A publication for Northwestern College alumni & friends • Fall 2006

UnforgettableThe most memorable games in De Valois Stadium

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President’sreport

The Love of the GameI have always liked sports. In fact, my nickname as a child was Sport. Whatever the season, I was out

on the playing field or gym floor: football in the fall, basketball in the winter, baseball in the spring andsummer. (Back then golf and tennis were only for rich kids, wrestling was only for bullies, and soccer wasun-American.)

The purpose was fun, and the rules in my 1950s Chicago neighborhood were “Everybody plays”(even my sisters) and “There are no sore losers.”

I can still remember when “sports” slid over into “athletics” in my thinking. I was a 105-pound quar-terback on the freshman football team at Taft High School and could

hardly walk home after practice. One evening after a particularly hard day on the field,my dad suggested maybe we should reconsider the long-standing Murphy rule that wenever quit something we’ve begun.

So I quit—I think the coach was relieved when I told him—and I began to realizethere is a difference between enjoying sports and being an athlete: An athlete not onlyenjoys the physical activity but is equipped to excel.

Over time, excelling in physical activity seems to have become more important in ourculture than simply enjoying participation. This in itself is unfortunate. More significantmay be the fact that, even for athletes, “sports” has changed. What was once an opportu-nity for physically gifted men and women to achieve their potential and share theiraccomplishment with appreciative, encouraging communities has too often become awin-at-all-costs, money-driven social obsession.

Lost is the simple joy of sport and a sense of gratitude for the gift of physical skill. Asa die-hard Chicago Cubs fan, I am sure Ernie Banks—the all-star Cub shortstop of mychildhood who preferred doubleheaders because he loved baseball so much—wouldnever have jumped to another club just for more money.

All of which brings me to “sports” and “athletics” at NWC. Throughout the year,approximately 500 men and women participate in intramural sports, exercising their bod-ies, building friendships and having fun. Intramurals provide a useful break from the rig-ors of academic life. At the same time about 385 students participate in intercollegiate ath-letics, honing their unique skills in ways that bring personal satisfaction, great enjoymentto spectators and, we believe, glory to God.

One might say athletics at NWC is a throwback. Academics still comes first. Eligibility standards are high and scrupulouslymaintained. And the motivation to play would please even Ernie Banks: On the fields, the track and in the gym we talk a lotabout love—love the game enough to work hard and become the best you can; love each other, teammates and competitors;and love God by playing with gratitude and humility.

Over the years, Northwestern’s teams have won more than their share of games and championships—toughness and com-petitive drive have certainly been present—but always in the context of our Christian educational mission.

The cover story of this issue focuses on some of the most memorable moments at De Valois Stadium. The stadium playshost to many college and high school sporting events. It is also the home of one of the Midwest’s finest marching bands, thePride of the Dutchmen from MOC-Floyd Valley High School. In many ways, De Valois is a symbol of the activity balance andperspective we seek to achieve on campus and in our community.

Thank you to all who have shared in the rich history of De Valois and all of the activity venues on Northwestern’s campus.

Dr. Bruce MurphyPresident

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Over the years, North-western’s teams have wonmore than their share of games and champi-onships—toughness andcompetitive drive have certainly been present—but always in the context of our Christian educationalmission.

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Fall 2006 Vol. 78, No. 3

EditorDuane Beeson(712-707-7116,beeson@nwciowa.edu)

Staff WritersCarrie (Odell ’01) AndersonDuane BeesonAnita CirulisTamara Fynaardt

Contributing PhotographersTom BeckerDoug BurgJeff BylsmaAnita CirulisJordan Gowing ’10Michael Hudson Bobbie Lydick ’10Dan RossKevin Sutton ’92

DesignersAnji BennettJohn Vander Stelt ’83

The Classic is published quarterly––in March, June, October andDecember–– for alumni and friendsof Northwestern College. So namedbecause it served what was thenknown as the NorthwesternClassical Academy, the Classic wasthe school’s first student newspaper,begun in 1891. It has been analumni publication since 1930.

Send correspondence or addresschanges to the Classic, North-western College, 101 7th Street SW,Orange City, IA 51041-1996.

Visit us on the Web at:www.nwciowa.edu

classicpeople page4Campus news

page8Next-GenerationRaidersAlumni parents

page12Portage: TheJourney BeginsGetting started

page16Of course

page17Face valueJeff Taylor

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page18UnforgettableCover story

page22Full House, Full HeartsAlumni profileMary Wieskamp

page24The World atHer FingertipsFaculty profileJuyeon Kang

page26Annual report

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page28Alumni news

page34Journeying toNorthwesternClassic thoughts

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Northwestern’s enroll-ment is at an all-time high,with 1,342 students attend-ing classes this fall. That fig-ure is a 5.4 percent increasefrom last year, and it eclipsesthe previous record of 1,313set in 2002.

“We are very excitedabout this year’s recordenrollment,” says MarkBloemendaal, director ofadmissions. “It is an affirma-tion of the work done bypeople across campus and ofthe kind of place North-western is.”

A key factor in North-western’s enrollment wasrecord retention of students.Eighty percent of last year’sfreshmen returned this year,as did 68 percent of sopho-mores, both records.

“The retention ratesreflect that Northwestern stu-dents are convinced they’rereceiving quality and value,”says Bloemendaal. “They areable to get the classes theywant and need, and they rec-ognize we’re committed to

helping them be successful inreaching their educationalgoals.”

The admissions officeexceeded its recruiting goal,with 363 new freshmenenrolling. “Students and theirparents are realizing North-western has a lot of goodthings to offer. The messageof a high-quality education ina Christian environment—that you don’t have to sacri-fice anything academically tobe in this environment—isbeing heard,” says Bloemen-daal.

This year’s enrollmentfigures show an increase inthe percentage of male stu-dents, American ethnicminorities and internationalstudents. Thirty-one statesand 23 foreign countries arerepresented in the studentbody. Fifty-five percent ofNorthwestern’s students arefrom Iowa.

The mean compositeACT score of new freshmenis 24.2; their average highschool grade point average

was 3.50. Nearly 28 percentof the freshmen graduated inthe top 10 percent of theirhigh school class.

“Top students are beingattracted to NWC because ofour academic reputation andstrong co-curricular pro-grams, in addition to thefaith-based character of the

school,” says Bloemendaal.Over the last 15 years,

Northwestern’s enrollmenthas increased by 31.4 per-cent. This year’s figures are15.7 percent higher thanthose of 10 years ago and a3.7 percent increase over fiveyears ago.

Enrollment sets new school record

Dr. Laird Edman greets junior psychology major Jillian Groeneveld in a receptionline following the Opening Convocation in August.

Dr. Bruce Murphy,Northwestern’s president sinceJanuary 2001, announced onOct. 9 that he will retire fromthe presidency upon the conclusion of a search for hissuccessor. Murphy will be 65next summer.

“By announcing myretirement now and having aflexible departure date, Ihope to enable the college tocomplete a search process

without needing to appointan interim president,” saysMurphy. “Ideally, the newpresident will be able to bepart of our 125th anniversarycelebration during 2007–08and provide excellent leader-ship as we enter the publicphase of fund raising for the$30 million ImagineCampaign.”

For more details, visitwww.nwciowa.edu.

Murphy announces plans to retire

Drs. Bruce and Di Murphy will retirefrom Northwestern after a new presi-dent has been hired.

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“By having a flexibledeparture date, I hope to enable the college to complete a search processwithout needing to appointan interim president. ”

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Northwestern’s businessdepartment has receivedaccreditation from theInternational Assembly forCollegiate BusinessEducation (IACBE).

“We are very pleased toreceive this recognition,” saysVonda Post, chairperson ofthe business department.“Accreditation helps verifythe credibility of our depart-ment for prospective studentsand prospective employers.”

Reviewers praised thedepartment for the highquality of education and careit provides students. “Thefaculty show considerableinterest in having studentsachieve excellence in theirbusiness education,” wroteevaluators Dr. Allen Belcherof Northwest Christian

College in Eugene, Ore., andDr. Stan Obermueller ofConcordia University,Seward, Neb. “On severaloccasions, students com-mented on the faculty’s con-cern for their well-being andnoted the considerable timespent in mentoring them.”

The accreditation appli-cation process included acomprehensive self-study, on-site evaluation last March, areport by the site-visit team,and finally approval by theIACBE board of commission-ers. The next on-site accredi-tation visit is scheduled for2016.

Northwestern’s businessdepartment includes six full-time faculty members andtwo adjunct faculty. Thedepartment offers majors in

accounting, agri-business,business administration (withoptions in agri-business,finance, general, humanresource, management andmarketing), business educa-

tion and economics. This fall,271 students (18.5 percent ofthe student body) are major-ing in one of the depart-ment’s programs.

Business department receives accreditation

Two women have been hired to provide leadership forNorthwestern in the areas of spiritual formation andalumni/parent relations.

Dr. Susan Heeren Reese is the interimdean of spiritual formation and vocation anddirector of the Lilly Grant. As such, she over-sees the college’s campus ministry and careerdevelopment offices and also directs initia-tives aimed at helping students discoverGod’s call.

Reese formerly directed admissions effortsat the University of Sioux Falls. She also has

been a resident director, instructor of educational ministries/student services, and associate dean of residence life at col-leges and seminaries in California, Minnesota and SouthDakota.

Reese earned a doctorate in adult and higher education at

the University of South Dakota. She also has a master’s degreein counseling and a bachelor’s in religious studies.

Reese replaces Dr. Keith Anderson, who is academic deanat Mars Hill Graduate School in Seattle.

Tiffany Lassen ’99 has been namedNorthwestern’s director of alumni and parentrelations. She is currently the officer incharge of the U.S. Department of VeteransAffairs office at Yongsan Army Garrison inSeoul, South Korea. She will begin her posi-tion next summer.

A history major, Lassen has been a VAemployee since graduating from North-

western. She started in the regional office in Des Moines andalso served in Japan. She is nearing completion of a master’sdegree in public administration from the University ofOklahoma.

Lassen replaces Karen Woudstra ’79, who is pursuingother career interests. Woudstra is among a group of individu-als who have part-time responsibilities in the alumni officethis school year.

NWC hires interimdean, alumni director

Susan Reese

Tiffany Lassen

Accreditation reviewers complimented Northwestern’s business faculty, such as Dr.Jan Carrell, for their commitment to helping students reach their goals.

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For the third year in arow, Northwestern is rankedin the top 20 among Mid-western comprehensive col-leges by U.S. News & WorldReport. The magazine’s 2007America’s Best Collegesguidebook lists North-western in a tie for 20th outof 108 schools in its category.

The U.S. News rankingsare based on key measures ofquality such as academicreputation; retention (fresh-man retention and six-yeargraduation rate); faculty

resources (including classsize, student-faculty ratio,percentage of faculty withthe highest degree in theirfield, and faculty compensa-

tion); student selectivity;financial resources; andalumni giving.

“We are constantlyworking to improve thequality of Northwestern, andit’s very good to see that’sbeing recognized by thisnational publication,” saysDr. Bruce Murphy, president.“The top-20 ranking is anaffirmation of the work ofmany people in all areas ofthe campus.”

Northwestern fared par-ticularly well in the percent-

age of freshmen who were inthe top quarter of their highschool class, tied for seventhwith 58 percent; and in themagazine’s ranking of alumnigiving, tied for 19th out ofthe 108 colleges in its catego-ry with 25 percent of alumnidonating to the college.

Northwestern also wasamong 163 institutionscited as a 2007 “Best in theMidwest” college by thePrinceton Review, based onthe opinions of current stu-dents.

Northwestern again ranked among nation’s best

“Loud, dusty, dirty and noisy.” That’s how DaleThompson describes the condition of the Rowenhorst StudentCenter now that work has begun on a major $4.9 million ren-ovation of the building.

Thompson, a member of the student development staffand the RSC’s supervisor, is among those working with theproject’s general contractor, Hoogendoorn Construction ofCanton, S.D.

Crews began demolition work in July, completely guttingthe front portion of the building. It and the parking lot northof the RSC will be closed until construction is completed inAugust of 2007.

“Anybody who was on campus or in the area 30 yearsago is recognizing the old factory that the building once was,”Thompson says. “It’s being stripped down to its original steel-work, columns and beams.”

The next major objective will be to work on the clerestory,a raised portion of the roof rimmed with windows. From theRSC’s main entrance to the doors leading into the mini-gymna-sium, a 30-foot-wide section of the roof will be elevated six feetto add height and light to the interior of the building. Crewswill be working to enclose the roof’s addition by winter.

Offices and services previously housed in the RSC havebeen relocated to other parts of campus for the 2006–07school year. The RSC control desk is now in the mini-gym—which, like the Korver Weight Room and racquetball courts,

Webcasts availableNorthwestern’s extensive webcasts can keep you

connected to campus life through the convenience ofyour computer. Visit www.nwciowa.edu/live to watch allhome football and basketball games and select soccerand volleyball games. Recent technical upgrades haveincreased the number of users who can log ontoNorthwestern’s webcasts simultaneously.

Audiocasts of many games are also available. Inaddition, live audiocasts of chapel services can be heardat www.nwciowa.edu/live.

Archived audio recordings of past chapel servicesand select Red Raider athletic contests are available atwww.nwciowa.edu/chapel/archives andwww.nwciowa.edu/athletics/archives, respectively.

can be accessed through the doors just to the east of theweight room. Northwestern’s bookstore is temporarily housedin the lounge of Hospers Hall.

To view the latest photos of construction progress as wellas architects’ plans for the renovation, visit Northwestern’swebsite at www.nwciowa.edu/rsc.

Work under way on RSC renovation

Eight new full-time faculty members are teaching atNWC this fall. They include:

Carol BraaksmaInstructor in English as a Second Language (ESL)• M.A. in teaching English as a second or

other language, Michigan State University• Spent a total of six years as an ESL teacher

in Japan and China• Former ESL instructor and department chair at Davenport

University in Holland, Mich.

Derek Brower ’89Instructor in Education• M.Ed. in technology education, Western

Washington University• Taught science for 13 years in Iowa,

Washington, Botswana, the Marshall Islands and Thailand

• Served as mentor to new teachers

Dr. Daniela CambetasVisiting Instructor in DevelopmentalPsychology• Ph.D. in educational psychology, University

of South Dakota• Part-time instructor, statistical consultant,

guest lecturer and tutor at USD• Research interest in female adolescent peer relationships

Dr. Diana GonzalezAssociate Professor of Spanish• Ph.D. in linguistics, University of

Göttingen, Germany• Native of Argentina who has taught at

universities in Peru, the U.S., Mexico, Germany and Argentina

• Fluent in Spanish, English and German; able to readItalian, Portuguese and French

Elizabeth Heeg-Truesdell ’01Visiting Instructor in Biology• Completing a doctorate in biochemistry,

molecular biology and cell biology from Northwestern University

• Co-author of articles published in the journals Current Biology and Developmental Biology

• Recipient of training grants for research from the NationalInstitutes of Health

Dr. Paul SavariappanVisiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics• Ph.D., University of Madras, Chennai,

India• Member of the statistics faculty at Loyola

College in Madras, India, for 20 years• Author of research articles published in Microelectron and

Journal of Applied Statistics

Tom Truesdell ’01Visiting Instructor in English• M.A. in writing pedagogy and theory,

DePaul University• Writing tutor at DePaul• Served as writing center specialist and also

designed and led writing workshops for College of Lake County in Grayslake, Ill.

Ryan ZonnefeldInstructor in Education• M.A. in educational administration,

University of South Dakota• Former principal of Hull (Iowa) Christian

School• Nine years of experience as teacher and administrator at

Christian schools in Iowa and California

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Eight join NWC faculty

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Alumniparents

Forty-two new Northwestern freshmen are keeping withtradition by attending their parents’ alma mater. For these stu-dents, reality shows have always been on TV, professional ath-letes have always competed in the Olympics, and “Google”has always been a verb—as in “I Googled myself to see howmany times I show up on the Internet.”

Their parents attended Northwestern in the 1970s and’80s when Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader were still ene-mies. And Johnny Depp, known to this generation as CaptainJack Sparrow, was just about to get his big break on TV’s 21Jump Street. When these alums were spreading their wings,Dukes of Hazard and Hawaii 5-0 were on TV, and the BeachBoys, Chicago, and Simon and Garfunkel were playing on theradio.

The intervening years of rising careers and raising kidshave dulled memories somewhat, but this year’s alumni par-ents remember a few things about their own formative fresh-man year.

Times change …

What was the newest building on campus when you enrolled?

“The Rowenhorst Student Center opened during ourfreshman year. We were surprised to see it hadn’tchanged much. We’re pleased with the renovations ourdaughter will enjoy.” Nancy (Froehle ’83) and Paul Wissink’83, Newton, Kan.

What was your most indulgent purchase for college?“A beanbag chair.” Mary (Vermeer ’84) Nyhof, SiouxCenter, Iowa

Next-Generation RaidersPaul Wissink ’83 teases his daughter Jenna about the amount of stuff she brought for her first year in Stegenga Hall.

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“I hung up pictures of my family, and my roommate hung up posters of Sylvester Stallone.”

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“Smith-Corona typewriters.” Gary ’82 and Julie (Van Hove’82) Hegstad, Sanborn, Iowa

“My mom bought two sets of sheets for my dorm room.After sending three older siblings to Northwestern, Iguess she had an idea of how often bedding gets washedat college. At least I had clean sheets twice a semester!”Barb (Van Nyhuis ’76) Hofmeyer, Auburn, Ind.

Describe your freshman year roommate experience.“Sharing a room wasn’t so bad, but one telephone for 26girls took some adjustment.” Nancy Wissink

How did you and your roommate decorate your dorm room?“Blacklight posters.” Kevin Veldhorst ’79, Oostburg, Wis.

“I hung up pictures of my family, and my roommatehung up posters of Sylvester Stallone.” Beth (Dykstra ’83)Van Meeteren, Cedar Falls, Iowa

“With a 2-by-8-foot display of pop cans.” Gary Hegstad

What campus traditions and pranks do you remember?“Capture the Freddie. Guys on different Colenbranderfloors took turns hiding a cardboard cutout of PresidentFriedhelm Radandt. I also remember lab mice floatingdown from the chapel ceiling in little parachutes.” DaveDunkelberger ’85, Waconia, Minn.

“The Colenbrander guys would make their freshmen singto the Fern Smith women from the lawn outside ourdorm the first night of school. They also raided our dormin the middle of the night, pounding on our doors towake us up or quietly tying our doors shut with twinestring. Another time they dumped bags of leaves knee-deep down the hall; we had bugs crawling through thedorm for months.” Beth Van Meeteren

… but some things stay the same

What styles were popular when you went to college?“Miniskirts, palazzo pants, empire-waist dresses, long,straight hair.” Anita (Plantage ’77) Bomgaars, Orange City

What was your toughest class freshman year?“Western Civilization.” Deb (Pennings ’79) Kosters, Sibley,Iowa

What were your study habits like?“We studied hard in our dorm rooms and studied men inthe library.” Anita Bomgaars

Mom and dad (Darla [Granstra ’85] and Bob Vander Plaats ’85) could be makinga move to Des Moines if Bob is elected Iowa’s lieutenant governor in November. Nomatter as Hans’ new home is Colenbrander Hall.

Brent Dunkelberger moves into Colenbrander Hall too—where his dad, Dave ’85,also lived as a freshman.

What did you miss most after you left home?“My mom doing my wash.” Kevin Veldhorst

“My mom’s cooking.” Dave Dunkelberger

In what ways did you grow and change at Northwestern?“I learned patience with others’ taste in music and how toget organized and not wait until the last minute to gethomework done. I grew as a Christian with the help ofgreat professors and lots of late-night discussions withfellow believers.” Nancy Wissink

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Members of SMILE (Student Move-in Leaders) roam campus on Aug. 18, lookingto carry boxes (and couches, refrigerators, computers, lofts …) for new freshmenand their parents.

Beth Kosters, daughter of Deb (Pennings ’79), takes a break from all the unpacking.

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“Sharing a room wasn’t so bad, but one telephone for 26 girls took some adjustment.”

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“I learned to think more independently. Professors andothers helped open my view of the world.” Janine(Salterberg ’76) Calsbeek, Orange City

“Professors challenged me to shift my focus from self-cen-tered teenager to thinking about how I could allow Godto work through me. I got into the habit of looking ateverything through faith, enabling me to make my owndecisions while in close communication with God.” BethVan Meeteren

Family values

“We have dreamt of Jenna going to Northwestern sinceshe was born. We hope she experiences the same greatsense of community we did.” Nancy and Paul Wissink

“Our prayer is that Curt will find Christian friends,coaches and professors to be a blessing in his life—justlike we did at Northwestern. We hope he will be a bless-ing to others too, just like he has been to us.” Anita andDave Bomgaars ’77

“We hope John’s professors inspire him to ask questions,to think about his faith, to consider his life and use it tomake the world a better place.” Janine and Doug Calsbeek’79

“I’m so happy my daughter chose Northwestern!” MaryNyhof

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Steve and Barb (Van Nyhuis ’76) Hofmeyer get ready to say goodbye to son Luke.

In the history of Northwestern College and the Reformed Church inAmerica, the Zwemer name looms large.

Adrian Zwemer was a Reformed Church pastor, and his three sons alsoserved as ministers. Among them, James was the first principal ofNorthwestern Classical Academy, and Samuel pioneered missions toMuslims and later taught at Princeton Seminary.

Over 20 years ago, J. Harold Netten ’54 sought to honor the Zwemers’contributions and encourage young leaders to follow their example ofministry by establishing the Adrian P. Zwemer Family Scholarship.

“Every year, I get a thank-you letter from the scholarship recipient,”says Harold. “That’s all the reward I need, knowing I’m helping youngpeople to achieve their goals, just like so many people did for my gen-eration at Northwestern.”

For information about establishing an endowed scholarship, contactCornie Wassink, director of planned giving, 712-707-7109 orcwassink@nwciowa.edu.

Legacy

James Zwemer, the first principal of Northwestern Academy, is one ofthe namesakes of the Adrian P. Zwemer Family Scholarship.

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As students paddled their canoes across MooseLake, 16 years of dreaming became reality forDave Nonnemacher, Northwestern’s director of

service learning.Nonnemacher had long desired to take incoming

freshmen to one of his favorite places on earth—theBoundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northernMinnesota. But this wasn’t just a rustic vacation—it wasan invitation to begin college in an unusual way byparticipating in a six-day experiential learning programcalled Portage: The Journey Begins.

Named for a trail connecting two bodies of water, thePortage program was created to provide a transition from highschool to college for a small group of students. One objectiveof the trip was to build community among the eight freshmenwho signed up and the six upperclassmen who served as peerleaders. Another goal was to provide opportunities for thefreshmen to process leaving home as they began a new stagein their lives.

The freshmen arrived on campus Aug. 12, went through abrief orientation, and woke up the next day at 4 a.m. to headfor the Boundary Waters. That’s when the journey began ...

First strokes

The larger group divided in two,taking off on different routes forthe next few days. The trip beganwith a challenge from nature: Itrained all day. “If I have any advicefor canoeing in the rain,” saysfreshman participant BobbieLydick, “it would be to buy a goodset of rain gear, not the $7 spe-cial.” Despite sitting in wet clothesin wet canoes, the participantsstarted out with energy and anappreciation for the beautyaround them.

Gettingstarted N o r t h w e s t e r n C l a s s i c

by Carrie (Odell ’01) Anderson

Canoeing, says Portage coordinator Dave Nonnemacher, is great for teachingteamwork. “It’s the best lesson on how to work together.”

Freshmen participating in Northwestern’sPortage program pose for a group photo infront of Moose Lake with their upperclasspeer leaders and program coordinator DaveNonnemacher.

GettingstartedN o r t h w e s t e r n C l a s s i c

Stormyseas

“As we started onour journey, everythingseemed perfect. We fol-lowed the south shorelinewith the map as our guide.The wind was at our backs,and life on the water seemedeasy. But we soon found outwe were lost; we had gottencompletely turned around.We headed north to theportage once we orientedourselves, but our speed wascut in half in an instant.

“We were now paddlinginto the wind, and whitecapsstruck our boat with a hurl-ing force. We said nothingbut paddled on knowing wecould rest once we got to our

destination. My arms startedto hurt and I wanted to stop,but I knew that wasn’t anoption.” —Bobbie

Day by day

“We set off in ourcanoes, wandered about inthe vast lakes and rivers, gotlost (thanks to David Jones’masterful orienteering) andfinally found a campsite … Ican’t wait for tomorrow.We’re gonna canoe somemore, portage some more

and definitely see more ofthis utterly amazing dis-play of God’s beauty,power and glory.”

—Taylor Mugge

All over the map

The freshmen wereresponsible for navigatingthe lakes. After an introduc-tory lesson using compassesand laminated maps, thestudents took turns eachday keeping (or trying tokeep) the group on course.When a wrong turn wasmade, leaders allowed it tohappen—recognizing thatpart of experiential learningmeans figuring some thingsout on your own.

“They were teachablemoments,” Nonnemachersays. “It was an opportunityfor us to ask, ‘How doesthat translate to gettingthrough your first semesterof college?’”

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Freshman participant Bobbie Lydicksaid the Portage program helped pre-pare her for college by giving her timefor reflection.

Incoming freshman Taylor Mugge carries acanoe on one of the trip’s dozen portages.

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“This trip taught me sever-al skills that will be usefulfor college and the rest ofmy life. I’m not talkingabout how to portage acanoe 180 rods, how to diga sump hole, or how to per-form a proper J-stroke,although these skills areimportant. I’m talkingabout leadership, team-work and humility. ”

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Portage: up close

Students said the bestmeals of the trip were macand cheese, beef stew andMcDonald’s on the wayhome. Least favorite mealswere oatmeal and any mealthat wasn’t big enough.

Six must-have itemsfor the trip: Sierra cup (see“The lingo”), bandanas,camera, Bible, Lafuma 600sleeping bag and Chapstick.

The lingoA crash course on somecommon Boundary Waterterms

• Gunwale (pronounced“gunnel”) up: Out on thelake, this is the phraseused for canoes to gathertogether for a little meet-ing—or a handful ofGORP (Good Ol’ Raisinsand Peanuts).

• Sierra cup: stainless steelcup/bowl/plate used atevery meal (often multi-ple times, as it’s your onedish)

• Duluth pack: sturdy can-vas bag used to haul per-sonal and group gear

• Rod: unit used to meas-ure portage trails (onerod = 16 1/2 feet)

Making camp

“Today God gave me aneven greater sense of adven-ture. After canoeing for thebetter part of the morning,we found this sweet islandwith the best campsite we’veseen yet. It’s tucked into abay on the north shore of thewest arm of Knife Lake,about half a mile fromCanada.” —Taylor

Class is out

Many experiential learn-ing trips, such as this one,use the outdoors as a teach-ing tool. “Canoeing is greatfor teamwork,” Nonnemachersays. “It’s the best lesson onhow to work together.”

“This trip taught me sev-

eral skills that willbe useful for college

and the rest of mylife. I’m not talking

about how to portage acanoe 180 rods, how to dig asump hole, or how to per-form a proper J-stroke,although these skills areimportant. I’m talking aboutleadership, teamwork andhumility.

“On the trip, I was toldto navigate to our next desti-nation, with nothing but amap and compass. The hard

part wasn’t trying to discoverour location by finding land-marks, it was leading a groupof people who are dependingon you to take them to thenext campsite, when youmay not be sure of the direc-tion you need to go.”

—Jordan Gowing

Coming home

After five days on thelake, the two groups werereunited for the drive back toOrange City. Halfway home,they stopped at a rest areanear Minneapolis to have afinal debriefing session. “Wetalked about everyone’s indi-vidual experience and whatthey took away from this

journey,” says freshman RyanDembeck. “The main thing Igathered from that time wasthe importance of ongoingreflection. This journeystretched me in all aspects oflife.”

“Through this journey Ihave been taught to keep myeyes open and my heartready to be changed. I havebeen taught to carry my ownload and help those aroundme—when to ask for helpand when not to. I have beentaught to search for whatGod has to say through thejourney.”

—Bobbie

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Freshman Andrea Dolge finds aquiet spot to journal. Participantsspent daily time in reflection, andon the last day of the trip, theafternoon was set aside for a fewhours of time alone to read, writeand pray.

The shortest portage of the trip was five rods (see “The lingo”),and the longest was 240 rods.

SnapshotsKey moments on the trip

• Taking the wrongportage trail and havingto do the whole thing allover again

• Discovering one morningthat rotten meat juicehad leaked onto the restof the food

• Cliff jumping• Seeing a “double sky”—

viewing the stars both inthe sky and reflected onthe lake

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“Through this journey I havebeen taught to keep my eyesopen and my heart ready to bechanged. I have been taught tocarry my own load and helpthose around me. ”

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GettingstartedN o r t h w e s t e r n C l a s s i c

Portage reflections: The journey neverendsby Kevin Sutton ’92

When we think about what aportage is, a carry between two bodies ofwater, we can begin to gain an under-standing for what this kind of experiencemight mean to an incoming student.

At the end of a particularly longlake, the group beached their canoes,hoisted packs to their shoulders andbegan the long hike up. Those not carry-ing packs carried canoes, some for thefirst time, struggling for balance andfooting. The portage was long and thetrail was steep, as it ascended to a crest.

Reflecting back on the portage, sev-eral said, “I knew I just had to keep myfeet moving and not look back.” Lookingback is difficult and most were hesitantto do it, though from that vista, onecould see a long way back and takeaccount of the distance they had come.Looking back meant setting the loaddown, which only prolonged the dis-comfort. At the top, a shimmer of bluewater appeared—just a glimpse at first,then suddenly the whole lake was beforethem.

There is a sense that these portageexperiences represent parts of a commonexperience all incoming freshmen will gothrough. Leaving behind what is familiar,trying something new, hesitating to lookback—and a vision for the future, excite-ment for what is ahead, a growing senseof solidarity with new friends, a world ofpossibility. The Portage program offers aguided and deliberate effort to look bothways. Looking back and looking forwardare two critical disciplines that shapehow well we walk in the present.

Our hope is for this program to be awatermark for the student to say, “I’vebeen here before. I’ve faced something

like this, and I can use that experi-ence to help me navigate

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“In spite of the labor, it is this that makes portaging worthwhile: There

is no substitute. You could be dropped there by helicopter or view it

from a low-flying plane, but unless you have climbed cliffs, scaled

precipices, and inched your way upward, fighting for breath, you have

no understanding of the satisfaction of the first long look into space. So

it is with portages and the first sight of glorious blue through the trees.

When I dropped my canoe at last into the water and stood there puffing

and blowing and looking down the expanse of the lake, my feeling of

accomplishment was one that had been earned.”

—Sigurd F. Olson, a well-known writer and frequent

visitor to the Boundary Waters

through this next phase.” The Portageprogram is not meant to be an experi-ence for students to check off the list,but rather a kind of guidepost thathelps them find their way, even deep

into the semester.

Kevin Sutton ’92, co-leader of the Portage program,formerly served on the staff at Honey Rock Camp innorthern Wisconsin.

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Class:CSC 450: Value Issues inComputing

Instructor:Mike Wallinga, instructor incomputer science

Computer sciencemajors spend much of theirtime learning the technicalaspects of networks and pro-gramming. But at the end oftheir senior year, they’re chal-lenged to intentionally focuson the ethics involved withthe information age. In-structor Mike Wallinga callsthe class a “capstone”—acourse he says “pushes themout into the real world.

“In other courses, wemight talk about securityfrom a technical perspec-tive—how to put a firewall inplace. Now we ask, ‘What isyour moral responsibility tomake the system secure?’”

Each week the classfocuses on a different issue,such as hacking and viruses,copyright and property laws,or censorship. On Tuesdays,students take turns facilitat-ing discussion about a chap-ter in their textbook, Ethicsfor the Information Age byMichael Quinn. Then onThursdays, each studentshares an example of a cur-rent event or journal articlerelevant to that week’s topic.

Lively discussion ensues,particularly around morecontroversial issues, such asdownloading music and pic-tures from the Internet, orWeb content filters, whichprohibit objectionable mate-rial from being viewed.

Because all discussionsare student-led, Wallingasometimes finds it difficult tosit back and listen. “I comeprepared if the conversationwanes, but I try to stay quiet.They’re preparing to gradu-ate—it’s valuable for them tolead the discussions. But,” headmits, “I’ve been known tojump in.”

Students completereview questions each weekand write a response to thearticle or event they sharewith the class. They alsohave two papers: One is areview of an academic articlerelated to the course; theother, a favorite assignmentof students, is to write abouta current book, televisionshow or film that deals withcomputer ethics.

The course incorporatesdisciplines such as law andphilosophy, which Wallingasays brings a human perspec-tive to technology.

“Technology for technol-ogy’s sake isn’t always thebest thing,” he says. “Wewant students to understandthat and apply it whenthey’re shaping the technolo-gy of the future. As theyleave Northwestern, it’s niceto know there are people inthe workplace with well-founded morals.”

Wallinga says teachingthis course has been reward-ing for him. “I appreciate theopportunity to have thesediscussions and to interactwith students on this level.It’s affirming to see theirmaturity and insight as theyprepare to enter the work-place. It’s important to methat our students are notonly technically adept, butthat they are equipped tomake smart decisions in ethi-cal situations.”

Ofcourse

Code of ethics

Reel assignmentsExamples of films and information age ethical issues stu-dents have explored:

Minority Report (2002). In the future, people are arrestedfor crimes they haven’t committed (but supposedly will).The film contains many parallels to data mining, theprocess of searching databases for patterns, and questionsthe level of trust we should place in the results.

Blade Runner (1982). A cop is assigned to hunt androids,robots that look and behave like human beings. Themovie explores robotics, artificial intelligence and what itmeans to be human.

You’ve Got Mail (1998). The two main characters don’t likeeach other in person, but unknowingly become attractedto one another as they correspond over the Internetthrough e-mail and instant messaging. While lighthearted,the movie raises issues about the ability to be anonymouson the Internet (and whether that is good or bad) and theway technology is changing our communication habitsand social interactions.

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Describe yourself in three words.Crucified with Christ.

What is the most important part ofyour job?Being a mentor and just trying to servemy students well.

What are you an expert at?I’m a jack of many trades, master ofnone. I do many things—teach, directplays and design lighting—but I can’tsay I’m an expert at any of them.

What do you wish you were anexpert at?Teaching. I always want to serve my stu-dents better.

What do you dream of doing?Finishing the play Dr. Florence, whichI’m currently writing. It’s inspired by thelife of my mother, who went throughmedical school in the late 1920s. Theplay has to do with her struggles of faithand being a physician. I dream of havingthat finished and produced somewhere.

Describe Northwestern College inthree words.Gracious. Rigorous. Visionary.

Why this job at this college?I can’t think of a job or a calling any-where else that better fits my gifts andminimizes my weaknesses. I am at onewith the mission of the college.

What is your unique perspective onNorthwestern College—what do yousee that no one else does?One thing I care very deeply about andsee is people struggling with significantspiritual issues, and I want to be avail-able to them.

What one thing would you changeabout Northwestern?Two things: more time and change inlocation. If we could have about threemore hours in each day, that would bereally nice. I would also try to convincethe board to move Northwestern toNew England.

What do you value?Relationships with the Lord; my wife,

Sue; family; friends; colleagues; and stu-dents.

What or who do you want to be yet?I just want to be me—but with passion.I want to have passion for living; I wantto have passion for Christ. I want to bethe person God created me to be, atpeace with my shortcomings and full ofjoy as I follow my calling.

Jeff TaylorTeacher, designer, light

A member of Northwestern’s theatre faculty since 1980, Jeff Taylor has designed scenery and lighting for pro-ductions in Alberta, British Columbia and Massachusetts.

N o r t h w e s t e r n C l a s s i cCoverstory

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Horrible weather. Odds-defying comebacks.Record-setting individual performances.Outstanding team efforts.

Since the first football game was played in 1957 at what is nowknown as De Valois Stadium, fans of the red-and-white haveseen it all. This fall, we asked some of them—along with cur-rent and former NWC coaches—to come up with a list of thetop 10 games at De Valois. Are you ready for some football?

St. Thomas, 198317-10

In miserable conditions that included rain, sleet, snow andwinds gusting at 25 mph, top-ranked Northwestern came backfrom a 10-7 deficit in the fourth quarter to get the first-roundplayoff win over the fourth-ranked Tommies. The turf was slip-pery and came up in big chunks, contributing to eight fumblesin the game. At one point, the teams exchanged possessionfour times in five plays because of fumbles. Mark Muilenburgheld on, though, with 4:34 to play, getting a great block fromLarry Blake on a third-and-short option play and running 67yards for the game-winning touchdown. The Raiders went onto capture the national championship two games later.

“I wouldn’t have let my dog out in weather like that.” – St. Thomas coach Paul Dienhart

Valley City State, 199614-7

Heavy snow fell throughout the first-round playoff game, andplayers battled below-zero wind chills. Sleet, lightning andthunder were also part of the weather conditions. The RedRaiders were playing short-handed, as 12 athletes served aone-game suspension for off-field infractions. As weather and

Jeremy De Bie watches hisfield goal attempt sailthrough the uprights to giveNWC a 28-26 win overMinot State in 1994.

Players battle heavy snow and below-zero wind chills in a 1996 gameagainst Valley City State that was also delayed by lightning.

Unforgetta

CoverstoryN o r t h w e s t e r n C l a s s i c

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field conditions deteriorated, the scoring was completed inthe second quarter on a Raider eight-play touchdown drive.In the second half, Tim Harskamp intercepted a pass at theRaiders’ three, Mike Bogaard made an interception in the endzone, and the line stuffed the Vikings on a fourth-and-twonear the goal line. NWC was outgained 357 yards to 221.

“The story of the game is the guys whostepped into the lineup. In some situa-tions, we had to play guys who were nottotally prepared.” – NWC coach Orv Otten

Minot State, 199428-26

In a quarterfinal-round playoff game in Coach Larry Korver’s lastseason, the Raiders overachieved against a much bigger MinotState team. Jeremy De Bie kicked the go-ahead 37-yard field goalinto the wind with 1:40 left in the game. With no time left onthe clock, the Raiders blocked a 45-yard Beaver field goalattempt. Minot State outgained NWC 463 yards to 301. Korvercalls it the greatest team effort Northwestern has ever had.

Morningside, 198420-19

NCAA Div. II Morningside had a 13-0 lead at halftime, allow-ing NWC only seven yards of rushing. The Raiders wentahead, 14-13, with 3:58 left in the game on a fourth-and-25TD pass from Jay McKinstrey to Mel Elsberry. The MaroonChiefs seemed to have the game in hand when they got atouchdown with 1:12 to go. But with :34 left on the clock,Brian Hotze, surrounded by three defenders, caught a 33-yardpass to give NWC the victory.

“If the game had ended sooner, wewould have been on top.” – Morningside coach Erv Mondt

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able The most memorable games in De Valois Stadium

St. John’s, 198233-28

The Raiders came into the first-round playoff game with an11-0 record and the top ranking in the national NAIA poll.Still, a columnist for the St. Paul Pioneer-Press predicted a pic-nic for St. John’s because of Northwestern’s “patsy” schedule.“The teams [NWC] has played, the Johnnies would tear intosmall pieces and sell the remnants for tree decorations at bou-tiques,” wrote the journalist. The hungry Raiders jumped outto a 33-14 lead after three quarters and held on for the win,stopping the visitors four times inside the four-yard line late inthe game.

Ottawa, 200336-33

Ottawa star Derrick Ward, now a running back for the NewYork Giants, rushed for 315 yards in a first-round playoffgame. But Raider fans will long remember a second-quartergoal-line stand in which the Braves were denied a touchdowndespite three rushes by Ward. On a fourth-and-one, AustinJanssen broke through the line to tackle Ward at the two.Playing in a blustery wind, Ottawa led 27-14 with 9:16 left inthe third quarter. The Raiders briefly held a 28-27 lead butneeded an eight-yard touchdown run by Jon Paulsen and atwo-point conversion with 1:27 left in the game to advance tothe quarterfinal round.

“[Derrick Ward] is the best back we’ve faced or will face.” – Defensive back Matt McCarty

by Duane Beeson

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De Valois makeoverRed Raider fans are enjoying a new and improved De ValoisStadium this fall. Over the summer, aluminum bleacherswith 3,100 seats and better sight lines were installed. Therenovation also includes a new press box. Learn more andview photo galleries at www.nwciowa.edu/stadium.

Raider fans and players celebrate on the field after the quarter-finalround playoff victory over Minot State in 1994.

You make the callWhat Red Raider home games stand out in yourmemory? Play Monday morning quarterbackand post your favorite games atwww.nwciowa.edu/memorablegames.

Yankton, 196941-20

Competing against a team that featured future NFL super-star Lyle Alzado, the Red Raiders scored on the first play ofscrimmage when Steve King raced 65 yards for a touch-down. The squads played to a 14-14 halftime tie, but a 21-point third quarter broke the game open for NWC. The BigRed defense intercepted four passes and held the Grey-hounds to 240 yards. Northwestern racked up 486 yards inoffense in the Homecoming game, led by 187 yards rushingfrom King and 123 from Jan Bolluyt.

Buena Vista, 197214-3

Playing before what longtime fans estimate was the firststanding-room-only crowd at De Valois, Northwesterndefeated a team that was ranked No. 8 in the NAIA. Withwinds gusting to more than 30 miles per hour, the teamsplayed to a

7 scoreless tie at halftime. A 32-yard field goal put BV on thescoreboard first with 10 minutes left in the third quarter, butCurt Krull threw a TD pass to Mitch Bengard a few minuteslater. When Ray Neville forced a fumble in the Beavers’ endzone and pounced on the ball for a touchdown, the Raiderwin was wrapped up.

Nebraska Wesleyan, 200135-34

In an emotional game featuring undefeated teams on theSaturday after 9/11, the Raiders were ranked fourth andNebraska Wesleyan was ranked 13th. NWC scored a touch-down late in the game to cut the Prairie Wolves’ lead to oneand went for the two-point conversion. A fade was called toKarlton Hector. Wesleyan took a time-out. The Raiders thenchanged the play, and Dave Perrigo plunged over the goalline behind the blocking of Nick Scholten and Chad Negus.

Yankton, 196342-6

Area residents paid for a plane ticket so Arlene Smith ofOakland, Calif., could see her son, Larry, play college ball forthe first time. The senior halfback responded in the Parents’Day game, scoring four touchdowns and gaining 130 yardson 17 carries. With a 4-4 record, this season was the firsttime Northwestern got to .500 as a four-year school.

“Larry Smith was the best running backwe’ve ever had at Northwestern.” – former Northwestern coach

Larry Korver

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CoverstoryN o r t h w e s t e r n C l a s s i c

Raider runners-upWho said we could list only 10 games?

Midland, 196719-19After seven straight losses in Coach Korver’s inaugural season,the Raiders ended the year with a tie that signaled the turn-around that was to come for the Northwestern football pro-gram. Only 32 players—and one eligible senior—were on theNWC roster.

William Jewell, 197328-2The first playoff game hosted at De Valois featured top-rankedNorthwestern, 10-0, against third-ranked William Jewell, 11-0. Gary Vetter returned the opening kickoff 95 yards to theone-yard line. The Cardinals crossed the 50-yard line onlytwice.

Sioux Falls, 198814-9Despite giving up five interceptions, a lost fumble and 10penalties, Northwestern moved its record to 12-0 in a first-round playoff game. With less than four minutes remaining, a10-play drive resulted in a Craig De Haan TD run.

Teikyo Westmar, 199128-16This game is remembered more for what happened after-ward—an on-field melee instigated by an unhappy Eaglesquad. Teikyo Westmar’s coach was heard encouraging hischarges to keep their helmets on as time expired. Raidercoaches were disappointed that their videographer turned hiscamera off after the game so they had no footage to send tothe NAIA.

Drake, 199613-6Playing in a mud bowl from steady rain, the Raiders intercept-ed a pass that led to the go-ahead touchdown with 1:29remaining. The win avenged a 1995 loss to Drake that keptNWC out of the playoffs.

Handoff

While much of the activity at De Valois Stadium has beendecidedly unromantic, the facility has been the site of at leastone marriage proposal.

On April 12, 1995, All-American defensive back GregTerpstra ’96 told his girlfriend, Nikki Hulstein ’96, that hewanted to show her something on the football field. Not thesmoothest line, perhaps, but it didn’t phase Nikki—Greg wasknown to spend time on the field and in the stands, contem-plating games.

At dusk as they sat in the bleachers, a message ran on thescoreboard: “Nicole Hulstein, will you marry me?” Gregpulled out a lighted jewelry box, got down on one knee andproposed.

Today Greg and Nikki live in Lynden, Wash., with theirthree daughters. Nikki is a lawyer, and Greg teaches atLynden Christian. He also coaches JV football—but he doesn’tgive the guys any pointers on the fine art of grandstand pro-posals.

Dave Meylink tackles a Yanktonrusher in the Raiders’ 41-20 winin 1969.

by Amy Scheer

Mary (Ten Pas ’87)Wieskamp remembers think-ing, “This will change ourlives—hopefully for the bet-ter.”

In September of 2004,Wieskamp’s sister, Nancy(Ten Pas ’82) Josiah, wasdeployed to Kuwait with herArmy Reserve unit to serve atwo-year appointment. Herfive children moved toOostburg, Wis., to live withWieskamp, her husband andtheir four children.

Nine kids, ages three to18.

“I know what it’s likegrowing up in a large family,”says Wieskamp, who haseight siblings. Her husband,Tim, has only three. Yet, shesays, besides stopping topray, they didn’t hesitate tohelp Josiah, who is separatedfrom the children’s father.

“Family—you sticktogether,” says Wieskamp. “Itreally wasn’t a hard decision.”They bought bunk beds anda second car. They filled theirgrocery carts with twice asmuch food and read thebacks of boxes: “One pack-age of Hamburger Helpersays it serves five. I makethree packages. Hopefully,everybody gets fed.”

Their church held a gro-cery shower, with membersdonating food items. Wies-kamp never counted the bags

Alumniprofile N o r t h w e s t e r n C l a s s i cM

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Full House, Full Hearts

Nancy Josiah (standing, blue shirt) was recently reunited with her five children after two years of military service in Kuwait.While she was away, her kids lived with the family of her sister, Mary Wieskamp (standing, red shirt).

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overflowing with cereal andcanned goods, but she canremember lining her kitchenfloor with them and wonder-ing where she’d find roomfor all their contents—ahappy challenge.

The school called.Anything they needed?Having moved from LosAngeles, some of Josiah’schildren had never seensnow, let alone owned cloth-ing appropriate for a Wiscon-sin winter. The school pro-vided boots and snow gearfor all.

Chore charts soon deco-rated the Wieskamps’ walls,and the kids learned to maketheir own bag lunches andput away their laundry. Aftermeals, they’d dry dishes—thesame number of dishes as

their age, since the only dish-washers in the house arepeople. Sometimes, though,Wieskamp finished the dish-es herself, just to be in aroom alone with herthoughts. “How often doesthat happen?” she asksrhetorically.

Doing dishes for pleas-

ure? How does she manage? By listening to her

Christian radio station, tak-ing one day at a time, andnever falling too far behindwith the laundry. She’ll spend30 minutes at night readingthe Bible or a book by aChristian author, then retireto bed, rise early and beginagain.

“The next morning is anew day. You’re not going tobe perfect,” she says, shrug-ging off the small problemsthat could bring her downwhile running a bustlinghouse.

Before the Josiahsmoved in, Wieskamp toldher own children, “You haveto share us for awhile.”They’ve shared their parentsand their rooms, and they’vegiven up their yearly familyvacation.

Though predictable cul-ture clashes occurred—LosAngeles and Oostburg aredifferent cultures, saysWieskamp—the cousins real-ly enjoy each other. It’s onlywhen the kids are short onsleep that the complaintsstart coming. “The littlest onemisses Mommy, especiallywhen he’s tired,” Wieskampsays.

And vice versa. “I missthem dreadfully,” wroteJosiah in an e-mail while inKuwait, so Wieskamp triedher best to keep her sister in“that everyday process ofparenting.” When Josiahwould call on Sundays,Wieskamp would prep heron which of her children hada test coming up, or who didwell at football camp. Motherand child could then make

the most of their 10 minutesof conversation per week,before the phone card ranout.

“At the beginning, Ibelieve my children put offdoing things and makingdecisions, hoping they couldjust wait until mom camehome,” Josiah wrote. “Italked with them about thisand they began to see thattheir lives were going to con-tinue whether I was there ornot. They have learned a lotabout how to move ondespite things not being theway you want them to be.”

Josiah struggled dailywith her dual role as momand military officer while inKuwait, where she worked asan office manager.

“In some ways I feel thatI live in some in-betweenworld,” she wrote. “I am notdirectly involved in combat,

but I am not at home withmy family. At times I feelguilty for living in a placethat is relatively safe. Wehave to constantly remindourselves that what we aredoing is very important andwithout us more would diein combat.”

Wieskamp says she andTim were grateful to supportthe big sister she alwaysadmired, and to provide sta-bility for her children whileshe was deployed in serviceto her country.

“My answer to prayer istheir being able to comehere,” she says, having lovedher full house. AnticipatingJosiah’s return to the statesthis past August, Wieskampsaid, “It will be quiet. Butsometimes, it’s nice to have alittle noise in the house.”

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Mary Wieskamp reads with her 11-year-old nephew, Kortu.

Cousins Maatilor (6) and Hannah (11) enjoy the rope swing at the Wieskampfarmstead.

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Pianist Juyeon Kang has performed throughout her native Korea and the United States, as well as in Brazil, China, Finland,Italy, Spain and Taiwan. She continues an extensive touring schedule while teaching and accompanying at Northwestern.

The World at Her Fingertips

by Amy Scheer

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In Korea, students fallsilent when an instructorenters the room. A com-

mand is spoken, and all bow.American students typi-

cally continue their conver-sations until the official startof class, so it’s only naturalthat Dr. Juyeon Kang pickedup on the cultural differ-ences when beginning herteaching career. One day inclass, the assistant professorof music told her North-western students she could-n’t help but see the practiceas disrespectful.

The next class period,when she entered, a youngwoman stood.

“Attention! Bow!” shesaid, and the students did so.They looked at Kang andsaid, in Korean, “How areyou?”

They had sought out aKorean student on campusfor a language lesson, turninga clash of cultures into a ges-ture of respect. Kang wastouched.

Kang grew up in Taejon,South Korea. The churchplant her family attended haddifficulty finding pianists, soKang’s family offered freeroom and board to individu-als who would commit toplaying. The pianist alsoserved as nanny and pianoteacher to Kang and herthree siblings, all of whomplayed instruments.

When she was three orfour, Kang showed abilityand interest in the piano.“My mother decided to makeme the church pianist,” shesays. In time, she did play forthe church, eventually mov-ing at age 15 to attend anintensive arts high school in

Seoul.After staying in Seoul for

undergraduate and graduatestudies, Kang wanted tostudy in America. At East-man School of Music inRochester, N.Y., professorNatalya Antonova introducedher to the transcendentpower of music. Antonova isRussian, and she’d play pas-sages to demonstrate whatshe wanted, rather thanstumble through articulatingher instructions in English.

“Every lesson, I hadtears in my eyes,” Kang says.“I realized music is such apowerful tool. That inspiredme to work harder.”

Antonova persuadedKang to enter piano competi-tions, and she found successnearby in New York City andas far away as Italy. Whiletraveling to Europe and visit-ing its museums and archi-tectural marvels, “all the artsstarted to make sense,” Kangsays.

“It expanded my under-standing of art. My teachernoticed that my playingbecame more artistic. Before,I was more focused on play-ing the right notes. Music isnot about playing the notes;it’s about much more. It’sabout connecting yourself tobeauty.”

Kang sees playing musicas a spiritual activity. “It feels

like praying,” she says.“When I pray very deeply, Ifocus on God. It feels like Ibecome nothing. I don’texist. It’s beyond my veryself. It’s my spirit communi-cating with God. Practice isvery similar. Yes, I have tofocus on physical elements,but once I focus on music, Iforget about my fingers. Onlythe music exists.”

Kang cites three times inher life when music tran-scended the earthly goings-on in a very specific way.Twice this happened in audi-tions: once while playing aMozart sonata, and once, aGrieg concerto.

Another moment hap-pened in a jazz class atEastman. She was asked toimprovise, something classi-cal pianists are not trained todo. “I felt like I was notthere; like life was so alive.Everyone in the classroomknew something happened,”she said. But such momentscannot be planned for: “Itdidn’t happen on the per-formance day.”

In March, Kang traveledto Colorado with studentKathleen Kropp, and the twoperformed together at highschools and churches in thearea where Kropp was raised.While there, Kang stayedovernight at a convent andplayed for the elderly sisters.It refreshed her to be there,she says, as she seeks herown way to honor Godamidst the travel and theplaying and the teaching.

“As I live longer, I feellike I know less. Sometimes,I wonder, ‘Where is myplace?’”

This past summer, Kangreceived a NWC SummerScholarship Grant to workon some music by Mozartand Schumann as well asarrangements of hymns andworship music. She per-formed some of her researchpieces in Korea, Taiwan,China and Brazil, includingTaiwan Presbyterian Semi-nary College and Korea’sSoong Sil University, twoschools with ties to North-western.

Kang traveled extensive-ly in Asia last summer aswell, researching the poten-tial of a future study abroadlocation for Northwestern.She remembers being con-cerned that after leaving herhomeland, returning toMidwestern America would-n’t feel like a good fit.

But, she says, as soon asshe walked through the doorof her Orange City house,she was content.

“Ahhhh,” she thought toherself, “I’m home.”

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“When I pray very deeply, Ifocus on God. It feels like Ibecome nothing. I don’texist. It’s beyond my veryself. It’s my spirit communi-cating with God. Practice isvery similar. Yes, I have tofocus on physical elements,but once I focus on music, Iforget about my fingers.Only the music exists.”

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“Music is not about playingthe notes; it’s about muchmore. It’s about connectingyourself to beauty.”

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05–06

“For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable

according to what one has.” 2 Corinthians 8:12

Northwestern College

Annualreport

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Northwestern Fund (operating) 2004–05 2005–06

Alumni $408,641 $438,547

Friends $419,290 $462,345

Foundations/grants $142,583 $107,839

Corporations $124,885 $138,997

Churches $348,831 $418,813

Other $20,913 $34,760

Subtotal $1,465,143 $1,601,301

Capital and endowed gifts (non-operating) 2004–05 2005–06

Alumni $361,360 $241,660

Friends $523,101 $2,589,039

Foundations/grants $74,543 $33,500

Corporations $95,611 $31,231

Churches $0 $1,000

Estates $222,953 $1,619,593

Other $117,710 $41,200

Subtotal $1,395,278 $4,557,223GRAND TOTAL $2,860,421 $6,158,524

Instructional & academic

support ($34)

Financial aid

($30)

Physical plant

($8)General

institutional expenses

($14)

Student services

& admissions

($14)

und raising 2005–06✴ Total giving was a record $6,158,524 from 7,262 donors.

✴ The average gift to the Northwestern Fund was $166 from 2,201 alums; giving to the NW

Fund from all constituents averaged $276 (up $33 from 2004–05).

✴ The percentage of alumni giving to Northwestern was 28 percent. (The national average of all

colleges and universities for alumni giving in 2005–06 was 12 percent.)

✴ The Tower Society included 224 members this year who gave $1,000 or more to the NW Fund;

59 members gave at the leadership level of $2,500 or more.

✴ The Heritage Society grew by 14 members to 584.

✴ Church giving was $419,813 from 354 churches.

Fund raising 2005-06Did you know that without your annual gifts to the Northwestern Fund,

tuition at Northwestern College would have to be $1,320 higher each year for

every student? For the year ending June 30, 2006, annual Northwestern Fund

gift income represented 9 percent of the total dollars expended for education-

al and general purposes.

Your gift dollars

How does Northwestern spend each $100 given?

N o r t h w e s t e r n C l a s s i c

AnnualreportN o r t h w e s t e r n C l a s s i c

Best giving percentageClass of 1937 . . . . . . . . . . . . 64%

Class of 1954 . . . . . . . . . . . . 63%

Class of 1951 . . . . . . . . . . . . 62%

Class of 1949 . . . . . . . . . . . . 60%

Class of 1943 . . . . . . . . . . . . 59%

Best giving overallClass of 1953 . . . . . . . . . $95,485

Class of 1972 . . . . . . . . . $79,668

Class of 1975 . . . . . . . . . $70,224

Class of 1968 . . . . . . . . . $53,365

Class of 1965 . . . . . . . . . $46,577

Best giving to the Northwestern FundClass of 1969 . . . . . . . . . $24,047

Class of 1955 . . . . . . . . . $22,830

Class of 1957 . . . . . . . . . $18,760

Class of 1983 . . . . . . . . . $18,680

Class of 1972 . . . . . . . . . $18,320

Bequests received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,790,381

Irrevocable planned gifts consummated . . . . $25,351

Gifts for endowed scholarships . . . . . . . . . $1,767,931

In memory of Tamara Kuhnau, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Kuhnau

In memory of Ron Muilenburg, Rev. Paul Colenbrander

In memory of Grandma Pearl, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Barker

In memory of Helen Utke …

Mr. and Mrs. Gary D’Agrosa

Dr. Adrienne Forgette

Ms. Adah Hanson

Ms. Audrey Hugelen

Mrs. Mary Kepp

Ms. Anne King

Drs. Bruce and Diane Murphy

Dr. Cornell Runestad

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Schwoegler

Mr. and Mrs. Atlee Svanoe

Mr. and Mrs. James Svanoe

Ms. Randi Svanoe

Rev. Rolf Svanoe and Dr. Kimberly Utke-Svanoe

Dr. and Mrs. Gerald Van Es

Professor MaryLou Wielenga

Bomgaars Supply Scholarship

Pre-nursing Scholarship

Paul and Jennie Smith Scholarship

Dave and Marilyn Van Engelenhoven Scholarship

Ted Van Grootheest Scholarship

1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $19,300,000

1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $26,000,000

1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $29,200,000

2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $33,700,000

2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $33,400,000

2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $31,400,000

2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $31,800,000

2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $34,400,000

2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35,700,000

2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $37,900,000

New scholarships 2005-06

Endowment

Planned giving 2005-06

Memorial gifts 2005-06

Alumni giving

Read and review the full

2005–06 Annual Report at

www.nwciowa.edu/annualreport.

Use the password “give2nwc”to access the report. If you

prefer a printed version, please

request one from the

college’s advancement

office, 712-707-7106.

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Artha (Korver ’31) Bomgaars, age 96,died July 17 in Le Mars, Iowa. Aftergraduating from NorthwesternJunior College, she earned a bache-lor’s degree from Westmar College.She taught for 29 years, spendingthe last 15 at Franklin ElementarySchool in Le Mars. She was a mem-ber of Mother’s Club andPresbyterian United Church ofChrist, where she served as anelder, deacon, choir member andSunday school teacher. She is sur-vived by two children.

Henry Mouw ’34, age 90, died May19 in Orange City. He farmed formany years and then served as atruck driver for Tolman Fabricatingin Orange City. He was a memberof Trinity Reformed Church andNorthwestern’s N-Club. He is sur-vived by his wife, Violet; three chil-dren, including John ’65 and Donald’70; and three brothers, includingRalph ’36, ’38 and Alfred ’41.

The Rev. Lloyd “Parse” De Jong ’37,age 88, died April 17 in Thiensville,Wis. After graduating from North-western Junior College, he went onto graduate from Coe College andMcCormick Seminary. He served asa chaplain in the Navy for approxi-mately a year before returning toserve as pastor of Chippewa Falls(Wis.) Presbyterian Church. Heministered in various churches inWisconsin before accepting a posi-tion as chaplain at Buena VistaUniversity in Storm Lake, Iowa.Recipient of an honorary doctoratefrom Carroll College, he served aspresident of several organizations.Among his survivors are five chil-dren and a sister, Harriet Kuiken ’43.

Dr. Merrill Wallinga ’39, age 87, diedMay 20 in Sioux Center. Afterattending Northwestern JuniorCollege, he earned a degree in vet-erinary medicine from Iowa StateUniversity. He practiced veterinarymedicine for many years in bothCedar Rapids and Sioux Center. AWorld War II Army veteran, he was

a member of Central ReformedChurch, where he served on theconsistory. He also served on theSioux Center Community SchoolBoard and was a member of theDoornink-Brunsting AmericanLegion Post and the Sioux CenterLand Development Corporation.His survivors include his wife,Marie, and two daughters.

The Rev. Dr. Calvin DeVries ’41,Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died June 25 atthe age of 85. After graduating fromNorthwestern Junior College, heattended Hope College. He graduat-ed with honors in philosophy fromNew Brunswick Theological Semi-nary and received an honorary doc-torate from Hope in 1993. A pastorfor more than 40 years, he retired inCedar Rapids. He served on manydifferent religious committees andreceived recognition from the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith forhis leadership and service in build-ing bridges between Christians andJews. He also was a board memberfor Illinois College, Coe College andJohnson C. Smith TheologicalSeminary. Among his survivors aretwo daughters and four siblings,including Esther Top ’47.

James Van Es ’72, Grinnell, Iowa,died April 21 at the age of 56. Aftergraduating from NWC, he receiveda master’s degree from St. ScholasticCollege in Duluth, Minn. He taughtjunior high math and coached foot-ball and basketball in Searsboro,Iowa. He later managed PorterRecreation in Grinnell, worked forMarshalltown Office Supply andwas a sales representative for AppleComputers. He then taught mathe-matics at Berg Middle School inNewton. He was a member ofGrinnell Christian Church and pastpresident of Grinnell Country Cluband Grinnell Jaycees. Among hissurvivors are his wife, Phyllis (Kreun’74), and his parents.

Albertena Vander Weele, North-western’s director of career develop-ment from 1981 to ’85, died of cancerJuly 19 at her home in Palos Heights,

How is Northwestern College impactingyour life today? Maybe that’s a strange ques-tion for you, something you haven’t consid-ered recently—or ever! I want to challengeyou to think about the difference North-western College makes in your life, eventoday.

As the president of the National AlumniBoard, I have the privilege of getting back tocampus for many events: board meetings,Homecoming, the Distinguished AlumniBanquet, fall orientation and the Faculty/StaffAppreciation Banquet, just to name a few.

Each time, my one-hour drive back to Sioux Falls is full ofrenewed appreciation for Northwestern and new challengesfor my own life. In many ways, I feel like I am gaining morefrom my involvement at NWC today than I did as a student15 years ago.

I witness the dedication of the school’s leaders, alongwith their unwavering trust in God’s faithfulness. I observeprofessors’ commitment to high-quality education and tointegrating faith in the classroom. I see students’ vital spiritu-ality and desire to seek God’s will in their lives.

All this challenges me tothink about how God is workingin my own life. I am challenged toprayerfully entrust my life to Godand to remember his plan isalways greater than my own. I amchallenged to integrate my faithinto every aspect of my life,whether that’s my job, churchinvolvement or relationships. Andfinally, I am challenged to taketime in the busyness of life to pay attention to what God isdoing—and more importantly, what he wants to do in my life.

Maybe for you, Northwestern College is a distant memo-ry, something you are reminded of whenever the Classicarrives or the phonathon begins. While you may not be ableto visit campus on a regular basis, I challenge you to recon-nect with Northwestern however you can. Perhaps that isthrough regularly visiting the website (www.nwciowa.edu);attending campus events such as Homecoming, Praise andWorship, athletic contests and music or theatre performances;or attending special alumni events in your corner of theworld.

I think you will see, as I have, the awesome way God isworking at Northwestern College and once again let NWCimpact your life.

Alumnicorner

Tonya VanPeursem ’94President,National AlumniBoard

“In many ways, I feellike I am gaining more from my involvementat NWC today than Idid as a student 15years ago.”

Ill., at the age of 54. Most recently sheworked at her alma mater, TrinityChristian College, as director of careerplanning and placement. She is sur-vived by her husband, Michael, a for-mer English professor at NWC, andtheir four children.

Amanda “Mandy” (Schutte ’00) VanGelder, Sibley, Iowa, died May 29 atthe age of 28. After receiving adegree in elementary/middle schooleducation from NWC, she earned amaster’s degree in leadership ineducation from the University ofSioux Falls. She taught middleschool math in Little Rock and thenfifth grade at Sibley-Ocheyedan,where she also was the cheerleadingcoach. She was a member of FirstReformed Church and the localP.E.O. chapter. Her survivorsinclude her husband, Joel, and ason, Teddy.

Class notes

’83 Jeff Taylor, Rochester, Minn., is theauthor of a book entitled Where Didthe Party Go? William Jennings Bryan,Hubert Humphrey and the JeffersonianLegacy, published recently by theUniversity of Missouri Press. Formore information, visit his websiteat popcorn78.blogspot.com.

’84 Stephen Schwander, St. Peters, Mo.,and his family recently returnedfrom a mission trip to a Haitianschool he helped start 12 years ago.He currently serves as financial sec-retary for MIBOSAM, which oper-ates a school, medical clinic andBible broadcast in inner-city Port-au-Prince.

Sara (Sybesma) and Jeff Tolsma ’85and their three kids have moved toHeidelberg, Germany, where theywill live for two years. Jeff is work-ing at the GELITA corporate head-quarters in Eberbach, and Sara ison personal leave from her biologyfaculty position at NWC.

’85 Dan Addington, Chicago, is exhibit-ing a sample of his paintings andmixed media works at the AliyaLinstrum Gallery in Atlanta in ashow that runs Oct. 5–30. Moreinformation can be found atwww.aliyagallery.com.

’88 Karmen Woelber now serves as aphysical therapist at Allen Hospitalin Waterloo, Iowa.

’90 Dan Wheeler, Waverly, Iowa, servesas a territory sales manager forDVM Resources. His wife, Tammy(Schuck ’89), stays home with theirfive children.

’91Terry Gaalswyk, Sioux City, is thenew dean of instruction atWestern Iowa Tech CommunityCollege. He has served in severalroles there, including mathematicsinstructor, department chairpersonand associate dean of instruction.He is also pursuing a doctorate ineducational leadership with anemphasis in higher education

through Iowa State University.

Arlin Top, Manson, Iowa, teachesphysical education at MansonNorthwest Webster CommunitySchool. His wife, Lora (Bandstra’94), teaches business at Fort DodgeSenior High School.

’95 Loree (Carlberg) Vander Zwaag,Orange City, recently became ownerof Covenant Business Group, a firmthat specializes in direct-contactmarketing. She has worked for thecompany for six years. Her hus-band, Mike ’94, serves as a partsmanager at De Jong Oil and runs ahobby business, Recreation WheelsLLC, which sells ATVs, dirt bikes,go-karts and other vehicles. Theyhave one son, Joshua (11).

’96 Dr. Bryce Armstrong has openedNew Life Chiropractic in Ankeny,Iowa. He previously practiced atArmstrong Chiropractic for sevenyears in Minnesota.

Matthew Oltmanns recently graduat-ed with honors from Eastern Vir-

ginia Medical School in Norfolk,earning an M.D. degree. He willcomplete his ophthalmology resi-dency at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He and his wife,Veronica, have two children, Thalia(4) and Weston (1).

Keith Starkenburg, Charlottesville,Va., is writing his dissertation for adoctorate in theology, ethics andculture from the University ofVirginia. His wife, Becky (Dykstra),serves as area coordinator for theresidential colleges and languagehouses at the university.

’98Sherrie Barber Willson, JenniferVander Molen ’99 and SaraVeldhuizen Stealy got their kicks

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Alumni: What’s new with you?Let us know so we can tell your friends and classmates. Send to: Office of PublicRelations, Northwestern College, 101 7th Street SW, Orange City, IA 51041. Or e-mail to classic@nwciowa.edu; fax number is 712-707-7370. Deadline for the winter ’06–’07 Classic is Oct. 16.

Name _________________________________________________________________Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Home phone ________________________________________ Class of ____________E-mail ________________________________________________________________Current employer(s) ____________________________________________________

Sherrie Barber Willson, Jennifer Vander Molenand Sara Veldhuizen Stealy (left to right) traveledhistoric Route 66 for a week in June.

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Miniprofile

School board meetings,legal notices … they maysound boring to most peo-ple, but for Ariel Emery ’05,they’re all fodder for stories.

As editor (and solewriter and photographer) ofa small weekly newspaper,Emery has learned to findinspiration in such unlikelysources. In fact, she does thisso well that in May she wasnamed the 2006 Outstand-ing Young Journalist amongweekly newspapers by theSouth Dakota NewspaperAssociation.

The award is given eachyear to a journalist under 30.Emery won the award—plusfive individual ones—for herwriting and photography forthe Two Rivers Times andLeader-Courier in UnionCounty, S.D., where shestarted right out of college.

All of her submissionswere about ordinary peopleand events, but in Emery’shands, they became com-pelling. One of her individ-ual award winners (for bestnews story) was for an articleon the North Sioux City FireDepartment conducting atraining session while burn-ing down an old house. A

photo of Dakota Dunes aftera snowstorm won secondplace in the best spot newsphoto category.

“Nice, strong leads thatreally pull the reader into thestory. Great sense of humorin columns. A big plus isyour eye for the photo,”noted judges.

Now editor of theHawarden Independent/IretonExaminer in Iowa’s SiouxCounty, Emery says at firstshe was a bit overwhelmedby her responsibilities. The

publisher, who also owns herformer papers, touches basewith her frequently but isbased in South Dakota,meaning Emery is prettymuch on her own.

“It was very startlingthat first week to thinksomeone would trust me tofill an entire publication,accurately quote the mayorand not botch up the citybudget,” she says.

She takes her responsi-bilities seriously, knowing theimportant role the paper

plays in readers’ lives. “It’struly a community paper,”she says. “I know everyonein town reads it and looksforward to it. It’s anotherthing that connects them toeach other.”

Emery, who majored inwriting and rhetoric andminored in political science,got her start in journalism asa writer for the Beacon. Sheserved as editor for a yearand also participated in theSummer Institute of Jour-nalism in Washington, D.C.,which, besides honing herjournalism skills, confirmedshe’s a small-town girl.

“While there are manythings you can’t get here, Ilike the serenity,” says Emery,who grew up in Northfield,Minn.

Emery would eventuallylike the chance to work withother people’s writing—“Ithink I’m more of an editorthan a writer at heart,” shesays—but in the meantime,she’s enjoying being her ownboss.

Know any news in west-ern Sioux County? There’s aneditor in Hawarden whowould love to take your call.

Alumna named outstanding young journalist

Ariel Emery holds her trophy for being named South Dakota’s Outstanding WeeklyNewspaper Young Journalist. She is pictured with her publisher, Bruce Odson (left),and National Newspaper Association President Jerry Reppert (right).

driving Route 66 from Chicago toSanta Monica, Calif., in June. Checkout the details of their road-trippingadventure at routesixtysix.blogspot.com.

’99David Brommer has completed adoctorate in geography, with a con-centration in climatology, at ArizonaState University. He is now an assis-tant professor of geography at the

University of Alabama.

Sherry (Groen) Koopman, Colton,S.D., recently graduated with amaster’s degree in reading leader-ship from the University of Sioux

Falls. She teaches fourth grade inthe Dell Rapids Public SchoolDistrict.

Marie (Tilderquist) Menke, LakeMills, Iowa, teaches special educa-

by Sherrie Barber Willson ’98

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tion at Lake Mills CommunitySchool. Her husband, Kyle, teachesthird grade at Lake Mills and coach-es varsity boys’ basketball and jun-ior varsity baseball.

’01 Abby (Thompson) Kassmeier,Beatrice, Neb., earned a master’sdegree in curriculum and instruc-tion from Black Hills StateUniversity. She is now teaching highschool English in Beatrice.

’02Andrea Brouwer is attending nursingschool at Mercy College of HealthSciences in Des Moines after fouryears of teaching fifth grade. Sheobtained her EMT-B certificationand is working part time atMidwest Ambulance Service.

Melinda (Krull) De Leeuw, George,Iowa, recently completed a master’sdegree in education from Morning-side College. She teaches elemen-tary special education at George-

Little Rock.

Colin Doughan, Omaha, works forLockheed Martin’s business opera-tions. His wife, Corinne (Fanning),recently left her position as assistantbranch manager at Nebraska StateBank to stay home with their newson.

Sarah (Gosselink) Hille and her hus-band, David, moved to Costa Ricain September to serve as field sta-tion managers at QuetzalEducational Research Center.

Matt Landman graduated fromVanderbilt University School ofMedicine in May. He is serving in ageneral surgery residency atVanderbilt University MedicalCenter in Nashville, Tenn.

Dr. Elizabeth (Vermeer) Lawrence,South Sioux City, Neb., serves as anassociate veterinarian at the SouthSioux Animal Hospital. She gradu-ated in May from the Iowa State

University College of VeterinaryMedicine.

Cory and Lacey (Olsen) Lemmert areteaching English at Cool USALanguage Institute in Pingdu,China, for one year. They also facili-tate English programs at local mid-dle schools.

’03 Elizabeth Anderson, Omaha, gradu-ated from Grace University in Maywith a master’s degree in counselingand a concentration in state licen-sure. She now serves as a mentalhealth therapist at CapstoneBehavioral.

Jennifer Back, Sheboygan, Wis.,completed a master’s degree in arttherapy. She serves as an activitydirector for Community RetirementLiving and also works as an arttherapist at Aurora SheboyganMemorial Medical Center.

Aaron Delhay, Butte, Mont., teaches

middle school science and socialstudies. His wife, Lisa (Stubbendick’02), is a stay-at-home mom.

Eric Reeves recently completed aMaster of Divinity degree at DenverSeminary. His wife, Cassy (Klinger),teaches kindergarten at DakotaValley Elementary School and ispursuing a master’s degree in read-ing from the University ofColorado-Denver. They areinvolved in starting a home church.

Erica (Brewer) Schieffer, Templeton,Iowa, is a graphic designer atTrophies Plus.

’04Anna-Kari Folden teaches specialeducation to native Alaskans in therural Lower Kuskokwim SchoolDistrict near Bethel. She previouslytaught on the Yankton SiouxReservation in South Dakota.

Kelly (Punt) Larson, Roseville,Minn., is a financial analyst at HB

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In 18 years, she’ll be ready for college.Will you?

A bottle and a clean diaper are all it takes to meet her needs today. Beforeyou know it, though, you’ll be helping her choose a college.

It’s never too early to start preparing for that moment. To give your savingsan added boost, invest in the Independent 529 Plan. Sponsored by North-western and more than 240 private colleges, this national plan lets you lockin tomorrow’s tuition at less than today’s price.

Visit www.independent529plan.org or call 888-718-7878 to learn moreabout this prepaid tuition plan—and start preparing for her future today.

Little Raider Kamea Van Kalsbeek is the daughter of Manda (Nelson ’99) and B.J. Van Kalsbeek ’99.

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Fuller in Minneapolis. Her hus-band, Peter, is a computer program-mer.

Jeannine Lovas is pursuing a master’sdegree in English at the Universityof Nebraska in Lincoln. She is spe-cializing in Great Plains studies.

Kacey (Van Dyke) McQuilkin worksat Mayo Medical Center in Roch-ester, Minn., serving as a nurse ingynecological surgery. Her husband,Brian, is finishing his last year inthe Doctor of Physical Therapy pro-gram at the Mayo School of HealthSciences.

’05 Julie Eben works as an executiverecruiter for Manpower Professionalin Des Moines.

’06 Amy Commers is pursuing a master’sdegree in library and informationstudies at the University ofWisconsin-Madison.

Derrick Haskins works as the tobac-co communications coordinator forthe South Dakota Department ofHealth in Pierre.

New arrivals

Tammy (Schuck ’89) and DanWheeler ’90, son by adoptionfrom Guatemala, Jack Perez (1),joins John (13), Malea (10),Brady (5) and Kesley (4).

Linda (Koele ’90) and Jim Else ’89,daughter, Alloree Joy, joinsAubree (12).

Jason and Karla Jongeling Hanson’90, son, Luke Todd, joins Ketia(7).

Megan and Curt DeJong ’93, daugh-ter, Kelsey Rae.

Bill and Beth (Van Marel ’93) Scott,son, Derek Michael, joins Caleb(4).

Lori (Voskuil ’94) and Rick Scholtens’92, son, Karsten Richard, joinsTrevor (8) and Garrett (5).

Lora (Bandstra ’94) and Arlin Top’91, daughter, Haidyn Jean, joinsKendra (8) and Treyton (3).

Tricia (Vander Waal ’94) and DanVermeer ’93, daughter by adop-tion, Ella Faith, joins Brant (10),Isaac (7) and Jack (4).

Lisa and Todd Derr ’95, daughter,

Kyla Vanderlaan, joins Rory (5).Becky (Dykstra ’96) and Keith

Starkenburg ’96, daughter, MiaJohanna, joins Samuel (2).

Jill (Zeiger ’96) and Shane Ver Steeg’96, twin sons, Owen Zeiger andWill Bartels, join Samuel (4).

Suzy and Matthew Jahn ’97, daugh-ter, Aubrianna Nanci, joinsLynnette (2).

Marie (Tilderquist ’99) and KyleMenke ’99, son, Elijah Daniel.

Chad and Erica (Huyser ’00) Kluver,son, Chase Vernon Elmer, joinsJacob (2).

Melissa (Vermaat ’01) and DaveNystrom ’99, son, Zachary Isaiah.

Shane and Melinda (Krull ’02) DeLeeuw, son, Collin Alan.

Lisa (Stubbendick ’02) and AaronDelhay ’03, son, Solomon James,joins Elijah (2).

Corinne (Fanning ’02) and ColinDoughan ’02, son, Jackson Dale.

Tami (TeSelle ’02) and DrewNamminga ’00, son, Mason Ellis.

Erica (Schuiteman ’05) and BrandonKamerman ’06, daughter, KinleyRae.

Searches are open for the followingfaculty positions:

Clinical psychology (tenure track, beginning Jan. 2007)Psychology (tenure track, beginning Aug. 2007)

Job descriptions and application details are availableat www.nwciowa.edu/employment. Northwesternseeks individuals who are Reformed and evangelicalin theology and committed to the distinctives of aChristian liberal arts education.

Northwestern College complies with federal and state regulations concerning nondiscrimination in employment. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Prayer is essential in the Christian life, sopart of a Northwestern education is trainingin prayer. We learn “Christian proficiency,”the title of a book by Martin Thornton. Wememorize efficient prayers, like the Lord’sPrayer or the Jesus Prayer: “Lord JesusChrist, Son of God, have mercy on me, asinner.”

We discover the discipline of prayer andthe need for courage and stamina, even aregular pattern. We learn confession of sin,thanksgiving for grace, petition for needs,

intercession for others, and adoration of God’s holiness. Wepray privately and in community, with a clear directiontoward being transformed into Christ-likeness. We use whatThornton calls “mental prayer,” with thoughtfulness andpreparation, because we want to know God manifested inChrist as well as possible.

Thornton also uses the word “colloquy,” a great word todescribe the interaction within community and with God bythe power of the Holy Spirit. When a collection of peoplegather in God’s presence with honesty and love, it canbecome colloquy. A prayerful colloquy can happen in class-rooms or residence halls, in the cafeteria or athletic huddles,in chapel or Bible studies or study sessions, on service proj-ects or tours.

In the conversation, an informal creative dialoguebetween the Spirit and people happens. In that relationship,God transforms us. Be part of a colloquy. Please join thisSpirit-formed community by praying regularly for and withNorthwestern College.

Prayercorner

The Rev. HarlanVanOort ’82Chaplain

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Ashley (DeBower ’05) and RyanMusil ’05, son, Riley James.

Marriages

Abby Thompson ’01 and RonKassmeier, Beatrice, Neb.

Allison Berger ’02 and Jake Tenge,

Hudson, Wis.Laura Fryman ’02 and Mick Jackson,

Papillion, Neb.Erica Brewer ’03 and Justin Schieffer,

Templeton, Iowa.Angela Hershberger ’03 and Jadon

Klaver ’04, Des Moines.Heidi Hagena ’04 and Lee McCoy,

Elkhorn, Neb.Jackie Haupert ’04 and Sam

Langstaff, Indianola, Iowa.Kelly Punt ’04 and Peter Larson,

Roseville, Minn.Kara Sult ’05 and Adam Halford ’06,

Sioux Falls.Scott Brouwer ’06 and Amanda

Brown ’07, Orange City.Renee Van Regenmorter ’06 and

Aaron Alons, Sanborn, Iowa.

The couples reside in the city listed.

Miniprofile

by Emily Hennager ’06

In her high-energy class-room, math teacher Linda(Brundeen ’86) Seeger rarelyspends time merely lecturingon formulas or derivatives.Instead, she draws on TVshows, games and currentevents to engage students inlearning.

“To be an effectiveteacher, you have to beknowledgeable and alsosomewhat of an entertainer,”says Seeger, who teachesupper-level math at OkobojiHigh School in Milford,Iowa.

Her innovative way ofconnecting with students isjust one of the reasons shewas honored with thePresidential Award forExcellence in MathematicsTeaching. The award recog-nizes two teachers from eachU.S. state and territory, onein math and one in science,and is the nation’s highesthonor for teaching in thosefields.

Seeger was presentedwith the award in May dur-ing an official ceremony inWashington, D.C. The week-

long celebration included areception at the SmithsonianInstitute, a State Departmentdinner and the opportunityto meet President George W.Bush.

Each recipient wasawarded a citation signed bythe president, as well as$10,000 from the NationalScience Foundation. Theweek also included profes-sional development opportu-nities with leading math andscience researchers.

“We learned about thenew frontiers from people onthe cutting edge of thesefields,” Seeger says. “It chal-lenged me to go back andtrain the next generation ofleaders. I was honored to beamong a team of such distin-guished teachers.”

After being nominatedfor the award by her schooldistrict’s curriculum coordi-nator, Seeger was notified shewas a semifinalist in June of2004. She then had to sub-mit a video of herself teach-ing a lesson and answerquestions about her lessonplans and the homework sheassigned. The applicationalso called for samples of stu-

dents’ assignments andSeeger’s analysis of theirwork. In April 2005, shefound out she won theaward.

Seeger credits her suc-cess in part to those aroundher. “I teach the best kids inthe world,” she says, “andI’m part of an incredibleschool district.”

Now in her 21st year ofteaching, Seeger also taughtin Iowa’s Eagle Grove andIKM school districts beforecoming to Okoboji 10 yearsago. Her husband, Scott, is

also a math teacher atOkoboji.

Even with all her experi-ence, Seeger says she neverknows what to expect fromher class. “The only thingyou can control every day inyour classroom is what youbring to it,” she says. “I try tobring joy to work. It doesn’talways happen, but whenyou have more good daysthan bad, positive thingshappen.”

Innovative teacher wins national award

To be an effective teacher, Linda Seeger says you must be knowledgeable and alsosomewhat of an entertainer.

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by Jim ’82 and Vicki(Opgenorth ’81) Swart

Traveling downHighway 60, anticipationrose as we saw the orangewater tower on the horizon.Soon we’d be in Orange Cityand at the end of our 500-mile trip. It was a beautifulday, and the town lookedneat and clean as we pulledonto Northwestern’s campus.

From the parking lotbehind Fern Smith, weunloaded suitcases andboxes. With that accom-plished, we hopped backinto the car to drive over toColenbrander. When the carwouldn’t start, we asked theRD if she knew a goodmechanic. She told us towalk to Bennie Mulder’sshop, and he would takecare of us. He did. We dis-covered the timing belt hadbroken, and we were gratefulit didn’t happen until we’darrived on campus.

That was 28 years ago.Then just boyfriend and girl-friend, we experienced God’sgoodness and provision aswe were starting out atNorthwestern, and we’vecontinued to see his hand inour lives and those of ourchildren ever since.

This year, after anotheremotional trip to NWC andOrange City, we said good-bye to two of our kids, Beckyand Jeff. Becky has one yearin at Northwestern already,and now we’ve sent Jeff to

the cornfields of Iowa. Yes, there have been

tears: As we looked throughour family photo albums forpictures they could take tocollege. As it sinks in they’veplayed their last athletic con-tests while we sat in thehome crowd. As they (andwe) said goodbye to closefriends leaving for other col-leges. As we remembered theteachers and coaches who’vebeen such a positive influ-ence in their lives.

Our constant prayerthese last weeks has been:“Lord, bless them and keepthem, be gracious to them,and give them peace.”

Becky and Jeff havebeen God’s children, too,since the day they were bornand we brought them hometo care for and raise them.Now as we let them go, theirHeavenly Father is remind-ing us he loves them morethan we do and will surelybe with them always. He hasplans for them—and rightnow those plans are for themto experience life at North-western College.

Their lives will betouched by professors,coaches, a chaplain, RDs andRAs who will teach them,love them and pray for them.They’ll make friends whowill be friends for life, nomatter the distance betweenthem, like we did. They’ll beencouraged to own theirfaith and challenged to live itas a nurse or accountant or

whatever God leads them todo. We both grew in ourwalk with Christ while atNWC, and we’ve seen Beckygrow the same way after herfirst year. Now we pray Jeffwill follow that path.

As we miss our daugh-ter’s and son’s daily presencein our lives, we are over-whelmed with gratitude—forour parents, who saw theimportance of a Christianliberal arts education. For theexcellent lifelong friendshipswe made with Northwesternroommates, wingmates andclassmates. For the generoushospitality of the professorsthat has extended to our sib-lings, nieces and nephews,and now our children.

We’re grateful for thediscipleship and Bible studygroups that taught us theimportance of Christian fel-lowship and accountability.For the thousands of miles ofsafe travel we and our chil-dren have experienced

between Wisconsin and Iowaover the years. For thefriends and family we havein Orange City who let ourkids come over when theyneed a break, yet will nothover over them and robthem of their education inindependence. For Beckyand Jeff being together atNWC, meeting each others’friends, sharing family sto-ries, supporting and encour-aging each other.

We are in awe of thejourney that has brought usto this moment. We areexcited about the future,uncertain as it is, because weknow God will guide, protectand bless our kids just as hedid for us so many years ago.

Jim and Vicki Swart, Oostburg,Wis., are the parents ofRebecca, Jeffrey, Alison, Kelly,Kyle and Adam. Becky is asophomore nursing student;Jeff, a freshman, is planning tomajor in accounting.

Journeying to Northwestern

It’s déjà vu for Jim Swart as he moves his son, Jeff, into his former dorm,Colenbrander Hall. Daughter Becky is in her second year as a Stegenga Hall resi-dent, which isn’t quite as close to the caf’ as mom Vicki’s former dorm, Fern Smith.

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NWC gift selections order form(All items displayed on back cover)

Item Color Size Quantity Price Total price

A Jansport heavyweight long-sleeved T-shirt (S–XXL) – $19.95

Generous cut.100% cotton jersey. Available in white only.

B Gear big cotton jersey-lined hood with drawstrings, front pouch pocket (S–XL) $33.95

80% cotton/20% polyester. Soft-touch vintage appearance after washing. Available in red, black and charcoal.

C Gear big cotton “Northwestern College Mom” crew sweatshirt (S–XXL) – $33.95 (crew)

Athletic V-notch detail at neckline. 80% cotton/20% polyester. Also available hooded. Red only. $34.95 (hooded)

D Gear Platinum dry polo shirt (S–XXL) $37.95

60% pima cotton/40% polyester jet pique. Available in white and red.

E Gear sideline-pocket 1/2-zip pullover (S–XXL) $32.95

Pouch pocket accommodates MP3 player. 65% cotton/35% polyester. Available in red, charcoal and black.

To place an order:• Use this mail-in order form;• Call 712-707-7195; or• E-mail glendadv@nwciowa.eduMake checks payable to: Northwestern College BookstoreMethod of payment■■ Check or money order■■ MasterCard ■■ Visa ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

Signature required for purchase ___________________________ Expiration date ■■■■■■■■■■■■(as shown on credit card)

Mail to: Bookstore, Northwestern College, 208 8th Street SW, Orange City, IA 51041Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery While supplies last

ShippingUp to $50: $7

Over $50: $9

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All sizes, unless stated, are men’s adult.

Name ______________________________________________E-mail __________________________

Address______________________________________________________Phone __________________

City_______________________________________________________State__________Zip_________

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Northwestern College101 7th Street SWOrange City, IA 51041Ph. 712-707-7000 (switchboard)www.nwciowa.edu

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Show yourRaider pride!

Make it a Red Christmas with gifts that show your loyalty!

(order form on page 35)

Thanks to our “model family”: Cheri (Block ’77) and Jeff Meyn ’78 and theirchildren, left to right, Dusty ’07, Maria and Carissa ’04.

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“My goal is that everything Ido is based on faith—and Ihope my art is no different.Maybe someone looking at myart will be able to see aglimpse of life as I see it, a lifeof hope—hope in Christ.”

Ruth George ’07San Jose, Calif.Art major with a missionscareer concentration

A w h o l e e d u c a t i o n f o r y o u r w h o l e l i f e .

Contact Jennie Smith, director of the Northwestern Fund, to find out how you can helpNorthwestern students explore their God-given talents. Phone 712-707-7110, e-mail

smith@nwciowa.edu or visit give.nwciowa.edu

I’ve enjoyed art ever since I was little, but I thought of it as a hobby.The year before I came to Northwestern, God grew within me a love forboth missions and art, so when it was time to choose a major, therewas little question. I was attracted to Northwestern because of theemphasis on not only academic learning but also faith development. Myart professors have really challenged me. I have become more confi-dent that a curiosity to learn is even better than knowing everythingalready. Your donation to the Northwestern Fund gives students like methe opportunity to develop in the ministries God has for us.

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