News from Union College summer 2012

MedicalMedical ResearchResearch UUNION STUDENTS AND GRADUATES MAKE DISCOVERIES THAT CHANGE LIVES 0000 0000 Also . . . GG Union launches biomedical major GG Spiritual mentorship program helps searching students GG Science and math building update Little turns into much D r. Dalrie Berg ’50 spent only four of his 84 years at Union College—less than 5 percent of his life—yet he remembers those four years as the happiest of his life. He remembers the excitement watching Jorgensen Hall take shape during his years at Union, and wanted to help make Union’s replacement for Jorgensen a real- ity by contributing to Union’s $14.5 mil- lion Our Promising Future capital campaign. Dr. Berg has made a practice of giving to various organizations, and he put Union at the top of the list. “When you die, you shouldn’t have too much money on the books,” he explained. He wanted to help build the new sci- Dr. Dalrie Berg ’50 ence and mathematics complex, but he remembers watching had a problem—no cash. Dr. Berg had Jorgensen Hall being built when he was a wisely diversified his investments between student. Now he wants real estate and stocks, and he couldn’t to help Union College simply write a check for the size of the gift create a promising future for the science he wanted to make. Because his assets and mathematics had appreciated over time, selling any of program. them would result in a large capital gains tax payable to Uncle Sam—money that could be used to help the college. What was he going to do? (continued on page 31)

It takes ForeSight... CORDmagazine staff: LuAnn Wolfe Davis ’82 Vice President for Advancement/Publisher magazine CORDVol. 76, No. 2 Summer2012 Ryan Teller ’98 Director of Public Relations/Editor

Steve Nazario Editorial/4 Campus News/5 Director of Visual Communications/Designer

Scott Cushman ’03 Director of Digital Communication Reinventing Protein Kenna Lee Austin Carlson ’73 Structure Research/10 Class-ifieds Editor John Engen ’94, has developed a Kelly Phipps ’12 News Writer new tool to help doctors more easily treat HIV/AIDS. Joellyn Sheehy ’14 News Writer

Ruby Ruano ’14 News Writer

Articles and photos as credited. pIndicates more information is available on Union’s Web site or read CORDmagazine online: www.ucollege.edu/cordmagazine. photo: courtesy Engen John of photo:

Union College Alumni Association Officers and Board Members: Fighting a Forbidden Ardyce Dick Stenbakken ’62 ...... President Foe/12 Larry Christensen ’72 ...... President-elect David Nowack ’76...... Past President I. Jon Russell’s fibromyalgia research has been instrumental in the Larinda Hoskinson Fandrich ’86 ...... Board member at large development of pharmaceuticals and other treatments for the L. Steve Gifford ’63...... Golden Club Co-President much-maligned disorder. Matthew Roque ’05 ...... GOLD Rep ’02-’12 Brad Forbes ’82 ...... Class Rep ’82-’01 Karen Affolter Johnson ’72...... Class Rep ’62-’81 photo: courtesy Russell Jon of photo: Anita Keith Kidwiler ’61...... Class Rep up to ’61 Kenna Lee Austin Carlson ’73...... Alumni Activities Director LuAnn Wolfe Davis ’82 ...... Vice President for Advancement

About the cover: Vicki Schlegel '84 has spent her career researching the healing Finding the Healing power of food as an associate professor at the University of Ne- braska-Lincoln.. Power of Foods/22 Photo: Steve Nazario © 2012 Union College all rights reserved. No material may Vicki Schlegel ’84, has a passion for be reproduced without permission. CORDmagazine is pub- lished as a service to Union College alumni and friends. We finding the chemicals in food that encourage readers to submit letters and article ideas. Please send inquiries, submissions and address changes to: can prevent and heal disease. CORDmagazine Union College

3800 South 48th Street Sterve Nazario photo: Lincoln, NE 68506 or [email protected]. Medical research at Union College/16 Science building update/18 Class-ifieds/24 In memory/26 pwww.ucollege.edu

CORDmagazine 3 ______EDITORIAL UNCOMMON SENSE

by John Wagner, Union College president

an you imagine our world without believe his statement is a powerful argu- Cits great scientists? ment for Christian education. At Union Every day we interact with scientific College, learning facts and methodolo- discoveries so well known they have gies are crucial, but are not enough on become common sense. Yet at some their own. A spiritual connection to the time, a person of uncommon sense was Creator is necessary to place our under- needed to discover these truths—men standing of creation in proper perspec- and women like Galen, who learned the tive. brain controls the nervous system, or I am so proud to know men and Lise Meitner, who discovered nuclear fis- women of uncommon sense at Union sion, and countless others through the College. These students, faculty mem- ages who transformed both our world bers and alumni have a God-given joy and our perception of it. of discovery paired with a sense of duty It fills me with wonder contemplating to apply their results for the betterment even the discoveries that were entirely of society. unknown in my youth, but I now take In this issue of CORDmagazine, you’ll for granted. Many of them have meet a few of these researchers. You improved our lives and environment, can also read an update on the construc- but unfortunately, not all. tion of a new science and mathematics In The Value of Science, Richard complex—a facility designed to propel Nazario Steve photo: Feynman wrote, “Of course if we make our students and faculty to new heights good things, it is not only to the credit of in their scientific and professional pur- science; it is also to the credit of the suits. And throughout this issue, I hope moral choice which led us to the good you see the foundation of scientific edu- work. Scientific knowledge is an cation at Union College is not human enabling power to do either good or aggrandizement, but God’s glory—guid- bad—but it does not carry instructions ing our students to not only work hard, on how to use it.” but to do good work. C Feynman was not a Christian, yet I 4 SUMMER 2012 ______CAMPUS NEWS

Union develops a new nursing curriculum By Ruby Ruano

s a student, Theresa Flowers Stimson A’94 appreciated the preparation she re- ceived in the Union College Nursing Pro- gram. But, after 19 years of professional practice ranging from acute care to educa- tion, her career has come full circle and she is serving as chair of the Division of Nursing. Now she and her fellow profes- sors are rewriting the curriculum to meet the demands of an ever-changing health- care field. “The Institute of Medicine sent out ini- tiatives for both physicians and nurses that

photo: Erik Stenbakken photo: indicate certain areas of care need more emphasis in the curriculum,” explained Stimson. “The way technology and proto- cols are today, nurses need to be thor- oughly prepared in all areas and not just a specific specialty.” According to Stimson, a nurse’s role and responsibility has changed dramati- cally in the last decade. Patient medical records and medication records that used to be kept in writing are now accessible with a keystroke. Technology has com- Division of Nursing chair Theresa Stimson instructs students Gary Obreque and Stephen pletely revolutionized healthcare, leaving Baker on SimMan 3G, Union’s high tech patient simulator. physicians and nurses with less room for medical mistakes and holding them to a coursework and prepared for the NCLEX- Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree will higher standard of care. This ultimately RN on their own. “As a student I didn’t re- still take four years. Now incoming fresh- leads to higher quality and safety standards ally understand how to best prepare for the man will complete three semesters of pre- while achieving better patient outcomes. NCLEX-RN,” said Stimson. “Now we are in- requisite and general courses before “Providing quality, cost effective care is troducing new courses to the program to entering the nursing program. “The faculty our underlying goal as nurses,” said Stim- help students better prepare for the exam.” think it will help students better prepare son. “But a higher expectation from in- Students will also benefit from other for the program,” said Stimson. “When they formed healthcare consumers, changes in courses, some of which are student recom- are introduced to nursing material they will technology, and hospital budget con- mendations, and others to address societal have already taken valuable classes that straints imposed by changing reimburse- changes such as Disaster Nursing and serve as a foundation to their knowledge ment legislation has created a need for Gerontology. “Our society continues to age such as psychology and microbiology.” innovation in the education of nurses.” and live longer because we have more ad- The Division of Nursing will admit the first Stimson and her colleagues worked to de- vanced medical care, resulting in a larger class under the new curriculum in spring velop a curriculum that will prepare stu- population of elderly than we have ever semester 2013. dents for the demanding healthcare seen.” said Stimson. “It is very important In the end, Stimson believes the new environment and also prepare them for our students understand the unique needs curriculum is important, but not the most one of the most important parts of their of older patients.” important reason to study nursing at nursing careers—the NCLEX-RN exam. While students currently spend a signif- Union. “Adventism is something that sets Every student must take the national icant amount of time in clinical rotations, us apart—our philosophy and mission,” NCLEX-RN exam in order to be licensed to even more acute care experience will bet- she said. “We have excellence, but I be- practice. “This is a very difficult exam,” said ter prepare students for professional prac- lieve it is because our program is founded Stimson. “Changes to the exam in the last tice after graduation. “We have added on Jesus Christ and His mission to heal and couple of years have made it even more another credit to our clinical courses, serve others. I believe God has led every challenging for graduates.” But Union stu- which means students will spend an addi- student and faculty here for a reason. We dents pass the NCLEX-RN on their first try tional 45 hours every semester in clinicals,” all have something to contribute, and I 97 percent of the time—consistently ranked explained Stimson. think that is why our students are so at the top of nursing schools in Nebraska While the length of time students spend successful.” C and 12 percent above the national average. in the nursing program has been shortened In the past, students finished their from six semesters to five, the overall CORDmagazine 5 ______CAMPUS NEWS Union recognizes 10,000th graduate during commencement ceremony by Ryan Teller

n the school year marking 120 years studies with 25 and business with 18. Isince Union College held classes for the The senior class unveiled the class gift first time, the school celebrated another during the ceremony—a four-by-five-foot significant milestone during the 2012 com- painting to be hung in the lobby of the mencement ceremony on May 6. When new science and mathematics complex. Christopher Mercill crossed the stage to re- The seniors commissioned Colorado artist ceive his diploma, he became the ten thou- Randal May, a Union College alumnus and sandth graduate from the Lincoln campus the father of two Union students, to create of Union College. the piece to represent the mission of Union “It’s an honor to be part of this historic College. event,” said the international rescue and “Even though I didn’t graduate from relief graduate. “I came to Union for the Union, I’m still very fond of it and consider photos: Steve Nazario Steve photos: IRR program and because my mother is a it my school,” said May. “It’s an honor for graduate. It feels great to be the ten thou- me to have a piece in the new complex.” sandth.” Union celebrated a similar graduate Mercill, who hopes to get a job with the milestone in 2008, when Raven Under- National Park Service and work at Glacier wood became the ten thousandth graduate National Park, joined 155 other graduates to join the Union College Alumni Associa- in receiving 170 diplomas including 25 stu- tion. The Alumni Association includes a dents graduating with a master’s in physi- number students who received degrees cian assistant studies. Of the 36 different from Union College, but trained at Boulder majors earned, the most popular are nurs- Sanitarium or in programs in Costa Rica President Wagner congratulates Union Col- ing with 31 graduates, physician assistant and at Canadian Union College. C lege’s 10,000 graduate, Christopher Mercill.

Union launches staff mentorship program by Ryan Teller

nion College has long been known for provided outline, and other times they ad- agreed to subsidize the cost of the Uthe spirit that pervades the campus and dressed pressing issues that one or the monthly lunch meetings. The program’s the people who work and study here. But other faced. trial run during the 2011-12 school year in- sometimes it takes intentionality to help “Our goal was to find a way to help cluded 11 mentorship pairs from depart- newcomers experience the Union spirit. newer staff transition into successful, long- ments all across campus. “Participants felt Last school year, the college began a men- term employees at Union College,” said the program was worthwhile,” said torship program for new staff members to Becky Daniel, chair of the staff advisory Daniel. “Sometimes colleges focus on pro- give them the opportunity to learn from committee who, along with human re- viding growth opportunities for faculty the many other employees who have ded- source director Jonathan Shields, devel- and overlook the support staff. I’m very icated much of their lives to Union. oped the program. “We wanted to provide excited that Union has made this invest- “I enjoyed learning about what hap- professional growth for young employees ment.” pens in other departments,” said Salli and a support system for recently hired “The most valuable part for me was Jenks, administrative assistant in Financial staff.” gaining a lifelong friend,” said Cheri Blue, Administration who joined Union’s staff “As the human resource director, I was administrative assistant in Information Sys- one year ago. “But I really enjoyed getting startled when I saw a report that of 150 tems. “Salli and I had an instant connec- to know my mentor, Cheri Blue. She full-time employees, 35 are age 60 or tion and were able to freely share our taught me a lot about Union’s culture. I older,” Shields explained. “These workers problems and our triumphs.” came from a large medical facility and I will soon start to retire, so we needed to As an employee of Union College for had a lot of adjusting to do. Union is more develop a more strategic transition plan. 32 years, Blue understands the importance like a family and Cheri really helped me. Many of our long–term employees are of helping new staff understand Union’s She has been here a long time and her happy to pass on their experience and unique culture. “We are like a family per- love for Union College was very evident in commitment to more recent hires and sonally and professionally,” she explained. our conversations.” help keep the Union spirit alive for many “New staff need to know that we are a The two met for lunch once each years to come.” team and we support each other in good month throughout the school year. Some- To help facilitate the mentorship meet- times as well as bad.” C times they discussed the questions in the ings for staff, the college administration

6 SUMMER 2012 ______CAMPUS NEWS A test of faith Give To Lincoln Day by Kelly Phipps by Ruby Ruano Victoria Tobing’s faith collapsed around her. Union College enjoys one of the highest No longer sure of what she believed or rates of alumni giving in the country, thanks the meaning of faith and God, the sopho- to loyal graduates and hard-working em- more history and religious education major ployees. When the city had a chance to turned to Union College’s new spiritual support Union in a new way during the first mentorship program for spiritual support in Give to Lincoln Day in May, Union’s alumni her time of need. came through again—to the tune of nearly In fall 2011, Union College launched a $20,000. pilot spiritual mentorship program which al- On May 17, the Lincoln Community lowed students to develop a spiritual Foundation collaborated with online dona- photo: Steve Nazario Steve photo: growth plan with the guidance of a mentor tion processor Razoo to sponsor a day to instead of having the traditional worship promote philanthropy in the Lincoln com- service attendance requirements. munity. The more than 180 local non-profit “It was something different and it organizations that participated received a sounded challenging,” said Tobing. “I’m a free page on the Give To Lincoln website very private person and I hoped that I and became eligible to receive part of a would grow more when I confronted my $200,000 grant provided by the Lincoln spiritual walk during one-on-one sessions Community Foundation. rather than only group settings.” That day, a local media advertising cam- Each participant was paired with a spiri- paign encouraged Lincoln residents to visit tual mentor from Union’s faculty or staff and the site and give a gift to their favorite char- developed a spiritual plan based on the ity. Social media and email also helped three phases of a healthy spiritual life: a per- Union spread the news to alumni, students sonal commitment, fellowship and worship, and faculty. and response through outreach and service. “This event provided a great opportu- “Students are more likely to develop a nity for us to promote Union to donors in lasting walk with God if they can do it in the city of Lincoln,” explained LuAnn Davis, their own way,” said Pastor Rich Carlson, When Victoria Tobing experienced a crisis vice president for Advancement. “Many of Union’s chaplain. “This pilot program is one of faith, her spiritual mentor pointed her our own faculty and staff participated, too, more way our campus can be a place of to Jesus. giving us one of the top spots on the list.” spiritual learning and growth.” At the end of the day Union raised Fifteen students joined the plan in the But what if the opposite were true? If $15,270 and was ranked number 18 in total fall and met with mentors several times Jesus possessed the nature of humans after donors, giving the school an additional throughout the semester to review the plan sin, was his sacrifice sufficient to cover our $2,736.77 from the Give To Lincoln Day and progress. Ten more joined the program sins? The whole idea blindsided Tobing and grant. Donations continued in the days that in spring semester. shook her faith to its core. “I was frightened “I enjoyed the thought of someone tak- to think that maybe the faith I had rested on followed adding another $5,170, and bring- ing time to focus on what I was grappling my whole life wasn’t enough,” she remem- ing the total to $20,440 from 88 donors. The with,” explained Tobing. “I thought, ‘Ah, fi- bered. funds will be added to the Union College nally, all of my questions can be answered She turned to Moses, but her mentor fund, which helps provide scholarships, and all of my stories can be heard.’” pointed her to Jesus. “He didn’t coddle me technology and resources. She met with her mentor, Dr. Y.J. Moses, or tell me everything was okay,” she said. “It was a great and unique event for all professor of education, and began to de- “He knew that it was a major growing pain of Lincoln to get involved,” said Chris John- velop a spiritual plan. But not far into the that I’d have to face, so he prayed with me son, a 2008 graduate who coordinated the school year, Tobing experienced her first and listened to me.” event for Union. “People had the opportu- significant test. Through prayer and tearful sessions nity to donate from any location in their As a professor in one of her religion with her mentor—many more than the own time.” C classes discussed the variety of views of the usual three or four—Tobing began to build nature of Christ during His time on earth, a faith based on her own experience, not Tobing began to question if her simplistic the ideas passed down from her parents. faith in His sacrifice was enough. “These past few months I have come “Was Jesus’ human nature like that of closer to realizing what it truly means to be Adam and Eve before they sinned?” she won- in a relationship with Jesus,” she said. “I dered. “If so, Jesus would not have dealt with know now what it’s like to wrestle with the sinful tendencies of a fallen nature.” God.” C

CORDmagazine 7 ______CAMPUS NEWS

Union College “The bus turned out to be a huge hit at Union College teamed up with Vision the session,” said Steve Nazario, director of Exhibit Wins Exhibits, a local exhibit visual communication for Union College. services company, to “The Union College booth received lots of International develop a booth dis- attention from attendees and the media.” play designed to create He and the Marketing Communication Communication a memorable experi- team at Union developed the design, Award by Kelly Phipps ence for the 70,000 Ad- videos and materials for the display and Vi- ventists who attended sion Exhibits helped the team fit their ideas the convention into a convention exhibit in a cost-effective (CORDmagazine, way. Winter 2012, p. 6). Janet Denison, president of Vision Ex- The 20x60 foot hibits, recognized the unprecedented im-

exhibit featured a 25- pact and popularity of the booth and Nazario Steve photos: foot high climbing entered it into the 2012 Quill Awards. The wall, along with the 2012 IABC competition received nearly 700 Volkswagen bus as entries from 23 countries. Of these, 24 were the main attraction, selected to receive awards of excellence. allowing parents and The Gold Quill Award entries endured two prospective students rigorous rounds of judging by top senior to “Experience the communicators from around the world, and Spirit” of Union. As Denison received the award on behalf of parents from differ- Vision Exhibits and Union College at the ent states and coun- Gold Quill Awards gala dinner on June 25 nion College’s exhibit at the 2010 Gen- tries stopped to talk about their at the IABC 2012 World Conference in Ueral Conference Session in Atlanta recently Volkswagen memories, prospective stu- Chicago. won a prestigious 2012 Gold Quill Award dents explored the stations, watched the “It's an honor to represent the achieve- for Excellence in Business Communication, film, Amazing Race to Union College,and ments of Union College and to have our ef- presented by the International Association talked to enthusiastic recruiters. The climb- forts recognized with the IABC Gold Quill of Business Communicators (IABC). ing wall alone had more than 500 climbers Award of Excellence," Denison said. When preparing for the meeting of the per day. The interactive nature of the ex- world Seventh-day Adventist Church, hibit is what ultimately won the award. The Amazing Race to Union College

or Eden Sang, sophomore engineering “The people I have met are genuinely As part of the exhibit, visitors were in- majorF from Minnesota, Union College was seeking God,” said Sang. “This is some- vited to watch Union’s film,Amazing Race always just a name he saw from time to thing I value.” to Union College, which provided a glimpse time in Outlook. He never considered at- Sang was also deeply inspired by the of life in Lincoln and on Union’s campus in tending until Union’s newest icon and a countless chances to volunteer on cam- the form of a parody on the popular reality campus visit reeled him in. pus, in the community and abroad. Sang is television show,The Amazing Race. The While attending the 2010 General Con- involved in Job Ministries and Laboring film also won a Best of Show award in the ference (GC) in Atlanta Ga., Sang stum- Youth for Christ. Higher Ed Marketing Report’s 26th annual bled upon the Union College booth. While Union College received an Education Advertising Awards. Union Col- Remembering it from the magazine ad, he award for the lege partnered with Andy Seiler ’08, owner decided to take a look. Expecting just recruiting ex- of CueMotion Studios, to create the video, pamphlets and brochures, Sang, who hibit, the true one of 16 “Best of Show” winners among loves cars, was immediately drawn to the reward is stu- 2,500 entries from colleges across the 1967 Volkswagen Microbus. dents like United States. To watch the film go to That trip to the GC inspired Sang and a Sang who be- p www.ucollege.edu/amazingrace.C friend to visit for a Preview Days. The come part of warm atmosphere created in the student the Union ex- body surprised him. perience. “I loved the reception I got here on campus,” recalled Sang. The more Sang thought about it, he re- alized Union was where God wanted him to be. Since attending Union, Sang has seen God work in his life.

8 SUMMER 2012 ______CAMPUS NEWS

Students shape new biomedical science major by Joellyn Sheehy

ric Bing knew that he wanted to stay at of study devoted to another field, or sup- match the facilities that are being created.” EUnion and he wanted to be a doctor, but porting area, outside of science. Students, Changes to the Medical College Admis- he couldn’t find a course of study that fit with the help of advisors, will be able to sion Test (MCAT) in 2015 will add a sec- him. “I loved the environment and the choose classes or possibly an entire minor tion on social and behavioral science and people, but I just didn’t feel like any ma- in other areas of study. “Our initial idea modify other parts that test students’ criti- jors were right for me,” said the junior pre- was to make it just about science,” said cal thinking, placing even greater empha- med student. “I left Union for a while to Rose. “The key turning point was when sis on students’ well-roundedness. “The go searching. While I was away, I solidi- Ben Herzel, a junior international rescue topic of biomedical science is broadly im- fied my dream of becoming an emergency and relief and pre-med major, was work- portant because of how changes in the room doctor and realized that Union really ing with me in the lab. He said the core of content of the MCAT will affect the recom- is the best place for me. I’ve been to a the degree should be science related to mended courses taken by pre-med stu- bunch of different schools and Union is by medicine, but that another component dents,” said Malcolm Russell, vice far my favorite.” should be elected purely by the student in president for Academic Administration. Now, thanks to the work of Bing and another area of interest.” The new major has been inserted into several other students and professors, Rose emphasizes that this major will the 2012-2013 academic bulletin. This Union College is launching a new major not replace any other degree, but instead means students who meet all the require- for students like him with an interest in fill a gap for students who don’t feel like ments could be eligible to graduate with biomedical science, the study of sciences they belong in other programs. “Some the major as early as the coming academic that pertain to the human body and medi- programs, such as international rescue year. “Amazingly, everything has gone cine. Previously at very smoothly,” said Union, and at most Rose. “I keep expect- other colleges, ing to find barriers, those planning to but so far every door attend medical, has opened wide.” dental or other bio- The idea of a bio- medical profes- medical major is not sional schools have new, but the plans for to take their prereq- Union’s program dis- uisite science tinguish it from the photo: Steve Nazario Steve photo: classes as electives rest. “What we’re cre- in an unrelated ating here, with the major or choose a supporting area, is completely science- completely unique in focused degree pro- the U.S. as far as we gram such as can find,” said Rose. “I biology or chem- cannot take credit for istry. Frankie Rose, any of the key fea- assistant professor Eric Bing and several other premed majors helped Dr. Frankie Rose, associate professor tures, it has been of biology at Union of biology, develop a new major designed for medical preprofessional students. shaped by students College, and a group of pre-professional and relief and business, have gone out of and alumni. Students really have designed students hope the new biomedical major their way to help students integrate their this degree.” will help fill the gap for students who are medical or dental school prerequisites,” he The new major will help students in- forced to compromise their passions in said. “This program is not meant to com- terested in pursuing science take control pursuit of a profession. pete with what they have or take away of their education and what they need to “I was talking to a friend who really from them at all, it is just another option.” learn. “We really designed it to be a good wanted a biomedical major and who had The development of the new program preparation for professional school,” ex- spoken with Dr. Rose,” said Bing. “I got is timely as it coincides with changes in plained Bing. “I feel like it will fill a gap curious so went to speak with him as well. medical schools’ requirements and the between undergraduate studies and the When we came in, the idea was still just a construction of the science and mathemat- first year of medical school, when you get sketch. We didn’t talk about it with other ics complex. The high-tech labs and in- slammed with information. It’ll give stu- people, but we toyed with the idea of creased lecture space of the new building dents more of a feel for what they’re going making a biomedical degree. When we will be important in making a biomedical into. It’s such an honor to be able to help started looking at other schools’ programs degree at Union possible. “The improved people in a way they can’t help them- online, we began to realize that this was facilities are really vital for this new selves. That’s why I want to go into medi- something Union could do.” major,” stressed Rose. “We need to contin- cine.” C The new major contains a large section ually progress and evolve our programs to CORDmagazine 9 ReinventingReinventing ProteinProtein SS

created the necessary tools by patching together pieces of existing Union College alumnus laboratory equipment. And when his research surpassed the limitations of those cus- tomized tools, he approached the biotechnology firm Waters Corpo- takes mass spectrometry ration with his idea to use liquid chromatography technology to separate protein molecules in a way that had never before been done. analysis to new levels Now, seven years later, that idea has come to life in the form of a unique temperature-controlled cooling instrument that measures the dynamic structure of proteins in a faster and more accurate way than ever before. This new system holds the potential to allow re- hen chemistry professor and Union College searchers to develop new treatments for some of the world’s most W common diseases. graduate John Engen ’94 realized the equipment Biopharmaceuticals—including those used to treat patients with he needed to move forward with his hydrogen- cancer and HIV/AIDS—are becoming increasingly common, and re- searchers and drug developers need a system to discover and en- deuterium exchange mass spectrometry research sure the safety and effectiveness of new medications. For years, only a few analytical chemists were able to perform the existing tech- on protein structure didn’t yet exist, he niques. But Engen’s system, recently released for commercial use, 10 SUMMER 2012 StructureStructure ResearchResearchby Lauren Bongard Schwarz ’04 photos: courtesy of John Engen gives researchers in laboratories and pharmaceutical companies ac- Engen first opened an independent laboratory facility at the Univer- cess to the equipment needed to identify and learn about these pro- sity of New Mexico, and in 2006, he accepted a position as professor teins and their implications in medicine and disease treatment. of bioanalytical chemistry at Northeastern University in Boston, where he opened the John R. Engen Laboratory. Engen also serves The Road to Research as Faculty Fellow in the Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis. John Engen grew up in Boulder, Colo. His father was a forensic In June 2012, the John R. Engen Laboratory moved into a new chemist and his mother, also a Union graduate, used her master’s building in downtown Boston, designated as a Waters Center of In- degree in public health at a local health department. Engen, who re- novation based on the university’s decades-long partnership with calls playing with his father’s lab equipment as a child, graduated the Waters Corporation. from Union College in 1994 with a degree in biology and returned The John R. Engen Laboratory is an analytical chemistry labora- the following year to complete a degree in chemistry. tory, focusing on measuring proteins and protein-related molecules He stayed in Lincoln and earned his Ph.D. in chemistry at the using mass spectrometry. Using this method, the researchers weigh University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and then completed postdoctoral atoms and use the resulting calculations to learn more about the studies at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, atoms’ structure and dynamics. That information helps them learn Germany, and Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. more about how proteins relate to illness and disease, including In the years since graduating from Union, Engen has become viral replication, strokes, HIV and cancer proteins. recognized as an expert in the use of mass spectrometry and hydro- Engen and his students and staff collaborate with local medical gen-deuterium exchange to study protein structure and dynamics. (continued on page 30)

CORDmagazine 11 Fighting a forbidden foe by Ryan Teller Union alum spends career searching for answers about fibromyalgia

ost everyone had long since gone home, but a small group ries of studies showing biochemical abnormalities in the spinal M still pressed around him, asking questions, desperate for an- fluid of fibromyalgia sufferers. More recently, “we’ve discovered swers. When I. Jon Russell ’65, M.D., Ph.D., American College of two genes and a dysfunctional G protein-coupled receptor associ- Rheumatology (ACR) Master, visited Union College in April 2011, ated with fibromyalgia,” he said. nearly 600 Lincoln residents gathered to hear him talk about ad- While still at University of Texas, pharmaceutical companies vances in treatment for fibromyalgia, a disorder often marginal- began taking notice of Russell’s work as they saw a possible mar- ized by the medical community. ket for treatment of fibromyalgia. “Our research reports had iden- Late into the night he continued to field questions, trying to tified therapeutic targets for the development of medications for bring hope to many who have suffered without answers. This the treatment of fibromyalgia patients, so the companies asked scene has been repeated many times over the years, as Russell me to consult,” he explained. Russell has consulted with six dif- has traveled the world, drawing on his more than 30 years of re- ferent companies on a host of medications, three of which are search and teaching experience in an effort to support the suffer- now approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ers who, when he began, had virtually no champion in the world for this indication and are commonly used to treat fibromyalgia. of medicine. He finds that even today, many people, especially outside medicine, believe the disorder simply to be widespread What is fibromyalgia? pain or a catchall when doctors can’t make a diagnosis. Russell first became interested in the topic after examining fi- “A common misconception is that fibromyalgia is just about bromyalgia patients during his rheumatology fellowship in the pain,” Russell said. “It is a painful condition, but people with fi- mid 1970s at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. “I was con- bromyalgia are very troubled by cognitive dysfunction. They vinced they were telling us the truth about their symptoms, but don’t feel like they can remember things. If a clinician performs a many of my colleagues did not consider the patients’ condition to cognitive assessment of a person with fibromyalgia, the results be real,” Russell said. “I’m naturally a supporter of the underdog, are consistent with someone much older. That would suggest that so I felt a responsibility to try to help.” fibromyalgia is a condition of premature aging.” Sufferers also ex- He spent the next 32 years researching the disorder while on perience fatigue, chronic headaches, chest and neck pain, irrita- faculty at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San An- ble bowel and bladder and often, such severe sleep dysfunction tonio. Even when faced with censure from his division chairman that they are not able to replenish vital energy. because the chairman didn’t consider fibromyalgia to be an ap- Russell’s own research has shown that symptoms stem from propriate topic for research, Russell persisted and outlasted his something more than imagination. “We have many pieces of in- detractor. When the university eventually chose to transition from formation—including spinal fluid studies and images of the brain a research model to a clinical model, Russell was already 67 years showing altered central nervous system function in fibromyal- old. He decided to retire and start a research clinic in the San An- gia—all of which support the concept that fibromyalgia is a real tonio community where he could continue his work. medical disorder,” he explained. Russell founded the Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain 18 years The research findings have been critical to establishing the na- ago, and still serves as its editor-in-chief. A senior editor at Taylor ture of the fibromyalgia syndrome, but he contends that the clini- and Francis Press in London, he has also published over one hun- cal signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia are so consistent that it is dred research articles on fibromyalgia and related topics. really unnecessary to document biochemical changes in the Having led or participated in many groundbreaking research spinal fluid or to conduct medical imaging for every fibromyalgia projects over the years, Russell is probably best known for a se- patient who comes to the physician for medical care.

12 SUMMER 2012 How widespread is it? René Evard and Dr. Earl Leonhardt ’50 who helped me through that first year and helped me to enjoy classes like organic and In a city the size of Lincoln, Russell believes that as many as physical chemistry.” 5,000-6,000 people suffer from fibromyalgia. “Based on a study “Dr. Murdoch was probably my favorite teacher,” Russell re- conducted in Wichita, Kan., 10 percent of the general population membered.” He was very tall with curly black hair, a big unruly has chronic widespread pain,” he explained. “Twenty percent of mustache, and a quizzical smile—he looked like the stereotypical this number [about two percent of the general population] suffers absent-minded professor. He would draw out on the blackboard a from fibromyalgia—a subset of those with chronic widespread sequence of organic chemistry synthesis steps and then say, “‘Isn’t pain.” this fun?’ He really went out of his way to help students who Fibromyalgia is most likely to strike women during or after wanted to learn.’” their childbearing years and then does not resolve. “Nearly 10 But life at Union wasn’t all science. “I probably spent 90 per- percent of women in their fifties and sixties suffer from fibromyal- cent of my time on science and math,” he said. “But the social ac- gia,” Russell said. “And more than seven in ten cases are female.” tivities are what I remember most. I met my wife, Barbara Runnels Russell ’63, M.Ed., at Union and we married during the summer Is there treatment? before my senior year.” Russell also traces a love of art back to an elective art history Although fibromyalgia is treatable, it is not yet curable. Russell course at Union. “I ate it up,” he said. “I have since become an has seen promising results from a variety of treatments. Using a amateur artist.” Russell’s paintings hang on the walls of his prac- combination of medications and lifestyle tice and he is preparing a series of coffee changes, “we have seen patients who are table books to display the more than dramatically improved,” he said. 1,000 pencil portraits he’s drawn of peo- Russell believes physicians are now ple he has met all over the world. His under pressure to take fibromyalgia more love of art also seeped into his scientific seriously. “But they have many disorders world when he began using portraits by to care for,” he explained. “Their training famous painters on the covers of his and continuing education may not have medical journal. For each issue, he prepared them for treating fibromyalgia.” writes a brief biography of the featured But because there are now medications artist, of the artist’s model, and of the approved by the FDA for treatment of fi- artist’s contemporary supporters. “For bromyalgia, “pharmaceutical companies me, this is Art History-202,” he said. are helping with the effort to educate physicians about fibromyalgia and about Family and future

photo: Ryan Teller Ryan photo: how to use the new medications most ef- fectively.” Russell and his wife have been mar- ried for 48 years and have three children. Their oldest son followed in his father’s It started back at Union footsteps, earning a Ph.D. and M.D., and Russell arrived at Union College with is now on the faculty at Harvard School an interest in researching medical dis- of Medicine, leading a program to de- ease. He enrolled in the pre-med pro- velop an artificial pancreas for the treat- gram with a major in chemistry. He then ment of diabetes. Their second son is a earned a master’s and a doctoral degree computer engineer and musician, and in biochemistry and nutrition from the their daughter is a personal trainer with a University of Nebraska-Lincoln before physical education degree. “Our children graduating from Loma Linda University are all married. We love each of their School of Medicine. He completed a resi- Dr. I. Jon Russell ’65 gave a lecture about spouses and our three little grandsons.” dency in internal medicine and a fellow- fibromyalgia at Union College in April 2011. Now nearly 70 years old, Russell contin- ship in rheumatology at the Mayo Clinic ues to see patients, test new fibromyalgia in Rochester, Minn., before joining the rheumatology faculty of drugs, write teaching materials for patients and physicians, and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. lecture around the globe. “Right now, one of my projects is help- Russell feels his courses and teachers at Union gave him a ing juveniles with fibromyalgia to find effective treatment,” he strong foundation for graduate education. “I didn’t have to strug- said. “I still have energy and can still tie my shoelaces. I think the gle in the graduate school program because I was well prepared good Lord is keeping me healthy, so I should repay.” at Union,” he said. “I think the same was true for the science Russell feels grateful for his time at Union. “When I was at courses in medical school.” Union, the education was very good. Our facilities were adequate His first year at Union proved very different, however. “I had for the time, but the building really looks dated now,” he ex- not studied chemistry in high school. Many of my classmates in plained. “A new science complex is needed for Union to continue Union’s General Chemistry course came to college having had to grow in the science arena. This new physical plant for science high school chemistry. They started the course with a much better and mathematics will serve the immediate needs and will provide grasp of chemistry terminology and concepts than I did,” he said. room for expansion.”C “I was so grateful to teachers like Dr. Warren Murdoch ’52, Dr.

CORDmagazine 13 VickiVicki Schlegel:Schlegel: FindingFinding thethe healinghealing powerspowers ofof foodfood Vicki Schlegel ’84 is passionate about food—but she’s not look- certain diseases. ing for the next secret sauce featured on the Food Network or 13 “As Adventists, we have a health message so we already know exquisite ways cook a potato. As an associate professor at the Uni- this,” Schlegel pointed out. “A lot of people don’t understand how versity of Nebraska Food Science and Technology Department, diet affects health, but now on a national level we are realizing that she heads a research team working to uncover the hidden healing diet is linked to disease or the prevention of disease. This is one of powers of food—a journey that began in Jorgensen Hall more than those things I think Adventists need to refocus on.” 30 years ago. Schlegel hopes this research will provide scientific evidence for “I developed a love for chemistry from my dad, a high school people to use food and diet as an alternative to pharmaceuticals teacher. He taught chemistry and math for 40 years,” she recalled. and help raise their quality of life. She also seeks to better under- As a child, when Schlegel and her two sisters asked questions stand how to customize diets based a person’s genetic makeup. “If about nature and life, he always opened his response with, “ac- you’re predisposed to diabetes, you can customize a diet to fight cording to the laws of chemistry and physics.” that,” explained Schlegel. “But we have a long way to go because “I began to see the world from a chemical perspective,” said it’s a very complex problem. Foods in themselves are complex and Schlegel. “I took all the high school chemistry classes I could.” But so is our body.” it was the people in Jorgensen Hall whot helped her bond to a clear vision for her lifework. The close-knit group of students and A passion for science professors created a spirit of camaraderie, and also pushed her to be her best. Her passion for science reaches far beyond the walls of her re- As teaching assistant for new (at the time) chemistry professor search lab and classroom. While in graduate school, she met and Charles Freidline, Schlegel developed a love for teaching new con- married Brad Plantz, a microbiologist who recently started work- cepts to the students in her labs. She also became interested in nu- ing for Cargill. “He is also a scientist,” she said. “I can talk to him trition at Union, because the Adventist view of diet made her about my research and he understands it.” These similar interests photo: Steve Nazario Steve photo:

curious about the chemical makeup of food. also lead to shared interests like watching science documentaries, When graduation loomed and Schlegel weighed her options, exploring Nebraska state parks and counting fireflies in the back- Dr. David Duran, a chemistry professor at Union who was finish- yard to report on a tracking website. “That may not sound like fun ing a doctorate at the time, encouraged her to attend graduate to everyone, but it’s fun for us to do together because not a lot of school to find a teaching career that could help satisfy her desire to people want to talk about those things with us.” do research and teach. Schlegel then earned a master’s in Analyti- cal Chemistry from University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Ph.D. in A passion for Union’s promising future Analytical Chemistry from Iowa State University. “I just really enjoy working with students,” she said. “Graduate school allowed me to Schlegel believes it was her experience at Union that led her to combine my passion for chemistry with both teaching and re- a promising future, and now she wants Union students to have search.” that same experience. “Jorgensen Hall was old when I was there, and I graduated in 1984,” said Schlegel. “But Union has made such A passion for food an impact on my life. If it wasn’t for my time at Union, I wouldn’t be in a career that I absolutely love.” Schlegel then found an outlet for her interests on the faculty of Schlegel knows that every science department needs to update the University of Nebraska Food Science and Technology Depart- to keep up with technology and research, and she is excited to see ment when she began studying nutraceuticals—the ingredients Union is building a new science and mathematics complex to bet- and chemicals in food that either prevent or cure a disease. ter meet the needs of students planning to attend medical school “At this point we don’t understand how nutraceuticals work,” or other graduate schools. “The only way we can do that is explained Schlegel. The complex makeup of food creates all sorts through newer facilities and newer instrumentation,” explained of chemical reactions within the body, and she hopes to ultimately Schlegel. “Although it will be sad to let Jorgensen go, it is time to understand how the nutraceuticals in food can be used to prevent let it go.” disease. Focusing primarily on commodities grown in Nebraska, Union has raised $12.5 million of the $14.5 million for the Our such as dry edible beans, corn, wheat and soybeans, she believes Promising Future campaign to help fund construction for the new her work will give back to Nebraskans and provide information to building. If you want to be a part of Union’s promising future, people throughout the world on what foods best prevent or fight please visit: p http://www.ucollege.edu/ourpromisingfuture C CORDmagazine 15 Alumnus inspires medical r photo: Steve Nazario Steve photo:

Dr. Charles Freidline and Erome Hankore Daniel spent last school year researching the medical benefits of electrophoresis footbaths at the request of Union alumnus, Dr. Shaun Lehmann.

haun Lehmann stared at the odd device on his kitchen table–just a plastic tub holding a metal contraption submerged in salt-water solution and connected to an impressive–looking controller.S The 1993 Union College chemistry graduate, always a skeptic, wanted to see if his purchase really lived up to its maker’s claims. Would the electrophoresis footbath remove toxins from the human body? Or was all the junk left in the water simply a chemical reaction from electrolysis?

16 SUMMER 2012 research at Union College by Ruby Ruano

Now a physician in suburban Houston, Texas, who prefers to electrolysis process does not include the patient in any way. In help his patients learn good nutrition and wellness practices rather other words, no current passes through the feet.” than relying on pharmaceuticals, Lehmann wanted to know if they “The footbath is a growing part of medicine and few people would benefit from the footbath treatments. “When the footbaths have studied it,” Hankore said. “We tried many different samples began to show up in our area, people asked us for advice on the of the solution before we even involved people in the testing. product,” explained Lehmann. Since he couldn’t find any scientific When we finally did trials with people, we could clearly identify studies on the topic, “I didn’t mind researching so I bought one to the differences in the solution.” see what it was for myself.” But she allows that it still may be too soon to tell if the footbath With the help of his father, also a chemist, he began to experi- has a significant chemical effect on the body. “It may be psycho- ment with the device. “The biggest question was whether the elec- logical as much as it is medical and we may need to study the trolysis was taking something out of the body or possibly putting placebo effect,” she said. “There are so many possibilities, but I something back into the body,” he explained. feel my contribution was showing that if there are any toxins com- Doctors who practice alternative medicine use electrophoresis ing out of the body, they are most likely polar compounds.” footbaths to ‘cleanse’ the body with a low electrical charge be- Freidline submitted the research abstract to Nebraska Academy tween two electrodes believed to bind to toxins and discharge of Sciences, and Hankore was invited to present at the 112th An- them in the water. nual Nebraska Academy of Sciences meeting. She gave a 15- When a patient undergoes a footbath treatment, the clear elec- minute presentation to more than 70 professors and students from trolyte solution turns to a brown thick gel-like material. The brown various colleges and universities from Nebraska and surrounding residue is thought to be the impurities removed from the body states. through the therapy, and many patients have reported feeling bet- Although Hankore gratuated in May, chemistry students Cara ter after treatments. During his experimentation, Lehmann and his Flemmer and Daniel Story will continue to study the chemical ef- father discovered that the water still turned brown when the de- fects of the footbaths. “By using high performance liquid chro- vice was run without feet being in the solution. “A lot of people matography, we have found several compounds in the water after think all that gunk is coming from the feet, but they need to know running the process with feet in the solution.” Freidline explained. that it is also part of the process occurring from chemical reac- “We think some are amino acids, but we don’t have the equipment tions,” Lehmann explained. “We wanted to find out if there are to identify them.” any organic materials coming from the body.” Freidline hopes to partner with Dr. Dan Snow at the University For help, Lehmann turned to his old friend and mentor, Dr. of Nebraska Water Sciences Laboratory and use their liquid chro- Charles Freidline, professor of chemistry at Union College. “When matography mass spectrometer to identify the compounds his we presented our question to Dr. Freidline, he was immediately in- team discovered in the footbath solution. He also plans to have terested,” said Lehmann. students test the footbath on sick people who presumably have “Dr. Freidline wanted to create a study for students to work on, more toxins to be pulled from the body than do healthy people. and this one was available for me to do,” explained Erome Daniel More than providing valuable information for the scientific and Hankore, a senior chemistry major who worked on the project as medical community, applying their knowledge through research part of her Research Methods class. “No one had touched this area projects and other practical applications helps students find a di- except for a recent study done only this year, so it was exciting to rection for their future. “This project really inspired me to look into discover new data.” research programs in graduate school,” says Hankore, who came In fall 2011, Freidline and Courtney Dupper, a December 2011 to Union to prepare for medical school. “It helped me link medi- chemistry graduate, began their research with Lehmann’s footbath. cine to research and I loved finding out about the process that Hankore also joined the project and took over when Dupper grad- happens to improve medicine.” uated in December. Years earlier, Freidline also altered the course of Lehmann’s life The students first ran the process with and without feet and when he called to offer the prospective transfer student a job in his tested for nonpolar compounds, which could be extracted from lab as Lehmann weighed his educational options going into his the water and tested using gas chromatography mass spectrometry junior year. “I would have gone to Walla Walla College to continue (GC-MS). my engineering degree,” Lehmann remembered. “Out of the blue, Finding nothing, they started testing the water for polar com- Dr. Freidline called me one day and offered me a job. It was a big pounds—ingredients that could not be separated from the water— deal for me.” using liquid chromatography equipment in the Union College The two still stay in touch. “He is my favorite professor,” laboratory. “Up until now it wasn’t really known what the foot- Lehmann said. “He is the reason I attended Union College.” baths exactly did for the body,” said Freidline. “It has taken a lot of For more information about Union’s science program or up- trial and error, but we have discovered many new things that we dates on construction of the new science and mathematics com- weren’t expecting. For example, the electrolysis only produces plex, visit p www.ucollege.edu. C fresh, gelatinous, iron III hydride solid that surrounds the feet. The CORDmagazine 17 Science Build

Right: Union College held a special ground breaking ceremony for the new science and mathematics complex during Homecoming Weekend on April 6, 2012. Above: An International tractor helped break ground for Jorgensen Hall in 1944 (Sept. 25, 1944).

photos: Steve Nazario

Above: A last look at the north side of campus at the end of the 2011- 12 school year (May 7, 2012). Right: Immediately after gradu- aion, excavators began digging up the parking lots behind Rees Hall to prepare the site for the new build- ing (May 22, 2012) Far right: Workmen lay footings and build basement walls on Jor- gensen Hall.

18 SUMMER 2012 lding Update

Left: Workmen continue to clear the area behind Rees Hall (June 4, 2012). Above: Workers lift Jorgensen’s support beams into place by hand.

historical photos: courtesy of Union College Library

Above: A newly completed circle drive behind Rees Hall will be open in time for the women to move into the dorm this fall (June 12, 2012). Left: The building site is pre- pared, and workers will begin pouring footings in mid-August (July 19, 2012). Far left: Workmen continue to brick the walls of Jorgensen Hall, even through winter snows.

CORDmagazine 19 Phonathon callers create c by Joellyn Sheehy, junior international rescue and relief and premed major photo: Scott Cushman Fund, which is used to close the gap between the cost of educating students and tuition. The ver since I started doing Phonathon my fresh- fund pays directly for items already on the “Eman year, I’ve always felt the need to go back,” school budget that are necessary for the college said Mandy McCrary ’11. “Union has made such to function and is the only unrestricted fund, an impact on my life, helping to raise money for meaning the money can be spent on whatever the school is a great way to give back.” the college needs most. “Everyone who supports McCrary came to Union College from her the Union College Fund with a gift should know home in South Dakota to join friends and study in that they are the reason for Union being here a Christian environment, but has found many today,” said Andrea Ahrens, director of major gift more reasons to stay. “There is so much care at development. “There is a group of 1,955 people Union,” she said. “I’ve met so many incredible who collectively make sure that Union defies ex- people and have made friends I know will be pectations by giving annually through the Union there for life. I can really see Christ in all of the fac- College Fund.” ulty, and I have received such a spiritual blessing Yvionne Joseph, sophomore elementary each year that I have been there. Union is home to education major, enjoyed speaking with alumni me now—that is why I keep coming back.” and listening to their stories. “You talk to a bunch McCrary plans to earn a doctorate in physical of people a day, but many were really nice and therapy after she graduates from Union and use some were really excited to talk about Union,” she recalled. “Even if they didn’t donate, they still wanted to talk. They would tell me about their I get nervous, but most people good times or when they went against the rules, have a lot of fun stories to tell. and then they’d say not to tell anyone. Someone even sent me a letter afterwards thanking me for talking to him. I don’t know his name, but it was pretty cool.” her education to follow her passion in helping Joseph came to Union College after going to people. public school all her life in Florida and hopes to Of the three years she has attended Union, Mc- someday teach in both the public and Adventist Crary has worked at Phonathon for all of them. school systems. “I’ve always attended public She uses the opportunity to earn extra money as a school and that’s what made me want to teach,” fun way to connect with people and help her she explained. “I want to do public school first school. “At first it’s a little scary,” she admitted. and then switch to an Adventist school. I think “Even when I go back after not calling people for I’ll want to talk about God while I’m teaching.” a few months I get nervous, but most people have Joseph looked into doing Phonathon when a lot of fun stories to tell. The first year I worked she was searching for a job at the beginning of Phonathon I had a conversation with a lady who her freshman year and saw signs around cam- was very different from any other. As soon as she pus. “I loved doing Phonathon,” she said. answered the phone, she started grilling me with “Everyone, the whole environment, was really questions about myself. It took me by surprise be- fun. It was so chill and cause I usually ask the questions. Toward the end by the end I knew all of the conversation, she asked me if I liked to sing. the other callers.” I said yes and her reply was ‘Well, then sing for Though daunted me.’ After much objection I finally caved and sang by calling strangers, “Amazing Grace.” I chuckled after we hung up be- Joseph stuck with it cause she ended up not donating, but I hoped that and began to enjoy something I had said made an impact on her, herself. “Every time which is the goal for every one of my conversa- we started I got nerv- tions.” ous, but there was no Phonathon was started in the early 1980s and reason to be as the has grown to involve approximately 35 students people can’t even see phoning alumni, parents and friends each year. David Albo The event raises money for the Union College Cesar Cabral Pestana 20 SUMMER 2012 connections to Union College you,” she said. “It would always turn out okay dents should try to work and get jobs in order to and I started to like it. Sometimes the people I help pay for their education. It was the longest talked to would even make your day better.” conversation I had and probably the most inter- “I’m definitely going to do it again and I told esting.” my roommate and friends to as well,” said Joseph. Pestana’s hard work and dedication to im- “You learn a lot about Union and people. I think prove his language skills has led him to discover it’s really cool that years from now people are one of his greatest passions. “I want to teach and going to call me for Phonathon and I can talk to perform music as well as English as a second lan- them about how I did it too.” guage,” he explained. “I love the English lan- As daunting as it is to speak with strangers, guage and I know how exciting it is to learn a some Phonathon participants face even more second language. I hope I can share that feeling challenges in communicating with alumni than with others. I am glad I attended Union and I am shyness. Cesar Pestana, sophomore music educa- absolutely coming back,” assured Pestana. “I've tion major and English for Academic Purposes learned a lot at Union and I've made good (EAP) student from the Dominican Republic, had friends. I had a really good experience this year spent a year and a half in the United States before and I am looking forward to my next one.” coming to Union. “I did speak quite a bit and David Albo, sophomore engineering student, would be considered a ‘fluent’ English speaker,” also experienced the spirit of Union in his first he recalled. “The only thing was my accent, year. “A place is only as good as the people in it,” which is something I am still working on.” he said. “If Union didn’t have all the people and Pestana saw the job at Phonathon advertised nice teachers willing to work with you, it and decided to give it a try. “It was much harder than I thought it would be,” he admitted. “I had never done anything like it before and it was un- I would recommend anyone to comfortable and kind of scary at first. I did not do this at least once.” want anyone to yell at me or get angry, since we were asking for money, and I also thought that some people were not going to be able to under- stand me.” wouldn’t be the same. I enjoy the community, Though some of his fears were allayed, Pes- and that’s really what’s key for me.” tana still had to work hard to be understood by Albo found Phonathon to be a good opportu- those on the other end of the line. “I did get used nity to learn about other people. “Everybody was to it after the first few days and it became much down to earth and they were the ones bringing easier,” he said. “But it was hard to make a con- up conversations sometimes,” he said. “They nection with some people and there were also a asked me questions about Union and the new few who said they could not understand me com- stuff they’re doing, and I asked about their experi- pletely. I simply had to talk slower because I was ence at college, what their major was or if they sure it was probably my accent.” met their spouse. One lady I spoke with was As challenging as it was, Pestana used the op- going through quite a lot. She told me all this stuff portunity to improve his English and his skills in that was going on in her life, but was still really communicating with others. “I would recommend positive. She kept encouraging me to keep on in anyone to do this at school. I wrote her a letter and she wrote back least once,” he said. “It saying she enjoyed talking to me and looked for- is an experience worth ward to talking again next year. I really wanted to trying. It helped me in write to her so I just sent a paragraph about our many ways, not only in conversation and stuff. I enjoyed Phonathon a English. Most of my lot.” conversations were re- Every year the Phonathon team strives to pro- ally short, but I did vide vital funding for the college and stay in touch have one conversation with past Unionites. “The best thing about with this lady who Phonathon is that it connects student callers with shared with me her alumni,” said Ahrens. “They get to hear stories thoughts on how stu- from alumni about what it was like when they Yvionne Joseph were here and maybe even get inspiration from photos: Steve Nazario Steve photos: Mandy McCrary them. When we’re doing Phonathon, it’s a daily CORDmagazine 21 ______NEW ADVANCEMENT STAFF

by Ruby Ruano

any Union College alumni enjoy Over the past couple of years, the Ad- points of view and an array of additional M the events, letters, magazines and vancement team has undergone signifi- working knowledge to the team,” said videos that help keep them connected cant changes as Todd and Janya LuAnn Davis, vice president for Advance- with the college they love. The Advance- Mekelburg, Angie Peach and Nicole ment. “New staff members are here for ment team at Union College works hard Meharry have all moved to jobs in other one reason—to serve stakeholders and to keep alumni connected and helps gen- places and new people have arrived to build meaningful relationships with those erate needed resources for the college to take their places. who are interested in the future of Union continue to provide a high quality educa- “New personnel and staff transitioning College.” tion experience. to new responsibilities will bring fresh Andrea Ahrens Director of Major Gift Development

ndrea Ahrens served as Annual Fund stature in the local business community. A Director for just over a year before “For the folks who do know about Union, transitioning to her new position as Direc- we are very respected, but I want to reach tor of Major Gift Development. Originally those folks who Union College doesn’t from Lincoln, she earned a political science even cross their mind,” explained Ahrens. degree at UCLA and an MBA from the Uni- “I’m trying to make sure they know that versity of Maryland. Union is the best college.” In her most re- Ahrens helps identify and evaluate cent position as an aid to a Nebraska con- prospects to support major gift campaigns, gressman, she has already developed a special campus projects and endowment. network of contacts in state government She also serves as a major gifts officer to and the Lincoln community. support the Our Promising Future cam- She and her husband, Mike ’00, have a paign and the Union College Fund. 16 month-old son, George. One of her goals is to raise Union’s photos: Steve Nazario Steve photos: Angela Heam Annual Giving Director ngela Olson Heam ’06 left Union six Fund each year. “I am excited to be part of A years ago to be a high school the student fundraising activities and also teacher, but has now returned to Union in to make an impact on current students just a very different role. After graduating from like I experienced when I was a student,” Union and marrying Tim Heam, she taught she said. at Platte Valley and Spring Valley acade- A Nebraska native and graduate of mies as an English and substitute teacher. Platte Valley Academy, Heam attended She enjoyed working with students, but Union because it was close to home. “I needed a change of pace after their daugh- decided to study education while doing a ter, Abigail, was born nine months ago. writing project about careers during my Heam’s primary responsibility will be senior year of academy,” she said. “I real- to manage the Phonathon and other com- ized that after my parents, my academy munication strategies to raise more than a teachers had the greatest impact on half million dollars for the Union College my life.” 22 SUMMER 2012 ______NEW ADVANCEMENT STAFF

Scot Coppock Director of Leadership Giving

have prepared him to effectively help wealth. Now I’m helping people give it alumni and friends find creative ways to back to God.” give to Union College. Coppock’s primary role will be to assist Originally from Michigan, Coppock leadership donor prospects who desire to graduated from Western Michigan Univer- make current and deferred major gifts, in- sity with a degree in English before serving cluding gifts of cash and personal prop- in the army for more than five years. While erty. “My job is to sit down and talk to the stationed in Germany, he met and fell in friends and alumni of Union and find out love with Manuela, a Seventh-day Adven- what they want to accomplish with us and tist. Her example and the book, “The Great help them make a smart gift,” he ex- Controversy,” convinced him of the truth plained. In the future he hopes to be an found in the beliefs of the Adventist church. asset to help projects grow, improve the “After I was baptized, I wanted to campus and be a resource to students. “I work for the Adventist church”, said Cop- served the military, I serve my family and pock, who worked as a financial represen- church and if I can serve this campus, then ince he was baptized nine years ago, tative for John Hancock Financial I’ll be very happy.” S Scot Coppock knew he wanted serve Company before accepting the position at The Coppocks have three children, An- the Seventh-day Adventist Church in full- Union. “God has taken me from helping gela, nine; Mckayla, six; and Christian, time ministry. His unique experiences each people manage their debt to building their three. photos: Steve Nazario Steve photos: Kenna Lee Carlson Alumni Activities Director

extension of Records for me,” she said. “I Carlson enrolled at Union because her still get to connect with former students father believed his children should have that I used to work with, and I know an Adventist education, and he moved the many alumni—both old and new.” family to Lincoln when she graduated In her new role, Carlson will work to from academy in Keene. “I chose to study keep alumni connected to each other and elementary education because I always to Union—including alumni events such loved children, and I like to see people as Homecoming Weekend and chapter learn,” she said. meetings around the country. “Even The semester before she graduated, though a student graduates and leaves Lin- she married Richard Carlson ’73, Union’s coln, it’s good to somehow tug on their chaplain for more than 30 years and now heart a little and remind them that this was vice president for Spiritual Life. They a good experience for them,” she said. raised three Union graduates: Bryan ’98, She will also connect with parents by Dan ’00 and Greg ’06, and have eight giving them opportunities to purchase grandchildren. enna Lee Austin Carlson ’73 is no care packages for their students. “We do K stranger to Union College. She has Lifesavor bags and birthday party packs to worked at Union since 1994—most of that make it easy for parents to remind stu- in the Records office. “This is kind of an dents they are loved and supported.” CORDmagazine 23 ______CLASS-IFIEDS

ing a baby sister and really en- Keep in touch 1950s1 9 5 0 s 1970s1 9 7 0 s joys surprising Amelie with ran- dom toys, such as plastic bugs CORDmagazine wants to LaVern Opp ’53 retired in Henry Welch ’70, retired in and stuffed animals. Senia is an hear from you. You have told 1993. Since then, he has served Condor, Alberta, Canada in RN at Saint Elizabeth Regional us this is your favorite sec- as government relations and re- 1998. He earned a master’s de- Medical Center and Ed is art di- tion. Tell us where you are, ligious liberty representative for gree in teaching/curriculum rector at Thought District, an what you’re doing or just the state of Idaho; served a from La Sierra University on advertising agency in Lincoln, send greetings. three-year term on the Idaho December 11, 1999. Henry and Neb. State Elementary Approval May have five children, nine Direct your letters to: Commission; served as presi- grandchildren, and one great- Class-ifieds dent of Idaho Independent grandchild. He enjoys writing Alumni Office 2000s2000s School Federation and was in- poetry and stories. Union College 3800 South 48th Street terim principal of Helen Hyatt Mariah Dawn Fly was born Lincoln, NE 68506 Elementary School and College Dec. 27, 2011, to Eric ’01 and e-mail: [email protected] View Academy, in Lincoln, Dixie Mitchell (’01) Fly. She make changes online at Neb., while Mike Cook was re- 1980s1 9 9 0 s joins big brother Ethan, who is covering from an accident. Cur- p www.ucollege.edu/ three. Dixie is an RN and is a cordmagazine rently he is planning his fifth Pastor John Abbott ’86, has full-time mother. Eric is a mission trip to Iquitos, Peru accepted the invitation to be physician assistant in the emer- ’67 denotes graduation year supporting the People of Peru pastor of the Lincoln, Neb., gency department at Albany (’67) denotes last year attended Project. Northside and Holland Area Hospital in Albany, Minn. or preferred class year churches. John and his wife, Maria, and children, Noah and Hannah, will move from Hawaii in the summer. Noah will attend Joyce Leonhardt ’52 attended a poetry convention in Las Vegas College View Academy and in 1990 to present a poem she wrote. For this presentation, she Hannah will be at Union Col- received a Golden Poet Award. She wants to share it with her lege. “We’re very excited for the friends and classmates. future and looking forward to witnessing God at work in mul- titudes of ways!” says Pastor The Berlin Wall John. Dedicated to Ingetraud Boettcher

On November 9, 1989, new history was made, All peoples of all nations—it will aid, 1990s1 9 9 0 s The Berlin Wall is coming down, How beautiful and how joyful is that sound. Amelie Taylor Mejia was born Mariah Dawn Fly April 1, 2012, to Ed ’98 and For 24 hours a day, Senia Roehl ’05 Mejia, a day Tony Rouse ’03, fire claims People were there celebrating, “how good it is,” they say. before her momma’s 29th birth- representative at State Farm In- T’was a miracle, my friend, Inge got out, in May 1961. day. Livy, Amelie’s 2 year-old surance in Lincoln, Neb., and The next month, the dreadful wall had begun. big sister is getting used to hav- Taryn Moore Rouse, current Two years later President Kennedy was at that terrible wall. His words brought meaning for life to all. A sea of people listened as he spoke. He seemed to bring a glimmer of hope. For 28 long weary, sad years The wall brought violence, death and many tears.

Are we not all separated from God by a great wall? He is King of the Universe and God of all. It’s a wall of sin That separates us from Him. We can talk to Him now through prayer. Someday soon, we all will be there In that beautiful, holy place And talk with our Saviour, face to face. Amelie Taylor Mejia Carson Anthony Rouse 24 SUMMER 2012 ______CLASS-IFIEDS

Union College assistant director mooning in Canada, the couple of Student Financial Services, moved to South Williamsport, welcomed Carson Anthony on Penn., where Jennifer will be Oct. 7, 2010. Carson weighed 8 teaching while Tom will be lbs 10 oz and was 21.5 inches working in the area. long. He loves to be outside, play with cars and trucks and is Nicole Olson Orian ’04 and already a little football player. her husband, Matthew, are pleased to announce the arrival Josh Bascom ’03, vice presi- of Madison Christine, who was dent of finance for Christian born November 18, 2011. She Record Services for the Blind in weighed 7 lbs 11 oz and joins Lincoln, Neb., and Elina Ca- older twin siblings, Jacob and marena Bascom, current Hailey, at home. Matthew is Union College director of Stu- vice president for finance and dent Financial Services, wel- operations at Mail Sort Profes- comed Evelyn Noelle on Dec. sionals in Lincoln and Nicole is Abigail Marie Heam 23, 2010. Evelyn loves music, assistant director in the Division Jeremy and Heather Sterndale helping mommy with house of Nursing at Union College. chores, and playing with her 2010s2010s cousins! In early fall, she will have a little sister to play with Andrew ’10 and Nicole Frank Former as well. ’10 Christenson welcomed Zachary Thayer Christenson on Faculty July 18, 2011, in Lincoln, Neb. Andrew works for the Nebraska Betty Biggs Herman, former Department of Natural Re- Union College nursing profes- sources as a floodplain engi- sor ’74-84, was surprised with a neering specialist. Nicole works birthday cake in celebration of at home full time raising Zach her 80th birthday on Dec. 2, (and deserves a pay raise). 2011. Her students at the North- Madison Christine Orian land Pioneer College Show Low-White Mountain Campus planned the surprise for her— Michael Paradise ’05, young their clinical instructor. After adult pastor for the College she blew out the candles, Betty View Seventh-day Adventist told the students she had Church in Lincoln, Neb., and wished for their success on Alana Castillo Paradise ’06, a their upcoming state certifica- busy stay-at-home mommy, tion exams. welcomed Simeon John and Evelyn Noelle Bascom Anna Laura on December 8, 2011. Simeon weighed 4 lbs 8 oz, and Anna weighed 4 lbs 1 Tom ’03 and Jennifer Carlson People oz. They join big brother Isaiah, were married on June 24, 2012, age four years old. Placements in Atlantic, Iowa. After honey- Scott Coppock is the new di- Angela Olson Heam ’06 and Zachary Thayer Christenson her husband, Tim, are pleased rector of leadership giving in to announce the birth of Abigail the Advancement office. He earned an English degree from Marie, born August 11, 2011, at Jeremy Sterndale ’08 and Reynolds Army Community Western Michigan University Heather Bohlender ’11 were before serving in the Army for Hospital in Fort Sill, Okla. She married May 13, 2012. For the weighed 8 lb 4 oz and was 20 more than five years and most summer they are working at recently worked as an inde- inches long. Tim and Angela Camp MiVoden in Idaho. Jeremy moved to Lincoln, Neb., in May pendent financial consultant for is assistant director, and Heather John Hancock Financial. He 2012. He is an electrical appren- is ACA coordinator. After the tice with Empire Electric and is and his wife, Manuela, have summer, they plan to return to three children. taking classes to become a li- Lincoln, Neb., or wherever new censed electrician. Angela is di- jobs will take them. rector of annual giving at Union. Richard Clark ’79 has joined the Division of Science and Mathematics as chemistry pro- Tom and Jennifer Carlson fessor. He graduated from CORDmagazine 25 ______CLASS-IFIEDS

Union with a B. A. degree in rector at Spencerville Academy ness and Computer Science, Isle, Minn., with her husband chemistry and earned a Ph.D. before returning to Tennessee to have two boys, Carter and Ian. Earl Vikingson ’49. Peg was from Kansas State University in teach physical education and preceded in death by her hus- 1992. He most recently taught at serve as cross-country coach at band, Earl. She is survived by Philippine Union College and Collegedale Academy in 2004. nieces, Patricia Rushold Pacific Union College. He and He and his wife, Jessica, have IN MEMORY Davis ’54, IvaDawn Parry; his wife, Jancie, have four adult three children. Death dates and/or obituar- nephews, Douglas and Mark children. ies have been received for Johnson ’80; many cousins the following individuals. and grand nieces and nephews. Angela Olson Heam ’06 is the Transitioned: new annual giving director in Walter Crawford ’41, West- the Advancement office. After Andrea Ahrens is the new di- minster, Calif., died May 6, 2012, graduating from Union she rector of major gift development Avery Dick ’38, Loveland, at age 93. He was born in Cham- taught at Platte Valley and in the Advancement office. She Colo., died May 25, 2012, at age berlain, S.D. Drafted in 1942, he Spring Valley academies as an graduated with a degree in po- 97. He was born on a farm in La served as a medic until 1945. English and substitute teacher. litical science from UCLA and Harpe, Kan., the second of five Walter earned an M.A. degree She and her husband, Tim, re- earned an MBA at University of boys. After graduating from En- from Columbia University in cently welcomed their first-born Maryland. She most recently terprise Academy and Union 1947 and a Ph.D. from the Uni- daughter, Abigail. served as an aid to a Nebraska College, he married Arline Mc- versity of California, Los Angeles congressman and as Union’s an- Taggart Dick (’37), who died in 1961. He worked as an Eng- Paul Jenks has accepted the nual giving director. in 2005. Avery pastored lish instructor at La Sierra Col- position of director of plant churches in Wyoming, Col- lege, in the Alumni Association services. Paul comes to Union Michelle Buller is the new di- orado, Missouri and North at Loma Linda University, and with a rich background in con- rector of the Physician Assistant Dakota; served as a missionary for Meditron before teaching lit- struction and management. He Studies program. Previously the in China and the Philippines; erature at California State Uni- and his wife, Salli, administra- program’s clinical director, she and taught at Kingsway College, versity, Long Beach from 1963 tive assistant for financial ad- graduated with a master’s in Mountain View College in the until his retirement in 1988. His ministration, have two Medical Science and Physician Philippines, and Canadian Uni- emphasis on the works of daughters, Megan and Mattison, Assistant degree from Midwest- versity College. In 1976, he Samuel Taylor Coleridge re- who currently attend Union. ern University. She enjoys moved to Loveland to help pas- sulted in his authoring three teaching psychiatry to Union tor the Estes Park church and books, with editing assistance Jackie Kennedy has joined the College PA students and has was an active member of the from his wife. Additionally, he Division of Nursing as full-time special interest in women’s Campion church. He is survived authored several books and clinical instructor for the Med- mental health and eating disor- by his daughter, Ardis Dick other scholarly journals. He is ical-Surgical II course. She has ders. Stenbakken ’62; and brothers survived by his wife of 72 years, experience in leading improve- Willis Dick (’33), Elwin Dick Ann Krieger Crawford ’40, ment studies within nursing Kenna Lee Austin Carlson (’41), and Clyde Dick ’59. sons Eric and Todd and four workflow and has been in- ’73 is the new alumni activities grandchildren. volved in multiple quality im- director in the Advancement of- provement initiatives fice. She graduated with an ele- Ella Schlenker Renk (’41), throughout her nursing career. mentary education degree and Overland Park, Kan., died June She most recently worked in the has worked at Union since 23, 2012, at age 91. Born Oct 9, Neuro Progressive Unit at 1994—mostly in the Records of- 1920, in Goodrich, N.D., she was BryanLGH Medical Center West fice. She is married to Rich Carl- the second of nine children born in Lincoln. son ’73, Union’s chaplain for to Abraham Schlenker and more than 30 years and now Emma Kreiter Schlenker. Ella Brianna Payne has joined the Vice President for spiritual life. graduated from Goodrich High faculty in the Division of Sci- School in 1939. In the fall, her ence and Mathematics to teach Don Murray ’81 is director of parents put her on a bus to Lin- biology. She graduated from new construction. Murray was coln, Neb., so she could attend Andrews University with a mas- previously director of Plant Union College. After her mar- ter’s degree in biology in last Services. He and his wife, Lynae riage to John Renk, the two May and will be on one-year Bednar Murray ’82 have three farmed in North Dakota for many appointment to teach General children. Avery Dick years. After retirement, they Biology, Human Anatomy and moved to Lincoln, Neb., and then an upper-division biology Greg Steiner ’00 is now a full- to Kansas City, Kan., when their course. time institutional researcher in Margaret “Peggy” Smith health began to decline. Ella is Union’s new Office of Institu- Vikingson ’40, Edina, Minn., survived by her husband, John; Ryan Perry is the new gymnas- tional Research. He is also head died Feb. 20, 2012, at age 96. sons, Ron (’68), Norman and tics instructor and intramural di- coach of Union’s women’s bas- Peg was librarian and English Kimber ’81; and daughter, Irlys rector. He graduated from ketball team. He and his wife, teacher for Bloomington Junior Renk White ’70. Southern Adventist University Kimberly Childers Steiner ’01, High School for many years. She and spent six years as athletic di- faculty in the Division of Busi- also taught for several years in 26 SUMMER 2012 ______IN MEMORY

LaVern Huenergardt (’42), served in Minnesota, southern Violet Eastin Lewis ’47, Lin- by his wife, Lee Davidson Apopka, Fla., died July 9, 2011, California, Oregon, Washington, coln, Neb., died March 22, 2012, Loewen ’47. He is survived by in Orlando, Fla., with his family and Tennessee. His two great at age 98. She was born August his son Greg, his brother by his side. He is survived by his loves were teaching and preach- 13, 1913, in Decatur County, Willard, his sister Loretta wife Dorothy Rouse Huener- ing the Word. He moved back Iowa. After graduating from Loewen Koenig (’44), and gardt (’42), son Darrel Huen- and forth between these profes- Union, Violet worked many three grandchildren. ergardt ’65, and daughter sions as the Lord led. He was years in the Central Union Con- Cheryl Huenergardt Gaul ’76. loved for his profound yet ference office in education, MV, Willard “Verne” Hunter ’48, straight forward delivery of the and the publishing department. Salem, Ore., died June 28, 2012, Mildred Page Trimble ’42, gospel he loved so much. She also worked for several at age 90. He was born July 9, Sioux City, Iowa, died Nov. 21, years at the Nebraska Adventist 1921, in North Platte, Neb., to 2011, at age 94. She was born Margaret Cook Barnes (’45), Book Center. After her official Earl and Violet Hunter. Verne July 6, 1917, in Sioux City and Hermiston, Ore., died April 3, retirement, she continued work- was raised in Nebraska and lived most of her life there—with 2012, at age 99 years. She was ing part-time for the Mid-Amer- served the U.C. Army Air Corps the exception of the years she born Sept. 6, 1912, in Sheridan ica Union Conference until as a fighter pilot. He married spent getting her college degree Lake, Colo. At age nine, she 1996. Violet helped many stu- Mildred “Mickey” Schrader on at Union College. In 1947, she began taking piano lessons, dents attend Union College by Sept. 11, 1943. After attending married Thomas Trimble. After which developed into a lifelong providing them with room and Union College and the Univer- her children were grown and passion for music. She would board. She had many hobbies sity of Nebraska in Lincoln, he her husband died, she turned to begin her 40-plus year career of that enriched her life. She was taught school in Emmett, Idaho, community service. She accumu- teaching piano when she turned preceded in death by her sister, for a short time. He began his lated more than 30,000 hours of thirteen. She blessed many a Goldie Heifner (’38) and career with the U.S. Bureau of volunteer service at Mercy Med- congregation as church organist brother, Oscar. She is survived Mines in Albany, Oregon, in ical Center. She is survived by and pianist. Her husband, Lloyd by her sisters, Margueriete Hart- 1951. He worked as a research her son, Robert; daughter (’45), served as pastor in man and Freda Gilliland (’49) metallurgist and was a consult- Nancy Trimble Reinhardt churches in Nebraska, Wyoming and brother, Farrell Eastin ant on projects in Cuba and ’69; brother, Walter Page ’48; and Colorado. Margaret actively (’50) and many nieces and China. Verne retired in 1979. He four grandchildren and three worked beside her husband in nephews. enjoyed golfing, fishing and was great-grandchildren. She was their churches. She is survived active in his church. He is sur- preceded in death by her hus- by her daughters, Lloydene Lee Davidson Loewen ’47, vived by his wife, Mickey; sons, band, Thomas; brother, Warren; Griffitts ’55 and Luretta Rand Spokane, Wash., died Oct. 14, Ted and Corwin “Corky”; two and sister, Lenora. ’67; five grandchildren; 12 great- 2011, at age 85. She was born grandchildren and two great- grandchildren; and five great- June 4, 1926, in Harrison, Ark., grandchildren. Bernice Roth Christensen great-grandchildren. She was where she grew up. Lee at- (’43), Loveland, Colo., died Dec. preceded in death by her hus- tended academy in Keene, Betty Lou Williams Hartlein 24, 2011, at age 87. She gradu- band; sisters, Hazel and Merthel; Texas, graduated from Union ’49, Sequim, Wash., died Oct. 3, ated from Loma Linda University and brother, Harvey. College and earned a master’s 2011, at age 86. She is survived in 1947 with a degree in nursing. degree from Walla Walla Univer- by her sons, Wesley, Wayne, She met her husband Willard Frank Sherrill ’45, Loma sity. She spent 40 years teaching Marcus and Ted; sister, Barbara Christensen ’44 in 1948 and Linda, Calif., died Nov. 16, 2011, office administration and was Jean Luther; five grandchildren spent her career supporting her at age 88. He graduated from chair of the department at Walla and four great-grandchildren. minister husband while working Southwestern Junior College Walla University when she re- as an R.N. for many retirement and Union College in the pursuit tired. She loved helping students Charles “Chuck” Leffler, Sr. homes. In 1958 she and her hus- of a career in ministry. He pas- and she loved her family. She ’49, Lincoln, Neb., died June 16, band retired to Loveland after tored several churches in Texas was survived by her husband 2012, at age 83. He was born serving the church for 38 years. and Colorado, worked in the Maynard “Mike” Loewen ’47, Feb. 25, 1929 in Amarillo, Texas, She enjoyed gardening, cooking, Missouri and Potomac confer- son Greg, and three grandchil- to George and Pearl Floodman entertaining, and spending time ences and the Southwestern dren. She was preceded in Leffler. He married Hermine with her family. She was pre- Union as youth director. Frank death by her sister, Alita Mae. Damkroger on March 29, 1951. ceded in death by her husband, spent eight years as president of Attending schools in several Willard. Survivors include son, the Arkansas-Louisiana Confer- Maynard “Mike” Loewen ’47, states, he earned an MBA de- Allan ’73; daughters, Karen ence and 14 years as president Spokane, Wash., died May 18, gree from Columbia University. Christensen ’72 and Doris of the Arizona Conference be- 2012, at age 86. He was born Chuck worked for GMAC and Christensen Hanson (’72); six fore retiring in 1988. After retire- July 15, 1925, in Kansas, at- First National Bank of Lincoln, grandchildren and seven great- ment, he conducted evangelistic tended Sheyenne River Acad- Neb., before purchasing and grandchildren. crusades in Arizona, northern emy in Harvey, N.D. and earned managing several banks in Ne- New England and three in the a bachelor’s degree from Union braska and Kansas. He sold the Jerry Lien ’44, Ooltewah, Central Philippine Union. He College. Mike spent 40 years as banks and retired in 1996. Be- Tenn., died June 4, 2011, after a was preceded in death by his men’s residence hall dean and cause he generously served on lifetime of service to the Sev- first wife, Joy. He is survived by served as dean and recruitment the Board of Trustees at Union enth-day Adventist denomina- his wife Avanelle, his sons, and office for 21 years at Walla Walla College, he was awarded an tion as teacher, educational a multitude of grandchildren University until his retirement in honorary degree in 1998. He is administrator and pastor. He and great-grandchildren. 1987. He was preceded in death survived by his wife, Hermine; CORDmagazine 27 ______IN MEMORY

daughters, Deb Umberger, came assistant treasurer and au- April 8, 1923 in Stillwell, Okla., hardt ’50; sons, Alfred “Jerry” Cindy Furrow, Dottie ditor for the Colorado Confer- to Robert and Katie Walking- G. (’73), James, Merle and Steinacher; and son, Chuck Lef- ence and in 1976 became stick Chunestudy. For 36 years, Leslie; sister Florence Claram- fler, Jr. and numerous relatives. treasurer of the Rocky Mountain he worked as a boiler room sta- beau ’50; and five grandchil- He was preceded in death by Conference until his retirement tionary engineer at the VA Med- dren. his sisters Ruth Sonsil and Eve- in 1988. Before finally settling ical Center and retired in 1988. lyn Thomson, former em- down in Paradise, Calif., they He was a World War II U.S. Raymond Rouse (’53), Avon ployee; and brother, George traveled overseas and across the Army veteran, member of the Park, Fla., died March 7, 2012, at Leffler, Jr. United States. He is survived by Piedmont Park Seventh-day Ad- age 81. He was born August 13, his wife of almost 58 years, Lau- ventist Church, D.A.V. and 1930, in Elm Creek, Neb., to Jay Earl Vikingson ’49, Edina, rene Stacey Cleveland ’55; Cherokee Nation. Survivors in- and Grace Johnson Rouse. He Minn., died Jan. 3, 2008, at age two sons, Scott and Randall; and clude his sons, William ’72 and served as treasurer of the Okla- 93. He was born May 8, 1914 in five grandchildren. Joseph; daughters, Loyala Nema homa, Indiana, Illinois and Min- Bird Island, Minn., to Anna and Harmon, Mae Dawn Ellis and nesota Conferences. Upon Eric Vikingson. In 1940 he mar- Dowell Martz ’50, Vancouver, Mitchellene “Mitzi” Sylvester retirement in Avon Park, Fla., ried Margaret “Peggy” Smith Wash., died Feb. 9, 2012, at age (’79); half-sister, Betty Jane Fos- Elder Rouse was instrumental in ’40. After being drafted and 88. He was born in 1923 in ter; twelve grandchildren and founding Heartland Granary, a serving in the army during Glendale, Mo., where he lived 10 great-grandchildren. He was non-profit health food store World War II, Earl enrolled at on a farm and grew up during preceded in death by wife Bob- which benefited Walker Memo- Union College. He began work the Great Depression. Joining bie Jo (’51) in 1997. rial Academy. He is survived by in his chosen field of teaching at the army in 1942, he served his wife of 55 years, Darlene Highland Academy in Tenn. Re- most of the duration of World Joyce Spears Cotham (’51), Herr Rouse ’57; son, Arden turning home to Minnesota, he War II in Calcutta, India. Follow- Collegedale, Tenn., died April Rouse; daughter, Darla Erhard; taught in several rural schools ing the war, he met and married 17, 2012, at age 83. She was sisters, Wilma Gromer and and a long stint at Spring Lake Mabel Hunter while attending born June 9, 1929, in Alto, Dorothy Rouse Huenergardt Park senior high school. He was Union College. After graduation Texas, to John and Ola Mae ’42; three grandchildren, three survived by his wife, Peggy; from Union, Dowell earned a Spears. Joyce worked as assis- great-grandchildren and many other survivors listed under his master’s degree from Vanderbilt tant dean of women for three nieces and nephews. Mr. Rouse wife’s listing on page 26. University and a Ph.D. from years and an associate professor was preceded in death by two Colorado State University. He of office administration for 22 brothers. Lloyd Cleveland ’50, Loma spent nearly 25 years of his ca- years at Southern Adventist Uni- Linda, Calif., died June 10, 2012, reer at Pacific Union College as versity. She is survived by her Lloyd Austin Sr., ’54, Eckert, at age 86. He was born Aug. 24, professor of physics. He is sur- four daughters, Carolyn, Jean- Colo., died March 20, 2012, at 1925, in Kersey, Colo., to vived by his wife, Mabel; two nie, Nancy, and Laurie; five age 89. He was born March 22, William and Hattie Cleveland. sisters, Marjorie Sandau and grandchildren and three great- 1922, in Kansas City, Kan. He He attended Campion Academy Edith Azevedo; four children, grandchildren; brothers, Don, served in World War II. Lloyd re- and graduated from Union Col- Martin, Marjorie, Marcum, and Gary and Kenneth; and numer- tired in 1988 from pastoring lege in 1950. In 1954, he mar- Merri; and six grandchildren. ous nieces and nephews. churches in Delta, Cedaredge ried Laurene Stacey, a student and Paonia in Colorado. He is nurse in Denver, Colo. In 1959 Helen “Joyce” Suter Whit- Floyd Eichelberg (’51), Har- survived by his wife, Marion they were called to Paraguay comb ’50, Grand Prairie, Texas, lingen, Texas, died March 22, Austin (now deceased); brother, where Lloyd served as treasurer. died March 31, 2012, at age 82. 2012, at age 79. He was born Samuel Austin Jr.; sons, Don- Later they worked in the Lake She taught school, played in the Oct. 12, 1932, in Leola, S.D., and ald, Lloyd Jr. “Larry”, (’71), Titicaca Mission where Lloyd Mid-Cities Symphony and was was a lifelong, faithful servant of and Richard; two children and designed and built the Floating an award winning author of nu- God. He sang in quartet groups one great-grandchild. He was Island School. In 1965, he be- merous books and poetry. Al- in academy and throughout his preceded in death by his though she dedicated herself to life, and served as an elder, cho- brother, Harold. many civic, community, and rister, and Sabbath School neighborhood activities, a huge teacher. Floyd touched many Corene Biswell Knopp (’55), part of her life was her church lives with his Christ-like, soft- Phoenix, Ariz., died April 14, family. The Grand Prairie spirited personality. He was 2012, at age 75. She was born church benefitted from her preceded in death by his son, Dec. 21, 1936, to Boyd and choir direction and music min- Terry. Survivors include his Irene Biswell in Claremore, istry for 40 years. She was pre- wife, Donna; daughters, Cheri Okla. She enrolled at Union ceded in death by her husband, and Susan; son, Lonnie; eight College in 1954 where she stud- Dale Whitcomb ’50. Survivors grandchildren and three great- ied accounting. Here she met include her sons, Craig and grandchildren. her husband, Ivan Knopp ’58. Larry; daughter, Karen; and After they married, she worked brother, John Suter. Alfred Bernhardt ’52, Altona, while he completed his degree. Okla., died November 26, 2011, Corene worked for more than Mitchell Chunestudy (’51), at age 86. He was a farmer and a 30 years in the Arizona Confer- Lincoln, Neb., died April 1, teacher. He is survived by his ence office. She was a proficient Lloyd Cleveland 2012, at age 88. He was born wife Millicent Gemmer Bern- seamstress and made all of the 28 WINTER 2012 ______IN MEMORY clothing for herself and her Joy was a lover of music, art, po- College. She fought a good fight Stevens and Cameron Seibold; daughters. She is survived by etry and children’s stories. Much in her short battle with cancer parents, James (’61) and her husband, Ivan; two daugh- of the last decade of her life was and is now resting in Him. She is Berneice (’53) Lunday; sisters, ters, Cindy Doles and Brenda savored by traveling with James survived by her husband, Marga Carlson (’77), Amy Siverio; and six grandchildren. Pastor ’63, her husband of 48 Robert (former staff ’64-’66); Hinger (’80), and Bernelda years. Survivors include her hus- sons, Greg and Gary; and Lehmann; and five nieces and Bert Reid ’59, Madison, Ala., band, James; daughters, Jamie daughter, Mari Lou Meyer. died May 19, 2012, at age 74. He and Janine; sons, John, James Jr., was born Oct. 22, 1937, to Elder Joseph; six grandchildren; and Judy Burgeson Pogue (’67), David and Bernice Reid. siblings, Harry, Edward, Robert, Auburn, Calif., died March 6, Thought to be stillborn at birth, Jerry, Thomas, Richard, Kenneth 2012, at age 64. She was born Bert was discarded into a bas- and Nancy Baleja. Nov. 12, 1947, in Lincoln, Neb. ket—but his Aunt Willsie saw While at Union, Judy met her him move, revealing his resilient John Ridpath ’63, Buckhan- husband, James Pogue (’69). spirit and determination to live. non, W.Va., died Dec. 30, 2011, Judy completed the dental hy- He attended Oakwood College at age 78. He was born July 21, giene program at Loma Linda for two years and then trans- 1933, in Van, Texas, and raised University and practiced for sev- ferred to Union College to grad- in Madill, Okla. John was a vet- eral years before her children uate with a degree in business eran of the Korean War, serving were born. She enjoyed living administration. Bert worked for in the Medical Corps for two her life selflessly and staying the federal government for more years. After he moved to West home to raise her children. She than 30 years in jobs taking him Virginia, he served as the state is survived by her husband, all over the United States. He is disaster coordinator for the Sev- James; sons, Michael and Jared; Neta Lunday Seibold survived by his wife, Geri; chil- enth-day Adventist church. He daughter Ashley; and two dren, Jocelyn and Tim; sister, Jo- retired after 25 years of teaching grandchildren. nephews. celyn Reid Thomas ’60; two at Seventh-day Adventist acade- grandsons; sister-in-law, mies in New Jersey, Maryland, Michael Dirksen (’78), Park brother-in-law, and a host of Mississippi, California, Georgia, City, Kan., died Jan. 25, 2012, at Notice of the following deaths nieces, nephews, cousins and Missouri and West Virginia. He age 59. He was born in Hutchin- has been received: friends. especially enjoyed physical edu- son, Kan., on Feb. 1, 1952. cation and coaching and acted Michael served as food service Dorothy Lay (’36), Guillermo “Bill” Sierra ’62, as dean of boys in the boarding director at Enterprise, Oklahoma Hutchinson, Kan., died Lincoln, Neb., died March 26, academies where he taught. and Platte Valley academies. He Nov. 24, 2011, at age 96. 2012, at age 95. He was born After earning a master’s degree, is survived by his wife, Linda; July 23, 1916, in Cali, Colombia, he taught at Southwestern Ad- daughters, Stacey Parker and Phoebe Little ’41, South America. A former high ventist University. He also Kammi Dirksen; sons, Bryan Los Angeles, Calif., died school teacher, he retired from worked as assistant purchasing and Bradley; mother, Mildred; Sep. 17, 2011, at age 98. the Lincoln Regional Center. Bill agent for Huguley Hospital in sister, Deanna; and three grand- was a member of the College Fort Worth, Texas. Survivors in- children. Aletha Pfeiffer Knowlton ’42, View Seventh-day Adventist clude his wife Patricia Wiant Grand Marais, Minn., died Church. He was a service volun- Ridpath; niece, Jessamine Stead- Noeletta “Neta” Lunday Sei- April 26, 2011, at age 91. teer for Maranatha Volunteers man; step-children, Charles, bold ’82, Bismarck, N.D., died International and the Lincoln Cheryl and David Bucklew. July 4, 2012, at age 53. She died Genevieve McWilliams ’44, marathon. He enjoyed photog- at home after a courageous fight Paradise, Calif., died raphy, running, building furni- Joanne Perrault ’66, Lincoln, with cancer. Neta was born Dec. March 28, 2012, at age 92. ture and traveling. He is Neb., died Jan. 1, 2012, at age 8, 1958, in Hettinger, N. D. She survived by his wife, Olna 67. She was born Jan. 4, 1944, in was raised and educated in Bis- Eunice Reitz ’66, (’62); son, William ’72; daugh- St. Paul, Minn. From an early marck through the eighth grade Keller, Texas, died ters, Nancy Nelson ’70 and age, Joanne knew she wanted to and attended high school at Sept. 1, 2007, at age 64. Stella Link (’72); seven grand- be a teacher and her years at Sheyenne River Academy, children; sister, Ana Correa; Union College helped her fulfill where she met her future hus- Mabel Carpenter (’34), brother, Luis Correa; and many that dream. She taught elemen- band, Mark Seibold ’81. They Fort Scott, Kan., died nieces and nephews. tary school for 41 years, the last graduated together in 1976 and Dec. 26, 2011, at age 101. 39 at Helen Hyatt Elementary were married in August 1979 in Grace “Joy” Rosaasen Pastor School in Lincoln. She is sur- Bismarck. She was employed as (’63), Redlands, Calif., died Feb. vived by her sister, Judy Per- a teacher throughout her life, 16, 2012, at age 69. She was rault (’67). most recently at Shiloh Christian born Aug. 27, 1942, in Sioux and Brentwood Christian Falls, S.D. She worked mostly in Marlene Schneider, ’66, Hay- schools. Though she was a the field of education and re- den, Idaho, died April 20, 2011, beloved teacher, her life’s pas- tired as assistant to the dean of at age 75. Born on April 22, sion was being a wife and student affairs at the school of 1935, in Lincoln, Neb., she mother. Neta is survived by her dentistry in Loma Linda, Calif. earned a BA degree from Union husband, Mark; children, Arielle CORDmagazine 29 (Proetin research continued from page 11) That teacher-student relationship is one way Dr. Engen has schools, cancer institutes, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology brought a little bit of Union with him to Northeastern. “I care about firms to research how molecules bind to targets within patients’ bod- my students just like my professors cared and still care about me,” ies. It was in one such recent collaboration with the Waters Corpora- he says. “My professors have been such a positive motivator in my tion that the Engen team helped create and commercialize the HD life. Now, I take that same approach with my students. I’m happy to Exchange nanoACQUITY System. help turn these kids into something great, just as my professors were This is the first commercial system that enables companies to happy to take on that role with me.” measure proteins for therapies to treat individuals with HIV/AIDS Even now Engen feels the support he had as an undergrad at and other diseases, rather than relying on a few researchers to pro- Union. Dr. David Nowack, one of his former professors, recently vide the data. “The fastest growing sector of the pharmaceutical in- contacted Engen and plans to visit his lab to see his research. Engen dustry is proteins, and more companies need ways to measure the says, “It feels good to know my professors still care about what I’m proteins to create these needed compounds and make sure their doing and are proud that I’ve been so successful,” he says. products are being manufactured correctly,” explained Engen. While he’s become a celebrated researcher and professor in his For example, Engen’s system is currently being used in Japan to own right, Engen still takes an active role in strengthening the sci- check the insulin supply and ensure the product sold to patients ence program at his alma mater. In 2002, he founded the John R. conforms to the exact specifications necessary to treat those who Engen Award in the Chemical Sciences scholarship. The cash prize need insulin injections. is awarded each year to the junior or senior chemistry major at Engen is currently on sabbatical to focus on his research. “I love Union College who shows interest and promise in instrumental working with proteins because of the implications,” he said. “Many analysis. proteins are related to diseases, and we need to be able to under- Engen explains that the award is meant to inspire greatness in stand those relationships and strengthen future researchers. “Chemistry is a hard our techniques for measuring and re- major and students pursuing it have to searching those proteins so we can better take hard classes,” he says. “I know first- understand what’s happening in our cells hand as a researcher and a professor how and bodies. The better we understand important it is to have scientists who are these proteins, the better our chances to skilled at measurements and analysis. I understand and do something about the want my scholarship to reward students in diseases to which they’re related.” that field for their hard work, and to en- courage them to keep pursuing that spe- From Student to Professor cialty.” Being a professor of chemistry gives Engen a chance to select top-notch chem- The Promising Future of istry students to work alongside him in his Science Education at Union laboratory. “We have access to some of the College most promising students in the field,” he says. “We bring them into our lab to give Union is also committed to helping them real-world experience in a research students achieve success in the sciences. laboratory that will make them better re- In April 2012, the college broke ground searchers and scientists.” for a new two-story, 55,000 square foot Along with undergraduate students, the science and mathematics complex to re- John R. Engen Laboratory also selects post- place the aging Jorgensen Hall and revital- graduate and Ph.D. students to work ize the science and math programs. alongside their skilled senior scientists. The building will be located in what is Engen explains, “Being in our lab gives now a parking area on the north side of students experience in this type of setting, John Engen ’94, Ph.D. campus between Rees Hall, Larson Lifestyle and at the end of their time here, they’re accomplished and able to Center and the Don Love Building, and is slated to be completed go wherever they want to continue their education.” end of 2013. The new complex will feature state-of-the-art technol- Since 2006, Engen has helped more than 12 graduate students ogy in 10 laboratories, four lecture rooms, three classrooms (includ- complete their degrees, and his laboratory has hosted more than 40 ing a 126-seat amphitheatre), seven research labs and three seminar students and staff scientists. “I like the interaction I have with stu- rooms, and multi-use spaces for collaboration and interactive learn- dents,” says Engen. “I like to keep track of them and help them be ing. successful. That’s the main purpose of working with a university.” Like many math and science graduates from Union, Dr. John Some of the classes Engen teaches have upwards of 300 stu- Engen is excited about the possibilities this new facility presents. dents, but Engen doesn’t let that distract him from his goal to inspire “For students to be competitive in the sciences of our time, it is es- individual students. “One big thing I learned at Union College is that sential for them to have modern facilities,” he says. “The teaching, small is good,” he says. “I spent most of my time in Jorgensen Hall, research and general instruction quality will be vastly improved with and I interacted with the same few professors every day. Our class modern space. Unquestionably this building will have a long lasting sizes were small, and having that one-on-one time was great. It was impact on the future of all Union College students who pass through easy to get personalized attention, and I want to bring that with me it. I am very happy to see the new building take shape and be put to into every class I teach.” use.” C

30 WINTER 2012 Investing in Union’s

hen Dr. Berg reviewed his Wsituation with the Advancement team Futureat Union College, together they decided a gift of stock was the best way for him to help build the new science and mathematics complex. “I didn’t have the money in cash in a bank account,” he said. “Giving stock just fit so well.”

By gifting stock to Union College, Dr. Berg gave back to the school he loves without incurring any taxes. Union College sold the stock and put the money toward the new science and mathematics complex—truly a win-win scenario. “When I attended Union I was penniless,” he said. But now after a long career and many blessings from God, “It made me feel good to be able to make a gift to the college.” If you would like more information on giving back to Union College, please contact Scot Coppock, Director of Leadership Giving by emailing [email protected] or calling 402.486.2503. Scot is eager to help those who want to find the best way to give. It takes Want to learn more about Dr. Berg’s story? Visit www.ucollege.edu/advancement/donor-stories ForeSight... Non-profit Org. CORDmagazine U.S. Postage News from Union College PAID Vol. 76, No.2 Summer 2012 Lincoln, NE Published by the Permit No. 62 Union College Advancement Office 3800 South 48th Street, Lincoln, NE 68506 Address service requested

Mark your calendars for HomecomingHomecoming 2013 2013, April 4-7.

Honor Years for 2013: 1943, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1973, 1983, 1988, 1993, 2003

Remembering Jorgensen Hall Remembering the people of Jorgensen Hall The new science and mathematics building will al- ready be visible on the north end of campus, and we want to recognize all of the teachers and students of science and mathematics who have walked the halls of Jorgensen over the past 67 years.

If you have a story about a favorite professor, a class- mate or just a fond memory of your science educa- tion, please send it to us—photos, too We’ll take photos, too. We’ll make a collection of memories on- line for all to enjoy.

Here’s how: Send an email to: [email protected]

Mail to: Attn: Alumni office Union College 3800 South 48th Street Lincoln, NE 68506

photos: Erik Stenbakken photos: or visit: www.ucollege.edu/jorgensenstories