Community News

Joshua Gaines and Julianne Wilkes are crowned as Faulkner University’s Homecoming King and Queen.

Tucker Presley and Olivia Hatcher were named 2020 Mr. and Miss Faulkner University.

Faulkner University’s Accreditation Reaffirmed with Best Review Possible

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) recently reaffirmed Faulkner University’s accreditation for the next 10 years. SACSCOC made the official announcement during its recent annual meeting in December 2019.

Faulkner received the best possible review, being found in full compliance with the committee offering no recommendations or requests for continued monitoring.

“Given the rising complexity and regulatory environment of the accreditation process, this reaffirmation is a tremendous endorsement of the institution’s commitment to quality and integrity. I am grateful for the entire university community for the contribution to this accomplishment,” said President Mike Williams. “I would be remiss if I did not give special recognition to Dr. Dave Rampersad and Breanna Yarbrough. They certainly shouldered the bulk of the responsibility and shepherded us through the process.”

Dave Rampersad, vice president of academic affairs and the university’s SACSCOC liaison, said “SACSCOC reaffirmation of accreditation is a comprehensive process achieved by meeting the 70-plus standards established by the commission’s higher education community. It affirms that the university has resources, programs, and services sufficient to support and accomplish its mission. In short, it is an affirmation of the quality educational experience Faulkner provides to its students.”

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. It serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices among the diverse institutions in the Southern United States, Latin America and other international sites approved by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees.

There are two main components involved in the reaffirmation process: a compliance report and a quality enhancement plan (QEP). Faulkner University’s QEP

is called SOS: Supporting Opportunities for Success, and is designed to improve students’ retention and success by implementing an academic support program for students. SOS is designed to provide students the academic support they need to be successful in both their individual classes and overall college career.

This new conference seeks to bring departments across Faulkner University together with churches and other universities and institutions while engaging and strengthening the community.

“I’m excited about our plans to address the most complex and challenging issues facing contemporary families and today’s youth in our churches and communities,” said Steve Wages, director of the Cloverdale Center. “The Cloverdale Center needs to be on the frontlines of helping our churches and families address these issues.”

In addition to the conference, there are plans to host several forums throughout the year to continue addressing current spiritual issues.

Randall and Peggy Bailey were honored for their dedication to serve the Lord through Christian education and Christian ministry during a banquet held March 3 during the 2020 Faulkner Lectures. Randall was recognized for his years teaching, preaching and writing. Peggy was recognized for her ceaseless service with the Friends of Faulkner Organization to provide scholarships for students and for special funding for non-budgeted items for the university.

Faulkner Lectureships to Take New Format

The annual Faulkner Lectures will be taking on a new format as the college of Biblical studies begins a new tradition of collaborating with the Cloverdale Center for Youth and Family for an annual family conference.

“The Faulkner Bible Lectures will be reformatted to address the needs of our Bible majors and to engage relevant topics relating to the culture, church and ministry,” said Scott Gleaves, dean of the V. P. Black College of Biblical Studies. “The family conference is a new idea and direction that will address the challenges of families which, in my opinion, is the frontline of spiritual warfare. The family conference will likely create a tighter unity among Faulkner’s various colleges; everyone sees the value and importance of strong families.”

Faulkner Law Hosts Screening of Just Mercy

The students at Faulkner Law organized a private screening of the newly released movie Just Mercy featuring Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, and Brie Larson.

The screening took place at the New Vision Theatres Chantilly 13 on January 30, 2020, where about 200 law school students, faculty, staff, and friends came to the screening including special guests from the Alabama State Bar and other members of the local legal community.

Cliff Coleman, president of the Student Bar Association, helped organize the event along with the Black Law Students Association President Shevon Thomas II.

“The work that the Equal Justice Initiative does is of critical importance for the State of Alabama and the country as a whole. The story of Bryan Stevenson is compelling for those of us who are training to be lawyers and want to make a difference. What is even better is most of this story takes place in Montgomery,” Coleman said. “SBA and BLSA want to bring this story to Jones students, faculty, staff, and our friends. We believe that its message can speak to a wide and diverse audience,” he added.

Spring 2020 19 A story of justice and redemption, Just Mercy is a feature adaptation of the true story of Montgomery’s Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) and its founder, Bryan

Stevenson. The film takes place during the early days of EJI when the organization had a small staff who decided to challenge the nation’s highest death sentencing and execution rates and confront racial injustice.

EJI’s Adam Murphy attended the screening event and spoke to the audience afterward about the movie and encouraged law students to take action.

“Contribute your legal skills and passion to a re-entry or criminal justice reform organization. Identify a gap in legal resources and create a project to fill that gap. Seek out your District Attorney and ask what they are doing about wrongful convictions. Learn more about mental illness and criminal justice and urge your elected officials to develop programs that provide treatment rather than imprisonment,” he said.

Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization

Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) hosted by the Harris College of Business, meets monthly and gives students a chance to meet local business leaders.

“The goal is to encourage students to step out and consider starting a business,” said Robert Vickrey, one of the faculty representatives of CEO. “You learn a lot more a lot faster from these people than you do being a clock puncher for someone else.”

From entrepreneurs to executives, the guests gather together with faculty, staff, and students from all majors to share their real life experiences in the business world. Natasha Kasarjian, who also serves as a faculty representative, says CEO is valuable because it provides “a great opportunity to meet and network with successful business owners.”

The speakers share their successes, failures, mistakes, accomplishments and advice for the benefit of the future leaders. Mike Vinson, owner of Adams Drugs, spoke to CEO on February 4 said “I was really amazed at the attention I received. It wasn’t a bunch of kids I was talking to; they were adults who really wanted to hear what I had to say.”

President's Circle Honored at Luncheon

More than 70 business men and women, local leaders and Faulkner faculty and staff who help make up the President’s Circle were honored for their generous support of Faulkner University at an annual luncheon on February 27.

The event gave President’s Circle members a chance to talk directly with President Mike Williams, ask questions, share concerns and have their voices heard. Those who give $1,000 or more over the course of one year are automatically a part of the President’s Circle and a part of the conversation.

There are no dues or obligations to join. It is simply a conduit for President Williams and university leadership to inform members about achievements, events and developments happening at the institution. Likewise, the President’s Circle allows members to directly communicate their opinions, ideas or concerns with the president.

“Our investors are people who believe in what a Faulkner education can do,” Williams said. “I’m thankful because I realize there are people like you who are pouring into our students who believe in what they can accomplish. The President’s Circle includes those who invest in strangers knowing their investments will make a significant difference in the kingdom of God and communities all over the world.”

The contributions of the President’s Circle pour into students like business major Ross Whisenant, who spoke at the luncheon to thank guests for their support.

“I came to Faulkner because it was like no other college I had visited before. Immediately I saw how people here cared about me,” Whisenant said. “My admissions counselor still talks to me like I am his best friend. People would check up on me and just chat with me to see how I was doing. Faulkner had that quality I was looking for and I knew that personal attention was what would help me thrive.”

“My teachers have gone the extra mile and take every opportunity to show me how I can apply my learning in a real world setting. I know I can call them anytime for help and they care about my success beyond the next test.”

“That’s what Faulkner has been to me. Thank you everyone for your contributions to Faulkner. It’s not only meant a lot to me but it’s meant a lot to every student here.”

To give to Faulkner or join the President’s Circle, visit www.faulknerheritage.org.

First-Aid CPR Class Tests Students’ Knowledge in Real-World Setting

After they told a bystander to call 911, students quickly turned to the victim to check their responsiveness and look for signs of breathing.

“The point of setting up a scenario like this and using a real person as our victim, a real car and a real setting is to test what they would do in a real-life setting. How would they respond under pressure? When they feel anxious?” Buchanan said. “What I was really looking for today was having them stop the oncoming car. Before you can save someone’s life in an emergency situation, you have to make sure you’re in a safe environment to do that.”

One by one students studying Kinesiology and Exercise Science left their class in the multiplex to find one of their peers lying “unconscious” in the middle of the parking lot.

To their left, a blue Mustang was coming around a curve. That’s when they had to step into action. It was all part of Professor Billy Buchanan’s First AidCPR class on to teach students how to respond as trained First Aid providers. On March 12, a staged and cordoned off area of the parking lot was used for the demonstration.

“They don’t know what the scenario is going to be so when they come out, they have to look around, assess what’s going on and then respond appropriately in order to care for the victim,” Buchanan said.

When students came out, their immediate reaction was to go to the victim, however once they spotted the car coming toward them, they turned to call out and put up their hands in order to stop the vehicle. Some even went as far as to ask the driver to shut off the engine.

L-r: David Gregor, Julianna Churchwell, Donna Churchwell, Brianna Cagle, the 2020 recipient of the Dr. Mark Churchwell Entrepreneurship Award, and award finalist Anna Richards.

A large metal sculpture of an eagle weighing about 50 pounds was installed in January in front of the Harris College of Business building to symbolize Faulkner University’s mascot.

Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like Eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

The best giving plans make a difference in the lives of others, can improve your own financial and/or tax situation and can leave your family, children and grandchildren in good hands.

We are here to help you find a plan that works best for you. There is a wide range of charitable strategies that will put your assets to work and help you take advantage of the many tax benefits of making a gift. Consider an immediate gift, a gift from your individual retirement account or a charitable gift annuity.

Find out more by visiting FaulknerHeritage. org or call Dr. John Tyson, Vice President for Advancement, at 334-386-7257 to discuss the ways you can help Share Our Spirit.