Quicknotes | january 2015

February 14  is more than just Valentine’s Day, it's also the final day of “I Love Southern,” a two-week campaign designed to create special opportunities for connecting and interacting with students, staff, and the greater Southern family! Beginning on February 1, be sure to check your email and social media accounts to stay current with what’s happening each day. There’s something special for alumni, students, parents, givers, and more, along with an exciting contest! Be sure you’re connected to Southern on Facebook or Twitter or visit southern.edu/love.

McKee Library is hoping to put a spin on the traditional library setting and make it a place where students don’t just go to study, and they recently hosted two special events which helped increase that awareness.

During exam week at the end of last semester, five service dogs and their trainers visited the library to provide a much-needed break from test week anxiety. Students could be found laughing and lying on the floor with dogs providing friendly licks and wagging tails of encouragement.

“It gave our students a chance to connect with an animal and it reduced their stress levels," said Dan Maxwell, library director.

McKee library also featured the Physics and Engineering Department's Rube Goldberg machine, a term used to describe any system that performs simple tasks in a very complicated fashion. More than 175 students participated, a good sign that this type of programming is worth doing again.

Every summer the Evangelistic Resource Center (ERC) takes large groups of students to multiple countries and hosts evangelistic series. Edgar Alquinta, Evangelistic Resource Center coordinator, begins his planning shortly after the trips so he can begin inviting students to participate as soon as the fall semester begins.

Both for students and accompanying staff members, it is a great opportunity to share the Gospel in this way. Alquinta was able to partake in three ERC trips as a student and has participated in others on his own even before recently beginning employment at Southern. The percentage of pastor’s that have gone on trips such as these is slim, and it’s a great opportunity for the students headed towards a religious career.

“They can come into churches and motivate the congregation toward evangelism,” Alquinta said.

As of the summer of 2014, the ERC has sent 917 speakers and as a result, has reported 26,431 baptisms!

Since the ERC began, 917 speakers have gone out and played a direct role in 26,431 baptisms! This year, Alquinta and his team have made evangelistic plans with four groups of students in three countries: Mexico, Columbia, and Brazil. Students must meet their fundraising needs by the end of January because training begins in February.

“The ERC’s main goal is to make a contribution to not only worldwide churches through evangelism, but to have the students bring that enthusiasm home and want to make a difference for the local churches here.”

For more information about supporting these trips, visit southern.edu/erc or contact Alquinta via email or phone (423.236.2035).
  

Students, faculty, and staff from Southern Adventist University honored Martin Luther King Day on Monday, January 19, by participating in a variety of community service activities around the Chattanooga area. Various student groups and clubs organized their own events, including WSMC Classical 90.5 FM. 

After WSMC’s fall semester instrument drive—during which hundreds of used, new, and repaired musical instruments were collected and donated to area public schools—the station was prepared to partner with Howard High School, one of the schools that had received many of the instruments. Student volunteers were geared up to revitalize the Howard band room with a bit of organization and a new coat of paint; however, after a last minute change of plans, student leaders from WSMC were able to adapt quickly and find another music-related service opportunity closer to campus.

WSMC Classical 90.5 Music Director and Host, Tyler Rand, coordinated with the Collegedale Academy Music Department and gathered about 15 students to spray paint the CA music stands. After years of use, music stands can become scratched and dingy, making them a distraction from musical performances.

“I thought it was great to help," said Loyola-Roncal,a junior at Southern and WSMC announcer. "Even though no one was watching us work, people will be able to see the results when the music ensembles perform.”

WSMC plans to organize more community service events in the future in hopes of continuing their mission of enriching, uplifting, and inspiring others.

Executive Women International (EWI) of Chattanooga, a nonprofit that addresses the business person's quest for personal achievement and drive for professional development, recently presented two $1,000 scholarships to single mothers attending Southern Adventist University. Since 2010, EWI’s contributions to the university have totaled $9,400.

“Four years ago, we asked EWI to consider including Southern as one of the recipients of their Single Parent Scholarships,” said Lori Thompson, office manager for Advancement at Southern. “The EWI leaders thought it was a wonderful idea!” The Tennessee nonprofit raises money through fundraisers—including raffles, pecan sales, and auctions—in order to give out its scholarships. Next year, the fund criteria will be broadened to include single fathers as well.

In my job with the Call Center, I reach out to alumni and extend an opportunity for them to support the school where

they spent transformative years. Even as a freshman, I have grown to love and appreciate Southern Adventist University. Working in the Call Center, and being able to develop relationships with alumni, has been a challenging and deeply rewarding experience.

During one of best phone calls this past semester I was able to call the parents of current Southern students. As I spoke with the mother she brought a smile to my face that didn’t fade throughout the entire call. She was so passionate about Southern’s curriculum, facilities, groups, convocations, and anything that could possibly relate to her child.

This phone call stands out in my mind not only because of the amount she gave to support us, but also because of the love and admiration that flowed freely from her. Southern was giving her child an opportunity to grow both towards a career and to heaven. She was eternally grateful.

Meet The Firms, a twice-yearly event organized by representatives from the School of Business, School of Journalism and Communication, School of Nursing, and School of Social Work, provides a great opportunity for students to network with local businesses about both internships and potential employment. The Alumni Relations office is also involved, encouraging Southern graduates to participate as representatives of their organizations.

The next Meet The Firms will be held Thursday, February 26, from 2-5 p.m. To learn more                                    about being a part of this event, contact Alumni Relations via email or call 423.236.2830.

The E.A. Anderson Lecture Series is an annual feature of the School of Business and Management. The series is made possible by the generosity of the late E.A. Anderson of Atlanta, Georgia, for the purpose of giving the listener a broader understanding of the business world. The public is invited to attend the free lectures and continuing education credit is available.

All lectures are presented at 7 p.m. on the third floor of Brock Hall (Room 3205). Videos of last year's presentations are available online, along with the 2015 schedule.