President Dave Smith Interviewed During First Day in Office
Southern's Family of Donors Sets Giving Record
Alumni and friends came together in a most significant and visible way during 2015-2016,
contributing the largest amount ever to the university during a single fiscal year
- more than $12 million.
"With the response this year, we are truly touched to see the commitment and loyalty
toward the future of Southern and our students," said Carolyn Hamilton, vice president
for Advancement. "We are excited about the possibilities for the coming year!"
You can make a difference in Southern students' lives. To join this loyal family,
visit southern.edu/give.
Forging Relationships with Fire and Hammers
by Evonne Crook, Alumni Relations director
You may not be old enough to remember hearing the metal clank of the village smithy’s
hammer on an anvil or the whoosh of the bellows as fires were stoked while horse shoes,
nails, and tools were shaped on a sooty forge. In the early history of Southern Adventist
University, having a blacksmith shop on campus was an integral part of life at an
agricultural school. Current Southern students certainly did not grow up in a time
when this trade was a vital part of rural life in America, but now they have the opportunity
to go back in time to hone their blacksmithing skills through the Southern Smiths
Blacksmithing Club.
The organization began in 2006 and involves approximately 12-20 students each year.
University staff members, Dusty Miller and Trenton Schwarzer, enjoy blacksmithing
as a hobby and have volunteered as instructors and mentors for interested students
since the group’s inception. A small shed at the base of White Oak Mountain off Industrial
Drive was outfitted as a blacksmithing workshop with a donated forge and other necessary
tools. Alumni and community volunteers knowledgeable in blacksmithing skills also
invest their time and talents to assist with instruction.
Alumni returning to campus for Homecoming Weekends during the past three years have
also enjoyed participating in hands-on workshops hosted by the Southern Smiths. Working
alongside the students, they learn about the blacksmithing process and create small
art pieces to keep as reminders of their campus visit.
The Southern Smiths Blacksmithing Club participates in the annual Antique and Classic
Car Show event during homecomings so attendees can see demonstrations of a working
forge. The organization also made 2,300 pocket swords for attendees at this year’s
SonRise Resurrection Pageant, a community outreach ministry hosted annually on campus
the day before Easter.
Future goals of this group include the reintroduction of blacksmithing classes for
academic credit; obtaining a power hammer, treadle hammer and a 2”x72” belt sander;
and melting soft metals.
“I get so much relaxation out of it,” stated a student member of the club. “I get
to pound out any frustrations that build up during the day. It’s constructive and
I get to take home projects that really demonstrate craftsmanship. I thoroughly enjoy
this.”
The Southern Smiths Blacksmithing Club is one example of how meaningful, lasting relationships
are formed on campus when students, instructors, volunteers, and alumni connect outside
the traditional classroom setting.
Watch this video produced by David Bunzey, current group member, to learn more about the Southern
Smiths Blacksmithing Club and connect with the organization on Facebook.
Student Accounting Team Selected as Finalist in National Competition
A team of students from Southern Adventist University was recently selected as one
of four finalists from among 28 video entries in the Institute of Management Accountants’
(IMA) national student case competition.
Students Olivia Bragg Donesky, Karina Hernandez, Katherine Pohle, and Tiffany Whitney
were part of the first team from Southern to become a finalist in the annual competition.
Past winners include nationally ranked accounting programs from Brigham Young University
and the University of Georgia.
The students won $3,000 and presented, along with three other finalist teams, during
the IMA annual conference held in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 19. This year’s winning
team was from American University of the Middle East. Southern’s team performed well
and learned much about the competition process through this experience.
As a finalist, Southern received a plaque with the names of the participating students
that is displayed in the School of Business and Management. Accounting professor, Julie Hyde, Ph.D., is already enthusiastic about the potential
for Southern’s entry next year.
Southern Hosting Global Missions Forum in July
by Sharon Pittman, Global Community Development professor
The missionary work of yesteryear was significant in seeding a global Adventist church
but, as times changed, Christians have rightly needed to evolve new strategies for
end-time outreach. This topic is paramount for students enrolled in the Global Community Development graduate program at Southern Adventist University. A TEAMS Forum (Transforming and Educating Ambassadors
for Missions and Service) is being hosted on campus July 14-17, which will open the
door for others to join this critical conversation.
Nothing accomplished in short-term mission work is simple, but each year churches
are getting better and more strategic in their approaches. Southern is eager to support
congregations in capacity-building mission work by training future leaders through
the Global Community Development master’s degree, a two-year program consisting of
both online and community-based instruction. Administrators are excited that the TEAMS
Forum will provide another avenue for the university to use its resources in service
to the world church.
Churches and nonprofits interested in global missions must address certain challenges
and opportunities before outlining strategies for partnering with local communities
to make transformational and restorative differences. Key values need to be identified
to ensure the motivation for serving these communities aligns with Christ’s mission
while on Earth. Important items for personal reflection and discussion at the forum
in July include mutual brokenness, serving locally first, using a holistic model,
appreciative approaches, and developing strategic partnerships.
Additional topics covered during Forum will include best practices in engineering
and infrastructure, agriculture and food security, enterprise and sustainability,
emergency response, human rights and social justice, health and wellness, urban ministries,
and logistics.
You are invited to come and see what a 21st-century missionary looks like. Connect
with people from across the North American Division and become equipped to make a
greater difference in local communities and abroad. To register for the conference,
visit facebook.com/mgcdsouthern.
Academic Summer Camps to Offer Immersion Experiences for High School Students
Southern is hosting five academic camps July 25-27 that will bring high school students
to the university and provide opportunities for them to explore or sharpen their vocational
focus before starting college. Topics include chemistry, computing, creative writing,
filmmaking, and math/physics/engineering. Each three-day camp includes a spiritual
component as well, modeling for students how Adventist education facilitates the marriage
of career and calling.
For students coming from beyond the greater Chattanooga area, vans will provide free
transportation both to and from Southern at centralized pick-up locations in Atlanta,
Knoxville, and Nashville. Specific details about lodging, recreation activities, and
more may be found at southern.edu/camps.
School of Religion Launches Summer Ministry Internships
by Sheann Brandon, junior journalism major
Theology students at Southern have the opportunity to work full time under the mentorship
of a church pastor this summer while earning scholarship money toward tuition. The
School of Religion’s new Summer in Ministry internship program was pilot tested in
the Gulf States Conference last year with great success, and now 14 students will
spend eight to 12 weeks working for churches throughout the Southern Union.
Junior and senior theology students were eligible to apply, and five were accepted
to work with the Georgia-Cumberland Conference, two with the Florida Conference, one
with the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference, four with the Gulf States Conference, and
one with the South Central Conference. Intern responsibilities include conducting
Bible studies, preaching, and helping plan outreach activities for the church and
community.
According to Greg King, ’81, PhD, dean for the School of Religion, there are numerous widespread benefits from this internship, including three in
particular: students gain excellent experience in ministry, have the opportunity to
confirm their calling, and get a real-world preview of what they’ll be doing for a
career.
But it’s not just students who benefit from the program. Local churches thrive from
the enthusiasm, energy, and spiritual commitment of these young ministers in training.
Plus, Southern Union funding helps facilitate Summer in Ministry internships, and
the program offers ministerial directors a chance to evaluate students and see how
they might fit into full-time ministry openings down the road.
“This program is a blessing for everyone involved,” King said. “I’m excited for the
opportunities for our students!”
Creators of Reversing Diabetes Seminars Receive Merit Award
by Debra (Clark) Hicks, ’91
Stephen (attended) and Karen (Walls) Wickham, ’75, continue to live the mission of
Southern Adventist University by ministering to and serving in their local community
and beyond. The couple recently received special recognition for their volunteer
work improving community health during a Grundy County Health Council special awards
dinner.
Representatives from the Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHAT) presented the
Merit Award to the two health educators, who developed the Reversing Diabetes Seminars
program and have been using it successfully for the past three years in Grundy County
and in many other communities. The couple also received the 2014 Governor’s Volunteer
Stars Award for Grundy County, in recognition of the hundreds of volunteer hours they
invest in their community each year.
A version of this article was originally published in the January/February issue of
Georgia-Cumberland Conference’s news magazine, Communique.
Alumni Golf Tournament 2016
Mark your calendar for Sunday, September 11, and plan to join Southern Adventist University
alumni, employees, students, and friends to play in the annual alumni tournament.
This year’s event is being hosted at the Bear Trace Golf Course at Harrison Bay, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design course. Cash and pro shop gift certificates are
among the prizes that will be awarded to winners. The cost is $65 per player. Proceeds
assist students through the Dave Cress Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund. More information
and registration will soon be available online.
Homecoming Weekend 2016
October 27-30 – Honor Classes: 1936, ’46, ’56, ’66, ’71, ’76, ’86, ’91, ’96, and ’06.
Early highlights include the 60th anniversary celebration of the nursing program at
Southern; a reunion for former Student Services staff, residence hall deans, and resident
assistants; as well as music by the Wedgwood Trio. Click here to register.
School of Nursing 60th Anniversary Reunion
Alumni are invited to celebrate this special milestone for Southern's nursing program.
A 7 p.m. reception will be hosted at the Embassy Suites Hotel on October 29 during
Homecoming Weekend 2016. The evening also includes alumni awards presentations. This
event is limited to 300 guests and an RSVP is required. Click here to register.
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