FALL Northwestern College Magazine the Classic Social Entrepreneurs From Iowa to Ecuador, alumni profi t while fi ghting poverty Also Residence Hall Traditions Transylvanian View A Long Run NWC_29849.indd 1 11/19/12 2:44 PM 26 West Hall’s annual epic battle combines creativity, cardboard, duct tape and a fair share of testosterone. ALLEN STEPHEN NWC_29849.indd 2 11/19/12 2:44 PM Contents Classic People Editor Valuable Profi ts Duane Beeson 16 Social entrepreneurs invest in society, but not at the 712-707-7116 13 expense of making money. [email protected] Staff Writers Marathon Man Carrie (Odell ’01) Anderson 22 Jim Ellis has been running across Iowa since January, Duane Beeson inspiring young and old alike to pursue their passions Anita Cirulis with vigor. Tamara Fynaardt Amanda Kundert Departments Designers Roy Trevino 2 Zwemer View John Vander Stelt ‘83 On the Web 3 In Box Web Designer Your Turn Share about your favorite residence hall 4 Around the Green Dan Robinson ‘01 tradition or comment about other articles 6 Of Course The Classic is published three times a in this issue. year—in April, July and November— Face Value for alumni and friends of Northwest- 9 ern College. So named because it served what was then known as the visit classic.nwciowa.edu 13 Red Zone Northwestern Classical Academy, the Classic was the school’s fi rst student newspaper, begun in 1891. 14 1,000 Words It has been an alumni publication since 1930. 28 Looking Back Send correspondence or address changes to the Classic, Northwestern 29 Class Notes College, 101 7th Street SW, Orange City, IA 51041-1996 or classic@ 36 Classic Thoughts nwciowa.edu. Opinions expressed in the Classic do not necessarily refl ect the offi cial position of Northwestern College. 16 On the cover: 14 Rosa Guamán raises quinoa near La Merced, Ecuador, and sells it to Feed Adam, a company founded by Curt Bomgaars ’10 to “eat away at poverty.” 22 Northwestern Classic 1 NWC_29849.indd 3 11/19/12 2:44 PM Zwemer View Lives That Matter here is much talk these days about the price and perceived value of higher education in the U.S. Higher education is a big investment, and it is appropriate for students Tand their families—as well as citizens in general—to have high expectations for colleges and universities. We’re grateful Northwestern College enjoys a strong reputation as ROSS a college that’s worth the cost, as evidenced by various national publications that rate colleges DAN and universities. Equally valuable to us is the fact that students, their parents and our alumni affi rm the work Northwestern is doing to prepare students for career success and Kingdom faithfulness after college. Earlier this year, a national consulting fi rm that specializes in higher education surveyed our students, parents and alumni to help us gauge their satisfaction with Northwestern. More than 96 percent of alumni said they either already have or would recommend Northwestern College to a family member or friend. More than 97 percent of parents feel Northwestern is worth the cost. And more than 80 percent of students indicate that Northwestern is having a lasting and signifi cant impact on their spiritual life. Th ese statistics are very gratifying and indicative of the dedication of our faculty and staff to creating a Christian academic community that engages students in courageous and faithful learning and living. We are committed to preparing students for the world of work, but we also desire so much more for them. Th e outcome of a Northwestern education should be more than just the standard of living our graduates can attain. Ultimately, we hope they faithfully follow Christ and pursue God’s redeeming work in the world. We pray they fi nd a calling, professionally and personally, that enables them to participate in God’s redemptive purposes. As I travel across the country, I am humbled to witness all the places and ways our alumni are fulfi lling Northwestern’s mission. Our graduates are committed spouses and parents; they provide leadership in their churches, are invested in their communities, and seek to use their gifts and talents to bless others and further the Kingdom. Th is aspect of our mission sets Northwestern far apart from most other colleges and universities. Many schools can claim to have bright young people who are diligent students. But few can claim to have so many who want their lives to matter for God’s glory. What a joy it is to teach and mentor students who are passionate about loving and serving God and others and who value their Northwestern education as an important investment in that calling. Greg Christy President 2 FALL 2012 NWC_29849.indd 4 11/19/12 2:45 PM in Box Korverisms like fi ve minutes, I looked over at A Clear Voice her, amazed that she was not ready I had the great oppor- Th ank you for printing the article SUMMER 2012 to go back in the game, and yelled, tunity to be coached about Bob Vander Plaats [in the “It’s a long way from your heart. theClassic by Larry Korver on spring 2012 Classic]. Bob stands Hurry up and get back in there!” Northwestern’s football strong for biblical values and is a Any other players remember team. My life was clear voice for the importance of hearing about the distance of your changed forever by the one-man/one-woman marriage, injury from your heart? lessons Coach taught the pro-life view and limited As I returned home that night, I that were much bigger government. If believers are was thinking about these incidents than the game of not involved in government and fondly remembering what football. Answering to maintain it through godly Coach Korver has done for my the question, “Why wisdom, America will become On-the-Job life. Th anks, Coach, for helping to Training are you here?” helped a byword just like the Roman College interns apply classroom learning make me the person, husband and while gaining valuable experience me understand the Empire of old. Also father I am today! The Road to Northwestern life of service God International Festival Dwayne Alons ’68 Rapping for Jesus has chosen for me Jeff Herzberg ’88 M anson, Iowa Hull, Iowa and has served me well as an educator for 24 years. As a proud father of six From the Classic website children—and married to Wendy The following comment was posted online about a Classic article. First-Rate Job (Stonehocker ’89)— I have used many of these same lessons as I Stand Up for Rights Please pass along my thanks for try to instill values that will help In a time of intolerance when evil is called good, and good evil, I’m thankful the fi rst-rate job your entire team them in their lives. Recently I had that Bob Vander Plaats [ is] working to protect God’s plan for marriage, the very did with the summer 2012 edition the chance to share two specifi c of the Classic. Korverisms with my daughters, image of God in human life, and our religious liberty. These are the essential moral I am not a Northwestern and I thought it was time I wrote a issues of our day. graduate. None of my children letter to say “thank you” to Coach We must remain free to disagree despite attempts to silence us and say we has attended Northwestern. I am Korver. don’t have the right to oppose same-sex “marriage.” If we are to remain a free on the mailing list because your Ellie was detasseling corn society, the efforts to intimidate Christians and Christian businesses, like Chick- president and chief development when she mentioned walking fi l-A, into silence cannot be allowed to succeed. As God’s people, we must all stand offi cer added me to the list. in the fi elds was making her How glad I am! What an ankles stronger. Does anyone else for our God-given, First Amendment [ rights] of free speech and religious liberty. incredible publication! Beautiful remember Coach talking about Dennis Durband [’76] photographs. Just the right that while in the training room? amount of text. Good graphics. Th e very next day I was Scintillating topics. I can’t wait coaching Cloie’s basketball team WE LOVE GETTING MAIL until the next publication is in my in the Iowa Games, and she had Send letters to: Classic, NWC, 101 7th Street SW, Orange City, IA mailbox. to come out of our fi rst game to 51041; email: classic@ nwciowa.edu. Letters may be edited for length and Congratulations to you all! get a couple of Band-Aids on some clarity. Please include an address and daytime phone number. Dr. Bob Stouffer nasty blisters that had developed Des M oines, Iowa on her toes. After what seemed Northwestern Classic 3 NWC_29849.indd 5 11/19/12 2:45 PM around the Green Extreme Makeover: Campus Edition What campus improvements are essential for attracting students and plan—included discussions with various constituencies and Board of strengthening Northwestern’s mission? Trustees members at a retreat in January. Th at question was at the forefront as Northwestern offi cials worked Northwestern’s board approved the new campus master plan as during the past year on a new campus master plan with staff from Credo presented in concept at its fall meeting in October. Th e plan calls for Higher Education, a consulting fi rm that serves private colleges and building a new facility for the natural and health sciences; repurposing universities.