BEYOND EVANGELISM CENTER LAUNCHES
EV CHARGING COMES TO CAMPUS ALUMNI UPDATES
FALL 2019
COLORADO CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
25 Years
in the Making
A look at what’s made the School of Business and Leadership successful for a quarter of a century (Feature Story, page 14)
ccu.edu
Fall 2019 | FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear friends, At Colorado Christian University, we have the privilege of being mission-centered in our aim to educate servant leaders who are prepared to make a positive difference for Christ in their workplaces, communities, and churches. For the last 25 years, our School of Business and Leadership has developed leaders in the classroom so they’ll be equipped when they are in the boardroom. The mantra of the School of Business and Leadership is that competence plus character equals a consistent witness for Christ. Indeed, true competence and true character flow from being firmly connected to Christ. In our business programs, we’re developing a new generation of professionals: men and women who are leaders, team players, delegates, doers, strategists, and practitioners — all anchored in a steadfast love for Jesus. Read on and learn more about our unique model in the School of Business and Leadership. Another aspect of guaranteeing mission-centered relevance and influence was the recent launch of the Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics at Colorado Christian University. This new center is another way in which we are equipping and training students to effectively communicate the grace of God and confidently defend the truth of the gospel with the goal of making disciples in America and around the world. God’s continued provision for CCU was on display on a sunny August day as the University officially dedicated its newest facility, Rockmont Hall, a 330-bed residence hall. Later that day, we welcomed our new incoming class of traditional undergraduate students, propelling us to a record 1,414 total enrollment in traditional undergraduate students. Graduate student enrollment is at an all-time high, as well, with 1,467 students pursuing masters or doctoral degrees. Total University enrollment has reached 8,486, the highest total enrollment in the 105year history of the institution. Colorado Christian University has been blessed, through times both good and challenging. Despite our many successes this year, I am keenly aware that we would have been unable to continue in our mission without God’s hand of favor, as well as without the amazing support of many incredible people like you. Your contributions have provided much-needed assistance not only for physical learning and living spaces on our campus, but also that we might continue offering competitive scholarships to those who wish to be part of the CCU family. We believe that God is at work at CCU — changing lives and making His grace and truth a reality in the world. Thank you for your part in those endeavors. I hope to see you on campus very soon for a campus visit, at a School of Music performance, or at a Cougar Athletics event (by the way, take a look at the new event center floor on page 25). Yours in His service,
DONALD W. SWEETING, Ph.D. President Colorado Christian University
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inside VOLUME 5 NO. 1
06
News & Highlights Learn about recent happenings in the CCU community
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Strobel Center Launches CCU joins forces with renowned authors and evangelists Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg to equip believers
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It’s Electric CCU’s first EV charging station installed on Lakewood campus
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25 Years in the Making 2019 marks a quarter-century since the School of Business and Leadership in the College of Undergraduate Studies was established
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Athlete Spotlight: Stephanie Day ’20 A leader on campus, in the classroom, and on the diamond
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#GoCougsGo From the pitch to the court to the trail, Cougar athletes continue to compete with character
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More Than Just a Legacy
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Student Spotlight: Jeffrey Jordan ’21 Rev. Jeffrey Jordan discovered it is never too late to follow your dream
University honors Harwood family and announces planned giving society
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Alumni Updates Catch up on the comings and goings of the Cougar community
A publication of Colorado Christian University
Our Magazine In BEYOND, our goal is to share the story of CCU, as well as God’s faithful provision for more than 100 years. We aim to share the stories of the people who go beyond and make CCU the great university it is today. Whether you’re an alum or a friend, this magazine is designed for you, because your story, our story, His story, is meant to be told.
BEYOND Production & Creative Team Executive Vice President: Dan Cohrs Assistant Vice President of Communications & Creative Services: Chris Franz Director of Communications & University Spokesperson: Lance Oversole ’06 Writer & Editor: Aaron Burnett Graphic Designer: Martha Snowbarger
University Advancement Team Vice President of University Advancement: Eric Hogue Senior Director of Advancement: Kathy Pettit Director of Major & Planned Gifts: Mark Heckelmann Director of Alumni & Parent Relations: Kara Johnston Director of Foundation Relations: Nancy Engel Data Architect: Matt Rummel Project Coordinator: Mikayla Kakihara ’19 Executive Assistant to the Vice President: Jill Sneed
Mission Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth. Colorado Christian University cultivates knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world. We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards, embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, treasure the gospel, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world in their callings.
On the Cover Cover photo by Josh Barrett featuring Chandler Collen ’19 photographing Dr. Gary Ewen, Prof. Kevin Miller, and Dr. Chuck King.
Colorado Christian University 8787 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, Colorado 80226 303-963-3000 | ccu.edu
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NEWS | Fall 2019
News & Highlights An overview of what’s happening at CCU
CCU Bestows Honorary Doctorate on Missionary and Linguist Maxine Morarie
CCU Named One of the Top Teacher Preparation Programs in the Country
Colorado Christian University has bestowed an honorary doctorate on celebrated linguist and missionary Maxine Morarie. Morarie embodies the evangelical spirit on which the University was founded.
Colorado Christian University’s undergraduate elementary and secondary teacher preparation programs have again been named among the top in the country by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), a nonpartisan, not-forprofit research and policy organization.
“Maxine Morarie has lived a life dedicated to spreading the message of Christ’s love,” Dr. Donald W. Sweeting, CCU president, said. “Morarie’s passion and dedication to translating the Word of the Lord into the native tongue of the Ayoré has served as an inspiration to generations of linguists and missionaries. It is in light of this inspiring work that CCU has chosen to honor Morarie with a doctorate of letters.” In 1951 at the age of 18, Maxine Morarie and her husband, Howard, then 23, embarked on a mission to spread the gospel message of Christ’s love to the nomadic, warlike Ayoré people. The newlyweds would spend the next 32 years in the jungles of eastern Bolivia and the Gran Chaco area of Paraguay working to bring sustainable economics, medicine, church planting, and linguistic preservation to the Ayoré people. She taught translation principles or assisted in other tribal linguistic projects in Bolivia, Paraguay, Colombia, Venezuela, and Mexico. She continues to work on producing cultural material and linguistic work that includes the mentoring or advising of anthropologists, missionaries, students, and others who seek to learn more about Ayoré culture.
“CCU faculty and staff are committed to providing state-ofthe-art, research-based learning experiences and activities for students to gain the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective teacher in today’s changing classrooms,” said Dr. Debora Scheffel, dean of the School of Education in CCU’s College of Undergraduate Studies. NCTQ named 120 undergraduate programs that excel in preparing teacher candidates to meet the demands of their future classrooms as part of a new book, Start Here to Become a Teacher. Using nearly two decades of extensive research in teacher preparation, NCTQ assessed programs on critical, evidence-based measures, including: a rigorous admissions process, emphasis on research-based approaches to teaching reading and math for elementary candidates, content knowledge for secondary candidates, training in classroom management strategies that work for all students, and quality student-teaching experiences.
Special Education Alternative Licensure Program Highlighted in Peer-reviewed Journal Rural Special Education Quarterly Colorado Christian University’s alternative licensure program for special education candidates was featured in the July 19 edition of the peer-reviewed journal Rural Special Education Quarterly. Dr. Marla J. Lohmann, Dr. Bushrod White, and Kathy A. Johnson, from the School of Education Professions in the College of Adult and Graduate Studies, authored the article. The article provides a description of CCU’s alternative licensure program for special education candidates, with a particular emphasis on how CCU supports the needs of rural schools. The journal focuses on rural special education and this particular special issue focuses on alternative licensure for rural special education teachers. The CCU article notes a documented shortage of special education teachers nationwide, with many rural school districts reporting the hiring of uncertified or temporary teachers to fill open positions. To meet the needs of rural schools in the state, the University developed an asynchronous online alternative special education teacher certification program. It includes 12 months of online coursework, as well as remote video supervision. This article provides a brief description of the program and preliminary data supporting its effectiveness in meeting the needs of rural Colorado schools. CCU’s program was one of only three programs featured in the journal and the only program facilitated by a university. The other two programs described are coordinated by state departments of education. You can find a link to the article abstract at: http://bit.ly/journalabstract.
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More than 600 Graduates Participate in 2019 Commencement
CCU Ranked in Top 2% for Eighth Consecutive Year
CCU’s Dual Credit Program Surpasses 5,000 Students
Thousands of friends and family members were on hand as Colorado Christian University honored 618 graduates May 10 at the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colo.
Colorado Christian University is ranked in the top 2% of all U.S. colleges and universities for the eighth consecutive year by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) in the organization’s 2019-2020 What Will They Learn? report, an annual assessment of over 1,100 general education programs. CCU is one of only 22 institutions nationwide, and only one of two institutions in Colorado, to receive an ‘A’ rating for its core curriculum requirements.
Colorado Christian University’s dual credit program has surpassed 5,000 participating students for the first time in the program’s history. Dual credit provides high school students an opportunity to earn both college and high school credit for college-level classes taught by credentialed high school faculty.
“Much like an archer, we have pulled back the string and released the arrow,” Dr. Donald W. Sweeting, CCU president, said. “We have just released hundreds of students to fulfill their God-ordained callings.” While not all graduates participated in commencement, the University awarded degrees to 733 students in spring 2019. The class was the University’s largest and most diverse to date. The College of Adult and Graduate Studies conferred master’s degrees on 98 students in addition to undergraduate degrees on 314 students. The College of Undergraduate Studies conferred bachelor’s degrees on 321 students.
“Colorado Christian University wants to prepare students who have a solid foundation under their feet. That is why we insist on a robust core curriculum,” said Dr. Donald W. Sweeting, CCU president. “This is not only essential in preparing them for a dynamic labor market where they will have many different jobs, but also providing an essential civic literacy for our republic.”
The program was launched in 2010 and has grown steadily in the nine years since — expanding to more than 150 Christian, private, and public high schools in the United States and internationally. Courses are typically junior- and senior-level and are more rigorous than normal curriculum. Students are currently enrolled to earn more than 30,000 credits through the program. Since its inception, dual credit has helped high school students earn more than 136,000 credits toward their college degrees.
FALL
2019 CCU’s Charles Denler Wins Third Emmy Colorado Christian University assistant professor of music Charles Denler has won an Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for his hit compilation, Wild Mustang Suite. It is Denler’s third Emmy win in four nominations. “I really wasn’t thinking that a win was going to happen,” Denler said. “I actually tried to convince my wife that we didn’t need to attend, but she really pushed me to go to the gala. It is always an honor and a huge blessing to win.” The album went to No. 1 three times on the Radio Spin Charts, has received more than 12 million plays, and won the Gold Medal for Best Neo Classical Album at the 2019 Global Music Awards. The suite for piano and orchestra was recorded live with The City of Prague Philharmonic and Grammy Award-winning engineer, Jan Holzner. The Emmy-winning score can be heard at charlesdenler.com.
ccu.edu/events
CCU’s Dr. Jill Schroeder-Dorn Conducted at Carnegie Hall Colorado Christian University affiliate faculty member and alumna Jill Schroeder-Dorn ’05 made her conducting debut at Carnegie Hall in New York on June 1. SchroederDorn conducted a choir of 130 singers, two New Yorkbased professional soloists, and a professional orchestra performing Ralph Vaughn Williams’ “Dona Nobis Pacem.”
For information on upcoming events, visit ccu.edu/events.
Schroeder-Dorn serves as an affiliate faculty member at CCU, where she directs the women’s choir in addition to teaching. Schroeder-Dorn is also the music minister at Shepard of the Hills Presbyterian Church in Lakewood, Colo., and the director for the Colorado community chorus group, Summit Choral Society. The 130-person choir that performed in New York was composed of friends, family members, CCU alumni and students, in addition to performers from the Summit Choral Society and Shepard of the Hills.
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CCU HIGHLIGH
CCU Marks 10th Consecutive Year of Enrollment Growth Record traditional student enrollment and expanding graduate-level programs pushed Colorado Christian University to its 10th consecutive year of enrollment growth. Total University enrollment reached 8,486, the highest total enrollment in the 105-year history of the institution. The programs seeing the largest growth continue to be at the graduate level, with 1,467 students enrolled last year. This is an increase of nearly 10 percent over the previous year, and an 83 percent increase over the last decade.
HTS
Rockmont Hall Opens, Fourth New Building in Five Years More than a year of construction officially came to fruition August 20 when Colorado Christian University dedicated its newest facility, Rockmont Hall. The 330bed, apartment-style residence hall is the fourth new building and the second residence hall constructed on the University’s Lakewood campus since its redevelopment plan was implemented in 2012.
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CCU joins forces with renowned authors and evangelists Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg to equip believers
olorado Christian University has joined forces with renowned evangelist and New York Times best-selling author Lee Strobel to launch the Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics at CCU. The center will promote training in evangelism and apologetics in order to bring spiritual renewal to the church in America. “As an evangelical university, we stand within the great tradition of Christian universities who are serious about faith and the gospel, and we’re thrilled to have Lee Strobel join our team,” said Dr. Donald W. Sweeting, CCU president.
“Strobel’s background as a former atheist, portrayed in his book and film The Case for Christ, gives him valuable insight into how to reach people who are far from
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Christ,” Sweeting said. “It is a Strategic Priority of Colorado Christian University to share the love of Christ on campus and around the world, and to teach our students to be evangelists. The Strobel Center at CCU is an incredible vehicle to enable us to make new strides to achieve these priorities.” The Strobel Center at CCU will focus on applied apologetics — equipping a vast network of Christians who are actively engaged in the marketplace of ideas in local churches and communities, in the media, in the entertainment world, on the internet, and throughout popular culture. The center will also offer accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees designed to help churches, ministries, and individual Christians share and defend their faith naturally and effectively.
Described in the Washington Post as “one of the evangelical community’s most popular apologists,” Strobel has authored more than 40 books and curricula that have sold more than 14 million copies. The Yale-educated former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune also has been a teaching pastor at three of the largest evangelical churches in the country. “Who is the next Billy Graham? It is millions of contagious Christians who are trained, equipped, and deployed,” said Strobel. “And we have a vision to fulfill this mission as quickly as possible through this new initiative at Colorado Christian University. As an unapologetically Christian university, CCU is a natural home for this new center.” The Strobel Center’s executive director is Mark Mittelberg, Strobel’s long-time
ministry associate and the best-selling author of The Reason Why Faith Makes Sense; Confident Faith; and The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask (With Answers). Over the course of three decades, Strobel and Mittelberg have equipped nearly two million Christians worldwide to reach others with the gospel message of love, hope, and redemption and have innovated and led numerous evangelism and apologetics conferences, training seminars, national simulcasts, and outreach events. They have also collaborated in leading the outreach and apologetics efforts of one of the largest evangelical churches in America. One of the Strobel Center’s unique objectives is to train and certify evangelism directors for local churches. These individuals will serve on a fulltime, part-time, or volunteer basis in partnership with senior pastors in order to mobilize churches to reach their communities for Christ.
ccu.edu/strobelcenter
“We believe in the power of leadership,” said Mittelberg. “The senior pastor can’t do everything himself. We want to equip, mentor, and deploy leaders who will creatively and effectively partner with pastors to reach everyone with the gospel.”
creative technology, the most current and proven content, and live interaction with passionate and credentialed educators.” Tracks of emphasis will include Innovative Evangelism, Cultural Engagement, Global Apologetics, and Practical Apologetics.
“Who is the next Billy Graham? It is millions of contagious Christians who are trained, equipped, and deployed.”
“The Strobel Center will be outwardly rather than inwardly focused, it will be relentlessly practical and nondenominational in its orientation, and it will pioneer fresh approaches to evangelism and the defense of the faith — all solidly grounded on a biblical foundation,” said Strobel.
To facilitate that training, the Strobel Center’s courses will be offered through CCU Online, enabling people from all backgrounds and stages of life to study online from the convenience of their own home or office. “CCU is a leader in online education,” Sweeting added. “The Strobel Center will feature the latest and most
The Strobel Center will also include a think tank composed of leading Christian scholars, innovators, and practitioners. The think tank will collaborate on fresh ways of explaining and spreading the gospel, host national conferences to share best practices, and encourage churches in saturating their communities with the Christian message.
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CHARGING STATION | Fall 2019
It’’s Electric It
Boogie Woogie
CCU’s first EV charging station installed on Lakewood campus
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tudents and faculty who have made the switch to an electric vehicle now have a convenient place to recharge on CCU’s Lakewood campus, thanks to a generous donation. The anonymous donors covered the installation and three years of maintenance for a two-port electric vehicle charging station located outside of Snowmass Hall.
“These truly generous donors have made it convenient for students in the CCU community to embrace this new EV technology.” “This is a great opportunity for students who have electric vehicles,” said Shannon Dreyfuss, vice president of Campus Development. “These truly generous donors have made it convenient for students in the CCU community to embrace this new EV technology.” The station was installed at the start of the fall semester and provides free charging for up to two vehicles at a time. Individuals interested in using the charging station must first register their vehicle with campus security. Prior to the on-campus installation, the nearest public EV charging station was located several blocks away at the Lakewood municipal complex near Wadsworth Boulevard and Alameda Avenue.
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Join hundreds of seasoned executives and Colorado Christian University students for the 17th annual Values-Aligned Leadership Summit. The summit provides a unique opportunity to mix small groups of professionals with undergraduate, adult, and graduate students. Sharing a table, meals, and meaningful conversation, while exploring key marketplace issues, provides rare opportunities for professionals to mentor the next generation of leaders and to impart valuable professional and personal lessons learned.
March 4, 2020 // 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. // Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center School of Business and Leadership 25th Anniversary Dinner 5:00-8:30 p.m.
Sponsorships are available. Please contact Kara Johnston, director of alumni and parent relations, at 303.963.3320 or email kjohnston@ccu.edu, for more information on supporting values-aligned education for CCU students.
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wo-and-half decades, that’s how long the School of Business and Leadership in the College of Undergraduate Studies has been taking a unique approach to undergraduate business education. In that time, the school has grown from an idea, to a business plan, to one of the largest traditional undergraduate schools with the largest enrolled program (B.S. Business Administration).
DR. GARY EWEN
Dean, School of Business and Leadership
To mark its 25th year, three deans that have led the school agreed to share their recollections from the school’s infancy to today. What follows is a condensed version of their conversation: Tell me about the early days of the School of Business and Leadership. How did the school begin? Dr. Gary Ewen, dean from 2010 to present: In 1993, President Ron Schmidt tasked Academic Vice President Jack Cahill to have an undergraduate school of business designed. At the time, I was the chief technology officer for the University and served on the University cabinet. In the early 90s, the University was struggling financially. Kevin Miller was initially hired to help with the University’s turnaround, and he and I shared an office in the Beckman Center. After the successful turnaround, Kevin went back into private sector. I convinced him to come back to CCU to travel the country and consult with CEOs to determine their perspectives about schools of business: what was right and what was
25 Years
2019 marks a quarter-century since the School of Business
KEVIN MILLER
Executive in Residence; Distinguished Professor of Business and Leadership
DR. CHUCK KING
Professor of Business, Law and Ethics; Dean Emeritus
in the Making
and Leadership in the College of Undergraduate Studies was established
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP | Fall 2019 lacking. After he did that, he wrote this little document, a 200-page strategic blueprint for designing a school of business. CCU is one of the few schools of business that actually has a business plan. Kevin also agreed to serve as the founding dean of the school. Dr. Chuck King, dean from 1998-2001, 2005-2010: For an outsider, our model is really unique in the sense that the school of business is really designed to serve businesses. Professor Miller went and talked to CEOs; the school didn’t grow out of the traditional academic model spearheaded by seasoned academics and professors. It really was designed from the beginning to be a practitioner model, quite different from any other model out there. We prepare students to meet the needs of their future employers. Ewen: What is interesting is that companies with a legacy product are at a disadvantage to companies that are providing a new product because they have to support the old methods. We were new, we could pretty much do whatever we thought was right. Prof. Kevin Miller, dean from 19941998: There were four key pillars in the business plan for the school, and all of them were quite differentiated from the bootson-the-ground delivery model for other schools of business. The first pillar was a very strong practitioner model. That is not how other colleges are structured in terms of faculty framework. Professional schools like medicine, engineering, and business should embrace practitioners as faculty; however, most traditional academic models do not. The practitioner model produces fantastic graduates and very satisfied clients, which are the businesses and nonprofits that hire our graduates. The second pillar was integration of faith — not just saying a prayer to start and end a class session, but truly integrating how the kingdom works and how the gospel is superior to everything else.
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The third was integration of strategic disciplines. At the time, very few business schools really integrated across multiple disciplines of management, marketing, and finance. The fourth pillar was technology. Remember, this was 1993, and ‘technology’ was basically taking a programming class. We really wanted to see technology integrated into business, so that every student would gain a solid footing that would serve them well. How does the structure of the School of Business and Leadership differ from programs at other universities? Ewen: We took the best from what was already out there. There are a lot of great professors and great structures about how to do things right. It wasn’t like we did it completely out of whole cloth. The secret was that the administration gave us latitude to do it right and to do it well. Miller: It really was very practitionerbased. We tried to get people in the classroom who not only knew content, but could deliver that content in an entertaining, thoughtful, and deeply relevant way that was engaging and produced graduates that understood the practitioner portion of classical business. However, it was hard finding good faculty because of the different pay scale in the nonprofit world compared to the private sector. Everyone was extremely sacrificial and remains so today. The big positive was complete latitude to think outside of the box compared to traditional academia. The difficulty was the resources weren’t there in the beginning to hire anybody that I wanted. Our faculty are and were individuals who felt God’s call saying ‘I really want you to do this.’ The practitioner model helped because when people learned what we were doing in terms of teaching business, they wanted to join the team.
Ewen: One thing we did right was identifying a core set of courses that every business student would take, and it was based on the Marine Corps model. In the Marines, you might be fixing helicopters later in your career, but you were a rifleman first. In the school of business, every student takes accounting, every student takes business law. In terms of the foundational skillsets and understandings for a successful business person, there are no gaps. Miller: That’s really important. Every great business school has a foundation across disciplines, however we hired faculty who were actually practitioners in those disciplines. That’s the difference we leverage with a practitioner model. In a practitioner-based model, how big of a role does faculty play? Miller: When you’re a small school of business, the secret is you don’t have very many full-time faculty members. We’re in a production world. You have to produce incredible class sessions every time. If you only have 10 full-time professors, one professor is 10% of your production so you better not hire anyone who is just ‘average,’ because that starts to dilute your product. We had to trust the Lord to call the right faculty, but we also had to be ready to act and to hire those great faculty members when He called them. Ewen: The other thing we did early on was allowing our practitioner professors to continue to work in their fields outside of CCU. That way we aren’t just talking about something we did 30 years ago, we’re talking about something we might have done with a client two months ago. It is relevant. The war stories we use in the classroom to illustrate the concepts are relevant and up to date. King: I think the toughest job for any dean of the school of business at Colorado Christian University is hiring faculty. We have to find individuals who are first Christians and are serious about integrating
ccu.edu/SBL
“I never thought I would be one to do something entrepreneurial and start my own business … but there was a lot of empowerment through what we learned in class and seeing our professors actively working in their fields.”
CHANDLER COLLEN ’19 B.S. Business Administration Entrepreneur and Owner of Chandler J Photography
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP | Fall 2019 faith in the classroom. Secondly, we have to find individuals who can teach, and teach well. Finally, we have to find people who are professionals, who are practitioners and who know what they are teaching. It’s tough to find all those qualities in an individual. Ewen: One of the things that helps us is the ability for faculty to continue consulting or doing other business work during University breaks to stay relevant in their fields. King: Interestingly, one of the challenges on the occasion that we find someone who has taught in a large university and is a solid Christian, they struggle trying to integrate faith into the classroom. It’s been pounded into them that they can’t do that, but at CCU they are required to do that. How has the school built and maintained credibility in the business community? King: I think it’s important to note that not only did Kevin begin by trying to be responsive to the needs of the business community as he formed the school, but he also established an advisory board of professionals who were high-level business people. The board observed what we were doing and said ‘yeah, that works’ or ‘no, that doesn’t work.’ Miller: We had about a dozen phenomenal Christian business people that served on the board, names that you would recognize. It gave us instant visibility. It’s a classic case of professionals wanting to support a nonprofit initiative. We needed the marquee names, accomplished CEOs, and founders that were very well known in the community as well as nationwide. Currently, we are actively placing graduates with industryleading employers and successful businesses. They are the ones giving us the immediate feedback and framework for the continued success of our students. Today as the school continues to grow, we have less need for marquee advisors, and more of a need for
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partnerships to place graduates to begin their careers. Why is it important to have a Christcentered education when preparing business leaders to go out into the world? Miller: The reality is that the most astute organization is the kingdom of God. It is the model by which everything is done perfectly under perfect leadership of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It isn’t just a head nod to a spiritual dimension, but it’s recognizing that most corporations don’t last very long. Only a few have lasted over a century, but most companies come and go, and same is true of nonprofits. The kingdom stands forever. We remind our students of that in every business class — quite frankly, no other business schools teach that. Ewen: We personalize the classroom. Our professors share some of their own personal faith journeys — things that they have been through in their lives. Our students can see that they may have to deal with something similar someday, and there is always hope. King: One element we emphasize with our students is the reality that when they enter the workplace, their faith will be tested and they need to decide now how they will deal with that. We want them to plan and be ready for the crises they will face later in life. I challenge my students: You need to decide when you go out into the accounting world and the first thing you are asked to do is book something in an improper way — what will be your reaction? There is going to be a lot of pressure on you. You need to figure out in advance how you’re going to deal with a situation like that. Ewen: Our graduates do not go to the workplace values-neutral. Employers recognize that, reward that, and desire that in their employees.
How do you see the School of Business and Leadership fitting into the overall goals and community of CCU? Ewen: At many Christian universities, the school of business is viewed as a necessary evil because they are dividing the world into the sacred and the secular. We don’t make that distinction. One the first day of class in Business 101, we ask the students ‘How many of you are going into full-time ministry?’ A couple of students will raise their hands. We correct them and remind them that they are all going into full-time ministry. CCU recognizes that we don’t make that distinction. The School of Business and Leadership is the tip of the spear when it comes to employer relations, student graduation, student placement for paid internships, and for fundraising. Our successful graduates will one day be in a position to give back to their alma mater. What do you see as the future of the School of Business and Leadership? Ewen: In fall 2020, we are adding a new bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship. A big part of the future will be a new dean coming in July 1 who accepts and honors the culture that we’ve created here. It’s been a 25year, highly intentional effort to not just to develop a school of business, but to develop a culture. We are a no-excuses culture. We do some very different things here and that helps mold our graduates into first-year employees who are acting like second-year employees. Our graduates hit the ground running and we hear from their employers that our students are just different. We need to protect the practitioner model that we have because that’s our secret sauce, that and keeping the secular and the sacred combined.
ccu.edu/SBL
“CCU was an environment that encouraged me to make the best decisions in life and provided a place for me to strengthen my own faith.”
COLE MELLOTT ’18
B.S. Accounting, B.S. Business Administration Upstream Accounting Analyst, ExxonMobil
“I want to become a professor, to grab hold of these children and prepare them for their future. I’m honored to be able to do it at this stage. It’s never too late to do something that you really want to do.”
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Fall 2019 Spring | STUDENT 2019 | THEN SPOTLIGHT & NOW
‘Most people did it when they were young, I’m doing it now.’ Rev. Jeffrey Jordan A.A. Biblical Studies ’17, B.A. Biblical Studies ’19, M.A. Curriculum and Instruction ’21 Pastor, singer, and professor-to-be
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o say that Rev. Jeffrey Jordan, A.A. in Biblical Studies ’17, B.A. in Biblical Studies ’19, took a round-about path to the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction program in the College of Adult and Graduate Studies would be an understatement. The pastor and internationally renowned singer thought that his opportunity to earn a college degree and work as a professor had long since passed him by. It wasn’t until an unexpected email from Colorado Christian University changed everything. “I’ve always loved education and I thought as a little boy that I would be a professor one day,” Jordan said. “I saw the email, and to this day it still blows my mind because I thought that at my age it was too late. Something inside me, it must have been the Spirit, said ‘give them a call.’” When Jordan decided to follow the Spirit’s direction he was connected with Ricky McCord, a CCU Online enrollment counselor, who helped Jordan apply to the University and for financial aid.
online.ccu.edu
“Our timing is not His timing. He knows when we should go, and when we should do the things that He wants us to do,” Jordan said. “In this late stage of my life, when most people did it when they were young, I’m doing it now.” Jordan completed an Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies in December 2017 and a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies in May 2019. He is currently enrolled in his first year in the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction program. He noted that while he’s stayed focused on continuing his education, it has not always been easy. “There was a time that I said ‘I can’t do this, this is too hard, I’m too old to be doing this,’” Jordan said. “I was trying to balance this (college classes) with a heavy preaching schedule, a heavy singing schedule, and a heavy work schedule. The Scripture says to whom much is given, much is required and that I can do all this through Him who strengthens me. I had to continue. I fought to the very end and now I find myself positioned really well.”
Jordan said that he’s found true joy and direction in his graduate studies. “I think that I’m more excited now than I have ever been. I know that I chose what I should have chosen because I’m in love with every class that I’ve been in thus far.”
“I think that I’m more excited now than I have ever been.” The Washington, D.C.-area preacher and former corporate instructor said he intends to use his newly developing skillset to help churches and schools create curriculum and programs that will fit the needs of the areas where organizations are located. “I want to become a professor, to grab hold of these children and prepare them for their future,” Jordan said. “I’m honored to be able to do it at this stage. It’s never too late to do something that you really want to do.”
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ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT | Fall 2019
A Leader On Campus, In the Classroom, and On the Diamond Stephanie Day ’20 B.S. Accounting and B.S. Business Administration Two-time Softball All-American
S
tephanie Day ’20 is someone that everyone at Colorado Christian University should know. She has been a two-time All-American with the softball team, was the president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and now in her senior year is serving as the student body president.
Raised in Las Vegas by parents who are both educators, Day prioritized education and involvement from a young age. At CCU, Day knew she wanted to be involved in student government and started as an Athletics senator. During her junior year, Day was elected SAAC president. She credits her attendance at the RMAC SAAC conference representing CCU with inspiring new events, including her “Amazing Race” event last year. “A lot of times we focus on creating events for incoming freshman. I wanted to focus on making an event that appealed to a variety of groups on campus,” Day said. “Both athletes and non-athletes loved the event and I felt like it was a good way to involve everyone. It was a good first step for me to understand how to appeal to wide audiences.” Day is double majoring in business administration and accounting. One of the big draws to the business school for her was
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that over 95 percent of undergrad students receive job offers by the end of their junior year. She is currently an accounting intern at Spicer Jeffries LLP and hopes to receive a full-time offer after graduation.
“We always want to be pushing each other to be our best.” On the field, Day shows the same drive and willingness to go above and beyond that she does in the classroom and on the political scene. As a junior in high school, Day noticed several players from the Las Vegas area playing softball at CCU. She emailed the CCU coach, and after watching her play, he offered her a scholarship on the spot. Since joining the team, Day has been named to the All-American team twice, hit 30 home runs, and drove in 161 runs. Going into her senior season, Day is excited about the team. “We have a lot of really talented freshman coming in who can play multiple positions, and play them all well. There is a lot of motivation to try and get that starting spot, we always want to be pushing each other to be our best.”
Fall 2019 Spring| ATHLETE 2019 | THEN SPOTLIGHT & NOW
CCU President Donald W. Sweeting and Stephanie Day
ccucougars.com
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#GOCOUGSGO
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Fall 2019 | ATHLETICS NEWS
Cougar Athletics has roared into the fall semester, spreading the gospel message of Christ’s love while competing at the highest levels. Highlights include a 17th place national finish for cross country and strong performances for men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball. The Cougar cagers are raring for action as competition on the hardwood heats up. On the facilities front, the Event Center now features a one-of-kind gym floor with a silhouette of the Denver skyline along one sideline and the Front Range along the other.
ccucougars.com
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HARWOOD LEGACY | Fall 2019
More than just a legacy University honors Harwood family and announces new planned giving society
C
olorado Christian University’s history is scattered with visionaries and donors who imagined great things for the institution they loved. On rare occasions the generosity of a family is so profound that it forever alters the course of an institution. The Harwood family did just that when in 1959 they donated a large parcel of land in Morrison, Colorado, to Western Bible Institute, one of CCU’s heritage institutions. The donation, valued at $140,000 when it was made, provided a home for WBI and eventually the local Christian radio station KWBI.
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Although Western Bible merged with Rockmont to form Colorado Christian University on the Lakewood campus, the Morrison property continues to provide for the needs of CCU students nearly 60 years later. Now referred to as Lyons Ridge, it has yielded cumulative revenues and donations expected to total $20 million. Carl C. Harwood Sr. ’37 was
a co-founder and the first president of Western Bible Institute. He was joined on the Board of Trustees in 1958 by his brother, Clarence R. Harwood ’28, and nephew, Stanley A. Harwood. Clarence and Stan owned the profitable Purity Creamery, and committed their time and business profits to area ministries, church planting, and Christian education. Their 1959 gift remains the
Fall 2019 | HARWOOD LEGACY
“The Harwood Legacy Society is an effort to shape future leaders and the future of CCU by remembering this great University in one’s estate plan or will.” single largest revenue generating gift in the University’s history. During the annual President’s Circle Dinner in October, CCU President Donald W. Sweeting honored the Harwood family for their generous and continued support of Colorado Christian University with the announcement of the Harwood Legacy Award. Each year, the award will honor donors who consistently make high-impact gifts to the University and encourage others to contribute by example. “We commend the Harwood family’s deep commitment to creating a Christian university in Colorado through their visionary leadership and generous philanthropy,” Sweeting said. “Because of the amazing legacy gift, CCU is able to empower men and women with a sense of calling for the sake of Jesus Christ and the glory of God, and the betterment of people everywhere.” In addition to the award, the University has formed the Harwood Legacy Society that will officially launch in the spring. The society recognizes individuals and families who have designated a planned gift or legacy donation to Colorado Christian University. “The Harwood Legacy Society is an effort to shape future leaders and the future of CCU by remembering this
ccu.edu/legacygiving
great University in one’s estate plan or will,” said Eric Hogue, vice president of University Advancement. “It’s a wonderful way to invest in this Christcentered mission of higher education at Colorado Christian University.” For Andy and Susie Anderson, leaving a legacy gift to CCU seemed like a natural extension of the way they have chosen to live their lives. “Of all of the organizations that I work with and have worked with I think CCU is doing the best thing,” said Andy Anderson, who previously served on the University’s Board of Trustees. “I’m very positive on Colorado Christian University and always have been.”
The Andersons, who are members of CCU’s President’s Circle, have named the University as the beneficiary of their charitable trust, which will encompass approximately 65% of the couple’s financial assets at the time of their passing. “The Harwood Legacy Society pays tribute to individuals and families who have stood with CCU’s Christ-centered liberal arts higher education mission,” Hogue said. “When you create or declare a planned gift or legacy gift naming CCU as its beneficiary, you become a member of the Harwood Legacy Society. In essence, you are investing confidently in the future of this great university, its students, faculty and gospel-soaked mission.”
Hogue noted that legacy gifts can be some of the easiest donations to make to CCU. In essence, they are deferred donations that cause no impact immediately, but turn into a tremendous benefit and impact for the University in the future. Donors can make a lasting impact by designating CCU in a will, trust, retirement plan, life insurance policy, life income arrangement, or another type of planned gift. “You can create a legacy donation for CCU that costs you nothing today and even as you do so you can tend to your own financial goals and address your family’s long-term needs knowing all along that you’re leaving an estate gift and/or will that will benefit CCU into perpetuity,” Hogue said. “Gifts of any size, even naming CCU as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy — collected with hundreds of others — impact the University tremendously.”
To discuss how you can make a planned or legacy gift to Colorado Christian University, contact Mark Heckelmann, director of major and planned gifts, at 303.963.3343 or mheckelmann@ccu.edu.
From top left to right: WBI campus in Morrison; Harwood family members receiving their Legacy Award with Eric Hogue and President Donald W. Sweeting; Andy and Susie Anderson (left) with Leslie and Lee Strobel at the annual President’s Circle Dinner.
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CCU ALU 1992
An exhibit presented by CCU Spring 2020
Timothy Jardine ’92 is retired from active duty in the U.S. Army and lives in Puyallup, Wash., near his hometown of Auburn. He says visitors are welcome, just contact him before you arrive in the area so he can plan accordingly. Timothy and his wife, Melinda ’96, are involved with the drama ministry and missions board at their church. Their daughter, Gabriela, is in her first year at the Art Institute of Seattle, and son, Micah, is in his junior year of high school at home as well as the college-bound program at the Art Institute of Seattle. Classmates can contact Timothy at jardine42001@yahoo.com and Melinda at patchesmine@msn.com.
1993 Dr. Gisela Roth ’93, graduated from CCU with a bachelor’s degree in biblical counseling in 1993. Gisela worked as a missionary doctor in Zimbabwe before training as a psychiatrist and psychotherapist in Germany, her home country. She joined AIM Care (Africa Inland Mission) and partners with DMG (a German agency that works with organizations like AIM to place missionaries all over the world). In 2005, Gisela joined the medical staff at Tumaini Counseling Centre in Nairobi. In this role, Gisela offers support to missionaries through psychiatric care, EMDR, specialized trauma therapy, general counseling, medication management, marriage retreats, and member care workshops.
Fall 2019 | ALUMNI UPDATES
UMNI UPDATES Tumaini is a Swahili word for “hope,” and Gisela and her fellow healthcare practitioners believe this is one of the most important things they can give to their fellow missionaries. In addition to working with her patients at the clinic, Gisela is a frequent guest speaker at seminars on trauma for pastors, and she teaches various levels of EMDR at multiple events. In 2020, she plans on taking a much-needed furlough back to Germany. Gisela is grateful for everyone who is actively praying for her, donating to her support, keeping in contact, encouraging her, and taking an active interest in her life. “I think Dietrich Bonhoeffer expressed it well: ‘The Christian needs a Christian to tell him God’s Word, she needs her over and over, when she is doubting and disheartened; for out of himself he can’t help himself without swindling himself out of the truth. This shows the goal of all fellowship of Christians: they meet each other as carriers of the Salvation message.’ This is why we keep speaking into the life of missionaries — to help move them out of being disheartened.” For nearly 35 years, Gisela has been in active ministry in Africa. After you read this, please stop and pray for her ministry, for new long-term clinicians in the Tumaini centers, for her support, for her health, and for her never-ending desire to serve missionaries and see the people of Africa redeemed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you would like to learn more about the Tumaini Counseling Centre, please visit tumainicounselling.net/nairobi.
2006 Heather (Rau) Haskins ’06 is a counselor in the Weld RE-4 School District (Windsor, Colo., High School). She is married to Isaac, and they have a son named Austyn.
ccu.edu/alumni
2007 Scott Major ’07 recently studied what it takes to save species in the wild and engaged with local partners developing and testing site-specific methods of community engagement to sustain ecological and social health in Hawaii. Scott, a school counselor at Evergreen Middle School, lives in Arvada, Colo., and is a graduate student in Miami University’s Earth Expeditions.
2008 Lindsey Brunette ’08 just wrote her first book, a memoir entitled Being Here: Reflections on Life, Love, Faith, and Turning Thirty; it was released by Christian Faith Publishing. The paperback is currently available on Amazon.com and online from Barnes & Noble. E-book and audio book versions will be available in the coming months. Lindsey resides in North Hollywood, Calif.
2009 Terrie (Chacon) MacDonald ’09 has been teaching for 10 years after receiving her bachelor’s degree from CCU. She taught pre-K for four years, kindergarten for three years, and for the past three years has been teaching ESL for grades K-12. She loved CCU’s teaching program and values the relationships made with professors. She didn’t feel like just another number at CCU!
2010 Vikki Walton ’10 is a Colorado Springs, Colo.-based consultant who writes grants for ministries and nonprofits. She recently collaborated with her daughter, Jori, to write and illustrate a children’s book, Will God Still Find Me?, based on Romans 8:39 and featuring a young boy who considers running from home, and all the careers he could explore, all while wondering if God will be able to keep track of him. The self-published book is available through Amazon. She is married to Jack. Cathy White ’10 is the president and co-founder of a non-profit called Owl Hollow Farm Equine Therapy in Lone Jack, Mo. This ministry provides mentoring and teaches important life-skills to children in need through horsemanship and caring for an animal. You can find out more about this venture at ohfkids.com. She is married to Bob.
2011 Jennifer Smith ’11 MBA is a talent management coordinator at Comcast; she resides in Littleton, Colo. Monte Pescador ’11 M.A. completed a Master of Divinity with Grand Canyon University in 2018. In 2015, God blessed him with the adoption of his first child, a daughter named Freya. He is enrolled in a doctoral program in organizational leadership at GCU, and hopes that it will help him finally get Dirt ‘N’ Nails Farms started, a vision he has held since getting his M.A. from CCU. He is married to Rebecca.
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ALUMNI UPDATES | Fall 2019
2012
Caitlin (Spencer) Moore ’12 graduated from National University with a master’s degree in human behavior in March 2019. She is married to Andrew, and they have two sons, John and Shawn.
2013 Perry Cody ’13 M.A. recently accepted a position at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas. Dr. Cody is teaching math and science methods courses for prospective elementary teachers. In addition, he oversees the Sanford Inspire Program for the College of Education while continuing his research agenda on the intersection of culture and STEM education. He is married to Annette, and they have two sons, Cody and Tyler.
2015 Armando Martín ’15 wears many hats: speaker, writer, columnist, entrepreneur, multi-cultural marketing expert, emcee, board member, consultant, leader, trainer, and team builder. Always up for a challenge, Armando’s work has led him to every country in the hemisphere and throughout
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Europe, in various capacities from general management, business development and as a consultant and training expert. He places all of these activities under the umbrella of “values-based cultural leadership,” and his clients have included Kroger, Home Shopping Network, Prestige Brands, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Post Foods, Kraft, General Mills, P&G, Nestle, Coca Cola, ConAgra, and Unilever, among others. However, the hat he is most proud of wearing is that of Christian. “I have approached each day, each speech or presentation acknowledging that I would be addressing our Father in heaven’s children and what would he want me to share with them, even within the confines of business. Indeed, our best work should not be relegated to Sunday but throughout the week. Some of my most memorable moments are the moments when clients or colleagues have called on me to share my belief.” When Armando reflects back on his time at CCU, he reminisces “My time at CCU allowed me to explore the depths and heights and to comprehend Christ’s love for me (Ephesians 3:18). And in this limitless expansion of contemplation was the discovery of an ongoing desire to be the man in public as I am in private. We find ourselves in a world that each day becomes more obsessed in seeking itself. Gratefully, I find success in those fleeting moments of being true to myself, which for me was furthered along through my studies at CCU.” Armando lives out his faith through an abiding commitment to the rising generation, and commits time to serving and working with Boys and Girls Club and La Raza Youth Leadership. He recently served on the board of directors at Denver Health and Hospital Authority, and currently serves on the board of directors at Servicios de La Raza. To learn more about Armando and to read his articles on cultural leadership, follow him on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/armandolmartin.
2016 Alise Murray ’16 graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences with an M.S. in Genetic Counseling and accepted a job at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as a pediatric oncology genetic counselor. Michael Pursley ’16 is the executive director of Life Skills for Living in San Antonio, Texas. LSL is a Christian nonprofit specializing in anger and stress management programs, along with conflict resolution and reconciliation programs, and each program contains Scriptural references. LSL’s goal is to help people live peaceful and successful lives in an angry and stress-filled world. He is married to Sandra.
Have an update or looking to reconnect with the CCU community? Contact Kara Johnston, director of alumni and parent relations, at 303.963.3320 or kjohnston@ccu.edu.
CCU.EDU/CCUFUND The CCU Fund supports students by connecting your generous donations to student scholarships, academics, and experiences. Consider donating today to impact the lives of CCU students.
OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT 8787 W. Alameda Ave. Lakewood, CO 80226
EXPERIENCE THE
HOLY LAND With Dr. & Mrs. Sweeting | Sept 9-17, 2020
Dead Sea
Day 1 U.S.A. to Tel Aviv Day 2 Tel Aviv, Tiberias Day 3 Galilee, Capernaum, Mt. of
Beatitudes, Boat Ride on Sea of Galilee, Jordan River
Day 4 Golan Heights, Caesarea
Philippi, Tel Dan, Gideon Springs, Beit Shean, Galilee
Day 5 Tiberias, Cana, Nazareth,
Megiddo, Caesarea Maritima, Jerusalem
Day 6 Mt. of Olives, Temple Mount, Bethlehem
Day 7 Qumran, Ein Gedi, Masada, Jerusalem
Jericho, Jerusalem
Day 8 Yad Vashem, Israel Museum, Garden Tomb
Day 9 Tel Aviv to U.S.A. Optional Oberammergau extension:
Day 9 Tel Aviv to Munich, Oberammergau
Day 10 Oberammergau Passion Play Day 11 Munich to U.S.A.
Garden Tomb
For further information, contact Jill Sneed at 303.963.3330 or jsneed@ccu.edu