A Word from our Co-Chairs:

Dear ,

A new group of students arrived for SmartStart in July and Southern’s campus is bustling once again! As the fall term approaches, we are eager to continue our efforts with the Campaign for Excellence in Faith and Learning to reach and exceed the goal required for groundbreaking on the student life center.

We appreciate those who were able to attend the July 24 Steering Committee meeting. You have many obligations; thank you for setting aside time to meet with us—whether in person, via video conference, or by phone call. It was exciting to hear campaign updates and reports from various subcommittees. The questions raised during this dialogue will continue to help us work together effectively so we can reach our goal. We are blessed to serve alongside such an energetic team of volunteer leaders.

With your continued assistance, we remain optimistic Southern will break ground on the student life center during 2015-2016, Gordon Bietz’s last year as president. For us to stay connected while accomplishing this, please refer to the Campaign Tools website for updates on resources and upcoming travel and events.

Thank you again for your ongoing support of Southern. Please keep the campaign in your prayers as we continue to push forward, seeking the Lord’s guidance at every step. 

Sincerely,

                                 

  Chris McKee                                      Terry Shaw

 

Our Purpose:

It is our goal to provide you with consistent updates on the campaign. In addition to receiving the monthly Campaign News Brief during the second week of the month, you will also receive a unique QuickNotes, designed specifically for Steering Committee members, at the end of the month. The campaign financial update will be listed at the end of the email.

If you have questions about campaign communication, please contact Ashley Fox, campaign coordinator, at 423.236.2470.

 

Campaign Update:

On June 23, nearly 50 business executives from the Tennessee Valley were invited to hear about the impact our faculty, staff, and students have on surrounding communities. 2016 will mark the university’s 100th anniversary of moving to Collegedale and Southern has an annual economic impact of nearly $200 million—and these impressive figures don’t even begin to address the substantial academic, service, and spiritual contributions our school adds to the greater Chattanooga area every day!

 
During lunch, Gordon Bietz also presented the Campaign for Excellence in Faith and Learning’s strategic plan. An audible buzz could be heard in the room as people discussed initiatives and their potential to bring about further positive change. Many prospective donors attended the event and the Advancement team and members of the Steering Committee are conducting follow-up meetings with several of them. 

 

There are multiple events planned within the next few months in many locations across the country where the campaign will be shared with prospective donors. Visit the Campaign Tools website to view the locations and dates of upcoming events.

 

Highlight Story:

Nine Southern students were among the 33 recently accepted into the highly selective 2015 Leadership Development program at Adventist Health System (AHS). These financial management majors spent the summer gaining hands-on experience during internships at the organization’s 44 hospital campuses.

"This program serves as a vehicle to launch them into a health care career," said Norman Miles, AHS’s director of Leadership Development. "It's an awesome opportunity for interns to develop a deeper understanding of the nuances within the industry and hone their skill sets.”

 

 
AHS reviewed more than 100 applications, looking for exceptional academic performance, community service involvement, and leadership potential. This year, more students were accepted into the Leadership Development program from Southern than from any other school, a compliment to the university given the program’s competitive selection process.

“It says that AHS has great confidence in our curriculum and the quality of students we are producing,” said Lisa Kuhlman, School of Business and Management graduate studies coordinator. “This is essentially one of their favorite places to interview because of the quality of students coming out of our program.”

During the 12-week internship, students had the opportunity to sit in on meetings with administrators to learn more about how hospitals are managed. Various other projects, such as reconciling accounts and auditing petty cash funds, also provided students with a wealth of practical experience. Several Southern students who completed the leadership program in previous years have gone on to work for AHS, a fact not lost on those who participated this summer.

Recently, the School of Business and Management’s healthcare administration program was listed among the top 50 Best Health Administration Programs for 2015 by Public Health Online and the top 50 Most Affordable Selective Colleges for Healthcare Management 2015 by Top Master’s in Healthcare Administration.

 

Campaign Financial Update:

 

As reflected above, Southern received a $1 million anonymous gift on July 30, impacting the endowed scholarship initiative. These types of gifts establish a financial future for the university and makes it possible for students to attend Southern! If you have questions, please contact Geovanny Ragsdale, associate vice president for Development, at 423.236.2472.