For privacy reasons, this online edition of Wheaton magazine does not contain the Class News section. Subsequently, this page is left blank due to the revised layout. AUTUMN 2011 spring 2011 WHEATON The Promise Unveiled See the spectacular results of your giving Inside: Japan’s Recovery • Good News for Eastern Europe • First-Century Women 85448_Cvrs_pg1.indd 3 8/18/11 5:59 PM Wheaton College exists to help build the church and improve society worldwide by promoting the development of whole and effective Christians through excellence in programs of Christian higher education. This mission expresses our commitment to do all things “For Christ and His Kingdom.” volume 14 issue 3 autumn 2011 14 32 alumni news departments 34 A Word with Alumni 2 Letters Christopher A. Jahns ’82, president of the alumni association 4 News Sports 35 Wheaton Alumni Association News 10 Association annual report, news, and events 56 Authors Books by Wheaton’s faculty; an excerpt from the 41 Alumni Class News new book by alumnus Christopher Yuan M.A.’07. 58 Readings Excerpts from the 2011 commencement address, Cover photo: New Digs for Perry. In October 1963, on the property of delivered by Lisa Brosious Beamer ’91. Judge Joseph Sam Perry of Glen Ellyn, the remains of an 11,000-year-old mastodon were found. The judge called for help from Wheaton College, 60 Faculty Voice and Dr. Douglas Block ’43 of the geology department, with the help of Dr. Beth Felker Jones reflects on why Wheaton students, was put in charge of excavating the bones. Dr. Donald C. theology matters. Boardman ’38, chair of the geology department, led the subsequent 11-year restoration effort, and for 40 years following, Perry Mastodon was on exhibit in 61 Student Profile Armerding Hall. Thanks to The Promise campaign, he moved to Wheaton’s Living with a disability, Julie Johnson ’12, M.A.’13 new Science Center in May 2010. Perry is now the centerpiece of a discovers her mission field. multi-story interactive museum that includes physics, biology, geology, and astronomy exhibits. Photo by Michael Hudson ’89. 62 Wheaton in the World By listening to God and looking to fill needs around Inside photos: Les Barker, pp. 2, 7-8, 26; Michael Hudson ’89, above, the world, Don “Bubba” Church ’57 has pp. 3-5, 9, 10, 14-25, 34-35, 37-40, reunion photos (41-43, 45-48, quietly helped to start several Wheaton ministries. 50-52, 54), 58, 61, 64; Greg Halvorsen Schreck, p. 9; Carlos Vergara ’82, pp. 12-13, 60; Philip Foxwell, Jr. ’80, pp. 28-29, 31. 64 President’s Perspective 501 College Avenue Wheaton, Illinois 60187 85448_Cvrs_pg1.indd 4 8/12/11 7:00 PM WHEATO N contents 32 44 departments features 2 Letters Tor: Wheaton’s New Mascot Dawn in the Land of the Unveiled in April and inspired by a story written by Rising Sun 4 News 12a Wheaton short-story class, Wheaton’s new mascot 28Wheaton alumni living in Japan are finding 10 Sports Stertorous “Tor” finally puts a face on the Thunder. ways to support and encourage Japanese 56 Authors leaders and survivors in the aftermath of the Books by Wheaton’s faculty; an excerpt from the Promises Kept Great Tohoku Earthquake. new book by alumnus Christopher Yuan M.A.’07. This photo essay provides mere glimpses of the by Alanna Foxwell-Barajas ’06 14benefits such giving has for the life of the College 58 Readings Excerpts from the 2011 commencement address, and its people. But the larger picture—if only it Her Story: The Early delivered by Lisa Brosious Beamer ’91. could be photographed—would be of ways your Christian Woman gifts will provide for future generations. 32An interview with Dr. Lynn H. Cohick, associate 60 Faculty Voice Dr. Beth Felker Jones reflects on why photography by Michael Hudson ’89 professor of New Testament and author of theology matters. Women in the World of the Earliest Christians, Not-So-Standard Achievement sheds light on how examining the lives of 61 Student Profile For her life-long dedication to serving at-risk first-century women adds to the understanding Living with a disability, Julie Johnson ’12, M.A.’13 26children and teens, Reverend Colleen Koppert of the New Testament. discovers her mission field. Holby ’55 received the Alumni Association’s by Dawn Kotapish ’92 Wheaton in the World 62 2011 Distinguished Service to Society award. By listening to God and looking to fill needs around the world, Don “Bubba” Church ’57 has by Karen Halvorsen Schreck ’84 quietly helped to start several W heaton ministries. 64 President’s Perspective 85448_Cvrs_pg1.indd 5 8/12/11 7:02 PM letter from the editor n late summer 1965 my husband David and I, newlyweds for only a Editor Georgia I. Douglass ’70, M.A. ’94 month, left San Angelo, Texas, to attend college in Illinois. I had learned Assistant Editor of Wheaton College only six months before, but soon we would be Monica M. Jones enrolled there—he as a graduate student and I as an undergraduate Editorial Consultant (thanks to Director of Admissions Charles Schoenherr ’50). Katherine Halberstadt Anderson ’90 As I think of it now, my mother was, at age 39, so very young to be a Design Consultants Alice Isoz Chrismer ’70 Wheaton parent, let alone a Wheaton mother-in-law. But there she stood Ellen Mardock Chrismer+ Mardock Communication iin the driveway as we pulled out onto Jackson Street and turned our Class News Editor baby-blue Rambler north. I watched as Mother waved goodbye, sending Donna Antoniuk me off to Wheaton not only with her prayers, but also her dreams. Editorial Adviser My obtaining a bachelor’s degree from Wheaton was not to be. After Dr. R. Mark Dillon a couple of years, I ran out of money and dropped out. It would be Wheaton Alumni Association President 29 years before her prayers and dreams were realized, when I received Christopher A. Jahns ’82 my master’s from Wheaton. President-Elect Both of my parents knew the value of an education, but not because Kurt Tillman ’78 they benefitted from having a college degree. Daddy’s studies at the Executive Director Cindra Stackhouse Taetzsch ’82 University of Texas were interrupted by World War II, and his hopes of Professor Emeritus finishing ended with his personal battle against tuberculosis. My mother, Leroy H. Pfund ’49 abandoned by her mother and left to fend for her invalid father and two Alumni Trustee Representatives young brothers, was denied an education beyond the eighth grade. Christopher A. Jahns ’82 Kurt Tillman ’78 Georgia I. Douglass Some years ago after the deaths of my parents, knowing how much Timothy A. Stoner ’82 ’70, M.A. ’94 they loved Wheaton and had yearned for a college education, I urged my Wheaton College Editor President family to establish an endowed scholarship in their memory. This year’s Dr. Philip G. Ryken ’88 recipient of the Kenneth and Margarette Stephenson Irwin Memorial Provost Scholarship is Julie Johnson ’12, M.A. ’13, one of five students over the Dr. Stanton L. Jones past nine years who have been helped by this endowment. You can read Vice President for Finance Dale A. Kemp her story on page 61 of this issue of Wheaton. Every day she perseveres Vice President for Student through pain and disability, with challenges that would sideline most of Development us, and yet her life is full of hope and joy. Paul O. Chelsen ’91 Also in this magazine is a report on the recent completion of The Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations Promise of Wheaton, with $261,717,652 in gifts and commitments. Dr. R. Mark Dillon Celebrate with us the close of The Promise, and be glad about how the Executive Assistant Lord will use your generosity to further His kingdom around the world. to the President Marilee A. Melvin ’72 What now seems eons ago, back in spring 2008, Wheaton announced the public rollout of this $260-million campaign. At that time, Wheaton is published autumn, winter, in my Letter from the Editor, I asked you to “see what opportunities in and spring by Wheaton College, 501 College Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187-5593, The Promise of Wheaton resonate within you, and give more than you 630/752-5779, and mailed free of charge have ever given in the past.” to alumni and friends of Wheaton College. Postmaster: Please send address changes to Together, upwards of 25,000 of you gave more than has ever been Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL 60187-5593. given. In providing for the opportunities that resonated within you— Opinions expressed are those of the contributors or the editors, and endowments or Wheaton Fund, programs or buildings—you have helped do not necessarily represent the official position of the College. fulfill the dreams and answer the prayers of Wheaton students (and their © 2011 Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL parents) now and far into the future. We are grateful to you. www.wheaton.edu 2 AUTUMN 2011 85448_2_11.indd 2 8/12/11 10:12 PM dearWHEATO N A Beloved Professor’s I’m grateful I had a couple of Reflecting on the Complex Legacy classes with Jerry Hawthorne, Thanks for the beautiful way you dealt when I took Greek to fulfill my with the complex issue of doubt and faith. foreign language requirement. I have spoken to the Lord, sought His counsel At one point, I was discouraged on things big and small and thanked Him for His that I was not really “getting” presence every day for the last 54 years.