geneva magazine - winter 2013
DESCRIPTION
The Winter edition entitled "Into All Nations"TRANSCRIPT
Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage
PAIDBeaver Falls, PAPermit No. 16 G
GENEVAMAGAZINE
WINTER 2013
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Joseph Lamont Jr. 1926-2012
As a geotechnical engineer, Joe specialized in laying the
groundwork for structures like Seattle’s Space Needle. With that
unique perspective, he thoroughly understood the importance of
establishing a stable base to create a higher purpose. And Joe firmly
believed that a Geneva education, with its essential integration of
faith and knowledge, provides students that same solid foundation.
Although Joe didn’t attend Geneva, he maintained a longstanding
relationship with the college as a 26-year-member of the Board of
Trustees, acting as Chairman for over a decade. “Many people
thought he had gone to Geneva because he was on the Board for
so many years and was always showing up back there,” says his
wife of 61 years, Beth (Robb ’50). For his service, Geneva
bestowed Joe with an Honorary Doctor of Laws.
Beth had introduced Joe to Geneva when he traveled all the way
from Seattle by train to visit her during Christmas break. Joe immediately
appreciated the firm principles on which the institution was founded.
A church elder for over 51 years, Joe once delivered a sermon outlining
the important elements of a sound foundation. “Our God has all these
characteristics in abundance,” he said. “He is strong. He is completely
stable. He is consistent, and He will not be moved.”
Because Geneva’s mission is built on the Rock that is our Lord, the Lamonts
were pleased to see both of their children, and all three grandchildren,
attend here. Joe and Beth also desired to provide this foundation for
others. That is why they included Geneva in their estate plans.
To find out how you can help students build their futures on the
foundation of a Christ-centered Geneva education, visit geneva.edu/
give or contact the Office of Planned Giving at 724.847.6514.
T O D A Y
IN EVERY ISSUE2
3
10
32
34
40
From the President
In Brief
In Motion
In Service
Class Notes
In Conclusion
A
IN THIS ISSUE14
16
18
20
Our Family’s Journey:Washing
Beautiful Feet
Face to Face with History
Common Ground
Go North, Young Man
Geneva to Germany
Equipping Business Leaders
Healing Hearts, Planting Care
Hope to the Hopeless
Growing in Wisdom
and Stature
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24
26
28
30
GWINTER 2013
Geneva Magazine is published two times per year for Geneva College alumni, donors, students and parents. It showcases the college and its constituencies as they strive to fulfill the college’s mission. Opinions expressed in Geneva Magazine are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the editorial review board or the official position of the college.
EDITOR GrEG WiSE ’95DESIGNER KriStEN LaNGEDITORIAL REVIEW BOARDAnn BurkheAd ’91
dr. ken CArson ’79
dr. Byron Curtis ’76
LArry Griffith ’85
CheryL Johnston
Jeff Jones
dAve LAyton ’88
Missy nyehoLt
reBeCCA (CArson ’85) PhiLLiPs
dr. Gordon riChArds
toM stein ’86
vAn ZAniC ’93
CONTENTS
242010
Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Please send your correspondence to [email protected] or Geneva Magazine, Geneva College, 3200 College Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 15010.
GJesus’ final instruction to the apostles—
the Great Commission—was to travel
throughout the world and spread His
message of redemption: “therefore
go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything
i have commanded you. and surely i
am with you always, to the very end
of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).
the Great Commission is the heart
of putting faith into action—and a
foundational concept of a Geneva
College education. although each
student has different gifts and abilities,
we believe that they share the same
evangelical calling. Just as the apostles
went out from Jerusalem to share the
teachings of Jesus with all humankind,
our prayer is for our alumni, students,
and faculty to do the work of building
Christ’s kingdom throughout the world.
the articles in this issue of Geneva
Magazine, “into all Nations: the
Geneva Community impacts the World,”
demonstrate members of the Geneva
community accomplishing this charge
in numerous ways and through
various vocations. We are pleased
to share accounts of alumni
coordinating mission trips in places such
as Peru and Zimbabwe, current students
pursuing internships in Germany
and studying in Scotland, professors
counseling in Ethiopia and preparing to
take students on a journey to Malaysia,
and much more.
Seeing God work through our small
campus in Beaver Falls to reach so
many is inspiring. He is using Geneva to
share the gospel, provide healing, and
transform workplaces, communities, and
societies across the globe. i am sure that
you will find these stories as moving as
i do, and i pray that they will encourage
you as you undertake your own journey
“into all Nations.”
in His Service,
Kenneth a. Smith ’80
President
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from the president
Stay in touch with President Smith by friending him at facebook.com/genevaprez.
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Geneva holds area economic forum.
Geneva College hosted “Building the New Beaver County Economy: Higher Education—Partners in Economic Development Forum” this fall, in partnership with the Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) and Penn State Beaver. The goal of the event was to identify ways that local colleges can effectively collaborate with area industries to assist in economic development in an environmentally responsible manner. As an institution that promotes faithful Christian stewardship, Geneva is uniquely positioned to speak to these concerns.
In addition, Geneva’s philosophy of developing the full, God-given potential of students provides an important component in workforce development. “We do more than just provide training for a particular job,” explained Geneva President Dr. Kenneth A. Smith. “We prepare students for a lifetime of productive service.”
The afternoon began with a panel discussion moderated by Bill Flanagan, Executive Vice President of Corporate Relations for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. One group of panelists was comprised of leaders in higher education in Beaver County: Dr. Smith, along with President of CCBC Dr. Joe D. Forrester and Chancellor of Penn State Beaver Dr. Gary B. Keefer. Other panelists were business leaders: Eaton Corporation Plant Manager Robert Griffin, Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse President and CEO John Manzetti ’69, and Heritage Valley Health System CEO Norm Mitry.
Following the discussion, Pennsylvania’s Secretary for the Department of Community and Economic Development C. Alan Walker provided the keynote address. He emphasized the widespread significance of current development in the region and the importance of remaining involved in these efforts: “The best is yet to come, and you can help determine what our energy future will be like.”
Geneva College’s Adult Degree Completion Program (ADCP) is accepting applications for completely online bachelor’s degree completion programs that will begin in March of 2013. The first two majors to be offered online will be Christian Ministry Leadership and Human Resources.
The ADCP is an accelerated undergraduate program for adults who have some college and/or work experience, enabling students to finish a bachelor’s degree in as little as 17 months.
Although the ADCP has included online education as part of its curriculum for years through hybrid classes, the program’s leadership perceived a need to provide completely online programs. “This enables us to expand our mission to provide quality Christian education to busy adults who don’t have the time or means to go to a classroom,” explained Dr. Ralph Phillips, Director of the ADCP.
Nora Sheller was one of the first students to enroll in an online program. “My work schedule can become demanding at different times of the year due to different circumstances,” she said. “The online program allows me to get started when I have the time, instead of waiting for my work schedule to change.”
For those Interested in the ADCP’s online programs, more information is available at geneva.edu/adcp.
The ADCP begins fully online degree programs.
in briefCAMPUS NEWS
Kudos
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Alumni and friends are invited on the 2013-14 Trip to Israel.
DR. RODNEY AUSTIN, Associate Professor of Chemistry, presented the paper “Impact of POGIL instruction on a two-semester biochemistry course at Geneva College,” which examined how small group exercises improve student learning, at the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education.
PROFESSOR BONNIE BUDZOWSKI, Adjunct Professor of Leadership Studies, was one of four recipients of the 2012 Women of Integrity Award presented by Pittsburgh Professional Women.
DR. BYRON CURTIS, Professor of Biblical Studies, presented “Messiah and Messiahs in Zechariah 6: Crowns, Thrones, and the Zemah” as an invited guest lecturer at the Caspari Center for Biblical and Judaic Studies in Jerusalem.
PROFESSOR RICHARD DIGIA, Adjunct Professor of Visual Communication, participated in a cultural art exchange trip to Israel as one of only 10 people chosen for a program sponsored by the Jewish Federation in Western Galilee.
DR. JIM DITTMAR, Chair of the Department of Leadership Studies, presented “Implementing Servant Education in a Graduate Leadership Program at Geneva College” at the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership Conference.
DR. ROBERT FRAZIER, Professor of Philosophy, published “Ressentiment in Kierkegaard” in the Midwestern Journal of Theology.
PROFESSOR MATTHEW FUSS, Assistant Professor of Business, presented “Buber: An Ethic Born Out of Responsibility” at the 2012 International Communication Ethics Conference.
DR. DIANE GALBRAITH, Adjunct Professor of Leadership Studies, received the 2012 Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP) Teaching Excellence Award. She also presented “Teams that Work: Preparing Student Teams for the Workplace” at the 2013 Hawaii International Conference on Education.
DR. ERIC MILLER, Professor of History, published Glimpses of Another Land: Political Hopes, Spiritual Longing (Cascade Books, 2012).
REV. DR. RICHARD NOBLE, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Communication, was one of four people selected to speak at a conference in Ulyanovsk, Russia, for pastors and church leaders of the Association of Missionary Churches of Evangelical Christians (AMCEC).
PROFESSOR ROB ROSTONI, Director of Career Development and Adjunct Professor, was appointed Career Services Group Chair of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU). Additionally, he co-published an e-monograph addressing how career services can support sustainability challenges in higher education and presented national benchmarking data and initiatives at the Association for Christians in Student Development (ACSD) National Conference.
DR. ANTHONY SADAR, Adjunct Associate Professor of Science, published In Global Warming We Trust: A Heretic’s Guide to Climate Science (Telescope Books, 2012).
DR. SHANNAN SHIDERLY, Associate Professor of Graduate Counseling, presented the workshop “Bullying Prevention in High Schools: Student Buy-in” at the Pennsylvania School Counseling Association Conference.
DR. JOHN STAHL, Chair of the Department of Chemistry, Math and Physics, presented “Diffusion Behavior of Inert Gases in Activated Carbon Column” at the national meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). The work was co-authored with DR. MARIO OYANADER, Associate Professor of Engineering, along with Geneva students Nathaniel Godfrey and Samuel Shouse as part of their senior engineering design projects. Continuation of this work is expected with eventual publication.
DR. SHA WANG, Associate Professor of Music, released the CD Piano Music of Franz Schubert & Robert Schumann.
DR. JONATHAN WATT, Professor of Biblical Studies, made his third presentation on Greek diminutive affixation at the Biblical Greek Languages and Linguistics section of the Society of Biblical Literature.
Geneva College alumni and friends are invited to join current students for a study tour of Israel during the 2013–14 Christmas break. Led by Bible Department professors Dr. Byron Curtis, Dr. Scott Shidemantle and Dr. Jonathan Watt, participants will travel to the Holy Land, see many of the places where Jesus walked and taught, and explore important geographic and archeological sites.
According to Dr. Shidemantle, the trip provides travelers with many unique experiences: “Some are impressed by the ancient churches such as the Church of the Nativity, commemorating where Jesus was born, or the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus. Others appreciate the cultural interchange—interacting with Jews, Muslims and Middle Eastern Christians. Still others enjoy putting the biblical locations visually in their minds, as we take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee or stand where David slew Goliath in the Elah Valley.”
The archeological sites of Tel Hazor, Belvoir Castle and Tel Dan are among the places that the group will visit. Participants will travel to the ruins of the ancient port of Caesarea Maritima and view a Roman aqueduct, swim in the Dead Sea, and spend time in Jerusalem. They will also journey to Bethlehem, walk into Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane, see the Western Wall and much more.
The trip to Israel will take place December 27, 2013 through January 6, 2014. An optional three-day extension to Jordan is also available. The cost is $2,969 for Israel only, and an additional $919.00 for the Jordan extension. Deposits are due by September 13, 2013 with the final balance due October 25, 2013.
For more information and to make reservations, please contact Dr. Shidemantle at [email protected].
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Incoming students prepare for success through The Academy.In August of 2012, Geneva College began offering The Academy: Campus and Community Leadership Training. This is a new program for incoming students designed to help them succeed academically through the development of practical college success tools and leadership skills. Aimed primarily at students who come from urban high schools, The Academy was developed through a joint effort with the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO) as part of the college’s initiative to continue to build a culturally diverse learning community.
Rev. Dr. Rodger Woodworth, the CCO’s Director of Cross-Cultural Ministries, first proposed the idea for The Academy last year. “The benefit for the student is successful graduation and developed leadership skills to take back to their community. The college benefits from the increased diversity of successful student leaders on campus,” Woodworth explained.
Lamont Downs, Director of The Academy, immediately embarked on his first order of business—finding students for the program’s initial group. “We looked to recruit 10 students, and we were looking for a multiethnic cohort that could be put into student leadership positions,” said Downs. “We were blessed to have an abundance of applicants, and ended up with a mixture of whites, African-Americans, a Hispanic and a Native American.”
Shayla Richards, a member of the first cohort, said, “I was referred to Lamont and his wife, Kathy Kinzer-Downs, Geneva’s Director of Multicultural Student Services, by my admissions counselor. They were super friendly, and even before I signed up they said, ‘Welcome to the family.’”
The program consists of one week of intensive training in effective study skills, time management and cultural intelligence. The intent is for students to keep their cohort active and continue to build a sense of fellowship throughout their college careers. “There is definitely a family environment in The Academy,” added Richards. “Everyone comes from a different experience and background, but we stick together and make it through.”
Details on the program and how to apply can be found at geneva.edu/academy.
PITTSBURGH PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP MATCHING GRANT
Beginning with the 2013-14 academic year, Geneva will match all Pittsburgh Promise scholarship money for incoming Promise scholars. This initiative guarantees that qualifying students from Pittsburgh will receive at least the amount of a matching grant in addition to what is earned through the Promise, which can be up to $40,000 over the course of four years. For more information, visit geneva.edu/promise.
in brief
in brief
Web History
The World Wide Web is developed at CERN, the Institute for Particle Physics in Switzerland
www.
Geneva College website is launched
Geneva celebrates its 150th anniversary and a new website
Youtube.com is launched
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in brief
1993 1995 1998
Google is founded
2004
Facebook is founded
Mozilla Firefox is released
2005
Twitter is founded
2006 2008
Google Chrome is released
Geneva lauches new website using flash and javascript
Traditional online dial-up systems like CompuServe and America Online begin to provide Internet access
Internet Exlporer released
Geneva institutes a new management system to help organize content
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MySpace.com is launched
Wi-Fi is standardized
About 9.8 billion emails are sent daily
58.5% of people in the U.S. use the Internet, with 544.2 million users worldwide
2012 2009
The number of users worldwide reaches 1.4 billion
Apple releases the Safari browser
1999 2001 2002 2003
Geneva lauches new website design with enhanced navigation
N
W
S
ENW
SW
SE
NE
EGeneva encouragesusers to view website with Netscape 4.0
Geneva’s latest website goes live, featuring improved technology and event calendar2010
Pinterest and Instagram are launched
HOMECOMING
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1 Donald “Coach” Kephart is honored for his 30th season as marching band director. 2 Students cheer on the GTs. 3 The Alumni Band 4 The GTs take the field.
G E N E V A C O L L E G E I SPY O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2
5 Homecoming King and Queen: Justin Brothers and Randilynn Sayles 6 The Genevans begin the 75th anniversary season. 7 Musicians like Joy Ike perform on the Memorial Stage.
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HOMECOMING
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G E N E V A C O L L E G E I SPY O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2
8 William Sterrett ’67, Scott South ’82, Ann (O’Data ’87) Lawson, Andy McCracken ’87, David Howell ’82 and David Carver ’82 receive Distinguished Service Awards. 9 25-Year Reunion, Class of ’87 10 Volleyball Reunion
11 Graduate Assistant Cecilia Weissert on the Old Main Stage 12 Young Life Reunion 13 Geneva employees (and family) ensure Homecoming runs smoothly.
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1614 Professor John Gallo and his daughter enjoy the College Hill Festival. 15 The College Hill Festival 16 A Lion’s Den Karate instructor learns not to mess with Professor Wendy Shidemantle.
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ATHLETIC NEWSGin motion
“God has given me a passion for young adults,” says Brian Rice, a community ministry major in Geneva College’s Adult Degree Completion Program (ADCP). “I believe that one of the reasons that I’m on this earth is to impact the lives of young adults by sharing my life’s experiences with them and helping them to discover and reach their full potential.”
The convenient class schedule of the ADCP enables Brian to spend time mentoring and coaching youth to help prepare for this calling. But although Brian is usually the one providing instruction, he’s recently been placed on the receiving end through his unique situation as the oldest member of the Golden Tornado men’s basketball team.
Brian had a successful high school basketball career with the New Castle Red Hurricanes, but he never had the opportunity to play in college because he entered the Navy immediately following graduation. “I sacrificed that chance in order to serve my country,” Brian explains, “but it’s always been a dream of mine—and what better time than now? After all, I’m only 43.”
BY GREG WISE ’95
Fortunately, there’s no age limit for playing NCAA Division III basketball, allowing Brian to play alongside teammates who are the same age as his oldest daughter Brittany, a senior at Penn State Behrend. “The experience has been remarkable,” exclaims Brian. “My coaches challenge me, my teammates push me to work harder and get better each practice, and the trainers take care of me. At this age, it takes wisdom to take care of my body and sustain the highest level of performance.”
Head coach Jeff Santarsiero says that Brian earned his place as one of two walk-on players through his drive. This is a quality that he certainly developed throughout a 25-year military career in the U.S. Navy, which took him and his family to over 60 countries on six continents.
It’s a quality that he will need as he completes his Geneva College bachelor’s degree. In addition
And What Better Than TIME
“...it’s always been a dream of mine—
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N W?After all, I’m only 43.”
to school and basketball, Brian is also dedicated to his family: his wife of 22 years, Marquita, and two daughters, Brittany and Zoe. Fortunately Brian knows that he will be given strength through his relationship with Christ.
He also knows that the people in the ADCP truly want to see him, and all students, succeed. “I love the community ministry degree program. Each module is enlightening and challenging,” he says. “And the ADCP professors and staff have been very helpful and supportive.”
As for his future plans, Brian is considering a master’s degree after he completes the ADCP. He will also continue to work with his wife in establishing a non-profit, faith-based organization—Make the Book Talk Productions—that introduces the Holy Bible through drama, dance and musical theater.
And What Better Than TIME
“...it’s always been a dream of mine—
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Many winning student-athletes say it’s harder to repeat a championship than to actually win one in the first place. The 2011 Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) champion Geneva College volleyball team found that it was indeed difficult to duplicate its prior performance, but still enjoyed yet another fantastic season. Mean-while, the men’s soccer team got back to the peak of the mountain for the second consecutive season as a participant in the PAC title game, finishing one win shy of a conference title. Perhaps the biggest turnaround of the season happened for the women’s soccer team, which made a three-win improvement and finished 9-9-1. The football season closed out with an impressive 33-14 victory over Westminster College. The tennis team finished 8-6, including a 5-4 mark in the PAC, which was good enough to qualify for National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) regional play later this spring. Finally, both the men’s and women’s cross country teams continued to set new standards of excellence.
The volleyball team finished the season 24-13. Senior Maggie Bowersox highlighted a quartet of players that received PAC honors. Bowersox was named a first team All-Conference selection while Deanna Briody, Ashley Davis and Kristland McCracken were second team selections. The team saw their season come to an end at the NCCAA East Regional Tournament at Malone University, but not before posting its third consecutive 20-win season in five years.
The men’s soccer team gave fans much to enjoy, and late-season heroics kept everyone on the edges of their seats throughout the post-season. In an instant classic, the Golden Tornadoes managed a shoot-out victory over Grove City in the PAC semi-finals to once again punch a
ticket to the conference finals at Thomas More. Following a loss in Kentucky, Geneva again began a journey through the NCCAA East region. After a victory at Mt. Vernon Nazarene, the team put together a dramatic penalty kick victory at Houghton to earn a regional title match against Roberts Wesleyan. But while the Raiders got the best of Geneva this time around, the 2012 season was something many won’t soon forget. Bryan Butler, Ted Krzywiecki, Jeb Nash and Jon Mathoslah were all named first team All-Conference selections while David Gerlach, Jesse Herman and Garrett Masters received honorable mention consideration.
A new face emerged on the women’s soccer scene in 2012. Heidi Mann, a freshman from Colorado Springs, joined her sister Elise on the team and enjoyed the most explosive offensive season by any freshman in school history, posting a team best 18 goals. That production, along with the solid play of freshman goalkeeper Anna McMullen, propelled the GTs to a trip to the NCCAA regional tournament. McMullen posted seven shut-outs in her first season, helping Geneva turn things around in 2012. Heidi Mann was a first team All-Conference selection with Elise Mann garnering second team consideration. Senior defender Risa Tillman received honorable mention consideration. On a much larger scale, Tillman was named the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Female Student-Athlete of the month for November for her talents on the field and her abilities in the classroom and within the community.
On the football gridiron, Geneva’s two-quarter-back system of Zack Hayward and Rocco Colavecchia was at times more than defenses could handle. Both players were named to
2012 Fall Athletic Wrap-UpATHLETIC NEWSGin motion
BY VAN ZANIC ’93
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2012 Fall Athletic Wrap-Upthe PAC All-Conference team and both were named to the All-NCCAA national team. Colavecchia finished sixth in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III with 20 touchdowns, while Hayward threw for over 2000 yards and 16 touchdowns. On the defensive side of the field, junior linebacker Dillon Goodell garnered first team All-Conference honors in leading the PAC with 104 total tackles. Along with Goodell, Corey O’Patchen was also named a first team All-Conference performer after a solid season of 54 receptions, 844 yards and seven touchdowns. O’Patchen finished his career with the fourth most receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in school history.
While the regular season for tennis was outstanding, it was the run of junior Christine Bullock in the PAC post-season that had heads turning. Bullock advanced to the PAC finals in the fifth flight singles bracket. Bullock, the third overall seed, upset her competitor from Westminster to advance to the finals. The tennis team will be competing at the NCCAA regionals in the spring based on this solid finish. Bullock led the way with a 7-2 overall record in singles, while teammate Alison Beattie posted a 7-1 overall record in singles. Most impressively, the doubles team of Brittany Kress and Courtney Light finished the 2012 season with an overall record of 9-1.
2012 was yet another record-breaking season in cross country. On the men’s side, an old veteran continued to rewrite the record book. For the women, a new face took the PAC by storm in just her first year of competition. Nick Edinger closed out his remarkable career with a trip to the NCAA Division III regional meet, where he posted a 29th overall finish. He received All-Regional recognition for his 26:14
finishing time at the regional meet. A few weeks earlier, Edinger set a new standard with the time of 24:23 at the Oberlin College Re-gional Rumble, breaking his own record by an amazing 1:23. On the women’s side, freshman Sarah-Noel Meek quickly became Geneva’s top female runner with first place finishes in her first two races of the season. She became Geneva’s new 6K record holder with a sub-23 minute race at Oberlin. Teammate Alayna Merkle also broke the 23-minute barrier in the same race. At the NCAA Division III regional meet, the women posted a 15th place overall finish after posting a 26th place finish at the same meet just one year ago.
While wins are nice and breaking records is exciting, the work that Geneva student-athletes did off the field was equally impressive.
A record 56 student-athletes were honored by the PAC for achieving at least a 3.6 GPA during the fall semester. Geneva’s SAAC group sponsored several student-athletes’ participation at the Pittsburgh Polar Plunge, the proceeds of which went directly to Special Olympics. Through many service and community projects, the student-athletes of Geneva do just as much off the field as they do on it.
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Jesus demonstrated radical love for the disciples in many ways.
One of the most shocking was by wrapping His outer garment
around His waist and stooping low to wash their feet. “Now that
I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should
wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you
should do as I have done for you.... A new commandment I give
to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you,
you also are to love one another” (John 13:14-15, 34).
What did He mean by this? Did He literally mean to wash my
brother’s feet? Some would say yes. Growing up in a church
where foot washing was practiced, I saw firsthand how
swallowing pride and embracing the uncomfortable can draw
men and women closer toward the sacrificial love to which
Christ has called. Others would say this was simply one of many
culturally specific examples that Jesus used to show us how to
serve and love our brothers and sisters. There were, after all,
lots of dirty feet back then, and it was the job of the lowliest
servant to wash them. Jesus, of course, turned this custom
on its head, upsetting the cultural norm.
In the spirit of loving and serving our brothers and sisters
in Christ, our family has recently been called to “wash feet”
in Kenya. A few years ago, God began raising questions we
couldn’t ignore. How can people believe if they have not heard?
How can they hear if no one has told them? How can someone
tell them unless they are sent? These questions come straight
out of Paul’s letter to the Romans, and the Holy Spirit began to
develop in us a desire to serve those who were called to go.
However, our story starts a few years before that. God led us
both to Geneva College in the fall of 2000 to study engineering.
He was working in us individually throughout those four years
of study to cultivate a biblical worldview and to mold and shape
our understanding of His divine sovereignty and love. We graduated
in 2004 and were married that fall. Within two years the Lord
saw fit to lead Dan out of engineering and into a career as a
math teacher. I worked in the field as a construction manager
just long enough to pay down our school debt and to appreci-
ate that motherhood was to be my next full-time vocation. God
had family in mind too, and within three and a half years, this
BY CouRtNEY (GAR m AN ’04) SChmIdt
dAN & CouRtNEY (GAR mAN) SChmIdtCl ASS 2004m A joR
ENGINEER INGACtIV It I ES A mER ICAN SoCIEt Y of CIV Il ENGINEERS (ACSE)loC AlE
KENYA
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family of two grew to a bustling family of five. We were blessed
to have Ethan, Nathanael and Evelyn join our team in ’07, ’09 and
early ’11. As early as 2006, when Dan switched careers, the Lord
started pricking at our hearts—missionaries need teachers! His
message was consistent and perfectly timed as we completed
a Bible study on God’s kingdom to all peoples for His glory. He
continued to prepare our hearts by planting us firmly in a
church that nurtured us deeply, provided godly mentors to
disciple us and continued to bring our attention to this need.
Consistently, we felt the weight of missionary families all over
the world, called by God to reach the lost and yet so often
under-supported and unappreciated. We started to see the
pieces fitting together.
Missionaries need teachers. Why? The Lord has called missionaries
from all over the world to translate the Bible into tribal languages
in South Sudan, to plant churches in Tanzania, to run an AIDS
orphanage or work at a hospital in Kenya, to engineer dependable
water sources in Rwanda, or to start a business in a closed
country and spread Christ’s love to neighbors and colleagues.
He has also called many of these missionaries to be parents.
Missionary parents have the unique challenge of remaining
faithful to their calling as fathers and mothers as well as to
their full-time ministry. Educational choices are limited in many
areas of Africa. And while homeschooling is a worthwhile
option, as are in-home tutors, as the children age these students
miss opportunities such as sports, theater, music and social
interaction with English-speaking peers.
Founded in 1906, Rift Valley Academy (RVA) is a Christian
boarding school offering an American curriculum for grades
K-12. As a ministry of Africa Inland Mission, RVA’s specific role
is to support Christian missionaries wherever God has called
them across the continent of Africa. Their mission is one that
our hearts resonated with immediately—to support mission-
ary families by caring for their children. We knocked, and God
opened the doors wide open. After watching in awe as He put
together a financial support team in less than a year, we moved
here in July. Dan is now teaching full-time, Math 7 and Algebra 1,
to 90 missionary kids from around the world.
RVA is nestled on the slopes of the Great Rift Valley in Kijabe,
Kenya. The scenery is almost as stunning as the passion of the
BY CouRtNEY (GAR m AN ’04) SChmIdt
people who work here. One hundred staff members with the
same passion to serve missionaries gather faithfully in prayer
each week for the students, their parents and the ministries
they represent.
Dan’s childhood fascination with stories of missionaries
in deepest, darkest Africa has come full circle. Now he gets
to help children boost their confidence in math or on the
soccer field. We get to visit with them over a cup of Chai,
or host them in our home for an activity night or a meal. We
are blessed to hear them sing the Kenyan National Anthem
every Friday at chapel, and are struck by the testimonies
of how Christ is working in their hearts as young men and
women. We have the opportunity to talk with parents who
stop by to visit on a weekend or for an open house and thank
us for the part we are playing in the lives of their kids.
At this point we’re still in awe of the work the Lord is doing
at RVA. So many people, from so many cultures, are all here
for the same purpose—to see God’s kingdom spread to the
ends of the earth. As a family, we are busy settling into our
roles, ironing out our schedule and learning how to do life
in Africa. Even in the midst of our transition, it’s easy to see
why so many people love this place and why so many alumni
come back to serve as dorm parents or teachers themselves.
The Lord has so blessed this school in its 100-year history.
Romans 10:14-15 reads, “How then will they call on him in
whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe
in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they
to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to
preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful
are the feet of those who preach the good news!’”
God has given us the privilege of befriending, discipling and
sharing the love of Christ with these kids. This is a journey
and a purpose for which Geneva helped us prepare. As members
of Christ’s body we are all called to fill different roles, and
we are honored that He has called us to wash these
“beautiful feet.”
Stay up-to-date with the Schmidt family’s African
adventure at schmidtsinafrica.blogspot.com.
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One of Geneva College’s unique study-abroad gems is the Semester
in Scotland. Through this college-sponsored, semester-long program,
students embrace another culture while living in the beautiful
residential town of Airdrie, Scotland. Airdrie is located in the
Monklands, less than 40 miles outside of Scottish hotspots
Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Biblical studies major Anna McFall heard about the Semester in
Scotland within her first few weeks at Geneva during a student
presentation in her Learning and Transition class. Although she
thought studying abroad sounded appealing, Anna did not enroll
right away. Not only had she never left the country, but Anna had
never even traveled by airplane before. But the idea stuck with
her and, during the fall of her junior year, she found herself in the
Pittsburgh International Airport for the first time in her life.
Once Anna arrived in Scotland, she and her classmates spent some
time acclimating to their new surroundings. Anna says it seemed
as if nearly everything in Scotland was made from stone, like the
Airdrie Reformed Presbyterian Church, which houses all of the
program’s classes. She also had to get used to using pounds instead
of dollars and grow accustomed to different speech patterns: “In
America, you don’t think you have an accent; you think everyone
BY BENjA mIN S . ButlER ’14
else does. Then you go to Scotland and you’re the one with the
accent, which is a funny transition.”
But contrary to expectations, the only people Anna saw wearing
kilts were street performers and people attending weddings and
other ceremonies.
The program features the quality, faith-integrated academics that
Geneva is known for, accompanied by Scotland’s rich history and
beautiful scenery. During the semester, each student completes a
ministry practicum and course options include Systematic Theology,
Life and Work of Paul, Reformed Evangelism, and History of Christian
Church Music. All students take Anna’s favorite class, Scottish
Reformation and Covenanting History, which examines the political,
social and theological conditions of this dramatic period in Scottish
history. “It was most interesting because the Covenanter tradition is
where the Reformed Presbyterian faith comes from,” says Anna.
“We spent five to six weeks studying that, and another week
going to sites relevant to the Covenanter movement.”
These sites included battlefields, churches of famous preachers
and more. She was fascinated by the way in which the historic
locations in Scotland are often found in the middle of a street,
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with hardly any identification. One such spot, the Grassmarket
located in the center of Edinburgh, left a lasting impression on her.
At one time, the area was a setting for public executions. But now,
people often shop or sit and eat lunch there without any apparent
awareness of the location’s history.
Like all students in the program, Anna traveled quite a bit during
the semester. Every Wednesday afternoon, all the students took a
class trip, visiting places like St. Andrews and Callander, and sites
like the Falkirk Wheel rotating boatlift and the William Wallace
monument near Stirling Castle.
Anna also explored the country with her mother, who visited
during fall break. “She would get prepared to pay for things and
pull out a massive handful of coins and money. Then she would
ask me which ones meant what,” says Anna, laughing.
The ladies spent an entire day traveling to Inverness, a town
located next to Loch Ness, where they decided to test their
courage by riding a boat into the center of the loch. Unlike most
visitors, Anna was not anticipating any confrontations with the
terrifying Loch Ness monster. “I figured if there was one, that
it was no big deal,” she says with a grin.
Beyond those adventures, the Semester in Scotland also offers
opportunities to grow in faith through Bible study, prayer meetings
and community outreach projects. Anna had the unique experience
of seeing the establishment of two Reformed Presbyterian churches
while she was there. These experiences, she says, were undoubtedly
the capstone of her trip.
Contrary to a commonly held misconception, Anna says that the
Semester in Scotland is not exclusively for ministry majors or those
who attend a Reformed Presbyterian church. Past participants have
included students majoring in biology, communication disorders,
history, linguistics and visual communications. Reflecting on her
experience, Anna says the trip is ideal for all students who want
to experience a semester abroad, as well as “anyone looking
to get serious about their Christian walk.”
For more information about the Semester in Scotland,
visit semesterinscotland.org.
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Students at Geneva College become involved in community
service in many different ways, such as all-campus activities,
volunteer opportunities and student-run events. Through these
experiences, they learn the value in serving others by giving
their time and energy. Often, students continue this practice
beyond Geneva’s campus, striving to impact their homes
and communities.
Because Geneva students represent many different countries,
that impact is felt all over the world. Sophomore Enock Sanon
is one such student, and he has a passion to initiate lasting
change in his native country of Haiti.
Enock was raised in a Christian family, and within a Christian
neighborhood in Haiti. He had heard about Geneva from
friends in his neighborhood, and says that being able to
come to the United States to attend here has been
“a dream come true.”
“If it was not for the grace of God, I would not be able to
attend Geneva College. I know that even though I’m far away
from my family, God has put me in a Christian environment,
not only to learn, but also to continue to grow spiritually,
academically and to continue to glorify His name.”
As a student at Geneva, Enock is studying political science and
sociology. “I feel that God has called me to get involved in politics
and to follow Christian principles to help change other
people’s lives,” he explains. At Geneva, he is being prepared
to do just that.
After earning his degrees, he plans to return home and exert
this influence through Haiti’s political system: “I would like
to obtain a leadership position in my country and fight major
issues that we are facing, like poverty.”
Enock is also exploring an internship at the Haitian Embassy
in Washington D.C. after graduation in order to gain experience
in international politics and with the Haitian government.
While at Geneva, Enock has pursued as much leadership
experience as he can find. He is an active member of the
Multicultural Educators and the International Student
Organization (ISO). He is also a resident assistant (RA) in
Geneva Arms North apartments. “My goal is to build a
community and to be there for my peers whenever
they need me,” he says.
Enock’s dedication to the campus community, as well as to
his home country, is readily apparent to everyone he meets.
“Enock is really invested in everything about his education—
and anything that he approaches he does with sincerity,” says
Ann Burkhead ’91, Director of International Student Services.
“He wants to have a positive impact both here at Geneva and
when he goes home to Haiti, where he has a heart for his hurting
nation. As an RA, Enock is definitely a leader on campus and is
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respected by his peers and his professors. And with all that,
he is pretty humble.”
Even though he spends a lot of his time serving Geneva’s
campus, Enock still finds the energy to be involved in the
surrounding communities, too. “My parents have always told
me that no matter where God places you, you need to be a
good citizen, not just a consumer. Serving the community is
one of their top priorities, and they have taught me that
I should do the same everywhere I go.”
He has been working at the City Rescue Mission, a homeless
shelter for men in New Castle, PA. Enock reflects, “I have had
an amazing experience at the City Rescue Mission and have
seen how God can work in the lives of those who are
facing difficulties.”
And Enock has experienced this power of God’s gospel to
impact and change lives firsthand. Although he says he has
been serving God his entire life, Enock acknowledges that this
doesn’t mean he hasn’t made mistakes: “The only reason that
I’m alive today is because God loves me. God protects me
every day and the floodgates of his blessings never stop
pouring down on me.”
Working at the City Rescue Mission has also helped Enock
connect with a familiar pastime from home. He has been
working on the dirt track racing crew of the Mission’s CEO,
Kevin Green. As a child, Enock would always watch and help
his father work on cars, and he was thrilled to be able to
continue pursuing this passion while in the United States.
After being part of two very dissimilar societies in the U.S. and
in Haiti, Enock has been pleased to see that they are alike in
the most vital way. “My culture in Haiti is totally different from
American culture. We don’t speak the same language; we have
different social beliefs; we have different types of food; and we
have a different climate. However, we do serve the same God.”
BY moNICA mIllER ’12
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Often in serving Christ, the simplest path is not the surest way. Just ask Joshua Oestreich ’11. He and his new wife, Kristen, have
been called to share the gospel with the residents of Moose Factory,
a remote community of less than 3,000 people located in
northern Ontario, Canada. And the road there is definitely not
a straightforward one. With a one-way trip entailing travel by
plane, bus, taxi, train and boat, just getting to Moose Factory is like
competing on the globe-trotting game show The Amazing Race.
But what the area lacks in convenience, it makes up for in
history and culture. Moose Factory, which is Ontario’s oldest
English speaking settlement, is an island of just two square
miles. The name comes from its location on the Moose River,
as well as from the fur trade era of the Hudson’s Bay Company.
The closest town on the mainland is Moosonee, considered to
be “the Gateway to the Arctic,” which residents can reach only
by water taxi in the summer, ice road in the winter and
chartered helicopter during the periods in between.
Two-thirds of the island is an Indian reserve belonging to the
Moose Cree First Nation, and most of the residents are Cree.
Although very few people there still live off the land, the majority
practice the traditional spring and fall goose hunt, which can
last as long as a month, as well as the making of moccasins,
moose hide mitts, beading, tamarack geese and snowshoes.
“This is a one-of-a-kind place to live, but exciting for sure,”
exclaims Josh.
Josh was introduced to this community through an internship
he completed as a student ministry major at Geneva College.
He connected through Professor of Youth Ministries Doug
Bradbury, whose parents had spent a week in Moose Factory
every summer for nearly a decade through Mission to the World.
Josh says, “I explain it as my Mount Sinai experience, because for
10 weeks, I was on this little island in the middle of nowhere
experiencing God’s very real presence. I was reading the Bible,
praying, teaching and ministering alongside the Cree Gospel
Chapel. It was truly life changing and definitely
confirmed my calling to the ministry.”
When his internship was completed, Josh told members of the
church that he would love to come back. And it’s a good thing
he was serious about the offer. In the summer after Josh graduated,
and only two months before he and Kristen were to be married,
Cree Gospel Chapel elder Allan Jolly contacted him to let him
know that the church was looking for help. He wanted to know
if Josh and Kristen would serve in Moose Factory for a couple
of years after the wedding. Josh says that Kristen, who was
busy with wedding plans and still had a semester of college
to complete, replied without hesitation, “Yes, I will go
if it’s God’s will!”
As they prayed about this decision, Josh says that God laid Mark
10:45 on their hearts: “For even the Son of Man did not come
to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for
many.” Josh was also influenced by the first few chapters of 1
Thessalonians “because Paul very genuinely and lovingly spells
out his methods of ministry among these people, and I was very
captivated by that.” Soon, all the details fell into place and the
newlyweds were off to the Great White North.
BY GREG WISE ’95
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Josh uses three words to describe his new home: close, hospitable
and broken. “Because this is a very small and secluded community,
most of the families have been here for generations,” he says.
“The majority of community members have welcomed us with
open arms, and the community is, in general, very generous. But
unfortunately, even in the midst of the hospitality and generosity,
we see the great brokenness that the plague of sin causes.”
Alcohol and drug abuse is prevalent in Moose Factory, which
has contributed to a cycle of broken families, hurting children,
and high rates of pregnancy and suicide among teens. In addition,
Native American spiritualism continues to be practiced by a
number of residents. “Bottom line,” says Josh, “Moose Factory
needs to meet the very real person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”
The couple works for the Cree Gospel Chapel, which was
established at Moose Factory in the 1960s. Together, they lead a
youth group and Josh teaches the Sunday evening adult services,
as well as any other services in which he’s needed. Josh and
Kristen also volunteer at the community youth center and
Kristen helps with public school program “It’s a Girl Thing.”
“One of the most important things we do is just live among
the community and build relationships however we can with
whomever we can,” explains Josh. “We are finding out that even
people we haven’t met know us and why we are here. So, how
we live and act on a daily basis could be very well how we
make the biggest impact.”
Being so isolated isn’t easy for Josh and Kristen, but the Internet
makes staying in touch with family and friends manageable.
“Technology is a great tool,” says Josh. Also, he credits his
experiences at Geneva with preparing him for being on his
own: “Leaving and cleaving wasn’t as hard as it could have been
because, for four years, I was away from home the majority of
the time. Also, I took a couple wilderness trips with Doug Bradbury
that were unforgettable and forced me to make decisions with
wisdom. And it was at Geneva that my faith became my own,
for real.”
BY GREG WISE ’95
But first and foremost, Josh draws strength from the knowledge
that he and Kristen are “called to do His will and shine His
glory.” They point to 1 Corinthians 4:1-2: “This, then, is how you
ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted
with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that
those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” Josh
adds, “God has placed us here in Moose Factory for a purpose,
and we are His servants who, like Paul, desire His will and His
way above our own.”
Josh and Kristen invite people to stay informed about their
mission to Moose Factory at joshkristencanada.blogspot.com.
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While most students—around 70%—at Geneva College choose
to complete an internship, few travel halfway across the world
to do so. But that is exactly what junior mechanical engineering
major Jake Flick did after landing a dream job with a New
York-based technology firm building a state-of-the-art, energy
efficient, “green” electric power generation plant in Germany.
Jake has always been a hands-on type of person. While in high
school, he decided he wanted to pursue a career in mechanical
engineering. And, as a resident of Beaver Falls, PA, he was
already aware of the excellent reputation of Geneva’s
ABET-accredited engineering program.
Jake arranged his engineering internship through John Gaus,
Chairman and CEO of ZeroPoint Clean Tech. Gaus is a business
contact of Jake’s father, Jeff, a branding and marketing
communications executive who has consulted on several of
Gaus’s national and international energy initiatives over the
past 10 years. When Gaus heard Jake was studying mechanical
engineering at Geneva, he encouraged him to apply for an
internship at ZeroPoint’s newest commercial site, which is
being constructed in eastern Germany. Jake’s resume earned
him the job, and he soon found himself alone and on a plane
traveling out of the United States for the first time in his life.
Stepping off the plane after nearly 20 hours of non-stop travel—
flying from Pittsburgh to Paris to Berlin—Jake was met by
Jonathan Parry, an American working in ZeroPoint’s business
development department. The six-week internship began
immediately as they drove directly from the airport to the German
ZeroPoint site to check on fabrication and construction progress.
While in Germany, ZeroPoint placed Jake in a small local inn,
where he ate breakfast and dinner each day. He took pleasure
in being immersed in German culture. He says, “The people
were fantastic and all of the German foods were delicious.”
On weekends, Jake toured the country by himself in a rental car
provided by the company. He found driving in Germany to be
exhilarating: “Most people don’t realize that the Autobahn is the
entire German highway system and not just one road. There are
no speed limits, except in towns. In addition, they
try not to stop traffic, so they use a lot of yield signs.”
Jake says he particularly enjoyed visiting the cities of Dresden
and Berlin. “As an engineer, you appreciate the amazing attention
to detail that Germans put into everything. Some of the structures
I saw were older than the United States.”
For his employment, Jake worked in computer aided drafting
(CAD) at the Schwarze Pumpe power station. One of his primary
initiatives was to make a computer model of the entire plant,
adding ZeroPoint’s proposed changes. He also had the opportunity
to assist in conducting maintenance on existing equipment
under the direction of German plant workers. Jake’s CAD work
was completed at such a high quality that ZeroPoint hired him
for the balance of the summer to continue working remotely on
drawings after he returned to the United States.
The Schwarze Pumpe power station, located just miles from
the Polish border in what was formerly communist Germany,
is a testing plant where ZeroPoint conducts much of its research.
The plant uses an energy technology called biomass gasification
to produce synthetic gas (syngas), which can be burned to produce
heat and electricity. The material can be produced without
harmful emissions, making it a viable energy alternative.
In general, Jake feels that one of the most positive aspects of
his international internship was the opportunity to work with
advanced technology. In addition, he was able to experience
a six-week testing process of cutting-edge power generation,
which provided him invaluable first-hand knowledge, skills
and perspective.
A day of work at the Schwarze Pumpe plant typically lasted
from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jake frequently carpooled with some
of his coworkers. He enjoyed getting to know them and was able
to develop friendships despite the language barrier. “It was cool
to learn about the differences in culture between Germany
and the United States. The Germans are very precise about
everything they do,” explains Jake.
BY R IChARd louthER ’15
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Jake is incredibly grateful for everything that he learned
through his internship, which he describes as “the experience
of a lifetime.” He says, “From a technology standpoint, I learned
what biomass gasification is, and how it can be efficiently used
to produce electricity at a commercial level. I also learned how
an electric power generation plant operates, both as an integrated
whole and with its many individual components. From a societal
standpoint, I learned a tremendous amount about German
culture and history. I now have a greater appreciation for other
cultures and also many things I took for granted living
in the United States.”
And he feels that his Geneva education prepared him to make the
most of this experience: “The courses I’ve had at Geneva definitely
enhanced my ability to think logically and solve problems. This
problem-solving capability proved extremely valuable while I
was on my own 4,200 miles from home—and not only when
I was resolving engineering challenges.”
As Geneva students who travel abroad are impacted by the
people they meet, those in foreign countries are also impacted
by Geneva students. The hope is that they will transform society
for the kingdom of Christ in whatever vocation they are serving.
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BY dEBBIE (mEloNE ’78) hANES
The road to Chocolate Town, USA involved more than just
a few sweet turns for Holly (Paine ’02) Magnuson. And more
challenges are around the corner for her as The Hershey
Company expands its global presence in the marketplace.
As Director of Talent Planning and Workforce Analytics,
Holly is responsible for organizational and leadership solutions
for The Hershey Company, the leading North American
manufacturer of chocolate and other confectionery products.
A pre-professional psychology major at Geneva, Holly had
originally dreamed of a career in neuroscience. But while still
a student, she realized that her interests were much broader.
She found herself accumulating additional elective credits
in a growing number of diverse subject areas.
“I think I was up to six different undeclared minors at one
point,” she laughs. “I didn’t know what I wanted to be. I was
kind of a geek, but I was also really interested in broad-based
liberal arts.”
Holly’s experience as a resident assistant (RA) at Geneva’s Kerr
House may have been her first foray into the world of managing
personalities. “Who starts out thinking they want to be a human
resources person when they grow up?” she wonders aloud.
“I never would have expected to be in the job scenario
I have now.”
And that early experience as an RA? “It’s definitely made for
some good job interview fodder for me over the years,” she says.
After earning a master’s in industrial and labor relations at
Cornell University, Holly held positions with Circuit City,
General Electric and General Mills, eventually joining The
Hershey Company at its headquarters in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
“My world is talent planning—looking at ways to develop future
business leaders with a broad and purposeful array of business
skills,” she says. As part of that development, Hershey recently
examined its U.S. market leadership in consumer brands and
looked at its future business strategies across the world.
“Even though we have around 14,000 employees worldwide,
we’re a relatively small consumer packaged goods company
globally” says Holly. “We started asking, ‘What’s our place in the
world and how do we compete?’ We decided we’re not going to
try to be the biggest, but instead, the smartest and the best.”
Part of that strategic workforce planning includes identifying
and grooming potential business leaders from within for the
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company’s succession planning. “One of the things we look
at is whether folks who grow within the company are getting
the breadth of experience they need to succeed,” she says.
The company continually reviews the optimal amount of time
that potential business leaders should spend observing and
working in various functions within the company to gain
broad-based exposure. How many rotations and in which areas?
How long should they work in certain roles to gain the most
knowledge of various functions?
“People are moved appropriately to help broaden their
experience base within the organization,” she says. “It’s a way
to give people the experience they would eventually need to
assume a general manager’s position.”
“Taking the scenic route is important in the long run,” she says
of the need for people to be exposed to multiple job functions.
As a student with an extremely wide variety of interests at
Geneva, she’s living proof that broadening an individual’s
experience base can pay off later in a career.
What Holly finds most exciting about her current job is “work-
force analytics.” These analyses clearly cause the self-described
“geek” to really light up.
“It’s a lot of predictive analytics … how you should drive
decisions and anticipate what’s happening in labor markets and
in the workforce. It actually takes me back to my psychology
and statistics classes at Geneva. We did a lot of scenario planning.”
In addition to its U.S. presence, Hershey operates in a number
of countries, including Canada, Mexico, China, India and Brazil.
Holly’s business travel has also included stops in Thailand and
Belgium. Her analytical work includes thinking through “what
ifs” for Hershey. What if they acquire a company? What will the
workforce impacts be?
“You have to understand the data and keep it data-driven.
It’s really taking an art and turning it into science,” she says.
“How exciting is this?”
But make no mistake. She doesn’t really intend her thought as
an actual question. Her enthusiastic tone conveys that she knows
this is an exciting endeavor for someone who obviously loves
statistics and has learned to use data and facts to tell a story.
Milton S. Hershey, founder of The Hershey Company, was known
as a great humanitarian and philanthropist. In 1903 he had a vision
to build the world’s first modern chocolate factory.
Not content with the factory alone, he took an active role in
the community that was growing up around the chocolate plant.
Milton Hershey built a “real home town” complete with schools,
shops and a park where his employees and their families could
relax. He also started an orphanage and the Milton Hershey
School—later endowing it with his entire fortune.
Those types of principles still drive the company today.
“Hershey is a fabulous company—with a great culture and
strong ethical values,” says Holly. She sees many parallels
between the organizational development practices employed
by thoughtful corporations like Hershey and the concept of
servant leadership she encountered at Geneva.
“If you look at any company with a strong leadership
development program, you’ll see many of those same
principles,” she observes.
“Within any type of organization, you can replicate systems,
marketing and business strategies,” she says. “The thing you
can’t replicate is people and the connections they have. At the
end of the day, what you’re left with is your connection with
team and relationships.”
Emphasizing the importance of people and relationships is
something Holly views as an integral part of human resource
success. There are two clear choices, she observes.
“You can either mistreat people and harm an organization,
or treat people differently and propel the organization ahead.”
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“Come with me.” As I sat in a Friday evening worship service
in December 2010, I heard these words so loudly in my heart and
spirit that it was as if I heard them audibly with my ears. Soon, the
lead pastor of this small inner city church began speaking about
people called to a faraway land to plant churches and to teach.
A week later, Tonya Reed, a missionary social worker friend and
part-time faculty member in Geneva College’s Adult Degree
Completion Program (ADCP) would repeat these words, asking,
“Come with me to Sri Lanka …” to train leaders of the persecuted
church and minister to refugees victimized by violence and war.
Apparently, God was calling me to come with Him to a foreign
field to teach and to minister. But as what? A psychologist?
More than 30 years ago, as a graduating psychology major at
Geneva, I totally underestimated how amazing and faithful God is
to prepare for His work and the desires of His heart in us. Instead
of going straight to the mission field, the Lord had me complete
a doctoral program in clinical psychology. He then had me do post-
doctoral work in violence and trauma. Other important preparations
and home ministry include: going back to Geneva as a faculty
member teaching psychology, counseling and human services from
a Christ-centered perspective; going to an intentionally culturally
diverse and mission-oriented church; and going to train and minister
to clergy right here at home in grief, loss and trauma. I learned
that foreign missions does not have to be “either/or” in terms of
vocation. The Lord has provided numerous vocational vehicles and
callings by which His heart is extended and actualized in care and
ministry. International missionary psychology and related human
services are two budding areas that clearly need prepared and
trained workers to harvest the field.
In much of the world, psychologists and other behavioral
professionals are few and far between. Missionary psychology is a
wonderful way to extend Christ’s heart of love and care to others,
and missionary psychologists serve the kingdom in a number ways.
Some serve by ministering direct care to indigenous people or mis-
sionaries and their families who remain in the field. Others serve
by establishing human services to indigenous people and training
those people to continue the work. Still others serve by teaching
in the field, through collaborative international research, as well
as through advocacy and other social service venues.
BY CAthY d. (EdWARdS ’83) S IGmuNd, Ph.d.
CAthY (EdWARdS) S IGmuNd Professor of Psychology, Counseling & human ServicesCl ASS 1983m A joR
PSYCholoGYACtIV It I ES CoNCERt ANd m ARChING BANd, StR ING ENSEmBlE, PSYCholoGY CluB, Bl ACK StudENt oRGANIZAtIoN (BSo), GoSPEl tEA m, YEARBooKloC AlE
EthIoPIA ANd uGANdA
26
In February, 2012, I had a desire to establish church-based safe
havens for victimized and traumatized communities in which I felt
the Lord calling to me again to focus on His larger global family.
Two days later, in a local church I had never before attended,
word came forth supporting this call—“Go and do what
the Lord has spoken to you to do.” So I did!
In the summer of 2012, I had the privilege of moving from more
home mission initiatives to leading an International Psychology
Grief/Trauma Training Mission in two East African countries—
Ethiopia and Uganda. Both countries have been hard hit with
trauma. Historically, Ethiopians have had to live through civil war,
political unrest and military dictatorship. In particular, Ethiopian
Christians endured persecution related to the Red Terror and
Communism, where hundreds of thousands were displaced,
thousands murdered and countless traumatized. In recent years,
Ethiopian Christians have been persecuted by Muslim extremists.
Just last year, an estimated five to ten thousand Christians were
displaced from their homes by Muslim radicals. Nearly 70 churches
were destroyed and a number of Christian leaders, evangelists,
pastors and lay leaders were killed. Many are now familiar with the
Ugandan Boy Soldiers/Invisible Children and the Lord’s Resistance
Army’s leader, Kony, who not so long ago ravaged northern Uganda
displacing 95% of the population via terrorism and guerilla warfare.
Both of these countries are still in need of assistance related to
grief and trauma and neither have adequate professional
behavioral health resources. Clergy care training was
seen as needed and imperative.
The purpose of the East Africa grief/trauma training was to lay a
foundation for church-based human service care and ministry to
traumatized communities. Eventually, with training and collaboration,
the intent is for churches to serve as ministry posts or care centers
for their communities: Centers for Help, Hope & Healing (CH3
Initiative). Thus, the training emphasized a care and ministry
approach called Incarnational Caring, or I*Care for short. I*Care
articulates a biblical approach to providing pastoral counseling,
Christian counseling or any other type of care ministry.
In all, a group of 243 church leaders, lay leaders, and Christian
social service professionals from Ethiopia and Uganda received
training in this East Africa mission. Results from reflective and
evaluative group discussions of the training indicate that the vast
majority of participants noted that the training was informative,
helpful and useful in their work within the church; provided helpful
insights on living a Christian life and holistic gospel; and provided
integration of the Bible and their Christian faith with their work
as pastors, teachers, and counselors. Many participants noted the
Christ-centered focus as the most important aspect of training.
Christians serving as missionary psychologists are needed in both
secular and church settings, as well as in home and foreign mission
fields. Since the summer of 2012 and the mission tour to Ethiopia
and Uganda, I have been invited back to both countries by national
church leadership and to the countries of Haiti, Rwanda and Tanzania.
The work here at home in the Greater Pittsburgh area also continues—
providing church- and community-based education and training,
psychological consultation and care. As I move forward in this
work, I pray for continued sensitivity to God’s leading to come
with Him, healing hearts and planting care. G
27
28
BY A m ANdA (K ASK Al AVICh ’06) fl INNER
He prayed, and God answered. Mike met with Matthew 25
International’s founder John Kimball, who brought him to the
jungles of Peru for two weeks to build a children’s home. After
that first trip, Mike knew he wanted to do more—and was
supposed to do more.
He would do a lot more—and soon—quitting his job, getting
married, packing his belongings in a U-Haul and moving with his
new wife over a thousand miles away into the Deep South. Saying
all of this change was scary is an understatement, but Mike and
Ariana had faith in God’s plan.
Since then, Mike has experienced a great deal, including the
worst of the devastation in Haiti, a place ravaged by earthquakes
and hurricanes and plagued by violence and desperation. “But
these people are not savages. They are not a group of crazed
people. They are a desperate people. Desperate for a government
that will care about them, desperate for food and clean water for
them and their children. Desperate for life…,” Mike wrote on his
blog last year.
It’s a fine balancing act for the teams to provide for overwhelming
physical need like this while also tending to the spiritual. In a
place where people try to find hope in voodoo practices,
On the outer walls of a children’s home in Peru, a message
stands out in bold, red letters: “For I was hungry and you gave
me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to
drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35).
This is the key passage at the heart of Matthew 25 International,
a non-profit organization that sends teams to places in need of
physical and spiritual aid, such as Peru, India, Mexico and Haiti.
On the physical end, the teams deliver food and clothing and
provide shelter by building children’s homes. On the spiritual end,
they build churches, train pastors and minister to the community.
The man doing the sending is Geneva graduate Mike Rebich
’06. He and his wife, Ariana, are the Matthew 25 International
project coordinators who plan and execute missions from their
base in Louisiana, as well as accompany teams on their initial
trips abroad.
When he was a student, if anybody would have told Mike that
full-time missions work would become his career and that he
would one day earn minister’s credentials, he probably would
have laughed. He was a biology student hoping to get into
medical school, which did not include trotting across the globe
to who-knows-where. When he watched a group of friends go
on missions trips to Jamaica each summer, he just didn’t get it.
But he was curious. “I always asked, ‘Why do you do that? Why
do you guys keep going back? Why does that keep coming up
in your life?’ And they would always say, ‘It’s just something you
have to experience. We can’t explain it to you. You just gotta be
there to experience it,’” he remembers.
But another experience had to happen to Mike first: he had to
be saved before he could help save anyone else. Mike accepted
Christ while at Geneva and he graduated as a new Christian
who was a bit uncertain how his life would unfold. He was
pretty content working in construction, but he knew he
had to use his skills for something greater.
29
BY A m ANdA (K ASK Al AVICh ’06) fl INNER
this is a significant challenge. This point was driven home for
Mike while he was helping to build a church in downtown
Port-au-Prince and the next-door neighbor was preparing for a
voodoo ritual by chopping off turtles’ heads and draining their
blood into bowls. It was a stark contrast, to say the least.
Mike is quick to point out, though, that Matthew 25 International’s
intention is not to “Americanize” these areas, but equip pastors
and leaders with the Gospel so that they, in turn, can transform
their own communities. Through training, the organization can
ensure the Word is reaching into the deepest places—like some
jungles of Peru or other particularly volatile areas—that wouldn’t
be safe or wise for Americans to visit.
Although the arms of the organization are far-reaching, they
also touch areas closer to home in southern Louisiana, where
a children’s home is being built in partnership with the local
Bethel Pentecostal Fellowship church. One of the few of its kind
in the entire United States, the Adullam Household of Faith will
provide shelter for the children of incarcerated parents from the
nearby Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Women will have
the option to sign over their parental rights rather than have their
babies become a ward of the state and enter the social system.
Even with all the work Matthew 25 International is doing
throughout the world, it’s still a struggle for some people to get
on board. How can one person make a difference? Mike says
there are several options for those who want to get involved but
aren’t sure how. First, of course, he encourages people to actually
go on a trip. Like his friends at Geneva told him years ago, this is
something you just have to experience for yourself.
“Put together a group. We’ll work with you. And come with
us, build a church with us, come minister to the kids in our
children’s home for a week,” he says.
mIKE REBIChCl ASS 2006m A joR
B IoloGYACtIV It I ES lEARNING & tR ANSIt IoN StudENt mENtoRloC AlE
PERu, INdIA , hAIt I, uSA, ISR AEl
Another option is to sponsor a project, whether it’s a small one
like the addition of a church roof, or a large one, like the building
of a church or training center. Not everyone is called to do full-
time missions, but everyone is called to do something.
“Everybody has a part to play in the kingdom,” Mike says.
And every part is important. The organization posts follow-up
videos on its website and on Facebook to show people what
their contributions, big or small, can accomplish. “We always try
to keep that in front of people to really show them. One reason is
for accountability for us as an organization. We always want to be
accountable for God’s money that’s given to us, so you know this
is what we’re doing with it, and here is the result of that,” he says.
It’s safe to say that even though Mike took a while to grasp
the meaning of missions, he certainly gets it now.
Find out more about Matthew 25 International at
matthew25international.org.
G
BY GREG WISE ’95
As Chief Operating Officer for Christian World Outreach (CWO),
an international evangelistic humanitarian aid organization, (Paul)
Greg Yoder ’79 does his best to follow the example that the 12-year-
old Christ set when preparing for His ministry: “And Jesus grew in
wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52).
This favorite verse of Greg’s also serves as a guiding principle for
CWO as a whole. Established in 1979 to conduct camps for young
people in Haiti, the organization broadened its influence in 2000
by expanding into Africa. Today, CWO operates in four countries—
Burkina Faso, Haiti, Zambia and Zimbabwe—providing medical
clinics, vocational training, Christian leadership development,
children’s feeding programs, HIV/AIDS prevention education,
AIDS orphan assistance, educational libraries, evangelistic
outreach and discipleship, emergency relief, and more.
Greg says, “I can help others grow, not just spiritually, but in all
areas of life—socially, by making a difference in their community;
physically, by feeding kids and helping them be healthier and live a
little longer—all the while creating opportunities to share the gospel.”
Throughout 2012, the organization also underwent tremendous
physical expansion, according to Greg. “We constructed two buildings
in Burkina Faso—a dorm and a dining hall for our vocational
school. The vocational school is a boarding school, and many
women are currently staying in classrooms that have been converted
to dorms. With these new buildings, we’ll be able to house a lot
more women and open up a number of classrooms.”
The vocational school in Burkina Faso and another like it in Haiti
teach women sewing, cooking, cosmetology, business, French,
English and other work skills. This education enables them to
enter the workforce and earn an income, provide for their
families, and develop a greater sense of self worth.
Additionally, in Zimbabwe where CWO works with AIDS orphans
by hosting camps to provide the children individual and group
counseling, construction of a multipurpose building will soon
begin now that the plans are drawn and the property has been
prepared. This building will serve as housing for the orphans and
also for conducting leadership conferences. And in Haiti, the
organization will soon open a brand new health center which
should be completed this year.
“I’m excited about CWO’s growth and the growth of our ministry,”
exclaims Greg. His enthusiasm is to be expected, especially
considering the close, personal connection he holds with CWO
through his parents, who helped found the organization after
witnessing Haiti’s tremendous poverty during a trip in the late ’70s.
30
BY GREG WISE ’95 As a matter of fact, Greg’s father, the President of CWO, is known
by many Haitians as “Papa Dean.”
Greg has a similarly deep and profound relationship with the country
of Haiti, which he first visited as a student at Geneva during summer
mission trips. “I actually moved to Haiti six months after graduating
from Geneva,” he says. “I earned an elementary education degree and
taught three-and-a-half years at a Christian school for missionary kids.
I lived there for eight years; met my wife, who also taught at the
school; and our two sons were born in Haiti.”
But of course, Greg is also very involved with the other countries
in which CWO is active. In addition to handling operations for the
organization—dealing with government agencies, budgeting, reporting—
he works directly with short-term teams and intermediate missionaries
going into the field, drawing on his extensive firsthand knowledge
of this type of ministry. “I really enjoy sharing that experience with
people, especially high school and college students,” he says. “I like
being a part of their first experience and also seeing what it’s
doing in their lives.”
Furthermore, Greg wrote a training manual for the short-term teams
and conducts pre-trip meetings on different cultures, advising them,
“Keep your eyes open, observe and learn, and accept the differences.”
He also teaches on the mission-trip experience and last-minute
preparations. “Some of the students I’ve worked with have
gone on to be full-time missionaries,” he adds.
Although Greg is no longer directly engaged in elementary education,
his college experiences remain relevant to his current situation.
“Geneva helped me through the diversity of people I met and got to
know there. I also prepared for all this travelling through singing and
touring with Reflection.”
GREG YodERCl ASS 1979m A joR
ElEmENtARY EduCAtIoNACtIV It I ES REflECtIoN — A StudENt-lEd S INGING GRouPloC AlE
BuRKINA fASo, hAIt I, ZA mBIA ANd ZImBABWE
That touring experience certainly comes in handy as Greg amasses
his huge collection of frequent flyer miles: “I’ve been to Burkina
Faso and recently took a trip to Haiti. I also traveled to Zimbabwe
in December to work with our staff there, and then to West Africa
in January.”
With so many projects being undertaken in troubled areas around
the globe, Greg says the big picture can sometimes seem over-
whelming. Making these seemingly impossible tasks manageable
is why CWO focuses on “making a difference one life at a time”
by partnering with and employing nationals whenever possible.
The organization relies on the people of the local communities
to let them know the best ways to help.
A prime example of the success of this approach is CWO’s
partnership with the nationals who speak to vulnerable and orphaned
boys living on the streets, referred to by Greg as the “nephews.”
These young men also demonstrate that CWO’s vision of following
Jesus’ example of growing a ministry seems to be working. Greg
says, “There are joyous times when we see the fruit of our labors.
The nephews told us, ‘You’ve shared Jesus with us. Now, can you
teach us to share Him with others?’ They’ve seen the gift of
salvation and are eager to share that gift with others.”
And as that gift continues to be passed on through the work
of Greg and CWO, “one life at a time,” countless others around the
world will also be given the opportunity to become followers
of Christ, growing spiritually.
To learn more about Christian World Outreach,
visit cwomissions.org.
G
31
1032
in service
As of this fall, Geneva College’s student choir, The Genevans, has been under the leadership of a new director—the first in over three decades.The man himself, Dr. David Smith, ensures that the change will not go unnoticed. From his first rehearsal with the group, Dr. Smith has added his unique vision: the choir practiced with the lights off. Dr. Smith’s only communication for the first 30 minutes of the rehearsal was through hand signals and a little writing. He was even dressed in black, to heighten the darkness.
“I wanted a memorable experience,” he says about the occasion, “so that even the old members wouldn’t know what was going to happen next. It created a really special time for the choir.”
The choir is fast-paced under Dr. Smith, too. An all-Saturday event typically held in February turned into a fall choir retreat, giving the group of vocalists a head start to the semester. And the choir’s metabolism stays up as they always stand when singing during rehearsals. “I keep them hopping,” Dr. Smith states. “We don’t take breaks during rehearsals. We do have devotions in the middle, but we’re using our time.”
“Doc Smith has brought a new intensity and energy to The Genevans,” says choir member Elise Lundy, citing his dynamic personality, unique vision and unwillingness to compromise on his standard for the choir.
“Creativity on the Run”
Greg Mead, President of The Genevans, also praised Dr. Smith’s energy for the job. “He asks much of us as a choir and pushes us to reach a high standard of excellence,” he says of Dr. Smith. “His passion and care are contagious.”
Ever the shaker and mover, Dr. Smith first stirred up Genevans rehearsals and now plans to move the ensemble’s international trip. The first Dr. Smith-directed international tour will be a spring 2014 trip to the Philippines and Malaysia. The two nations are a unique destination because the continent is fresh. The European setting of every international tour since their start in 1986 has been exchanged for the tropical climes of Southeast Asia.
“Our concerts have always been to European countries,” says Dr. Robert Copeland, the previous director, who organized the group’s international ministries. “The countries of Europe are almost entirely pagan today, and we always tried to spread the gospel by presenting music with a biblical message, performed with excellence.”
Dr. Smith, a missionary kid, grew up in and around the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam, and he draws on these contacts to plan the next tour. With a new continent comes a new hope: in addition to ministering to others, Dr. Smith trusts the trip will minister to The Genevans themselves.
They’ll first visit schools, universities and churches in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. In between performances and meeting missionary children, the choir members on the tour will also visit a public dump. An entire community lives and scavenges among the discarded junk of the city, and Dr. Smith wants his choir to face the abject poverty.
“I’m taking the choir there not to perform, although they might, but to let the choir see the desperate nature of many peoples’ lives,” Dr. Smith says of the destination. “I’d really like to break the hearts of my students for the means of the world.”
After visiting the major city, the choir will head up to the north. “My dream right now is to go as far as the Banaue Rice Terraces,” he states, referencing the 2000-year-old terraces carved into the mountains of Ifugao, a northern province. “We’ll see if that’s possible.” Baguio City is also on the itinerary, along with Mount Pinatubo, a volcano that erupted in 1991, and Davao, a southern resort town known for its pearl fishing. It holds a church aided by Reformed Presbyterian pastor Barry York, whose congregation is looking forward to the visit. Throughout their travels, of course, The Genevans will be performing at numerous institutions.
Dr. Smith hopes to end in Borneo, the location of East Malaysia. His parents worked in the town of Kota Kinabalu for many years, and he knows a Chinese church there. Also, since it’s a Muslim country, he plans to take The Genevans to a mosque. Dr. Smith would love to end the tour on two-day hike up a 13,455-foot-tall mountain in the northeast, giving the choir a scenic ending to their two-week expedition. At the moment, however, his plans are between the “dream stage and the implementation stage.”
BY AdA m RoWE ’14
David Smith
BY julIA SChAdEmAN ’13
While attending Dr. Copeland’s final concert last year, Dr. Smith remembers noticing that the bulletin cited that concert as The Genevans’ 74th season. “I did the math” he says dryly, “and realized that the next year was the 75th.” Since his first year coincided with the anniversary occasion, Dr. Smith was eager to present a concert that both looked back on where the choir has been and forward to where the choir is now.
This special concert took place during Homecoming weekend, when The Genevans sang a nostalgia-themed gig consisting of the alma mater; the student-written Geneva hit from the ’40s, “Moon on the Campus;” and other fight songs from that era. The 1930s and ’40s were a musical renaissance at Geneva, and Dr. Smith enjoys drawing on this history. “I get this image—it’s probably completely wrong—of Geneva students just bursting into song at random moments,” he says, adding that many pieces written within and after that time are all “romantic, schmaltz, and very fun.” They also sang a few move-ments from a ’98 cantata written by Dr. Robert Copeland.
“Not only are we looking back at old commission, but we’re hav-ing one made ourselves,” Dr. Smith states, explaining that they are in discussions with Diane Whitacre, a Christian composer working out of Fort Wayne, Indiana, to set a psalm to music for their spring concert and spring tour through the southeast United States. He hopes her anthem will become a Genevans classic.
Before directing The Genevans, Dr. Smith led Geneva’s Wednesday morning chapel for six years. He loved it and was inspired by it, but decided to move on when Dr. Copeland announced his
75TH
genevansAnniversary
retirement. In addition, he teaches voice lessons, several voice-related classes and a conducting class.
And he has a vision for The Genevans that extends into the next couple of decades. “I wouldn’t have been able to do both chapel and Genevans,” he says. “All my creativity has to run in the same direction. And now I wake up early in the morning before my alarm, thinking of things I’m going to do with The Genevans—places to go, music to do.”
With Dr. Smith’s creativity on the run, no distance is impossible, from inventive rehearsals to new continents.
To support The Genevans’ musical mission, visit geneva.edu/genevans.
“All my creativity has to run in the same direction. And now I wake up early in the morning before my alarm, thinking of things I’m going to do with The Genevans—places to go, music to do.”
Class Notes are now available on geneva.edu. Visit the site to learn about fellow classmates. Submit an update so they can stay connected with you.
34
class notes
1954 Harvey Robinson, recently honored as a Fifty Year Member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, is now retired and living in Lady Lake, FL.
1958 Keith and Leu Anne (Grove ’61) Copeland reside in Kissimmee, FL.
1961 Leu Anne (Grove) Copeland –See Copeland 1958
1962 Howard and Sally (Brown ’64) Peters have had an award created in their honor by the ACS Division of Chemistry and the Law. This annual award recognizes outstanding contributions to non-traditional careers in chemistry. The Peters reside in Menlo Park, CA.
1963 Margaret (Wallace) Franke was named a Commissioned Ruling Elder for Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) and El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church (PCUSA). She is a retired adjunct faculty member at Northern New Mexico College in Espanola, NM, and still teaches courses online. Margaret and her husband William reside in Truchas, NM.
1964 Sally (Brown) Peters –See Peters 1962
1970 Bob and Jane (Kidd ’72) Rak celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on June 17, 2012.
1971 Ted Kay and Domenic (Dom) DiMattia ’66 reunited at the 45th reunion of the Class of 1967 at Clairton High School in Clairton,
PA, where both Ted and Dom’s wife graduated. Dom still resides in Clairton, while Ted resides in Southfield, MI.
George and Kathy (Walck ’72) Thompson celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on August 19, 2012. George is retiring after 41 years with Travelers Insurance Company. The Thompsons reside in Glastonbury, CT.
Richard and Mary Ellen (Gianneschi ’72) Vrable celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on June 3, 2012. Richard is Director of Special Education in the Mogadore Local School District in OH, with 42 years of experience as a public school administrator. Mary Ellen recently retired after 30 years as a foreign language teacher in Brunswick, OH. The Vrables reside in Strongsville, OH.
1972 Judith (Plants) Beale retired from 39 years of teaching elementary music in Georgia. She is a certified Orff-Schulwerk instructor and clinician and resides in Kennesaw, GA.
Chris Hilleary completed his fifth summer conducting workshops at college campuses around the country, teaching materials science and engineering concepts to high school and middle school science teachers. His goal is to expose students to materials science as a possible career path. Chris is retired from teaching chemistry and working in industry. He and his wife Melissa spend time traveling and working on home remodeling and community service projects.
Carol (Chudik) Mawhinney received her Master of Education with Principal Certification from Cabrini College. Carol is currently employed as Dean of Students of Wickersham Elementary School for the School District of Lancaster in Lancaster, PA.
Jane (Kidd) Rak–See Rak 1970
Kathy (Walck) Thompson–See Thompson 1971
Mary Ellen (Gianneschi) Vrable–See Vrable 1971
1973 Jane (Helman) Ramsey retired May 31,
2012 after 25 years of teaching kindergarten in Lisbon, OH. She and her husband John will be busy with their first grandchild, Nolan Matthew, born May 23, 2012. Their daughter, Ann (Ramsey ’00) Metzler, welcomed twin boys at the end of summer.
1974 Sandra Pittenturf serves as Composition Supervisor at RRD Donnelly & Sons. Her oldest son, Joshua, is currently serving his seventh year in the United States Army. He has deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan.Her youngest son, David, is completing his college degree. Sandra resides in Mount Joy, PA.
1976 Chuck Lawrence received his Master of Science in Nonprofit Administration from Eastern University in St. David’s, PA. He and his wife Diane reside in Barto, PA.
1977 Marcia (Bennett) Cornell is retired and living in Decatur, AL with her husband James.
Bill McFarland published Keep the Flag to the Front: The Story of the Eighth Kansas Volunteer Infantry, a book about soldiers who served during the Civil War.
Daniel Williams serves as Transitional Executive Presbyter and Stated Clerk of Central Florida Presbytery (PCUSA). He was also elected at the 220th PCUSA General Assembly to a six-year term on the Advisory Committee on the Constitution. Daniel and his wife Sharon reside in Orlando, FL.
1979 David Lash is a contract pilot and flight instructor. David and his wife Rhonda reside in Newville, PA.
Pamela (Mock) Vohar and her husband Donald reside in Waddell, AZ.
1980Sue Ellen (Snedeker) Dunlap published Love and Miss You, a book about her late son Michael’s four-year battle with brain cancer.
Barry Horst recently returned from serving with Brethren in Christ World Missions in Honduras. He is planning to deploy to Ireland with Operation Mobilization in June 2013, where he will serve as Program Manager. Barry and his wife Kimberly reside in Mechanicsburg, PA.
Mark Tomcik received a Master of Science in Marketing and Communication from Franklin University in Columbus, OH. Mark has also been inducted into Sigma Beta Delta: International Society for Business, Management and Administration. Mark
35
and his wife Kristi (Otto ’81) reside in Westerville, OH.
1981Kristi (Otto) Tomcik–See Tomcik 1980
1982 Cindy (Lazar) Neiswinger –See Neiswinger 1983
1983 Jeffrey Hall, playing the part of Walter, wrapped up filming the movie The Underdogs with actor D.B. Sweeney and singer Natalie Imbruglia in September 2012. Also in the movie is Beaver Falls native and National Football League Hall of Famer Joe Namath. The film is due for release in 2013.
Allison McFarland qualified for the National Senior Olympics to be held in the summer of 2013 in Columbus, OH. At the Kansas Senior Olympics in September 2012, she finished first in the discus, first in the shot put and second in the javelin. Alison’s uncle, former Geneva President Joe McFarland, earned Senior Olympic medals into his 80s.
Michael Neiswinger is now working as a Product Manager for Amazon in Seattle, WA. Michael and his wife Cindy (Lazar ’82) reside in Puyallup, WA.
1986 Lori (Holstein) Cotton is beginning a new appointment as pastor of Hope United Methodist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Her husband Ralph will serve as pastor of Alva United Methodist Church. Lori writes, “We’re very excited to begin this new journey in Christ.” They reside in Alva, FL.
Lee Elliott is Engineering Infrastructure Manager for Nuance Communications, where he is leading a team that supports the engineering of Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Lee and his wife Marybeth have three sons: Mark, Daniel and David. They reside in Fremont, NH.
1988 David Stadler is Media Infrastructure Architect at Grove City College in Grove City, PA. David and Kathy (Rigby ’89) have two children, Sarah and Matthew, and reside in Allison Park, PA.
1989 Bryan Bemis is a corporate pilot for BNY Mellon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Bryan and his wife Suzanne have three children: Joshua, Kayloah and Tristan. They reside in Sewickley, PA.
Doug Dragan is Founding Pastor of Living Water Fellowship in Center Township, PA. The church was planted in 2006, moved from Moon Township to Center Township in 2011 and is doing well. Doug and his wife Nathalie have two daughters, Kylie and McCall, who have been attending Hillsong International Leadership College in Sydney, Australia, for over two years.
Christopher Fox recently relocated from Alabama to Maryland to lead the training of a new business/government hybrid for Verizon Wireless. He is training Verizon employees to handle federal, state and local government customers while maintaining legal compliance.
Kathy (Rigby ’89) Stadler–See Stadler 1988
1990Paul Hamm is a physician for Brooks Medical Arts. Paul and his wife Beth Ann, along with children Emma and Olivia, reside in Knox, PA.
1991 Gregory Kaufinger earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration from Anderson University in June 2012. Gregory has joined the faculty at Anderson as Associate Professor of Accounting. He and his wife Jennifer reside in Anderson, IN. 1992 Karen Pirone-Mullaney and her husband Robert announce the birth of Grace Marie on September 22, 2012. She joins her 10-year-old brother Joseph.
1993 Joanne (Farina) Peterson completed the dissertation process to earn her Ph.D. through Capella University. She also earned and renewed National Board for Professional Teaching Standards status. Joanne is a teacher in the Scotland County Schools in Laurel Hill, NC. She and her husband James reside in Laurinburg, NC.
Gretchen Sayre-Kozen is an English teacher for New Hanover County Schools in Wilmington, NC. She and her husband Eric reside in Burgaw, NC.
1996 Seong Whan Hyun is having his doctoral
dissertation, “Job the Unfinalisable,” published in notable academic publisher E.J. Brill’s Biblical Interpretation Series.
2000 Richard Wingfield married Vanessa Clifton on April 28, 2012. The wedding took place at Unity Baptist Church in Braddock, PA, where Richard serves as Senior Pastor.
2002 Justin Myers teaches third grade at Cambria Heights Elementary School in Carrolltown, PA. He and his wife Alissa reside in South Fork, PA, with children Zachary, Aislinn, Eva, Joshua and Karys.
Elizabeth (Miller, MAHE) Prickett is Accessible Media Coordinator at George Mason University. She and her husband John reside in Herndon, VA.
2003 Benjamin W. Cieply received his Ph.D. in Cancer Cell Biology from West Virginia University School of Medicine on November 26, 2012. Benjamin has begun his post-doctoral studies at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Michael Newman resides in Arlington, VA.
2004Sarah (Hoffman) Evans received her Doctorate of Psychology from Duquesne University in the summer of 2012. Sarah and her husband Greg reside in Irwin, PA.
Jack Hogue is a special education teacher in Haywood County, NC. Jack and his wife Elizabeth reside in Hendersonville, NC.
Christina (Roberts) married Lawrence Howells Jr., a corrections officer in Westmoreland County, on June 19, 2010.
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Laura (Hunter) and Joseph Erno married on May 26, 2012. The Ernos reside in Harrisburg, PA.
Erica (Wachtel) and Michael Loftus married on November 10, 2012. Erica is President of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce. The Loftuses reside in Baden, PA.
Michael and Jenny (Bower ’05) Pichura welcomed Lela Ann into their family on September 30, 2012. Lela joins her brother Seth. The Pichuras reside in Beaver Falls, PA.
John (Dan) Reed is Director of Development at Morris Animal Foundation. He and his wife Melissa reside in Denver, CO.
2007 Amber (Chess) and Daniel Brady celebrated the birth of twins Parker Daniel and Mackenzie Ruth on May 20, 2011.
in December 2011. Edie joins big sister Clara Elizabeth. The Work family resides in Murrysville, PA.
2005 Mark Frailey (DCP #024) served as chaplain for the PA State Senate for one day in May 2012: “The greatest accomplishment, even more so than the Senate, is the way God is using me and the tools that I gained through my education to reform and transform the lives of believers and those coming to Jesus Christ as new believers.”
Jenny (Bower) Pichura–See Pichura 2006
Michael Rebich Jr. is Project Coordinator for Matthew 25 International in Patterson, LA, where he and his wife Ariana reside. See “Giving Hope to the Hopeless” on page 28.
Barry and Leslie (Turner) Leicher celebrated the birth of twins Barry Clark and Scott Everett on May 15, 2012. Leslie is employed by Young Life.
Stephenie (Huggins) Work –See Work 2004
2006 Stephen Alessi and his wife Karen welcomed Braelyn Eve and Emma Marie into their family on September 13, 2012. Stephen is a sales representative for Sherwin-Williams. He earned his MBA from Wilkes University in 2010. They reside in Mountain Top, PA.
Geneva graduates participating in the ceremony included Christina’s mother Gail (West ’75) Roberts, along with Candice Roberts ’04, Kelli Koon ’04, Erin (Stone ’04) Zimmerman and Rev. Vince Scavo ’88. Christina is an auditor for Maher Duessel CPAs in Pittsburgh. In July 2012, she was promoted from Staff Accountant to Senior Accountant. The Howells reside in Apollo, PA.
Sean and Melissa (Witt) Kelly welcomed the birth of Kayden Alexander Kelly on June 10, 2012. Melissa works in marketing and public relations at Sandcastle Waterpark in Pittsburgh.
Ashleigh (Verrillo) and John Meeker married in Annapolis, MD, on September 29, 2012. Geneva alumnae Beth (Enterline ’03) Campbell, Jill (Courson ’04) O’Brien, Abbi (Campbell ’04) Weaver and Lindsay (Adams ’04) Gardner were in the wedding party. Ashleigh has received her License in Clinical Social Work, and serves as a Clinical Care Manager for Value Options in Morrisville, MC. The Meekers reside in Durham, NC.
Lisa (Cilli, MAC ’10) and Matthew Thomas married on June 30, 2012. They reside in Warren, OH.
David and Stephenie (Huggins ’05) Work announce the birth of Edie Alexandra
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Parker is already a fan of Geneva Magazine.
Kristin Butterworth received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from SUNY Buffalo in July 2012. She is Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA.
Lynne (Fettis) Gallagher is a behavioral specialist consultant and mobile therapist at the Allegheny Children’s Initiative in Pittsburgh. She also is a substitute teacher in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Lynne received her M.S.Ed. in School Counseling from Duquesne University in May 2011. She and her husband Matthew reside in Munhall, PA.
Michael and Megan Lehman married on June 30, 2012. Michael is a naval aviator with the United States Navy, and deployed for the second time to Japan in December 2012. The Lehmans reside in Jacksonville, FL.
Shayna (Morrison) Metz is an energy advisor for On Demand Energy in Moon, PA. She and her husband Jake have one child, Ayree Saphya Metz, born September 19, 2011. They reside in Industry, PA.
Rebecca (Michalik) Williams–See Williams 2009
2008 Nathan and Lauren (Zanker ’11) Berger married on October 20, 2012. The Bergers reside in Coraopolis, PA.
Kelly (Bramble) and Daniel Speicher married on June 23, 2012. Kelly is Performing Arts Program Assistant for Urban Impact in Pittsburgh. The Speichers reside in Oakmont, PA.
Danny Sullivan is Area Director for Young Life in Hershey, PA. Danny and his wife Melody (Bennett) have two children, Bennett and Anna Joy. The Sullivans reside in Hershey.
Richard and Sheila Sutton married on September 29, 2012. Richard is Coronary Clinical Specialist for Abbot Vascular. The Suttons reside in Blue Bell, PA.
2009 Andrew and Sarah (Brooks) Colbert are the proud parents of Margaret Louise Colbert, born on November 13, 2012. Sarah is employed as a science teacher at Bayshore Christian School in Fairhope, AL. The Colberts reside in Daphne, AL.
Rebecca (Romero) and Timothy Minter welcomed Grace Elizabeth Minter into their home during 2012. The Minters reside at Shaw Air Force Base in SC.
Jared and Rebecca (Michalik ’07) Williams announce the birth of son Jackson Grey on August 12, 2012. Jackson joins big sister Alena, who “absolutely adores him.” The Williams reside in Hookstown, PA.
2010Andy Kerstetter is a news reporter for The Sublette Examiner, a small weekly newspaper in Pinedale, WY, where he resides.
Photos appear within or after the corresponding class note.
Susan (Mawhinney) Mitchell is an admissions representative for Learning Sciences International in Mount Joy, PA. She and her husband Mike reside in Lancaster, PA.
2011 Lauren (Zanker) Berger –See Berger 2008
Ryan and Amy (Hagen) Curley married on June 17, 2011. They reside in Aliquippa, PA.
Rachel Riddell is now serving as Administrative Assistant for the Dean of Student Life Office at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.
Kati Steinmetz recently graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Master of Science in Addiction Counseling. She is serving as a counselor for Gateway Rehabilitation in Pittsburgh.
2012 Jonathon and Becky (Parkinson) Cosgrove married on September 29, 2012. The Cosgroves reside in Columbia, MD.
Briana Gamret is a neurophysiology technician in UPMC’s Department of Clinical Neurophysiology. She is training to work in the operating room, where she will place electrodes on patients to monitor brain and nerve function during surgery. Briana writes, “I was very blessed to gain such a good job so quickly after graduation.” Briana resides in Dravosburg, PA.
Hannah (Winkle) married Chase Lund on June 1, 2012. The Lunds reside in Manassas, VA, and she is teaching piano.
Jake and Brianna (Mixter) McCracken reside in Monaca, PA.
Scott and Brenna (Unrath) Moreland married on August 4, 2012.
Kyle Potter is a campus minister for Coalition for Christian Outreach. He resides in Elmira, NY.
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LAURA (JANNUZI ’32) WILSON (1906-2012)
Laura, who passed away on August 15, 2012, was one of eight members of the Jannuzi family to attend Geneva. She played basketball and volleyball, participated in the French Club and the Women’s Student Association, and graduated with a degree in education. In her later years, Laura still prominently displayed her Geneva athletics letter and spoke of her love for her home-town of Beaver Falls and her alma mater, Geneva College.
30s Dr. Victor I. Markson ’34 on August 15, 2012
Paul G. Angle ’35 on May 18, 2012
Donald K. Hamer ’37 on June 6, 2012
Paul D. Liscomb ’37 on May 7, 2012
Ida E. (Beatty ’38) Martsolf on July 4, 2012
Ruth M. (Hamilton ’38) Mulcahy on September 5, 2012 40s Edith (Charlton ’40) Munn on September 28, 2012
In Memoriam Elizabeth E. (Stollmayer ’40) Niklewicz on November 15, 2012
Claire B. Kelbaugh ’41 on August 4, 2012
Ruth V. (Looloian ’42) Stasko on August 8, 2012
Bernice N. (Blews ’42) Wallace on May 6, 2012
Dr. Ralph A. Gaudio ’46 on August 16, 2012
Barton M. Rumbaugh ’46 on October 17, 2012
Lois J. (Mooney ’46) Shafer on September 14, 2012
Mahlon R. Evans ’47 on July 14, 2012
Frank N. Fusco ’47 on December 7, 2012
Dr. Raymond O.F. Heckerman ’47 on August 5, 2012
James N. Kennedy ’47 on December 1, 2012
G. Jean (Atchison ’48) Haney on September 8, 2012
Paul M. Pugh Jr. ’48 on July 14, 2012
Guy J. Bennett ’49 on July 14, 2012
Jewel L. (Rippy ’49) Watson on June 19, 2012
50s J. Glenn Bissett ’50 on April 8, 2012
Gust M. Capatides ’50 on November 1, 2012
John J. Kochalka Jr. ’50 on September 14, 2012
Felix L. Mangiarelli ’50 on August 25, 2012
Joseph B. Nemecek ’50 on August 15, 2012
Robert T. Steinecke ’50 on June 28, 2012
Alma Lillian (Griffith ’50) Wargetz on October 2, 2012
John C. Grossglass ’51 on October 21, 2012
Robert D. Klink ’51 on June 27, 2012
Barbara C. (Cleland ’51) Lavash on November 4, 2012
Shirley M. (Cooper ’52) Bruce on November 20, 2012
Nancy Ellen (Hole ’52) Hacko on August 2, 2012
Albert J. Miller ’52 on June 29, 2012
Nick S. Panico ’52 on July 30, 2012
Earl J. Scheel ’52 on October 22, 2012.
Alice R. (Thayer ’53) Bowes on April 26, 2012
James O. Nelson ’53 on June 24, 2012
Rev. John D. Patterson ’53 on September 22, 2012
Siola I. (Velazquez ’55) McFarland on November 15, 2012
Robert P. Zapsic ’55 on December 7, 2012
Johnna L. (Schramm ’56) Kelbaugh on December 6, 2012
Mary Vale (White ’56) Torrence on July 23, 2012
Henry S. Barrett II ’57 on July 6, 2012
Donald H. Mullinnix ’57 on November 3, 2012
class notes
Class Notes InformationTo share your news, visit www.geneva.edu/ class_notes and click on “Update Form.” High-resolution pictures of at least three megapixels in size may be submitted in JPEG format. You may also mail your news and photos to: GENEVA COLLEGE Office of Alumni Relations 3200 College Avenue Beaver Falls, PA 15010
Inclusion of all items in Class Notes is at the discretion of Geneva College, in accordance with the community standards of the institution.
Ruth A. Cain ’58 on November 11, 2012
James P. Weidman ’58 on September 16, 2012
John T. Atkinson ’59 on July 8, 2012
Michael F. Gache ’59 on July 2, 2012
Mary Allyn (Spickerman ’59) Newman on August 25, 2012
60s John B. “Jack” Moore ’60 on August 1, 2012
Kevork George Kevorkian ’61 on May 2, 2012
Sandra J. (Forbes ’62) Lucas on October 29, 2012
Carol B. (Bestwick ’62) Miller on November 13, 2012
Eugene D. Kokoski ’64 on November 28, 2012
Larry E. Yard ’64 on November 28, 2012
Dennis P. Cook ’66 on November 26, 2012
Joseph A. Pilla Jr. ’68 on November 3, 2012
Adele R. Primerano ’68 on June 5, 2012
70s Marian R. (Pittenger ’70) Hales on November 8, 2012
Larry R. Wilcox ’70 on November 9, 2012
Samuel J. Bologna ’71 on September 27, 2012
Janet Kay (Frishkorn ’71) Madak on July 9, 2012
Betsy (Mickelsen ’73) Miller on October 24, 2012
John M. Arthur ’74 on October 21, 2012
Daniel R. Mackintosh ’74 on June 22, 2012
Robert M. Staats ’77 on August 1, 2012
Thomas A. Sabo ’79 on October 23, 2012
80s Randy A. Champlin ’82 on July 27, 2012
Eva M. (Obendorf ’86) Trombulak on November 8, 2012
00s Robert B. Wilson (MSOL ’00) on November 11, 2012
Friends Dr. Joseph Lamont on October 23, 2012. Dr. Lamont served on the Geneva College Board of Trustees from 1976 to 2008, and also served on the college’s Board of Corporators.
Anna Mae (Dunham) Martin on November 18, 2012
Muriel J. (Phillips) McCarl on August 3, 2012
William H. Miller on December 7, 2012. Mr. Miller was instrumental in the construction of Northwood Hall.
Samuel L. Pelaia on September 30, 2012
Louise E. (May) Zahn on September 12, 2012
Louis Zeiden on October 5, 2012
– Denotes members of the Heritage Society, which recognizes the valuable contributions of alumni and friends who include Geneva in their estate and/or financial plans by gifts made through annuities, charitable trusts, gifts of life estates, undivided partial interests in real estate, or life insurance, and gifts made through their will.
CARL O. HUGHES ’43 (1921–2012) Carl passed away on December 29, 2012. An economics major, he participated in football, track and field, theater, marching and concert band, and The Genevans. Following graduation, he worked as a sportswriter for The Pittsburgh Press and served in the Army before becoming President and CEO of Kennywood Amusement Park. Well known for a desire to honor others and for his love of Geneva College, Carl and his wife, Anny, made many contributions. These include the A.C. Edgecombe Press Box, John Nave Infirmary, Chuck Rosemeyer Student Ministries Office Suite, and many others. In 1974, Carl received the Life G Award.
39
40
Through Geneva’s student ministry program, Dr. Thomas— commonly called Terry by his students—works with people who are specifically preparing for missions-oriented careers. But as an instructor of core Bible courses, he also touches the life of every student at Geneva regardless of major, helping them prepare for kingdom building through many different vocations around the world.
How did you get into the field of Christian higher education?I was working for the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO) doing campus ministry at a variety of places for 20 years before I came to Geneva, so I had spent all my previous time working with college students. While finishing my dissertation, I filled in occasionally for a friend of mine at Washington & Jefferson teaching religion courses. That was the first time I was immersed in teaching, and I thought, “If you’re interested in influencing people, which is what I was interested in, it doesn’t get any better than this. You can make them read books. You get to talk about stuff you think is important. You can make them write papers. Wow, this is fantastic!”
What is your philosophy of teaching?I try to build an environment around which learning is going to take place. It’s not so much about teaching as it is about learning, because who cares if you can teach if nobody learns anything. I think a big part of this doesn’t take place in the classroom, so in the Bible Department, we’ve tried to build in a lot of time outside of class with students. Research shows that student satisfaction, which is correlated to academic success, is positively influenced by the amount of time that students spend with faculty outside the classroom. Then, they’re not fearful in a class setting, and professors seem approachable. They recognize that you care, and they think, “This must be important because he’s telling us this.”
You’re well known for having a great sense of humor. How does that fit your approach?Dumbing Us Down, a book by 30-year teacher John Gatto, proposes that many people have been dulled to some degree by their schooling experience. So they don’t anticipate college being an engaging energetic lively type experience. I like the serendipitous nature of humor, the surprise, the “I-didn’t-see-that-coming” approach, because it keeps students interested. Students are a lot more likely to remain engaged because they’re afraid they’ll miss something funny, and I’m trying to overcome people’s lack of engagement in their own learning. Plus, I like to teach that way (laughs).
As every Geneva student takes Foundations of a Christian Worldview and Culture, what do you intend for them to take away from the experience?We encourage the ongoing development of a Christian worldview, and then flow from there into cultural engagement, which is something that Christians may be accused of not doing at times. We say, “Look, you should be culturally engaged.” And we use popular culture as one of the areas of study because it’s, you know, popular (laughs). Because popular culture vies as one of the things that shape a worldview in students, they have to be able to figure out how to be discerning. We talk about human relation-ships as well—friendships or marriage or the church or dating or whatever—trying to enhance the relationships we have. Students also have to figure out how work relates to their faith in some way, recognizing that that all vocations are kingdom vocations.
Dr. Terry Thomasin conclusion
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I like the serendipitous nature
of humor, the surprise, the
“I-didn’t-see-that-coming” approach…
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apu.edu/studyabroad/programs/geneva
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