Center Story

Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell Visits Union University’s Germantown, TN Campus

April 20, 2012 - Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell visited Union University’s Germantown, TN campus on Tuesday. The mayor’s visit provided faculty and staff on the Germantown campus with an opportunity to share with the mayor information about the influence Union is having on Memphis and its surrounding communities. Union leaders each presented details about their related programs of studies. Dr. Jennifer Grove, spoke on behalf of the School of Education, emphasizing its current offerings and involvement, while also reflecting on the history of the School of Education’s presence in the Memphis area.

As a 1969 graduate of Union University, Mayor Luttrell spoke of his appreciation for Union and the influence various professors had on his life. Luttrell began his remarks by reflecting on his upbringing in Bells, TN, a small west Tennessee town whose community members often spoke highly of Union. Luttrell said that during that time of his life he was aware of the influence Union had on the community. However, he had never dreamed of actually being a student at Union, especially considering that his parents and two older sisters had all attended the University of Tennessee. Luttrell shared, however, that his mind changed about where to attend college after getting some advice from his father. His dad had told him that he would be better suited at a school where he could “develop a relationship” with faculty and “get an education.” Luttrell specifically recalled the words of his father, “You can get a degree anywhere, but you can’t get an education everywhere.” After arriving as a student at Union, Luttrell says, “I fell in love with Union my first year, for all the reasons my father had mentioned to me.” During his remarks, Mayor Luttrell further reflected on the impact that specific professors had on his life. To this end, he shared, “I was blessed to go to school – a college – where professors took more than just an academic interest in me, and I was blessed to be able to apply some of those life lessons after I left Union.”

While concluding his remarks, the mayor said, “I truly believe Union University is blessed.” He further added, “To see Union come to Memphis in such a glorious way, in what you have done here, is phenomenal. The reputation Union has across the city is significant. Every opportunity I have to reflect on it and talk about it, I certainly take that opportunity to do it.” In a final word of appreciation, Mayor Luttrell said to those in attendance, “Thank you for the presence you have. Not just in Germantown, but statewide.”

Mayor Luttrell is involved with Union’s alumni association and is clearly appreciative of the impact the university has had on his life. Union University seeks to be excellence-driven, Christ-centered, people-focused, and future-directed. The life of Mayor Luttrell is a testimony of such principles, as reflected in his current work and recent comments.