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News Briefs

SBC President Fred Luter visits Union

SBC President Fred Luter visits Union Christians must have renewed minds if they are to overcome temptation and live godly lives, Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter told Union University students during a campus visit a few months after his election.

Luter, senior pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, La., spoke in a chapel service in G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel. He said that all Christians —pastors and laypeople in every stage of life—experience temptation by Satan.

Luter said Christians will be spurred on to live a holy life by recalling that Jesus resisted temptation, met people’s needs on earth and made a way for people to be reconciled to God.

“Even though (Jesus) was fully God, he became fully man and gave his life for you and ... me,” Luter said. “Oh, how can you not want to win for him? How can you not want to be faithful to him?”

Following Luter’s address, Union University President David S. Dockery inducted him into Union’s R. G. Lee Society of Fellows.

The induction, one of the highest honors the University gives to pastors, acknowledges Luter’s leadership in Southern Baptist life, Dockery said. The Society of Fellows exists to enhance and encourage the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Luter became the first African- American to be elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention during the annual meeting in New Orleans last June.

Watch Fred Luter's Address

Rogers wins another national poetry award

Union University English professor Bobby Rogers won the Arlin G. Meyer Prize in Imaginative Writing for his poetry book, Paper Anniversary. “The Arlin G. Meyer Prize does important work recognizing Christian literary artists,” Rogers said. “The list of previous winners is an impressive one, and I’m thrilled to be on it.”

The award is given by the Lilly Fellows Program in Humanities and the Arts based at Valparaiso University, a program that seeks to strengthen the quality and shape the character of church-related institutions of higher learning. It is presented biennially to a full-time faculty member from a college or university in the Lilly Fellows Program’s national network.

Paper Anniversary was published in 2010 as a result of Rogers winning the 2009 Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize Competition from the University of Pittsburgh Press. The book is a collective work of 34 poems written over a 10-year span, mostly about families and the South.

Student-produced Jackson 24/7 hits milestone

Union University students produced and aired the 1,000th episode of Jackson 24/7, a local news program, in late November.

The show airs live and on tape a number of times throughout the day during the academic year on cable channel EPlusTV 6. The content on Jackson 24/7 is not strictly Union University-related, but also local news and events.

Since its debut on Oct. 27, 2008, the show has featured a wide variety of guests, from actress Betty White to Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist, among about 1,100 others.

Associate professor of communication arts and lead adviser Steve Beverly hopes the community sees the hard work that the students put in to the broadcast every day and says what they do is not just another news broadcast, but an informative, hard-hitting news broadcast.

“We need to look at what we do as a service to the community because what we do is help people become better informed and make better decisions in their community,” Beverly said.

Union awards first D.Min. degrees

Phil Mitchell and Howard McNeill At fall graduation exercises, two pastors became the first students to receive their Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching degrees from Union University.

Phil Mitchell, pastor of First Baptist Church of Adamsville, Tenn., and Howard McNeill, pastor of Maple Springs Baptist Church in Seagrove, N.C., began with the program’s first class in 2009.

The Doctor of Ministry program is designed to help leaders in Christian ministry improve the expository preaching and teaching arm of their ministry through individual work and week-long seminars held in July or January each year at Union’s Stephen Olford Center in Memphis, Tenn.

To complete the degree, each candidate must also research, write and defend a doctoral project on a topic related to church ministry.

“A D.Min. is intended to help enhance the practical ministry of pastors,” said Ray Van Neste, professor of Biblical studies at Union and Mitchell’s dissertation adviser. “The whole purpose is to help [Christians] who are engaged in ministry. This is one of the ways at Union we’re seeking to help local churches.”

Both Mitchell’s and McNeill’s dissertations offered tangible solutions to issues facing many Southern Baptist congregations today. McNeill’s work focused on spiritual formation, while Mitchell examined ways to reach inactive church members.

Union marks 5th anniversary of tornado

Danny Song Celebrating the goodness and providence of God, Union University alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends gathered Feb. 5 to mark the five-year anniversary of a tornado that destroyed much of the University’s campus housing.

The service in G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel on the Union campus featured singing, prayer, testimonies from students and a devotional from Dockery.

The EF-4 tornado that hammered Union on Feb. 5, 2008, caused about $40 million in damage, leveling 17 buildings and trapping dozens of students in collapsed apartments. Fifty-one students went to the hospital for treatment, including nine who were injured seriously. But despite the damage, no lives were lost.

Kevin Furniss and Danny Song, two of the students trapped in the Watters Commons building that night, shared testimonies about how God orchestrated their rescues.

“Our purpose in gathering tonight is not to be nostalgic,” Union President David S. Dockery said. “It’s not to remember anything about Union prior to the tornado. What we’re doing tonight is something very biblical, which is to remember.”

Dockery said that the original hopes in the days after the tornado were that the campus could be rebuilt within five years. Two years later, in February of 2010, Union celebrated the completion of the Bowld Student Commons—the last facility that was destroyed by the tornado to be rebuilt.

Watch the Tornado 5th Anniversary Service

Union earns national community service award

For the seventh straight year, Union University has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts and service to America’s communities.

Launched in 2006, the Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. This year, 690 institutions were named to the honor roll. But far fewer schools have achieved the recognition each year it has been awarded.

The award is given by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Honorees for the award were chosen based on a series of selection factors including scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses.

Union University serves the community in many ways throughout the year. Its largest event is the annual “Campus and Community: A Day of Remembrance and Service,” in which the University sends out dozens of teams across Jackson and West Tennessee for various service projects.

Union debate team takes IPDA honors

Amanda Bennett Union University senior Amanda Bennett won the International Public Debate Association Varsity National Championship during competition in March at the University of Arkansas-Monticello.

In addition, Union freshman Christian Winter was the season-long champion in the “novice debate” category.

Web Drake, associate professor of communication arts and debate team coach, said his team had a “great year, overall,” highlighted by Bennett’s and Winter’s wins, as well as the team’s first-place finish in the season-long “novice sweepstakes” category for the fifth straight year.

Bennett’s win was the second straight year for a Union debater to win the IPDA varsity national championship. Abby Williams claimed the title last year.

Union’s team finished second at the IPDA nationals in the sweepstakes competition and in the scholastic sweepstakes competition, and Union sophomore Bryanna England finished second in the “novice debate speaker” category. For the entire season,

Union’s team finished second in the “Founders Award,” “scholastic sweepstakes,” “varsity sweepstakes,” and “professional sweepstakes” categories.

The IPDA national tournament included more than 200 competitors in three divisions. Students came from 22 schools in eight states. For the year, 85 schools participated in IPDA debate during at least one tournament.

Porter family establishes endowed business chair

A $2 million gift to Union University from the Joe Porter family will establish the Porter Family Chair of Business and Economics, which will be held by longtime Union professor Walton Padelford.

“We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Professor Walton Padelford as the Porter Family Professor of Business and Economics,” Union President David S. Dockery said. “We are incredibly grateful to the Porter family for their generosity in supporting this high-level academic position, and we offer our heartiest congratulations to Professor Padelford.”

Padelford has taught economics at Union since 1980. He said he was honored to be the first holder of the Porter Family Chair of Business and Economics and grateful to the Porter family for making the endowed chair possible.

“This endowed chair is also a prestigious addition to the McAfee School of Business Administration,” Padelford said. “As we pursue nationally recognized accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, this chair will place us in a higher tier of business schools across the nation.”

Union hosts major journalism conference

Ashley Blair Students from 25 universities across the South attended the Southeast Journalism Conference, hosted at Union University for the first time in the event’s history.

About 300 students traveled from such universities as Alabama, Louisiana State, Ole Miss, Memphis, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt to listen to recognized professional speakers from all over the country.

“The conference experience would not have been as powerful as it was without Union University,” said Kelsy Kershaw, a journalism major from Louisiana Tech University. “Not only was the campus beautiful and very friendly, the staff was just as welcoming. Everyone’s eagerness to help and even just to socialize made me feel welcome and wanted there.”

As the host school, Union’s SEJC leadership board was responsible for organizing the conference speakers and events. The conference featured seven speakers, all professionals from various journalism backgrounds, over the span of two days. Union President David S. Dockery and Executive Vice President for Academic Administration Gene Fant were among the speakers.

SEJC recognized student journalists and university publications in more than 20 individual categories and eight university categories, such as Best Journalist, Best Sports Writer, Best Feature Writer and Best Page Layout Designer.

Union senior Amelia Krauss, a journalism major and news editor of the Cardinal & Cream, won third place for Best Feature Writer and Union senior Holly Jay, a sociology major and former life editor of the Cardinal & Cream, won second place for Best News-Editorial Artist/ Illustrator.

Because Union was the host for the event, its students were ineligible to compete in the on-site competitions.

The event team consisted of communication arts students studying public relations, journalism or broadcasting who were responsible for a variety of tasks, including the leadership team, social media team and student volunteers who helped throughout the conference.

“There is no way we could have pulled off SEJC without student support,” said Ashley Blair, SEJC president and assistant professor of communication arts at Union. “There were 12 students who met weekly starting in August to begin planning. While they didn’t receive payment or credit for their work, they were still an integral part of the process.”

Mandrells lead annual Crabtree Lectures

Ben and Lynley Mandrell Ben Mandrell, senior pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, and his wife Lynley offered tips on how Christians can find peace in relationships as part of the annual Crabtree Family Life chapel services in April.

“God has designed marriage in such a way that you get back what you put in,” Ben said in his Wednesday address. “It is the sowing and reaping principle which is also true, by the way, of all kinds of relationships. You have to invest in a relationship for it to be valuable.”

Marriage is discipleship, said Ben, who married Lynley 12 years ago. They have four children.

They encouraged students to listen to others fully before giving advice.

They also said every couple should consider what their family’s way of dealing with conflict was and whether or not it is helpful to continue in that approach.

“You were taught how to deal with hurt,” Ben said. “Parents create a natural wake for their children to follow in. It takes effort and skill to get outside the wake. This is good news for you, because you’re not doomed to respond to hurt the same way your parents did. You can change.”

The benefactors for the series were T.T. Crabtree and his wife Bennie Elizabeth Cole Crabtree. Both were Union graduates. Mrs. Crabtree had attended each lecture since the series began in 2000, but she passed away at the age of 86 only four days prior to this year’s event (see In Memoriam).

Watch the Crabtree Lectures

Boud, Thornbury honored with Sterling Awards

Jan Boud and Kimberly Thornbury Union University’s Jan Boud and Kimberly Thornbury have each been listed among the 20 most influential women in West Tennessee.

Both women received Sterling Awards, which are given each year to honor women leaders who display creativity and innovation in their profession, mentor other women and provide service to the community.

About 70 nominations were submitted to The Jackson Sun and the Jackson Area Business and Professional Women.

Boud, assistant to the president for community relations at Union, has been active in her service to Jackson for many years. One example of her leadership is the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Conference she helped to start four years ago. This year’s event drew more than 400 caregivers to Union.

Thornbury, senior vice president for student services and dean of students, has lived in West Tennessee for almost 15 years. She provided key leadership during the aftermath of Union’s 2008 tornado.

Both women enjoy engaging with non-profits in the Jackson area and pointing students in the direction of such service.

Three Union women have now won Sterling Awards. Provost Carla Sanderson was awarded in 2010.

Alabama’s Saban keynotes Golf and Gala

University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban shared thoughts on successful leadership and the role of athletics in higher education during the annual Roy L. White Legacy Golf and Gala, which this year becomes the primary fundraising event for Union athletics.

Union is in its second year of candidacy in its transition to NCAA Division II. Money raised from the event will fund athletic scholarships and contribute to the athletic programs.

Saban’s teams at Alabama and LSU have combined to win four national titles, making him one of only four coaches in the modern era to achieve that level of success.

In addition to his victories on the field, Saban has been active in the community with a charity called “Nick’s Kids Fund.” He and his wife Terry also worked with Project Team Up and Habitat for Humanity to build 14 homes after a tornado ravaged Tuscaloosa, Ala., in 2012.

Saban’s example fits with Union’s philosophy of using athletics as a platform for missions and community service. The primary focus of Division II competition is “life in the balance,” a concept that prioritizes classroom achievement and community service alongside athletics.

“Coach Saban is not only a great coach, but an advocate for the student-athlete,” said Jerry Tidwell, Union’s senior vice president for university relations and athletics. “His personal priority for student-athletes made him a great choice to speak to Union players, coaches, alumni and our community.”

In addition to the banquet at which Saban spoke, Union also hosted a golf tournament in April at the Jackson Country Club.

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New book traces impact of KJV

KJV 400: The Legacy and Impact of the King James Version A new book edited by Ray Van Neste examines the impact of the King James Version of the Bible on many different disciplines over the past 400 years.

Published by BorderStone Press, KJV 400: The Legacy and Impact of the King James Version includes material adapted from the 2011 festival Union University hosted to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Version.

“The King James Version has radically shaped the world as we know it, and often times that’s missed,” said Van Neste, Union University professor of biblical studies and director of Union’s R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies.

The book includes chapters from Leland Ryken, professor of English at Wheaton College; Timothy George, dean of Beeson Divinity School; and John Woodbridge, research professor of church history and the history of Christian thought at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

In addition, the book has chapters from several Union University faculty members in a variety of disciplines: Gavin Richardson, Bobby Rogers, John Netland, Scott Huelin and Gene Fant in English; James Patterson and Brad Green in theology and missions; Justin Barnard in philosophy; Micah Watson and Hunter Baker in political science; Steve Halla in art; Jennifer Gruenke in biology; Chris Mathews in music; and Keith Bates in history.

Robert Sloan, president of Houston Baptist University, described the book as “enormously valuable ... wonderfully readable and historically sound.”

The book is available for purchase at LifeWay Christian Stories or from online retailers such as Amazon.com.

American Red Cross honors Dockery

The Jackson Area Chapter of the American Red Cross awarded Union University President David S. Dockery the chapter’s inaugural Humanitarian of the Year award at its Heroes Luncheon May 9 in Jackson.

The local Red Cross board of directors plans to honor someone in the community each year for displaying the spirit of humanity through volunteer work, advocacy, leadership and philanthropy in the community.

Dockery has served on a variety of local boards and has been a strong advocate for community service and racial reconciliation. He said the award was an affirmation of the commitment to service and community represented among Union faculty, staff and students.

“I want to thank everyone involved in making the selection for the 2013 Humanitarian of the Year,” Dockery said. “It is certainly a most significant honor and I want to dedicate this award to the faculty, staff and students of Union University.”

The Red Cross sets an example of service that other leaders should follow, he said, citing the example of founder Clara Barton and the organization’s ongoing commitment to respond in times of disaster.

The Union University Magazine
Summer 2013