2005 New Faculty Orientation

Found in Union University Core Values > Excellence-Driven

Gene Fant, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

First: the story of how I came to be here

Live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
1 Thessalonians 2:12b

Being excellence-driven is a direct overflow of our sense of calling, that we are called of God to utilize our talents, gifts, and energies to live lives of distinction.

Our value of excellence is directly tied to value #2: Christ-centered. It is not a value of pride or ego.
- Excellence demands selflessness.
- Excellence demands cooperation.
Excellence is contagious.
Excellence is encouraging.
Our culture values excellence, even though it does not practice it. This creates opportunities!
Neither President Dockery nor Provost Sanderson is your real boss: God is.
- Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

Embrace these two passages:

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. Ecclesiastes 9:10a