Point Magazine | Fall 2022

FALL 2022

TEN YEARS

IN WEST POINT Celebrating a decade on our campus —with a new mascot! p. 10

NEVER GIVE UP One student’s journey from the brink of death to Point University p. 18

CHANGING THE GAME

Point’s female leaders in the athletic department p. 14

His future begins with you.

“I chose Point because I wanted to play basketball, but I stayed because of the community I found here. The faculty and staff truly care about me, my well-being and my development as a well-rounded person. Because of our team’s volunteer work in the community, I’m much more comfortable meeting new people and getting to know them. My time at Point has modeled what genuine service looks like, and it’s something I want to continue doing throughout the rest of my life.”

—Corey Bowen ’22

CHILD AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT MAJOR | FAYETTE, ALABAMA

Be a part of helping students like Corey become the next generation of Christian leaders. Visit point.edu/give to make your gift!

CONTENTS 4 From the President 5 University News ON T HE COV E R The new Skyhawk mascot, photographed by Michael Plank ’92.

Learn more at point.edu/mascot.

ON T HI S PAG E A campus boundary sign, photographed during the University’s first year in West Point — ten years ago! For more memories of that year, turn to page 10.

10

TEN YEARS AGO THIS FALL

12

ARE YOU LISTENING? Eddie Clark asks us to examine our listening to God.

14 billy howard photography

CHANGING THE GAME Fifty years after Title IX changed women’s sports, Point’s athletic department is led by women.

18

NEVER GIVE UP Christian Cosme ’20, ’23 and his extraordinary journey to Point.

FALL 2022 | 3

FROM THE PRESIDENT

POIN T M AG AZI NE Volume 61, Number 1 Fall 2022 EDITOR/DESIGNER Sarah G. Huxford ASSISTANT EDITOR Amber Rasmussen CONTRIBUTORS Kassi Butcher Mae Snyder ’23

Even in this hectic season, we want to pause and remember an unprecedented experience we had a decade ago, when we made our historic move from East Point to West Point. In this issue, you’ll find a photo collage from that transformative moment. The photo of me above was actually taken during that first year in our new hometown. The rest of this issue will celebrate all we’ve accomplished since then!

As you read, you’ll get to know a few of the women who are leading our athletic department.

As you’ve seen from the cover, we are adding a new “team member” in athletics this fall — our first Skyhawk mascot! (You can help us name it by visiting point.edu/mascot, by the way.)

Of course, life at Point University is not just about sports. I think you will benefit from one of our professors and veteran educators as he offers advice about listening to the Lord. You will also be inspired by alumnus Christian Cosme and his determination to live well and even victoriously through tragedy.

I hope you’ll enjoy this issue celebrating our first decade in West Point, Georgia. And even better, put Homecoming weekend on your calendar for October 21-22 and plan on visiting us later this fall!

By His grace, Dean C. Collins ’79 President

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CONTACT US: Point University Attn: Point Magazine 507 West 10th Street West Point, GA 31833 706-385-1000 editor@point.edu © 2022 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.

gary chapman

A

nyone who lives in the Deep South knows that fall doesn’t bring much temperature change until late November — but every college campus knows it is fall by the activity level on campus! At Point University, we are experiencing both the heat and the busyness of the fall semester with all of its activities.

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.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

SNAPSHOT

mae snyder ’23

Point University awarded 130 degrees in May! Alumni from the classes of 2020 and 2021, whose commencement ceremonies were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, were welcomed back to officially cross the stage. During the ceremony, the University also awarded its first bachelor’s degrees in special education.

More details available at point.edu/news.

FALL 2022 | 5

HEADLINES Garibaldi Honored with Teaching Award Peter Garibaldi, instructor in business, is the recipient of this year’s Vulcan Teaching Excellence Award.

The award annually honors an outstanding faculty member who demonstrates strong academic skills in the classroom and provides leadership and support in the other areas of campus life. The recipients are faculty who assist the institutions in nurturing an academic climate which fosters teaching and who provide leadership to enhance the campus community.

University News To read the latest Point news, visit our website at point.edu/news.

Point Professor Appointed to State Board Dr. Greg Moffatt ’88, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Point University, has been named to the Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists for the State of Georgia. The board licenses mental health professionals who work throughout the state.

Moffatt was recently sworn in by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.

Moffatt, who is professor of counseling psychology at Point, is also a licensed counselor, a published author, a columnist for newspapers and Counseling Today, and a frequent public speaker. He served for nearly ten years as a regular lecturer at the FBI Academy, a profiler with the Atlanta Cold Case Squad, and consultant to numerous airlines, businesses and schools.

“Dr. Moffatt’s appointment to the Georgia Composite Board is a great honor and a fitting recognition of his service and professional expertise,” said Dr. Stephen Waers ’07, chief academic officer. “Point University is grateful to have such a well-respected leader as the dean of the College

of Social and Behavioral Sciences.”

“I’m honored to have been selected by Governor Kemp to serve on the composite board, but even more so, I’m honored by the shower of support and encouragement I’ve received from my clinical colleagues in the field,” said Moffatt.

“That means as much to me as recognition from the governor.”

For more information about Point’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and its programs, visit point.edu/academics.

Dan Garrett: Great

to reunite these two outstanding Point University grads. Jalen Gardner, youth pastor at Canvas Church in Cumming, brought volunteers to help with the egg hunt.

Kadaymen Johnson is one of our great Christian City house parents, and always has a smile. Fun day!

6 | POINT MAGAZINE

@cfa_montgomeryville:

We have a special announcement that has our students jumping for joy!

Free tuition is now available to our team!!

Point University’s partnership with us offers you the opportunity to earn your college degree tuition-free!

🐮♥

@lexiarter: signed and

💙💛🏐

sealed #skyhawk #pointuniversity #collegeathlete

#

@pointuswimming: West Point Lake Dragon Boat Race #togetherwefly 🏻 🏿 🏽

🐉🛥 🏊🏊🏊

Share your tweets, Facebook posts and Instagram photos with the Point community! Tag your posts with #pointuniversity or #togetherwefly.

georgia governor’s office; social media photos courtesy of users

WHAT'S TRENDING

HEADLINES

TEN YEARS IN

West Point 2012

Main campus moves from East Point to West Point

2013 Ribbon cutting of Point University Dining Hall Added men's and women's golf, tennis and cheerleading

2014 Naming of the J. Smith Lanier Academic Center and the Scott Fine Arts Center

Introduction of the first online program

2015 Added men's and women's swimming Launch of Marching Skyhawks Band

2016 josh sells ’01; infographic by amber rasmussen

Launch of graduate programs

2017 Expansion of downtown West Point student housing

2019 Completion of Band Building renovation

POINT LAUNCHES SUBSCRIPTION PROGRAM FOR BUSINESS OWNERS T

his year, the University launched a new program allowing business owners to pay a single fee allowing their employees to take online courses at Point tuition-free.

The program was developed after lengthy conversations with a group of local restaurant owners. The group wanted to find a way to recruit and retain high-quality employees, while offerJuan Domingo ’18, left, and Josh Sells ’04, right, with Jarvis ing them an opportunity James ’26, who is enrolled in the new program at Point. to complete their college “By choosing to join our subscription education in the online program.

Each business owner enrolled in the model, business owners can provide subscription program pays an annual fee their employees the opportunity to earn to cover tuition for all of their employees. a college degree with little to no student Students can pursue certificate prodebt,” said President Dean Collins ’79. “In grams, undergraduate degrees or gradutoday’s higher education economy, that is ate degrees. Students are asked to apply an enormous benefit to employees.” for any federal or state tuition grants or The program has been a tremendous scholarships for which they may be eligi- success thus far, with nearly 1,000 students ble, and they are asked to pay for their already engaged in the enrollment process. own books.

Josh Sells ’04, who operates the “This alliance is a completely new Commerce Avenue Chick-fil-A location approach to business partnerships and in nearby LaGrange, Georgia, was eager educational benefits,” said Tiffany Wood, to become part of the program. vice president of strategic initiatives and “We are excited to be able to offer this partnerships. “It allows business ownopportunity to our team members,” said ers to change employees’ lives and have Sells. “We are committed to investing in even greater impact in their communithe futures of our team members, and ties. It also allows Point to expand our we believe this is a great way to do it.” impact and serve students we may not “Our team is thrilled to be a part of have had access to otherwise.” this historic moment in Point’s story,” The strategic partnerships team is added Wood. actively pursuing connections with other To find more information about Point University’s restaurant owners and with business subscription program, visit point.edu/partnerships leaders in other industries.

FALL 2022 | 7

HEADLINES

CAREER CENTER REOPENS WITH NEW LEADERSHIP by amber rasmussen

For many students, the day they graduate college is one of the most exciting times of their lives. The world is full of seemingly endless possibilities. But for some students, college graduation and the post-college years can be intimidating as they are thrust into the unfamiliar professional world.

To help guide students through this transition and prepare them for successful, fulfilling careers, many institutions offer a career services center to students. These centers help students learn to write cover letters and resumes, prepare for interviews, and find internships and employment after graduation.

After a period of transition, Point relaunched its career center, rebranded as Skyhawk Career Services, in spring 2022. The center is preparing for its first full academic year on campus, led by the new director of career services, Dr. Jacoba Durrell.

Durrell has a multi-faceted background which contributes to her vision and passion for career services at Point. She spent 15 years with the Auburn Police Department before pivoting to Central Alabama Community College to work in correctional education. She also worked with a work release center in Childersburg, Alabama, to redevelop their correctional education program. After finishing her doctoral degree, Durrell began working at Point in February 2022 as professional learning and career services director.

Durrell’s vision and goals for Skyhawk Career Services extend far beyond the next academic year, but her primary goal is to establish career services within each individual academic program offered at Point.

“In the past, students had to come to the career center,” said Durrell. “Now, we want the career center to come to them.”

By customizing the career services experience to each individual program, Durrell and her team can offer more specialized assistance for students, whether they are searching for internships, networking opportunities or post-graduation employment. Instead of hosting large, general career fairs for all students, career services can invite two or three professionals in a specific field to campus to speak to students studying within that field.

“One of the biggest issues we see is that students don’t recognize how the classes they’re taking will translate into their future jobs. We want to help them see that connection,” explained Durrell.

Allowing students to learn from those individuals who are already working in the field is another priority for Skyhawk Career Services. The information students learn in the 8 | POINT MAGAZINE

classroom is incredibly valuable, but real-life experience is a completely different form of learning.

“We want to invite people who are paving the way for our current students, so they can share their knowledge with students and help them be more successful,” said Durrell.

Durrell believes that Skyhawk Career Services serves a vital role at Point by bridging the gaps between where students currently are and where they want to be. One of the biggest obstacles students face today is not recognizing the tools necessary to obtain a job after graduating college.

“We have incredibly intelligent students struggling to find employment after graduating because they don’t know how much work and experience is required to get that job,” explained Durrell. Many fields require hands-on experience, including for entry-level positions. Even the process of applying for jobs requires skill and determination, which few students realize.

“It takes a lot of work,” said Durrell. “You have to be really determined and persistent, even just to get one interview. It doesn’t happen automatically.”

Durrell’s long-term goal for Skyhawk Career Services is to develop and produce students who are not only intelligent and knowledgeable in their various fields, but who are confident in what it takes to get a job in their field and can be more confident, competitive employees.

One new initiative launched by Skyhawk Career Services is the Career Closet, which provides students with business casual clothes, free of charge, to borrow for business opportunities.

“Many of our students have to work while going to school, but not many of them are using their money to purchase professional clothes that they’ll wear for one interview,” said Durrell.

To help bridge this gap, Skyhawk Career Services will accept donated business attire for both men and women. The clothes will be cleaned regularly, and the Career Closet will operate on the honor system. Students can borrow the clothes when they need them, either for an interview, internship or any event that requires business casual attire, and they can return the clothing items to the Career Closet when they no longer require them.

The Career Closet is the first of many initiatives Durrell will implement to grow Skyhawk Career Services, but she says the first step is making students aware of their presence on campus.

“Awareness is the biggest priority. We want students to know that we’re here, and we want to help,” said Durrell.

The goal of Skyhawk Career Services is that in a world of constant change and instability, students can find peace in knowing that they are well-prepared for what lies ahead in the employment market.

“We’re really excited for the future of the career center here at Point,” said Durrell.

To find more information about Skyhawk Career Services, including resume tips and the dates of upcoming career fairs, visit point.edu/careercenter

FALL 2022 | 9

michael plank ’92/chattahoochee creative

HEADLINES

CELEBRATING TEN YEARS IN WEST POINT After announcing the University’s relocation to West Point in February 2011, the University opened for its first academic year on the new campus in August 2012. This year, we’re celebrating the ten-year anniversary of that important time in Point’s history. Join us at Homecoming, October 21-22, for the big celebration!

Also that August, President Collins signed an articulation agreement with leaders from nearby Southern Union State Community College.

The former West Point-Pepperell headquarters, known around town as the 507 Building, was renovated to provide classroom, office and study space. It is now known as the Lanier Academic Center, in honor of longtime supporter and trustee J. Smith Lanier II.

The Academic Center’s courtyard, later named for Denver and Helen Sizemore, quickly proved to be a popular gathering space for students.

Before the start of classes in August 2012, community members hosted a cookout for students, faculty and staff at the Valley Sportsplex.

10 | POINT M AGAZINE

Everyone was a “new” student on an unfamiliar campus in fall 2012! Both first-time and returning students had to learn now to navigate Point’s new facilities.

The Valley Field House provided workout space for Point’s student-athletes as the University added intercollegiate sports.

The main lobby of the Academic Center has a cross fountain as the

central feature — a visible reminder of Point’s commitment to taking the cross everywhere.

Later that academic year, Betty Jo McKinney — wife of the late Prof.

Roy McKinney — visited campus for the grand opening of the Dining Hall and new McKinney’s Coffeehouse location. She created the stained glass artwork hanging above the counter.

At the first Homecoming in West Point, in October 2012, students and alumni celebrated at a football tailgate event.

Another renovated facility, which provided classroom and rehearsal space for music students, was later named for the Bill and Martha Scott family, dedicated local supporters of the University and the Point fine arts program.

ARE YOU

LISTENING? DISCERNING HOW GOD IS SPEAKING TO US

C

an you hear me now? How many times have you asked that question during a phone call or in a Zoom session? Are you listening to me? How many times has that question been asked to or by your spouse, a significant other, children, grandchildren, other family members, friends, coworkers and in customer service? For many people, if we hear someone, it means there is sufficient volume for sound, and we are receiving information or a message. However, our focus is usually on building our response to their message by correcting false information or giving unsolicited advice.

In contrast to hearing a message, the act of listening is a journey to understand the speaker, not only through words, but also through emotion, volume, intonation, facial expressions, body language and phrasing. The ultimate goal of listening is to acknowledge the speaker, their message, summarize the content of the message to verify that you understood the speaker correctly, and to reflect on the message before providing a response in words or action. In listening, we seek to understand, not to be understood. During 41 years of serving students, families and colleagues as an educator, I have learned that after listening

12 | POINT MAGAZINE

to someone, my response must be focused on the speaker and not just my own expertise, experience, rationales or advice.

As I go about my daily activities with multiple opportunities to listen to others, the following question from God formulates in my mind with greater frequency as the years go by: “Eddie, are you listening to me?” While I have no problems talking to God throughout the day, I certainly could spend more time in listening to what God is saying to me, and then responding to His direction.

I must confess that listening to God will always take me out of my comfort zone, my agenda, my choices of what I can do for God. Listening to God will challenge me to do things like encouraging and forgiving others, sharing the love of Jesus with strangers and enemies, opening my home and my heart to people who are hurting, and even teaching at a university and writing an article for a magazine! Listening to Him will open me up to multiple opportunities to strengthen my faith and trust that God is always in control, Jesus is Lord and the Holy Spirit is my guide.

I don’t always like what I hear when listening to God, I don’t always agree with Him, and I

shutterstock

BY EDDIE CLARK

can produce many reasons why I don’t think His direction is appropriate for me. However, I have never regretted listening and responding to God’s direction, even when the result was not what I expected, wanted or prayed for in earnest.

Reflecting on God’s question about listening causes my mind to wander back to my earliest memories of growing as a Christian after accepting Jesus as my Savior and Lord — back to Vacation Bible School, when it lasted for a whole week, Sunday to Sunday. I loved the Bible stories, Bible drills, Scripture memorization, crafts, recreation time and those crème-filled cookies accompanied by that small cardboard carton of orange drink.

However, my favorite part of Bible School was the opening ceremony, when we said pledges of allegiance to the American flag, the Christian flag and the Bible. Most often, I was chosen to hold one of the flags and present it during the appropriate pledge. While I only got to do it one or two times, my favorite job was to hold the Bible. I can still recite that pledge we said over 50 years ago: “I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s Holy Word.

I will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path, and I will hide its Word in my heart, that I might not sin against God.” That pledge started me on my own journey of listening to God — not just because I was taught to do that by my parents, my Sunday school teachers, or my pastor, but because I wanted to listen to Him. For me, listening not only involved praying and hearing sermons, but also studying God’s word, memorizing His word, and learning the truths, promises, commands, stories and encouragement found in the Bible. Every time I opened the Bible, I always pictured this bright lantern illuminating my path, but only a few steps at a time. Listening, trusting and following the lighted path has led me to where I am today.

Why is it easier to listen to other people than to listen to God? Is it because I only listen to people who tell me what I want to hear? If I don’t like what people say, I can walk away, hang up the phone, ignore or delete a text, or end a meeting. Listening to God involves actively engaging in His presence, trusting Him, and longing for that relationship. In a noisy world of daily life, unexpected challenges, constant changes, loss, temptations, chaos, prayers yet to be answered, unbridled emotions and mounting anxiety, let me ask a few questions for you to ponder.

How bright is the lamp at your feet?

What path is illuminated for your next steps?

What is God saying to you?

Are you listening?

I challenge you to read the two passages below slowly and out loud as you listen to God speaking in your life. The first passage comes from a book titled Psalms Now, by Leslie Brandt. The second has been a favorite Bible passage of mine to pray since childhood.

The Lord is my constant companion.

There is no need that He cannot fulfill Whether His course for me points To the mountaintops of glorious ecstasy Or to the valleys of human suffering, He is by my side.

He is ever present with me.

He is close beside me When I tread the dark streets of danger, And even when I flirt with death itself, He will not leave me.

When the pain is severe He is near to comfort When the burden is heavy He is there to lean upon When depression darkens my soul, He touches me with eternal joy When I feel empty and alone, He fills the aching vacuum with His power My security is in His promise to be near to me always, and in the knowledge that He will never let me go.

—Psalm 23 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”

—Proverbs 3:5-6 Do you think that hiding these passages in our hearts could help open our ears to not only hear God, but to really listen as He speaks directly to us?

If I could add a phrase to the end of my VBS pledge to the Bible, I would write the following: “I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s Holy Word. I will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path, and I will hide its Word in my heart that I might not sin against God – and might listen with anticipation as he speaks directly to me.”

Eddie Clark is director of disability services and associate professor of education at Point.

FALL 2022 | 13

michael plank ’92/chattahoochee creative

CHANGING THE ————

14 | POINT M AGAZINE

GAME ————————————— a new era of female leadership in point athletics

This summer marked the 50th anniversary of title ix, legislation that ensured opportunities for women to compete in athletics. on these pages, you’ll meet some of the women — themselves former studentathletes — who are leading the skyhawks off the field and the court.

BY KASSI BUTCHER

michael plank ’92/chattahoochee creative

T

aylor Jennings joined Point University athletics in 2019 as director of compliance.

In fall 2021, Jennings earned the title of Senior Woman Leader, an NAIA designation for the highest-ranking woman in an athletic department or conference office. This summer, she was named the department’s assistant athletic director.

Jennings grew up around athletics and began playing sports, specifically T-ball and basketball, at age five. She played softball and basketball through her senior year of high school and continued her basketball career at Berry College. She graduated from Berry in 2014 with a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology and completed a master of science degree in kinesiology-biomechanics from Auburn University in 2016. Through her experiences at Berry and Auburn, she became passionate about a career in athletics.

“While at Berry, I worked under the associate director of athletics and helped oversee day-to-day operations of the athletic and recreation facilities.

This position allowed me to experience first-hand that I had a passion for working in athletics,” Jennings says. “I served as a graduate assistant for athletics at Auburn and worked within game day operations and gained behind-the-scenes experience of what it takes to host home football and basketball games. This experience allowed me to confirm further my passion for working in athletics.”

Athletics was not Jennings’s first choice in her career path, as she had initially planned to be a physical therapist. But God had a different plan for her life — a plan that now has her serving as second in command for the Point Athletic Department. Her upbringing in sports contributed to her passion for working in the collegiate sports world.

Through her years of playing, she developed skills

in competition that led to her work ethic and allowed her to build lifelong relationships and establish mentors who still guide her. She hopes the life lessons she learned as an athlete will allow her to positively influence the lives of others who want to pursue a career Assistant Athletic Director in athletics.

According to the latest data from Zippia, more than 6,119 assistant athletic directors are currently employed in the United States, with 26 percent of all assistant athletic directors being women. This number has increased from only 21 percent in 2017. Jennings says that as the number of women in leadership roles continues to rise, she hopes it will inspire young women to grow as leaders and believe in equity in leadership.

“I think it’s important for women to be in leadership roles,” she says. “It provides a more diverse representation of women’s interests, experience and perspective when making critical decisions.”

As a leader in the athletic department, Jennings’s goal for the 2022-23 academic year is to pursue excellence alongside the rest of the department, seeking to provide opportunities for Point’s student-athletes to grow, not only as athletes, but also in academics and faith.

Taylor Jennings

FALL 2022 | 15

I

t’s been nearly a year since Jaunelle White took the reins of Point University’s Athletic Department and ushered in a new era of leadership. In her first year at the department’s helm, White has overseen three programs earning NAIA National Tournament appearances, vice president of one earning an Appalachian intercollegiate athletics Athletic Conference Championship, three student-athletes being named All-Americans, and student-athletes receiving nearly 100 All-Conference Awards.

In White’s first week in office, she introduced the department to her five pillars of success: commitment to excellence, educating and graduating student-athletes, community engagement, fiscal responsibility and have fun/win championships.

Among her five pillars, White shared that a commitment to excellence is one of the most important standards she expects her department to go by.

White is no stranger when it comes to striving for excellence. The Lawrence, Kansas, native grew up playing sports, as both of her parents were coaches. Her parents were her role models, but she knew she didn’t want to become a coach.

She attended Auburn University from 19962002 and excelled on the volleyball court; she was named freshman of the year in 1997 and was a four-time All-SEC honoree. She currently holds records in kills (1,848), total blocks (57), and block average (1.31). She was awarded the Leah Rawls Atkins Award her senior year, the highest award a female Auburn student-athlete can receive. She earned her undergraduate degree in business administration in 2000 and earned her master’s degree in education in 2002.

While at Auburn, White realized that she wanted to work in athletics.

“My interest was sparked by two gentlemen that worked in the Athletic Compliance Office at Auburn,” White says. “I had three semesters left in my master’s program when I finished playing volleyball. They had a graduate assistant position available and thought I would be a good fit. I tend to gravitate toward challenges, so being in a deci-

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jaunelle white

16 | POINT MAGAZINE

sion-making position came naturally.”

White brought nearly 20 years of athletic administrative experience, including at NCAA Division I institutions, to Point last fall. She is an active member of Women Leaders in College Sports, the premier leadership organization that provides women working in college sports opportunities to develop, connect and advance.

Before joining Point, White was honored with the Women Leaders Nike Executive of the Year Award at the Division I level. The award is presented to members of the Women Leaders organization who have made significant contributions as senior-level administrators of intercollegiate athletics.

Her experience and track record of success have opened opportunities for the athletic department to build on the foundation that was already in place and reach new heights.

White says what stood out to her the most about Point was the institution’s Christ-centered values.

“Alignment is an important component of my life,” says White. “I love that Point is a Christ-centered institution of higher learning that believes in the importance of servant leadership.”

“The genuineness of students, faculty and staff is something I have enjoyed about Point,” she adds. “There is a sense of community that I haven’t encountered previously.”

Having strong mentors and having the opportunity to be a mentor has been important to White when it comes to both growing as a leader and growing future leaders in athletics.

“I’ve been blessed with phenomenal mentors throughout my career,” she says. “I intentionally diversify my mentors — age, race, background, educational experience, et cetera. There’s no value in seeking guidance from people that think like me or have the same path. My mentors and professional development opportunities prepared me for this opportunity, and I’m eternally grateful.”

“I believe I’ve been impactful by making myself available for mentorship opportunities and pulling up a seat or two at the proverbial table,” White says. “It’s also important to me to lead by example.

My advice is to stop waiting to check every box on the application. You know whether you’re ready for an opportunity. Step out on faith and let God do the rest!”

michael plank ’92/chattahoochee creative

BY KASSI BUTCHER

michael plank ’92/chattahoochee creative

F

or some, sports are considered a hobby — a fun way to pass the time. For others, sports are a passion, a way of life, a lifeline. Sports are not a simple game, but a metaphor for life and the world. Point University’s sports information director, Kassi Butcher, belongs firmly in the second category.

Butcher began playing softball at age four. Of course, she had no idea then how that simple decision by her parents would form the trajectory of her life. Butcher grew up in a sports-oriented home. Her mother was a stellar athlete in high school and served as the president of their local recreational sports league during Butcher’s childhood. Because of this, Butcher was especially comfortable with women in athletic leadership roles.

“It wasn’t strange to me to see a woman in that role,” says Butcher. “I think other people thought she needed to take a step back, though. My mom being involved in athletics seemed normal to me.”

When Butcher graduated high school, she was offered the opportunity to play softball at Milligan University. She had a successful career there, with her team qualifying for nationals twice in her four seasons. Butcher graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English, but she knew she was not ready to give up athletics after college.

“I honestly felt like I would lose a part of myself if I gave up sports,” says Butcher.

Butcher became interested in the sports information field when she discovered she could combine her love for writing with her passion for athletics. After graduating from Milligan, she accepted a position as the sports information assistant at the university. She also began interning for a minor-league baseball team in Johnson City, Tennessee. Despite many of the challenges of being the only woman in the male-dominated world of professional baseball, Butcher succeeded in building strong relationships with her coworkers and was able to grow in her professional skills during her internship.

In 2020, Butcher decided she wanted to pursue the path of college athletics rather than professional baseball, so she accepted the sports information director

————

BY AMBER RASMUSSEN

position at Point.

In the last two years, Butcher has been able to hone her skills in writing, graphic design and social media content creation. During the academic year, Butcher also manages more sports information Director than 30 student workers, with whom she is able to build relationships.

“The students are more than just athletes. They have a lot going on, and I love that I get to be someone who supports and encourages them,” she says.

Butcher’s passion for sports is what has led her into her role at Point, but she is not naive to the significance of her position, especially as a woman.

“I didn’t set out to be an example of women in sports leadership; I just love sports,” she says. “But now I see how important it is, and I want to focus on being an example and mentor to the other young women who are also passionate about athletics.”

kassi butcher

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HOW ONE POINT STUDENT’S DETERMINATION BROUGHT HIM FROM THE BRINK OF DEATH TO HIS COLLEGE GRADUATION

BY AMBER RASMUSSEN

18 | POINT MAGAZINE

THE BIBLE IS FULL OF MIRACLES. In Exodus, God divides the Red Sea so the Israelites can escape Pharaoh on dry ground. In the book of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are preserved from the dangers of the fiery furnace and Daniel is saved from being ravaged by lions. Then, later on in the New Testament, Jesus performs so many miracles that His disciple John says, “if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25, NRSV). Even after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven, the apostles continued performing miracles everywhere they went as they spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

Despite the biblical evidence for God working in the world through miracles, many people believe God no longer performs miracles. Some think the time for miracles has passed, and from now on, God will only work in practical, logical and scientific ways. While He certainly does do that, He is still God Almighty, and as evidenced in the life of one Point University student, God is surely still performing miracles today.

Christian Cosme ’20, ’23 was born in Puerto during his coma was also the most vivid. In the Rico and grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. In dream, his mom took him to his ex-girlfriend’s 2020, Cosme earned his associate degree from house; he hadn’t seen her in more than seven Point, and he is currently scheduled to graduate years. While there, he explained to his ex that he with a bachelor of business administration in had been in a bad car accident and thought he spring 2023. Cosme’s story of how he arrived at was going to die. As he was speaking with her, a this moment in his life, as a student and athlete, is hospital bed appeared in the middle of her living by no means an ordinary one. room, and suddenly, he was lying in the bed.

In 2016, Cosme was in a life-changing car acci“All of my nurses were there,” says Cosme, dent that severely wounded his body and altered “and all the sounds of the hospital, of course. All the direction of his life. In the accident, Cosme at once, I was filled with this feeling of being broke seven ribs, lacerated his liver and lost his panicked, sick and afraid that I was going to die. I left arm. After the accident, he was in a coma for could feel death coming for me.”

14 days, during which he experienced incredibly In that moment, everyone in the dream room vivid dreams. rushed to his side, but nothing anyone was doing “I had a dream that I was in the NFL draft,” would work to save him. says Cosme. “Dreams of me in the hospital, pull“My heart was racing. I knew that this must ing out all the tubes connected to me and just have been what death feels like,” he says. walking out and going to dinner with my friends.”

Then, a male nurse who was in the room with The last dream Cosme remembers having Cosme walked over to a machine and pressed a

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button. As soon as the button was pressed, Cosme was transported to what seemed to him at the time like space.

It was empty, and he was all alone.

“I felt like I was outside of my body,” he explains.

In this space-like place, all of his panicked and worried feelings disappeared, and he immediately felt at peace.

“I understand now why people say ‘rest in peace’ when someone dies,” he says. “I just felt at peace, just ecstasy. I asked myself, ‘Is this it? Am I going to die? Am I about to meet Jesus?’”

At that moment, as Cosme spoke the name Jesus, he woke up in his hospital bed after two weeks in a coma.

Cosme knew without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus had rescued him, so from that moment on, he vowed to live his life devoted to Christ.

“The first six months after the accident were the toughest. No one knows what it’s like to go through losing a limb,” says Cosme.

His road to recovery was long, but Cosme was more than determined. Before his accident, Cosme had played football. After waking up from the coma, his doctors told him that there was no chance he would ever be able to play football again. Cosme responded, “You don’t know how big my heart is, and you don’t know how big my God is.” He began working out again, and soon he was back on the football field with bandages still on his arms.

Cosme played four seasons of football before the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the upcoming season.

During that time, he was being recruited by a variety of schools, one of which offered him a chance to play football for them, but study and take classes Cosme in the hospital after his accident. with Point.

20 | POINT M AGAZINE

“I thought it must be a sign from God, because for a while, I had been asking Him to point me in the right direction of where I needed to go and what He wanted me to do. I saw the word ‘point’ and I knew it was from God,” he laughs.

Cosme began taking classes online at Point in 2018. He was on track to obtain his associate degree in Christian ministries, but later switched to business administration.

“It took me forever to graduate because of COVID, but I finally did it in 2020,” he says.

The 2020 commencement ceremony was all virtual due to the pandemic, but Cosme was finally able to walk in the April 2022 ceremony and receive his diploma. After completing the bachelor’s in business administration, he plans to pursue a master’s degree through Point’s graduate program.

“Point has been the key for me walking with Christ,” says Cosme. When he promised to live for Jesus after waking up from his coma, he had the dedication, but not the knowledge to share his faith. Point provided him the opportunity to learn about his faith and who Jesus is. Now he is able to share that knowledge and love everywhere he goes, even in the most unlikely places and ways.

Cosme has certainly not shied away from telling his story and using his voice to inspire and empower others.

In December 2021, he published his first book, The Professional Procrastinator: Five Easy Steps to a Well-Balanced Life. In the book, Cosme explains how procrastination can actually boost creativity, and he provides suggestions for how to optimize procrastination for productivity. In 2020, Cosme released his first song, “The Road We Find Ourselves Upon.” He even has his own company, Cyborg Future, LLC. “I started calling myself Cyborg Future after I lost my arm,” says Cosme. “I was told I was going to get a bionic arm, so Cyborg Future came from that.”

It appears as though Cosme’s creativity is only getting started, and it’s been noticed throughout the world.

“The last six months of my life have been extraordinary,” he says.

During the pandemic, Cosme began playing lacrosse.

Over time, he began making videos of himself playing lacrosse and posting them on TikTok and Instagram for fun. All at once, some of his videos started going viral, with thousands of people viewing, liking and commenting on them. Now, Cosme is being invited to meet and spend time with professional lacrosse players; he gets recog-

“WHEN YOU LOOK FOR CHRIST, HE’S THERE. WHEN YOU LEAN ON HIM, HE CAN DO ANYTHING.” —CHRISTIAN COSME

Cosme, number 49 in the above right photo, has amassed a social media following after sharing videos of himself playing lacrosse.

nized in public for his videos and is often asked to sign autographs. While not part of his plan for his future, his lacrosse videos are one of the many ways that God is using him to share the truth about Jesus.

Cosme has an optimistic view of his future. He is in the process of partnering with a California-based startup company called Atom Limbs to be a tester for their new artificial arm, which will be capable of “near-full human range of motion, restore a basic sense of touch, and be mind-controlled.” Through this partnership, Cosme will be one step closer to his long-term goal of helping people by providing them with bionic arms.

Cosme says he thinks the biggest takeaway from his story is simply faith.

“It’s like Jesus’ parable about the mustard seed,” he says.

“When you look for Christ, He’s there. When you lean on him, He can do anything.”

Some would likely view Cosme’s accident as the worst thing that ever happened to him. In the kingdom of God, however, everything is upside down. The first become last and the last become first. In the same way, the worst events in our lives are redeemed and become the very things God uses to shape us and glorify Himself. Cosme’s accident taught him to trust God, and now he gets to use his accident to share God’s great love every day with everyone he meets, whether through literature, art or lacrosse. No matter what, he trusts God, and he makes Him known.

Follow Cosme’s story on Instagram @cyborgfuture_ .

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10 QUESTIONS WITH ONE ALUM Dale Hutchins ’86 1. What made you decide to attend Point?

My junior year of high school, I thought I had things all figured out as far as what I wanted to do when I grew up. One year at North Georgia Christian Camp changed all of that, when Cam Huxford ’78 pulled me to the side and encouraged me to begin asking God what his will was for my life. The more I prayed, the more I felt God calling me to ministry; the more I prayed, the more I felt his calling. After months of prayer, I decided to follow that calling.

2. What’s one thing that really makes your day?

I have discovered that when I start my day off with my quiet time with God, I am better equipped for the day.

4. What’s one item on your bucket list?

To visit the Holy Land.

5. What’s a favorite Bible verse or passage?

“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.

As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9 NLT) 6. What is your favorite Point memory?

Basketball trips in a van can be an adventure.

7. Who’s one person from Point who made a lasting impact on your life?

I could go with Cam Huxford ’78 for obvious reasons, but I am going to go with two other people: Dwight Haymon ’77, because he was the bus captain when I started going to church, and my other 22 | POINT MAGAZINE

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would be Mike Thompson ’85. He was my roommate for a couple of years, but he has been like an older brother to me since we met.

8. “Looking at me, no one would guess...”

That I am a huge Cyndi Lauper and Barry Manilow fan.

9. What are you especially enjoying reading, watching or listening to right now?

Soul Strength: Rhythms for Thriving, by Allan Algram.

10. What does Point’s mission of service and leadership for Christ mean to you?

In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gives The Great Commission to the 11: “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” Point University’s commitment to training up the next generation of disciples is extremely important to the church being equipped to make disciples in an ever-changing world.

Hutchins is lead pastor at Snellville Christian Church in Snellville, Georgia, where he has served since 2019. He and his wife, Victoria, were married in 1988 and have three grown children. Hutchins enjoys people, photography and sports. He is an avid Miami Dolphins, Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves fan!

photo courtesy of dale hutchins ’86

3. What do you value in your friends?

Loyalty! To stick with me when I am a jerk, and to be loyal enough to pull me to the side and tell me that I am being a jerk.

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