A Time for Thanksgiving
The Psalmist exclaims, "O
give thanks to the Lord, for He is good." At Union University we have much
for which to be thankful.
This season of the year provides us with an opportunity to reflect and offer gratitude. In doing so we carry on a great tradition that goes back to 1621 to the first celebration. Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth months earlier had endured a bitter winter; 51 of the original 100 died. The first harvest, however, was bountiful and together with the Native Americans they celebrated for three days. Tradition has it they built homes, then they built churches, and then schools so they could learn to read about the truths of God. Yet, it was not until 1863 that Sarah Hale finally persuaded Abraham Lincoln to proclaim a national day of Thanksgiving.
Now in 1996 we carry on that great tradition as we offer thanksgiving for God's blessings to Union University for the past 173 years. Throughout this issue of the Unionite you will see stories and pictures that reflect our deep appreciation not only for those who have gone before us, but thanksgiving for the people who now serve Union, for the resources and opportunities that are ours.
Today we offer appreciation for an outstanding faculty who give of themselves for the sake of students. We are thankful for a staff dedicated to serve others. We offer deep gratitude for trustees who model servant leadership, for alumni who exemplify loyal love to Union, for friends who invest in the future of this great institution, and for current and future students who come with an eager desire to learn, to be equipped to become tomorrow's leaders.
We are grateful for all who shared in the inaugural events. Those who planned and prepared for weeks in advance are too numerous to name. Yet we want to thank Carla Sanderson and Mike Duduit, co-chairs of the inauguration committee, for their leadership during this time. We thank Millard Erickson for his brilliant presentation, "The Christian Heart and Mind in the Twenty First Century." We were challenged by Jimmy Draper's message, "The Scandal of the Cross and the Baptist University." Both were splendid. The special music provided by the Union Music Department, the combined choirs, Chuck Maxwell and Marshall Kellam was exceptional in every way. The challenges, special greetings, and representative support from faculty, alumni, trustees, and the more than sixty representatives from institutions and agencies will provide guidance and direction as we chart the course for Union in forthcoming days.
In these pages you will read of the generous gift from the Baptist Sunday School Board and the plans to establish the R. G. Lee Center as a part of the Lee legacy to Union University. We are delighted to announce the first fully funded endowed chair in the history of Union. Through the magnanimous gift of Dr. Edward Hammons we are pleased to establish the O. P. and Evalyn Hammons Chair for Pre-Medical Studies.
We wish for each of you a happy and joyful holiday season. During your reflections this year we invite you to offer a special word of thanks for Union University. We are indeed grateful for your ongoing support, your prayers, your finances, and your commitment to the exciting future of this special place called Union as we seek to exemplify all that it means to be "A Great Commandment University."
