A Publication to the CCU Community Spring 2010

Colorado ChristianColorado Christian University

Office of Development8787 W. Alameda Ave.Lakewood, CO 80226

Office of Development:Keith Wright, Vice President of DevelopmentDavid Nye, Director of DevelopmentDaniel Westermann, ’04, Director of Development-Alumni and Annual GivingChristi Kirchner, Administrative Coordinator of Development

Publication produced by University Communications:Lisa Zeller, Director of University CommunicationsJon Watters, Associate Director of University CommunicationsDanielle Hull, University Graphic Designer

We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards,embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world.

Students Rally Around Haiti page 4

Meet Dr. Frank Eychaner page 3

CCU Weighs Campus Plan page 3

Alumni Updates page 6

The 2010 VALS Conference will take our dialogue about Values-Aligned Leadership to the next level, exploring the role of the leader as it relates to the relationship between natural law, the rule of law, liberty and values-aligned leadership. Speakers include:

April 15, 2010

8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Marriott City Center

Downtown Denver, CO at 17th and California

For more information, visit www.ccu.edu/VALS, call 303.963.3160, or email vals@ccu.edu

DR. DANIEL N. ROBINSONPhilosophy Faculty, Oxford University;Distinguished Professor, Emeritus,Georgetown UniversityTOPIC: “The Role of Natural Law andNatural Rights in the Economy”

MS. TERRY LEPRINOBoard of Directors, Leprino Foods, Inc., Front Range Regional Trainer for Young LifeTOPIC: “The Role of Corporate Philanthropy”

SENIOR JUDGE DAVID M. EBELU.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth CircuitTOPIC: “The Role of the Rule of Lawin the Economy”

MR. KEVIN MILLERFormer Dean of the School of Business at Colorado Christian University,President of Whitestone Miller and Co-Founder of the Vanguard Forum TOPIC: “The Role of Liberty in the Economy”

MRS. THERESA MELARAGNOAuthor; Assistant Director of Corporate Relations, Colorado Christian UniversityTOPIC: “The Integrity Meltdown”

Spring Choral Concert CCU Music CenterFriday, April 9, 7:30 p.m.

VALS (Values-Aligned Leadership Summit)Marriott City Center, DenverThursday, April 15, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

School of Music Gala and Honors RecitalCCU Music Center, LakewoodFriday, April 16, 7:00 p.m.

Centennial Institute Issue Monday CCU Beckman Center, LakewoodMonday, April 19, 7:00 p.m.

YOU’RE INVITED TO THESE COMMUNITY EVENTSBaseball: CCU vs. Metro State

All Star Park, LakewoodFriday, April 23, 2:30 p.m.

Spring Instrumental Concert CCU Music CenterFriday, April 23, 7:30 p.m.

Spring Handbell Concert CCU Music CenterTuesday, April 27, 7:30 p.m.

Commencement CeremonyCherry Hills Community Church,Highlands RanchSaturday, May 8, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

CCU 11th Annual Golf Classic Racoon Creek Golf Course,7301 W. Bowles Ave.Littleton, CO 80123Monday, May 10, 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Please save the date and plan to attend Homecoming 2010 on October 1 and 2. Visit www.ccu.edu/events for additional community event information.

Visit us online at www.ccu.edu/Supporte-mail: ccudevelopment@ccu.edu

phone: 303.963.3330

The Colorado Christian Connection is a quarterly newsletter produced byColorado Christian University for the CCU community.

Photo from summer 2009 mission trip to Haiti.

| 3 |

CCU Weighs Campus Plans: Build New or Redevelop?

In January, after extensively consulting with developers, local officials, and members of the Highlands Ranch community through a series of public forums, CCU withdrew its bid to build a new campus on a 100-acre parcel of open-space land in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Although

designated as open space, its zoning allowed for specific types of development that included schools and parks. The new construction would have boosted CCU’s main site from a residential campus of approximately 900 to a capacity nearly three times that. CCU proposed the expanded Highlands Ranch campus as a center of academic excellence as well as musical, cultural, and athletic events and facilities to benefit the local community. But it quickly became obvious that the management and board of the Highlands Ranch Community Association were unlikely to sell, explained CCU President Bill Armstrong, “So, we are now taking our proposal off the table and moving on.” As to alternate plans, CCU officials have been considering several other sites as well as redevelopment of the current 30-acre campus in Lakewood. Publicity about the Highlands Ranch proposal also led to new offers of interest from several communities. A timeline has not been presented, but school officials hope to make progress on a decision in the coming months. ■

In fall 2006, Dr. Frank Eychaner

came to CCU as director of the choral and music-education programs. Having previously taught and conducted at the university, junior-college, and high-school levels, his choirs had been invited to perform at high-profile state and regional conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and MENC, the national association for music education. He also had served as an adjudicator for numerous vocal competitions across the northwestern United States, his reputation preceding him as a choral educator whose singers and ensembles were impeccably polished, on and off the stage. An active composer and clinician, and a self-professed musical eclectic, Eychaner spent his schooling studying a wide range of subjects, from composing and arranging to conducting, vocal pedagogy, jazz, and “more traditional areas of emphasis for a choral guy.” From a young age, he felt drawn toward a variety of careers in music, yet held resolute distaste for the teaching profession—a dish later served to him with a side of irony. When Frank came to Christ at the age of 20, he immediately felt God calling him into a teaching career. It’s a path he has trodden wholeheartedly ever since. “Specifically, I feel called to teach future teachers,” he says. His inspirations: the teachers he has worked with, plus the great

music directors who have had a lasting impact on the p rofess ion—Howard Swan, Eph Ehly, and Weston Noble in particular.

Eychaner completed his

bachelor’s degree in music education

and a master’s in choral conducting at Central

Washington University before earning a doctorate

in choral conducting, summa cum laude, from the University of Kentucky. He has

published a range of articles on vocal-jazz techniques and pedagogy, including “The Jazz Choir Goes Legit: Copyright Law for the Vocal

Jazz Educator,” which was printed in ACDA’s nationwide The Choral Journal. His original compositions and arrangements were picked up by UNC Jazz Press, and he has presented at conferences across the country on topics that include the development of ensemble unity, vocal improvisation, and choral conducting. Increasingly active as an honor-choir conductor, this spring he will be an adjudicator for vocal-jazz and choral festivals in three states. Though his first passion is teaching, Eychaner has enjoyed performance and conducting opportunities with the Denver-based St. Martin’s Chamber Choir and as a former member of the professional group Male Ensemble Northwest, and he remains involved in musical theatre, vocal jazz,

and leading worship at his church. In 2009, he was appointed Artistic Director and Conductor of the 65-voice Colorado Chorale (www.coloradochorale.org). This spring, the Chorale will partner with St. Martin’s to present a program of music for double choir, and will join the Littleton Symphony in performing Verdi’s Requiem. Beyond the classroom and conductor’s platform, Eychaner is busy as president-elect of the College and University Council of the Colorado Music Educators Association, where he represents the interests of state colleges and universities to the association and assists in the planning and organization of its annual convention. He’s also the membership chair for the board of ACDA’s Colorado chapter. On his decision to teach at CCU, “I was attracted because the University unapologetically integrates faith and learning,” Frank explains, adding, “Education is not possible if it is not informed and indeed guided by truths of Scripture.” Here he’s helped students work hard to cultivate their gifts and talents for a lifetime investment in God’s kingdom work. In turn, they unknowingly spur him forward. “Their passionate pursuit of excellence to the glory of God inspires me to be the best teacher and mentor I can be.” Under Eychaner’s direction this spring, CCU’s annual choir tour will feature the University Choir and Vocal Jazz Ensemble:

• Boise, ID – March 24-25• Ontario, OR – March 26• Yellowstone National Park, WY – March 27• Billings, MT – March 28-29• Casper, WY – March 30• Haxtun, CO – March 31• Denver, CO – April 1

For more information about specific tour dates, call 303.963.3130 or e-mail music@ccu.edu ■

Athletics Update

With 13 athletic contests between Tuesday, February 9 and Saturday, February 13, it was a big week of sports for CCU. Cougar Baseball and Basketball

teams showed up for competition, going 10-3 on the week, (9-0 at home) including sweeps of Hastings College (Baseball), Metro State and Regis University (Men’s and Women’s Basketball). The JV men got in on the action too, beating Air Force JV on the road Wednesday and Western Wyoming CC at home on Friday. It was great to be a CCU Cougar this week, and with teams heating up, it looks like it might stay that way. Athletic schedules and additional game stories are available at www.ccu.edu/athletics ■

“I feel called to teach future teachers...”

Debaters WeighLiberty vs. Prudence

Centennial Institute, Colorado Christian University’s think tank, again filled the CCU Music Center Auditorium on Feb. 17 for

the first in its 2010 program series, a panel debate on: “Why Not Legalize All Marijuana?” The event featured guest experts including District Attorney Carol Chambers, 18th Judicial District; State Rep. Tom Massey (pictured), R-Poncha Springs; State Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield;

psychiatrist Chris Thurstone; and policy analyst Jessica Corry, an advocate for legalization. John Andrews, director of the Centennial Institute, joined student panelists in questioning debaters about how public policy should balance freedom, virtue, prudence, and practicality in dealing with this issue. The five-way clash of views came in a murky policy climate with Coloradans having voted against outright legalization of marijuana in 2006 after approving it as a medicine in 2000. Lawmakers are now struggling with an upsurge in dispensaries and ill-defined “medical” users, amounting to what some call legalization by the back door. Speakers at the Centennial event generally concurred that easier access to the drug shouldn’t be permitted. “Centennial Institute is becoming known in Colorado as the open forum where current issues are tested against timeless principles,” said Andrews, who brought his extensive political and media experience to CCU in founding the think tank last year. “We invite all friends of the university to join the dialogue through our events and publications.” ■

| 2 |

The Fund for BeckmanScholars, Awards Now

Available

The Fund for Beckman Scholars was created last year to forward the vision of providing quality

Christian education for bright, committed students, and in honor of Dr. David Beckman’s rich legacy of faithful service to CCU. Serving on three occasions as president of Rockmont College, one of our heritage institutions, Beckman made a lasting impact in the lives of numerous students, faculty, and friends through his leadership and scholarship—and often through his thoughtful gestures to invest in people’s personal and spiritual growth. In June 2009, CCU established The Fund with an initial goal of raising $150,000. Through the generosity of several supporters, we have far surpassed this initial milestone. During 2009, approximately $275,000 was raised toward The Fund. Then a generous friend of CCU offered a matching grant of $125,000 in early 2010, bringing the total to $400,000 in available scholarship assistance (includes a portion raised prior to the fiscal year). Over 85 percent of students enrolled in CCU’s College of Undergraduate Studies rely on federal, state, and/or institutional financial aid to fund their education. Every year, the University distributes more than $5 million in scholarships toward this effort. The Fund for Beckman Scholars is one more step in helping students realize how they can bring glory to God through excellence in their life callings.

For more information about The Fund for Beckman Scholars and other giving opportunities, contact the Office of Development at 303.963.3330 orccudevelopment@ccu.edu. ■

| 3 |

CCU Weighs Campus Plans: Build New or Redevelop?

In January, after extensively consulting with developers, local officials, and members of the Highlands Ranch community through a series of public forums, CCU withdrew its bid to build a new campus on a 100-acre parcel of open-space land in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Although

designated as open space, its zoning allowed for specific types of development that included schools and parks. The new construction would have boosted CCU’s main site from a residential campus of approximately 900 to a capacity nearly three times that. CCU proposed the expanded Highlands Ranch campus as a center of academic excellence as well as musical, cultural, and athletic events and facilities to benefit the local community. But it quickly became obvious that the management and board of the Highlands Ranch Community Association were unlikely to sell, explained CCU President Bill Armstrong, “So, we are now taking our proposal off the table and moving on.” As to alternate plans, CCU officials have been considering several other sites as well as redevelopment of the current 30-acre campus in Lakewood. Publicity about the Highlands Ranch proposal also led to new offers of interest from several communities. A timeline has not been presented, but school officials hope to make progress on a decision in the coming months. ■

In fall 2006, Dr. Frank Eychaner

came to CCU as director of the choral and music-education programs. Having previously taught and conducted at the university, junior-college, and high-school levels, his choirs had been invited to perform at high-profile state and regional conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and MENC, the national association for music education. He also had served as an adjudicator for numerous vocal competitions across the northwestern United States, his reputation preceding him as a choral educator whose singers and ensembles were impeccably polished, on and off the stage. An active composer and clinician, and a self-professed musical eclectic, Eychaner spent his schooling studying a wide range of subjects, from composing and arranging to conducting, vocal pedagogy, jazz, and “more traditional areas of emphasis for a choral guy.” From a young age, he felt drawn toward a variety of careers in music, yet held resolute distaste for the teaching profession—a dish later served to him with a side of irony. When Frank came to Christ at the age of 20, he immediately felt God calling him into a teaching career. It’s a path he has trodden wholeheartedly ever since. “Specifically, I feel called to teach future teachers,” he says. His inspirations: the teachers he has worked with, plus the great

music directors who have had a lasting impact on the p rofess ion—Howard Swan, Eph Ehly, and Weston Noble in particular.

Eychaner completed his

bachelor’s degree in music education

and a master’s in choral conducting at Central

Washington University before earning a doctorate

in choral conducting, summa cum laude, from the University of Kentucky. He has

published a range of articles on vocal-jazz techniques and pedagogy, including “The Jazz Choir Goes Legit: Copyright Law for the Vocal

Jazz Educator,” which was printed in ACDA’s nationwide The Choral Journal. His original compositions and arrangements were picked up by UNC Jazz Press, and he has presented at conferences across the country on topics that include the development of ensemble unity, vocal improvisation, and choral conducting. Increasingly active as an honor-choir conductor, this spring he will be an adjudicator for vocal-jazz and choral festivals in three states. Though his first passion is teaching, Eychaner has enjoyed performance and conducting opportunities with the Denver-based St. Martin’s Chamber Choir and as a former member of the professional group Male Ensemble Northwest, and he remains involved in musical theatre, vocal jazz,

and leading worship at his church. In 2009, he was appointed Artistic Director and Conductor of the 65-voice Colorado Chorale (www.coloradochorale.org). This spring, the Chorale will partner with St. Martin’s to present a program of music for double choir, and will join the Littleton Symphony in performing Verdi’s Requiem. Beyond the classroom and conductor’s platform, Eychaner is busy as president-elect of the College and University Council of the Colorado Music Educators Association, where he represents the interests of state colleges and universities to the association and assists in the planning and organization of its annual convention. He’s also the membership chair for the board of ACDA’s Colorado chapter. On his decision to teach at CCU, “I was attracted because the University unapologetically integrates faith and learning,” Frank explains, adding, “Education is not possible if it is not informed and indeed guided by truths of Scripture.” Here he’s helped students work hard to cultivate their gifts and talents for a lifetime investment in God’s kingdom work. In turn, they unknowingly spur him forward. “Their passionate pursuit of excellence to the glory of God inspires me to be the best teacher and mentor I can be.” Under Eychaner’s direction this spring, CCU’s annual choir tour will feature the University Choir and Vocal Jazz Ensemble:

• Boise, ID – March 24-25• Ontario, OR – March 26• Yellowstone National Park, WY – March 27• Billings, MT – March 28-29• Casper, WY – March 30• Haxtun, CO – March 31• Denver, CO – April 1

For more information about specific tour dates, call 303.963.3130 or e-mail music@ccu.edu ■

Athletics Update

With 13 athletic contests between Tuesday, February 9 and Saturday, February 13, it was a big week of sports for CCU. Cougar Baseball and Basketball

teams showed up for competition, going 10-3 on the week, (9-0 at home) including sweeps of Hastings College (Baseball), Metro State and Regis University (Men’s and Women’s Basketball). The JV men got in on the action too, beating Air Force JV on the road Wednesday and Western Wyoming CC at home on Friday. It was great to be a CCU Cougar this week, and with teams heating up, it looks like it might stay that way. Athletic schedules and additional game stories are available at www.ccu.edu/athletics ■

“I feel called to teach future teachers...”

Debaters WeighLiberty vs. Prudence

Centennial Institute, Colorado Christian University’s think tank, again filled the CCU Music Center Auditorium on Feb. 17 for

the first in its 2010 program series, a panel debate on: “Why Not Legalize All Marijuana?” The event featured guest experts including District Attorney Carol Chambers, 18th Judicial District; State Rep. Tom Massey (pictured), R-Poncha Springs; State Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield;

psychiatrist Chris Thurstone; and policy analyst Jessica Corry, an advocate for legalization. John Andrews, director of the Centennial Institute, joined student panelists in questioning debaters about how public policy should balance freedom, virtue, prudence, and practicality in dealing with this issue. The five-way clash of views came in a murky policy climate with Coloradans having voted against outright legalization of marijuana in 2006 after approving it as a medicine in 2000. Lawmakers are now struggling with an upsurge in dispensaries and ill-defined “medical” users, amounting to what some call legalization by the back door. Speakers at the Centennial event generally concurred that easier access to the drug shouldn’t be permitted. “Centennial Institute is becoming known in Colorado as the open forum where current issues are tested against timeless principles,” said Andrews, who brought his extensive political and media experience to CCU in founding the think tank last year. “We invite all friends of the university to join the dialogue through our events and publications.” ■

| 2 |

The Fund for BeckmanScholars, Awards Now

Available

The Fund for Beckman Scholars was created last year to forward the vision of providing quality

Christian education for bright, committed students, and in honor of Dr. David Beckman’s rich legacy of faithful service to CCU. Serving on three occasions as president of Rockmont College, one of our heritage institutions, Beckman made a lasting impact in the lives of numerous students, faculty, and friends through his leadership and scholarship—and often through his thoughtful gestures to invest in people’s personal and spiritual growth. In June 2009, CCU established The Fund with an initial goal of raising $150,000. Through the generosity of several supporters, we have far surpassed this initial milestone. During 2009, approximately $275,000 was raised toward The Fund. Then a generous friend of CCU offered a matching grant of $125,000 in early 2010, bringing the total to $400,000 in available scholarship assistance (includes a portion raised prior to the fiscal year). Over 85 percent of students enrolled in CCU’s College of Undergraduate Studies rely on federal, state, and/or institutional financial aid to fund their education. Every year, the University distributes more than $5 million in scholarships toward this effort. The Fund for Beckman Scholars is one more step in helping students realize how they can bring glory to God through excellence in their life callings.

For more information about The Fund for Beckman Scholars and other giving opportunities, contact the Office of Development at 303.963.3330 orccudevelopment@ccu.edu. ■

| 4 | | 5 |

On November 19-20, 2009, a caravan of trucks and minivans revved engines northward, deep

into Wyoming’s Wind River Indian Reservation, marking the eighth annual Thanksgiving outreach by Colorado Christian University to Northern Arapaho Tribe members living in the Ethete and Arapahoe areas. Three-hundred turkeys and hams, nearly 500 pounds of canned food, two tons of flour, and 20 thirty-two-gallon bags swollen with clothing were given to more than 300 families and senior citizens. Judging by the warm reception, what some tribe members had formerly approached as unwanted

charity had now become a familiar holiday event. “What was special about this trip was that we felt for the first time that they were looking for us, expecting our arrival,” said Jim McCormick, CCU Vice President for Student Development, who has led the effort to gather and transport donations since the very first trip in 2002. This year, the team arrived at one of the largest direct distributions seen in the nearly decade-long relationship. “In some years, we’ve had to leave donations at the senior center for distribution later,” McCormick explained. “But this year we had lines at both distribution centers.”

CCU Drives to Wind River for Eighth Outreach to Northern Arapaho Tribe

of children, and even needylocals,flock to orphanages around the country for food and shelter and to know they are not alone.

So far, CCU students have shown support by canvassing Lakewood neighborhoods for donations of clothing, blankets, shoes, bedding, and hygiene items to fill 30 suitcases traveling with the missionary team this spring. The team has also raised nearly $2,000 to help the orphanage install a clean-water cistern—before, staff members hauled in and purified all drinking water—and to donate to immediate Samaritan’s Purse operations in Haiti. But getting to Canaan requires a flight into Port-au-Prince, and current travel alerts issued by the Center for Disease Control andPrevention have led University officials to take a closer look at the trip’s feasibility. Hopes still run high for CCU to be on-site in May, but for now students and staff have banded together in doing what they can from afar. ■

The Thanksgiving outreach to the Northern Arapaho began when McCormick’s father-in-law, a pastor from Saratoga, Wyo., met a local liaison between the tribe and the state governor’s office. Through their interactions, he learned of immediate needs of the tribe—many members are living near the poverty line—and ways in which volunteers could help. The conversation eventually found McCormick, who suggested a CCU-sponsored clothing and food drive. To allow students to focus on the University’s already scheduled

Thanksgiving trip to serve the Navajo in the Southwest’s Four Corners region, he decided to recruit participants only from among faculty and staff. That first year saw donations of 100 turkeys and numerous clothing items by nearly 30 employees and their families. This year, nearly 100 faculty and staff members joined the effort. The generous payload was topped off by Dennison Elementary School providing the bulk of canned goods and ConAgra Foods contributing the truckload of flour.

“Participating in the annual outreaches to the Northern Arapaho and Navajo tribes is a great way to serve the Native American community—a culture integral to the roots of our nation, and communities where many people currently live in hardship,” McCormick commented. “It also helps our faculty and staff members unite in hands-on ways to fulfill CCU’s shared vision of serving others.” ■

disorienting. But also urgent, in a slightly new direction. Some statistics estimate that the quake left a wake of more than one million new orphans. Now, more than ever in their histories, the local orphanages are critical centers of care. Near enough to the catastrophe yet outside of the disaster zone, Canaan is strategically poised to respond. With the situation in mind, the team began mapping out ways to merge their original trip plans with helping the orphanage play its role in the overall relief effort. It was less a scene of strangers mounting a rescue than of family (in Christ) rallying around far-off siblings. Haiti entered CCU2theWorld’s missions lineup this past fall in response to a very positive experience had by students traveling there during the summer prior. This year there are 15 student-led missionary teams headed to communities spanning six continents, where team members will be challenged to embrace their faith globally and practice love-in-action. For those desiring to minister on a local level, the University also sponsors a variety of annual outreach ministries throughout the Denver area, ranging from mentoring inner-city youth to helping the elderly and homeless. “It doesn’t take an earthquake for CCU to go out and make a difference,” Larsen said. “We don’t just respond to tragedies; we’re responding to needs, wherever they are, on a daily basis.” Canaan Orphanage’s stated mission is to be “an oasis of hope and safety,” and that couldn’t be more apt than in the following months as scores

Before the debris had settled, broadcasters were streaming images of Haiti’s

devastating earthquake around the globe, the glow of news update after update displayed across billions of blank faces caught off guard. On a campus where humanitarian reach is the norm, CCU students quickly turned their reactions from What happened? to What can we do to help? For staff member Sarah Larsen, who isserving as a leader on the CCU2theWorldmission trip to Haiti this May, her questions took shape when she and Cooper Pasque, a student and trip co-leader, met a week later with their 14 other team members. The team had been planning to travel to Montrouis, located along the Cotes de Arcadins on Haiti’s western coast. Approximately 50 miles north of Port-au-Prince and home to a breathtaking stretch of white-sand beaches, it’s a popular tourism, fishing, and sailing destination. On a nearby hillside overlooking the Caribbean sits Canaan Orphanage. Inside it, is a small staff caring for 100 abandoned children. Until the earthquake, the team was expecting to tutor and spend time with Canaan’s children and do work projects on the property. But on January 12, a magnitude 7.0—the country’s strongest in a century—went off about 10 miles southwest of the capitol city, changing everything. Haiti has been hit. Viewers worldwide reeled at the heartbreaking blow to the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation. For the CCU team, the reality was much the same, numbing and a bit

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends

and you will be my witnesses inends of the earth.”

Students Rally AroundHaiti Victims, Eyes Set on Summer Trip Would you partner with

CCU2theWorld by prayingfor our student mission teams?

Spring Break 2010 Trips· Portland, Oregon

(inner city, homeless outreach)· Ireland

(leading youth ministry conferences)· Scotland

(local church outreach to youth)

Summer 2010 Trips· Alaska

(summer counselors at Kako Retreat)· Costa Rica

(assisting with vocational training forwomen exiting prostitution)

· England(church planting among Pakistani immigrants)

· Guatemala(sports outreach with children and youth)

· Haiti(building a cistern at an orphanage)

· Spain, Italy, Germany(evangelism among internationals in youth hostels)

· Poland(teaching English and helping with youth outreach)

· Thailand(service based evangelism)

· Uganda(community development and outreach)

Previous Teams· Costa Rica

(Women’s basketball doing athletic outreach/Christmas Break 2009)

· New Mexico(partnering with local church on NavajoReservation for service outreach/Thanksgiving Break 2009)

| 4 | | 5 |

On November 19-20, 2009, a caravan of trucks and minivans revved engines northward, deep

into Wyoming’s Wind River Indian Reservation, marking the eighth annual Thanksgiving outreach by Colorado Christian University to Northern Arapaho Tribe members living in the Ethete and Arapahoe areas. Three-hundred turkeys and hams, nearly 500 pounds of canned food, two tons of flour, and 20 thirty-two-gallon bags swollen with clothing were given to more than 300 families and senior citizens. Judging by the warm reception, what some tribe members had formerly approached as unwanted

charity had now become a familiar holiday event. “What was special about this trip was that we felt for the first time that they were looking for us, expecting our arrival,” said Jim McCormick, CCU Vice President for Student Development, who has led the effort to gather and transport donations since the very first trip in 2002. This year, the team arrived at one of the largest direct distributions seen in the nearly decade-long relationship. “In some years, we’ve had to leave donations at the senior center for distribution later,” McCormick explained. “But this year we had lines at both distribution centers.”

CCU Drives to Wind River for Eighth Outreach to Northern Arapaho Tribe

of children, and even needylocals,flock to orphanages around the country for food and shelter and to know they are not alone.

So far, CCU students have shown support by canvassing Lakewood neighborhoods for donations of clothing, blankets, shoes, bedding, and hygiene items to fill 30 suitcases traveling with the missionary team this spring. The team has also raised nearly $2,000 to help the orphanage install a clean-water cistern—before, staff members hauled in and purified all drinking water—and to donate to immediate Samaritan’s Purse operations in Haiti. But getting to Canaan requires a flight into Port-au-Prince, and current travel alerts issued by the Center for Disease Control andPrevention have led University officials to take a closer look at the trip’s feasibility. Hopes still run high for CCU to be on-site in May, but for now students and staff have banded together in doing what they can from afar. ■

The Thanksgiving outreach to the Northern Arapaho began when McCormick’s father-in-law, a pastor from Saratoga, Wyo., met a local liaison between the tribe and the state governor’s office. Through their interactions, he learned of immediate needs of the tribe—many members are living near the poverty line—and ways in which volunteers could help. The conversation eventually found McCormick, who suggested a CCU-sponsored clothing and food drive. To allow students to focus on the University’s already scheduled

Thanksgiving trip to serve the Navajo in the Southwest’s Four Corners region, he decided to recruit participants only from among faculty and staff. That first year saw donations of 100 turkeys and numerous clothing items by nearly 30 employees and their families. This year, nearly 100 faculty and staff members joined the effort. The generous payload was topped off by Dennison Elementary School providing the bulk of canned goods and ConAgra Foods contributing the truckload of flour.

“Participating in the annual outreaches to the Northern Arapaho and Navajo tribes is a great way to serve the Native American community—a culture integral to the roots of our nation, and communities where many people currently live in hardship,” McCormick commented. “It also helps our faculty and staff members unite in hands-on ways to fulfill CCU’s shared vision of serving others.” ■

disorienting. But also urgent, in a slightly new direction. Some statistics estimate that the quake left a wake of more than one million new orphans. Now, more than ever in their histories, the local orphanages are critical centers of care. Near enough to the catastrophe yet outside of the disaster zone, Canaan is strategically poised to respond. With the situation in mind, the team began mapping out ways to merge their original trip plans with helping the orphanage play its role in the overall relief effort. It was less a scene of strangers mounting a rescue than of family (in Christ) rallying around far-off siblings. Haiti entered CCU2theWorld’s missions lineup this past fall in response to a very positive experience had by students traveling there during the summer prior. This year there are 15 student-led missionary teams headed to communities spanning six continents, where team members will be challenged to embrace their faith globally and practice love-in-action. For those desiring to minister on a local level, the University also sponsors a variety of annual outreach ministries throughout the Denver area, ranging from mentoring inner-city youth to helping the elderly and homeless. “It doesn’t take an earthquake for CCU to go out and make a difference,” Larsen said. “We don’t just respond to tragedies; we’re responding to needs, wherever they are, on a daily basis.” Canaan Orphanage’s stated mission is to be “an oasis of hope and safety,” and that couldn’t be more apt than in the following months as scores

Before the debris had settled, broadcasters were streaming images of Haiti’s

devastating earthquake around the globe, the glow of news update after update displayed across billions of blank faces caught off guard. On a campus where humanitarian reach is the norm, CCU students quickly turned their reactions from What happened? to What can we do to help? For staff member Sarah Larsen, who isserving as a leader on the CCU2theWorldmission trip to Haiti this May, her questions took shape when she and Cooper Pasque, a student and trip co-leader, met a week later with their 14 other team members. The team had been planning to travel to Montrouis, located along the Cotes de Arcadins on Haiti’s western coast. Approximately 50 miles north of Port-au-Prince and home to a breathtaking stretch of white-sand beaches, it’s a popular tourism, fishing, and sailing destination. On a nearby hillside overlooking the Caribbean sits Canaan Orphanage. Inside it, is a small staff caring for 100 abandoned children. Until the earthquake, the team was expecting to tutor and spend time with Canaan’s children and do work projects on the property. But on January 12, a magnitude 7.0—the country’s strongest in a century—went off about 10 miles southwest of the capitol city, changing everything. Haiti has been hit. Viewers worldwide reeled at the heartbreaking blow to the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation. For the CCU team, the reality was much the same, numbing and a bit

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends

and you will be my witnesses inends of the earth.”

Students Rally AroundHaiti Victims, Eyes Set on Summer Trip Would you partner with

CCU2theWorld by prayingfor our student mission teams?

Spring Break 2010 Trips· Portland, Oregon

(inner city, homeless outreach)· Ireland

(leading youth ministry conferences)· Scotland

(local church outreach to youth)

Summer 2010 Trips· Alaska

(summer counselors at Kako Retreat)· Costa Rica

(assisting with vocational training forwomen exiting prostitution)

· England(church planting among Pakistani immigrants)

· Guatemala(sports outreach with children and youth)

· Haiti(building a cistern at an orphanage)

· Spain, Italy, Germany(evangelism among internationals in youth hostels)

· Poland(teaching English and helping with youth outreach)

· Thailand(service based evangelism)

· Uganda(community development and outreach)

Previous Teams· Costa Rica

(Women’s basketball doing athletic outreach/Christmas Break 2009)

· New Mexico(partnering with local church on NavajoReservation for service outreach/Thanksgiving Break 2009)

Josh Woolley, 2004, bought a new condo before Thanksgiving 2009, and is also praising the Lord for his recent job promotion to manager at AutoSearch USA in Louisville, CO.

Heidi (Buller) Gunn, 2006, became an independent consultant for Tastefully Simple in January. She and her husband, Kevin (2007), would like to invite you to view her Web site at www.tastefullysimple.com/web/hgunn.

Daniel Seatvet, 2006, a CCU business administration major, recently made official his part-time business, Seatvet Trading Company, where he trades currency in the foreign exchange market. He hopes it will become a full-time endeavor in the years ahead.

Nikolaus Sifers, 2007, (photo taken in Afganhistan) is redeploying after a year spent in Khowst Province, Afghanistan. Since graduating from CCU, Nik has graduated from several U.S. Army schools, including the Infantry Officer Basic Course,

Ranger School, and Airborne School. While deployed, he proposed to his girlfriend, Julia, and they will be getting married on April 10 at Fort Belvior, VA.

Marinda (Gradisar) Peak, 2008, a communications major, and Colten Peak (2009), a music major, were married on October 3, 2009, in Golden, CO.

Michele (Voris) Reynolds, 2009, founder and CEO of Accel365, is a writer, speaker, and coach who helps entrepreneurs communicate better, delegate more, and accelerate toward their goals. She earned a B.S. in organizational management from CCU, with an emphasis in human resources, as well as her MBA, and has been working on her business full time for nearly three years. Michele and her husband, Paul, have four children: Nate, 18, Tasha, 17, Austin, 11, and Danele 2.

Joshua Ruskiewicz, 2009, and his wife, Cherise (2006), welcomed a new baby boy, Tiberius James, into their lives on December 23, 2009. They report that he is very happy and healthy.

| 6 | | 7 |

Interested in Becoming aClass Representative?

We are looking for new people to represent the following class years at Homecoming 2010: 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, and 2005. If you graduated in one of these years and are interested in helping plan a reunion, please contact Director of Alumni Relations Dan Westermann at 303.963.3327 or alumni@ccu.edu. Homecoming 2010 will be held the first weekend of October. Please save the date and plan to attend.

CCU Alumni Association Introduces the CLASH OF THE CLASSES

Campaign

The CCU Alumni Association is asking for your participation in this year’s Clash of the Classes campaign, which will raise donations toward the Alumni Scholarship Fund. Clash of the Classes is a friendly competitive campaign where alumni individually give the amount of their class year (for example,

anyone from the class of 1995 would donate $19.95). There are three ways you can give as part of Clash of the Classes:

• Online The most convenient and easy way to give.

Simply go to www.ccu.edu/give, where you’ll be prompted to donate via credit or debit card on our secure page.

• By Phone Give us a call at 303.963.3330 to pay via credit card.

• By Mail Send a check to (with “Clash of the Classes” written in the memo line): Colorado Christian University Attn: Alumni Relations 8787 W. Alameda Ave. Lakewood, CO 80226

CCUALUMNI

Color

ado

Christian Un

iver

sit

y

association

■ 1990sPaul Cassidy, 1991, spent several years working with students at a church in Lakewood after graduating from CCU with a B.A. in youth ministry. During that time, he met his wife, Stacy, and in 1996 the Lord called the two into full-time ministry with Cadence International. Since joining, they have spent the

last 14 years sharing the Gospel with military members and their families in Germany, Japan, and now Oahu, Hawaii, at Pearl Harbor Naval Station. They have three children: Hope, 14, Jenna, 12, and Aaron, 8 weeks.

David Holl, 1992, was promoted to general manager of Rodeway Inn & Suites in Kearney, Neb., along with his previous position of general manager of a nearby EconoLodge. He and his wife, Carol, are also celebrating his award received from Choice Hotels International for best renovation and redesign of the EconoLodge.

Bob Mitchell, 1993, and his wife, Celesta, celebrated the birth of their third son, Michael Jenkins Mitchell, on February 7, 2010. For the past 10 years, the Mitchells have enjoyed the sunshine of St. Augustine, Fla., where Bob works as a representative for an engineering manufacturing company. They have two other children: Matthew, 4, and Marc, 2.

Kurt Kennedy, 1995, was promoted this past November from client services representative to production support analyst within the Marketing Technology Department at Epsilon, a marketing services agency. He and his wife, Molly, have two children: Grace, 6, and Aimee, 4.

Becky (Miller) Karnsund, 1996, met her husband, Pontus, in Mexico and the two were engaged in Paris, lived in Sweden for five years, and then Spain for five more. They just moved to Phoenix, Ariz., where Pontus is the lead pastor for a church-plant with STADIA. They have four children: Kayla, 9, Nicole, 7, Aaron, 5, and Joel, 3, all of whom speak four languages.

■ 2000sBecky (Hayward) Hamlin, 2000, married Kyle Hamlin on April 26, 2009, in Estes Park, CO.

Mark Barrington, 2001, will be the republican nominee in House District 26 of Colorado for the 2010 election, running against incumbent Andy Kerr. House District 26 includes CCU’s main campus and covers Green Mountain and eastern Lakewood. Visit Mark’s Web site at www.markbarrington2010.com.

Aaron Brown, 2001, and his wife, Tara, were excited to welcome a new daughter into their lives with the birth of Autumn Keanna in September. Aaron and his family moved back to Colorado from Hawaii, and he has launched an online marketing business at www.webmalama.com.

Ethan Coffey, 2001, and his wife, Jennifer, were married on September 19, 2009. Having first met at their church’s college group, they became reacquainted a few years ago. Ethan has been working at Sprint Nextel for almost 10 years, and Jennifer, a recent graduate of Colorado State University, is hoping to work as a park ranger with Jefferson County Open Space.

Sarah (Whittaker) Jackson, 2001, and her husband, Jeff, were married in July 2008. In 2009, she graduated from the American University of Cairo with an M.A. in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Sarah and Jeff moved back to the United States and gave birth to their first son, Whittaker Robert Jackson, in November 2009.

Brooke Goff, 2002, is excited to be approaching the first birthday of her daughter.

Sarah (Arnold) Shultz, 2002, and her husband, Nathan (2000), had identical twin daughters on May 26, 2009. They celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary on June 3.

Justin Bullis, 2004, is currently the worship arts pastor for The Sanctuary Downtown in Denver, CO. He and his wife, Karissa, have a 19-month-old, Finley.

1914

Denver BibleInstitute

1945

Denver BibleCollege

1948

Western BibleInstitute

1949

RockmontCollege

1975

Western BibleCollege

1983

Colorado BaptistUniversity

1985

Colorado ChristianCollege

1989

Colorado ChristianUniversity

1968

Colorado BaptistJunior College

This is a new section of the Colorado Christian Connection designed to encourage alumni to stay connected. If you’ve had a recent change in your life (i.e. engagement, wedding, birth, new job, promotion, or something

else exciting), we’d like to hear about it. Submit your news to www.ccu.edu/alumni/share.asp.If you have a photo to include, send it to alumni@ccu.edu.

Clash of the ClassesColorado Christian University

Alumni Association

Josh Woolley, 2004, bought a new condo before Thanksgiving 2009, and is also praising the Lord for his recent job promotion to manager at AutoSearch USA in Louisville, CO.

Heidi (Buller) Gunn, 2006, became an independent consultant for Tastefully Simple in January. She and her husband, Kevin (2007), would like to invite you to view her Web site at www.tastefullysimple.com/web/hgunn.

Daniel Seatvet, 2006, a CCU business administration major, recently made official his part-time business, Seatvet Trading Company, where he trades currency in the foreign exchange market. He hopes it will become a full-time endeavor in the years ahead.

Nikolaus Sifers, 2007, (photo taken in Afganhistan) is redeploying after a year spent in Khowst Province, Afghanistan. Since graduating from CCU, Nik has graduated from several U.S. Army schools, including the Infantry Officer Basic Course,

Ranger School, and Airborne School. While deployed, he proposed to his girlfriend, Julia, and they will be getting married on April 10 at Fort Belvior, VA.

Marinda (Gradisar) Peak, 2008, a communications major, and Colten Peak (2009), a music major, were married on October 3, 2009, in Golden, CO.

Michele (Voris) Reynolds, 2009, founder and CEO of Accel365, is a writer, speaker, and coach who helps entrepreneurs communicate better, delegate more, and accelerate toward their goals. She earned a B.S. in organizational management from CCU, with an emphasis in human resources, as well as her MBA, and has been working on her business full time for nearly three years. Michele and her husband, Paul, have four children: Nate, 18, Tasha, 17, Austin, 11, and Danele 2.

Joshua Ruskiewicz, 2009, and his wife, Cherise (2006), welcomed a new baby boy, Tiberius James, into their lives on December 23, 2009. They report that he is very happy and healthy.

| 6 | | 7 |

Interested in Becoming aClass Representative?

We are looking for new people to represent the following class years at Homecoming 2010: 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, and 2005. If you graduated in one of these years and are interested in helping plan a reunion, please contact Director of Alumni Relations Dan Westermann at 303.963.3327 or alumni@ccu.edu. Homecoming 2010 will be held the first weekend of October. Please save the date and plan to attend.

CCU Alumni Association Introduces the CLASH OF THE CLASSES

Campaign

The CCU Alumni Association is asking for your participation in this year’s Clash of the Classes campaign, which will raise donations toward the Alumni Scholarship Fund. Clash of the Classes is a friendly competitive campaign where alumni individually give the amount of their class year (for example,

anyone from the class of 1995 would donate $19.95). There are three ways you can give as part of Clash of the Classes:

• Online The most convenient and easy way to give.

Simply go to www.ccu.edu/give, where you’ll be prompted to donate via credit or debit card on our secure page.

• By Phone Give us a call at 303.963.3330 to pay via credit card.

• By Mail Send a check to (with “Clash of the Classes” written in the memo line): Colorado Christian University Attn: Alumni Relations 8787 W. Alameda Ave. Lakewood, CO 80226

CCUALUMNI

Color

ado

Christian Un

iver

sit

y

association

■ 1990sPaul Cassidy, 1991, spent several years working with students at a church in Lakewood after graduating from CCU with a B.A. in youth ministry. During that time, he met his wife, Stacy, and in 1996 the Lord called the two into full-time ministry with Cadence International. Since joining, they have spent the

last 14 years sharing the Gospel with military members and their families in Germany, Japan, and now Oahu, Hawaii, at Pearl Harbor Naval Station. They have three children: Hope, 14, Jenna, 12, and Aaron, 8 weeks.

David Holl, 1992, was promoted to general manager of Rodeway Inn & Suites in Kearney, Neb., along with his previous position of general manager of a nearby EconoLodge. He and his wife, Carol, are also celebrating his award received from Choice Hotels International for best renovation and redesign of the EconoLodge.

Bob Mitchell, 1993, and his wife, Celesta, celebrated the birth of their third son, Michael Jenkins Mitchell, on February 7, 2010. For the past 10 years, the Mitchells have enjoyed the sunshine of St. Augustine, Fla., where Bob works as a representative for an engineering manufacturing company. They have two other children: Matthew, 4, and Marc, 2.

Kurt Kennedy, 1995, was promoted this past November from client services representative to production support analyst within the Marketing Technology Department at Epsilon, a marketing services agency. He and his wife, Molly, have two children: Grace, 6, and Aimee, 4.

Becky (Miller) Karnsund, 1996, met her husband, Pontus, in Mexico and the two were engaged in Paris, lived in Sweden for five years, and then Spain for five more. They just moved to Phoenix, Ariz., where Pontus is the lead pastor for a church-plant with STADIA. They have four children: Kayla, 9, Nicole, 7, Aaron, 5, and Joel, 3, all of whom speak four languages.

■ 2000sBecky (Hayward) Hamlin, 2000, married Kyle Hamlin on April 26, 2009, in Estes Park, CO.

Mark Barrington, 2001, will be the republican nominee in House District 26 of Colorado for the 2010 election, running against incumbent Andy Kerr. House District 26 includes CCU’s main campus and covers Green Mountain and eastern Lakewood. Visit Mark’s Web site at www.markbarrington2010.com.

Aaron Brown, 2001, and his wife, Tara, were excited to welcome a new daughter into their lives with the birth of Autumn Keanna in September. Aaron and his family moved back to Colorado from Hawaii, and he has launched an online marketing business at www.webmalama.com.

Ethan Coffey, 2001, and his wife, Jennifer, were married on September 19, 2009. Having first met at their church’s college group, they became reacquainted a few years ago. Ethan has been working at Sprint Nextel for almost 10 years, and Jennifer, a recent graduate of Colorado State University, is hoping to work as a park ranger with Jefferson County Open Space.

Sarah (Whittaker) Jackson, 2001, and her husband, Jeff, were married in July 2008. In 2009, she graduated from the American University of Cairo with an M.A. in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Sarah and Jeff moved back to the United States and gave birth to their first son, Whittaker Robert Jackson, in November 2009.

Brooke Goff, 2002, is excited to be approaching the first birthday of her daughter.

Sarah (Arnold) Shultz, 2002, and her husband, Nathan (2000), had identical twin daughters on May 26, 2009. They celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary on June 3.

Justin Bullis, 2004, is currently the worship arts pastor for The Sanctuary Downtown in Denver, CO. He and his wife, Karissa, have a 19-month-old, Finley.

1914

Denver BibleInstitute

1945

Denver BibleCollege

1948

Western BibleInstitute

1949

RockmontCollege

1975

Western BibleCollege

1983

Colorado BaptistUniversity

1985

Colorado ChristianCollege

1989

Colorado ChristianUniversity

1968

Colorado BaptistJunior College

This is a new section of the Colorado Christian Connection designed to encourage alumni to stay connected. If you’ve had a recent change in your life (i.e. engagement, wedding, birth, new job, promotion, or something

else exciting), we’d like to hear about it. Submit your news to www.ccu.edu/alumni/share.asp.If you have a photo to include, send it to alumni@ccu.edu.

Clash of the ClassesColorado Christian University

Alumni Association

A Publication to the CCU Community Spring 2010

Colorado ChristianColorado Christian University

Office of Development8787 W. Alameda Ave.Lakewood, CO 80226

Office of Development:Keith Wright, Vice President of DevelopmentDavid Nye, Director of DevelopmentDaniel Westermann, ’04, Director of Development-Alumni and Annual GivingChristi Kirchner, Administrative Coordinator of Development

Publication produced by University Communications:Lisa Zeller, Director of University CommunicationsJon Watters, Associate Director of University CommunicationsDanielle Hull, University Graphic Designer

We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards,embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world.

Students Rally Around Haiti page 4

Meet Dr. Frank Eychaner page 3

CCU Weighs Campus Plan page 3

Alumni Updates page 6

The 2010 VALS Conference will take our dialogue about Values-Aligned Leadership to the next level, exploring the role of the leader as it relates to the relationship between natural law, the rule of law, liberty and values-aligned leadership. Speakers include:

April 15, 2010

8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Marriott City Center

Downtown Denver, CO at 17th and California

For more information, visit www.ccu.edu/VALS, call 303.963.3160, or email vals@ccu.edu

DR. DANIEL N. ROBINSONPhilosophy Faculty, Oxford University;Distinguished Professor, Emeritus,Georgetown UniversityTOPIC: “The Role of Natural Law andNatural Rights in the Economy”

MS. TERRY LEPRINOBoard of Directors, Leprino Foods, Inc., Front Range Regional Trainer for Young LifeTOPIC: “The Role of Corporate Philanthropy”

SENIOR JUDGE DAVID M. EBELU.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth CircuitTOPIC: “The Role of the Rule of Lawin the Economy”

MR. KEVIN MILLERFormer Dean of the School of Business at Colorado Christian University,President of Whitestone Miller and Co-Founder of the Vanguard Forum TOPIC: “The Role of Liberty in the Economy”

MRS. THERESA MELARAGNOAuthor; Assistant Director of Corporate Relations, Colorado Christian UniversityTOPIC: “The Integrity Meltdown”

Spring Choral Concert CCU Music CenterFriday, April 9, 7:30 p.m.

VALS (Values-Aligned Leadership Summit)Marriott City Center, DenverThursday, April 15, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

School of Music Gala and Honors RecitalCCU Music Center, LakewoodFriday, April 16, 7:00 p.m.

Centennial Institute Issue Monday CCU Beckman Center, LakewoodMonday, April 19, 7:00 p.m.

YOU’RE INVITED TO THESE COMMUNITY EVENTSBaseball: CCU vs. Metro State

All Star Park, LakewoodFriday, April 23, 2:30 p.m.

Spring Instrumental Concert CCU Music CenterFriday, April 23, 7:30 p.m.

Spring Handbell Concert CCU Music CenterTuesday, April 27, 7:30 p.m.

Commencement CeremonyCherry Hills Community Church,Highlands RanchSaturday, May 8, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

CCU 11th Annual Golf Classic Racoon Creek Golf Course,7301 W. Bowles Ave.Littleton, CO 80123Monday, May 10, 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Please save the date and plan to attend Homecoming 2010 on October 1 and 2. Visit www.ccu.edu/events for additional community event information.

Visit us online at www.ccu.edu/Supporte-mail: ccudevelopment@ccu.edu

phone: 303.963.3330

The Colorado Christian Connection is a quarterly newsletter produced byColorado Christian University for the CCU community.

Photo from summer 2009 mission trip to Haiti.