Each year at homecoming, NNU honors alumni for their accomplishments and service since graduation. For 2016, three individuals will be recognized Friday, November 11 at 10 a.m. during chapel in the Brandt Center’s Swayne Auditorium.
2016 Alumnus of the Year
Consideration for awarding the Alumnus of the Year is based on “personal achievement that has brought honor and distinction to the university and exemplifies the Christian ideals of the university.” This year the award is being bestowed on Dr. Ray Lindley (’64). Dedicated to the advancement of education, Lindley has had an impressive 48-year career that has led him to his current position as executive director at the American International Accreditation Association of Schools and Colleges (AIAASC).
2016 Professional Achievement Award
As a result of his contributions to education, NNU has selected Steve Wyborney (‘92) to receive the 2016 Alumni Professional Achievement Award. He is an award-winning teacher and instructional coach well known for his use of instructional technology and his passion for mathematics. Wyborney was named the Nyssa (Oregon) Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year (’98), Oregon Teacher of the Year (’05), and NNU’s L.E. Wesche Outstanding Educator (’05). Wyborney has written 13 scholastic math textbooks that include animated lessons, and is also the author of an inspirational book for teachers titled “The Writing on the Classroom Wall.”
2016 Leon Doane Young Alumnus Award
As the university’s vision statement proclaims, “[NNU] seeks a more excellent way, to be a transformative learning community expressing the love of Jesus by forming scholars, nurturing disciples, serving the Church, shaping the culture, redeeming the world.” Dr. Daniel Benedick (’01) embodies this vision in his on-going work as a family physician at Family Medicine of Southwest Washington and as a clinical instructor for the University of Washington Department of Family Medicine. As a clinical instructor, Benedick has the privilege of supervising and mentoring future physicians. He also regularly serves as a medical missionary in his community and internationally—including a two-year stay at a rural hospital in Ecuador.