Table Of Content

SPRING 2005 Women Revisiting Okinawa President's Perspective Philanthropic aspirations contemplate Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever pure, is whatever is lovely, whatever admirable-if is anything excellent is or praiseworthy-think about such things. Philippians 4:8 — We can only know one thing about God that He is what we are not. Our wretchedness alone is an image ofthis.The more we contemplate the more we contemplate Him. it, SimoneWeil The idealists dream and the dream is told, and the practical men listen and ponder and bring back the truth and apply it to human life, and progress and growth and higher human ideals come into being and so the world moves ever on. Anna Howard Shaw \ The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, ofthe marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little ofthis mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity. Albert Einstein Spring 2005 •Volume 97 • Issue 2 Features 4 Refleeccttiions 1 Alumni reflect on their lives and, in doing so, reflect the face ofChrist 16 Revisiting Okinawa Remembering World War II and its impact on the life ofRev. Calvin Vass 20 A celebration of life How former president's wife Jean Bergwall celebrates her 90th birthday with Taylor in mind 22 The man behind the president A look at Provost Steve Bedi 24 Charting the course A tribute and farewell to President David J. Gvertson Departments & Columns 2 Perspectives 13 The village border 4 By the numbers 28 Philanthropy 5 Backstage 32 Remembrance 6 Exchange 33 Vista 8 In the loop 34 Alumni notes 12 From the president emeritus 48 Back home again perspectives perhaps the most anticipated week of It's semester.Whether we lay on the beach, made some extra money, slept the week away, dedicated it to serving others through mission trips or did anything except school work, we can all recall our favorite spring break memories./ "In 1993 went withTaylorWorld Outreach to Miami, Fla., and helped I clean up after HurricaneAndrew.The best part was the camaraderie with students, the fun trip there and working together." - Kelly Goossen '93, Indianapolis, Ind. "Relaxing and laughing with friends at the K beach. stayed with my friend, and her I parents let us go dancing." Patty (Link)Tarlach '85,Batavia,III. TAYLOR "In 1974 four friends and I drove a FordTorino all night to Florida during the energy crisis.We had to stop to buy gas whenever the tank UNIVERSITY got to half because we couldn't get gas otherwise.We were crammed in the car, and I had to sit on the hump." PresidentDavid Gyertson Dale Grimes '76,Coral Gables,Fla. Vice PresidentfoJ.rUniversityAdvancementHarold PHazen AssociateVice PresidentforUniversityRelationsand MarketingJoyceA.Wood '81 "I went home and worked at a community hospital where I was a UEndiivteorrsSiteyreGnraapDh.iDcuDkeesi'g04nerSteven P.Christensen receptionist and telephone operator. My desk was down the hall from University PhotographerJamesGarringer Alumni NotesEditor MartySonger78 the x-ray room, and I thought it was funny that guys didn't know how AAssssiosctiaanttetCootphyeAEldiutmonriENlioztaebsethEdFirteoresLeauHrAie'G8r3eenx'8l to sit in hospital gowns." WritingAssistantErikKielisch'06 Sandra Harris 77,Liberty Center,Ind. Contributors Brooks Bontrager'05,Ted Bowers'73,KrisChristensen, JimGarringer.Jill Hamilton '07.KerryPorter'06, JayKesler'58,Justin Potts '05 "My sophomore year traveled with the gospel team to NewYork City Taylor:AMagazineforTaylorUniversity®Alumniand Friends I and did a one-hour concert in Union Station.We performed from an (reIlSaStNion1s0.7C3o-p4y3r7i6g)htis©pub2l0i0s5heTdayblyorthUeniovfefriscietoyf®.university open balcony on the second floor.Thousands of people came through; Send letterstotheeditorto:University Editor,Taylor some would stop and wave,then they'd be on their way." University,236W.ReadeAve.,Upland,IN 46989 Phone:(800)882-3456,ext.4858 Fax:(765)998-4910 JohnWheeler '54,Springboro,Ohio E-mail:[email protected] TaylorUniversityonline:www.t3ylor.edu Taylormagazineonline:www.taylor.edu/magazine/ SendaddresscorrectioWnsandmailingupdatesto:Officeof "I worked at a hospital in Marion, Ind., and put patients' medical records Alumni Relations,236 ReadeAve..Upland.IN46989,or call (800) 882-3456,ext.5115. on microfilm because they didn't have enough room for all the paper. I E-mail:[email protected] tried to get some rest and some money." Opinionsexpressed byindividualsin thispublicationdonot necessarilyreflecttheviewsofTaylorUniversity®. Rachel (Sypolt) Bailey '71,Bradenton, Fla. Founded in 1846,TaylorUniversityisoneofAmerica'soldest Christian liberalartscolleges.Morethan 1.800studentsfrom nearlyall50statesandmorethan 10foreigncountriesattend TaylorUniversity'sUplandcampLS,wheremajorsin50fields "I went withYouthWithA Mission to Kosovo and did outreaches. It otfhrseteudMyidawreesatvaicloamblper.eThheensUinvievecroslilteygeisirnatnhkeed20a0s5thUe.Sn.uNmebwesr& WorldReportsurvey. was really intense.When we arrived it was cold so we were totally jetlagged,freezing and trying to minister to people who didn't speak our language. God always came through,though. It was really awesome to do it with otherTaylor students and get to know each other better." Rebekah Burtness '03,Madison,Wis. II MEMBER CouncilforChristian Colleges&Universities by the numbers A ^^^^^^B grand 1 entrance 1 pvn Dec. 16,2004, | V_ythe Hodson Dining i CommonsAtrium was 1 dedicated. It was named 1 affectionatelyforArthur x'34 and Nelle (Leisman '43) Hodson, long-time friends ofTaylor University and the Upland community.The $730,000 project added 2, 174 square feetto the north side ofthe existing Hodson Dining Commons and renovated : ' an existing 2,0 9.The atrium 1 features a fireplace,grand 1 entrance, handicapped- i Wm accessible restrooms and new storage areas for " A students' backpacks and coats. J Awk Dedicated "in honor ofthe students who pass through," W^^F the vestibule will serve as '^^W a place forfellowship and ^r _^^^fl gathering foryears to come. nfc^ 4 .. backstage A personal reflection I love nature. I embrace every sunset, So, too, in life we are called to reflect every snowflake, every star granted me. the face of Christ through our lives. The But seldom do I schedule an appointment following features are a small sampling of — to dojust that to absorb the Earth's Taylor individuals who have donejust that. splendor. On a recent trip to San Diego, It is our hope that as they share Calif., I was granted ample time to bask their personal experiences, you will in the exquisite glory of nature, our be encouraged and inspired by their Creator's canvas. examples. As I dangled my feet over the edge of the This issue is dedicated to the thousands harbor, I noticed a glimpse of my reflection ofalumni who take time to observe Christ in the tranquil water. It acted as a mirror, through the delicate details of nature and illustrating my likeness, as well as His reflect Him in and through their lives. incredible majesty and creativity. Blessings to you- jftAJUntJU Serena D. Duke '04 Editor [email protected] ,ew life blooms in backyards everywhere this time of year, but with , the new growth often come weeds.The same is true for our magazine. Although we're continuing to grow and sprout new ideas,we still need to be reminded of some ofthe pesky weeds that need pulled.We want to hear from you; let us know your perspectives on the magazine. After all, there's always room for new growth. -w^vftrtH - p exchange Font faux pas Winter wonderland Great magazine, butthe Re: pages 14, 16-18, 20-23 Igota kickout ofthe We'realways excitedto receive light gray print on the white perspectivessectionaboutJ-term complimentary responsestoourwork; background isvery hard toread. While it maybean artistic and remembered takingstatistics however,it'sthecriticism thatkeeps us Forus, black print is so much success, Iwill neverknowwhat during interterm of 1982. The humbleand strivingtodoeven better. easierto see. good things wereon these pages. recordwind-chillof-60degrees Thankyouforyourencouragement,as When displayedon a colored while walking from Samuel wellas pointingouttheareas inwhich Jerryand MaryCoil background, the font chosen for Morris Hall to the Hodson we needto improve.You'rekeepingus FortWayne, Ind, theabove pages isessentially Dining Commonswasincredible. on ourtoes! illegible to these 80-year-old eyes. I lovethemagazine. Keepup the Asusual I was excited to get my goodwork. copyofthe Taylormagazine. MayI registera plea for However, when I got to theseries legibility? Tom Shevlot'84 ofarticleson the seasons, I Indianapolis, Ind. found that itwasverydifficult P. Kenneth Morse '45 toread. Thegrayagainst white Belleview, Fla. isjust notacolorcombination Kind compliments thatoldeyescanread. Istime taken toprint adraft copyto You're right. Wegoofed. You are not Thankyou forthe terrificissue seeifthe printed result isthe the onlyoneswho have mentioned ofthe Taylor magazine. Quality Sendyourcommentsto sameasthe screen? It would be the lightgrayfontbeingdifficultto content, writingand graphics [email protected] timewell-taken toensurethat read;we received several letters from front to back. MagazineEditor,236WestReade anexcellent article is not passed identifyingthe problem. Anvseantue(,80U0p)l8a8n2d-,34I5N6,46e9x8t.9,48o5r8c.all overbecause itcouldn't be read. It'senough to makean alum Duetospacelimitationsnotall Thanks forthe goodwork, and We sincerelyapologize.Wechose proud ... lettersareprinted.Lettersmaybe I look forward tothe next issue. thisfontforaclean, crisp lookthat editedforlengthandclarity. Now I'll go find the brightest matched the theme ofthe magazine. Blessings toyou. lightIcanto read the articles in Wefailed to take into accountthat this issue. the thinness harmed readability. RobertWolgemuth '69 Please restassured thatwewill be Orlando, Fla. MaryDennis'64 more careful in thefutureabout Covington, Ga. fonts used. Thankyou forbeing patientwith us as wecontinueto You aredoinga goodjobwith promoteTaylor in print! thealumni magazine. I was glad tosee the article in the mostrecent issue aboutJoel Sonnenberg. I went out and bought thebook! Itisgood tolet people know about people like Joel and thewomanwho has MS whowas featured inthesame issue. RuthYocom 71 New Haven, Ind. 7 ; the loop in news from Taylor University I Reaching out around the world When thetsunami smashedinto 12 countries ontheupper But evenmoreunbearableforFrywerethemakeshift rim ofthe Indian OceanonDec. 26, 2004, its impactwas morgues andseas ofgraphiccorpsephotos. "Each ... page ofa felt half-wayaround theworldinUpland, Ind. personhadashotoftheirfullbody, theirfaceandanyjewelry ForSheenaIlangakoon-Perera'08, the cancellationof theywerewearingthatmightbeusedtoidentifythem. It reservations atabeachside resortproved to belife-saving. "We washorrific," she said. "Ican'timaginetryingtofindafamily werecontemplatinggoingon (December) 26thor27thtothe memberlikethis." Yala Safari BeachHotel (in southern SriLanka)," saidPerera's AlongwithotherTayloralumniwho have sincevisitedthe mother, Sheami, inane-mail messageto friends inUpland. affectedareas, agroupofTaylorstudents andprofessors headed "(At the) last minute, I cancelled the reservation forno byDrs. MattDelong, KenKiers andHankVossplantogoto apparent reason. (The) Yala Beach Hotelwas completely Colombo, Sri Lanka, inlateMaytoparticipateinrebuilding — destroyed no trace at all ... I weep thinking, 'It could have efforts. beenus.'" Additionally, over$14,000wascollectedfromstudents, faculty Whitney Fry'03, nowworkingtowardhermasters degree at andstaffduringJ-Termanddistributedbetweenthe Pereras' Tulane University, visited Sri Lanka andThailand inJanuary. churches, YouthForChristSriLankaandYouth forChristIndia. She saidwhile the devastationwasunbelievable, itwasthe "Pleasepraythattheaidcominginto SriLankawillbe people wholeft the mostlastingimpression uponher. distributedresponsivelyandeffectively," Pererasaid. "Also, we "Some peoplewererebuilding, iftheyhadanystructure left need Godinterveningtohealemotionalhurts ofthepeople torebuildon," Fry said. "And someweresearchingthrough whoseliveshavebeendevastated. (Itis) somethingthatHeonly ruble tofindsomething that mightbe theirs." cando." -JimGarhnger