QuickNotes

 

QuickBit - Dave Cress Memorial Golf Tournament 2014

This annual event is right around the corner! Mark your calendars for September 21 for a great day of golf and fellowship at Nob North Golf Course in Cohutta, Georgia. The tournament proceeds provide scholarships each year that allow students at Southern Adventist University to continue their Christian education.

Contact your golf partners and sign up today. The tournament will not be complete without you!

For more information about the event, email Kenny Turpen or call 423.236.2467.

To learn about available sponsorship opportunities, email John Shoemaker or call 423.236.2781.

 

Alumni Network in Seattle Area

~ by Kenny Turpen, '09

As a major gift officer in Advancement at Southern, I recently had the opportunity to meet informally with several alumni living in the greater Seattle area. One of them graciously opened up her home and invited nearby classmates and friends to join us.

The group included David Gano, ‘86, Kristin (Kuhlman) Slattery, ‘86, Charles and Shauna (McLain) Richert, '87 and '88, along with their families. We shared great food, fellowship, and college stories while talking about the many exciting things going on now at Southern.

Informal gatherings like this are a great way to stay connected — not only with what is happening at Southern but also with other alumni who live and work in the same area.

Traveling around the greater Seattle-Tacoma area gave me the opportunity to visit with alumni who work downtown in Seattle and others who live in more rural areas surrounding the city. I always look forward to visiting Southern alumni along the West Coast.

Interested in getting to know other Southern alumni living near you? Contact Alumni Relations to learn how you can host or join a networking group in your area.

  

Second Life in Chattanooga

~ by Ashley Noonan, student intern

Kayla Ewert, class of '14, and Danae Church, current social work master's student, both completed recent internships at Second Life of Chattanooga, a nonprofit organization working to create awareness and prevention of human trafficking in Chattanooga/Southeast Tennessee.

“I am passionate about this...issue that is right here in Chattanooga and personally affects all of us [as local community members],” Church commented. Human trafficking is considered one of the fastest growing criminal industries in the world, and more than 100 cases are reported in Chattanooga each year.

Church and Ewert connected with the nonprofit organization Second Life of Chattanooga through the recommendations and assistance of several of their professors.

The two interns were responsible for organizing awareness events at local churches and businesses, as well as writing blog posts. Ewert worked on various email campaigns while Church assisted with planning and coordinating fundraising events. Ewert also made presentations in two different Southern classes. This allowed students to see how they could work together to end human trafficking.

“Anybody can get involved. It’s not specific to any type of industry or person.” Ewert said. “Everyone can make a difference.”

In January, Ewert will serve as an English teacher in South Korea. She aspires to join the Peace Corps afterward. In July, Church will serve at the Olmalaika group home in Sekenani, Kenya, a safe haven for 23 young Maasai girls who are either orphans or are at risk of female genital mutilation or childhood marriage. She will teach, counsel, conduct research, and help supervise the home.

Learn more about Second Life of Chattanooga and how you can help with global human trafficking issues.

 

You Make the Difference for Students!

~ by Cheryl Fuller Torres, '05

As a nonprofit university, Southern Adventist University’s tuition rate is less than the actual cost of education. That’s why your gifts are so important to students who attend. This fiscal year, alumni have shown their support in a big way and broke several previous records!
 

• 15% of all alumni made a gift to Southern during the 2013-2014 fiscal year
• 80% of all employees gave to support Southern
• 4,883 people gave a total of $9,211,251 to support the Southern Fund, Student Missions, Scholarships, and many other programs benefitting students
• Gifts enabled tuition to continue at a rate that is 20% below the actual cost
• 106 volunteers gave a total of 7,358 hours, valued as gifts equal to $165,917

Because of your gifts, approximately 350 students were able to experience life-changing, short-term mission trips during the year. Because of your gifts, 440 students graduated in May with smaller student loans. Because of your gifts, Southern continues to provide a ratio of one faculty member for every 15 students. Because of your gifts, nearly 2,600 students were impacted by the Southern experience as undergraduates this fiscal year.

Thank you to each person who shared a gift of time, talent, or treasure to help Southern continue providing a high-quality, Christ-centered education for students. We look forward to partnering with you again in 2014-2015!

Take a moment to make your annual gift and change the life of a student for eternity.

• To join the conversations on Southern's Alumni Facebook Page - CLICK HERE

 

 

Symphony Orchestra Performs in Argentina

~ by William MacArthur, student intern

Breathtaking. Inspirational. Educational. These words well describe the impact felt by students during the recent Symphony Orchestra trip.

Members of the Southern Adventist University Symphony Orchestra departed on May 5 for Argentina, where they spent two weeks performing in various locations around the country.

The trip began with a journey to Iguazu Falls. Many students described what they saw there with one word: breathtaking! They mentioned that seeing the wildlife of the jungles and the grandness of the Falls reminded them of the vastness of this world and the greatness of the God who created it all for our pleasure. The hike provided a very spiritual and cultural beginning for the music tour ahead.

From there, the Orchestra traveled on to perform 14 concerts around the country. From cathedrals to universities, the students played for enthusiastic audiences. Mariana Gonzalez, sophomore pre-physical therapy major, said that “the greatest part of my experience was seeing the joy that our performances brought to all of the people.” Many students felt that the trip was inspirational in helping them find greater passion in their music.

The group returned home on May 19 while experiencing a sense of sadness at leaving. What stood out for many participants was how much their view of the world and life had expanded. Opportunities for cultural education were enriched as students became immersed in a foreign country and as they personally connected with the people they met. Spiritual growth was also heightened as students realized that God had specifically called them to Argentina to experience this unforgettable trip.

Consider how you can help students experience educational tripsthat greatly impact their lives.