Prayer Update: 1/2007 - IWU Alumni

Josh Buck, assistant pastor of Greenhouse Ministries in the West Michigan District, suffered a serious head injury in a diving accident while vacationing in Mexico. He is hospitalized in Miami, Florida, and is conscious, but still not breathing on his own. Pray for Josh’s comfort and healing. Pray also for his wife, Shelly, and their family.

For more information: http://www.greenhouseministries.org/

Dr. Wingrove Taylor, evangelist, teacher, and former general superintendent of the Caribbean General Conference in The Wesleyan Church, has been diagnosed with bone cancer. He will receive treatment to slow its progress and to ease his pain. Please remember the Taylors in your prayers.

Shirley Dillon earns "Who's Who In American Educators" Recognition

Gary educator earns national recognition
January 19, 2007

BY KASS STONE Post-Tribune

Shirley Dillon (2001) is one of the best in her field.
According to the most recent edition of the annual publication "Who's Who In American Educators," the Pyle Elementary School academic support provider is one of the best teachers in America.
A graduate of Roosevelt High School, Dillon took an interesting path to her career. After high school, she earned a degree in interior design at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., then relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in that field.
After making a go of it in California, Dillon decided she needed to make a major life change on behalf of herself and her two children.
"Jobs were sparse and I had two sons I had to support, so my sister, who was an elementary teacher already, convinced to me to go back to college and get a degree in elementary education," Dillon said.
She relocated to Gary with her family and enrolled at Calumet College of St. Joseph in Hammond. After earning her degree, Dillon was hired to teach fifth grade st Pyle. She taught that grade for 10 years and earned a masters degree in education from Indiana Wesleyan University.
In 2005, Pyle devised a plan to improve students' academic performance and raise test scores. The plan called for the creation of an academic support professional who would work with faculty members to ensure they were following the school's curriculum.
At the end of last school year, the previous academic support provider retired. Seeking a new challenge, Dillon applied.
Now, she works in every classroom, helping every teacher. She also spends half of her day tutoring students who need extra help.
"I guess you never stop teaching," she said. "I like it; I get to see my former students, which I never got the chance to do before like this, and I get to see how what we did last year makes a difference now that they are in the sixth grade. That's an opportunity I never had before."
How she ended up in "Who's Who In American Educators" is a mystery to Dillon. A teacher must be recommended by a former student, who remains anonymous.
"I don't know who did it," Dillon said. "I wish I could find out. I'm very curious. I asked (the book's editors), but they wouldn't tell me. It would have to be somebody from my first couple of fifth-grade classes.
"I have it narrowed down from there, but that's it. It's a big honor, and I wish I knew who nominated me."

SOURCE: http://www.post-trib.com/lifestyles/216517,whoswho.article

Heather DeWeese-Adkins Named Director of Public Relations for Health Alliance/The Christ Hospital

Heather DeWeese-Adkins (Indiana Wesleyan University Alum - MSM 196 Class)

Names Director public relations/marketing for Health Alliance/The Christ Hospital

 

When Heather DeWeese-Adkins is working as director of public relations, marketing and physician relations for The Christ Hospital, people around her are energized by her high energy and positive determination to achieve results.

 

“I get to learn something new everyday and give back to the community through my work,” she said.

 

Adkins, now a resident Lakeside Park, credits much of her determination and passion to her grandmother, Irene Osborne, who helped raise her. Her grandmother, she said, instilled in her that:

 

• Learning is the sugar you can draw from any situation good or bad.

 

• If you need it, you can reach deep inside yourself and find the grit to smooth or bore through any mountain.

 

• You have a responsibility to share your blessings, to give back to those in need.

 

Those lessons also can be seen through Adkins’ volunteer work with the Secret Safe Place for Newborn program, menopausal programs, infertility programs and the Women’s Crisis Center.

 

Source: http://kansascity.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/cincinnati/content/feature/item.html?item_id=1689&feature_id=193

 

 

Lahni-Boswell wedding

Article published Jan 14, 2007
Lahni-Boswell wedding

Elizabeth "Beth" Lahni and Chip Boswell were married July 22, 2006, in Roseburg Event Center, Marion, with Andrew Uchtman, Bridgetown Church of Christ, Cincinnati, Ohio, officiating.

The bride is the daughter of Harry and Barb Lyness, West Harrison, and Pete and Denise Lahni, Cincinnati. She is a graduate of East Central High School, St. Leon, and Indiana Wesleyan University where she received her bachelor's degree in English education and masters' degree in education. She currently is employed at Oak Hill Junior High School.

The bridegroom is the son of Mike and Lisa Boswell, Swayzee. He is a graduate of Oak Hill High School, Converse, and attended Ball State and Indiana University-Kokomo. He currently is employed with Applied Industrial Technologies.

 

Wildcats soccer coach awarded national honor

Article published Jan 16, 2007

Indiana Wesleyan University women's soccer coach John Bratcher has received the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association's 2006 Collegiate National Merit Award, the school announced Monday. Bratcher was given the award Friday at National Soccer Coaches Association of America convention in Indianapolis.

Each year, the National Merit Award is given to one college coach and one high school coach in the nation who the NISOA recognizes as reflective of the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior.

The Wildcats won their ninth consecutive Mid-Central Conference championship in 2006. Bratcher earned his 400th career victory during the season and was named MCC Coach of the Year for the fourth time in as many seasons with Indiana Wesleyan.

Bratcher is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association Hall of Fame with a career record of 411-175-38.

 

Ritter-Owen engagement

Article published Jan 14, 2007
Ritter-Owen engagement

Mr. and Mrs. Mike (Diane) Owen are pleased to announce the engagement of their son, Ross, Marion, to Christie Ritter, Powell, Ohio.

The bride elect is the daughter of Jan and Rob Ritter, Powell, Ohio, and the granddaughter of Molly Ritter, New Bern, N.C. She is a graduate of Worthington Christian High School, Worthington, Ohio, and Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion. She is currently a student at Ohio State University.

The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of Dave and Carol Owen, Upland, and Bob and Vera Ward, Marion. He is a graduate of Lakeview Christian School and is currently a student at Indiana Wesleyan University.

The couple are planning an Aug. 25, 2007, wedding in Grace Brethern Church of Powell, Powell, Ohio.

 

Staff, family capture professor's world views in print

IWU educator traveled with his series of lectures
BY WHITNEY ROSS
wross@marion.gannett.com

Linda MacKay is sure not everyone will enjoy the book she helped compile, but she thinks philosophy lovers will find it interesting. "There are people who will find it a page-turner," she said. MacKay and several staff and family of the late Glenn Martin helped pen a book on his popular world-view lecture series. Martin, who died in 2004, was the former chairman of the division of social science at Indiana Wesleyan University, where he was also a professor of history and political science. He'd often challenge his students on world views. MacKay said Martin often traveled across the country sharing his 18-hour lecture series. The lectures were so moving to some that letters would flood his office, asking Martin when he would write a book on his work, but he never had the time. Following his death, MacKay and several other staff and family members of Martin pitched in to compile the book, Prevailing World Views of Western Society Since 1500. From compact disc, student notes and Martin's lecture notes, the team was able to publish a condensed copy of his series. MacKay said they are working on writing a more in-depth book of the lectures. Martin's wife, Betty, said it was an honor to see her husband's work being remembered on the campus where he taught for more than 30 years. "It makes me feel great," she said. "We are sending books all around the world because he lectured a lot. I'm hoping that it will catch on as more people read it." Triangle Publishing, which is a part of IWU, is the publishing house for the book. David Bartley, a former student of Martin's and now division chairman of social sciences, can remember how Martin's lectures changed his outlook on life while he was in college. "I was a typical college student that had all the answers and didn't know the questions," he said. "It was a very engaging environment, as I remember." Bartley said he always wanted to see his former teacher and colleague's work carried on and jumped at the opportunity to put it in print. "I'm using his books now in one of the classes I took from him," he said. "In a way, he's still teaching." Originally published January 15, 2007