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Some 150 Projects on Alaskan List for Volunteers
SOLDOTNA, AK (July 29, 2004) - Alaska Christian College (ACC) has received a
heavy dose of volunteerism on its 10-acre campus as it prepares for its
fourth academic year as a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church of
Alaska.
ACC Dean of Students Jeff Siemers reports that teams from Illinois,
Minnesota, and California and all over North America are going to be
doing work of various kinds. The main project is a dining hall that will
seat around 150 people. This is one of an estimated
140 projects, big and small, stated ACC President Keith Hamilton in a
recent email update.
"Summer construction season is winding down here and now we're prepping
for the students coming on August 26," said Siemers, the dean for the
three years of ACC's existence. "We have quite a few people – more than
at any other time – interested in enrolling and we've decided that our
maximum number of students is 42, including returning ENCORE students.
Although the school has increased enrollment in recent
years, the loss of ACC Director of Admissions Mark Hill (he is headed to
North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago) will be a tough role to
fill. Because of his knowledge of Western Alaska and his connection with
Covenant churches in Alaska, he'll be missed," said Siemers.
The school is currently in the midst of achieving accreditation status
with the Association for Biblical Higher Education, having received a
visit from the association's executive director in June. The process
takes many years and includes three stages.
Siemers said that many past graduates of ACC have gotten involved in
parachurch ministry, including an organization called "On Eagle's
Wings," which focuses on Native Americans throughout North America. Some
are at the university level while others have decided to return to their
home villages and help in the ministries of their respective churches.
One recent graduate, Beatrice Katongan, has been serving as a liaison
for work groups and working in multiple jobs at ACC while she considers
her future.
"Some of the most encouraging things have been seeing students making
good decisions on their own," said Siemers, who is originally from First
Covenant Church in Rockford, Illinois, and had served as a youth worker
in Hooper Bay, Alaska, before heading to ACC. "They're pursuing forward
progress in their lives and that's not always the case, especially with
the history of Western Alaska students. A high percentage of students
usually drop out of school."
ACC is taking applications for the vacant director of admissions
position. To apply, call the school at 907-260-7422 or email Hamilton at
kjhamilton@aol.com. For more information about the school, visit the new
website address at www.akcc.org.
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