The following individuals will be acknowledged with the Distinguished Alumnus Awards during a special Alumni Banquet on Friday, October 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the Reed Room, Lindner Tower, 1151 N. State St., Elgin.

2026 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

The Distinguished Alumni Award is given to recognize alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their profession and community as they model excellence in their vocation.��������’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients include: Chris Britton ’04 / ‘19, Dr. Nathan “Nate” Perron ‘99, and Luke Jaw Ring ’02. ��

CHRIS BRITTON ’04 / ’19

Chris Britton is a creative educator and spoken word artist with more than twenty years of dedicated experience in urban youth ministry. A double alumnus of ������, Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Youth Ministry & Adolescent Studies (2004) and a Master of Leadership in Ministry (2019). His passion for empowering young people led him to found M.A.D. Skills, an innovative creative arts program that has helped countless individuals discover and express their unique voices. For the past seven years, Chris has served as the Digital Media & Creative Expressions Instructor at Thurgood Marshall Alternative School in Rock Island, Illinois. In this role, he develops story-centered curriculum designed to empower students to own and share their personal narratives. His work sits at the intersection of art and mentorship, fostering an environment where students feel seen and heard. Chris’s commitment to his community is matched only by his devotion to his family. He resides in Rock Island with his wife, Trisha, and their three daughters, continuing to use his creative gifts to inspire the next generation of leaders and storytellers.

DR. NATHAN “NATE” PERRON ’99

Dr. Nathan “Nate” Perron is a distinguished counselor educator and clinician whose career is defined by a deep commitment to healing, scholarship, and global service. After graduating from ������ in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Youth Ministry & Adolescent Studies, Nate earned a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, eventually completing his Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision in 2015. Currently, he serves as the Director of Affiliate Faculty & Instruction at Northwestern University, where he has taught since 2015.

Nate’s influence extends far beyond the classroom; he is a recognized leader in international counseling, contributing to research in first responder wellness and trauma recovery. His leadership roles include serving as Vice President of Operations for the International Association for Counseling and collaborating with global organizations such as the World Health Organization and UNESCO. Despite these significant professional achievements, Nate’s faith and family remain the center of his world. Driven by a devotion to Christ, he seeks to make a meaningful difference in every community he serves. Nate lives in southern Wisconsin with his family, where he is a proud father of five and a grandfather of one.

LUKE JAW RING ’02

Luke Jaw Ring is a finance professional and community advocate whose life and career are a testament to the values of servant leadership. Following his graduation from ������ in 2002 with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Business Management & Business Administration, Luke earned a Master of Science degree in Finance from Florida International University. He spent sixteen years as a dedicated professional with Bank of America before transitioning to his current role as an independent contractor, a move that has allowed him the flexibility to prioritize his family and his service to others.

A pillar of the Burmese immigrant community in South Florida, Luke and his wife, Tsin Pan, are deeply involved in the First Burmese Christian Church. Luke views his professional skills as a tool for ministry, helping first-generation immigrants navigate their new lives with a “humble spirit”—a trait he credits to his time at ������. For Luke, the journey to fatherhood was one of unwavering faith, and he cherishes his role as a father to his two daughters, Faith and Sut Ngai. He remains grateful for the foundation laid by the ������ Business Department, which continues to shape his life as he serves his community with grace and integrity.

������ looks forward to recognizing all the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, as well as the 2026 Alumnus of the Year and the 2026 Family Legacy Award recipients at the Alumni Banquet & Awards ceremony part of on Friday, October 9 at 6:30 p.m.

Register now:

������ is a fully accredited, private Christian institution representing the Church at work in higher education. Nestled along the beautiful Fox River in Elgin, Ill., just 40 miles northwest of Chicago, ������ is home to more than 1,000 students from 42 states and 29 countries. ������ offers degrees in more than 65 different majors and minors for traditional, graduate and adult students and ranks consistently among the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. ������ has also been recognized as a “Christian College of Distinction.” With an academically challenging environment and encouraging spiritual community, ������ shapes lives that shape the world.

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[ELGIN, IL — July 10, 2026]�������� is proud to announce the��Tom and Bonnie Bienert Family, as its 2026 Family Legacy Award recipient.��The��Family Legacy Award��is a unique distinction presented to families in recognition of alumni, Trustees, faculty and staff for their dedication and service to ������ over several generations.��This year’s award will be presented during ������’s��, taking place October 9–10, 2026.

The Bienert family represents a remarkable ������ legacy of faithful service, leadership, and commitment across multiple generations. 

Bonnie Bienert has served ������ for more than two decades, beginning as Director of Alumni Relations in 2002. She later served as Assistant to the President and now continues her leadership as Executive Assistant to the President. In addition to her administrative roles, Bonnie has invested in student life as a Cheer and Dance Coach and co-leader of the annual Belize Global Outreach Trip, helping shape and encourage generations of ������ students. Tom Bienert has faithfully served the ������ community as Global Outreach Coordinator, Adjunct Faculty member, and Assistant Cheer and Dance Coach for over five years. His work reflects the family’s heart for service, spiritual formation, and student development, especially through global outreach and mentorship.

Tom and Bonnie Bienert’s children have continued this strong family connection to ������ by pursuing their education and serving the campus in various capacities. Christie (Bienert) Follett graduated in 2003 and has served as the head Cheer and Dance Coach at ������ since 2023. Kellie (Bienert) Bartleygraduated in 2006 and participated in ������ women’s soccer, Reach Out teams, and residence life as a Resident Assistant. Today, Kellie serves ������ as an Adjunct Faculty member and as Student Success Coordinator. Corey Bienert graduated in 2010 and participated in ������’s Reach Out Teams while on campus. Cobey Bienert attended ������ from 2008 to 2011 and also served with the Reach Out Teams. Carey Bienert graduated in 2014 and participated in men’s soccer, lacrosse, and residence life as a Resident Assistant. After graduation, Carey served as Global Outreach Coordinator until 2015. Kaylie Bienert graduated from ������ in 2016, further extending the family’s legacy.

The Bienert family’s ������ story also includes the spouses of Tom and Bonnie’s children. Ronnie Follett (Christie) graduated from ������ in 2001 and later served as Wilson Hall Resident Director from 2010-2014. Nate Bartley (Kellie) graduated in 2006. Margaret Ingraham Bienert (Corey) attended ������ from 2009 to 2012, and Sivy Jarot Bienert (Carey) graduated in 2015. Together, they broaden the family’s meaningful connection and impact on ������.

Now, a new generation is beginning to carry forward the Bienert legacy. Grandson Landon Follettattended ������ as a Prep student this past year and will begin as a traditional ������ student this Fall 2026.

Across decades and generations, the Bienert family has demonstrated a deep and lasting commitment to ������. Their legacy is seen not only in years of service and degrees earned, but through their deep and enduring faith in Christ and the countless ways they share his love and have invested in students, strengthened campus life, supported global engagement, and embodied ������’s mission. The Tom and Bonnie Bienert family is a beautiful example of a family whose story is woven into the heart of ������.

������ ������������ is a fully accredited, private Christian institution representing the Church at work in higher education. Nestled along the beautiful Fox River in Elgin, Ill., just 40 miles northwest of Chicago, ������ is home to more than 1,280 students from 37 states and 20 countries. ������ offers degrees in more than 65 different majors and minors for traditional, graduate and adult students and ranks consistently among the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. ������ has also been recognized as a “Christian College of Distinction.” With an academically challenging environment and encouraging spiritual community, ������ shapes lives that shape the world

������ Steve Eubanks
Steve Eubanks is a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning journalist, and editor. He has written or co-authored books with Arnold Palmer, Jeff Gordon, Lou Holtz, Ty Murray, Paul Azinger, and others. He is the managing editor for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), and his work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Golf Digest, USA Today, CBSSports.com,��, and many more. He lives in Peachtree City, Georgia, with his wife and family, and serves as a trustee of ������.

������ ������
������ is a Christ-centered liberal arts institution located on the banks of the Fox River in Elgin, Illinois, just 40 miles northwest of Chicago. Founded in 1963, ������ is an evangelical, American Baptist-affiliated university offering more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs across the arts, sciences, and professions. one of the few NAAB-accredited architecture programs at an evangelical Christian university in the nation. Along with architecture, the university offers programs such as interior design, nursing, business, Christian leadership, and the performing arts. For more information, visit��.

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Media Contact: Cassidy Loeppky
Director of Marketing and Communications, ������
cassidy.loeppky@judsonu.edu

The ������ Student Organization (JSO) will kick off the Homecoming festivities by inviting current students to participate in ������’s Homecoming Spirit Week starting the Monday prior to Homecoming weekend and will host the Student Homecoming Dance on Friday evening. 

There are several other exciting events for Alumni and Families to look forward to! Highlights include celebrating our Alumni & Families on Friday beginning with Alumni & Family Chapel, Lunch in the Cafeteria, the RISE Alumni Panel, several Alumni & Family open houses, the President’s State of the University address, our Alumni anniversary year gatherings, and ending with the Alumni Banquet & Awards Ceremony in the evening. Alumni from the following class years will have their class year anniversary recognized at various events: 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021. 

Saturday kicks off with the ������ 5K & Fun Run, ������’s Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet, alumni and student athletic games, a resident life activity, the RISE Picnic, the JU Community Tailgate and more! The weekend will conclude with ������’s first-ever on-campus Homecoming Football game at Dawson Field at 1:00 pm that afternoon.����

������’s Homecoming & Family Weekend 2026 is bound to be a weekend of fun and excitement! Register now and check out the complete schedule at .

������ is a fully accredited, private Christian institution representing the Church at work in higher education. Nestled along the beautiful Fox River in Elgin, Ill., just 40 miles northwest of Chicago, ������ is home to more than 1,280 students from 37 states and 20 countries. ������ offers degrees in more than 65 different majors and minors for traditional, graduate and adult students and ranks consistently among the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. ������ has also been recognized as a “Christian College of Distinction.” With an academically challenging environment and encouraging spiritual community, ������ shapes lives that shape the world.

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A native of Urbana, Ohio, Willie Nolte has modeled a lifetime of servant leadership and community impact across more than four decades of ministry and organizational development. After graduating from ������ in 1978 with a Bachelor’s degree in Christian religion & philosophy, Nolte pursued advanced theological training, earning a Master’s degree in Old Testament Studies from Trinity Divinity School (Deerfield, Illinois), a Master of Divinity from American Baptist Seminary of the West (Berkeley, California), and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Western Seminary (Portland, Oregon).

Nolte served in pastoral ministry for 30 years in the San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Cruz, and Fresno, California, where he focused on cooperative ministries and strategic church–community partnerships. He also served 12 years as Mission Lead & CEO of Transformation Ministries, where he led a national network of leaders and churches emphasizing leadership development, church health, and church planting. Throughout his career, he has been actively involved in and led multiple community development organizations.

Though retired from full-time ministry as of 2023, Nolte continues to invest in leaders and congregations. He serves actively at his local church in Anaheim, California, and coaches and consults with pastors and congregations across the greater Southern California region.

Nolte met his wife, Joy (McBain) Nolte ’80, while attending ������; they married in 1979. Joy has faithfully served alongside Willie in every congregation they have led and has continued her own calling in music performance within churches and local musical theater. Her professional career has included roles as a choral director, music educator, and worship ministry leader. The Noltes are parents to four children and grandparents to five.

The Alumnus of the Year award recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to the Church and to society and those whose life and work exemplify ������’s mission through significant professional achievement, leadership, service, and Christian witness. Willie Nolte’s decades of pastoral leadership, organizational vision, and enduring commitment to church–community collaboration represent these ideals in action.

������ ������

������ is a fully accredited, private Christian institution representing the Church at work in higher education. Nestled along the beautiful Fox River in Elgin, Ill., just 40 miles northwest of Chicago, ������ is home to more than 1,280 students from 37 states and 20 countries. ������ offers degrees in more than 65 different majors and minors for traditional, graduate and adult students and ranks consistently among the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. ������ has also been recognized as a “Christian College of Distinction.” With an academically challenging environment and encouraging spiritual community, ������ shapes lives that shape the world.

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From recreational leagues to travel ball, high school, American Legion, and eventually Hoffer Field at ������, Gunnar has been chasing the game his whole life.

Not many players get the opportunity to play collegiate baseball after high school. Gunnar is grateful he did. A Larkin High School kid from Elgin, Gunnar was the kind of player coaches notice. In 2018, Tom Atamian didn’t have to go far. Hoffer Field serves as Harvest Christian Academy’s home field, so when Larkin came to face HCA, the game was played right here on ������’s campus. Atamian watched, took note, and the rest is history.

“At ������, my game developed tremendously and helped me become the player I am today,” Gunnar said. “Not only did ������ have an impact on my baseball career, but also my relationship with God. I played beside players and walked the campus alongside students and professors that helped me grow my faith.”

That faith piece is central to how Gunnar sees his journey, and the doors that have opened since graduation aren’t lost on him.

That newest chapter? Gunnar has joined the Chicago Snowballs, a co-ed sportstainment baseball organization founded in 2025 with a simple mission: baseball should be for everyone, and it should be the most fun you’ve ever had at a stadium. Drawing inspiration from the Bananaball model that’s become a worldwide sensation, the Snowballs blend live baseball with music, comedy, and audience participation. For this league, it’s as much about the show as the sport. Think choreographed routines (their take on the Cha Cha Slide is already one of Gunnar’s favorites), entertainment breaks between innings, and fan giveaways every game. This season, the teams will travel across Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana, bringing a new kind of baseball experience to the Midwest.

Gunnar’s path to the Snowballs almost didn’t happen. Tryouts had already begun when a friend tipped him off and encouraged him to send in an audition video. He sent it in on day two, well behind most of the other hopefuls, but he made sure it was memorable with a nonchalant backflip catch and him sharing the reasons why he belonged on the team. That night he got the call to come in for tryouts the next day. A few days later, owner Cherie Travis called with the news: he’d made the team.

At the time, the organization was still taking shape. What exists now as two distinct teams, the Chicago Snowballs and the Rocket Squirrels, started as one group practicing together.

Once the league structure came together, the organization held a draft to divide players between the two rosters. Gunnar landed with the Rocket Squirrels. He’s not the only ������ Eagle on the field either, but that’s a story for another day. Both teams have made Hoffer Field one of their practice stops, and ������ is glad to have them.

Gunnar is carrying a full load these days. He’s working at ������ coordinating special events, suiting up for the Squirrels, and working toward a second BA in Physical Education with a health minor at NIU (expected graduation: Spring 2028). He’s quick to credit ������ President Dr. Crume and Vice President of Student Success, Ginny Guth for making it possible. Both have been exceptionally understanding and accommodating as Gunnar juggles everything he loves. “It can be a lot,” he said, “but when you have great support and you love what you’re doing, that makes all the difference.”

Gunnar’s story is a good reminder of what kind of place ������ is. That kind of support is woven into the fabric of who we are. ������ is a community that invests in its people for the long haul, not just the four years.

His advice for current ������ student-athletes wondering what comes after their playing days? Be proactive. Stay in shape. Put yourself out there. You never know what opportunities might present themselves. Gunnar’s backflip is proof of that.

Want to see Gunnar, the Rocket Squirrels, and the Snowballs in action? The teams hit the road this season across Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. Check out and follow along on social media at for the full schedule and ticket information.

“To play for the city I love and represent Chicago is a dream come true,” he said. “I’m excited to put on a show for everyone.”

STEVEN W. BRALLIER is a both a collector and teller of stories, a quality he likely developed in his childhood on the western highlands of Kenya. The oral traditions of Luhya storytellers together with the panoply of everyday experience delighted him and his brother and sisters. In 1962, Steve and his family left Kenya and returned, permanently, to the United States. A nationally competitive runner, Steve’s athletic abilities and academic accomplishments resulted in a full scholarship to Cornell University.

 After graduating from Cornell in 1975, Steve worked for two years as Director of Public Information at Anderson University. When an opportunity came to become a concert promoter, he became the founding manager of Spring House Productions in Alexandria, Indiana, and, later, for Brallier Productions in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1987, Steve became an agent for the William Morris Agency, Nashville, a position he held for twelve years.  In his roles as promoter and agent, Steve worked with various artists including Bill Gaither, Sandi Patty, Amy Grant, Michael W Smith, and Rich Mullins. After leaving William Morris, he, for several years, worked as an independent contractor in several roles within the entertainment industry. 

Steve retired in 2012 and has devoted himself to writing, golf, and caring for his mountain cabin in Sewanee, Tennessee.  He was nearing the end of his first novel when, in late 2016, he was asked, by Adrienne and Mitka Kalinski, to write Mitka’s story.  Steve interviewed Mitka, Adrienne, their family, and friends over the span of some fifty days and accumulated more than 120 hours of audio—and some instances—video records. He and his co-authors also studied several thousand documents, photographs, and video—mostly primary sources—that bear witness to the veracity and power of Mitka Kalinski’s story. Published in July 2021, by Eerdmans Publishing Company, Mitka’s Secret has been well received in both academic and general reading circles.  Hailed as “masterfully written, ““well researched,” “rich in content” and “full of hope,” Mitka Kalinski’s story is one of the only chronicles of the experience of a child slave in a Nazi household. It was Steve’s great honor to bring Mitka’s story to life and continues to be his honor to share Mitka with the world.

Before LYNN G. BECK was a writer, she was a reader—a voracious reader who would spend early summers with Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys, middle years with Agatha Christie and Laura Ingalls Wilder, and teen years and beyond with virtually any work—fiction or non- that captured her fancy. It was likely this love of reading that led Lynn to choose English as her college major and that same desire and her commitment to teaching led to her pursuit of an M.A. in English from the University of Mississippi. Ironically, in the land of Faulkner and southern culture, she concentrated her graduate work on British literature and concluded her program in 1976 with a thesis on T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets.

For the next three years, she indulged her love of all things English through teaching British literature to high school seniors. The sudden and unexpected death of her husband eventually led to a career shift as she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to study nursing at Belmont University. Between 1982 and 1985, she worked at various nursing jobs but eventually returned to teaching. In 1988, Lynn entered a PhD program at Vanderbilt University. She and her mentor completed one book while she was enrolled there. Lynn’s dissertation, Reclaiming Educational Administration as a Caring Profession, won the American Educational Research Association’s Division A “Dissertation of the Year” award in 1992 and was published, with few changes, as a book by the same name by Teachers College Press.

Lynn’s has held academic appointments at UCLA, the University of Alabama, Pacific Lutheran University, and the University of the Pacific.  She was awarded tenure early in her time at UCLA and moved rapidly through the ranks with an appointment of full professor with tenure in 1997.  At PLU and University of the Pacific, she also served as academic dean in their respective Schools of Education. She is the author or co-author of nine books and of numerous chapters, articles, reports, and grant proposals.

Lynn retired in 2017 and devoted her time to consulting and to work on Mitka’s Secret. In addition to contributing to the writing effort, Lynn took a leading role in researching the historical context of the story and in curating a voluminous collection of material including video records, photographs, correspondence, reflections of friends and family, and primary source material.

During the Prayer Breakfast, ������ is pleased to recognize one service leader from the community and one high-school student for their contributions to greater Elgin philanthropic organizations, church communities, and municipalities. The youth award recipient will also receive an annual $3,000 scholarship to attend ������ for their volunteer service. 

The 2026 D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award recipient is KELLYN VANDEWALKER of Woodstock, IL. Kellyn VandeWalker is the founder and president of Macyn’s Jars, a donor-funded nonprofit that brings a “silver lining” to children and special-needs adults experiencing medical or emergency crises. Inspired by her own journey of recovery after a traumatic dog attack in 2021, Kellyn transformed community generosity into sustained action. Macyn’s Jars provides plastic “Mason-style” jars filled with safe, fidget-style toys to offer comfort and distraction during moments of fear and uncertainty. To date, the organization has donated more than 69,000 jars to 27 hospital emergency departments, 16 fire stations, 24 police stations, 7 specialty offices, and 89 facilities overall.

The 2026 Bea Wilson Youth Volunteer Award Recipient is DARLA CHAVEZ of Batavia, IL. Darla Chavez is a senior at Batavia High School and a servant-leader whose academic excellence and creative gifts fuel meaningful community impact. For six years, she has volunteered with Chapelstreet Church—supporting Sunday School, Weeknight Youth Group, VBS, and special events—where she leads small groups, mentors younger students, and often teaches. At school and across Batavia, Darla uses art as a vehicle for care and connection, from creating musical theater props and a mural for the high school nurse’s office to organizing art supply drives benefiting the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry.

An active member of the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and Spanish National Honor Society, Darla contributes to numerous service projects and earned recognition from NAHS for the second-highest service hours in 2024–2025. Her service extends globally through four mission trips: the Twin Cities (homeless outreach, VBS, community gardens), Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (VBS, outreach, facility improvements), and Calicali, Ecuador (VBS, water infrastructure work). Maintaining a 4.0+ GPA, she also serves as captain of the Batavia High School Color Guard, setting team culture, mentoring peers, and mediating conflicts. Grounded in her Christian faith, Darla leads with empathy, wisdom, and purpose.

Kellyn leads a board composed of her sisters and coordinates volunteer “packing parties” with local schools, scout troops, employers, and community groups to assemble and deliver the jars. Each jar includes a card recognizing the individual or business sponsor, reinforcing a sense of connection and care. In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Kellyn is a Certified Nursing Assistant working in the ICU at McHenry Hospital, where she continues to serve patients and families in crisis. She is the proud mother of two children, Macyn and Lincoln, and remains committed to ensuring that everyone who twists open a Macyn’s Jar knows they are part of a community that cares.

Table sponsorships and  are now available. General admission tickets are $30. Table sponsorships are $500 for businesses and non-profits and $300 for Church Table sponsorships with each receiving a table of eight guests. This community event offers networking opportunities for community leaders and supporters of Christian higher education. Tickets and table sponsorships can be purchased online at .

������ is a fully accredited, private Christian institution representing the Church at work in higher education. Nestled along the beautiful Fox River in Elgin, Ill., just 40 miles northwest of Chicago, ������ is home to more than 1,200 students from 37 states and 20 countries. ������ offers degrees in more than 65 different majors and minors for traditional, graduate and adult students and ranks consistently among the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. ������ has also been recognized as a “Christian College of Distinction.” With an academically challenging environment and encouraging spiritual community, ������ shapes lives that shape the world.

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ELGIN, IL — ������ will host 16-year-old Polish pianist Filip Kauch, one of the most promising young musicians of his generation, for a special guest artist residency in April.

On Sunday, April 26 at 2:00 p.m., Kauch will perform Frédéric Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor with the ������ Civic Orchestra in Herrick Chapel on the university’s campus, located at 1151 N. State Street in Elgin. The performance highlights a unique cultural exchange and offers audiences an opportunity to experience Polish classical music performed by an emerging international artist.

Kauch, who was born in 2009 in Kościan, Poland, began studying piano at the age of eight. He is currently a student at the Jadwiga Kaliszewska Secondary School of Music in Poznań and has already received more than 40 awards in national and international piano competitions.

In addition to his orchestral performance, Kauch will present a solo recital on Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. at Church of the Cross Presbyterian Church, 475 W. Higgins Road in Hoffman Estates. The recital program will include works by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Paderewski, de Falla, and Debussy.

Tickets for the April 26 concert are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and free for students and children. Tickets will be available at the door (cash only). Admission to the April 28 recital is free, with a freewill offering accepted.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Robert Kania, Music Department, Chair, ������
rkania@judsonu.edu

Elgin, IL — During the 16^th Kappa Delta Pi Induction Ceremony on March 26, 2026, ������’s Alpha Epsilon Pi Chapter celebrated the academic excellence, professional commitment, and exemplary dispositions of six newly inducted members.

The following ������ students were formally inducted into the honor society:

• Faith Romberger
• Daniela Hernandez-Mora
• Kyla Cary
• Allison Arwood
• Hailey Jones
• Victor Rodriguez

Because Kappa Delta Pi is highly selective, achieving membership is an outstanding accomplishment. To qualify, inductees must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.2, have completed significant coursework in their academic major, and consistently demonstrate stellar professional dispositions. In addition to their commitment to excellence in education, each of these students have also demonstrated a commitment to integrity and leadership.

Founded in 1911, Kappa Delta Pi is dedicated to fostering leadership and scholarship in education while promoting equity, ethics, and research-informed teaching practices. ������’s Alpha Epsilon Pi Chapter, whose co-counselors are Professor Stombres and Dr. Towner, continues this legacy by recognizing future educators who exemplify academic achievement and a passion for learning and service. 

The induction ceremony served as both a recognition of accomplishment and an encouragement for these newly inducted members to continue advancing the profession of education through scholarship, reflection, and service.

������’s Education Program congratulates these accomplished students and looks forward to their continued contributions to the field of education and the broader learning community.

������ ������

������ is a fully accredited, private Christian institution offering a liberal arts and professional education. Located in Elgin, Illinois, ������ is home to over 1,200 students from around the world. The University shapes lives that shape the world by equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to pursue God’s calling in their lives.

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As part of the evening, the World Leaders Forum will be honored to present Mr. Dodik with the inaugural Leadership and Standing Up for Democracy Award, recognizing his commitment to national sovereignty, democratic principles, and the courage required to lead amid complex political and global challenges. The award was established to honor leaders who demonstrate resolve, conviction, and a willingness to stand firmly in defense of democratic values.

Having served as the 8th President of Republika Srpska from 2022 to 2025, and previously from 2010 to 2018, as well as the 7th Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2018 to 2022, Dodik has played a significant role in Balkan politics for more than a decade. His leadership and experience navigating the challenges of governance, sovereignty, and international relations continue to shape political conversations across the region and beyond.

The event will feature a keynote address by Mr. Dodik, followed by a question-and-answer session in which attendees will have the opportunity to hear his perspective on leadership, democracy, and the current global political landscape.

“The 2026 World Leaders Forum featuring Mr. Dodik offers students and community members a rare opportunity to hear firsthand about the complexities of Balkan and international politics,” said ������ President Dr. Gene Crume. “This event provides an important platform for attendees to gain insight into leadership, governance, and the challenges modern nations face as they work to build strong economies, stable systems of government, and enduring democratic institutions.”

Tickets for the event start at $75 and are available now, along with sponsorship opportunities. For more information about the 2026 World Leaders Forum, “Standing Up For Democracy,” and to purchase tickets, please visit ������ – WLF. 

The World Leaders Forum brings influential leaders and global voices to campus to share their experiences and perspectives with students and the community. The event highlights individuals who have shaped public policy, international relations, entrepreneurship, and humanitarian efforts around the world.

������ ������
������, located in Elgin, Illinois, is a Christian liberal arts university offering a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and adult professional programs. The University is dedicated to equipping students to become leaders in their chosen fields through rigorous academics, real-world experience, and a strong emphasis on Christian values.

������ the World Leaders Forum
The World Leaders Forum exists to educate and invest in tomorrow’s leaders by inspiring change and creating a legacy through distinguished global voices brought to the ������ community. The Forum gives students and guests the opportunity to engage with leaders whose experiences shape conversations about leadership, international relations, and public service.

Over the years, the World Leaders Forum has recognized and hosted an extraordinary group of global leaders whose lives and service have shaped history, including former President George W. Bush, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of Mexico Felipe Calderón, Condoleezza Rice, Queen Noor of Jordan, Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, General David Petraeus, and other distinguished statesmen and international figures.

Proceeds from World Leaders Forum events support two unique programs at ������: the Roeser Scholars program, focused on leadership development, and the RISE program, which provides students with intellectual disabilities the college experience. The World Leaders Forum also supports other nonprofit, entrepreneurial, and innovative initiatives that benefit students, the community, and strategic partners.