The “We love SCC!” video may have been made in the 1980’s, but we still love it! And on Friday, June 21, another group of our alumni will gather at Vanguard University to participate in the biennial Decade of the 1960s Reunion.

Most 1960s graduates proudly called their university Southern California College, although some of them attended the university when it was still called Southern California Bible College. The university’s name was officially changed to Vanguard University of Southern California on July 1, 1999.

The group of 1960s alumni has been meeting together for over a decade. The Reunion was created to help them stay connected with each other. It occurs every other year and is currently planned by two alums, Vonnie Franks and Sharon “Smitty” Saalinger. During this weekend-long event, June 21-23, alumni will spend time together in fellowship, stay overnight in the dorms, dine on lunch in the university’s new Veterans Courtyard of Honor, have an old fashioned Saturday night sing-along, and share meals in the on campus café.

Click here to view a schedule of the weekend’s events. To register for the Decade of the 60’s Reunion, click here.

You can visit alumni.vanguard.edu for photographs of the event, coming soon!

Costa Mesa, CA, June 17, 2013 – Vanguard University announced today that it is an official bike tour sponsor for Sea to Sea, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending poverty worldwide. Cyclists embarking on the bike tour across the United States will depart from Vanguard University after a brief stay on campus.

The 3,900 mile bike tour is sponsored by the Reformed Church in America, Partners Worldwide, and World Renew – an agency of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. The most recent bike tour, held in 2008, sent over $1.5 million to local, national and international agencies fighting poverty. The fundraising goal for this year’s bike tour is $2 million.

“After the amazing experience of the 2005 Sea to Sea bike tour, I felt called to promote awareness of the needs of the poor, says Claire Elgersma, steering committee chairman and cyclist for Sea to Sea. “This year, 35% of the proceeds will go to local programs that assist those in poverty. We hope that partners like Vanguard University, who are also dedicated to serving the poor, will continue to ride with us until poverty is eliminated.”

According to Sea to Sea, nine million people die worldwide each year because of hunger and malnutrition. The Census Bureau, which defines poverty as those living with an annual income of less than $23,283 for a family of four, reports that 15% of the United States population were living in poverty in 2011. The World Bank, which calculates the threshold for dire poverty in developing countries as $1.25 per day of consumption (versus income), projects that the population share of extreme poor in developing countries will be halved by 2015, down from 29% in 1990 to 12% in 2015.

“We’re delighted to be able to sponsor an organization like Sea to Sea that is dedicated to making a positive impact in the world,” says Mike Beals, dean of spiritual formation at Vanguard University. “With our students seeing first-hand the impacts of global poverty in places like East Africa, South America, and the Middle East where they serve on missions trips each summer, we recognize the great need to support an initiative like this. We look forward to being able to partner with Sea to Sea now and in the future to help reduce poverty.”

After dipping their tires in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, June 23, the cyclists will officially start the bike tour to end poverty from Vanguard University on Monday, June 24 and end in New York City nine weeks later. The bike tour will make stops in Phoenix, Rehoboth, Colorado Springs, Iowa City, Grand Rapids, Ancaster, Toronto, and Montreal.

For more information about the Sea to Sea Bike Tour, click here.

###

ABOUT VANGUARD UNIVERSITY
Vanguard University (VU) is a regionally ranked, private, Christian university of liberal arts and professional studies. Located ten minutes from Newport Beach and an hour from Los Angeles, Vanguard equips students for a Spirit-empowered life of Christ-focused leadership and service. Vanguard is committed to academic excellence, boasting small class sizes that are designed to cultivate lasting professor-mentor relationships that enhance the learning process. Ranked annually by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 10 colleges in the west since 2010, Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Vanguard offers more than 30 degrees and certificates through its undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies programs.

ABOUT SEA TO SEA
The Sea to Sea 2013 Bike Tour is a nine-week, 3,900-mile cycling trek from Southern California to New York City designed to raise awareness and funds in support of those living in poverty around the world. The tour is hosted by the Reformed Church in America, Partners Worldwide, and World Renew – an agency of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

Kristen was invited to speak at this year’s TEDx ChapmanU conference, an independently organized TED event, which occurred on Tuesday, June 4. At the conference, she spoke about the benefits and dangers of social media in today’s technology-centered world.

“We’ve found diversions for ourselves that become central, that can keep us from reaching our goals or connecting with other people,” she said about the costs of technology. “We value the distraction over relationships and it causes us to put our lives on hold… Our life is not in [our phone]; it’s out here. It’s not online.”

Photo by TEDx ChapmanU

Check back in the next few weeks to see a video recording of Kristen’s speech.

]]> http://www.vanguard.edu/about/vanguard-news/vanguard-university-professor-kristen-howerton-speaks-at-tedx-chapmanu-conference/feed/ 0 http://www.vanguard.edu/about/vanguard-news/vanguard-university-local-outreach-department-prepares-for-city-serve-2013/ http://www.vanguard.edu/about/vanguard-news/vanguard-university-local-outreach-department-prepares-for-city-serve-2013/#comments Fri, 07 Jun 2013 23:03:35 +0000 Vanguard University http://www.vanguard.edu/about/?p=4244 Mark your calendars for City Serve 2013! This fall, Vanguard University’s annual community service project will take place on Saturday, September 14th.

This September, Vanguard students will be working with local churches, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to complete service projects throughout Orange County like painting and repairs, playing with youth, and visiting local senior citizen centers.

Students will be divided into service teams assigned by dorm halls and will spread out around the community to participate in a variety of service projects for the purpose of blessing and loving our neighbors. The goal of the event is two-fold: to expose Vanguard students to the needs around the community and to foster relationships that will help students, faculty, and staff to participate in continued service. This 1-day event is merely an introduction to the vast amount of service opportunities around Orange County.

This year, Vanguard University’s Outreach ministries is ramping up their involvement with Alumni and asking graduates of Vanguard to participate in service projects in their own communities on the same day as the undergraduate City Serve event. Vanguard’s Outreach ministries is excited for City Serve 2013 and can’t wait to share more information with incoming and returning Vanguard students. Check back later this summer for more details on how to sign up, and watch the video below to see a recap of City Serve 2012!

For more information, please visit: http://www.vanguard.edu/cityserve/
Have a question? Contact localoutreach@vanguard.edu

City Serve 2012 Recap from Vanguard University on Vimeo.

She had wanted to teach English in China since her freshman year at Vanguard University, but the idea had been placed on the backburner as she studied, worked, and spent her summers at home. During her junior year, however, an opportunity to take the trip appeared. “I was late to apply,” Anna said about the application process, “but every door opened for me to go. Every one. It felt like God wanted me to go.”

Vanguard University has sent teaching teams to China each year since 2004. This year, Dr. Mike Wilson, associate provost and dean of the college, led the trip.

Dr. Wilson first came to China in 1984 where he was an Instructor at Jiangxi Agricultural University for two years. After spending an additional year in Hong Kong, he returned to the States and came to Vanguard, where he currently teaches Chinese History. This summer was his fourth time leading the Vanguard Teaching Team.

The trip to China was the first outreach trip of the summer and started only three days after the spring semester ended. A total of eight students on the Vanguard Teaching Team packed their belongings during finals week in order to fly out of the country on May 12. For Anna, packing in such a short timeframe was hard, but it was even harder to leave the country on Mother’s Day. Still, sacrificing in order to help others was well worth it.

Dr. Mike Wilson teaching cultural differences in dining etiquette to Chinese students

The students boarded a plane to Shanghai and then another to Beijing. Once landed, the team spent three days in Beijing to tour the area. Dr. Wilson said these days of touring gave the students “a chance to acclimate to the culture and bond as a team.” After a pit stop in Beijing, the team took another flight to Xi’an and then a bus to Hanzhong. All together, the flights and bus ride amounted to nearly 21 hours of travel time.

Once in Hanzhong, the Vanguard Teaching Team spent ten days teaching English to non-English majors at Shaanxi University of Technology. The team lectured in classrooms, gave demonstrations, and spent time developing relationships with many of the Chinese students. “It’s always amazing to me how quickly we can connect in the span of a week,” Dr. Wilson said of the cross-cultural friendships that were made on the trip. “We felt really close to a lot of [Chinese] students who helped us.” Anna was humbled to see God’s love for people, and His desire for us to build relationships with others.

Anna, center, with a group of Chinese students

Before the trip, Dr. Wilson hoped that his team of students would have their minds broadened by their experiences in China. Anna had a similar wish: the desire to see God’s hand at work in a different culture. Both of these dreams were fulfilled. Dr. Wilson recalls that during group debriefs, each student shared incredible stories of God at work in China. In one such debrief, a student turned to Dr. Wilson and said, “I see why you keep coming back.”

At the end of the trip, Dr. Wilson was glad to see that the team had become “extremely bonded.” The group’s only complaint about the trip was that it was far too short.

“I want to go back,” said Anna when asked if she would consider taking another trip to China. “I would definitely recommend students to take a missions trip if they can. [They] don’t even have to go very far.” Even reaching out to a community in one’s own country is a great way to be a model for Christ.

Vanguard China Teaching Team 2013 at the Great Wall

Each summer, Vanguard University Global Outreach sends several groups of students to countries all over the globe in order to “lead the Vanguard community to deeply value and relentlessly pursue a life of faith in action.” This summer, a total of eleven teams will be given an opportunity to live that mission out internationally. Besides China, other countries the teams will visit are Tanzania, Peru, Mozambique, the Middle East, Ireland, Honduras, Fiji, Ethiopia, the Dominican Republic/Haiti, and Australia. For more information, visit: http://studentlife.vanguard.edu/outreach/global-outreach/

* We welcomed our largest incoming class in the history of the University

* Opportunities to serve our community and our global neighbors were created and cultivated

* Our academic profile and ethnic diversity improved

* Partnerships with like-minded organizations that advance our hands-on learning were forged

Please take a moment to see for yourself how God has blessed this campus and community in abundance.

Vanguard University actors

Last Train to Nibroc carries Vanguard University alumni and a powerful message of acceptance and friendship

Vanguard University’s highly acclaimed and award-winning department of theatre arts presents Last Train to Nibroc opening on May 31 and running through June 16, 2013 in the Vanguard Lyceum Theater.

Set in the 1940s, Last Train to Nibroc tells the story of Raleigh and May, two strangers who meet on a cross country train during World War II (WWII).  This funny and touching tale of an unlikely romance follows the two as they search for their own happiness.  Two favorite Vanguard theatre alumni – Ryan Miller and Heaven Peabody – will return to the Lyceum stage to portray Raleigh and May.

“I cannot remember the last time I was so instantly enchanted by two characters from a first read,” says Sasha Stewart, director and Vanguard theatre alumna.  “Their story is one of acceptance and friendship; simple concepts yet powerful ones when told by the right people.  Raleigh and May are those right people.”

Stewart’s passion for this story comes to life on the stage.  Characterizing the story of Raleigh and May as a unique one, Stewart points out how rare it is for a play to lack an antagonist and how that dynamic leaves audience members rooting for both sides.  Stewart adds that what resonated to her is that while May and Raleigh are hard workers, they are also risk takers, and dreamers, with struggles that are tangible and sincerity that is infectious.

“I have been nothing short of humbled each time I have had a hand in presenting this very relevant and poignant story,” continues Stewart.  “Those seeing this show for the first time are about to journey into the lives of two very honest individuals living in an endearing time period, discovering what their own lives need to be. I envy them the trip.”

Performance dates and times are May 31, June 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 8:00 pm and June 2, 9 and 16 at 2:00 pm. All shows are presented on the campus of Vanguard University, in the Lyceum Theater. Ticket prices are $14 for general admission and $12 for seniors, children, groups and college students. Tickets may be purchased by clicking here or by calling the Theatre Department box office at 714-668-6145.

For additional information about the Theatre Department click here.

Professor Ed Clarke discusses findings from         YOU Count

Remember the popular 80′s song by Phil Collins called Another Day in Paradise? (If you’re too young to remember, you can likely hear it on the oldies station.) It addresses the unfortunate reality of how most people deal with the homeless population: we don’t. Or if we do, we don’t know how to help in a way that is effective or useful.

Thankfully, there are people who not only care about the homeless in theory, but are also taking the initiative to do something to help them and impact the quality of their lives for the better.

Becks Heyhoe from the Church’s Consortium discusses homeless findings from YOU Count

One of those people is Dr. Ed Clarke, sociology professor at Vanguard University. Dr. Clarke, in collaboration with the Churches Consortium, presented data on findings from what is called the YOU Count initiative from last October. The findings were largely based on interviews that Vanguard University students and other volunteers used to better understand the needs of the homeless in Costa Mesa with the goal of providing useful assistance and improving conditions.

But the interviews weren’t the beginning of this initiative, nor will they be the end.  Dr. Clarke has been involved in studying the homeless with the purpose of improving conditions since 2008. In fact, the work he’s done began as a study he implemented on homeless mothers. From there, he focused on accumulating valid and reliable data and developed a system for future research. In 2011, Dr. Clarke set his sights on rapid rehousing and homeless prevention with the end goal of replacing temporary and emergency shelters with permanent supportive housing. His work has assisted government agencies such as the Homeless Management and Information System (HMIS) in improving the collection methodology used for the enumeration performed every three years.

Dr. Clarke has been highly successful in mentoring his students to develop a repertoire of knowledge in social theory and research methods and apply what they’ve learned in the classroom through experiential learning by doing, which, in turn, results in deeper learning.

So what are some next steps?  Housing!  Yes, you read correctly.  Providing housing is the ultimate goal.  To get there, Dr.  Clarke and his team are working toward an integrated model of data management so that the chasm between perceived needs and actual needs is bridged.  The hope is that the work the team is doing here in Costa Mesa will serve as a useful model for other cities to adopt to ultimately eliminate homelessness.

Active audience members listen intently to findings on homelessness in Costa Mesa

So….what can you do to help in the meantime? Get involved! Click here for more information on how you can get make a difference.
Click here to see the recent article in the Daily Pilot about YOU Count.

Aaron Daniel Annas’s students can.

On Friday, May 31, 2013 at 7PM ET/PT,  Inside World War II, a documentary for which Annas has three credits – Associate Editor/SFX Design, Finishing Editor, and Sound Effects Editor – will air on National Geographic Channel.  According to the National Geographic, which has posted a trailer on YouTube, Inside World War II is a three-hour television event that provides a detailed visual timeline of the complex war, with personal, in-depth stories from veterans who fought in the deadliest conflict in human history. Inside World War II is the intimate story of the last global war, told by the survivors — those who endured the front line’s bloody conflicts. Those who witnessed the brutality of combat give their unfiltered accounts. Included in the interviews are former prisoner of war and “Slaughterhouse-Five” author Kurt Vonnegut and the grandson of legendary general George S. Patton.

As an assistant professor of Cinema Arts who teaches courses in the communications department at Vanguard University, Annas brings a rich array of professional experience to the academic table.  In addition to Inside World War II, Annas has been assistant editor on Great Lake Warriors (The History Channel) and editor of Parole Diaries (TVOne), in addition to many other films and projects.

Of all the shows he’s worked on, Annas says he is most proud of his work on Inside World War II.  “This documentary had a huge team and tons of footage, including actual footage of WWII,” said Annas.  “Because there were no sound recordings back then, we  had to find  sound sources for all the footage.  So the families who provided footage will be seeing the documentary for the first time.”

For more information, click here.

Photography credit to Glen Andersen for the Register

It likely began as an ordinary day for Vanguard University alumni, Glen Warren ’85 and Scott Bedley ’93, both educators in the Orange Unified School District.  But it didn’t end up ordinary.  Last Wednesday, both men were notified in person by the “prize patrol” of their status as final “Teachers of the Year” for the 2014 school year.  This year, 56 educators in Orange County, CA were nominated.

The Orange County Teachers of the Year (TOTY) program provides recognition for outstanding teachers in Orange County. Each school district may nominate one to three teachers (depending on district size). Community colleges districts may each nominate one teacher per district.  The program was established in the 1970′s according to Kristin Rigby, who coordinates the TOTY program.

K-12 finalists from all over California are invited to represent the county in the California Teachers of the Year program which is hosted by the California Department of Education.  The winning teachers, who will receive a golden apple and $15,000, will be honored along with all candidates on October 25 at the Disneyland Hotel.

Congratulations to Glen and Scott for this well-deserved achievement.  Vanguard University will be rooting for you in the fall!  Click here to read more about this story.