During Founders’ Day, ������ will also honor Nancy Anderson, with the Golden Eagle Award at a special invitation only luncheon. The Golden Eagle Award is given to an individual who has exhibited outstanding service and dedication to ������ and the community, and the award is ������’s highest service honor. Join us in congratulating Nancy Anderson for her commitment to ������!

The event will conclude that afternoon with the naming and dedication of several campus buildings in honor of key founders who have shaped ������ through their leadership.

• Jerry & Linda Cain University Center
• Jim & Joan Didier Math & Science Building
• Arlie Weber Memorial Hallway (Lower Chapel)
• Special recognition of Harm Weber’s 100th birthday!

Guests can register for 2026 Founders’ Day events online:   

2026 Featured Speaker: Dr. Alexander E. Stewart

Alexander E. Stewart serves as Vice President of Academic Services, Academic Dean, and Professor of New Testament Studies at Gateway Seminary in Ontario, California. A respected scholar and educator, he has authored or edited nine books, including Reading the Book of Revelation: Five Principles for Interpretation and Revelation in the B&H Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament series. His academic work focuses especially on New Testament interpretation and the book of Revelation, equipping students, pastors, and scholars to engage Scripture with clarity and faithfulness.

2026 Golden Eagle Award Recipient: Nancy Anderson 

Nancy Anderson has been a devoted friend of ������, and her family’s connection to the university now spans three generations. Her legacy of commitment is reflected not only in her faithful support, but also in the lives of her family members who have been shaped by and have served the ������ community. Nancy is the proud parent of three ������ alumni, each of whom has also taught at the university, and the delighted grandparent of four ������ alumni and one current faculty member. Over the years, Nancy has demonstrated a deep belief in ������’s mission and in the transformative power of Christian higher education. As a generous scholarship donor, she has helped open doors for students to pursue their education, grow in faith, and prepare for lives of purpose and service. Her commitment to ������’s future is further reflected through her membership in the Adoniram ������ Heritage Society, ensuring that her support will continue to bless generations to come. Nancy is also a dedicated leader among the Friends of ������, where she gives generously of her time, energy, and talents to raise scholarship support for students and treats them to her delicious brownies through the Hugs from Home program. Known for her warmth and encouragement, Nancy embodies hospitality, generosity, and faithful service. Her enduring love for ������ has made her a treasured and deeply appreciated member of the ������ community.

������ 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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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ELGIN, Ill. —��[September 14, 2026]��— ������ today announced the appointment of Philip Bess as Chair of its Department of Architecture. Bess, Professor Emeritus of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame, is one of the nation’s most respected scholars of the intersection of biblical faith and classical humanist traditions of architecture and urban design. He will lead ������’s Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies and its professionally accredited Master of Architecture program.

The appointment marks a defining moment for ������’s architecture program in its ongoing development of an institutional vision centered on Christ in architecture: the conviction that the design of beautiful and durable buildings and human settlements is a form of vocation rooted in both the created order and biblical faith, aimed at human flourishing both individual and communal, in dimensions both temporal and eternal.

Few figures in American architectural education embody that conviction more fully. At Notre Dame, where he taught graduate urban design and theory beginning in 2004 and served as the School of Architecture’s Director of Graduate Studies from 2004 to 2014, Bess built one of the most influential graduate urban design programs in the country. Under his direction, Notre Dame’s graduate studios completed award-winning master plans for towns and institutions across the United States, including the multi-year award-winning studio project After Burnham: The Notre Dame Plan of Chicago 2109, which envisions metropolitan Chicago at the bicentennial of Daniel Burnham’s 1909 Plan of Chicago.

Before Notre Dame, Bess served for a decade as professor of architecture and curriculum coordinator at Andrews University, where he was a catalyst for its now nationally known architecture-and-urban-design program. He also taught previously at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of Michigan, Miami University of Ohio, and Calvin College; and in 2013-14 was a William E. Simon Visiting Fellow in Religion and Public Life at Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions.

Bess is the author of numerous essays and three books: City Baseball Magic; Inland Architecture; and Till We Have Built Jerusalem: Architecture, Urbanism, and the Sacred; and is known well beyond the academy. In 1987-88 he directed the Urban Baseball Park Design Project of the Society for American Baseball Research; and in August 2000 he led the successful Save Fenway Park! design charrette in Boston, from which came Fenway’s famous Monster Seats. He holds an undergraduate degree in philosophy from Whittier College, a graduate degree in church history from Harvard University, and a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree from the University of Virginia.

According to ������ President Gene Crume, “������ was seeking a leader whose scholarship and faith are inseparable, and Bess has spent a career demonstrating that beauty, order, and community are not luxuries, but rather specific obligations of an architectural vocation grounded in both human nature and Christian faith.”

������ his new position, Bess says, “In our larger uncertain historical moment, I am honored to be invited to lead ������’s architecture program. Our department is young, but our faculty and alumni are accomplished and have already attained an impressive and measurable record of success. Mindful of the many goods at stake in the work that is done at ������, with God’s help and the help of my colleagues I hope to steer ������ on a good course; mindful too that we will soon be handing that work over to a younger cohort the trajectory of whose lives, like ours, are directed toward God, but whose historical circumstances are uniquely their own.”

������ ������

������ 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.

Media Contact:

Cassidy Loeppky��
Director of Marketing and Communication
Cassidy.loeppky@judsonu.edu��| 847.628.2089

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Elgin, IL – ������ Athletics has announced its newest class of inductees into the ������ Athletics Hall of Fame. The 2026 Hall of Fame Class features three accomplished former Eagles: Jenna (Schiller) Sanford ’13, Johnny Amann ’13, and Brianna (Tennyson) Galloway ’16.

The three newest members will be honored on Saturday, October 10, as part of ������’s annual Homecoming and Friends and Family Weekend. The induction ceremony will celebrate the outstanding athletic accomplishments, leadership and lasting impact each individual made during their time as an Eagle.

Brianna (Tennyson) Galloway ’16 — Softball

Brianna (Tennyson) Galloway becomes a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection following a record-setting career with ������ softball from 2013-16.

Tennyson remains the program’s career record holder in innings pitched (786), wins (73), and strikeouts (705). Her dominance in the circle helped establish her as one of the most accomplished pitchers in ������ softball history.

For her outstanding efforts during the 2015-16 season, Tennyson was named ������’s Female Athlete of the Year for the 2015-2016 season.

Johnny Amann ’13 — Baseball

Johnny Amann starred on the baseball diamond for ������ from 2010-13 and put together one of the most productive offensive careers in program history.
Amann is one of just 14 players in ������ history to record a season batting average above .400. He currently ranks 10th in school history with 216 career hits and holds the program record for runs scored with 213.

In 2010, Amann accomplished another rare feat, hitting three home runs in a single game.
His career accolades include All-Conference honors and NCCAA All-American recognition in 2011, while he was also part of four championship teams during his ������ career.

Jenna (Schiller) Sanford ’13 — Women’s Soccer

Jenna (Schiller) Sanford established herself as one of the premier defensive players in ������ women’s soccer history during her career.
While her name may not frequently appear in the scoring column, Schiller made her impact felt through her defensive excellence. Described as one of the nation’s top one-on-one defenders, Schiller brought a combination of strength, speed and exceptional soccer IQ to the field.
A four-year captain, Schiller also excelled academically and was recognized as a scholar-athlete. Her list of accomplishments includes All-American honors, the 2011 NCCAA Michelle Akers Award for Character, and the 2012-13 Co-Female Athlete of the Year award.

Tennyson, Amann and Sanford each left a significant mark on ������ Athletics through their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to their respective programs.

������ Athletics looks forward to welcoming the three newest members into the Hall of Fame and celebrating their achievements during Homecoming and Friends and Family Weekend on October 10th. 

Congratulations to Jenna, Johnny, and Brianna on their induction into the ������ Athletics Hall of Fame!

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. He recently served as the Director of Affiliate Faculty & Instruction at Northwestern University, where he has taught since 2015, but he just started a position at National Louis University Chicago area campuses as the Program Director of the Counseling Department.

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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