In August 1988, Dr. Sherill Babb reached out to Mark Jalovick with an offer to be the academic and student life coordinator of the University’s new Wisconsin campus. Three weeks later, the Jalovicks moved to Northern Wisconsin with their 16-month-old and four-week-old. The academic year started just four days later.
They didn’t know it quite then, but Wisconsin Wilderness Campus (WWC) would become a hallmark experience for hundreds of University students over the next 25 years. From 1988 to the campus’ closure in 2013, the Jalovicks served the first-year students who chose to begin their University education in Northern Wisconsin. Mark, who was later named the director of the campus, designed the nine-month experience to be intentional and spiritually edifying for every student. Together, the Jalovicks created a culture on campus that was vibrant and discipleship-focused, making a significant impact and influence on the local community in addition to the students who studied there.
Dana supported Mark’s efforts in numerous ways but officially joined the University staff in 1992 as the campus’ part-time bookkeeper and later office manager. When the campus closed and the Jalovicks returned to Langhorne in 2013, Mark directed the University’s First Year Programs for several years, and Dana ran the Campus Store for a brief period before moving to a position in the Office of Development and Philanthropy. Most recently, Mark taught in the School of Divinity.
“Mark and Dana Jalovick will be greatly missed at Cairn University,” said President Williams. “Not only have they been dear friends and colleagues to so many of us, but they have had a significant and lasting impact at Cairn University and on the students they have taught, mentored, and served so faithfully for so long. We thank the Lord for them and look forward to what he will do in and through them in the years to come.”
The Jalovicks’ last day at the University was May 5. Alumni are encouraged to reach out to them and share the impact they made in their lives by emailing Mark at mjalovick@cairn.edu.