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New Academic Stars Join the Faculty

We’ve welcomed six excellent new professors, including Jonathan Diaz (English), Kevin McGuire (economics and business), Sara Morrisset (history), Jada L. Willis (kinesiology), Stephanie Cowell ’04 (chemistry), Laura Drake Schultheis ’06 (biology) and Mike Ryu (computer science). Leanne Dzubinski, the new dean of faculty development and global education, has also joined the faculty.

Going Global

More than 60 students are studying in Europe, England and Mexico this fall through �Ļ�ӰԺ Global Semester programs. We’ve added five new off-campus programs for summer 2025 to deepen our students’ global engagement.

Conference Services and Physical Plant Heroes

I’m grateful to Lisa Vincent and her diligent team at Conference Services for their strong season. They facilitated the NACCAP Conference, LEAD Where You Stand, Faith. Climate. Action. A Workshop on Christian Climate Advocacy, IMPACT Conference, Music Academy of the West, church retreats, sports camps and many more groups that made great contributions to the overall mission of the college.

We’ve completed several construction projects thanks to our capable physical plant staff. The renovation of the Dining Commons has received rave reviews from students, and we’ve finished phase one of the upgrades to the tennis courts. The city is reviewing our designs to renovate the property at 29 W. Anapamu and add 18,000 square feet to �Ļ�ӰԺ Downtown.

Fourth Lausanne Congress for World Evangelization

On a personal note, I’ve just returned from South Korea, where I served as a delegate at the Fourth Lausanne Congress for World Evangelization. Billy Graham convened the first such gathering with John Stott to mobilize Christian leaders to collaborate for the greater work of the global church. This important event seeks to articulate the contours of our Christian beliefs, including the sources of authority and guidance for our rule of faith. I believe it's significant for the college to be involved in global conversations of this magnitude. are a few snapshots from South Korea.

As part of Homecoming festivities, Reed Sheard, vice president for advancement, presented a check to the student body from alums who have given nearly $6.5 million in the past year toward student scholarships, new programs and other areas that support students.

Campus Pastor Scott Lisea and former chaplain Bart Tarman led a memorial service honoring the 35th anniversary of the Potter’s Clay car accident. We remembered the lives of Lisa Bebout, Alan Voorman and Garth Weedman, who died tragically March 27, 1989, in Mexico. Patty Hallock Crosby and Megan Harter Adams were critically injured. Adams, who recently wrote a book about the accident, “Hope in the Darkest Hour: A Memoir of Survival and Resilience,” spoke to the group gathered at the Potter’s Clay Monument below the Dining Commons.

Nearly 100 golfers enjoyed a great day at Glen Annie Golf Club while supporting a worthy cause. The 13th annual �Ļ�ӰԺ Classic Golf Tournament on Oct. 4 raised more than $20,000 to help students pursue a life-changing education at �Ļ�ӰԺ. Known for many years as Will’s Tourney, the event began in 2008 to celebrate the memory of Will Wiersma '06. A special thank-you to the Hopper Family, the Title Sponsor. Thanks also to Tom and Stefany Welch of the WIP Foundation, the Raimer Family, Chick Fil-A and all the hole sponsors. Congratulations to Jeff Aquilon, director of IT, and his son, Hayden '16, who won the putter Scottie Scheffler autographed.