District in 1987.

Reva Maxine (Feaster) Lierly, age

93, died Aug. 14. She taught kindergarten through eighth grade at a one-room schoolhouse before attending college. She studied elementary education at JBU for two years as a member of the class of 1947. She and her husband were founding members of South Lakewood Baptist Church in Tulsa, Okla.

Pearl (Babb) Milburn, age 86, died Aug. 1. She studied business administration as a member of the class of 1950. She worked for American Airlines for 20 years, and then worked as a payroll clerk for the City of Claremore, Okla. for nearly 20 years.

George “Tad” Mindeman, age 61,

died Oct. 20. He served as the director of library Services at JBU from 1990 to 1999. Most recently he was the director of library services at Covenant College. Under his guidance, Covenant’s Kresge Memorial Library became the 11th library in the world to go live with the Online Computer Library Center’s cloudbased integrated operating system.

Bryan Morgan, age 79, died April 11.

He studied business administration at JBU as a member of the class of 1990. He worked for Union Pacific Railroad, Bourns Aerospace, City of Siloam Springs Electric, Gates Rubber Co. and Day-

{ IN MEMORIAM } spring. He also trained for the senior Olympics and self-published a collection of poetry.

Puerto Rico where she taught at the Caribbean School. She moved to Kentucky in 1966.

Lawrence (Larry) Pontier ’56, age

Kenneth Schroeder ’67, age 70, died July

84, died March 20.

He graduated from JBU with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He served in the U.S. Army for two years and was a missionary in the Congo for nine years. He later taught math and science in Florida and then became a real estate agent. He was active in The Gideons and his church.

Courtney Pruitt ’15, age 36, died on

Sept.14. She received her master’s in counseling from JBU. She worked at Bost as a counselor helping families and individuals, and was a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Jonelle W. Rodriguez ’48, age 88, died Aug.

6. She studied science at JBU. After graduating, she got married and later moved to

20. He received a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from JBU and attended Rutgers University in 1968. He had a career in analytical chemistry and retired in 2006.

Edwin Schultz, age 93, died April 9.

He met his wife Mary Durham while attending JBU. He flew more than 20 combat missions over Japan and Korea and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for a mission over Tokyo on May 24, 1945. After returning to Enid, Colo., he went to work for Union Equity for the next forty years.

Melinda (Nantz) Sedlmeier ’95, age

42, died Sept. 20 with her husband and two children in a car accident. She met her husband, Roland, in Kenya on a mission trip with Mission Aviation Fellowship. She worked as an International Mission Board missionary in Kenya, and was later

seconded to AIM AIR. Jonathan Sherman Smith ’61, age 79, died July 12. He received his bachelor’s degree from JBU and his master’s in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1965. He pastored various churches in Arkansas, Texas and Colorado for nearly 50 years and taught Bible and theology at several colleges.

Ramon H. Soden ’54, died April 1. He

studied mechanical engineering at JBU after three years in the military. He earned his commercial pilot’s license, which took him to Boeing, Sylvania and Lear-Siegler. He worked as a design engineer at the Sacramento U.S. Army Depot.

Doug Wentworth,

age 79, died Sept. 19.

He began his broadcasting career in 1953 while a student at JBU, later working as a radio announcer at WDUX in Waupaca, Wisc.

In 1960 he began a 25-year stint at WJBL in Holland, Mich. He broadcast the Calvin College men’s basketball games for 50 years.

The JBU campus boasts a colorful display of fall foliage.

Fall 2015 |

Brown Bulletin | 31

{ FROM THE EDITOR — LUCAS ROEBUCK ’97 }

Making History Digital I’ve been thinking a lot about the JBU historical archives.

I know, a strange topic to ruminate on to be sure, but as JBU approaches our centennial celebration in 2019, finding great historical nuggets to highlight our 100-year journey is at the top of our minds. The Alumni Office and University Communications are working on several not-so-top secret projects for the centennial, including a coffee table book, JBU history booklet and an interactive website with historical videos.

All of those projects require source material, and the bulk of that material will be found in the JBU archives.

Marikit Schwartz Fain ’05, JBU’s archivist, has a tremendously overwhelming job: organizing the tens of thousands of photographs, slides, newspapers, yearbooks, documents, VHS tapes, vinyl, 16 mm films and more that, in aggregate, represent the 96 years of university history.

University Communications is teaming up with Marikit to capture all JBU’s historical media and convert it into a digital format. Once these items are digital, we will have the ability to make some of these previously hard-to-access artifacts available to the public through a special website.

To help us sort, classify and search all these materials, we’ve recently launched a Digital Asset Manager, or DAM for short. (The abbreviation still gets a junior high-styled snicker out of some of the more immature members of the communications staff.) We’ll spend the next few years digitizing the historical record, making history digital.

Of course, the entirety of JBU’s historical record is not found in JBU archives. It’s found in your scrapbooks, old shoe boxes gathering dust in the attic, and even in photos hanging on your walls.

32 | Brown Bulletin | Fall 2015

Alumni, we’d love to have photos from your time at JBU in the historical record.

I am particularly interested in photos showing student life — hanging out in the dorm, playing Frisbee on the quad, going on TWIRP and MICE dates — from the various decades.We’d especially love to have more photos pre-digital photography era — say before 1999.

If you’d like to scan your photos and e-mail them to me, I’ll make sure they are included in the historical record.

Please make sure to identify everyone in the photo, approximate date and event if applicable. Generally speaking the best scanned photos will have a file size between 1 MB and 10 MB.You can e-mail me at lroebuck@jbu.edu.

Marikit would also like alumni to know that JBU Archives would also be happy to home the physical photographs and artifact donations as well. If you would like to send your donations to JBU archives, be sure to include as much information about the photos as possible, and contact information for Marikit to reach you if she needs additional information. Donations can be sent to JBU Archives, 2000 W. University, Siloam Springs, AR 72761.

Of course, so far, there is no way to digitally capture the physical objects that are part of the artifact collection. When I was last down in the archives, I was particularly intrigued with a toy duck made in JBU’s woodshop in the 1950s, an oversized slide rule (my student work study had to ask what it was) and the actual chair that sat in the Founder’s office for many years.

I’m sure over the next 20 years as 3D imaging and printing becomes more sophisticated, we’ll be able to digitize those, too.

Lucas Roebuck is editor of the Brown Bulletin and chief communications officer for JBU.

A wooden duck built by JBU students more than 60 years ago and a slide rule used for many calculations in many classes in years past are on display in the JBU Archives. (Photos Lorie Simpson)

IF EVERYONE GAVE ONE* OF THESE... we could award

260 student scholarships

*Of course we’ll gladly accept more than one — the point is that little gifts matter!

WAYS TO GIVE Online: www. jbu.edu/giving

By Phone: 479-524-7492

(M-F 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

By Mail: Office of Univ. Advancement

2000 West University

Siloam Springs, AR 72761

Non Profit Org US Postage PAID

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

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