Students join in on Native American prayer technique at MCO event

By Aubrey Headrick
The air was filled with the smells of smoking sage, sprinkled cedar and burning sweet grass as the night began.
 
Mike Peters, leader of 4Fires Ministries, along with others representatives of 4Fires, directed worship through traditional dance and rituals on November 23. Dancing Our Prayers was a cross-cultural experience of thanksgiving and prayer.
 
The [...]

LibraryPrize gives students chance to shine

By Elizabeth Wolbrink
The winner of Miller Library’s LibraryPrize 2009 was a shadow box called “Goodnight Miller Library” by Kayla Brown.
The second, third, and fourth place awards are the painting “For the Love of Books” by Katie Selden, the sculpture “Our Family Tree” by Josh Perkins and Josh Webb, and the poem “This is [...]

Fabisch, Stevens open their homes to students free of charge

By Karissa Ryan
For some Cornerstone University professors, community means opening their homes to CU students.
Judith Fabisch and Michael Stevens, both professors of English, have opened their homes to CU students free of charge, though with some stipulations. Neither of them decided to take students in order to make money.
For the students Fabisch takes [...]

Newly installed ice rink brings new opportunities to CU

By: Lauren Honigford
Some definite changes have been made around the Cornerstone campus this year, and now, just in time for winter, an ice rink has been installed on CU property.
 
            In reality, the CU broomball team had been working on trying to acquire a proper rink for some time. So when news of the [...]

Stowell reflects on his long list of family members involved in full-time ministry

By: Hannah Strauel
 
Joe Stowell has rarely known anything other than being a pastor’s grandson, a pastor’s son or a pastor himself.
 
Being a pastor’s son all his life had its advantages and disadvantage while growing up, said Stowell, the president of Cornerstone University.
 
“The good part was that a lot of the time people cut me [...]

Editor’s Notebook: God still has a plan

by Hope Cronkright
“Why, God?” One dark October evening I found myself asking this question. When my parents sat down with me to have a talk, I would have never imagined that they were about to tell me that my brother had passed away that day.
The series of events that lead up to his death were [...]

Student Testimony: Amber Evans

by Amber Evans
Throughout my 22 years of life, I have heard many people say that I should be thankful for every day God has given me and not take anything for granted. I have had the privilege of living a blessed life and have not ever really lacked any. Because of this, I did not [...]

Our View: No more hall council for no good reason

The past couple years, big changes have occurred at Cornerstone. Many of these changes benefit the community. We have new furniture in Bolthouse and the corum. The new tables outside of the corum look nice. We have a new Cornerstone core. Yet one change doesn’t make much sense. Hall Council is no more.

Hall Council was [...]

Student Column: CU students need authenticity

by Lauren Hines

Authentic: adjective; being actually and exactly what is claimed.
For a lot of people, the word authentic has little meaning other than when dealing with ancient or foreign artifacts. It is an object’s authenticity that renders its value. For instance, an authentic Aboriginal boomerang is worth much more than one made in a factory [...]

Guest Column: Darwin debates, part 2

by Russ Pullium
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin’s “Origin of Species,” I recently wrote an objection to the belief that Darwin’s theory can be used an explanation for the origins of the universe.
If I were to return for study in the halls of higher education, as some of my critics [...]

Faculty Notebook: Moles, birkenstocks and pecularities in life

by Tammy Looman
While I’ve never been fond of any kind of rodent, last summer I decided that I hated moles. For the majority of my life, I didn’t think about moles at all, or, if I did, my thoughts were those of indifference. That all changed seven years ago when we moved into a new [...]

Faculty Notebook: Remember the veterans

by Bob Becker
I remember the day two summers ago when I was walking down the steps of the World War II monument in Washington, D.C., taking baby steps so I wouldn’t walk on the heels of the small, bent-over man who seemed to be having trouble navigating his way into the 7.4 acres of bronze [...]

Letter to the editor: Study abroad reconsidered

by Michael Pasquale
I was a bit perplexed to read the Herald editorial entitled “Study Abroad: Required?” (10-23-09). The editorial specifically targeted two of the programs in the Humanities Division: the Spanish and Humanities majors. The editorial concluded that the main things to be considered were whether such a trip was worth the time and the money.

First [...]

Staff Notebook: ‘Deep-clean’ pain brings future joy

By Gerald Longjohn
I wrote this in the dentist’s chair…okay, not entirely, although having my laptop there would have been a welcome distraction. But, these thoughts consumed at least an hour at the dentist a while back.

I was there for a “deep-clean­ing,” which means that the gums that my DNA ordered up are prone to [...]

Guest Column: Don’t shrug off student evaluations

by H. William Rice
After more years in academe than I care to admit, holding posi­tions from faculty member to department chair to dean and even interim provost for a long year and a half, I have witnessed more faculty histri­onics than I care to remem­ber. However, the most extreme performances I have seen have been [...]

Fashion Column: Let’s play dress up!

by Victoria Rosales
The excitement, drama and headache of finding (and often creating) the perfect Halloween costume never ceases to amaze me. The mission almost always remains incomplete.
An evening spent dolled up as someone else is every girl’s dream. However, as we catwalk through the doorway of our Halloween party, we are immediately stopped dead [...]

CU gets cheer team

 
　
By Erica Stone

Staff writer

 
Basketballs. Fans. Players. Pep band. Cheerleaders?
Yes. You heard right. Cornerstone University now has a cheer team.
Mandi Merritt, the freshman student who started the cheer team said they will cheer for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams. This season, however, they are only cheering at home games.
Merritt, who’s acting as cheer coach, [...]

Athletic competition is no cliche

By Bob Becker
Guest columnist

Budgets are tight across the country, and belt-tightening is the order of the day.
At most high schools, the first thing to be tapped into for savings is interscholastic athletics, because those in charge still haven’t decided that sports has value as part of the academic model. It’s happening at the collegiate level [...]

Online coaching program required

By Hope Cronkright

Your Life editor

 
A new online program for coaches has been implemented by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as a resource to help institutions like Cornerstone develop athletes that are true “Leaders of Character.”
The course focuses on five core values: respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership, and sportsmanship. Through the training program, coaches [...]

Sign Language Club studies ‘misunderstood’ culture

By Allison Curby
Seniors Bethany Baumann and Bethany Main are the co-leaders of the sign language club which meets Monday mornings on campus from 10 till 10:50. The club is open to all students regardless of their previous exposure to sign language.
“Some people know signs, some people don’t know any,” Baumann said. “It’s a pretty [...]

CU partners with TheCommon.org

By Aubrey Headrick
Cornerstone is the first university to partner with TheCommon.org.
Jay Kroll, a graduate of CU and a founder and facilitator of this site, helped bring this connection to the campus, and Kroll said, “the potential of so many students getting involved is exciting!”
The site began a couple years ago and has quickly grown. Churches [...]

After changing roles and adding faces, Spiritual Formation is geared to serve

By Hannah Strauel
Last year, Student Development changed its name to Spiritual Formation and adjusted several positions. This year the changes in Spiritual Formation continue.
Some of these changes included Chuck Swanson becoming the interim vice president of Spiritual Formation, David Murdoch leaving the department and Chip Huber coming to Cornerstone from Wheaton Academy.
However, these changes began [...]

New online course evaluation forms created

By Lauren Honigford
When evaluating instructors this semester, students will be tossing aside those long questionnaires and pencils for an assessment test they can take directly off of their laptops.
When Provost Rick Ostrander was first hired at Cornerstone, he immediately addressed the flaws he saw with the current mode of assessing professors.
“One of the things that [...]

Student advisory councils created

By Aubrey Headrick
Student Advisory Councils (SAC) have been instituted for the Business and Music Divisions of Cornerstone University.
These councils serve as a clear channel of communication between the student body and the faculty. Donna Bohn, chair of the Fine Arts Division, and Brad Stamm, chair of the Business Division, are heads of the separate councils.
The [...]

Miller Library to be open until midnight

By Amena Anderson
Procrastinators have another lifeline.
Starting after fall break, the library will be open until midnight Monday through Thursday. The library currently closes at 10:30 p.m.
Keeping with the school’s “best year yet” theme, Library Director Fred Sweet said Miller Library wants to do its part.
Sweet said the library will make the change to meet student [...]

CUSG hires 3 new staff members

By Lauren Honigford
Among the many other changes taking place at CU this semester, CUSG has hired an additional three new vice presidents to their staff.
Senior Jessica Rider is VP of finances and senior Lance Mokma and Luke Marsman are the co-VPs of marketing.
The need for positions to be filled in student government arose during the [...]

Huber takes on role as new dean of student engagement

By Karissa Ryan
Cornerstone University’s new dean of student engagement enjoys sitting on the sidelines, but only when it comes to watching Cornerstone soccer teams.
Chip Huber, one of Spiritual Formation’s newest members, confessed that he is an avid fan of soccer. Most of his time, however, is spent performing his duties as Cornerstone’s dean of student [...]

Fabisch to lead overseas Holocaust trip in May

By Lauren Honigford
In May 2010, Professor of English Judith Fabisch will be fulfilling a dream she has had for over 10 years. She will lead a group of students and alumni throughout various parts of Europe that are linked historically with the Holocaust.
Fabisch, who has taught a Holocaust literature course at CU for many years, [...]

Former Grand Rapids Griffins promoter hired at CU

By Amena Anderson
It takes a real leap of faith to start with a pro hockey team and finish with a Christian university.
For 11 years, Bob Sack promoted the Grand Rapids Griffins for DP Fox Sports. Now, he’s the executive director of marketing and communications at Cornerstone University.
The former senior vice president of sales and marketing [...]

CUSG Web site receives a makeover

By Stasha Giese
Facebook is everywhere. It has taken over Cornerstone’s campus, and Cornerstone University Student Government (CUSG) is ready to adapt. CUSG is making some serious changes in both their goals and media for the 2009-2010 school year.
“This year, we are more concerned with student issues, not activities,” said Joe Steggs, CUSG’s president.
Steggs said last [...]

Meyers’ battle against cancer comes to an end

By Katherine Wisen
After a three-year battle against pancreatic cancer, Ronald Meyers—beloved professor, colleague and friend of Cornerstone University—has entered into heaven.
Surrounded by his family and in the comfort of his home, Meyers passed away Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009.
“My heart rejoices in the fact that Ron is with the Lord experiencing the promise of eternal life,” [...]

Freshmen claim Mudbowl victory

By Aubrey Headrick
Standing too close to the sidelines was a sure way to get splattered with mud on Oct. 8 as the contestants of Mudbowl 2009 battled their way across the field. With 90s music blaring in the background and spectators dancing just to keep warm, the muddy field filled with its first two teams [...]

Biblical Criticism course cut from CU catalog

By Karissa Ryan

Biblical Criticism, or REL 103, will no longer be offered within The Bible, Religion and Ministry Division after the spring 2010 semester.
“We’re always looking for how we can do things better, how learning changes and how better to serve our students,” said Andy Smith, associate professor of Bible.
Biblical Criticism was once a part [...]

Meyers leaves behind many friends and rich legacy at CU

By Hannah Strauel
After a hard-fought, two year battle with pancreatic cancer, Ron Meyers went home to be with his Lord on Oct. 18, 2009. However, he leaves behind a rich legacy, many friends and family, who will miss him dearly.
Meyers, associate professor of science and chair of the Kinesiology, Science & Mathematics Division, taught at [...]

CU student wins ‘lead actor’ at Grand Awards

By Sarah Brower
Cornerstone student Kyle Juresich won “Most Outstanding Lead Actor in a College Production” at the 2009 Grand Awards for his performance in “Suessical the Musical.”
“I am still blown away that I was even nominated,” Juresich said.
He won for his performance as The Cat and the Hat last spring.
“It was a really fun and [...]