Northwestern College | Classic magazine - Winter 2004-05 - Vol. 76 ...

A publication for Northwestern College alumni & friends • Winter 2004-05Piet Koene2004 Iowa Professor of the Year

CampusnewsNWC happeningsRe-storied worshipJeff Barker’s worship workshops incorporated Dr. Seuss’ The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins to illustrate some ofhis principles of story-formed worship.Jeff Barker, theatre professorand director of worshipat Trinity Reformed Churchin Orange City, led three worshipworkshops on campusduring September. The workshopswere free and attendedby about 100 students andcommunity pastors, worshipleaders and others interestedin worship.The workshops werepart of a new effort byNorthwestern’s theatredepartment to help prepareworship leaders who aretrained more broadly in thearts. “Worship is broaderthan music or musical style,”says Barker, who is seeking torestore story to worship.The Rev. Jon Opgenorth’88, senior pastor of OrangeCity’s Trinity ReformedChurch, agrees. “Worship isthe total experience—music,drama, story, liturgy, offering,prayers, preaching, greeting,blessing—that people havefrom the moment they walkinto church to the momentthey walk out,” he says.Restoring story to worshipcould open the door formore artists than just musiciansto participate in worship,Barker believes. Skilledtheatre and visual artists canlead the congregation inincorporating stories from theBible and from church members’lives into the worshipexperience.“Stories are so importantin the life and worship of thechurch,” says Sherri DeBoom,NWC’s French instructor andworship planner for anOrange City church. Sheattended the workshops andexplains, “The Bible is a storybook,and we are a storyformedpeople. As we planworship, we need to look forthe journey in the service.And art—such as visualimages and stories—can beincorporated along withmusic.”The workshops includednumerous examples fromBarker’s own experience asworship leader. Participantsalso were given suggestionsand handouts for experimentingwith more storyformedworship in their ownchurches.Alumni who are interestedin learning more aboutstory-formed worship canrequest DVD recordings ofthe three workshops fromBarker, barker@nwciowa.eduor 712-707-7093. The worshipworkshop DVDs are$15, which covers duplicatingand shipping costs.The workshops will beoffered again next fall, possiblyin a format that wouldaccommodate attendees fromoutside northwest Iowa. Ifyou’d like to receive e-mailupdates about the planningfor next fall’s workshops,contact Barker.4 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Northwestern ClassicCampusnewsAlumni return to campus to speak and learnAmong the many alumni who returned to campus forvarious reasons this fall were five whose visits included teaching,speaking and learning within the campus community.Dan Addington ’85 visited campus Aug. 30 and 31 tospeak in chapel and interact with art students. He alsobrought an exhibition of his encaustic artwork, which hungin Te Paske Gallery through mid-October.Owner and director of the Gwenda Jay/AddingtonGallery in Chicago, Addington spoke in chapel and art classesabout his journey as an artist and how he integrates his faithwith his art. He also encouraged students to take advantage ofopportunities to learn more about the visual arts and to seekways to incorporate artistic images in worship and churches.Satoru Itoh ’88 is a chaplain at Aoyama GakuinUniversity in Tokyo. He and the university’s head chaplainvisited Northwestern College and Duke Divinity School inearly September as part of their research on moral educationand character development of college students. Itoh and hiscolleague hope to take what they learned and incorporatestronger character development programming into the curriculumat their university.The invocation at the dedication of the new Korver Fieldon Sept. 4 was given by the Rev. Clint Loveall ’91. Loveallplayed for former Coach Larry Korver, after whom the field isnamed. Loveall and his family live in Spirit Lake, where he ispastor of First Presbyterian Church.Kurt Dykstra and the Rev. Darrin Kimpson, both membersof the 10-year reunion class of 1994, participated incampus worship during Homecoming weekend, Oct. 1-3.Dykstra, a Marquette University law graduate and attorney inHolland, Mich., spoke in chapel, encouraging students not tosettle for less than they are capable of. He said more Northwesternstudents—who are receiving a wisdom education—need to consider graduate school and careers that will takethem into arenas like law and politics.Kimpson, lead pastor at Papio Creek Church in Papillion,Neb., spoke at the Homecoming worship service on Sundayfor alumni, students and community members. Dressed in asweat suit and carrying a high-jump bar, he read from ICorinthians 13 and challenged the congregation to aim highfor the goal of loving well.Northwestern theatre retellsThe Odyssey as romantic comedyA premiere retelling ofHomer’s The Odyssey waspresented by Northwesterntheatre Nov. 19-20 and Dec.1-4 in the DeWitt TheatreArts Center.Director RobertHubbard, associate professorof theatre, collaborated withplaywright T.M. Camp ofGrand Rapids, Mich., to producethis stage version of TheOdyssey, the legendary storyof Odysseus’ 20-year journeyback from the Trojan War tohis beloved Penelope.Hubbard says audiencemembers may be more familiarwith contemporaryretellings like the Coen brothers’film O Brother, Where ArtThou? or the novel ColdMountain, which recently wasadapted for screen.Hubbard says Camp’sretelling emphasizes thestory’s comedy, and hedescribes it as “… playful,postmodern and full of puns.It’s often categorized incorrectlyas a tragedy,” explainsHubbard, who, with Camp,found elements of a romanticcomedy in Homer’s epic.▼“Working on and evolvingthis original script has beenvery fun. Creating somethingthat’s never been createdbefore—Northwesterntheatre does a lot of this.”▲Cast members for TheOdyssey played a number ofroles, wearing masks to travelback and forth in time to tellOdysseus’ story. The productionwas very physicallycomic, with elaborate costumesand staging.“Working on and evolvingthis original script hasbeen very fun,” saysHubbard. “Creating somethingthat’s never been createdbefore—Northwesterntheatre does a lot of this.”The Odyssey featuredoriginal music, including anever-heard-before sirens’song, composed by Dr.Andrew Sauerwein, visitingassistant professor of music.The opening nightproduction was followedby a forum with theplay’s author.Let us knowWhat would you like to see in a futureissue of the Classic?E-mail beeson@nwciowa.edu with suggestions.NWC happenings5 ▲ Winter 2004-05

CampusnewsNorthwestern ClassicNWC happeningsEnglish instructor receivesstate teaching honorDeborah MenningDeborah Menning,instructor in English,received a Literacy Awardfrom the Iowa Council ofTeachers of English (ICTE) atthe organization’s annualmeeting in Cedar Rapids inOctober.Menning was amongnine Literacy Award recipientsfor 2004, and the onlycollege teacher. The award ispresented to individuals fortheir “demonstrated contributionsto language developmentand the learning of literacyin the state.” Menningwas nominated by Jim Davis,director of the Iowa WritingProject, and Barb Turnwall,Northwestern’s Englishdepartment chairperson.Turnwall, who receiveda Literacy Award in 1999,says Menning took severalIowa Writing Project offerings,including Northwestern’sPedagogy Project,and experimented withteaching strategies that focuson students as learners. Theresult, says Turnwall, isdynamic classes that exciteand engage students.Senior sociology majorApril Olivares describesMenning as an incredibleteacher. “She is caring andpassionate in life and in theclassroom, in tune with herstudents’ needs. She leavesroom for the students tointeract with one another indialogue and to interact withher,” says Olivares. “Everyoneis both a learner and teacherin her classroom.”▼“She is caring and passionatein life and in theclassroom, in tune withher students’ needs.Everyone is both a learnerand teacher in herclassroom.”▲Menning has taught writingand literature classes atNorthwestern for more than10 years. She and her studentshave repeatedly givenpresentations at the ICTE fallconference, especially on themulti-genre paper.Band performsconcerto premiereNorthwestern’s Symphonic Band gave the world-premiereperformance of a commissioned concerto, The Life ofKing David, at its Nov. 12 concert. The concerto featured Dr.Marc Wooldridge, associate professor of music, on marimba.The first movement, Shepherd Boy, depicts David’s humbleupbringing, while the next movement, Giant Slayer, is adramatic portrayal of David’s battle with Goliath. The finalmovement is entitled King of Judah and portrays David’s lifeafter being crowned king. The composition uses exotic scalesas a tribute to the traditions of the Middle Eastern culture itdepicts.The piece was composed by Russell Peterson, aninstructor at Minnesota’s Concordia College. It was madepossible by funding from a variety of sources, includingNorthwestern’s music department, the Lilly Grant, theIowa Arts Council, Meet the Composer, and ananonymous donor.Northwestern is searchingfor the following positions:AdministratorsVice president for academic affairsVice president for student developmentFaculty (tenure-track)ArtSocial workSpanishSpecial educationJob descriptions and application details are postedat www.nwciowa.edu/about/employment.Northwestern seeks individuals who are Reformedand evangelical in theology and committed to the distinctivesof a Christian liberal arts education.Northwestern College complies with federal and state regulationsconcerning nondiscrimination in employment. Women andminorities are encouraged to apply.6 ▲ Winter 2004-05

NWC happeningsNorthwestern ClassicCampusnewsNWC looks for ways to increase ethnicdiversity and address racismOnce a month on aWednesday evening, a groupof Northwestern faculty andstaff gathers to discuss a bookthey are reading about evangelicalreligion and racism.Another group is working toassess and improve the campus’ethnic diversity. And forthe next three years, Dr.Brenda Salter-McNeil, anAfrican-American womancalled to the ministry of racialreconciliation, will work withthe college to facilitate itsongoing efforts in this area.The impetus for theseactivities comes from bothPresident Bruce Murphyand members of the NWCcommunity.“This has been a missionof the school for a very longtime,” says Dr. Di Murphy,who co-chairs the newlyformed Multi-Ethnic ResourceTeam. The 14-member committee—composedof faculty,students and staff—is conductinga campuswide selfstudyto compile informationon demographics, activities,policies and procedures, attitudes,and educational practicesrelated to racial diversity.“There are many peopleat Northwestern already committedto these goals,” shesays. “The team will identifythe college’s strengths andweaknesses so we can broadenour understanding anddeepen our commitment tothese issues.”A few years ago, afterattending a seminar abouthow to enhance the successof minority students andfaculty, President Murphyexpanded staffing in the internationaland multiculturalaffairs office from two parttimeto more than two fulltimepositions.Northwestern’s LillyGrant is furthering thoseefforts. Along with Salter-McNeil’s work at the college,the grant funded travel toChicago for 12 faculty andA medieval celebrationstaff to participate in a multiethnicexchange.“We were able to meetwith colleagues of color forserious conversation about theexperience of being a personof color in a primarily whiteeducational institution,” saysDr. Keith Anderson, directorof the Lilly Grant. “It wasa very powerful time forour group.”That experience—andconversations with Salter-McNeil—led to the formationof the reading group this fall.Prior to the Chicago workshop,participants readDivided by Faith: EvangelicalReligion and the Problem ofRace in America.“At the workshop, wetalked about a whole rangeof issues addressing raceand racism in an academiccommunity,” says Dr. DougCarlson, associate dean formulticultural and off-campusprograms. “Through thereading group, we want toNorthwestern College`twÜ|ztÄ W|ÇÇxÜáJan. 20-22, 7 p.m.Allen Black Box TheatreDeWitt Theatre Arts CenterTake a journey to Renaissance times witha delicious meal, festive music and entertainmentby the Northwestern College HeritageSingers, and delightful fellowship.Reserved tickets required; call the musicdepartment at 712-707-7062.increase our awareness ofthese issues and our sensitivity,and we want that to filterthrough our community.”The experience of JolynnTonsfeldt, a member of theeducation faculty and anotherparticipant in the readinggroup, is one example ofhow that is happening. She’staking the group’s conversationsabout Divided by Faithand sharing them withher students.▼“Through the readinggroup, we want toincrease our awarenessof these issues and oursensitivity, and we wantthat to filter through ourcommunity.”▲“It put a finger on a wayI had been teaching,” she saysabout the book. “I realized I’min that white mode of teachingthat’s more individualistic—thinkingif everyonefixed his or her little part,that would solve the problemof racism. We can work onourselves, but we forget towork on the system, and it issystems that continue tooppress people.“It’s important we don’tjust focus on the content ofthe book, but that we personalizeit,” adds Tonsfeldt. “I’mhoping we’ll look at our ownsystems here on campus, andthen be willing to go out inthe community.”7 ▲ Winter 2004-05

CampusnewsNorthwestern ClassicNWC happeningsState reaccreditsteacher educationprogramNorthwestern’s teacher education program has been officiallyreaccredited by the Iowa Board of Education through2009-10. Evaluators visited the campus last fall.The Board of Education said NWC met all six of its standards:governance and resources, diversity, faculty performanceand development, clinical practice, assessment of candidateknowledge, and assessment of the unit. “In many ways,this program serves as a model for standards- and performance-basedpractitioner preparation programs,” the boardsaid in its report. “The institution is to be commended [forits] excellent program and contributions to the state of Iowa.”Reviewers praised Northwestern’s education faculty, sayingthey provide highly individualized assistance to studentsand are respected across the campus and in area schools.They also cited as strengths the department’s extensivefield experience requirements, as well as the college’s facilities,supportive administration and commitment to diversity.Evaluators noted that the education program’s conceptualframework, “Teacher as Servant,” is well-aligned withNorthwestern’s mission and pervasive throughout thedepartment.Last spring, the education program received continuingaccreditation from the National Council for Accreditation ofTeacher Education (NCATE). Only four other colleges’ educationprograms in Iowa (Graceland, Luther, Morningside andWartburg) are accredited by NCATE.Faculty/staff newsKaren Acker, art, had artworkchosen for inclusion intwo fall juried exhibitions:the Will Creek Survey 2004Exhibition at the SavilleGallery in Cumberland,Md., and the 49th annualInternational OpenExhibition by NorthernCalifornia Arts in Carmichael.Dan Daily,director ofRamakerLibrary, hasbeenappointedby Gov. TomVilsack to the State HistoricalRecords Advisory Board.Dr. Laird Edman, psychology,and three professors atthe University of Minnesotapublished an article,“Psychometric Analysis of theMinnesota Test of CriticalThinking” in PsychologicalReports. The article is ananalysis of the first version ofa test of critical thinkingEdman and two of the coauthorsare developing.Piet Koene, Spanish, hasmet all the requirements tobe listed as an approvedinterpreter on the official rosterof Iowa court interpreters.An article by Dr. AnnLundberg, English, has beenpublished in ATQ, a quarterlyjournal of 19th-centuryAmerican literature and culture.Her essay, “‘The Ruinsof a Bygone GeologicEmpire’: Clarence King andthe Place of the Primitive inthe Evolution of AmericanIdentity,” is part of a specialissue on adventure andexploration.Dr. Andrew Sauerwein,music, co-directed “ForgingLinks,” a conference forchurch members, worshipleaders, musicians and teachersheld in Durham, N.C., inSeptember. He gave a presentationon modeling relationshipsand wrote a choral settingof Psalm 29 that wasperformed at the conference.Greg Scheer, music, spokeon worship composition atthe “Forging Links” conference.As part of the event, apiece he composed for stringquartet, 6, was performed atDuke University.Dr. Ed Starkenburg, education,presented a session onusing research-based strategiesto teach math at theHeartland Educators’Convention in Sioux Centerin October.Lila Sybesma, education,also spoke at the HeartlandEducators’ Convention. Shediscussed reading strategiesteachers can use to increasestudents’ grasp of contentmaterial.Dr. Alexandar Tokarev,business and economics,won a scholarship to coverhis participation in a RonaldCoase Institute workshop oninstitutional analysis and theannual meeting of theInternational Society for NewInstitutional Economics, heldin Tucson, Ariz., this fall.Tokarev presented a paper onthe link between church andstate institutions.Dr. Marc Wooldridge,music, performed percussionat November concerts atWestern WashingtonUniversity and Coe College,Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At thelatter event, he also presenteda lecture on music forpercussion, film andvisual art.8 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Diane WestenbergNorthwestern ClassicFacevalueDiane WestenbergVan Peursem Hall housekeeper since 1991, mother, grandma, knitter, closet public speakerDescribe yourself in three words.Optimistic, light-hearted, content.WYSIWYG (what you see is whatyou get).What do you dream of doing?I finally got up the nerve last year to askfor summers off from this job, so I spenta lot more time with my parents. Theolder I get, the more I appreciate olderpeople. We went through photo albums,documents and all kinds of things.There are a lot of other people I wantto do that with.Describe NWC.Opportunity, greenhouse atmosphere—notjust for students, but forme too. I’ve gotten to do so manythings because I work here: speakingin chapel, serving as emcee at thespring appreciation banquet. That’s ledto speaking opportunities at mychurch.What is your uniqueperspective on NWC?I sometimes call myself NorthwesternCollege’s bartender because bartendersdo a lot of listening. Students, facultyand staff all feel free to say things tome that they might not say to someoneelse. I usually get all sides of a story.What one thing would you changeabout NWC?I wish people would give others thebenefit of the doubt more often.Who is your favorite person?My husband—because it’s like I can’tbe me without him. He’s the mostunselfish person I’ve ever come across.What do you value?Other than the fact that I always wantedto be a mom, there was nothingelse that interested me enough to putmy energy toward one focus. Being aparent has always been my first love. It’salmost finished since the last one is ajunior in college and getting marriednext summer. But I was reminded bymy mother recently that you never stopbeing a parent.I’d just like to say …I’ve had a very blessed life. My parentshave been married almost 60 years, andI had a wonderful childhood. My maternalgrandmother lived to be 101; shehad over 250 descendents. She prayedfor me every day, and I didn’t realizehow huge that was until she was gone.She lived through things I won’t everhave to live through, but she kept herfaith and was more of an example to methan I knew at the time. I want to bethat person for my grandchildren.9 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Northwestern ClassicHave you written a new book? E-mail beeson@nwciowa.eduQuickreadBook invitesreaders toencounter ChristKeeping Company With Jesus: Reflections on Gospel StoriesIn just over 100 pagesand seven chapters,Northwestern religion professorDr. Jackie Smallbonesexplores familiar Gospel storieslike the woman caughtin adultery (John 8:1-11),the healing of the 10 lepers(Luke 17:11-19) and thewoman who touches Jesus’garment for healing (Mark5:24-34).A native of South Africaand an ordained minister inthe Reformed Church inAmerica, Smallbonesdescribes her first book as atool to help others explorethese Gospel stories and othersmore closely. Classicrecently visited withSmallbones about KeepingCompany With Jesus.Classic: Where did the ideafor this book come from?Smallbones: When I wasunemployed, I was goingthrough the Gospel storiesfor my morning devotions.Every now and then I’d haveall these thoughts about oneby Jackie Smallbones Augsburg Fortress Publishersof the stories I read. So I’dwrite them down and sendthem off to a seminaryfriend. She’d say, “Wow,”which I enjoyed hearing, so Igot into the habit of doingthat when a Gospel storyintrigued me. Every chapteris just my personal responseto Gospel stories that alsodraws on my years of teachingand studying the Bible.Classic: Why did youchoose the particularGospel stories you did?Smallbones: Most of themdeal with personal issues Iwas struggling with at thetime. I was unemployed for20 months, so one came outof that struggle. Anothercame out of my struggle withbreast cancer. I was drawn tothe story of the woman whotouched Jesus’ garment. I layin my bed after surgery, andI thought, “Ah hah. I knowwhy she touched Jesus’ garments.She was tired of havingdoctors and nurses takeaway her privacy”—whichwas my issue during my stayin the hospital.Others are stories I wasjust intrigued with, like thewoman caught in adultery. Ihave a heart for women’sissues, and that story interestedme. I started doing theresearch and was totally dissatisfiedwith everything Iread because everyone asks,“What did Jesus write?”One day I read it again andthought, “That’s the wrongquestion. The question is:For whom did he write?”That new question led toa published article thateventually became partof this book.Classic: What kind ofreader is this book for?Smallbones: I tried to makethe stories accessible to peoplewho want good biblicalunderstanding but are alsoasking, “How do I relate thisto my life?” It’s not a text fora course on Gospels; I wantit to be accessible to anyone—tobring people to thepoint of an encounter withJesus, and then how do yourespond in that encounter.I think it would be agood book for either individualdevotional time or agroup Bible study. It’s formattedwell for a Bible studybecause there are reflectionReligion professor Jackie Smallbones’ first book aims to bring readers to the pointof an encounter with Christ.10 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Northwestern ClassicQuickreadquestions after each chapter.Classic: What category ofreading does it fall into?Smallbones: Probably spiritualreading. That’s what Iwas doing as I read theGospel stories, and then Iexpanded on that by readingresearch on the stories aswell. I’m not as concerned tocome up with a correct biblicalinterpretation as I am toask questions that lead to arevelation. Scripture is a mirror.I want my book to helpothers see themselves in thatmirror.Classic: What do you hopereaders think of the book?Smallbones: I just hopesomeone reads it and thinks,“Thank you; that helped me.”Classic: Have you alwaysdreamed of being a publishedauthor?Smallbones: Two things Ialways wanted to do: teachand write. But I didn’t wantto teach school; I wanted toteach Bible—which womenjust didn’t do when I wasgrowing up.Classic: What’s next?Smallbones: I’m thinking ofdoing another book like this,but with Old Testament stories.Also, my oldest brotherlives in Kenya and works inchildren’s ministry. He’sworking on cutting-edgetheology for the children ofAfrica, where almost everychild is infected or affectedby HIV-AIDS. African childrenare asking tough, spiritualquestions. How do youdo children’s ministry in thatenvironment? I’m trying tothink of a way to get moreinvolved in what he’s doing.Keeping Company withJesus is available at the NorthwesternCollege Bookstore for$9.99. It also is available for thesame price at most online bookstores,including amazon.comand barnesandnoble.com.Book reviewBookreviewListening anewby Joan Zwagerman Curbow ’85I recently started a book that was selling well in someChristian circles, but abandoned it after the sixth chapter.While the book serves a purpose for those new to the faith, Iwanted more substance and fewer easy answers.Such a book is Keeping Company With Jesus. It breaches agap for those who desire solid exegesis without wadingthrough scholarly jargon, and it invites readers to listen anewto Gospel stories they have heard all their lives.Part of the trouble with hearing the “old, old story” is thatwe become accustomed to its depths, complexities and mysteries,and if we have been raised not to question Scripture,we simply take things at face value and run the risk of missingits truth and power.Smallbones will have none of it. A modern-day Jacob,she wrestles with the text, with all its elisions and opacity,unwilling to let go, until she has received a blessing. Theresult of that wrestling is this book, and she shares the attendantblessings in page after page of careful attention to thetext of seven Gospel stories.Where most of us might see a long string of Christ’smiraculous healings and frenetic preaching, she dispels thisdistortion, revealing a tough, mysterious and sometimes rudeChrist, a Christ whose radical notions of freedom and lovewould threaten any respectable middle-class group of churchgoerswith unsettling results.Also, in each Gospel account, Smallbones reveals a Christwho meets each person individually. There is neither a standardcall from Jesus nor a standard response from the peoplehe encounters. In other words, Jesus is no plaster saint, nocardboard character programmed to spread peace and lovelike a benign security blanket.As one progresses through the book, it becomes clearthat Smallbones has spent a great deal of time in study andreflection trying to parse out this man Jesus. She has madeherself vulnerable, asking how she would respond in the samesituation. If Jesus likened her to a dog, would she fight backlike the woman in Matthew 15, or would she slink off? Butthere is a still more dangerous question: Why does Jesus,Prince of Peace, behave that way?Why is he more concerned with writing on the groundthan in responding to the adulterous woman and her accusers?Why does he go to a sickbed on one occasion but refusein another? And why does he give all these people completefreedom—freedom to be ungrateful, freedom to expose himto more trouble and derision?That’s the crux of Smallbones’ book: How can we knowsomeone unless we spend time with him? That’s the invitationJesus extends, and that invitation is explored to great effect inKeeping Company With Jesus.If your faith seeks what is known and comfortable, youmay wish to bypass this book. But if you want to encounterJesus as if for the first time, this book will not disappoint you.Joan Zwagerman Curbow lives in Alta, Iowa. She has had articlespublished in Perspectives: A Journal of Reformed Thought, theDes Moines Register, and Mars Hill Review.11 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Parentsof the YearNorthwestern ClassicDennis and Karee JohnstonStaying the CourseDan Johnston learns perseverance and service from Northwestern’s Parents of the Yearby Anita CirulisWhen Dan Johnstondecided he wanted to attendNorthwestern and play footballin Iowa—1,800 milesfrom his hometown of SanLuis Obispo, Calif.—his parentsgave him their blessing.When he found himself sittingon the bench for most ofhis first three years, his fatherhelped him learn perseverance.When a teammate’sinjury made Johnston thestarting quarterback on theRaiders’ nationally rankedteam, his mother spent eachgame day fasting and prayingfor him.Dennis and KareeJohnston’s support andexample have played a majorrole in their son’s life. It alsoearned them Northwestern’sParents of the Year awardfor 2004.Northwestern recognizedthe Johnstons on campusduring Parents Weekendin November.▼“For the past three years,he’s been there to remindme of my role as aChristian on the team andas a teammate.”▲For 21 years, Dan Johnston has seen the commitment to Christ and servant’s attitude of his parents, Dennis and KareeJohnston. In November, he watched as they were honored as Northwestern’s Parents of the Year, thanks to a nomination letterhe wrote on their behalf.Born and raised inCalifornia, the couple met atchurch and married in 1982.Dennis is the buildings andgrounds manager for GraceChurch in San Luis Obispo;Karee works in food serviceat San Luis Obispo HighSchool. In addition to Dan,the Johnstons are the parentsof three daughters: Jewel, 15;Amanda, 14; and Katee, 12.In a letter nominatinghis parents for the award,Dan wrote of their serviceand leadership. Each week,the Johnston family conductsa worship service at a localretirement home. Kareeteaches Sunday school forseventh grade girls, and thecouple just started a prayerand Bible study group forparents whose sons anddaughters are in theirchurch’s youth program.Dan describes his fatheras a hard-working man ofGod who is honest about hisimperfections. His dadhelped him stick with footballeven when he wasn’t gettingmuch playing time.“For the past three years,he’s been there to remind meof my role as a Christian onthe team and as a teammate,”Dan says. “He’s shown mehow that reflects the body ofChrist and your role in thechurch—where the guy whosets up the chairs is just asimportant as the speaker inthe limelight.”“It was a matter of puttingthings in an eternal perspective,”Dennis says.“When it comes down to it,football is still a game. Therewere a lot of life lessons thereas far as perseverance andsticking with something youstarted. At times Dan felt likequitting, but he didn’t—forthe team and the guys.Learning to deal with disappointmenthas made himstronger in his faith.”Karee, whom Dan calls aselfless servant, still can’t12 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Northwestern ClassicParentsof the Yearbring herself to watch her son play football.“You sit by people, and they’re going, ‘Stick the quarterback!’”she says. “And I’m thinking, ‘That’s my son!’” For her,prayer has become an antidote for worrying about his safetyand ability to do well for thesake of his team.Football isn’t the extentof Dan’s involvement atNorthwestern. He traveled toAmsterdam on a SpringService Project and was chosenas one of the student leadersfor the same trip thisspring. He also spent 11weeks in Ghana in 2003through the college’s SummerCampuscalendar▼“They have shown mehow to be a man of myword and to serve withoutneed or desire toreceive back.”▲of Service program and served with other football players inthe Czech Republic earlier that summer. A biology major, heplans to attend graduate school to become a physician’s assistant,with the intention of eventually serving as a medicalmissionary.The Johnstons have seen their son gain confidence andgrow in his faith at Northwestern.“He was a great young man, but now he’s a mature manof God,” his mother says.His father agrees. “I’m proud of his sports [accomplishments],but I’m proud of his character more than anything—of his willingness to go and do,” Dennis says.Dan is equally as proud of his parents.“They have shown me how to be a man of my word,to serve without need or desire to receive back, to love oneanother as Christ loved the church, and to remain faithful,”he says.Dennis and Karee JohnstonJanuaryAdmissions17 Visitation day, 9 a.m., DeWitt Theatre ArtsCenterAlumni/supporters22 Tower Society dinner, TBA, Vermeer DiningRoomFine arts14-Feb. 17Art exhibit, sculpture by Dewane Hughes, artprofessor at Missouri Southern State University,Te Paske Gallery, Korver Visual Arts Center.Opening reception: Jan. 14, 7:30 p.m.20-22 Madrigal dinners (reserved tickets required), 7p.m., Allen Theatre, DeWitt Theatre Arts Center28 Storm King Brass concert, 7:30 p.m., ChristChapelFebruaryActivities4-6 Sibling Weekend5 Kids’ Karnival, 9 a.m.-12 noon, RowenhorstStudent CenterAdmissions4 Visitation day, 9 a.m., DeWitt Theatre ArtsCenter21 Visitation day, 9 a.m., DeWitt Theatre ArtsCenter24 Norman Vincent Peale Scholarship Day, 8:30a.m., Bultman Center28 Norman Vincent Peale Scholarship Day, 8:30a.m., Bultman CenterAlumni/supporters10-12 National Alumni Board meeting12 Gala Auction, 6 p.m., Rowenhorst StudentCenter Mini-GymFine arts19 Ballroom dance, 9 p.m., RowenhorstStudent Center21-April 1Senior art exhibits, Te Paske Gallery, KorverVisual Arts Center22 Student recital: Tiffany De Vries (saxophone),Ruthie Umthun (oboe), 7:30 p.m., Christ Chapel23-26 Copenhagen, 7:30 p.m., Allen Theatre, DeWittTheatre Arts Center24 U.S. Air Force Heartland of America Bandconcert, 7:30 p.m., Christ Chapel27 Student recital: Monica Mitzel (flute), 3 p.m.,Christ ChapelMarchAdmissions18 Visitation day, 9 a.m., DeWitt Theatre ArtsCenterAlumni/supporters29 Pastors and Spouses Conference, 8 a.m.,Bogaard TheatreFine arts5-15 Symphonic Band tour (Wisconsin, Illinois,Michigan)5-15 Theatre team tour (New Jersey, New York,Massachusetts)18 Symphonic Band home concert, 7:30 p.m.,Christ ChapelFor a complete listing of events, visitwww.nwciowa.edu/calendar13 ▲ Winter 2004-05

FacultyprofileNorthwestern ClassicPiet KoeneAsí es su Vida(A Way of Life)by Amy ScheerSpanish instructor Piet Koene, the 2004 Iowa Professor of the Year, is described by students as challenging and caring,thorough and patient.▼Koene’s parents senttheir shy son toHonduras for a year.He returned to Canadaa changed man.▲With sleeves cuffed atthe elbow, jeans crisp, PietKoene moves two long tablesto the center of a classroomin Ramaker Library. Studentsarrive, laughing and chattingin Spanish; one scatters ahandful of bite-sized Snickersonto the table as she settlesinto a spot in the now intimateseating arrangement.Oral Spanish Interpretationclass begins, and onlySpanish is spoken.After an hour, Koenedraws me in, the reporter inthe back of the room. “Talkabout anything, but beginslowly, and slowly increaseyour speed,” he says. WithPiet Koene began as aSpanish professor atNorthwestern five yearsago, when a faculty memberfell ill mid-year.Nine semesters later, hewas named recipient of the2003 Northwestern TeachingExcellence Award. This fall,he received another, moreprestigious award when hewas chosen as Iowa’sProfessor of the Year for2004 by the CarnegieFoundation for theAdvancement of Teaching.Administered by theCouncil for Advancementand Support of Education,the awards program honorsfour national winners andone from each state, recognizingtheir excellence inteaching and positive influenceon students. On Nov.18 Koene attended celebratoryevents in Washington,D.C., including an eveningreception on Capitol Hill.“This award speaks volumesabout Northwestern,”says Koene. “I excel as a professor,and in many ways asan individual, because ofNorthwestern, whatNorthwestern invests in itsfaculty.”14 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Piet KoeneNorthwestern ClassicFacultyprofileheadsets on, students workin pairs to interpret to eachother as I tell them about mykids. A common mistake iscaught by some—forgettingto translate “four years old”into the correct order inSpanish: “He has four years.”After several rounds,Koene sits next to me andinterprets as I speak, thistime about my work in theatre.The students knowvocabulary for the threefields the course covers—court, clinic and church—soa discussion ensues abouthow to communicate the terminologyof unfamiliar fields.“My roommate says Ihave the weirdest homework,”junior Jackie Carlsontells me after class. Arguably,it’s some of the most difficultas well. Exercises vary fromsimple shadowing of English(repeating spoken Englishafter a slight delay) to dualtasking (shadowing whiledoing something else, suchas writing numbers 1-100, orcopying sections from aphone book).“It’s about training yourear, training your brain,”Carlson says, and she hasproof that Koene’s methodswork. When Koene interpretsat the Sioux CountyCourthouse, or for AmistadCristiana, a local Spanishspeakingchurch, the studentsare often there toobserve his skills.“In the court system, thechallenge for an interpreter isto convey all the littlenuances of the original language,because what you areinterpreting will either setsomebody free or convictEvery week, Koene, his wife, Rosa, and their sons, Johannes (15) and Piet-Albert (10), share a meal with the four residents ofNorthwestern’s Spanish House.somebody,” Koene says. Atchurch, “you’re interpretingwhat God is saying throughthe minister, and nowthrough you. Mentally, that’suppermost in my mind.”▼“That is what I would liketo see as much as possible:the Hispanics and the studentslearning from eachother. It is not the idea ofgoing and helping somebody;slowly a friendship isbuilt, a two-way street. Bylearning Spanish, there isso much you can learnfrom other cultures.”▲To his students who arestruggling, Koene likes topoint out he was just a fewyears younger than theirpresent age when he beganhis study of Spanish. Koene’sparents, immigrants from theNetherlands living inCanada, devised a plan tosend their shy, introvertedson to Honduras, where theirdaughter was a missionary.He finished grade 12 via correspondenceand returned toCanada a changed man.“After that one year ofbeing in Honduras, I learnedto be comfortable withstrangers; everything I wasuncomfortable with inEnglish, I learned to becomecomfortable with in Spanish.My personality changedwhile in Honduras, but inSpanish.”Koene met his futurewife, Rosa, during that time,and they married six yearslater. They lived in Canadafor 10 years, then movedback to Honduras in 1997,where Koene worked as adairy farmer. In Orange Citysince 2000, Koene, Rosa andtheir two sons live on a largeacreage, where they entertainmostly Hispanic friends andspeak only Spanish in theirhome.Koene recognizes theirony of being a DutchCanadian living in a DutchMidwestern town whilespending most of his timewith Hispanics. Yet he pointsto the similarities betweenhis background and that ofSioux County’s Hispanicimmigrants, and an emphasisshared between the Hispanicand Dutch cultures: a strongfocus on family and people.Students take their cuefrom Koene and seek out15 ▲ Winter 2004-05

FacultyprofileNorthwestern ClassicPiet Koenerelationships with nativeSpanish speakers. In theSpanish House, which Koeneadvises, students who livetogether and speak Spanishmost of their waking hourshost regular events for▼“He doesn’t just talk aboutthe importance of knowing alanguage in order to loveour neighbor better; he createsopportunities for us toactually do it. He focusesspecial attention on the difficultiesof Hispanics locally,in the U.S. in general, andin Latin America. You can’tcome away from his classeswithout having to strugglewith issues of social justiceand our responsibility asChristians.”Jessica Mueller ’04, San José,Costa Rica▲Hispanics in the area.“Through babysitting,through ESL tutoring, I seethat my students know differentHispanics than Iknow,” says Koene. “That iswhat I would like to see asmuch as possible: theHispanics and the studentslearning from each other. It isnot the idea of going andhelping somebody; slowly afriendship is built, a two-waystreet. By learning Spanish,there is so much you canlearn from other cultures,from other peoples.“Language is not somethingfor the classroom,”Koene says. “Language has tobe a way of life.”Koene and some Spanish students enjoy a light-hearted moment with the Rev. Arturo Gomez, pastor of Amistad Cristiana,and Gomez’ wife, Luz.Students say …“What makes Piet agreat professor is that hecares about his students’lives. So when you’re in hisclass, you want to do yourbest. That’s how it is whenyou know someone’s rootingfor your success.”Mandy Gordon, juniorSpanish and psychologymajor, Jenison, Mich.“He uses his experiencesto teach us beyondwhat any book can. He isalways thinking of differentways of learning andopportunities for us towork with Hispanics in thecommunity. He does somuch more than just teachSpanish; he gets usinvolved and helps us torealize our potential toserve God by using thegifts he has given us.”Tanya Zwald, junior Spanishmajor, Hammond, Wis.“His teaching is thorough,understandable andenjoyable, and his helpfulnessin and out of the classroomis impressive. In all ofhis classes, his love for Godis evident as he helps studentssee the connectionsbetween learning a languageand loving the peoplewho speak it.”Melissa Ingham, seniorSpanish major, Grand Rapids,Mich.16 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Clash of the ClassesNorthwestern ClassicStudentlifeClashof the ClassesStudents open school year with weeklong competitionby Ariel Emery ’05Brandon Millerdoes his bestsynchronizedswimmingimpression.Tony Rodriguezgives his all inthe tug-of-war.Andrea Colliercompetes forthe sophomoresin the trike race.Kyle Blankers spentthe first Friday nightof his freshman yearwith 100 strangers and1,000 gallons of slime.The strangers were hisnew classmates. The slimewas what they needed tocarry—in cereal bowls andfaster than the upperclassmen—froma 10-foot-widevat to a smaller bucket halfa block away.“We reallycame togetheras a class,”says Blankers.“We did somechants, somewar cries, puton our redbandanas andgot fired up.It was acrazy-goodtime, and wedominated!”The slimefight was thefirst event inthe Clash ofthe Classes, a week ofwacky competitions stagedby Northwestern’s StudentActivities Council. After takingfirst place in events likewaterless synchronizedswimming, human checkers,a pine box derby and awatermelon throw, the seniorclass pulled together towin the competition, aswell as bragging rights forthe year and a six-foot-tallred trophy.After Friday’s slimefight, Saturday featured“Crazy Olympics” challengeslike a tricycle race,tug-of-war, relay race andthe synchronized “swimming.”Monday night wasfor traditional games suchas Tetris and Mario Cart,as well as versions of shuffleboardand checkersthat used students asgame pieces.An “Iron Chef” threecoursecook-off took placeon Tuesday. On Wednesday,the classes competed tohave the highest attendanceat Raider sporting events,and on Thursday, theystruggled to throw watermelonsthe farthest anddrop the best-protectedegg.▼“We really came togetheras a class.”▲“One of my favoritememories was seeing thejunior class annihilate theother classes in the tricyclerace. It was a lot of fun,”junior Molly Tonne says.Student ActivitiesDirector Lori Couch saysher organization plans tomake Clash of the Classesan annual Northwesterntradition.17 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Homecoming 2004REUNITE UNDERHomecoming 2004Oct. 1-3Nearly 100 runners braved the crisp Saturdaymorning weather to compete in the RaiderRoad Race.Lynne (Lenderink ’76) Hubers lines up a putt at the best ball golftournament.First Lady Di Murphy tries out herlacrosse skills at Morning on the Green.Northwestern students mingled with children and earned money for student clubs byproviding games and activities at Saturday’s Morning on the Green.18 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Homecoming 2004THE BIG TOPAlumni honor threeGeorge Bonnema ’64 looks at Beacon clippings atthe class of 1964 memorabilia table.Members of the class of 1979 visit at their reunion dinner.Northwestern honoredthree distinguished alumniduring the college’sHomecoming festivities.Kevin Brasser ’85received the DistinguishedProfessionalAchievementAward. Ascienceteacher atProfessional AchievementKevin Brasser ’85SouthO’BrienHighSchool in Paullina, Iowa,since 1987, Brasser haswon a number of teachingawards, including OutstandingBiology Teacher ofIowa in 2000. Last March, hetraveled to the White Houseto receive the PresidentialAward for Excellence inMathematics and ScienceTeaching from the NationalScience Foundation.The Rev. Harry Tysen’70, chaplain at Salina (Kan.)RegionalHealthCentersince1980,receivedtheService to HumankindRev. Harry Tysen ’70DistinguishedService toHumankind Award. He pastoreda church in Woodstock,N.Y., for six yearsbefore becoming a hospitalchaplain. In 1999, theKansas Association ofChaplains recognized Tysenas their Chaplain of the Year.Dr. Lyle Vander Werff’54, professor emeritus ofreligion, received the DistinguishedServiceto NorthwesternAward. AformerpastorService to NorthwesternDr. Lyle Vander Werff ’54and missionaryto Kuwait,Vander Werff taughtin Northwestern’s religiondepartment from 1967 to1999 and served for manyyears as director of internationalprograms. The 1985recipient of the NorthwesternTeaching ExcellenceAward, he was presented anhonorary doctorate by KeiwaCollege of Japan in 1996.19 ▲ Winter 2004-05

StudentlifeNorthwestern ClassicWhat’s hot on campusby Emily Hennager’06CAMPUScoolA guide to popular culture at Northwestern▼There’s moreto student lifethan juststudying, sowe thoughtwe’d explorewhat’s hot andwhat’s not atNWC.▲Life as a college student at Northwesternrevolves around classes, assignments, tests, papers, researchprojects and critical thinking. But a trip across campus quicklyreveals there’s more to student life than just studying, so wethought we’d explore what’s hot and what’s not at NWC.Random interviews, campus observations and unscientificstudies have led us to this: the Classic’s first-ever guide tocampus culture.On the technology side, cell phones have hit campus ina big way this year, bringing controversy with them. Whilenumerous students admit to owning a cell phone, not everyonelikes the idea of carrying them around all the time.“I’ve noticed a drastic increase in cell phones from myfreshman year to now. Everyday I see someone on a cellphone on their way to class, in the caf (cafeteria), or at agame,” says Katie Hanson ’06. “Why do you need a cellphone in the caf?”From the number of phones sitting on food trays, thereare evidently plenty of reasons for bringing one to meals.“It’s a way of life. I take it in my bookbag, but I put it onsilent,” says Krista Blankespoor ’08. “That’s just how peopleget ahold of me.”20 ▲ Winter 2004-05

What’s hot on campusNorthwestern ClassicStudentlifeBesides cell phones,today’s technology-savvy studentbody has other optionswhen it comes to communicating.Telephones are left onthe hook as online instantmessaging—text messagessent directly from one computerto another—makes iteasier to connect withfriends back home andfriends who live down thehall.“It’s a good way ofquickly getting ahold ofpeople. I’ll just send them amessage that says, ‘Hey, let’smeet for dinner at five,’” saysNicole Koenecke ’05. “Itcould be to someone acrosscampus or someone in mybuilding. It’s just easier thanfinding phone numbers.”Many of the messagesthat fly back and forth fromcomputers on campus areregarding plans for theevening or weekend. Butwhat do students decide todo with the free time they’reso busy discussing?“Since there’s not a lotto go do, we’re more spontaneous,”says Titus Landegent’07, reminiscing about a fallcampout on the campusgreen when he and somefriends slept in a tent andmade s’mores over a grill.Anytime the weather ispleasant, small packs of studentsroam the green playingdisk golf, basically a game ofgolf played with a Frisbee.Ultimate Frisbee also isplayed outside, but gamescan easily be moved insideto the RSC. For many students,a pickup game ofUltimate Frisbee is a weeklyevent, no matter what timeof year.In the evenings, groupsof students gather in loungesto play card games like Mafiaand Nertz or board gamessuch as Cranium and CatchPhrase. Sometimes studentsget creative and put a newtwist on an old game, like“Extreme Candyland.”“We made new cardsand changed some of therules,” says Beth Lampen’08. “It was a good improvement.”Both men and womenput their creativity to otheruses by knitting hats, mittensand other apparel.“I knit whenever I getthe chance, like while I’mwatching movies. I can makea hat in two hours. Matchinghats and scarves are snazzy,”says Becky Johnson ’07.continued on page 24▼“I knit whenever I get thechance, like while I’mwatching movies. I canmake a hat in two hours.Matching hats and scarvesare snazzy.”▲Matching hatsand scarvesSnazzyBecky Johnson models her handmadescarf and hat.Elsie Ellendorf, left, shows Kiera Fredericksen and Eugene Huck how to crochet at an informal YarnClub gathering.21 ▲ Winter 2004-05

StudentlifeNorthwestern ClassicWhat’s hot on campusDodgeballConnecting to the child withinNorthwestern students are bringingback playground games with full force—andthe competition is fierce. The first-everdodgeball tournament was held as part ofthis year’s Homecoming week festivities.“Dodgeball brought the whole campustogether,” says Joel Watters ’07. “There wereso many people there.”With 37 teams between the men’s andwomen’s divisions, nearly 400 studentsparticipated. Each team played three games,with the winning teams advancing to theplayoffs and then the finals.“I hadn’t played dodgeball since elementaryschool. It was a way to go back tochildhood,” says Dan Johnston ’05, a memberof the men’s championship team. “Thecompetition was friendly, yet intense.People took it very seriously.”The grand prize was two free pizzas foreach winning team, but for many, the competitionwasn’t just about the prize.“My favorite part was the playoffs,” saysKyle Osborne ’06, who helped organize thetournament. “People wanted to get to thefinals so they played hard.”Regardless of the competition, studentssaid the highlight was getting to be a kidagain.“We made a team just to have fun,” saysChristine Geertsema ’07. “Even though wepretty much got annihilated, it was still agood time.”Chilling outPiercings“I got my nose pierced thisfall. It wasn’t a defiancething; I just thought it wascute. My parents were finewith it.” Ginny Wegter ’08Facial hairWhile most Northwesternmales are usually cleanshaven,facial hair is notan uncommon sight oncampus. “It’s laziness morethan anything. Guys justdon’t bother to shave,”says Dusty Meyn ’07.Frozen lattes from the snackbar are this year’s popular treat.At $2.05 each, they come in flavorslike almond, amaretto, vanillaand raspberry, and have been sellingalmost as fast as the blenderscan whip them up.The most popular flavor?Caramel.22 ▲ Winter 2004-05

What’s hot on campusNorthwestern ClassicStudentlifeIn and outWristbandsFollowing Lance’s leadNorthwestern men and women aresporting accessories for a good cause. Theyellow rubber wristbands with the motto“Live Strong” sell for $1, and all proceeds goto the Lance Armstrong Foundation to benefitcancer survivors. “I saw the ad in SportsIllustrated and thought it was a good cause,”says Brett Brown ’07.“Plus, I like the way it looks,” adds MikeVermeer ’07.Tattoos“Tattoos? Not a lot of peopleon campus have them. Ithink they’re cool, though.”Peter Eko-Acquah ’07In OutLucky Charms cerealDVDElectric toothbrushesDigital camerasVintage-washed jeansCell phonesResearching onlineShopping at TargetCorn FlakesVHSMorning breathDisposable camerasStone-washed jeansCell phonesGoing to the libraryShopping at Wal-MartMessenger bagsCarrying stuff in styleMessenger bags slung across one shoulderare a popular alternative to traditionalbackpacks for both men and women. “They’reunique bags in fun fabrics,” says Jodi Folkerts’07, who owns two bags made by Lora Goll’05. “The size is nice. It can carry books toclass, but I can also use it as a purse.”Water bottlesWater, water everywhereWhether on their way to class, workingout or studying in the library, well-hydratedstudents tote their plastic Nalgene waterbottles everywhere. Available in a rainbowof colors, the bookstore sells them with“Northwestern College” printed on the side.“It’s a high-quality product. They lookgood, can’t break and are readily available,”says Jon Tjeerdsma ’06.Cars“As far as cars go, 1990 is reallythe year that’s in now,” saysDavid Bray ’07. Abigail Nedrud’07 agrees that students aren’tpicky when it comes to transportation:“It’s not so much whatkind of car you have; it’s more,‘Does it work?’”23 ▲ Winter 2004-05

StudentlifeNorthwestern ClassicWhat’s hot on campus▼While fashion gurus aresqueezing their feet intopointy-toed shoes,Northwestern students seemto shun anything that’s notcasual, easily washable—and above all—comfortable.Easilywashablecomfortable▲continued from page 21When it comes to clothingand fashion at NWC,don’t expect to see any stylesstraight off the runway.“What’s in accordingto society and what’s in atNorthwestern are twodifferent things,” saysAndrea Collier ’07. “Peopleare tired of being part ofa huge label.”While fashion gurusare squeezing their feetinto pointy-toed shoes,Northwestern studentsseem to shun anythingthat’s not casual, easilywashable—and above all—comfortable. Jeans, T-shirtsand flip-flops dominate theapparel landscape duringwarmer months, while coldweather brings out “hoodies”(hooded sweatshirts) andtennis shoes.Tyler Parson, Rembrandt Zwaagstra and Titus Landegent display the good buys they’ve found at Goodwill.It’s not that fashiontrends don’t come to campus,it’s just that they usually arrivemonths after the rest of theworld has caught on.“Styles I feel comfortablewearing in my hometown Ihave to wait a few years towear here,” says EmileeSeverson ’05.Fashion phenomenasuch as UGGs, the suedeboots with furry lining, havealready swept the coasts, butas of yet, they haven’t becomea big thing on campus.One popular trend thisyear is the color brown.Clothing, bags, even haircolors are showing up in arange of shades between tanand dark chocolate. Even thebookstore is selling severalstyles of Northwesternapparel in brown tones.Though brand nameslike Hollister, Abercrombie &Fitch, American Eagle andAeropostale are sported acrosscampus, new clothes don’talways equal cool clothes.“What’s in is wearingthings that look like they’vebeen worn for 20 years,” saysDavid Bray ’07. “It eithercomes from thrift stores orreally expensive places thatjust make stuff look old.”Many students findplaces like Goodwill a goldminefor unique clothes atprices that leave enoughmoney in their pockets fornext semester’s tuition.Students say popularityis based on self-confidence—which is something youcan’t buy—more than ona clothing label.As Tyler Parson ’07 says,“The less cool you try to look,the cooler you are.”24 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Principles of ManagementNorthwestern ClassicOfcourseCD-based class teaches through storiesCarly Miller says having a textbook on her computer screen instead of in printtook some getting used to, but she was drawn into the presentation of managementprinciples through its story-based approach.Class:Principles of ManagementInstructor:Dr. Michael Avery, assistantprofessor of business andeconomicsWhen it came time forCarly Miller to study for herPrinciples of Managementclass, she didn’t open a textbook.Instead, she slipped aCD into her computer andbegan reading about the livesand careers of real Christianbusiness people. As she followedtheir stories, she wasintroduced to concepts suchas business objectives, financialperformance, marketresearch and forecasting.“At first, I didn’t like it,because I’m a big fan ofhighlighting things,” Millersays, “but then I began toappreciate it. The ongoingstory made what we werelearning seem a lot more realand applicable, and I reallyliked how it integrated faithand their Christian values.”That integration was themain reason her professor,Dr. Michael Avery, decidedto use the new interactivecurriculum in his class.“It’s the first managementtext I found that reallydid a good job of bringingour Christian faith intobusiness generally, andspecifically into managementprocedures, processes andpractices,” he says.Along with the text,short assignments and worksheets,the CD-ROM includeslinks to professional toolsand Web sites. One featureallows students to try outwhat they are learning: Asimulator duplicates the realworld in which there’s a constantlyshifting interplay ofinput, choices, implementationand feedback. Studentsrun businesses that competeagainst, partner with andrespond to other businesses—withthe changes theymake immediately affectingthe business environment.The curriculum also hasstudents decide how muchof their grade will be determinedby various aspects ofclass, such as assignments,class participation and tests.Avery supplements thataspect of the course byhaving students evaluatetheir fellow team membersas well as themselves, apractice he’s used in businessbut never before in a class.Avery is excited aboutthe new curriculum. Thestory-based text, he says,▼“It’s the first managementtext I found that reallydid a good job of bringingour Christian faith intobusiness generally, andspecifically into managementprocedures, processesand practices.”▲shows the real application ofwhat students are learning.“And when you add the faithcomponent, it’s really theclosest thing to faith andlearning I’ve ever seen.”Avery’s appreciation forthe course material is sharedby students, who come betterprepared and are more interactiveduring class.“I read every chapter,and I can’t say I’ve done thatfor my other classes,” Millersays. “When a chapter wouldend, I would want to keepreading. It felt like you wereexperiencing what they wereexperiencing, but you werelearning at the same time.”Reading list:There is no textbook.Instead, students in theclass work with an interactiveCD-ROM, “Managementfor a New Generation: AnExperiential LearningApproach for ChristianExecutives.” The curriculumwas written by John Cragin,a veteran business managementinstructor and internationalbusiness consultant,and published by Zondervan.Assignments:In addition to reading adigital text, students completedaily worksheets, quickassignments, or summariesof the content of businessrelatedWeb sites. They alsowork as teams on a simulatorthat allows them to test theirabilities in a real-time,competitive environment.25 ▲ Winter 2004-05

AlumniprofileNorthwestern ClassicPeggy BilstenThe Path FromEducation to Politicsby Sherrie Barber Willson ’98Education and politics might seem like two vastly differentcareer paths, but according to Peggy (Leeds ’82) Bilsten,they have more in common than you might think.A physical education major, Bilsten previously taught elementaryschool and high school health and fitness. Now thevice mayor for the city of Phoenix, Ariz., she says her experiencein education has been invaluable for her current work.“As a teacher, you lead your students to new experiencesand support them in their efforts to grow. The same is true formy community work,” Bilsten says. “I cannot fix all the problemsin the community, but I can give people the resources tolearn and improve the quality of life. Then it’s up to them tomake the changes they are seeking.”Taking actionAlthough it may seem like a natural transition now,Bilsten says she never imagined she would become a politician.A native of Homestead, Fla., she met her husband, Tom’83, at Northwestern. When they moved to Phoenix in 1986for his work, she was a stay-at-home mom to their two children,Tom Jr. and Jennifer, and a school and PTA volunteer.But when four of her neighbors had their doors literallybroken down and their homes robbed within a single week,Bilsten decided she had to take action. She helped organize ablock watch group and held a meeting with local police officers.To her surprise, the district’s City Council representativecared enough to attend the meeting.A few months later, Bilsten learned that a piece of landadjacent to her subdivision was being rezoned for a majorshopping center. The district boundaries had been redrawn,and a new councilperson was now representing Bilsten’sneighborhood. Bilsten had experienced the good side of politics;now she saw the bad.“The new councilperson refused to meet with the neighbors,”she says. “He truly cared more about developers thanneighbors.”When he decided to resign from the council to run formayor, Bilsten’s former councilperson encouraged her to runA member of the Phoenix City Council for 10 years, Peggy Bilsten also servesas vice mayor.as his replacement. “I knew in my heart that people should beheard,” Bilsten says. “Not every elected official cares to listen,but I knew I would listen and do my best to serve everyone.”Serving the communityBilsten was elected to the Phoenix City Council inOctober 1994 and has been re-elected twice: in 1999 andagain in 2004. The City Council elected her vice mayor (a26 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Peggy BilstenNorthwestern ClassicAlumniprofileone-year term) in 1997 andagain this year.Unsurprisingly for a formerstay-at-home mom, daycareprovider and educator,Bilsten is passionate aboutfamily issues, especiallydomestic violence preventionand the well-being of children.Bilsten helped to establishthe Family AdvocacyCenter for victims of domesticviolence and now chairsthe Governor’s Commissionto Prevent Violence AgainstWomen. She also serves onthe boards of several childrenand family advocacy organizations.“Domestic violence isthe No. 1 call for service forour police officers, and themost dangerous,” Bilstensays. “I also read recently thatthe leading cause of death forwomen ages 19 to 41 ishomicide by a husband orpartner. It broke my heart to▼“As a teacher, I was verylimited as to what I coulddo, but as an elected official,I am able to bringattention and money to ourdomestic violence shelters.”▲learn of a young woman wholost her life in front of herchildren because her husbandfound out she hadbeen calling shelters, noneof which had any openings.Today, cookies. Tomorrow, calculus.Will she be ready? Will you?Maybe her only college thoughts today are about thosecool cheerleading outfits—or the excitement of Morningon the Green. But give her 15 years, and she’ll be thinkingabout her college education. And you’ll be wonderinghow to pay for it. Start working on that now, through theIndependent 529 Plan, and lock in tomorrow’s tuition atless than today’s price.Visit www.independent529plan.org or call 888-718-7878to learn more about this prepaid tuition program, sponsoredby Northwestern and over 200 private colleges.Future Northwestern cheerleader: Maria De Jong, daughter of Kelly andSheila (Born ’94) De Jong.“As a teacher, I was verylimited as to what I could do,but as an elected official, Iam able to bring attentionand money to our domesticviolence shelters.”Bilsten’s other top issueis transportation, which shesees as vital to the health ofthe community. She chairsthe council’s transportationsubcommittee and hasworked hard to improve thecity bus system, the Dial-a-Ride program for disabledand senior citizens, andmass transit.“If you have a poortransit system, you are notable to attract and retainnew and/or big businesses,”she says. “Without employmentopportunities, yourcommunity begins to sufferin all areas.”Bilsten credits her timeat Northwestern and inOrange City for teaching herthe value of community.“[Iowa taught me] the valuesof a small town, one whereyou didn’t have to lock yourdoors or worry about yourchildren,” she said. “Peoplewere friendly; they knewtheir neighbors. Now Iencourage people to get outof their enclosed backyardsand get to know their neighbors.Once people begin gettingto know each other, theybegin helping each other.”First things firstFor all of her accomplishments,Bilsten says herproudest achievements areher marriage and children.She and Tom, who works forSwans Foods, have beenmarried for over 20 years.“He is my best friend andsoul mate,” she says.Their son recently marriedand lives in Phoenix,while their daughter is a collegesophomore who wantsto become a missionary.Bilsten’s mother also movedto Phoenix recently afterbeing widowed. “It is truly ablessing having her in my lifeon a daily basis,” says Bilsten.Bilsten is serving her lastterm on the City Council;when it ends in 2007, she’snot sure what she will do.“But I am sure if God wantsme to continue serving thepublic, I will,” she says.27 ▲ Winter 2004-05

AlumniprofileNorthwestern ClassicBryan Van KleyFor the Sakeof the SportMagazine publisher Bryan Van Kley promotes amateur wrestlingby Duane BeesonIn amateur wrestling,some names are legendary:Dan Gable, Rulon Gardner,Cael Sanderson.Bryan Van Kley ’98hasn’t won an Olympic goldmedal, coached beyond themiddle school level or evenworn a singlet since hisfreshman year at Northwestern,but his nameattracts great attentionamong wrestling enthusiasts.As the owner and publisherof Wrestling InternationalNewsmagazine (W.I.N.), VanKley has become a prominentfigure in the sport.“I’ve been in thewrestling world for 35 years,and Bryan has made as bigan impact as anyone in ashort amount of time,” saysMike Chapman, executivedirector of the InternationalWrestling Institute andMuseum. “W.I.N. is veryhighly respected throughoutthe wrestling world, fromwrestlers like Tom Brands tobusiness people.“Bryan has been able tomaneuver in that world verywell because he’s personableand cares about what he’sdoing. Everybody likes himand trusts him,” saysChapman, who foundedW.I.N. in 1993.Van Kley sees his job asmuch more than coveringwrestling at the high school,college and Olympic levels.It’s his goal to help wrestlinggrow.“Our mission is to promotethe sport,” says VanKley. “I feel wrestling hasn’tgrown because it hasn’t beenmarketed properly.”Van Kley and his staff oftwo other full-time employeesand more than a dozencolumnists, freelance writersand photographers fromaround the country seek tocover the sport in a professionaland timely manner—wanting to be known as theSports Illustrated ofwrestling. Prior to W.I.N.’sAs publisher of Wrestling International Newsmagazine, Bryan Van Kley provides administrative direction, sells ads, edits copy, writes a column and helps with page layout.The magazine’s headquarters are in the International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Newton, Iowa.28 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Bryan Van KleyNorthwestern ClassicAlumniprofileemergence on the national scene, says Van Kley, “Fans wereused to getting their events covered scantily. Our sport wasn’ttreating its news coverage the way it needed to.”Van Kley and his editor attend the top dozen amateurwrestling events each year. The Northwestern alumnus coveredthe Olympics in Greece this summer—after spendinghis honeymoon with wife Rachel (Bogaard ’00) in Sydney,Australia, at the 2000 Olympic Games.Van Kley, who was a win away from qualifying for thestate wrestling tournament his senior year at Rock Valley(Iowa) High School, says wrestling is unique. “The thing Icame to love and hate about wrestling was how incrediblydifficult it is physically, mentally and emotionally. Wrestlingis an individual sport. There’s no one to look over your shoulderand blame if something goes wrong.“The positive attributes that come from wrestling andhow closely it parallels what it takes to be successful in lifemake it extremely exciting.”Van Kley, who credits NWC football coaches LarryKorver and Orv Otten for helping him to develop commitment,discipline and a strong work ethic, has attacked hiscareer with the passion of an Olympic grappler.“His vision impressed me,” says Chapman, W.I.N.’sfounder.“He looked at what the product was and what it couldbe, and he wasn’t afraid to work hard and invest capital toimprove it. He has a very professional grasp of what he’sdoing and where he wants to go. W.I.N. was good when Isold it, but it’s terrific now.”ReversalVan Kley, a business administration major, first thoughthe’d go into investment banking, but he couldn’t see himselfworking in a career unrelated to sports. At Northwestern, heplayed football four years, competed in baseball two seasonsand was a member of the wrestling and golf teams as a freshman.So he added a minor in journalism and planned on acareer as a sports journalist.“It’s amazing to see how the Lord was preparing me forwhat I’m doing today,” says Van Kley. “Carl [Vandermeulen,professor of English and communication studies] always saidit’s a great blessing to make your avocation your vocation, andI’ve been blessed to do that. My passion has become mycareer.”Van Kley says his W.I.N. highlights include watchingRulon Gardner’s surprise victory in the Sydney Olympics andseeing Iowa State’s Cael Sanderson win four national titles andgo undefeated. Even bigger than those moments, though, is“being able to establish both friendships and working relationshipswith the most prominent people in the sport.“It’s great to have a career that’s structured around a sportthat’s as pure as wrestling. It’s incredible that I get paid to goto every big wrestling event in the country!”Balance is the keyBalance is one of the main skills in wrestling. Van Kleyhas found it also is crucial in managing a small business—anda family.When he bought W.I.N. Magazine in 1998, he did halfthe writing, all the ad sales and layout, the renewal notices—even answered the phone.“I came in three out of every five days thinking, ‘Howsoon can we sell this?’ If it wasn’t for my faith in the Lord, Idon’t know how I would have gotten through that first year,”says Van Kley. “The turning point was when I realized Icouldn’t do it all myself—and I was holding the businessback by trying to.”Van Kley knew he needed a bigger staff. And for that tohappen, W.I.N. had to be more profitable. He pursued moreadvertising with diligence—and was able to hire two full-timeemployees.As he looks to the future, Van Kley would like to see themagazine’s circulation—which has increased from 2,000 to5,000—quadruple to 20,000. But he tempers his vision witha broader perspective.“My underlying goal is to not detrimentally affect the balancebetween work and family that I believe is so important.”“Advertisers love him,” says W.I.N. Magazine Editor Mike Finn, about VanKley. “He’s selling more than space; he sells the sport.”29 ▲ Winter 2004-05

SportsupdateNorthwestern ClassicGo Big RedFallsportsFootball• Finished with a 7-3 record,ranked 18th nationally inthe NAIA.• Placed fourth in the GreatPlains Athletic Conference(GPAC).• Led the nation in scoringdefense (holding opponentsto 8.1 points pergame), pass defense andpass defense efficiency.• Allowed only one touchdownin their first fivegames. Four of their winswere shutouts.• Linebacker David Jacobsearned national player ofthe week honors for hisefforts in the 27-0 victoryover Nebraska Wesleyan,in which he was creditedwith six solo and nineassist tackles, includingtwo tackles for loss andone sack.• Defensive back Jeff DeHaan and linebackerAustin Janssen earned firstteam all-conference honors.Men’s CrossCountry• Placed ninth in theGPAC meet and eighthat regionals.Women’s CrossCountry• Won four meets, placedthird in the GPAC andwas runner-up at regionals.• Mary Kummerfeld earnedGPAC runner of the weekhonors, was named tothe all-conference teamand qualified for thenational meet.Midfielder Brett Wieking goes after the ball in Northwestern’s 4-0 win over Concordia. The Red Raiders tied for the conferencetitle and compiled the best record in school history, 16-5.Men’s Golf• Won the 12-team RedRaider Invitational.• Aaron Aberson was namedco-GPAC golfer of theweek after tying for first atthe Sioux Falls Invitational.Women’s Golf• Placed sixth at the conferencemeet.• Melissa Hisel earned allconferencehonors.Men’s Soccer• Recorded the best recordin school history, 16-5.• Tied for the GPAC titlewith Morningside andHastings, compiling a 9-2league record.• Dan De Witt was namedGPAC player of the year.Mike TenClay and AndrewTinklenberg joined him onthe all-conference team.• De Witt was twice namedconference offensive playerof the week, and TenClaywas a defensive player ofthe week.Women’s Soccer• Had their best record since2000, going 8-10.• Placed 10th in the GPACwith a 4-7 mark.• Sara Kernes set schoolcareer records for points(97) and goals (38). Sheearned first team all-conferencehonors.• Kernes and Liz Reynenwere GPAC offensive anddefensive players of theweek, respectively.Volleyball• Compiled a 21-10 record.• Placed fourth in the conferencewith a 12-4 mark.• Carli Blom earned firstteam all-conferencehonors.• Stacy Friedrichsen was theregional setter of the weekonce and earned the GPAChonor three weeks.30 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Class notesNorthwestern ClassicAlumninewsAlumnicornerKaren Woudstra’79, Director ofAlumni and ParentRelationsThis fall, my husband, Earl, who teachesin Northwestern’s kinesiology departmentand coaches the women’s basketball team,spoke in chapel. He encouraged us to “presson” (which also is his team’s theme this year,from Philippians 3:14) and be faithful in thelittle things God gives us to do or calls us tobe each day.Earl talked about people God had placedin his life who encouraged him through theway they lived their lives: faithful every dayin the big and the small. Some of thoseencouragers included professors who made an impact whilehe was a student at Northwestern in the 1970s.Probably we all can think of professors who taught uswell both in and out of the classroom. Maybe it was theatreprofessor Theora England or Coach Paul Muyskens. RonJuffer is mentioned often by alumni who remember the personalinterest he took and still takes in the lives of countlessstudents, and Virg Muilenburg remains beloved for his teachingand pizza baking. There are so many more I could name.God uses people like our professors to challenge our mindsand hearts—to show by example what it means to walk thetalk.This fall one of Northwestern’s foreign language professors,Piet Koene, who won the college’s Teaching ExcellenceAward in 2003, was selected as the 2004 Iowa Professor ofthe Year. Piet is being acknowledged for his excellent, passionateteaching of Spanish language and culture—teachingthat extends beyond our campus to the Sioux CountyCourthouse and his Hispanic church and neighbors.Those who know Piet have seen his commitment to hisfaith and family. A lover of Latin America, Piet is being usedby God right here in Iowa, at Northwestern, at this time, tobe faithful to his calling. Piet is one of those people who“presses on” each day. In so doing, he is an encouragement toour students as they watch him live what he teaches aboutembracing other cultures in our increasingly multiculturalcommunity.We all have cherish people who have impacted ourlives. Who has been this kind of teacher-by-example in yourlife? Don’t forget to thank God for them and pray for them.May we, too, press on with God’s help and seek to be faithfulevery day, in every way—because we never know how Godwill use our lives to encourage and impact another.DeathsAlberta (Kooiker ’36) Vermeer, 89,died Oct. 10 at a hospice in Pella,Iowa. She graduated from HopeCollege and taught in Kent City,Mich., before marrying the Rev.Henry Vermeer ’33. They servedchurches in Falmouth, Holland andGrand Rapids, Mich.; Chicago;Sheboygan, Wis.; Denver; and Pellaand Hospers, Iowa. She was active inthe World Home Bible League, PellaWomen’s Club, Fortnightly,Crossroads Prison Ministry, RCAWomen’s Ministries and theReformed Church Board of Pensions.She is survived by her husband, twochildren and a brother.Marjorie (Hospers ’40) Weeks, 84,died Sept. 3 at her home inVermillion, S.D. After her time atNorthwestern, she studied atGrinnell College and the Universityof South Dakota. She was an artist,singer, radio host, educator, art promoterand founder of the TiyospayeNetwork for the Extended Familyof South Dakota. Survivors includeher husband, Martin, and twodaughters.Benjamin Huisken ’64, age 63, diedof cancer Sept. 27 at a Sioux Fallshospital. He taught at Rock Valley(Iowa) Christian School for 37 yearsbefore retiring in 2001. A memberof Trinity Christian ReformedChurch, where he had served as anelder, he preached in area churchesas a lay pastor and volunteered inprison ministry. He is survived byhis wife, Trudy; four children,including Jill Jacobsma ’93; hismother; five sisters; and threebrothers.Charles Brickwedel, an English professorat Northwestern from 1960to 1972, died Oct. 23 at his homein Brookings, S.D., at the age of 89.A graduate of the Bible Institute ofLos Angeles, he served as pastor forchurches in Oregon, Washington,Idaho and South Dakota beforeearning a master’s degree in Englishat South Dakota State University.After teaching at NWC, he pastoredchurches in Milford, Iowa, andTucson, Ariz. After retiring, hetaught English at Judson BaptistCollege in Oregon. His survivorsinclude three children.Dr. Roy Wilbee, chairman ofNorthwestern’s education departmentfrom 1967 to 1970 and academicdean from 1970 to 1973,died Nov. 10, 2003. He earned abachelor’s degree in science and amaster’s in Christian education fromWheaton College and a doctoratein higher education from theUniver-sity of Michigan. After leavingNorthwestern, he served asdirector of media at Bethel Collegein Minnesota until 1985. Survivorsinclude his wife, Betty, and fourchildren.Lynne (Krommendyk ’74) Te Velde,54, died Oct. 8 at Orange CityHealth System. She married AlbertTe Velde in 1985; they made theirhome in Maurice. She worked as ahome health aid and at HopeHaven RTC in Orange City. She wasa member of First ReformedChurch in Maurice. She is survivedby three daughters; two stepchildren;her parents, Lorraine (DeJong’48) and Leonard Krommendyk ’48;three brothers, including Dan ’82and Paul ’87; and a sister.The Rev. Charles Focht ’78 died ofcancer Aug. 29 at his home inCarlisle, Pa., at the age of 65. Heattended Elohim Bible Institute andTabernacle Baptist College andserved as a pastor of churches inTylersport and Meridian, Pa. In1975, while working as a tree surgeonto supplement his income, hefell and broke his back. A paraplegic,he completed his bachelor’sdegree at NWC and became a competitorin wheelchair table tennisand archery. He made numerousnational teams and competed in the1992 Paralympics in Barcelona,Spain. He served on the PennsylvaniaGovernor’s Council onPhysical Fitness and Sports, andwas chairman of the AmericanWheelchair Archers. Among his31 ▲ Winter 2004-05

AlumninewsNorthwestern ClassicClass notessurvivors are his wife, Margie; fivechildren; his mother; three brothers;and two sisters.Marilyn (Lupkes ’97) Jansma, 29,died Aug. 21 in Downers Grove,Ill., from injuries sustained in anautomobile accident. She served asdirector of community groups atPrairie Ridge Church in Ankeny,Iowa, and also worked as a familytherapist at Four Oaks in DesMoines. She is survived by her husband,Kevin ’99; son, Treyton; herparents; four brothers; and two sisters.’52Dr. Frank Calsbeek was designatedas distinguished professor of healtheducation emeritus at Texas StateUniversity-San Marcos in May. Hetaught and served as health educationdivision director for the universityfrom 1974 through 1995 andwas the College of Education’s assistantdean from 1981 to 1985. Heserved as president of the TexasAssociation for Health, PhysicalEducation, Recreation and Dance in1991. He now lives in GrandRapids, Mich.’66Christina McGrinson retired fromthe Kalamazoo (Mich.) PublicSchools in June after almost 20years of service. She has taught inPanama (her native country), Braziland Guatemala, and served as atranslator in Mexico and New YorkCity. She has traveled extensively inthe United States, Canada, SouthAmerica and Europe. Last summer,she and her sister explored the easternshores of Australia.’70Joe Petrill is in his 33rd year ofteaching physical education andcoaching football in Somerville, N.J.His oldest son, Jordan, is his offensivecoordinator for the freshmanprogram. Youngest son Blake threw11 touchdowns for 787 yards in thevarsity’s first four games this season.Dr. Gary Smit retired in June fromthe Lombard (Ill.) School District,where he was superintendent since1994. His 34-year career in publiceducation included 25 years as asuperintendent in three districts. Henow is on the faculty of theJosephson Institute of Ethics in LosAngeles. In this role, he presentsworkshops across the country onethics in the workplace and charactereducation for schools.’71Morris Harms, Rockford, Ill., retiredfrom his position as an adoptionspecialist with the Illinois Departmentof Children and FamilyServices. He now runs a handymanbusiness. His wife, Angie (Schreiner’72), serves as an addictions counselorfor teens through RosecranceHealth Network.’74After living for 30 years in theAtlanta metro area, CharlotteBaldwin has relocated to West DesMoines, Iowa.’76Deborah (Van Egdom) Hagemeier isserving as president of the SouthDakota Library Association. She istechnical services librarian atAugustana College’s MikkelsenLibrary in Sioux Falls.’81Bryant Tjeerdsma is assistant vicepresident of the information technologydepartment for FarmersMutual Hail Insurance Company ofIowa. His wife, Tamara (Breaw ’84),teaches fifth grade in the West DesMoines School District.’82Dale Landegent and his wife, RuthShicks ’83, co-directed theirfavorite musical, Pippin, this fall atSioux Center High School. Theyhad their first date during the runof that show at Northwestern in1979. This year, their cast includeddaughter Bethany.Members of the class of 1964 gathering at Homecoming included: (front row, left toright) Harold Dykstra, Carol (Friese ’62) Dykstra, Ruth (Knoll) Stientjes, LeeWiersma; (second row) George Bonnema, Sharon Bonnema, Leona Wyngarden andRoger Wyngarden.’86Barry Whitsell has been named chiefexecutive of Village NorthwestUnlimited in Sheldon. He was assistantadministrator at NorthwestIowa Health Center in Sheldon forthe past six years and served as avice president at Sheldon’s SecurityState Bank for 16 years.’87Steve Van Ginkel, North Sioux City,S.D., serves as vice president ofbusiness development for EZ Drop,a business that helps consumers listitems for sale on eBay. He previouslyworked for nine years as an executiveat Gateway.’88Dave Uit de Flesch earned a specialtycertificate in alcohol and drugaddictions treatment from WesternMichigan University last December.He continues to work as a therapistat Wedgwood Christian Services inGrand Rapids.’89After teaching for several years atHolland Christian Schools, Kim(Looman) Cook has been a stay-athomemom for three years. Her husband,Tim, is a computer programmerfor Herman Miller Inc. Theyhave two sons, Trevor (7) and Wesley(1), and live in Holland, Mich.Dave Wensink is a self-employedheating and cooling contractor inSheboygan Falls, Wis. His wife,Becky (Hofer), is a stay-at-homemom.’90Michele (Dahl) Bultena lives inWebster City, Iowa, with her husband,Kevin, and their children,Cassidy (6) and Tyler (4). Sheworks part time as a physical therapistin Clarion.’91Kellee (Korver) Conant is in her lastyear of studies at Palmer College ofChiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.’92Heather James does demos at theSam’s Club in Ames, Iowa.’94Stephanie (Fogelberg) Olson is astay-at-home mom in ChippewaFalls, Wis. Her husband, Corey, isan electrical engineer.Kevin Zylstra, Richfield, Minn., hasbeen doing financial planning in theTwin Cities for the past 10 years.He is a senior financial planner atNew England Financial inMinnetonka. He is active in aSunday evening ministry/mission,the Upper Room, at ChristPresbyterian Church in Edina.32 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Class notesNorthwestern ClassicAlumninews’95Chad Noble works as an actuarialanalyst at Capital Card Services inSioux Falls.’96Kevin Kroeze works as a police officerin Visalia, Calif.Jason Lief earned a master’s degreein theology from Wheaton CollegeGraduate School last December. Hecontinues to teach and coach atPella Christian High School whilealso lay preaching at churches inthe area. His wife, Tammy (DeHoogh), is a stay-at-home mom.Caroline Rogers serves as the magicalgatherings resort operationsmanager at Walt Disney World inOrlando, Fla. She has been selectedto be on the task force team forHong Kong Disneyland in 2005.She also operates her own Internetnetwork marketing business. Amember of the lay leadership teamat St. Luke’s Methodist Church, shevolunteers her time to assist charitiessuch as the Cystic FibrosisFoundation and St. Jude Children’sResearch Hospital.Michelle (Meendering) Tomkins teachessecond and third grades at OviattElementary in Norwalk, Iowa. Herhusband, Trevor, is serving a tour ofduty in Iraq with the 2168th NationalGuard unit based in Sheldon.’97Jeff Beekhuizen is a second-year residentat the University of KansasSchool of Medicine-Wichita FamilyResidency Program.Kristi Bootsma received an M.B.A.from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in May. She now serves asmanager of finance at the NebraskaMedical Center in Omaha.Laura Hibma serves as a missionaryat the International ChristianSchool of Lima in Peru.Candy (Volkers) Kiesz is starting aday care in Sioux Falls. Her husband,Erik, works for CitiCard.Delia (Pini) Perry and her husband,Chris, have moved to Sylvania,Ohio. Chris finished his ear, noseand throat residency and has takena full-time position with a group inthe Toledo area.Deb Schleusener is joining the staffof International Students Inc. andwill work at the University ofWashington in Seattle. She is raisingsupport and hopes to be on staff inWashington by January. She previouslyworked for Navigators at theirretreat center, Glen Eyrie, inColorado Springs for several years.’98Kenda Hallman is developmentmanager in the office of communyarts partnerships at ColumbiaCollege Chicago. She previouslywas manager of prospect tracking atNorthwestern University. She alsohas been acting in Chicago since1998.Brad Kehn is the pastor/president ofYouth Alive Inc., a ministry thatprovides youth camps, conferencesand leadership training retreats forchurches and leaders from theMinnesota and Wisconsin area. Hiswife, Cheryl (Jamieson ’98), is a stayat-homemom. The Kehns live inHammond, Wis.Stacey (Harman) Schmidt teacheshistory at Sioux Falls ChristianHigh School.Amber (Soldan) Widstrom is acertified physician’s assistant atthe University of Nebraska MedicalCenter in Omaha. She works inthe pulmonary and sleep medicinesection.’99Jake Killinger is working as theyouth pastor at Hope EvangelicalCelebrating their 25th reunion were these members of the class of 1979: (front row,left to right) Orv Otten, Ev Otten, Pam Voss, Mark Voss, Susan (Elman) Risius,Steve Risius; second row: Arden Keune, Jodi (Pennings ’78) Kleinjan, WillisKleinjan, Connie Smith, John Smith, Carol (Vander Ploeg) Law, Greg Law; thirdrow: Earl Woudstra ’78, Karen (De Boer) Woudstra, Diane Westenberg, WayneWestenberg and Sharon (Schoon) Carroll.Free Church in Springfield, Ill. Hiswife, Becky (Vugteveen), volunteerson the youth staff and manages aHallmark store.Thanks to Oprah and Pontiac,Susan (Menning) Nelson owns a newcar. Susan, her boss and another coworkerat Wheaton College wereattending the taping of Oprah’s seasonpremiere in September when all276 audience members were givennew Pontiac G6s. A few days later,a photograph of Susan, other carwinners and Oprah was publishedin People magazine.Josh Pyle, Cedar Falls, Iowa, continuesto work as a loss preventionand safety manager for Younkers.His wife, Amy, is employed by theDunkerton Community SchoolDistrict.Stephanie Timmerman is educationprogram manager for the AlaskaNative Heritage Center inAnchorage.The Rev. Aaron Vis graduated fromWestern Theological Seminary withan M.Div. degree in May and wasordained in June. He now pastorsCovenant Community Church inHudsonville, Mich.’00Karinda (Trumble) de Boom lives inSioux Falls and teaches art atVermillion Middle School. Sheearned a master’s degree in educationat Augustana College.Anne (Neerhof) and AustinHellbusch are living in Sioux City.Austin teaches sixth grade scienceand serves as head coach of theboys’ varsity basketball team atDakota Valley High School in NorthSioux City. Anne is in her first yearof residency in family medicine atthe Siouxland Medical EducationFoundation.Colette Johnson earned an M.F.A.degree in playwriting from NewSchool University in New York City.She remains in the Big Apple,where she works for Kaplan TestPrep and is pursuing a career inwriting. One of her scripts is beingmade into a short film through theNew School University’s KZ Filmsand Guerrilla Video CollaborationStudio.Nichole South, Grand Mound, Iowa,serves as the director of marketingfor an assisted living facility thatspecializes in serving those whohave Alzheimer’s disease. She previouslywas the director of socialservices at a nursing center.Dr. Kelly Van Haaften graduatedwith honors from the Illinois33 ▲ Winter 2004-05

AlumninewsNorthwestern ClassicClass notesDaniel Elliott is serving as the youthdirector at Central PresbyterianChurch in Eugene, Ore. He spent ayear working as an intern assistantminister in Groomsport, NorthernIreland.Kiley (Fleming) Mars has joined thestaff of Des Moines University as ahuman resources administrator. Shepreviously worked in humanresources at Arvest Bank inBentonville, Ark.Alumni from the class of 1994 enjoying their class reunion were: (front row, left to right) Susan Porter-Green, Tami Van Wyk,Paula (Viet) Bindert, Shane Bindert, Heidi (Hensley) Tschetter, Brian Tschetter ’93, Troy Vermeer; second row: Sherri (DeZeeuw) Langton, Benjamin Langton, Carmen (Symens) Huizenga, Tonya Van Peursem, Teresa (Mesman) Sampson, BrentSampson, Leah (Sikkema ’93) Dykstra, Kurt Dykstra; third row: Cindy (De Boer) Yoder, Scott Yoder, Amy (Vande Wall ’93)Wiersema, Kent Wiersema, Lori (Voskuil) Scholtens, Rick Scholtens ’92, Lynn (Kamstra) Kavanaugh, Will Kavanaugh; fourthrow: Tamara K. Johnson, Jerry Rens, Lori (Vander Pol ’95) Rens, Russ Herman, Darrin Kimpson, Pamela (Brinks ’97) Kimpson,Jana (Kluis) Estes, Jody (Hemphill) Rossell, Dan Rossell ’93; fifth row: Ronan Roghair, Mark Ohling, Scott Eppinga, AbeScheaffer ’93, Amy (Verdoorn) Scheaffer, Monica (Liwendahl) Starr and Mark Starr ’92.College of Optometry in May. Herclinical rotations included sites inIowa, Illinois, Colorado and WestVirginia. Last winter, she participatedin a mission trip to westernKenya, where her group offered eyeclinics in rural communities anddistributed eyeglasses donated bythe Lion’s Club. She now lives inAnkeny and practices with Eye Careof Iowa in Des Moines.Eric Vermeer completed a master’sdegree in architecture at Iowa StateUniversity in the spring. He’s nowpursuing a master’s in structuralengineering. His wife, Marissa,teaches kindergarten and coachesvarsity girls’ soccer in the BallardCommunity School District inHuxley, Iowa.Alumni: What’s new with you?’01Julie (Frantz) Clarke lives in Austin,Texas, where she is studying tobecome a physical therapistassistant.Kathy (Aalbers) Dee teaches atNewman Catholic Schools inMason City. Her husband, Ryan, isfinishing his history degree at theUniversity of Iowa.Let us know so we can tell your friends and classmates. Send to: Office of PublicRelations, Northwestern College, 101 7th St. SW, Orange City, IA 51041. Or e-mail tobeeson@nwciowa.edu; fax number is 712-707-7370. Deadline for the spring Classic isJan. 13.Name _________________________________________________________________Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Home Phone ________________________________________ Class of ____________E-Mail ________________________________________________________________Current Employer(s)______________________________________________________Leah (Elder) Mellegaard directs theWesleyan Fund in the DakotaWesleyan University developmentoffice. Her husband, Corey ’02,works in human resources atAmerican Foods Group in Mitchell,S.D.Ryan Petersen anticipates graduatingwith a Master of Divinity degreefrom Trinity Evangelical DivinitySchool next spring.Travis Schueller teaches eighth gradescience and health at Cherokee,Iowa, Middle School. He also isjunior varsity and assistant varsityboys’ basketball coach.Abby Thompson has moved fromBeatrice, Neb., to Rapid City, S.D.She teaches seventh grade languagearts in the Douglas School Districtin Box Elder. She expects to completea master’s degree in curriculumand instruction in the summerof 2005.’02As part of his training at theImprovOlympic in Chicago, ChrisAnderson performed in a studentshow this fall.Amanda Baker-Vande Brake receiveda master’s degree from New YorkUniversity’s Tisch School of the Artsin June. While in New York, sheworked as a costume/wardrobeintern for an upcoming film,Romance & Cigarettes, which waswritten and directed by JohnTurturro and produced by Joel andEthan Coen. Amanda and her husband,Jason, have moved toSouthern California, where he ispursuing an M.F.A. in acting at theUniversity of California, Irvine.34 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Class notesNorthwestern ClassicAlumninewsKelly Bauder worked as a staffaccountant in Denver for two years.She now is pursuing an internationalM.B.A. degree at the UniversiteitNyenrode in Breukelen, theNetherlands.Allison Berger, an analytical chemistfor Pace Analytical, does contractwork for 3M. She lives in InverGrove Heights, Minn.Justin Halbersma is in his first yearof seminary at Duke DivinitySchool in Durham, N.C.Sarah (Gosselink) Hille and her husband,David, live in Scotts Valley,Calif., where they are naturalists inthe Mission Springs OutdoorEducation Program.Carmen Hofmeyer works in humanresources at Compassion Internationalin Colorado Springs. Sherecently led a mission trip to China.Ji-Hyun Grace Kim teaches groupand private piano at Michigan StateUniversity’s Community MusicSchool.Amanda Magnuson is pursuing amaster’s degree in English at theUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln. Sheexpects to graduate in May.Amanda (Pearson) Moerman worksat Sioux Golf and Country Clubin Alton, Iowa. Her husband, Lee,is employed at SmithCo Manufacturingin Le Mars. They have twosons, Michael (5) and Jonathan (2).Amanda’s parents are Sandy(Richter ’76) and CarvellPearson ’78.Kaisha (Wasilensky) Netten, Alton,Iowa, has been employed as a socialworker with the Iowa Departmentof Human Services for two years.Cory Rasmussen lives in Nashville,Tenn., where he is a sales representativefor the Pella Corporation.Michael Weeldreyer and his wife,Rachel (Van Regenmorter ’03), nowlive in Maitland, Fla., where heteaches middle school math atOrangewood Christian School.’03Ryan Olson teaches K-12 physicaleducation in Lamoni, Iowa. He alsoserves as assistant boys’ basketballcoach and head coach for boys’track and baseball. His wife, Leah(Griner ’02), is pursuing a master’sdegree in school social work at theUniversity of Iowa.Sarah Taylor is in her second year atGordon-Conwell TheologicalSeminary in South Hamilton, Mass.,where she is pursuing a master’s degreein world missions and evangelism.Tara Van Peursem works as aproject coordinator at MaritzResearch in Oak Brook, Ill. Shelives in Naperville.William Wolfswinkel is the principalat Inwood (Iowa) Christian School.’04Grant Baker, Tucson, Ariz., designsnewsletters for Fraternity ManagementGroup, which helps raisemoney for fraternities.Heidi Friesen moved to Japan inAugust and will spend the next twoyears teaching English to middleschool and high school girls atBaiko Gakuin, one of Northwestern’ssister schools inShimonoseki. Junko Nagao ’70 andYoriko Dohi ’03 met her when shearrived and helped her begin makingthe transition to a new cultureand home.Sarah Hanson teaches special educationat Spring Hill Elementary inAnchorage, Alaska.Mark Milbrodt and his wife, Abby(Michael), live in Springdale, Ark.,where he is an assistant productmanager for Tyson Foods and sheis a trainee at Arvest Bank.Matt Ploeger is serving as worship/ministry team leader in the chaplain’soffice at Central College inPella, Iowa.Joel Vander Wal is enrolled atWestern Theological Seminary. Healso works as a youth director atCommunity Reformed Church inZeeland, Mich.1999 alumni gathering for their reunion at Homecoming were: (front row, left to right) Kristin (Meyer) Kroesche, NathanKroesche, Kristi TenClay, Brenda (Van Manen) Krueger, Brian Krueger ’96, Dan Ebbens, Natalie (Puck ’98) Ebbens, Jill(Schreurs) Schillerberg; second row: Andrew Manz, Stacie (Brosamle ’00) Englin, Tony Englin, Darrin De Vries, Joel Vos,Christie (Rydell) Vos, Carla Peterson, Marianne (Koolhaas ’00) Petty, Ben Petty; third row: Wes Treadway, Anjanette(Johnson) Treadway, Adam Schnell, Lorie (Coy ’98) Schnell, Carson Brackney, Sherri (Fleshman) Brackney, Erin McFadden,Betsy (Russell) McFadden, Jennifer (Van Wyk) Van Zante; fourth row: Tineke (Raak ’00) Hanke, Donovan Hanke, SarahWillenborg, Ryan Ten Pas, Jennifer (Christiansen) Dolphin, Randy Dolphin, Dawn (Van Meeteren) De Young, Matt De Young’01, Martha (Hansen) Copeland, Greg Copeland ’00; fifth row: Joel Boersma, Angela (Roerdink ’02) Boersma, Leah Huizenga,Candace (Hup) Boerema, Adam Boerema, Becky (Vermeer) Hiemstra, Lindsay (Olson) Aalbers, Natasha King, Jenn(Noppert) Whittington, Barb Burlingame; sixth row: Travis Popken, Rachel (De Groot ’01) Popken, Tim Rogers, MattOrtman, Brady Aalbers and Laura Netten.New ArrivalsCarla (Den Herder ’89) and JimSandbulte ’86, twins, Micah Willand Grace Anna, join Levi (8)and Caleb (5).Becky (Hofer ’89) and Dave Wensink’89, son, Joshua Lee, joins Zach(12), Sam (9) and Emily (6).Tom and Kathy (Aberson ’90)Pressey, daughter, AlexisKathleen, joins Sydney (5) andConnor (3).Kevin and Kellee (Korver ’91)Conant, daughter, LaurenNicole.35 ▲ Winter 2004-05

AlumninewsNorthwestern ClassicClass notesMiniprofilePetersen is definitely going placesby Justin HillHampton ChronicleFor years, WadePetersen ’87 has been knownto don a Napoleon costumeor TP his own classroom andlet students smash raw eggsin his face during MardiGras.Now, after 15 years ofteaching French at Hampton-Dumont High School, he hasthe Iowa High School ForeignLanguage Teacher of theYear award to show for it. Hereceived the award at theIowa World LanguageAssociation Conference inDes Moines in October.“My philosophy is towork hard and play hard,”says Petersen. “I expect a lotfrom my students, but I liketo have fun. Any way I canmake it more fun and creative,the better.”The educator says heenjoys the various areas hegets to teach—from historyto culture—that fall underthe umbrella of his Frenchprogram. And he appreciatesthat his subject is ripe withpossibilities for makinglearning exciting.“There are so manyactivities you can do,”Petersen says, sitting in hisclassroom where pictures ofpast class trips to Franceadorn what he calls theFrench Corner.Most of the members ofthe Iowa World LanguageAssociation have knownabout Petersen’s teachingstyle from his award-winningpresentations at the stateconference over the pastseveral years.They also know himas a published author.“Since 1998, it’s beenmy second career,” saysPetersen, who earned a master’sdegree from DrakeUniversity.Petersen’s works—including activity books andcreative assessments, venerablehow-to guides forFrench, Spanish and Germanteachers—are put out by theTeacher’s Discovery publishingcompany, which callshim a teacher with a “creativeand practical mind.” Hecurrently has 22 products,include poster sets andgames, on national andinternational markets.But it all comes back tohis teaching, part of whichhas included taking studentsto France six times in thepast decade.“You get to see themgrow up so much over there.That’s the best part,” saysWade Petersen offers advice to students who are preparing to write a mysteryfor an advanced French class at Hampton-Dumont High School.Petersen, who spent thespring semester of his junioryear at NWC studying inParis. “And it’s not a once-ina-lifetimeopportunity. Mostpeople who have gone overhave done it again.”Students come backwith treasured memories,like climbing the Eiffel Toweror standing in front of theArc de Triomphe for thefirst time.And Petersen sharesthose treasured memories,like the one of the studentwho, while standing in theLouvre, had tears in her eyes,saying it was too beautifulto look.“Just thinking aboutthat, even now my heartstarts to pound,” Petersensays, almost out of breath.“Those are the moments Ilive for.”Doug and Amy (Kindwall ’91)Kueper, son, Connor Douglas,joins Kyle (7) and Madison (4).Ryan and Cindy (Pletke ’92)Blackard, son, Garrett Charles,joins Ian (3).Greg and Michelle (Boeve ’92) VanWyhe, twins, Rex Arthur andRegan Marie, join Riley.Jody and Renia (Park ’93) Snyder,son, Joshua Ray.Tonya (McGee ’93) and Dan Venema’96, son, Cole Paul, joins Caraand Brooke.Corey and Stephanie (Fogelberg ’94)Olson, daughter, Bethany Paige,joins Adrienne (3).Lynnette (Webb ’94) and AdamRasmussen ’94, daughter, LesiaJolynn, joins Annika (6) andKirsten (2).Jamie and Josh Bird ’95, son,Kayden Nazareth.36 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Class notesNorthwestern ClassicAlumninewsPlanned givingnotesYour will won’t work well when …Cornie Wassink ’73Director ofPlanned GivingIt’s out-of-dateHow old is your will? Have you reviewed it in the last three years? If not, chances are it could use someattention. A number of personal factors can affect your will, including changes in income, employment, familysize or marital status. External factors such as new federal or state laws also can require the revision of yourwill. Have any of the following occurred in the last few years?__ Move to another state__ New business venture__ Children less dependent__ Death or serious illness in family__ Marriage or divorce__ Birth of child__ Executor or trustee can’t serve__ Desire to change guardian__ More grandchildren__ Change in giving interests__ Job promotion__ Purchase of life insurance__ New out-of-state property__ Purchase of home__ More property in joint names__ Major change in financesIt’s legally invalidYour will can contain all the information you think you want and still not be worth the paper it’s written on. This is morelikely to be true if your will is old, or if you tried to cut corners by using generic forms. A will can be invalid if it is not signedor witnessed properly.There’s no substitute for having a competent attorney involved. In the short run, it may cost you a bit more, but it certainlywill provide greater peace of mind and ensure a smooth execution of your wishes for your survivors.It conflicts with other plansYour will should be coordinated with your other estate transfer documents. For example, insurance proceeds and brokerageaccounts pass outside the will to the named beneficiaries. Pension funds also are distributed outside the will. A will thattruly works well takes all of these other assets into consideration.It fails to fulfill your desiresYour will should accomplish exactly what you want. Do you want your children to receive their inheritance all at once, orat various intervals? Do you want your charitable gifts to be used for unrestricted purposes, or do you want to earmark thefunds to meet specific needs? Do you want to give your beneficiaries a percentage of your estate, or a set amount?Perhaps you didn’t know all the options when you signed your will. Later you discovered other ways to make yourbequests. Your will may work as a legal document but fail to express your true desires.Is it time to redo your will? If so, make an appointment with your attorney as soon as possible. You should be satisfiedand confident about your estate plan.I am available to visit with you about any of this. We can review bequest options and discuss other giving possibilities.Contact me at 712-707-7109 or cwassink@nwciowa.edu.Jennifer and Chad Noble ’95, son,Andrew, joins Olana (5) andSierra (3).Tammy (De Hoogh ’96) and JasonLief ’96, son, Christian David,joins Naomi (2).Jesse and Danyale (Temple ’96)Tamminga, daughter, MerryBasilea, joins Hans (3).Michelle (Meendering ’96) andTrevor Tomkins ’96, son, KadenTrevor, joins Kyan (2).Karen and Jason Carlton ’97, son,Patrick Wyatt.Dean and Susan (Hagge ’97) Fuerst,daughter, Sarah Renae.Jerry and Robin (Chalstrom ’97)Hunt, son, Ezra Bryan, joinsShariah (2).Suzanne and Matt Jahn ’97, daughter,Lynnette Suzanne.Jason and Julie (Clapp ’97) VanBeek, son, Levi John, joinsKristin.37 ▲ Winter 2004-05

AlumninewsNorthwestern ClassicClass notesPrayercornerDr. Don WacomeProfessor ofPhilosophyMarcy (Vos ’98) and Ryan Agre ’98,daughter, Emri Marnae, joinsBryant (3).Paul and Heather (Vermaat ’98)Beekhuizen, daughter, NorahAmelie.Cheryl (Jamieson ’98) and BradKehn ’98, son, Hunter Michael,joins Autumn (3).Dennis and Stacey (Harman ’98)Schmidt, son, Jonathan Edward,A prayer for studentsO God, gracious and most wise, consider these students, your servants,your sons and daughters, chosen in Christ before the foundation of theworld, called here now to do your work.Protect them, encourage them, sustain and uphold them for the sake ofyour son, our Savior. Jesus, light of the world, may these students seethrough your eyes. Jesus, word of God spoken as flesh, may your words be intheir mouths.Bless them with the gift of a joyful and living faith: not too rigid to bendwithout breaking, but a full, supple, resilient trust in Jesus, the truth aroundwhom all truths dance. Create in them a robust faith, a doorway that welcomesthe world God so loves, not a wall against it. Give them the mind ofChrist, who did not hold back, but went forth, and gave himself.Out of time, worn down, way late, bereft of sleep, past hope: Even then may they hearyour call to love the truth, come what may, their vocation the thirst to know.Trouble them when they are too sure, too quick to think they’re in the right. But restorethose whose faith is weak. Comfort the lost, the sad, the lonely; may the truth you are—greatin mercy, humble in love—seek them out.But make seekers of the comfortable. Give them the courage to go the hard way. Bringthem beyond themselves to what’s strange and different, where you are waiting, O Lord of all,ever new.Endow them with a holy curiosity, an honesty that will not settle for what’s pat, shallow,safe and false. Make them the hardest critics of themselves. Make them best at playing fair, bestat hearing those they know are wrong.Teach them to love the questions as well as the answers. Guide them to the seams wherethings don’t quite fit, to the questions no one has thought to ask or pushed aside, the problemsstill unsolved, to the places where you, God of wonder, have more to teach them.Be with them when they are confused. Even within their most secret doubts, you are withthem, their secure anchor. Beyond whatever darkness they endure, you are the light. Past allloss, you their true love.Challenge them, bother them, poke and prod them, surprise and shock them, O gentleLord: Do what it takes to make faith grow. Shape and craft their minds to trust in you. Givethem boldness in their thought, open their hearts, free their imaginations. Let them never forgetthey have nothing to fear; they are forever held by you, forever blessed.Amen.This prayer was written for a chapel service last spring.joins Lane (1).Mike and Laura (Schoolen ’98)VanDerLinden, daughter, RachelMarie, joins Brittany (1).Jodi (Brooks ’98) and Mark VanderZwaag ’93, son, Brenden James,joins Makayla (5).Jess and Amber (Soldan ’98)Widstrom, daughter, HannahJean.Brooke (Blevins ’99) and ToddHartbecke ’99, son, Kalen Austin,joins Tyler (3).Mary (Dieck ’99) and Jason VandenBosch ’97, son, Nathan Thomas.Nikki (Tjossem ’00) and Carl Zylstra’98, son, Bryan Austin, joinsBrooke (2).Abby (Schuiteman ’01) and Stan DeZeeuw ’01, son, Keegan Lyle.Kara (Koopmans ’01) and JeremyEisenga ’00, son, Owen Justin,joins Ethan (2).Michelle (Fynaardt ’02) and Nick DeHaan ’03, son, Micah James.Amy (Wacker ’02) and KyleHutchinson ’01, daughter, KateCaroline.Kristin (Schuiling ’02) and ShaunOlson ’99, daughter, MakennaJo.Leah (Griner ’02) and Ryan Olson’03, son, Brayden Ryle.Beth and William Wolfswinkel ’03,daughter, Adelle Rose.MarriagesCandy Volkers ’97 and Erik Kiesz,Sioux FallsAngela Smits ’98 and Insoo Kim,Oak Park, Ill.Daniel Geels ’99 and Amy Mooney,Gladbrook, IowaJosh Pyle ’99 and Amy Shippy,Cedar Falls, IowaAaron Benson ’00 and EricaDabelow, West Fargo, N.D.Michelle Kluitenberg ’00 and KenFrieling, Hamilton, Mich.Eric Vermeer ’00 and MarissaMowen, Ames, IowaKathy Aalbers ’01 and Ryan Dee,Clear Lake, Iowa.Leah Elder ’01 and Corey Mellegaard’02, Mitchell, S.D.Julie Frantz ’01 and Joshua Clarke,Austin, TexasLiz Huizenga ’01 and Peter Brokaar,Almere, the NetherlandsJoe Sherry ’01 and Sandy Martin,Bloomington, Minn.Sarah Gosselink ’02 and David Hille,Scotts Valley, Calif.Amanda Pearson ’02 and LeeMoerman, Orange City.Cory Rasmussen ’02 and CarissaBaker, Nashville, Tenn.Kaisha Wasilensky ’02 and DustinNetten, Alton, IowaCaleb Ingersoll ’03 and DianeWeckle ’05, Alton, IowaAbby Michael ’04 and Mark Milbrodt’04, Springdale, Ark.Joe Schueller ’05 and BrookGoeken, Paullina, IowaThe couples reside in the city listed.38 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Send your Classic thoughts to beeson@nwciowa.eduNorthwestern ClassicClassicthoughtsInvesting in lives beyond your ownby Maggie Biesanz ’04The following was deliveredlast spring as a speech bythen-senior Maggie Biesanz to asmall group who love NWC andsupport the college with prayersand gifts. Many more than justthose at that celebratory dinnerdo the same, impacting studentsin ways beyond what they know.Although I recognize afew, many of you are unfamiliar.I don’t think we’ve met,have we? Still, there is a familiarityin this room. Where do I know you from?Maybe it was freshman year. We pulledinto campus, our car loaded; we’d been drivingsince 5 a.m. At the stoplight, a guy wearing aquestion mark sandwich board waved at us. Mymom rolled down the window: “Where do wepark for Stegenga Hall?” Mr. Question scratchedhis chin, raised an eyebrow, then: “I don’t knowma’am, but praise the Lord!” The light changed,and we moved on. We were still bewildered,but smiling now, and I knew I was home. Ithink you might have been there then.That next semester, I was exhausted, mybrain a mess of Bronte and Bonaparte—readingin my dreams. One Wednesday I slumped intochapel. I don’t remember what the speaker saidthat day, but at the end we all stood, the sunstreaming in, and sang the Doxology. Andsomething changed. I felt bonded to everyonethere, united in worship—the only truly important thing. I letgo of my weariness and lifted my heart and voice like everyonearound me. I heard your voices in that place.My sophomore year I took speech—dreaded speech.Standing in front of people makes me shake—sweat. I canimagine hurdling the podium as I make a break for the exit.But, as it was required, I joined a class of 15 and soon realizedthat each one of them feared public speaking too. ProfessorJeff Barker said, “Every person is an expert at something. Tellus about that.” Daily he reminded us of God’s glory, God’sgrace and God’s light in each of us. At semester’s end, when Itook the podium, yes, I was nervous; yes, I was shaky; butalso, I was transformed. Feeling the encouragement of myclassmates, my weak voice grew stronger, I attempted to makea joke, I waved my arms in the air. You were in that audience,smiling, laughing and clapping for me.In the spring of my junior year, I studied in London. Iinterned at a publishing company, ate bagel sandwiches inHyde Park, drank gallons of tea with milk, and sat in thegreen seats of the Parliament’s House of Commons. In additionto friends from Britain, I made friends from Iran, Ireland,Wales, Scotland, Portugal, Ghana and Hawaii. Conversationswith them opened my eyes to a world that is not so big, notso far away. In their eyes I saw a world that needs God’s love.Walking along the Thames River, we enjoyed just being alive.Wasn’t that your face, reflected alongside ours in the river?My senior year it rained buckets at the Dana cross countrymeet. The course included slippery hills and muddy valleysthat sucked the shoes off my feet. But with Coach DaleThompson cheering me on, I ran hard. Crossing the finishline, I was a mess. People might haveguessed NWC’s school colors were red, white▼and mud, but I didn’t notice, cheering eachteammate to the finish. When everyone hadcome across the line, we gathered to thankGod for the run. We won the meet that day,but that wasn’t what mattered, huddledtogether, arms around each other’s shoulders,one body. I think you were there, completingthat circle.True, you were not physically present inmy college experiences the last four years,but you believe in this institution so muchthat you have plugged yourselves into it,supporting it with prayers and dollars, maintaininga relationship that spans years and▲geography. Without your friendship, there isno chapel, no speech professor, no studytrips to England, no cross country meet. There is no group ofstudents, hanging around after class to talk with the professorabout Shakespeare or Plato, no campus newspaper, no standingovation for the musical, no residence hall Bible study.Because of you, graduates leave NWC empowered,knowing that someone dared to believe in their God-givendreams. You believe in the mission and values of Northwesternenough to invest in lives beyond your own. Thankyou.“I felt bonded to everyonethere, united in worship—the only truly importantthing. I let go of my wearinessand lifted my heartand voice like everyonearound me. I heard yourvoices in that place.”A Peale Scholar from Sleepy Eye, Minn., Biesanz receivedFaculty Honors at graduation last May. She is a reporter/photographerfor the Hawarden Independent. She plans eventually toattend graduate school in creative writing and dreams of being atravel writer.39 ▲ Winter 2004-05

Northwestern College101 7th St. SWOrange City, IA 51041Ph. 712-707-7000 (switchboard)www.nwciowa.eduNon-ProfitU.S. PostagePaidSP&DChange Service Requested“Our mission is focused onstudents. We provide theresources students need tobe fully prepared servantsof Christ in the world.”Bob Reynen ’68Director of church relationsI am NorthwesternNorthwestern is clear about what we’re trying to accomplish.The marriage of faith and learning is exciting—and challengingto put into practice. Northwestern prepares students for morethan just a job. That’s been true in my own life. Since graduatingfrom Northwestern, I’ve been able to do a number of things Inever expected; what happened here many years ago was key.Now my job is to communicate who we are as an institution andfoster relationships with churches. Your donation to theNorthwestern Fund helps us support today’s churches and trainfuture church leaders.NorthwesternCollegeA whole education for your whole life.Contact Jennie Smith, director of the Northwestern Fund, to find out how youcan help Northwestern’s efforts to serve the church. Phone: 712-707-7110;e-mail: smith@nwciowa.edu; www.nwciowa.edu/givingWho needs Ebay?Bid on our getaways.Retreat for a weekHistory professor Dr. Doug Carlson and his family have been spending summerson Washington’s Lummi Island for years. Now you can experienceLummi life too! The Carlson Cabin offers easy access to the best beach on theisland. Eat fresh salmon while you whale watch from the cabin’s deck.Numerous attractions of the Pacific Northwest are just a ferry ride away.The Carlson Cabin is just one of the vacation packages available at NWC’sannual Gala Auction on Saturday, Feb. 12. Visit www.nwciowa.edu/galaauctionafter Jan. 10 to bid on the Lummi Island getaway and other trips, as wellas over 350 other items. To receive regular updates about trips as theybecome available, e-mail alumni@nwciowa.edu and ask to be on the tripse-mail list.40 ▲ Winter 2004-05