P RESIDENT ’ S R E P O R T 2 0 0 6 contents president’s remarks resident’s report 2006 resident’s p 2 laura foudy I spent six days in the Czech Republic with in Prague, Karlovy-Vary and the Czech crossing cultures leads to Kenya Paul Nemecek ’81, associate professor of countryside; and interacting with a whole 4 sociology and adult studies, and 15 of our array of government and cultural leaders brightest students in May 2005. It was was thrilling. But it was troubling, too. We mark janowiak an opportunity for me to gain brief and witnessed first-hand the troubled history UNIVERSITY ongoing exposure to our dynamic cross of this beautiful nation-state and traveled a world without boundaries 6 cultural programs. It also provided me to many of the haunting reminders of the with one of my favorite opportunities: the horrors of human evil that have run across joel maust chance to see another culture in action and this land. The Czech Republic is a living to consider the many ways societies are reminder of what can go so gloriously right SPRING ARBOR katrina: reflecting on relief 8 structured around the world. and what can go so horribly wrong when There is no question I loved the human ideals run amok. richard tallman experience — being with students for six Today, I sit in the luxury of my 14 days in gulfport days, spending major portions of time office thinking of that dear time and 10 SAU timeline 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 board of trustees 11 New leadership New name Spring Arbor Total enrollment 3,174; buildings Gayle D. Beebe University; total enrollment White Library and 3 village named 27th 2,616; buildings 2 village houses; programs youth ministry SAU financials president; total houses; programs nursing (BA), special education (BA), 12 enrollment 2,420 (BS), counseling (MA) added; communication (MA offered recognized by U.S. News online only) added; recognized alumni board and World Report as Tier 3 by U.S. News and World Report 14 in Midwest and students as Tier 2 in Midwest; partnership graduate with least amount established between SAU and university profile of debt Wuhan University of Technology 15 (China) for academic exchange wondering how societies and cultures can life-changing decisions that shape their simultaneously embody great ideals, while eternity. Along with faculty, staff and slumping into the worst expressions of administrators, our students will volunteer moral failure. There is no easy answer to more than 500,000 hours to ministries and the mystery of human evil, but there is social agencies — both local and abroad. an opportunity for an active and engaged Coming this year will be our brand response. To help frame a response, I want new, state-of-the-art, academic building. to call on the resources of the church and The Poling Center for Global Learning especially the active intellects of one of our and Leadership will continue to emphasize greatest thinkers. living up to our highest ideals. This truth the global awareness that must be a part of Clement of Alexandria (150–215 still resonates with our current needs and every student’s education. For the first time AD) lived in the cosmopolitan center of challenges. When we look back on the in our school’s history we have exceeded the ancient world. Alexandria had the best Czech Republic and think of the horrible 4,000 students in all of our program libraries, open air markets, and I am sure, history that has ravaged Europe, we are offerings. We have launched our online even the best coffee! It also had the Roman reminded of the haunting truth that this university, now called SAUonline. As a Empire’s best thinkers. society went so horribly wrong while being piece of this new development, we have In the settled luxury of this ancient city, built on some of the highest ideals ever also launched Christian High Online, an Clement was raised on the finest education embodied in a civilization. early enrollee opportunity for the brightest of his time. He was a brilliant man who high school students. THE SEEDS OF RENEWAL recognized after his Christian conversion All of these developments give us great the great opposition that was mounting As we look to the future, I am so pleased hope for the future. We are excited about the against the church. In this cauldron of that each of our traditional undergraduate developments on campus and throughout unbelief, Clement began to work to build students has the opportunity to experience our entire University. We are also pleased an education system that could lead people another culture — and develop a global to see so many of our graduates going into to a full understanding of their faith in perspective — before graduating from the world to make a life-changing, culture- Christ, while giving them all the tools to Spring Arbor University. This preparation shaping impact on our society. be successful in their vocations. He was one fundamentally broadens our students and Thank you for your love and support of the first to declare that Christians must provides our society with one of the richest of Spring Arbor University. out-think their opposition and constructed opportunities to expand our worldview. It the ancient Christian liberal arts curriculum also gives us evidence of how cultures and With appreciation, that still influences our theory of education civilizations can plunge into decay — and today. provides an opportunity to focus on the The greatest link Clement creates in seeds of renewal. our own time is the recognition that the This year our students will have ample mind must be trained and the character opportunity to explore the world, sharpen Gayle D. Beebe, Ph.D. disciplined if we are to have any chance of their mind, develop their skills and make PRESIDENT SAU timeline 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Total enrollment 3,527; buildings Total enrollment 3,511; buildings Total enrollment 3,701; programs Total enrollment 4,002; programs 1 village house; renovations 1 village house, E. Kathleen political economy (BA), business (BA) communication (certificate), recreation (minor) Dietzman Hall; programs worship Dunckel Gymnasium and added; buildings McKenna Carillon added; buildings University Hall; groundbreaking arts (BA), family studies (MA), Theodore Comden Courts, Tower/University Plaza, E.P. Hart Poling Center for Global Learning and school counseling concentration Prop Shop — a black box Circle, Ganton Art Gallery; renovations Leadership (home to Gainey School of Business added; recognized among top theater, dining commons dining commons, apartment and dorm and Hosmer Center for Entrepreneurship); Christian workplaces in U.S. by addition; programs visual furnishings, fieldhouse equipment renovations History and Human Resources; Christianity Today, and by U.S. communication (BA) added; and facilities, UCOM and K-houses; recognized by U.S. News and World Report as News and World Report as Tier 2 recognized by U.S. News and inaugural Entrepreneurship and Tier 1 in the Midwest and students graduate in Midwest and students graduate World Report as Tier 1 in Innovation Symposium held; recognized with least amount of debt, and No. 6 in nation with least amount of debt Midwest by U.S. News and World Report as Tier 1 for educating students about American history in the Midwest. by Intercollegiate Studies Institute Program resident’s report 2006 resident’s p 4 crossing cultures leads one alum to Kenya LAURA FOUDY Even as a little girl, Laura Foudy ’02, wanted THE WELLSPRINGS OF LIFE “If I could have lots of money, I would to help people in need around the world. Juggling the adjustment to college life, work pay my way through college and build A native of Huntington, Ind., she started and her difficult biochemistry classes was a a gigantic house … I would invite all her college career at Spring Arbor in 1998 challenge. “God provided me with friends SPRING ARBOR UNIVERSITY of the people that lived around there and soon rededicated her life to Christ. who encouraged me and prayed with me,” that was poor, or living on the streets A friendly, curly-haired blonde, Foudy says Foudy. “My Delta Three friends are by to come stay there… excelled in her pre-med/biochemistry major, far my closest to date.” making the dean’s list each year. She also Visits with the University’s spiritual I would hire them to work there and played flute in the University band and flute counselor, Dixie (Lee ’68) Davidson, helped teach the children their school stuff. choir, led a Bible study and volunteered at Foudy learn new ways to cope with stress. As soon as they knew how to do it I a local convalescent home. She also tutored She learned to depend fully on the Lord for would buy a ticket to a third world fellow students, and worked as a janitor and guidance. “I also learned to guard my heart, country so I could doctor the people secretary for Holton Health Center. for out of it comes the wellsprings of life,” there.” In the summers, Foudy worked as a says Foudy. certified nursing assistant and home health It was a mandatory general education LAURA FOUDY aide. She did this for three summers, course — Gospels and Acts — that aided Age 10 gaining a compassion for the elderly and a in her transition, too. Taught by Chuck warm bedside manner. White (1967-68), a professor known for his ability to challenge students during a considered international travel and short- eyes to the medical needs of Kenya. regular semester, the course was especially term missions awakened and focused on Encouraged to challenge her assumptions, challenging during the interim semester, the people of Kenya.