12 Multnomah Alumni Who Are Just Plain Awesome

Since Multnomah's founding in 1936, the school has graduated a number of great people who have done some amazing things. Here is just a handful of examples.

1. Luis Palau

Christianity Today

Palau, an internationally famous evangelist, graduated from our graduate certificate program in 1961. He and his ministry, the Luis Palau Association, have shared the gospel with more than 1 billion people across the globe. Palau has authored almost 50 books, and he continues to share the Gospel over radio, host TV shows, and preach around the world.

2. Charles and Florence Buregeya

Africa New Life

Charles and Florence, who both graduated with an M.A. in Pastoral Studies, founded Africa New Life, a ministry that seeks and establishes sponsors for children in Rwanda. Each sponsorship provides a child with education, school materials, uniforms, shoes and basic medical insurance.

3. Kylie Cole

Cole didn't waste any time after graduating from MU with her elementary education degree. A year after receiving her diploma, she founded Cherry Tree Preschool, which she owns and operates in Hillsboro, Ore. “Values and morals are a huge thing we focus on,” she says, adding that she avoided making her business a Christian school for one reason: “I wanted this to be my ministry,” she says. “I want to show them God’s love.”

4. Andrew Teeter

Harvard University

While he was a Multnomah student pursuing his B.A. in Bible and Greek with a minor in Hebrew, Teeter discovered a deep fascination and appreciation for the Hebrew Scriptures. Today he is the Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament at Harvard Divinity School.

5. Jelani Memory

Portland Business Journal

Founder of Circle Media, Memory was behind the creation of Circle with Disney, a device that safeguards kids from inappropriate internet content while placing parameters around screen-time. Backed by huge brands and a partnership with Disney, Memory's invention has been a true success. While attending MU, he pursued his B.A. in Bible and minored in Greek.

6. Gayle Fidanzo

Fidanzo graduated from our degree completion program with a B.A. in leadership and ministry. Now, as the executive director at Christian Family Adoptions, she's mentoring employees, counseling parents and matching children with loving families. "I wouldn't be the leader I am without the principles I got at MU," she says.

7. Dave Munson

Munson is the founder and CEO of Saddleback Leather Co., a thriving business established with more than financial motives in mind. Demonstrated by his generosity (he and his wife are ardent supporters of Africa New Life) and the way he cares for his employees (free counseling, free English classes, and free daycare and school for their children), Munson proves that business and ministry can go hand-in-hand.

Munson was chosen to receive Multnomah's 2015 Alumnus of the Year Award. His passion, drive, humility and generosity, as displayed through his business, made him an outstanding candidate. He graduated in 1996 with a degree in Bible & Theology.

8. Dr. Mia Potter

When Dr. Potter wanted to share her gifts as a nutritionist with an agency ministering to underdeveloped communities in Africa, she was told she needed a strong biblical foundation. So she enrolled in MU's graduate certificate program. Today, she's a naturopathic primary care physician at Selah Natural Medicine and a professor at Helfgott Research Institute. Dr. Potter says the biblical wisdom she cultivated at Multnomah continues to inspire her career.

9. Henry Barrera

When Henry Barrera wasn't playing basketball for MU (he was a three-time All-American and NCCAA National Player of the Year), he was studying for his degree in educational ministries. Today Barrera is using his athletic and educational experience by serving as the Men's Basketball Strength & Conditioning Coach at Liberty University. He previously worked at Nike as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and he continues to consult with the brand, including Nike N7, the Jordan brand and Shoot 360. He also owns Hoop Diaries, a basketball training program.

10. Duane Stark

Via Twitter

Stark graduated from Multnomah with his M.A. in Pastoral Studies. Currently, he is a State Representative of Oregon and the Pastor of Local and Global Outreach at River Valley Community Church in Grants Pass, Ore. Stark is a public servant who deeply cares for his community as an advocate and planner. He has also been involved with many nonprofits over the years.

11. Paul Pastor

Pastor graduated from MU with a B.S. in Bible/Theology and Educational Ministries. As a gifted writer and editor, he has worked as an associate editor for Christianity Today and editor of PARSE, one of the world's top 10 ministry blogs. Next month he'll release his first book, "Face of the Deep," which takes a unique and close look at the Holy Spirit.

Pastor was chosen as the 2014 recipient of the Distinguished Young Alumni Award with his passion for the Lord and love for the Word as the key reasons for his selection.

12. Diane Moore

Moore graduated from our Master of Arts in Counseling program with the training and education she needed to open her own private practice. "If you create an environment of truth, then people will heal," she says.

Due to her exemplary leadership and service, Moore received Multnomah's Distinguished Young Alumni Award in 2013.

We have countless alumni who are faithfully serving Jesus with their careers. We can't even begin to name them all, or measure the impact they've had on our communities, nation and world.

In the comments below, share the names of any impactful alumni that come to mind!