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              Fall 2006

In any year of great change, there are many firsts and lasts and the word “new” pops up with regularity. Fiscal Year 2006 (FY06, June 1, 2005-May 31, 2006) was just such a year. Daniel R. Chamberlain (picture below, on the right) completed his 30-year tenure as president of the college in May 2006, and Ian Lennox ’51 (picture below, on the left) resigned as chairman of the board of trustees as well. Wayne MacBeth ’75 changed administrative roles to oversee finances when Vice President for Finance Jeff Spear ’79 stepped down. Denise Bakerink ’83 took on the role of interim dean of students.

            In addition to the changes in administration, changes were underway on campus. Construction began on several projects, including the chapel renovation and the library addition. New names came to South and East Halls, now known as Rothenbuhler and Gillette Halls, respectively. The board of trustees decreed that the Academic Building be renamed the Chamberlain Center in honor of Dan and Joyce Chamberlain.

            The college welcomed ten new faculty members and then bid farewell to five that retired. Just less than 400 new students arrived in the fall of 2005 and exactly 282 graduated in May 2006. The Campaign for Christian Liberal Arts at Houghton College ended just after the fiscal year did, after seven years and over $50 million raised.

            Yet some things remained the same: the women’s soccer team reached the NAIA final tournament for the third consecutive year, and sixth of the last eight. Richard “Jake” Jacobsen, professor of mathematics was recognized for 40 years of service to Houghton. More than 300 students, staff and faculty volunteered their time on a Saturday in March for Service Day. And, of course, it rained on Homecoming Weekend.

            It was a memorable Homecoming, too, as the college celebrated the career of President Chamberlain. Founder’s Day chapel was attended by dozens of dignitaries from colleges and educational organizations, legislatures and church organizations. They presented certificates, proclamations and gifts to Chamberlain and related stories of his leadership abilities. The culmination was the surprise unveiling of the sign for the newly renamed Chamberlain Center. On Saturday, the celebration continued with a luncheon in the Chamberlains’ honor and the sharing of stories from various campus representatives. Mrs. Chamberlain received the Kenneth Boon Award for service to the Houghton community.

            In Enrollment Management, being a title sponsor for the Kingdom Bound music festival was an important and energizing step towards promoting name recognition for the college. Over 60,000 people come to the festival, held at the Six Flags theme park at Darien Lake, to hear contemporary Christian musicians. Houghton had three sponsorship locations from which to pass out wristbands, backpacks and T-shirts—thousands of them. Over 5,000 prospective students shared their information by filling out cards, and are now in the college’s system for follow-up and recruitment.

            In Advancement, as the campaign drew to a close, the focus was on the chapel renovation. More than 400 donors sponsored chapel seats (at $1,000 each), enabling the work to begin in the spring. The Alumni Association sponsored a trip to Italy and had regional gatherings in New York, Florida and California, among other places. More than 13 classes had over 100 members registered in the online community, which had 3,700+ members altogether. The association awarded its first $1,500 (renewable) Legacy Scholarship as well, funded by revenues received from affinity programs.

            In academics, the focus on service learning and collaborative research continues. A great many of the college’s students are participating in an off-campus experience—over 40% of the class of ’06. In the spring, the college launched an e-journal, Stonework. Virtually all the members of the science faulty are engaged in research, usually in collaboration with students. Physics Professor Mark Yuly, for example, took several students with him to the Los Alamos Research Facility in the summer. Several students in English have presented papers at professional conferences in collaboration with professors, and other departments have similar activities underway.

            In the athletic department, seven different Houghton College teams served on short-term mission trips this year, and the department achieved its goal of having each varsity team make a missions trip within a four-year span. Jessica Stack ’06, Laura Jarvis ’06 and the women’s soccer team all received “Champions of Character” Awards from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The college hosted a basketball clinic featuring two “Hall of Fame” coaches: Harry Statham, of McKendrie College, who has coached more wins than anyone else at any level, and Dan Miles, of Oregon Institute of Technology, who ranks 14^th on the all-time wins list. The department also hosted the inaugural “Daniel Chamberlain Golf Tournament” as part of Homecoming.

            On the field, the women’s soccer team, six members of the indoor track and field team and three members of the outdoor track and field team made it to their respective NAIA national events. David Lewis became the NAIA’s all-time leader in wins for women’s soccer coaches and was named “Coach of the Year” for both the American Mideast Conference and the NAIA’s Region IX.

            The Conference Office has three priorities each year: targeting prospective students, reaching parents and influencers of prospective students and providing revenues for the college. Conferences hosted close to 6,000 visitors in the summer of 2005, more than 2,500 of which attended youth camps. About 1,500 of them were in summer sports camps, while another 600 attended the “Never the Same” Wesleyan Youth Camp, which grew from 340 two years ago. The college hosted a conference featuring Diana Waring, a well-known home school educator, which was quite well attended. For the year, Conferences exceeded its budgeted net revenue goal, by almost $50,000.

            Speaking of budgets and finances, FY06 was difficult in this area, although ultimately a positive outcome resulted. Slightly lower enrollment, additional expenditure for financial aid and other budget adjustments led to predictions in the fall of 2005 for a deficit budget year. Strong measures, including a hiring freeze and personnel cutbacks, led to a better-than-predicted end to the year. (See financial figures in charts, above.)

            As the year drew to a close, a sense of anticipation grew in the community. In May, the board of trustees named Shirley Mullen ’76 (pictured below, on the left) the fifth president of the college. (She took office on the first day of the new fiscal year.) At the same time, the board elected Karl Eastlack ’79 (pictured below, on the right) as its new chair. With the changing of top leadership complete, the college anticipates exciting new ideas and more changes in the year to come.