Dr. Francis Collins Speaks at PLNU
Men's and Women's Basketball Teams Conclude Successful Seasons
Three Cups of Tea Author Speaks at PLNU 25th Annual W. Shelburne Brown Memorial Golf Classic
Alum Feature: Heidi Hermann (05)
Fermanian Business Center Hosts Professional Development Event
LoveWorks 2008
Upcoming Area Events Overview
Dr. Francis Collins Speaks at PLNU
On Friday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m., Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, will speak at Point Loma Nazarene University in Brown Chapel. As leader of the Human Genome Project, which successfully sequenced human DNA, Dr. Collins offers a unique perspective on the relationship between science and faith.
"Perhaps never in the past 150 years has a single biologist brought greater exposure to the fact that not only does science
not contradict faith, it actually enhances it," said PLNU's Dr. Darrel Falk, professor of biology.
According to a 2006
Time Magazine article, "In 2000, Bill Clinton honored Collins and his private-sector competitor Craig Venter in the White House, crediting their complementary genome work with uncovering 'the language in which God created life.' That statement reflected Collins' input."
Collins became a Christian in 1978 after reading C.S. Lewis'
Mere Christianity. He is the author of
The Language of God: A Believer Looks at the Human Genome. In November 2007, Collins was awarded the President's National Medal of Freedom.
Point Loma would like to invite you to attend Dr. Collins' lecture on April 11. You are invited to a follow-up symposium at First United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 19. The symposium will feature faculty from PLNU, San Diego State University, and the Scripps Research Institute. For more information, please visit
www.pointloma.edu/FrancisCollins.
*This event is free of charge. No tickets are required. Limited seating is available so early arrival is recommended!
Men's and Women's Basketball Teams Conclude Successful Seasons
The Point Loma Nazarene men's and women's basketball teams wrapped up a pair of successful seasons last week.
The Sea Lions women finished the year with a 29-3 overall record and a program high No. 3- National ranking. In addition, the ladies won the GSAC regular season for the first time since 1992 and also claimed the conference tournament title. Making their sixth consecutive appearance at the NAIA National Tournament, PLNU opened with a win against Robert Morris before falling to Loyola (La) in the round of 16.
The men put together an impressive campaign as well. They posted a 24-10 overall record and ended up with a No. 25 national ranking. PLNU finished fourth in the very tough GSAC and earned a berth to the national tournament. It has been a while since the Green and Gold has won a game at the nationals - the last time was 50 years ago, in 1958! The Sea Lions snapped that dubious streak in the first round of the tournament when they beat Southern Nazarene 76-73 in an overtime thriller. Robert Morris' men avenged their ladies by beating PLNU in the round of 16, but the Sea Lion men enjoyed their postseason experience and are already looking toward the future.
Three Cups of Tea Author Speaks at PLNU
On February 18, award-winning author Greg Mortenson came to Point Loma Nazarene University to discuss his
New York Times best-selling book,
Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace. His talk was part of the annual One Book, One San Diego event, a joint venture of KPBS television, the San Diego Public Library, and PLNU.
Mortenson discussed his book, which details his experience as a mountain climber in Southeast Asia and the schools he built in Pakistan. In the book, Mortenson and his coauthor, David Oliver Relin, describe Mortensen's experience with the Pakistani villagers he met on his perilous descent from K2, the second highest mountain in the world. Mortenson had attempted to reach the top of K2, but deadly conditions prevented him from reaching his goal. The villagers helped him return to health and safety. In return, he vowed to build more than 60 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
According to PLNU's director of community development, Mark Marney, "It was an important event because of Greg's message about education and educating women as a means of changing a community and culture. It was also a good opportunity for Point Loma to be a leader in bringing a positive message to the San Diego community."
Three Cups of Tea was the winner of the 2007 Kiriyama Prize for Nonfiction. A review in
Publisher's Weekly describes the book as "captivating and suspenseful, with engrossing accounts of both hostilities and unlikely friendships."
25th Annual W. Shelburne Brown Memorial Golf Classic
This year's W. Shelburne Brown Memorial Golf Classic will be held on March 28th and 29th at Singing Hills Resort and Steele Canyon Golf Club in La Jolla, California.
Named in honor of Shelburne Brown, the tournament is commemorative of this man who led the visionary movement of the university from Pasadena to Point Loma. Sherburne Brown was an alumnus of Pasadena College and served as President for the college from 1964 to 1978. (Read more about Shelburne Brown at
http://www.pointloma.edu/Athletics/W__Shelburne_Brown_Golf_Classic/W__Shelburne_Brown.htm)
Last year's tournament drew a crowd of 120 participants who helped raise money for the university, as well as for the Athletic Endowment Fund and the Women's Sports Association Outstanding Athlete Fund. This is a great opportunity to support Point Loma Sports Associates and enjoy spending time with other alums while participating in some fun competition. Although registration for this year's tournament is closed, we would be delighted at your participation at next year's event. Pictures and results from the 2007 tournament are available online at
http://www.pointloma.edu/Athletics/W__Shelburne_Brown_Golf_Classic/2007_Pictures.htm
Alum Feature: Heidi Hermann ('05)
On February 27, PLNU's Center for Justice and Reconciliation (CJR) held a coffee and discussion event entitled "Slavery in San Diego: Human Trafficking in Our Own Backyard." The discussion was part of the CJR's Brewed Awakening series. Heidi Hermann (05), the anti-human trafficking coordinator for the Salvation Army's Sierra Del Mar Division, was the featured speaker.
While Heidi was a pre-med student PLNU, she had plans to eventually pursue medical mission work overseas. As a student, she traveled to Africa twice, once to work at HIV/AIDS clinic and pregnancy clinics and a second time to work with Invisible Children. It was during the second trip that she first encountered human trafficking.
However, it wasn't until Heidi was in graduate school at Fuller Seminary that she realized human trafficking was also happening in her own backyard. As part of her master's degree in cross-cultural studies program, in which Heidi is focusing on children at risk and cross-cultural health care, she took a course on trafficking.
"They had a forum after the class, and I found out about it here locally. I realized I wanted to do something to get involved right away," Heidi said.
While still enrolled at Fuller, Heidi got involved with the main group working on the issue in San Diego, the Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition (BSCC). Then, six months ago, a position for an anti-human trafficking coordinator opened up with the Salvation Army. It was a perfect fit.
Heidi's job involves raising awareness of human trafficking and providing education about the issue. She gives presentations and training for groups like PLNU, as well as churches and social service providers.
"People have a preconceived idea that it only happens overseas," Heidi said. "I am working to broaden people's perspectives on what human trafficking is and how people can be involved."
Heidi said that many are unaware of the fact that people are trafficked into San Diego from all over the world. San Diego is a targeted destination for human trafficking due to its proximity to the border and ports. In her presentations, Heidi provides tips for identifying potential victims, which can be difficult because the practice is so concealed, and how to report suspected human trafficking to authorities.
The response to her message, Heidi said, has been exciting.
"We are working to create a coalition of churches to fight trafficking," she said. "The churches are really ready. We hosted a roundtable discussion recently, and 85 people from churches from Encinitas to Chula Vista attended. Many of the churches are already involved in some way. Now we can bring pieces together to make a bigger difference."
Heidi's presentation with Point Loma Nazarene University was equally promising.
"Jamie Gates [PLNU professor of sociology and director of the CJR] has been really helpful," she said. "I am looking forward to bringing a core group of students together who are really interested and helping them plug into what is going on in the city."
One PLNU theatre major was so motivated by Heidi's presentation that he approached her afterward and asked how he could get involved right away. Heidi sent him several case studies that he is now turning into monologues.
For information about future Brewed Awakening events and the work of PLNU's Center for Justice and Reconciliation, please visit
www.pointloma.edu/CJR.
Fermanian Business Center Hosts Professional Development Event
On February 27th, the Fermanian Business Center (FBC) hosted a Professional Development Event (PDE) focused on "Charting Your Course: Discovering Options and Opportunities." The four panelists, two of whom are PLNU alums, ignited an interactive discussion amidst a conference room brimming with students, faculty and business professionals.
Throughout a discourse facilitated by FBC Office Manager Cathy Gallagher, Kim Martin, Scott McGuckin, Jeremy Swift and David "Bo" Brett spoke about their experiences in business. The group of panelists emphasized the importance of balancing time with family and loved ones in addition to strategically pursuing business and career goals.
Scott McGuckin, the Regional Employment Manager for Franklin Templeton Investments and a PLNU alum ('96), promoted exploring various professions and opportunities. "Determine your strengths and passion. Discover how to best utilize those, " Scott endorsed.
Jeremy Swift, PLNU alum ('03), studied Management and Organizational Communications. He has been working with the e-mail marketing company BlueHornet Networks, Inc., a subsidiary of Digital River, since 2000 and is currently the Director of Client Relations. Jeremy served on the Board of Directors for BlueHornet and led a remarkable client services team which helped BlueHornet gain recognition as Best E-mail Service Bureau.
"I view my day job as a special assignment," stated David "Bo" Brett, Chief Operating Officer of The Mountain View Fruit Companies. Bo encouraged students and professionals to work diligenty and pursue opportunities with vigor, but to respect a daily ending time to career endeavors. "My favorite part of the day is the 10 minutes I spend walking my young sons to school," remarked Bo.
Kim Martin has been part of Enterprise Rent-a-Car for 16 years and loves the abundant interaction inherent in her position as College Relations Manager. Kim oversees recruiting for Enterprise's Management Training program among 12 universities in San Diego, Orange County and Arizona.
The FBC hosts Professional Development Events four to five times per year for the purpose of connecting students, alumni and business professionals in the San Diego community. A light dinner on the Burnham plaza at sunset along with coffee and dessert afterward enable students and professional to talk face to face and gain mutual inspiration.
Students and alums are invited and welcome to attend regardless of academic department affiliation. "Beyond the Boob Tube: The New Channels of Targeted Media" is the next PDE scheduled on April 8th at 5:30pm. Michele Corbett, PLNU alum ('95) and current PLNU Director of Marketing and Creative Services will be moderating the discussion. We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information, please visit
http://www.pointloma.edu/Events/Home/PDE_14969.htm.
LoveWorks 2008
LoveWorks is PLNU's campus-based international ministry program that enables students, alumni, faculty and staff to travel and work abroad each summer and minister in countries around the world. LoveWorks uses the international ministry network through the Church of the Nazarene to serve the world in a variety of ministry efforts. The LoveWorks program has been in existence since 1987. Over 1800 students have served in over 65 locations across the world.
Each LoveWorks team is invited by local pastors or missionaries to help serve in their locations. Each team is made up of 10 to 12 PLNU students from various backgrounds and majors. PLNU faculty, staff and alumni provide team leadership. Teams spend one hour every Thursday evening for three months preparing for their trip. Each group is uniquely trained and prepared to address the needs requested by their host location. During this time the group learns about the country they will visit, what to expect, and how to be culturally sensitive and flexible.
This summer 132 students, 23 alums and several faculty and staff members will serve as a resource to the ongoing ministry efforts taking place across the globe. This summer's groups plan to travel to Bangladesh, Nepal, Dominica, Peru, Dominican Republic, Rwanda/Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Thailand, Liberia and Ukraine.
More information about 2008 LoveWorks trips:
http://www.pointloma.edu/SpiritualDevelopment/International_Ministries/LoveWorks.htm,
Ways to donate:
http://www.pointloma.edu/SpiritualDevelopment/International_Ministries/LoveWorks/Donate_Financially.htmPhoto slideshow from past LoveWorks trips.
http://www.pointloma.edu/SpiritualDevelopment/International_Ministries/LoveWorks/LoveWorks_Photos.htmUpcoming Area Events Overview
Don't miss the celebration! The Alumni Association is hosting events in various cities this year.
View locations and dates.