Point Magazine Winter 2018

WINTER 2018

est.

1937

Students’ tuition only covers 70 percent of Point’s yearly operating costs, making you a vital part of our mission to educate students for Christ-centered service and leadership throughout the world. Without your financial, prayerful and sacrificial investment in God’s kingdom, Point University would be unable to fully train its students to be the next generation of Christian leaders.

To recognize the invaluable impact our donors have on the lives of our students, the Point family will commemorate the 70:30 Point — the day that represents the 70 percent completion of the academic year and the symbolic point at which the University would have to close its doors without the support of people like you.

Join us as we celebrate the 70:30 Point on February 28 by making a financial gift, enabling more of our students to take the cross to countless job sites, offices, churches, occupations and nations. A generous donor has come forward with a matching opportunity; now your gift can have double the impact! Give today at point.edu/70-30.

CONTENTS 4 From the President 5 University News ON THIS PAG E The Skyhawks took on St. Andrews University during Homecoming weekend. For more on the 80th anniversary celebration, turn to page 10.

ON THE COV ER The Point University 80th anniversary seal.

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EVERY STUDENT ON MISSION Meet three Point students who are serving God in unique ways.

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THINK OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM Point’s online programs offer students a variety of educational opportunities.

carlos guzman ’18

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CYCLING FOR HOPE Point students and an adjunct instructor spend Thanksgiving break serving others.

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CELEBRATING COURAGE A Homecoming weekend honoring 80 years of Point University’s history.

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

POIN T M AG AZI NE Volume 56, Number 2 Winter 2018 EDITOR/DESIGNER Sarah G. Huxford CONTRIBUTORS Bethany Broderick Katherine Hamilton Steve Schwepker

This year, I am grateful for the faithful men and women who had a vision of a Christ-centered university even more than 80 years ago, and who fought hard through World War I, the Great Depression, and several earlier attempts, to finally birth what is now Point University. But it is not just the visionaries we have to thank, but rather, generations of faithful Christ followers who have prayed and given sacrificially for Point University to enter 2018 with optimism about her future.

I am also grateful for trustees who have been willing to take risks, to read the changing landscape of higher education, and to support me as we try not only to survive our changing culture, but to embrace technology and leverage it so we can serve growing numbers of students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In our 80th year, we hit a new milestone of enrolling more than 2,000 students!

Take a minute and join me in a prayer of gratitude to a faithful God, and the many faithful alumni and friends who make Point University a reality today. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a new issue of Point Magazine, where you will be inspired by both our graduates and our current students — and by what the future holds as we continue into a new era of growth and change!

In Christ,

Dean C. Collins ’79 President 4 | POINT MAGAZINE

CONTACT US: Point University Attn: Point Magazine 507 West 10th Street West Point, GA 31833 706-385-1000 editor@point.edu ©2018 Point University Point University’s mission is to educate students for Christ-centered service and leadership throughout the world. Point University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate and master’s degrees.

Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, at http://www.sacscoc.org, or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Point University.

carlos guzman ’18

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read an article not long ago stating that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 corporation is now just 20 years, down from 60 years in the 1950s. Many reasons were given for this dramatically shorter lifespan, including both buyouts and the failure to adapt to the speed of change brought through technology. If you are not willing to adjust and change with the speed of disruption, then your survival is not likely. Against this backdrop, Point University is celebrating 80 years this year!

Point Magazine exists to tell Point University’s stories. It is intended to serve as a vehicle for connecting the University’s alumni and friends. For the first 49 volumes of its existence, Point Magazine was known as The Gold & Blue.

The magazine is published by the Communications Office, which retains the right to determine the editorial content and presentation of information contained herein.

Articles or opinion pieces contributed by guest writers do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of Point University and its board of trustees. Point Magazine welcomes reader responses to its content.

HEADLINES

GIVING BACK 2016-17 Point University Community ACADEMIC YEAR Engagement

HOURS of community service were donated

by Point students, faculty and staff

s part of a community impact project for an organizational leadership course led by Dr. Alan Kemper, 13 senior business students spent the fall semester fundraising for and volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club of Chambers County. The class project requires students to choose a local nonprofit organization and orchestrate a fundraiser for that organization. This group of students chose to raise funds for the Boys and Girls Club after seeing the need for better drainage; the Club’s building floods every time it rains.

“As Christians, it’s our duty to give back to those less fortunate,” said Ty Galliher ’18, a business administration major. “When we brought them all supplies, their faces lit up, and that was so rewarding for us, them, and the staff to see — especially since they are underfunded and often get overlooked. ” In addition to fundraising, members of the group visited the Club every week

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to do homework with the kids, lead activities, and play football outside.

“It’s been a pleasure having Point students here,” said Unit Director Kim Dozier. “The kids keep asking when the ‘big kids’ are coming back.”

The group project ended on December 11, as the students held a Christmas party in honor of the children — serving them dinner and delivering presents.

They also presented a check with the funds they raised to the Boys and Girls Club, totaling more than $1,300.

“We not only impacted the children, but we created a whole new community for them, volunteers, and Point students,” said Sable Hawkins ’18, an accounting major. “We wanted to show the children that no matter where you start, your finish line is what you make of it every day.”

To see more photos and videos from student projects, visit bit.ly/OLFAll2017

PROJECTS

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including construction projects, classroom service, supply collection and more

$400K VALUE of volunteer hours given back to our local communities across Georgia*

STUDENTS

500

participated in Point's annual community service event, Impact Day, in April

*NOTE: The estimated value of volunteer time for 2016 in Georgia according to Independent Sector is $24.39.

Source: http://www.independentsector.org/volunteer_time

bethany broderick

POINT STUDENTS SPEND SEMESTER SUPPORTING BOYS & GIRLS CLUB A

HEADLINES

Guadiana Takes Fourth Trip to Nationals Rebecca Guadiana ’17, of Oak View, California, represented the Point University women’s cross country team for the fourth consecutive season at the NAIA National Meet in Vancouver, Washington, in November. Guadiana, a child and youth development major, was part of a field of 338 total runners.

Guadiana finished 254th in the field, with a time of 20:20 over the 5,000-meter course. She earned All-AAC honors for the third time this season, and is the first Skyhawk to race in four NAIA National Championship meets during her career. Guadiana earned her third consecutive All-Conference award, with a 14th-place finish among 100 runners at the 2017 AAC Women’s Cross Country Championships.

She also received Point’s AAC Champions of Character Award for the 2017 season, which is presented to a student-athlete from each of the member schools who best demonstrates the NAIA Champions of Character core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and student leadership.

New Website Point’s web presence has a new look!

Check out the new and improved University website at point.edu.

Chapel Podcast Want to hear who’s preaching in chapel at Point? Subscribe at soundcloud.com/pointuniversity.

Guadiana recorded the fourth-best AAC Championship time in Point history – 19:41.79 – and owns four of Point’s top 12 times in an AAC meet. She also has posted five of the top 15 times in Point history in any meet since the sport debuted at Point in 2011.

“Becky has been the most decorated runner to come through Point since the program started,” said Zach Tyler ’13, head cross country coach.

“I am very proud of her accomplishments and thankful to be able to coach such a talented leader. We are excited to see her future accomplishments, and we know she will do big things.”

Annual Report Take a moment to read about Point’s successes over the past year in our Annual Report, available at point.edu/ annualreport.

zachery tyler '13; social media photos provided by users

WHAT'S TRENDING

imhandsome_dom:

Great going back seeing some really good friends and family that I haven’t seen in forever had some good times with these people #pointuniversity

moss5five: Point University Homecoming 2017! #PointUniversity #Homecoming2017 #SkyhawkParents

justterrance: My grand-

ma just graduated with her bachelor’s degree at the age of 71. #graduation #yougogirl #soproud #grandma #youdidthat #pointuniversity

#

sebastianfynboe: Ready to start college with this guy! #roommate #pointuniversity #collegeprep

Share your tweets, Facebook posts and Instagram photos with the Point community!

Tag your posts with #pointuniversity.

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HEADLINES

Q UNION 2017

or the second year in a row, Point University students, faculty, staff and coaches gathered around tables to have unifying discussion about topics that usually divide people in America, in local communities and even in churches.

On October 26, Point was one of 20 universities across the country that participated in Q Union, a two-hour live event hosted by Q Ideas. The organization says the event is “aimed at educating students on how they can bring hope and leadership to their campuses in a critical cultural moment.” Students, faculty and staff, and community members gathered to address practical ways Christians can live out the peace of Christ in a contentious culture.

The evening included three nationally broadcast speakers: author and political commentator David Brooks, Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute Kara Powell, and Christian hip-hop and spoken-word artist Propaganda. The three discussed a range of issues, from technology to race relations. Additionally, at each university location, three students spoke live about issues they face in their own communities. At Point, senior preaching and Biblical studies majors Isaiah Ross ’18, Abigail Contreras ’17 and Colby Freeman ’18 spoke passionately about ways the Point family could come together to bridge divisions.

Ross challenged the audience to see past stereotypes to befriend an “unlikely neighbor.” By pointing out prejudices he had to overcome as an African-American man, and acknowledging the prejudices other people face, Ross called God’s people to be people of hope. “We can be the thread of God’s restoration in the world,” he said. “The body of Christ treating others as though the Kingdom of God has already fully come.” He reminded the audience that Christians’ identity is not found in stereotypes placed upon them, but in Christ.

Contreras spoke about the fact that while culture honors and shames people based on their possessions, position, connections and appearance, the church should view others as Christ did. In his life and death, “Christ gave [the poor, outcast and sick] dignity when no one else would,” she said. Contreras asserted that the church must work to restore human dignity to everyone, both friend and enemy, in order to bridge divisions created by society’s value system.

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In the final presentation of the night, Freeman dared the church to take responsibility for the divisions in our community and take a stand for unity.

He opened by quoting the 1947 sermon

by Hawley Lynn, “Who Lynched Willie Earle?” — a sermon that challenged a church in a divisive, racist culture to stop being silent and to act upon the social injustices in their community. “We can begin the healing process in our divided nation by having these difficult conversations and by pleading for forgiveness even when we were not directly at fault,” Freeman said.

“Point is among a small group of Christian universities who get asked to sponsor Q Union,” said Wye Huxford ’73, vice president for spiritual formation and dean of the chapel. “Because of that, we get to expose our students to speakers we could never afford to have on campus, but who are saying important things about our faith and how we engage culture. In addition, it gives three of our students an opportunity to model the education they’re getting at Point. Those two things are an unbeatable combination.”

To watch videos of the students’ sermons, visit facebook.com/pointuniversity.

carlos guzman ‘18

STUDENT PREACHERS ADDRESS CULTURAL CHALLENGES F

COMMENCEMENT

carlos guzman '18

ON DECEMBER 16, Point University graduated 109 students at Crossroads Church in Sharpsburg, Georgia, with associate and bachelor’s degrees. Two students were recognized with the Hathcock Award, the highest honor given to a graduating student who has excelled in academics, leadership and community service while at Point. This year’s recipients were Linda Rodriguez, child and youth development major, and Danial Rockel, human relations major.

The graduates were inspired by speaker André Kennebrew, senior manager in field operations at Chick-fil-A, who is also the newest member of the board of trustees at Point. “Out of these 100 students, you see all those testimonies and dreams,” remarked Kennebrew. “We need Point to do more of what it’s already doing. God is working; we just need to join him.”

Kennebrew gave the graduating seniors three challenges for their future life after graduation: be grateful, be generous and make great decisions.

“The best decision you ever made was to come to Point, so follow it with even more great decisions,” he said.

To see more from commencement, view the graduation playlist at YouTube.com/pointuniversityvids, or visit our online photo albums at flickr.com/photos/pointskyhawks

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point university archives

My first contact with Point University occurred the week I made a commitment to being a fully devoted follower of Jesus. I had grown up in a godly family as part of a healthy church. I had enjoyed the benefit of strong faith and clear examples from my family and the mentors who invested in me.

However, my life as a follower of Jesus shifted to another gear the summer I met a ministry team from Point University (Atlanta Christian College at the time). I was challenged by the ferocity of their faith . . . their unquenchable joy and the courageous way they lived for Jesus every day. I had never seen that kind of faith in a young person . . . the courage of their faith ignited a courage in my faith.

Soon I would learn, as a student at Point, that courageous faith was part of the DNA of this institution. When other schools waffled on devotion to the Bible . . . the professors of Point stood strong. When the behavior of students brought shame on Jesus . . . the administration brought loving, appropriate accountability. The courageous integrity of Point University inspired a hunger for that same kind of integrity in my life. The foundation of moral courage in ministry was certainly built in my home and church. However, the faculty and leadership of this amazing institution continued to build up strong ministry values during my years as a student. Even as many of these great investors in my life are becoming inheritors of their homes in heaven, I will always be grateful for the strength of spirit they demonstrated which continues to this day at Point University.

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The University’s historic campus was located in what was then rural East Point, Georgia. The white frame building above, funded by the Hathcock family, was built in 1925. It was the primary classroom building until “Old Main” was built in the 1950s. Located on Dodson Drive, it also housed the library and cafeteria. The photo at right, taken in 1953, shows a large portion of the student body in front of the original building.

EARLY DAYS

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point university archives

As Point University celebrates 80 years of kingdom contribution, I marvel that in a culture of compromise, Point continues to show the kind of institutional courage that marked me so powerfully over 40 years ago.

When it became obvious that the best decision for the future of our University was to move from our home in East Point to a new campus in West Point . . . our leaders made the hard, bold decision to pull the trigger. It would have been so much easier to do nothing. On the other hand, it would require courage and perseverance to make all the sacrifices and exert all the effort required to execute that decision. Thank God for the courageous leadership that stepped up to that challenge. Lesser leaders would not have done it.

Looking at the expanded ministry that we have today, I’m thankful for those who did.

When it became obvious that our name said more about “where we are” than “who we are,” our leadership made a courageous decision to change! As a passionate advocate for international missions, I was aware and grateful for the conservative, Christ-honoring institutions that had seen the way a university’s name can actually block students from serving in the regions of the world that are the most unreached with the Gospel. Our leadership saw the value of repositioning our University for greater kingdom impact, and boldly made that call. After months of prayer, fasting and their best thinking . . . Atlanta Christian College became Point University. Since that time, many of our sister institutions have seen the wisdom of that decision and followed our example. I’m glad Point University courageously chose to lead.

In our most recent season, the favor of God on our University has demanded another expression of courageous leadership. Our expanding student body has required us to build new facilities to meet new needs and provide for the housing of new students.

This is an answer to the prayers of generations of Point alumni! But, just like any growing church, Point University had to decide if the need for increased space was worth the expenditure of effort, sacrifice and energy that meeting that need would require.

Once again, gutsy leaders made the bold decision to follow what they believed was the leading of the Lord and begin the process of providing expanded facilities. Because they did, as God always does, surprising help has come in surprising ways. I am so thankful to be part of a team that is willing to break through any barrier, face any fear and trust God to show up when doing so is daunting.

Finally, I am grateful to be part of the Point family because of the way our University has confronted the fear of building a student body that looks like heaven. In a culture of great racial tension, Point has led the way in building a “colony of heaven” that looks like heaven will look. Apparently, the dream of Jesus is that one day, in eternity, before Him will stand “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language.” (Revelation 7:9) Every time I look on the growing racial diversity of the church I serve, I thank God for the miracle of love that is demonstrated by this slow but relentless move toward the kind of diversity that Jesus desires for His church. I’m grateful that Point University is boldly building this value as well.

For 80 years, the friends and family of Point University have had the opportunity to invest and enjoy the kind of education and preparation for life that can only come from an environment of love, faith, hope. But I am so thankful for the way my life has been changed because of the courage of Point University.

The world has changed dramatically since 1937, of course — and perhaps nowhere is that change more evident than in the world of technology. Students using library resources today experience a much different environment than those in the 1950s (left) or 1980s (above). The modern learning commons includes more access to technological resources, with hard-copy books sometimes stored off-site until needed.

One thing that hasn’t changed in 80 years, however, is the importance of relationships — students, faculty and staff still experience a feeling of family at Point.

point university archives

TIME FLIES

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carlos guzman ’18; katherine hamilton

80-YEAR FESTIVAL

West Point was bustling with activity October 2122, as Point University celebrated its 80th anniversary during homecoming weekend. Hundreds of alumni came into town to enjoy luncheons, alumni

athletic games, fine arts concerts and prayer walks around the community. Community members, students, faculty and staff, and prospective students joined in on Saturday, beginning with a pep rally in downtown West Point featuring the Point Marching Skyhawks and cheerleaders and leading to an exciting football game in Ram Stadium.

Point ended its homecoming weekend with a festival at the West Point River Park, featuring live music, free kayak rides, food trucks, face painting and more as Point not only celebrated 80 years of impact, but also its fifth year in the West Point community. The entire Point family came together for an evening in the heart of downtown remembering God’s faithfulness to Point and to the greater Valley community.

carlos guzman ’18; katherine hamilton

To see more photos and videos from the whole weekend of Homecoming and 80th anniversary festivities, visit flickr.com/photos/pointskyhawks

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EVERY STUDENT ON MISSION

continues to shift, many people may never step foot within a church to hear a preacher speak or music minister sing, but they might work alongside Christian business leaders. Their children might be taught by Christian teachers. Their doctors might serve them with the love of Christ.

Throughout its 80 years, Point has continued to grow its program offerings — equipping students to take their faith into the marketplace in new and culturally relevant ways.

Each student should see his or her passions and gifts as a hen Point University was founded in 1937, it originally medium for sharing the Gospel. Whether a talented athlete, a devoted its attention to the education of ministers, compassionate artist, or an innovative businessperson, Point missionaries and other church-related workers. And while students can use their God-given talents to shine a light into Point continues to equip men and women to work vocationally industries that are very dim. The following pages showcase in churches and ministries, its view of “mission” has grown just a few stories of students who are using their talents and to include work outside the walls of a church. As culture education to be on mission for Christ.

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STORIES BY BETHANY BRODERICK | PHOTOS BY CARLOS GUZMAN ’18

ISAIAH ROSS ’17 Isaiah Ross thought he would have to choose between his faith in Christ and his passion for football — either go to a university that would equip him for ministry, or one that would allow him to continue to play football. Then he stepped onto the campus of Point University and realized that was where his faith and football would collide.

Ross, a biblical studies and preaching major, believes that God is calling him to sports ministry: “Because that is where God has allowed me to have the most influence. There are people around me — the football team and other athletes — that he has allowed me to have a common ground where we can all relate,” he says.

At first, Ross saw ministry and football as separate passions, but God opened his eyes to see his team and other athletes as his mission field.

After participating and leading in Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in high school, Ross arrived at Point to find that there was no ministry specifically directed toward student-athletes.

As a freshman, he set out to start an extension of the ministry that had guided him spiritually throughout his teenage years.

“God used FCA to impact my life,” he remembers, “And I know how much God could use FCA in other athletes’ lives.”

Ross worked with Point student life staff and head women’s basketball coach Tory Wooley ’12 to start the ministry on Point’s campus. As a senior, he still leads the group, and last year, he and Wooley were recognized by the national FCA organization for their service during the 2016-17 season.

Wooley was named College Coach of the Year, and Ross received the College Student-Athlete of the Year Award. Ross was encouraged by all the men and women who supported the high-impact ministry and, in turn, supported him.

In elementary school, Ross was separated from his mother and siblings and put into foster care. It was through the leadership of Christian mentors, coaches and other athletes that he was able to find the love of Christ in his difficult situation and see God as his Father — comforting him, guiding him and calling him to share the love that he had found.

“He has put that love in me,” Ross says. “And it is only because he has put that love in me that I can do things like FCA.” With a strong foundation in ministry provided for him by the faculty at Point, Ross intends to continue to serve in sports ministry after his graduation in May.

Watch more about Isaiah’s story at: http://bit.ly/IsaiahRoss W IN TER 201 8 | 19

JUAN DOMINGO ’17 From an early age, Juan Domingo remembers the feeling of abandonment. Abandoning his home in Guatemala in hopes of a better future in the United States. Feeling abandoned by the death of his father and separation from his older brother. Being left alone when his parents moved away, leaving him in the care of extended family.

During more than a decade of feeling abandoned, Domingo remembers that every Wednesday, a volunteer from his middle school, Tammy, would pull up in his neighborhood, inviting him to church. Every week he would say no and continue playing soccer in his yard. One Wednesday, however, something changed, and he said yes to Tammy’s invitation.

“It was during that time that I started to see that the Christian life was something that I really wanted,” Domingo remembers. “Because of how committed Tammy was, and the things that she was doing for me that no one had ever done before. She was always talking about God and how much he had done in her life and how much he could do in my life.”

Through this Christian woman’s kindness, Domingo began to see how God had been with him throughout all his abandonment. And by the end of his high school days, he had been adopted twice — first, into the family of God, and second, into Tammy’s family.

It’s this story that inspired Domin-

go to pursue a degree in business management. Without the impact of Tammy and other Christians like her, he never would have found hope in Christ and a future through Point University.

Domingo hopes to start or direct a non-profit organization that serves underprivileged children — children who, like him, live with the feeling of abandonment every day.

“Helping these kids that have a similar story to me is something I’m really passionate about,” says Domingo.

Through his Point education, Domingo is able to fulfill his passions by learning the foundational skills that are required to maintain a successful nonprofit. In addition to his business major, his biblical studies minor, required of all Point students, provides Domingo with the Christian doctrine and practice to care for those around him.

Even more important than the academic and professional growth Domingo has experienced at Point is his spiritual and personal development. Through the mentorship of older students, faculty and staff, he has been able to overcome bitterness and anger from his past and use his story as a testimony of God’s faithfulness. In everything that he did, and plans to do, Point has prepared Domingo to use his past experiences and his present education to impact lives in the future.

Watch more about Juan’s story at: http://bit.ly/JuanDomingo 20 | POINT M AGAZINE

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SAVANNAH TAYLOR ’19 When facing difficult times in high school, Savannah Taylor could have turned to a lot of places for comfort.

But she found the support she needed on a potter’s bench in a ceramics class.

And from those high school art classes, she found her passion and God’s call on her life.

Taylor hopes to use her love and talent for art to help other people who are struggling, through the profession of art therapy. Art therapy uses the soothing practice of art to bring about healing through counseling. Art therapy can take any form: drawing, sculpting, painting — anything that allows a person to naturally release his or her emotions through the creative process.

“Art has helped me so much as a person,” Taylor says, “and I realized I can help other people through the art process.”

While Taylor is naturally gifted at art — even selling her drawings online and at markets — her degree from Point University in counseling and human services will supply her with the academic and practical knowledge necessary to help people recover from difficult circumstances.

Taylor has personal experience going through counseling, and understands first-hand how counselors can help people grow and understand

themselves, God and others better.

Though she loved art, she wanted to pursue a degree that would prepare her for a future of lasting impact. Whether or not she could use art, she wanted to learn ways that she could help people.

While she could have chosen any art institute, she chose Point because of how it would prepare her professionally and spiritually to live out her passion in the workplace. Through professors and other mentors, Savannah has been encouraged to pursue her God-given calling, both inside and outside the classroom.

“Art is a part of my faith because God gave me this ability to spread love through art,” says Taylor. “My favorite part of art is that it’s a meditation time for me to focus on what God has in front of me instead of the craziness in the world.”

Currently, Taylor volunteers with Feast, a local campus ministry, caring for other students at Point. You can find her art pieces, often with quotes from worship songs and Bible verses, hung in student residence hall rooms throughout campus — one way Taylor is already using her talent to spread love to those around her.

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he students who first graced the halls of what was then Atlanta Christian College, back in the fall of 1937, would be surprised to see what today’s college classrooms look like.

Projection screens that come down from the ceiling, students using tablets and laptops, live polling and quizzing using text responses — all of it is a far cry from the desks, chairs and chalkboards of the previous century.

But technology isn’t just changing the way students learn inside the classroom. Today’s students can choose to learn entirely online — some never setting foot in a physical classroom during their entire educational experience.

shutterstock; clayton state univ.

Point students have been using online tools to complete homework and independent assignments for a number of years. For example, when the adult degree completion program launched in 2008, students attended class just Meet the Faculty one night a week, spending the rest of their Dr. Dina Swearngin Chair, Department of educational time completing work online.

Health Sciences The University has also offered a few online WHAT DO YOU THINK classes here and there, for both traditional MAKES POINT’S and adult students. But it wasn’t until 2014 ONLINE PROGRAMS that Point jumped into the market for fully UNIQUE? online degree programs, thanks to a five-year Point integrates faithbased learning in all strategic plan called Point 2020. programs. There is a way “This plan recognized that Point was being to minister to the masses ‘outpaced in degree program offerings’ by no matter what degree field you choose. Sometimes it takes an activity or a course to show exactly how to its competitors,” says Dr. Christopher Davis, integrate faith into someone’s daily career, but that’s vice president for graduate and professional the beauty of Point. Biblical focus is throughout all curstudies. “The trustees therefore approved ricula, and this is something I’m very excited about. strategic initiatives aimed at developing new I also love the carousel-type learning format. It’s a shorttraditional, online and graduate programs. In ened course length, so the students could feasibly complete degrees at a faster pace than at other universities.

2015, Point formed the College of Graduate It keeps the students moving toward the degree and and Professional Studies, or CGPS, to spearthey see results more quickly than traditional formats. head the rapid growth of its online, graduate WHAT IS ONE THING YOU THINK WOULD SURand nontraditional programs.”

PRISE PEOPLE ABOUT ONLINE LEARNING? And things have certainly taken off from For students, yes, you can go to class in your PJs, and faculty can, too, for that matter . . . My master’s prothere: “Point currently offers 31 online program was 100 percent online, so I have the experience grams, so we’ve come a long way since 2014! as an online student and as an online professor. I also

By August 2018, we plan to launch 12 additionhave experience developing online curriculum. From my experience, online courses give the student more al programs, for a total of 43 online degrees,” one-on-one time with the instructor, rather than standsays Davis. The University’s goal is to reach

ing in line in a classroom for a brief moment to ask a question. I find my relationships with my online students to be more in-depth than those inW the classroom.

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Prof. Philip Partain Information Technology Program Coordinator

WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES POINT’S ONLINE PROGRAMS UNIQUE?

The focus on spiritual formation is a defining characteristic. I’ve never seen another university that places such an emphasis on this in all of their programs. In addition to that, the academic qualifications, the professional experience, the personal standards, and the dedication to the students and mission of Point University make the faculty and staff an impressive, and extremely unique, aspect of the programs.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU THINK WOULD SURPRISE PEOPLE ABOUT ONLINE LEARNING? It’s hard to narrow it to only one thing. Many unfamiliar with quality online programs are surprised when they realize it’s not a “shortcut” to a degree. It’s more convenient for a lot of people and, as such, provides opportunities that weren’t previously available, but it’s certainly no shortcut.

60 fully online programs by August 2020, and, as Davis points out, “extend Point’s Christian influence into new fields.”

Davis says that business has been one of the first areas of growth, with the CGPS Department of Business and Leadership designing 13 new programs in two years. One of those is the University’s first MBA, with a focus in business transformation.

Another area of focus is the fast-growing field of health care. “In August, we launched online A.A. and B.S. degrees in public health and healthcare administration,” explains Davis. “Next fall, we intend to start three or four additional programs that equip students for work in medical office and hospital settings. As Jesus told his disciples, ‘Heal the sick and tell them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you”’ (Luke 10:9). To lead these efforts, we recently organized a CGPS Department of Health Sciences, chaired by Dr. Dina Swearngin, R.N. Davis points out that there is high demand for online programs, with only 13-14 percent of today’s students enrolled in what would be considered traditional, residential programs. The other 86-87 percent of students are enrolled in nontraditional programs, such as online degrees. “Point’s online initiative enables the University to reach out to this very large group of students with faith-based higher education that points them to Christ,” he says. “In the past few months, over 200 new students have enrolled in Point’s online programs.”

The online degree programs Point offers are high-quality, focused on best practices in the industry. “Our professional instructional designers work closely with faculty to find the best tools and approaches for accomplishing learning goals,” says Davis. “Earlier this year, a national organization ranked Point’s online courses among the top ten percent in the nation.”

Davis, a veteran of Christian higher education, says it is a “kingdom investment that yields enormous returns.” When writing online courses for a university in California 15 years ago, he came to the realization that online course work could allow Christian colleges and universities to reach students around the world.

“Point is blessed with a strong online team, and we’re dedicated to the University mission,” he says. “The University is currently authorized to deliver online university programs to residents of 49 states. Today the nation, tomorrow the world as Point takes the cross everywhere!”

Benefits of Online Learning

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FLEXIBILITY. “Online students must log in to their courses

throughout the week to participate in interactive learning activities and complete assignments,” Davis says. “However, they can choose the times most convenient for them, making it easier to navigate work schedules, family time, church activities and the other demands of life.”

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LOWER COST. Online programs rely on virtual services

— including library resources and IT support — rather than physical classrooms and other amenities. “Point can therefore offer an online degree at less than half the cost of the same degree earned on-ground,” Davis explains.

katherine hamilton

Meet the Faculty

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CURRENT O N L I N E PROGRAMS

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PROGRAMS LAUNCHING IN AUGUST

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O N L I N E DEGREES BY 2 02 0

Point’s Online Degree Programs Programs with an asterisk (*) are scheduled to launch in August 2018; all others are available now.

DEPARTMENT OF ARTS & SCIENCES • A.A. in General Studies • A.S. in Information Technology • B.S. in Information Technology with Concentration in Information Systems Security • B.S. in Information Technology with Concentration in Network Administration DEPARTMENT OF BIBLE AND MINISTRY • A.A. in Christian Ministries • A.A. in Youth Ministry • B.S. in Christian Ministries • Master of Transformative Ministry DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP • A.A. in Accounting • A.A. in Business Administration • A.A. in Healthcare Administration • A.A. in Insurance* • A.A. in Organizational Leadership • A.A. in Social Media Marketing • B.S. in Accounting with Concentration in Forensics & Fraud • B.S. in Business Administration • B.B.A. in Business Administration with Concentration in Logistics Management* • B.S. in Entrepreneurship* • B.S. in Healthcare Administration • B.S. in Management • B.S. in Marketing

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B.S. in Organizational Leadership B.S. in Social Media Marketing MBA in Business Transformation M.S. in Human Resource Management* • Master of Management* • M.P.A. in Public Administration with Concentration in Crisis Management* • MBA in Strategic Management & Leadership* • • • •

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION • A.A. in Child Development • B.S. in Child Development DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SCIENCES • A.S. in Medical Coding & Billing* • A.S. in Medical Office Assisting* • A.S. in Medical Office Management* • A.A. in Public Health • B.S. in Public Health • R.N. to B.S.N. in Nursing (postlicensure completion program)* DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES • A.A. in Criminal Justice • A.A. in Human Relations • A.A. in Psychology • B.S. in Criminal Justice • B.S. in Human Relations • B.S. in Psychology

katherine hamilton

EFFECTIVENESS. “Studies consistently show that, in terms of student learning, online programs are just as effective as traditional online programs,” Davis says.

Meet the Faculty

Dr. Joann Adeogun Chair, Department of Business and Leadership

WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES POINT’S ONLINE PROGRAMS UNIQUE?

What makes Point’s online programs unique is we are catering to a large percentage of working adults (86 to 87 percent) that traditionally enroll online. I would also add many adults are looking for faith-based higher education online. Finally, many of our online programs include more than just earning a degree. For example, the B.S. in social media marketing includes the opportunity to earn the Hootsuite certification. Many of the Point programs also include membership in premier organizations for that specific discipline.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU THINK WOULD SURPRISE PEOPLE ABOUT ONLINE LEARNING?

The one myth that would surprise most about online learning is there is contact with the instructor beyond the online environment. Instructors are actively engaged in the online learning process to include one-onone meetings via Zoom throughout the course. We are here to serve our students and make sure they receive an education that is rooted in knowledge of the subject being taught. It is not unusual for instructors to provide study sessions each Saturday, especially in the areas of accounting, finance, macroeconomics, microeconomics and statistics.

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SPEED TO GRADUATION. “CGPS operates year-

round in six eight-week sessions,” explains Davis. “If students complete two courses per session — the typical load — they may graduate with a 120-credit bachelor’s degree in about three years and four months.”

FIND OUT MORE AT ONLINE.POINT.EDU W IN TER 201 8 | 27

carlos guzman ’18

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BY SARAH HUXFORD

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30 | POINT MAGAZINE

photos courtesy of alex pirkle ’19

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photos courtesy of alex pirkle ’19

ALUMNI AROUND THE WORLD

photos courtesy of tavaris taylor ‘13

Tavaris Taylor ’13 first

visited Puebla, Mexico as part of a social entrepreneurship course at Point during his senior year. But at the time, he considered it more of a path to early graduation than a path to his future calling.

“I had never been out of the country, and was not really amped about going, if I am being honest,” Taylor says, “but I saw the opportunity.”

After ten days in Mexico, Taylor had enjoyed himself, but wasn’t thinking of coming back. Then he met Dr. Tom Basile, director of the Business as Mission center in Puebla.

“Dr. Basile explained to the class — in his white pickup truck — about a new endeavor he was starting that would provide funding and training for Christian leaders who wanted to start businesses that would benefit their community as well as present the message of Christ,” Taylor says. “I instantly was intrigued and felt God tugging at my heart. I exited the truck and leaned on the car in front of me, and Dr. Alan Kemper said these words to me: ‘I know that look on your face; I had the same look before I moved to Spain for two years.’”

Sure enough, Taylor ended up moving to Puebla, working with CMFI’s Business as Mission center, as well as El Pozo, the Globalscope campus ministry to students. “I believe the thing that spoke to me the most was my belief that college is the most influential period in a person’s life,” Taylor says. “I believe as Christians, we have a responsibility to this age group not to abandon them and to be innovative in our approach to presenting the gospel to them.”

Taylor’s schedule as a campus minister revolves heavily around students and their activities. “It is not a 9 to 5,” he explains. “I may be at the gym with a student at 6 a.m. and then talking to one at 1 a.m. Every Tuesday we have an event called En Vivo, where we feed students, have music — I sing often — and a message about Jesus. Throughout the week, we do service activities at senior homes, orphanages and hospitals. We recently had several earthquakes, and we did weekly visits to help rebuild homes and feed people. It really is seeing the need and filling it whenever you can.”

In addition to his role as a campus minister, Taylor is himself a student, working on a master’s degree at La Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP), the University that El Pozo serves. “I

Above, Taylor with students from the El Pozo campus ministry; at left, Taylor conducting a fine arts group at UDLAP.

sing with the chorus as well as act in many of the school plays,” he says. “I am grateful to God because I have a scholarship to sing, so I often travel with the fine arts department around the country, which has been an amazing way to get to know students. I have been able to share the faith with so many students and people who, without this opportunity, I probably would never have met.”

Taylor says the people of Mexico are warm and inviting, always wanting to make others feel at home in their country. He jokes, “The food is not too bad, either!”

“Point, in many ways, shaped my world view,” Taylor adds. “I see everything I do as making the sacrifice and love of Jesus visible. Whether I am in governmental or business meetings or boxing with students, everything can be a opportunity to make the cross visible. Point prepared me for life, not just academically, but spiritually. Point prepared me to understand cross-cultural living, business and ministry. My father often reminds me that Point University was one of the best things to happen to me, and I would have to agree.”

To learn more about supporting Tavaris Taylor ’13 and his ministry in Puebla, Mexico, visit cmfi.org/ttaylor.

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