The Rochester Christian University development office honored various alumni and friends during the men’s basketball game on Nov. 21. 

Among those honored were Doug and Sheila Selke, who have been supporting Rochester Christian University through philanthropic giving for over 40 years. The Selkes are members of the President’s Circle of Honor and have established a scholarship fund in honor of Doug’s parents, Leonard and Dorothy Selke. Doug and Sheila are also active with the ALS Foundation and the Rochester Church of Christ, where they oversee the benevolence fund that supports members of the congregation and the RCU community. Doug also serves as an elder at the Rochester Church of Christ, which is located in the Rochester Christian University Alumni Center. 

Bill Lackowski, a 1998 graduate of Rochester Christian University was given a special shout out during the game for his support and engagement with the RCU school of business. Lackowski was joined by his two sons, Owen and Noah. 

Owen and Noah are both planning on transferring to Rochester Christian University this upcoming fall to study business while receiving 50% off tuition through the Legacy Scholarship, offered to children and grandchildren of Rochester Christian University alumni. Bill was also responsible for recruiting two of his brothers, John and Mark, to attend Rochester Christian University. 

During halftime, Coach Garth Pleasant, former basketball coach, athletic director, and professor of sports management at Rochester Christian University was joined by Brad McKenna, a 2002 graduate for a discussion at center court. 

McKenna received his bachelor’s of science in communication and was a dual sport athlete playing soccer and baseball while at RCU. McKenna was director of corporate relations for Leader Dogs For The Blind and served as the co-chair of the Rochester Christian University Alumni Association from 2012 to 2015. He is now the president and CEO of Extreme Response International, a Atlanta Georgia based non-profit that changes the lives of those living in extreme, often life-threatening, situations all over the world. 

“I came here with a mission and left with a purpose,” McKenna said.

Faith Works, a local nonprofit and Rochester Christian University partner, were honored during the game as well. Faith Works has over 100 members whose mission is to serve others in need. Faith Works has partnered with Rochester Christian University over the last several years, establishing a scholarship and funding several student outreach initiatives such as Warriors Serve, where hundreds of our students serve the Pontiac community for an entire day each semester. 

Stephan Henning, a 2012 graduate, was recognized during the game for being an engaged and supportive young alumnus. Henning is a Rochester High School graduate who came to play basketball at Rochester Christian University while earning his bachelor’s degree in education, graduating in 2012. Henning was a teacher and head men’s varsity basketball coach at Oxford High School, he is now a principal in the Troy School District.