Fall 2022 JBU Brown Bulletin

S P OTLI G HT

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The Tradition of Cathedral Choir

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The Making of a Musical

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PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Showcasing God’s Beauty Dear Friends of JBU,

JBU’s theatrical and musical performances allow students to showcase their God-given talent to create beauty.

I fell in love with live music and theatre when I was a sophomore in college. I was on a study abroad trip in England, and we spent about 10 days in London. As a college student, I could buy tickets for under $10, and I probably saw seven or eight performances in those 10 days. Carey and I spent a week in London as part of our sabbatical this summer, and we again had the chance to see great performances, including “Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2” at the Royal Albert Hall, “King Lear” at the Globe Theatre and a fantastic musical about 9/11 called “Come From Away.”

The first thing we did when we returned from sabbatical was attend JBU’s fall play, “Murder on the Orient Express.” The acting was great, and the theatrical scenery was stunning. Associate professor Josiah Wallace, Peter Rexford and the JBU students created the equivalent of two train cars that were alternately wheeled into place throughout the production. It was a fantastic show of “whodunit” enjoyed by over 1,000 people over five performances. Carey and I are now looking forward to seeing “She Loves Me,” a musical directed by assistant professor Liesl Dromi, later this week.

We have also enjoyed the many concerts and performances at the university, whether it be the traditional Candlelight Service directed by chorale conductor Stephen Hamilton, the Red Steps leading worship in chapel or the jazz ensemble concerts directed by Dr. Connor Davis. We are deeply blessed by the creative gifts of so many faculty and students at JBU. Our God is a God of beauty, and JBU’s theatrical and musical performances allow students to showcase their God-given talent to create beauty. When they perform with excellence, they reflect being made in the image of God. I think I fell in love with music and theatrical performances when I was young because I intuitively recognized that a great concert or theatre production could be a form of worship.

I am deeply grateful for the JBU faculty and students that dedicate themselves to creating those opportunities for worship in our community.

I invite all JBU friends and alumni to join us at an upcoming performance ( jbu.edu/community-events). I expect that you will have a great evening enjoying the show, giving praise not only to the students and faculty involved but also to the God who created them.

Godspeed,

Dr. Charles W. Pollard President, John Brown University FA LL 2022

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A Wealth of Talent at JBU I have fond college memories of attending plays in the Jones Recital Hall (then newly renovated in the early 90s), listening to the Cathedral Choir perform and watching the glow of candles spread throughout the cathedral during Candlelight.

Returning to campus as a staff member in 2014, I found myself at all those same events, appreciating the continued growth in excellence in JBU’s music and theatre programs.

One of my favorite moments is the Cathedral Choir’s rendition of “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King during the Disney-themed Homecoming Showcase.

The choir members were dressed in earth tones, feet bare, faces bearing paint as they stomped out the percussion lines on the stage floor. They brought the house down!

My daughters and I have a tradition of attending theatre performances in the Berry Performing Arts Center each fall and spring. We are consistently impressed with the talent of our JBU students. Those productions started my 21-year-old’s status as a self-proclaimed “theatre nerd” and her love of musicals and plays.

If you live in the area, I hope you’ll start your own tradition of attending campus events to enjoy the talents of our students.

If you live farther away, we hope you’ll plan a visit to coincide with one of the concerts, productions or our beloved Candlelight Service. You can find more info at our Community Events page – jbu.edu/community-events.

Julie Gumm Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

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COVER FEATURES: In the Spotlight 06

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Staying on Key: Alumni Pursue their Purpose in Music

Students Hit Their Mark on Stage

Alumni Jonah Thorton ’20 and Nephtali Cantú ’18, share their lives after college, passions and impactful experiences on campus.

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A Tradition of Excellence A look at 80 years of Cathedral Choir history with directors Oiesen, Smith and Hamilton, including new traditions.

The JBU theatre program continues a tradition of excellent play and musical performances, with 60-100 students participating in performances each semester under the direction of Josiah Wallace and Liesl Dromi.

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Theatre Takes a Village A behind-the-scenes look at the making of a musical from auditions to opening night.

CONTENTS

FALL 2022 The Brown Bulletin is published by University Marketing & Communications for alumni and friends of JBU. jbu.edu/bulletin PRESIDENT

Dr. Chip Pollard VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT

Dr. Jim Krall

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CHIEF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Julie Gumm ’95 (B.S.) ’20 (M.S.) MANAGING EDITOR AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Jay Nickel COVER DESIGN

Skee Lessard, Kelly Saunders ’12 LAYOUT DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION

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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

FEATURES ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Welcome to the Stage The musical talent of JBU students isn’t limited to music majors.

English major Julianne Petersen ’23 has been performing with her family band, The Petersens, since childhood. Matthew Campbell ’23, a graphic design major, recorded his first music at age 11.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Tracy Balzer, Bethany Conley ’20, Sam Carles ’25, Julie Gumm ’95, William Newton ’23, Jay Nickel, Nicholas Robinson, Yamil Tenorio ’25, Carlson Wakefield ’20

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Kelly Saunders ’12

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JBU News Faculty Spotlight: Josiah Wallace Alumni Updates Alumni Awards In Memoriam

Kirsten Burwick ’24, Matthew Campbell ’23, Carter Henson ’17 (B.S.) ’19 (MBA), Geoshan Lee ’23, Skee Lessard, Kelsey Moore ’26, Faith Roy ’26, Kelly Saunders ’12 SUPPORT

Jan Lauderdale, Sherry Mittel COPY EDITING

Johanna Musgrave ’12, William Newton ’23, Caroline White ’21 COVER MODELS

Joelle Ungos ’24, Aaron Wingfield ’24 Submit news items, story ideas, letters and

CONNECT

corrections to jnickel@jbu.edu or via mail to:

Alumni Spotlight: Sight and Sound Theatre

Brown Bulletin Online: jbu.edu/bulletin

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

Luke Merrick ’19 and Amy Perry ’14 share their experiences working for the faith-based theatre company in Branson, Missouri, that produces panoramic plays based on the Bible’s most epic stories.

Instagram: instagram.com/johnbrownuniversity

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JBU Facebook: facebook.com/johnbrownuniversity Twitter: twitter.com/johnbrownuniv

©2022 John Brown University

YouTube: youtube.com/johnbrownuniversity Give Online: jbu.edu/giveonline

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JBU NOW

Campus News Schmieding Foundation Commuter Student Lounge Opens In September, JBU dedicated The Schmieding Foundation Commuter Student Lounge inside Walker Student Center. Built in the previous mailbox area, the lounge provides a space for JBU’s 400 commuter students to study, rest and collaborate. The space includes new furniture, a large group table, lockers and a full kitchen area.

“The commuter lounge is a wonderful space for our current and future commuters to relax, fellowship, study and have a home away from home,” said Rob Rostoni, coordinator of student success. “We want our commuters to thrive at JBU, and this space is an important part of our overall Commuter Life initiatives.” 01 02

University Receives John

with a $390,000 grant award from the John Templeton Foundation. Intellectual virtues are qualities and character strengths required for good thinking and learning, such as curiosity, fair-mindedness, honesty and courage. The program provides resources to form communities of practice among faculty, revise curriculum and provide training and resources to cultivate intellectual virtues among the university’s undergraduate student body.

U.S. News Names JBU Top-Ranked Regional University in Arkansas U.S. News named John Brown University the top-ranked regional university in Arkansas for the seventh consecutive year. In the 2023 U.S. News Best College Rankings, JBU ranked No. 16 out of 135 regional universities in the South. Within the Regional Universities (South) rankings, JBU was named No. 19 Best Value, No. 32 Best Colleges for Veterans and No. 49 for Social Mobility. JBU’s engineering program was ranked No. 110 among U.S. universities without a doctoral engineering program.

Templeton Foundation Grant

JBU Alumna Wins Miss Arkansas Title

The Intellectual Virtues Program was created by JBU’s Center for Faith and Flourishing

Ebony Mitchell ’22, who earned her MBA in healthcare administration at JBU, was

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named Miss Arkansas at the state competition on Saturday, June 18. She won a $30,000 scholarship and more than $75,000 in awards, wardrobe, transportation and gifts. Mitchell will represent Arkansas at the 95th Miss America competition on Dec. 15, 2022.

In July, Siloam Springs Mayor Judy Nation made an official proclamation, declaring July 22 Ebony Mitchell Day. “I loved my time at John Brown University.

During my two years working toward my degree, I made valuable connections,” said Mitchell. “The welcoming atmosphere and professors made my experience unique and valuable. I am a better leader and business professional because of the skills I learned at JBU.” 03

Center for Healthy Relationships Appoints New Executive Director Rosemary Flaaten is the new executive director of the university’s Center for Healthy Relationships (CHR). Flaaten has spent two decades helping people build healthy marriages and interpersonal relationships through pastoral, teaching and consultancy work with churches, colleges and universities, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. An international speaker on

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the topics of healthy relationships, marriage, spiritual formation, pastoral approaches, leadership development, sexuality and cultural issues, Flaaten has ministered in Haiti, India, South Africa, Mali, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, Cuba, New Zealand, Canada and the U.S. 04

the scholarship in recent years. Previous recipients include Stanton Weaver ’22, who is now working in Silicon Valley for Texas Instruments as a Product Marketing Engineer, and Zach Lee ’16, who earned a Ph.D. from CalTech and is a Senior Principal Systems Architect for PowerFlex in Silicon Valley. 05

students to the inaugural team, drawing at least 12 from direct recruiting efforts.

As part of the Steadfast Faith capital campaign, Bynum Theater will undergo a renovation to create a team performance space. For more information, visit jbuathletics.com/esports. 06

Money Ranks JBU the Best

Esports Added to Varsity

Pearson First to Win All-

Value for Six-State Region

Intercollegiate Athletics Lineup

America Triple Crown

In May, Money declared JBU the topranked private university in a six-state region of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Kansas and Missouri. Money reviewed 2,400 four-year colleges and scored on quality, affordability and outcomes.

In fall 2023, JBU Athletics will debut a new team of athletes with the launch of Golden Eagle Esports. JBU joins 700 other institutions with teams playing in the National Association of Collegiate Esports and the National Esports Collegiate Conference.

The varsity team is a natural extension of the athletics program after the popularity of the Esports Club, which began in spring 2021 and has more than 30 members.

The varsity team will compete in four popular games: League of Legends, Rocket League, Overwatch and Super Smash Bros. JBU Athletics hopes to recruit 20

With her All-America finish in the 10,000meter event, Allika Pearson ’22 set a pair of Golden Eagle athletics “firsts” as she finished her collegiate career. Pearson joined swimmer Nikki Peterson ’95 as the only female four-time All-America honoree, but Pearson is the first to capture the highest honor in three sports (cross country, indoor track and outdoor track). She also joined her father, Matt Pearson ’85, to become JBU’s first father-daughter duo to earn All-America honors after her father landed the accolade at the 1984 NAIA Cross Country Championships. 07

Pace Receives IEEE Scholarship Anastasia Pace, junior electrical engineering major, received an IEEE Power and Energy Society Scholarship, recognizing future engineers who will positively impact society using their character and technical skills.

Pace is the third JBU student to receive

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Staying on Key

Alumni Pursue their Purpose in Music

BY CARLSON WAKEFIELD ’20

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onah Thorton ’20 is a graduate of the John Brown University music & theatre department. He works at JBU in the audio, visual and lighting (AVL) department but writes, produces and performs his own music with his band Kin & Company. Thorton talks about his experience at JBU and the faculty and staff that pushed him to pursue excellence in his music after graduation.

Tell me about Kin & Company. How did it start, and what does that look like for you now?

“It started as a solo endeavor. I used to be in a band called Willowack, and near the end of that I was still writing a bunch of songs and really liked them. I was producing them and recording them at home and ended up putting out an album as a senior capstone project and then just kept doing it. Now it’s Russell Patterson ’19, John Rhodes ’20 and me. We hit the road every couple of weekends, and we’re working on material that’s not made in my bedroom and working to produce some high-quality stuff.”

Was being in a band something you always knew you wanted to do?

“Absolutely. That was always the goal, especially for John and me. We’ve been playing together since high school, so that’s always been in the cards for us. Now that we’re adults and have real jobs, we’re trying to figure out if it’s a hobby or a long-term career decision.”

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Describe your student experience in the JBU music department?

“I loved my time in the music department at JBU. I majored in worship arts so that I could do more of the production side of things. I got to participate in some really cool things like chapel band and Red Steps, but Next Big Thing was my favorite; I loved it. It was a blast.

Everyone got to rally around you, and you got to have the rock star experience. It was so fun.”

What was something you experienced at JBU that has impacted the way you create music today?

“The faculty and staff are a big one for that. They were great advocates for me to experiment and be creative in my music. They were very open to the idea of me wanting to be in a band and encouraged me to do it in the space that I was in. But they also challenged me to look at compositions and ask, ‘How could I do these better?’”

What is the long-term goal for Kin & Company?

“Right now is a really fun time to ask that question.

When we left college, the goal was to get signed to a label, which is still in the cards for us. COVID kind of slowed some things down; so, right now, we’re regrouping. We’re looking to build an audience and play as much as we can.

I think we’re onto something, and the future is looking bright but hazy. We’re open to whatever comes our way.”

JBU NOW

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ephtali Cantú ’18 graduated from JBU with a degree in music education. He has performed in choirs through middle school, high school and college as a member of JBU’s Cathedral Choir. He now directs choirs at Lingle Middle School in Rogers, Arkansas, and models his investment in his students after his experience at JBU.

Was teaching choir something you always wanted to do?

“I actually started looking for a worship arts program and found one at JBU. But going into my freshman year, I decided to study music education to keep my options open after college. After graduation, I was opposed to the idea of teaching, but some doors closed and others opened, and I was contacted about this position. Within five days, I applied, interviewed and was offered the position. It’s been a long road, but this is year five and the first year I know this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”

What was your favorite performance you were a part of at JBU? “Well, I had a lot of performances — I was in Cathedral Choir, I led chapel band, I had a senior capstone solo performance — all I really enjoyed. I was able to work with some really special faculty like Paul Smith and Liesl Dromi, and they pushed me to do things I hadn’t done before. Being in the Cathedral Choir and the Chamber Choir, I was a part of some special performances.”

What would you tell a student currently studying music education at JBU? “Well, first, practically, I would say get into the school classrooms as much as possible and get that real-life experience. No matter what university you attend, there’s only so much they can teach you during class sessions.

Second, once you go out and get your first job, if you’re questioning it, give it a couple of years. I know that sounds like a long time; but as a teacher, during that time, you’re just figuring it out and just getting to know the system. It can be very tiring, but you’ve got to give yourself grace, and every single year you’ll learn a little bit more.”

Was there something you learned at JBU that has been instrumental in the way you teach?

“The biggest thing I learned at JBU was coming into my own and accepting myself. JBU provided me with incredible friends and faculty in the music department that impacted me. It was those people showing me over and over that I was loved that now allows me to do that with my students. The musical part of my job is important, but the whole reason for doing what I’m doing is to impact those students. I want my choirs to be excellent, but first and foremost, I care about who they are. My experience at JBU gave me a reference point for how I could do that and be the best person I could be for my students.”

Exploring Creativity Through Music

BY WILLIAM NEWTON ’23

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usical groups and outlets abound on JBU’s campus.

Chapel bands lead students in worship every Tuesday and Thursday, Red Steps shares the gospel through music around the country, and the small-yetmighty jazz band performs a rendition of a classic folk song in Jones Recital Hall.

The one thing these musical opportunities have in common — they are all under the umbrella of the music and theatre department. However, there are students pursuing other academic interests who are also passionate about creating and performing original music.

Julianne Petersen, a senior English major, was, quite literally, born to make music. One of five full-time members of The Petersens, an American folk family band with a residency in Branson, Missouri, Petersen has been performing for as long as she can remember.

“My family has always played music. I have been on stage since I was about four years old,” Petersen said. “My mom used to have us singing a cappella songs in the car on long road trips instead of watching movies, so making music has always been a part of my life. I also started writing music independently in high school and put out my first song, ‘May Baby,’ in college.”

Growing up on stage, Petersen is no stranger to the immense pressure of pursuing a musical career, much of which now overlaps with her education.

The Petersens have spent most of their lives traveling the world to perform gigs at churches, competitions and festivals while maintaining their several-times-a-week performances in Branson. At first, this proved challenging for Petersen, as she suffered from intense stage fright. To conquer this, Petersen learned to view performing from a new perspective.

“When I started to have the realization that [performing] was a gift and it’s not about me, it allowed performing to be a rather beautiful thing.”

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JBU NOW “When I started to realize that [performing] was a gift and it’s not about me, it allowed performing to be a rather beautiful thing,” Petersen said, “I was able to just close my eyes and focus on the Lord instead.”

Petersen also balances her music career, education and social life by finding time to spend alone with the Lord.

Petersen’s degree and music career complement each other greatly. She saw an English degree as a unique opportunity to study multiple subjects at once by learning to read and engage with different texts and strengthen her creative writing skills. Petersen is currently blurring the lines between poetry and music for her capstone project by creating a concept album. She plans to continue to utilize her literary education and pursue music full time after graduation.

Petersen is not the only musically gifted student who started making music at a young age. Senior graphic design major Matthew Campbell has been doing music solo since elementary school.

“I started recording and making music when I was 11 years old,” Campbell said. “When I was first exposed to Christian hip hop in 2011, that was the shift for me that really made me want to try creating my own work.”

The creation of all of Campbell’s projects follow a specific regimen.

“My process always starts with a concept,” he said. “I have to have an idea, theme or concept that I want to write about before I start anything — usually something happening in my life or [that] I am learning. From there, I start producing the music for the song and writing the lyrics simultaneously.”

This approach proves effective, as Campbell’s career has soared, amassing hundreds of thousands of streams and releasing several projects under his name, “Matthew Campbell.” Notable singles include “Meraki” and “Lemonade.” In November 2021, he released his debut album, “FROM DEATH TO LIFE,” a self-produced collection released under his personal record label, Parental Approved.

While Campbell’s music is well-known at JBU, he also has listeners around the globe. Campbell has performed live in the United States, Costa Rica and Thailand.

He credits his time in Thailand as a milestone in his career, seeing firsthand how his music impacts others.

“This concert [in Thailand] was for a ministry that was an afterschool program for kids in Chiang Mai, Thailand,” Campbell said. “These kids did not speak much English, but I got to see them connect with my music and even sing along with the songs. It really showed me the power of what I was making and that even a language barrier couldn’t even stop [people] from connecting with it.”

Unlike Petersen, Campbell’s music career is purely a side

hobby while he continues to pursue a career in graphic design. He says that while he will always have a passion for creating original music, it is not where he feels the Lord is leading him. Still, he cites music as a significant source of therapy for himself and hopefully, for others.

You can listen to The Petersens at youtube.com/ thepetersens or on major streaming services. For Julianne’s solo project, search “Julianne.” You can find Campbell on all major streaming platforms and on his website, matthewcampbell.co.

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Finding Ministry in Music

BY BETHANY CONLEY ’20

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enior Rachel Arant was searching for a university that would foster her passion for music and theology when she found JBU. She transferred to JBU as a junior, and in her short time here, she has grown significantly in her faith and education.

Arant is passionate about integrating her Christian faith with musical expression, and JBU was compelling because of the Christian-based learning approach on top of the talent and quality found in the music department.

“I chose JBU based on my desire to grow as a musician and a daughter of Christ,” said Arant.

As she looks toward her future goals, Arant seeks additional ways to combine these significant areas of her life.

“I am still exploring options for my graduate work, as my professors and I are continuing to

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narrow down possibilities for my future,” said Arant. “A master’s in vocal pedagogy has certainly piqued my interest. I also love the theology and philosophy behind music and the church’s response to the arts. Seminary is another option I am looking into if I decide on a more theological approach to music.”

The support of faithful donors has helped Arant achieve her goals as she prepares to graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in integrated music studies and an emphasis on vocal pedagogy.

“I am so thankful to [donors] for investing in my education,” Arant said. “My time at JBU has exposed me to a number of opportunities to explore my area of expertise, as well as know the God who made me who I am. I will forever treasure the friendships I have made here as well as the memories.”

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PhilanthroCorp’s Estate Specialists are available to review your existing plan or assist in setting up a new estate plan.

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FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Josiah Wallace, associate professor of speech and theatre, studied at the Scuola Internazionale Dell’Attore Comico in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

He worked at Taproot Theatre Company in Seattle as the director of outreach and worked six years at Dordt University before joining JBU in 2018. In addition to his teaching, the production schedule is intense.

Wallace directs two plays each year, including designing and building the elaborate sets. He also helps build sets for two musicals directed by colleague Liesl Dromi. The program’s success has led to a new musical theatre minor.

JOSIAH

WALLACE

FA C U LT Y S P O T L I G H T

WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A THEATRE PROFESSOR, AND WHAT LED YOU TO TEACH AT JBU?

HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THE PROGRAM AT JBU GROW SINCE THE COURSEWORK WAS REVAMPED?

A year out of undergrad, I was afforded the opportunity to work as an adjunct professor directing the theatre touring group at my alma mater. I loved it, and it instilled in me the desire to attend graduate school and work full time with college students. It took another eight years of working professionally in the theatre before I felt confident applying to graduate school; but I did it, and I’ve been working full time as a professor for the last 10 years. JBU makes it possible for me to truly challenge my students with what it means to be an artist and a Christian.

Having students that recognize their various gifts who are willing to commit to the process of creating excellent art is always rewarding to me. The pandemic made this very difficult for a couple of years, but I’m loving the momentum I am seeing from my students right now. They are creating excellent work and those who choose to minor in theatre recognize that the classroom curriculum actually equips them to achieve even greater success.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCES FROM TEACHING THEATRE?

HAVE YOU HAD STUDENTS AT JBU PURSUE CAREERS IN THEATRE?

I love it when students discover the breadth and depth of the discipline. They often begin their work in the theatre because they like to be on stage. I challenge them to see that work as an act of service to each other, the audience and the story; but I also show them that there is much more going on to support the performers behind the scenes. The job of producing, researching, directing, conceptualizing, advertising, designing, building, rehearsing, organizing, selling tickets, moving sets, running lights and sound — all are part of this art form. The academic and practical streams of knowledge and effort converge in significant ways in the theatre; and when it comes to the practical skills gained in teamwork and project completion, very few areas of academic study can compare.

I have a few students pursing graduate education, working professionally in various parts of the country as theatre administrators, designers and actors. All impressive feats on their part, coming from an institution without a theatre major.

WHAT LIFE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES DO YOU THINK STUDENTS GAIN FROM THEATRE?

Self-esteem and confidence, unparalleled collaborations skills, resourcefulness, creativity, event and logistical prowess, practical knowledge of how to build and fix things, and a true appreciation and empathy for the stories of others.

WHAT DID YOUR TIME IN ITALY INCLUDE?

WHAT’S A FAVORITE PLAY YOU’VE DIRECTED/ ASSISTED WITH AT JBU? OUTSIDE OF JBU?

I think last year’s production of “Tartuffe” at JBU is my favorite. It’s a text that I wanted to direct for years, and it was really rewarding to take a classical text and find a contemporary social media parallel and production style that integrated with its themes. My favorite production outside of JBU was probably my graduate thesis production of Jeffery Hatcher’s stage adaptation of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” The thematic richness and technical support I received created a spectacular product.

I studied commedia del’Arte and mask making with theatre professionals from 16 countries around the world. We collaborated in storytelling and comedy creation while learning about a theatre form that first found its cultural significance during the renaissance.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AT THE KENNEDY CENTER AMERICAN COLLEGE THEATRE FESTIVAL.

We bring in outside adjudicators to campus to respond to our work, and then we participate in the regional festival by sending designers and actors to compete for theatre awards and take various workshops. The accolades that we receive from the outside respondents help our students know what excellence in the theatre should look like, and we’ve been honored to receive various awards.

Read the expanded Staff Spotlight at jbu.edu/news/articles.

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FRENZIED FÚTBOL FANS: JBU students and community members show up to cheer on the Golden Eagles at First Friday Fútbol, soccer’s first home game of the season.

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FEATURE

A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

BY CARLSON WAKEFIELD ’20

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he Cathedral Choir is one of John Brown University’s longest-standing traditions. The Cathedral Choir has compiled 80 years of history — performing national and international tours, seasonal concerts and the beloved Candlelight Service. Much of the music department’s prolonged success is due to several long-standing faculty members’ hard work and dedication.

Mabel Oiesen arrived in Siloam Springs in the summer of 1942. She had just finished her music degree at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and was recruited by the university to teach music and voice at JBU. Oiesen would be instrumental to the music & theatre department and served as the department chair for 30 years.

“She was so loved,” said Terri Wubbena, professor emeritus. “And she was a force to be reckoned with.”

Oiesen founded the Cathedral Choir in 1942 and performed the first Candlelight Service that year. Since then, the Candlelight Service has ushered in the Christmas season for countless JBU students, faculty and staff, as well as for alumni and the community of Siloam Springs. It is a cherished tradition that attracts visitors from all over Northwest Arkansas.

While Oiesen laid the groundwork, it was Paul Smith who brought the Cathedral Choir and the Candlelight Service to the forefront of the JBU experience.

Smith was hired in 1987 from Anderson University, which had a sizeable musical department that Smith said had more than 100 music majors and another hundred students pursuing a minor.

While JBU’s music department was small, it didn’t bother Smith who saw it as an opportunity. He pushed for better practice facilities, enlisting the help of President John E. Brown III and the board of trustees to buy new pianos, add new practice rooms and rehaul the whole department.

“I was a pest. John [Brown III] almost had to muzzle me,” Smith said.

“If you talk to anybody who is a former student of Paul Smith, they look back on their time with fondness, and often times as a transformative and positive thing in their life,” said Steven Hamilton ’16, now JBU’s instructor of music and director of choirs.

Smith’s transformation of the music department was aided by many students and faculty, specifically Jan Wubbena, Ph.D., and his wife, Terri.

During her 42 years at JBU, Terri taught and advised all music majors and held department leadership roles culminating in serving as the chair of the Division of Communications and Fine Arts. She is credited with championing the growth of instrumental music on campus nearly single-handedly. Jan served as faculty for

“Those were truly special performances...

You get to experience this sensation of community and this feeling that we’re creating an atmosphere of worship.”

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40 years, joining JBU in 1977 and retiring in 2017. The Wubbenas taught a myriad of music classes, often together; an experience program alumni recount with humor and fondness.

The Wubbenas’ commitment to music on campus directly impacted the growth of the Candlelight Service into the tradition that it is today.

“Every Candlelight that Paul directed, he [Jan] was the organist,” Terri said. “He accompanied the choir on select pieces, played a prelude, a postlude — it became a tradition.”

Terri and Jan contributed to all 30 Candlelight Services conducted by Smith, helping him make the service a Christmas tradition for many. Smith recognized Candlelight as an opportunity to involve Siloam Springs.

“I saw it as kind of a Christmas card to the community,” Smith said. “I didn’t want it to be a sermon but a remembrance of what Christmas means to Christians and a celebration of Jesus’ life.”

Hamilton fondly remembers performing in four Candlelight Services as a student.

“Those were truly special performances,” he said. “You get to experience this sensation of community and this feeling that we’re creating an atmosphere of worship.”

Candlelight became so successful under Smith that more performances had to be added.

“We started with one night, which turned into two nights, and we still had to turn people away,” Smith said.

“So, I went to the administration and said, ‘Well, what about three nights?’”

Smith, the Wubbenas and many other faculty, students and staff turned Candlelight into one of the most significant events on campus each year. Over three nights, the Cathedral of the Ozarks hosts about 3,000 people.

“This year, I started receiving calls back in August about it, so I expect it will be very crowded,” said Jan Lauderdale, events and auditions coordinator. “I’ve been the event coordinator for 18 years, and the worst part of my job every year is turning people away.”

Smith was the first choir director to take students on an international tour to Northern Ireland, where JBU had established an Irish Studies Program. In May 2003, Smith directed multiple a cappella concerts over two weeks in Northern Ireland.

“Night after night, the choir received thunderous ovations,” Smith said. “It was hard to come to the end of the concerts.”

The concerts were so successful that the choir returned every three years until he retired in 2017. The Cathedral Choir was due to make its seventh international tour to Northern Ireland in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic derailed it.

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FEATURE In 2020, JBU hired Hamilton, who graduated from JBU with a degree in music education and then received his master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of British Columbia.

“He [Hamilton] was my assistant for two years when he was at JBU,” Smith said. “I saw a lot of heart for singing and choral music in him. We were so blessed that he was able to take over.”

Hamilton’s first two years were anything but easy with the added COVID-19 regulations that affected classroom vocal instruction and performances.

“It was discouraging to teach music during that time,” Hamilton said. “You looked at all the restrictions and wished they would go away, but you also wanted everybody to stay safe and healthy.”

Hamilton fought to find a way to keep the Candlelight Service tradition alive, despite the roadblocks.

“The first Candlelight I directed was entirely digital,” Hamilton said. “We couldn’t have audiences; we had to have the students come in and record. That was difficult because so much of Candlelight is the communal experience.”

Hamilton’s Cathedral Choir students made the difficult season rewarding, delivering excellent performances despite restrictions.

“Some of my favorite moments as an instructor have been seeing the ways in which students responded to those challenges,” Hamilton said. “Seeing them stay dedicated to singing and dedicated to the choir, even though it was really difficult. They created some really memorable and special performances.”

With the foundation of the Cathedral Choir laid by Oiesen and Smith, Hamilton will continue those longstanding traditions and is building new ones, such as the recently created University Chorus.

The Cathedral Choir requires a high level of commitment, with more rehearsals, music to learn, an expanded role in Candlelight and national tours. Hamilton realized that not all students who wanted to participate in the Cathedral Choir had the time to do so.

“I thought it was really important that they have a place to sing,” Hamilton said. “It’s my goal that everybody interested in singing has a place to sing, regardless of what level that looks like.”

Hamilton and the Cathedral Choir are looking forward to the 80th Annual Candlelight Service on Dec. 8, 9 and 10 in the Cathedral of the Ozarks. Premiering that night is a new original choral work Hamilton commissioned from renowned composer R. Christopher Teichler.

“There are definitely traditions I’m going to keep alive,” Hamilton said. “But every year is a new adventure.”

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STUDENTS HIT THEIR MARK

BY YAMIL TENORIO ’25

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FFEEAATTUURREE

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lthough a theatre minor has been offered at JBU since 2015, when Josiah Wallace, associate professor of speech and theatre, arrived at JBU in 2018, no students had officially declared the minor. The theatre program primarily consisted of workshop credits for involvement in productions.

“Students were not gaining the knowledge and skills found in the classroom that makes production work a deeper and a more specialized academic endeavor,” Wallace recalled.

Since then, Wallace and various staff have solidified the nature of the JBU theatre program. Now, about half-adozen students in each year’s enrolling class declare a theatre minor and about 60-100 students participate in theatre productions each year. The program’s success led to the recent addition of a minor in musical theatre in 2020.

Theatre has a rich history at JBU that can be traced back to the days of the founder, John E. Brown Sr. Wallace mentioned that years before the building of the Cathedral of the Ozarks was complete, a musical was presented on the cathedral’s concrete foundation — still open to the air. Various faculty and student clubs pioneered the presentation of plays, and eventually, the increased interest created a theatre track of study in the English and communication departments. During this time, the music department also presented musical- and opera-based performances, highlighting the talent among JBU students.

The department of music and theatre was established in the early 2000s, and now two plays and two musicals are presented each academic year. Offered theatre classes cover many areas — including acting, directing, stagecraft and theatre history.

“In addition to these more traditional theatre classes, students are expected to receive workshop and practicum credit by being involved in the design, technical and performance areas of our plays and musicals,” Wallace said.

Theatre participation benefits those involved, even if they are not theatre minors. Students learn soft skills like self-confidence and collaboration, but they also learn about vocal control and expressiveness, project completion, resourcefulness and design and technical skills in using tools, materials and technology.

Nathan Hahn, a sophomore psychology major with a minor in theatre, has been acting for seven years.

He took a theatre class at JBU while still in high school and loved the knowledge he acquired.

“I wanted to do theatre regardless of what path I was going to take,” Hahn said. His two favorite performances so far have been last year’s “Tartuffe” and this fall’s play “Murder on the Orient Express.” Currently, he plans on focusing more on behind-the-scenes areas like scenic design.

Four years of participating in JBU’s productions are not enough for some.

David Burney ’08, director of student financial services, was involved during his student years at JBU and has been part of almost all the theatre productions in some capacity since.

Acting as Milky White in last fall’s musical “Into the Woods” allowed the busy Burney, a father of two young children, to relax and distance himself from his full-time job at JBU. “Theatre is my creative outlet; I don’t need to worry about administrative tasks [when involved in theatre]. From here, I can easily get into the creative side of my brain,” Burney said.

The JBU theatre program is a part of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), a national program dedicated to improving collegiate theatre in the United States.

Involving 18,000 students annually from colleges and universities, KCACTF frequently recognizes JBU through nominations and merits. Over the past four years, various students have been nominated for awards including ensemble work, directing, lighting

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FEATURE design, sound design, costume design and scenic design. Wallace was particularly pleased when the production of “Tartuffe” was selected as one of only five plays at the KCACTF regional festival, especially when JBU’s work was presented alongside theatre programs with up to 150 students in their major.

Burney said he remembers theatre at JBU being seen more as a niche when he was a student. Mostly friends and family were the only ones to know about and attend productions.

Burney has since seen a shift where the theatre program has a much more significant presence, and he said the benefits that theatre has brought to the lives of its students are endless.

The addition of the 29,000-squarefoot Berry Performing Arts Center (BPAC) in 2010 provided a full stage, half fly, set construction area, costume storage, full dressing room and makeup area, increasing the capabilities of the program and overall event attendance.

“Because of BPAC and the theater minor, JBU can do a much larger range of shows,” said Burney, “Even those who worked in a big theatre in high school can show off their depth of talent.”

With growing recognition, Wallace said the benefits of the theatre program remain the same.

“In a world where we continue to find our live human interactions minimized and polarized by technology, health crises and politicization, the theatre gives us a space to spend time with one another in the same space to tell and listen to stories,” said Wallace. “We can delight in the creative gifts God has given us, be challenged by the human experience and hopefully recognize the beauty and truth God intends for his creation to grasp.”

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Murder on the Orient Express

Pygmalion

Is He Dead?

Sense and Sensibility

Music and Theatre Showcase Into the Woods

Tartuffe She Loves Me

Hunchback of Notre Dame Man of La Mancha

Silent Sky

Parfumerie Babette’s Feast

TAKES A VILLAGE Students and Faculty Prepare for Fall Musical

BY WILLIAM NEWTON ’23

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his fall semester’s two music and theatre productions required meticulous planning and rehearsal scheduling from their respective cast and crew members, as the preparations ran parallel and overlapped for both the play in October and the musical in November.

“Murder on the Orient Express,” John Brown University’s music and theatre department’s first production of the semester, ran the weekends of Sept. 30 and Oct. 8, and the musical “She Loves Me” took center stage Nov. 3-5, requiring the casts and crews of both productions to share space in the Berry Performing Arts Center since both productions started rehearsing in August.

When the music and theatre department was concluding their rendition of “Murder on the Orient Express,” the cast and crew of “She Loves Me” had to often rehearse on a stage littered with grim props and ominous train cars that almost laughably juxtaposed the romantic tone of “She Loves Me,” a story of two fueding coworkers in Budapest who unknowingly fall in love with each other through anonymous letters.

“Murder on the Orient Express” and “She Loves Me” are just a few of the wide variety of productions put on by the JBU music and theatre department. Other notable past productions include “Into the Woods,” a modernday rendition of “Tartuffe” and “Babette’s Feast,” among others.

While the cast rehearsed for “She Loves Me” on stage, there was much preparation that went on behind the scenes. When designing a set for a play each semester, Josiah Wallace, associate professor of speech and theatre

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and set designer, spends much of his time analyzing the script before he begins the process of building the physical props.

“Design starts with multiple readings of the text and an analysis of its themes, period, place and motifs,” Wallace said. “I do concrete and metaphorical/thematic visual research – typically using Pinterest.”

From there, he begins the brainstorming process of what needs to be included on stage, as well as the overall design style that the production will encapsulate.

“I sketch, draft plans, collaborate with the director and create a model that is used for the build process,” he said.

The set designers often build most of the props and sets for their production from scratch, improvising any changes to the designs as necessary. In collaboration with a student properties designer, the set comes to life, including the centerpiece that was used for “She Loves Me:” the perfume shop, Maraczek’s Parfumerie.

The music and theatre department is consistently notable for its prestigious set design. Wallace and frequent collaborator Peter Rexford, technical director, have earned numerous awards for their set designs in JBU productions.

“We have very high expectations for what we can achieve and put in more hours than we really have available to us to achieve our goals,” Wallace said. “The awards are a testament to this.”

While the set design of any production is an important aspect of its production, collaboration with the audio, visual and lighting (AVL) team is necessary for the production.

FEATURE “In the theatre world, AVL works closely with music and theatre, so we can act like a well-oiled machine to produce a show and use our talents to praise God,” said Andrew Keck, junior digital cinema major and AVL technician.

AVL, although solely behind the scenes, plays an essential role in any JBU production. Their primary contribution to “She Loves Me” was providing appropriate stage lighting for each scene. By attending numerous production meetings and rehearsals, Keck and his AVL team are able to design a lighting plot fit for the musical.

The team relied on cues designated by the director of the production to discern when to use the lights necessary for each scene.

Additionally, there is much to consider behind the scenes in preproduction of a musical: the actors and actresses have a rigorous rehearsal schedule to follow as well. Before they are even eligible to attend rehearsals, actors must go through an audition process.

“The audition process is fairly simple. For the musical, the requirements are that you bring a memorized monologue and sound, roughly around a minute each.

Then it is up to the directors to choose from their list of their actors who might fit certain roles,” said Connor Klaassen, senior music major who portrayed the role of Arpas in “She Loves Me.” Once their roles are assigned, the actors go through months of rehearsals, learning to perfect their dialogue, music and dance numbers and their on-stage cues.

“Musicals are more difficult than plays because everything is timed. In a musical, you have to be precise, because if you get a word wrong or the rhythms wrong, you could throw off the whole song,” said Charli Mcllarth, senior integrated music major who portrayed Illona in “She Loves Me.” “Also, there’s usually more choreography to memorize in addition to lines, blocking and music.”

Actors must dive deep in to the more personal aspects of their character along with perfecting the physically demanding elements of their roles. This process, while coming naturally to some actors, can be difficult for others.

“Getting into character was an issue for me initially,” said Jerica Barkley, junior intercultural studies major who portrayed the leading lady, Amalia, in “She Loves Me,” “I had to navigate the distinction between where [Amalia’s] voice began, where mine ended and where we met in a middle ground. We tended to meet a lot more than I expected we would.”

Actors are the heart of any production, but it is through elements such as set and costume design that audience members become truly engaged with the storyline. Joelle Ungos, junior psychology major and costume designer,

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FEATURE is very attentive to her design process. Before she even begins playing with spool and thread, Ungos conducts intensive research for the production’s time period, learning its fashion trends. She then compiles her research into a mood board, correlating characters to color pallets and costume designs. From there, she begins assigning her cast members their costumes.

Ungos played a significant role in the production of “She Loves Me,” but in order for her input to be applied, she must go through the musical’s director.

“It is very important that I refer to the director’s concept statement (a document summarizing the creative vision) and communicate with her and other production team members in order for this to go smoothly,” Ungos said.

All of the different components required to produce “She Loves Me,” including Ungos’s costume design, was not possible without the direction of Liesl Dromi ’06, assistant professor of music.

Dromi’s responsibilities in a musical is tremendous — she approves every detail of producing a show, whether as specific as where an actor stands on stage or as grand as the set design. Her contribution to the musical begins months before production begins, as she has to decide which musical will be performed.

“I chose ‘She Loves Me’ in collaboration with our music director, Lisa Auten,” Dromi said. “When we evaluate what shows to produce each season, we look for material that provides experiences for our students to grow and be challenged and that will engage our audiences.”

Among the list of Dromi’s criteria for selecting the year’s musicals is that the material aligns with the values of the JBU community. Dromi said she does not require the musical to be explicitly Christian but should tell a story that mirrors that of Christianity — admittance to being imperfect and working toward redemption.

She is also responsible for creating the rigorous threemonth rehearsal schedule which details which cast and crew members are required to be present and what scenes and production elements will be the focus for the day. The final week of rehearsal runs through the entire performance from start to finish.

Once rehearsals are completed, the curtains open and the hard work and dedication of the cast and crew becomes public and celebrated by the Siloam Springs and Northwest Arkansas communities.

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ALUMNI

Homecoming 2022 This year, warm sunshine and autumn breezes welcomed alumni and friends back to campus on Oct. 7-8.

Kicking off the weekend’s events was the annual Scholarship Dinner and the 5K Glow Run, which drew a record attendance of 63 participants and raised almost $800 for the JBU Scholarship Fund.

Several sporting events highlighted the weekend, including basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis and ultimate Frisbee. Basketball, rugby and tennis alumni squared off against current players in reunion contests as well.

Reunions celebrating 10 years, 25 years and 50 years gathered alumni to reminisce and share a meal together.

The Heritage Society induction welcomed 34 new members in attendance on Saturday.

At Homecoming’s newest event — the Alumni Board Series — Ted Song, chief diversity officer , presented “A Biblical View on Diversity” and Keith Jagger, university chaplain, presented “Hebrews 13 and Our Sacrifice of Praise: Joining the Historic Church in Remaining True to Jesus in Troubling Times.”

The festivities concluded with the Alumni Awards Dinner and the fall play “Murder on the Orient Express,” presented by the department of music and theatre.

Don’t miss next year! Join us Oct. 6-7 for Homecoming 2023.

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Pray for JBU Thank you for supporting JBU in prayer. It’s the most important way you can help us.

Praises: President Chip Pollard and Carey returned from sabbatical and are thankful for a good time of rest, rejuvenation and work.

Attendance at JBU’s prospective student Preview Days and Scholarship Competition event is at an all-time high.

The spiritual climate of our campus is one of students hungry for God, desiring to be beneficial to his kingdom, open to spiritual fellowship and growing in their commitment to Christ and his church.

Prayer Requests: Budget Preparation — Pray for the administration as they begin work on creating a balanced budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Admissions Staff — Pray for our admissions counselors as they finish the busy travel season and continue working with prospective families and students for our on-campus, online and graduate programs.

Faculty & Staff Searches — Pray God leads the right people to JBU to fill our available staff and faculty positions.

JBU Scholarship Fund — Our annual scholarship fund that helps more than 500 students each year has experienced a decline in donor participation.

Please pray that more people will get involved in helping our students afford JBU. Student Prayers — Our Prayer Room contains a whiteboard where students can write their prayers.

From this, we ask that you pray for our students to give their burdens to Jesus, that God would speak life and truth over them, salvation for the lost and uplifting of the low in spirit.

Mental & Physical Health — Pray for healing for those in our community experiencing mental health problems. We also ask that you lift up those working through terminal illnesses and caring for others experiencing health issues.

e v Sathe

! e t Da Family Weekend February 17-18

To register and learn more about the weekend events, please visit: jbu.edu/familyweekend

JBU ALUMNI FIND SIGHT AND SOUND

BY TRACY BALZER

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ike many students, Amy Perry ’14 didn’t know what she wanted to do for a career. She changed majors five times, all in search of that elusive conclusion.

But she did know what she enjoyed: speaking in front of groups and performing in JBU musicals. Her final choice of a major in communications and a minor in drama, therefore, suited her just fine. But her hopes for a career that allowed her to do what she enjoyed seemed thin. The idea of working in music and theater as a profession seemed much more like a wild dream than a life possibility.

A year after graduating, Perry discovered Sight & Sound Theatres, a faith-based production company in Branson, Missouri. The company’s objective of “bringing the Bible to life” through professional stage productions was appealing to her, and she had the guts to try out for

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one of its productions. In the end, she was happy enough selling theater merchandise to spectators while the actors performed on stage, followed by six months of working on the “deck crew.”

She watched and learned about everything it takes to create a grandscale production, and she realized that maybe there was a place for her there after all. A place not on the stage in front of a crowd but one that still allowed her to be involved more directly in the shows. Perry noticed that the company’s production managers were doing all the things she liked: addressing the cast each day with important instructions, working behind the scenes to troubleshoot and giving directions from the booth through the multitude of radio channels that connect the entire production. A position opened, and her enthusiasm got her the job.

Now, after seven years of being on the front lines of productions like “Samson,” “Jesus” and the upcoming “Queen Esther,” Perry says she has found her dream job.

“JBU prepared me for a job I didn’t know existed, and I love it,” she said.

Every performance provides a new and interesting challenge, usually involving animals. Yes, many live animals are actors in these biblical productions, so when a camel is disoriented by an uncooperative bit of staging, Perry is the one called in to solve the problem. When she’s in the “hot seat” in the booth, she is responsible for communicating lastminute problem-solving directions to the cast and crew on one of multiple radio channels.

“We are the air traffic controllers of Sight & Sound,” Perry said.

It all comes down to leadership. All the actors must have confidence in

ALUMNI production managers like Perry for their safety, trust in their wisdom when hard decisions need to be made and that they have their best in mind, and Perry has to own those decisions.

“I’m the one who has to defend those decisions when our team meets the next day,” she said.

This role has challenged Perry to grow, not just in technical expertise and leadership ability but also spiritually.

“We performed ‘Jesus’ 800 times,” she said. “Each of those performances served as a kind of meditation for me,” even when camels were uncooperative.

As a company, Sight & Sound hopes audiences will not only be entertained but will also be motivated to go to Scripture to check it out for themselves.

“The Word of God is alive and able to impact people via so many different media,” Perry said. “I can see a show hundreds of times, and I still learn something new.”

It is that compelling vision that had Luke Merrick ’19 dreaming of being on the Sight & Sound stage for years. Merrick excelled at JBU as a vocal performance major, taking first place in the National Association of Teachers of Singing National Student Auditions in the Collegiate Male Category.

A career as a professional opera singer would certainly have been available to him. Yet, it was the mission and production value at Sight & Sound that pulled at his heart as he considered the best way to use his talents.

Merrick said his time at JBU definitely prepared him and provided the experience he needed for an opportunity like Sight & Sound.

“JBU set me up for success in various ways, such as honing my skills of vocal production, allowing me to compete against other vocalists to improve my craft and training me

in the art of creating compelling musical and theatrical performances for the stage,” he said. “Even more importantly, JBU grew me as a person in a community of friends and professors who believed in me, enabled me and encouraged me to pursue my greatest God-given potential with my talents.”

Sight & Sound draws many talented people, and Merrick knew that being hired was not guaranteed. But in January 2022, he auditioned and soon found himself part of the production of “Jesus.” He was assigned several roles, depending on what was needed at any given time — including the disciple James, the pharisee Jehu and a variety of smaller ensemble roles.

“Sight & Sound represents the remarkable opportunity to utilize my God-given gifts in a way that not only provides deep professional and artistic fulfillment in the craft of theatre but also allows me to do so in the context of portraying the most transformative, compelling stories ever told,” Merrick said.

Now the company is preparing for its upcoming Christmas production.

At the time of writing, Merrick wasn’t sure what his role would be. Likewise, there will soon be roles assigned for the spring production of “Queen Esther.” He is full of anticipation, hopeful that he will work for Sight & Sound for years to come. Merrick exudes an enthusiam for his work that clearly indicates he’s having the time of his life.

“I had the full support of my family in pursuing this work, even though they knew I could have chosen something else in the field of music,” he said. “And I’m so happy I’m here.”

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ALUMNI

Alumni Updates Julie (Statler) ’97 and Greg Hornok ’97 were featured on the daily broadcast of Focus on the Family. The broadcast, which ran on Aug. 1, was titled “Don’t Give Up: Raising a Child with Autism.” 01 Bethany (Goll) Morgan ’12 and Heather (Tiller) Sudduth ’13 has opened their private practice called Counseling Nook for Trauma & Dissociation. They provide bilingual, trauma-informed counseling in Texas and aim to provide a safe, comforting and cozy place for individuals to grow and heal.

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Steve Madsen ’11 and Emily Madsen-Ortiz ’11 are planting Triangle Fellowship Church in Morrisville, North Carolina. Madsen was on staff at Bay Leaf Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, for the past eight years. 02 Mike Kankelfritz ’94 was promoted to chief broadcast engagement officer at Family Life Radio. Kankelfritz also hosts FLR’s “Kankelfritz and Friends Morning Show.” 03 Ronnette V. Smith ’10 was appointed as the chief executive officer of Future Foundation. Smith is a former Fortune 1 senior executive manager and has worked for top corporations AT&T, Walmart and Sam’s Club. 04 Seth Primm ’02 wrote “All Will Be Well,” a choral piece that was performed and recorded in collaboration between the University of Arkansas Inspirational Chorale and the JBU Cathedral Choir.

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Melvin Edwards ’88 released his second book, “The Strength of a Thousand Sons” as a follow-up to his award-winning 2020 title, “The Eyes of Texans: From Slavery to the Texas Capitol.” The nonfiction book traces back Edwards’ family history almost 200 years. 06

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Dave Johnson and Gary Guinn ’74 co-authored the book, “Midwatch in Verse: New Year’s Deck Log Poetry of the United States Navy, 1941-1946.” It is the first book-length treatment of an old U.S. Navy tradition in which the first log of the New Year is written in verse. 07 Be featured in the Brown Bulletin! Submit your professional and family news to jbu.edu/alumni/magazine/news/.

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ALUMNI

Alumni Awards 01

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Gunnar Shafer ’14 — Young Eagle Award As an engineering student at JBU in 2013, Gunnar Shafer worked on a team research project for a solar battery-powered, off-grid farming system. Shaffer developed the vertical farming towers used in the project, eventually creating YouTube videos of the making of the towers that have garnered more than one million views. After earning an M.Sc. renewable energy from Universität Oldenburg, Germany, and completing his master’s thesis at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Gunnar kept thinking about the commercial possibilities for the towers.

In 2017, he launched Agrowponics, a verticalfarming manufacturing company, with Thomas Burns.

A seventh-generation farmer, Shaffer combines his solid agricultural and engineering backgrounds to serve as the CEO. He also works full time at Southwest Power Pool as a market forensics engineer. 01 Dr. Dan Yoder ’94 — Career Achievement Award Dr. Dan Yoder earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from JBU and obtained his medical degree from Duke Medical School. Yoder then completed his ophthalmology residency and retina fellowship at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida, consistently ranked as the No.1 training program in the country. Now a board-certified vitreoretinal specialist, Yoder practices comprehensive ophthalmology. He has fellowship training in diseases of the macula, retina and vitreous. In addition to performing the latest in small-incision, no-stitch, no-shot cataract surgery, Yoder has extensive experience managing macular degeneration, diabetes-related eye issues, retinal vein occlusions and hypertension related to the eye.

Yoder is a diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology. He and his wife, Tonya (Wozniuk) ’94, have three children. He is active in his church and multiple community organizations and enjoys various sports and outdoor activities. 02 Martha Munce ’63 — Christian Ministry Award After graduation, Martha “Marti” (Ettinger) Munce ’63 spent two years teaching in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, before she entered Moody Bible Institute for a year of additional Bible study. Having

been introduced to Africa Inland Mission (AIM) by a missionary kid at JBU, Marti signed up with the organization. Marti was assigned to AIM’s literature department when she arrived in Kenya in 1966.

In 1972, she married her husband, Bob, and they focused on spreading Christian literature throughout East Africa via a central distribution center that fed eight to 10 bookstores. They returned to the U.S. in 1978 and established Munce Publications. In 1991, Munce Marketing Group was established to help independently owned Christian bookstores fulfill their marketing needs. Today, the Munce Group serves over 200 member retailers across the US. Munce also serves as vice-president of the board for the Christian Retailing Association. 03 Gary Oliver — Christian Service Award Gary Oliver, Ph.D., is a husband, father, psychologist, author, professor of psychology and practical theology, and executive director emeritus of The Center for Healthy Relationships at JBU. He holds a Master of Divinity from Talbot Theological Seminary, a Master of Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and a master’s and a doctorate in psychology from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

Oliver has more than 40 years of experience in individual, premarital, marital and family counseling.

For the past 30 years, he has had an extensive teaching ministry nationwide. Oliver has founded, developed and directed several counseling centers.

He serves on the executive board and the national speaking team of the American Association of Christian Counselors. 04 Bob Sheridan ’54 — Outstanding Alumnus Bob Sheridan came to JBU from the Detroit area in 1950 to major in building construction engineering.

He met his wife, Von, when the JBU academy in Sulphur Springs, where she taught, moved to Siloam Springs. They married in 1952 and had two children.

After completing his degree in 1954, the Sheridans moved back to Detroit, where he worked for some of the larger construction companies in the area. He also worked for Ford Motor Company supervising the construction of dealerships in Canada. When he was 45, he started his own construction and real estate development company. Bob and his wife have been very generous to students at JBU, supporting annual and endowed scholarships, the construction management department, the visual arts department and the townhouse renovation project. He still attends JBU homecoming as his health allows, actively stays in contact with many alumni and has a great love for JBU students. 05

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MILESTONES

In Memoriam Barry William Beatty ’70, age 74, died Sept. 29. (Construction Management) 01 01

Obra Walter Bliss ’57, age 88, died Aug. 28. (Radio Engineering) Deloris Calhoon Bubna ’52, age 91, died July 3. (English)

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Peter S. Ceravolo ’79, age 65, died Oct. 25. (Biology) Clifford Leon Crowder ’74, age 94, died Sept. 8. (Undeclared) Denise Diane Dollard ’83, age 60, died Aug. 19. (Accounting-Public) 02 02

Earl Norman Eldridge Jr., age 88, died July 6. 03

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Jerry Hair ’64, age 81, died July 25. (Physical Education & Health) 04 Ronald “Bill” W. Henneberg ’68, age 75, died Oct. 3. (Electrical Engineering) Jeffery Earl Herr ’88, age 60, died Sept. 16. (Broadcasting) 05 Stephen Allen Hunter III ’50, age 97, died March 21. (Broadcasting) 06 03

Wanda Chesser Jackson ’57, age 86, died Sept. 9. (Elementary Education) 07

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Jane Churko Jones ’76, age 69, died Sept. 5. (Physical Education & Health) 08 George Ronald Kee ’64, age 85, died July 28. (Electrical Engineering) Norma J. Estrada Keith ’91, age 54, died June 13. (Business Admin.) 09 Roger Winfield Knapton ’51, age 99, died Sept. 17. (Bible and Religious Ed.) 04

Donna Marie Kooi ’69, age 74, died April 6. (Social Studies) 10

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Dennis Edward Kroner ’62, age 83, died June 9. (Biology and Chemistry) Roy E. Lehman ’51, age 100, died March 17. (Radio Engineering) Leonard Keith Lundberg ’51, age 93, died Oct. 18. (Agriculture) 05

Lois Lucille (Henry) Lundberg ’51, age 92, died June 23. (English) 11 Marjorie Ann Madison ’56, age 87, died May 30. (Bible and Religious Education)

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Marian Elizabeth Matthews ’63, age 80, died April 19. (Elementary Education) 12 Ruthella Moore Mcbride ’52, age 92, died Sept. 28. (Broadcasting) Edward Skip Francis Murphy Jr. ’63, age 83, died Sept. 13. (Business Admin.) 13 06

Rodney Lee Nielsen ’56, age 87, died July 13. (Radio Engineering)

15

Emmet Barrie O’Bannon ’52, age 91, died June 20. (Agriculture Concentration) Russell Patrick O’Quinn ’51, age 93, died April 12. (Bus. Admin. & Aero. Eng.) Frances Wright Palmer ’53, age 90, died July 4. (English) Beckie Loraine Peden, age 92, died June 27.

07

Tommy Doyle Rose ’06, age 68, died March 23. (Organizational Management)

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Diana Lynn Ruffin ’95, age 49, died July 2. (Psychology) 14 Christiana Viola Ruiz ’89, age 56, died June 2. (Elementary Education) John Rutledge ’13, age 31, died May 14. (International Business) 15 08

Stephany Lynn Stipins ’11, age 47, died July 5. (Organizational Management) 16 Ellis Lorain Tiffany ’43, age 98, died July 13. (Bible)

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Jennifer Lynn Trenchard ’07, age 37, died June 9. (Graphic Design) 17 Patsy Vandenberg Ward ’53, age 91, died June 7. (Biology) Eugene Whitmore ’77, age 67, died Oct. 13. (Music) 18 09

Wendell William Wilson ’58, age 87, died July 3. (Mechanical Concentration) To read online obituaries, go to jbu.edu/bulletin/obits

36

BROWN BULLETIN

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