Classic - Summer 2005 - Northwestern College

What’s insideNorthwestern ClassicClassiccontentsclassicpeoplepage4Campus newsSummer 2005 Vol. 77, No. 2page13Face valueBarbara TurnwallEditorDuane Beeson(712-707-7116,beeson@nwciowa.edu)Staff writersDuane BeesonAnita CirulisTamara FynaardtContributing photographersTom BeckerDoug BurgAnita CirulisAmanda CoxClark DavidsonRod Hop ’80Earl Hulst ’74Mark RomesserDan RossDesignersAnji BennettJohn Vander Stelt ’83page14Faculty FinaleThree profs retire26page22Finding a PlaceStudent profileAleisa Schatpage25Of coursepage26DefendingDeadbeat DadsAlumni profileSerena HoltheThe Classic is published quarterly––in March, July, October andDecember–– for alumni and friendsof Northwestern College. So namedbecause it served what was thenknown as the NorthwesternClassical Academy, the Classic wasthe school’s first student newspaper,begun in 1891. It has been analumni publication since 1930.Send correspondence or addresschanges to the Classic, NorthwesternCollege, 101 7th St. SW,Orange City, IA 51041-1996.Visit us on the Web at:www.nwciowa.edu22page18More Than MathFaculty profileDr. Kim Jongeriuspage28Sports updatepage29Alumni newspage39Syllabus for LifeClassic thoughtspage20Capturing theMomentAlumni profileEarl Hulst203 ▲ Summer 2005

CampusnewsNorthwestern ClassicNWC happeningsRemembering a pioneer Sociologystudents’scores soarSurrounded by three of the newest buildings on campus, about 50 people gathered in April to honor one of the college’sfounders, the Rev. Seine Bolks. An apartment complex completed in 2003 was named in honor of Bolks, the first president ofNorthwestern’s Board of Trustees. Bolks moved to Orange City from Michigan in 1872 at the age of 58 to become the initialpastor of First Reformed Church.Westenberg receives staff awardDiane Westenberg, maintenance assistant, received the 2005 Staff Recognitionfor Inspirational Service Award in April.As the award winner, Westenberg receives a $500 honorarium funded by theAlumni Association, a plaque, and a luncheon for her and her coworkers. Thehonor is given to recognize staff who consistently exceed expectations, personifya strong Christian commitment and distinguish themselves as an inspiration tothe campus community.Northwestern employees nominated candidates, and a selection committee—which included a faculty member and the two previous winners of the award—selectedWestenberg.Housekeeper of Van Peursem Hall, Northwestern’s main academic building, since she joinedthe staff in 1991, Westenberg was cited by nominators for her work ethic, cheerful attitude, servant’sheart and role as a mentor to student workers.“Diane’s job involves cleaning the messes others make. Even on days where the weather contributesto large quantities of mud getting tracked throughout the building, Diane does not getupset; she just smiles and cleans it up,” wrote Dr. Scott Monsma, associate professor of sociology.“Diane is an inspiration to our community because of her loving spirit and attitude,” said JanKircher, assistant professor of social work. “She goes above and beyond to serve Christ and others.She believes in others and always sees the good in them.”“It is clear that in many ways, Diane is as much a mentor of students as are members of thefaculty,” said Monsma. “The lessons she imparts to students will have an impact that is felt longafter they graduate. Diane is the type of exemplar whose life and work call us all to live lives ofexcellence and service.”Northwestern’s sociologyseniors scored in the 95thpercentile on the EducationalTesting Service (ETS) sociologyexam, administered tocollege sociology studentsacross the U.S. and Canadalast December.“It is very gratifying tosee that our students haveonce again achieved topscores on the ETS,” says Dr.Scott Monsma, associate professorof sociology. “Thisreflects the fact that we havemany excellent students inour program. The pattern ofexcellent scores over the pastfive years also suggests that[colleague] Dr. [Mike]Yoderand I have been able to successfullychallenge our studentsto excel and develop asolid understanding of thediscipline of sociology.”The latest scores replicatethe strong performanceof sociology seniors since2000. Northwestern sociologymajors scored in the 95thpercentile last year, 97th percentilein 2001, and 94thpercentile in 2000. The testwas not administered in2002.Monsma notes thestrong performance of sociologystudents has come whilethe department has beengrowing. In 2000, 26 studentsmajored in sociology.There are currently 39 sociologymajors.6 ▲ Summer 2005

NWC happeningsNorthwestern ClassicCampusnewsBoard votes to continue planningfor learning commons projectNorthwestern’s Board ofTrustees, meeting on campusin April, approved continuingwith planning for thenext campus addition, a newlearning commons.Architects from CannonMoss Brygger and Associates(CMBA) of Sioux City, Iowa,and Grand Island, Neb., andThe Durrant Group ofDubuque, Iowa, have beenworking on the facility’sschematic design phase sinceJanuary. Board membersauthorized moving on to thedesign development phase,which will culminate in apresentation at the Board ofTrustees meeting in October.The learning commonswill house a new library andarchives, computing servicescenter, writing center, classrooms,auditorium, prayerroom and coffee shop. The74,000-square-foot facilityhas an estimated cost of$19.9 million.“Board membersresponded very positively tothe work done by our architects,”says President BruceMurphy. “They wereimpressed with the ‘God isLight’ theme of the building—tyinginto Northwestern’shistoric motto—and the related efforts thathave been made to get lightinto all areas of the structure.And they liked the many differentkinds of studentspaces, both formal andinformal, for individuals andgroups, that have beenplanned.”The board also voted toAthletic training programreceives accreditationapprove launching a $30million capital fund-raisingcampaign, with a timelineyet to be established, featuringthe learning commonsproject as its centerpiece.The campaign also seeks toraise $3 million for the firstphase of renovations to theRowenhorst Student Center,$5 million for academicinnovations and $2 millionfor endowed student scholarships.A portion of the academicfunds will be used tostrengthen the communicationstudies program, includingupgrading its facilities,and to create new classroomsand faculty offices inRamaker Library and part ofVan Peursem Hall that willbe vacated following thecompletion of the learningcommons. Money raisedthrough the campaign alsowill be used to create twonew endowed faculty chairsand a faculty sabbatical fund,and to explore establishingnew programs to meet studentinterest in a number ofmedical fields.The campaign funds forstudent scholarships will beused to make it easier forethnically diverse studentsand those from outside theMidwest to afford a Northwesterneducation. “Openingour students to the worldand inviting a more ethnicallydiverse student populationto study here is essential forproviding a high-quality academicprogram today,” saysMurphy.Northwestern’s athletic training education programbecame accredited by the Commission on Accreditation ofAllied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in May.Graduates of the NWC program are now eligible, undernew CAAHEP guidelines, to sit for the Board of Certificationfor the Athletic Trainer test to become certified as athletictrainers.Program director Jennifer Rogers, a kinesiology instructorand certified athletic trainer, oversaw the accreditation applicationprocess, which included a comprehensive self-study,on-site evaluation, review by the accreditation committee, andfinally, approval by the CAAHEP board of directors.Northwestern’s program will retain its accreditation untilMay 2010, when it will be eligible for renewal.Athletic training students Heidi Te Brink and Jessica Healey measure the Q-angleof Casey Weerheim’s leg. Also shown are Jordan Freiborg (back to camera) andJennifer Rogers, athletic training program director.7 ▲ Summer 2005

CampusnewsNorthwestern ClassicNWC happeningsNWC welcomesnew vice presidentsTwo new vice presidents have joined Northwestern’s leadershipteam this summer. Dr. John Brogan, a member ofNorthwestern’s religion faculty since 1997, is serving as vicepresident for student development. Dr. Jasper Lesage, dean ofsocial sciences at Dordt College since 1990, is serving as vicepresident for academic affairs.“We are very pleased to attract John and Jasper to thesepositions,” says President Bruce Murphy. “They bring extensiveleadership experience, a love for students and a strong commitmentto Northwestern’s mission.”Brogan, who won the NorthwesternTeaching Excellence Award in 2000 andchaired Northwestern’s Student AffairsCommittee for two years, says he’s excited tobegin his new role.“Our student development staff are functioningreally well and doing a lot of goodDr. John Broganthings,” he says. “I’m eager to explore how wecan work more closely with academic affairs toproduce students able to think critically and engage the culturein a way that is thoughtful and faithful to Christ.”Brogan joined Northwestern’s faculty after teaching atCalvin College and Palm Beach Atlantic College. He received adoctoral degree in New Testament and Christian origins fromDuke University, an M.Div. from Bethel Theological Seminary,and a master’s in modern Near Eastern and North Africanstudies from the University of Michigan. He completed hisundergraduate work at the University of Dayton.Brogan replaces Dr. Paul Blezien, who became vice presidentfor student development at William Jessup Universitynear Sacramento, Calif., last summer. Kim Case, associate deanfor student programs, served as interim dean in 2004–05.Lesage, an expert in strategic planning andstudent learning who joined Dordt’s businessand economics faculty in 1984, says he is lookingforward to joining the NWC community.“I really enjoyed my time visitingNorthwestern’s campus and was impressedwith the kinds of questions they asked, thethings they were interested in. It was clear theyare committed to preparing students for competentand faithful service as citizens of the kingdom of God.”Lesage earned doctoral and master’s degrees in economicsfrom the University of Toronto and has conducted research ineconomic history. He received a bachelor’s degree in economicsfrom Ontario’s Brock University.Lesage replaces Dr. Karen Cianci, who resigned in the fallof 2003. Dr. Eric Elder, professor of business and economics,served as interim vice president for academic affairs since then.SIFE team finishes among top 40 nationallyNorthwestern’s Studentsin Free Enterprise (SIFE)team was named first runnerupin its league at the nationalcontest in Kansas City,Mo., in May, finishing amongthe top 40 teams out of 200at the competition. There arewell over 900 SIFE teams inthe country.Only one school fromIowa, Nebraska or SouthDakota did better at nationalsthan Northwestern.“Our students didexceedingly well,” says Dr.Mike Avery, the Northwesternteam’s adviser andan assistant professor ofbusiness and economics.“A number of observers andjudges came up after theirpresentation and complementedthem on their professionalismand preparedness.The judges were also veryDr. Jasper Lesageimpressed with their characterand personality.”This was Northwestern’ssecond-best performance atthe national contest since theschool began a SIFE teamfive years ago. In 2002,NWC placed among the top16 colleges nationally.This year’s Northwesternpresentation focused on severalprojects, including developinga self-sustaining kit—requiring only sunlight andwater—that could enableThird-World families to raisefish and grow vegetables;teaching business ethics andpersonal finance to highschool and college students;providing consulting services;and developing “TheGM,” a business-orientedreality TV show.8 ▲ Summer 2005

NWC happeningsNorthwestern ClassicCampusnewsVocation explorationcontinues through summerVocare: Find Your Place,the program funded by a$2 million grant from theLilly Endowment, is makinga number of faculty and studentprojects and internshipspossible this summer. Allhave as their goal helpingstudents find their place inGod’s world.Five Lilly FacultyFellows each received a$3,000 stipend to read,research, write and present apaper to the campus communitythis fall.Michael Andres, religion;Dr. Dave Arnett, chemistry;Dr. Adrienne Forgette,psychology; Dr. RobertHubbard, theatre; and Dr.Randy Jensen, philosophy,each are researching withintheir respective divisions ofhumanities, natural sciences,social sciences and the arts toanswer the question: Whatdoes vocation have to dowith Christian liberal artseducation?Their presentations areintended to help the campuscommunity explore questionsand issues surroundinga theological understandingof vocation and the role ofthe Christian liberal arts inhelping students determinetheir life calling.In addition, 10 facultymembers received $500 eachto incorporate the theme ofvocation and calling into2005–06 courses in the programsof athletic training,biology, business, English,foreign languages, history,music, political science andpsychology. And six facultymembers are spending thesummer working withKirsten Hyatt, career counselorin NWC’s CareerDevelopment Center, exploringways to be more effectiveadvisers.Several faculty havereceived funds for exploratorytrips to developnew off-campus courses. Dr.Todd Tracy, biology, hopesto develop a stewardshipecology course that wouldtake students to Colorado,Utah and Wyoming. Dr.Juyeon Kang, music, andGrace Rohrer, internationalstudent counselor, are hopingto develop a course inKorea and Japan. RickClark, Spanish, will be travelingto Ecuador, and MarkVellinga, computer science,will visit India.Six students interestedin ministry have been selectedfor summer internshipsfunded by the Lilly Grant atchurches in Orange City;Sioux Center; Three Lakes,Wis.; Phoenix; and Millstone,N.J. In addition, three studentswill participate in afive-day Wycliffe BibleTranslators introductorycourse in cross-culturaltranslation.A proud momentTerry and Gustavo Oliveras flew from Victorville, Calif., to celebrate the graduation of their daughter April, a CumLaude sociology major. She became part of the largest graduating class in school history when 297 diplomas were awardedat commencement exercises on May 14.9 ▲ Summer 2005

CampusnewsNorthwestern ClassicNWC happeningsFaculty/staff newsDr. Doug Anderson, history, served as a panelist for asession on “Iowa Letters: Dutch Immigrants on the AmericanFrontier” at the biennial meeting of the Association for theAdvancement of Dutch-American Studies in June, held inSioux Center.Dr. Keith Anderson, spiritual formation, spoke at theCampus Ministry Conference of the Council for ChristianColleges & Universities (CCCU) in West Palm Beach, Fla., inFebruary. He presented “The Campus Minister as Scribe: TheRole of Scripture in a Post-modern World.” He also directedthe CCCU’s second Summer Institute for Campus Ministry inJune on Washington’s Whidbey Island.Dr. Michael Avery, business, presented a briefing on“Emerging Issues in the Commercial Trucking Industry” at aU.S. Army Tank and Automotive Command conference ontransportation logistics, held in Detroit in March. Additionally,he and Kimberly Vanden Brink ’05, a business administration/finance and management major from Orange City, wrote“Radio Frequency Identification: Tool of the Future,” whichappeared in the February issue of The Voyager, a publicationof TRANSLOG International.Jeff Barker, theatre, and Dr. Tom Boogaart, professor ofOld Testament at Western Theological Seminary, gave presentationsat the Calvin Symposium for Worship and the Arts,held in January in Grand Rapids, Mich. They spoke on “ThePlays of the Old Testament.”Barb Dewald, spiritual formation, gave a presentation onteam dynamics at the Short-Term Mission Leader Conferencehosted by STEM Ministries and Bethany School of Mission inMinneapolis in April.Dr. Laura Heitritter and Lila Sybesma, education,spoke at the Iowa Reading Association’s annual conference inDes Moines in April. Heitritter’s presentation was “What DoIowa Principals Want Teachers to Know and Be Able to Do?”Sybesma spoke on “Reading the Write Way,” offering ideasteachers can use to motivate and engage their students inwriting. In addition, Heitritter, Sybesma and JolynnTonsfeldt delivered a combination of sessions as professionaldevelopment for teachers in the Boyden-Hull (Iowa) SchoolDistrict in April.Dr. Thomas Holm, music, has been awarded a technologygrant from the Iowa College Foundation. He is using thefunds to create a large digital bank of selected audio, VHS,DVD and website clips for easy integration into the lecturesequence of his music history courses, providing students amore richly varied exposure to the subject matter.Dr. Robert Hubbard, theatre, received a prestigious fellowshipfrom the Kennedy Center American College TheatreFestival to participate in the O’Neill Critics Institute at theEugene O’Neill Theatre Center, Waterford, Conn., in July.The institute enables critics to work on their craft as they viewdebut readings of new plays by nationally known playwrightswhile being taught by some of the nation’s foremost theatrecritics. The participants also will visit with guest playwrightslike Edward Albee and A.R. Gurney.Dr. Juyeon Kang, music, performed a piano-violin duorecital with Arturo Delmoni from New York City at CoeCollege in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and a solo piano lecture recitalat Alvernia College in Reading, Pa., in March. She gave a solopiano recital at Peace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls in Apriland traveled to her home country of Korea in May to performat Ho Nam Presbyterian Theological Seminary.Dr. Barb Top, education, is the author of an article publishedin the spring issue of the Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin.She contributed “On Being a Parent (of a Child WithAutism).”Dr. Joonna Trapp, English, received Northwestern’s$10,000 Competitive SummerResearch Grant. She used the grant to travelto state historical societies and universityarchives in Arkansas, Georgia and Louisianaas part of her research on the 19th-centurylyceum movement, a self-education movementthat featured public lectures, concertsand entertainment. Trapp will use a sabbatical next year tobegin writing a book examining the role of popular oratory inthe South before the Civil War and its impact on the region’sideas and culture. Trapp also received a Lilly Grant to present“A Theater of Empowerment: Spiritual Rhetorics in the SlaveCommunity” at the Inquiries into Rhetoric and ChristianTradition conference in Chicago in May.Cornie Wassink, development, gave two presentationsin May. He spoke on “The Use and Misuse of Life Insuranceas a Charitable Gift” at a meeting of the Planned GivingCouncil of Siouxland in Le Mars. He presented “The Ethics ofFund Raising” to the Association of Fund-raising Professionalsin South Sioux City, Neb.Dr. Joel Westerholm, English, participated in a selectiveNational Endowment for the Humanities summer seminar:Religious Experience and English Poetry, 1633-1985. The 17-person seminar was held at the University of Notre Dame inJune and July and was led by Dr. Kevin Hart, award-winningpoet and renowned poetry scholar. Westerholm hopes theseminar will enable him to expand the book he’s currentlywriting on poetry and Christianity and provide new materialfor his course on poetry and prayer.10 ▲ Summer 2005

Northwestern ClassicCampusnewsFaculty/staff news continuedAn article by Dr. Robert Winn, history, was published inthe March issue of Vigiliae Christianae: A Review of EarlyChristian Life and Language. The article is entitled “The NaturalWorld in the Sermons of Eusebius of Emesa.”Dr. Marc Wooldridge, music, performed RussellPeterson’s newly commissioned concerto for marimba andband, The Life of King David, in April with bands at HoughtonCollege of New York and Indiana Wesleyan University. Alsothat month, he performed the concerto and his solo touringrecital at the Minnesota Days of Percussion hosted byConcordia College, and he directed Northwestern’s PercussionEnsemble at the Iowa Day of Percussion hosted by CentralCollege.Faculty/staff receiving service awards in April were:• 25 years: Jeff Taylor, theatre• 20 years: Glenda Brenneman, admissions; and Dr.Eric Elder, business• 10 years: Kim Case, student development; BarbDewald, spiritual formation; Dr. Adrienne Forgette,psychology; Dr. Keith Fynaardt, English; TamaraFynaardt, public relations; Jeff Guthmiller, admissions;Dr. Jackie Smallbones, religion; Dr. SaraTolsma, biology; Art Vander Pol, maintenance; andJay Wielenga, development.The Board of Trustees has announced the awarding oftenure and promotions:Tenure was awarded to Dr. Dave Arnett, chemistry; Dr.Laurie Furlong, biology; Dr. Ann Lundberg, English; Dr.Scott Monsma, sociology; Dr. Joonna Trapp, English; and Dr.Jeff VanDerWerff, political science. Each of them was promotedto the associate professor rank, as was Dr. Laura Heitritter,education.Dr. Kim Jongerius, math, and Dr. Jackie Smallbones,religion, were promoted to the professor rank.NWC happeningsFaculty awarded mini-grants for summer researchTen faculty members received institutional funding toconduct summer research and scholarship.Mini-grants of up to $2,250 were awarded to sevenprofessors, while another three were the recipients of grantsof up to $5,000 for collaborative research with students.Karen Acker, art, is creating a series of large-scalesculptures inspired by the planting and harvesting cycle ofcrops in northwest Iowa. She is employing a slip-castingtechnique using porcelain and welded steel.Dr. Randy Jensen, philosophy, is examining significantrecent work on the ethics of homosexuality and drafting apaper critiquing various Christian perspectives on this issue.Dr. Michael Kensak, English, is continuing his interdisciplinarystudy of medieval English poet GeoffreyChaucer. Kensak is exploring how scientific and legalnotions of “matter” inform Chaucer’s understanding of poetic“matter.”Dr. Mike Kugler, history, is studying the similaritiesand differences in anti-Enlightenment claims by Christianscholars, members of the neo-Marxist Frankfurt School, andcontemporary postmodern critics.Dr. Jim Mead, religion, is continuing to do researchand writing for his forthcoming textbook, Biblical Theology:Issues, Methods and Themes (Westminster John Knox Press).Kim Van Es, English, is collecting and writing storiesset in Newkirk, Iowa, in the 1950s and ’60s.Dr. Marc Wooldridge, music, is creating the first ofthree 10-minute films featuring original music accompaniedby images of nature. “South Dakota Rhythm” will featureaerial photography of South Dakota landscapes filmed bySouth Dakota Public Television. It will be written for marimba,vibraphone and clarinet.Biology professors Dr. Laurie Furlong, Dr. AbeScheaffer and Dr. Todd Tracy are involved in collaborativeprojects with students.Furlong is comparing mainland and island insect driftpatterns on California’s Santa Cruz Island with Lisa Walters,a biology-ecological science major from Wagner, S.D.Scheaffer is studying the various aspects of a lactatingdairy cow’s metabolism that likely contribute to a pregnancyrate, in conjunction with Trans Ova Genetics. He is beingassisted by Laura Rensink, a biology-health professionsmajor from Sioux Center, and Jason Helmus, a biologyhealthprofessions and chemistry major from Rock Valley,Iowa.Tracy is working with Shawn McGhee, a political sciencemajor from Anthon, Iowa, studying the difference indialects between house finches found in the Midwest andthose in northern Colorado. They are also researching howthe song repertoires of male house finches change as thebirds age.11 ▲ Summer 2005

CampusnewsNorthwestern ClassicNWC happeningsStudents selectedfor competitivesummer programsEight NWC students were chosen from applicants across the country to participate insummer research or internship projects. Each program provides students with a stipend, andmany offer travel allowances and free housing.Daniel Berntson, a senior philosophy and English major from Paullina, Iowa, is participatingin a summer internship with the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) inWashington, D.C. He is assisting the NEH department that works closely with state humanitiesboards.Jill Bowman, a junior biology-health professions major from Britt, Iowa, is working as asummer fellow in the hematology and oncology department of Gundersen Lutheran Hospitalin La Crosse, Wis. She is reviewing data from cases in which protocols for cancer trials weretested.Emily Fischer, a junior Christian education major from Arlington, S.D., and MaggieKeelan ’05, a writing & rhetoric major from Lincoln, Neb., were named undergraduate fellowsby the Fund for Theological Education (FTE). As part of an effort to provide support and guidanceto college students who are considering a career in ministry, the students attended theFTE’s Summer Conference on Excellence in Ministry in St. Louis, which featured renownedministers and educators exploring various theological issues.Amanda Gordon, a senior from Jenison, Mich., who is majoring in psychology andSpanish, is participating in the Research Experience for Undergraduates program in psychologyat Oklahoma State University. With funding by the National Science Foundation (NSF), she isresearching depression and anxiety in elementary-aged children.Michael Holm, a senior mathematics major from Orange City, is participating in his secondNSF Research Experience for Undergraduates program. He is working at the University ofAkron on a real-world cryptography problem involving a collection of correspondence, writtenin code, between 16th-century Spanish kings and their ambassadors in Italy. Last year, Holmpursued research in numerical analysis and differential equations at the University ofTennessee.Melinda Jansen, a junior biology major and chemistry minor from Newton, Iowa, isconducting research in an NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates program at theUniversity of Memphis. She is on a team that is exploring such areas of research asorganometallic photochemistry, mass spectrometry, colloid chemistry and polymer modeling.Alex Kolb, a senior from St. Paul, Minn., who is majoring in biology-health professionsand chemistry, received a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship from Mayo GraduateSchool in Rochester, Minn. He is conducting research in immunology.Historystudent winsaward foressayClarissa Janssen ’05, a historymajor from Palmer, Iowa,won an award at the 40thannual Student HistoryConference at the Universityof South Dakota in April. Shereceived the U.S. history paperprize for her essay, “The GildedWestern Sun: The Influence ofthe American Dream andLandscape in MormonHymnody and Folksongs.”The conference was sponsoredby the University ofSouth Dakota’s Phi AlphaTheta history honors society.Athletic trainingstudent winsscholarshipHeidi Te Brink ofDurango, Colo., a senior athletictraining and elementaryeducation major, received oneof three $500 scholarshipsfrom the Mid-America AthleticTrainers’ Association (MAATA).Te Brink and studentsfrom Iowa State University andLuther College were selectedfrom among 12 applicants toreceive the MAATA UndergraduateScholarship. Theywere chosen on the basis ofacademic achievement, personaland professional goals, communityinvolvement and commitmentto athletic training.The winners were honoredin March at the association’sconference in Topeka, Kan.12 ▲ Summer 2005

Barbara TurnwallNorthwestern ClassicFacevalueBarbara Turnwal1English professor, nature lover and Northwestern historianDescribe yourself in three words.Disciple, encourager, optimist.Describe Northwestern in threewords.Academic faith community.What is the most important part ofyour job?Working with students and being a rolemodel, encourager and facilitator oflearning.What’s your unique perspective onNWC?I was the first young female facultymember to work through the challengesof teaching and having a family whenthere were no policies for it. There wasno policy for maternity leave—I justarranged for colleagues to fill in for me,and I went back to work two weeksafter my children were born. Now policiesare in place. I’ve grown with theinstitution. I’m now the senior facultymember, and I bring that perspective ofhistory. I know where we came from asa four-year liberal arts college, and howwe grew.If you could study any subjectbesides your own discipline, whatwould it be?I’d go to seminary to gain a greater perspectiveon my faith and the history ofthe church.What do you dream of doing?Traveling more in the United States, particularlythe West—and in Europe. Onething I don’t dream of is retirement.What do you value?The support and love of family, friendsand colleagues. Good health. That Ihave been called to a career I love. Ididn’t seek it out, yet God put me here.The beauty of the earth and opportunitiesto enjoy it. Every year my familygoes to Schroon Lake in the AdirondackMountains of New York—you can justdrink in the beauty. My children are alladults now, but they want to go backevery summer. I also love the beauty ofthe seasons, the beauty of the Midwest,gardening and critters—especially cats.What makes you laugh?My husband. That’s one of the reasons Imarried him. It’s how we cope with life.A merry heart is good medicine.I’d just like to say …I’m indebted to the many persons offaith and vision who dedicated theirtime and abilities to build Northwestern.I’ve been here long enough to knowmany of their sacrifices.13 ▲ Summer 2005

FacultyprofileNorthwestern ClassicFaculty FinaleFacultyFinaleThree professorswho invested atotal of 77 yearsin the life of Northwesternretired at theend of the 2004–05school year. JohnKaericher, Ron Takaloand Barb Top leave alegacy of commitmentthat influenced thousandsof Northwesternstudents.Outsidethe LinesJohn Kaericher retires after encouragingstudents’ creativity for 42 yearsWhenever JohnKaericher’s niece and nephewbrought out their coloringbooks, he would remindthem, “Be sure to stay outsidethe lines.”Such advice fits perfectlywith a philosophy that hasAfter earning an M.F.A. in printmaking from the University of Iowa, JohnKaericher helped establish an art program at Northwestern with intaglio printmakingfacilities that rank among the best of any small college in the region.byAnitaCirulisguided Kaericher’s teachingfor more than four decades:The goal of art is not aboutpleasing others but aboutself-expression and creativity.After 42 years onNorthwestern’s faculty,Kaericher is retiring as thelongest-serving professor inthe college’s history. Duringthose years, more than 130art majors and countless generaleducation studentsfound his classes a safe placeto explore and develop theirtalents.Kaericher, his formerstudents say, liked to givestudents the freedom to trynew things.“He’d let you go in yourown direction, but then he’dcome back in and push youalong that direction,” saysKim Spradling ’72, a professorof art at NorthwestMissouri State University.“He was very good at lettingyou express your ideas andbuild on it, and he was thereto help you solve the technicalproblems.”Focusing on technicalskills was a vital part ofKaericher’s role.“I haven’t found a studentyet,” he says, “whodoesn’t need help in making▼“I felt like an artmissionary. I just felt acalling to provide quality artexperiences for peoplethrough the programsof the college.”▲artistic statements in thestrongest possible way.”The flexibility Kaericherprovided was always withinthe context of specific goalsand deadlines.Greg Foreman ’68 beganteaching art at Rock Valley(Iowa) High School shortlyafter graduating from NWC.He praises his former professorfor the way Kaericherstressed the importance ofdeveloping one’s drawingand perception skills. At thesame time, he says, Kaericherwas always careful abouthow he taught.“He didn’t like to workon our paintings,” Foremanremembers. “He woulddemonstrate on his ownpieces. He felt if he wasdoing any type of artwork onour projects, he was taking abit of visualization from us.”Kaericher was hired inpart to help Northwesternbecome a liberal arts institutionand to establish an artmajor. He arrived to find oneclassroom in Van PeursemHall called “the art room,”with a storage closet stockedfull of construction paperand children’s crayons.“I felt like an art missionary,”Kaericher recalls,adding that few of the area’selementary or high schools14 ▲ Summer 2005

Faculty FinaleNorthwestern ClassicFacultyprofilehad art teachers at that time.“I just felt a calling to providequality art experiences forpeople through the programsof the college.”One of the ways heaccomplished that wasthrough the creation of acampus art gallery. Alongwith introducing the communityto artists like Picasso andRouault, the gallery gave studentsthe opportunity to displaytheir work.In addition to establishingthe gallery and the college’spermanent art collection,Kaericher helped the artdepartment grow to two fulltimeprofessors shortly afterhis arrival. A year later, thedepartment had its ownbuilding when the formerOrange City Coop Creamerywas transformed into theBushmer Art Center. Todaythree full-time faculty andseveral adjunct professorsencourage creativity in thenew Korver Visual ArtsCenter.The satisfaction thatcame from developing theprogram, Kaericher says, ispart of the reason he neverleft Northwestern. Even morethan staff and facilities, however,he takes pride in theimpact NWC graduates havemade in the world.“We seeded the area,” hesays of his former students.“Not all, but to a great extent,Northwestern art studentstaught in schools in theMidwest and especially locallythat had no art programsbefore.”Because of JohnKaericher, more than onechild will feel free to coloroutside the lines.Adiòs, AmigoRon Takalo’s gifts as a builder and encouragerhelped Northwestern’s Spanish program growby Tamara Fynaardt“Is the candy 23 years old too?” a student shouted from the crowd.“No, no, no,” said Dr. Ron Takalo with a laugh, waving students and professors back as heflung a hammer, tied with a rope, over a low-hanging tree limb behind Noteboom Cottage.Before he raised the piñata tied to the other end, Takalo showed everyone the slit in the top,illustrating how he’d filled it with candy just that morning in anticipation of his last day ofteaching Spanish at Northwestern.Since 1982, when he left his job as a high school Spanish teacher in Michigan to joinNorthwestern’s faculty, the piñata, a gift from his former students, has hung in Takalo’s office.Takalo’s promise—thathe’d keep it until he leftNWC—spanned a career thatincluded earning a doctorate,growing Northwestern’s languagefaculty from one to fiveand Spanish majors from 15to 50, and teaching scores ofstudents to appreciate languagenot just as words, butas a window to new ideas,people and cultures.Takalo became passionateabout Spanish language andculture as a sophomore incollege, after spending a summerat the University ofMexico. He loved the music,the food, the people. He feltat home in a culture whererelationships rule, rather thanthe clock or the bottom line.Eager for others to have anexperience similar to his,Takalo began takingNorthwestern students onSpring Service Projects toRon Takalo celebrated his retirement with a fiesta, finally breaking a piñata thathung in his NWC office for 23 years.Spanish-speaking countrieslike Mexico and Hondurascontinued on page 1715 ▲ Summer 2005

FacultyprofileNorthwestern ClassicFaculty FinaleA Special EducatorBarb Top to continue helping people with disabilities during retirementby Emily Hennager ’06Dr. Barbara Top’s careerin special education hasspanned 45 years and takenher to three continents. Yetthe focus of her work hasalways been the same: tohelp people along their journey.“My desire is to bringpeople from one place toanother place. By using thegifts God has given me, I canhelp them use their gifts,”she says. “I’ve always beenfor the underdog. I try tolook for what’s unique anddifferent about each person.”After 12 years atNorthwestern, Top retiredthis spring but still remainsone of Iowa’s experts in specialeducation. She serves onthe board of the LearningDisabilities Association ofIowa and heads up its educationcommittee, where shedraws on her experience inmany different facets of specialeducation, includingteaching, administration andrehabilitation.This experience alsoreminds her that the field haschanged during her career.She points to trends such asmore students with specialneeds being included in regularclassrooms. She viewsGrowing up with a sister, Karen, who has Down syndrome helped shape Barb Top’s 45-year career of teaching and advocatingfor people with special needs.these developments as positivebut also realizes that nowteachers need to be preparedfor an even wider variety ofstudent needs.Her Survey of theExceptional Individual classhelped do just that. Requiredfor all elementary and secondaryeducation majors, thecourse sought to developempathy and appreciation forpeople who have specialneeds.“For many students,this was their first in-depthpicture of persons with specialneeds,” she says. So Topstarted at the beginning,even addressing how tospeak about disabilities. Forexample, they talked abouta child with autism, not anautistic child.“Labeling them by thedisability doesn’t give credenceto all their other talentsand abilities. What arethe gifts and abilities theyhave?” she asks. “Then let’sbuild on them.”Students say Top madeinformation from textbookscome alive by bringing avariety of speakers to herclass—including adults whohave special needs like blindness,autism and behaviorproblems. She also invitedparents of children with specialneeds to provide theirinsights.“When you read aboutdisabilities in a textbook, it’seasy to feel distant from it,”says Chris Rensink, a sophomoreelementary educationmajor. “But when we heard16 ▲ Summer 2005

Northwestern ClassicFacultyprofile▼“My desire is to bringpeople from one place toanother place. By using thegifts God has given me, Ican help them use theirgifts. I’ve always been forthe underdog. I try to lookfor what’s unique and differentabout each person.”▲from people who’ve experiencedit, it became personaland I was able to relate andunderstand it better.”Top helped Northwesternstudents understanddisabilities outside the classroomas well. Each of the pastfour years, she led a group ofeducation students toGuatemala to work with childrenwith disabilities. Duringthe rest of the year, Topadvised the Special EducationMinistries, which works withlocal agencies to plan eventsfor students with specialneeds, such as crazy foodnights or holiday parties.Jenna Fox, a sophomore special education major and oneof the student coordinators of Special Education Ministries,says it’s fun to watch Top interact with students with specialneeds.“She sees the things we might miss,” Fox says. “Her smileand kindheartedness draw people in. People want to talk toher, and she always knowswhat to say to them.”Top has used these giftsand abilities to serve in manyparts of the world. Besidestraveling to Guatemala, shehas led workshops in Romaniaand volunteered withMississippi Christian FamilyServices. At home, she worksto raise awareness of disabilitiesby writing articles for herchurch’s national newsletter.Though retired, Top hasno plans to leave the fieldentirely and is consideringanother short-term missionstrip to help those with disabilities.While she says she’s still▼“When you read aboutdisabilities in a textbook,it’s easy to feel distantfrom it, but when weheard from peoplewho’ve experienced it, itbecame personal and Iwas able to relate andunderstand it better.”waiting to see what doors God will open, her focus remainsthe same: helping people along their journey.▲Adiòs, Amigo continued from page 15shortly after he arrived. Overthe years, Takalo accompaniedstudents on more than15 service and study trips.He also encouraged Spanishmajors as they spent semestersfulfilling the studyabroad requirement in Spainor Costa Rica, assuring themimmersion is the best way tobecome fluent.A builder and encourager,Takalo counts recruitingand hiring Piet Koene, whoreceived accolades for teachingexcellence at NWC in2003 and as Iowa’s Professorof the Year in 2004, as one ofhis greatest professionalaccomplishments.Seeing Koene’s enthusiasmand energy for the higher-levellanguage students—along with Koene’s ability toconnect them to areaHispanics through hisSpanish-speaking family andchurch—Takalo gave his colleaguethe department’smajor courses and focusedinstead on the general educationSpanish classes. Takaloinfused the beginning classeswith stories, artifacts and hisadopted Latin American personality—open,boisterousand accepting—giving studentsa “language learning isfun” surprise.As retirement neared,Takalo divided his energybetween teaching and buildinga log cabin near IronRiver, Mich. His brotherfound and cut down thetrees, and Takalo hewed thelogs himself for a secure, airtightfit. He and his wife,Carol, plan to spend summersat the cabin and winterspossibly in theSouthwest.At his piñata-breakingfarewell, Takalo, dressed inhis trademark “flags of theworld” tie and red suspenders,shouted outinstructions in Spanish. Hegrinned and made the piñatadance while one of his students,blindfolded, tried tohit it with the stick he’dgiven her.Friend Dr. Mike Yoderwas called out of the crowdnext, and Takalo tauntedhim with the papier-mâchébull before letting a strikefrom Yoder break the piñataand create a shower of candy.Students grabbed one ortwo pieces and hung around,hard candy pocketed in onecheek, to tease Takalo—sparringin Spanish a bit beforeheading off to study forexams. People chatted andlaughed and called “Adiòs,amigo,” before drifting backto their dorm rooms andoffices.Takalo left to pack a fewmore boxes before headingnorth to the woods and asummer of fishing. Two studentsbatted the piñataaround until crepe papercovered the lawn. Pieces ofit—like memories of hiswarm laughter and influence—probablywill lingeraround campus for awhile.Faculty Finale17 ▲ Summer 2005

FacultyprofileNorthwestern ClassicKim JongeriusMore ThanMathby Sherrie Barber Willson ’98NWC award winnerteaches outside the cubeAs a math teachingmajor, Peter Kolb expectedhis classes with Dr. KimJongerius to improve hismath abilities.What he didn’t expectwas that they would develophis life skills—and hisinterest in other, non-mathsubjects as well.“I really appreciate theway she pulls her faith inwith mathematics,” says thejunior. “She talked aboutthis book, Flatland, about acharacter in a two-dimensionalworld who discoversa third dimension. Herpoint was even though wecan’t necessarily imaginecertain things about God,we can have faith. I actuallywent out and bought thebook and read it myself.”A math teacher usingliterature as a teaching tool?It’s no surprise to anyonefamiliar with Jongerius’background—and it’s one ofthe many qualities that studentscited in nominatingher for this year’s NorthwesternTeaching ExcellenceAward.Dr. Kim Jongerius received the $1,500 Northwestern Teaching Excellence Award, sponsored by the Alumni Association and theStudent Government Association, in May. She was chosen from among 22 professors who were nominated by students.DiversebackgroundCross-curriculum studyhas been a lifelong passionfor Jongerius. As an undergraduateat Northern ArizonaUniversity, she majored inboth mathematics andEnglish. Since joining theNorthwestern faculty in1993, Jongerius has taughtan honors seminar on workand calling, served on a writingacross the curriculumtask force and even made ajoint presentation with musicprofessor Marc Wooldridge at18 ▲ Summer 2005

Kim JongeriusNorthwestern ClassicFacultyprofilethe New England Conferenceof Music Theorists at YaleUniversity.Students say that broadbackground adds an extralevel of interest and discourseto her classes. In nominatingher, they made commentssuch as:• “Our syllabus for linearalgebra this semester containeda passage from theBible and from Confucius. Ina very subtle but powerfulway, she related these twoquotes to the naming ofthings.”• “She requires her mathstudents to become betterwriters.”• “We not only learnmath, but we learn how towork with peers in problemsolvingsituations.”“Her classes definitelyaren’t formal, where you goin, cover the material andleave,” says senior MichaelHolm. “She always takesextra time to talk aboutwhat’s going on around campus,or share a story or ajoke. Sometimes peoplewould pop up with a commentor question aboutsomething outside of class,and she wouldn’t just shoot itdown but would take aminute to talk about it.”PersonalconnectionJongerius also makes it apoint to establish a personalconnection with students.They learn about her ownstruggles as a math studentand teacher. They hear abouther family. In turn, they sharewith her about their ownlives.“I enjoyed how open shewas about herself,” says JericaWestra ’05. “She let you getto know her as a person, andshe was concerned about usas individuals. When I wentto her office, we wouldn’tjust talk about math; wewould talk about what wasgoing on in our lives. I knewshe cared about me, and thatwas a blessing.”▼“We not only learn math,but we learn how to workwith peers in problemsolvingsituations.”▲Students also appreciatethe extra time Jongerius iswilling to spend with them.On her own time, she meetswith students one evening aweek for a math fun night,where she brings treats andthey work on complex problemsthat have nothing to dowith class.But Jongerius’ fondnessfor students doesn’t make hergo easy on them. “Her classesare probably the hardest onesI’ve ever had. But they’re alsothe ones I enjoy the most,”Kolb says. “It seems like thatshouldn’t be, but she challengesus, and that causes usto work harder. And whenwe do understand something,it makes us appreciateit more.”Westra agrees. “Whenyou’d go to her for help, shewouldn’t give you theanswer, but she’d help youwork through the problemand give the positive feedbackyou needed to keepgoing. And as you workedthrough it, the light bulbwould go on. When I completedher classes, I knew itwas something I did on myown, not like she did thework for me.”Ultimately, the mostvaluable lesson studentslearn from Jongerius may bethat math skills apply tomore than just geometryproblems.“The biggest thing Ilearned from her is how tothink clearly about problemsand solve them step by step,”Holm says. “She’s taught meto think logically, to makesense of things that wouldotherwise be messy andundefined.”“One of my favoritememories is how, at the endof the semester, she let usrelax and play a game thatdealt with math, to get ourminds off our struggles withother finals,” says Westra, amath teaching major. “That’sa tool I’ve already sharedwith my own students as astudent teacher—that sometimesyou need to step asidefrom work and take time justto enjoy each other.”19 ▲ Summer 2005

AlumniprofileNorthwestern ClassicEarl Hulst[Capturing]the Momentby Duane BeesonIt’s been more than threedecades since Earl Hulst ’74had his high school seniorportrait taken, but heremembers it like it was yesterday.“I looked left for fourshots, right for four, and thephotographer said, ‘Next.’”Today, students wanttheir portraits to reflect theirpersonality and interests.They’ll go to several locations,bring in props, weardifferent outfits, change theirhairstyles.And Hulst is there tomake sure their portraitmemories are better than his.“Every kid’s into something.You’ve just gotta find it,”says Hulst, who photographsabout 70 seniors a year.Many of his subjects arestudents at Dowling CatholicHigh School in West DesMoines, Iowa, who know himas a middle-school mathteacher at Sacred Heart School.Others are athletes who seehim at the sidelines of numerousarea games with one of hissix cameras in hand.A full-time teacher, Earl Hulst spends about 30 hours a week as a photographer. Afrequent Blue Ribbon winner in Iowa State Fair competition, he says working withformer Iowa Cubs players like Mark Grace and Greg Maddox has been among hisphotography highlights.20 ▲ Summer 2005

Earl HulstNorthwestern ClassicAlumniprofile▼“I enjoy the fun of gettinginto the games; it’s thegreatest seat in the world.I get a charge out of thegame, and I go home withsomething. It’s like playing,but I was never any good.”▲About 60 percent of hisseniors are young men whosense a kinship with Hulst.“I know how self-consciousthey feel,” he says. “Itry to connect with them—talk about sports or whatever—andlet them know it’snot going to be too painful.I’m not going to have themtry a dumb position and tellthem silly jokes.”Hulst caught the camerabug when he was teachingand coaching in his hometownof Sheldon, Iowa. Hestarted with individual andgroup photos of his teamsand soon was shooting all ofthe Orabs’ games.Today Hulst’s photographyincludes college gamesfor Drake and Iowa State. Aphoto he took at the DrakeRelays once graced the coverof that prestigious event’sprogram.“I enjoy the fun of gettinginto the games; it’s thegreatest seat in the world,”says Hulst. “I get a charge outof the game, and I go homewith something. It’s like playing,but I was never anygood.”He might not have beena superstar like Cal Ripken,but Hulst mentions the baseballlegend when hedescribes his approach tophotography.“I show up everyday anddo my job and hope I winsome games. I don’t readmanuals or try gimmicks.”21 ▲ Summer 2005

StudentprofileNorthwestern ClassicAleisa SchatFindinga Placeby AmyScheerFrom her nursing home bed, Bertha Schat told granddaughterAleisa the story of the spelling bee.A young Bertie and her family had traveled to the schoolhousefor the annual contest where, with hardly a hesitation,Bertie spelled her way to the final round. There was one wordleft, and Bertie’s correct answer would almost definitelydeclare her the winner, destined next for the state competitionin Des Moines.Bertie couldn’t imagine leaving Sioux County, where shewas born and raised. She misspelled the word “conscience,”on purpose.Hearing stories like that, Aleisa Schat had trouble relatingto her older relatives. Schat is a former model who worked inNew York City, Los Angeles and Chicago, all before sheturned 20. She loves to see the world, write about it anddance to its rhythms. She found it hard to understand whereGrandma was coming from.Then she took a class.Schat, a junior writing & rhetoric major from Sheldon,Iowa, took Dr. Keith Fynaardt’s Writing the Farm course lastfall. While researching a final paper for the course, Schatlearned about a farm that has been in her family for 134years. Gerrit Nijkamp, Schat’s great-great-great-grandfather,emigrated from the Netherlands and was the first to settle afamily there. The acreage near Sioux Center is still beingfarmed today, though the original farmhouse, where littleBertie grew up, has not been occupied for over 20 years.A 1983 calendar, open to January, hangs in the smallkitchen of the dilapidated house, marking the time whenSchat’s great-grandfather Ralph Lammers was no longer ableto care for himself and was moved to the house of his daughterRuth. Most of his belongings—and those of his wife, Kate,who had died a few years before—were left in the house.Family members eventually cleaned out the valuables,and nature’s elements damaged what remained. Today rem-

Northwestern ClassicStudentprofilenants of once-active lives arestrewn throughout the house,which will be torn downlater this year: a Reader’sDigest from September 1949,letters, a knitting basket withyarn still bright.▼“It’s made poetrysomething that is moremeaningful to me.Before, it was just aclass, and then it becamea way to connect withother people, to formrelationships with otherpeople, to understandtheir perspectives.”▲Fingering dusty folds of dress, tarnished brass buttonsCatch in my palmLike they did in yours when you sewed them.A long row down the front,From modest neckline to modestHemline. The dusky purple imposing itselfupon the burgundy—colors you chose.Colors you stitched togetherto follow your shapeloosely.To lay against your livingBreathing body.He kept it here to remember you, he pressed itTo his cheek.He covered his face with it, pressing hard.So he couldn’t forgetThe way you smelledAnd your stout proportions. He ran his fingersAlong the seams“It was an eerie feeling,”Schat says of her first visit tothe house. “It took me quitea while to get over the feelingthat I was trespassing, lookingthrough their things.Eventually, I thought mygreat-grandfather would havereally appreciated me takingan interest in the history andwriting about it and trying topreserve some of it.”In the bedroom closet,Schat found a purple dresshanging next to a pair ofoveralls. Seeing those clothesmade the lives of her greatgrandparentstangible forSchat, who has modeled thefashions of top designerssuch as Oscar de la Rentaand who has vague childhoodmemories of her grandfather,sick and lying in abed, always in his overalls.She carefully boxed up theclothes, along with someother personal items, andhung them in her dormroom closet.Schat’s final paper forWriting the Farm becamepart memoir, part SiouxStanding here, rooted to the spotCounty history—a lovingtribute to her family’s heritageand her deep connectionto these people. Herfamily was happy to tell itsstories, Schat found, proudthat one of its own was askingabout them. Buoyed byfond memories, relatives celebratedThanksgiving andYour handiwork.The closet gapes blackLike a dying man.The last sigh of the house that now standsEmpty. Your dress.Christmas together for thefirst time in many years.When the ribbon-cutting ceremonyis held for a housethat’s nearing completion onthe homestead, they’ll gettogether for that too.“A lot of them are gettingolder, so I’m really luckyto be able to get their stories,23 ▲ Summer 2005

StudentprofileNorthwestern ClassicAleisa Schatbecause it’s getting to the point where those would be lost aswell,” Schat says. “It’s been cool to find a story in my ownfamily that’s worthy of writing about, worth preserving.”While piecing together her paper, Schat had anotherproject to consider. Professor Martin Cockroft asked his poetryclass to take their poems off the page and into a placewhere people can interact with them. Schat, a dance teamcaptain at Northwestern, initially tried to choreograph adance to her poetry. Then she had an idea.On what felt like the coldest day of December 2004,Schat took a handful of black magic markers and, with thepermission of Aunt Judy, who still lives on the homestead,wrote poetry on the farmhouse. The nine poems appear onthe outside of the house, the walls inside—even on the refrigerator.Schat didn’t expect her relatives to fully appreciate herpoetry, some of which had a literal connection to the farmand some of which simply fit the feel of the abandonedhousehold. She never guessed that her mother would takeher friends to see the poems, or that the Habit forHumanity workers building a house on the property wouldspend their coffee breaks reading the walls.“I’ve never had a project that’s had such an effect on mylife or other people’s lives before. I feel like it’s been a goodway to connect with my family but also a way to introducethem to the things I’m interested in. I don’t think they’reinterested in modern poetry,” Schat says with a laugh, thenadds, “or at least before they weren’t. This is a way they couldconnect something I’m interested in with their history, whichwe’re both interested in.“It’s made poetry something that is more meaningful tome. Before, it was just a class, and then it became a way toconnect with other people, to form relationships with otherpeople, to understand their perspectives.”Aleisa Schat has always made her own way in the world.Now, thanks to two assignments, she knows she has a connectionto a little girl who stayed in Sioux County, to awoman in a purple dress.As she writes in her paper’s introduction, “I have stumbledupon my family’s story, and I am in the process of makingit my own. I am in the process of giving myself a place.”

Summer study abroadNorthwestern ClassicOfcourseA Heart for RomaniaClass:Romanian Culture Through Experiential Pedagogy andService-LearningInstructor:Dave Nonnemacher, director of service learningDave Nonnemacher’s love affair with Romania began in1990. The revolution that toppled despot Nicolae Ceausescuopened the country to the rest of the world, and as newsspread of the tens of thousands of children abandoned inorphanages—many with HIV—the thought of Romania, hesays, passed over his heart.It wasn’t until 1999, however, that Nonnemacher’s interestturned to action. He was director of residence life at NWCwhen a woman adopting a Romanian child spoke in chapel.She introduced him to For God’s Children International(FGCI), a Christian ministry focusing on institutionalized childrenin Romania. Six months later, he joined one of the organization’smission teams on his first trip to Romania.Nonnemacher has returned to Romania and neighboringMoldova 10 times since then, either alone or on service projectswith FGCI, including one with members of the Northwesternbaseball team he coaches. This summer, however, hespent three weeks in Romania in a different kind of role:teaching Northwestern students through one of the college’ssummer study abroad courses.The class partnered with New Horizons Foundation, anorganization committed to providing a moral foundation forRomanian youth through experiential education. The studentsplanned and led a four-day adventure education experiencefor 25 Romanian teenagers.Group initiatives, rock climbing and a ropes coursetaught the youth trust and dependence in a country whereapathy, suspicion and opportunism are the norm. For theNorthwestern students, meanwhile, concepts covered in education,sociology, psychology and physical education classeswere put into practice and made real through the servicelearningcomponent of the course.More importantly, another generation was introduced tothe great needs that exist in Romania.Amanda Kirkpatrick, a junior art major from Story City,Iowa, was among the Northwestern students who participatedin the summer study abroad course. Like Nonnemacher, shehas long been interested in Romania. She remembers, as a 10-year-old, watching a television program about the country’sorphans and wanting to go to Romania.Northwestern students used rock climbing, a ropes course and other adventure educationexperiences to help teach Romanian youth values such as trust andcompassion for others.Now she has. It could be, like it was for Nonnemacher,that her initial visit will be the first of many and the beginningof a lifelong love affair.Reading list:Exit Into History: A Journey Through the New Eastern Europe byEva HoffmanBalkan Ghosts: A Journey Through History by Robert KaplanThe Orthodox Way by Bishop Kallistos WareArticles written by Vaclav Havel, Miroslav Volf and RobertPutnamIn addition to the above texts, students read books andarticles on adventure education and Romanian culture,including Adventure Programming and Lighting the Night:Revolution in Eastern Europe. They also viewed the DVD “Daysof the Miners: Life and Death of a Working Class Culture.”Assignments:A one-week pre-departure seminar introduced studentsto experiential learning, adventure education, social capitaldevelopment, and Romanian culture and language. Membersof the class lived with Romanian families and were required tokeep a journal, participate in three guided cultural observations,and write several papers.25 ▲ Summer 2005

AlumniprofileNorthwestern ClassicSerena HoltheAs a Washington, D.C., law student, Serena Holthe became family to Belinda and Martha. Belinda’s family lives off her mother’s $700-per-month disability check, andMartha’s apartment building is roach- and rat-infested. Holthe’s home was their “safe place.”Defendingby Tamara FynaardtDeadbeat DadsAttorney seeks to help divorced parents be a more stable force for their familiesRobert and his wife separated nearly a year ago. A constructionworker, he makes $6.50 per hour and often works overtime.His wife has custody of their three children. Robert’s child supportsettlement was recently set at $510 per month, and he was orderedto pay $1,250 in arrears (dating back to when his wife filed forsupport).Because he’s already behind, the child support enforcementagency is threatening to take away his driver’s license. Without hiscar, Robert might lose his job. His last paycheck already was lowerthan usual because he had to take several days off for court proceedings.Now he’s behind on his rent.*Deadbeat dad?“More like dead broke,” says Serena Holthe ’00, aMaryland Legal Aid Bureau lawyer who represents low-income,26 ▲ Summer 2005

Northwestern ClassicAlumniprofile▼“We’re talking aboutpeople who are trying tomake their payments, buttheir child support requirements—andsanctionswhen payments aren’tmade—are overwhelming.”▲noncustodial parents whosechild support obligationsare overwhelming and hinderingtheir ability to be astable presence in their children’slives.Holthe, who was bornand raised in Logan, Iowa,graduated at the top of herclass from the CatholicUniversity of America’s lawschool in May 2004. InDecember she was admittedto the bar.Her earning potential asa top new lawyer is about$125,000 per year, whichwould enable her to quicklypay off her loans and live inan upscale suburb. Insteadher new salary is less than athird of that, and she purposelylives in a smallupstairs apartment in a poor,multiracial neighborhood ofBaltimore.Holthe’s journey fromsmall-town Iowan to EastCoast urbanite began atNorthwestern under thementorship of Dr. BretKincaid, a former politicalscience professor who nowworks with the AmericanStudies Program of theCouncil for ChristianColleges & Universities inWashington, D.C.“When I came toNorthwestern, I was typical,”says Holthe, “not interestedin poverty or the city. Iwanted to go to law schooland become a SupremeCourt justice. Dr. Kincaidnever pushed me, but heasked all the right questions.I learned I had the ‘right andwrong’ part of justice, butnot the ‘compassion andmercy’ part.”After graduation Holthespent a mission year withCity Youth Ministries, anextension of her Summer ofService experience in Jonesboro,Ark. “That year madewhat I’d learned about thesystematic oppression of thepoor extremely real,” explainsHolthe, adding that the experiencereinforced her plans toattend law school. “Speakingup for those who don’t havea voice—that’s become thepurpose of my life,” she says.While in law school,Holthe lived in Esther Housein a poor, oftentimes dangerousneighborhood ofWashington, D.C. EstherHouse is a home forChristian women who investthemselves in the surroundingcommunity. Betweenclasses, studying and lawinternships, Holthe alsoserved as the volunteer youthdirector at her mostly blackchurch, growing the youthgroup from a handful of kidsto over 30 regular attendees.This past May, shemoved to Baltimore and theMaryland Legal Aid Bureau,which takes an innovativeapproach to low-income,noncustodial parents.“Child support needs tobe a support, not a sword,”says Holthe, who, with hercolleagues, is trying to combatthe assumption that everynoncustodial parent who’snot paying child support is adeadbeat dad. “Many are tryingto support their families,”she says, adding that sometimesit’s at the expense ofmeeting their own basicneeds like housing and food.“We’re talking aboutpeople who are trying tomake their payments,” saysHolthe, “but their child supportrequirements—andsanctions when paymentsaren’t made—are overwhelming.”And ultimately causingmore harm than good fortheir families.▼“That year made whatI’d learned about thesystematic oppressionof the poor extremelyreal. Speaking up forthose who don’t have avoice—that’s becomethe purpose of my life.”▲In addition to representingclients in court,Holthe’s job also includeschild support research,advocacy, outreach and educationwith communitygroups, homeless shelters,legislators and others.With her spare time,Holthe will continue herpassion for urban youthministry. In June she startedas part-time youth directorat a church across the streetfrom her apartment. Buildingon the current youth groupof five girls, Holthe talksexcitedly about using thechurch’s large building andgrounds as a Saturday gatheringplace—with sports,activities and gospel hiphop—forthe community’smany young people.Extraordinary woman?Not really, Holthe wouldsay. “At Northwestern, myeyes were opened more tounderstand God’s heart—especially for the poor,” shesays. “I think all Christiansare called to serve the poor. IfGod blesses you, you’ve gotto turn around and blesssomeone else.”*Although Robert is a fictionalcharacter, the details ofhis story were drawn from thecases of real clients Holthe andthe Legal Aid Bureau represent.To read more about Holthe’s legal andvolunteer work with inner-city families, visitwww.nwciowa.edu/serenaholthe.Serena Holthe27 ▲ Summer 2005

SportsupdateNorthwestern ClassicGo Big RedSpringsportsat regionals.• TJ Korver (sophomore,Orange City) was named tothe all-conference team.Aaron Aberson (junior,Orange City) earned honorablemention.Nick Fynaardt (sophomore,New Sharon, Iowa) finishedeighth in that eventwith a 51-04.25 toss.• The men’s team placed fifthat the conference meet; thewomen placed eighth.Women’s golf• Won the WaldorfInvitational and finishedthird at the NorthwesternInvitational.Andrew Ortmeier was named GPACoutdoor track male athlete of the yearand top male performer at the leaguemeet after setting a conference recordof 213-07 in the javelin, winning thediscus and placing third in the shotput. At the Sioux City Relays, he wonthe shot put and discus, placed secondin the javelin and finished sixth in thehammer throw.Baseball• Finished 13-33 overall and7-17 in Great PlainsAthletic Conference(GPAC) play.• Codie Zeutenhorst (freshman,Maurice, Iowa)earned NAIA national playerof the week honors onApril 13 after hitting at a.650 clip, including fourhome runs and three doubles.He drove in 19 runs asNWC won five of six games.• Dietrich Jache (senior, SanDiego), the Raiders’ all-timeleader in doubles and runner-upin hits, earned firstteam all-conference honors.Zeutenhorst and RyanFisher (sophomore, Star,Idaho) earned honorablemention.Men’s golf• Tied for fifth at the conferencemeet and placed ninthSoftball• Finished with a 37-20record and placed third inthe GPAC with a 15-9mark.• Briefly ranked in the top 25nationally.• Stacy Friedrichsen (senior,Holstein, Iowa) earnedregional and conferencepitcher of the year honors.Ashley Ratliff (junior,Anaheim, Calif.) andCristin Vander Weerdt(senior, Prairie City, Iowa)joined her on the GPACfirst team. Megan McHugh(sophomore, MissouriValley, Iowa) and LizzSwanson (freshman,Urbandale, Iowa) werenamed to the second team.Brandi Redel (sophomore,Red Oak, Iowa) earnedhonorable mention.• Ratliff, a first baseman, seta school record with 1,221career putouts.• McHugh pitched a no-hitterin an 8-0 victory overMt. Marty.• Friedrichsen earned GPACpitcher of the week honors.Track and field• Ten Raiders competed atthe NAIA national outdoormeet. Andrew Ortmeier(junior, Osmond, Neb.)placed sixth in the shot putwith a throw of 52-05.25.Raiders appointtwo coachesKyle Van Den Bosch has been named headvolleyball coach and Matt McCarty ’03 hasbeen named defensive coordinator for football.Van Den Bosch replaces former headcoach Mike Meyer ’79, who was at the helmfor 16 years. The new coach will take over aprogram that went 21-10 last season andKyle Van Den Bosch qualified for the NAIA regional tournament.“We are very excited to have Kyle join ourstaff,” says Athletic Director Barry Brandt. “Heis a very gifted volleyball coach who will provideexcellent leadership for our program.”Van Den Bosch served most recently asthe junior varsity coach at MOC-Floyd ValleyHigh School in Orange City, where he led hissquad to a 20-2 tally. Previously, he was theMatt McCartyhead volleyball coach at Calvin ChristianSchool in Escondido, Calif., for six years. In 2000, his teamfinished in the final four in the state tournament, and Van DenBosch earned coach of the year honors.He also served as head volleyball coach at WesternChristian High School in Hull, Iowa, in 1997 and twice as anassistant coach at Dordt College.McCarty replaces former defensive coordinator JoshBolluyt ’99, who held the position for four years. McCarty willtake over a defense that led the NAIA in several categories lastseason.“We are pleased to have Matt join our staff,” says Brandt.“His presence will help ensure our commitment to providingquality leadership for the young men who are part of theNorthwestern football program. Matt will be an excellentcoach and recruiter.”McCarty taught and coached in the Okoboji (Iowa)School District last year, serving as assistant varsity footballcoach with primary duties for the defense.A four-year letterman as a defensive back for the Raiders,McCarty was a three-time all-GPAC selection. He earnedNAIA honorable mention honors his senior year.28 ▲ Summer 2005

Tonya Van PeursemNorthwestern ClassicAlumninewsVan Peursem takes reinsas alumni board presidentOriginally from Platte, S.D., Tonya Van Peursem works as a learning and developmentconsultant for Wells Fargo Education Financial Services in Sioux Falls andrecently completed an M.B.A.A four-year member ofthe National Alumni Board,Tonya Van Peursem ’94became president inFebruary. She views herinvolvement as a way toreconnect with Northwestern.Describe your experienceas a Northwestern student.My time at Northwestern wasa time of growth. I definitelygrew spiritually—throughclasses, Bible study and theinfluence of other people. Iexpanded my view of Godand deepened my personalrelationship with him. I alsogrew in relationships withpeople, learning to get alongwith others in all sorts ofcontexts. Academically,Northwestern gave me agood foundation. And Igained confidence in myself.What have you enjoyedmost about your involvementwith the alumniboard?It’s been awesome to be oncampus and connect with thestudents. There are so manyexciting things happening—the quality of teaching, thefaith community. I went toPraise and Worship when Iwas there for the board meeting.When I was a student,there was a small group ofpeople in the choir room forPraise and Worship. To seethe chapel filled with studentspraising God was socool, because it’s voluntary!What are some of yourgoals as National AlumniBoard president?I want to make sure theboard is effective and doingall we can to support what’sgoing on at Northwestern.We also want to bring morealumni to campus to talkabout their careers and toencourage students in theirgoals. In the end, we want tofind more ways to connectalumni with the campus andwith each other.What can alumni do to getmore involved in the life ofNWC and with the AlumniAssociation?Visit the website and sign upfor Net News, the alumni e-newsletter, to learn what ishappening on campus. If youare close enough, attendevents, including reunionsand the Gala Auction. If youlive farther away, you canplan or participate in alumnigatherings in your area.Then, send us a photo ofyour event. There are gatheringsof Northwestern alumniand friends all over the country,and we’d love to hearabout them!29 ▲ Summer 2005

AlumninewsNorthwestern ClassicClass notesAlumnicornerKaren Woudstra’79, Director ofAlumni and ParentRelationsI can remember four short years ago whenI hardly knew anything about using computers.I was teaching kindergartners andcouldn’t remember how to e-mail my lunchcount to the secretary!By comparison, my 14-year-old daughter,Jenna, is a natural on the computer, creatingPowerPoint presentations for school, instantmessaging her friends, designing greetingcards and more.Then there’s Brady, a sophomore here atNorthwestern who is working toward a computer scienceand math degree. For Christmas he gave me Mom’s How-toComputer Manual. What a practical and great gift! Now I’mnot calling him at school as often to say, “Help!”When I took the alumni director position at Northwestern,I knew I was in for a very stretching, learning andgrowing time in my life. I was nervous, wondering if I couldlearn everything I needed to know about using a computer todo so much of my job. What I found out is you learn whatyou need to learn, to do what you want to do! Life is full ofnew challenges, but if you have a willing spirit to learn,experiment and try to figure things out, it’s amazing what willhappen. After all, isn’t lifelong learning what Northwesternhopes to instill in us?Northwestern recently launched a brand new website.Even I can navigate it easily and find whatever informationI’m looking for—and then some. The new site will fill you inon what’s happening and enable you to update your alumniinformation, find classmates, and learn about reunions andother alumni gatherings on campus and around the U.S. Itwill give you a complete picture of Northwestern Collegetoday.If you have a computer with Internet access (andwhether you’re a novice like me or a whiz like my kids),check it out: www.nwciowa.edu.And after you check it out, tell your friends or anyprospective students to take a peek too, because Northwesternoffers a high-quality education that combines faith with learning—andwe want more people to know about it. We alsowant to make sure no one misses out on staying in touch withNorthwestern, so visit the site regularly for NWC news and toshare what’s happening in your life. See you in cyberspace (Ilearned that word just for this article).DeathsHenry De Groot ’34, ’36, age 89, diedon March 27 at Sioux CenterCommunity Hospital. He graduatedfrom Nettleton Business Collegeand worked as an accountant inSioux Falls before serving in theArmy during World War II. Afterearning a bachelor’s degree at theUniversity of Sioux Falls (USF), hecompleted an M.B.A. at theUniversity of South Dakota andbecame a certified public accountant.He taught business at USF forseven years before starting DordtCollege’s business administrationdepartment. He retired from Dordtin 1982. He was an active memberof Covenant Christian ReformedChurch in Sioux Center. Amonghis survivors are a son and twodaughters.Bob Bonnecroy ’38, age 83, died onMay 2 at Orange City HealthSystem. He farmed south of OrangeCity and also worked in shipping atDiamond Vogel Paints. He served onthe board of directors of the OrangeCity Creamery and as regional vicepresident for American MilkProducers Inc. A member of FirstReformed Church, he served as anelder and deacon and taught catechismand Sunday school. An avidhorseman, he belonged to the SabreSaddle Club. He is survived by fourchildren, including Mary Coulter ’70and Kathy Meendering ’73.Herman Eppink ’38, age 86, diedApril 30 in Danville, Ill. He graduatedfrom Iowa State University andserved in World War II beforeworking for 42 years as a researchengineer for Caterpillar Inc. He wasa member of St. Mark’s LutheranChurch in Washington, Ill. Amonghis survivors are two daughters.Phyllis (Mulder ’45) De Haan, 78,died at her home in Holland, Mich.,on Feb. 16. She was employed atHolland Motor Express for 15 yearsuntil her retirement, and she servedas a deacon at Third ReformedChurch. Her survivors include adaughter and a son.Bill Schol ’52, age 72, died Jan. 25in a Sioux City hospital following atraffic accident. After serving in themilitary, he worked in Sioux City asan office manager for CIT FinancialCorp., an assistant vice presidentfor Home Federal Savings andLoan, and a district manager for theSioux City Journal. He graduatedfrom the University of WashingtonSchool for Executive Developmentand the American Savings and LoanInstitute. An advisory board memberof the Iowa College AidCommission, he was a leader in theBoy Scouts and a former presidentof the Noon Lions Club. He wasnamed a Melvin Jones Fellow, thehighest honor conferred by theLions Club InternationalFoundation. Active at MorningsideAssembly of God Church, hehelped organize mission trips toMexico. He is survived by his wife,Blanche, and two sons.Galen De Valois ’53, age 71, diedfrom an aneurysm on Nov. 14 at hishome in Colorado Springs, Colo.He earned a degree in agronomy atIowa State University. Followingtwo years of Army service, heworked as a county extension directorfor some 30 years, retiring in1990 in Jefferson, Iowa. He alsoearned a master’s degree in adulteducation from Iowa State. Followinghis retirement, Galen and his wife,Marilyn (Lyon ’54), moved to Dallas,where they attended Christ for theNations Institute and later participatedin various mission projects.They also served as house parentsfor many of the women students atChrist for the Nations, and Galendirected campus maintenance forfour years. Marilyn died of cancerin 2001. Upon attending his 50threunion, Galen became reacquaintedwith Nelva (Keunen ’51, ’53) VanZyl, and they were married lastJune. In addition to Nelva, he issurvived by four children, includingDebra ’82, Karen Michaelson ’88 andDave ’89; three stepchildren, includingScott Van Zyl ’78; and a brother,Roger ’45, ’47.30 ▲ Summer 2005

Class notesNorthwestern ClassicAlumninewsLaura (De Blauw ’58, ’60, ’61)Vermeer, age 63, died at a hospicein Des Moines on May 3 followinga battle with cancer. She taught elementaryschool in Tipton, Iowa;Orange City; and Sioux Center,retiring in 2002. An avid traveler,she also sang frequently in churchand acted in community theatreproductions. Among her survivorsare two sons and four sisters,including Elinor Noteboom ’49, ’73.’49The Rev. Dr. C. Orville Kool, OrangeCity, is serving in an interim ministryfor the First PresbyterianChurch of Paullina, Iowa.’62Eleanor Blankers representedSheldon, Iowa, as the 2004 PrairieQueen.’64Roger Wyngarden, Constantine,Mich., praises the Lord for goodhealth after being diagnosed withcancer five years ago and undergoingnearly 20 treatments.’68Jo Ann Vander Wilt received anOutstanding Educator Award lastfall. She teaches special kindergartenin the Granite School Districtin Salt Lake City, where she willbegin her 30th year this fall.’69Tom Menning retired as chief of theAlbert Lea (Minn.) Police Departmentin March. He served thedepartment for 30 years and waschief the last 10.Dr. Jim Vander Velde serves as thedevelopment director for the city ofRock Valley, Iowa. He has beeninvolved in economic developmentsince 1986. He also is an adjunctprofessor at Northwest IowaCommunity College. His wife,Gracia (Wynia), is the home healthoffice manager for Hegg HealthJunior college and academy alumni from the class of 1955 enjoying their reunion in May were (front row, left to right): RussVande Steeg, Sharon Vande Steeg, Anna Schaap, Norman Schaap, Di Murphy, President Bruce Murphy, Carole (Heemstra)Kempema (academy), Don Kempema, Henrietta Van Maanen; (second row) Bill Muilenburg, Shirley (Van Putten) Muilenburg,Kathleen Ludens ’89, Jim Ludens, Connie Duistermars, Verle Duistermars, Arlene (Roos) Lubbers, Charles Lubbers, Lila (Top’56) Netten, Al Netten; (third row) Marlin Vander Wilt, Judy Vander Wilt, Joyce (Wolbrink) Van Gorp, Bill Van Gorp, Aletha(Symens) Prouty, Eva (Van Drie) Schutte, Arda (Schroedermeier) Hoffman, Harriet (Moss) Boote, Rouletta (Van Pykeren)Verbrugge, Nick Verbrugge; (fourth row) Dwight Blankers, Mildred (Horn) Blankers, Irma Beukelman, Eldon Beukelman,LaDonna (Van Klompenburg) Huisman, Carol (Veencamp) Bastemeyer, Norm Bastemeyer ’51, Myrna (Harberts) Ver Hoefand Lyle Ver Hoef ’54.Center. The Vander Veldes celebratedtheir 35th anniversary lastAugust.’70Mary (Bonnecroy) Coulter teachesEnglish as a second language at RiceUniversity in Houston.’72Dan Te Grotenhuis was namedOutstanding Administrator of theYear by the Indiana CounselingAssociation in February. He is principalat Tzouanakis IntermediateSchool in Greencastle, Ind.’73John Vande Weerd was named theArea Education Agency FourMiddle School Principal of the Yearfor 2005 and was one of three finalistsfor the state award. He is in hissixth year as principal at MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School inAlton, Iowa. He previously was aprincipal, teacher and coach atAurelia Community School, and healso taught and coached at Durantand Harris-Lake Park.Cornie Wassink was inducted intothe Northwest Iowa Coaches andOfficials Hall of Fame in April.Northwestern’s director of plannedgiving, he has officiated football andtrack for 35 years. He also previouslyofficiated six other sports.’74Doug Van Meeteren was recentlyelected to the board of directors ofPrimebank, where he serves as chiefoperating officer. Doug has beenemployed with the bank, which hasoffices in Sioux Center and Le Mars,since 1981. He and his wife, Jan,live in Sioux Center.’75Pete Visser is now employed byWinnebago Industries in ForestCity, Iowa, as safety manager. Heworked the last 14 years as the safety,health and environment coordinatorfor Midwest Industries in IdaGrove, Iowa.The Rev. Paul Wernlund celebratedthe 25th anniversary of his ordinationin January. He has served for20 years at Trinity Church in BrownDeer, Wis. He also is one of the firstfour chaplains for the Brown DeerPolice Department.’78Nita (Bloemendaal) Savage hasmoved from Chicago to New YorkCity, where she works as vice presidentof finance for Delphi FinancialGroup, which owns several insurancecompanies and other financialservices firms.’81Curt Busch has been hired as principalat Central Lyon High School inRock Rapids, Iowa. He served asprincipal at Fairmont (Minn.) HighSchool the last seven years.31 ▲ Summer 2005

AlumninewsNorthwestern ClassicClass notesMiniprofileReal, relaxedby Emily Hennager ’06When Rev. DarrinKimpson ’94 preaches onSunday mornings, he looksout on people seated atround tables instead of pews,and when he asks the audiencea question, he expectspeople to shout out answers.At Papio Creek Church,a two-year-old church planton the south side of Omaha,Neb., this nontraditionalapproach to church is part oftheir goal to take the gospelto people who are unfamiliaror uncomfortable withchurch.“From the beginning,our vision has been that wewould be relevant to nonchurchedpeople,” saysKimpson. “We want peopleto feel relaxed, not awkward.Here you’re not condemnedfor getting up for a refill ofcoffee in the middle of theservice.”The casual atmosphere,aimed at making church lessintimidating and drawingnewcomers, is working.From the 12 families thathelped start the church, ithas now grown to about 140people.“God is constantlybringing us people withheavy burdens,” Kimpsonsays. “We walk alongsidepeople and show them we allcarry baggage, but we cangive it to Jesus and let himcarry it.”The process of buildingthese relationships is whatmade Kimpson want to gointo full-time ministry.Though he graduated fromNorthwestern with a degreein communications, it wasn’tuntil he returned to the collegeas a resident directorthat he felt God calling himinto ministry. But it was hisclasses at North AmericanBaptist Seminary that gothim interested specifically inchurch planting.His wife, Pam (Brinks’97), who also graduatedfrom NWC and seminary,shares his passion for thechurch and is involved in thechildren’s ministry and leadingworship, in addition tocaring for their daughters,Brooke, 4, and Maria, 1.“We’re real people in aDarrin Kimpson leads a growing Reformed Church in America church plant in theOmaha area with a nontraditional approach to reaching people for Christ.relaxed environment,”Kimpson says when describingthe church. “We’re justlike everyone else; we justhappen to be in love with ahigher power.”’82Michael Swanson will begin classesthis fall as a graduate student in theUniversity of Michigan’s School ofInformation. He plans to become anarchivist or a historical or genealogicallibrarian. In June, he gave apresentation on the history of theDutch in Whiteside County, Illinois,at the biennial conference of theAssociation for the Advancement ofDutch-American Studies, held atDordt College.’84Don Bacon has been promoted tocolonel in the United States AirForce. He serves at Air Force headquartersin Washington, D.C.Cindy Simmons, Richland, Wash.,works for Bechtel National Inc.,which has a government contract tobuild treatment plants for convertingnuclear waste into glass for finalburial. She served as a missionarywith TEAM (The EvangelicalAlliance Mission) in Prague, CzechRepublic, from 1998 to 2002.’85The Rev. Donovan Drake, Durham,N.C., received a Doctor of Ministrydegree from Chicago’s McCormickTheological Seminary in May.32 ▲ Summer 2005

Class notesNorthwestern ClassicAlumninews’86Trudie (Garwood) Van Horn and herhusband, Alan, ranch near Page,Neb. In recent years, they havebegun an outfitting business aswell, offering guided hunts andlodging at their ranch. Van HornRanch and Outfitters was featuredon ESPN II’s “Dodge OutfittersAlmanac.” Trudie home-schools andhas recently resumed part-timeannouncing at KGRD-FM, aChristian radio station. They havefour children: Lane (14), Erin (11),Linzie (9) and Merit (5).’87Jeff Herzberg began his new positionas superintendent of the Sibley-Ocheyedan (Iowa) School Districtin July. He served as principal atIowa Falls High School for the lastsix years. He and his wife, Wendy(Stonehocker ’89), have six children:Spencer (18), Tucker (11), Ellie (9),Cloie (6), and twins Gabbie andSophie (4).Brian Lenderink has joinedMEDTEC in Orange City as vicepresident of operations. He previouslyserved as the corporate developmentmanager for PSI Internationalin Fairfax, Va.editor at the Clinton Herald beat outwriters from the Des Moines Registerand Cedar Rapids Gazette for tophonors. Ted’s article featured a studentat The Franciscan Universitywho ran cross country despite battlingthe effects of cerebral palsy.’91Kelly Bass Brown was recentlyappointed as state secretary of theWyoming Jaycees and as presidentof the Jackson chapter. A customerservice representative for the JacksonHole News and Guide for the last fiveyears, she lives just outside ofJackson with her husband, Carl,and their two cats.Bob Lorence is working as an assistantprincipal at an elementaryschool in Umatilla, Ore.’92Israel Jacob was honored by BankInvestment Consultant Magazine asone of the top 25 investment representativesof 2004. A financial plannerat People’s Bank in Lynden,Wash., since 1997, he also recentlyearned his certified financial plannerdesignation. His wife, Julie (VanderPloeg), is an R.N. who is a stay-athomemom for their children,Lucas, Shelby, Izzabel and Ian.’93Dr. Corey Harthoorn and his wife,Sharon (Davidson ’94), have been inMalawi, Africa, since August. Theyare undergoing language study andpreparing for medical missionswork along with their four children.Pam Hendel, Crystal, Minn., is theassociate director of HuntingtonLearning Center. She also serves asyouth director at Parkway UnitedChurch of Christ.Dave Risius works as a home healthphysical therapist for Baptist HomeHealth Network in Little Rock, Ark.His wife, Christy, is a stay-at-homemom.Mark Vander Zwaag works for the LeMars Insurance Co. as a personaland farm lines underwriter for Iowaand Oklahoma. His wife, Jodi(Brooks ’98), is a sales coordinatorfor American Identity. They live inOrange City.’94Chad Brenneman, Burlington, Iowa,was recently named vice presidentof marketing and sales at Pro/DataPayroll Services, a regional payrollservice provider serving easternIowa and west-central Illinois. Hehas been with the company for nineyears. His wife, Abbey, stays athome with their three children.Chad Jacobsen serves as director ofyouth ministry at First PresbyterianChurch in La Crosse, Wis. In thesummer of 2003, he rode his bicycleacross the country in memory ofhis dad, who died of a heart attackon Chad’s birthday two years earlierafter riding 128 miles with him.’88Steve Grond is the new superintendentof the Boyden-Hull (Iowa)School District. He served as principalat Madison (S.D.) High Schoolthe last three years.The Rev. Bob Rook now serves aspastor of Peace Reformed Church inSioux City, Iowa. He previouslyministered at Haven ReformedChurch in Hamilton, Mich., for 11years. He and his wife, Holli(Hayunga ’87), live in Sergeant Bluffwith their three children: Devon(14), Micah (11) and Taylor (7).Ted Schultz recently earned firstplace honors from the IowaNewspaper Association for “BestSports Story” among the state’slargest daily newspapers. The sports2005 National Alumni BoardMembers of Northwestern’s National Alumni Board include (counterclockwise from top right): Dave Hughes ’86, Sherri (VanDer Vliet ’82) Koerselman, Laurie (Wipperling ’92) Van Engelenhoven, Dean Koele ’83, Dana (Smith ’93) Daniels, Karen(Hop ’74) Van Der Maaten, Dave Dunkelberger ’85, Brian Draayer ’91, Perry Krosschell ’87, Steve Van Gorp ’96, Evonne(Vander Wilt ’82) Blankers, Karen (De Boer ’79) Woudstra, Tonya Van Peursem ’94, Jennifer (Van Der Werff ’89) Zora, ToddVan Wechel ’86, Cheri (Block ’77) Meyn, Dan Van Beek ’92, Marilyn (Tjeerdsma ’78) Feekes, Dawn Huibregtse ’98, Nancy(Walhof ’87) Landhuis, Laura (Katt ’79) Lubach and Darren Kleis ’92. Not pictured are Sharla (Vander Wilt ’83) Clemens,Curt Mastbergen ’84 and Clark Scholten ’87.33 ▲ Summer 2005

AlumninewsNorthwestern ClassicClass notes’95Giovy Carnet serves on the board ofdirectors for the Iowa Interpretersand Translators Association. Shealso is pursuing certification tobecome an official interpreter forstate courts.Dave Haverdink works as an engineerfor Jacobs Civil Inc. in St.Louis.Albert Okine, Orange City, has completedhis first year of study in thephysician assistant program at theUniversity of South Dakota Schoolof Medicine.Todd Schuiteman serves as directorof corporate finance for QualityLiving Inc. in Omaha. His wife, Deb(Bandstra ’96), is a performance anddevelopment consultant forPhysicians Mutual.Dawn (Van Den Berg) Van DenBosch and her husband, Kyle,moved to Orange City last summerafter living in California for nineyears. Kyle taught physical educationin the MOC-Floyd ValleySchool District and served as anassistant coach in volleyball andbasketball this past year. He wasnamed Northwestern’s head volleyballcoach this winter. Dawn is astay-at-home mom and a consultantfor Southern Living at HOME.Susan (Van Rees) Van Geest works asan associate professor of art atDordt College. Her husband, Fred,is an associate professor of politicaland environmental studies at Dordt.They have a daughter, Julia (1).Jeff Wright has been practicing lawwith the Heidman Law Firm inSioux City since 1998. He became apartner in 2004. His wife, Ann(Pelzer ’96), stays at home with theirtwo sons, Jackson (6) and Daniel(3), after running an in-home daycarefor five years.’96Dr. Elise (Rens) Binsfeld, Blaine,Minn., works part time as a familypractice physician with the ColumbiaPark Medical Group in Fridley.Karla (Ploeger) Geyer, Clarence,Iowa, serves as an accountant forthe Davenport Community SchoolDistrict. Her husband, Tim, is thetechnology coordinator for theNorth Cedar Community SchoolDistrict. They have a son, Luke (1).Alumni: What’s new with you?Kim (Krosch) Rieck, Hartley, Iowa,graduated in May with a master’sdegree in health care administrationfrom the University of SouthDakota. She serves as director oflaboratory/ancillary services atSpencer Family Care-Avera Health.She and her husband, Brent ’95,have three children: Jaylin (8),Kenna (6) and Kyler (5).Jenifer (Simm) Van Noord and herhusband, Kurt, have moved toGrand Haven, Mich., where Kurtserves as youth director at theChristian Reformed ConferenceGrounds. They have a son, Blaze (1).’97Jackie (Hueser) Budden teaches secondgrade in the Newton (Iowa)Community School District. Shepreviously taught special education.Brad Schelling is the director ofyouth ministries at First ReformedChurch in Sioux Falls.Deb Schleusener is working withInternational Students Inc. (ISI) atthe University of Washington inSeattle. Through ISI, she is helpinginternational students practice theirEnglish and learn about AmericanLet us know so we can tell your friends and classmates. Send to: Office of PublicRelations, Northwestern College, 101 7th St. SW, Orange City, IA 51041. Or e-mail tobeeson@nwciowa.edu; fax number is 712-707-7370. Deadline for the fall Classic isAug. 2.culture, while she shares Christwith them through friendship evangelism.The Rev. Derek Vande Slunt hasaccepted a call as pastor ofInterlaken (N.Y.) Reformed Church.He previously served at Owasco(N.Y.) Reformed Church. He andhis wife, Tina (Jackson), have a son,Noah.’98Mark Andersen graduated with anM.Div. degree from Western TheologicalSeminary in May. He nowserves as the pastor at Herkimer(N.Y.) Reformed Church.Sara Veldhuizen Stealy is a marketingassociate for RSM McGladreyInc. in Raleigh, N.C.Jon Wester, Victorville, Calif., teachesseventh grade mathematics andphysical education for the SnowlineSchool District.Amber (Soldan) Widstrom and herfamily recently moved to Omaha,where she continues to work as aphysician assistant in the Pulmonaryand Sleep Medicine Departmentat the University of NebraskaMedical Center.’99Allyson (Vander Zwaag) Braaschgraduated in May from theUniversity of Nebraska MedicalCenter in Omaha. She will do herresidency in internal medicine-anesthesiologythere.Name _________________________________________________________________Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Home phone ________________________________________ Class of ____________E-mail ________________________________________________________________Current employer(s)______________________________________________________Nathan Johnson has joined hiswife, Lori, on staff with CampusCrusade for Christ. They live inMadison, Wis.Nathan Kroesche is a supervisor atthe Minnehaha Juvenile DetentionCenter in Sioux Falls.Jill (Schreurs) Schillerberg has beenan officer with the Omaha PoliceDepartment for the past five years.34 ▲ Summer 2005

Class notesNorthwestern ClassicAlumninewsMiniprofileRescue by alumgains nationalmedia attentionby Amy ScheerAs a resident assistant at Northwestern, Craig Dalen ’03and the men of Colenbrander Hall would spend eveningstogether on the dorm floor, hashing out the day’s learning.Lifelong friendships began on those floors, says Dalen,and much of his education happened there, outside of theclassroom.Now a resident director at Messiah College inPennsylvania, the Mission Viejo, Calif., native has kept hispreferred pedagogical style, and one project has gainednational attention.Dalen and Messiah student Jordan Windholz planned a60-mile, six-day spring break hike through Great SmokyMountains National Park, located in western North Carolinaand eastern Tennessee, to build the bond of the men whowork under Dalen in residence life.“It was a time to grow in friendships and learn from oneanother,” Dalen says.The second day into their March trek, the group of sixmen had to scale back their goals due to especially cold andicy conditions. They took a break at a shelter on theAppalachian Trail.Four other men were occupying the shelter. One of themwas shivering uncontrollably.Matthew Schultz, a freshman from North Carolina StateUniversity, was shaking and slurring his speech. He had troubleremembering his birth date. His fellow hikers hadn’t recognizedthe classic signs of hypothermia.The Messiah group fed Schultz hot liquids and kept himwarm while observing the others for symptoms.After stabilizing Schultz, Dalen and fellow Messiah residentdirector Ryan Wilson set out for the nearest ranger’s station,which was 12 miles away with some tricky river crossingsand steep inclines in between. Six hours later, they foundCraig Dalen (front) and fellow Messiah College resident director Ryan Wilson wereinvolved in the rescue of a hypothermic hiker on the Appalachian Trail.the station unmanned, but soon saw a ridge runner’s housenearby. The runner, who maintains the trails, radioed forhelp.Park rangers determined that Schultz was receiving goodcare and decided not to go out after nightfall under the dangerousconditions. Dalen and Wilson stayed at the house,while their friends wondered what had happened to them.The rangers arrived at 7 the next morning to find Schultzpink-skinned and running a normal temperature. Too weakto hike, he was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Meanwhile, theMessiah group was reunited with hugs and sighs of relief.In the weeks following the rescue, the groups haveexchanged emotional e-mails and letters. “The letter thatMatt’s mom wrote brought tears to our eyes; she showed a lotof gratitude and emotion. It was the first time [I realized] howlarge this was, how this impacted many people,” says Dalen.USA Today, the Philadelphia Inquirer and regional newspapersran articles on the rescue. The Weather Channel showedvideo footage, and CNN mentioned it. The group is surprisedat the national attention.“We thought we were going up to the mountain for ourselves,but it seemed like we were there for a different reason,”says Dalen.Jason Sniff recently earned a master’sdegree in educational psychology(counseling) at Baylor University.He serves as the associate directorof residence life at ColoradoChristian University and also worksin the campus counseling center.’00Nancy (TerHorst) Dickmann worksas the marketing/public relationsdirector for Hegg Memorial HealthCenter in Rock Valley, Iowa. Herhusband, Justin, is a John Deeretechnician with Stueven Repair.Chad Fikse graduated from PalmerCollege of Chiropractic in October2003 and opened Fikse Chiropracticin Sully, Iowa, a month later.Emily Gosselink is the associatedean of students at CovenantCollege in Lookout Mountain, Ga.Kevin Noffsinger graduated withhonors from Logan College ofChiropractic in 2003. He opened achiropractic office, New HopeFamily Chiropractic and Rehab,with his wife last fall in Denver.35 ▲ Summer 2005

AlumninewsNorthwestern ClassicClass notesPlanned givingnotesCornie Wassink ’73Director of PlannedGivingHow to help your lawyer—and yourselfBefore meeting with your attorney about your estate plan, you can dosome things to save time and money. Here are four tips:1. Prepare an inventory of your estate.Since your estate plan will essentially direct the transfer of your assets atdeath, you should compile a list of all your holdings and obligations. Whatdo you own? How much is it worth? Where is it located? How are the variousassets owned (jointly, separately, etc.)? List any memberships (countryclub, time-shares, etc.). What are the beneficiary designations on your bank,brokerage and retirement accounts, and your insurance policies? How much do you owe andto whom?This will take some time and force you to get all your records in order. But the processwill be instructive and save you time when you meet with your attorney. It’s easy to overlooksome assets, so be as thorough as possible.2. Select key people you want to involve.Who do you want to oversee the probating of your estate (i.e., be your personal representative)?Who do you want to serve as the trustee of any trusts created by your will? Whodo you want to be the guardians of any minor children? And don’t forget about your powerof-attorneyand health care documents.You will need not only primary names, but also back-ups in case your first choices areunable or unwilling to serve. If possible, have two additional names for each position.Making these arrangements before visiting your attorney will make things much easier.3. Decide what to give family members.This can be one of the most difficult parts of the whole process. Indeed, some peopleendlessly delay making a will because this step is either too perplexing or painful.There are many issues to consider. Too much inheritance may stifle personal initiativeand feelings of self-worth. One child may be careless with money, another disciplined. Onemay have physical needs that require extra assistance. One may be self-sufficient, anotherfinancially strapped. How much is too much? How little is too little?You might want to discuss this subject with a trusted friend or personal adviser.Remember, you can always change your mind later. The important thing is to at least get aplan in place for now.4. Determine your charitable bequests.Which organization(s) do you want to support with gifts from your estate? Of course, weat Northwestern College hope you will include us in your plans. Your estate gift will make adifference and help us continue training students for lives of purpose in God’s kingdom.You should also consider supporting your church with a bequest. If designed properly, yourbequest can enhance the church’s ministry while avoiding a negative impact on weekly giving.A charitable giving component to your estate plan can have significant meaning to yoursurvivors and communicate your values in a powerful way. It can also help you establish alegacy that will outlive your children and grandchildren.I am available to help you integrate your giving goals with your overall estate planand prepare for a visit with your attorney. You can reach me at 712-707-7109 orcwassink@nwciowa.edu.Dawn (Pulscher) Olijnek lives inNorfolk, England, and works as afamily life educator for the U.S. AirForce. Her husband, Matt, is an AirForce captain who is supportingOperation Iraqi Freedom in thePersian Gulf.John Paul Sundararajan has beenappointed as a Reformed Church inAmerica missionary, working as theIndia-Asia director for AudioScripture Ministries. He continuesto serve as director of teen ministriesat Montello Park Church inHolland, Mich.Rachel (See) Valentine works ascoordinator of Dordt College’s SafeCampus Project, which seeks toprevent violent or threatening interactionsagainst women; supportthem in dealing with unwantedinteractions; and establish policiesand procedures relating to awareness,prevention and support servicesfor women. Rachel earned amaster’s degree in counseling psychologyat Trinity InternationalUniversity and most recentlyworked as a quality assurance specialistat Hewitt Associates inLincolnshire, Ill.’01Susan Blom, costumer in the DordtCollege theatre department,received a regional Kennedy CenterAmerican College Theatre Festivalaward this January for her costumedesigns for The Greeks: The Murders.Erin (Johnson) Cox graduated inMay with a master’s degree in collegestudent affairs from AzusaPacific University. She works as aresident director at WilliamJessup University in Rocklin,Calif., and is also in charge ofmuch of the programming fornew student orientation.Justin De Jong continues to live inChicago and recently accepted anew position as communicationsmanager for the state of Illinois,supporting media relations for thestate’s economic development36 ▲ Summer 2005

Northwestern ClassicAlumninewsdepartment. In his spare time, hestays active in the state’s politicalscene, including recent work tosupport the election of SenatorBarack Obama.Beth (Holznagel) Hautala and herhusband, Aaron, are in their secondyear of business ownership, operatingRedHouseMedia, an advertising/marketingagency and custompublishing house. They own a historicalhome in Brainerd, Minn.Beth sends a warm hello to the DeKoffie Boon crowd and theHeemstra Frisbee men.’02Beth (Aalbers) Baca earned a Masterof Social Work degree from theUniversity of Kansas and is nowworking for the university’sDepartment of Aging and Elderly.Paul Knudson earned a master’sdegree in sociology from theUniversity of North Dakota thisspring. He will enter a doctoral programin sociology at the StateUniversity of New York at Albanythis fall.George Kockler left the athleticenhancement field in 2004 to pursuea career in venture capitalinvesting in the Twin Cities area. Healso is co-owner of Golf Landscapesand Sport Surfaces, which designsand installs custom putting greensand athletic courts for homeowners.And he is a consultant for A-Turf,which installs synthetic grass athleticfields for high school, college andprofessional teams.Amanda Magnuson graduated inMay from the University ofNebraska-Lincoln with a master’sdegree in English. Her thesis committeeincluded U.S. Poet LaureateTed Kooser and Hilda Raz, editor ofPrairie Schooner.Matt Ulmer graduated from theUniversity of Iowa’s Doctor ofPhysical Therapy program inDecember. He serves as a therapistat Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitalin Lincoln, Neb., working withpatients suffering from spinal cordinjuries, traumatic brain injuries,strokes, and orthopedic and cardiacdifficulties.Darcie (Van Beek) Van Voorst is aschool liaison officer in the George-Little Rock School District and theCentral Lyon School District in Iowa.’03Jared Belden earned an M.F.A.degree in creative writing at EasternWashington University. He will beteaching at Northwestern College inSt. Paul, Minn., this fall. He wasamong seven poets who wonawards in the 2005 Association ofWriters and Writing Programs’ IntroJournals contest. His poem “Engineof the Ticket Taker’s Pocket Watch”will appear in Artful Dodge, anOhio-based literary magazine.Justin Denning works as assistantmanager of Sack Lumber Companyin Aurora, Neb.’04In September, Jon Behrends willbegin a two-year term as a missionaryto the Czech Republic throughChristian Outreach International.Jon previously ministered throughthat agency in the Czech Republicduring the A cappella Choir’s springtour in 2004.Kaley (Fahl) Poegel serves as thelead teacher at the Sylvan LearningCenter in Baxter, Minn.Amy Ropte works at RavenIndustries in Sioux Falls as a webdeveloper.Brian Young is serving with thePeace Corps in the mountains ofComayagua in Honduras.New ArrivalsAngie and Don Bacon ’84, childrenby adoption, Austin (10) andJessica (9), join Donnie (20) andAlex (15).DeAnn and Phil Nielsen ’85, twindaughters from Ethiopia byadoption, Keisha and Sheila, joinJessie, Eric, Isaac and Reece.Kim and Dave Christianson ’87,daughter, Mikayla Rose, joinsMark (6) and Jacob (2).Dan and Diane (Ohling ’88) Scott,daughter, Sarah Marie.Matt and Rachel (Korthals ’91)Sullivan, son, Levi John, joinsNoah (5) and Caleb (3).Susan (Stander ’92) and Cory Brandt’92, daughter, Megan Ann, joinsKatlin (10) and Brianna (6).Chris and Lisa (Burris ’92) Ciccarelli,son, Spencer Dean, joins Ally(5).Kathy and Chris Godfredsen ’92,daughter, Anna Kate, joins Josie(11), Madison (8) and Alex (2).Heather and Darren Kleis ’92, son,Corbin Keith.Robin (Bajema ’93) and StevenKorthuis ’93, twin daughters,Karlie and Kenadi, join Jenah(8), Kolton (6) and Levi (3).Christy and Dave Risius ’93, son,Nathan Andrew, joins Allison(3).Sue (Reynen ’93) and Jack Shields’94, son by adoption, JacksonRobert, joins Sara (8), Julia (5)and Jace (3).Dale and Tonia (Bach ’93) Woudstra,daughter, Hannah Grace, joinsZachary (4).Amy (Verdoorn ’94) and AbeScheaffer ’93, daughter, GraciaDiane, joins Elliot (2).Sara and Dave Haverdink ’95, son,Dawson Robert, joins Brandon(7), Alyssa (5) and Cameron (3).Kyle and Dawn (Van Den Berg ’95)Van Den Bosch, son, JacksonThomas.Kara (Dirkx ’96) and TrentAbrahamson ’94, daughter, Jada.Charlie and Elise (Rens ’96) Binsfeld,daughter, Simone Elise, joinsElliott (3).Mark and Jenna (Messer ’96)LaFleur, son, Rohan JacobMesser.Deb (Bandstra ’96) and ToddSchuiteman ’95, son, BraydenRobert.Dave and Amy (De Boer ’96) VerBurg, daughter, Abigail Joy, joinsJoshua (5) and Jacob (3).Chad and Jackie (Hueser ’97)Budden, son, Davis John, joinsGrant (3).Vicki (Grooters ’97) and MarkNieman ’96, son, Spencer Lee.Erika and Brad Schelling ’97, daughter,Morgan Jane, joins Josiah (5)and Kaci (2).Cory and Lynn (Bleeker ’98) Grimm,daughter, Elizabeth Carly, joinsKester (2).Jodi (Brooks ’98) and Mark VanderZwaag ’93, son, Brenden James,joins Makayla (6).Stefawn and Jon Wester ’98, daughter,Ella Jayden, joins Faith (3).Jess and Amber (Soldan ’98)Widstrom, daughter, Hannah.Missy and Chris Winterboer ’98,son, Caden Christopher, joinsEmma (2).Sara (Maassen ’99) and CurtAndringa ’99, son, TrentonCurtis.Monte and Sherry (Groen ’99)Koopman, daughter, Lisa Ann.Kristin (Meyer ’99) and NathanKroesche ’99, son, Isaiah Scott.Mick and Tami (Kunkel ’99) Langel,daughter, Leah Joy, joins Alec(6), Katelyn (4) and Rachel (2).Karinda (Trumble ’00) and Scott deBoom ’01, son, Ian John.Justin and Nancy (TerHorst ’00)Dickmann, son, Carter.Greg and Carrie (Chittick ’00)Dietze, son, Daniel, joinsCamden (14) and Ashley (5).Lynnette (Van Gorp ’00) and ChadFikse ’00, son, Evan Jacob.Stacy (Bernardy ’00) and JustinHalbersma ’02, son, MicahDouglas Ray.Sheri (Bakker ’00) and Jerod Work’00, son, Peyton Harley.Meagan (Morrison ’01) and JohnLiesveld ’00, son, Johnny Jack.Andrew and Kylie (Van Dyke ’01)Prasuhn, daughter, Rebekah Ann,joins Trenton (2) and Jacob (1).Elizabeth (Heeg ’01) and TomTruesdell ’01, son, AidenThomas.Andy and Ginger (De Boer ’02) Ebel,daughter, Grace Marie.Rodrick and Maria (Olson ’02)Iedema, son, Isaiah Mikkail.Class notes37 ▲ Summer 2005

AlumninewsNorthwestern ClassicClass notesPrayercornerThe Rev. HarlanVanOort ’82,ChaplainBrennan Van Loo, a senior biology majorfrom Lynden, Wash., was a student discipleshipcoordinator this past year. Part of hisresponsibility was to encourage prayer ministryas we seek to be a campus that “doesthings by prayer” rather than “praying for thethings we do.” As Brennan served, he made alist of some of the times and places prayerhappens on Northwestern’s campus:• Before and after exams• With discipleship groups in residence halls• At athletic teams’ Bible studies• With athletic teams before/after games or practices• In academic department meetings• At faculty meetings• At staff meetings• When enacted by the Drama Ministries Ensemble• Prior to music concerts and performances• At music rehearsals• Before/after theatre rehearsals and performances• In meetings of students of various majors• In classes• In private reflection• In Student Government Association meetings• In resident assistant meetings• In the International Justice Mission tent• During Summer of Service team meetings and ministry• Before/during/after service projects• In a men’s prayer breakfast• At a weekly faculty/staff/student prayer gathering• At meals• At cheerleading practice• In Centering Prayer, a bi-monthly Thursday evening prayertime• In chapel• In Sunday night Praise and Worship• In the prayer room of the Center for Spiritual Formationand Vocation• By alumni and friends of NWCPrayer is an integral part of all we do at NWC as weexperience the power and presence of God. Please add yourselfto Brennan’s list by offering regular prayers forNorthwestern College.COME ALIVE IN '05Homecoming, Sept. 30–Oct. 2Look for your Homecoming brochure in the mailand visit www.nwciowa.edu/homecoming• Register online at www.nwciowa.edu/homecoming/register• Reunions for the classes of 1965, ’80, ’95 and ’00• Saturday’s activities include Raider Road Race, Morning on the Green kids’ carnival(featuring cruisin’ cars from the ’50s!), alumni baseball and softball games, picnic atJaycee Park, football, a theatre production and more.MarriagesNathan Johnson ’99 and LoriAchtelik, Madison, Wis.Micah Johnson ’00 and AmyMiclean, Gainesville, Fla.Kevin Noffsinger ’00 and BriannaWolfe, Aurora, Colo.John Paul Sundararajan ’00 and KatyWing, Holland, Mich.Melinda McConnell ’02 and RyanFinken, Omaha.Tisha Templer ’02 and BryanHalverson, Peterson, Iowa.Melanie Vigneron ’02 and Mark Safly,North Liberty, Iowa.Tim Van Gelder ’03 and AndreaAckerman ’05, Iowa City, Iowa.Jason Grow ’04 and Lindsay PearleHarrison, Waukee, Iowa.Dan Breen ’06 and KristinWestenberg ’06, Orange City.The couples reside in the city listed.38 ▲ Summer 2005

Send your Classic thoughts to beeson@nwciowa.eduNorthwestern ClassicClassicthoughtsSyllabus for Lifeby Heidi Friesen ’04Peter burst into barelycontrolled laughter, almostspewing his spicy Mos burgerat my bewildered face.“Syllabi?” he repeated, thenswallowed and took a breath.“Lesson plans?” I took hisreaction as a definitive no.August, and it was myfirst day in Shimonoseki. Iwas trying to think of goodquestions to ask my newcoworker. I wanted answersthat would satisfy the onequestion weighing heavieston my mind—the one I wasleast likely to admit that Ihad, let alone find the humilityto ask: “What am I supposedto be doing?”A month later, I was eatinga delicious meal ofkawara-soba with my neighbor,Bill. Over the green noodles,thinly sliced beef andshredded scrambled eggs, heasked me how teaching wasgoing. My chopsticks twistedaround in the mess of soysoakedsoba. I struggled toexplain how the other teachersdid usually give me materialto teach, albeit five minutesbefore my lessons, butthey neglected to instruct meon how to get it into the students’heads.Bill had no mercy.“That’s your job. You have tofigure out your own teachingstyle.” He smiled. My heartsank. I fought the challengein his statement because itrequired initiative withoutdefinition. I wanted a syllabusfor life.I came to teach Englishto junior and senior highgirls at Baiko Jo Gakuin formany reasons. Cross-culturalcommunication, languageand opportunities for contextualizedtheatre were passionsI began to recognize inmy heart when I was a seniorin college last year. ServingNorthwestern by reestablishingthe connection with oneof its sister schools and payingoff my loans quickly wereimportant factors too.Also on my list somewherewas a reason I hadnever truly committed myselfto before. I wanted to choosea context and set of responsibilitiesin which I had noguarantee of success if I reliedon my own strength. TeachingEnglish in Japan morethan qualified, so I came. Thetrick with launching yourselfoff the side of the swimmingpool is that you have to flythrough the air a little whilebefore you reach your daddy’sarms. But he is certainly thereto catch you.To me, piano has usuallymeant practicing and polishinga single piece for months.I have regarded playing easiersongs on request as bothrisky and demeaning, so Ihave avoided doing so. Then,last October, I started playingfor Morisaku-sensei’s monthlycollege Bible study.I was sitting at the pianoduring December’s meeting,comfortable with my lack ofcomprehension amid theusual muddle of Japaneseexplanation, when the fearfulword unexpectedly emerged:“Requests?” My hands tensedand splayed out into antifists.“Ki Yoshi Kono Yoru?” Iflipped anxiously throughthe pink plastic book. Myeyes battled a pulsing fluorescentglare for the right tosee the music on each laminatedpage.“Silent Night.” Our worshipwas beautiful, owingvery little to the tolerableaccompaniment I produced.The song ended. My fingersslid off the keys and restedpeacefully in my lap.When the head of theEnglish department askedme to put together a skit forthis school year’s openingceremony, I automaticallyrecoiled. Creating a showinside the inevitable culturalrestrictions and outside thenecessary theatrical guidelineswas sure to violate mytheatre standards, overwhelmmy student actors, and disappointthe school.I breathed in throughclenched teeth. Then Iremembered I had prayed forthis opportunity. I breathedout through a determined,delighted grin and so becameplaywright, director andstage manager of Baiko’s first“Welcome Performance.”I made memorizationdeadlines, scrubbed stickyprops, coached pronunciationand negotiated with theJapanese administration onhow the handbell table couldHeidi Friesen helps her English Clubstudents with a crossword puzzle.coexist with the play’s dodgeballantics. I loved the work. Ihad an ensemble. We had ashow. It had the bright-eyedinterest and enthusiastic applauseof the Baiko community.April, and I tossed backthe long, yellowed curtains tolet in the afternoon sun.Settling myself into the circleof wooden chairs, I lookedinto the faces of my apprehensivenew students.“Do you know the word‘risk’?” They looked back atme with squinty incomprehension.“If you take a risk,many things can happen—maybe something bad,maybe something very good.If you know you are safe,then you can take a risk. Ifyou take a risk, then you canlearn. You are safe here.”I helped them understandthe questions on theirhandout, then made space forthem to share their answers.“What does your namemean, Megumi?” She lookedat her paper, then back up atme. She did not know theEnglish, so we worked heranswer out together.Grace.A theatre and speech graduate,Heidi Friesen is teaching Englishto middle school and high schoolgirls at Baiko Jo Gakuin schoolin Shimonoseki, Japan.39 ▲ Summer 2005

Northwestern College101 7th St. SWOrange City, IA 51041Ph. 712-707-7000 (switchboard)www.nwciowa.eduNon-ProfitU.S. PostagePaidSP&DChange Service Requested“Athletic teams becomemicro-schools that teach valuesand enable students tobe better competitors as wellas better human beings.”Dale ThompsonAssistant vice presidentfor student development,head cross country coachand assistant track coachI am NorthwesternYou can’t compartmentalize your life—growth in one area affectsall the other areas. In 23 years of coaching, I’ve seen that provedover and over. It happens on the cross country and track teams andin intramural competition. Sport teaches core values such as disciplineand commitment and reinforces the importance of not compromising.As one of Northwestern’s sport facilities, the RowenhorstStudent Center is a place where students grow in life and faiththrough the fun stuff that happens in the college years. Your contributionto the Northwestern Fund supports things like sports andfriendly competition that take learning beyond the classroom.NorthwesternCollegeA whole education for your whole life.Contact Jennie Smith, director of the Northwestern Fund, to find out how youcan support athletic and student life programs. Phone: 712-707-7110;e-mail: smith@nwciowa.edu; visit: give.nwciowa.edu40 ▲ Summer 2005