A newsletter for alumni of Nyack College and Alliance Theological Seminary
|
Winter 2017
|
|
Welcome to
Nyack Nation--a publication created just for you filled with the latest achievements and life events of Nyack & ATS alumni. Please share your news and stories on our
website or by emailing them to
[email protected]. And keep the conversation going on Twitter and Facebook using
#NyackNation and
#NyackCollege. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
|
 |
Wanda Velez is Speaker at
The Hope Gathering in NYC*
Nyack College Rockland campus Associate Dean of Students
Wanda Velez ('96 NC, '02 ATS) is on the roster of dynamic speakers for The HOPE Gathering, an annual event that convenes women from more than 60 different New York City churches to share stories of the impact God has had in and through their lives.
Sponsored by Cru, a non-profit evangelical organization founded by Bill Bright for university students, The Gathering takes place Friday, March 3, from 7:00 until 10:00 p.m. and a full day on Saturday, March 4 from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the
W83 Ministry Center, 150 West 83rd Street in Manhattan owned by Redeemer Presbyterian Church. The facility is handicap accessible. Childcare is available for 20 children, infant to 2 years old.
To learn more about The Hope Gathering registration and tickets, click here.
|
Alumni Gathering Hosted by Shin Sung Kang '12 and Rachel Marie (Brown) Kang '11
Shin Sung Kang '12 and
Rachel Marie (Brown) Kang '11
hosted an intimate alumni gathering in their Charlotte, NC home on November 5, 2016. Pictured (top, from left to right) Angela Jacobs Lutz '02, AnnaRose Braden '59, Angel Brown '05, Jessie Nelson, Bottom - Allyson Rola '14, Rachel Marie Kang '11, Shin Sung Kang '12.
This event generated so much interest, that another gathering is being planned for this area in the fall of 2017. Stay tuned for more information!
|
School of Nursing Alumni Luncheon
Nyack's School of Nursing hosted an alumni luncheon on November 10, 2016. Former nursing graduates happily attended the gathering and shared their "after Nyack" experiences with faculty and peers. Pictured from left to right, bottom row, are
Nimmy Martinus '15
(Montefiore Hospital),
Amanda Skinner '13
(White Plains Hospital),
Vincent Jacopino '13
(Maria Fareri Children's Hospital),
Mercy Asamoah '13
(Travel Nurse),
Wing-Yi Anna Kwong '14
(Home Care Manager), Dr. Rexi Thomas (Nyack College); (top row)
Blessy Benjamin-Mammen '15
(Bronx-Lebanon Hospital),
Rev. Sharon North '14
, Dr. Inseon Hwang (Nyack College) and Delta Gallo (Nyack College).
The next gathering is being planned for November 2017. Stay tuned for more information!
|
NETwork Ministries Executive Director, Ben Raber*
During Global Emphasis Week, the Nyack Rockland Office of Spiritual Formation welcomed back 2007 alumnus Ben Raber as guest chapel speaker.
Ben's message demonstrated precisely why at Homecoming 2014, he was presented with Nyack's Young Alumnus of the Year Award. The plaque was inscribed with these words: "For representing the next generation of church leaders with a kingdom perspective of 'loving thy neighbor' inside and outside of the Church."
The Executive Director of NETwork Ministries in Chambersburg, PA did not just return to his alma mater to show off his platform skills with biblical exhortations. He came with a testimony of standing on the frontlines of urban life with brothers and sisters who do not look like him. On this trip to the Hillside, he was accompanied by two of the high school students who benefit from NETwork Ministries outreach.
A tree is known by its fruit and Benjamin Raber stood as a mighty oak boldly declaring and demonstrating the love of Jesus.
Ben and his wife, Stephanie, and their three children-Taliya, Malakaidau and Ezekiel also live in Chambersburg, PA. They are committed to loving their neighbors and encouraging the church to creatively engage with current issues from a kingdom perspective.
|
Paying it Forward*
Preparation for womanhood is at the heart of the rite of passage program called Woman for female seniors at Nyack College. Considering the many roles in life that a woman can play,
Dr. Amy Abdallah built the foundation of the curriculum for the one-year program around a woman's relationship with God, self, creation and others.
This year's cohort includes a rather interesting relationship between a mentor and her mentee.
During her freshman year,
Grace Anger was interviewed for a student leadership position by the Office of Spiritual Formation.
Worship Ministries Coordinator Siobhan Seaman (NC '07) first noticed Grace's name tag and then there was a striking facial resemblance and even mannerisms that seemed very familiar.
It turns out that Grace, a School of Education student in the five-year program (pursuing a bachelor's degree in elementary ed and a master's degree in special ed), is none other than the daughter of Siobhan's
kindergarten teacher who taught her at Brookdale Christian School in Bloomfield, NJ.
Grace shared the chance encounter with her mother. She says, "My mom was thrilled. She remembered Siobhan as a very sweet little girl. This special connection was a reminder of God's faithfulness in our lives."
With equal admiration, Siobhan recalls, "I remember Mrs. Anger being a source of kindness, love and patience. God has made me with a tender heart and her personality and support meant the world to me as a child. I will never forget her impact."
She adds, "When Grace asked me to be her mentor for Woman, I knew it was a "Yes!" I believe the Lord had already prepared my heart to mentor her. In a way, I see it as 'paying it forward' for all her mother did to positively affect my life."
Learn more about the Woman program
here
.
|
Nyack Alumna and Author Linda Graf Shares Message on Bitterness*
Linda Graf '85, Worship Ministries Director at Front Range Alliance Church in Colorado Springs, CO, was the chapel speaker in Pardington Hall on November 16, 2016. Linda worked in the advertising industry in Manhattan while living in New York. Her creativity continued in the field of marketing and development when she and her husband, Dave
(NC '84), relocated to Colorado in 1989 with the C&MA National Office. She is passionate about mentoring women and is a part of the Women's Ministry team at her church.
God used her close friends to confront Linda about the sin of bitterness, which led to her journey of repentance and seeking the Lord for healing. Strained relationships were restored and she has found new freedom and joy in Christ.
An avid
blogger
, Linda is also the author of a book, Bitter Truth: My Story of Bitterness, Grace and Repentance, which is available on amazon.com.
|
Marcus Jugenheimer: A Major in God's Army*
Major Marcus Jugenheimer ('99) has served with The Salvation Army for more than two decades. The graduate of Nyack's Adult Degree Completion Program and his wife, Joy, were featured in an issue of North Rockland's
Daily Voice.
(Read it here.)
Of Nyack's degree completion program, Major Jugenheimer says, "The curriculum was a great match for my responsibilities as a ministry leader and the class schedule was easy to fit into my busy schedule. My Nyack College education equipped me with tools to lead and serve more efficiently. The cohort-based learning experience provided a great support system to learn together. As a non-traditional student, I found the Nyack College experience to provide a great balance of accountability and flexibility that required much of me and enhanced my ministry and leadership without distracting me from my daily responsibilities."
And what's the most fulfilling part of serving with the Salvation Army? He says, "My ministry in The Salvation Army has provided opportunities to meet people right where they are and to impact their lives with the love of Christ--whether that be from the pulpit on a Sunday, at Ground Zero on 9/11, around a soup kitchen table or during homework time in an after-school program."
|
The Gift of Mentoring at Nyack for Sneha Chrispal*
A part of the personally transforming experience that is available to both undergraduate and graduate students at Nyack College is the benefit of mentoring relationships established with the extraordinarily supportive faculty and staff.
Snehanjali Chrispal ('15)
is proof positive of that fact.
Sneha completed her Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) degree at Nyack in December 2014 and wrote her thesis on "The "Exploration of the Effects of Resilience on Adaptability." Since graduating from Nyack, she has worked in the real estate industry in India. She recently received a full scholarship with a living stipend from the University of Melbourne, an Australian public research university, where she will pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in Business and Economics.
In her email sharing this exciting news with her mentor, Dr. Anita Underwood, dean of Nyack's School of Business and Leadership, she commented "I am so grateful for all you have done for me. So blessed to have you in my life. Thank you once again for opening my eyes to my own potential and helping me see God's glory in my life."
|
|
'84 ATS James Boyer and his wife, Cindy, have been involved in the Bible translation ministry through Wycliffe Bible Translators. They have been working with the Culina people in the Amazon rainforests in Peru and Brazil. In July 2015, they joined the people in a great celebration of the completion of the New Testament in their language that has since been recorded and Faith Comes By Hearing has distributed those audio recordings on Proclaimer MP3 players. Pictured above are (l-r) the village chief who worked on the translations and the director of the Liga Biblica in Peru holding copies of the New Testament.
'84 Thomas Hawkins was appointed field leader for the France field of Greater Europe Mission (GEM). As GEM's largest field, with a team of 50 full-time missionaries, GEM-France is committed to the task of disciple multiplication, church planting and coming alongside the existing church to accomplish those goals. Working with Tom is his wife,
Bev (Shuey) Hawkins (NC '87), who is tackling the role of language and culture coach (LCC) for newly arriving missionaries.
Congratulations to Bev and Tom who became first-time grandparents on October 6 when Elodie Rae Simmons was born in Dakar Senegal where her parents work as teachers at Dakar Academy.
'86 ATS Joseph B. Modica was the guest speaker at the October 2016 ATS Alumni chapel. He was presented with an Alumnus of the Year award for "extraordinary leadership in the spiritual formation of men and women seeking a deeper life in Christ."
'87 NC; '94 ATS Steve Gardner
The son of missionaries to West Africa and born in Guinea, Steve developed an affection for snow that he didn't see much of while growing up in Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast. Today, he is the Global Impact & Campus Management Director at Crosswinds Wesleyan Church in Canandaigua, NY where he shared his hobby of paper artistry at a workshop in January. Steve wrote a 24-page booklet called, "Hand-cutting Snowflakes," a 2012 publication that was updated this year and includes design templates and tips on displaying and storing the delicate creations. Read the Daily Messenger article, "What's up with that?: Hidden meaning behind paper snowflakes."
 '88 NC, '93 ATS James C. Geist's book entitled Modern Augustinian Confession was published in December 2016 by Xlibris Publishing. "With brutal honesty, Jim Geist shares stories of struggle with character defects, addiction, and obsessive-compulsive behavior. It is a series of antidotal stories from elementary school, little league sports, family stories, and funny stories from hunting, camp, graduate school, ministry, and his job as a high school social studies teacher in New York City." (Taken from the Xlibris website.)
|
'97 ATS Syna Lao's article,
No Longer a Nobody, was published in the Jan/Feb 2017 issue of
Alliance Life Magazine.
'01 ADCP, '14 MSOL Majors Raphael
and '01 ADCP Sandra Jackson were appointed as the Divisional Leaders of the Northern New England Division in June 2016. They are responsible for all aspects of The Salvation Army's ministry and service in
Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Major Raphael C. Jackson was commissioned as a Salvation Army officer in 1980 and Major Sandra in 1984. Previously, Raphael served as General Secretary and Sandra as Personnel Secretary of the Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division.
'03 Susan (Corley) Coleman will fill a seat on the Sweet Home City Council vacated by the January resignation of councilor Jeff Goodwin who moved to Corvallis. She was among three candidates who volunteered to fill Goodwin's seat that will run through December 31, 2018. Susan and her husband, Matt, have four children and have lived in Sweet Home, OR for more than seven years. She is a volunteer at Hillside Fellowship Church, the Mid-Valley Women of Christ, HOPE Center and local schools. When as
ked why she wanted to serve on the council, Susan replied, "There is a need for optimism and hope for the future. I believe in Sweet Home's future, and I want to help make it happen."
Congratulations, Susan!
'04 ADCP, ATS '08, '16 NC (MS) Carol Ann Freeman
authored an article,
Using Jump Rope Rhymes to Teach English
, that was published in fall 2016 in the Christian English Language Educators Association (CELEA) publication. The article is based on Carol Ann's research conducted while in Hungary last summer using jump rope rhymes to reinforce English language learning.
|
'06 NC, '09 ATS Charles O. Galbreath was the February 3 chapel speaker in Pardington Hall on Nyack's Rockland campus. Charles serves as senior pastor of Clarendon Road Church (CRC) in Brooklyn, NY. He also has the privilege of serving as the Director of Field Education at ATS in New York City. Charles currently serves on the Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Community Partnerships headed by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. He is also the Treasurer of the 67th Precinct Clergy Council, a member of the District Executive Committee for the Metropolitan District of the C&MA, Vice President of the Association of African-American Pastors/Consecrated Women and has served as Co-chair of the 45th Council District Committee in Brooklyn, NY.
Charles is married to his college sweetheart,
Flobien Vidal Galbreath (NC '05)
. They are the proud parents of a son, Charles Oliver Galbreath, Jr. (C.J.) and a daughter, Malia Marie Galbreath.
'10 Christopher J. Smith was installed as a minister at Clarendon Road Church (CRC) in Brooklyn, NY on March 5, where
Rev. Charles Galbreath (NC '06; ATS '09) is the senior pastor. Chris serves at CRC as the director of administration and communications. He is also a worship leader. Empowered by Galatians 6:9--"let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart"--he is committed to serving the Lord, CRC and the surrounding community.
'14 Allyson Rola published a book,
Victorious Living, in June 2016. She also founded Stark Beauty, a ministry geared toward teaching women about their identity in Christ.
'14 ADCP Jennifer Ginn Youmans was elected as Treasurer of Hampton County, South Carolina and will take office in July 2017. Jennifer graduated as valedictorian of the Estill High School class of 1981 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management at Nyack College. She also holds
an Associate of Arts degree in Fashion Merchandising. She worked as a cashier for a cash bank at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel (Buckhead), Atlanta, GA, has experience in retail management and was responsible for the management of the Capital Appropriation Budget for the Building Operations/Event Production Department at Madison Square Garden, NY. Jennifer presently serves as grants coordinator in the Hampton County Finance Department. She and her husband are members of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, and have two adult daughters, Autumn and Tai, and one grandson, Jalen.
Jennifer says, "I won! By God's grace, I am the first woman and first woman of color to run and win the elected office of Hampton County Treasurer!"
Congratulations, Jennifer!
|
|
|
ENGAGEMENTS / WEDDINGS
Congratulations to the happy couples!
|
|
'16
Desiree Claudio
and her fiance are planning a September 2017 wedding. Desiree is a NYC campus social work graduate currently enrolled in Nyack's Master of Social Work program.
|
'16 Jazmel Guzman announced her engagement on November 23, 2016. The couple is planning a June 3, 2018 wedding. Jazmel is a NYC campus social work graduate enrolled
in Nyack's Master of Social Work program.
|
|
|
|
NEW ADDITION
Congratulations to the happy family!
|
'01 Ryan Ho and wife, Carrie, welcomed baby Kylie Rey Ho on August 7, 2016. Kylie weighed 6 lbs., 5 ozs. and measured 20 inches long.
|
|
|
|
|
HOMEGOINGS
Condolences to the family and friends of the following deceased alumni.
|
Remembering Daniel G. Rinker (1936-2016)*
When a person's life verse is, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30, ESV), there's no question that this is a description of a well-lived, God-honoring life. That was the case for Daniel G. Rinker who recently went home to be with the Lord.
The Aliquippa, PA native and his family enjoyed a longtime relationship with Nyack College. In 1981, Dan transitioned from his Christian and Missionary Alliance role as the International Director of Youth Ministries to become the Nyack College Director of Public Affairs and Development. His beloved wife, Ruth, joined him on the Rockland County campus as Administrative Secretary to the Dean of Students. Two of their three children, Kevin and Karen, graduated from the College; daughter Kathi's pursuit of a nursing degree pre-dated Nyack's nursing degree program.
The Rinkers hosted dozens of Nyack students each month (an average of 65 by Mrs. Rinker's count) making their household, a "home away from home." But 19 years at Nyack came to an end, when they became empty-nesters and relocated to Florida.
Dan Rinker's call to ministry was far from over, most notably when he was offered a position in 1990 with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) representing the organization in Florida and southern Georgia. Though he retired in 2004, Dan continued consulting for BGEA for another four years until he became a Disney World cast member with Fantasia Miniature Golf.
Still cherishing memories of this wonderful man along with Ruth, Kathi, Karen and Kevin are his dear grandsons, Lars and Cole.
The Nyack College community fondly remembers and extends gratitude for Dan Rinker's selfless contributions to the institution and to its students.
|
'43 Lena M. Boyer, 96, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2016. She was a member of the Greensburg Alliance Church where she faithfully attended until she was no longer able. Lena's book of inspirational poetry,
My Meditation, was published in 1945. Lena was a loving and devoted mother who will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
'43 Richard H. Linton went to be with the Lord on November 7, 2016 at the age of 98. He earned a missions degree from Nyack College and a bachelor's degree in theology from Bethany College. He married
Ruth Tropf (NC '42) in 1943, and the Lord blessed Ruth and Dick with five children and 66 years together. He worked for Mansfield Tire & Rubber in the Production Control Department and retired after 28 years of service. He was a member of Clear Fork Alliance Church in Bellville and was involved in church planting, Youth for Christ and sang as a member of the choir. A gifted musician, Dick also enjoyed playing the guitar. Some of his favorite times were spent at church functions with his brothers and sisters in Christ. He also treasured time spent with his much-loved family. In younger years he helped found the Bethel Bible Church where he served as song leader and sang duets alongside Ruth, the church pianist.
'44 Harvey Gilbert Boese passed away on January 6, 2017 at the age of 99. He graduated from St. Paul Bible Institute (now Crown College) in 1941 and earned a bachelor of arts and bachelor of divinity degree from Los Angeles Baptist Theological Seminary. Harvey attended Nyack College and later attended Fuller School of World Missions. He earned his GED in 1975 at age 58. In 1944 he married
Grace Chadderton (NC '44). Harvey was a Christian and Missionary Alliance missionary to Thailand for 28 years and was pastor of Baldwin Park Alliance Church for five years. He provided translation services and pastoral care for Asian refugees for 11 years. He lived in Chino Hills since 1998, when he retired from pastoral ministries.
'45 Ernestine (Secor) Wood
went to be with the Lord on December 1, 2016 at the age of 92. She married her love, L. Robert Wood, after studying at Nyack College. Together they served in ministry in Whitesville, NY until he passed away in 1978. In 1996, she left the town and church she loved for 51 years to be near her family.
|
'47 Betty Lou (Ames) Galley, 90, passed away on December 10, 2016. She married Robert William Galley in 1949. She was a pastor's wife, a missionary, teacher and a Sunday School teacher's trainer. She was a counselor within the Arizona State Public Schools and opened a private counseling practice in her home. She earned a bachelor's degree in education psychology from Biola College and a master's degree in education and counseling from Arizona State University.
 '51 Lois E. Cressman, 85, was called home on November 21, 2016. She was the wife of the late Donald E. Cressman (NC '51). Lois was one of the original Kelly Girls and worked in the secretarial field at Western Electric and later for her family insurance business. Lois loved the Lord and was an active member of First Baptist Church in Allentown and was a former member of Church of the Nazarene. She was a loving mother to her children and enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
'52 Richard Arlington Herritt, 87, passed away on February 12, 2017. After graduating from Nyack, he married
Carolyn Battles (NC '52)
in the Hershey, PA Rose Garden, and the couple was blessed with 65 years together. They became assistant houseparents for 36 boys in the Milton Hershey School. For 43 years he pastored Christian and Missionary Alliance churches in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. He was an evangelist, church planter and interim pastor at several churches. He was the team Chaplain for the Baltimore Orioles from 1979 to 1985 and a member of the executive board of Hockey Ministries, Int. He worked as Chaplain for the Dundalk Fire Department. He and his wife founded an ACE Christian School. The culmination of his career was to help scores of people overcome adversities through Spiritual Warfare counseling.
'57 Raymond B. Glass passed away on September 7, 2016. He was the husband of
Eileen J. (Gourley) Glass (NC '58). Besides his wife he is survived by his children, Gloria J. Dahl and her husband Paul and their children, Erik and Matthew Dahl; Mark Glass and his wife Debra Culliton of Glastonbury, CT and D.J. Mullany and her husband Mike and their children, Ben and Abby Mullany; two brothers, Wesley and John Glass and a sister, Dorothy Knapp.
|
'60 Thelma (Jackson) Locy
, 81, passed away on January 18, 2017. She was retired from the Community College of Beaver County where she taught in the nursing program. Thelma spent many years serving as a missionary in South America. She attended St. Paul's Bible College, MN; Nyack College, NY; Duquesne University and Penn State, PA. She was a member of the Marion Hill Christian and Missionary Alliance Church.
'62 Roy Fergueson Starr, 77, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior after a mighty 62-year-long battle with diabetes on December 17, 2015. Before retirement, he worked at the former Crescent Tool in quality control. He was a member of
Ellery Baptist Church for 43 years. He enjoyed woodcarving and was a member of the Southern Tier Woodcarvers Association.
'71 Victor Ng went home to the Lord on December 26, 2016. He served on the Chinatown Gospel Team as a student at Nyack College and later attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois. He was a gifted teacher who taught in NYC high schools for many years. His ministry encouraged many pastors.
'91 Corey Jewell, 47, passed away unexpectedly on November 4, 2016. He married h
is high school sweetheart, Amy (Paradee) Jewell, in 1990. Corey was a master electrician for the Burlington International Airport. He held a special place in his heart for all sports. He played basketball at Colchester High School and Nyack College. He was a member at Rocky Ridge Golf Club where he spent summers working on his golf game. He was an avid fan of the Boston teams and the New York Giants, but most of all he loved watching his two children, Jordan and Reagan, play multiple sports.
He was always up for a road trip; no drive was too long and no snowstorm ever stopped him.
Corey had the ability to get along with everybody. It was impossible not to have to a good time when he was there. He loved people. He loved his coworkers at the Burlington International Airport and always looked forward to the first big storm of the year where he assisted in plowing the runway. Most of all he loved his family. He always looked forward to the next gathering where he provided endless entertainment. He also enjoyed long walks with his dog, Finn.
|
|
|
Alumni Chapter Events
If you are interested in helping the Office of College Relations plan and host an event in your area, please contact Erica Videc, Manager of Advancement and Alumni Services, at
[email protected] or 845-675-4426.
Click here to see how many alumni live in your area!
|
|
*Featured articles written by Deborah Walker
|
|
|
|
|
