Meet a few of the people behind the gifts.Many people have been led by God to support the mission of Northwestern College and Northwestern Media, both through current gifts and planned gifts. Enjoy these stories of God's faithfulness shown through the gifts of these friends. Paul Ramseyer '55: THE INVESTMENT OF A LIFETIMEIt is doubtful that when KTIS station manager Loren Bridges hired Paul Ramseyer in 1953 he contemplated the eternal impact of his “investment.” Yet Bridges’ investment is still yielding high returns almost 60 years later.  In the early 1940s, Cy and Susie Ramseyer turned down an employment offer from Northwestern College founder Dr. W.B. Riley in order to continue their traveling musical evangelism ministry. But that didn’t close the door to the family’s involvement in the college.
Years later the Ramseyer’s son, Paul, dreamed of becoming a radio missionary. Having studied broadcasting speech and radio at Northwestern University (Illinois), he sought experience by sending KTIS Station Manager Loren Bridges an unsolicited audition tape. Bridges offered the younger Ramseyer a part-time job at KTIS at a wage of $1 per hour. Ramseyer headed for Minnesota in 1953 with an acceptance letter into Northwestern Seminary, a job offer at KTIS, and his bride, Grace, who had captured his affection with her letters while he served in Korea. In addition to raising two children, Grace, who has a nursing degree from Marquette University, earned a degree in elementary education, a master’s in educational psychology, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Minnesota. “My kids grew up seeing Mom with her nose in her books,” Grace says with a laugh. She worked at the University of Minnesota, the College of St. Catherine, and St. Mary’s University, and remains active in the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Meanwhile, Paul learned the radio business. “From 1953 to 1970, the original radio studio on Willow Street was basically a box in a large room,” says Ramseyer with a grin. Over the years, he held many roles, including KTIS manager and vice president for media and outreach. Many people remember his programs such as the Adventures of the Sugar Creek Gang, Singspiration Time, and Evensong. One of his greatest joys was inaugurating the program Sunday Night with Richard K. Allison. Another important investmentIn 1967 Ramseyer invested in the life of Wayne Pederson, a junior at the University of Minnesota, by hiring him to work at KTIS. Pederson eventually worked his way up to become senior vice president for Northwestern Radio and today serves as the president of HCJB Global, a worldwide communication ministry. Pederson remains grateful for Ramseyer’s belief in him. “Paul not only hired a young university guy with no radio experience,” Pederson said, “he mentored me over the 30 years I worked for him. He was the one who gave me a real heart for using radio for global evangelization. “Paul continues to be my dear friend. I still find myself often quoting Paul’s management axioms. He constantly encourages me in my calling, and when he says he prays for me daily, I know he really does!” Impact around the worldRamseyer’s legacy of leadership includes establishing media partnerships all over the world. He has served on the board of HCJB Global and currently serves on the board of the World Radio Network. In 1993 Paul received the Minnesota Pioneer Broadcaster of the Year Award and in 2001 was inducted into the Museum of Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Ramseyer officially retired in 1997, but he and Grace remain invested in Northwestern’s outreach efforts. “The college and the media outlets make such a difference in the lives of ordinary people and local churches that we wanted to continue our involvement,” says Ramseyer. “Grace and I consider it an eternal investment that’s training people to be ambassadors in the world.” The Ramseyers’ unique areas of ministry passion intersect at the Christian Center for Communications (CCC), a Northwestern College degree site in Quito, Ecuador. They fund an endowment in their name, awarding scholarships to CCC students seeking ministry careers in cross-cultural communications. “I cannot imagine a more blessed life,” says Ramseyer. All we have and have accomplished is only by the grace of God. Second Corinthians teaches that we are merely instruments in His hands and that we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that God gets all the glory—not us. How marvelous to be His conduit.” Read other Northwestern stories: | 
