Join The Adventure: Part 2

ADVENTURE: The Human Brain

“My adventure is to explore the delicate territory of the most complex matter found in the universe.” --Bryan Auday, professor of psychology

Bryan’s research focuses on understanding what brain waves (EEG) can tell us about memory and linguistic processing. His teaching interests are in neuroscience and cognitive psychology and in 2001 he started a neuroscience minor that offers an interdisciplinary study in psychology, biology and kinesiology. Read more about Gordon’s Psychology Department

ADVENTURE: The Environment

“My adventure is aquatic ecology.” --Dorothy Boorse, associate professor of biology

Dorothy's interest in wetland ecology and Christian environmental stewardship recently led her to testify on wildlife protection before Congress. Her studies focus on the delicate ecosystems of vernal pools and salt marshes. Her awe of the intricacies of these systems has made her passionate about the ways science and faith integrate, particularly in environmental ethics. Read more about Gordon’s Biology Department | Dorothy Boorse talks about what inspires her

ADVENTURE: Graphic Design

“My adventure is creating graphics for a blind surfing event.” --Drew Straton, graphic design student

Drew is getting ready for his senior show, creating a collection of products for a group of students from a school for the blind. These brave young people collaborate with local surfers so they can head out into the waves. Drew's project examines dual design strategies to create products, promotional materials and display strategies that offer a meaningful experience to the blind, the visually impaired and the sighted. Learn more about Gordon’s Art Department | Explore current and recent art exhibits at Gordon

ADVENTURE: Global Education

“My adventure is to take a group of students to Croatia and introduce them to a new culture and new ways of thinking about things.” --James Taylor, adjunct professor of philosophy

James’ trip is sponsored by the Global Education office--which prides itself in emphasizing community, personal transformation and extending campus education to other places in the world. James and his wife Petra will teach two classes on the philosophy and literature of the Balkans while Petra gives a personal tour of her home country. Explore Global Education programs at Gordon

ADVENTURE: Varsity Sports

“My adventure is running cross country and track at Gordon.” --Sarah Loy, psychology major, captain of the track team
       
Sarah has served as the captain of both the cross country and track teams at Gordon since her junior year. She’s enjoyed the challenge of a race, of beating her best time and being part of a team. When she’s not running, she volunteers her time in the city of Lynn, journeys to Tijuana, Mexico to work at an orphanage and she is part of a bread group on campus--a small group fellowship that discusses topics, books and faith-related matters. Learn more about Gordon Athletics

ADVENTURE: The Elijah Project
"My adventure is doing the Elijah Project, a program that helps you learn about your interests and your vocation." --Kateryna Tymchenko, pyschology major

Kateryna spent 12 months with the Elijah Project, living in community with a small group of students while exploring the broad questions of vocation and calling from biblical, theological, historic and philosophical perspectives. She participated in two four-credit seminars, a summer internship within her field of study, and communal living that included house meetings, fellowship gatherings, common meals and field trips. Learn more about the Elijah Project

Amy Little '05 | D.V.M.
From the moment I stepped on Gordon's campus I knew it was the place for me. As I looked around the campus God's glory was seen through each beautiful flower. Take a walk on the trails by the pond and you will understand what I mean. The professors were excited about helping me to meld together what I know and see about science and the world around me, and what I believe and understand about its creator. My Biology classes and health profession seminars helped me to prepare for veterinary school, but it was my non-science classes that helped me to understand how career and family and faith all work together to create a fulfilled meaningful life. My call to become a veterinarian was confirmed as I saw how my love of medicine, compassion for animals, and passion for people could all fit together in veterinary medicine.
Read more Health Professions grad profiles

Andrew Beach '03 | junior high youth pastor, First Evangelical Church of Memphis

There are still a lot of Christian colleges that do not have a youth ministries major. Studying at Gordon gave me experience in the exact field I knew God wanted me to pursue. My coursework taught me how to follow the life and example of the ministry of Jesus; how to effectively communicate to teenagers; how to interact with and resolve difficult situations; and it gave me a library of books that I still go back to for wisdom and insight. My education at Gordon also showed me how to practically and strategically plan a year of youth ministry programming.
Read more Youth Ministries grad profiles

Jill Pickering and Kate Rapier '04 | musicians
Gordon's Communication Arts program allowed us to explore our interest in the music industry, both in our experience at the Contemporary Music Center for a semester and in our senior thesis project. We were able to gain hands-on experience, as well as take time to look intently into the ethics and culture of our field.

Jill and Kate are currently traveling on tour as back-up singers for Kelly Clarkson. They are also working on their second album; their first album East Coast Bound is available on iTunes. 

Read more Communication Arts grad profiles

Hugh Prichard '06 | medical dosimetrist
Hugh Prichard double majored in physics and secondary education. After considering high school teaching as well as employment outside of teaching, Hugh interviewed for two positions in the field of medical physics. He was offered both positions and accepted the one in photon dosimetry at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Officially he is a "medical dosimetrist dealing with radiation oncology."
Read more Physics grad profiles

Megan Benevides '06 | associate director for Massachuetts Special Olympics
My Recreation and Leisure Studies internship turned into a full-time job after I graduated. A double major in Recreation and Leisure Studies and Business Administration, my full-time job with Special Olympics MA is a perfect fit for me. My official title is Special Olympics MA Associate South Section Director. My responsibilities include: planning, organizing, running and managing local sport competitions and fundraising events for Special Olympics MA's South Section. I also provide support for local programs as they compete at the State-wide competitions.

One of the more important parts my job is outreach to local school systems and communities that have not been exposed to Special Olympics yet. Starting new teams and recruiting new athletes is such a joy for me. It's so wonderful to see how one's passion for sport can change their lives. Being at Gordon helped me realize that my passion and wiring for sport has the ability to impact others' lives, too.
Read more Recreation and Leisure grad profiles

Richard Bell '93 | staff attorney, New Hampshire Supreme Court

When Richard Bell started his undergrad career, he had no intentions of being a lawyer. In fact, like most freshmen, he didn’t have a set career path in mind. Bell graduated in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in history and biblical studies, attended Law School at the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1998 magna cum laude, and began his legal career as a law clerk in the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

After two years as a clerk, Bell spent six years at a private practice and found himself back at the Supreme Court in 2006, where he is currently a staff attorney. “I had enjoyed my time as a law clerk and was intrigued by the possibility of returning to work for the court.”

Bell says his time at Gordon prepared him well for law school. “The number of papers I was required to write as a history and Bible major helped develop my writing skills, which are critical to the work I do now,” he says.

The academic core requirements gave him a strong foundational base for the political, philosophical and historical context of the law. “The curriculum at Notre Dame was exceedingly challenging, and I did very well compared with classmates who had done their undergraduate work at Ivy League schools and other nationally renowned universities.”
Read more alumni stories.

#25: South Africa, Winter 2009 | Alicia Landis
It is one thing to hear about a place, to read books and it and see it on film, it is quite another to actually go there and experience it. This trip combined my interests in recreation and community development in the powerful context of cross-cultural experience and helped me gain a better understanding of both the South African culture as well as my own, and the importance of relationships everywhere.

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#15: Uganda: Fall 2007 | Kim Kurczy
I have always had a preoccupation with the African continent. Since college, my passion for theatre and social change collaborated, leading me into the world of politically imbued theatre. I want to participate in theatre used towards reconciliation. I love when the potential of theatre's power is tapped, such as how it was used in South Africa to fight apartheid and in Rwanda post-genocide.

I spent four months, the fall of my senior year at Gordon, studying at Uganda Christian University in Mukono, Uganda. At points I wanted to rub my skin off. It was a difficult semester. I also wanted to stay though--I want to be a person who stays.

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#16: Guatemala: International Coffee Seminar | Claire Kinnen
Salsa danced on the radio as the van whirled us away from the airport in Guatemala City through the mountains to the colonial town of Antigua. "Ven corazón, ven corazón" the chorus to a typical Guatemalan song repeated itself, "Come here heart, come here heart." My heart had already decided on this journey a year ago when Kirk McClelland told me of his vision to take a group of students to study the coffee process in Guatemala. At that time I knew I wanted to major in Spanish, but I had yet to discover my second passion: Sociology. So when I came back to school this past fall I was thrilled to find the Coffee International Seminar presented as a two-credit sociology course.

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#11: China: Fall 2005 | Sam Tsoi
I had the privilege to fulfill my dream (and my International Affairs curriculum) to live in China and study at Peking University during the Fall of 2005. Not only was the experience academically and socially challenging, but it was personally enriching and spiritually defining. China is a land full of paradoxes, sometimes disturbing, sometimes beautiful, and always fascinating. As a Chinese-American, a paradoxical identity, living in China made me realize my "dual vision," and this is my attempt to illustrate these paradoxical realities I observed and lived through. As I walked through these diverse places and meet different people, I was challenged to ask questions about the consequences of development, the tension of racing toward the future and sustaining continuity with the ancient, and the challenges and responsibilities of a global citizen.

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#10: Mexico: Spring 2007 | Kristin Schwabauer
In "Beyond Short-Term Missions: Making the Transition" (STILLPOINT, Fall 2006), Kristin Schwabauer '04 wrote of the difficulties that students often experience upon reentry from overseas missions and service projects. Here Kristin tells the story of her third trip to La Casa de la Esperanza in Tijuana, Mexico, this time as a team leader.

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#9: India: Summer 2006 | Kandyce Kingsley
As an international affairs major at Gordon, I was required to leave the country for a minimum of 6 weeks. As a fine arts minor, I wanted to go somewhere that would inspire me to create and see beauty. I certainly found the right place.I was blessed to travel to India with Gordon's Summer Missions Program on two trips that opened my eyes to life and the world around me. My first trip was in the summer of '05, and I was so blessed and challenged and grew so much as a result of that experience that I returned to co-lead the same trip in the summer of '06. These photographs and stories are from both of my summer trips.

 
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