Spring 2022 • Vol. 76 / No. 2
Inside:
Sechrist family ministers in residence life Morrow’s leadership paves the way on & off the court Flaming leading scientific innovation at Sutter Instruments
e sid g lon e a es anc v r se n Fr eam ries i t ON siona I T is C m A
From the President Do you remember the first place you lived away from home? For most Tabor students our residence halls are their first “home away from home.” They become a place where young adults learn to live with others, make lifelong friends, discover God’s plan for their life and mature into young men and women prepared to go make a difference in the world for Christ and His Kingdom. The first residence hall built at Tabor was the Ladies Home completed in 1920. It was later referred to as the Mary J. Regier building because Mary gave her inheritance to help fund the building. She not only gave her treasure, but also her time and talent as she lived in the home and ministered to Tabor students. It was designed as a safe place where young women could study and be nurtured in their faith and their studies, and it included a dining hall in the basement. Many residence halls have been built at Tabor over the years, including Cedar, the Men’s Quad (Oklahoma, Nebraska, California, Kansas), the Women’s Quad (Regier, Ediger, East), the Townhouses (Wiebe, Regier, Loewen), Dakota and Harms. We are now designing and raising money for the next generation of residence halls at Tabor. I love that Tabor is primarily a residential undergraduate college. The young adult years from ages 18 to 22 are some of the most important in a person’s life. Notwithstanding the incredible impact of the first 18 years typically spent at home, the next season is when, as H.W. Lohrenz put it in Tabor’s first yearbook, “the ideals for life begin to crystallize; friend-
ships are formed that withstand all vicissitudes of time; the problem of a life vocation presents itself for final settlement; the powers of application and concentration are developed; the outlook on life and life’s problems is broadened; the proper relation to God and to our fellowman finds due consideration.” College days are incredibly important as students decide what they believe, who they are, what they will do and often with whom they will spend their life. The Tabor College experience is far more than a collection of classes. It is a formative experience affected by the faculty, coaches, staff, roommates, modmates, friends, pastors and community members with whom they are surrounded. Residence life is an essential component of the Tabor experience. In this edition of the Connection, we celebrate two themes of residence life and entrepreneurship. We have exciting initiatives moving forward in both areas, building a new residence hall and expanding our programming in entrepreneurship. You will read stories of former Residence Life staff and roommates. You will learn about organic Bible studies that emerge in the residence halls out of late-night discussions. I am very excited that we are telling the story of Dale Flaming’s entrepreneurial journey. I don’t think any of us can fully comprehend the impact of his work on biological and medical discoveries of the past half-century. You will also be introduced to budding entrepreneurs currently at Tabor. You may even notice a subtle connection between our two themes of entrepreneurship and residence life in the lifelong friendship between Flaming and his Tabor roommate Larry Warkentin who is being inducted into the Arts Hall of Fame. I invite you to join us on this exciting journey as we raise funds to build the next residence hall, celebrate residence life at the groundbreaking and program on May 6, and expand our work in entrepreneurship for Christ and His kingdom.
President David S. Janzen
2
Connection Spring 2022 Vol. 76 / No. 2 A magazine for Tabor College alumni & friends Communications Specialist/Editor Adam Suderman adam.suderman@tabor.edu Contributor Aleen Ratzlaff aleenr@tabor.edu Senior Graphic Designer Diane Oborny dianeo@tabor.edu Photographer Michael Klaassen michaelwklaassen@tabor.edu Director of Alumni Relations Rod Hamm rodneyhamm@tabor.edu Graphic Design Students Josiah Jost Caleb Kliewer Photography Students Collin Brown Brendan Green Dalton McAlister Cover photo: Courtesy Paul Raugust Tabor College 400 South Jefferson Hillsboro, Kansas 67063 (620) 947-3121 tabor.edu Tabor College Mission: “Preparing people for a life of learning, work and service for Christ and His kingdom.”
@TaborCollege /TaborCollege /taborcollege /taborcollege /company/tabor-college /taborcollege Tabor Webcast
In This Issue 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 Sechrists minister in Students immerse residence life themselves in Guatemalan, 12 Mayan cultures 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 Flaming leading “Gone too soon”: 21 scientific innovation at Remembering Castillo 22 Sutter Instruments and Aviles 24 View or subscribe at tabor.edu/connection For up-to-date news, visit tabor.edu/news
4
10
15
18
A “Tabor” Sechrist Family Forever Friendship starts at Tabor Photos: To Tabor & Beyond Spotlight: A hunger for scripture Spotlight: Serve in sport & leadership A trip to Guatemala A trip to France New Arts Hall of Fame inductees A restructured Tabor Calendar Spotlight: Pillow for your Thoughts Spotlight: The Science of an Invention A Look at Tabor News Students compete in DECA Remembering Castillo and Aviles Athletics at a Glance Donor Roll Call Alumni News Upcoming Events
Administration
Board of Directors
David S. Janzen, President Rusty Allen, Executive Vice President of Operations Ron Braun, Vice President of Philanthropy Michael James, Vice President of Finance and Business, CFO Frank Johnson, Executive Vice President of Academics and Compliance
Susan Franz Koslowsky, Chair Diana Raugust, Vice Chair Ted Faszer, Secretary Jeral Gross, Treasurer Roger Ediger, At Large Craig Ratzlaff, At Large Loren Balzer Eric Driggers Natalie Ford, Student Representative Melissa Gutierrez Andrew Jost Mark Jost Kelly Kirby Jerry Kliewer Nate Loewen Wendell Loewen, Faculty Representative Dean Nachtigall Jeff Nikkel Dennis Penner Craig Quiring Pat Redding Elaine Setzer-Maxwell Dan Strutz Tim Sullivan Orson Thomas Wilbur Unrau Richard Unruh Denise Wiens
Faculty Leadership Amy Ratzlaff, Ph.D. Cand., Assistant Professor of Health and Human Performance, Assistant Athletic Director, Associate Dean of the School of Professional Studies Rick Bartlett, M.Div., D.Min., Associate Professor of Ministry, Director of Theological Education, Associate Dean of the School of Graduate Studies Christopher Dick, Ph.D., Professor of English, Faculty Chair Wendell Loewen, D.Min., Professor of Youth, Church & Culture; Faith Front Director; Faculty Representative to the Board of Directors; Associate Dean of the School of Liberal Arts
3
Photo courtesy Sechrist family
The Sechrists are no strangers to 400 S. Jefferson. It began as students for parents Joe and Brenda (Wichert) in 1985 and 1986. What started as an undergraduate degree became a calling in leadership that even resonates with their children. Five of the six family members have or are currently attending Tabor College. Four of them have also spent time in residence life leadership, serving as resident assistant or director. Six years after Joe’s graduation in 1991, they returned to Tabor and served as resident directors of the men’s quad for three years. Their son, Tanner (g’17), first attended Tabor in 2014 and also served as a resident assistant (RA). Their youngest daughters, Abigail (cs, former RA) and Millie (cs, current RA), now room together on the Tabor campus. It was the relationships as students that sold Joe and Brenda on stepping into resident leadership. The role allowed Brenda to also connect with female RAs and both noted the hundreds of “older brothers and sisters” that Tanner and Emily, the oldest Sechrist siblings, had as they both were born before their parents took over as resident directors. The family stayed in Hillsboro after moving off campus, allowing the relationships with students to flourish even more. “We’ve always felt led to have Tabor kids over and now we have two (students) of our own,” Joe said of his daughters. “From the time we served as resident directors to now, we’ve always wanted to pour into young people and encourage them in their story. We want to be a support in whatever they’re going through.” Brenda said she hopes students understand how much of an encouragement they are for them as well. “We started these friendships 20-plus years ago, and now we see them when they’re back at the Arts & Crafts Fair or get Christmas cards from their families,” Brenda said. “We’ve remained close with many of them, and it’s fun for us to have those connections.” Whether it be as students or resident directors, the
“From the time we served as resident directors to now, we’ve always wanted to pour into young people and encourage them in their story. We want to be a support in whatever they’re going through.” 4
Photo courtesy Sechrist family
Sechrists minister in residence life
experience helped lay the foundation for their children as they prepared for their time at Tabor. Abigail runs cross country and track, but her parents wanted her to understand and dive into life outside of athletics. “You’re living with hundreds of other people from other parts of the country and even the world,” Abigail said. “They encouraged me to get to know different people and see that many of us had things in common even though they didn’t grow up in Hillsboro.” With those moments come joy and laughter and trips for food and fun at all hours of the day. There are also opportunities to grow, heal or discuss how God has affected their lives both as a Tabor student and in the years prior. “When I was an RA, I walked to another room, and I saw that someone was struggling with something,” Abigail said. “She shared something really hard, and I was blown away. I felt blessed that she felt comfortable to share with me. Immediately after, I walked into two different rooms, and it was the same experience. I got to help them walk through their struggles, shine a light of what God can do and to express my concern for anything that had or was happening.” Joe and Brenda both smile as they hear these stories from their children, understanding they saw it themselves both as students and resident directors. “I remember praying with my RA for a peer and I said, ‘This guy is never going to get it,’” Joe said. “About 10 minutes later, he came in the room and asked for our RA to pray for him because he wanted to accept Christ. It was pretty amazing.” Such Tabor experiences influenced a foundation of hospitality and services that began when the Sechrist children were much younger.
While Abigail was born when her parents served as resident directors, Millie has only heard stories of her parents working at Tabor. However, the hunger and drive to serve current or past students became evident at an early age. Millie recalls asking her mom at church which students they’d invite over for lunch. When the answer was “No” or “we’ll see,’’ it of course only made the request stronger. Similarly both sisters understand that there are children who see them in the same way on or off campus. Both fondly remember a sleepover in the Townhouses with a group of students when the sisters were younger. “It’s a bit surreal,” Millie said. “I thought students were so cool growing up, and I’ve wondered if it’s how they see
me. I looked up to them all so much, and it’s awesome to be able to be in that place ourselves.” Joe and Brenda have also been able to bring the relationships from their time as students to their kids. Abigail recalled camping with some of her parents’ closest Tabor friends, showing how deep their friendships ran. Neither sister might have guessed that they would be roommates for one year, but neither would they trade the experience of living life together at Tabor. “Those lasting friendships are so cool,” Abigail said. “I knew if I went to Tabor, I’d experience those relationships myself, and I wanted to be able to share that experience.”
(L to R) Millie, Brenda, Abigail and Joe
TA B O R CO L L E G E
Residential Life
Celebration Friday, May 6, 2022
Residence Hall Groundbreaking
11:30 am – Corner of Adams and B St Open to the public
Barbecue Picnic
12:00 pm – Mall north of Student Center Free meal open to the public
6:00 pm – Invitation only
President’s Program & Residential Life Celebration
Contact Ron Braun, Vice President of Philanthropy 620-947-3121 ext 1710 or ronb@tabor.edu for info
Open to the public
President’s Dinner
Invitations will be mailed in April
7:15 pm – Richert Auditorium, Shari Flaming Center for the Arts 5
Following God’s call: O’Neal, Wait strike a lifelong friendship Hailey O’Neal (JR/Pipe Creek, Texas) and Liliana Wait (SR/Parker, Colo.) had no way of knowing their paths would collide at Tabor College. Immersed in college softball and tennis, both played their respective sports in junior college before choosing to attend Tabor as transfers. “Attached at the hip,” the pair felt it was only right to become roommates in fall 2021 after striking a bond in their first year in Hillsboro. The two also saw their first-semester roommates leave, only making it easier to build their friendship. “I feel it’s God’s calling that I was brought here and to meet Hailey and the many friends I’ve made on campus,” Wait said. “Senior year does make it kind of sad, but making that connection is so vital, and it’s so good to have it at a school like this because these friendships are invaluable.”
L to R: O’Neal and Wait 6
“I’ve been blessed by three wonderful roommates. Another great thing is even when I’m not home in Colorado, Hailey is a part of my family here, and I’m forever grateful that God is at work bringing people together for a reason.” When O’Neal was first contacted by Head Softball Coach Jeff Brewer, she found it to be similar to a school that was closer to home. Having previously attended Northeast Texas Community College, she found Tabor to be that perfect fit of Christian education and a team she wanted to be a part of. Striking a chord with Wait was the perfect cherry on top. “We all have our down days, and I’ve learned to trust Lily with anything,” O’Neal said. Tabor was not unfamiliar to Wait as her Hesston College resident assistant Brenna (Peters, g’20) Kliewer chose to become a Bluejay. “(Brenna) told me I’d love Tabor because how much she loved the campus and the community,” Wait said. “I didn’t think about it as much at first, but after taking a year off of school, I felt God was telling me, ‘Go to Tabor.’” As dedicated as both are to their sport, they know their friendship and their academic pursuits will resonate the deepest once they depart Tabor. Between being roommates and spending time with their housemates in the Townhouses, the 1, 2 or 3 a.m. conversations bring a smile to their eye. “Our RAs do a great job of creating activities for our house,” O’Neal said. “We can all come together and build relationships together.” While neither have traveled to each other’s hometown, the two have already begun plans to connect outside of Tabor because of Wait’s impending graduation. “I’ve been blessed by three wonderful roommates,” Wait said about her college years. “Another great thing is even when I’m not home in Colorado, Hailey is a part of my family here, and I’m forever grateful that God is at work bringing people together for a reason.”
To Tabor & Beyond The heart of Tabor College residence life is the relationships. Your peers stand alongside of you as God shapes and molds you in His image. For so many graduates, those relationships began as a freshman, ran through Commencement, and continue to this day. As we begin building a new residence hall, we celebrate what God has done in your story and how you have stayed connected since attending Tabor.
Matt Gallagher (g’95), Lori (Thiessen, g’93) Gallagher, Jason Klassen (g’94), Becky (Klassen g’94) Klassen, Shelley (Reimer, fs’91) Topham and David Topham (g’93) recently traveled to Jamaica together.
Diane Krehbiel (g’15), Andrea Acker (g’15), and Krista (Neifert g’15) Sizemore spent one year in campus housing together, living with three other roommates. They are pictured on a trip to Utah.
Photo courtesy Susan Franz Koslowsky
Photo courtesy Diane Krehbiel
Photo courtesy Becky Klassen
John Garcia (g’07), Matt Rorabaugh (g’06), Ricky Ishida (g’06), Jake Schenck (g’06), Robert Haude (g’06), Lee Waldron (g’06) and Layne Frick (g’06) all returned to campus for Schenck’s induction into the Tabor College Athletics Hall of Fame in May 2019.
Roberta (Gaede, g’85) Bird, Melody (Buller, fs) Kinnamon, Jenyce (Hiebert, g’85) Danley, and Susan (Franz, g’84) Koslowsky have taken eight trips together since 1996, including this vacation to the Ozark Mountains. 7
Men’s bible study deepening relationships on campus
A desire for fellowship stirred in Carson Duba’s heart when he stepped on Tabor College’s campus. He knew of Tabor as his sister, Katelyn, had attended for two years, and he also attended Bethesda Mennonite Brethren Church in Huron, S.D. Duba arrived in August 2020, and God took his interests and put them to work immediately. Duba and soccer teammate Ryan Ward sat in the men’s quad together at the beginning of their freshmen year. They weren’t roommates, but bonded as other students had not yet arrived on campus. Duba would regularly ask Ward if he could read a Bible passage and Ward agreed. As their relationship grew, Ward became more curious of Duba’s heart for Jesus and asked a number of questions, culminating with “Carson, why are you the way you are?” “Because I love Jesus and He loves me.” Those words spurred Ward toward accepting Jesus for the first time. “It was really cool because I realized this group was growing way further than anything I could have imagined,” Duba said. “When I read my Bible with Ryan, I didn’t think it would turn into something that would stretch across campus and reach 40 different guys. God outdid my own expectations there and does all the time.” The relationship between the two became the launching pad of a longstanding men’s bible study on campus. With Duba’s leadership and Ward’s ability to connect on campus, God began weaving the pair within the student body. Meeting classmates for the first time at Freshman Orientation, Ward didn’t hesitate to invite their new friends to dive into Scripture alongside he and Duba. “First night, there were four of us in the room, and we’d read a passage before we went to bed,” Duba said. “With 8
each night, one or two more would come, and others heard about what we were doing. We started meeting at a specific time in my room, and we eventually outgrew the space.” An average of 15-20 students take part in the group, allowing each of these men to dive deeper into their faith individually. It centers around their mission of helping each other seek Jesus on their own, igniting a “thirst for God’s word.” Secondly, it’s dissecting words that aren’t as often talked about in church. “A lot of them come from Christian families, but I had one guy tell me that he had never really made his faith his own,” Duba said. “He had grown up with a Christian background, but has been able to use this time and space to grow closer to Jesus individually.” What began with Duba sharing his heart became a space where they leaned on one another. One particular week included writing down questions confidentially for them to discuss as a group. “There were some really good questions,” Duba said. “It led us as leaders to dive deeper into our faith. We were seeking these answers, and it brought us much closer together.” Returning in August 2021, Duba said he wasn’t sure what the vision of the group would be in the new year. Previous group members moved across campus housing, but it led them to the Student Center at 9 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday nights. One of the biggest blessings for Duba was hearing that one of the group members wanted to branch out and start his own bible study elsewhere on campus. “It was really cool because I realized this group was growing way further than anything I could have imagined,” Duba said. “When I read my Bible with Ryan, I didn’t think it would turn into something that would stretch across campus and reach 40 different guys. God outdid my own expectations there and does all the time.”
Set to serve: Morrow’s leadership paves the way on & off the court
Taylor Morrow hadn’t seen much of what sat west of her hometown of Topeka, Kan. As she sat down with her high school volleyball coach to decide where she could continue to play, Tabor College was one of the first colleges that he mentioned. Hillsboro may have been new territory for her, but after sitting down with then Washburn Rural English teacher Heidi (Glanzer g’10) Carlson, her interest in attending Tabor grew even more. Morrow got to visit campus with Carlson and after meeting then coach Amy Ratzlaff, she had found her home. “When I came here at first, I didn’t know what to think,” Morrow said. “It was so simple, but there was something
bigger here. I knew it was such a beautiful campus, and so much has been put into it.” Knowing she wanted to pursue pharmacy school after graduating, Morrow knew she’d major in chemistry. After beginning practices and starting her career as a Bluejay, an email about student government caught her attention. She served in two smaller roles as a freshman and sophomore, but was later elected junior class president before her election to student body president in her final year on campus. Morrow credited past student body presidents Maddie Gallagher (g’21) and Alyssa Matney (g’21) for helping encourage and prepare her for this role. “I like seeing behind-the-scenes stuff,” she said. “I like knowing where money is going on campus and what clubs are being funded for bigger projects. I like being a voice for the student body.” While serving in Student Senate, Morrow also struck a relationship through Tabor’s women’s mentoring program. She was paired with Kaitlyn Rempel (g’17), who now serves as the college’s assistant registrar. Morrow knew she’d get to examine her personal faith, and that was intriguing for her. She credited Rempel for walking alongside her and seeing how God had, is and will stand with her as she progresses through college and prepares for her career. “I know that everyone goes through trials and tribulations, but I feel I’m here to glorify God,” Morrow said. “That never crossed my mind before Tabor. Being able to wake up and know that I’m following God’s plan, and I’m doing it all for Him, it feels so good knowing that this is where I’m supposed to be at this time in my life.” Morrow added a psychology major to her degree and will graduate in May 2022. She plans to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) in October and apply for pharmacy school in November. Whether it be on the court, in the classroom, or in a Student Senate meeting, Morrow said she trusts the Lord is leading her through her final months on campus. In the words of poet Oscar Wilde and one of Morrow’s favorite quotes, “be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
9
I N T E R T E R M
T R I P
Photo courtesy Elis Acevedo
Students immerse themselves in Guatemalan, Mayan cultures
Photo courtesy Elis Acevedo
Six students stood alongside Professor Lara Vanderhoof as they walked through the terminal market in Guatemala City. The 6 feet by 6 feet spaces were not only storefronts but they were the homes of families who had no other source of residency or income. It painted one of many pictures for students who spent just over two weeks in Guatemala during Interterm. Through their 16-day stay, they were immersed in a place where human trafficking, racism and multiple socioeconomic challenges have grips on the everyday culture. “How do you bring students to look outside the margins?” said Vanderhoof, associate professor of social work and program director. “What about the disenfranchised or the marginalized? We wanted to see them firsthand and come alongside those people.” 10
Johnna Swiers (JR/Detroit Lakes, Minn.) and Elienei Mejia (SO/Ulysses, Kan.) were two of the students who traveled in January. Both have spent time out of the country, but described this as an eye-opening experience. Vanderhoof, who had traveled to the area for a vision trip, said she was thrilled to be able to offer in-person training that gave students a firsthand glimpse of Guatemalan and Mayan cultures. Language barriers led to translators at all turns, accentuating the stark differences in cultural norms and acceptance of one another’s culture. After visiting the terminal market, they walked into a nearby market that had more expensive merchandise. They soon realized an outfit from these businesses would cost an 80-day wage for the workers at their previous stop. Both students and Vanderhoof noted the racism that runs rampant through the country. In particular, the Mayan people suffer persecution around and amongst its communities. “If you benefit me, you’re OK,” Vanderhoof said. “You’re working in my fields, and you’ll do these things in my home, but that’s it… They heard from one gentleman who is trying to learn about his Mayan background. He really wants to know, but his family doesn’t want to know.” Some families would want their children to learn Spanish, so they wouldn’t experience persecution. All three referred to it as survival mode at times, taking any steps needed to move forward. “They wanted him to learn Spanish and be a part of that group so he could go to school and be accepted,” said Mejia. According to heartsinmotion.org, only 74.5 percent of the population age 15 and over is literate, the lowest literacy rate in Central America. The group of Tabor participants said many in the country are lucky to receive a sixth-grade education. It left a lasting impact on the heart of the six Tabor participants. “Craig (Jost, director of Carson Center for Global Engagement,) told us before we left that you’re not teaching them, you’re learning from them,” Mejia said. “That really stayed with me. I’m not trying to leave my mark here, but trying to learn and be able to talk about my experience. I found a desire to learn more about different cultures.” As the group traveled back to Kansas, they all found a hunger for bringing their experiences to the campus and community. Particularly, they want to invest in and celebrate the relationships that God has put around them. “I grew a lot spiritually and as a person,” Swiers said. “It’s going to take a while for it to settle in and how I can take it into my everyday life. I’m still processing all of these things. The biggest thing is vocationally it really solidified that I want to be a social worker and impact people in positive ways.”
I N T E R T E R M
T R I P
Tabor ACTION team serves alongside missionaries in France
Photo courtesy Austin Calam
Courtesy photo
“Living in missions is a lifestyle.” After spending almost three weeks in France, the thought captured the minds of four students who spent Interterm serving abroad. In a mostly Muslim neighborhood alongside migrated North African families, they found a joy and a hunger in building intimate and long-lasting relationships. The ACTION team members, which included students and local Hillsboro community members, served alongside Multiply missionaries Paul (g’03) and Sara (Janzen, fs) Raugust and their team from Jan. 8-28. Even as Caleb Kliewer (JR/Hillsboro, Kan.) walked beside two of Europe’s most iconic landmarks, the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, the relationships of the people and the missionaries resonated most deeply. “Some of my favorite moments were sitting in people’s basements getting to talk and to hear amazing testimonies,” Kliewer said. “Some of the people I talked to, they inspired me with their stories.” The Raugusts help run a community outreach center, Cultur’Ovive, that sits beside their local church, Eglise de la Prairie. One of the biggest bonuses of the trip is that the Tabor group was able to assist them in networking with the local school and building relationships with additional families. Between the community activities they put together through the outreach center and English for Speakers of Other Languages courses, they’re able to reach out more effectively to their primarily Muslim neighborhood. “This particular team bonded really well,” said Craig Jost, director of Carson Center for Global Engagement. “That doesn’t always happen. It seemed like they really enjoyed being together. Even Paul said there wasn’t a time they were asked to do something, and they weren’t fully engaged. That’s a huge testament. Typically, that’s not the case. It’s hard in cross-cultural missions because you don’t know what’s going on, and you have a struggle connecting.” Families were eager to bring the ACTION team members into their homes, dedicating hours to them for meals and various service projects in the community. That desire to connect in a cross-cultural setting spoke volumes to Cody Meyer (SO/Tampa, Kan.). “We saw incredible hospitality,” Meyer said. “We want to use that here (at Tabor), invite people in having intimate, more intentional conversations.” Jost, who helped coordinate the trip for Tabor, said this team brought mixed levels of experience in missions and also traveling globally. With a handful of them expressing an
innate desire to step outside of their comfort zone, it’s something he wants to continue to groom through his position in the Carson Center for Global Education. “You don’t want to minimize people’s interest in other cultures,” Jost said. “It’s a God-given trait. That can be a unique way of bringing people together to chase after new experiences and serving together.” Praised by the Raugusts for their ability to connect with the local families, Kliewer and Meyer don’t want to see that end while they’re back on campus. “We saw people who were so intentional in serving the Lord,” Kliewer said. “Coming back here… I want to be more aware of opportunities God is giving me to serve.” 11
Photo courtesy Fresno Pacific University
Harder, Warkentin selected for the Arts Hall of Fame
Dr. Larry Warkentin (g’62)
Judy (Prieb, g’68) Harder
Dr. Larry Warkentin (g’62) and Judy (Prieb, g’68) Harder have been selected as the 2022 inductees for the Tabor College Arts Hall of Fame. With a combined 60 years of full-time teaching in communications, choral music and theatre, the pair left a lasting legacy on arts and education at Tabor College and Fresno Pacific University. “Honoring the achievements and the legacy of Tabor Arts graduates and faculty is an amazing privilege,” said Dr. Greg Zielke, Tabor arts director and Hall of Fame committee member. “I am so inspired to learn about Judy Harder and Larry Warkentin, and it is truly humbling to see how they each used their gifts and talents to further Christ and His kingdom. This is what Tabor is all about.” The ceremony is set for Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 in the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts. Harder became a theatre adjunct at Tabor in 1987. After completing her master’s in 1989, she was hired as assistant professor of communications. Harder taught public speaking and theatre classes and developed the communications department. Her primary efforts came in theatre, directing over 120 productions at Tabor. Among those performances were five musical repeats: “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Godspell,” “Into the Woods” and “The Music Man.” She received the Clarence Hiebert Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2001 and was promoted to the rank of associate professor in 2007. She retired in 2013 and was awarded faculty emeritus status. Harder and husband Keith were married in 1968 and spent time in Elkhart, Ind., before returning to Hillsboro. Warkentin was a music education major at Tabor College, serving as president of the choir before his graduation. After marrying Paula (Berg) later that year, they moved to Fresno, Calif., where he completed his master’s degree at Fresno State in 1964 and taught part-time at Pacific College. He later earned his doctorate in choral and church music from the University of Southern California. Warkentin spent 36 years at Fresno Pacific University, teaching music theory and composition and later serving as music department chair. He received more than a dozen prestigious awards through the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). He was a prolific composer, including hymns in “Worship Hymnal,” “Sing Alleluia,” “Hymnal: A Worship Book” and “Covenant Hymnal.” In 1978, he was commissioned by the Mennonite World Conference to write an orchestral work for its international assembly. He later wrote the Fresno Pacific University Song, which serves as a traditional piece for the college’s graduation. He was awarded faculty emeritus status following his retirement in 2002.
12
Tabor releases 2022-23 academic calendar More traditional fall and spring semesters will bring a number of changes to the 2022-23 Tabor College academic calendar. Seeking flexibility for students and key stakeholders on campus, the calendar will be the first since 1967 to not include Interterm.
The removal of the January session will also allow a full week of fall break (Oct. 6-12) and Thanksgiving break (Nov. 21-25) for students, faculty and staff. The extended breaks will permit students to return home or to invite classmates to join them for the holidays. “I believe this will improve our ability to serve all students at all levels through this new comprehensive approach to an academic calendar,” said Dr. Frank Johnson, executive vice president of academics and compliance. Fall final exams will begin on Dec. 6 and conclude on Dec. 9. Winter break will run through Jan. 9, 2023. Monday evening classes will resume on the 9th and day classes will start the following day. International trips that historically took place in January are being planned for May 2023. Spring final exams will begin on May 1 and conclude on May 4. The 113th Commencement of Tabor College will be held on May 6 in the Richert Auditorium in the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts. May will also bring the first of two six-week summer terms, enabling all students better access to summer classes.
Academic Calendar Oct. 1 Homecoming Oct. 6-12 Fall Break Aug. 16 Day Classes Begin
Dec. 6-9 Final exams
Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving
Dec. 10-Jan. 9, 2023 Christmas Break
Fall Semester
Jan. 10 Day Classes Begin
March 20-24 Spring Break
May 6 Commencement May 1-4 Finals
Spring Semester
13
College & Business: Fort, Kutz putting entrepreneurship to practice Ethan Kutz and Jean Paul Fort grew up 4,348 miles apart, but a hunger for business brought their stories together on the Tabor College campus. Kutz, a sophomore from Sheridan, Wyo., and Fort, a junior from Lima, Peru, each came to Tabor to pursue a business degree and to play tennis. L to R: Fort and Kutz With Kutz’s view for entrepreneurship and Fort’s eye in product development, their athletic, academic and business vision helped their stories merge at a deeper level. While studying and working in his Introduction to Entrepreneurship class, Fort pitched UPillow, a neck pillow that donned an embroidered Tabor College logo. With motivation from Dr. Melinda Rangel, associate professor of business administration, and Kutz, Fort’s product became closer to a reality. Fort and Kutz used Alibaba Group (www.alibaba.com), a Chinese technology company that specializes in e-commerce, retail, Internet and technology, to produce the pillow. “Dr. Rangel has made me step out of my comfort zone ever since I started this,” Fort said. “I’ve never been a public speaker, and she’ll tell me, ‘Go pitch this product to the class or to President (David) Janzen.’ Over time it got easier.” After finalizing the product and design in Fall 2021, the pillow was officially delivered to campus on Jan. 24, and it is available to purchase for $19.99 through the Tabor JayShop. Proceeds of the pillow will go to the Business Department as seed money for future projects. “Ethan and I were talking about business long before I made UPillow a thing,” Fort said. “I never saw it getting much further than my class. He supported me and helped make it a product.” Kutz said he has always carried an entrepreneurial gene, highlighting
a desire to build things, his father’s woodworking and studying drop shipping and affiliate-marketing businesses on YouTube. “It’s thrilling, honestly,” Kutz said of launching the product. “It’s the stuff that keeps me up at night. This is what I’m living for, and I’m meant to do this kind of thing. I’ll have hourlong conversations with JP and with likeminded people. We can talk about UPillow constantly and reworking different concepts together.” Fort said Staci Janzen, assistant professor of business administration, and Lily Arthur, assistant professor of accounting, also played integral roles and helped Fort and Kutz conduct surveys to better understand their market and production. After pitching the product in multiple classes and giving a presentation to President David Janzen, they feel empowered to do even more. Fort said a renewed focus of entrepreneurship and leadership from the president has helped the business program raise the bar. “Now that President Janzen is here and with his background, he can get anyone excited and believe that they can do what they’re called to do,” Fort said. “That’s what he did for me.” The next steps remain to be determined, but they’re eager to see what’s to come. “We have many different roads,” Kutz said. “We have lots of places we think we can end up.”
Tabor College Graduate Studies
Coming Soon
Masters of Business Administration in
Entrepreneurship
Inquire at learn@tabor.edu 14
Imagine measuring the electrical capacity of a single cell. This was the challenge facing Dale Flaming (g’62) in his research at the University of California-San Francisco. He was studying how rods and cones in the eyes of turtles and frogs detect color. In a classic example of “necessity is the mother of invention,” Flaming set out to build a glass filament pipette puller that could manufacture a pipette measured in microns and even nanometers, small enough to measure or manipulate a single cell. It wasn’t long and his colleagues noticed. Could he make a pipette puller for them and their research? Like any great startup, he found a couple of partners and started innovating and manufacturing in a garage. They founded Sutter Instruments in 1974 and incorporated the business in 1977 after creating the pipette puller. Flaming said it was at one point an eight-garage operation, spending nights and weekends making different parts. The first full-time employee of Sutter was hired in 1982. Flaming left the university in 1986, jumping in full-time with the business. “There was a calling in starting this company,” Flaming said. “The company is a very academic institution as it stands right now. We had an instrument that was going to be very useful, and we had ideas for more. We wanted to see if we could make it all work.” Fast forward to today, and you will find Sutter Instrument equipment in most physiology or neuroscience research labs around the world. Although pipette pullers are still a mainstay of their product line, Flaming and his staff at Sutter have developed a wide range of related instruments and products, from micromanipulation (tools to maneuver a tiny pipette to a cell) to microscopes, microinjection (used in IVF) and amplifiers (for detecting the slightest electrical currents). More than 50 years after graduating from Tabor, Flaming is still innovating today. He actively collaborates with his research and development staff on new products, and he is often the sole assembly language programmer. “As the company has grown, we now have a line of microscopes and a very successful line
of light sources for microscopes,” Flaming said. “We just introduced a microscope illuminator that allows us to change wavelengths in four-millionths of a second.” Choosing Tabor College made perfect sense for Flaming as he started his career. His parents, Arthur and Linda (Claassen), both attended and his great-uncle, P.C. Hiebert, is one of the founders of the college. His father was a Mennonite Brethren pastor and grew up in Buhler, while his mother was born in Hillsboro. He was a chemistry and mathematics major and said his scientific and analytical foundation was fine-tuned while attending Tabor. “Dr. William Johnson was a big part of helping me craft my interest in science,” Flaming said. “I give him a lot of credit for his encouragement and pushing me in my career.” Larry Warkentin (g’62) was his roommate at Tabor, and the two remained close up until Warkentin died in April 2021. Flaming also remains close with Ron Wiebe (g’61), who resides in San Jose, Calif. They also sail together in the summer. While his path in entrepreneurship did not start immediately after college, Flaming encourages students to follow their passions. “Follow what you’re interested in and see what opportunities come up through the years,” he said. “Stay the course.”
Photo courtesy Dale Flaming
Flaming leading scientific innovation at Sutter Instruments
15
Tabor News
President David Janzen presents two lectures in “Exaudio: Listen & Live”
Janzen was the fifth speaker in the vocation and service lecture series. His lectures, “Career or Calling—Asking the Right Questions” and “The Paradox of Christian Entrepreneurship” took place on Feb. 2 and 3 in the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts. You can view them both by visiting www. tabor.edu/exaudio.
Lem Moore, Tabor adjunct professor, named interim police chief in Wichita, Kan. Moore was named interim police chief for Wichita, Kan. on Jan. 26, replacing longtime Police Chief Gordon Ramsey. Moore serves as an adjunct professor in Tabor’s criminal justice department and once studied at Tabor College Wichita (g’01). He has spent 30 years in the Wichita Police Department and was promoted to deputy chief in early 2022 prior to Ramsey’s departure.
Dr. Sheila Litke and Professor Shin-hee Chin selected for 2022 Richard G. Kyle Faculty Lecture
President David Janzen presents two lectures in “Exaudio: Listen & Live”
Litke and Chin’s presentation was selected for the 25th annual Richard G. Kyle Faculty Lecture. Their lecture, “Butterfly Masks,” will center around a work by Robert Schumann with Litke performing musical elements and Chin creating 12 fiber art pieces. Date, time and location will be announced at a later date. Litke has been at Tabor since 2000 and now serves as professor of piano and performing arts department chair. Chin first came to Hillsboro in 2004 and is professor of art.
Dr. Melinda Rangel’s dissertation accepted for presentation at 2022 Business Education Research Conference Rangel, associate professor of business administration, submitted her work after completing her doctorate in April 2021. She was selected as a presenter from over 10,000 submissions. Held in conjunction with the National Business Education Association Convention, Rangel will present at the conference in Chicago, Ill., on April 22-25.
Dr. Sarah Tham to give presentation at 2022 Educators Rising National Conference Tham will travel to the nation’s capital this summer, presenting “Building Resilience for the Future” at the June 24-25 conference at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C.
16
Tabor College hosts State DECA competition
Tabor College was one of five schools to participate in the State DECA Competition in the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts on Jan. 28. Ten students competed individually and/or in teams of two, finishing third or higher in 12 different events. Each of these students will now have the opportunity to compete in the International Career Development Conference on April 9-12 in Baltimore, Md. Other participating colleges included: Cowley College, Fort Hays State University, Kansas Wesleyan University and the University of Kansas. “Our business students did an excellent job of representing themselves and Tabor College,” said Dr. Melinda Rangel, associate professor of business management. “They were prepared for their events, professional in their appearance
and conversation, and performed with confidence. I am so proud of their efforts.” Natalie Ford (JR/Fort Collins, Colo.) and Jazmine Sandoval (JR/Las Vegas, Nev.) each finished first individually and as a team. Ford took first in Human Resource Management, while Sandoval finished atop Fashion Merchandising and Marketing. They took first in Entrepreneurship-Starting a Business as a pair. Alicia Lopez (JR/Eastvale, Calif.) and Alexis Wall (SR/Mounds, Okla.) took first in Business Research. “DECA is an excellent way to put into practice the skills business students are learning in the classroom,” Rangel said. “The real-life business problems that students solve in their events draw on the knowledge gained from their business instruction. I would love to see more students compete in DECA and experience this opportunity.”
Tabor College’s results from State DECA Student(s) Natalie Ford Jazmine Sandoval Natalie Ford & Jazmine Sandoval Alicia Lopez & Alexis Wall Jesus Rondon Sara Yutzy Elisia Sanchez Marisa Vallejo Ashly Johnson & Marisa Vallejo Braizejanae Barnes & Jesus Rondon Elisia Sanchez & Sara Yutzy Ashly Johnson
Event Human Resource Management Fashion Merchandising & Marketing Entrepreneurship- Starting a Business Business Research Sales Management Meeting Marketing Management Travel & Tourism Entrepreneurship—Starting a Business Business Ethics Business Research Advertising Campaign Restaurant & Food Service Management
Place 1st 1st 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 3rd
New admission requirements set ahead of incoming recruiting class In effort to increase student retention and improve academic excellence, Tabor College made a change to its admission requirements for incoming freshmen and transfer students. Ahead of the 2022-23 recruiting cycle, Tabor College incoming freshmen must either carry a 2.75 GPA or a 20 composite ACT score (1020 SAT). Transfer GPA requirements have risen from 2.0 to 2.5. “We continue great efforts to attract students who will benefit from what Tabor can offer,” President David Janzen said. “Our Admissions office and other groups on campus continue to invite students to see the wonderful work that God is doing here and invite them to be a part of our campus.”
Admission Requirements Beginning with students arriving in August 2023 ACT: HS GPA: TRANSFER:
New 20 2.75 2.5
Previous 18 2.50 2.0
The increased admission requirements have already been evident for Dean of Enrollment Management Grant Myers and his staff. Myers ran a report on accepted students in late February and out of nearly 650 accepted students, the average GPA was 3.3. “It was an important change because our retention rates can only go up as we move forward,” Myers said. “We’ll be able to help students thrive academically when they arrive and keep students on campus.” Changes to academic scholarships have also been made for admitted students. That includes five freshman merit scholarships, highlighted by the H.W. Lohrenz Honors Scholarship with a $35,000 annual value. Only six students are awarded the scholarship that requires a 3.5 GPA and an ACT of 30 or SAT of 1360 or higher. Those spots have been filled for the 2022-23 academic year. With interest growing and a waiting list in place, the future of the merit scholarships remains very bright. Learn more about Tabor College’s entire scholarship catalog and financial aid offerings by visiting www.tabor.edu/undergraduate/financial-aid. 17
“Gone too soon”: Remembering Christopher Castillo and Johnethon Aviles Tabor College students Christopher Castillo and Johnethon Aviles were tragically killed in a Sunday, Feb. 27 car accident approximately six miles south of campus. They were passengers in a car driven by former student Jonathan Medina, who suffered spinal cord injuries and has begun rehabilitation. The news sent shockwaves across campus, seeing two of its classmates, peers and students “gone far too soon.” Memorial displays have been made for Aviles and Castillo on campus, allowing Tabor students, faculty and staff to pray, mourn and reflect in the wake of the accident. Aviles and Castillo were both members of the Tabor football team. They arrived on campus in August 2020, finding a home both on and off the field. Castillo, a criminal justice major, was set to graduate in May 2022, while Aviles was studying agri-business in preparation of finishing in May 2023.
Christopher Williams (speaking), assistant professor of Criminal Justice, and Parker Folks (SR/Clay Center, Kan.) speak of the life of Christopher Castillo.
Johnethon Aviles
Tabor has also begun work to award posthumous degrees for both students. Chris Williams, assistant professor of criminal justice, said he often felt like Castillo was walking in his shoes. Williams (g’06) also came to Tabor as a junior-college transfer and played multiple defensive positions under Head Coach Mike Gardner. They also connected with growing up in law enforcement families. Once the shy, nervous student, Castillo was no longer the “quiet, young man sitting on the sideline.” “He would also encourage his classmates/teammates to laugh at their mistakes and how mistakes help us learn,” Williams said. “He never hesitated to help someone feel comfortable. With Chris, just being in his presence made you feel at ease. He carried positive energy with him, and you could feel it whenever he was around.” Aviles was an agri-business major. Having worked in construction and agriculture at home, he showed an attention to detail that he wanted to take to the football field and his future career. He had dreams of one day becoming a small business owner, according to his adviser, Dr. Melinda Rangel. “He had a great plan and was working to make that plan a reality,” said Rangel, associate professor of business administration. “Johnny is missed greatly. The empty seat in our business classes is a grim reminder of a friend, teammate, student and all-around great person that is gone too soon.” It carried over to the football field for Castillo and Aviles. “Both of these guys meant so much to our team,” Gardner said. “They are two of the most unselfish players I’ve ever had. They played their roles very, very well. I could ask either one of them to do anything on any week, and they were more than happy to do that. They are going to be greatly missed.”
Dr. Melinda Rangel, associate professor of business administration, and Richard Goldammer (JR/Paso Robles, Calif.) speak of the life of Johnethon Aviles. 18
Christopher Castillo
Head Football Coach Mike Gardner shares memories of Christopher Castillo and Johnethon Aviles. Folks and Goldammer embrace after speaking in memory of Aviles and Castillo at the March 9 memorial service.
For His Glory, Tabor’s Contemporary Christian Music team, leads worship at the start of the memorial service.
Dr. Melinda Rangel, Coach Mike Gardner, and Vice President of Philanthropy Ron Braun stand alongside students to support them at the conclusion of the service. 19
Athletics at a Glance
Tabor College men’s soccer completed a remarkable turnaround in just one year. After finishing 2-13-1 (1-9-1 in the KCAC) in 202021, the Bluejays soared up the conference standings. They finished second in the regular season (12-9-1, 9-2-1 in conference) after being picked to finish 12th and 13th by the coaches and media, respectively. Tabor also qualified for the NAIA National Tournament, falling 4-1 to Central Methodist in the opening round. The program hit doubledigit wins for the first time since 2013. Nine league wins was also a record under coach Grant Brubacher.
Sammy Jo Peterson (SR, Cottonwood Falls, Kan.) hit 1,000 career points in Tabor’s 95-68 win over St. Mary on Jan. 27. Peterson, who returned to the roster for a fifth season with additional COVID eligibility, has been a mainstay for the Bluejays in KCAC play and success in the national tournament. “Sammy Jo has had a tremendous career and we were so happy for her to reach this milestone at Tabor,” Shawn Reed, head women’s coach, said after the game. “I also thought it was super special that Kasey (Rice, SR/Shawnee, Okla.) assisted Sammy Jo on the basket that got her to 1,000 points. Those two players have been through a lot together and that was such a special moment.” The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced that Tabor women’s cross country achieved the best team GPA (3.846) in the NAIA. The men’s roster was also one of three KCAC schools to qualify for All-Academic Distinction. Members of the women’s roster include: Abigail Berggren (SR/ Tribune, Kan.), Abigail Sechrist (SR/Hillsboro, Kan.), Emma Willison (SO/Buhler, Kan.), Danielle Allison (SO/ Oakley, Kan.), Aubrey Bahner (FR, Topeka, Kan.), Sarah Dark (FR, Mead, Okla.), Allison Johnson (FR, Wichita, Kan.), Brooke Wiebe (FR, Newton, Kan.), Sonya Zimmerman (FR, Valley Center, Kan.)
See the latest schedules and scores at taborbluejays.com
B TA
O R CO L LEG
E
B L U E J AY GOLF CLASSIC
20
20
22
Join us for the inaugural Bluejay Golf Classic, on Monday, June 20, 2022 in Wichita, Kansas at Reflection Ridge Golf Course to support Tabor College Athletics.
Learn more, register and donate at tabor.edu/bluejayclassic
More than a gift Hear from two families that support the mission and vision of Tabor College
Photo courtesy Christina Matthews Photography, LLC
Macy (g’10) and Kayla Fadenrecht “Part of Tabor’s mission is leading people to Jesus Christ, and we want to support that mission. We also feel that Tabor prepares students to go out into the world as ambassadors for Christ. That is more than worth supporting as well!”
Photo courtesy Lisa Klaassen
Paul (g’89) and Lisa (Braun, g’90) Klaassen “Long before we were Tabor students, many people gave sacrificially to support the college. Now it’s our turn to pay it forward. There are countless charitable organizations we could support, but we choose Tabor because we believe strongly in its mission, and because of the transformative work it had in our family and the lives of students who will exponentially impact the world for Christ and His kingdom.”
See the entire 2021 Donor Roll Call at www.tabor.edu/donorrollcall Tabor College is incredibly grateful for the donors that generously support the mission and vision of the college. Your gifts provide educational opportunities and practical experiences that prepare our students for a life of learning, work and service for Christ and His kingdom. For that, we extend a heartfelt, “Thank you!” 21
Genevieve Janzen, former Tabor First Lady, passes away at 91 Genevieve Janzen, wife of former Tabor President Vernon Janzen, passed away on Jan. 23, in Reedley, Calif. Genevieve and Vernon served faithfully as president and first lady from 1980-87. Her love for the Lord and joyful and caring spirit will be remembered by the many lives she touched in and around the Tabor community. Friends and families gathered to remember her life on Monday, Feb. 7 at Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church.
Tabor College raises $131,000 through 2022 Phonathon
Photo courtesy Rod Hamm
The annual Tabor College Phonathon was once again successful in reaching our goal of $125,000 for the Tabor Fund. The money raised helps to provide scholarships and to assist students with tuition costs. Members of the women’s soccer team made over 1,000 phone calls and had many great conversations with our alumni and friends. The Advancement department would like to thank these young ladies for their efforts in supporting Tabor College.
Members of the Tabor College women’s soccer team assisted with the 2022 Phonathon. First row: Payton Eskridge (FR/Wichita, Kan.), Kyler Dunham (FR/Wichita, Kan.), Natalie Ford (SO/Fort Collins, Colo.), Jada Vence (FR/St. Louis, Mo.) Second row: Sydney Takash (FR/Galt, Calif.), Jamie Dooley (FR/Rowlett, Texas), First Lady Karen Janzen, President David Janzen, Natalie Abraham (FR/Rose Hill, Kan.), Kayla O’Shaughnessy (SR/La Crescenta, Calif.).
Support Tabor
with your prayers and gifts! Your dollars can:
• Build Residence Halls • Fund Scholarships • Enable Excellence
Ways to Give: • • • • 22
Mail a check Give online at tabor.edu/give Gift stock or other assets Contact Ron Braun, VP of Philanthropy ronb@tabor.edu or 620-947-3121, ext 1710.
Alumni News Marriages
Beeler/Dueck
Bradley/Funk
Kemling/Hill
Scott and Amy (Dueck g’11) Beeler, married in Seal Beach, Calif., on Feb. 29, 2020.
Dorothy (Neufeld fs’46) Hagen, age 93, Hillsboro, Kan., Jan. 23, 2022
Nicholas (g’20) and Hannah (Funk g’20) Bradley, married in Topeka, Kan., on July 24, 2021.
Arlie Wichert, (fs’56), age 84, Fairview, Okla., Feb. 13, 2022
Josh and Heidi (Versaw g’10) Oliver-Bohl, married in Hooper, Colo., on Aug. 21, 2021. Nathan (cs) and Madison (g’20 Hill) Kemling, married in Hillsboro, Kan., on Jan. 8, 2022.
Births/Adoptions Jacob (g’19) and Taylor (Standiford fs’13) Jones, Wichita, Kan., a boy, Jett Sterling, Jan 27, 2022
Deaths Lisa (Jones g’83) O’Hair, age 59, Rociada, N.M., Oct. 29, 2020 Mary Jane (Major fs’57) Steinle, age 83, Dorrance, Kan., Jan. 6, 2021 Mildred (Fast fs’53) Rosendale, age 88, Corn, Okla., April 24, 2021 Doris (Seibel fs’38) Faul, age 100, Newton, Kan., July 21, 2021 Walter M Schlichting (fs’49), age 95, Van, Texas, Oct. 13, 2021 Ruth (Wiebe g’54) Friesen, age 89, Hillsboro, Kan., Nov. 22, 2021 Marvin Leppke, (g’87), age 58, Oklahoma City, Okla., Nov. 26, 2021 Wesley Braun, (g’57). age 85, Topeka, Kan., Nov. 26, 2021 Janice (Plett g’60), Goertz, age 83, Hillsboro, Kan., Nov. 28, 2021 Mary (Utting g’79) Booker, age 65, Branson, Mo., Dec. 22, 2021 Brian Rousseau, (fs’97), age 46, Newton, Kan., Dec. 28, 2021 Gary Hardaway, (fst), age 81, Hillsboro, Kan., Jan. 3, 2022 Gary Kopper, (g’75), age 68, Ingalls, Kan., Jan. 10, 2022 Wilmer Classen, (fs’50), age 91, Newton, Kan., Jan. 12, 2022 Jerry Noble, (g’79), age 66, West Liberty, Ohio, Jan. 13, 2022 TO READ OBITUARIES: visit www.tabor.edu/obituaries
Oliver-Bohl/Versaw
Annette (Ewert fs’48) Dick, age 98, Mountain Lake, Minn., Feb. 21, 2022 Lois Reimer, (fs’51), age 88, Hesston, Kan., Feb. 23, 2022
Jett Jones
Alumni News – 1990s Susan Decker (g’92) Baker University Director of Athletics Nate Houser announced that he has appointed Associate Director of Athletics Susan Decker as Senior Women’s Administrator. Decker helped develop a mentorship program in which each team has the opportunity to create better relationships with professors and create a stronger connection between athletics and the classroom. Along with developing this program, Decker has helped run the Baker University Athletics study hall program and serves on the athletics department’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Decker is currently in her 17th year at Baker University after spending 11 seasons as the head women’s basketball coach from 2000-2011, amassing 183 total wins, which still ranks first in Baker University history.
Be Connected!
Share what’s new in your life with the Tabor community
Please share your info/photos of marriages, births, career updates, recent honors/awards, etc.
Email: alumni@tabor.edu Facebook DM: /TaborCollege
Susan Decker
CODES
g – graduate fs – former student cs – current student f – faculty ff – former faculty st – staff fst – former staff fb – former board tcw – Tabor College Wichita
Instagram DM: /taborcollege Text: 620-877-7227 Call: 620-947-3121 xt 1708 Online: tabor.edu/alumni-friends and click “Be Connected”
23
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit #20 Hillsboro KS
Tabor College Connection 400 South Jefferson Hillsboro, KS 67063 Change Service Requested
Please contact us if your address is incorrect: advancement@tabor.edu
April 21 & 24 ` May 6 May 8 May 14 May 21 June 20
Spring Theatre Show: An Evening of Scenes President’s Dinner & Residence Hall Groundbreaking Spring Oratorio: The Good Samaritan Spring Instrumental Concert 112th Commencement of Tabor College Bluejay Golf Classic
For a complete list of upcoming events, please visit our calendar online at tabor.edu/calendar.
Photo courtesy Collin Brown
Upcoming Events