< Previousconnect with each other and even give back by helping each other as well as our current students through answering questions and mentorship,” says Kharkovyy. NETWORKING/ALUMNI DIRECTORY The Andrews Network features an alumni directory of those who have joined the platform. This is a great place to expand your network and connect with former classmates and other alumni. The filter feature allows you to narrow your search to find those with similar degrees, nearby locations, class years and other criteria. It’s a great tool for growing your network! MENTORING Do you remember when you were a college student and you wished you could ask someone questions about different career paths for your major, grad school, starting a business, how to successfully transition from a student to a professional, or similar ques- tions? Or perhaps you have experienced a mentor who im- pacted your life through his/her guidance and interest in you. Con- sider becoming that mentor, that person who is willing to take some time to converse and share with one of our current Andrews students. The Andrews Network automati- cally suggests “mentoring matches” based on experience/interest sim- ilarities. Students can also search through the directory to find men- tors. If you select “Willing to Help” when signing up, you can select which ways you’re willing to offer help by phone/video conversations, answering questions by email, men- toring about industry advice, skill building, professional growth or an assortment of other options. And if you’re worried about time constraints, you can easily set limits on the number of people you’re will- ing to help at a time. It’s a great way to help guide future alumni on a path for success. JOB BOARD The Andrews Network also features an online job posting board. Gone are the days of printing an intern- ship opening and putting it up on a bulletin board! Employers can create profiles on the Andrews Network, too, giving students easy access to recruiters (employers have limited access). The job board provides an accessible, central location where Andrews students (and alums) can view open internships and jobs. Alums can also post jobs! Is your company or organization looking for a top-notch intern or candidate? Post it on the Andrews Network to draw in applicants from the Andrews student and alumni community. To learn more about the Andrews Network and to join, please visit alumni.andrews.edu/network . WHAT IT IS The Andrews Network, recently launched by the Office of Alumni Services, is an online network- ing, mentoring and jobs board platform exclusive to the An- drews community. The platform provides a place where alumni can connect with each other and with current students. “We began enrollment by invit- ing alumni to join the platform,” says Andriy Kharkovyy, director of Alumni Services. “We already have nearly 500 alumni who have joined the platform, and nearly 60 percent of them have indicated a willingness to help a current Andrews student through conver- sation or mentorship.” The next step is a student launch this fall. The Office of Alumni Ser- vices is working with Campus & Student Life, the Andrews Univer- sity Student Association (AUSA), and the Andrews University Grad- uate Student Association (AUGSA) to spread the word among stu- dents. Several departments have already gotten on board such as mathematics and physical therapy, which have both started groups on the Andrews Network. “We look forward to seeing the Andrews Network become a com- munity where alumni can easily Alumni News 30 —FOCUSDr. Samara Sterling (MS ’13) gave an excellent talk during July’s webinar, “Plant-Based Nutrition for Disease Pre- vention.” Sterling currently serves as the research direc- tor for The Peanut Institute and has worked as a research- er and nutrition consultant on a variety of health and nutrition-related initiatives. During the course of the conversation, she discussed building the immune system as a defense against COVID-19, disease prevention and treatment through nutrition, diet trends and more. Vladimir Radivojevic (BS ’95, MSPT ’96) presented “The COVID-19 Crisis” for August’s webinar. As the vice president and chief operating officer at AMITA Health Adventist Boling- brook & GlenOaks Hospitals, Vladimir has unique insights into the challenges that hos- pitals have faced during this crisis. He gave a dynamic presentation discussing the trends that occurred and how the hospitals adapted to new challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vladimir mentioned prominent indicators, progression and recovery timing that he’s noticed as a healthcare executive and answered questions live from viewers. Harold (DIP2YR ’26, BS ’30) and Jean (DIP2YR ’26, BS ’30 ) Boyd , both 1926 graduates of Emmanuel Missionary College, had deep roots in Adventism. Harold was the son of Clarence J. Boyd (BA ’26) and Marie Buhalts Boyd. Clarence interrupted his collegiate education to become a teacher, then principal at Oakwood Manual Train- ing School, now Oakwood University. He later established the University of the Southern Caribbean. Jean was the daughter of Charles E. Stewart, a physician and partner of John Harvey Kellogg. Both Harold and Jean went on to study medicine at the College of Medical Evangelists, now Loma Linda University. New endowment Jean and Harold Boyd Webinars Homecoming 2020 POSTPONED to Sept. 23–26, 2021 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrews University’s leaders have set social distancing and travel guidelines in place for fall 2020. In order to protect the health and safety of our Andrews on-campus student population, visitor and guest access to campus as well as large group gatherings will be affected. We have therefore made the difficult decision to postpone Homecoming 2020 to Sept. 23–26, 2021. We look forward to joyfully celebrating with you in 2021 when we can gather together fully as an Andrews family once more. Homecoming 2021 Honor Classes: 1950, 1951, 1960, 1961, 1970, 1971, 1980, 1981, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021 If you have questions, please contact the Office of Alumni Services at alumni@andrews.edu or 269-471-3591. Please visit alumni.andrews.edu/homecoming for Homecoming 2021 updates over the coming year. The recordings are available to view at alumni.andrews.edu/webinar . To learn about upcoming webinars, please visit alumni.andrews.edu/webinar or sign up for the webinar notifications email list. Harold became a widely known orthopedic surgeon and the third chief of staff at the Campbell Clinic in Mem- phis, Tennessee. Harold was an honored alumnus during Andrews' centennial year. Jean entered medical research briefly and worked in the Pavlov Lab at Battle Creek. Following her marriage she retired to raise three daughters, Heather, Julia and Jean. The Harold Buhalts and Jean Stewart Boyd Endowed Scholarship was estab- lished by their late daughter, Jean Boyd Lowry, and her husband H. Maynard Lowry (BA ’68) to honor their parents and their commitment to education. The scholarship aims to assist students studying science or mathematics who demonstrate academic ability and financial need. It is intended for students who plan careers in science or mathematics outside medicine, dentistry and their allied fields. Now active and growing with ongoing gifts from the family, the scholarship will continue to grow in the future with prom- ised gifts from the estate of the family. Summer 2020— 31 Alumni News1970s Irene (BMus ’70) and Gary (BA ’70) Herr now live in Texas. They celebrated several 50th an- niversaries this year—50 years ago they were married in the Village Seventh-day Adventist Church, graduated from Andrews and flew to Japan to be student missionaries at SanIku Gakuin, in Naraha, Japan. This year they also celebrated their grandson’s graduation from elementary school and their granddaughter’s graduation from Fletcher Academy. Marilynn Hession (att.) is very thankful for the experience she had at Andrews and the friends she made. She has worked for the past 28 years as a family childcare provider in her home and has utilized the knowledge she learned in art classes at Andrews. 1980s Benjamin Uko Kalu (BA ’84) graduated in May with his doctoral degree in health education from Michigan State University. Daughter Nnenna, 18, is attending Morgan State Uni- versity in Baltimore, Maryland, and son Micah, 15, is in high school. Benjamin writes, “God has been amazing to me and my family. I am currently an elder in the Adventist church.” Anthony C. Spence (att.) has published his manuscript “Apocalypse: the Book of Revela- tion.” It is a text-by-text analysis of Revelation and is available for purchase on Amazon. 1990s In the fall of 2019, Brad Fisher (BSIT ’95) and Rob Howell, owners of College Press in Collegedale, Tennessee, acquired another small print company which included a fairly new printing press. After much discussion and prayer, it was decided to donate the older press, which College Press had owned for over 20 years, to the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The press found a home at the Source of Life Publishing House in the Tula Region just a couple hours south of Moscow, Russia. Source of Life Publishing House serves the Euro-Asian Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which consists of 11 time zones and 13 countries. Fisher and Howell, along with their wives, attended a dedication at Source of Life Pub- lishing House in late February. “You can easily see how much this piece of equipment means to the people here,” said Fisher. “We’re hon- ored to be a part of it and are excited to see what they’re going to be able to accomplish with it.” Importing religious material into Russia is a significant challenge, but printing and distrib- uting within the country is more achievable. “We’re grateful for the generosity of donors like Brad and Rob,” said Almir Marroni, pub- lishing director for the General Conference. “The gift they gave today will have ripples of impact for many years to come.” Wendell Glenn Gaa (BS ’98) is working as a desk assistant at the Socio-Cultural Division of the Office of United Nations and Interna- tional Organizations (UNIO) Affairs at the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. He is also studying for his Master of Law (LLM) in International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy at the National University of Ireland (NUI) in Galway. Saskia Walden (BBA ’99) became the first Seventh-day Adventist in Suriname to be appointed as a cabinet official to the new chief of state and head of government, President Chandrikapersad Santokhi. Walden was sworn in as the Minister of Economic Affairs, Entre- preneurship, and Technological Innovation during a special ceremony of the National Assembly in Paramaribo on July 16, 2020. Walden, a native of Suriname and a mem- ber of the Central Seventh-day Adventist Church in Paramaribo, has served the church in the Caribbean Union and Europe for several years. She is an accounting expert with more than 15 years of international work experience and has led her consulting firm in Suriname for more than 15 years. Her church service experience also includes two years as senior teacher responsible for business curriculum at the St. Lucia Adventist Academy in Castries, Saint Lucia, as well as many years as a student literature evangelist throughout Trinidad and Tobago. 2010s John Edmund James Burton was born on March 21, 2020, to Kevin Burton (MA ’15) and Sarah Gane Burton (BA/BS ’13, MA ’15). Kevin, Sarah, daughter Adelia, and son John Edmund live in Collegedale, Tennessee, where Kevin teaches history at Southern Adventist University. Alison Down (MAPM ’18) is working as a part- time Bible instructor and leading two small congregations. She and the church members have prepped, printed and mailed leaflets re- lated to COVID-19 and an introduction to the ten commandments to approximately 72,000 homes in Northern Ontario as well as Northern Saskatchewan. The leaflets have resulted in some positive responses. Carlos Lozano Sanchez (BMus ’18) was unanimously awarded the 2020 Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools Excellence in Teaching award, competing against schools like Northwestern, University of Chicago and Michigan State (175 member institutions are in MAGS). He is currently pursuing a graduate degree at Western Michigan University. 2020s Shikha Sharma (DPT ’20) graduated in May and accepted a physical therapy job in New York City. She says, “It has given me the oppor- tunity to apply my knowledge, not only in terms of physical therapy but also spiritually and the love and kindness that Michigan has to offer.” 32 —FOCUS Class NotesSummer 2020— 33 Life Stories George Allen Yancer (BS ’80) was born on March 9, 1931, to Clarence and Grace (Hardy) Yancer in Saginaw, Michigan. He died on August 15, 2020, at home in Buchanan, Michigan. While working for Saginaw Transfer truck line in 1950, George met Janet Fae Weir. They were married on Jan. 30, 1954. While living in Saginaw, Janet and George had three children: George Allen (BS ’80) and his wife Debi (BS ’75) Yancer of Lincoln, Nebraska, Ruth Ann (former staff) and her husband Dean (CERT ’74, former staff) Snow of Berrien Center, and Susan Kay Yancer- Hatcher (Larry Hatcher) of Ferrysburg, Michigan. An employment opportunity with Battle Creek Academy moved the family to Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1964. Then in 1973 the family moved to Berrien Springs when George accepted a job with the custodial department at An- drews University. George also started his own business in the Berrien Springs area, and for many years people recognized a black pickup pulling a black trailer as his calling card. George is survived by his wife of 66 years, two daughters, one daughter-in-law, two sons- in-law, eight grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, George Jr., and a granddaughter. Frederick George Schaller (BS ’56), 86, of Sarasota, Florida, passed to his rest on August 12, 2020, in Niles, Michigan. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 31, 1934, to Katherine and John Schaller, both German speaking immi- grants from Hungary. The family moved from Chicago to a farm in Baroda, Michigan, to live a simpler life when Fred was 7 years old. He worked hard on his family’s fruit farm, picking grapes to be processed by Welch’s. His life was providentially spared in a 1946 explosion at his grade school. He graduated from Baroda High School in 1952 and Emmanuel Mission- ary College (now Andrews University) in 1956 with a business degree. In his professional life he was a salesman, executive, owner, and real estate devel- oper at various businesses in Michigan and Florida. His children, Denise (MAT ’96, current faculty), Greg (BA ’81, MDiv ’87), John, Ann and Anthony, remember family trips, Cubs games, pranks and picnics. Everyone enjoyed good times when Fred and Laura spent summers in Mich- igan. A family highlight was an Alaskan cruise to celebrate his 70th birthday. He loved spending time with family, reading his newspa- pers, eating out, watching football games, and spoiling his cat, Mittens. Fred was known for his good sense of humor, his wise sayings, his sage advice, his generosity, and his business acumen. He was a good friend, a great cook, an interesting sto- ryteller, and a sharp dresser. He was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Doris Schaller, his parents, brothers John and Robert, and sister Maryann Prien. He is survived by his part- ner, Laura Kidman; his brother Henry Schaller; his children, Denise (Charles) Curnutt, Greg (Bonnie (BS ’81)), John (Cherie), Ann (Tim) Hesson, and Anthony (Michelle); his grandchildren, William (BA ’08) and Kelsey Curnutt (BA ’11, current staff), Clifton (Stephanie) Schaller, Margeau (Brent) Wagner, Sammee and Paxton Schaller, and Gabrielle Harrison, with a great grand- son joining the family in 2021. Richard Allen Rorabeck (former staff), 93, of Berrien Springs, Michigan, passed away July 11, 2020, at Caretel Inns of St Joseph, Michigan. He was a member of the Berrien Springs Village Seventh-day Adventist Church. Richard was born April 2, 1927, to the Strimback family of Hickory Corners, Michigan. Depression year hardships ne- cessitated that the family adopt Richard out at age 2 to the Rorabeck family. All through his childhood years he never realized that his biological mother lived only a few miles away from the farm he grew up on. His adoptive parents later had two more boys of their own, Herbert and Clarence. He married Bernita Mary Lunz on August 30, 1953, in the old Urbandale Adventist Church. The couple later moved from the farm to the Battle Creek area, where Rich- ard worked in construction, and Bernita worked as a nurse. They raised two children. Richard’s work paths would lead him to maintenance work in Battle Creek Academy until 1977. At that time the family moved to Berrien Springs, Michigan, where Richard took on a more supervisory position in the Andrews University cus- todial department for 15 years. He retired in 1992. At home you could find Richard busy in his gardens, feeding the birds, battling the squirrels, or driving his Ford 8-N tractor back in the woods to cut firewood for the wood stove. He built a special box for the tractor hitch to carry his saw and tools, or occasionally to give his grandchildren rides. In the late 1980s, events re- lated to Herbert’s tool business would result in Richard meet- ing his biological siblings and several aunts and uncles. Richard was preceded in death by his wife Bernita, his biological mother Martha St- rimback, his adoptive parents Clay and Edna Rorabeck, his brothers Herbert Rorabeck and Clarence Rorabeck. He is survived by his daugh- ter Donna Jean (CERT ’77, AS ’79, CERT ’81) and her husband Mike Davis, son John (BS ’80, current staff) and his wife Christine (MA ’15) Rorabeck, grandchildren John Henri (Melody) Rorabeck, and Anna (BMus ’20) and her husband Ray Stephenson. He is also survived by his biological siblings Carole Hussey of Bra- denton, Florida, Ray (Marilyn) Roush of Nashville, Michigan, and Wayne Roush of Hastings, Michigan. Lynn Stephen Gray (BS ’71) of Berrien Springs, Michigan, died on June 13, 2020. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, to George and Ola Mae Gray on April 3, 1949. He attended the Berean Seventh- day Adventist Elementary School and was a 1966 grad- uate of Cass Technical High School. In 1971 he earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Andrews University. He received his MD from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1975. Lynn married Deborah Louise Dowdell (BS ’72, MA ’83, EdD ’94) on August 6, 1972. To this union were born three children: Stephen, Jennifer and Matthew. In 1979, Dr. Gray moved to Southwest Michigan to open his own family practice office. 34 —FOCUS Life Stories After 16 years of solo prac- tice, he joined the emergency team at Lakeland. Lynn was an active member of the medical community. He held the med- ical director position for the Orchard Grove extended care facility, the Berrien County Jail and Planned Parenthood. He also served as a consultant to the Michigan Peer Review Organization and to Lake- land’s Case Management and Performance Improvement Departments. Lynn provided leadership roles as past-president and member of the board of the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians, member of the Andrews University Board of Trustees, past board member of the Berrien County Medi- cal Society, past member of the board of the Michigan State Medical Society and the Medical Director of Diversity at Lakeland Healthcare. Over the years, Lynn was the recipient of numerous awards for his dedication to the community. He was an active member of the Highland Avenue Seventh- day Adventist Church in Ben- ton Harbor. He had a heart for mission and had the privi- lege of going on a number of medical mission trips. His goal was to continue with mission projects after his retirement. Lynn is survived by his wife, Deborah; his children, Stephen (Jamie), Jennifer (Eddie) and Matthew (Jayna); seven grandchildren; nephew, Eric; along with a host of family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, George Gray Jr. Kembleton Wiggins (MA ’77, EdD ’79), 81, of Keene, Texas, passed away May 26, 2020, in Keene. He was born Oct. 24, 1938, in Bridgetown, Barba- dos, to William H. and Endine (Carver) Wiggins. He married Valerie Margue- rit (Raymore) on July 7, 1962, in Kingston, Jamaica. He was a doctor of social psychology. Survivors include his sons, Christopher Wiggins and wife Kimberly, and Peter Wiggins and wife Cece; brother-in-law Dr. Patrick Raymore; grand- children, Andrew Wiggins, Nicholas Wiggins, Kristina King, Lorretta Craft, Dakota Tipton and Peter Wiggins Jr.; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Beverley Fleming, Juanita Brown and husband Ben, and Elizabeth Wiggins; brother, Wilvin Wiggins; as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his wife, Valerie, and his parents. James John Charles (“Jim”) Cox (MA ’57) passed to his rest on April 13, 2020. He was born on June 12, 1925, in Kakanui, New Zea- land, the older of two sons born to James and Janet Cox. Jim’s life and the Seventh- day Adventist Church were intertwined from an early age. When he was just 15, he spent a year working as a general assistant in the North New Zealand Conference office before heading to Avondale College in Australia to study for the ministry. It was at Avondale that he met, then fell in love with, Alice Cameron. From 1946 to 1948, Jim worked as a minister in the Tasmanian Conference (Alice’s home state). From 1948 to 1955, he worked as a minister in the North New Zealand Con- ference. It was while he worked in Wellington that Jim and Alice’s son, John, was born. Although Jim was a much-appreciated minister, he had a love of learning and an academic aptitude that made it clear to him that he would find more satisfaction in teach- ing at a college or university. So the family packed up and crossed the Pacific, heading to Walla Walla College, where Jim earned a bachelor’s degree. They then moved to the Seventh-day Adventist Theo- logical Seminary at Andrews University, where he earned his master’s degree. Continu- ing their eastward trajectory, the Coxes moved to Maryland, where Jim taught in the The- ology Department at Columbia Union College (CUC) from 1957 to 1960. With Jim having been ac- cepted into a PhD program at Harvard University, the family moved to Massachusetts. With his doctorate completed, he once again taught at CUC, from 1963 to 1965, when he accepted a call to the Seminary at Andrews University. From 1965 to 1980, Jim was chair of the New Testament Department, making a positive impact on a steady stream of young people who were dedi- cating their lives to ministry. In 1980, Jim and Alice crossed the Pacific again, this time headed to Avondale College, where he served as president until 1984. At that point, the Coxes moved back to Maryland, where Jim partnered with long-time friend Jim Lond- is on a creative outreach project called the Washington Insti- tute. When the project ended, Jim again joined the faculty of CUC, where he worked until his retirement in 1991. Jim and Alice packed up yet again and headed to Florida to enjoy retirement. But the term “retirement” was a misnomer. He served another five years as academic dean of the newly established Florida Hospital College (now AdventHealth University). In total, Jim was employed by the Adventist Church for 46 years, starting at age 15 and concluding at age 71. But woven throughout those years, he spent another 10 years in academic study so he could be more effective in his work for the church. Jim’s beloved wife Alice died from lymphoma. For the past eight years, Jim lived with his son, John, who played an increasing role as caregiver. Virgil “Chuck” Tacket (BA ’55), 96, passed away on Jan. 1, 2020. He was born March 26, 1923, in Hollister, Wisconsin, as the eighth of nine children born to Hiram and Minnie Tacket. After graduating from high school in White Lake, Wiscon- sin, in 1942, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943. After receiving basic training, he was sent to the front lines in Italy in February of 1944 for 14 months where he served his country proudly as a staff ser- geant. It was there on the front lines that he prayed for the first time in his life. His service to his country continued until his discharge in October of 1945. He enrolled in Emmanuel Missionary College and grad- uated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts in accounting. During his time in college, he married Phylis Servi (BA ’53) on June 17, 1951. Chuck worked as an accountant several years before he found his true calling as a custom home builder. He was one of the founders of the Berrien County Home Builders Association, serving as its trea- surer for a couple of years. As an active member of Pioneer Memorial Church in Berrien Springs, he served as an elder and a member of the church board for 25 years. During his time on the finance committee, he was a leader in raising funds for Ruth Murdoch Elementary School. Chuck is survived by Phylis, his wife of 68 years; two chil- dren: daughter Judy Vallieres, son Dr. Douglas Tacket (BSMT ’84) and his wife Dr. Tracy Wilson Tacket (BS ’84); five grandchildren: Kaitlie Anne VanRaden (BHS ’11, DPT ’13), Whitney Tacket (BS ’13), Jordan, Shane and Cheyenne Oakley, and five great-grand- children.Charitable bequests. Good for Andrews. Good for you. Whether they’re cruising around town or touring the country with friends, David and Lynn Steen know how to enjoy the adventure ahead. That’s why they chose to support Adventist education at Andrews University as part of their estate plan. It’s a simple way for them to help make a lasting difference down the road while continuing to do the things they love today. Learn how you can do something that’s good for Andrews—and good for you. Call or write today. Phone: 269-471-3613 Email: plannedgiving@andrews.edu Web: andrews.edu/plannedgivingOffice of Alumni Services Andrews University Berrien Springs MI 49104-0950 Address Service Requested Seek Knowledge. Affirm Faith. Change the World. Members of Andrews University’s Christian Youth Action Club fellowship together in 1971. PHOTO CREDIT : Center for Adventist Research Roy Jefferson Antoinne Pearce Baldwin Barnes Mark McCleary Ken Hannah Nancy (Nash) Carter Addison Hines Larry Gipson Hayward Penny Jimmy Strong Billy Hall Cleveland YoungbloodJ.T. SlaughterNext >