Alumni Stories

May 30, 2019

Senator Jackie Winters, Corban’s 2019 DHL Recipient, Passes at Age 82

It was with heavy hearts that we learned of the passing of Senator Jackie Winters at the age of 82. Earlier this month, Corban University was privileged to honor Senator Winters as the recipient of the Doctor of Humane Letters at the 2019 Commencement ceremony.

May 13, 2019

Health Science Major Reed Redding Shares His Heart to Combine Audiology with Missions

“The world was a lot quieter before I had my hearing aids,” Reed says. It was as if a whole world existed that he’d never known about. He’d grown up on the McKenzie River in Eugene, Oregon, but it wasn’t until he was 7 that he knew what running water sounded like. When his second-grade teacher began to notice that Reed was missing some sounds—

March 12, 2019

From Cinnamon Rolls to Political Science: Lydia Shares Her Story

Lydia discovered Corban University all on her own. Her parents had both gone to a Christian college in Florida, and up until January of Lydia’s senior year, they had thought she would do the same. Her mother had stopped setting aside all of her college mail—the postcards, pamphlets, and brochures now went straight into the trash.

March 4, 2019

Finding Balance: International Student Nikki Triestan Shares Her Story

“The ‘e’ is silent,” says Nikki Triestan, referring to the fourth letter in her last name. Although she is Indonesian by passport, she’s Chinese by birth, and in Chinese culture, names must have a balanced number of strokes—particular combinations of even and odd numbers in the first and last name.

November 26, 2018

A Legacy of Christian Education: Pat Mennenga Named “Distinguished Alumni of the Year”

Pat Mennenga (’71) was selected as Corban’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year for 2018-19. This award is presented to someone who graduated from Corban ten or more years ago, and who exemplifies Christian character and a life in service to Christ and others.

November 6, 2018

A Mind for Business and a Heart for Service: Bryce Petersen named “Young Alumni of the Year”

Bryce Petersen was selected as Corban’s Young Alumnus of the Year for 2018-19. This award is presented to someone who graduated from Corban within the last ten years, and who exemplifies Christian character and a life in service to Christ and others. Jean Wheat-Palm, Real Estate Broker for John L. Scott Real Estate, says, …

September 11, 2018

“Getting My Joy Back”: Lily Ellerton’s 30-Year Journey to Restoration

Lily Ellerton had been two months away from graduating college when she married who she’d thought was the love of her life. She had known him for nine years, so when everything lined up for them to get married, she jumped in with both feet. But he wasn’t the man she’d thought he was. Her new marriage quickly derailed her education, and she quit school before earning her degree.

July 17, 2018

“Chosen for Such a Time”: Alumna Maryann Remsburg’s Debut Novel Brings the Story of Esther to Life

Maryann (’97) had no aspirations to write a book, much less a novel that combines romance with terrorism in the White House! But while studying Esther, Maryann began to imagine how the story of Esther would have unfolded today. Her personal notes eventually turned into a gripping novel that challenges believers of all ages to step out in faith.

June 22, 2018

What to Do with a Piano Performance Degree: Melody Shares Her Story

At first, Melody didn’t see how a four-year degree in music would be practical—especially a degree in piano performance. So she decided to major in accounting instead, and keep piano as a minor. But the longer Melody studied at Corban, the more she realized she wanted music to play a bigger role in her life.

April 25, 2018

What to Do with an Entrepreneurial Mind and a Heart for Missions

“You either serve God or you serve money,” Corban alumnus Jeff Coffey was told over and over in his early days in ministry. For years, Jeff tried to adhere to the idea that ministry should be free from the bonds of business. But his creativity and entrepreneurial mind kept insisting otherwise.