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McPHERSON COLLEGE MAGAZINE
FACING THE CHALLENGES IN
EDUCATION through alumni actions, community partnerships and on-campus project
MADNESS!
The McPherson College basketball teams kicked off their 2017-2018 seasons Sunday, October 8 with the 10th annual "Bulldog Madness" event at the Sport Center.
Bulldog Fall Sports Recap: pg 8
McPHERSON COLLEGE MAGAZINE
MC’S DEBT REDUCTION PROJECT TO ADDRESS THE BURDEN OF STUDENT DEBT
CHALLENGES IN
EDUCATION
Project aims at guaranteeing future MC graduates will leave the college with half the national average of student loan debt.
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MC ALUMNI LEAD KANSAS CAN SCHOOL REDESIGN
Two McPherson College alumnae are among a select group of teachers taking part in the most significant shift in Kansas public education in years. 2 NEWS
On the cover: Illustrations and design for the Challenges in Education features by Evan Hiebert ‘14 and Corey Long ’17.
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The relationship between Peoples Bank & Trust and McPherson College dates back nearly 120 years.
Students enrolled in MC’s teacher education program are hopeful about their futures as teachers and are open to the idea of teaching in Kansas.
INVESTING IN EDUCATION IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY
30 HOMECOMING
Fall 2017 | Vol. 106, No. 2 McPherson College 1600 E. Euclid PO Box 1402 McPherson, KS 67460 (620) 242-0400 (800) 365-7402 www. mcpherson.edu The Review welcomes and reports the news of our diverse alumni and friends. Their activities may represent a variety of viewpoints which may or may not be endorsed by the college. McPherson College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or physical or emotional disability. © 2017 McPherson College
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WHO WILL TEACH IN KANSAS?
36 ALUMNI NOTES
The Review McPherson College Magazine is published twice a year by the Office of Marketing and Public Relations for the alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the college. Editor - Tina Goodwin director of public relations Design - Brian Lundberg director of marketing Photography - Colleen Gustafson ‘06 promotions and new media manager Contributing Staff Monica Rice director of alumni and constituent relations Dave Barrett ’90 advancement officer Joshua Schroeder athletic communications director Kendra Flory advancement assistant Deb Wagoner donor relations coordinator
McPherson College Administration Michael P. Schneider ‘96 president Abbey Archer-Rierson chief of staff Roger Brimmerman vp for advancement Dr. Bruce Clary ’77 vp for academic affairs Khalilah Doss vp for student life & dean of students Andrew Ehling athletic director Amanda Gutierrez vp for automotive restoration Christi Hopkins vp for enrollment management Marty Sigwing director of facilities Brenda Stocklin-Smith director of human resources Rick Tuxhorn vp for finance
news “planning and building facilities to support growth” Community by Design - Strategic Plan
Landmark sign lays footprint for future expansion
The first project in a series of several that will sweep across the McPherson College campus over the next several years is nearing completion. The landmark sign at the entrance of the college is in the final stages of construction and is expected to be completed this fall. The idea behind the entry was to clearly identify the campus in a way that reflects the quality of the college, according to McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “Not only does this create an impressive entrance to the college, but it also serves as a footprint for our future plans for campus facilities,” he said. The entry project is the beginning of a new master plan that will be developed over the next five years to address campus growth. A feasibility study began this fall to discuss future projects such as a student center, which will be part of the next fundraising campaign. The need for a new master plan was apparent last fall when campus housing was filled to capacity. While it was a good sign for the health of the college, it clearly indicated that the college needed to consider how to grow and develop it’s physical space. Over the next five years the college will focus on planning and building facilities to support growth, as well as developing and enhancing academic programs modeled after recent successes, designing the McPherson College community, and creating a plan to build a $1 billion endowment.
The new entry and ticketbooth at McPherson Stadium.
While the college is planning for the future, several capital improvements have been taking place over the past two years. Improvements to Gordon Street were completed over the summer and include complete reconstruction of the street with new curbs, gutters, drain boxes, concrete surface and widened street. Campus safety upgrades with a keyless entry system in residence halls, the sports center, and other buildings across campus were also made. Less obvious, but still important improvements were made such as the completion of a $7.4 million energy improvement project that replaced older steam heat boilers and will save the college at least $90,000 each year in utility costs. Improvements have also been made to sports facilities including the football stadium and construction of the baseball/softball complex, Bulldog Park.
www.mcpherson.edu/strategicplan
N ATIO NAL
recognition
McPherson College has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report on its “Best Colleges” list for Regional College Midwest and is the top KCAC school on this year’s list. MC is the top-ranked small college in Kansas in this year’s Money Magazine “Best Colleges for Your Money,” recognized as a College of Distinction and, for the third year in a row, The Chronicle of Higher Education has named MC a “Great College to Work For”and the only private college to be included on the list’s Honor Roll.
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Enrollment
720 260 202 total
new
Where are they from?
41
states
39%
from KS
19
freshmen
different countries
200+
Largest Freshman Class in 40 Years
McPherson College began the 2017 fall semester welcoming the largest class of freshmen to campus in more than 40 years. The freshman class of more than 200 coupled with a fall-to-fall overall retention rate of 75 percent continues the college’s 20-year steady trend of enrollment growth.
President’s message
2017-18 STUDENT BODY
Dear McPherson College Alumni, Friends, & Family, I hope you will enjoy this issue of The Review. It’s a new look and new concept that incorporates some of the suggestions you offered this summer in an alumni survey. The focus of this issue is on education. In future editions we will continue to take a deeper look at issues and important topics affecting McPherson College. We want to showcase how McPherson College, its students and its alumni are making an impact in our communities.
First-time freshmen numbered 202, all new students totaled 260, and McPherson College total enrollment is at 720, according to Christi Hopkins, vice president for enrollment management. “We are very excited that students are continuing to choose McPherson College,” Hopkins said. “It is a strong endorsement of the quality programs and faculty that can be found on our campus.”
From continued enrollment growth, new programs, and recent national recognitions, there’s a lot to be proud of about your college, as you will discover in the following pages. We have expanded the alumni news section as well and I encourage you to continue sharing your stories with us. Bulldogs are making a positive difference in the world and I am excited to share those stories with you!
New Staff on campus
With the busy holiday season upon us, I hope you will take some time to enjoy this edition of The Review.
New staff members include: Sydney Doster, assistant director of admissions; Kenyatta Harden ‘13, admissions and financial aid counselor; Chris Wallace, admissions and financial aid counselor; Tina Goodwin, director of public relations; and Misha Shorter, student success specialist. New athletic department personnel and coaches include: Josh Baldwin, assistant coach for men’s soccer; Francis Fiemawhle, assistant coach for women’s soccer; Katie Holmes, assistant coach for softball; Matthew Paul, head cheer and dance coach; and Chandler Short ‘15, athletic assistant.
Lastly, from my family to your family, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and happiness in the New Year!
Michael P. Schneider President, McPherson College
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P R O G R A M
Digital Media O
ne of the pillars of McPherson College’s Community By Design strategic plan is “Entrepreneurial Faculty Create Plans to Grow Programs.” Evidence of the plan in action can be seen this year with the introduction of a newest academic program – Digital Media.
The new Digital Media major at McPherson College combines communication, design, and technology preparing students to find a career in the ever-changing marketplace. The new program, beginning this fall, was designed using the school’s approach of applying entrepreneurship to education. “How we have designed our Digital Media major is completely unique to anything in the state of Kansas,” Dee Erway-Sherwood, professor and program director of graphic design, said. “We’re developing the type of curriculum that is geared toward getting students a job using very different programs, such as User Interface (UI), and User Experience (UX). Studios and businesses want students who can do a little bit of everything, but also code. And, we aren’t just talking about big businesses. Based on our research with local businesses and their needs, they are wanting local artists with a grounding of graphic design and communication.” It’s this variety of skills that inspires the flexibility in McPherson College’s degree. Students can take a variety of core courses and then tailor their major to their strengths. They can focus either on Communication or on Visual Design, using skills such as graphic design, web design, social media, public relations, coding, UX and UI. Following the success of the Auto Restoration program, the Visual Arts and Communication departments identified a gap in the market for their students. The Art Department reached out to an anonymous donor, who shared the college’s vision and was eager to develop the program. Additionally, the Communication Department brought in Nathan Pollard, a graphic designer with 20-years’ experience in television post-production, to teach and develop new courses with Dr. Becki Bowman, associate professor of communication and Erway-Sherwood. www.mcpherson.edu/digitalmedia
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Assistant Professor of Digital Communication Nathan Pollard in the Design Software class.
Career Paths in Digital Media:
Graphic Design Web Design Social Media Public Relations Coding User Interface (UI) User Experience (UX)
news
On the Fairway MC Alumni & Students at Pebble Beach
Stepping onto the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach before dawn to judge some of the most exquisite automobiles at one of the most prestigious events in the world is a rare opportunity. For McPherson College Automotive Restoration students, it is an opportunity that is not so far out of reach. This year four McPherson College students served as shadow judges at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August. McPherson College has been taking students to Pebble Beach since 2012. Students Aaron Israel, Abigayle Morgan, Ben Falconer, and Dalton Whitfield, were invited this year to join the teams of expert judges who brought more than 2,000 years of judging experience to the field. The students were assigned to classes and fully participated in the judging experience, including attending in the judges meeting, where standards and expectations were discussed.
photo: Kimball Studios/Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
McPherson College students are recognized on stage at Pebble Beach by Jay Leno and Derek Hill, son of Formula One and Le Mans championship driver Phil Hill. Students pictured from left are: Abigayle Morgan, Aaron Israel, Dalton Whitfield, and Ben Falconer.
Dalton Whitfield, a senior from Cleveland, Georgia, shadowed judges in the Pre-war Preservation Class who were eager to share their considerable knowledge with him. “The judges were incredible and willing to show me what they were looking for, from correct places of wear over time to original fabric and paint composition,” he said. “I learned that judging preservation is more like judging an artifact from a museum rather than a restored car.” “Pebble Beach is the Disney World and Super Bowl for automobiles,” said Abigayle Morgan, who helped judge the Rolls Royce Class. Her classmate Ben Falconer agreed. Falconer, a sophomore from Greeley, Colorado, who helped judge the One-Off Ferrari Class said, “I not only experienced my first Concours, I got to experience it from an insider’s view. Being so young in this industry is often tough, we might not be taken seriously, but experiencing Pebble
Beach and applying what we are learning there helps us prove ourselves.” McPherson College is recognized in the Pebble Beach program and at its events as a leader in automotive restoration education. The Pebble Beach Company Foundation annually awards four scholarships, honoring legendary driver Phil Hill, to McPherson College students. The Foundation has also supported several McPherson College interns, helping defray living expenses while they gain experience. The college’s participation at the event has made it possible for students to experience the industry at its highest level. “Being engaged with the top players in any industry is unreal, but the automotive industry is a different story than most others,” Aaron Israel, a senior from West End, North Carolina, said. He was part of the team that judged the Early Open-Wheel Race Cars Class. “Being an automotive restoration student at McPherson College allows This year at least five us to communicate with recent alumni worked on leaders in the industry on a personal level because they automobiles ranging from truly care about our Rolls Royces to Ferraris futures,” Israel said. “They realize that students like us that were accepted to are the future of their show at Pebble Beach. industry. We are in a growing industry of people who have a passion about their future, their careers, and their hobbies.” The college’s presence at Pebble Beach extends beyond its current students. McPherson College alumni are highly involved at the Concours in a variety of roles from representing cars on the field, working as automotive specialists or in public relations roles for private collections or companies like Mercedes-Benz Classic Center, RM Sotheby’s and Hagerty. This year at least five recent alumni worked on automobiles ranging from Rolls Royces to Ferraris that were accepted to show at Pebble Beach. Tabetha Hammer ’09, affinity communications manager with Hagerty, and Lance Butler ’14, private collection manager in Chicago, joined the students as part of a panel discussion on Saturday at a breakfast hosted by the college. The students and alumni spoke to those attending the breakfast about their experiences in the program and their career paths after graduation. The discussion was facilitated by Wayne Carini of the television show Chasing Classic Cars. “Alumni are a vital part of the restoration program and they provide an outlook on future job possibilities,” Morgan, a junior from Lansing, Illinois, said. “It was inspiring to see friends and graduates who are successful in their respected markets. I could see myself in them. They went through the same classes I am going through, and lived in the same dorms I did. I love to see the various avenues that this degree has taken alumni. It is a great motivator.” Although judging at Pebble Beach was the highlight for the students, they also were recognized at a reception for patrons of the Pebble Beach Foundation, toured the paddock area of Laguna-Seca raceway during vintage races, watched the start of the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, and attended several auctions. www.mcpherson.edu/autorestoration
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faculty
Impressive list of credentials and experience, and there’s even a Bulldog in the mix.
NEW
James Bowyer, leads the McPherson College vocal music program as associate professor of music and director of choral activities. Dr. Bowyer comes to the college from Indiana University-South Bend where he was a tenure-track professor. He is a graduate of Manchester University and Bethany Theological Seminary and holds three master’s degrees from prestigious Westminster Choir College. He completed a D.M.A. in Choral Conducting at the University of Washington in 2010. In addition to nine years teaching music in elementary through high school levels, he has more than 15 years experience teaching and conducting at the collegiate level, having held positions at Gonzaga University, University of Puget Sound, University of Wyoming, and Brooklyn College. His book, “Creative Sightsinging,” is a widely adopted course text, and seven of his choral compositions are in print. April Counts, brings more than 20 years experience at the K-6 level to her new position of assistant professor of education. Most recently she served as the K-5 ESOL teacher for three years at Cottonwood Elementary in Salina. Prior to that she taught in classroom and special education positions at Cottonwood Elementary as well as in Abilene and Odessa, Missouri. She also served as a homebound teacher and inclusion consultant with Central Kansas Cooperative in Education. Professor Counts earned a master of arts degree in education from Baker University and is a graduate of the University of Central Missouri. Although this is her first time teaching at the college level, she has proven experience as a teacher mentor. Lindsey Thiessen Godfrey ‘07, joins the college as an assistant professor of business, marketing, and management. She has had a successful career marketing medical services, working her way up in four different organizations. Since 2014, she was director of marketing at Bluestem Communities, headquartered in North Newton, Kansas. She completed her M.B.A. in marketing from Columbia Southern University in 2011. She is a member of the American Marketing Association and serves on the Visual Communications Advisory board of Hutchinson Community College. Julia Largent, brings an intense interest in social media and pop culture to her position of assistant professor of communication. Prior to the start of fall classes, she completed her Ph.D. in media and communication at Bowling Green State University where her dissertation is a study of social media interactions among filmmakers and documentary fandoms. She has presented at more than 25 academic conferences and published articles in industry journals. She is currently the managing editor of “The Popular Culture Studies Journal,” and has served on committees of the Midwest Popular Culture Association and the Popular Culture Association, both of the American Culture Association. She holds a master’s degree in telecommunications: digital storytelling from Ball State University and is a graduate of Manchester University with a double major in peace studies and communication: media studies. In addition to her teaching duties in the communication department, she serves as the faculty advisor to “The Spectator,” the McPherson College student publication.
Also joining the McPherson College faculty as adjunct professors are: Mary Gere Bridger, English; Jennifer Flood, business/entrepreneurship; Becky Horne, music: brass; and Deanna Hurst, art.
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news the newly founded Church of the Brethren. They will also spend time with the Twa Pygmies who desire to learn skills to negotiate with the other tribal groups. Since they will be teaching on the western border near Lake Kivu next to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, citizens of that nation state may also come over to receive instruction. It is hoped that an ongoing program can be established. The Smiths have been involved the past ten years in developing literacy projects in both Ethiopia and India. Dr. Herb Smith has also been invited this spring semester to present lectures throughout the Middle East and Asia. Earlier this fall, Dr. Smith presented a series of lectures at the Pennsylvania Chautauqua society in August on the “History of Buddhism.” He also lectured at the United Methodist Bible Conference on “The Legendary Traditions of the Disciples of Jesus.” Jd. Bowman, associate professor of theatre, was inspired by the young actors he performed with on stage during the Salina Community Theatre’s Center for Theatre Arts production of “Spring Awakening” this summer – so inspired that he offered all of them performing arts scholarships to attend McPherson College. Bowman was cast in the adult male role and portrayed nine different characters in the show. He performed alongside 22 youth actors ranging in age from 13 to 20 years old. The scholarships presented to the young actors were for $5,000 and renewable for four years.
Kirk MacGregor, assistant professor of philosophy & religion and chair of the department of philosophy and religion, recently published three journal articles and one book review. His article “Reassessing the Impact of Lurianic Kabbalah on the Sabbatian Movement” appeared in The Journal of Religious History, Literature and Culture. His article “Applying Tillich’s Creative and Transformative Justice to the Problems of Middle Eastern Violence” appeared in the Bulletin of the North American Paul Tillich Society and his article “Biblical Inerrancy, Church Discipline, and the Mennonite-Amish Split,” appeared in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. His review of Stephen Backhouse’s book Kierkegaard: A Single Life appeared in Philosophia Christi. In August, Dr. MacGregor gave three invited talks on Molinism for the Theological Education Initiative in Columbia, Missouri. In September, Dr. MacGregor taught the course “Welcoming Muslims: Understanding the Differences between 98% of the World’s Muslims, Islamists, and Jihadists” as part of the Ventures in Christian Discipleship series. In October, Dr. MacGregor presented the paper “Federal Stifling of Brethren Opposition to Military Involvement during World War I” at the 2017 Remembering Muted Voices Symposium on Resistance and Conscientious Objection in World War I, held at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City. Kerri Snell, assistant professor of English, was notified that her poem, “I Carry It With Me,” was named a finalist in the Janet B. McCabe Poetry Prize Contest sponsored by Ruminate Magazine. The poem will be published in Ruminate Magazine’s fall edition. Allan Ayella, associate professor of biology; Becki Bowman, associate professor of communication; Ku-Sup Chin, associate professor of sociology; Curt Goodwin, associate professor of technology; Matt Porter, assistant professor of business; and John Verssue, adjunct lecturer in business communication, were selected as McPherson College’s 2017-2018 Horizon Faculty Fellows. The purpose of the Horizon Faculty Fellowship is to infuse entrepreneurship across the McPherson College campus. The Fellowship intends to build faculty champions, provide mentorship, and development opportunities for recipients, enhance the curriculum using entrepreneurial concepts and improve the student experience. Herb Smith, professor of philosophy & religion, and Dr. Jeanne Smith, professor emerita, will lead students this January to the central African country of Rwanda, where they will teach English as a second language to members of
Shane Kirchner, associate professor of education, wrote a grant on behalf of the Kansas Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (KACTE), which was fully funded in the amount of $8,850. The grant was offered by the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE) in Washington, D.C. The funds are going toward the development of a statewide student teacher observation/evaluation tool. Dr. Kirchner also served as a primary author of the tool that is now in its pilot stage. He also serves on the KACTE executive board as the immediate past president. Kim Stanley, professor of modern languages, led two memoir-writing workshops for the Big Read, sponsored by the Wichita Public Library and funded by the National Endowment of the Arts in October. The two-hour workshops were called, “The Window and the Mirror,” and were designed to accompany the city-wide reading of Kao Kalia Yang’s “The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir.” For the past year, Dr. Stanley has been conducting writing workshops for people who want to write their own or their family’s stories. The workshops began with the Kansas Humanities Council’s program called “The Pulitzer Project in Kansas: William Allen White and Freedom of Speech.” In May, she led 45 aspiring writers in a workshop called “Moment by Moment: Writing Your Life,” sponsored by the Wichita branch of the Kansas Authors Club and in August she led a workshop about writing family stories for the Moundridge Arts Council. Mike Dudley, assistant professor of technology, received a Master of Science Degree in Career and Technical Education from Pittsburg State University in May. He was also named to the Phi Kappa Phi honor society as a result of his GPA. Ed Barr, assistant professor of technology, wrote the book, “Professional Sheet Metal Fabrication,” which has recently been published as a hardback in German. There is also a Japanese language version of the book. Luke Chennell, assistant professor of technology, was recognized by Sports Car Market in its October issue on the “40 Under 40,” a list of young enthusiasts making a difference in the collector car world. Nominations were sent in by readers and the editorial staff selected the final group. Manjula Koralegedara, associate professor of chemistry, participated in the workshop, “cCWCS Medicinal Plants: A Healthy Supplement for the Chemistry Curriculum,” held this summer at Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama. The workshop was sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Dr. Koralegedara will use the knowledge gained from this workshop to introduce a new set of organic chemistry II labs involving the extraction and identification of natural oils. Furthermore, a new research project involving medicinally valuable plants will also be starting soon. She also was selected as a 2017 Watkins Summer Research Fellow and conducted research at Wichita State University with Dr. K. Wimalasena in the chemistry department for eight weeks. The research was focused on synthesizing small molecules known to be neurotoxins. The research project is going to be continued as a collaborative research effort.
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athletics
Kelly Named CoSIDA Academic All-District McPherson College men’s soccer player Chris Kelly (jr., Glasgow, Scotland) was named to the College Division Academic-All District Men’s Soccer Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
A midfielder, Kelly started all 19 games for the Bulldogs in 2017, registering team-highs in points (37), goals (14), assists (9), shots (54), shot on goal (37) and game-winning goals (3). Kelly's 2017 marks rank second on the program's single-season assists list, fourth on the single-season points list, and fifth on the single-season goals list. After three seasons, Kelly ranks second on MC's career list in assists (23), third in points (77) and fourth in goals (27).
Men’s Soccer Advances to KCAC Tourney Final The Bulldogs (12-7, 9-2 KCAC) recovered from a tough nonconference schedule to finish second in the KCAC. McPherson posted wins over York (5-1) and Tabor (1-0 OT) in the KCAC Tournament before falling to No. 2-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan, 5-3, in the tournament final.
Chris Kelly (jr., MF, Glasgow, Scotland), Eddie Gomez (sr., MF, Lancaster, California) and Erik Espinoza (jr., D, San Ysidro, California) were named to the all-KCAC first team, while Greg Roller (sr., MF, Topeka, Kansas), Kaonnye Opazo (sr., D, Lancaster, California) and Aaron McCready (fr., MF, Raphoe, Ireland) were selected to the all-KCAC second team. Jared Robbins (sr., D, Cotati, California) received honorable mention from the coaches.
Women’s Soccer Reaches KCAC Tourney The Bulldogs (7-10, 4-7 KCAC) finished seventh in the KCAC under first-year head coach Mark Olson, falling in the quarterfinal round of the KCAC Tournament at Ottawa.
Danielle Kakebeen (sr., MF, Rancho Cucamonga, California) was named Second Team All-KCAC after scoring a team-high eight goals and 17 points during the season. Four other Bulldogs received honorable mention from the KCAC’s coaches.
Football Challenges KCAC Leaders
A much-improved Bulldog squad (3-7, 2-7 KCAC) posted wins in its first three home games, including a 44-30 win over Ottawa on Homecoming, and played well in losses to the league’s top three teams - Kansas Wesleyan, Tabor and Sterling. All season long, McPherson was tough to run against, finishing with a top-25 rushing defense in the NAIA rankings. Sophomore quarterback Jake Tiernan (Solomon, Kansas) played well after settling into the starting quarterback job late in the season. In the last four games, he threw 12 touchdown passes and averaged 250 passing yards per game. Senior offensive lineman Jaelon Barnes (McPherson, Kansas) and junior wide receiver Jackson Goodmiller (St. George, Kansas) were named to the all-KCAC first team, while 13 other Bulldogs received honorable mention.
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Volleyball Sets School Record for Wins, Advances to KCAC Tournament Semifinal
For the second straight season, McPherson (22-12, 15-7 KCAC) set a school record for victories in a season and advanced to the semifinal round of the KCAC Tournament. Lexi Kite (jr., OH, Thornton, Colorado) was a repeat selection to the all-KCAC first team. She broke the program’s single-season record for kills with 410 and picked up her 1,000th career kill and 100th career block during the course of the season. Kite enters her senior season with 1,052 kills - third on McPherson’s all-time chart. Jamie Siess (so., L, Tecumseh, Kansas) was named second-team all-league, while Riley Bradbury (fr., OH, Highlands Ranch, Colorado) and Devrie Sombers (jr., MB, Colorado Springs, Colorado) received all-KCAC third-team honors.
XC Teams Take 6th at KCAC Championships
The McPherson men’s cross country team experienced some early success, winning team titles at the Sterling Warrior Fest and Tabor Invitational, before taking sixth in a deep field at the KCAC Championships. The McPherson women also took sixth with 186 points behind a 38th-place finish by Samantha Nelson (fr., Clearfield, Utah) and a 39th-place finish by LeaAnn Myers (so., Loveland, Colorado).
Women’s Tennis
Sophomore Brittany Zipf (Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia) posted a runner-up finish at the ITA regional for the second year in a row.
Men’s Tennis
The McPherson doubles tandem of Ahmed Lahlou (sr., Casablanca, Morocco) and Hector Carrillo Perales (sr., Barcelona, Spain) won the ITA regional title in September and finished sixth in the NAIA doubles draw at the ITA Oracle Cup in October. It was the second-straight regional title for Carrillo and the fourth-straight for a McPherson doubles team.
www.macbulldogs.com
support
news Power the Future campaign finishes on time, exceeds goal McPherson College’s most recent comprehensive campaign, Power the Future, surpassed its $14 million goal - making it the third comprehensive campaign completed since 2004 for a total of $36 million. “Thanks to the support of McPherson College alumni and friends this most recent campaign is another in a long line of successful campaigns that have supported our students over the past thirteen years,” McPherson College President Michael Schneider said. “It’s significant that the campaign was completed on time and exceeded its goal, however more important is the benefit our students have received because of our donors’ generosity.” Each of the last three campaigns have in some way made an important impact on academic programs and student experience. For example, a $1 million Power the Future gift to support a performing arts series is generating attention for the college’s music
department, which has grown its concert band from eight to 50 members over the past five years. And, a recent $250,000 gift is supporting program enhancements in the visual arts department. Campaign support over the past 13 years has aided in boosting overall enrollment by more than 200 students. Power the Future also served as a transition for the college’s work this past year on its strategic plan. The strategic plan called Community by Design, is a new approach to planning that puts the entire campus community at the heart of the process taking aim at some of higher education’s largest challenges. Over the next five years the plan will focus on developing academic programs, designing the McPherson College community, planning and building facilities to support growth, and creating a plan to build a $1 billion endowment.
THE FACE OF GIVING Scholarships: McPherson College Presidential Scholarship, Provost Award, Collector’s Foundation, and RPM Foundation Scholarship. Activities: McPherson College C.A.R.S. Club President, Student Ambassador, Mercedes 300S Restoration Team member, Bugatti Club of America Project Member, M-Club Board Member, Model T Build Team Member. Honors and Awards: Earned four Maine Principles Association Lighting design awards for work in One-Act competitive theatre. Awarded Lifetime Membership at Owls Head Transportation Museum by the Museum Board of Trustees. Youth Volunteer award at Owls Head Transportation Museum. Earned Honor Roll 4 semesters in a row (FR and SO year). Earned Merchant Mariner 100 Ton Captains License at age 20.
Captain Philip S. Reinhardt
Hometown: Tenants Harbor, Maine JR in Automotive Restoration Technology
“
Thankfully I grew up in an area with great car culture and was able to volunteer at the Owls Head Transportation Museum, home to a world class collection of cars and antique aircraft. It was during my time there that I first heard about McPherson College and its world class antique automotive restoration program. When I visited McPherson College, I knew I had found my home for the next four years. The college’s emphasis on internships and learning through doing impressed me on top of the already amazing automotive restoration program. Coming from a family with a 250-year history of working on the water, and living in a small coastal town that is supported by maritime industries makes it hard not to be involved with the ocean in some way. I hope when I graduate college I can find a job at a restoration shop near the ocean, so I can continue working in both fields I enjoy so much. Thanks to the scholarships I have received from my local area and the college itself I will be able to turn my lifelong passion into a respectable living.
”
You can support students like Philip by giving to the McPherson College Fund online at: www.mcpherson.edu/giving Or contact the development office at (800) 365-7402.
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CHALLENGES IN
EDUCATION
Debt Reduction Project MC’s pilot project to address the burden of student debt
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Students are being told that a college degree is more important than ever to get ahead in today’s job market. However, many college graduates have put on hold aspects of the “American Dream” like purchasing a new car or home because of the amount of student loan debt they accumulated during college.
T
he amount of student loan debt in the United States is being
called a crisis, and the numbers
“The process behind Community
by Design was to bring the entire
graduating from public and non-profit
in making decisions about some of
colleges had student loan debt. Today
that amounts to around 44.2 million borrowers with total student loan debt
of $1.31 trillion. Last year nationwide,
LESS THAN $10,000 IN STUDENT DEBIT UPON GRADUATION
improve its community.
seem to support that definition. In
2015, seven out of 10 seniors
T HE GOA L
Community by Design – as a way to
the average student loan debt was
$37,000, and the average monthly
campus together and be intentional our biggest challenges, like student debt, and start looking at solutions
that will positively affect our college in
the future,” President Michael Schneider said.
A pilot project beginning this fall
loan payment was $350.
aims at guaranteeing that future
nation’s college graduates with
leave the college with half the national
Last year, 11 percent of the
student loan debt were either delinquent or in default.
The numbers are sobering and
reason enough for colleges to explore
ways to alleviate the burden on its students. McPherson College decided
to look for a solution that doesn’t just
address the debt crisis, but also
becomes part of the college culture. The challenge was built into the college’s new strategic plan –
McPherson College graduates will average of student loan debt.
Th e p ro j e c t i s o n e o f t h e
initiatives
in
“Designing
the
Community” portion of the five-year strategic plan. The initiative calls for
redefining the tuition revenue model to
ensure
affordability
and
institutional revenue. Finding a model
that balances student and family cost
with the institution’s need for sustainable revenue is the challenge.
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11
“We wanted to explore a program that would focus
on mentoring students to manage finances and learn
important financial skills that will benefit them after they graduate,” President Schneider said.
through college and the concept of ‘pay-as-you-go’ are lessons they can carry with them long after they graduate from McPherson College.”
The pilot project focuses on three areas: employ-
ment, mentorship, and financial planning.
Currently, six students are participating in the pilot
project. The students were selected based on criteria that
identified them as having significant financial need and unable or hesitant to take out large loans, but who were
committed to their education at McPherson College and to working while in college.
MENTORSHIP Students also receive bi-weekly “check-ins” from volunteer
mentors. The mentors will meet with the students regularly to talk about how they are doing on school work,
what activities they are participating in, and how they are doing with their employment. The mentor will also review the amount that the student has applied to their account
and discuss what they can do to reach their financial goal and if they are staying on track.
EMPLOYMENT Participants who begin the project their freshman year are asked to apply earnings from employment to their student
account, in an amount that makes sense for them, with the goal of graduating owing less than $10,000.
< $10,000 UPON GRADUATION
The project anticipates that students participating will
work an average of 20-25 hours per week for 52 weeks.
COMMUNITY BASED MENTORS
For the pilot year of the project, staff members are
serving as mentors for the students. However, as the
project evolves there may be opportunities for community volunteers to get involved, according to
Christi Hopkins, vice president for enrollment services and project director.
“A mentor is somebody with both a financial and
The students can determine how they want to fulfill the
academic mindset,” Hopkins said. “As the project grows
breaks and less during the school year or spreading it out
get involved. We certainly have a number of people that
As the project develops, the Office of Career Services
decisions about budgeting and fulfilling their financial
hours and earnings requirement by working more during
I can see an opportunity for members of community to
evenly throughout the year.
would give our students great counsel on making smart
will work closely with each of the students to help secure
obligations.”
employment during the school year and throughout the
summer. Patrick Masar, director of career services, will also work with local employers willing to hire students at approximately $10 per hour.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
applied to participants’ accounts at $.25 per dollar up to
Participants in the program are also required to attend
employment, not on gifts or other funds applied to the
a local financial advisor, addresses issues in personal
McPherson College will then match the earnings
$2,500 annually. The match is only on earnings through student account.
“I think the college match aspect of this project is a
powerful way for us to support the students that are
working to reduce their debt by graduation,” President Schneider said. “What participants can learn by working
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two workshops in the fall. The first workshop, taught by finance, personal budgeting, and fiscal responsibility. The
second workshop is lead by the college’s director of
career services and focuses on interviewing skills, build-
ing a resume, leadership on campus, and leadership in the community.
PILOT PROJECT
Employment Goals 20-25 HOURS PER WEEK
“Rather than focusing
52 WEEKS ANNUALLY APPROX. $10/HOUR THE DOLLAR $0.25 ON MATCH BY MC
on cost or scholarship discounting, we wanted to explore a program that would focus on mentoring students to manage finances and learn important financial skills that will benefit them after they graduate.” Michael Schneider
President, McPherson College
Mentorship BIWEEKLY
CHECK-INS
RESUME HELP BUDGETING & ADVICE
Financial Planning WORKSHOPS
TAUGHT BY FINANCE ADVISOR
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9
3
6
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Student Scenario
3
PILOT PROJECT
* Every student scenario will be different according to their financial aid package.
2
$6,700 AMOUNT OWED AFTER YEAR THREE
$14,500*
$3,400
MERIT & PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP (MC)
AMOUNT OWED AFTER YEAR TWO
FEDERAL/STATE GRANTS
$9,240*
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS Every student scenario will be different according to their financial aid package, but to illustrate how the project
would work, Hopkins provided a sample budget work-
$11,250 ANNUAL EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS WITH $2,250 MC MATCH
sheet for a student who receives: $14,500 in institutional aid, for example a Merit Scholarship and Presidential
Scholarship; $9,240 in federal/state grant money, in this
example through Kansas Comprehensive and Pell Grants and SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant,
a federal assistance grant reserved for college students with the greatest need.) In this scenario after financial aid, the student would owe approximately $12,400. If the
student applied $9,000 earned through employment
during the year along with the McPherson College match, this student would owe $1,100 after the first year. Taking
into account the increases in tuition and continued work over the next three years, a student would graduate with
$1,100 AMOUNT OWED AFTER YEAR ONE
approximately $10,000 in student debt as illustrated above.
For college students today there are two options for
school loans – federal student loans and private loans. Federal loans available to students include subsidized (for
those who qualify), unsubsidized, and federal parent
loans. Federal loans may total as much as $6,500 per year. Most federal student loans are paid off in 10 years. There are options for consolidation that can extend the lifetime
of the repayment, but guidelines for restructure can vary.
For many students, family contribution and federal loans
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4
$10,000 TOTAL AMOUNT OWED AFTER YEAR FOUR
What are other colleges and universities doing to address the student loan debt crisis? Schools like Indiana University and the University of Nebraska have focused on boosting the financial literacy of its students. Practices as simple as sending a letter to students that shares details of student loans and provides an estimate of the total loan and future payments have been successful for these schools. Purdue University offers funding for students who sign an agreement to pay back the university a percentage of their future earnings.
alone are not enough to cover the balance after financial
aid and private loans are taken to cover the difference. Private loans have a wide range of interest rates and repayment options.
What are other countries doing to address the student loan debt crisis?
LOWER DEBT SAME
Sweden
QUALITY
Australia
EVALUATING THE SUCCESS The student loan debt project may not be the solution to the national crisis, but McPherson College is hopeful that
the project will make it possible for a significant number of its students to afford a college education. If the project
is successful in the long term, it will also help McPherson College keep and graduate more students.
“For some families, private loans are not an option,”
Hopkins said. “Our goal is that this project will make coming to college possible for a lot of students who may not see it as a possibility otherwise.”
Hopkins and her staff will monitor and evaluate the
results of the pilot project throughout the academic year. They will look at how many of the participants are on track to meet their financial goals and how easy or hard it was
for them to do that. The students will be surveyed for feedback on how the project impacted the way they
Salary-Based
In Australia, student loan debt is similar to the United States; however, repayment is not required until the borrower’s salary reaches $40,000. The payments are structured as a payroll deduction and can fluctuate as salaries change. The average student loan in Australia is paid off within eight to 12 years.
Small Payments
Despite free tuition in Sweden, students still borrow on average $20,000 to cover living expenses during college. Sweden uses a repayment that is stretched out over 25 years and starts out with smaller monthly payments that rise over time unlike the US that is on a 10-year plan.
budgeted their money. Hopkins hopes to expand the project to 10 more students next year.
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CHALLENGES IN
EDUCATION
MC alumni lead "moonshot" Redesign Project at KANSAS CAN MERCURY 7 schools
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T
wo McPherson College alumnae
are among a select group of
teachers taking part in the most
significant shift in Kansas public
MERCURY 7 SCHOOLS
education in years. Both are teachers in McPherson schools that have been designated as model schools for the
“It’s simple yet complicated. The past ten years the success of Kansas public schools has been measured by how well students perform on tests. I think we all know that if a kid
STOCKTON
a school redesign that is hoping to
necessarily indicate success later in life. These model schools are tasked with really exploring how we can change education.” Rick Doll ‘76
Professor at Kansas State University working with Kansas Educational Leadership Institute
address some of the biggest issues in public education.
LIBERAL COFFEYVILLE
KANSAS CAN
7 SCHOOL DISTRICTS
WELLINGTON
WITH
SCHOOL REDESIGN PROJECT
100%
Marci Ruxlow and Jenny Vernon both
SCHOOL BOARD SUPPORT
graduated from the McPherson College
80%
FACULTY SUPPORT
masters of education program in 2015, and both are on leadership teams at
schools that have been designated
Mercury 7 schools by the Kansas State Board of Education earlier this fall.
School districts across the state
were invited to apply to become one of
seven districts selected for the redesign
Each district also had to have
project. To be considered for the
support of their local school board, their
elementary school and one secondary
Association or other professional
project, districts had to designate one school to be redesigned around the five outcomes established by the Kansas
State Board of Education, the five
local Kansas National Education organization, and the support of 80 percent of the faculty.
Having faculty buy-in was vital,
elements identified as defining a
because changing the way education is
and what Kansans said they want their
to measure student success will not be
successful Kansas high school graduate,
schools to look like in the future.
Follow to see project teachers
OLATHE
McPHERSON
passes a math test in the seventh grade it doesn’t
TWIN VALLEY
Kansans Can School Redesign Project,
Mercury 7 is a reference to the seven
Mercury program astronauts that worked to put a man on the moon in the
delivered and looking at different ways easy. Both educators agreed that the process seems a bit overwhelming right now.
“It’s really interesting to think about
1960s and symbolizes the State Board
education in a different way; to think
as its “moon shot.”
completely different,” Vernon said.
of Education’s vision for school redesign
about how to make my profession
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Vernon is an eighth grade English teacher at
McPherson Middle School who has been teaching for
13 years. She described the first stages of the redesign process as exploration and research.
“It feels like nothing has to be taken off the table
right now,” she said. “It’s exciting, because anything
goes at this point. Of course some things will be taken off, because we will need to identify goals and decide what is most important.”
N E W V I S I O N F O R E D U C AT I O N In October 2015, the State Board of Education announced a new vision for education in Kansas. To
help measure the success of its new vision, the board established five outcomes — social-emotional growth; kindergarten readiness; Individual Plan of Study (IPS);
high school graduation rates; and postsecondary completion/attendance.
The board also defined a successful high school
graduate as someone who has the academic
Jenny Vernon
“It feels like nothing has to be taken off the table right now,” she said. “It’s exciting, because anything goes at this point. Of course some things will be taken off, because we will need to identify goals and decide what is most important.” M.Ed. McPherson College ‘15 Teacher at McPherson Middle School
preparation, cognitive preparation, technical skills, employability skills and civic engagement to be
successful in postsecondary education, in the attainment of an industry recognized certification or in the workforce, without the need for remediation.
FIVE-OUTCOME MODEL In announcing the schools selected as
demonstration sites, Kansas Commissioner of
Education and former superintendent of McPherson
Schools, Dr. Randy Watson said, “We’re getting ready to do something we don’t know of any other state having done. We’re going to deconstruct the traditional
school system and build what Kansans believe best
meets the needs of today’s students — choice. And,
we’re doing all of this with existing resources, no new buildings and the same educators.”
Ruxlow, who is a K-2 special education teacher at
Eisenhower Elementary and has taught for 10 years, is pleased that social-emotional growth is part of the five outcomes schools will be asked to address.
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“As teachers we know this is so important. It’s
refreshing to have somebody say that you need to focus
on this,” she said. “As a building we are looking at what kind of students and families we are working with and looking at their needs.”
5 Outcomes to measure success
Both educators agreed that giving individual
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL GROWTH
schools choice in addressing solutions and setting goals is a component that has been missing from Kansas public education.
KINDERGARTEN READINESS
“Even though we are still in the very early stages
of the process, it feels like we have more flexibility to design concepts that work for our building,” Vernon
said. “As part of the redesign team, we have the
opportunity to look at what our students need. It feels
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE
very individualized and I think it will open the door to more community involvement.”
“INDIVIDUALIZED”
INDIVIDUAL PLAN OF STUDY (IPS)
POSTSECONDARY COMPLETION/ATTENDANCE
Ruxlow added, “Getting to the outcomes set by the
state will look different for every building. Hopefully the
change will involve family and community and become something people feel we are doing together.”
Former McPherson College Board of Trustees
President Rick Doll ‘76 is a professor at Kansas State University working with the Kansas Educational
Leadership Institute (KELI). For the past two years, KELI has been working with the State Board of Education and Dr. Watson on Kansas Education Systems of
Accreditation (KESA) and describes Kansas public
Successful high school grad
education as being in a transitional stage.
AC A D
“It’s simple yet complicated,” he said. “The past ten
years the success of Kansas public schools has been measured by how well students perform on tests. I think we all know that if a kid passes a math test in the seventh
grade it doesn’t necessarily indicate success later in life.
These model schools are tasked with really exploring
EMIC PREPARATION
EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
COGNITIVE PREPARATION
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
TECHNICAL SKILLS
how we can change education. I think it’s going to be fun to watch.”
Doll, who was also the former superintendent of
schools in Lawrence, Kansas, is currently training the educators who will eventually lead the visiting evaluation teams that will work with schools on accreditation.
CURRENT
NEXT SEMESTER
NEXT SCHOOL YEAR
AFTER FI
STAGE 1:
STAGE 2:
STAGE 3:
STAGE
RESEARCH
SET GOALS
IMPLEMENT
MERCURY 7 SCHOOLS
MEAS
“FAST “FAST FORWA FOR The redesign and new accreditation process for
Kansas public schools is on a five-year cycle. The model schools, like Eisenhower Elementary and McPherson
The Redesign “I think young educators are going to look at our state and see the importance of taking a different approach to education.” Marci Ruxlow ‘15
Middle School are on “fast-forward,” according to the local
leadership team members. While currently the schools are in a research stage, they very soon will be presenting their research and paring down all of the ideas and setting goals for their buildings.
“We will go back to faculty with the results from our
group research and start setting goals,” Ruxlow said. “The
state’s timeline is that by this next semester we will begin implementing some strategies and by next year have our goals in place and begin measuring.”
Both educators are grateful and excited to be part of
the process. Both also discussed how their master’s program work at McPherson College helped prepare them for what they are doing today.
“What I did in my master’s program goes hand in
hand with what I am doing now,” Ruxlow said. “The
master’s program focused on change in education and what it takes to make change. It’s exactly what we are doing now.”
Vernon sees parallels in her master’s degree
experience and the way the state board of education
created its new vision. The board spent time talking to
Kansans while creating the new vision, and she hopes to do the same in creating her building’s redesign.
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IRST YEAR
SECOND SCHOOL YEAR
E 4:
STAGE 5:
SURE
ADJUST
ARD” ” TRACK TRACK “The process of being asked to talk about change is
meaningful,” Vernon said. “This redesign model is coming
out of those talks and giving us an opportunity to create
what Kansans want. In my master’s project I went out into
the community and worked with people outside of the school. It was definitely helpful to experience that.
“I think the redesign is making us find ways to make
our building truly community-based. There is so much outside of these four walls that we don’t always think
about. The redesign is helping us think about how to get kids out into the community and how to get the community into the schools to participate in education.”
Marci Ruxlow
“Getting to the outcomes set by the state will look different for every building. Hopefully the change will involve family and community and become
The two teachers admitted it has not been easy -
taking on the extra work in addition to a full load in the classroom. However, both know the eventual pay-off is going to be well worth the time, energy, and effort.
“I think it will lead to Kansas being able to attract new
something people feel we are doing together.” M.Ed. McPherson College ‘15 Teacher at Eisenhower Elementary
teachers,” Ruxlow said. “I think young educators are going
to look at our state and see the importance of taking a
different approach to education. That’s what I hope
anyway. I grew up here and love living here. I want others to see that too.”
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CHALLENGES IN
EDUCATION
Investing in Education is an investment in the community D ennis Houghton uses the word â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;catalystâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; when describing the history of his business and the history of his relationship with McPherson College.
He explains that a loan 50 years ago from Peoples Bank and Trust was the catalyst that enabled him to start his business, Central Plastics, Inc., and stocks purchased by him and his brothers from McPherson College were the catalyst that started them on the path to eventually acquire the bank years later.
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In many ways, Houghton’s own enthusiasm and energy is the catalyst that continues to inspire a long relationship between the college and Peoples Bank. “There is a long history of the bank’s support of the college through the Sargent family and before that the Vanimans,” Houghton said. “It was important to me to maintain that positive relationship with the college and continue the same kind of support.” The history of the bank is closely tied to the college, and their relationship dates back to the very beginnings of Peoples Bank nearly 120 years ago. The bank’s founder F.A. Vaniman became associated with the new college when he moved to McPherson in 1889 and his brother Chauncey, who helped found the bank and served as cashier for 28 years, was among one of the first individuals to graduate from McPherson College. “We cherish the relationship that we have with the college,” Peoples Bank President Tom Pruitt said. “I think our relationship is stronger today than ever before.”
COMMU NI T Y PA RT NERS HI P That relationship can be seen today in Hess Fine Arts Center. In 2005, funding helped upgrade the graphic art department’s computer lab. Watching the program flourish after the upgrade encouraged Houghton and Pruitt to support the vision of the department to enlarge the computer lab with more space and computers in 2012. From left to right: Tom Pruitt, Mark Houghton, Dennis Houghton and Kent Houghton
“I think the bank and the college are very similar when we consider investing in any new program,” Pruitt said. “We first think will it bring more students to the college, to the community. Hopefully, those students will also want to stay here after they graduate, and that’s good for the community. We realize the value of the college in the community. We are a community bank.” When Houghton talks about the success of the graphic art department today, he points to the outcome of the students. Specifically, student success in securing careers after graduation, and student accomplishments at the AIGA Design Contest, a professional portfolio and networking event where McPherson College swept the awards, winning eight out of 10 of the highest awards last year.
VISUAL ARTS STRATEGIC PLAN
“I think it is the next program that the college will take to greatness,” he said. “Much like what the auto restoration program has achieved. I see greatness in many areas at McPherson College.” Most recently Peoples Bank and Trust is supporting the new strategic plan for the visual arts program. The centerpiece of the plan includes a new digital media major and enhancements to ETCH, the student-run design firm.
FOCUS ON DIGITAL MEDIA
“Over the years it has been a pleasure working with Peoples Bank and Trust through their support of technical-related curriculum at McPherson College,” Dee Erway-Sherwood, professor and program director of graphic arts, said. “Their support of the graphic design and digital media majors and the Visual Arts Department as a whole, has been instrumental in our program’s continued growth. We value the partnership and what it brings to our local community through the success of our students.”
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CO N TIN UI NG THE LEGACY As a member of the college board of trustees, Houghton gets perspective on the direction the college is headed in the future and being a life-long resident of McPherson, he sees how important the college is to the community and appreciates what it adds to the community. “The wide variety of cultural opportunities alone is an asset. Everything from theatre, concerts, and speakers to car shows,” he said. “The access to education that is available to our community is so important. I appreciate the college, and there are a lot of people in McPherson who care about it.” Pruitt agrees and sees the relationship with the college as a “win-win.” The support from the bank allows the college to continue its mission, and in return the college makes the community attractive to individuals and industry considering locating in McPherson. It also provides a number of quality employees for the bank. “Peoples has been a storied partner for McPherson College,” said President Michael Schneider. “Its last three investments in our visual arts program have transformed our ability to attract students serious about studying art and design.” Caring about the college, about continuing a legacy of support and partnership, and caring about McPherson College students motivates Peoples Bank to continue being a catalyst that helps the college achieve its future goals. “As a community bank we look at what we can invest in that will enhance our community,” Pruitt said. “Not just today, but ten or twenty years down the road.”
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student work
Professor and Program Director of Graphic Arts Dee Erway-Sherwood (far right), with students at the annual AIGA Design contest in Wichita. MC students took eight of the 10 top awards in 2017.
The Visual Arts department recently held an interactive workshop visit day attended by six area high schools.
CHALLENGES IN
EDUCATION
Who will teach in Kansas? A
s Kansas public schools welcomed students back this fall, the Kansas State Board of Education was facing what its members described as “heartbreaking” and a “close to crisis” situation because of the shortage of teachers across the state. In September the Kansas State Department of Education reported there were 90 elementary school teacher openings in the state and at least 82 vacancies for special education teachers. In addition, 461 teachers “left the profession” after the 2016-17 school year joining the 93 other teachers who had left the profession in 2015-16. There are also more than 7,400 teachers in Kansas this year with just one to three years experience, an increase of more than 800 over 2016. In a national report on rural teacher pay of all 50 states, Kansas ranked at the bottom of the list, according to a report this summer on National Public Radio. Of the 286 school districts in Kansas, 207 are defined as rural by the U.S. Department of Education. A national compilation by the Rural School and Community Trust estimates the average salary of teachers in rural areas and puts Kansas salaries at approximately $41,000. The Kansas State Board of Education is looking at ways to alleviate the shortage and has heard a recommendation for an alternative education license process that would identify individuals with “great potential” to be teachers. The new process would allow anybody with a bachelor degree from a regionally accredited college or university who is enrolled in an approved elementary education preparation program to work as a teacher under the supervision of a mentoring teacher. A shortage of substitute teachers is also being addressed locally, with new guidelines that allow anybody with 60 hours of college credit to work as a substitute. Also concerning is the drop in the number of students preparing to become teachers. According to the NPR report, the U.S. Department of Education showed about 2,500 fewer people enrolled in teacher preparatory programs in Kansas in 2015 compared to four years earlier and the number of people completing programs slipped by more than 450 over the same time period. Despite everything in the news, students enrolled in McPherson College’s teacher education program are hopeful about their futures as teachers and are open to the idea of teaching in Kansas. Three students who are student teaching in classrooms this semester shared their insights on becoming new teachers. They were asked to talk about why they want to become a teacher. In an effort to fill teaching vacancies, many school districts are securing new teachers much earlier in their training, sometimes while they are still student teaching. We asked the students if they had experienced this, if they hope to teach in Kansas and what are their salary expectations. We also asked what inspires them despite all the challenges they might face.
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Ramon Martinez
'18
HOME: San Antonio, Texas DEGREE: Spanish Education SITE: Hutchinson Middle and High School, Spanish
“
Wanting to become a teacher is more sports
related for me. I look back on the relationships I had with teachers and coaches that really influenced me. I feel we need more leaders in the world, and teachers get to work under the radar to provide leadership. “I’m certainly open to teaching in Kansas. With my Spanish degree I can go teach in Spanish-speaking countries, and that is something I would like to do if I get a chance. I’m sure if I went back to Texas, I could make a better salary, but I’d like to be able to give back where ever I can. I have been approached about teacher job openings already. I am coaching in the middle and high school right now, and I think that helps. My cooperating teacher in Spanish is really a math teacher, and if she would go back to math there may be a position open in Spanish. “I’m inspired by the kids and seeing that they are our next leaders. Teachers have the opportunity to
”
influence them and help them become better people.
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Chandler Dohe
'17
HOME: Limon, Colorado DEGREE: Music Education SITE: Inman schools, vocal
“
I want to become a music teacher, because I
know what music can do for a person expressively, how much it adds to a community, and how powerful it can be for everyone involved. I want to be part of that. “I’m open to teaching anywhere and would certainly consider teaching in Kansas. I have been in touch with a school here in the state already. They are looking for a music teacher and got my name from the music department. I know what the salaries look like in Kansas. If I was going into this to make money, I wouldn’t be going into teaching.
”
“I really want my students to have the same kind of experiences as I had as a music student. That’s what drives me.
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Ivanna Moyer
'18
HOME: McPherson, Kansas DEGREE: Elementary Education SITE: Eisenhower Elementary, second grade
“
It all started for me in grade school. I had a
really good first grade teacher and other teachers throughout elementary school all made me want to become a teacher. I also spent a lot of time with my grandpa (Ed Butler, former dean of student life at McPherson College), and he really sparked my interest in service and volunteering. Through my volunteering, I learned that I really wanted to work with children and fell in love with teaching and helping children. “I want to stay in Kansas and teach. I really want to stay in McPherson and teach. I grew up here and want to stay here. I’m making good connections through my student teaching and hope there will be an opening for me when I graduate. The district is already asking for substitute teachers, and I am planning on doing that next semester. Hopefully that will lead to a full time position. “What inspires me as a future teacher is that I think
”
teachers have the ability to help students become good citizens and do good in the world. I want to do my part to make the world a better place.
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Matt Hoffman ‘08 - Greensburg
Abby Hoffman ‘07 - Haviland
Patrick Crowdis ‘97 - Spearville
James Temaat ‘13 - Minneola
Matt Housman ‘07 - Hodgeman
Tara Kinnamon ‘92 - St. John
Debbie ‘97 and Eli ’97 Makings - Larned
Patricia Cargill ‘95 - Medicine Lodge
Gina McGowan ’97, Kaci Nichols ’14, Julie Wright ‘95 - Ellsworth
Amanda Premer ‘01 - Great Bend
Shane Sundahl ‘98 - Larned
Joe Biggs ‘06 - Lincoln
Lacey Hofflinger ‘02 - Great Bend
Jason Snodgrass ‘99 - Dodge City
MC alumni are passionate about teaching!
Teresa Miller ‘83 - St. John
Amy Crist ‘92, Scott Crist ’15, Linda Funk - Quinter
John Crist ‘88, Micah Roehl ’14 - Quinter
Sandy Robinson ‘86 - Ft. Hays
Ted Busse ‘92 - St. Francis
Jake Hofflinger ‘00 - Great Bend
McPherson College staff visited alumni making a difference in western Kansas schools.
David Snodgrass ‘01 - Dodge City
Angela Denton '03, Cheryl Harris '97- Garden City
Carl Werner ‘63 - St. Francis
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alumni news MC Homecoming 2017 October 13-15
BULLDOGS BEAT OTTAWA 44-30!
HOMECOMING RED CARPET & CLASS REUNION DINNER
QUEEN MADISON HOFFMAN AND KING LOGAN SCHRAG
from the director
CLASS OF 1967
Dear MC alumni and friends, What a difference a year makes! Last year at this time I was just getting started as the director of alumni and constituent relations. Much of the McPherson College community was completely new to me, and I was diving into major events with planning-in-progress, especially Homecoming 2016. Now a year later, it is such a joy to feel a little more natural among the campus and larger MC community. I’ve learned many names and faces, and look forward to continued introductions and strengthening of connections. As you can see from our weekend pictures, Homecoming 2017 was a wonderful opportunity for re-connecting for alumni and friends. I hope you find yourself or friends you love in the homecoming shots included in this issue. If not, make plans to join us for Homecoming 2018, the weekend of October 20, to ensure you are part of the celebration.
The class of 1967 celebrated its 50th reunion dinner at the McPherson Museum. Front row (l to r): Walter Miller, Carolyn Pieratt Schrock, Jean Yoder Beachell, Modena Hoover Wilson, Daniel Heefner, Gregg Duguid, Kathryn Kilhefner Duguid, Rayna Hamm, Kathleen Gaye Hinkle Shattuck, Kathalyn Andrews Ashley, Jane Funk Klockars, Paula Ratzlaff Goering, Anna Marie Bryant Achilles. Back row: Dwight Ediger, Ronald Flory, William Winkley, Roger Schrock, Ronald Cassidente, John Mangelinkx, George Snavely, Bryce York, Pearl Fruth Miller, Roberta Albin Beckmann
Connect to MC! Access our online alumni directory, social media channels, and website to keep in touch. my.mcpherson.edu/ICS/Alumni www.facebook.com/MCalumni www.linkedin.com/school/mcpherson-college www.mcpherson.edu/alumni
One aspect of the MC campus community where I find constant encouragement is our culture of learning that is multi-directional. What I mean by that is I often hear MC faculty sharing about ways they learn from their students. It isn’t just faculty lecturing, students listening, and then those same students regurgitating answers to get through a test. Instead, the entire campus fosters a sense that we all learn from one another. Growth happens for everyone, and can happen in any setting across campus classrooms, facilities, and activities. I believe this investment in expansive learning is one of the reasons we have such a successful Teaching Education program. This issue we are highlighting education and the many conversations surrounding it in our current cultural climate. I hope it is an opportunity for each of you to learn something new. And, like always, we are happy for you to share your thoughts with us so we continue to grow and learn in the process.
Monica Rice director of alumni & constituent relations
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honors YO U N G A LU M N I
Each year we recognize the accomplishments of our young alumni during the Honors Convocation at Homecoming.
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2017 Young Alumni Award recipients: Nathanael Lander ’02, Erin Cassidente ’97, and Gina Railsback McGowan ’97.
E
rin Cassidente, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduated in 1997 with a degree in fine arts-theatre. McPherson College associate professor of theatre Jd. Bowman presented the award to Cassidente and said of her that from the moment she stepped on campus she, “purposely chose an alternative path,” and “pushed boundaries” to teach people to celebrate their differences. Working as a doula, she is an advocate for mothers and displays a true servant attitude, Bowman said. In 2003, Cassidente became certified by Doulas of North America as a professional labor assistant and has attended to numerous births. Along with her work as a doula, she is also very active in Milwaukee Mennonite Church. She serves as a sermon giver and worship leader and is a member of the Church Life Team. Since 1997 Cassidente has facilitated support groups for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, WIC breastfeeding support groups, C-section support groups and other parenting support groups. After becoming a doula, she became active with C.A.R.E. Network of Wisconsin, a non-profit organization for childbirth professionals that serves as a networking resource, advocacy and educational group for women and families during their pregnancy, birth and postpartum period. After running the organization as co-chair for many years she currently serves on its board and is the treasurer. Most recently she testified at a judiciary hearing in Milwaukee in support of a proposed Anti-Shackling Bill for incarcerated pregnant women on behalf of C.A.R.E. and in 2008 supported a bill to legalize certified professional midwives in Wisconsin. Cassidente encouraged current students to spend time finding out what they love and make a difference in their corner of the world. “Seek a life useful and you’ll find a life worth living,” she said. She celebrated Homecoming with her father, Ronald, who was part of the 50-year reunion class, and her daughter, Ayla, who is a freshman at McPherson College.
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ina Railsback McGowan, Ellsworth, Kansas, graduated in 1997 with a degree in elementary education. Dave Barrett, advancement officer at McPherson College presented McGowan the award and said of her, “Gina has made a commitment to service. The world needs more people like Gina serving youth and elderly.” Through her volunteer service, she has been an advocate for early childhood education and public schools. She serves as Region 7 vice president on the board of directors for the Kansas Association of School Boards. She was a member of the Kansas delegation representing school board members that visited with Kansas congressmen in Washington, D.C. about public schools. She is a member of the Ellsworth/Kanopolis/Geneseo school board and works with the Ellsworth County Community Cares committee working on ideas and activities to promote health and wellness in Ellsworth County. She is involved in Camp Hope, a camp for children with a cancer diagnosis, where she serves as houseparent director and committee member. She also serves as co-director and teacher for Kids of the Kingdom and Kids with a Mission, an afterschool non-denominational program for more than 150 kids, consisting of Bible lessons and weekly service projects. She served two terms on the Alumni Board of Directors for the college. While attending McPherson College, she served on both STUCO and SAB and participated in choir and cheerleading. McGowan said that through her work with the state board of education she had the opportunity to hear from individuals and professionals across the state and what they expect from Kansas education aligns with McPherson College’s mission. “They are looking for well-rounded students who exhibit scholarship, participation and service. McPherson College had that figured out all along.”
alumni news
N
athanael Lander, Irvine, California, graduated in 2002 with a degree in automotive restoration. He was the first McPherson College student and first American to intern in the workshops of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Stuttgart, Germany and today is workshop project manager for the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, where he supervises nine full-time workshop staff, four of them MC grads, and manages more than 20 active restoration projects. Amanda Gutierrez, vice president of automotive restoration, presented the award to Lander and said, “As a student, Nate set out to do something that had never been done before and became the first American to intern at the Mercedes Benz Classic Center in Germany. He then went on to help establish the first U.S. Classic Center and has been an advocate for McPherson College everywhere he has gone.” He was the second employee hired and assisted in the establishment of the Classic Center in southern California. In 2010 he received the President’s Award from Mercedes-Benz U.S.A. and in 2005 received the Automotive Restoration Department’s Outstanding Alumni Award. He is a 15-time Colorado Grand Mechanic and 15-time participant at the Concours d’ Elegance at Pebble Beach. He mentors McPherson College automotive restoration students through yearly internships at the Classic Center and is serving as an advisor on the department’s Mercedes Benz 300 S project, to compete at Pebble Beach. “Coming back to McPherson College is always like coming home for me,” Lander, who is originally from Arkansas City, Kansas, said. “The college and my experience here has set me on a path that has taken me to places and experiences that I never imagined.”
AT H L E T I C H A L L O F FA M E
Hall of Fame recipients: Roy McDonald ’05, Donald E. Barngrover ‘38, Garth Werner ‘61, Camille (Base) Kaiser ‘94, Terry Bruton ‘92 McPherson College inducted five alumni into the Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 14, honoring the former student-athletes for their achievements in collegiate athletics, professional careers and community leadership. www.macbulldogs.com
DR COPPOCK HONORED
Women’s sports pioneer and advocate, Doris Coppock ’48, was honored by the athletic department prior to a volleyball game during Homecoming week. The ceremony included the unveiling of a mural in the Sport Center highlighting her impact on college athletics. She taught in the physical education department from 1950-1992 and served as its chair from 1964-1992.
Nominate a fellow alum for a McPherson College award:
Citation of Merit Young Alumni
Dayton Rothrock Teacher Education Alumni Fellow Athletic Hall of Fame
www.mcpherson.edu/alumni-awards
Dr. Coppock was also on hand during Homecoming events to sign copies of the book, “Doris E. Coppock: Renaissance Woman at McPherson College.” The book, written by Lisa Gaskill Peters ’78, is the story of Dr. Coppock’s perseverance and triumph. Copies of the book were given out during Homecoming for donations to the Coppock-Smith Endowed Chair for Physical Education. Dr. Coppock has been a supporter of women’s sports at McPherson College since before there were many organized athletic opportunities for women. As a coach of women’s basketball, softball, and tennis, she provided significant leadership while securing funding and scholarships for women studentathletes. She has been widely honored for her role in women’s athletics including induction to the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1993 as well as by McPherson College with the Distinguished Service Award and Citation of Merit awards.
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Bulldogs
Across the
Nation! Thank you Bulldogs for helping us raise $72,790 in gifts on Power Day April 27, 2017. Donations made through the weekend raised the total to $90,915. Thank you for supporting our students and helping power the future of McPherson College!
Visit the Power Day web page to see the results of Power Day 2017 with photos and messages from fellow Bulldogs.
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Coming up:
Power Day, March 8, 2018 www.mcpherson.edu/power
why I give
alumni news
F
rom the first time that I met with a McPherson College admissions counselor, I knew that this school was different. They made it clear that they wanted me as a student and were willing to invest in making that happen. I even received phone calls from a professor who wanted to know how my senior year was going, and frequently asked if there was anything he could help with as I prepared for college. The commitment everyone gave to making me a part of MC tremendously outmatched any efforts made from other colleges that I had considered, which solidified my desire to become a Bulldog! McPherson College blessed me with so many learning experiences outside of the classroom. Within the first week of my freshman year, I was approached by the SGA advisor Lane Allison ’12 who had heard of my experience as an officer in 4-H and Seed Logistics Coordinator MKC asked if I would be interested in being a class representative. This led me to serving three years in Student Government, as well as additional leadership opportunities on campus both as a student and now as an alumnus that I could have easily missed out on, had someone not taken the time to learn about my past. Add that to my participation in Business Club, band and choir, and I have represented the college in some capacity of Scholarship, Participation, and Service in 10 states and 12 foreign countries. I also cannot forget to mention my summer internship, which led to beginning a career with the same company after graduating. I cannot imagine having so many positive, life-changing experiences anywhere else, thanks to the continued encouragement and support from the faculty, staff, and administration. I know that I cannot give enough to construct a building or expand a department, but I also know that those people will work hard to invest every dollar I give in a way that will help build relationships and develop whole persons as they did with me. And that is why I give to McPherson College.
support our students ONLINE:
www.mcpherson.edu/giving
or BY MAIL: McPherson College
Be sure to ask your employer about their matching gift program.
My gift to the McPherson College Fund
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alumni notes
Design, business, marketing entrepreneurship... and coffee!
Recent grads keeping their talents in McPherson. Kory (Hiebert) Chai ‘12, Evan Hiebert ‘14, Corey Long ’17, Channing Wall ‘17, Jessie Neher ’17, and Nick Unruh ‘15 work together in the downtown McPherson businesses Atelier Design & Print and Craft Coffee. photo: Phil Parrish
Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new with you?
Tell us about any news you'd like to share with your fellow alums. www.mcpherson.edu/update
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FOOTBALL REUNION
In July McPherson College welcomed to campus a group of more than 50 former Bulldog football players who played under Coach Don Rominger during his tenure at the college. Steve Burkholder ’76 was instrumental in coordinating the weekend events that celebrated Coach Rominger’s legacy. For many players, it was their first visit back to campus in more than 40 years. In remarks from Coach Rominger, he said of those attending, “I am proud that you have used your McPherson College experience to enrich the lives of so many people. Whether in the operating room, classroom or board room, the cop on the beat, or the pastor in the pulpit… the experience of team sports is vital to the development of men. The college has been an important part of my life, and my life has been better as a result. Whether in the class or playing field, you have enriched us more than you know.”
NIGERIA MISSION TRIP MC Alumni: Carl Hill '77, Roxane Royer Hill '78, Dr. Samuel Dante Dali '95, the Rev. Toma Ragnjiya '85, Dale Ziegler '82, and Don Ziegler '79.
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First row: Virgil DeWild, Mark Verdi, Stephen Burkholder, Mark Melhorn, Tony Hoch, Jim Ulrich, Kevin Wood, Lester Finney, Ron Hovis, Bill Calloway, Larry Latimer Second row: Daniel Jones, Steve Cameron, Kent McDowell, Coach Don Rominger, Bruce Lewallen, Emmitt Canfield, Tim Huff, Mickey Reinhart, Harold Rose, Sammy Wallace, Glenn Stucky, Bobby Groves, Doug Faught, Keith Hunter, Bill Reece Third row: Steve Lofton, Ron Moos, Butch Jones, Steve Jackson, Rick McLaren, Eric Herman, John Angerame, Ray Gibbs, Gerard Aligo, Zach Myers, James Brooks, Jack Rader, Glenn Anderson, Rudy Anderson, Russ Hunt, Mark Goodheart, Mike Halley, Mark Lynch, Bob Tschudin, Larry Gilbert, Al Whorton, Gary Leach, Bruce Wagoner, Al Sammis, Robert Tapp, Brad Wille, Cliff Thomas, (not pictured Kent Trimmell)
With connections that can be traced back to the 1930’s and former McPherson College President Desmond Bittinger, the college has long-standing ties to the country of Nigeria. This connection was apparent in January 2016 when six McPherson College alumni happened to meet each other because of a mission trip to Nigeria. Don Ziegler ‘79 and Dale Ziegler ‘82 were part of a group from the Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania that traveled to Nigeria on a listening tour, which was organized by Carl ’77 and Roxane Royer ‘78 Hill, co-directors of the Church of the Brethren Nigerian Crisis response office in Elgin, Illinois. They traveled to Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria to visit with members of EYN (Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria – Church of the Brethren), where Dr. Samuel Dante Dali ‘95 was the president and the Rev. Dr. Toma Ragnjiya ‘85 was the principal at Kulp Bible College. While there, members of the group visited with residents and helped raise awareness of the tragedies inflicted by the violent, extremist group, Boko Haram.
alumni notes A N N O U N C E M E N T S Anna K. Fuchs ’37, deceased, was honored as an orphan train rider with a statue in Concordia, Kansas. The statue is one of 14 established by the National Orphan Train Complex in Concordia. Carl Kasey ’47, McPherson, was honored by the American Legion last spring. He is a WWII Navy veteran and the last surviving member of the 1949 American Legion National Championship Basketball Team.
Bruce Spitzer ’84, Lisle, Illinois, recently became Professor of Education and Chair of the Department of Education at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. Kerri Vinson Snell ’85, McPherson, has been named a finalist in the Janet B. McCabe Poetry Prize Contest sponsored by Ruminate Magazine. The poem was published in Ruminate Magazine’s fall edition. Douglas Fitzmorris ’86, McPherson, is a letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service and was recently awarded for 30 years of safe driving on the job.
Glenn Walker ’68, Brookville, Kansas, and his wife Barbara were featured in the 2016 Kansas Nature Conservancy Year-End Report. The Walkers have partnered with the organization providing a conservation easement which protects thousands of acres of prairie in the Smoky Hills.
Kristina Gilbert Kaufman ’96, Pratt, Kansas, manages and operates with her husband Pratt’s community-focused fitness center Blythe Family Fitness. Kaufman and the center were recently featured in an article by the McPherson Sentinel.
Rockford Regula ’69, Stevenson, Washington, recently donated to the McPherson Chamber of Commerce a model train replica of the McPherson train station that he built. The model is on display at the Chamber Office in McPherson.
Jonathan Klinger ’02, Traverse City, Michigan, was recognized as one of Sports Car Market Magazine’s “40 Under 40” automotive enthusiasts making a difference in the classic car world.
Prentis Porter ’71, Woodland Park, Colorado, is now retired from 34 years of teaching in Colorado Springs and eight years of teaching abroad in China, Italy, Vietnam and Kazakhstan. Prentis enjoys his winters in Tucson, Arizona and Mexico. Dennis Coffman ’72, Harrisburg, Pennsylvannia, was recently featured in the Lebanon Daily News article “Just Folks: Coffman’s objection led to adventures” about his Conscientious Objector status during the Vietnam War. Dale ’72 and Christy Young ’76 Dowdy, Harrisonburg, Virginia, recently completed 18 years of pastoral ministry at Stone Church of the Brethren, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Craig Rothrock ’76, Fayetteville, Arkansas, recently retired as Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of Arkansas, where for 28 years he worked with graduate students and grant writing for funding crop research.
Luke Chennell ’03, McPherson, was recognized as one of Sports Car Market Magazine’s “40 Under 40” automotive enthusiasts making a difference in the classic car world. Amy Gremmer Schaefer ’03, Virginia Beach, Virginia, lives with her husband and three children and works for the Christian Broadcasting Network as a research analyst. Heather Pfeiff ’05, McPherson, is teaching Special Education Life Skills for children with multiple disabilities at Eisenhower Elementary School. She is pursuing a Masters in Low Incidence Special Education. Jonathan Rothrock ’06, McPherson, was recently promoted to vice president of commercial lending at Home State Bank.
Caroline Harnly ’73, Pacifica, California, recently retired from San Francisco State University after serving as the university’s physical sciences librarian since 1982. She has been awarded emerita librarian status.
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James and Amanda Snell Keith ‘06, were featured in an article in Made In Greensboro, an online publication that celebrates entrepreneurs, artists, community builders and the next generation of leaders in Greensboro, North Carolina. The article featured the couple’s work in restoring historic homes and automobiles. Michael Schaarschmidt ’06, Wloclawek, Poland, has opened an automotive restoration shop restoring mostly American cars as well as Mercedes-Benz, Russian motorcycles and Polish classics. Adam Schulte ’06, St. Louis, Missouri, recently left his position as head fabricator for the show “V8TV” and started his own business, Cold Forged Design, building high-end hot rods and other custom metalwork. Amanda Morgan ’07, Nashville, Tennessee, recently had two new books, “Such a Good Girl” and “Secrets, Lies, and Scandals,” published by Simon & Schuster. Matt Hoffman ’08, Greensburg, Kansas, is employed at Kiowa County High School as a physical education teacher, assistant athletic director, varsity boys basketball head coach and assistant track coach. Lane Allison ‘12 and Ann Marie Burk ‘12 and McPherson College staff members Patrick Masar and Monica Rice participated in the 2017 class of the McPherson Chamber of Commerce Leadership McPherson program, which educates and connects current and promising leaders in the community. Their culminating project was a successful summer feeding program for local youth. David Kraft ’12, Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, is serving as an infantry officer with the United States Marine Corps. He is currently stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment as the Weapons Company Executive Officer.
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Eric Hoops ’15, McPherson, is assistant principal at Chanute Elementary School, where he has been part of the administrative team’s effort to redesign the school structure. Lora Kirmer ’16, Emporia, Kansas, is research librarian at the Lyon County History Center, where she recently was a member of a discussion panel highlighting women who have worked in traditionally male-dominated professions. Lora was featured for her interest in auto restoration and radio broadcasting. Curtis Mullins ’16, Wichita, Kansas, is employed by AgVantis as a developer/analyst working with C# .NET software that is used by farm credit unions across the United States. Jake O’Gorman ’16, Blenheim, Ontario, Canada, is employed by RM Sotheby’s as a Car Specialist. Austin Ehret ’17, Cape Neddick, Maine, recently accepted a position with Rare Drive, Inc., East Kingston, New Hampshire.
M A R R I AG E S
Natalie Boss ’13 to Chance DeForest Great Bend, Kansas, May 13, 2017.
Ericka Faust ’14 to Eric Mitchell Charlevoix, Michigan, Apr. 22, 2017.
Alan Grosbach ’08 to Theresa Yetmar
Joel Kellogg ’17 to Taylor Harnish
Kristen Ozbun ’11 to Whitney Slater ’12
Sawyer Pittenger ’17 to Trenton Ptacek
Andy Skinner ’12 to Amber Padgett
Tiffany Fraser ’16 to Caleb Porter
Olathe, Kansas, June 24, 2017.
Blue Springs, Missouri, Sept. 23, 2017.
Freeport, Illinois, June 17, 2017.
Muncie, Indiana, June 10, 2017.
Luray, Kansas, May 13, 2017.
McPherson, Apr. 15, 2017.
alumni notes B I RT H S
A N N I V E R S A R I E S 50 YEARS
Harrison Eugene to ShaRhonda Maclin ’00,
Phyllis and Ralph Kreutziger ‘64, McPherson, Apr. 15, 2017.
Stephenville, Texas, Sept. 26, 2017.
Francis ’66 and Jean Lichty ‘69 Hendricks, McPherson, Aug. 5, 2017.
Alina to Jacob and Allison Sheets Morales ’00,
I N
McPherson, Dec. 28, 2016.
Arie Maybel to Seth and Laina McKellip Hendricks ’03, Englewood, Ohio, May 9, 2017.
Grady Todd to Laura and Jared Ratzlaff ’06,
Dr. John D. Andes ’35, Tempe, Arizona, Apr. 2, 2016. John E. Diehl ’40, Lawrence, Kansas, Mar. 16, 2017.
Royce Lenae to Naomi and Roy McDonald ’05 San Antonio, Texas, July 24, 2017.
Sarah M. Vancil Wiseman ’42, McPherson, Mar. 8, 2017.
Ida Mae Buckingham Van Baale ’43, Hull, Georgia, Feb. 6, 2017. Shirley Wyckoff Bodmer ’46, Tucson, Arizona, Aug. 3, 2017.
Robert “Bob” Stover ’47, Cleveland, Oklahoma, June 18, 2017.
James Kent to Joel and Taulyn Johnston ’06 Thomas,
Wilmer D. Moffet ’49, Ozawkie, Kansas, Feb. 18, 2017. Gordon Reist ’49, Salina, Kansas, Nov. 24, 2016.
Pretty Prairie, Kansas, Sept. 20, 2017.
Vaiao J. Ala’ilima ’50, Pago Pago, American Samoa, Nov. 27, 2016. Cora Emmert Specht ’50, Santa Barbara, California, June 4, 2017.
Brooklyn to Tim ’06 and Kendra Stephenson ’07 Cox,
Leon R. Geisert ’51, Osceola, Missouri, Jan. 2, 2017.
Marjorie Quiring Tolle ’52, McPherson, Aug. 13, 2017.
Waynesville, Missouri, Aug. 27, 2016.
McPherson, Apr. 25, 2017.
Vena Flory Stucky ’41, Wichita, Kansas, Feb. 2, 2017.
Paul D. Markham ’47, Carbondale, Colorado, May 30, 2017.
Fredonia, Kansas, May 2, 2017.
Thea Mae to Seth ’07 and Lara Lichty ’07 Schoming,
M E M O R I A M
Pearl Nelson Johnson ’55, McPherson, Apr. 21, 2017.
Blaise Michael to Kerry and Carley Sharp’10 Hittle Wichita, Kansas, Apr. 28, 2017.
Martin A. Gauby ’56, Boise, Idaho, Feb. 6, 2017.
Beverly Barr Riemensnider ’56, Kansas City, Missouri, Mar. 5, 2017. Warren “Mike” Kendall ’57, Bedford, Indiana, June 5, 2017. E. Dean Reynolds ’57, McPherson, July 5, 2017.
Meredith Rose to Amber and Joel Grosbach ‘08,
Judith Brammell Butler ’60, McPherson, Aug. 11, 2017.
Enders, Nebraska, May 12, 2017.
Zoann R. Ewing ’60, Gowrie, Iowa, Feb. 10, 2017.
Mylee Mae to Greg and Mallory Yungeberg ’08 Metz,
Herbert “Nick” Dolloff ’61, Minneapolis, Kansas, Mar. 30, 2017.
Terry “LT” Weddle ’60, Minneola, Kansas, Sept. 28, 2016. Norman “Buck” Johnson ’62, McPherson, Sept. 8, 2017.
Washington, Kansas, Jan. 16, 2017.
Marjorie Spears Burkholder ’64, Overland Park, Kansas, Aug. 10, 2017. Frances Leavell Edwards ’64, McPherson, Mar. 1, 2017.
Ritter to Chris ’11 and Ramona ’12 Lange,
Choctaw, Oklahoma, Sept. 28, 2017.
Reese Jo to Samantha and Cord Cunningham ‘14,
Barbara Bollinger Flory ’67, McPherson, Mar. 17, 2017.
Jayton to Jessica Vincent-Gall ’12 Dodge City, Kansas, Mar. 2, 2017.
Ruth Stucky Galle ’67, Moundridge, Kansas, Feb. 15, 2017.
Helen Edwards Stubby ’67, Burrton, Kansas, June 11, 2017. Alan L. Waltner ’67, Hutchinson, Kansas, May 10, 2017.
Norman L. Peterson ’72, Hidden Springs, Idaho, Mar. 1, 2017.
Bel Aire, Kansas, June 27, 2017.
Bill Lewis ’76, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Aug. 22, 2016.
Mark T. Willems ’79, Hutchinson, Kansas, Feb. 26, 2017.
Elena Sue to Amara Griffith ‘14,
Tracy Griffis Long ’83, Shawnee Mission, Kansas, Apr. 7, 2017.
Topeka, Kansas, Jan. 23, 2017.
Boniface Thuku Waweru ’84, Baltimore, Maryland, Mar. 12, 2017. David A. Robertson ’88, McPherson, May 7, 2017.
Bradley W. “Brad” Lewis ’93, Marquette, Kansas, Apr. 26, 2017. Wesley P. Balun ’98, Ellinwood, Kansas, July 3, 2017.
James “Roy” Johnson ’99, Austin, Texas, Apr. 13, 2017.
Porter Anthony to Mikhail ’13 and Rachael Cornell ’12 Perez Olathe, Kansas, Feb. 15, 2017.
Richard “Ricky” Gottschalk ’07, Little Rock, Arkansas, Sept. 23, 2016. Correction from previous issue Linda Butler Brittingham ’83, McPherson, July 14, 2016.
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Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit #1148 Wichita, KS
McPherson College 1600 East Euclid PO Box 1402 McPherson, KS 67460
McPherson College Band Earns Coveted Spot at 2018 KMEA Convention
The McPherson College band is one of only four colleges selected from more than 100 other concert bands that applied to perform at the state convention. The band will perform on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 8 a.m. at Century II Convention Center in Wichita.
CALENDAR
www.mcpherson.edu/calendar
Ventures: Congregation in Mission Jan 20, 2018
Power Day Mar 8, 2018
Evening with AR May 4, 2018
Theatre: “Elephant & Piggie: We Are In A Play!” Feb 9-10, 2018 Brown Auditorium
Theatre: “Another Antigone” Mar 9-10, 2018 Brown Auditorium
Bulldog Visit Day May 5, 2018
Ventures: How the Bible Came to be The Bible Feb 10, 2018
Ventures: Revitalizing Worship through the Arts Mar 17, 2018
C.A.R.S. Club Car Show May 5, 2018
Presidential Scholarship Competition Day Feb 16, 2018
Presidential Scholarship Competition Day Apr 7, 2018
Spring Band Concert May 8, 2018 Brown Auditorium
Regional Youth Conference Feb 23-25, 2018
Ventures: Congregations Nurturing a Culture of Call Apr 14, 2018
Commencement Ceremony 2018 May 20, 2018 Brown Auditorium
MC Band Performs at KMEA Convention Feb 24, 2018
Spring Choral Concert Apr 22, 2018 McPherson Church of the Brethren
Auto Restoration Summer Institute Jun 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 2018
Lingenfelter Artist Series Mar 4, 2018
Awards Convocation May 4, 2018 Brown Auditorium
Church of the Brethren Annual Conference Jul 4-8, 2018
A portion of the publication cost for the Review comes from Docuplex in Wichita, Kan. - www.docuplex.com