Student Profiles: 2010 Grads

EUGENE, Ore.  - Northwest Christian University will host their spring commencement ceremonies this coming Saturday, May 8th, with a combined total of 103 students will enter the world from NCU's three distinct student populations.

The traditional undergraduate population will graduate 39 students, while the Professional Studies Program (PSP), the evening degree completion track for working adults, will see a class of 29 students receive their diplomas. Across NCU's graduate programs, 24 people will earn post-baccalaureate degrees.

The following profiles tell the story of some of the graduates in the class of 2010.

A traditional undergrad, Mandy Robertson is an elementary education major from Elmira, Oregon. Mandy was a senior class representative on the Associated Students of Northwest Christian University (ASNCU), and was selected by her peers as the Senior of the Year, an award given each year to honor a graduating student who has shown excellent leadership qualities and has made an impact on the NCU community.

Mandy credits her time at Northwest Christian University for developing her career aspirations, while never losing sight of God's plan in her life. She said, "I learned so much at NCU, in and out of the classroom. I've learned how to interact with all kinds of people and how to work under stress. NCU has given me a lot of opportunity for spiritual growth. Being here has reminded me that I can always go to Jesus; about class, work, friends, family, etc. Above all, I feel very prepared for the teaching profession. I can fit into the education world because of what and how I've been taught, and because of the awesome hands-on experience I have had."

Mandy said that her favorite professors where Barbara Herzberg and Brian Kaelin. "The both made learning fun and they truly care about our education," she said. "I love the way that they brought Jesus into the classroom with prayers and devotionals. I feel comfortable with them and trust them to teach me what I need to know."

This summer, Mandy plans to finish up getting her teaching license, so that she can begin substituting in the fall, while also beginning work on her Masters of Education degree from Northwest Christian.

Derek Burge will be receiving his bachelor's degree in Business Administration-Management after working in the PSP program for the past year and a half. A Eugene native, Burge bounced around after graduating from Marist High School, attending Oregon State University and Lane Community College. Eventually, he received an associates degree from LCC along with his pilot's license.

Burge had been working in the local aeronautic industry for 20 years, working his way up to a service manager position in his company. When another promotion became available, he did not qualify because he didn't have a bachelor's degree.

"I never thought that I would ever complete my bachelor's degree," said Burge. "I had given up on the hope that I would one day go back to school. I feel that God had a plan for my life that included NCU. I have learned that with patience, dedication, and a great supportive team I can accomplish anything."

Burge is grateful that his path made its way to Northwest Christian. He said, "The school's motto of 'Developing Ethical Leaders for a Changing World' is the foundation for what NCU has provided me. The entire staff here has helped to build in me a firm foundation upon which I can build the rest of my professional career. I have been able to polish myself to become a much more analytical and education manager. I see the workplace in a new light and from a different perspective."