Dan Linrud challenges students to be "Popeye Christians"

Using powerful stories and compelling illustrations, 

Dan Linrud 

engaged both the hearts and minds of listeners.

Just as Popeye gained strength from spinach, Christians can gain the strength we need through prayer, said Dr. Dan Linrud, featured speaker at services Alumni Fun Fest Weekend.  Dr. Linrud, a graduate of CUC, and now Executive Secretary of the Ontario Conference, spoke Friday evening for vespers and Sabbath morning for both services.

Dr. Linrud began his pastoral work in Canada in the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference.  After completing his studies at the SDA Seminary at Andrews University he spent 10 years pioneering progressive church models in the greater Seattle area.  In 1998, Dr. Linrud moved to Hamilton, Ontario, to serve as pastor of the Hamilton Mountain SDA Church.  Since 2008 he has been part of the administrative team for the Ontario Conference.

The new sign for Riverton Hall (formerly Milestone Apartments) was unveiled Friday evening at vespers.  Attending the service on behalf of Riverton Construction, was John Thorarinson, who with his brothers Larus and Eugene, own and operate the company.  Riverton Construction sold Milestone Apartments to CUC for less than half its assessed value.  Following remarks by Dr. Haynal (see below), a prayer of dedication was offered by Faith Caliminos, who serves along with Shane Murley, as a student dean in Riverton Hall.

The full program of events for Alumni Fun Fest Weekend can be found here and here.

Pictured above, to my left, in the back row, are Stacy Hunter, vice president for student services, Dwayne Straub, administrative residence hall dean, and Darrell Huether, vice president for financial administration.  In the front row are Faith Caliminos, student dean, Christina Thorarinson, receptionist for Registrar Services at CUC, a CUC graduate and Eugene's daughter, John Thorarinson and Shane Murley, student dean.

President's Remarks at the Unveiling of the Riverton Hall Sign

Do you remember a time in your life when you faced a huge problem and were completely out of options? Canadian University College went through such a time last year. 

Our dorms were full of students, pressed down, and running over. We needed to add more dormitory space and we needed it ready by the start of this school year.  We thought we had a good plan in place to build an apartment building. But, those plans fell through and we found ourselves up against a deadline and out of options.
It was then that God led us to the Thorarinson brothers, owners of Riverton Construction in Calgary, and also owners of what was then Milestone Apartments. In an act of great generosity, these three men, Larus, Eugene and John agreed to sell us the apartment complex for less than half its assessed value.

We are now about to unveil the new sign that we will place in front of the building we will now call Riverton Hall. As we look at this attractive sign for the first time and each time hereafter, it would be good if we remembered three things:

First, we are so very grateful for the kindness and generosity of Larus, Eugene and John Thorarinson. Thank you for helping us. We will never forget what you have done for our students.

Second, this institution was built and is now sustained in large part thanks to the generosity and sacrifice of others. From retirees who place in the offering plate a small portion of their fixed income to those who are able to give large gifts, it is the goodness of many that keeps CUC and PAA running.

And the final thing we should remember each time we see this new sign is this: God has been, and is, and will always be, your, and my, and Canadian University College’s ever-present help in time of trouble.