Tag: Highlander

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Stories In Focus

Remembering Doris Nielsen

Doris “Mabel” Nielsen’s name may be familiar to all, but her legacy is more significant than most know.

Coming from a background in theological studies and psychology—with degrees from both Houghton College and Columbia Bible College—Doris decided to pursue her love for the outdoors by earning her Master’s in Physical Education from the University of Buffalo. Doris immediately jumped into recreation programming as the director of Camp Sandy Hill, an all-girls’ outdoor retreat in North East, Maryland.

At Houghton College, where she moved with her husband Ken and became a full-time professor of Physical Education and Recreation in 1961, Doris immediately saw the potential for robust, thriving wilderness adventure programs. The inviting Allegheny County landscape—with its pastoral farmlands, rolling hills, and untamed forests—seemed like the perfect place to establish such student activities.

In pursuit of this vision, Doris helped establish many of the hiking and biking trails that wind through the trees behind the athletic complex. (To this day, one still carries her name.) She pushed for the construction of a ropes and initiatives course in the Houghton woods, which has helped countless students discover and overcome their personal limitations. She organized backpacking trips far from the familiar, introducing students to the rugged majesty of the Alaskan wilderness and the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Closer to home, she led the Pioneer Girls Club at Houghton Wesleyan Church, helping young women explore the Bible and discover their own potential.

The Highlander Adventure Program, which she founded in 1979 and oversaw until her retirement, remains her most lasting legacy on the Houghton campus and community. Doris envisioned the program as a chance to give young, potentially nervous students positive experiences that would teach them problem solving skills, build their self-confidence, and “carry them over the valleys” of their challenging first year. By connecting students with a community of other first-year participants, Doris hoped that her fledgling initiative would encourage them to rely on their own inner strength, their classmates’ encouragement, and God’s continual provision.

Dividing her students into groups of ten, she set off for the dirt paths and mountain tracks of Western New York. Cadres scaled challenging rock climbing courses, lugged their heavy backpacks over muddy trails, and shouted urgent directions to each other as they scrambled through the on-campus ropes course that Doris had earlier that year.

In 1988, Doris founded the first STEP Adventure Program, an experiential wilderness experience designed for high-risk youth in the community. Just four years later came an appointment to the directorship of Upward Bound of Allegany and Cattaraugus, a federally-funded program aimed at students in similarly high-risk situations.  Coach Robert Smalley, who worked alongside Doris during her time at Houghton and inherited her directorship of the  Highlander program, remembers her with a smile. “High-energy, lover of the Lord, lover of people, and lover of the outdoors,” he describes her. “She was a high-energy person who impacted many lives.”

Although Doris and her husband, Ken, retired from full-time service at Houghton in 1997, they continued to find new ways to serve the community. With its distinctive focus on wilderness adventures and its focus on connecting with Houghton’s abundant natural resources, the Nielsen Center reflects its namesake’s passion for the outdoors: a closet packed with camp stoves and well-used tents, a collection of kayaks and bundles of ski poles, a climbing wall dedicated “to the glory of God.”

But Doris’ most lasting impact on Houghton College is reborn every school year, not in the buildings and trails that bear her name, but in the hearts and aching legs of the students whose first introduction to the community comes through the Highlander Adventure Program. “Endurance, community building, integrity, and choosing challenge are all principles of Highlander, and all carry over to the way one lives out faith in Jesus,” says Emma Steele ’18, a student participant and two-time Highlander leader. “I’ve seen participants make what they can out of little, physically pull each other up, and learn trust. I’ve seen groups become teams, and teams become families.”

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Stories In Focus

Houghton Student Wins Amateur Bagpiping Competition in Albany

Both the traditional welcome and send-off for Houghton students is a march around the quad, led by someone dressed in formal Scottish “Highlander” attire and playing the bagpipes. Starting in 2014, the leader has been an actual Houghton student, who has now won an award for his art. On October 8, Andrew Hutton ’18 was named the overall winner of the Nicol-Brown amateur invitational in Albany, New York. According to their official website, this invitational provides top amateur pipers with a prestigious competition, and sets a standard by which to judge their piping. The competition is considered one of the top two amateur competitions in North America, as well as one of the top overall competitions in the world.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Hutton
Photo courtesy of Andrew Hutton

Hutton began playing the bagpipes when he was ten years old. He started with the Paris Port Dover Pipe band near his hometown, and has expanded his experience since. “I began competing in solo and band competitions when I was twelve. A major highlight for me was going to the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland when I was twelve years old,” he said. “I also played in the Basel International Tattoo and Festival in Switzerland, as well as at funerals and memorials for special relatives and friends.”

These opportunities have been the product of Hutton’s discipline and dedication to bagpiping, as well as the intentional support he has behind him. “Without my instructors, Ed Neigh and Bruce Gandy, and my parents, I would not have been able to reach the level that I am at now.”

The Hutton family has not only fully supported him along the way, but has also played a major role in how Hutton began the art of piping. “My great-great grandparents are originally from Scotland,” he said. “My cousin played the bagpipe and encouraged my older brother to take up the pipes. My older brother eventually inspired me to play.” Hutton’s grandmother, Ruth (Fancher) Hutton, graduated from Houghton in 1943, and his grandfather graduated in 1957. Hutton’s great-grandfather was one of the four Fanchers for whom the Houghton building was named.

Hutton’s bagpiping journey has not only brought him success, but also many lessons and friendships along the way. “I’ve learned that hard work and dedication eventually pays off,” he said. “I’ve made a lot of lasting friendships that have developed over the years as a result of piping. I love bagpiping because of the intricacy and meaning of the music.”

Houghton has utilized Hutton’s gift of bagpiping for school events, and will continue to utilize his gift in future events. “Houghton students, faculty, and staff have been very appreciative every time I have played for a school event and I am happy to do more,” he said.

Hutton has served Houghton College and also the families within the community with his gift. Kristin and Souly Sanasith are one of these families. “Andrew has invested in our family and has endearingly earned the nick-name ‘Bagpipes’ from each of our four children,” Mrs. Sanasith said. “We continue to be impressed by Andrew’s strong faith, diligent work ethic, and continued engagement with our family.”

She added that Hutton has even taken on the role of teacher in their household. He meets with their son Carson weekly to teach him bagpiping. Mrs. Sanasith continued, “Souly and I love having students our children can look up to, and Andrew continues to bless each member of our family. We are so proud of his accomplishments and are thrilled to have him in our family’s life.”

Hutton’s gift of bagpiping is not just a hobby. He considers his role as a calling. He anticipates future opportunities where he will not only gain more recognition for his gift, but where he may further his calling by helping others along the way. “I will definitely continue to play for weddings, funerals, and special events. I will continue to compete in solo competitions at the professional level in North America and Scotland. I also will continue to teach and pass not the legacy I have been given.”

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Campus News

Houghton Highlanders Welcome Three New Coaches to Athletic Department

This school year, Houghton will welcome three new coaches to campus. Two of the three coaches are Houghton college alumni. Corky McMullen ’07, took over as the new head coach for the men’s basketball and Andrew Lundeen ’09 was appointed as the new head men’s lacrosse coach. The women’s softball coach, Katie Sinclair, is an alumni of St. Bonaventure. “All three coaches are enthusiastic, passionate, committed to Christ, understand the ‘student-athlete’ concept, and understand what we are doing in terms of sports ministry” said Head Athletic Director Skip Lord.  

McMullen, who graduated with a degree degree in physical education, played basketball under Coach Brad Zargess, who is now the athletic director at Quincy College in Massachusetts. McMullen said, “Houghton is a special place to me because of the impact it had on my life.” He was recruited out of high school to play basketball for Houghton,  but didn’t give it a chance. After a successful athletic and academic year at Lockhaven University in Pennsylvania, he felt something was missing in his life and visited Houghton, which he said changed his life. McMullen said, “The people were so warm and welcoming, unlike any other college visit I had ever been on.”

Upon graduating, he spent a number of years as a member of the coaching staff at various institutions, such as Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Hofstra University, and Rutgers University. He worked in various roles such as player development and scouting. McMullen, whose father coached high school for 35 years and currently coaches at the college level, said his father impacted his passion for coaching. “I always knew I wanted to coach. I saw the impact that he had on the players’ lives and saw a lot of his players come back 10, 15, 20 years down the road and thank him, which was really meaningful for me” said McMullen. His coaching philosophy, which is centered on people and relationships, is part of the reason Johnathon Stowe ‘17 thinks McMullen will do well in Houghton.  “I believe he is a great fit for Houghton, his strong spiritual leadership is needed here, and I like the way he cares for his players,” Stowe said.

Women’s softball coach, Sinclair, graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a bachelor’s degree in business management and a minor in sports management. While there, she played softball and started working with players through clinics and camps to refine their skills. “I fell in love with helping people get better and reach their goals athletically,” said Sinclair. Her first year, with the help of two of her teammates, she started Bonnies Athletes for Christ. Similar to Fellowship for Christian Athletes (FCA), it started with five student athletes having weekly bible studies. It eventually grew into about 25-30 athletes, and in her senior year became a chapter of FCA. Last summer, she coached on a travel team out of Binghamton, New York, where she the focus was on-field coaching and running through game situations. Taylor Sile ‘19, believes these skills will be an asset to the team. “I believe that Coach Katie will push each and every member of the team to new levels of play and I am very excited to see our growth” said Sile.

Lastly, the men’s head lacrosse coach, Lundeen has been living in southern Maryland teaching  middle school social studies teacher for seven years, while service as the assistant men’s lacrosse coach and offensive coordinator at the College of Southern Maryland (CSMD). Although he never played lacrosse at the collegiate level, he has coached at all levels. Lundeen also has experience with lacrosse as a new program, as he worked closely with  head coach for the CSMD started the lacrosse program for the school. While Lundeen is currently at CSMD, he will become a full time coach on campus for the first week of October. Lundeen is excited to join Houghton and stated, “As the coach, I am excited about leading the members of the men’s lacrosse team as they grow physically, mentally and spiritually during their four years at Houghton.” Paul Chapman ‘17, is also excited for Lundeen to start coaching,  “I truly believe he will be successful as the new head coach. We are all beyond excited to get this new era of Houghton lacrosse underway.”