58559_Cover_u2.qxd 3/31/09 4:34 PM Page 3 spring 2009 WHEATON Sweet Fruits of Innovation How are inventive alumni improving our lives? Inside: Student DNA Research • Senior Art Show • The Promise Report 58559_ ifc-13_u1.qxd 3/31/09 4:30 PM Page c2 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 12 ISSUE 2 8 SPRING 2009 ALUMNI NEWS DEPARTMENTS 32 A Word with Alumni 2 Letters From the President of the Alumni Association 4 News 33 Wheaton Alumni Association News 10 Sports Association news and events 27 The Promise Report 38 Alumni Class News An update on The Promise of Wheaton campaign 58 Authors Books by Wheaton’s faculty; thoughts from published Cover photo: Dr. David Bedford ’73 rates apples in the apple alumnus Dr. Douglas Sweeney ’87 breeding orchard at the University of Minnesota, where he is a research scientist. His Honeycrisp apple won accolades for 60 Readings its flavor and texture. A 1935 alumnus writes about the Great Depression Photo by Dave Hansen, University of Minnesota 62 Faculty Voice Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt on providence and history Inside photos: Michael Hudson ’89, pages 7, 10-11, 50, 57, 62, 64, 66; Ellen Rising Morris, page 3; 63 Student Profile Les Barker and Craig Taylor, pages 4, 30-31. A student sings with a world-class opera 64 Wheaton in the World Dr. Tom Schwanda travels to support Christians in India and the Middle East 501 College Avenue 68 President’s Commentary Wheaton, Illinois 60187 58559_ ifc-13_u1.qxd 3/31/09 4:30 PM Page 1 WHEATONcontents 14 20 FEATURES Wheaton View Gallery 12 Wheaton’s winningest football coach encourages 24 Wheaton students engage contemporary his players to “live a life with no regrets.” culture through art. by Joel Sheesley ’72 What if . ? 14 Four innovators take ideas from How Is the Economic Recession imagination to reality. 66 Affecting Wheaton? by Katherine Halberstadt Anderson ’90, Wheaton’s senior vice president for finance Chris Blumhofer ’05, LaTonya Taylor, and informs us of Wheaton’s challenges Jeremy Weber ’05 regarding—and responses to—the financial crisis. by Dr. David E. Johnston ’65 The Turtle Test 20 Biology Professor Dr. Rod Scott’s DNA research, in collaboration with that of an ecologist and a Wheaton student, may help preserve a threatened species. Also, Wayne Frair ’51 has spent his career in herpetological research. by Jennifer Grant ’89 58559_ ifc-13_u1.qxd 3/31/09 4:30 PM Page 2 letter from the editor ost likely, it happens to every Wheaton student—that moment Editor Georgia I. Douglass ’70, M.A. ’94 during a classroom discussion when intellect and faith collide. Unsettling, Managing Editor mit compels us to ask questions that don’t have tidy, definitive answers. LaTonya J. Taylor I remember when this occurred in my student days, more than 40 years Editorial Consultant Katherine Halberstadt Anderson ’90 ago. I was sitting in Ralph Alexander’s Old Testament Survey class. Design Consultants A fellow student made a comment that went something like this: Alice Isoz Chrismer ’70 “The Bible tells us that the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Ellen Mardock Chrismer + Mardock Communication I’ve always believed that. But our study of Abraham, Nineveh, the Class News Editor Exodus, the wilderness wanderings, and deliverances showed us that Donna Antoniuk God was sometimes so deeply affected by people’s prayers that Editorial Adviser Dr. R. Mark Dillon He changed His mind.” What? I thought. Could my prayers actually change God’s will? Wheaton Alumni Association President I know God does not make, or want, automatons. And what Doris Day Matthew C. Hsieh ’93 sang, “Que será, será; whatever will be, will be,” can be a cop-out. President-Elect Timothy A. Stoner ’82 Yet, on the other hand, even free will is not . well, free-wheelin’. After Executive Director all, the Lord is sovereign. Cindra Stackhouse Taetzsch ’82 Ah, the paradox of prayer. It’s what Wheaton alumnus Philip Yancey Professor Emeritus M.A. ’72 examines in his book Prayer: Does It Make a Difference?: Leroy H. Pfund ’49 Alumni Trustee Representatives The act of prayer brings together Creator and creature, eternity Matthew C. Hsieh ’93 and time, in all the fathomless mystery implied by that convergence. Timothy A. Stoner ’82 Georgia I. Douglass I can view prayer as a way of asking a timeless God to intervene Robert D. Dye ’73 ’70, M.A. ’94 more directly in our time-bound life on earth. I can also Wheaton College Editor view prayer from the other side, as a way of entering into the rhythms President of eternity and aligning myself with God’s “view from above,” a way Dr. Duane Litfin to harmonize my own desires with God’s and then to help effect, Provost while on earth, what God has willed for all eternity. (page 139) Dr. Stanton L. Jones Senior Vice President Do people’s prayers make a difference in the life of Wheaton? Dr. David E. Johnston ’65 The Bible tells us that the effectual, fervent prayers of His people can Vice President for Student accomplish much. Development Paul O. Chelsen ’91 In this magazine, you’ll read about some of the changes and Vice President for Advancement challenges facing the College. I like to think, with thousands of alumni, and Alumni Relations Dr. R. Mark Dillon parents, and friends living in various time zones throughout the world, that Executive Assistant prayers for Wheaton never cease. Someone, somewhere, night and day, to the President Marilee A. Melvin ’72 is praying for the College. Why, it’s a “virtual” Wheaton reunion; and Wheaton is published autumn, where two or three are gathered together, Christ is there, in the midst winter, spring, and special (catalog) of them. by Wheaton College, 501 College Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187-5593, Will you pray for Wheaton College? 630/752-5779, and mailed free of charge to alumni and friends of Ask the Lord to accomplish that for which you pray. And ask that Wheaton College. Periodicals postage your prayers will help effect what our sovereign Lord has willed. paid at Carol Stream, IL (USPS 016326). Postmaster: Please send address The paradox remains. And He is still the same yesterday, today, changes to Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL 60187-5593. and forever. Opinions expressed are those of the contributors or the editors, and do not necessarily represent the official position of the College. © 2009 Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL www.wheaton.edu 2 SPRING 2009 58559_ ifc-13_u1.qxd 3/31/09 4:30 PM Page 3 dearWHEATON Wheaton Professors: Where Thanks— Would We Be Without Them? We’re Glad You Like It We were exposed to many wonderful, I was working with our associated dedicated professors during our days at nonprofit organization today about some Wheaton. I’m sure, however, that for each of issues involved in producing documents us there are one or two who stand out distributed via print and online. and who went a long way toward shaping When I got home I saw the winter 2009 our lives. Wheaton in my stack of periodicals. I held In my case it was Frank Bellinger ’42, who it in my hands and was struck by the taught political science in the 1950s. When photography, the front lawn photo on I became a high school teacher, I patterned pages 14-15, the graphs and charts on the my history lessons and projects after those following pages, the fonts, page layout, I learned from him. I often thought back colors, and everything else that goes into a to Mr. Bellinger’s lectures on the complexity printed publication. All these were getting into the Great Depression. of most issues and how we should deal prepared in a professionally done manner. Fortunately Dad never lost his job, and with them. Thanks for upholding artistic standards Wheaton helped those like me in need of This year, as I prepared to travel to with your publications. Your dedication to assistance or deferred payment. And dear Wheaton to attend the LeRoy H. Pfund excellence continues since my days at Mrs. Julia Blanchard unexpectedly offered lecture featuring New York Times columnist Wheaton. me a job in the library. David Brooks, I learned that Mr. Bellinger Rob Pluta B.M.E. ’82 I hope the new year proves special in was still living in the Wheaton area. I secured Oklahoma City, Oklahoma God’s ways for you and Wheaton. If you an invitation to the lecture for him so I could run into our very special president (actually, personally thank him for the impact he I was thrilled to open the winter issue you know, all have been special men had on my life. I had not seen him in more of Wheaton and see pictures of and of God whom He has sent to guide us), than 50 years. A few days before the lecture, articles featuring both my daughter-in-law, please tell him here’s one “old grad” who he passed away. Jenna Jonas Walhout ’91, and my niece, thanks God for sending him to be The reason for this letter is to encourage Celia Hollatz Bergman ’87. Wheaton’s guide just now. alumni like myself, who were influenced While I myself followed a straight path God bless you. by a specific professor, to let that person from my chemistry major at Wheaton Louise Crawford ’36 know how much they meant to them before to graduate school for my doctorate to Pleasant Hill, Tennessee it is too late.