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 some time before the department became Spiritual Formation. Swanson said they first began when Tom Emigh left CU two and a half years ago.

When Emigh left, Swanson said the department started to go through a transition. This transition continued when Joe Stowell became president of CU, and he brought with him Ed Dobson, an individual who had a large amount of experience with young adults.

The department knew they needed a new look. Spiritual Formation, which had only been a subset of Student Development, became the new name.

As they tried to be good stewards with finances and personnel, Swanson said Dobson helped them restructure the department. Under Dobson, they developed the three dean structure of Patrick Miller, dean of student services; Christine Mutch, dean of discipleship and Swanson, dean of community life.

One of the first things they realized was their need to expand the staff working with commuters and student activities. Katie Azkoul became assistant director of commuters and student activities.

Two new additions were also made to the department: Matthew Westerholm became director of worship arts and Gerald Longjohn, director of ministry development. Westerholm worked with CU chapels and the Evensong team, while Longjohn focused on missions outreach and establishing a second year experience for sophomores.

All of these changes took place before or during the last academic year. For the 2009-2010 school year, more changes have taken place when Dobson announced he was stepping down and Murdoch informed the department it was time for him to make a transition of his own to another job. He has since taken a job at the University of Alaska.

Before Murdoch left, he brought Scott Barrett on as an intern from the seminary to help him with student first and second year experiences. During this time, the department also switched its new student orientation program from Leadership Journey to their own curriculum, Terra Firma.

With several people leaving and orientation program’s focus shifting, Swanson said the department realized they needed to do some restructuring yet again.

Bringing in an outside consultant, they began to switch people positions around to better fit their passions and experience.

Ryan Davis, who had spent a number of years in the residence halls, took over Azkoul’s position of assistant director of commuter life and student activities. Azkoul then took Davis’ position as residence director of Cook and Van Osdel residence halls.

“At first, she wasn’t sure, but now she’s really excited,” Swanson said about Azkoul accepting the RD position. Swanson added, “Ryan’s done a great job with commuters and activities, so it’s a win-win situation all around.”

Longjohn and Larry Rice also switched positions. Rice began working with missions, Longjohn became dean of community life.

“[Larry’s] natural passion has always been for missions and interacting with that is a great opportunity to get him some experience,” Swanson said.

Also, with Murdoch gone, his position had to be filled. CU hired Chip Huber as dean of student engagements, and he took over student first and second year experiences.

“Coming to Grand Rapids from Chicago after 14 years at Wheaton Academy was a huge change, but we have and continue to feel confident in God’s leading and blessing in making the switch,” Huber said about him and his family. “I’ve loved jumping into relationships with so many students, staff, faculty and coaches in these first days. I loved being a part of the kick-off for Terra Firma.”

Swanson also said Barrett saved the department in many ways as he came in and took over many of the details surrounding Terra Firma, as well as caring for the Sirdars and Sherpas.

“We put cement shoes on his feet, threw him in the deep end and he actually swam,” Swanson said about Barrett.

Some final changes in the department included Molly Heemstra switching from career services to residence halls, and Mutch switching from full-time to part-time after she had a baby.

Overall, the many transitions have gone well.

“I’ve been really impressed and humbled by the way the transitions have drawn us together as a department. Each of us have had to rely on the others for training, input, and advice on the new responsibilities that have been entrusted to us. The cool thing is that we’ve been able to help each other out with becoming territorial or guarded in the process. It’s been a busy, crazy season, but it’s been so much fun to be surrounded by great people!” Longjohn said.

“More than anything, I am struck just about every day how much fun it is to work in the Spiritual Formation office with people who love Jesus and long for students to know Him more deeply,” Huber said. “They have welcomed me beyond my expectations and I love the team that God has brought together.”

Swanson also said the transition has gone well.

“When you have good people, they can handle transition; they can handle the stress; and they’ve done an amazing job,” he said.