Profile Excellence in
“In my Bible classes, I learned that theology must be rooted in love for others.” ...continued next page (left) Mark Smesrud believes he is changing lives, one coffee at a time. Mark and business partner Madison Chandler celebrate with employee Jenna upon her GED graduation.
In this issue: 3 Mark Smesrud - Profile in Excellence 6 Beyond 125 Campaign 8 Bartholomew Performing Arts Center 10 Touchton Clubhouse 12 125th Anniversary Celebration 14 Night Light Tulsa 16 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction 18 Alumni Awards 20 Alumni News and Notes 22 Milestones 24 Panther Athletics 27 Student Spotlight 28 Faculty News 30 York College Ranked 15th in Nation 31 Around the Corner
photo by Maegan (Simpson ‘13) Detlefs
photo by Josh Barrett, Ignite Images
A
t 6’8” tall, Mike was known on the streets simply as “Tower.” When he started working at Purple Door Coffee at the age of 25, he had spent seven years—his entire adult life—in prison. Though he’d had short stints out of prison during those years, Mike had no home to go to when he was released. Homelessness and incarceration go hand in hand, especially for young men. Being homeless increases the likelihood of criminal activity; a criminal record makes it harder to find a place to live or work. Mike became trapped in this cycle of perpetual homelessness and incarceration. It was at Purple Door Coffee that Mike’s life began to change. More than just a coffee shop, this Denver café has a unique mission: to employ teens and young adults who are transitioning out of homelessness and to heal brokenness through the dignity that work provides. Purple Door co-directors Mark Smesrud ’10 and Madison Chandler focus on teaching job skills applicable in any occupation—customer service, punctuality, cleanliness, professionalism—so that after one year of working at the coffee shop, their employees can graduate to a job in the “real world.” “We provide the tools of community, accountability, love and grace that will help our employees on their journeys to a new life,” says Mark. “Purple
Jake Hasenauer, senior physical education major from North Platte, Neb., and Brianna Bailey, senior vocal music education major from Wolverine Lake, Mich., were crowned this year’s Homecoming King and Queen.
The YC Theatre Department presented an hilarious melodrama during Homecoming weekend. Heritage is a semi-annual publication for alumni and friends of York College. The magazine is available online at www.york.edu/alumni. Heritage Editor Vol. 18, No. 1 Chrystal Houston ’03 Director of Alumni and Communication 402-363-5607 chrystal.houston@york.edu Assistant Editor/Design Steddon Sikes ’84 Director of Publications Heritage Contributors Bob DeHart ‘95 Erin (Beske ‘94) DeHart Stephen Colwell ’05 Tyler Cox ‘15
Maegan (Simpson ‘13) Detlefs Trent Hinton ‘02 Eryn Jacobson ’16 Emily Lutz ’14