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November 2007 |
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Common Connections
November 14 - 17
Some things you need to know:
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Former PLNU sprinter Johnny Deryeghiayan, World's Fastest Armenian
Former PLNU sprinter Johnny Deryeghiayan won two gold medals in the 4th Pan-Armenian Games held in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Deryeghiayan attended PLNU from 2000 to 2004 and got his B.A. in Youth Ministry and Church Music.
Point Loma track and field Coach Jerry Arvin vividly remembers Deryeghiayan and still is in email contact with his former athlete. “Johnny was a team leader, he got people involved and was overflowing,” Arvin said. “He is a quality-type young person with a strong relationship to the Lord.He made a lot of gains during his time at Point Loma. He improved from 11.05 to 10.61 (fourth all-time at PLNU). He made nice adjustments. We were able to maximize his talent.”
Deryeghiayan was born in La Verne, Calif. into the Armenian Diaspora. Armenia is a mountainous country located at the juncture of Eastern Europe and Western Asia and was part of the Soviet Union. Armenia has a large Diaspora with eight million people outnumbering the three million population of Armenia itself. Armenian communities exist across the globe. Cities like Los Angeles, Toronto, Montreal, Beirut, and Paris have the largets numbers of people from Armenia.
In the Pan-Armenian Games, held June 22nd through the 24th, athletes from the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora competed against each other. The idea was to organize sporting events for all Armenians with the motto “Unity through Sport.” The World Committee of Pan Armenian Games (WCPAG) is a non-governmental, international organization developing sports in Armenia.
The first Pan-Armenian Games took place in 1999 with delegations from 62 cities and 23 countries. This year for the 4th Pan Armenian Games, athletes from 94 countries traveled to Yerevan to determine Armenia’s most successful athletes. One of them is Deryeghiayan. The youth pastor for the Armenian Church of the Nazarene in Pasadena competes for the Homenetmen’s Ararat Chapter.
In an email he sent to coach Arvin right after his victory in the 100 meters, he described the enthusiasm of the thousands of people during the opening ceremony. He also talked about the day of the race. Due to the bus leaving late and getting gas, he only had a good 40 minutes to warm up for the prelims. Out of 32 sprinters, he tied with the national record holder and qualified for the finals an hour later.
“I had lane four … and I love lane four - even though in the 100 meters, they are all the same,” Deryeghiayan said in the email. “Vahag [the national record holder] was in lane five and this other fast guy in three and others surrounded us.” After one false start, Deryeghiayan hit a bump on his first step but after that “felt like a rocket. I went through my transitions and when I was approaching the finish line, I did not see anyone with me.” With a hand-timed 10.3 seconds, Deryeghiayan was the Pan-Armenian Games champion in the 100 meter race. He also won the 200 meter race.
In his email he wrote the following: “Give God all the glory and thanks for putting me here, having great supporters of my family, friends, my coaches and random people in life who have touched my life.
-Written by Katrin Merkel
Sixth Annual Cider Celebration
The Point Loma Nazarene University concert choir and chorale will present their Sixth Annual Christmas Cider Celebration in the Crill Auditorium at Point Loma Nazarene University. The concert choir and chorale will perform inspirational and entertaining music. Talented students will be featured with solos, duets, and quartets of Christmas favorites. This hour of family entertainment will include “Sing We Now of Christmas”, “Joy to the World”, “Frosty the Snowman” and many other Christmas favorites, accompanied by a live orchestra. The evening will conclude with a choir of over 140 members. Come share the music and a cup of hot apple cider to welcome this holiday season.
Cider Celebration Dates
Thursday, November 28 at 6:00PM and 8:00PM.
Friday, November 29 at 6:00PM and 8:00PM.
Door will open 20 minutes prior to each show.
Admission is $8.00
Tickets are available in the music building or at the door.
Foundation gift presented to PLNU for Smee Hall
As part of the university's capital campaign, it was recently announced that Point Loma Nazarene University has received a $200,000 gift toward the construction of Smee Hall, the new facility that will house the Department of Theology and Christian Ministry and the Center for Pastoral Leadership. The gift was donated by the James L. Stamps Foundation.
The Stamps Foundation has been an active friend of PLNU over the years, supporting the university with scholarships for students preparing for ministry. Previously, the Foundation assisted with an addition of a lobby for Rohr Religion; however, the most recent donation is the first capital gift the university has received from them.
“This gift is significant and is yet another reminder that people outside of the university and foundations really believe in the work being done at PLNU,” said Eric Groves, Director of Development. “We are extremely thankful for the support of the James L. Stamps Foundation.
The construction process is proceeding for Smee Hall as contractors are secured and work continues toward a completion date in Spring of 2008.
For more information on Smee Hall, or to see photos of the groundbreaking, visit http://www.pointloma.edu/SmeeHall.
Southern California Fires
Over 300,000 acres have burned across southern California, displacing hundreds of thousands of people. But as the fires around Southern California are being contained, the biggest challenge begins for those who have lost their homes. Many of you may have received an email from President Brower in which he spoke to the alumni of the challenges facing our communities, and also addressed the students and staff who have volunteered their time and energy to help those in need. A copy of this email, as well as some touching replies from Alums, are available. Most importantly, we would like alumni who have been affected by the fires to feel welcomed to contact the alumni office at alumni@pointloma.edu or (800) 478-5662 for help, support, or to share with us the work you are doing for others.
Mary Rice Hopkins (79)
PLNU alumna Mary Rice Hopkins (79) sums up her job as “planting seeds that will last a lifetime.” Mary is a gifted and internationally known family and children’s recording artist, speaker, and worship leader. She has also developed curriculum and authored songbooks and children’s book. Her goal throughout her work has been to connect children and families to Jesus and to encourage them to walk with Him.
Mary’s most recent adventure has her teaming up with Darcie Maze, creator of “Puppets with a Heart,” to combine music and puppetry – which she noted “is the second leading teaching tool in the world but the most underused.” Mary and Darcie have created a DVD that will help kids walk through life’s tough choices. The DVD includes Mary’s music, as well as scenarios that help kids think through issues like bullying, peer pressure, friendship, and choices. She says that her inspiration has been the fact that kids today face increasingly difficult life choices.
“The reason puppetry works so well is that it makes it safe to listen,” Mary said. “For example, the puppet might have Band-Aids on his heart because his parents are fighting, and I’ll share what the Bible says. I want to give children healing and help in Jesus, to help them look deeper and think outside the box.”
Mary’s connections to PLNU run deep. She discovered her academic niche here, after having found school difficult for most of her life. With the inspiration of Dr. Jim Jackson, Sr., she majored in speech communications. Dr. Reuben Welch’s influence led her also to minor in Christian education. In 1997, Mary was honored with the Alumnus of Point Loma award for her outstanding work and ministry. Her daughter, Trisha, is currently a PLNU senior. Her son, David, is attending the University of San Diego. Mary and her husband, Gary, live in La Canada, California.
You can learn more about Mary and her ministry at www.maryricehopkins.com.
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