A Memorable Past,
a Promising Future

The hymn writer expresses the grand thought of so many members of the Union University family when he declares, "Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God My Father." Indeed for 175 years God's faithful hand has rested on this institution. The various streams that have shaped Union's past create a rich heritage on which we gratefully stand. This heritage, grounded in God's faithfulness, certainly provides "strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow."

As the celebration of Union's 175-year anniversary continues, the Union family has an opportunity to reflect on a memorable past. In this issue of the Unionite you will be introduced to the highlights and key turning points of the past 175 years. I know you will want to make this issue a keepsake item.

Even as we give thanks for the past, we do so with hope for the promise of the future. Less than two academic years remain before Union graduates must be equipped to live and work in a century where the social context and the economy will be global, the expanding world of technology and information will be dominant, and the spiritual needs and ethical challenges around us will he demanding.

Union must move toward this new century enabled by the resources of its rich heritage and long tradition of greatness throughout its 175-year history. The Union name and reputation have been stamped on the state of Tennessee, as well as the entire nation, through the influence of its leaders, faculty and graduates. Particularly has that influence been seen during the last half of the 20th century.

Building on the labors of Eaton, Howell, Graves, Manly, Savage, Tigrett, Hurt, Watters and others, Union has taken huge strides in the past 50 years. Warren Jones pushed the school toward academic excellence. F. E. Wright envisioned the need to move the location of the campus. Robert Craig helped tie the University to the churches of the Tennessee Baptist Convention as he guided the institution to its new home. Hyran Barefoot continued the institution's commitment to faithfulness and growth for another decade. Faithful faculty leadership like Bentley, Hartley, Smith and hundreds more have placed their stamp on the minds and lives of thousands of students.

As we prepare for the 21st century Union must remain faithful to the heritage of academic excellence in Christian liberal arts education. Even this fall that is taking place with 2,321 students, which included the largest freshman class (473 students) in Union history. The gifted faculty at Union are prepared to challenge their students to think carefully about issues of truth, values, world and life views, and the bearing of subject matter on people's lives so that they are equipped for life and vocational objectives.

Union's future must include increased attention to work in partnership with our various publics in the worlds of business, education, healthcare and elsewhere. We must associate ourselves in the Jackson community and the entire mid-south region with intentional efforts to solve problems that really concern people. Building partnerships is most important. Particularly, Union must find ways to serve the churches of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, the Southern Baptist Convention and the larger evangelical world. Throughout the institution a vision for a Christian world and life view must be created and incorporated into every discipline.

Dr. and Mrs. David S. Dockery with Lady Margaret Thatcher

Even as Union enters the first phase of the new campus master plan and embarks on a major capital campaign, we must make the educational needs of students our top priority. We must help students think more clearly, enable them to be faithful Christ-followers, guide them to find a compelling vocation in life, and challenge them to embrace virtues and values that will help them make informed, intelligent choices in their lives both now and in the future.

Union's promising future is closely tied to the enlargement of the financial resources of the future. This fall we are announcing a trustee approved $35-million campaign. The goals of this campaign include resources to build lives, build leaders, and build new places as together, with God's help and blessing, we build the future.

These are exciting days for the Union family as we simultaneously look back on God's faithfulness over a memorable past and look forward as we trust His promises for a hopeful future (Jeremiah 29:11)