rnNEWS BULLETIN OF ROCHESTER COLLEGE VOLUME 41 NUMBER 1 FALL 1999

ht aor stCollege sets course into next century with strategic planning

General Powell scheduled for Partnership Dinner

Gerald and Lucille Isom are joined by the Carsons and Sharon Whitlatch for the atrium ground breaking.

MakingHeadlines

Many individuals who paved the way for the current progress atRochester College visited campus for Founders Day. Partici-pants reflected upon a proud past and bright future. Page 10.

General Colin L. Powell (Ret.)

Former Chairman of the JointChiefs of Staff, General Colin L.Powell, USA (Ret.), has consentedto be the keynote speaker at the29th annual Partnership Dinneron May 13 in Detroit. The generalwill speak on the Challenges of aChanging World.

�General Powell is one of themost admired men in America�,

stated Elton Albright, event co-ordinator. �Former first lady Bar-bara Bush charmed those in at-tendance at the last dinner. Thosewho attend the 2000 dinner arealso in for a real treat.�

General Powell is the author ofa bestselling autobiography, MyAmerican Journey, in which hedetails his life from his Harlem

roots to his role in advising thelast three chief executives, Presi-dents Reagan, Bush, and Clinton.General Powell served as a pro-fessional soldier for thirty-fiveyears and oversaw OperationDesert Storm during the 1991Persian Gulf War.

�We feel fortunate to havesomeone of General Powell�s stat-ure speaking at the 2000 dinner,�stated Dr. Ken Johnson, presi-dent of the college. �By his ex-ample, General Powell serves as asource of encouragement toAmerica�s youth that success canstill be achieved through hardwork and determination.�

General Powell is held in highregard worldwide. In addition tonumerous U.S. military awardsand decorations, at least eighteengovernments have decorated him.Among his civilian awards aretwo Presidential Medals of Free-dom, the President�s CitizensMedal, and the prestigious Con-gressional Gold Medal.

Tickets for the 29th annualPartnership Dinner currently areavailable through the Develop-ment Office at the college. Theprice for the great evening of fel-lowship and entertainment re-

mains at $100 for adults and $50for students. In addition, spon-sorship information is availablethrough the Development Office.For the first time last year, spon-sors enjoyed special reserved seat-ing at the dinner, a photographopportunity with the keynotespeaker, and recognition in theprinted program.

�The 1999 event with BarbaraBush created a new image for thePartnership Dinner,� noted Dr.Johnson. �We are looking forwardto building on that positive expe-rience with General Powell.�

LIBRARY BOOKSLuckett Christian Academydonates children�s libraryto college. Page 2.

FLETCHER CENTERCafeteria named for formerpresident. Page 3.

FACULTY GROWTHAdditions to faculty supportgrowing student body andnew programs. Page 4.

BASKETBALLMen�s basketball adds sec-ond team. Page 5.

OTIS GATEWOODCollege remembers found-ing president. Page 8.

ALUMNI AWARDSFour alumni recognized forachievement. Page 9.

BOOK RELEASEACU Press decides to pub-lish series based on SermonSeminar. Page 11.

Charting the college�s courseinto the next century, the Boardof Trustees recently approved anew strategic plan for RochesterCollege. Designed as a planningguide for the next decade, thedocument addresses importantgoals for the college�s continuedgrowth and development.

�The infrastructure of Roches-ter College has been strength-ened significantly by the goalsmet in our last plan,� stated Dr.Ken Johnson, president of thecollege. �We are now positionedfor a period of time with evenmore remarkable progress.�

The college introduced its laststrategic plan in 1994. Since mostgoals were met ahead of schedule,college officials decided to accel-erate the process by initiatingfurther planning in 1997. Imme-diately, numerous committees,consisting of board and councilmembers, alumni, employees, andstudents, began discussing theirassigned tasks.

�Since strategic plans are liv-ing documents that require ad-justments as circumstances andopportunities arise, we initiallyhad to relook at our campus mas-

ter plan,� stated Dr. Johnson. �Toaccommodate changes, TMP As-sociates revised our plan and de-livered a new drawing before theend of last year.�

As the committees submittedtheir recommendations, a draftof the final plan was prepared forthe board. The plan addressedspecific goals for academic pro-grams, athletics, the College ofExtended Learning, development,facilities, operations, personnel,student recruitment, student ser-vices, and technology.

�During the planning stages,we were able to begin addressingsome of the goals being discussedby the committees,� stated Dr.Johnson. �Already, we have metseveral goals identified in the fi-nal draft of the plan.�

To meet one goal of the strate-gic plan, a faculty committeewrote a new mission statementfor the college last fall. In themonths that followed, the facultydeveloped proposed bachelor�s de-gree majors in interdisciplinarystudies and history.

During the spring, the Devel-opment Office launched a suc-cessful new format for the Part-

nership Dinner, including a spon-sorship program and a speakerwith national recognition.

During the summer, workersmet additional goals by renovat-ing the cafeteria and beginningmajor improvements on the base-

ball field. The college then brokeground for the Isom Atrium atthe Fall Festival.

�Dramatic improvements thatwill benefit our students for de-cades currently are in the plan-ning stages,� stated Dr. Johnson.

�We will unveil some of thoseplans in the months ahead.�

The introductory text and phi-losophy behind the new strategicplan, entitled A Decade of Vision,is included on the center spreadof this issue of the North Star.

Dear Friends,

God continues to bless our plans and our efforts at RochesterCollege. None of us, just a few short years ago, would have daredto suggest that we would be serving 600 students this semester.Such would have seemed too incredible! Our 1993 StrategicPlan projected only 480 students for 1999. We are thankful forthe progress, and at the same time are tremendously challengedto effectively serve a rapidly growing student body.

To serve our students, we have added twenty-eight new posi-tions in the last eight years. We now have eighteen facultymembers with a doctoral degree, plus six more who are doctoralcandidates, not counting several who are enrolled in doctoralcourse work at the present time. Our faculty, including full-timeand part-time personnel, now numbers sixty-five!

Our founders believed that a strong college in Rochester, Michi-gan, would be a blessing to the region�s Christian families inmany ways. Primarily, the goal was to serve students whowanted a close-to-home college education in a setting whereChristian values and faith in God are taught and encouraged.

Just this semester, fifty-six students transferred to RochesterCollege from other colleges and universities, primarily to getcloser to home in a Christian environment. They came fromCornerstone University, Lipscomb University, Harding Uni-versity, Cedarville College, Oklahoma Christian University,Belmont College, Abilene Christian University, and a numberof other colleges. At the same time, students came to us this yearfrom twenty-five states and twelve nations!

Your investment in Rochester College makes this possible. Wethank you for your confidence in this institution through fortyyears of service. In the next decade, God willing, we will seesignificant additional steps of progress that will increasinglymake Rochester College the first choice of college students whowant a quality education in a strong Christian environment.Thank you for your involvement in our progress.

Yours for the Master,

Kenneth L. JohnsonPresident

campus lifePAGE 2 FALL 1999 NORTH STAR

Honor society chartered on campus

Luckett donates libraryWhy RC?

Sponsor Rex Hamilton visits with Rachel Gulish and Irina Sanches.

Students share favorite readings during a children�s literature class.

WorthRepeating

A student recently wrote athank you note to an em-ployee, relating an eventthat happened to her ear-lier that day.

�As we were leaving assem-bly today, my friend Gregsaid, �You know we have toleave this place when wegraduate?� I just looked athim and said, �It really feelssafe here doesn�t it?� Wewere both really moved byassembly and sad aboutknowing that it is the onlyplace we know of that hasthis much Christ in it.�

Luckett Christian Academy,which served the Detroit areasince 1977, recently decided tocease operations. In the processof distributing assets, the boarddecided to donate their library toRochester College.

�While we were saddened bythe closing of Luckett, we werehonored by their decision to helpus meet our mission,� stated Dr.Ken Johnson, president of thecollege. �The influence of Luckettwill continue not only in the heartsof her alumni, but in the lives ofRochester College students whoare preparing to teach.�

Since establishing a coopera-tive program for teacher certifi-cation in 1996, the college hasadded certifiable majors in En-glish, music, and history. Even-tually, the college plans to seek

state approval to provide the cer-tification process as well.

�As we plan for the future, thisdonation will help our librarymeet state standards for teachereducation,� stated Dr. MichaelWesterfield, provost of the col-lege. �This gift should make itpossible for us to meet or exceedthe requirements for titles inchildren�s literature. We can nowconcentrate on building a cur-riculum library.�

�With Luckett�s donation, wetripled our children�s literaturecollection,� stated Sheila Owen,director of the Muirhead Library.�We now have an extensive col-lection of award-winning bookscovering several decades.�

Among significant titles nowavailable in the Muirhead Libraryare a collection of Newbery andCaldecott Medal Books, and anumber of Coretta Scott KingAward Winners.

�Barbara Gray, a retired librar-ian, developed a substantial por-tion of the Luckett library when Iworked at the academy,� statedLinda Park, assistant professorof education and instructor of thechildren�s literature class. �Mrs.Gray, who now does volunteerwork in the Muirhead Library,obtained many rare volumes whileassisting Luckett. Those booksnow provide a wonderful resourcefor our education students.�

�Previously, we had very fewnonfiction books for children inareas like history, math, and sci-ence, which are needed to learnhow to prepare lesson plans,�stated Ms. Owen. �Approximatelyone-third of our children�s collec-tion is now starting to meet thatneed because of the forethoughtof the Luckett board.�

Joining over 300 colleges anduniversities from over the nation,Rochester College chartered a lo-cal chapter of Alpha Chi on Sep-tember 9. The national honorscholarship society recognizesstudents in the top ten percent ofjunior and senior classes at mem-ber institutions.

�This is a significant step forRochester College and the stu-dents that will be honored by thisorganization,� stated Dr. MichaelWesterfield, provost of the col-lege. �It is our first honor societythat serves all majors on the cam-pus, allowing us to recognize over-all academic excellence.�

Dr. Dennis Organ, executivedirector of Alpha Chi and profes-sor of English at Harding Univer-sity, traveled to Michigan to in-stall the chapter. Normally, theexecutive director passes this re-sponsibility to a representative,but he desired to personally in-duct the Rochester College chap-ter because of his institution�srelationship to the college.

After formal installation of thelocal chapter, Rochester Collegeinducted sixteen students. Each

had earned a grade point averagein excess of 3.80 during their aca-demic career at Rochester Col-lege. Faculty members and fellowstudents congratulated the newmembers at a reception followingthe induction ceremonies.

�We want to hold our studentsto the highest academic standardat Rochester College,� stated RexHamilton, assistant professor of

religion and sponsor of Alpha Chi.�We encourage them to see theirstudies as a significant part oftheir service to God.�

�We also want our students tofind joy in the rigor of study anddiscovery,� Mr. Hamilton contin-ued. �It is my hope that our chap-ter will serve as a catalyst in thedevelopment and implementationof academic achievement.�

Why does Rochester Col-lege exist? Because of stu-dents like Nadine Taylor, amusic education major fromMarion, Michigan.

Since arriving at RochesterCollege, Nadine has per-formed with the A CappellaChorus, Autumn, and Spec-trum. She also is a memberof the new Chamber Cho-rale. �I have developed someof my dearest friendshipsthrough the performinggroups,� Nadine stated.

�As a music major, I havethoroughly enjoyed partici-pating in many musical ac-tivities,� Nadine continued.�In the performing groups,we sing music that not onlyis beautiful, but also praisesthe Lord. We sing withpeople who understand andare therefore able to sin-cerely express the texts.�

Now in her senior year,Nadine is a member of Al-pha Chi, a national honorsociety, and a regular par-ticipant in Celebration.

Larger facultyserves anotherrecord number

of students

campus lifeNORTH STAR FALL 1999 PAGE 3

EmployeeHighlights

Rochester College

Building the Infrastructure

of the Kingdom

knowledge ~ jobs

homes ~ relationships

The commitment of the founders of Rochester College hasshaped who we were yesterday, who we are today, and who weshall be tomorrow. Whether teaching secular subjects or Chris-tian topics, every generation of leaders at the college has beenand must be committed to teaching under the light of thebiblical message.

Likely, no generation will capture a full and correct understand-ing of everything biblical. Likely, no generation will totallyapply biblical concepts and precepts accurately to every situa-tion that arises in the culture of that generation. Some genera-tions may become increasingly biblical. Some generations maylose some ground in their biblical understanding. Each genera-tion will be tempted to isolate and emphasize certain portions ofthe biblical message.

Therefore, it must be the primary goal of every generation ofcollege leadership to call the college and the church back to thebiblical text. No other anchor is solid. No other anchor is sound.

If our commitment is to be biblical, and if we give each newgeneration of adults the freedom to use their best scholarshipand their best logic to apply Truth to the challenges of theirgeneration, then the church will never stray very far from itsroots at Pentecost, and our graduates will know where theymust set the anchor for those who follow. This, too, is a part ofwalking by faith.

Dr. J

ChoralNet recently selectedDr. Tony Mowrer, pro-fessor of music, as secre-tary of their board. The or-ganization is a web-basedclearing house for choralmusic information.

Dr. David Fleer, profes-sor of religion and commu-nication, spoke at a work-shop hosted by the NorthWarren Church of Christon September 18.

Hosted by the East MainChurch of Christ, Dr. MikeWesterfield spoke for amen�s retreat in October.

Six hundred singers fromaround the nation are ex-pected at the annual Chris-tian High School ChoralFestival in Nashville. JoeBentley, associate profes-sor of music, will serve asthe clinician and conductorfor the November event.

Jeff Cohu, associate pro-fessor of business, willpresent a paper with hisgraduate advisor at the 19thAnnual Lilly Conference onCollege Teaching at MiamiUniversity in November.

Traveling to Bend, Oregon,in November, Dr. DavidGreer, associate professorof history, will speak at acampus ministry retreat. Aweek later, he will serve ona missions panel for theBalkan Summit at AbileneChristian University.

Renovated cafeteria named for former president

Students enjoy comfortable new surroundings in the Fletcher Center.

Mary Johnson, Jeannette Schiele, Margaret Hadfield, and the Fletchers

Evening program added

Rochester College officially became the newest partner in theUniversity Center at Macomb Community College this summeras Dr. Joseph Champagne, dean of the center, and Dr. KenJohnson, president of Rochester College, signed an articulationagreement. Rochester College began offering bachelor�s degreeclasses on the Macomb campus during the fall semester. Dr.Champagne hailed the flexible new degree program as �in thetrue spirit of the University Center�s mission.�

Addressing employees, Dr.Ken Johnson outlined a for-mula for meeting or exceed-ing student expectations.

� Warm, faith-affirmingenvironment

� Consistently goodacademic classes

� Efficient, friendly, andcaring people

� Clean and neat campus� Recognizable value� Solid career placement

Rochester College is deeplycommitted to that type ofcampus community!

Our Goals

Founders Day provided an op-portunity for the college to honorseveral individuals who played akey role in the early developmentof Rochester College. During theday, Dr. Ken Johnson, currentpresident, announced naming ofthe newly renovated cafeteria inhonor of Dr. Milton B. Fletcher,fifth president of the college.

Beginning in the early summerwith removal of the closets andmailboxes located at the entranceof the facility, workers reshapedthe cafeteria floor plan. In theweeks that followed, they built anew ceiling, installed air condi-tioning, added cabinetry in anexpanded serving area, and re-furnished the facility with newtables and chairs.

�By the opening of the aca-demic year, we had a beautifulplace to serve meals, host ban-quets, and experience some of thejoys of college life, but the facilityneeded a name,� Dr. Johnson toldFounders Day guests. �Since Dr.Fletcher invested more years ofhis life than any other personinvolved in the formative years ofthe college, we decided the facil-ity should bear his name.�

�Dr. Fletcher first served thecollege for over a decade, begin-ning in 1961. During those years,he gained a love for this institu-tion nearly as strong as a man hasfor his family,� Dr. Johnson con-tinued. �Within a few years, whenthe college was looking for a presi-dent, the trustees recognized thatDr. Fletcher likely knew the col-lege better than any candidate,

and recognizing his love for thiscollege, asked him to become thefifth president. He served in thatcapacity for eleven years.�

On Founders Day, the collegealso honored Mary Johnson andJeannette Schiele for their lead-ership in the project that fundedthe cafeteria renovation. Since1997, the two ladies, assisted bymembers of the Associates, haveassembled and sold angel pins onbehalf of the college. Proceedsfrom the project funded the en-tire cafeteria renovation, whichtotaled nearly $100,000.

Charles Hadfield, a retired art-ist who was recently featured inthe Detroit Free Press for his skillin gold-leaf lettering, painted thesign for Fletcher Center. His son,Ron, a member of the class of1976 and director of publicationsat Abilene Christian University,provided a portrait of Dr. Fletcherfor the facility. Mr. Hadfield�s

wife, Margaret, an Associatespresident during Dr. Fletcher�syears as president, unveiled thesign, which now hangs over theentrance of Fletcher Center.

Building upon a highly success-ful weekend program for adultlearners, the College of ExtendedLearning recently began promo-tion of two additional programs.Beginning in January, both willbe offered in their entirety duringthe evening hours.

�Since starting our weekenddegree completion programs inbusiness and counseling, we have

had students who lack a few lib-eral arts courses wanting to en-roll,� stated Tracey Hebert, deanof the College Extended Learn-ing. �By offering all of the coursework required for an associatedegree during the evening hours,we will be able to serve such stu-dents, as well as those startingtheir degree from scratch.�

Along with the associate pro-gram, the College of ExtendedLearning will launch a bachelor�sdegree program in early child-hood education. Courses in bothprograms will meet one night perweek for eight weeks.

�We were approached by theOakland-Livingston Human Ser-vice Agency, who presented a needfor this type of program in thelocal area,� stated Mr. Hebert.�The agency supervises the HeadStart Program in this region, andplans to pay full-tuition for any oftheir employees who enroll in theprogram.�

�The early childhood degreewill serve a unique niche in theeducational market,� Mr. Hebertcontinued. �While it is not de-signed to serve as a certificationprogram for those desiring toteach elementary school, it willprovide specialized training forthose planning to pursue a careerin early childhood settings.�

campus lifePAGE 4 FALL 1999 NORTH STAR

Faculty strengthened with additions

Recording draws praise

Molding Futures ....

Rochester College hosted the annual Dean�s Conference for colleges and universities affiliated withthe Churches of Christ from September 16-18. Forty-six deans and chief academic officers fromeleven institutions participated in the event. Presentations, panels, and group discussions focusedon the theme Scholarship and Faith: Defining a Christ-Centered Education.

Kelly Johnson and Josh Graves visit with Dr. David Greer after class.

At a GlanceBased upon comments about

the A Cappella Chorus made byBarbara Bush at the PartnershipDinner, Joe Bentley, director ofmusical activities, recently de-cided to send a copy of the musicdepartment�s latest recording toMrs. Bush.

In a thank you note to Mr.Bentley, Mrs. Bush replied, �Iloved being with Rochester Col-lege and the chorus made the tripeven better. I will never forgetthe beautiful music and now Iwon�t have to imagine the music.I have it!�

While the A Cappella Chorus,Autumn, and Spectrum have re-corded most years over the pasttwo decades, the three groupscombined efforts in a single re-lease on compact disc this pastyear. The recording, entitled HowCould You Say No?, has drawnpraise on multiple occasions.

�I have been literally sweptaway with the sheer beauty andinspirational qualities of your newCD,� stated Tim Meixner, direc-tor of the Metropolitan DetroitYouth Chorus, in a letter to Mr.Bentley. �My favorite selection isAlleluia. I have listened to thattrack no less that twelve timesand have been moved to tearseach time.�

�In my travels with MDYC tothe various Christian college cam-puses, I have heard many of theirvocal groups,� Mr. Meixner con-tinued. �None of them are any

better than the Rochester Col-lege chorus. You have produced aspectacular musical organizationthat beautifully and artisticallybrings glory to the Father!�

The disc, recorded and pro-duced by Tim Corder, a studentat Rochester College, features tenselections by the A Cappella Cho-rus, and five each by Autumn andSpectrum. The disc is availableby calling the Rochester CollegeBookstore at 1.800.521.6010.

Kent Hoggatt, Craig Johnson, and Carol Van Hooser

Good instructors are at the heart of a quality academic program.The lives of students at Rochester College are molded not onlythrough strong experiences in the classroom, but by individualattention and personal relationships with instructors. Some ofthe outstanding faculty members that serve the students ofRochester College are introduced below.

Drawing upon his experience as a teacher and minister, KentHoggatt returned to the classroom at Rochester College on apart-time basis this fall. Before moving to Iowa in 1993, heserved the college for nineteen years in various roles in admis-sions, financial aid, and development. He now preaches for theLapeer Church of Christ, and has taught communication classesfor Rochester College, Kirkwood Community College, and WayneState University. He holds degrees from Rochester College,Abilene Christian University, and Wayne State University.

Known for his keen interest in mission work, Craig Johnson,assistant professor of mathematics, began teaching at Roches-ter College in 1996. Prior to that time he taught at York College.He recently completed course work for his doctoral degree fromWayne State University, and holds degrees from Harding Uni-versity and the University of Mississippi. He serves as co-sponsor of Image, the campus organization that promotesstudent interest in mission efforts.

Research in animal behavior and a special interest in ecologyadd a unique dimension to the classroom instruction of CarolVan Hooser, assistant professor of biology. While completinga degree at Central Michigan University, she focused her re-search on birds. Later, she studied the behavior of wasps for amaster�s thesis project at Oakland University. Prior to joiningthe faculty of Rochester College in 1994, she taught for theSaginaw City School District.

MUSIC GROUPProviding an additionalopportunity for experiencein performance groups, themusic department intro-duced the Chamber Cho-rale this fall. Under the di-rection of Dr. Tony Mowrer,professor of music, thegroup primarily performsclassical literature. Theensemble presented theirdebut performance at theBible Lectureship.

FALL FESTOrganizers of Fall Fest se-lected Rochester College asthe official college host fortheir first annual youthgathering in Niagara Falls.Several students assistedthroughout the weekend,Autumn performed, andShannon Williams, directorof spiritual life, led the wor-ship. Nearly 1,000 teens at-tended the event.

YEARBOOKEaton Corporation recentlydonated four computers foruse in preparation of thecollege yearbook. Earlier inthe spring, Eaton provideda grant that enabled thecollege to install a totallyintegrated music laboratoryin the Gatehouse.

Growing in number and aca-demic strength, the faculty ofRochester College added four full-time members to its ranks thisfall. In addition, three individu-als completed course work towardtheir doctoral degrees.

�When I arrived at RochesterCollege, Dr. Johnson charged mewith the continuing task of build-ing a strong faculty,� stated Dr.Mike Westerfield, provost. �Sincethat time, our faculty has nearlydoubled in size.�

Those joining the full-time fac-ulty this fall included Jeff Cohu,associate professor of business;Dr. David Greer, associate pro-fessor of history; Rex Hamilton,

assistant professor of religion; andDr. Gregory Stevenson, profes-sor of religion. Mr. Hamilton�swife, Jennifer, also is teachingnearly a full load in the Englishdepartment.

�As we seek faculty members,we look for those who are highlyqualified in their field and havethe potential of being outstand-ing instructors,� Dr. Westerfieldnoted. �It is also highly impor-tant that each one is committedto the Christian faith.�

�Of those joining the facultythis fall, two already had com-pleted their doctoral degrees,� Dr.Westerfield continued. �Two oth-ers were doctoral candidates, and

the last currently is enrolled in adoctoral program. All five hadteaching experience, which madethem even more attractive candi-dates for our openings.�

�While we have been trying tohire qualified people with doc-toral degrees to support our newbachelor�s degree majors, the cur-rent faculty has also risen to thechallenge,� Dr. Westerfield noted.�Presently, we have eleven en-rolled in doctoral programs. Theinstitution has made supportavailable for graduate study, andthe faculty have responded byfinding programs that help meetthe institution�s needs.�

This past summer, three fac-ulty members completed coursework for their doctoral degrees,Joe Bentley, associate professorof music; Craig Johnson, assis-tant professor of mathematics;and Andrew Kronenwetter; asso-ciate professor of communication.

Four individuals received pro-motions in rank, Frank Pitts, as-sistant professor of music; GarthPleasant, professor of physicaleducation; Vivian Turner, assis-tant professor of mathematics;and Carol Van Hooser, assistantprofessor of biology.

�Faculty retention has been ahigh priority over the last fouryears,� stated Dr. Westerfield.�Each academic year, more havebeen with the institution longenough to receive tenure.�

campus lifeNORTH STAR FALL 1999 PAGE 5

Baseball field upgraded

Second men�s basketball team added

Dr. Ken Johnson presented Jerry and Rita Brackney of Lapeer,Michigan, with the Christian Workmanship Award at the 42ndAnnual Bible Lectureship. Jerry has served as manager ofMichigan Christian Youth Camp since 1972. He also served onthe board of the Metropolitan Detroit Youth Chorus for nineyears. The Brackneys have sent three sons to the college.

During the summer, a team of students from Rochester College participated in a three-week missioneffort in Ghana, West Africa. Most of the group�s efforts centered around evangelism, work withwater drilling projects, and assistance with construction at a home and school for orphaned andabandoned children. �Each member of the team was so excited about sharing the gospel with peoplewho have never seen a Bible or heard the gospel,� stated Michael Light, assistant professor of historyand leader of the group. �It was an incredible, life-changing experience.� Photo by Tiffany Hanna.

Oakland University hosts the Warriors near the close of last season.

Athletics

Two men�s basketball teamswill represent Rochester Collegein intercollegiate competition forthe first time this year. Datingback to the opening of the college,men�s basketball has the longesttradition among the five sportsoffered by the college for men andthe five for women.

�For years we have discussedthe possibility of adding a juniorvarsity team,� stated Garth Pleas-ant, athletic director and headbasketball coach. �We had onlytwo spots opening on the teamthis year due to graduation, so itseemed like an appropriate timeto add a second team.�

George Evjen, who has servedfor the past two years as assistantcoach of the men�s team, has beenselected as coach of the freshmanteam. Both Coach Pleasant andCoach Evjen will work closely asthey recruit and select team mem-bers for both groups.

�A lot of colleges have juniorvarsity teams to develop playersfor the level of competition en-countered by their varsity,� statedCoach Pleasant. �Our new teamwill help meet that need and pro-vide many more players with achance to participate in intercol-legiate competition.�

�Once people began finding outabout our junior varsity team, westarted getting phone calls almostevery day,� stated Coach Evjen.�Our focus, however, has been onstudents who will fit into the mis-sion of the college. Consequently,we have selected several playerswho have experience playing forChristian high schools.�

�One student, who was inAlaska for the summer, returnedearly to pursue a spot on our new

team,� Coach Evjen continued.�We have attracted some talentedplayers. Within a year, we shouldhave some who will be able tomove to the varsity, including onewho has the potential of being asolid division one player.�

Initially, the new team will playseveral junior colleges and juniorvarsity teams from larger four-year schools. The varsity teamcurrently competes with severalNCAA and NAIA institutions in-cluding Wayne State University,Central Michigan University, andOakland University.

�As soon as our new athleticcenter is completed, we hope tojoin the Wolverine-Hoosier league

of the NAIA,� stated Coach Pleas-ant. �Many of the colleges com-peting in that league have juniorvarsity teams that we will play inthe coming year.�

�All of our teams continue toexcel and achieve new levels ofsuccess,� Coach Pleasant noted.�Our volleyball team won theirnational invitational last year,and our baseball team defeatedOakland University just days af-ter Oakland defeated the Univer-sity of Michigan. We are excitedabout watching our teams in ac-tion again this year.�

For team schedules, check thecollege web site at www.rc.edu orcall athletics at 248.218.2135.

Technology

VOLLEYBALLOpening their season witheleven straight tournamentvictories, the women�s vol-leyball team won the War-rior Invitational in Septem-ber. Eight colleges and uni-versities participated in theweekend event. The War-riors will enter the NSCAAnational tournament as de-fending champions.

SOCCERRegular season wins oversuch institutions as North-wood University, ConcordiaCollege, Lawrence Techno-logical University, and OhioValley College helped themen�s soccer team preparefor their national tourna-ment of the NSCAA.

BASEBALLPlaying on a newly-reno-vated field, the men�s base-ball team posted a 9-1record for their fall season.The team will resume theirseason in the spring.

CROSS COUNTRYCaden Ruohomaki brokethe college five-mile recordat the Quaker Classic atWilmington College in No-vember. Seventeen teamsparticipated in the tourna-ment. Caden placed secondout of 130 runners.

MUSIC LABTechnicians recently com-pleted installation of a to-tally integrated music labo-ratory in the Gatehouse.The lab includes computerand audiovisual equipmentthat interfaces with a digi-tal piano and Sibelius, a so-phisticated notation soft-ware program.

CLASSROOMSWorkers recently installedcomputerized audiovisualequipment in the audito-rium and remaining twoclassrooms of the Associ-ates Campus Center. Theequipment will facilitatethe projection of videos,powerpoint presentations,and Internet sites.

Meeting a goal in the college�sstrategic plan, workers began amajor upgrade of the baseball fieldduring the late summer. Namedfor Bill Shinsky, longtime coachof the team, the field has servedthe college since 1970.

�Upon seeing the dramatic im-provements, the coach from an-other college recently expressedhis confidence that we would haveone of the finest baseball facili-ties in the area upon completion

of the project,� stated GarthPleasant, athletic director.

Last July, Coach Pleasant madea proposal to the North OaklandBaseball Federation, offering ex-clusive use of the field during thesummer months in exchange fora gift to the college. The proposalresulted in a $20,000 gift and aseven-year usage agreement.

Vergil Smith, new coach of theRochester College baseball teamand owner of a construction firm,immediately began improve-ments. After rotating the field tocampus master plan specifica-tions, Coach Smith excavated theinfield and installed an irrigationsystem, topsoil, sod, and properbaseline dirt. He also built twooutdoor batting cages at thecenterfield fence.

�By obtaining material dona-tions and using volunteer labor,Coach Smith probably allowed usto do the equivalent of an addi-tional $15,000 worth of work onthe field,� stated Coach Pleasant.�We just received permits fromthe city and will begin construc-tion on the dugouts soon.�

�We will be seeking a corporatesponsor to provide a scoreboard,�noted Coach Pleasant. �By nextspring we will be playing on afirst-rate athletic field.�

designed to lead all members of the collegecommunity to love and honor God, to studythe Bible as God�s Word, and to becomeChrist-centered individuals. The highest stan-dards of morality, ethics, and integrity areencouraged, as are prayer, church attendance,and service to humanity.

The college community will continue toseek truth and knowledge in every discipline,encouraging informed intellectual discussionin the context of a Christian world view.

Raising the Standard

Academics

Increase Outstanding FacultyChristian faculty members are at the heart

of the educational experience. The collegemust enhance its reputation to become an

A Decade of Vision for Rochester

Introductory Text from the College�s New Strategic Plan

Dear Friends,

A Decade of Vision presents the latestplanning effort of Rochester College onmatters of strategic importance. Cul-minating more than one year of effort,it reflects the vision, consensus, andhard work of many dedicated and ca-pable persons who are involved in manyways with Rochester College. Faculty,staff, development council members,trustees, and others have provided in-put to this planning in a comprehensiveprocess.

Covering a period of ten years, thisstrategic plan is intended to be a livingdocument to be reviewed, revised, andextended on an intermittent basis.

Notwithstanding our past efforts andthe future efforts we shall expend toaccomplish the plan, we recognize thatGod is really the one who makes thingshappen. Our task is to plan responsibly,doing our best to discern His interestsand His timetables, and to work prayer-fully and diligently to achieve the plan.

We hope everything in this plan isachieved right on schedule. However,because we, too, are big dreamers, weknow that our plans can happen onschedule only if God substantiallyblesses our efforts to convert the plansinto reality. If that does not happen,many who are involved with RochesterCollege will be disappointed but we willnot doubt God. Rather, we will returnto the drawing board, review our think-ing, remain prayerful, adjust our sched-ules, and go back to work to achieve thedream.

Cordially,Dr. Ken Johnson

Call to Raise the Standard

Entering a new century, colleges face un-believably complex challenges: challenges re-lated to the explosion of information, thespeed of technological change, the clashes ofideologies in the globalization of culture,change in the religious community, and thereality of having to couch every decision inthe context of the many choices that areavailable. Surviving, let alone successfullyoperating, in the face of such challenges willrequire the best, the very best, that Roches-ter College can provide.

As Rochester College continues to preparestudents to become leaders of integrity andfaith, it must chart a clear course for thefuture. Much of its present task relates to aneed to build and strengthen the infrastruc-ture of the institution. As the twentieth cen-tury winds down and a new century begins,one can look back and see substantial progresson that task.

However, the college has a very long way togo to achieve the infrastructure required fora credible, quality, academic institution inthe twenty-first century. For the college toattract and serve increasing numbers of stu-dents in a variety of liberal arts programs, itmust improve its image and reputation forquality academic programs that lead to suc-cessful careers. The college must provideadequate new facilities to carry out the re-quired work of an academic institution, in-cluding nonacademic facilities to support avibrant campus community.

At all times, the core of the college�s mis-sion relates to the hearts of students. Throughthe years, with limited facilities and a shoe-string budget, the faculty and staff havetouched the hearts of thousands of alumni.

As the community watches the college�sprogress and enjoys the fruit of its labor, thecollege must continually raise every stan-dard to which it aspires for the institutionand its graduates.

Raising the Standard

Spiritual Life

Central to every plan, vision, and dream forRochester College is Jesus, the Christ. Asstudents prepare for their careers at the feetof Christian men and women, the highestgoal of Rochester College is for its students tolearn how to respond to His power to trans-form minds and hearts. Successes here willchange the world to which the students re-late.

Daily assemblies of the student body are

institution widely known for quality teach-ing. To do that, it must recruit and retainincreasing numbers of outstanding, high-credentialed faculty who are committed tothe Rochester College mission. RochesterCollege will not become a research institu-tion. Rather, its faculty will remain acces-sible as teachers, leaders, advisors, mentors,and friends of students as it pursues a goal ofintegrating faith and learning.

The college must increase the number ofdollars committed to development of existingfaculty, both in the pursuit of advanced de-grees and in the development of skills par-

�Covering a period of tenyears, this strategic plan isintended to be a living docu-ment to be reviewed, revised,and extended on an inter-mittent basis.�

�As Rochester College con-tinues to prepare students tobecome leaders of integrityand faith, it must chart aclear course for the future.�

ticularly relevant to their roles in the college.Faculty (as well as non-faculty) compensa-tion must be raised to the national norm forsimilar positions at comparable institutions.

Add New Academic ProgramsIn recent years the number of bachelor�s

degree academic options for students at Roch-ester College has increased dramatically. Thenumber of academic options must continueto grow, but prudence must be continuallyexercised to add only those programs that areeconomically feasible and which maximizethe return on scarce resources.

To exist in the new millennium as a cred-ible academic institution, Rochester Collegemust add a program of international traveland study to its academic options. This willbe done first within the context of theMaymester term, then expanded as opportu-nity is created.

Increase Emphasis on TechnologyToday�s college graduate must have a good

measure of technological competence, regard-less of the field of study. In a world increas-ingly focused on productivity, accuracy, andquality, technology allows one to multiplyoutput and control quality.

Rochester College must make substantialinvestments in facilities, hardware, and soft-ware to allow faculty to teach and students tolearn timely and relevant knowledge and useof technology appropriate to the degree taken.The college�s advanced fiber-optic networkmust be linked to additional buildings oncampus. The college must expand its capabil-ity to provide universal information access inclassrooms, residence halls, and offices.

Expand Extended LearningThe market of working adults is the only

profitable segment of the academic industry.The college must expand the services offeredthrough the College of Extended Learning byadding new programs, delivering at new sites,and teaching over the Internet.

CollegeThe College of Extended Learning will be

allowed unrestricted growth, limited only bythe college�s commitment to profitably de-liver quality academic programs at availablesites. Income from the College of ExtendedLearning will be returned for investment inprograms more directly related to the his-toric mission of Rochester College.

Expand the LibraryThe Muirhead Library is crowded. Space is

insufficient to adequately house the library�sholdings or to accommodate the growing stu-dent body. In addition to increased floor space,the college must commit increased resourcesto provide library support in the form ofmonographs, periodicals, and technology fornew academic programs already added andfor others contemplated in this plan.

Raising the Standard

Facilities

Upgrade Outdoor Athletic FieldsIn recent years, Rochester College has added

soccer and softball to its group of intercolle-giate sports. However, no adequate fields forintercollegiate competition in any sport areavailable on the college campus. Sports fieldsare so inadequate that most intercollegiategames must be played elsewhere away fromthe campus.

The college must engineer and grade ad-equate outdoor intercollegiate facilities forbaseball, soccer, and softball. While doing so,a practice/intramural track for runners andpractice/intramural areas for intercollegiatefield events must be created.

Build an Indoor Athletic ComplexMuch of what happens on a college campus

today revolves around physical activity, in-cluding intercollegiate competition, intramu-ral competition, and personal workout andexercise. The college�s present indoor ath-letic facility will not accommodate any inter-collegiate competition and is substantially

inadequate for the level of service required tosupport the student body.

The college must construct a larger andmore versatile indoor athletic complex andactivities center to serve a student body of atleast 1000 traditional students.

Build a Library-Classroom FacilityGrowth at Rochester College has exceeded

its capacity of classroom space and libraryspace. Classrooms and library are core facili-ties on every college campus, and an ad-equate facility for both library and class-rooms, totaling about 30,000 square feet,must be built.

Build a Performing Arts CenterRochester College does not have a stage. It

does not have a suitable place to practice orperform music and drama, or an auditoriumsufficient to accommodate the current cam-pus population.

The college anticipates eventual construc-tion of a much needed performing arts cen-ter, perhaps in a cooperative project with

another community organization. When com-pleted, it will house the music, drama, andcommunication departments.

Raising the Standard

Athletics

Presently, Rochester College is a memberof the National Small College Athletic Asso-ciation. This membership has served the col-lege well across the years. However, the asso-ciation has no major function besides provid-ing a national tournament venue for membercolleges.

Much of the college�s intercollegiate com-petition throughout the season is with NAIAcolleges. As Rochester College increases insize and as its athletic facilities improve, thecollege should join the ranks of its competi-tors in the more prestigious NAIA.

Rochester College will continue to recruitonly those quality athletes who have demon-strated a life of habits and convictions consis-tent with the Christian emphasis of Roches-ter College. Only those coaches will be em-ployed who are capable of serving as aca-demic, spiritual, and athletic mentors to stu-dent athletes.

Raising the Standard

Student Services

The climate of the campus community iscritical to student collegiate success. Duringthe college years, habits are adopted andbeliefs are formed that shape one�s entirefuture. Because significant learning occursoutside the classroom, Rochester College per-

Raising the Standard

Finances

This Decade of Vision includes competingdemands that will challenge Rochester Col-lege to expand its resources. The level offunding anticipated in this strategic plan isunattainable without the involvement andassistance of God.

To achieve this vision, Rochester Collegemust sustain operational gift revenue atpresent levels or higher, and must raise capi-tal funds in excess of $20 million.

Raising the Standard

Enrollment

For its entire life, Rochester College hasintermittently experienced swings in enroll-ment, along with the financial impact fromsuch swings. With better planning and execu-tion, Rochester College should continue toexperience upward trending of traditionaland nontraditional student populations. By2004, the college should increase to a total ofabout 800 students. By 2007 that total shouldbe 1,000 students.

In attracting these numbers of students,the college must seek talented high schooland transfer students who have significantpotential for leadership and Christian ser-vice. Additionally, Rochester College willpursue working adults for its nontraditionalacademic programs.

More than anything else, however, Roch-ester College must become a place whereevery employee, trustee, council member,and friend is involved in recruiting, reten-tion, and public relations for the college. Allsuccessful colleges have a large contingent ofexcited and enthusiastic supporters who carryhigh the banner of their college, and Roches-ter College must cultivate a mind set amongits friends that Rochester College is not onlya fantastic place but is the best place for theirchildren and their acquaintances to pursue abachelor�s degree.

sonnel must strive to create an environmentthat encourages and supports involvement invaried aspects of life, both on and off thecampus, including social, spiritual, and ex-tracurricular activities.

Through a variety of activities, from stu-dent government and fall break campaigns tothe student newspaper and volunteerism inthe local community, students must be giventhe gift of opportunity to connect their ma-turing beliefs with helpful actions.

Because increasing numbers of studentstravel great distances to Rochester College,the college must provide a more attractive setof weekend activities and experiences.

Rochester CollegeCampus MasterPlan

alumniPAGE 8 FALL 1999 NORTH STAR

We want to hear from you!Share your news! Clip and return this form to Larry Stewart,Director of Public Relations, Rochester College, 800 West AvonRoad, Rochester Hills, MI 48307.

Name (maiden if appl.) ____________________________________

Years __________ Occupation _____________________________

Spouse's Name (maiden if appl.) ____________________________

Years __________ Occupation _____________________________

Address _________________________________________________

City ________________________ State __________ Zip _________

Phone (area code ________) ________________________________

Please note children's names, recent births, job changes, mar-riages, promotions, etc. on a separate sheet of paper and send itto the college with this form.

Alumni News and Notes1965

Joseph Shulam is the directorof the Netivyah Bible InstructionMinistry. Joseph and his wife,Marcia, have two grown children,Barry and Danah. The Shulamscan be contacted at P.O. Box 8043,Jerusalem 91080, Israel.

1972

Dean Smith is the new pulpitminister of the University Churchof Christ in Austin, Texas. Hiswife, Carolyn (Francisco-70)is teaching second grade. The fam-ily lives at 12627 Cinchring Lane,Austin, TX 78727.

1978

Valerie (Wiley) McGuire andher husband, Delton, currentlyare serving as houseparents forsix boys at High Plains Children�sHome. The couple has three chil-dren of their own, Katie, Rachel,and Travis. The family can becontacted at 11250 ChapmanDrive, Amarillo, TX 79118.

1979

Terri (Whitlatch) Longfellowrecently certified to teach elemen-tary school. Terri and her hus-band, Rob (78), have two daugh-ters, Cathleen and Jennifer. Thefamily lives at 14653 ShenandoahDrive, Riverview, MI 48192.

1982

Anita Clay married John Clausson March 6, 1999. Anita is a re-covery specialist for National CityBank, and John is employed byAdistra. The couple lives at 2228North Elizabeth #1, Dearborn,MI 48128.

Timothy Warren joined Brandon,Andrew, Aubrey, and Maggie inthe home of Dennis (96) andSusan (Raper) Hall on May 12.Dennis is an accountant for Cen-tral Michigan Staffing, and Su-san is a homemaker. The familylives at 2524 Flint River Road,Lapeer, MI 48446.

Thomas Lawson joined Trey andAveri in the household of Bob andAnnette (Eckman) Harris onMarch 3. Annette is an advanceddirector with Pampered Chef, andBob is employed as a computerservice engineer manager. Thefamily lives at 2088 Timber WolfTrail, Edmond, OK 73034.

Dan Isenberg and his wife, Lora,welcomed Taylor Paige on Octo-ber 25, 1998. Dan is in his four-teenth year as director of seasonsales for the Detroit Pistons, andLora operates the Write Image.The family lives at 696 Essex,Rochester Hills, MI 48307.

1983

With their two children, Adamand Ashley, Chad and Lesly

(Hoggatt) Brock have moved to910 Niblick Court, Angola, IN46703. The couple owns and op-erates rental properties.

James Matthew joined Megan andAmy in the home of Kevin andJanice (Kilpatrick) McKissonon February 28. Kevin is em-ployed as an assistant registrarfor Arizona State University, andJanice is a homemaker. The fam-ily resides at 518 West HorseshoeAvenue, Gilbert, AZ 85233.

1986

Sonja Barcus completed herPh.D. in counseling psychologyat Ball State University in May,after successfully defending herdissertation, The Relationship Be-tween Spiritual Well-Being, Reli-gious Commitment, and Psycho-logical Well-Being. Currently, sheis teaching in the psychology de-partment at Abilene ChristianUniversity. She can be contactedat 1351 Parkridge Place #701,Abilene, TX 79605.

Dan Boren was recently namedbasketball coach for the girl�svarsity team at Gladwin HighSchool, where he teaches science.He also preaches part-time forthe Church of Christ in Harrison.His wife, Shannon (Roper) isself employed as a daycare pro-vider. The family lives at 4348Sylvan Grove, Gladwin, MI 48624.

On March 21, Rebekah Kay joinedMatthew and Benjamin in thehome of Michael and Francie(Martinez) Holder. Francie is ahomemaker, and Michael is em-ployed by the federal government.The family lives at 3003 NorthAlexander, Royal Oak, MI 48073.

1987

Becky Richardson has movedto 2750 Davison Avenue, AuburnHills, MI 48326. She is workingas a registered sales assistant.

1988

Darrell Amy and his wife, Amy,recently moved to 85 Rolling OaksDrive, Maumelle, AR 72113.Darrell is a district sales managerfor Toshiba America InformationSystems, and Amy is a trainingofficer for Pulaski Bank.

Austin Lee joined Jimmy in thehome of Jim and Sandy (Wise)Haferkamp on July 8. The fam-ily can be reached at 2442 WestState Route 2, LaPorte, IN 46350.

Anna (Burns) Lang recentlymoved to 1072B Royale GlenDrive, Muskegon, MI 49441. Annahas two sons, Cody and Jordan.

1989

Ady Hutchins was married toRob Rhoads on January 17, 1998.Both Ady and Rob are employedby Sherwin Williams. Ady is a

Former president leaves rich legacy

Remembering When ...

TOP LEFT: President Gatewood crowns Dona Mai Bruce as the college�s first queen in 1960. TOPRIGHT: Otis and Alma Gatewood greet new students at a reception in 1962. BOTTOM LEFT: Otisand Irene Gatewood focus on writing projects after retiring in the Rochester Hills area. BOTTOMRIGHT: Dr. Gatewood visits with friends at a campus reception held in his honor in 1995.

Otis Gatewood, founding presi-dent of Rochester College, died atage 88 on September 16, 1999.Known for his efforts as a mis-sionary, educator, and author, heleft a remarkable legacy for fu-ture generations.

�While Dr. Gatewood served aspresident of the college for onlysix years, they were the formativeyears,� stated Bob Utley, formerchairman of the board. �His in-fluence and strong character havehad a long-lasting impact uponthe college.�

Following graduation from col-lege in 1936, Dr. Gatewood andhis wife, Alma, served churchesin Nevada and Utah. In 1946, theGatewoods entered Germany asthe first American missionariesafter the war. Before returning tothe states in 1957, they assistedin the establishment of about fortycongregations and distributedabout one million dollars� worthof food and clothing.

In 1958, one year prior to theopening of Rochester College,then known as North CentralChristian College, Dr. Gatewoodaccepted the presidency of theinstitution. �When the audienceheard that announcement at alarge rally in Detroit�s Ford Audi-torium, the excitement and ex-pectation was exhilarating,� Mr.Utley commented.

After the death of Alma, Dr.Gatewood left the presidency ofthe college in 1964, and redirectedhis efforts toward mission work.

He served as a professor of mis-sions at the Harding GraduateSchool of Religion from 1964 un-til 1970, during which time healso assisted Columbia ChristianCollege as chancellor.

In 1971, Dr. Gatewood beganserving as director of the EastEuropean School of Evangelismin Vienna. He continued in thatcapacity until becoming thefounding president of Interna-tional Christian University in1978. He retired ten years laterand moved to Michigan with his

second wife, Irene. He continuedto write and preach until shortlybefore his death.

�My father was a visionary,�stated David Gatewood, a mem-ber of the class of 1963. �Peoplecalled him a pioneer because hestarted so many things.�

�With the passing of Otis Gate-wood, an era has passed that willnot be duplicated by many in ourlifetime,� noted Mr. Utley. �Hisdriving spirit and determinationto see the college succeed haveleft us a wonderful heritage.�

alumniNORTH STAR FALL 1999 PAGE 9

Have You Registered?Alumni, have you registered your e-mail address on the collegeweb site or left a note for everyone toread? If not, please do so today!

Now on the alumni page:

North Star Information FormE-Mail DirectoryTranscript Request InformationAlumni GuestbookReunions and Alumni EventsAddress Change FormCampus News for AlumniMissing Alumni Listing

www.rc.edu

systems analyst and Rob is a se-nior programmer analyst. Thecouple resides at 33779 LakeRoad, Avon Lake, OH 44012.

1990

Rachel Lynn joined Victoria inthe home of Vic Bliss and hiswife, Mary, on April 29. Vic is theyouth and family minister for theTrenton Church of Christ, andMary is a homemaker. The familyresides at 22500 CanterburyStreet, Woodhaven, MI 48183.

1992

Andrea Carman married JohnExum on December 5, 1998. An-drea is working on her master�sdegree, and John is the networkmanager for Harding University.The couple lives at 300 NorthClinic #9, Searcy, AR 72143.

1993

Ryan Shephard is working as aregistered nurse. His wife, Lisa,is a program coordinator for aParks and Recreation Depart-ment. The couple resides at 22Robbye Lane, Searcy, AR 72143.

1995

Emma Louise was born to Andyand Mary (Aldrich) Dorrell onApril 1, 1999. The family lives at4210 Americana Drive #203,Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44224.

Benny Lumpkins is enrolled asa cadet in the Army ROTC offic-ers training program at Old Do-minion University. He can be con-tacted at 1000 West 48th Street#B, Norfolk, VA 23508.

Jason and Jill (Harris) Rikerwelcomed Steven Jason on April17. Jill is a riding instructor andtrainer. The family resides at 627Bellevue, Jackson, MI 49202.

Chris Russo recently beganemployment as an associate engi-neer for Caterpillar. He lives at1301 West Jefferson Avenue#22A, Morton, IL 61550.

1996

Shane Anderson married Amy

Byars on January 2, 1999. Shanecurrently works in sales for AlaskaSteel, and Amy is an administra-tive assistant for a financial advi-sor. The couple is expecting achild in January, and can be con-tacted at 307 Wedgewood Drive#A-9, Fairbanks, AK 99701.

Nathan Daniel joined Justin inthe home of Trevor and Lisa(Brown-92) Baker on July 1.Trevor is a manager for Star The-atres, and Lisa is an administra-tive assistant at Rainbow Pediat-rics. The family lives at 320 EastEvelyn, Hazel Park, MI 48030.

Jesse and Deborah (Greene)Phalen welcomed Abigail Ruthon October 13, 1998. Jesse isemployed by Bank of America,and Deborah is a homemaker.The family resides at 4010 ViaEstrella, Martinez, CA 94553.

1998

Chris and Tannon (Ashlock)Davis are now living at 13230Corbel Circle #1211, Fort Myers,FL 33907. Chris is an operationsmanager for TSR Wireless, andTannon is an account coordina-tor for Accudata America.

1999

Jeremy Deming married KristiEvans on August 21. The couplecan be reached at 1418 NorthMadison, Corinth, MS 38834.

Four outstanding alumni recognized

Todd Graham, Betty Watson, Karl Randall, and Rob Clarke

Class of 1979 hosts summer reunion

Classmates pose in front of the Westside Central Auditorium, which opened during their years at the college.

ReunionsClass of 1970July 7-8, 2000

Class of 1990July 28-29, 2000

Volunteers are needed tohost a reunion for the classof 1980. Contact LarryStewart at 248.218.2023 orlstewart@rc.edu.

Noting the professional accom-plishments of alumni, RochesterCollege recognized four individu-als on Founders Day. The collegenamed Rob Clarke as Alumnus ofthe Year, Todd Graham as Out-standing Alumnus in Business,Karl Randall as OutstandingAlumnus in Community Service,and Betty Watson as Outstand-ing Alumna in Education.

Rob Clarke, a member of theclass of 1982, has played an inte-gral role in the volunteer organi-zations of the college. As presi-dent of the Alumni Association,he led a group of volunteers whocompletely renovated the musiccenter in 1992. Currently, heserves as a member of the Devel-opment Council, and recently pro-vided architectural design ser-vices for both the Associates BrickPlaza and the Isom Atrium.

After beginning his career as acontractor and architect, Mr.Clarke accepted a position withCBI Design Professionals. He isnow the president and CEO ofthat firm. His projects have beenfeatured in professional maga-zines, as well as Better Homesand Gardens. Mr. Clarke and hiswife, Sherri, a 1984 graduate, havetwo children.

After an early career as a thera-pist, Todd Graham, a member ofthe class of 1971, returned to col-lege and completed a degree inbusiness. At that time, he began acareer with the National Bank ofDetroit, now Bank One. Cur-rently, he serves Bank One as a

commercial loan manager.Mr. Graham is active in Ro-

tary, the United Way, and theChamber of Commerce. He andhis wife, Connie, also a 1971graduate, have three children.The oldest, Megan, is a student atRochester College.

Educated as a lawyer, KarlRandall, a member of the class of1971, has served various facets ofOakland County governmentsince 1972. He now serves as man-ager of aviation for the OaklandCounty International Airport.

Mr. Randall has sponsored sev-eral charity drives, and last springput the college in contact with theexecutive that provided a privatejet for Barbara Bush to travel tothe Partnership Dinner. Mr.Randall and his wife, Natalie, a1972 graduate, have two children.

A member of the class of 1962,

Dr. Betty Work Watson has servedon the education faculty ofHarding University since 1968.Currently, she directs the earlychildhood education program andis co-director of undergraduateteacher education.

After receiving the Outstand-ing Teacher Award at Harding onthree occasions, the universityhonored Dr. Watson with the titleof distinguished professor. She isone of only seven teachers to everreceive that recognition. Dr.Watson and her husband, Zearl,have two children.

While all four recipients hadties to the past, Dr. Watson ex-pressed particular gratitude forreceiving the honor on FoundersDay. �This is an honor to myparents, Lucian and Laura Work,devoted workers who helped makethe college a reality.�

�There is no way to ever saythanks enough for this weekend�sreunion,� stated Jay Crow in ane-mail message to Julie Harperafter a reunion held for the classof 1979 this past summer. �It wasthe best refocus I�ve had in manyyears. You taught me how to trulyvalue memories and friends.�

Jay Crow, a high school guid-ance counselor and avid cyclist,rode his bicycle to the reunionfrom Ephrata, Pennsylvania. Hewas joined at the reunion by class-

mates from such places as Geor-gia, Texas, and Illinois.

Meal times, a nostalgic visit tothe Shinsky residence, devotion-als, and a talent show that in-cluded the children providedstructure for the weekend. Lotsof unscheduled time gave classmembers an opportunity to sharethe trials and triumphs of theirlives since leaving the campustwenty years ago.

�I can�t express how great itwas to see everyone,� commented

Lauren Dickinson of HuntingtonBeach, California. �I don�t knowwhat it is, but we do revert backto the way things were when weget together!�

The class of 1979 reunion typi-fies the response of alumni whenreturning to the campus for sum-mer reunions. �The years meltaway within hours,� stated LarryStewart, coordinator of alumniactivities.

Describing her family�s returntrip to the upper peninsula ofMichigan, Pam (Montgomery)Debelak stated, �John usuallydoes all the driving on our trips,but this time he was too tired. Butwe made it and had a wonderfultime. The reunion certainly madea difference in our lives.�

volunteersPAGE 10 FALL 1999 NORTH STAR

Founders Day celebrates forty yearsIndividuals who toured campus prior to the college�s opening in 1959 pose for a photo on Founders Day.

Iola Rummel and Lavon Tucker receive corsages as charter Associates.

Volunteer spirit displayed by couple

Barbara Bush, former first lady of the United States, charmedparticipants in the 28th annual Partnership Dinner. Campaignsponsors like Pat and Jane Kirby of Rochester Hills also enjoyeda pre-dinner photo opportunity with Mrs. Bush.

Representatives from over sixty congregations of the Churchesof Christ in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois participated inthe annual fund raising dinner. The dinner raised nearly doublethe amount of the previous year.

�The new campaign format has generated such interest thatsponsorships for next year�s dinner already are almost equal tolast year,� stated Elton Albright, dinner coordinator. �Since weare at an early stage, that amount will continue to grow.�

PlannedGivingMattersDoug EdwardsVice Presidentfor Development

Dr. Paul Southern discusses counseling with a Bible major in 1981.

Two dedicated Christian ser-vants moved to Michigan duringtheir retirement to assist the col-lege as it prepared to add its firstbachelor�s degree in the summerof 1980. One of those individuals,Dr. Paul Southern, died on July16 at age 98. His wife, Margaret,resides in the Christian Care Cen-ter in Mesquite, Texas.

The Southerns typify the vol-unteer spirit displayed by so manyfriends of Rochester College. Theyoriginally made a one-year com-mitment to the college in ex-change for basic living expenses.They enjoyed their experience tosuch an extent that one yearturned into almost six years.

Dr. Southern began his teach-ing career at Abilene ChristianUniversity in 1937. He served aschairman of the Bible departmentuntil his retirement in 1970. Healso taught for Columbia Chris-tian College, Macquarie School ofBiblical Studies, InternationalChristian University, and SouthPacific Bible College.

�Dr. Southern had an incred-ible sense of humor that endearedhim to the students and those

who sat in his workshop classes,�stated Larry Stewart, director ofpublic relations. �For example,one time he walked into a classand told his students to not laughat his tie since it had already beenin style three times!�

While teaching at RochesterCollege, the Southerns estab-lished an endowed scholarship for

students majoring in ministry orreligious education. Since thattime, they have continued to buildthe scholarship fund.

�Rochester College has beenblessed by many wonderful vol-unteers,� stated Dr. Ken Johnson.�The Southerns are exemplary ofsuch individuals who have helpedbuild the college.�

Many friends of Rochester Col-lege gathered on the campus onAugust 28 for a Founders Daycelebration. Marking forty yearsof progress, the day honored thoseinvolved in the founding years ofthe college.

Addressing guests of the day,Dr. Ken Johnson stated, �Manyof you have been involved withthe college for most of your adultlife. Today we especially want tohonor you for your many years ofsacrifice and service.�

�Every once in awhile, it is ap-propriate to set aside the pres-sures of daily obligations and ourdreams about the future to re-flect upon the past,� Dr. Johnsoncontinued. �It is remarkably ful-filling to reflect on God�s workthrough the people who havemade the joy of the present andhope of the future possible.�

Three former presidents of thecollege participated in the day�sactivities, Dr. Otis Gatewood, Dr.

E. Lucien Palmer, and Dr. MiltonB. Fletcher. �It was a memorableday in many ways since it was Dr.Gatewood�s last public appear-ance,� stated Elton Albright, co-ordinator of the event.

�Hundreds gathered to cel-ebrate the past and to honor thosewho first dreamed the dream, firstinvested the energy, first walkedthe property, first paved the way,first paid the bills, and first sacri-ficed and labored early in the jour-ney to build this college,� statedDr. Johnson.

During the day, the college rec-ognized former employees andboard members, as well as char-ter members of the Associates.The day sparked a similar occa-sion when the Associates gath-ered for their monthly meeting afew weeks later.

�We reminisced about the earlyyears of the Associates,� statedSharon Whitlatch, president ofthe Associates. �Then the most

�All that we have done forforty years, we have donewith the hope and prayerthat God will be glorified inthe life and in the teachingof every young person whowalks these halls and takesour degree. Wherever theygo and whatever they do inlive, our dream is that theirwalk with God will drivetheir journey through life.�

Dr. Ken JohnsonFounders Day 1999

Mission

A Case History: A 91-year-old friend of Rochester Collegeplaced the college in her will as a beneficiary for a percentage ofher estate. She was determined to be a steward of the Lord�sblessings by giving to Christian ministries, even after her life onearth was concluded. However, as the years passed she wasconvinced that her estate might dwindle as she faced futurehealth and living needs.

Recently, she was informed about gift annuities and learnedthat she could take a sum of money from her estate and earn 12%earnings (amount for her age bracket) on that investment forlife while Rochester College would still be the beneficiary atdeath. In addition, she learned that she could get significant taxbenefits and the gift would be passed more efficiently to thecollege. This was an excellent decision for both parties.

Is a gift annuity the right strategy for your estate plan?There are many different strategies for different people. For afree brochure or questions, please contact Doug Edwards in theDevelopment Office at 1.800.521.6010.

wonderful thing happened. La-dies started sharing their feel-ings about being an Associate andthe partnership we have withRochester College. We talked, wesang, we cried, and we prayed. Weleft rejuvenated and united.�

volunteersNORTH STAR FALL 1999 PAGE 11

Memorial and Honor GiftsApril 7, 1999 through October 15, 1999

MEMORIAL GIFTS

CY ADDAMSJim & Vivian Avey

GROVER BELLJuanita Mosley

GERALD BENNETTWallice & Virginia Mays

REBA BILAKBob & Jan ChaffinJoe & Wanita White

LAMAR BLACK, JR. (�96)Keith & Rhonda Laurin

WILLIAM BRACKENGracie Bracken

MATTIE BROWNOakland Church of Christ

JOHN F. BRYANTWilliam Bryant

CECIL BURCHAMDavid & Niki KirkpatrickLinda Pace

MERLE CARTERRuth BuschmannLivonia Church of ChristVince & Lois MaioranaWallice & Virginia Mays

ERSELENE DeWEESEWilliam DeWeese

ROYCE DICKINSONBetty DickinsonCornell Stamoran

MARTIE DUNNDon Dunn

WILLIAM FERGUSENArt & Marge Pope

BERTHA FLIPPINDoyle & Mary PrestridgeJoe & Sarah Reddick

OTIS GATEWOODHerb & Charlotte DeanWilliam DeWeeseJerry & Virginia EbelingMilton & Evelyn FletcherJerry & Elaine MorrisEd & Joan PalmerBuna RicknerJean SchwallieEvan & Betty UlreyJesse & Sarah Yoakum

MINERVA DORSEY GAY

Cynthia Gomez & FamilyCLAIRE GUYMER

Gilbert & Barbara GuymerGreg & Kathy Guymer

JACKIE HANNAH (�68)Edythe Fain

LEE HARPERGladys BowmanBill HarperHoward HarperRichard HarperDon & Bernice Oberholzer

DIANE HILLWilliam Hill

JIM HOGGATTWendell & MaryBloomingburg

DENAICIA HUDSONLinda Pace

THOMAS JELLEYFrances Toben

RUTH JOHNSONHerman & Phyllis HerndonJoe & Sarah Reddick

MALINDA J. KEIMDelmar & Ella Weimer

JOHN KILMERGene & Wanda Hatcher

LODEMA KROMPETZJohn & Clara HughesViletta KearnsGlenn & Helen OggKen & Billie PalmerPete & Virginia Short

MARY ANN LANGTRYSue Pace

LARRY LESLIE (�60)Joe & Sarah Reddick

MAMIE LUDYRon & Michalene PayokDiane J. Sheikh

C. GLYNN LUMLEYDavid Laura

KIM MASTER (�78)Steve & Julie Harper

PAUL McALLISTEREmma McAllister

MITCHELL MERRIMANRon & Rena Jones

HARLEY MILLERRobert Kessler

Memorial gifts and honor gifts may be sent to the Office of the President at the college address onthe mailing panel. Be sure to include 1) your name and full address, 2) the name of the person beinghonored, and 3) the name and address of the person to receive an acknowledgment card.

RICHARD MILLERGerald & Helen AllenPhyllis BakerMadeline CarrMrs. Maisel DachenbachHilton & Sallie DeanWilliam GastonMr. & Mrs. Marvin HawkinsMr. & Mrs. Leonard JessMr. & Mrs. Ronald MasonFloyd & Marian MillerMarie MillerArvin & Cheryl PetersonMr. & Mrs. MarvinPierschbacherLaurence H. PowellResurgens Capital PartnersMr. & Mrs. Durl SchletzbaumMrs. & Mrs. Larry Steinbach

GENE & MARY MONROEEd & Geraldine Monroe

ELFRIEDA OZArt & Marge PopeBill & Joanne ShinskyHarold & Helen SlaterLarry & Lynne Stewart

JERRY PATTERSON (�64)Johnie & Alta Mae Patterson

RAMIE PHILLIPS, SR.Wallice & Virginia Mays

JOHN POTTERDan & Anne BatemanEugene & Diana DalessandroFloyd & Beverly FairDale & Maxine KeeneDavid & Niki KirkpatrickFred & Anne LiimattaRichard & Mary MarshJohn & Sue McKeeWes & Shirley RhoadsBetty RoseDavid & Carol Van Hooser

LAYTON RANDOLPHHerb & Charlotte Dean

CHERYL RILEYIrv & Olga Dworkin

LOUIS R. ROSSArt & Marge Pope

RONALD RUMMELAl & Suzanne Garner

PAUL SOUTHERN

Cecil & Shirley AlexanderLarry & Lynne StewartJesse & Sarah Yoakum

THELMA STEPHENSBill & Shirley Vaughn

MAUDY STOKERJesse & Sarah Yoakum

DONALD SUMMERHAYESSteve & Julie Harper

GEORGE SWARMHerb & Charlotte DeanRoy & Sue Westerfield

MAY DELL TURNERJames & Bertha O�Rourke

CHARLES VINCENTJean Vincent

LAURA WOMACKCheryl CoggeshallDon & Landra Shotts

L.B. & LAURA WORKZearl & Betty Watson

HONOR GIFTS

JOHN BATTYTim & Laurie Burns

ALEX & MARIE CRAIGWes & Shirley Rhoads

JAMES FLANNERYOlga Dworkin

GENE & PEGGY FOWLERDale & Barbara Norris

GLENNA HARTValerie Baker

AL & BARB HENRYMartin & Nelda Gay

RUTH HOGGATTWendell & MaryBloomingburg

TAYLOR ISENBERGBob & Pam Isenberg

MARY KATE MERRIMANRon & Rena Jones

ANNETTE RILEYIrv & Olga Dworkin

HERB & FREIDA RODGERSJim & Phila Racklyeft

JESS & LORENE TEMPLEThomas & JoAnne Duncan

BARBARA WILLIAMSRichard & Lorene McDonald

Publisher selects seminar for seriesAssociates in Action

ABOVE: Project chairperson Lora Jones and designer RobClarke break ground for the Associates Brick Plaza on FoundersDay. BELOW: Former queen Fonda (Waller) Robinson ('80)crowns Barb (Benham) Brooks ('71) as Fall Festival Queen.

Board selects chairman

Campus ministers from twenty-six states and Ontario con-verged on the campus of Rochester College for the 43rd annualNational Campus Ministries Seminar in August. Dr. SteveEckstein, professor of religion and Greek at Rochester College,hosted the event. Dr. Eckstein, who served on the Bible Chair ofEastern New Mexico University for thirty-three years, hasplayed a major role in the seminar since its founding in 1957.

ACU Press of Abilene, Texas,recently announced the publica-tion of a new series of books onbiblical preaching. The first vol-ume will be based upon the Ser-mon Seminar hosted by Roches-ter College last spring.

�The board of ACU Press rec-ognizes the quality of our pro-gram and has noted the caliber ofour speakers,� stated Dr. DavidFleer, professor of religion andcoordinator of the seminar.�There is a possibility that anentire series of six books will bebased upon our seminar.�

�I am personally very excitedabout this series,� stated ThomLemmons, editor of ACU Press.�The list of potential authors isimpressive. I can hardly wait forus to begin.�

The first book, Preaching fromLuke/Acts, will be divided intotwo major sections. The first partwill include practical essays onpreaching theory by each of thefour speakers who participated inthe 1999 Sermon Seminar, TimKelley, Tom Long, Dean Smith,and Greg Sterling.

The second part of the bookwill feature twelve sermons byJohn York and David Fleer, usingthe methods presented at theseminar and in the first half ofthe book. Dr. Fleer and DaveBland of the Harding Graduate

School of Religion will serve ascoeditors of the series.

�Our seminar grew from a smallnumber of participants in 1998 toalmost a hundred this past year,�stated Dr. Fleer. �Ministers fromthe east coast to Wisconsin, rep-resenting fourteen states andthree countries, participated.�

The third annual Sermon Semi-nar has been scheduled for May15-18, 2000, again on the campusof Rochester College. Centeredaround the theme Preaching fromAutobiography in Paul�s Letters,the seminar will feature CarlHolladay, Carson Reed, AndreResner, and John York.

Equipment Donations

Members of the Board of Trust-ees recently selected Dr. HowardHagerman to serve as chairmanof the college�s governing organi-zation. Dr. Hagerman replacesBob Utley, who has served aschairman since 1993.

�The college has made greatstrides in her academic programsand we expect to strengthen thoseprograms,� stated Dr. Hagerman.�At the same time, we must befaithful to our roots in Christianeducation. As chairman, I expectto work with the board, faculty,and staff to see that those idealsare accomplished.�

Dr. Hagerman has served onthe college board since 1974, lead-ing the board as chairman duringthe 1979-80 academic year. Heretired from his role as a profes-sor of biology at Michigan StateUniversity in 1996. After servingas an elder of the Holmes Road

Church of Christ in Lansing fortwenty-three years, he assumed amore active role in mission ef-forts in Honduras.

Bob Utley, board chairman ofUtley Brothers, Inc., has been anactive supporter of the collegesince its inception. He became amember of the board in 1975,first serving as chairman from1980 until 1985. His latest tenureas chairman has bridged sevenyears of noteable growth andchange for the college.

�My work on behalf of Chris-tian education has been a labor oflove for me and my wife, Mary,who has been at my side throughall of the joys and heartaches ofthe college�s past forty years,�stated Mr. Utley. �I intend to stayon the board and support the nextchairman. I believe that Roches-ter College has a proud past andan exciting future.�

Equipment donations that could be used by the college andresult in tax benefits to the donor include the following items:

automobiles (any size)fireproof files

mini-vans or trucksoffice chairs

quality microscopestractor and attachments

lawn mowerslap top computers

golf carts (maintenance)snow plow

snow blowersband instruments

To discuss donation of an item, please phone Doug Edwards,vice president for development, at 1.800.521.6010 (option 4).

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rn hor taNEWS BULLETIN OF ROCHESTER COLLEGE VOLUME 41 NUMBER 1 FALL 1999

t sYear opens with surge in enrollment

Students pass the future atrium construction site after daily assembly.

Summer opportunities attracted the attention of several stu-dents at a fall Mission Fair. Image, a campus service organiza-tion, hosted the event in the Associates Campus Center lobby.

100

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'96 '97 '98 '99

Rochester College Enrollment

Shattering records with a 20%increase, Rochester College expe-rienced another surge in enroll-ment for the fall semester. By thetime the last classes enroll in theCollege of Extended Learning, thestudent count is expected to passthe 600 level.

�From the first day of classes, acontagious enthusiasm has per-meated the student body,� statedDr. Ken Johnson, president ofthe college. �In daily assembly, itis not uncommon for students torefer to the wonderful things thatGod is doing on the campus andin the lives of classmates.�

As the fall semester began, thecollege introduced new majors ininterdisciplinary studies and his-tory. The additions now give thecollege twelve majors, eleven con-centrations, and ten tracks at thebachelor�s degree level. Additionaloptions are available through co-operative programs, and othersare in the planning stages.

�With our growing list of de-gree options, most students whoenroll at Rochester College nowplan to obtain their bachelor�sdegree from us,� stated Dr. MikeWesterfield, provost. �In fact, 39%of the students beginning their

studies at Rochester College thisfall transferred from other col-leges and universities.�

During the current semester,students from twenty-fives statesand twelve nations enrolled forclasses. In addition to most Mid-western states, students camefrom as far as Connecticut andMaryland in the East to Wash-ington and California in the West.Others traveled from Southernstates like Georgia, Tennessee,

and Texas. Canada followedMichigan with the largest num-ber of representatives.

�After operating in the mid-three hundred range for so manyyears, we are now facing new chal-lenges,� stated Dr. Johnson. �Inparticular, we are feeling a moreurgent need for additional class-room space and parking.�

�Currently, the administrationand Board of Trustees are dis-cussing options for providing ad-ditional facilities,� Dr. Johnsonnoted. �As the academic year con-tinues, we plan to announce fur-ther developments that will en-hance our ability to serve a greaternumber of students.�