The Forge Report: Vol 130, July 2011

Volume 130: July 2011

VFCC Explores NCAA Division III Membership

Valley Forge Christian College (VFCC) recently announced its decision to explore membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III. VFCC's membership will put great emphasis on teamwork, discipline, perseverance and leadership. The experience will provide for passionate participation in a competitive athletic environment, where student-athletes push themselves to excellence, build upon their academic success with new challenges and life skills, and are encouraged to pursue the full spectrum of opportunities available during their time in college.

Click here to read the full story »

VFCC Announces New Student Success Center

VFCC is pleased to announce the launch of a new Student Success Center! Under the leadership of Amy Miller, Director, and Steve Stein, Associate Director, the Student Success Center will be conspicuously intentional and bold in its support to help students succeed and ultimately reach their dream and goal of graduation. The center will provide one-on-one interaction with students to help provide a smooth transition from high school to college and help them get acclimated to campus. "We want our new students to have a great first year at the college and to develop new friendships that will last a lifetime," says Miller. Steve Stein

"The center will provide a wonderful opportunity to connect with students, one-on-one, and become aware of their goals and aspirations, as well as their needs and anxieties."

In addition to one-on-one connectivity with all new students, the center will incorporate faculty and staff committee interaction to develop more strategic ways to "live out" the core mission of the college which is taken from Luke 2:52, "And Jesus increased in wisdom, and stature, and favor with God and men." The committees, under the direction of the Student Success Center, will determine plans of action to help students have life-enriching and positive experiences through physical, academic, spiritual and social success.

Stein, shared his excitement for this new center. "The passion of my heart has always been to help young people in whatever ways I could. This new Student Success Center will provide the college the wonderful opportunity to decisively reach out to each new incoming class and let them know we care and we are here to help them succeed. I can't wait to meet the new incoming class of 2011."

Sometimes a student might just need a little "nudge of encouragement" along the way. We believe our new Student Success Center will provide that.

Searching for VFCC Alumni Missionaries

Are you a VFCC Alum? Are you currently serving as a Missionary? If you answered "Yes" to these questions or know someone who can, then we want to hear from you!

We are creating our college display for the 2011 General Council booth that will prominently feature our alumni missionaries and "WE WANT YOU!"

If you are interested in having your photo and biographical information included in this display for thousands to see, please take a few minutes to answer the following questions. Every effort will be made to include as many responses as possible.

Please email responses to Michelle Maloney, Marketing Director, mmmaloney@vfcc.edu by Friday, July 22.

Your full name. If you have a spouse and/or children with you on the mission field, please provide their names as well.
Where are you serving?
How long have you been serving as a missionary?
When did you attend/graduate from VFCC?
What was your major?
Has your VFCC education helped prepare you for work on the mission field? If so, please explain in a short paragraph (255 words max).
Please attach 3-4 digital photographs of yourself/your family (as high resolution as possible).

Thank you for participating in this important initiative. We look forward to meeting some of you in Phoenix.

Blessings!

Michelle M. Maloney, Director of Marketing
Kristie A. Overly, Director of Alumni Services

Intern's Videos Play On Baseball's Big Screens

Since she was 11 years old, VFCC student, Courtney Baldwin, has lived near Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles. But she never imagined that one day, videos that she made would be shown during games at that very park, viewed by tens of thousands of fans. In May 2011, Courtney found herself sitting behind the scenes of one of Major League Baseball's greatest teams, watching as her videos made their debut. Seeking to fulfill her Digital Media Communications internship requirement, Courtney was accepted as an intern for the Baltimore Orioles this past spring.

Click here to read the full story »

Cancer Survivor Leaves Mark On VFCC Golf Team

In June 1997, Phillip Bishop lost part of his leg in a struggle with bone cancer. Fourteen years and one incredible surgery later, this determined freshman stood out on the campus of VFCC. Not only did he successfully complete his first year of college, but he also led his teammates in one of VFCC's first ever golf tournaments.

Click here to read the full story »

Alumni Spotlight: Rich & Jenni DeMartino

Rich '81 and Jenni (Hill) '80 DeMartino graduated from VFCC in the early 1980s with big dreams. Rich had obtained his degree in Missions, and Jenni in Ministerial Studies, and they set out for Manchester, New Hampshire to serve as associate pastors at Manchester First Assembly of God. Later, they taught in a Christian school in Marcy, New York, then moved to Edwards, New York to become the senior pastors at Edwards (now New Beginnings) Assembly of God. After three years at that church, they followed the call of God to Paraguay, South America.

Rich and Jenni spent six years ministering in Paraguay, and then moved to Mexico, where they have been faithfully serving as pastors and church planters for almost 14 years. Currently, the DeMartinos are the senior pastors of Dulce Refugio (Sweet Refuge) Assembly of God in Pitillal, Jalisco, and teach at Nuevas de Gran Gozo (Tidings of Good News) Bible School.

They are blessed every day to be able to do what they love - church planting, preaching, teaching, and evangelism. Their children, Jenyne '05, Joel, and Justin '07, and their two (almost three) grandchildren, reside in Pennsylvania.

To learn more about the DeMartinos and their ministry, visit their webpage.

Practice Makes Perfect...and Pineapples

There was a point in her life when a young Sarah (Ross)'07 Burke, like many children, simply didn't want to take piano lessons anymore. But thanks to a wise and persistent mother, she kept playing, and her love for music grew. In April 2011, this love inspired her to make the biggest decision of her life.

Click here to read the full story »

New VFCC Online Giving Tool

You can now give to VFCC online through a new tool at vfcc.edu/give. We can attest to the wisdom and faithfulness of every person who has invested in VFCC and we thank you sincerely for considering VFCC in your giving plans. Your gift, whatever the size, truly matters and inspires others to give. Your contribution will help VFCC serve students and the world through Christ through education and spiritual formation. Thank you for faithfully lifting up VFCC in prayer. Your support, both spiritual and financial, will ensure that VFCC's light will shine brightly for years to come.

Click here to give now »

Helping Consumers Make Better Food Choices

Did you know the Food Pyramid has changed? It is now a PLATE! MyPlate to be exact. The VFCC Health Center wants to inform you that the Federal Government has released a new food icon, MyPlate so consumers can make better food choices. By focusing on only five food groups, consumers may now find it easier to make healthy, well-balanced food choices to build a plate to their liking compared to the previous MyPyramid image we are all familiar with. MyPlate is an extremely practical visual image that gets the message out to consumers by providing an easy-to-understand message, helping families take charge of their food choices without overwhelming them with information.

Click here to read more about MyPlate »

Music Technology Summer Graduate Courses

VFCC offers a Masters of Music in Music Technology. The degree and its associated coursework cover music production, digital video, multimedia and music notation. The musical and technical skills needed by creative artists and communicators are emphasized. The curriculum includes current technologies and research. Much of the program can be completed through distance learning (the education track can be fully completed online). Worship leaders, practicing performers, composers and educators alike will benefit from this training.

VFCC's facilities include a state-of-the-art digital audio recording studio, SD and HD broadcast studios, a fifteen-station video editing lab, a ten-station audio production suite and a multimedia production room. Students will each be assigned a fully-equipped workstation during the class.

Forge Report Archives are Now Available

Have you missed a previous Forge Report email newsletter? Now you can access our archive by clicking the link below.

Click here to access the Forge Report archive »

VFCC Health Center Summer Reminders

Summer is upon us and the VFCC Health Center wants to leave you with some important safety lifestyle reminders:

Wear sunscreen SPF 15 or higher
Stay out of the sun between 10 am & 2 pm
Don't text or talk on your phone while driving

Have a safe and healthy summer!

Michelle Keating-Sibel
Director of Health Services

Alumni & Friends Reception at General Council

VFCC will be hosting an Alumni & Friends Reception at General Council on Wednesday, August 3, 2011, beginning at 9 pm in the Phoenix Convention Center. The reception is a wonderful time to reconnect with your fellow alumni and enjoy wonderful food and beverages. President Meyer and his wife, Evie, and numerous other college representatives will be there to meet you. We look forward to seeing you and hearing what the Lord has been doing in and through your ministry. Please make plans to join us!

Save the Date for Homecoming 2011

Please mark your calendars now for FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2011, and the entire week of October 17 for special Homecoming speakers, awards and reunions. Call the Alumni Office at 610.917.1414 if you have specific questions or to start planning your class reunion.

Ministry Teams - Chosen & Pneuma Now Booking

VFCC ministry teams, Pneuma and Chosen, are booking now through summer and fall 2011. While schedules are filling rapidly, dates are still available.

These student teams are available to minister in churches, youth groups, retreats, camps, or other special events.

Pneuma and Chosen desire to impact the lives of others for salvation, growth and ministry through the use of contemporary music and testimonies. The teams also share how God is working in them as they prepare for a life of service and leadership in the church and in the world.

Booking requests can be processed by calling Donna Headlee at 610.917.3954 or by visiting the link below.

Click here to book VFCC ministry teams »

Make a Lasting Impact on VFCC

Transform lives, reach your financial goals, and make a lasting impact on Valley Forge Christian College. Planned giving can make it happen. A variety of charitable options allow you to make a significant gift to VFCC and reach future financial goals for you and your family.

Options include: charitable remainder trust, endowment, charitable gift annuity and donor advised fund. VFCC is partnering with Assemblies of God Financial Services to provide professional planned giving services.

For information on how your gift can benefit VFCC, contact:

Dr. Dan Mortensen
Vice President of Finance & Development
610.917.1440
Email

New Admissions Counselor Joins VFCC

VFCC is pleased to announce Javier Robles as the newest member to join the Admissions team. He will be serving as an Admissions Couselor/Hispanic Representative. Javier is originally from the neighboring state of New Jersey, where he grew up and spent most of his life. In 2008, Javier made the decision to come to Valley Forge Christian College where he studied Digital Media and Communications.

In addition to bringing his media and marketing skills to the team he will also be a connecting directly with the Hispanic community. Javier is bilingual and was raised speaking Spanish as a primary language. Javier's parents were both born in Puerto Rico and they have passed that culture and heritage on to him. He is fluent in both English and Spanish and will bring a unique skill set to the admissions team. Javier is excited to become part of the Valley Forge family and is looking forward to what the Lord has in store for him here.

New VFCC Assistant to the Registrar

VFCC welcomes Kristin Lombardi as the Assistant to the Registrar. She graduated from Valley Forge Christian College this spring with a major in Children's Ministry. Kristin volunteers at the Bridge Community Church as the Children's Director. With a passion for children she intends on serving them in whatever capacity she can, wherever she is. She is a avid fan of the New York Yankees. She is very excited to be a part of the VFCC team!

Financial Aid Team Adds New Aid Specialist

VFCC welcomes Sandra Fazzari to the Financial Aid Team as the Financial Aid Specialist. She graduated from Valley Forge Christian College in 2009 with a Bachelors of Arts in Youth Ministry. Originally from New Jersey, she now resides in Phoenixville and attends Victory Church. Sandra is bi-lingual and has a heart for spanish literature. She is looking forward to the opportunity to serve at VFCC!

New Adm. Assist. to VP of Finance & Development

VFCC is pleased to welcome Megan Clemens to VFCC. Megan serves at the administrative assistant to Vice President of Finance and Development. She graduated from Grove City College in 2006 with a degree in Spanish and Communications, and attended the University of Virginia's Hispanic Studies in Spain program during the Spring 2005 semester. Prior work experience includes four years at VirtualGiving, a company that designs fundraising websites for non-profit organizations. Currently, Megan teaches Spanish as a Second Language class at a local library, and tutors students during the school year. She also volunteers with Forgotten Cats, an organization dedicated to reducing the feral cat population through adoption. Megan is married to Will, a 2005 graduate of VFCC.

Leadership Tools by Dr. Don Meyer

Dr. Don Meyer, President of Valley Forge Christian College

Nouwen, Henri. Turn My Mourning Into Dancing. Thomas Nelson: Nashville, 2001.

Henri Nouwen has been one of the most influential writers in my life. Many of his books are a wonderful part of my library. His life was marked by pastoral care, deep love and compassion. The material in "Turn My Mourning Into Dancing" was compiled by Timothy Jones from Nouwen's unpublished materials, including lecture notes and sermon manuscripts.

As much as we long to avoid it, suffering is an inevitable part of life. We think the most important thing is to have our trials stop and the pain ended. This beautiful compilation speaks to the heart of anyone encountering challenges in the walk of faith. We need pain and our past - "Forgetting the past is like turning our most intimate teacher against us" (page 59). Nouwen speaks without trite answers from personal experience in his own life as well as his pastoral ministry.

DATES TO REMEMBER