< PreviousON FEB. 15, 2020, THE CHARLES ELLIOTT Weniger Society for Excellence held their 45th annual awards presentation in Loma Linda, California. At this event, President Andrea Luxton received a Weniger Medal- lion, as did Reinder Bruinsma, Richard H. Hart and A. Ganoune Diop. The Charles Elliott Weniger Society for Excellence was established in 1974 in honor of Charles Weniger, who had served as dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in Washington D.C., an English professor and a gifted public speaker. Created by three of Weniger’s friends—Jerry Pettis, Clinton Emmerson and John Osborn—the society aims to honor Weniger’s memory and the qualities of excellence paramount in his life by recognizing the contributions made to the world by people with similar significant traits of character. President Luxton was recognized for her commitment to excellence as an educator and as president of three different Adventist colleges/universities: Newbold College, Burman University and Andrews University. “It was a great surprise and honor. I have a lot of admiration for many of those who had received the honor before, and it was an honor to be listed as a recipient along with those individuals,” says Luxton. Thirteen undergraduate students from accredited North American Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities were also recognized as Weniger Fellows Student Scholarship Fund recipients. Yosia Nurhan, the recipient from Andrews University, is a junior math- ematics and physics studies major. He is a J.N. Andrews Scholar, 2019–2020 vice president of Pi Mu Epsilon, cur- rent mathematics president for eigen* (the math-physics club), financial vice president for the Association of Indonesian Students and leader of a mountain biking club that he start- ed. He has also completed extensive research with both Shandelle Henson, professor of mathematics and profes- sor of ecology, and Desmond Murray, associate professor of chemistry. Nurhan was both grateful and surprised to be chosen. “The financial support that I will receive from this award will help me in many ways. On top of that, I am glad that service is acknowledged no matter how small.” President Luxton and Andrews student honored At Weniger Society awards presentation President Luxton receives a Weniger Medallion at the 45th annual awards presentation. Andrews scores in preeminent math competition Students participate in 80th annual William Lowell Putnam Competition DETERMINE ALL POSSIBLE VALUES OF A 3 + B 3 + C 3 - 3ABC where A, B, and C are non-negative integers. That was the first of a dozen ques- tions on the 80th annual William Lowell Putnam Competition, the preeminent mathematics competition for under- graduate students in North America. Eight students from Andrews University joined over 4,000 students from 570 of the top universities in the United States and Canada for the six-hour exam in early December 2019. The exam questions are notoriously difficult; although the test is out of a pos- sible 120 points, 0 is the most common score awarded. “The Putnam is not a typical math test. It is more akin to de- tective work, requiring you to approach the problems from different angles and chase down promising leads,” says senior math major Yaser Monterrey. Other Andrews participants included Devin Garcia, Jonathan Homan, Lisa Johnston, Mykhaylo Malakhov, Yosia Nurhan, Melody Puchett and Jonathan Watson. Team members Monterrey and Malakhov scored in the top 30 percent of North American participants. This is the third year Andrews stu- dents have participated in the Putnam competition, joining Walla Walla Uni- versity as the only Adventist universities to participate. The Andrews University team placed 188th of the ranked teams, improving on their previous year’s ranking of 232.5. Anthony Bosman, assistant professor of mathematics, has been coaching the Putnam team. “We are proud of our students. They are able to go toe-to-toe with some of the best students of the nation’s top universities, affirming the strength of our mathemat- ics program to produce world changers capable of solving the most intractable problems,” Bosman explains. Senior math major Yaser Monterrey participates in the 80th annual William Lowell Putnam Com- petition. (Photo & article by Anthony Bosman) Yosia Nurhan, junior mathematics and physics studies major, received a Weniger Fellows Student Scholarship. Photo credit: Enno Mueller 10 —FOCUS Campus UpdateColumn 1, top to bottom: “Welcome Christmas” Concert, December 6, 2019 Wind Symphony Christmas Concert, December 7, 2019 Sunday Music Series: “Aires Tropicales,” January 12 Young Artists Concert Performers, January 25 Wind Symphony Winter Concert, February 1 Andrews University Student Association Elections, February 6 Column 2, top to bottom: Carla Trynchuk and Chi Yong Yun, February 8 Sunday Music Series: Mallory McHenry, February 9 Strings Masterclass, Maestro Victor Yampolsky, February 11 English-Music Vespers, February 21 Symphony Orchestra “Sweet Dreams” Concert, February 22 Chamber Music, Claudio Gonzalez and Friends, February 29 Column 3, top to bottom: Wind Symphony Vespers Concert, March 6 Music Festival Orchestra Concert, March 7 Music Festival Choral Concert, March 7 Sandi Patty Concert, March 8 Michigan SDA Elementary School Band & String Clinic Concert, March 11 Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra Sunday, Oct. 4, 4 p.m. Carla Trynchuk & Chi Yong Yun Sunday, Oct. 18, 4 p.m. Wind Symphony Fall Concert Saturday, Oct. 24, 8 p.m. Choral Invitational Saturday, Oct. 31, 8 p.m. Voice Studio Vespers Friday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m. Piano Guest Artist Sunday, Nov. 15, 4 p.m. Wind Symphony Holiday Concert Saturday, Nov. 21, 8 p.m. Welcome Christmas Concert Friday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert Saturday, Dec. 5, 8 p.m. Wind Symphony Winter Concert Saturday, Jan. 30, 8 p.m. This concert schedule is subject to change depending on the state guidelines of the COVID-19 pandemic at that time. CALENDAR Spring 2020— 11 Howard HappeningsThe “Spencer Carter Chapel” story Chapel in Meier Hall named after long-time dean Spencer Carter THOSE WHO HAVE LIVED OR WORKED IN Meier Hall, the men’s residence on campus, will remember its layout. A basement and three floors. Suite-style rooms on east and west wings. A receiv- ing lobby with a large fireplace that sits just steps away from administrative offices. And above those offices, in the middle of the building, is the chapel. The chapel in Meier Hall is not just physically located in the center of the building. It has also served, for decades, as location central for programming in Meier. Looking for any spiritually-based community gathering in Meier? Check the chapel—for worships, documenta- ries and the resulting discussions, and weekly RA and student dean team meet- ings. It is, in a sense, a multi-purpose room, though each of those purposes feeds the spiritual development aspect of the Meier Hall community. And each program is built on relationship. Spencer Carter, who began work at Andrews University as assistant dean of Meier Hall in 1993, spent many import- ant moments in the chapel. In his role as dean he was tasked with upholding policies and communicating spiritual values. He always stressed, though, that policies and spiritual engagement mean more through relationship. Dean Carter was known for keeping it real. Every year at orientation, with the entire Meier community present, he would stand at the front of the chapel and share the goal for the year: to end the year with everyone they began with. He made sobering statements—sharing the reality that someone in the room, through the year, might go to jail or might even die. But this brought him to his most important point. He would direct the residents’ attention to the cross on the platform and invite them to embrace their identity in the cross—“I hope you’ll be God’s man.” In the fall 2019 semester, Carter decid- ed to retire as dean of Meier Hall after 26.5 years at Andrews University. He talked with Andrew Dormus and Donnie Keele, associate deans, and plans began to take shape for how to positively tran- sition to the next phase of Meier life. As Keele sat in an RA meeting in the chapel and, as he had many times be- fore, watched Dean Carter encourage the team from the front of the room, an idea began to form. “Dean Carter has a strong ministry of presence,” says Keele. “He exudes relationship. It would just come up in meetings, whether he’s giving the guys ‘nuts and bolts’ for their jobs or giving a leadership thought. Watching him do his thing I realized I could think of a lot of moments in the room where he references the cross behind him.” Keele also recalled one of “Carter’s rules”—whenever the chapel was shut down, the lights on the cross would always be left on. As Dean Car- ter often said: “If a resident walks by, the chapel will be dark but the cross is lit up and stands out.” 12 —FOCUS Faculty & StaffOn Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, a retirement celebration was held for Carter in the Meier Hall Chapel. The program was filled with tributes from individuals that Spencer knew on a professional level but also as friends in the Andrews community: Donnie Keele; Elynda Bedney, director of Student Financial Services; Frances Faehner, vice president for Campus & Student Life; José Bourget, pastor at Pioneer Memorial Church who had served as a student dean in years past; Jennifer Burrill, director of Residence Life; and Judith Fisher, director of the Counseling & Testing Center. Those in attendance were also invited to share comments, and former student residents, church family and friends added their thoughts to those expressed from the front. Spencer’s wife, Nan, and son, Elliott, were present, as were his brother and sister—a surprise from earlier in the day. At the end of the program, President Andrea Luxton shared some words of gratitude and made a very special announcement: the chapel in Meier Hall would now be named the “Spencer Carter Chapel.” Luxton presented Carter with a framed certificate with the follow- ing inscription: Spencer Carter served the undergradu- ate men of Andrews University in Meier Hall from 1993–2019. Throughout that time, he spent countless hours mentoring hundreds of student leaders and serving the needs of thousands of Andrews students. Some residents met him for the first time on their way to the hospital for treatment, others came to know him as the dean who kept them from spending the night in jail because he covered their bail, and many will remember him as the dean who regularly challenged them to “handle your business.” Year after year, Dean Carter faithfully fulfilled a wide range of responsibilities, providing steady leadership first as Assistant Dean, then as Associate Dean, and finally as Meier Hall’s Dean of Men. The chapel is a special place in Meier Hall. It is a space where building resi- dents experience moments of worship and resident advisors grow as leaders and men at weekly team meetings. In both settings, it was a regular occur- rence for Dean Carter to point toward the cross standing at the front of the room and encourage those present to recommit to “be God’s man.” For over 26 years, building residents and student leaders listened and responded. Of the many places in Meier Hall that show Dean Carter’s legacy, the Meier Hall chapel is a space that regularly saw his most impactful and influential work. Therefore, on December 2, 2019, in honor of Spencer Carter’s service and in commitment to continue his legacy, An- drews University henceforth recognizes the chapel space in Meier Hall as the Spencer Carter Chapel. Then Carter, with the cross as a famil- iar backdrop, stood at the front of the room and expressed his appreciation to his community, those who had support- ed him with their presence, their work and always their prayers. Reflecting on the evening, Keele says, “A lot of this community has been here the whole time—they saw Carter go from being a student at Andrews to doing work in the community as a social work- er to giving back to Andrews. It’s very cool to see Andrews give back to him.” Alumni who saw the “Spencer Carter Chapel” on Instagram wrote in and said, “That’s fitting.” “I support it.” “Great to see.” Dormus, too, felt the honor fitting. “I had the opportunity to work with Dean Carter for close to six years,” he says. “I use the word with intentionally because Carter never made it a point to say I was working for him but with him instead. My partnership with Dean Carter over the years of working together taught me what it meant to be a man of integrity. ‘God has brought me too far for me to embarrass him’ is one of the things he would say. Carter knew what this work was really about; he placed high value in his walk with Christ, and that translated to how he worked and treated those around him. I will forever be grateful for his ability to recognize talent in me and encourage me to use my gifts in service to others. For this, Dean Carter will always be my mentor and friend.” As part of the renaming, the chapel and chapel hallway will go through a re- fresh this summer, something last done in 2006. Four hundred seats will be re- duced to 360, opening up the back of the chapel and creating a place for students to leave their backpacks and coats. “It was my great privilege to work and minister alongside Dean Carter for all of his 26.5 years at Andrews University,” says Frances Faehner. “Dean Carter's love for his Lord and Savior—and his deep passion to foster the growth of young men to be men of integrity and faith come what may—will be the indeli- ble legacy he leaves on the fabric of this campus and in the lives of thousands of men around the world.” Carter says, “I have deep feelings of humility in receiving this honor, and I am further inspired to live up to the legacy of being God’s man.” “I have deep feelings of humility in receiving this honor, and I am further inspired to live up to the legacy of being God’s man.” Spring 2020— 13ABOUT SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS AGO, Margaret Howell became an assistant professor of social work. She also worked as the director of the graduate dual- degree social work program, coordinator of the school social work program, and faculty clinical trauma facilitator. Before coming to Andrews, Marga- ret had worked in clinical social work and as a psychotherapist in a private practice. She also worked at Atlantic Union College as an associate professor of social work, lecturer in the theology department and director of counseling services. Margaret had previously been a Seminary student and her son and daughter both attended Andrews. “I’ve always been driven by compas- sion for defenseless people, particularly children. I want God to use me to make a positive difference in people’s lives,” she says. This drive to help others is evident in Margaret’s dedication to social work. Her favorite quote reflects this attitude: “I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” (Etienne de Grellet) Margaret applied this passion to her work at Andrews. She helped grow the dual-degree program between the Sev- enth-day Adventist Theological Seminary and the School of Social Work, assisted in the process of gaining state approval for the school social work program and taught trauma training to graduate students. Margaret describes her time at An- drews as a growing process, “My areas of expertise have been strengthened, and it has been an energetic learning environ- ment for me.” Now that she is retired, Margaret is planning to stay in the area and do some consulting. She is enjoying her free time, reading, traveling, spending time with her family, going to the gym and writing. Margaret will miss interacting with students and her coworkers even though she is appreciating retirement. “It’s a process, and I have to remind myself of that after working for so many years. I pray for the next steps in this process,” she says. Driven by compassion Margaret Howell retires from the School of Social Work DANIEL GONZALEZ-SOCOLOSKE, associate professor of biology, recent- ly received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to Brazil in the field of biology. Gonzalez will conduct research at the Mamiraua Institute in Amazonas Department as part of a project titled “Can sonar technology aid in the detec- tion and monitoring of the Vulnerable Amazonian manatee?” “It is a great honor to receive this award and it is a reflection of the work that my colleagues and I have been doing. As far as I am aware, only one or two oth- er faculty at Andrews have been awarded a Fulbright,” commented Gonzalez. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, as well as record of service and demonstrated leadership in their respective fields. “I do realize this is a once-in-a-career opportunity and I will make the most of it,” Gonzalez says. The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program and is designed to build lasting connections between the people of the U.S. and other countries. Since its establishment in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkan- sas, the Fulbright Program has given more than 390,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds and fields the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to find- ing solutions to shared international concerns. Indeed, Gonzalez is hopeful that this Fulbright research opportunity will “bring greater attention to the work we are doing and will create new grant and collaboration opportunities.” Gonzalez has been working on using sonar for manatee detection for the bet- ter part of 15 years. This specific project, in collaboration with Miriam Marmontel, started about three years ago. Gonzalez plans to travel to Brazil in July of 2021 and spend four months during the low water season of the Amazon to complete his research with manatees in captivity, semi-captivity and the wild. Andrews faculty receives Fulbright Scholar Award Daniel Gonzalez-Socoloske to research innovative technologies for Amazonian manatees in Brazil Daniel Gonzalez-Socoloske 14 —FOCUS Faculty & StaffFORTY-FOUR YEARS AGO, BRUCE CLOSSER arrived on the Andrews University cam- pus in the fall of 1976 to begin graduate school. In 1978 he began teaching En- glish composition courses, and he is now retiring as an associate professor. “I pretty much knew I wanted to be a teacher since my junior year in high school,” he explains. That year, Closser was invited to teach a world history class during a role- reversal day at Forest Lake Academy. “I don’t remember what my topic was, but I do recall enjoying the process of read- ing for class, making a lesson outline, creating and administering a quiz, and grading the quiz afterwards,” he says. Inspired by his favorite academy teacher, Sue Baker, Closser then enrolled at Southern Adventist University (then Southern Missionary College) intending to major in English and earn his teach- ing certification. “I took a few pre-med science courses,” he recalls. “My perfor- mance pretty much confirmed that my prospects lay in education, not medicine.” He graduated in 1974 and took his first and only other job, teaching En- glish, math, typing, photography and directing the 9th grade school drama production at the Greater Louisville Ju- nior Academy. He worked there for two years until he began his master’s degree in English at Andrews University. “I fully expected to return to teach- ing high school level English. Indeed, I had begun the process of submitting resumes to academy principals when an opportunity to teach freshman compo- sition at Andrews arose. When Dr. John O. Waller asked me if I wanted to teach more freshman composition courses, I said yes and never left,” Closser says. During his many years at Andrews, Closser has grown to love the campus, the atmosphere and, most importantly, the people—his colleagues and students. “I’ve enjoyed the wide-open, tree- covered spaces on the Andrews campus. It’s a metaphor for the quality of life on campus, a place where there is room to explore ideas under the protective care of some of the best people one could ever hope to meet,” he explains. In his courses, Closser has met stu- dents from all over the world. When he first came to campus in 1976, a third of the students in his first class were not U.S. citizens. In each of his classes since he has continued to meet students from all over the world and learn about them and their heritage. “This amazing group of students has helped me focus and refocus my own perception of what it means to live,” he says. “I can’t help thinking this is what heaven will be like.” Throughout his career, Closser has had one main goal as a teacher—to help students appreciate and suc- cessfully complete their freshman composition courses. He’s noticed that this is often a class that many students dread, and he is happy and proud of the role he plays in facilitating student success in these courses. “It’s been my goal to hear students say to me at the end of the semester, ‘Well, that wasn’t so bad.’ I can’t pat myself on the back as well as I used to because my joints no longer quite reach that far, but I can say with a certain degree of pride that I’ve been successful a few times in reaching this goal. I’m thankful that from time to time students I had twenty, thirty, or forty years ago stop by to thank me for helping them through a composi- tion course,” he recalls. Now that he is retired, Closser plans to stay in the area. Sometimes he considers moving to Florida near his brother and sister, but he’s quickly dissuaded by the heat. “I prefer to remain in Michigan where a sweatshirt is appropriate for much of the year and I can wrap myself in the warmth of my Michigan friends,” he says. Closser will miss making new friends with his students each semester, but he is planning to enjoy retirement and ramp up his efforts to learn to read Korean. “My time here at Andrews University has taught me that we are all alike in the most fundamental ways. William Shakespeare has Shylock say in ‘The Merchant of Venice,’ ‘If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?’ That’s a lesson I could have learned anywhere, but I can’t imagine doing it in a better place than Andrews University,” Closser says. Room to explore Bruce Closser retires after 44 years of service “This amazing group of students has helped me focus and refocus my own perception of what it means to live. I can’t help thinking this is what heaven will be like.” Spring 2020— 15 Faculty & StaffWHILE ATTENDING BROADVIEW ACADEMY in Illinois, Greg Offenback loved working on the 400-acre farm they operated so he decided to attend Andrews University to obtain a degree in agriculture. During his final quarter at Andrews in the winter of 1978, he received a phone call from Ber- nard Andersen, then department chair and farm manager. Greg says, “When he asked me if I would like to join the staff, he did not have to ask me twice! Bernard was very patient, kind and willing to work alongside the other staff, and we became great friends.” Greg began working for the farm/dairy operation as an equipment operator in March of 1978, primarily operating and maintaining farm equipment, planting and harvesting crops for the dairy herd, and teaching classes in farm equipment and irrigation. In 1988 he became the field crops manager. In August of 1992, Greg moved across the street to Transportation, where his primary job was operating heavy equip- ment used for maintaining roads and sidewalks, snow removal, underground utilities and excavation. He also drove buses and trucks, logging hundreds of thousands of miles to areas all across North America. “Aside from the day-to-day activities of the job,” Greg says, “working alongside and making friendships with others at the University and in the surrounding community has had the biggest im- pact on me. Even those who have been my superiors were more like friends than just a boss.” He continues, “As a boy and young man a strong work ethic was instilled in me by various people, including my grandfather and academy farm managers. I have tried to maintain that work ethic. Family was the other aspect of life that has always been important. Sometimes the two conflicted with each other, and it could be a challenge to keep a balance between work and family.” Summing up his time at Andrews, Greg reflects, “If there is one thing I have learned it is that the only constant in life, besides our God, is change. Over the years there have been many changes at Andrews in personnel, administration, the physical plant and even my job re- sponsibilities. I have learned that rather than reject change to accept it and make the best of it. Often everything works out for the better. I am still learning this lesson every day.” Greg misses many of the day-to-day aspects of his jobs at Andrews, such as the planting and harvesting of crops that he did in his early years, but most of all he misses the people. Since he lives nearby, he still stops in and helps out from time to time with various activities. In retirement, Greg most enjoys being in control of his own schedule, with more time to enjoy his many interests and hobbies. Those include motorcy- cle riding, antique farm engines and tractors, collecting and restoring vintage outboard motors, boating on Lake Mich- igan and other inland lakes and rivers, and camping in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He and his wife plan to stay at their country acreage nearby and enjoy spending time with their two children, children’s spouses and five grandchil- dren who also live in the area. Greg Offenback retires after 41 years Working for the Farm, Dairy and Transportation “If there is one thing I have learned it is that the only constant in life, besides our God, is change.” Greg Offenback plans to spend more time on his motorcycle. World Changers Made Here. 16 —FOCUS Faculty & Staff“I’VE ALWAYS FOUND JOY IN EVERY JOB I ever did,” says Keith Mattingly of his 40-year experience at Andrews. “What I particularly enjoyed is being able to play a role in effecting change that brings joy and improvement to other people’s lives.” During his time at Andrews, Keith taught in and chaired the Department of Religion & Biblical Languages, served as dean of the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), and most recently was associate provost and dean of undergraduate education. In 1971 Keith entered into pastoral work in the Arkansas-Louisiana Confer- ence. Keith had never thought of being a teacher. In 1979, while pastoring the Cocoa Church in Florida, his wife Mar- garita received an interest inquiry on her willingness to teach in the Andrews University physics department. Initially, due to Margarita not yet earning a PhD, the physics department indicated it would continue its search. Shortly after that Keith happened to run into the current Andrews president at the time, Joseph Smoot, in the Florida Conference office. There he learned that the physics department was offering Margarita the position. Smoot asked Keith if he had ever thought of teaching. It was the first moment Keith had ever thought about teaching. “Margarita had sacrificed her career up till then to support me, and I decided that it was her turn for me to support her even though there was no promise of employment for me by Andrews administration,” he says. After coming to Andrews, Keith taught on class-by-class contracts in the religion department for five years and entered full-time teaching in 1984. Since then, he has taught 25 different classes, including Issues in the Great Controversy, which he taught 35 times. Keith also started two classes which pre- viously had not been offered to students in the religion department: Beginning Hebrew and Hermeneutics. “I really enjoyed teaching, it was very special,” he says. “I certainly had a great time with students in all my classes. In checking the record I’ve had the great privilege of teaching 5,741 students.” Over the years, some of Keith’s most satisfying moments have been seeing how God uses his personality and talents to make a positive difference. Whether it is a former student who tells him how his class made a difference in their spir- itual lives or when he was able to make changes in the Department of Religion to improve student training, each of these moments brought him joy. In addition to teaching, Keith was involved in Chapel Choices, a program which provided multiple small groups for students to join. “I really enjoyed organizing and seeing to it that they worked,” he says. He also served as the executive director of the Jordan Field School at Tall Hisban, Jordan, for two summers with Øystein LaBianca, senior director and professor of anthropology. Keith values the connections he formed with students during his time at Andrews and the relationships he witnessed between students. “I am often reminded of relationships built with couples whose weddings I had the privi- lege to officiate,” he says. “It is especially pleasant to see students who have be- come somebody—we as teachers always want to see our students do better than we did.” He appreciates, too, the staff who contributed to his positive experience at Andrews. “In terms of staff, I’ve enjoyed working with friends from Custodial, Grounds, Plant Services, University Communication and Information Tech- nology Services whose support made a gigantic positive difference in my career at Andrews University,” Keith says. “My peers in the religion department were great partners. The CAS dean’s office staff always exceeded my expectations, and without them I would never have lasted as the CAS dean.” In working with these individuals, Keith created a catch phrase, “Welcome to another beautiful day in southwest Michigan.” At first it started out as a joke for days with particularly bad weather, but then he shifted to using it every day. As time went on Keith began to think more about heaven and how all places there are good. In response to this he started to add on another phrase, “Let’s all plan to meet in the southwest corner of the New Jerusalem on the 2nd Sab- bath we are there.” Indeed this phrase captures what has been a guiding belief for Keith—the promise of heaven and the call to treat others with kindness and care on earth in preparation for heaven. “I look forward to spending time with the thousands of students and friends I’ve made over the years,” he says. Altogether, Keith’s experiences at An- drews and working with these students and friends have changed him. “The big change that came over me was the willingness to take steps to make a differ- ence, steps that ordinarily I would never have otherwise taken,” Keith explains. In retirement, Keith will stay in the area to support Margarita, who is still working in the physics department, and catch up on long-neglected projects. Effecting change and bringing joy Celebrating Keith Mattingly’s 40 years of service at Andrews “The big change that came over me was the willingness to take steps to make a difference...” Keith Mattingly displays a gift at his retirement party held on Jan. 9, 2020, in Buller Hall. Spring 2020— 17 Faculty & StaffSPENCER CARTER FIRST ARRIVED AT AN- drews in 1973 as a proud alumnus of Northeastern Academy in New York City. He earned his BS in communications and his master’s degree in what was then known as community counseling. After graduation, Spencer worked for nine years as the program director at a local counseling center in St. Joseph, Michi- gan, and then as an outreach counselor for the State of Michigan’s local Depart- ment of Social Services. During this time Spencer stayed active in the Andrews community. Many of his friends were involved there and his wife, Nancy Carter, taught for the nursing de- partment. After the Meier Hall assistant dean, David Knight, transferred to Walla Walla College, Spencer started getting phone calls suggesting that he apply for the job. He prayed about it and felt impressed to look into it. “The rest is history,” he says. “It was in the back of my mind that I would do something at Andrews at some point. It was crystallized when the opportunity was presented.” Spencer began as the assistant dean of men for Meier Hall in 1993. This past December, 26.5 years later, he retired as the dean. He credits much of his growth and suc- cess as a dean to the careful mentorship of Don Murray, former dean of men at Meier Hall. He describes Murray as a visionary and one of the grandfathers of deaning. “For Murray, residence life and dean- ing was a place where we could mentor young men and we could encourage them to partner with us toward their success: success academically, success socially and success spiritually. From day one I was introduced to how to build that kind of relationship with students,” Spencer says. Additionally, Spencer is very thank- ful for his counseling background and skills. “It gave me confidence to sit down with students and be willing to listen, facilitate and help direct them toward what needs they had.” Over the years, Spencer’s favorite as- pect of deaning was getting phone calls and emails from his former residents to tell him about their careers, marriages and children. “Those are precious mo- ments that I’ll never forget,” he says. Spencer is also grateful for the rela- tionships he built with his coworkers, including his fellow deans and Frances Faehner, vice president for Campus & Student Life. For him, Faehner consis- tently demonstrated quality leadership with an emphasis on care. “As a team we were together through the highs and lows. We got a chance to see each other’s hearts,” he says. Being an active part of this team is what Spencer will miss the most in retirement. “The time I’ve spent here has been the biggest blessing in my professional life. I learned a lot about leadership, a lot about myself and a lot about program- ming,” Spencer reflects. “I learned a lot about God’s leading and guidance—how when we are committed to letting Him guide and lead us, He will give us oppor- tunities to be a blessing. That’s always been my prayer, ‘Can I be a blessing to somebody?’” Now that he is retired, Spencer will remain in the area with his wife. He plans to enjoy vacations, work on several projects and remain active in his local church. In honor of Spencer’s dedicated ser- vice at Andrews University, the chapel in Meier Hall was recently named the Spencer Carter Chapel (see pages 12–13). Mentoring toward success Spencer Carter retires after 26.5 years of service “The time I've spent here has been the biggest blessing in my professional life. I learned a lot about leadership, a lot about myself and a lot about programming.” RITA PUSEY ALWAYS KNEW SHE WANTED A job or career that involved service. She received her BS in education from Andrews University in 1972 and then started her career as a faculty member and girls dean at Union Springs Academy in New York state. When her children were born, family became a priority. “I left the professional world for a while to be a full-time mom and during that time did some work as a substitute teacher and licensed daycare provider. I went back to full-time work when my youngest was 8 years old,” says Rita. She worked for 13 years at the Edward Lowe Foundation in Cassopolis, Mich- igan, before her current position as an administrative assistant in the Doctor of Ministry program at Andrews. When Rita transitioned from a secular work environment to Andrews Universi- ty she noticed the difference. “It seemed like a rare privilege to attend chapels and staff worship as a part of my work day. To be free to drop everything to pray together with staff or students— whether for their needs or mine—has been a wonderful thing,” she says. Assisting workers in ministry Rita Pusey served almost two decades in the DMin program 18 —FOCUS Faculty & StaffIN 1988, DAVID VILLAGE GRADUATED from Andrews University with a master’s in physical therapy. Prior to attending Andrews, he was a literature evangelist from 1977 to 1984. After he received his MSPT he worked at the Kettering Medical Center for seven years before returning to Andrews in 1995 to begin teaching for the Department of Physical Therapy. For Dave, teaching at a university was not what he had initially imagined as his career. However, 25 years later he has taught numerous courses in kinesiology, general medicine and geriatrics—his area of expertise. He has also served as assistant dean of the College of Health & Human Services. “Working at Andrews has changed me in many ways,” he says. “Being a professor provided many opportunities to serve the local community through service learning and consultation as well as physical thera- py colleagues through research.” During his years at Andrews, Dave found it very satisfying to be part of a team that provides training for students. While he never considered himself an administrator, he also enjoyed assisting the dean of the College of Health & Hu- man Services, Emmanuel Rudatsikira. “Andrews students are extraordinary,” Dave says. “Faculty often have the oppor- tunity to counsel and pray with students, but the roles were reversed when my wife became ill and eventually died. Students came by my office to check in on me, let me know they cared, and pray with me.” Support and prayers were not the only things Dave is grateful for. He’s also ap- preciative of the mentorship he received from Bill Habenicht, Wayne Perry, Kim Ferreira and Rudatsikira. Throughout his career, Dave has seen each day as a gift from God to try and make the lives of others a little better. “The first two verses I read from the Bible as a young man before conversion are still among my favorites: Romans 8:31 and Philippians 4:13,” he explains. “The expe- rience that has guided my life and career is the ongoing realization of the passion God has to lead me to His salvation and His power to help me share with others.” Now that he is retired, Dave plans to stay in the area and contract teach undergraduate courses for the exercise science degree, travel, spend time with family and friends, continue working on his hobbies—gardening and back- country canoeing in Canada—and help with missions. He is also assisting Terry Dodge Jr. in completing a Sam Campbell documentary film. Dave is engaged to Teri Anzures and says, “I am looking forward to this new journey full of possi- bilities and adventure.” “What I will miss the most about An- drews is seeing on a regular basis what God can do through humble, dedicated individuals,” he concludes. David Village at his retirement party on Jan. 10, 2020 Many things have changed at Andrews over the course of Rita’s employment, both in the physical building of the Seminary and in Rita’s work teams. When she was hired, the program had only one director and herself. Now there is a director, four full-time staff and a graduate assistant. There were slightly over 100 students in the program when she began, and currently there are about 350 ministry professionals at varying stages in the program. She has worked with four directors during her tenure, and Rita states, “I have learned valuable things and appreciated working with each one.” Rita’s job has been to guide and assist students through their educational pro- gram but, she adds, “Many times they have graciously ministered to me. The job involves a great deal of tedious detail that must be conscientiously attend- ed to, but the purpose of it was to take care of people who are ‘working on the frontlines.’ That is our part in the bigger picture, and it is a privilege.” She has greatly appreciated the nur- turing work environment and wonderful colleagues who have become her good friends. She relates one event in particu- lar. “When my son-in-law was killed in a plane crash and I needed to take extend- ed time off to support my daughter, my colleagues pooled some of their vacation time and donated it to me. What they did was unexpected and a loving gift that was very meaningful to me.” Rita will remain in the area to tend to the needs of her 99-year-old mother and assist her building contractor spouse. Gardening, camping, hiking, biking, vis- iting family members across the country and working on creative projects are in her future plans. She has been asked to provide oc- casional support with special projects for the DMin program on a contract as-needed basis, so she hopes to not completely “disappear” from Andrews quite yet. Called to serve David Village retires after 25 years of teaching physical therapy Spring 2020— 19 Faculty & StaffNext >