Celebration of Faithful Leadership 2014

Monday evening, May 5, friends, alumni, faculty, students, and staff of Gordon gathered at the InterContinental Boston as the 3rd annual Celebration of Faithful Leadership Dinner commenced, honoring Micheal Flaherty, President of Walden Media (The Chronicles of Narnia, The Giver). The evening’s keynote speaker was actress Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond, Moms’ Night Out), who shared her unique experiences in Hollywood, and an exhortation for the Christian community to engage the industry.

THIS YEAR'S SPONSORS

President’s Circle
Evelyn MacDonald
John and Laurie Truschel P ’11
Cathy and Mike Ullman P ’17
Leadership Circle
The Anschutz Foundation
Tim and Michele Breene P ’14
David and Patricia Cameron P ’09
Daintree Advisors LLC
Peter and JoDee Herschend
P ’98, ’99, Herschend Family Entertainment
Jenzabar
John and Jean Kingston
Caleb and Bronwyn ’87 Loring III P ’95
Brad and Pamela Warner

Founders’ Circle
Peter (HON ’12) and Diana Bennett
Lynn and Foster Friess
Gordon ’81 and Gayle ’80 Hall P ’16
Greg and Itsuko Herrema
Carrie ’93 and Michael ’93 Tibbles
Tom and Cathy Rogerson P ’17
Walden Media

Directors’ Circle
Pano and Janet Anthos P ’17
Robert and Nancy Bradley P ’01
John and Nina Davies P ’16
Peter, William and Matthew Flaherty
Mary and Kirk Henry
Michael and Alice Ivy P ’11
Andy and Gail Mills P ’09, ’10
Eric ’93 and Beth ’94 Mollenhauer
Kirk and Linda Ware P ’09
Suzy and David Young

Partners’ Circle
Jud and Jan Carlberg P ’95
James and Cynthia Crookston P ’16
Mark and April DeMoss
Warren and Lois Farrell
Laura Fastie-Grapshi ’81
Marla Frederick
Bryan ’79 and Beverly ’77 Harpine
Bill and Christie Heavener
Greg ’93 and Andrea ’93 Karr
Chris and Deb Kwolek P ’18
Joel Manby
John Manning
Thom and Joani (Hon ’13) Schultz
Brad ’88 and Claudia ’90 Small
P ’18
Michael ’92 and Carolyn ’92 Stevens
Wallace and Florence Wadman

Other Supporters of
the Event
HarperCollins
Thomas and Jacqueline Lupone
Gerry and Rebecca Moore
Seppo (HON ’14) and Judith ’67 Rapo P ’92, ’92
Tom and Lyn Shields
The Stubblebine Family
Marv and Polly ’57 Wilson
Ed and Maura Woods

P: parents of Gordon student or alumnus. The student’s year of graduation follows. Hon: honorary alumnus. HON: recipient of an honorary degree. from Gordon College.

Micheal Flaherty is the president and co-founder of Walden Media. Walden’s mission is to rekindle curiosity and recapture imagination through the development and production of family films and literature. Walden has financed and produced films including The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Prince Caspian; Charlotte’s Web; Bridge to Terabithia; Holes; Because of Winn-Dixie and Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D. Walden has also co-published a number of award-winning books, including Mike Lupica’s "Comeback Kids" series and The New York Times bestseller and Newbery Honor winner Savvy by first-time author Ingrid Law.

Part of Walden’s mission is to create innovative educational programs, lesson plans and events. Hundreds of thousands of students have participated in these events, including an international effort to read Charlotte’s Web aloud, and another to collect toys for Toys for Tots, both of which broke world records. Walden also has hosted an interactive writing workshop with Louis Sachar and a national robotics competition with James Cameron.

Flaherty serves on the board of Rachel’s Challenge, a program created in memory of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine shootings. He is also a member of the Global Advisory Council of Vision360, an organization that supports and founds churches across the country.

Patricia Heaton stars in the ABC comedy, The Middle, as Frankie, a super mom who is trying to balance her family and career in the Midwest. She recently completed production on the independent feature Moms’ Night Out, due for release May 9.

She is also known for her role as Debra Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond. She won two Emmys for the role and was nominated seven times. Heaton also received the Best Comedy Actress award from Viewers for Quality Television, a SAG award and three SAG nominations.

Heaton’s book Motherhood and Hollywood—How to Get A Job Like Mine was on The New York Times best-sellers list.

Heaton and her husband, David Hunt, run FourBoys Films. Productions include The Engagement Ring for TNT, The Christmas Heart for The Hallmark Channel, the documentary feature The Bituminous Coal Queens of Pennsylvania, and the critically acclaimed Amazing Grace, directed by Michael Apted, in conjunction with Bristol Bay Productions for Walden Media.