Learn more about next year’s Illuminate conference
See highlights of Enactus’ exploratory trip to Uganda
Learn more about making a difference through endowments
Keep up with the building progress of our Ruth McKee School of Business
Register for Homecoming Weekend on October 24-27
President
Ken Shaw, ’80
Vice President for Advancement
Ellen Hostetler
Director of Planned Giving
Kimberly Bobenhausen
Director of Alumni Relations
Cheryl Torres, ’05
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations
John Boone, ’21
Associate Director, Major Gifts
Robert Bovell, ’89
Associate Director, Major Gifts
Matthew Moreland
Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships
Lucas Patterson
Associate Director, Annual Giving
Sandra Araújo-Delgado
Database Manager
Eric Baerg, ’07
Donor Records Coordinator
Candy Reichert
Administrative Assistant
Lori Thompson
“As we celebrate what God has done in the past, we look forward with hope to His leading in the future.”
A Thrilling Time
The 2023-2024 academic year has brought blessings and remarkable growth to Southern Adventist University. We look back and celebrate God’s rich blessings with grateful hearts.
Our enrollment has soared, with winter term numbers increasing by 10% for undergraduates and 19% for graduates. New student applications for Fall 2024 are up by 160 compared to last year, reflecting a growing interest in the Southern experience.
We are excited by the progress of several construction projects across campus, including renovations for the new School of Nursing simulation center, and the makeover of Lynn Wood Hall to support our new Engineering program. Sitework is also underway for the new Ruth McKee School of Business as well as the Southern Mountain Cottages, which will provide additional student housing in anticipation of another year of strong enrollment.
The spiritual culture on campus is vibrant. Students’ interest in Bible studies has grown, prompting us to train more student volunteers to meet the demand. LifeGroups continue to be a cornerstone of spiritual and social connections, with 92% of participants reporting spiritual growth and a meaningful sense of belonging.
Financially, we have surpassed our endowment goal for the fiscal year, reaching $64.7 million. This success is complemented by a record-breaking year for philanthropy, with over $13 million in contributions. Your gifts empower us to fulfill our mission of equipping students to embrace biblical truth, embody academic and professional excellence, and pursue Spirit-filled lives of service. Thank you for your continued support.
It is a thrilling time to be part of the Southern family. As we celebrate what God has done in the past, we look forward with hope to His leading in the future. Working together we are confident that Southern Adventist University will continue to flourish by making a meaningful impact on our students, our community, and the world.
Thank you for being an integral part of our journey.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Ken Shaw, ’80, EdD President
Ephesians
2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do
Small but Mighty: Applied Technology Program’s
Giving Day Success Story
In the quiet halls of Southern Adventist University’s Applied Technology facilities, something extraordinary unfolded during Giving Day 2024 As one of the smallest academic progams on campus, they shocked everyone by smashing their $40,000 goal by 30% to reach $52,265 and 227 donors—the highest fundraising totals of any department during this year’s event Applied Technology offers automotive technology and construction management programs with options ranging from certificates to bachelor’s degrees. A program under the School of Business through Winter 2024, Applied Technology moved to the School of Engineering and Physics this summer. With remarkable growth, doubling its enrollment since 2019 from 31 to 68 students, it’s still small enough to feel like a family.
The program’s Giving Day dream began with a vision to provide state-of-the-art equipment to better prepare students with industry-relevant experience. Andy Baker, assistant professor, believed that as a team, they could tap into support of the program from the construction industry, alumni, parents, and friends to purchase a heavy-duty forklift and a brake lathe for the automotive shop.
“We believed that we could make it happen!”
The planning process leading up to Giving Day was pivotal. Emiko Miyagi, the program’s business manager, led communication and fundraising strategies and planned for hourly challenges, which could yield additional funds. But when it came down to it, it was a simple plan. Everyone from faculty to students would reach out to their network and invite them to support this initiative during Giving Day.
“We displayed the leaderboard during class so students could see it,” Baker recounts with a grin. “We didn’t get as much lecturing done as we should have. I even called some of my contacts in front of my students so they could see the donations coming in, which got them fired up.”
The energy was high all day, according to Colton Snyder, junior construction management major. “We believed that we could make it happen,” he says. “We just got the competition flowing, and everyone was into it.”
Faculty and staff motivated students, emphasizing the importance of this opportunity, and what began as a project morphed into a game. “Once the challenge was issued, it became a competition,” Baker explains. “As some early large gifts were displayed on the screen, the excitement spread among staff and students alike, and they began to believe. I told them we should win every bonus prize—most donors, largest percentage increase of donors, you name it.” And they did. In addition to the dollars raised, Applied
Technology won $11,000 in challenge prizes.
Personal stories from donors left a lasting impact as students, parents, and grandparents joined the effort with gifts of all sizes.
“It showed me that people believe in what we’re doing here,” says Baker. “It felt reassuring.”
His enthusiasm was infectious as he spoke about the deeper motivation behind their story. “God wants us to succeed, as well. He provides through the generosity of others, but if we don’t ask, the answer is always no, every time! In all that we do, we do it with Christ, so we have no regrets.”
Filled with gratitude, Baker outlines the plans for enhancing
the program with the donations. Funds will purchase not only a forklift and a brake lathe, but also a blueprint printer, lumber racks, and hand tools.
The lessons learned from this successful Giving Day are clear. “No excuse not to do it again,” Baker concludes with a smile. “It’s out there—if you want it, go get it. Trust God, involve everyone, and it’s amazing what you can achieve.”
Find more about Giving Day on page 19.
— Sandra Araújo-Delgado,
associate director of Annual Giving
Emiko Miyagi, Applied Technology business manager (front left); Andy Baker, assistant professor (front center); Colton Snyder, junior construction management major (front right); Steve Oskins, instructor/auto service coordinator (back left); Logan Swilling, lead automotive technician (back center); Dale Walters, assistant professor (back right)
Academics Bursting at the Seams
With 758 students, the largest freshman class in Southern Adventist University’s 131-year history set the tone for the 2023-2024 academic year
Ken Shaw, ’80, EdD, president, says, “We are excited that Southern’s reputation of Christian values, academic excellence, and good old Southern hospitality has caused many students to seek the experience Southern offers.”
While the atmosphere on campus has been thrilling, accommodating such a large freshman class presented a few challenges. One hurdle was ensuring there were enough faculty to teach the increased number of freshman classes. Additionally, classroom space was stretched thin, particularly during the popular morning time slots. However, the pressure was alleviated by rescheduling some courses outside of these peak times.
Robert Young, PhD, senior vice president for Academic Administration, shares that class sizes and availability were also adjusted. “We increased the number of class sections for courses typically taken by freshmen and, in some cases, expanded class sizes to meet demand. These measures helped us maintain the quality of education while managing the larger student body.”
Housing posed another challenge, but the university successfully accommodated every student. Additionally, plans are in progress to add more housing by constructing three new Southern Village apartments and 26 Southern Mountain Cottages. This additional student housing ensures that Southern can continue to welcome more students in the future.
The increased enrollment has also had a significant positive impact on spiritual life across campus. Joseph Khabbaz, vice president for Spiritual Life and university chaplain, says, “More LifeGroups have formed, more Bible studies are being given, and the surge in attendance at vespers led us to start a second service.”
This year’s experiences have provided valuable lessons in planning and flexibility, and Southern is prepared to support its continued growth and offer transformative experiences to all students.
— Sandra Araújo-Delgado, associate director of Annual Giving
Southern Entrepreneurs BringIT at Hyve Creators Conference
This year, Southern’s BringIT student organization partnered with HYVE International to co-organize the BringIT National Student Pitch Competition
• Four other Adventist universities (Andrews University, Walla Walla University, Southwestern Adventist University, and Middle East University) attended and participated in the competition.
• Two entrepreneurs from each university pitched their business ideas in hopes of winning grants ranging from $10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second place, and $2,500 for third place.
• The two students chosen to represent Southern this year were Colette Williams, junior marketing major, who owns a small bakery, and Giovanni Leonor, senior business administration major, who owns First Class Travel and Financial Consulting Group.
• Leonor’s pitch for his travel business stood out, earning him first place and $10,000.
— April Espinoza, senior public relations major
Students Win Big at Chattanooga ADDY Awards
Four Southern Adventist University students won awards at the 2023-2024 American Advertising (ADDY) Awards in Chattanooga this spring. Hosted by the American Advertising Federation, the ADDY Awards are the largest creative competition in the world, with a tiered competition starting locally.
“Having an award like this on a student’s resume shows potential employers that he or she has the skills and ambition it takes to succeed in this industry,” explains Mindy Trott, MFA, professor in the School of Visual Art and Design.
Elennie Ramirez, senior graphic design major, won the Student Best-of-Show ADDY, a Judge’s Choice ADDY, a Silver ADDY, and a Gold ADDY. Katie Rose, junior graphic design major, won a Judge’s Choice ADDY and a Gold ADDY. Andrew Boggess, senior mass communication and photography major, and Preston Waters, junior marketing major, won a Silver ADDY together.
“I couldn’t believe it when I won four awards,” Ramirez shares. She had created a series of posters for a television show and a branding campaign for a restaurant during previous semesters. At Trott’s suggestion, she submitted both to the ADDY Awards and won two awards for each submission.
Rose submitted a bus wrap advertisement for a fundraising campaign. Originally, she made the wrap for her Advertising Design class, and Victoria Carlson, adjunct professor in the School of Visual Art and Design, suggested that she submit it to the ADDY awards as well.
Boggess and Waters originally co-produced their winning documentary, “Tremolo,” for their Directing a Documentary class. The film features Emmy Award-winning Gary Fry and his Grammy-nominated son, Cody Fry. The film follows Gary Fry through his college experience and his struggle with choosing music as a profession.
“We’re proud of the time, effort, and tenacity our students put forth. It’s wonderful to see how it has paid off at this stage in their education,” Trott shares.
— Chehalis Eno, junior English major
Harmonies Abroad: I Cantori Tours Spain
This summer, Southern’s select chamber choir toured in Spain after putting its longstanding tradition of travel abroad on pause for several years, due to COVID-19
According to Genevieve Brown-Kibble, DMA, director of Choral Studies, this trip was more than just a tour; it was a mission. “It’s not, ‘Oh, look how well they sang,’ or ‘They sounded magnificent,’ or ‘That piece was so incredible,’ or ‘That composure,’ but rather, we want to draw people to a deeper sense of who Christ is through the literature that we sing.”
Students were challenged to broaden their learning beyond the classroom as they immersed themselves in another culture, formed new relationships, and took the music they had worked on all year to different settings. I Cantori performed 10 concerts during 11 days for appreciative audiences in two schools, four Seventh-day Adventist churches, and four Catholic churches, including the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, opposite the Royal Palace.
“Although the Catholic churches were initially hesitant about the type of music we might bring, they were overjoyed by our performances,” Brown-Kibble shares. “The priest of the Almudena Cathedral even
introduced us at his church and attended our concert at an Adventist church the following evening. This happened often, with some people following us from concert to concert, moved by the music and the connections they made with our group.”
“I’m still in awe of the deep connections that are made with individuals in our audiences through the Spiritfilled medium of song,” Brown-Kibble shares. Isaac Fortunato ’24, experienced this connection first-hand as he observed a young boy with tears in his eyes while the choir sang, in a language he didn’t understand. “It showed me the power of music in providing healing, comfort, and the ability to break barriers,” he says.
Several alumni supported the students on this trip by making a financial gift on Giving Day or by sharing stories of their previous tour experiences. According to Kibble, many did both. “It was a learning experience that would not have been possible without donors.”
— April Espinoza, senior public relations major
NPR’s Michel Martin Inspires at Southern Adventist University
Southern’s School of Journalism and Communication welcomed Michel Martin, Emmy Award-winning journalist and host of NPR’s Morning Edition, to campus on November 9, 2023
Martin’s appearance was part of the R. Lynn Sauls Endowed Lecture Series, which made its debut last year.
The lecture series aims to “inspire a new generation of truth seekers, storytellers, and influencers” by hosting important communication and journalism specialists on campus. Students, faculty, alumni, and community members attended the event.
Martin shared some of the experiences she has encountered while working in print journalism, television, and on the air for National Public Radio.
She discussed how to keep an open mind while gathering news and reminded students that no matter who you are and what you look like, you can be effective in the world.
“When Michel Martin described journalism as a ‘ministry of presence,’ I was deeply impacted,” said Amanda Blake, senior journalism major and editor-inchief of the “Southern Accent” student newspaper at the time of the event. “Martin’s down-to-earth, profound expression of a journalist’s duty to give a voice to the voiceless reminds me of why I accepted the call to lead the Accent.”
One lesson Martin shared is that news is not inherently bad. She reminded listeners to check their sources, share factual information, and approach conversations with curiosity and compassion for others.
—Alexis Dewey, senior mass communication major
Michel Martin (left); David Barasoain, ’89, adjunct professor (right)
Spiritual Life
Discovering God Through Discipleship
While 91% of undergraduate students at Southern Adventist University consider themselves Seventh-day Adventists, the rest come from other religious backgrounds Senior social work major Adam Bellis did not grow up as an Adventist, but his family’s story led him to Southern
As a freshman, Bellis grappled with gaps in his knowledge about Adventist doctrines. However, his interest grew through interactions with other students, teachers, and staff, so he decided to join a LifeGroup. In this spiritual, small group setting, he had such a positive experience that he signed up to co-lead a LifeGroup his sophomore year. Bellis continued pouring his energy and ideas into LifeGroups by coaching and directing this critical program at Southern this past school year.
“My role as a LifeGroup director has greatly enriched my faith and has helped me grow spiritually,” Bellis says. “I have learned to rely on Jesus like never before. My relationship with Him has only begun, and I cannot think of a more beautiful way to begin than with LifeGroups at Southern.”
Joseph Khabbaz, vice president of Spiritual Life and university chaplain, says the program is a vital part of the Southern experience for many students on campus. “This year, 99% of students in LifeGroups found the experience meaningful,
and 97% felt a strong sense of belonging,” Khabbaz says. “These groups provided more than 3,000 hours of mentorship, helping students navigate their spiritual journeys.”
One student shares, “I met people I wouldn’t have naturally come into contact with and learned more about God through their experiences. I needed to meet people with different perspectives and understand that God works in ways beyond what I previously acknowledged.”
Looking ahead, the Office of Ministry and Missions plans to enhance mentorship in LifeGroups, implement new badges for spiritual development, and integrate more mission opportunities. “With these initiatives, we aim to continue supporting the unique Adventist mission of our growing student body, seeking for each student to experience a deep and meaningful connection with God,” Khabbaz says.
— April Espinoza, senior public relations major
Adam Bellis, ’24 (second
Inaugural Art and Faith Conference Garners
Enthusiastic
Response
With a focus on exploring and celebrating the connections between art and faith, Southern held a new two-day conference this year called Illuminate The April 4-5 event featured approximately 30 presentations, performances, and workshops that drew more than 300 attendees from across the country
The lineup of session leaders and performers included musician Andrew Peterson, authors Douglas McKelvey and Karen Swallow Prior, and artist Ned Bustard, among others. Southern’s professors, along with faculty from nearby Christian schools such as Lee University and Bryan College, presented on topics ranging from literature and music to visual art and film. A list of all activities can be found at southern.edu/illuminate.
Local artist Gina Graham attended the conference, noting that she had been praying for a way to make meaningful connections with other Christian creatives in the Chattanooga area.
“God created me to create,” Graham says. “It’s my favorite way to worship Him, and it’s a winsome way to share Him with others.
Making art keeps me curious and helps measure growth amid serious struggles. Art helps me hope.”
Gabriella Grundy, senior business-public relations major at Southern, was interested in “The Good Life in Great Books” presentation by Karen Swallow Prior, which highlighted how books can help people more meaningfully relate to others.
“It made me think about literature in a way that I haven’t before,” Grundy says. “Sometimes I’m such a consumer, but you can find a lot of real-life truth about the human experience in books.”
Southern plans to host more events like this in the future. To stay informed about related activities, email illuminate@southern.edu.
— Becky Brooks, ’03 editorial manager
Missions
From Misery to Flourishing:
Enactus
Ignites Hope in Uganda
On May 16, nine faculty and students from Southern’s Enactus club arrived at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda Exhausted, they traveled eight hours to Bundibugyo, a cocoa-growing region where they would serve
Michelle Doucoumes, associate professor in the School of Business and faculty sponsor for the Enactus team, had accepted an invitation to collaborate with Ourganda, a ministry led by Ron Gladden, ’77. Ourganda offers medical clinics, domestic violence prevention programs, and addiction recovery initiatives across 10 villages. Recently, they ventured into economic empowerment and requested Enactus’ help.
Enactus named their initiative ProjectU and held remote meetings with the ministry team. They realized they first needed to provide financial management training for the locals. Students tailored financial literacy modules, which were taught by Godfrey, a local trainer. As the project advanced, the team saw the need for a firsthand evaluation, leading to a mission trip.
During the first week, students interviewed villagers and discovered that the financial training was making a difference. Over 100 people completed the course, reporting they could send their children to school, save for emergencies, and start small businesses. Many pooled their savings to extend micro-loans to each other.
The team visited cocoa production facilities and nearby markets to understand the economic landscape, meeting with local
LONG-TERM STUDENT MISSIONARIES
corporations and nonprofit organizations to explore potential improvements in the cocoa value chain. On Sabbath, students and faculty visited the Saara Kihombiya Seventh-day Adventist Church, planted by a local Ourganda leader.
As the trip concluded, the team developed a strategy for moving forward. Enactus’ ProjectU would continue with financial and business education while exploring projects to address broader issues like water access, road conditions, and waste management.
Chase Slikkers, a junior finance major, reflected, “This trip showed me that what we do with Enactus at Southern makes a tangible difference.”
— Sandra Araujo-Delgado, associate director of Annual Giving
In March, a group of 24 students went on a mission trip organized by Southern’s Evangelistic Resource Center (ERC) to preach a series of sermons throughout Chetumal, Mexico
Joining them was a smaller team of five students from the School of Journalism and Communication, who were going to shoot an eight-episode evangelistic television series for Hope Channel International.
The idea for a media-focused mission trip began in the winter of 2022 when Pablo Fernandez, assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Communication (SJC) at Southern, reached out to Hope Channel Inter-America leaders Abel Márquez, executive director, and Lizbeth Elejade, director of programming. Fernandez wanted to expose his students to media ministry outside of the United States, in order to broaden their horizons and give them a chance to serve.
Elejade proposed that if Southern’s production students partnered with ERC and went to Chetumal, Hope Channel Inter-America would sponsor students from Montemorelos University to join them.
The 15-person production team got to work as soon as they arrived. The crew divided into three smaller teams of five to cover various filming locations. Each team contained a mixed crew from both universities.
The television series will contain a set-up episode showing the students’ journey, a behind-the-scenes episode with interviews, and six episodes featuring condensed versions of the sermons, the experiences of the students who preached, and highlights from the trip. The goal of the series is to inspire transformation in the hearts of viewers by showing the spiritual transformation that students experienced on the trip.
This project served as a pilot for media-focused mission trips and collaboration between Adventist universities, according to Elejade and Fernandez.
— Gabriella Grundy, senior business-public relations major
“The goal of the series is to inspire transformation in the hearts of viewers”
A Drone on a Mission Adventure in Bolivia
I went on a short-term mission trip during my second year at Southern Adventist University, and this experience sparked a desire for a more challenging mission year I chose Familia Feliz, an orphanage in Rurrenabaque, Bolivia,known for its demanding environment, and on September 15, 2023, my adventure began
One night, several weeks later, a bright orange glow lit up the sky behind one of the houses on campus. “Fuego!” the kids shouted, warning of a large fire approaching. The dense forest made it hard to assess the fire’s location from the ground, but luckily, I had brought my drone.
I quickly launched my flying camera and discovered the fire was further away than we had thought. This aerial perspective was invaluable in the following days. With no local fire department, the community relied on a makeshift fire truck and buckets of water. My drone provided live footage and helped prioritize which fires needed attention.
I flew my drone multiple times daily, capturing real-time photos and videos and relaying crucial information to those on the ground. The drone’s night capabilities were particularly useful when I visited remote communities threatened by fastmoving fires. One night, I saw a soccer field filled with valuables as villagers tried to save their possessions.
Word spread about my drone—nicknamed “la carpintera,” or carpenter bee, for its buzzing sound—and it became an essential tool in our firefighting efforts. God used me and my drone in ways I couldn’t have imagined, teaching me that He can do amazing things when we place ourselves in His hands.
— Aron Mariano, senior music major
Philanthropy at Work
Your Impact
39 students since 2016
contributed in gifts of
or
$239,625 of employees gave toSouther n 64% corporations students friends alumni
3,856 foundations
GRAND TOTAL $ 13,536,952 collectively gave to impact our students, community, and world.
776 Legacy Society members have chosen to support Southern through their estate plans or a planned gift.
To learn more about joining the Legacy Society, visit southern edu/ plannedgiving $119,295 in Legacy Society scholarships has been awarded to
Planning with Purpose
For a little over a year, Southern Adventist University has partnered with Thompson & Associates to provide confidential, values-based estate planning to our donors Our representative, Cayce Powell, attorney, doesn’t draft client documents, but provides preplanning and education, resulting in more completed estate plans and gifts for charities
“I already had a living will and was trying to understand the need for a trust,” shares one client, who completed a plan with Thompson & Associates last year. “The explanation and processes with Thompson made everything clear. When I finished, I felt a huge sense of relief, knowing that my estate will be handled as I want it to be, and the people and charities I care about will benefit. While I was going through this process, a friend of mine died without a plan in place. The agony of his family trying to sort through his affairs only added to their existing grief and confirmed my decision to put a plan in place when I did.”
nonprofit organizations beloved by our donors, such as ADRA, Adventist Frontier Mission, It Is Written, and many more. In fact, a total of 30 different organizations will benefit from these plans!
“When I finished, I felt a huge sense of relief, knowing that my estate will be handled as I want it to be.”
Charitable tax planning with Thompson & Associates has resulted in a 44% reduction in overall tax exposure for Southern’s clients, as potential income tax is redirected to charities through the donor’s estate plan. As a result of Powell’s work with our clients, future gifts to Southern are estimated at $2,440,000, with an additional $5,711,000 earmarked for other
Ken Shaw, ’80, EdD, president, and his wife, Ann, made the most of this opportunity.
“Ann and I had been discussing the need to update our estate plan for too long,” he says. “When the opening arose to use Thompson & Associates, we decided this was the time. They provided good counsel and details that we then used with an attorney to finalize our estate plans. We were most grateful for their support.”
To learn more about free, confidential, thirdparty estate planning with Southern, or to schedule an appointment to meet with Cayce Powell, please call 423.236.2832 or visit our website at southern.edu/plannedgiving.
– Kimberly Bobenhausen, director of Planned Giving
Valorie Mixon, 86’ (left); Kimberly Bobenhausen, director of Planned Giving (right)
Building Legacies of Philanthropy
Endowments begin very simply
A man in his early forties told the university president, “My wife and I want to do something lasting for students at Southern Adventist University.” About two weeks later, a $25,000 endowment was set up to benefit Latino undergraduate students. Just like that, this family established a legacy. The couple’s generosity may well establish a family tradition of giving that extends to their high-school-aged children.
That’s what happened as a result of another endowment started in the early 1990s for fine arts majors at Southern. Inspired by the founding couple’s philanthropy, their children and friends now make frequent gifts to grow the principle balance.
“We want to set up a fund in the name of our children,” a gentleman and his wife told Southern. “We want this specifically to benefit students who have been to the mission field, because our children were so impacted by their mission experience.” With this vision as the framework, an endowment was started and funded over the next several years.
“I want my endowment to help students who may not have the highest grades, but who are driven to succeed,” shares the founder of the university’s largest named endowment. “Sometimes you just need a little help, and I want to provide that for students at Southern, because someone helped me when I needed it.”
Southern has 285 named endowments that make up the university’s $63 million endowment fund. Those investments allow more than $1 million to be awarded to students in scholarships each year, as well as fund other initiatives across campus. Whether you start your own or contribute to someone else’s, endowments enable Christians to invest in what is important to them and know that their vision and passion will be funded for generations to come.
Endowments bless in perpetuity.
— Ellen Hostetler, vice president for Advancement
Want to learn more? Visit southern edu/endowments
Grant Writing: Outside Support Helps Enrich the Southern Experience
For over more than 131 years, donors have transformed the lives of Southern students through generous giving. Corporations, foundations, and government agencies see the university’s mission as a wise investment and support Southern through various exciting grants.
Some of the largest awards have come from state and federal governments focusing on STEM. In October 2023, Southern began a five-year, $3 million project funded by the U.S. Department of Education to improve STEM enrollment, retention, and graduation through advanced classroom equipment, paid internships, and research. In May 2024, the National Science Foundation awarded a two-year, $200,000 grant to study and improve academic success among Southern’s Hispanic STEM students.
The Tennessee General Assembly allocated grant funds in Fall 2023 for safety improvements at colleges. Southern received $338,000 for upgrades, including electronic locks, better lighting, and more surveillance.
Locally, ArtsBuild supported Illuminate, Southern’s inaugural arts and faith conference, with $2,000. Versacare Foundation, a private organization, awarded $10,000 to Southern’s new Center for Learning Innovation and Research for a multi-year curriculum project to enhance student engagement through gaming technology.
Regardless of the amount, each grant awarded to Southern in 2023-2024 has provided critical support for the university and its students. We thank God for every successful proposal and the opportunities for missional synergy that their funding represents.
– Lucas Patterson, associate director of Strategic Partnerships
From Slices to Scholarships
Southern Adventist University’s partnership with Papa Johns offers discounts on pizza, which has resulted in over more than $32,000 in contributions toward an endowed scholarship
Fifteen percent of all online purchases that use the promo codes SAU999 and SAU33 are gifted to Southern. Students, or any customers in the Chattanooga area, who apply the codes can get a large, one-topping pizza for $9.99 using SAU999 or get 33% off their entire order with SAU33.
The money received from Papa Johns goes to the Student Association Senate Leadership/Merit Endowed Scholarship. Since 2016, the endowment has awarded scholarships to 14 different students, and the total amount of scholarship money has exceeded $12,000.
Since then, the endowment has grown with the continued use of promo codes and gifts from donors. Last year, Southern was able to award $1,750 to a deserving student.
“Buying pizza online with these codes is a really simple and fun way for people to help our students,” says Lucas Patterson, Southern’s associate director of Strategic Partnerships. “Papa Johns enjoys the program, too. We invite them to campus each year for a picture with Student Association leaders, and their employees appreciate meeting students and witnessing philanthropy at work.”
— Eliana Morales, junior mass communication major
Campaign
Constructing Foundations of Excellence
Ellen Hostetler, vice president for Advancement
Three former faculty members of the School of Nursing are in my office, excitedly planning the simulation lab that Southern aims to complete in Fall 2025. It will take up both floors of Miller Hall next to AdventHealth Hall and the Ruth McKee Prayer Garden.
The renovated building will give nursing students a permanent learning and clinical space so that teachers can conduct multiple simulation scenarios at once.
The first floor will feature six individual simulation labs, a control center, and two debriefing conference rooms. The second floor will feature a large classroom, labor and delivery simulation, control room, and student study area. It’s a $2.5 million project that is more than halfway to its goal.
“Nurses can do anything,” the ladies in my office remind me, as they help us plan how to raise the remaining funds needed to complete this project.
Learn more at southern edu/ gonursing
As I go to work each day, I notice that the entrance to Southern’s campus looks a bit different this summer. Earth movers are packing the soil and beginning foundation work for the new Ruth McKee School of Business, across from the Village Market on University Drive.
This fall, over 450 business students will watch the progress of this new academic building from their current space in Brock Hall. With a target completion date set for December 2025, the 50,000-square-foot building will offer the entire campus a place for innovation to germinate and creative ideas to find synergies.
With a focus on missional business and honoring the legacy of Christian businesswoman Ruth McKee, the new facility will help prepare the next generation of business and industry leaders to share the gospel in any career sector. The $20 million campaign is nearing completion, with $2.7 million left to complete the campaign debt-free.
Learn more and watch the construction livestream at southern edu/gobusiness
On another day, I’m sitting in the back of a newly renovated computer lab in Lynn Wood Hall. Congressman Chuck Fleischmann is about to speak to students in the School of Engineering and Physics about Tennessee’s need for engineering graduates.
Students pepper him with questions about how to gain the needed training for the real world. Southern’s first Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) program, which started in Fall 2023, has overwhelmed everyone’s expectations.
Already, the number of students who have registered and been admitted to the program for Fall 2024 is 89% higher than last year. Another professor is joining the team, and local and national engineering firms are showing interest in interns and graduates.
The $3.5 million campaign for this project is more than halfway complete, with $1.3 million still needed to complete the Lynn Wood Hall renovations and purchase equipment for the growing student body.
Learn more at southern edu/ goengineering
Professor Hartman baptizing a student in Harrison Bay
BCU Night
Ignite Live
Chemistry lab session
Community service
Lawn vespers at Goliath Wall
Southern Moments
Southern’s new Mountain Cottages
The Chattanooga Zoo visiting campus
New McKee Library entrance
President’s Concert performance
SonRise Resurrection Pageant
Gym-Masters performing at A Taste of Southern
Students participating in a basketball tournament
Student Missions
Thank You
Steve Hansen
Both of my parents are missionaries in the South Pacific and are mostly unable to help with school tuition, so I am responsible for my own financial payments here at Southern. You have truly been an answer to prayer. I would not have been able to attend school if it weren’t for your incredible donation.
Thank you,
Steven Hansen, sophomore media technology major
Priscille Mikala
My family recently moved back to the United States, and we have felt the strain of acclimating to a new country, especially in financial matters. It’s been extremely difficult for me to find the funds to pay off my school bill, and though my parents do all they can to support me, we couldn’t do it alone. Your scholarship came at the perfect moment and has been a true answer to prayer.
Your gift has had such a wonderful impact on my life, and I am truly thankful for all you’ve enabled me to do as a result of your generosity.
Thank you,
Priscille Mikala, junior music performance major
Alumni Spotlight
Another Chance at Life
The number of people on the national transplant waiting list is 103,223 Seventeen people die each day while waiting for an organ transplant I first became aware of these staggering statistics as a Southern student in Randy Bishop’s Anatomy and Physiology course, prompting me to become an organ donor when I renewed my driver’s license
I never expected the call to donate to come so soon—or to be so personal. You see, in 2007, my dad had been diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a chronic liver disease for which the only cure is a liver transplant. PSC is very debilitating, but unfortunately, it doesn’t elevate the necessary markers to qualify patients for a transplant unless PSC has progressed to endstage liver disease, meaning the liver is approaching failure.
As the years went by, my dad became more sick; however, his position on the liver waiting list didn’t change. The odds were grim. Then, we learned about living-donor transplants, where 60
percent of a donor’s liver is transplanted to the patient and then both livers regenerate to full size. As my dad’s condition worsened, a live liver donation became imperative.
Despite my dad’s insistence that he was fine, by early 2023, I pushed to seriously explore a living-donor liver transplant. We scheduled an appointment with the University of Pittsburgh’s transplant center, and after thorough medical testing, we were approved for the procedure.
We set the surgery date a month later—a decision that proved to be providential. Post-surgery, the surgeon informed us that my dad’s liver had severely atrophied and his blood vessels were dangerously enlarged. The timing of the surgery had saved his life. Six months after the successful surgery, my dad’s health has dramatically improved.
The need for organ donors is immense. Being a living donor transforms lives, both for the donor and the recipient. Giving my dad another chance at life has been the most profound and fulfilling experience I have ever had. I hope my story will encourage someone to sign up as a donor and save a life.
— Jeremy Grabiner, ’14 2024 Young Alumnus of the Year
