IMPACT A P U B LICAT IO N O F R EGE N T UN I V E R SI T Y
VOL. 5 ISSUE 5 MAY 2014
eSpeakinge TruthtoEmpower Rising conservative voice Dr. Ben Carson inspires Regent grads to share knowledge, show courage
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enjamin S. Carson Sr., M.D., is best known for his groundbreaking work as a pediatric neurosurgeon and as the man who “spoke truth to power” at the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. Before a crowd that included President Barack Obama, Carson shared his views on the danger of political correctness, the importance of education and the “big problem” posed by America’s staggering national debt.
spiritual times, times of renewal. There’s no place that I’d rather be than here today.”
On the morning of May 3, 2014, Carson spoke truth to empower graduates, family members and friends who gathered under a beautiful blue sky for Regent University’s 34th commencement ceremony in Virginia Beach, Va. Having served on Regent’s board of trustees for many years, Carson told Impact minutes before his commencement address, “We’ve always had such wonderful times here:
“[I want the graduates to understand] the importance of having enough courage to stand up for your convictions, because
C H R I S T I A N
L E A D E R S H I P
He also shared what he hoped the Class of 2014 would take away from his speech, “The main thing I want people to understand is: The person who has the most to do with what happens to you in life is you. It’s not the environment, and it’s not other people. … God has given you these opportunities for a reason and not to just squander them.
INSIDE: SOWING SEEDS OF LITERACY READY TO CHANGE THE WORLD
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SPEAKING TRUTH TO EMPOWER — CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
there’s a tendency for people to want to ‘go along to get along.’ … Well, if all of our ancestors had done that, we wouldn’t be free today.”
childhood nickname — “Dummy” — to become the best and brightest student in his class.
“The person who has the most to do with what “I think there was a reason that God gave us happens to the capacity to dream,” he said. “That dream is sometimes the only you in life thing to drive you when everything else seems is you.” to be falling apart.” Shortly after being introduced by Regent founder, chancellor and CEO Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson, Carson reminded those assembled that America “is still a place of dreams.”
Carson spoke at length about his dream of becoming a doctor despite being raised by a single mother in dire poverty. But through Sonya Carson’s hard work, thrift, determination and prayer, young Ben was able to shed his brutal
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“The most important thing my mother did for us was not to accept excuses,” Carson explained. “Because if you don’t accept excuses, particularly with young people, that forces them to look for solutions. It forces them to take on responsibility. Generally speaking, when you look at people who are successful, they are people who accept responsibility and don’t make a lot of excuses.”
Expressing his concern over America’s current decline, Carson said, “We can do better … I’m hoping that many of you will move into legislative arenas and will exercise some wisdom and some direction from God to be able to learn from mistakes that have been made in the past.”
REGENT UNIVERSITY
“Knowledge is a formidable foe of falsehood and a formidable ally of truth,” Carson added. “And if we have a nation
“exceptional nation.” He pointed to heroes of the American Revolution (Nathan Hale, Patrick Henry and George Washington) and the troops who stormed the beaches at Normandy in World War II and “changed the course of the world.” “We will become an even more exceptional nation because of the courage that you have,” Carson insisted. “When you sing the National Anthem the next time and you get to the end of that first stanza … don’t just allow those words to roll off your tongue. But remember that it is impossible to be free if you’re not brave.”
armed with knowledge, it will be very difficult for that nation to be deceived. We have to once again get back to that point because that will be the most significant safeguard against the kind of deception that will fundamentally change the United States of America.” With his closing words, Carson encouraged graduates to recognize the “enormous courage” that’s needed to make America an
Watch Dr. Ben Carson’s commencement address at: regent.edu/impact For more information about Regent University’s degree programs call 800.373.5504 or visit regent.edu/academics
CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP TO CHANGE THE WORLD
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SOWING SEEDS OF LITERACY
Regent’s 2014 Alumnus of the Year, Kevin Turpin, is investing in the lives of at-risk youth
After receiving the 2014 Alumnus of the Year Award during Regent’s commencement ceremony, Kevin Turpin ’01 (Divinity) was beaming with joy: “What an honor today is. Out of all of the alums who could have been selected, there are some really fine folks who have gone through Regent, and they’re doing great things. I just feel so humbled that I would even be considered, let alone be chosen.” Motivated by a vision for community transformation, Turpin is the founder and executive director of the Life Enrichment Center (LEC) of Norfolk, Va., an inner-city outreach of New Life Providence Church in Virginia Beach. His work has earned him unprecedented access throughout Norfolk City Public Schools, overseeing literacy and mentoring programs for at-risk youth and adult populations. “My heart has always been to give back to those who are less fortunate, especially through urban ministry,” says Turpin. “I believe in finding the greatest need and then sowing in that place. That’s what Jesus would do, and that’s what He commissioned us to do.” In 2007, four years after founding the LEC, Turpin launched a literacytraining program for children, forming a partnership with a Title One public school in an impoverished neighborhood in Norfolk. Eventually, the literacy outreach became the primary thrust of the LEC, with Turpin spearheading the creation of literacy labs. Each contains up to 25 computers — all funded through the efforts of the LEC. “So far, we have established three of these centers and have mobilized volunteer tutors to work with the
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children,” he explains. “The vision is to establish one of these labs in every Title One school, for a total of 25 literacy centers. So not only are the students we serve having access to these labs, but the entire school can use this technology.”
heart has “Myalways been
to give back to those who are less fortunate, especially through urban ministry.” Turpin adds that the LEC works with parents to help them understand the significance of their child reading: “That’s one way of making sure that children from poor communities have a level playing field. This way, they can begin to come into their purpose in life through something as simple, but as significant, as reading.” While humbled to be named Regent’s Alumnus of the Year, Turpin also sees it as a signpost from the Lord: “God has ways of encouraging us to let us know that we are on the right path. It’s really special because it’s like God is saying, ‘Stay on this path. Keep digging the wells. Keep moving forward. This is where I want you.’”
To learn more about Regent’s School of Divinity call 800.723.6162 or visit regent.edu/divinity
REGENT UNIVERSITY
Go!
MEET THREE REGENT GRADS READY AND ABLE TO CHANGE THE WORLD During the Chancellor’s Luncheon, held at The Founders Inn immediately after commencement, members of Regent’s board of trustees, deans, vice presidents and honored guests were introduced to three graduates who are poised to change the world. Each one of the newly minted alums shared compelling stories about what brought them to Regent University and where God is taking them next. Gaby Viesca Chavez (Divinity) was joined by her parents and sister who traveled from Mexico to share in her special day. “I am thrilled to be here,” Chavez said. “There is no greater honor than being able to leave this university saying thank you, face to face, to the people who donate money, to the people who support our dreams, to the people who believe in students from other countries coming here and then preparing us to go back and make an impact. … No award is bigger than that.” While Chavez received her master’s degree in theology, she told those in attendance, “Little did I know that I was not coming here to study theology. I was coming here to encounter God.” Kevin Hoffman (Law) is a married father of twin boys who will be clerking for federal judge Henry Morgan in Norfolk, Va. Having been accepted to study law at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Virginia and William & Mary University, Hoffman shared how he listened to the “still, small voice” that told him to attend Regent. “It’s amazing how the loudest things are sometimes not the things that call you somewhere,” he noted. “I can’t thank this university enough for the start that it’s gotten me and the way in which it’s crafted the vision that I have for
a future practicing law. [I’ll be] doing my best to bring Christian leadership to change the world.” As the luncheon began, Rushad Thomas (Government), was literally just minutes away from starting a 12hour drive from Virginia Beach to his new job at The Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation in New Hampshire. Thomas served as a graduate assistant for Dr. Eric Patterson, dean of the Robertson School of Government. “I came to Regent right out of undergrad in Tallahassee, Fla.,” he explained. “From the minute I set foot on campus, I knew that I was home. Every experience I’ve had has just confirmed that over and over again. … I’m just so grateful to this university for everything it has done to make me the man I am today.”
When you support Regent University as an alumnus, student, parent or friend, you play a crucial role in equipping Christian leaders, like Gaby, Kevin and Rushad, to change the world. You can make a financial gift today by calling 800.335.4409, or visiting regent.edu/give.
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REGENT WORLD CHANGER
Ben Kibumba
MBA Student in Kampala, Uganda While pursuing his MBA online through Regent University’s School of Business & Leadership, Ben Kibumba is managing three businessrelated ministries in Kampala, Uganda. “These businesses have helped hundreds of individuals to be empowered out of poverty,” Kibumba writes. “After graduation, I hope to increase my own scope, professionalism and knowledge of managing various businesses as I reach out to my community.” Kibumba is the director of Come, Let’s Dance, a not-for-profit community development organization. He’s also an administrative pastor at Light the World church in Kampala. His long-term goal is to run several successful businesses in Uganda that will lift individuals and entire communities out of poverty: “I consider it a privilege for me to be part of what God is doing through Regent to change the world.” Kibumba attends Regent thanks to the generous support of World Changer Sponsors: “Without this scholarship, I would not be able to study at Regent,” he explains. “I appreciate the people who gave their generous support to make this possible.” Please join the Regent community in praying for Uganda’s Ben Kibumba, this month’s alumni world changer.
REGENT UNIVERSITY
By the Numbers 3,000,000 YEARS
is how long Dr. Ben Carson said it would take to “challenge the capacity of your brain” if you learned a new fact every second.
1,418 STUDENTS
comprised this year’s graduating class — the most in Regent’s history.
53 FIELDS
of study were conferred degrees at commencement.
22 NATIONS
were represented by Regent grads in 2014.
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AT THE CENTER Impact is “centered” on the activities and accomplishments of Regent students, alumni, faculty and staff. At the center of this newsletter is a postage-paid envelope you can use to support the university by check or credit/debit card. You can also make a gift by phone at 800.335.4409, or visit regent.edu/give to donate online.
SPONSOR A WORLD CHANGER The Class of 2014 graduates have taken their first steps toward becoming Christian leaders to change the world. But Regent’s current and future students still need your help. Become a World Changer Sponsor, and support vital scholarship programs for the Class of 2015 and beyond. Visit regent.edu/ worldchanger or call 800.335.4409 to make your best gift now!
REGENT UNIVERSITY
A Message From the Chancellor Dear Friends, It was my honor on Saturday, May 3, to be called upon as chancellor to give a charge to the Class of 2014. I shared words spoken by the prophet Jeremiah on behalf of God almighty: “I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you … to give you a hope and a future (29:11, NIV). After quoting that verse, I told the graduates, “Don’t be afraid of the future.” This world has seen wars, plagues, calamities and all kinds of economic problems. But in all of those trials, God’s people prevailed. The Lord will look after you and me. Jesus tells us several times in Scripture, “Fear not.” I think the greatest sin we can commit is to diminish the power of God by being afraid. Do not be afraid! Do not fear! God holds the future. When you step out into the future, you step out into God. He has a plan for you. That’s not only a charge for those 1,400+ graduates; it’s also a word from the Lord for everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. At this month’s commencement, we said goodbye to the largest graduating class in Regent’s history. If you support the university prayerfully or financially, you had a part in that. Thank you for your help in preparing Christian leaders to change the world. May God richly bless you. In Christ,
Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson Founder, Chancellor & CEO Regent University
BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS, THAT HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL CARRY IT ON TO COMPLETION UNTIL THE DAY OF CHRIST JESUS. PHILIPPIANS 1:6 (NIV)
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Regent University’s Impact is published monthly by the university’s Office of Advancement, free of charge, for alumni and friends of the university. Regent University admits students without discrimination on the basis of race, color, disability, gender, religion or national or ethnic origin. Regent University is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to operate campuses within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associates, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404.679.4500 for questions about the accreditation of Regent University. Opinions expressed in Impact are those of individuals and do not necessarily represent the views of Regent University’s board, faculty, administration or staff. Regent University accepts news submissions from readers but reserves the right to edit based upon clarity, length and content. The university may decline to print material at its discretion. ADV140422
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