Faith & Justice program honors Dr. Mary Brandes

^{Carson-Newman University’s Faith & Justice Scholars’ “Founders Award” winner, Dr. Mary Brandes, appears with past, present and future residents of the Faith & Justice House on C-N’s campus. Picture from left are: Faith Douglas, Merritt Dowdy, Rachel Robeson, Brandes, Sam Steed and Olivia Bray.}

(April 10, 2019) KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Carson-Newman University’s Faith & Justice Scholars Program recognized Dr. Mary Brandes, a 1971 alumna, with the “Founders Award” for her outstanding contributions to the vitality of the program.

The award came during the program’s Senior Reception, held April 5 at Awaken Coffee.

The Founders Award is an annual recognition to the individual whose contributions have insured the continued health and vitality of the program. Brandes’ generous contributions to the program allowed for extensive renovations to the Faith & Justice House on Carson-Newman’s campus. The University’s Women of Vision undertook those renovations during summer 2018.

“Two years ago, our program inherited the Faith & Justice House and our vision for the house was blurry,” said Dave McNeely, the program coordinator. “In 2018, however, Dr. Brandes and the Women of Vision undertook a massive renovation of the house that transformed the building into a 21st century learning-living home for our program. We are so thankful for Dr. Brandes’ outstanding generosity and continued support of our program.”

Communication major Kinsey Clark, a junior year Faith & Justice scholar, of Chattanooga, received the “FJS Servant Leadership Award,” the winner of which is peer-nominated from non-graduating students. The recipient must demonstrate an attitude of compassion and service to others, an example of faith maturity and development, a hunger and thirst for justice, and exceptional commitment to the program.

“Every year, this award gets harder and harder to select, because we have so many outstanding students who embody the best of Carson-Newman and Faith & Justice,” McNeely said. “This year’s honoree, Kinsey Clark, is an extremely deserving scholar. She has invested in our program this year by building relationships with our newest scholars, developing new outreach and promotional strategies for our program, and setting a remarkable example of someone committed to growing in love of God and neighbor.”

Finally, the reception honored the program’s three graduating seniors: Leah Belcher, of Jefferson City, Jacob Williams, of Blaine, and Merritt Dowdy, of Franklin.

Founded in 1851, Carson-Newman is a Christian liberal arts university located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, among the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The University has over 2,500 students and offers 50 undergraduate majors, as well as associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees.