Alumni Archives - ��ԭ��

Alumni Spotlight – Nathan Ledgerwood

��ԭ�� — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:10:39 +0000

Author: Joseph Greene Music alumnus Nathan Ledgerwood studied Music performance for his undergrad at MBU. After his graduation in 2003, he received a scholarship from the University of Texas at Austin, earning an MM degree in Cello Performance. Studying with many distinguished professors such as Phyllis Young and Robert Duke transformed his musical understanding. Using the valuable information he was taught, Ledgerwood sought to prepare students with intelligent music education. Ledgerwood currently serves as the Director of Orchestras at Walsh Middle School, Round Rock, Texas. He is also actively involved in the music ministry at Austin Baptist Church. His success with the orchestras is a testament to his hard work and high level of commitment. Dr. David Ledgerwood shares that Nathan’s groups have “routinely scored at the highest level in both performance and sight-reading categories during the rigorous Texas competition.” Nathan shares that he teaches beginning 6th-grade students in small, homogeneous classes based on instrument and gradually adds instruments as the students progress to higher grades. Nathan says that the “secret sauce of success” is having hour-long classes five days a week. Reflecting on his time at MBU, Ledgerwood shares that he would not be in the position he is […]

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Alumnus Caleb Armstrong Earns PhD in Nursing

��ԭ�� — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 20:51:07 +0000

The ��ԭ�� family extends its warmest congratulations to Dr. Caleb Armstrong (’19) for earning his PhD in Nursing from UT Tyler School of Nursing. This distinction is not merely a degree, but the culmination of dedication, perseverance, intense study, and sacrifice. Additionally, Caleb received the 2025 PhD Dissertation Award. Such presentations acknowledge exceptional research which makes significant original contributions impacting their specific discipline. Following graduation from ��ԭ��, Caleb worked in the intensive care units of a large public hospital. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he reports, “the overwhelming amount of suffering and death that I witnessed on a daily basis drove me to look for ways to better support both critically ill patients and their family members.” He recognized the negative physical and emotional strain the responsibility of decision making had on surrogate decision-makers (SDM) and the crucial need for trust between SDM and healthcare professionals (HCPs). However, to “develop interventions to increase trust and improve SDM outcomes, trust must be quantifiable,” and there was no “validated instrument with which to measure” it. That “tool” became Caleb’s dissertation focus. He probed the “antecedents” and “consequences of trust” and reviewed literature to “map” what was known, applying a “conceptual model.” He identified […]

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Alumnus of the Year: Mark McKeee

��ԭ�� — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 00:05:51 +0000

Mark McKee was born to Gerry and DeAn McKee in August 1965 and made a profession of faith at a young age. As a freshman in high school, he confronted his doubts, gained assurance of faith and was baptized shortly thereafter. Mark attended ��ԭ�� Baptist Bible College and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Physical Education. A sports enthusiast, he played MBU basketball all four years and then for thirty years coached basketball for all age groups. (He continues to cheer for Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers.) He has worked at Heritage Hall Christian School in Muncie, Indiana, for the last forty years and currently teaches 6th grade. Mr. David Stein, the school’s Administrator, shares, “I have worked with Mark for 10 years at Heritage Hall Christian School. This is a well-deserved recognition for Mark for all his years of ministry in Christian Education. He is a multi-talented guy with a faithful heart for ministry. He teaches, and has coached some very successful basketball teams over the years. He has touched the lives of many students as well as parents and staff for the cause of Christ. He has been a model of Christlikeness.” Mark […]

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MBU to Present Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living with Alumni

��ԭ�� — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 16:49:04 +0000

��ԭ��’s Music Department is proud to invite MBU alumni to perform Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living alongside MBU choirs and orchestra! The Requiem is a five-movement choral work written for choir and full orchestra. Using the traditional parts of a requiem and incorporating an abundance of Scriptural texts, Forrest creates a beautiful setting of praise for life. In contrast to the typical requiem for the dead, Forrest calls his work, “a ‘grant US rest’, even more than a ‘grant THEM rest.’” It depicts pain and sorrow, but also life and hope for the dead and the living. About the Event ��ԭ�� Alumni are invited to join us in performing Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living at Cavalry Baptist Church in Watertown. This two-day event begins with an evening rehearsal on Thursday, October 23, and concludes with a Friday evening concert on October 24, 2025. All participants must purchase and rehearse the music prior to arrival and attend all required rehearsals and the final concert. Based on choir section balance and needs, participation may be limited. Participation will be confirmed on a first-registered, first-confirmed basis. Register at https://forms.mbu.edu/437 or email music@mbu.edu for more information. *Program notes partially from […]

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Alumni Spotlight – Emily Herbster

��ԭ�� — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 16:21:03 +0000

Emily (Kindstedt) Herbster graduated from ��ԭ�� (MBU) in 2021 with a music degree with concentrations in Piano Pedagogy and Early Childhood Music and a TESOL minor. She enjoyed participating in ��ԭ��’s Symphonic Band, the Chamber Singers, and the Heritage Singers (a summer music ministry team). Emily uses these skills as she serves on the Southland Ministry team, a music ministry team started by her husband, Micah Herbster. The team travels during the school year and works at Southland Christian Camp during the summer. While they travel, Emily ministers with special music, teaches children’s programs, and assists with whatever the church needs. At camp, she serves as an administrative assistant. When asked how ��ԭ�� prepared her for ministry today, she said that traveling for ��ԭ�� and working for the pedagogy program were the most valuable experiences she had. Through MBU tours, she learned how to work with people and clients, and “to build relationships for ministry.” Emily teaches virtual music lessons for missionary children around the world and currently has several students for piano and flute. Teaching for ��ԭ�� Music Prep School prepared her for the teaching she does now. COVID restrictions in 2020 affected Emily’s time at MBU, […]

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Alumni Spotlight – Micah Gillespie

��ԭ�� — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 20:51:40 +0000

What do music majors do once they graduate? During Micah Gillespie’s recent visit to ��ԭ��, he shared reflections from his time at ��ԭ�� along with an update on how God is using him in ministry. Micah came to ��ԭ�� (MBU) to pursue a music degree with concentrations in Piano Pedagogy and Church Music (graduated ‘21). During his time at MBU, he was involved in five performing ensembles, giving him the opportunity to participate in nineteen performing tours (including tours with the Madrigal Choir, Symphonic Band, Low Key, Percussion Ensemble, and various summer teams). Today, Micah travels with the Southland Ministry Team. The team travels to churches and schools during the school year and serves at Southland Christian Camp during the summer. He also composes and arranges music, and teaches as needed. At camp, one might find Micah accompanying on piano for chapel, lifeguarding, or serving as a barista in the coffee shop. Life in ministry can be very diverse, and Micah recognizes the value of the experiences he had at MBU. He summarizes that the most important skills he learned at school include time management, hands-on tour experience, and classroom techniques for teaching children. Participating in so many […]

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Alumni Spotlight: Dan Chodan and the ERC

��ԭ�� — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 16:45:06 +0000

MBU alumnus Dan Chodan (’13) appeared in the news recently regarding his work with Employee Retention Credit (ERC), a Covid relief program designed to help small businesses recover from the financial blow they received in 2020. Although ERC was meant to be helpful, in recent years scammers have widely abused the system by filing fake claims, seeking percentage cuts, and falsely advertising to small business owners in hopes of making money off them. As an accountant, Chodan is serving on the front lines to protect people from falling for these scams, in addition to processing their legitimate claims for the real ERC. Chodan has spent the past decade working for Trout CPA, the top accounting firm in Pennsylvania. Trout provides accounting, audit, tax, and business advisory services, and Chodan works often with small business owners, doing compliance work and advising on transitions, mergers, and acquisitions. Currently, he serves on Trout’s Auto Dealerships and Manufacturing Practice Groups. ERC and the Fight against Fraud When Covid hit in 2020, many small businesses struggled financially as much of their clientele were advised to stay home. ERC was developed to provide help for these businesses, and, according to Chodan, it was hugely successful at […]

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Music Alumna Encourages Current Students

��ԭ�� — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 20:01:49 +0000

During an academic unit chapel, music faculty and students enjoyed reconnecting with alumna Lorraine Yant (’21). She shares the following about her graduate experience at Samford University and offers some advice for students who consider pursuing higher education. In Fall of 2021, after receiving a graduate assistant scholarship (GA), Lorraine began her master’s degree program in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at Samford University. In addition to her classes, she provides technique coaching for freshman and sophomore undergraduate students and substitute teaches Class Piano and Performance Lab. Elected as president of Samford’s MTNA Collegiate Chapter, her vision to support Samford music students in their pedagogical training and facilitate them with resources resulted in undertaking a project in rebuilding and digitalizing Samford’s pedagogy library, sponsoring workshops with nationally-renown pedagogues, and creating performing opportunities for pedagogy interns and their students. Her presentations Schenkerian Analysis for Beginners, Aphantasia, The Art of Listening, and The Pedagogical Literature of Stephen Heller showcase her dedication to the field of pedagogy. Nationally certified, Lorraine’s studio at Samford Academy of the Arts continues to grow along with her reputation as a piano instructor. In addition to helping direct summer music camps, she stays active as a BMMF, BMTA, and […]

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Ruth Tan | MBU English Alumna Update

��ԭ�� — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Ruth Tan, an English and TESOL graduate of MBU, has seen the Lord work in her life in unique ways – including sending her back to her home country, Singapore. Upon arrival, she became CELTA certified to teach English as a second language and applied for several teaching and communications positions, receiving various job offers: two to teach English at a tuition center and one to work for Study Group, a company based in the United Kingdom. After prayer and consideration, God led her to accept the job with Study Group. Study Group is an organization designed to help international students assimilate themselves into the university culture. Their philosophy, “A better world through education,” is exhibited in the diverse array of students who apply: 99% are from Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, or Asia, desiring to study in either the UK, the USA, Ireland, the Netherlands, or Australia. Study Group partners with several universities and offers foundational programs that help students adjust to the new culture and brush up on their English. About three months into this new role, Ruth received an email from the Hong Kong Education Board. An application that she had sent in four months prior […]

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Lydia Narloch | First Nursing Class Alumna Update

��ԭ�� — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 16:50:59 +0000

As a member of the very first graduating class from MBU’s Nursing program, alumna Lydia Narloch remains forever thankful for God’s timing. MBU introduced the Nursing program during her sophomore year and, having already felt God’s calling in the area of Nursing, Lydia jumped at the opportunity to be a part of it. She graduated in 2008 with her BSN and obtained work as a medical-surgical nurse, quickly gaining experience in other departments as well, such as ICU and rehabilitation. Not long after, Lydia cross-trained into the house supervisor role at her hospital, and this has proven to be her current and favorite position, even after stepping into an interim position as ICU manager for a short period. Lydia declares that she loves her job and views the hospital God has placed her in as her mission field, meeting the physical and spiritual needs of those around her, and she has even had the chance to extend that mindset across the world; she received the opportunity in 2011 and again in 2015 to travel to Cameroon and Cambodia respectively on medical missions trips. Because of her godly influence and the evidence of God’s hand upon her life, her coworkers have […]

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Alumni Archives - ����ԭ��