Future

There are dozens, hundreds, of books and, according to at least one web site, around 700 movies, set in the future. That includes at least three Back to the Future storylines.

The Twilight Zone made a habit of telling stories of the future.

Yes, the future is a broad topic. Yes, only the Lord knows what it holds.

Scripture is full of guidance and encouragement regarding the future and our responsibilities in following paths in obedience to Jesus’ plan for each of us, Jeremiah 29:11being one of the most familiar: For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

It is there in 1 Peter, 1 Thessalonians and 2 Corinthians. It is there in Romans and James, Psalms and Proverbs. 

It is not directing us to do nothing. But to do what we do within God’s guidance. 

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, it says in Proverbs 19:21, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

As the five-year strategic plan for Carson-Newman University was being developed the name had to exemplify the mission. Acorns to Oaks is a fitting title. 

Legend has it that some of the founders of our University stood under an oak tree to discuss the need for a Christian institution of higher learning. We never will know all those details. But what we do know is an acorn, a one-inch wide by one-inch tall nut, a product of oak trees, can create more oak trees. From this tiny form can grow a tree 40 to 80 feet tall with a 60 to 100-foot spread on average.

That is why Acorns to Oaks was such an appropriate call to the strategic plan. Taking ideas, plans and goals – proverbial acorns – and working to turn them into oaks. Not by our work but by God’s guidance. That is why the second part of the plan’s name is as important as the symbolism of the first half. 

Acorns to Oaks: Pursuing God’s Preferred Future.

Like the earlier passage from Proverbs, not what is in our hearts, but what is the Lord’s purpose.

For more than 170 years, God’s provision has blessed our beloved University. And through those provisions, the table has been set for the future. The opportunity to follow the path comes on the shoulders of those who have come before us. The ability to reach those goals and dreams, to follow God’s preferred future, shall broaden the shoulders on which those in the future may stand.

Much has happened on the banks of Mossy Creek in the last five years.

The Drama and Ted Russell Center, a 48,000 square-foot home to nursing, exercise science and future health sciences initiatives, opened in August 2023.

West Campus Commons, the first large-scale residence life facility in nearly 60 years is taking shape on Bishop Avenue, to the west of Blye-Poteat and Ted Russell Halls. At 110,000 square feet, more than 520 students will call it home.

After 70 years as a program and more than 20 years in its previous location of the old Jefferson City Hospital, the Child Development Lab is getting a new home on the far west side of campus off Overlook Avenue.

A new center for Campus Ministry and Missions and named in honor of alums Bill and Linda Viel. An office for Church Relations and Campus Ministries opened. A beautiful amphitheater overlooking Mossy Creek and dedicated in the names of former president and first lady Randall and Kay O’Brien provides an incredibly peaceful setting near the original site of our school. Oh, and a championship disc golf course now calls the banks of Mossy Creek home as well.

The Eagle Athletics tradition is stellar and the goal is to not only keep it that way but raise the bar. We have not only had Eagle student-athletes named national “player-of-the-week” in their respective areas but national player-of-the-year. To take those standards to another level, upgrades have been made.

In the last three years new playing surfaces have been installed for basketball, football, soccer and softball and a new beach volleyball facility has been developed as well as new weight room facilities.

New academic programs including archeology, a Master of Divinity, the Moser Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and the College of Professional Studies have been created. Neweducations centers in Knoxville on Middlebrook Pike and Nashville, in partnership with Mt. Juliet First Baptist Church, opened.

But there is more to be done, planning embraced in prayer, to prepare for the future.

A new sciences complex with separate buildings for chemistry and biology is planned at the corner of Branner Avenue, directly across from Dougherty, and College Street in front of the new health sciences building.

Plans exist as well for a new academic home to the social sciences: History, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology and to move the award-winning Education Department out of the basement of Stokley and into its own space as well.

This is the future. Based on our past. Our heritage. The vision statement of Carson-Newman University and its leadership is to be the Christian liberal-arts University of choice in the Southeastern United States.

A foundation for this time was laid more than 170 years ago and reinforced and supported multiple times through the last 17 decades.

With prayer to follow God’s path, that is the future. His preferred future for our University, 

That is why the future is now.