91猫先生

Maina Phinehas

Sophomore Major: Computer Science Nairobi, Kenya 鈥淚 am a sophomore pursuing a degree in computer science. I love coding, and in my free time I also love serving at my local church in the youth ministry. After graduation, my goal is to work for a software firm like Amazon Web Services or Google, and I鈥檇 also like to pursue a post-graduate degree in cloud computing. With the gift of this scholarship, I feel confident and ready to pursue these goals and know that I can positively impact society. I promise to work diligently to honor your support and create a positive difference wherever I can.鈥�

Ray, 鈥�66 and Penny Young, 鈥�66

Ray and Penny Young are both 1966 graduates of 91猫先生. They were married in 1968 after Ray returned from serving two years in the Philippines as an IMB missionary journeyman and Penny finished a secondary credential and one year of teaching. They moved to Ft. Worth where Ray completed an MCM at Southwestern Seminary and Penny taught English. Ray then served churches in California and Nevada in some combination of music, education, and youth ministry. Penny continued teaching in public and private schools. She served every church as a Bible teacher in a variety of age groups. In the early 1980s, Ray felt a call to the preaching ministry and earned a Doctorate of Ministries degree. Thereafter, he was called as pastor of Harvard Terrace Baptist Church, Fresno, CA, where he served 17 years. In addition to pastoring, he was very active in community ministries. Penny continued her teaching career and Bible teaching ministry. Ray and Penny are the parents of Matthew Ragan, a truly terrific young man who was tragically killed in an automobile accident at 19 in 1994. Their faith was tested by fire. They claimed Romans 8:28 the night of his death and watched in awe as God ministered to their hurting hearts. God then called them to an additional ministry to the grieving which they never would have chosen for themselves. Penny鈥檚 book I鈥檒l See You in the Sunrise, A Mother鈥檚 Odyssey in Grief has given comfort and support to countless grieving families. Penny served for 20 years on the board of directors for Alive Alone, Inc., a ministry to now-childless parents, and began a one-on-one ministry to newly-bereaved mothers. Both Ray and Penny began speaking and writing about grief in newsletters and conferences sponsored by Compassionate Friends, In Loving Memory, and Alive Alone. They also began a grief support group for grieving parents in their home. In 2003 after a mission trip to Nairobi, they felt God calling them to international mission service. They retired, were appointed IMB missionaries, and served in Spain and then Portugal for six years. Retiring once again in 2011, they returned to the States to help care for Ray鈥檚 ailing mother and began a life of volunteering. They served as RV missionaries throughout several summers at Jenness Park Campground before its sale in 2020. They regularly volunteer at California Family Council, Right to Life, First Saturday Prayer, the Fresno Fair, and their church where they both teach, lead the prayer ministry, and work year-round packing Operation Christmas Child boxes. Penny continues her mentoring/counseling of newly bereaved moms and Ray does supply preaching and sings in the Community Choir of the Valley. In 2022 Ray joined the Clovis Police Department as a volunteer chaplain where he serves two or three 24-hour shifts a month assisting and serving officers. In addition, both he and Penny volunteer for CPD sponsored events throughout the year such as Cops and Kids Camp and Clovis Night Out.

Lisa Collinsworth, 鈥�83

If you have been on 91猫先生鈥檚 campus, you will recognize the Collinsworth name from the Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Music (now the School of Performing Arts). The School of Music was named after a legacy gift from the parents of alumna and former staff member, Lisa Collinsworth. Lisa鈥檚 sister, Leslie Collinsworth Peckels, is also an alumna of CBC/91猫先生. After the sale of their dairy business, Lisa鈥檚 parents were able to provide a significant gift to 91猫先生. Mr. Collinsworth loved piano music, prompting the family to attend 91猫先生 student music rehearsals whenever possible. As 91猫先生鈥檚 School of Music was under construction, Lisa鈥檚 parents were led to support it. Lisa says her parents felt grateful that the Lord allowed them to be the hands and feet of Jesus through their giving and were happy to support the University in various ways through the years. Lisa and her parents were also loyal fans of 91猫先生鈥檚 basketball games, and Lisa continues to hold season basketball tickets. During the five years Lisa worked in University Advancement, the Collinsworth family attended most events, ate frequently in the Alumni Dining Commons (the main residential restaurant), and loved being on campus. Lisa says that 91猫先生 still feels like home and is particularly fond of the older buildings on campus. Graduate, former staff member, and now Lancer Family, Lisa values the education she received and cherishes the lifelong friendships she鈥檚 made at 91猫先生. Continuing the legacy her parents began, Lisa provides music scholarships yearly so others can attend a Christian university with a Biblical worldview, and she has made a generous estate gift commitment to the School of Performing Arts. Lisa serves on the Dean鈥檚 Executive Councils for the Collinsworth School of Performing Arts and the College of Nursing. She would tell others considering a legacy gift, that Dr. Ellis and the Trustees are faithful stewards, and if you feel called to support Christ-centered education, 91猫先生 is a first-rate institution.

Norisa Spagner

鈥淚 am so grateful to have been chosen as a recipient of this scholarship for a second year. I recently resigned from my part time job so I could better manage the 18 units I am taking, along with starting my new job working on campus as a Resident Advisor. I am pursuing my undergraduate degree in Intercultural Studies with a concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Photography. I hope that with my degree I will be able to travel and share God鈥檚 love with the nations. I pray God continues to work through you all and that He blesses you all abundantly for being a blessing to others.鈥�

Marissa Figueroa, 鈥�19

Marissa Figueroa, a Corona, CA native, is a 2019 graduate of the 91猫先生 Masters of Athletic Training program. She had an athletic training internship with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018 and worked as an athletic trainer at the University of California Davis from 2019-2021 where she worked with the football and women鈥檚 lacrosse teams. In 2021 she took an internship with the Buffalo Bills. She quickly earned the respect of her fellow trainers and the players themselves. Marissa was named a full-time athletic trainer in 2023, becoming the first woman to do so in franchise history. She credits 91猫先生 with preparing the way for her in all aspects, as a medical healthcare professional and as a disciple of Jesus.

Josh and Emily Hill

Josh and Emily Hill have three children attending 91猫先生. After considering many Christian universities, they chose 91猫先生 for its 鈥減rogram offerings, academics, and quality, enthusiastic faculty members who will love on your kids and treat them like family.鈥� Twin sons Nash and Noah are juniors. Nash is a finance major, and Noah is majoring in Pre-Aviation Science Flight. Their daughter, Sasha, is a freshman with a major in the five-year architecture program to complete her undergraduate and graduate work, and a minor in interior design. After a conversation with 91猫先生鈥檚 Professor of Finance and Director of the Finance program, Adele Harrison, Josh Hill knew that Nash would receive the education and internship opportunities needed to succeed in the competitive world of a large brokerage firm. Noah plans to become a commercial airline pilot and volunteer as a missionary pilot. With 91猫先生鈥檚 fleet of Piper Archers, Arrows, and Seminoles and world-class, state-of-the-art aviation program, Noah is well on his way to getting a pilot鈥檚 license. Sasha will be eligible to become a registered architect with her Master鈥檚 in Architecture from 91猫先生. Wanting to support 91猫先生 financially, above and beyond their students鈥� tuition, Josh and Emily joined the Parent Leadership Circle (PLC) 鈥揳 group of parents who play a pivotal role in the 91猫先生 community and the university鈥檚 overall success. The parent group strengthens the spiritual and academic environment at 91猫先生 through prayers, service, special events, and financial support. PLC members give generously to 91猫先生 on an annual basis. The Hills say that joining the PLC has allowed them to stay involved in their children鈥檚 education and remain current on the University鈥檚 programs. The Hills鈥� gifts are used to further 91猫先生 programs, such as the Student Investment Club, which creates relevant investment experience and ethical financial and investment knowledge. Josh and Emily would tell other parents that the faculty will listen to them and do what is best for every child 鈥� academically, socially, and spiritually. The Hills recommend that parents visit the 91猫先生 campus and experience the feeling of home away from home for themselves.

Learn more about the Parent Leadership Circle

Mia Alisa Tamayo

鈥淢y name is Mia Alisa Tamayo, I am a senior at 91猫先生 studying biomedical sciences and Christian studies. I work at a pediatric emergency room and am also a mobilization intern with the Office of Spiritual Life. My goal is to eventually serve in international healthcare and be overseas long-term. Because of the support of donors, the scholarship I received was not only a financial blessing, but provided encouragement in my pursuit of becoming a physician. It helped me believe that I can achieve remarkable things!鈥�

Mike Staver, 鈥�84

Mike Staver is a 1984 alum of 91猫先生. He graduated with a degree in business administration. He also holds a degree in counseling psychology and is a certified speaking professional. He is the founder of The Staver Group, an organization committed to Helping Leaders Perform Better and Live Better Lives. In 2018 he founded Wise Counsel an organization that has certified over 400 people in his coaching methodology Mike is a published author, an internationally recognized speaker and coach. He has been a featured guest on such shows as Fox and Friends, Fox Business channel, Good morning New York and Chicago. In 2020 Mike was part of the inaugural class of inductees into the Virtual Speaker Hall of Fame. His ability to connect with audiences and deliver transformative messages has made him a sought-after coach and speaker for organizations ranging from Federal Express and Miracle Ear to Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, the Mayo Clinic and more. He architected a program that was ranked as #1 by Training Magazine in their Training Top 125 and the same program was inducted into the Training Magazine Hall of Fame. Beyond the accolades and professional successes, Staver's real-world experience spans a diverse range of industries, from healthcare to high-end security. He has navigated a multitude of business challenges, leveraging these experiences to guide others in their leadership journeys.

Ryan Eperjesi

鈥淚 am an aviation flight and Christian studies double major. I have really enjoyed the aviation program. Flying has been a dream of mine since I was seven years old. If it is the LORD鈥檚 will, after I graduate I hope to do missionary work overseas with a missionary aviation agency and fly airplanes while spreading the gospel. I am so grateful for the generous scholarship and the investment in my future.鈥�