Join us for the HC Luncheon, Saturday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel University Alumni Board of Directors named two EU graduates and two CBC graduates for honors this year. They will be recognized at an 11 a.m. luncheon during Evangel’s homecoming celebration on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the University Plaza Convention Center.
“The Alumni Association presents Distinguished Alumnus awards annually at homecoming to honor alumni who have made significant contributions to their chosen field, church, community, state, nation, or to Evangel University,” said Chuck Cox, director of alumni relations.
“The alumni board also recognizes that many young alumni have enjoyed significant achievements in the few years since their graduation, although they may not yet have reached the height of their accomplishments,” said Cox. “The purpose of the Outstanding Young Alumnus award is to recognize such graduates.”
Evangel’s Homecoming theme for 2015 is “Celebrating yoU.” The dates are Oct. 1-3.
For more information about homecoming events, visit http://www.evangel.edu/homecoming/
• EU Distinguished Alumnus – Bob Ferguson – V.P. of General Motors
Former Springfieldian Robert “Bob” Ferguson has had a stellar career since graduating from Evangel in 1985, starting as a weekend news anchor at KY3 and moving into the role of senior vice president of General Motors.
He is being honored this fall as the Evangel University Distinguished Alumnus for 2015.
Ferguson has worked at General Motors as senior vice president Global Public Policy, since July 10, 2014. He reports directly to GM CEO Mary Barra and is responsible for GM’s federal, state and international government relations and public policy activities in the U.S. and its many markets around the globe.
As a member of GM’s Executive Leadership Team, he is among the automaker’s management who establishes the company’s strategic business direction. He also serves as chairman of the GM Foundation.
Ferguson joined GM in 2010 as vice president for Global Public Policy. In late 2012, he was tapped to head Cadillac’s global marketing team as senior vice president, Global Cadillac. During that time, Cadillac saw nearly 30% global growth, highest among all full-line luxury brands.
Prior to joining GM, he was at the business advisory and strategic communications firm Public Strategies. Before that, he spent more than 10 years as an executive at AT&T, and prior to that, he served as the director of communications/press secretary for former Missouri Governor John Ashcroft.
Bob and his wife, Debbie (Miller ’81), live in Franklin, Mich.
For a full story on Bob Ferguson: https://www.evangel.edu/press_releases/2015/09/02/eus-distinguished-alumnus-2015-bob-ferguson/
• EU Outstanding Young Alumnus – Amanda Wachsmuth Heavens – V.P. of Morgan Stanley
Amanda Wachsmuth Heavens has taken an impressive path since graduating from Evangel University in 2000. She has earned two master’s degrees, traveled to 47 countries on seven continents, and is a leader in the international finance industry.
She is being honored this fall as the Evangel University Outstanding Young Alumnus for 2015.
Heavens lives in London and serves as a vice president for Morgan Stanley. Her current role is European Chief Operating Officer for Operational Risk.
She began her career as an equity derivatives trader and has held past leadership roles as the chief operating officer and chief business officer at two hedge funds, and the director of operations at a derivatives market making firm.
Upon graduation from Evangel, she began the simultaneous pursuit of two master’s degrees — an M.S. in statistics at Northwestern University, and an M.A. in biblical studies and theology at Fuller Seminary. She completed both programs in 2003.
While working on Wall Street in New York City, she has put her theology degree to use by developing curriculum for a faith and finance leadership development program and writing a 40-part faith and finance devotional series.
Amanda married Dr. Nicholas Heavens on Sept. 1, 2014. He is a planetary scientist researching dust storms in the Martian atmosphere.
For a full story on Amanda Wachsmuth Heavens: https://www.evangel.edu/press_releases/2015/09/02/eu-outstanding-young-alumnus-2015-amanda-wachsmuth-heavens/
• CBC Distinguished Alumnus – Rev. David Crabtree – Pastor, founder of HopeRide
Many know David Crabtree as an inspirational speaker and writer. In Zambia, he is known as a man who helps build freshwater wells. But for the past 30 years, the members of Calvary Church in Greensboro, N.C., have known him as pastor.
A 1981 Central Bible College graduate, Crabtree is being honored this fall as the CBC Distinguished Alumnus for 2015.
In 2011, he founded Hope Ride, an annual endurance bicycle challenge in Africa. The proceeds of this annual challenge are used to fund missionary efforts in Zambia. On August 26, Hope Ride 2015 began in Mokopone, South Africa, and traveled 620 miles north through Botswana, across the Namibia, and terminated at Reaching a Generation’s base in Zambia.
Under his leadership, short-term mission team opportunities have given the members of Calvary Church first-hand involvement with church building and other service projects in the former Soviet Union, Malaysia, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Cuba and Panama, as well as local missions such as Teen Challenge and Pregnancy Care Centers.
Crabtree holds a master’s degree in ministerial leadership from Southeastern University and is currently enrolled at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, where he is pursuing a doctor of ministry degree.
His wife, Cheri, is also a 1981 CBC graduate. She earned a B.A. in music and serves as the music and adult education director at their church.
For a full story on David Crabtree: https://www.evangel.edu/press_releases/2015/09/02/cbc-distinguished-alumnus-2015-rev-david-crabtree/
• CBC Outstanding Young Alumnus – Rev. Nick Poole – Pastor, graphic designer
Nick Poole has gone from a young college graduate with a heart for urban ministries, to leader of a prominent northeast church in just six years time. He has served as lead pastor at Calvary Church in Irwin, Pa., since 2011.
A 2005 Central Bible College graduate, Poole is being honored this fall as the CBC Outstanding Young Alumnus for 2015.
Located southeast of Pittsburgh, Calvary is known as an innovative fellowship. Through its Calvary Cares Campaign, the church is heavily committed to missions abroad and to partnering with local organizations that are meeting needs in their community. Calvary has doubled in size since Poole became pastor, and missions giving has increased five-fold.
Poole first served as youth pastor at Calvary for two years, right after he graduated from CBC. In 2007, he moved north of Pittsburgh to become pastor of church planting and development with Allison Park Church, where he served for another four years. He was asked to return to Calvary Church as lead pastor in July 2011, following the untimely death of its pastor.
Nick and his wife, Heidi, have one son, Zackariah. In addition to their work with the church, Heidi is an elementary school teacher, and Nick is a freelance graphic designer with Nick Poole Graphics.
For a full story on Nick Poole: https://www.evangel.edu/press_releases/2015/09/02/cbc-outstanding-young-alumnus-2015-nick-poole/
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