Spring 2002 • the Andrews University Magazine • Vol
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
FOCUS SPRING 2002 • THE ANDREWS UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE • VOL. 38 NO. 2 I LOVE A PARADE AU’S 100 WOMEN OF THE CENtuRY HOMECOMING PHOTO EssaY IN FOCUS “PUTT-PUTT” AND OTHER (UNEXPECTED) HOMECOMING MOMENTS I'll admit it: I'm not much of an "Alumni in the parade, a contingent of his relatives ly not without pencil and paper. Still, as the Weekend" kind of guy. I find reunions tor- honored him with a banner that read, "Our sun was setting and as the international flags turous—I'm already dreading my academy Alumnus of the Year." Leading the group, were being raised, Andreasen addressed the class's 20th, just four short years away—and two grandchildren navigated an old red go- gathering, speaking words that floated gen- I'd sooner reacquire my high school ward- cart (named "Putt-Putt") that James had lov- tly above us, pulling our hearts and minds to robe of Don Johnson pastels than catch up ingly built years ago for his own children. the spiritual and communal meanings with people who remember my pimply-face The noisy cart still ran pretty well—James evoked in the symbolism of our flags. teenage smile and don't seem put off by my had just recently performed an overhaul— Later that evening in the church, as current pimply-face mid-30s smile. and the grandkids clearly enjoyed zig-zag- Vespers convened to honor "Andrews Like some other younger alums, I've been ging and "putt-putting" along the parade Women of the Century," I was, for the third known to equate college homecomings with route. I was fortunate enough to see the time, moved to reflection. Not only was it a bingo night at the retirement center, only entire group pass by James, who, cheering privilege to see so many influential and without the edge-of-your-seat excitement. inspiring individuals rightly celebrated, But I've had it all wrong! hearing many of their stories was both com- What I experienced this past homecoming pelling and humbling. From Elaine weekend persuaded me that Andrews Giddings to Arlyn Drew, there were stories Alums do treasure their connection with AU of sadness and triumph. Symbolically, this (or EMC) and the relationships they formed issue is dedicated to all AU women who here. These alums also know how to have share the legacy of those honored that night, fun, and some of them are just plain nuts a group that included my late mother. [see Susan Zork (MA ‘01) and Karen Tilstra In this issue: Madeline Johnston writes (MA ‘82) on the back cover]. about the celebration honoring AU women in This alumni weekend (like most of them our featured article. Madeline highlights the I'm beginning to realize) provided some richness and variety of experiences that were meaningful and unexpected moments, where brought together on this special occasion. the forms of celebration and tradition yielded Also in this issue, Marjorie Susens takes a something more than mere spectacle. Mine lighter look at this year's Homecoming came on Friday, beginning with my participa- Parade. Meredith Jones Gray begins a new tion in the alumni homecoming parade. feature for Focus (Time Pieces) examining Always willing to stick my neck out for AU history, particularly stories and individ- my "dear AU," I served as hood ornament uals that, for various reasons, did not make for the vintage car carrying Meredith Jones it into her book, As We Set Forth. And last, in Gray, her escort, son Jeremy, and driver, another new feature (Student Spotlight), Dave Wilber, along the parade route. Mike Murrill writes about his undergradu- Walking just ahead of the vehicle, dressed in I served as hood ornament for ate experience at AU. Just graduated, Mike a "sandwich board" advertising Jones Gray's served as Student Association President for recently published history of Andrews, As the vintage car carrying two consecutive school years and shares his We Set Forth, I found myself fearfully and views about what makes AU great. repeatedly looking back over my shoulder Meredith Jones Gray My experiences at this year's homecoming at Wilber's ancient Model T. Dave had casu- made me look at this institution, AU, my ally mentioned he'd try to keep the old vehi- home, differently. There is meaning in our cle from "lurching unpredictably" toward and smiling curbside, waved heartily at his personal and institutional struggles because my backside during the parade. My sand- family's tribute. these define us; they are our legacy—a point wich board lacking the optional rearside air- Moment number two came at the Jones Gray's As We Set Forth makes abun- bags, I pressed ever closer to the Nash fami- International Flag-Raising Ceremony, an dantly clear. And there is limitless value in ly float in front of me, and the first of what event I've always enjoyed. As powerful as sharing our memories and experiences. would be three meaningful moments that the flag-raising is visually (there are so many I may have to rethink that academy evening. great looking flags!), this year the words of reunion thing . For the Nash family, this was more than President Andreasen proved especially apt in just another parade. The Nash's had named illuminating the event's significance. While ~ Ivan Davis is assistant professor of their own honored alumnus: grandfather, finding the right words for a particular English and the editor of FOCUS. father and husband, James Nash, who has moment is chief among his many gifts, been waging a difficult battle with brain unfortunately, remembering well-spoken cancer over the past few months. Marching words verbatim is not one of mine—certain- THE ANDREWS U M NIVERSITY AGAZINE CONTENTS FOCUS Spring 2002 • Volume 38, Number 2 EDITOR Ivan Davis (MA ’92) I LOVE A PARADE ............................ 12 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS The Homecoming Parade offers spectators floats, fancy cars, Rebecca May (BA ’77) Katie Shaw (BA '00) and at least 76 pieces of hard candy. Brent Geraty (MA '91) By Marjorie Susens EDITORIAL ASSIstaNT Patricia Spangler WRITERS Meredith Jones Gray TIME PIECES ................................ 14 (BA ‘76, MA ‘77) Meredith Jones Gray’s first installment of regular contribu- Madeline Steele Johnston (MA ‘77) Michael Murrill (BBA ‘02) tions to FOCUS examines EMC alumnus Elizabeth K. Steen. Marjorie Susens (Background watermark image is a woodcut reproduction from Red Jungle Boy, written PHOTOGRAPHERS and illustrated by Elizabeth K. Steen. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1937) Tamara Karr By Meredith Jones Gray Gianna Norman Melissa DiLernia (BS ‘02) Clay Schwarck (BS ‘02) HOMECOMING PHOTO ESSAY .................. 15 Golfers, Flag-raisers, Balloons, and more . THE UNIVERSITY President: Niels-Erik Andreasen (MA ’65, BD ’66) Vice Presidents for AU’S 100 WOMEN OF THE CENTURY ............ 19 Academic Administration: Patricia B. Mutch (BS ’65) University Advancement: David A. Faehner (MA ’72) It was a celebration for the ages, documenting the struggles Student Services: Newton Hoilette (MA ’75, EdD ’79) Financial Administration: Edward E. Wines and triumphs of Andrews’ women. Enrollment Management: Stephen Payne By Madeline Steele Johnston ALUMNI ASSOCIatION Co-presidents: David Bauer (MA ’57, EdD ’82) STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ......................... 31 and Marilyn Bauer (MAT ’75) Immediate Past President: Robert Cochran (BA ’73) A recent graduate and two-time Student Association Director of Alumni Services: Rebecca May (BA ’77) President writes about what Andrews did for him. FOCUS ADVISORY BOARD By Michael Murrill Nancy Carter (BS ’74), Gregory Constantine (BA ’60), Sharon Dudgeon (MMus ’86), Paul Hamel (DP ’40, BA ’48), On the cover: Dan Tilstra’s (MDiv ‘82) cover concept combines three symbols—those of Tami Martinez (AS ’92, BA ’93), Marjorie Snyder (DP ’50), the female, the cross, and Andrews University. Special thanks to Matthew Hamel of FOCUS (ISSN 1077-9345) is published quarterly, Visionary Multimedia for incorporating this concept into his cover design. free of charge, for alumni and friends of Andrews University, an institution owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The magazine’s address is FOCUS, Office of University Relations, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI 49104- 1000. Copyright 2002 by Andrews University. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. Printed by The Hamblin Company, Tecumseh, Mich. Periodicals postage paid at Berrien Springs, Mich., and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to . .D .EPARTMENTS . FOcus, Alumni Affairs Office, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI 49104-0950. In Focus. 2 Letters . 4 Alumni News. 23 Campus Cache. 6 Class Notes. 26 Editor’s Office: (616) 471-3316 Email: [email protected] Campus Update. .8 Life Stories. .28 Alumni Services Office: (616) 471-3591 Email: [email protected] Faculty & Staff . 11 www.andrews.edu LETTERS up some more applicable sources for whatev- Of rings and idols The good . er you were trying to say, and just what was it? May I ask how a ring brings one closer to Congratulations on a lively, friendly, fun- Can we expect something better next issue? God? Your picture on page 12 of the Winter filled edition of FOCUS. It made me want to Hopefully, FOCUS cries for inclusion in a school journal read some articles instead of just scanning the worshiping idols. With the national divorce alumni news and class notes for familiar Bill Shadel (BA '33) rate what it is, do we need to rush to match it names. Keep it up. Professor Emeritus, U of Washington when we are doing such a fine job already by Past Pres, Radio-TV Correspondent's Ass'n. leaving God out of the picture and worshiping David Neff (MDiv '73) Past Pres., Association of Radio-TV News Analysts our own idols of passion, thought—or lack of Editor and Vice-President it? Alumni here were turned off, grossly! Christianity Today Larry Ward (BA '63) Time for AU to And the bad .