Fall 2012
President Michael S. Stewart
Dear Friend: We hope you enjoy this recap of one of the most history-making homecomings on our campus. As you look through the photos and read about the events, you will see this was one of our most well attended Homecoming Weekends ever. We are always so blessed by our IPHC Women’s Ministries leaders at Feast of Ingathering, and we all enjoy the fellowship we experience as we gather together throughout the weekend. The dedication ceremony for the new Athletic Center attracted a capacity crowd in the Williamson Basketball Arena, which seats 1,200. Just a year before, we were cutting the ribbon and dedicating Roberson Hall and breaking ground for the new Athletic Center. This year, we were cutting the ribbon and dedicating the Athletic Center on the heels of a vote by our Board of Trustees to add two more towers to expand Roberson Hall, a project set to be completed next year. These kinds of miracles are a mighty demonstration of the plans God has for Emmanuel College during this season of growth—what a humbling reminder of His power and provision as He “causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, NASB). We are so thankful to you, our alumni and friends, who are partnering with us to grow forward. We especially appreciate your prayers, and we are certainly grateful for those of you who have been able to give in other ways. Thank you! Together, we really are making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and others who are connected to our mission and our campus. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this season, may God richly bless you and your loved ones now and throughout 2013.
Fall 2012 • Quad Magazine
Happy New Year,
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Dr. Michael S. Stewart President, Emmanuel College
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Fall 2012
In this issue...
For Alumni and Friends of Emmanuel College Mission Statement Emmanuel College is a Christ-centered, liberal arts institution which strives to prepare students to become Christlike disciples who integrate faith, learning, and living for effective careers, scholarship, and service. Founded in 1919, Emmanuel is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. President Dr. Michael S. Stewart Vice President for Development Brian James Alumni and Development Staff Shanterrin Harland Harrell Queen Erin Rosene Ginny Swails Executive Editor Paula Dixon Managing Editor Ginny Swails Contributing Writers Paula Dixon Ginny Swails Contributing Photographers Paula Dixon Trevor Lanier Dr. Sherry V. Story Design and Printing Services Beth James Wansley, Designer LifeSprings Resources, Inc. Quad Fall 2012, Vol. 67, Issue 1 (USPS 175-200) is published four times a year by the Emmanuel College Alumni and Development Office, 181 Spring Street, Franklin Springs, GA 30639. Periodicals postage paid at Franklin Springs, GA 30639. To submit address changes, send an e-mail to alumni@ ec.edu or call 800-860-8600, opt. 4. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Emmanuel College Alumni Relations, P.O. Box 129, Franklin Springs, GA 30639.
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Homecoming 2012!
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Feast of Ingathering
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Homecoming Activities
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New Athletic Center
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Alumnus of the Year
Ribbon cutting ceremony
Mr. Don Williamson
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Fall 2012 • Quad Magazine
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Homecoming
2012
Feast of Ingathering The 65th Annual Feast of Ingathering this year was hailed as one of the best! “This is the best Feast of Ingathering we have attended at Emmanuel in many years,” says Tamé Lambert, IPHC WM Executive Director. IPHC WM Executive Director Tamé Lambert is with Rachel Fenters, “We are so thankful to the IPHC Women’s Ministries for Melody Huhn, Erica Radford and Ashlee Bell. raising $70,000 for Emmanuel’s IPHC scholarships this year,” President Mike Stewart says. “We deeply appreciate all the hard work and sacrifice from our Women’s Ministries. “Their continued support through Feast of Ingathering allows many IPHC students to afford college—many of them would not have this opportunity otherwise,” he adds. After the opening song by Singers, SGA President Janna Cook, a senior from Myrtle Beach, S.C., welcomed everyone to this special convocation service. President Stewart recognized Mrs. Lambert and other WM conference directors and introduced students who were featured in the program. The service included Singers, Revive Dance Team, Emmanuel Players, and student testimonies from senior Jonathan Buczek from Donalsonville, Ga., and sophomore Marion Githegi from the United Kingdom. Junior Anna Barbara Adams from Dunn, N.C., prayed the benediction.
Director Ian Cole (‘05) and Singers
President’s Reception
Fall 2012 • Quad Magazine
SGA President Janna Cook
Revive Dance Team
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Alumni and friends enjoyed seeing familiar faces on Friday night at the President’s Reception. Singers helped welcome everyone to campus with “Jesus Paid It All” and “My Help.”
Judy Plaster Lovejoy (‘62), Jim Lovejoy and Sherm Smith (‘60)
5K Springs Sprint The 4th Annual Springs Sprint continues to attract more runners each year. This year, about 70 participants ran the challenging course around campus.
Golden Grads Breakfast Each year this special group of alumni gathers to share breakfast, catch up with former classmates, share funny stories from yesteryear and reconnect with lifelong friends. This year the Golden Grads welcomed the Class of 1962.
Dr. Culbreth Melton (‘47) and Jack Shaw (‘53)
SCM Reunion Breakfast Fall 2012 • Quad Magazine
The School of Christian Ministries (SCM) continues to enjoy a reunion breakfast on Saturday mornings of Homecoming. This event attracts more alumni each year.
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Homecoming
2012
The 1989-90 and 1990-91 men’s basketball teams honored their coach, Jim Ganey (‘61).
Coach Arlon Beadles, Coach Mike Bona (‘73) and Columbus Copeland (‘81)
Athletic Center Building
Fall 2012 • Quad Magazine
The ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Emmanuel College Athletic Center attracted a very large crowd on a beautiful Saturday afternoon during Homecoming Weekend as the this $10 million, 76,000 square-foot facility officially opened. As about 1,200 alumni, friends, special guests, students, board members, faculty and staff filtered into the Williamson Basketball Arena for the dedication ceremony, the capacity crowd became among the first to tour this impressive facility. “It is a tremendous asset to the campus and community as it serves a growing student population and soon will offer community memberships after the first of the year,” President Mike Stewart says. In addition to being the home of Emmanuel’s men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams, the Athletic Center includes a competition
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Alumni Cheerleaders Lisa Crowe Till (‘77), Lisa Hopkins Till (‘81), Brenda Thrasher (‘63), Judy Plaster Lovejoy (‘62), Judy Grice Slonaker (‘65) and Kay White Wilson (‘61)
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swimming pool, four-lane walking track, eight-lane bowling alley, and a 4,000 square-foot fitness center with free weights, cardio machines and aerobics room. Pizza lovers will be glad to know it also includes a Papa John’s, which seats 72 inside and 24 outside.
Coach Bill White’s (‘59) son, Rodney White
Athletic Center Dedication Brian James, Vice President for Development, welcomed everyone to the ceremony, and President Michael Stewart recognized many who have made this major accomplishment possible, including key donors. Others who spoke during the ceremony were Roy Carroll, The Carroll Companies President; Linda Thomas, Board of Trustees Chair; David Roberson, Board of Trustees Building and Grounds Committee Chair; Mike Bona, Women’s Basketball Head Coach; and TJ Rosene, Men’s Basketball Head Coach. Other special guests who were recognized were Tim Gray, Nick Robinson and Ben Mathison, contractors with Rentenbach; Robin Millard and John Carruth, architects with Millard Inc.; Councilman Huntsinger and Carl Nylander, pool architects. President Stewart also recognized all members of the Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, current students, alumni athletes, former coaches, and current athletes and coaches.
During the ceremony, Emmanuel inducted the first 18 members into its new Hall of Fame. From the 1958-59 and 1959-60 men’s basketball teams, they were the first to play any intercollegiate sport at Emmanuel. Each was honored with a bronze medallion, certificate, a reproduction of the original jersey, and a standing ovation, which was one of many during the day. Of the 18 inductees, 12 were able to attend the ceremony: Clyne Carson, Frank H. Daniels, John T. Dunlap, Benjamin F. Dunn, Jim Ganey, Jimmy Hart, Bane James, Franklin Ross, Gilbert Shaw, Sherm Smith, Rendel Stalvey and Stephen Turner. George Kemper, William Hardee and Donald Roberts were also inducted, and Harold DuBose, Bob Wilson and Bill White were inducted posthumously. Other alumni athletes who were recognized had received the Bill White Award, the highest honor a student athlete can receive at Emmanuel. Each was honored during the ceremony with a bronze medallion. At the close, Columbus Copeland shared his inspiring testimony of having the chance to attend college thanks to a basketball scholarship at Emmanuel and becoming the first of many in his family to go to college.
After President Stewart’s closing prayer, which gave all the glory and honor to God, Singers gathered at center court in a beautiful a cappella version of “To God Be the Glory.” As the celebration came to an end, the crowd filtered out to tour the facility. Below: Hall of Fame inductees
Distinguished Alumnus of the Year 2012 Mr. Don Williamson
Fall 2012 • Quad Magazine
This alumnus used to hitchhike back and forth from Emmanuel to his home in North Carolina. Like many others, he could not afford a car at the time. However, that is not a problem for him now—he owns several successful automotive dealerships. Obviously, we think his time at Emmanuel must have had a huge impact on his career choice. After graduating from Emmanuel in 1968, he started his automotive career in 1969 as a salesman under the leadership of Jim Moore. Over the years, he was promoted several times. In 1986, he purchased Jim Moore’s Buick-Pontiac dealership without an investor and later added GMC Truck, Mitsubishi and Nissan franchises. In 2000, he received the most prestigious award a new car dealer can receive when TIME Magazine announced its 31st winner of the Quality Dealer of the Year Award. This honor was based not only on his automotive career, but also on his community service. During his career, he has served as president and vice president of the National Automotive Dealers Association. He is also active in the community and serves in several clubs, including Rotary, the Greater Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee, and the Onslow Economic Development Commission. He served on the Jack (‘47), Rachel M. (‘46), Betty and Don (‘68) Board of Trustees for Coastal Williamson Carolina Community College. Currently, he is also president of Coastal Bank and Trust. This alumnus puts his faith first, family second, and career third. He and his wife, Betty, have three children: Alycia, Cheryl and Charles. All are happily married and have blessed them with seven grandchildren. This is what Charles told us about his father: “Family is the biggest part of my dad’s life. His employees are also treated like family. His seven grandchildren have consumed his life. I’m not sure what kind of student Dad was, but I know he has always been an extremely hard worker and very dedicated family man. I truly feel he deserves any recognition he may receive.” Because of his leadership and incredible generosity, Emmanuel College is honored to present this year’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award to Mr. Don Williamson.
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In the next Quad
New soccer and lacrosse fields are under construction. Follow us on Twitter @EmmanuelNews
Feedback? Email EmmanuelNews@ec.edu
Roberson Hall expansion includes two new towers to house 144 students. Like us on Facebook facebook.com/EmmanuelCollegeGA
Visit www.ec.edu for more details.