CN.edu News

Carson-Newman University honors student service

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:56:32 -0400

^{John Loope, left, and Warren Payne, center, stand with Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Ross Brummett as they receive the Student Advocate of the Year Award. The two received the honor on behalf of Knoxville’s Kennesaw Promotional Products, Inc.}

Knoxville’s Kennesaw Promotional Products, Inc. was named Carson-Newman University’s Student Advocate of the Year during C-N’s annual Student Affairs Student Leadership Awards Banquet. Representing the company was John Loope and C-N Trustee Warren Payne.

The banquet recognized student leaders and those contributing to C-N’s student experience within the Student Affairs Division.

“We have such fine students who volunteer their time and talents to make this University a wonderful place,” said Shelley Ball, dean of students. “They are the reason we come to work every day and we’re so proud of each one.”

Awards are broken down into various categories.

Student Affairs Awards:

Student Organization of the Year: YOKE; Outstanding Program of the Year: Time Capsule Event (Student Government Association); Student Affairs Staff Member of the Year: Staff of Appalachian Outreach and Samaritan House; Student Leader of the Year: Abi Parker.

Recreational Services Awards:

Senior Intramural Service Recognitions: Rachel Logemann and Logan Hester; Intramural Soaring Eagle Awards: Corbin Hedges and Rachel Logemann.

Residence Life Awards:

Male Resident Assistant of the Year: Timothy Guthrie; Female Resident Assistant of the Year: Katelynn Davenport; Second Mile Award: Baker Smidt.

Appalachian Outreach (AO) Awards:

AO Student Volunteer of the Year: Megan Rockefeller and Sarah Yonts.

Campus Ministries Awards:

Baptist Collegiate Ministries Servant Spirit Award: Abi Parker; James and Irene Murphy Missions Scholarship: Rachel Gillespie.

Student Activities:

Most Valuable Student Advocate Award: Alex Griffith; Association Volunteerism Award: Katie Boleware; Most Valuable Committee: Projects and Services; Staff Appreciation Award: Ondes Webster; President’s Excellence Award: Emily Campbell. Ambassador of the Year: Rachel Gillespie; Student Philanthropy Organization of the Year: Student Ambassador Association. Star Student of the Year; Ivan Alvarado; Star Supporter of the Year: Chad Morris; The Helping Hand Award: Alisha Cox; The Best Grinner and Bearer: Joe Mixon.

First Year and Conference Services:

B.O.L.D. Student Worker Service Award: Abigail Walker; First Year Student Commitment Award: Nick Tankersly.

University announces Academic Hall of Fame

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:53:03 -0400

^{Dr. Paul Brewer, retired C-N professor, speaks to those gathered at a dinner celebrating Carson-Newman’s Honors Program hosted at Knoxville’s Calhoun’s on the River.}

Carson-Newman’s academic superstars will soon have their place of honor in the newly announced Academic Hall of Fame.

Executive Vice President and Provost Kina Mallard announced that the University will initiate the first Academic Hall of Fame this fall and hopes to induct its first Hall of Famers around homecoming. The announcement came during a dinner celebrating C-N’s Honors Program.

“We are excited about the opportunity to honor those Carson-Newman alumni who have distinguished themselves by excelling in their careers,” said Mallard. “The inductees into the C-N Academic Hall of Fame will represent the fulfillment of our mission of Christian commitment through loving God with their minds as well as academic excellence.”

The idea originated with past C-N professor and founder of the University’s Honors Program, Dr. Paul Brewer.

“It is simply a recognition of what our school is about — producing academic leaders in all kinds of areas,” Brewer said. “These are people we can be extremely proud of because they were trained here at Carson-Newman and carry our banner.”

Past C-N graduates include governors, members of the U.S. House of Representatives, a senator, and a former minister of justice of Liberia.

Brewer will chair a task force to develop criteria for acceptance in the Hall and the nomination procedure.

Appalachian Outreach Ministry receives $20,000 grant

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:00:17 -0400

^{Samaritan House resident Wanda Bowles, left, assists Appalachian Outreach Director Jean-Ann Washam in the ministry’s food pantry. Appalachian Outreach was recently chosen to receive a $20,000 grant that will be used to help grow its food pantry supply.}

Appalachian Outreach, a ministry of Carson-Newman University, was recently selected to receive a $20,000 grant thanks to the Walmart’s Fighting Against Hunger national campaign. AO was one of 60 agencies chosen nation-wide to receive the $20,000 grant.

“I was very excited because it was a national campaign,” smiled Jean-Ann Washam, director of AO. “I wasn’t sure we would have enough support to win at that level.”

The campaign was held throughout the month of April, allowing participants to vote online through Facebook for a particular hunger relief agency, which included over 300 organizations across America. Appalachian Outreach placed 35th on the list, resulting in the largest grant in its nearly 30-year history.

Washam, who is in her 19th year with the ministry, says she is very thankful to all who supported AO, but credits C-N students for their help. “The key was the Carson-Newman students,” said Washam. “Our student volunteers would visit the residence halls and cafeteria to garner support. I think it speaks to Carson-Newman’s investment in the ministry and is a good reminder that students are a critical part of it.”

Washam says the timing of the grant couldn’t have been better. “It will allow us to purchase more food for our pantry,” said Washam, who recently saw the completion of AO’s new Samaritan House homeless shelter earlier this year. “Because of the new facility, we are able to serve more people, but we have also seen a significant increase in cost the past few months. This new grant will be very helpful with that.”

Since it was established in 1984, AO has served those in need throughout the region through its home repair ministry. What began as a dream of Carson-Newman students Kerry and Karen Smith and past Campus Ministries Director Jim Wilson has continued to grow under the leadership of Washam, with AO now serving some 1,800 people monthly.

Carson-Newman Best Buddies named Tenn. Chapter of the Year

Mon, 20 May 2013 08:23:58 -0400

^{Carson-Newman rising senior Kayla Williams with her buddy, Don.}

Carson-Newman University’s Chapter of Best Buddies has been named the 2013 Outstanding College Chapter of the Year for the state of Tennessee.

“This award is for the Best Buddy chapter of Carson-Newman, but we are a small representation of what the greater student body looks like,” said Dr. Kim Hawkins, who serves as faculty advisor for the chapter.

“The purpose of Best Buddies is to form one-to-one friendships with adults who have mental disabilities, and our students do just that,” championed Hawkins. These are not superficial friendships. Our students have big hearts, and it shows.”

“This is the first year we have ever won,” said C-N rising senior Kayla Williams, who is also the upcoming Best Buddies co-president.

The organization, which is dedicated to creating one-on-one relationships between students and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will send the C-N chapter on to the Best Buddies International competition for Overall Outstanding Chapter of the Year. There are over 425 chapters on campuses in 51 countries worldwide.

Overall winners will be announced during the Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference July 19 at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind.

Williams says the experience has been invaluable. “It has taught me to view the individuals with intellectual disabilities as people, she shared. “They still have a heart and a mind that works, though it might work a bit differently.”

Best Buddies pairs college students with disabled individuals for relationship building through group activities such as bowling or Buddy Idol, adapted from TV’s American Idol, and through weekly one-on-one meetings and phone conversations.

“It broke down a lot of initial assumptions I had of people with disabilities,” said Williams. “It is a great way to see how these individuals interact and just have a great time with them.”

Williams and her buddy, Don, often hang out at Pizza Hut where he orders a meat lovers pizza with a diet coke. “Anything that involves food, he is all for,” smiled Williams.

The weekly get-togethers are part of what brought the C-N chapter its designation of chapter of the year. Best Buddy chapters are graded on a point system calculated from quality friendship matches. When students turn in their monthly report of contact with their buddy, they are quantified and added to the chapter’s overall score. Carson-Newman competed against Tennessee’s five other college chapters, which include Belmont University, Lipscomb University, Middle Tennessee State University, Trevecca Nazarene University and Vanderbilt University.

Balancing school and volunteering with Best Buddies may be difficult, but Williams said it is about time management and worth the extra effort, adding “You always leave in a great mood when you hang out with the buddies.”

C-N soccer to utilize GPSports vests

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:37:05 -0400

^{C-N's soccer teams will be one of the first three American institutions to partner with GPSports to better train C-N athletes.}

Carson-Newman's soccer teams will be one of the first three American institutions to partner with GPSports– a biometrics and GPS-based technology that will enable Carson-Newman soccer's coaching staff to better train its athletes.

Carson-Newman joins the Atlanta Falcons and Baylor Bears as the first American users of the product. The software is popular among European soccer clubs such as AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea.

"We'll be able to monitor how hard our athletes are working in games and in practice sessions," Carson-Newman director of soccer Richard Moodie said. "I'd like to think that we'll be able to maximize our athletes' potential based on this technology."

The systems tracks how fast players are moving, their heart rate, how often they are resting as well as factoring in the weather and other variables.

"One of the things that we failed at last year was our fitness level." Moodie said. "We gave up so many games late last year. There were times even in the preseason that we felt we were pushing guys too hard. But now we'll be able to watch data and tell with that hard data if we are pushing an athlete too hard, or not pushing them hard enough."

The systems come in a vest that can be worn above or below jerseys. A heart rate monitor circles the lower elastic band of the best that goes around the chest, while a GPS tracker the size of a small TV remote is tucked into a pouch on the back of the vests.

Data is accumulated for as long as the user desires before being uploaded to a software system on computer.

"It's not a bragging right to be first," Moodie said. "But this is an opportunity to get the best out of our student athletes. We want to operate as professionally as we can, that we can recruit great players and make them great by maximizing the potential of our athletes."

Moodie said they've run some trials on the system and expect to fully implement it once players are back on campus in the fall.

^{– C-N's Sports Information Office}

2013 Spring Undergraduate Commencement Video

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:46:08 -0400

On May 10, 2013, the institution graduated the first class under the name “Carson-Newman University.” A total of 267 students received their degrees during C-N’s Spring Commencement Ceremony held in Burke-Tarr Stadium. Here is a video of this historical event. Congratulations Class of 2013!

Graduate students receive advice from King’s Academy President Walter Grubb

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:46:34 -0400

^{Walter Grubb, president of The King’s Academy addresses members of the Class of 2013 during Carson-Newman University’s Spring Graduate Commencement.}

Seventy-one graduate students received their degrees Friday evening during Carson-Newman University’s Spring Graduate Commencement. The event followed C-N’s undergraduate commencement earlier that morning.

As members of the first class to graduate from C-N since it changed its name to “University,” each graduate received a gold coin with the Carson-Newman College seal on one side and the new University seal on the other.

“You are the only graduating class in the history of this great institution to graduate both from Carson-Newman College, where you did your work, and from Carson-Newman University, where you will receive your degree,” said C-N President Randall O’Brien.

Walter Grubb, president and headmaster of The King’s Academy, delivered the commencement address after being presented with the honorary Doctor of Letters degree, from O’Brien and Executive Vice President and Provost Kina Mallard.

Speaking to graduates, Grubb recounted how his father became a Carson-Newman alumnus.

“As a high school dropout, he came to the academy where I now work with 16 or 17-year-old students,” Grubb said. His father earned his high school diploma and went on to study at C-N, where he graduated 49 years ago.

“I saw my father graduate from high school, college and seminary,” Grubb said, adding, “Truth be known, we all sit in the shade of trees planted long ago.

“I know there is nothing I have accomplished alone and certainly nothing apart from the grace of God,” shared Grubb. “I stand on the shoulders of many who opened doors and paved roads for me.”

Grubb also shared 17 pieces of advice for the graduating students ranging from practical to inspirational. These included: “Learn a new language,” “Take your vacations,” “Show up.”

“If selling a used car with a broken air conditioner, sell it in the winter,” he smiled.

In closing, Grubb borrowed from comedian Conan O’Brien’s commencement address at Harvard: “As you go, you will take a part of Carson-Newman wherever you go. In a sense, you will never really leave Carson-Newman.”

Carson-Newman graduates first class under University name

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:44:27 -0400

^{Dr. Billy Kim, chair of the Far East Broadcasting Company in South Korea, addresses students during Carson-Newman’s Spring Commencement.}

“For 124 years this institution of higher education has been known as Carson-Newman College. But no more,” said Carson-Newman President Randall O’Brien. “Today, the first class of Carson-Newman University sits before you.”

A total of 267 students received their degrees during C-N’s Spring Commencement Ceremony held in Burke-Tarr Stadium. It is the first graduating class since Carson-Newman changed its name on February 11, 2013. Graduates received a coin with a Carson-Newman College seal on one side and the new University seal on the other to commemorate the historic event.

Dr. Billy Kim, chair of the Far East Broadcasting Company in South Korea, was the featured speaker. Known as “The Billy Graham of South Korea,” Kim reminded the graduates of the power of prayer. Prayer, Kim said, is what has set this nation apart.

Kim quoted what he said was a South American president’s assessment of America.

“South America was settled by men seeking gold,” he said. “But North America was settled by men seeking God.”

He praised America for its rich history of innovation, success, natural beauty, and faith, and thanked its citizens for defending his own country during the Korean War. However, he also challenged his listeners to remember the power of prayer.

“What America needs today is a generation of God-fearing mothers and fathers, grandfathers and grandmothers willing to kneel by the bedside all night that God may bring their wandering sons and daughters and grandchildren back to the fold of God,” said Kim in closing.

“May God bless every graduating person here,” said Kim. “Take with you the power of prayer.”

O’Brien presented Kim with an honorary doctorate during the ceremony for his years of faithful ministry.

“For his service to God, country, the world and love and service to Carson-Newman,” O’Brien said, “this morning, it is an honor for Carson-Newman University to bestow the honorary doctorate upon Dr. Billy Kim.”

-30-

How to check out of your residence hall!

Mon, 06 May 2013 19:55:38 -0400

How do I check-out?

You’ll need to get with your RA to schedule a time to properly check-out of your room.

What does “proper check-out” mean?

To properly check-out means you have scheduled a time with your RA to: Turn in your key(s), and review and sign your room condition report (RCR).

Graduating?

If you are a graduating Senior then you may sign up for late checkout with one of your RAs. All checkouts must be completed by 12 PM on May 11th, 2013, unless approved by the Office of Residence Life.

What Do We Expect?

Sweep & Vacuum - We ask that your room be vacuumed and clear of all trash and debris. If you need a vacuum, you can check one out with your RA. We also ask that you sweep/mop your kitchen and bathroom areas.

De-bunk & De-loft Beds - We ask that your beds be un-bunked and un-lofted. A complete bed should include one of each: head board, foot board, one frame, and one mattress. Additional parts such as: HBs, FBs, and safety and guard rails should be placed in the closet if applicable.

No Sticky Residue - If you hung items on your wall be sure there is no sticky residue left behind.

Leave It Like You Found It - All furniture should be in your room and in the same place and condition as when you checked-in.

Keep Hallways/breezeways Trash Free - We expect you to take your trash outside to assigned dumpsters. Do not put any trash or unwanted items in the hallway or breezeways, including carpet. Look for the signs to tell you where to dispose of particular items or ask an RA!

Be Punctual - Please be on time for your scheduled check-out time. Your RAs will be ready to check you out at your chosen time. Your total check-out time should not be longer than 15 minutes so make sure that the above listed items are completed.

University to hold 2013 spring commencement ceremonies Friday, May 10

Sat, 11 May 2013 06:21:59 -0400

^{Carson-Newman will hold its 2013 commencement ceremonies on May 10.}

Carson-Newman University will hold its undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 10. Graduates will be the first to receive degrees since the school changed its name to “University.”

Carson-Newman’s undergraduate ceremony will be held at 9:00 a.m. in Burke-Tarr Stadium.

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be split into two services and be located in Holt Field House. The first ceremony will be held at 9:00 a.m. and include graduates from Athletic Training, Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communications, Education, English, Exercise Science, Film, History, Math, Music, Political Science, Philosophy, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religion, Sociology and World Languages.

The second undergraduate ceremony will begin at 1:00 p.m. and include those graduating from the Department of Business, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Nursing and Behavioral Health.

The undergraduate service will feature speaker Dr. Billy Kim, chair of the Far East Broadcasting Company in South Korea. FEBC-Korea has eight stations, reaching 3 billion people, speaking 130 languages in 50 countries. Often called “The Billy Graham of South Korea,” Kim served as president of the Baptist World Alliance from 2000-2005. He is pastor emeritus of Suwon Central Baptist Church that has a congregation of over 15,000.

The University’s graduate ceremony will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of Jefferson City’s First Baptist Church.

Walter Grubb, who serves as Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy president and headmaster, will be the guest speaker. Grubb served as HCBA principal from 1987 until 1994, when he was appointed president. Throughout his 26 years at HCBA, he has provided devoted leadership for the academy, which began doing business as The King’s Academy in 1993, and also operates the Bible Training Center for bi-vocational ministers and the Chilhowee Retreat Center for churches and schools. The King’s Academy is a K-12 school with an international reach.

Kim and Grubb will receive honorary doctorate degrees from the University during their respective ceremonies.

Click here for more information on C-N’s spring commencement speakers.

Click here for additional graduation information.

Nursing students throw luau for nursing home residents

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:55:57 -0400

^{Jefferson County Nursing Home resident Anna Sinard (center) dances with Carson-Newman mascot, Talon, and C-N sophomore nursing students, Alyssa Koster, left, and Catherine Hunley, right, during an end of semester luau students held for residents.}

Carson-Newman University nursing students held a luau for residents of the Jefferson County Nursing Home on Monday, April 29.

“We have seen residents smile and laugh — residents we have never even seen smile or laugh before,” said Director of Nursing at the Nursing Home, Samantha Warren.

The party celebrated the end of the sophomore nursing students’ clinical at the nursing home. As part of the Nursing Fundamentals course, sophomore nursing students go to the nursing home every other week for a day. Each student is assigned a resident to care for, and is given the opportunity to practice beginning nursing skills.

“This event represents the student’s appreciation of the staff and residents of the Jefferson County Nursing Home in accommodating our educational needs of this last semester and for future students’ experiences,” said C-N nursing student Elizabeth Witkop.

Assistant professor of nursing, Sharon McAnear said that beginning nursing students have been going to the Jefferson County Nursing Home for years for their first clinical experience. However, this was the first time the students threw a party for the residents.

“The students were in charge,” she said. “All I did was pick up the cake.”

McAnear said that planning a party for people wheelchair bound and with limited diets required some ingenuity and planning, but she was proud of the students for creating an event that got the residents active.

The luau included activities such as coconut bowling, corn hole, a “fishing pond,” photo booth, Conga line, the Hokey Pokey and a hula dance contest.

Carson-Newman mascot, Talon, attended the luau to dance with residents and lift spirits. Nursing students even gave residents manicures.

“They really went over and above,” McAnear said of the nursing students.

Dr. Roy Dobyns, former Carson-Newman vice president and academic dean, and now resident of the nursing home, attended the party where students honored his past service to the University. He was instrumental to the beginning of the University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The students presented Dobyns with a C-N hat, shirt and Eagle mug.

‘Finals Round Up’ is the cure for end of semester stress

Mon, 06 May 2013 16:33:01 -0400

^{Carson-Newman students pet Mac, a Bernese Mountain Dog, during “Paws and Play” on Friday afternoon to relieve stress between finals. Pictures from left are Adria Bare, Sydney Myers, Ben Hardy, Lauren Sharpe, Brooke Fillmore, Cameron Harrell, and dog owner Marian Cox.}

A big sloppy kiss from a four-legged friend may be the key to forgetting the stress of dreaded finals, or perhaps a ride on a mechanical bull will send the stress flying.

Carson-Newman University’s Counseling Services and Life Directions Center with cooperation from several other campus groups sponsored “the Finals Round Up” to help students relieve finals stress.

Each year, Carson-Newman tries to find new and creative ways to provide students with stress management events and a safe environment to just let loose leading up to tests that could very well determine the outcome of their final semester GPA.

“It is good for our students to be able to find balance,” said Jennifer Catlett with Counseling Services. “In order to perform well academically, they need to have a time of relaxation and give the brain a little bit of rest.”

And one of the best ways to do that is to invest a bit of time with canine friends that won’t judge those who played Xbox instead of studying for an upcoming Chemistry final. Catlett said the “Paws and Play” is a favorite among students.

“Research shows that dogs can be therapeutic in reducing stress,” Catlett said.

All Paws Bed and Bath brought several canine friends to play with students outside C-N’s Maddox Student Activity Center.

Students even had the opportunity to socialize with a special visitor. Executive Vice President and Provost Kina Mallard debuted her Labradoodle, Bentley, for his first pet therapy session after completing training a few weeks ago.

“Dogs bring smiles to your face,” Mallard said. “It’s hard to be stressed by a final exam when you’re petting Bentley.”

Another annual tradition on campus is the “Late Nite Breakfast” where faculty and staff serve students omelets and chocolate waffles. Students break from studying to socialize and participate in karaoke or lip-synching to their favorite songs over orange juice and cheerios from 9 to 11 p.m.

However, the big hit was last week’s “Finals Round Up.”

“I absolutely had a blast at the Round Up,” said C-N senior Alex Van Buren.

Students could ride a mechanical bull, create a personalized street sign, engrave their names on leather bracelets, and socialize over snacks.

“I love the fact that C-N does fun things like this to help students relax for finals,” said Van Buren.

All activities were free of charge for C-N students.

Finals continue this week for students. Undergraduate Commencement will be held 9 a.m. Friday, May 10, in Burke-Tarr Stadium with Graduate Student Commencement held at 7 p.m. that evening in Jefferson City’s First Baptist Church. In case of rain, Undergraduate Commencement will be split into two ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and held in the Holt Fieldhouse.

C-N’s Board of Trustees holds “University” ribbon cutting

Fri, 03 May 2013 07:12:44 -0400

After several campus events commemorating Carson-Newman’s name change to "University," members of Carson-Newman’s Board of Trustees held a ceremonial ribbon cutting as their contribution to a celebratory semester. The cutting was held during the Board’s May 2 meeting on campus.

Pictured left to right: (first row) David Ogle, vice chair; C.T. Cozart; Dr. Randy Davis, TBC; C-N President Randall O’Brien; Dr. Tom Harmon, chair; Hon. Larry Waters; Hon. Jeanette Blazier; (second row) Martin Yung; David Ownby; Janet Hayes; Larry Rooks; Hon. Reed Dixon; Dr. Richard Emmert; Jeff Lovingood; Bobby Tuck; Betty Catlett; (third row) Todd Greene, secretary; Clark Denton; Bob Bible; Bill Hild; Dr. Jack Owenby; (fourth row) Bill Seale; Fred Sorrells; Patricia Wallace; Warren Payne; and Richard Hill.

Carson-Newman hosts BOOST 5k Color Run

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:03:01 -0400

^{Runner Fiona Huang closes on the finish-line during C-N’s color run. Huang was one of some 100 participants who took part in the event.}

On April 20, Carson-Newman University hosted a local 5k color run, raising almost $1,000 for the Bonner Out of School Time (BOOST) after school program.

The Carson-Newman Mortar Board honor society hosted the colorful fun run to benefit the Bonner after school program as part of the Carson-Newman re-Action Project. The project encourages campus groups to raise money for a charity or cause of their choice. Mortar Board chose BOOST, which receives most of its funding through the 5k, grants and donations or sponsorships.

Runners and walkers completed the course that looped twice through campus and the surrounding community. Throughout the race, participants passed several “color stations” where Mortar Board members and other volunteers threw colored cornstarch at runners clothed in white t-shirts.

“The end goal is to tie dye your white t-shirt,” said event registration coordinator and Mortar Board president Jessica Whitmill.

According to Whitmill, turning this year’s BOOST 5k into a color run really boosted participation, interest and enthusiasm.

“Last year we had 12 runners,” said Whitmill. “This year over 100 signed up to participate. Everyone was extremely enthusiastic. We had many people tell us they want to come back next year.”

Kenneth Harrell claimed first place followed by Michael Horenkamp. The remaining top five finishers were Angelle Hayes, Nick Jordan and Gavin Hay. Top five finishers received a $10 gift certificate to Gondolier restaurant or the Creek Café.

Race photos are available on Facebook by “friending” “Carson Newman Social-Media.”

C-N students to serve as summer missionaries

Thu, 02 May 2013 09:29:08 -0400

^{From Haiti to Germany, some 70 C-N students will spend their summer serving others around the globe.}

On Tuesday, April 23, Carson-Newman University held its annual Summer Missionaries Commissioning Service at Jefferson City’s First Baptist Church.

“We always like to celebrate our summer missionaries,” said Chad Morris, C-N’s associate director of Campus Ministries, to those gathered for the service. “Today we support our students going out and being servants of Christ.”

This summer a total of 70 students will be serving as missionaries in 13 states and nine countries including: South Africa, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Guatemala, Greece, Costa Rica, and Germany.

The event’s speaker, Jeff Lovingood, next generation pastor of Hendersonville’s Longhollow Baptist Church, and a member of C-N’s Board of Trustees, reminded the C-N missionaries that they would not be alone as they go out.

“When you feel tired, stressed, or fearful remember to stop what you are doing and call out to Jesus,” said Lovingood, “because He is always with you.”

Carson-Newman’s summer initiative comes on the heels of the University’s spring SPOTS mission trips that saw 131 participants spend their spring break serving others across the state as well as Kentucky, Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia, Iowa and as far away as Guatemala.

Tony Dungy honors Coach Sparks with Uncommon Award

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:59:20 -0400

^{Tony Dungy, left, congratulates Eagles Head Football Coach Ken Sparks on receiving the inaugural Uncommon Award.}

Former NFL coach Tony Dungy has presented Carson-Newman head football coach Ken Sparks with the inaugural Uncommon Award, which is meant to recognize an individual for their "uncommon leadership through character and faith."

Sparks received the award during a banquet in Minneapolis, Minn., in which Minnesota Viking head coach Leslie Frazier was also a participant.

"It makes you think that maybe the Lord has used you to have some influence and some impact," Sparks said. "That's what we all want to do; we want to honor the Lord with some things that make a difference for eternity.

"The fact that it's the first one ever picked, that it's picked by Tony Dungy – that makes it special. I receive it on behalf of the Lord and on behalf of every kid that played for me – because they've been uncommon as well."

The weekend was especially meaningful to Sparks because he was able to witness 300 professions of faith at the event.

"We started the weekend with 6,000 men in an (assembly hall). They heard from a couple of all-pro players who played for Tony (Dungy) give their testimony," Sparks said. "Three hundred of them made a decision that they wanted to live for the Lord, and that's always exciting to be a part of."

The statue for the Uncommon Award is adorned with representations of Dungy's father Wilbur Dungy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Dungy's college coach Cal Stoll.

"It's very humbling," Sparks said. "To know that it's not about you. To know that a guy coaching at Carson-Newman, who has chosen to be at Carson-Newman for most of his career, it means a lot that the Lord can encourage him by letting him know that what he's done does make a difference."

He's been touted this year as the Jefferson Countian of the Year and has taken home lifetime achievement awards from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the American Football Coaches Association.

Sparks enters his 34th year coaching the Eagles this fall. He's won 308 games and is the winningest active head football coach in college football. Sparks is six away from tying Roy Kidd and Amos Alonzo Stagg for seventh on the all-time wins list for any division.

^{– C-N's Sports Information Office}

Carson-Newman Honors Program celebrates 50 years

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:16:35 -0400

^{Current and past Carson-Newman Honors Directors attended a celebration dinner at Calhoun’s on the River in Knoxville April 19. From left are Dr. Mark Biddle, Dr. Gerald Wood, Dr. Paul Brewer, Dr. Mark Hussung, Carolyn Blevins, and current director Dr. Brian Austin.}

Fifty years ago, Dr. Paul Brewer began a tradition of excellence and academic achievement at Carson-Newman University for the University’s brightest and most engaged students.

“I started the honors program a long time ago when I was carrying a 15-hour teaching load. I was assistant football coach and had a wife and three little boys,” said Brewer, former C-N professor and first honors director.

The program began with no budget or relief in Brewer’s teaching load, but he and the subsequent honors directors have grown the program to the enriched learning environment that it is today.

“For almost 50 years now, the Carson-Newman Honors Program has provided academic challenges and opportunities for intellectually gifted and curious students through team-taught interdisciplinary classes and extra-curricular events,” said current Honors Director Dr. Brian Austin.

The University celebrated the program’s anniversary through a commemorative dinner attended by nearly all of the current and past honors directors, as well as Honors Council members and current honors students.

Each past director was given the opportunity to share some of his or her memories of directing the program.

“Carson-Newman, whether a college or university, has a long history of excellence and the Honors Program has been in many cases the center of this wonderful tradition,” said Dr. Gerald Wood, retired C-N professor and past honors director.

When Carolyn Blevins was honors director she initiated the fall retreat, which is still a highlight of the program.

Dr. Mark Hussung was key in developing the social community that allows honors students to get to know each other and grow from their relationships. His focus on community saw the number of honors students completing their honors thesis double. The thesis is considered the culmination of the experience and required for graduation from the program.

Austin took over honors in 2010 and already has a vision for the future. He dreams of an Honors College, a vision supported by Executive Vice President and Provost Kina Mallard. Mallard announced that evening the start of a fundraising campaign for the Honors Program and the future of an Honors College.

“We are not sure what that Honors College will look like,” Mallard told those gathered. She said it could be a residential building allowing the community of scholars to extend and grow, which is Austin’s vision.

“We are also going to be raising money for enhanced programing, for enhanced scholarship, and maybe if we don’t have a brand new building perhaps we can find a building on campus,” Mallard said.

The goal is that current freshmen will see an initiative in place by their senior year.

Final C-N senior art show features work by Bazan and Brown

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:29:27 -0400

^{Stephen Brown, left, and Brittany Bazan, right, highlight their graphic design work in the final senior art show of the year in Carson-Newman’s Omega Gallery.}

Carson-Newman University’s closing senior art show is on display until May 10.

The show features the work of C-N graphic design students Brittany Bazan and Stephen Brown and is a compilation of their four years of art education. Both have a minor in photography.

“My style of graphic design focuses on commercial art and advertising,” said Brown, who calls Washington D.C. home. However, after graduation, he plans to move to Nashville to pursue his career in graphic design.

“I love high contrast and trying to mimic photorealism,” he said.

Bazan also featured some commercial art and advertising but included work that features her passion for Salvador Dali and surrealism.

“My art style is influenced by Dali and is abstract and whimsy with fun, bright colors,” said Bazan, a Morristown native. “Surrealism and abstraction inspire my art, along with the unique countryside to help make for wonderful photography and endless possibilities.”

The show remains on display in the Omega Gallery, which is located in the Warren Art Building, on the corner of Branner Avenue and South College Street.

The public is invited to browse the gallery and leave the artists comments in a guest book.

The Omega Gallery is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, contact the Art Department at 471-4985.

The show is part of the University’s senior-year exhibition program, where graduating seniors showcase some of their best work in single or multi-person shows.

Carson-Newman offers Bachelor Degrees in art and photography, both with traditional fine art foundations within a four-year liberal arts program. The University is an institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Teacher Ed alumna includes C-N in sabbatical research

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:56:09 -0400

^{Dr. Cathy Freytag, meets with members of the C-N community during her recent campus visit. Pictured left to right are Sarah Demoiny, Dr. Kim Hawkins, Freytag, Dr. Peggy Hypes, Dr. Julia Price (back to camera) and Dr. Jeremy Buckner.}

While schools like Carson-Newman University make much of words like “care” and “nurture” as a central component of the educational process, there seems to be a dearth of scholarly exploration of the subject and how those components are instilled in tomorrow’s teachers.

That is temporary, given that 1990 C-N alumna and Houghton College administrator Dr. Cathy Freytag is investing her sabbatical leave from the New York institution to examine “the construct of care in Christian Teacher Education programs.” After a couple of days recently spent on campus (April 22-23), the academic is at the midway point in collecting data from six institutions that she will analyze for conference sessions and presentations.

Freytag spent a couple of days engaging C-N professors on their approach to caring for students and how they specifically instill the concept and practice of care in future educators. She spent a dozen years in public school education before joining Houghton a decade ago. Both halves of that teaching coin have served well for sabbatical research preparation, though she admits to learning to squelch her own biases and allowing interviewees the opportunity to process at their comfort levels.

“I am fairly new to qualitative research, so I am becoming more comfortable with silence and wait time and not interjecting my own thoughts or ideas, but just listening well. I am learning a lot about being a good listener, and much of what I am hearing resonates with my own beliefs and points of view about issues of care in Christian teacher education,” she noted.

By letting a conversation take place among others – seven C-N profs in one of the sessions – Freytag is able to allow a thread to stem from what others bring to the table and become more observer and less of a facilitator. That was likewise the case when she met with C-N teacher education students who are the beneficiaries of professors who care.

On the matter of learning care by example, the former student of Dr. Bernard Bull ’64 and advisee of Dr. Peggy Hypes said she becomes ever more appreciative of her C-N years. While she expected to value what she learned as a Teacher Education major, she said she has come to cherish “the liberal arts experience” with the benefit of two decades of reflection.

“As 18 to 22-year-olds, young college students don’t recognize what they have in the midst of it, but in hindsight, I have been able to so appreciate the liberal arts preparation – that was key,” she said.

While Freytag said academic excellence is the heart of “the Carson-Newman experience,” she opined that life beyond classrooms and course offerings “really nurtured me well.” She credits the richness of those years with driving her desire to seek a similar setting when she was ready to shift professional gears. Her host of options included large and smalls schools, both public and private, and religious as well as secular … “but, because of my experience here at Carson-Newman, I very explicitly wanted to be in a Christian liberal arts environment so that I could give back in the ways that I had been nurtured as an undergraduate.”

As a way to thank C-N’s Teacher Education program for its participation, Freytag will provide an overview of what she learned on her recent visit. Between collecting the data, analyzing it and producing material for presentations, she intends to provide case studies to all six of the institutions. She said she intends to write into the summer and have material that will serve as the basis for presentations at professional conferences next spring.

^{– Mark Brown, Alumni News & Information}

University recognizes accomplishments, service during Community Honors Banquet

Thu, 02 May 2013 13:19:52 -0400

^{Carson-Newman University Human Resources Coordinator Becky Boatright receives a congratulatory hug from President Randall O’Brien upon being named this year’s SOAR Award recipient at the University’s Community Honors Banquet. Boatright, a 30-year employee of C-N, was recognized along with several faculty and staff members during the evening’s event.}

Carson-Newman University held its annual Faculty and Staff Community Honors Banquet on Friday, April 26. The evening honors both the service and accomplishments of the C-N community. The event was held in the University’s Stokely Memorial Cafeteria.

Becky Boatright, C-N’s Human Resources coordinator, was the recipient of the 2013 SOAR Award. The honor is the highest award given to a staff member and recognizes an individual who exhibits such qualities as excellence in job performance, a positive spirit.

This year’s recipients of the Mossy Creek Teacher-Scholars Award, which includes a $2,500 grant, are Dr. Mark Borchert, chair of C-N’s Communications Department, and Lisa Flanary, assistant professor of art. Their project “Full Frame Experience: Documentary Festival Research” builds on the success of the Mossy Creek Documentary Arts Festival.

Susan Karr, instructor of biology, received The Research Award for her work with authoring an extended edition of the textbook, “Environmental Science for a Changing World.”

The Creativity Award was presented to Associate Professor of English Dr. Artress Bethany White for her contributions to a number of literary journals, as well as authoring a collection of poetry.

Dr. Nicole Saylor was named recipient of the Mentoring Award. The director of the Bonner Center was recognized for her work with developing a Federal Work Study Program, helping to recruit the inaugural class of Faith and Justice Scholars, and her involvement with C-N’s Quality Enhancement Plan, “C-Nvolved.”

The Academic Advising Award was given to Assistant Professor of Religion Dr. Chad Hartsock for his work with officiating East Tennessee high school athletics, ministry with the youth at area churches, and involvement with C-N’s first-year orientation program.

Faculty earning promotions for 2013-14 include: Dr. Sheridan Barker to professor of communication; Dr. Karen Milligan to professor of education; Dr. Shawn O’Hare to professor of English; Dr. Susan O’Dell Underwood to professor of English; Dr. Shannon Collins to associate professor of English; and Sue McBee to associate professor of nursing.

Faculty earning promotions and tenure include: Dr. Chad Airhart to associate professor of art; Dr. Hester Beecher to associate professor of marketing; Cassandra Catlett to associate professor of accounting; Dr. Elizabeth Fiske to associate professor of nursing; Carolanne Henley to associate professor of nursing; and Pamela Rogers to associate professor of nursing.

Members of C-N’s faculty receiving sabbaticals are: Dr. Wayne Ballard, associate professor of religion, for spring 2014; Dr. Victoria Barker, professor of English, for fall 2013; and Dr. David Crutchley, chair of C-N’s Religion Department, for fall 2013.

Those recognized for 10 years of service include: Shelley Ball, dean of students; Dr. Mark Borchert, chair of C-N’s Communications Department; Dr. Mark Brock, associate professor of TESL; Dr. Christine Dalton, chair of C-N’s Chemistry Department; Dr. Angela Holder, associate professor of music; Melanie Redding, director of Undergraduate Admissions; Melissa Summey, assistant director of the Center for Global Education; and Dr. Kip Wheeler, associate professor of English.

Faculty and staff earning 15-year service honors include: Pat Bivens, assistant professor of music; Peggy Dalton, director of C-N’s Health Services; Lisa Flanary, associate professor of art; Charles Key, director of publications; Libby Miller, administrative assistant to the president.

Those celebrating 20 years of service are: Dr. Mark Hussung, associate professor of music; Tammy Renalds, coordinator for deciding students and advising; and Dr. Angela Wood, interim chair of C-N’s Nursing Department.

Those recognized for 25 years of service include: Dr. Patsy Boyce, professor of biology; Nancy Farris, director of C-N’s Child Development Lab; Dr. Ernest Lee, director of C-N’s Appalachian Center; and Dr. Jean Love, associate professor of HPSS.

Those recognized for over 25 years of service include Dr. Clark Measels, director of the Ball Institute of Church Music, 30 years; and Dr. Thomas Milligan, professor of music, 35 years.