2013 Cornerstone Magazine

2 BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

PHOTO BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
4
CORNERSTONE
DETROIT ICON PURSUES A
NEW ACADEMIC FORECAST
– IN HIS PA JAMAS
8
HOUSING
RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENTS
q & a
Meteorologist Chuck Gaidica
answers questions about
his decision to pursue a master’s
degree through CU’s online
program.
b y k e l l i c o t t r e l l
ON THE COVER
A PLACE TO CALL HOME
12
A glimpse into the
lives of the children of
international missionaries on
campus, their unique struggles
and how Cornerstone values
their contribution to the campus.
b y a n n b y l e
PICTURED: Cornerstone logo sculpture in front of the
Hansen Athletic Center.
PHOTO BY: RYAN PRINS
f e a t u r e
WCSG CELEBRATES
RUBY ANNIVERSARY
16
Cornerstone University
radio turns 40 this
year. Take a look at how it all
began and hear what the radio
personalities have to say about
the journey.
b y a n n b y l e
WALKING A LONELY ROAD,
RUNNING TOWARDS THE CROSS
20
f e a t u r e
f e a t u r e
Grand Rapids Theological
Seminary student, Anne
Parpas (CU ‘13), is using what she
learns in class and her personal
experience to help parents who have
lost a child navigate the lonely road
few have traveled.
b y t o m r a d e m a c h e r

FROM THE PRESIDENT
2013 | WWW.CORNERSTONE.EDU
1001 E BELTLINE AVE NE
GRAND RAPIDS MI 49525
MAIN SWITCHBOARD: 616.949.5300
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
BOB SACK
PROJECT MANAGER
KATHERINE FELBER
WRITER/EDITOR
KELLI COTTRELL
ART DIRECTOR
CAROLINE CAHOON (CU ‘03)
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
KARMEN LOW
WEB DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
JACLYN VISBEEN
PHOTO BY COASTLINE STUDIOS
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
ANN BYLE
KELLI COTTRELL
TOM RADEMACHER
ASHLEY VANDERGELD (CU ‘14)
CALEB WILLIAMS (CU ‘12)
IT’S THE BEGINNING OF A NEW YEAR AND A LOOK
THROUGH THE REARVIEW MIRROR AFFIRMS THAT
WE HAVE MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.
The year 2012 was a year of unparalleled growth as Cornerstone University experienced
a near record-setting enrollment, a continued journey toward financial strength, and the
compelling testimonies of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni who continue to embrace
our mission to influence the cultures of our world for Christ.
In particular, we applaud the accomplishments of CU Radio, which celebrates 40 years
of ministry in 2013, as well as being awarded “Station of the Year.” On campus, we
continue our commitment to provide a richly resourced learning environment where our
students can thrive. A new residence hall and state-of-the-art baseball stadium are under
construction, and plans are in motion for the addition of a $20 million chapel that will also
house the music and media departments!
I have never been more encouraged by the trajectory of this university on every front! God
has seen fit to show his favor on the work of our hands (Psalm 90) and, for that, we are
grateful. As I complete my fifth year of serving Cornerstone, I feel blessed to be a part of
raising a new generation who will effectively impact our world for Christ. In fact, we are so
encouraged that Martie and I have recently committed to another five years at CU. We’d
hate to miss the joy of what lies ahead! We are energized by the unusual opportunity to be
involved in this strategic enterprise for the Kingdom of Christ and the future of His church.
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
COASTLINE STUDIOS
AIMEE LUURTSEMA
RYAN PRINS
JOHNNY QUIRIN
Cornerstone Magazine is an annual publication
produced by the Marketing and Communications
Office at Cornerstone University. Approximately
22,000 copies are distributed to friends of the
university to connect them to happenings at CU.
IDENTITY
Cornerstone is a Christ-centered university with a
passion for global influence through the transforming
power of the gospel.
MISSION
We exist to empower men and women to excel
as influencers in our world for Christ by offering a
student-focused learning community where Jesus
Christ is central.
VISION
We aspire to create a thriving community of fully
devoted followers of Jesus in a spiritually contagious,
academically excellent, richly resourced and
culturally diverse learning environment that attracts
outstanding students, faculty and staff who influence
our world for Christ, his church and his kingdom.
Blessings, and may 2013 be your best year yet!
Dr. Joe Stowell
President of Cornerstone University
2 BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

DesigneD to accommoDate the specific neeDs of busy, working aDults,
cornerstone university’s professional & graDuate stuDies (pgs)
Division offers you flexible anD convenient programs taught from
a christ-centereD worlDview.
Associate, Bachelor and Master degrees feature courses that have immediate and practical
application in the workplace. Cohorts are enrolling now in Grand Rapids, Lansing, the Lakeshore,
Kalamazoo and online!
www.cornerstone.edu/pgs

CU HOUSING RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENTS
b y k e l l i c o t t r e l l
“WE BELIEVE THE BEST
WHOLISTIC COLLEGE
EXPERIENCE IS LIVING
ON CAMPUS.”
– JOE STOWELL
PRESIDENT OF CU
FALL 2012 BROUGHT RECORD BREAKING GROWTH TO CORNERSTONE’S RESIDENCE HALLS
AND THE NEW CLASS RIVALED THE CAMPUS’S HIGHEST ENROLLMENT SINCE 2005.
“We believe the best wholistic college
experience is living on campus,” said Dr.
Joe Stowell, president of Cornerstone.
“It’s been our goal to increase the
number of students living on campus.
We’ve been praying and working on
increasing that rate.”
More than 400 new students arrived
on the Cornerstone campus Aug. 29
to begin their first year at CU, setting a
record as the largest incoming class. Of
those, about 340 were freshmen and 70
were new transfer students.
An eight percent increase in students
living on campus occurred from Fall
2011 to Fall 2012, continuing a climb
since 2008 when only 50 percent
lived on campus. This academic year a
record breaking 62 percent of enrolled
students live on campus, including
upperclassmen.
“I can’t think of a better place to
live in community than Cornerstone,”
said Gerald Longjohn, vice president
of spiritual formation who welcomed
the students to campus and spent the
summer configuring the residence halls
to accommodate the growth.
He won’t have to worry about where
to put additional students this fall,
though.
The new residence hall is expected to
be ready for move-in August 2013.
The combined baseball stadium
and residence hall was a dream local
architect Wayne Visbeen had as he
explored ways to meet both needs.
In the spring, the completed baseball
field will be home to the CU baseball
team, but the residence hall is still in
progress.
The first floor of the building will be
used for baseball and softball offices,
locker rooms and a training facility.
The top two floors will be occupied by
students.
During the summer months the
residence hall will house sports
campers.
TO SEE RECENT UPDATES TO THE
NEW BASEBALL STADIUM AND
RESIDENCE HALL COMBINATION,
VISIT, WWW.CORNERSTONE.EDU.
4 BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

INTELLECTUAL COMMUNITY. CHRIST-CENTEREd WORLdVIEW.
At our core, we are compelled and inspired by Jesus Christ. Of all the relationships you’ll walk away with from
Cornerstone, your relationship with Him rises above the rest.
Academic excellence, accessible resources and a culturally rich community are building blocks to help you attain
a rewarding education, fulfilling career and a meaningful life. Our students rise to the high standards put before
them with the help of a supportive community surrounding them.
We invite you to visit our campus and experience a day at Cornerstone. We offer individual and group visits
throughout the year where you can hear great chapel speakers, visit classes, meet professors, tour the residence
halls, attend an athletic event, explore opportunities for overseas trips and ask as many questions as you want.
To schedule a visit or for more information, visit www.cornerstone.edu.

WINNER OF 2011 ARTPRIZE HOUSED AT GRTS
ARTPRIZE’S 2011 WINNING ENTRY, “CRUCIFIXION”, BY ARTIST MIA
TAVONATTI OF SANTA ANA, CA., FOUND A NEW HOME IN SEPTEMBER
AFTER BEING STORED IN THE GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM
ARCHIVES FOR A YEAR.
The 425-pound inspiring piece
depicting Jesus on the cross now
resides indefinitely in the lobby of the
Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.
“It really means a lot to me that it is
in a university setting and that it can
possibly help to transform people’s
visions for their future both spiritually
and artistically,” said Tavonatti who
visited Cornerstone in October.
The 9x13 foot stained glass mosaic,
was transported from Santa Ana in 2011
in a moving truck driven by Tavonatti
to be entered in the international
competition.
ArtPrize allows the public to vote
on hundreds of art pieces displayed
throughout the city at numerous
venues. After the first round of voting
ends, the top 10 pieces are voted on
with a winner receiving $250,000 from
the Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation.
In 2010, Tavonatti entered another
piece that made the top 10 as well. A
new rule instituted last year did not
allow Tavonatti as the reigning 2011
winner to enter in 2012, but Tavonatti
still visited Grand Rapids during
ArtPrize 2012 to see friends and family
with artwork in the competition.
During her visit a private reception
was held at GRTS where Tavonatti
spoke to a small group about her
process of developing the piece and
what it means to her.
“I create work that is designed
to make you feel,” she said after
explaining that many people are moved
to tears while viewing the piece. “It’s
divinely inspired.”
With ArtPrize growing each year,
hundreds of visitors are expected to
visit the seminary each fall during the
event. More than 400,000 viewers
participated in the three-week event
with hundreds coming to view last
year’s winner, the “Crucifixion” at the
seminary.
The 2012 public competition included
1,517 art pieces from 46 countries and
41 states. Cornerstone University
Alumni Association hosts an alumni
reception every year during the
competition downtown where alumni
can enjoy refreshments, a place to relax
and learn about alumni artists.
TO SEE MORE ABOUT THE CRUCIFIXION AND A VIDEO OF TAVONATTI
SPEAKING, VISIT WWW.CORNERSTONE.EDU/ARTPRIZE.
6 BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

FORMER WNBA PLAYER HEADS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM
b y c a l e b w i l l i a m s
GRAND RAPIDS NATIVE AND
FORMER WNBA PLAYER
KATIE (FEENSTRA) MATTERA
JOINED CORNERSTONE
UNIVERSITY IN MAY 2012 AS
THE NEW WOMEN’S HEAD
BASKETBALL COACH.
Mattera launched her coaching career
after an eight-year career in professional
basketball, including five years in the
WNBA.
“First and foremost, Katie brings to
Cornerstone a love for Jesus Christ
and a passionate desire to mentor and
develop young women as followers
of Christ,” said Dave Grube, director
of athletics at Cornerstone University.
“Beyond that, her experiences at the
highest levels of women’s basketball
will provide us with outstanding
player recruitment, development and
a blueprint for championship teams. I
am confident that Katie will continue
the winning tradition at Cornerstone
University.”
The position became open last spring
after Carla Fles, Cornerstone University’s
women’s basketball head coach since
1999, announced she was going to retire.
Fles had just completed a season that
included her 300 th career win.
But, Mattera, 29, is not new to the
basketball scene.
In October, she was inducted into
the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame
(GRSHOF) for her accomplishments in
women’s basketball.
Her professional career in the WNBA
included three years with San Antonio,
one year with Detroit, one year with
Atlanta and three years in the China Pro
League.
Prior to her professional career,
Mattera had an outstanding collegiate
run at Liberty University, averaging 17.8
points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
During her four years at Liberty, she also
Katie Mattera, left, instructs freshman center Jill Hendrickson.
was selected to the All-Big South First
Team three times (2003, 2004, 2005),
the Kodak/WBCA All-America Region II
Team (2004), and was named Big South
Player of the Year three times (2003,
2004, 2005) and Big South Women’s
Athlete of the Year (2004).
“I never dreamed, when I first picked
up a basketball, that someday this
would happen,” said Mattera, a graduate
of Grand Rapids Baptist Academy (now
Northpointe Christian High School). “It
just goes to show what hard work and
dedication does, and I’m very glad that I
get to glorify God through it all.”
FOR A COMPLETE SCHEDULE
OF GAMES THIS SEASON, VISIT
WWW.CORNERSTONE.EDU.
PHOTO BY AIMEE LUURTSEMA
“FIRST AND FOREMOST, KATIE
BRINGS TO CORNERSTONE A
LOVE FOR JESUS CHRIST AND
A PASSIONATE DESIRE TO
MENTOR AND DEVELOP YOUNG
WOMEN AS FOLLOWERS
OF CHRIST. BEYOND THAT,
HER EXPERIENCES AT THE
HIGHEST LEVELS OF WOMEN’S
BASKETBALL WILL PROVIDE
US WITH OUTSTANDING
PLAYER RECRUITMENT,
DEVELOPMENT AND
A BLUEPRINT FOR
CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS. I AM
CONFIDENT THAT KATIE WILL
CONTINUE THE WINNING
TRADITION AT CORNERSTONE
UNIVERSITY.”
– DAVE GRUBE
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS AT CU
CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY 2013 7

DETROIT METEOROLOGIST PURSUES
ONLINE MINISTRY DEGREE
CHUCK GAIDICA, DIRECTOR OF METEOROLOGY
FOR WDIV-TV IN DETROIT, DECIDED TO PURSUE
THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION THROUGH ONLINE
COURSES WITH CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY.
The successful meteorologist has been in Detroit for 30 years and is a three-time Emmy
award winner. An adventurer at heart, he has flown through the eye of a hurricane and
flown with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Chuck is also an instrument rated, private pilot.
He served as a substitute for Al Roker on the NBC Today Show for two years and
considers it his proudest professional accomplishment. He has been married to his wife,
Susan, for 31 years and has five children.
Chuck answered a few questions about his experience taking online courses with CU.
CORNERSTONE MAGAZINE:
WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO
SEEK ANOTHER DEGREE AFTER
HAVING SUCH A SUCCESSFUL
CAREER?
CHUCK: It wasn’t needed for my
current career.
My wife and I took two consecutive
years of Bible study together. We
were able to be together on weekday
mornings, once a week for nearly a year
each time.
So, God was already moving. At the
end of the second year of study, my wife
Susan asked what we should do next. I
replied that if I was going to study for
another year, I wanted college credit. I
was only half joking.
WHY CORNERSTONE?
CHUCK: CU made the most sense after
some exploration. The reputation and
solid grounding of the CU courses was
important. I knew most classes would
be online, but I wanted to be close if
needed.
Also, the unique MAML (Master of
Arts in Ministry Leadership) degree was
appealing. So many master degrees in
ministry are short on theology and seem
to focus on other things. I wanted to dig
deeper.
GIVEN YOUR SCHEDULE OF
NEWSCASTS AT 4, 5, 6 AND
11 P.M., WHAT WERE YOUR
ORIGINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT
TAKING COURSES ONLINE?
CHUCK: I wasn’t sure it would work
for me. I have a hectic and often busy
schedule. The online routine is nice, but
my life is not routine. The things that
compete for my time seem to fly at me
in large waves. So, there are days I get
swamped. I like the idea of attending
class from anywhere in the world.
HOW WERE YOUR
EXPECTATIONS VERSUS
REALITY ABOUT THE
HOMEWORK OR TIME
COMMITMENT?
CHUCK: I think my expectations and
reality were very close. As I mentioned,
I get busy in waves. And some weeks
I have felt a bit overwhelmed. To be
honest, sometimes a grade was not what
I hoped for because of my schedule.
In the long run, it has been a great
experience and I have learned much
about managing my time.
CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY 2013 9

Chuck Gaidica, far left, with his fellow anchors on the WDIV set.
MANY ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAMS HAVE
COMMERCIALS SHOWING STUDENTS IN THEIR
PAJAMAS WHILE THEY TAKE THEIR COURSES?
IS THIS TRUE WITH YOU?
CHUCK: It was true with me! I don’t get home from
work until after the late news. So, I have been known
to be changed out of my suit and reading at 12:30
a.m. some nights. I worked on many posts or even the
finishing touches on papers on Saturday mornings. I
would wake up before my family, get some coffee and
work on the class.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE
WHO WAS CONTEMPLATING TAKING ONLINE
COURSES – WHETHER SEMINARY, GRADUATE
OR UNDERGRADUATE?
CHUCK: Find a routine that works for you and use it.
It makes it easier to remember deadlines, from week
to week. There have been a couple of weeks where a
post was due, I was busy and nearly forgot. My routine
always helped more than sticky notes and alerts on my
iPad.
HOW WELL HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO
INCORPORATE YOUR KNOWLEDGE FROM CU
INTO YOUR DAILY LIFE?
CHUCK: First, I have a deeper understanding of
Scripture and what I believe. Creating my own creeds of
sorts has been helpful. Since I am asked to be a public
speaker from time to time, I have been able to refocus
my messages and add many Biblical examples that
matter. I also studied in Israel and Jordan this summer
for about a month. It was a rigorous trip, but I was
ready for the multi-tasking demands of my reading,
studying and exploring.
I have learned a great deal about leadership in my
current class, too. We see many examples of failed
leadership in our businesses and in the headlines. The
current class encourages me to be a better servant
leader and encourage others to be better examples
of Christian leadership. For this I am both excited and
blessed!
10 BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

HOW HAS THIS
EDUCATIONAL
EXPERIENCE SERVED
TO TRANSFORM YOUR
UNDERSTANDING AND
APPROACH TO GOD/FAITH,
RELATIONSHIPS, LIFE AND
VOCATION?
CHUCK: Since I have a job
and career outside of ministry
I have found both practical
and spiritual rewards from my
classes. Systematic theology
classes have allowed me to
sharpen my own personal
beliefs. As recent as last week,
a class on organizational
leadership helped me see an
opportunity that could combine
ministry, media and business
in a new way. I am anxious to
leverage my connections to all
three areas of my life as a force
for good.
The impact on my life is
dramatic. Studying in the
Holy Land this past summer
for nearly a month was life
changing, too. Many things
and people in Israel are large in
stature and cast a huge shadow.
But I found a God who came in
great humility. And, now He is
helping me along a new path. I
am so thankful.
HOW WILL THIS
EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY
BE USEFUL IN YOUR
FUTURE ENDEAVORS,
BOTH PERSONALLY AND
PROFESSIONALLY?
CHUCK: Realizing that my
eventual MAML degree is really
a key to unlocking the doors
to new opportunities in service
and even education is exciting.
I see a day when I can use
decades of life, business and
media experience for God’s
Kingdom. But, like many people
who wonder (not worry) about
their future, I feel God is giving
me more direction in life now. I
used to say to people that I was
having fun being confused. You
know, I have a great job and
family life and now maybe God
is calling.
That is not usual for most of
my friends. God led me to
Cornerstone for a reason. I am
pursuing this degree for a
reason. In my life, God doesn’t
set bushes on fire. He really has
spoken to me in a series of
whispers and nudges. While
studying at Cornerstone I
realized the nudges are getting
harder. And that’s OK with me!
IN DETROIT, VIEWERS WHO
TUNE INTO METEOROLOGIST
CHUCK GAIDICA KNOW
WHAT TYPE OF WEATHER
TO EXPECT WHEN HE CALLS
FOR A “CUDDLE ALERT.”
And, you can probably guess.
Gaidica, a meteorologist for 30 years,
created the phrase in the early years
of his career in Little Rock, Ark., where
the winters were mild.
“I was looking for a way to have
some fun when it got colder than
average,” said Gaidica, who has used
the phrase on NBC’s Today Show. “I
started using the phrase in Detroit and
it stuck.”
As a result he created the plush
Cuddle Bear toy that has been given
to about 8,000 children by first
responders when they find a child
in trauma and is used by numerous
churches as fundraisers.
“I got a call one day from a mom
who told me her son fell off his bike
and shattered his elbow,” said Gaidica.
“The EMS gave him a cuddle bear and
it got him through the night.”
That incident prompted him to write
a children’s book about the benefits
of cuddling. And, his most recent
book “Cuddling Is Like Chocolate”
encourages readers to cuddle or hug
others because it releases the same
chemical in the brain that is released
when we eat chocolate.
Throughout the year, Gaidica visits
adoption organizations with the bears
and recently donated 800 to the
United Way to distribute.
“It has been a fun and busy season
of helping others understand why
we need to hug and cuddle our kids,
parents and grandparents. In the
process many others have been helped
by the fundraising component.”
To order the books or a Cuddle Bear,
visit www.cuddlealert.com.
CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY 2013 11

FEATURE
B Y A N N B Y L E

FEATURE
PHOTO BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
Jessica Taylor (CU ‘14), whose parents are missionaries in the Ukraine, studies with Nate Ebersole (CU ‘15), whose parents are medical missionaries
in Togo, Africa. They became friends during a freshman orientation just for missionary kids.
CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY DREAMED OF BECOMING THE PLACE THAT
CHILDREN OF INTERNATIONAL MISSIONARIES COULD CALL HOME FOR
THEIR COLLEGE YEARS. THAT DREAM IS COMING TRUE THANKS TO A
CONCENTRATED EFFORT TO BOTH FIND AND FUND THESE STUDENTS.
For Gerald Longjohn, vice president for spiritual formation
and a child of missionaries himself, the effort began 3.5 years
ago when the university approved a scholarship intended for
children of missionaries (MKs).
“The effort was made to connect with schools overseas
that cater to international high school students,” said Longjohn.
“We sent notices to guidance counselors and missions
organizations, all to help us with our vision of being an international
campus.”
The first wave of 10 to 15 MKs arrived in Fall 2009, with the
campus now having “passed a critical mass point,” according
to Longjohn, with 50 to 60 MKs and third-culture kids (international
students, others who grew up cross-culturally) here
for the 2012-2013 school year.
“The critical mass point came when older students began
chomping at the bit to be peer guides for younger students,”
he said.
The university invites MKs and their families to campus a
week earlier than other students for a series of orientations
designed to address issues such as integrating into a new culture,
finding important places on and off campus and getting
to know one another.
14 BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

For Nate Ebersole, whose parents
are medical missionaries in Togo, Africa,
the MK orientation was just what
he needed.
“I was a little nervous about starting
college and being away from my family.
But the MK orientation made me
feel right at home; I made most of my
friends on campus right away.”
He participated in get-to-know-you
activities, toured campus, met CU
President Dr. Joseph Stowell and was
introduced to the Grand Rapids area.
“Cornerstone really helps people
adapt to a new environment. The orientation
was a huge blessing and a huge
benefit,” said Ebersole, a sophomore
pre-med major.
His parents agree. Russ and Melody
Ebersole, temporarily in the States due
to medical concerns, attended orientation
sessions designed for parents.
They met other parents, attended sessions
on how to let go of their student,
met Dr. Stowell, and participated in
a special prayer session for incoming
freshman MKs.
“It was a huge benefit to have the
orientation ahead of time for MKs,” said
Russ Ebersole. “We’re happy with the
atmosphere at Cornerstone and our
son loves it here. Cornerstone is one of
the first to emphasize reaching MKs,
and that is a huge part of what made
us happy.”
Key to drawing MKs from around the
world is offering them help paying for
college costs. Scholarships are available
for all four years, with applications
due before freshman year.
For Jessica Taylor, whose parents
are missionaries in Ukraine, news of
the scholarship came through their
mission agency Association of Baptists
for World Evangelism (ABWE). The
Taylors were familiar with Grand Rapids
thanks to attending seminary here,
“I WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT STARTING
COLLEGE AND BEING AWAY FROM MY FAMILY.
BUT THE MK ORIENTATION MADE ME FEEL
RIGHT AT HOME; I MADE MOST OF MY
FRIENDS ON CAMPUS RIGHT AWAY.”
– NATE EBERSOLE (CU ‘16)
so the scholarship really put CU on said Taylor, secretary for the Mu Kappa
the Taylor’s radar. Taylor, now a junior chapter at CU.
elementary education major, attended Ebersole, VP of the chapter, says the
the orientation for MKs as a freshman. Mu Kappa group gets together twice
“The biggest way it helped me was a week to play soccer, has monthly
getting to know several upperclassmen
who were MKs, and some of
ebrates holidays together.
prayer and worship times, and cel-
the faculty,” said Taylor. “We heard
“We want to offer a multicultural
from upperclassmen who have gone influence on campus, but also support
through this transition, so we could those whose parents are on the other
get an idea what to expect during our side of the world,” he said.
first year at CU.”
According to Longjohn, Cornerstone
University is now a place with
Taylor and Nate Ebersole are now
part of the government for Mu Kappa, a growing population of international
an internationally recognized organization
for MKs started by MKs. Mu Kappa other countries here via an exchange
students—both MKs and students from
offers a variety of activities and is often
the center for MK social activities. erlands and South Korea. The university
program with universities in the Neth-
“Mu Kappa tries to provide that family
connection for MKs so they know students already in the U.S. who want
is drawing interest from third-culture
there are people who care and who to come because of CU’s global passion,
and it is seeing a new wave of
understand and relate to them,” said
Taylor. “We can be there when they’re students arrive thanks to those already
missing home or experiencing culture here.
shock.”
“Now that we’re in our fourth year of
Part of Mu Kappa’s mandate, as well hosting more international students
as that of Cornerstone, is to educate and MKs, we’ve got students who have
non-MK students about what it’s like been recruited by other students, such
to live overseas and to offer another as younger siblings or friends,” said
perspective on the world.
Longjohn. “We want students to know
“We’re looking to help each other that we value their heritage, and let them
by being that support, but also reach know that each one is a unique and
outward to Cornerstone and give back valued member of our community.”
by helping share our experiences,”

FEATURE
PHOTO BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
On-air personalities John Balyo (CU ‘02), left, and Amanda Hildabrand love interacting with their listeners weekdays on the morning show.
SIT THE STAFF AT WCSG-FM 91.3 IN A CONFERENCE ROOM AND YOU’LL
DISCOVER NEARLY 200 YEARS OF RADIO EXPERIENCE AND EACH PERSON
DEDICATED TO DRAWING LISTENERS CLOSER TO JESUS CHRIST.
That dedication to both radio and Jesus Christ is a big part of
what brings WCSG and Cornerstone University Radio into its
40 th year. June 9, 2013, marks the 40 th anniversary of going on
the air for the premier Christian radio station in West Michigan.
What started as a student-driven desire in the late 1960s and
early ‘70s to bring radio to the CU campus (then Grand Rapids
Baptist College) became an easy-listening, classical music and
preaching station in 1973.
Frank Boggs, George Beverly Shea and Doug Oldham
blended their “peaceful sounds on stereo 91.3” with the
preaching of J. Vernon McGee and Dr. M.R. DeHaan among
others. The station’s home was 800 square feet in the
basement of the old campus gymnasium.
By 1983 the station had moved to its current location, a
former Grand Rapids Fire Department station on the northeast
corner of the CU property. The sounds were now “light
contemporary” as listeners enjoyed Amy Grant, Evie, Sandi
Patti, Steve Green and the Gaithers.
“Listeners ate it up,” said Chris Lemke, executive director of
CU Radio, which includes WCSG, WaY-FM 89.9, and Mission
Network News. “We started getting listeners in a grass-roots
way. Listeners told their friends, who told their friends. In 1981
18 BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

we had 10,000-15,000 listeners; by
1988 we had 50,000-55,000.”
The 1980s were a decade of
change, not only in format and listener
numbers, but in how the station was
supported. What had been bleeding
red ink from its owner Cornerstone
University became a listener-supported
station that paid for itself. The station’s
first Sharathon in 1981 brought in
$35,000 of its $65,000 goal. In 1982,
the Sharathon brought in $101,000,
beating its goal of $65,000. These days
WCSG has a $2.3 million budget, met
yearly by individual donations, business
underwriting, and larger gifts.
“I learned everything I know about
radio from CU Radio,” said Dodd
Morris, WCSG’s Director of Operations
and New Media and with the team
since 1988. “Like a lot of people who
get into radio, I got bit by the bug. I
had planned to major in youth ministry
and music when Lee Geysbeek hired
me. After a few years I discovered that
radio was my calling, not just a job to
put me through college.”
Morris, like other WCSG personalities
such as Becky Carlson, Amanda
Hildabrand, Joel Hill, Don Michael and
John Balyo, see their jobs as much
more than paychecks. They love
interacting with listeners, hearing their
stories and pointing them to Jesus.
“We’re listener focused because
they support us. Our goal is to be as
interactive as possible, so we can point
listeners to the hope of Jesus,” said
Hildabrand. “It’s so exciting to be part
of WCSG.”
Carlson, who started WCSG’s news
department in 1982, also answered
phones, helped with shipping and did
an on-air shift. Morris remembers doing
janitorial work along with his usual
job. The point, they both say, is that
everyone chips in to get the job done
when needed. WCSG is all about family.
In Spring 2012, WCSG was rated the
top morning show in West Michigan.
The station is in the top three overall
in the area. The Christian Music
Broadcasters named it the national
2012 CMB Station of the Year.
CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY RADIO HAS
EXPANDED ITS AUDIENCE TO INCLUDE
LISTENERS ACROSS WEST MICHIGAN – FROM
BIG RAPIDS TO THREE RIVERS – DURING THE
PAST 40 YEARS. HERE ARE A FEW MAJOR
DEVELOPMENTS OVER THE YEARS:
1995 CU Radio acquired Mission Network News, an internationally
syndicated news feature conveying events of God at work
around the world through His people. It grew from being heard
on 250 radio outlets to more than 1,000 with an audience
exceeding 3 million each day.
1997 CU Radio signed on WaYK in Kalamazoo, a progressive format
targeted to teens and young adults.
1999 CU Radio signed on WaYG in Grand Rapids.
2010 WCSG extended its signal into Battle Creek with WCFG.
2011 CU Radio signed on WaYO in Benton Harbor.
“We do it through great content,
even CDs. Music is delivered via MP3
relevant platforms, and a desire to point files, with Facebook, Twitter, email and
people to Jesus Christ,” said Lemke, mobile apps an integral part of the
who began at WCSG in 1981. “We want radio experience. Listeners can chat
to be a significant, positive, Christ-like with radio personalities on Facebook,
influence in West Michigan and around email prayer requests and get updates
world.”
on Twitter.
Don Michael, cohost of the afternoon The future is bright for the station.
show with Steve O’Dell, points to
Lemke sees more targeted integration
WCSG’s intentionally being “live and with Cornerstone University, improved
local” at a time when radio seems to be facilities and rebuilding reserve funds
decentralized. He calls it “super-serving depleted during the lean years of 2008-
our listeners.”
09 when giving was down. As always,
“The relationship with our listeners however, the future is about listeners.
makes us strong and keeps us strong. “People come and go, but our mission
Our listeners aren’t there to serve us, has ultimately stayed the same,” said
but for us to serve them,” said Michael. Balyo, morning show host and assistant
“We glorify God when we serve them.” program director. “We exist to
Radio in the 21 st century is far beyond encourage and engage listeners to a
reel-to-reel tapes, vinyl platters and deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.”
CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY 2013 19

y t o m r a d e m a c h e r

LYDIA SURVIVED 32 HOURS.
HER TWIN BROTHER HENRY,
LESS THAN HALF A DAY.
AND IN THE WAKE OF THEIR DEATHS,
TOTALLY UNEXPECTED, THEIR PARENTS
WONDERED HOW THEY WOULD EVER COPE
WITH THE SEEMINGLY INSURMOUNTABLE GRIEF.
THEY DISCOVERED IT LARGELY THROUGH
THE HANDS AND HEART OF A STUDENT AT
GRAND RAPIDS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (GRTS)
ON THE CAMPUS OF CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY.

PHOTO BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
Eric and Rita Graham hold photos of their twins who died shortly after birth.
Her name is Anne Parpas, 41, a married mother of two who
never imagined that her walk with God might place her in
front of parents reeling in unimaginable ways from the loss of
their most precious gift – their own kids.
Her story begins not at Cornerstone, but in the lakeshore
town of St. Joseph, Mich., where she was born and raised
until the family moved to Mt. Pleasant. She was the daughter
of a pastor, and traveled with him while he performed
evangelistic work that included her participation in a Christian
musical ministry.
She married shortly after her graduation in 1990 from Mt.
Pleasant High School, and soon discovered she’d entered
into an abusive relationship from which she feared she might
never emerge.
“I’d met this guy through church, and was in a very abusive
marriage for 10 years – spiritual, physical, emotional.”
Anne says her husband first began abusing her verbally,
calling her degrading names. It mushroomed to a point where
she felt controlled, manipulated, trapped. “I was isolated from
my family and friends, and limited in what I was permitted to do.”
Working as a registered nurse at a pair of Grand Rapids
area hospitals, she tried to hide from co-workers the welts
and bruises she says her husband rained down on her.
“I made up all kinds of excuses. It felt like being in prison.”
In classic style, Anne looks back now and can see all the
warning signs informing her she should have escaped earlier.
“People asked me all the time why I stayed with him for so
long. But over the years, you start to believe all the names
you’re being called.
“I lost who I was.”
Her epiphany came during the fall of 2001, while witnessing
the carnage of 9-11.
“I saw all these people losing their lives, losing their
families, and I sat there, transformed, seeing and feeling
reflections of the pain and loss in my own life.”
Resolved to seek a new and better life, she fled the
marriage, seeking asylum from Safe Haven Ministries in
Grand Rapids, a faith-based refuge that provides shelter and
services to women and children in crisis.
It grew into a two-way relationship when Safe Haven’s
administrators recognized the gifts Anne might provide
to their own clients, and she was asked to serve on their
Board of Directors, where she ascended to the role of vice
president.
22 BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

In sharing her own stories of abuse,
she resigned her position at Safe Haven
and decided to develop a program that
put her in front of groups in the West
Michigan community.
“I was healing from the abuse itself,
trying to build up a sense of trust in
my life, and my presentations helped
give me the strength to continue the
healing,” she says.
Her relationship with God quickened
as well, and in 2010, Anne went on
her own as a speaker and consultant,
founding “The Lydian Spirit.” She took
her story of inspiration to schools,
churches and community centers,
anywhere she might make an impact
with girls and women at risk.
Victims and potential victims soon
surfaced, and some asked for individual
counseling, something for which Anne
wasn’t professionally credentialed.
So she sought out various programs,
with a desire to provide Biblical-based
services.
PHOTO BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
Anne Parpas, a GRTS student, helped launch a group for parents to walk through the grieving process after losing a child.
“I SAW ALL THESE PEOPLE LOSING THEIR
LIVES, LOSING THEIR FAMILIES, AND I
SAT THERE, TRANSFORMED, SEEING AND
FEELING REFLECTIONS OF THE PAIN AND
LOSS IN MY OWN LIFE.”
– ANNE PARPAS
She found it at Cornerstone, where
Anne enrolled in January of 2011, and
expects to earn a master’s degree in
counseling in May 2013.
What she never did expect, however,
was to be thrust into an arena that
counsels not abused women, but
grieving couples.
That evolved after Dr. Robert
Lehman, professor of counseling at
GRTS and director of CU’s counseling
program, recognized the same sort of
gifts that Safe Haven saw years earlier
– a woman with empathy, leadership
qualities and real-life experience in
front of people.
As part of an internship, Anne was
introduced to Nancy Kingma R.N., L.P.C,
Bereavement Services Coordinator
at Spectrum Health’s Helen DeVos
Children’s Hospital.
Anne remembers Nancy suggesting
that “I’ve been wanting to start a group
for parents who have lost their children.
And I’d like you to take the reins and
develop it.”
They dubbed it “Journey,” an apt
description for a bittersweet walk that
never ends, only changes.
The first group launched in May 2012,
and it included Eric and Rita Graham of
East Grand Rapids, the parents of twins
Lydia and Henry.
Their loss had occurred less than a
month earlier, their pain still fresh, raw,
complex.
Rita had been experiencing a normal,
trouble-free pregnancy. On April 27,
she’d seen her doctor, who gave her a
thumbs-up ultrasound report.
“We were getting ready to put the
cribs together,” she remembers. “A
shower was planned. My pregnancy
was going perfectly.”
But the early morning of April
28, just one day after exiting her
physician’s office, she awoke with a
start. “Something’s not right,” she told
her husband.
“In a split-second,” she recounts,
“everything changed forever.”
She delivered at just over 23 weeks,
and they beheld babies each weighing
less than a pound and a half. They were
advised that the survival rate was just
CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY 2013 23

FEATURE CONTINUED
PHOTO BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
10 percent, but refused to believe their
son and daughter would succumb.
“It was a nightmare,” says Rita. “It is a
nightmare.”
They dragged themselves to a first
meeting of “Journey,” and there stood
Anne Parpas and Nancy Kingma, who
brought in others to share their stories
of loss, but never demanded that
anyone be forced to speak, or even act
in a certain way.
Bottom line? We all process our
tragedies differently, and you have to
discover your own path to healing.
Anne Parpas says she owes a lot
to her training to GRTS, where she
embraced a program that submits
to Biblical principles, but is also
unapologetic about exposing its
students to a variety of professional
settings. For her, that included sessions
in front of long-time professionals who
provide non-traditional counseling at
prisons, inner-city shelters and more.
Anne lauds Cornerstone for how
faculty “emphasize the theories and
techniques in counseling psychology,
“[THE FACULTY] EMPHASIZE THE THEORIES AND
TECHNIQUES IN COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY, WHILE
TEACHING US HOW TO CRITIQUE AND INTEGRATE THE
THEORIES OF FREUD, ADLER, SKINNER, ELLIS, AND
MANY OTHERS, WITH A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW.”
while teaching us how to critique and
integrate the theories of Freud, Adler,
Skinner, Ellis, and many others, with a
Christian worldview. They want us to
understand the theories of psychology,
things we can adapt to a Christian
setting.”
The Grahams are grateful for Anne’s
aid, not only in helping them to express
their pain, but managing comments
and behaviors that emanate from
family and friends who can present
peripheral challenges.
One typical obstacle is to convince
others that the death of a stillborn or
newborn can have the same dramatic
and devastating consequences as
losing a much older child.
“They reacted to our voices,” Rita
says of their little boy and girl. “They
squeezed our fingers. They were real.
They were our babies.”
Anne is convinced she learns more
from couples like the Grahams than she
herself can teach.
And in her ongoing quest to provide
counseling, she says she’ll never forsake
her belief that, with God, anything is
possible.
“There is hope,” she says, “through
the cross.”
AS THE MAGAZINE WAS GOING
TO PRINT WE RECEIVED NEWS
THE GRAHAMS ARE EXPECTING
AGAIN. CONGRATULATIONS!
24 BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

Alumni Journal • Welcome Back Wednesdays
Alumni Reunions • CU Theatre Events • Yearbooks Online
Assessment Survey • 2013 Homecoming
Looking forward to connecting with you soon!
phone 616.222.1439 • email alumni@cornerstone.edu
website www.cornerstone.edu/alumni
“Cornerstone University Alumni Association” @CornerstoneAlum

DEVASTATING HURRICANE
PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH A
GOD-GIVEN OPPORTUNITY

B Y A S H L E Y VA N D E R G E L D ( C U ‘ 1 4 )
A GROUP OF CU STUDENTS DROVE TO NEW
JERSEY TO HELP HURRICANE SANDY VICTIMS.
THEY OFFERED WHAT THEY COULD: A LITTLE
BIT OF TIME AND A LOT OF ELBOW GREASE.
The team of CU students jumped in
their cars and headed to New Jersey
the first weekend in November to
aid in hurricane relief. While there,
they busted out warped floor boards,
ripped up old carpeting, tore out
water-damaged dry wall and gained
the support of the Grand Rapids
community.
“I think that God gives us a lot of
opportunities and we pass them up all
the time,” said Devin Town, Cornerstone
University student government vice
president and coordinator of the trip.
“This was a great opportunity He gave
us to be his hands and feet and I didn’t
want to pass it up.”
Zack Meyer, a Cornerstone freshman
and baseball player originally from
New Jersey, saw Town’s plan as an
opportunity to help in his hometown
of Egg Harbor Township – seven miles
from the shore.
“I thought in my head that I wanted
to go back home, but I didn’t know
how I could get there,” said Meyer,
who nervously received updates from
his parents throughout the historical
hurricane the last week of October.
He grew up just a few miles from the
Jersey shore.
“This trip was my chance to actually
help people that needed it,” he said.
As soon as he heard of Town’s
plan to coordinate a hurricane relief
project, he jumped on board and made
arrangements for the group to stay at
his parents’ home that wasn’t badly
damaged. The team arrived at 1:30 a.m.
on Nov. 3rd and were up early the next
morning working on two houses in the
surrounding area.
Many of the local residents had just
returned to their homes and were
surveying the damage. Most of the
damage was on the interior.
Inside, water damage and flooding
had completely ruined floors and
drywall.
The team of mostly freshmen spent
their days crawling under floor boards
and clearing driveways so people could
get into their homes.
Originally, the group had planned
on assisting Shore Fellowship, Meyer’s
“I THINK THAT GOD
GIVES US A LOT OF
OPPORTUNITIES
AND WE PASS THEM
UP ALL THE TIME.
THIS WAS A GREAT
OPPORTUNITY HE
GAVE US TO BE HIS
HANDS AND FEET
AND I DIDN’T WANT
TO PASS IT UP.”
– DEVIN TOWN (CU ‘14)
CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY 2013 27

HURRICANE SANDY CONTINUED
Cornerstone freshman, Sarah Andersen (CU ‘16), cleans a house near the New Jersey shore during a weekend trip to show “active love” after Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast.
home church, and working with the Red Cross. However,
in order to volunteer with them, they would have had
to go through hours of mandatory training. With such a
short window of time, the team decided it would be more
beneficial to simply get to work. Meyer said he had wanted
to clean up and help as many people as they could to move
back into their houses. Meyer’s father knew families who
needed help with cleanup in their homes.
On Sunday before they left, the group worked just outside
of Atlantic City, cleaning up three more houses and helping
one local resident tear out his carpet.
“The guy had no income and had a lot of medical expenses,
so he had to save everything,” said Town. “It was definitely
eye opening. He needed to salvage everything he could.”
The team believed in the trip so much that they were
willing to cover the cost of the trip themselves.
Within hours of letting others on campus know about the
project, J&H Oil and VanDyken Mechanical pledged $500 in
gas cards and D&W Fresh Market contributed a gift card for
food to take on their trip. Gus’s donated lunch for the team
before they left Grand Rapids.
The team was overwhelmed by the contributions.
“God took the ones who had the time but not the money,
and the ones who had money but not the time, and He
changed lives,” said Town.
The donations covered all their gas and food expenses for
the trip.
“I thought that by going, we would be a blessing to these
people. “But truly, it was as much a blessing to me if not
more,” said Keely Deutsch, a freshman. “Christ gave his life for
us on a cross, and we got to show these people what active
love is in the midst of their hardship.”
FOR MORE ON THIS STORY, VISIT
WWW.CORNERSTONE.EDU/THEHERALD.
28 BUILD A LIFE THAT MATTERS

Under the leadership of Coach David Mitroff, Cornerstone University’s relaunch of baseball has been spectacular.
Coach Mitroff has recruited 38 players to begin play this Spring, and he has maintained an unwavering commitment
to find student-athletes who will achieve excellence on the field and in the classroom. Most importantly, Mitroff has
recruited students who reflect Cornerstone’s mission to influence our world for Christ. In addition, new players have
been awed by Cornerstone’s plans and construction of the new one-of-a-kind stadium and team facility.
Please join us in preparing the next generation to influence the world for Jesus Christ by providing students with the
best possible resources.
Box Seat ClUB | $300 (one time gift)
• Your name engraved on a seatback behind home plate
• Four invitations to the Dedication Day in September
• two invitations to the baseball team’s season-ending banquet in the Spring*
• a Cornerstone Baseball t-shirt
• Your name listed on the baseball website page
Plaza ClUB | $100 (one time gift)
• Your name engraved on a brick in the Stadium’s plaza entrance
• two invitations to the Dedication Day in September
• a Cornerstone Baseball t-shirt
• Your name listed on the baseball website page
DUgoUt ClUB | $30 (Renewable each year)
• Your name inscribed annually on display affixed to the top of the Cornerstone team dugout
• two invitations to the Dedication Day in September
• Your name listed on the baseball website page
Your tax-deductible contribution can be made by visiting www.cornerstone.edu/rounding-third. For further information
about supporting Cornerstone athletics, visit www.cornerstone.edu or call Bill Knott at 949.5300.
*Value for tax purposes to be included on receipt