July 2015

Southern Online Community Now Available

Join Southern Community Online where you can update your contact information and preferences from a single, safe location. As an alum, you will also have access to the online directory, allowing you to reconnect with classmates or get to know Southern alumni in your area. All members can view their own giving history and RSVP to special events.

Visit Southern Community Online to request access.

 

Healthcare Administration Program Ranked Among Best in the Nation

Southern’s healthcare administration program was recognized as one of the best in the nation by Public Health Online, an organization that provides college students with expert-driven information about public health. The university was listed among the 50 Best Health Administration Programs for 2015 based on its student-to-faculty ratio, job placement rate, number of concentrations, and availability of financial aid, among other factors.

Listen as two alumni from the School of Business and Management share how Southern's solid academic foundation and numerous character-building opportunities prepared them for success.

 

Display your Art in the McKee Library

McKee Library is searching for artists and artwork to feature during the 2015-2016 school year. If you are an artist or know of someone who is interested in exhibiting his or her work during the fall or winter semester, please email Deyse Bravo-Rivera at dbravo@southern.edu. 

 

 

Alumna Honored as the 2015 Tennessee Woman of Distinction
~Ashley Fox, campaign coordinator

On April 24, Debbie McKee-Fowler, ’81,was honored at the 30^th Annual Women of Distinction luncheon as the 2015 Tennessee Woman of Distinction. The event, hosted by the American Lung Association, honors extraordinary women in the Chattanooga area who are leaders, volunteers, philanthropists, and role models.

For years, McKee-Fowler has devoted herself to enriching the community to further God’s work. Even in her position as an executive vice president for McKee Foods Corporation, she still finds the time to work with many organizations, including Girls Inc., Safe TV, and United Way. McKee-Fowler has also supported Single Parent Scholarship Fund, Junior Achievement, and Enactus. She also works with many church ministries, including Amazing Facts ministries and the Holbrook Indian School in northeast Arizona. She loves to personally share with others the love that Jesus has for them.

McKee-Fowler credits two women of distinction in her life: Ruth King McKee, her grandmother and co‐founder of McKee Foods, who mentored her in business and philanthropy, and her mother, Sharon, ’79, for her ability to always find ways to help others.

McKee-Fowler and her husband, Randy, enjoy a variety of outdoor and fitness activities, as well as roaring down the road together on their motorcycles. She believes one of her greatest successes is finding ways to help others without them knowing.

 

Mission: Undercover in the 10/40 Window
~Alumna serving in the Middle East

When my husband and I were married, we decided we would go as missionaries once our student loans were paid off. Time passed and we were still paying them. When we were asked to serve overseas, we decided we would be missionaries once our house was sold. And again, time passed and our house didn’t sell. We were focusing too much on what we thought we needed to do to follow the Lord’s plan. 

One evening, we finally made the decision to go, trusting that the Lord would help us with our mortgage. Just 48 hours later, we got the call from our realtor–there was an offer on our house. The next month, it sold. When we followed the Lord, He provided for all of our needs.

When my husband and I, both Southern alumni, accepted a call to serve in the 10/40 window, we stepped into the world of undercover missionaries. Because of our location, we are not able to share our names or where we are serving. However, we can share how the Lord brought us to this place and how He is working in the hearts of our friends and neighbors.

In our city, I estimate there is one Adventist for every 200,000 people. The harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Even in our modern world of technology, I have seen how the Lord uses dreams to reach the unreached, just as He did in the days of Joseph. One young woman was brought to our church’s doorstep by a dream and, through our intercessory prayers, her great need was answered. Another young person was shown in a dream that the Adventist church held the truth. Because of that dream, we recently celebrated our church’s first baptism!

We praise the Lord for his guidance and for the work that we are privileged to be a part of. We ask for your prayers for those in the 10/40 window who have yet to meet Jesus.

 

New $10,000 Scholarships Reward Students for Nonprofit Work
~Cassie Matchim, senior global policy and service studies major

Beginning with the Fall 2015 semester, Southern will offer scholarships that give freshmen and sophomores the opportunity to earn $10,000 a year while gaining practical skills related to their major or career interests. The Promise Grant program requires only that students have access to reliable transportation, work 15 hours a week, and maintain a 2.75 GPA.

The program utilizes contributions from Chattanooga businesses to fund work by Southern students with local nonprofits. This allows companies to invest in themselves—a healthy city is always good for business—and to be compassionate corporate stewards at the same time. Southern’s reputation for high caliber students completes this equation, as both the investors and the nonprofits have confidence in the level of work being done.

 

The grant was developed and pilot tested last year, based on similar programs managed by Southern for high school and elementary students (ASSIST and Partnering for Eternity). Biomedical major Claude Delille was in her first year of Adventist education and things were going well, but after the fall semester she wasn’t sure if finances would allow her to continue. That same week, she got a call about joining the Promise Grant program and began working with READ 20, a local nonprofit advocating for increased early childhood literacy.

Social work major Annissa Montesso was also involved in the pilot. She helped at the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and credits the experience with sharpening her career focus. While the scholarships and co-curricular learning are a blessing for Southern students, the benefits of this program extend both ways.

“Annissa was a dream to work with and we would definitely do it again,” said Marisa Ogles, director of Development and Communications at the food bank.

The number of students admitted to the program each year will depend on availability of funds, but administrators expect at least 25 students to participate this year. To learn more about the program, call (423) 236-2560 or email promise@southern.edu. 

 

Study Tour to China
~Alejandro Torres, 2015 marketing graduate

The China Business Study Tour was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I heard about the trip nearly a year ago; at the time, it did not seem financially possible to go. But somehow, God opened the doors and made it possible. It was an intense trip and we visited five cities in 19 days.

Our first visit was to the Great Wall and, as a runner, I couldn't turn down the opportunity to run alongside the wall with one of the professors. The wall was uneven, and there were stairs in some places. We were at a high altitude and got tired quickly, but it is something I will never forget.

We met so many fascinating and interesting people, visited several businesses and met corporate leaders, and saw firsthand the differences and similarities between doing business in China and doing business in the United States. We even had the opportunity to meet some Adventist business people who were thriving even though they live in a communist country.

I was inspired by their ability to be such a testimony despite all the challenges of being a Christian in a communist environment. One of the Adventists, who has started many businesses of her own, said a big part of why people trust her is because of her faith. At her first job, she was the only person not required to work on Sabbath. Today, she is helping her fellow Adventists share the Word of God in China.

Each morning, we would worship together as a group, often while on the bus heading to the first site of the day. We would sing and talk about God as we enjoyed the view. Each student participated and shared a devotional during the trip. This meant our tour guides were able to listen, and they told us they were interested in the topics and enjoyed the songs.

I received six credits for going on this study tour, but there were several months of preparation that took place even before the trip began. We read books and wrote reports, gave presentations, took quizzes, and during the trip we documented each day’s events in a journal. All of these activities made the trip a more profound experience because it helped me understand a lot more of the culture and business practices than I would have otherwise.

I'm thankful Southern was able to provide this opportunity. I'll never forget this remarkable experience and the friends I made.

Stay connected and up to date with the School of Business and Management by “liking” their Facebook page or visiting their website.

 

Summer Seminar Provides Evangelistic Training 
~Myron Madden, senior mass communication major

Danise Taylor was already a veteran of evangelism and outreach efforts in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, but after studying with Southern’s Summer SALT program, she discovered there was still much left to learn.

“Like the lady at the well, I ran back home saying, ‘Hey! You guys have got to hear this—this is some great information!’” Taylor said.

Taylor was one of the 63 people on campus June 17-21 for Summer SALT, Southern’s weeklong evangelistic training event. Enrollment at Summer SALT (Soul-winning And Leadership Training) was the highest since it began in 2012. Part of this increase was due to “Impact Chattanooga,” an upcoming evangelistic series organized by It Is Written. The citywide series, meant to commemorate It Is Written’s move from California to Chattanooga, is set for October and local churches utilized SALT to prepare members for taking part in the mission.

“Things are happening here in Chattanooga, and SALT got a chance to be in the middle of that,” said Greg Wilson, SALT program coordinator.

SALT equips lay people with the tools necessary for ministry through intensive training on personal, health, and corporate evangelism. Participants in June were coached by Southern professors and treated to guest lectures from a variety of backgrounds, including staff at It Is Written and Wildwood Lifestyle Center. Trainees also got an opportunity to practice their evangelistic skills through outreach. Armed with the lessons they learned, they knocked on doors, conducted health assessments, and offered Bible studies.

“This way, when you leave, it’s not just head knowledge; you’ve done the work as well,” Wilson said. “People went back home on fire for Christ. It only takes a spark to get a fire going, so we hope we’re sending back a thousand sparks with bright ideas.”

For more information about SALT—both the week-long summer program and the full semester program held each fall—call (423) 236-2034 or visit southern.edu/salt.

 

Southern in the Summer: Life in the Nursing Program 
~Samantha Smith, sophomore nursing major

My summer started out a little differently this year. As my friends were posting pictures of their adventures at different summer camps or their travels to exotic locales, I found myself in Florida Hospital Hall at Southern for an exciting experience of my own. From a young age, I knew I wanted to become a nurse. I have always wanted to help people and work in the mission field, and I felt this career would give me the opportunity to do both.

I was thrilled when I found out the program was now available in the summer. After discussing it with my parents, we decided it would be best for me to apply for the summer program instead of waiting until fall. When I received my acceptance letter, I was ecstatic.

During the summer, Southern’s campus is a lot different than it would normally be during the regular school year. There are significantly fewer students on campus, and even though there was some adjusting, I found myself really enjoying the summer. My classmates are awesome, and I have made some amazing friends, all of whom I may not have gotten to know as well during the regular school year.

There is still a substantial load of schoolwork—especially since the summer is a couple weeks shorter than a usual semester. We have clinicals twice a week, and some days, we have class until nightfall. I have had to rely on family, friends, and God more than ever to give me the motivation and encouragement to study and persevere. Even though the nights are short and the days are sometimes long, I really appreciate all Southern has done to start this summer nursing program. On behalf of the nursing students this summer, I would like to ask you to pray that we are able to finish off the first phase of our nursing program strong! 

For more information about this program or MSN and DNP nursing programs, contact Sylvia Mayer, director of nursing admissions, at smayer@southern.edu. 

 

We-Haul

A long-standing tradition on campus, We-Haul is an event where employees, alumni, community members, and friends of the university come together to help new students move into the residence halls. It’s a chance to welcome students to their home away from home with a friendly smile and a helping hand.

Volunteer greeters and haulers are needed on Tuesday, August 18 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. T-shirts and refreshments will be provided to volunteers.

View the schedule to sign up and join the fun!

 

Dave Cress Memorial Golf Tournament 2015: September 20

Join Southern alumni and friends for the annual Dave Cress Memorial Golf Tournament on Sunday, September 20, at Nob North Golf Course in North Georgia. Proceeds benefit the Dave Cress Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund, which provides students at Southern with tuition assistance.

To maximize scholarship proceeds, meals will not be catered this year (snacks and drinks will be provided in the carts) and bragging rights have replaced trophies as tournament prizes.

For more information and to register, call 423.236.2830 or visit southern.edu/golf.