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Midterm Exams
October 18-19
Fall Break
October 20-23
Theatre: Side Show
November 1-3
(more info)
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Aaron McIntire
Junior
Major: EMC-- Audio
What are your plans for the future? I'd love to get a job as a radio news anchor in a medium-sized market. I can also see myself doing some missions work with radio. We'll see where God takes me!
What opportunities have you had at Northwestern?
I've had the opportunity to be involved with the orchestra playing violin. I also joined a band with a few other EMC students playing violin and guitar. I completed a radio news internship with KTIS last semester and am now the General Manager for WVOE The Remnant.
What is your favorite thing about NWC?
Opportunity. Everyone says NWC is an expensive college (and that's true), but there are so many opportunities to excel here.
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Alissa Foreman
2007
Where has life taken you after Northwestern?
After graduation, I moved to Chinatown, Brooklyn, for a job but soon after moved back to Minneapolis when things weren't as expected in the position. I then worked for a church as an event coordinator for a few years before finding my current position at PULSE Outreach, an evangelism outreach with the mission of "Awakening culture to the reality of Jesus." I coordinate all the logistics that go into their local or national events, tours and trainings, which keeps me on the road quite often and has introduced me to many amazing people and musicians while seeing the Gospel shared among hundreds of thousands each year. It is such a blessing to be able to use my degree from Northwestern along with my heart for ministry. I also self-published a book Walking, Stumbling to a Home Not Yet Seen, which is a compilation of writings through three years of grief, questioning the Lord's plan and seeking meaning through the darkness.
What advice do you have for current students?
I recently lost my mother to Leukemia, so my deepest piece of advice would be to take advantage of any time you have with your parents & friends. Learn everything you can about them. Give others a chance and show how much you value them. Try new things and go new places. Go ahead and ask God why He's put you in certain situations. He can handle your questions.
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 Speech team makes a comeback
After a year without, the department elected to revive the college's competitive speech team this fall due to a renewed interest by Northwestern's students. And what had previously seemed to be a lost art is now blossoming into a poplar college activity. The team has garnered a record-breaking 19 members to its roster this fall, with majors such as communication, business, history, intercultural studies and professional writing.
The team, coached by Professor John Arehart, is taking another big step this year and adding debate to its competitive options. Areart says that the vision for the "new" Northwestern College Speech and Debate team is to train students to "become effective speakers so we can push the Kingdom forward and bring light to the world. The mission is Colossians 4:6, 'Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.'"
In its former state, the team competed solely in Twin Cities Forensics League competitions. With the addition of debate, the team will now also compete in as many as five tournaments by the Parlimentary League of the Upper Midwest, hosted by Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato.
Students interested in finding out more about joining the Speech and Debate team should contact Prof. Arehart.
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From backyard productions to NWC Theatre
 Most young girls only dream of having a live audience in their backyard as they perform instead in front of their drooling dogs and limp ragdolls. Yet for Sophomore Theatre major Sharayah Bunce, the live audience is a reality.
In 2007, Bunce's parents decided to produce Oliver! and create Bunce Backyard Productions to submerge their children in theatre with an emphasis on Godly learning. Their mission is to "provide a place for people to experience community while exploring their God-given talents for God's glory."
The Bunce family, neighbors and community all contribute their talents in acting and building the set. Donations from each play are given to charities such as Feed My Starving Children and Sharing & Caring Hands. Excluding their most recent production, the Bunce Backyard Productions has donated over $11,500 to charity. Sharayah Bunce works behind the scenes, sews costumes, builds set pieces and occasionally directs or choreographs a scene.
"I had no idea the backyard production would grow into what it is becoming. I could not be more thrilled or more grateful to have the opportunity to experience something like this," Bunce exclaimed.
This summer, several Northwestern College students and alumni participated in Bunce Backyard Productions' sixth play, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
"The NWC students added an amazing spiritual dynamic and depth to the rehearsals. They created an atmosphere of intentional learning, discipline and joy to our 60 person cast. They added to the cast, mission and quality of our show," Bunce said.
Bunce is involved in the Theatre program at NWC and starred in productions such as How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Stage Directions.
"It has been an incredibly humbling and enriching experience working with all these talented students and directors at our college. I can honestly say I think Northwestern College has one of the strongest theatre programs I have seen, let alone had the opportunity to become a part of," said Bunce.
For more information about Bunce Backyard Productions, visit buncebackyard.com.
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Kaiser serves youth in Canada
 Whether by floatplane, train, canoe or car, Associate Professor of Communication Kent Kaiser has traveled more than once to Canada for mission trips and returned again this summer to Little Grand Rapids, Manitoba. Kaiser went with the Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots, LAMP, and taught VBS to the youth.
Kaiser said, "The people of Little Grand Rapids have only sporadic church services available--- whenever a priest is sent for a short period. It can be months between visits from a priest. Our VBS is something the kids really look forward to."
Each day, the mission team held VBS during the afternoon and youth devotions at night. They swam with the children, visited the community and taught Bible lessons.
"We have seen real spiritual growth in this community from just a few short years ago when the Mounties had to be called to break up a rock fight outside the church. One day [during this mission trip] someone called and asked to speak to the priest in order to have a single Bible verse interpreted; they really wanted to understand it."
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Notable Notes
Students in the Intercultural Communication course took part in a "Discover Your City" tour, which gave them an up-close look at the impact of varying cultures within the Minneapolis area.
Taylor Filzen ('12) now works for the NWC Athletic Department as the Coordinator for Athletics Communication & Administration, a role that focuses on sports information and NCAA compliance while also assisting in advising NWC's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Dr. Kent Kaiser is currently featured on TPT Channel 2 program, talking about the politics of the marriage amendment. The program, titled "Marriage Amendment: I do, I don't," can be viewed online here.
Dr. Tim Kowalik was elected President of NWC's Faculty Senate and will serve in that role for the next two academic years.
Theatre students Jay Carlson and Shannon Elliott and Theatre alumna Liz Yoder are part of the production team for Open Window Theatre's production of Around the World in 80 Days. Theatre alumni Stephanie (Zwald) Wipf and Dan McLaughlin are performing in the show.
Recent graduate Abby Miller ('12) is working as a Finance Assistant and Fundraising Coordinator for the Duffy for Congress campaign in Wisconsin.
Recent graduate Jillian Wilzbacher ('12) was hired by Operation Christmas Child as the Media Associate for the Minnesota area.
Senior PR major Drew Worthing landed an internship with The Rouen Group, a public affairs company in Minneapolis.
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Note From the Chair
In his 1986 book Who Switched the Price Tags? author Tony Campolo tells the story of pranksters who broke into a clothing store at night and swapped tags around. Until the prank was discovered, some shoppers were getting great deals while others were being ripped off. Nobody knew the true value of what they were buying. That's a good metaphor for our media world, where the trivial is often glorified while things of real value are overlooked.
The world of media overload that surrounds us shapes our opinions, and even our answer to this important question: What matters most? Our culture's answer seems clear: look good, be powerful, live large. Bling-filled music videos showcase conspicuous consumption. Plastic surgeons and their patients fill our TV screens. And from professional sports to reality shows we are encouraged to triumph over others.
Christians can get sucked into this kind of thinking. It's tempting to see wealth as a sign of God's blessing, to idolize Christian celebrities, and to think that political power is the best tool for transforming society.
In the "Sermon on the Mount," Jesus rejects this type of thinking. He promises the kingdom of heaven to people who are aware of their own spiritual needs, not to those who think they have it all together. The humble, the sad and the suffering--- none of whom are likely to ever star in a TV show--- are singled out for praise. It may seem like Jesus is turning the world on its head--- but in fact, he's just putting it right-side-up.
It's tempting to just coast through life without ever critically examining your values. Try this exercise. As quickly as you can jot down five fill-in-the-blank answers to this: "I'd be happy if..." Then look at your answers and ask yourself two questions: "What does this say about what I value?" and "Where did that value come from?"
Doug Trouten
Communication Department Chair |
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