STUDENTS GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IN NEW BLOOMBERG FINANCE LAB
SMARRT (Student Managed Asset Risk and Return Training) is a student-lead portfolio
management team that oversees a small portion of Southern’s endowment. Housed in the
School of Business, the purpose of SMARRT is to provide opportunities for Southern
students to get hands-on portfolio management, financial analysis, and leadership
development. This experience provides more career opportunities, as many companies
seek out new graduates with student-led investment fund experience.
The SMARRT Fund at Southern was initiated in Fall 2019. Returns from this fund are used for student programs and scholarships, and it is structured to establish a source of income while providing valuable experience for its student managers. The fund started with $500K and has since grown to nearly $700K.
In August 2022, the School of Business opened up the new Bloomberg Finance Lab, sponsored
by AdventHealth. This lab houses 12 Bloomberg consoles, which are computers outfitted
with software that allows students access to economic news, stock market indices,
and financial information for any publicly traded company. They are accompanied by
wall-mounted screens to provide a broad view of current market news.
Apart from researching stocks to buy or sell, students also are put into teams to research different financial sectors. They present their findings to the entire SMARRT team, and the team decides how to act based on the information.
“SMARRT has provided me with the environment to learn, prepared me for my internships, and makes me a competitive candidate in the work force,” says Max Harrison, a junior finance major who is president and chief investment officer of SMARRT. “Beyond the technical skills, SMARRT offers a fun community where people can interact and learn from each other while investing, learning, and growing.”
-by Ethan Emde, junior finance major
SOUTHERN IMPACTS COMMUNITY THROUGH LARGEST FRESHMAN SERVICE DAY
With more than 640 students participating, this year’s Freshman Service Day was the
biggest Southern has held so far, a result of the incoming class being the third largest
in the school’s 130-year history and the largest since the annual event began. On
August 18, all new students served on 33 different projects throughout Chattanooga
and the surrounding communities. From trail maintenance at Red Clay State Park to
preparation for the university’s local food distribution, the required event provided
opportunities for campus newcomers to venture into nearby neighborhoods and make a
difference.
“Freshman Service Day allows students to grow in their walks with Jesus as they model Him,” said Julie Devlin, service learning and community service coordinator. “Each one is taken out of his or her element to be a part of another organization’s mission. This can be a real eye-opener for most of them in understanding what’s needed right here in the university’s backyard.”
Devlin served alongside students packing food bags for those in need. The group was
assisted by police officers as part of an ongoing effort by the Collegedale Police
Department to partner with Southern. Freshman Service Day was an opportunity for the
police team to work closely with the community they serve, according to Assistant
Chief of Police Jamie Heath.
“We were immediately made to feel welcome by Southern students and faculty alike,” Heath said. “Our department looks forward to future service days and other opportunities to live our agency’s motto of ‘Service Before Self.’”
Southern’s Christian Service Director Cheryl Craven joined students at one of three work sites where they helped elderly couples with yard work. Craven described one couple as “beaming” and added that at another site, the husband and wife were moved to tears by the students’ contributions to their lawn and home.
“Freshman Service Day engages students in service within their first month of being on campus,” said Craven. “It aligns their Southern experience with the university’s mission statement to ‘… embody academic and professional excellence, and pursue Spirit-filled lives of service.’”
-by Amanda Blake, junior journalism major
HISTORIC AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION ON DISPLAY IN SOUTHERN’S MCKEE LIBRARY
Rahn Shaw, ’78, MD, has lent his collection of verified original signatures to Southern
for display at the McKee Library. The exhibit includes 75 autographs spread across
24 frames, each of which include historically significant objects.
“I want to inspire students,” Shaw said. “This collection represents people who aimed and strived for great accomplishments. For learners with all kinds of passions and interests, this can encourage them to dream big within the realms of their own fields of study.”
A few years ago, Shaw enabled the university to better recognize and empower students with entrepreneurial spirits who are pursuing STEM and business degrees when he initiated the Dr. Rahn and Natalia Shaw Endowed Scholarship Fund. Now, he hopes his collection will inspire students from all academic departments and schools.
Passion for science and history motivated Shaw to begin acquiring autographs nearly
30 years ago when he purchased the signature of Captain A. E. Laporte, the man who
piloted the first mail service flight across the Atlantic Ocean.
Other renowned signatures in the collection include Sir Isaac Newton, Marie Curie, Desmond Doss, Alexander Hamilton, and Albert Einstein. Each U.S. president is represented except the current commander in chief.
McKee Library has never before featured an autograph exhibit this large or expansive, according to Deyse Bravo, library director.
“Seeing the real signatures of notable historical figures on our walls is stimulating to our students,” Bravo added. “It’s a wonderful reminder of how ‘unimaginable’ feats can be achieved through hard work.”
Shaw will be at McKee Library on Friday afternoon of Homecoming Weekend to personally share his collection with fellow alumni. Learn more at southern.edu/homecoming.
-by Amanda Blake, junior journalism major
A PASSION FOR EDUCATION
Volunteering at a Seventh-day Adventist school changed the course of Jasmine Johnson’s
career. Johnson, EdD, had earned an undergraduate degree in history and pre-law, as
well as an MBA. While working in the corporate world, she felt drawn to teaching and
took the opportunity to volunteer in a local classroom. She loved it so much that
she decided to pursue a degree in education, earning her Master of Arts in Teaching
(MAT).
“The MAT program literally changed my life,” Johnson said. “It gave me the skills and the tools that I needed to be a teacher. When I started teaching, it was so amazing; the students were awesome, and teaching was awesome.”
Johnson continued her education, eventually earning her doctorate in education with an emphasis in educational leadership. She also continued teaching, and when Southern Adventist University launched its new online MAT program, she was thrilled to join the team as program director and associate professor.
“We are so excited about this degree program and about having Jasmine here on campus,” said Tammy Overstreet, PhD, dean of Southern’s School of Education and Psychology. “Her passion for education is contagious.”
Because the MAT program allows students to pursue a degree in teaching without having
previously studied education, Johnson looks forward to helping people make the kind
of fulfilling career change that she did. She also anticipates the program helping
to address the nation-wide teacher shortage.
“For example, teacher aides, substitutes, and local hires are already in schools but are not certified and aren’t working full time,” Johnson said. “They don’t have the certification or prior education courses that they need, but through the MAT degree, they can take on that full-time goal.”
Arne Nielsen, PhD, vice president for education in the North American Division, is also excited for the effect this new degree may have.
“The teacher shortage is real, large, and growing in both public and private sectors,” Nielsen said. “NAD Education is thankful for the collaboration that is happening across our territory as solutions are emerging. The MAT program at Southern appears to be one solution to the teacher shortage conundrum.”
Taught completely online, Southern’s new MAT program can be completed anywhere in the United States; the university will help participants arrange field training in person at a school near them. Additionally, options are available for students to begin working as teachers while completing their clinical hours.
“We believe that there are individuals in our churches and spheres of influence who feel called to impact the future by working with young people,” Overstreet said. “This degree program can help such individuals become effective educators through the convenience of online learning. They can then answer their callings and simultaneously meet the needs of schools that are desperately seeking quality educators.”
To learn more about Southern’s MAT program, visit southern.edu/graduatestudies.
-by Anaya Miller, sophomore fine arts major
ANTICIPATION GROWS FOR HOMECOMING WEEKEND
Eric Dunkel, ’99, Alumni Association senior president, and Cheryl (Fuller) Torres,
’05, Alumni Relations director, share a glimpse into plans for the year and highlight favorite homecoming events.
For the weekend's schedule, visit southern.edu/homecoming.
-Staff Report
Ask an Attorney – October 4, 11, 18, and 28
Southern’s Planned Giving office will host a free, four-part workshop on estate planning,
presented by local attorneys. Featuring such topics as “Do I really Need a Will?” and
“Estate Planning 101,” this free series will be held in person and livestreamed on
October 4, 11, 18, and 28. To learn more and register, visit southern.edu/ask-an-attorney.
Meet the Firms and Graduate Schools – October 6
Alumni and students are invited to network with potential employers. Alumni from every
field are welcomed to attend and meet representatives from approximately 25 companies
and graduate programs, both local and from out-of-state. Meet the Firms will take
place in the Iles P.E. Center from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Visit southern.edu/meetthefirms for more information.
Myung Joo Shin Art Exhibit – October 6
School of Visual Art and Design will host “A Celebration of Life,” an exhibit by artist
Myung Joo Shin. The exhibit opens on Thursday, October 6, at 6 p.m. in the John C.
Williams Art Gallery in Brock Hall. The paintings will remain on display through Monday,
November 21. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call
the School of Visual Art and Design at 423.236.2732
Donald Keefe Art Exhibit – October 7
Chattanooga’s Association for Visual Arts will host "Ambispection," an exhibit by
Donald Keefe, professor in Southern’s School of Visual Art and Design. The exhibit
opens with a reception on October 7 at 6 p.m. (30 Frazier Avenue, Suite A). Keefe’s
paintings will remain on display through Friday, November 18. The exhibit is free
and open to the public. For more information, call 423.265.4282.
423 Night Market – October 8
Southern’s Student Association invites the community to its 5th annual 423 Night Market on Saturday, October 8, at 9 p.m. This student-organized
event will showcase the creativity of Southern students and employees, featuring their
handcrafted items for sale including pottery, soap, greeting cards, food, and more;
organizers anticipate 80+ booths. This event, located in the parking lot of the Collegedale
Church of Seventh-day Adventists, is free and open to the public.
Wind Symphony Concert – October 9
The Wind Symphony of Southern Adventist University’s School of Music invites the community
to a concert at the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists on Sunday, October
9, at 7:30 p.m. Titled “The Power of Three,” the concert will highlight pieces with
three parts and pieces with “three” or “tri” in the title. Directed by Ken Parsons,
the concert will feature soprano Vallery Nehvatal, a sophomore graphic design major
at Southern. For more information, visit southern.edu/musicevents or call 423.236.2880.
Marcio Candido Violin Concert – November 7
Southern invites the community to hear violinist Marcio Candido in concert on Monday,
November 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Mabel Wood Hall’s Ackerman Auditorium. Performing extensively
worldwide as a soloist, concertmaster, and chamber musician, including his debut at
Carnegie Hall, Candido has won multiple international awards for his work. Tickets
are required and will be sold at the door for $8 per person (free with a Southern
ID). For more information, call 423.236.2814.
Britton-Rene Collins Percussion Concert – November 10
Southern is pleased to present percussionist Britton-Rene Collins in concert on Thursday,
November 10, at 7:30 p.m. in Mabel Wood Hall’s Ackerman Auditorium. With a wide musical
repertoire, Collins has loved percussion since she was 8 years old, and that passion
shines through in every performance. Tickets are required and will be sold at the
door for $8 per person (free with a Southern ID). For more information, call 423.236.2814.
Carl Bernstein: Why Truth Still Matters – December 1
Join us for a riveting conversation between legendary journalist Carl Bernstein and
local television host Alison Lebovitz as they explore “Why Truth Still Matters.” Southern
will host this free event on December 1 at 7 p.m. in Iles P.E. Center. Audience members
will have the opportunity to submit questions for a live Q&A during this inaugural
event of the R. Lynn Sauls Endowed Lecture Series, sponsored by Southern’s School
of Journalism and Communication. Registration is strongly recommended; visit southern.edu/truth for more details.
Alumni Tour of Scandinavia – July 9-21, 2023
Join alumni and friends of Southern on a tour of spectacular Scandinavia. Explore
the scenery and cities of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark with experienced tour leader
Bill Wohlers, PhD, vice president emeritus for Student Development. Highlights include
the mountains and fjords of Norway and its capital, Oslo; traversing the Swedish countryside
to its majestic capital, Stockholm; Småland, the center of Swedish crystal; and the
people-friendly Danish capital, Copenhagen. The tour price of $4,900 (based on double
occupancy and the current exchange rate) includes round-trip air fare from Atlanta,
coach travel in Europe, hotel lodging with two meals per day, and admission to sites.
Visit southern.edu/alumni-tour to learn more. Reserve your spot on this adventure with a non-refundable deposit
of $800.
----------
HELP SOUTHERN WHILE SHOPPING ONLINE
When you use AmazonSmile, you can also support Southern students. It provides the same products, prices, and
shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile
and select Southern as the charitable organization of your choice, the AmazonSmile
Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to Southern.
AmazonSmile works on your computer browser and Amazon Shopping phone app (available for IOS and Google Play for Android). In the phone app, find “Settings” in the main menu (☰), then tap on “AmazonSmile” and follow the on-screen instructions to enable the service on your phone.
Support Southern when you shop at AmazonSmile! 
