New FREE Alumni Benefit!
Lifetime Email Accounts Powered through Gmail
Why sign up?
-
Built-in contact book
that connects you with all PLNU email accounts so you can reconnect with college friends
- Professional ‘@pointloma.edu’ email address which will remain the same over your lifetime
- Over 7 gigabytes of storage...never delete an email again!
- Email services provided by Google for FREE to the university
How to sign up?
1. Log in to the Portal at https://my.pointloma.edu/ics/Alumni. If you do not already have a Portal account, select the ‘Account Creation Steps’ link in the left navigation bar.
2. Once you are logged in, select the Create My Gmail Account link in the left navigation bar and follow the steps provided.
If you have questions or you would like assistance, please contact Catherine Marcarelli at cmarcare@pointloma.edu or call 1.800.4PT.LOMA.
Note: The Google capabilities available with this email account allow you to use the provided Gmail inbox or to automatically forward messages from your PLNU account to another pre-existing email account.
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$19,000 Awarded in Student Scholarships and Faculty Grants
Each year, the Alumni Association accepts grant applications from PLNU faculty on scholarly research or teaching/curriculum development projects. This year, a total of $8,000 was distributed in faculty grants among four professors. Listed below are more details on the grant recipients and their projects.
Dr. Rob Elson
Department of Biology
Neural Control of Gut Movements in Insect Pests
Dr. J. Craig Johnson
Department of Music
Residency with Master Teacher Ann Baltz
Dr. Son Chae Kim
School of Nursing
Impact of the Evidence-based Practice Institute (EBPI) among Staff Nurses and Advanced Practice Nurses
Dr. Dorthea O’Quinn
School of Education
Best Practices to Increase Student Academic Success in Urban Schools
“Please accept this as the first of many “Thank you’s” for this Faculty Grant. I am so excited about this opportunity. This will be an incredible opportunity for students, faculty, and the university community. I am extremely honored.”
-- Dr. J. Craig Johnson
Each spring semester, the Alumni Association also accepts scholarship applications from current PLNU students with 60 or more units, completed and enrolled. For the 2009-2010 academic year, a total of $11,000 was awarded in scholarships to the following five students.
Marissa Eveland
Liberal Studies
Laurie Freed
Liberal Studies
Courtney Hall
Biology
Camille Kindschi
Information Systems
Lauren Kipp
Psychology
Elise Manley
Journalism & Spanish
“Thank you so much for the scholarship that you have awarded me. As many families are this year, my own family is struggling with economic hardships and your gift allows me to continue to attend PLNU. I am so very grateful for this because I love this school and I have learned a lot here and made many good friends. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
-- Camille Kindschi
To give to the Alumni Student Scholarships or Faculty Grants:
- Visit www.pointloma.edu/GiveOnline
- Under Step 2, select “Other: Please Specify ->” in the “Designation” field
- Type in either “Alumni Student Scholarships” or “Alumni Faculty Grants” in the “Other Designation” field
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Homecoming 2009: Fast Forward, Rewind, and Play
This year’s Homecoming celebration will feature 55 events!
Featured Events:
Variety Show & Coronation
Back-to-Back Men’s & Women’s Basketball Games
Science Celebration | 50 Year Anniversary ** This year only!
Reunions | 2004, ’99, ’94, ’89, ’84, ’79, ’74, ’69, ’64, ’59, ‘49
The Main Event & Distinguished Achievement Awards
Homecoming Chapel & Alumnus of Point Loma Awards
Homecoming Extravaganza & Family Fun Fair
DA Awardees:
Rev. Larry Pitcher (‘65)
Dr. Eugene Rice (‘57)
APL Awardees:
Dr. David Alexander (‘77)
Dr. Janice Blair (‘83)
Melva Morrison (‘75)
Dr. Bob Wiese (‘82)
Science Celebration ** This year only!
All math and science alumni are invited to a 50 year celebration of math and science at PLNU! To date, 50 former and current faculty are planning to participate. For further details and a list of participating faculty, visit www.pointloma.edu/ScienceCelebration.
Reunions
Eleven class reunions will be held on Homecoming Saturday (Nov 21). For more details visit www.pointloma.edu/Reunions. Make your reservations now!
Full Homecoming Schedule available at www.pointloma.edu/Homecoming.
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An Alumnus' Story of Success and Hope
From a bleak diagnosis to a bright future, Erik Weber’s story is an inspiring one.
At the age of three, Erik Weber was diagnosed with autism. Doctors informed his parents that he would reach the mental development of an 18-month-old, at best, and recommended seeking out an institution at which Erik could live his life. Erik’s parents, however, had hope in a different future for him.
The journey to that future has not been easy. Unfortunately, Erik’s family was struck by tragedy when he was eight years old. His father, Richard, died unexpectedly during a business trip to Turkey.
Despite the many challenges they have faced, Erik and his mother have persevered, and Erik has excelled beyond the doctors’ expectations. In 2006, he graduated high school from San Diego’s Excelsior Academy; in 2008, he graduated from Grossmont College with an associate degree in general education. He graduated from both institutions with a GPA above 3.5. Most recently, he has graduated Summa Cum Laude (GPA of 3.9 or above) from PLNU with a major in International Development Studies and was inducted into the Phi Delta Lambda Alumni Honor Society. The Fermanian School of Business also named him the International Developmental Studies Student of the Year for 2009.
Outside of academics and PLNU, Erik has been busy with additional interests as well. He is a Special Olympics gold medalist, and, 
in 2008, he published a book titled “Autism for Dads: The Importance of a Father’s Love”. He has been featured in various newsletters and articles and will be interviewed for a “Salute to Teachers” special on San Diego’s local Channel 4 television station, airing in October. He also has taken part in research studies and has been a guest speaker in special education classes. Most recently, the San Diego City Council honored Erik by naming July 14, 2009, “Erik Weber Day” in San Diego.
Erik’s future continues to look bright and full of exciting opportunity. This fall, he will begin a graduate program at San Diego State University for a Master’s in Public Administration. His career goals are in the field of international business.
In a recent interview with Erik’s mother, Sandy, she expressed the deep love and appreciation which she and Erik have for PLNU. They feel the university has done much to help transform their dream of Erik earning his bachelor’s degree into reality. She said they frequently tell other families with disabled children about their wonderful experience at PLNU. She spoke of her sadness in having to leave the “haven” that PLNU has been, but she said Erik will have continuing pride as an alumnus of PLNU. At many of Erik’s public engagements, he can be seen wearing a PLNU pin or shirt, proudly representing his Alma Mater.
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" Tuition Freedom Day" Brings Awareness to Alumni Giving
Never in the history of PLNU has tuition covered the entire cost of a student’s education. In fact, only 79% of a student’s educational costs are paid by their tuition. So why did school end on May 16, 2009, and not on March 27, 2009, when 79% of the 2008-2009 academic year was completed? The answer to that question lies with the generous financial support PLNU receives from alumni contributions, donor gifts, corporate sponsorships, and foundation gifts, to name a few.
To celebrate and honor PLNU alumni and supporters and highlight their contribution to students’ education, the Alumni Association, Student Congress and the ASB Board of Directors developed and hosted “Tuition Freedom Day” on March 30, 2009, during the week of that pivotal 79% mark. An event was hosted in the dining hall during the lunch hour where students were given a chance to thank the alumni who have contributed to their education. Attendees also enjoyed music and a special dessert. Prior to the event, t-shirts were also distributed to and worn by Student Congress and various members of the student body to bring added awareness to the campaign.
It is hoped that "Tuition Freedom Day" will become a regular event in the future so that students and alumni will continue to realize the difference that has been made in the lives of thousands of past and present students and the impact that they can make in the lives of countless more future students through giving.
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New Online Chapel Streaming - Featuring Chapel Archives
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning during the academic year PLNU undergraduates gather in Brown Chapel for music, worship, and prayer. Chapel this fall will have not only over 700 new students in attendance, but also unknown numbers of invisible chapel-listeners as well. You could even be one of them.
Chapel services are now available to anyone with an internet connection featuring a new chapel player!
Want to hear what students are hearing in Chapel when they are hearing it?
Check out the live audio stream Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays between 9:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. (PST).
Want to experience Spiritual Renewal Week from last spring or fall?
Watch one of the available chapel videos.
Missed a chapel or want to hear a powerful message over again?
Utilize the new chapel player to access audio from archived services dating back to Fall 2003.
Fall 2009 Chapel Speaker Highlights:
| Dr. Mary Paul, Vice President for Spiritual Development |
Sept 9 & Oct 2 |
| Rev. Mark Carter, Chaplain |
Most Wednesdays: Sept 16, Nov 11, & more |
Renewal Week
Rev. Deirdre Brower Latz from Manchester, England |
Sept 21, 23, & 25 |
| Dr. Janine Metcalf |
Nov 6 |
| Rev. Dee Kelley |
Dec 4 |
Chapel services available online at:
http://www.pointloma.edu/CampusLife/Chapel.htm
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Athletes Finish a Successful 2008-09 Season
In golf, Sam Cyr won the individual crown at the 58
th Annual NAIA Men’s National Championships. It was the second consecutive year that Cyr medaled at nationals. The Sea Lions as a team tied for 12
th. Prior to the championships, Ben Foster was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in the category of Golf Coach.
Baseball won the Golden State Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles and finished second at the NAIA World Series, the highest finish recorded in the history of the university. It was the fourth time that our team appeared at the Series. Pitcher Andrew Bovich was named GSAC Pitcher of the Year and Joe Schaefer was selected as GSAC Coach of the Year. Seniors Kurt Steinhauer and Kaohi Downing were picks in the Major League Draft, while Bovich signed a free agent contract with the Padres.
The men’s tennis team ended up with a No. 11 NAIA ranking and went 1-1 at the national tournament. Curt Wheeler and Joel Myers were named as All-Americans.
The women’s tennis teams finished the season ranked No. 12 and made it to the quarterfinals at the national tournament. Kristin Strimple was tabbed as an All-American.
PLNU hosted the GSAC track and field championships with the women taking second and the men third. At the national meet, the women placed 11th overall and the men placed 22nd. Thirteen Sea Lion athletes earned All-American status.
Softball went 48-13 overall and wound up with a No. 4 NAIA ranking. The team placed fifth at nationals and had two All-Americans: Melissa Gomez and Tyler Lent.
Ethan Hamilton became PLNU’s athletic director on June 15, taking over for Dr. Carroll B. Land who retired the post he held since 1968.
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The PLNU speech and debate team (also known as the Forensics team) enjoyed a banner year in 2008-09. In addition to winning First Place in several large invitational tournaments, the team won top honors at the NCCFA Christian College National Tournament, hosted at Biola University, at the end of the year, according to PLNU’s Director of Forensics Dr. Skip Rutledge, who also serves as the National President for NCCFA . At Christian College Nationals, the PLNU debate team also dominated in the debate competition, closing out the semi-final rounds in the senior division of parliamentary debate, meaning that all four of the top teams left competing in Semi finals were Point Loma debate teams. PLNU Junior Danielle Lawson was also named the National Champion in the Open Division of Informative Speaking.
Some might be dismissive of such honors, reasoning that they were only won by competing against 20-30 other Christian colleges and universities belonging to the NCCFA. That would be an unfair assumption though, given the competitive strengths of many of the other Christian colleges and universities.
PLNU also competed well against all other parliamentary debate teams across the country. The largest of the intercollegiate debate organizations in the country is the National Parliamentary Debate Association, with several hundred colleges and universities as members, including many of the top research universities: UCLA, Cal Berkeley, Notre Dame, Truman State, etc. The PLNU debaters were once again named National Champions for the year long sweepstakes race, the organization’s attempt to gauge the top teams in the nation derived by comparing each school’s top four tournaments and comparing them with all other school’s top four tournaments. This is the fourth time Point Loma has won this National Championship honor since 2003, and they have usually been in the top five since joining this format of debate a dozen years ago. At the NPDA National Tournament three of PLNU’s seven teams advanced to the elimination rounds, and the four that did not advance each just missed on one decision (or debate round).
The 2008-2009 team was fairly young, and many of these promising students are returning for another exciting year of competition. Forensics Director Rutledge is especially excited at having had over 15 team members attend at least one debate institute this summer, with some attending multiple camps. He also noted excitement at the quality of some of the incoming freshmen and transfer students for this upcoming year’s team and the availability of strong alumni team members available to help coach such a large group. Unfortunately, costs will be considerably higher next year given that the National Tournaments will be in Texas, Ohio, and Colorado, rather than in California as they were last year. With budgets already having been trimmed across the board, the team will have to come up with some creative fund raising efforts.
Those with questions or comments should feel free to contact Dr. Skip Rutledge at skiprutledge@pointloma.edu
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Alumni Visit Italy - Pictures Now on Flickr!
Dr. and Mrs. Brower and Dr. Reuben Welch, along with sixteen PLNU alumni and university friends, traveled together on a tour through parts of Italy this past March. The group visited Rome, Siena, Florence, and Venice. Dr. Welch led devotions every other day for the group. The trip was a mixture of organized site seeing and free time, rich with history, art, discussions, laughter and delicious cuisine.
Pictures courtesy of Linda Brower.
To view more pictures or the itinerary, visit www.pointloma.edu/Italy.
Photos for this event and more are available on Flickr through www.flickr.com/photos/plnualumni/.
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Students Embrace Sustainability and Go Trayless
In recent years, PLNU has been striving towards a sustainable campus, and students are embracing and encouraging these efforts as well. During the 2008-09 academic year, the Associated Student Body (ASB) Board of Directors together with Student Congress passed the “Trayless Bill”. This bill requested the removal of trays from the dining hall in an effort to reduce water and food waste. This removal would eliminate the need to wash the trays which, according to a press release from the ‘08-‘09 ASB Director of Communications, would cause PLNU to conserve an estimated 10,500 gallons of water each month. Current ASB President, Taylor Johnson, also reports that the trayless initiative will conserve an estimated 10,000 pounds of food per month due to diners wasting less food each meal.
The transition to a trayless dining hall was made gradually to help diners adjust to the change. Several trayless days were sponsored during the year, and, beginning March 20, 2009, trayless weekends were introduced. The dining hall went fully trayless on April 14, 2009. With this initiative, PLNU joins other universities inside and outside of the San Diego area whose dining halls are going trayless on a permanent or trial basis: San Diego State University, University of San Diego, Harvard University, and others.
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*Links to past newsletters can be found in "Archives"