Passages Summer 2024

Northwest Passages

FOR FRIENDS AND ALUMNI OF NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY | SUMMER 2024

The College of Ministry: Preparing for the Dawn of a Great Awakening

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Imagine the reality of the Next Great Awakening. It will start among young people, as such awakenings always do. A few young people will have a radical encounter with God and get saved. As they share their testimonies, dozens, then hundreds, then thousands, then millions of people will follow. Churches will start filling up, young and old alike will perceive a call to ministry, and they’ll prepare for it by pursuing opportunities to study God’s Word.

At Northwest University, we believe we are training the leaders of the Next Great Awakening right now. Based on the historical patterns of revival and awakening in America, we expect churches to see remarkable revival over the next 20–25 years, as God prepares the Church for the next great harvest. As revival gives birth to an awakening, large numbers of new believers will seek out the guidance of experienced Christians who, having lived for Christ faithfully through the difficult years of the present and near future—this time people are calling “the dechurching of America”—will be able to pastor and disciple them into vibrant new lives in Christ. We’ll need all hands on deck—pastors as well as church members. Every Christian should be preparing now for the victory of God in their future.

An emerging new vision statement for our College of Ministry declares: The Northwest University College of Ministry raises up pastors to lead the Next Great Awakening in America and around the world. We see beyond America’s current moral malaise, and we believe a great revival will soon begin in the Church, and our whole

society will experience a great awakening in the decades ahead. Thousands of churches will be planted. And every one of those churches will need a pastor.

This issue of Northwest Passages focuses on the work of our College of Ministry in training pastors and ministry leaders. Glancing through the past few issues clearly illustrates that we certainly value the call of all our students, whether they are preparing for church ministry or health care professions or technology leadership or business careers or counseling practice or any of our fields of study. It takes the whole body of Christ to achieve the mission of God and the Great Commission. But in this issue, we’re focusing on church ministry. Beyond our academic and spiritual commitments to these future pastors, we are also deeply committed to them financially, and all students enrolling in College of Ministry majors are guaranteed a 50% tuition scholarship.

When the Next Great Awakening dawns, we’ll be ready.

Sincerely,

Joseph L. Castleberry, EdD President

For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Ephesians 5:14 ESV

THE WORLD SLUMBERS

It dreams of a life apart from God. One where humankind is king, sitting on the throne of life, indulging every whim. As this dream fails to satisfy, it begins to chase new and increasingly peculiar ones, hoping that novelty will fulfill our restless hearts. Meanwhile, we wonder how the world has changed so quickly and why the dreams have become so deceptive.

Our College of Ministry is raising up pastors and missionaries to awaken hearts across this world in the name of Jesus.

Awakened to an eternal and sacred perspective of human life. Awakened to our fallen nature and inability to save ourselves.

Awakened to a new understanding of God’s love so lavishly expressed in Christ.

Awakened to a decision that adopts us into God’s family forever.

Awakened to a community of Christ followers—imperfect people who love a perfect God—and advance His Kingdom together.

It is with this bright and eternal hope that we educate all students, who will bring the life and love of Christ into their families, their churches, their workplaces, their communities, and into the farthest reaches of this world that God so loves.

And soul by soul,

THE WORLD AWAKENS.

The Eighty-Eighth

Commencement

of Northwest University

Faculty make their way into the auditorium dressed in their academic regalia.

Students sit in the Overlake auditorium, eagerly anticipating their walk across the stage.

Dr. Joseph Castleberry, NU president, reminds graduates to have the courage to dream—both large and small— and to be resolute in their pursuit.

Shirley Hoogstra, JD, president of the CCCU, receives an honorary doctorate and delivers the 88th Commencement address. She answers the question: “how will I make a difference in the world today?”

Martina Preston, 2024 Class President, leads the responsive scripture reading (Psalm 119:9–16).

Turning Dreams Into Degrees

Family and friends gathered on May 4 to celebrate students finally realize the achievement of a dream. Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students smiled as they crossed the stage amidst the shouts and applause of loved ones to finally take hold of the degree they worked so hard to achieve. Where will it take them? Each has a unique path. But we do know this: God is faithful to guide, bless, and sustain them. At NU, we are so proud of these graduates and all they have accomplished. We look forward to more dreams and seeing all they have yet to do.

Congratulations and may God richly bless the class of 2024.

The ceremony is over, and families gather for hugs, congratulations, and photos. It’s been quite a day. One that has shown us that dreams really do come true.

The Student Quartet adds a tone of celebration and reverence to the ceremony.

Zachary Mann, elected by his classmates to give the student address, walks the audience through their journeys as Eagles and the lessons he learned along the way.

Board of Directors Chair, Barbara Petty, honors Dr. Moses Harris with the Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding 21 years of service to NU and exemplary Christian character.

Mizue Yamada-Fells receives the Delta Tau Faculty Honor Award for her nearly 40 years of excellence as a member of NU’s Music department.

Bob and Joan Wallace are recognized with the President’s Award for their significant contributions.

GO INTO ALL THE WORLD

The final words of Jesus in the New Testament are clear: We are called to bring the Good News to all of creation. As you look at the world today, an awakening is already occurring in Africa, China, and Latin America where people are becoming part of God’s family in numbers never seen in these regions before. Drs. Valerie and DeLonn Rance have spent their lives training hundreds of AG missionaries to carry out the Great Commission and leading our Center for Leadership Studies.

Many people think of exotic lands when they hear the word “missions.” But there is a mission field right in your own community. I serve as the lead pastor of EPIC Church and also oversee a large indoor sports facility and a nonprofit education foundation. I am the president of the board of education for a local school district and offer leadership coaching for businesses and nonprofits. The lessons I learned in the PhD in Organizational Leadership program at Northwest have helped me to be successful in the multiple community missions that I serve in on a daily basis.

Bobby Hawk (’23)

My time at Northwest University played a critical role in my journey toward becoming a missionary in Thailand. It was there that, through the guidance of the missionary in residence, Dr. Alan Johnson (’84) (who is also an alumnus of Northwest), I was introduced to missions both academically and practically. Moreover, I received valuable wisdom and knowledge from many other professors belonging to various ministry and nonministry fields. This knowledge has proved invaluable throughout my 15 years of missionary work in Thailand with Assemblies of God World Missions. Additionally, the friends I made at Northwest University continue to offer their support through prayer and other means, enabling us to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the tens of millions of Thai people without any witness nearby, in the world’s most densely Buddhist country.

For the past two years, we have led the Center for Leadership Studies (CFLS) at Northwest University, directing the PhD and EdD programs in Organizational Leadership. As missionaries through Assemblies of God World Missions, we serve as regional missionary trainers in Latin America and the Caribbean. In both roles, we seek to empower the unique callings of each missionary, prospective missionary, and CFLS doctoral student. With students joining the CFLS programs from Africa, China, India, Indonesia, and across the United States, the CFLS boasts a diverse doctoral student population that leads businesses, churches, and schools. Driven by a shared passion, the directors and professors of the CFLS equip these professionals with the necessary tools to lead with spiritual vitality, integrity, wisdom, innovation, and excellence in the church, in the marketplace, in educational settings, or wherever their calling takes them.

Drs. Valerie and DeLonn Rances, Co-Directors, Center for Leadership Studies

Mark Rodli (’04)

ONE GENERATION RAISING UP THE NEXT

NU has been preparing pastors to advance the Kingdom of God since 1934. For 90 years, one generation has been raised up to shepherd the generation that follows. To continue that traditional commitment, every on-campus undergraduate student pursuing a ministry degree is guaranteed to receive financial aid (excluding loans) equal to at least 50% of tuition.

Ministry is at the heart of what we do. It is our professors in the College of Ministry–many of whom are active pastors today–dedicated to preparing the leaders of tomorrow.

NU equipped us for the practicalities of ministry careers by training us in biblical studies, theology, and pastoral care, but our time at NU trained us spiritually as well. I gave my life to Jesus at NU, we both grew and matured as followers of Jesus, and both of us left NU with a deep hunger for the next move of God. After graduating from NU, we spent 10 years in youth ministry raising up the next generation of passionate Jesus followers, and now we have just reached 20 years of pastoral ministry as church planters and lead pastors at Venture Church. We believe deeply in the next generation and were one of the first churches to partner with the Northwest Partnership Program through NU, continuing to train and deploy the next generation of church ministry leaders. We both believe the next great move of God will be ushered in by the generation that is currently training to lead our churches, and it is our privilege to invest in them, believe in them, and deploy them to be used by God to reach the world.

Di (’94, ’19) and Brandon Beals

Northwest University prepared me to serve as a pastor in a Pentecostal church and as a chaplain in times of crisis in my small-town rural community. Today, as the assistant superintendent in the Northwest Ministry Network, I serve the local church by pastoring pastors, missionaries, and chaplains. Through it all, I’ve learned that the best way to steward the mission of God is to be good stewards of those who are called to serve the mission.

Andy Pursley (’07, ’14)

For us to have an awakening means we are currently—right now—asleep. When you look at our society at large, compared to previous generations, we are less awake to the things of God. These are our times. So when I think about preparing leaders for a Next Great Awakening, I think about preparing people who are equipped to live and tell the story of God in a biblically illiterate age.

Our students should come to comprehend the Scriptures clearly and to know how to address the complicated realities and questions of our time. At the undergraduate level, we are doing this in part by having pastoral practitioners regularly in the classroom. People like Dr. Alan Ehler, Dr. Brandon Beals, Dr. Beth Backes, and Pastor Di Beals—all currently serving in pastoral ministry—will be teaching our students this coming year. We have developed a faculty team equipped to help students communicate and understand the story of God in a way that makes sense and is practical in our biblically illiterate age.

In the College of Ministry, we invest in servant leaders who will not only shepherd the ministry efforts that exist right now, but who also will be open to new possibilities in the future to help set the stage for the Next Great Awakening.

Dr.

Josh Ziefle, Dean, College of Ministry

At Northwest University, we are continuously improving our learning experiences. Here are just a few of our more recent offerings. Learn About Our Latest Degree Programs

Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership

The Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership (MAML) is a 36-credit degree designed to help students develop a biblical, theological, and pastoral framework for leadership that is academically rigorous, praxis-oriented, and biblically informed. This graduate-level training course has been updated to include a special cohort that will focus on what it means to be a Spirit-empowered leader. Through this program, students will:

• Earn a Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership.

• Focus their calling and sense of mission.

• Learn alongside other Spirit-led ministers.

• Gain essential tools applicable to their ministry context.

The MAML is offered as a HyFlex option. You’ll attend class remotely or in person while fully participating in lectures and courses taught by leading scholars and ministers.

Engaging the Mission Field of Technology

Technology is one of the most powerful drivers of culture today and—given our location and Jesusfirst commitment—is a mission field we are uniquely positioned to address. Here are three new programs designed to develop leaders who will influence the technology industry for Christ.

Bachelor of Arts in Video Game Design and Bachelor of Science in Video Game Development

These two new degrees will prepare students to enter the exciting field of video games. Taught by Christian professors, students will learn how to design exciting gameplay and immersive game worlds. Our BS students will take additional coursework in programming that prepares them not only for game design but game and software development.

Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence

This pioneering graduate program is designed to equip students with the foundational principles and practical skills needed to develop and deploy artificial intelligence (AI) solutions across diverse industries. Our degree will view AI through the lens of a Christian faith and ethics and will prepare students to effectively utilize AI within any professional setting. Practical in application, this course does not require deep technical background in software development or model design.

HARMONIOUS HOPE: WORSHIP MUSIC IN THE NEXT GREAT AWAKENING

Training church musicians has been an important part of our mission since our original charter was written. From the Old Testament to the presentday Church, music has always served as a powerful conduit for spiritual revival and awakening. Whether it was the priests blowing their trumpets in Joshua 6 or Paul and Silas singing hymns of praise before their chains miraculously came loose in Acts 16, Scripture is rife with example after example of powerful events happening when believers have worshiped God in song.

We believe music will remain central to the Next Great Awakening and that our students—past, present, and future—will play a significant role in ushering in this revival through their musical gifts and talents. At the helm of this effort is Dr. Dave Pedde, associate professor of Music Ministry, director of the Northwest Choralons, and director of our new Center for Songwriting.

WORSHIP AND

So much of what I experienced at Northwest has shaped the career path I am on today. Not only were the music classes specific to my needs, but playing on the traveling worship team and Choralons gave me real-life experience in the field. The biggest factor was having such a strong community of students and faculty who believed in me. And thanks in part to their encouragement and discipleship, I have been touring the nation with platinum contemporary Christian music artist Jordan Feliz since 2023!

Jeffrey Adami (’20)

After graduating, I joined the community at Faith Tri-Cities as their new children’s pastor. I am so thankful for the leaders, mentors, and experiences at NU that prepared me well for ministry—from professors Steve Mills (’80), Brenda Rasmussen (’83), and many others, to getting the chance to serve with Campus Ministries, to preaching in chapel. During my sophomore year, I felt God leading me toward the call of raising the next generation to be worshipers. I decided to double major in both Worship and Music Studies and General Ministries with a focus on children. I’m so thankful for NU and the time I got to grow and prepare there.

Corrine Booth (’22)

Throughout history, the emergence of new musical expressions for worship has coincided with significant spiritual awakenings. In contrast to the tendency for believers to retreat in the face of culture (Leonard Sweet calls this “hunkering in the bunker”), our Northwest University Worship and Music Studies program stands out for its graduates who are equipped to engage culture with new worship music that centers on the truth of God. This resonates with the words of Carl Henry: “The early church didn’t say, ‘Look what the world is coming to!’ They said, ‘Look what has come into the world!’” At NU, we enthusiastically send our graduates into the world poised for a new, great awakening.

Dr. Dave Pedde, Associate Professor, Worship and Music Director, Northwest Choralons and Center for Songwriting

CREATED TO CREATE

In the beginning, God created. The world first awakened because of this divine act. As His creation, we can actively participate in the Next Great Awakening through the use of our inspired gifts—which is precisely what our students and graduates of the Creatio Center for Technology, Media, and Design are preparing for as they learn to be innovators, storytellers, and designers.

As a singer-songwriter, composer, producer, and engineer, I’m grateful to have training in industry standard tools that I use every day for music composition, recording, and other creative work. I recently released a new song called “Common Ground” that I wrote, produced, arranged, and engineered myself. The song is really an anthem to work together, to choose to see each other’s perspectives, and to tear down our walls to create common ground.

Julia Olsen (’18)

I currently work on the radio promotions team for Provident Label Group, a Christian music subsidiary of Sony Music. My education at NU was very valuable, and the guidance of my mentors—especially how they modeled living and working as a Christian—truly helped prepare me for the music industry. One of my professors, Mizue Fells (’79) (See Mizue Fells’ feature on page 22), demonstrated daily how to be joyful even in the midst of life’s hardest trials. Another professor, Kate Orr, once told me that she viewed sound production and writing music as an act of worship, since being made in His image and likeness enables us to create alongside the ultimate Creator. Adopting these mindsets helped renew my passionate attitude toward the music industry, leading me to make impactful connections and secure my current job.

Aubrey Mallard (’22)

I’m currently a support broadcast engineer for Amazon Prime Video’s Live Ops team. I help monitor the live sports events that stream to the platform locally and internationally, like Thursday Night Football, League 1 Soccer, and MLB and NBA games. My time at NU helped prepare me for this career in many ways: confirming my God-given gifts and talents with pursuing my degree, refining and expanding my skills in an educational environment, gaining a solid foundation in my spiritual life, and most importantly, staying on the path that God had set for me with my opportunity to come to NU.

Christopher McCann (’23)

At the Creatio Center for Technology, Media, and Design, we are deeply invested in shaping the minds and hearts of our wonderful students and recognize the pivotal role we can play as we look forward to the Next Great Awakening. With our interdisciplinary focus on technology and media studies, we understand the immense influence these careers can have in shaping culture. Our curriculum is meticulously designed to equip the next generation of leaders, who—as designers created in the image of God—are called to steward technology and media with wisdom, integrity, and ethical purpose. As our graduates enter the workforce, they carry with them the responsibility and privilege of affecting culture for the glory of God, serving as ambassadors of hope, agents of transformation, and beacons of light in a digitally driven world. We’re already beginning to witness the ripple effects of their influence as they express their love for Christ through active involvement in churches and the music industry. With the expansion of Creatio programs to include computer science and game technology alongside audio and video production, we eagerly anticipate even more transformative experiences in the years ahead.

Craig Chapman, Director, Creatio Center for Technology, Media, and Design

THE 2024 SCHOOL YEAR AT A

GLA NCE

JOSIAH QUEEN CONCERT

NU sponsored a free community concert on campus featuring independent Christian musician Josiah Queen. Students and their friends enjoyed a high-energy live music experience in the Butterfield Chapel that some said was the highlight of their semester!

SCHOOL OF PA ACCREDITATION AND RIBBON-CUTTING

The ARC-PA granted accreditation-provisional status to the NU School of Physician Assistant Medicine. To celebrate this monumental achievement and the bright future ahead for this program, NU hosted a special ribboncutting ceremony in our newly renovated health care facilities space at the 6710 Building.

HOMECOMING & FAMILY WEEKEND

Students, parents, families, and alumni gathered on NU’s campus for a full weekend of celebration, fellowship, food, and fun. This year’s festivities included special alumni chapels, sporting events, yard games, and more.

REVIVAL EVENTS

Campus Ministries hosted multiple Revive Nights, where students, staff, and faculty came together for a powerful time of worship and prayer and heard messages from featured speakers. This year’s speakers included Josh Jamison and Becky Johnson. NU also partnered with Circuit Riders, a national grassroots ministry, to host a Carry the Love event where students engaged in worship services and timely conversations about evangelism and revival.

The NU School of Business hosted an on-campus women’s leadership conference that was open to the community. Women from all around Puget Sound met for two days of networking, insightful sessions, deep conversations about transformational leadership, and a time of worship.

PROVOST INAUGURATION

On November 17, 2023, NU inaugurated its second provost, Dr. Sarah Drivdahl, during a moving ceremony that featured a time of worship, special music, prayer, greetings from significant community members like the mayor of Kirkland, and an inaugural address from Dr. Drivdahl.

PRESIDENT’S SCHOLARSHIP

A select group of newly admitted students were welcomed on campus for this two-day invitational event, where they competed for fulltuition scholarships and admittance into the NU honors program.

In this annual pageantstyle talent competition, men from the residence halls and student apartments competed for the title of Mr. Northwest. This year’s winner was Daniel McMullen.

EVENING AT THE MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE

Students dressed up in beautiful formalwear and enjoyed an evening of entertainment, culture, and community at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture. Evening is a longstanding tradition and a favorite event for our students as they gear up for the end of the academic year.

SCREAMING EAGLES WEEK

During this annual spirit week, our undergraduate students participated in a plethora of communitybuilding games and activates like dodgeball, floor Olympics, and a music video competition while battling for the coveted stump trophy.

CHORALONS SPRING TOUR

The Northwest Choralons traveled to the greater Los Angeles area for their spring tour, where they blessed several schools and churches with their music ministry. They also participated in service projects at the LA Dream Center and performed at Disney California Adventure Park.

The Final Notes: Professor Mizue Yamada-Fells Retires

Professor Mizue Yamada-Fells (’79) has spent 40 years helping students awaken their musical passions at Northwest University. With her Christ-centered heart, humble disposition, and profound piano performance skills, she has been an instrumental part of the Music department where she has taught everything from piano lessons to music history to music theory. In this interview, she reflects on her decades-long career and offers earnest advice to future NU students as she prepares to retire at the end of the 2023–2024 academic year.

What would you say has been the most fulfilling part of your teaching career? Watching students have their ‘aha moments’—watching that lightbulb finally turn on—that’s the moment I live for as an educator. To be honest, the subject that I teach is not what’s most important to me. My true passion is helping students experience the joy of learning— which you will do for the rest of your life.

What will you miss the most about teaching at NU? My students! I can’t even fathom the thought of not seeing my students every day. It’s been an honor to walk with my students through so many important life moments. And it’s gone both ways. My students have also walked with me. They’ve prayed for me and supported me, and that has meant a lot to me.

Do you feel like you’ve accomplished everything you wanted to in your teaching career? I don’t know if ‘accomplished’ is the right word, but I feel very blessed. Before each academic year, I’ve always prayed and asked God to bring me students whom I can minister to. And every single year, God has done that. But I don’t think of this as my own accomplishment; rather, it’s God’s accomplishment. He is the one who orchestrated these relationships and used me in His plan. I’m just the instrument.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to future NU students? The most important thing you can do you in your life is to sit at the feet of Jesus and spend time with Him. When I was younger, I didn’t always understand this. I was so focused on working hard and finding success. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve seen how much peace and joy God gives us when we spend time with Him. So that is my advice: More than anything, spend time with Jesus.

Supporting a New Generation of Leaders

On February 23, friends of NU gathered at The Westin Bellevue for the annual President’s Banquet. It was a night of friendship, generosity, and worship as participants joined together to raise scholarship funds for students who desire a Jesus-first education. Tables hummed with conversation, Choralons sang with jubilation, and President Castleberry spoke with inspiration.

At the end of the night, nearly $1.2 million was raised for a new generation of NU students who are being equipped to become leaders of the Next Great Awakening.

A deep and heartfelt thanks to all who attended and gave with such generosity. We are so grateful for your support of our mission and our students.

Visit northwestu.edu/presidents-banquet to view Dr. Castleberry’s speech.

BUNTAIN SCHOOL OF NURSING

Dr. Erin-Joy Bjorge (dean and associate professor) and the School of Nursing faculty received a $105,000 grant from the Washington Student Achievement Council.

Dr. Theresa Granger (associate professor) presented on the “Use of Poll Everywhere to Teach Undergraduate Nursing Research” at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Transform 2023 conference.

Dr. Danette Ver Woert (’11, ’22) (associate professor) presented on the “Ethical Challenges Facing Nurse Educators” at the Council on Nursing Education in Washington State (CNEWS).

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Dr. Naomi Fanshier (assistant professor, Music) presented “Inclusive Programming: Audiences and Cinematic Music” at the College Orchestra Directors Association conference. She was a panelist for the Women’s Advocacy Initiative of the College Orchestra Directors Association for a presentation titled “Eliminating Barriers and Moving Ahead” to support women in conducting. Dr. Fanshier also presented on “Musical Excellence Through Service-Learning” at the Washington Music Educators Association conference.

Alex Johnson (associate professor, Biology) was the advisor for the research conducted by current student Kacey Koehn and the related poster, “Occurrence of Native and Non-Native Squirrels in an Urban Forest State Park,” which was presented at the Murdock College Science Research conference.

Dr. Richard Snyder (assistant professor, English and Communications) was a panelist for two sessions on making digital media more accessible at the global Access Works Unconference. As designer and programmer, he also worked closely with author Bill Bly on We Descend: Complete Edition, a textual reconstruction project.

Dr. William Thompson (assistant professor, History) published a review of the 16th century Cornish-language religious text, Sacrament an Alter: A Critical Edition with Translation by D.H. Frost, in the journal Church History and Religious Culture

Dr. Clarisse van der Feltz (assistant professor, Biology and Biochemistry) was the advisor for current student Samuel Postma’s research and poster, “Selection of RNA Aptamers to Bind a Luminescent Probe Using Capture-SELEX,” which was presented at the Murdock College Science Research conference.

Dr. Jeremiah Webster (professor, English) had his poem “De Anima (On the Soul)” published in The Mockingbird magazine. He was the keynote speaker (“Follow the Devil: Cultivating the Spiritual Imagination Via the Fantastique”) at the Doxacon conference. Dr. Webster also published the poem “Another Heaven” in the Fare Forward literary journal.

COLLEGE OF MINISTRY

Dr. Blaine Charette (professor, Bible and Greek) published “Prophetic Hope and the Building of the People of God: The Role of Jesus, Jeremiah, and Peter in Matthew 16.13-20” in The Spirit of Prophecy and Reconciliation: Essays in Honor of Rickie D. Moore

Dr. J.P. O’Connor (associate professor, Ministry) authored an article titled “From Imagination and Practice: Pauline Theology and Burying the Dead at Corinth” that was published in Novum Testamentum. He reviewed Michael Bird’s “Jesus among the Gods: Early Christology in the GrecoRoman World” for The Pneuma Review. He also presented a paper, “The Mikra and the Megaloi: Judgment and Justice in Mark’s Gospel,” at the Society for Pentecostal Studies.

Dr. Bill Oliverio (associate professor, Public Theology) published an editorial in Pneuma titled “Pentecostal Theologies of the Three Articles: The Theological Maturation of a Christian Tradition.” He was also a speaker at the 2024 Theology Colloquium at Continental Theological Seminary giving four talks on the theme “Pentecostalism in the Late Modern World” and sitting on one panel.

Dr. Joshua Ziefle (dean) and Peter Hartwig (associate director, Center for Calling and Theological Formation) presented a paper, “Story & Spirit: Reflections on a Summer Youth Theology Program,” at the Society for Pentecostal Studies.

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Dr. Rowlanda Cawthon (dean and associate professor, Management) presented a workshop titled “Transformational Leadership: Unlocking Your Leadership Potential in Life and Work” at the Women in Criminal Justice conference.

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

Dr. Sung-ae Kim (assistant professor) published “Prioritizing Community Knowledge Across Different Contexts” in TESOL Bilingual-Multilingual Education Interest Section’s Fall 2023 Multilingual Connections. She also presented “Utilizing

Translanguaging in Literacy Practices: Insights from Bilingual Individuals” at the Association for Reading and Writing in Asia conference.

Dr. Suzan Kobashigawa (’87) (professor, Education) is working with a team of international experts on a special project for the Panamanian Ministry of Education to develop standards for their English language curriculum, which will be implemented throughout the country.

OFFICE OF THE PROVOST

Dr. Sarah Drivdahl (provost) was a coauthor of “Happily Ever After?: What Stories Repeatedly Told to Others Reveal about Marriage and Identity,” which was published in Marriage & Family Review

In

Memory

of Dr. Carl Christensen

Dr. Carl Christensen, founding dean of the Buntain College of Nursing, went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, January 27, 2024. He was a humble and dedicated servant of Christ, and he used his unwavering passion for the field of nursing and Christian education to teach, mentor, and inspire hundreds of nursing students at NU.

Dr. Christensen was born on October 8, 1952, in Seattle, Washington. He married his wife, Debra, in 1980. The two were married for 43 years, and they had two sons together.

His deanship at Northwest University began in 1999.

As the founding dean of the Mark and Huldah Buntain College of Nursing, Dr. Christensen’s work was critical in establishing one of NU’s most well-recognized and sought-after academic programs. He was instrumental in guiding the Christ-centered culture of the department, the academic prestige of the curriculum, and the cross-cultural medical missions component that makes NU’s nursing program unlike any other.

Dr. Christensen was a lifelong learner, an avid reader, and a loving husband, father, and grandparent. He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters-in-law, and two grandsons.

Jon Myrick (’86)

Jon and his wife, Pam, are enjoying retirement in Sun City West, Arizona. While both have completed their traditional careers, John is staying busy as an online missionary for Global Media Outreach and has the opportunity to share the gospel with hundreds of people around the world. He and Pam have led or joined short-term mission teams to Mexico, Guatemala, Portugal, and Cambodia and have supported many others financially and prayerfully. They have two daughters and three granddaughters.

Curtis Hubbell (’91)

Curtis is a missionary to the nation of Ukraine. He has been in ministry since graduating from NU in 1991.

Kara Cusic (’98)

Kara earned her BA in Church Ministry from NU in 1998. She worked in Siberia, Russia, for over 10 years. She helped Russian women who were victims of human trafficking and also worked in Malaysia. She recently joined the efforts of Project Rescue in Finland, a nonprofit organization that helps Russian immigrants who are in the process of immigrating to Finland.

Jamin Cook (’07)

Tiffany Geer (’99)

Tiffany was recently honored with the 2024 Montana Mother of the Year award by American Mothers, Inc. Tiffany earned her degree from NU in elementary education in 1999 and is the mother of five children. She currently resides in Kalispell, Montana, and works as a parttime librarian.

Jamin graduated from the Buntain School of Nursing in 2007 and has since been practicing nursing in oncology, end-of-life, and dementia care.

Casey Fowler (’09)

Casey graduated with his BS in Nursing in 2009 and was recently selected as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP). The AANP website states: “The FAANP program is dedicated to the global advancement of nurse practitioners (NPs) and the high-quality health care NPs deliver. Comprised of recognized NP leaders who have made outstanding contributions to NP education, policy, clinical practice or research, the Fellows work toward furthering the NP role, developing NP leaders of the future, and enhancing AANP’s mission.”

Brian Silva (’19, ’21)

Brian completed two degrees at NU: his BA in Business Administration in 2019 and his MBA in 2021. He currently works as a recruiter at Microsoft and is also building a music career as artist named ISSA VIBESS in the Christian Latin market.

William (Bill) Randolph passed away on March 13, 2024. He was born to Wilma and James Randolph in Carthage, Missouri, on May 24, 1941.

In 1968 he received an invitation from Northwest College to teach biological sciences, which he did for the next forty years. While at Northwest, he was instrumental in starting an elementary education major and was involved in the formation of our nursing program.

Bill is survived by his wife, Jacqui; his son, Jeffrey; his daughter, Teresa Summerford; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his brothers, Roger and Gary; and his sister, Beverly Hill.

THE NU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION:

Membership Has Its Privileges.

Join the NU Alumni Association! This is an excellent way to stay in touch with NU and your fellow alumni, and you’ll receive plenty of benefits when you join. Joining is easy. Simply complete the online form and begin your membership privileges right away: northwestu.edu/alumni/association.

Take a Free Class

NU grads have the opportunity to attend an undergraduate day or evening class completely free of charge every year.

NU ID Card

The NU ID card will provide access to a variety of benefits—both on and off campus.

Northwest Passages

We’ll send you Northwest Passages, a 28-page magazine that will help you stay connected with NU and your fellow alumni.

Alumni E-Newsletter

Stay up to date on NU news and events with our e-newsletter, which comes out several times each year.

Eagle Fitness Center

The fitness center is located in the Barton Building. As an NU alum, you have access for $15/month for individuals or $25/month for family memberships.

Library

You’ll have full borrowing privileges at Hurst Library. To check out books, all you need is your NU ID card.

Hotel Discounts

Receive discounts at Kirkland hotels when visiting the campus during university events.

P.O. Box 579

Kirkland, WA 98083-0579

ADDRESS SERVICES REQUESTED

UPCOMING EVENTS

90th Celebration | September 2024

Northwest University

NU has been shaping hearts and minds for Christ since 1934, and we’re planning a grand celebration. It will be a time of worship, friendship, and a celebration of all that God has done. We hope you can join us! More details coming soon, so be sure to check your inbox in the coming weeks for more information.

Family Weekend | October 4–5, 2024

Northwest University

Parents and families: you are invited to experience campus life with your student. Come attend a class with your student, meet current students, faculty, and staff, and participate in special family-friendly activities. Siblings (age 10–18) are also invited to experience the residence halls at our Sibling Overnight event.