QuickNotes | December 2024

A childhood love of the books by Sam Campbell has come full circle for Leif, ’05, and Lucky (Rouse) Ramsey, ’10. The couple met at Southern and were married a few years after Lucky graduated. 

Leif had earned a degree in graphic design but worked on Southern’s Secret of the Cave production immediately after graduating, and then remained in the film industry. Lucky studied business administration, and she enjoyed being involved with Enactus (then SIFE), crediting it with helping her find her first job post-grad—one that helped her realize she didn’t want to work in a traditional office setting.

The Ramseys started a commercial production company, Pathfinder Films, in 2014, and they’ve worked with clients such as the U.S. Navy, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and the state of Kentucky. Their short documentary “Lost Art” did well on the film festival circuit and even screened at the Austin Film Festival. Produced in 2020, “Lost Art” was directed by Leif, and its director of photography was David George, ’98, one of Leif’s former professors at Southern.

Both Leif and Lucky’s parents had read Too Much Salt and Pepper, Fiddlesticks and Freckles, How’s Inky? and the other Sam Campbell books to them when they were young. Now, they’re reading them to their three young children. “We’re struck by how valid the messages in the books still are,” says Lucky. “That nature and stillness are wonderful antidotes to the pressures of modern society. We want to help continue Sam’s mission to a broader audience and make sure that his message does not continue to fade away after all of his amazing contributions to our nation.”

Not long ago, the couple discovered Shandelle Hensen's book Sam Campbell: Philosopher of the Forest, which sparked questions like, "Where are his silent films now?" "Has a documentary ever been made?" and "What other information is out there?"

They didn’t simply wonder though. The Ramseys took action, bringing their team together—many of whom had also grown up reading Campbell’s books—to answer these questions and develop a documentary about the naturalist author. After researching his history and connecting with other “Campbellites,” the crew is ready to begin production on Voice of the Wilderness. 

“Our generation of young people is facing an unprecedented crisis—marked by addiction, depression, and rising suicide rates,” says Leif in the Director’s Statement. “But what if rediscovering the natural world could be part of the solution? What if it offered a chance to reconnect with eternal truths, find God, and rediscover a sense of purpose?”

The Ramseys and their team, including several other Southern alumni, have a vision for this family-friendly film to reach both longtime fans of Campbell’s work and a broader audience of people interested in wilderness preservation and disconnecting from the pressure of today's world.

Learn more about the project at SamCampbellFilm.com.

– Cheryl Torres, ’05, director of Alumni Relations

Southern applauds the nine students, alumni, and faculty members who earned accolades at the creative competition held during the Society of Adventist Communicators (SAC) Convention just outside Chicago, Illinois, in October. Representatives of Southern regularly receive more awards than any other university or organization at this event.

“Southern’s ongoing success in the contest is a tribute to the work done within our classrooms and beyond,” says Stephen Ruf, attended, professor in the School of Journalism and Communication (SJC).

Student winners include Raquel Lazcano, junior psychology major, for journalistic photography; Preston Waters, senior marketing major, for journalistic photography as well as short film; Lesieli Savelio, senior public relations and international studies major, along with alumni Lauren Fenwick, ’24, and Valeria Izaguirre, ’24, for campaign design; Amanda Blake, ’24, last year’s student newspaper editor, for news writing; and Steven Hansen, sophomore media technology major, along with Derek Aubin, junior mass communication major, for web video. Andrew Boggess, senior mass communication major, received a student honorable mention for journalistic photography. 

In the professional category of short film, winners were SJC professor Pablo Fernandez, his wife and Master of Social Work program manager at Southern Lísye Fernandez, their middle-school-aged son Eduardo Fernandez, and Rich Aguilera, attended. SJC professor Alva James-Johnson received an honorable mention for news writing.

SJC dean Rachel Williams-Smith, PhD, shares: “These awards not only reflect the high level of quality and creativity they consistently produce but also underscore how Southern is preparing students to excel in their careers. Opportunities like this, where our students can engage with industry professionals and showcase their work, are invaluable in shaping their future successes.”

– Anaya Miller, senior English major

“Universities exist to extend knowledge, not just conserve it and pass it down,” says Lisa Diller, ’96, PhD, professor of History and Political Studies. To help students learn to expand their knowledge and share it, the department hosted two events on campus last semester centered on research: a convocation featuring Civil War expert Ed Lowe, retired Army Colonel; and the 21st annual Southeast Tennessee Undergraduate (SCTN) History Conference, where students from local universities shared their research with professors and fellow students.
 
Lowe published “A Fine Opportunity Lost” earlier this year as part of ongoing book installments by numerous authors called the Emerging Civil War Series, which provides an accessible overview of the War Between the States. During convocation, Lowe spoke to students about the lengthy writing process for his book as well as the battles from the Knoxville area represented in it. 
 
“Local historians and authors provide students with an opportunity to see firsthand how history is done,” shares Michael Weismeyer, ’03, chair of the History and Political Studies Department. 
 
At the SETN Undergraduate History Conference held on campus, students from Covenant College, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Lee University, Dalton State College, and Southern presented on a wide variety of topics, from gender in pre-modern Europe to causes of the Crimean War. 
 
“Students get professional presenting experience in front of an audience of experts in their field,” Diller explains. “They get inspired by seeing the kinds of topics and approaches taken by students at other schools, and they get more confident about their own experience. Also, it’s fun!”
 
“Research helps broaden our perspective and add new context to existing knowledge,” explains Aly Lopes, sophomore history major. During the conference, Lopes gained insight into unfamiliar topics and learned new research methods. In addition, Lopes says, “We got to meet and talk with people from other schools and build connections with them.”
 
The History and Political Studies Department at Southern creates rich, engaging opportunities for students to learn more about the research process and practice it themselves. As Diller explains, “A university education should equip students with skills to ask new and interesting questions, and then track down evidence or make new creations to help answer those questions.”

– Chehalis Eno, junior English major

Southern has experienced record growth in recent years, fostering new opportunities for students and expanding their experiences and avenues for success. The largest freshman class in the university’s history enrolled in 2023, and, this year, Southern is hosting its largest undergraduate student body ever, totaling 2,929 students. 
 
Young adults continue to flock to campus, and the current freshman class is the second-highest count to date, with 703 students. In addition, 100 transfer students brought the new-student total up to 803.
 
“Our reputation of excellent faculty, robust academic programs, and a vibrant Christian environment has attracted students from far and near,” shares President Ken Shaw, ’80, EdD. “We are excited to see so many desiring to grow academically and spiritually, and we know God will use them in His service.”
 
In response to climbing numbers, Southern has created additional vespers options and is also expanding housing on campus. Two Friday evening worship services now help keep the most- well-attended spiritual event personal for students, and a new student housing division called Southern Mountain Cottages is nearing completion this month. Marty Hamilton, senior vice president for Financial Administration, says, “These efforts reflect our passion to find creative solutions for our students and still give them easy access to the overall campus experience.” 
 
Several departments have also experienced unprecedented growth in conjunction with the school’s high enrollment. Keith Snyder, PhD, chair of the Biology and Allied Health Department, shares how his academic programs gained 122 freshmen this year, compared to an average of 95, bringing the total number of students to 375. 
 
In response to the growth, the department added a night lab for General Biology and another lab for Anatomy and Physiology in order to continue providing individualized learning. Free tutoring is available to all students in the evenings when professors’ offices are closed, and online resources in textbooks also help students navigate the more challenging classes.
 
Another area seeing substantial growth is the engineering program. Southern introduced a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree with emphases in mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering in Fall 2023, and student interest has exceeded expectations. Currently, 88 engineering students are pursuing these four-year degrees, more than doubling initial projections for this year. The program added several professors and class sections to meet the high demand. 
 
“It’s super cool to see the growth in classes that only had two or three students but now have 20-plus,” says Caleb Mohns, senior engineering major who transferred into the program last August. “I’m definitely getting the tools and mentorship needed to succeed. Professors have done a great job bringing in people from the community to speak to us about their experiences entering the field.” 
 
Tyson Hall, ’97, PhD, dean of the School of Engineering and Physics, believes that the engineering program perfectly matches the university’s mission to equip students to pursue spirit-filled lives of service. “Our motto in the program is ‘think, design, serve,’ and that focus on helping others really sets us apart from other engineering programs,” he says.
 
Southern celebrates numbers but, more importantly, remains committed to ensuring a transformative experience for each student enrolled. Vice President for Enrollment Management Jason Merryman, ’99, shares, “Our university leadership continually submits our plans to the Lord and asks Him to bless and lead us in the ways He wants us to go. We give Him all the glory for each and every success here at Southern.” 

– Chehalis Eno, junior English major