As Christians around the world prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, we wanted to pause amid the holiday activities and reflect on God’s faithfulness both to Wheaton Academy and in the individual lives of Academy alumni.
Why is it so important to stop and remember God’s faithfulness? One reason is that we tend to be quick to forget His goodness. Our forgetfulness can happen at any time, but it is especially easy to get caught up in the frenzy of the holidays and fail to acknowledge gratitude for God’s constancy.
The word remember appears more than 200 times in the Bible. God commands us to remember His mighty deeds and to praise His name.
Here are some reflections from the classes of 1972 and 1967 who celebrated their 50-year and 55-year reunions at Homecoming 2022. They were asked to share their thoughts and observations on God’s faithfulness in their lives and His faithfulness to the Academy.
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaiming His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced.”
1 Chronicles 16:8-12
Barbara (Seven '72) Vandevusse
“Having been a member of what I believe was one of the
smallest graduating classes in the Academy’s history, it was
not hard for me to imagine that the school would not
last much longer. It is wonderful now to see how wrong I was! God’s faithfulness has been demonstrated through the prayers and sacrifices of generations of WA staff, faculty, and families. This has been a lesson slowly learned in my life as well, but with the retrospect of 60+ years, I am becoming ever more aware of His perfect timing and magnificent plan.”
Barbara (Seven ’72) Vandevusse
“I will never forget that moment as a freshman sitting in the chapel left of the pulpit, third row, fifth seat from the center aisle. Years earlier, I had made a commitment to follow Jesus, but deep inside I knew it was shallow. The speaker (if only I could recall his name) explained salvation in such a way that it all clicked more deeply and profoundly than ever before and with my head bowed, I raised my hand. My life changed that day. To Wheaton Academy I remain in debt for providing an education focused on Jesus Christ, anchored in Biblical truth.”
Dave Gieser ’67
David Gieser '67
We must not forget what
God has done in our lives and in the long history of the Academy.
Robert Fetterhoff ’72
“It’s impossible to describe the incredible faithfulness of God without thinking of Lamentations 3:22-23—“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” I think it’s interesting that God’s faithfulness is linked in these verses to His compassion. That’s where I’ve experienced His faithfulness the most. When I’ve deserved it the least, our Faithful God has demonstrated His compassion in responding to my own rebellion and sin. “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:10). Perhaps most of all, I love these words: “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself ”
(2 Timothy 2:13).
As I reflect on what God has done at Wheaton Academy in the last 50 years, I’m just amazed! When I was a student, the school lacked adequate facilities, struggled for enrollment, and barely survived. In fact, each year there were rumors it might even close. But it did not close! God brought “life from the ashes,” and WA is thriving today. Only God in His faithfulness could do that! He deserves the praise.”
Robert Fetterhoff ’72
“The class of ’72 experienced dark years at Wheaton Academy,
but God was faithful. We experienced a loss in enrollment, change in school name, sports teams losing more than winning, and six headmasters in four years. But God saw us through with a faithful board, loving faculty, parental support, incredible friendships, and costs being covered by anonymous donors! My four years at WA were God-given, showed me God’s love, and prepared me for the next 50 years of my life! “Great is Thy Faithfulness!”
Holly (Maynard ’72) Jenkins
Holly (Maynard ’72) Jenkins
Sharon (Uzelac ’67) Abbate
“As I reflect upon God’s faithfulness in my life, I’m in awe of His presence and provision. A serious car accident in my 20s, divorce and cancer diagnosis in my 40s, and health challenges that have followed are a few examples of where my physical, emotional, and spiritual needs were met in ways that only He could have orchestrated. I love Isaiah 61:3 “…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
Sharon (Uzelac ’67) Abbate
“I owe so much to the faithfulness of Wheaton Academy faculty shaping my understanding of the faith during the cultural tumult of the 60s. The example of young teachers sold out for the Kingdom of God—Tom Fulghum, Don Heykoop, Mark Hanchett, Tom Jarman, Dave Klopfenstein, Jack Gill, and so many more— have been like pillars of fire for over 55 years, guiding through the inevitable challenges and complexities of life.
Wheaton Academy is one of the few schools, or institutions of any kind, whose goals and objectives have not changed since 1853 as documented in the Wheaton Academy history book, Celebrating God’s Unfolding Story. There is a “cloud of witnesses” dating back over 160 years whose character and life’s work testify to God’s faithfulness to all generations.”
Dave Terhune ’67
Dave Terhune ’67
Rich Aram ’72
While at the Academy, I never would have expected my career or most of the other events that have happened in my life. My job provided some interesting travel opportunities, including teaching people from many different countries. My family shared in most of that and built many international friendships. The Lord walked with us through the good times and the tough times as well, such as Sarah dying from leukemia after 34 good years of marriage.
Rich Aram ’72
“God has been wonderful to my family and me. During the 2021 winter freeze in Texas, we experienced a miracle. Our pipes burst, and the situation seemed hopeless as I was the 800th person on the list of the only plumber who answered the phone. Stores for 80 miles around were sold out of the pipes we needed. God was good. Our neighbors just happened to have the right pipes, giving them to us after we prayed.
I remember during my time at Wheaton Academy that I was told that the school would be closing that next year. However, several of the board members had just so much love for the school that they kept the school going. The Bible says Christians shall be known by their love. When I returned to campus for my 50-year reunion, I saw how God has blessed this school in so many ways. Praise the Lord for His provision for new buildings and a thriving student body.”
David Stockman ’72
David Stockman ’72
One of the common themes of alumni stories is the lasting impact of faculty and staff on the lives of Academy students. The impact was so profound that memories of their Academy days remain vivid for decades. Many of these alumni were boarding students, as Wheaton College Academy (WCA) offered room and board through the early 1970s. One boarder was Alma (Gordon ’55) Dole. Her story is representative of other alumni. Alma attended the Academy for her junior and senior year while her parents served as medical missionaries in the interior of Brazil.
Alma (Gordon ’55) Dole
“Being a missionary kid (M.K.) is a blessing and a challenge. I
experienced the blessings as a child growing up in Brazil, but
I faced the challenge of remaining in the States while my parents returned to Brazil. What did WCA do with a homesick gal whose heart and ways were totally foreign? They blessed me.
Even today, as an octogenarian, I praise our wondrous Lord for Miss Chapman, the front desk registrar, who took me under her wing, befriended me, and helped me through the dark, lonely hours; for Mr. Benjamin for his kindness in choir and for Mrs. Benjamin who lovingly adopted me, even surprising me with new clothes to supplement my limited wardrobe; for Mr. “J” (Mel Johnson) whose lively biology classes and labs enthralled me; for Mr. and Mrs. Kullberg who, in God’s perfect timing, would give me a word of encouragement or an invitation for a meal and prayer. How faithful is our Lord!
After 42 years serving Him as missionaries to Brazil, my husband and I retired. Our new mission field is Heath Village, a retirement community in New Jersey.”
Alma (Gordon ’55) Dole