29th Annual MLK Service Day
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, more than 800 Southern Adventist University students,
employees, and community members came together to serve and support 38 different projects
impacting the greater Chattanooga area as part of our 29th MLK Service Day.
We are grateful to our partner organizations, including more than 30 where our volunteers served, and Truist, for its financial support. Enjoy photos from the day!
Ron Smith Honored in New School of Business Facility
For decades, the School of Business at Southern Adventist University has equipped
students with the tools needed to succeed professionally while inspiring them with
the eternal purpose of sharing Christ in their chosen field. Recently, the university
launched a $20 million campaign aimed at empowering the next generation of business
leaders through a new state-of-the-art facility and an endowment. President Ken Shaw,
’80, EdD, also announced the first named space in the facility, the Ron C. Smith Executive
Board Room.
The named space was provided by AdventHealth and was selected to honor Smith’s service
on the organizations’ boards. Smith, PhD, (attended) serves as chairman of the AdventHealth
Board of Directors and also serves as chairman of Southern’s Board of Trustees, helping
to guide the direction of the university and impacting the lives of thousands of students.
During the Southern Union constituency meetings, the presidents of the two organizations
presented Smith with a plaque expressing appreciation for his service.
“For more than 40 years, Dr. Ron Smith has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church with integrity, character, and a deep love for people,” said Terry Shaw, ’84, president and CEO of AdventHealth. “These core Christian leadership traits work together to inspire a new generation of emerging leaders, energized to create positive change wherever they serve. I want to congratulate Ron for this honor and extend my deep appreciation for his service and steady leadership as board chair at AdventHealth.”
To learn more about Southern’s School of Business campaign, visit southern.edu/gobusiness.
Exhibition Featuring Artifacts From Ancient Israel Opens in Southern’s Archaeology
Museum
A riveting new exhibition, “Peace and War: The Assyrian Conquest of Lachish,” opened
on January 30 in the Lynn H. Wood Archaeology Museum on Southern Adventist University’s
campus. The museum is free and open to the public, allowing visitors of all ages to
explore one of the most important tipping points in Near East history. Members of
Southern’s campus excavated several of the artifacts from Lachish, the most important
city in ancient Israel after Jerusalem.
Come view significant seal impressions from King Hezekiah, the prophet Isaiah, and biblical nobles; stroll by a house overlooking Lachish; and study an artistic display commissioned by the Assyrian king Sennacherib celebrating his victory over the royal city. The diverse collection of relics of peace and implements of war will immerse guests in the Assyrian conquest and miraculous deliverance of Judah, a story of hope that is vividly described in the Bible.
Almost all of the objects on display were uncovered during the Fourth Expedition to
Lachish, a multi-disciplinary field project that occurred from 2013 to 2017 that was
sponsored by Southern’s Institute of Archaeology and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
More than 200 Southern students and employees helped excavate the city and investigate
its Iron Age history.
“This exhibit is the culmination of a decade of excavation and analysis,” said Michael G. Hasel, PhD, director of Southern’s Institute of Archaeology. “I am so pleased for the diligent work of my students and other staff to be recognized and seen in public for the first time.”
The exhibition, in cooperation with the Israel Antiquities Authority, will remain at the museum, located in Hackman Hall, until May 31, 2025. For further directions, parking, hours, and other information visit southern.edu/archaeology or call 423.236.2030.
-by Amanda Blake, junior journalism major
Alumnae Faculty Showcases Photography
The School of Visual Art and Design at Southern Adventist University is currently
hosting a photography showcase by associate professor Mindy Trott, ’06, MFA. Her art
will be on display in the John C. Williams Art Gallery in Brock Hall through February
16.
Trott, who studied English here at Southern, pulled from her literary background to title the gallery “… but only so an hour,” after the line in Robert Frost’s poem, “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” This contemplative series challenges viewers to accept both the beauty and the bitter that come with transforming moments, rather than worrying about the past or wishing for the future.
Previously, Trott worked as a graphic designer, art director, and senior marketing
manager before developing a passion for teaching and preparing young designers and
communicators for careers in fast-paced fields. She loves seeing students experience
“ah-ha” moments when overcoming roadblocks and realizing God-given potential. Her
photography was recently featured at Gallery 625 in San Francisco.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit southern.edu/artgallery or call the School of Visual Art and Design at 423.236.2732.
Lights Volunteers Relaunch
Through the years, volunteers have made a huge impact on Southern Adventist University’s
campus, serving in numerous ways, such as assisting at events, acting as patients
for the nursing program, making tiny swords in the blacksmith shop for the SonRise
Resurrection Pageant, and much more. When the pandemic began, Southern made the difficult
decision to temporarily suspend the Lights Volunteers program, which had more than
200 participants at the time.
These volunteers have been greatly missed, so Southern is pleased to announce the
official relaunch of the program. Now overseen by Alumni Relations, the program will
begin listing volunteer opportunities soon and inviting local alumni and community
members to apply to help throughout campus.
For more information, visit southern.edu/volunteer.
-Staff Report
February 4 – IGNITE Live With Cory Asbury
The School of Journalism and Communication at Southern Adventist University invites
you to IGNITE Live, a student-led evening with special guest Cory Asbury on Saturday,
February 4, at 8 p.m. in Iles P.E. Center. In addition to performances by the Christian
recording artist and Grammy nominee, the ticketed event will feature the singer/songwriter’s
testimony about how music and worship helped him overcome inner battles. The show
will also include games and music from one of Southern’s student bands along with
practical tips for alleviating stress. For pricing and other information, visit southern.edu/ignite.
February 5 – Southern Symphony Orchestra Concerto Concert
Southern’s Concerto Competition, established in 1990, features gifted young instrumentalists
from across the region who auditioned and were chosen to present solos alongside the
university’s full Symphony Orchestra. Under the direction of Laurie Redmer Cadwallader,
this year’s winning soloists from the competition finals will perform Romanze, op. 85 by Max Bruch and Violin Concerto, op. 14 by Samuel Barber, among other pieces. The concert will take place at the Collegedale
Church of Seventh-day Adventists on Sunday, February 5, at 4 p.m. The event is free
and open to the public. For more information, visit southern.edu/musicevents or call 423.236.2880.
February 6, 13, and 20 – Ask an Adviser Financial Workshops
Southern’s Planned Giving office is offering free financial planning workshops in
February. Topics will include “Building a Strong Financial Home,” “Financial Planning
for Early Investors,” and “Estate Planning for Young Parents.” All workshops are held
in person as well as livestreamed from the South Atrium of Collegedale Church of Seventh-day
Adventists. To learn more and register, visit southern.edu/ask-an-adviser or call 423.236.2832.
February 11 – Honors Instrumental Music Festival Concert
Southern’s School of Music will host the biennial Honors Instrumental Festival featuring
string, wind, and percussion students from throughout the Southeast and points beyond.
The festival will conclude with a concert on Saturday, February 11, at 4 p.m. in the
Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists on the university’s campus. This event
will be livestreamed and is open to the public. For more information, visit southern.edu/musicevents or call 423.236.2880.
February 16 – Reunion Supper with Retired Professor Philip Samaan
Alumni are welcome to join us for a casual evening of food and fellowship with fellow
former classmates and retired professor Philip Samaan, PhD. Join us on Thursday, February
16, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the South Atrium of the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day
Adventists. Dinner will be provided along with an activity table for young children.
RSVP today.
February 18 – Pops Concert
Southern’s School of Music invites you to “Forward March!” – the annual pops concert
featuring the Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, and Steel Band. Under the direction of
Ken Parsons and Keith Lloyd, this free concert on Saturday, February 18, at 8 p.m.
in Iles P.E. Center will include works by Alford, Gershwin, Ives, Sousa, Williams,
and others. For more information, visit southern.edu/musicevents or call 423.236.2880.
February 19 – The McKee Southern 6 Trail Race
Register today for the 13th annual trail race at Southern Adventist University with new sponsor McKee Foods Corporation.
More than 200 runners are projected to compete on White Oak Mountain’s wooded campus
trails on Sunday, February 19. All proceeds will support the university’s affinity
fund that provides outdoor adventure programming for low-income youth from Hamilton
County schools. The 6K is open to the public, and the fee to participate is $35 per
person. For start times and other race information, visit southern.edu/mckeesouthern6.
February 28 – Accordionist Hanzhi Wang in Concert
Join Southern Adventist University for a performance by award-winning accordionist
Hanzhi Wang on Tuesday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m. in Mabel Wood Hall’s Ackerman Auditorium.
Praised for her “staggering virtuosity,” Wang is the first accordionist to win a place
on the roster of Young Concert Artists in its 60-year history. Tickets are required
and will be sold at the door for $8 per person. For more information, call 423.236.2814.
March 2 – Schutte Family Lecture Series With Christine Costa
Southern is pleased to welcome guest speaker Christine Costa, a neurodivergent educator
and brain-cancer survivor, for the second presentation in the Schutte Family Lecture
Series on Thursday, March 2, at 11 a.m. in Iles P.E. Center. Celebrating those with
variations in mental processing, such as people on the autism spectrum, Costa also
works to bring hope to patients fighting brain cancer. This event is free and open
to the public. For more information, call 423.236.2814.
March 5 – Symphony Orchestra Concert
Join us for a performance by Southern’s Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Laurie Redmer
Cadwallader, on Sunday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m in the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day
Adventists. This free event is open to the public and also will be livestreamed. For
more information, please visit southern.edu/musicevents or call 423.236.2880.
