IMPACT Connecting alumni and friends with San Diego Christian
magazine
SDC Welcomes New Faculty p. 9
New Student Orientation p. 19
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Alumni Updates p. 22
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SDC New Student Orientation activities
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November Issue #14
TABLE OF CONTENTS
9 FEATURES
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SDC NEWS Read about the exciting things happening around the SDC campus.
NSO The 2015-2016 school year kicked off with New Student Orientation, involving the President’s Fiesta, broomball, Santee’s School Beautification Day and a beach bonfire.
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ALUMNI UPDATES Celebrating recent alumni accomplishments and marriages.
Cover photo: SDC students at broomball during New Student Orientation.
TR UTH P U RP O SE I M P AC T 200 Riverview Parkway
Santee, CA 92071
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(619) 201-8700
sdcc.edu
CONTENTS 6 7 16 19 22
From the President SDC News Athletics New Student Orientation Alumni Updates
UPCOMING EVENTS
Click here for more information!
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December 1 3:00pm - 5:00pm Traveling Stories Story Tent December 3 - 5 Performing Arts presents Joyous Sounds
LETTER FROM THE VP FOR ADVANCEMENT Starting a new fall semester is always exciting. The enthusiam of our students is apparent as they start new classes and realize new goals and opportunities for their lives. Each semester brings a freshness for new beginnings and possibilities. I am also excited about the new academic year in the Advancement and Administration offices. Our team is passionate about SDC and we are constantly looking for opportunities to advance our institution towards a grand vision. God is our strength and He provides all the great harvest. Each day reinvigorates our passion to deliver dynamic equivalence in all that God has given us. As you read through these pages, you will see the life stories of students who have a passion for Christ to make a positive impact in their local and global communities. Our current students have the same blessing as you did to attend a college that is built upon the Truth of Scripture and founded with Biblical values. I have the privilege to be part of a heritage that wants to develop Godly character and equip students for a greater good. Our graduates are transforming our culture as entrepreneurs, leaders, experts and citizens, rolling up their sleeves to serve the needs of others and offering the hope that is in Christ. The Alumni Office would love to stay connected with you and learn your story. Please email us and share your story of how Christ is using you in your sphere of influence for His glory. Partner with our ambitious mission and become part of this exciting and important movement! Sincerely,
Robert Jensen, MSEL 5
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Alumni, Our fall semester is well underway and the campus is thriving with energy as students are engaged in their classes and settling into their schedules. The theme for our 2015-2016 school year is Pursuit. We want our institution to be in Pursuit of knowing God more and understanding our identity in Him. I am confident this theme will be expressed in our classrooms, residences, and community. I love when we as staff, faculty and students get to demonstrate servant leadership to the community and honor God with our efforts and energies. I am constantly reminded of God’s faithfulness to us. I am encouraged every time I engage with an alumni and hear the positive impact SDC had on their educational and spiritual experience, providing them with a strong biblical worldview to succeed in life and in their career. Keep sharing your stories. Hawks for Life,
Paul Ague, Ph.D. President
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NEWS
Dr. John Mark Reynolds Speaks at SDC Convocation
Well-known author, inspirational speaker, founder of the Torrey Honors Institute at Biola University and president of The Saint Constantine School in Houston, Texas, Dr. John Mark Reynolds kicked off the new school year for SDC students with words of wisdom, inspiring stories and a little laughter. He spoke to the students about finding and holding onto the deep abiding joy that San Diego Christian has to offer with the amazing opportunities available, interaction with faculty and staff and life-long friendships. “At San Diego Christian, I look out and see how all the faculty are present. You see them in class and online, and if you give them a phone call, you’re going to get a phone call back,” said Dr. John Mark Reynolds. “Mentoring is very important and SDC embraces it. With the 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, SDC provides amazing education.” About Academic Convocation In academia, the word “convocation” refers to a ceremonial assembly of the members of a college or university. Traditionally, academic convocation celebrate special events such as the beginning of the academic year or the anniversary of an institution.
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#GivingTuesday
sdcc.edu /Givin gTuesda y Let’s kick-off the holiday giving season together! San Diego Christian is participating in #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective
power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. SDC’s goal is to raise $50,000 by 11:59pm on December 1, 2015 for student needs such as:
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Microphones for the Performing Arts Department Batting cages for the Athletic Department Unmanned Aircraft Systems simulators for the Aviation Department Scholarships Vision 2019 Funds
Every dollar secures SDC’s future to impact the world by educating the next generation of Christian leaders. Undoubtedly, you can remember someone that gave of themselves to help shape your life or career. Please see this as an opportunity to give back to those who helped you. We invite you to walk alongside SDC students on their journey and thank you for supporting them. Learn more about the needs of our students here.
When YOU give, WE give! We will give 10% of donations raised from #GivingTuesday to Traveling Stories, a local nonprofit with the mission to deliver a sustainable, family-focused solution for improving literacy rates before the fourth grade in San Diego County by inspiring a love of reading. Learn more at travelingstories.org. 8
SDC Welcomes New Faculty
Dr. John Marselus Director of Aviation
What inspired you to choose Aviation as a career? Both of my parents served in WW II, my father in the 8th and 9th Air Force in England and France, and my mother in China and Burma as a nurse. They put their lives on the line for our freedoms and liberties. I could not enjoy those same freedoms and liberties unless I too had put my life on the line to protect them. The Lord also put in my heart a love to fly. This is something all pilots possess and is somewhat unexplainable. Hearing the stories of fliers from both my mom and dad and wanting to serve my country resulted in going to the United States Air Force Academy in hopes to fly fighter aircraft one day as wanted to be on the front lines.
What were you like in grade school? The Lord called me to Him at a young age at a Billy Graham Crusade where He opened my eyes to the truth of His Word. My parents grew up in the depression and my father worked long hours to support us. Our life was simple growing up in a small farm town in Illinois. My wife Kim grew up in that same farm town so we had the same teachers and knew each other for most of our time there. We were friends for years before ever thinking of getting married. I dreamed of flying someday so took lessons in a 1947 Aeronca Champ taildragger off a grass airfield just outside of town. It was there the love of flying blossomed as I would work all day doingto earn enough money to fly for one hour.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background. Kim and I are blessed with seven children. Luke is married and is a youth pastor in Washington. Rebekah is a 2Lt in the USAF at Travis Air Force Base here in California and is a nurse. Joel is in Sudan working for Samaritans Purse. Seth is an engineering student in his sophomore year in college. Paul attends Christian Unified Schools and is a Sophomore. Faith is in challenge A in Classical Conversations and is homeschooled. Caleb is also homeschooled and is from Ethiopia becoming a Marselus five years ago. God called us out of a 25 year USAF career where He allowed me to fly the A-10A and F-15E both in training and combat along with being a commander at multiple levels four times. Flying has always been my tent making while the ministry is my passion. I am married to the most beautiful woman in the world and blessed beyond belief with seven children. 9
Dr. Cheryl Snyder
Science Department Chair What inspired you to become a professor of Science? I have taught science off and on in various capacities since about 1979 when I finished my RN program. I went on to become a physician and taught paramedics, Physician Assistants and Medical students various science components but primarily Anatomy and Physiology. I am energized by seeing students grow in the process of learning foundational concepts to applying critical thinking skills to real life scenarios. Saving lives is the icing on the cake!
What were you like in grade school? Some of my old time friends still remind me of how I loved school and would help them to understand difficult concepts. When I was exposed to science as a 5th grader I was radically changed and loved the subject most of all.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background. I came to a saving faith in Jesus and Christ at the age of 15 and being a child of God is where I place my identity and value. Through the years the Lord has taken me on the journey of learning more in the fields of Nursing (I became a Nurse Practitioner at Cal State Long Beach) and then on to medical school (Pomona, CA). I specialized in Emergency Medicine and most of those career years were in the Pacific Northwest. Throughout my educational years I did short term missions and by His grace have been a visitor or in short term missions in over 40 different countries. Prior to starting at SDCC in August, I was teaching at the medical school in Zambia Africa and was the founder for Trinity Chaplain College in Lusaka. Bringing holistic health care to people in need and raising up leaders in health care are some of my passions. I have 2 grown daughters and enjoy hiking, swimming, theater productions and travel.
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Dr. Frank Marshall Business Department
What inspired you to become a professor of Business? I have a passion to lead the new generation of business leaders with a Christian Worldview and I wanted to share my business experiences with business students.
What were you like in grade school? In grade school, I was very shy and quiet. Subjects, especially math, came very easy to me.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background. I was born in Worcester, MA. I am the fifth of five siblings. After graduating high school, I attended Bentley University in Waltham, MA until my junior year. After my first semester junior year, I drove my MGB-GT to California where I attended California State University at Long Beach. I was hired by a defense contractor after graduation from Cal State Long Beach as a Cost Accountant and eventually became the supervisor of the department. After several years, I transferred to the company’s facility in Tijuana, Mexico. Working in Mexico was an eye opening experience. I learned quite a bit about myself as well as a new culture. After several years I left my job in Mexico and worked for a start-up business that Raytheon Ventures owned a substantial equity position. After this start-up I worked mostly with small businesses. I earned my Master of Science in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego. Through my program at George Fox University, I am researching how small businesses survive beyond year 6 of operations with the idea there are transferrable tactics that can be employed by small businesses in the formative years. I have been married to my lovely wife for more than 32 years and have two adult children both living in Laguna Niguel, CA.
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New Concentration Added to Aviation Department
Unmanned Aerial Systems Training Begins at SDC Our SDC Aviation Department is pleased to now offer an Unmanned Aerial Systems concentration for aviation students. The first academic class, Fundamental of UAS, has already begun.
operator certification and licensing requirements. In addition, these partnerships will be providing our students with the very latest in cutting edge technology in an academic program that will lead to jobs as operators of both the aircraft and SDC Aviation is looking to partner the sensors. Estimates for growth with several different UAS indus- in this industry are over $70B. tries, and the Federal Aviation Administration, in helping to define “It is exciting to see the doors that 12
the Lord has been opening in this area,� said Dr. John Marselus, our new director of Aviation. He recently enjoyed the privilege of flying the Scan Eagle (in photo), while visiting one of the potential industry partners, INSITU.
Mission Trip to Tecate
The mission of the Tecate Bible Institute is to equip local missionaries from all over Mexico to impact their own country, as well as the rest of the world, for Christ. God is doing big things in and through the Institute and San Diego Christian is blessed to be able to play a small role in that. Every month we are able to partner with Shadow Mountain’s Border Ministry to help with
construction projects, cleanup, painting, plumbing, and many odd jobs around the Institute. Most recently, our big project has been helping to build a girls’ dormitory. Our students have had a hand in nearly every stage of the building and now the dorm is nearing completion! We painted the outside of the dorms, put sinks in the bathroom, hung doors, laid tile, and put baseboards in the bedrooms. 13
The most recent trip to Tecate was unique in that it was completely comprised of students! There were 14 who spent their Saturday working. Although all of the students are not skilled contractors, our partners at Shadow Mountain are good teachers! Download Tecate Mission Trip information - next group scheduled November 21, 2015
IMPACT 2015 s t n e d u t s 276 6 1 n i d e serv t n e r e f f i d s e t i s y r t s i min This year our SDC students had the incredible opportunity to pour into our San Diego and Mexico Community through the IMPACT 2015 Conference. This is our second year mobilizing our student body ministry sites throughout the San Diego County and beyond. IMPACT 2015 exposes our students to the needs around them, and provides an avenue to be missional and fulfill the essential needs of their community. Students learned about the vital needs that San Diego and Mexico has through service and fellowship among their peers, they did all they could to meet these needs throughout the conference. Activities included food distribution, work projects at local churches, gardening for our elderly in Santee, nursing home visits, being intentional with Mexican orphans, prayer tours, performing Gospel centered skits all over Mexico, and so many other great opportunities. Truly, IMPACT 2015 is one for the books!
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Conference Throughout IMPACT 2015, 276 students served in 16 different ministry sites. In addition, there were 11 SDC staff and faculty who set aside their tasks to join their students. All this manpower totaled to over 4,200 service hours completed in a four-day span. What an incredible way to spend four days and to live out the IMPACT 2015 theme verse found in Galatians which says, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another� (5:13). We are grateful for all the relationships that we have built within the community and look forward to more opportunities in the future. Thank you to all of our ministry sites for hosting us! The list of ministry sites include: San Diego Rescue Mission, Young Life, Surf & Serve, Homeless Challenge, San Diego Interfaith Housing, Edgemoor Hospital, Santee Caring Neighbors, City of Santee, The Flood, Shadow Mountain, 7 SD, San Diego Food Bank, Tecate Bible Institute, Door of Faith Orphanage, Rancho Sordo Mudo, and Vision Performances throughout Mexico.
0 0 2 , 4 r e v O s r u o h e c i serv d e t e l p m o c s y a d r u o f over 15
ATHLETICS
Brazilian Publication to Produce Documentary of SDC Student-Athletes
Brazilian publication, B2 Conteúdo, sent a camera crew last week to interview San Diego Christian’s Pedro Henrique Marinho (the captain of the SDC’s men’s soccer team), Matheus Arrieta (defender, men’s soccer) and Davi Arrieta (midfield, men’s soccer), as well as the coaches and additional players for a video documentary about Brazilian soccer players attending school in the United States and around the world. The documentary will feature how student-athletes can achieve their goals of combining high-level sports and education at American institutions, and show how playing soccer and attending school is a life-changing experience with a positive impact in their lives.
“Brazil is ‘o País do Futebol’ (the country of soccer). It’s a passion for Brazilians,” said Luciana DeMichelli, B2 Conteúdo producer. “In Brazil, it’s very hard to play soccer and study at the same time, so over 10,000 Brazilians play professionally all over the world.” “It is amazing that every time I interview Brazilian soccer players living abroad, the experience adds new elements to my perspective,” said Cesar Gomes, B2 Conteúdo director. “At SDC, I discovered that the American way of combining sports and education is a dream come true for most of the Brazilian student-athletes. Here they have the real opportunity of dreaming.” The documentary will feature the SDC campus, the students’ routine, the teammates and coaches, as well 16
as the city of San Diego. The students talked about how their lives have changed since they moved to America, their family in Brazil, homesickness, and their dreams for the future. “As a Brazilian, I know how hard it is to have access to good education, especially when you pursue sports as a career,” said Rodrigo Barbosa, B2 Conteúdo cameraman. “For two days I had the chance to follow three Brazilians pursuing their dreams at San Diego Christian. It’s inspiring to see that those kids have a much bigger chance to succeed no matter what career they choose. It’s time to spread the word, so more kids can have the same opportunity.”
Tennis Advances to Nationals
SDC’s Men’s Tennis program sent two players to the USTA/ITA National Tournament in South Carolina. This tournament showcases top student-athletes in NCAA DII, DIII, Junior/Community College, and the NAIA. Each division represented features eight singles players and eight doubles teams. Over 8,000 student-athletes competed in the USTA/ ITA Regional Championships for a chance to qualify for the Nationals. The duo of junior Alessandro Moriano (Imperia, Italy) and sophomore Daniel Superlano (Caracas, Venezuela) took fourth place at the USTA/ ITA National Championships. They reached the semi-finals where they lost a hard-fought match against the
No. 1 seed Georgia Gwinnett. Moriano took 8th place in the singles draw. Two weeks prior to Nationals, Moriano and Superlano defeated four other pairs of players to become the 2015 USTA/ITA Regional Doubles Champions, stamping their ticket to the National Championships that was held October 15th-18th. In singles, it turned out to be an All Hawks singles final. Moriano, who also won the doubles title, grabbed four wins to claim the singles title as well. He played his own teammate, Michael Rjazanov (Berlin, Germany), in the finals. Brooke Ferslov-Jensen (Hesperia,
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CA) reached the quarterfinals in singles, but fell to the No. 1 seed Lauren Stratman of Westmont who won the tournament. The duo of Heather Borsos (Toronto, Canada) and Ferslov-Jensen reached the quarterfinals in doubles as well, falling to Westmont, the No. 1 seed and champions of the tournament. “It was our first regional and national tournament and I told them to enjoy it,” said Priscilla Jensen, the head coach for men’s and women’s tennis. “In regionals, we already dominated the draw in singles with four SDC men in the quarterfinals and both the doubles teams in the semis. I’m proud of their achievements in both the regional and national tournament.”
SDC Athletics Named NAIA Champions of Character
San Diego Christian was named NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution for the 2014-2015 season. The Hawks earned points based on a demonstrated commitment to Champions of Character and earned points in character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition, and character promotion. Institutions earned points based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and by having minimal to no ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.
Cutting Edge HAWKS!
The San Diego Christian College Athletic Department is pleased to announce the release of the SDCC Hawks App for Android and Apple devices available now in the App Store. The app can be found by searching “SDCC Hawks� in the App Store. Features of the app include: - Up-to-the-minute schedules, results, and stats - Latest news for every SDC team - Watch live video of games - Access schedules and rosters for every sport - Easy access to social media in one convenient place 18
SDC Welcomes New Students
On August 20, San Diego Christian (SDC) welcomed new students with an exciting lineup of activities and events. After check-in, a campus tour, welcome message by President Dr. Paul Ague and the President’s Fiesta, students and staff headed to The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Center to play a game of broomball – an annual tradition at SDC. Throughout the weekend, students had the opportunity to hear from faculty and staff about the different departments, attend a service at one of the local churches, and explore San Diego via bike riding and glow
in the dark Frisbee in Coronado, kayaking the caves in La Jolla, surfing the waves in Mission Beach and experiencing an alumni worship band concert at the Santee Town Center Amphitheatre. On Saturday, August 22, SDC students participated in the Santee School Beautification day – a day set aside annually to partner with 11 schools in Santee as an effort to make the schools look beautiful for the start of the school year. This community-wide service day touches the lives of the students and staff working hard to educate Santee’s youth. With the organization-
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al efforts of Pathways Community Church, the volunteers from nine different churches, students and parents in the community, and the new student body at SDC, almost 500 service hours were completed. A festive luau and traditional game of Buck Buck at South Mission Beach ended the weekend as an incredible start to the 2015-2016 school year. Over 60 student New Student Orientation (NSO) volunteers helped make this weekend one that the students will always remember.
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Check In Welcome Session President’s Fiesta Broomball
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Department Workshops Lunch sponsored by the Alumni Office Ice Breakers Glow-in-the-dark Ultimate Frisbee @ Coronado Beach
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DAY 3
• School Beautification Day • Explore San Diego: kayaking, surfing & bike riding • Dinner sponsored by the Associated Student Body • Trolley Center Worship
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DAY 4
• Church • Workshops • Beach Bonfire
ALUMNI UPDATES
SDC Alumnus Named Next El Cajon Chief of Police
San Diego Christian congratulates alumnus Jeffery “Jeff” Davis (‘13) on being named the next chief of police for the city of El Cajon. We pray for him as he steps into his new role as a leader in our community. Announcement from the City of ness Management from San Diego El Cajon: Christian College. He began his career as a Police Officer with the El “City Manager Douglas Williford Cajon Police Department in 1986. announced today that Police Cap- He was promoted to Police Sergeant tain Jeffery “Jeff” Davis will be- in 1999, Lieutenant in 2006, and come El Cajon’s next Chief of Po- Captain in 2011. lice on December 5, 2015. Davis, a During his tenure in the Police Delong-time member of the El Cajon partment, Davis has served in a vaPolice Department, will replace re- riety of roles. He was a member, tiring Chief Jim Redman. Earlier instructor and team leader for the this month, Redman announced that City’s Special Weapons and Tactics he will retire on December 4, 2015. (SWAT) Team. In 2001, as a memDavis, 53, graduated from El Cap- ber of the SWAT Team, Davis was itan High School in Lakeside and a responder to active shooter inciattended Grossmont College. He re- dents at both Santana High School ceived a bachelor’s degree in Busi- and Granite Hills High School. 22
City Manager Williford stated that “Captain Davis is uniquely qualified to continue the innovative and successful policies of the El Cajon Police Department as seen under Chief Redman. From his time on the City’s SWAT Team to his leadership role in El Cajon’s diverse cultural community, Jeff has exhibited all of the characteristics that will make him successful as the City’s next Police Chief. Importantly, Jeff has developed the support of his officers, City staff, the City Council and the community at large. We expect that this will be a seamless transition.”
Congratulations!
Darren (‘09) and Katie (Duffy) (‘12) Burdett Married August 2015
Rio (‘15) and Niki (Metzger) (‘14) Jasso Married July 2015 23
Jared (‘12) and Katie (Morin) (‘10) Pasimio Married August 2015
This Spot is for You!
If you have any updates you’d like to share with your fellow alumni, send us an email at advancementoffice@sdcc.edu and you could be featured in our magazine.
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