Summer 2016 Judson Today

Summer 2016

JUDSON today A Magazine for Friends and Alumni of Judson University

Championing the Cause of Social Justice

FROM THE WELLNESS CENTER

Care on Campus Equals Wholeness Caring for one another is tantamount to an effective community. Caring for each other within an effective community takes intentionality and purpose. In order to love each other as Christ loved us, and in order to carry each other’s burden, we have to know where we can go and who we can talk to about life and relationships. Students in this generation are hungry for this level of holistic care. They are open about their issues, vulnerable about their experiences, and willing to open their hearts and minds to wholeness and wellness.

Judson staff and faculty have a history of caring holistically for their students. It is the transformational relationships with professors, coaches, directors and residence life that impacts career and influences faith. Ted Hsieh, Jim Wallis, Doc Ryder, James Didier and Don Ferrell are just a few of the Judson men who greatly influenced my life as a leader, an athlete and coach, a student, and most importantly, as a believer in Jesus Christ. Their legacies live on in current staff and faculty who embody this same spirit and willingly care for students beyond the classroom, courts, fields, labs, stages and dorms. This is the Judson community.

President Gene Crume and the Judson Leadership Team recognize this history and through the generous gift of a board member created the Wellness Center last summer. Located in the University Center, the Wellness Center is dedicated to serving the Judson community with physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health services. Dr. Mark Thompson (son of Ed and Alice Thompson) is our visiting doctor. Susan Weber is our campus nurse and has been providing excellent care here for almost 20 years. We have three part-time therapists: Deb Foshager, Halie Howells and Eve Ahrens, who are all passionate about Christ and their counseling. Deby Brotzman ’86 is the administrative assistant who provides initial smiles, warmth and snacks.

Our Wellness Center staff is experienced in both counseling and ministry. We’ve been pastors, missionaries and counselors on Christian campuses in the Midwest and overseas. We also have more than 25 children between us and understand parent and child relationships. We are unapologetically pastoral in our strategies and care. We provide students with professional counseling, but it is fully integrated with their position before God and their place in the kingdom.

We want them to heal, forgive, find peace and become free.

The demand from the campus community for this counseling care has been overwhelming.

Before the end of this academic year, we set all-time highs for sessions, and we’re just now stabilizing our infrastructure. We also are creating connections with other departments for better accountability and comprehensive care, especially with students who leave campus to serve in schools, churches and local business. We will work with the adult undergraduate and graduate students to provide such help in the future.

Lastly, the nature of higher education requires consistent investment in the students for their optimal growth and academic success and sometimes that leaves staff and faculty depleted and soul fatigued. Providing soul care for staff and faculty allows for better student care throughout campus and provides a sense of camaraderie and connection for the entire community. We work in conjunction with the staff and faculty to care for the students, and we also want to work for the staff and faculty in the care of their souls. All of these movements is part of Judson’s calling and commitment to be a caring community for one another.

Rev. Elliott Anderson ’89 Wellness Center Director, Wellness Committee Chair

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J U D S O N T O D AY E D I T O R I A L S TA F F EDITOR Mary Dulabaum Director of Communications and Marketing

JUDSON today Summer 2016

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Lisa Jones Townsel Writer/Social Media Manager STUDENT WRITERS Rachel Lester ’19, Briana Williams ’17, Halee Yarbrough ’19

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LAYOUT AND PRODUCTION Celeste Torres Graphics/Production Specialist PHOTOGRAPHY Eric Secker Web Communications Specialist STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHERS Andres Chavez ’17, Jamie Galen ’17 Charis Gibbs ’16 ALUMNOTES EDITOR Bonnie Bienert Director of Alumni Relations ATHLETICS EDITOR Brandon Fowkes Sports Information Director

C O V E R JUDSON UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP TEAM Dr. Gene C. Crume Jr. President Nancy Binger ’97 Vice President for Enrollment Management and Strategic Planning Devlin Donaldson ’79 Senior Vice President for External Relations Dr. Wilbert J. Friesen Provost and Chief Academic Officer Ginny Guth ’02/’08 Associate Vice President for Student Success and University Registrar Lisa Jarot ’03/’14 Vice President for Student Life Randall W. Patterson Interim Senior Vice President of Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer Tena Robotham ’78 Executive Assistant to the President Assistant Secretary to Board of Trustees Hasi Smith ’15 Vice President for Information Systems and Technology Judson Today is published by the Marketing and Communications Office at Judson University. Please send address changes and correspondence to Judson Today c/o Advancement Office, 1151 North State St., Elgin, IL 60123 or email daniel.dick@JudsonU.edu

P H O T O

The sixth annual World Leaders Forum featured Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, who spoke passionately about women’s rights, education, family ties and world peace.

F E A T U R E S Finding Focus at the Student Success Center............................................................................. 5 Determined to find his way, transfer student Anthony Santos ’16 found his passion with the help of mentors at the Student Success Center.

Life Lessons from a Roving Rocker Intern.....................................................................................6 Daniel Olsson launched out into a whirlwind internship with Citizen Way last semester that put him front and centerstage.

Bringing Wellness to the Heart of Campus...................................................................................8 Having a new Wellness Center at the center of campus brings health and healing to mind and body.

Championing the Cause of Social Justice.................................................................................. 16 Queen Noor of Jordan shared her heart and passion for justice during 2016 World Leaders Forum events.

Doc Ryder: Living Legend.................................................................................................................. 22 For more than four decades, Dr. Stuart Ryder has left an imprint on this campus where he has worked and called home.

Athletics...................................................................................................................................................... 26 It was a banner year in sports that saw Judson players meet and exceed records, make championship teams and experience new highs as never before.

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Faculty Accomplishments....................................................................................... 20 Alumnotes. . ................................................................................................................. 24

JUDSON NEWS

Judson Architecture Juniors Nab Best Presenter Award

Judson University Architecture students were among the category winners during the Fifth Annual Disaster Shelter Design Competition, which was held on the campus of John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark., recently.

Judson took a team of graduate students and juniors in the Architecture program to the competition. The juniors won the “Best Presenter” award for best design and presentation. The graduate students served as an exhibition team.

The event, which was sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, included transitional build projects from nine

different schools representing designs for possible use in global relief efforts.

This year’s competition theme was based on the needs of displaced people and refugees currently fleeing to Albania and Macedonia from Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.

Student-built shelters were required to be easily transported and constructed, large enough for a family of four, culturally appropriate, able to support a year or longer of transitional living and cost less than $1,500 to duplicate. Judson University was one of the nine teams that submitted prototypes for rigorous durability tests.

The on-site testing included earthquake sustainability, heat retention, overnight habitability and wind resistance. The teams were evaluated on their ability to design and construct emergency shelters using the materials. Throughout the competition, the school teams had the opportunity to win individual events.

Overall, they were scored not only on their shelter’s performance on the individual events, but also on the presentations detailing their shelter’s schematics, design and materials.

This is the fourth year that Judson teams have participated in this unique competition.

IN LOVING MEMORY

BELOVED CASHIER EILEEN WALLER’S MEMORY LIVES ON

LYNN HAMMERLUND REMEMBERED AT JUDSON

Upon returning from Spring Break 2016, the Judson community mourned the loss of the beloved Dining Services cashier Eileen Waller, who died at age 76.

Waller joined the Creative Dining staff in 1999 and was known for always having encouraging words to say to students, faculty and staff as she swiped meal cards before they entered the dining hall.

Indeed, she touched the lives of many and will be sorely missed.

To honor her memory, the 2016 Senior Class raised money to fund the Eileen Waller Memorial Scholarship. So far, more than $4,100 has been raised, which is just under half of the $10,000 goal to endow the scholarship.

Perhaps you, too, remember Eileen Waller and would like to give toward this cause. Please consider giving a gift by denoting the “Eileen Waller Memorial Scholarship.” Click the “Senior Gift Project” under Judson Annual Fund on the Judson University giving website: www.JudsonU.edu/give. Click “Give Now” to get started.

The Judson community mourned the loss of longtime catalog librarian Lynn Hammerlund, who died in May. Hammerlund, 57, came to Judson in 1983 as a librarian.

She served in the capacity of catalog librarian for more than 30 years. She was also an associate professor, who taught Faith and Learning I and II. She also helped to write and update coursework for those classes.

Last August, Hammerlund received the Christ-like Servant Award during Judson’s annual Welcome Back staff and faculty picnic, in honor of her generous spirit.

Over a span of at least two decades, she served in leadership roles with the Algonquin Area Public Library trustee board.

What Judson people likely remember most about her is that she was a trivia buff. She led Judson teams to victory in the Literacy Connection’s annual Trivia Bee, and she successfully won more than $22,000 on the game show, “Jeopardy!” (She is pictured here with Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek.)

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Finding Focus at the Student Success Center

By Briana Williams ‘17

Two years ago, Anthony Santos ’16 came to Judson as a transfer student. He wasn’t sure where his future was headed or what career he would be best suited for; but he was determined to find out.

That was then. The Sociology major who graduated this May has hopes of becoming a local police officer. “My plans after college include me working as a civilian employee for a police department until I am hired as a local police officer,” he explains. “I like that you’re out in the public, dealing with the community. I like the diversity of everything and that everything is always changing in the field.”

The missing link for Santos was someone who could carefully guide him and offer direction. He found that when he visited Judson’s Student Success Center. There, he was introduced to Career Development Director Doris Haugen.

The Student Success Center played a huge role in helping Santos figure out what he wanted to do after graduation. Before coming to the Student Success Center, he did not have a resume and lacked good job experience. He began to work with Haugen weekly and soon crafted a very suitable resume.

“I know that there is no way I could have figured it out without Doris’ help,” he says. He is convinced that the help he received was key in him landing a plum internship over Winter Break with the U.S. Secret Service at the Chicago Field Office. The program usually has 150 students who apply, with only three accepted.

Anthony one was of the three.

During his internship, he was assigned to the counterfeit squad where he learned to sort money and determine counterfeits from the real thing. At first, he says, the task was difficult but he soon got the hang of it. “I was a little nervous, because I had never worked with federal agents.

It was different than what I expected,” he said. “But I spoke to them on a buddy level, and that made it easy. I didn’t feel like I was interrupting them,” he says of his internship experience.

He credits his success with the tools he learned in the Student Success Center, and especially the care and attentive ear of Haugen.

“She’s been very supportive of me; she’s always there,” says Santos, who continues to work with Judson’s Campus Safety department.

He encourages others to persevere and to seek out help when needed. “Don’t give up after a failed attempt and work hard,” says the new graduate who also plans to continue to train in mixed martial arts in hopes of fighting professionally. “I know it sounds cliché, but be the hardest worker in the room everywhere you go and it will show – it will always show.”

Effort and Exposure Pay Off in Performance Program Music Professor Dr. Sojung Lee Hong had a dream to get top-notch international students to the Judson campus to learn, practice and master piano.

The South Korean native, an accomplished and trained pianist herself, goes back to her country regularly to hand-pick the scholarship winners for Judson’s Performance Certificate in Music Program, which she established in 2008.

But it is not enough for these students (mostly from South Korea) to have potential or to be good at what they do. She makes it clear: no matter how dramatic their stories or background, the program recipient, who will receive a $12,000 scholarship, must be “exemplary.”

That is because the designated certificate scholar spends a year accompanying the University Choir and other campus ensembles on tour, in concert and in rehearsal, and must spend upward of 40 hours a week in practice on their own.

Dr. Hong says the project is a win-win for everyone. “They bring their culture, promote diversity and help to expose our students to top quality accompanists for the choir,” she says.

The program is highly respected and beneficial for those who attend. Already past recipients who have completed the program have gone on to some of the top graduate schools in the U.S. or returned to their homelands to be better positioned to land jobs.

Dr. Hong, an associate professor of Music, came to Judson in 1998. The Performance Certificate Program, she says, was something that the entire department supported from the beginning, especially Music Chair Dr. Robert Kania. “He understood the mission,” she says.

So far, 14 students have gone through the program, and their fully funded scholarships are often the result of concerts planned and orchestrated by Dr. Hong.

Her dedication to this initiative and to the music program at Judson comes from the heart. “This school taught me how to care and love students as a family,” says Dr. Hong. “It’s not just a job, but it’s been a place of learning, from my college, students, staff and colleagues. I have enjoyed my teaching and performing. What a wonderful gift of God that he has given me.”

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By Rachel Lester ‘19 Daniel Olsson, a junior studying Music Business and Entrepreneurship, recently toured with the band Citizen Way, which got its start on the Judson campus. From age two, Olsson has played piano and when he came to Judson the second semester of his freshman year, he took lessons under the tutelage of Music Department Chair Dr. Robert Kania. When Ben Calhoun ‘03, lead singer of Citizen Way, began looking for a guitarist to tour with the band, he went to Dr. Kania and Demoss Center for Worship in the Performing Arts Director Dr. Warren Anderson '86 to see if Olsson could do an internship crafted around him working and performing with the band.

What a fun dream job. But being with the band didn’t exempt Olsson from college student realities, like homework, tests and midterms. He Skyped into class, completed all school work required of him and performed in concerts at night. He also

“I want to keep my performance as interesting and engaging as possible, but I also want to keep it genuine. I think genuine performance comes from simply being who you are on stage, being the same person on stage as I am off stage.”

– Daniel Olsson

learned the ropes about merchandising. The most difficult time, Olsson said, “Right now, I don’t quite know how percentages work with venues in merchandise sales. The bands get charged based on how much they make on merchandise in one night.”

“I’m not totally sure how that works, but I have a feeling I may find out.” But merchandise percentages aren’t the only struggles Olsson had to deal with. Being on the road, worshipping with A-listers, has its advantages and a few disadvantages. “I think I just miss people I know…but there’s something about home and friends and family,” he said during a recent pit stop. “I see it with other band members, too. It’s hard when you love someone…home just fills you up.”

Citizen Way lead singer Calhoun said Olsson is the first to put his education into practice like this. New graduate Chad Sowards has also toured with Citizen Way this year. Touring with Citizen Way has provided the young Algonquin native with real-world experience that he can take with him into his future career possibilities. Calhoun has spoken of Olsson’s conscientious and responsible attitude and his strong work ethic. Calhoun says he hopes Olsson’s internship will be a useful recruiting tool for Judson to bring in more music students.

At only age 20, Olsson has had a taste of the celebrity life. He has already recorded a project, finished three years of university and now he has toured with Citizen Way. His summer plans include playing summer festivals with Citizen Way and possibly taking a class online. His routine has been busy, but he has survived and thrived by taking it one step at a time.

Judson Artists, Students Produce New Music Judson has helped to foster the growth of a number of bands over the years. Here are a few of the latest projects of three such bands: Citizen Way, which got its start on the Judson campus, released its second album, “2.0,” in March 2016. The CD received rave reviews and floated to the top 10 of the Billboard charts.

Other Judson band releases include Graveyards to Gardens self-titled debut album in February 2016 and Mass Anthem’s single, “To Get to Me,” in April 2016.

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Signs of Life: How the MLIT Program Gave New Focus

By Briana Williams ’17

Judson University graduate literacy alum Elizabeth (Lizzy) Vander Woude captured the audience's attention at the December 2015 MLIT Commencement Dinner, where she spoke about how the Master of Education in Literacy (MLIT) program dramatically changed her life.

It began after this middle school teacher dropped off a student at the principal’s office at her school; that’s when she saw the sign that would eventually lead her to Judson. It was a flyer hanging on a bulletin board that caught her eye. As she read the details about the MLIT program at Judson, she became intrigued and was excited to share this information with her husband, Jason. As she walked back to her classroom, she received devastating news. Between

the time she discovered the flyer and entered her classroom, her husband had suffered from sudden death arrhythmia. She never had the opportunity to show him the flyer.

After taking a leave of absence from her job, Vander Woude later returned to the classroom, and when she unpacked her belongings, she found the flyer again. She didn’t throw the flyer away. She had a strange attachment to it, as it was the last thing she remembered before losing her husband. That excitement to discuss the program with him was a sign in her mind. “It was a sign, and I just couldn’t, I just wouldn’t, let it go. Eventually, I chose to follow where that sign was pointing to – Judson,” she said.

It was the combined signs and the MLIT program that soon changed Vander Woude’s life in an unexpected way. “MLIT was the vessel on which I sailed out of death and into life; out of grief and into healing; out of brutality and into beauty,” she told the crowd, including her fellow cohort members, during the December gathering. The graduation event was months after the cohort had been together, but Vander Woude said she continued to notice the signs of the programs everywhere she went. “Each and every one of you, my fellow MLIT-ers and my faculty,” she told those gathered at the commencement dinner, “served as signs from above that I was in God’s hands all along.

We all were.” Vander Woude ended her reflection by reminding her class that the graduation celebration wasn’t a goodbye, just an “I’ll see you around campus, and I’ll be looking for signs of you everywhere.”

Want to learn more about Judson University's Master of Education in Literacy program? Visit JudsonU.edu/LiteracyMaster

UPCOMING JUDSON EVENTS Orientation August 19-21

Homecoming Weekend September 22-24

Fall Break October 17

Fall Semester Begins August 22

Network Night September 22

Founders' Day October 21

Global Outreach Week September 5-9

Overnight Preview Day October 9-10

24-Hour Prayer Service October 28

Preview Day September 5

Inspirational Series October 10

Shark Tank November 17 For more events visit JudsonU.edu/Calendar SUMMER 2016 7

Redefining Diversity on Campus Dr. Curtis J. Sartor In January 2016, Judson University established an Office of Diversity and Spiritual Development. Dr. Gene Crume and a university-appointed diversity committee created the initiative.

Diversity offices and officers are a new and rapidly growing executive leadership component in higher education and administration. I was appointed as assistant to the president for Diversity and Spiritual Development in the 2015-2016 school year.

The concept of diversity and spiritual development is central to the mission and success of Judson University. This is one of the foundational elements that the Strategic Plan is based, and I believe that we cannot succeed as God wants us to as a Christian university unless we embrace and provide equitable educational access to all of God’s people. Furthermore, we cannot succeed as a university in a global economy without attracting and embracing diversity. This mission not only involves equitable access for students; but it involves fairness and equity for faculty and staff members as well. Our university should be at the very least a microcosm in composition of God’s Kingdom community.

As a result, I believe that the Judson community needs to philosophically and spiritually define, or redefine, what we mean when we say diversity. Of course, this philosophical and spiritual definition is beyond and may not be inclusive of the typical categories of: age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, differently abled, religion, economic class, geographic region, national origin, intellect or generational status.

Ideally, we are interested in God’s view of diversity as he created and intended it to be. We acknowledge that there is some diversity that is secular and embraces sinful behavior that we do

not support. This view may be unpopular in our society, and even among other Christian colleges and universities; but we will follow the ideologies of a biblical worldview. As a result, a diversity council of staff and faculty is developing a “Position Statement on Sacred Diversity,” which will guide my office as I work to develop a three- to five-year diversity plan. There is also an External Council that will work with me on diversity initiatives.

Dr. Pete Menjares, senior fellow for Diversity at the Council for Christian Colleges and University, serves as an advisor and mentor. He is open to acting as a sounding board for Judson as we develop our diversity plan in light of best practices. He affirms the decision to develop a Position Statement on Sacred Diversity that clearly establishes a biblical approach to diversity rooted in the historic Christian faith with Jesus Christ at the center. Further, he states: “A distinctive of institutions in the CCCU is the integration of faith with learning and this is a great opportunity for Dr. Sartor and his team to write a paper that incorporates a clear understanding of diversity, the biblical principles that undergird Judson University’s commitment and the faith-practices that characterize a distinctively Christ-centered approach to diversity in higher education. This is one of the most important projects that a school can undertake.”

Our desire is to bring Judson to a state of “cultural proficiency” that is reflected not only in the composition of the university and its curricular; but also in behavior and programs. This will take planning, time and resources; we are committed to get this done.

As you become aware of how Judson University is moving forward with diversity initiatives, consider the following questions: If you are a student, faculty, staff, administrator, alumni or supporter of Judson University, how competent are you in embracing an inclusive campus environment that supports the retention and success of the full range of God’s people on campus? Do we have a monocultural, non-discriminatory or multi-cultural campus environment and university that reflects the love of Jesus Christ?

Our desire is to develop the capacity to effectively serve and support the attraction, retention, success and empowerment of all students, staff and faculty from God’s full range of intersecting social identity groups and prepare them to be effective leaders in the increasingly diverse global context.

What’s New? Three new student organizations: The Black Student Union Club The Diversity Club The International Club

Judson Welcomes New Vice President for Technology In February, Judson University welcomed Hasi Smith ’15 of Batavia, Ill., as the new vice president for Information Systems and Technology. Prior to her appointment at Judson, Smith spent the past two decades as director of Information Systems and Telecommunications at Delnor Health Care System in Geneva, Ill. During that time, she provided overall leadership on information technology strategy and led key initiatives, which drove quality and performance improvements within the health system. She received a bachelor’s degree in Management and Leadership from Judson’s School of Business and Professional Studies.

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Passionate Presentations Marked the 12th Annual Imago Film Festival For the 12th year in a row, Judson hosted the Imago Film Festival.

The festival is designed to showcase independent films from around the world that deal with faith and ethics. This year’s festival, from March 29-April 2, also included an exclusive film preview, presentations by industry notables, musical guests and plenty of glamor.

Day one opened with screenings of the first block of films in competition for the $1,000 grand prize. On Wednesday, March 30, the festival continued with Pixar story artist Matthew Luhn, who told the story of his journey to faith and his life as an artist during the morning chapel service. Coming from a family of toy store owners, Luhn connected his devotion to play to his work as an animator. Later in his keynote speech, he described how he “creates stories with heart.” Festival goers also heard live music from Mass Anthem.

On Thursday, March 31, the festival continued with screenings of the second block of films in competition. On Friday, April 1, Christian bands Citizen Way and Graveyards to Gardens performed musical sets to a standing room-only crowd. Filmmaker and Judson Professor Matt Bilen '97 also premiered his short film, “The Return,” and cast and crew members (some of which were Judson students) discussed the film’s parallels with the prodigal son story. The night ended with an exclusive 20-minute preview of

MGM Studios and Paramount Pictures’ upcoming film, “Ben-Hur,” with a video introduction provided by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey.

The festival came to a close with its elegant red carpet celebration, complete with food, live music and a best-dressed contest. The band, Raze the Darkness, played live music, and the Imago Lifetime Achievement Award was given to producer Ralph Winter (whose work includes the “Star Trek,” “X-Men” and “Fantastic Four” films as well as “I, Robot,” “The Giver” and the recent sequel to “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”).

Winter shared ideas drawn from his extensive career in Hollywood with the packed house at the Thompson Center, noting how his faith appears in his work through his devotion to excellent stories.

In particular, he said that he likes science fiction and superhero stories because they allow him to depict serious issues in a way that engages the audience unexpectedly.

The final evening of the festival ended with an awards ceremony and a screening of the winning films. The grand-prize winner was “We Can’t Live Without Cosmos,” an animated film by Russian director Konstantin Bronzit. The film follows the dream of two astronauts and depicts their friendship as something that transcends the limits of space and time.

One festival judge simply described the film as “perfect.”

SAVE THE DATE: 13th Annual Imago Film Festival Tuesday-Saturday, April 4-8, 2017 www.imagofilmfestival.com

Year in Review: 2016 We captured so many great moments this year. Visit JudsonU.edu/CampusLife to watch our year in review.

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Bringing Wellness TO THE HEART OF CAMPUS

BY LISA JONES TOWNSEL This past fall, the University Center welcomed a new tenant, the Wellness Center. The Wellness Center merges two campus mainstays into one. What had once been the home of Campus Safety is now the newly renovated space that houses the counseling services and health services.

Merging the two under one roof did more than bring counseling and medical care together; it was also a way to speak to the grander vision of keeping wellness central to campus, whether it be spiritual, psychological or medical.

If the soul is at the center of the Christian life, then the Wellness Center should be at the center of a Christian campus, according to Wellness Center Director Elliott Anderson '89. “It speaks to the priority of the Strategic Plan, Goal 4, Community Care and Development, and in particular Objective 4.3,” says Anderson, of the objective that focuses on the development of a comprehensive wellness plan that includes programs and facilities for physical and mental health.

“When we talk about how much we care, and then we back that up with a new center and more staff,” he says, “(students) believe in our intention and will follow our lead to wholeness and wellness.”

The Wellness Center offers counseling services to the traditional student body and to Judson staff and faculty. Development and strategic planning are also underway to serve the adult undergraduate and graduate students as well. Those new counseling and care initiatives will begin this summer and be fully engaged by the fall.

Administrative Assistant Deby Brotzman '86 is often the first point of contact for those who enter. Her desk and a nearby table overflow with granola bars, hard candy and small snacks. “We want them to feel that they can just come in here and talk and hang out if they need to. We keep it light and fun,” she says. “A part of my job is to read student’s mood and demeanor. You don’t know if

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they are in a crisis mode, need to be left alone, or need a hug and a smile. My job is to welcome them and let them know that this is a place where they can come and feel comfortable and be loved.”

Counselors meet with students in confidence about everything from crisis situations to stress related to relationships, classes and many issues in between. The first session is free and follow-up ones are available at a nominal charge.

Students, faculty or staff members often refer others to the center, and some just walk in on their own. The counseling ratio is about 3-to-1 female students, Anderson says, but increasingly male students, faculty and staff are coming to the center.

While the counseling staff is comprised of trained and licensed counselors, prayer remains a key cornerstone.

“Sometimes, I use the pastor side more than the therapeutic, even with our non-Christians,” says Anderson, an ordained pastor. “They want the prayer; I don’t force it, but I don’t pretend that I am not a pastor either.”

In addition to the counseling arm, walk-in health services are also available. It is here that students can get help for simple illnesses and injuries and can receive a flu shot, allergy medications, blood pressure checks and certain immunizations for overseas travel.

They receive patient care from Campus Nurse Susan Weber and Visiting Physician Dr. Mark Thompson. “Having the Health Center and Counseling Center in the same space has very much increased the communication between the counselors and myself and Susan Weber, our nurse,” says Dr. Thompson, who previously worked in missionary hospitals in Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “This has made a difference in students who need coordination between psychological counseling and medical treatment. I feel that it makes both departments that much more effective.”

The Wellness Center staff includes (left to right): Halie Howells, Dr. Mark Thompson, Susan Weber, the Rev. Elliott Anderson, Eve Ahrens, Deb Foshager and Deby Brotzman.

The Wellness Center staff includes: Wellness Center Director and Therapist Rev. Elliott Anderson; Visiting Physician Dr. Mark Thompson; Campus Nurse and Director of Health Services Susan Weber; Therapist Eve Ahrens; Therapist Deb Foshager; Therapist Halie Howells; and Administrative Assistant Deby Brotzman.

“I think the campus was hungrier for this, more than we even knew when the Wellness Center was envisioned,” Anderson says.

“We’re honestly just touching the surface. I look forward to seeing how God uses this for His Kingdom and the Judson community.”

WELLNESS CENTER HOURS Mondays-Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; no weekends. Attending physician, Thursdays only. Crisis response services are available 24 hours a day in conjunction with Campus Safety.

Be Body Strong At Judson, we’re always thinking about how we can better embrace the university Strategic Plan. The Wellness Committee is a staff and faculty-appointed committee formed to implement goal No. 4: Community Care and Development. The main objective of this 11-person group is to encourage the campus community to participate in wellness initiatives, activities and events, keeping

Construction of the Wellness Center was completed in the summer of 2015.

I Cor. 6:19-20 in mind. It reminds us that our bodies are the temples of God. The committee’s main goals are to: Establish a wellness calendar (located on MyJudson), but committee chair, Elliott Anderson acknowledges, “It’s not wellknown within our community yet, or with regular engagement.”

Create monthly wellness events. “Wear Red Day” (as pictured at left), March into Health events, the Mayor’s Walking Challenge and the staff/faculty massage relief, were examples of what we want to do more of next year,” he says.

Several more initiatives are planned, too, including: campuswide awareness events and to build out a room for meetings and event planning in the lower level of the University Center.

Committee members include: Elliott Anderson, Cathy Headley, Leslie Kruser, Julene Ensign, Heather Johnson ’00/’15, Christina Watson, Corrine Pragovich, Chris Lash, Susan Weber, David Hoferer, Dana Pautsch and new Student Coordinator, Kayla Toussaint.

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Q&A: Trusted to Collect and Interpret the Data When you see Judson University listed in books, directories and on websites, have you ever wondered where the information originated? Much of it is generated in the office of Chad Briggs, the director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness.

Briggs wears a lot of hats to ensure that accurate and detailed information about Judson gets into the hands of those who need and want it – particularly prospective students.

“At this point, I am more of a facilitator or go-between. There are several offices on campus (Registrar, Information Technology, Financial Aid, Admissions and Student Development) that represent the go-to people,” says Briggs. “When someone needs data, I help find it; but that often involves relying on others to provide it.”

Briggs not only makes sure that relevant institutional information reaches the public, he also spearheads the University Assessment Committee, ahead of the upcoming reaccreditation review.

But what does it take to gather data and use and disseminate it effectively? We took a few moments to speak with him about his job. Briggs’ role represents one of the important ways Judson is dedicated to caring for its community.

What is the main purpose and focus of the director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness role?

I help manage institutional data and coordinate the reporting of these data to national clearinghouse surveys, which allows prospective students to learn more about the University. I work with faculty and staff to provide the data they need for projects; I help coordinate and guide assessment activities; and, I participate in the preparation of documents and materials for the reaccreditation process.

Why is it necessary for Judson to provide institutional information to the public?

Since a growing number of students learn of Judson via online sources, it is important to be able to provide accurate and up-to-date information about the school to these clearinghouses.

What kind of information is typically found in these surveys?

Most are looking at similar variables: academic degree programs, admission requirements, student enrollment, faculty characteristics, student-tofaculty ratio, tuition costs, financial aid packages, campus life, religious affiliation, graduation requirements and rates and career placement data. One fairly popular survey is the U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges Survey, which uses these data to rank Judson University against its peers. Other institutional surveys include Peterson’s, Wintergreen Orchard House and the ACT Institutional Data Sharing Questionnaire to name a few.

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How do the collected materials benefit prospective students?

They allow students to compare institutions and to see things that make us unique – such as low student/faculty ratio, our student population of 1,200, our location, being a Baptist university and having accredited architecture and education programs.

What is your role with the University Assessment Committee?

I chair the University Assessment Committee. One long-term goal of the committee is to help create a climate of assessment on campus; to encourage faculty and staff to begin thinking that, if they’re going to do an activity or program that uses resources, it can and should be assessed to determine if it is successful.

The university is currently preparing for a reaccreditation review by The Higher Learning Commission. Will the assessment committee be involved?

Only indirectly. The committee’s primary role is to review the academic and cocurricular programs at Judson. Our process will be evaluated by The Higher Learning Commission, however, to ensure that we are effectively monitoring the quality of our programs and services.

What sort of items must be collected and documented for reaccreditation?

We have to document our policies; demonstrate that the university’s communications are forthright, honest and accurate; show that we are engaging in ethical conduct; practice transparency

with students and parents; provide evidence of our effectiveness as educators; demonstrate that we are committed to continual improvement; and provide evidence that we have the resources – infrastructure and funding – necessary to carry out our mission.

How will all of these divergent parts come together in the end?

Committees have been meeting throughout this past school year to address five reaccreditation criterion. Each committee has been writing towards the criterion requirements. The criterion will be presented to faculty and staff members during fall 2016 for their review and comment. The Board of Trustees will have the final review. Further changes and updates will be made throughout the next year before the document is submitted to The Higher Learning Commission.

When does the actual reaccreditation period take place?

The committee will have the 20162017 academic year to revise, update and complete the report. The official reaccreditation evaluation visit will take place in October 2017. Judson University is currently on the Open Pathway, which means that the reaccreditation process is completed every 10 years.

Ultimately, what do you hope to accomplish in this role?

I hope to be a trusted go-to person, a person that faculty and staff can go to without hesitation for their data and assessment-related needs.

Responding to God’s Call to Give

By Tara García Mathewson

Cindy Hoag grew up in a family where giving and serving were expected.

They regularly gave their time to the church, adding financial donations to physical labor and support. Later, as a student at Wheaton College, Hoag contributed the couple dollars she could to human rights crises around the world. In her first job after graduation, Hoag learned about Habitat for Humanity and has been raising funds and building houses for them ever since. And for years, Hoag and her husband David have donated time and resources to Judson.

“It’s a responsibility; it’s not an option,” Hoag said. “Having said that, it’s never a burden. Giving, to us, is joyful.”

The Hoags’ most recent donation made the new Wellness Center possible and also allowed for a revitalization of the worship space in the Herrick Chapel building. The couple has a long-standing commitment to the university and a strong belief in its future.

Hoag’s father, Lynn Wheaton, worked in Judson’s Advancement Office for more than a decade at the end of his career, and her niece and nephew have both attended the school. David Hoag was first to serve on the Judson Board of Trustees and Cindy

has been a member since 2012, traveling from their home in California for meetings.

It is their intimate knowledge of the workings of Judson and their trust in the university’s leadership that Cindy Hoag says provides the basis for her family’s donations. The contribution that made the latest renovations possible was given as an unrestricted gift, meaning Judson could use it as its leaders saw fit.

Hoag recognizes that many people champion specific causes with their donations but she feels as though God’s plan for her family is to be more flexible. She and her husband have a background in business and finance, and working on operations and finance committees for various organizations “turned on a lightbulb” about unrestricted gifts. When they make major donations, the Hoags do so to organizations they trust, which makes them feel comfortable enough to leave the decision-making to the organization.

At Judson, that means helping support the potential of a university that creates a safe space for students to explore their gifts, discover their passions and develop a healthy balance in life among community, family and work. Hoag sees a bright future for the university.

“We’re committed long-term,” Hoag said, “and through our deep engagement with the university, we feel confident that we’re not only responding to God’s call to give, but we’re investing in Judson’s future.”

A Renovation to Remember

By Halee Yarbrough ’19

Herrick Chapel is where students, staff and faculty assemble weekly to worship, hear the Word of God and take part in wonderful performances.

Since 1974, Herrick Chapel has seated its students and guests in pews. Not only were the pews somewhat uncomfortable and a bit outdated, the pew seating was not quite as conducive to the needs of the facility either. But it took time to bring about a few needed changes.

This past Spring Break, 42 years after the original installation, things have changed for the better. The chapel now seats all students, staff and faculty comfortably in cushioned chairs, thanks to a special financial donation given to Judson by Cindy and David Hoag.

The renovation, from start to finish, took less than four weeks to complete. It included the installation of approximately 518 new chairs. The pews were removed (with the exception of the one used by Professor Emeritus Dr. Stuart A. “Doc” Ryder), and the old carpet was pulled up, too. Replacing the old fixtures were new tile, fresh carpet and plush navy blue chairs. This remodel has changed everything! Not only are the acoustics better and the space more versatile, but the renovated chapel also provides a more inviting atmosphere.

“Through this exciting new aesthetic change, I hope students see just how much the broader Judson community cares and supports them,” says University Ministries Director Chris Lash.

BEFORE

AFTER

SUMMER 2016 13

The Judson Alumni Association Establishes A Greater Voice

When Judson graduate Benjamin Glunz ’10 became president of the Judson Alumni Association, he had far-reaching goals. He envisioned an organization that would seek more engagement with members near and far, and that would see themselves as active and vital contributors to the greater Judson community. And during his last two terms as board president, he has facilitated some of that change.

Glunz joined the Alumni Association board of directors right after graduation in 2010, and in 2012, he became president.

Glunz, who owns Jerry’s Café in the Harm A. Weber Academic Center and Anguleris Technologies in downtown Elgin, wanted to rebrand the association so that there was more focus on member engagement, by putting into place social media channels and creating a logo and webpage to help boost the group’s presence.

“I wanted alums to have a sense of ownership,” said Glunz. “We stayed away from what can you do for us; and turned it to how can we serve you?”

Plus, he said, he wanted people to know that the alumni group was busy and active year round – and not just for Homecoming.

“Homecoming was great, but we wanted to increase the way we were serving,” he said.

It’s also worth noting that while the university as a whole had enacted a Strategic Plan, for an overall vision for campus concerns, the Judson Alumni Association worked on developing goals and objectives for alumni, too.

CELEBRATE YOUR WINS!

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Among the main objectives was an initiative to engage a vibrant network of Class Delegates to represent each graduation class. “The idea is that every year, once a year, we would host class reunions of a particular decade,” Glunz explained.

“It’s another way to engage and plug in because you’re a lot more likely to take a call from someone in your class.”

Other initiatives include: using social media and other communication platforms to support that network; increasing attendance and involvement in Homecoming and other significant events on campus; the eventual creation of an Alumni Center and offices on campus; career mentoring with current students; creating opportunities for regional engagement between current students, alumni and parents; encouraging spiritual growth through corporate reading and prayer (which has already resulted in an alumni blog); and initiatives to increase and encourage giving of financial resources and time.

The board also pinpointed a new recruitment ground for new delegates: the graduating class. “We have an opportunity to recruit a delegate for the most recent graduating class before they leave Judson,” he said. “We hope to do this consistently in the future. It could be someone on JSO, a student leader, who already has a great relationship with their class.

“Really the goal is to continue with the strategic plan and strengthen the alumni network,” Glunz explained. “So that long term, when you’re in the city, you can dial in and say, ‘I’m moving to Seattle, who can I connect with there?’ That will be a really great way to serve the alums.”

Glunz and others say it’s crucial to have an active and involved alumni base. “It’s a great way to stay connected, and it’s crucial to the university,” he said. “It’s the only way to learn about the success of your alums.”

In July 2016, Glunz will pass the presidential baton to 1990 grad John Syverson. “It’s been my pleasure to lead the board through this time,” said Glunz who will cycle out of the president’s role in July and the board this October. “I am excited to see what God has for the future of the association.”

Join the rest of your peers and tell us what you’re up to!

Share your story with us by filling out the survey at JudsonU.edu/AlumniStorySurvey Read other alumni stories at JudsonU.edu/AlumniStories

SHAPE YOUR LIFE TO SHAPE THE WORLD

At Judson University, we equip students to make a difference in a world that needs their creativity, passion, and leadership. In each of our 65+ degree programs, Judson students are developing habits of mind that will serve them well as they serve their world.

65+

A FAITH COMMUNITY. Judson’s Christian mission helps students develop God-honoring relationships and careers

VARIOUS OPTIONS. More than 65 academic programs offered at Judson AN IDEAL SETTING. Judson is located in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, offering big city opportunities within a scenic, close-knit community

90%

REAL WORLD LEARNING. Students involved in real-world settings via internships, practicums, and student teaching

Judson is ranked in the Top Tier, Midwest Best Colleges, U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges Survey

VISIT US ON OUR 2016 PREVIEW DAYS September 5 October 9-10 – Overnight

Visit Judson and discover academic excellence, real-world learning and an ideal setting located only 40 miles from Chicago.

November 11

Come experience Judson for yourself. Find out more or schedule your visit today at JudsonU.edu/visit or call 847.628.2517 We look forward to hosting you!

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CHAMPIONING the cause of social justice QUEEN NOOR OF JORDAN SPOKE OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT, EDUCATION AND GLOBAL PEACE

By Lisa Jones Townsel When Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan walked into Herrick Chapel in April, it was clear that she knew how to command a crowd. Even before one word was spoken, she was given a standing ovation. Our royal guest was the keynote speaker for the sixth annual World Leaders Forum community event on April 18.

When she arrived at the podium, that command continued. She spoke graciously and forthrightly before 450 people about matters that she has compassionately championed, including women’s rights and empowerment; education for young girls; refugee rights and status; and global peace.

The woman, who is the widow of the late King Hussein of Jordan, was born Lisa Najeeb Halaby in Washington, D.C., to an American-Arab family. Yet, she spent the last 40 years calling the Middle East her home. Educated at Princeton University, this architect and urban planner became the first American-born queen of an Arab country when she and the Jordanian king married in 1978.

A world-renowned advocate for cross-cultural understanding and conflict prevention and recovery, Queen Noor became an even more resolute champion of human rights following her husband’s death. She now travels the globe as a sought-after speaker, philanthropist and humanitarian. Additionally, this mother of three and grandmother of nine leads the King Hussein Foundation and the King Hussein Foundation International.

After a warm welcome from Elgin Mayor David Kaptain and an introduction by Judson President Dr. Gene Crume, Queen Noor told funny stories about those around her, like the little girl of a friend who always insists that she wear a tiara when she visits. That was just one of a few glimpses into her life as a queen.

Yet, the majority of Queen Noor’s speech dealt with weighty matters that she and others in her region face daily.

She spoke of leveling the playing field for girls to be educated in the arts, the sciences, and in math, in particular. After explaining that women had long been excluded in policy making – cutting across ethnic, religious and tribal barriers in her region of the

world and elsewhere, she added: “In my experience, if you teach a woman to fish – everyone eats!” she said as the audience erupted with applause.

“In developing parts of the world,” she continued, “women are at the heart. So, if they are empowered, it goes beyond just survival.”

Queen Noor used the moment to also debunk a myth that might tie the oppression of women to the practice of Islam. She abruptly discounted that notion. “The oppression of women is not because of Islam,” she insisted, “but contrary to it.”

She spoke of the Syrian refugee crisis and how the issue has become increasingly politicized. “It is important to recognize that you have communities that are on the verge of collapse,” she said. “In Jordan, one in four people are Syrian. In Turkey, one million people are refugees. These are considerable numbers given the populations.”

Understanding that the solution is as difficult as the need at hand, she continued: “We need to understand that refugees have nothing at home and are running in fear for their lives. The enriching value of immigrants is that it reminds us of our common humanity,” she added. “If we don’t share that, then we are diminishing ourselves. I know that the Judson family understands our collective imperative as Christ himself was a refugee.”

Queen Noor encouraged students to be agents of change in the world, as our future depends on it. “Strength of democracy is the strength of engagement and young people have the greatest reason to engage,” she said. “We rise or fall by the fate of the least of us.”

Following the Queen’s thoughtful presentation, event emcee Lisa Chavarria of Fox 32 News led a Q-and-A session with questions from the audience. During the exchange, the Queen discussed what she saw as the biggest challenges facing the Middle East; those challenges, she said, included “human needs and rights of the population.” When Chavarria asked Queen Noor what she hoped would be her legacy, she said being “someone who led by example” and “who upheld the values” of faith. Chavarria also asked the Queen where she feels most at home. Being a person born and reared in the U.S., but a citizen of Jordan for more than SUMMER 2016 17

40 years, the Queen replied that the simple answer was wherever her family was at the time. “(The U.S.) is where I spent my youth and childhood,” she said, “but the Middle East has been a base for me for 40-plus years. I value and treasure both.”

At the end of the forum, Dr. Crume presented Queen Noor with a Lady Elgin watch from the historic Elgin National Watch Company. She put it on immediately and wore it for the other forum events later that evening.

That night, Queen Noor attended a special VIP reception in downtown Chicago where she spoke to World Leaders Forum sponsors who were gathered at the Chicago Hilton.

Among the invited guests was 18-year-old Daniella Cohen of Highland Park, Ill. Cohen will enter Princeton University as a freshman neuroscience major this fall. She could hardly wait to hear Queen Noor, a Princeton graduate. During the Chicago event, she got the opportunity to present the Queen with a Princeton tiger scarf and to take a picture with her (pictured above, far left). “When I gave it to her, she kissed me on both cheeks and we hugged. It was humbling to learn from such an influential peacemaker and women’s rights activist,” said Cohen, who herself co-founded G.I.V.E. (Go, innovate, volunteer, educate) at gogiveproject.com while she was in the fifth grade. The program run by her and Partha Rajendra started as a letter-writing campaign but now provides computers and Internet service to students in underdeveloped countries.

“It’s crazy to think what teens can do,” she said. “This was an incredible opportunity.”

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“Strength of democracy is the strength of engagement and young people have the greatest reason to engage.”

– HER MAJESTY QUEEN NOOR OF JORDAN

FA C U LT Y V O I C E

Judson University, Where Dreams Turn to God’s Will

Angelene Naw, Ph.D. Professor of History History Professor Dr. Angelene Naw retired in May after 14 years of service at Judson. She will continue as a Scholar-in-Residence and was awarded the status of Professor of History Emerita during a retirement reception this spring.

Additionally, Dr. Naw was the recipient of the 2016 YWCA Elgin Leader Luncheon Award for Racial Justice for her leadership in founding local churches and organizations that support the Karen people.

On a cold February night on a narrow road in Maymyo (a cantonement town in Burma), a group of soldiers ordered a horse cart to stop for inspection. Gaping at the guns pointing straight on her face, the pregnant passenger told the soldiers she was on her way to deliver me. I was born that night in the Burma Signals Training Squadron maternity center.

Born during political turmoil, guns, bullets and soldiers were my unescapable companions. Following a military officer father, who joined the “Karen National Movement,” my first six years were spent in the war zone, shifting from one campsite to another – sometimes on elephants and sometimes on foot. With the sounds of the roaring tigers and the crawling poisonous snakes around at night, I remembered my mother’s bedtime prayers but not of any ambitious dreams.

At seven, for the first time, I dared to have a big dream when we returned to a war-free zone. It was in the village where my maternal great-grandfather had been the church pastor for more than 30 years. He had passed away but his widow, my great-grandmother, was an active church leader. Accompanying her to every home and church service, and reading the Bible with her day and night, I told my mother I wanted to be a missionary.

At 13, my parents heard my second dream. Our Nanthagone Karen Baptist Church in Insein was celebrating its golden jubilee, and we Sunday School children had to participate in the concert. There, behind the stage I met Naw Louisa Benson – Miss Burma, actress and famous singer. As I praised her beauty incessantly, my father reminded me that I should also admire her brain. Of course, she was teaching English at the Rangoon University. Deeply inspired, I determined to strive hard to become a university teacher.

Two years later, my church sent me to a women’s Bible study workshop. Its program included the play contest of the women in the Bible. I was assigned to act as Queen Esther, who saved her people from the Persian captivity. I began to dream of doing similar work for my “Karen people,” who were struggling for self-determination. It was a dream too big to talk of for a teenager.

Looking backward, all these young dreams originated from the faith that my parents had implanted in me since my terrifying childhood years. And yet, except for academic career, my intention to become a missionary and my wish to contribute my time and energy to the Karen cause were not fully realized. Then in 2002, at Judson University (then Judson College), I realized that these dreams were from God, and He had planned for me where and when to pursue them. As much as I always have been proud of the name Judson, I had never known that there was a namesake college until a friend sent it to me when I started to look for jobs in the United States. Unexpectedly, from the first day I set my feet on campus, I found the uniqueness of the Judson community. My job interview began with a prayer and in all the meetings that followed.

I left Singapore after I received my appointment letter, and when I moved into the school apartment, to my surprise, my colleagues came and filled my apartment with the items that I needed. I did not drive, but I always had transportation to the grocery store, doctor’s office and church. Before long, I realized that I was surrounded by a group of brilliant Christian scholars, who were dedicated to excellence in scholarship, one of the major goals of the school, and that they were fully committed to this Judson community standard based on the scripture, Galatians 5:22-23. Challenged by their Christian commitment and scholarship, my focus was to live up to the goals and standard of the Judson community.

Following Judson’s pedagogic principle of integration of faith and learning gave me a rewarding experience that a history professor would have never expected. Two students from my class of 2005-2006 joined my Myanmar Christian Church of Metro Chicago and taught the Sunday school children. Today, one is a lawyer and one is an elementary school teacher, serving the community at large.

(God's Will continued on page 21) SUMMER 2016 19

FA C U LT Y FA C U LT Y A C C O M P L I S H M E N T S Joseph C. Rumenapp, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Doctor of Education in Literacy, wrote a book chapter entitled: (Re)-positioning the “Chinatown” Default: Constructing Hybrid Identities in Elementary Classrooms published in the book, “Chinese-Heritage Students in North American Schools: Understanding Hearts and Minds Beyond Test Scores” (Wen Ma and Guofang Li, Eds).

Dave Sanders, D. Min., Professor, Christian Ministries, was selected as senior author and editor of the “Military Teen Bible” project with American Bible Society; co-authored three articles for Officer Christian Fellowship’s Command Magazine; presented seminar to the Military Community Youth Ministry Board of Directors titled, “Engaging the Generations: The World and Persona of Millennials and Screeners,” in Wiesbaden, Germany; presented to the MCYM International staff conference in Germany on “Engaging the Generations: The World and Persona of Millennials and Screeners”; taught two training courses for the Youth for Christ and Young Life military ministry staff: Spiritual Disciplines in Ministry; represented MCYM and American Bible Society as a seminar presenter for the bi-annual American Association of Christian Counselors in Nashville, Tenn., entitled, “ReZilient Kidz”; and was a Perspectives on World Missions presenter.

Stacie L. Burtelson, M.Arch, Professor, School of Art, Design and Architecture, had work published in two articles in the Bahamas Tribune regarding the ongoing building projects and affordable housing at the Adventure Learning Centre Ministry in Nassau, Bahamas.

In fall 2015, Anna Filbert, M.Des., Assistant Professor, Department of Art and Design, planned and co-led with Art and Design faculty and Art and Design Creative Retreat at Camp Wandawega, Wis., where students built nature installations with found materials; attended the Brand New Conference on branding in New York City; in Spring 2016, co-led a day trip letterpress workshop to Hamilton Type Museum and was asked to speak at the Society of Typographic Arts Designer’s Weekend about her experience leading and planning Judson’s Creative Retreat; one of her designed poster series on paper and craft was accepted into the Chicago Design Museum’s summer-long show “Unfolded”; for the 2016-2017 academic year, she will speak at the national Typography Conference, TypeCon, about Judson’s art and design Creative Retreat in Seattle, Wash.; and asked to give a dual exhibition and gallery talk with Lauren Meranda, M.F.A., Assistant Professor, Department of Art and Design, on personal design work at Upper Iowa University.

G.E. Colpitts, M.F.A., Department of Art and Design, showed work in Vital Signs: Works by Alumni Invitational Exhibition, Rowland Gallery, Greenville College, Greenville, Ill. (Oct. 16 – Nov. 20, 2015); in Fly Away! Regional Exhibition, Norris Gallery, Dellora A. Norris Cultural Arts Center, St. Charles, Ill. (Jan. 16 – Feb. 28, 2016); in Fifth Biennial Central Time Ceramics International Exhibition, Heuser Gallery, Bradley University, Peoria, Ill. (Feb. 24 – March 25, 2016); and is currently showing work in the 21st San Angelo National Ceramic Exhibition, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, Texas (April 15 – June 26, 2016); attended the Board Meeting and co-chaired the spring General Session of the Illinois Higher Education Art Association at Parkland College, Champaign, Ill., on April 8, 2016.

Keelan Kaiser, M.Arch., Professor, Architecture, had a paper accepted at the International Conference on Sustainable Design, Engineering and Construction entitled “Expression and Evidence: Advances in Architecture Studio Pedagogy.” The paper was published in ScienceDirect/ Elsevier journal. The subject was energy simulation software and its relationship to student learning in the iterative design process. His watercolor artwork, “The Cupola at Old Main,” was recently published on the cover of Elgin’s local arts magazine, Bravo. The painting depicts the

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distinctive cupola at the Elgin History Museum, while employing a minimal triad of colors. He has been invited to direct his third summer workshop with Chicago Urban Sketchers in 2016, teaching his approach to plein air painting.

In 2015, Lauren Meranda, M.F.A., Assistant Professor, Department of Art and Design, had a video named “WunderKammer” recognized as a finalist in the AIGA “Cased” awards. In November, her project entitled, “To/Through” exhibited at the Distortion Social at 50k Feet, co-sponsored by the Chicago Design Museum. The piece explored the relationship between visual and written storytelling, memory and history via typographic phrases projected on smoke. In 2016, she designed an exhibit with the Stockyard Institute entitled, “Back to the Sandbox: Art and Radical Pedagogy,” for the Reykjavik Art Museum in Iceland. She also delivered two presentations at the STA Designers’ Weekend, one on Judson’s Creative Retreat and the other on her forthcoming gun violence memorial project.

She is scheduled to present on the Creative Retreat as experimental classroom at the 2016 TypeCon in August and to be part of a group show at Upper Iowa University in January 2017. Additionally, her studio practice, Lauren Meranda Design, continues to grow.

Christopher C. Miller, Ph.D., Architecture, had student projects recognized in the international Student Design Awards; “Severhull: Growing Venerable Winchester in Our Time” won the CNU-Illinois Charter Award; the fall 2014 studio project, “Four Alternatives in the Completion of Two Communities: Diamond and Shockoe Bottom in Richmond Virginia” contributes to the public discourse; was an invited critic for Notre Dame School of Architecture senior studio and graduate urbanism reviews; presented in the UK, “Bath: Valuable, Not Because It’s Old; Old, Because It’s Valuable and Market Bridge”. Recently, he joined the Working Group for the Micah Paper on Urban Shalom to be released at the United Nation’s Habitat III conference this October.

Terrence Wandtke, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Art and Design, organized more than 20 panels at the 2016 Popular Culture Association Conference and presented his paper, “No Apologies from the Son of the Monster: From EC Horror to Hellboy and The Goon.” His book, “Ed Brubaker: Conversations” was published by the University Press of Mississippi (a collection of interviews with the well-respected crime comics writer most famous for “killing” Captain America). He recently completed “The Working Class PI (AKA Jessica Jones): Alias as a Narrative of Quiet Desperation,” forthcoming in the book, “Working Class Superheroes” from the University Press of Mississippi. He served as a judge at the most recent Elgin Short Film Festival and continues to serve on the editorial board for the Christianity and Communication Studies Network.

On March 22, 2016, Susan Wesner, D.M.H., Assistant Professor, Chair, Professional Studies and Director, Adjunct Faculty Services, delivered a poster presentation titled “Libraries: An Overlooked Community Resource for People with Dementia” at the American Society on Aging (ASA) Aging in America (AiA) 2016 Conference in Washington, D.C. Dr. Wesner has been conducting research with the Gail Borden Library in Elgin, Ill., to gather evidence of the effectiveness of their Tales and Travel program.

The program extends library services to individuals in the community with dementia and also seeks to reduce stigma and stereotypes held by community members surrounding dementia and related losses. The research project, “Tales and Travel: Developing Community Partnerships to Expand Library Services,” is funded by a grant awarded from National Libraries of Medicine.

Gillian Stewart-Wells, Ph.D., Co-chair, Graduate Programs in Literacy Education, and Director, Doctor of Education in Literacy, presented a session titled “Embedding an Assessment of Dispositions into an Educator Preparation Program” at the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation Conference in San Diego on March 24, 2016.

Kristen Stombres, ’79, M. Ed., Associate Professor, Education, made the workshop presentation, “Assembly Required: Piecing Together a New Normal with Autism Spectrum Disorders,” at Olivet Nazarene University on March 15. This presentation was a discussion from multiple perspectives of one family’s experience with Autism Spectrum Disorders. A factual overview of the historical, medical, educational and ethical issues of the disorder were presented. This university professor, classroom teacher and mother shared her perspectives about this growing exceptionality. Techniques to promote literacy were discussed as attendees explored how to “assemble” classrooms by piecing together a “new normal” to meet the needs of all learners.

Sharon Kim, Ph.D., Professor, English, served as codirector for an international seminar, “Theory and Theology in Chinese Literary Studies,” at Yale University in New Haven, Conn., April 28-29, 2016. Her research paper helped to introduce the event to participants. The project director was Dr. Chloe Starr of Yale Divinity School.

(God's Will continued from page 21) Another challenge came from Judson University’s mission statement. Its emphasis on Judson University representing “the Church in higher education” inspired me to be actively engaged in God’s work throughout the years. Holding to the mission statement as my guiding principle, and in reconsideration of the marvelous legacy of Adoniram Judson that I have benefited from tremendously, it enthused me to keep alive the name of Judson.

God opened that opportunity for me when Karen refugees were relocated to Illinois. Since most of these Karen families came from the refugee camps near the Thailand-Burma border, they spoke only Karen or the Thai language. I was contacted by organizations that were involved in the refugee resettlement program, and I became a volunteer in Karen interpreting service, not only in Illinois but also all over the United States. Then I began to concern myself with the spiritual growth of my Karen families and felt that it was vital to organize a regular worship service in Karen language.

Meeting Ben Adams, a council member of the Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles, Ill., was a blessing.

I talked to him about the need for a venue for a regular Karen worship service. With his help, approval was given to use the premises. Immediately, we started our regular Karen service in June 2007. Without a pastor, delivering weekly church messages became my responsibility and the support came from the whole Judson community. Through the good office of Dr. Jerry Cain and Dr. Richard Clossman, our Karen Baptist Church of Western Chicago became a member of the American Baptist Churches of the Great River region.

Later in 2010, Faith Baptist Church in Geneva offered us its church for our weekly services; we have been there since then.

Now Theodore Aung, a Judson graduate and recipient of Judson Christian Ministry Scholar award is our pastor.

Just as our illustrious founder did 200 years ago, I must devote myself to serving the spiritual and intellectual needs of my Karen people. God sent me to the Judson community to learn, to grow and to fulfill my dream to become a scholar disciple. Indeed, Judson University is where my dreams turn to God’s will.

Sojung Lee Hong, D.M.A., Associate Professor of Music, Demoss Center for Worship in the Performing Arts, presented two recitals on Feb. 12-13, 2016, at the Wausau Music Conservatory in Wausau, Wis., and Beloit College in Beloit, Wis. Brenda Buckley-Hughes, Ed.D., Chair, Speech Communication and Performing Arts, along with Joe Rumenapp, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Doctor of Education in Literacy, and two doctoral students, used Song Reading to teach children at the Katakyaise School in Ghana, Africa, for eight days at the end of March and early April. The goal of this teaching strategy was to increase word recognition and oral fluency in the primary grades. Additionally, professional development was provided for the teachers.

Eric Mason Installed as Julius R. Mantey Chair of Biblical Studies Dr. Eric F. Mason was installed in February as the Julius R. Mantey Chair of Biblical Studies at Judson. In the 1960s, the Julius R. Mantey Chair of Biblical Studies was created to promote excellence in the teaching of religious studies at Judson. Dr. Mantey was a professor of New Testament and Greek at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1925 to 1960. (Judson is an outgrowth of Northern.) He is known for his work with Dr. Harvey E. Dana on “A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament,” which became the standard for the study of intermediate Greek for decades. Dr. Mason is the third recipient of this honor.

Lisa Jarot is Promoted to Vice President for Student Life Judson alumna Lisa Jarot ’03/’14, formerly the assistant vice president for Student Life, was named vice president for Student Life as of June 1. Her responsibilities include oversight of all aspects of Student Life including Chapel, Residential Life, Student Clubs and Organizations, International Students and the Wellness Center. She graduated from Judson in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry and Adolescent Studies and in 2014 with a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership. Jarot began her career at Judson in 2009 as an advisor to international students. After four years of working directly with international students, her role expanded in 2013 to serve the entire student body as the assistant vice president for Student Life. Jarot met her husband Nathan ’01 at Judson. They are active in their church and volunteer with a local ministry to support foster and adoptive families and advocate on behalf of children from hard places. They live in St. Charles, Ill., with their two sons, Carter and Isaiah.

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DOC RYDER: LIVING LEGEND

By Lisa Jones Townsel Do you know Doc Ryder? Really, it’s hard not to know Doc. He has been on and around campus teaching and coaching for generations. He has a bench unofficially dedicated to him in the front row of Herrick Chapel, and he has contributed to the enhancement of virtually every part of campus.

In other words, Dr. Stuart A. “Doc” Ryder is intrinsically tied to this place, and he loves it like none other; but it hasn’t always been that way.

When Doc Ryder (as students have fondly called him for decades) joined the Judson faculty in 1969, he thought his stay would be temporary, a launching pad of sorts for his new career as an English professor. What he didn’t know was that he would become one of the early members of this great new institution.

“When I first came, of course, I didn’t love it. I didn’t know anything about it,” he said. “Immediately, I was brought here to develop a program in English and Communications, as part of the accreditation process. We had six or seven departments at the time, and I decided to call this Communication Arts. It included literature, media studies, English, drama, speech and an introduction to popular studies. Really, that format continued until my retirement.”

Before making the move to Judson, he had been a pastor in Buffalo, N.Y., taught at the secondary level and served as a faculty member at Bishop College, Dallas, Texas. He earned his B.A., M.Div. and Ph.D. from Yale University.

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Doc Ryder admits that it took a lot of work and more than a few years to get Judson accredited, but in 1973, the job was completed.

“In the ’70s and ’80s, everyone did a lot of things. And because I lived on campus and had no family responsibilities, it was feasible to be heavily involved in campus activities,” he explained.

Little by little, he grew to love the place. He not only taught linguistics and literature, he was chair of the Communications department. He also coached the cross country team and was a men’s trainer. “Sometimes I did my full teaching and then went down to the old gymnasium, where Plant Ops is. I did that every day,” he said, smiling. “I’d travel with one of the teams – soccer, baseball or basketball. I’d get back at midnight and be back in class at 7:30 the next morning.”

Doc Ryder’s current office is on the third floor of Lindner Tower.

It’s littered with news clippings of his glory days as a coach and when he was inducted into the Judson Sports Hall of Fame. There are dozens of photos of students and their families on the walls, Eagle statues abound and shelves overflow with books.

When he turns in for the evening, his commute is no further than his on-campus residence. That is because on and off, Doc Ryder has lived on campus for more than 40 years. “At first, I lived on campus for my first 20 years in what was faculty housing. Then I bought a condo in West Dundee, thinking of having a place of my own to retire,” he said. Yet after 15 years away from campus, Judson chancellor Dr. Jerry Cain and Wellness Center Director Elliott Anderson '89 convinced him to move back, “where I would have associations, people around me who would be interested in me and be available in a time of need.” He said he is very glad that he did.

Since his retirement in 2003, he has spent the majority of his time completing a book about the university namesake, Adoniram Judson and Judson’s first president Dr. Benjamin P. Browne; it’s called “Adventures in Faith” (and will be available online by late summer 2016.) He has also penned a memoir entitled, “Why Didn’t I Get an A?” (A question his students often posed because he rarely gave the grade.) It is available to view at whydidntIgetanA.com.

AMONG DOC RYDER'S CONTRIBUTIONS HOFFER BASEBALL FIELD Wall Signs and Benches He was inducted into the Judson Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2004 an academic scholarship was endowed and named in his honor. In 2009, he received the prized Golden Eagle Award.

Doc Ryder says he can’t quite pinpoint what it is that he loves most about Judson, but it goes deep. “Of course, why do you love your family? You’ve invested time and treasure,” he explained, adding, “It’s a comparable role here.”

In fact, Doc Ryder has supported numerous building funds, student scholarships and structural improvements. Most recently, he helped to fund the renovations in Judson’s recording studios, Dark Room Studios, in the lower level of the Thompson Center. “I enjoyed the old Eyrie coffee shop in Wilson Hall. Students could just sit around and put on performances,” he said. He wanted that to continue. So, he provided funding to build a stage area in the new studio.

He also contributed toward updating the sound equipment there. “They didn’t have very good equipment for making recordings, and I said that I could help with that and I did,” he said. “It’s a very casual space. It’s Warren’s (Anderson '86) hope that we can bring some of that (Eyrie) atmosphere here.”

HERRICK CHAPEL Drapes, on and below stage ACADEMIC CENTER Browne Library Entrance

Doc Ryder makes no qualms about it; Judson quickly became the place he wanted to be. “It’s all I have. I don’t have many relatives,” he said.

One of a few surviving early faculty members, Doc Ryder remains a mainstay on campus. “I asked Nate Adams '80 (a Judson alum and past president of the Judson Board of Trustees) whether I was an icon, a symbol or legend,” the professor emeritus said. “He said, ‘All three.’ ” We asked Doc Ryder what people might be surprised to learn about him. “I really don’t live up to the praise I received over the years,” he said in his humor-tinged, self-effacing style. “I’m not as good as people think I am.”

The Demoss Center for Worship in the Performing Arts In December 2015, the Center for Worship in the Performing Arts became the Demoss Center for Worship in the Performing Arts.

“The Demoss family has made such an amazing impact at Judson,” said Judson President Dr. Gene Crume. “The commitment of this family to our mission as a Christian university is a blessing.”

Dennis and JoAnn Demoss’s considerable support of Judson University, and in particular Judson’s CWPA, has been instrumental for various worship ministries ranging from performance ministry ensembles and the in-house Dark Room Studios to the technological infrastructure of the Thompson Center’s classrooms and theater.

The Demosses of Barrington have been involved with Judson for more than a decade. They have been actively involved parents, and in 2011 Dennis Demoss, the senior vice president and project director for Sargent & Lundy in Chicago, became a member of the Judson Board of Trustees.

Three of the family’s four children have attended Judson. Daughter Kristina graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and Mathematics. Their son Jordan currently attends Judson.

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ALUMnotes

Join the Judson University Alumni Club and you will be helping your alma mater while enjoying savings exclusively for Alumni Club members! Go to JudsonU.edu/Alumni for more information.

We want to know what our alumni are up to, so be sure to notify us of your latest personal and professional achievements. Alumnotes are published in each printed issue of Judson Today.

Please submit news and photos for inclusion in the next issue of Judson Today by October 1.

Digital photos may be submitted in JPG format and should not exceed 5MB in size. If you would like fellow alumni to be able to contact you, please submit your email address with your Alumnote.

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Lesley Spychalla ’11 was married to Steve DeVries on July 6, 2013, in Rothschild, Wis. They welcomed a baby girl, Mia Reneé on Aug. 27, 2015. Mia weighed 8 lbs. 1 oz. and measured 19.5 inches long. The happy family resides in Madison, Wis. Cassaundra (Eden ’11) Goodson and husband Neil welcomed Liberty Rose on Feb. 9, 2015. Liberty weighed 8 lbs. 10 oz. and measured 21.5 inches long. The Goodsons reside in Saint Peters, Mo. Rich ’11 and Carly (Campioni ’11) Robotham announce the arrival of Hadleigh Mae born on February 25, 2016. Hadleigh weighed 7 lbs.

6 oz. and measured 20.5 inches long. Tena (Graf ’78) and George Robotham are the proud grandparents. Rich works at The American Society of Anesthesiologists as a network administrator and Carly works at ALDI USA as a retail specialist. The Robothams live in Huntley, Ill. Jody Powers ’12 was married on July 25, 2015, to Paul Fields at the First Congregational Church in Crystal Lake, Ill. Jody is the business manager and bookkeeper for Jeri’s Hallmark stores and Paul is director of IT at Richmond Burton and District 2 Schools. The happy couple resides in Crystal Lake, Ill. Austin LeClere ’13 married Kiley Greene on June 20, 2015, at Park Hills Evangelical Free Church in Freeport, Ill. Friends from Judson attending the wedding were: David ’14 and Shannon ’13 Thomas, Elizabeth Toy ’13, T.J. Swank ’13, Brandon ’14 and Julia (Eddington ‘ 14) Fowkes, Eric May ’15, Katie Cernek ‘13, Derek Talbot ’15 and Ryan Garland. Austin is employed by API Healthcare in Hartford, Wis., as a client support specialist and Kiley is a CPA for Deloitte and Touche in Milwaukee. They live in Hartford, Wis. 24 JUDSON today

Call. 847.628.2083 | Fax. 847.628.1027 Email. Alumni@JudsonU.edu

ALUMNI NEWS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS On March 31, 2016, Joseph Poynter ’73 of Cincinnati retired after 31 years of service with Hamilton County Job and Family Services, Children Services Division. Joe has served children and youth throughout his career, including service in a residential orphanage and as a case worker, foster care support worker and youth transitional specialist.

Laura (Wood ’03) Gumbiner and husband Brandon announce the birth of their second child, Evanston, on Jan. 27, 2016. He was 6 lbs. 12 oz. and 20.5 inches long. Laura was accepted to Indiana University’s Ph.D. program in School Psychology and will begin the program in the fall 2016. The Gumbiner family resides in Columbus, Ind. Megan Erbele ‘11 and Daniel Bevers were married on July 18, 2015, at the United States Air Force Academy Chapel in Colorado Springs, Colo. Ashley Abb ‘11 was the matron of honor and Brook Lillge ‘12 was the maid of honor. The couple resides in Las Vegas. Daniel works for the Air Force. Megan volunteers at Refuge for Women and is busy training their Corgi puppy, Stormageddon.

Please send your Alumnote to: Judson University Alumni Office 1151 N. State Street | Elgin, IL 60123

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Rev. Dr. Mark W. Hetrick ‘74 (pictured on the right), Rev. Dr. Rex Rogers (director of Pastoral Relations at Judson, at center) and Dr. A.K. Lama (Transforming Leaders in Asia, on the left) traveled by train in northeast India to the Pastors Training Conference in Balinong, Arunachal Pradesh, India, in mid-October 2015. Dr. Hetrick trained more than 100 pastors at the conference in “Expository Preaching,” while Dr. Rogers trained them in leadership. Dr. Lama was the organizer of this conference hosted by Transforming Leaders in Asia, the Future Leadership Foundation and the Tangsa Baptist Convention.

Phil Wallace ’76, the worship director at Peace Church in Pickerington, Ohio, directed an 80-member choir and 26-piece orchestra for a Good Friday cantata. Phil has had a prolific career including directing, composing and 30 years of teaching and has been honored by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra with a Music Educator Award and by The Dispatch with an Advancement of Culture Award.

Timothy J. Crabb ’83 is responsible for the design of a veterans memorial installation at the Harley-Davidson dealership in Woodstock, Ill., making it the first in the country to have a permanent monument installed on its grounds to honor veterans. The memorial includes a monument, pavers and more than 600 personalized bricks to honor veterans.

Congratulations to Barb McDannell ’84 on her new position with Illinois Choices, whose mission is to strengthen individuals and families while advancing community systems of care. Barb resides in Rantoul, Ill. Patrick Gilliam ‘91 was recently inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame. Patrick is the head soccer coach for Trinity International University and will lead the Trinity women’s soccer program for his 20th season next fall.

John Loppnow ’97 is Broadway Pastoral Care pastor at Young Nak Celebration Church in Los Angeles. He recently co-wrote the book,

ALUMnotes “Joyful Journey: Listening to Immanuel,” that is available on Amazon. com. John is married to Sungshim Park and they have two children, Zachariah (age 8) and Zoe (age 6.) The Loppnow family resides in Glendale, Calif.

Chris Bayer ‘04 was recently honored with the “20 under 40” award

by The Young Professionals of Galesburg and the Galesburg Chamber of Commerce. As regional sales coordinator for Aflac and president of Legacy Marketing Inc., Chris was recognized as a true leader who values others, inspires them and helps them achieve their goals.

In November, Seth Sommer ’05 was hired by First Midwest Group as the lead project manager for the construction department. Seth had prior experience as the manager of construction and development for the city of Rockford and project manager for McClellan Blakemore Architects and Hagney Architects.

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Sarah and Rusty Wimberly ’08 welcomed Anna Elizabeth on Sept. 24, 2014. The young family is pioneering a new church plant in Elgin, Ill., called Elgin City Church. Elgin City Church is a vibrant network of “city groups” that meet weekly in homes. These groups will be established in pockets throughout the northwest Chicago suburbs and come together on Sundays for service. Learn more at elgincitychurch.com.

Deborah LaVelle ‘08 was named president and CEO of Aquarius Technologies Inc. in February. She has several years of experience in the water and wastewater industry as well as growth and strategic initiatives for companies.

Robert Smith ‘09/’11 was appointed chief of police for the City of Genoa, where he was unanimously approved by the City Council in September 2015. Bob is a 20-year veteran with the City of Genoa Police Department and has recently served as acting chief since April 2015.

In March 2015, Josh Angliss ’11 was hired by Heartland Federal Credit Union in Dayton, Ohio, as a marketing specialist. Heartland listed his proven track record in digital marketing, social media and eCommerce programs.

Tyler Hopwood ’12, intern architect at Pappageorge Haymes, along with Ryan Arnaudov, project architect at Pappageorge Haymes took third place in the Tiny Homes Competition. The Tiny Homes Competition is an international design competition launched in November 2015, soliciting speculative design proposals that would house Chicago’s youth experiencing homelessness in tiny homes.

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In February, the Alumni Board met for the annual Alumni Board Summit to plan ways to best serve the Judson University Alumni Association.

Pictured are: Back Row – Chrisann Smith ’75, Sally Boscaljon ’73, Bonnie Bienert, Gene Crume, Devlin Donaldson ’79, Amy Speweik ’09, Ben Glunz ’10; Front Row – Ed Gilbreath ’92, Denise McNutt ’74, Matthew Yoo ’92, Denise Barreto ’93, Christine TreDenick ’09, John Syverson ’90; Not Pictured - David Rendall ’95, Andy Zinke ’01*

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IN MEMORIAM Debra Aldridge ’79: October 4, 1957 – November 10, 2015 Abebe Aychelouhem ’78: September 14, 1952 – January 17, 2016 Sharon Stoops ’66: January 29, 1938 – January 29, 2016 10

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AT H L E T I C S

Judson honored with 16 NCCAA All-Region selections and 11 All-Conference Selections The Spring sports have been honored with numerous awards and accolades. Between the tennis, softball and baseball teams, 16 Eagles were selected to the NCCAA North Central All-Region team as tennis earned four selections, softball six selections including Pitcher of the Year and Coach of the Year, and baseball with six selections, including Player of the Year and Coach of the Year. As for the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, the softball team earned two All-Conference first team, one All-Conference second team and two All-Conference tournament team selections. Baseball rounded out two All-Conference first team, two All-Conference second team and two Gold Glove Award winners.

Judson Athletics announces Male and Female Athletes of the Year

Women’s Basketball Team Completes .500 Season

As custom for the end of each sports year, the Judson Athletics Department selects two Athletes of the Year and two Scholar Athletes of the Year. Men’s tennis player Jonathan Moment and softball player Brianna Tennyson (pictured above at right) took home the top honor of Male and Female Athletes of the Year.

Brianna Tennyson and Jonathan Moment have been two staples of the softball and men’s tennis programs. During their senior seasons, both Tennyson and Moment achieved career win records in their respective programs. With her record 20th win, Tennyson broke the all-time wins record as a pitcher; and Moment became the second, most-winningest tennis player on record, breaking with 74 career wins.

For the second year in a row both men’s basketball player Andrew Eck (pictured above at left) and women’s basketball player Rebekah Tabb earned the title of Scholar Athletes of the Year.

The women’s basketball team completed one of the team’s most successful seasons in recent years with a regular season record of 15-15. This marked the first .500 season finish under four-year head coach Kristi Cirone, and it was the Eagles’ first time back in the NCCAA postseason since 1995. Judson had to face a tough Northwestern-St. Paul team in the regional championship and dropped that game 71-50. The Eagles will look to similar success next season having graduated just two seniors, Rebekah Tabb and Sarah Nelson.

Visit CruiseDreamsGroups.com/JudsonUniversity for more information.

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NAIA, NCCAA Track and Field Qualifiers The men’s and women’s track team has had a successful indoor and outdoor season, with numerous track and field athletes qualifying for nationals. In the indoor season, Alisha Barnaby (pictured, left) qualified for the NCCAA National meet for weight throw, earning her second All-American selection.

Jennifer Donnell qualified for the NAIA National meet in women’s shot put. On the men’s side, Dan Becker qualified for the NCCAA in pole vault, finishing sixth overall, while the 4 x 800 relay team of Joseph Sipiorski, Dietrich Heiss, Caleb Fletcher and Daryle Worley established a new indoor school record with a time of 8:29.10, good for tenth place.

The outdoor season got off to a good start with four athletes making NCCAA qualifying marks and times. Jennifer Donnell again qualified for both shot put and discus, while Kilee Hoffman qualified in javelin. Nick Modlin ran a 33:14.10 10,000m, good for second place in the Wheaton Invitational and NCCAA qualifying time. Donnell was crowned National Champion in the Women’s Shot Put and hit the “B” Standard to qualify for the NAIA Outdoor Championships.

Judson Athletics Hires New Head Men’s Basketball Coach The Judson University Athletics Department has hired Brian Thrift as the new head men’s basketball coach. Thrift comes to Judson from Manor, Texas, with an extensive basketball background at both the high school and collegiate levels. He has worked at Oakland Community College, Olivet Nazarene University and Rochester College, among other schools. Most recently, he served as the head coach for Brentwood Christian School in Austin, Texas.

During his time there, he helped the varsity boys’ basketball team reach the No. 14 ranking in the state, won two District Championships and placed second in Districts for the 201213 and 2015-16 seasons. He also served as Brentwood’s varsity baseball head coach and as the athletic director. Thrift completed his Bachelor of Science in Social Work with a minor in Psychology at Rochester College and completed his Master of Education while at Abilene Christian University.

Summer Baseball Events A busy summer of baseball events is coming to the Robert A. Hoffer field that you do not want to miss. Judson is partnering with the Collegiate Summer Baseball Metro League for numerous Little League promotional games this summer, including an All-Star game between the Metro League All-Stars and the Chicago Suburban League All-Stars.

The Little Leagues promotional games allow Little Leaguers to shadow the collegiate players! It’s everything from warm-ups, to batting practice, to getting signed autographs after the games. Be on the lookout for dates and times as these games run through July.

Joel Cotton Leaves Judson University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Joel Cotton stepped down from his role on Friday, July 1. He has been hired as the new athletic director for Blackhawk Christian School in Fort Wayne, Ind. In his seven years at Judson, Cotton played many vital roles within the athletic department. Hired as the assistant basketball coach in 2009, he was later promoted to the head coaching spot in 2012. Additionally, he was the head coach for the women’s cross country and women’s track and field teams from 2010-2013. He served as the athletic director from 2013-2015 and as the co-associate athletic director this past academic year.

Recruiting now for Men's Wrestling and Men’s Volleyball Visit JudsonEagles.com/recruiting.php to request more information.

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HOMECOMING

September 22 – September 24 For a full schedule, visit JudsonU.edu/Homecoming

W RLD LEADERS FORUM

Inspirational Series FEATURING MARY LOU RETTON MONDAY, OCTOBER 10 Herrick Chapel – Judson University 1151 N. State Street, Elgin, IL 60123 For questions call 847.628.2076

FOUNDERS' DAY – October 21 Featured Speaker: Albert Reyes President/CEO, Buckner International

Visit JudsonU.edu/FoundersDay

Mary Lou Retton took the gymnastics world by storm in 1984 when the vibrant young woman won the All-Around Gold Medal in women’s gymnastics at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Calif.

Altogether, she went on to win five medals, the most wins for any athlete during the 1984 Olympics. This trailblazer, who was named “Sportswoman of the Year” by Sports Illustrated in 1984 and became the first woman ever to appear on a Wheaties cereal box, was also the first gymnast and youngest inductee into the USOC Olympic Hall of Fame. Now retired from the sport, Retton is a motivational speaker, corporate spokesperson and fitness ambassador. She has had parts in television series and films, worked as a sports commentator and authored a book. She has also served as national chairperson of the Board of Governors of the Children’s Miracle Network. Retton and her husband, Shannon Kelley, have four daughters.

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE | JudsonU.edu/WLFInspiration