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15 May

May 15, 2010 |
Dr. G. Blair Dowden presents a diploma to a student.

Dr. G. Blair Dowden presents a diploma to a student.

Some of the graduates waiting to hear their name called.

Some of the graduates waiting to hear their name called.

Huntington University honored 277 graduates today (May 15) during the 112th Commencement ceremonies.

Huntington University awarded 15 Master of Arts degrees, six Master of Education degrees, 75 Bachelor or Arts degrees, 153 Bachelor of Science degrees, nine Bachelor of Social Work degrees and 21 Associate of Science degrees.

Honorary degrees were also given to Dr. Herma B. Williams, provost and academic vice president for Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, Calif., and Donald Duff, Huntington University Board of Trustees chairman emeritus.

As commencement speaker, Williams addressed the graduates and asked them what their roles will be in shaping the future.

“Will you lead a life that matters?” Williams asked of the students.

Her addressed was titled, “Shaping the Future: Leading a Life that Matters.”

The afternoon commencement followed the morning baccalaureate service where Martha Smith, Huntington University associate dean of students, challenged the students to trust God today for the plans that he has for them. Her sermon was titled, “The Calling is Now.”

14 May

May 14, 2010 |

Impressive: 95 percent of graduates from Huntington University’s education program were employed in an education-related position in less than one year after graduation. That’s from a study of 110 HU graduates from the past three years (2007-2009).

Not bad, considering the tight job market.

13 May

May 13, 2010 |
Rev. and Mrs. Lee with children of migrant workers in Thailand (click to enlarge).

Rev. and Mrs. Lee with children of migrant workers in Thailand, plus their visitors from the US and China. Jeff Bleijerveld is in back, wearing a green shirt. Teacher Lee is just to the left, with his three children and wife next to him (click to enlarge).

For the Ahka People of Northern Thailand, making a living often requires a willingness to go where work can be found. In order to minister to families in these mountain villages, Rev. and Mrs. Lee have opened their home to the children of migrant workers.

Rev. Lee told us that in the first years of ministry in this region, people were quite resistant to them and the message of the gospel. Providing love and care to the children of migrant workers opened hearts. Many of the founding members of the two UB churches were migrant workers who entrusted their children to the Lees’ care.

A recent donation that came from the Center Hill UB Church in Illinois, at the time of its closing, made it possible to upgrade the bathrooms and dormitories and buy new bunk beds. When we visited recently, 26 children were living with the Lees.

13 May

May 13, 2010 |

Julie Goetz, coordinator of online education, has been named Huntington University’s 2010 Staff Member of the Year.

Goetz, who has been employed by the university for four years, was nominated by faculty and staff for the award and was selected by the university’s senior administrators. She was recognized for the award during the annual Celebration of Service banquet on May 10.

13 May

May 13, 2010 |

Huntington University students, faculty, and staff contributed more than 11,450 volunteer hours this year in the greater Huntington and Fort Wayne communities.

“It’s part of who we are as an institution. It’s a reflection of our Christ-centered values,” said Grace McBrayer, director of first year students and volunteer services at Huntington University.

Huntington University’s Joe Mertz Center for Volunteer Service tracks the hours that are volunteered by the campus at locations such as Youth for Christ, Huntington Kid’s Club, the Love Church in Fort Wayne, the Adopt a Grandparent program, Habitat for Humanity, and Volunteer 911, which is an on-campus ministry to provide assistance to the community by filling requests ranging from baby sitting to yard work and home maintenance. Students, faculty, and staff also volunteer each semester during the fall and spring work days. Spring break and fall break trips also contribute to this count.

The Joe Mertz Center for Volunteer Service is a student-directed organization that mobilizes the campus community for Christian service. It was founded in 1992 through a grant. Each year, more than 70 percent of resident students are involved in some form of volunteer service.

12 May

May 12, 2010 |

Our partner conferences continue to provide generously for the needs in Haiti and around the world. Rev. Owen Gordon, president of Jamaica Bible College, came to Indiana a few weeks ago to attend Huntington University board meetings. He delivered gifts of $872 for Haiti and $1147 for the Philippines. This is in addition to the initial gift of $6000 they provided for Haiti immediately following the earthquake in January.

Then last week, while traveling in Myanmar and Thailand with Rev. Mark Choi, director of missions for Hong Kong Conference, a gift of $7900 was delivered for Haiti Relief.

Tomorrow (May 13), I will travel to Haiti with Paul Plato, Joan Sider, and Jeff Gordon of our Canadian Conference. We will assess the needs and, along with Rev. Oliam Richard, our national leader, determine the most effective way to help our churches and their communities move forward.

Rev. Ed Sider, director of CH Global, will also be there to participate in our discussions. CH Global is our partner in matching sponsors with needy children and their families. This ministry works hand-in-hand with our local United Brethren churches and provides a long-term solution to the problem of poverty.

12 May

May 12, 2010 |

Darwin Dunten, pastor of Findlay First UB church (Findlay, Ohio), is mourning the passing of his father. David Dunten passed away Monday evening, May 10, after a long battle with Lewy Body disease.

Visitation: Thursday, May 13, 2-5 pm and 7-9 pm.
Visitation Location: DO McComb Pine Valley, 1320 East Dupont Rd., Fort Wayne, Ind.
Funeral: 10 am Friday, May 14.
Funeral Location: New Haven United Methodist church, New Haven, Ind.

12 May

May 12, 2010 |

"Teddy and Helen" and family in Myanmar

During the past week, it was a privilege to visit staff in both Myanmar and Northern Thailand with Rev. Mark Choi, the Hong Kong Mission Director. My other traveling companions included Donna and Jason Hollopeter, one member of Living Water UB Church in Macau, and two United Brethren members from Hong Kong.

Although we can’t disclose the names of these family members, many of you will recognize them as overseas staff from our Hong Kong Conference serving in Yangon, Myanmar. “Teddy” serves as the director of a team of 42 workers (both nationals and foreigners), and he mentors four pastors of local churches.

They use English classes to open doors and develop relationships. Thousands of university students have been through their classes and even listen with interest to the devotional thoughts from the Bible. In fact, they currently have an English class just for Buddhist monks.

11 May

May 11, 2010 |
Mike Brown as Superfan

Mike Brown as Superfan

Mike Brown, senior pastor of Franklin UB church (New Albany, Ohio), has been named Grand Marshall of the 2010 New Albany Founders Day celebration, which starts with a parade on Saturday, May 15. He was nominated multiple times.

Mike has pastored Franklin UB since 1989, and is well-known in the community. He is the current president of the New Albany Ministerial Association, and a member of the New Albany Business Association and the Chamber of Commerce. He also coached both boys and girls soccer at the New Albany Middle School for 16 years (1989-2005).

Mike is also known as “Superfan,” a fixture at local sporting events. He did that for ten years, 1999-2009.

Mike BrownIt started with a dare. If his youth brought 100 students to “Fifth Quarter” activities at the church after a high school football game, he would dress in a fan costume for the next game. They did, and he did. And it turned into a regular gig, showing up at games wearing a New Albany football jersey, a maroon and gold cape, and a gold wig.

Superfan’s signature moves were holding up handcrafted signs with funny and sometimes controversial messages. He also threw gum into the crowd. Visitors didn’t always appreciate Superfan. At a home game in 2007, visitors threw gum back at him. At a playoff game in 2004, an opposing fan shoved Superfan and followed him back to the New Albany sideline; Mike had to get a policeman involved.

For the role, he adopted an alter ego, and tried to keep his true identity a secret–though he did preach once as Superfan.

He retired Superfan on October 23, 2009, the year’s last home football game (which they won, 42-21).

“I had two herniated disks,” Brown explained. “I just can’t jump the two or three steps without it hurting. If I can’t do it at 100 percent, then I don’t want to do it.”

He also suffered bouts of heart arrhythmia. Two days after participating as Superfan in a July 4 parade, doctors had to shock his heart back into normal pace.

“I hoped it would be fun that one time, and it became more fun than I ever dreamed of,” Mike said upon retiring Superfan in 2009.

And now, he’s grand marshal.

“Honestly, my first reaction was shock,” Brown said. “It was really hard to believe. In all my years here, it is no doubt my biggest surprise….For years, I was not able to attend the parade due to middle school soccer tournaments on Founders Day. I guess this year I won’t miss the parade.”

11 May

May 11, 2010 |

Bob Kaehr, director of library services at Huntington University, will retire May 31 after 34 years at the college.

Kaehr was instrumental in moving the library from the Loew Alumni Library (currently the Administrative Annex) to the RichLyn Library in 1986. He worked to keep the library up-to-date with the latest resources and technologies during his tenure. He also taught many of the classes for the library science minor, which is no longer offered on campus; nearly all of his students were placed into library positions after graduation.

In retirement, Kaehr plans to do some part-time lecturing and work in the university’s United Brethren Historical Center. But most of all, he plans to keep busy with meaningful activities, spend time with his wife, do volunteer work and, as he says, “enjoy life.”