Focus: Family & Friends - Summer 2007

Year in review by outgoing AEUFF president David W. Barnett

On behalf of the Association of Evangel University Family and Friends (AEUFF), I would like to extend thanks to several people whose volunteer efforts have greatly benefited Evangel and its students.

Gordon and Darlene Stiles have given their time and energy for five decades to further Evangel and its mission. They were recognized at Homecoming this past October for their dedicated service.

Brenda McCorcle has also been a tireless volunteer, having been part of the AEUFF Executive Council from its beginning as well as sharing her gift of hospitality to serve Evangel. We are blessed to have folks like these who are the fiber of our success.

I also want to acknowledge the great vision and enthusiastic efforts of Jim and Muriel Denton as they helped establish our new student hospitality program.

God’s providence was clearly at work in developing this program. When a devastating ice storm hit Springfield this winter knocking out power to the campus for several days, the AEUFF members of this program were ready to open their homes to Evangel students in need of warm accommodations.

The Evangel University family will greatly miss Jim, who passed away on Dec. 25. Jim’s legacy of service and his impact on Evangel will continue through the program that he envisioned and helped to establish.

Members of the EU Prep recently participated in their first Lock-In on the Evangel campus. Twelve future Crusaders between the ages of 9 and 14 enjoyed an overnight visit to the campus, which included attending a performance of the EU Jazz Ensemble, games, activities and lots of interaction with their EU student hosts. The students enjoyed visits to the dorms, the Joust and Mabee Center, creating a huge success.

We hope to see more EU Prep members attend future Lock-Ins. Keep looking for details on the AEUFF web pages.

One of the great fundraising events on campus each year is the Evangel University Auxiliary Super Garage Sale. This event took place in May right after the conclusion of the spring semester. The ladies once again broke all records by raising $13,573, which was $2,000 more than the previous record set in 2006.

The ladies always have hundreds of great items available, including clothing and other things abandoned by students at the end of the school year. Over the past years, the increase in the profits of these sales have allowed new scholarship money to assist many of Evangel’s brightest young scholars in finishing their educational careers.

My wife Juliana and I have been honored to be part of the leadership of AEUFF for the last five years. Serving as president of the association for the last two years has been extremely rewarding and enriching. I am truly humbled as I look back at all the milestones we have passed: the founding of the EU Prep organization and the student hospitality programs; participating in the 50th anniversary of the university; honoring many great volunteers who have contributed to the enrichment of Evangel; and, most importantly, being the conduit for the weekly prayer needs of Evangel that are distributed via e-mail to praying family and friends all across the nation.

I am grateful to have a wonderful successor, Julie Higgins, who will lead the association to even greater achievements. Juliana and I remain committed to you and to Evangel as we see God’s work carried out in and through the students who pass through Evangel’s halls.

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Newly elected AEUFF officers for 2007-2008 include Julie Higgins, president; Jeff Reinold, vice president; and Amanda Dixon, secretary. All three are parents with common interests in Evangel’s future, because their children are "Future Crusaders." Julie was the driving force behind the founding of the EU PREP organization.

Please visit the Evangel booth at General Council in Indianapolis, August 7-10, 2007.
University Relations Director Dennis Whaley visiting with Rev. Harry and Karyn Pearson, who now serve on the AEUFF Executive Council.

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AEUFF Student Hospitality Program Update

Jim & Muriel Denton will be remembered as the spark that ignited the Student Hospitality Program. Jim passed away on Dec. 25, 2006. Muriel continues to serve as the EU Auxiliary president.

Jessica Smith and Kerrie Dudley join “mom” Joan Kruger for lunch following a book signing event for her husband, author Bill Kruger.

Sandy Tripp (left) ran in the “Run to the Lights” 5K with adopted student Emily Griswold (center) and a friend. The race is held at Silver Dollar City, during their annual “Festival of Lights.”

Adopted students Krissi Driver (seated right) and Jacob Williams (standing right) share laughs while sitting at the piano with Teena Whaley, and her children, Jason and Sara Kunau.

Kera Newman, Brittany Scoggins and Chris Garcia (back, l-to-r) were often taken by the Sam Wassam family to dinner after church. The Wassams live in the country, which made visits to the home particularly exciting for the EU students, as all three enjoy riding horses.

Donna Copeland (third from right), administrative assistant for Evangel’s Behavioral Sciences Department, took her six adopted students for a get-away weekend in Eureka Springs, AR, last winter. Shown standing in front of Evangel University’s historic Kendrick Library are Sara Graver, Lizzie Fann, Miranda Dement, Cheryl Hill, Copeland, Jaclyn Krause and Melissa Marvin. They celebrated birthdays and holidays together, cooked dinners, did laundry and enjoyed fellowship beyond campus life.