1940–49

  • Earl Franz ’49, Lind, Wash., recently had his autobiography, A Pebble in the Water, published (Mechling Bookbindery, 2011). It gives his family background, tells what life was like growing up and his philosophy of life as an adult. His daughter, Yvonne (Franz) Redelfs ’75, Mansfield, Texas, assisted him on the project. In June, more than 150 people attended a book signing and 85th birthday party for Earl at his farm home in eastern Washington.

1950–59

  • Hielke De Jong, ’59, Virgil, Ontario, daughter Margaret De Jong ’90, Louga, Senegal, his sons and grandchildren took a three-generation bike trip in Friesland, The Netherlands, last summer. Organized by Hielke, who immigrated from Friesland to Canada at age 21, the trip was a rare opportunity for family scattered in Africa, Canada (Alberta and Ontario) and the United States (New York) to come together for two weeks of biking fun while learning family and local history, including visiting the Menno Simons monument in Witmarsum.
  • Marlow Ediger ’53, North Newton, had the following works accepted for publication: Essays on School Curriculum (Discovery Publishing House), a supplementary university level textbook that he co-authored; Self Efficacy and the Science Teacher in the Connecticut Journal of Science Education; Student Vocabulary Development in Science in the Montana Science Teachers Association Journal; Vocabulary Development in the Language Arts in Voices, a publication of the Virginia Association of Teachers of English; Quality in the Mathematics Curriculum in Montana Mathematics; and Writing in Science in Education. Marlow’s biography will be in Who’s Who in the World 2013. He was recently reappointed to the editorial board of Edutracks, a professional journal for teachers and school administrators.
  • Mary Ann (Hooge) Goerzen ’56, Salmon Arm, British Columbia, and her husband Martin are enjoying retirement in beautiful Salmon Arm. They observed their 50th wedding anniversary last May and celebrated the occasion with their children in August. Their youngest daughter, Christine, made the arrangements.
  • Donald Kaufman ’55, Newton, has recently been studying five varieties of patriotism. The idea came to him when he reflected on a chart he saw. He expanded the themes into a 30-page research paper by reading widely, using quotations and illustrations. He offers to forward the paper via e-mail to those requesting it, donelkaufman@gmail.com.

1960–69

  • Helmut Bertrand ’63, Gregory, Mich., retired from his position as professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Michigan State University in 2011. He visited Vietnam for the third time in September. There he taught an intensive course on the genetics and genetic engineering of microbes relevant to agriculture and aquaculture as well as animal and human health.
  • Craig Challender ’68, Farmsville, Va., has written a third full-length collection of poetry, As Details Become Available (Pecan Grove Press, 2012). His manuscript was a finalist for the 2006 Ohio State University Press/The Journal poetry prize. Craig teaches American literature, myth and creative writing at Longwood University, where he also directs The Longwood Author Series.
  • James Klassen ’69, Garland, Texas, addressed a national conference for Vietnamese pastors of U.S. churches Oct. 18 in Richardson, Texas. His address in Vietnamese and his bilingual handout included excerpts from his doctoral studies research in cross-cultural issues and newly copyrighted schematic regarding the role of language in culture. Jim earned a doctor of ministry degree from the George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, last May. The title of his culminating project was Bridging Our Cultures: Designing and Implementing Cross-Cultural Training for Youth in the Richardson Vietnamese Baptist Church and their Application of that Understanding and Skill.
  • David Schmidt ’65, Great Bend, is an active member of the Midwest Higher Education Compact Executive Technology Committee. He is director of the Computing and Telecommunication Center at Fort Hays State University.
  • Arlys Deckert Schwabauer ’69, Newton, retired at the end of December 2011 after working 42 years at Prairie View Mental Health Services. For the past 23 years, she worked as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. She is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
  • Donna (Stucky) Stucky ’69, St. Paul, Minn., received a master of divinity degree with emphasis in pastoral care and counseling from United Theological Seminary, New Brighton, Minn., in May. She also received the Clyde J. Steckel Prize in Pastoral Care and the Alfred and Catherine Koch Memorial Award for outstanding work in parish service in a single year.
  • D. Weston Stucky ’68, Ardmore, Okla., received the top award for excellence in the field of economic development from the International Economic Development Council. In addition, two of the organizations he heads received prestigious recognition: The Ardmore (Okla.) Development Authority was named Best Economic Development Agency in the Nation for cities under 50,000 and the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce was named one of two category finalists for Chamber of the Year in the United States. Wes previously was named an Honorary Life Member of IEDC and was inducted into the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame.
  • Emerson Wiens ’60, Newton, has published two books: Mad Bulls, Skinny Dipping and God, an autobiographical novel, and Coming to Terms and Other Poems. Emerson grew up on a tenant farm in Marion County and taught at Bethel College for 23 years. His passion for writing began when he signed up for a creative writing class at age 52. Most of his poems are in free verse, with life and death a common theme. Emerson has illustrated some of the works with pencil or pen drawings.

1970–79

  • Lawrence Banman ’77, Kremmling, Colo., is an agent/producer with Town and Country Insurance.
  • Shirley Delk ’75, Wichita, began employment in December 2011 with the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office as an administrative assistant and in May changed to the position of case coordinator. Shirley works closely with victims and witnesses in the many criminal cases handled by the office. She had worked at the Newton Youthville campus as administrative assistant until November 2011, when most of the residential facility closed.
  • Judy Loganbill ’75, Wichita, is a library resource teacher at Allen Elementary School.
  • Scott Matthies ’77, Chaplin, Conn., is a self-employed building contractor. He is chair of the Chaplin Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, a member of the Chaplin Conservation Commission and a trustee and steward with the Joshua’s Land Trust.
  • David Ortman ’75, Seattle, was profiled and pictured as a master track and field athlete in an article in the June 10 issue of Seattle Times Pacific NW magazine. In 2011, David was ranked #1 in the United States with the highest score for the M55-59 outdoor pentathlon (long jump, javelin, 200 meter dash, discus and 1500 meter run).
  • Yvonne (Franz) Redelfs ’75, Mansfield, Texas, assisted her dad, Earl Franz ’49, Lind, Wash., in writing and publishing his autobiography, A Pebble in the Water (Mechling Bookbindery, 2011). It gives his family background, tells what life was like growing up and his philosophy of life as an adult. In June, more than 150 people attended a book signing and 85th birthday party for her dad at his farm home in eastern Washington.
  • Del Schroeder ’77, Hesston, recently was recognized for 35 years of service within the nation-wide Farm Credit System. Del’s career with Farm Credit began shortly after graduation from Bethel. He currently holds the position of vice president/credit manager in the Wichita office of American AgCredit.
  • Neal Schwabauer ’70, Newton, started and manages Hope Home Repair, a nonprofit organization that repairs houses of elderly and disabled people in Sedgwick and Harvey Counties. H previously taught industrial arts in several Wichita schools.
  • Allen ’77 and Denise (Stucky) ’75 Siemens, Holden, Mo., moved to The Father’s Farm, Holden, in July to begin full-time mission work. They report that the primary focus of the ministry is to bring the healing love of Jesus to women and children who have a history of abuse. Allen and Denise’s assignment is to start and oversee a ministry training school on the farm campus.
  • Mark Stucky ’71, Moundridge, was inducted into the West Kansas National Forensics League Hall of Fame for his dedication and leadership in high school debate and forensics. His teams have won 12 Kansas state debate championships and three speech and drama championships. He has also coached numerous individual state forensics champions, including one national champion.
  • George Waddles ’74, Chicago, was the keynote speaker at the Calvary District Congress of Christian Education Superintendent’s Department 36th annual luncheon in Southgate, Mich., Feb. 4, on the topic Energized to Spread God’s Word, based on Colossians 1:24-29. He is a pastor at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, president of the Baptist General State Congress of Christian Education of Illinois and dean of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, an auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention USA.

1980–89

  • Greg Bontrager ’88, North Newton, was nominated for 14 Jester Awards for his production of Big River at Buhler High School in fall 2011, and won nine of them. Jester Awards are given to high school theater groups. Top awards that Greg received included overall production, best director, two awards for best leading actor and one award for supporting actor. Greg is in his fourth year as choral director at Buhler High School.
  • Darryl Godinez ’82, Memphis, Tenn., was an editor for a new children’s Bible study curriculum called Yeshua in the Covenants (Messianic Publishers, 2012). The material connects the New Testament with the Old Testament and is designed to be used by Messianic believers, Jews and non-Jews who believe Jesus is the Jewish Messiah.
  • Raymond Gomez ’87, Tulsa, Okla., is a director at Phillips+Bacon Inc., which specializes in mechanical and electrical consulting engineering services. Ray received a degree in architectural engineering from Kansas State University in 1988.
  • Ron Headings ’82, Bluffton, Ohio, is vice president for enrollment management and marketing at Bluffton University.
  • Allen Jantz ’84, Newton, professor of education at Bethel, was elected president of the Kansas Association of Private Colleges of Teacher Education for the 2012-13 school year. Allen served on the Kansas State Department of Education/National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education on-site visit team to Pittsburg State University in September.
  • Mark Jantzen ’85, Newton, professor of history at Bethel, authored two articles in the summer issue of Mennonite Life: Seeking Out the Crevices in a Rigid Society and Squeezed Between Nationalism and Opportunity. They were based on presentations at Grace Hill Mennonite Church in rural Newton that he made in June 2011. Mark also wrote the entry on Nationalismus (Nationalism) in Mennonitisches Lexikon (Mennonite Encyclopedia), vol. 5, part 2, Geschichte, Kultur, Theologie, (History, Culture, Theology).
  • Cheri (Hadley) Kaufman ’82, Moundridge, is social services coordinator at Parkside Homes Inc., Hillsboro.
  • Jerry Kroeker ’87, Viborg, S.D., is executive director at Swan Lake Christian Camp. He and his wife Judi have served as directors at the camp since January 1997. Jerry reports, I use my education in accounting and business along with my experience as Bethel’s food service manager (1989-1991) to provide a place where people routinely experience the love of Jesus Christ. I am blessed to be in a position where I see lives being transformed. He is currently working to add adult ministry space through the construction of a new retreat center overlooking the lake, with plans to break ground next spring.
  • Karl Lehman ’82, Evanston, Ill., is a physician and author of the book Outsmarting Yourself (This Joy Books, 2011).
  • Cheryl (Epp) Lerner ’82, Calgary, Alberta, is a management system analyst for the city of Calgary.
  • Susan Miller ’87, Petoskey, Mich., is certified as a critical-care registered nurse according to standards set by American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
  • Kyle Nevills ’89, Scott City, completed a doctorate of nursing practice from Rush University, Chicago, in June. Kyle is staff anesthetist at Scott County Hospital. He has gone on seven surgical mission trips to the Dominican Republic and Haiti to provide anesthesia care.
  • Donna (Klassen) Petri ’84, Kamloops, British Columbia, began a four-year term Oct. 31 as associate dean of the School of Nursing, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops.
  • Ami Regier ’85, Newton, professor of literary studies at Bethel, has been invited to contribute a chapter to a new volume in the Companions to Native Literatures series, published by the University of Nebraska Press. The series explores and illuminates individual literary texts written by Native writers around the globe. Each book in the series focuses on one frequently taught literary text – in this case Leslie Marmon Silko’s Storyteller – addressing key issues raised by the work and demonstrating effective theoretical approaches to its interpretation. The purpose of the series is to provide short, accessible and affordable companions to major Native literary texts, primarily for classroom use.
  • Jonathan Rudy ’87, Manheim, Pa., has been doing consulting work in Afghanistan with Oxfam GB over the past year. He recently took a part-time job at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College as their Global Peacemaking scholar-in-residence.
  • Lori Schmidt-Harrison ’87, Pasadena, Calif., is owner and president of Lime Twig, which specializes in marketing higher education institutions, including recruitment, marketing and fundraising.
  • William Schmidt ’82, Rochester, Minn., presented Straight-line strength reduction in GCC at the 2012 GNU Tools Cauldron in Prague, Czech Republic. He recently completed 20 years working in compiler technology for IBM Corporation.
  • Diana (Erb) Schunn ’87, Whitewater, is executive director of the Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County, Wichita.
  • John Thiesen ’82, Newton, co-director of libraries at Bethel, passed the Academy of Certified Archivists certification exam in Denver Aug. 8, once again receiving the highest score in the nation.
  • Kaye Waltner ’84, Freeman, S.D., recently graduated from the University of South Dakota with a master’s degree in music with specialization in vocal music education. For her final project, she organized, implemented and hosted a high school men’s choir festival of 80 singers under the direction of guest conductor Dr. Tim Peter from Stetson University in Florida. Kaye continues to teach grade 7-12 choral music at Freeman Public School, where she has taught for 23 years.
  • Connie (Voth) Ward ’87, Great Bend, is an interrelated/adaptive teacher at Lincoln Elementary School.
  • Lori (Willems) Westhoff ’87, Newton, lived in Glenwood Springs, Colo., from 1989–2000, where she taught elementary music at Carbondale Elementary until she and husband Paul started a family in 1993. They and their four daughters moved to Overgaard, Ariz., in 2000, and to Newton in 2005, where Lori worked for the Newton school district until spring 2009.

1990–99

  • Ben Chappell ’93, Lawrence, recently published the book Lowrider Space: Aesthetics and Politics of Mexican American Custom Cars (University of Texas Press, 2012). He is an assistant professor and director of graduate studies for the American Studies Department at the University of Kansas.
  • Amy Woods David ’91, Salt Lake City, received a master’s degree in herbology (master herbalist) from the School of Natural Healing in June. She also home educates her two children, Philippe, 15, and Celine, 13.
  • Margaret De Jong ’90, Louga, Senegal, joined her father, Hielke De Jong, ’59, Virgil, Ont., and her brothers, nieces and nephews for a three-generation bike trip in Friesland, The Netherlands, last summer. Organized by Hielke, who immigrated from Friesland to Canada at age 21, the trip was a rare opportunity for family scattered in Africa, Canada (Alberta and Ontario) and the United States (New York) to come together for two weeks of biking fun while learning family and local history, including visiting the Menno Simons monument in Witmarsum. Margaret has been serving with Mennonite Mission Network in Senegal since 2006.
  • Denise (Kauffman) Diller ’99, Albany, Ore., is parish nurse coordinator at Samaritan Health Services. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in nursing with a concentration in public health.
  • Scott Dooley ’93, Springfield, Ohio, chair of the Art Department at Wittenberg University, exhibited his art in a solo exhibition at the Springfield Museum of Art last March through May. In recognition of his work with Empty Bowls and the Springfield Peace Center, he was the recipient of two awards: the Wittenberg University Faculty/Staff Excellence in Community Service Award and the Faculty Recognition Award for Outstanding Contributions to the University and Community.
  • Troy Fowler ’92, Wichita, is a recovery support staff member for Prairie View Inc.
  • Joy Goldsmith ’92, Blairsville, Ga., has co-authored the book Speaking of Dying: Recovering the Church’s Voice in the Face of Death (Brazos Press, 2012) with Fred Craddock and Dale Goldsmith. The work lays out a practical theology of dying, reminding the church of its own considerable resources for assisting those who are terminally ill.
  • Neil Hamill ’99, Omaha, Neb., received the 2011–12 Teacher of the Year award from the University of Nebraska Medical Center OB/GYN department.
  • Tammy (Epp) Hawes ’92, Sandy, Utah, volunteers as an RN at the Salt Lake City Pregnancy Resource Center, performing first trimester ultrasounds. She also serves on the school board for Intermountain Christian School.
  • Trent Hawes ’92, Sandy, Utah, completed a degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering at Wichita State University and has owned a software company for 10 years.
  • Skip Jantz ’93, North Pole, Alaska, is process safety manager for Flint Hills Refinery in North Pole, owned by Koch Industries. He officiates at youth, high school and university ice hockey matches in Alaska and at major tournaments in the lower 48 states.
  • Marike Janzen ’95, Lawrence, has been appointed assistant professor of humanities and coordinator of the Peace and Conflict Studies Program at the University of Kansas.
  • David Preheim ’93, Mishawaka, Ind., is District 2 senior director for the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. He is beginning his ninth year as athletic director at Concord High School in Elkhart, Ind., and 19th overall with Concord Community Schools.
  • Michael Regier ’92, Aurora, Colo., is pediatric clinical care coordinator at the Colorado Sickle Cell Treatment and Research Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado.
  • Matt Schmidt ’94, Newton, began July 7 as interim executive director at Health Ministries Clinic in Newton. HMC is a federally qualified health center whose primary mission is to provide high quality, holistic health care to the uninsured and underinsured in the community.
  • Ezra Sigwela ’91, Cape Town, South Africa, is retired but recently traveled to Pretoria to address a new class of 24 South African diplomats who were about to be stationed around the world. After a time in the Eastern Cape government and briefly in the national parliament, Ezra was the South African ambassador to Rwanda from 2004–08, after which he spent several years training diplomats at the Department of International Relations in Pretoria. Ezra and his wife Zuki are in the process of moving to a small farm northwest of Queenstown. Ezra shares his story in the book Reconciliation and Healing in Rwanda: 2004–2008; The Experience of a South African Ambassador: Ezra Mvuyisi Sigwela (South African Department of International Relations).

2000–09

  • Russ Adrian ’05, Minneapolis, Minn., graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a master’s degree in choral conducting this past May. He was recently named artistic director of the South Metro Chorale, a Prior Lake (Minn.) community choir. Russ is pursuing a doctorate in choral conducting at the University of Minnesota.
  • Brett Clow ’09, Hutchinson, is a football coach at Sterling College.
  • Doug DeGroot ’01, Wichita, is an integration associate at Koch Fertilizer. He recently completed a master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance from Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Mo.
  • Braden Dragomir ’09, Toronto, Ontario, is a television reporter for CKWS, a CBC affiliate in Kingston, Ontario. He started last February.
  • Jeanette (Waltner) Ducett ’02, Madison, Wis., earned a doctorate in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in June.
  • Lindsey Elder ’09, McPherson, received her final credentials as a certified diabetes educator, serving as a health-care professional who teaches people with diabetes how to manage their condition. Lindsey is now classified as an RN CDE.
  • Keith Hiebner ’01, Goshen, Ind., received a master’s degree in theological studies with a concentration in theology and ethics from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart., Ind., in May.
  • Heidi Holliday ’06, Kansas City, Kan., is acting executive director of Rosedale Development Association.
  • Brett Jackson ’08, Kansas City, Mo., is an adjunct woodwind instructor at Kansas City Kansas Community College, teaching saxophone, clarinet and flute lessons and working with the bands. He reports that folks who hired me told me outright that it was my Bethel music ed. degree and experience at Bethel that landed me the position.
  • Joshua Piper ’07, Austin, Texas, and the Tosca Tango Orchestra were featured on Radio KUT’s morning show Eklektica Sept. 19. Josh is pianist for the group, which performs original compositions in the nuevo tango style and has released six albums. Tosca Tango Orchestra is a joint effort between various Austin-based musicians. Josh is also pianist coordinator for Ballet Austin.
  • Liz Rempel ’05, Austin, Texas, received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Austin in August.
  • Michael Saltzman ’04, San Jose, Calif., is varsity offensive coordinator at Lynbrook High School.
  • Brad Schmidt ’02, Leipzig, Germany, studied an additional year in Marburg, Germany, attended Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in 2003–04, began a doctoral program in systematic theology at Martin Luther University in Halle an der Saale, Germany, but altered his course of study and completed a master’s degree in translation studies from 2007–09. He has been working as a freelance translator for the past four years. In addition, Brad has been an adjunct instructor at the University of Leipzig since 2009.
  • Chelsea Vaught ’07, Lawrence, graduated from the University of Kansas in May with a doctor of musical arts degree in church music with an emphasis on organ performance. Last January, she played a guest organ recital at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. In August, she performed three carillon recitals in Chicago as part of the Summer Carillon Recital Series.
  • Laura (Amstutz) Voth ’02, Newton, is nearing completion of a master’s degree in pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of Kansas. Her thesis focuses on identifying the optimal method for water content determination in rubber stoppers utilized for sealing lyophilized pharmaceutical products.
  • Mary Waltner ’02, Chicago, is a performing artist with ToEast, with locations in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Chicago.

2010–19

  • Danica (Cox) Clow ’12, Hutchinson, is a nurse at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.
  • Ryan Goertzen ’12, Sioux Falls, S.D., began a one-year term of Mennonite Voluntary Service in August as a case aide with Lutheran Social Services, Refugee and Immigration Programs in Sioux Falls. MVS is a program of Mennonite Church USA.
  • Blake Long ’11, Iola, teaches K-12 vocal and instrumental music at Yates Center.
  • Lacey Parker ’11, Ames, Iowa, is activity coordinator at Mainstream Living Inc., which provides community based services for people with disabilities.
  • Karrie Peterson ’06, Silver Spring, Md., received a master’s degree in social work with a concentration in social and economic development from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis in August 2011. Last March, Karrie began work as an international relations analyst for the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C. She works in the Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking in the Bureau of International Labor Affairs.
  • Allison Schrag ’12, New York, began a one-year term of Mennonite Voluntary Service in August as volunteer coordinator with Computers for Youth. MVS is a program of Mennonite Church USA.
  • Alan Skinner ’11, Albuquerque, N.M. had his DNA sequence for the cytb gene from a mole accepted and posted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Md. The title of his research is Scalopus aquaticus voucher AS005 cytochrome b (cytb) gene, partial cds; mitochondrial (GenBank accession number: JF315860; see: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/JF315860.1).
  • Austin Smith ’06, Wichita, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill., and is now a Navy Seaman. The eight-week program included completed classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. The capstone event of boot camp was Battle Stations, an exercise designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment.
  • Nathaniel Yoder ’11, North Newton, won first place in the 2012 Kansas Music Educators Association competition for young composers for his choral piece, First Peter 3:15. KMEA recognized him at its annual convention in Wichita last February. Nate originally wrote the piece for the 25th anniversary of Hope Mennonite Church, Wichita, in 2010, and entered it in KMEA’s Ensemble category while still a student. The Concert Choir featured First Peter 3:15 on tour last spring, and Santa Barbara (Calif.) Music Publishing released it in July.
  • Louise Zurkee ’12, Andale, had five DNA sequences for the locus D1S1595 from humans accepted and posted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Md. The title of her research is Homo sapiens clone C03 marker D1S1595 genomic sequence (GenBank accession numbers: JX403015-JX403019; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/?term=Zurkee).