During the 2015 Warner Pacific College Homecoming Weekend (February 12-14), local Alums were honored for their professional and community achievements.
2015 Distinguished Alumni Award, Legacy:
Warner Pacific College is pleased to recognize Jim ‘71 and Terri Teague (Vancouver) for their legacy with the College.
They have been invaluable partners by serving on the Board of Trustees, the President’s Advisory Council, and chairing the selection team to choose Dr. Cook, Warner Pacific College’s seventh, and first female, president.
Both Jim and Terri have a heart for Warner Pacific College and their legacy to the College is shown through their faithful service, generosity, and prayer. You can also find them cheering courtside at most Knights basketball games. Jim and Terri have raised two Warner Pacific College graduates, who also married alumni. Only time will tell if their grandchildren will someday be counted among the proud Warner Pacific student community.
2015 Distinguished Alumna Award, Adult Degree Program:
Warner Pacific’s Adult Degree Program is honored to presents its very first Distinguished Alumni award to Rebecca Black ’94 (Portland), who represents the ADP commitment to excellence in lifelong learning.
Rebecca believes strongly that “Education is the Great Equalizer,” and that access to a great education isn’t available for all youth in our country. This knowledge led Rebecca to found Oregon Outreach, Inc., a non-profit organization that works with gang-identified youth by providing counseling, job training, job placement, and educational assistance. Oregon Outreach began working with youth in Portland who, due to incredible barriers, were leaving school and giving up on a positive future. Rebecca currently serves as the Executive Director for Oregon Outreach, providing educational services to 15 Oregon School districts.
2015 Distinguished Alumni Award, Ministry:
Reverend Nick Van der Veur ’52 (Sequim) was recognized for his faith and dedication to the Christian mission of Warner Pacific College. Since before graduation, Rev. Van der Veur has followed his vision of planting churches. His very first began with $500 of raised funds and four fellow students who shared his passion. They began what is now the Gresham Church of God.
Over the years, Rev. Van der Veur started or assisted Church of God congregations from California to Alberta. Now retired, when asked about his legacy, the Reverend says it is seen in the lives he pastored. He taught people to love each other, and how to love the unloved.
Warner Pacific also presented the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Awards this year. Due to the February 2014 snow storm that happened right as Homecoming weekend began, the College had to postpone these presentations.
2014 Distinguished Alumnus Award for Professional Achievement:
Warner Pacific College is honored to recognize Kerry S. Kuehl, ’81 (Portland), who graduated from Warner Pacific with a degree in health and ministry.
Kerry Kuehl, M.D., Dr.P.H., M.S., and his colleagues at Oregon Health & Science University are transforming lives by improving healthcare outcomes. Through leading-edge research, Dr. Kuehl is demonstrating the powerful impact of lifestyle on health.
Currently, Dr. Kuehl is a Professor of Medicine, Chief of the Division of Health Promotion and Sports Medicine, and Director of the Human Performance Laboratory at OHSU. He is a teacher, researcher, and practicing physician specializing in sports medicine as well as occupational medicine as it relates to improving wellness and safety in the workplace. Dr. Kuehl established himself as a leading researcher for first responders. He is on the national physician panel for police and fire agencies, which sets the standards for the health and safety of these high risk workers.
2014 Distinguished Young Alumna Award:
Warner Pacific College is honored to recognize musician and songwriter, Nicole (Yerden) Wells, ’98 (Sherwood). While studying at Warner Pacific, Nicole taught music to 30 students per week to pay for her education. She graduated from the College in 1998 with a degree in music. Nicole and her husband work in vocational youth ministry, music ministry, senior pastor ministry, and church planting. They currently serve as lay leaders in a ministry focused on recovery. The Sherwood Arts Foundation, Sherwood Soccer, Voices for the Performing Arts, the YMCA, Hopkins Elementary School, and the Robin Hood Festival all benefited from the participation of Wells family members.
In September 2013, Nicole was awarded the grand prize for Best Song from the West Coast Songwriters. Nicole also performs regularly as a soloist and with her sister in The Carlson Wells band.