56117_Cover_u1 8/21/08 8:27 AM Page 3 WHEATON Baseball’s Historic Season Inside: The Value of Community • Stories of Distinguished Service • The Promise Report 56117_Cover 8/15/08 4:21 PM Page 4 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 11 ISSUE 3 9 AUTUMN 2008 ALUMNI NEWS DEPARTMENTS 34 A Word with Alumni 2 Letters From the Director of the Alumni Relations 5 News 35 Wheaton Alumni Association News 10 Sports Association news and events 29 The Promise Report 41 Alumni Class News An update on The Promise of Wheaton campaign 60 Authors Cover photo: Second baseman Dan Falvey ’08 turns a double Books by Wheaton’s faculty; thoughts from play during a March 11 game against New Jersey City a published alumna University at Tinker Field in Orlando. The Thunder posted a 3-1 victory in the team’s fourth game of the season. Dan, who 62 Readings graduated in May, also won the Beamer Award for character, An excerpt from the 2008 commencement address academic achievement, leadership, and performance on 64 Faculty Voice the baseball field. For more about the Thunder baseball team’s Dr. Lynn Cohick reflects on Christian unity successes, see our coverage in campus news on page 6. Photo by Greg Thompson. 65 Student Profile Inside photos: Michael Hudson ’89, pages 3-5, 10, 16, A water polo player reveals her inner strength 19, 35, 64, 65; reunion classes, pages 47, 48, 50, 52. 66 Wheaton in the World Meredith Elsen, pages 12-13. Carlos Vergara, pages 14-15. Dr. Alan Seaman’s ESL teaching opens doors William Koechling ’72, page 18. Les Barker, pages 6-7, 63; for Christianity reunion classes, pages 51, 54. Sarah Parisi, pages 9, 67; 501 College Avenue reunion classes, pages 41-43, 45-46. 68 President’s Commentary Wheaton, Illinois 60187 56117_Cover 8/15/08 4:21 PM Page 5 WHEATONcontents 12 24 FEATURES Summer at HoneyRock Moments in Her Life 12 Sunrise on the lake is just one of many 24 President of Tokyo Woman’s Christian beautiful sights at HoneyRock camp. University Akiko Oshiro Minato M.A. ’60 receives the 2008 Alumna of the Year Award for Distinguished Service Restoring Community to Society. 14 Three Wheaton faculty weigh in on some by Jennifer Grant ’89 of the economic, social, and cultural dynamics that have contributed to the erosion of community in the 21st century, So Long, Sam and consider what sound biblical 26 Vice President for Student Development community should look like. Dr. Sam Shellhamer retires after by Drs. Bruce Howard, E. David Cook, and 30 years of helping to shape the lives Henry L. Allen of students. by Katherine Halberstadt Anderson ’90 More than a Teacher 20 Several alumni describe the professors who changed their lives—in the classroom and beyond. 56117_02-11_u1 8/21/08 9:08 AM Page 2 letter from the his issue of Wheaton touches on the complex topic of community. It’s a difficult thing Editor Georgia I. Douglass ’70, M.A. ’94 editor to grasp, whether we are studying about it or living in it. Whatever the dynamics of Managing Editor the particular community in which we find ourselves—whether by choice or Jessica L. Allen circumstance—such commonality can bring hope or despair, triumph or trouble. t Editorial Consultant German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, martyred by the Gestapo in 1945, left us Katherine Halberstadt Anderson ’90 practical, biblical insights about Christian community in his book, Life Together: Design Consultants Alice Isoz Chrismer ’70 The fellowship of Christian[s] is a gift of grace, a gift of the Kingdom of God . Ellen Mardock Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. Chrismer + Mardock Communication Whether it be a brief, single encounter or the daily fellowship of years. We Class News Editor Donna Antoniuk belong to one another. (New York: HarperCollins, 1954, pp. 20-21) Editorial Adviser With this introduction, he continues to tell his story of a unique fellowship he Dr. R. Mark Dillon experienced in an underground seminary during the Nazi regime. I want to tell you a story, too, about community. It’s my story, yet it isn’t. Because, Wheaton Alumni Association President you see, I slept through most of it. It’s really about Wheaton’s campus community. Matthew C. Hsieh ’93 This story began in Cleveland on Monday, Labor Day of 2007, when I tripped and President-Elect fell flat on my face onto a concrete driveway. The next day I drove home to Wheaton, Timothy A. Stoner ’82 unaware that two days later I would be diagnosed with an acute subdural hematoma, Executive Director Cindra Stackhouse Taetzsch ’82 a brain injury that is most often fatal or leaves severe neurological disorders. Professor Emeritus On Thursday, despite my headache, I decided to go into the office. Within a Leroy H. Pfund ’49 couple of hours, my coworkers—Cindy, Anna, Danielle, Kim, and Mark—recognized Alumni Trustee Representatives that I was not responding as usual to their comments and requests. They literally Matthew C. Hsieh ’93 saved my life by seeing that I received help. Anna quickly drove me to a nearby Timothy A. Stoner ’82 Georgia I. Douglass Robert D. Dye ’73 ’70, M.A. ’94 medical facility. Soon paramedics were called, and they placed me into their mobile Editor intensive care unit for the trip to the emergency room. Watching the doors on that truck Wheaton College close was the last thing I remembered when I awoke from a coma two days later. President Dr. Duane Litfin Within hours of hearing the report of the brain bleed, Vice President Mark Dillon Provost called the entire division together and they, along with the Billy Graham Center Dr. Stanton L. Jones administration, prayed for me—some praying late into the night—when my life was Senior Vice President tenuous and the threat of severe brain damage was very real. Their prayers, and the Dr. David E. Johnston ’65 work of the medical staff, did “avail much.” That night, the Lord, for reasons I’ll never Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations understand, allowed me to continue living on this earth, at least for a while longer. Dr. R. Mark Dillon This community of believers called Wheaton College surrounded me and my Executive Assistant family with their concern and generosity for several weeks as I recuperated and to the President Marilee A. Melvin ’72 dealt with effects of the injury. Some sent gifts, flowers, cards, letters, and emails. Coworkers prepared meals for five weeks. Some even did my job. Wheaton is published autumn, winter, spring, and special (catalog) by As director of marketing communications, I am curious about what people Wheaton College, 501 College Ave., think of Wheaton. A picture postcard might convey the beauty of the campus. Wheaton, IL 60187-5593, 630/752- 5779, and mailed free of charge to Newspapers or Internet blogs might portray the College as too liberal or too alumni and friends of Wheaton conservative. Its reputation might connote that of a bastion of intense intellectual College. Periodicals postage paid at Wheaton, IL (USPS 016326). inquiry permeated by biblical thought and commitment. The perceptions are endless. Postmaster: Please send address changes to Wheaton College, But to me, Wheaton is my friends whom I see day after day. It’s not a church, but Wheaton, IL 60187-5593. we are the church—learning, laughing, suffering, working, and praying through the Opinions expressed are those of the messiness of life. We are wise but foolish. Sinners but saints. Members of the world contributors or the editors, and do not necessarily represent the official community but set apart. To paraphrase Bonhoeffer: We belong to one another. position of the College. Our fellowship is a gift of grace and a gift of the Kingdom of God. © 2008 Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL Unfortunately some of us have to fall on our faces to realize this. www.wheaton.edu 2 AUTUMN 2008 56117_02-11_u1 8/21/08 9:08 AM Page 3 dearWHEATON Funding The Promise there in 1932 in spite of the family’s truly I just had to send you a note about the most modest financial state and the country’s recent edition of the alumni magazine. The “depression.” My parents followed God’s article from Dr. Litfin was extremely well specific leading—I know—and God provided done and clearly demonstrated the what I needed to have four always- principles/realities behind fundraising at remembered years there. Mom and Dad Wheaton. The way it was written from his were committed to assuring that my younger view at a speaking event was effective and sister, my “little” brother, and I went to engaging. The numbers truly do speak for college. (WWII provided that education for themselves, and Wheaton is to be my brother!) commended on its place in resource In all the years since, I continue to thank stewardship relative to its peer group. As we God for Wheaton. It truly is unique. are now exploring colleges for our children, “The Challenge of Being Wheaton” will, our perspectives on costs have changed I hope, move all of us Wheatonites as it did much. You can certainly spend as much or me this afternoon. The world needs more at many schools that (in our humble Wheaton as it was for us who walked day opinion) do not match Wheaton for quality of after day in Blanchard Hall in my day.