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 [...]

Enrollment increases for CU, PGS and GRTS

By Amena Anderson
Overall student enrollment increased this year for Cornerstone University’s undergraduate program, Professional & Graduate Studies program and the Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.
CU’s undergraduate population increased three percent, PGS’s students by 10 percent and GRTS’s students by 19.07 percent.
Lisa Link, director of CU undergraduate admissions, said last year her team got together to create [...]

Prayers go out for former student, minors in case

By Amena Anderson
Cornerstone University community members continue to pray for a former CU student awaiting trial on state criminal charges, as well as for the minors in the case.
Shawn Birman, 24, recently arrested and arraigned in connection with four felony counts of criminal sexual conduct (CSC) reportedly involving three Wayland High School band students, has [...]