Spring 2006 - Northwestern College

A publication for Northwestern College alumni & friends • Spring 2006In the DepthsHelp for students in crisis

President’sreportNorthwestern ClassicDr. Bruce MurphyPresidentRx for a unique nursing programThe count was 54 in favor and five against, with one abstention. After several months of careful analysisand stimulating discussion, the faculty voted to approve a nursing program for Northwestern in January.This is not just any nursing program. Reflecting Northwestern’smission and identity, it includes two semesters of foreign languageclasses and courses such as Contemporary Moral Issues, Nursing forShalom, Cross-Cultural Nursing and Nursing Leadership.Dr. Ruth Daumer, the director, did an exceptional job of developingthe program, and the Academic Affairs Committee led the facultyin a candid and comprehensive consideration of the proposal. Thefinal vote was a resounding affirmation of their work—perhaps signaling a new understandingof the liberal arts in our day.From its first years as a four-year institution, NWC has been committed to providing aliberal arts education. Many might see the decision to add a nursing program as a stepaway from the liberal arts—for some a negative step, for others a positive one. In eithercase they would be wrong.Defining the liberal arts today is no easy task. In the Middle Ages, educators took theirlead from ancient Greece and Rome and identified the liberal arts as the trivium (grammar,rhetoric, logic) and the quadrivium (arithmetic, geometry, music/harmonics, astronomy)—skills and subject areas that liberated students from the drudgery of manual labor by helpingthem understand the underlying systems of the world.As such, it was education for leaders—quite different from technical training. For atime this neat distinction seemed to serve society well, but the emergence of a new middleor professional class muddied the liberal arts waters—and they remain muddy today.A minority of colleges and universities in our time have sought to retain the earlier distinction,rejecting all professional preparation in their curriculum. Another group, this one▼“Northwestern is takinganother, and we believepreferable, approach—one that grows out of ourReformed identity andmission. Instead of rejectingeither the liberal arts orprofessional preparation—or simply adding one tothe other—we seek tointegrate them.”growing each year, focuses entirely on professional training with no attempt to include the liberal arts. Increasingly these programsare operated by the professions themselves and, unlike most educational opportunities in our culture, are housed in forprofitinstitutions. A third group—the largest—has attempted to add professional preparation on top of a liberal general educationcurriculum—diluting both, some would argue.Northwestern is taking another, and we believe preferable, approach—one that grows out of our Reformed identity and mission.Instead of rejecting either the liberal arts or professional preparation—or simply adding one to the other—we seek to integratethem. Our nursing program is a great example. In response to God’s call to serve—and guided by God’s word—our goal isto educate professionally competent nurses who think critically, understand widely and love deeply.Please pray with us as we prepare for the first group of nursing students who will begin taking courses next fall.▲Fifth Annual Red Raider ClassicFriday, June 9 • Landsmeer Golf Club, Orange CityAll former Raider athletes and friends of the athletic department are invited to participate in this fourpersonscramble. Golfers will be able to designate the proceeds from their entry fee to the sport oftheir choice. The event includes a noon lunch, 1 p.m. best-ball shotgun start and 5:30 p.m. dinner.For more information, contact Kyle Achterhoff: 712-707-7282 or achterhk@nwciowa.edu.2 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicClassiccontentsclassicpeopleSpring 2006 Vol. 78, No. 1EditorDuane Beeson(712-707-7116,beeson@nwciowa.edu)Staff WritersCarrie (Odell ’01) AndersonDuane BeesonAnita CirulisTamara FynaardtCarrie (Carlson ’96) KrohnContributing PhotographersTom BeckerDoug BurgAnita CirulisJim Heemstra ’72Michael HudsonDan RossDesignersAnji BennettJohn Vander Stelt ’83The Classic is published quarterly––in April, June, 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.page4Campus newspage11Of coursepage12Hooked onReligionFaculty profileMitch Kinsingerpage14Jump!Student profileKristin Heumannpage16In the DepthsCover story1222page18Help for theHurtingCover storypage20From A to Z …and BeyondAlumni profileBob Scholtenpage22Parenting at’heartAlumni profileRyan & Mikyla Dittmanpage24Face valuePaul Beltmanpage25Bounce …Bounce …SwishStudent profileDeb Remmerdepage26Sports update25What’s insideSend correspondence or addresschanges to the Classic, NorthwesternCollege, 101 7th Street SW,Orange City, IA 51041-1996.Cover art by Vaughn Donahue ’07.16page28Alumni newspage35Mental Illness:What WouldJesus Do?Classic thoughts3 ▲ Spring 2006

CampusnewsNorthwestern ClassicNWC happeningsNorthwestern featured atChristian college forumJeff and Karen Barker were featured ina video shown at the InternationalForum on Christian Higher Education.Northwestern was wellrepresented when 1,200 peoplegathered for the InternationalForum on ChristianHigher Education in DallasMarch 30–April 1.The event, sponsored bythe Council for ChristianColleges & Universities,included three “Let YourVoice Be Heard” videosshown at plenary sessionsthat told stories from acrossthe organization’s constituency.The first four-minutevideo featured NWC theatreprofessors Jeff and Karen Barker, focusing on the commitmentthey and the NWC theatre program have to ensemble work,servant leadership and the transformation of culture.“The love and respect Karen and Jeff have for students isso evident, and they call all the students in the department tothat as well,” says senior Kristi Woodyard on the video.“That’s the essence of those two,” adds Dr. Keith Anderson,dean of spiritual formation and vocation. “It’s Jeff andKaren always teaching, loving and integrating.”The video concluded with this comment from Karen:“We’re trying to model artists who can do excellent workbecause they have a calling to a particular place and time, andif we live into that calling, the art that comes out of it can bereally stunning.”Three of Northwestern’s leaders—Anderson, PresidentBruce Murphy and Vice President for Student DevelopmentJohn Brogan—presented a session on “Spiritual Formation: ANew Way of Doing College.”“Our purpose was to create a conversation about how wecan recognize the essential integration that exists between academiclearning, spiritual formation and the development ofthe person,” says Anderson. “We wanted to help people considerways of knowing that will not separate prayer fromthinking, social development from academic life, and formationfor vocation from the development of mind and soul.”Anderson began speaking from his role as a CCCU seniorfellow for spiritual formation, talking about what heobserves as “silos” on campuses—the problem of not seeingthe “whole” of education.Murphy talked about his vision for an education thatleads to wisdom. He also emphasized the need to bring a newpace to higher education that allows students and faculty timeto reflect and that helps to cultivate a way of life that allowsfor lifelong learning, not just lifelong busyness.Brogan, a former member of Northwestern’s religion faculty,provided observations from his perspective as an academicwho is now in student development, working alongsidespiritual formation and academics.Guidebook recommendsNWC programsThirteen of Northwestern’sacademic programsare listed in the 2006 editionof Rugg’s Recommendations onthe Colleges, a national guidebookthat recommends specificcollege departments toprospective students. Theselected programs are athletictraining, biology, chemistry,ecological science, education,English, history, music,physics, psychology, religion,Spanish and theatre.Written by FrederickRugg, a former secondaryschool college counselor whonow gives college seminarsaround the country, the bookincludes programs at 1,050four-year colleges that he hasidentified as providing ahigh-quality education.Rugg’s publication reliesheavily on random polls ofstudents at those colleges.Ecological science is one of Northwestern’s 13 programs listed in Rugg’sRecommendations on the Colleges.4 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicCampusnewsStudents present biological researchBiology majors Jason Helmus of Rock Valley and LauraRensink of Sioux Center presented papers at the annualmeeting of the Midwest American Society of Animal Sciencein Des Moines in March.Under the guidance of Dr. Abe Scheaffer, visiting assistantprofessor of biology, Helmus and Rensink have beenworking to understand metabolic differences between cowsthat get pregnant and those that do not after embryos havebeen transferred to the cows.Rensink, a sophomore, presented a paper entitled “MilkProduction of Dairy Cows and How That Affects ConceptionRates.” Helmus, a junior, spoke on “Hormone Concentrationas Good Indicators of Fertility in Cows.”Scheaffer received a Northwestern College mini-grantlast summer to study the various aspects of a lactating dairycow’s metabolism that likely contribute to a pregnancy rate.The mini-grant gave Helmus and Rensink the opportunity towork with Scheaffer and TransOva Genetics, conductingresearch once a week during the summer at Turner CountyDairy in Tea, S.D.Research with Dr. Abe Scheaffer into the metabolism of pregnant dairy cows led toconference presentations by Jason Helmus (left) and Laura Rensink.NWC happeningsNWC names Forgette associate academic deanDr.AdrienneForgette,associateprofessor ofpsychology,has beenappointedassociate dean for academicaffairs. She will begin hernew duties this summer.Forgette, who has beenserving for the last two yearsas interim associate dean ofassessment and accreditation,will have main responsibilitiesin the areas of curriculum,faculty developmentand assessment.“Adrienne has contributedmuch to this communityalready, and we’relooking forward to workingwith her in this new role,”says Dr. Jasper Lesage, vicepresident for academicaffairs.“She has a good understandingof and commitmentto Northwestern’s mission.She has the confidence of thefaculty through their experiencewith her, and she hasdemonstrated leadership inadministrative work in theareas of assessment, accreditationand new faculty orientation.”Forgette led the committeeof faculty, staff and studentsthat developed Northwestern’sself-study for reaccreditationby the HigherLearning Commission of theNorth Central Association.“Her work on the self-studywas exemplary,” says Lesage,“and played a significant rolein the very positive report wereceived from evaluators whowere on campus last fall.”Dr. Doug Carlson, professorof history, will continuein his role as associatedean for multicultural affairsand off-campus programs.“I’m looking forward toworking with Adrienne andDoug to serve faculty andstudents,” says Lesage. “I alsowant to express thanks to theother interim associate deanswho have served over thelast two years: Dr. SaraTolsma in faculty developmentand Dr. Kim Jongeriusin curriculum.”Forgette joinedNorthwestern’s faculty in1995 after earning her doctoratein clinical psychologyfrom Fuller TheologicalSeminary’s Graduate Schoolof Psychology. She also holdsa master’s degree in theologyfrom Fuller and a bachelor’sin psychology from CaliforniaState University,Fullerton. She serves as thefaculty representative toNorthwestern’s Board ofTrustees and as chairpersonof the psychology department.5 ▲ Spring 2006

CampusnewsNorthwestern ClassicNWC happeningsNorthwestern theatre tours new Sudan dramaNorthwestern’s DramaMinistries Ensemble (DME)will hit the road again thissummer, June 12–Aug. 7,performing a new dramaabout a missionary nursewho served in Sudan.Sioux Center Sudan, writtenby Northwestern theatreprofessor Jeff Barker, tells thetrue story of Arlene Schuiteman,an Iowa schoolteacherturned missionary nurse toAfrica in the 1950s.One of the first peopleshe met at the outpost ofNasir was a young man withtuberculosis. He taught herthe Nuer language while shenursed him back to healthand shared Christ’s love.Schuiteman’s ministrytouched many members ofthe young man’s tribe beforeshe was thrown out of thecountry in 1963, just as thecivil war began. Barker saysshe served as a nurse inEthiopia and Zambia, but herheart was and still is in Nasir.“She refers to it as home.”Missionary nurse Arlene Schuiteman’sstory takes stage in Sioux CenterSudan.Schuiteman neverreturned to her Sudanesehome, instead retiring inIowa in the late 1980s. InGod’s mysterious ways,though, he brought Sudan toher through a reunion thatspanned miles and years.Barker has also writtenoriginal worship dramasabout AIDs and September11. Like Sioux Center Sudan,those plays told true stories—ofa mother whose sonhad AIDS and a schoolteacherwhose teddy bearministry brought comfort toover 60,000 NYC childrenafter 9/11.Barker’s plays have beenperformed off-Broadway inNew York and at the CrystalCathedral in California.The 10-member DMEteam will perform in churchesand in some communitytheatres across the country.They will travel to theNetwork of Biblical Storytellersannual conference inGeorgia in August, but therest of the summer scheduleis still being planned.Contact Kelly Van Marel,the tour coordinator, attheatretour@nwciowa.eduor 712-707-7257 to receive abrochure or to express yourinterest in hosting Northwesterntheatre at yourchurch.Koerselmanjoins boardCorkyKoerselman ’82is the newestmember of theNorthwesternCollege Boardof Trustees. Hewas appointed to a four-yearterm by the East SiouxClassis of the ReformedChurch in America.Koerselman teachesvocal music at Sibley-Ocheyedan (Iowa) HighSchool, where he previouslyserved as guidance counselor.The director of the seniorchoir and worship team atFirst Reformed Church inSibley, Koerselman has alsoserved on consistory and as aSunday school teacher.He earned a master’sdegree in secondary guidanceand counseling at NorthwestMissouri State University.Koerselman and hiswife, Sherri (Van Der Vliet’82), are the parents of threechildren, including Beau ’03.Wooldridge receives summer research grantDr. Marc Wooldridge, associate professorof music, has been selected to receive thecollege’s third annual $10,000 CompetitiveSummer Research Grant. He was chosen bythe Faculty Development Committee after anexternal review process.Wooldridge will use the money to developa solo recital program entitled “SacredPercussion Music: Expressions of the Inexpressible.” “Therecital will use music and visuals to present perspectives onthe Christian faith that transcend what words are able toexpress,” says Wooldridge.The recital will consist of six new works commissionedfor this project. One will be composed by Wooldridge, andthe other five will be developed by Frank Felice, ButlerUniversity; Mark Hijleh, Houghton College; Greg Sanders,Texas A&M Kingsville; Scott Robinson, Eastern University;and Ralph Kendrick, a resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.The recital will be presented at a Northwestern conferenceentitled “Music in Community: A Festival of NewMusic,” which will take place Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, 2006,and will bring together the membership of the Iowa ComposersForum and the Christian Fellowship of Art MusicComposers. Wooldridge plans to present the recital later atadditional sites across the country.6 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicCampusnewsSeason of Justice adoptedas national programInternational Justice Mission (IJM), a Christian humanrights organization that rescues victims of violence, sexualexploitation and oppression, has adopted Northwestern’sSeason of Justice program as a national program to be usedby other IJM chapters.Cheryl Noble, who directs student ministries at IJM,says her organization was quite impressed with Northwestern’sprogram, which was held last April. “We really likedthe depth of the Season of Justice portfolio. It incorporates allthe aspects of involvement that we ask our campus chaptersto be a part of,” she says.“The most impressive part of the portfolio to me is theemphasis on prayer. IJM wouldn’t be able to do the work wedo without the support of the thousands we have praying forus every day. College students play a large role in that.”IJM was also very impressed by the drama piece writtenby Ryan Pendell, now a senior at NWC. “It created an emotionalconnection with the audience that led them to want totake action and seek justice for the oppressed,” Noble says.The core team of the Northwestern chapter of IJM, ledby then-junior Jackie Carlson, organized the 10-day Season ofJustice. Events included drama, a justice Bible study, a movieshowing and discussion, prayer vigils, a prayer tent, a letterwritingcampaign, and a praise and worship service. Dr.Appianda Arthur of IJM’s Washington, D.C., office was theguest speaker for the celebration night.Dave Nonnemacher, Northwestern’s service learningcoordinator and adviser for the IJM chapter, says the organizationis based on the biblical mandate to help the oppressedand free them from bondage. He says Northwestern’s chapteralso aligns itself with the vision of IJM to encourage believersto participate in biblical justice.IJM plans to keep the vast majority of the content ofNWC’s Season of Justice program, calling the national program“Justice Week” and making slight changes to ensure thelanguage is consistent with IJM’s message and branding,according to Noble. A number of campus chapters are alreadydeveloping similar events, and International Justice Missionplans to offer Northwestern’s as a model.“We are hoping this will provide a great programmaticbackbone for how they will impact their campus to learnmore about God’s heart for the oppressed and how their campuscan be involved in the work of IJM,” Noble says.Dr. Ruth Daumer instructs nursing students Brittany Osborn and Becky Swart onthe proper technique for examining eyes.Nursing programaccepting studentsThe program proposal for Northwestern’s new Bachelorof Science in Nursing program (BSN) received approval fromthe faculty in late January and was granted approval by theIowa Board of Nursing at its March meeting.The first class of nurses has applied for acceptance intothe program this semester. Dr. Ruth Daumer, nursing departmentchairperson, expects to accept 16 sophomores to begintaking nursing courses next fall.In 2008–09, when the first students are seniors, theCommission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) willconduct an accreditation site visit. If the requirements of theCCNE are met, Northwestern’s program will be fully accreditedwith the first graduating class, which is standard nursingprogram development procedure.“I feel confident with Dr. Daumer leading the developmentof this new program that we will meet every requirementwith excellence and have a full-fledged, accredited nursingprogram by 2009,” says President Bruce Murphy. “Ruthbrings a rare combination of commitment to the liberal arts,superior nursing skills and deep Christian faith to guide thisimportant new program.”Northwestern’s program will have a strong liberal artsemphasis. It will include a senior capstone seminar to helpstudents reflect on their nursing education and formulate athesis that describes how they will practice nursing in aChrist-like way that promotes health, wholeness and peace—both at the individual and community level.Northwestern nursing students will have multiple service-learningopportunities each year and be required to take astudy abroad, cross-cultural medical missions course.For more information, visit www.nwciowa.edu/nursing.NWC happenings7 ▲ Spring 2006

CampusnewsNorthwestern ClassicNWC happeningsAuctionraises$38,000The 23rd annualNorthwestern College GalaAuction in February raisedaround $38,000, bringing thetotal raised through the auctionto nearly $550,000.Proceeds will help fund$1,000 Alumni ScholarshipsAlumni Scholarship recipient KeithSietstra displays a helmet at the GalaAuction.for 30 to 35 students next year, the $1,500 NorthwesternCollege Teaching Excellence Award, a fall workshop for faculty,and student life programs.More than 600 people attended the nautical-themedevent. Bids were submitted on nearly 500 items.Online bidding was up dramatically in the 2006 auction.“Our number of Internet bids was up from 88 last year toover 800 this year,” says Karen Woudstra, director of alumniand parent relations.“The spirit the night of the auction was wonderful too,”Woudstra adds. “A lot of new people came this year and toldme, ‘This is a lot of fun.’”Woudstra praised the generosity of Northwestern’s supporters.“Our auction succeeds because of the giving nature ofour alumni, friends and area businesses.”Theatre students excelat regional competitionThree NWC students,one alumnus and a theatrefaculty member receivedrecognition for outstandingtheatre work at the regionalKennedy Center/AmericanCollege Theatre Festival(KCACTF) in January inFargo, N.D.Junior VaughnDonahue, Monmouth,Maine, took first place inpublicity design for materialshe designed to promote themusical James Joyce’s TheDead.Lois Estell, a senior fromTaiwan, was runner-up in thesound design competition forher work on David andGoliath.Junior Mark Larson,Sioux Center, was given aspecial commendation awardfor achievement in lightingdesign for Copenhagen.Solomon Davis ’05,Omaha, also received a commendationaward forachievement in directing.Davis directed classmateMegan Hodgin’s play Master’sDegree.Theatre professor JohnPaul’s scenic design forGalileo received a commendationaward as well.Northwestern participatesin Region Five of theKCACTF, which includesundergraduate and graduatetheatre programs at smallcolleges and universities inColorado, Iowa, Kansas,Minnesota, Missouri,Nebraska, and North andSouth Dakota.Students to study abroad this summerFour groups of students will spend part of their summerstudying in Ecuador, France, Great Britain and India.In July, students will travel to Quito, Ecuador, where theywill live with host families and study at the Andean StudiesCenter. The focus will be on developing the students’ speakingand listening skills within the Ecuadorian culture. Theitinerary includes a service learning project in the Amazonjungle and trips to a variety of cities, under the leadership ofSpanish professor Rick Clark.London will be home to a group of students in May andJune. Directed by theatre professors Dr. Bob Hubbard andJohn Paul, the program includes a focus on theatres andmuseums. The students will live with British families and alsohave the opportunity to experience life in communities outsideof London. They will visit the birthplace of Shakespeare,Stratford-Upon-Avon.In July and August, students will learn about the cultureand diversity of India—and the role that technology plays inIndian culture today—under the leadership of Mark Vellinga,computer science professor. Based in the cities of Vellore andChennai, students will live with host families and visit museums,temples and medical agencies.Biology professor Dr. Laurie Furlong will lead a June andJuly study in France of how the environment influences cultureand how human culture impacts the environment.Students will be based in La Rochelle, with short stays inAmboise and Paris.Summer Study Abroad Coordinator Jill Fischer says theprogram has made a great impact on past participants. “Manystudents come back with a very different perspective withregard to their individual place, the role of the U.S. in theworld, and the presence of God in other cultures,” she says.8 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicCampusnewsVisual identity system earns district awardNorthwestern’s new visual identity system—the logo andwordmark that represent the college—has been recognized inthe 2006 Council for the Advancement and Support ofEducation (CASE) District Six awards competition. The projectreceived a Gold Award, the highest possible, in the institutionalidentity design category.Three other colleges were honored in the institutionalidentity competition. North Dakota State University won aSilver Award. Bronze Awards were given to Iowa StateUniversity and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.John Vander Stelt ’83 of Maurice designed the new visualidentity system. A key component is the wordmark, whichfeatures Northwestern’s name in a stylized typographic design.The wordmark includes a cross that extends into the word‘college,’ illustrating how the Christian perspective permeatesall aspects of the NWC experience. The cross, reminiscent ofa star to subtly illustrate the college’s historic motto of “God islight,” joins an “N” and a “W” in the logo.Northwestern’s Visual Identity Committee worked withVander Stelt in the development of the designs. Membersincluded Duane Beeson, director of public relations; BarryBrandt, director of athletics; Anita Cirulis, associate director ofpublic relations; Ron De Jong, associate vice president fordevelopment; Glenda De Vries, bookstore manager; Dr. MitchKinsinger, assistant professor of religion/Christian education;Dan Robinson, web development manager; Rein Vanderhill,professor of art; Dr. Carl Vandermeulen, professor of Englishand communication studies; Jay Wielenga, director of development;and alumni Jean Vogel ’75 and Tim Zeutenhorst ’82of Orange City and Erin Piehl ’04 of Hutchinson, Minn.District Six includes colleges, universities and independentschools in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska,North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.This is the third consecutive year Northwestern’s publicrelations office has won an award in the district competition.Last year, a video developed for the admissions officereceived a Silver Award. In 2004, a group of recruiting publicationsreceived the Gold Award in the student recruitmentseries category.NWC happeningsStudents’ vocation exploration takes them off campusIn its third year, Vocare:Find Your Place—funded bya $2 million grant from theLilly Endowment in 2002—continues to encourage andenable members of the NWCcommunity to envision andexplore their calling. Thatsearch has taken studentsand faculty on informationgatheringtrips.During the fall semester,music professor TimMcGarvey designed andcoordinated a retreat for 54music students and facultythat included attending asymphony performance andlearning from a panel ofmusic alumni.Six communications andtheatre students traveled withprofessors Jamey Durham,communication studies, andJeff Barker, theatre, toCalifornia for a nationalscreenwriter’s expo.In addition, eight studentsinterested in ministrylearned more about disciplingsmall groups at a conferencehosted by WillowCreek Community Churchin Illinois. They were accompaniedby Barb Dewald,associate dean for spiritualformation.In January, Dr. HeatherJosselyn-Cranson, assistantprofessor of music and directorof music ministries, tooksix students interested inworship leadership to theCalvin [College] Symposiumon Worship in Michigan.Vocation exploration istaking place on campus too.Dr. Jennifer Feenstra, psychology,and four studentspresented the results of theirresearch on students involvedin Spring ServiceProjects. The team studiedhow involvement in serviceimpacts students’ sense ofworth and calling.The project has been acatalyst for the senior thesisof psychology major AmyVander Holt, Parkersburg,Iowa, who is conductingsimilar research on studentswho participate in Summerof Service.In addition, five facultymembers who had receivedsummer fellowships to writepapers exploring the role ofvocation in their disciplines(chemistry, philosophy, psychology,religion and theatre)presented their research andconclusions at a campuswideforum in February.9 ▲ Spring 2006

CampusnewsNorthwestern ClassicNWC happeningsFaculty/staff newsDr. Mike Avery, business, collaborated with students ontwo papers presented at the Midwest Business AdministrationAssociation conference in Chicago in March. He co-wrote“Fair Labor Standards Act 2004: Simple Formula for BigChanges,” with Rachelle (Cook ’06) Johnson and “The Role ofForeign Aid in Reducing Poverty” with Emily Hennager ’06.Dr. Laird Edman, psychology, wrote an article publishedin the online journal of the Society for the Teaching ofPsychology, E-xcellence in Teaching, in January. His article,“Are They Ready Yet? Epistemological Development andCritical Thinking,” covers developmental issues involved inteaching critical thinking to college students.Dr. Sally Edman, counseling services, has been appointedto a three-year term on the Continuing Education inPsychology Committee of the American PsychologicalAssociation (APA). She and fellow committee members willoversee the development, implementation and evaluation ofcontinuing education programs and products offered by theAPA to licensed psychologists. The committee also reviewsand approves applications from organizations seeking to providecontinuing education and monitors such programs.John Kaericher, professor emeritus of art, had a retrospectiveof his 42 years as an NWC art professor exhibited atDordt College in January and February.Dr. Juyeon Kang, music, was featured on a Grieg pianoconcerto at a South Dakota Symphony Orchestra benefit concertfor the American Cancer Society in Sioux Falls in January.She also performed violin-piano duo recitals with ArturoDelmoni, professor at New York University, at NWC and theUniversity of South Dakota in October.Mitch Kinsinger, religion, was awarded a Ph.D. in religiousstudies from the University of Iowa in December. Hisdissertation is entitled “‘Zealous for Publick Liberty and theWellfare of Their Country’: Rationalist Presbyterians and theStruggle for Freedom of Religion in America, 1694–1769.”Dr. Jasper Lesage, academic affairs, was among a sevenmemberdelegation representing the Reformed Church inAmerica (RCA) and its institutions on an official visit to Omanin January. The visit included a two-hour meeting with HisMajesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. The delegation was invited toOman by the nation’s minister of religious affairs after he visitedthe RCA’s General Synod in Schenectady, N.Y., last June. Aspart of the Oman trip, Lesage continued talks with the Rev.Michael Bos, an RCA missionary, about the possibility ofestablishing a study abroad program there.Emily Lodine, music, presented a recital with theBrookings (S.D.) Chamber Music Society in January.Dr. Joonna Trapp, English, is among a group ofChristian scholars in rhetoric who have been working todevelop an annotated bibliography for Web publication onvarious areas within the fields of rhetoric and Christian tradition.She has chaired the section working on “RhetoricalPractice and Christian Tradition” and has contributed a sectionon the rhetoric of conversion narratives. The new bibliographywas unveiled at the Conference on College Compositionand Communication in Chicago in March.Anna Vorhes, music, presented a harp recital, “Memoriesof the World Harp Congress,” at NWC in February.Cornie Wassink, development, has completed his termas state board president for LEAVE A LEGACY Iowa. He continuesas a board member.Dr. Marc Wooldridge, music, presented a paper on“Rhythmic Implication of Recent Diatonic Theory” and performeda new work, “Absurdist Blues,” at the IowaComposers Forum Festival in Indianola in October. He alsorecently gave performances at Truman State University inMissouri; Spalding Catholic High School in Granville, Iowa;NWC; MOC-Floyd Valley High School in Orange City; andthe University of South Dakota. A new composition byWooldridge, “Diamond Hill,” was published in February byHoney Rock Publishing.The Northwestern College Board of Trustees hasannounced the awarding of tenure and promotions to severalfaculty: Tenure was awarded to Dr. Laird Edman, psychology;Dr. Bob Hubbard, theatre; Dr. Mitch Kinsinger, religion;and Dr. Jim Mead, religion. Mead was promoted to the associateprofessor rank. Dr. Mike Kugler, history, and Dr. EarlWoudstra, kinesiology, were promoted to the professor rank.Students serve over spring breakHurricane relief at threesites in New Orleans wasamong the projects undertakenby 200 NWC students,faculty and staff on SpringService Projects (SSP) March4 through 13.The missions teamstraveled to four internationalsites this year: Amsterdam,the Netherlands; Belfast,Northern Ireland; Bluefields,Nicaragua; and Campoo,Trinidad. In the U.S., sitesincluded Annville, Ky.;Apache, Okla.; Jackson,Miss.; Jonesboro, Ark.;Lindale, Texas; Richardson,Texas; and Spartanburg, S.C.The students’ serviceincluded ministry to youthand senior citizens, homerepair and construction,prison ministry, racial reconciliation,relational evangelism,community development,and hunger andhomeless ministry.10 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicOfcourseBelieving in the Supreme Court?Cartoon by David Horsey, originally published in the July 3, 2005, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, is used with permission.Class:PSC 350: That GodlessCourt?Instructor:Dr. Jeff VanDerWerff, associateprofessor of political science“Congress shall make nolaw respecting an establishmentof religion, or prohibitingthe free exercise thereof…”The first 16 words of theFirst Amendment of theConstitution have been usedto halt prayer at publicschool graduations—butallow it at the start of legislativesessions. They have prohibitedthe display of the TenCommandments in courtrooms—butendorsed anativity scene as part of a citysquare holiday display. Theyhave forbidden religious educatorsfrom taking theirteaching into schools—butallowed students to form religiousco-curricular clubs.They’ve sparked lawsuitsthat have been appealed allthe way to the SupremeCourt.“So much of law is interpretation,”says Dr. JeffVanDerWerff, instructor ofThat Godless Court?, a specialtopics political sciencecourse this semester. The 10students (three Democrats,five Republicans, one anarchistand one who claimsnonpartisan politics) are tryingto decide where theystand on the separation ofchurch and state—or, faithand politics.“Is that even the samething?” VanDerWerff asks.As students weigh theevidence, they’ll read 25Supreme Court cases rangingfrom the 1940s to the ’90s.Between classes, they arerequired to blog, which islike journaling, only onlineand public—at least amongclassmates. VanDerWerff sayshe has used reading reflectionsas a teaching tool in thepast, but now he prefers classweblogs because they pushstudents to write morethoughtfully—and with moreaccountability—for an audiencebigger than just theirprofessor.“I like the blogging,”says freshman Julie Johnson.“It opens up discussions thatwould probably never getbrought up in class.”So, should there be strictseparation—currently thedominant view in society—or should government beaccommodating, or at leastnonpreferential, to all religions?And what role doesfaith play in the publicsquare?“Do you lead with theBible, or is there another waythat might be more beneficialto the kingdom?” VanDerWerff asks students.“I have my own position,”he adds, “but I don’tcare if students end up in acompletely different place.The thing I’m most interestedin is that they start to formand claim what they believeas their own.”Popular voteIn response to a question posed by VanDerWerff, studentsblogged about their favorite Supreme Court justice:Stephen Breyer (1 vote)“Stephen Breyer might be my favorite Supreme Courtjudge because of his opinions on women’s rights and democraticintentions—and he was appointed by Clinton.”Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1 vote)“I’ll say Ginsburg for her moderation, interpretation andapplication of the Constitution. And she’s a woman whomade it to the highest court in the land—she must bedoing something well.”Sandra Day O’Connor (3 votes)“I’d have to go with O’Connor. I believe, as she does, thateach case should be approached differently. A strict constitutionalistactually cancels the Constitution’s strongestquality—its flexibility.”Antonin Scalia (2 votes)“If I was playing Fantasy Supreme Justices, I would probablypick Scalia in the first round, since he strictly interpretsthe Constitution … My rookie of the year is Sam Alito.”To read more of the students’ blogging about the SupremeCourt, visit that-godless-court.blogspot.com.That Godless Court?11 ▲ Spring 2006

FacultyprofileNorthwestern ClassicMitch KinsingerHooked onReligion▼“We try to step out of ourown Christian traditionand use the tools of religiousstudies to understand all wecan about the phenomenonby Amy ScheerDr. Mitch Kinsinger,assistant professor of religion,admits he took his firstundergraduate Christian educationcourse because of agirl.That course led to aChristian education major atWheaton College, which ledto a Master of Divinity degreefrom Western TheologicalSeminary, which led to adoctorate from the Universityof Iowa on the colonialPresbyterian struggle for freedomof religion in America.“The Lord leads in mysteriousways,” says Kinsingerwith a grin.Kinsinger grew up inParnell, Iowa, on his family’sfarm. While at Wheaton, hewavered between a major inveterinary medicine or youthministry. “You’d be workingwith animals either way,” aprofessor quipped.He stayed on track withChristian education, as hispassion had moved from thegirl to the subject, and theprofessor had become animportant mentor to him.Following graduation,he spent five years withYoung Life in suburbanChicago, working as areadirector of its adolescent outreachministry. “During thattime, I realized what I likedmost was teaching: equippingand training the youngadults with whom weworked,” he says.This tug toward academiasent Kinsinger on theseminary route, where hefurther explored his call toministry and his fundamental“curiosity about the variousfaith traditions and how theywere related”—the latter ofwhich had come about whenhis Mennonite roots put himin the minority at Wheaton.Today, his Religion inAmerica course attracts similartypes of Northwesternstudents—those who arewilling to think conceptuallyabout their faith, Kinsingersays. “We try to step out ofour own Christian traditionand use the tools of religiousstudies to understand all wecan about the phenomenonof religion. Once we do that,it allows the students to stepback into their traditionswith a deeper understandingand appreciation of thefaith.”When Kinsinger washired by Northwestern in2000, he was asked to createa program in youth ministries.There are now 60 studentsinvolved, and they gainfield experiences in areachurches throughout theschool year. Some participatein summer-long internshipsof religion. Once we do that,it allows the students to stepback into their traditionswith a deeper understandingand appreciation of thefaith.”▲in churches nationally as partof the Vocare InternshipProgram, funded by the college’sLilly Grant.Kinsinger finds that themix of theology, history, Bibleand ministry in his teachingload complement each otherand help strengthen histeaching style. “That intersectionhas been a rich one forme to explore,” he says.Films like About a Boy,based on Nick Hornby’snovel, get played inKinsinger’s Introduction toChristian Theology class,illustrating themes of sin,12 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicFacultyprofileMitch KinsingerDr. Mitch Kinsinger talks with tutors for his Introduction to Christian Theology course (left to right): Katrina Kramer, Ben Pitzen and Julia Meyer.grace and community, andcontextualizing the gospel forstudents of a media-steepedgeneration.(When meeting Hornbyat a book-signing this summer,Kinsinger confessed histheological interests to theLondon author. He’d like tosomeday explore theChristian themes woventhroughout Hornby’s writings,he told the author, whoseemed intrigued with theidea.)Always on the lookoutfor means to reach his students,Kinsinger says, “I’mwilling to try almost anythingto get students to think; butin the end, I just try to beauthentic and care about students.This generationdoesn’t like gimmicks.”This past spring break,Kinsinger arranged for studentsto experience an▼“It was pure joy to be ableto go on those trips with thestudents. To see themmature and grow andchange—and to think I hada part in that—that’s thegreatest reward.”▲authentic, cross-culturalurban ministry experience atthe East Belfast Mission inNorthern Ireland. Theyhelped with the mission’syouth work primarily, andwith ministries to the homelessand underprivileged inthe community. (NWC alumBeth Harding is currentlyworking at the mission fulltime; see page 34.)Having also spent lastyear’s Spring Service Projectin Belfast, Kinsinger loveswatching students who havenever left rural, MidwesternAmerica become passionateabout urban ministry overseas.“It was pure joy to beable to go on those trips withthem,” he says. “To see themmature and grow andchange—and to think I had apart in that—that’s the greatestreward.”Kinsinger is currentlypursuing ordination in theReformed Church inAmerica, an act of solidaritywith the church as he helpsdevelop its next generation ofleaders.Despite the serendipitousstart in ministry, he’s hooked.No gimmicks needed.13 ▲ Spring 2006

StudentprofileNorthwestern ClassicKristin HeumannJump!by Carrie (Odell ’01) AndersonWhen classmates at Northwesterndiscover that Kristin Heumann is acompetitive jump roper, they’re oftenskeptical. “They want to know if wesing while we’re jumping. I don’t haveenough breath for that,” she says with alaugh.Heumann, a senior physical educationmajor from Chandler, Ariz., startedjump roping in kindergarten when afriend joined a local after-school program.“It’s something I chose to do,” shesays. “My parents didn’t know muchabout it at first.”Since then it’s become a familyaffair, as both of her parents are judgesat jump roping competitions.Heumann’s dad, Rick, serves as thecommissioner for jump rope events atthe annual Grand Canyon State Games,a multi-sport Olympic festival forArizona amateur athletes in whichHeumann has competed.When Heumann was 17, she andher teammates trained for the 2002world championships in Belgium. Thismeant practicing twice a day up to sixdays a week, for a couple of hours at atime. Heumann’s team placed fifth inthe all-around, coming just a few tenthsof a point behind the top three teamsthat continued to the international competition.In 2001 and 2002, Heumann’steam, the Star Skippers, won the goldmedal in Double Dutch at the AAU(Amateur Athletic Union) JuniorOlympics. She and her partner alsoplaced third in the pairs events in 2002.Heumann’s most recent competitionwas the 2004 Junior Olympics inDes Moines. She placed second or thirdin all seven events, earning the bronzemedal in the female individual allaround.Like other sports, jump roperequires consistent training, and repetitionis key. “We usually practice infront of mirrors,” Heumann says,“because even slight changescan affect speed.”Also essentialis the right pair ofshoes. Heumannfound a particularcross-training shoe sheliked so much that shebought five pairs.Heumann thinks her beststrength as a jumper is her heart. “I’mreally good at speed, and I have a knackfor choreographing routines,” she says.Despite the lack of familiarity herIowa friends show for the sport ofjump rope, Heumann loves it. “It’ssomething different, and there arealways new things to learn,” she says.The sport of jump rope hasgrown tremendously in the last 10years, with official USA Jump Ropeclubs in at least 30 states.Without a club or teammatesnearby, though, it’s been difficult forHeumann to keep training.Nevertheless, she has plenty ofjump ropes in her campus apart-14 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicStudentprofilement, including a beadedrope for strengthening andvarious wire and plasticropes.Heumann, who is alsoearning a career concentrationin fitness management,has been an instructor foron-campus aerobics classesand is currently serving aspresident of Northwestern’sKinesiology Klub.Last summer she wasan intern for the GrandCanyon State Games. Herresponsibilities included handlingevent registration,answering nutrition and fitnessquestions, and helpingpublish a weekly newsletter.She says her favorite part wasseeing the smiles on the facesof the athletes after theycompeted. “I loved seeing allour hard work fall intoplace.”Heumann will graduatein May after just three yearsof college. She hopes to go tograduate school next fall atBoise State, which has thebest local jump rope team inthe country. Her dream is toopen her own competitivejump rope gym where otherathletes can train. With amaster’s degree in sports psychologyand motor learning,she’d also like to be a collegeprofessor one day.And if the OlympicGames ever declare jumprope as an official sport? “I’ddefinitely be motivated totrain then,” Heumann says.A closer lookJumping rope hascome a long way sincewe sang “Cinderella,dressed in yella’…” onthe school playground.Competitivejumpers are judged onboth speed and power.During the speed events,athletes must completeas many successfuljumps as possible in aparticular amount oftime. The USA JumpRope record for oneminutespeed is 352;Kristin’s record is 312.In the power events,jumpers must completeas many triple unders (inwhich the rope passesunder the athlete’s feetthree times in one jump)in a row as they can.One of Kristin’s routinetricks is called afrog, in which she does ahandstand and pulls therope under her feetbefore landing.Other competitivejump rope terms:Double Dutch: Oneathlete jumps two ropestwirled by two people atthe same time, trying torecord as many jumps aspossible within oneminute.Freestyle: Infreestyle routines, thejumpers have a set timelimit to demonstrate acombination of skillsand tricks choreographedto music, similarto gymnastics.Kristin Heumann15 ▲ Spring 2006

CoverstoryNorthwestern ClassicKari BroadwayIn the DepthsSenior Kari Broadway’s journey with severe depression and borderline personalitydisorder—and her recovery—were featured in a documentary that aired nationwide,“Shadow Voices: Finding Hope in Mental Illness.”by Duane BeesonWhen Kari Broadwaytalks to youth groups or collegeclasses about mental illness,she does so as morethan a college student whohopes to become a psychiatrist.She speaks from personalexperience.Growing up in NewSharon, Iowa, Broadway triedto suffocate herself under pillows,hoping someone wouldnotice something was wrong.In high school, she struggledwith anorexia and attemptedsuicide by overdosing onmedication.Enrolling at Northwesternas an honor studentin 1996, she had her life wellplanned out. She wouldmajor in music and minor inpsychology. Graduate schoolin music therapy would follow.Road to despairIn October of her freshmanyear, Broadway startedhaving problems focusing onher studies. She had noappetite; her greatest desirewas to sleep.She saw a counselor andwent back on the antidepressantshe had taken for awhile in high school. ByFebruary, though, Broadwayhad dropped out of activities—andstudies. She washospitalized for 10 days inMarch and received newmedications.Broadway spiraleddownhill as her collegecareer continued. Outwardly,she was successful—active inPraise and Worship, the Acappella Choir and studentgovernment. Inside, she wasconstantly fighting negativemessages. She struggled withbulimia and self-mutilation,cutting and burning herselfto validate the pain.“Imagine 10 peopletelling you you’re worthless,”she says. That’s whatBroadway’s brain told her,endlessly.Following a second suicideattempt, she began electroconvulsivetherapy. Finally,when she was a senior in thefall of 1999, the studentdevelopment staff encouragedher to leave school. Hermental health insurance wasdepleted, so her only optionwas to go to the state mentalinstitution in Cherokee.Diagnosed with majordepression and borderlinepersonality disorder, Broadwaylater spent a number ofyears in the Intensive PsychiatricRehabilitation programat Hope Haven in Rock16 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicCoverstoryValley, Iowa. She made incrementalprogress, thanks totherapy, medication, electroconvulsivetherapy and astrong support team.Milestones along theway included moving intoher own apartment, obtainingan office job, and thenworking at a home for individualswith severe mentalretardation.▼“My prayer is that peoplewill be touched, and then bebetter equipped to deal withfriends, family and otherswith mental illness.”▲A new goalToday Broadway is backon campus full time. She hasa new goal—to go to medicalschool and then into psychiatry.It means she has at leasttwo more years at Northwesternbefore continuingher education, but, she says,“I feel this is what God wantsme to do.“I would like to researchthe effects of music, especiallyon autism,” Broadwayexplains. “I’m interested inhow we can use music alongwith medication and othertreatments to help people.”Broadway knows firsthandthe struggle to find theright treatment for mental illness—andthe benefits thatcome when that happens. Ittook doctors eight yearsbefore they found the rightmedications for her. Withthat and electroconvulsivetherapy once a month, shesays she is doing well.“My brain feels like itcan focus and get thingsdone. I have an energy tolearn that wasn’t therebefore,” she says.Broadway’s semester GPAlast fall was her best ever; shecame close to making theDean’s List. “My classes arestarting to connect to eachother. That’s the reason I choseto go to a liberal arts college: tobe able to make sense of thedifferent parts of the world.”Able to talkabout itOnce embarrassed toseek treatment, Broadway isnow eager to tell her story.She wants people to understandmental illness—andthe hope of recovery.Last May, an article shewrote about her personalstruggle was published inThe Church Herald. Recently,Broadway was featured in atelevision documentary onmental illness that airednationwide. (See www.shadowvoices.com.)“It’s an opportunity for adevastating time in my life tobe a sharing, encouragingand learning experience forothers,” says Broadway. “Myprayer is that people will betouched, and then be betterequipped to deal withfriends, family and otherswith mental illness.“I hope it allows peopleto see the reality of mentalillness as an illness,” she continues.“We deal with peoplewho have diabetes and cancerevery day, but we don’tdeal with people with mentalillness in as positive a light.”Broadway says she hasA music major, Broadway uses her talentsas a pianist at her church and as amember of the A cappella Choir.learned a lot from her experience.“The big thing is there’s apersonal responsibility to itlike any other illness. Youhave to take your meds, treatmentsand follow through onwhat people are asking youto do to get better. You needto accept mental illness aspart of who you are.“I want people to knowmental illness is not the end ofthe road. It may be a curve inthe road, but it’s not the end.”ThankfulIt’s been a difficult journeyfor Broadway—one sheknows she’ll always be on—but a journey she’s thankfulfor, nonetheless.“In the beginning, I feltGod was abandoning me,”she says. “I had to come tothe realization that Godwouldn’t allow it if I couldn’thandle it. And I had to moveforward.“I am grateful for theplaces God has taken me. Myprayer life has been strengthened;I grasp any opportunityto pray for someone.Above all, I have an increasedfaith that God is incontrol, no matter what.”Broadway says theopportunities she has had toeducate people about mentalHow to helpWhat can you do tohelp someone with a mentalillness? Kari Broadwayoffers these tips:Listen. “Acknowledgetheir feelings andthoughts. You don’t haveto agree with them thatlife’s terrible, but supportthem.”Avoid offeringadvice. “People have said,‘Just read this book or justpray more.’ You can be asupport without saying,‘Do this, this and this.’”Take action.“Volunteer to go with themto get professional help.”Broadway says she greatlyappreciates the peoplewho are available to listento her and drive her toSioux Falls for monthlyelectroconvulsive therapy.Pray for those whocan’t pray for themselves.“Unless you’ve really beenin the depths where youcan’t get out, you don’tknow how hard it is topray or focus on anythingspiritual.”illness have been an answerto prayer. “I asked God touse what I’d gone through—and he has.”Some people have lostfaith in God after battlingwith mental illness. ForBroadway, the opposite hashappened.“Some might say, ‘Howcould you worship a Godwho put you through this?’ Ilook at it this way: A Godwho can bring me throughthis is definitely worth following.”Kari Broadway17 ▲ Spring 2006

CoverstoryNorthwestern ClassicCounseling servicesHelp for the HurtingCounseling center provides professional care for struggling studentsby Anita Cirulis“It seems like everyfreshman class brings inmore students who are dealingwith some pretty deepissues,” says Eric Anderson,Northwestern’s associatedean of residence life.Anderson has the perspectiveto know. He spentfive years as a resident directorat NWC before movinginto his current position in2001. What’s true at Northwestern,however, is trueacross the country.“It’s a national trend,from all the [student development]conferences we’regoing to,” Anderson says.“Everybody’s talking abouthow to deal with it. I don’tremember having conferencetopics about mental health 10years ago; now it’s a fixture.”Until recently,Northwestern had limitedresources to help studentswith mental, emotional orsocial problems. Residentdirectors (RDs) and facultyshouldered much of the loadfor their care; counseling wasavailable only through outsideprofessionals.That changed in 2000when the college establishedits own counseling centerwith two part-time counselors.In 2003, Dr. SallyOakes Edman, a psychologist,joined them as directorof counseling services.“I don’t know how weused to survive withoutcounselors,” Anderson says.“Ours were booked up byOctober this year, with awaiting list for the rest of thesemester.”Nine out of 10 studentswho use the center seek helpon their own—though sometimesat the encouragementof a roommate, friend, RD orprofessor. They come with awide variety of issues. Somestruggle with test anxiety,relationship issues or a familycrisis. Others are plagued bydepression, thoughts of suicide,an eating disorder oraddiction. Still others are tryingto heal from past verbal,physical or sexual abuse.The training and educationof Northwestern’s counselorsallow them to providea full range of outpatient psychotherapy,the only exceptionbeing the ability to prescribemedication. When thatis necessary, students arereferred off campus.But while the center hasthree counselors, all are parttime. “We currently have 55staff hours per week,” Edman▼“College students across the nation are showingmore psychological distress than they did a generationago.” Part of that, Anderson believes, can beattributed to a greater number of students who havebeen abused or who come from broken families,contributing to “a deeper and greater pain thatcomes out during college years.”▲says. “When the center started,it had 40 hours of stafftime and served about onefourthof the students we seenow.”There are a variety ofreasons for such a markedincrease in demand. One factoris the center’s efforts toraise awareness about conditionslike depression and eatingdisorders and to encouragestudents to seek help.Another factor is that todaythere is less stigma attachedto getting counseling than inyears past.But the reasons go deeper.“College students acrossthe nation are showing morepsychological distress thanthey did a generation ago,”Edman says. Part of that,Anderson believes, can beattributed to a greater numberof students who havebeen abused or who comefrom broken families, contributingto “a deeper andgreater pain that comes outduring college years.”Edman also points tothe role society plays. Eatingdisorders, for example, areon the rise as women in film,television and fashion magazinesget smaller and smaller.Whether a student’sproblem is transient or longtermin nature, the counselors’goal is the same. “We try tohelp students stay in schooland be successful here wheneverpossible,” Edman says.Achieving that goal isoften a group effort.Counseling services has aclose working relationshipwith members of the residencelife staff, who oftenserve as the first line ofresponse for students in crisis.Both the resident directorsand their student residentassistants go throughtraining prior to the start ofthe school year. Some ses-18 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicCoverstorysions, led by the college’scounselors, teach them whatsymptoms to look for; others,how to intervene.Throughout the schoolyear, the counselors are availablefor consultations, duringwhich they can provide residencelife staff with adviceabout how to handle cases.Edman also meets monthlywith the RDs to discussissues and make presentations.Balancing the needs ofthe individual student withthe needs of the college communityis a constant challenge.Most students thecounseling center sees, whilestruggling, are still able tocontinue their studies. Infact, the college’s acknowledgementthat anyone,including Christians, canexperience depression andmental illness is one of thethings Edman appreciatesabout NWC.“At Northwestern, weunderstand students come tous with all kinds of complexitiesin their life stories,” shesays. “Some Christian collegestend to not want tohave any problems, but Idon’t get that sense here.”Despite the best effortsof all involved, however, notevery student is able to stayat Northwestern. There aresome whose illness producesbehavior that has such a negativeimpact on the communitythey must be asked toleave. Others require a moretherapeutic environment fortheir own well-being.“It’s an ongoing battlefor us to figure out how bestAs director of Northwestern’s counseling center, Dr. Sally Oakes Edman leads a staff whose services are increasingly indemand–a phenomena being experienced by colleges nationwide.to serve them, but yet give tothose who are emotionallyhealthy what we’d like togive them as well,” Andersonsays. “What is our role as amental health provider ofsome sorts when we’re not amental health facility? Wewant to welcome studentswith challenges, but we alsowant to be able to handlethem without creating chaosin our community.”It’s a dilemma more andmore colleges are findingthemselves faced with thesedays—and a question withno easy answer.Counseling services19 ▲ Spring 2006

AlumniprofileNorthwestern ClassicBob ScholtenFrom A to Z … and BeyondA Vietnam vet who was illiterate when he enrolled at Northwestern in 1973, Bob Scholten is now a pastor and author of a book about the Vietnam War.by Amy ScheerIn the fall of 1973, Bob Scholten was a Vietnam veteranliving on what he calls the jock floor of Colenbrander Hall.He was 23, it was mid-afternoon, and he was asking God toteach him the alphabet.He looked in the dictionary to find the correct order ofletters, and slowly, the alphabet tune came to him too. Havingbeen accepted into Northwestern under “special student” status,Scholten ’76 was functionally illiterate and could barelyspell “George,” his middle name.He made it from A to Z. For the first time. He was sohappy he ran out into the halls.“At that time, vets were going off the deep end, and peoplegave them wide berth,” Scholten says. “I was 23 years old,a Vietnam vet, and I was dancing through the halls singingthe alphabet.”When Pastor Bob Scholten tells his life story, it’s hard notto picture him signing away the film rights. It’s a story withhumor, pathos and war. It’s full of zingers like, “I should’vebeen in prison, if it weren’t for two things: God’s grace and20 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicAlumniprofilefast feet.”Scholten was born onChicago’s South Side. Whenhe was a few months old, hisfamily was in a boating accident,and Scholten fell intothe water. “Dad had me inthe palm of his hand,” hesays, and that hand barelyreached above the water’ssurface. On the third bob up,an uncle grabbed the baby,and the father sunk down,▼“I was 23 years old, aVietnam vet, and I wasdancing through the hallssinging the alphabet.”▲drowning. An intoxicatedman watching from the shoresaved Scholten’s dad andresuscitated him.After this dramatic start,Scholten, who had learningdisabilities and speechimpediments, looked fortrouble on the streets ofChicago rather than fight hisway through schoolbooks.His grandmother, whosebedroom was near the frontdoor, would call out, “Bobby,remember I’m praying foryou.”Just out of eighth gradeat age 16, Scholten experienceda radical conversion ofhis pew-sitter faith. Hesqueaked through highschool. He then joined theArmy, because it wasn’t theNavy (“I have a healthy fearof sharks”), the Air Force(“That was out” [because ofhis disabilities]), or theMarines (“They’d kill me”).He told people heentered the military to be awitness for the Lord, whichwas true, but mostly he wasafraid to stay a civilian. Hecouldn’t read forms, signs ordirections. Of course, therewere forms and signs in theArmy too, but his buddiesthere helped him. They shiftedthe gears of his truck andcovered for him. They calledhim “Preacher.”Scholten spent 10months in Vietnam workingas a gunner in the open turretof a duster. After his servicein the war—and whileafflicted with survivor’s guiltand what is now called posttraumaticstress disorder—Scholten did ministry withyouth.He then applied toNorthwestern, though theprospect of being withgroups of people frightenedhim: “Tap me on the shoulder,I might punch you,” hesays. Loud noises, and he’dbe on the ground.He and 10 other guys,many of whom were also veterans,were placed in anoverflow wing of their own,and the small group sizecalmed Scholten. His roommatewas a great role model.(“The guy breathed A’s. Ididn’t even know the alphabetyet.”)Dr. Grady Hollandarranged for Scholten to betested through special educationservices. “God, pleasedon’t let me have a fifthgradeeducation,” Scholtenprayed. “He answered myprayer: I had a lower one.”Dr. Syl Scorza (“Godbless him, he was a patientman”) worked with Scholtenon learning both English andGreek grammar. Slowly,Scholten’s reading skillsdeveloped.He made it through, andfrom Northwestern heattended New BrunswickTheological Seminary in NewJersey. There, a tutor helpedhim learn to write. He wenton to pastor churches inNew York, South Dakota,Washington and Iowa.This February, Scholtenand his wife, Cheryl(Hietbrink ’75), moved toAnnville, Ky., to work withJackson County Ministriesand to pastor the AnnvilleCommunity ReformedChurch. They and a Vietnamveteran in the congregationwill create the first ministryto veterans in the area.It troubles Scholten thatchurches have not activelyreached out to help veterans,to draw out their stories.Even the chatty pastor pauseswhen he speaks of Vietnam.To that end, he’s written abook, Reflections on a Journeyto War (www.vietnamwarreflections.com),a devotionalto help veterans thinkthrough their feelings and tohelp civilians understand aveteran’s struggles.An illiterate turnedauthor. A street kid turnedpastor. A nearly drownedbaby who grew up to saveothers from the sea of theirtroubled emotions.“Bored and Christiandon’t go together,” saysScholten, who can’t imaginewhat might come next.Searches are open for thefollowing faculty positions:Clinical psychology (tenure track)Developmental psychology (one-year leave replacement)Psychology (tenure track)All positions begin in August 2006. Job descriptions andapplication details are available at www.nwciowa.edu/employment. Northwestern seeks individuals who areReformed and evangelical in theology and committed tothe distinctives of a Christian liberal arts education.Northwestern College complies with federal and state regulations concerning nondiscriminationin employment. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.Bob Scholten21 ▲ Spring 2006

AlumniprofileNorthwestern ClassicRyan & Mikyla DittmanParenting at ’heartFor kids with nowhere else to turn, Dittmans are familyRyan and Mikyla Dittman (center), with a coworker and eight of their 10 kids, say theirs is a lot like any other family. This summer, they plan to take their boys on a tripto Jamaica to volunteer at the Robin’s Nest, an orphanage the Dittmans had visited on their honeymoon.by Tamara FynaardtThey sound a lot like any other parents. When they starttalking about their kids, her voice gets more animated; his hasa note of pride. “Stephen is our oldest. He does really well inschool and is very athletic—a model student.”Jacob has a lot of personality. Anton is into pop musicand cool clothes. Reid is so polite. They go on down the listuntil, “They’re just so great!” she gushes and then realizesthey’ve both been bragging about their kids for several minutes.Any parent understands.But these aren’t just any parents. He’s 24, she’s 23, andthey have 10 kids, all boys, ranging in age from 13 to 17.Ryan ’04 and Mikyla (Hardersen ’05) Dittman are familyteachers—parents essentially—at Mooseheart Child City andSchool, about 40 miles west of Chicago.Established by the Moose fraternity in 1913, Mooseheartis a home for infants, kids and teenagers whose families areunavailable or unable, for a variety of reasons, to care forthem. About 10 percent are orphans, with no parents orguardians. Others come to Mooseheart because they need arefuge from environments that are unhealthy.The 250 kids at Mooseheart live in one of 30 residences,each of which is designed like a single-family home—albeit abig one. The Mooseheart campus also includes a school, medicalclinic and church.The Dittmans were hired by Mooseheart last July. Ryan, asociology major, had spent summers working at Boys Town inOmaha, which is similar to Mooseheart, and Mikyla, an educationmajor, joined him after they married as undergraduates.Three months into their 24/7 job, they nearly broke their22 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicAlumniprofilepromise to themselves thatthey would stick it out ayear.When they first arrived,their family included memberswho were stealing,sneaking out at night, andverbally abusing one another.Some of their kids haveleft in recent months, andnew brothers have movedinto the Dittmans’ home andhearts. The kids in their familynow have what Ryan andMikyla consider “regular kidproblems.”They act up at school toget attention. They talk back.“All kids have disciplineissues, and we have 10 ofthem,” says Mikyla, addingit’s nothing they can’t handleas a family.The reasons their boysare at Mooseheart vary. Oneof their teenagers was livingwith his grandparents whentheir health declined. Theparents of two others simplycannot afford to raise them athome. One boy was sent toMooseheart by his mom aftershootings at his inner-cityschool, and another came toescape a neighborhood withheavy drug trafficking.“Every kid would ratherlive at home with his or herfamily,” says Mikyla, “so theyget down sometimes. Butthese kids realize their parentsor guardians can’t takecare of them, and this is aplace where they’re going to▼“This is a place wherethey’re going to be safe andget food and an educationand be around people whocare about them.”Mikyla’s education major—and sense of humor—come in handy while she supervisesafter-school homework around the dining room table.▲be safe and get food and aneducation and be aroundpeople who care aboutthem.”The Dittmans’ days startaround 7 a.m. when they getthe boys up and assignmorning chores. By 8 thekids are off to school, andRyan and Mikyla spend severalhours managing householdtasks, creating newchores lists, meeting teachers,or taking the boys to thedoctor or orthodontist.At 3:30 the boys arrivehome, hungry and complainingabout homework. Theysit around the large diningroom table, snacking andcompleting assignments.When they’re finished, theyplay basketball, watch TV orhang out.Sometimes Ryan andMikyla cook dinner, butmost often the meal for 12 iscatered in by the campus’central kitchen. After dinnerthere’s a family meeting, thenmore chores and homeworkbefore bedtime at 10.“Mostly, we’re just like aregular family,” says Mikyla,who came from a family ofnine. She talks excitedlyabout making her mom’s traditionalChristmas eggnog forher boys and starting newtraditions like pancakes everySaturday morning.Of course, there are differences.“We can’t hug ourkids or really even touchthem,” Mikyla says. “Some ofthem come from abusive situations,”explains Ryan.As a sociology major,Ryan says he learned a lot atNorthwestern about respectingwhere people come fromand taking the opportunityto learn from every new personand situation.And, he realizes, he hasa lot more to learn.The boys enjoy playing basketball andtalking sports with Ryan, a former footballplayer at Northwestern.“Suddenly we’re responsiblefor 10 other people.And that’s an education everyday in things like how todeal with the kid who’s notmotivated or the kid who’shaving problems with afriend.”Ryan and Mikyla laughwhen asked if this experienceis preparing them to havechildren of their own.“At first, I was waystrict, and Ryan wasn’t,” saysMikyla. “I think we’ve gottento be on the same page aboutthat.”“We’ve realized we haddifferent opinions about howkids should be raised,” Ryansays, adding that they’ve hadto step up their efforts atcommunicating and problem-solvingas a couple sincebecoming family teachers atMooseheart.“I feel like I can answermost of their questions, but Iwish I had more wisdom,”says Mikyla.Sounds like a parent.Ryan & Mikyla Dittman23 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicPaul BeltmanFacevaluePaul BeltmanSelf-described nerd, poet, perpetual studentHow did you end up back at your alma mater?I spent six weeks in downtown Chicago in a cubicle doingprogramming. It drove me nuts. Here I’m a jack-of-all-trades,working with faculty and students and providing help on theacademic side of computing services. I like the variety the joboffers.also a creative exercise. I’ve always had that kind of dualnature. In high school I was tinkering on computers, but Iwas also writing poetry and stories.Describe yourself in three words.Insatiably curious introvert. I’ve always been curious aboutnearly everything. That’s one of the reasons I keep takingclasses here at Northwestern.You’re working on a degree in religion. Why?I thought it might be a nice opportunity to work out somemetaphysical reflections I’d been mulling over. How shouldChristians approach ethical decisions? What does it mean tobe a created being and to create?What surprises people about you?I have a pretty eclectic variety of interests. I’ve been workingtoward my teaching certification in tae kwon do, but then Ialso am a complete nerd. I built my own computer fromscratch just by buying parts. I read everything I can get myhands on. And I don’t own a TV.Have you ever wanted to use martial arts on a computer?Just about every day. Computers certainly produce their shareof aggravation. Every one of us in computing services haslonged to take a shotgun to the server at one point or another.What are you an expert at?I don’t consider myself an expert in anything, really. I considermyself more as a lifelong student. I’m constantly trying tolearn more.What do you value?Learning. Faith. The act of creation. I write poetry. I’m workingout how we can be little creators on our own. It can be anexpression of faith.How do you explain your unusual combination of computertechie and creative writer?Creativity can be expressed in so many different ways—because to come up with a solution to a computer problem isA third-degree Black Belt, Paul Beltman ’92 holds degrees in computerscience and English—and soon will add another in religion.In addition to keeping professors online as Northwestern’s academiccomputing manager, he treats the campus community to aChristmas poem every year.24 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicStudentprofileSwishBounce … Bounce …“I think I do a decent job of blocking [pressure] out and just stepping up to the lineand concentrating,” Deb Remmerde said of her free-throw shooting ability on CBS’The Early Show.by Duane BeesonIt was 4:15 a.m. on Feb.13, and basketball star DebRemmerde was walking intothe Bultman Center to dosome shooting.Other than the hour,there wasn’t anything thatunusual about the situation.Remmerde has been knownto shoot in the dark toimprove her accuracy. Somesummer days, she spends 12hours shooting hoops.From fourth grade untilseventh grade—when herdad built her a court in amachine shed on their RockValley, Iowa, farm—she shotoutside every day. If therewas snow, she’d shovel it—and wear gloves and boots.Ice? She’d get gravel from thedriveway to improve herfooting.But this time, a cameracrew from CBS’ The EarlyShow was on hand to broadcastRemmerde’s free-throwexpertise. Harry Smith wouldbe asking her questions livefrom New York. And 600Raider fans would be donnedin red, cheering her on as shemethodically hit foul shotafter foul shot.After her first basket, anuncharacteristic miss. Thenshe got on track.A standing ovationwhen she hit her 100th consecutiveshot lasted until thatstreak ended at 167.Despite the pressure ofshooting free throws nearlynonstop for almost twohours, the free throw phenomwas on fire. Her nextstreak, which finished as theshow was wrapping up, was256 in a row.Final tally: 588 freethrows attempted, only sixmissed.The television exposure—andstories thatappeared in USA Today, theBoston Herald and beyond—resulted from Remmerde’sfree-throw shooting earlierthis season. She made 133charity tosses in a row, arecord unmatched in the historyof organized basketball.Why is she so good?“It all stems from Godgiving me the desire to begood at this game,” Remmerdesays, “and shooting alot of shots.The license plate onRemmerde’s Chevrolet Equinox describesher free-throw shooting perfectly.“The key is having thesame routine every time,” theself-described gym rat toldthe Chicago Sun-Times. “Forme, it’s step up, take twodribbles and shoot it. Andjust having the confidencethat you will make the shot.”A Dean’s List studentwhose lowest grade at NWChas been an A-, Remmerde isthe epitome of focused. Andthat focus is enough to makeopposing players and coacheswant to call a time-out.They know the sophomorehas her sights set on a goalbetter than 133 consecutivefoul shots.“I’d like to have myname on that list of nationalchampions,” says Remmerde,who led Northwestern to aFinal Four finish this yearand was named NAIA Div. IInational player of the year.Deb RemmerdeSee national media storiesabout Remmerde’s streakat www.nwciowa.edu/remmerde25 ▲ Spring 2006

SportsupdateNorthwestern ClassicGo Big RedWintersportsWomen’sbasketball• Advanced to the NAIA Div.II Final Four and finishedwith a 30-5 record.• Tied for third in the GreatPlains Athletic Conference(GPAC) with a 15-3 mark.• Sophomore Deb Remmerde(Rock Valley, Iowa)was named the nationalplayer of the week on Feb.15 after averaging morethan 40 points in a threegamestretch. The guard,who earned GPAC playerof the week honors threetimes, broke national tournamentrecords for scoring(144 points in fourgames), three-pointers in agame (10) and three-pointersin the tournament (22).Men’sbasketball• Ended the year with a firstroundloss at the nationaltournament, closing theseason with a 23-8 record.• Placed third in the conferencewith a 13-5 record.• Sophomore Chad Schuiteman(Sioux Center, Iowa)was named GPAC player ofthe year and a first team All-American. He earnednational and conferenceplayer of the week honorsJan. 11 after shooting 65percent from the field andaveraging 24 points and 13rebounds. The forward,who contributed more than22 points and 12 reboundsper game on the season,recorded 24 double-doubles.Wrestling• Five wrestlers competed inthe national meet held inSioux City March 3–4:sophomore Tom Bartello(Newton, Iowa); freshmanEnock Francois (LakePark, Fla.); junior CourtneyGoodwin (West PalmBeach, Fla.); senior ChrisKeating (Aztec, N.M.); andsophomore AndrewLundgren (Orange City).The Raiders received theTeam SportsmanshipAward.• Placed fifth out of 15teams (including eight thatwere nationally ranked) atthe Red Raider Invitational.Indoor track• Junior Nick Fynaardt(New Sharon, Iowa)earned All-American honorswith a third-place finishin the shot put at thenational meet March 9–11in Johnson City, Tenn. Hetossed it 53-10.50.• Also competing at nationalswere: junior RobbieCundy (Madison, S.D.) inthe 60-meter hurdles; seniorAndrew Ortmeier(Osmond, Neb.) in theshot put and weightthrow; and the women’s4x400 relay team of juniorMegan Harding (Newcastle,Neb.), sophomoreJessica Regan (CouncilBluffs, Iowa), sophomoreLaura Jacobson (Galva,Iowa) and junior KristenMaakestad (Osage, Iowa).Andrew Stimson was among three freshmen who saw considerable playing time forthe nationally ranked Red Raiders this season.Jacobson and Maakestadalso competed in the 600.• Fynaardt broke the shotput record at the DordtInvitational with his heaveof 51-03.5. He was namedthe GPAC field athlete ofthe week on Feb. 13 afterwinning the Wayne StateCollege meet.RaidersreceivenationalhonorsSeveral fall sport athletesreceived national honorsrecently.Junior Austin Janssen(Orange City), a linebacker,was named an honorablemention NAIA football All-American for the third time,while senior Travis Wallin(Paullina, Iowa), a defensiveend, also received honorablemention. Sara Nessa (senior,Council Bluffs, Iowa) earnedhonorable mention distinctionin soccer.Named NAIA Scholar-Athletes in football wereJustin Dowdy (senior,Carleton, Neb.); Kurt VanKley (senior, Blue Earth,Minn.); Blake Reinke (junior,Hull, Iowa); and KeithSietstra (junior, Boyden,Iowa). Soccer player Matt VanHeuvelen (junior, Urbandale,Iowa) earned Scholar-Athleterecognition as well.26 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicSportsupdateNWC honors former athletesNorthwestern’s Red Raider Club inducted two alumniinto the Athletic Hall of Fame and recognized its 2005Coaches of the Year and Barnabas Award recipient on Feb. 10.Hall of Famer Krista (Biermann ’00)Bundt ranks second in Northwestern’s volleyballrecord books in kills per game duringa career with a 4.37 average. She is third insolo blocks with 147. A second team All-American in 1999, Bundt earned honorableKrista (Biermann)Bundtmention All-American honors during herjunior and sophomore campaigns. She was atwo-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete and wasnamed to the all-region and all-conference teams each of herfour seasons.Bundt is a social worker at ATLAS in Orange City andlives in Alton.Hall of Famer Bryant Engelmann ’97was a four-time All-American in track andfield. He was a member of the 4x400-meterrelay in ’95 that finished sixth at the nationaloutdoor meet. He finished fourth at nationalsin the 600-meter run his sophomore yearBryant Engelmannand third as a junior. In ’97 Engelmannplaced fifth in the 800-meter run at outdoornationals. He holds Northwestern’s record in that event with atime of 1:49.89.Engelmann farms near Storm Lake, Iowa.Josh Bolluyt ’99 was one of two 2005Northwestern Coaches of the Year. He servedas an assistant defensive coach for the Raiderfootball team for four years before moving tothe defensive coordinator position in 2001.Under his leadership, the 2004 NWCJosh Bolluyt defense led the NAIA in five categories.Bolluyt now works as an insurance agentin Spirit Lake, Iowa.TJ Buchholz ’99 was also a 2005 Coachof the Year. The Red Raider head men’s soccercoach since 2001, Buchholz led the2004 team to a share of the regular-seasonGPAC championship and a berth in theregional tournament. The Raiders’ finalrecord was 16-5 overall, 9-2 in the league.TJ BuchholzBuchholz, Northwestern’s campus securitydirector, lives in Alton.Russ Herman ’95 received the BarnabasAward, which is bestowed upon formerRaiders who encouraged others to strive fortheir best performance athletically, academicallyand personally, and who used theirsport as a way to bring others to a knowledgeof Jesus Christ. Herman was an NAIARuss Herman All-American and Scholar-Athlete in track.Herman teaches high school social studiesat MOC-Floyd Valley High School in Orange City, wherehe serves as the head boys’ track coach.2006 Distinguished Alumni AwardsGo Big RedFor nearly 30 years, distinguished alumni awards have honored individuals who have magnified Northwestern’s reputationthrough their outstanding achievements. Please take some time to nominate candidates for the Distinguished ProfessionalAchievement, Distinguished Service to Humankind, and Distinguished Service to Northwestern College awards.Visit www.nwciowa.edu/alumniawards to suggest names of worthy nominees, or contact Karen Woudstra, 712-707-7127 or karenw@nwciowa.edu.27 ▲ Spring 2006

AlumninewsNorthwestern ClassicClass notesAlumnicornerKaren Woudstra ’79Director of Alumniand Parent RelationsDeathsClareen (Ter Harsh) Van Den Berg’36, age 88, died Oct. 7 in Wayne,N.J. A graduate of NorthwesternJunior College and Calvin College,she taught at a Christian elementaryschool in Midland Park, N.J., for 15years. She was a member of theMidland Park Christian ReformedChurch, where she served as a deaconess,Sunday school teacher,choir member and soloist. She issurvived by two children.Helen De Jager ’38, age 86, diedDec. 2 in Orange City. After attendingNWJC, she completed a bachelor’sdegree at Westmar College. Shetaught for 42 years, including 26years at Orange City ElementaryEver feel like time gets away from you?This year I got behind on my Christmascards, so I decided to send out New Year’scards. As I write this, it looks instead likethey are going to be “Sending lots of love”Valentine’s Day cards. And, I admit, by thetime you read this I could be working onwhat has become an Easter mailing.Regardless, I’ll persist because I figure peoplearen’t going to care if I’m late sendingout our family’s greetings and good wishes—aslong as I do it sometime.Recently I had a great time visiting analumna. I enjoyed seeing her new little son and two daughters.I reminded her to visit the alumni website and send anupdate about her new baby so I can send her a Raider Rookiebaby bib.She laughed and said she hadn’t even notified NWCabout the birth of her daughters! I reassured her it’s never toolate. Just mention all three additions and whatever else isnew, because classmates will want to read about it in theClassic regardless of whether it’s breaking news or not.I encourage all alumni to update their information usingthe new alumni webpages because classmates want to hearwhat’s going on in your life, even if it’s old news to you. Goonline and add your name and e-mail to our alumni directory.That makes it easier for old friends to find you.Do it now. Do it at Easter. Do it next Christmas. Just doit sometime.School in the first grade. She was amember of First Reformed Church,where she served as a Sundayschool teacher and superintendent.Peter Noteboom ’43, ’49, age 79,died Nov. 13 in Orange City. Aftergraduating from Northwestern, heserved in the Navy for one yearbefore returning to Orange City. Heand his wife operated several localbusinesses, including an ice business,several service stations andOC-Trailers. He was a lifelongmember of First Christian ReformedChurch, where he served as anelder and Sunday school teacher.He served on the boards of OrangeCity Christian School, UnityChristian High School, DordtCollege and Hope Haven. Survivorsinclude his wife, Leona, three sonsand four siblings, including Tom’41, ’47 and ’66 and Luetta Oolman’45.Ron Muilenburg ’57, age 67, diedNov. 5 in Orange City. After graduatingfrom NWJC, he attended IowaState Teachers College and alsoearned two master’s degrees. Hetaught in high schools in Hawarden,Iowa, and Webster City, Iowa,and later moved to Oskaloosa,Iowa, where he worked as anadjuster and insurance salesman.Until his move to Orange City in2002, he was an active member ofthe Central Reformed Church inOskaloosa, where he served as aconsistory member and teacher. Formany years, he belonged to a gospelsinging group that traveled aroundIowa. He is survived by his motherand a sister.Geneva (Vink ’58, ’81) Van Peursem,age 66, died Nov. 11 in George,Iowa. She taught elementary schoolfor six years and worked as a bookkeeperfor various Orange Citybusinesses and First ReformedChurch. She also served as thefinancial affairs assistant at NWCfor more than 12 years, retiring in1998. She is survived by her husband,Mel ’58, and three children,including Dan ’89 and Randy ’92.Emily (Harms ’68) Matthiesen, age59, died Dec. 28 in Luverne, Minn.After graduating from Northwestern,she received a master’sdegree from Augustana College inSioux Falls and taught at LuvernePublic School for over 35 years. Shewas a member of Grace LutheranChurch in Luverne. Survivorsinclude her husband, Lyle, and ason.Mark Dunlop ’69, age 58, died Dec.17 in Orange City. He served as studentbody president at NWC andlater earned a master’s degree inpolitical science from the Universityof South Dakota. He was employedby Northwestern State Bank,Diamond Vogel Paints, and mostrecently, served for 10 years asSioux County’s emergency managementdirector. In addition to servingas a volunteer fireman inOrange City for 20 years, he was amember and deacon of AmericanReformed Church. He is survivedby his wife, Jo Anne (Van Dyken’70); their three children; a brother,Scott ’76; and a sister, Deb De Haan’78.Juanita (Wilkerson ’71) Bettin, age80, died Dec. 22 in Hartley, Iowa.She was a teacher in several Iowatowns, including Ocheyedan, whereshe taught for more than 20 years.She was a member of the Order ofthe Eastern Star, Legion Auxiliary,the Tuesday Club, the UnitedMethodist Church of Hartley andthe Abu Bekr Auxiliary. Her survivorsinclude her husband, Glenn;a son; and a brother.Tamara Kuhnau ’89, age 38, died ofbreast cancer Dec. 8 in Leland,Iowa. After receiving a degree inpolitical science/pre-law fromNWC, she worked for three years inWashington, D.C. She thenreturned to Iowa, serving as thedirector of student activities atWaldorf College in Forest City. Shealso worked in campus ministryand was a strength and conditioningcoach for the football team. Sheis survived by her parents; a brother,Dave ’92; and a sister.Ann Maes ’89, age 37, died June 4in South Huntington, N.Y. Sheearned a bachelor’s degree in musiceducation from NWC and a master’sdegree in music education fromQueens College in New York City.She directed high school choirs inseveral New York City schools andtaught private music lessons in herhome. She enjoyed cooking andstudying liturgical music. She issurvived by her parents and eightsiblings.Heidi (Jeltema ’98) Altena, age 30,died Dec. 11 in Dallas, Texas. Whileattending Northwestern, she was amember of the basketball and volleyballteams, and she majored inelementary education. She lived in28 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicAlumninewsSpringfield, Mo., where she was ahomemaker and tutor. Her survivorsinclude her husband, Thomas; twosons; her parents, including Gary,supervisor of mechanical services;and siblings Amy Schutt ’95, Tracy’03 and James ’09.’76Dennis Durband, Gilbert, Ariz.,recently joined the board of directorsfor the Arizona Right to LifePolitical Action Committee. Heserves as the director of publicationsfor United Families International.Class notesClass notes’42Joyce (Muilenburg) Booher, Batavia,N.Y., recently had bilateral kneereplacements.’64The Rev. Lyle Rozeboom has retiredfrom the ministry after serving aspastor of Community PresbyterianChurch in Rochester, Minn., for 15years.’70Bernie Van Roekel, Urbandale, Iowa,recently accepted a position as theexecutive director of Serve OurYouth Network of Iowa, a faithbasedorganization that matchesmentors and volunteers to high-riskyouth in central Iowa. He previouslyserved as principal of WaukeeHigh School for 20 years.’71Diane (Holles) Fleenor, Osage, Iowa,has retired after teaching businesseducation for 34 years at OsageHigh School.’73Edward Aronson is in his 33rd yearof teaching and coaching. He is currentlyat Eagle Middle School inBoise, Idaho, where his footballteam had an undefeated season andwon the city championship.Cornie Wassink, Alton, Iowa,received the 2005 OutstandingService Award for Iowa from theUSA Track and Field NationalOfficials Committee. He was alsorecognized as the Northwest IowaRegional Official of the Year by theIowa Association of Track Coaches.’77Kerry Bolt, Marion, Iowa, retiredafter 28 years as a U.S. Treasuryagent and started his own forensicaccounting business.Mary Ann (Anker) Pals, Chesterton,Ind., had a piece of pastel artworkpublished in the March/April 2006issue of Pastel Journal magazine.The work, entitled “MidnightSnack,” won an honorable mentionin the magazine’s prestigious Pastel100 competition.Mel Tjeerdsma, offensive coordinatorfor Northwestern’s footballteam from 1976 to 1983,has been named president ofthe American Football CoachesAssociation. The head coach atNorthwest Missouri StateUniversity since 1994, he nowleads an organization of nearly11,000 coaches who rangefrom the high school ranks tothe NFL.’78Beverly (Bouwman) Rosenboom isprincipal of Whitewood (S.D.)Elementary School. She also servesas principal of eight rural schools inMeade County.’81Timm Dalman produced an outdoormusic festival featuring Michael W.Smith last fall in Davenport, Iowa.This was the 500th Christian eventhe has produced since foundingNew Anthem Ministries 12 yearsago. During the festival, whichraised funds for the Salvation Army,he was honored for his communityThree generations of Van Peursems stand in front of “their” building, VanPeursem Hall: Myron ’38, son Marlo ’82 and granddaughter Kristina ’09. Thefacility, Northwestern’s main classroom building, was named for cousins ofMyron’s father, brothers who had donated a considerable amount of farmlandto the college.service and investment in regionalministry.Barbara (Prins) Monster, Ocheyedan,Iowa, was recently promoted withinCookie Lee Jewelry, a direct salescompany. She does home and officejewelry shows and fund-raisers, andreports that she’s enjoying developingher unit.’82Marlo Van Peursem teaches theatreat Pella (Iowa) Christian HighSchool, where he will help design anew worship and fine arts facility.His wife, Sue (Dalman ’83), workswith people with disabilities at PellaChristian and at the ChristianOpportunity Center. They are theparents of three daughters, includingKristina, a freshman at NWC.’83Dean Koele has been promoted tochief information officer for Harker’sDistribution, a food service distributorin Le Mars, Iowa. He is responsiblefor the development, procurementand maintenance of the firm’selectronic information systems. Hehas worked at Harker’s since 1990.Jim Svoboda, Castaic, Calif., was afinalist for the prestigious BroylesAward, which is presented annuallyto the nation’s top assistant footballcoach. As the quarterbacks coach atUCLA, he helped lead the 2005team to a 10-2 record. In February,he was promoted to offensive coordinator.’85Mindy (Voorderman) Liechti wasnamed the 2005 OutstandingEmployee of the Year at VillageNorthwest Unlimited in Sheldon,Iowa. A 20-year employee at theVillage, she is a vocational programmanager and community livingsupervisor. She and her husband,Dan, live on an acreage northeast ofSheldon.’88Dawn (Kuiper) Swart, Sioux Falls, ispursuing a degree in pharmacy atSouth Dakota State University. Herhusband, Bill ’86, is an associateprofessor of sociology at AugustanaCollege. He is in his ninth year ofteaching.29 ▲ Spring 2006

AlumninewsNorthwestern ClassicClass notesPrayercornerThe Rev. HarlanVanOort ’82Chaplain’89Derek and Joan (Vande Kamp)Brower returned to the U.S. lastsummer after working at a missionaryschool in Thailand for twoyears. They are now working atCentral Lyon High School in RockRapids, Iowa, where he teaches scienceand she is a paraprofessionalin the special education department.Bill Dixon, a manager with Sherwin-Williams, recently moved toMurfreesboro, Tenn.Ann (Lapinski) Jongsma, Woodridge,Ill., is a stay-at-home mom to Jenna(4). Jenna successfully completedover a year of chemotherapy, whichtreated brain tumors secondary to adiagnosis of neurofibromatosis.Patrick (Rick) Van Ravenswaay,Sioux Center, is pursuing a Masterof Divinity degree at North AmericanBaptist Seminary in Sioux Falls.One very cold morning, I noticed a professorwalking to campus. Recognizing hehad already gone quite a distance, I stoppedto offer a ride. He responded, “No thanks,this is my meditation time.”On Northwestern’s campus—and on theway to campus—prayer is very important.In prayer, we listen for God’s calling andinstruction. We are attentive to the Spirit.We concentrate; we exercise alertness andopenness to new thoughts. We learn.Prayer is also important for what istaught. People who teach at Northwestern walk by the Spiritas they engage in the educational process. What is offered inthe classroom comes from a basic source of union withChrist.Join in prayer for Northwestern College, for all theemployees who work toward its mission, and for the studentswho are transformed for service in God’s kingdom. Pray especiallyfor those who teach as they challenge young minds inthe realm of ideas by the power of the Holy Spirit.’90Dirk Bak, Hinton, Iowa, is a thirdgrade teacher and freshman footballcoach in Le Mars. He has also startedtwo new companies in the last twoyears, including a business of modifyingengines and suspensions formotocross motorcycles. His wife, Amy,is a surgical assistant in Sioux City.Dayle (Gage) Halverson recentlymoved to Portland, Ore., with herhusband, Chip, and their three children,Gage (7), Amara (4) andHania (2). She is a stay-at-homemom and enjoys exploring the localparks and beaches.Cari (Zoeteman) Uit de Flesch,Kentwood, Mich., was recently recognizedas an outstanding courseleader by the American Institute forChartered Property CasualtyUnderwriters and the InsuranceInstitute of America for her work inteaching insurance and financialservices courses. She serves as asenior claims representative forForemost Insurance Company inGrand Rapids.’91Lynn (Wesslink) Gelo works as asenior financial analyst for CarlsonCompanies in Minneapolis. She andher husband, Dan, live in Rogerswith their children, Tyler (5) andMadison (2).Denise Hansen, Hubbard, Iowa, is akindergarten teacher at Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary.’92Thomas De Boom is an environmentalservices assistant at NorthwestIowa Health Center in Sheldon,Iowa.Eric Kruse, Allison, Iowa, is theregional appraisal manager forVanguard Appraisals.Pam (Doeden) Reints serves as thefaculty secretary at NorthwesternCollege.Brian Siegrist, Overland Park, Kan.,owns a remodeling business. Hiswife, Michelle (Roozenboom ’93),stays home with their three kids.’96Tobias Posvar is the administrator ofParkside Manor, a nursing homeand assisted living facility in Stuart,Neb. His wife, Lori (Jensen), worksfor the state of Nebraska as a socialworker. They live in Stuart withsons Aidan (9) and Brandon (3).’97Pete and Esther (Leman ’98)Errington continue to serve withMission to Unreached Peoples asthe area representatives in Spokane,Wash. He is the coordinator for themissions internship program, theLuke 10 Challenge, which enablesyoung adults to explore short-termmissions overseas. She is a stay-athomemom for their three childrenand home-schools their kindergartnerand preschooler.’98Yu Ling (Jackie) Cheung recentlyearned a master’s degree in TESOL(teaching English to speakers ofother languages) from WheatonCollege. She is teaching English inChicago and plans to return toHong Kong this summer.New alumni directoryto be publishedNorthwestern has selected University PublishingCorporation to publish an updated alumni directory in2007. The company’s unique methods will allow us toprovide an attractive and accurate directory to all participatingalumni at no cost to Northwestern. The programwill be funded entirely by voluntary contributions fromparticipating alumni.You will receive more information early this summer.By simply completing and returning an informationcard, you will automatically receive a directory. There isno specific fee, but you will be asked to give a contributionspecifically to support the directory program. Do notconfuse this with your Northwestern Fund contribution.Your enthusiastic response is crucial to the success of theprogram.Distribution is scheduled for mid-2007.30 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicAlumninewsAlumni gather in TokyoFifteen alumni gathered for Northwestern’s ninthannual Japanese reunion on Dec. 17 in Tokyo. ToddMcDonald, director of international and multiculturalaffairs, and Grace Rohrer, international student counselor,brought greetings from the campus.The event included a mini-Gala Auction featuringitems donated by Northwestern’s bookstore andAlumni Association. About $100 was raised for studentscholarships.Eric De Bie recently moved to FortCollins, Colo., where he started hisown business as a real estateinvestor, buying homes in California,Arizona, Nevada and Texas.Jeremy Van Engen teaches 6-12physical education at Villisca (Iowa)Community School. He also servesas the school’s athletic director andis an assistant coach for football andgirls’ and boys’ basketball.’99Darrin DeVries is serving in hisfourth year as pastor at CommunityReformed Church in Clinton, Iowa.Shelly (King) Johnson and her familyrecently moved to Huntsville,Texas, where she is a stay-at-homemom and home-school teacher. Herhusband, Donald, is a staff sergeantrecruiter for the U.S. Marine Corps.Betsy (Russell) McFadden serves asthe manager of public relations forthe Fontenelle Nature Associationin Bellevue, Neb. Her husband,Erin, is the property supervisor forFontenelle Forest.is a substitute teacher.Jennifer (Van Wyk) Van Zante, Cedar,Iowa, has been promoted to a judicialclerk position. She is employedby the Mahaska County Clerk ofCourt’s office and processes thecriminal records for the county.’00Dan Houston continues to serve asthe youth director at SecondChristian Reformed Church inGrand Haven, Mich. His wife,Virginia, is a teacher at GrandHaven Christian School.Tom Scholtens is deployed as anoptometrist for the U.S. Army inIraq. His wife, Sara (Katzenberger),teaches kindergarten in Ft. Hood,Texas.’01Kristen (Pothast) Bowden is workingpart time at the Dudley (Ga.) CityHall.Nate Christoffels is a pharmaceuticalsales representative for NovartisPharmaceuticals. He and his wife,Holly (Van Horn), recently moved toAnkeny, Iowa, after living inJackson, Miss., for three years. Sheis a stay-at-home mom.Julie Jansen serves as a high schoolcounselor at Sioux City’s HeelanCatholic High School. She alsocoaches freshman basketball.Randy Olson, a former assistanttrack coach at Northwestern, continuesto compete in national trackevents. He won the bronze medal inthe 110-meter high hurdles at thisyear’s National State Games inColorado Springs.Katie Severson, St. Bonifacius,Minn., will graduate this springwith a master’s degree in ministryleadership from Crown College.Alumni: What’s new with you?’02Andrea (Weinert) Brown recentlymoved to Birmingham, Ala., whereshe teaches piano and woodwindsat Magic City Music Academy.Kelly (Bauder) Calton, Denver, is finishingher project thesis for aninternational M.B.A. through theUniversiteit Nyenrode in Bruekelen,the Netherlands.’04Ellie Brenneman works at CainEllsworth and Company inSheldon, Iowa. She recently passedher CPA exams and is working on amaster’s degree through DeVryInstitute.Jenny (Przymus) Dighton, CouncilBluffs, Iowa, is a special educationpreschool teacher at Rue ElementarySchool. Her husband, Alex,teaches at Heartland Family ServiceTherapeutic School.Rebecca (Severson) Schrock, Bellflower,Calif., is pursuing a master’sdegree in clinical psychology: marriageand family therapy at AzusaPacific University.Let us know so we can tell your friends and classmates. Send to: Office of PublicRelations, Northwestern College, 101 7th Street SW, Orange City, IA 51041. Ore-mail to classic@nwciowa.edu; fax number is 712-707-7370. Deadline for thesummer ’06 Classic is April 28.Class notesChris and Lisa (Steiner) VanHofwegen live in Iowa City, whereChris is doing a residency in orthopedicsurgery and Lisa’s residency isin family practice.Wes Treadway, Carroll, Iowa, is theprogram director and morningannouncer at KCIM radio, where hehas worked for six years. His wife,Anjanette, recently received adegree in elementary education andName _________________________________________________________________Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Home phone ________________________________________ Class of ____________E-mail ________________________________________________________________Current employer(s) ____________________________________________________31 ▲ Spring 2006

AlumninewsNorthwestern ClassicClass notesMiniprofileVermeer meets needs across the globeby Sherrie Barber Willson ’98Lois Vermeer has been a nurse for 50years, but while most people her age are slowingdown, she’s only getting busier.Besides working part time for a nursingtemp agency, this year she’s planning a thirdservice trip to Malawi, Africa, as well as tripsto Israel (with her church) and Pakistan (tosee her missionary daughter and family). Andshe stays busy collecting medical supplies tosend to Malawi and other developing countries—workshe began 20 years ago with herhusband, Dick ’50.Yet the Greeley, Colo., resident is quick tosay what she does is little compared to thework of others—and in light of the huge need.“There are many people who do much morethan I do,” Vermeer says. “Once you see theneed, you want to do more and more. It getsin your blood.”Vermeer, who attended NorthwesternJunior College in 1952–53, had barely venturedout of the U.S. before 2003, when sheand her husband decided to visit Malawi forLois Vermeer holds a child outside of the hospital inEmbangweni, Malawi, where she has provided medicalassistance.the first time. Dick died unexpectedly six weeks before they were to leave, but she chose togo anyway.The experience was life changing. She was shocked by the devastating poverty (Malawi isamong the poorest five countries in the world), yet moved by how friendly and gracious thepeople were. She returned in 2004.Because her visits to Malawi are only for a few weeks, Vermeer does not take a formalnursing position there. Instead, she visits schools and medical sites across the country (atboth large city hospitals and clinics in the remote bush), assisting where she can by startingIVs, running errands and helping in immunization clinics.The hardest thing, she reports, is to see the lack of even the most basic medical supplies.“The hospitals do what they can, but even things like washcloths and towels are almost nonexistent,”Vermeer says. “They use old sheets during surgery because they can’t affordsponges. An administrator told me that if they didn’t have help from people like us, theycouldn’t keep their doors open.”AIDS is widespread in Malawi—one hospital estimates 40 percent of its patients areinfected—but easily preventable diseases like malaria are also major killers, as is hunger.“My second trip was really sad,” Vermeer says. “I had seen three babies die in two days,and it got to me. Here are people dying of malaria because they can’t afford a $3 mosquito netto protect them at night.“A friend asked me, ‘Why do you go, if it depresses you?’ And I said, ‘I need to.’”Kelli Vermeer, Mammoth Lakes,Calif., is an office manager forSnowmobile Adventures. She volunteersfor Disabled Sports, assistingwith skiing and snowboarding.’05Robyn Thomson Baker is the co-producerfor Orange City’s 2006 TulipFestival night show. She is pursuingan associate’s degree in industrialdesign.Tyler De Haan is enrolled in theMaster of Public Administrationprogram at Drake University in DesMoines.New arrivalsBruce and Patty (Greenfield ’81)Whitaker, son by adoption fromKorea, Luke Joon Seo (1), joinsAbby (17), Amanda (13),Jonathan (8), Matthew (6) andKailee (4).Chris (Barnes ’85) and Bill Dixon ’89,son, Ezekiel John, joins Jesse(18), Danielle (16), Zachariah(13), Joshua (11), Caleb (9),Elijah (7), Rachel (5) and Sara(3).Rene (Peterson ’85) and MichaelLudeman ’86, daughter by adoption,Samantha Joy (2), joinsRobert (17), Sara (15) and Colin(13).Jodie and Scott Nichols ’86, son,Jonathan Scott, joins Robert (3).Beaumont and Sue (Van Meeteren’88) Brush, daughter, ChloeNoelle, joins Isaac (4).Greg and Janell (Hulstein ’91)Pennings, daughter by adoption,Meysi Elyvia Aydra, joins Regan(6) and Parker (4).Candace and Scott Van Egdom ’92,son, Kade Michael, joins Keegan(7), Kylee (5) and Katie (2).Dana (Smith ’93) and Jim Daniels’98, daughter, Madalyn Elisabeth,joins Alex (2).Michelle (Roozenboom ’93) andBrian Siegrist ’92, son, StefanTyler, joins Karina (7) andMarissa (3).32 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicAlumninewsPlanned givingnotesCornie Wassink ’73Director ofPlanned GivingDon and Kelli (Diekevers ’94)Heilbuth, daughter, Alex Lynne,joins Christian (4).Kristi (Waugh ’94) and BrianHovenga ’93, daughter, JalynNicole, joins Caleb (8), Grady(5) and Emma (3).Carrina (Uhl ’95) and Kerby Huss ’92,daughter, Tierney Kae, joins Trever(9), Conner (6) and Gavin (2).Three Things About Old FaithfulWhen you visit Yellowstone National Park, eventually you will find yourselfstanding with the crowds to see the eruption of the world’s most famousgeyser: Old Faithful. There are many geysers throughout the park, but there’sonly one Old Faithful. It’s a sight to behold, and something you wouldn’t wantto miss.As you stand there watching this natural wonder, you may make the followingobservations:1. Old Faithful is perpetual.Year after year, decade after decade, century after century, it just keeps righton spouting. It’s persistent, unending, ceaseless. You can count on Old Faithful!2. Old Faithful is predictable.When you arrive at the scene, you will find signs announcing the next eruption. And sureenough, the “payout” happens pretty much on time. In fact, tourists check their watches andbegin moving toward the viewing area a few minutes before “blastoff.”3. Old Faithful is popular.There are many sights to see in the park, but it’s Old Faithful that draws the big crowds.Tour buses and cars of every description jam the parking lots. Numerous shops and facilitiesaccommodate the curious masses.* * *Endowed scholarships at Northwestern College are like Old Faithful. These ongoingfunds perpetually provide income to fund student scholarships year after year after year. Wecan count on them!Northwestern endowment funds are predictable. Every year, at appointed times, wereceive the income necessary for funding numerous student scholarships. This consistencyenables us to attract high-quality students by providing much-needed financial assistance nowand in the future.And endowed scholarships are popular too. For many donors, an endowed scholarshipfund is the preferred way to support tomorrow’s Northwestern College students.You can create your own “geyser” by launching an endowed scholarship at Northwestern.It will perpetually and predictably provide funds for future needs. And thanks to you, it will bea vital source of ongoing student financial aid for generations to come.To learn more about the endowed scholarship program at Northwestern College, contactme at 712-707-7109 or cwassink@nwciowa.edu, or visit give.nwciowa.edu.Michael and Danelle (Adams ’96)Frank, son, Gage Michael.Tim and Karla (Ploeger ’96) Geyer,daughter, Natalie Jeanne, joinsLuke (2).Christine and Dean Van Farowe ’96,daughter, Anna Marie, joinstwins Zechariah and Elijah (1).Bill and Michelle (Van Den Oever’97) Jansma, son, Joshua Bennett,joins Amber (10) and Grant (4).Chris and Delia (Pini ’97) Perry,daughter, Lilya Jane.Carly and Patrick Blackwell ’98,daughter, Catherine Reese, joinsMadeline (7) and Xavier (4).Kirsten and Eric De Bie ’98, son,Aidan Thomas.Sara (Armstrong ’98) and RobbinEppinga ’97, daughter, Elia Jean,joins Samuel (3) and Emily (2).Esther (Leman ’98) and PeteErrington ’97, daughter, ShilohIrene, joins Aidan (5) and Talea(3).Jill (Godeke ’98) and Matt Hugen ’97,daughter, Rebecca Anne, joinsAlissa (2).Chrissy and Erik Karjalainen ’98,daughter, Emma Sue, joinsKatlyn (10), Joesiah (4) and Tyler(2).Jen (Rhinehart ’98) and SeanNathaniel ’98, son, Dinesh Micah,joins Anishka (3).Jodi (Schultz ’98) and Mike VanLeeuwen ’98, daughter, AnnaJeanne.Amy (Work ’98) and Brooks Walter’98, son, Kadin Thomas.Jason and Tish (Bergeson ’98)Wedgbury, son, Ezekiel Scott,joins Emmersyn (3).Donald and Shelly (King ’99)Johnson, daughter, SchuylerHouston, joins Austin (5) andEmily (3).Sara and David Kment ’99, daughter,Aubrey Lynn.Erin and Betsy (Russell ’99)McFadden, son, Mason Levi,joins Molly (2).Chris and Erin (Cleveringa ’99)Rylaarsdam, son, Jacob Cornel.Anjanette and Wes Treadway ’99,son, Bryton Wesley.Seth and Jennifer (Van Wyk ’99) VanZante, son, Emmet Dean, joinsEphraim (2).Scott and Julie (Van Manen ’99)Wiederstein, son, John Evan.Nick and Lisa (Kooima ’00) Nafziger,son, Jalen Michael.Melanie and Stephen Bloom ’01,daughter, Annaliese Sophia.Holly (Van Horn ’01) and NateChristoffels ’01, daughter, MaryKennedy.Anna and Justin Grimm ’01, daughter,Payton Dianne, joins Logan (3).Leah (Elder ’01) and CoreyMellegaard ’02, daughter, ClaireLinea.Angela (Roerdink ’02) and JoelBoersma ’99, daughter, RebeccaMary.Jaci (Van Engen ’03) and AaronFeltman ’00, daughter, LaurenElizabeth.Class notes33 ▲ Spring 2006

AlumninewsNorthwestern ClassicClass notesMiniprofileAlumna takes youth ministryto the streets in East Belfastby Amy ScheerAfter graduating fromNorthwestern, Beth Harding’04 headed for the quietmountains of southeasternNew Mexico. There, as programdirector of Lone TreeCamps, she taught climbing,rappelling and horsebackriding. She slept in a trailerand lived a peaceful existencefor about a year.Today, she works in arowdy pub where doors getkicked in, fights break outand adolescents mouth off toher in a dialect she can barelyfollow.Harding is spending ayear in Northern Ireland as avolunteer at the East BelfastMission. The mission offersprograms to counteract theeffects of the area’s considerablepoverty. Staff provide ahostel for the homeless, thriftshops, youth events, counselingservices and hot mealdelivery.After learning of theopening through religionprofessor Mitch Kinsinger,who has organized SpringService Projects to the missionfor the past two years(see page 12), Harding raisedfinancial support from herfamily, friends and church inNewcastle, Neb., to cover herbasic living expenses overseas.She spends her days inthe office and most eveningsin Luk4, a former pub thathas been renovated to serveas a youth center.“Luk4 is a ministry ofpresence,” Harding wrote ina Christmas letter to familyand friends. “Providing a safeatmosphere where kids canrelax and chill; providing analternative to the violence,drinking and drugs on thestreets; attempting to providea structured environmentwhere personal developmentcan take place. This ministryof presence is all about beingJesus to the kids that stepthrough the doors of Luk4.”Harding, who describesherself as restless and interestedin everything, hadtrouble choosing a major atBeth Harding stands in front of one of the many paramilitary murals she sees asshe walks to work each day in East Belfast, Northern Ireland.Northwestern. A major inpsychology and a minor inyouth ministry won out,making for a combinationshe sees as complementary. “Iam fascinated by adolescenceand loved studying adolescencefrom both a developmentalperspective and aministry perspective,” shesays.The week before shearrived in Ireland, riots hadbroken out in East Belfast.Charred remains of bonfiresand overturned streetlightsserved as a reminder of theviolence weeks into her stay.Being in the midst of suchconflict is about “collectingexperiences,” says Harding,who wants to be a goodsteward of her freshly formingperspectives on thechurch, America and youthministry.“It is hard work andmessy and draining,” shesays, “but in the midst of thechaos, I am finding suchbeautiful moments of inspirationand glimpses of hopeto hang on to.”Amanda (Ulmer ’03) and GregSchoolland ’02, son, Jack Westley.MarriagesEric Kruse ’92 and Kara Steinfeldt,Allison, Iowa.Darrin DeVries ’99 and LeEllenGivens, Clinton, Iowa.Dan Houston ’00 and VirginiaDegroot, Grand Haven, Mich.Kristen Pothast ’01 and JasonBowden, Dudley, Ga.Kelly Bauder ’02 and Bryan Calton,Denver.Andrea Weinert ’02 and Paul Brown,Birmingham, Ala.Travis Albers ’03 and WendySeekamp ’05, Council Bluffs,Iowa.Nichole Blaede ’03 and Adam Cline,Ankeny, Iowa.Christie Jans ’03 and Lance Kille,Sioux Center.Brandon Rounds ’04 and NatalieKoele, Jackson, Miss.Jenny Przymus ’04 and AlexDighton, Council Bluffs, Iowa.Robyn Doornenbal ’05 and MatthewHoekstra ’05, Upland, Calif.Ben Landegent ’05 and Emily Sweet’08, Mescalero, N.M.Kendall Stanislav ’05 and AshleyAdams ’06, Orange City.Rachelle Cook ’06 and Jacob Johnson’05, Charlottesville, Va.The couples reside in the city listed.34 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern ClassicClassicthoughtsMental Illness: What Would Jesus Do?by Jason Kanz ’95Perhaps you see him mumblingto himself and picking at his clothingas you walk down the street. Youknow from past experience that hewill ask you for money. You think toyourself, “If I avoid eye contact andcross to the other side of the street,we can steer clear of a confrontation.”Perhaps you avoid spendingtime with her. Her child is always on the go, misbehaving atevery turn. You surmise, “If she were married or a better parent,she wouldn’t have all of these problems.” Somehow, hismisbehavior must be her fault. You offer advice (or is it judgment?),but she never listens to you.Perhaps he tells you, “I’m not an alcoholic. I just like tohave a drink or two when I get home. It helps me relax.” Still,you know he never stops at one—and only rarely at two. Infact, he usually drinks until he passes out. You hope with allof your heart that your dad is not an alcoholic, but you oftenwonder.Maybe you know a person like this. Maybe you are a personlike this.All of us have been touched by mental illness. Whenmany people think of mental illness, they imagine severe andchronic diseases like schizophrenia. However, the scope ofmental illness is much broader. It includes depression, anxiety,ADHD, autism and other disorders.Essentially, mental illnesses are disabling diseases ofbehavior and emotion. They are, unfortunately, all too common.According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness,one in 20 adults and as many as one in 10 children sufferfrom severe mental illness. Add to that the much higher numbersof people who experience transient or milder forms ofmental disease, and it is easy to see how everyone has beenaffected in some way.Despite the high prevalence of mental illness, it is interestingthat society tends to ignore it, hoping it will go away.When we do acknowledge it, we usually treat it differentlythan physical illness.When loved ones develop cancer or heart disease, we canimagine how the combination of environment and biologyproduces a condition that affects their physical well-being.Perhaps doctors show us pictures of the problem, whichmakes it even easier to visualize and accept. Furthermore,when our loved ones develop a physical illness, we often donot perceive psychological changes, so we continue to treatthem with compassion and support.Mental illness is much harder to visualize. We often characterizemental illness as the result of poor parenting, lack ofintelligence, personal weakness or “unclean living.” It isunlikely that doctors will be able to produce an actual pictureof what is wrong because, in most cases, mental illness doesn’tshow up in pictures.However, as a doctor who studies the relationshipbetween brain functioning and behavior, I can assure you thatsevere mental illness is the result of a physical cause. In ourculture, we draw a clear distinction between physical illnessand mental illness, but the reality is that the distinction isprobably not so clear. Individuals with mental illness overproduceone type of chemical (i.e., neurotransmitter) in the brainor underproduce another.In many cases, psychiatrists and psychologists are able tofind the right combination of medicines and treatments tobring those neurotransmitter levels back to normal. In somecases, they can’t.Whether or not people with mental illness respond totreatment or even seek treatment, the Christian responseshould be the same. Christ modeled that response for usthroughout his earthly ministry. He responded to all whocame to him in the same way: with compassion and mercy,not judgment and fear.We are also reminded to act this way in Matthew25:37–40: “‘When did we see you a stranger and invite youin, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see yousick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Itell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least ofthese brothers of mine, you did for me.’”Try giving the man on the street a handout and offering alistening ear rather than crossing the road. Offer to watchyour friend’s son for a while so she can relax for a change.Your helping hand will be significantly more welcome thanyour advice—or judgment. Tell your father how much youlove him and that you are concerned for him; he mightrespond in the way you desire.It takes a great deal of courage to accept mental illness inothers—even more so in ourselves. When we open up andlisten with the compassion and mercy of Christ, we maybegin to see the label of “mental illness” fade and a hurtingsoul come into focus.Jason Kanz ’95 earned a doctorate in counseling psychology at theUniversity of Iowa. He is completing a residency in neuropsychologyat the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.Send your Classic thoughts to classic@nwciowa.edu35 ▲ Spring 2006

Northwestern College101 7th Street SWOrange City, IA 51041Ph. 712-707-7000 (switchboard)www.nwciowa.eduNon-ProfitU.S. PostagePaidSP&DChange service requested“My coach cares more about me asa person than as a runner. Hishumility and our team Bible studyat his house have influenced myspiritual growth the most.”Laura Jacobson ’08Galva, IowaCommunications and literature majorCross country and track athleteI am NorthwesternAfter running eight miles together in 90-degree weather, my teammates and Ieat together in the caf ’, and that’s my favorite part of the day. Another favoritetime is our weekly team Bible study. I picked Northwestern because people herecare about you everywhere you go. Before college, I thought I knew about thingslike relationships and faith. But I’ve had so many different experiences that havemade me think,“Wow, I don’t know much at all.” The Northwestern ads say you’llcome away with full ownership of your faith, and that’s true for me.Your donationto the Northwestern Fund gives students like me the opportunity for experiencesand relationships that will help me stay on track toward a faithful future.A whole education for your whole life.Contact Jennie Smith, director of the Northwestern Fund, to find out how you can helpNorthwestern students maximize their education through real-life experiences.Phone: 712-707-7110; e-mail: smith@nwciowa.edu; visit: give.nwciowa.eduEXPERIENCE REAL DUTCH HOSPITALITYImagine biking through historic cities in theNetherlands, enjoying nature and stopping to seeeye-catching museums, mansions and windmills.Northwestern’s fourth Netherlands Bike Tour willgive you that opportunity—as well as the fun ofbeing part of an NWC alumni tour.Northwestern’s Deb and Cornie Wassink ’73 willhost the summer 2007 tour, which features adifferent route from previous NWC bike tours.For more information on joining them, contactKaren Woudstra, director of alumni and parentrelations, at karenw@nwciowa.edu or 712-707-7127,or visit www.nwciowa.edu/biketour.36 ▲ Spring 2006