University Vision, Mission and Faith Statements

A Message from the Vice President for Student Services

Welcome to the Eagle family!

I am glad you have chosen to attend Carson-Newman University, a Christ-centered, student-focused institution. Our mission is to help you reach your potential as an educated citizen and worldwide servant-leader. To that end, please allow me to introduce to you the Division of Student Services. In support of the University’s mission, the Division of Student Services is dedicated to serving with passion and excellence to create a learning environment conducive to student development spiritually, socially, emotionally, intellectually, physically, and vocationally. We facilitate your life outside of the classroom. Our goal is to support you in your personal growth and create opportunities for you to develop lifelong memories.

Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the departments included in the Division of Student Services and what they offer. A list of the departments and a brief description of what they do is provided online and at the end of the Student Handbook. As you read those descriptions, you will find a common theme: we are here to serve you as you discover who you are in Christ. Also, please be sure to subscribe to Instagram or Facebook pages run by the University, the Division of Student Services, and any departments you may be interested in connecting with. We will post theme verses, encouraging words, helpful hints, and news about upcoming events and deadlines.

I encourage you to get involved and stay connected on campus. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” There are so many ways to get connected with others and be a servantleader on this campus! Join clubs, campaign to be in student government, help with Orientation, be a Resident Assistant… the list of opportunities is long and varied enough for everyone to find a place.

Because this is a new experience for many of you, I also want to point out that we provide services for those who are experiencing difficulties finding and building your community. Please reach out if you need help in any way! We will do our best to serve you and, if you need something beyond what we can provide, will direct you to other resources. You matter to us. Let us help.

As you embark on this journey, it is my prayer that you will feel loved and cared for here. I pray the Father’s richest blessings over you as you prepare yourself to reach the potential He placed in you.

Gloria J. Walker Vice President for Student Services

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UNIVERSITY MISSION AND FAITH STATEMENTS

UNIVERSITY MISSION

Our mission as Christian educators is to help our students reach their full potential as educated citizens and worldwide servant-leaders.

BAPTIST FAITH AND MESSAGE 2000

Carson-Newman is grateful for its partnership with churches of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Their faithful prayers, support, encouragement have been instrumental to the University's ability to offer a distinctively Christ-centered education. In acknowledgement of this investment by Tennessee Baptists and in support of the rich confessions that identify Southern Baptists, C-N's Board of Trustees has affirmed the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. This confessional statement provides an invaluable connection to our Baptist heritage and doctrinal identity.

Carson-Newman is grateful for its Baptist partners, unapologetic in its biblical conviction and unashamedly Christ-centered. Click here to read the Baptist Faith & Message 2000

OUR CHRISTIAN WORLD VIEW

The Christian University is an educational arm of the church, the body of Christ. Christ is Lord of the Christian University, as He is the church. In Christ, “. . . are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:3) Christ is “the image of the invisible God. . . . For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible . . . all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things are held together.” (Colossians 1:15-17) Christ is the creator and center of the universe.

Jesus proclaimed, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6) It is this Way, this Truth, this Life the Christian University promotes. Our Lord invites us to “Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) This invitation we accept. All truth is God's truth. All sound learning is a part of our Christian heritage and calling, and is centered in a Christian worldview, where Jesus is Lord, and we are His disciples.

BIBLE

Whereas, the Board of Trustees of Carson-Newman University in its regularly scheduled meeting of October 19, 2007 received a recommendation from a trustee to consider a statement regarding the beliefs of the Board members about Holy Scripture. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of Carson-Newman University does unanimously approve the following statement: "We, the Board of Trustees of Carson-Newman University, do affirm Holy Scripture as being given by God through people, to people. The complete and final Word of God is revealed in Jesus Christ."

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