As part of an $11.6 million donor-funded capital project, Sastic Courtyard is a prominent feature of the comprehensive renovation of both the interior and exterior of the building which first opened in 1957. Begun in May 2025, the project will be completed in August 2026, when the female residence hall will once again be known as East Hall.
Sastic Courtyard faces Genesee Street, providing students and visitors with an expanded and welcoming entrance, as well as outdoor recreational space. Sastic Courtyard is named in honor of Houghton alumni Drs. Jonathan ’75 and Lois (Morgan ’75) Sastic, who contributed $1 million to Houghton’s overall residence renewal efforts by investing in the future of East Hall where Lois once lived as a student.
“It is indeed a privilege,” remarked Dr. Lois Sastic, “to help foster a safe, healthy living environment that will enable future students to focus on both their academics and their personal relationships. The Houghton experience should include great living spaces, like East Hall, which help to build community.”
Sastic Courtyard will offer students, their families and friends an idyllic outdoor space to gather and facilitates entry to and exit from the building in an accessible manner. A newly created drive-up loops welcomes visitors directly to a covered entrance and provides immediate access to the newly installed centralized elevator within the renovated main lounge.
Sastic Courtyard will feature a gas firepit that was funded in part by a gift from the ɬ Class of 2026. Outdoor seating and picnic tables with umbrellas overlook a portion of the Crystal Rork Arboretum and celebrate Houghton’s longstanding connections to its natural surroundings.
Now retired, Drs. Jonathan and Lois Sastic were partners in Oneonta Surgical Associates (Oneonta, NY). Along with fellow alumni, the Sastics helped build a practice that not only served its community well, but also encouraged its practitioners to engage in medical missions around the world. This mission took the Sastics to Taiwan, Kenya and Thailand.
The overall renovation of East Hall was made possible by a lead gift from Donald and Beverly (Roberts ’56) Greene. It is the first phase of an overall residence renewal effort across Houghton’s campus . The next priority is the extensive renovation of Shenawana Hall, which opened in 1961. To learn more about supporting residence renewal, please contact the ɬ Office of Advancement at 585-567-9340 or advancement@houghton.edu.
The enemy comes not for our entertainment or enjoyment. Despite his tricks and deception, he comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). That’s it. No exceptions. Sin can present itself as pleasure, freedom, and empowerment, but in reality, it separates us from the love of our holy and righteous God. Ultimately, sin leads to death and eternal damnation, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23).
This is basic Biblical doctrine, rooted in the Word of God, long established by the Church of Christ, believed and proclaimed by Christians around the world for millennia. Yet a desire for societal acceptance within the American Church and among American Christians leads some to find the truth of the Gospel harsh and off-putting. So out of fear of personal rejection or being labeled a fundamentalist or a bigot, Christians who ought to know better choose to placate sin, ignoring or belittling its pernicious effects, often under the guise of being empathetic and compassionate.
But what is compassionate about allowing one who is in bondage to sin to continue to suffer while withholding the truth that would set them free? Such behavior is not at all compassionate. It is cowardly. Cowardice is simply the lack of courage. And it is indeed a lack of courage, not compassion, that leads the so-called believer to hide or neuter the Gospel in order to be accepted in societal circles and applauded by the world for an evolving, progressive view of Scripture. Such cowardice is not only shameful for the Christian, but his affirmation of sin has potentially deadly consequences for the unbeliever.
As some cower under the guise of compassion, the enemy does not retreat. He aggressively pursues their homes, their children, their schools, their communities, and even their churches. Sin reigns rampant in their communities, most often unchallenged, and sometimes even celebrated. God’s standard for holy living (1 Peter 1:15-16) is mocked. We see the aggressive indoctrination of young children with gender ideology and an intentional desensitization of adolescents to sexual sin and perversion. Educators and political leaders mock the sincere Christian faith of people of all ages, as schools, universities, governments, and corporations attempt to deny their constitutional rights to freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and freedom of speech. So-called ministers of the Gospel even attempt to delegitimize portions of the Biblical canon, asserting the need for a third testament of the Bible that aligns with Marxist and progressive ideologies—worldviews that are incompatible with orthodox Christianity.
Despite such cowardice, I am grateful for the courageous generation of Christian leaders the Lord is raising up in our midst. I see them at Houghton and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their lives. These are young Christians who have personally experienced the truth and grace of Jesus, and who boldly proclaim the Gospel of repentance and salvation through faith in Jesus. They know Jesus to be the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and the Holy Spirit is empowering them to be Christ’s witnesses in near places, far places, hard places, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8-9). They have rejected cowardice and embraced a courageous compassion, rooted in the unchanging and infallible Word of God.
I pray that the Lord strengthens and emboldens them. May He multiply the force of their efforts. And may many unbelievers come to know the salvation of the Lord through their courageous witness and the power of the Holy Spirit working through them.
About the Author
A noted teacher, scholar and leader in higher education, government and P12 schools, Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. serves as the 6th President of ɬ. He is recognized as being a champion for students and families. He writes, speaks and teaches on Christian leadership, organizational leadership and federal and state education policy.
ɬ announcedthe institution’soverallendowmenthas reached $103.775 million.Theendowment has grown rapidly in recent years, surpassing $70 million in 2020 with the successful completion ofIMPACT: The Campaign for Greater Houghton, $80 millionin 2024and $90 million just eleven months ago.
“One of the clear evidences of the Lord’s provision for ɬ is in the rapid growth of our endowment,” remarked President Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. “Alumni and friends continue to give sacrificially to ensure Houghton’s mission of equipping fearless Christian scholar-servants who will impact the world for Christ. Additionally, the stewardship by the Board of Trustees’ Investment Committee has been instrumental in the endowment’s growth. Crossing $100 million is a milestone worth celebrating. I could not be more grateful for the Lord’s blessings and for the many men and women over the years who have made this possible.”
HoughtonUniversity’sendowment iscomprisedofhundreds ofindividualendowedscholarship funds, endowedprogrammaticfunds, and unrestricted endowment. These funds enableHoughton to continueproviding an academically challenging, Christ-centered liberal arts education.Programmaticendowment funds ensurethatvital curricular, co-curricularand extra-curricular programs continue to provide a robuststudentexperience.Unrestricted endowment providesflexibility on an annual basis toenhancethestudentexperience and invest in Houghton’s future.
“This milestone is only possible because of the exceptional commitment of our incredibly generous alumni and friends,” explains Karl Sisson, Vice President for Advancement and External Engagement. “The accelerated growth of our endowment in recent years positions ɬ for an even brighterfuture andstrengthens our ability tomeet our vital mission.The continued growth of endowment will remain a priority aswe invite andinspiredonorsto create their legacies through Houghton.”
More thanhalf of ɬ’s 370 endowed scholarship funds have been created since 2011.This includes 20 endowed classscholarships, created to foster the legacy of past graduating classes,whichnowtotalover $2.7 million.In 2025, the Ellen F. Donley Dean of Education & Behavioral Sciences was created,an endowed chairhonoring the life and legacy of a Houghtonalumnafrom the Class of 1938.Over thelastyear, new programmatic endowment fundshaveincludedthePeter and Karin Lee Science EquipmentFund, the Music Ministry Travel Fund,andthe Staff Development Fund. Additionally, all 15 intercollegiatesportsteamsnowhave a unique endowment fund, and Highlander Athletics is further supported by a general Athletics Endowment Fund and theKristopher W. Clester Intramural and Club SportsFund.
To learn moreabout opportunities tosolidifyyour legacy through Houghton andcontribute to the growth of endowment, please contact the ɬ Office of Advancement at 585-567-9340 oradvancement@houghton.edu.
ɬ celebrated the Class of 2026 at Saturday’s commencement ceremony.
The newest Houghton alumni gathered one final time as students for the commencement ceremony on May 9 before embarking on their journey as fearless scholar-servants, equipped to transform the world for God’s glory. Already, 70% have determined their next steps. Some will immediately enter their chosen careers while others will continue their education in graduate programs.*
As our graduates departed, Professor Ryan Cooley shared this benediction, “To our 2026 graduates, as you leave Houghton, may God bless your minds to seek and recognize truth. May He bless your imaginations to create what is good and beautiful, and give you the courage to pursue what is right even when it is costly,” remarked Professor Ryan Cooley. “Go then, not simply as graduates, but as His works of art, created by Christ, walking in humility, serving with joy, and trusting that God goes before you in every place He sends you.”
We are honored to send forth another class of Houghton graduates; scholar-servants who are well-prepared to be fearless and faithful ambassadors for Christ in the various fields and places God has called them to.
The Class of 2026 Snapshot
175 Graduates
26 Double Majors
79 Graduates with Honors
Degree Types
Top Majors
Plans Before Graduation
70% of respondents reported already having been hired or accepted to graduate school before graduation. Plans include employment, graduate school, military and volunteer service.
*Based on First Destination Survey for the Class of 2026
Country of Origin
In addition, four distinguished leaders in Christian higher education and ministry who embody the Houghton’s values of academic excellence and Christian service were honored. David Cram and Dr. Robert Danner received honorary degrees in recognition of their lifelong commitment to academic excellence and Christian higher education, while Rev. Johanna Rugh and Dr. Paul Young ’76 were awarded the University’s highest non-academic honor, the Willard J. Houghton Medal.
Words of Encouragement from our Commencement Speaker
Dr. Carrie Whitcher, Chief Quality Officer at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Insurance Services Division, delivered the 2026 commencement address on Saturday, May 9, encouraging the graduating Class of 2026 to view graduation not as the end of a chapter, but as the beginning of a calling God has prepared them for. Drawing from Matthew 28:19–20 and the Great Commission, she reminded graduates that even in uncertain times, God is actively guiding their next steps and calling them to integrate their faith into their work and daily lives.
Whitcher emphasized the importance of serving others, being the salt and light in a broken world, and using their God-given gifts to influence their workplaces and communities as leaders, disciple-makers, and faithful servants wherever God places them.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
Make new discoveries, educate future generations, treat the suffering and reveal the blessing of God’s promise and love. As you take the next steps to live fearlessly for Christ in your chosen fields, we are confident that you will continue to be strong and courageous—confident in the knowledge that God is with you and will never forsake you.
During the 2026 Commencement Ceremony, we honor Dr. Robert Danner. His life and career represent a seamless tapestry of service, spanning a distinguished tenure as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army and twenty transformative years as Houghton’s Vice President for Student Life.
When Dr. Danner arrived in 1981, he stepped into a higher education landscape grappling with the shifting complexities of in loco parentis. With the steady hand of a seasoned leader and the heart of a pastor, he navigated these cultural waters, moving Houghton toward a developmental model of Student Life. He didn’t just manage a campus; he cultivated a community. Under his guidance, the philosophy of student housing evolved from mere dormitory living into a tiered journey of maturity from traditional residence halls to townhouses and apartments reflecting the growth of the students themselves.
A true pioneer in his field, Dr. Danner was the architect of cooperative graduate programs in Student Affairs. By forging partnerships, he established Houghton as a national leader in faith-based integrated education. Today, his legacy lives on through the dozens of professionals he mentored who now lead Student Life departments across the country.
His contributions to the “Houghton experience” are ubiquitous. From the creation of the New Student Dedication Service to the establishment of the Office of Vocation and Calling, Dr. Danner ensured that the “scholar-servant” ideal was not merely a slogan, but a lived reality. His original conceptual framework, A Concept of Student Development, remains a foundation of our Student Life mission, insisting that excellence must be pursued across three inseparable domains: the intellectual, the spiritual, and the physical.
Beyond his administrative efforts, Bob Danner has been a fixture of our community’s soul. Whether championing for our ROTC cadets, welcoming students into his home, or serving as the longest-ever member of the Houghton Wind Ensemble with his tuba, he embodies the Wesleyan tradition of holistic holiness. He has spent his life asking, “What do our students truly need, today?” and then dedicating himself to providing it.
For his unwavering commitment to the flourishing of young people, his national leadership in Christian Student Development, and his four decades of being the “living embodiment” of Houghton’s highest values, during the 2026 Commencement Ceremony by the power vested in President Wayne D. Lewis Jr. by the Regents of the State of New York and with the approval of the faculty and trustees of ɬ, confersupon Dr. Robert Danner the degree, Doctor of Letters, honoris causa.
During the 2026 Commencement Ceremony, we celebrate a pillar of the Houghton community, a scholar-servant whose influence has spanned decades, disciplines, and even local theater stages. We honor Dr. Paul Young—an alumnus of the Class of 1976, the Robert L. Davidson Professor of Social Sciences, and a beloved mentor who has spent over thirty years proving that intellectual rigor and deep personal faith are not merely compatible, but essential partners.
Paul returned here to his alma mater in 1980, driven by a redemptive vision of Houghton’s role in his own life and a desire to offer that same transformation to the next generation. Throughout his tenure, he has stepped into nearly every leadership capacity imaginable: from Chair of the Psychology Department and Area Associate Dean to Interim Academic Vice President. Whether leading students through the “Houghton Down Under” program in Australia or representing Houghton professionally, Paul navigated the complexities of institutional leadership with wisdom and his signature quick wit.
Paul is a dedicated scholar. His collaborative research, ranging from longitudinal studies on moral reasoning to sophisticated measurements of Christian meditation, demonstrates his commitment to applying the best of social science to understand the human condition. He does not shy away from the “hard questions” of what it means to be human in a broken world, bringing a grounded, empathetic perspective to the task of Christian education.
Paul’s legacy is perhaps best measured by the work he does when he isn’t being a faculty member or dean. Paul has led one of the longest-running Sunday school classes at Houghton Wesleyan Church, fueled by a lifelong passion for Bible study. We would be remiss not to mention his legendary performance at SPOT as Kermit the Frog, or the twenty years he and his wife, Debbie, spent enriching local community theater. From the Short Tract theater to the stage of Houghton Academy, Paul has treated the arts and his neighbors with equal devotion. As retired pastor Wes Oden once noted, “Paul’s service is a dual act of worship: a love for God expressed through the quiet, consistent loving of his neighbor.”
We will honor Paul for the thousands of hours spent in classrooms, the meticulous care given to his research, and the joyful spirit he bring to the stage. He has seen his own students’ children return to campus, a testament to the legacy of excellence he helped build.
In recognition of a lifetime of service, scholarship, and community devotion, President Wayne D. Lewis Jr. presents Dr. Paul Young with the Willard J. Houghton Medal.
Today, we celebrate a leader whose ministry is defined by the breaking of barriers, the building of tables, and an unyielding commitment to the formation of those called to serve. We honor Reverend Johanna Rugh—a daughter of Costa Rica, a scholar, a pastor, and a history-maker within The Wesleyan Church.
Johanna’s journey is one of profound discernment and kingdom leadership. From her early calling to her pastoral service at El Monte Wesleyan Church, she has modeled what it means to lead with both grace and strategic excellence. Her academic journey—spanning a Bachelor’s in Christian Ministries, a Master of Divinity from Wesley Seminary, and doctoral pursuits at Asbury Seminary—reflects a mind dedicated to the rigorous preparation required for the high calling of clergy development.
Johanna has progressed from a local church leader into a critical architect within The Wesleyan Church through service as an assistant district superintendent as well as fulfilling pivotal roles within Spanish Ministry Education and Formation. Her denominational leadership is illustrated by the lasting impact of her overhaul and modernization of the FLAMA program to ensure that quality ministerial training was accessible to every Hispanic student across the United States and Canada. Her work with the Thrive Financial Initiative further demonstrated her holistic care for the personhood of the pastor, addressing the practical needs of those who labor in the vineyard.
Johanna possesses a “perfect fit” of leadership experience and spiritual passion. Her exemplary service as the Executive Director of Education and Clergy Development over the past 3 years illustrates for each of us what it looks like to faithfully and fearlessly pursue God’s calling on our lives. Her commitment is to ensure that within the leadership of the church there is “room at the table” for each of our sisters and brothers.
Johanna is an encouraging leader who brings out the best in everyone, and we thank her husband, Robert, and her children, Naomi and Joseph, for sharing her with the global church. Her dedication to our Hispanic sisters and brothers, her advocacy for women in ministry, and her joy-filled service to the Kingdom, is recognized for her visionary leadership and faithful service to The Wesleyan Church.
President Wayne D. Lewis Jr. presents Rev. Rugh, with deep gratitude and joy, the Willard J. Houghton Medal.
A scholar-servant in the truest sense, David Cram has dedicated nearly four decades to ensuring that the global mission of the Church is built upon a foundation of integrity, stewardship, and excellence.
Dave’s journey began with a brilliant display of technical mastery. After earning his MBA and serving with the U.S. General Accounting Office, he achieved a feat that remains legendary in his field: scoring in the top 100 out of 70,000 candidates on the CPA exam—earning the prestigious Elijah Watts Sells Award. However, Dave chose to offer this world-class expertise not to the highest bidder, but instead to the highest calling.
For 35 years, Dave served as a cornerstone of Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International. As Corporate Treasurer, Chief Audit Executive, and CFO, he navigated the immense logistical and financial complexities of an organization spanning over 100 countries and 1,500 languages. In these roles, Dave did not merely manage accounts; he safeguarded the resources intended to bring the Word of God to the ends of the earth.
His influences have extended far beyond the ledger. Dave has been a mentor to the global missions community, leading the Missio Nexus Finance and Administration Committee and conducting over 150 compliance reviews for the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. His travel to more than 30 nations was rarely for leisure, but rather to educate national staff in internal controls, empowering local leaders with the tools of professional excellence.
ɬ holds a deep, personal debt of gratitude to Dave. In 2000, he and Joan modeled the university’s mission by designing and leading an international Field Audit May Term course. He took our students into the heart of Mali and Côte d’Ivoire, bridging the gap between classroom theory and the rigorous realities of global service.
In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to Christian missions, his unwavering commitment to financial integrity, and his lifelong embodiment of the servant-leader ideal, by the power vested in President Wayne D. Lewis Jr. by the Regents of the State of New York, and with the approval of the faculty and trustees of ɬ, it is his distinct honor to confer upon David Cram the degree, Doctor of Letters, honoris causa.
ɬ is pleased to announce an expanded partnership with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), opening new pathways for Houghton graduates to pursue advanced degrees in four LECOM graduate programs: Master of Science in Health Services Administration (MHSA), Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science in Biomedical Ethics (MSBE), and LECOM’s newly launched Doctorate in Healthcare Administration (DHA).
Through this enhanced agreementwith LECOM’s School of Health Services Administration, Houghton students who complete their undergraduate degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA and meet the required admissions criteria willbe eligible for enrollment in any of thesehealthcareprograms. In addition, accepted students will receive a 15%tuition discounttoward their LECOM graduate studies.
Dr. Jamie Potter,Interim Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, says, “Healthcare is one of the most human-centered professions there is, and Houghtonfirmly believesthat how we love and care for people matters as much as what we know. This agreement with LECOM allows our graduates to carry that conviction directly into graduate programs inbiomedicalethics,healthcareadministration, and public health — fields that desperately need leaders shaped by faith and purpose.”
Thisnew agreementbuilds upon the existing affiliation between the two institutions, which previously offered early acceptance for up to five Houghton students annually into LECOM’sCollege of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Pharmacy, and School of Dental Medicine. Under thisprogram, qualifying students begin their undergraduate education at Houghton already holding provisional acceptance to LECOM for medical, dental, or pharmacyschool.
Together, these agreementsrepresenta significant expansion of career opportunities for Houghton students pursuing healthcare-related fields—particularly those interested in leadership, ethics, and administrative roles– and reflect Houghton’s ongoing commitment to preparing graduates who are ready to serve with both excellence and purpose
Houghton, NY — ɬ is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Joshua R. Ziefle as Provost and Chief Academic Officer. A Houghton alumnus, Dr. Ziefle’s appointment represents both a homecoming and a forward-looking investment in the University’s academic and spiritual mission. His career brings together rigorous scholarship, administrative leadership, and a passionate commitment to Christ-centered education in the liberal arts — precisely the values at the core of Houghton’s identity.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr.Ziefleto Houghton,” saidWayne D. Lewis, Jr.,President of ɬ. “His scholarly formation, his years of leading faculty and programs at a peerChrist-centeredinstitution, and his deep love for what Christian higher education can be make him exceptionally well-suited to serve as our Provost. We believe God has prepared him well for this moment.”
Dr.Ziefleholds a PhD in Church History and an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminaryandjoins Houghton from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, where he has served as Dean of the College of Ministry, Dean of the Center for Online and Extended Education, and Director of the Center for Calling and Theological Formation.
During his tenure at Northwest University, he secured over $2.6 million in grants from the Lilly Endowment to launch initiatives in vocational discernment and church planting, with a particular emphasis on servinghigh school studentsandunderrepresented communitiesof pastors.
Dr. Ziefle brings to the Provost role a vision that integrates academic excellence, spiritual formation, and mission. He has expressed a commitment to engaging meaningfully with students, faculty, staff, and community partners as he steps into this leadership role — and to ensuring that Houghton remains a place where the next generation of Christian leaders are formed and equipped. Dr. Ziefle will begin his service to Houghton on July 15, 2026.
“Houghton shaped me,” said Dr.Ziefle. “I am honored to have the opportunity to give back to an institution that gave so much to me, and to work alongside this community in carrying out its important mission in the years ahead.”
Scripture is replete with the stories of brave men. Flawed and imperfect men made righteous by God and worthy of our admiration, not because of their own cunning or strength but because of their faith in and surrender to God. I have a few favorites.
I marvel at Caleb’s faith, his belief in the power of God, and his trust that God would keep His promises even as those around him were doubtful and fearful of their environment and Israel’s enemies (Numbers 13:30-33). Who can forget Daniel’s conviction to remain true to the God of Israel and God’s law, even as an exile in a foreign land who lived in the good graces of Babylonian leadership (Daniel 1:8-16). Joseph modeled supreme faith and trust in God as he took Mary, pregnant with Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be his wife (Matthew 1:24-25). Each of these men inspires me, but as a young man, it is King David who may have been the most influential Biblical figure in my spiritual development. While David is often heralded for his bravery and courage, it was his flaws and brokenness that spoke to me as a young man. David’s failures and redemption showed me that God in fact uses deeply flawed and broken people, which gave me hope that God could use me.
In addition to these biblical examples, Ihave personally been fortunate to have many influentialChristian mento help form me as a Christian man;particularlymy father, grandfathers, uncles, andcousins.In addition tofamily members, I have had teachers and professional mentors who have guided, encouraged, and correctedme. Even today, as a husband, father, and leader, I enjoy sacred relationship with Christian men who support and encourage me, and when needed, question and challenge me.
While I have been blessed with an abundance of faithful Christian men in my life, I grew up in a community plagued by the absence of men. Having married parents was atypical. Having an absent or incarcerated father was not uncommon. The absence of men was felt acutely in homes, church, and community structures. Single mothers did all they could to provide for their children, financially, spiritually, and emotionally, but the result of male absence was often poverty and many of its accompanying hardships. The plain truth is that families need fathers and husbands. And Houghton has a clear and important role to play in the preparation of God-honoring, faithful Christian men. I treasure Houghton’s opportunity to play a role in their Christian formation.
God created people, male and female, in His image (Genesis 1:27). Men and women bear the image of God our creator, equally valuable and loved by God. But men and women are not interchangeable. We are created with distinctions.As such, Houghton endeavors to provideanurturing Christian community that equips,strengthens, and encourages young men as they prepare to become husbands, fathers, and servant leaders in their homes, families, churches, and communities.IwantHoughton mento understand that they will serve in churches and communities marred by the absence and failures of men, and that their presence, service, strength, and compassion can play a healing and restorative role inthe lives of young people who desperately need the influence of Christian men in their lives.It is a responsibility to be taken seriously.
Thelives ofBiblical men like Daniel, Caleb,David, and Joseph the stepfather of Jesus,continue to encourage and challengeme.But then,so do the lives and service ofthecourageousChristianmenwho serve atHoughton today.As Houghton’s president, my prayer and my aimisthatthefaith,obedience,failures,and triumphsofBiblicalmen and contemporary Houghton men,inspire the young men studying at Houghtontoact justly, the love mercy,and to walk humbly with God(Micah 6:8).By God’s grace, may it be so.
About the Author
A noted teacher, scholar and leader in higher education, government and P12 schools, Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. serves as the 6th President of ɬ. He is recognized as being a champion for students and families. He writes, speaks and teaches on Christian leadership, organizational leadership and federal and state education policy.
Over a 24-hour period on April 17, ɬ received$2,416,964 in gifts and pledgesfrom2,229 supporterson its annual One Day Giving Challenge. These gifts will support Houghton’s Scholar-Servant Fund, endowment growth, capital projects, and academic and co-curricular student experiences.
“We are privileged to equip students for the work and the places to which the Lord is calling them,” said President Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. “For some, that calling is to ordained ministry or missions. For many others, it’s carrying out the Great Commission as lay men and women in their workplaces and communities-marketplace multipliers. The students, alumni, employees, family and friends of Houghton who have so generously supported our mission today are our partners in making sure Houghton’s mission of equipping fearless Christian scholar-servants continues for many generations to come.I am thankful for our many friendsand supporters and for God’s continued provision for Houghton through them.”
2026 marks the twelfth One Day Giving Challenge for ɬ. The day began with nearly $1.2 million in challenge gifts.
The success was substantial thanks to two giving challenges made possible by generous lead donors: a dollar-for-dollar matching challenge gift up to $400,000 for gifts to the Scholar-Servant Fund, as well as an additional $725,000 available if Houghton surpassed a threshold of 1883 donors. Additionally, a class challenge encouraged alumni to compete for the most donors, with a prize of a $30,000 endowed scholarship in the winning class’s name. Alumni from the Class of 1977 came together with the most donors to grow the Nick Bohall Scholarship, an endowed scholarship that will perpetually provide annual student scholarships, and the opportunity for continued growth. The Millennium Challenge allowed the Class of 1969 to grow its endowed scholarship fund and created the Class of 2025 Scholarship, each class having the most donors in their respective millennia.
“Once again, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for so many generous alumni and friends who stepped forward to proclaim their firm commitment to and belief in ɬ,” stated Karl Sisson, Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement. “Each gift is truly an investment in aspiring scholar-servants who will continue to live out Houghton’s mission around the world.”
A website and social media takeover highlighted the importance of the One Day Giving Challenge, which reaches the extended Houghton community and demonstrates the value of supporting students today and in the future. Student-athletes were particularly engaged in encouraging support of the University’s many athletic teams.
Gifts to the Scholar-Servant Fund, including the Student Scholarship Fund, meet the varied needs of college students including financial aid, outstanding faculty and staff, challenging curricular and co-curricular programming and the equipment, facilities and resources students need to be equipped to lead and labor as scholar-servants in a changing world.
Decade Challenge
The following classes are winners of this year’s Decade Challenge, each class winning a $1,000 current-use scholarship named in their honor and supporting a Houghton student:
1950s: 1958
1960s: 1969
1970s: 1977
1980s: 1980
1990s:1993
2000s:2005
2010s:2017
2020s:2025
Class Challenge
We are excited to celebrate the winner of the Class Challenge: The Class of 1977. This will add $30,000 to the existing Nick Bohall Scholarship!
Millennium Challenge
The Class of 1969 will expand their existing class scholarship and the Class of 2025Scholarship will be created!
Houghton, NY— ɬ students earned second place at this year’s AHA! Allegany County Startup Collegiate Competition, highlighting the university’s growing strength in entrepreneurship and applied learning.
The team behind Ignite Discovery Center, Katie Berghorn, Corban Gibson, and Elijah Fox, was awarded a $2,500 prize for their business concept focused on creating a hands-on creative and educational space for children in Allegany County. Their idea emphasizes community engagement through interactive exhibits, events, and learning experiences designed for families.
“Our students came up with some very innovative ideas this year,” said Mark Borchert, Dean of Management and Creative Arts. “They learned about entrepreneurship, teamwork, creative product development, marketing, finance, and oral communication skills. We were very proud of their work.”
ɬ was one of three institutions represented in the competition, alongside Alfred University and Alfred State College. The annual event, hosted in partnership with IncubatorWorks and sponsored in part by the Hoselton Foundation, brings together student teams from across the region to pitch business ideas to a panel of judges and compete for top honors.
In addition to the second-place team, Houghton students also participated with ventures such as Dorm Sweepand Bliss Planners.
The Ignite Discovery Centerteam was supported by faculty mentor Elissa Tyrrell, adjunct professor of business administration at ɬ, and industry mentor Jennifer Byrnes of the Monroe County Library System, who provided professional guidance throughout the development of the concept.
The AHA! competition aims to cultivate entrepreneurial thinking among college students while encouraging solutions that address local needs and contribute to regional economic development.
The start of Houghton’s fall semester marks another year of pursuing the Athletics Department’s motto:“Excellence for the Glory of God.”But what does excellence actually look like within Houghton’s teams?Dr. Matthew Webb, Director of Athletics, offers a perspective that reframes the idea entirely.
“I think a misconception would be that excellence equates perfection… Idon’tthinkthat’sthe case,” Webb says. “To me, excellence is more about a pursuit.”
Webb emphasizes that perfection—whether as an athlete, student, oremployee—is impossible. What matters isthe effort. “We’re not going to be perfect,” he says. “But I think we can still be excellent without being perfect.” He draws a parallel to Christian life: believers will never be perfect, yet their pursuit of God is what truly matters.
Whenidentifyingexcellence among Houghton’s athletes, Webb looks beyond wins and losses. While victories are celebrated, he believes true excellence is embedded in the culture of each team. “The excellence that I see in our programs is more behind the scenes,” he explains. “It’s the culture—things that teams are doing to pursue Christ culturally.”
Each team expresses this culture differently.The men’s basketball team sits together at the front of chapel services.The women’s soccer team carries a wooden cross across campus during their annual cross run,prayingand fellowshipping along the way. These traditions rarely take center stage, yet they reveal each team’s deeper commitment to growth and faith.
At the start of the year, the Athletics Department holds its all-athlete meeting. While it covers required policies and expectations, Webb also uses it to remind athleteswhythey compete. His hope is that each student-athlete not only performs well but grows spiritually through their sport and team community.
Looking ahead, Webb says each team stands in a unique place based on its history and current needs. Some programs with new coaches are focused on building culture; others aim tobuild onlast year’s progress. With a strong start to the fall season—both in performance and team culture—Houghton’s ongoing pursuit of excellence is already in motion.
Houghton Elevates Holistic Athlete Development Through Physical and Mental Performance Initiatives
ɬ Athletics has taken significant steps in recent years to elevate the holistic development of its student-athletes—pairing a structured strength and conditioning program with a new mental performance partnership. Together, these initiatives reflect the department’s commitment to equipping Highlander athletes with the tools needed to thrive physically,mentallyand spiritually.
Strength and Conditioning: Building Stronger, Safer Athletes
Launched three years ago under Head Athletic Trainer Austin Walden, Houghton’s strength and conditioning program has quickly become a cornerstone of athlete development. The program is designed to enhance performance while reducing injury risk by offering structured, intentional training for athletes both in-season and out-of-season.
“The goal is to provide structured training programs for our athletes—to help them perform on the field while minimizing the risk of injuries,” Walden explains. “Once our athletes are physically stronger and faster, there’s a decreased chance of injuries.”
Each session includes dynamic warmups, agility drills,sprintsand full-body strength work. Walden collaborates closely with coaches to ensure each program aligns with team goals and reflects sport-specific needs.
Athletes have already seen measurable benefits. Women’s basketball playerHannahFarley’27credits the program for improvements in explosiveness, agility, and injury prevention.“Austin does a great job at implementing exercises that are game-like,” she said.“I’ve seen growth in my explosiveness and agility, and I’ve been blessed to avoid major injuries.”
Walden has likewiseobservedfewer muscular injuries and stronger team cultures around training. His long-term vision includes expanding the program to allow teams up to three sessions per week.
Holos 360: Training Mental Excellence
Complementing the physical training program, Houghton recently partnered withJason Rollins, founder ofHolos 360and a certified Mental Performance Mastery Coach, to bolster athletes’ mental preparation and resilience.
Director of AthleticsDr.Matthew Webbsays the partnership grew from a desire to give student-athletes proactive mental performance resources: “It’s not mental health resources particularly—it’s proactive, intentional mental performance training.”
Rollins’ curriculum guides athletes through three phases—preparing well, performing well, and reflecting well—each centered on developing mental habits and disciplines that directly influence performance. He works with teams and individuals through online meetings, focusing on personalized support.
One unique element of Holos 360 is its Christian foundation. Rollins helps athletes understand theirImagoDei—their identity as people created by God—so they compete from a place of purpose rather than pressure.
“When athletes understand that their identity is placed in who God made them to be, it releases them to perform at their best,”Rollinssays.
Early feedback from athletes has been highly positive. Webb notes that while conversations with Rollinsremainconfidential, students have expressed appreciation for the program’s impact.
A Unified Approach
Together, Houghton’s strength program and mental performance partnership represent a unified effort to strengthen the whole athlete. By investing intentionally in both physical readiness and mental excellence, Houghton ispreparingits teams to compete with confidence, resilience, and purpose—reflecting a holistic vision of athletic success.
Kyra Binney ’26 is a senior majoring in Writing and Communication. A native of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, she is a mid-distance runner for the ɬ Track and Field team and a member of the ɬ Cross Country Team.
The 1926-1927 academic catalog is the first to show pre-medical as a possible major—described as a “composite major”—at Houghton College & Seminary. This coincides with the hiring of ProfessorDorahBurnell, who came to Houghton in 1926 to teach chemistry.
A native of Nebraska and graduate of State Teachers College (1916) and the University of Nebraska (B.S. 1924, M.A. 1925), Professor Burnell single-handedly built the college’s chemistry department while fulfilling countless other roles on campus.
Along with colleagues in the ScienceDepartment, Professor Burnell helped studentsestablishedThe Pasteur Pre-Medic Society.In its inaugural appearance in the Boulder in 1928, the society described its aim as“…to promote a feeling of comradeship, to gain inspiration for future tasks, and to learn something more of the nature and extent of this their chosen field of endeavor.” The inaugural group boasted 27 membersand by the 1950s, the club was one of the largest and most active on Houghton’s campus.
Today known as thePre-Health Professions Club, the groupremainsone of Houghton’s largest and most active clubs. Their aim, similarly, is“…to serve as an information resource and generate opportunities for fellowship, career exploration and volunteer service for students interested in health-related fields.”
In the dedication of the 1954 Boulder, studentsobservedof Professor Burnell that“[h]er influence was there… Lights were shining out from the meticulously kept chemistry lab until the early morning hours. On the desk were carefully graded papers—around the room was all the valuable equipment she hadprocured. From this lab alumni went forth to succeed… herinfluencewas there.”
Professor Burnell’sinfluenceremains—in Houghton’s chemistry labs, in the Pre-Health Professions Club, in thelives of service led by so many ofour alumni.Professor Burnell’s influencehasplayed a role in helping to shape thousands of doctors, nurses, researchers, dentists, pharmacists, public health servants, medical missionaries and more who have gone on to, as Willard J. Houghton would say,“fix up the world for Christ.”
I began my Houghton journey in 2011 as a biology major with a chemistry minor. I completed the firstyearScienceHonors program, andwasvery involvedin thePre-healthProfessionals club and Sigma Zeta math and science honors society. I took quite a few of the upper-level biology electives, especially during my last couple of years there. These classes really helped prepare me for thechallengingcurriculum that was comingingraduate school.
I applied to veterinaryschoolmy senior year and was accepted to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Thecourseload was intense in depth and breadth, butI felt Ihad a solid foundation from Houghton. I graduated from Cornell in 2019 and started working at Perry Veterinary Clinicin Perry, New York,as an associate veterinarian. I became a partner at Perry Vet in the beginning of 2023. Currently, I practice both small and large animal medicine, splitting my time between cats and dogs in the office, and dairy cows and other large animals on farms throughoutWestern NewYork. I even go to calls at the Houghton Equestrian center—talkabout coming full circle!
One of the joys in this profession is the opportunity I have to mentor students—whetherthey’re in veterinaryschool or are in theirpre-vetstudies.GivenPerry Veterinary Clinic’sproximity to Houghton, wehave the privilege tohost quite a few pre-vet students, includingZachary Wolfer ’24, who is now a D.V.M. candidate at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, andcurrent pre-veterinary studentGreg Loper ’28.This isa greatopportunityfor me to be able to give back to a community that gave me so much. Recently,I’vehad some students join me who went to Houghton fortheirundergraduateand are now in veterinaryschool.
During these externships,we always haveample time to chat in thetruck inbetween calls. The conversationinevitablygoes back toourfairlyuniversalHoughton experiences—”Organic chemistry was so challenging, wasn’t it?” or “Did you love microbiology?” Maybe“Did youtakeaMaytermoff-campus?” or“Were you purple or gold?”(Team Purple!)
And often,most commonly— “Wasn’t Houghton the best? I loved it there.”
Jenna (Hill ‘15) Smith, D.M.V.is a large and small animal veterinary and partnerwithPerry Veterinary Clinic in Perry, New York. Sheholds abachelor of sciencein biology from ɬ and adoctorate of veterinary medicinefrom Cornell University
“My time at ɬ was instrumentalformy success in veterinary school and provided me with the foundation to excelimmediatelyat Kansas State University. The pre-health professions program challenged me academically, offered me research opportunities, and provided me with connections to gain valuable experiences to help bolster my application. The incredible support from faculty I received both when I was a student and after graduation has had a lasting and meaningful impact on my professional journey.”
Zachary Wolfer’24 DVM Candidate, Class of 2028 Kansas State University
EricaHaefner ’27 isa ɬ junior studying pre-physical therapy in the hopes of becoming a pediatric physical therapist. Her aspirations began when she was a junior in high school. She says, “After a lot of injuries and physical therapy sessions, I realized this is something I am really passionate about.” After further research and shadowing opportunities, shedeterminedthat this is whatshe’scalled to do.
Erica’s goals to become a physical therapist align with her faith and her passion for serving others. Shestates, “I have a very strong passion for helping people, especially helping them learn more about their own bodies.” She draws from her own experience as a patient attending physical therapy sessions, explaining that “The physiciansand doctors I connected with most were the ones who taught me what was actually going on in a simple way that I could understand.” As a future physical therapist, she hopes to draw on her positive experiences to help her patients understand themselves andenhance recovery.
Erica namesAnatomy and Physiology,taught by Dr. Donald Wilcox,as her favorite class.She’salso enjoyed shadowing, which is a core requirement for her major. She enjoys learning through actual experiences. Erica cites Dr. Ransom Poythress, her advisor, as an encouragement to her, along with Dr. Jamie Potter and Dr. Wilcox, with whom she takesa number ofclasses.She’slooking forward to takingInjury and Evaluationthis Springsemester, andeagerlyanticipatesentering more major-specific classes as she furthers her studies.
Erica enjoys being a member of the Pre-Health Professions Club, attending campus events, and her role as a teacher’s assistant. “It’s a really good way to connect with people,” Erica shares.
About her goal to become a pediatric physical therapist, Erica says,“This is what God is calling meto do.I need to live that out and do the best that I can do.”
EricaHaefner ’27 isa junior from Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, majoring in exercise science on the graduate track.
Salim Ford ’28 is a sophomore from Arkport, New York, majoring in English and Writing. He is a member of theCross Countryteam, the Highlander Chorus and Chamber Choir.
To Serve Christ Well
By Sam Gerardi ’18
Iarrived atɬin2014and like many young adults, Iwasconfident that I knewpreciselywhat I wanted to do. Iplanned tomajor incommunication and focus on videography and photography. That plandidn’tlast long. I found myself drawn tobiochemistry, a fieldthat fit how I was wired.I’vealways wanted tointegratescience and faith in a way that allowedme to love people well, and Houghton became the place where that desiretookshape.
What made Houghton so formative was not that it told me what to think, but that it taught me how to think. I can distinctly remember asking my chemistry professor, Dr. John Rowley ’03, for help during an experiment. He responded, “No, you figure it out.” Dr. Rowley and many of my professors understood that true learning happens at the interface between what you know and what you don’t. That approach cultivated my curiosity and desire for discovery rather than just memorization. I entered uncertain of my path and left still discerning what God was calling me toward, but with the tools, confidence, and spiritual grounding to navigate that journey.
Completing mybiochemistry degree at Houghton also fulfilled my pre-pharmacy prerequisites, and Iwouldn’thave wanted to prepare anywhere else. The academic rigor and community-built study habits, critical thinking, and perseverance that carried me through graduate school, residency, and now my workat Buffalo General Medical Center as an Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacist.I learned to take ownership of my learning, stay motivated, and value collaboration.
I still rely on the habits and mindset Houghton fosteredto thinkcritically, evaluatedata, and apply knowledgethat knowledge to my patients. To serve Christ well is to serve others well, and Houghton gave me the foundation to do exactly that.
SamGerardi’18 completed abachelor’s of sciencein biochemistry with a pre-pharmacy concentration. He completed hisD.Pharm. atD’YouvilleUniversity in 2023, and his residency at Kaleida Health in Buffalo, New York, in 2025. IN addition to his role as an emergency medicine clinical pharmacists at Buffalo General Medical Center, he is the area director for the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA).
When I arrived at Houghton,biology was myfield ofchoice, but I had little direction beyond that. I certainlydidn’timagine working as an Associate Professor,with my days full of not just patient care, butteachingmedical students,residentsand fellows. Ididn’timagine thatI’dgo to Kenya,building friendshipsandschools, and providing healthcare for their runners. Ididn’timagine that it would be possible to have a career as well as be a wife,motherand friend.
Deep friendships, strongmentorsand meaningful solitude mark my time at Houghton.The girls ofHazlett34, now lifelong friends,held an MCAT party for me. They dressed up like cats and performed a hilarious, yet strangely encouraging, original poem. Idon’tthink Iwould’vemade it without them. Looking backonthe classroom, I was blessed to learn from some of the most vibrant professors. Dr.AaronSullivan taught me about patience and simplicity. Dr.LarryChristensen opened each organic chemistry class with a pithy saying or a short story, bringing joy to learning.ProfessorSunshineLeonard’01always reminded us that our worth was not in our grades. Dr.CathyFreytag generously welcomed me into her life as a friend. It was also during thesefouryears that I found a“frenemy”in distance running. During the volleyball off-season,I’dspend countless hoursrunningthe shoulders ofRoute 19or dizzying laps around theold suspendedtrack. UsuallyIranby myself, withonlymy prayers and thoughts. Through these miles, The Lord revealed His faithfulness to me by, not only setting a clear career path before me, but by safely getting me through literalWestern New Yorkblizzards.
Escaping that winter weather, I went to Florida for medical school then onto North Carolina for residency. I knew Wake Forest Family Medicine was the place when I found some of the brightest and most content physicians. After completing myfamilymedicine residency, sports medicineseemeda natural fit. My dad’s career was in professional sports (not to mention my mom,Linda (Clow ’76) Jarvis, andbrother,Landry Jarvis ’10,were both Houghton athletes), so my childhood was full of practices, games, and injuries. Plus, my osteopathic education seta strong foundationfor musculoskeletal medicine.
During my fellowship year, I was introduced to Running the Race(RTR), a missions organization with a goal of sharing the love of Jesus while providing care to local Kenyan athletes. My first trip with RTR,fiveyears later, changed my life. I fell in love with the people of Kenya, as my eyes were opened to how big our God is. Now, I get to return year after year, bringing along residents and fellows, introducing them to my friends across the world and helping toestablishsports medicine care in the “Home of Champions.”
I nevercould’veimagined a job where I meet patients in their most vulnerable state of pain. If they are willing, I get to pray with them and that is a great privilege. I nevercould’veimagined a life in Kenya where I work with some of the best runners in the world. I nevercould’veimagined the chance to meet new residents and fellows each year; teaching and learning from each other. All of this with an amazing husband, 3 beautiful wild children, countlessfriendsand a supportive community.It’smore exhausting and more extravagant than I could have dreamed. Nothing is perfect on this side of heaven, neithermy life nor Houghton, butGodfaithfully works in the broken places.I’mbeyond grateful to the Lord for these friends and mentors (many unmentioned) and the many miles.I’mthankful that Houghton is a willing vessel for His ways that are higher than ours.
Laura (Jarvis ‘06)Lintner, D.O.,is a doctor of sports medicine and family medicine with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Family Medicine andan associate professor of family and community medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, both in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She holds abachelor of sciencein biology from ɬ and adoctor of osteopathyfromNova Southeastern University (Davie, Florida).
When studentswalksthrough my door for the very first time, they usually already have an idea of what profession they want to pursue. They often know the courses they mightneedand that shadowing someone in the profession isa good idea—andmay evenberequired. They know excellent grades, top scores on entrance exams, and stellar letters of recommendation are necessary.However, they usually don’t knowwhythey want to taketheparticular paththey’ve chosen.
Some of my students want to pursue a medical profession because they want to help people. Some have been on the receiving end of care and found the work being executed on them fascinating. Some had a close friend or family member who needed specialized care and they saw what a provider did for them in their time of greatest need. Many are pretty smart cookies with proven academic acumen, and they’ve been told they should go into medicine with that aptitude. All of these reasons are good, but none of them really gets to the root of “why medicine is for me.”
Not a single studentwill walk thesame path. Each one must developanindividual planalongside their advisors, and then they mustallow for adjustments as theylearn and grow in their own experiences and abilities. Conversationswith my studentsare often long,and sometimes hard,as they realize their own limitations,discovertheir real interests, andexploretheir unique skills. They start tofindtheirown personal vocational path, and theybegintothinkdeeplyabout theirwhy.
In order todiscover their true passion for the vocation of medicine,mystudentsmust move beyond the basics of grades,transcripts,aptitudes,and idealized visions of medicine tofind their passion andtheirreason for pursuing thisjourney.
So, how does Houghton helpstudentsdiscovertheirwhy? Theylikely won’tfind it in a classroom, or a lab, or even shadowing a physician. Healthcare isapeople-oriented, service-oriented field fraught with disparity, inaccessibility, and loopholes. Toprepare students for the reality of serving in the medical field,they must engage with medicine and the healthcare fieldin the most realistic wayspossible.
Houghton studentsneed to step out of theirclassroomsand into theircommunity.Our students are encouraged to engage in service opportunitieslikevolunteering at the campus influenza vaccineclinic,assistingthe Red Cross at communityblood drives, andinvesting inopportunitiesthat place them in direct communicationwith our rural,low-income communityhere in Allegany County.
Once studentsstart engaging, in addition toobservingand learning, they discover theycan playvital rolesin their own communities. They start to see notwhatthey can be—amedical provider—butwhothey can be. Theybeginto understand ways they can serve the peoplearound them in medicine. They realize “why medicineisfor me.”Their realizations areusually rooted in a single powerful idea:beingthe hands and feet of Jesusisn’ta symboloran image we can behold,it’sthe physical act of showing love,compassionand care for others.
Jamie Potter, Ph.D., is the Interim Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Professor of Biology and Director of Pre-Health Professions at ɬ.
Students’ paths into Houghton’s pre-med track mightlooksomewhatsimilar, but siblingsDr.Jonathan Figueroa ’13andDr.Alyssa Figueroa ’14discovered that the pathsbeyond Houghtonare as unique and varied as the students themselves.
Jonathancameto Houghton in the fall of 2009thanks to adesireto study ata Christian liberal artscollegeknown for itsstrongpre-med programanda little guidance fromfellow Timothy Christian School (Piscataway, NJ)alumnusTyler Haggerty ’08. Although Jonathandidn’tinitially plan to playcollegiatesoccer, a campus visit introduced him tothe coach at the time,Dr.MatthewWebb,and a team of great young men—solidifying Jonathan’sdecisionto attend Houghtonandpursue a biology degree on the pre-med track.
Alyssa, like Jonathan, grew up with aspirationsof becominga physician. Although Houghtonwasn’tinitially at the top of her list, she loved the small class sizes and intimate feel of campus. During acampusvisit for a winter indoor soccertournament, Alyssa metCoachDavid Lewis and a few incoming teammates.The opportunity to study in the Balkans with Houghton’s East Meets West honors program was the final selling point.A year after her brother, Alyssa alsoenrolled at Houghtonas a biology major on the pre-med track.
The Figueroa siblings were attracted bythe wayHoughton facultyindividualized the pre-health professions track. According to Dr. Jamie Potter,Interim Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics,Professor of Biology and Director of Pre-Health Professions, faculty help students identify what they love most abouthealth professions andthenalign those passions withtheir academic and co-curricular experiences to put each student on the best possible path.
Both Jonathan and Alyssabenefittedfrom guidance and advising from Dr. Potter, along with insights from beloved Professor Emeritus of Biology Dr. Jim Wolfe, former biology professorsDr. Matthew Pelletierand Dr. Aaron Sullivan,andcampus physicianDr. David Brubaker ’90. Alyssa hadvisions ofinternalmedicineor pediatricswhile Jonathaninitially considered a career ininternational medicine.
“I liked having professors who really took the time to get to know me,” shared Jonathan. “They wanted me to perform well, but they also challenged me. Nothing wasgiven,I had to work for it.”
Alyssareflected onthe well-known challenges presented byDr. Karen Torraca’s ’93infamous organic chemistry course—affectionately (or not) known by generations of Houghton students as “O-Chem.”
“I hadaconversation with Dr. Wolfe as well as Dr. Potter, wondering if I should keep pursuing medicine, ifitwasgoing to be possible for me,” said Alyssa.“They were mentors who assured me I was capable, that everyonestrugglesand itwasn’tmeant to be easy.Thatclose mentorship was important to me.”
Jonathan’sinternationalinterests resulted in a minor in public health, which included a study abroad opportunityin Ecuadorwith former intercultural studies professorDr. NdungeKiiti’88. Dr.Kiitiinspired Jonathan to see health beyond a medical and pharmaceutical viewpoint,helping himdiscover how tointegratehis faith with his work—a formative learning experience he carries into his work today.
Alyssa explored options in both osteopathic and allopathic medicine, and in heradvising withDr. Potter discovered that osteopathic medicinewas the right approach to her career aspirations.AlyssafoundLake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), in Erie, Pennsylvania,to be the rightoptionfor her to pursuemedical school.
Jonathan was intent onpursuit ofallopathic medicine.After Houghton, Jonathan attended St. George University School of Medicine (Grenada),motivated by St. George’s placement rate at his residence hospital of choice—New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. Afterthree yearsinresidency, Jonathandid a two-year fellowship at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
Today, Jonathan is an endocrinologist at New York University Langone, where he teaches residents, primarily in an outpatientclinical setting. Alyssadidher residencyin internal medicine at Jefferson Health Northeast in Philadelphia. When her husbandLucas, a member of the US Air Force, was stationed for active duty in Tucson, Arizona, shetook on the role ofinternal medicine hospitalist at Northwest Healthcare—Tucson. She recently wasalsoappointedAssociate Director for the Internal Medicine Residencyat the hospital.
The Figueroa siblings carry the things they learned at Houghton with them as they serve their patients on opposite sides of the country.
“Houghton’s affiliation with the Wesleyan Church broadened my scope of howtoapproach Christianity and meld it with medicine,”saidAlyssa. “In Medical Ethics with Professor BenjaminLipscomb, Ithought about taking care of people from allwalks of lifeand all perspectives and religions and backgrounds. I thought deeplyabout how I would approach my beliefs within the medical system.”
“There is benefit to having a strong conviction about your beliefs,” remarked Jonathan. “But I think that some of whatwe’reseeing in the world today ismore or less aresult of not being able tohear the other side and not being able to love people who are different. Part of my education at Houghton was that—loving people who arevery different. Houghton allowed me to explore how to love in the way that Christ would love and still hold my convictions strongly.”
