Cornerstone University Magazine & Annual Report 2020

FALL 

2020 

In a remarkable 

season, Cornerstone 

University continues to 

transform lives through 

compassion, creativity 

and steadfast faith. 

STORY ON PAGE 14. 

Artie Lindsay, 

Campus Pastor

CONTENTS 

04 

14 

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT 

05 

CAMPUS NEWS 

A quick glance at 

university highlights. 

10 

FACULTY NEWS 

Updates and accomplishments 

from faculty. 

LISTEN, LEARN, LOVE 

The Importance of Honest 

Conversations in a Kingdom 

Community 

18 

PROVIDING PASTORAL CARE 

The Thriving Congregations 

Initiative is Meeting Local 

Church Needs 

22 

PHYSICALLY DISTANT, 

SOCIALLY CONNECTED 

How Cornerstone’s Classrooms 

Adapted During a Pandemic 

29 

ANNUAL REPORT 

Cornerstone University and 

Grand Rapids Theological 

Seminary Financial Reports. 

32 

THANKS TO OUR DONORS! 

Cornerstone University and 

GRTS are thankful for hundreds 

of friends who financially 

contribute to the school. 

ON THE COVER 

MAGAZINE & ANNUAL REPORT STAFF 

ON THE COVER: 

Pastor Artie Lindsay (Th.M. ’04) joins 

Cornerstone University as campus 

pastor. Learn more about his role with 

traditional undergraduate students 

on page 6. 

RYAN PRINS PHOTOGRAPHY © 2020 

BOB SACK 

Vice President for University Advancement 

LAYNE FULLER 

Director of Marketing 

JORDAN GROOTERS 

(B.S. ’17; M.B.A. ’19) 

Communications Manager 

KRISTINA GARVELINK (M.S. ’15) 

Website Manager and Content Coordinator 

AUDREY WIERENGA (B.A. ’18) 

Writer 

CAROLINE CAHOON (B.A. ’03) 

Art Director 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

Sarah Asprec (B.A. ’20) 

Elizabeth Kadwell 

Russ Klime Tiberius Images 

Ryan Prins Photography 

Stephen Norregaard 

Randy Riksen 

Andy Visockis 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Elizabeth Boock (B.A. ’21) 

Simone Dekryger (B.A. ’22) 

Shallom Kimanzi (B.A. ‘22) 

Ellie Walburg (B.A. ’17, M.B.A. ’20) 

PHOTOGRAPHY DISCLAIMER 

Adherence to university COVID-19 guidelines 

was maintained for all photography captured 

during 2020. In instances where the subject 

in a photograph is not wearing a mask, all 

others present during the photoshoot wore 

masks and maintained a minimum 6 feet 

of distance at all times. Some photographs 

captured prior to 2020 may appear in this 

publication featuring people not adhering to 

university COVID-19 guidelines. Each image 

includes a photo credit that indicates the year 

in which the image was captured. 

The Cornerstone University Magazine & 

Annual Report is a produced annually by 

the Marketing & Communications Office 

at Cornerstone University. Permission to 

quote short portions of this publication is 

granted as long as content is preserved and 

proper credit is given to the Cornerstone 

University Magazine. 

Cornerstone University does not discriminate 

of the basis of race, national origin, sex, age 

or disability in its policies and programs. 

CONTACT US 

cornerstone.edu 

616.949.5300 

Cornerstone University 

1001 E Beltline Ave NE 

Grand Rapids, MI 49525 

©2020 Cornerstone University 

All rights reserved.

LETTER FROM 

THE PRESIDENT 

As you can imagine, COVID-19 has caused 

major disruptions to campus life at CU. 

Thankfully, there is a truth that strengthens 

our resolve to move through this upheaval 

with courage and confidence. The truth is that 

God often uses disruptions to accomplish His 

plans and offer something better to His people. 

Think of Abraham who was uprooted from Ur 

of the Chaldeans, David who was chased by 

Saul for his life and Mary whose marriage and 

family plans were dramatically disrupted by an 

angelic announcement. Of course, we all know 

the glorious end of those stories. And while in 

the interim there was anxiety and unresolved 

questions, our God, who works everything for 

good, came through and turned their disruptions 

into good and the public display of His glory! 

So it is with confidence in our God that we 

move forward with resolute courage. From 

the beginning, we have navigated these times 

with three guiding priorities: 1) the safety of our 

students, faculty and staff; 2) the continuing 

guarantee of educational excellence and the 

academic success of our students; and 3) the 

sustainability of our mission to graduate students 

who will distinguish themselves in their careers 

and be empowered to influence their cultures 

for Christ and His kingdom. God has blessed 

our efforts as enrollment has remained the same 

as in other years. Due to the amazing work of 

our dedicated faculty and staff, our educational 

models were adjusted with the benefit of cuttingedge 

technology to continue our longstanding 

commitment to make Christian higher education 

accessible. And, a special hats off to our 

passionate students who are back on campus 

and in good spirits, cooperating with the protocols 

that make college quite different yet safe. 

In spite of the impact of COVID-19, there are 

many signs of our ongoing progress. In addition 

to new lounges in our dorms, a total refurbishing 

of Daverman Hall and a major updating of our 

auxiliary gym, this magazine issue covers: 

+ How our student body and campus community 

adapted quickly to the changes brought about 

by COVID-19. 

+ How our campus community is engaging with 

various aspects of approaching social and 

political topics through the lens of biblical 

principles and Kingdom thinking. 

+ The grand opening of our brand new WCSG 

building, where our radio station can continue 

to thrive and grow. 

+ The execution of Thriving Congregations 

through the GRTS and Urban Church 

Leadership Center (UCLC) and how their 

research and resources are helping urban 

churches throughout West Michigan. 

In the midst of our chaotic world, we are blessed to 

report that Cornerstone continues to thrive as we 

equip our students for great outcomes in their lives 

and fruitfulness in their service to Christ—which is 

why I love serving here! 

For His glory, 

Dr. Joe Stowell 

President, Cornerstone University 

PICTURED ABOVE: Dr. Stowell chats with Cornerstone’s 

Kingdom Scholars, who are impactful student leaders 

on campus. 


04 

CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE 

FALL 2020

CAMPUS 

NEWS 

NEW BIBLICAL STUDIES PROGRAM FOR 

PROFESSIONAL & GRADUATE STUDIES 

Every person has their own calling, and 

Cornerstone strives to provide resources to aid 

in following this call. That is why the Professional 

& Graduate Studies has announced a new A.S. 

in Biblical Studies program for working adults. 

The foundational program allows students to 

dive deeper into the Bible while encouraging 

personal development, leadership and biblical 

interpretation. The program meets students 

where they are, preparing them with an essential 

foundational knowledge of the Bible that inspires 

leadership in all aspects of life. 

WELCOMING NEW FACULTY MEMBERS 

AT CORNERSTONE 

Cornerstone hired five new faculty members 

for the 2020-21 academic year in its traditional 

undergraduate program and at Grand Rapids 

Theological Seminary. Four assistant professors 

joined the traditional undergraduate program, 

each with their own unique experience. 

Professor Becky Doane joins Cornerstone as 

assistant professor of social work and director 

of field education. Doane graduated from 

Grand Valley State University with a Master of 

Social Work. With many years of experience in 

clinical practice, her expertise in social science 

classrooms offers insights far beyond what can be 

gained from a textbook. 

Dr. Eunice Hong comes to Cornerstone to assume 

the role of assistant professor of intercultural 

studies. Having graduated from Biola University 

with her doctorate, Hong brings a history of 

teaching in intercultural studies and experience 

in the field, including serving as a pastor at an 

immigrant Korean church. 

Cornerstone also welcomes Professor Cameron 

Lewis (B.A. ‘13), assistant professor of film 

production, a Cornerstone alumnus with a degree 

in video production. Lewis is completing a Master 

of Fine Arts in Digital Cinema Production from 

National University. He has experience in writing 

and cinematography, including the feature film, 

“When Icarus Fell.” He is known around campus 

as the former director of CAMS and is now 

joining the faculty of the Communication, Media 

& Music Division. 

Continued on page 6 

PICTURED ABOVE: Traditional undergraduate students begin the academic year with worship on the baseball field in August. 



FALL 2020 05

To oversee the growing nursing program, 

Cornerstone hired Dr. Maria McCormick as 

director of nursing. Having graduated from Grand 

Valley State University with her Ph.D. in Nursing 

Practice and many years spent in different areas 

of nursing, McCormick brings rich knowledge and 

expertise to her position. 

Joining the Grand Rapids Theological seminary 

is Dr. West Loveland, assistant professor of 

counseling. In 2019, Loveland graduated with a 

Ph.D. in Counseling Education from the University 

of Arkansas. This academic year, Loveland will 

teach exclusively online classes. 

was created to better fit student schedules 

and provide training musicians for future 

worship leaders. 

One revision came to the B.A. in Music: Worship 

Arts. Students now have the opportunity to select 

a minor that fits their area of intended Christian 

service. Another came in the form of an addition 

of a new course: Cross-Cultural Worship. This will 

focus on training students to be worship leaders 

while overcoming cultural barriers. The B.A. of 

Commercial Music also saw a change meant to 

better prepare students for the field of music when 

they graduate by combining skills in technology, 

audio production and marketing skills. 

PICTURED LEFT: Students Benjamin Bailey (B.S. ’21) and 

Alyssa Kaiser (B.S. ’21) lead worship during the Arrival Day 

dedication service on August 18. 


NEW AND REVISED UNDERGRADUATE 

MUSIC DEGREES 

For the 2020-21 academic year, Cornerstone 

University debuted new and revised traditional 

undergraduate music degree programs. This 

academic year launched a new Bachelor of Arts 

degree in music production. Combining focus on 

sound mixing, production, music theory and more, 

the program is meant to expand student vocational 

opportunities upon graduating. 

A new worship arts minor was also added to 

provide flexibility for students wanting to include 

more musical studies with their majors. The minor 

LINDSAY HIRED AS THE 

NEW CAMPUS PASTOR 

Pastor Artie Lindsay (Th.M. ’04), who currently 

serves as pastor and founder of Tabernacle 

Community Church in Grand Rapids, was hired 

as campus pastor at Cornerstone University. 

He will oversee campus ministry, mentor students 

and teach select undergraduate courses. Pastor 

Artie will also serve in coordination with Student 

Development to enhance spiritual flourishment 

within the campus community as well as serve 

on the president’s cabinet and advise the 

school president on matters of equity, inclusion 

and diversity. 

“Artie’s giftedness, passion for Christ and love 

for people will be contagious! The spiritual 

flourishing of our students and community as 

a whole is a high priority,” said Dr. Joe Stowell, 

president of Cornerstone. 

Lindsay said he is most excited to join in the 

work of the Holy Spirit that is currently ongoing 

on campus and help continue to build a strong 

foundation while deepening the campus’ love for 

God and for our neighbors. 

06 



WCSG OPENS DOORS TO NEW 

BROADCAST CENTER 

In September 2020, WCSG unveiled its brand new 

broadcast center on the corner of E. Beltline Ave. and 

Bradford St. The project broke ground in September 2019, 

including an entire building renovation for the listenerbacked 

radio station. The $4.7 million project included 

new radio equipment, plumbing, electrical wiring, HVAC, 

furniture and exterior upgrade. 

The innovative new space is a testament to the dedication 

of WCSG and Cornerstone University to its mission and 

community. Originally a student-led radio station in the 

1970s, WCSG has grown to cover the entire West Michigan 

community with signals in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, 

Battle Creek and Benton Harbor. WCSG reaches over 

200,000 listeners each week and is consistently rated 

in the top three of all radio stations in West Michigan. 

PICTURED: (Top) The new WCSG studio, 

where on-air hosts broadcast live. (Middle & 

Bottom) WCSG Offices are open M-F, 9 a.m.- 

4 p.m. To inquire about a tour, visit wcsg.org/faqs. 

RUSS KLIME TIBERIUS IMAGES © 2020 



NEW M.A. THEOLOGICAL STUDIES 

PROGRAM LAUNCHED AT GRTS 

The new Master of Arts in Theological Studies is 

a 48-credit hour program designed to develop a 

student’s historical and theological competency. 

Students learn how the church has developed 

theologically throughout history, examine the 

contribution of key theologians and dig into 

primary source documents. 

The class can be taken either on-site or online 

with the flexibility of accessing course material 

anytime without sacrificing educational quality. 

As a result of this program, students will be better 

equipped to support and articulate personal 

beliefs with a firm theological foundation grounded 

in both Scripture and history. They will be able 

to strengthen their preaching and teaching, 

understand the development of the church’s 

theology and articulate their beliefs. 

To learn more, visit cornerstone.edu/ 

theological-studies to request information. 

academic success, athletic achievement and 

good character. Each student is awarded a $1,000 

scholarship. 

LaCroix is the first female Golden Eagle in the 

university’s history to receive this honor, while 

Costen joins alum Kyle Steigenga (B.A. ’19) as 

the second male athlete in Golden Eagle history to 

earn the scholarship. 

TOM HEETDERKS AND CONNIE SATTLER 

JOIN PGS 

Cornerstone University’s Professional & 

Graduate Studies is delighted to welcome Dr. 

Tom Heetderks, dean of business, and Connie 

Sattler, assistant dean for Professional & 

Graduate Studies, as full-time faculty members 

and administrators. Both Heetderks and Sattler 

have served the Cornerstone community for years, 

specifically as adjunct faculty, and have expressed 

excitement to step into greater leadership in their 

new roles. 

Heetderks previously worked with corporations 

such as IBM/Kenexa and YUM brands. He desires 

to steward conversations in class, using relevant 

information and insight he learned from his many 

years in the corporate world. 

Sattler looks forward to serving as a voice for 

students through the development of impactful 

and comprehensive course work. 

RILEY COSTEN 

ANDY VISOCKIS © 2018 

PHOEBE LACROIX 

RANDY RIKSEN © 2020 

TWO GOLDEN EAGLES ATHLETES 

HONORED BY NAIA 

The National Association for Intercollegiate 

Athletics (NAIA) announced that senior women’s 

soccer player Phoebe LaCroix (B.S. ’21) 

was named the winner of the 2020 A.O. Duer 

Scholarship Award while senior men’s basketball 

athlete Riley Costen (B.S. ’21) was announced 

the winner of the prestigious Emil S. Liston 

Award Scholarship. 

Both the award and scholarship honor students 

who have completed their junior year with high 

VIRTUAL TALKING POINTS SERIES 

Originally slated for March of this year, GRTS’ 

spring Talking Points conference went virtual this 

August. The conference focused on resilience, 

soul care and how to avoid burnout. It asks the 

question: What does resilience in ministry look 

like by way of the cross? The lineup of topics 

and speakers included presentations by Sean 

Nemecek of PIR Ministries and Dr. Matt Bloom of 

Notre Dame University. 

The content is available for free and accessible 

to the general public. Talking Points will continue 

to share content through November and all 

previously published content can be accessed at 

cornerstone.edu/well-being. 

08 



FOUR FACULTY RETIRE AT THE END 

OF THE 2019-20 ACADEMIC YEAR 

This past academic year, four beloved and respected faculty members retired from their long 

held positions. Faculty retirees include Dr. Tim Detwiler (41 years), Dr. Brenda King (44 

years), Kathleen Sindorf (15 years) and Professor Andy Smith (35 years). King will continue 

to serve the Cornerstone community in another position. 

Detwiler, professor of communication for both the traditional undergraduate Business 

Division and Professional & Graduate Studies, shared his expertise on mass media literacy 

and strategy in the classroom and also served as a peer mentor/evaluator for the Higher 

Learning Commission. 

King, professor of sociology, served as the chair of the Social Sciences Division and has 

stepped into a new role as the assistant to the president for diversity and inclusion. 

Sindorf, associate professor of communication arts, made significant contributions to the 

Cornerstone community, specifically in the Communication, Media & Music Division. Her most 

recent contribution was spearheading the creation of the broadcast communication program. 

Smith, associate professor of New Testament, was known by many students as one of the 

primary professors for the New Testament class, as well as serving as the play-by-play 

announcer for Cornerstone’s men’s basketball team. 

DR. TIMOTHY DETWILER 

DR. BRENDA KING 

KATHLEEN SINDORF 

ANDY SMITH, M.DIV. 



FACULTY NEWS 

AND SCHOLARSHIP 

PUBLICATIONS 

Cynthia Beach (B.A. ’86), professor of English 

and creative writing, was celebrated for her 

25 years of CU service and awarded full 

professorship. Her 2019-20 publications included 

her writing book, “Creative Juices” (2019), and a 

novel, “The Surface of Water” (2020). She also 

spoke multiple times at Baker Book House and 

Breathe Christian Writers Conference and taught 

a summer course titled Stir Your Writing Juices for 

Cornerstone’s Welch Heritage Institute for Lifelong 

Learning. Her flash nonfiction titled Remarriage 

Defined appeared in the Exhale Literary Journal. 

Dr. Wendy Bilgen, adjunct professor for 

Cornerstone’s Professional & Graduate Studies, 

co-authored Autoethnography in Leadership 

Studies: Past, Present and Future, a featured 

article for the inaugural edition of Journal 

of Autoethnography, which highlighted the 

uses of self-reflection and self-reflexivity in 

autoethnography and how it pertains to 

leadership studies. 

Dr. Jim Blumenstock (M.Div. ’99), dean of 

Asia Biblical Theological Seminary, published 

“Strangers in a Familiar Land,” a book focused on 

the experience of Thai people who have converted 

to Christianity and how they interact with a largely 

Buddhist culture. The book is a publication of 

his doctoral thesis, which was submitted to the 

Australian College of Theology in 2017. 

Dr. Matt Bonzo, professor of philosophy, 

contributed a chapter titled Setting Another Place 

at the Table to “A Sort of Homecoming: Essays 

Honoring the Academic and Community Work of 

Brian Walsh.” 

Dr. Justin Burdine, assistant professor of biology, 

participated in the Regional Discussion Fellowship 

with the Creation Project led by Dr. John Hilber at 

Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. In addition, 

he co-authored research presentations on the 

effects of urban warming on bees in 2019. 

Dr. Nigel Crompton, professor of biology, 

published his work on Birds-of-Paradise as a 

special paper. 

Dr. Sergio da Silva, professor of psychology, 

published Accurately Identifying Patients Likely 

to Remain Disabled After Functionally-Based 

Interventions in the Journal of Pain Management. 

Adam Davidson, adjunct professor for 


published Make Disciples, Not Evacuees 

in Light and Life Magazine in March 2020. 

Davidson’s article urged American churches 

to foster community and fellowship among 

all people groups by developing discipleship 

among believers. Davidson is the lead pastor of 

Renovation Church in Kalamazoo, Mich. 

Dr. Robert Freeborough, adjunct professor 

for CU’s Professional & Graduate Studies, 

published Exploring the Effect of Transformational 

Leadership on Nonprofit Leader Commitment in 

the journal Servant Leadership: Theory & Practice. 

Freeborough’s research focused on nonprofit 

employees and how transformational leadership 

is linked to one of the three components of 

organizational commitment. 

Dr. Tom Heetderks, dean of business for 


published “Work Worth Doing: Finding God’s 

Direction and Purpose in Your Career” with 

Harvest House Publishing in April 2020. 

10 



Dr. John W. Hilber, professor of Old Testament 

at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, 

published “Old Testament Cosmology and Divine 

Accommodation: A Relevance Theory Approach” 

with Cascade Books. 

Dr. Jonathan Marko, associate professor of 

philosophical and systematic theology, had three 

chapter-length entries published in Springer’s 

“Encyclopedia of Early Modern Philosophy and 

the Sciences.” He was also a scholar-referee 

for presentation proposals in church history for 

the 2020 National Meeting of the Evangelical 

Theological Society. 

Dr. Graham McKeague (M.A. ’11), dean of human 

services and associate professor of educational 

leadership for Cornerstone’s Professional & 

Graduate Studies, and Ashley VanBemmelen 

(B.A. ’09), adjunct professor of counseling, 

co-authored a chapter titled Meaning, Messaging, 

and Money: Navigating the Challenges and 

Opportunities for Seminary Enrollment which 

was published in “Transforming Service: 

Reflections of Student Services Professionals 

in Theological Education” in May 2020. 

Dr. Shawn Newhouse, senior vice president of 

traditional undergraduate academics, co-authored 

an article titled Some Attitudinal Predictors of Fair- 

Trade Buying Behavior in the United States which 

was published in the Journal of Business and 

Retail Management Research in April 2020. 

Dr. Michael Pasquale, professor of linguistics and 

Humanities Division chair, published Sicilian and 

Italian Language Usage by Italian-Americans in 

Ameri-Sicula: Sicilian Culture in America (Legas 

Publishing, 2020). He also was the co-editor for 

the 2020 volume of the International Journal of 

Christianity and English Language Teaching. 

Kristin Rich, assistant professor of education, 

published an article titled Trust and Feedback 

in a Student Teaching Support System in the 

International Christian Community of Teacher 

Educators Journal in October 2020. 

Dr. David Seal (M.T.S. ’04), adjunct professor 

for Cornerstone’s Professional & Graduate 

Studies, co-authored “Performing Scripture” in 

January 2019. His book is designed to introduce 

students to the oral nature of the Bible and the 

performative nature of its storytelling and how 

its oral history translates to modern audiences 

and congregations. He also published articles in 

Calvin Theological Journal, Scriptura and Studies 

in Religion. 

DR. DESMOND IKEGWUONU 

CONTRIBUTES TO RESEARCH 

ON COVID-19 IN AFRICA 

Dr. Desmond Ikegwuonu, assistant professor of 

music and director of worship arts, contributed 

to the No Shame Podcast hosted by awardwinning 

film director and producer John Grooters. 

He also contributed to a report titled Future of 

Work in Post COVID-19 Africa which is based on 

A Summary of the African Development Forum 

Report by the World Bank Group and was a panel 

judge for the Innovators Award Competition 

hosted by The CoBuilders Academy Collective 

Intelligence. 



Dr. Jason Stevens, associate professor of English, 

contributed a book chapter titled The Drama of 

Vocation to “Dwelling in Possibility: Vocation 

and Literary Studies.” He also published two blog 

posts titled Vocation in the Time of Coronavirus: 

Reflections from C.S. Lewis’ “Learning in Wartime” 

and Hope, History, and the Redress of Vocation on 

the Vocation Matters blog; presented a NetVUE 

webinar titled “Courageous Texts, Courageous 

Teaching”; and taught a course titled Irish History 

and Literature of the 19th and 20th Centuries for 

Cornerstone’s Welch Heritage Institute for Lifelong 

Learning. 

Dr. Michael Wittmer (M.Div. ’94, Th.M. ’95), 

professor of systematic and historical theology at 

GRTS, wrote “The Bible Explainer,” an illustrated 

book that answers with wit and humor the many 

questions that people ask about the Bible. He also 

published “Anticipating Heaven,” part of the Our 

Daily Bread Guides to Everyday Life series. In this 

publication, Wittmer sought to answer common 

questions about life after death. 

PRESENTATIONS 

Dr. Nola Carew, associate professor of social 

work and the new Social Science Division chair, 

presented “Adverse Childhood Experiences and 

the Role of the Faith Community” workshop at the 

2019 North American Association of Christians in 

Social Work National Conference. 

DR. NICOLE MCDONALD 

CONSULTS ON K-12 RETURN TO 

LEARN PLANS 

Dr. Nicole McDonald, professor of psychology, 

consulted with West Michigan K-12 schools on 

Return to Learn plans for Fall 2020 and supported 

student and teacher mental health during the 

COVID-19 pandemic. She also conducted video 

training sessions for GEMS International on 

self-harm in adolescent girls and strategies for 

combating anxiety in adolescents. In addition, she 

presented at the 2019 Lily Conference on Teaching 

and Learning and 2019 Annual Convention of the 

Christian Educators Association. 

PHOTO BY ELIZABETH KADWELL 

Kayla Cordell, assistant professor of music 

and director of music programs, presented at 

Michigan State University’s New Directions in 

Music Education Conference and served as the 

first female guest conductor of the 62nd Annual 

Tri-County Honor Band in February 2020. 

Jeff Degner, assistant professor of economics, 

presented at the Conference on Austrian 

Economics in Paris, France, in December 2019. He 

also taught a course titled Health Care 

for All?: The Economics and Politics of Health 

Care for Cornerstone’s Welch Heritage Institute 

for Lifelong Learning. 

Dr. Leticia I Espinoza, assistant professor of 

Spanish, taught a course titled U.S. Latinos: 

History and Literature for Cornerstone’s Welch 

Heritage Institute for Lifelong Learning. 

Victoria Fleenor, assistant professor of business, 

and Professor Christopher Kellner, assistant 

professor of finance, co-presented “Listening 

to Students: Integrating Computer Information 

Systems into Finance Curriculum” at the 

Lilly Conference in October 2019. In addition, 

Professor Fleenor presented “Artificial Intelligence 

12 



Patents and Income Disparity: A Multinational 

Examination” at the Michigan Academy of Science, 

Arts and Letters Conference in September 2020. 

Dr. Rachel Hammond (B.A. ’99), associate 

professor of business and Business Division chair, 

participated in the Ron Blue Center Director Panel 

Discussion at the Kingdom Advisors Conference 

in Orlando, Fla., and presented “Professionalism in 

the Workplace” for the Acton Institute. 

Dr. Rob Keys (B.A. ’84), professor of science, 

presented “Phenomena! Does One Size Fit All?” 

at the 67th Annual Michigan Science Teachers 

Association Conference in March 2020. 

Sodam Lee, assistant professor of graphic design, 

was the MAC visual artist panelist evaluator for the 

visual fellowship grants and artists roster. 

Dr. James Sackett, assistant professor of 

kinesiology, co-authored four poster presentations 

at the American College of Sports Medicine 

virtual conference in June 2020. In addition, he 

was the lead author on a paper titled Hemostatic 

Adaptations to High Intensity Interval Training 

in Healthy Adult Men, a paper published in the 

International Journal of Sports Medicine, and coauthored 

a paper titled Attenuated Cardiovascular 

Responses to the Cold Pressor Test in Concussed 

Athletes, a paper published in the Journal of 

Athletic Training. 

Dr. Michael Stevens, professor of English, taught 

a two-part course titled The History of Baseball 

for Cornerstone’s Welch Heritage Institute for 

Lifelong Learning. 

GRANT-FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS 

Awarded a grant of $18,000 from the Calvin 

Institute of Christian Worship, Dr. Martin Spence, 

professor of history, researched the history of 

nationalism in evangelical worship practices 

during 2019-20. His grant responsibilities included 

presenting a paper at the Ecclesiastical History 

Society in Durham, England (July 2019); convening 

a panel at the American Society of Church History 

in New York City (January 2020); organizing a 

reading group on the theme of Christianity and 

nationalism at Calvary Church; and hosting a 

series of conversations with historians, theologians 

and other scholars. 

Dr. Michael Van Dyke, professor of English, 

received a $1,000 Racial Equity & Interfaith 

Cooperation Award from Interfaith Youth Core. The 

award will support the development of the course 

Contemporary Literature, which will be modified 

to encourage discerning discourse on campus 

regarding racial justice. 

FELLOWSHIPS AND APPOINTMENTS 

Dr. Laurie Burgess, associate professor of 

education and Teacher Education Division chair, 

was elected as chair of Deans and Representatives 

of Teacher Education Programs (DARTEP) for 

the state of Michigan and chosen as a fellow for 

Impact Academy through Deans for Impact. 

ACADEMIC DEGREES 

Dr. Beth Vander Kolk, assistant professor of 

teacher education, completed her dissertation 

defense. Her dissertation was titled “Preparing 

Preservice Teachers to Teach Reading 

Comprehension to Elementary Students from 

Culturally Diverse Backgrounds.” She received 

her Ed.D. in Mind, Brain, and Teaching from Johns 

Hopkins University in May 2020. 

Dr. Christopher Kuiper (M.S. ’05, M.B.A. 

’15), adjunct professor for CU’s Professional 

& Graduate Studies, received his Doctorate 

of Business Administration in Leadership, 

Organizational Change, Agile DevOps 

Transformation and Quantitative Research from 

Liberty University in 2019. 

Find more information about faculty 

research and scholarship at cornerstone.edu/ 

faculty-writings. 



LISTEN, 

LEARN, LOVE: 

THE IMPORTANCE OF 

HONEST CONVERSATIONS 

IN A KINGDOM 

COMMUNITY 

VERSE OF 

THE YEAR 

“A new command I 

give you: Love one 

another. As I have loved 

you, so you must love 

one another. By this 

everyone will know that 

you are my disciples, if 

you love one another. 

JOHN 13:34-35 

During a chapel message on Sept. 18, new traditional 

undergraduate campus pastor Artie Lindsay Sr. (Th.M. 

’04) stood in front of a COVID-restricted gathering 

of students in Christ Chapel. With the students all 

wearing masks and distant from one another, Pastor 

Artie understood the complex stress the students 

were under beyond their schoolwork—that of a global 

pandemic plus broader social justice and political 

divisions occurring across the country. His message, his 

reminder, his charge to everyone present was simple: 

Put on love. 

“The overarching concern of the Gospel is the call to 

love,” said Pastor Artie, citing Cornerstone University’s 

verse of the year, John 13:34-35. 

These days, this is not the sort of teaching that the 

world at large seems to be following. 2020 has brought 

its share of hardship—isolation, anxiety, unrest and 

division—which has the ability to bring out the worst 

in people. 

14 



Pastor Artie’s call to love on that September morning 

was a challenge for the CU community to flip the 

narrative—to be more like Christ and less like the 

world. This radical way of living—one in which we 

intentionally decide to listen, learn and love—is 

exemplified in the Cornerstone community by faculty, 

staff and students alike. 

To further discuss that call, five voices from across 

Cornerstone’s campuses provided insight regarding 

how the community is engaging in political and social 

conversations on campus. Participants included: 

+ Dr. Joe Stowell, president of Cornerstone. 

+ Stephane Keo (B.S. ’21), student body president 

for traditional undergraduate academics. 

+ Daishaun Hardnett (B.A. ’22), student body vice 

president for traditional undergraduate academics. 

+ Jo Anna Kelly (M.A. ’19), director of admissions for 

Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. 

+ Connie Sattler (M.S. ’13, M.B.A. ’16), assistant 

dean of CU’s Professional & Graduate Studies. 

WHAT SCRIPTURE DO YOU TYPICALLY TURN 

TO FOR INSIGHT ON SOCIAL JUSTICE? 

JS: The Old Testament is full of messages on justice. 

I look especially at Isaiah 58. Israel is keeping all the 

rules. They are fasting, making sacrifices. And God 

says, “Is it not the kind of fasting I have chosen to 

loose the chains of injustice?” I also look to the life of 

Christ. He spent His entire ministry reaching out to the 

marginalized. His love embraced all of the despised and 

marginalized people. 

DH: I recently read through the book of Isaiah and 

considered how it talks about justice, restoration, 

reconciliation and judgment. A lot of the issues back 

then don’t exactly reflect the modern world, but the 

foundation is the same. I also go back to James 1:19: 

”Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and 

slow to become angry.” 

NO MATTER WHAT OUR SOCIAL OR POLITICAL 

VIEWS, HOW CAN WE BE CHRIST-LIKE WHEN 

WE ENGAGE IN THESE CONVERSATIONS AND 

THINK CRITICALLY ABOUT THESE ISSUES? 

CS: Scripture tells us that “Everyone who calls on 

the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). 

He does not exclude Jew or Gentile. If the Jews and 

Gentiles could love and serve one another, even though 

they looked and spoke differently and had different 

upbringings, then so can we. God’s mandate is for us to 

learn to get along. It’s non-negotiable. 

JS: It comes back to identity. Our primary identity is a 

citizen of the kingdom of heaven. I have a King who is 

ultimately victorious, so despair is not in my vocabulary. 

That way of identifying ourselves and where we belong 

lifts us above the divisiveness, making everything 

secondary. 

PICTURED: (Left) Pastor Artie Lindsay, campus pastor; 

(Above) Connie Sattler, assistant dean for PGS. 


DH: When we engage in these conversations, we have 

to take time for self-reflection. We’re humans. We have 

our biases and our prejudices, the way we grew up 

and why we view things in such a way. Oftentimes, we 

feel like since this is the way that we grew up, this is 

the only way. It’s important to be mindful and aware, to 

check yourself when you become defensive. We need 

to consider who’s been oppressed, who’s under certain 

circumstances that are oppressive, and how can we put 

ourselves in those shoes? That’s literally what Jesus did. 

Jesus put himself in our shoes. 


FALL 2020 

15

WHAT SORT OF SOCIAL ISSUES ARE 

DISCUSSED MOST OFTEN ON CAMPUS? 

JS: We often discuss how to respond and minister to 

marginalized people groups. We are working toward 

understanding and reaching out to empower them. This 

has been the main area of focus in this season. 

SK: In chapel, we have discussed multicultural worship 

and problems with systemic racism. A lot of students 

have done research throughout the summer about this 

issue. 

JK: I honestly wish more social issues were discussed 

on campus. Unfortunately, I often see many people 

shy away from social issues as they’re often seen as 

impolite or divisive. In GRTS Admissions, we typically 

discuss what we’re seeing in the news on a weekly 

basis. We discuss local and federal government, 

elections, race, gender and LGBTQ+ issues, all from 

a biblical perspective. They’re discussed openly with 

charity for everyone’s differing opinions. Our office 

makes a concerted effort to create safety for healthy 

conversations, disagreements and the elevation of 

marginalized voices. 

WHY IS HEALTHY DEBATE IMPORTANT ON A 

COLLEGE CAMPUS? 

DH: It’s one of the more important things that we 

can take away from our college experience. It can 

prepare us for having conversations with unbelievers 

in our future workplaces. There are lots of different 

perspectives on campus. If you can learn to engage in 

healthy conversations here, it may help you in ways you 

may not even know yet. 

SK: I think we use CU as a shelter sometimes, but it’s 

important to dive into these conversations in college. 

Our community is very gracious and understanding; 

we can hear someone else’s opinion and not be hostile 

about it. College is a good practice field where we 

can make mistakes because we are surrounded by 

believers. 

JK: We’re a higher learning institution. It’s important 

to model for our students the ability to grapple with 

new ideas and confront biases. Learning to dissect 

ideas while also treating others with dignity is yet 

another crucial skill to learn, no matter your stage of 

life. Debates are not opportunities for hostility but are 

opportunities for us to learn together. 

HOW DO WE EMBRACE OTHER PEOPLE’S 

PERSPECTIVES WITHOUT BECOMING 

DEFENSIVE? 

DH: When I think of “defensive”, I think of someone 

feeling like they’re being attacked. The best thing to do 

when a conversation turns is to not just end it and go 

separate ways. I think it’s good to pause and pinpoint 

what made you go off. What made someone heated? 

What did they say or do that ticked me off that went 

against what I believe or how I was raised? It’s usually 

something personal that gets people ticked off. Getting 

to that “why” is important. 

Our community is very 

gracious and understanding; 

we can hear someone else’s 

opinion and not be hostile 

about it. 

— STEPHANE KEO (B.S. ’21) 

Traditional Undergraduate Student Body President 

Pictured right. 

SARAH ASPREC © 2019 

16 



JS: This is a tough hurdle. Part of being in a college 

environment is learning this skill. We all hold our 

perspectives so dearly. We learn when we listen 

to others without being defensive. As we drop our 

defenses to be listeners—we should listen more than 

we speak—we realize that maybe our point of view 

needs to be revised. The truth is we are all highly 

defensive people. And we all hold our points of view 

very dearly, but we have to be willing to put those aside 

in order to relate to one another. 

JK: It comes down to taking the posture of a learner 

at all times. But more than this, I think it’s important 

to listen to what our defensiveness is telling us. If I’m 

feeling angry and defensive, that is typically telling 

me something important about myself, not others. In 

counseling, we talk about anger being a secondary 

emotion. Has something in the conversation activated 

shame, embarrassment or fear, for example? 

HOW DO WE ENCOURAGE CIVIL 

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT POLITICAL AND 

SOCIAL ISSUES ON CAMPUS? 

CS: It’s important to be intentional about creating safe 

spaces on campus to discuss these issues. At CU’s 

Professional & Graduate Studies, we infuse community 

members who are in positions to speak on these topics 

and invite personal discussions. If we are prepared, 

have experienced facilitators present and protect 

the unity of being one in Christ, we will be able to 

effectively engage and involve students. 

JK: I think we encourage conversations about 

important social issues by first recognizing that 

these are not intellectual or philosophical thought 

exercises. In an academic environment like the 

seminary, it’s important to remember that these are 

not just opportunities for critical engagement or selfimprovement. 

Political and social issues affect our 

community in life-altering ways. We have co-workers, 

members of our church and loved ones who are 

personally affected by “political issues.” The body of 

Christ needs to recognize that we are all affected by the 

brokenness of the world. 

OUR CALL TO LISTEN, 

LEARN AND LOVE 

Political division is not a new issue, and 

neither is racial injustice. But as Christians, 

we must embrace this opportunity to flip the 

narrative. What do these conversations and 

debates look like in Christian circles? How 

can these conversations promote lasting 

relationships and lasting change? We must 

listen, learn and love: 

+ LISTEN. Listen to the Word of God and other 

trustworthy, biblical voices. It’s important, 

as Sattler said, to listen to those who are 

knowledgeable on the topic of justice. Then 

also listen to yourself. As Hardnett said, we 

become defensive when we feel someone 

has offended us. It’s important to understand 

why people, including yourself, can become 

defensive when discussing divisive topics. 

+ LEARN. Dr. Stowell turns to Isaiah 58 for 

guidance on social justice issues. Justice is 

the Lord’s. Make time to learn what the Bible 

tells us about navigating these issues. What 

Scripture do you or should you consult when 

confronted with these issues? 

+ LOVE. As Sattler wisely said, God commands 

us to live in unity with one another. Though it 

can be difficult in some circumstances, it is 

important to respond first with love. 

At Cornerstone, we are determined to be 

brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ first and 

citizens of the world second. By doing so, we 

bring the kingdom of God to earth and bring 

light to the darkness. 



During this COVID-19 global pandemic, story 

after story recounts situations where the local 

church is responding to the crises that confront 

regions and areas. In Grand Rapids, churches 

across the metropolitan area are demonstrating 

Christ’s love by serving their congregations and 

neighbors in impactful ways. 

PROVIDING 

PASTORAL 

CARE: 

THE THRIVING 

CONGREGATIONS 

INITIATIVE IS MEETING 

LOCAL CHURCH NEEDS 

For urban churches in West Michigan, the 

trail of support and impactful ministry to their 

communities during the pandemic can be 

traced to critical work that has happened over 

the past few years. 

In 2017, a multi-denominational, city-wide 

research study on urban churches in the greater 

Grand Rapids area, titled The Greater Grand 

Rapids Study of Congregations, surveyed 

348 congregational leaders in Grand Rapids, 

Wyoming and Kentwood. The findings were 

clear—social and cultural trends have a heavy 

impact on the finances, functions and ministries 

of Black, Hispanic and Asian churches. Church 

is not just a place of worship but also a place of 

community—a community that is strong, despite 

often facing a lack of financial resources. The 

urban church is critical to the West Michigan 

community, and this research ultimately found 

opportunities for urban churches to leverage 

their strengths to do the work that God has 

called them to do. 

18 



COVID-19 has highlighted 

a lot of challenges in our 

community ... Urban church 

pastors are first responders 

in many ways. 

— JENNIFER GREER 

Adjunct Professor of Bible 



What followed was an initiative driven by both 

GRTS and the Urban Church Leadership Center 

(UCLC). UCLC, located on the GRTS campus, 

is a resource center equipped with professional 

development materials and a support network 

for urban church pastors and ministry leaders. In 

order to help urban churches thrive, GRTS and 

the UCLC developed a plan that would act as a 

catalyst for effective change. 

In 2019, GRTS and the UCLC plan received $1 

million in funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc. as 

part of Lilly’s nationwide Thriving Congregations 

Initiative (TCI). This substantial grant is poised to 

produce boundless opportunities for growth in 

the urban church community. 

Inspired by research, TCI has developed a fiveyear 

plan to assist urban churches in developing 

their ministries, engaging with their clergy and 

staff and exploring the connection between 

Christian practices and social and cultural 

contexts of their members. The first phase of 

this project has begun and consists of designing 

learning models for the first two-year cohort of 

20 Grand Rapids area urban churches. Key GRTS 

faculty contributors include Rev. Dr. Royce Evans, 

associate professor of pastoral ministry, associate 

dean of the Urban Cohort program and executive 

director of ministry residency; Dr. Kenneth Reid, 

assistant professor of systematic and historical 

theology; Dr. Kendra Jackson, assistant professor 

of counseling; and Professor Jennifer Greer, 

adjunct professor of Bible. 

The pandemic, which began in March 2020, 

could have easily derailed TCI’s original mission. 

But according to Greer, the project coordinator 

for TCI and adjunct professor of Bible at GRTS, 

it prompted her team with the opportunity to 

support urban churches in critical ways. TCI 

received permission from Lilly to pivot a portion 

of the grant toward the support of urban churches 

during the response to COVID-19. With these 

funds set aside for pandemic aid, the UCLC was 

able to uniquely support local congregations in 

areas like health and safety, online transition and 

financial aid. 

At the beginning of the pandemic, safety and 

resources were critical. The first step was creating 

a Kent County COVID-19 Church Task Force 

in partnership with the Kent County Health 

Department to keep urban churches and their 

members safe and informed in the midst of the 

crisis. The task force communicates regularly with 

Spectrum Health and Pine Rest for both physical 

and mental health needs. 

“COVID-19 has highlighted a lot of challenges 

in our community, like substance abuse, stress, 

depression and anxiety, particularly in our 

youth,” said Greer. “Urban church pastors are 

first responders in many ways. We are providing 

mental health training through the Mental 

Health Foundation to equip them to respond to 

these situations.” 

20 



As the pandemic progressed throughout April and 

May, many churches found themselves rapidly 

transitioning services to an online platform. 

To aid urban churches with this transition, TCI 

negotiated a contract with Faithlife Equip, an 

online church resource. This helped urban 

churches transition their services online, from 

livestreaming sermons and text giving to small 

group discipleship platforms. TCI has secured 

this resource for 100 urban churches in Grand 

Rapids. As a result, congregations have remained 

connected and informed. 

As the situation evolved throughout the spring 

and summer, TCI has remained in constant 

communication with these churches. Despite the 

difficulty of the pandemic, this pivot has further 

strengthened the relationship between the UCLC, 

GRTS and urban churches. Meanwhile, TCI is still 

moving forward with its planning process and is 

on schedule with its five-year plan. GRTS faculty 

will continue their research through cohorts of 

urban church clergy and members. 

“Lilly Endowment supports the Urban Church 

Leadership Center’s work serving churches 

in the Greater Grand Rapids community,” said 

Khary Bridgewater at the onset of the COVID-19 

pandemic. Bridgewater is the project leader for 

TCI and formerly worked for the Doug and Maria 

DeVos Foundation, which also supports TCI. “We 

are grateful that this grant will help us address the 

urgent needs of churches in this short-term crisis 

while building the long-term competencies that 

will empower churches for years to come.” 

TCI does not simply exist to provide financial 

resources to urban churches. Since its inception, 

TCI was designed to address both long- and 

short-term concerns in urban churches, as 

Bridgewater stated. TCI gives pastors of these 

churches avenues to expand their ministry, 

fortify congregations and develop new pathways 

forward that will ensure their growth. 

We are grateful that 

this grant will help 

us address the urgent 

needs of churches in 

this short-term crisis 

while building the longterm 

competencies that 

will empower churches 

for years to come. 

— KHARY BRIDGEWATER 

Project Leader for Thriving Congregations Initiative 

As the situation continues to evolve and some 

gathering restrictions are adjusted, urban 

churches and TCI are looking ahead to when 

congregations can meet safely together again. TCI 

will continue to act as a resource for pastors and 

church staff to receive support for their ministry. 

Right now, this may look like relief grants to help 

churches manage expenses. In the future, it will 

continue to provide other methods of support, 

such as Bible study resources and accountability. 

When churches thrive, communities thrive. And 

when communities thrive, cities thrive. In each 

of these churches are members and families 

who make an impact every day—an impact that 

should be supported and cultivated. The goal of 

TCI is not simply a one-time financial gift or a 

season of support. It is an ongoing partnership 

as urban churches navigate major cultural and 

sociological shifts. It is a partnership that will 

bless congregations and communities across 

the city. 



PHYSICALLY 

DISTANT, 

SOCIALLY 

CONNECTED: 

HOW CORNERSTONE’S 

CLASSROOMS ADAPTED 

DURING A PANDEMIC 


22 



In mid-March 2020, undergraduate students at 

Cornerstone University were asked to leave their 

residence halls with the hope that they would 

be able to return a few weeks later. However, as 

was the case for institutions across the nation, 

CU students completed the remainder of the 

semester remotely—away from their roommates, 

classmates and professors. Fast-forward to 

October 2020, as the campus, dorms and 

classrooms are once again joyously populated. It 

is clear to see that while that departure 

was sudden and sad, it was also an invitation—to 

collaboration, to discernment and to faith. 

What happened behind the scenes at 

Cornerstone was monumental—work to shift 

classes to a virtual platform 

could have taken months. 

Yet, it was accomplished in 

just one week. According to 

Student Online Support (SOS) 

leadership team members Dr. 

Jeremy Osborn, associate 

professor of communication, 

and Dr. Shawn Newhouse, 

senior vice president of 

traditional undergraduate 

academics, the strategy was 

simple: Stay student-focused 

and be consistent. 

“Our students’ worlds were turned upside down,” 

Osborn said. “They had enough uncertainty 

already. Being student-centric, we wanted them to 

learn the material and stay connected, but we had 

to flip things quickly.” 

In order to best serve students and faculty, 

Cornerstone found new ways to use the tools 

already available and known to students. In this 

way, faculty could focus on teaching instead 

of navigating new gadgets. For those class 

components that required new technology, 

such as transferring all course materials online, 

Newhouse and her team used a “train the trainer” 

model. This model had key faculty members 

trained on the new technology, and in turn, 

They don’t just 

say that they 

show love. They 

actually show it. 

— TANISHQ DANIEL (B.S. ’23) 

Data science engineering major 

Pictured left. 

they trained peers in their academic division. 

Collaboration and teamwork continued amongst 

faculty and staff, transforming a crisis into an 

opportunity to grow, learn and adapt. 

“With our quick departure in March, we didn’t 

know where students were going or if they’d be in 

different time zones,” Osborn said. So, in addition 

to being online, faculty shifted to an asynchronous 

model in which all course work was recorded or 

otherwise made available for students to access 

at their convenience. 

The fast transition and hard 

work of faculty and staff was 

not lost on students. 

“When the semester wrapped 

up, I read every single faculty 

survey and course evaluation 

with comments specific 

to the online experience,” 

Newhouse said. “By and large, 

the common theme was that 

CU students appreciated the 

attentiveness and the relational 

aspect of faculty.” 

Tanishq Daniel (B.S. ’23) was finishing his first 

year as a data science engineering major when 

students were told to move out of the residence 

halls. As an international student from India, 

Daniel could not return home due to travel 

restrictions. Yet, he was not left behind. Student 

Development provided apartment rooms on 

campus for international students, coordinated 

physically-distanced activities and sent care 

packages. 

“It was incredible how fast we all adapted to 

everything. I was afraid about what would happen 

to me, but CU took charge,” Daniel said. “They 

don’t just say that they show love. They actually 

show it.” 



23

As summer arrived, the work began of preparing for a number of different options for 

learning in the fall. Traditional undergraduate academics at Cornerstone are rooted in 

relational learning and the emotional and educational value that proximity brings. This 

was the inspiration and motivation the SOS team used to create a way for students to 

be back on campus this fall. 

“Students come to Cornerstone for the in-person, relational learning,” Newhouse said. 

“But we’ve also demonstrated that we can carry that into a virtual space while our 

students want to be here. Learning can happen in a variety of different ways. But no 

matter what, we’re still going to be Cornerstone.” 

Despite the fact that planning for the fall semester was somewhat of a moving target, 

Newhouse, Osborn and the SOS team planned a model for the semester early in the 

summer and stuck with it. With the faculty having experienced teaching online, the 

leadership team shifted to adding course delivery options and additional tools to 

make both online and in-person learning happen seamlessly. Adaptable technology 

was installed in each classroom on campus over the summer, namely Kandao 

cameras, which allow the online viewer a 360-degree view of the entire classroom. 

These cameras, when used with the business communication platform, Microsoft 

Teams, allowed classes to proceed live in the fall with students able to participate 

both in the classroom and online in real time. 

Despite all of the hours of testing, training and problem-solving, Osborn recalled, he 

never got an email from a faculty member that said, “This is impossible.” 

24 



PICTURED: 

(Left) Kayla Cordell, assistant 

professor of music and director 

of music programs, leads a 

conducting class on the lawn 

outside of Gordon Hall. 

(Top right) Kandao 360-degree, 

all-in-one conferencing cameras 

were installed in each classroom. 

(Bottom right) Students meet 

outside of the De Witt Center 

for Science and Technology, 

located near Quincer Hall. 


“It was a season of learning for our faculty,” 

Osborn said. “It was collaborative. They were 

willing to learn new things so that online students 

could have the same experience as the students 

who are physically present in the room.” 

With the fall semester well underway, Osborn 

and Newhouse have both received gratitude 

from students, and the sense that students are 

happy to be back on campus. As the COVID-19 

pandemic continues to evolve, faculty, staff and 

students are all remaining flexible and optimistic. 

“From a teaching perspective, we will never 

be the same,” Osborn said. “This has launched 

us forward in terms of what we can do in the 

classroom. Students clearly appreciate the 

changes professors have made. All students learn 

differently and appreciate the breadth of options 

they now have.” 

“COVID-19 could’ve easily gotten in the way of 

our vision, but it didn’t,” Newhouse said. “It was a 

lot of work, but we persevered and kept moving 

forward. I couldn’t be more proud of our faculty 

and academic team.” 

Those months apart could have distanced and 

discouraged the campus community. But instead, 

they bonded the Cornerstone family like never 

before. What could have isolated both students 

and faculty was actually a catalyst for greater 

collaboration and creativity. 

This has launched 

us forward in terms 

of what we can do 

in the classroom. 

— DR. JEREMY OSBORN 

Associate Professor of Communication 



YOUR 

INVESTMENT 

CREATES 

BOLD 

FUTURES 

By investing in Christ-centered education at Cornerstone, you help 

students build their futures as engineers, nurses, teachers, social 

workers, biblical scholars, storytellers—their possibilities are endless. 

Any gift amount is greatly appreciated to help Cornerstone prepare 

students to excel in their vocations and impact their worlds for Christ. 

And, in today’s world, that’s needed more than ever. Interested in giving 

to Cornerstone? Here are two easy ways to get started. 



CASH IN YOUR COFFEE 

With Cash in Your Coffee, simply set up a monthly recurring gift to CU and 

receive a free CU mug. No gift amount is too small—even if it’s just the cost of 

your daily cup of coffee. 

GET STARTED AT CORNERSTONE.EDU/COFFEE. 

I was excited about Cash In Your Coffee because Cornerstone 

means so much to me. The experiences I had and the relationships 

I made have been huge in molding me into the person I am today. 

As a CU women’s basketball alum, I chose to donate $5 a month 

to the CU WBB program. I love being able to stay connected with 

the team even if I am no longer on the court. Go Golden Eagles! 

— TARYN SACK (B.S. ’18) 

CREATE A CEASELESS LEGACY 

Your designation of a gift to the university through your will or trust, 

charitable gift annuity, charitable remainder trust or life insurance policy 

provides for generations of students to come. Explore taking the next step in 

your legacy journey. 

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MAKING A GIFT TO CORNERSTONE, 

CONTACT US BY PHONE AT 616.977.5439. 



IN A LIVE 

CLASSROOM 

WITHOUT 

LEAVING HOME 

Through our new CULive format, you have the 

opportunity to livestream into existing, on-campus 

classrooms remotely. Listen to lectures, interact with 

fellow students and ask your instructor questions in 

real time—no matter where you are. 

LEARN WITHOUT CEASING. 

adult.cornerstone.edu

2020 

ANNUAL 

REPORT 

PICTURED: GRTS students gather together for a Bible study. 

STEPHEN NORREGAARD © 2020 



FINANCIAL REPORTS 

Condensed Statement of Activities • For the Year Ended May 31, 2020 

OPERATING REVENUE 

WITHOUT DONOR RESTRICTIONS 

WITH DONOR RESTRICTIONS 

Restricted by Restricted in 

University Radio Purpose or Time Perpetuity Total 

Net Student Tuition and Fees $ 23,059,817 $ — $ — $ — $ 23,059,817 

Contributions 569,697 3,090,946 2,387,930 184,600 6,233,173 

Investment return 

appropriated for operations 60,933 — 438,349 — 499,282 

Auxiliary Services 6,398,843 177,650 6,576,493 

Other Income 2,210,214 — 804,548 — 3,014,762 

Total Operating Revenue $ 32,299,504 $ 3,268,596 $ 3,630,827 $ 184,600 $ 39,383,527 

Non-capital Net Assets 

Released from Restrictions $ 2,628,915 $ — $ (2,628,915) $ — — 

OPERATING EXPENSES 

Academic & Student Services $ 22,590,442 $ — $ — $ — $ 22,590,442 

Management & General 4,549,605 — — — 4,549,605 

Physical Plant Operations 2,838,478 — — — 2,838,478 

Auxiliary Services 2,718,658 2,302,369 — — 5,021,027 

Fundraising 822,270 361,978 — — 1,184,248 

Total Operating Expenses $ 33,519,453 $ 2,664,347 $ — $ — $ 36,183,800 

Increase (Decrease) in Net 

Assets from Operations $ 1,408,966 $ 604,249 $ 1,001,912 $ 184,600 $ 3,199,727 

NON-OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

Depreciation Expense $ (2,898,438) $ — $ (2,898,438) 

Investment return net of 

appropriations for operations (5,262) — 7,178 — 1,916 

Contributions restricted for 

capital campaign — — 3,877,681 — 3,877,681 

Capital Net Assets Released 

from Restrictions 495,755 — (495,755) — — 

Total Increase (Decrease) in 

Net Assets $ (998,979) $ 604,249 $ 4,391,016 $ 184,600 $ 4,180,886 

Condensed Statement of Financial Position • For the Year Ended May 31, 2020 

ASSETS 

University 

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS 

University 

Cash $ 12,383,557 

Receivables, Inventories, & Prepaid Expenses 7,063,057 

Investments 12,705,003 

Fixed Assets, net 69,495,391 

Total Assets $ 101,647,008 

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses $ 3,108,788 

Deferred Revenue and Deposits 2,306,696 

Notes Payable 1,006,000 

Long-term Debt 7,385,383 

Other Liabilities 527,610 

Net Assets 87,312,531 

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $ 101,647,008 

30 



UNIVERSITY 

OPERATING 

REVENUE 

19.8% 

Auxiliary 

Services 

7.0% 

Other Income 

1.8% 

Contributions 

71.4% 

Net Student 

Tuition and Fees 

19.8% 

Auxiliary 

Services 

UNIVERSITY 

OPERATING 

EXPENSES 

8.5% 

Physical Plant 

Operations 

8.1% 

Auxiliary 

Services 

2.5% 

Fundraising 

FINANCIAL 

AID 

13.6% 

Management 

& General 

$8,525,606 

Academic & Needbased 

Grants 

$1,526,679 

Athletic 

Scholarships 

$280,687 

Other Grants & 

Scholarships 

$770,958 

67.4% 

Academic & 

Student Services 

Incentive 

Scholarships $550,047 

$495,415 

Funded 

Scholarships 

Seminary 

Scholarships 

PHOTO CREDITS: STEPHEN NORREGAARD © 2019 



CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY 

DONORS (June 2019 to May 2020) 

INDIVIDUAL DONORS 

Allison Abbott 

Thomas and Sally Abts 

Ralph and Mary Abuhl 

Marteshia Adams 

Thomas and Harriet Adams 

Stephen and Jill Adolph 

Charles and Ruth Alber 

Geren and Melissa Albury 

John and Donis Albus 

Steven Alderman 

Jason and Stephanie Allaire 

Dominic Allen 

Pallin Allen 

Troy and Holly Anderson 

Paul and Cynthia Anthes 

Elizabeth Antvelink 

David and Karen April 

Kimberly Atwood 

Peter and Gail Atwood 

Ryan and Amy Aukeman 

Kenneth and Sandra Authier 

Jeff and Emilie Azkoul 

Stacey Baab 

Larry Baer 

Richard and Kelly Bagley 

Gloria Baker 

Jeffrey and Alice Baker 

Jeff and Lynne Baker 

Zachary Baker 

Brent Baksa 

Ben Balbach 

Andrew and Francine Barba 

Doug Barba 

Heidi Barba 

Nathan Barba 

Phyllis Barba 

Thomas Barba 

John and Barbara Barber 

Marquita Barlow 

Larry and Betty Bartels 

Daisie Bartolome 

Troy and Linda Bateson 

Manuel Bayer 

Stan and Ellen Beach 

Tim and Cheri Beals 

Scott Beard 

Michael and Christine Beaudoin 

Dennis and Nancy Bekken 

Darren and Cindy Bennett 

Trudy Bentley 

Ryan and Linda Berghorst 

Len and Gwen Bergsma 

Brian and Jennifer Berryhill 

Greg and Shelli Besteman 

Kenneth and Mary Besteman 

David and Lisa Betcher 

James and Darlene Biddle 

Frieda Bierma 

Brandan Bishop 

Adam and Andrea Blickley 

Tom and Arlene Bodtke 

Michael and Sheryl Boes 

Micah Boggs 

Robert Bolhuis 

John and Carol Boruta 

Carole and James Bos 

Lawrence and Rose Bos 

Timothy Boucher 

Jana Bourdo 

Phil Bouren 

Douglas and Christina Bouwer 

Tom and Sonia Bouwman 

Jason and Kelly Bowers 

Doug and Wendy Bowman 

Jason and Emma Braford 

Janelle Branch 

Arlene Brandt 

Larry and Kelsey Bredow 

Daniel Breuker 

Willard and Eileen Brock 

Bailey Brogan 

Clayton Brown 

Doug and Elizabeth Brown 

Joshua and Sarah Brown 

Julie Brown 

Andy and Amanda Brummel 

Marcus Brussee 

Norman and Diana Buffum 

Paul Buiten 

John and Nancy Bult 

Michael Bunch 

Everett and Ruth Burkey 

Jim and Jan Bush 

Jonathan Bush 

David and Susan Busscher 

Teri Bussler 

Mike and Beckie Buwalda 

Galen and Jeannette Call 

Fernanda Calzada Munoz 

William and Virginia Campbell III 

Daniel and Brittany Campbell 

Nathan-Jesse Campbell 

Pamela Campbell 

Ryan and Rachel Campbell 

Scott and Heidi Campbell 

Michael and Nola Carew 

Scott and Kristy Carlson 

Richard Carr 

Shirley Carroll 

Delores Carter 

Matt Carter 

David and Teresa Cartwright 

LeRoy and Isabel Case 

June Cassada 

Dan and Roxanne Challa 

Bernard and Bobbie Chandler 

Ben and Linda Chapman 

Donald and Jan Chapman 

Charles and Linda Chase 

Perry and Karen Cheathem 

Amy Cheyne 

Abigail Christian 

Robert and Kala Clark 

Russ and Judy Clark 

Jason Clayton 

Clifton and Holly Clendenan 

Jane Cline 

Mike Coleman 

Victor and Susan Collins 

Cecil and Bernita Colthorp 

Laura Commins 

William and Sharon Commons 

Colleen Comstock 

Kevin and Jennifer Conkel 

Nick and Laura Conran 

Paul and Salome Correa 

Andrew and Tessa Corwin 

Tim Cosgrove 

Bruce and Sandy Costen 

Jared and Paige Courtright 

Cory and Melissa Cox 

Gregory and Nancy Cragel 

Vic and Deborah Crater 

Kevin and Tina Lee Cumings 

Kathie Cummings 

Ben Cunningham 

Cameron and Amanda Currie 

Gloria Curry 

Joe Curtis 

Rebecca Curtis 

Kevin and Meg Cusack 

Arda Cushman 

Margo Cuthbert 

Wayne and Diane Dalman 

David and Jennifer Damesworth 

Anita Darnell 

Dean and Rhonda Davis 

Jennifer Davis 

David De Roo 

Mary De Witt 

David and Beth DeBlecourt 

Keith and Cheryl DeBoer 

Mara DeBoer 

Ron DeBoer 

32 



Donald and Leona DeBruyne 

David and Nannette Decook 

Jim and Linda DeHart 

Patrick and Dianne Deja 

Sydney DeJonge 

Scott and Jodi Dekkenga 

Mark and Heidi DeKorne 

Miguel Del Rosario 

Don and Nancy Denyes 

Bruce and Elaine DePree 

Eric DeSantis 

Timothy and Sally Detwiler 

Doug and Maria DeVos 

Dennis and Phyllis DeVries 

Donald and Vicki DeVries 

Fred DeYoung 

Timothy and Brenda Dieffenbach 

Jon Dietz 

Mike Dillenbeck 

Paul and Nancy Doane 

Barbara Donker 

John Douglass 

Ronald and Lynda Downen 

Drayson and Dorothy Doyle 

Madison Drew 

John and Karen Drexel 

Carl and Karen Dufendach 

Gail Duhon 

David and Kathleen Dunham 

Marian Dunham 

Mackenzie Dunkerly 

James and Ronda Dunn 

Sherwood Dusterwinkle 

Scott Dwyer 

Jeni Dwyre 

Kurt and Michelle Dykema 

Richard and Carla Dykema 

Edwin and Janet Dykstra 

Scott and Karen Dykstra 

David and Martha Eck 

Hannah Edmonds 

Leroy Edwards 

Richard and Jean Eggleston 

David and Shirley Egner 

Phyllis Eifert 

Carl and Lorraine Eklund 

Brian Eldridge 

Kurt and Carmon Ellis 

Heidi Enck 

Darryl and Kathy Ernst 

Wray and Linda Ertle 

Darlene Eshenaur 

Tucker and Kara Fahlen 

Lisa Falkenberg 

Jim and Shari Farrell 

Mike Fernandez 

Michael and Christine Fernhout 

Bill and Joanie Fernhout 

Allen and Theresa Ferry 

Mark and Anne Fifer 

Michael and Christel Fifer 

Garrett and Angela Fitzpatrick 

Frederick and Shirley Fleischmann 

Ron and Carla Fles 

Benjamin Foreman 

Bruce and Terri Fowler 

Marc and Sheila Fowler 

Jimmie and Debbie Fox 

Martha Frahm 

Ben Framstad 

Michael Frankey 

Kent and Betsy Frens 

Peter Freswick 

Tamara Fry 

Jim and Marcy Fryling 

Brian and Lori Fulks 

Jeff and Connie Furness 

Eric and Anne Gaertner 

Allen and Audrey Galloway 

Bryan and Isabel Galloway 

Clark and Debra Galloway 

Orpha Galloway 

Spencer and Sonya Galloway 

Kelly Gampel 

Steven Garrett 

Beverly Garside 

Raymond and Carol Gates 

Nicholas Gayan 

Paul and Laura Gayan 

Sue Gayan 

Michael and Michelle Gebben 

Lance and Sherry Gerry 

Joyce Giddy 

Jaison and Kristen Gildner 

Jeff and Tori Gillesse 

Timothy and Kelly Gitter 

WE ARE 

DEDICATED. 

Devoting our full selves to the shared, steadfast 

purpose of life-changing education that leads 

students to reach their God-given potential. 

+ Ranked 12th among Top Performers 

on Social Mobility Among Midwest Colleges 

(U.S. News & World Report, 2020) 


+ $12.1 Million 

in financial aid awarded 



Paul and Nancy Goebel 

Michael Gohn 

Toni Gohn 

Robert and Margaret Goldthorpe 

Vincent and Michelle Gonzales 

Marvin and Valarie Goodwin 

Dan and Esther Gordon 

James and Bonnie Gordon 

Marc and Valerie Gordon 

Al and Bethany Gortmaker 

Dennis and Rebecca Graham 

Eric Graham 

Ryan Graham 

Michael and Christine Grano 

Abraham Groat 

Tony and Kandy Groll 

Jordan Grooters 

Isaac and Kelley Grotenhuis 

John Grzybek 

Alice Haboian 

Maureen Hale 

Rick and Marilyn Hallgren 

Kendall and Courtney Hamilton 

Ben and Rachel Hammond 

Mark and Ruth Anna Hanisch 

Lori Hansen 

Mark and Miriam Hansz 

James and Judy Harbeck 

Evan Haskill 

Matthew Haskins 

Arthur and Betsy Hasse 

Tammy Hausler 

James Haveman 

Brent and Missy Haverdink 

Brian and Kimber-Lee Haverdink 

Steve and Annie Hawks 

John and Linda Hayden 

Mark and Norma Heagle 

Austin Hendrick 

Jerry and Betty Hendrick 

Mark and Julia Hendrickson 

Michael Herrema 

Scout Hester 

Ralph and Connie Hetchler 

Gregory and Sharon Hewitt 

Eleanor Hildenbrand 

Nathan and Marci Hinkley 

Philip and Rachel Hittepole 

Lauren Hofstra 

Steven Holladay 

Angela Holliday 

Dawn Holloman 

Mark and Wendy Holtvluwer 

Douglas Honholt 

Larry Hoover 

Carolyn Hope 

Timothy and Marcia Hopkins 

Eric and Genise Horsley 

Dave and Rhonda House 

Peter and Megan Howard 

Jeff Howe 

Karen Howe 

Nickolas and Shanda Howes 

Chip and Ingrid Huber 

Brian and Rebecca Huberty 

Scott Huckaby 

Amanda Hudak 

Gary and Lavonne Huizenga 

Gary and Muriel Huizenga 

J C Huizenga 

Zak and Taryn Hulst 

Michael and Rebecca Humm 

Carol Hunter 

Luan Hutchinson 

Bea Idema 

Thomas and Anita Isenga 

Bruce and Debra Iwema 

Jonathan Jack 

Brenda Jansen 

Thomas and Carolyn Jesse 

Jerry Jessick 

Jack and Laurie Jipping 

Stephen and Mary Johns 

Dan Johnson 

Paul and Pam Johnson 

Sharlene Johnson 

Keith and Marilyn Jones 

Jerry Jonker 

Lee and Shirley June 

Kevin and Laura Kahler 

Mark and Lisa Kaiser 

Timothy and Marissa Kalkman 

William and Nancy Kapteyn 

Robert Kauffman 

Russell and Mary Kaufman 

Kurt and Deborah Keebler 

Jon and L Keelean 

Phil and Carrie Keith 

Ned and Juliet Keller 

Kyle and Kristen Kelting 

David and Coila Kennedy 

Steven and Jodi Kessler 

William and Rosemary Keys 

Kristy Kieda 

Brenda King 

Colette Kirby 

April Kirchen 

Scott and Rita Kiscaden 

Kenneth and Jodie Klamer 

Rick and Kristy Klein 

Harold Klemm 

Kim Klenk 

Kevin and Suzanne Klok 

David and Charissa Klopfenstein 

Paul Knibbe 

Jerry and Arlene Knickerbocker 

Greg and Leslie Koczan 

Paul and Saskia Koepke 

Ronald and Patsy Kooistra 

Rick and Carolyn Koole 

Ryan Koontz 

Luke Koopman 

Elroy and Tammie Kosters 

Paul and Jody Koutz 

Mary Koziol 

Jack and Carol Kragt 

Peter and Carol Kramer 

Jim and Kathie Kregel 

Dawn Krieger 

Mary Krieger 

Don and Mona Krise 

Ronald and Marilyn Kronemeyer 

Tim Krupp 

Mark and Rita Kubinski 

Christopher and Keri Kuiper 

Stanley and Joann Lachowicz 

James and Nancy Lacy 

Robert and Cheryl LaFleur 

Victor and Patricia Laing 

Dan and Laura LaMore 

Michael Landeweer 

William and Lois Lanning 

Larry and Donna Larner 

Matthew Larsen 

Jennifer Layman-VanBelle 

Emily Lazor 

Katrina Lee 

Mark and Lori Lehman 

Noah and Paige Lehmann 

Chris and Susan Lemke 

Chris and Megan Lenhart 

Stefani Lennard 

Robert and Shirley Lenz 

Lindsay Lieffers 

Agnes Lina 

Zoe Lindsay 

James and Lisa Link 

Doug and Judi Lipinski 

Kirsten Lodarek 

Chris and Christine Loiselle 

Gerald and Beth Longjohn 

Virginia Lopez 

Kara Louisell 

Rex Lowe 

Chad and Jane Lubbers 

Paul Luchtenburg 

Dale and Sue Lumsden 

Mark and Dawn Lundell 

Bill and Wanda Luurtsema 

Caleb and Rachel Mackay 

Tricia Magrames 

Laura Maguire 

Kaili Maike 

Greg and Susan Mangione 

Richard and Aura Markgraf 

Leonard Martel 

Gerald and Ruth Martin 

Kara Martin 

Tyler and Samantha Martin 

Jack Martinez 

Manuel Martinez 

Richard Martinez 

Matthew Mascara 

Thomas Mascho 

Dan and Judith Mason 

Ty and Katelyn Mason 

Alaine Mast 

John and Ruth Matazel 

Ronald Mayers 

Scott and Jennifer McCoy 

Dudley and Libby McCready 

Donald and Susan McCrory 

Matthew and Nicole McDonald 

James and Susan McEwan 

Robert McFarland Jr 

Edward and Mary McFarland 

David and Kay McFarlane 

Jack and Karri McIntyre 

Wayne and Sally McKenney 

Jim and Marcia McKinney 

John and Laura McKinney 

Sally McLauchlan 

John and Ann McMullin 

Patrick and Shelle McNamara 

Kimberly Meiste 

Ross and Andrea Menhart 

Al and Kay Meredith 

James and Shirley Meriwether 

34 



WE ARE SUPPORTIVE. 

Generous in identifying and meeting the needs of 

diverse students that allow our student to thrive. 

+ 15:1 

TUG student-to-faculty ratio 

+ 9:1 

GRTS student-to-faculty ratio 

+ 3 

PGS offers support in three areas—technology, 

career and academic—through it’s new Center 

for Student Success. 


Steven Messervey 

Todd and Regina Metzler 

Shari Meyering 

Mark and Julia Miedema 

Wendy Mika 

Karl and Jean Millard 

Daniel and Sabrasue Miller 

Mary Miller 

Michele Miller 

Roger and Donna Miller 

James and Linda Mitchell 

Joshua Mitchell 

Paul Mitchell 

Steven and Mary Mitchell 

David and Linda Mitroff 

Rachel Mixon 

John Moes 

Ed and Kris Mol 

Robert and Cheryl Mol 

Paul and Jackie Moody 

Mark Morgan 

Kent Mortensen 

Jeffrey and Tracy Mottice 

Mark and Joy Muha 

Martha Muir 

Christopher Murphy 

Randy and Kelly Murphy 

Benjamin and Brittany Murray 

Richard and Debra Naponelli 

Kevin and Jamie Nast 

Laurence and Christine Nelson Sr 

Michael and Debby Nelson 

Peter and Shawn Newhouse 

Kim Nguyen 

Donald and Vicki Nichols 

Gary and Carolyn Nielsen 

Robert and Bette Jo Nienhuis 

Thomas and Amy Niergarth 

Jim and Maartje Niewenhuis 

Lynn Nix 

Noel and Rhonda Nixon 

Kurt and Sandy Norgaard 

Darius Nutt 

Garry and Charlotte Nutter 

Jon and Barbara Nysse 

John and Lori Obradovich 

Paul and Emma Ochoa 

Laura Ohman 

Carlton and Vicki Olson 

Bradley Orr 

Desirae Ortiz 

Dave and Cindy Osborne 

Paul and Karen Oselka 

Bruce and Sue Osterink 

Barry and Jean Palmerton 

Daniel Palnau 

Scott Panning 

Alice Paredez 

David Park 

Todd and Kristine Parker 

Bruce and Jean Parsons 

Bryan and Lauren Pasciak 

David and Anne Pasquale 

Michael and Monica Pasquale 

Charlie and Velda Patten 

Jack and Virginia Payovich 

Brent Pearson 

Lori Perkin 

Jean Perrini 

Nannette Perry 

Tom and Crystal Perry 

Thomas and Christine Pete 

Curtis and Alyson Peterson 

Andrew and Janis Petrini 

Karla Phelps 

Amy Phillips 

Diane Picklo 

Andre and Cheryl Pierre Jr 

Karen Pimpo 

Kelly Pinelli 

Barbara Pirsig 

Paul Ploeg 

Bruce and Chelsie Pobocik 

Allen and Sheri Popik 

Stephen and Lori Popp 

Rich and Ruth Postma 

Shannon Pothoven 

Edward and Dona Powell 

Justin and Cathi Powell 

Vicki Pratt 

David and Mary Pray 

Tim Primus 

Virginia Primus 

Spencer Putney 

Kristi Rabe 

Charles and Susan Raisanen 



Austin Rakestraw 

James and Jayne Rauwerda 

Joe and Alice Rea 

Trey and Ellen Reed 

Bradley and Joy Richards 

Taylor Richards 

Joshua Richline 

Valerie Richter 

Michael and Emily Riley 

Sidney and Carol Roberts 

Jerry and Kimberly Robinson 

Rebecca Robinson 

Peter and Rebecca Robirds 

Kathryn Rocha 

Robert Rodenhouse 

Roger and Anne Roode 

David and Debra Rose 

Katie Rosel 

Tim and Lisa Rosel 

Carl and Marilyn Rosema 

Jonathan and Elisa Ross 

Ken Rossol 

Robert and Christine Rozelle 

Bill and Gloria Rudd 

Nathan and Tricia Ruffer 

John and Cheri Ruzza 

Laurie Ryan 

Michael and Joyce Ryan 

Jennifer Ryskamp 

Edward Ryzenga 

Linda Ryzenga 

Bryce and Anna Sack 

Bob and Debbie Sack 

Aaron and Allison Sagraves 

Mike and Martha Sample 

Kenneth and Kathryn Sampson 

Brian and Chrissy Sandberg 

Scott and Nora Sanders 

Daniel and Suzan Santos 

Dennis and Barbara Sauers 

Velda Scarbrough 

Arthur and Carol Schaafsma 

Paul Schaafsma 

Brian and Karen Schankat 

Jeremiah Schimp 

Dale and Jennifer Schmatz 

Karl and Jill Schmidt 

Monica Schmidt 

Scott Schminky 

Thomas Scholer 

Jane Scholtens 

Stephanie Schopf 

Troy and Sally Schrock 

Ronald and Joan Schrotenboer 

Jack and Julie Schugars 

Joel Schuitema 

Michael and Jenene Schumaker 

Loren and Pam Schwiebert 

Mark and Tracey Schwiebert 

Luther and Karri Scruggs 

Timothy and Tera Secord 

Lana Seidel 

Chelsea Selin 

Jessie Seven 

Jack and Yolanda Shafer 

Jeremiah Shirreffs 

Leroy and Darlene Shively 

Kevin and Julie Shuneson 

Brian and Bonnie Simmons 

Joe and Kathy Sindorf 

Joel Skaggs 

Kimm and Tammy Slater 

Joe and Sandra Slaughter 

Andrew and Nancie Smith 

Brad and Annie Smith 

Colleen Smith 

Megan Smith 

Tyler Smith 

Brice and Kim Snellink 

Bill and Eva Snow 

Thomas Socia 

Patricia Soddy 

Amanda Sorokin 

Mark Spee 

Roger and Barb Spencer 

Douglas and Lauri Sporte 

Ross and Rojean Sprague 

Arie and Mary Staal 

Judith Staats 

Fred and Nancy Stalsonburg 

Brad and Tami Stamm 

Charles Standridge 

Daniel and Carmella Steen 

Gary Stewart 

Jonathan Stewart 

Judy Stewart 

Luke Stewart 

Richard and Karen Stewart 

Scott and Sheila Stewart 

Thomas and Bonnie Stewart 

Ronald and Diane Stier 

Thomas and Carol Stier 

Alan Stock 

Richard and Rebecca Stone 

Neale and Sharon Storms 

Joe and Martie Stowell 

Brenna Stratton 

Martin and Joanne Strebeck 

WE ARE CREATIVE. 

Serving students through dynamic learning opportunities 

that are responsive to market demands and student needs. 

+ 12 

Health care majors 

+ Only University 

with an honors institute dedicated to creativity 

+ 23 

Programs and 15+ individual courses offered online. 

36 



STEPHEN NORREGAARD © 2019

Muriel Strickland 

Jon and Michele Strube 

Lisa Strube 

Robert and Susan Strube 

Emily Stump 

Jeff and Lori Stump 

Jerry and Janelle Stutzman 

Andrew and Laura Summerfield 

Robert Summerfield 

Robert and Kristie Summerfield 

Steven Summerfield 

Tom and Louanne Summerfield 

Blythe Sundberg 

Donna Surface 

Danny Surgent 

Phil and Amy Swedberg 

Donald and Jeanne Swem 

Aaron and Sarah Symonds 

David Szlanfucht 

Charles and Kelly Talsma 

Benjamin and Joanna Taylor 

Matt and Kristy Taylor 

Matthew and Katherine Taylor 

Steven and Rachael Taylor 

Todd Terzo 

Stephen and Penny Tessler 

Christopher and Melissa Thomas 

Kori Thompson 

Adam Thornhill 

Ryan and Jayne Tibbets 

Jesse and Hilary Tien 

Samuel Tillema 

Chad and Jodi Timmer 

John and Patricia Timmerman 

Jason Tooker 

Ray Tooker 

Judi Tremaine 

Mark and Leah Tremaine 

Marion Trometer 

Tiffany Trometer 

Milton and Betty Ubbink 

Mya Udell 

Jeremy and Shannon Underwood 

Karen Underwood 

Ronald and Rebecca Underwood 

Cornelia Van Bruggen 

Nelda Van Horn 

Mike and Debra Van Kampen 

David and Marilyn Van Laan 

Bradley and Amy Van Zee 

Ronald and Joan Van Zee 

Ronald and Carol VanAntwerp 

Todd and Carole VandeGuchte 

Daniel and Marge VandenBerg 

Michael Vandenberg 

Monica Vandenberg 

Phyllis Vandenberg 

Justin and Kayla Vandepol 

Karen Vander Weele 

Roger and Susan VanderHeide 

Dale and Sarajane VanderMaas 

Kenneth and Trudy Vandermolen 

Steven Vanderwey 

Marcia VanderWoude 

James and Cherry VanderZee 

Gary and Anita Vanderziel 

Donald and Wilma VanDerZwaag 

David and Gracie Vandyke 

Nate and April VanPutten 

Scott VanSingel 

Daniel Vansledright 

David and Marcie VanZanten 

James Veldkamp 

Bruce and Terri Veldman 

Randy and Deb Veltkamp 

Timothy Venema 

Joseph Venuto 

James and Jenni Vosburgh 

Kirk and Marie Vredevelt 

Burt and Brenda Wachter 

Evan Wagner 

Barry and Denise Walburg 

Mark and Lisa Walkendorf 

Troy Walker 

Matthew and Alissa Wallace 

Brian and Pamela Walrod 

Melissa Walters 

Seth Walters 

Dawn Ward 

Alan Warner 

Andrew and Joy Washburn 

Mark and Heidi Wassink 

Wayne Watkins 

Paige Webb 

Anthony and Kim Weber 

Greg and Donna Weber 

Ted and Julie Weber 

Norman Weener 

Shirley Weener 

Craig and Mary Welch Jr 

Travis Wells 

Sean and Jill Welsh 

Tom and Janet Wessels 

Ronald and Jan Westendorp 

Heather Westrate 

Bill and Margaret Wheeler 

Jessica Wherrett 

Jason Whitaker 

Melissa Whitaker 

Lois Whittemore 

Robert and Geraldine Wickham 

Steve and Katie Wideen 

Andy and Tracie Wierda 

Kenneth Wierda 

Audrey Wierenga 

Doug and Dion Wierenga 

Paul Wiggers 

Lyle Wiggins 

Todd and Alisa Wilde 

Peter Willcome 

Marilyn Williams 

Cynthia Willman 

Stephen and Marcia Wilson 

Sam and Cynthia Wiltheiss 

Suzanne Winter 

Stefanie Wise 

Michael and Mary Wolfe 

Vincent and Sondra Woods 

Jason Woolford 

Michael and Dianne Workman 

Andrew and Rebecca Wright 

Andrew Yankee 

Keith Yates 

Zachary Yeo 

Jessica Yonkers 

Tim and Jill Young 

Matthew and Lesley Zainea 

Jacob and Traci Zeeryp 

Bryan and Lynda Zichterman 

Gary and Nancy Zichterman 

Mark and Sarah Zichterman 

Ken and Kathy Zimmerman 

Joseph and Abby Zolinski 

Lee and Karen Zuidema 

Dave and Bea Zylstra 

Eric Zyrowski 

David and Jennifer Zysk 

BUSINESSES 

All-Flo Plumbing LLC 

Ascent Fine Cabinetry 

Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund 

Belden Brick & Supply 

Blendon Pines Gun Club 

Bouma Corporation 

Buffum Homes 

Calvin University 

Center for Physical Rehab Inc 

Chick-fil-A at Grand Rapids South FSU 

China Aid Association Inc 

Clarity Family Offices LLC 

Comfort Family Dentistry of Kentwood 

Consensus Home Management 

Credo Communications LLC 

Dan Vos Construction Co 

David G Betcher DMD 

DeVries Jewelry Store, Inc. 

Donald Alan Worst Inc DBA Little Caesars Pizza 

Drury Hotels 

Eckhoff & DeVries Painting and Wallcovering 

Estate of Cornelia W Van Bruggen 

Express Employment Professionals Grand Rapids 

Extra Credit Media 

Farm Bureau Insurance Jeremy Underwood 

FCF Drywall 

Ferris Coffee & Nut 

Fidelity Charitable 

First Companies 

Forest Grove Auto Repair 

Goshen College 

Grand Rapids Industrial Process Service Inc 

Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame 



Grand Valley Automation, Inc 

Hurst Mechanical Inc. 

Institute for Inter-Connected Education 

ITS Partners LLC 

Jimmy John’s Franchise LLC 

Jjell Group LLC 

Kawasaki Motors 

Koetje Heating & Cooling Inc 

KPMG Gives c/o Bergen County’s United Way 

Lake Michigan Credit Union 

Legacy Energy Company 

Lubbers Painting LLC 

Lumbermen’s Inc 

Mary Free Bed Hospital & Rehab 

McFarland Electric LLC 

Meijer, Inc. 

Mercy Health Plans 

Michigan Association of Student Financial 

Services Administrators 

Michigan Trucking Company Inc 

Middletons Recycle Inc 

Mika Meyers Beckett & Jones 

Mission India 

Moss Telecommunications Services 

Natural Choice Chiropractic 

NE Rentals LLC 

Nederveld, Inc. 

Network for Good 

Old Orchard Brands LLC 

Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan 

Pepsi Bottling Group LLC 

Petro & Pantry Inc 

Piston Fly LLC 

Plastic Mold Technology 

PNC Financial Services Group 

Press On Foundation 

Pro Motors Service Inc 

Raymond James and Associates, Inc 

Request Foods Inc 

Ridgefield Company LLC 

Rit Music 

River City Mechanical 

Servant Financial LTD 

Spartan Nash 

Stifel Financial Corp 

Team Gazelle 

Ticketleap 

Tillema Sales & Service Inc 

Trinity Health 

Uncommon Canning LLC 

United Way 

Valley Travel of Mt Pleasant LTD 

VantagePointe Financial Group 

Vredevoogd-Brummel Insurance 

Weather Shield Roofing Systems 

West MI Biggby Advertising Group 

Western Michigan Fleet Parts, Inc 

Whitecaps Professional Baseball Corp 

FOUNDATIONS 

Alaine E Mast JT Trust 

AmazonSmile Foundation 

Barnabas Foundation 

Bateson Charitable Lead Trust 

Beatrice A Idema Revocable Trust 

Campbell Living Trust 

Carl E & Diane F Picklo Trust 

Christian Evangelical Trust 

Clayton Brown Family Foundation 

Dakota Gonzales Memorial Scholarship 

Darius D Nutt Trust 

Donald R and Leona R DeBruyne Trust 

Eden Bridge Foundation 

Foglia Family Foundation 

JCT Foundation 

Kenneth Wierda Trust 

Lilly Endowment Inc 

Marjorie D Daverman Trust 

Mojo Foundation 

Mol Family Foundation 

Monticello College Foundation 

Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust, Inc 

National Christian Foundation 

National Christian Foundation Eastern Michigan 

National Christian Foundation West Michigan 

Onequest Family Foundation 

PNC Foundation 

Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund 

Renaissance Charitable Foundation Inc 

Samuel L Westerman Foundation 

Schwab Charitable Fund 

Sullivan Scholarship Fund Trust 

The Douglas and Maria DeVos Foundation 

WeFund4U Trust Account 

Zichterman Family Foundation 

MATCHING GIFT COMPANIES 

American Electric Power 

Thomson Reuters My Community Program 

CHURCHES 

Blythefied Hills Baptist Church 

Brookfield Christian Reformed 

Eastport Baptist Church 

Kilpatrick United Brethren Church 

New Fellowship Baptist Church 

Rudyard Bible Church 

South Baptist Church 

North Point Church 

Second Christian Reformed Church 

38 



GRAND RAPIDS THEOLOGICAL 

SEMINARY DONORS 

INDIVIDUAL DONORS 

Ralph and Mary Abuhl 

Randall Bakker 

Michael and Jeanne Belth 

George and Mary Brzezinski 

Galen and Jeannette Call 

Scott and Heidi Campbell 

June Cassada 

Ben and Linda Chapman 

Cecil and Bernita Colthorp 

William and Sharon Commons 

Ana Cruz 

Philip and Brenda David 

Thomas and Susan Day 

Jon and Vonda DeKleine 

Don and Nancy Denyes 

Doug and Maria DeVos 

Carl and Karen Dufendach 

John Eclarin 

Darryl and Kathy Ernst 

Allen and Theresa Ferry 

Mark and Anne Fifer 

Frederick and Shirley Fleischmann 

Daniel and Julie Gallivan 

Dale and Linda Gaskins 

Dan and Esther Gordon 

James and Jeannette Gunn 

Gregory Hagen 

David and Jean Heyd 

John and Charlotte Hilber 

Joel and Colleen Hill 

Robert and Deborah Jeffers 

Lysle and Carma Johnson 

David and Coila Kennedy 

Terrence and Cynthia King 

Colette Kirby 

Ronald and Patsy Kooistra 

Robert and Sharon Kreitsch 

Carl and Lori Kresge 

Mark and Lisa Kresge 

Mary Krieger 

Don and Mona Krise 

Wilfred and Darlene Kuhnell 

G Rodney and Barbara Lane 

Richard and Amy Langton 

Arlyn and Marcia Lanting 

Dallas and Senita Lenear 

Robert and Shirley Lenz 

Rachel Luce 

Tom Martin 

Robert and Cheryl Mol 

Benjamin and Brittany Murray 

Robert and Bette Jo Nienhuis 

Tim and Kimetha Oberle 

Peter and Karen Osborn 

Peter and Patricia Pell 

Jean Perrini 

Steven and Stephanie Pipe 

Pirsig Family 

Serge and Jeannette Poirier 

Donald and Beverly Riedel 

Kris and Emily Rolls 

Bill and Gloria Rudd 

James and Rene Salerno 

Martha Shrubsole 

Thomas and Wendy Siefert 

Ryan Simmons 

Roger and Barb Spencer 

Douglas and Lauri Sporte 

Dallas and Joyce Stratman 

Donald and Jeanne Swem 

Timothy and Cindy Terhune 

George and Leah Tesar 

Daniel and Amy Treier 

David and Beverly Turner 

Steve and Laura VandeLune 

John and Kelly VerBerkmoes 

Paul and Marilyn Ware 

Ted and Julie Weber 

Chris and Michelle Weeks 

Ellen Wells 

Lois Whittemore 

Matthew Williams 

Matthew and Lesley Zainea 

BUSINESSES, MATCHING GIFTS, 

FOUNDATIONS AND SCHOOLS 

The Douglas and Maria DeVos Foundation 

Jack and Wynnita Joy Westerbeek Family 

Foundation 

Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust, Inc. 

Raytheon 

Steelcase Foundation 

National Christian Foundation West Michigan 

Trinity International University 

The Zondervan Foundation 

CHURCHES 

Aboite Baptist Church 

Blythefield Hills Baptist Church 

Crossway Multinational Church 

First Baptist Church 

Kent City Baptist Church 

New Fellowship Baptist Church 

South Church 



In September 2020, WCSG unveiled 

its brand new broadcast center on 

the southeast corner of campus. 

The innovative new space is a 

testament to the dedication of 

WCSG and Cornerstone University 

to its mission and community. 

STORY ON PAGE 7. 

RUSS KLIME TIBERIUS IMAGES © 2020

Cornerstone University Magazine & Annual Report 2020

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