Spring 2018 Focus Magazine
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F R I E N D S U N I V E R S I T Y | SPRING 2018 City of Wichita officials U.S. Senator Jerry Moran NEW CYBER LAB ATTRACTS ATTENTION In addition to gaining a new name in February, the INTRUST Bank Cyber Laboratory at Friends University has been attracting many visitors. One of only three of its kind located at a university in the United States, the lab has attracted visitors such as U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and U.S. Representative Ron Estes. Local government officials visiting the lab included Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell, Wichita U.S. Representative City Manager Robert Layton and Sedgwick County Commissioners Ron Estes David Dennis, Dave Unruh and Michael O’Donnell II, ‘08. Many local businesses have also visited. The lab also served as the location for the signing of a partnership agreement between Butler Community College and Friends University that allows Butler students to seamlessly transfer into the cyber security program at Friends. Cyber Lab Dedication Rotary Club of Wichita Butler Community College/ Friends partnership Sedgwick County officials FUSOC CONTENTS VOL. 40 | NO. 2 President Dr. Amy Bragg Carey Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications Deb Stockman Associate Vice President of University Advancement David Alexander Director of Alumni Relations Michael Walz Director of Marketing and Communications Gisele McMinimy FOCUS ON … Friends University Board of Trustees MAKING AN IMPACT Michael Bankston Few of us have an opportunity in our Craig Bay 6 Bob Casper lifetime to see the full impact of our legacy Dave Depew Focus on… and our life’s work. We may not fully realize Kim Dugger Attwater how what we do shapes and affects our Lynn Ghormley Making an Impact families, friends, colleagues, communities Brad Haddock and future generations. Leatha Hein 4 Willard Chair Kevin Henderson established to Dr. Dallas Willard was one of those Dr. Kevin Hoppock individuals whose legacy and work in Dr. Jace Hyder carry on spiritual Christian spiritual formation will have a long- Dr. Denis Knight formation legacy Dr. John Lewis lasting impact far beyond his lifetime. Thanks Kelly Linnens to recent gifts that have provided a permanent Dr. James Bryan Paul Moore 6 endowment, Friends University has established Jana Mullen Smith to serve as the Dallas Willard Chair for Christian Spiritual Jim Nagy first Willard Chair Renae Ryan Formation. Dallas’ friend and our long-time Jeff Ramsey faculty member, Dr. James Bryan Smith, Alumni make Dr. David Williams 8 will be the first to hold the chair and ensure Focus magazine is published two times an impact in that Friends University can continue Dallas’ per year by University Advancement/ others’ lives Marketing and Communications, 2100 important work in helping future generations W. University Ave, Wichita, KS 67213. It is of students become more like Christ. Service projects published for the alumni and friends of 10 This issue also shares other examples Friends University. benefit community Friends University does not discriminate on the of alumni, students, faculty and staff basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, who are making a difference in the lives disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to of those around them. Helping others in handle inquiries regarding this policy: EEOC/ ON THE COVER our communities is in our DNA here at Title IX Coordinator, Friends University, 2100 W. University Ave., Wichita, KS 67213, (316) 295-5000. Dr. James Bryan Smith, associate Friends. We believe God designed us to be Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission professor of religion, holds a in relationship with Him and those around and a member of the North Central Association, 230 S. La Salle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL photo of his mentor, Dr. Dallas us and to shine our light in a world that can 60604; www.ncahlc.org; 1-800-621-7440. Willard. As the first person to seem very dark. We know this is the work friends.edu hold the new Dallas Willard God wants us to do, and it will make an [email protected] Chair in Christian Spiritual impact in the Kingdom. Formation, Dr. Smith will ensure Dr. Willard’s legacy and work in Christian Spiritual Formation will continue for future generations. Dr. Amy Bragg Carey PHOTO BY STEVE RASMUSSEN President, Friends University FOCUS SPRING 2018 | 3 FOCUS ON ... MAKING AN IMPACT The fact that Friends University is home to the Dallas Willard Chair in Christian Spiritual Formation is fitting, as the University and its faculty have been deeply entwined in sharing and nurturing the faith and practices of Christians – apprentices – seeking to fully engage in the Kingdom of God. As a fully endowed chair – the first at Friends — the position and its funding are permanent, emphasizing the University’s commitment to the program and to providing uniquely better opportunities for students on campus and from around the globe. Its creation recognizes the critical role Willard’s work played in the development of the Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation at Friends, said Dr. James Bryan Smith, associate professor of religion and executive director of the institute. Dr. Smith, a best-selling author and Dr. Dallas Willard speaker, is the first person to hold the chair. Donors gave more than $2 million for the endowment, which will not only fund the position but free resources for additional faculty and for the work of the Apprentice Institute. “As a national leader in the promotion, education and study in Christian Spiritual Formation, something that is in the DNA of Friends University, we are so excited to have the honor and prestige of an endowed chair in the name of Dallas CONTINUING Willard. This will enhance the academic excellence at the University by attracting and retaining high-caliber faculty A FORMATION members such as Dr. James Bryan Smith,” said Friends President Dr. Amy Bragg Carey. “The work of the chair will advance LEGACY the study of Christian Spiritual Formation to benefit not just our students but the Friends University establishes formation movement that is building Dallas Willard Chair in Christian across the country and world. “I’m so grateful to our generous Spiritual Formation donors who have the vision to make BY BRIAN WHEPLEY the Dallas Willard Chair a reality at Friends University. I know God is going to multiply the work of the Apprentice Institute in ways that will be a blessing in 4 | FRIENDS UNIVERSITY MAKING AN IMPACT God’s good and beautiful Kingdom,” Dr. Carey said. “The chair is huge in terms of allowing us to step outside and do more things than we’ve been able to do. Plus, we were given another gift as well that will allow us to take on some new initiatives,” said Dr. Smith, adding that planning for what the expanded resources will allow is underway. College of Business, Arts, Sciences Christian Spiritual Formation students and Education students can earn a and Dr. Jim Smith end a class in prayer. secondary major or a certificate in Christian Spiritual Formation and a master’s degree is offered through the Graduate School. Going hand in hand with those offerings is the Apprentice Institute. Thanks to generous donors, the Institute began in 2009 based on the idea of becoming an apprentice to Jesus, learning knowledge and skills from masters, and engaging in an her family was grateful for the donors Understanding How God Changes interactive faith and life with Jesus and and donations creating the chair and for Lives” and “The Divine Conspiracy: the Kingdom of God. its recognition of the importance and Rediscovering our Hidden Life in The Institute offers an adult vision of the work of her husband, who God.” For 25 years, he taught at Fuller certificate program called the died in 2013. “May the Lord continue to Theological Seminary as well. Apprentice Experience, where cohorts prosper the work at Friends of equipping “Where his teaching really took hold of about 25 students go through an and encouraging your students to live in the church is that he was saying 18-month program. They come to good and beautiful lives that will change there’s more to life with God than what Wichita for four weeklong sessions the world around them for the better,” you’re hearing in that one hour on during the year and a half, hearing she said. Sunday morning. He would repeatedly from speakers, worshipping, engaging Becky Willard Heatley, Willard’s say he was not teaching anything new, in small groups, and building bonds daughter, serves on the advisory board but he was bringing out things – the of faith and fellowship among their for the Apprentice Institute and is going spiritual disciplines – that the church classmates. More than 75 percent of the through the Apprentice Experience had forgotten,” Heatley said. “People read students are from outside Kansas. One herself. To her, it is perfect, allowing her their Bible differently because they have of their sessions includes the Gathering, to do advanced study and continue her a new understanding of how to approach an annual conference in fall that draws professional work editing and overseeing it. I think that’s his biggest legacy. That’s more than 500 people from near and the publication of works by her father. what the spiritual formation movement far to hear speakers — Dallas Willard “I am able to see how what we offer is about, this broader concept of life here and John Ortberg among them — on can help people grow closer to Christ. It’s in the Kingdom on Earth now. discipleship and spiritual formation. just really wonderful to see and be part “The chair makes perfect sense Dr.