September 21, 2005

"May I carry your golf clubs?" Sara Aiken, ASB activities coordinator, asked Mark Laughman as he arrived for the Alumni Golf Tournament Friday, Sept. 16, at Salem Golf Course.

Aiken checked her list to find what cart her golfer was assigned, and she was off to place his golf bag there, while Laughman registered and was given his lunch. Joe Greenwood, ASB president, and Heather Combs, ASB communications coordinator, took their turns, too, as golfers arrived for the tournament.

Altogether, 87 golfers took part in this event that raised money for a number of scholarships. With final figures still not available, 37 sponsors contributed between $1,000 and $100, which helped cover the costs of the golf course, the prizes awarded to the winners, the dinner at the Psalm Worship Center , and scholarships.

Many donated prizes went to those who bought tickets at $1 each. Among the winners were last year's scholarship winners, all seniors, five of whom were present at the dinner. One, senior Katie Lewin, was not present because she was playing volleyball with her teammates at the time.

Of the five scholarship winners who were present, three spoke to the group about what the school and the scholarship meant to them.

Jennifer Welty, an elementary ed major, used the letters in Corban to share what the school meant to her: C = courage, O = opportunity, R = religion, B = brain power, A = aim (her aim: “to glorify God in all I do”), and N = nobility ("we have noble people here, the very professional staff"). She spoke of the bike trip she made to Washington , D.C. with Dr. Herb Anderson, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and playing intramural sports as highlights.

Christine Hayes, health science and math major, quoted part of John 15, "The Father desires we bear much fruit … God calls us to grow." She explained a change in her career plans – she had intended to become a doctor – "I have no certainty as to what the future holds; I'm dedicating my last year to seeking His will," she said.

"Learning to trust God along the way" was one strength Jennifer Diers, social studies ed major, discovered in her years at Corban. "I've learned to think critically," she said, "and I've been encouraged by my ministry opportunities." Diers admitted being terribly homesick shortly after the start of her freshman year, but Bonnie Hills , office manager and registrar, with whom she shared her dilemma, led her to talk to her husband, Professor Jim Hills , who "assured me I would survive," she said. Now in her fifth year, she has survived and did so because of "the body of Christ building everyone up," Diers said.

The other scholarship winners at the dinner were Robert Taylor, missions major, and Candyce Biornstad, health science major.

In his welcome to the diners, Dr. Reno Hoff told of the present enrollment of 839, the board's approval of a new student residence building that will house an additional 110 students, and the fact that student inquiries have risen with the advent of the school's new name.

"We may reach 1,000 [students] in two years," Dr. Hoff said.

The alumni board is responsible for determining scholarship winners. Those interested in applying must write an essay, explaining their involvement in the school, their church, and the community; the impact Corban College has had on their lives; and their goals for the future.

Three whose contributions to the scholarship event were most important were recognized by the alumni board: Bethany Bigelow, ARAMARK coordinator; Nancy Sperling, Corban Alumni Department; and Dick Hammond, a 1973 graduate of the college, responsible for scoring the event. The Alumni Board presented the three with gift certificates from a variety of businesses.

--By Ellen Kersey

BIG WINNERS! All five scholarship winners from last year, Jenny Welty, Robert Taylor, Christine Hayes, Candyce Biornstad, and Jennifer Diers, won prizes during the drawing at the tournament dinner, although they didn't buy any tickets. "We were holding the tickets for Salem Nissan," Biornstad said, adding that they would get to keep some of the prizes. The original winner of Taylor 's eagle portrait was not present when the number was called, so the Alumni Board elected to give the picture to Taylor, a member of the Eagles fellowship.