52566_BC,FC,ISFC,1_u4 8/14/07 10:35 AM Page 3 A U T U M N 2 0 0 7 WHEATON Taking aStand Why Is Student Activism on the Rise? Inside: AIDS Physician Honored • A Military Chaplain’s Role • Ruth Graham Remembered 52566_BC,FC,ISFC,1_u4 8/14/07 10:35 AM Page 4 Wheaton College exists to help build the church and improve society worldwide by promoting the development of whole and effective Christians through excellence in programs of Christian higher education. This mission expresses our commitment to do all things “For Christ and His Kingdom.” VOLUME 10 ISSUE 4 6 26 AUTUMN 2007 ALUMNI NEWS DEPARTMENTS 30 A Word with Alumni 3 Letters From the President of the Alumni Association 4 News 30 Wheaton Alumni Association News 56 Authors Association news and events Books by Wheaton’s faculty; thoughts from a 36 Alumni Class News published alumnus 60 Faculty Voice Dr. Christine J. Gardner on the rhetoric of AIDS Cover photo: Meet Ben Lowe ’07, the director of 61 Student Profile outreach for the Christian conservation organization One student’s determination in the face of A Rocha USA, and learn how he and other students at difficulty Wheaton have taken social activism on campus to a new level in recent years. (See story, pages 14-19.) 62 Wheaton in the World Photo by Carlos Vergara ’82. Dr. Timothy Larsen ’89, M.A. ’90 returns from England with fresh insights. Inside photos: Michael Hudson ’89, pages 9; 12; reunion classes 36-40, 42, 43, 45-47, 50; 59-61; 63. 64 President’s Commentary 501 College Avenue Wheaton, Illinois 60187 52566_BC,FC,ISFC,1_u4 8/14/07 10:35 AM Page 5 WHEATONcontents 62 F E A T U R E S A Familiar Face A Crisis for Faith 12 Visitors respond to the Billy Graham 24 Dr. Arthur Ammann ’58 receives the Center Museum’s latest exhibit, “Face to 2007 Alumnus of the Year Award for Face: Warner Sallman’s Images of Christ.” Distinguished Service to Society for his by Sarah Pierik Clark work in the field of HIV/AIDS, clinical research, and education. by Jessica L. Allen Taking a Stand 14 Find out what’s driving the recent rise in student activism and social engagement on A Life Worthy of the Calling campus and read about the scale and 26 Alumni, friends, and faculty reflect on the substance of recent student-initiated events. life and influence of Ruth Bell Graham ’43, by Katherine Halberstadt Anderson ’90 LH.D. ’75, wife of evangelist Dr. Billy Graham ’43, LITT.D. by Autumn Ellis Ross Who Will Shepherd the Soldiers? 20 Alumni chaplains describe the spiritual battles our soldiers face, and highlight the current need for qualified chaplains willing to serve on the front lines and at home. by Jeremy Weber ’05 02-11 front autumn 07rev 8/6/07 12:47 AM Page 2 letter Editor from Georgia I. Douglass ’70, M.A. ’94 the Managing Editor Jessica L. Allen editor Editorial Consultant Katherine Halberstadt Anderson ’90 Design Consultants Alice Isoz Chrismer ’70 Before I tell you a story, I want to ask a question: Did you attend Wheaton Ellen Mardock because of the influence of a Wheaton grad? Perhaps a family friend, a teacher, a Chrismer Mardock Communication Design choir director, a community leader, a pastor, a parent? Class News Editor Or, as in the case of my husband, did you come to Wheaton because of the Donna Antoniuk life and ministry of Billy and Ruth Bell Graham? Editorial Adviser Dr. R. Mark Dillon Wheaton Alumni Association he street narrowed so that even the little Austin [driven by Dr. L. Nelson Bell] had President “ difficulty getting around the corners,” wrote P. Kenneth Gieser ’30 on October 25, Matthew C. Hsieh ’93 1934, in his letter* to family and friends in America. “All manner of . hubbub President-elect t Timothy A. Stoner ’82 seemed out to meet us: wheelbarrows with hogs tied on them, rickshas, Executive Director men carrying huge loads on poles, scantily clad children scampering here and Cindra Stackhouse Taetzsch ’82 there, dogs barking, pigs squealing, donkeys loaded down with bags of rice. Professor Emeritus We were at Tsingkianpu [China] at last. Praise the Lord!” Leroy H. Pfund ’49 As Ken Gieser and his wife of only a year, Catharine (Kay) Kirk Gieser ’30, Alumni Trustee Representatives Matthew C. Hsieh ’93 drove into the mission compound, their two-month, 9,000-mile journey ended Timothy A. Stoner ’82 with an old gateman’s festive, firecracker welcome. Only six months before, their Robert D. Dye ’73 destination was Africa. But a cable from Dr. Bell to the Southern Presbyterian Wheaton College President Georgia I. Douglass office in Nashville changed those plans—this hospital in China needed a young Dr. Duane Litfin ‘70, M.A. ’94 intern with a strong desire to spread the gospel. Editor Provost The couple soon settled into the home of Nelson and Virginia Bell and their Dr. Stanton L. Jones children, Rosa, Ruth, Virginia, and Clayton, where they would live until they could, Senior Vice President Dr. David E. Johnston ’65 according to Kay, sufficiently cultivate their “Chinese tongues, ears, and mannerisms.” Vice President for Advancement But Dr. Gieser had more to learn than merely that which was Chinese. His few and Alumni Relations Dr. R. Mark Dillon years in Northwestern’s medical school had given him little practical experience. Vice President for Student He had delivered only 14 babies in the States but now was placed in charge of Development the obstetrics department. Yet within eight months, the young Dr. Gieser had Dr. Samuel Shellhamer proven himself so capable that, when Dr. Bell left on furlough, he assumed the Executive Assistant to the President administrative duties at this hospital with a staff of six doctors serving more than Marilee A. Melvin ’72 100,000 patients a year. Wheaton is published autumn, winter, These two Wheaton alumni—Ken, with his work in the hospital, and Kay, with spring, and special (catalog) by her work in evangelism—proved their mettle. As a result of knowing the Giesers, Wheaton College, 501 College Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187-5593, 630/752- the Bells determined that they wanted their daughters, Rosa and Ruth, to also 5779, and mailed free of charge to alumni and friends of Wheaton attend Wheaton College. College. Periodicals postage paid at Wheaton, IL (USPS 016326). For health reasons, the Giesers left China in 1940, making their home in Postmaster: Please send address Wheaton, where Dr. Gieser became a specialist in ophthalmology. changes to Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL 60187-5593. Thus it came about that Ruth McCue Bell became a Wheaton student. Opinions expressed are those of the And frequently she would visit the Gieser’s home, bringing with her a beau— contributors or the editors, and do not necessarily represent the official a tall, handsome young man named Billy Graham. position of the College. © 2007 Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL *From Archives of the Billy Graham Center, Collection 88, Papers of Paul Kenneth and Catharine Kirk Gieser. www.wheaton.edu 2 AUTUMN 2007 52566_2-11_u1 8/9/07 5:30 PM Page 3 dearWHEATON Teachers Walking Alongside “compassionate conservatism.” Those are sense for a Christian college poised on the When presented in the winter 2007 magazine strong accolades and I have no reason doorstep of a city teeming, not with “those with the opportunity to write about a Wheaton to believe they are not accurate as to people,” but individuals with names and faces teacher who made an impact on my life, I began Mr. Gerson. The problem is they ignore the and stories? to make a list. I soon realized that there were concern expressed by many Christians that Neta Thiessen Jackson ’66 almost none who did not deeply affect, in a the Bush administration has been especially Evanston, Illinois positive and life-giving way, the adult I became. challenged when it comes to consistently I have been deeply blessed and irrevocably demonstrating such characteristics. Coming Home formed as a Christian as much through what What does Mr. Litfin’s piece on truth have The candid and poignant article by Judi Medlin my professors understood about me, and how to do with my concern? It shows that while ’81 (“Embarrassed to Return to Wheaton,” they responded to that understanding, as by the magazine fills an alumni networking and spring 2007) regarding attitudes and what they taught me. In fact, I would consider social service, it is also faithful to Wheaton’s experiences at class reunions made me reflect anything less to be a rather hollow educational strong commitment to Christian moral thinking on my own 50th last May. We rejoiced in experience. To all of you who taught me, both and clarity as well as academic integrity. While classmates’ accomplishments; we also heard of in the classroom and in the world, bless you the magazine may not be the vehicle for an in- hard times, always punctuated by “God is and thank you. depth analysis of Mr. Gerson’s important role, I faithful.” We have all stumbled through some Nance Wabshaw ’73 suggest Wheaton’s values are poorly served valleys and climbed some mountain peaks. As Phoenix, Arizona by a piece that does not at least acknowledge for me, I’m grateful for the indelible Wheaton the important moral and ethical issues any years that have often sustained me throughout speechwriter faces and which perhaps my adult life, and no memory is more Michael Gerson ’86, former chief speechwriter to the President, looks back on his White House years, and talks about what’s next.