Herbert W. Armstrong College

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—Two Herbert W. Armstrong College (AC) representatives have helped unearth walls in a royal complex believed to have been built by the biblical King Solomon over 3,000 years ago in ancient Jerusalem.

Brent Nagtegaal, AC graduate and instructor of archaeology, and senior Harley Breth lived in an apartment in Jerusalem and walked 35 minutes each day to and from the dig site at the foot of the Temple Mount, directly opposite the Mount of Olives. The young men spent eight weeks in Jerusalem November 19 to January 14, where they volunteered on the important archaeological excavation and worked closely with prominent archeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar.

The project, headed by Dr. Mazar and conducted under the auspices of Hebrew University, revealed a section of a 10th century BCE city wall in ancient Jerusalem in the area known as the Ophel, between the southern wall of the Temple Mount and the City of David. Mazar, who has received international press coverage about the project, believes the wall, approximately 76 yards long and 6.5 yards high, was built by King Solomon.

According to Mazar, ''A comparison of this latest finding with city walls and gates from the period of the First Temple, as well as pottery found at the site, enable us to postulate with a great degree of assurance that the wall is that which was built by King Solomon in Jerusalem in the latter part of the 10th century BCE.''

''This is the first time that a structure from that time has been found that may correlate with written descriptions of Solomon's building in Jerusalem,'' she added. ''The Bible tells us that Solomon built—with the assistance of the Phoenicians, who were outstanding builders—the temple and his new palace and surrounded them with a city, most probably connected to the more ancient wall of the City of David.'' Mazar cited 1 Kings 3:1, which says Solomon ''made an end of building his own house, and the house of the Lord, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.''

For Nagtegaal, this was the third time he has lived in the Holy City. Two years after he started his liberal arts education at Armstrong College in 2004, the college renewed its working relationship with Dr. Mazar. Nagtegaal was among the first of the student volunteers to work at the palace of King David excavation site. After returning to Israel in the summer of 2007 to participate in the next phase of the dig, Nagtegaal stayed in Jerusalem for a year, gaining experience in the field. He returned to Edmond in 2008 and subsequently began teaching Biblical Archaeology at Armstrong College.

''After a year hiatus from excavating, I was chomping at the bit to return to Jerusalem and continue digging in the ancient royal quarter, and this excavation didn't disappoint!'' Nagtegaal said.

This was Breth's first experience traveling outside North America. The opportunity to live and work in the city was ''one of the most exciting times of my life,'' he said. Breth kept up with his studies at Armstrong College via online courses during the eight-week stint, but his archaeology studies proved the most exciting.

''Brent Nagtegaal was actually my instructor for Biblical Archaeology class. I was not expecting to have the chance to test out my knowledge hands-on during the same semester, but this trip provided the perfect opportunity,'' he said. ''When I arrived on the dig as a green, fresh student, I had my instructor with prior hands-on experience right there to train me from beginning to end.''

Nagtegaal hopes to return to Jerusalem with more AC student volunteers when the next phase of the City of David excavations begins.

YOUNG AMBASSADORS COMPLETE SPRING TOUR

May 20, 2009

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—The Young Ambassadors of Herbert W. Armstrong College sang and danced their way through seven performances at festivals, hospitals and schools throughout Edmond and Oklahoma City April 30 through May 15 on their 2009 Spring tour.

The group kicked off the tour in the John Amos Field House April 30 when they joined the Armstrong Concert Choir and the Imperial Choraliers at the spring choir concert. This concert was a launching pad for the Young Ambassadors' performance the following Sunday—their first full-length live program, to be delivered at the 30th annual Downtown Edmond Arts Festival.

The May 3 show just missed a rain shower that soaked Edmond that morning. This was the first time the YAs entertained at the festival, which is held every spring in downtown Edmond and is normally attended by up to 75,000 people. Though the unusually cold weather meant a light attendance this year, the YAs put their hearts into the performance and were congratulated by an enthusiastic crowd, some of which were neighbors who live adjacent to the AC campus.

Following their debut at the arts festival, the Young Ambassadors visited two children's hospitals May 5 in Oklahoma City. The Children's Center in Bethany serves children with complex medical and physical disabilities. About 60 children and staff gathered in the large exercise room, where a makeshift "stage" was set up. They enjoyed the lively, upbeat performance of songs including "Chatanooga Choo-Choo," "Something Latin" and "Stouthearted Men." Many of the children were physically unable to express their delight at hearing the music, except by their big smiles or slight movement of their heads and hands. It was a sobering and touching reminder to the YAs and support staff of the great hope that lies just ahead for all mankind who desperately need physical, mental and emotional healing.

After a quick meal at Penn Square Mall, the YAs arrived at the Children's Hospital at Oklahoma University Medical Center for their second performance of the day. After learning that only one child was well enough to attend, the YAs launched into their program with intense zeal and passion, focusing all of their 14 pairs of eyes on one little girl, "Lindsey" (not her real name). Sitting curled up next to her mother with tubes in her nose, Lindsey's face lit up and beamed with excitement as she watched the YAs dance, flip, jump and sing just for her. When YA director Ryan Malone announced that the next song would feature "just the girls" her eyes twinkled as she sat up to enjoy the "all girl" number.

As the music thundered down the halls of the hospital dozens of doctors, nurses, custodians, policemen, parking attendants, gift shop staff and hospital visitors began gathering in the main lobby to watch the performance. Some stayed for just a few minutes, others took a seat and enjoyed several numbers. Over 50 "This is Herbert W. Armstrong College" brochures were distributed to the crowd.

Mr. Malone e-mailed the contact person at the hospital to thank her for allowing the YAs to perform there and to ask if they could send Lindsey a DVD when filming is complete. He received this response:

"You all are the ones deserving of the thank you. As if they had a huge audience, your group put their all into the performance for that one child. I was very impressed with their talent. From what I have learned, "Lindsey" has really been having a rough time with her health lately. She had just started feeling well enough to get out of her room. What a grand treat it was for her to see the Young Ambassadors perform. When I spoke with her the following day, she still expressed such excitement when talking about the performance. Thanks again for coming to Children's Hospital and making Lindsey's day. I bet when she goes home, what she will remember about the hospital won't be about all the painful procedures she endured, but about how she smiled all the way through the Young Ambassadors performance. When your DVD comes out, you can send it to me and I'll make sure she receives it. I'll contact you later with the mailing address. We would love for you to come back again some time."

After a few days back on campus, busily filming for the remainder of their DVD, the YAs set out again on a full day of touring May 15, visiting three elementary schools.

At 10:30 a.m. the group arrived at Martin Luther King, Jr., Elementary School in Oklahoma City. After pausing for pictures the YAs set up in the newly constructed gymnasium as the entire student body filed in and took their seats. The group was met with thunderous applause as they made their way through several ballroom and Latin dance numbers. So impressed was the dance teacher that she asked whether the YAs could return and give an in-class demonstration to her ballroom dance students. After the performance the YAs were mobbed by students, with plenty of high fives and hugs.

Following their success of the morning performance, the YAs arrived at Eisenhower Elementary School in Oklahoma City at 1:30 p.m. after a brief stop at the mall for lunch. This was a much poorer school and the group was forced to perform on a stage in the gymnasium with no air conditioning. The temperature soared inside. Towels were used in between performances to wipe off sweaty palms and arms (a dangerous combination when attempting lifts and flips). Thankfully there were no injuries, but a few slips did occur. Ignoring the heat, the Eisenhower students and faculty thoroughly enjoyed the concert, often moving, swaying and dancing to the music.

The final performance of the spring tour began at 2:30 p.m. when the YAs took the stage at Centennial Elementary School in Edmond. There they were joined by the Imperial Choraliers for a special program of entertainment arranged especially for the school. Many of the Choraliers attended Centennial last year before transferring to Imperial Academy and this was the first time they had been reunited with their school. They enthusiastically performed for their former classmates, teachers and a crowd of parents to thunderous applause.

To wrap up a successful year, the YAs and Choraliers have also finished filming the final performances for the 2009 Festival of Music DVD to be released at the Feast of Tabernacles this fall.

STARS OF NEW YORK'S LINCOLN CENTER PERFORM IN EDMOND

April 3, 2009

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—Music and songs celebrating the pioneer spirit and the American West delighted audiences in the John Amos Field House as internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe took center stage April 2 at the Armstrong International Cultural Foundation's final concert of the 2008-2009 season. Joining Ms. Blythe were members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, one of 12 constituents of the largest performing arts complex in the world, Lincoln Center in New York. Though classical music may conjure up ideas of archaic composers from across the Atlantic, this evening put a fresh American face on the genre. The program titled "American Voices" featured the music of George Gershwin and America's foremost female composer, Amy Beach. The highlight of the evening was the Oklahoma premiere of a piece written especially for Ms. Blythe, whose glorious voice has won her critical acclaim as a shining star of New York's Metropolitan Opera.

Performing American composer Alan Louis Smith's Vignettes: Covered Wagon Woman, Ms. Blythe took the audience on a sublime musical journey. The 2006 composition celebrates the pioneer women who traversed the American West, by featuring the journey of Margaret Ann Alsip Frink. Mrs. Frink documented her 1850 journey in a diary that now supplies the text for Smith's epic composition.

Smith's new composition had particular appeal to the Oklahoma audience, according to Ryan Malone, concert manager for the Armstrong International Cultural Foundation, which presented the program. "Oklahoma was founded on the strength of these kinds of people," he said, "and we felt honored to host the premiere which was nothing short of historic."

This was the final concert to be held in the John Amos Field House. The Foundation plans to open its new performing arts center, Armstrong Auditorium, in January 2010.

CHANCELLOR VISITS ISRAEL

February 27, 2009

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—AC Chancellor Gerald Flurry traveled to Israel January 25 to February 5 where he attended the 13th Plenary Assembly of the World Jewish Congress and the Herzliya Conference. Accompanying the pastor general were Herbert W. Armstrong College President Stephen Flurry and Philadelphia Church of God Chief Operations Officer Andrew Locher.

At the World Jewish Congress, held January 26-27 in Jerusalem, over six hundred participants from more than 60 countries heard senior Israeli leaders address the most important issues facing Israel today. President Shimon Peres addressed the war in Gaza and Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas rockets. Likud chairman and opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu said if elected he would draw the line on any further division of Jerusalem and Defense Minister and Labor Party leader Ehud Barak spoke about the need for a solution to the smuggling of weapons across the Egypt-Gaza border.

On February 2-4, Mr. Flurry and his party attended the Ninth Annual Herzliya Conference on the Balance of Israel's National Security and Resilience just outside Tel Aviv. Named after Zionism founder Theodor Herzl, the conference is described as Israel's primary global policy annual gathering, drawing together Israeli and international participants from the highest levels of government, business, and academia to address pressing national, regional and world strategic issues.

Former ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, spoke on the threat of weapons of mass destruction, mainly in the hands of North Korea and Iran.

Benjamin Netanyahu spoke about Israel's current state and its elections. "If I'm elected, my most important mission is to put off this Iranian threat in all its facets," he said.

While attending the conferences, Mr. Flurry and his party met with former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Dore Gold and Israeli archeologist Eilat Mazar and had brief contact with former UN Ambassador John Bolton, columnists Melanie Phillips and Caroline Glick and Former CIA Director James Woolsey. The pastor general also met with the former mayor of Tel Aviv, Shlomo Lahat.

Stephen Flurry and Andrew Locher attended a third meeting, the Jerusalem Conference, January 26-28, where they heard speakers including several ministers of the Knesset, Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Bernard Lewis, Dore Gold, Melanie Philips, Caroline Glick, Eilat Mazar, Nir Barkat and many other scholars and politicians. The conference focused on maintaining a united Jerusalem, developing the city financially and making sure it remained a firm part of Israel.

Netanyahu spoke on the possibility of the division of Jerusalem. He said if Israel gave up half of Jerusalem, an Iranian base would likely be established near the very hotel in which the Jerusalem Conference was being held.

While attending the Jerusalem Conference, Eve Harow of Israel National News interviewed Stephen Flurry. She was interested in Herbert W. Armstrong College's support for Mazar's excavations in the City of David. The January 29 broadcast is available online (see part 2, beginning of segment.)

Eilat Mazar spoke at the Jerusalem Conference on Tuesday, January 27, about her excavations in the City of David. "With proper support, we hope to uncover more," she said at the end of her lecture.

The other members of Mazar's panel, although not archaeologists, highly praised her efforts. "[A]ll four panelists referred to Dr. Mazar's important work in the City of David as being critical to the larger work of keeping Jerusalem united," Stephen Flurry said. "Even Mayor Nir Barkat, who introduced the panel discussion, pointed to Mazar's excavation as one significant way to help Jews look upon Jerusalem as their own."

On the evening following the lecture, the pastor general met with Dr. Mazar to discuss her current loss of funding and the logistics of another possible phase.

The group returned to Edmond February 5.

FISK, ROMERO DELIGHT IN DUE PERFORMANCE

January 25, 2009

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—Two of the world's greatest stars of guitar appeared January 24 on the stage the John Amos Field House for the third event in the 2008-2009 Armstrong International Cultural Foundation's Concert Series.

Critically acclaimed artists Eliot Fisk and Angel Romero teamed up for an evening of dazzling fandangos and sublime tremolos which brought the audience to their feet demanding more.

The concert was reviewed by Dr. Clif' Warren of Edmond Life and Leisure.

"Fisk, 'the last direct pupil of Andres Segovia,' dominated the evening's format, as well he should, for Romero appeared last year on the college program with his family, indeed the royal family of Spanish guitar, and will appear again at the college's grand new arts palace when it opens next January for the initiatory programs.

"That is not to say that Angel Romero did not offer solos himself, entertain with his delightful memories of his musical family's anecdotes and exploits, and give his forth his heart and soul in the duets with his Fisk, the innovator, transcriptionist, teacher, performer and all-round Renaissance man. The maestros began their collaboration in 2008 and embarked on their worldwide tour, each enhancing the techniques of the other and discovering great joy for themselves and their audiences in their performances.

"The two are a study in contrasts—Fisk bears the scholar's mien, a full head of buoyant medium gray-brown hair. Saturday evening he wore a light orange cravat, matching shirt and dark suit. He possesses a thin body type rather like that of the late screen luminary Hume Cronyn. His musical attitude is to cradle his guitar, and in phrases where he plucks single notes he does so rather like a harpsichordist, and he indeed studied at Yale under the renowned harpsichordist, Ralph Kirkpatrick. Angel Romero, in contrast, resembles a music theatre matinee idol in the style of Rossano Brazzi, with his white wavy hair and tawny complexion. He is loose, relaxed and uses the typical small footrest as a prop for his left foot. He moves his guitar passionately as he strums the instrument or beats the flat of his hand against it to augment the rhythmic effect. His flashy gypsy guitar techniques on songs like 'Malaguena,' composed by Celedonio Romero, his grandfather, are memorable.

"Also known for his many excellent recordings and appearances throughout the world as featured soloist with symphony orchestras, Romero made his professional debut at the age of six. His American debut at the Hollywood Bowl at age sixteen launched the West Coast premiere of 'Aranjuez Concerto' by Rodrigo, accompanied by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Romero warmed the audiences with his delightful stories and humor, and dressed casually in white shirt and brown trousers, he was totally at ease, like a Dean Martin without the booze.

"The unparalleled program included every guitar technique imaginable and began with 'Siete canciones populares' by Manuel De Falla, six popular songs based on folk melodies, all of varying moods and textures, featuring the artists in duets, each artist offering different parts of the melody and accompaniment. Those songs delighted the audience and set a receptive mood. Fisk offered his famous transcriptions of the immortal Isaac Albeniz's works based on Spanish sites like Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada and Cadiz, all expressive of varied themes, each individually stylized. Whether using his guitar to give the sound of a full orchestra or delivering the softness of a single sigh, Fisk was masterful.

"The piece de resistance of the evening was the grouping of seven songs based on the old Spanish songs ('Canciones Espanolas Antiquas') by Frederico Garcia Lorca. The new versions for two guitars by Fisk and Romero with their varying impressionistic sites, and scenes, and rhythms were pure catnip for the audience that demanded three encores."

AC STUDENTS DIG UP 10TH CENTURY B.C. TUNNEL IN ISRAEL

December 15, 2008

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—Five students from Herbert W. Armstrong College spent the last year in Jerusalem digging, photographing and documenting a water tunnel archaeologists suggest may be the one King David's men used during the conquest of Jerusalem in the 10th century B.C.

For the past four years, one of Israel's top archaeologists, Dr. Eilat Mazar—with hands-on help from Herbert W. Armstrong College students—has been digging up ruins left from the ancient City of David. Earlier this year, Mazar accidentally discovered an opening to a tunnel dating to the 10th century B.C. while excavating around the top half of the famous Stepped Stone Structure, also known as Area G.

"The tunnel's characteristics, date and location testify with high probability that the water tunnel is the one called tsinnor in the story of the King David's conquest of Jerusalem," said Mazar, who is working on behalf of the Shalem Center and the Ir David Foundation and under the academic auspice of the Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Herbert W. Armstrong College has provided support and student volunteers to Mazar's excavations since 2006.

A few days after the tunnel entrance was discovered, Mazar set out to excavate the tunnel, assigning Armstrong College students to the task. AC junior John Rambo, 22, from Oklahoma, and graduate Victor Vejil, 24, from Texas, spent nearly two months inside the tunnel, digging using small tools under artificial light. Graduate Edwin Trebels, 26, from the Netherlands, and junior Brandon Nice, 22, from Indiana, photographed the tunnel and artifacts found inside as senior Brent Nagtegaal, 23, from Australia, supervised.

The tunnel runs north-south, and the walls follow a natural cavity in the bedrock that runs along the upper part of the eastern slope of the City of David. The tunnel is 50 meters so far, but at this point, both ends are blocked with debris and fallen stones.

Directly above the tunnel, on top of the hill, is where Mazar suggests King David's Palace was built. She believes the tunnel was integrated into its construction and might have been used to channel water to a man-made pool built on the southeast side of the palace, referred to in Nehemiah 3:16.

The tunnel was lost from world view after the Babylonians laid siege to the city in 585 B.C., until AC students stumbled upon it.

While describing the student's contribution, Mazar called the excavation an almost entirely "Armstrong College enterprise." All the positions related to the tunnel were filled by the student volunteers, except for that of the artist who was responsible for mapping out the tunnel.

The five volunteers returned to Edmond in October. Dr. Mazar believes only 5 percent of the tunnel has been uncovered, and she hopes to continue the excavations of the tunnel during future digs.

CHANCELLOR FLURRY BREAKS GROUND ON NEW $15M PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
800-seat auditorium to serve as church, college and community cultural center

January 6, 2008

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—With a golden shovel, Armstrong International Cultural Foundation Chairman Gerald Flurry officially broke ground on the foundation's new performing arts center in an outdoor ceremony Sunday, January 6 in north Edmond. The 800-seat concert hall, to be named Armstrong Auditorium, will serve as a worship center for the Philadelphia Church of God's headquarters congregation in addition to housing the foundation's performing arts series.

The Armstrong International Cultural Foundation is a non-profit, humanitarian organization sponsored by the Philadelphia Church of God, headquartered on the Herbert W. Armstrong College campus in north Edmond. The hall—which is expected to cost $15 million—will sit on the southern end of the college campus just north of Waterloo Road to the east of Bryant.

The new performing arts center has been designed by the Oklahoma City-based firm Rees Associates, Inc. Its résumé is impressive: the tallest building in Dallas, the commanding Rose State College Performing Arts Center just east of Oklahoma City, Black Entertainment Television's corporate headquarters, FBI buildings throughout the U.S., and even a health-care facility in Istanbul, Turkey.

Armstrong Auditorium provided unique challenges for Rees architects—designing a world-class facility for a relatively rural area. The auditorium will rest on the campus's most topographically interesting land—with a terraced hill leading down to the three-acre, spring-fed Spurlin Lake. In order to make the building of the finest quality—the highest caliber materials, acoustics—as well as to be able to host the greatest performers from all over the world, the foundation decided its performing arts center must not be too big.

Some of the most reputable names in acoustical engineering have high hopes for Armstrong Auditorium. Consulting on the plans were Ron McKay and Dave Conant of the acoustical firm McKay Conant Brook in California. McKay was an acoustical engineer for the legendary Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif. during its planning stages. The Ambassador's perfect acoustics earned it the title, "the Carnegie Hall of the West Coast."

McKay's colleague, Dave Conant, expects Armstrong Auditorium to potentially exceed Ambassador's excellent acoustics with a more ideal reverberation time. Additionally, since the Armstrong Auditorium will be smaller in seat count, it will be "more intimate acoustically and visually" than Ambassador, he said.

The ratio comparing the volume of the hall to each seat will be more ideal at Armstrong Auditorium than Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, Boston's Symphony Hall, and Vienna's Musikverein—the three standards engineers use to compare acoustic quality.

Construction is expected to take 22 months and the grand opening is scheduled for late 2009 or early 2010.

With a golden shovel, Armstrong International Cultural Foundation Chairman Gerald Flurry breaks ground January 6 on Armstrong Auditorium in north Edmond.

Artist's rendering of the new 800-seat performing arts center now under construction in north Edmond on the Herbert W. Armstrong College campus

HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG COLLEGE BREAKS FOR FALL RECESS
Eight-day festival provides students opportunities for travel

September 21, 2007

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—"As I sat on that patio staring off at the sunset over the Pacific Ocean, there was a profound sense of tranquility and thoughtful contemplation about the things I had seen and the new perspective I had gained," said Herbert W. Armstrong College junior Samuel Bruce after his trip to Peru, South America last October.

Each fall, Mr. Bruce and his fellow students break from classes to attend a religious festival called the Feast of Tabernacles. This year's recess runs from September 28 to October 7. During the 8-day festival, church members from 67 countries attend a total of 22 festival locations around the world, including Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Fiji, India, Israel, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Africa, Tobago, the United States and Zimbabwe. The festival focuses on building family ties through spiritual instruction and wholesome recreational activities. Many students use this as an opportunity to travel by attending the Feast of Tabernacles abroad.

After his trip to Peru, Mr. Bruce said world news impacted him differently: "When an earthquake struck that area earlier this year, there was a strange connection as I watched the news and said 'I know that square, I've walked that street and looked out of that window."

Traveling has changed the perspective of other students, as well. Junior Jeremy Cocomise said, "I've been to South Africa, one of the wealthiest nations in Africa, where they have shanty towns that stretch as far as the eye can see. We've all read about living conditions like that, or have seen them on TV or in a movie, but when you are standing right there seeing it with your very own eyes—it really makes you think."

Senior Keith Lesser was surprised by the reception he received in the Philippines: "In one town square, I was saluted twice by an older man, and he would not drop his salute until I passed by. The people there remember what the U.S. did for them," he said, "There is so much history that we have been involved in around the world, and being there at the spot that it happened helps things come alive and makes it real."

International travel has supplemented Senior Sarah Patten's education while at college. "Education can be very 1-dimensional without travel," she said, "While I'm trying to put what I learn into practice every day, traveling gives a larger opportunity to use the skills I'm developing."

Sophomore Tarah Jacques has been to Scotland, England, France, the Netherlands, South Africa and Mexico and is going to Jerusalem this year. She expects quite a culture shock and wants to experience "hearing the prayer calls each day and watching the Muslims stop their work to pray." She said, "You can read and read all about other cultures but it is so different to truly experience it for yourself."

HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG COLLEGE ENTERS ITS SEVENTH YEAR
Students & campus benefit from work/study program

August 24, 2007

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—Herbert W. Armstrong College entered its 7th academic year August 24th as 15 freshmen from around the United States joined 35 upperclassmen for the 2007-2008 academic year.

Orientation lectures centered on themes of true success and the importance of hard work. The Dean of Students, Stephen Flurry, detailed his recent trip to Israel. Other lectures emphasized that students are here not only to study—but to work hard. With a student body of only 50 students, each student's contribution directly impacts the entire college.

The work/study program at AC gives students the opportunity to pay their tuition and college fees and graduate debt free. The program also gives students the opportunity to help build and maintain the campus by planting flower beds, mowing fields, paving pathways, shelving books in the library and more.

The impact of the student work/study program is obvious; what was once a mere prairie of grass seven years ago is now a bustling college campus. The original freshmen class had all lectures, meals and sports in one building—this year's freshmen have their own dormitories, lecture halls, a dining hall and a gymnasium among other facilities. As this freshmen class takes up the shovel where the previous classes left off there is still much to build and much growth anticipated.

HWAC HOSTS INTERNATIONAL TEENS
Summer educational program combines sports, social graces to develop "whole personality"

July 23, 2007

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—Sharalee Fraser, 15, looks over her checklist one last time as she packs her suitcase before heading to the Melbourne airport. Basketball shoes, check. Bathing suit, check. Soccer cleats, check. Formal, pumps and pearls, check. Sunnies, check. Sunnies? "That's what we call sunglasses in Australia!" she explains.

Sharalee, who attends the Melbourne congregation of the Philadelphia Church of God, is joining 120 other teens from the U.S., Canada, South Africa, England, Guyana and the Bahamas at the church's Philadelphia Youth Camp (PYC), held July 11-31st on the Herbert W. Armstrong College (HWAC) campus in north Edmond.

Staffed by HWAC faculty and students, the three-week camp not only gives teens training in all types of outdoor activities and sports, but also focuses on activities that develop the mind and spirit. Campers enjoy basketball, softball, archery, canoeing and cycling, but also deliver speeches, learn ballroom dancing basics, organize and host etiquette dinners, and attend leadership and Bible classes.

"PYC is a summer educational program designed to challenge, stimulate and encourage our youth to become balanced individuals," says camp director, Wayne Turgeon. "As Christians, we stress the importance of building godly character and developing the whole personality."

Campers say what they learn at PYC helps when they go back home. "The formal events help you to be comfortable," says Rochella Tauer, 16, of Minnesota who is back for her second year. "I was able to help my mom with Thanksgiving planning last year thanks to the finer points I learned at etiquette dinner."

Canadian camper Winston Schlote, 15, says the education he received in public speaking was the most helpful to him last year. "I had to host an entertainment night at school, and I wasn't nervous at all."

Dating is a subject on most teens' minds, and is not overlooked at PYC. Formal dinners, dancing and the art of conversation are all part of the education teens receive. "We learn how to properly escort the ladies and how to be courteous on a date," says Tino Millar, 17, a third-time camper from London, England.

According to Eric Burns, athletic director for Herbert W. Armstrong College, character development is emphasized on the sports fields as well. "Campers are encouraged to cheer the good efforts of both teams," he says. "The focus isn't all on winning, it's on putting your best effort forward." At the track meet, for example, campers and counselors cheer every runner in the 100-yard dash, even those who come in last.

"It lessens the spirit of competition, and we realize in the end we're all on the same team." says David Wood, 17, of Michigan.

Overall, PYC campers say it's the friendships they make that are the most important part of camp. Chelsea Soward, 14, of Ohio says she's learned a lot about different cultures. "I've learned some different phrases and things from my dorm mate, Sharalee." she explains. When asked what kinds of phrases she responds with her best Aussie accent, "Sunnies, mate, sunnies!"

15 year old Australian camper Sharalee Fraser (front) takes aim the Philadelphia Youth Camp's archery range in north Edmond. The camp is hosting 120 teens from nine different countries July 11-31.

TOO MUCH RAIN A BLESSING FOR PHILADELPHIA YOUTH CAMP
Record downpours fill dried up lake just in time for summer fun

July 16, 2007

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—A silver lining has appeared in the clouds that otherwise might have dampened the hopes of 120 teens attending the Philadelphia Youth Camp (PYC) in north Edmond. The camp, which already features a wide variety of outdoor activities—from archery to cycling—was able to add canoeing to the list thanks to record rains that filled a long-dry seven-acre lake on the Herbert W. Armstrong College (HWAC) campus, where the camp has been held for the past five years.

The new lake took many return campers by surprise. "I was totally shocked to see the lake." said second-time camper Jesse Hester, 15, of Louisiana. "Last year it was dusty, with weeds in the bottom, really dry," he added.

Canoeing class turned out to be a hit with campers. "It was a great experience," Reinaldo Ramcharit, 18, said. "We learned how to rescue—something I've never done before. It was pretty fun."

Ramcharit, whose family just moved to the U.S. from Guyana, South America, is one of several international campers this session. Others have traveled from Australia, Canada, England, South Africa and the Bahamas to attend the three-week camp from July 11-31.

In the class campers learn canoeing basics; how to swamp their canoes, rescue themselves, and run a tandem rescue in what they say is an educational team-building experience.

"It took a lot of communication," Jessie Chaney, 14, of Ohio said. "If one person is paddling on the same side, you can flip over, and you don't want to be paddling against each other."

Staffed by HWAC faculty and students, PYC is sponsored by the Philadelphia Church of God. The camp not only trains teens in various outdoor activities and sports, but also aims to help them develop the mind and spirit. Campers enjoy basketball, softball, archery, canoeing, cycling and four other sports, in addition to delivering speeches, learning ballroom dancing basics, organizing and hosting etiquette dinners, and attending leadership and Bible classes.

"PYC is a summer educational program designed to challenge, stimulate and encourage our youth to become balanced individuals," says camp director Wayne Turgeon. "As Christians, we stress the importance of building godly character and developing the whole personality."

The Philadelphia Church of God also operates youth camps in Australia and the Philippines.

Kyle Cocomise, 15, and Michael Bruce, 14, learn how to swamp a canoe in the new lake at the Philadelphia Youth Camp in north Edmond. The 7-acre lake appeared after record rainfalls filled the dry lakebed in June.

HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG COLLEGE TO INCREASE SUPPORT OF HISTORIC EXCAVATIONS IN JERUSALEM
Controversial findings stir debate over Palestinian denial of Israel's history

April 24, 2007

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—Herbert W. Armstrong College (AC) announced today that it will expand its support of historic excavations in Israel this summer to continue uncovering what archaeologists are calling "the find of the century."

In joint participation with the Armstrong International Cultural Foundation, AC will send nine student volunteers to Jerusalem to work with renowned archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar in the third phase of her excavations of what is believed to be biblical King David's palace.

Dr. Mazar attracted international attention in the summer of 2005 when she unearthed massive walls near the Kidron Valley. Her finds have stirred debate over Palestinian claims that Israel has no legal claim over Jerusalem.

According to Herbert W. Armstrong College president Stephen Flurry, "As part of its ongoing intifada against Israel, radical Islam is fighting fiercely on the intellectual battlefront as well—especially regarding Israel's historical ties to Jerusalem."

Flurry points to a new book by Dore Gold, former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, who writes that Yasser Arafat preposterously claimed to President Clinton at the 2000 Camp David summit that Solomon's temple was not in Jerusalem (The Fight for Jerusalem). Two years later, in a newspaper interview, Arafat further advanced the myth, claiming that Solomon's temple wasn't even in Palestine.

In an article titled "Reclaiming Biblical Jerusalem," Rachel Ginsberg wrote about the territorial gains Palestinian propaganda has also made in the field of academia. "For a growing number of academics and intellectuals, King David and his united kingdom of Judah and Israel�is simply a piece of fiction. The biblical account of history has been dismissed as unreliable by a cadre of scholars... arguing that the traditional account was resurrected by the Zionists to justify dispossessing Palestinian Arabs" (Aish.com, Nov. 6, 2005).

According to Flurry, "This trend toward historical revisionism is what makes the most recent excavations of Dr. Eilat Mazar so controversial."

Because of her discovery, Gold wrote in his book, "The 'minimalists' had suffered yet another blow. Jerusalem, under the united monarchy of David and Solomon, could no longer be credibly characterized as a minor village" (op. cit.).

Since October of last year, AC has participated with Dr. Mazar's crew on the Jerusalem dig. Three volunteer students returned from the site in March and will return to lead the larger contingent of nine students in May. In addition to digging and sorting through artifacts, the students will lend publishing and technical support to the project.

"This is an incredible opportunity for Herbert W. Armstrong College" Flurry said. "But not merely because of the history that is being uncovered. The most important aspect of this archeological project has to do with the future of that city."

Nine Herbert W. Armstrong College students heading for Jerusalem this summer. L-R: Jeremy Cocomise, John Rambo, Lisa Napierkowski, Sarah Patten, Samuel Bruce, Brent Nagtegaal, Edwin Trebels, Brandon Nice, Adar Kielczewski.

Aerial view of Jerusalem showing the location on the dig site, just south of the temple mount along the Kidron Valley.
(Click on the image for a larger view)

HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG COLLEGE HONORS TEDDY KOLLEK

January 16, 2007

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—Herbert W. Armstrong College announced today it is making a $5,000 donation to the Jerusalem Foundation ''in memory of Teddy Kollek and Herbert W. Armstrong.'' The donation is being made for the preservation of Liberty Bell Park in Jerusalem, which Armstrong helped the former mayor of Jerusalem build.

Mayor Kollek founded the Jerusalem Foundation in 1966 for the purpose of beautifying the ancient city. Mayor Kollek asked Armstrong to help him construct a park in 1976 after receiving a gift from the City of Philadelphia—an exact replica of the Liberty Bell. Armstrong agreed and, through a gift from his Ambassador Foundation, made possible the construction of a portion of the park. Together they hosted the opening and dedication of the park on July 4, 1978.

Stephen Flurry, president of Herbert W. Armstrong College (AC), will make the donation during a visit to Jerusalem on January 28th.

According to Flurry, ''Mayor Kollek and Herbert W. Armstrong enjoyed a close personal friendship for many years. We feel this is the most appropriate way for us to honor the memory of both Mayor Kollek and Mr. Armstrong, and the love they shared for the city of Jerusalem.''

This donation is a part of the college's ongoing efforts to revive the humanitarian legacy of Herbert W. Armstrong and his support for Jerusalem. Armstrong's Ambassador College sent students to assist Dr. Benjamin Mazar, of Hebrew University, in the Temple Mount excavations in the 1970s.

Flurry's college currently has three students assisting Dr. Mazar's granddaughter, Eilat Mazar, in the excavations in the city of David—continuing the link between Herbert W. Armstrong's legacy and the city of Jerusalem.

HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG COLLEGE TO HOST OPEN HOUSE

January 15, 2007

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—Join us in north Edmond for two exciting events on Tuesday, January 30, 2007.

OPEN HOUSE
6:30pm-7:30pm
As our neighbor, we would like to meet you and answer any questions you may have about us—so come visit our campus and have a look at our facilities. Start your tour at the beautiful Hall of Administration. Campus maps and information will be available, and admission is free.

CONCERT - P.D.Q. Bach
8pm
Then join us for the concert everyone is talking about. The hilarious Peter Schickele will perform at the John Amos Field House as part of his North American tour, P.D.Q. Bach - the Jekyll & Hyde Tour. Tickets will be available at the door, online at www.OKCtickets.com, or by calling 405-285-1010. Log on to www.armstrongconcerts.org for more information.

HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG COLLEGE TO JOIN HISTORIC EXCAVATIONS IN JERUSALEM
Local Edmond college to help uncover "the find of the century"

September 28, 2006

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—In joint participation with the Armstrong International Cultural Foundation, AC students will join archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar in an excavation to uncover more of what is believed to be King David's palace.

Dr. Mazar attracted international attention in the summer of 2005 when she unearthed massive walls near the Kidron Valley. To this point, only a small fraction—approximately 10 percent of the structure—has been exposed, "but the finds have been remarkable" (Philadelphia Trumpet, March 2006).

Eilat Mazar is the granddaughter of the late Dr. Benjamin Mazar, who had a close relationship with Herbert W. Armstrong—after whom the Edmond college is named. In 1969 Mr. Armstrong's Pasadena, California based Ambassador College formed a unique partnership with Hebrew University—sending groups of Ambassador students to assist Dr. Mazar in archaeological excavations around the Temple Mount.

Eilat Mazar still remembers the close relationship between her grandfather and Mr. Armstrong, "Without the support of Mr. Armstrong and the 'Ambassadors,' the Temple Mount Excavations would have never become, as it did, the most important and largest excavations in Israel at that time." Dr. Mazar, thrilled with AC's offer to continue the tradition, said she was "excited to have the 'Ambassadors' back with us." In mid-October, three AC students will head for Jerusalem to assist in the second phase of the dig, which is scheduled to last through February 2007.

PHILADELPHIA CHURCH OF GOD MOVES HEADQUARTERS

January 20, 2006

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—On January 18, the Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) moved its staff to its new world headquarters—the Hall of Administration on the campus of Herbert W. Armstrong College (AC). Operations of the Church and College are now consolidated at one location for the first time since the College opened. The new, 22,825 square foot building is twice the size of the Church's previous facility and will provide room for the church's news bureau, ministers, and other employees. The ground floor will also serve as a library for college students.

When the Hall's seven steps, large pillars, and fountains are lit up at night, the classical period Grecian styled building can be seen from several surrounding streets in Edmond.

IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF EDMOND CHANGES NAME
New name honors Herbert W. Armstrong.

December 5, 2005

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—On December 3, Chancellor Gerald Flurry announced that Imperial College of Edmond would be renamed Herbert W. Armstrong College.

The new name is a tribute to the founder of the Worldwide Church of God and Ambassador College in Pasadena California, after which Imperial College of Edmond was modeled.

The Church initially filed to register the name "Imperial College of Edmond" with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in 2001. Shortly thereafter, the Church received an official objection from Imperial College London.

"Throughout the entire process, Imperial College London was very cooperative," said public relations director Dennis Leap. However, since the Church mails its correspondence course and other literature bearing the school name into Europe, officials anticipated confusion with the name Imperial.

The name Herbert W. Armstrong College was initially brought up when the college was first established in 2001, according to Dean of Students Stephen Flurry. Once it became clear that Imperial would not be an acceptable part of the new name, Chancellor Gerald Flurry began to reconsider it. This will be the first year the college graduates a senior class—the first diplomas displaying "Herbert W. Armstrong College."

LOCAL EDMOND COLLEGE APPROVES PLANS FOR NEW AUDITORIUM

June 30, 2005

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—Plans for a performing arts center on the Imperial College of Edmond campus were approved in June.

The planning stages began in August last year when Church officials met with the Oklahoma City architectural firm Rees Associates. With a rough idea of the PCG's overall vision and a glossy promotional pamphlet from the Ambassador Auditorium, Rees was able to return nine months later, in May, with a "design report" containing plans, renderings and budget breakdowns for the church's consideration.

The structure, according to the firm, will take approximately 22 months to construct and will include a large stage featuring a portion which can be lowered as an orchestra pit, an orchestra shell, two individual dressing rooms, two group dressing rooms, and some office and conference room facilities.

The building, 100 feet tall at its highest point (the part which will house stage equipment), will rest on the southeast corner of the campus's original 40 acres. A roughly 60-foot-high portico supported by seven white pillars will overshadow the front of the building.

A dramatic staircase, centered in the proposed tiled or marbled floor of the grand lobby, will lead to another lobby—much of which will be open to below—and 250 balcony seats. Also, audio and lighting control rooms will inhabit the balcony level.

Rees Associates estimates it will take 22 months from the time the plans are finalized to completion of construction.

The auditorium will mainly be used for Philadelphia Foundation and Imperial College of Edmond concerts and recitals, as well as for Sabbath services.

PCG ACQUIRES ARTIFACTS

July 20, 2004

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—On July 13, the Philadelphia Foundation obtained some of the very treasures that were considered the crown jewels of Ambassador Auditorium in California: a 9-foot Hamburg Steinway concert-grand piano and two Baccarat crystal candelabra commissioned by the Shah of Iran to celebrate the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire. To house these priceless artifacts, the Foundation has begun planning stages for a new auditorium—a beautiful concert hall modeled after Ambassador.

The items were won in an auction at the Pasadena Convention Center.

PCG MAIL PROCESSING CENTER OPENS

July 1, 2004

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—The mail department of the Philadelphia Church of God recently moved its operations from its former headquarters at the Waterwood Parkway office complex to a larger facility built on church-owned land.

The new mail-processing center has already increased efficiency. An amount of space approximately 40 times larger is now available for storage and packing of mail. Having a place to deposit books and booklets until they are needed has cut down time spent unloading and organizing from multiple hours to 30 minutes for one man. Features such as a loading dock and a forklift have made the physical work involved less time consuming.

The building also facilitates new ways for organization. In addition to all of the literature being in one location, a barcode system has been set up for inventory. Whereas three main facets of the mail processing system were formerly spread out (a call center, database, and mail department), they are now able to function together in close quarters.

Mail department manager Mark Saranga anticipates further growth as the department moves "to a large, full-scale operation."

PCG ACQUIRES COPYRIGHTS

May 1, 2003

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—On Thursday morning, January 16—17 years to the day after Herbert W. Armstrong's death—the Worldwide Church of God agreed to sell the copyrights to 19 of his works to the Philadelphia Church of God, including his final book, Mystery of the Ages. Mr. Armstrong was the founder and Pastor General of the Worldwide Church of God until his death in 1989.

The Philadelphia Church of God began printing Mr. Armstrong's literature in 1997, and the Worldwide Church of God leaders filed a lawsuit against them. That next summer, the WCG's pastor general, Joseph Tkach Jr., had made this statement in his book Transformed By Truth: "In February 1997 we filed suit against the Philadelphia Church of God ... to block republication of Mystery of the Ages .... We feel it is our Christian duty to keep this book out of print ... because we believe Mr. Armstrong's doctrinal errors are better left out of circulation."

In large part, this is why, in mid-1998, a federal district judge ruled in favor of PCG's distribution of Mystery of the Ages. That judge concluded that the PCG's dissemination of the work was a "fair use" under the copyright act.

In September 2000, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the lower court's fair use ruling—albeit in a 2-to-1 split decision. The court's reversal, in large part, rested on its conclusion that WCG "planned an annotation" of Mystery of the Ages.

After six years of battle in court, a settlement was reached. In the end, PCG received "much more than we ever thought possible," according to Pastor General Gerald Flurry. The total cost to the church was $2 million. With these books, the PCG feels they "have a message three to four times more powerful."

IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF EDMOND HOLDS FIRST CLASSES

September 5, 2001

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—It was a "historic day," according to Imperial College of Edmond Chancellor Gerald Flurry in his opening remarks. On August 30, the "doors" of Imperial College of Edmond swung open to students for the first time.

After a Labor Day weekend spent readying student housing, classes began at 8 a.m. on September 4. Initially, classes will be held at the church's current Waterwood Parkway facility while its new properties at Bryant and Simmons are developed. The College's new multi-purpose Field House should be available for use before the end of the year.

LOCAL CHURCH DEDICATES FIRST BUILDING OF COLLEGE CAMPUS

January 16, 2001

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—The first building on the Philadelphia Church of God's new Imperial College of Edmond campus was dedicated today in honor of John Amos, one of its two earliest ministers.

The new John Amos Field House (JAFH) is currently under construction. Pastor General Gerald Flurry has described its creation as a way to "expand the vision of the building projects" which the organization has in mind.

The JAFH will serve multiple functions for the church and college. The gym, featuring maple wood floors and a large stage, will double as a fitness center and a meeting hall for the congregation. The stage will be able to accommodate both speakers and performers.

The field house will serve as a meeting location for the congregation, which is more spacious and convenient than its former location at Waterwood Parkway. As it includes a kitchen, dining hall, computer lab, weight room, locker room with showers, and ample space for several classes, the building will soon become a central location for students in their daily life at the new college.

PHILADELPHIA CHURCH OF GOD PURCHASES 120 ACRES

September 30, 2000

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—On the afternoon of September 15, the Philadelphia Church of God signed the deed for a 120-acre plot of land sitting catty-corner to its 40-acre plot after the owners "made us an offer that we felt we could not refuse," Pastor General Gerald Flurry said.

The 120-acre purchase came about after a phone call from the property owner's representative, Jack Dake, of Baron Energy. Due to the proximity of the Church's land to the 120-acre plot, which had an authorized airstrip that Baron Energy had rights to develop, the PCG could not erect a radio antenna anywhere on its 40 acres; federal aviation laws forbid it. Mr. Dake wanted to make sure the PCG was aware of the law.

The Church had understood the airstrip and housing project to be abandoned before it purchased the 40 acres, Pastor J. Tim Thompson said. Grazing cattle were its only residents. But according to Mr. Dake, plans were still in motion.

"Why don't you just sell it to us?" Mr. Thompson asked Mr. Dake.

Mr. Dake agreed to meet with Mr. Thompson on August 29. Seventeen days later, Mr. Flurry was holding the deed.

The new addition came with a ten-acre, triangular-shaped lake bed, a small pond and patches of scrubby oaks and shrubs scattered across the gently sloping prairie-grassed pasture.

It also came with an airstrip, which cleaves the property from north to south.

The new acreage inspired immediate changes in the building program. The basic change was shifting all the buildings constituting the college campus to the 120 acres. The 22,400 sq. ft. field house, just days away from its groundbreaking on the 40 acres before the signing, is already under construction near the center of the 120 acres. It will still serve as the hub of the college, a youth camp, and a center for local congregation activities.

PHILADELPHIA CHURCH OF GOD PURCHASES 38 ACRES

July 1, 2000

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA—With a continually growing staff and limited office space, the Philadelphia Church of God purchased 37.81 acres of Oklahoma land from Mr. and Mrs. Richard Spurlin to establish its new headquarters on June 29.

The acreage, most of which is an open, terraced hay field, contains a section lush with evergreens and foliage, a natural creek and trickling waterfall, and, viewable from much of the property, a four-acre, spring-fed lake. The property is located off Bryant Ave., between Waterloo and Simmons in Edmond.

Preparations for building on the land began immediately. "In a couple of years, you won't recognize this place," Pastor J. Tim Thompson said. "When you take that little lake out there and you take that land, we can have a small version of the Garden of Eden."