2014 Giving
Thank you to the 4,886 people who gave nearly $11 million in support of Southern in
2014! Your gifts enable students to go on mission trips, learn from top-notch faculty, hear powerful speakers, play in intramural, and enjoy the full Southern experience. We appreciate your support.
February 14 is more than just Valentine’s Day, it's also the final day
of “I Love Southern,” a two-week campaign designed to create special opportunities
for connecting and interacting with students, staff, and the greater Southern family!
Beginning on February 1, be sure to check your email and social media accounts to
stay current with what’s happening each day. There’s something special for alumni,
students, parents, givers, and more, along with an exciting contest! Be sure you’re
connected to Southern on Facebook or Twitter or visit southern.edu/love.
Who Let The Dogs Out?
~ Derling Pizarro, BRIDGE ambassador
McKee Library is hoping to put a spin on the traditional library setting and make it a place where students don’t just go to study, and they recently hosted two special events which helped increase that awareness.
During exam week at the end of last semester, five service dogs and their trainers
visited the library to provide a much-needed break from test week anxiety. Students
could be found laughing and lying on the floor with dogs providing friendly licks
and wagging tails of encouragement.
“It gave our students a chance to connect with an animal and it reduced their stress levels," said Dan Maxwell, library director.
McKee library also featured the Physics and Engineering Department's Rube Goldberg machine, a term used to describe any system that performs simple tasks in a very complicated fashion. More than 175 students participated, a good sign that this type of programming is worth doing again.
ERC Reports 26,431 Baptisms
~ Xenia Figueroa, Alumni Relations assistant
Every summer the Evangelistic Resource Center (ERC) takes large groups of students to multiple countries and hosts evangelistic
series. Edgar Alquinta, Evangelistic Resource Center coordinator, begins his planning
shortly after the trips so he can begin inviting students to participate as soon as
the fall semester begins.
Both for students and accompanying staff members, it is a great opportunity to share the Gospel in this way. Alquinta was able to partake in three ERC trips as a student and has participated in others on his own even before recently beginning employment at Southern. The percentage of pastor’s that have gone on trips such as these is slim, and it’s a great opportunity for the students headed towards a religious career.
“They can come into churches and motivate the congregation toward evangelism,” Alquinta said.
As of the summer of 2014, the ERC has sent 917 speakers and as a result, has reported
26,431 baptisms!
Since the ERC began, 917 speakers have gone out and played a direct role in 26,431 baptisms! This year, Alquinta and his team have made evangelistic plans with four groups of students in three countries: Mexico, Columbia, and Brazil. Students must meet their fundraising needs by the end of January because training begins in February.
“The ERC’s main goal is to make a contribution to not only worldwide churches through evangelism, but to have the students bring that enthusiasm home and want to make a difference for the local churches here.”
For more information about supporting these trips, visit southern.edu/erc or contact Alquinta via email or phone (423.236.2035).
Alumnus Shares His Love for Southern In Multiple Ways
~ GeovannyRagsdale, associate vice president for Development
Jim Aumack attended Southern Adventist University back in the late ‘80s. Although he didn’t
complete his degree here, Aumack's love and passion for Southern remained strong. God led him to many new opportunities
since his time on campus, including six years in the Admissions and Recruitment Department
here at Southern and 12 years working for Kellogg’s.
When you asked Aumack what fond memories he has about his time studying at Southern, he'll quickly reply, “It’s where I met my wife, Lynn." They have been married for 23 years and have two daughters, (top) Morgan and (left) Whitney, both of whom are current nursing students at Southern.
Aumack recently had a unique opportunity to impact Southern through his influence. In the past year Atlantic Natural Foods acquired the Worthington and Loma Linda canned goods brand from Kellogg’s as part of a desire to strengthen the brands among Seventh-day Adventists. When he was asked by the new company’s owner, Doug Hines, about making a gift to an Adventist institution, Aumack was quick to share his Southern Experience story. Thanks to this interaction, the Student Missions Office here received a $5,000 gift at the end of the year.
To learn more about Southern's long-term and short-term mission initiatives, and to learn how you too can impact these programs around the world, visit them online or call the Chaplain’s Office: 423.236.2787.
Martin Luther King Jr./Community Service Day
~ Lindsey Mitchell, senior gps/communications major
Students, faculty, and staff from Southern Adventist University honored Martin Luther King Day on Monday, January 19, by participating in a variety of community service activities around the Chattanooga area. Various student groups and clubs organized their own events, including WSMC Classical 90.5 FM.
After WSMC’s fall semester instrument drive—during which hundreds of used, new, and repaired musical instruments were collected
and donated to area public schools—the station was prepared to partner with Howard
High School, one of the schools that had received many of the instruments. Student
volunteers were geared up to revitalize the Howard band room with a bit of organization
and a new coat of paint; however, after a last minute change of plans, student leaders
from WSMC were able to adapt quickly and find another music-related service opportunity
closer to campus.
WSMC Classical 90.5 Music Director and Host, Tyler Rand, coordinated with the Collegedale Academy Music Department and gathered about 15 students to spray paint the CA music stands. After years of use, music stands can become scratched and dingy, making them a distraction from musical performances.
“I thought it was great to help," said Loyola-Roncal,a junior at Southern and WSMC announcer. "Even though no one was watching us work, people will be able to see the results when the music ensembles perform.”
WSMC plans to organize more community service events in the future in hopes of continuing their mission of enriching, uplifting, and inspiring others.
Nonprofit Helps Single Mothers with Tuition
~ Eloise Ravell, student writer
Executive Women International (EWI) of Chattanooga, a nonprofit that addresses the business person's quest for
personal achievement and drive for professional development, recently presented two
$1,000 scholarships to single mothers attending Southern Adventist University. Since
2010, EWI’s contributions to the university have totaled $9,400.
“Four years ago, we asked EWI to consider including Southern as one of the recipients
of their Single Parent Scholarships,” said Lori Thompson, office manager for Advancement
at Southern. “The EWI leaders thought it was a wonderful idea!” The Tennessee nonprofit
raises money through fundraisers—including raffles, pecan sales, and auctions—in order
to give out its scholarships. Next year, the fund criteria will be broadened to include
single fathers as well.
Under Lynn Wood's Basement
~ Sheann Brandon, freshman journalism major
In my job with the Call Center, I reach out to alumni and extend an opportunity for them to support the school where
they spent transformative years. Even as a freshman, I have grown to love and appreciate Southern Adventist
University. Working in the Call Center, and being able to develop relationships with
alumni, has been a challenging and deeply rewarding experience.
During one of best phone calls this past semester I was able to call the parents of current Southern students. As I spoke with the mother she brought a smile to my face that didn’t fade throughout the entire call. She was so passionate about Southern’s curriculum, facilities, groups, convocations, and anything that could possibly relate to her child.
This phone call stands out in my mind not only because of the amount she gave to support us, but also because of the love and admiration that flowed freely from her. Southern was giving her child an opportunity to grow both towards a career and to heaven. She was eternally grateful.
Southern 6
Join us for the annual Southern 6 Trail Race, taking place on campus' Biology Trail System. This annual event is also home to the only Kid K in Chattanooga. Proceeds
will go directly to the university’s Outdoor Leadership program for assistance developing
and maintaining the Biology Trail system.
Registration begins at 11 a.m. outside Hickman Science Center. The main race starts at 1 p.m., while Kid K begins at 2:30 p.m.
Advanced Registration: $30 walk/run fee ($25 for Southern students)
Day of Registration: $40 walk/run fee ($30 for Southern students)
Kid K Registration (12 years and younger): $8
Register before February 1 to guarantee a T-shirt.
Meet The Firms
Meet The Firms, a twice-yearly event organized by representatives from the School
of Business, School of Journalism and Communication, School of Nursing, and School
of Social Work, provides a great opportunity for students to network with local businesses
about both internships and potential employment. The Alumni Relations office is also
involved, encouraging Southern graduates to participate as representatives of their
organizations.
The next Meet The Firms will be held Thursday, February 26, from 2-5 p.m. To learn
more about being a part of this event, contact
Alumni Relations via email or call 423.236.2830.
E.A. Anderson Lecture Series
The E.A. Anderson Lecture Series is an annual feature of the School of Business and
Management. The series is made possible by the generosity of the late E.A. Anderson
of Atlanta, Georgia, for the purpose of giving the listener a broader understanding
of the business world. The public is invited to attend the free lectures and continuing
education credit is available.
All lectures are presented at 7 p.m. on the third floor of Brock Hall (Room 3205). Videos of last year's presentations are available online, along with the 2015 schedule.
E.O. Grundset Lecture Series
The E.O. Grundset Lecture Series is named in honor of Southern’s beloved biology professor of 35 years.
The free monthly talks are open to the public and showcase scientific research and
natural history presentations by a variety of scholars.
All lectures take place at 7:30 p.m. in Hulsey Wellness Center (Room 3135). A list of the speakers is available online.