Multnomah Bible College won't be the same next year. Several faculty and staff members who have served MBC for many years are either retiring or leaving. The Voice interviewed these folks to learn about their future plans and to find out what they have enjoyed about working at MBC.


Barbara Darland

1. Her position at MBC: Teacher of English and Literature; General Education Department Chair; member of Academic Dean's Council.

2. Length of time at MBC: 21 years: taught for 19 years; worked in public relations and as secretary to Dr. John Mitchell for two years.

3. Plans for next year: Her husband is also rertiring in the spring. They will be moving to Redmond, Ore. where they have built a house on property they've owned there for eight years.

4. Her fondest memory of MBC: "Interacting with students. Specifically, developing and teaching British Literature. I have so may memories because I love this school."

5. What she will miss the most: "The people, both the students and my colleagues."

6. Her favorite hobbies: She enjoys water color painting and photography. Some of her paintings are on display in a few Redmond area galleries. She is a member of the Central Oregon Art Association.


Mary Shackleton

1. Her position at MBC: Dean of Women

2. Length of time at MBC: Nine years

3. Plans for next year: "I'm going to take a year sabbatical and see where the Lord leads me next." Dean Shackleton will live in Mt. Vernon, Wash., with her husband, Harvey.

4. Her fondest memory of MBC: "Watching God work in students' lives; seeing students drawn to Him."

5. What she will miss the most: "The interaction with students and faculty. I'll miss using my gifts here."

6. Her favorite hobbies: She loves to play the piano at home. She plays classical pieces, praise songs, and music she makes up before the Lord. She also enjoys organizing and cleaning her house.


Erma Wolever

1. Her position at MBC: Executive Assistant to Joe Aldrich, Joe Wong and Paul Griffin

2. Length of time at MBC: 14 years

3. Plans for next year: "I'm going to start looking for something [employment] in the Longview-Kelso area in the spring. I'd like to work for another five years before retiring. We live in Kalama, Wash., and I don't want to drive that far by myself [when her husband Dick retires at the end of 1998]. I hate leaving Multnomah; it's a phenomenal place. I'm sure I'll never find anything as good as Multnomah, but God will open something up."

4. Her fondest memory of MBC: "Getting to know the students. And of course that's what Multnomah is all about, the students. The down side is that then they go away. Dick and I still pray for many of the students. Someday we hope to get around and visit some of them.

5. What she will miss the most: "All the wonderful people... faculty, staff and students. The most important thing in the world is people."

6. Her favorite hobbies:"I love working outdoors and spending time with my seven grandchildren."


Joyce Kehoe

1. Her position at MBC: Registrar and Director of Admissions

2. Length of time at MBC: 43 years

3. Plans for next year: "I'm going to take the first part of my retirement to discover what volunteer opportunities the Lord has for me----meaningful things for the kingdom."

4. Her fondest memory of MBC: "I've made many dear friends, and I suppose that's what will be the most endearing."

5. What she will miss the most: "The people. I will miss them keenly."

6. Her favorite hobbies: Playing the violin, gardening, reading and taking early morning walks.


Dick Wolever

1. His position at MBC: Maintenance Technician

2. Length of time at MBC: 11 years when he retires in December '98.

3. Plans for next year: "I'm anxious to get away from the 9 to 5 syndrome, as I call it. I learned a good lesson from people like John Mitchell amd Willard Aldrich that retirement, just sitting in a rocking chair, is not for me. I want to get involved in volunteering at summer camps with Erma [his wife]. That will give us a chance to see different parts of the country but at the same time stay in service."

4. What he will miss the most:"Working with the students. This very definitely is a service here at Multnomah, not just a job--a good investment for all eternity."

5. His favorite hobbies: Fishing and golfing.


Ann Wecks

1. Her position at MBC: Receptionist (Front Desk)

2. Length of time at MBC: Three and a half years

3. Plans for next year: "Be at home and do artwork and maybe a children's book. Also, travel more with my husband."

4. Her fondest memory of MBC: "My relationship with the students, the friends I made."

5. What she will miss the most: "Relationships with the people."

6. Her favorite hobbies: Gardening and water color paintings


Jill Williamson

1. Her position at MBC: Faculty Secretary

2. Length of time at MBC: A little over two years

3. Plans for next year: "Well, I have one boy and I'm pregnant, so I'm going to go home and be a full-time mom and wife. That's why I'm leaving Multnomah, not because I want to but because it's time to be a mom."

4. Her fondest memory of MBC: "Being able to take part in the students' lives. My position has turned into a great opportunity, even though I'm Faculty Secretary, to get to know the students and encourage them."

5. What she will miss the most: "The interaction with the faculty. They are just a delightful group of people who totally love the Lord."

6. Her favorite hobbies: Working in the yard (gardening) as a family.