Faulkner Magazine Fall 2019

FALL 2019

FAULKNER MAGAZINE

A NEW LOOK

UNIVERSITY LAUNCHES UPDATED LOGO

FAULKNER SPORTS NETWORK OPENING THE WORLD TO STUDENTS

SOUTHERN ART & MAKERS COLLECTIVE ALUMNA COMBINES ART & MINISTRY

WELCOME TO FAULKNER MAGAZINE Editorial Staff

Schedule of events January 25

“The Neil Diamond Experience” concert

February 28

Marketplace Faith Forums

28-29 Homecoming March 1-5

Faulkner Lectures

Administration President Dr. Michael D. Williams Chancellor Dr. Billy D. Hilyer Vice Chancellor Dr. Wayne Baker

Board of Trustees

April 3-4

Jamboree

May 1

Annual Commencement

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Annual Friends for Faulkner Yard Sale

9 Faulkner Law Commencement June 26-27

Alumni Summer Reunion

October 1

Benefit Dinner 2020

The mission of Faulkner University is to glorify God through education of the whole person, emphasizing integrity of character in a caring, Christian environment where every individual matters every day.

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Publisher Patrick Gregory Editor-in-chief Loren Howell Design Angela Hardgrave Staff Writer Rebecca Burylo Contributors Jeremy Smith Caroline Thompson Izabella Zientek

Senior Finance Advisor Wilma Phillips Vice Presidents Renee Davis Mark Hunt Dr. Dave Rampersad Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson Dr. John Tyson Joseph Vickery Associate Vice Presidents Billy Camp Jamie Horn College Deans Dr. Jeff Arrington Dr. Leslie Cowell Dr. Scott Gleaves Dr. Dave Khadanga Dr. Charles Campbell General Counsel Dr. Gerald Jones

Faulkner Magazine

Dr. Billy Lambert, Chair Mr. Ted A. Norton, Vice Chair Mrs. Carlton Freeman, Secretary Mr. Roy Johnson, Parliamentarian Mr. Jason Akins Ms. Martha Burleson Mr. Terry Cagle Mr. Joseph W. Donaldson Ms. Scherry Douglas Mr. Michael S. Eubanks Dr. Justin “Chip” Garrett Mr. Michael Gurganus Dr. John W. Hill III Dr. Mike Houts Dr. Jason Isbell Mr. Frank “Butch” Jones Ms. Libby Jones Mr. Dale Kirkland Mr. Bob Lee

Dr. Mansel Long, Jr. Dr. Henri McDaniel Judge Carole Medley Mr. Chuck Monan Mr. Phil Norton Mr. David Phillips Mr. Mike Pickens Mr. Tim Richardson Dr. Bud Stumbaugh Dr. Swaid Swaid Mr. Jon Sykes Sen. J.T. “Jabo” Waggoner Mr. Eddie Welch Dr. Jack Zorn

Trustees Emeriti Mr. Dewey R. Barber Dr. E.R. Brannan Dr. Charles W. Britnell Mr. Jim Campbell Mr. Ernie F. Chappell Mr. Archie B. Crenshaw Atty. Fred D. Gray Dr. Jess Hall, Jr.

Dr. Lamar A. Harrison Mr. David Howell Mr. H. Louis Lester, Jr. Ms. Glenda Major Mr. B.O. Richardson Mr. Kenneth M. Shumard Mr. Robert W. Walters Ms. Anna Weeks

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A Shared Vision Study Abroad New University Logos Benefit Dinner Honoring Jackie Tucker

Law Briefs Faulkner Sports Network Community News Alumni Spotlight Alumni News Faulkner Heritage Society On the cover...

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Faulkner University’s main entrance, built in 2017, has already received an update. The university’s new logo, unveiled October 3, was added in place of the old logo.

The new logo employs design elements from the one of the campus’ newest structures, the entranceway, as well as one of the oldest structures, the Rotunda. You can read more about the new logo on page 8.

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ecoming a catalyst leader has been a theme for us and our students at Faulkner this semester. Catalyst leaders run unabashedly toward a crisis. They are people of relationships. They’re bridge builders, they’re passionate, they’re bold and they’re fearlessly optimistic.

As we look across our world, we see a global community wrought with challenges, heartache and grief. We look at our neighbors, at our city and our community and we are faced with a decision - to look away or to face those challenges head on.

At this year’s Annual Benefit Dinner we celebrated several alumna who have faced those challenges and are making a positive difference in the judicial system, the medical field, the classroom, the United States Air Force and in the lives of their children.

It was a night to celebrate our students and Faulkner with the unveiling of a new academic logo. As we prepare students to live distinctive lives of excellence, accomplishment and service, we wanted a logo that would reflect that. We teach them that the best way to live that out is through knowing Jesus Christ and is why we maintain the cross at the center of our new insignia.

As you continue reading this latest installment of our Faulkner Magazine I am confident you will be inspired by our students and alumni who are seeking to live lives of purpose. Whether that is across the Atlantic Ocean in a small Italian town of Tuscany, in the midst and aftermath of a harrowing police call, in pro bono work or simply on the basketball court, those who pass through the front entrance of Faulkner leave as changed people.

Read on and be inspired.

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Students pose for a photo at Masada, an ancient Hebrew fortress in Israel. Back row l-r Ashby Kasarjian, Alissa Moorey, Jenna Taggart, Allyson Stanley, Kylie Sutton, Sarah-Elizabeth McGill Front row l-r, Harper Stiff, Whitney Pace, Lindsey Sykes

Students pose for a photo in Rome. l-r Colton Kasarjian, Chris Sanford, Reagan Amos, Jacob Campbell, Jack Webb, Eli Mann

Study Abroad: A Life Changing Experience The aroma of freshly baked croissants and a friendly, “Ciao, Sarah!” greeted Sarah-Elizabeth McGill almost every morning last semester on her way to class.

McGill wasn’t heading to a typical classroom. She was one of 33 Faulkner students who chose to study in Italy’s quaint Northern Province with Faulkner’s Study Abroad program. It was one of the university’s largest study abroad groups to date.

A junior English major, McGill jumped at the opportunity to study and travel to the places she and her mother had dreamed of visiting.

A three-month program, Faulkner’s Study Abroad takes students on a journey across the world as they venture through Italy, Greece, Israel and more, following the footsteps of Jesus and the Apostle Paul.

by Rebecca Burylo

McGill invited her mother to join her on an excursion through Italy, during the program's free week.

“Getting to see these parts of the world used to be something we had only dreamed about,” McGill said.

A typical day for the students began with chapel in an Italian church, followed by class with Dr. Terry Edwards, professor of Bible and Humanities and program director who covered “The Steps of the Apostles.” Next, they had Italian studies where they learned some of the Italian language and history.

Edwards made sure students felt like they were Italians while living in the country for over two months. Not only did it help students become comfortable living there, it helped keep them safe while traveling.

Terry Edwards lectures to students atop Masada in Israel

Imagine, instead of studying within the confines of four walls, a bright blue sky is your ceiling and magnificent, centuries old architecture surrounds you. Locals wander the cobblestone streets to buy creamy gelato from a street vendor and browse the marketplace wares.

“Greece was probably my favorite place,” McGill said. “I’ve always wanted to go to Athens and see the Parthenon, so when I actually got to stand in front of it, it was a dream come true. I loved seeing the monasteries and convents in Meteora, but I also just loved the history within Athens.”

Photos by Sarah-Elizabeth McGill

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Students pose beside the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy l-r Sarah-Elizabeth McGill, Jenna Taggart, Alissa Moorey, Ally Stanley, Hannah Maddox

rest of your life.”

Exploration, fun, and discovery are the components of a successful study abroad trip and those who had a chance to experience the program at Faulkner were not disappointed.

Most importantly, those who travel on Faulkner’s program felt safe and confident while traveling.

“Everywhere we went I felt like our safety was the top priority of Dr. Edwards. He wanted to make sure that we had fun, but that we were also safe,” McGill said.

After lunch, students were free to explore the town or hop a train to Florence or Pisa before settling down to work on homework.

English major Calli Hunton decided to study abroad after a friend came back with exciting tales of time spent in Israel, seeing the Garden Tomb and the Sea of Galilee. Hunton knew those were things she had to see for herself.

“As an English major, that part of the world can be a dream come true,” Hunton said. “Books, art, and architecture are what they worship, kind of how Americans love football. I would see monuments or places that I had learned about in my classes, and for me that really helped bring to life what I was being tested on.”

“The students who come on Faulkner’s Study Abroad program are truly changed for life,” Edwards said. “I can teach in a typical classroom, but my favorite classroom to teach in is on the road, because that’s where everything makes sense. When you’re on Mars Hill, suddenly Paul’s epistles come alive.”

“Those Bible stories come alive when you’re in the Sea of Galilee and it’s not just a story anymore, it’s history about real places and real people and all that comes crashing on you when you study abroad. Our study abroad program is unique in that we take a biblical approach. Your faith is challenged, it becomes your own and strengthened. You’ll live this experience out the

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Students who participate in the program are accompanied by and taught by Faulkner University faculty and are housed on a private campus in Tuscany (Montecatini Terme,) in a safe environment with easy access to Florence, Pisa and Siena.

Edwards speaks fluent Italian, having grown up in Italy, where his parents were missionaries. This helps him assist students while traveling and keep them as safe as possible. Part of their first month in Italy is spent training how to travel during their free days to England, Spain, Ireland and others. Their location while staying overseas is also important.

“We choose to rent out a hotel in a smaller town of only 30,000 people rather than a bigger city like Rome or Paris because our students can walk around town at night and be completely safe,” Edwards said.

“We’re also strategically located close to two airports The Parthenon in Greece

nearby and a train station just two blocks way for students to visit the beach or Pisa after class. We’ve hired drivers that we know and trust who are familiar with the area. Students are not allowed to travel alone and must go in twos or threes if we are not together as a group.”

When Edwards took the group anywhere, he would do a quick tour of the town, select a central meeting point and tell them what time to meet back there. From there, they would separate into smaller groups and explore on their town. Edwards treated the students as if they were family.

“Every day he asked ‘What can we do for you?’

Anything we needed he would help whether it was medicine, to calm us down, or just to talk,” McGill said.

The program is open to all majors. All meals are included in the cost of the program except during those free travel times. Edwards arranges for their own Italian chef to prepare all the meals in-house for the duration of their stay providing them with four authentic fullcourse meals a day. The freshly made pasta at each meal was a huge favorite for several of the students.

The cost also includes room and board, the flight to Florence and back, an 8-day group trip to Israel, a four-day cruise, a group trip to Greece, day trips to Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Venice and Siena and local transportation through Italy.

I will never forget. I missed my family and friends like crazy, but it was so worth it!”

“The part that I enjoyed most was the knowledge I gained from it,” Hunton said. “I don’t mean school, but with culture. We were blessed enough to go to two different Churches of Christ while there. One was in Athens and one was in Florence. That experience alone was one that made the entire journey worth it.

Being able to meet other people who love the Lord in a country that seems so foreign is amazing. The churches we visited, along with the entire trip to Jerusalem were amazing.”

More than 20 students have already signed up for 2020’s trip, but slots are still available to go in 2021.

The Faulkner Study Abroad program is offered in the spring of each year. Edwards has directed university study abroad programs for more than forty years and has worked with Faulkner’s program since he was hired in 2015.

The group also visited and sang with diverse congregations of believers in Italy, Greece and Israel and explored Rome, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence, Pompeii, and Venice. Outside of Italy, some visited Ireland, Paris, and London, while the group together went to Israel, Turkey, and Greece.

In total, they visited 18 cities, 8 countries, and 3 continents.

“It was an opportunity to completely immerse yourself in another culture and to learn how other people do life. It opens your eyes up to the different types of people there are in the world. Also you get to eat some amazing food,” McGill said.

"Study Abroad helped me to grow as a person, but also to grow more in my relationship with Christ.

Traveling to Israel and seeing the places where Jesus walked, I can’t read my Bible the same way.

The trip to Israel caused my Bible to come alive. It was incredible. Study Abroad is an experience that

Students ride donkeys in Santorini, Greece l-r Jenna Taggart, Sarah-Elizabeth McGill, Zach Roberson

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Faulkner University Launches New Academic Logo

by Rebecca Burylo and Caroline Thompson

Deep Christian faith, high academic standards, and campus community are what define Faulkner. What better way to broadcast that to the world than by creating an academic brand that better aligns with our direction as a university.

“The leaders on campus, including President Mike Williams, began discussion of developing a more academic-looking icon,” said Patrick Gregory, director of university marketing. “John Tyson, Mark Hunt and I created a team to work on the project and together we contacted Greg Hahn.”

Gregory sent Hahn several images of those buildings along with the Freeman Tower in order to sketch ideas for the design.

Greg Hahn is a graphic design artist and logo designer, who owns Designs by Hahn. For years he’s been helping businesses, athletic teams, universities and organizations create images that best portray their brand.

“We wanted the updated logo to be a crest, something that included the architectural features found around campus that everyone, both alumni and current students could recognize and take pride in,” Gregory said.

“The work I do is bigger than the design itself. The logo represents a community and people identify with it,” Hahn said. “They wear it on their clothes or use it as a bumper sticker. It's more than just a pretty picture. It's rewarding to know that an idea that began as a simple sketch can go on to be valuable to the organizations that will use the design for years, hopefully decades, to come and I'm thankful to Faulkner for entrusting me to work on this.”

“It was decided that the entrance building is a structure that everyone on campus would instantly recognize and connect to Faulkner’s identity. Although the building’s features are fixed, there are multiple ways to render it.

My goal was to capture the unique way that lighting falls onto the top of the structure and the spire. I chose to position it at an angle where the viewer is looking upward at the spire and cross,” Hahn said.

The new logo replaces Faulkner’s original logo created nearly 35 years ago, which consisted of the traditional curved Faulkner ‘F’ with an image of the spire from atop the E.L. Collum Rotunda driving up through the center. This image was adopted shortly after the university changed its name from Alabama Christian College to Faulkner University in 1985.

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The Rotunda was one of the first buildings on campus when the school moved to its current location. Over the years, as Faulkner expanded its program offerings, and more students enrolled, additional buildings were constructed to accommodate that growth. Many of these buildings have a distinct architectural design element featuring a cupola, or a small dome structure on top, including the new front entrance.

Faulkner Magazine

“This is the angle at which most people will naturally view the entrance building as they enter campus, and at the same time, it gives the logo an esteemed look as it towers above. The outer crest shape frames it all together.”

“Pat Gregory and I decided to also incorporate a cross. I was really pleased with how all these elements fit within

the crest, while maintaining a clean overall design.”

Emma Revels, one of the students in the focus group.

The design was presented to two focus groups. One group consisted of faculty and staff while the other was made up of students.

The logo was introduced to the public at this year’s annual Benefit Dinner.

The students’ overall response was positive, though they suggested to enlarge the ‘F’ in the center. Likewise, the faculty suggested distinguishing the center cross even further by outlining it in its entirety. Both suggestions were incorporated into the official design.

“I enjoyed being a part of the creative process and giving input in conjunction with other students,” said

“I think this new design provides Faulkner with a distinguished crest that visually aligns with the mission and vision of Faulkner and showcases the level of prestige and academic standing we have in the community,” Gregory said. “We have a campus full of talented and professional students and professors and we want Montgomery and the rest of the country to know that.”

Faulkner Athletics Unveils Updated Brand Identity

by Jeremy Smith The Faulkner University Athletics Department unveiled a new branding framework in April that sets its visual direction for the future. The innovative athletic identity maintains the signature mascot and color palette imagery that has become synonymous with Faulkner athletics while also applying a fresher, more modern take on those symbols.

"Brand recognition is key in today's market and our existing marks, while familiar, were not consistent with one another," said Jeremy Smith, director of sports information and marketing.

Faulkner athletics. The hallmarks of the designs include a specialized font Hahn created specifically for the university. The centerpiece of that font is an "F" that contains a cross.

"Greg found a way to incorporate our mission and values as a Christian university into our athletics logo,” Smith said. “It is an excellent visual representation of what we are striving to do as an athletic department."

The university will take a gradual approach to incorporating the look across all of its facilities.

The branding system allows each of Faulkner's 11 athletic programs to find its own unique appearance while still remaining consistent across each sport.

Hal Wynn, Faulkner’s athletics director, said, "We wanted to find a brand identity that would be exciting for all of our stakeholders. We are confident that we have achieved that with this look."

The updated identity comes from Greg Hahn of Designs by Hahn. The Watertown, Wisconsin based artist worked alongside Faulkner athletics officials to conceptualize an identity unique to

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Ashby Kasarjian sings during the 2019 Annual Benefit Dinner

BENEFIT DINNER Behind the Scenes

by Rebecca Burylo

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Faulkner Magazine

Alyssa Taylor, Lauri Ann Itson, Ashby Kasarjian and Leah Hunt sing during the 2019 Annual Benefit Dinner

“We present an evening that our stakeholders and our students can be proud of. Everything we plan to include during the evening is a part of the message we want to share. This is our one shot to show Faulkner’s successes and dreams with the community.”

Nikki Haley speaks during the 2019 Annual Benefit Dinner

More than 2,000 guests began filling the ballroom of the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center on October 3 for Faulkner’s sold out Annual Benefit Dinner to hear Nikki Haley, the former United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

What they experienced that night was much more than simply listening to a speech from a great speaker. The Benefit Dinner is one of the most highly anticipated social events of the year for the River Region and guests from all around the state and the southeast travel to be a part of the night.

They come to experience a night of high-energy entertainment and community recognition along with special highlights and news from Faulkner’s campus. Guests witness breathtaking performances from Faulkner’s chorus, students and alumni and hear from President Mike Williams. They learn about the university’s new college of health sciences physician assistant program coming in 2020. They hear that 100 percent of students who graduate with a computer science degree from Faulkner find a job in their field only six months after they graduate.

“Our annual Benefit Dinner is really the signature event of the university. It’s an opportunity for us to showcase our outstanding academic programs and our distinctive Christian mission and the investment we are trying to make into this community,” Williams said. “The most important outcome of the dinner is that we raise money for students to give them more scholarships in order to provide them with a transformative experience and to prepare the new emerging generation to make a tremendous difference in our world.”

Billy Camp, vice president of advancement There’s a lot that goes into making the event an unforgettable night and it doesn’t start when the salad is placed on the table. It takes 12 months to plan as Billy Camp, associate vice president for advancement and the department of advancement prepare each detail of the night.

The most important element is finding the right speaker.

“We begin looking for a speaker the day after our last dinner and work on creating a theme for the night that will fit what we wish to showcase,” Camp said.

“We want to make a great show that dazzles the crowd and the way we do that is through visuals, timing and sound.”

Camp begins by looking and gauging current events when determining a relevant speaker that will not only engage the audience, but someone who is a stranger to the Montgomery area.

“We look for someone who people are going to get excited about and talk about,” Camp said. “Although we might not agree with everything they say, we want someone who has a good moral standing.”

After the speaker is contacted and secured to speak, an announcement is made to the public and from there it’s all about promotion through ads, television spots, radio broadcasts, social media advertisements, interviews and selling tickets and sponsorship tables.

Camp and his team immediately get to work creating a theme and coordinating the sequence of events for the night. Every detail is thought out, practiced,

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rearranged and formatted to make sure the night goes smoothly and every second is accounted for during the entire two-hour event. Even the lights, staging and background music are all selected for a purpose.

The salad, main course and dessert served that night were tasted and selected from an array of options several weeks prior to the event. Dozens of student volunteers are trained to help seat guests, collect tickets and serve guests. Staff volunteers are trained to maintain the photo line, provide tickets at Will Call and help in the reception area. Multiple security agencies are contacted beforehand to maintain checkpoints throughout the convention center and provide the utmost safety for the speaker and guests.

Months prior to the evening, auditions are conducted to select the performers and choral practices are held each week leading up to the dinner. Several dress rehearsals are scheduled during the week prior to the event to address the details.

Camp focuses on the flow of the evening so it will be smooth and natural from the dinner’s introduction to each video, song and performance. Camp selects songs containing lyrics that fit with the theme, that have meaning and move the program along. He reviews and a team writes and approves the dinner program.

With nearly 2,000 guests in attendance each year, the dinner is the university’s largest fundraiser and all proceeds go toward funding student scholarships.

John Hill, owner of Culinary Management, has been a faithful sponsor of the dinner for the last 25 years because he supports the mission of Faulkner.

“The core reason we support the Benefit Dinner is to raise funds to support students and the work of the university,” Hill said. “Funds are needed to maintain the school’s current level of excellence in academics and an uplifting campus environment.”

“Secondly, the Benefit Dinner is a way to showcase Faulkner to the community and to those who may not be familiar with the university and what it does for the River Region. Faulkner cultivates students with character and helps them find direction as a young person. Our communities need morally strong leaders in all fields, but especially in education, law and the political areas,” Hill added.

This year’s theme provided a subtle, yet moving recognition of women, in particular women’s suffrage to mark the 100-year anniversary of the 19th amendment, which granted women the right to vote. Congress passed the amendment on June 4, 1919 and it was ratified on August 18, 1920.

Part of the night celebrated several alumna for their inspiring stories and accomplishments including The Honorable Carole Medley (‘95), Lauderdale County District Judge; Skye Jones (‘06), doctor at St. Jude’s Research Hospital; Joetta Kelly (‘71), a teacher in the River Region for over 40 years; Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Parker (‘19), member of the United States Air Force; and Monica Pugh (‘95), a mother of five children and a foster mother to three.

As each one was escorted on stage, the Faulkner University chorus and Faulkner student Ashby Kasarjian sang Mariah Carey’s “Hero,” to honor their sacrifices, and highlight their love and kindness.

The Benefit Dinner has erased the notion that Faulkner is the best-kept secret of the River Region. Through bringing big names to the area, thousands have attended the dinner.

Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Parker salutes as she is being honored during the 2019 Annual Benefit Dinner

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“Our visibility has certainly climbed,” Camp said.

“We present an evening that our stakeholders and our students can be proud of. Everything we plan to include during the evening is a part of the message we want to share. This is our one shot to show Faulkner’s successes and dreams with the community.”

Faulkner Honors Sacrifice of Alumna Officer Jackie Tucker

by Rebecca Burylo

Saraland Police Officer Jacqueshanda “Jackie” Matthews Tucker’s life changed in an instant when a gunman leveled Saraland Police Officer his gun in her Jacqueshanda Matthews Tucker direction. He fired, and the bullet pierced her skull. Under ordinary circumstances, she would have died.

God had other plans.

Tucker lived and even continued to fight after she was shot, taking her service weapon and firing several shots at the assailant.

Tucker, a 2011 graduate from Faulkner University, and her partner were patrolling like any other day when they received the call about a domestic violence situation. They and other officers responded to the emergency and found a man armed and dangerous.

Tucker went into a coma and needed a risky surgery to relieve the pressure on her brain. She spent the next year in hospitals and therapy facilities to help regain her health, motor skills and speech. She finally returned home after a long year and continues to fight for a full recovery.

Today, she is alive and well. Her speech is slurred and she can walk again with assistance.

with a laugh. “She is just doing a wonderful job. She’s been working really hard on getting her balance so she can walk unassisted. Right now, she’s at the point where she is standing up on her own without anyone helping her. Her speech is coming along and is able to communicate a lot better. She’s forming more sentences when she talks and she’s calling people by their names.”

Faulkner University honored Tucker for her bravery, declaring October 11, 2019 Officer Jackie Tucker Day on all four Faulkner University campuses. That morning, she was also honored by her high school, Williamson High School in Mobile where Faulkner alumni officer, Robin “Bird” Bradford presented a special Proclamation.

It was a day full of celebration as her friends and family surrounded her.

“She was surprised and happy to see everyone,” Aaron said. “I knew there would be a lot of support for her, but we were both shocked to see just how many people came out to support her there. It was really humbling for her and she just enjoyed herself and was smiling the whole time.”

Tucker graduated from Faulkner in 2011 with a criminal justice degree and was working on her Master of Science in criminal justice when she was shot.

Prior to serving with the Saraland Police Department, Tucker worked as a police officer for the City of Prichard, Alabama and was a detective for the Child Advocacy Center. She lives in Mobile with her husband and children.

Her husband, Aaron Tucker, who is also a police officer, said the ordeal has strengthened their faith through this tough journey and he is encouraged daily by the steps of recovery they see Jackie making.

Faulkner salutes her bravery and gratefully recognizes the daily sacrifices of all our first responders.

“She is recovering and making huge progress every day,” Aaron said. “We are seeing something different she can do all the time. She is interacting more and her personality is beginning to show through more and more.”

If you would like to personally support Officer Jackie Tucker, there is a PNC Bank Account in her name.

“She is joking and playing and being bossy,” he added

Jackie Tucker center poses with her family, l-r daughter Eryn Tucker, husband Aaron and daughter Felixcia McKenzie

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LAW BRIEFS

blended online and on-campus format, combining the best of online and traditional learning.

Up to a third of the instruction in blended courses will occur online. The remaining instruction in blended courses will occur on campus on nine weekends (Friday night and Saturday) during the semester.

THOMAS GOODE JONES SCHOOL OF LAW

Faulkner Law Launches New Executive JD Schedule Faulkner Law is launching a brand new Executive JD Schedule beginning in August 2020. Designed for working professionals, an Executive JD Schedule is perfect for those who cannot take three years off to attend law school full time.

Faulkner Law Interim Dean Charles Campbell sat down to answer a few questions about the law school’s new Executive JD Schedule.

What is an Executive JD Schedule?

The Executive JD Schedule offers the same JD degree, with the same requirements, as our traditional program, but on a schedule tailored to fit the needs of working professionals and others who cannot attend law school full time. Rather than taking full course loads on campus during the week for three years, students on the Executive JD Schedule will take reduced course loads on weekends and online for four years.

What material is taught in an Executive JD Schedule?

The material taught in the Executive JD Schedule will be the same material taught in our traditional, fulltime JD schedule. Both schedules will require 90 credit hours for graduation. The required courses and other graduation requirements will be the same.

Is the Executive JD Schedule an online degree or traditional?

Both (and neither). Students on the Executive JD Schedule can take up to 30 credit hours online, and can attend traditional on-campus classes as their personal schedules permit. Most courses will be offered in a

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How is our schedule unique from other similar programs?

The traditional part-time, evening JD program requires law students to be on campus for classes multiple evenings each week. This effectively limits attendance to students living in the same metropolitan area as the law school. Utilizing online and blended learning to reduce the amount of time spent on campus and scheduling on-campus classes on the weekends make our Executive JD Schedule a much more flexible and appealing option for more students in more places.

Totally online programs are not approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), so graduates of those programs may not be able to sit for the bar examination in many states. Faulkner Law is fully approved by the ABA, and our graduates have the academic credentials to sit for the bar examination in any state.

What type of careers can students pursue with a JD degree earned on the Executive JD Schedule?

Because the Executive JD Schedule features the same degree as our full-time schedule, all of the same career opportunities will be available to graduates. Private practice, government service, nonprofit, and corporate in-house counsel careers will all be options. Of course, many students will find a JD degree helpful in their current careers, whether or not they intend to become a practicing attorney.

Why did Faulkner Law decide to offer this schedule?

From 1928 to 2000, Jones School of Law was a parttime, evening program. Many alumni from those years tell us that Jones was the only school that made studying law possible for them. Part of our mission has always been to make legal education accessible to more people, especially working people. The advent of online and blended education makes it possible for us to make legal education possible for many more students throughout Alabama and surrounding states.

How can someone take advantage of this new schedule?

We are accepting applications now. Classes will begin in August 2020. The first steps in applying to law school are to register with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). You can visit our website or call (334) 386-7910 for details on applying.

Alabama State Bar Awards Faulkner Law Graduate with Pro Bono Award

Lauren James receives the Alabama State Bar Pro Bono Award

Thomas Goode Jones School of Law graduate Lauren James (‘19), was awarded the Alabama State Bar Pro Bono Award for her extensive public service work. The award for the Law Student Category was presented to James at the Alabama State Bar Meeting in July.

“Serving others is the essence of being a lawyer,” James said. “When I serve, I get the privilege of walking alongside someone and helping them during their time of need.”

James reported more than 340 service hours during her three years at Faulkner. She volunteered with both the Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP) and the Montgomery VLP. She provided assistance at the bi-monthly legal assistance clinics and the divorce clinic sponsored by the Montgomery VLP, as well as for the Selma Legal Assistance Clinic and the Disaster Legal Assistance Hotline for the Alabama State Bar VLP. James was a law student member of the Pro Bono Celebration Task Force assisting in the development and implementation of law student-centered Pro Bono Month events. She was an active member of the Jones Public Interest Law Foundation, assisting with its many activities, including its annual Bid for Justice Auction to raise money for public interest summer stipends.

“The pro bono award is particularly special because it emphasizes serving those who do not otherwise have access to justice. Pro bono service is a promise to help those who are overlooked or left behind,” James said.

“It is a lifelong commitment to obtaining justice for all people.”

Faulkner Law Alumnus Donates Rare Blackstone Commentaries to Library On October 3, 2019, R.K. “Skip” Hunter (‘89) of Pensacola, Florida, donated several original volumes of Sir William Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England to the George H. Jones Law Library.

Blackstone’s Commentaries was an extremely influential treatise comprised of four volumes, which were first published in Oxford between 1765 and 1769. The Commentaries serve as a foundation of American law and jurisprudence and are a very rare collection.

Donna Spears, associate dean of information resources, described the set as a mixed, early edition set and includes the following volumes: Volume I - 1766 (Second Edition), Volume II - 1768 - (Third Edition), Volume III - 1768 (First Edition) and Volume IV - 1769 (First Edition).

“According to Wes Baker of Baker Bindery, these four volumes were contemporaneously bound as a set, sometime between 1769 and 1779,” Spears said. “It was exciting to learn that the set of four volumes come to us in their original binding. Mr. Baker is an expert in hand-worked bookbinding and restoration of rare books.”

Hunter has also committed to provide the funds needed for any necessary restoration work, and housing. This will enable the Law Library to purchase an archivalquality display case to ensure that the books are always properly protected and preserved.

Hunter served as Student Bar President while at the law school and was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1991.

R.K. “Skip” Hunter, center stands with Faulkner President Mike Williams, right and Faulkner Law Interim Dean, Charles Campbell, left as he presents a rare collection of Sir William Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England to the George H. Jones Law Library

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Faulkner Sports Network Opens World of Sport Broadcast to Students

by Rebecca Burylo

Jacob Hartsfield with the Faulkner Sports Network mans the camera during this season’s games while Keavonte’ Lindsey assists in the balcony

Desean Bullock was a young boy when he wrote and recorded his first newscast. He knew he wanted to grow up and be on a real news team.

Students who work with FSN learn all the roles so they can help wherever they are needed, but they primarily focus on their areas of interest.

Bullock's childhood dream came true at Faulkner University through the Faulkner Sport Network (FSN).

FSN began in 2011 under the leadership of Doug Amos, but has recently expanded under the direction of Jeremy Smith, who became director of sports information in the fall of 2018. Smith saw a golden opportunity to cultivate students in the business of sports media.

Bullock is one of more than 30 students who comprise the revamped FSN. He’s getting his chance to shine as a talent on camera while others have the opportunity to explore photography, on air commentating, tracking stats, running concessions, and much more.

Under Smith's direction, FSN has become student focused, providing opportunities for students interested in sports management, broadcast journalism, graphic design, photography and more. The students learn everything that goes into making a sporting event a success, from game set up to break down, and everything in between.

“Our students are not only getting amazing work experience to help them land jobs after graduation, but when they are a part of FSN, they are representing Faulkner to our guests at sporting events,” Smith said.

“Our students have high standards to uphold in a place where we value character and they live up to those values.”

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“I came to visit Faulkner and Jeremy told me about FSN,” Bullock said. “I didn’t know something like that was even offered here, but I thought it was a great opportunity to do something I have wanted to do since I was young. It's a big reason why I came here.”

Bullock is an interdisciplinary studies major, which allows him to build a personalized degree plan around the areas he’s passionate about including writing, marketing, crafting features and sport stories, working with

Denise Ringo & Domonique Martin collect tickets for this season’s games

l-r Keavonte’ Lindsey and Grayson Plunkett control the audio and production during one of this season’s basketball games

production software and working the cameras. He’s also taking classes in liberal arts, sports management and psychology.

was a part of FSN as a student. He is able to see the benefits provided to the students and the athletic department.

FSN has grown from one student to 30 students who are on scholarships and work study jobs through FSN. They are all getting the same hands-on experience. They are the first ones at the gym hours before a game starts and the very last ones to leave as they prepare for and break down for each event.

“It makes it so much easier for all of us to cover the different athletic events, especially when you get in the seasons where everything just seems to overlap,” Moles said. “Any given weekend, we can have a volleyball match at home, a soccer game on the road and football going on at the same time. With more people helping, we can give everyone the coverage they need.”

“We’re taking a different approach to the games, partly to help our department because there is a lot we have to do and secondly, it has become a major draw for students already here and a talking point when recruiting high school seniors,” said Smith. “They livestream from every conference home game, and work on real broadcasts with commentary for every sports’ home game."

"It’s a big endeavor, but I know our students are up for the challenge.”

The students have helped increased coverage of all Faulkner sports through livestream videos, photography and social media, and an athletic podcast is in the planning stages.

Carter Moles, Faulkner's sports information assistant,

Ethan Forsman is another student who has put a lot of work into FSN. Forsman, a “jack of all trades,” works on athletic promo graphics, mans the camera, helps with sound, and is often called upon to troubleshoot problems.

“We’re like a family and we trust each other,” Forsman said. “We can do our homework, talk about classes and this group will be honest with me. I love working with this group because I love solving puzzles and working in a fast-paced environment.”

FSN is looking for video editors, graphic designers, and students who are social media and sports media savvy.

Students who want to learn more about being involved with FSN, can contact Jeremy Smith at Jdsmith@ faulkner.edu

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COMMUNITY NEWS

the vice president, Strategic Systems and Digital Transformation at Alfa Insurance.

According to Susan Hammond, chair of the department of computer science, the goal of the advisory board is to help build relationships between community members, students and the university. Not only will companies come in contact with talented individuals looking for employment opportunities, but the program at Faulkner will be enhanced by the years of experience the board members bring with them.

“The advisory board will provide an industry voice for the purpose of enhancing the fit between student learning outcomes and the knowledge and skills sought by industry and higher education,” Hammond said.

“The board will also advocate for the CS program at the university and within the industrial community and connect with faculty and students at a systemic level that brings benefits to the companies represented on the board and to the students and faculty of the program.”

l-r, top to bottom, Dr. Yu-Tueng (Y.T.) Tsai, David A. Umphress, Kevin Poliquin, Kevin D. Vezertizis, Susan Hammond, Faulkner computer science chair, Andrea Long, Shirley Yera, computer science instructor, Charisse Stokes, Idongesit Mkpong-Ruffin, computer science professor

Faulkner’s Department of Computer Science Welcomes New CS Advisory Board Members Faulkner University’s Department of Computer Science recently invited six experts in the field of computer science to be a part of the department’s newly formed Advisory Board.

The new members are Andrea Long, development lead for the Blue Prism team, Kevin Poliquin, the Director of Automotive Manufacturing for Hyundai AutoEver America, Charisse Stokes, the President of Tidal IT Solutions, Dr. Yu-Tueng (Y.T.) Tsai, founder of the first Chinese corporation in the State of Alabama, Regitar U.S.A., Inc., David A. Umphress, Ph.D., COLSA Professor of Cyber Security and Information Assurance in Auburn University’s Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering and director of the Auburn Cyber Research Center, and Kevin D. Vezertzis,

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Students will graduate more prepared in their field from interacting with board members and by teaming with them on corporate projects and research activities, team-based capstone projects internships opportunities, workshops, tech-talks, site visits and mentoring.

Faulkner University Creates New Center for Great Books and Human Flourishing Faulkner University announced the creation of a new Center for Great Books and Human Flourishing on its Montgomery campus.

“Participation in our Great Books Honors Program has long been a high point of many students’ Faulkner experience,” said President Mike Williams. “This new center will operate within Faulkner’s Christian mission to create even more opportunities for all students and members of the broader community to take part in this tradition.”

The new center will focus on student programming and public events meant to advance understanding of the good life and the good society.

“We see a growing need across Alabama and the rest of

the country for a renewed appreciation of traditional virtue, civil discourse, good citizenship, and the institutions of civil society that have always been so important in shaping American character,” Williams stated.

Jason Jewell, director of the new center, agrees. “We have several exciting events planned for Faulkner students and others in the community,” he said.

“In addition to public lectures by nationally known speakers and student-oriented events like documentary film screenings and intensive discussion colloquia, we expect to offer professional development opportunities for K-12 teachers and resources for local churches interested in community development.”

In September the center helped host a campus visit

by Michael Maibach, a former vice-president of Intel.

Maibach spoke to more than 100 business majors about how a commercial republic like the United States helps its citizens develop certain virtues. In October, the center hosted a public lecture by Mark David Hall, author of the forthcoming book Did America Have a Christian Founding?

The Center for Great Books and Human Flourishing is funded entirely by grants and individual donations.

talent for leadership, and to put their abilities to work through service.

Katherine Warren, a tenth grader at Trinity Presbyterian School, was selected by her guidance counselor to take part in this year’s program. Warren is a part of many leadership organizations at her school including Student Government Association and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

“I really took a lot from this program. Being a part of this organization has shown us a new way to be a leader and give us the accountability we need to be successful,” Warren said. “We shouldn’t change who we are when we are trying to serve other people. We don’t have to be like men. We can be ourselves and we can be nurturing while we are trying to serve and be leaders.”

Neil Scott, director of admissions at Faulkner, and the program’s organizer said he intends to make this an annual event.

“We feel that by empowering and encouraging young women to develop their leadership skills, their communities and schools will benefit,” Scott said. “The world needs more people leading with a servant’s heart.”

“We recognize and are grateful for the trust placed in us by our donors,” Jewell said. “Our goal is to be good stewards of these resources and seek more partners in this work as we advance Faulkner’s mission through student programming and public engagement.”

Lead/Serve: Women Empowering Young Women to Serve Faulkner’s admissions team held the first Lead/Serve conference on October 3, 2019.

Around one hundred young girls and chaperones spent the day on Faulkner’s campus where they listened to speakers and participated in panel events, and workshops, then attended Faulkner’s Annual Benefit Dinner.

Lead/Serve, a new organization at Faulkner, is designed to give young women an opportunity to learn from professional and successful women, to grow in their

Computer Club Hosts Hackathon Faulkner University’s Computer Club hosted EagleHack, a Major League Hacking (MLH) Local Hack Event, on October 12, 2019. MLH is the official student hacking league, and is an organization dedicated to empowering ethical hackers.

The purpose of ethical hacking is to protect computer systems or networks against malicious attacks using preemptive measures, or, counter hacking.

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The theme for this year’s EagleHack was “learn.”

Attendees included students from Faulkner and other universities and high schools around Montgomery.

They participated in workshops about programming languages and resources available to programmers.

In the first workshop, students learned how to use the tools provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) to launch a web application. Another workshop covered the basic functionality of GitHub, a version-control platform which allows developers to collaborate or adopt open source code.

EagleHack ended with a presentation about skills necessary for future careers in their field, including how to “hack” a job interview.

Ian Chen, center poses with Marie Ottinger, left and Renee Borg, right, executive director for the ATF

From there, they went to a conference room, where several university officials and the members of ATF were waiting for them.

“It was very much a surprise, but what a blessing this is,” said Chen.

The requirements for the scholarship, include membership in the AFT student organization, enrollment in an Alabama university in engineering and/or IT related program, a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and a letter of recommendation.

Chen has maintained a 4.0 GPA and is a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society, the Faulkner Computer Club and the national science and mathematics honor society Sigma Zeta.

“Once selected we contacted your university to ensure that you met all of our requirements, it was proven that you not only met them, but you excelled in all of them,” said Renee Borg, executive director for the ATF. “Ian, your membership proves that we are heading in the right direction,” continued Borg. “Any company would be proud to have you in their workforce. I would like to congratulate you on your academic achievements and express that it is an honor to present this award to you.”

Faulkner Student Awarded Alabama Technology Foundation Student Member Scholarship Zilin “Ian” Chen, a senior computer science major, was awarded an Alabama Technology Foundation (ATF) Student Member Scholarship for his work in the computer science field.

ATF is a non-profit outreach organization that supports the Alabama business industry by developing Engineers and IT professionals through academia and workforce development. ATF provides students with an opportunity to be seen by all of Alabama’s businesses through its academic engineering and IT database.

Before the presentation of the scholarship, Chen was told to dress in his best suit and meet Susan Hammond, chair of the computer science department, in her office.

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Mayor Todd Strange gives his address during the fall 2019 Convocation Ceremony

Outgoing Mayor Awarded Honorary Doctorate President Mike Williams honored Mayor Todd Strange at the Faulkner University’s Annual Convocation ceremony by bestowing the university’s highest honor, the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. The honor was

given in recognition of the outgoing mayor’s ten years of service to the City of Montgomery.

Nearly 1,600 people were in attendance including Faulkner students, faculty and staff and guests from Alabama Christian Academy.

Following the presentation, a comic book style introduction played on screens and Williams announced, “Here is the true “Dr. Strange.”

“There are very few times I have chill bumps. This was one of those times,” Strange said. “I’ve said before that it has been the greatest honor of my life to be able to serve this community, and for Faulkner, who is just a beacon of light in this community, who does so much great work in particular with education, to recognize my years in office and to honor me in this way, I’m grateful and I’m just honored.”

Strange was one of the first leaders in the city to reach out to Williams when he became Faulkner’s president.

Faulkner’s partnership with Montgomery Public School’s Davis Elementary, an initiative to support and mentor students in and out of the classroom, had its seeds in those early conversations.

“As a newcomer to Montgomery, I met with Mayor Strange to lay out a vision for Faulkner to be deeply integrated in Montgomery,” Williams said. “He just met me with open arms, and basically said ‘we want to help propel Faulkner because we want what Faulkner has to offer.’ It’s been a great partnership and to recognize him and our partnership is a great celebration. We join the whole city in celebrating ten years of growth in Montgomery and it is due in large part to Todd’s leadership.”

“Mayor Todd Strange understands that the way to solve society’s challenges is through partnership. He sees the potential, not just the problem. Mayor Todd Strange is the epitome of a public servant.”

!

Have you heard?

100% of our students pursuing a computer science degree find a job right after graduation!

l-r Joe Bennett, Medric Boddie, Brittany Harden Todd and Rayla Black pose following their induction into the Faulkner Athletic Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame Inducts Eighth Class The Faulkner Athletics Hall of Fame inducted its eighth class on September 20, 2019, bringing the total membership up to 31 individuals. The 2019-2020 inductees are Joe Bennett, Medric Boddie, Rayla Black and Brittany Harden Todd.

Bennett played on the inaugural Alabama Christian College baseball and basketball teams. A favorite of many of his teammates, Bennett was the captain of the 1962 squad, averaging more than 20 points during his tenure as an Eagle.

Boddie, a standout out guard, was the first Eagle athlete to earn Second Team All-American honors and District 27 Player of the Year, both in 1992. The Uniontown, Ala. native scored 1,153 points in two seasons (‘91 and ‘92), along with 93 steals, leading the basketball program to its first national tournament appearance in 1992.

Black was the second head coach in Faulkner volleyball history, compiling a record of 138-102 from 20002004. The 2001 GACC Coach of the Year, Black took the squad to a 32-14 record that season including a flawless conference campaign and its second GACC championship. Black’s squads qualified for the NAIA Regional Tournament every season from 2001-2004.

Todd is the second volleyball player in the Hall of Fame.

She started for the Lady Eagles from 2004-2007. More than a decade after her graduation, she continues to rank in the Top 10 in three statistical categories, sitting 10th in total aces (126) and total blocks (219) and first in total kills (1,787, which is 490 higher than the second highest total).

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post-Christian age and what that means for Christians.

They discussed how to live faithfully as students, teachers, and scholars who are trying to discover truth through a Christian lens.

The goal of the conference is to learn to grow faith in a scholarly environment, and to show students that they can use their faith to guide themselves through their careers and professions. l-r Izabella Zientek, Heidi Schexnayder, Margaret Tipton and Dr. Tedd Sabir provided the first-ever college of arts and sciences student panel at this year’s IFA conference

IFA Joins Forces with Kearley Graduate School The Institute of Faith in the Academy (IFA) partnered with the Kearley Graduate School of Biblical Studies for this year’s IFA Conference.

The theme for the conference, “Reasonable Faith in an Age of Skepticism,” focused on the importance of faith in a world where people have become more hostile to Christianity. Speakers explored the idea that we live in a

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Josh Fullman, one of the main organizers of the conference, said it was about promoting Christian thinking and service.

“We’re trying to integrate faith into every aspect of our lives, which should be a goal of every Christian but specifically with IFA it’s designed to do that through teaching and scholarship,” Fullman said. “There is a great importance in a businessman or woman being a Christian businessman or woman. They need to have resources to help them do that and encourage them in those efforts.”

Faulkner Alumna Combines Art and Ministry

by Loren Howell Local artist Heather Parrish ('98), along with her sister Melody White ('87) and good friend Aleah Goode, run Southern Art & Makers Collective on Madison Avenue in Montgomery.

As a student at Faulkner, Parrish was a regular on stage at the dinner theatre. As an artist, Parrish's art was sold at local galleries and even at the museum store at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art, but she wanted to get her work in front of more people, as well as to promote the work of her artist friends.

Parrish and Joe Birdwell ('04), a fellow artist, Faulkner alumnus and friend, discussed the idea for a while before finally deciding to host an art pop-up.

“I had an idea, but Joe's the one that put legs on it,” said Parrish. “When he started talking details, I said ‘Oh, so we're really going to do this.’”

The first iteration of the collective, known as Tallapoosa Street Goods Artist Shop, opened for the month of December, 2013. The pair continued to run a pop-up in a new location each December, sometimes with a new name.

In December 2017 they ran their pop-up at 1228 Madison Avenue, and called it Product of Montgomery.

When January came around they didn't close the shop.

Birdwell left in 2018, although he still sells his work at the shop. Parrish said initially she felt nervous about running the shop without Birdwell.

“I prayed about it and it seemed like God was telling me ‘Heather, it's time,’ said Parrish. “I didn't know what was happening, but I know God wanted me to do it.”

In the Spring of this year, the name changed once again to Southern Art and Makers Collective to open it up to artists around the southeast.

When you walk in, you will get a warm welcome from one of the three women who run the place. There is a cozy sitting area just to the left of the front door, or, to your right, you will find a display of Parrish's own work, a collection of brightly painted canvases and wood rounds. Each artist or maker curates their own displays, which are rented by shelf or table, or by the linear foot.

The artists then take home 85-90% of what they make on their product.

“It's important to me that the artist gets to keep most of

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the profit. It really functions like a co-op,” said Parrish.

“I've had my art in places that took 40 or even 50 percent, so I know what it's like. We have to take out a little or we couldn't take credit card payments or keep the lights on.”

As you continue to walk around the store you're sure to find something to suit your taste in the wide variety of paintings, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, handcrafts, photography, cards, prints, soaps and lotions, and even local honey.

In the back of the shop there is studio space where makers can work, and where classes and events are held (see schedule on opposite page).

When you get back around to the front counter, you can pay and leave if that's what you want, or you can stop and chat. Parrish has a rare combination of gifts the gift of gab combined with the gift of a listening ear, so you could be there a while. You can even settle in and get comfortable in the cozy seating area, that seems extravagant for a place that rents product space by the linear foot.

“As long as I'm running things there will always be a comfortable place to sit,” said Parrish. “This is a business, but it's also my ministry. So many people need a place to sit and be at ease, to talk and be heard. They want connection, and I want them to find it here.”

Parrish is as passionate about Jesus as she is about art.

She talks very openly and freely about how He has guided her, and about how clear it is to her that He has directed the whole process.

“This place runs on faith. Art doesn't sell quickly, and I used to get nervous if we had slow days. Now, during those slow times, I talk to the Lord. I wouldn't be here if He didn't want me to be.”

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Southern Art and Makers Collective Open Wed–Sat 12-6 Nov 23 Painting with Rik Long Nov 29 Felting Christmas ornaments

with Helen Shields Nov 30 Christmas Cookie Decorating

with Lorraine Ritchie of How Sweet Cookies Dec 7 Fennel & Figs Pop up &

Holiday Open House 11-6 Dec 12 Hand Embroidered

Ornaments with Joanne Spotswood Dec 13 A Time to Stitch Beadweaving

Class with Therese Frank Dec 22-23 Open for Special Hours 12-4

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ALUMNI NEWS

Telea Perry (‘14) started work in the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Destinations Department as a meeting planner in April.

Michelle Westbrook (‘14) graduated from the Georgia Public Safety Training Center June 21, and is now a state mandated police officer in Georgia. She currently works as a deputy sheriff at Pike County Sheriff ’s Office.

A L U M N I

2000’s Bambi Troxell (‘01) is the coordinator of the Speech/ Language/Swallowing Department at Orange Grove Center in Chattanooga, TN. Chad Edwards (‘02) was promoted to Alfa Insurance senior vice president. He now leads the P&C Actuarial and Project Management Office teams as senior vice president of Product and Data Management at Alfa Insurance. Edwards joined the Alfa family in 1997. He and his wife, Stacey, have two sons, Simon and Hollis. They live in Greenville.

Ben (‘05) and Wendi (Appling, ‘02) Vick live in Oxford, AL with their four boys: Campbell (11), Garrett (10), Kellen (7), and Levi (4); Ben teaches US History at Oxford High School and Wendi homeschools her children and teaches online math classes.

2010’s

Hunter Giles (‘15) and Emily Bennett were married June 22, 2019. Hunter is teaching at Mobile Christian School and is the head soccer coach. He is pursuing a Master’s degree from UWA. Megan Dale Henley (‘15 & ‘16) and Jason Francis Hicks (‘09) were married Sept. 21, 2019.

Lauren James (‘15 & ‘19) passed the Alabama State Bar exam in July and is currently employed with Beasley Allen.

Morgan Ledbetter (‘15) graduated from Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy in May and is now working as a pharmacist at DeKalb Regional Medical Center in Ft. Payne, AL. Jessica Norris (‘16) is an accountant with the Retirement Systems of Alabama.

Mary Singleton (‘10) is a faculty secretary at Jones School of Law.

Jared Nicholas Palmer (‘16) is a senior software developer at FullSteam!

Ben Wheeler (‘12) was promoted to site administrator at the Harper Fowlkes House museum in Savannah, GA.

Derek (‘17) and Kristina (Clifton ‘17) Carnley were married on September 20, 2019.

Luke and Abby (Roberts, ‘13) Chowning live in Lubbock, Texas. Abby is the director of recruitment for Texas Tech University’s School of Theatre & Dance.

Luke is a PhD candidate in Texas Tech’s Department of Kinesiology.

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Kayla Wiginton (‘14) Martin is the office manager at Lads to Leaders.

Faulkner Magazine

Lauren Loyd (‘17) is working as a legal assistant and billing specialist at a law firm in downtown Atlanta.

Prior to this, she was an intern through the Disney College Program.

Matthew Burnett (‘18) was hired as a bookkeeper at Downs and Associates in June.

Do you or someone you know have news to be included in the next edition of the alumni magazine? Send updates and photos to Robin “Bird” Bradford, rbradford@faulkner.edu.

Will and Heather Danielle (Johnson, ‘18) Callan were married October 12, 2019. Heather is the senior services coordinator at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind in Talladega.

Children’s Hospital of Alabama overseeing children with diverse mental, emotional, and developmental conditions.

Gerren Wasden (‘19) got married to Calli (Hunton), on June 8, 2019.

Gerren is teaching Bible at Mobile Christian School.

Aubree Dean (‘18) is teaching 7th and 8th grade English and coaching color guard at Chickasaw City Schools.

Trevor and Emily (Donnovan, ‘18) Manley were married April 13, 2019. Emily owns EM.T Photography and an Etsy shop: PurpleZebraCreations.

In Memory Christopher Moore, 43, of Madison, Alabama, died June 5, 2019. Moore was a student at the Huntsville campus.

William Tidwell (‘18) is revenue examiner with the Alabama Department of Revenue.

Melanie Walters (‘18 & ‘19) received a promotion at MAX Credit Union in management.

Jonah Dawes (’19) is the youth and family minister at Goodman Oaks Church of Christ in Southaven, Mississippi.

Eliza Norton (‘19) is an admissions counselor with traditional admissions at Faulkner University.

Hunter (‘19) and Kristen (Roberts, ’19) Owens were married June 22, 2019.

Billy G, Skillman, 97, of Lubbock, Texas, died July 1, 2019. Skillman was the head of Faulkner University’s psychology department for many years.

Veronica Conley (‘01), 50, of Wetumpka, Alabama, died July 2, 2019. Conley is an alumna and former employee of Faulkner University. She is survived by her daughter, Madison, and her father, Matthew Conley.

David W. Stinnett (‘00), of Northport, Alabama died September 2, 2019. He is survived by his parents, Nick and Nancy Stinnett, his sons, Ansel and Giffin, and his brother, Joseph.

Felix Jackson, 47, of Stevenson, Alabama, died October 21, 2019. Jackson, a student at Faulkner’s Huntsville campus, was the Jackson County Emergency Management Agency director.

Carrell Ray Jenkins (‘77), 89, of Baltimore, Maryland, died October 24, 2019. Jenkins was a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and special assistant for press affairs under President Jimmy Carter. Jenkins is survived by his wife Bettina, three children, and four grandchildren.

Andres de Torres (‘19) is an admissions counselor with traditional admissions at Faulkner University.

Ashley Tucker (‘19) is a behavioral associate at

Dr. Marilyn Swears of Montgomery, Alabama died November 6, 2019. Swears played an important role at Faulkner University’s fine arts department for many years, providing musical accompaniment for vocal

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students, the University Chorus, Faulkner Singers, and the musical productions at the Faulkner Dinner Theatre. Swears fought a valiant fight against cancer for over four years, and continued in her role as accompanist at the university during most of that time.

Kenneth L. Randolph (‘59), 79, of Eclectic, Alabama, died April 25, 2019.

Randolph and his future wife, Janice Johnson, were favorites at the Sweetheart Banquets being named as the “King and Queen of Hearts” in 1958 and the “Couple Most in Love” in 1959. Among other college activities, Randolph was president of the 1958-1959 Pi Sigma Delta, a religious club on campus.

Randolph was a gospel preacher, teacher and missionary for many years.

Randolph served as a professor and dean of the VP Black School of Biblical Studies from 1974 until 2008, and was elected Teacher of the Year numerous times.

Randolph is survived by his wife of 58 years, Janice, and their children Stephen, Phillip, Rachel, Laura and their families.

Randolph awarded Teacher of the Year in 1978

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Blois J. Clifton (‘56), 85, of Montgomery, Alabama, died August 29, 2019. Clifton worked in the school business office as a student, became the school’s official Bursar in 1956, and was promoted to vice president for finance. He retired after 32 years, then became the manager of the Elizabeth Wright Apartments on campus.

Clifton is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lucy, his three children, Gregg, Lana, and Shannon, his grandchildren and his great granddaughter.

Clifton was a friend to the faculty, staff and students. He influenced the lives of many students helping to make a way for them to continue their college education.

He was a great ambassador to the college entertaining many guests of the school with his gift of hospitality. He & his family planted many of the trees and flowering shrubs on campus.

Clifton and family in 1976

Future Eagles

Leslie James (‘14) and his wife Miranda had a baby boy, Cannon Asher on April 12, 2019.

Gabriel (‘17) and Brittany (Gregor, ‘17) De Queiroz had a baby girl, Felipa Marie on June 13, 2019. Gabriel is the men’s soccer coach at Faulkner.

Pritchard (‘15) and Nicole (Berryman, ‘16) Ndaira had a baby girl, Charlotte Jolee, born June 16, 2019. Pritchard is the women’s soccer coach at Faulkner.

Nicholas and Gabbi (McNeeley, ‘17) Wessinger had a baby boy, Jackson.

Jacob and Paula (Tidwell, ‘17) Bear had a daughter, Eisley Elizabeth Bear on May 8, 2019.

Trent Aaron (‘18) and Autumn (Hambright, ‘15 & 16) Bailey had a baby boy, Thomas Allen Bailey on March 29, 2019. Trent is working with Bradford Health Services of Montgomery, AL.

We are looking for Baby Eagles!

Drew Wilson (‘18) and his wife Dee had a baby boy, Brooks Owen, on June 12, 2019. Drew is the assistant men’s basketball coach at Faulkner.

If you have recently had a baby, please send us pictures with all the details. We would love to send you a special gift and include you in the next Faulkner Magazine!

You can update your information at www.faulkner.edu and click on Alumni & Friends.

Robin “Bird Bird”” Bradford rbradford faulkner.edu

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Friends for Faulkner is a volunteer auxiliary organization of Faulkner. The organization assists with recruitment, promotes the ideals of Christian education, and raises funds for student scholarships and non-budgeted items for the university.

Friends for Faulkner Plans Special Fundraising Event Friends for Faulkner will present "The Neil Diamond Experience," a concert by Steve Kelly and the Cherry Cherry Band, on January 25, 2020 at 7 pm. Tickets to the concert will be general admission, and cost $25. The show will be held in the Rotunda Auditorium, so space is limited. Order your tickets online at faulkner.edu/ diamondtribute.

Join our Alumni Association Renew your membership Update your information www.faulkner.edu Click on Alumni & Friends 30

Faulkner Magazine

In addition to fund raising events, Friends for Faulkner has several items for sale year round, which include a cookbook, Christmas ornaments, and a newly designed throw blanket which features the new Faulkner University logo.

You can view these items and more at www.faulkner.edu/ fff.

A L U M N I

Faulkner University Alumni Association Membership Card

Among other benefits, this card allows bearer & one guest entrance into all regular season athletic events on campus.

Robin Bird Bradford 1984 Card Valid: April 2019 - March 2020

LIKE our Faulkner University Alumni page

Become a Part of the Faulkner Heritage Society By signing up to receive Heritage ENews, you will find up-to-date, helpful information on topics that influence your quality of life, your finances and your legacy. You can read stories about individuals, families and businesses that have included Faulkner in their charitable giving plans. And you will find links to useful tools you can use as you work on your own estate plans.

Please consider Faulkner University for your next charitable gift. Thank you for your support!

To learn more visit FaulknerHeritage.org.

Faulkner is only as strong as our supporters and we greatly appreciate the generosity and financial sacrifices of our donors who help strengthen our mission.

This year, we have made it even easier and more rewarding to give through the Faulkner Heritage Society. Faulkner Heritage Society is our gift recognition program to honor individuals, churches, and organizations who have significantly invested in the university’s endowment and those who have generously elected to support Faulkner University in their estate plans.

FaulknerHeritage.org combines the ease of a navigable giving site, with the connectivity of purpose, mission and legacy. It provides helpful information and free brochures explaining all the ways you can give to match any budget and lifestyle.

More information about the Faulkner Heritage Society can be found under the Giving tab of our new Faulkner website at Faulkner.edu or by visiting FaulknerHeritage. org. There, you can sign up for our new Heritage eNewsletter, which launched in July along with a semiannual printed newsletter, which provides inspiration and planned giving information to Faulkner Heritage Society members and university friends.

Faulkner Heritage ENews is a periodic electronic newsletter designed to help Faulkner University friends and supporters minimize their tax burden, maximize the legacy they leave to their heirs, and include charity in their estate plans.

Fall 2019

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5345 Atlanta Highway Montgomery, Alabama 36109

faulkner.edu

Remaining Dates: November 2019 15, 22 December 2019 6 January 2020 10, 17, 24, 31 February 2020 7, 21, 28 At Faulkner University, we LOVE Fridays. Here are a few reasons why Friday is our favorite day of the week: • • • •

We sing the Alma Mater together.

It is the start of the weekend.

There are always exciting events in Montgomery.

We get to see you on campus!!!

Join us on a Friday, and you’ll get to tour the campus, experience chapel firsthand, meet with faculty members and coaches, and learn all about the admissions and financial aid processes.

We’ll start at 10:00 AM, and you’ll be on your way home by 2:00 PM.

March 2020 6, 13, 20, 27 April 2020 10, 17