Transforming Communities Through Art: VerLee’s Story

Lorelei VerLee, a 1972 graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University for Art Education has had a very adventurous life. Her parents were students at IWU and served as missionaries in Japan, where VerLee spent her entire childhood. Her mother also earned an art degree and used it often in her work abroad. Largely because she did not want to simply follow her parents’ path, she ended up attending Houghton College for her freshman year. However, her boyfriend, who later became her husband, was an IWU student and ended up convincing her to transfer.

VerLee became very close to Ardelia Williams who was head of the art department. Williams became her mentor and friend and was integral in helping VerLee develop her passions to use her love of art to help people escape poverty and marginalization globally. VerLee also had the unique honor of being the next art graduate after her own mother—between VerLee’s mom and herself, there were no other students at IWU to graduate with an art degree, so they were “back to back” art graduates. The art department was built up largely by Williams and VerLee was happy to be there as it began to grow and flourish.

Because VerLee grew up in Japan, she already had a global mindset coming into college. She knew she wanted to be involved in the work God was doing globally, but she did not have the passion to do it through traditional missionary work. Her parent’s model of respectful ministry was very effective. Rather than imposing a western style faith experience, they worked to support the Japanese perspective and cultural context.  She approached her hopes, then, with an idea of serving others however she could. This led her to what she is currently doing.

VerLee founded Creative Women of the World (CWOW) which sends people into communities and helps women see what skills they already have that could be profitable. This helps empower women to realize that they have a choice and that they are capable of supporting their families and communities simply by using the talents they already possess. VerLee supplements these passions and skills with business training so that they can truly succeed. As the old adage goes, “Give a person a fish and they will eat for a day. Teach a person to fish and they will eat for a lifetime.” But CWOW says, “Teach a woman how the fishing industry works, and she’ll change the world!”

Before VerLee began her time working globally she was a public-school teacher in the states for ten years. This experience helped equip her for CWOW, since it helped her to develop her skills as an educator. She also worked on a number of small businesses while she was in education. One business in particular, a handmade greeting card company she helped start in 1989, was particularly successful. In the midst of her educational and business ventures, however, VerLee sensed a calling to return to her original dream: helping others through art.

After her children grew up and moved out of the house, she began going on missions trips, and she ended up was on an email list that changed her entire life. VerLee got an email asking if there was anyone who was particularly artistic who would be willing to go to Haiti to work with women who lived in a remote village on the side of a mountain who wanted to start a greeting card company. VerLee knew right away this was God telling her to go—one month later she was living among these women; she had finally found her calling at 56 years old. After three years working with these women, (who have completely transformed their community), VerLee got asked to go help in other parts of the world with similar initiatives.

It was from that passion and the success she saw in Haiti that gave way to CWOW, which was officially started in 2011. There is also a boutique in Ft. Wayne of the same name, where people can purchase products from the women in communities all over the world. CWOW supports over 50 countries and encourages what they call “kinder consumption” or the selling of products that help care for the people that produce them. VerLee recently retired as the Executive Director of CWOW, though she still helps with international business training. She is currently focused on writing a book about the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual effects Japanese culture (particularly kanji, or Japanese symbols that represent words and concepts) had on her as she has lived her adult life in America.

https://www.gocwow.org/

 

 

 

Keith O’Conner Murphy

By: Kendra Housel

Keith O’Conner Murphy graduated from Marion College in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. As a child, Murphy grew up in poverty, without luxuries like indoor plumbing. He remembers his mother bringing water inside and heating it over a hot coal stove so that he was able to take a bath.

Murphy, in recalling his childhood, said that “that kind of background tends to either crush you or motivate you. I am one of the lucky few who it motivated to excel. Only as I matured in later years did I realize that I wasn’t poor in the important things. I had ethical, moral, hardworking parents which some kids did not.”

Coming from a very musically gifted family, he was actively involved in singing in the church choir, and he took to instruments early on. Before coming to Marion College (now IWU), Murphy graduated from Oak Hill High School in 1962. Without any money or special contacts, he and his band got a recording contract shortly after they graduated.

When his first record came out early in 1963, so did the Vietnam draft. Murphy called the draft board to inquire about the likelihood of his own chances of being drafted and when he was given the potential timeline of three months, he hung up the phone and called Marion College. As a college student (and first member of his family to be one), he was given a deferment and avoided the draft.

As a student, Murphy was a commuter from Sweetser, who also worked consistent day jobs and actively traveled with his band on the weekends. Most of his time was spent focused on his musical career, though he did recall having to study especially hard for some of his Bible courses. He often likes to joke that the only subject he ever cheated in was Bible, but in reality he was very thankful to have a good friend whose girlfriend grew up in a Biblically saturated environment, and would help the both of them study. Murphy was always very motivated to do well in school to maintain his deferment, so that he could stay in the United States and continue to grow as a musician and student.

In looking back at his time at Marion College, Murphy has especially fond memories of two professors in particular: Dr. Marjorie Elder and Miss. Emerson. Dr. Elder was a gifted professor, but what Murphy valued the most in her was that “she did not criticize [him] for not attending church regularly, or for [having] long hair.” She was very understanding and empathetic towards her students. Miss Emerson was also among his favorite professors. She taught a class where everyone had to memorize a page from a large book of Shakespearean texts. When it came time for all the students to recite their page from memory, the class soon realized that she had the entire, two inch thick book memorized herself, because she was able to correct their reciting without so much as glancing at the book.

Murphy remembers Marion College as a very wholesome and caring environment. With the study of Bible as an emphasis and the chapels (that at the time were twice a week), campus was a unique mixture of kids who had very intense backgrounds studying the bible and students who did not grow up in the faith. In the tumultuous time of the ‘60s, Marion College was what Murphy calls “a stabilizing environment, that never deviated from keeping their priorities straight regarding their important mission… it was a sort of refuge for students.”

In the midst of the riots and turmoil, including Cincinnati, where the iconic rhythm and blues record company King was located, “Keith Murphy and The Daze”  were signed, becoming one of the rare Rock and Roll white artists on King. Around the same time the giant Polydor label of England became interested and also signed them for international exposure. Keith could hardly believe he was on the label who has featured John Lennon, Abba, Bee Gees, and Jimi Hendrix, among many others.

Seven years after graduating from Marion College, Murphy went on to receive one of the first Master’s in Business Administration from Indiana University in Ft Wayne, Indiana. He married his wife Brenda (Rock) Murphy two years into his studies at Marion, though he met her while performing as the hired entertainment at her fifteenth birthday party.

With his masters, he went on to a successful career in business marketing. His career took off initially when he helped to create the formulation and marketing plan for Starburst and Skittles candy. After that success, Mars asked him to relocate his family to New Jersey so he could work at their headquarters, creating new products. He retired from there in 2003. From his experience in candy marketing, he also began his own consulting company called Lollipop Research, and he is the “self appointed Top Pop.”

When asked what advice he would give to current students, Murphy had some wonderful banks of wisdom to share. He began by stressing the need to understand people, in order to love them well. He believes that if you come to know the reasoning behind why someone thinks or acts differently than you do, you will be more inclined to help them and care about them. You have to be willing to look beneath the surface. Along with this he also emphasized the importance of kindness.

Murphy says one of the most telling things that immediately reveals someone’s character is how they treat people who would be unable to do anything for them. As an active voting member of the Recording Academy, which is responsible for awarding the Grammy’s, he has been in a room with many important people, where someone will stop talking to him and his wife mid-sentence to go talk to a more notable celebrity.

One of Murphy’s record’s was requested by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, which includes people like Elvis, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, Rick Nelson and many others. His record is in the permanent collection of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Murphy in closing, wanted students to know that “you are going to one of the best universities there is and will have a firm ethical and moral foundation” but within that he stressed also the great importance of listening to people we disagree with, with compassion and understanding.

Indiana Wesleyan University is a place of great opportunity to grow, in compassion and in profession, and Murphy hopes students will remember that they have a “great start” at IWU and that they are very blessed. Murphy said, “Follow your dreams and conscious, and realize it is not a straight path getting to where you wish to end.” Murphy is a great example of someone who lives out this advice; he is truly someone who has taken life as it has come, and enjoyed the ride.

 

 

Written by Kendra Housel, a writer for the Alumni Center. Kendra is a sophomore Education and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. She is also a member of the University Chorale. She is passionate about serving Christ through writing, singing, and caring for others.

Homecoming Reunions

By: Dezaray Barr

Today, October 6, 2017, we have the opportunity to celebrate the Marion College/ Indiana Wesleyan University classes of 1952,1957, 1962, and 1967.

We began at 11:30 with a Prelude by IWU student, Jonah Hartsburg, on the piano. We were welcomed by 1967 graduate, John Earnest. Rev. Jim Blackburn, who graduated in 1957, provided the invocation, and IWU ROTC students provided the Presentation of Colors.

After pledging the flag and eating a lovely lunch of chicken salad and fruit, Earnest provided the introduction to Paul Mills.

Mills shared stories about his own life, his time as a coach at IWU and the time period when IWU began intercollegiate sports.

Interviews took place with 1952 graduate Rev. Bob Zuhl, 1957 graduate Rev. James Blackburn, 1962 graduate David Thompson, and 1967 graduate Charles Mealy. Linda )Dryer) Castro, a graduate of 1962, provided a memorial.

After a recognition of our veterans and a musical selection with the school song, John Earnest provided closing comments. Rick Carder, Director of Alumni and Church Engagement, provided some special announcements as the luncheon came to a close.

Once the event was over, class pictures were taken, and campus tours were offered to alumni.

 

 

Written by Dezaray Barr, PR Specialist for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a junior Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU, Dezaray runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.

Pastor of the Week: Dale Munsell

By: Dezaray Barr

10530754_10152440864438600_5226064826013790846_n
Dale Munsell and his family, photo obtained from Facebook

Dale Munsell attended Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University) in 1983 to work toward a bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministries. He spent some time studying in the FLAME program of the Wesleyan Church. He was ordained by the Wesleyan Church in August of 2005 and now serves as the Pastor of Cornerstone Wesleyan Church and the Principal of Cornerstone Christian School, both located in Albion, Indiana. He is currently finishing his undergrad studies through IWU and plans to continue at Wesleyan Seminary to complete his Masters of Divinity.

Munsell said that he has always felt a tug on his heart for ministry, and he received his calling around the age of seventeen.

Munsell is excited to be working in such a great place, especially one of both church and school.

“Cornerstone Wesleyan Church has had a great ministry of discipleship and learning through their Pre-school and K-12 Christian school,” he said. “Through the A.C.E curriculum, this school has raised up many godly leaders over the past 24 years!”

During his time as a student at Marion College and IWU through Wesley Seminary, many professors inspired him, but one couple in-particular stands out.

“Dr. Jim ‘Umfundisi’ and Roxie Lo have had an amazing impact on my life over many years,” Munsell commented. “He is a great prayer warrior, mentor and blessing, and has been an encourager in ministry to not only myself, but to three generations of my family including my parents and my children.”

Dale and his wife, photo obtained from Facebook
Dale and his wife, photo obtained from Facebook

If Munsell could say one thing to current students, he would tell them to be faithful in the small opportunities they have to love God and others. “He will increase your opportunities as you are obedient to his daily plans,” Munsell said.

He would also encourage students to hold loosely to their own plans and to not assume they know the will of God. “But instead,” Munsell explained, “stay close to Him and let Him lead you down the paths that he has prepared and blessed for you.”

Dale is married to Lori, whom he met at Marion College. “It has been my privilege and pleasure to serve God in all areas of my life,” Munsell said. “I am thankful for the opportunity to put my life in the hands of our Great God and King as we begin this new adventure… at Cornerstone Wesleyan Church.”

 

Summary thoughts by Rick Carder, Director of Alumni and Church Relations: I am thrilled to call Dale a good friend. He is a man of integrity and serves the Lord out of a servant’s heart. He is driven to teach and lead others and has mentored several alumni who are serving the local church successfully.

 

Written by Dezaray Barr, PR Specialist for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a junior Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU, Dezaray runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.

50 Faithful Years – Dr. Wilbur Williams Honored in Chapel

50-Years of Teaching at IWU
50-Years of Service at IWU | Honored in Chapel

After 50 faithful years of teaching at Indiana Wesleyan University, Dr. Wilbur Williams will be retiring at the end of the Spring 2017 semester. We invite you to join us on Monday, March 27 at 10:00 a.m. for a special chapel service as we honor Wilbur and his many years of service.

Wilbur joined the IWU faculty in 1967. As a professor of biblical literature and archaeology, he has become one of the most well-known and beloved professors in IWU history. Many students have studied under him in Old Testament Survey where he has been known to dress up as biblical characters to illustrate a point. He has taught over 17,250 students throughout his career and has been elected Professor of the Year eight times. For the past 22 years, he has donated his time being compensated $1.00 a year for his teaching.

Wilbur Williams as King DavidWilbur is also known for his 40-year involvement in archaeological excavations in Israel and North Africa. He would often take as many as four or five groups of people with him to do archaeological work or tour various Bible lands throughout Israel. Altogether, he has been to Israel 156 times and was honored by the Ministry of Tourism in Israel for his many trips to the Holy Land.

The Williams’ Prayer Chapel is a tangible legacy Wilbur and his wife, Ardelia, have left on the IWU campus. The chapel came from the Williams’ vision to create a place for students to experience solitude with the Lord. The building now stands amongst the academic buildings as a quiet place for students to grow in their faith.

Wilbur has been a part of IWU for generations. He has been a student, an alumnus, a scholar, a teacher, a donor, a mentor and an encourager. Let us join together to thank him for the unmistakable role he has played at IWU.

Message provided by the Office of the President, Indiana Wesleyan University.

Over the years Dr. Wilbur Williams has dressed up in a variety of biblical characters.

.

Phillip Morton: MLK Award Winner

By: Dezaray Barr

State of Ohio 32 Annual MLK Commemorative Celebration Obtained from http://placestogoincolumbus.com/events/3952140-State-of-Ohio-32nd-Annual-MLK-Commemorative-Celebration/
State of Ohio 32 Annual MLK Commemorative Celebration
Obtained from http://placestogoincolumbus.com

Phillip Morton, a 1987 graduate of Marion College, received the Ohio Statewide annual MLK Commemorative Celebration Award in the category of social justice on January 12, 2017, in downtown Columbus.

“It was just a beautiful ceremony,” Morton said. “Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King… I’m just overwhelmed.”

Morton said he owes this award to Rushville, Indiana, where he grew up, but specifically his parents, his teachers, and the Wesley United Methodist Church.

“That’s where I started at and they believed in me,” he said. He also thanks the professors at Marion College, specifically Dr. Mike Fratzke, currently serving as a faculty at IWU and Dr. Ott.

After graduating from Marion College with a B.S. in Sociology, Morton choose to help misguided children at Star Commonwealth Schools in Van Wert, Ohio, since closed. Morton was a group leader for the program, which helped struggling and misguided children with their social and life skills, helping them grow in both their education and faith. Morton had the opportunity to be a role model to the children and teach them to believe in themselves.

“What Marion College taught me,” Morton said, “is that if you can get your mindset to the point where you can make a difference, just not in your life, but in the life of others… that’s what I left Marion College with: I can make a difference.”

Eventually, Morton found a greater need to work with adults. He is currently a Corrections Program Coordinator at Allen Oakwood Correctional Facility in Lima, Ohio where he now lives with his wife of 44 years and their two beautiful daughters.

“It’s no different. It’s still ministry,” said Morton about working in the correctional facility.

Although Morton is a success man, he aspires to give God all of his success. “First and foremost, I’m giving all the praise to the Lord Jesus Christ our heavenly father,” Morton said. “All the glory goes to Him… this award is a reflection of putting God first.”

 

Written by Dezaray Barr, PR Specialist for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a sophomore Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU Dezaray is involved in PRSSA leadership and runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.

Alumni Awards Homecoming 2016: Cynthia Booth

By: Dezaray Barr

 

Annually, Indiana Wesleyan University awards the Distinguished DeVoe School of Business Alumni Award to a deserving alum. This year, that award goes to Cynthia Booth. Booth currently serves as the President and CEO of Owner of COBCO Enterprises, LLC. She is currently a member of Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and she continues to support her son, Paul Jr., at Legacy Pointe Church.

Cynthia Booth
Cynthia Booth

Booth is very active in the community and serves in the following ways: Board of Advisors of DeVoe School of Business at Indiana Wesleyan University, Chair of McDonald’s REAL Team as part of the National Leadership Council, Board of Advisors at the Goering Center, Board of Directors at First Financial Bank, Board of Trustees at Denison University, Treasurer on Board of Directors for Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Deaconess Ministry at Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and Vice Chair for Trustee Ministry at Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.

Booth has received many awards, dating back to 1999. Since receiving her first award in 1999 she has received over 35 awards, the most recent being the Lead Magazine’s Emerging Business Award and the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa’s Extraordinary Entrepreneurship Award.

While at IWU, Booth’s favorite professor was Shelley Webb. Her education and experience at IWU were exceptional, but it changed and grew her. “It not only challenged me academically, but it also challenged me to think globally and to be a world changer.  More importantly, it allowed me to learn in an environment that supported my Christian values and beliefs,” she said.

This award is granted to an alumnus or alumna of the DeVoe School of Business who has exhibited excellence in serving his or her profession, community, church, or alma mater in the spirit of Jesus Christ, and will be awarded during the Homecoming Weekend of October 7th.

 

Written by Dezaray Barr, Writer for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a Sophomore Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU Dezaray is involved in PRSSA leadership and runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.

Alumni Awards Homecoming 2016: Tom Cully

Tom Cully and his family
Tom Cully and his family

By: Dezaray Barr

 

Annually, Indiana Wesleyan University presents the Distinguished Young Alumni Award, and this year the recipient is Tom Cully. Cully currently works at Holsum Dairies as a Herd Veterinarian. He is a member of Faith Alliance Church where he serves as a nursery volunteer, greeter leader, assimilation committee member, Discovery Land volunteer and Sunday School teacher.

During Vet School, Cully served as president of the Cornell Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association (SCAVMA), secretary of the Christian Veterinary Fellowship and captain of the Bovine Palpation Team.

He has received the following awards: American Association of Bovine Practitioners Amstutz Award, American Veterinary Medical Foundation and Zoetis Scholarship Award, the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association Distinguished Member Award, Zoetis Clinical Proficiency Award in Dairy Production Medicine, Leadership Recognition Award and the New York State Veterinary Medical Society Senior Seminar Award.

Cully’s favorite professor was Dr. Matthew Kreitzer, and his favorite thing about IWU was the Christ-centeredness, as well as the competitive programs that allowed him to succeed. “The most valuable aspect of my IWU education was a Christ-centered perspective in professional and personal matters. The second most valuable aspect was highly competitive pre-professional program preparation that helped me to excel from the onset of my veterinary education,” Cully said.

This award is granted to an alumnus or alumna of Indiana Wesleyan University who has graduated in the past ten years and exhibited excellence in serving his or her profession, community, church, or alma mater in the spirit of Jesus Christ, and will be awarded during the Homecoming Weekend of October 7th.

 

Written by Dezaray Barr, Writer for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a Sophomore Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU Dezaray is involved in PRSSA leadership and runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.

Alumni Awards Homecoming 2016: Lydia Pfenniger

By: Dezaray Barr

Lydia and her family Photo obtained from http://www.fredandlydia.com/pictures/
Lydia and her family
Photo obtained from http://www.fredandlydia.com/pictures/

 

Annually, Indiana Wesleyan University presents the Distinguished College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Award. This year, the recipient of this award is Lydia Pfenniger. Pfenniger currently works as an OB Fellowship Trained Family Physician at the Association of Baptist for World Evangelism. She is married to Fred Pfenniger and has two children, Noah and Nathanael.

Pfenniger is currently a member of Temple Baptist Church in Tacoma, Washington. She enjoys traveling and has taken multiple medical mission trips to Honduras, Bolivia, Zambia and most recently traveled to Togo. From January 2013 to July 2015, Pfenniger and her husband traveled to Togo, West Africa with the Samaritan’s Purse Post Residency Program to practice full scope medicine. The hospital the couple served in is a full service mission hospital that serves primary adult care, pediatrics, obstetrics and surgical needs. They are just now starting a second 30-month term at the same hospital.

Pfenniger’s education at IWU taught her many important things, but most importantly, it taught her how to see the bigger picture. “IWU challenged me to keep my focus on God and not just what is before me, to see a bigger picture through God’s eyes and not just the picture in front of me, to keep my focus on the end goal and not just the challenge directly ahead,” she said. Coach John Foss, Dr. Jim Lo, Dr. Hess, Dr. Webb and Dr. Lakanen were some of her favorite professors and mentors who influenced her greatly while at the university.

Learn more about Lydia and Fred’s journey on their website: http://www.fredandlydia.com/.

This award is granted to an alumnus or alumna of the College of Arts & Sciences who has exhibited excellence in serving his or her profession, community, church, or alma mater in the spirit of Jesus Christ, and will be awarded during the Homecoming Weekend of October 7th.

 

Written by Dezaray Barr, Writer for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a Sophomore Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU Dezaray is involved in PRSSA leadership and runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.

Alumni Awards Homecoming 2016: Reba Lynn Harris

Reba Harris, photo obtained from http://www.gileadhousekokomo.org/about-us/
Reba Harris, photo obtained from http://www.gileadhousekokomo.org/about-us/

By: Dezaray Barr

 

Annually, Indiana Wesleyan University presents the Distinguished College of Adult and Professional Studies Alumni Award. This year, the recipient of the award is Reba Lynn Harris, a 1997 graduate.

Harris founded the Gilead House in September of 2000 and is now the executive director. The Gilead House offers education, training, programs and services for broken and hopeless men, women and children.

Harris belongs to Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in Kokomo, Indiana where she serves as the president of the F.D. Reece Christian Academy, as well as an adult Sunday school teacher. She is a member of the Howard County Drug Court, Howard County Mayor’s Task Force and is a board member on the Kokomo Veteran’s Home. Finally, Harris has been honored with the Indiana Black Expo Award for community enrichment.

Harris’s education at Indiana Wesleyan University is what inspired her to open the Gilead House, as well as give her resources to help the Howard community. “It has given me the confidence to strive for the vision that God has given me,” Harris said about her education at IWU.

This award is granted to an alumnus or alumna of the College of Adults and Professional Studies who has exhibited excellence in serving his or her profession, community, church, or alma mater in the spirit of Jesus Christ, and will be awarded during the Homecoming Weekend of October 7th.

 

Written by Dezaray Barr, Writer for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a Sophomore Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU Dezaray is involved in PRSSA leadership and runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.