A Magazine for Taylor University Alumni, Parents and Friends (Spring 2015) Taylor University

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Spring 2015 Taylor: A Magazine for Taylor University Alumni, Parents and Friends (Spring 2015) Taylor University

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FORGIVING THE UNFORGIVABLE page 16

MORE THAN HER WORST MOMENT page 20

PEACE, BE STILL page 24

A PUBLICATION OF TAYLOR UNIVERSITY

spring2015cover.indd 3 3/5/15 10:48 AM “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Adminis- ter true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’” Zechariah 7:9

“Being human, not one of us will ever have a behind therelationship cover with another person that doesn’t have a wrinkle or a wart on it somewhere. The unblemished ideal exists only in ‘happily ever He who was seated on the throneafter’ said, fairy “I amtales. making I think that there is some merit everything new!” Revelationto a description 21:5 I once read of a married couple

as ‘happily incompatible.’ Ruth likes to say, ‘If A broken plate. On the one hand, it is the symbol of failure and loss. But in God’s reckoning,two the peoplebroken state agree of a on plate, everything, one of them is or our lives, does not always meanunnecessary.’ loss. Every human The soonerheart we accept that as a is marred by sin – that brokennessfact inevitably of life, the impacts better not we will be able to adjust only our lives, but the lives of allto we each come other in contact and with.enjoy togetherness. ‘Happily But when we forgive, and whenincompatible’ we seek forgiveness, is a good we adjustment.” participate in the Lord’s redemptiveBilly Grahamplan for this world. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, our brokenness can lead to healing and restoration.“Therefore Thanks be to encourage God! one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“A new command I give you: Love one anoth-

behind the cover

spring2015cover.indd 4 3/5/15 10:48 AM spring 2015 • volume 109 CONTENTS 10 12 16 24 IT'S NOT ABOUT THE PATH TO FORGIVING THE PEACE, BE STILL BASKETBALL FORGIVENESS UNFORGIVABLE

For Emily Cho ’16, joining the women's Forgiveness does not necessarily mean Michele (Moore ’95) Leach’s outreach to Replacing bitterness with forgiveness, basketball team had less to do with her a blank slate, says Bob Neideck ’82, survivors of the Rwandan genocide was Rhonda (Bloss ’02) Cahill navigates dad and more to do with her Father. Director of Taylor’s Counseling Center. life changing – for her and for them. through the desert.

spring2015magazinebody.indd 1 3/5/15 10:43 AM President Eugene B. Habecker ’68

Vice President for University Advancement Ben R. Sells

Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing Stephen R. Mortland ’83

Editor James R. Garringer

Creative Director Adam E. Perry

University Marketing Team Donna K. Boatwright, Jenna (Fahlen ’13) Borst, Beth A. Fitzjarrald, Valerie Newby ’12, Meredith Sell ’14, Christa L. Siegelin ’93, Benjamin B. Wehling

Executive Director of Alumni Relations Dara (Johnson ’01) Berkhalter

Alumni Notes Editor Kate (Westrate ’11) Austin

Contributors Nicole Arpin ’17, Lindsay Robinson ’16

Photo on page 18-I, Inisheer

E-mail: [email protected] Taylor University online: www.taylor.edu

Send address corrections and mailing updates to: Office of Alumni Relations, 236 W. Reade Ave., Upland, IN 46989, or call (800) 882-3456, ext. 5115. E-mail: [email protected]

Opinions expressed by individuals in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Taylor University®.

Founded in 1846, Taylor University is one of America’s oldest Christian liberal arts colleges. Over 2,000 graduate and undergraduate students from 42 states and 30 foreign countries attend Taylor, where majors in 64 fields of study are available. For the eighth year in a row, Taylor University is the number one Midwest University in the category Best Regional Colleges in the 2015 US News & World Report survey, America’s Best Colleges.

The mission of Taylor University is to develop servant leaders marked with a passion to minister Christ’s redemptive love and truth to a world in need.

spring2015magazinebody.indd 2 3/5/15 10:43 AM backstage

Restoring what was lost

I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten … It is hard to forgive those who injure us and Joel 2:25 watch them walk away seemingly unaffected as our wounds are laid open. We all know we should They may have loved each other once. But years forgive. We all seek forgiveness. But it is so very of careless words, wrongs – real and perceived – hard to grant. and paybacks had long since crushed that love, leaving in its shattered place dueling senses In this issue of Taylor, we have prayerfully of anger and resentment. It was a miserable shared a few stories on forgiveness, healing existence. The subject on this night was his and restoration entrusted to us by our alumni. mother, whose death a few months before was Hopefully, we will be encouraged, chastened, still fresh and painful. As his wife began to recite inspired and convicted by stories of grace in the litany of wrongs that she believed his mother Rwanda, forgiving and embracing one whose had heaped on her, he at long last had heard suicide left an indelible mark since childhood, enough. “She’s dead,” he said, anger rising within and the renewal of innocence after the greatest him. “Can’t you just let it go?” of betrayals.

Her answer was profound and honest. “I just One of the passages that has touched my heart can’t.” No, she could not – not now, not 10 years the deepest is from the Old Testament Book of from now. The decades of hurts were as fresh as Joel. God’s promise to repay his children what they always had been. She had come to him to was lost to the swarming, invading locusts defend her, to support and embrace her, and he of their lives (and ours) gives me hope. I pray had failed. She was well past talk of mercy and that each of you will embrace that hope that is forgiveness. She wanted justice. How incredibly possible only from our Lord. sad.

James R. Garringer Editor

spring2015magazinebody.indd 3 3/5/15 10:43 AM news

Campus Center construction begins On April 9, the $20 million LaRita R. Boren Campus Center will officially begin its trek from drawing boards to mortar, bricks and steel. Campus officials say the 48,000 square foot facility will cel- ebrate and house vital elements of Taylor’s historic community life.

When it is finished, the complex will be nearly The Campus Center’s namesake, “Many universities reference ‘community’ as triple the size of Taylor’s existing student union. LaRita R. Boren, was a longtime being a hallmark of their experience. At Taylor The new Campus Center will be home to not only Taylor trustee, honorary alumna and University, our discipleship-focused, living and the student union, but also a commons, small friend who was known for her love serving together model of community is one that auditorium, coffee shop, and eating area. Also of the Taylor community. She died is transformative and unique,” added Habecker. located there will be the offices of Taylor’s Calling after a brief illness in 2011. “We believe the LaRita R. Boren Campus Center and Career Center, Intercultural Programs, Taylor will fulfill two lasting purposes. First, this center World Outreach, Taylor Student Organization, President Eugene B. Habecker ’68 will serve as the hub from which our vital, life- Spencer Centre for Global Engagement and Cen- said the generosity of Taylor alumni changing community originates. Second, it is our ter for Student Development. and friends has been critical in the wish that for years to come this wonderful facil- push to complete fundraising for ity will honor the legacy and memory of a godly, The facility will be constructed adjacent to the building. “At the beginning of beloved member of our Taylor community, LaRita Taylor’s Rediger Chapel/Auditorium. As part of the academic year, this effort stood R. Boren.” the construction project, the nearly 40-year-old at a little over $4 million, but thanks Chapel/Auditorium will be renovated, leading to to the visionary and sacrificial giv- Campus officials say the LaRita R. Boren Campus chapel services and other events regularly sched- ing of many wonderful friends, we Center is expected to open before the conclusion uled for Rediger to move to the Odle Arena and have reached $19.6 million,” he said, of Spring Semester 2016. other venues. during the 2015 fall semester. adding Taylor officials will continue to raise needed funds before ground- breaking ceremonies.

spring2015magazinebody.indd 4 3/5/15 10:44 AM news

overseas study program Highly ranked in national poll

Taylor University has received high national rankings for its overseas study program from Open Doors, a publication of the Institute of International Education (IIE) in association with the U.S. State Department.

The survey, which compared “Lighthouse helps students develop Taylor’s overseas study program relationships across other cultures with other baccalaureate schools and learn about people’s lives, throughout the country, ranked beliefs, customs, hopes and needs, Taylor second for the number of all while evaluating their own,” said students who participate in short- Katie Rousopoulos ’07 (MAHE ’09), term duration drips, third for the Director of Lighthouse Programs. percentage of students participat- ing in overseas and/or international “I was expecting to be the one giv- study and service trips, and ninth ing out all the love,” Sarah Coss ’15 for the overall number of students said, reflecting on her experience taking advantage of overseas study teaching in a Peruvian orphanage, opportunities. “but my heart feels so filled with the love the kids showed us.” “The Open Doors standings reflect the rich history and heritage of In addition to the Lighthouse trips, Taylor University and the fact that, Taylor students participated in 11 from its inception until now, there academic trips ranging from litera- has been an unusually strong com- ture studies in London to education mitment to engaging the world,” practicums in the Philippines. said Dr. Charles Brainer, Dean of International Programs and Direc- “There is no substitute for contex- tor of the Spencer Centre for Global tualized learning in the history and Engagement. living cultures of study abroad loca- tions,” Brainer said. In January, 292 Taylor students continued that commitment to global Open Doors, supported by a grant engagement as they traveled to 16 from the Bureau of Educational and countries for academic and mission Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Depart- trips. Lighthouse sent five teams ment of State, is a comprehensive to Ethiopia, Paraguay, Peru, Nepal information resource on interna- and Southeast Asia, where Taylor tional students and scholars study- students partnered with organiza- ing or teaching at higher education tions that included Tiny Hands institutions in the United States, International, Project Mercy, and and U.S. students studying abroad Vision Trust. for academic credit at their home colleges or universities.

spring2015magazinebody.indd 5 3/5/15 10:44 AM The Taylor satellite began its journey aboard this SpaceX Falcon booster on Good Friday.

news

percentage of people are not reading it as often or as attentively as their Bible ownership might indicate,” said Rachel Barach, general manag- er, Bible Gateway. “We’re delighted to work with Taylor University’s Center for Scripture Engagement (TUCSE) to help the millions of users of Bible Gateway to not only read the Bible, but to also incorporate its life-changing teachings into their everyday living. ”

The materials prepared for Bible Gateway by Collins and his students comprise 12 Bible reading practices with end goals aimed at helping Christians know God intimately and become closer followers of Jesus. Those materials include tips on jour- naling, memorizing, public reading and prayer.

“I had met Rachel Barach two-and- a-half years ago at a conference in New York,” said Collins. “We started comparing notes, and I told her about what we were doing, and that our plan was to develop a clearing house of as many good resources and descriptions of Scripture engagement as we could to put them on the Taylor website. As we kept emailing Taylor faculty, students and talking on the phone, Rachel and Bible Gateway decided they partner with Bible would like to host the materials.” Collins said within days of the Scrip- ture engagement section launch, he Gateway had received inquiries from Africa, France and the Netherlands. And he believes those inquiries will grow A partnership between Bible Gateway and Taylor University has resulted in Established through more than $1 more frequent in the future. a newly-created section on the Bible Gateway website devoted to Scripture million in gifts, Taylor’s Center for engagement. These new materials were created by Dr. Phil Collins ’84, Scripture Engagement has a goal “It’s been very encouraging. Our Executive Director of Taylor’s Center for Scripture Engagement, and by that scripture engagement will vision for the Center for Scripture Taylor students in his Christian Education and Bible courses. become one of the most broadly- Engagement is to equip people to applied missional concepts to engage the Scriptures in ways that Recognized as the Internet’s largest Christian website, Bible Gateway has emerge in the Christian world in will drive evangelism, personal dis- been online for 20 years. The site offers free access to the Bible in more than this decade. cipleship, worldview formation, and 70 languages and is visited by users from more than 200 countries. Bible church planting,” said Collins. Gateway’s website and app are visited by more than 18 million unique visi- “Bible surveys seem to indicate that, tors per month. while the Bible continues to be the To learn more, visit top international bestseller, a large www.biblegateway.com/resources/ scripture-engagement.

spring2015magazinebody.indd 6 3/5/15 10:44 AM The Taylor satellite began its journey aboard this SpaceX Falcon booster on Good Friday.

social #TaylorU

One of social media’s best qualities is its ability to share instantaneous information with friends, families and loved ones via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or various other social media. Here are a few tweets and Instagram photos that we have enjoyed during the past months.

callie93noelle

@sara_andler13 Jay Kesler talking about his love life in chapel. He can't be tamed. I love it! #TaylorU

@JesseCoffey25 When walking across nicole_arpin palindromee campus at #TaylorU, no matter which direction you're going, you better believe you'll be walking directly into the wind. @ScottEtheridge1 #TaylorU who do I talk to about Bell Tower requests? Final @shaynadale As much as I am excited Countdown? to study abroad, I am definitely going to miss #TaylorU with all of my being. eodandelion

TAYLOR UNIVERSITY

@TAYLORU & @TAYLORTROJANS

@TAYLORUNIV

Find us on Twitter and Instagram with rachelyoder7 eri_nord the hashtag #TaylorU

spring2015magazinebody.indd 7 3/5/15 10:44 AM news Inquiry, investment and insight highlight faculty accomplishments

Dr. Scott Adams (Business) Dr. Sheri Klouda (Biblical Studies Journal, the Association for Chris- learned the Charles Schwab Founda- Christian Education Philosophy) is tians in Student Development tion awarded Taylor University’s directing seven Hebrew students (ACSD) periodical, edited by Drs. Skip Finance Program a $50,000 gift over researching an 11th century Hebrew Trudeau and Tim Herrmann ’75. The three years to be used to purchase codex provided by the Green Schol- piece dealt with forging character equipment for a finance trading lab ars’ Initiative. The work is in its within a competitive athletic envi- and provide scholarships for Taylor third year at Taylor. ronment. students. Dr. Linda (Deneau ’99) Mangan- Dr. Mike Severe (Biblical Studies Dr. Robert Aronson (Public ello (Communications) wrote 3 Christian Education Philosophy) Health) coauthored Laying the Ways to Love Others with Our Language led an international gathering of Groundwork for Evidence-Based Public as a guest post on Ed Stetzer’s blog researchers and educators in Wash- Health, published in the American on Christianity Today’s website. ington, D.C., in October 2014. Journal of Public Health. Dr. Ed Meadors (Biblical Studies Dr. Jim Spiegel (Biblical Studies Dr. Matt DeLong (Mathematics) Christian Education Philosophy) Christian Education Philosophy) serves on the Leadership Team as taught a summer course on the book was awarded a Templeton Fellow- Associate Director for Project NExT of Revelation at Africa Theological ship for a fall semester sabbatical (New Experiences in Teaching), a Seminary. during which he prepared The Virtue Professor Tracy professional development program of Open-Mindedness, a paper on intel- (Tobey ’92) Manning at the national level for new or Dr. Lorne Mook ’87 (English) had lectual virtue and civil discourse, (Communications) recent PhDs in the mathematical his poem The Miracle We Need pub- at the Biola University Center for formed a student playback company. sciences sponsored by the Math- lished in Relief Journal 7.2 (2014). Christian Thought. Comprised of Taylor ematical Association of America. students, the company Dr. Scott Moeschberger Dr. Colleen Warren ’97 (Psy- (English) was seeks to integrate scrip- Dr. Kevin Diller’s ’93 (Biblical chology) co-edited the book: Symbols chosen by the National Endowment tural engagement into Studies Christian Education Philoso- that Bind, Symbols that Divide: The of the Humanities (NEH) Scholar for the playback model. phy) book, Theology’s Epistemological Semiotics of Peace and Conflict. participation in a seminar Reconsid- Dilemma: How Karl Barth and Alvin ering Flannery O’Connor, a four- Plantinga Provide a Unified Response, Gary Ross ’95 (Men’s Soccer/KSAC week program held last summer at was published by InterVarsity Press. Director) was published in Growth Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, Ga.

spring2015magazinebody.indd 8 3/12/15 2:44 PM Computer Science & Engineering Faculty, students

program Keith Bauson (left) and Scott King work in the Drone Room in the Euler Science Complex. drones for flight

Five Taylor students guide a quadcopter across campus and capture stunning im- Each team member brought his the morning sky. After a semester’s worth of ages of Taylor for The Echo. specific gifts to the project. Bolds work, these computer science majors are thrilled worked with copter enhancement, to see their success soaring above Taylor’s cam- The team worked closely with the King took the lead in vendor interac- pus, creating new possibilities for the future of CSE department to outline specific tions, Stevenson worked with math the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) requirements and find a company modeling for the sensor, Moore did Department. that manufactured drones with project documentation, and Garcia open systems the student program- was the primary programmer. The team consists of seniors Sam Bolds, Scott mers could easily modify. King, Tyler Garcia, Devin Moore and Caleb Ste- “My team right now is trying to venson. They began building the drones as part With money set aside for purchas- build a library of code that computer of a directed research course led by Art White, ing innovative equipment for the science students could easily pick a Department Chair and Professor of Computer Sci- Euler Science Complex, the CSE command from to control the cop- ence and Engineering. department bought high-end drones ter,” Bolds said. for research and less complex Over the course of the semester, they worked to drones to be used as learning tools The team’s work continues this se- program flight control for the drones’ systems for lower-level classes from 3D mester as they begin programming and install sensors to help avoid collisions. Robotics, a company that manufac- the drones for image processing. tures consumer drone technology “They’re working on what I would call the ele- as well as drones for commercial Their work has already garnered ments of autonomous flight,” explained White. applications. Taylor’s drones are interest from other academic de- “The whole point of this is not to have RC intended for continued use by partments at Taylor. The Earth and [remote-controlled] drones.” students interested in artificial Environmental Science department intelligence hardware and machine asked if they could use the drones With their current flight capabilities, the drones programming. for environmental missions to con- were able to hover approximately 200 feet above duct infrared heat mapping.

spring2015magazinebody.inddBy 9Angelina Burkholder ’15 3/12/15 2:44 PM athletics

It’s not about basket- Byball Meredith sell '14 From her seat on the bench, junior guard Emily Cho looks like any other Taylor athlete: fit, focused, determined. She hasn’t had much playing time in this game or any other this season, but she doesn’t mind.

She’s at Taylor for more than basketball. In fact, the words tattooed on her right forearm tell the story: Love you, Dad. It is in her father’s handwrit- ing, copied from one of his many letters to her.

spring2015magazinebody.indd 10 3/5/15 10:44 AM In February 2009, Emily’s freshman “I think pride comes into it … and Emily took a week to year of high school, her father went the fact that I do need a dad,” Emily think through pros and to federal prison for a white-collar said. “We were able to grow in our cons: she’d have to give crime. A daddy’s girl, Emily’s identi- relationship.” up a possible Light- ty was wrapped up in her father and house trip, but she’d basketball. After his imprisonment, Back on campus for the spring be part of a team again the only communication they had semester, Emily met Kelly Packard, and stepping into a was through letters or an occasional Taylor’s Head Women’s Basketball new purpose God had phone call from prison. Even as she Coach, and became curious about for her on the team. threw herself into basketball, Emily the possibility of joining the team. numbed herself to his absence, fall- Yes, I’ll join. ing into a status of merely “okay.” “When she initially approached me, I wasn’t thinking about her as much At first she struggled When time came to choose a college, of an option,” Packard said, “but I explaining to her she made the decision with her noticed incredible maturity.” father why she was mother. Her father wasn’t part of the playing, but he under- process. Neither was basketball. Packard came to one of Emily’s in- stood, and since then, tramural basketball games and saw continues encouraging “I didn’t want to make basketball that she understood the game, but her to learn what she my identity, because before I felt like as she continued the conversation can, glorify God in all basketball really was my identity Emily no longer seemed sure. Her she does, and remem- – especially when it came to … my father was facing another sentenc- ber that he is proud of dad,” Emily said. ing, and Emily had much to think her. about. After she went home for the Her freshman year at Taylor, Emily summer, her father was sent back to Just like she doesn’t kept content with intramurals, prison. It was harder for Emily than know why God allowed focusing on her studies in exercise the first time. her father to go back to science and relationships in her prison, Emily doesn’t residence hall. Then, December 2013, Not a word passed between Emily know what God’s her sophomore year, her father was and Packard until the week before purpose is for having given home probation. No longer classes when Packard emailed Em- her on the women’s used to having him directly involved ily saying she wanted to talk to her basketball team, but in her life and no longer playing the when she returned to campus. she trusts that her sport that had knit them together, Heavenly Father has Emily felt a tension in their rela- “I directly and boldly told her over purpose for her there. tionship. If they couldn’t talk about coffee that … I wasn’t sure why, but basketball, what could they talk ‘I feel like you need to be on the “This isn’t about me or about? team,’” Coach Packard said. “‘There’s basketball.” something you bring that our program needs.’”

spring2015magazinebody.indd 11 3/5/15 10:44 AM faculty essay

Thoughts on the path to forgiving

by Bob Neideck '82

In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 the teacher writes, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

spring2015magazinebody.indd 12 3/12/15 2:44 PM As a counselor, some of the extraordinary bless- We need to give ourselves permission to feel pain There is a final step in this process, and that step ings of my role at Taylor University come from and sorrow, but instead there seems to be a natu- is remembering. Forgiveness does not require for- working with our students, hearing their stories, ral reluctance to face things that are damaging. getting. Forgiving offers the potential for healing and walking alongside them as they seek God Instead of dealing with the hurt, we simply try to pain, but not forgetting that the injury happened. in the midst of the obstacles and pain in their forget it (calling it forgiveness) and keep going. It would be foolish and dangerous to erase from lives. It is an honor and joy and I am truly thank- Dr. Jay Kesler ’58 has likened that act to pushing our minds some of the wrongs done to us. Doing ful to have the opportunity to be one charged an inflated beach ball under the water’s surface. so means we may never learn from the experi- with “lifting up his fellow.” As time passes, it takes more and more effort to ence and might relive the same situations over hold that ball under water. Eventually it is going again. Forgiveness isn’t an automatic restoration Perhaps it is not of trust. Trust must surprising that Taylor be earned. If a person students face many of For me, forgiveness is the cancellation of a debt. is a thief, it is foolish the same trials, hurts to give him a key to and challenges that It’s not forgetting the injury, but it is looking at your house. Forgiving afflict all of us in this a wrong doing does lost and fallen world. someone and saying, “You owed me better, but you not mean extending Abandonment, abuse, an invitation to the parental failures, and don’t owe me anymore.” To forgive is to recognize person to sin against so many other deep you again. Plus, forgive- injuries can leave scars that the wrong done is a debt of sin, and all sin ness is not synony- on their hearts and mous with reconcilia- souls. In the coming is against God. tion. For reconciliation paragraphs, I want to to take place, the other offer some thoughts on the sometimes foggy idea to resurface in some way. I tell my students that person must display not only repentance but also of forgiveness and the role it plays in healing the this sadness and anger is a natural part of the a willingness to change. damage inflicted by a sinful world. grieving process that must occur when we are hurt. Their feelings are signals and indicators There is a right time to forgive serious harm. We In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul wrote, “Be of what is happening in their lives. Author Dan cannot always predict when; we can only get kind and compassionate to one another, forgiv- Allender says, “The first great enemy to lasting ourselves ready for it when it arrives. We prepare ing each other, just as in Christ God forgave change is the propensity to turn our eyes away ourselves by learning to recognize sin against us, you.” It seems like such a simple command from the wound and pretend things are fine.” honestly identifying and expressing the intense from Scripture; and yet it can be such a difficult emotions in a safe setting, and asking God to cre- calling. Each of us has been wounded. Each of And so it is from that place of honesty that we ate in us a forgiving heart that can truly cancel us has wronged another. Quite often, the deep- can take our next step, and that is actually begin- a debt and be teachable in the midst of pain and est wounds can be inflicted upon us by those we ning the process of forgiving the person who hardship. love and trust the most. The ongoing impact and hurt us. If Scripture instructs us to forgive as implications of this betrayal can be a crushing God has forgiven us, are we to assume that God weight. We are called to forgive. But how? forgave us out of obligation or because He wants to do so? So then, do we forgive out of sheer force I share with students that the process of for- of will, because we “should” despite a hardened giveness starts with the acknowledgement that heart? Or is our next step to ask God to create what was done to them was wrong, sinful, and in us a forgiving heart toward the person that shouldn’t have happened. I use the word “blame.” wronged us? It is a dramatic word, but I use it to help them clearly understand the role the other person For me, forgiveness is the cancellation of a debt. played in their pain. There are often legitimate It’s not forgetting the injury, but it is looking at explanations for why someone might have someone and saying, “You owed me better, but sinned against them, but that does not remove you don’t owe me anymore.” To forgive is to rec- Bob Neideck ’82 serves as the Director of Taylor’s that individual’s personal responsibility. The sin ognize that the wrong done is a debt of sin, and Counseling Center. may have been expressed through sexual abuse, all sin is against God. Therefore in forgiving we gossip, lies, abandonment, unrealistic expecta- transfer the debt from our ledger of accounts to tions or unfair criticism. Whatever the form, God’s. Jesus Christ cancelled our debt. Just as he it was not the fault of the injured person. They has forgiven each of us, we work toward forgiving should have been protected, cherished and re- each other. We transfer the person from our own spected as image bearers of God. They were owed debt collection service, from our personal justice, better. into the hands of a just and loving God.

spring2015magazinebody.indd 13 3/5/15 10:44 AM For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Romans 5:10

spring2015magazinebody.indd 14 3/5/15 10:44 AM 15

spring2015magazinebody.indd 15 3/5/15 10:44 AM 16

spring2015magazinebody.indd 16 3/5/15 10:44 AM It was a nondescript set of stairs that led into a subterranean cove. Inside, visitors were confronted with a graphic reminder of this nation’s tortured past. Rows upon rows of human skulls, neatly arranged, casting vacant stares upon their visitors. Some of the skulls were pristine; others were marked with cracks and holes – injuries created by bullets or machete-wielding attackers. Each had belonged to a man or woman, boy or girl, whose life had been senselessly, violently snuffed out.

spring2015magazinebody.indd 17 3/5/15 10:44 AM Sculls displayed at The Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre in Kigali, Rwanda. Spurring one another on to good deeds – Rwandan believers display servant’s towels given them by Michele Leach.

Perhaps the most disturbing thing nation’s Tutsi and Hutu tribes. months of violence. Thousands, about this Rwandan genocide me- Enflamed rhetoric, perception and if not millions, of children were morial is that many others just like enmity helped fuel the dehumaniza- orphaned. it dot the landscape of this tiny Afri- tion and marginalization of mem- can nation. For Michele (Moore ’95) bers of differing tribes. Eventually, Leach would be the first to admit Leach, the place was made all the those who were different became she cannot change the past, but that more chilling because of her love of caricatures and enemies that had to is not her goal. Instead, she believes the Rwandan people. In recent years, be eradicated. By the spring of 1994, the message of forgiveness she and Leach has traveled twice to Rwanda the throbbing hatred erupted when others spread throughout the coun- to lead seminars aimed at fostering bands of guerillas from Rwanda’s try will impact Rwanda’s future. forgiveness and reconciliation in Hutu majority systematically killed Leach’s connection with Rwanda the nation and its people. as many as one million Tutsi and began during a J-Term trip to Israel moderate Hutu tribal members. Al- when she met a Rwandan Christ- The path to the Rwandan genocide though the exact number of deaths follower named Celestin Musekura. of 1994 was long and complicated. is unknown, it is believed up to Musekura is the founder of African In the decades leading up to the one-fifth of Rwanda’s total popula- Leadership And Reconciliation Min- catastrophe, there was evidence tion and 70 percent of Rwanda’s istries (ALARM). of mounting tension between the Tutsi population died during three

spring2015magazinebody.indd 18 3/5/15 10:44 AM They truly live in community and service. And these are people who have literally laid down their lives for others.

pacts each of our relationships with Christ and others. I think it brings us all to a deeper level of loving God and loving others.”

“The (Taylor) towel helps my family to self-gov- ern. It causes us to ask ourselves, ‘Am I relying on the Holy Spirit?’” Leach reflects. “When I went to Rwanda, I wanted the towel with me as a reminder; I had written extra verses on it. Our kids would need reminders too, so we bought them their own hand towels and wrote reminders on them.

“We use the phrase, ‘We live the towel,’ but what does that mean?” Leach continues. “For me, teaching about how we ‘live the towel’ to these friends who consistently live lives of service is beyond humbling. Most of the Rwandan men and women (at the conference) have taken in Spurring one another on to good deeds – Rwandan believers display servant’s towels given them by Michele Leach. children whose parents were lost through the genocide. Beyond taking in children, they natu- rally care for others in their villages. They truly “His story is one most definitely written by For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as live in community and service. And these are God through Celestin’s obedience,” Leach says, Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For people who have literally laid down their lives for explaining that Musekura’s vision for the na- God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made others. tion’s redemption and healing is what led to her his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the service for ALARM. That service includes being knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. “I have sat with friends who have shared their a stateside advocate for ALARM and its redemp- (2 Corinthians 4: 5, 6) stories through the genocide and post-genocide,” tive cause, as well as traveling across the ocean to adds Leach. “I have heard the joy of school chil- participate in hands-on ministry. “What I have found in being with these Rwandan dren released from their school day while I am friends is that they are so grateful for the encour- standing amidst thousands of bones – corpses It is that hands-on ministry into which Leach agement,” Leach explains. “The first thing that – in memorial to the genocide. And I have sung infused a treasured part of her own spiritual came to mind when I reflected on this idea (of and danced in worship to our loving God with journey last year. While leading a conference in passing out servant’s towels) was Hebrews 10:24, friends who have experienced severe trauma. I Rwanda that explored those themes of forgive- which says, 'And let us consider how we may am grateful for hope.” ness, Leach handed out servant’s towels, wash- spur one another on toward love and good deeds. cloths really, reminiscent of the servant’s towel Let us not give up meeting together, as some are And hope does not disappoint us, because God has she received at her Taylor graduation. And like in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, her Taylor towel, inscribed on these towels was a another.' Our times together definitely move me, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:5 passage of Scripture from 2 Corinthians. and our partnership is significant because it im-

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spring2015magazinebody.indd 20 3/5/15 10:44 AM More than her worst moment There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die … Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

here are days it seems like it slowly and with great effort, as if something was loved books and reading. He became was all a bad dream. The day stacked against it. The child kept pushing until it a Christian and began to grow in his Steve Messer’s father came budged a little, just enough for him to slip inside. faith. Eventually, he left for college homeT from his naval deployment It was there that he found her. His mother was where he met the woman of his should have been one of the happi- not breathing and he could tell something was dreams. Life was good, and yet it was est days of his life. Steve, then a bub- terribly wrong. This little boy, whose world had cast against a backdrop that was bly, rambunctious six-year-old boy, seemed so perfect just moments before, bounded so terrible that his family refused and his mother and father shared down the stairs shouting, “Emergency!” His to speak of it. And as a result, his hugs and a joyful reunion. The father rushed upstairs. Steve’s mother had taken internal struggle became too great family enjoyed a dinner together her own life. Amidst the chaos and panic, there to bear. before father and son began work was her Bible. It was lying open on the bed to the on a model. Steve’s mother seemed third chapter of Ecclesiastes. “There is a time for “I became very adept at suppress- peaceful and contented as she told everything … a time to be born and a time to die …” ing my anger,” remembers Steve, her beloved how good it was to have a longtime Professor of History at him home. And then she added a In the coming weeks, Steve’s father, overcome Taylor University. “Occasionally it comment that seemed somewhat with grief, sent him to live with his grandpar- would just bubble out. I used to be out of place: “Steve will need you ents in a quiet, small town in western Illinois. on [my high school] golf team and I now.” With that, she went upstairs His grandparents loved him and did all that was got so angry one day when I missed to rest. within their power to give him a good upbring- a short putt that I took my putter ing. Time passed, and as it did, the trauma of and basically bent it into something A short time later, Steve went up- finding his mother began to be covered by the resembling a Colts’ horseshoe – stairs to awaken her. The door moved layers of life. As Steve grew up, he discovered he which got even my attention.

spring2015magazinebody.indd 21 3/5/15 10:44 AM "All my friends had normal families with a mother and father and everything, and I just missed that. I still have that sense of loss. I think I always will. The wound that I had has become a scar. With a scar, I am reminded of the pain of the wound, but also the healing.”

spring2015magazinebody.indd 22 3/12/15 2:44 PM “And I had perfectionism. I felt I Steve found copies of old photos, had to be perfect because I had lost many of which had either passed my mother,” Steve adds. “My father from his memory or he had never was no longer raising me, and I felt known existed, as well as her old if I wasn’t perfect, I would lose my camera. No detail of his mother’s grandparents. They didn’t really life was too minute – even down to encourage that feeling, but I did her love of Whitman’s chocolates. because I felt like I had to be perfect And he was delighted to discover in order to stay there with them. I that she too had a love of reading. had days when I remember on the In Steve’s words, she became more inside going from anger to despair than simply her worst moment. because I wasn’t perfect.” But that moment is also part of her story. Steve learned she had tried The despair and anger were Steve’s to take her life two other times and unwanted companions from his struggled with depression and hal- childhood and well into his adult- lucinations – a condition for which hood, causing him to repeat a cycle she had taken medication up until of breakdown and attempts to three weeks before her death. restore himself. Eventually, Steve would seek counseling, which Today Steve says he has found a helped him with the struggles that measure of peace and closure. But began that night in his mother’s the tears are as present now as room, but there was always a before. “In some ways, part of this sense of something unfinished in process deepens your understand- his relationship with his mother. ing of what you missed,” he confess- That sense culminated on his 56th es. “The more I learned about my birthday when Steve felt a palpable mother, the more I thought she and nudge from the Lord, telling him to Betty would have gotten along really learn more of this woman whose well. But she never met Betty. death some 50 years before had so impacted his life. “The more I learned about my mother, the more I learned my love As a result, Steve and his wife Betty, of reading came from her. And yet a Professor of Modern Languages she never saw me as a student or as at Taylor, set out to visit places that a professor,” Steve adds. “There is had been dear to his mother, inter- still a sense of loss and still mo- view family members, and prayer- ments where the wound almost fully discover who his mother was feels deeper because I am being in life. The result of that quest is a open about it. But those feelings are book, Finding Mom, due to be pub- balanced by the understanding that lished by Wipf & Stock in Eugene, I really do have a mom. When that Ore., this summer. “The title focuses happened to me as a child, I won- on the fact that I found my mom,” dered if I was responsible in some Steve reflects. “I found her body, but way for it. All my friends had normal as a result of this process, I found families with a mother and father her again as my mother.” and everything, and I just missed that. I still have that sense of loss. I A vibrant portrait of a complex think I always will. The wound that woman began to emerge during the I had has become a scar. With a scar, process. For instance, he discovered I am reminded of the pain of the that she loved to take photographs. wound, but also the healing.”

spring2015magazinebody.indd 23 3/5/15 10:44 AM Peace, be still

spring2015magazinebody.indd 24 3/5/15 10:44 AM Peace, be stillby Meredith Sell '14 Every mark on the map was starting to look the same, lines blending into each other, doing less to show Rhonda (Bloss ’02) Cahill where they were and where they should go, and more to confuse and frustrate her about this whole navigation challenge in the Sahara Desert. Rhonda was exhausted. She knew she and her teammate were lost in one of the map’s mountain ranges, but she couldn’t find a route through a mountain pass and she wasn’t even sure what direction they were supposed to be headed anymore.

spring2015magazinebody.indd 25 3/5/15 10:45 AM Look up.

She folded the map, prayed, and then surveyed her surroundings. They were at the top of a narrow, windy road, looking down the side of a mountain. She had no idea how to get down.

Look at the sun.

The sun was setting. Navigation wouldn’t be possible once it passed the horizon. Desert nights really were pitch black. Rhonda knew from the map that their final checkpoint was north. Drive north, she told her teammate. Keep the sun on your left.

When they made it to camp, pulled through the lit pathway, and took their truck through the check-in, Rhonda was berating herself. She couldn’t believe she’d gotten them lost on day three.

It’s not about the race.

True, but still …

I need you to be ready.

Rhonda heeded the still small voice and shifted focus. She and her team- Her eyes don’t have to be closed for mate were competitive, but they Rhonda to remember the night- were racing for more than pride. mare. She had the same one for Their truck advertised their purpose nearly two decades, three to five in capital letters: STOP CHILD times a week, sometimes more than SEXUAL ABUSE. Their common his- once the same night, waking her in tory and, now, common passion had a cold sweat with a sick taste in her brought them to Morocco for Rallye mouth. Aïcha des Gazelles, a nine-day navigation challenge through the Sahara “I was in my home when I was – the world’s toughest women’s little,” Rhonda said. “There was a off-road competition. babysitter that came over and, all of a sudden, my [two older] brothers Rhonda headed to the food tent. In- disappeared. The babysitter would side, a woman pulled her aside. “Can take me to the bathroom and … the I talk to you?” They found a spot details of it I don’t think matter, but away from everyone else. your mind can explain.”

“I can tell,” the woman began, “that Three-and-a-half. That’s how old she you’ve genuinely healed from sexual was when it happened, but for years abuse, but I don’t know how.” she thought it was only a bad dream that wouldn’t go away. Ready?

spring2015magazinebody.indd 26 3/5/15 10:45 AM It wasn’t until her junior year at from me,” Rhonda said. Set. Go. Taylor, when she told her roommate “I’ve got to be honest, Emily (Sjostrom ’02) Starzynski Rhonda,” she remem- “Forgiveness,” Rhonda about the nightmare, that she was bers him saying, “I’ve told the woman in the challenged to consider maybe this lived in torment won- black Saharan night. dream was a memory. “It was the dering what happened first time I didn’t want to fight it,” to my baby sister that “Forgiveness?” the Rhonda said. night.” woman questioned, incredulous. To learn the truth, she had to tell The nightmare held her parents about the dream. She the truth: the worst- “Is there something went home for Christmas break case scenario, outside you want to tell me?” planning to do so. of death, had actually Rhonda asked, gently. happened. In the back of her mother’s custom “No,” the woman sput- “I can tell,” framing art gallery, fitting a frame Since the day she tered, but moments the woman together, Rhonda told her mother brought it up to her later, she told Rhonda the dream. family, the dream of the abuse she’d suf- began, “that hasn’t revisited fered repeatedly at the you’ve “You remember that?” her mother Rhonda, but accepting hands of her grand- said, shocked. the truth was only the father and how her genuinely beginning. The path to family had ordered her healed from Had Rhonda been holding glass, it healing required hu- to keep quiet and not sexual abuse, likely would have shattered. That mility and the willing- shame them, even as he was real? she wondered, as her moth- ness to let bitterness go. continued abusing her. but I don’t er went on, saying she and Rhonda’s know how.” father had never known what hap- Almost two years “It’s been years of anger pened. The kids were acting weird after that first step, that I’ve been able to when they came home and saying after marrying Scott stay safe – not forgive- things that didn’t make sense, so Cahill ’00, graduating, ness,” the woman said. they didn’t use that babysitter again and having their first and left it at that. Four weeks later, child, Rhonda began Pre-forgiveness, Rhonda they learned the girl’s father had going to counseling an had to control her envi- gone to jail for abusing her and her hour each week. Every ronment. She was angry, sisters. week, her counselor always on edge. When helped her talk things people got to know her, Rhonda’s father was a former ex- through, showed her in they walked away. It plosives expert in the Army who’d Scripture the neces- was the same for this spent years in law enforcement. sity of forgiveness, and woman. He’d raised his kids to protect them- encouraged Rhonda to selves, telling them repeatedly, “I not only forgive those “Do you have repeti- love Jesus, but if anyone ever hurts who’d hurt her – they tive nightmares about you, I’ll kill them.” When Rhonda made an entire list – the situation?” Rhonda told him about the dream in the van but also to bless them. asked, her second-to-last on the way to the Christmas tree question. farm, he didn’t respond, just drove “I need to forgive you silently, parked the car, and said, so that I can be set “I don’t sleep.” “Ready to get a tree?” free,” Rhonda said, and though she hasn’t “Tell me,” Rhonda said, Rhonda didn’t push the issue. seen the babysitter in “what has anger pro- When she brought it up to her older person since she was a tected you from?” brother of four years, Aaron ’03, he toddler, she finds her- remembered the night. “The baby- self praying for her. Peace, be still. sitter had actually locked him and my other brother in a bedroom away

spring2015magazinebody.indd 27 3/5/15 10:45 AM Vista

Frozen – "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat,summer and winter, day and night will never cease." Genesis 8:22

spring2015magazinebody.indd 28 3/5/15 10:45 AM 29

spring2015magazinebody.indd 29 3/5/15 10:45 AM keeping connected with TAYLOR friends alumni notes the president for Nebraska Ministers many other beloved family members SUBMITTING ALUMNI NOTES IS SIMPLE… Council and was past president of the and friends. Nebraska Baptist Convention. He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon, as 1965 well as his daughter, Cheryl Ryan, and Richard Newton died on August Visit taylor.edu/alumninotes to submit your alumni numerous caring nieces, nephews, 3, 2014. Richard made a trip to the notes update and photos. Please remember to upload great-nieces and great-nephews. Philippines several months before only photos including alumni and of at least a his passing, a trip that characterized minimum resolution of 150 dpi or 4” x 6” dimension. 1960 his adventurous and exciting spirit. Notes can also be submitted by email at magazine@ Curtis Carter serves as senior His love for Taylor University, writing, taylor.edu, by phone at (800) 882-3456 or by mail. professor of aesthetics in the and photography will be remembered philosophy department of Marquette by his family and friends. University and the Les Aspin Center for Government in Washington D.C., 1968 1948 where he developed a program for 02 Dick Petersen, Gary Harmon, Glenn McCroskery, and Nelson Cal Fleser went home to be with his He is survived by his wife of 65 years, congressional interns on the arts Betty (Coats) Fleser Rediger ’67 played golf at the TPC Lord on December 4, 2014 at his home , along with other and public policy. He has traveled Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., last June. in Lithia, Fla. A United States Navy loved ones. numerous times to China to give aviation veteran of World War II, Cal lectures. He has also had his writing earned the American Campaign Medal 1950 published in China. 1969 Tony Garton for his service. He was a graduate of 01 Barney Sikma passed away at the has been recognized Taylor University, the University of Illinois Veterans Home on October 1963 as the 2015 Wells County (Indiana) Michigan, and University of New 10th, 2014. Barney was a veteran of As Dr. Alan Jon Atha wished, he died Citizen of the Year. In addition to Hampshire. A lifelong educator, the U.S. Marine Corps during World at home on May 7, 2013, surrounded a 33-year career as an educator in Cal taught chemistry at Shelby, War II, serving in Iwo Jima and by the love of family friends and the Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan Hudsonville, and Zeeland High Guadalcanal, and a retired librarian at his canine buddies, Midnight and School District, Tony served as Schools, and retired after 20 years at the Garden City Public School system Daylight. In his final hours, friends and chairman of the administrative Grand Rapids Junior College, where in Garden City, N.Y. He is survived by relatives gathered around and others council at Epworth United he also served as assistant basketball two nieces, two nephews, and several called to tell him stories that had to do Methodist Church and held board coach. Cal enjoyed golf, ice fishing, great-nieces and great-nephews. with the impact, caring, and influence memberships for several Wells trout fishing the Little Manistee River, he had on their lives. As a psychologist, County organizations: the YMCA, travel, Cubs baseball, and UM sports. 1952 his quest was to facilitate and support the Alcoholic Beverage Board, the the changes in life for which people Leadership Academy, and the Purdue He spent several years as a volunteer Donald Brooks went to be with his hoped. For so many, he was truly a Extension. He also served as president for Wycliffe Bible Translators and Lord and Savior on November 30, “change agent” who unlocked the of Heartland REMC’s Operation served for 20 years as a volunteer for 2014. An American Baptist minister, doors to meaning, purpose, hope, and Round-Up and was an officer for Hospice of Holland, Mich. Cal and Don pastored churches in Nebraska unconditional love. Dr. Atha is survived Wells County Democrats. In addition Betty attended Central Wesleyan and Ohio. He also served twice as Church of Holland for many years. by his wife, Gail Ofte-Atha ’64, and

AlumniNotes_Spring_2015.indd 30 3/5/15 10:47 AM 01 02 ALUMNI NOTES

to all of those volunteer positions, Tony headed the local Christmas charity, “Buckets for Santa,” and enjoyed a long career as a sports official. 1972 03 Barbara “Bobbie” (Gardner) Wolgemuth stepped into heaven on October 28, 2014. Bobbie embodied 03 the joy of introducing others to God’s amazing grace and bestowing the legacy of deep love to her children and grandchildren. Those family members missing her and expectantly waiting to see her again include her husband 04 04 Robert Wolgemuth ’69, daughters and sons-in-law, Melissa (Wolgemuth ’93) and Jon Schrader ’93, Julie (Wolgemuth) and Christopher Tassy, along with her five beloved grandchildren. 1973 David Karl died August 17, 2014. After a successful business career, David retired in Hawaii and became an accomplished stained glass artist specializing in volcanic eruptions. 1993 04 Charity (Singleton) Craig, 05 06 along with current Taylor parent Ann Kroeker, recently published a new book, On Being a Writer, with T.S. Poetry Press. The book marks an important career shift as Craig recently became a full-time freelance writer and editor, and Kroeker recently expanded her work as a writing coach. Both authors live and work in central Indiana. 2000 05 Jeremy ’00 and Lynn ’01 Smith welcomed their fourth daughter, Lillian Rose, into the family on July 17, 2014. She joins big sisters Abigail, Olivia, and Caraline.

06 Vicki Clifton recently had her first book published by Westbow Press, a division of Zondervon. The Second Door is the first in a mystery novel series. The e-book and paperback are available through Westbow, Amazon and Barnes & Noble under the name Victoria Rachel Clifton.

AlumniNotes_Spring_2015.indd 31 3/5/15 10:47 AM 07 08 09

1213 14 15

18 1316 17

AlumniNotes_Spring_2015.indd 32 3/12/15 2:43 PM ALUMNI NOTES

Homecoming 2015 Mark your calendar for Homecoming 2015, October 23-24. Return to campus and reconnect with the Taylor community through campus events, reunion gatherings, and visiting with fellow Taylor classmates.

for more information visit taylor.edu/homecoming

2001 their first child, Abigail Grace, on July of ministry in Ypsilanti, Mich. Louis, Mo., where Natalie works as 31, 2014. The Hefners recently moved Cultivate Coffee & TapHouse is set a reading specialist and Tom is an 07 Amy (Simon) Hanna was honored to San Antonio, Texas, where Jed is to open summer 2015 and will create OBGYN resident. with the Wisconsin’s Crystal Apple an IT Consultant for a federal defense connections in the community going Award for excellence in teaching. Of contractor and Melanie loves caring much deeper than coffee and beer. As Ben and Kerrie (Schene) Taylor the 225 teacher nominations, 24 were for Abigail as a stay-at-home mom. a non-profit organization, Cultivate’s welcomed their daughter, Vivian Jane, interviewed by a committee from proceeds will help to provide into the world on February 18, 2014. The which four winners of the award were 10 Martina (Graber) Cully and her sustainable solutions for hunger family resides in Mechanicsburg, Pa. named. Amy teaches middle school husband Clark praise God for the safe relief through gardening and clean art, reading, math, and geography in arrival of their daughter, Reeva Faye, water programs. Check out their 2008 the small dairy farming community of born June 18, 2014. Martina and Clark Facebook page to discover more! 17 Dr. Chris Hannah (Baur ’09) Granton, Wis. and remain in the Washington, D.C. ,area. Jetter welcomed their third son, 2006 Lincoln Brady, on December 2, 2014, 08 Karin (Staffin) Sancho and her 11 Becky (George) Beasley and joining big brothers Paxson and Boden. husband Cesar welcomed their fourth 14 Seth and Becca (Miller) Pietrini her husband Kemper are the proud child on December 6, 2014. Tiago welcomed their daughter, Hannah parents of Kemper “Kemp” Morton Benjamin joins his siblings Graciella, Rose, in September 2012 and their 2010 Beasley, IV, born July 3, 2014. The Matias, and Elisa. son, Evan James, in June 2014. The 18 Caitlin Knowlton married family lives in Buckingham, Va. couple currently resides in Lisle, Ill. Samuel Shepard on July 27, 2014, in 2004 Columbus, Ohio. Other Taylor alumni 2005 15 Justin and Jen (Ostendorf) in attendance included Julie Johnson, 09 Leslie Ames married Jesse 12 Pam (McClaine) Wallace and her Noelle celebrated the birth of their Maija (Lundgren) Noll, Jennifer Dickinson on January 4, 2014, in husband Glenn joyfully welcomed daughter Madelynn Elizabeth on July (Richards) Zigler, and Emily (Fisher) Boulder, Colo. Other Taylor graduates in their son, Benjamin Lucas, on August 21, 2014. Maddy joins brother Max (3). Harper. Samuel and Caitlin are both attendance include Katie Ames Altorfer The family lives in Fishers, Ind. ’07, Greg Smith, Stacie (Frey ’06) Smith, 15, 2014. Big brothers Glennie, Jonnie, scientists and live in Atlanta, Ga. Will, Josh, and PJ are thrilled and Pam Mark Voss ’03, and Amanda (Zulauf ’03) is enjoying her houseful of boys. Voss. Leslie and Jesse met in graduate 2007 school at Denver Seminary. 16 Tom and Natalie (Uetrecht) 13 Bekah (Vargaz) Wallace and Ganz joyfully welcomed their son, husband Ryan Wallace are part Melanie (Brumbaugh) Hefner and her Benjamin Hudson, on September of a team launching a new type husband Jed celebrated the birth of 17, 2014. The Ganz family lives in St.

AlumniNotes_Spring_2015.indd 33 3/12/15 2:43 PM 18 19 20

21 22

18 Paul Williams married Katie Gethsemane Episcopal Church in of their first child, Phineas Jude, on Hannah Duncan, Rachel (Bartow ’14) Sheraw on October 27, 2013, in Marion, Ind. The couple joyfully November 3, 2014. Freeman, as well as Taylor student, Pittsburgh, Pa. celebrated with many Taylor Kara Klausing ’15. Taylor and Jenna graduates from near and far. Taylor 2013 now reside in Upland, In., where 2011 alumni in the bridal party included 22 Jenna Fahlen and Taylor Borst ’15 Jenna is a graphic designer for Taylor 19 Chesternique “Chess” (Rolle) Emily Paladin, Kevin Diller ’93, Brian were married in Montague, Mich., University’s Marketing Department, Bullard recieved the Marlin Award, Shivers ’90, Amy Wilson, Heather along Lake Michigan on June 21, 2014. and Taylor is preparing for graduation a Caribbean gospel music award for Tyner, Drew Moser ’02, as well as their It was such a wonderful celebration in May with a degree in Exercise her hit single, “Thank You”, which parents Brian Westrate ’83, Diana full of support from family, friends, Science. was named Contemporary Vocal (Jordan ‘83) Westrate, Dennis Austin and many Taylor friends and alumni. Performance of the Year. On August ’63, and Lois (Jackson ’63) Austin. The Taylor alumni serving as groomsmen 2014 31, Chesternique and her husband, couple resides in Upland, Ind., where included Bryce Marsee ’14, Nick Lyndsey (Gammage) Koh began her Ketlinado, became proud parents of they both work at Taylor University. Freeman, and Luke Currens ’14, as new position at Taylor University as a their first-born baby boy, Ketlinado well as current Taylor students, Tyler History and Political Science Program Chester Hilton, Jr. 2012 Mills ’16, Dustin Wanner ’16, Logan Assistant. 21 Molly Gibson married Andrew Borst ’18, Tucker Fahlen ’15 and Blake Christopher Jacobs was promoted to Schiller on June 23, 2013. The couple now Wheeler ‘16. Taylor alumni serving Cecelia Walden began her first year Controller at the United Methodist lives in Peoria, Ill. as bridesmaids included Carly (Keith of teaching at The Esther School, a Foundation of Indiana in September. ’12) Aagaard, Stephanie (Kenney Christian nonprofit school in Zambia, Amanda (Hatland) Howell and her ’12) Bush, Cara (Andjelich) Johnson, Africa. She teaches a preschool class 20 Kate Westrate married Steve husband Joshua celebrated the birth Christiana (Dithrich ’14) Poulson, of 25 orphaned and underesourced Austin ’95 on October 11, 2014, at children. 34

AlumniNotes_Spring_2015.indd 34 3/5/15 10:47 AM ALUMNI NOTES

TAYLOR UNIVERSITY October 3-5, 2015

heritage weekend

april 24-25, 2015

Celebrating the mission of Taylor University with alumni and friends

AlumniNotes_Spring_2015.indd 35 3/5/15 10:47 AM New scholarship carries on Jim Wheeler’s legacy By Lindsay Robinson ’16

The Jim Wheeler Memorial Fund eventually overtook his body, his Endowed Scholarship, created in commitment to the Lord and desire to memory of Jim Wheeler ’79 (July 23, show Christ’s love served as a witness 1956—September 19, 1979), will provide to many. His bravery and contagious financial assistance to Taylor students personality had a profound influence on who are residents of Samuel Morris all who knew him. Hall’s third floor, also known as the Brotherhood. It is the first scholarship This scholarship was established to at Taylor designated for students of a commemorate Wheeler’s life and specific residence hall. inspire others to follow his example of living a life dedicated to reflecting The award is being presented by Christ’s love. Wheeler’s parents, John and Jody. The fund must reach the goal of $30,000 Jim Wheeler was diagnosed with cancer before the first scholarship can be a few weeks before he graduated from awarded. Taylor in 1979. Although the cancer

Save the date: June 8-9, 2015 faith, philanthropy &change

A conference for nonprofits, ministries, and social entrepreneurs hosted by Taylor University.

AlumniNotes_Spring_2015.indd 36 3/5/15 10:47 AM ALUMNI NOTES

welcome home: Emmaus ministries

From left: Ellen Aldridge ’14, Katelin Jones ’11, Peter Garringer ’14, and Libby Trudeau ’12 are the latest Taylor alumni to serve at Emmaus Ministries in Chicago. For nearly 25 years, Emmaus has ministered the redemptive love of Christ to men who have turned to survival prostitution. Emmaus staff members participate in nightly street ministry to meet the men and invite them to the Emmaus ministry center where they can get a hot meal, shower or do laundry, or simply find a listening ear. Emmaus also connects these men with programs that aid in education and job training aimed at helping them break the cycle of prostitution.

The poignant mural of Jesus welcoming the lost son was painted by Taylor University art students several years ago.

AlumniNotes_Spring_2015.indd 37 3/5/15 10:47 AM dr. william E. “bill” pannell fuller SHARE taylor theological seminary with a young person in your life

REQUEST An INFORMATIONAL PACKET TO PASS ON

visit taylor.edu/sharetu

AlumniNotes_Spring_2015.indd 38 3/5/15 10:47 AM ALUMNI NOTES

Dr. William E. “Bill” Pannell, a respected civil rights leader, pioneer in the African- Pannell FWBC ’51 was American evangelical church, honored in January longtime Fuller faculty member, by Fuller Theological and former Taylor Board of Seminary when it renamed Trustees member, was a key its African-American voice in racial reconciliation church studies center said speaker and author Dr. James Earl Massey. “Before for Pannell. The William anyone else was writing on race E. Pannell Center for and the church, Bill Pannell African-American Church was pioneering the very work Studies has been in that needed to be done on the existence for 40 years streets of the city,” said Massey. and includes in its mission Pannell lives in Altadena, Calif., the goal of helping all with his wife Hazel. In 2007, dr. william E. students reflect deeply he was awarded a Doctor of “bill” pannell fuller on the cultural and Humanities honoris causa by intellectual impact of the Taylor University. theological seminary African-American church. Chris holtmann bulldog tough Chris Holtmann ’94 admits he had a in this program for years. I have great “You have to be wired a certain sense of amazement the first time he took appreciation and respect for what has done way, or in a lot of cases, have the floor of historic Hinkle Fieldhouse in here,” Holtmann said. “We are stewards a loose wire (to be a coach),” Indianapolis, Ind., as head coach of the of a great program, and part of a great Holtmann said with a smile. “I really do believe it’s a Butler Bulldogs. In the past 25 years, the university.” profession where people Bulldogs have made a habit of knocking of faith are called to serve. higher-ranked opponents from the NCAA Holtmann was named Butler’s head Most of us look at it as a tournament and have twice played for coach, January 2. During his Taylor years, calling … I always loved the national championship. And Hinkle he was a starting guard for the Trojans Coach (Paul) Patterson’s line, ‘God speaks to us Fieldhouse itself was home for many years and later served as Hall of Fame Coach in those things we care to Indiana’s storied high school basketball Paul Patterson’s assistant. In addition to about most.’ That has finals, including the legendary 1954 Taylor, his coaching career has included certainly been the case championship game in which Milan upset stops at Ohio where he was an assistant for me in my life.” highly-favored Muncie Central – a game to fellow Taylor alumnus John Groce ’94, that inspired the motion picture Hoosiers. and Gardner-Webb (Boiling Springs, NC), Holtmann lives in Indianapolis with where Holtmann led the team to the NCAA his wife Lori, also a former Taylor “I have followed the Butler program tournament and was named a District employee, and daughter Nora for years and been close to the people Coach of the Year. Jane.

AlumniNotes_Spring_2015.indd 39 3/5/15 10:47 AM Reflections

forgiveness is a choice

forgiveness is a choice Dr. Eugene B. Habecker ’68

Louis Zamperini was a true American hero. A former Olympic runner, challenge us for years to come. How “I’ll forgive you but I’ll never forget it,” must ask himself Zamperini joined the military at the start of WWII and served in the can we truly forgive? Ultimately, true or herself if forgiveness has truly been granted. We Pacific Theatre with the United States Army Air Corps. After his plane forgiveness is a gift from the Holy Spirit. may have to work hard at getting release from hard crashed at sea, Zamperini and survivors of the crash survived for But there are also some practical tips memories. Sometimes this will require the help of a nearly seven weeks on a raft before being picked up by the Japanese. to aid us in our journey of obedience to counselor or trusted friend. It always requires prayer. As a POW, Zamperini endured horrific treatment at the hands of one God’s call. particular Japanese guard named Mutsuhiro Watanabe. Also known as An important distinction is this: forgiveness and “The Bird,” Watanabe took a special, sadistic interest in Zamperini for First, we should not continue to bring up consequences are not mutually exclusive. When a nail nearly two years until the end of the war. the offense. When we forgive someone, is wrenched from a piece of wood, it leaves a noticeable what can be accomplished by our scar. The story of David and Bathsheba illustrates this After years of post-war depression and struggles, Zamperini became continual dredging up of an offense? point. Though he was forgiven by God, the negative a Christian. As a result of God’s overwhelming forgiveness, Zamperini Scripture reminds us that when God consequences impacted King David and his family for returned to Japan to seek out his former captors so he could extend forgives us, he obliterates the record of the rest of his life. And yet, David was forgiven by God that grace and forgiveness to them. His story is chronicled in the the offense. And while there are times and praised for serving God with all of his heart. excellent book Unbroken, written by Laura Hillenbrand, which more that we must protect ourselves from recently has been made into a motion picture. Louis Zamperini being sinned against repeatedly and/or As imperfect humans, our best efforts are often flawed. understood something that I pray all of us might also grasp: part of our destructively by an unrepentant family So it is when we forgive. But as we earnestly seek God’s Lord’s redemptive plan for this broken, fallen world is actualized when member, friend or associate, actual grace and power, God himself has promised to continue we forgive those who have injured us. forgiveness and reconciliation is made that redemptive process of perfecting us. I pray that all harder when we continue to remind this of us might be challenged and encouraged to apply God’s Forgiveness, in the dictionary sense, is “giving up of resentment,” person of their sin. Word and these thoughts in our own lives. and “granting pardon for or remission of an offense.” In other words, God’s forgiveness of us is something that we do not deserve, and yet Second, don’t tell others about it. If the he gives it to us anyway. In Luke 16, Jesus explains forgiveness to his offense has been done in a non-public disciples this way: “If you see your friend going wrong, correct him. If way, there usually is no need to tell others he responds, forgive him. Even if it’s personal against you, and repeated (unless, of course, it is to protect them). seven times throughout the day, and seven times he says, ‘I’m sorry, I Gossip, the retelling of the story over and won’t do it again,’ forgive him.” over, only delays if not derails restoration.

Jesus’ teaching is this: forgiveness is not an option to consider, but Finally, don’t dwell on it – let it go and Dr. Eugene B. Habecker ’68 rather a mandate and calling. Yet the act of forgiving those who have move on. This applies both to the offender serves as President of Taylor hurt us can be so difficult and often is an ongoing process that can and the offended. The person who says, University.

AlumniNotes_Spring_2015.indd 40 3/5/15 10:47 AM As parents of a Taylor alumnus, we want others to experience the breadth of God’s creational palette by providing a scholarship to enable West Coast Asian-Americans to be a part of Taylor’s intentional community. We have enabled this value of ours for the generations to come and provided a lifetime stream of income for the rest of our lives with a Charitable Remainder Trust. Morgan & Pattie Lew, El Sobrante, California

Charitable Remainder Trust A Charitable Remainder Trust provides individuals with income (either for a period of years or for life), allows them to avoid capital gains tax on appreciated assets, and gives them an income tax de- duction. And best of all, it provides a way to benefit future generations at Taylor.

To discuss the advantages of using a Charitable Remainder Trust, contact Mike Falder ’94, Executive Director of Development, at 765.998.5538 or email [email protected]. Read more online at www.taylor.edu/giftplans.

Taylor University does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice. We urge you to seek the advice of your own legal, tax, or financial professionals.

spring2015cover.indd 5 3/5/15 10:49 AM National Champions! Members of Taylor’s Ethics Bowl team pose with the National Championship trophy, won after they defeated Duke, Indiana, Villanova and Whittier in Santa Clara, California.

Learn more at www.taylor.edu/ethics.

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