Faulkner magazine Spring 2021

SPRING 2021

FAULKNER MAGAZINE

NEW PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM UNIVERSITY WELCOMES FIRST PA COHORT

A DIFFERENT ROUTINE

A STUDENT’S EXPERIENCE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

HONORING JACK ZORN

ALUMNUS OF Spring 2021 1 THE YEAR

WELCOME TO FAULKNER MAGAZINE Editorial Staff

Schedule of events April 9-10

Homecoming

30

Annual Commencement Exercises

May 15

Law School Commencement

June 25-26

Alumni Summer Reunion

October 7

Faulkner University Annual Benefit Dinner

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.

2

Faulkner Magazine

Publisher Patrick Gregory Editor-in-chief Loren Howell Designer Angela Hardgrave Staff Writer Rebecca Burylo Contributors Sarah-Elizabeth McGill Jeremy D. Smith Ross Whisenant

Administration President Dr. Michael D. Williams Chancellor Dr. Billy D. Hilyer

Vice Chancellor Dr. Wayne Baker Vice Presidents Mark Hunt Renee Kephart 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. Charles Campbell Dr. Leslie Cowell Dr. Leah Fullman Dr. Scott Gleaves Dr. Dave Khadanga General Counsel Dr. Gerald Jones

Board of Trustees

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

Dr. Henri McDaniel Judge Carole Medley Mr. Chuck Monan Mr. Phil Norton Mr. Ted 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. Ernie F. Chappell Mr. Archie B. Crenshaw Atty. Fred D. Gray Dr. Lamar A. Harrison Mr. David Howell

Ms. Libby Jones Mr. H. Louis Lester, Jr. Ms. Glenda Major Mr. B.O. Richardson Mr. Kenneth M. Shumard Mr. Robert W. Walters Ms. Anna Weeks

contents 4 5

5

8

10

16

23

31

Letter from the President Faulkner Welcomes First Physician Assistant Cohort

8 10 12

A Different Routine

13

New Faulkner Social Club on the Scene

14

Faulkner Eagles Helping Montgomery Soar to New Heights

16

Pageant Queen is Changing Lives with Bucket by Bucket

18 23 26 31

Community News

Bass Fishing Team Grows Faulkner Business Students Turn Education into Experience

Alumni Spotlight Alumni News Supporter Spotlight

On the cover...

Faulkner’s physician assistant students practice venous cannulation for obtaining IV access with an IV training arm and simulated blood. Intravenous cannulation is a technique in which a cannula, or a tube that can be inserted into the body, is placed inside a vein to provide access for the sampling of blood, or the administration of fluids and other things. Students around arm: (L to R) Vahe Khachikyan, Katelyne Herstein, Trishna Patel, Tevri Tayip.

Anna Mangra and Jordan Bennett stand in the background.

Spring 2021

3

Letter from the President Although faced with daunting challenges in 2020, Faulkner University was extremely blessed. I look around and I see Faulkner as a campus and a university where we care for one another. We finished out 2020 as one of the healthiest college campuses in America, so I am thankful for all your efforts to love one another and be respectful of the needs of your peers and of our faculty and staff and friends.

We now embark on a hope-filled 2021 spring semester as our students prove their resilience in the face of this on-going pandemic. We are overjoyed to experience more events on campus this semester safely and considerately. Moving many of our athletic events to the spring semester, along with celebrating Homecoming, Marketplace Faith Friday Forums and other events, will prove to be an exciting time for our Faulkner family.

In this spring 2021 edition of the Faulkner Magazine, you will find stories of our students and alumni overcoming the challenges of 2020 and finding blessing and success over the last year.

4

Faulkner Magazine

You’ll read about one of our alumni who was crowned Ms. Senior World Alabama and who is using her platform to speak about the amazing work Bucket by Bucket is doing to drill wells in Tanzania.

You’ll hear a student’s perspective on how life was upended, but was able to flourish on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic along with several of our Faulkner Law graduates who are making a difference in the City of Montgomery as a part of Mayor Steven Reed’s Young Professional Council and cabinet.

As we finish this semester, rather than reflect on what has been taken from us, let us be reminded of the power of community, the power of family. At Faulkner, we are a family. Being a part of a community, being a part of a family requires effort. It requires conversation.

Together we will have a tremendous semester with God’s help.

Michael D. Williams

Faulkner University Welcomes First Physician Assistant Cohort

by Rebecca Burylo Spring 2021

5

l-r Sylvia Evers and Dennis McMillian

If you ventured onto Faulkner’s campus recently, you may have noticed a group of students dressed from head to toe in Faulkner blue scrubs.

They are a part of Faulkner University’s new physician assistant program (PA), the second program in the university’s college of health sciences.

Thirty-five PA students enrolled in the inaugural program in October, to create a cohort. The term cohort is commonly used in health science education because of the unique learning environment it creates. Students go through each course together from the beginning of the program until the end, establishing a noncompetitive bond among peers and faculty that will grow into professional relationships upon graduation.

The next PA cohort will begin in August 2021 with 50 students and four additional faculty members. There are already 200 verified applicants, and interviews began in December.

The PA program, which will allow students to earn a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS), was granted Accreditation-Provisional status by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA).

“We are blessed to have a resilient student body and faculty as we explore uncharted territory for Faulkner,” said Dr. Paul Jordan, director of the physician assistant program. “Our students are doing very well with the rigorous and condensed academic load.”

Students also have access to Baptist Health South’s Institute for Patient Safety and Medical Simulation facility, one of the largest and best equipped training centers for healthcare professionals in the country.

Edward “Matt” Maner came from Augusta, Georgia to be a part of the inaugural cohort because he was drawn to Faulkner’s Christian values. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Augusta University he learned about the university’s new PA program through the CASPA application service.

“I was accepted into other programs, but the campus and all of the scripture on the walls drew me to the school. I felt led here,” Maner said. “Being a part of the first class here was a dream. I wake every morning, thankful for this opportunity.”

Maner’s father is a retired PA and is Maner’s inspiration.

Growing up, Maner yearned to help his family overcome their medical ailments. Becoming a PA is a way for him to care professionally for his loved ones and for other families as well.

Made up of a diverse group of students, the cohort includes individuals born in eight different countries and who come from states all across the U.S. The program unites their differences as students bond over the challenges of the course and must learn to rely on one another to succeed.

“We all seem to get along well and have navigated multiple challenges together and are working to form a vision for this cohort,” Maner said. “I know I can speak for everyone when I say ‘thank you to Faulkner

On June 25, 2020, President Mike Williams announced the purchase of the Montgomery East Plaza Shopping Center as the new site for the college of health sciences.

Renovations of the empty Burlington Coat Factory building are underway to create a state-of-the-art science center that will house labs, classrooms and research areas with large virtual touch-pad cadaver tables. The tables allow PA students to digitally analyze cadavers and medical anomalies.

6

Faulkner Magazine

Dr. Stacey Whitaker, PA-C; Students (L-R) Trishna Patel, Rima Momin, Sajal Patel

University for accepting us into the school and campus.’

We have received a warm welcome from everyone.”

Anna Mangra was born in Guyana, South America, but calls Ariton, Alabama her home after her family immigrated to the United States in 1993.

She earned her biomedical science degree from Troy University and heard about Faulkner’s PA program from a friend who attended Faulkner Law. Enrolling in Faulkner’s program allows her to be close to the support of her family and friends, while being a part of a faithbased institution.

“The PA program staff is absolutely phenomenal! I truly feel that they care for each student. There have been many times they have prayed for and with us. I genuinely believe that speaks to their character, as well as their love for and dedication to us and this program,” Mangra said.

Since she grew up in a rural town, Mangra is motivated to serve. Becoming a PA seemed the perfect fit.

“Growing up in a medically underserved area magnified the need for healthcare in much of our state,” Mangra said. “I knew I wanted to be a part of providing that service and care for others.”

“The flexibility of the PA profession is something that is very appealing. PAs do not have to declare a particular medical specialty for the entirety of their careers.

Having the ability to change specialties to develop new knowledge and skills really drew me to this profession,” she added.

McKenzi Mayfield decided to become a PA during college after a summer mission trip centered around sharing her faith and teaching English. She realized her ease in gaining rapport with others would be instrumental in a healthcare environment. Later, Logan Smith auscultates (listens when Mayfield faced to) carotid artery pulsations on several medical issues Jordan Bennett herself, she realized the need for knowledgeable and compassionate medical professionals and changed her major from engineering to pre-medicine.

“Having received some exceptionally thorough medical treatment from a few PAs, I decided I wanted to extend the same elite care that I received,” Mayfield said.

She graduated with a degree in biology from West Texas A&M and submitted her application to Faulkner’s PA program. She knew about Faulkner, but did not know about the new college of health sciences.

“In my early years of high school my grandparents visited Faulkner University for a conference. They came back singing praises about the university, and urged me to consider applying,” Mayfield said. “When I came across Faulkner’s PA program, I decided it was about time that I take their suggestion and I am glad I did!”

PA students began their first year with in-class instruction in anatomy and physiology, introduction to education and ethics, among others. They have 20 hours of classes a week that include role-playing different clinical scenarios.

They will have a total of seven semesters, four of which will be on site classroom studies and lab work, while the other three will be dedicated to nine rotations of clinical work in the areas of family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, general surgery, women’s health and behavioral and mental health.

Michelle Liu, left and Matt Maner palpate for popliteal artery pulses on a classmate

Additional health programs to be added in 2021 and 2022 include physical therapy and occupational therapy, respectively.

Spring 2021

7

A Different Routine

by Sarah-Elizabeth McGill Senior Sarah-Elizabeth McGill shares her experience as a university student during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In March 2020, the week before Spring Break, I was on a trip to Chicago with the Faulkner University Chorus. At the beginning of the week, we had heard rumors that COVID-19 was in Alabama, but we were focused on having fun on our trip. On the last day of the tour, on the Public Relations intern bus ride home, our friends Sarah-Elizabeth McGill began to text us about an announcement made in chapel. Spring Break would be two weeks long, with the possibility of the semester transitioning to online classes.

None of it seemed real until we got the email from President Williams outlining the university’s plan. As someone who has always enjoyed school, I was not excited for an extended spring break or classes online.

We learned that Jamboree would not be happening. I wanted so badly to perform in my first Jamboree show with my Delta sisters, and I wanted to actually be in class with my friends and professors.

With classes online we did not know if we were going to come back to campus in the fall. When I got the email saying classes would resume on campus for the fall semester, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I could not wait to get back on campus.

The faculty have done their best to make the classroom atmosphere more exciting and enjoyable. It’s hard for them, too, because they can only see our eyes. As teachers they know when their students’ moods have shifted, and my professors have done their best to make sure my classmates and I are okay.

Some of the changes will have a positive lasting effect.

Faulkner installed Echo360 in all the classrooms. Echo 360 allows students in quarantine to listen to recordings from their classes. It has been a real game changer for student athletes, who now can listen to or watch the lectures while they are on the road.

Going into the spring semester we looked forward to the sporting events that had been moved from Fall to Spring. We were also hopeful that we’d get to participate in Jamboree, but a few weeks into the spring semester all of the clubs had a conversation about whether we thought it was safe. The clubs voted and the decision was made to cancel Jamboree again.

One of my favorite things about Faulkner University is that many professors keep their doors open so if a student needs them, they feel comfortable walking in. My professors have encouraged us to stop by if we need to talk about anything. During the fall semester I was stressed about my job, my thesis project, and maintaining my classes. I went to one of my professors and asked their advice about how to manage my time better. At the end of our talk they offered to pray for

Everything looked a little different once we returned. Dividers were put in place in the cafeteria, blue X’s were taped on desks in the classrooms telling us where not to sit, masks were required to be worn in class, professors were told to lecture from behind a blue line taped to the floor, plexiglass dividers were put in place in computer labs, and chairs were placed six feet apart in chapel. It was weird and uncomfortable.

I never thought I would have to ask my friends if they had a mask before we left to go eat in the cafeteria, but now it has become a new routine.

8

Faulkner Magazine

McGill and friends eat lunch in the cafeteria. Above her is a newly installed COVID-19 plexiglass barrier. Barriers are decorated with Faulkner artwork, logos and scripture verses.

me and my family. I felt cared for and reassured. I know that I am in an atmosphere where my professors genuinely care about me and my wellbeing, a fact that has been especially important to me this year.

The overall mood of campus has been one of a hopeful excitement. We as students want to experience our favorite Faulkner traditions again like tailgating on Saturdays, watching our friends compete in sports, singing the Alma Mater in chapel on Fridays with arms linked together, and participating in the unique event that is Jamboree. We pray that we will experience life as it was before COVID-19.

I also pray that the freshmen class of 2020 can experience Faulkner life without social distancing, masks, and blue X’s. Many of them had their high school senior year cut short, graduation was different from what they imagined, they did not get to attend prom, or play one last home game. Welcome Week had to be altered and as a Welcome Week Mentor, I wanted to make sure that the freshmen still had a good time

and knew that they were at a unique university that cared for them in so many ways.

At the beginning of the fall semester one of my professors told me something that has stuck with me. Many are calling this a “new normal”, but it’s not.

This is only an uncomfortable season we must endure together. It is a season marked by loss and tragedy, but it possesses a hopefulness for a brighter future ahead.

It has been a weird and uncomfortable school year, but the Faulkner family has shown how it can come together during a time of adversity. The Faulkner family encourages each other to keep moving forward and to stay positive. The environment Faulkner has created is what sets it apart from other institutions. I am thankful for the Faulkner family coming together to encourage me and my classmates. They have taken the time to invest in us to keep going and to emerge from this experience as better people, but ultimately as better Christians and servants for Christ.

EXECUTIVE J.D. SCHEDULE LAW.FAULKNER.EDU/EXECUTIVEJD

EARN YOUR J.D. ONLINE & IN PERSON

AD

• Flexible schedule online during the week with a limited on-campus commitment (only 2 weekends a month).

• Maintain your career and personal life by completing a substantial amount of your coursework online.

• Graduate prepared to successfully pass the bar exam and start your career practice-ready.

LEARN LAW ON YOUR SCHEDULE Spring 2021 9

Christian Rines, left and Ben Garcia pose with their bass

Bass Fishing Team Grows

by Sarah-Elizabeth McGill 10

Faulkner Magazine

Faulkner Bass Fishing team. Back row l-r: Hudson Tinnell, Tyler Smith, Cade Wood, Will Cannon, Jacob O’Brien.

Front row from l-r: JD Phillips, Benjamin Garcia, Christian Rines, Phillip Parrish, Garret Jurkofsky, Sam Shiver, Colby Sanford

For many families in the south, fishing is a rite of passage. Learning how to fish is taught by parents and grandparents to children at young ages and their wisdom is passed down through generations. Here at Faulkner that tradition is brought to new heights with the Collegiate Bass Fishing Team. Coach John Pollard started coaching in January of 2017 and his first team consisted of only six members. Today there are thirteen members, two of which are alternates, and eight tournament ready boats.

Pollard credits the dramatic growth to active recruiting.

“It’s taken time to build relationships with high school bass fishing coaches and anglers. I’ve had two solid classes the last two years of guys that are the right fit for our program, and I’m looking forward to building on that this spring,” said Pollard.

The team travels across the south to compete in tournaments. Tournament bass fishing is different from the traditions taught to children. “There’s a lot of research that goes into getting ready for a tournament,” said Benjamin Garcia, senior. “We research the lake.

We look at previous tournaments, the water clarity, the season we’re going to be fishing in, contour lines of the lake and the different baits that might be useful.” Their initial research is only the beginning of their preparation for the tournament. Pollard tries to ensure that the team has some practice days before the tournament, which gives the anglers a chance to learn the lake along with the habits of the fish.

“Once we get up to the lake and have a day of practice, we talk about the baits that we’re going to throw first.

We look at the temperature and water clarity again.

Then, we decide what boats are going to which part of the lake so that we can optimize our time on the lake during the actual tournament,” said Christian Rines, senior and captain of the team.

Pollard tries to help however he can. “I give them pointers about what I’d look for if I were fishing, but sometimes they’re heading to lakes that I’ve never fished,” said Pollard. “The number one thing I can do for them is to get them to the lake at least three days before the tournament so they can have time to find productive areas to catch fish once the tournament starts.”

Pollard usually accepts new anglers around midsummer after initial spring scholarship signing.

“My goal from day one has been to grow this team to around twenty scholarshipped anglers, who are good kids and who have a passion for competitive bass fishing,” said Pollard. “I want Faulkner to be known throughout high school bass fishing, not only in Alabama, but across the Southeast as a desirable destination for anglers.”

If you are interested in joining the bass fishing team email Coach John Pollard at jpollard@faulkner.edu for more information.

Spring 2021

11

Faulkner Business Students Turn Education into Experience

by Ross Whisenant business management major, says his classes and the professors at Faulkner helped prepare him and have shaped his outlook. “The management classes that I’ve had are really coming out now. I’m really seeing the concepts play out in the real world.”

Cagle, a business administration major, expressed thanks to her many instructors from the college of business. “I could individually thank each one. It’s so amazing the support they can give you. They truly care and I’ve learned so much from all of them.”

Named after the Montgomery airport code, a big part of MGM Nutrition’s mission is to serve the community, and this is especially important to Wallace. “We are all about giving back to the community, I make sure that’s what we are always doing.”

The response from the community, especially Faulkner, has made MGM Nutrition a success. The two have high hopes for the future. They plan to be around for a while, but are grateful for all they’ve accomplished so far.

Brianna Cagle, left and Logan Wallace

On October 24th, 2020, Faulkner business students Brianna Cagle and Logan Wallace held the grand opening celebration for their new business, MGM Nutrition. Located across the street from Faulkner behind Game X Change and Furlong’s Engraving, MGM Nutrition serves a variety of healthy options including tea bombs, protein shakes, and iced coffees.

“Everyone is so supportive and uplifting,” said Wallace.

“They’ve been along the journey with us. They truly are the Faulkner family. We are here to serve. As long as the community wants it, we will make sure they are taken care of.”

“I’ve learned so much about myself. I’ve learned the journey really is the destination, and it has all been worth it,” said Cagle.

After visiting a local nutrition shop in her hometown, Cagle fell in love with the product and saw the impact it could have on the Montgomery community. Shortly after, she learned that Wallace had a similar experience.

His love for Herbalife products was having a negative effect on his budget. “I thought, ‘I’m spending too much money on this, I need to sell it instead,’” said Wallace.

“I’d seen the impact, the life changes. I wanted to bring that to the Montgomery community.”

Cagle and Wallace have worked together in the Student Government Association (SGA), Wallace as SGA president and Cagle as treasurer. This made the decision to work together an easy one. Wallace, a

12

Faulkner Magazine

Logan Wallace mixes ingredients for a tea bomb

New Faulkner Social Club on the Scene

by Sarah-Elizabeth McGill Social clubs are a great way to get involved at Faulkner and they contribute to the family atmosphere on campus. This year, two new clubs were added to the social club roster: Xi Chi Gamma (Gamma), founded

by Harper Stiff, Ashley Cleveland and Jenna Taggart, and Xi Chi Alpha (Alpha), founded by Joshua Fowler, Nate Kidwell and Wesley McGehee.

Alpha and Gamma welcomed their first pledge class during the Fall 2020 New Member Orientation (NEMO) Week. Gamma welcomed twenty-two pledges and Alpha welcomed thirteen pledges into the Wolf Pack.

“My goal for Gamma was to create another club that would bring more options to campus,” said Stiff, Gamma’s club president.

Social clubs at Faulkner are separated into men’s and women’s clubs, each with their individual identities, but are paired up as brother and sister clubs. The brother and sister clubs work together on service projects, cheer each other on at intramurals, attend events together, and participate together in Jamboree.

Colors: Mascot: Nickname: Club Verse:

Baby blue, red, and white Wolf Wolfpack 1 Corinthians 12:9-10

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (ESV) Gamma,” said Fowler, Alpha’s club president. “Alpha Gamma shares nearly everything with one another.

From our letters, to our club verse, to our mascot. We chose this commonality because we sought to unify the clubs as close to one entity as possible.”

“We decided that we would be called Xi Chi Gamma and Xi Chi Alpha, but our united name would be Alpha

“My overall vision is to provide a community for individuals to grow both interpersonally as well as spiritually,” said Fowler. “The thought of returning for a Jamboree show twenty years from now and seeing a group of people bear a name that I helped to build is a sobering and humbling thought, but it’s one that I certainly hope to experience.”

Xi Chi Gamma co-founder Harper Stiff, center, with her club sisters l-r, Brooklyn Owens, Cassidy Pike & Lauren Williamson

l-r Nate Kidwell, Samuel Moore, Joshua Fowler, Ethan Thomas, Kaitlen Hughes, Lauren Williamson, Ashley Cleveland & Riley Palermo

Alpha and Gamma share the usual aspects of club life, but they were created together and share a common identity.

Spring 2021

13

Faulkner Eagles Helping Montgomery Soar to New Heights

by Rebecca Burylo Aigner Kolom, left, and Iesha Brooks

Three Faulkner Eagles are making history and making a difference in the city of Montgomery, a place they hold dear and call home.

Faulkner Law student, Iesha Brooks, Faulkner Law graduate Aigner Kolom and Faulkner University alumna Jamyla Philyaw are working side-by-side with Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed as he embarks on his historical role as the city’s first black mayor.

Brooks and Kolom were appointed to the Mayor’s Young Professional Council while Philyaw was appointed to serve as the executive assistant to the mayor and is a part of the mayor’s executive cabinet.

All three exude enthusiasm for the opportunities they have to make Montgomery not only the City of Dreams, but a city where you can live out those dreams.

“The vision really is to make Montgomery a great place to work, to play, to raise a family, to start your business and to retire,” Philyaw said. “We have the opportunity to make Montgomery a city of possibilities.”

Brooks and Kolom joined 28 others on the Mayor’s Young Professional Council to help better Montgomery and create a brighter future for their children.

“I was excited to learn I was picked and I’m honored and grateful,” Kolom said. “I love Montgomery. This is where I grew up and call my home. This is where my kids go to school and I want it to be a great city.”

14

Faulkner Magazine

The Mayor’s Young Professional Council is made up of individuals with diverse backgrounds ranging from 18 to 35 years old and who currently live and or work in Montgomery. The goal of the council is to help the Mayor’s office move Montgomery into becoming an innovative community. Members regularly discuss initiatives with the mayor and other young professionals and community members. They share ideas and concerns about issues in the city to help make Montgomery a desirable place to live, work and visit.

Kolom graduated Faulkner Law summa cum laude in 2015 and has worked at the Beasley Allen Law Firm for five years as an attorney in the Mass Torts Section.

While at Faulkner Law, she was senior editor of Jones Law Review; a senior member of the Board of Advocates; a Dean fellow and pupil for Hugh Maddox Inn of Court. She served as president of the Women’s Legal Society, participated in the Pro Se Assistance Program for Federal Court, was a Public Interest Society fellow, and was a board member of the Alabama Pro Bono Task Force.

“I loved Faulkner Law,” Kolom said. “I was living in Texas and was thinking of relocating back home. I’m a Booker T. Washington Magnet (BTW) graduate.

Faulkner Law offered me a scholarship, so it was a great fit for me. I liked the atmosphere and it was located close to my family.”

As a member of the Mayor’s Young Professional Council, she’ll be able to help build up her hometown.

“The main thing is the education system, which is underfunded here in Montgomery,” Kolom said. “The education of our children is so important and that’s why it’s important to pour our resources into them.

That and the tourism dollars are important to build up downtown. We have so much history here to preserve.”

Like Kolom, Brooks was also born and raised in Montgomery and graduated from BTW. She became interested in law as an intern with Judge Tracy McCooey in circuit court.

“I was still figuring out if I wanted to do law when I interned with Judge McCooey and I was shown a woman on the bench. It was so exciting to see that and to have a look inside the court system,” Brooks said.

“I thought, ‘I could do this,’ and I found a volunteer opportunity with Equal Justice Initiative and the Public Defender’s Office. Just seeing their drive to fight every day for others made me think I could do that too.”

As a mother and a full-time investigator for the Office of the Public Defender, Brooks is enrolled in Faulkner Law’s new Executive J.D. Schedule, which is aimed at working professionals who are unable to leave their jobs to become a lawyer, but who can combine online work during the week, with weekend campus study. They earn the same law degree as traditional students.

“Time management is everything for me since I work full-time,” Brooks said. “Faulkner has really developed a program that helps you adapt and it just feels like a family. Anytime I’m struggling, I have somewhere to go for resources on campus, so I don’t feel like I’m alone.”

As a part of Mayor Reed’s Young Professional Council, she advocates for criminal justice reform and is working on policies that would provide resources and alternatives for the poor and mentally ill. She is currently on the council’s policy committee.

“The council is a way for young professionals to offer insight and fresh ideas on key issues,” Brooks said. “I want to be able to influence other young people to get involved in politics, especially if they are not from a family who is already involved, like I was. They can be the first.”

“My goal with the council is to amplify young voices in ways that help strengthen communities and improve the quality of life for marginalized groups.”

In December, Mayor Reed named Philyaw as executive assistant to the mayor. When Mayor Reed served as probate judge, Philyaw worked as the highest-ranking merit employee for the Montgomery County Probate Court, following a promotion from the Business License division to Assistant Chief Clerk of the Probate, where she was over daily operations of the court and all satellite offices.

Working for the city of Montgomery opened her eyes to the intricacies of municipal work.

“I am learning so much about my city,” Philyaw said. “There are so many moving parts that make up Montgomery. I am so grateful Mayor Reed trusts me to learn what the city needs and help make it a better place to live, work and play.”

As executive assistant, Philyaw will serve Jamyla Philyaw in an advisory role and will help supervise departments, direct staff and administer the implementation of new policies.

Growing up in Montgomery, attending Southlawn Elementary and graduating from Sidney Lanier High School and the LAMP program, Philyaw decided to stay in the city.

She gained extensive experience early in her career with the attorney general’s office and from there worked in several state agencies. Her professional colleagues urged her to continue her education to advance her career even further.

That’s when she decided to enroll at Faulkner University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2009 and a year later earned her Master of Science in Management.

“When I came to Faulkner, I learned so much about myself,” Philyaw said. “It was a beautiful time for me and I’ll never forget my experience there.”

Working on Mayor Reed’s cabinet, Philyaw will also serve as a liaison between the mayor’s office, city agencies, outside governmental agencies and the community. She’s excited to be able to help others see Montgomery’s rich history and future potential.

“Montgomery is a magical place for me and I want to help others see what Montgomery has to offer,” Philyaw said. “I want to make a safe place for my son and grandchildren. I don’t want them to feel like they have to leave Montgomery to achieve. They can be everything they can be right here.”

Spring 2021

15

One Pageant Queen is Changing Lives with Bucket by Bucket

by Rebecca Burylo How much does it take to change someone’s life? One bucket of clean water might be all it takes.

Faulkner alumna Cindy Dixon has seen first-hand how a simple bucket of fresh water can change the lives of people living in the villages of Tanzania, East Africa.

As the crowned Ms. Senior Alabama World and Ms. Sr. World 60s 1st Alternate, she’s using her pageant platform to spread the message of the faith-based nonprofit, Bucket by Bucket.

Dixon has witnessed Bucket by Bucket build nine wells and one water collection system in Tanzania and has personally seen how just one well changed the lives of those who live nearby both physically and spiritually.

“We prayed for the mission work in Tanzania and we discovered the biggest thing they need is clean water,” Dixon said. “Mosquito River is where we work with the congregation to host Bible classes and set up a school of preaching. Because we built the first well there, their mission has been so successful! We have those who attend the Bible classes convert to Christianity and are baptized. They came for life-giving water and they got the Living Water.”

Bucket by Bucket began when members from Northport Church of Christ in Northport, Alabama were preparing for a mission trip to Tanzania. They were given a sizable donation, and were told to use the check for something good.

They prayed for guidance. Then they made phone calls overseas to see what they could do to have a larger impact in the country and the congregation. The need for access to clean, safe drinking water was made apparent. So they arranged to install a water well on the grounds of the local church they were going to visit.

In the months that followed they began to see nonChristians in the village coming to the church for their daily water. Soon, some of those very people became involved in Bible studies and were baptized into Christ.

That’s when it was decided to put wells in more places and now Bucket by Bucket has grown into a 501c3 with ten established wells across the country.

Each electric-powered well costs an average of $12,000 to build and maintain including materials and paying

16

Faulkner Magazine

Terri Lane Photography

for a coordinator and an inspector. The goal is to refine the process in order to lower their budget.

Dixon and her husband have been a part of Bucket by Bucket since the very early stages. Her husband, Greg, serves as a member of the board. It was Dixon’s goal to eventually retire as an Alabama educator and work for Bucket by Bucket as its grant writer. Before she could do that, her plans were upended when she won Ms. Senior Alabama on her first try.

“Entering the pageant world began after some of my students urged me to enter,” Dixon said. “I had the royal hand wave down in my classroom as a way to say, ‘wrap it up,’ with my students. They jokingly called me a queen, and said I should be in a beauty pageant.”

Years passed but she did not forget her promise to her students. “When I turned 60 during my second mission trip to Tanzania, I was so enthusiastic and humbled by the work I was a part of there. I thought I should check as many things off my to do list as I could before I retire and work for Bucket by Bucket full time,” Dixon said.

That’s when Dixon called the state pageant director and signed up for her first pageant. She ran as Ms. Sr. Tuscaloosa County and then was crowned Ms. Sr. Alabama World on September 12, 2020.

“I was clueless about what could come next after I was crowned, because I didn’t expect to win,” Dixon said.

“I was so overwhelmed by what I was expected to do that I almost returned my crown. It wasn’t until my daughter called me and helped me gain my focus that I was convinced this was a platform God had provided to speak about Bucket by Bucket.”

Putting aside her worries about buying expensive gowns, traveling to speaking engagements and competing at the national level, Dixon spoke with her husband, prayed and called the director for Bucket by Bucket, Alan Middleton, to ask for their blessing to use Bucket by Bucket as her platform.

“Why are you so worried? Of course we want you,’ he told me,” Dixon said. “In fact, he said he and his Tanzanian counterpart, Elly Martin, were talking a week before saying they don’t have a champion to speak for them because they are a small organization and all the board members are focused on working. I needed to hear that. I had peace about my decision to compete.”

Dixon had numerous opportunities to speak with news agencies about Bucket by Bucket before she competed

at the inaugural Ms. Senior World event for the title in Biloxi, Mississippi on November 10, 2020. Although Dixon was not crowned at Ms. Sr. World for her category, as a finalist, she was able to promote Bucket

by Bucket on the national stage.

According to the World Health Organization, 1.4 million deaths occur each year due to diarrhea caused by the ingestion of pathogens, especially in unsafe drinking-water, leading to diseases like cholera, typhoid and dysentery. Twenty-five million people are seriously incapacitated by lymphatic filariasis, and half a million people die from malaria, diseases which are transmitted by mosquitoes breeding in polluted water. Two hundred million people are diagnosed with preventable infection, schistosomiasis, caused by contact with water contaminated with the excreta of infected people.

Now, instead of walking three hours to get one bucket of contaminated water, Bucket by Bucket is providing easier access to clean water for the people of Tanzania and teaching them about drip irrigation to improve their quality of life.

During her visits to Tanzania, Dixon has conducted numerous home Bible studies. She has also taught women’s and children’s seminars, where they were fed and had their questions about the Gospel answered.

“It is always a phenomenal experience,” Dixon said.

“It is amazing to speak to so many women from all different faiths. Then to watch them be baptized; they were just so enthusiastic even though it meant going against their husbands sometimes and knowing their lives were completely altered.”

Dixon attended Faulkner University when it was known as Alabama Christian College in 1978 and earned an associate degree before meeting and marrying her husband Greg Dixon. She returned to Faulkner in 1992 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and began teaching and working in the Alabama school system for 12 years. She later earned a master’s in secondary language arts, a master’s in equivalency in education leadership and a doctorate in instructional leadership with an emphasis on technology integration.

She served as a national education consultant and worked with multiple school systems in 11 states to develop and implement tailored educational plans, was nominated as the Alabama State Teacher of the Year three times and currently teaches at the Lloyd Wood Education Center as an alternative education teacher.

Spring 2021

17

COMMUNITY NEWS

to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday was a blessing.

Because of COVID-19, Faulkner’s annual Devoted 24/7 week of service, regularly held in the fall semester, was canceled and moved to the spring. Thompson and Mercy House Executive Director Ken Austin collaborated on ways for the Faulkner family to serve its community safely.

Faulkner students and staff help Mercy House workers organize kitchen

“During this time of COVID, it certainly is important for us to be careful, but we still have to live and people still have needs,” Thompson said. “I had a conversation with Ken Austin and his director of operations, Madison Darling, and I asked about serving. Ken said needs don’t go away. We just have to be creative and find ways to do it that are safe.”

Faulkner volunteers helped serve and prepare food, pick up trash, clean neighborhood homes, organize the Mercy House library and worked on landscaping one of the Mercy House’s neighborhood homes in west Montgomery.

Faulkner University Family Volunteers at Mercy House for Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service More than 100 Faulkner student, faculty and staff volunteers spent their Martin Luther King Jr. holiday serving the community and helping a local ministry, Mercy House, on Monday, January 18.

Mercy House, a local, nonprofit outreach ministry, has been serving the needs of Montgomery’s homeless, poor, and unemployed for 16 years. Mercy House is a daytime shelter for the homeless that provides a safe place for people to receive hot meals, wash and dry their clothes and find proper attire for job interviews and school. It also provides the use of bathrooms and showers, a library and computers with Wi-Fi and printers for homework and job searches.

Their mission is to honor God by helping knock down barriers that cause generational poverty.

Faulkner University Vice President of Student Services Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson said serving Mercy House

18

Faulkner Magazine

About midday, another group of Faulkner volunteers across town paused their work organizing and cleaning to participate in a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at Mercy House’s newest location on East Delano Avenue, the former WSFA-TV building. About ten months ago, WSFA moved into its current location on Dexter Avenue and donated the East Delano building to Austin. He accepted and began plans to transform the building into Ministry About People (MAP).

The Faulkner University Chorus sang at the event where many people from the community, including community and religious leaders, Faulkner President Dr. Mike Williams and his family, representatives from Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed’s office, Montgomery County Commission Chairman Elton Dean, former Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange and others came out to show their support of Austin and his vision.

“At Faulkner University, we can think of no better way to honor the legacy of Dr. King than by serving today with our faculty, staff and students at Mercy House,” Williams said.

Faulkner University Chorus

l-r Todd Gentry, Brandt Jean and Dr. Mike Williams

the embrace he gave the officer after the trial has been called by many news outlets as “the hug heard around the world.”

On September 6, 2018, Botham got home early to get ready to watch a football game. He was sitting on his couch eating ice cream with the game on when an offduty officer entered his apartment and killed him.

Dallas Police Department patrol officer Amber Guyger was arrested days later and was initially charged with manslaughter. More than a year later on October 1, 2019, Guyger was found guilty of murder and received a sentence of ten years in prison.

One Hug Showed the Entire World How to Forgive Faulkner students, staff and faculty had a chance to hear a story of forgiveness that made national headlines following the shooting death of Botham Jean in his Texas apartment in 2018.

Todd Gentry, the campus minister at the College Church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas spoke in chapel on February 22 while Brandt Jean, Botham’s younger brother, shared his story the next day.

Gentry and his wife Debbie served as Botham’s American parents during his time as a student at Harding University. Botham would later serve as Gentry’s intern and as the worship leader at their church. Botham was 26 years old and working as an accountant when he was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer “One of the things that has hurt us and continues to be very emotional for us is the loss of a student, Botham, who was like our son,” Gentry said. “Botham was a fun loving young man. We talked all the time and he confessed things to me and we went through life together.”

It was in the courtroom following a year of legal proceedings when Brandt forgave Guyger. He said during chapel that he had politely refused to make any comments three times after the official court proceedings had ended. However, his grandmother took his hand and told him to think of Guyger’s soul.

Up until then, Brandt was angry toward Guyger for the loss of his brother. He internalized what his grandmother said and took the stand. He spoke slowly as he gathered his thoughts. He wanted his words to convey to Guyger how much she needed Jesus Christ.

“I can speak for myself, I forgive you and I know if you go to God and ask Him, He will forgive you,” Brandt told Guyger. “I love you just like anyone else, and I’m not going to say I hope you rot and die just like my brother did, but I personally want the best for you. And I wasn’t going to ever say this in front of my family or anyone, but I don’t even want you to go to jail. I want the best for you. Because that’s exactly what Botham would want you to do and the best would be giving your life to Christ.”

He then asked the judge if he could hug Guyger. The judge consented and Brandt and Guyger embraced.

“What made Botham special was how much he valued other people’s lives,” Gentry added. “He believed people needed to be invested in and he believed people’s lives were important and so did his family … because of what happened, people have come to know who Jesus is.”

Brandt’s public display of forgiveness toward the officer convicted of Botham’s murder, shocked the world and

Spring 2021

19

December, crew members were installing insulation and drywall for the walls.

Renovations will also include all new frontage and signage. Subsequent renovation will be completed in phases.

Soren A. Geiger

Renovations to Faulkner’s New College of Health Sciences Building are Underway Crews with Marshall Design-Build LLC have been working since October 2020 to transform the former Burlington Coat Factory building into a space for Faulkner’s new college of health sciences.

On June 25 Faulkner University President Mike Williams announced the 13-acre purchase of the Montgomery East Plaza Shopping Center. The empty Burlington building is currently being renovated inside and out.

“The center of health science project is going nicely across the way and it looks like we are on track to complete the first phase of that project by mid-March 2021, with faculty and staff moving in shortly after that,” said Faulkner President Mike Williams. “We won’t have classes in that facility until the fall. Once we do, it will certainly be a positive new asset to the institution to help propel our center of health sciences.”

In the fall of 2020, crews began demolishing the interior floors and walls to create 85,000 square feet of empty space. They began laying down wiring and water lines in the floors, installing duct work overhead and electrical lighting. Then, metal framing for the walls was positioned to create a layout of the spaces to include a lobby, labs, research center, classrooms, offices and more. By the end of

20

Faulkner Magazine

Geiger receives Most Outstanding First Year Student Award On December 9, 2020, Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law announced the recipient of its 2019–2020 Most Outstanding First Year Student Award.

Every year, the Most Outstanding First Year Student Award is presented to a first-year student based upon their cumulative GPA, professional character, and contributions to Thomas Goode Jones School of Law and Faulkner University. It is presented in honor of John M. Patterson, former governor and attorney general of Alabama and retired judge of the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals.

This year’s recipient is Soren A. Geiger from Montgomery, Alabama. Mr. Geiger was on the dean’s list both semesters of his first year in law school and wrote multiple best papers in his classes. He is now an editor of the Faulkner Law Review, a dean’s fellow, and a member of the law school’s National Moot Court Competition team.

Geiger is a 2012 honors graduate of Hillsdale College in Michigan and a 2008 graduate of Eastwood Christian School in Montgomery. Prior to law school, he was a research assistant to Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn and the director of research for the official biography of Sir Winston S. Churchill.

“My first year of law school was both difficult and rewarding. It required me to work harder than I ever had before. It also confirmed for me that I have found my calling. The more I study the law, build relationships with my professors and colleagues, and observe the practice of the law beyond the walls of the school, the more I am eager to enter the fray myself as a licensed professional,” Geiger said.

“To have been recognized with this award is a great honor and a humbling experience. I am studying the law alongside some highly talented young men and women, who I am confident will go on to lead outstanding legal careers,” Geiger added. “The seriousness and focus with which they approach their legal education has pushed me to excel to the best of my ability. I am also grateful to my professors, whose passion for teaching the law made my first year an enjoyable, enriching, and exciting one.”

The award is given annually in the spring term beginning in 2019. All full-time Faulkner University students are eligible to submit proposals for evaluation by a panel of entrepreneurs.

THOMAS GOODE JONES SCHOOL OF LAW

Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law Named to The Princeton Review’s 2021 Best Law Schools List Despite all that this year has brought with it, Thomas Goode Jones School of Law has kept the bar high for outstanding academics and has been featured on The Princeton Review’s prestigious list.

The Princeton Review’s rankings are widely considered the national gold standard for colleges and universities.

Faulkner Law was also ranked 4th on The Princeton Review’s Most Competitive Students list as well as the Most Conservative Students ranking. In addition, Faulkner Law placed 6th on the Greatest Resources for Minority Students ranking.

Elizabeth Carden, left, receives a check from business professor David Gregor

Elizabeth Carden Wins 2020-21 Dr. Mark S. Churchwell Entrepreneurship Award During Faulkner’s annual Marketplace Faith Friday Forums, the college of business announced business major Elizabeth Carden as the 2020-21 Dr. Mark Churchwell Entrepreneurship Award recipient.

Carden was formally presented with a check for $1,000.

Fellow student Taylor Ammons was announced as the runner up and received a $500 scholarship.

The Dr. Mark Churchwell Entrepreneurship Award is an annual competitive award created as a way to honor Mark Churchwell, a long-time faculty member of the Harris College of Business, who died unexpectedly in May of 2017.

Faulkner Women’s Basketball Collects 200th Win in Program History Faulkner University Women’s Basketball team celebrated the program’s 200th win February 20, 2021, finishing the regular season on a high note with a 99-60 win over Florida College.

“We are so blessed to have had great players, coaches, and trainers in our program who have given their very

Spring 2021

21

best for the sake of the team,” said Head Coach Reed Sutton. “I’m glad that we played today in a way that would honor all of those women who paved our path.”

“It was good to have MC (Bell) Mendoza in the crowd today. She was on our very first team and she got to celebrate the big milestone with us! Those relationships are what makes Faulkner Basketball special.”

During the historic game Faulkner hit 56 percent of its shots from the floor and made 15 threes at a 48 percent clip. The Lady Eagles assisted on 27 of 34 made baskets and won the rebounding battle 47-33.

“It was an awesome game today from our whole team,” Sutton said. “It is nice to see 27 assists on 34 baskets.

We are an unselfish team and the ball found the shooter very well today. Our defensive and rebounding effort in the second half was really solid. That allowed us to extend the lead and get separation. We needed to get some momentum and confidence heading into the tournament and we found a rhythm today and accomplished that goal.”

The Eagles women’s basketball team began competing in the NAIA’s Southern States Athletics Conference in the 2010–2011 season.

Eagles Take SSAC Crown and Rack Up Awards On February 27 the Faulkner Men’s Basketball team won the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Men’s Basketball Championship with a 67-64 win over No. 14 Stillman College. Garrett Sanderson played over two screens and contested Ladarius Carter’s game-tying attempt at the buzzer, sealing the championship.

Faulkner shot 42 percent from the field in the game and 35 percent from three. Jordan Hamlette finished with 21 points. Austin Rogers scored 17 with six rebounds.

C. J. Williamson had 11 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.

The conference tournament championship is the first for Faulkner since the 2015-2016 season. The victory also saw Faulkner cutting down the nets exactly one year to the day after the Eagles did so following a win over Dalton State that clinched the 2019-2020 SSAC regular season crown.

Faulkner (25-2) moves on to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) National Tournament Opening Round. The NAIA named Faulkner University as one of eight host sites for the men’s event. Faulkner will play their opening round on their home court March 13 at 7:30 CT against the winner of the game between Warner (Fla.) and Tennessee Wesleyan.

The SSAC released the 2021 yearly awards, as voted on by the league’s head coaches and Faulkner racked up.

Williamson was voted Co-Player of the Year, Hamlette was awarded Newcomer of the Year, and Head Coach Scott Sanderson was named Coach of the Year.

Jacie Andrews, #22, takes a shot against Florida College

22

Faulkner Magazine

Ashlyn Adkins was recognized as the women’s basketball Co-Player of the Year.

Alumni Spotlight

Dr. Jack Zorn’s Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes Shines a Light in a Dark World

by Rebecca Burylo

Dr. Jack Zorn

In 1968, during an era defined by social turmoil and unrest, eight boys sought clarity in the midst of confusion, under the tutelage of Dr. Jack Zorn.

They began studying the Bible and speaking at area churches. This small group became a light to shine through the darkness, growing into what is known today as Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes (L2L).

Zorn was a dreamer. He knew, even in those early years, his mission was to grow L2L into what it is today. His vision has become a household name among many Christian families who are raising their children to be responsible, Christ-like citizens, and encouraging them to be a difference in their churches and communities.

“He is truly a visionary,” said Faulkner University Alumni Director Joey Wiginton. “When you talk to him, you know he’s looking five, ten years down the road. It’s just the kind of man he is. It’s that mindset that enabled L2L to grow into what it is today. All five of my children have gone through L2L and every one of them was blessed by Jack and L2L.” Little did Zorn know just how many lives L2L would influence. When he was a young boy sharing a bed with his three siblings, he looked up at the sky through the rusted hole in his family’s tin roof, dreaming of a different life.

Born with a speech impediment, Zorn was ridiculed for doing poorly in school and dropped out of the 10th grade to work in the fields. His father was an alcoholic, and his mother kept the family together while doing her best to instill strong Christian values into her children.

At the age of 17, Zorn left home and hitchhiked to Mt. Dora, Florida where he worked 80 hours a week in the

More than five decades later, over a quarter million children have been helped by L2L. In recent years, over 20,000 youths have showcased their work at the annual convention, held simultaneously in many states.

Zorn is the 2021 recipient of the Faulkner University Alumnus of the Year Award because of his lifetime of service dedicated to the Lord’s work, his ingenuity and his love for young people.

“Right on the plaque, it says ‘In recognition of a lifetime of Christian service,’” said Faulkner University Alumni Officer Robin Bradford. “We look at what they were like as students at Alabama Christian College (ACC) or Faulkner University, how they stood out as well as what they have done since leaving school. We look at what kind of leaders they have been and what they have done to have an influence on people.”

Dr. Jack Zorn participates in an event at the Moore Avenue Church of Christ to promote Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes

Spring 2021

23

orange groves and eventually found work at a concrete plant. A year later, a plant manager invited Zorn to attend a nightly gospel meeting. The meeting changed his life. He went forward on the final night and was baptized into Christ.

“My father was overwhelmed with the feeling of being saved and was on fire for God,” said Zorn’s daughter, Rhonda Fernandez. “Soon he was studying the Bible every spare minute he had and writing down questions.

He wanted to learn how to convert his family.”

He began studying God’s Word and was soon asked to speak at the local youth and adult classes at church.

A student from ACC, now Faulkner University, encouraged him to come to college, where Zorn could also find the help to complete his high school education.

With $30 and two bags containing all his worldly possessions, Zorn moved to ACC and began working his way through school. Zorn had a full load of classes and a full-time work-study job doing campus maintenance. He cleaned the post office part-time at night and preached on the weekends.

“This Christian school was willing to take a chance on an academically ill-prepared, broke farm boy,” Fernandez said. “He was on fire to spread the gospel but knew he needed education. He is forever grateful to ACC/Faulkner for making every exception in the book, accepting him as is, just as the Lord meets us where we are.”

Without any grants or scholarships, Zorn earned his GED, a Bachelor of Arts degree from ACC, a master’s degree from Harding Graduate School and a Doctorate of Religious Education from the International Bible Institute and Seminary. Zorn also holds an honorary doctorate degree from Harding University.

It was in 1956 at ACC when Zorn met the love of his life, Sarah Frances Johnson. Frances, working as a student assistant in the business office, was asked to assist Zorn on his first day. Fernandez said it was love at first sight for her parents. They were married less than a year later.

Their first daughter, Resa, was born while they were working as dorm parents. After graduating, Zorn moved his family to Pensacola, Florida to preach.

After some time, he was approached to do mission

24

Faulkner Magazine

Dr. Jack Zorn, left, with a group of young students at a Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes Convention

work in Blakely, Georgia where he started a church surrounded by peanut farms. After building the church and parsonage, his congregation grew and he began working with the youth through after-school Bible studies.

Zorn was later asked to preach full-time at a church in Warner Robins, Georgia. By then, Zorn and his family had grown to include three daughters. It was the early ‘60s and Zorn was faced with a volatile social climate.

It was a time when God and family values were being attacked.

Although Zorn was hired as the pulpit minister, he turned his focus to the community’s youth and he asked God for guidance.

“He thought about his own experiences as a stuttering child, without mentors or role models until he became a Christian,” Fernandez said. “He said leaders are not born, they are developed. He knew education and training were key and what young people desperately needed were direction and affirmation for doing good.

He said two things no one could ever take from him are his love for God and his education. That’s when he knew how to help inspire the youth at Warner Robins and help grow the church.”

Thus, Lads to Leaders (L2L) was born.

Zorn recruited eight boys from the Warner Robins church and formed them into a team. They studied on Friday evenings and Saturdays and spoke in classes on Sundays. They began speaking at other churches,

organizations and school assemblies, giving lessons on what it meant to be a responsible citizen and outlining the differences of an atheistic America versus an America built on education, Biblical principles and the traditional family.

Their reputation spread and Zorn and his team were invited to speak for then Governor Jimmy Carter’s prayer breakfast in Atlanta for more than a thousand businessmen. His student speakers were seated at the head table and wore new suits donated by a lady at their church. They were so well received, their images were splashed across the front page of the paper the next day.

Zorn would continue preaching full time for 21 years, serving local congregations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. He would also teach at ACC/ Faulkner and serve as the director of the American Studies Center, but he remained invested in L2L. Bruce Lyon is just one of the many men and women who have been touched by L2L over the years. Lyon, a clinical exercise specialist and personal trainer in Nashville, Tennessee, has owned his own business for 25 years.

In 1978, 17-year old Lyon traveled to the Louisiana Superdome for a L2L convention with the West Huntsville Church of Christ. He won first place for his speech and met Zorn, who later invited him to be a part of his national speaking team for an event in Rocky Mountain National Park, Denver, Colorado. Several years later, Zorn would make him another offer.

After Lyon completed his freshman year of college at the University of Alabama, he was preaching at West Huntsville when Zorn happened to be in the audience.

“As we talked afterwards he found out that I was planning to transfer to David Lipscomb College,” Lyon said. “Faulkner University had just began classes, so he asked if I could drive to Montgomery and deliver my speech at chapel.”

travel thousands of miles with Jack Zorn and be able to learn so many quality and godly lessons,” Lyon said.

Zorn knew L2L would grow the church more than anything else he could do and he dreamed of growing the program. It was a dream blessed by God, Zorn said and he’s grateful for the unyielding support of his wife, who he misses deeply.

“Had Frances not shared my vision allowing us to be a team working in unison, things would have been very different,” Zorn said. “I felt I was proceeding with a dream blessed by God and God’s hand was in it. I just feel deep in my core this was how I could be used to reach the most people for God. I am thankful Frances felt the same conviction.”

Zorn and Frances lived in Montgomery, near the L2L headquarters for over 30 years until health issues made retirement necessary.

After retirement, they moved to Sylacauga where Frances had grown up. Frances said before her death in July 2017, those years spent in her hometown, where she and Zorn spent every day together, were the best years of her life. Today, Zorn, 85, lives with his daughter Rhonda and her husband Halo Fernandez in the Orlando, Florida area.

“He was so humbled when we told him of this honor to be recognized as Faulkner University’s Alumnus of the Year,” Fernandez said. “He could barely speak and said how amazing it was to be remembered and how much he loved Faulkner University. Jack extends his prayers for all affected by the pandemic and prays for Faulkner and its leadership on a regular basis. May God continue to bless this school.”

Dr. Jack Zorn, right, with Faulkner President Mike Williams

After his speech, Zorn took Lyon to the admissions office where he was offered a full scholarship in return for serving as Zorn’s assistant at the George S. Benson Citizenship Center. Lyon agreed.

“In addition to a free year of college, Dr. Zorn promised that I would speak to over 30,000 high school students that year, as well as share a podium with at least three state governors. He followed through on all his promises. What an unbelievable learning experience to

Spring 2021

25

ALUMNI NEWS

the Local Government Health Insurance Board in Montgomery. He and Allison (Donahoo, ‘98) Hilyer have two sons at Faulkner and a daughter at ACA. Robbie Hindman (‘98) has joined Brookwood Baptist Medical Center as chief nursing officer (CNO) while continuing her role as CNO of the Brookwood Baptist Health System.

2000’s A L U M N I

1970’s Jerry Fielding (‘73) is the state president of the Alabama Retired State Employees’ Association/ Alabama Public Employees’ Advocacy League Mike Horn (‘79) is the new director of undergraduate admissions at Faulkner University.

1990’s Attorney Paul A. Clark (‘94) has joined the Birmingham office of Hill Hill Carter Franco Cole & Black, P.C.

Michele Gray King (‘01) was selected as the first black president of the Decatur school board in November.

King has served on the board since 2008.

Jason Isbell (‘02 & ‘10) has joined Maynard Cooper & Gale’s Governmental Affairs practice as “of counsel” in the firm’s Montgomery office. Most recently, Isbell served for seven years as vice president of Legal and Governmental Affairs for the Alabama Bankers Association.

Felicia A. Long (‘03), an attorney with Hill Hill Carter, was recently named to the 2021 Best Lawyers List for Commercial Litigation.

Shannon Youngblood (‘03) is an educational technology specialist at Faulkner University.

Aretha Dix (‘04 & ‘06) recently opened Divine Vines and Décor in the Old Cloverdale District of Montgomery, Alabama.

Dix retired from the military as a hospital administrator in December.

Lyle Harmon (‘95) was named Pell City Citizen of the Year by Pell City Chamber of Commerce during their annual awards ceremony in November. Harmon is a St. Clair County district attorney.

James R. Harper Jr. (‘96) was honored at the Alabama VMA Emerald Coast Veterinary Conference in August 2019 as the Layperson of the Year. Harper was honored for volunteering his time and efforts in the representation of an Alabama veterinarian.

Joshua Sipper

Joshua Sipper (‘97) is professor of cyberwarfare studies at the Air Force Cyber College, Air University. His paper titled “The Cyber Microbiome and the Cyber Meta-reality,” recently won the Best Paper Award at the International Academy, Research, and Industry Association Cyber 2020 Conference in Nice, France.

David Hilyer (‘97 & ‘01) is general counsel for

26

Faulkner Magazine

Aretha Dix

Daniel (‘07) and Brittany (Gay, ‘17) Land adopted a daughter, Evey Jane on January 12, 2021.

Evey was with the lands for 404 days before the adoption was finalized. They have two sons, Eli and Drew. Daniel is a major in the USAF stationed at Moody Land Family AFB in Valdosta, Georgia, where he is the commander of the 23rd Security Force Squadron. This summer they will move to Washington, D.C. where Daniel will work at the Pentagon for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Do you or someone you know have news to be included in the next edition of the Faulkner Magazine? Send updates and photos to Robin "Bird" Bradford at rbradford@faulkner.edu.

Tony Davison (‘08 & ‘12) married Susan Mousseau on Oct 31, 2020.

Lauren James (‘15 & ‘19) was among the Montgomery Volunteer Lawyers Program’s 2020 Pro Bono Award winners. James, an attorney with Beasley Allen, was recognized for exceptional dedication.

Tony & Susan Davison

2010’s Tonya E. Walker (‘10) has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. Walker is the author of “You Don’t Define Me,” as well as an accompanying workbook and journal.

Samuel and Lindsay (Smith, ‘11) Moore were married October 17, 2020 in Hope Hull.

Samuel & Lindsay Moore

Patrick and Katie Beth (‘14) McCarthy, along with their children, were honored as one of the Family Guidance Center of Alabama’s Families of the Year.

Tara (Parker, ‘11) Teel is the administrative assistant for enrollment management at Faulkner University.

Joe Janning (‘12), CPA, has been promoted to manager at Machen McChesney, where he has worked since 2017. He works in the firm’s business tax and auditing services areas, specializing in accounting and auditing for governmental and nonprofit entities.

Kees Kalonick (‘15 & ‘17) is an English instructor at Faulkner University.

Tamaria McAlpin (‘15) is the 2020-2021 National Society of Black Engineers Montgomery Professionals PCI Chair. McAlpin works as an Environmental Engineer Senior for the ADEM. Rebekah (Stallings, ‘15) Dittman accepted a position of attendance secretary at Ferry Pass Middle School in Pensacola.

Austin & Sydney Morrison

Marquez N. James (‘12) is the chief of police for the City of Brundidge. Previously James served as the chief of the Tuskegee Police Department.

Marquez N. James Adam & Cara Okechukwu

Eric Folmar (‘13) is the new head football coach at Fort Dale Academy in Greenville, Alabama.

Jordan and Anna (Hatcher, ‘17) Aubrey were married October 24, 2020.

Jordan & Anna Aubrey

Cara and Adam Okechukwu (‘13) were married October 2, 2020.

Shelby (Woods, ‘14) Johnson was recently awarded the prestigious National Board Certification, and was recognized by the Leeds Board of Education on January 12. Johnson teaches fifth grade at Leeds Elementary School.

Austin Morrison (‘20) and Sydney Maddox (‘15 & ‘18) were married May 16, 2020. Austin is the head middle school football coach and middle school history teacher at Georgia Christian School in Valdosta, Georgia.

Sydney is the case manager at Raintree Village Children’s Home in Valdosta Georgia.

Zach and Jordan (Linder, ‘17) Brantley were married September 12, 2020.

Zach & Jordan Brantley

Spring 2021

27

Alexandria Richards (‘17) specializes in marriage and family counseling, anger management, anxiety and depression at TC Counseling and Consulting Service LLC. Alexandria Richards

Erik and Kayla (Ferrell, ‘18) Giddens got married December 31, 2020. Kayla recently completed her Masters in Education from Piedmont College.

Adam (‘18) and Deidra (Justus, ‘20) Gifford were married in 2019.

Their daughter, Rosalia was born December 4, 2020. Adam is the youth minister at Raleigh Church of Christ in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Gifford Family

Matthew and Emily Ann (Linder, ‘19) Nuttall were married December 12, 2020

Matthew & Emily Ann Nuttall

Jordan Cagle (‘19) is an assistant football coach at Faulkner University. He served as a graduate assistant for Faulkner’s football program for the past two years.

Prior to coming to Faulkner, Cagle served as youth and family minister for the University Church of Christ in Mobile, Alabama.

In Memory Janice Johnson Randolph (‘59), 81, of Eclectic, Alabama, died January 30, 2021. While at Alabama Christian College Randolph was the 1958 homecoming queen, and was named Best All Around and Best Janice Johnson School Spirit. Randolph was a Randolph Christian educator, teaching at several Christian schools and she worked in the Disability Support Services Office at Faulkner University. She was the daughter of Leonard Johnson, co-founder of Alabama Christian College, now Faulkner University, and wife of Ken Randolph, a longtime professor of Bible and Dean of the College of Biblical Studies at ACC/Faulkner.

Stephen “Steve” Cecil Walkley (‘79), 74, of Orange Beach, Alabama, formerly of Montgomery, died November 28, 2020.

Robert A. Martin (‘89), 79, of Montgomery, died September 15, 2020. Martin was the former editor and publisher of The Montgomery Independent.

James Barry Yarbrough (‘95), 69, of Cullman, Alabama, and a resident of Loxley, Alabama, died November 8, 2020.

Will Payne (‘01), 46, of Tallassee, Alabama, died January 21, 2021.

2020’s Robert and Caroline (Thompson, ‘20) King were married December 12, 2020. Caroline is the head resident of Davis Dorm at Faulkner University.

Robert & Caroline King

Reese Linnell (‘20) is the director of Small Business and Entrepreneurial Development at Stanley Community College in Albemarle, North Carolina.

28

Faulkner Magazine

A L U M N I

Marketplace Faith Friday Forums Celebrates Alumni Successes Our fifth annual Marketplace Faith Forums & Alumni Honors Luncheon invited more than 30 alumni back to campus to share their journey from graduation to their current career and the obstacles they have faced and overcome. They shared with students how Faulkner strengthened their faith and helped them succeed in their chosen career field.

2021 Honorees:

The college deans and department chairs selected alumni to speak to current students who are in the same field of study in order to answer questions and provide advice. For each college/department a Distinguished and Young Alumni were honored at the Alumni Honors Luncheon.

Harris College of Business Kevin Arvin and Harry Slaughter, Distinguished Alumni and Elliott Graves, Young Alumnus.

The Distinguished Alumni Honor is given to qualifying successful alumni who graduated more than 10 years ago, while the Young Alumni Honor is given to graduates of 10 years or less.

Jared Palmer graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and was honored as the College of Arts and Sciences’ Computer Science Young Alumnus. He is married to fellow graduate, Vashti Rampersad Palmer. He currently works as a senior software developer in Fullsteam LLC. “Being at Faulkner throughout my undergrad really helped me grow as a Christian,” Palmer said. “I was constantly surrounded by a close group of friends and we were able to grow together spiritually and keep each other on the straight and narrow. Professionally my education has allowed me to excel rather quickly through various positions in my career, but has also helped me approach my work through the lens of my faith.” l-r: Jared Palmer & Susan Hammond

College of Education Taryn Brodie, Distinguished Alumna and Eugenia Vaughn, Young Alumna. Honorary speakers, Laura Childs, Hannah Brady, Autumn McAlpin, Bryn Gaston and Dan Aude.

VP Black College of Biblical Studies Matthew Conley, Distinguished Alumnus and Caleb Cochran, Young Alumnus. Honorary speakers, Andrew Itson, Andrew Kingsley, Devin Morris and Jared Kelly.

College of Arts and Sciences, English, Humanities, Music, Great Books Daniel Monplaisir, Distinguished Alumnus and Laura Jean Bell and Westley Schlundt, Young Alumni.

College of Arts and Sciences, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Crystal Gregory, Distinguished Alumna and Alfonzo Williams, Young Alumnus. Tabitha Langley, Distinguished Alumna and Lauren James, Young Alumna.

College of Arts and Sciences Social and Behavioral Sciences Franklin Buddy Renahan, Distinguished Alumnus and Alysa Klassen, Young Alumna. Honorary speaker, Joe Beam.

College of Arts and Sciences Math and Computer Science Math’s Young Alumnus Mitchell Thornton. Computer Science Young Alumnus Jared Nicholas Palmer.

College of Arts and Sciences Natural and Physical Sciences Rick Williams, Distinguished Alumnus and Hannah Putman, Young Alumna.

College of Arts and Sciences Kinesiology and Exercise Science Jonathan Morrison, Distinguished Alumnus and Cody Davis, Young Alumnus.

Spring 2021

29

Future Eagles

Deck Family

Stephen (‘04) and Jessica (Brown, ‘06) Deck had a baby girl, Joleigh, born May 5, 2020. Joleigh joins older brothers Benton, 8, and Stetson, 3.

Sims Family

Carolina Rose Calderon

Andrew (‘10) and Emily (Medlin, ‘09) Sims welcomed their second son, Cameron Mayfield Sims on August 21, 2020.

Their first son, Bennett, is 2.

Saul Calderon-Zavala (‘16) and Bethany (Hunter) Calderon welcomed their second daughter, Carolina Rose Calderon on September 2, 2020.

Marshal Ray Owens

Hunter (‘19) and Kristen (Roberts, ‘19) Owens had a baby boy, Marshall Ray Owens on October 21, 2020.

Prepare for a life of service.

Faulkner University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

provides a broad understanding of the health sciences, including content in medical terminology, healthcare delivery systems, healthcare administration/leadership, bioethics, statistics and research, cultural competency, interprofessional practice, and healthcare law.

Four Tracks: 1. Speech Language Pathology 2. Physician Assistant 3. Physical Therapy 4. Occupational Therapy A BSHS degree meets all course requirements to enter Faulkner CHS graduate programs to become a licensed healthcare provider.

30

Faulkner Magazine

Learn more at Faulkner.edu, or call (334) 386-7139.

C O L L E G E O F H E A LT H S C I E N C E S

Supporter Spotlight: Robert and Tomi Hudson

by Rebecca Burylo

Tomi and Robert Hudson

Robert and Tomi Hudson are a couple whose generosity through charitable gift annuities and a living trust helped them make a difference in young lives at Faulkner University and provided them with financial stability during their retirement years.

They lived long lives, worked hard, saw much of the world and served their communities well. They were a humble couple who lived out the rest of their days in peace and friendship just down the road from their beloved church and Faulkner University. Robert Hudson died on March 7, 2017 and is survived by Tomi, his wife of 60 years, two daughters, five grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

“We really got interested in the university through the church by our friends Billy Hilyer and David Short, who was the vice president for development at Faulkner at the time,” Robert Hudson said. “And we are so thankful that we were tied back into Faulkner.”

“We knew we wanted to give to Faulkner, but we had a concern about income,” he added. “We had been through years in the past where inflation was hard on us so we became interested in gift annuities. It was the best thing for us.”

With the Hudson’s retained life estate through a living trust, they have also given their house, one of their largest and most valuable assets, to the university with an agreement that Tomi can live there as long as she wants.

“The Hudsons are fine people,” Hilyer said. “I know how important it is through the years for them to be so willing to give to the university and at the same time provide a stable income for themselves in their retirement years. They are very kind to do that for the university.”

Their home is decorated in beautiful original Japanese art passed down from Tomi’s family in Japan. Robert, who grew up on a ranch in Shawnee, Oklahoma, was serving in the Air Force and stationed in Japan during the Korean Conflict when he met and married Tomi Kaneko in 1959 at the U.S. embassy in Tokyo.

After returning to the states, they started a family. He was living in Auburn and working as a veterinarian at Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine for large animals at the time his daughter, Tina, enrolled at Faulkner when it was known as Alabama Christian College.

Several years later he and his family began attending University Church of Christ where he met then Faulkner President Billy Hilyer. Robert’s knowledge and admiration for Faulkner grew.

Tomi Hudson and Robert Hudson

Spring 2021

31

5345 Atlanta Highway Montgomery, Alabama 36109

faulkner.edu

32

Faulkner Magazine