cougar
i n m Alu t h g i l Spot
Jordan VEUrink ‘09 Being named 2018 South Dakota Young
// Family
Donn & Brenda Hill Donn ‘82 & Brenda ‘02 & ‘08
As president of GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness in Sioux
Dr. Beth Jernberg ‘74 This spring Dr. Beth Jernberg loaded her
Lawyer of the Year by the State Bar of South
Falls and principal of Westside Christian School
life’s belongings into a mobile RV with her
Dakota is a prestigious honor that recognizes
respectively, USF alumni Donn and Brenda Hill
two lovable Bernese Mountain dogs to enjoy
attorneys under age 36 for outstanding
serve the Sioux Falls community diligently through
service to the legal profession, the state bar
their gifts and passions. Even more, their hearts
and the community—an honor that alumnus
are in South Sudan. In early 2013 Brenda felt a call
at USF. The next season of her life guarantees
Jordan Veurink received this summer. Using
to take a huge leap of faith and leave her job as a
great adventure and an
his talents at one of the nation’s largest
principal of a local elementary school and partner
open road, but tucked
law firms, Ballard Spahr, Veurink advises
alongside an education program in the Khor Wakow
away you will find
clients in all aspects of estate planning with a
region. Founded by David Jal, the Khor Wakow
determination to use his career to help those
School Project is an organization that strives to give
in need and further God’s work. “Ballard Spahr
all children access to a Christ-centered education in
impact Dr. Jernberg has had
and its attorneys have a proud history of
the Khor Wakow villages of South Sudan. As Donn
at USF and in the Sioux Falls community. This
providing pro bono (free)
works to provide resources and training for the local
year Dr. Jernberg received the Dr. A. O. Larsen
representation
pastors of Khor Wakow, Brenda provides direction
Distinguished Alumni award, as recognition of
to individuals and
and support for the educational program.
“. . . w h i l e exc e llin g in sc h o o l an d i n my c a r e e r i s i m p o rt a n t , s e r v in g Go d an d o t h e r s is o f eve n gre ate r s i g n if ic a n c e .”
organizations without the means to afford such services. I’m hopeful that providing legal services
will allow organizations to better advance their missions,” Veurink says. “Personally, USF,
“I am passionate about this ministry because of the Holy Spirit’s leading,” Brenda says. “I see “ I a m passionate about this ministry, because of the H oly Spirit’s leading .”
along with the many other positive influences
retirement from her 39 years of service as an educator. During her career, Dr. Jernberg held numerous roles from coach to professor
two awards that hint at the serving legacy
Dr. Be t h J e r n b e r g r ece ive d t h e Dr. A.O. La r s en Dis t in gu is h ed
and reverberating
Alu m n i awa r d .
a USF alumnae who reflects the character of Dr. A. O. Larsen. Dr. Larsen invested many years of service at USF as a teacher, dean and friend of the university. Additionally, Dr. Jernberg
and hear God’s heart
received the Lifetime Volunteer Award from the
for these people. He
Helpline Center this spring. Nominated by Avera
hears the cries of their
McKennan, Dr. Jernberg was recognized for
suffering. He gave me a dream on one of my
her service developing the pet therapy program at Avera that now has 27 certified handlers in over seven locations. Because of her foundation
in my life, reinforced that while excelling in
trips to show me that though this work would not
of faith in Christ’s transformative work, Dr.
school and my career is important, serving God
have been something I chose on my own, it was so
Jernberg has walked out the University’s
and others is of even greater significance.”
much better than anything I could or would have
mission of Culture for Service as an educator,
picked.”
mentor, friend, colleague and community member. FALL 2018 // USF MAGAZINE
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