����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 agreement��with 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 will��be eligible for enrollment in any of these��healthcare��programs. In addition, accepted students will receive a 15%��tuition discount��toward 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 Houghton��firmly believes��that 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 in��biomedical��ethics,��healthcare��administration, and public health — fields that desperately need leaders shaped by faith and purpose.”

This��new agreement��builds upon the existing affiliation between the two institutions, which previously offered early acceptance for up to five Houghton students annually into LECOM’s��College of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Pharmacy, and School of Dental Medicine. Under this��program, qualifying students begin their undergraduate education at Houghton already holding provisional acceptance to LECOM for medical, dental, or pharmacy��school.

Together, these agreements��represent��a 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.��

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, I��have personally been fortunate to have many influential��Christian men��to help form me as a Christian man;��particularly��my father, grandfathers, uncles, and��cousins.��In addition to��family members, I have had teachers and professional mentors who have guided, encouraged, and corrected��me. 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 provide��a��nurturing 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.��I����want��Houghton men��to 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 in��the lives of young people who desperately need the influence of Christian men in their lives.��It is a responsibility to be taken seriously.

The��lives of��Biblical men like Daniel, Caleb,��David, and Joseph the stepfather of Jesus,��continue to encourage and challenge��me.��But then,��so do the lives and service of��the��courageous��Christian��men��who serve at��Houghton today.��As Houghton’s president, my prayer and my aim��is��that��the��faith,��obedience,��failures,��and triumphs��of��Biblical��men and contemporary Houghton men,��inspire the young men studying at Houghton��to��act justly, the love mercy,��and to walk humbly with God��(Micah 6:8).��By God’s grace, may it be so.

Thank You!

Over a 24-hour period on April 17, ����ɬ received��$2,416,964 in gifts and pledges��from��2,229 supporters��on 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 friends��and supporters and for God’s continued provision for Houghton through them.”

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 Sweep��and Bliss Planners.

The Ignite Discovery Center��team 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.

Excellence:��It’s��About the Pursuit, Not Perfection

By Kyra Binney ’26

Dorah��Burnell & The Pasteur Pre-Medic Society

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 Professor��Dorah��Burnell, 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 Science��Department, Professor Burnell helped students��established��The 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 members��and by the 1950s, the club was one of the largest and most active on Houghton’s campus.

Today known as the��Pre-Health Professions Club, the group��remains��one 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, students��observed��of 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 had��procured. From this lab alumni went forth to succeed… her��influence��was there.”

Professor Burnell’s��influence��remains—in Houghton’s chemistry labs, in the Pre-Health Professions Club, in the��lives of service led by so many of��our alumni.��Professor Burnell’s influence��has��played 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.”

By Dr. Jenna (Hill ’15) Smith

I began my Houghton journey in 2011 as a biology major with a chemistry minor. I completed the first��year��Science��Honors program, and��was��very involved��in the��Pre-health��Professionals 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 the��challenging��curriculum that was coming��in��graduate school.

I applied to veterinary��school��my senior year and was accepted to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. The��course��load was intense in depth and breadth, but��I felt I��had a solid foundation from Houghton. I graduated from Cornell in 2019 and started working at Perry Veterinary Clinic��in 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 throughout��Western New��York. I even go to calls at the Houghton Equestrian center—talk��about coming full circle!

Live It Out

By Dr. Laura (Jarvis ‘06)��Lintner��

When I arrived at Houghton,��biology was my��field of��choice, but I had little direction beyond that. I certainly��didn’t��imagine working as an Associate Professor,��with my days full of not just patient care, but��teaching��medical students,��residents��and fellows. I��didn’t��imagine that��I’d��go to Kenya,��building friendships��and��schools, and providing healthcare for their runners. I��didn’t��imagine that it would be possible to have a career as well as be a wife,��mother��and friend.

Deep friendships, strong��mentors��and meaningful solitude mark my time at Houghton.��The girls of��Hazlett��34, now lifelong friends,��held an MCAT party for me. They dressed up like cats and performed a hilarious, yet strangely encouraging, original poem. I��don’t��think I��would’ve��made it without them. Looking back��on��the classroom, I was blessed to learn from some of the most vibrant professors. Dr.��Aaron��Sullivan taught me about patience and simplicity. Dr.��Larry��Christensen opened each organic chemistry class with a pithy saying or a short story, bringing joy to learning.��Professor��Sunshine��Leonard��’01��always reminded us that our worth was not in our grades. Dr.��Cathy��Freytag generously welcomed me into her life as a friend. It was also during these��four��years that I found a��“frenemy”��in distance running. During the volleyball off-season,��I’d��spend countless hours��running��the shoulders of��Route 19��or dizzying laps around the��old suspended��track. Usually��I��ran��by myself, with��only��my 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 literal��Western New York��blizzards.

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 my��family��medicine residency, sports medicine��seemed��a natural fit. My dad’s career was in professional sports (not to mention my mom,��Linda (Clow ’76) Jarvis, and��brother,��Landry Jarvis ’10,��were both Houghton athletes), so my childhood was full of practices, games, and injuries. Plus, my osteopathic education set��a strong foundation��for musculoskeletal medicine.

By Dr. Jamie Potter

When students��walks��through 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 might��need��and that shadowing someone in the profession is��a good idea—and��may even��be��required. They know excellent grades, top scores on entrance exams, and stellar letters of recommendation are necessary.��However, they usually don’t know��why��they want to take��the��particular path��they’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 student��will walk the��same path. Each one must develop��an��individual plan��alongside their advisors, and then they must��allow for adjustments as they��learn and grow in their own experiences and abilities. Conversations��with my students��are often long,��and sometimes hard,��as they realize their own limitations,��discover��their real interests, and��explore��their unique skills. They start to��find��their��own personal vocational path, and they��begin��to��think��deeply��about their��why.

In order to��discover their true passion for the vocation of medicine,��my��students��must move beyond the basics of grades,��transcripts,��aptitudes,��and idealized visions of medicine to��find their passion and��their��reason for pursuing this��journey.

By Amanda (Shine ‘05) Zambrano

Students’ paths into Houghton’s pre-med track might��look��somewhat��similar, but siblings��Dr.��Jonathan Figueroa ’13��and��Dr.��Alyssa Figueroa ’14��discovered that the paths��beyond Houghton��are as unique and varied as the students themselves.

Jonathan��came��to Houghton in the fall of 2009��thanks to a��desire��to study at��a Christian liberal arts��college��known for its��strong��pre-med program��and��a little guidance from��fellow Timothy Christian School (Piscataway, NJ)��alumnus��Tyler Haggerty ’08. Although Jonathan��didn’t��initially plan to play��collegiate��soccer, a campus visit introduced him to��the coach at the time,��Dr.��Matthew��Webb,��and a team of great young men—solidifying Jonathan’s��decision��to attend Houghton��and��pursue a biology degree on the pre-med track.

Alyssa, like Jonathan, grew up with aspirations��of becoming��a physician. Although Houghton��wasn’t��initially at the top of her list, she loved the small class sizes and intimate feel of campus. During a��campus��visit for a winter indoor soccer��tournament, Alyssa met��Coach��David 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 also��enrolled at Houghton��as a biology major on the pre-med track.

The Figueroa siblings were attracted by��the way��Houghton faculty��individualized 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 about��health professions and��then��align those passions with��their academic and co-curricular experiences to put each student on the best possible path.

Both Jonathan and Alyssa��benefitted��from guidance and advising from Dr. Potter, along with insights from beloved Professor Emeritus of Biology Dr. Jim Wolfe, former biology professors��Dr. Matthew Pelletier��and Dr. Aaron Sullivan,��and��campus physician��Dr. David Brubaker ’90. Alyssa had��visions of��internal��medicine��or pediatrics��while Jonathan��initially considered a career in��international 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 was��given,��I had to work for it.”��

Alyssa��reflected on��the well-known challenges presented by��Dr. Karen Torraca’s ’93��infamous organic chemistry course—affectionately (or not) known by generations of Houghton students as “O-Chem.”

“I had��a��conversation with Dr. Wolfe as well as Dr. Potter, wondering if I should keep pursuing medicine, if��it��was��going to be possible for me,” said Alyssa.��“They were mentors who assured me I was capable, that everyone��struggles��and it��wasn’t��meant to be easy.��That��close mentorship was important to me.”��

Jonathan’s��international��interests resulted in a minor in public health, which included a study abroad opportunity��in Ecuador��with former intercultural studies professor��Dr. Ndunge��Kiiti��’88. Dr.��Kiiti��inspired Jonathan to see health beyond a medical and pharmaceutical viewpoint,��helping him��discover how to��integrate��his 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 her��advising with��Dr. Potter discovered that osteopathic medicine��was the right approach to her career aspirations.��Alyssa��found��Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), in Erie, Pennsylvania,��to be the right��option��for her to pursue��medical school.

Jonathan was intent on��pursuit of��allopathic 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. After��three years��in��residency, Jonathan��did 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 outpatient��clinical setting. Alyssa��did��her residency��in internal medicine at Jefferson Health Northeast in Philadelphia. When her husband��Lucas, a member of the US Air Force, was stationed for active duty in Tucson, Arizona, she��took on the role of��internal medicine hospitalist at Northwest Healthcare—Tucson. She recently was��also��appointed��Associate Director for the Internal Medicine Residency��at 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.

By Amanda (Shine ’05) Zambrano

Lifelong learning is a thread running through the fabric of 1986 graduate Dr. Tim Coetzee’s story. The story begins at a small Christian school in New Jersey where Tim fell in love with biology under the tutelage of his AP biology teacher, Kathleen (Fink ’77) Donaldson. He was interested in a career as a physician, and Kathleen shared Houghton’s outstanding pre-med reputation with him. As a missionary kid and pastor’s kid, Tim discovered the financial aid Houghton offered made it an affordable choice for his family. But it was more than just pre-med and scholarships that brought Tim to Houghton. The direct influence of a Houghton alumna was a driving factor in Tim’s choice.

Tim started his Houghton��journey,��as��have��many alumni, on the Highlander Wilderness Adventure under the leadership of��Doris “Mabel” Nielsen ’71. During Highlander, he read Francis Schaeffer’s��The Mark of a Christian, and it was a defining moment. “Forty��years later,” said Tim, “I still remember the impact of that book.��It’s��a bit of an organizing principle for me today. There are so many things we could be distinguished by, but the idea that��‘they’ll know you by your love for each other’��is something that infuses the work I do today.”

Although Tim was initially determined to become a physician, by his sophomore year he knew he was on the wrong path. After a three-week practicum experience, during which he shadowed a family medical doctor, Tim found himself seeking the guidance of his advisor, Houghton biology professor and director of pre-med at the time, Dr. Donald Munro. Tim’s love of biology and desire to move away from clinical medical practice landed him in Houghton’s biology labs conducting research. Like Houghton students today in the Shannon Summer Research Institute and in independent research studies, Tim was pursuing his study of biology in a distinctly Houghton way—doing science in a lab rather than simply listening to a lecture.

“It was great, because at Houghton I was pretty much learning by doing,” said Tim. “The uniqueness of Houghton was that I was doing a lot of research on my own, figuring things out for myself through trial and error. It��wasn’t��an opportunity I would have had at larger institutions.”
Tim completed two independent research projects and a senior honors project during his time at Houghton. He��also��found his passion��at Houghton,��in��Dr. Charles Detwiler’s ’72��classroom studying microbiology. The seeds planted in microbiology led Tim to post-graduate education at Albany Medical College where he completed an M.S. and a Ph.D. studying molecular biology—particularly��that now-famous molecule mRNA.

Tim’s work in molecular biology put him on a path that led through research labs with funding��provided by��the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, to offices where he managed projects and started up the for-profit research arm��FastForward��LLC. He found himself on another learning curve, which required him to rely on the soft skills he picked up at Houghton—particularly��effective��communication.
“Dr. Munro instilled the importance of communication,” remarked Tim. “I��learned��that clarity in communication, both��in how you write and in how you speak,��is important. But because the ideas in science often require visuals, I also learned about the importance of visuals that have clarity and impact.”

A year ago, Tim entered another phase of his lifelong learning journey when he was appointed CEO of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Those lessons in communication have grown to encompass storytelling, relating to prospective funders about the difference the society’s work makes in the lives of people living with multiple sclerosis.

And it��isn’t��just��the��communication skills��honed at Houghton��that Tim��relies��on. “The commitment to people is something I continue to carry with me.��I look back on the people part of my time at Houghton, the emphasis on relationships with people and the way my faith journey influences how I serve the people right in front of me every day.”

Dear Friends,

One of the greatest blessings of serving Houghton as President is getting to know our students. They inspire me daily and remind me of why Houghton’s mission is so vitally��important,��today��and tomorrow.

As students come to Houghton,��they��are in various stages of understanding the vocations the Lord is calling them to and equipping them for. For some, their calling has been clear for years. For��some, their understanding of how the Lord wants to use them is evolving.��For others, they are confident of vocational callings in ordained ministry, as teachers or��as��musicians.��Among the group of students who come to Houghton��typically��having recognized��early academic giftedness and ability are those preparing for careers in the health sciences.

Pre-health students��represent��a healthy��portion��of the Houghton student body. While their beds and clothes are in their residence hall rooms, many of them��spending��most of their waking��hours��(and some of their sleeping��hours!)��in the Paine Center for Science. As they matriculate,��more and more��of their coursework is taken in Paine, but outside of class, you��are��likely to find small groups of students in laboratories, faculty offices,��and��dedicated study spaces as well as improvised ones.

Houghton has long been recognized as a place for serious Christian students to study science and prepare for careers in the health sciences. There is no shortage of Houghton graduates who have gone on to��have��long and impactful��careers as medical doctors,��nurses��and medical missionaries.��Houghton continues to provide outstanding preparation for students who pursue nursing, D.O.��and��M.D degrees.

But additionally,��with robust partnerships with professional and graduate programs,��Houghton is preparing students for vocations in veterinary science, physical therapy, pharmacy, occupational therapy, nutrition and dietetics, dentistry, and athletic training.��As the Lord continues to call young people to vocations in the health sciences, Houghton continues to provide Christ-centered, rigorous preparation to equip them for that work.

With this issue, we are privileged to share some of the stories of our students, faculty, and alumni who have been a part of Houghton’s rich history in��the health��sciences. We are grateful to be a part of what God has done and continues to do in and through the lives of our graduates.

Yours in Christ’s service,

Wayne D.��Lewis,��Jr.
President

����ɬ has��established��a new engineering master’s pathway agreement with Syracuse University, creating expanded opportunities for students pursuing advanced studies in engineering.

Through this bachelor’s‑to‑master’s pathway, Houghton students majoring in Applied Physics who meet Syracuse’s admission criteria can secure early��admission to master’s programs in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, and Engineering Management.��Rather than navigating the uncertainty of applying to multiple graduate schools and waiting to learn whether their undergraduate coursework will be accepted, students enter a pre-cleared admissions pathway — saving time, reducing application costs, and��eliminating��the guesswork.

Moreover, students who have not decided on a specific engineering degree can receive their��Bachelor’s��in Applied Physics��and gain invaluable preparation, coursework, and research��experience to better decide on the career path that fits their interests without falling behind in their educational��training.

Dr Mark Yuly, Professor of Physics at ����ɬ, says:

Students who��maintain��a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA are eligible for this streamlined process, which includes simplified application requirements and guaranteed admission for those who meet designated benchmarks. Qualified students can complete their master’s degree in as little as three to four semesters, creating a pathway to��facilitate��their transition into professional engineering roles.

Jill Jordan, Interim Provost at ����ɬ, shared, “This agreement affirms that Houghton students receive an excellent education and are fully prepared for graduate-level work when they leave Houghton. Physics students interested in engineering now have multiple graduate pathways at Syracuse University, all supported by a simplified admissions process that rewards their hard work and academic success.”

This partnership also reflects Houghton’s ongoing commitment to its students. By connecting strong academic preparation with achievable pathways to advanced degrees and purpose-filled careers, Houghton continues to prepare graduates who are ready to fulfill God’s calling for their lives.

����ɬ proudly recognizes our students who earned academic distinction during the Fall 2025 semester. These scholar-servants demonstrated academic excellence for the glory of God, qualifying for the President’s List, Dean’s List, and Dean’s Honors List.

Jill Jordan, Interim Provost of ����ɬ, congratulated the students.

Working with highly curious, motivated students is the best part about being part of the Houghton community. Honoring God in academic pursuits now is preparing these students to go out into the world as well-equipped scholar-servants, ready to join other Houghton alumni in living out our founder’s vision for “fixing up the world.” Congratulations to the recipients of these academic honors for their achievements!

Congratulations to all Fall 2025 academic honorees.

����ɬ��is pleased to announce expanded eligibility for the��Lee Scholarship��program, which is��dedicated to��equipping those called to��various forms of��Christian service. Established��by the late��George and Grace Lee, the fund��provides financial support for��students��pursuing undergraduate and��graduate��degrees as they prepare for service��in pastoral ministry, missions, music ministry, Christian education,��non-profit management,��and other service roles within churches and Christian organizations.

With this expansion, graduate students enrolled in programs such as the��Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)��and��the��Master of Business Administration (MBA)��are now eligible for support through the Lee Scholarship. These programs prepare graduates to serve faithfully and effectively as educators, organizational leaders, and administrators in faith-based schools, churches, and nonprofit ministries.

“The George and Grace Lee Christian Scholarship Fund��continues��its long history of supporting students as they answer their call to Christian service,” said Wayne D.��Lewis, Jr., president of ����ɬ.��By combining financial support with service-based forgiveness, the fund empowers future leaders—including educators and nonprofit and organizational leaders—to enter ministry-focused careers without the burden of significant educational debt.”

The scholarship is awarded in the form of��a��forgivable loan, providing students with financial��assistance��of up to��half-tuition��for courses��required��to complete their degree program.��Upon completion of the degree, the��loan is forgiven at a rate of��50% for each year��of qualifying full-time Christian service.��Two years of qualifying service��result in��full loan forgiveness.

����ɬ is excited to announce the appointment of Brian O’Gorman as its new Director of Safety and Security. O’Gorman brings nearly two decades of experience in law enforcement, investigations, and security leadership, along with a deep commitment to serving others. O’Gorman��has��more than 18 years of experience in law enforcement, investigations,��security��and safety leadership. Most recently he has served as a Corrections Officer with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision where he��was responsible for��emergency response, investigations, compliance audits and��maintaining��the��overall��safety and security of the facility.��His earlier career includes leadership positions in retail security environments, giving him broad and well-rounded experience that will��greatly benefit��the ����ɬ community.

The Office of the President is pleased to announce the promotion of Dr. Greg Bish to the expanded role of Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Chief of Staff.

The new vice president position reflects the University’s continued emphasis on institutional effectiveness and continuous improvement. In this role, Dr. Bish will provide executive leadership for the University’s institutional accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), as well as provide support for program-level accreditation and strategic priorities. In his new role, he will become Houghton’s designated MSCHE Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO).

President Lewis��stated, “In his role as Chief of Staff,��Dr. Bish��has��provided��exceptional leadership��as��primary liaison to the Houghton Board of Trustees, organizing their work and supporting their strategic priorities.��He has also provided��invaluable leadership��with��organizing and��facilitating��the work of the executive leadership cabinet (ELC), launching and leading strategic initiatives, and fostering collaboration��across��University��offices.��He is well-prepared and equipped to take on this��new and critically important��executive leadership��role.��”

Dr. Bish’s research and professional background��have prepared him well for��this��expanded��leadership��role. His work has consistently focused on bringing creative solutions to challenges and��identifying��outcomes across the institution.

“I am honored by the opportunity to serve ����ɬ in this elevated capacity,” said Dr. Bish. “I look forward to continuing to support the President’s vision and working with Houghton’s leadership to ensure Houghton not only maintains the highest standards of excellence through our accreditation work but also boldly pursues innovative solutions for the future.”

In this expanded capacity, Dr. Bish will��retain��his core functions as Chief of Staff, serving as the central coordinator for the Executive Leadership Cabinet, primary liaison to the Board of Trustees, and providing executive support to the president.

Dr. Bish holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Azusa Pacific University, an MS.Ed. in College Student Development from Alfred University, and a B.A. in Educational Ministries from Houghton College. He has served as the Chief of Staff since 2021 and will assume his expanded role effective February 1, 2026.

����ɬ is pleased to announce that Carrie J. Whitcher, Chief Quality Officer at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Insurance Services Division, has been selected as the commencement speaker for the class of 2026.

Much has been said and written recently regarding viewpoint and ideological diversity, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression in American higher education. Anti-Israel campus demonstrations, ongoing debate surrounding preferential admissions and hiring policies, and the assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University have all contributed to this critical moment in American higher education. We will likely determine in short order whether colleges and universities in the United States can in fact live up to being places where diverse viewpoints are welcomed and speech is protected, including ideas and opinions that run counter to dominant and prevailing perspectives.

Critics of American higher education have accused colleges and universities of operating and educating students through a decidedly progressive worldview. While some of the critique is extreme and some often-quoted examples represent only the most egregious of offenses to free expression, university leaders and faculty would be wise to not reject the criticism out of hand. Hiring policies and practices at many public universities have led to faculty bodies that are decidedly left leaning, and in some instances, with faculty who are hostile to religious or conservative perspectives. Expectations and standards for faculty promotion and tenure, academic publications standards, and peer reviewers who serve as gatekeepers to publication have all had a hand in creating and enforcing progressive leaning norms and standards. Conservative students at public institutions speak often of their fear of accidentally outing themselves as conservatives, and their perceived need to hide their religious convictions or political preferences in their writing and speech.

Having lived professionally in colleges and universities since 2009, in varying roles at public and private institutions, I have experienced this tension personally. As a newly promoted and tenured faculty member at the University of Kentucky, I carefully considered whether I would accept an executive role in state government in a new Republican administration. As a relatively young professional at the time, I weighed the implications for my career in higher education. I knew taking the position would result in altered or severed relationships with colleagues and friends, discomfort in professional meetings and associations, and more limited opportunities for employment and advancement upon my return to higher education. In the end, my desire to positively influence the learning opportunities and outcomes for students, particularly economically disadvantaged students, outweighed concerns about my higher education career.

Should the response to a public higher education system that operates decidedly left of center be to reimagine and recreate it in the image of conservatism? I pray not. Instead, our public institutions should once again become places where students and faculty with varied ideological perspectives are welcomed, their speech is protected, and their work evaluated based solely on its merit, without fear that their religion, who they voted for, or their stance on tax or immigration policy will lead to moral judgement, ridicule, or marginalization on campus. Public colleges and universities are heavily subsidized by the tax dollars of progressive, moderate, conservative, and apolitical taxpayers alike. Up until now, Americans have supported this use of tax dollars because we believe these institutions serve a public interest, that what they provide is a collective benefit to all, regardless of our individual religious identities, political preferences, or whether we ourselves or our children attend public colleges and universities. The public is unlikely to continue such levels of financial support without movement toward greater ideological balance on campuses.

The Christian University and Viewpoint Diversity

Religious colleges and universities like Houghton are not taxpayer funded and have different missions than public colleges and universities. With the protections of federal and state law, Christian institutions often hire staff who align with their religious beliefs. For example, as an institution of The Wesleyan Church, Houghton’s employees’ beliefs and behavior are expected to align with orthodox Christianity and the core tenets of the denomination’s doctrine. Not only is such alignment a requirement of the Church, but it is essential to carry out Houghton’s mission of providing an academically challenging higher education experience in the Wesleyan Holiness tradition. Students choose Houghton and institutions like it knowing that they will be educated through an intentionally Christian worldview.

Still, exposure to and consideration of diverse viewpoints is a critically important part of a Houghton education. With uncompromising clarity concerning Houghton’s Christian beliefs and values, faculty are expected to expose students to various viewpoints, including conflicting ones. Houghton graduates leave the institution having engaged in learning experiences that have pushed and challenged them to think, to question, and to defend. We believe there is no better place for young Christians to be challenged and exposed to diverse viewpoints than in a supportive Christian learning community.

A Christian can understand the beliefs of Muslims and Hindus yet remain firmly grounded in the truth of the Gospel. A Christian can work collaboratively and live respectfully in community with Buddhists and atheists, while refusing to compromise or negotiate on the inerrancy of God’s Word. My hope and prayer for Houghton graduates is that they leave Houghton and live their lives as men and women convinced of the truth of the Gospel; not because they have not learned of other faith traditions or conflicting perspectives, but because they personally know and have experienced the love, grace, and peace of Jesus Christ. Our aim is to equip life-long scholar-servants who know and can articulate who they are, whose they are, what they believe, and why they believe it.

����ɬ President, Dr. Wayne D. Lewis, Jr., talks with .

In the interview, Lewis shares about his experience serving as the chief education officer for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and how that work has prepared him in unique ways to serve as the 6th President of ����ɬ.

����ɬ’s Alumni Christian Service Award is presented to those who have held to the ideals of the Christian faith and who have made a significant impact for the Lord through self-sacrifice to the Church, their communities, and/or their professions.

Self-sacrificing is a truly apt description for one of this year’s recipients. It’s a story that begins at Houghton Academy, barrels down the Houghton College football field, flourishes in Sierra Leone, and continues to impact the lives—and vision—of people from California to Mexico to Zambia and beyond.

James “Bud” Tysinger, a member of the Class of 1965, was a multi-sport athlete at Houghton during the Purple and Gold era, demonstrating abilities in football, basketball, and track and field. In October 1963, the Houghton STAR reported the following about Bud: “He has a way of holding a team together under any conditions.” This particular characteristic would no doubt play an important part in his life as a medical missionary, business owner, and founder of a charitable organization.

At Houghton, Bud didn’t just lead on the sports pitch. He served in student body leadership for all four of his years on campus, as class president in both his freshman and sophomore years, as study body chaplain his junior year, and as student body president in his senior year. Sometime between his roles in student government and his competition in the sports arena, Bud found time to complete a degree in zoology.

After completing medical school at the Medical College of South Carolina, Bud took a trip that became a turning point in his life. In 1970, Bud joined a medical missions team on a trip to Sierra Leone living nearly three years there with his family working as a doctor at the hospital founded by the Wesleyan Church in Kamakwie. On that trip, Bud worked alongside an ophthalmologist providing vision care. He developed a passion for serving people in developing countries and saw ophthalmology, particularly cataract surgery, as an ideal way to serve, while also maintaining a home and practice in the United States. He pursued eye training at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, and additional training at University of California, San Francisco.

For over 20 years, Bud embarked on medical missions trips to Sierra Lone as well as rural Mexico, providing vision care to those who otherwise would have no access to it. In 1994, civil unrest brought an end to his work in Sierra Leone, but that year, Bud partnered with fellow doctors to create the nonprofit International Vision Volunteers, which is dedicated to bringing sight and eye care to underserved communities.

Beginning in 1995, through International Vision Volunteers, Bud took his medical missions work to Zambia in south central Africa, opening an eye hospital—Zimba Mission Hospital—in 2001. Today, the hospital is staffed by five teams of care providers, each serving two weeks annually.

Bud’s son, James Tysinger III, Houghton Class of 1988, remarked, “I have no idea how many doctors, nurses, dentists, optometrists and other professionals have gone to serve in Mexico, Sierra Leone and Zambia that might never have done so had my dad not made the effort to invite them to serve.”

In the challenging conditions medical missionaries face in remote, rural and impoverished communities, Bud retained and employed the characteristics of that young fellow on the Houghton football field who could hold a team together under any circumstances.

Bud’s nephew, Dr. Jonathan Vogan, Houghton Class of 1985, was one of those professionals attracted to medical missionary work and had the opportunity to work alongside Bud in Sierra Leone. “God used conversations with my Uncle Bud about serving God in the medical profession. My uncle’s life in Christian service was powerfully used by God to direct my own service to God in the medical profession, including many medical mission trips.”

Today, some patients travel hundreds of miles to the Zambian clinic from neighboring Botswana and Zimbabwe. Hundreds of surgeries are performed annually, and thousands of patients receive care. The clinic also provides training for ophthalmology residents, clinical officers and nurses in eye care, some of whom go on to continue to serve with International Vision Volunteers.

Bud’s commitment to providing exceptional vision care isn’t limited to his international patients. In 1979, Bud founded a California Eye Clinic in Antioch, California, where he used his gifts and abilities to provide patient-centered care to his community. He provided vision care throughout his region until retiring in 2002. Today, California Eye Clinic has five locations with two ophthalmologists and five optometrists.

“His heart was to serve,” noted James, who is with us this evening to surprise his father. “He supported many missionaries and sponsored and supported students from Africa to get the education they needed to go back and serve others in their home countries. As his son, I was privy to many acts of service and sacrifice that were never public.”

As the son of a pastor and a teacher, with a family legacy of ministry, education and missionary work, Bud followed the examples set before him.�� When asked why he wanted to serve as a missionary, he replied “I just felt called to serve with the gifts I’ve been given.”

In recognition of nearly 50 years of service and sacrifice, for the thousands of lives impacted by vision care, and for his tireless dedication to Kingdom work in some of the world’s neediest places, it is my privilege to present James “Bud” Tysinger with ����ɬ’s Alumni Christian Service Award.

Houghton, NY – During its Homecoming and Family Weekend (October 3-5, 2025), ����ɬ honored four prestigious alumni with awards recognizing their outstanding contributions to their professions, their communities, their alma mater and the Church. The awards were presented during the annual Legacy Chapel on Friday, October 3 by ����ɬ President Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. honored Mr. David Smith ’73, Ms. Joanna Sudlow ’15, Mr. Dean Liddick ’60 and Mr. Derrick Tennant ’93.

Mr. David Smith was named ����ɬ Alumnus of the Year, which was presented posthumously to his wife Mrs. Cindy (Dunham ’73) Smith. Mr. Smith was recognized for his lifetime of service to IBM, a career which spanned nearly forty years, during which time he was recognized with numerous employee awards. After retirement, Mr. Smith served Houghton as Vice President for Finance and Planning under President Emerita Dr. Shirley A. Mullen ’76. Mr. Smith was noted for his dedication, his servant-leadership, and his commitment to excellence.

Ms. Joanna Sudlow was named Young Alumna of the Year, recognizing her work as Lead Animal Trainer with Sight and Sound Theatres in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Over the past decade, Ms. Sudlow has trained hundreds of animals for stage and film productions, including the theatre’s current sold-out show Noah, which features over 140 animals. Her work has been a vital part of Sight and Sound’s ability to carry out its mission to spread the truth of the Gospel through drama, reaching over 1.5 million audience members annually.

Mr. Dean Liddick, a long-time Houghton resident and former college employee, was presented with the 2025 Alumni Appreciation Award. In the twenty-five years since his retirement, Mr. Liddick has served in many unrecognized roles, as ghostwriter, advisor, consultant, and unofficial historian. The founder and long-time editor of Houghton’s alumni magazine, Mr. Liddick has been a vital source of information for four different published works of Houghton history, including most recently Dr. Jack Connell’s ’83 book Heartbreak and Hope: The Story of the Houghton Six.

Mr. Derrick Tennant was presented with the FEARLESS Award, recognizing his lifetime dedication to overcoming challenges, and the work he does to inspire others to do the same. Mr. Tennant is a widely respected corporate speaker, stand-up comedian, and advocate for those with Down’s Syndrome and those with traumatic brain injuries. His speaking and comedy career has taken him around the world, spreading messages of hope and perseverance in the face of overwhelming circumstances.

For full award citations for each of the award winners, please visit houghton.edu/alumni-awards.

What defines an alumnus of the year? A ����ɬ Alumnus of the Year, beyond any other criteria, must have demonstrated a firm commitment to Christ and the advancement of His Kingdom. He must have made a significant contribution to his profession or vocation, and made a noteworthy service to society. At its core, to be recognized as the Alumnus of the Year, one must have lived out his calling as a scholar-servant. David Smith, a graduate of the ����ɬ Class of 1973, most fittingly, was once described as “the epitome of a scholar-servant.”

A general science major at Houghton, David went on to a thirty-nine year career with IBM. Twenty of those years David dedicated to executive leadership, holding positions in operations, information technology, logistics and manufacturing. His experience and responsibilities ranged widely, including sales, finance, risk management, project management, business operations, customer relations management, management information systems and new product development.

David filled these roles with excellence, making a significant contribution at IBM, evidenced by recognition with awards such as the IBM Leadership Award, the IBM Market Driven Quality Award, and the IBM Award of Excellence. He completed IBM’s Advanced Management School and the IBM Manufacturing Business Development Program at Dartmouth University. David excelled in his vocational calling and IBM and his colleagues were the better for it.

Upon retirement in 2012, David didn’t rest upon his laurels. Instead, he elected to give back to his alma mater in the most useful way possible. David assumed the mantle of Houghton’s Vice President for Finance and Planning, a role he filled for three years under the leadership of President Emerita, Dr. Shirley Mullen. The Houghton community is full of people who worked alongside David and who were blessed by doing so. David was the consummate team player, an attribute he no doubt developed during his time as a dual sport student-athlete at Houghton, cultivating his skills on the baseball field and the basketball court.