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The Experience Magazine - Winter 2011

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In this issue, we feature stories of hope and inspiration.
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THE MAGAZINE OF WARNER PACIFIC COLLEGE WINTER 2011 THE EXPERIENCE
Transcript
Page 1: The Experience Magazine - Winter 2011

THE MAGAZINE OF WARNER PACIFIC COLLEGE WINTER 2011 THE EXPERIENCE

Page 2: The Experience Magazine - Winter 2011

COLLEGE NEWS FROM THE PRESIDENT

THE EXPERIENCE

EDITOR / SR. WRITER / DESIGNER SCOTT A. THOMPSON [email protected] 503.517.1123

CONTRIBUTORS ARTHUR KELLY ’65JOE LINKER

PHOTOGRAPHYSCOTT A. THOMPSONREV. DAVID SHROUT ’75, ’77

Andrea P. Cook, Ph.D.President

“The Experience” is produced three times a year by

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VICE PRESIDENT FORINSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENTKEVIN M. BRYANT 503.517.1220 [email protected]

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MARKETINGAND COLLEGE RELATIONSLANI E. FAITH [email protected]

[email protected] 503.517.1123

Cover photo illustration by Scott A. Thompson

College President Andrea P. Cook, Ph.D. with Cedric Jennings, who spoke on Warner Pacific’s Mt. Tabor campus Oct. 12.

A hope that perseveres

Twelve years ago, I read a book that had a profound effect on the way I view higher education.

I was working as a vice president at another university, located in a small Oregon town. One week I was away at a conference in Washington D.C. and heard about a book called “A Hope in the Unseen.” It told the true story of a young African-American teenager named Cedric Jennings who attended a crime-ridden high school in Washington D.C. but dreamed of attending an Ivy League university.

Throughout the book, Cedric demonstrates an unyielding faith in Christ and a stubborn perseverance. He eventually gains entrance

unsure and academically behind his peers. But true to his character, Cedric doesn’t give up.

Cedric’s story resonated with me because, at the time, I worked closely with a group of students from Los Angeles who felt out of place and unsupported. I saw a lot of Cedric in their stories, and I continue to see even more students like Cedric at Warner

of reach, but who want the hope that they too can receive a transformational, Christian education that will set their lives on a positive and meaningful path.

our Mt. Tabor campus for a long day of presentations and private conversations with students, staff, faculty, and community guests. I

as an urban college dedicated to serving students from the city. Our mission and identity is to recognize that there are many

students for whom educational access and opportunity have been limited, whether due to a lack of resources, preparation, aware-ness, or opportunity. If they’re not served, they will languish, as will our city and our state. So our location in the city facilitates our

ability to provide education, not only to our traditional students, but also to our adult learners.

We believe this is an essential way we can best educate, challenge, and serve

their education. The reality is that our educational sys-

tem has been designed for advantaged people. In order to make education fully accessible, we need to create a counter system that gives more students access. That’s what we are about.

We intend to support, develop, and retain our students and prepare them to go out and be successful in their lives. We believe our work here is to bring about the

Kingdom of God in this place. That means we are going to have to

in all of its fullness. We see this place as our context where God has called us to do the work.

In this issue of “The Experience,” there are a number of stories about hope. These include the hope of authentic and lasting re-lationships built among students in our Adult Degree Program; a profound examination of hope from our 2010 Convocation speaker

of our resident theologian, Dr. Cassie Trentaz, and her dedication

I trust these stories will give you insight into the important work

a future. It is exciting work, and we believe it’s right where God has called us to be.

With warmest regards,

Page 3: The Experience Magazine - Winter 2011

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4 CEDRIC JENNINGS VISIT PROVIDES FURTHER INSPIRATION FOR COLLEGE’S URBAN VISION 7 GOING FOR THE GOLD Assistant athletic director Rich Remsburg ’67 spends part of his summer on the set of the new reality series “Gold Rush: Alaska.”

8 THE DNA OF HOPE Dr. Steven Moore, Executive Director of the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust, shares inspirational words as the keynote speaker at Warner Pacific’s 2010 Convocation service. 9 A THEOLOGIAN FOR ALL New assistant professor of theology, ethics, and church history Dr. Cassie Trentaz uses a wide cultural lens when exploring the diversity of Christian thought. | By Arthur Kelley ’65 1o WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER Tightly-knit cohorts help adult degree students make it through challenging programs | By Scott A. Thompson

THE EXPERIENCE Winter 2011

Read “The Experience” on-line at www.wpexperience.wordpress.com

15 FIRST PERSON: THE VALUE OF TIME AND PRESSURE | By Joe Linker

DEPARTMENTS

4 College News

12 Class Notes

14 In Memoriam

A line of professors, including (L to R) Dew Anna Brumley, Bill Flechtner, Steve Arndt, Roger Martin, Kelly Ballard, and Elizabeth DuPriest, welcomes students and guests as they exit McGuire Auditorium following Convocation, August 31. Read more college news beginning on page 4.

Human Development majors Jennifer Root ’11, Melissa Craver ’11, and Tyrone Hunt ’11 are an example of the learning teams that help the Adult Degree Program feel like family for students. Learn more on page 10.

Page 4: The Experience Magazine - Winter 2011

COLLEGE NEWS

The Experience 4

Cedric Jennings, the central character of author Ron Suskind’s inspira-

Mt. Tabor campus about his personal educational journey, and the hope, and challenges, that private colleges like War-

students who might otherwise see college as out of reach.

invited Jennings to campus for a whirlwind day of public speaking opportunities and

faculty, staff, and special guests. “Cedric’s story is a powerful one,” said

Cook during her introduction of Jennings at chapel. “As we live into our mission to be an urban, Christ-centered college, to serve students from the city and from diverse backgrounds, I think it is important for us to pay attention to Cedric’s story and to pay attention to the challenges he faced. And to think about what it means to be community as we welcome students from all backgrounds at Warner

in 1995 when Suskind wrote a series of Pulitzer Prize-winning articles in the Wall Street Journal about Jennings’ determi-nation to attend an Ivy League school despite insurmountable odds. The success of the articles led to the 1998 book, which follows Jennings’ life growing up in a single-parent family, the harassment he faced for being a top student in high

at Brown.

I am really appreciative of the Christ-centered approach to learning. It’s all about developing the whole person. - Cedric Jennings

After graduating from Brown, Jennings went on to earn master’s degrees from Harvard University and the University of Michigan. He is cur-rently the Director of Youth Programs for Washington D.C., as well as a popular speaker.

“I’ve been to colleges and uni-versities across the country, but, I have to say, in the short time I’ve

College,” Jennings said. “I really am appreciative of the Christ-centered approach to learning. It’s all about

Wreceived a three-year, $292,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock

Charitable Trust to establish a strategic

newly developing ministry roles. The grant will provide greater service opportunities for undergraduate students majoring in Religion and Christian Ministries (RCM) and bring national experts to campus to help the college community examine how to

Murdock Charitable Trust awards $292,000 ministry grant

Cedric Jennings’ visit provides further inspiration for college’s urban vision

conduct urban ministry more effectively.In the project, RCM majors will have in-

which they will coordinate service oppor-tunities for community volunteers, including

In addition, the grant will support the creation of ministry-related residential

campus that will facilitate peer-to-peer mentorship. Finally, the grant will fund new

staff positions and resources necessary to manage the entire project. For its part, the college must raise $100,000 to comple-ment the Murdock grant.

“Whether it involves tutoring programs or work parties, our students will plan and implement sorely needed programs for the community,” said , the former Director of Campus Ministries who will manage the grant under the title Execu-tive Director of Contextualized Ministry.

Scott A. Thompson

developing the whole person - from your academic to your social to your spiritual [self]. I thank God that I ac-cepted the opportunity to be here. I will be telling others about you.”

To view a video recording of Jennings’ chapel presentation, visit

Page 5: The Experience Magazine - Winter 2011

Winter 2011 5

Sixth annual Common Day of Service reaches across the city

Aand faculty took a day off from classes September 15 to work on various community service projects

during the college’s sixth-annual Common Day of Service.

different elementary and middle schools, Mt. Tabor Park, North Portland Bible College, and the Native American Youth and Family Center in N.E. Portland. They picked up roadside trash, removed invasive plants, completed landscaping projects, and spent time with children in class and in play areas outside.

“One component to closing the achievement gap is giving [young children] models they can identify with,” said Atkinson Elementary School principal Debbie Armendariz in an e-mail. “Our students were able to see young adults taking the time to not only improve our school environ-ment but also to eat lunch with them and share a game of basketball at recess.”

(Clockwise) Ti!any Casey ’14 pauses from drawing with students from Atkinson Elementary; Ly Doan ’13 and Maricarmen Miller ’12 collect trash along Interstate 205; and Marcus Ellis-Alexander ’14 cleans a walkway at North Portland Bible College.

COLLEGE HOSTS CHURCH OF GOD LEADERS The Ministries Council of the Church of God met on Warner Pacific’s Mt. Tabor campus for its bi-annual meeting Sept. 15 - 16. This was the first time in a dozen years that the council had met at Warner Pacific and council members report being impressed by the hospitality extended by sta!, faculty, and students.

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STUDENTS TO MENTOR AT RISK TEENS THROUGH OREGON CAMPUS COMPACT GRANT

A new grant from Oregon Campus Com-

mentorship program to improve retention and graduation rates among at-risk middle and high school students. Administered by AmeriCorps Project Retention member Eli Ritchie, the program will recruit student mentors to work with three organizations that assist at-risk youth: ASPIRE (Access to Student Assistance Programs In Reach of Everyone), the African Immigrant Mentorship Program, and ImpactNW.

“We’re trying to introduce quality role mod-els from a college environment to go alongside students that are struggling and hopefully get them to continue on in school,” said Ritchie.

ADULT DEGREE PROGRAM EXPANDS TO CASCADE, WILSONVILLE SITES

its Academic Counseling, Financial Aid, and

of Cascade College at 9101 East Burnside Street, in Portland. ADP also offers evening courses at the campus during the week.

-rangement with Wilsonville High School to offer evening classes at its facilities in Wilsonville, Ore., bringing to six the total number of ADP learning sites in the Portland / Vancouver metro area.

COLLEGE LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAMS IN ACCOUNTING, HEALTH CARE ADMINIS-TRATION, AND URBAN STUDIES

Warner Pacific has recently launched a number of new academic programs, including a master’s degree in accounting, an undergradu-ate major in health care administration, and

-agement, sales and marketing, and urban studies.

The health care major is available in both traditional and Adult Degree formats, while

traditional program, only. The remaining six-class

ADP in early 2011.

BOOSTER CLUB HOSPITALITY ROOM OPENS FOR HOME BASKETBALL GAMES

The latest perk for Knights Athletics Booster Club members and basketball season ticket holder is access to a new hospitality room that has complimentary food and drinks and opportunities to interact with WP coaches and student athletes. The room, adjacent to the C. C. Perry Gym, will be open during the nine scheduled Cascade Conference men’s and women’s basketball

to half-time of the second game. Fans who purchase a $100 general

season ticket for both men’s and women’s bas-ketball games automatically become members of the booster club. Booster Club memberships are $100 and can be purchased at anytime by contacting Athletic Director Ryan Kaiser at

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Page 6: The Experience Magazine - Winter 2011

COLLEGE NEWS

The Experience 6

BRUMLEY, HARTMAN RECEIVE FACULTY AND STAFF SECOND MILER AWARDS

Director of Teacher Edu-cation and Campus Safety Super-visor were honored with the faculty and staff Second Miler Awards for the Spring 2010 semester. The awards are given as a result of rec-ommendations from peers for exemplary service that goes above and beyond the call of duty.

B r um l e y h a s b een teaching full-time in the Teacher Education Program since 1998. Hartman has

worked in various capacities within the ar-eas of maintenance and security since 2000.

RENOWNED CHORAL DIRECTOR DR. TOM MILLER IS RETIRINGDr. Tom “Doc” Miller, who has served as Director of Choral Music at Warner

will retire at the conclusion of the 2010 – 2011 academic year. In addition to his teaching, Dr. Miller has represented the college through his leadership of Novum Chamber Singers, as Director of Music at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lake Oswego, and serving as an adjudicator in various music competitions.

MEN’S SOCCER COACH BERNIE FAGAN NOTCHES 200TH CAREER WINOn October 9, 2010, Bernie Fagan earned his 200th win as head coach of the Warner

at College of Idaho. The team added four more victories to the season before falling 1-2 against Concordia University in the Cascade Conference championship game, Nov. 13, in Portland.

“The wins are great, obviously,” said Fagan, who has piloted the men’s soccer program from 1982-90 and

that have come through the program, and just feel very grateful for the chance to have coached them. The relationships over the years with so many wonderful people make it all worthwhile. Seeing students succeed

gets old.”

The traditional start times for men’s and women’s basketball games will undergo a major change-up for the upcoming 2010 – 2011 Cascade Conference schedule. In the interest of making start times equitable, men’s conference games will begin at 5:30 p.m. and women’s at 7:30 p.m. for the first half of the conference schedule, Dec. 3, 2010 to Jan. 15, 2011. For the second half of conference play, Jan 21 to Feb. 19, 2011,

the schedule will reverse itself, and the women will play first at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men at 7:30 p.m. Visit

www.wpcknights.com for up-to-date schedules and scores, live video and audio coverage, and post-game summaries.

Basketball teams to swap tip o! times during Cascade Conference schedule

Student body president is a young leader

whose understanding of mission

De Boer grew up a stone’s throw from the Canadian border in the small town of Lynden, Wash. She attended private Christian schools growing up and de-veloped a desire to do mission work.

After high school, she spent three months in Australia and another nine weeks in Malaysia on a team from Youth with a Mission. She taught English dur-ing the day and preached in people’s homes at night. She even spent two weeks working alongside Malaysian women harvesting rice.

“I felt God wanted me to see more and grow more in my relationship with Him and He grabbed me [while I was overseas],” De Boer said.

After returning home, De Boer at-tended community college and then transferred to Warner Pacific her junior year to play soccer. She still had a longing for mission work, but quickly

around her, both on campus and in the City of Portland.

-age, De Boor received scholarships

amounts of community service hours, particularly working to promote diver-sity on campus through the college’s

Student body president Stephanie De Boer ’11 sees mission fields both at home and abroad

multicultural club, United Image. She credits these scholarships, along with

staff, as the impetus for getting involved

president in 2009 and as president this year.

“I saw an opportunity to grow in leadership,” said Stephanie, who is majoring in psychology with a minor in social work. “The staff and faculty have all invested in my life, and because of that, I’ve wanted to invest in Warner

opportunity to get an education, but

the world.” When she graduates this spring, De

Boer hopes to work for a Christian-run youth organization that operates basketball camps in the Northwest.

Brumley

Hartman

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Scholarships and employee encourage-ment prompted Stephanie De Boer ’11 to become a leader on campus.

Scott A. Thompson

Miller

Fagan

Page 7: The Experience Magazine - Winter 2011

Winter 2011 7

Assistant athletic director Rich Remsburg ’67 spends part of his summer on the set of the new reality series “Gold Rush: Alaska.”

Here’s the pitch: Six unemployed Oregonians pool their savings and risk everything to embark on a

for gold in the Alaskan wilderness, with

way. That’s the scenario of the Discovery Channel’s latest reality show “Gold Rush: Alaska,” which premiered Dec. 3 — and

was part of the action. Remsburg’s son, Greg, is one of the central

characters on the show. He asked his dad

near Haines, Alaska for Greg and his family

Remsburg brought along close friend Chris Doumitt and the two of them built a cabin

-ing a sleeping loft, in three weeks. They used lumber from spruce logs harvested from the mining site and cut at a nearby mill.

guy [at the mill] didn’t always have the lum-ber for us,” said Remsburg. “Some days he’d cut, some days he wouldn’t. You’re working on Alaska time.”

The mining operation and subsequent show was the brainchild of Greg’s closest friend, Todd Hoffman, and his dad, Jack. They operate a small airport in Sandy, Ore., near where Remsburg lives. Back in the 1980s, Jack Hoffman mined for gold in Alaska and always wanted to go back. The 2010 mining operation was part economic opportu-

nity and part family dream. Todd Hoffman

Raw TV, which eventually sold the show to the Discovery Channel.

loads of heavy equipment by barge from Seattle, Wash. to Haines and then drove

operators, producers, sound technicians, and guards solely there to protect the site from bears.

Remsburg says one of the biggest chal-lenges of the show was striking a balance between the miners getting their work done

and interviews they needed. All the principal characters wore wireless microphones while a number of camera teams canvassed the work site, often asking the miners to repeat actions for the camera.

“You just get used to it after a while,” said Remsburg. “They almost all were Brit-ish guys and you really develop friendships with them.”

The mining site had no plumbing and required electricity from diesel-powered generators. The Oregon team turned a semi-truck into a portable kitchen, com-plete with two freezers, a refrigerator, and propane stove.

“Living off the grid is a different experi-ence,” Remsburg said. “It’s kind of neat. We would go get drinking water every three or four days.”

(Top) Greg Remsberg speaks on camera at the mining site. (Above) A wide shot of the mining equipment used by the Oregon team in a remote patch of wilderness near Haines, Alaska. (Photos courtesy of Rich Remsburg ’67).

WP assistant athletic director Rich Remsberg ’67 (right, in black WP ball cap) built a cabin with friend Chris Doumitt on the set of the Discovery Channel’s new show “Gold Rush: Alaska” last summer.

Remsburg says he is curious to see how well the series represents the openly Chris-tian faith of the Oregon miners. Todd Hoff-man made it clear to the network that he and his guys didn’t want that lost in the edit.

“The real desire of Greg and Todd is that through all of this, their testimony could be shown, be part of the story,” Remsburg said. “Discovery knows and they said ‘OK.’ How it’s edited, it will be interesting to see.”

“Gold Rush: Alaska” can be seen Fridays at 10 p.m. on the Discovery Channel.

Page 8: The Experience Magazine - Winter 2011

REFLECTION

The Experience 8

One of the most impor tant lessons you can learn, one of the most critical perspectives you must gain in your time at

about Hope, which is the foundation not only for education, but for work, relation-ships, and life.

It is important to note that not all kinds of hope are equal. With false hope, things crumble or fall apart — too often hope

like a cloud. But real hope is an anchor and strength. It is substantive and thick. It can

-tions and most trying of times.

We live in a world where we are con-stantly fed a diet of discouragement, futility, and hopelessness. The media alone sends

opt for just becoming a spectator to life and cynical about what happens around you. But cynicism is the coward’s way of coping with the complexity and challenges of life. A person of hope looks reality squarely in the eye and says, “I, for one, will make a difference. I will not give in to despair.”

St. Augustine said, “Hope has two daugh-ters: anger and courage. Anger with the way things are . . . [and] the courage to make a difference and change them.” Croatian theologian Peter Kuzmic said it beautifully, “Hope is the ability to listen to the music of the future. Faith is the courage to dance to that music in the present.”

It is also important to realize that hope grows with exercise and use. The scientist and mathematician Blaise Pascal once remarked, “The heart has its reasons that reason cannot know.” That is the story of hope, as well. Reason is an important part of our abilities, but it is not meant to be all that we use to guide our lives.

What, you might ask, are the components of hope? How might we strengthen hope? Let me very quickly mention a few:

One of the key components of hope is perseverance, which is what makes hope different from wishful thinking. Persever-ance gives hope traction and part of being a person of hope is learning and growing in ability to stick with it.

Another key ingredient of hope is community — joining with others who share hope around you. Some of you

have read the book “A Hope in the Unseen,” the incredible story of Cedric Jennings’ jour-ney through education in one of Washing-ton, DC’s worst high schools. Cedric begins to realize he’s not in it alone. However, to grow in his hope, he has to open himself up to others. As he learns to trust and commit with others, hope grows — and so does his ability to succeed.

Who really knows your heart? Who knows your dreams? Who knows your pain? Who knows your doubts? Cedric learned that to be a person of real hope required

joining with others and opening himself up. hope grows. The risk is worth it.

Another key component of real hope I must mention is humility. Humility is one of the most misunderstood character traits you hear about. Many people think humility is thinking bad about yourself or thinking of everyone else as better than you.

However, humility is seeing yourself as God sees you and created you. It is a real-istic understanding of your gifts—it’s who you are! It is not to downplay or hide those gifts, or exaggerate and pretend. G.K. Ches-terton was once asked to contribute to a series in the London Times on the question, “What is the Problem in the Universe?” He answered, “I am. Sincerely, G. K. Chesterton.”

A person of real hope is someone com-ing to understand how God has made him or her and seeking to use every bit to the fullest. Real hope and faith are joined together solidly.

-chored to something or someone worth being hopeful about. I would suggest that someone is Jesus Christ.

We live in the Northwest, one of the most spiritual parts of the country. It is “do it yourself, designer” religion at its best. Culturally the mantra in the Northwest is,

The DNA of HopeDr. Steven Moore, Executive Director of the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust, shared these inspirational words as the keynote speaker at Warner Pacific’s 2010 Convocation service, August 31.

But real hope is an anchor and strength. It is substantive and thick. It can carry you through the most difficult situations and most trying of times.

“It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere.”

But is sincerity enough? No., it does matter what you believe (what we believe has consequences). Sincerity, however com-mendable, is not enough. September 11 is a date when we are reminded of people with

Towers. Beliefs have consequences.There are sincere people who believe in

crystals, trees, rainbows, unicorns, all sorts of things. You had better anchor your hope to one who is worthy. Truth matters. Do everything you can to get to know and grow in your understanding of Jesus. He is a worthy anchor and the author of real hope.

I don’t know your story; I don’t know what challenges you may be facing or what opportunities may be ahead. But I do know this—the people who make a difference in this world are people of hope. Will you be a person of Hope, or give in to hopeless-ness? In your life? In your relationships? In your work? In your neighborhood? In our world?

This day, in a hundred small ways and a few big ones, you will be given the opportunity to make a choice. Choose real hope. You’ll never be the same.

Dr. Steven Moore has served as the Executive Director of the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust since 2006. He previously held leadership

-versity and the Texas Tech University Wesley Foundation. His convocation address was edited and condensed for space.

Scott A. Thompson

Page 9: The Experience Magazine - Winter 2011

FACULTY NEWS

Winter 2011 9

Associate professor of missions has written the

new book, “Alight for Christ: An Imaginative Retelling of Paul’s Cost-

gaps of the journeys Apostle Paul likely took around the Mediter-ranean, but which aren’t captured in scripture. Johnson and his wife, Gwen, served as missionaries with the Church of God in Korea, Egypt,

Assistant professor -

brenen accepted the position of director of general education in the Adult Degree Program in August. His new responsibilities include curriculum and faculty develop-ment through ongoing training and mentorship.

assistant professor and academic counselor, published an article regarding Warner Pacif-ic’s renewed emphasis on its urban identity in the CAAHE Chronicle (Consor tium for Advancement of Adult Higher Education). She is also working on a two-year research project investigating per-sonal growth among adult students

has joined the

assistant professor of speech and drama. A graduate of Reed College and The Ohio State University, Gordon most recently taught at Kenyon College, in Ohio. In No-vember, she directed a version of Sophocles’ “Antigone” by Bertolt

The Adult Degree Program has hired and

as academic counselors. Kuechler most recently served as the college’s grant writer and taught as an adjunct instructor in both the traditional and ADP pro-grams. Jacobs has been an adjunct religion and humanities instructor

Centre 205 campus.

a one-year interim position as an assistant professor of music. He directs the jazz choir and concert choir, in addition to other music classes. He also works as a consultant through his ministry BeyondWorship, helping churches create more authentic worship experiences.

Johnson

Dobrenen

DuMez

Gordon

Kuechler

Jacobs

Ballard

Dr. Cassie Trentaz understands herself and her role as a theologian and

of theology, ethics, and church history has been itinerant and purposeful. Born and raised in Kansas, Trentaz studied at Anderson University and its School

of Theology, as well as Chicago Theological Seminary. An ordained minister of the Church of God, Trentaz mentored emerging leaders with Church of God Min-istries for eight years and also gained experience as a cross-cultural pastor and teacher.

The number of men and women who accord her “Mama” status — the

-

She has served in Uganda with the Tumaini AIDS Prevention Program and worked with people affected and infected with HIV/AIDS in Chicago.

Trentaz came to WPC because of the convergence of a call and commitment to create a space that allows her to grow, to care for the people of God, and to mentor new leaders in their gifts, passions, and faith. And given the rich diversity of background her students bring, Trentaz uses texts from lesser known authors and theologians who represent ethnic, racial, and gender minorities in such classes as Christian Social Concern and the History of Christianity and Christian Thought.

has a certain set of experiences.,” Trentaz said. “My authors are going to be diverse because we are.”

Overall, Trentaz hopes she can encourage students to examine what it means to be faithful and responsible people in the complex, gritty, globalized world of the 21st Century.

“Part of this welcoming, this inclusiveness, involves recognizing that the world is made up of lots of people with lots of experience,” she said. “Every class I have this year represents that diversity.”

A theologian for allNew assistant professor of theology, ethics, and

church history Dr. Cassie Trentaz uses a wide cultural lens when exploring the diversity of Christian thought.

“We cannot assume that a Warner Pacific student looks a certain way … [or] has a certain set of experiences.”

By Arthur Kelly ’65

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Page 10: The Experience Magazine - Winter 2011

STUDENT LIFE

The Experience 10

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

Closely-knit cohorts help adult degree students make it through demanding programs.

Photos and text by Scott A. Thompson

Wilson’s experience is common among adult learners at Warner

previously interrupted or deferred, and ADP is providing them with

a little longer for graduate students. The use of cohorts builds on established theories of adult educa-

tion that show peer-to-peer learning is important with adults, given the life and professional work experience typically represented in a particular classroom. Plus, the sense of camaraderie that cohorts foster helps adults navigate the challenges of adding full-time school-ing to already busy work and family lives.

“I still think it is the most effective model for adults,” said Dr. Toni Pauls, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Adult Degree Program. “In many cases, the students that we are targeting are coming back to school because they are in some type of transition in their life. It could be that they’re changing jobs. It could be their marriage of 20 years has dissolved and they are a single parent and having to support themselves and their family, but they are in some type of transition. So I think the support that comes with a cohort model is important.”

“I’d get hired for one thing and in six months I’d be promoted and layoffs would come and they would keep the people with degrees,” said Wilson, an Army veteran whose six years of service included a stint in Bosnia. “I started to recognize a cycle after ten years . . . Getting in the door and staying on a career path are two entirely different things.”

After losing his last job as a project manager with wind turbine giant Vestas, despite having seniority over employees who stayed, Wilson said enough was enough. It was time to go back to school.

earlier this year. He said the transition was a smooth one, particularly with the support of staff and fellow students.

“It’s been pleasantly surprising in as much as we all have very different backgrounds and we still manage to come together,” said Wilson. “If you are going to be in class with people for four hours and talk about where you’re coming [from] and why you are trying to succeed – it could have been a deal breaker for me but it hasn’t. It’s been a pleasant surprise.”

Having worked for three major multinational cor-porations in the last decade,

didn’t have a problem landing good jobs or earning promotions. But surviving layoffs without a col-lege degree? That was another story.

Members of ADP cohort HD 6-1 at WP’s Mt. Tabor campus.

Page 11: The Experience Magazine - Winter 2011

Winter 2011 11

While individual students are graded on their own personal -

cess at ADP. Within each cohort, students will divide into smaller learning teams to produce at least one professional presentation for each course. At the associate’s level, students switch learning

teams for the remainder of the program. At the bachelor’s level, permanent teams emerge after 20 weeks. For graduate students, learning teams are set from day one.

“It’s a reality of our world,” said Megan Enos, Director of Aca-demic Counseling at ADP. “If you look at Fortune 500 companies,

our program. ”

knew plenty about teams when he enrolled in ADP’s bachelor of Human Development program in 2007. He ran an after-school program at Portland’s Jefferson High School

Inc., and also coached J.V. basketball at Grant High School. However, he admits to being leery of the idea that part of his grade would depend upon the efforts of fellow students – that is until he met his ADP cohort.

“The learning team experience was awesome,” said Broadus, who now is the program director for Elevate Oregon, a mentor-ship program at Portland’s Parkrose High School.

members got along so well, they started calling themselves “super friends.” They each had distinct skills to bring to each project, such as writing, computer skills, and project management. The only

“We were able to handle a lot through e-mail and meet before class and touch up whatever it was we needed to touch up,” he

Learning team Jim Juengal ’13, Angela McKennie ’12, and Roberto Selva ’13 have a discussion during a religion class at ADP’s Cascade campus.

“These are the people you’re going to be with for 18 months. They know the good about you and the bad about you, but they accept you, nonetheless. — Christine Tokonitz ’08, ’10 (MMOL)

said. “We worked so well together, we were able to cover for each other if someone wasn’t able to make it.”

Another proponent of the cohort / learning team model is former Army specialist .

13-month tour in Iraq, and was the youngest member of her cohort in the associate’s of organizational dy-namics program at age 26. She initially wasn’t sure how

“It was like a second family,” she said. “Every time I went to class, I felt like I was going home. I really enjoyed the fact that I was surrounded by people that had a wealth of knowledge

helped each other through the program.”

to work with individual students and to serve as mediators if given students in a cohort struggle.

“The cohort model can be a challenge if you have students who wish they weren’t together,” said Pauls. “We have intentionally created this model with the

our students needed some-where to connect throughout their program. Our advisors not only shepherd students through the academic piece, they also stay attuned with what is going on in their per-sonal lives.”

ADP academic counselor ,

tells students that cohorts will go through grow-ing pains, but the results are relationships that are deep and well-tempered. Tokonitz spent just over four years in ADP, starting in the associate’s

master of science in manage-ment and organizational leadership in August. Now as an academic

there will be rewards of being a part of a cohort that can last well into the future.

“These are the people you’re going to be with for 18 months,” she said. “They know the good about you and the bad about you, but they accept you, nonetheless. There was one woman who I thought I never wanted on my learning team, but she has become my lifelong friend. I never would have done that had I not gotten to know her. I tell my students, ‘You will be surprised at the rich-ness in the room.’”

James Broadus ’09 was initially concerned about his grade depending upon group work, but changed his mind after meeting his cohort.

Page 12: The Experience Magazine - Winter 2011

ALUMNI NEWS

Continued on page 13

Cindy Pollard ’03, ’08 named Director of Alumni, Church, and Parent Relations

The Experience 12

and (Cur l ) celebrated 60

years of marriage with a love reception on Sunday, July 11, 2010 at Lynchwood Church of God in Por tland, Ore. They pastored

churches in Washington and California before

Assistant for the Church of God Association of Northern California, Nevada & Hawaii. He retired in July of 1990. They reside in Gresham Ore. They have seven great-grandchildren.

Forrest and (Quinn) cel-ebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 17. They are both ordained ministers of the Church of God and served as pastors in several Church of God congregations in Virginia and West Virginia. Now retired, they reside in Anderson, Ind., where Forrest works part-time at the Board of Pensions of the Church of God.

and (Heritage)started a new ministry at the First Baptist Church of Leavenworth, in Leavenworth, Kan., in July. Sue and Dean are also grandparents. Daughter Jessica had Emma Grace Osgood on 5/20/2010 and lives in Hampton, Va. with her husband, Dan.

retired in 2007 after teaching elemen-tary and middle school for 35 years in the Longview School District, in Longview, Wash. He also coached a number of sports, working with several eventual state champion and professional athletes. Fowler played basketball

County Youth Services Center, in Longview.

Pastor celebrated 30 years as senior pastor of First Church of God in Monroe City, Ind. last spring. At the time, he was featured in a local newspaper article about his career. He lives in Monroe with his wife, Lynn (Shelton) .

completed his Master’s in

He worked as case manager and counselor for youth and families with Catholic Commu-nity Services from 2005 - 2009. He expects to earn his Master’s in Social Work from Eastern Washington University in June 2011.

was ordained by the

Church of God on July 30, 2010 during the annual Campmeeting of the Association of Churches of God of Oregon and SW Wash-ington, held on Warner Pacific’s Mt. Tabor campus. President Emeritus was Bielman’s sponsoring pastor. Bielman is the Executive Director of Contextualized Ministry at the college. His wife, Candi (Henrichs) ,

(M.ED), teaches at Abernathy Elementary School in Portland., and they have two daugh-ters, Ella, 3, and Alyssa, 7 months.

, conducted an orchestra of 30 professional musicians, including members of the Lebanese Philharmonic Or-chestra, and a 35-voice choir in a performance of his composition, “Everlasting, Everfaithful,” in Beirut, Lebanon in May. Melki is the Dean of Students at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Lebanon.

(Lautaret) and husband

born on July 21, 2010, at their home in Van-couver, Wash.

(Dawson) and husband,

(Maggie) Rose, on July 23, 2010 in Portland. Proud grandparents include WP Dean of Fac-ulty and VP of Academic Affairs Cole Dawson and .

married Irishman Brian Lalor on August 6, 2010 in Vancouver, Wash. Both are teachers in Vietnam.

ministers in Quito, Equador

with her husband, Byron, through their ministry Isaiah 61 International, Inc. The Gudinos, who have a year-old son named Caleb, offer Biblical education and training to adults and children, serve as foster parents, and support 18 children at a day care and after-school program. Visit www.isaiah61international.org to learn more about their ministry.

and (Coombs) -

Eva Malia, on May 30. Proud relatives include grandparents and Tracy (Pratt)

, and great-grandparents and Marjorie (Dockter) . Emily has a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Seminary, in Pasadena, Calif., and Donovan recently earned his M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pa-

Filemaker database developer with Beezwax Datatools in Oakland, Calif.

Cheri (Jaeger) received her Master’s in Education with an emphasis in curriculum, instruction and assessment from Walden Uni-versity in June.

earned a master of science in music degree from Portland State

director of worship and arts at West Hills Covenant Church, in SW Portland.

married Jessica Billeter on

Mt. Tabor campus. -ated. Jeremy is a ministry resident at Richmond Church of God.

The O"ce of Alumni, Church, and Parent [email protected]

as its new Director of Alumni, Church and Parent Rela-tions. Cindy brings a unique, holistic perspective to the

having earned a B.S. in Human Development and an M.S. in Management and Organizational Leadership through

recently served as the college’s Director of Financial Aid and Student Financial Services.

Pollard has been a long-time attendee of Mt. Scott Church of God, in Portland, and among her three sons,

is a current ADP student and is a graduate.

“I’m excited about the prospect of engaging our alumni, churches, and parents in an authentic and meaningful

my family, and my fellow alumni. I hope to be a valuable resource to all of our important friends. I am grateful for the opportunity.”

Cindy Pollard ’03, ’08

Fowler

Page 13: The Experience Magazine - Winter 2011

CLASS NOTES from page 12

Approximately 100 young alumni, many with young children in tow, gathered on a sunny Sunday afternoon, Sept. 12, for a casual potluck picnic on Warner Pacific’s Mt. Tabor campus. Alumni reconnected with old friends and let the kids jump around on inflatable bouncy toys furnished by the O"ce of Alumni, Church, and Parent Relations. Alumni gathered included (above) Geneva (Montague) Arness ’96, Joy (McDonald) Carlson ’98 (with her son Asher) and Nicole (Yerden) Wells ’98. (Right) Logan Walton ’04 enjoys a laugh with his son, Sawyer.

Winter 2011 13

Ca!all

Young Alumni Picnic 2010

is working in Accra,

Palm Education Foundation (NAPE), which was founded by fellow WP alumnus

. NAPE is facilitating access for Ghanian students to online courses through Portland State University. Omulokoli originally went to

credits for an MBA in International Economic Development from Eastern University in Penn-sylvania. However, he stayed on to help open

and gave

-tion of an MBA from Marylhurst University.

has earned a Master of Arts in Music from Washington State Uni-versity. She currently teaches music at Hood River Middle School, in Hood River, Ore.

graduated in November with a MSc in Music in the Community from the University of Edinburgh, in Edinburgh, Scotland. The title of her thesis was “Musical

Sharing Shakespeare, and a sandwich, with Mr. Pacino

T has only been

in New York City for two years but he already has his own Al Pacino story. Caffall, who is earn-ing his MFA in Acting at the New School, in NYC, landed ensemble roles in perfor-mances of “The Merchan t o f Venice” and “A Winter’s Tale,” p e r f o r m e d concurrently in Central Park last summer as part of the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park repertory season.

While local theater students -

semble parts, the lead roles featured veterans of stage and screen, such as Pacino, Jesse Martin (TV’s Law and Order) and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (TV’s Without a Trace).

Caffall likened the experience to a very nice, paid internship where he was able to watch masters at work.

“They’re all really solid directors and artists with a reputation, so it’s good to see how they see and break down the play and approach it,” said Caffall.

Caffall admits being a bit star-struck early on when he found him-self alone in a hallway with Pacino, who Caffall describes as gracious and the consummate professional. Noticing Caffall had no lunch, Pacino offered him part of a turkey sand-wich he was eating. When Caffall politely refused, Pacino said, “You know, when someone offers you something, you take it.” Ravenous, Caffall accepted the sandwich only to have Pacino jokingly accuse him of stealing it later that day.

“I got him back, though,” said Caf-

he said, ‘That looks really good.’ And I said, ‘Do you want some?’ And he said, ‘No I couldn’t.’ So I said, ‘Look, when someone offers you some-thing, you have to take it, all right?’ He couldn’t say no to that.”

Send alumni updates to [email protected]

Theatre Performance for Empowerment: An Action Research Assessment in Mostar, Bosnia.”

married James Murry on Sept. 19 in Gervais, Ore. She works at Wells Fargo Bank in Salem, Ore.

operates Odyssey Mentoring in Beaverton, Ore. She provides curriculum and training for businesses that want to create or improve em-ployee-to-employee men-toring programs. Phelps star ted her company a year ago as a result of research she did for her master’s thesis as a student

of Management and Organizational Leader-ship. She is also a busy speaker and writer. Her website is odysseymentoring.com.

is employed by New York Life Insurance and resides in Portland, Ore.

Phelps

Scott A. Thompson

Page 14: The Experience Magazine - Winter 2011

COLLEGE NEWS ALUMNI NEWS

The Experience 14 The Experience

IN MEMORIAM

Pastor David Michael Dougherty ‘66 died Nov. 11, 2010 in Woodburn, Ore., at the age of 66. He was born March 31,

minister of the Church of God who served congregations in Portland, Ore.; Edmonds, Wash.; and Woodburn, Ore. Survivors include his wife, Peggy Sue Thompson, brothers -

, , Tom

, two daughters, and three grandchildren.

After a four-year battle with multiple myeloma, Myra (Lenarwick) died Oct. 17, 2010. She was born May

seven years as a reading specialist at Glenfair Elementary school, in Portland, Ore. She is survived by her husband, WP professor Dr. Lou Foltz, and their son,

. Donations can be made to the “Myra H. Foltz Education Fund” at WP to provide scholarships for students preparing to be teachers.

Former Board of Trustee member George Samuel (Sam) Dunbar died Sept. 23, 2010 at the age of 59. He was born Jan. 29, 1951 in Midland, Mich. A career minister with the Church of God,

Trustee from 1993-2008. Survivors include his wife, Mary, sons Bemjamin and , and daughter Jenny Mihsill.

Steven Leroy Foredyce ’61 died of a heart attack Dec. 23, 2009 in Everett, Wash., at the age of 68. He was born

was a bi-vocational minister who worked in the agricultural business, as well as construction.

Victoria (Redden) Franco ’78 died Sep-tember 7 in Porterville, Calif. at the age of 55. She was born in July of 1955 and raised in West Covina, Calif. She worked as a court clerk for Los Angeles County until marrying Henry Franco in 1986 and starting a family. She is survived by her husband, two children, her parents, and four siblings.

Elvan Newcomb passed away Oct. 27, 2010 in his home in Madera, Calif. at the age of 92. He was born Feb. 7, 1918 in Clinton, Okla. Elvan was a successful busi-nessman in Madera, Calif. He operated his own farm implement dealership from the mid-1950’s until retiring at age 65.

of Trustees from 1967 to 1970 and again from 1972 to 1975. Along with wife Eleanor, Elvan was a strong supporter

God. Survivors include his wife, his chil-dren (Newcomb) ,

(Newcomb) , and John

great-grandchildren. Remembrances can be made to the “Elvan and Eleanor Newcomb Scholarship Fund at Warner

in Burns, Ore. She married Arden Powell

She worked as a secretary at Oregon

Institute of Technology and the Marine Science Center, a bookkeeper at Surft Trucking, and as placement coordinator at the University of Oregon.

Louise (Prather) Nice ’50 died Oct. 17, 2010, in Sylvania, Ohio, at the age of 67. She was born on July 7, 1923 in Indepen-dence, Kan. She married

pastorates in Kansas, Colorado, and Ohio. Survivors include her husband, a son and daughter, and a brother.

Faithful supporter and friend of Warner

2010 in Clackamas, Ore. a week before his 81st birthday. He was born June 22, 1929. Marion and his wife Irene, now deceased, were members of the Torch-bearers, a social group that raised money for scholarships at the college. Marion

most notably home basketball games. Survivors include brothers

and Duane Shaw, and daughter Mary

(Shaw) .

20, 2010 at the age of 98. She was born on her family’s homestead in Beaver County, Okla, on Aug. 30, 1912. When she was a young adult, she met her future husband at a camp meeting. They were married on January

College, the couple served churches in Washington, California, Alaska, and Colo-rado, where they retired. Her husband and son are deceased. Clora is survived by her daughter (Skinner) and son-in-law

.

Retired kindergarten teacher and her former student enjoy a surprise Warner Pacific reunion

hadn’t seen her former kindergarten teacher, Zetta (Patterson) , since she was a child in Burton’s class years ago in Beaverton, Ore. So, imagine the surprise when Bates recognized Burton at an evening service during the Campmeeting of the Association of Churches of God of Oregon and SW

When she introduced herself, the two burst out in laughter.

“We both screamed,” said Burton, who spent 30 years as a teacher, most in Oregon. “I asked her what she was going to do after college and she said, ‘Be a teacher, just like you.’”

Dave Shrout ’75, 77

Senior education major Alexandra Bates ’11 (left) spotted her former kindergaren teacher Zetta (Patterson) Burton ’67 in the audience at last summer’s Campmeeting of the Association of the Churches of God of Oregon and SW Washington, leading to an impomptu reunion.

do with her decision to become an elementary school teacher. Bates says she was a shy kinder-gartener who was scared to share in class. On one occasion, Burton allowed Bates to record a video of herself talking on camera at home and show that to the class, instead.

that I was allowed to share about myself that way” Bates said.“It was Mrs. Burton who made the classroom climate that way.”

Burton says she was actually moved to tears when she learned that she had been such an inspirational teacher.

“It was so touching when she said I had left such an impression on her that she wants to be a teacher,” Burton said.

Page 15: The Experience Magazine - Winter 2011

A lump of coal has more intrin-sic value than the far more expensive diamond it might someday become. Par t of

the value of diamonds derives from their rareness, but a diamond’s value comes primarily from the desires of a particular community, whose members want to sparkle and cut the glass eyes of their friends with envy, and believe in metaphor.

But diamonds are easy. The girl’s best friend can be purchased, pocketed, and sported away in a short shopping spree, later slid slowly onto the empty, waiting

Rhinestones are a guy’s quick getaway; there’s a reason the girl wants the real thing, as Marilyn Monroe and Emmylou Harris sing in “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend,” lyrics cued from the Anita Loos novel, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1925).

Evolutionar y psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa, writing in “Psychology Today” (2008, May 29), explains the friendship: “The courtship gift for the purpose of screening dads from cads must not only be costly but also lack intrinsic value. Diamonds make excellent courtship gifts from this perspective because they are simultaneously very expensive and lack intrinsic value.”

Kanazawa doesn’t mention the Styne and Robin movie lyrics or the Loos novel, and his explanation doesn’t quite seem to square with the original lyrics: “Men grow cold / As girls grow old, / And we all lose our charms in the end. / But square-cut or pear-shaped, / These rocks don’t lose their shape. / Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”

But Kanazawa argues “Of course, dia-

are beautiful precisely because they are ex-

Reflections on Faith, Living, and Learning

The Value of Time and Pressure

beauty lies in their inherent uselessness; this is why Volvos and potatoes are not beautiful.”

This is not psychology; it’s advertising. The smart, working class mom won’t buy it. She knows it takes time, pressure, and heat to turn her lump of coal into a diamond. A diamond can be purchased in the heat of the moment with a piece of plastic; it takes time and pressure and heat to turn a lump of coal relationship into a marriage.

Time and pressure have intrinsic value, but value that can’t be easily purchased or traded. It took J. D. Salinger ten years to write “The Catcher in the Rye.” It took James Joyce seven years to write “Ulysses” and seventeen years to write “Finnegans Wake.” But here we are online, where the demand is for speed and constant change, instant access, diamonds without a hard core process.

-ping houses and cars, constantly checking stock prices and email, texting our latest thoughts without giving them time to simmer and develop. We want instant success, so it’s instant success that we’ve come to value. We’ve become a culture of quickie junkies.

Yet we are each of us a lump of coal in the process of becoming a diamond.

And if we value time and pressure, we’re more likely to realize the diamonds that we are, that we have already become – through wear and tear, through life-learning experience, through the pressure and time required to go back to school, to try something new, to forget and forgive and let go – to value our own experience.

to adulturate; it takes a lifetime to turn a marriage into a diamond, and you can’t

We should not value diamonds – it’s too easy; we should value time and pressure. And if we value time and pressure, we’re more likely to realize the diamonds that we are, that we have already become – through wear and tear, through life-learning experience, through the pressure and time required to go back to school, to try something new, to forget and forgive and let go – to value our own experience.

Then, after all that time underground, we surface with the epiphany, and it feels

before I start singing” (Dylan), realizing the opportunity to do what we were born to do, realizing the diamond that is buried deep in our lump of coal. As Paul Potts, 2007 Britain’s Got Talent winner, explains.,”The soul is not a diamond; the soul is a lump of coal.”

Joe Linker teaches writing in the Adult De-

faculty members recognized by the college in December for outstanding achievements in teaching. Read more of his essays on his

wordpress.com.

FIRST PERSON

By JOE LINKER

Winter 2011 15

Page 16: The Experience Magazine - Winter 2011

Return Service Requested

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPORTLAND, ORPERMIT NO. 527

Alumni Weekend: Feb 11 - 12, 2011The Future is Now!

Friday, February 11, 201112 pm Golden Torch Society & PBC Luncheon 1:30 pm Historic slideshow2 - 4 pm Faculty feature 4:30 - 6:30 pm Alumni, friends, and student dinner5:30 pm Women’s BB vs. Evergreen State7:30 pm Alumni and student choirs perform with Dr. Tom Miller7:30 pm Men’s BB vs. Evergreen State9:00 pm Ice Cream & Musicians’ Reception9:30 pm Class of 2001 Ten Year Reunion

Saturday, February 12, 201110:00 am Chapel Service featuring worship with Je!rey Allen Scott ’0112:30 pm Honored Alumni Awards 2 - 4 pm Special interest receptions: Theatre, Leadership & recent grads (’05 - ’10)3 - 4:30 pm Reception for coach Bart Valentine ’75 5:30 pm Women’s BB vs. Northwest Univ. Alumni, friends, and student dinner 7:30 pm Men’s BB vs. Northwest Univ.9:00 pm Farewell Reception

More information atwarnerpacific.edu or

call 503.517.1026.

2nd AnnualPresident’s Tea

with author

Jane Kirkpatrick

April 9, 2011

McGuireAuditorium

Proceeds will bene!t Act Six

scholarshipsat Warner Paci!c.

More informationat 503.517.1212

2

Save the date


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