The Experience - Summer 2007

THE EXPERIENCE The magazine of Warner Pacific College

Summer 2007

A Blueprint for the Future Recent strategic planning sets Warner Pacific’s course for years to come.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Planning to succeed

THE EXPER I E N C E

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ast fall, I shared the remarkable news that through the generosity of key donors, the college had finally paid off its longstanding indebtedness. We praise God for prompting faithful donors to provide the resources for us to eliminate the school’s debt. We are grateful to God and our anonymous donor couple for this incredible change in our financial condition.

Our much improved financial status provides us an opportunity to look toward the future with confidence. One of our core values is being future-directed. In order to uphold this, we must plan well. There’s an old saying that if you don’t know where you are going, you just might end up there – that is to say, it is critical for us to plan well if we are to achieve our objectives, for without vision, there is no direction; without direction there is no destination.

We recently concluded an extensive strategic planning process that identified the most important priorities for the college to address in the next Jay A. Barber, Jr. ‘64 five years. Our current plan will guide our budgeting choices and the deployment of resources and will help us effectively provide an excellent Christcentered education that will best One of our core values is prepare students to lead and serve.

In this issue you will read an article about the strategic plan. The process of creating this plan involved more than a year and the input of many faculty, staff, students, and alumni and friends.

being future-directed. In order to uphold this, we must plan well.

The initiation of the strategic planning process led very naturally to a new campus master plan. We will be sharing more with you about this exciting proposed campus revision in coming issues.

We ask you to join us in our future-directed planning and in praying for God’s guidance as we begin to implement this plan for the sake of educating our students.

Blessings,

Editor Scott A. Thompson sthompson@warnerpacific.edu Contributors Jay A. Barber, Jr. ‘64 Biljana Pajic ‘07 Andrea Cook, Ph.D President Jay A. Barber, Jr. ‘64 jbarber@warnerpacific.edu Vice President for Institutional Advancement Andrea Cook, Ph.D acook@warnerpacific.edu Director of Marketing and College Relations Katy Steding ksteding@warnerpacific.edu The Experience is produced three times a year by Warner Pacific College for its alumni and constituents.

Opinions expressed in “The Experience” are those of individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or of official college policies.

Please send comments or story suggestions to TheExperience@warnerpacific. edu or write to Editor, The Experience, Warner Pacific College, 2219 SE 68th Ave., Portland, OR, 97215.

Warner Pacific is an urban, Christcentered liberal arts college dedicated to providing students from diverse backgrounds an education that prepares them for the spiritual, moral, social, vocational, and technological challenges of the 21st Century. WPC is affiliated with the Church of God, Anderson, Ind.

Warner Pacific College 2219 SE 68th Ave Portland, OR 97215 503-517-1000 www.warnerpacific.edu

Jay A. Barber, Jr. ‘64 President

©2007 Warner Pacific College All rights reserved.

Cover photo illustration by Scott A. Thompson. Photos by Scott A. Thompson and Anthony Byrd.

The Experience

View The Experience online at www.warnerpacific.edu.

Warner Pacific College

THE EXPERIENCE INSIDE

Summer 2007

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Spring break missions teams build hope in Baja, serve young and old in San Francisco, Calif.

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Reflections from the Class of 2007

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Cover Story: A Blueprint for the Future

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Graduating seniors share what they value about their personal journeys at Warner Pacific.

Recent strategic planning sets Warner Pacific’s course for years to come. By Andrea Cook, Ph.D.

13 Working to keep the Torch Burning

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The Torchbearers fundraising group recasts its vision to attract younger members and raise more scholarship funds.

14 Parliamentary Perspective

Brian Jean ‘84 is never too far from his small town roots as he represents NE Alberta in Canada’s House of Commons.

15 Strengthening the Church of God in the Middle East

Don Deena Johnson ‘75 serves church leaders in Beirut, Lebanon.

First, the good news.....

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7 Readers Heartfelt thanks to those who took the time hip Survey R to send in readership surveys from our last isesults sue. A whopping 70% of respondents rated “The Experience” as excellent. The most popular topics were alumni news (79%), students (54%), and personal essays (49%). As a result, we’ve beefed up our alumni news section, so keep those class updates coming. (E-mail dmcguire@warnerpacific.edu or fill out an online form on the Alumni page at www.warnerpacific.edu).

Now for the bad news.....

Much to our mortification, we mistyped the college’s return address, so many surveys were deemed undeliverable by the US Postal Service. We apologize to those who tried multiple times to mail in their surveys. We will extend the deadline to July 30, 2007 for anyone who still wants a shot at winning some WP gear. You can still take the survey online at www. warnerpacific.edu. Just look for “The Experience” in the “WP quick links menu” in the upper right hand corner of the home page. Thanks again.

- Scott A. Thompson

Summer 2007

DEPARTMENTS 2

From the President

4 Campus News 12

Class Notes

17

In Memoriam

CAMPUS NEWS

Top photo by Andrea Millen ’09. Lower photo by Erika (Robertson) Trautman ’00

Missions teams build hope in Baja, serve young and old in inner city San Francisco

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or the second consecutive year, WP sent separate mission teams to Vicente Guerrero, Mexico and the inner city of San Francisco, Calif. during the spring break holiday. In total, over 50 students, staff, and faculty volunteered their time between the two sites.

The Mexico team built a cinder block home for one family, and added an addition to a second home. Team members also dug holes for outhouses, served food at a nearby migrant camp, and visited a drug rehabilitation center. The team was hosted by Steve ’86 and Jackie (Mouser) Scott ’70, directors of Welcome Home Ministries, which provides day care and other services to the children of migrant workers.

As they did last year, students slept in the homes of local families, making the venture even more meaningful.

“I stayed with the same family I did last year,” said Aaron Simons ’09. “I feel like a part of the family now.”

Kelly Edwards ’10, on her first trip to Mexico, experienced the generosity of an especially poor family of six, whose tiny home had no running water.

“They were willing to give up the little they had for strangers,” said Edwards. “It was very impactful for me.”

Meanwhile, up north, the San Francisco team witnessed the day-to-day realities of the urban poor in the city’s multi-racial Tenderloin District while tackling a number of projects.

They helped fix up and paint the facilities of host ministry, City Crossroads Ministries. They also hung out with kids at City Crossroad’s after-school program, boxed up food at a local food bank, delivered meals to low-income residents, visited with seniors at an adult day care facility, and ran a free basketball clinic for kids in the evenings.

“Our mission in San Francisco was to think outside the box in tangible ways in order to share the love of Christ,” said team member Kimberly Love ’07.

The centerpiece outreach was the basketball clinic, which ran for four evenings. Ten players from WP’s men’s basketball, along with head coach Bart Valentine ’75, ran the camp.

Valentine supervised the first night but had to leave town to attend his daughter’s wedding, leaving Jolanta Martin ’08 in charge.

The second night the WP players arrived at the gym with kids in tow only to find approximately 40 local men using

ABOVE | Kelly Edwards ’ 10 with new friends in Vicente Guerrero, Mexico during WP’s spring break missions trip.

LEFT | Pat Oury ’ 08 gives shooting pointers at a free basketball clinic members of the WP men’s basketball team provided in inner city San Francisco.

the court, even though the WP group had it reserved. The locals refused to leave, so Martin issued a challenge.

“I said, ‘This is for the kids. We’re going to play you guys for the court,’” said Martin. “You get your best five and we’re going to get our best five and we’re going to play up to thirty-five.’

Final score: Warner Pacific, 35, home team, 12.

“The guys afterward came over and started shaking hands and said, ‘You’ve got that respect. The gym is yours,’” said Martin. “Then, some of [them] started joining us for the rest of the week. We had 25-year-olds learning basic moves in basketball just because they wanted to be a part of it.”

WP honors Whitehead with honorary doctorate

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Photo by Scott A. Thompson

arner Pacific awarded retiring professor and administrator Ed Whitehead ’64 with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters during commencement ceremonies on May 5, at New Hope Community Church, in Portland, Ore. During his 28-year tenure, Whitehead served as Dean of the Faculty, Director of the Teacher Education Program, and Executive Director of the Adult Degree Program, among other roles.

Whitehead celebrated with his three sons, their wives and children, and other extended family. Pictured are (back row) Terry ’90 and Lori (Eskridge) Whitehead ’87, Tim ’89 and Jill (Fall) Whitehead ’93. (Second row) Eleanor Newcomb, Jane (Newcomb) Whitehead ’64, Ed Whitehead ’64, Ted Whitehead ’88, and Billie (Newcomb) Boberg ’66. (Front row) Nathaniel Whitehead, and siblings Farliegh, Hunter, and Maggie Whitehead. Not pictured are Sue (Patassi) Whitehead ’87 and Bobi and Mick Whitehead.

The Experience

NEWS NOTES

Tax savings encourage couple to make major donation to college

©2007 Creative Images Photography

Men’s BB team upset at NAIA tournament After winning the Cascade Conference Tournament Feb. 27 against Eastern Oregon University, the WP men’s basketball team expected to play deep into the 32-team NAIA Div. II Championships in Point Lookout, Mo. last March.

However, after the #5seeded Knights b e a t Friends UniversiO’Gallagher ty (Kan.) 82-75 in the first round, they fell to #12 Cedarville (Ohio) 86-75 in the second round, despite a 37point performance from WP guard Scott O’Gallagher ’08.

“We just weren’t at the top of our game,” said head coach Bart Valentine ’75, who was selected as the ’06 - ’07 Cascade Conference Athletic Director of the Year.

The Knights return 10 seniors for the upcoming ’07-’08 season. Visit www.wpcknights. com for all WPC Athletics news and schedules.

Six women who overcame personal obstacles to attend Warner Pacific’s Adult Degree Program were honored this spring with cash awards by Soroptimist International, a volunteer service organization for women in business.

The students - Terri Haley ’08, Sheryl Stefanik ’08, Jeannie Pang ’08, Julie Bean ’08, Robyn Schroeder ’08, and Virginia South ’09 – received awards of either $500 or $1000 based upon recommendations and essays they submitted detailing the challenges they face in order to be full-time college students. Five of the students are single mothers, and two have children with disabilities.

“It meant a lot to me to have it acknowledged,” said Haley, 47, a single mother whose 16-year-old son, Derek, has epilepsy. “This happened at a point where I was [wondering if] I could keep this up.”

Harvard grad to teach History at WP Luke Goble has joined the WP faculty and will teach History and Humanities courses on the main campus this fall. Goble, 30, graduated cum laude f r o m H a rvard UniverGoble sity in 1999 with a degree in English and American Literature. Since 2003, he has been a graduate teaching assistant and Ph.D candidate in American Studies at the State University of New York, in Buffalo.

Tie-breaker lands Ethics Bowl team in third place Defending champion Warner Pacific placed third in the second annual Oregon Independent College Foundation Ethics Bowl Tournament, hosted by Reed College, March 10. The team of Lance Chamberlain ’07, Rebecca

Bidding adieu We say farewell to two retiring faculty members, Rita Hughes (top right) and Katie Sandy. Hughes specialized in adult learning during her 18 years at WP, teaching Business in the former Degree Completion Program before becoming ADP’s Director of Student Services in 2004.

Sandy came to WP in 1991 and taught early childhood education courses while also directing the Early Learning Center, WP’s early childhood education laboratory school.

Nederhiser ’07, Nike Greene ’07, Deleana Coyle ’07, and Jonathan Cotton ’09 ended formal competition tied for second place with Marylhurst University at 3-1. WP beat teams from Reed College, George Fox University, and Concordia University in head-to-head competition, but lost to Marylhurst, which earned the tie-breaker and a spot in the finals against eventual winner Willamette University.

WP athletes receive postseason accolades Six student athletes earned postseason recognition for outstanding performances this winter and spring.

In men’s basketball, guard Scott O’Gallagher ’08 was selected as a First Team AllAmerican by the NAIA and as the 2007 Cascade Conference Player of the Year. He finished second in the nation in scoring, at 24.91 points per game.

Fellow WP guard Josh Jackson ‘08 was named an NAIA Honorable Mention AllAmerican, and junior Brown transfer Jolanta Martin ’08 was named newcomer of the year for the Cascade Conference.

In women’s basketball, senior guard Nicole Brown ’07 was named First Team All

Summer 2007

Photos by Scott A. Thompson

Drs. John and Betty Thompson, of Lake Oswego, Ore., donated $44,000 to Warner Pacific by utilizing a provision of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 that allows those who are 70 and 1/2 years of age to make donations to non-profit organizations directly from an IRA fund without paying taxes on the donated amount.

The gift helped purchase three “smart boards,” which allow interactivity between a professor’s notes on a board and a computer; a new autoclave and vented cadaver table for the Biology Department; new practice pianos for the Music Department; and additional photography and video equipment for the Communications office.

ADP students win awards from Soroptomist Int.

Cascade Conference and First All-Defensive team.

I n Tr a c k and Field, Roy Adams Adams ’09 received All-Conference honors by winning the decathlon at the Cascade Conference Track and Field Championships, May 10, in La Grande, Ore., with a school record 5876 points. He finished 14th in the same event at the NAIA Div. II championships in Fresno, Calif., May 24-26.

Finally, runner Briana Alston ’08 was named an Outdoor Track & Field DaktronicsNAIA Scholar Athlete.

Warnerpalooza festival set for September 8 Last year’s Summer Bash has been renamed “Warnerpalooza!” and will feature even more family-friendly events this year on campus, Saturday, September 8, from 2 - 6 p.m. Like last year, the event will include live music, a kids’ carnival, food and fun!

Admission is free. Contact Katy Steding at 503-517-1369 or visit www.warnerpacific.edu for more details.

from the Class of 2007 Graduating seniors share what they value about their personal journeys at Warner Pacific.

Photographs by Scott A. Thompson

Sarah Shrout

Salem, Ore. Human Development & Family Studies

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can still remember the hot summer day when I moved to Warner Pacific.

It was difficult to say goodbye to my parents and to let go of what was familiar.

I had to choose between remaining shy and averse to my surroundings, or embracing life. I chose to grasp each moment.

I integrated what I learned from the classroom into different areas in my life. I appreciated how my professors modeled what they taught.

As a future t e a c h e r, I hope to do the same in my own classroom. I’ve also learned outside the classroom as a peer assistant on campus for two years. Without these valuable learning opportunities, I would not be who I am today.

Melissa Shrout

Salem, Ore. Human Development / Social Work

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rom orientation weekend until graduation day, each year at Warner Pacific has had its share of challenges, but I don’t regret a single one. They have helped develop and strengthen my faith, my character, and my outlook on life.

I’ve gained knowledge and perspective from classes, local and global outreach opportunities, leadership positions, and friendships with fellow students and mentors.

Whether I work in a non-profit organization to help provide disaster-relief, counsel teenagers in a middle school, or be part of a family, the perspective I have gained at Warner Pacific will be put to good use.

The Experience

Nike Greene

Portland, Ore. Religion and Christian Ministries

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s a minority, commuter, and mother of four children, I didn’t know how I would be accepted at Warner Pacific, but I was greeted with smiles and words of welcome and encouragement.

Both of my oldest daughters were able to join me on the Mexico missions trip.

I also was challenged to be a part of the WP Ethics Bowl team. I had not seen the potential in myself to be a member of a debate team. However, I had an experience I will cherish.

I thank the faculty who wanted us to value our education beyond just getting a letter grade or a diploma at the end of our senior year.

Daniel Reeser

Grants Pass, Ore. Human Development & Family Studies

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hen I reflect on my time at Warner Pacific the word that comes to mind is relationships. The friendships I have built with not only students, but the staff and faculty have been amazing and life-changing. God has challenged me in so many ways during my time at Warner Pacific, and my experiences here have helped shape and mold me into who I am today.

The professors not only taught knowledge but gave us tangible, real life ways to make it applicable. If it is possible to teach wisdom, this is what they do. It’s the people that make Warner Pacific College what it is.

Kristin O’Donnell Portland, Ore. Human Development

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raduating from Warner Pacific represented a great achievement in my life. The road there had been an arduous one - filled with hope and a desire to do better with my life.

I began working immediately in fashion retail after high school. I had ambition and I began my ascent up the corporate ladder - only to be told, once in the middle, that I could climb no further without a degree.

Because I had not invested in myself fully, no company was willing to either.

My experiences in the Adult Degree Program at Warner Pacific have changed me more than any other thing in my life. I

learned about self scrutiny, challenge, and fulfillment. I learned what it feels like to believe in myself and my abilities, and to have others believe in me, as well.

It is my honor to have earned my bachelor’s degree. I am the first person in my family to do so. Now it will be my responsibility to see that I do great things with what I have learned.

If you don’t pave the way to your true potential, no one else will. And of all the fruitless things people throw money and time into, this investment cannot be taken away. The knowledge can’t be unlearned, this happiness cannot be denied.

Nick Ward Aloha, Ore. Social Work

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’ve wanted to work as a counselor since I was a teenager. I just feel a call to do something to better the lives of people around me - to hear them, to understand where they are, to help them move past the pain they’re in and to find something greater for themselves.

As part of my social work studies, I served as an intern last year in the Portland office of the Morrison Center’s Latino Outreach Program, which helps Latino youth retain a healthy sense of their culture and turn away from gang culture and drug use. We helped these kids by giving them a positive place where they belong, where they can be loved, where they can be mentored, and where their peers can encourage and confront them to do what is right.

I believe having empathy for people is the critical component to being an effective social worker. Warner Pacific faculty brought out a broad perspective of ways to work with people while continuing to portray a sense of respect for the client. They really helped us understand what we are going to be doing and what we need to do in a way that’s sane.

Summer 2007

Reflections from the Class of 2007 Barnabas Omulokoli

Nairobi, Kenya History / Business Administration

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n August 19, 2003, I sat on a flight from Nairobi, Kenya bound for Amsterdam and eventually Portland, Ore. I was excited to leave home and begin a life of freedom and independence.

In some ways, I still am.

I felt that seven years of boarding school had prepared me to live abroad. However, somewhere over Sudan, I started sobbing.

I had only an illusion of being strong and self-reliant.

God used people at Warner Pacific to show me that what I needed was a community in this distant land. The questions I had about being abroad were answered by helpful staff. Professors taught me more about myself than I ever thought possible, and my friends became my second family (once they could pronounce and spell my name Oh - mu - lo - KO - li

correctly, that is).

My mission at the beginning of my freshman year was to hide in my room and do homework. I soon abandoned that plan. People encouraged me to try new things like Ultimate Frisbee, which I am now addicted to. I visited the homes of friends in places with names like Chewelah, Pasco, Madera, Rainier, and Longview during holidays.

I will never again dare to think that I can walk alone in my faith and life. My relationship with God has grown as he has taken my hand and led me through tough, lonely and homesick times. He has carried me every step of the way and guided me to people who have built me up and who have shown me that I, in turn, should build others up.

As Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help.�

Kirstie Richman Cloud Croft, New Mexico English

G Laura Wheeler Castle Rock, Wash.

Biological Studies

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eing a science major has been quite an adventure. Not only did we get to visit a cheese factory and a nuclear reactor, but we also roamed about tide pools at the Oregon coast, woke up at 4 a.m. to watch Sage Grouse during the Malheur Natural Studies course, and whipped the Music Department in ultimate Frisbee. Basically, biology majors have the most fun.

Apart from studies, volleyball was an important aspect of my four years at WP. I was surrounded by amazing players and coaches who lifted me up, encouraged me, and never let me quit.

I do feel sorry for my roommates, who had to put up with my incredibly smelly

kneepads, ankle braces and shoes during volleyball season.

On that note, I definitely had the monopoly on cool roommates. I lived with girls who would get up early to make me cinnamon toast on test days, buy me a Darth Vadar trick-or-treat bucket when I needed cheering up, let me record all of my detective shows, and know that there is no wrong reason to bake a cake.

My four years have been filled with amazing people and experiences. I have grown in knowledge and studies - but also in other ways since my freshman year. I will always be thankful for everyone who helped carry me along the way.

The Experience

od knew that Warner Pacific would be the right environment for me to mature in, not only in an educational sense, but also emotionally and spiritually. Whenever I walked on campus, I felt God was with me, no matter how hard the struggles I faced elsewhere seemed to be. Everyone seemed to care about me.

God used every aspect of this college to show me His love and care, whether it was through the theatre, classes, professors, or peers. Sometimes the small things are what make the biggest difference.

Marilyn Daniel

Portland, Ore. Business Administration

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Isabeau Waia’u Maui, Hawaii History

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have gained so much being here in Portland at Warner Pacific for the last four years. Throughout my time in college, away from the familiar and in the midst of a different environment, I had to ask myself over and over, “Beau, are you willing to give up this, or that?”

Sometimes it was a point of view or the safety of a set list of things to do and things to avoid. Other times it was my longing for my family, for Hawaii and its people. I had to challenge my understanding of faith and of God, pride, fear,

my opinions, my viewpoint on morality and ethics, my standpoint on education, and so on.

I am still trying to figure out just what to make out of life and all that is before it, in it and after it. One of the most valuable things I learned during a summer missions trip to Swaziland was to always let myself be taught.

We cannot be fully known by others, the way we hope and yearn after, except, perhaps, by God. But we can agree to give ourselves to becoming more conscious of others and their perspectives. I am learning more and more just how much I desire to be connected to those around me. Their stories are valuable.

rowing up, I learned I had dyslexia.

There were plenty of people who wanted me to settle for less than I knew I could ultimately achieve. They were wrong. I am the first one in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree.

On my first day at Warner Pacific, I felt like the world was at my feet. Of course, that wasn’t the case, but I found that those of us in my Adult Degree cohort were in this together, through thick and thin – or until statistics class killed us (it almost did).

As adult students, we followed instructions to the letter - which was actually not what our teachers wanted. We learned we had to give answers based both on readings and experiences from our own lives. We had struggles, serious moments, and plenty of laughter.

We all wondered what we had gotten ourselves into when we learned that we had 200 pages of reading homework, plus a 5-page paper due the first night of class.

However, good instructors made the work go faster.

My family supported and encouraged me with kind words and lots of hugs. Without their support, I would not have made it. I missed dance competitions, concerts, family celebrations, and quality time due to homework.

You can do anything you set your mind to, especially with the help of your family and the Lord. In my case, I’m going to open my own bakery. I thank God that He has given me this moment in time.

Kraig Etzel

Salem, Ore. Human Develop. & Family Studies

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rom major league baseball player to professional wrestler, lawyer to counselor, I have always believed that I could do anything. After serving in student leadership at Warner Pacific, I finally realized that I want to work

with college students.

One major influence in this decision was President Jay Barber. My friendship with him has grown ever since I first met him during freshmen orientation. That sparked a relationship with a man I knew I could admire and hold in high esteem. I possibly aspire to someday fill shoes fit for him.

I want to continue serving God’s generation at a Christian college. I love the Pacific Northwest and would love to stay in the area.

I credit Warner Pacific’s embracing atmosphere with helping me see what the future might hold and how I can be a part of God’s plans for what lies ahead.

Summer 2007

COVER STORY

A Blueprint for the Future Recent strategic planning sets Warner Pacific’s course for years to come.

By Andrea Cook, Ph.D. Vice President for Institutional Advancement

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arner Pacific College finds itself at a crucial moment in its history.

Having struggled financially for decades, the college now is debt free for the first time since the early 1940’s. For many, this seemed impossible to hope for.

It is only by God’s provision through the generosity of faithful donors that this has happened.

As this day approached, college leadership knew it was time to begin preparing for the future and the changes that would be necessary to move the institution forward with confidence - changes such as increased enrollment, new and improved facilities, updated academic programs, and new services to meet the demands of today’s college students.

In 2005, a select committee accepted the charge of leading the faculty in articulating a new academic vision that would guide the college for the next decade.

Meanwhile, a comprehensive market study completed by Richard Harrison Bailey/The Agency resulted in Warner Pacific’s new visual identity and the articulation of the its seven Key Distinctives.

Beginning in the spring of 2006, the next phase of our planning commenced.

President Barber appointed a Strategic Planning Steering Committee to guide the process of developing a strategic plan that would change the face of Warner Pacific College for the benefit of the church and the world. Development of the plan took 12 months and involved more than 70 employees, 35 students and 500 alumni, donors and friends. Task teams including faculty, staff and students addressed a number of priorities that were presented to alumni, donors and friends at 15 regional dinners in the Western United States. The priorities included the following:

leadership, and our decisions will be informed by data, research and careful planning. The college will develop a culture of adaptability, ready to nimbly address innovative and risk-taking developments in all areas.

Priority 1 — Operational Excellence

This priority addresses aspects of the college’s physical campus that support the mission, vision and values of Warner Pacific. Action steps include bringing all deferred maintenance of campus buildings up to date and ensuring that the physical plant is maintained at a level that encourages excellence in all academic programs.

Warner Pacific College will take steps to ensure that people who work within the Operational Infrastructure will research, develop and implement “best practices” for higher education institutions. Our Board of Trustees will provide visionary

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Priority 2 — Academic and Co-curricular Programs Throughout our rich history, Warner Pacific graduates have enjoyed the benefit of a well-rounded education that prepares students academically, spiritually and socially. In the strategic plan, this priority

The Physical Plan category also addresses the Campus Master Plan (for more info, go to www.warnerpacific.edu) and other items related to a future vision of Warner Pacific College that will enable the college to better support its goals for enrollment growth and engagement with the community.

Priority 4 — Image and Development The plan recognizes that the true fulfillment of the mission of Warner Pacific College is dependent upon successful advancement of the college’s image. The

This strategic plan affords Warner Pacific College the opportunity to see that every aspect of our programs and operations is guided by our mission, vision and values.

addresses the need to develop a student’s “transferable skill set,” so as to enhance his or her choice of career, while also identifying and developing new academic programs that will meet the needs and interests of students and the marketplace.

In addition, the plan will increase the development of co-curricular activities and programs designed to take advantage of regional, national and global trends and interests. The plan also takes steps to strengthen student support services and post-graduate career mentoring and advising.

whole-hearted and enthusiastic engagement of our broad constituents is vital to our success. This priority will be addressed through enhanced marketing and fundraising efforts, community-wide events, service projects and outreach programming, publicity of achievements and outcomes, and increased efforts to engage alumni, our church supporters and parents of students. As with other priorities in the Strategic Plan, many of these efforts are already underway and visible.

Priority 3 — Physical Plant

In order to ensure the continued viability of Warner Pacific College, enrollment must be increased and the retention of our students improved. Increased enrollment goals have already been established.

Developing and implementing successful marketing and recruitment strategies along with the wise deployment of financial aid resources are steps that will enable us to achieve our enrollment goals. Fur-

The Experience

Priority 5 — Enrollment

WP’s Points of Distinction 1) Christ-centered liberal arts college.

2) Transformative, seamless learning.

3) Core Curriculum examines paradox 4) Personalized education 5) Unique urban setting 6) Service and leadership opportunites 7) Values of the Church of God, Anderson, Ind. ther development of the mechanisms used to support current students will enhance our retention rate; we have seen marked improvement in this last year.

Priority 6—Employee Recruitment and Retention A phrase commonly used at Warner Pacific is “having the right people in the right seats on the bus.” Warner Pacific College is strengthened when employees are satisfied, challenged, developed and appreciated. To that end, the Strategic Plan addresses the needs of enhanced benefits, compensation, professional development opportunities, rewards and recognition programs all designed to improve the recruitment of new employees and the retention of current staff and faculty.

Six Pillars of WP’s Academic Vision FAITH RESPONSE: We envision a community of faith where all learning is placed in the context of Christian belief and experience.

A PROCESS OF HEALTHY MATURATION THROUGHOUT THE WP COMMUNITY: We envision the search for truth as a social process, calling for development of community life that affirms particularity, mutual critique, disciplined inquiry, public responsibility, and the continual growth of knowledge, skills, and convictions.

EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMIC AND CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS: We envision support and development of academic and co-curricular programs which are exciting, responsive, and relevant to the needs of our students, communities, and the world.

STUDENT PREPAREDNESS: We envision an active and engaged student body, academically and socially prepared for participation in a community of scholars pursuing academic excellence, supported by and with participation from all programs, departments and members of Warner Pacific College.

COLLEGE PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT: We envision a college environment which allows the talents and gifts of its employees to be used to their maximum potential, that rewards its employees appropriately, and which encourages continual growth individually and collectively.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH WE LIVE: We envision a mindset that regards the WPC campus as embedded in and an influence upon the greater Portland Metropolitan community.

Priority 7—Technology As an excellence-driven institution, the plan recognizes that improvements to our technology base are required to foster excellence in teaching and learning. Steps include equipping every classroom with the appropriate technology to foster the excellence-driven learning environment, ensuring the library has necessary resources to be a primary source of information and academic support, and providing our noninstructional staff the appropriate tools commensurate with industry standards.

Priority 8—Urban Context Warner Pacific College is distinctively an urban liberal arts college and our loca-

tion in Portland is not only central to our educational mission; the world-wide trend towards urbanization gives Warner Pacific an ideal “laboratory” for students to apply their learning in practical, real-world circumstances. Warner Pacific will take steps to ensure that diversity is enhanced across the student body and employment community.

Further, the college is looking at ways to research and respond to the needs of our SE Portland neighborhood and the greater Portland metropolitan area. Lastly, the plan calls for steps to develop academic and co-curricular programming that develops

Summer 2007

students’ awareness and understanding of local and global responsibility, especially in the areas of missions and social justice.

Conclusion Warner Pacific’s academic vision provides a foundation by outlining the transformative nature of its education.

The strategic plan affords Warner Pacific College the opportunity to see that every aspect of our programs and operations is guided by our mission, vision and values.

Additionally, the key distinctives will be communicated in order to build a coherent awareness of the institution.

11

CLASS NOTES

50’s James Black ’50 resides in Sweet Home, Ore. where he serves as Vice-Chairman on the Sweet Home Senior Center Board and on the Pastor-Parish Committee at Sweet Home Evangelical Church.

Stella Jones ’54 is the Executive Director for the non-profit Shared Housing Services, which she co-founded, in Tacoma, Wash., The program works with the economically disadvantaged to help solve housing crises, prevent homelessness, and to secure adequate, affordable housing for the homeless.

Janice (Nichols) Vigna ’56 lives in Portage, Ind. where she tutors middle school students for whom English is their second language.

Jesse Mark ’58 is retired and volunteers as a gallery director at Christ Church Cathedral, in Lexington, Ky. He also teaches art for the University of Kentucky’s Donovan Program, a free education program that serves senior citizens.

Manota (Eastman) Sylvester ’58 teaches Sunday school at North Hills Church of God and is also involved in Women of the Church of God and JOYFUL (a senior adult group).

She and her husband live in Phoenix, Ariz.

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Exciting news for alumni

T

he past nine months have been enjoyable, full of learning, dreaming and implementation.

We’ve planned some exciting events and have identified benefits and opportunities for you.

You can always visit the alumni pages at www.warnerpacific.edu for more details.

• Liberty Mutual Group Savings Program Warner Pacific is partnering with the Liberty Mutual Group to provide special insurance rates to Warner Pacific alumni and friends. You could save over $300 annually on auto and home insur- ance. Access your free quote via the WP website.

•

Dana McGuire Director of Alumni, Church, and Parent Relations

dmcguire@ warnerpacific.edu

Updated Alumni Directory You should have received an information card in the mail regarding our next alumni directory. Please take a few minutes and fill out the card so we can have the most current directory possible. These forms go directly to the publisher and are different from the update forms the WP alumni office sent out earlier this spring. Thank you for your support.

• Nominate Alumni Council Members The WP Alumni Council recently completed a strategic plan that expands the council to include two representatives from each decade from the 40’s through the 00’s. We are seeking qualified alumni for a total of 18 seats, including four at-large positions. Terms range from two to three years, and the council meets on campus in September and May. See the Alumni page on WP’s website to nominate alumni who will serve with excellence.

WP Alumni and Friends Family Zoo Day, Wednesday, July 18, 2007 Group tickets - which include admission, train ride, dessert, and cooler bag - are $11 (ages 3 - 11), $12 (ages 65+) and $14 (ages 12 - 64).

The first 30 tickets purchased receive a $2 discount. Please RSVP by July 12 by going to the Alumni page on the WP website or send an e-mail to dmcguire@warnerpacific.edu for more information.

Marilyn (Carrell) Smothers ’59 and Harry Smothers ’60 are retired and live in Casper, Wyo. They attend Highland Park Community Church. They have three children, and five grandchildren.

•

60’s

• Homecoming, February 7-10, 2008 Make plans to attend class reunions for ’98, ’88, ’83, ’78, ’68, ’58, & ’48.

More information to come.

Audrey (Harris) Roberts ’62 is retired and resides in Palmer, Alaska with her husband of forty-one years, Richard. The Roberts have two adult children and one grandchild. They attend Palmer Church of God and enjoy a multitude of activities, including hunting, fishing, camping, quilting, and reading.

Jolene Lopez ’66 is now retired from public school teaching and is a volunteer tutor for Sylvan Learning Centers, in San Antonio, Texas.

Vicki Foster ’67 has left a rewarding career in teaching to join the world of real estate.

She is now working with Paul Law Realty/GMAC Real Estate. She lives in Monte Sereno, Calif.

Kurt ’68 and Marlys Barbee ’68 live in McConnelsville, Ohio. Marlys is the Chairman of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens of Morgan County and is also the president of Morgan County Reenactor’s Association, which honors the history of the U.S. Civil War. Kurt is an electrical engineer who works for a lot of farms. Their family

12

• 10-Day Eastern Mediterranean Cruise, October 3 - 13, 2008 WP alumni and friends are invited to our first international cruise.

30 cabins are available for between $1290 - $1630 per person (excluding airfare and gratuities). An initial deposit of $50 per person is required to hold each spot. (The deposit is refundable if the trip doesn’t happen). The first payment of $500 per person is due October 1, 2007. The final payment is due on or before July 1, 2008. Visit the Alumni page on WP’s website for details.

is currently working in a new church plant in So. Zanesville of the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

runs two faith-based homes for recovering addicts, while Dana teaches vocal music to 2nd through 8th grade. They both minister at Life Ministries Church.

Nancy (Pigg) Pitts ’67 lives in Nampa, Idaho and was recently ordained as a deacon of Compassionate Ministries this last May in the Church of the Nazarene. She is serving as the Community Life Pastor for Early Church, a church plant within Nampa First Church of the Nazarene that is growing rapidly.

70’s

Ron ’69 and Dana (Cantrell) ’69 Kruse live in Caruthers, Calif. where Ron is a high school teacher and a three-sport coach. He The Experience

David Harrison ’72 is the new minister of Vallecito Union Church, in Vallecito, Calif. Harrison formerly served churches in Grass Valley and San Jose Calif., Harrison

Continued on page 15

ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI NEWS

Working to keep the torch burning The Torchbearers fund-raising group recasts its vision to attract younger members, raise more scholarship funds.

T

he Torchbearers are going back to their roots. Originally founded in 1979, Warner Pacific’s longest-standing fund-raising group has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for student scholarships over the past 28 years, while also serving as a social network for alumni and friends of the college.

However, the Torchbearers’ membership is aging, and the group is looking for a new generation of members to carry on its work. A joint effort between the college’s Advancement Department and a new, regional leadership council is working to make that happen.

“The goal is to take the Torchbearers back to its original intent of being a fundraising arm of the school,” said Warner Pacific’s Director of Development, Greg Moon. “The priority is to attract new leadership, recruit younger members, and maintain good solid communication between the college, the church, and the region.”

The 500 Club The group originated in 1979 as the 500 Club, so named when former trustee member Cliff Shrock suggested the college ask 1000 donors to give $500 annually for three years in order to raise $1.5 million

In addition to raising scholarships, the Torchbearers fundraising group has enjoyed annual retreats and social events throughout the west. Pictured top are (clockwise from center) Helen Little, former WPC trustee Ralph Little, Muriel (Anderson, ) Marble ’44, Marion Shaw, Sachiko Ellis, Hilda Blair, Verna Bruss, and Aubrey Strong on the 2005 Alaskan Cruise. (Lower Left) Marlene (Smith) ’59 and Ron Swanson ’59 in Alaska.(Lower right) Torchbearer founder Cliff Shrock, his wife Aileen, and Diane and Doug Shrock ’75 at the 2006 Torchbearers Golf Tournament in Boring, Ore.

Friend-making In the 1980s, the group’s name changed to “The Fellows” and membership levels were lowered to $100 annually. The College created newsletters and began arranging annual banquets and retreats for members to such locales as Whistler, B.C., Santa Morena, Calif., and Leavenworth, Wash. The group also sponsored an annual golf tournament.

“We were ‘friend-raisers,’ as well as fund-raisers,” said Roberta (Bunnell) Pe-

“I think The Torchbearers is the best thing we’ve had.

We’re trying to get it back to what it was to start with.”

Ron Swanson ‘59

Retired Church of God minister

for the college. For his part, Shrock called a few friends and raised $2,750 in seed money in just a few days, and the 500 Club blossomed from there. Currently the Torchbearers count over 160 members.

“I believe in Christian higher education, I really do,” said Shrock.

For Rita and George Collier, two original 500 Club donors (George is now deceased), it was a matter of supporting their Church of God college.

“Warner Pacific is part of our church and we had a responsibility,” said Rita.

tersen ’54, former Director of Alumni and Church Relations at WP. Ready for a new chapter As successful as the Torchbearers have been, most of its members are now in their seventies and eighties, putting the longterm survival of the group in jeopardy. To address this, Moon and Torchbearer leadership met last year to recast the mission of the group in order to bring in younger members, particularly those who have raised their families and who are at the Summer 2007

peak of their careers.

“I think the Torchbearers is the best thing we’ve had,” said Swanson. “We’re trying to get it back to what it was to start with.”

The meetings produced new requirements for membership. Current Torchbearers automatically receive a lifetime membership, regardless of future giving levels. However, new members must commit to giving $1000 annually. The increase recognizes the effects of inflation, as $500 in 1979 would be equivalent to approximately $1,400 in today’s dollars.

The Torchbearers have also created a leadership council structure that will represent the western states. Oregon, Washington, and California will receive two council seats, while two at-large positions and three executive posts will be open to leaders from anywhere.

To date, Pastor Bob McGuire, of Edmonds Church of God, in Edmonds, Wash., has agreed to chair the council.

Larry and Joyce (Elias) Hartman ’56 will represent southern California and WP trustee Phil Milliman ’70 will take one of the seats representing Washington State.

The remaining seats have yet to be filled.

The Torchbearers will continue to offer social gatherings, but will stay focused on raising scholarship funds at WP. “We will be passing the torch to someone,” said Marion Shaw, an original 500 Club member, along with his wife, Irene, (now deceased). “It’s got to go that way.”

13

ALUMNI PROFILE

has significant business interests in Northern Alberta.

Photo courtesy Brian Jean.

On to Ottawa Jean said he ran for office because he wanted to help people. Two years after he won his post, Jean’s Conservative Party took control of the national government following elections in early 2006. Prime Minister Stephan Harper appointed Jean as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Communities (TIC). He is the second in command of a ministry that oversees 18 state-run corporations. Jean also served on the committee that crafted Canada’s Clean Air Act. Needless to say, he stays busy.

“I sleep in my own house in Fort McMurray probably less than 40 days a year,” Jean said.

Parliamentary Perspective

Brian Jean ’84 is never too far from his small town roots as he represents NE Alberta in Canada’s House of Commons.

B

rian Jean ’84 often wonders how a small-town kid like him grew up to become a member of Canada’s Parliament, representing an area of Alberta that contains the second largest reserve of oil in the world.

A litigation attorney in northern Alberta, Jean, 44, was elected to the House of Commons as a member of the Conservative Party in 2004, representing the Fort McMurray and Athabasca areas of Alberta, where he grew up.

“Sometimes I wake up and I think, ‘Am I really here doing this job?’” Jean said by phone from his office in the nation’s capital, Ottawa. “How did a little guy like me who barely got out of high school and used to milk cows and pick rocks from fields get to be in a position where he is one of the top 50 people in the government that runs the country. It’s pretty daunting and humbling.”

A hand up Jean credits Warner Pacific for helping him develop the academic and life skills he would later need to establish his career.

Jean wasn’t a strong student coming out of high school in Alberta and he struggled his first two years at WP. However, he says key teachers took time to teach him how to study. The Christian environment also encouraged him spiritually.

With his parents eager for him to manage the family’s retail printing business in Fort McMurray, Jean graduated a semester early, in December 1984, with a Business degree.

14

“Without Warner’s ‘hand up,’ my career would not have been possible,” Jean said.

“Once I learned how to study and the pressure was put on to run the family businesses, I excelled and I got very good marks. [Also], having the basis of a Christian theological background was instrumental in keeping me close to what I would consider to be the

The next big boom Jean’s district, called a riding in Canada, is poised to play a major role in addressing the energy needs of Canada and the United States in the coming decades.

Northeastern Alberta is home to oil sand deposits that represent billions of potential barrels of oil. The thick tar-like deposits are approximately 15 times more expensive to refine than crude oil. However, with the cost of crude oil on the rise, the oil sands are becoming a more viable economic option.

The region has already seen $10 billion of investment in oil sand processing plants and related infrastructure, and Jean predicts

“How did a little guy like me who barely got out of high school … get to be one of the top 50 people in the government that runs the country. It’s pretty daunting and humbling.”

Brian Jean ’84, A member of the Canadian Parliament, representing NE Alberta

basic rules that I follow in order to be successful … including a personal relationship with Christ.”

From family business to law Jean managed the family business until 1989, when he left for Australia to pursue graduate work. He earned both an MBA and a law degree from Bond University, in Queensland, in just over three years. After taking some law courses at the University of Calgary to satisfy Canadian requirements, he began work as a litigator in an Alberta firm in 1993.

“I found my forte was arguing, so I did that for eleven years,” said Jean, who also The Experience

that number will rise to $100 billion by 2020.

Jean appeared on the CBS television news program “Sixty Minutes” last year as part of a story about the Athabasca region.

“Our impact on the U.S. will be dramatic,” Jean said.

A new chapter Jean has three children from a previous marriage, and is currently engaged to the daughter of his pastor back in Alberta. He says his faith and life experience keep him humble – a quality not easily found amidst the political circus called Parliament.

“Being fallible is the one unique contribution I bring to the House,” Jean said.

CLASSNOTES NOTES CLASS

Continued from page 12 and Portland, Ore. Vallecito Union Church’s origins date back to the 1860s and its present building was constructed in 1905.

After fifteen years working as missionaries in Costa Rica, Rev. Kathi (Kennemer) ’73 and Wayne Sellers ’74 have resigned their posts with Global Missions / Church of God Ministries and plan to return to the United States in July. The Sellers believe it is time for national leadership to carry on the work of the Church of God in Costa Rica and neighboring Nicaragua.

Larry Ruddell ’75 was recently appointed as Director of Adult Basic Skills at Wenatchee Valley College, in Wenatchee, Wash., where he lives with his wife, Susan, and their two children.

Wynne Corbin ’77 currently teaches classes on Creationism, Biblical World view, and A Relational Faith at Cross Road Fellowship Bible Church, in Wichita, Kan. He also enjoys playing his guitar in the praise team. His wife, Margo (Beaver) ‘81, had a kidney transplant in February 2007 and is doing well. The couple has three children and four grandchildren.

Steven Porter ’78 serves as the Chairman of the Board of AWARE, a non-profit organization that provides abstinence-based relationship education in public middle schools and high schools in SW Washington. He lives in Vancouver, Wash. and has six children and one grandchild.

80’s Debi (Burke) Teague ’80 is a music teacher for the Richland School District, in Richland, Wash. She has two older children and is involved with children’s community theatre, children’s ministry, and a community steel drum band. She lives in nearby Kennewick, Wash.

Cindy (Hoopengarner) ’81 and Jeff Mugford ’83 are planting a new ministry called The Bridge Community Church, near Phoenix, Ariz. Jeff most recently served as the senior pastor at Tigard Church of God, in Tigard, Ore. The couple lives in Laveen, Ariz.

Strengthening the Church of God in the Middle East

Photo courtesy of Church of God Ministries

The Louisiana State Church of God Ministries Board recently honored Rev. Dalyn Helbling ’74 for 30 years of ordination. Helbling is the pastor of First Church of God in Bastrop, La. He has been in Helbling ministry for 32 years. He is married to wife Gayla, and the couple has two adult children.

ALUMNI PROFILE

Don Deena Johnson ’75 serves future church leaders as the Academic Dean of Mediterranean Bible College, in Lebanon.

D

on Deena Johnson ’75 sees firsthand the challenges the Christian church faces in the Middle East. As the Academic Dean for Mediterranean Bible College (MBC), in Beirut, Lebanon, she works with students from northern Africa and the Middle East who will return to countries where the work of the Christian church is largely misunderstood, if not outright resisted.

“I’ve come to appreciate the difficult position that the Church is in in the Middle East as it is trying to live out the gospel with a variety of conflicting opinions that come both from the West and from [Muslims],” Johnson said.

“Our mission is to help equip persons to strengthen the church.”

Johnson was born into a missionary family. Her parents Don ’51 and Betty Jo (Hyman) ’50 Johnson were missionaries in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago early in Don Deena’s life. Her brother, Warner Pacific religion professor Dr. John Johnson, has been a missionary in Korea, Egypt, and Lebanon.

After graduating from Warner Pacific with a degree in Psychology, in 1975,

Laurie Craghead ’81 and her husband, Brent Hutchison ’76, live in Bend, Ore., where Laurie just completed six years as Assistant Legal Counsel for Deschutes County. Brent recently started in the IT Department of Deschutes County as a PC / Network Specialist after working for four years with a local computer and networking consulting firm.

Rod Huddleston ’81 lives in Honolulu, Hawaii and works as an independent surgical sales representative. He has enjoyed racing in triathlons throughout the world and now has completed ten Ironman distance Triathlon Races in the last eight years, including the Kona Ironman World Championship. Rod contributes much of his lifestyle and racing to the discipline that was learned while attending Warner Pacific.

Cindy (Woods) ’82 and Steve Karim’s adoption of their son Eric, born November 16,

Summer 2007

Don Deena Johnson ‘75 has spent most of her career in Christian education, in the U.S., Japan, and now Lebanon.

Johnson worked in children’s education at a number of churches of God in Oregon, California, and Washington State, as well as a ChOG Mission School for girls in Tokyo, Japan. Johnson went on to earn a master’s in Education from Ball State University, in Indiana.

She spent a year-long internship at MBC in 1999 and has been at the college full-time since 2002. As dean, she works with future pastors and lay ministers from such diverse countries as Sudan, Nigeria, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon.

“We have a very welcoming community at MBC and it is a rather amazing multicultural community,” Johnson said. “We can only teach the word of God by the way that word is lived out in our lives. We can’t do that unless we enter into relationships with people.”

2003, became official in December 2006.

Cindy is a teacher with the Manteca Unified School District in Calif.

Rick Shrout ’82, ’85 MRel. is working as a tutor and mentor for Native American students in the Salem-Keizer School District in Salem, Ore. He and his wife, Toni, reside in Lyons, Ore. Atilano Halili, Jr. ’82 is a licensed vocational nurse at Ojai Valley Community Hospital in California where he was named Nurse of the Year for the year 2007. He and his wife, Lorinda, and their two children live in Oxnard, Calif.

Mary Cliffton ’82 works as a Disability Case Manager at Goodwill in Longview, Wash., where she lives. She and her husband have Continued on page 16

15

CLASS NOTES

PRESIDENT’S DAY, ARIZONA STYLE

Photo courtesy Shirley (Cutshall) Miller

W A faithful group of alumni from the 1950’s, along with spouses and friends, gathered at the home of Shirley (Cutshall) Miller ’57 in Mesa, Ariz. on February 19, 2007 for an annual President’s Day potluck. In attendance were (back row, left to right) Shirley Miller, Manota (Eastman) Sylvester ’58, LaMyrtha (Frazee) Frazier ’54, Albert ’53 and Irene (Hogue) Bentley ’53, Marilyn and Cliff Harrison, Marge (Gillespie) Renfrow ’54, and Andrea Cook, Warner Pacific’s V.P. of Institutional Advancement. (Front row, left to right) Robert ’57 and Lola (Willard) Bixler ’57, Fritz Hardt ’56, Ken Renfrow ’55, and Greg Moon, Warner Pacific’s Director of Development.

Continued from page 15 two daughters and are the youth workers at Bethany Lutheran Church and also play on the worship team.

Brian Ruffner ’83 is a regional manager at Har-Bro West, Inc. He is currently ranked #1 in the Pacific Northwest in Men’s Senior Doubles (40 yrs. old) and #21 in the nation.

Gary Hemenway ’84 opened Verve Coffee and Art House in Walla Walla, Wash. in June 2006. Gary also planted Journey Church in June 2004, which now has 150-200 members. He continues as musical director for Oregon Symphony’s Gospel Christmas Concert Series.

LeAnn (Light) ’85 and Jim Kinnee live in Sherwood, Ore. and are the volunteer Local Directors for Special Olympics OregonWashington County.

Douglas Bridgeman ’86 is Missionary / Pastor with True Vine Ministries. He and his family direct seven churches in Matamoros, Mexico and have traveled to several different states in Mexico for ministry. They live in Harlingen, Texas.

Sonya Fischer ’88 opened her own law practice in 2005, practicing family and special education law. Her special interests lie with political activism related to vulnerable populations.

Cheryl Haskell ’89 resides in Oregon City, OR and is employed by Morrison Center

16

Illness or no, retired pastor proves his mind is still sharp.

where she works as a Family Therapist with families that have severe trauma/abuse in their lives. She loves her work.

90’s Maria (Lanphear) Piedmont ’91 gave birth to her third child, Isabella in October 2004.

Isaac Dixon ’92 has recently been appointed the Regional Employment Director with Providence Health System. He lives in Portland, Ore. Tracey Spencer ’94 enjoys running and has completed eleven marathons and ran the Hood to Coast three times. She is an assistant coach for Portland Fit, a marathon training program. She ran the New York City Marathon in 2004 and raised $2,250 for the NYRR Foundation Team for Kids. She and her husband Chris have two children and live in Portland, Ore. Lindy (Barr) Batdorf ’96 is the new Development Coordinator at the Children’s Center of Clackamas County. She is also in the Candidacy program for the National Speaker’s Association. She is currently working as an inspirational speaker and author. Lindy and her husband and their two children live in Milwaukie, Ore..

John Simonet, Jr. ’97 is a produce clerk for WINCO in Boise, Idaho. He attends Cloverdale Church of God. He has six adult children, and nine grandchildren.

The Experience

hen Pastor Louis Rowe ’69 started experiencing strange symptoms of fatigue and loss of balance eleven years ago, his doctor suspected an inner ear infection. Then a follow-up examination revealed an aggressive brain tumor that needed immediate surgery.

“Boy, I went into shock,” said Rowe, speaking by phone from his Richmond, Mo. home.

At the time, Rowe was the pastor of Richmond Alliance Church, in Richmond, Mo., and was married with two 15-year-old fraternal twins. He had spent eighteen years in the ministry since graduating from Warner Pacific with a degree in Religion.

In September 1996, surgeons removed most of the tumor, but Rowe had to undergo exhaustive radiation therapy to shrink what tissue remained.

“I told the doctors before we went into the operating room that they were not going in there alone. The Great Physician would be with them.

One doctor responded, ‘Good, we need all the help we can get.’”

It took Rowe two years to regain a sense of normalcy, although he never has returned to work. Nonetheless, wanting to prove himself, Rowe enrolled in computer classes at SanfordBrown College, in St. Peters, Mo., in 1997 and graduated magna cum laude with a computer science degree two years later.

“I’m a fighter by nature and I immediately wanted to prove my brain was still working,” said Rowe.

Kristin (Spencer) Cook ’97 lives in French Camp, Calif. where she was recognized as Teacher of the Year 2006-2007. She and her husband, Philip Cook, were married in July 2006.

Sandra (Fox) ’97 and Dustin Salisbury ’97 welcomed their second child, Carson, on May 5, 2006. Dustin is a teacher for Longview Schools in Washington.

Valerie (Barton) Ellett ’97 is an elementary school music teacher in Clackamas, Ore. Continued on page 18

IN MEMORIAM

IN MEMORIAM

William Dale Eskew ’57 William “Bill” Dale Eskew ’57 died March 17, 2007 in Phoenix, Ariz. He was born on April 12, 1935 in Campo, Colo. After graduating from Pacific Bible College (Warner Pacific) in 1957, Bill launched Eskew Accounting in 1971.

His son, Bruce, joined him in 1984 and together they worked for 23 years.

Bill was active in Vista Grande Church of God, where he chaired the council of elders and taught Sunday school. Bill is survived by his wife of 52 years, Virginia; two children; two sisters, and six grandchildren.

Lorah Jean Foley ’68 Lorah Jean Foley ’68, of Charlevoix, Mich., died Wednesday, March 14, 2007. She was born on March 10, 1944. She earned her registered nurse degree at Northern Michigan University and spent 41 years in nursing.

She attended Warner Pacific College between 1965 and 1968, before moving to California. Three years later, she returned to Charlevoix to work at Charlevoix Area Hospital. She is survived by a sister and a brother-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

Nicholas K. Kowalko ’48 Retired pastor Nicholas K. Kowalko ’48, of Cottage Grove, Ore., died April 16, 2007. He was born on October 13, 1918 in Marlin, Poland and immigrated to Saskatchewan at the age of ten. He lived there until 1939, when he left to attend Alberta Bible Institute, in Camrose, Alberta.

C. Dale Warman ’52 July 4, 1929 - March 21, 2007 A Celebration of Life service was held March 26, 2007 at Vancouver First Church of God, in Vancouver, Wash., for alumnus and former trustee C. Dale Warman ’52, who passed away on March 21, 2007.

Dale was born on the fourth of July in 1929, near Springfield, Colo., and lived in a sod house during the prairie dust bowl years. In 1948, he moved to Portland, Ore., to attend Pacific Bible College (now Warner Pacific College), where he met and married his wife of 57 years, Marilyn (Trudgeon) ’51.

Dale started a 45-year career in retailing with Fred Meyer Inc. as a bag boy, and retired as Executive Vice President of Fred Meyer Inc. and President of the Fred Meyer Food Division. In 1975, Dale and Marilyn also started LIVE Ministries, which is dedicated to congregational renewal and authentic Christian community.

He and Marilyn raised three children.

Dale was a strong supporter of Warner Pacific College and in 1987, he and Marilyn contributed to the renovation of the men’s dorm, Warman Hall, dedicating the building to their parents. Dale is survived by his wife; three children, including Doug Warman ’70 and Sharon (Warman) Agnor ’73 and their spouses, sister-in-law Carol (Trudgeon) ’55 and her husband Orlo Kretlow ’55, and many grandchildren.

Photo courtesy of the Warman family

Dr. Kenneth Crose Former Warner Pacific College faculty member Dr. Kenneth Laverne Crose died May 5, 2007, in Anderson, Ind. following a brief illness. He was 91 years old.

He was born Dec. 26, 1915, in San Diego, Calif. He taught Religion and Theology at Warner Pacific from the mid 1950’s until the mid 1960’s. He later taught at Anderson University, in Anderson, Ind., retiring in 1981. Survivors include three sons, including Richard Crose ’66 of Heltonville, Ind.; two daughters, 11 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

From 1943-1945, Nicholas served as a Church of God pastor in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and then attended Pacific Bible College (Warner Pacific College), graduating in 1948 with a degree in Theology. He served as a pastor in Washington, Oregon, and Alberta, Canada.

Nicholas is survived by his wife, sons Dale and Kenneth Kowalko ’68, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

E. Reuel Tiesel ’72 Rev. E. Reuel Tiesel ’72 died March 21, 2007 in Shakopee, Min. from cancer.

He was 56 years old. Reuel was born on May 10, 1950 in Anderson, Ind., but he was raised in Barbados, West Indies. He married his wife, Dr. Judy (Watson) ’72 in 1972, and attended graduate school at Anderson University, in Anderson, Ind. He later became ordained in the Church of God. He served congregations in Virginia,

Maryland, and Minnesota. He also counseled individuals, couples, and families through a private practice.

Most recently, he worked at Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of Minnesota while maintaining a private practice. He is survived by his wife and three children; his mother, and two siblings.

Mary Wooldridge ’75 Mary Wooldridge ’75, of Fort Worth, Texas, died March 5, 2007, after a long illness. She was 54. Mary was born on May 23, 1952, in Seattle, Wash. She graduated from Warner Pacific in 1975 with a degree in sociology and social work. She worked in the social work field for 25 years.

Linda Jean Vandiver ’78 Linda Jean Vandiver ’78 died of complications due to cancer on January 23, 2007.

She was 53 years old. Survivors include her mother, brother, and sister.

Take the stress out of estate planning Warner Pacific can help you leverage your long-term assets through a charitable partnership. In some cases, you can eliminate capital gains, generate significant tax deductions, and ensure a steady income for life.

Contact Development Director Greg Moon at 503-517-1028 to learn how Warner Pacific College can become a part of your financial planning.

Summer 2007

17

ALUMNI NEWS

CLASS NOTES

Continued from page 16 and she also plays the flute with the Pacific Crest Wind Symphony. Valerie often helps at her church with food drives, community outreach, and children’s ministries.

Photo courtesy of Valleycrest Productions, Ltd.

Joseph Jurado ’98 married Candace Beck on April 14, 2007. He works as a youth pastor at Pendleton First Church of God, in Pendleton, Ore.

00’s WP grad enjoys “millionaire” moment

Jess ’00 and Candi (Henrichs) Bielman ’00 gave birth to a girl, Ella Jewel, on March 15, 2007. Jess is the Director of Campus Ministries at WP and Candi teaches kindergarten at Abernethy Elementary School in Portland, Ore.

With less than a week’s notice, youth pastor Lisa Gray ’03 lands a spot on the TV game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”

Suzie Lesco ’00 gave birth to her second son, Asher, January 2, 2007. She and her family live in Sioux Falls, S.D.

isa Gray ’03 may not have come away a millionaire, but she felt like a million bucks having been a contestant on the syndicated television show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” last November. The show is a trivia game where a single contestant answers a possible 15 multiple choice questions, with each question increasing in value - and difficulty - up to $1 million.

A youth pastor from Canby, Ore., Gray tried out for the show last July while visiting a friend in New York City. She took a written trivia test and then passed two interviews with the show’s production staff.

A few weeks later she received a postcard back home saying she had made the contestants pool. Then the week before Thanksgiving, the show called her out of the blue.

“They called me on Tuesday and asked me if I could be in New York by [the following] Monday,” Gray said.

Gray scrambled to make travel arrangments - which contestants are responsible for - and she and her mother, Bev, made it to NewYork for the taping on November 21. Gray said it was a surreal experience to hear her name called backstage and to make

McKenzie (Teague) ’00 and Jeff Trautman ’99 welcomed son Carson Alvin Trautman on May 5, 2007 at Salem Hospital, in Salem, Ore. He joins sister Paige (3). McKenzie is a bookkeeper and Jeff is an attorney. They live in Salem.

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her way onto the set and into the so-called “hot seat,“ where she was greeted by guest host Al Roeker.

Gray answered her first few questions correctly, but got stuck on the $8000 question, which asked, “The abbreviation ‘SF CAL’ is printed on the button of what brand of jeans?” (Levi was the correct answer with Lee, Wrangler, and Carhart the other choices).

“I had no idea,” Gray said. “It’s one of those random trivia things. Either you know it or you don’t.”

Game rules give a contestant three opportunities to receive help answering a question.

Gray called WP professor Tom Kunke, who was standing by the phone in his office at Warner Pacific. He didn’t know either. Gray elected to end the game and keep the $4000 she had already won.

All in all, Gray says it was a blast to be a part of the show and to see New York with her mom.

“My mom has never been to a big city,” Gray said. “We went to the Empire State Building and Ellis Island, all of the New York stuff.”

Got Good News? We’d love to hear it.

Call the WP Alumni office at 503-517-1026 or fill out an update at the Alumni - Friends section of www.warnerpacific.edu.

Carrie (La Voie) Dahlin ’03 and husband Jeff gave birth to daughter Jenna Rene on March 14th, 2007 in Clackamas, Ore. Jeff is a substitute teacher for the Oregon City School District and Carrie is a licensed massage therapist.

Trenton Harden ’04 was married on August 4, 2006. He is a buyer for All Sports LLC and lives in Wood Village, Ore. Matt Singleberry ’04 and his wife, Lisa, welcomed their first child, Melody Joy on March 15, 2007. Matt is the Worship Pastor at The Church at Kelly Creek in Gresham, Ore. and also coaches football at Portland Christian High School.

Derek Moyer ’05 and Megan Mattison were married on July 8, 2006 and reside in Oregon.

April (Foster) ’05 and Justin Haskell ’00 were married July 1, 2006. April is a teacher and Justin is a graduate student in history.

Kirby Gleason ’06 and Amanda Wright were married August 19, 2006. They live in Portland, Ore., where Kirby works as a property manager.

(It might take two or more issues for news to appear, pending space.)

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Erin (Cumpston) ’02 and Travis Vice ’05 had their first baby, Nehemiah James. Travis works at The Well Church in Portland, Ore. as the worship and community pastor and Erin is a 3rd grade teacher for the North Clackamas School District.

The Experience

FIRST PERSON

FIRST PERSON

My life, part two

The author in her adopted city.

A refugee of the Bosnian war establishes a new life in the United States and finds fellow sojourners at Warner Pacific.

By Biljana Pajic ’07

I

The lack of food, electricity, water, and conditions essential for life became an every day challenge. However, in these moments, I learned to appreciate life and to hope for a second chance.

When I left my country, I was a student at the University of Sarajevo, studying world literature and history. One of my biggest goals was to complete my education here in the U.S., so I started ESL classes. By 2002, I had completed an associate’s degree at a local business college.

I wanted to finish my bachelor’s degree, but I couldn’t find a college that would fit my schedule, my interests, or my values.

Then I attended a friend’s graduation ceremony at Warner Pacific College, in 2004, and I knew that this school was what I had been looking for. In 2005, I entered the Adult Degree Program to study human development.

I remember the first night I met my cohort. It was scary, yet, empowering. Our advisor told us that for the next eighteen

Photo by Scott A. Thompson

was born and raised in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I was sixteen years old when the war started, and my beautiful city became a cemetery. We lived with death, lost freedom, lack of hope, and constant misery. My daily life consisted of pure survival, day-to-day, hour to hour.

The sound of sniper bullets, shells, grenades, and bombs replaced the peaceful enjoyment that my city once offered. The lack of food, electricity, water, and conditions essential for life became an every day challenge. However, in these moments, I learned to appreciate life and to hope for a second chance.

After three years of misery, I decided to seek refugee asylum in another country. It took a year of applying with different humanitarian agencies before I received the chance to move to the United States. My family and I had to separate. I was leaving everything I knew to move to a country where I didn’t know the language or the culture, and most importantly, didn’t know anyone.

When I first arrived in Portland ten years ago, I felt blessed for an opportunity to start a better life. Very soon, I started working, even though I didn’t speak English. I would wake up early in the morning, and, carrying my map, would try to guess which bus could take me to work. After two years, my family joined me, which remains the happiest day of my life.

months, our cohort would become a family. I looked around and I recognized myself in each student.

Most of us had jobs and, at the same time, also had to take care of our families, while adding full-time classes to our hectic schedules. It was the start of a beautiful friendship between twenty people and a powerful journey in education.

Our interests in human development brought us closer immediately, as well as our desire to discover new truths, to wonder, to defend our positions, yet to explore different belief systems. We not only studied human development, we experienced it.

We celebrated our birthdays, weddings, baby showers, and new jobs. We grieved lost relationships, lost jobs, and broken dreams.

My favorite Bosnian writer, Mesa Selimovic, said that the listener is a doctor in a difficult delivery of words. Our amazing professors not only shared knowledge and wisdom with us, they became our advocates, mentors, and friends.

I feel honored to be a graduate of Warner Pacific. It took a lot of hard work to earn my degree, but I did it and I enjoyed it. My next plan is to obtain a master’s degree in family counseling. I cannot wait for my new journey to begin.

Biljana Pajic ’07 is a social worker with the Housing Authority of Portland, where she helps families find affordable housing and achieve self-sufficiency.

First Person welcomes essays reflecting on faith, living, and learning. Please send submissions of approximately 500 words via e-mail to The Experience@warnerpacific.edu. Selected submissions may be edited for publication.

Summer 2007

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