Wheaton College Alumni Magazine Autumn 2013 | Page 3

WHEATON contents 26 features 12 A Gem of a Collection The treasure trove of gems, rocks, and minerals given to the College from the estate of Art Smith ’57 runs the gamut from egg-shaped geodes to crystals painted opalescent purple and green by the Master Artist. 14 Inside Cuba The enigma just off our shores, Cuba offers Wheaton students an unparalleled opportunity to witness politics, faith, and life under a Communist regime. by Jeremy Weber ’05 20 The Catalyst For promoting evangelism and collaboration throughout the global church, S. Douglas Birdsall ’75 received the Alumni Association’s 2013 Distinguished Service to Society Award. by Alanna Foxwell-Barajas ’06 22 Momentum Alumni engineers demonstrate the benefits of a major that’s gathering both strength and interest—Wheaton’s 3–2 program for engineering. by Karen Halvorsen Schreck ’84 26 28 31 Free to Serve Medical missionaries reach the field sooner thanks to this organization conceived on Wheaton’s campus. by Annette Heinrich LaP