In 1963, Herb Purnell and his family moved to a Mien village in the mountains of Northern Thailand. There were no roads, and no vehicles that could handle the terrain; they carried everything up. They had two small children and were expecting their third. Their goal was to learn the Mien language and culture and minister the Word to the believers in the village as they did so. Their time in the village was relatively short – only 14 months – but it was a key part of the work Herb has been doing for nearly sixty years.

In April, Russ Nixon will be stepping into his new role as Senior Vice President for University Advancement at Cairn University. We are happy to have Russ joining us here at Cairn and excited about what the future holds as he leads us forward in our Advancement efforts.

Amidst frigid temperatures and brilliant Wisconsin sunshine, over 200 guests gathered to relive a moment in time. For some this included ingesting a few more meals in the camp’s dining hall or the opportunity to strap on cross-country skis or snowshoes to travel the snow-packed trails that surround the idyllic facility. But one reason stood universal for all who returned to the campus: to reconnect with a year that inspired them to deep change and growth.

2013 marks Cairn University’s 100th anniversary. In January, we unveiled a special centennial logo and the centennial theme, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” Beginning with Commencement in May 2013 and concluding with Commencement 2014, Cairn will be celebrating God’s great faithfulness throughout its history as well as casting a vision for a second century. Throughout the …

This winter, the University published By Design: Developing a Philosophy of Education Informed by a Christian Worldview, a book by Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Dr. Marti MacCullough. Dr. MacCullough’s book serves as a guide for pre-service teachers and Christian teachers who have not considered their own practices and beliefs from a Christian worldview.

“In the summer of 1992, while still on a two-month mission trip in Kenya, I was praying and asking God for direction for my life. I was 22 and went to Kenya to say to God that I was willing to serve Him anywhere far or near,” says Sam Harrell about the time he calls “the beginning of God’s detour.”

The 2012 Homecoming festivities filled Friday and Saturday, October 5-6.

Many who have studied at Cairn know the Morrison family. For the past 15 years, the children of Rev. Harold ’78 and Robin (Palmer) x’78 Morrison have been a near-constant presence at the University.

The music of Kile Smith is hailed for its “sparkling beauty” by Gramophone, which called Vespers “spectacular.” His works are praised for their emotional power, direct appeal, and strong voice.

Martha E. MacCullough, Ed.D. Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Center for University Studies Dr. Martha MacCullough has served the Cairn University community since 1980. In the past 32 years, she has become a pillar of the institution, providing wisdom and leadership to both her students and colleagues. From 1980 to 1983, Dr. MacCullough worked in Cairn’s Department …