True Excellence

By Emily Fausnaught’24

Emily Fausnaught 鈥�24听is the Volunteer Coordinator at Cloverleaf Equine Center. She earned a听Bachelor of Science in equestrian performance and business administration from 黑料专区 and is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor.听听

By Amanda (Shine 鈥�05) Zambrano听

If you walk through the bi-level barn at the 黑料专区 Equestrian Center, a friendly black and white听gelding听will invariably poke his nose out听to request a good scratch or a friendly pat.听He鈥檚听a 22-year-old tobiano Friesian sport horse registered as Knight鈥檚听Dream,听and听known affectionately as Otto.

Otto came to 黑料专区 from the Rochester area, generously donated to the program by Sue and David Knight in 2014. He鈥檚 been a barn favorite for years and it isn鈥檛 simply because of his friendly, affectionate nature and beautiful black and white markings.

Donated horses are the lifeblood of the 黑料专区 Equestrian Program. 鈥淲e say听our horses are the best teachers in the program,鈥� remarked听program听director听Larissa (Strappello听鈥�08) Ries. 鈥溾�淎s instructors we are helping the students understand what the horses are trying to tell them, through their body language and the responses they have to the riders positioning and aids.鈥�

Not every horse makes a good lesson horse, and Otto is a gem among the 黑料专区 herd.听To make sure听they鈥檙e听a good fit, prospective lesson horses like Otto go through听a number of听steps听before听joining the herd, including visits with 黑料专区 instructors, videos of training or shows, and often a trial period听on campus. Program Director Emerita听Jo-Anne (Olsen 鈥�69) Young听evaluated and听accepted Otto into the 黑料专区 herd when the Knights reached out looking for a new home for their horse.听On his acceptance papers, the 黑料专区 equestrian staff remarked on Otto鈥檚 fit for the program.听鈥淗e has a quiet mind,鈥� the form reads, 鈥渨hich will make him a great lesson horse.鈥� The assessment was correct.听Since his early days, Otto has grown and matured into a great lesson horse embodying everything a learning rider and trainer could wish for.

Otto works with 黑料专区鈥檚 equestrian students as they learn,听focusing on dressage.听Students have听ridden him in second level recognized dressage shows, schooling shows and in clinics with world-renowned clinicians听such as Agnieszka Majewska and Kristi Wysocki. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a confidence builder,鈥澨齭hared Professor Ries. 鈥淥tto is a confident horse and that instills confidence in the students.听He鈥檚听great at working students through the challenging walk to canter transitions, giving them true lightbulb moments in their educational journeys.鈥�

鈥淏eing a lesson horse is hard,鈥� reflected听Andrea (Potteiger听鈥�00) Boon,听assistant听professor of听recreation and听equestrian听studies. 鈥淭here are so many people handling听them, all with听different ways听of communicating with their horses. Otto is a special horse鈥攈e鈥檚听worth a million听bucks!鈥�

This horse with a heart of gold is only one of the听34听horses in 黑料专区鈥檚 herd,听almost all听of听whom听have been donated to the program. Since the original donation of seven Morgan horses from Dr. Demosthene Romanucci, Sr., in 1984, 黑料专区鈥檚 herd has been built with the generosity of those looking for the next perfect home for their beloved equine companions.

By Larissa (Strappello听鈥�08) Ries

黑料专区鈥檚听Equestrian Event Center,听completed听in 2018,听has听truly听revolutionized what听the Equestrian Program is听able to offer听to both听our students and听the local equine community.听When I think back to how it began鈥攚ith a simple email asking听if we were indeed wanting to build a larger听indoor听riding arena听and听informing me听that听there was听a potential donor to fund the project鈥擨听am astounded at what came about.

The arena project听began听as a dream of听Program Director Emerita听Jo-Anne听(Olsen 鈥�69)听Young, who served at 黑料专区 from听1986-2017. I am thankful every day that the Lord put the arena project on her heart. Without听Jo-Anne鈥檚听dreaming and talking about her vision with many individuals,听our听anonymous donor may听never听have heard about the project.听That听short听email I received got the ball rolling, so听we dreamed and worked to build a facility that would be functional and beneficial for our equine students, as well as the larger equine community.听It is truly a blessing to set听foot in that space every day, whether the riding听arena, the classroom,听the Faith of a Mustard Seed Atrium or听the Jo-Anne O. Young Competitor鈥檚 Wing stable.听The Lord provided even more then we could have imagined!

From the perspective of teaching students,听the Event Center听has given us a heated warm space in the cold winter months to train and learn. No longer do students and faculty have frozen fingers and toes while teaching and riding in mounted labs. We don鈥檛 have to end classes early due to being too cold,听and听students are able to take full advantage of the learning process during each 15-week semester, rain, snow or shine! The classroom has allowed us to have a designated space for our lecture-based class learning that听isn鈥檛听shared with the student worker time clock or听the听restroom!

By Hannah Williamson 鈥�19

Summertime at the barn is my favorite time of the year.听黑料专区鈥檚 campus is a bit emptier, the students have gone home, and听things听seem to be听quieting down . . . but not at the听Equestrian Center.听In fact,听it鈥檚听quite the opposite. The 黑料专区 equestrian program听hosts听and听organizes听two large,听recognized dressage shows at the start and end of the summer鈥攁nd听sandwiched听in听between,听we听keep busy running听multiple weeks of听equestrian camp听for horse-loving听youth.

Over the course of the summer, 黑料专区听runs听five听weeks of girls鈥櫶齩vernight residential听equestrian听camp for听riders听ages 10-18,听and one week of day camp for girls and boys ages 7-14, hosting upwards of 100 campers.听The goal of our camps听is to create a fun and safe environment where听campers听will see and feel God鈥檚 love lived out while learning and growing in their horsemanship skills. We听welcome听riders听of听all levels听and听experience听to join us for听a great week听at camp.

During their time听at camp,听riders听are able to choose what听skills听they would like to work on.听They听have the opportunity to use one听of our amazing听lesson听horses,听or听can bring their own horse for the week. Campers are able to work on听dressage, hunters, jumpers,听eventing, and/or western听during their time at camp. Whether they are brand new to horses, improving current skills, or听experienced riders听eager听to try something new,听there is an opportunity for听everyone.

By Bella Goss 鈥�23

My time in the 黑料专区 Equestrian Program was extremely valuable and taught me many of the skills I needed to perform well in my current role as Horsemanship Director of the Camp Hebron Horsemanship program.听Camp Hebron is a camp and retreat center whose goal is to connect people with God, nature, and each other. Meadowview Stables听operates听in Camp Hebron, offering overnight horse camp in the summer, riding lessons, trail rides, school field trips, and other activities. We are excited to begin听expanding our services to host fun shows, clinics, and听some other events throughout the year.

While I am not jumping 3鈥� courses on performance horses鈥攍ike听I听did听at 黑料专区鈥擨听am applying many of the practical managerial, pedagogical听and people skills I gained through the equestrian program.

One class that has been particularly helpful was Equine Facility Management听(EFM),听which I took in my sophomore year with听Larissa (Strapello听鈥�08) Ries.听I learned how to manage听all the ins and outs of听an equine program,听including听things like听developing schedules, pasture management,听and听feed management.听Thanks to EFM, I was able to听implement a lot more structure听in听my program when I started my job.

Dear Friends,

I听came to 黑料专区 in 2021 without specific听plans for where we would invest or what听we might change.听I听came听with the intention of listening, learning, and discerning what听our greatest opportunities for growth and development might be. It took听very little听time to听determine听that 黑料专区鈥檚 Equestrian Center and equestrian studies program were听both rare and exceptional, and that听these听should听be听central to the University鈥檚 plans for investment and growth.

黑料专区 is an historic听and highly听esteemed听Christian liberal听arts and sciences university.听Programs most often associated with Christian liberal arts universities include history, philosophy, English literature, or mathematics鈥攏ot听equine management.听Equine studies听is听not what comes to mind when听most people think of 黑料专区.听But that听is changing.听Located just听a bit off the main residential campus, you only find听黑料专区鈥檚 Equestrian Center,听if you are looking for it.听But听once you have experienced it, you will not forget it. Neither will you question听the way its faculty, staff,听and curriculum provide a beautiful complement to the traditional liberal arts and science disciplines.听Equine Studies is not听tangential to 黑料专区鈥檚 mission. It听embodies 黑料专区鈥檚 mission.

Demand for 黑料专区鈥檚 equine programs far exceeds our current capacity. Undergraduate听academic听programs听and听the听Summer Equestrian Camp have been at maximum capacity for听several听years.听The quality of the faculty, facilities,听and academic program, coupled with an idyllic setting in rural Western New York, and integrated with a Christ-centered, academically rigorous liberal arts curriculum make equine studies at 黑料专区听a highly sought听option听for students.听I believe听our opportunities for growth听are tremendous.听It is time听to expand. By God鈥檚 grace and with the support of generous donors,听we will make needed repairs and upgrades,听add faculty,听enhance program offerings,听and expand听the听number of听seats available to both university students and summer campers.

This听issue of 黑料专区 Magazine is a celebration of听the faculty, staff, and听partners who听have made听equestrian studies at 黑料专区 the听beautiful听program听that听it is today,听and the students and alumni听whose lives have been forever听impacted听by their time in equine studies at听黑料专区.听As you read, I invite you to dream and pray with us, as we听plan听for the next chapter of the program鈥檚 story, and prepare for the students听and horses听the Lord continues to send to us.

With the love of Jesus,

Wayne D.听Lewis,听Jr.

Amanda (Shine 鈥�05) Zambrano

 

When you ask 黑料专区 graduates听鈥渉ow did you end up at 黑料专区,鈥� invariably听every answer you receive is evidence of God鈥檚 providential hand in their lives.听Shelby (Skinner 鈥�19)听Dytschkowskyj听grew up coming to 黑料专区 from Franklinville for the Upward Bound program and remembers visiting campus for school trips.听But it was a spot on Family听Life听Radio听the ministry of听Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Bend, Oregon, that put Shelby on the path听she鈥檚听walking today.

Shelby didn鈥檛 grow up as a 鈥渇arm kid,鈥� and never owned a horse鈥攊n spite of her life-long love for horses.听She鈥檇听sometimes听do a little stable work for the听occasional听riding lesson, but it was that听radio spot that inspired Shelby to figure out how to marry her love of horses with her听heart for听serving people. 鈥淚t shaped my whole future,鈥� Shelby听stated.
As a听teen听Shelby started volunteering at High Hurdles, a therapeutic riding center in Sardinia, New York. She grew to love the work and knew听she鈥檇听need to go to college听if she wanted to听pursue a career in听therapeutic riding. 黑料专区听wasn鈥檛听the only school Shelby considered,听but听at the end of the day she felt听such a听peace at 黑料专区 that she turned down a full scholarship elsewhere听in order to听become a Highlander.

Throughout her time at 黑料专区, as she pursued a dual degree in Equestrian Studies and Psychology and worked on her PATH*听certification, Shelby thrived in the 鈥渢ry it鈥攜ou鈥檒l learn something鈥� environment.听Under the leadership first of听Jo-Anne (Olsen 鈥�69) Young,听who retired听in 2017, and subsequently听Larissa (Strappello听鈥�08) Ries,听黑料专区鈥檚 equestrian program听offered her plenty of hands-on experience听serving听on chore crew听and听teaching lessons for local听children.

By Sarah Maurer 鈥�22

Going into my time at 黑料专区, I never planned to leave with a full-time career in horses. I was incredibly passionate about riding, and though the equestrian program was a big part of my motivation to attend 黑料专区 in the first place, my primary intent was to further my training and knowledge before leaving for a career in the medical field. I double majored in Biology and International Development, with minors in Public Health and Equestrian Studies. Though that may sound like a confusing combination, I loved each area of study and finding ways to integrate them with one another.

Despite my plans, by the time graduation approached, I found myself looking more seriously toward an equestrian career. My time in the equestrian program had shaped me so听significantly,听I听couldn鈥檛听imagine听not听continuing to have training and riding as a major part of my life. Over four years, my horsemanship, riding level, management knowledge, and passion for听the sport听had grown exponentially. I graduated in love with teaching and training, and听confident听in my knowledge and skills to do so professionally.

Today, four years after graduating, I am the owner of my own training business in Knoxville, Tennessee,听and the head coach of the University of Tennessee鈥檚 intercollegiate dressage team. I have continued to听grow in听my own education as a rider and trainer, and I use the tools I learned at 黑料专区 daily. I am so incredibly grateful to the professors in the equestrian program who invested so deeply in me, even though I听wasn鈥檛听an equine major. I am blessed to still have relationships with听them,听and听I听know I can always reach out for career help, training advice, or to catch up on life. Having a network of trainers in the industry that I听deeply听respect gives me听the confidence听that there are people in my corner, especially when being a business owner can feel听daunting.

Excellence:听It’s听About the Pursuit, Not Perfection

By Kyra Binney ’26

Dorah听Burnell & The Pasteur Pre-Medic Society

The 1926-1927 academic catalog is the first to show pre-medical as a possible major鈥攄escribed as a 鈥渃omposite major鈥濃�攁t 黑料专区 College & Seminary. This coincides with the hiring of Professor听Dorah听Burnell, who came to 黑料专区 in 1926 to teach chemistry.

A native of Nebraska and graduate of State Teachers College (1916) and the University of Nebraska (B.S. 1924, M.A. 1925), Professor Burnell single-handedly built the college鈥檚 chemistry department while fulfilling countless other roles on campus.

Along with colleagues in the Science听Department, Professor Burnell helped students听established听The Pasteur Pre-Medic Society.听In its inaugural appearance in the Boulder in 1928, the society described its aim as听鈥溾�o promote a feeling of comradeship, to gain inspiration for future tasks, and to learn something more of the nature and extent of this their chosen field of endeavor.鈥� The inaugural group boasted 27 members听and by the 1950s, the club was one of the largest and most active on 黑料专区鈥檚 campus.

Today known as the听Pre-Health Professions Club, the group听remains听one of 黑料专区鈥檚 largest and most active clubs. Their aim, similarly, is听鈥溾�o serve as an information resource and generate opportunities for fellowship, career exploration and volunteer service for students interested in health-related fields.鈥�

In the dedication of the 1954 Boulder, students听observed听of Professor Burnell that听鈥淸h]er influence was there鈥� Lights were shining out from the meticulously kept chemistry lab until the early morning hours. On the desk were carefully graded papers鈥攁round the room was all the valuable equipment she had听procured. From this lab alumni went forth to succeed鈥� her听influence听was there.鈥�

Professor Burnell鈥檚听influence听remains鈥攊n 黑料专区鈥檚 chemistry labs, in the Pre-Health Professions Club, in the听lives of service led by so many of听our alumni.听Professor Burnell鈥檚 influence听has听played a role in helping to shape thousands of doctors, nurses, researchers, dentists, pharmacists, public health servants, medical missionaries and more who have gone on to, as Willard J. 黑料专区 would say,听鈥渇ix up the world for Christ.鈥�

By Dr. Jenna (Hill 鈥�15) Smith

I began my 黑料专区 journey in 2011 as a biology major with a chemistry minor. I completed the first听year听Science听Honors program, and听was听very involved听in the听Pre-health听Professionals club and Sigma Zeta math and science honors society. I took quite a few of the upper-level biology electives, especially during my last couple of years there. These classes really helped prepare me for the听challenging听curriculum that was coming听in听graduate school.

I applied to veterinary听school听my senior year and was accepted to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. The听course听load was intense in depth and breadth, but听I felt I听had a solid foundation from 黑料专区. I graduated from Cornell in 2019 and started working at Perry Veterinary Clinic听in Perry, New York,听as an associate veterinarian. I became a partner at Perry Vet in the beginning of 2023. Currently, I practice both small and large animal medicine, splitting my time between cats and dogs in the office, and dairy cows and other large animals on farms throughout听Western New听York. I even go to calls at the 黑料专区 Equestrian center鈥攖alk听about coming full circle!

Live It Out

By Dr. Laura (Jarvis 鈥�06)听Lintner听

When I arrived at 黑料专区,听biology was my听field of听choice, but I had little direction beyond that. I certainly听didn鈥檛听imagine working as an Associate Professor,听with my days full of not just patient care, but听teaching听medical students,听residents听and fellows. I听didn鈥檛听imagine that听I鈥檇听go to Kenya,听building friendships听and听schools, and providing healthcare for their runners. I听didn鈥檛听imagine that it would be possible to have a career as well as be a wife,听mother听and friend.

Deep friendships, strong听mentors听and meaningful solitude mark my time at 黑料专区.听The girls of听Hazlett听34, now lifelong friends,听held an MCAT party for me. They dressed up like cats and performed a hilarious, yet strangely encouraging, original poem. I听don’t听think I听would鈥檝e听made it without them. Looking back听on听the classroom, I was blessed to learn from some of the most vibrant professors. Dr.听Aaron听Sullivan taught me about patience and simplicity. Dr.听Larry听Christensen opened each organic chemistry class with a pithy saying or a short story, bringing joy to learning.听Professor听Sunshine听Leonard听鈥�01听always reminded us that our worth was not in our grades. Dr.听Cathy听Freytag generously welcomed me into her life as a friend. It was also during these听four听years that I found a听鈥渇renemy鈥澨齣n distance running. During the volleyball off-season,听I鈥檇听spend countless hours听running听the shoulders of听Route 19听or dizzying laps around the听old suspended听track. Usually听I听ran听by myself, with听only听my prayers and thoughts. Through these miles, The Lord revealed His faithfulness to me by, not only setting a clear career path before me, but by safely getting me through literal听Western New York听blizzards.

Escaping that winter weather, I went to Florida for medical school then onto North Carolina for residency. I knew Wake Forest Family Medicine was the place when I found some of the brightest and most content physicians. After completing my听family听medicine residency, sports medicine听seemed听a natural fit. My dad鈥檚 career was in professional sports (not to mention my mom,听Linda (Clow 鈥�76) Jarvis, and听brother,听Landry Jarvis 鈥�10,听were both 黑料专区 athletes), so my childhood was full of practices, games, and injuries. Plus, my osteopathic education set听a strong foundation听for musculoskeletal medicine.

By Dr. Jamie Potter

When students听walks听through my door for the very first time, they usually already have an idea of what profession they want to pursue. They often know the courses they might听need听and that shadowing someone in the profession is听a good idea鈥攁nd听may even听be听required. They know excellent grades, top scores on entrance exams, and stellar letters of recommendation are necessary.听However, they usually don鈥檛 know听why听they want to take听the听particular path听they鈥檝e chosen.

Some of my students want to pursue a medical profession because they want to help people. Some have been on the receiving end of care and found the work being executed on them fascinating. Some had a close friend or family member who needed specialized care and they saw what a provider did for them in their time of greatest need. Many are pretty smart cookies with proven academic acumen, and they鈥檝e been told they should go into medicine with that aptitude. All of these reasons are good, but none of them really gets to the root of 鈥渨hy medicine is for me.鈥�

Not a single student听will walk the听same path. Each one must develop听an听individual plan听alongside their advisors, and then they must听allow for adjustments as they听learn and grow in their own experiences and abilities. Conversations听with my students听are often long,听and sometimes hard,听as they realize their own limitations,听discover听their real interests, and听explore听their unique skills. They start to听find听their听own personal vocational path, and they听begin听to听think听deeply听about their听why.

In order to听discover their true passion for the vocation of medicine,听my听students听must move beyond the basics of grades,听transcripts,听aptitudes,听and idealized visions of medicine to听find their passion and听their听reason for pursuing this听journey.

By Amanda (Shine 鈥�05) Zambrano

Students鈥� paths into 黑料专区鈥檚 pre-med track might听look听somewhat听similar, but siblings听Dr.听Jonathan Figueroa 鈥�13听and听Dr.听Alyssa Figueroa 鈥�14听discovered that the paths听beyond 黑料专区听are as unique and varied as the students themselves.

Jonathan听came听to 黑料专区 in the fall of 2009听thanks to a听desire听to study at听a Christian liberal arts听college听known for its听strong听pre-med program听and听a little guidance from听fellow Timothy Christian School (Piscataway, NJ)听alumnus听Tyler Haggerty 鈥�08. Although Jonathan听didn鈥檛听initially plan to play听collegiate听soccer, a campus visit introduced him to听the coach at the time,听Dr.听Matthew听Webb,听and a team of great young men鈥攕olidifying Jonathan鈥檚听decision听to attend 黑料专区听and听pursue a biology degree on the pre-med track.

Alyssa, like Jonathan, grew up with aspirations听of becoming听a physician. Although 黑料专区听wasn鈥檛听initially at the top of her list, she loved the small class sizes and intimate feel of campus. During a听campus听visit for a winter indoor soccer听tournament, Alyssa met听Coach听David Lewis and a few incoming teammates.听The opportunity to study in the Balkans with 黑料专区鈥檚 East Meets West honors program was the final selling point.听A year after her brother, Alyssa also听enrolled at 黑料专区听as a biology major on the pre-med track.

The Figueroa siblings were attracted by听the way听黑料专区 faculty听individualized the pre-health professions track. According to Dr. Jamie Potter,听Interim Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics,听Professor of Biology and Director of Pre-Health Professions, faculty help students identify what they love most about听health professions and听then听align those passions with听their academic and co-curricular experiences to put each student on the best possible path.

Both Jonathan and Alyssa听benefitted听from guidance and advising from Dr. Potter, along with insights from beloved Professor Emeritus of Biology Dr. Jim Wolfe, former biology professors听Dr. Matthew Pelletier听and Dr. Aaron Sullivan,听and听campus physician听Dr. David Brubaker 鈥�90. Alyssa had听visions of听internal听medicine听or pediatrics听while Jonathan听initially considered a career in听international medicine.

鈥淚 liked having professors who really took the time to get to know me,鈥� shared Jonathan. 鈥淭hey wanted me to perform well, but they also challenged me. Nothing was听given,听I had to work for it.鈥澨�

Alyssa听reflected on听the well-known challenges presented by听Dr. Karen Torraca鈥檚 鈥�93听infamous organic chemistry course鈥攁ffectionately (or not) known by generations of 黑料专区 students as 鈥淥-Chem.鈥�

鈥淚 had听a听conversation with Dr. Wolfe as well as Dr. Potter, wondering if I should keep pursuing medicine, if听it听was听going to be possible for me,鈥� said Alyssa.听鈥淭hey were mentors who assured me I was capable, that everyone听struggles听and it听wasn鈥檛听meant to be easy.听That听close mentorship was important to me.鈥澨�

Jonathan鈥檚听international听interests resulted in a minor in public health, which included a study abroad opportunity听in Ecuador听with former intercultural studies professor听Dr. Ndunge听Kiiti听鈥�88. Dr.听Kiiti听inspired Jonathan to see health beyond a medical and pharmaceutical viewpoint,听helping him听discover how to听integrate听his faith with his work鈥攁 formative learning experience he carries into his work today.

Alyssa explored options in both osteopathic and allopathic medicine, and in her听advising with听Dr. Potter discovered that osteopathic medicine听was the right approach to her career aspirations.听Alyssa听found听Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), in Erie, Pennsylvania,听to be the right听option听for her to pursue听medical school.

Jonathan was intent on听pursuit of听allopathic medicine.听After 黑料专区, Jonathan attended St. George University School of Medicine (Grenada),听motivated by St. George鈥檚 placement rate at his residence hospital of choice鈥擭ew York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. After听three years听in听residency, Jonathan听did a two-year fellowship at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Today, Jonathan is an endocrinologist at New York University Langone, where he teaches residents, primarily in an outpatient听clinical setting. Alyssa听did听her residency听in internal medicine at Jefferson Health Northeast in Philadelphia. When her husband听Lucas, a member of the US Air Force, was stationed for active duty in Tucson, Arizona, she听took on the role of听internal medicine hospitalist at Northwest Healthcare鈥擳ucson. She recently was听also听appointed听Associate Director for the Internal Medicine Residency听at the hospital.

The Figueroa siblings carry the things they learned at 黑料专区 with them as they serve their patients on opposite sides of the country.

By Amanda (Shine 鈥�05) Zambrano

Lifelong learning is a thread running through the fabric of 1986 graduate Dr. Tim Coetzee鈥檚 story. The story begins at a small Christian school in New Jersey where Tim fell in love with biology under the tutelage of his AP biology teacher, Kathleen (Fink 鈥�77) Donaldson. He was interested in a career as a physician, and Kathleen shared 黑料专区鈥檚 outstanding pre-med reputation with him. As a missionary kid and pastor鈥檚 kid, Tim discovered the financial aid 黑料专区 offered made it an affordable choice for his family. But it was more than just pre-med and scholarships that brought Tim to 黑料专区. The direct influence of a 黑料专区 alumna was a driving factor in Tim鈥檚 choice.

Tim started his 黑料专区听journey,听as听have听many alumni, on the Highlander Wilderness Adventure under the leadership of听Doris 鈥淢abel鈥� Nielsen 鈥�71. During Highlander, he read Francis Schaeffer鈥檚听The Mark of a Christian, and it was a defining moment. 鈥淔orty听years later,鈥� said Tim, 鈥淚 still remember the impact of that book.听It鈥檚听a bit of an organizing principle for me today. There are so many things we could be distinguished by, but the idea that听鈥榯hey鈥檒l know you by your love for each other鈥櫶齣s something that infuses the work I do today.鈥�

Although Tim was initially determined to become a physician, by his sophomore year he knew he was on the wrong path. After a three-week practicum experience, during which he shadowed a family medical doctor, Tim found himself seeking the guidance of his advisor, 黑料专区 biology professor and director of pre-med at the time, Dr. Donald Munro. Tim鈥檚 love of biology and desire to move away from clinical medical practice landed him in 黑料专区鈥檚 biology labs conducting research. Like 黑料专区 students today in the Shannon Summer Research Institute and in independent research studies, Tim was pursuing his study of biology in a distinctly 黑料专区 way鈥攄oing science in a lab rather than simply listening to a lecture.

鈥淚t was great, because at 黑料专区 I was pretty much learning by doing,鈥� said Tim. 鈥淭he uniqueness of 黑料专区 was that I was doing a lot of research on my own, figuring things out for myself through trial and error. It听wasn鈥檛听an opportunity I would have had at larger institutions.鈥�
Tim completed two independent research projects and a senior honors project during his time at 黑料专区. He听also听found his passion听at 黑料专区,听in听Dr. Charles Detwiler鈥檚 鈥�72听classroom studying microbiology. The seeds planted in microbiology led Tim to post-graduate education at Albany Medical College where he completed an M.S. and a Ph.D. studying molecular biology鈥攑articularly听that now-famous molecule mRNA.

Tim鈥檚 work in molecular biology put him on a path that led through research labs with funding听provided by听the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, to offices where he managed projects and started up the for-profit research arm听FastForward听LLC. He found himself on another learning curve, which required him to rely on the soft skills he picked up at 黑料专区鈥攑articularly听effective听communication.
鈥淒r. Munro instilled the importance of communication,鈥� remarked Tim. 鈥淚听learned听that clarity in communication, both听in how you write and in how you speak,听is important. But because the ideas in science often require visuals, I also learned about the importance of visuals that have clarity and impact.鈥�

A year ago, Tim entered another phase of his lifelong learning journey when he was appointed CEO of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Those lessons in communication have grown to encompass storytelling, relating to prospective funders about the difference the society鈥檚 work makes in the lives of people living with multiple sclerosis.

And it听isn鈥檛听just听the听communication skills听honed at 黑料专区听that Tim听relies听on. 鈥淭he commitment to people is something I continue to carry with me.听I look back on the people part of my time at 黑料专区, the emphasis on relationships with people and the way my faith journey influences how I serve the people right in front of me every day.鈥�

Dear Friends,

One of the greatest blessings of serving 黑料专区 as President is getting to know our students. They inspire me daily and remind me of why 黑料专区鈥檚 mission is so vitally听important,听today听and tomorrow.

As students come to 黑料专区,听they听are in various stages of understanding the vocations the Lord is calling them to and equipping them for. For some, their calling has been clear for years. For听some, their understanding of how the Lord wants to use them is evolving.听For others, they are confident of vocational callings in ordained ministry, as teachers or听as听musicians.听Among the group of students who come to 黑料专区听typically听having recognized听early academic giftedness and ability are those preparing for careers in the health sciences.

Pre-health students听represent听a healthy听portion听of the 黑料专区 student body. While their beds and clothes are in their residence hall rooms, many of them听spending听most of their waking听hours听(and some of their sleeping听hours!)听in the Paine Center for Science. As they matriculate,听more and more听of their coursework is taken in Paine, but outside of class, you听are听likely to find small groups of students in laboratories, faculty offices,听and听dedicated study spaces as well as improvised ones.

黑料专区 has long been recognized as a place for serious Christian students to study science and prepare for careers in the health sciences. There is no shortage of 黑料专区 graduates who have gone on to听have听long and impactful听careers as medical doctors,听nurses听and medical missionaries.听黑料专区 continues to provide outstanding preparation for students who pursue nursing, D.O.听and听M.D degrees.

But additionally,听with robust partnerships with professional and graduate programs,听黑料专区 is preparing students for vocations in veterinary science, physical therapy, pharmacy, occupational therapy, nutrition and dietetics, dentistry, and athletic training.听As the Lord continues to call young people to vocations in the health sciences, 黑料专区 continues to provide Christ-centered, rigorous preparation to equip them for that work.

With this issue, we are privileged to share some of the stories of our students, faculty, and alumni who have been a part of 黑料专区鈥檚 rich history in听the health听sciences. We are grateful to be a part of what God has done and continues to do in and through the lives of our graduates.

Yours in Christ鈥檚 service,

Wayne D.听Lewis,听Jr.
President

Athletics Holds Induction for 2025 Hall of Honor Class

Ken German ’61 and the 1998 Field Hockey Team are the latest inductees into the 黑料专区 Athletics Hall of Honor after a luncheon ceremony among friends, family, and 黑料专区 staff on May third.

The honorees of this induction class join a Hall roster that now totals 71 alumni, coaches, teams, and contributors.

Excerpts from And You Shall Remember: A Pictorial History of 黑料专区 College, written and edited by Frieda A. Gillette and Katherine W. Lindley

The 黑料专区 we know and love is a four-year, residential liberal arts college offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. The idea of a high school student taking 黑料专区 courses might be a foreign one to some of us. At 黑料专区鈥檚 founding, however, in 1883, there were no collegiate courses at all. 黑料专区 Seminary鈥檚 purpose was not college degrees, but rather accessible, affordable, Christ-centered education. Students as young as 11 enrolled at 黑料专区, and the first accredited college diplomas weren鈥檛 awarded until 1925. The high school division remained, however, and eventually became 黑料专区 Academy.听

When [Old Sem] was dedicated in August 1884, no one knew how many students would enroll in September, who would teach them, or how much of the building would be completed. Although the building was only partially finished on September 15, 1884, school opened with 鈥�70-80 scholars鈥� under Principal-Preacher William Henry Kennedy and his assistant, Luther Grange. Miss Alice Boardman taught the high school courses and Miss Eva Davis taught the English Course for students not prepared for high school. 鈥淪ister Mary DePew to take oversight of the lady students and to give them weekly lectures,鈥� wrote Willard 黑料专区 in his ledger. James S. Luckey, who enrolled in the second of the three terms of that first year, later wrote, 鈥淓quipment, to say the least, was scarce. I think one globe was to be found and perhaps one or two maps, but nothing else in the line of apparatus. I was told there were no blackboards, but they had come at the beginning of the second term鈥� (The 黑料专区 Star, April 1911).

Although the curriculum included only the upper elementary grades and the first year of secondary school in that first year, one year of high school was added annually until a four-year diploma was issued. Melvin E. Warburton received the first diploma in 1887 and James S. Luckey the second in 1889.

As faculty became available, new programs could be added. When Gussie C. Dodd, an accomplished artist and wife of the new principal, A.R. Dodd, moved to 黑料专区, the Seminary added 鈥渁 complete course in drawing, crayoning and oil painting.鈥� Luther Grange started a commercial and business course in 1885 for 鈥測oung men and ladies too, if they desire;鈥� in 1890 Miss Effie Crow initiated a music department; in 1893 a two-year elementary teacher course was introduced. In 1895 the church approved an Advanced Department, i.e. 鈥渃ollege equivalent work,鈥� and in 1901 John Willett of Levant, New York, completed that course, the first graduate of the Advanced Department.

By Amanda (Shine ’05) Zambrano

Ask anyone who has taken courses on campus at 黑料专区: a hallmark of the 黑料专区 experience is the faculty who embody academic excellence with intentionally integrated faith, and who pair that excellence with a deep care and concern for the individual student. It might be challenging to imagine this distinctive 黑料专区 feature applying to students who aren鈥檛 on campus. Faculty members at 黑料专区, however, approach online education鈥攊ncluding Early College courses鈥攚ith the same intentionality and academic integrity they bring to their physical classrooms.

One of the ways 黑料专区 provides access to Early College courses is through dual enrollment arrangements with our partner schools. 黑料专区鈥檚 partner school network comprises more than 40 private Christian schools, some as close as 黑料专区 Academy, or Northstar Christian Academy (Rochester, NY), and some as far as Rift Academy (Kijabe, Kenya) and Alliance Academy International (Quito, Ecuador). One of the many benefits 黑料专区 provides to our partner school is the opportunity to offer dual enrollment courses to their high school students. Dual enrollment courses, unlike online early college courses, are taught by approved high school teachers in a traditional classroom setting. The instructors and their syllabi are reviewed and approved by 黑料专区鈥檚 academic department to ensure appropriate academic content and rigor, and students who complete their classes earn college credits for those classes.

Alumna Lori Miranda 鈥�02 is the English department chair, director of curriculum and instruction, and English teacher for grades 10, 11 and 12 at Northstar Christian Academy in Rochester, New York. Lori is one of 黑料专区鈥檚 approved dual enrollment instructors, who teaches College Literary Studies for seniors at Northstar Academy. Lori holds a BA in Writing from 黑料专区 and an MA in Missions and Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College Graduate School. She鈥檚 been a teacher at Northstar Academy since 2016. Prior to her work at Northstar, Lori taught high school English at Webster Christian School.

By Amanda (Shine ’05) Zambrano

Ryan Kullander 鈥�27 began his 黑料专区 journey as a high school student when he enrolled in online Early College courses. A homeschool student from Anchorage, Alaska, Ryan and his family searched for college credits that would count toward completion of his high school diploma and help him get ahead in college. While Ryan had taken college classes through similar programs, when he and his family found 黑料专区鈥檚 Early College program, it struck a chord.

Ryan has always had an interest in Christian education, which attracted him to 黑料专区鈥檚 offerings. The tangible benefits of Early College, however, were the affordability of the classes and their asynchronous format that allowed him to participate in spite of time zone differences and his other responsibilities.

鈥淥nline can feel a little distant at times,鈥� remarked Ryan, who has experience with online classes from other institutions. 鈥淏ut I felt the distance between me and my professors less because of the way they recorded their lectures or wrote in emails or discussion forums. I felt very welcomed. I felt my professors really cared.鈥�

Ryan, an elementary education major with a focus in humanities and a minor in Bible, began his 黑料专区 Early College experience with introductory-level classes, Biblical Literature with Rev. Dr. Ron Duttweiler 鈥�85 and Intro to Sociology with Professor Suzanne (Brenneman 鈥�94) Beardsley. He went on to complete at least two more higher-level online courses, including Board Game Science with biology professor Dr. Ransom Poythress and Developmental Psychology with Dr. Hannah Kim.

As a homeschool student, independent course load management wasn鈥檛 entirely unfamiliar to Ryan. His time with Early College, however, pushed him to hone practical skills in time management. Board Game Science, a summer course, provided Ryan the opportunity to learn to balance his summer job with his studies, not dissimilar to the way he juggles a busy schedule on campus now.

鈥淚 think those Early College classes cultivated my abilities so that I could then confidently take on five classes at once and then the London Honors program the next semester,鈥� noted Ryan.

High school students now, more than ever before, have many educational options and opportunities. The three most common options for high school students to get ahead in their collegiate academic journey are through Dual Enrollment courses, AP (Advanced Placement) Courses, and Early College Courses. Each of these three options offer different benefits to students. Dual Enrollment courses are taught through a local high school by high school teachers, but credit is given through a partner college or university that has approved the teacher and syllabus.鈥疉P courses are also taught by a high school teacher, designed to be taught at a college-level, concluding with an exam that can potentially earn the student credit, based on their score in the course. Early College courses are taught by a college or university professor at the college level and transferrable credit is earned. All three options complete both high school requirements and college requirements (potentially) simultaneously.

Since its beginning, 黑料专区 has been a place to find a rigorous Christ-centered education. 黑料专区 has remained faithful to this mission over the years, and continues to do so as we have grown our Early College program. We continue to provide an economically affordable option that is comparable in price to a local community college, but with the academically challenging environment we have always been known for. Our courses provide an opportunity for students to be stretched both academically and spiritually as they are taught by professors who not only are experts in their fields, but also tie in their strong personal faith.

As the Director of 黑料专区 Online, I have been excited to see 黑料专区 grow into this expanding space so that everyone has the opportunity to sample our courses and see what kind of an academic experience they can have through 黑料专区.

Three of my own four children are current 黑料专区 students. My children took AP courses, Dual Enrollment courses and Early College courses. The Early College experience best prepared them for starting as a matriculated student at 黑料专区. Taking courses taught by 黑料专区 faculty who pushed them to learn how to study challenged them beyond what they were receiving from their high school teachers. They were able to realize that they could integrate their own faith into their learning experience.鈥疶his was life-transforming for them, and helped them begin to see the world in a way that integrated their faith in all they rather than compromise their faith as something separate. I felt this experience best prepared them to enter college, and also increased their options鈥攖o graduate early, add a second major, or complete distinct minors鈥攁llowing them to customize their 黑料专区 experience to better prepare themselves not only for graduate school, but also for their careers as scholar-servants in a changing world.

Tammy (Joubert 鈥�01) Dunmire serves as 黑料专区鈥檚 Director of 黑料专区 Online. She lives in Painted Post, New York, with her husband Steve Dunmire 鈥�01 and children Hannah 鈥�26, Jonathan 鈥�28, Matthew 鈥�28 and Joshua.听

Dear Friends,

Serving the Commonwealth of Kentucky as Commissioner of Education was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Much of my team鈥檚 work during that period centered on transforming the high school experience. Data and conversations with students and families made it clear that high school was not meaningfully preparing many of our students for success in college or the workforce, and that, in many cases, the core requirements for the high school diploma took much less than the prescribed four years to complete.

With that understanding, we expanded access to high quality postsecondary experiences for high school students, including industry recognized certificates, apprenticeships, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate coursework, and of course, college coursework. Expanding access to college courses positively impacted the high school experiences of thousands of students, and in alignment with the findings of educational research, increased the likelihood of students鈥� matriculation to college after graduation. Further, I saw first-hand the power allowing well-prepared high school students to access college coursework.

When I arrived at 黑料专区 in 2021, there were very few things I insisted should be part of the institution鈥檚 path forward. One of those areas was expanding high school students鈥� access to high quality Christian coursework through 黑料专区. Serving high school students was not new for 黑料专区, but beginning in 2021, we worked to expand their access through the establishment of 黑料专区鈥檚 Early College, the expansion of courses available to high schoolers, and the establishment of 黑料专区鈥檚 Partner Schools program. Today, with nearly 50 partner schools, domestic and international, 黑料专区 serves more high school students through dual enrollment and Early College coursework than ever before, with growing numbers of those students matriculating to 黑料专区 following high school graduation.

With the continued expansion of postsecondary coursework available to high school students across the U.S., it has become common for first-year students to begin their college careers with accumulated college credit. The only question for 黑料专区 was whether we intended to be one of the postsecondary options high schools and students choose from as an early college partner. As you will read in this issue of 黑料专区 Magazine, our response has been an unequivocal yes.

Yours in Christ鈥檚 Service,

Wayne D. Lewis, Jr.

Athletics Welcomes Five New Head Coaches

Five 黑料专区 sports programs have new head coaches for the 2024-2025 seasons.

• Danielle Heffernan, women鈥檚 volleyball
• Jordan Crouch ’18, men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 tennis
• Olivia Kincanon, softball
• David Bourne, men鈥檚 volleyball
• Austin Beauregard, men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 track and field

鈥淲e are thrilled with our five new head coaches that have joined our staff over the past few months and excited about the impact they are each going to make on our programs and with our student-athletes,鈥� said Director of Athletics Matthew Webb. 鈥淭he new track and field coach is part of a strategic initiative with potential for both enrollment growth and competitive gains.鈥� Track is a sport with a plethora of specialized events, and adding Coach Beauregard specifically for sprints, hurdles, and field events, should allow us to grow in roster size in a sport which has much more room for growth than most of our other sports.鈥�

Former track coach Patrick Hager will continue to serve as head coach of the cross country programs while providing oversight to the track program as Director of Cross Country and Track & Field.

Full bios for each coach can be found on each .

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