Mendenhalls Retire After 45 Years of Service

The Mendenhalls look on as well wishers greet them during the reception on April 11.

Dr. Robert “Bob” R. Mendenhall, professor of communication, and his wife Bev, director of alumni services, have announced their retirement ending 45 years of service at Southwestern Adventist University.  A  reception held for the Mendenhalls at the Hopps Museum on April 11 hosted many of their former students.

The Sweathogs, an affectionate name for the pioneer students at KSUC, the campus radio station, pose for a photo with Bob Mendenhall.

The Mendenhalls have devoted their lives to the improvement of Southwestern and service to students, including Bob’s start of Southwestern’s communication program and the founding of the campus radio station now known as 88.3 The Journey in 1974. At the same time,  Bev Mendenhall has devoted countless hours to serving the University’s alumni and has maintained contact with hundreds of former students.

“To have built something from nothing is a legacy,” says John Williams, adjunct professor and general manager at KGSW channel 18. “That’s what Bob did, because without the radio station, we wouldn’t have a program or a department.”

“I’ve worked with Bev for three years and it’s been nothing but amazing,” says Tiffany McMearty, acting vice president for advancement and the University’s director of development. “Our offices are right next to each other and she is an absolute joy to work with. She loves people and she loves our alumni. She is an expert at building relationships and keeping in touch with those relationships.  It has been a privilege to work with her and I’m going to miss her when she is gone.”

Over the years the Mendenhalls have made many friends at the University and have impacted many lives of students, faculty and staff that have come through Southwestern.

“Bob and Bev have impacted hundreds of communication majors and advancement office employees over the years,” says Williams. “And that extrapolates out to thousands that they’ve impacted one way or another. Also, the growth of the Church itself has been augmented by the lives they’ve touched, people who have gone and are working in schools, radio stations, alumni programs and advancement programs around the country. Bob and Bev have had an impact on all of that and it is immeasurable.”

Share this: