Winter 2006-2007 a Publication for Alumni & Friends of JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY Brown Bulletin Letter from the Winter 2006-2007 Editor Andrea Phillips

Brown Bulletin

Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts: Cement and Stone Form Life-Changing Structures

JBU Homecoming 2006

Winter 2006-2007 a publication for alumni & friends of JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY Brown Bulletin letter from the Winter 2006-2007 Editor Andrea Phillips

JBU Staff Writers Holly Byars SIFE stoves change lives 10 A day in the life 16 Animals open doors to ministry 23 president Emily Kalka Lindsay Larsen

Lead Designer Andrea Phillips When your children ask you, “What do these stones mean?” tell them. Design Assistance Trevor Collinson Joshua 4:6,7 Allen Dempsey Laura Ravenscroft features Dear Alumni and Friends of JBU, Production Assistance Christine Mescher 10 Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts: JBU SIFE Builds Cinder Block It was a common practice of God’s people in the Old Testament to set up memorial Stoves to Change Lives stones to mark the occasions when God did a great work. For example, Joshua sets up by Andrea Phillips twelve stones to memorialize how the people of Israel crossed over the Jordan River on 16 Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts: A Day in the Life of a dry land. Samuel also establishes a stone marker, what he called an Ebenezer, to give The Brown Bulletin is the official publication of John Campus Icon witness to how God rescued the people of Israel from the Philistines. Brown University. It is published at 2000 West by Heather Crain In this Brown Bulletin, you will learn more about two of JBU’s “piles of stones,” University Street, Siloam Springs, Arkansas 72761. two projects that mark how God is still at work among us. First, Dr. Joe Walenciak and his Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team have joined with people in rural communities in Guatemala to set up over 400 stone stoves To submit story ideas, photos, feedback: in homes. These stoves replace dangerous open cooking fires and vastly improve the Andrea Phillips quality of life for families in numerous ways. Director of University Communications departments “What do these stones mean?” These stone stoves reflect how God is at work [email protected] in bringing together JBU students and Guatemalan citizens to minister to each other 5 JBU in Focus spiritually, economically, and practically. This stove project is a wonderful example of Alumni information: JBU’s continued commitment to educate head, heart, and hand. 8 Chaplain’s Corner by Stan McKinnon Jerry Rollene Closer to home, JBU has another “pile of stones” that it is seeking to preserve as Director of Alumni and Parent Relations a witness of God’s work at the university. We recently announced plans to renovate the 20 Homecoming 2006 Photo Gallery [email protected] three historic buildings on campus: the Cathedral of the Ozarks, the Art building, and 22 JBU Athletics: Champions of Character the Engineering building. by Simeon Hinsey These buildings never received the stone facing that was originally intended Admissions information: (888) 528-4636 and necessary to preserve them, so the exposed cinder blocks have suffered serious 23 World View “Alumna’s Love for Animals Bridges Cultures for Ministry” crumbling and deterioration. This renovation project will address this and a host of [email protected] by Andrea Phillips other urgent needs in the buildings. www.jbu.edu/admissions “What do these stones mean?” These facilities have served JBU students for 50 24 Perspectives On ... “The Winter of Our Lives” years, and they remain the spiritual, academic, and architectural center of campus. To submit alumni news and photos: by Donald Balla They are the places in which God has met students and changed their lives through [email protected] 25 Stories from the Road by James Elliott chapel services, class lectures, laboratory discoveries, and conversations with professors. www.jbualumni.com This renovation project will preserve these buildings, not only as memory of how God 26 JBU Advancement “Think Your Money’s Trapped in Your IRA?’” has worked at the university in the past, but also as a witness of hope for how God will For information about giving to JBU: by Paul Eldridge work at JBU in the future. www.jbu.edu/giving I deeply appreciate your support of the university as we seek to continue to “tell (800) 446-2450 27 Alumni News our children” how God is at work. 39 Flashback JBU Homecoming 2006 Reunions

Godspeed, John Brown University provides Christ-centered education that prepares people to honor God and serve

others by developing their intellectual, spiritual, and O n T h e C ov e r : professional lives. The materials in the cover photo include the unassembled pieces of an ONIL stove. See page 10 for the assembled version. Dr. Charles W. Pollard Cinder blocks are also the building blocks of the Cathedral of the Ozarks, which will finally be clad with stones similar to the stone samples shown in the cover photo. See pages 6 and 16 for the story. (Photo by Andrea Phillips) jbu in focus

Students Dig Jordan Summer Studies Missile strikes and countries in conflict didn’t stop a group Letters of JBU students from digging into a unique and different culture this summer. Nineteen students spent seven weeks in July and August in northern Jordan on a new study trip led by Dr. Dave Vila and Dr. Jim Blankenship, both associ- “Student Journal” Earns Mixed Reviews ate professors of Bible, religion, and philosophy. The trip involved working on an archeological dig site in the ancient Hello, Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, city of Abila, which flourished in the time of Christ. JBU’s record-setting freshman class posed for a picture during orientation. I wanted to write you to tell you how much the story of Norma in Thank you so very much for publishing in the Brown Bulletin the Each day students worked eight long hours on the dig the Brown Bulletin, Summer 2006, moved me, but not in the way you “Student Journal” excerpt. I was Norma at JBU. I sat alone at site, which is located about fifteen miles from Israel’s West over last year. might expect. I am very concerned for the training and hearts of lunch many times, had self-esteem and image problems, and had Bank. They dug up artifacts that the students at JBU if Jill’s journal is truly a reflection of both. The a hard time making friends. Thankfully, I also had Jills in my life were thousands of years old. JBU also experienced another all-time high with its pride, self-importance, worldly attitude, and lack of understanding at JBU. Also, due to my deep love for Christ, I was a Jill to many They also had the opportunity new traditional undergraduate enrollment at 439 (includ- of a true biblical servant in her journal is shocking. and still continue to be. My time at JBU was so very hard for to interact with Jordanians at ing freshmen and transfer students), a 19.9 percent increase I realize that some, if not much, of these things could be a result me, but God has strengthened me as a result of that time in my the dig and in the community. from last year. of her lack of maturity. I realize that I too had immaturity as a new life. Thank you for all those at JBU who were Jills to me. Thanks “Out of all the cultures I’ve This fall JBU enrolled 1,191 traditional undergraduate for crying, encouraging, listening, and praying with me. Thanks believer at JBU. However, I thought it was extremely bad judgment been to, I’ve never met a group students, 507 adult students in the Advance Program, and on the part of your editorial staff to include this immaturity as again to Jill, to Norma, and to JBU for publishing this article. It that was so welcoming and lov- 383 graduate students. an example of the heart of your current students. The girl Jill in deeply touched me and brought back memories of my time at Graduate Studies saw a dramatic enrollment increase, the journal entry seems to have no realization of the depth of her JBU. May the joy of the Lord be your strength (Neh. 8:10). ing and absolutely generous as gaining 138 more graduate students than were enrolled sin. The last paragraph seems to highlight her self-absorption and the Jordanian people,” said JBU lack of focus on Christ. “A wave of excitement must have surged In Christian love, senior Rachel Kopsa. “We were last year. This rapid growth in Graduate Studies is due in part to the addition of JBU’s newest master’s program, the through her body.” And why? Because she, Jill, sat down across Hannah (Beatty) Keepes ’00 often invited into the homes of from Norma. It was as if she was saying, “Norma should be so Belton, MO people we lived near, even if Master of Arts in Youth and Family Ministries that is of- happy that I, one of the better off (wealthier), more popular girls sat they had never met us before. fered through a unique partnership with Kanakuk Institute down with her. What a privilege for Norma.” It made my stomach These people made people a pri- in Branson, Missouri. The addition of that program alone turn to see how blatantly self-important Jill thinks she is even in her ority in their lives in a way that brought 68 new graduate students to JBU. journal when talking with the God of the universe. To top it off, the is unheard of in the States.” The increased number of new traditional students is girl approached, Norma, seemed to have no more focus on Christ largely credited to JBU’s new marketing initiatives, includ- or eternity than Jill did, if the conversation went as recorded. JBU students were in Jor- ing prioritizing campus visits in the recruiting process and a I do not believe that these girls represent the spiritual state of dan during the conflict between JBU. I pray that this is not indicative of the hearts and minds of Correction Israel and Hezbollah, when new scholarship program that gave the opportunity to award your students. Once again I believe that this was a bad editorial bombs would wake them in the scholarships to those who know prospective students best choice, and I was very sad to read it. In the story “Child’s Play” in the night and they could see flashes – youth leaders, camp leaders, and school counselors. Summer 2006 issue of the Brown Sincerely, of light from the shelling and Bulletin, we printed the title of JBU students working at the Jaresh dig rockets 30 miles away. JBU Maintains U.S. News Rank Lisa Sowell ’94 alumnus Larry Fowler’s book site in Abila, Jordan “I never felt unsafe, but it Kearney, MO incorrectly. The correct title of For the second year, JBU has been Fowler’s book is Rock-Solid Kids. was a very heart-wrenching ex- ranked sixth in the Southern Region perience to know that so many people would be destroyed of the Best Comprehensive Colleges- [in the bombing],” said Kopsa. Bachelor’s in “America’s Best Col- Vila and Blankenship kept a close watch on the situation leges” by U.S.News & World Report. and were prepared to evacuate the group to southern Jordan “It is encouraging that JBU contin- if Syria, whose border is two miles from the dig site, had ues to be recognized for its growing become involved in the conflict. Fortunately, the group was academic and institutional strength,” able to complete their study trip without any risk to their Dr. Charles Pollard, university presi- safety. dent, said. “The U.S.News & World Report rankings offer a confirma- Some information for this story was collected from The Threefold Advo- cate and the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. tion of our commitment to offer an excellent, Christ-centered education that shapes students’ Letters are published with the permission of the author. Some letters have intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives, but we still been edited for length. Not all letters can be published. Published letters will consider the most important measure of our results to be be selected based on the value of their content, tone, clarity, and other similar Fall 2006 Enrollment Breaks Records characteristics. Send your letters by e-mail to Andrea Phillips at aphillips@ in the changed lives of our students and of the people that jbu.edu or by U.S. mail to: Andrea Phillips, Brown Bulletin Editor, JBU’s total student enrollment for the 2006-2007 academic they serve.” John Brown University, 2000 West University Street, Siloam Springs, AR year hit an all-time high at 2,081. This is the first year that One element in the criteria assessed by U.S. News is a 72761. JBU’s total enrollment passed the 2,000 mark. The 2006- score based on how other colleges and universities in the 2007 total reflects an 8.7 percent increase in enrollment same category rank each other. JBU’s peer ranking has risen

Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 jbu in focus jbu in focus

10 percent since 2004, demonstrating that JBU’s reputation years ago. In addition to providing for the stone surfaces, CRE will partner with area churches and service agencies Another benefit offered by AlumNET is the opportunity for academic excellence is on the rise. the funds raised will allow JBU to remodel interior class- (government and nonprofit) to extend these opportunities to for alumni to sign up for a personal @JBUalumni e-mail Other ranking factors include consistently high gradua- rooms and offices, further preserve the Cathedral’s stained the Northwest Arkansas community. address using “@jbualumni.com.” tion and retention rates and an alumni giving rate that shot glass windows, replace the roofs of all three buildings, up- “We expect that the @JBUalumni addresses will be par- up from 13 percent in 2001 to 27 percent in 2006. date the heating and air conditioning systems, install new ticularly valuable for young alumni who are moving fre- restroom facilities in the Cathedral, and make other neces- Professor’s Book Speaks to Punk Rockers quently or who want to have a more professional e-mail sary repairs. address on their résumé than Hotmail or Gmail,” said An- A couple years ago, Dr. Preston Jones, assistant professor Gift Kicks Off Cathedral Renovation Project If you have any questions about this campaign or would drea Phillips, director of university communications. of history at JBU and fan of punk rock band Bad Religion, like to contribute, contact Jim Krall in University Advance- JBU plans to continue adding enhancements and new The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation of Tulsa, Okla. has e-mailed the band’s lead singer, Greg Graffin, on a whim. ment at (479) 524-7145. features to AlumNET in the months and years to come. given a $1 million challenge grant to kick off the fundrais- What ensued was a yearlong e-mail exchange between To register for AlumNET, go to www.jbualumni.com ing efforts for major renovations to the historic Cathedral the two, discussing the philosophical positions of atheism, and click the “log in” button. Alumni must provide a few of the Ozarks, Art building, and Engineering building on Christianity, naturalism, and a number of other ideologies. Soderquist Center Partners with KNWA-TV pieces of personal information including either their student JBU’s main campus. The renovations to the three build- Jones recognized that the dialogue between himself and ID number or their unique preauthorization ID code in order ings, commonly called the Cathedral Group, will cost an News for Leadership Segments Graffin, an atheist who holds a Ph.D. in evolutionary- bi to register and set up their account. Preauthorization ID estimated $6 million. JBU has until July 2007 to complete ology, could be of benefit to others – Christians and non- The Soderquist Center for Leadership and Ethics and North- codes (made up of two letters followed by four numbers) the $6 million fundraising effort for this project in order to Christians alike – who ask big questions about life and the west Arkansas TV station KNWA are partnering to offer are located at the top of the Brown Bulletin mailing label. In receive the Mabee gift. world. Graffin agreed, and so their collection of e-mails “Live, Learn, and Lead with the Soderquist Center” airing the case of a married alumni couple, there are two ID codes To date, JBU has completed 42 percent of their $6 mil- was published in the book, Is Belief in God Good, Bad, or Tuesdays on KNWA’s morning show, “KNWA Today.” on the label: the first is the husband’s code, and the second lion renovation goal. In addition to the Mabee challenge, Irrelevant?, edited by Jones and published by InterVarsity Each segment will highlight a particular value relating is the wife’s. to leadership, such as courage, integrity, accountability, and Press. perseverance. Members of the Soderquist Center staff will Praised for its truthful discussion of difficult issues and serve as presenters, including Executive in Residence Don the respectful yet no-holds-barred approach that Jones and JBU and Alumna Initiate Prayer Network Soderquist, CEO Andy Wilson, Director of Business Devel- Graffin take toward each other, Jones’s opment Tony Hawk, and others. book has been featured in Christianity Twenty-five years ago, Lee Sale ’68 began praying earnestly “We are always looking for ways to connect with and Today, on Chuck Colson’s “BreakPoint” for her life, her family, her church, and a few other interests. assist the communities in our area,” said Scott Pickey, radio commentary, and on countless More recently, she was taken aback by Bruce Wilkinson’s news director for KNWA, an NBC affiliate. “We believe punk rock and Christian web sites alike. best selling book, The Prayer of Jabez, which persuaded her the Soderquist Center provides knowledge and resources in About the book, Chuck Colson said that the territory for which she prayed was more focused on leadership development that Northwest Arkansas’ business that “it’s a chance to watch two very her own business than on God’s. people and the general public can benefit from.” different people engage in a conversa- Sale, a member of JBU’s board of trustees, became tion about the important things in life. convicted that if she prayed daily for the It’s a sobering fact that many Christians students, staff, and JBU alumni, she could CRE Receives $2.7 Million Grant for wouldn’t even bother to speak to the enlarge her territory to see God’s kingdom An artists rendering suggests how the Cathedral will look after the atheist singer/songwriter of a punk rock grow. With a group of JBU staff members, stone cladding is applied to the building. Relationship Initiative band. The fact that Professor Jones did Sale organized the new JBU Prayer Net- The Center for Relationship Enrichment (CRE) at JBU was so, and that his comments led to an en- work to mobilize JBU friends and alumni the Chapman Trusts have pledged a lead gift of $1.5 million recently awarded a $2.7 million federal grant from the U.S. riching conversation, offers a great ex- in prayer for the university. toward the project. Department of Health and Human Services’s Administration ample to those of us who might otherwise hesitate to reach As coordinator of the Prayer Network, “The Cathedral Group is at the heart of our campus, and for Children and Families to support research and develop- out across a seemingly unbridgeable divide to share the Sale will lead a committee to collect spe- they are buildings in which we have engaged students for ment of healthy marriages in Northwest Arkansas. CRE is Christian worldview.” (BreakPoint Commentaries, “The Professor cific prayer requests in a monthly e-mail over fifty years in the intellectual, spiritual, and professional the only organization in Arkansas to receive the grant. and the Punk Rocker,” 8/22/06, available at www.breakpoint.org) newsletter to let Prayer Network members challenge of university life,” said JBU President Charles W. The goal of CRE’s initiative is to prepare unmarried know how to pray for the spiritual, emo- Lee Sale is coordinator Pollard. “We look forward to restoring them for new gen- couples for successful, healthy marriages and to strengthen tional, and intellectual pursuits of the uni- of the new JBU Prayer erations of JBU students, and we deeply appreciate the Ma- existing marriages. The initiative is expected to result in a JBU Lanches New Online Alumni Community versity and its community. Sale expects Network. bee and Chapman foundations for their lead commitments reduction in the Arkansas divorce rate and an increase in there will be seven to ten prayer requests in JBU alumni now have even more reasons to visit the JBU toward this project.” marital satisfaction. each newsletter. Newsletters will be sent from September web site since the launch of a new online alumni commu- Constructed from 1945-1957, the cathedral project was One objective funded by the grant is the development, through May each school year. nity, JBU AlumNET, during Homecoming weekend in Oc- never truly finished due to insufficient funds. Originally, implementation, and testing of a pre-marital program identi- To receive JBU Prayer Network e-newsletters, visit the tober. AlumNET offers a number of new features designed the cinder block construction was to be covered with a stone fying a person’s emotional intelligence quotient or EQ. EQ, new alumni web site at www.jbualumni.com and click on to better serve alumni and enhance their connections to JBU face to preserve the exterior as well as give the buildings a which indicates the ability to identify and manage one’s the “e-Newsletters” tab. ■ and to each other. distinctive look on campus. With the buildings unfinished, emotions, is a vital element to building and maintaining The central feature of AlumNET is a more robust, more decades of sun, rain, ice, and sleet have taken their toll on healthy relationships. secure online alumni directory where alumni can post more the exposed cinder blocks. In addition to other efforts connected with fulfilling information and pictures for classmates to see, set their pri- To preserve the future of the Cathedral Group, JBU is the grant’s requirements, CRE plans to impact more than vacy preference, and search for other alumni by more de- raising funds to renovate the buildings, complete the ex- 13,000 couples in six Arkansas counties through marriage tailed criteria. For more information about these and other news ternal surfaces, and fulfill the vision that was started fifty enrichment activities and training over the next five years. stories, visit www.jbu.edu/news

Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 h Al umN ET Get I nvolved thro ug chaplain’s corner umNet fe atures New JBU Al ∙ Learn about Homecoming and JBU alumni Privacy Protected events happening in your area. To protect your privacy, each alumnus is required to create a user name and password to ∙ View photos of campus and alumni events. Share your access the alumni directory and special features photo and memories Treasure Hunting of AlumNET. You decide how much or how ∙ Sign-up for the JBU Prayer Network. alumni friends. with little information about you is available for by Stan McKinnon others to see. ∙ Register with the JBU Career Network and Campus Pastor help young professionals in your field. [email protected] Create your own “@jbualumni.com” e-mail ∙ Submit your alumni news to be published Get an “@jbualumni.com” e-mail address For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 address that will never expire! Mail sent to in the Brown Bulletin. works with your existing e-mailthat your @jbualumni.com address is forwarded to whatever e-mail address you’re using at the ∙ Refer potential JBU students to the JBU account! Every fall my wife and I begin rehearsing the annual question with our time (such as your Hotmail, AOL, work, or Admissions department. kids, “What do you want for Christmas?” I’m astonished that two children other address), so you have only one e-mail raised in the same home with the same parents can be so different. Kati, account to check. ∙ Register to receive regular e-newsletters for JBU alumni or JBU parents. old rugby buddies our 17-year-old high school senior, invariably responds with her usual Find your Expanded Personal Profile choir chums or answer, “I don’t know; I think I have everything I need.” And she really Go beyond the simple name and address listing More to Come! . means it. Meanwhile, our 13-year-old eighth grader, Jackson, pulls out to include descriptions of your life, upload a We already have plans for adding more exciting the list he’s been making since December 26 of the previous year and photo, indicate the clubs and organizations you features to AlumNET. Be sure to watch the begins his recitation of desired gifts. belonged to, identify your career field, and set site for enhancements, and contact the alumni your communication and privacy preferences. office if you have ideas for services or features. Our parental reactions are predictable. We try to convince our Tell your JBU friends daughter that she really does need or at least want something for Advanced Search Options Don’t Be Left Out! what you’ve been up to. Christmas, and we try to persuade our son that he really doesn’t need Want to find your friends from SGA? Want Update your information, upload your photo, anywhere near the number of things on his list. We seem to be arguing to connect with fellow art majors? Want to and set your preferences. Tell your friends to do network with other alumni in the engineering the same! As word gets out, there will be more out of both sides of our mouth, talking one child into wanting more stuff field? Want to plan a get together with alumni alumni to connect with and new information Problems? Questions? Feedback? Contact the and talking the other one into wanting less. in your region? Find them in the online and photos to view regularly. JBU alumni office by e-mail at [email protected] How easy it is to get caught up in the value system of our culture. directory through advanced search options. or by phone at 888-JBU-ALUM. Rather than asking our kids, “What do you want to get for Christmas?,” we should be asking them, “What do you want to give?” Often in the scriptures, we see people encounter God while they are holding tightly to something they treasure, something from which they derive some sense of security or identity. And often, those same people are called to give to God that which they are holding so tightly in order to be in right relationship with Him. Abraham was called to sacrifice God’s promise of an heir, his son :: Isaac, to demonstrate his faith. Peter was called to give up his profession mNET as a fisherman to become a fisher of men. Paul was called to give up his :: u ualumni.com l jb A www. self-righteousness as a Pharisee to trust solely in Jesus whom he had persecuted. And the rich young ruler was called to sell his possessions and follow Jesus to find the true source of eternal life. In the first examples, how to re gister Use your JBU student those called to give something up did so, and were given blessings of eternal value. The rich young ruler, however, chose his possessions over ID number or the Your privacy and the security unique ID code on the Christ’s promises, and he walked away sad. of your information is very mailing label of this From time to time all of us tend to find ourselves grasping after important to us. That’s magazine to register why we ask you to provide something that we think gives us security and identity such as a job, a on AlumNET. new online a few pieces of personal prized possession, or a particular role, only to find introducing a that those treasures do not ultimately satisfy our information in the registration for JBU alumni. process, including either your deepest longings. This Christmas season, rather community JBU student ID number or your than asking each other, “What do you want to unique ID code. get?” our family has decided to ask God, “What do you want us to give?” because in giving the Your unique ID code is located at the top of treasures we hold on to to the Lord, our hearts the mailing label on this magazine. Look for a find their true treasure in Christ. And isn’t that www.jbu.edu six-character code (two letters followed by four what Christmas is all about? ■ Go to JBU’s redesigned web site at numbers). A married alumni couple living in the same household will see two ID codes above the and click on the alumni link. Or go directly to name. The first code is the husband’s code; the JBU AlumNet. second is the wife’s. www.jbualumni.com to reach Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 jbu SIFE builds by andrea phillips cinder block stoves to change lives

rises from an open fire on the dirt floor of a clapboard shanty. Ash hangs from the rafters like stalactites from a cave. The dense smog from the fire clouds your nostrils, throat, and lungs as your eyes slowly adjust to the darkness inside the compact room. The only light comes from the fire’s blaze and beams of light penetrating through the cracks in the board walls. Welcome to a rural Guatemalan kitchen. Cinder blocks, concrete forms, clay tiles, a metal plate, a little More than being unsightly and uncomfortable, the soot-drenched, smoke- filled kitchen, which is the center of activity for many rural Guatemalan families, is the source of myriad health problems for everyone in the home, and consequently, to everyone in these rural villages. The problem is the fire sand, and a smoke stack. It may not look like much, but this in the kitchen, which causes burns, respiratory ailments, eye maladies, and a host of other physical troubles. Three years ago, after learning about the desperate conditions of the kitchens in rural Guatemala, the JBU Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team simple stove is revolutionizing life in Guatemalan villages. decided to get involved in a project that would transform these villages, one kitchen at a time. 10 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 11 Children are exposed to assembling an ONIL stove carbon monoxide, smoke, and dangerous open fires. Cruz, assess the needs, and determine how SIFE could help. “When I first heard from Dr. Walenciak, I did not know what I could do to help, but I knew that I desperately wanted to be part of the solution,” Mandy Moore says. “My life was Creosote from indoor fires builds up on forever changed by that visit. It is difficult to even find the the ceiling of smoke-filled homes. words to describe it.” Mandy was especially stunned by the inadequate education of the children, the 50 percent child mortality rate, and the lack of hope for anything more than mere survival. “I remember leaving the village with a broken heart and SIFE, led by JBU business division chair Dr. Joe Walenciak large amounts of wood each day to keep the fires burning. asking Bryson why God allowed me to be born in the United ’81, partnered with Helps International to clean up the As a result, the forests around rural Guatemalan villages have States. I was overwhelmed with the idea that by the time trust among the people that would be important to future kitchens in a rural Guatemalan village called Santa Cruz in been devastated, sending villagers further and further away to I was thirteen years old, I could be giving birth to my first work. Baja Verapaz. Home by home, the team of JBU students and collect wood. Families must sometimes travel two hours each child and be unable to read or write,” Mandy recalls. “I just Treating more than 400 people in the clinic, the JBU Helps International staff replaced the open indoor fire pits way on foot, carrying their wood ration all the way home. kept asking God, ‘Why was I born to a middle-class family in group was surprised to see how many people were treated for with safe, clean, and efficient concrete and cinder block stoves. Such difficult and repetitive labor brings its own physical Oklahoma?’” respiratory infections. Upon making a few house calls, they The stove project was started in the late 1980s by Don problems. During their trip, the Moores also visited a group saw firsthand the dangerous open fires in the homes and the O’Neal, an engineer and retired manufacturing executive who In contrast, the ONIL stoves use less than a third of the working with street children in Guatemala City and a group build-up of smoke and soot that was causing so many health was volunteering with Helps International, an organization that wood consumed by an open fire, so the amount of wood the of indigenous women striving to operate a business in San problems. SIFE began its partnership with Helps International partners with individuals and local and national governments average family needs to gather has dropped dramatically. The Antonio Aguas Calientes. “I was overwhelmed by the images, shortly thereafter, placing ONIL stoves in as many homes to improve drinking water quality, medical care, education, amount of wood that fueled an open fire for one day can be the stories of injustice, and the poverty in Guatemala,” Mandy as possible. housing, and agricultural and economic development in used for up to two weeks in a stove. Not only has deforestation says. During the first stove installation project over spring break underdeveloped areas of the world. slowed, but people have also gained valuable time – sometimes The Moores listened to the people tell their stories, they in 2005, JBU SIFE installed more than forty stoves in Santa O’Neal saw numbers of Guatemalan children who up to two days per week – to begin new social and economic recognized the people’s needs, and they documented the Cruz homes with the help of five ladies from the community were horribly burned after falling into the open fires in activities. Whereas women before would spend hours walking, situation through video and photographs. Armed with these who had been trained only weeks before to install stoves and their homes. He also noticed that many people had chronic gathering, and returning, many are now able to make wall images, the Moores returned to JBU to mobilize the student train others to use them. respiratory problems caused by ash and smoke from the hangings, rugs, and blankets for their families and for sale. population in an effort to make a difference in Santa Cruz “You should have seen the empowerment of these ladies indoor fires. (The World Health Organization reported that Such are the dramatic, life-changing results that a small, and other areas of Guatemala. who went from house to house to train and install,” Walenciak these respiratory problems are the leading cause of death in inexpensive, concrete structure can bring to a family and Working with Walenciak and JBU SIFE, the Moores described. “They felt value and worth, and one day when we Guatemalan children under the age of five.) When O’Neal a community. These results are only a part of the overall organized a spring break mission trip to Santa Cruz in 2004. were ready to stop, they were asking, ‘Can’t we do just one went into the homes to measure the carbon monoxide (CO) transformation that Walenciak, the JBU SIFE team, and their Mandy’s father, a physician, volunteered to treat people in more?’ We saw the emergence of true leadership in Santa levels, he discovered homes with CO levels as high as 160 partners hoped to instigate in Santa Cruz Baja Verapaz. a free clinic. The others on the trip – SIFE members, other Cruz, and it was exciting! This stove project is one of the most parts per million (ppm). In the United States, OSHA calls for JBU students, and friends – assisted in the clinic, made significant ways I have seen that we can improve the lives of immediate evacuation of a building when CO levels reach TOUCHING SANTA CRUZ improvements to the school, distributed donated supplies, the poor, rural residents of Guatemala.” 100 ppm. Four hours from Guatemala City, atop a mountain at the taught classes in first aid and trash management, and simply JBU SIFE provided the stoves, which cost about $100 In response to the great need for change, O’Neal developed end of a long dirt road, you find Santa Cruz tucked away played with the children. In addition to meeting physical each. Residents were charged a smaller fee to purchase the a simple concrete stove that would provide heat for cooking from many aspects of modernization. The community has needs, the group intended to build relationships and establish stoves in the belief that the investment by the family fosters indoors and be safe for those in the home. O’Neal’s stoves, only one flush toilet, and that one is saved for use by visiting a sense of pride and responsibility for the stove. The money named ONIL stoves by Guatemalan women, are upright missionaries. Refrigeration is a luxury found only in a few paid is directed back into a community fund, managed by the concrete forms, with a cavity to contain the fire, a flat cooking stores that sell ice cream bars, drinks, and snacks. Women community leaders, to address community needs. surface on top, and a pipe to channel the fire’s smoke out of daily prepare fresh meals of rice, handmade tortillas, and “It was easy to get students involved,” Moore says, indicating the house. Simply directing the smoke outside prevents the bean paste, with an occasional serving of chicken or pork. The that the work she initiated has been continued through other buildup of soot on the walls and ceiling and reduces CO levels drinking water is unclean. There are no doctors or dentists. student mission trips and visits from JBU faculty, staff, and in homes to less than 5 ppm. The cooktops are high enough Large extended families live together in small houses with few friends. “Many of the students that went the first time are that small children cannot easily reach them, and the concrete beds, so children often sleep on pallets on the floor. still involved today. My goal was to pass that passion to other sides remain cool to the touch, so children rarely get burned. Walenciak first visited the village while on sabbatical in 2003. students who would then lead the program after I graduated. In addition to the health benefits, the ONIL stoves have He described the many immediate needs of the impoverished, Those students definitely took the initiative to the next level also solved other problems for the Guatemalan families, underdeveloped village in e-mails to JBU students and SIFE and far surpassed any expectations we ever had.” namely deforestation and slow economic development. members Mandy and Bryson Moore ’03 ’03. Moved by the In the two years since that initial spring break mission trip, Where families keep open fires, they are required to collect desire to help, the Moores flew to Guatemala to visit Santa Walenciak and the JBU students have more fully developed a program they call “ADVANCE Guatemala.” ADVANCE is an acronym that represents the priorities for the work done in During the Moores’ first visit to Santa Cruz, Bryson Moore ’03 helped children overcome their fear of his video camera. 12 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 13 Women and children learn how to use an ONIL stove.

Santa Cruz: Address the pressing needs of the people; Develop Learning about his condition by phone from Guatemala City, in joining the project, but the school’s nursing the fragile economy; Validate the culture locally and beyond; Walenciak was able to pull the right strings and pay the right program also became interested in sending nurses Activate the minds of the people; Nourish discouraged hearts people to get Aurelio to a doctor. and nursing students to help operate temporary and depressed spirits; Cultivate local ownership; Exit the “He would have died,” Walenciak said. “Does [Aurelio] medical clinics in Santa Cruz. process, but not the relationship. feel a little better about himself ? Most of the world would JBU, RWC, and Marroquin teams each Simply, those involved in ADVANCE are committed to never have missed him. Just one less ‘campesino.’ But he is a travel to Santa Cruz to continue the work of meeting the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of the friend. Aurelio was not expendable to any of us.” ADVANCE, sometimes working alone, sometimes people in such a way that the people themselves become able Not only did Aurelio recover, but with the help of SIFE, working together. Even as they overlap, each to improve their own lives and community independent of Aurelio opened a bicycle shop in Santa Cruz, and he takes group contributes in different ways to the effort: outside help. Giving the people in rural Guatemala a sense of great pride his business. RWC conducts medical clinics and tends to focus self-worth is a vital part of the process. Aurelio is not the only person to have expanded his on business development, for example, while JBU “When you show someone you care about them, they commercial horizons with the help of SIFE. JBU SIFE has also installs stoves and tends to focus on community begin to care about themselves,” Walenciak described. “These been instrumental in helping a group of indigenous women development. The goal for all the teams, however, are the marginalized groups, seen as second class citizens, develop a profitable business in San Antonio Aguas Calientes, is to develop the Santa Cruz community so that uneducated farm workers. They’re seen as expendable. What another rural Guatemalan village. The women, who once they no longer need outside assistance from any we do validates them as people of worth.” only sold their woven goods to the local community as little group. people who would not have had it otherwise. They have Walenciak tells the story of Aurelio, a Santa Cruz man who more than peddlers are now recognized by the government “We’re setting up a system so that the work can go on even improved the condition of schools and playgrounds, have had a nose bleed for four days. Although he was disoriented, as a company, Artesanias Ixel. They sell their handmade when there’s no team there,” Walenciak said. “We don’t want assisted and started small businesses, and have conducted weak, and unable to walk because of his condition, the items not only to tourists, but also to buyers on eBay. The them to be permanently dependant on handouts. This is that educational and evangelistic programs. hospital would not see him because he was “just a campesino.” growth of their business has provided more financial security whole ‘teach a man to fish’ thing.” For all that JBU volunteers have given for the people for the women’s families, opportunities for education, ways to Return trips to Santa Cruz have proven that residents are of Guatemala, they have received something back. Several preserve their culture and traditions, and an example to foster responding well to the help they have received. The stoves things, actually. basic rights for the indigenous people, particularly women. themselves are holding up well under much use, and the stove “This [outreach to Santa Cruz] provided me with the owners are even finding ways to innovate and improve the opportunity to use all of those [Head, Heart, Hand] aspects EXPANDING THE IMPACT design of the stoves. for Christian service,” Mandy Moore said. “A project like this Changing an entire community is not an easy task, and it’s In the absence of the indoor fires, residents have cleaned teaches students that they can have a positive impact on the not a task that can be accomplished by a few students working their houses, removing the layers of soot and grime, taking world. Something as simple as a stove can give a family or over spring break and a few weeks in the summer, Walenciak pride in their homes. The quality of life for these families is community more pride in itself and revolutionize the way admits. Recognizing the need for additional support for Santa better, with cleaner air in their homes, more time to invest in they live, breath, provide nourishment for their family.” Cruz, Walenciak invited two other university teams to assist in development, up to half their income saved, and a greater Both Moore and Walenciak describe an immense the ADVANCE Guatemala project. interest in taking care of themselves and their community. responsibility they felt for using their gifts and talents to serve “We realize that our biggest problem is having hands and “I have been impressed with SIFE’s work in Guatemala, not only the people of Guatemala, but also the people around feet on the ground in Santa Cruz to do the work,” Walenciak because we started trying to improve the people’s whole them on a daily basis. At the same time, they say, there is a said. “If we’re protective of our project, if the work only lives and not just bits and pieces,” said Matt Fraser ’05, who great sense of joy that comes in doing the important work of happens when JBU is there, then we’re serving ourselves and participated in the Guatemala project for two years. “Our serving others. not them.” goals are long term and span from community development to “Working to help Santa Cruz clarifies my priorities and In 2003, while teaching at Universidad Francisco spiritual development.” gives me purpose,” Walenciak said. “I want people to know Marroquin, a university in Guatemala where Walenciak that they can make a difference, to see the needs around them, spent his sabbatical from JBU, Walenciak described GIVING AND RECEIVING to be unafraid of stepping up to address the needs. It just to officials there how the work of SIFE could impact As of October 2006, SIFE has installed approximately 400 takes someone to stand in the gap to connect the resources people and communities. The university was so excited stoves in Santa Cruz and neighboring villages. It’s estimated with need. I can do that. It’s not about me or what I’ve done. about what they heard that officials immediately began that implementation of the stoves saves 42,000 trees each But it’s a privilege to be a part of that moment when a life the process of forming a SIFE team on their campus, year, saves 189,000 man-hours per year, reduces indoor air is changed.” launching SIFE in Guatemala, even though the SIFE home pollution by 99 percent, and reduces greenhouse gases by 30 That privilege of being part of changing a life is something office had no plans to expand into Central America at percent. Walenciak believes students can get from serving, whether in that time. SIFE has provided medical and dental assistance to many Guatemala, the United States, or elsewhere. Walenciak also spoke with colleagues at Roberts Wesleyan “I want them to get excited about touching people’s lives College (RWC) in New York about JBU’s plans to work in and seeing lives changed,” he said. “To know the joy of being Santa Cruz. Not only was the RWC SIFE team interested Giving the people in rural relevant—that never gets old.” ■

Guatemala a sense of self-worth Portions of this article were Aurelio stands proudly with his new compressor is a vital part of the process. contributed by Leila McNeill ’05 in his bike shop. 14 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 15 a day in the life of a on Tuesday morning, and hundreds of JBU It’s 10:30 a.m. students stream through two sets of double walnut doors into the large Cathedral sanctuary. The sound of bells fills the air as I watch the students take their seats in the polished wood pews or on the floor at the front of the sanctuary. Tinted daylight shines through the tall stained glass windows campus and paints the upraised faces of the campus congregation as they start singing praises to God. Another chapel service has begun in the Cathedral of the Ozarks at JBU. As I participate in the service this day, I consider the countless students who have accepted Christ within these Cathedral walls; the alumni who were joined in marriage before God and the choir loft; the scores of young adults who were inspired here to make life-changing decisions that still affect the lives of the people around them; the missionaries who sat in these pews and dedicated themselves to the Lord’s service, committed to going forth from this Cathedral and serving God in whatever situations icon He may bring. I also recall one of my most joyful and spiritually memorable Cathedral experiences, which occurred during a communion service. Students passed the bread and juice down the pews, and each student served his or her neighbor with Christian love and compassion. At that time I was privileged to be offered communion from the man who is today my husband. For nearly fifty years the Cathedral has existed as a place of worship, education, training, and preparation for JBU students. Even a decade before it was built, the idea of the Cathedral inspired the imaginations of founder John Brown Sr., the JBU by Heather Crain ’03 faculty, and the students. John Brown Sr.’s dream of building a cathedral at JBU began in 1937, when Brown described over his radio program a vision of broadcasting from within a great With its stained glass windows, gothic arches,

and majestic towering presence,

the Cathedral of the Ozarks is the most

recognizable icon on campus.

Its value, however, is measured in the hearts, minds, and experiences of every JBU student

who ever passed through its doors. Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 17 through the side exit doors of the Cathedral and reenter the Over a year after the construction company left, a faculty building through the elevated entrances to the second floor member and a number of students restarted the work on the educational wing. Others head down the stairs to go to the Cathedral’s education wing themselves, and the founder’s music practice rooms and classrooms on the ground floor of brother Ben Brown brought a crew in to supplement the the Cathedral. Ten minutes later, the Cathedral is the scene student laborers. Students and faculty helped to complete the of academic study in subjects ranging from English, history, second and third floor of the educational wing as well as the music, intercultural studies, foreign languages, psychology, sanctuary. At that time, any students who wanted extra income political science, performance studies, and family ministries. could work on the Cathedral. Students from the graduating While walking through the halls, I can hear professors classes of the early 1950s worked to pour the concrete, raise explaining the birth of western civilization and political the cinder block walls, and frame the classrooms inside the governments, the leitmotifs of Wagner’s music, verb tenses structure. The use of labor and supervision from within 1955 parsed in the Spanish language, and examples of ways to Campus Hill helped to cut the cost of building the entire 1993 identify personality disorders. Cathedral Group—the Engineering building, the original The layout of the educational wing of the Cathedral has Science building, and the Cathedral—by over half of its changed some since its first days, especially on the excavated initial estimated cost. ground floor, which was the first part of the cathedral building Costs were also reduced through the use of material to be finished. Where today a person can sit in chairs to resources found on campus. Most of the lumber used in view a play or recital in the Jones Recital Hall, there once the building and for its furnishings came from timber on was a choir section which faced an auditorium whose white university land. Students and staff cut down trees and pillars and student-made pews hosted many chapel services ran the wood through the campus sawmill, dry kiln, and and missionary conferences. The ground floor also once planing mill. The furnishings were made in the campus provided temporary shelter to the campus library as well as furniture shop. Even the limestone that was intended to a permanent home to the Cathedral Choir and the music seal off the exterior of the Cathedral and the other two department. buildings in the Cathedral Group was to come from the Students of the late forties and fifties probably recall that Sulphur Springs quarry, which was on the land that the 2006 the Cathedral was built in spurts. A period of several years university owned. stretched between the completion of the first floor and the With the combined efforts of students, staff, and friends third floor of the educational wing. After the ground floor of the university, and with the natural resources available natural cathedral. He announced, “What a privilege it is to be was finished, John Brown Sr. decided that the school should to the university, the dream that John Brown Sr. had in the 2006 here among the majestic Ozark hills! How wonderfully they not create any more debt from the project, so the construction thirties was ultimately celebrated in April of 1957 when the demonstrate the marvelous creations of our God! They are company contracted to do the work spread a layer of tarp Cathedral of the Ozarks was dedicated, a little over two like a great cathedral raised to the praise of our Redeemer!” paper and tar to roof the complex, then discontinued the months after the founder passed away. Although the building there are faint sounds of music wafting through the halls as John Brown named his radio program “The Cathedral Hour,” construction. was not completed with the limestone cladding that was part students practice for upcoming performances. and on each Sunday thereafter, cathedral doors swung open of the original vision, the Cathedral proved to From outside, I can see the Cathedral’s stained glass in the minds of radio listeners to release the sounds of bells be an effective tool in the mission to transform windows glow warmly, casting a soft, jewel-toned light onto and a Cathedral Choir over the airwaves. students’ lives to the glory of God. the people walking on the sidewalk ahead of me. The view Brown’s vision caught fire in the hearts and minds of the makes me want to relive the hours that I spent sitting next to people around him. Soon he was approached by listeners my friends in class and in chapel, or the times when I would who encouraged Brown to build a physical cathedral in the About 4:00 p.m. sneak into the quiet sanctuary between campus activities, Ozarks. The first gift for the Cathedral came from the faculty the Cathedral fills with laughter and music as content to steal a few moments with God in this atmosphere body in 1944 before the ground was even broken. Listeners to some students leave their final classes for the day. of unassuming beauty. Brown’s radio stations and supporters of the Brown schools In the late afternoon and evening hours, I find To me and other alumni, the Cathedral of the Ozarks, began sending gifts to start the building effort, and, as word music students cramming in a few more hours of built by the hands of the students and staff of JBU, is much reached campus of former students and staff members who practice at the pianos in the practice rooms. The more than mere cinder blocks and concrete walls. The had died on the battlefields of World War II, the decision was jazz and pop ensembles practice in the sanctuary Cathedral of the Ozarks communicates the spirit and made to build and dedicate the Cathedral to these honored and actors rehearse student-directed plays in the dreams of its builders who desired to provide a beautiful dead who had served their country. Ground was broken on Jones Recital Hall. place in the center of campus, where students would develop commencement day, May 3, 1945, just five days before the By 8:00 p.m., darkness marks the end of mentally and spiritually to become servant-leaders for God’s announcement that the war in Europe was over. the day, but not the end of the activity in the glory. Just as when it was first finished, this building still Cathedral. Student clubs begin their meetings stands as the silent participant in the events that touch the the chapel service in the Cathedral classrooms. Students seeking lives of JBU students each day of the week. Every chapel At 11:30 a.m. comes to an end. a peaceful place to study come to the sanctuary service renews the awareness of grace that God has showered The doors of the sanctuary burst open to students and or the lounges in the educational wing with their on JBU through the completion and use of this building over faculty heading to their classrooms or to lunch. Some leave textbooks and homework assignments. And still the past fifty years. ■

18 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 19 Bryan King, Meghan Scholtens, Lydia (Scholtens) King ’92, Roger Cross ’66 and Jan Cross ’66 each received the Harriet Dudley, Kathy Scholtens, Dick Scholtens, Gregg Stephen Sbanotto ’04 played the Pirate King as he and a Paul Goring ’51 and former professor Dr. Andrew Outstanding Alumnus of the Year award, recognizing Scholtens ’97, Nichole (Cook) Scholtens ’97, and senior Brian crew of JBU students performed a scene from Pirates of Bowling shared a laugh at the ’50s decade reunion. their exceptional accomplishments and service to JBU. Kyles at the Scholarship Recognition Dinner. Penzance during the Showcase on Saturday night.

ur theme for Homecoming 2006 1 3 was “You’re Always Home at JBU.” Certainly, many alumni found Othemselves at home again on campus in October. Even though buildings have changed, campus has expanded, and students have grown younger, JBU alumni were welcomed by familiar faces, 4 encouraging relationships, and inspiring JBU icons. Home truly is where the heart is! 2

Athletic Events Kid Zone Reunions Chapel

Rugby celebrated 25 years at JBU. Students prepare for the annual Homecoming parade. JBU’s Heritage Society, alumni who graduated from JBU fifty or Homecoming King and Queen, more years ago, gathered and inducted new members during the Jake Funk and Kristen Raikes center photos: 1. Alumni like Ryan Woolery ’06 and Steve Bos ’93 enjoyed a soccer match weekend. on Saturday. 2. Kidzone gave kids a chance to have fun with other kids and JBU staff. 3. Marsha (Wilson) Smith ’76 and Ann (Skinner) Williamson ’75 sign a smiley-face flag during 20 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 a reunion. 4. Mike Brundage ’76 gave the chapel address on Friday. Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 21 CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER Alumna’s Love of Animals Bridges Cultures for Ministry World View by Andrea Phillips

From an early age, Denise Ward ’97 could save their livestock, wouldn’t that “The Awanno loved animals. Having grown up with a open a door so they would be willing vet project’s great number and variety of animals on to listen to what I have to say about a purpose goes far her family’s small farm in Iowa, Ward relationship with Jesus Christ and the beyond treating eventually decided to spend her life opportunity to gain eternal life? Maybe the animals,” she working with animals to help farmers. God can use a vet after all!” explains. “We by Simeon Hinsey ‘01, have helped the JBU Sports Information Director After four years at JBU, Ward was During veterinary school, Ward accepted to veterinary school at Iowa learned about Christian Veterinary animals become State. There was just one problem. Mission (CVM), an organization that healthier, and the JBU ATHLETES ENCOURAGE LOCAL STUDENTS, SEE RESULTS “The Lord had really been working strives to show the love of Christ to farmers’ families in my life during my senior year at have better food JBU,” Ward says, “and I was convicted security. The project When assistant JBU men’s basket- Last spring, one of those op- ability, all the time. That’s a great Guthrie, who is now a SSHS senior that I really needed to let God have has also given us ball coach Donnie Bostwick took portunities arose when three JBU quote, and it not only applies to herself. “It was just great that he control of my life and serve Him in the opportunities to on the role as campus coordina- athletes were asked to motivate sports, but this applies to every- still considered us important even whatever way He wanted to lead me. build relationships in tor for the NAIA Champions of Siloam Springs High School’s 11th thing we do in life.” though he is a college basketball order to share Christ in Character (CoC) program, he had grade students before they took a Test coordinator Lisa Tiger re- player now.” I started questioning why I wanted to an unreached area.” high aspirations, but no idea the statewide literacy exam. Current ports that the skit was instrumen- In addition to presenting the become a veterinarian. How could God program would come so far in JBU basketball players, Tyler Dees tal in the students’ success on motivational skit before the lit- use a veterinarian? I couldn’t answer After that year of experience, Ward such a short time. and John Williams, and former the test. “We achieved the high- eracy test, Champions of Charac- that question satisfactorily. I knew God was persuaded to pursue long-term “It’s been really exciting to see basketball player Brandon Cole est score we’ve had in five years,” ter has allowed JBU athletes to could use doctors and pastors, but I mission work in Africa. After receiving how we’ve grown in the last three ’06 decided they would prepare a lead other activities including an couldn’t perceive how he could use me a grant that would pay her school loans years,” said Bostwick. “Champions skit to encourage the students to assembly on character for all of as a vet.” while she was on the mission field, of Character has opened many do well on the test. Siloam Springs School District’s The conflict she felt between follow- Ward returned to Ethiopia as a CVM doors that Fellowship of Christian The simple skit they per- “We’ve been blessed 3rd and 4th graders, Bible stud- ing her heart and following the Lord missionary. Ward is assigned to work Athletes [FCA] struggled getting formed to motivate those stu- with the talent to play ies for 5th and 6th grade students with the mission organization SIM into, but by combining FCA and dents had a greater effect than after school, and presentations was resolved one day in a divinely or- Ethiopia in their outreach to Borana. CoC we have created a perfect they could have imagined. “The basketball and go to to children and youth at local chestrated, brief conversation with a unreached people by helping them to Only she and a church-planting couple combination for JBU.” skit was pretty sweet,” said SSHS college, and the Bible churches. stranger from Congo. Although she care for their animals. Halfway through are currently at work there. The NAIA Champions of Char- student Terry Butler, who took “I’ve always been an outgo- did not regularly talk with strangers, her veterinary program, Ward traveled says to whom much While still treating animals occa- acter program is an educational the test as a junior last spring. “It ing person, but I never thought I this day Denise found herself telling to Uganda with CVM and became outreach initiative that empha- definitely made us reevaluate the would be going up and talking to sionally, Ward focuses her work today is given much the African man that she was prepar- convinced that the Lord was leading sizes character and integrity, not importance of the test and want kids and trying to motivate them on researching the animal health needs is required.” ing to be a veterinarian. The man re- her to a career in veterinary missions. only for NAIA college athletes, to do better. If they didn’t come to do better,” said Williams, now in Borana and preparing to train the plied with a recommendation: Come to After receiving her degree and but also for younger students, and talk to us I probably would a junior at JBU. “I realize that it is Borana people to treat their own ani- :: Tyler Dees Congo because the people of Africa depend honing her skills practicing as a veterin- coaches, and parents. The CoC have blown it.” very important to give back be- mals for basic diseases. Ward hopes program creates opportunities Another SSHS student, Jake cause we are all children of God on their animals for their very lives. They arian in Iowa for two years, Ward that by training the local people to treat for athletes to demonstrate posi- Wilmott, still remembers what and have to help each other.” need someone who can teach them to care for headed to Africa with CVM to join the animals, those she trains can travel to tive behavior models for students the JBU athletes had to say: “Bran- she said, “and we believe having Dees agrees. “We’ve been their animals. Awanno veterinary project in Ethiopia. more locations than she could, reach- and members of the community, don told us it was important to these guys come over proved to blessed with the talent to play “Wow!” Ward thought. “If they de- In Awanno, Ward treated all types of ing more people and accommodating often through sports-related ac- do what has to be done, when it be a very beneficial attribute to basketball and go to college, and pend on their animals that much, if I livestock including cattle, sheep, goats, tivities. has to be done, to the best of our the Bible says to whom much is the culture’s nomadic lifestyle. Plus, the successful scores on the test.” donkeys, mules, and horses, given much is required,” he said. trained locals will be able to continue For Tyler Dees, now a JBU and in the process she built sophomore, motivating students Bostwick feels lucky to be a treating animals even after the mission- relationships with the people meant much more than just help- part of Champions of Character aries are gone. she served. ing them score well on a test. himself. Through the program he “I have heard of people who were hopes his passion for ministry will “In these [third world] Dees, who graduated from Siloam loved into a relationship with Jesus be felt and extended through JBU countries, people’s whole lives Springs High School, knows first Christ,” Ward says. “That is the type hand the broader needs of some athletes for years to come. depend on their animals,” of impact that I hope to be a part of of the high school students, and “It’s about planting seeds,” Ward says. “In some families, in Ethiopia. By showing that I care for he desires to impact their lives as Bostwick said. “You may not know a death of an animal can whose life you’ve impacted, but their animals I want to show them how well as their scores. mean the difference between God knows and we will be re- much I care for them. They see Christ’s “I know we can have a positive life and death of a person or influence on some of these kids warded for it in heaven. You can love in action, which gives the basis to even the whole family. Some by showing we care,” Dees said. not place a price tag on this pro- form a relationship where Christ and gram.” will tell you it is easier to “When we were freshmen, His love can be verbally shared!” ■ Tyler was a senior,” said Meghan replace a wife than a cow!” JBU basketball players Tyler Dees (left) and John Williams (right) Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 23 Perspectives On ... from The Winter of Our Lives by Donald Balla, Associate Professor of Accounting WhyWe Give Back to JBU stories the and expects His creatures to save up JBU through that threatening season. road Oh, the world owes for the winter. The grasshopper can- Thank you, all of you who have given by James Elliott ’97 not say in December, “I have faith to JBU in the past, especially to our Regional Director of Development me a living. Doodle God will provide for me today.” God endowment fund, our anthill where we doodle doodle doo already provided, but the grasshopper store vital resources. You basic econ failed to collect it. alumni will remember I liked to sing eing an alumnus of JBU myself and having doo. [hock ptui] Nor can the grasshopper say, this song: talked with countless JBU alumni over the years, From early childhood, I still remember “Hey, God, what’s with this winter BI’ve learned that alumni of JBU tend to be very the grasshopper’s song from Disney’s business! Don’t you love us?” God has Go to the ant. creative, tend to be very inventive, and tend to have quite “The Grasshopper and the Ants.” You already warned us that the winter is Baump baumpa a bit of personality. One alumnus I met not long ago remember the story. The grasshopper coming. baum pa baump buamp. affirmed my observation when he shared a funny story belittles the ants for working so hard all The winter of our lives will come. Go to the ant and be wise. about a trip he made back in the early ’70s. summer. Of course, eventually winter It won’t be a result of sin or Satan. It’s Though nobody makes him, Not long after he graduated, Mike Walker ’70 decided hits. The grasshopper’s food is all gone, just the way God made the world. It he works all summer, to drive from his home in Michigan to Siloam Springs and the poor creature is starving. is comforting to know that He is giv- stores all his goods below. for JBU’s homecoming weekend. It was 1973, and Mike In the Disney version, the ants ing us enough now to survive the win- He’s warm and cozy all winter drove through the many small towns that dotted Highway kindly invite the grasshopper down ter, whether it be through financial or while the cold winds blow. ■ 71 on the route south. As he drove on late into the night, into their warm, well-stocked anthill spiritual investments. Mike began to think about stopping somewhere to stay and serve him nourishing soup. I sus- So start saving 10 percent of your Donald Balla, J.D., has the night in a motel, but he had a hard time justifying pect, in reality, the ants found a differ- income; winter is coming. Give 10 per- taught at JBU in the spending the money for a room. ent use for the grasshopper. cent away; nothing makes you feel rich- Business Division over twenty Deep in thought, Mike neglected to slow down as he The Bible tells it this way: “Go to er. Pay down your debts. You can do it. years. He is a musician, a drove through Neosho, Missouri, and he was promptly CPA, and a Spanish-speaking the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways There are people right now living on pulled over by the local policeman for speeding. The lawyer who works pro bono less than 70 percent of your take-home officer wrote out the ticket. Frustrated that he was now and be wise!” (Proverbs 6:6 NIV) for the Hispanic population going to have to pay a fine for speeding, Mike asked the I find it interesting that God did pay. in Northwest Arkansas. His not design this world to provide for life Winter will come to JBU some book, The Best Test Prep We owe much to JBU. officer what would happen if he refused to pay the ticket. evenly throughout the year. Instead, time, too. No fear. God is provid- for the CLEP Financial The policeman replied, “I’ll take you in for a night in he provides abundance in one period ing sufficient resources today to help Accounting Exam, is due Both of us were recipients of financial aid jail, and you’ll see the judge in the morning.” That didn’t out in May 2007. sound too bad to Mike. when we attended John Brown because Mike went to jail and ended up with a cell all to of our involvement in The Harmonaires himself for the night. He had a good night’s sleep and musical teams. Just that experience alone a warm breakfast the next morning. After the meal, he provided us with a lifetime of memories, saw the judge, paid a $10 court fee, and was on his way learning, and friendships. to homecoming. Amount of time it took Leave it to a JBU alum to be so creative that he could to graduate from JBU: But through the years we’ve also realized turn a penalty into a perk! how much our JBU experience has con- 4 years tributed to our jobs, our worldview, and most importantly, our faith. Cost of a JBU education: Quite a bit More recently, we have seen the wonderful students that JBU is now producing to influence our world. We are honored to invest Gratitude to those who gave to in them the way that someone invested in us the JBU Scholarship Fund to in the past. make this moment possible: Roger and Jan Cross PRICELESS 1966 JBU Graduates

To help students afford a quality Christian education at JBU, there’s the JBU Scholarship Fund. 24 BrownFor Bulletin more information,Winter 2006-2007 or to give online, visit www.jbu.edu/giving or call (800) 446-2450. Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-007 25 Think your money’s trapped in your IRA? alumni news We’re now including wedding and birth announcements within the Think again. decade sections of the alumni notes. For publication in future issues, please send information and photos to Brown Bulletin Editor, John Brown University, 2000 West University Street, Siloam Springs, AR 72761. To submit your information by e-mail, write to [email protected]. To submit information online, go to www.jbualumni.com. by Paul Eldridge ’88, J.D. Director of Development and Planned Giving

t might surprise some to learn that we at JBU have occasionally advised Idonors not to give particular gifts to the university. Generous though they may be, giving certain gifts to JBU may not make sense for the giver from a tax perspective.

One such scenario, in which we have advised a donor to rethink his gift, involves an individual who wants to give a significant gift from an Individual In order to protect Retirement Account (IRA) to JBU. Historically, withdrawing funds from the IRA could create income tax implications that would be detrimental to the the privacy of JBU donor, even when the funds are being given to a charity like JBU. As a general alumni and prevent rule, withdrawing money from an IRA to fund a charitable gift just hasn’t the misuse of made good tax sense. personal information Thankfully, there is now an exception to this rule. on the Internet, we have deleted the In August, 2006, the Federal Government enacted legislation commonly known as the “Pension Protection Act of 2006” (PPA). The PPA provides that alumni news from this in most circumstances any individual at least 70½ years old may a give a gift online edition. to a charity through an IRA account without incurring any federal tax liability. Under the PPA, during the 2006 and 2007 tax years, most gifts of $100,000 or less can be given from an IRA without claiming the withdrawal as taxable income. Although the gift is not claimed as a tax deduction under the PPA, donors can enjoy the benefit of knowing that funds that might otherwise be held unused in an IRA account can now be given freely to qualifying charities like JBU.

Many individuals who would love to support JBU in a significant way often do not have liquid assets to give. For a limited time, those individuals can now consider a substantial gift to JBU and/or other charities by turning their IRAs into liquid assets. A gift from an IRA could become a gift that would be matched through JBU’s $10 Million Challenge to fund a scholarship. It could help preserve the Cathedral of the Ozarks as a gift to the Cathedral Group Renovation Project. It could become the realization of a deep desire to contribute to the work of changing lives in a powerful way.

If you have questions about this or other giving opportunities, please contact me at (800) 446-2450. As always, be sure to consult your tax and legal advisors before taking advantage of this opportunity or making any significant gift to charity.

26 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 27 Have you heard? from the director’s desk

Why JBU AlumNET? In order to protect In order to protect the privacy of JBU Your community used to be your hometown or neighborhood. Now, the privacy of JBU alumni and prevent thanks to technology and the Internet, your community can be anyone with alumni and prevent whom you are in contact regularly, wherever they may live. Young and old the misuse of alike are able to include in their community the missionary in China they e- the misuse of personal information mail weekly, family members who live six states away, and college classmates personal information with whom they have reconnected. on the Internet, we on the Internet, we have deleted the Those of us who are connected as JBU alumni now have a resource to have deleted the alumni news from this help us stay in touch with each other more easily, no matter where life has alumni news from this taken us after graduation. JBU AlumNET is a safe, secure web site that lets online edition. you tell your friends where you are, post a photo, and share the exciting things online edition. happening in your life. There are a number of features on AlumNET (and many more to come) that make efforts to connect with each other and with JBU much more rewarding.

For example, you can indicate which groups you were involved in while on campus, and in turn, JBU can tell you when that group is having a reunion or gathering. As alumni from The Sound Generation plan the group’s final concert for the 2007 Homecoming Showcase, we hope that JBU AlumNET will be a useful tool in helping to get information out to more Sounds alumni.

Why AlumNET? Because the way we communicate has changed. JBU The Sound has a rich history of being a good steward of the resources we have been given, so it is only natural that we use the technology resources available to us Generation to better serve the growing, worldwide JBU community in this way. th Visit www.jbualumni.com to discover all that AlumNET offers, to view 40 REUNION pictures from Homecoming 2006, and to learn more about Homecoming and final-eth performance and other alumni events (including The Sound Generation reunion) for at SHOWCASE 2007. If you need help registering with AlumNET, just contact us at 888- JBU-ALUM. HOMECOMING Oct. 5 & 6, 2007 Jerry Rollene ’75 For more information, contact: Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Jerry Rollene director of alumni relations 888-JBU-ALUM

28 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-007 29 In order to protect In order to protect the privacy of JBU the privacy of JBU alumni and prevent alumni and prevent the misuse of the misuse of personal information personal information on the Internet, we on the Internet, we have deleted the have deleted the alumni news from this alumni news from this online edition. online edition.

30 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-007 31 In order to protect the privacy of JBU In order to protect alumni and prevent the privacy of JBU the misuse of alumni and prevent personal information the misuse of on the Internet, we personal information have deleted the on the Internet, we alumni news from this have deleted the online edition. alumni news from this online edition.

32 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-007 33 In order to protect In order to protect the privacy of JBU the privacy of JBU alumni and prevent alumni and prevent the misuse of the misuse of personal information personal information on the Internet, we on the Internet, we have deleted the have deleted the alumni news from this alumni news from this online edition. online edition.

34 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-007 35 In order to protect In order to protect the privacy of JBU the privacy of JBU alumni and prevent alumni and prevent the misuse of the misuse of personal information personal information on the Internet, we on the Internet, we have deleted the have deleted the alumni news from this alumni news from this online edition. online edition.

36 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 Homecoming 2006

In this issue of the Brown Bulletin, we’re flashing back just a couple of months to Homecoming 2006. These reunion photos represent only a few of the people who returned to JBU to catch up with old friends and reminisce on their JBU days. For more photos and to learn the names of the alumni shown here, visit the new alumni web site at www.jbualumni.com.

class of 1946 class of 1966

class of 1956

Receive the benefits before time runs out. g, This opportunity applies only to tax years , 2006 and 2007. , class of 1976 class of 1996 y 38 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 Brown Bulletin Winter 2006-2007 39 brunch! talent show!

basketball! Join us for

weekend

February 23 & 24, 2007

Brown Bulletin John Brown University 2000 West University Street Siloam Springs, AR 72761