This summer, Coach Danielle Heffernan and the 91���� Women’s Volleyball team were preparing for what they imagined would be an unforgettable season. It has indeed been unforgettable. The team is strong. They are remarkable young women we are privileged to call our students, our friends, and Highlanders. As I write, they are preparing to begin conference play and compete for the Empire 8 conference title. They never imagined being this far into their season and neither practicing nor competing on the Dix Family Court. Continued recovery from this summer’s fire at the Nielsen Center means most of their team activity thus far this season has been away from campus.

It happened on Thursday July 23rd. I received a call shortly after 11:00 pm from Vice President for Student LifeBill Burricther ‘92. Safety and Security Officer Mark Dashnau had smelled and observed smoke in the Nielsen Center as he made his rounds and had immediately contacted emergency services.

A few minutes after his call, I met Bill and Matt Webb, our Director of Athletics, at the Nielsen Center. When I arrived, the 91���� Volunteer Fire Department (HVFD) was already on the scene. Before the night was over, the emergency response would include most of the fire departments in Northern Allegany County, with the Nielsen parking lots filled with tanker trucks and illuminated by flashing lights. It was a sight to see.

All in all, we were extraordinarily fortunate. The building was empty. No one was hurt. And thanks to the quick response of Officer Dashnau and the responding firefighters, the fire, which started in our Women’s Volleyball team room, was contained and extinguished in that space. The outcome could have been so much worse. Once again, the Lord protected 91���� from what could have been a disastrous outcome. I am grateful.

Still, challenges remain. Smoke damage has been our greatest challenge. Smoke from the fire impacted most of the building. So much so that the entire wing of the building nearest to Shenawana Hall will require additional cleaning and renovation. That part of the building includes locker rooms, restrooms, athletic training, faculty offices, our auxiliary gym with the climbing wall, and swimming pool. The renovation will be significant. We will likely not be able to use that side of the building before summer 2027 at the earliest.

With the arrival of the Class of 2030, 91���� is celebrating its fourth consecutive year of enrollment growth driven by strong gains in graduate programs, significant enrollment from its Early College initiative and expanding partnerships with more than fifty private Christian schools. One in five members of the incoming class entered 91���� having completed coursework through the Early College program.

��“Four consecutive years of enrollment growth reflects more than increasing numbers,” President Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. said. “It reflects the continued desire among students and their families for an academically rigorous, intentionally Christ-centered college experience that prepares young people to follow their callings while growing in their faith.”

��dzܲ���ٴDz�’s Early College program continues to serve as a bridge between secondary and higher education, meeting the needs of students driven to attain college credits prior to high school graduation. Through ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’s Partner School initiative and partnership with NYS LEAH, Early College coursework offers high school students a more affordable college journey, while also giving students early exposure to the demands of the collegiate classroom. The extraordinary growth of 91���� Early College has been aided by the Hal and Sheila Heiner Scholarship, which makes 91���� coursework more affordable for partner high school and homeschool students.

��dzܲ���ٴDz�’s Partner School program continue to create opportunities for students at multiple stages of their educational journey. These relationships not only contribute to undergraduate enrollment through Early College participation and matriculation but also support graduate enrollment as educators pursue advanced credentials and professional development.

Graduate enrollment experienced particularly strong growth this year, led by increased demand for teacher education programs. Educators from partner schools seek a distinctly Christ-centered graduate-level education that advances their expertise while allowing them to remain active in their classrooms and communities.

Homeschool students also account for a significant portion of the Class of 2030, accounting for approximately 15% of first-year students. Many of these students were introduced to the institution through Early College opportunities, which allow homeschool learners to earn college credit while benefiting from a supportive academic environment.

As 91���� welcomes its newest students, it remains committed to expanding�� providing an unapologetically Christ-centered education for traditional undergraduates, adult learners, and working professionals alike.

91���� announced today that President Wayne D. Lewis, Jr., has issued a formal response to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s Aug. 3 letter to colleges and universities. In the response, President Lewis reaffirmed the university’s enduring commitment to preparing students to lead lives of character and purpose as scholar-servants and ambassadors for Jesus Christ in a rapidly changing world.

The letter emphasizes 91����’s belief that higher education best serves the nation when it forms individuals who pursue truth with humility, engage respectfully across differences, and work collaboratively to address both emerging and longstanding challenges.

“For over 140 years 91���� has been equipping graduates who positively impact their communities, the nation, and the world,” President Lewis said. “We are dedicated to preparing young people who contribute to the well-being of the United States and our world with humility, integrity, and creativity.”

The letter also celebrates the importance of America’s diverse educational landscape, including Christ-centered institutions that align with the convictions of Christian students and their families. President Lewis highlighted ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’s commitment to being one of the few intentionally Christian, academically rigorous universities serving New York and the broader Northeastern United States.

The response notes the university’s emphasis on academic rigor, expressed through challenging its students to think critically, communicate effectively, and solve complex problems. Lewis also explained ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’s interest in preserving political and ideological diversity, high academic standards, and the integration of orthodox Christian doctrine throughout teaching, learning, and scholarship.

Lewis’s letter further emphasized ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’s mission to prepare graduates for meaningful and rewarding careers by equipping students for immediate employment, long-term vocational success, and service to others. The institution is also dedicated to employing nondiscriminatory hiring and admissions practices and to remaining a learning community where disagreement is met with civility, dialogue, and mutual respect.

91���� Announces a��Flexible, 91���� Master of Music in Music Education

91���� is excited to announce the launch of its new online Master of Music in Music Education program, designed to accommodate the busy schedules of music educators.��The��program, structured over two years, consists of minimal coursework during the academic year coupled with summer intensives to provide the flexibility for professionals balancing their studies with work and other commitments.

Dr. Joshua Ziefle, Provost of 91����,��stated, “91����’s new master’s program in Music Education represents a faithful expansion of our commitment to musical training and will help current music teachers complete their coursework while continuing to work at their schools. In years to come, our hope is that it helps to deepen 91����’s work in this field and serve teachers in our region well.”

The program’s curriculum includes advanced studies in music education, conducting or performing, orchestration, musicology, and education.��Some classes include Seminar in Music Education, Contemporary Issues in Music Education, Music for Exceptional Learners, and Music Psychology.

Additionally, optional��assistance��will be available for those looking to develop a portfolio for the National Board Certification (NBPTS) in Music.

��DzԳٲ�������music@houghton.edu��for further details.

True Excellence

By Emily Fausnaught’24

Emily Fausnaught ’24��is the Volunteer Coordinator at Cloverleaf Equine Center. She earned a��Bachelor of Science in equestrian performance and business administration from 91���� and is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor.����

By Amanda (Shine ’05) Zambrano��

If you walk through the bi-level barn at the 91���� Equestrian Center, a friendly black and white��gelding��will invariably poke his nose out��to request a good scratch or a friendly pat.��He’s��a 22-year-old tobiano Friesian sport horse registered as Knight’s��Dream,��and��known affectionately as Otto.

Otto came to 91���� from the Rochester area, generously donated to the program by Sue and David Knight in 2014. He’s been a barn favorite for years and it isn’t simply because of his friendly, affectionate nature and beautiful black and white markings.

Donated horses are the lifeblood of the 91���� Equestrian Program. “We say��our horses are the best teachers in the program,” remarked��program��director��Larissa (Strappello��’08) Ries. ““As instructors we are helping the students understand what the horses are trying to tell them, through their body language and the responses they have to the riders positioning and aids.”

Not every horse makes a good lesson horse, and Otto is a gem among the 91���� herd.��To make sure��they’re��a good fit, prospective lesson horses like Otto go through��a number of��steps��before��joining the herd, including visits with 91���� instructors, videos of training or shows, and often a trial period��on campus. Program Director Emerita��Jo-Anne (Olsen ’69) Young��evaluated and��accepted Otto into the 91���� herd when the Knights reached out looking for a new home for their horse.��On his acceptance papers, the 91���� equestrian staff remarked on Otto’s fit for the program.��“He has a quiet mind,” the form reads, “which will make him a great lesson horse.” The assessment was correct.��Since his early days, Otto has grown and matured into a great lesson horse embodying everything a learning rider and trainer could wish for.

Otto works with ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’s equestrian students as they learn,��focusing on dressage.��Students have��ridden him in second level recognized dressage shows, schooling shows and in clinics with world-renowned clinicians��such as Agnieszka Majewska and Kristi Wysocki. “He’s a confidence builder,”��shared Professor Ries. “Otto is a confident horse and that instills confidence in the students.��He’s��great at working students through the challenging walk to canter transitions, giving them true lightbulb moments in their educational journeys.”

“Being a lesson horse is hard,” reflected��Andrea (Potteiger��’00) Boon,��assistant��professor of��recreation and��equestrian��studies. “There are so many people handling��them, all with��different ways��of communicating with their horses. Otto is a special horse—he’s��worth a million��bucks!”

This horse with a heart of gold is only one of the��34��horses in ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’s herd,��almost all��of��whom��have been donated to the program. Since the original donation of seven Morgan horses from Dr. Demosthene Romanucci, Sr., in 1984, ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’s herd has been built with the generosity of those looking for the next perfect home for their beloved equine companions.

By Larissa (Strappello��’08) Ries

��dzܲ���ٴDz�’s��Equestrian Event Center,��completed��in 2018,��has��truly��revolutionized what��the Equestrian Program is��able to offer��to both��our students and��the local equine community.��When I think back to how it began—with a simple email asking��if we were indeed wanting to build a larger��indoor��riding arena��and��informing me��that��there was��a potential donor to fund the project—I��am astounded at what came about.

The arena project��began��as a dream of��Program Director Emerita��Jo-Anne��(Olsen ’69)��Young, who served at 91���� from��1986-2017. I am thankful every day that the Lord put the arena project on her heart. Without��Jo-Anne’s��dreaming and talking about her vision with many individuals,��our��anonymous donor may��never��have heard about the project.��That��short��email I received got the ball rolling, so��we dreamed and worked to build a facility that would be functional and beneficial for our equine students, as well as the larger equine community.��It is truly a blessing to set��foot in that space every day, whether the riding��arena, the classroom,��the Faith of a Mustard Seed Atrium or��the Jo-Anne O. Young Competitor’s Wing stable.��The Lord provided even more then we could have imagined!

From the perspective of teaching students,��the Event Center��has given us a heated warm space in the cold winter months to train and learn. No longer do students and faculty have frozen fingers and toes while teaching and riding in mounted labs. We don’t have to end classes early due to being too cold,��and��students are able to take full advantage of the learning process during each 15-week semester, rain, snow or shine! The classroom has allowed us to have a designated space for our lecture-based class learning that��isn’t��shared with the student worker time clock or��the��restroom!

By Hannah Williamson ’19

Summertime at the barn is my favorite time of the year.����dzܲ���ٴDz�’s campus is a bit emptier, the students have gone home, and��things��seem to be��quieting down . . . but not at the��Equestrian Center.��In fact,��it’s��quite the opposite. The 91���� equestrian program��hosts��and��organizes��two large,��recognized dressage shows at the start and end of the summer—and��sandwiched��in��between,��we��keep busy running��multiple weeks of��equestrian camp��for horse-loving��youth.

Over the course of the summer, 91������runs��five��weeks of girls’��overnight residential��equestrian��camp for��riders��ages 10-18,��and one week of day camp for girls and boys ages 7-14, hosting upwards of 100 campers.��The goal of our camps��is to create a fun and safe environment where��campers��will see and feel God’s love lived out while learning and growing in their horsemanship skills. We��welcome��riders��of��all levels��and��experience��to join us for��a great week��at camp.

During their time��at camp,��riders��are able to choose what��skills��they would like to work on.��They��have the opportunity to use one��of our amazing��lesson��horses,��or��can bring their own horse for the week. Campers are able to work on��dressage, hunters, jumpers,��eventing, and/or western��during their time at camp. Whether they are brand new to horses, improving current skills, or��experienced riders��eager��to try something new,��there is an opportunity for��everyone.

By Bella Goss ’23

My time in the 91���� Equestrian Program was extremely valuable and taught me many of the skills I needed to perform well in my current role as Horsemanship Director of the Camp Hebron Horsemanship program.��Camp Hebron is a camp and retreat center whose goal is to connect people with God, nature, and each other. Meadowview Stables��operates��in Camp Hebron, offering overnight horse camp in the summer, riding lessons, trail rides, school field trips, and other activities. We are excited to begin��expanding our services to host fun shows, clinics, and��some other events throughout the year.

While I am not jumping 3’ courses on performance horses—like��I��did��at 91����—I��am applying many of the practical managerial, pedagogical��and people skills I gained through the equestrian program.

One class that has been particularly helpful was Equine Facility Management��(EFM),��which I took in my sophomore year with��Larissa (Strapello��’08) Ries.��I learned how to manage��all the ins and outs of��an equine program,��including��things like��developing schedules, pasture management,��and��feed management.��Thanks to EFM, I was able to��implement a lot more structure��in��my program when I started my job.

Dr. Wayne V. Adams ‘66

91���� Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award

Presented by President Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. – Saturday, August 1, 2026

One could learn a great deal about this year’s Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award recipient from reading ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’s student newspaper, The Star. In November 1965, this first-generation college student was recognized as a nominee for Who’s Who among students at American Colleges and Universities. A feature article highlighted his participation in Oratorio, Concert Ensemble and the Education Club, as well as his service as the editor of the Boulder and as a Student Senator. It was also mentioned that he was a nominee for both the Danforth Foundation Scholarship and a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship.

In October 1965, Wayne Adams was the “Senior in Focus” for The Star. This piece noted his role as President of the senior class, his participation on College European Seminar Tour and described him as a “permanent member of the Dean’s List.” If you combine these early accomplishments and accolades with insights of his classmates from the Class of ’66 like Bill Francis and others, you see a foundation that led to Wayne Adams’ career as a scholar, researcher, practitioner, professor, mentor and leader. We can also gain a perspective on the way he interacted with those around him and the enthusiasm with which he pursued his calling.

After graduating from 91���� in 1966, Wayne planned to pursue graduate work to become a math teacher. He learned of an opportunity to have his graduate school tuition and expenses completely underwritten at Syracuse University, and was immediately interested. The only catch was that he would be studying psychology rather than mathematics. After his first year, Wayne discovered an intense interest in and passion for the field of psychology. After earning his master of arts, he went on to obtain a PhD in developmental/child clinical psychology from Syracuse.

Having discovered a lively interest in child psychology, Dr. Adams taught at Colgate University for several years before accepting a post-doctoral position in pediatric psychology at Memorial Hospital on the campus of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He then accepted the role of Chief Psychologist at DuPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware, where he served for 24 years. Dr. Adams also served as Associate Professor at the hospital-affiliated Jefferson Medical College and published papers on a variety of topics, including several related to the cognitive effects of Lyme disease on children.

In 1999, Dr. Adams accepted a role at George Fox University in Newburg, Oregon, as Professor of Psychology in their graduate school. Three years later, he was promoted to the Department Chair of George Fox’s Doctorate of Psychology program where he served until 2015. While serving in this role, he had the opportunity to chair numerous doctoral dissertations while he challenged, encouraged and mentored students. Dr. Adams also taught courses in Psychometrics, Cognitive Assessment, Neuropsychological Assessment, Child Psychopathology and Pediatric Neuropsychology. He retired from George Fox after 23 years of dedicated service, which bestowed on him the honor of Professor Emeritus.

Dear Friends,

I��came to 91���� in 2021 without specific��plans for where we would invest or what��we might change.��I��came��with the intention of listening, learning, and discerning what��our greatest opportunities for growth and development might be. It took��very little��time to��determine��that ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’s Equestrian Center and equestrian studies program were��both rare and exceptional, and that��these��should��be��central to the University’s plans for investment and growth.

91���� is an historic��and highly��esteemed��Christian liberal��arts and sciences university.��Programs most often associated with Christian liberal arts universities include history, philosophy, English literature, or mathematics—not��equine management.��Equine studies��is��not what comes to mind when��most people think of 91����.��But that��is changing.��Located just��a bit off the main residential campus, you only find����dzܲ���ٴDz�’s Equestrian Center,��if you are looking for it.��But��once you have experienced it, you will not forget it. Neither will you question��the way its faculty, staff,��and curriculum provide a beautiful complement to the traditional liberal arts and science disciplines.��Equine Studies is not��tangential to ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’s mission. It��embodies ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’s mission.

Demand for ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’s equine programs far exceeds our current capacity. Undergraduate��academic��programs��and��the��Summer Equestrian Camp have been at maximum capacity for��several��years.��The quality of the faculty, facilities,��and academic program, coupled with an idyllic setting in rural Western New York, and integrated with a Christ-centered, academically rigorous liberal arts curriculum make equine studies at 91������a highly sought��option��for students.��I believe��our opportunities for growth��are tremendous.��It is time��to expand. By God’s grace and with the support of generous donors,��we will make needed repairs and upgrades,��add faculty,��enhance program offerings,��and expand��the��number of��seats available to both university students and summer campers.

This��issue of 91���� Magazine is a celebration of��the faculty, staff, and��partners who��have made��equestrian studies at 91���� the��beautiful��program��that��it is today,��and the students and alumni��whose lives have been forever��impacted��by their time in equine studies at��91����.��As you read, I invite you to dream and pray with us, as we��plan��for the next chapter of the program’s story, and prepare for the students��and horses��the Lord continues to send to us.

With the love of Jesus,

Wayne D.��Lewis,��Jr.

Amanda (Shine ’05) Zambrano

When you ask 91���� graduates��“how did you end up at 91����,” invariably��every answer you receive is evidence of God’s providential hand in their lives.��Shelby (Skinner ’19)��Dytschkowskyj��grew up coming to 91���� from Franklinville for the Upward Bound program and remembers visiting campus for school trips.��But it was a spot on Family��Life��Radio��the ministry of��Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Bend, Oregon, that put Shelby on the path��she’s��walking today.

Shelby didn’t grow up as a “farm kid,” and never owned a horse—in spite of her life-long love for horses.��She’d��sometimes��do a little stable work for the��occasional��riding lesson, but it was that��radio spot that inspired Shelby to figure out how to marry her love of horses with her��heart for��serving people. “It shaped my whole future,” Shelby��stated.
As a��teen��Shelby started volunteering at High Hurdles, a therapeutic riding center in Sardinia, New York. She grew to love the work and knew��she’d��need to go to college��if she wanted to��pursue a career in��therapeutic riding. 91������wasn’t��the only school Shelby considered,��but��at the end of the day she felt��such a��peace at 91���� that she turned down a full scholarship elsewhere��in order to��become a Highlander.

Throughout her time at 91����, as she pursued a dual degree in Equestrian Studies and Psychology and worked on her PATH*��certification, Shelby thrived in the “try it—you’ll learn something” environment.��Under the leadership first of��Jo-Anne (Olsen ’69) Young,��who retired��in 2017, and subsequently��Larissa (Strappello��’08) Ries,����dzܲ���ٴDz�’s equestrian program��offered her plenty of hands-on experience��serving��on chore crew��and��teaching lessons for local��children.

By Sarah Maurer ’22

Going into my time at 91����, I never planned to leave with a full-time career in horses. I was incredibly passionate about riding, and though the equestrian program was a big part of my motivation to attend 91���� in the first place, my primary intent was to further my training and knowledge before leaving for a career in the medical field. I double majored in Biology and International Development, with minors in Public Health and Equestrian Studies. Though that may sound like a confusing combination, I loved each area of study and finding ways to integrate them with one another.

Despite my plans, by the time graduation approached, I found myself looking more seriously toward an equestrian career. My time in the equestrian program had shaped me so��significantly,��I��couldn’t��imagine��not��continuing to have training and riding as a major part of my life. Over four years, my horsemanship, riding level, management knowledge, and passion for��the sport��had grown exponentially. I graduated in love with teaching and training, and��confident��in my knowledge and skills to do so professionally.

Today, four years after graduating, I am the owner of my own training business in Knoxville, Tennessee,��and the head coach of the University of Tennessee’s intercollegiate dressage team. I have continued to��grow in��my own education as a rider and trainer, and I use the tools I learned at 91���� daily. I am so incredibly grateful to the professors in the equestrian program who invested so deeply in me, even though I��wasn’t��an equine major. I am blessed to still have relationships with��them,��and��I��know I can always reach out for career help, training advice, or to catch up on life. Having a network of trainers in the industry that I��deeply��respect gives me��the confidence��that there are people in my corner, especially when being a business owner can feel��daunting.

Partnership��will��enable��91������University to offer coursework toward ACSI Teacher and Administrator Certification��
91������University is pleased to announce��its��accreditation by the��Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) to offer courses that fulfill requirements for ACSI Teacher and Administrator Certification. This��agreement reflects a shared commitment to equipping Christian educators with both the professional competencies and the biblical foundation needed to flourish in K–12 Christian education.

91���� proudly recognizes our students who earned academic distinction during the Spring 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.

Natasha Davis, Ed.D., Interim Associate Provost, congratulated the students.

The students receiving academic honors have demonstrated a commitment to excellence through their hard work, perseverance, and dedication to learning. Through these efforts, they are growing not only in knowledge but also in their capacity to lead and serve others. These accomplishments reflect the very best of the 91���� community and embody the University’s mission to equip scholar-servants for leadership and service in a changing world. Congratulations to each recipient on this well-earned recognition.

Congratulations��to all Spring 2026 academic honorees.

As a college student,��I never imagined I would become a teacher.��From my late��teens, I��felt��a��calling��to serve and positively��impact��my��city.��The people, the institutions, and the culture of the City of New Orleans had��given me so much.��I wanted to��give��back.��In my early 20s,��teaching��middle and high school��students was about the last thing��I��thought I would do as a vocation. But my mom saw something in me that she thought would be wonderful in a classroom��with students. I��am grateful for her vision.

My first opportunity to teach was in the New Orleans Public Schools, at Booker T. Washington High School, my father’s alma mater.��As��a young��teacher, I��believed deeply��in the potential of every��student. In New Orleans, as in most American urban centers, the quality of educational opportunities available to students largely depended on their parents’ income and their ZIP code.��I wanted to make a difference in the lives of students who needed a great teacher the most.��Booker T. Washington gave me that opportunity.

As I began teaching, I most certainly was not a great teacher, but I was committed to becoming one. A combination of graduate coursework, supportive professors, and mentoring from seasoned colleagues who became lifelong friends helped me become a relatively effective educator within a few years. I was wholly committed to the success and well-being of my students. While the places I have served and the positions I have held have changed over the years, my commitment to students’ success has never changed.

I was an educator��for a little over a decade before becoming a father. Fatherhood��did not make me a more committed or effective educator, but it did��broaden��my perspective.��As a dad,��I saw my students not��only as��pupils but��as their parents’ children.��As a dad,��I came to understand��parents’ hopes��and dreams��for their children��in a new way. I have also come to understand firsthand the degree of trust parents place in educators��and schools. My��parental perspective has not made me a better education leader, but it��has��shaped my leadership. My leadership at 91������is informed��by��my��training and professional experience,��but it is also shaped by my experience as a dad.

While students are typically central in deciding which college to��attend, many 91���� students have included their parents and families in��their decision-making process. It is also not uncommon for 91���� parents to engage in the life of the university. I have been blessed by relationships with many��of those��91���� parents and grandparents over the years.��In getting to know them, I find��that as they��send their young adults to 91���� as undergraduate��students,��they do so with hope and trust.��They hope their children will be safe,��and��they��trust that as university leaders, we will do everything within our power to keep��them��safe. They hope their young people will be equipped to meet the demands of their vocations in an increasingly competitive 21st-century economy, and they trust that 91���� will provide an academically challenging educational experience intentionally grounded in God’s Word��and centered on the Gospel��of Jesus Christ.

As families send their��young people��to��91����, they hope and trust that we will be more courageous than we have ever been, refusing to cower or compromise��in the face of the��enemy’s��attacks. That instead, we will stand��boldly��and courageously, proclaiming the truth of God’s incomprehensible��love for us,��telling everyone who will listen that��hope��and��the��redemption��of man��can come��only through faith in Jesus Christ, and equipping our students for faithful Christian leadership and service.��Families are��hoping��91���� will deliver on our��promises,��and they��are��trusting��that we will��be true to our word.��We will not let them down.

The new members were inducted during a banquet and ceremony on April 28, 2026 at 91����.�� Licensed psychologist & counselor as well as current Vice-President of Student Life at 91����, Bill Burrichter, gave the keynote address. Limat Haile received the “Outstanding Senior Psychology Student Award” while Blake Restivo received the “Outstanding Senior Criminal Justice Student Award.” In addition, Clancey Cockle received a Letter of Commendation from the Department of Psychology and Criminal Justice for her excellence in academics, leadership, and personal growth.

The following seniors graduated on May 8, 2026 as members of the Psi Chi Honor Society: Rachel Bedell, Tasha Bernard, Clancey Cockle, Arija Grant, Limat Haile, Chelsea Hammond, Anna Lloyd, Emily Mahoney, Aivery Shuck, Kareena Ulfig, and Jesse Voltz.

Psi Chi is the world’s largest student psychological organization, with more than 750,000 members around the globe. It is part of the of the��and is an affiliate of the and the��. Psi Chi seeks to recognize and promote excellence in the science and application of psychology. Undergraduate students who have declared a major or minor in psychology are invited to join Psi Chi when they have completed 36 total college credit hours with a cumulative GPA in the top 35 percent of their class and completed at least nine hours of psychology courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Since its founding in 1929, Psi Chi has grown into one of the largest and most successful honor societies in the world, boasting more than 1,250 chapters. Many members have gone on to distinguished careers in psychology, and are now renowned research authors, professors, and practitioners. At 91����, the Psi Chi club (comprised of elected student leaders that belong to the honor society) hosts events to raise awareness among the general student body surrounding issues of mental health, psychology, and related topics.

The creation of Sastic Courtyard marks a milestone in the ongoing 15-month renovation of Gillette Hall, 91����’s largest residence hall.

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 91���� alumni Drs. Jonathan ’75 and Lois (Morgan ’75) Sastic, who contributed $1 million to ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’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 91���� 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 91���� Class of 2026. Outdoor seating and picnic tables with umbrellas overlook a portion of the Crystal Rork Arboretum and celebrate ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’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 ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’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 91���� 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 91���� 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.

91���� announced��the institution’s��overall��endowment��has reached $103.775 million.��The��endowment has grown rapidly in recent years, surpassing $70 million in 2020 with the successful completion of��IMPACT: The Campaign for Greater 91����, $80 million��in 2024��and $90 million just eleven months ago.

91���� celebrated the Class of 2026 at Saturday’s commencement ceremony.��

The newest 91���� 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 91����, 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 91���� 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.

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 ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’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 91���� 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 91���� 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 “91���� 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 91���� 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 ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’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 91����, confersupon Dr. Robert Danner the degree, Doctor of Letters, honoris causa.

During the 2026 Commencement Ceremony, we celebrate a pillar of the 91���� 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 ��dzܲ���ٴDz�’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 “91���� Down Under” program in Australia or representing 91���� 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 91���� 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 91���� 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. 91���� 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. 91���� 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.

91���� 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 91����, it is his distinct honor to confer upon David Cram the degree, Doctor of Letters, honoris causa.��