Alumnus Shares Jessup’s Sense of Community with the Hawaiian Islands


It can be said we often don’t recognize the impact we have on other people or on the world around us; however, there is no doubt our relationships have bearing.


Alumni Alex Dong (‘13) recalled when he first learned about William Jessup University. “I was a sophomore in high school when my brother was researching college websites with me looking over his shoulder. Jessup was one of the universities he checked out and I remember thinking early on that WJU would be a great place for me.”


A Hawaii native and avid soccer player, Dong spent much of his time growing up playing the game he loved and played into high school. When it came time to attend college, he contacted Jessup’s soccer coach and arranged a practice with the Warriors that later landed him an athletic scholarship.


Dong attended WJU and often brought friends back home to the islands during school breaks. “A visit home usually meant seeing my old friends and sharing stories about how great of a time we all were having at Jessup,” Dong said.


William Jessup University’s Fundraising Efforts Benefit Cityteam International Ministries


William Jessup University recently presented Cityteam International Ministries of San Jose, CA with a donation totaling over $2,100. Jessup’s gift was raised during Give:24, the annual one-day fundraiser designed to raise money for student scholarships, missions and a charity of choice. Tis year, Cityteam was the charity selected due to Jessup’s alumni and student involvement with the noteworthy ministry.


“Te opportunity to share the monetary blessings from Give:24 is an honor,” said Jessup’s Chief Development Officer and event originator, Eric Hogue. “Give:24 reflects who we are as a university. Our mission is to give back and with the help of our committed donors; we are able to substantially impact more lives for generations to come.”


Daniel Nelson (‘11) and Jonathan Brink (‘94) from Cityteam


Cityteam International continues to serve people in extreme poverty and helps men and women transform their lives, families and communities. With the help of volunteers and donors, Cityteam impacts the lives of over 500,000 people in the United States as well as ongoing vital partnerships in 42 other countries around the world.


Te non-profit’s relationship with Jessup isn’t a new one. In the late 1980’s, President Emeritus, Bryce Jessup worked with Cityteam President, Pat Robertson, to start a Multicultural Bible Institute through which


Those meetings had an impact on the friends he had known for years. In fact, five students (two of whom are sisters, junior, Alexis Mabuni and sophomore Angel) decided to attend WJU as a direct result of their friendship with Dong.


Currently, WJU is home to three freshmen that have also followed in Alex’s footsteps and decided to attend Jessup: Elijah Lingenfelder, Tiffany Nakamura, and Pono Ng. “Tey were all in eighth grade when I was a senior in high school,” Dong said. All attended Makua Lani High School on the Big Island where Alex is currently working as a health guidance, science, and biblical leadership teacher as well as a soccer coach.


“We were all such a tight-knit group growing up,” Dong added. “I felt a sense of responsibility to make sure that my friends were going to be okay moving away from home. I knew that Jessup would be the right place for them, just like it was for me.”


Elijah and Tiffany both play soccer for WJU while Pono plays golf. All agree that Jessup’s strong sense of community and friendliness has helped them to make the transition to the mainland an easy one. “Everyone at Jessup is so friendly and welcoming and that has really helped me to feel comfortable,” Nakamura said.


Another aspect that has helped Tiffany to feel at home is her roommate, Meagan Lavatai who attended Kameahmeah High School on the island


Elijah Lingenfelder, Meagan Lavatai, Pono Ng and Tiffany Nakamura


of Oahu. Although Lavatai never met Alex Dong or the students from the Big Island, she feels that they already have something in common. “It’s great to be somewhere where everyone is so nice, especially when we are living somewhere that feels so different from what we call home” Meagan said. “It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one having a hard time adjusting to a cooler climate!”


hundreds of students participated in beneficial internships. Some employees at Cityteam also taught courses at the college that changed its name to San Jose Christian College in 1989.


Over a half dozen San Jose Bible College and San Jose Christian College alum have worked for Cityteam in some capacity over the years.


Harry Brown, VP of International Ministry at Cityteam, is also a San Jose Bible College alum. Brown was a student in 1974 when he was recruited by Cityteam to be a camp counselor at their camp for inner-city kids and has continued his employment ever since.


Jonathan Brink (‘94) is Cityteam’s Development Lead and a San Jose Christian College alum who graduated in 1994 before the university later relocated to its current location in Rocklin, CA in 2004 when it was renamed after its founder, William Jessup.


“We are very excited to reconnect and begin exploring new ways to partner together with William Jessup University,” Brink said.


Te funds will go toward supporting homeless programs in the San Jose area.


JESSUP MAGAZINE | 25


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