Treveccan | Spring 2016

President’s Imprint

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS Have you ever wished that you could look at

platform to receive their diplomas. I dropped

someone and know exactly what he or she was

them on the floor at my feet as they passed. (It’s

thinking? I’m sure it would come in handy—to

hard to shake a hand and hand off a diploma

the batter wondering what pitch was coming,

with a hand full of pennies.) But at the end of

the buyer making his final offer, the mother

the ceremony, I would always go back and collect

asking a 12-year-old if she had finished her

those pennies.

homework, the employee heading into a

To me, those pennies are reminders of the joy

performance review, the attorney questioning a witness on the stand, and the reporter asking a politician a direct question.

of this work. After last year’s commencement, my wife said to me, “I was watching you as the 800-plus students marched across the platform

A penny for your thoughts is an old cliché. And

to receive their diplomas. You were smiling at

if peoples’ thoughts could be honestly purchased

each one and saying something to them. I could

for a penny, I would load my pockets with

tell you weren’t saying the same thing to each

change. Often, it seems to us that if we could “get

one. What were you thinking as each graduate

in someone’s head,” then we could discern what

approached you for their diploma?”

to do. This familiar old saying suggests that what

Without demanding the penny, I answered her.

we see on the surface is suspect. We frequently wonder if the words people speak to us are the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Back in my sermon-writing days, when a new sermon was due every week, I’d often “hit the wall.” Writer’s block would stop me in my tracks. So I’d leave my quiet study and go to the food court in the mall. With a cup of warm, stimulating caffeine in hand, I’d sit in the mall and watch people. I’d study them carefully and ask myself silent questions about them. What worries that couple? Is she poor? Is he sick? Can he handle the pressure he seems to be under? Are they happy? Is her life a fast-paced blur? This exercise opened me up to the wildly varied worlds that my Sunday sermon would investigate.

I should have just taken a pocket full of pennies and bought their thoughts.

The work we do on this Hill is sacred work.

We give the world the kind of people that only Jesus can form. They are the gift of our labor to a tragically messed-up world. I often imagine how remarkable their lives will be if we do our best.

You’ll read about some of them in this issue of the Treveccan. While these alumni are doing great work, we’re building the future right behind them with our current students. And business is good. We’ve grown our traditional undergraduate program more in the past two years than in the previous 40. Our adult graduate programs are also setting new records. Soon, I’ll be smiling at these graduates as they march across the platform, all the while thinking about where their futures will lead them.

I just need more pennies to do the work well.

Early in my presidential tenure, the graduates handed me pennies as they marched across the

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01

Vol. 86 No. 1 Spring 2016

Foreward

President

Dan Boone ’74

A Penny for Your Thoughts

Vice President for External Relations Peg Cooning

Associate Vice President of Marketing & Communications Matt Toy

Editor

Trevor Lubiens

08

Graphic Designer

A Christian University

Mandy Crow

Art Director

Focus

Jamie Ascher

in the Heart of Nashville

Contributors Nancy Dunlap, ’67 Jess Plyler Greg Ruff Tim Scott, ’15 Morgan Smith ’11 Rebekah Warren Tyler Whetsone ’14 Jonathan Wright, ’13

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Contact Information: Treveccan 333 Murfreesboro Road Nashville, TN 37210 615-248-7782 treveccan@trevecca.edu

Focus

Hope in the Desert

Main number 615-248-1200

Office of Admissions 615-248-1320

Office of Alumni & Church Engagement 615-248-7735

www.trevecca.edu www.facebook.com/treveccanazarene www.twitter.com/Trevecca The Treveccan, publication No. 394470, is published quarterly by Trevecca Nazarene University, 333 Murfreesboro Road, Nashville, Tennessee, 37210-2877. Periodical postage paid at Nashville, Tennessee. Postmaster: Send address changes to the Office of Alumni and Church Engagement, Trevecca Nazarene University, 333 Murfreesboro Road, Nashville, TN 37210-2877.

3 TREVECCAN

13

Feature Fashion Forward

Contents FOREWARD

16

Feature

President’s Imprint

1

From the Hill

5

The Big Question

7

FOCUS

Making the Grade

The Stranger and Sojourner

9

A Closer Look

10

Hope in the Desert

11

23

In the News

12

A Place of

Fashion Forward 13

Feature Opportunity and Purpose

F E AT U R E S One dress. One year. One girl. Senior Bethany Winz wanted to do something about human trafficking, but what unfolded was a story only God could write.

Making the Grade 16 Six Trevecca alumni share their stories of life after graduation and how they’re living out their calling every day.

25

Game Changer 21 For women’s soccer coach Mark Foster,

Athletics

Trevecca is more than a job. It’s a place of hope and transformation.

Athletics News

A Place of Opportunity and Purpose 23 Tyler Hill started his career at Trevecca as a temporary employee. He left with a degree and a clear understanding of his purpose.

AT H L E T I C S Athletics News

26

epilogue Century Celebration

25

EPILOGUE Alumni Spotlight: Century Celebrations

26

Alumni News

28

Postscript 30

4

FROM the HILL

ALL ABUZZ

FINE TUNING

Thanks to a $5,000 grant, Trevecca’s Urban Farm will be able to add eight

It’s a performance almost a year in the making, but in mid-April

new beehives and host a summer camp focused on beekeeping. The

Trevecca will present Requiem for the Living: An Opera. The work,

money, from the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson

written, composed, scored and staged entirely by Trevecca students,

County Community Garden Grant, is made available to school and

centers on a group of five friends dealing with grief in the aftermath of

community gardens that benefit children or seniors. According to the

one of the friend’s deaths. The opera began as a Faculty-Led Academic

grant proposal drafted by environmental projects coordinator Jason

Research Experience (FLARE) project and was focused on including

Adkins and the Urban Farm staff, the average age of beekeepers in the

students from many disciplines. Communication arts and English

U.S. is typically around 60. The new camp will allow the Urban Farm

students crafted the story, music students created the libretto and

team to teach beekeeping skills to a younger generation. The camp

composed the music, while dramatic arts students staged the opera.

is scheduled for July 18-22 and open to Nashville youth. For more

Tryouts were held in February and rehearsals are now in full swing.

information about the new beekeeping camp or this summer’s middle

The opera will debut at 6 p.m. on April 15 in Benson Auditorium on

and high school farm camps, visit www.trevecca.edu/farmcamp.

Trevecca’s campus, with another performance on April 16. Students will present the opera at Nashville’s Noah Liff Opera Center on April 23 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.trevecca.edu/requiem.

Trevecca Tweets

Folow us @trevecca

5 TREVECCAN

@tnucoachselbs This is how @TNUxcTrack spring breaks...

ORGANIC EXPERTISE Dr. Bill Jackson, an organic agriculture expert and chairman of the board

C E L E B R AT I N G E D U C AT I O N EXCELLENCE

at Environmental Care and Share, Inc. (EC&S), and his daughter, Robbi

Dr. Yanice Mendez-Fernandez, assistant professor of biology, is the

Jackson, chief executive officer of EC&S, visited Trevecca on March 3.

recipient of Trevecca’s 2016 Teaching Excellence Award. The honor

During their visit, the Jacksons took part in a panel discussion in chapel,

was announced during the University’s annual Teaching Excellence

toured Greathouse Science Building and the Trevecca Urban Farm, and

Convocation, held February 25. “It is a privilege to be surrounded

met with faculty, staff and students at a lunchtime Q&A. Robbi Jackson

by a community of students and professionals that live the words of

detailed some of EC&S work in organic agriculture during an afternoon

the gospel,” Mendez-Fernandez said about the recognition. “My work

presentation to science and social justice students and faculty, urging

here wouldn’t be possible without the support and friendship of my

them to be “good stewards of the soil.” “We’re good stewards of the

colleagues. I am both honored and humbled by this recognition.”

soil when we pay attention to the kinds of chemicals we use, the kinds

Established during the 1982-83 school year, the Teaching Excellence

of fertilizers we use, and the kinds of crop rotation we employ,” Ms.

Award honors excellence in the classroom and highlights the

Jackson said. Students were grateful for the opportunity to meet with

significance of excellence in teaching at Trevecca. Students, faculty

the Jacksons and gain greater insight into organic agriculture. “This was

and staff nominate faculty members for the award. The Conference

an opportunity to learn how we can take things that are simple and

of Chairpersons, a group comprised of academic deans and chairs,

natural and affect more than just ourselves,” said senior Daniel Mudd.

makes the final decision and announces the recipient in a special chapel service. As the 2016 recipient, Mendez-Fernandez will deliver the keynote address at the 2017 Teaching Excellence Convocation. More at www.trevecca.edu/teachingexcellence.

@_casler

@TNAgriculture

@Trevecca Civil Rights Tour/ Edmund Pettus Bridge, Selma AL

Several local campuses were also honored with Tree Campus USA. @Trevecca @BelmontUniv and @TSUedu

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HOW HAS TREVECCA—OR SOMEONE AT TREVECCA—HAD AN IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?

MARY EATON

Sophomore, Multimedia Journalism

SETH CONLEY

Associate Professor, Film Studies

CURT VAN CLEAVE Alumni

“I went to a university in Idaho for only

“I like that I can be in a place that loves Christ

“Brent Tallman made a significant impact

a semester before transferring here. For

and celebrates the creativity and importance

on my life while I was at Trevecca and we

me, Trevecca is rich in culture. I like being

of filmmaking in our world. And the weather

continue to remain in contact to this day!

around different people. I don’t like being

isn’t bad either—sport teams practicing

During the spring semester of my junior

around just clones of me. The professor in

outside in the middle of February? Love it.”

year I was diagnosed with severe depression

my People and Cultures of the World class,

which affected my ability to do the things

Sarah Bollinger, is probably the best teacher

I had once done at Trevecca. Brent prayed

I’ve ever had. She teaches the class in a

for me, talked with me, checked on me, and

really instructional but personal way. I’m a

simply showed compassion to me during a

multimedia journalism major but a social

time when I didn’t know if tomorrow was

justice minor, and she talks a lot in the class

going to exist for me. I needed a support

about cultural and widespread oppression,

system during this time, and Brent was

which is a topic I’m very passionate about.”

definitely a part of that. He impacted the way I do ministry and the compassion I have for those in need!”

7 TREVECCAN

A Christian University

Trevecca students with Megan Barry, mayor of Nashville, at Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

in the heart of Nashville Four ways we are living out our mission in Nashville and the world

A Christian university in the heart of nashville

THE STRANGER AND SOJOURNER

9 TREVECCAN

Last fall, alumni couple Jacob and Dorothee

so dehumanizing to just do some things during

Morris—along

Trevecca

the hours that they are there, to bring beauty,

students—answered God’s call to minister to

peace and relief into the refugees’ situation.”

the refugees flooding into central Europe. The

After graduation in May, four more full-time

team will be on the field for at least a year and

missionaries from Trevecca will join the Morris

expects to move as the refugees move. Jacob and

family on the field: Curtis Rich, Megan Trees,

Dorothee, along with their two small children,

Christina Corzine, and Tori Stone. In addition,

left to begin their assignment on February 8.

seven Trevecca students will spend 12 weeks

The family is currently living in Belgrade, the

working in the camp near Sid, Serbia, and

capital of Serbia, and working with a refugee

another just across the border in Croatia. In

camp in Sid, a Serbian city near the Croatian

mid-summer, another team from Trevecca, led

border. While this camp could house up to

by Mowry and Dr. Tim Green, will participate in

1,500 people by summer, it is currently a “transit

a mission study abroad trip. These students will

camp” where refugees can be processed, receive

likely be joined by Nazarene students from the

medical treatment, eat and rest. “What the

Middle East and across central Europe. They will

Church of the Nazarene is trying to do at that

study theology in a cross-cultural setting each

camp, besides just helping with everything, is

morning and spend the afternoons ministering

to do what we’re calling ‘humanizing activities,’”

in the two refugee camps. “At some point this

says Kathy Mowry, professor of intercultural

summer, we’ll have 28 to 30 Trevecca students

studies at Trevecca. “In a situation that’s been

and alumni on the ground there,” Mowry says.

with

four

other

A Christian university in the heart of nashville

A CLOSER LOOK Jessy Anne Walters’ research project began as a routine class assignment, but quickly grew to something much bigger. This month, the senior communication studies major will present her research project, “I’ll Make a Man Out of You: An Analysis of Masculine Gender Roles in Disney Animated Films,” at the 2016 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). She is the first Trevecca student ever to be selected to present at the annual conference. Walters’ project was chosen from among more than 4,000 applications from undergraduate students across the country. Her research covers about 14 animated Disney movies and examines the message they convey to young men. “There’s been a lot of research and a lot of talk about what we’re teaching young women through those movies,” Walters says. “But I have two brothers so I wanted to look at the different themes and gender messages that were being sent to them, as far as body image and language and relationship expectations.” Walters will graduate in May and plans to pursue a career in journalism.

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A Christian university in the heart of nashville

HOPE IN THE DESERT In early January, a team of Trevecca social justice students were given a chance to put the techniques they had learned in the classroom into practice, all while ministering in Dakar, Senegal. An agricultural team from Trevecca, accompanied by Jason Adkins, environmental projects coordinator, joined a ministry team from Trevecca Community Church to travel to West Africa. The team partnered with alumni Tim (’85) and Michelle (’88) Eby, missionaries stationed in Senegal since 2006, to help them in their work at the Joseph Project, a farming initiative. Tim Eby hopes to train and inspire local pastors and farmers in ministry, as well as to increase viable farming options and promote healthy stewardship of the land. To accomplish this, Eby enlisted the help of Adkins and his team. “[We] worked to complete a well thought out permaculture design on the land there,” says Amber Donat, a sophomore. “We also worked to understand the farming and growing life there and had great conversations with the natives and local co-ops.” The team spent a lot of time in local villages, learning from the people who lived there. They also built cabinets for Baobab Church of the Nazarene, poured cement for the Joseph Project center and did ministry with local village children.“This trip has helped me to understand what a small part of the world I am, but how much of an impact my life can have on other beings,” says Donat.

—Rebekah Warren

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A Christian university in the heart of nashville

IN THE NEWS Several Trevecca journalism students visited the Channel 5 news station to watch a broadcast and see journalism in action. The students, ranging from eager freshmen to job-seeking seniors, stood on set while local anchors Carrie Sharp and Vicki Yates delivered the evening news.

They also observed the station’s control room, which was particularly intriguing for students who are interested in the production side of journalism. News director Sandy Boonstra sat down with students for a Q&A, allowing them to learn more about what working in broadcast journalism actually entails. Trevecca senior Christy Ulmet said she was grateful for the chance to see a prospective workplace in action.

“When the communication department gives us opportunity to visit places in the field, it’s a great chance to be able to network with people who might be potential employers,” Ulmet says.

—Jess Plyler

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FAS H I O N F O R WARD HOW ONE DRESS HELPED CHANGE O N E G I R L’ S P E R S P E C T I V E

13 TREVECCAN

By Rebekah Warren

W

THE GOAL

THE LESSON

slavery still exists. In fact, every morning, millions

I didn’t come anywhere close to my fund-raising

The Dress Project was a way that a high school

of men, women, and children around the world

goal. Throughout the year I felt like I should have

girl helped raise money for organizations that are

hen I was in middle school, I found out that

wake up trapped in a system of human trafficking.

been doing more, but I couldn’t figure out what—

bringing freedom to people worldwide. During

Faced with the same bleak reality day after day,

or how. Nothing seemed to go the way I wanted it

that year, though, I also discovered how much I

their dreams of freedom remain just that—dreams.

to. It didn’t make me feel better like I thought it

needed the freedom God can bring. Freedom is for

I knew it didn’t have to be this way, but if anything

would. Instead, the dress helped me see myself for

all of us, and it’s something all of us can be part of

was going to change, ordinary people, people like

who I was (and who I still am): a girl who needed

extending to others. But it is only something we

you and me, needed to get involved. So at 16, I

to be set free from perfectionism and pride and

can participate in when we know that we are loved,

decided to do something about it.

guilt and the notion that I could buy my way into

and that we are already free.

—excerpt from One Dress, One Year

THE DRESS That “something” Bethany Winz, now a senior

God’s good graces with my grand plans.

—excerpt from One Dress, One Year Though disappointed she fell short of her goal

—excerpt from One Dress, One Year Winz began her year with the intention of working for the freedom of the enslaved. In

social justice major at Trevecca, decided on

of $100,000, Winz successfully raised $8,615.

the process, though, she discovered a new

was to wear the same dress every day for a year.

Donors had the choice of supporting six anti-

understanding of the character of God.

Inspired by Elaini Garfield, a young woman who

trafficking organizations, so the funds were

had worn the same dress for 100 days to raise

divided among International Justice Mission,

money for orphans in India, Winz focused her

The A21 Campaign, Compassion International,

project on human trafficking.

Not For Sale Campaign, Love 146 and Restore

“I picked anti-human-trafficking because it was a

International.

cause I was passionate about,” Winz said. “It was

THE BOOK

something that captured my heart and moved

Throughout the yearlong project, Winz had

me deeply. I couldn’t know what I knew about

blogged, recording each outfit and reflecting

what was happening and not do something

on what she was learning. Shortly after the

about it.”

year ended, Books and Such Literary Agency

Human trafficking isn’t a small problem or one that can be easily solved. According to The A21 Campaign, a nonprofit that works to end human trafficking, an estimated 27 million people are currently enslaved and an average of only 1 to 2 percent of victims are ever rescued.

Winz’ mission began in January 2011, a leap year, meaning she’d wear the dress for 366 days. She chose her dress carefully; it had to be simple and

contacted Winz and asked her to consider writing a book. She was grateful for the opportunity but had to overcome obstacles throughout the writing process.

“I want [people] to know that God’s love for them doesn’t depend on what they do for God,” said Winz. “This is something I really struggled with throughout my year in the dress, and it’s something we wrote about quite a bit.”

Ultimately, she hopes her book inspires others to do what they can for causes they believe in.

“I want them to know that each of us has passions and skills to bring to the table,” said Winz. “I hope that people walk away encouraged to work toward justice in whatever capacity God has called them.”

“As much as I love it, writing is a very challenging thing for me,” she said. “Putting the year into writing was difficult because we had to think very carefully about which parts of the story were worth telling and which ones weren’t.”

go with a variety of clothing. It was a choice that

Thankfully, Winz didn’t have to write the book

she was relieved to find added consistency and

alone. She worked closely with co-author

READING LIST

simplicity to her life.

Susanna Foth Aughtmon. Winz’ book, One

Get a copy of Winz’ book at:

“Almost every single one of my outfits was

Dress, One Year, was released March 1.

planned ahead,” Winz said. “So if I was packing

“I honestly can’t believe that I got to do this,” said

for a trip or trying to prepare for the week, I knew

Winz. “I’m excited that other people get to read

exactly what I was going to wear—the dress and

this story and hopefully see the ways that it

just a few choice accessories to jazz it up.”

intersects with theirs,” said Winz.

• www.barnesandnoble.com • www.amazon.com • www.christianbook.com Check out Winz’ blog at www.bethanywinz.com

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The time is now.

Earn your degree with Trevecca entirely online or at one of our five TN locations.

» » ONE CLASS AT A TIME » » BOOKS & MATERIALS TO YOUR DOOR » » ACCELERATED FORMAT

APPLY FOR FREE TODAY! WWW.TREVECCA.EDU/APPLY 844-TNU-GRAD

New cohorts starting soon!

MAY/JUNE 2016: MA in Religion (online) BA in Management/Human Relations (on-site) BS in Health Care Administration (online) AA in Christian Ministry (online) AS in Business Management (online)

Making the Grade MEET THE ALUMNI

By Mandy Crow Our graduates are our greatest gift to the world. It’s a phrase repeated often at Trevecca, from cabinet meetings to commencement exercises. But those aren’t just empty words; the phrase gets repeated because it’s true. Trevecca’s graduates continue to shine the light of God’s kingdom into the world as servants and leaders no matter what their titles or job description. Over the next few pages, you’ll meet six Trevecca alumni who are living out their calling. Turn the page to meet the Alumni Class of 2016.

16

G R E G PA G E ( ’ 8 0 ) OWNER & CEO OF PK PICTURES, NUMYND STUDIOS www.pkpictures.com

Greg Page and his staff at PK Pictures are behind

first product was Snowbird, the beloved

Terri Crutcher had been a radiology tech

many of the biggest multimedia presentations

WSMV-TV character who announces school

for 30-plus years and was teaching in the

in the business—from the launch of Xbox 2

closings. Snowbird and his friends were soon

radiology program at Vol State when she

for Microsoft to a multi-million dollar BP

syndicated, allowing PK Pictures to expand

decided it was time to complete her bachelor’s

exhibition in Moscow. “When the client says ‘I

into other kid-friendly media, eventually

degree. She enrolled in Trevecca’s Bachelor’s

don’t know if this can be done,’ that’s probably

leading to the high-end media design work

of Arts in Management and Human Relations

going to be a good fit for our company,” says

they do today. Other media-related ventures

(MHR) program, earning her degree in 2008.

Page, a 1980 graduate of Trevecca. In addition

include NuMynd Studios, and Page’s newest

Soon after, she began working toward her a

to making seemingly impossible multimedia

venture, The Children’s Television Network, a

master’s degree in organizational leadership,

events a reality, PK Pictures takes on projects

network featuring kid-friendly content that’s

graduating in 2015. All the while, Crutcher

for the music industry, creates commercials

customized exclusively for use in children’s

has been working a full-time job—leading Vol

and does pro bono work for faith-based

hospitals across North America. “Every day,

State’s Health Sciences Center of Emphasis,

organizations. “The great thing about our

I call on the interpersonal communication

which offers continuing education courses

work is that it’s never the same thing twice,”

skills I learned under Dr. Jim Quiggins (’71)

for healthcare professionals—and raising

Page says. “Each project has its own set

and company,” says Page.

a family with her husband. “Most of the

of challenges, creatively and technically.”

Page founded PK Pictures, then Pro-Kids Productions, in 1987 with fellow Trevecca alumni Steve Pennington (’78) specializing in children’s entertainment. The company’s

17 TREVECCAN

On why he hires so many Trevecca alumni: “We’ve hired several awesome Trevecca alumni who form the backbone of our company’s success. My philosophy has always been to hire for attitude and teach the skill.”

students in our cohort had families, jobs and

TERRI CRUTCHER (’08, MOL ’15) D I R E C T O R O F H E A LT H SCIENCES CENTER OF EMPHASIS V O L U N T E E R S TAT E

K AT E R I N E H E R N A N D E Z ( ’ 1 5 ) P R O G R A M C O O R D I N AT O R AT Y M C A L AT I N O A C H I E V E R S

different challenges,” Crutcher says. “At this

While Nashville is home for alumna Katerine

guide students as they identify possible career

age, we really want it. We’re not just sitting

Hernandez, she was born in El Salvador.

paths. “There is something so special about

through it for the piece of paper at the end.”

“When I was seven, we came to visit my aunt

sitting down with a student and having a

Crutcher says earning an advanced degree

who lives here in Nashville and that visit

conversation of ‘you can have dreams and you

was more about the challenge for her. “I liked

became a stay,” Hernandez says. “Living

can pursue them,’” she says. “At the core of it

the challenge of learning something new,” she

here 16 years now, it’s the only thing I

all, it’s about the students and the legacy that

said. “That makes you grow a bit and pushes

remember from childhood and growing up.”

they will create and the lives they will dream

you into growth you might not have pursued

Hernandez, who graduated from Trevecca

and live.” In addition to her work with Latino

on your own.”

On the value of learning in a cohort at Trevecca: “That’s a good built-in support system. We would get discouraged, and there was somebody there to say, ‘Hey, we can do this. Let’s keep going.’ And you have that same opportunity to encourage someone else when they’re having a rough time.”

www.trevecca.edu/katerine

in 2015 with a degree in marketing, is now a

Achievers, Hernandez is active in advocating

program coordinator with the YMCA Latino

for education equity and also serves as a

Achievers program. She oversees Latino

youth pastor at her church and a mentor

Achievers groups at four local high schools,

in Trevecca’s LEAP program. Regardless of

coordinating

college

where her future leads, Hernandez expects

campus visits, community service projects

after-school

clubs,

service to be a part of her life. “Regardless of

and more. The organization is designed to

what I do, I want to serve,” Hernandez says. “I

help Latino youth gain a strong sense of

want to give glory to God and that my life may

self by providing the resources and support

be a legacy of others and what God is doing.”

necessary to promote academic excellence in high school, provide access to higher education and scholarship opportunities, and

To read more of Hernandez’ story, visit www.trevecca.edu/Katerine.

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KEVIN DYSON (’07, MA ’10) A S S I S TA N T P R I N C I P A L INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL, T H O M P S O N ’ S S TAT I O N , T E N N .

CINDY GILLESPIE (’79) D I R E CTO R O F H U M A N SERVICES S TAT E O F A R K A N S A S

trevecca.edu/miracle

When Kevin Dyson’s NFL career drew to

serving in a similar role in Rutherford County.

When Cindy Gillespie graduated from

a close, he knew he had to decide what life “I really like interaction with the kids,” Dyson

Trevecca in 1979, she headed straight

after football would bring. At first the former

said. “If you’re in education, your mindset is to

to Auburn University to get her master’s

Tennessee Titan, well-known for his role in the

make a difference, to teach a kid, to put your

in communications, all part of a plan to

Music City Miracle, thought he might want to

imprint on the world in a positive way.” Dyson

eventually earn her Ph.D. and teach. That’s not

coach. “I had my dream job right out of college,” said that educators should be leaders of young

how things turned out. At Auburn, Gillespie

Dyson says. “I was 30 years old when I started

men and women, guiding them as they make

got involved in the political campaign for a

my second phase career.” Initially, Dyson

decisions. “You want to be able to teach kids

senator. The bid was successful, and Gillespie

did coach, working with football players at

from the mistakes you made along the way,

went to Washington, D.C. to work as his press

Franklin Road Academy in Nashville and

help them so they hopefully don’t make the

secretary. After seven years as an adviser, she

serving as the athletic director for Williamson

same mistakes, whether it be the kids at school

accepted a job as the director of federal affairs

County Schools for several years. In 2007, or your own kids.”

for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic

Dyson completed his first master’s degree at

Games, which led to her helping plan the

Trevecca, in administration leadership, and earned his second in secondary education and teaching in 2010. He currently serves as an assistant principal at Independence High School in Thompson’s Station, Tenn., after

Best career advice he’s ever gotten: “Hang around people smarter than you. At the end of the day, you’re going to pick up some things, learn some things, and hopefully be a better person yourself.”

2002 Salt Lake Winter Games. “When I think of the things in my career I most enjoyed, it was the 13 years I was doing Olympic Games,” Gillespie says. While working in Salt Lake City, Gillespie met Mitt Romney, then the chief executive officer of the Olympics organizing team. The connection shaped the next few years of Gillespie’s life. She was an

19 TREVECCAN

MICHAEL LOGEN (’03) SINGER/SONGWRITER NASHVILLE, TENN. trevecca.edu/logenvideo

www.michaellogen.com

adviser during Romney’s 2002 gubernatorial

Michael Logen (Longenecker) wrote songs

most of the songs he includes on his own

bid in Massachusetts and joined his office

throughout college—and even recorded an

albums are written alone. “I absolutely love

when he won. Gillespie led Romney’s initiative

album as his senior project—but it wasn’t

co-writing and it’s an incredibly valuable

on healthcare reform and soon found herself

until later that songwriting became a career. experience to have,” Logen says. “But then

consulting on healthcare issues at both the

After graduation in 2003, Logen asked one

sometimes, especially for my own stuff, it

state and federal level, eventually joining

of his professors, Michael Porter, for advice

feels like it’s important to get away and

a law and public policy firm. In February

about how to start a career as a singer/

isolate myself and just listen.” Logen says his

2016, Gillespie became the director of human

songwriter. Porter suggested that Logen join a

experience at Trevecca prepared him for the

services for the state of Arkansas, a governor-

performance rights organization such as BMI, business side of the industry, but also inspired

appointed position. Gillespie now oversees the

SESAC or ASCAP. Logen followed his advice

him. “I was very influenced by Jim Fogelsong,

largest cabinet agency in the state, offering

and says it led to his first publishing deal with

Sam Green (’87) and my fellow student community of musicians and writers,” Logen

health coverage options and other government

Combustion Music. While there, Logen did a

services that have to do with health and

lot of songwriting and released his first album, says. “Just the atmosphere and having a studio

wellbeing of the citizens of Arkansas. “The

Things I Forgot to Mention. More publishing

mission of the department is to care for those

deals and opportunities to co-write followed, a massive impact.” Logen’s next album, New

on campus, there’s no doubt to me that had

who are most vulnerable in our society and to

resulting in songs recorded by Kelly Clarkson, Medicine, is expected to be released in late May.

focus on insuring the health of the citizens of

Jonny Lang and Mat Kearney, to name a few.

Arkansas,” Gillespie says.

Logen’s songs have also been featured on

For more on Cindy Gillespie, visit www.trevecca.edu/gillespie.

several TV shows, including “Parenthood” and “Nashville.” While Logen loves co-writing,

To read Michael’s advice for aspiring singer/ songwriters or to learn more about him, visit www.trevecca.edu/Logen.

Game Changer

By Tyler Whetstone, ’14

Soccer coach Mark Foster’s story of hope & transformation There’s no forgetting a conversation with Mark

their way to the Irish tourism hub of Newcastle.

Foster (’09); the Irish accent of Trevecca’s

In the midst of the hunger strikes and political

women’s soccer coach is unmistakable and unforgettable.

Foster, who made his way to Nashville from

Northern

Ireland,

currently

leads

Trevecca’s women’s soccer team in a still-new NCAA Division II-era as a man of faith and determination. But the journey to get there

mess, Foster found joy in soccer.

“Soccer was just what you did every day,” Foster says. “You played at school, and, at home, you played on the street until it was dark … Soccer

He wanted what Burden had.

“It became very clear that [Burden] believed in God, and I believed in God, but he had something different than I had,” Foster says.

“That was a relationship with Christ.”

Burden eventually asked Foster to spend time

was all I knew growing up.”

in America at CPA to help coach soccer. In

Foster grew up Irish Catholic. He served as

return, Foster would get spiritual food. It was an

an altar boy when he was young, and his high

important turning point in Foster’s spiritual life.

school had nuns on staff. When Foster was in

“I’m glad of my [Irish Catholic] foundation, but

his teens, missionaries from Nashville’s Christ

now that I live in America I’m glad I have a

In the early 1980s, Northern Ireland was a

Presbyterian Academy (CPA) often visited

relationship with Christ,” Foster said. “I’ve been

place of revolution and unrest. Foster was born

during the summer.

able to grow spirtually in ways I could never

right into the thick of it in the capital, Belfast.

One of the missionaries from CPA, Dave Burden,

have imagined growing up in Ireland.”

Like many others, Foster’s family left the city

became friends with Foster. Burden’s vibrant

That time at CPA also played a pivotal role in

in search of a better life. Eventually, they found

relationship with God made an impression on

Foster’s personal life. While at CPA, Foster

him as a young man, Foster recalls.

met Brett Armstrong, then the coach of the

hasn’t been an easy ride.

E A R LY O N

21 TREVECCAN

“I was in high school before I fully understood how bad my dyslexia was,” Foster says.

“Mark Foster was the right person, at the right time, with the right priorities, knowledge and personality to lead the program into the NCAA

“Although I felt supported and worked hard in high school, no one ever encouraged me to even think about going to college.”

But Foster found mentors in Trevecca’s Center for Leadership, Calling and Service (CLCS) who worked with him and helped him achieve his goal of graduating.

“I found all of the Trevecca professors were openminded about my learning disability and willing to support my academic needs,” Foster says.

Trevecca womens’ soccer team. When Foster returned to Ireland a few years later, it was Armstrong who told the Trevecca men’s soccer coach at the time, Jeff Carr, to give Foster a call.

He ended up recruiting Foster to play soccer at Trevecca.

TREVECCA EXPERIENCE

“Foster is much more than a coach; he is a mentor to me,” she says. “He loves soccer and gives coaching everything he has. His heart and passion for the Lord shows on and off the field … He cares about me as a person and that’s what makes all the difference in college athletics.”

MOVING AHEAD Foster will begin his fourth season as the Trevecca women’s soccer coach this fall. He’s well aware that while his teams have come close, they’ve yet to bring home a trophy.

The team’s 22-11-6 overall record in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) is good, Foster says. He’s proud of their back-

Freshman of the Year and 2008 TranSouth

to-back winning seasons for the first time in

Player of the Year—Foster says those awards

program history, but Foster doesn’t dance

don’t mean much. Graduating from college,

around the topic: he expects to win a G-MAC

though, was the achievement of a lifetime.

championship.

“It’s amazing. When God calls you to do

“The group is good enough to do it,” he says.

something He provides a way for you to work,”

“Obviously that’s a long journey, and you need a

Foster says. “I never thought I’d be able to go

little bit of luck along the way, but Irish people

to college … It’s been brilliant to see when you

are supposed to be lucky. So with me being Irish

step out in faith what God does for you.”

and us having good players, maybe we’ll do it.”

After graduation, Foster worked at Trevecca’s plant operations as a carpenter by day and teamed up with Armstrong to help coach the women’s soccer team in the evening. After

member of the men’s soccer team to have his

down from coaching to focus on teaching.

tied for first in assists.

recruiting classes.

during his collegiate career—2005 TranSouth

nearly three years, Armstrong decided to step

time leading scorer in points and goals and is

Abbie Alosi, a junior, was a part of Foster’s first

While he was an award-winning soccer player

On the field, Foster was a star. He’s the only number retired. He’s also the program’s all-

Division II era,” Elliott says.

Tyler Whetstone is a 2014 graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University. He and his wife, Kristen, live in Jackson, Tenn., with their dog, Jax. Tyler is the government reporter for The Jackson Sun.

Trevecca’s athletic director Mark Elliott saw no need for an extensive coaching search.

He already had who he wanted.

www.trevecca.edu/give

Off the field, however, Foster struggled with his classes. Foster is dyslexic. While he can read well, he struggles to place letters in the right order, which made spelling and writing papers difficult.

22

A Place of

Opportunity & Purpose

F I N D I N G D I R E C T I O N A N D C A L L I N G AT T R E V E C C A

W

hen Tyler Hill (’14) first secured a part-time, summer job with

“I had no intent to stay at Trevecca,” he says. “This was just a summer

Trevecca’s plant operations, he had no idea the profound impact the

job, but when I was offered a full-time, temporary position, I couldn’t

decision would have on his future.

pass it up. I knew I would eventually go back to school, but I just put it

FINDING TREVECCA

on the backburner.”

After attending Tennessee Technological University in the spring of

Tyler started out working in housekeeping for Trevecca and was

2009, Tyler, like many traditional undergraduate students, was broke. He

eventually promoted to a project coordinator position. That’s where

needed a summer job, and he needed it fast.

Tyler found his niche—the overall structure and challenges of the

After reconnecting with friend Justin Duffey (’14), who was working as a summer residence assistant at Trevecca, Tyler decided to make the move to Nashville from Cookeville for the summer in hopes of finding more job opportunities. Justin connected Tyler to Glen Linthicum, director of plant operations at Trevecca.

“When Tyler came on board, I thought he was just a student worker that

day-to-day job, he says, and the overarching “Trevecca Community feel” allowed him to connect to the University on a deeper level. He practically lived, ate, and worked at Trevecca. He found spiritual growth and sanctification—and a community of support that helped shape his beliefs, motivations, and values.

And, eventually, he found education.

needed a summer job,” Linthicum says. “Little did I know, he wasn’t

F I N D I N G E D U C AT I O N

actually a student at the time. It wasn’t until I got to know him a little

A 2014 graduate of the Management and Human Relations (MHR)

better that I understood his story.”

bachelor’s degree program, Tyler was able to experience Trevecca in a

For Tyler, Trevecca was the turning point in a chapter of life that at first seemed to have little direction. Although he was studying engineering at

new light, thanks in large part to the encouragement of his now wife Carlie (’12) and his mom.

Tennessee Tech, Tyler’s summer job seemed to offer greater opportunity,

“My MHR cohort—that’s a whole other family. It was interesting because

so he decided to put school on hold. Trevecca quickly became home and

a lot of them could have been my parents’ age,” Tyler says. “But it really

caused an unexpected turn in Tyler’s plans for the future.

was a family. We saw birth, we saw death, and we experienced different

23 TREVECCAN

viewpoints in terms of politics and religion. In a traditional environment,

By Morgan Smith ’11

you share different viewpoints, but in the MHR program there was also

“He went from a young inexperienced student to a successful young adult.

an age dynamic that you can’t really get in a traditional setting. That age

I get to see this with a lot of folks. They come to me as student workers,

diversity really made the experience so unique for me.”

but I watch them mature, get married, and find professional, full-time

FINDING A FUTURE Tyler and his wife have since moved to Texas to be closer to family. He now works as a project manager in the human resources department

jobs,” Linthicum says. “At Trevecca, I get the joy of sharing the journey with them, then watch them leave and go on to bigger and better things. I think Tyler needed Trevecca—it was a great experience for him.”

at Baylor, Scott & White Health, the largest not-for-profit health care

Tyler credits the entire Trevecca community with his success today. From

system in Texas. Currently, he’s working to help implement an Enterprise

the camaraderie of friend and co-worker Brodrick Thomas (’14), the

Resource Planning tool to help streamline databases and processes.

support and trust of the Trevecca administration team, to the educational

“Health care is rapidly changing, and quite honestly, I’m learning as I go,” Tyler says. “But the things I learned at Trevecca—like Dr. Richard Parrott’s understanding of Matthew 11:28-30 and servant leadership,

lessons learned in his System Management and Human Relations courses with James Agee—Tyler says his Trevecca experience prepared him for a Christ-centered future in both his personal and professional life.

and how to work together and lead others from behind—that’s a lifelong

“Without Trevecca, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” Tyler says. “There is no

lesson that I couldn’t get anywhere else. The lessons I learned at Trevecca

way. Not only did I not have vision, but I didn’t have purpose. Trevecca

are what prepared me for this job.”

gave me a purpose.”

Before a promising career, marriage, graduation, and plant operations, Tyler was “a smart kid just trying to figure things out,” Linthicum says. Trevecca helped ground Tyler, and gave him focus and direction.

Interested in Trevecca’s MHR program? Visit trevecca.edu/mhr Morgan Smith is the marketing coordinator in Trevecca’s School of Graduate and Continuing Studies. A 2011 graduate of Trevecca, she and her husband, Brett (’11), recently relocated from Charlotte, N.C. Together, they enjoy adventures with friends, eating lots of good food, and spending time outdoors with their goldendoodle, Rory.

24

Athletics A SPRING TRADITION In the spring, “Titletown” for the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) is clearly Nashville, Tenn., and it’s headquartered on Trevecca’s campus. The Trojans have never lost a G-MAC title opportunity in baseball, softball, men’s golf, or women’s golf. All three G-MAC titles for each of those sports reside on the Hill. The Trojan track teams are continuing that tradition by bringing home individual-sport championships on a regular basis. This year, the G-MAC championships come with a bonus: an automatic bid to the NCAA championships. Which of Trevecca’s teams will become the first to start a tradition of bringing home region titles? Follow the quest for more G-MAC titles this spring at www.tnutrojans.com.

MEN’S BASKETBALL REACHES G-MAC FINALS The Trevecca men’s basketball team reached the G-MAC championship finals for the first time since 2013. The Trojans lost the game, 78-69, to the Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers at the Owensboro Sportscenter. The Panthers won the G-MAC regular season and were the host and top seed at the 2016 championships. Trevecca was the third seed after finishing in a second place tie in the G-MAC regular season race. Trevecca led early, but a late first half surge by the Panthers put them ahead for good. Trevecca cut the KWC lead to just three points (70-67) with 2:33 remaining.

Unfortunately that is where the Trojan rally ended. Trevecca’s Byron Sanford, who was named the 2016 G-MAC player of the year, ended his career with 1379 career points with 544 rebounds, 328 assists, and 182 steals.

RODGERS FIRST TROJAN TO MAKE NCAA INDOOR NATIONALS Logan Rodgers, a junior, became the first Trevecca track athlete to compete at the NCAA Division II Indoor Nationals. Rodgers qualified for the men’s 5,000 meter run early in the track season. The 2016 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships (hosted by Pittsburg State University) were held March 11-12, 2016, at the new Robert W. Plaster Center on the Pittsburg (Kansas) State campus. Rodgers ran on March 11 and finished in 15th place, one spot higher than his 16th place qualification. “Indoor nationals are probably the hardest of the three nationals that Logan could qualify for, for him to get in. This year’s 5K field is deeper than it has been in a long time,” says Austin Selby, Trevecca track and field coach. “Our eyes are set on the outdoor 10K nationals for Logan, and he is in a great position to do that.” To follow Logan and the entire Trevecca track and field team during their outdoor season, visit www.tnutrojans.com.

25 TREVECCAN

100

Alumni Spotlight

C E NT URY CE L E BR A T ION Trevecca alumni Ladell Morgan and Ruth Poole recently marked their 100th birthdays, complete with celebrations with family and friends.

LADELL MORGAN

Ladell Morgan’s (’46) college career at Trevecca was interrupted by World War II. Morgan was in the U.S. Army and went to England soon after his training was complete. A quartermaster in the Army, Morgan was sent to Belgium after D-Day, where his job was to identify the remains of U.S. soldiers and arrange to have them shipped home. After the war, Ladell returned home and finished two degrees at Trevecca, plus one at Peabody College. He then started his theological training at Vanderbilt Divinity School, but soon transferred to Nazarene Theological Seminary. Morgan later became an Air Force chaplain and pastored in at least four states.

He often worked as a bi-vocational pastor and taught in the public school system in Illinois and Florida, retiring when he was 67. Ladell’s family marked his birthday with a special celebration in Florida in February.

RUTH POOLE Born in Alderson, W.Va., in 1916, Ruth Poole (’36) came to Trevecca in 1934. Trevecca was a two-year college at the time, so Ruth graduated in 1936. Soon after, she married John D. Poole at Nashville First Church of the Nazarene. The couple moved to California to pastor, and both of their sons were born in California. The family went on to serve churches in West Virginia and Ohio. While in Ohio, Ruth also taught in the local school district and earned her bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University in 1961. In 1978, Ruth and John retired and moved back to West Virginia, where Ruth taught for another 20 years. After her husband’s death, Ruth moved back to Nashville to live at Trevecca Towers. Since 2008, she has lived in Trevecca Health and Rehabilitation Center. Four generations of Ruth’s family have ties to Trevecca: Ruth and her husband, John (’36); their son, Wendell (’61) and his wife, JoAnn (’62); grandsons Kendell (’88) and Kyle (’91); and great-grandson Jackson is currently a freshman at Trevecca.

26

Alumni News 1970s CINDY GILLESPIE (’79) was recently named as the director of the Arkansas Department of Human Services. Appointed by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, Cindy began her work on March 1. Learn more on page 19.

1980s JOHN PORTER (’68) AND KAREN JONES-PORTER (’80) are serving at Southern Africa Nazarene University (SANU) in Manzini, Swaziland, in University Advancement & Church Relations, as well as at a Continuing Education Center. Trevecca librarian Ruth Kinnersley recently visited with the Porters when she and seven other librarians from the United States, Great Britain, Malawi and South Africa helped implement a new library management system at SANU. GREG PASS (’89 AND ’01) has recently been promoted to the rank of colonel in the Army Reserve. He is presently deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, serving a one-year tour. Greg lives in Jacksonville, Ala., where he has been teaching college-level ROTC for the past 13 years at Jacksonville State University.

CARLA BETH SHERMAN (’89) was recently honored with a luncheon marking 25 years of service at Mur-Ci Homes. The agency, which serves special needs clients, has grown from a small building on Murfreesboro Road to a campus near Hickory Hollow that houses 72 residents. Carla has managed the admissions of more than 100 persons to the program.

1990s TRIPP YORK (’98) published his eleventh book, The End of Captivity?: A Primate’s Reflections on Zoos, Conservation, and Christian Ethics. He currently serves as an adjunct professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, Va. MATT LITTON (’99) was the featured author at Trevecca’s March 15 AuthorTalk on the Hill. Matt’s book, Dream Again: A Story of Faith, Courage and Tenacity to Overcome recounts the inspiring story of Isaiah Austin, who captured hearts when he was made the honorary NBA draft pick after a shocking diagnosis ended his professional basketball career. The event was co-sponsored by Waggoner Library and the Trevecca Department of Athletics.

2000s RICK LEE JAMES (’02) has compiled his hymn-inspired songs in a new album called Hymns, Prayers, and Invitations. LifeWay Worship released the album in March. The independent album includes 10 tracks, all written, co-written and arranged by James.

BRITTANY BROWN (’08) graduated from Argosy University with a master’s degree in counseling.

She is currently employed at Life Stream Behavioral Center in Leesburg, Fla., as the lead emergency evaluator supervisor.

CHAD (’05) and AMY (’03-’05) FREESE JOHNSON relocated to Salisbury, Md., in 2013, with their son, Reston. Chad is employed by GCA Services, Inc., in the education division and was recently promoted to senior vice president for operations. He will oversee operations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. Chad and Amy are involved in the life of Crosspointe Church of the Nazarene in Salisbury.

28

AMANDA SMITHFIELD (’02) has been named one of School Library Journal’s Movers and Shakers of 2016. Smithfield serves as the librarian at Hume-Fogg High School, a magnet school in the Metro Nashville Public School system. Smithfield plans and launches projects with teachers, guides students with their research, has started a popular monthly panel that allows students to engage ideas different from their own, and has introduced a podcast platform for students to share their thoughts on social issues.

2010s ROSS MUIRHEAD (’10) recently passed the required examination and is now a licensed professional engineer in Tennessee. He is employed by Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon, Inc., in Nashville, Tenn. While attending Trevecca, Ross was a member of the baseball team.

Alumni And Friends We Will Miss

Take the Survey

TOM HEMMERLY (’53) of Murfreesboro, Tenn., February 14, 2016.

Trevecca classes of 2009-10, 2010-11, 2013-14 and December 2014

Tom was a professor of chemistry and biology at Trevecca in the early

have received a link via email to The Outcomes Survey® . The data

1960s and served as a professor of biology at Middle Tennessee State

collected will help Trevecca in admissions recruiting, academic and

University for 61 years. He wrote and published four books and was

career advising and will affect Trevecca’s rating on the White House

a world-renowned expert on mistletoe.

College Scorecard. Two respondents will be randomly selected to

WENDELL WILLIAMS (’56) of Overland Park, Kan., February 7, 2016. Wendell pastored churches in North Carolina and Kentucky and worked at the International Headquarters of the Church of

receive $100 VISA gift cards. Questions regarding the alumni survey may be addressed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness at ir@trevecca.edu.

the Nazarene for six years. He also worked in the field of banking, holding positions with Commerce Bank, United Missouri Bank, and serving as the president of the American Institute of Banking.

In retirement, Wendell fulfilled a lifelong dream by owning and

Trevecca Alumni Directory Work has begun on the 2016 Trevecca Alumni Directory. Scheduled

showing Morgan horses.

for release late this fall, this limited-edition volume will be the most

HAZEL BROWN DAVIS (’59) of Murfreesboro, Tenn., February 22,

The Alumni Association is working with Harris Connect, a leading

2016. Hazel lived for many years on the edge of the Trevecca campus

alumni directory publisher, to produce the directory. Beginning

in what is now the Marks Guest House. For 29 years, she taught in the

in May 2016, alumni will start receiving emails and/or postcards

Davidson County School district.

from Harris asking them to update and verify profile information

DR. JAMES BRAKEFIELD of Nashville, Tenn., February 27, 2016.

Dr. Brakefield practiced 41 years in obstetrics and gynecology, during which time he delivered more than 5,000 babies. He served as an adjunct professor in Trevecca’s Physican Assistant program for many years.

29 TREVECCAN

complete and up-to-date reference of Trevecca alumni worldwide.

for inclusion in the directory. When contacted, please take a few moments to verify that your information is complete and accurate.

This directory is published once every five years and is one of the many benefits provided to you as TNU alumni.

“Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.”

—MARTIN LUTHER

www.trevecca.edu

USPS No. 394470

The Magazine of Trevecca Nazarene University

SPRING 2016

S A V E T H E D AT E

Homecoming 2016 NOVEMBER 4-5, 2016 Reunion plans are already being made for the classes of 1966, 1971 (plus), 1976 (plus), 1986, 1996, and 2006, as well as the physician assistant program 40th anniversary, a WNAZ reunion and more!