Oasis 90.5, WSMC HD2
Pointing You to the Living Water
During Alumni Homecoming Weekend, October 23-26, WSMC launched their new faith based
radio station, Oasis 90.5, WSMC HD2. Senior music education major Robby Raney has been named student manager and will
play a leading role in all facets of its growth. Oasis will include a weekday devotional
by Clear Word author and retired School of Religion Dean Jack Blanco, along with the a broadcast
of some of Southern’s more popular lecture classes, such as Life and Teachings of
Jesus.
All Night Softball
~ Xenia Figueroa, Alumni Relations Assistant
All Night Softball 2014 brought the fun, stress, and yawns students have come to love
and expect from this annual intramural event. Starting in the 1980s, this October
tradition is always much anticipated. Recent graduate Keolani Tmetuchl, ’14, drove
to campus from Florida just to enjoy one of her favorite Southern memories.
“It was so much fun to watch and cheer on my favorite teams,” Tmetuchl said.
This year’s tournament marked the end of an era for Team Fresco and the rise of Fuzzy Box of Kittens (FBOK). FBOK co-captains Zachary Myers and Jordan Antone found it difficult to find their chemistry this season as they played nearly every game short on players, making it hard to grow as a team. But they came together and played at the top of their game when it mattered most. Greg King, School of Religion dean, has been a key player on Team Fresco for the past seven years. Fresco played FBOK in teh men's title fame this year and came up short in an attempt to win their fourth consecutive title. Lucky 13 won the women's championship.
"My hat goes off to the Fuzzy Box of Kittens," King said. "They played the best on Saturday night and deserved to win.”
Southern Healthcare Professionals Seek To Reconnect
~ Geovanny Ragsdale, Associate Vice President for Development
Mark McKinney, ’83 and Barbara McKinney, ’85 accepted an invitation nine months ago
to co-chair a special subcommittee for the Board of Trustees.Their mission for these
two doctors? Seek out and reconnect more than 1,400 healthcare professionals who obtained
their undergraduate degrees from Southern Adventist University.
Today they are joined by doctors James Gulley, ’87; Dwight Evans, ’70; Jeff Kuhlman,
’83; and medical executives Terry Shaw, ’84 and Lisa McCluskey in this endeavor.
When you ask the McKinneys why they took up this initiative, they reference the education they received at Southern and the friendships that were fostered during these life-changing years. Today they are not only alumni, but also parents to a current Southern student; their youngest son, Caleb, is currently working on a degree in financial management.
On November 2 the healthcare professional group will host two special alumni gatherings to connect with local healthcare professionals and other alumni in their hometown:
- Jacksonville, Florida, 5 p.m. -- Hosted by Mark and Barbara McKinney
- Spencerville, Maryland, 4:30 p.m. -- Hosted by James and Trenise Gulley
To learn more about these events, email Kenny Turpen, ’09. Turpen is the regional relationship manager for the west coast and has been working with the co-chairs to complement their efforts along with other staff from the Advancement Office at Southern.
Healthcare professionals interested in connecting with other Southern alumni in their area can contac the Alumni Relations office. Interested alumni may become involved in a variety of ways, including opening their home for alumni gatherings, organizing local gatherings in a community space, becoming a mentor for Southern alumni currently in medical school, or even joining current students on a mission trip with a healthcare focus.
Playing It Forward for Chattanooga's Inner City Schools
~ from the October 8 article in Chattanooga Magazine
Chattanooga and Hamilton County officially declared October 1 as “WSMC Play It Forward Day” in recognition of the instrument drive organized by WSMC Classical 90.5, the radio station broadcasting from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale.
For the past two years, WSMC has been collecting donated musical instruments to help
arts-poor public schools bolster music education in the Chattanooga area.
The idea for an instrument drive was inspired by NPR’s “From the Top” radio program, which came to Chattanooga for the first time in 2012 in partnership with WSMC. “The response from kids made every effort worthwhile," said WSMC general manager Scott Kornblum. "Some children clutched their instruments and wouldn’t let go, some cried when they got them, and teachers were grateful to be able to start music programs."
WSMC partnered with Huthmaker Violins in Atlanta and Consistent-C Winds in Chattanooga to repair the instruments with grant money from the McKenzie Foundation. More than 135 instruments have been donated so far, with plans to organize more instrument drives in the future.
On October 1, staff from WSMC joined government officials and local arts advocates at The Howard School to publically donate the first instruments. Teachers and students from the designated schools were also present to collect the instruments and take them to their new homes. Dexter Bell, band director at Howard High School, was present that day and also stopped by WSMC later that month to pick up a bass for his band students.
"Every time I put an instrument in a kid’s hand, I never see them in the streets again," Bell said. "Music builds character and keeps them busy!"
Click here to watch Bell play the Bass donated to his school's music program.
New Biology Student Research Lab
~ Rick Norskov, Biology Professor
On October 23rd, the Biology Department and Allied Health Department held an open house and reception for their Undergraduate Research Facility. This new state-of-the-art facility was shared with friends and colleagues in the Chattanooga science and business communities to encourage biology internships locally. Alumni, students, faculty and friends were also invited so they could meet Southern students currently conducting research on black widow spiders and the DNA of conifer trees.
“It’s extremely impressive and very professional looking,” said senior biology major Chad McLennan. “It will no doubt encourage and excite future students to take part in research opportunities.”
This unique lab includes multiple work stations with ergonomic and space-saving designs, a fume hood with clear panels on all sides so professors can demonstrate techniques while being viewed from any direction, touch screen computers, LED lighting, and a glass refrigerator with electric outlets among other numerous features.
The Biology Department and Allied Health Department are developing a research culture at Southern, as is evidenced by the more than 25 students pursuing data-driven experiments this semester. With the new lab, more space will be able to participate and present their research findings at regional and national meetings, becoming better prepared for professional school, graduate school, and the science industry in the process. The lab, and the success of our students, has a direct impact on attracting future biology students as well.
To schedule a tour of the lab, or learn more about the sciences at Southern, call
423.236.2690 or email wnorskov@southern.edu.
Acrofest began in 1991 to bring gymnastic clinicians with different areas of expertise together. They have helped teams from Adventist academies, colleges, and universities learn proper technique and progressions. The big picture however, is to come together and explore how gymnastics can be used as a way to reach people’s hearts for God. Tickets for the Acrofest performance are $10.00 and can be purchased at the front desk of the Hulsey Wellness Center or by calling 423.236.2850.
Find out what’s happening at Southern, hear stories about how God is changing the lives of students, and and network with other local alumni. RSVP to Alumni Relations by emailing alumni@southern.edu or calling 423.236.2830 no later than Thursday, November 6.
The 21st annual live performance of Cowboy Jubilee with host Bill McCallie will be in Ackerman Auditorium on Sunday, November 23, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. Join performers and WSMC staff after the show for cathead biscuits, homemade jam, and hot cider! Tickets are free, but you MUST register in advance online at https://community.e.southern.edu/cowboy-jubilee-tickets or by calling 866.905.WSMC.