Upload
others
View
2
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
P O R T L AND, O R E G ON • W I N T E R 2 0 1 5
Concordia Connection
REVOLUTIONARYTHINKING
P O R T L AND, O R E G ON • W I N T E R 2 0 1 5
A reformer, leader, and man of faith, Martin Luther is considered
a true revolutionary thinker. Trusting in God’s will, he acted
with courage and conviction, despite controversy, in order to leave
the world a better place.
At Concordia, we seek to follow in Martin Luther’s footsteps as
revolutionary thinkers, preparing the next generation of courageous
servant leaders.
We are blessed to have many examples of revolutionary thinkers all around us. In this issue of the Concordia
Connection magazine, we highlight just a few of them – from professors, like Dr. Matt Wise, who encourage
students to pursue challenging research to alumna, like Whitney Thomas, who make certain young students at
Faubion School next door have adequate food over the weekends through the Concordia Backpack Program.
Another such leader was the late Oregon Governor Victor Atiyeh, the namesake of our annual Leadership
in Education Awards, who passed away in July. I hope you will join us as we honor him on February 3, 2015.
We will also be celebrating this year’s honorees Dan and Priscilla Wieden for their outstanding contributions
to education and the arts through Camp Caldera (page 18).
We continue to pursue Concordia’s ground-breaking initiative in partnership with Portland Public
Schools and Faubion School: 3 to PhD™ is creating healthier, safer, and more educated communities. Most
recently, statewide leaders have taken notice and they are joining us (page 6). This work brings hope and
healing to young people and their families who deserve every opportunity to pursue their highest dreams,
while Concordia students gain empathy and experience in their chosen vocations.
While Martin Luther’s famous quote – “Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me, Amen.” – was a
defense of his theological positions, the phrase can certainly be applied to our vision as a Lutheran university.
I continue to pray that we all trust in God’s will while pursuing new solutions to the educational and social
challenges of our day. Thank you for supporting Concordia as we prepare the next generation to do the same.
For His Students,
Dr. Charles E. Schlimpert
President, Concordia University-Portland
1Winter 2015
Campus Life. With the spotlight on thought-leaders, meet a Concordia professor who is finding new treatments with old medications, the new dean of Health & Human Services who has been in the forefront of research, and a first-ever chief operating officer who is also CEO of an organization that helps orphans in Africa. Local fire captain gives a thumbs-up to the new homeland security simulator. Plus a timely update on 3 to PhDTM and more.
The Accidental Revolutionary Read the story of one of the world’s true revolutionary thinkers – Martin Luther – and how his beliefs translate to a Lutheran education.
Current Issue. Greetings from Camp Caldera. Learn how a revolutionary mix of art, nature, and a supportive community empower children who face serious obstacles.
Alumni Notes. A knack for numbers helps one Concordia alum make it to the top – and give back to the community he loves, Concordia basketball standout turns a love of the game into a love of helping kids, plus the latest about life after Concordia straight from alumni themselves.
Navy & White. Tag along with the Concordia men’s basketball team as they travel north to Alaska. Meet the new women’s basketball coach as their promising season begins. Then get an update on the Cavaliers move from NAIA to NCAA Division II. Plus a recap of all fall sports, including several trips to nationals.
29 Nailed to the Door. Rev. Dr. David Kluth, dean of Concordia’s College of Theology, Arts, & Sciences, shares his thoughts on revolutionary thinking at Concordia and how passion, persistence, and persuasion make it possible.
P O R T L A N D, O R E G O N • W I N T E R 2 0 1 5
210
20
26
W I N T E R 2 0 1 5
Concordia Connection is published twice per year by Concordia University in Portland, Oregon.
PLEASE ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO:Concordia ConnectionConcordia University
2811 NE Holman StreetPortland, Oregon 97211
or email: [email protected]
SENIOR EDITOR: Shari Altree
COPY EDITOR: Todd Duvall
ART DIRECTOR: Christine Dodge
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Katrina Dinges
PHOTOGRAPHER: Phil Sedgwick
EDITORIAL BOARD:Rev. Dr. Phillip Brandt, Dr. Johnnie Driessner, Jason Dormeyer,
Matt English, Kelly Hartley, Rev. Dr. David Kluth,
Rev. Dr. Chad Lakies, Dr. Joe Mannion, Kevin Matheny,
Rev. Dr. Paul Mueller, Rev. Jim Pressnell, Chrissy Purcell,
Dr. Sheryl Reinisch, Becky Sprecher, Dr. Sarah Sweitzer,
Dr. Michael Thomas, Madeline Turnock, Gary Withers
18
Cover Photo: Concordia University-Portland’s Luther Hall during the winter.
Campus Life
2 concordia connection
» Dr. Rici Hallstrand, Professor of Biology
For biology professor and immunology researcher, Dr. Rici Hallstrand, less is more. She received her doctorate at UCLA and did post-doctoratal research at the University of Washington, both large academic institutions. But she feels that Concordia University-Portland’s smaller size offers her more opportunities to mentor undergraduate students and contribute to cutting edge research – something usually not available to students until they reach graduate
Finding New Treatments with Old Medications
« JUNE 27, 2014 That first time with no training wheels? Happened all week here at Concordia with Bike First making a difference in the lives of kids with disabilities. Bike First’s co-founder, business manager, and floor supervisor are all CU alums!
When undergrads get hands-on research
opportunities, it gives them confidence and
real world experience.
school. “There’s a better sense of autonomy and entrepreneurial spirit for faculty here,” said Dr. Hallstrand. Dr. Hallstrand has made good use of that autonomy by obtaining funding for two molecular biology labs dedicated to student and faculty research in tissue culture. In her research, Dr. Hallstrand focuses on exposing human leukemia cells to Chloroquine, a long-overlooked malaria drug developed in 1934. Since its patent has expired, cost isn’t a barrier to expanding its use. Her initial
research indicates that Chloroquine can kill cancer cells – a promising outcome that warrants additional study. And while she’s not the only researcher working with Chloroquine, she says her efforts are “part of a larger conversation to explore how to use existing, affordable drugs in new ways.” Dr. Hallstrand looks forward to creating more undergraduate research opportunities for students at Concordia. “When undergrads get hands-on research opportunities at this level, it gives them confidence and real world experience,” she said.
JUNE 7, 2014 » Blake Drake was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 18th round of the Major League Baseball draft on June 7, 2014. He played through the summer for
the Johnson City Cardinals, a rookie league baseball team affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Campus Life
3Winter 2015
« AUGUST 9, 2014 In a tribute to Janice Scroggins, Concordia University hosted the first-ever Campus
Blues Fest on the campus green.
JULY 11, 2014After sending in an official application to the NCAA national office in February, the
Cavaliers received the good news that the school has been accepted into the
NCAA membership process.
Shaping Concordia’s Heart, Spirit, and Soul For Concordia’s new Chief Operating Officer Jilma Meneses, revolution in academic practice comes from inside. “I envision Concordia University as an ecosystem that produces vibrant, committed, servant leaders,” said Meneses. “People who excel in their fields of study are models for others, are tomorrow’s talent, and shape the human heart, spirit, and soul.”
Ms. Meneses brings outstanding qualifications and experience to her new role, including 14 years in higher education and expertise in operations, executive, legal, and policy development. Most recently, she served as chief diversity officer at Portland
State University,
where she developed strategies that changed the landscape. Under her leadership, PSU saw the greatest increase in minority enrollment in history. In 2014, for example, more than 40 percent of the freshman class at PSU are students of color. Prior to that she served as director of risk management and director of affirmative action and equal opportunity at OHSU, and as civil rights director at TriMet. She has a track record of developing and implementing progressive practices that take an institution to a new level. In addition to her work in higher education, Ms. Meneses is also founder and CEO of Our Family In Africa, an organization that provides loving homes, education, and support to orphans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in central Africa. Her role, here, goes well beyond leadership, as Ms. Meneses adopted her daughter – now 19 – from the DRC. She has made multiple trips to the DRC, and says there is great need: “I feel a sense of responsibility. I feel the world has turned its back on Congo. I am committed to serving; I won’t turn my back. The work needs to be done.” Ms. Meneses received her Juris doctor from Lewis & Clark Law School and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Campus Life
4 concordia connection
« AUGUST 22, 2014 The “Navy Never Fades” crew, over
half of which are Concordia University- Portland alums and staff, ran their
sixth Hood-to-Coast marathon.
Homeland Security Program Helps Local Firefighter Become Captain
AUGUST 18, 2014 Concordia opened the Columbia
River Campus – home to Concordia Online Education, as well as
Homeland Security and their state-of-the-art simulation lab – just off Airport Way.
Coby Robinett had been in fire service for nearly five years when 9/11 happened – and everything changed. “Federal mandates started to trickle down to the local level,” he says, “and that brought homeland security to the forefront. Before long, we started to see parallel missions emerge between local emergency services and national homeland security efforts.” While many of his colleagues pursued degrees in fire education, Robinett opted for a degree in homeland security from Concordia University-Portland.
THE IDEAL DEGREE FOR CAREER ADVANCEMENT If you’re already a first responder, Concordia’s bachelor’s degree in homeland security and emergency preparedness can be a key step in career advancement. In Robinett’s case, it started with his risk assessment class. “Hands down, risk assessment has been the most pivotal class for me. It taught me how to gather
information on a project, use it to make an informed, qualitative evaluation, and generate a measurable quantitative assessment of risk in order to inform decision making.” Robinett took the information he learned in class and developed a detailed risk assessment for his fire station. His fire chief was so impressed that Robinett was then commissioned to create a risk assessment for each fire station in Vancouver, Washington. In the process, he was promoted to Captain – a rank he proudly holds today.
STATE-OF-THE-ART SIMULATOR TAKES DEGREE TO THE NEXT LEVEL The centerpiece of Concordia’s homeland security program is a 43' x 10' state-of-the-art simulator – the most advanced of its kind in the country – that enables students to experience security threats and
disasters first-hand, gaining critical leadership skills. “It’s almost like live action,” says Robinett. “Your heart starts beating faster, your pulse rate goes up. That’s what it feels like to be in a live emergency, making critical decisions.” Thousands of different scenarios can be programmed into the simulator – everything from floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, and forest fires to chemical spills, plane crashes, school shootings, and train derailments. According to Program Director Scott Winegar, “It’s very immersive, very engaging. It forces a person to think the same way they would in an actual emergency. And that’s something you can’t get out of a book or a table-top exercise.” Robinett sums it up best, saying, “The simulator helps you prepare for the unexpected.”
Campus Life
5Winter 2015
SEPTEMBER 18, 2014 »Clarence Dunnaville, Jr., a well-known attorney, civil rights
veteran, legal reformer, author, and activist for justice – and father to Concordia University trustee Chris Dunnaville
– came to campus to speak about his experiences with the Civil Rights Movement. “We’ve come a long way, baby, but
we still have a long way to go.”
OCTOBER 27, 2014Garry Golden, a professionally trained Futurist
who writes, speaks, and consults on issues shaping business and society in the 21st century
visited campus to discuss how we create a culture of learning through creative thinking and the arts.
FROM CLASSROOM LEARNING TO ON-THE-JOB APPLICATION According to Robinett, “The Concordia homeland security program teaches you how to make decisions with integrity in complex situations, despite many variables at play – ethical, moral, and legal. This isn’t an easy task.” By combining relevant coursework with an in-the-field internship and simulator training, students gain the sought-after skills employers are looking for. In Robinett’s case, that meant a promotion. “The Concordia homeland security degree works great with our Captain Step program. For me, it met the educational requirements for my promotion to the next level. The program parallels nicely with emergency services and offers a truly unique perspective.”
Between the courses taught by active and retired police and fire commanders, military leaders, and federal agents, realistic simulator training where students practice and prepare for the unexpected, and a curriculum that stresses critical thinking and ethical decision making, Concordia’s degree in homeland security and emergency preparedness is another example of the school’s forward thinking, offering a degree that’s both relevant and necessary in the 21st century.
New CHHS Dean has Done Her Research How does the College of Health & Human Services (CHHS) expand its reputation and attract more students? According to its new dean, Dr. Sarah M. Sweitzer, the answer lies in research. “Research attracts students and the community,” she says. “It keeps them engaged in their education. Research experiences make our students competitive in the job market and for graduate and professional schools. That’s what will build our reputation.” Dr. Sweitzer comes to Concordia from the Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy in Clinton, South Carolina, where she initially served as a director of research. She established the college’s office of research, bringing in research grants, new faculty, and a variety of infrastructure improvements. Dr. Sweitzer received her PhD in pharmacology and toxicology from Dartmouth Medical School and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine. Her research includes developing new medications for the treatment of chronic pain. Some of her work has advanced to human trials, introducing a new platform in the treatment and understanding of pain. “Having the opportunity to bring my research to human trials and see
real results for people experiencing acute or chronic pain has been phenomenal. It’s an experience of a lifetime for a researcher,” she said. Dr. Sweitzer has also used her expertise in service to her community, working as a consultant for the South Carolina Childhood Obesity Taskforce and by developing scientific curricula for elementary schools. She intends to further her child-focused service through Concordia’s partnership with Faubion School and 3 to PhD™ initiative. “By creating a community health and wellness center at the school, it benefits not only the children and their families, but it will also give CHHS students service opportunities and real-world work experience,” explained Dr. Sweitzer.
To learn more about Concordia’s degree in Homeland Security please visit:www.concordiahomelandsecurity.com
Campus Life
6 concordia connection
OCTOBER 31, 2014 »Concordia students, faculty, and staff hosted Halloween-
in-the-Halls, an annual trick-or-treat event for neighborhood children and families that takes place
in our residence halls, offering local children a warm, safe place to go “trick-or-treating.”
NOVEMBER 3, 2014 Oregon’s Chief Education Officer Dr. Nancy Golden visited campus to learn about 3 to PhD and said it was truly an exemplary
model of vision and partnership.
3 to PhD continues to make significant progress. Concordia’s Council of Trustees approved the financial plan and timeline to co-build CU’s College of Education with Pre-K – 8 Faubion School, anticipated to open fall 2017. Development of curriculum design, architectural schematics, and fundraising are all currently underway. A capital campaign cabinet, led by Concordia Trustee Rick Dillon and his wife Robyn, are
3 to PhD™ Earns Support of Statewide Leadersworking to raise Concordia’s $15.51 million toward the shared facility.Meanwhile, local, state, and regional leaders are taking notice of 3 to PhD’s efforts to create a safer, healthier, and more educated community. Dr. Nancy Golden, the State of Oregon’s chief education officer, “was impressed by the innovative approach to partnering to inspire learning across the education continuum.” She called it a “truly exemplary model of vision and partnership.”
If ever Concordia University-Portland had a collective, campus-wide opportunity to demonstrate its mission of developing transformational leaders, 3 to PhD™ is it. More than 300 CU students engage every year with 520 Faubion School students as tutors, mentors, reading coaches, and more. The result is a “win-win” for students, helping CU graduates become well-prepared 21st century educators and helping Faubion students improve their educational outcomes and pursue their highest dreams.
L to R: Concordia Foundation Chief Development Officer, Kevin Matheny; Portland Family of Funds and United Fund Advisors Ex Officio Chair and Concordia Trustee, Carl Talton; Concordia Chief Strategic Relations Officer, Gary Withers; City of Portland Mayor, Charlie Hales; Faubion School Principal, LaShawn Lee;Faubion School Vice Principal, Jennifer McCalley; Faubion School parent and community member, Kimberley Dixon; Concordia College of Education Dean, Dr. Sheryl Reinisch; Concordia Senior, Faubion School student teacher, Erica Chaney; Faubion 8th Grade Student, Arell Dixon; Concordia College of Health & Human Services Dean, Dr. Sarah Sweitzer.
Campus Life
7Winter 2015
NOVEMBER 9, 2014 » Combining athletes’ passion for sport and
fellowship, Concordia University’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes hosted “Fields of Faith” – an
event for athletes across the country to come together and share their faith.
NOVEMBER 13, 2014 Mr. Klaus Botzet, 2012’s Nobel Peace Laureate, came to campus to give a
presentation and answer questions from both students and faculty.
Portland Mayor Charlie Hales also endorsed the effort, awarding $100K out of the City of Portland’s fall supplemental budget to the 3 to PhD initiative, saying, “This is an excellent model, because it relies on
public-private partnerships. It’s the sort of model that can, and should, be replicated.” 3 to PhD is only possible thanks to the tremendous work of Concordia faculty, staff, students, donors, and
our incredible community partners, including Portland Public Schools, Faubion School, and Trillium Family Services. Join the effort and learn more at www.3toPhD.com.
SAVE TIME, SAVE MONEYBY COMPLETING AN UNDER-
GRADUATE DEGREE AND A JURIS
DOCTORATE DEGREE IN SIX YEARS,
STUDENTS WILL SAVE ON TUITION,
BOOKS, HOUSING, AND OTHER
LIVING EXPENSES AND START THEIR
CAREERS A YEAR SOONER.
IN A
NU
TSHELL
Campus Life
8 concordia connection
Introducing 3+3: An Innovative Program that Combines Undergrad and Law School Degrees Into Just Six Years
« DECEMBER 2, 2014 Concordia University hosts a number of events over the holiday season and an annual
favorite is the community Christmas Tree Lighting, which celebrated its fifth year.
For many undergrads considering a career in law, the thought of seven years of education – and the cost that goes with it – can seem daunting. Concordia University’s new 3+3 program makes it possible to simplify and streamline, allowing students to earn their four year undergraduate degree and go on to complete law school in just six years, instead of the usual seven.
3+3 = BETTER THAN 7 In a nutshell, here’s how the program works. Students can attend Concordia University-Portland
for three years, fulfilling all of the requirements necessary to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Theology, Arts, & Sciences (CTAS). Then, instead of spending a fourth year in Portland, students move on to Concordia University School of Law in Boise, Idaho, to begin a fast track towards a law degree. The first year of law school works double-duty, serving as both the last year of undergraduate study (fulfilling all elective credits) and the
first year of law school. So three years of Concordia University-Portland and three years of Concordia University School of Law equals what is typically a seven year degree. According to the dean of CTAS, Dr. David Kluth, “Our 3+3 program is an exciting educational opportunity for driven students with an interest in law – a dynamic profession that can lead to many different career paths.”
THE FINE PRINT Currently, this innovative plan is approved for students majoring in history, humanities, English, psychology, and theology. The program is primarily geared towards high school seniors who have a strong vocational sense that they want to move on to law school. So students interested in becoming a lawyer and taking advantage of the 3+3 program must notify their advisor as early as possible in their freshman year. To qualify for Concordia University School of Law, students in the program will need to maintain a high academic standing and score well on the LSAT.
NOVEMBER 15, 2014 Portland Mayor Charlie Hales declared 3 to PhD™ among the City’s priority efforts
to expand opportunity to all Portlanders and awarded $100,000 of the City’s fall supplemental budget
to support the early childhood efforts of 3 to PhD.™
Want to Get Involved?JOIN THE CHOIR AND COME SING WITH US!
Contact Dick Wrye at [email protected].
HELP REBUILD THE PAST BY LOANING US YOUR MEMENTOS! Do you have letterman jackets, choir records, trophies, uniforms, newspaper clippings,
or anything else from your Tiger, Blue Jay, and Cavalier days that you would like to loan to the history display? Contact Becky Sprecher, Concordia’s Director of Alumni & Parent
Engagement at 503-493-6454, or [email protected].
Anniversary Celebration!
You may be a PLS Blue Jay, a LuHi Blue Jay, or a Concordia Blue Jay, but you are a Blue Jay none-the-less. Help nominate a Blue Jay for the Inaugural Blue Jay Hall of Fame, held at the Portland Lutheran School’s Benefit Dinner & Auction on March 14, 2015. Contact PLS for limited reserved tickets. All funds from the auction event will go towards the Blue Jay Fund for student financial aid.
Calling all Alumni! Join us for an...
Inaugural Blue Jay Hall of FameNomination Details:The nomination deadline is February 15, 2015. Contact Rev. Dr. Tom Wolbrecht at [email protected].
Auction Details:Please contact Principal and CU alumnus Kara Kaufman at [email protected] for more information.
SEPTEMBER 11 – 13, 2015
Mark Your Calendars!FRIDAY 9/11, OPENING DAY: Take a tour of each campus, and enjoy musical performances, special guests, and a walk-through history display.
SATURDAY 9/12, LUTHER LAP FUN RUN & WALK: From Trinity to Concordia, and then head over to the Concordia Ale House for more fun.
SUNDAY 9/13, SERVICE: Trinity will host speakers and an alumni choir performance under the direction of Dick Wrye, retired music teacher, followed by a potluck-style fellowship picnic.
Trinity Lutheran Church & School celebrates its 125th Anniversary and Portland Lutheran School & Concordia University celebrate their 110th Anniversary
Feature Story
10 concordia connection
revolutionary:A STORY
ABOUT A MAN, HIS PASSION,AND HOW HIS BELIEFS TRANSLATE
TO A LUTHERAN EDUCATION
The accidental
He has been called everything from a fearful
philosopher and spiritual genius to convicted
heretic. In Mansfield, Saxony (Germany),
where he grew up, his family name was Luder.
Today, however, we know him better as Martin
Luther – a friar, preacher, Roman Catholic
priest, professor of theology, and key figure
in what came to be known as the Protestant
Reformation in the 1500s. And his “revolution,”
nearly 500 years ago, still reverberates in the
Concordia University-Portland of today.
Feature Story
11Winter 2015
A MAN ON A MISSION When it came to religion, Martin Luther was a
university man. After earning both a bachelor’s and
master’s degree in just four years, he entered a monastery
in a struggle to find peace with God. Despite fasting,
spending long hours in prayer, repeated confessions, and
going on pilgrimages, Luther realized that the more he
tried to come closer to God, the more aware he became
of his sins. He found himself powerless to close the gap
between his sins and God’s holiness.
To help ease Luther’s
struggle, the head of the
monastery ordered him
to return to college and
complete the required
education in order to
become a professor at
the university. Within
two years, Luther earned
two additional bachelor’s
degrees, including one in
Biblical studies. Already an
ordained priest, in 1512
he added a doctorate of
theology to his impressive
list of educational
accomplishments and
became a professor of
theology.
CHALLENGING THE CHURCH In 1517, Pope Leo X
sent Johann Tetzel,
Dominican friar, to Germany to sell indulgences in order
to raise money to rebuild St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Tetzel was quoted as saying, “As soon as the coin in
the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.” This
practice of “buying your way to heaven” incensed Luther,
causing him to challenge certain practices of the Roman
Catholic Church.
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed a sheet
of paper with 95 theses to the university’s chapel. His
“Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of
Indulgences” were propositions, written in Latin, that he
wished to discuss in an open debate – a common custom
of the day. With the advent of the printing press – a
technology Luther embraced – copies of the “Ninety-Five
Theses” quickly spread across Germany. Within a few
weeks, they were read throughout Europe.
Luther believed it was
not only acceptable but
imperative to question,
challenge, and evaluate
the status quo – an
essential component to
his “Ninety-Five Theses.”
This was just one of
Luther’s “revolutionary”
thoughts. Contrary
to prevailing thought,
Luther believed in
embracing science, in
leveraging technology
for good, and in sharing
the gifts God has given
you. He also believed
education should be
available to all, not just
the privileged.
Not surprisingly, the
authorities of church
and state demanded
that Luther recant –
which he refused to do, ultimately escalating to his
excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church.
Martin Luther’s revolutionary thinking and questioning
pushed for reform within the Roman Catholic Church,
an accidental revolution that birthed the Lutheran
movement.
revolutionary:
Feature Story
12 concordia connection
Luther often referred to the Bible as the “cradle of
Christ” and saw a liberal arts education as one of the
“hands that rocks the cradle.” To appreciate fully Luther’s
views on education, it’s important to first understand
two key concepts: vocation and the theology of the two
kingdoms. Vocation is God’s calling in one’s life. He calls
us to serve Him in a variety of roles. In fact, a person can
have more than one vocation at the same time. Luther, for
example, was a husband, father, educator, and theologian.
As for the two kingdoms, Luther believed that the earthly
kingdom – or God’s left hand – is our place of service –
the place where we live out our vocation. The heavenly
kingdom or God’s right hand is where believers live out
their new life in Christ through faith. For Luther, a
meaningful approach to education would equip students
to participate vocationally in society, serving in both
kingdoms.
THE BENEFITS OF A LUTHERAN EDUCATION So what, exactly, does a Lutheran education mean and
how does it benefit our students?
At Concordia University-Portland, we believe that God
calls everyone. He confronts you. He creates passion. He
organizes your very DNA to be the person He’s called you
to be. God uses those around us – parents, professors,
mentors, and friends – to help us discern His calling in
our lives. Students learn to shine a light inward to find out
who God made them to be, then shine that light outward
in service for the good of others.
A Lutheran education encourages the inquisitive and
curious mind, helping students learn to incorporate
new knowledge, cultivate independent thoughts, and
wrestle with complex dichotomies across cultural
divides. It provides the analytical foundation necessary to
succeed in today’s global environment. And it fosters the
development of the whole person – mind, body, and spirit.
Here, students are expected, encouraged, and
empowered to discern God’s calling in their lives,
ultimately leading them to their passion. Students are
required to ask hard questions, dig deep, and think
with purpose – always with an eye on contributing to
the communities they serve. By learning to question, to
think critically, to seek new solutions, and to risk failure,
Concordia students become well-rounded citizens,
thoughtful stewards, and responsible leaders.
Concordia University-Portland was founded as a
Lutheran institution of education in 1905. While times
have changed and ideas have come and gone, the Concordia
of today shares the same Lutheran educational values as
the Concordia ministry and teaching college of 1905. Read
on to discover how Luther’s theories on education are put
into practice at Concordia University every day.
a Lutheran educationLuther’s ideas become
the foundation for
Feature Story
13Winter 2015
At the time Luther took on the Roman Catholic
Church, it was the most powerful organization in the
world. Yet he had the courage to ask questions about
many of the Church’s most fundamental teachings.
Years ago, Dr. Teri Murphy, a professor in the master of
arts in international development program at Concordia,
decided to look at the core of her faith. Raised inside
doctrine and ritual, she wanted to explore Christ’s simple
teachings on love, forgiveness, and reconciliation more
intentionally. What she found out, however, was that the
simplest commands were often the most difficult to follow.
Dr. Murphy has long wrestled with the discomfort
of binaries – yes or no, black or white, in or out.
Throughout her life, she had witnessed and experienced
harsh judgment and division as a result of beliefs. By
her late 30s, Dr. Murphy knew she wanted to build
bridges between polarities and help people find ways to
discover acceptance, forgiveness, and re-connection. For
these reasons, she committed her life to the vocation of
peacebuilding.
For many years, she worked in post-Apartheid South
Africa, motivated to learn about social reconciliation.
She sat with people who had been tortured. She sat
with people who had done the torturing. It was in these
“IF THE WORLD IS GOD’S CREATION,THEN THERE SHOULD BE NO INHIBITION TO THE PURSUIT OF INQUIRY ABOUT THIS CREATION, NO MATTER WHAT THE SUBJECT.”– MARTIN LUTHER
moments that the teachings of Christ were no longer
simple. Are some actions unforgivable? How can God-
fearing Christians bring harm to others out of a sense of
righteousness? Can truth be dishonest? Why should you
love an enemy?
These questions propelled her into places such as
Bosnia and Northern Ireland where religion was used
to justify and perpetuate violence, oppression, and even
rape. Dr. Murphy was especially interested to learn from
Bosnian Muslim women who had been ethnically cleansed
during the war. Was it possible to “transcend” atrocity and
reclaim their lives? Perhaps hoping for a “happy ending,”
she realized through their stories that moving forward
after violation is not an easy or linear process. While it
may not be possible to recover what is lost, healing in
small and subtle ways can still occur.
Most recently, Dr. Murphy had the opportunity
to teach in Istanbul. Through her efforts at Sabanci
University and at the Istanbul Policy Center, she was
able to offer government policy insight and develop
diplomatic training programs for Turkey’s Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. Even though the struggles she works
within are complex, her message has remained simple:
“Conflict is inevitable, but it does not need to be harmful
or destructive. It is not that we have conflict; it is how we
conflict that ultimately shapes whether it will be life-
changing. Conflict usually signals something important
for us to listen to. When we allow conflict to become
our friend, it can be a source of rich opportunity and
transformation in our lives.”
Learningto question
Feature Story
14 concordia connection
Embracingscience
Luther believed the world was beginning a new age
that would not only bring religious reform, but a new
appreciation for nature and science, as well. Unlike most
people of his day, he was very open to scientific advances
of the age. Even though he vehemently disagreed with
Copernicus’ theory that the earth revolved around the
sun, Luther argued for the right to permit Copernicus to
present, print, and distribute his theories.
Dr. Matthew Wise, a Concordia University College of
Theology, Arts, & Sciences professor, describes himself as
a “chemistry hippie who embraces all things scientific.”
Recently, he has been researching cloud formation
mechanisms and secondary organic aerosol particles,
producing data that researchers can utilize for climate
models – models which drive today’s conversation on
environmental policy.
His goal is to give students access to serious,
graduate-level research – something rare for small,
private universities. “Opportunities to do research as an
undergrad changed my life, and I want to share that by
giving similar opportunities to Concordia students.” To
that end, Dr. Wise led a group of Concordia students to
the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland,
Washington over the summer to observe and analyze
aerosol particles created in the laboratory. This highly
specialized research helped explain what effect these
particles have on the atmosphere.
Dr. Wise’s philosophy is simple: “In order to really
teach someone science, you really have to have them
do science.” For Ryan Caylor, a Concordia University
sophomore, that came in the form of hands-on
atmospheric research. “With research like this,” says
Caylor, “you’re not reading the textbook, you’re writing
the textbook. It’s education translated into problem-
solving.” One of the benefits of performing research at
this level is that it may well end up in a peer-reviewed
journal. “It would be pretty incredible to have something
published with my name on it,” notes Caylor, “especially as
an undergrad.”
“IT'S OUR LORD GOD WHO CREATED ALL
THINGS AND THEY ARE GOOD. WHEREFORE IT'S
PERMISSIBLE TO USE MEDICINE, FOR IT IS A
CREATURE OF GOD.” – MARTIN LUTHER
Feature Story
15Winter 2015
In an era when most people, including many in the
Church, believed that the printing press was a tool of
the devil, Martin Luther embraced this technology. His
translation of the Bible from Latin into German – the
language of the common people – is still heralded today
as one of most significant achievements of medieval
Europe. By printing copies, he was able to have the Bible
distributed throughout Germany. The technology of the
printing press was also responsible for helping to print
and distribute Luther’s “Ninety-Five Theses” –
much like the way news spreads today via
social media. Printing his “Sermon on
Indulgences and Grace” – a pamphlet
written specifically to an audience of
ordinary citizens – may have been the
catalyst of the Reformation. Luther
truly understood the power of sharing
information.
The same can be said of Elizabeth
Docken, Concordia doctorate of education
(EdD) graduate student and part-time professor of
educational technology. Docken has been a teacher for
twelve years and considers herself a life-long learner.
She is currently enrolled in Concordia’s inaugural,
on-campus, EdD program and loves how it emphasizes
thinking in new ways. “The focus of my EdD program is
transformational leadership. To be transformational, you
must think in non-traditional ways and be willing to take
risks that are counter to what’s always been done.”
“For me,” Docken continues, “technology is just
one more tool in the toolbox of a dynamic teacher.
Technology won’t solve all problems, but it can greatly
enhance learning – especially for kids who need
extra support or an extra challenge.” The educational
technology class she teaches is hands-on and practical.
“It’s definitely not a theory class,” she says. “One way I
have used technology in the classroom is to create QR
code scavenger hunts, where students can scan QR codes
that take them to a video, song, website, or activity –
allowing them to access content in a different form.
Finding new ways to integrate technology keeps kids
excited and engaged with new learning.”
One of the elements Docken enjoys most about her
time as a Concordia student is the personal connection
to the professors and other students in her cohort.
“Concordia forces you to be reflective as a learner,
pushing you to think differently. Technology can enhance
the reflective element, especially when it allows for
collaboration among students and teachers.” When asked
about incorporating and embracing technology
in the classroom, Docken’s words of advice
could easily be something Luther might
have told people in the 1500s: “Don’t
be scared by it; technology can be
motivating.”
“PRINTING WAS GOD’S HIGHEST ACT OF GRACE.”– MARTIN LUTHER
for good
Leveragingtechnology
Feature Story
16 concordia connection
Martin Luther was among the first to foster the concept
of “vocation” – or a calling from God that represents His
action in our lives. During a time when the Church taught
that access to heaven required human effort, Martin
Luther believed that everyone was born with an inner
calling from God. “Faith alone justifies us, not works,”
he said. Rich or poor, everyone could recognize God’s
calling and improve the lives of ordinary people in the
community. If you’re a farmer, be the hands of Christ by
providing extra food to people going hungry. If you’re
a seamstress, be the hands of Christ by making an extra
blanket for a family that has none.
Luther’s idea of living out God’s calling to serve others
hit home with Concordia nursing alumna Whitney
Thomas ’14 and seven of her classmates. During a
class-led needs assessment at nearby Faubion School,
the group learned that “food security” – knowing where
your next meal is coming from – is a major issue for these
you haveSharing the gifts
“WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF CHRIST HIMSELF WITH ALL THE ANGELS WERE VISIBLY TO DESCEND, AND COMMAND YOU IN YOUR HOME TO SWEEP YOUR HOUSE AND WASH THE PANS AND KETTLES? HOW HAPPY YOU WOULD FEEL, AND WOULD NOT KNOW HOW TO ACT FOR JOY, NOT FOR THE WORK’S SAKE, BUT THAT YOU KNEW THAT THEREBY YOU WERE SERVING HIM, WHO IS GREATER THAN HEAVEN AND EARTH...” – MARTIN LUTHER
Feature Story
17Winter 2015
children. “Nursing serves as a connector,” said Thomas.
“Nurses identify needs, then connect people who need
help with people who have resources.”
Working in conjunction with Marilyn Mauch, founder
of the Northeast Backpack Lunch Program, Thomas and
her team devised a system to ensure that Faubion students
who might otherwise go hungry could take a backpack
home on Friday that included two weekend lunches. With
this, the Concordia Backpack Lunch Program was born.
This student-led service organization raises money,
solicits donations, and coordinates with area churches
and businesses with the basic goal of making certain kids
don’t go hungry when they’re away from school.
Martin Luther was at the forefront of those who
realized the need for change in education, an urgent
problem in the sixteenth century. At that time, the
concept of the school system didn’t exist, and teaching
was often limited to the children – usually boys – of
wealthy merchants and city rulers. Via a letter entitled
“To the Councilmen of All Cities in Germany That
They Establish and Maintain Christian Schools,” Luther
proposed that the state had a moral duty to promote the
kingdom of God and a Godly society through proper
education for all.
Today at Concordia, a recent grant ensures that teachers
from throughout the Northwest will soon have access
to a previously off-limits source for history materials.
The Library of Congress in Washington D.C. is a
treasure trove of “primary sources” – original items that
have survived from the past, such as letters, photographs,
manuscripts, and other printed materials. Thanks to a
grant secured by Concordia Assistant Professor Shawn
Daley, classroom teachers in Oregon and Washington
can attend a series of workshops at Concordia to receive
training on how to best use these national treasures.
Once their training is complete, teachers will be able
to provide their students with a first-hand view of history.
A pioneer woman’s diary. Posters from the presidential
election of 1900. A series of letters between a young soldier
fighting in France during World War I and his high school
sweetheart back home. Photos showing life during the
Great Depression. These materials engage critical thinking
skills and give students a sense of what it was like to live
in a previous era. Instead of reading about an election
in a textbook, for example, students can read newspaper
accounts of the day, view photographs of the candidates
debating, and review political cartoons to get a sense of
what the public was thinking. It’s ideas like these that have
helped establish Concordia as a leader in education.
Luther was a man of many vocations and many
callings. Educator. Religious reformer. Innovator. Husband.
Father. Many of the ideas he initiated in the 1500s are
alive and thriving today at Concordia University-Portland.
We believe that a Lutheran education is about much more
than just preparing for a successful career. It’s also about
helping you discover who God made you to be, what He
has in store for you, and how you can share your gifts
with the community. Plus the knowledge that it’s expected
for you to question the status quo and do things a little
differently. In the finest Lutheran tradition, the Concordia
of today is a place for innovative thinking, critical
thinking…and revolutionary thinking.
Educationfor all
“WHEN SCHOOLS FLOURISH, ALL FLOURISH.” – MARTIN LUTHER
THANK YOUA special thank you to Rev. Dr. Phillip Brandt, Rev. Dr. Chad Lakies,
Rev. Dr. Paul Mueller, Rev. Jim Pressnell, and Dr. Michael Thomas
for their input and guidance on this important article.
Current Issues
18 concordia connection
Since 1996, Caldera – a camp set amid the high desert foothills in
eastern Oregon – has provided an innovative palette of arts education and mentoring to underserved youth across Oregon. At Caldera, individual strengths – rather than weaknesses – are emphasized. Campers learn to explore and cultivate their talents in an environment that puts good behavior and positive peer relationships first. Along the way, campers acquire the skills necessary to become leaders in their own communities. And even though time at Caldera inevitably ends, the experience is designed to continue well beyond camp. Counselors and mentors continue working with each Caldera student from age 11 through early adulthood, making sure someone who cares is always close-by. So, does this unique mix of art, nature, and a supportive community really empower children who face serious obstacles?
MEET TRISTAN. CAMP NAME: RICK JAMES “My first time hearing about Caldera was at school in front of all my peers – basically the whole urban population of Northeast Portland. Nobody seemed interested, but I sure was. The only thing I can remember from the presentation was Blue Lake and horses. I was hooked! Around that time, it seems like life went down the drain for me. The only time I could escape my reality was when Shadow came to school in the summer to pick us up and take us away to this magical place where we were not subjected to politics, drugs, or any other aspect of the concrete jungle. As soon as we passed through those gates, we were living life in its most natural state. I had never seen anything like it, nor had my peers from back in the city. To this day, I feel bad that I couldn’t take all of my friends to Caldera with me. Those same friends are now in jail, heading to jail or waiting to challenge a bullet.
I want nothing more in life than to see the youth ‘at risk of us failing them’ get a chance to see what I saw when it felt like my back was against the wall. If I hadn’t been at Caldera those summers, I would have been nothing but a menace to society. I never had the urge to get up and get a job or even pay bills. I thought that because of the hand I was dealt, the only option was to hustle, get rich or die trying. What Caldera did for me was show me that when you are dealt a bad hand, you simply ‘go fish,’ as if you are playing the card game. Just keep trying and make the cards work for you – which I did. Caldera kidnapped my ‘street smarts’ and in return gave me an idea – an idea of how to do things differently. For me, different is success, different is being the real me, without a mask, different is trying new things, different is being ‘Rick James’ and leaving Tristan in the city.”
TURNING A CREATIVE VISION INTO AN EMPOWERING CAMP For more than 30 years, Portland-based ad agency Wieden + Kennedy has been synonymous with some of the country’s most creative, daring, and memorable advertising – from NIKE’s mantra “Just Do It” to the Old Spice Man who quickly became part of the cultural lexicon. Dan Wieden, co-founder, president, and creative director, describes his secret to success as a mix of “chaos and energy and passion.” These days, Wieden’s love of the arts extends well beyond the advertising world. Along with his wife Priscilla, the Wiedens are responsible for Caldera – a non-profit camp devoted
Nature, Nurture, and a Commitment to Helping Young People Through Art greetings from camp caldera
photo courtesy of Camp Caldera: Caldera campers with Papa Bear, Dan Wieden
Current Issues
19Winter 2015
to changing the lives of at-risk youth through the power of art, the experience of nature, and the support of adults who care, all in a rustic camp setting. In addition to the campers, artists from all over the world spend month-long residencies at the camp. These artists work directly with the campers and share their work with the local area community.
THE NEED TO CREATE Caldera was founded by Wieden in 1996 as a summer camp in the mountains of eastern Oregon near Sisters. The idea was to bring kids with limited opportunities, both from the city and the country, together to make art. The idea has been thriving ever since. Caldera provides education in a variety of art disciplines, including painting, drawing, fiber arts, design, photography, filmmaking, writing, spoken word, hip-hop dance, traditional West African drumming, and sound production. Kids who said they couldn’t draw found out they were artists. Students who were at risk of dropping out stayed in school, graduated, won college scholarships, and came back to work at Caldera. The artists who worked with the kids found the experience made them better artists, and were invited back during the winter to work on their own projects. And because art isn’t just for summer, Caldera started working with students year-round, expanding activities into schools throughout Portland and Central Oregon.
THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE CREATIVE – AND SUPPORTED Caldera provides direct service to 259 middle and 189 high school students in Oregon. To help identify students who can best benefit from the program, Caldera partners with
five Portland and six rural Oregon middle schools. The students’ common denominator is poverty. According to Caldera’s most recent annual report from 2012, 80 percent of the students are on free or reduced lunch programs and live in households supporting an average of five people on less than $35,000 a year. In addition, students struggle with issues ranging from family breakdown, violence and substance abuse to gang issues and a lack of encouragement and positive role models. ONCE A CAMPER, ALWAYS A CAMPER One-hundred percent of Caldera eighth graders transition successfully to high school, and about 90 percent of Caldera twelfth graders either graduate or attain their high school equivalency diplomas. Caldera students are in college, skill training programs, and careers. They are dedicating their lives to helping others, with many
volunteering at the camp to ensure other young people have the same experience they had. Today, thanks to the determined and continual work of the Wiedens, Caldera’s innovative art and environmental programs have provided more than a thousand young people with the support they need to move forward with creativity and confidence, striving to reach a better tomorrow. Caldera’s mission is to be a catalyst for the transformation of underserved youth through innovative, year-round art and environmental programs – a mission Dan (known lovingly at camp as “Papa Bear”) and Priscilla Wieden (“Moon Flower”) have taken to heart. It is for this reason that Concordia University has chosen to honor Dan and Priscilla Wieden as the recipients of this year’s Gov. Victor Atiyeh Leadership in Education Awards.
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY’S FOURTH ANNUAL
Governor Victor Atiyeh Leadership in Education Awardpresented by HotChalk, Inc.
February 3, 2015 | 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm | Portland Art Museum
BECOME A SPONSOR / PURCHASE TICKETS / MORE INFO:
WWW.CU-PORTLAND.EDU/ATIYEHOR CONTACT US BY CALLING 503-280-8505 OR 800-321-9371 OR EMAILING [email protected]
HONOREESDAN & PRISCILLA WIEDEN
ART & CREATIVITY ADVOCATES
KEYNOTE SPEAKERVIOLA DAVISACTRESS & HUNGER ADVOCATE
b e n e f i t i n g c o n c o r d i a s t u d e n t s c h o l a r s h i p s a n d t h e 3 t o p h d ™ i n i t i at i v e
PH
OTO
BY
AR
T S
TRE
IBE
R
20 concordia connection
Alumni Notes
What’s New in Your Life?Stay in touch and keep us posted on all of your news... new baby, new job, new spouse, new house, great vacation, milestone anniversaries, or recent retirement? Send us an email on what’s happening in your life. Feel free to include photos, especially high-resolution (300 dpi) wedding and baby pictures:
Or send mail to Alumni Notes, 2811 NE Holman Street, Portland, OR 97211
EMAIL: [email protected]
Alumni Notes
1962Rebecca “Maggie” Davis, JC Calling all residents of Harmony Hall in ’61-62! Maggie is looking to reconnect and have a reunion with “The Harmony Hall Five” girls and Nan Brandt. Contact Maggie at [email protected] to reminisce about your many adventures together. The Concordia Office of Alumni & Parent Engagement would love to see – and share – photos and stories from your time at Harmony Hall.
1963Dee (Koch) Lieske, JC, and her husband, Mark, have been retired for seven years following 37 years of service to congregations and schools. They are currently living in Salem, Oregon, enjoying time spent with their family and re-connecting with several Concordia classmates and retired professors in the area. They are “really proud of how Concordia has moved into the next century and all that is happening on campus!”
1966 R E U N I O N
Larry Krumdieck and Steve Sanow, HS, have plans underway for the Concordia High School Class of 1966 50th year Reunion. Dates are set for Friday-Sunday: September 9-11, 2016 at Alton Collins Retreat Center in Eagle Creek, Oregon. Additional plans include a Concordia tour Sunday afternoon followed by dinner at McMenamin’s Kennedy School.
R E U N I O NFormer roommates Kathleen (Wulfers)
Bohlken, JC, and Sharon (Droege-mueller) Miles, JC, are planning a Concordia Junior College Class of 1966 50th Reunion. Contact the Concordia Office of Alumni & Parent Engagement by emailing [email protected] for more information.
1983Richard Wildhirt, graduated with a 4.0 GPA from University of Phoenix with a Master of Arts in Education this past June. Richard is hoping to move over to the employee development arm of the Boeing Company, where he has spent the last 25 years.
1984Rev. Dr. Gregory N. Todd, has been blessed with the opportunity to serve as Chaplain of the Coast Guard in Washington D.C., having served as an active duty U.S. Navy Chaplin for 20 years. In addition to his new work serving and supporting the personnel in the Coast Guard, he spends time visiting his five children and one grandchild along the eastern seaboard. Learn more about Rev. Todd’s work at www.uscg.mil/seniorleadership.
1999Lizz Rupp Barton graduated from the Concordia University psychology program in 1999. After earning a PhD in clinical psychology from Fuller Seminary, she went to work as a licensed psychologist helping students at Pacific Lutheran University. “Most of my work is clinical work with students. Additionally, I serve as a liaison to the Women’s Center working with our victim advocate and survivor and women’s empowerment groups. My life is very full and I’m incredibly blessed. I have appreciated the education I got at Concordia University.”
Alumni Notes
21Winter 2015
FOR ESZYLFIE TAYLOR ’00, a chance to shoot for the
stars came early. Before he was even two months old, he was seen on TV by more than 100 million people as the baby – held high in the night sky by actor John Amos – on the iconic ’70s miniseries “Roots, The Next Generation.” These days, his life is more grounded. “Surfy,” the name he goes by, is the founder and president of Taylor Insurance and Financial Services in Southern California.
THE CONCORDIA DIFFERENCE Born and raised in Pasadena, Calif- ornia, Surfy was awarded a basketball scholarship to play at Concordia University-Portland. “The opportunity to play basketball at the collegiate level is something I’ll never forget,” says the former Cavalier point guard. When asked what he learned at Concordia that most benefitted his business career, he cites the collaboration. “On my own, I only know a lot about a little bit. But when you put enough people together in a room, you can solve anything – that’s how we did things at Concordia.”
ONCE A BASKETBALL PLAYER, ALWAYS A BASKETBALL PLAYER After graduating magnum cum laude in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in management, Surfy returned to Pasadena and went to work for a large, national insurance company. “The first year I did OK. The second year I did better. For 14 years, I’ve always done better than the year before.” After 13 years, he opened his own firm. But for Surfy, something was missing.
“Being a college athlete, I still have the bug to play. I realized I had a gift for mentoring and coaching children, so I started off doing individual lessons – one-on-one with individual kids throughout the week.” In 2003, he started a non-profit basketball camp called Future Stars. “Now that the camp has been running for more than a decade, it’s fun to see kids I worked with going on to play basketball in high school and college. Teaching teamwork, perseverance, how to win, how to lose – these are lessons you use on and off the court. Life is about triumph, failure, relationships, connectivity. Basketball has all those same elements.” By hosting an annual charity golf tournament, Future Stars is able to allow every child who signs up to participate, regardless of their ability to pay. Now in its twelfth year, proceeds from the tournament
have provided an opportunity for hundreds of children who otherwise would not have been able to attend.
BALANCING ACT These days, one of Surfy’s biggest challenges comes from balancing his business, his camp, and his family that includes his wife and three daughters. In addition, Surfy
sits on the board for a variety of charitable organizations, including Rotary, L.A. Children’s Hospital, and Ronald McDonald House. “When I’m in a position to help, I do it. It’s the right thing to do,” he says.
LEARNING FROM FAILURE Even with such strong professional and personal successes, Surfy has had his shares of downs. “I failed every way you can fail,” he notes. “I made myself a promise when I graduated that I would never say ‘what if.’ Every no you get is one step closer to yes.” In terms of business advice, Surfy says, “Reach out to professors, alumni, and the business community. Draw from their experience, don’t reinvent the wheel. People are always willing to help you out.”
Giving Back Through Basketball
22 concordia connection
Alumni Notes
GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL CAMPUSES Raju, or “Raj,” as he prefers to be called, grew up in Los Angeles and came to Concordia University-Portland after a stint at a larger college in southern California. He struggled with feeling like just another face in the crowd and just another seat number to his professors. Then he visited Concordia and everything changed. “I knew Concordia was going to be a good fit,” he says. “It was a friendly and personable campus where everybody knew your name. I knew I would thrive in a setting where small groups collaborate and grow together.”
A KNACK FOR NUMBERS – AND SERVICE Concordia CFO, Denny Stoecklin, remembers the former finance office intern fondly, “I knew he was headed to bigger things. There are some people who you know are going to be successful just based on their attitude, work ethic, and drive. Raj was one of those individuals.” During his time at Concordia, Raj transformed from a “shy kid” who stayed within his comfort zone to a confident and involved college student. “Concordia was definitely the cornerstone for my career. When I graduated, I felt like I had a better understanding of my personal value and I had a strong desire to be able to impact the community in a positive manner.” And Raj has done just that.
By the time he was 26, Raj was promoted to chief financial officer and he has been “happily successful” ever since. But for Raj, being a success is more about service. Outside of his role at the Foraker Group, which has a wide-ranging and transformative impact on thousands of Alaskans, he is also a board member for Volunteers of America-Alaska. He is glad to give back to the Alaskan community because it has given him and his young family much in return. “Alaska may be large geographically, but it’s a small community.” he explains, and it “creates a safe environment for raising a family. That has changed my life for the better.”
THE EMBODIMENT OF SERVICE When asked what piece of advice he would give to a current Concordia student, Raj gives the servant leadership answer of a true Cavalier, “I was far from the brightest and best, but I always worked hard. I believe that if you are able to find ways to make somebody else’s life easier with the work that you do, you become more valuable. That value is then translated into more opportunities. Become a problem solver and success will follow.”
Making the Most of Every Opportunity
“CHOOSE A JOB YOU LOVE AND YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO WORK A DAY IN YOUR LIFE,” is Concordia alumnus Raju Shankar’s career motto – and it has guided him well. After graduating from Concordia in 2002 with a degree in
Business Administration, he currently serves as the CFO and Director of Shared Financial Services at the Foraker Group, an organization that supports the Alaskan non-profit sector with their funding needs. Last April, the Alaska Journal of Commerce honored him as one of an elite group of the state’s best and brightest young professionals in their “40 Under 40” issue. “I did my best to play it cool when I got the call” he recalls “but I had a big smile. It’s a huge honor and a proud moment in my life.”
“Become a problem solver and success will follow.” » Raju Shankar ’02
23Winter 2015
Alumni Notes
of her internship, Amanda received a commendation from Major General Gary L. Sayler in recognition of her work. In February of 2014, Amanda became a licensed counselor in the state of Idaho. She has been married to Chris Cadwell since 2007. The couple have three children, Brooklyn Grace, Sadie Joe, and Camden Christopher, and make their home in Boise, Idaho. Amanda is thankful to God and grateful to her Concordia community for helping her down this path of service to others.
Tim MBA ’14 and Rachelle Overholser, MEd ’14, welcomed their first child on August 1, 2014. Jacqueline (Jackie) Marie Overholser was born 8:44 am. Weighing in at six pounds, she is growing quickly and is already an avid Concordia Cavalier sports fan!
2007Tabitha (Jensen) Blankenbiller, recently accepted a position as writer at Rogue
Ales and Spirits in Portland, Oregon, having previously received her Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction from Pacific University in 2012.
Darcy (Madison) Carter, married Marcus Carter in July of 2014. Also in the photo are her parents, Concordia Senior Development Officer Mike Madison ’81 and his wife Phyllis (Mallett) Madison ’80.
2004Kristina Wibbens, is currently working on obtaining her PhD in psychology, with a specialization in creativity studies, consciousness, and spirituality, at Saybrook University in San Francisco, California.
2005Jessica (Stern) Tosh, studied the fascinating array of unique desert plants and the diversity of life at Bahía de los Ángeles – a UNESCO World Heritage site – and in the crystal blue waters of the Sea of Cortez. Jessica, an educator at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, Oregon, took the graduate course in pursuit of her master’s degree from Miami University’s Global Field Program.
2006Eric Bohlmann, was ordained and installed as Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Molalla, Oregon. Shortly after getting the call and moving to Molalla, Eric and Charlotte May Bohlmann ’05 welcomed their second child. Dietrich Lee Bohlmann was born June 19, 2014.
Amanda (Perna) Cadwell, graduated in December of 2013 from Northwest Nazarene University in Idaho with her masters in clinical counseling. While still in school, she interned at Gowen Field, counseling members of the military and their families. At the end
2008Matthew Thackeray served two tours aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln as part of the U.S. Navy at Electronic Attack Squadron 131 in Whidbey Island, Washington. He now resides in Coronado, California with his wife Johanna. Matthew is finishing his MBA, with an emphasis in International Marketing, at Alliant International
University.
2011Amber (Justen) Drobny, has been working as a second grade teacher for two years at Owyhee Elementary School in Nampa, Idaho and is “loving every moment. It was because of Concordia’s amazing teacher program that I was hired and prepared for my first
year of teaching. CU will always have a special place in my heart.”
2012Casey Mulvihill, MAT, is currently finishing his second year as technology director at Taejon Christian International School in Daejeon, South Korea. It was here where he
met his wife. They were married on January 3, 2014, in Park City, Utah. After this school year ends, they are very excited to go to a new school, The American International School of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
24 concordia connection
Alumni Notes
Keep up to date with everything happening at Concordia by following us on Facebook and Twitter!www.facebook.com/cu.portland www.twitter.com/cu_portlandFeeling Social?
In MemoriamJason Scott, MAT, married wife, Jade, who is also a recent graduate in the field of education. He is now working at Mountain View High School in Vancouver, Washington as a math teacher and JV boys basketball coach. The Scotts are also in the process of buying their first home.
2013
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jon Shinn, RN, was featured in a Veteran’s Day article in The Columbian (Vancouver, Washington) recognizing his support of veterans and their families through playing clarinet in the premier U.S. Army Band Pershing’s Own at Arlington National Cemetery. Jon is the son of a Vietnam Vet and a grandson of a WWII vet, and felt drawn to honor and support veterans through his love of music. He received his bachelor’s in music performance from the University of North Texas. Upon graduation, he auditioned for military bands and was chosen to be part of Pershing’s Own where he spent the next six years. After an estimated one thousand funerals, countless parades, retirement ceremonies, two inauguration parades and two presidential funerals, he wanted a change. “There was a big part of me that wanted to be a part of these people’s lives in a different way…not just help them be buried.” Jon moved to Portland and decided to pursue a nursing degree
at Concordia University, which he received in three years. Jon is currently an intermediate care nurse at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center and enjoys sharing his experiences with veterans and getting to know them. Read the full Columbian article here: www.columbian.com.
2014Alana Hu is a spring 2014 psychology graduate. She is currently pursuing a master’s of education in counseling, family, and human services, with a specialization in prevention science, at the University of Oregon. This master’s program emphasizes research training in psychological foundations, research competencies, and effective interventions to identify and reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors. She said she feels very well prepared to succeed in her graduate program, although she is learning that it is quite different being at a large university. “I really enjoyed Concordia, and I love all of the professors
of the psychology department! I’m going to miss you all, but I will be sure to keep in touch.”
Pastor Matthew E. Roberts, MEd, completed his master in education this past April. Having worked on his undergraduate degree at Nazarene Bible College, Matthew is now a pastor at New Hope Church of the Nazarene
in Hillsborough, North Carolina. In addition, he was recently honored as the Nazarene Bible College Alumnus of the Year. “I strive daily to be a follower of Jesus and an example of one that studies to show myself approved, correctly handling the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), as pastor, teacher, and citizen.”
Supporters & Friends
Lois (Schmidt) Gogl, JC ’56, (77), born September 27, 1936, passed away on September 14, 2014 of complications from cancer. Lois was in the first class of women accepted to Concordia College. Lois met Leon Gogl, JC ’55, during her time at Concordia. The two married at St. Michaels Lutheran Church on July 3, 1960. Lois taught in many Lutheran Schools in California while Rev. Leon was the pastor at St. Phillip Lutheran Church. After 25 years serving as a chaplain in the United States Army, Lois and Leon returned to Portland. Lois enjoyed quilting, traveling, and was actively involved at St. James Lutheran Church where she served as a church council member. Memorial contributions in memory of Lois may be made to Concordia University Friends of Music.
Kimberly Krzycki, MEd ’01 (46) passed away in Waukesha, Wisconsin on July 31, 2014 after a three year battle with pancreatic cancer. Beloved daughter, treasured sister and cousin, amazing Aunt, and friend; Kim is survived by her parents Leo and Judith (nee Robinson) Krzycki and siblings, Bryan (Lori), Susan (Richard), Darren (Rebecca), Nichole (Paul). Proud and caring Aunt to Rebeccah, Turner, Callie, Ashley, Jake,
25Winter 2015
Alumni Notes
FEBRUARY 3Concordia’s Fourth Annual Governor Victor Atiyeh Leadership in Education Awards, Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR
FEBRUARY 6Spring Sports Begin, Learn More at gocugo.com
FEBRUARY 12-14Lutheran Elementary School Tournament (LEST). Learn more at cu-portland.edu/lest
MARCH 6 Chamber Ensemble Concert
MARCH 6 Leaders in Action Awards, Concordia University School of Law, Boise, Idaho
MARCH 7 4th Annual Respite Event
MARCH 8Wind Ensemble Concert
MARCH 13 & 15Winter Choral Concert with Orchestra, St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, Portland, OR
MARCH 14Hawaii Club Luau
APRIL 6 – MAY 31Honoring Native American Art Exhibit
APRIL 6 – MAY 31Student and Faculty Art Exhibit
APRIL 11 The Hader Art Caper Performance Fundraiser
APRIL 12 Annual Spring Concert, St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, Portland, OR
JUNE 8 Annual FORE the Students Golf Tournament, Columbia Edgewater Country Club
For more information on these, and other events happening at Concordia, please visit cu-portland.edu/events
PLEASE STAY IN TOUCH...If you know of a Concordia high school, junior college, or university alum or friend who has passed away, please let us know. We would like to honor their memory in the next edition of Concordia Connection magazine. Please feel free to include photos when you email [email protected]. Thank you!
Melissa, Katherine, Ellen, AnnaSophia, Joseph, Nathan and Ian. Kim graduated from Carroll College in 1991 with her Bachelors in Art. Though she loved art, something else kept calling to her. That call, mixed with the call of the west coast led her to Portland, Oregon in 1999 where she attended Concordia University and received her master in education in 2001. With a few detours in between, she made her way back to Wisconsin and to her family. She loved them all, but her nieces and nephews were her passion and her heart. Kim’s calling ended up bringing her to teach inner city children at Lad Lake Synergy Alternative School. She loved those kids, helped many finish high school against all odds, and others even reach for college. Kim was inspired by nature and loved the outdoors, enjoying camping, hiking, canoeing, kayaking – anything and everything that involved being surrounded by trees and water. This love drove her to become a Waukesha County Park Ranger, in her spare time, where she worked at Mukwonago and Minooka Parks. Never one to stop learning and striving, when Lad Lake offered her a principal slot, she took the challenge and signed up for school once again. Kim worked toward her second master in educational administration by going nights and weekends. She served as principal until her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in July of 2011. Kim’s smile, generosity, kindness, endless patience and never-ending love for her family and friends will be intensely missed by all.
Beverly Petersen (78), former Concordia staff in the College of Education, passed away August 27, 2014. Bev was born in 1936 in Kalispell, Montana. She spent most of her childhood years in
Salem, Oregon, where she was an active member at St. John Lutheran Church. She married Ralph Petersen in 1956 and they had seven children. Bev and Ralph were part of the Concordia community in the early ’60s while Ralph was a student. They spent several years living and working in Collinsville and Troy, Illinois where
Bev taught kindergarten for 10 years at the Lutheran school there. In 1978, they moved back to the Northwest. Bev worked at the district office of the LCMS and was secretary at Trinity, OC before joining the Education Department at Concordia University-Portland in the early ’80s. She was an indispensable part of the College of Education and dearly loved working with students and staff over the years. Provost Mark Wahlers said, “Bev was a tireless advocate for students and provided tremendous professional and caring service to students, staff, and faculty. She was very representative of the heart and soul of our College of Education and a valued member of the Concordia community. We missed her when she retired from Concordia and we will miss her more now that she has left this earth to be with our heavenly Father.”
Gordon Schumacher (90), born September 16, 1924, in Shawano, Wisconsin, passed away on October 12, 2014. Gordon served in the navy from 1943 to 1946, after
which he attended Valparaiso University and Marquette University School of Medicine. Gordon married his wife, Beverly, in March of 1954, and the newlyweds graduated from Marquette together in June that same year. Together Dr. Schumacher and Beverly built a family of one son, three daughters, and eight grandchildren. The Schumacher family is a long-time supporter of Concordia University and the Lutheran community. Gordon’s gentle heart and caring, passionate soul will be truly missed.
Navy & White
26 concordia connection
Sean Kelly’s love for basketball dates back to second grade, when he began learning the fundamentals of the game from his coach Bill Scoble, a former University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) assistant under Rolland Todd. Scoble’s connections allowed Kelly’s
youth teams to meet and learn from several prominent UNLV Runnin’ Rebels players, including Danny Tarkanian, son of legendary UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian. In high school,
Kelly would go on to become a varsity starter for four years, winning a state championship his senior year at Incline High School in Incline Village, Nevada. After two years of junior college basketball at Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, California, Kelly moved on to Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, where he became the Lutes’ starting point guard. Kelly graduated from Pacific Lutheran in 1995 with a degree in business administration and went on to become an assistant coach at his alma mater. In 1999, he was hired as an assistant coach at the University of Portland under long-time head coach Dr. Jim Sollars. His tenure with the Pilots, members of NCAA Division I, and the West Coast Conference, included post-season appearances in 2009 and 2010. “I am thrilled to have a coach of Sean’s caliber lead the Concordia
Former Pilots Assistant Finds Right Fit as Concordia’s New Head Coach
NCAA Division II Update
Women’s Basketball program,” says Concordia University Athletics Director Matt English. “I am confident Sean is the right person to guide the growth of our program as we look ahead to the transition to NCAA Division II. He understands the importance of building a championship culture and creating a positive experience for our student-athletes. With his recruiting ties and his knowledge of the Northwest, he will be able to hit the ground running.” Since his hiring in early June, that’s exactly what he’s been doing. “I’ve been lucky to learn from good coaches,” says Kelly. “I’m glad for the experiences I’ve had and I feel prepared thanks to the people I’ve worked for. We, as coaches, work hard every day to prepare practices that will challenge our players, and they’ve met that with effort and enthusiasm. Becoming a head coach for the first time can make you nervous, but there’s genuine excitement.”
The NCAA Division II management council officially admitted Concordia into its three-year membership process during its annual meeting on July 25, 2014. The management council was acting on a recommendation from its membership committee, which approved Concordia’s application to join the NCAA earlier in July. Concordia will begin the three-year membership process this fall as one of five schools in the 2014-15 first-year candidacy class. Cal State University San Marcos, Concordia University-Irvine, California, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, and
Oklahoma Baptist University round out the five-member class of successful applicants. The Cavaliers, who were approved for membership in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) last fall pending the NCAA’s acceptance of Concordia, continue to compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) during the 2014-15 season. Concordia will begin competing in the GNAC in 2015-16, but will not be eligible for NCAA post-season play
until the fall of 2017. The NCAA will continue to review each school during the candidacy process to determine
if the institution should advance to the next
year of the
process. Concordia joins 10 other institutions, which are located in five states and one Canadian province, as full-time members of the GNAC. To learn more visit gocugo.com.
Navy & White
27Winter 2015
Fall Teams Receive National RecognitionWOMEN’S SOCCER Entering the year as the defending national champions, the Concordia women’s soccer team fell just short of a repeat as the Cavaliers once again traveled to the NAIA National Tournament. With wins in the first two rounds, the fourth-seeded Cavs eventually saw their season end in the quarterfinals, falling to the fifth-seeded, University of Northwestern Ohio, 1-0. Taking the conference tournament with a 1-0 win over Northwest University, the Cavs will leave the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) having won 18 conference championships. For their efforts, Jasmin Ayala (first team), Erin Huisingh (second team), McKayla Madison (third team), and Annika Hayman (honorable mention) earned All-American recognition.
MEN’S SOCCER After a one-year hiatus, the
Concordia men’s soccer team lifted the CCC
trophy once again by winding
through the league schedule with a 12-2-0 mark against conference foes. Led by First Team All-CCC selections Cody Guthrie (defender), Sam Carmichael (midfielder), and Timur Zhividze
(forward), the navy and white finished with a 13-5-0 overall record and earned the top seed in the CCC
tournament, but missed out on a return trip to nationals after suffering a 2-0 loss to Corban University in the conference semifinals. Head Coach Dan Birkey was honored as the CCC Coach of the Year.
VOLLEYBALL Returning to the NAIA National Championships for the first time since 2001, the Cavaliers – in their swan song season in the NAIA – rolled along to a 14-4 mark in the CCC and eventually earned the third-seed in the conference tournament. Once in the postseason, the Cavs dispatched sixth-seeded Oregon Institute of Technology in four sets to set up an epic five-set win against No. 13-ranked Southern Oregon University. Even though the Cavs lost to the College of Idaho in the finals, they did enough throughout the season to pick up the final at-large berth to the National Championships. Here Concordia met a powerful Vanguard University squad that handled the Cavs in straight sets. Brianna Hogan and Lindsey Dorsey earned All-CCC accolades with Dorsey adding Freshman of the Year
honors for the conference. Along the way, head coach Melanie Hambelton upped her career wins to 109, becoming the all time leader in wins for the program.
CROSS COUNTRY On the periphery of the league’s elite teams for most of the season, the Concordia men’s cross country team peaked at the perfect time by taking third place in the loaded conference. Led by conference runner-up Matthew Clowes, the Cavaliers placed third at the CCC championships to earn an at-large berth to the NAIA National Championships. Competing in Lawrence, Kansas, the Cavs placed 20th overall with Clowes earning All-American honors with a sixth-place finish. The Concordia women’s team placed fifth at the CCC champ-ionships and was led by Mikel Elliott, who finished as an All-CCC performer with an 11th-place finish. Elliott represented Concordia at the NAIA National Championships where she placed 58th overall out of more than 300 of the best harriers in the country.
Photo courtesy of Sam Wasson/Alaska Anchorage Athletics
Navy & White
28 concordia connection
Phot
o co
urte
sy o
f Sam
Was
son/
Alas
ka A
ncho
rage
Ath
letic
s
When the Concordia men’s basketball team landed in Anchorage, Alaska for a pair of games against the University of Alaska Anchorage, little did they know they’d be part of Alaskan history. That same day, remnants of Pacific Ocean Typhoon Nuri hit the Aleutian Islands and the far southern part of the state, bringing a storm more intense than Hurricane Sandy. But even this massive storm, nicknamed the “Bering Bomb” couldn’t throw the determined men’s team off course.
A dominant Cavalier team won the first game of the pair on the evening of November 7, marking the inauguration of the new Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. According to Jim Pressnell, director of church relations, the headline in the morning paper read, “Concordia spoils UAA’s first game in new arena.” Pressnell, along with Concordia University Foundation
Senior Development Officer, Mike Madison ’81, were on hand to host alumni events and church outreach programs. A mix of alumni, friends of the university, and other guests enjoyed this high-spirited game. On the morning of November 8, Head Coach Brad Barbarick and the men’s basketball team visited Anchor Lutheran School to put on a basketball clinic for players in grades five through eight. A dozen students attended the clinic and were paired one-on-one with the Concordia
players. Pressnell noted that, “The kids’ parents watched the clinic and were so appreciative of this kind of attention.” At the end of the clinic, Barbarick led a group prayer, then the Cavaliers autographed team posters for the kids to go along with the T-shirts they received. Saturday night, Pressnell and Madison hosted a pre-game reception. More than 45 people were
in attendance, including alumni, donors, and friends. Coach Barbarick and the team came by and spoke with the guests for a few minutes, sharing what the transition to the GNAC Conference and NCAA Division II means to them. Come game time, a total of 72 people – 10 percent of the total attendance – were there to root on the Cavaliers. This included the twelve kids from Anchor Lutheran School and their families. “Mike and I were so blessed to watch those Anchor Lutheran kids cheer their hearts out all game. Then when we won, they stormed the court. When our basketball team saw them, they all turned and ran to the kids and gave them high fives. Those kids will remember this weekend for a long, long time!” states Pressnell. With two victories for the Concordia men’s basketball team and an excited group of new young fans, the trip to Alaska was a success all around. Once safely back home, Madison received an email from someone they had met in Alaska. It read, “Just such a blessing to have all of you here. It was so fun to root for Concordia Saturday night! Great group of young men! You have a big fan base here in Anchorage! God’s blessings and thank you for being here.”
Concordia Men’s Basketball Team Takes Alaska by Storm
29
Nailed to the DoorNailed to the Door provides Concordia staff, faculty, alumni, and students a forum for editorial comment.
The term “revolutionary” generally carries with it a negative connotation. When I think of someone who is revolutionary, I frequently equate it with a person who is subversive, militant, and divisive. Revolutions are often connected to overthrowing the establishment or radical change of some kind. But that is not necessarily the case when it comes to “revolutionary thinking.” Revolutionary thinkers can come in many forms, whether intentional or otherwise. Over the years I have studied leadership skills by reading presidential biographies. I recently finished a book by Ron Chernow entitled Washington: A Life. Chernow provides a fascinating look at our first president – a revolutionary leader who demonstrated revolutionary thinking. I was struck by Washington’s humility. He did not necessarily come up with a lot of innovative ideas. In fact, he was not an especially creative military thinker. What he did have was passion for American independence and persistence for defeating the British. In my study of Martin Luther, I do not believe he was an especially creative or innovative individual. In many respects, he was an unlikely revolutionary as he nailed the “Ninety-Five Theses” to the church door in 1517. Yet his intense study of Scripture, especially the letters to the Romans and Galatians, brought him face-to-face with a God of love which led him to proclaim the simple truth – an individual is saved by faith in Jesus alone. Like Washington, Luther demonstrated revolutionary thinking largely through his passion for a cause. There was a fire burning in his soul. He was persistent and persuasive in sharing his discovery with others.
Concordia University provides an educational experience that develops leaders to transform society. The ability to impact society comes through revolutionary thinking. That does not necessarily mean being creative and innovative. While those are great skills in their own right, I’m not convinced they necessarily lead to effective leadership. To me, revolutionary thinking emerges through three simple core skills –
» Passion – a fire in one’s soul for a cause» Persistence – not being defeated by obstacles
or setbacks» Persuasion – the drive to clearly articulate
your principles and values
Concordia faculty challenge students to develop their critical thinking skills and to become revolutionary thinkers. It is more than simply understanding an academic discipline. Students are challenged to reach into their souls and uncover their passions – what drives them to get up in the morning? How can they use their lives to make a difference in society? Concordia faculty model revolutionary thinking both in and outside their classrooms. This Concordia Connection issue is filled with examples of how Concordia classrooms encourage students to cultivate their God-given passion, persistence, and persuasion – challenging and changing student lives so they can in turn transform the world around them. Concordia develops revolutionary thinkers to make a difference in society.
» Rev. Dr. David Kluth, Dean, College of Theology, Arts, & Sciences
“Rev∤o∤lu∤tion∤ar∤y” Thinking at Concordia
PASSION + PERSISTENCE + PERSUASION
NON-PROFITORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAIDPORTLAND, ORPERMIT #6542811 NE Holman Street Portland, Oregon 97211-6099
Ask us about our
• NEW •
SCHOLARSHIPS
for those who served in
AmeriCorps or Peace Corps,
or graduated from a
Lutheran University
Concordia Alumni Grant:20% Off Tuition
Concordia University-Portland
alumni qualify for a special
Concordia Alumni Grant equal to
20% off tuition.* This grant applies
to Concordia Portland graduate
programs offered on campus or
online and is available to alumni
who graduated from any of the 10
Concordia University campuses.
Call: 503-280-8501 / 1-800-321-9371 Email: [email protected]
MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING
MASTER OF EDUCATION (ALSO ONLINE)
MASTER OF EDUCATION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION (ALSO ONLINE)
DOCTORATE OF EDUCATION (ALSO ONLINE)
MASTER OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT & SERVICE (*$5,000 GRANT)
MASTER OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY: COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY
MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (ALSO ONLINE)
JURIS DOCTORATE (SCHOOL OF LAW IN BOISE, ID)
Are You Considering GRAD SCHOOL?