Colorado Christian Connection-Fall 10-Pgs

8/8/2019 Colorado Christian Connection-Fall 10-Pgs

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A Publication to the CCU Community Fall 2

Colorado Christian

We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards,

embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world.

CCU’s Year of Evangelism paHigh Standards for School of Business and Leadership pa

One Freshman’s Story paAlumni News pa

CCU Recognized by National Evaluation Board pa



THE YEAR OF

EVANGELISM

Vision Tools

5%Resources Network

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Penn Jillette, one half of the Las Vegas-based comedy and magic duo Penn and Teller, is not exactly known for his afnity

Christians. In fact, he is a well known outspoken atheist and skeptic. Shortly after one of the shows, a Christian business

pproached Penn and offered him a Bible as well as expressed an interest in talking with Penn about the Lord.

After the exchange, Penn returned to his dressing room to a video blog he keeps regularly. Rather than sharing feelings of offr annoyance, Penn’s blog expresses thoughts of respect and admiration for the businessman who stepped out to “proselytize”

n Penn’s words,

…I’ve always said, I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize, I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a he

and a hell, and people could be going to hell, or not getting eternal life, or whatever, and you think ‘it’s not really worth te

them this because it would make it socially awkward’...How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? H

much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?”1

Studies show that less than 5% of Christians ever share their relationship with God. 2 Think about this number in the contex

enn Jillette’s comments. That means 95% of people who call themselves followers of Christ, never risk the social awkwardne

haring the gospel. What does this say about our beliefs? What does this say about our heart for our non-Christian friends and fa

embers?



In the midst of these questions, God is at work. He is igniting hearts a

Colorado in a new wave of evangelism. It seems God has placed Col

Christian University in a place of strategic inuence to see this move

spread across Colorado. To engage in this momentum CCU has declare

2010-2011 school year, “The Year of Evangelism.” This year will see

CCU student, staff, and faculty member trained to share their faith, and

practical opportunities to do so.

But, the Year of Evangelism is far bigger than an on-campus event.

is also meeting with pastors and ministry leaders across the state to pa

together in training believers in practical evangelism. The response has

overwhelming as churches and ministries are hungry for quality evangtraining. CCU sees itself as a servant to these ministries and has commit

provide resources to support the Body of Christ in this venture.

Perhaps most exciting, is the fact that God has surrounded CCU with w

class evangelism trainers who have agreed to partner in The Year of Evange

This team includes: Lee Strobel, bestselling author of The Case for C

Mark Mittelberg, bestselling author of Becoming a Contagious Christian

president and founder of Dare2Share Ministries (and CCU alumnus),

Stier. Each has agreed not only partner in training CCU students, but

to be a resource to Colorado churches.

Our hope is that the Year of Evangelism will not merely last

a calendar cycle. Instead, we believe this year’s campaign

will spark a continual focus on evangelism to become part of the DNA of CCU. Perhaps God will use CCU

and the Year of Evangelism to launch a movement of

evangelism that sweeps across the city of Denver and

the State of Colorado.

A businessman took a risk to share Christ with a Las

Vegas comedian. The result not only impacted Penn

Jillette’s life, but it serves as an example to believers

everywhere. Our non-Christian friends, neighbors,

and family members need to know of the living hope

found only in Jesus Christ. Will we love them enough

to cry out to them with the news that can transform their lives for eternity? CCU is being led by God, through the

Year of Evangelism; to do everything we can to make sure

believers answer that question, “Yes!” ■

The challenge also comes from Jesus Christ,

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of

the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teachingthem to obey everything I have commanded

you…”3

Jesus’ call on our lives is clear, as followers

of Jesus, we are to make disciples. As people

who have found life in Jesus we must take a

hard look in the mirror and ask ourselves,

“Are we taking the challenge of The

Great Commission seriously?” Is social

awkwardness, embarrassment, or even a risk of

relationship a viable excuse for not living up to

our primary calling?


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STANDARDS

HIGH{forbusinessstudents}

begin with mouse ears Visitors to Disneyland in April 2010 may have seen

Dr. Gary Ewen, dean of CCU’s School of Businessnd Leadership, crowned with a set of Mickey Mouse

ars and handing out ride passes. Was he off hiscker? Far from it.

The longtime professor of management andadership was getting insider perspective on someew standards he planned to introduce at CCU,

odeled after Disney’s highly revered businessractices. For example, business students must

ow wear professional attire on Thursdays, andapers must be written with “exacting attention to

etail” and never submitted late. Just as in a well-n company, the Business School will also seek gular performance feedback from its “customers”

parents, administrators, stakeholders). Even thoughnrollment goals have gone up, Ewen says he’s

illing to lose students who don’t agree with the newace. He’s after those who want real-world training

r their future professions, where employers willount on them to lead and thrive in high-demand

uations.

But what’s it all have to do with roller coasters andouse ears?

The springtime trip to California was a chance for Dr. Ewen

some CCU seniors to visit the Disney Institute, the acclaimed braof the company whose cutting-edge culture and strategies

recognized as top in the world.

“Whenever anyone thinks of organizations that are succes

Disney comes to mind,” he explains. “Obviously, CCU isn’t a thepark, but we can adapt Disney’s principles and commitmenexcellence in everything we do.”

Ewen also sees practical value in how these new standwill support CCU’s focus on Christian inuence in the workpla

“How can you witness if you’re incompetent?” he challenThe School’s heightened focus on professional excellence shprovide a helpful solution.

The academic standard at CCU is high, and Dr. Ewen prom

it without hesitation. As he says, “we have to remember thatstudents represent less than one percent of one percent ofhuman population, and they’re not just going to college, b

Christ-centered college.”

“As it says in Luke 12:48, ‘To whom much is given, much wilasked.’ Well, we’re doing the initial asking.” ■



National Merit Finalist nds her ideal collegeexperience at CCU

Her charming grin and mild manner seem betting to ahomeschooler from suburban Oklahoma. But underneath

he’s a steely competitor, the youngest in a line of

high-school and college sports standouts that includeher grandparents, parents, and four older brothers. So,despite her rich athletic history, from a young age Gillian

Foster learned balance-that sports aren’t everything infe, and won’t always be there.She took it to heart, focusing on strong grades in school

o open more doors. It worked. During her junior year n high school, Gillian became a National Merit Finalist,

anking in the top one-half of a percentile among 1.5million students in America. Hundreds of academic letters

poured in fromcolleges aroundhe country

and she wasaccepted into

our selective honors programs.Simultaneously, the gifted 6’3” basketball player was

carving her own notch in family history: The summer before her senior year, she was being scouted by anumber of NCAA Division-I basketball programs.

Then her back started hurting.A shrunken disc in Gillian’s spine was pinching her

ciatic nerve, radiating pain. Instead of playing in theummer league—a homeschooler’s chance to wow

couts—she suddenly found herself laid up.Fortunately, doctors cleared her for her senior season,

and she rallied back. But Gillian had been blacklisted asoo risky by all the D-I options—even the D-IIs—and they

pulled their offers.

So when CCU’s coaches approached her aboutplaying at CCU, she listened and agreed to visit.

This was it, this was both things,

the school I thought didn’t exist.

Gillian had heard good reviews about the University,

but never seriously considered a small school way outwest. Lately, though, she wasn’t keen on her other colleg

choices: Good athletics, butlacking the desired academior vice versa, and some of th

Christian schools didn’t evenseem to place priority on thei

spiritual foundation.“[NCAA] D-II basketball, a competitive team in a toug

conference, coaches who are both encouraging and vexperienced,” she says, excitedly stringing words togethGillian enrolled at CCU, where she’s expected to be a d

threat for the Cougars at forward and post. But she’s evemore focused on her major: social science with a minor

global studies.“This was it, this was both things, the school I thought d

exist,” she says of CCU, whose academic programs and

faculty impressed her—something she wouldn’t comproon.

“GOD DEFINITELY USED THE INJURY TO HELP ME FIND MYPLACE,” she muses, thankful for four more years to play.

One day, Gillian will fold up her jersey for the last time, wprepared for the next step in her journey. ■

Before beginning the 2010-11 NCAA season, 150 Colorado Christian University student-athletes and coache

came together to complete a common task. The Cougar group made a short trip — less than ve miles — to th

Westwood neighborhood east of Lakewood to meet up with representatives from Extreme Community Makeove

ECM is an organization that began in 2008 with the goal of inviting people into partnership with residents of specic Denver neighborhoods to complete home and neighborhood improvement projects. These projects inclu

grafti removal, painting, yard work, or other projects identied by residents. Ultimately, ECM strives to bring

communities together through the building of relationships.

Statistically, ECM has found that if neighborhood alleys are clean and free of grafti, crime rates decrease in those neighborhoods. So, ar

with paint and cleaning supplies — and already dripping with sweat on the 95+ degree day — CCU’s athletes and coaches set out to make ov

eighborhood most hadn’t even known existed.

“My group was in charge of painting over the grafti on the dumpsters,” sophomore volleyball player Cassidy Burke described. “It was s

ut rewarding at the same time. While we were painting, a woman came up to us and genuinely thanked us for our help. Though we had all

met each other and we weren’t necessarily on the same athletic teams, this moment allowed for my team to bond in a way we would not ha

therwise.”

The event marked the perfect way for Cougar Athletics to kick off the university’s Year of Evangelism. Throughout the 2010-11 school y

rograms, chapels, and events will focus on the idea of spreading God’s word in our community and beyond. This year, athletic teams will

airing with ministries and groups from all over the area in an attempt to serve and minister in a way that doesn’t just involve competition.To preview the upcoming athletic season go to: www.ccu.edu/athletics. ■

Athletics Participates in City-Wide Service Day



CCUALUMNI

C h r i sti an U n

i v e r s i t y

ssociation

ohn Lind, 1959 – John and his wife, Royce, are currently enjoying retirement

m Wycliffe Bible Translators and live in southern Arizona. They are extremely

ateful to God for allowing them to attend Rockmont those four years in the ‘50’s. We

ank the Lord for their lifetime of service and ministry.

odney Pash, 1963 – Rodney is asking for prayer for his wife, Toni, who is

ttling lung cancer. He exclaims that she is “anxious to see Jesus.” Please remember to

ep Rodney, Toni, and the Pash family in your prayers.

aggie Robberson, 1989 – Maggie retired last year from teaching in Denver

blic Schools. She now works as an Honorarium Instructor at the University of lorado in the graduate education program. She also enjoys teaching graduate courses

the University of Phoenix local campus, as well as online.

anet (Chung) Thompson, 1990 – Janet recently married her husband, Jeffrey.

e has earned her an MAED in Secondary Education and is currently nishing her

ching credentials for the state of California.

ristine (Erisman) Martin, 1994 – Kristine and her husband, Tim, just

ebrated their 2nd anniversary on July 19. She is excited to start her fth year at

rrison Road Elementary School in Spotsylvania County, VA. She also taught second

ade for a year, then third grade for three years. This year she is going back to teachcond grade.

Wendy (Roesler) Monroe, 1995 – Wendy started a new job in June as an

ministrator at Faireld and Woods, a law rm in downtown Denver. She also just

ebrated her three-year anniversary with her husband, Joel. Congratulations, Wendy,

your new job!

eroy Heyward III, 1996 – Leroy retired from the United States Army (Active)

November 2007 with more than 24 years of service. He is currently the Defense

avel Resource Advisor, Contractor for the KSARNG (Kansas Army National Guard)

support Organizational Defense Travel and Tier Help Desk support for the Defense

avel System (DTS). He also graduated from Touro University International in 2004

th an MBA. Congratulations, Leroy, on this great accomplishment!

ictoria (Krayna) Spencer, 1999 – Victoria, and her husband Daniel, are

ticipating the arrival of their fourth grandchild in December. They have four children:

sica, Jeremiah, Michael, Aaron. We will pray for a healthy new arrival!

1914

Denver BibleInstitute

1945

Denver BibleCollege

1948

Western BibleInstitute

1949

RockColle

Scott La Point, 2001 – Scott La Point is presently a third-year doctoral stud

in clinical psychology at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. In addition,

Mr. La Point facilitates the monthly Tidewater Brain Injury Support Group and is

a Board Member of the Mary Buckley Foundation. Scott and his wife, Amy, have

three children: Luke-5, Joshua-3, and Samuel-8 months. Please pray for Scott as h

completes his doctoral studies.

Stacy Fredrickson, 2002 –Stacy and her husband, Dale (200

currently serve at Rie United

Methodist-Presbyterian Church. D

serves as the Lead Pastor, and Sta

helps out with the administration

the church and enjoys being a full

mom. Dale is also pursuing his P

in New Testament. Please pray fo

Dale and Stacy as they minister to

community of Rie, CO.

Megan (Borjes) Greene,

2005 – Megan and her husband,

Nate, were married in 2007 and

now have two children – Thaden,

2 and a half, and Allie, 8 months.

They just purchased their rst

home in Castle Rock, CO and

Megan is enjoying being a stay-at-

home mom. Congratulations on

the new home, Greene family!

Lura (Belden) Dungan,

2007 – Lura recently complete

children’s book and is working o

another children’s book, as well

novel about the rst century foll

of Jesus. Please pray that Lura

to nd a publisher for her books

1950s

1960s

1980s

|

1990s

■ 2000s



1975

Western BibleCollege

1983

Colorado BaptistUniversity

1985

Colorado ChristianCollege

1989

Colorado ChristianUniversity

968

olorado Baptistunior College

As one of the many indications that

good things are happening at Colora

Christian University, CCU just enrolled it

largest traditional freshman class ever. As

2010-11 college year opened the freshme

count was 306 students, up 40 from the previous record.

But this year, new students aren’t the on

ones taking a second look at the Universi

On August 17, 2010, The American Coun

of Trustees and Alumni, an independent

nonprot, released the latest results in its

annual evaluation of U.S. colleges and

universities entitled “What Will They Lea

A Guide to What College Rankings Don’

You.”

The ACTA evaluation has garnered pos

remarks from The Wall Street Journal and

the founding editor of U.S. News and World Report ’s college rankings. Whileconsidering factors like price and graduation rates, it also assigns institutions

“school” grades, ranging from A to F, based on how many of the following

core subjects they require students to take: composition, mathematics, scienc

economics, foreign language, literature, and American government or history

Among key ndings in this year’s ACTA evaluation: institutions across

America have by and large abandoned a coherent, content-rich general-educa

curriculum—allowing students to graduate with important gaps in their

foundational knowledge. Nearly 40 percent of the schools evaluated don’t req

college-level math. Fewer than ve percent require economics coursework.

In this year’s ACTA evaluation, CCU placed higher than 12 of 15 Colorado

colleges and universities. Only one Colorado school received an A while CCU

one other local university received the only B’s.

“Ordinarily, I would not be overly pleased to receive a B, but in this case,context is everything,” stated CCU President Bill Armstrong.

Of the 700 colleges and universities evaluated nationwide, only 16 receive

Armstrong attributed CCU’s placement to its new general-education curric

which covers a broad base of studies and requires students to choose from co

in economics, political science, math, and American history.

Colorado Christian University Outscores 12of 15 Colorado Schools in National AcademEvaluation, Announces New HighestEnrollment

The CCU Alumni Association is asking for your

participation in this year’s Clash of the Classes campaign,

which will raise donations toward the Alumni Scholarship

Fund. Clash of the Classes is a friendly competitive

campaign where alumni individually give the amount of

their class year (for example, anyone from the class of

1995 would donate $19.95). There are three ways you

can give as part of Clash of the Classes:

• OnlineThe most convenient and easy way to give.

Simply go to www.ccu.edu/give , where you’ll

be prompted to donate via credit or debit card

on our secure page.

• By Phone

Call us at 303.963.3330 to donate via

credit card.

• By Mail

Send a check (with “Clash of the Classes”

written in the memo line) to:

Colorado Christian UniversityAttn: Alumni Relations

8787 W. Alameda Ave.

Lakewood, CO 80226

Clash of the Classes Colorado Christian University

Alumni Association

CLASH OF THE CLASSESCampaign

This section of the Colorado Christian Connection is designed to encourage alumni to stay

connected. If you’ve had a recent change in your life (i.e. engagement, wedding, birth, new

job, promotion, or something else exciting), we’d like to hear about it. Submit your news to

www.ccu.edu/alumni/share.asp.

SHARE YOUR NEWS



Homecoming Weekend - October 1-2

www.ccu.edu/homecoming, Lakewood Campus

Grand Piano Dedication Concert - October 8

7:30 p.m., Lakewood Campus, Music Center

Fall Wind Ensemble Concert - October 29


Justication Debate - November 1

7:00 p.m., Lakewood Campus, Beckman Center,

Please RSVP for this event by calling 303.963.3170

YOU’RE INVITED TO THESE COMMUNITY EVENTS

Visit us online at www.ccu.edu/Support; e-mail: [email protected]; phone: 303.963.333

Colorado Christian University Oce of Development

8787 W. Alameda Ave.

Lakewood, CO 80226

An Evening of Jazz - November 13


Centennial Institute - Issue Monday:

“Deeper Lessons from Election Day” - November 15

7:00 p.m., Lakewood Campus, School of Business and Leadership

CCU Christmas Celebration - December 3-4


Basketball vs. Nebraska Kearney - December 18

Women’s game at 5:00 p.m., Men’s game at 7:00 p.m.

Lakewood Campus, Event Center

Visit www.ccu.edu/events for additional community event information

Be a Legacy — Make a nancial provision for CCU in your will. For more information abou

creative giving opportunities, visit www.ccu.edu/legacygiving or call 303.963.3330

fce of Development:eith Wright, Vice President of Development

avid Nye, Director of Development

aniel Westermann, ’04, ’10, Director of Development and Alumni Relations

hristi Kirchner, Development Manager

ublication produced by University Communications:

sa Zeller, Director of University Communications

n Watters, Associate Director of University Communications

anielle Hull, University Graphic Designer

The Colorado Christian Connection is a quarterly newsletter produced byColorado Christian University for the CCU community.

You may know Dr. Beckman as two-time president of Rockmont College and later president

of Colorado Christian University (1963- ’82,’84-’85,’91-’93), or to you he may be a friendly

face who taught at least one course each year out of love for students and learning. He has also

been credited with navigating through some of the toughest moments in the university’s history.

However, you may not know that all of it almost never happened.

During David’s senior year in high school a close family member passed away, followed just

months later by the unexpected death of his brother. Then in the week he graduated high school,

D-day hit Europe, and war raged in the South Pacic. The turbulence brought new perspective to

David’s life which played an important role in his decision to commit his life to Christ. But thelooming military draft made his life goals uncertain. When a pastor urged him to enroll in college

he saw a new avenue for pursuing his calling into ministry. A war deferment made it possible for

him to continue his education as he trained to be a minister.

By 1956 David had earned a doctorate in theology, and in 1962, a master’s in higher-education administration. Today he’s

credited with bringing the liberal arts to CCU and for his 11 year fortitude that culminated in CCU’s academic accreditation.

When he came to Rockmont the school had 42 students and a $51,000 annual budget, often too little to even pay the faculty,

let alone his own salary. The support of his wife, Beverly, kept the family stable as she also sacricially served CCU by going

to work as a nurse instead of pursuing her desire to be a full-time homemaker. Throughout those lean years, David received

requests to teach Bible classes and preach in interim at churches around Denver. He found out later that some of the people he

led were among the city’s most powerful businessmen and political gures. As Rockmont hit nancial bottom, they stepped in

to help because Dr. Beckman had rst given of himself.

CCU is here today because of Dr. Beckman, who refers to working at CCU as a sacred trust: “There’s no question that

the Lord rescued the school time and again,” he says. “God wanted it here.” David is encouraged at CCU’s current nancial

stability and hopes the University will continue stoking the spiritual torch and developing programs that give students—and

Christ—a voice in a wide range of professions throughout the world.

The boy whose academic aspirations were uncertain because of WWII became one of the most inuential leaders in a

university’s history. All because he followed Christ’s lead however unexpected, however inconvenient.

Documents

Colorado Christian Connection-Fall 10-Pgs