
Columns Magazine
Columns is the official magazine of Southern Adventist University, produced by Marketing
and University Relations to provide information to alumni and other friends. Your
feedback is always welcome: columns@southern.edu. Click here to update your contact information and submit a personal update to be included in the next Columns.
Featured in This Issue

Caring and Dignity
Elder care done well means offering dignity to some of society’s most vulnerable and providing quality of life until the very end. Many Southern graduates dedicate their careers to meeting the needs of senior citizens every day. Some are graduates of the Health Services and Senior Living Administration program in the School of Business, and others come from the School of Nursing, which offers a graduate studies emphasis in gerontology. These programs prepare students to improve and enrich seniors’ lives.
Elder care done well means offering dignity to some of society’s most vulnerable and providing quality of life until the very end. Many Southern graduates dedicate their careers to meeting the needs of senior citizens every day. Some are graduates of the Health Services and Senior Living Administration program in the School of Business, and others come from the School of Nursing, which offers a graduate studies emphasis in gerontology. These programs prepare students to improve and enrich seniors’ lives.

Shades of Green
One of the first things visitors to Southern’s campus notice is its abundance of nature. Throughout the year, during every season, God’s handiwork shines through in the 500 acres of carefully cultivated landscaping and 800 acres of natural forest on campus. Biology professor Ben Thornton, PhD, dreamed of creating an arboretum at Southern, and through his hard work and dedication, that vision has become a reality. To learn more about the arboretum, including exploring it virtually, visit southern.edu/arboretum.
One of the first things visitors to Southern’s campus notice is its abundance of nature. Throughout the year, during every season, God’s handiwork shines through in the 500 acres of carefully cultivated landscaping and 800 acres of natural forest on campus. Biology professor Ben Thornton, PhD, dreamed of creating an arboretum at Southern, and through his hard work and dedication, that vision has become a reality. To learn more about the arboretum, including exploring it virtually, visit southern.edu/arboretum.

Internships: Connecting the Dots
For most college students, the goal of higher education is not simply to gain more
knowledge, but to prepare for a fulfilling career. Internships are one tool that students
can utilize to gain skills while exploring potential fields. In addition to requiring
this practical experience for many degrees, Southern has reworked its Life Calling
and Career Services office to better support students in this area.

Marking Major Milestones
From a one-room school with only 23 students to a 1,300-acre campus with approximately
2,700 students, Southern has come a long way. Through God’s guidance, the institution
has continued to add resources and facilities that enhance students’ experiences and
bless the surrounding community. The university celebrated several notable milestones
during the 2021-2022 school year.
The Fall Colors of Southern's Arboretum
Biology professor and arboretum director, Ben Thornton, shares a collection of photos featuring trees in Southern's arboretum, showcasing the spectacular fall foliage.