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IWS Alumni News | ||||||||||||||||
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February 2005 Volume 2, Number 1 | |||||||||||||||||
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In This Issue Click to go to the article. · January Session Edition Overview
Click here to view pictures from the January Session. Among these are the first published pictures of the "new Bob" that you'll not want to miss. There is also one rare and potentially scandalous shot that captures the behind-the-scenes obeisance required of IWS faculty.
The next edition of the Alumni News will feature resources by the IWS faculty. Titles of new books and other publications will be listed, complete articles that you can download and print will be provided, and information on faculty activities and ministries will be highlighted. Here' s taste: Andy Hill's most recent book is an NIV Application Commentary entitled 1 & 2 Chronicles (Zondervan, 2003)--more details in the next edition. This June he will present a workshop on Spiritual Formation and Scripture at the Renovare Int'l. Conference in Denver.
Your Profile Is your personal profile and contact information up to date on the IWS website? Don’t be cut off from the community. Go the website, click on “Directories” and then select "Alumni Directory". Click on your name. Click “Update”. If you don’t know your user name and password, contact Ken Rushing. After you have updated your profile be sure to email Ken so that he can activate your changes. Thanks!
Commencement pictures When you visit the IWS Alumni site you'll see that we are beginning to add pictures of the graduating classes. Can you help? Please email any suitable photos (especially group poses) you have from your commencement ceremony. Thanks!
Alumni Giving When you write a check to the IWS ALUMNI FUND be sure to include your class name [e.g., IWS ALUMNI FUND (Alpha Class)]. If you desire to designate your gift to a specific area, please indicate that also [e.g., IWS ALUMNI FUND—SCHOLARSHIPS (Alpha Class)].
Contact Information
Director
of Alumni Relations and Editor of IWS Alumni News
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Special January Series EditionThis edition of the Alumni News features highlights from the January Session at IWS--to help keep you IN TOUCH! Here's what you'll find:
Click on the links at the left to quickly navigate to the individual articles. The
first series of strategic planning meetings for the Institute was held
January 3-4, 2005 on the campus and included the following participants: Gerald
Borchert, faculty Doris
Borchert, faculty Erik Bolger, faculty Darrell
Harris, Chaplain Janet
Harris, Interim Chairperson, Board of Directors Jim
Hart, Dean of Administration Eddie
Lockamy, student Eric
Ohlmann, Director of Strategic Planning and Accreditation Ken
Rushing, Registrar & Director of Distance Learning Technology Kent
Walters, Director of Alumni Relations Carla
Waterman, faculty Bob
Webber, President
The
meetings were ably led by Dr. Steve Huntley, strategic planning
consultant, professor at The process facilitated discussion in five areas: mission, vision, SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats), major goals, and strategic action. The school's mission statement affirms our communal emphasis: "The Institute for Worship Studies trains men and women in community to be servant leaders in worship renewal and education through academic studies grounded in the biblical, historical and theological traditions of the church." The vision for IWS was born and nurtured in the heart of its founder and visionary. Bob summarized his vision for the Institute as the "5 S's"—
The thorough analysis process resulted in valuable insight on the challenges that must be addressed, which include long range plans concerning development, promotion, facilities, and staffing. Top on the list of major goals is the commitment to completing the necessary steps to secure ABHE accreditation. Strategic action steps were formulated to work toward achieving the goals, including a 12-step plan associated with the accreditation process. As expected, Dr. Webber offered an inspiring Presidential Address on Wednesday afternoon—the first event of the January Session. Click on the first link below to download the audio file of Bob's address. You may click on the other links to view PDF files of the handouts for this session: the outline of Bob's address--The Easter Vigil?, and an Easter Vigil Liturgy resource to which Bob refers. Feel free to print a copy if you desire. We are currently working to make additional resources available to you on the web site including audio, video and print files from IWS sessions as well as instructive and inspirational contributions from the faculty. Visit the web site from time to time to see what is being added. In time, we envision the IWS web site as a rich resource for alumni and all who visit. Your feedback and ideas are welcome. Email me.
Presidential Address--Streaming Audio (30:41) Presidential Address--Easter Vigil Resource If you can't open the PDF files you may need to install reader software on your computer. Click here to download a free version of AdobeReader 6.0. Do you remember experiencing your first Opening Convocation at IWS? I remember mine. It was the Institute's first convocation—June 1999. Twenty new students sat intermingled among the congregants of Grace Episcopal Church who had assembled in impressive number to witness the inception of this new institution. The Lord's unmistakable presence in that service was an indicator that we were in for an incredible journey. And that is was! View a PDF file of this January's Opening Convocation worship folder by clicking below. Opening Convocation (January 5, 2005) Dr.
Eric Ohlmann was added to the IWS staff last year to focus on and complete
the accreditation process for the Institute. (See the September
2004 edition of the newsletter for more details). Eric and his wife
Eunice were on campus for the first time for the January Session and were
delighted with the total "IWS experience." I've asked Eric
to give us an overview of the accreditation process. What is the accreditation process all about? It is essentially an outside, independent, authorized accrediting agency thoroughly examining a school and vouching for its quality and integrity. IWS has decided to secure such an endorsement from the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), which is
a national accrediting agency. To secure full accreditation
all schools need to proceed through four steps. The first is to
become “affiliated” with ABHE, which IWS already is. The second
is to secure “applicant status,” which we have requested and which
will be decided upon in February. The
next big step, which normally takes four years, is to attain “candidate
status.” Achieving full accreditation can take another four years;
however, we hope to accelerate this process significantly. To provide ABHE with the documentation it needs a school must conduct a prior and thorough self-study in which it reviews all aspects of its life; analyses the data; does an honest assessment of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats; adopts recommendations for improving it’s performance; and produces an evaluative report. To make such a comprehensive review manageable, we are dividing the task into about fifteen parts and are assigning a subcommittee to each of those parts. In addition, we are presently organizing a steering committee to design the process, monitor and guide it, coordinate the work of the subcommittees, and to edit the final report. Based on my exposure to IWS in January, I am confident of positive results. Nevertheless, everyone involved covets your prayers. Thank you to each of you who gave to the Institute last year. As you know from Bob's letter to the alumni in December, the support of the alumni evidenced by their contributions is an important component of the school's profile in the accreditation process. Dana Brodsky, the IWS comptroller, reports the giving for 2004 as follows: Total contributions: $17,750 Alumni contributions: $8656 Contributions by class:
Will you consider IWS in your stewardship decisions? Remember, contributions to IWS are tax-deductible. See "Alumni Giving" at the left. Alumni Seminar 2005--Worship & SpiritualityA few of you have indicated that you are making plans to attend the June seminar. However, we need to hear from more of you if this event is to become a reality. Bob Webber he has agreed to teach this seminar. He no longer gives seminars as he once did, but because of his love for and commitment to the IWS community, and despite his demanding schedule in June, he has agreed to do this one. This is a rare chance for you to interact with Bob in such a venue. He will be speaking on the topic of spirituality based on his current book project. He says that this book will likely be the most significant he has written.Here is an extraordinary opportunity to be inspired once again by Bob’s teaching, and to be influenced by his most recent research and vision for worship renewal. Along with the seminar, you are invited to participate in Commencement on Sunday, June 12 at 6:00 p.m. The alumni will don their regalia and process together. A reception follows the ceremony. You will also be able to join the IWS community in morning chapel worship and evening practicums.I need to hear from you immediately so that we can confirm plans for this event. Please email me if you are interested in coming.
IWS Alumni Seminar June 13-14, 2005 Speaker: Dr. Robert Webber Topic— “God’s Story as the Source of Worship and Spirituality” Cost— For early registration by April 15: $80.00 After April 15: $100.00 Your spouse may attend for half the registration fee ($40 before April 15--$50 after April 15) Mail your registration to IWS, ATTN: Jim Hart (address at left) Announcing: Name the Newsletter Contest! It's time that we attach a more creative and appropriate name to this document we have labeled the IWS ALUMNI NEWS. Do you have a suggestion? Email your best idea to me. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of wise judges from among the faculty and staff who are not participating in the contest. A winning title will be selected. A popular and stylish IWS shirt will be awarded to the winner (style and color will be the choice of the winner). This contest is open to students, alumni, faculty and staff. Let the game begin! Email your suggestion to me.
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