Treveccan | Fall 2017

Treveccan THE MAGAZINE OF TREVECCA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

17 | SPECIAL HOMECOMING EDITION: Schedule, highlights, award winners, and more 29 | FREEDOM RIDER Leading the effort to create the Freedom Riders National Monument in Anniston, Ala.

The value of a christian liberal arts education

in today’s world

FALL 2017

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“I knew that I wanted a Christ-centered education, and there are none in Thailand where I’m from. So God provided me with enough scholarship money from Trevecca to finish my first year, but it took all of my mom’s income that year to cover the rest of my tuition. I knew we can’t make it for the three years that I have left, but I trusted God entirely to provide. And He did. Through this endowed scholarship, I’m able to make it another year. This scholarship doesn’t only keep me in school. I see it as a confirmation that God wants me here, that I’m following Him. And it is also a reminder that He has everything in His hand, and it is His plans that provide.”

—HANNAH NARADA SOMBOON Junior, religion major

Trevecca’s endowed scholarships make stories like Narada’s possible for more than 300 students.

You can help these students write the next chapter through your large and small gifts.

Make your gift today at give.trevecca.edu.

Contents FOREWORD President’s Imprint From the Hill In Your Own Words

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4 7 10

FOCUS Carry High Her Banner My Trevecca Story Academic Rigor

Feature Turning Points

11 13 15

F E AT U R E S

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Cover story

Turning Points 17 For MHR student Jackie Collum, finishing her degree meant creating a better life for her son.

Learn how she persevered to earn her degree, even while living in her car.

At Face Value All in the Family 21 This fall, Trevecca’s LINK program celebrated its 10th anniversary. We talked with Megan McGhee to learn why small groups make such a big difference in the lives of Trevecca’s traditional undergraduate students.

At Face Value 23 Does a Christian liberal arts education still matter in today’s fast-paced world? Higher education experts weigh in.

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Feature Freedom Rider

Freedom Rider 29 Trevecca grad Reggie Tiller is leading the effort to create the Freedom Riders National Monument in Anniston, Ala. Learn more about his desire to make sure we learn from the past.

SPECIAL SECTION: HOMECOMING 2017 Homecoming Schedule Honorable Mentions: Alumni Award Winners Homecoming Highlights

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special section Homecoming 2017

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EPILOGUE Athletics News 43 Alumni News 44 Postscript 46

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Treveccan

PRESIDENT’S IMPRINT

Vol. 87 No. 4 Fall 2017 President

Dan Boone, ’74

V.P. for External Relations Peg Cooning

Associate V.P. of Marketing & Communications Matt Toy

Editor

Mandy Crow

Graphic Designer Jamie Ascher Stephens Hiland, ’15

Contributors

Bailey Basham, ’17 Nancy Dunlap, ’67 Hilda Elvir Don Hastings , ’69 Princess Jones Logan Newkirk, ’15 Logan Rodgers Greg Ruff, ’87, MOL ’13 Anne Twining, ’74 Jessy Anne Walters, ’16 Tyler Whetstone, ’14 Jonathan Wright, ’13

Contact Information: Treveccan 333 Murfreesboro Road Nashville, TN 37210 615-248-1695 treveccan@trevecca.edu

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 (USPS 394470) is published quarterly by Trevecca Nazarene University, 333 Murfreesboro Road, Nashville, TN 372102877. Periodicals Postage Paid at Nashville TN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Treveccan, 333 Murfreesboro Road, Nashville, TN 37210-2877

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A DIFFERENT N A R R AT I V E On the very ground that Trevecca now occupies, history has seen an institution for the care of orphans, an institution for healing of mental illness and an institution for the education of freed slaves. If any site has a theology connected to it, we are there. The institutions that have called this Hill home have served the poorest of the poor, the most neglected, the least empowered and the neediest among us.

It seems most fitting that the people of Jesus would form a Christian institution to occupy this hallowed ground. And that we would serve a population growing in diversity, first generation college students, service-sector students and adult students who are either completing or advancing their college education. Even our online students, who now comprise about 30 percent of our enrollment, long to know that there is a piece of ground somewhere that can be touched and walked on. They want an earthed degree, not a school that exists in cyberspace.

But our place as a Christian institution in today’s world is challenging.

We pray, “Thy name be hallowed/held as sacred, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” If we really mean this, then we are in partnership with God for the restoration of the world in the likeness of His Son, Jesus. And we teach business and medicine and science and social work and music and law and literature and film-making and health science and math and everything else from this perspective. We converse with our students from a place of deep faith with a deep devotion to God. We are called to be more than nice. We are called to be holy, the saints of God, Christ-like people.

For this reason, we do education from a different narrative. We are the theological heirs of a man named John Wesley. He experienced God as holy love expelling sin and thereby restoring us in likeness to Jesus.

Wesley saw the broken world through the eyes of a loving God. He was

not afraid of the world or its ideas, even when it rejected and attacked his God. He was a curious lifelong learner. He wrote about health, money, estate gifts, economic theory, personal grooming, literature, politics, science and the arts. He made friends among those who had differing Christian theologies, offering his hand of fellowship in a catholic spirit.

Wesley did not think God in need of human defense, but he did think humans in need of godly help. His life of loving service caused people to be interested in his doctrine of sanctification. They wanted to know about the God who could do this kind of thing in a human heart and prompt such a life of service.

Because of our heritage, Trevecca …

• Believes God engages us across the entire liberal arts curriculum. We speak of God as quickly in a science or history class as in a religion class. God’s revelation is not limited to the University chapel. We believe there is a biblical way to understand political power, economic theory, public school education, science, the human body and the use of technology.

• Prepares students for life in the middle of the world. We do not shield, protect or coddle them in an unreal spiritual bubble.

Rather, we declare that God has gone into the world ahead of us and is calling us to follow. True discipleship can only be fulfilled by following God into that needy world. We believe it is possible to live in the world without being of the world. It is important to us that our students are interested in the world rather than afraid of it. Like Wesley, they travel with a Bible on their lap, interpreting the world through the revelation of God.

The practices of spiritual formation are important to us—prayer, fasting, Scripture study, hospitality, listening to God in silence, communion and worship. These habits form us as Christians.

Our students study, laugh, play, and eat and—sometimes—sleep.

They are involved in clubs, classes, intramural athletics, dramatic productions, and campus social life. Our dorm life is an extension of the academic classroom because there they learn respect for property, problem solving, relational integrity, sharing, and all the other values that help us live peacefully in a community.

• Believes that holiness is highly relational. The mentoring relationship between University employees and students is essential to a Wesleyan education. We learn from each other.

Years later, it is not so much content as godly influence that is the abiding gift of a Christian university.

• Promotes an academic atmosphere that is hospitable and charitable to those who do not believe as we do. Wesley called it a catholic spirit. A profession of Christian faith is not required for one to attend our college. Having our ideas challenged is part of the educational process. We are not afraid of asking the hard questions or debating the difficult issues. What better place to work through doubt and question than a campus filled with godly mentors?

This is how we do our work. This is why a Christian liberal arts education still matters in today’s world. And this is why Trevecca is such a special place that we celebrate it and the bonds we’ve formed here every fall at Homecoming. I’ll see you soon, when you follow the road home to Trevecca Nov. 2-4.

• Places high emphasis on the development of the whole person.

We are made to love God with body, mind, soul and strength.

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100 WORDS ON TREVECCA The Hill. Dear ol’ TNU. We use a lot of words to describe Trevecca. It’s our alma mater, the place where professors poured into us, teaching us the skills and knowledge we’d need to succeed in our vocations. It’s where we discovered our callings, formed lifelong friendships and were challenged to use our education and training in ways that made the world better, that pushed back the darkness with the light of Christ. Trevecca is more than a university. It’s a community and a family. There are many words that could be used to describe Trevecca, but maybe it’s the simplest one that describes it best: home.

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CAMPUS NEWS

from the Hill Welcome to Trevecca As the 2017-2018 academic year began, Trevecca welcomed four new faculty members to the family.

DR. ANTONY BECKHAM is an associate professor of management and leadership in the Skinner School of Business and Technology. He is a 1978 graduate of Morehouse College and holds a master’s in business administration from Azusa Pacific University as well as a master’s degree from Vanguard University. He earned his doctorate at Biola University in 2009. Beckham previously served on the faculties of Trinity International University, Vanguard University, and Biola University as well as Woosong University in Daejeon, South Korea, where he has taught for the past two years.

DR. CORLIS MCGEE rejoined the faculty of the business school. A 1975 graduate of Trevecca, McGee most recently served as the president of Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Mass. This will be McGee’s second time to serve on the faculty at Trevecca. She previously served as a member of the business faculty for 13 years, including three as the chair of the Department of Business. In addition to her undergraduate work at Trevecca, McGee earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee and a doctorate in economics from Middle Tennessee State University.

JOSHUA RIO-ROSS is the director of developmental mathematics and an assistant professor of mathematics. Rio-Ross previously served as a visiting lecturer in mathematics at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., and as an adjunct instructor at Southern Connecticut State University. He earned two bachelor’s degrees from Oral Roberts University in 2011, one in mathematics and one in English literature. He holds a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Missouri and earned a master’s degree in religion from Yale University in 2015.

MARY K. SCHMITT joined the faculty of the Millard Reed School of Theology and Christian Ministry as an assistant professor of New Testament. A 2003 graduate of Southern Nazarene University, Schmitt earned her master’s in divinity from Duke Divinity School. She is currently completing her dissertation for her doctorate at Princeton Theological Seminary, with an emphasis on Romans. Prior to joining Trevecca’s faculty, Schmitt taught in the College of Christian Studies at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore., and has served in various local ministry positions. She is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Read more at www.trevecca.edu/newfaculty.

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The Best Medicine Trevecca’s Physician Assistant program honored 43 students during a white coat ceremony in July. The ceremony marked the end of the students’ classroom training and the beginning of their clinical rotations.

Bret Reeves, director of Trevecca’s PA program, presented the history of the white coat ceremony. He also challenged the students to pursue their calling with passion and responsibility.

“Students, I want to inform as well as challenge you,” he said. “You are not just transitioning from the didactic to the clinical phase of your professional development. You are not just donning a prestigious white coat … but you are about to don the responsibility and all the expectations and needs of all the patients who will seek your care throughout the rest of your profession. Don’t take this day lightly.” The students will complete clinical training over the next few months and graduate in May 2018.

Learn more at www.trevecca.edu/whitecoat.

Introduction The University recently announced DR. TODD GARY as the associate vice president of research and community development, effective Aug. 1. Gary’s work will focus on expanding mutually beneficial community partnerships and generate opportunities for research grants, faculty engagement, sponsorships, internships and student employment.

KNOW-HOW

HOW TO MAKE A FA N TA S T I C C U P O F C O F F E E Fall is here, and it’s time for cool evenings and warm drinks by the fireplace. We asked Logan Rodgers, quality manager at Trevecca’s own Nineteen|01 coffee shops, for some advice on brewing a delicious cup of coffee at home. With coffee beans available from countless origins as well as a variety of brewing devices and accessories available on the market, brewing that perfect cup of coffee at home can be a tricky but rewarding experience. Check out Logan’s tips and suggestions for coffee lovers.

1 . F I N D T H E B R E W I N G D E V I C E T H AT W O R K S FOR YOU.

In order to find the right brewing device for you, Logan recommends taking a look at your daily coffee consumption habits as well as the amount of time and effort that you are willing to spend making coffee. “If you’re in a rush and prefer a small amount of coffee brewed very quickly, I recommend you begin your coffee brewing journey with an Aeropress Coffee Maker by Aerobie,” Rodgers says. If you want a larger amount of coffee and don’t mind a longer brew time, he recommends that you either start with French press or Chemex. While a French Press will typically leave a little coffee grit in your drink, Chemex will filter out all grounds through the paper filter. “Both devices bring out their own unique flavors, so the deciding factor is what tastes best to you,” he says.

2. BUY A GRINDER.

“The grind size of your beans will impact the success of your coffee brew,” Rodgers says.

If you’re on a tight budget, he recommends a hand grinder such as the Hario Skerton Ceramic Coffee Mill. If you’re fully invested in the brewing experience, purchase an electric burr grinder, such as the Baratza Encore.

3.USE A COFFEE SCALE.

Obtaining coffee brewing consistency is an important factor. “To achieve consistency, Logan recommends using a coffee scale,” Rodgers says. “Use the scale to weigh the amount of beans and water you use to brew your coffee.” While the ratio of water to coffee beans will vary according to personal taste and the type of bean you use, Rodgers suggests experimenting to find the one that tastes best to you.

4. FIND A COFFEE ROAST YOU LIKE.

When it comes to coffee, finding a good roast is all about what tastes good to you.

Experiment with different beans and roasts—whether they’re from your local grocery store, favorite coffee shop or a local roaster. “Don’t be afraid to visit a coffee shop and ask a barista to explain different roasts and origin varieties,” Rodgers advised.

Coming to campus for Homecoming, Nov. 2-4? Be sure to stop by and visit Rodgers in one of Trevecca’s two Nineteen|01 locations in the Bud Robinson Building and Waggoner Library.

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Innovative Approach Trevecca’s Skinner School of Business and Technology recently announced a new master’s degree program designed to provide graduates with the skills to become strategic leaders in the healthcare industry.

The Master’s of Science in Healthcare Leadership and Innovation is an 11-course, 33-credit hour program offered entirely online. Noting that leaders in healthcare are often faced with the challenge of maintaining operations with limited resources, Brandee Norris, program director and associate professor of healthcare administration and management, stressed that innovative technologies and strategies would continue to grow in importance for those in the industry. “Healthcare leaders must innovatively strategize to develop and execute processes that meet demands of the patient, comply with all levels of regulatory standards and produce desirable outcomes in a cost-efficient manner,” she says. “That’s where this program will most benefit our graduates.” Current healthcare professionals and faculty members from Trevecca’s business school will teach in the program, which can be completed in 18 months. The next start date is February 27, 2018.

Learn more at www.trevecca.edu/healthcareleadership.

EXPERTISE

Growing Scholarship Funds As Trevecca’s enrollment continues to grow, the number of students needing scholarship support to make their Trevecca education possible is also mushrooming. To establish a scholarship endowment fund, donors need a minimum of $20,000. The fund must “season” for a full calendar year before the first award is made. The current rate of spending from the earnings is 4 percent; therefore, $800 would be available for an annual award with a $20,000 investment.

There are several ways to start a virtual endowment. Here are three examples:

While Trevecca’s scholarship endowment is the long-term solution to ensure that funding will be available far into the future, the investment and current impact isn’t quick enough to keep pace with the current scholarship needs.

2. Jim faithfully makes a $1,000 gift for an annual scholarship. He wants to make sure that students continue to receive help after his lifetime, so Jim commits to a $25,000 estate gift to fund an endowment that will continue his faithful giving upon his death.

Donors who are passionate about wanting to help fund scholarships now have an opportunity to create a “virtual endowment” which can provide annual scholarships to students today. The “virtual” part is that an annual gift committed to scholarship behaves like the earning of an endowment.

Therefore, the whole gift is available to be awarded to current students.

3. Bonnie wants to create a scholarship endowment. She doesn’t have the current funds for the $20,000 needed to establish one, so Bonnie includes Trevecca in her estate plan to fund an endowment with $20,000. She also chooses to give $800 each year until her death to provide an annual scholarship equal to the endowment payout.

In addition, a virtual endowment donor commits to fund the endowment in the future; in most cases through an estate gift. This step makes the annual scholarship permanent, with the endowment then paying out the annual scholarship award.

Contact Don Hastings, director of planned giving, for more information.

DBHastings@trevecca.edu 615-248-1436

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1. Bob and Betty have included Trevecca in their estate plan. Upon their deaths, $50,000 will come to Trevecca to establish an endowed scholarship. They would like to help Trevecca students today, so Bob and Betty commit to a $2,000 annual gift which will equal the endowed scholarship’s annual payout but help students now.

In Your Own Words Trevecca students and employees talk to us about their Trevecca experience, why they love their jobs and why Trevecca will always be home. *

ADABELLE FAJARDO

JUNIOR, EXERCISE SCIENCE MAJOR “Trevecca has helped me build a resume pretty much from scratch. It has given me so many opportunities to get involved in my community and become a better leader. Several of my professors have pushed me past the undergrad expectations so that when I get to grad school I’ll be prepared.

My adviser, Dr. Branda Patterson, has done a wonderful job in helping me work towards going to PT school by keeping me on track of what I have to do to get there.”

KATIE-BETH SCHMELZENBACH J U N I O R , B I O LO GY

“My grandparents [Don and B.K. Hastings] graduated from Trevecca in 1969. From the time we were seven, we would go to Homecoming. I started in 2003. It always felt like home.”

ETHAN MILLSAP

’14, FINANCIAL COUNSELOR, S C H O O L O F G R A D U AT E A N D CONTINUING STUDIES “The best part of my job is the people. This department feels like a family.

It’s so fun to see people getting excited about going back to college as adult students. Many of them never thought they would get to that point.”

In the Summer 2017 issue of the Treveccan, Adabelle Fajardo was pictured with a quote mistakenly attributed to her. The correct quote appears above. The staff of the Treveccan apologizes for the error. *

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“Trevecca Field Day gave us the opportunity to make new friends and deepen friendships we already have.”

—DANIEL POLITO, FRESHMAN

CA R R Y HI G H HE R B A NNE R

Approximately 500 incoming freshman and transfer students participated in this year’s Trevecca Field Day. Held at Camp Widjiwagan each year just prior to the start of the semester, Trevecca Field Day helps students get to know their LINK groups and learn more about the University. Learn more about LINK’s tenth anniversary on page 21.

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MY TREVECCA STORY

Coming Home

BY RALPH SWALLOWS, ’76

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The day I arrived on campus in 1972 to begin my freshman year on Trevecca Nazarene College’s campus was nothing short of a miracle.

There’s not enough time or space on this page to tell the whole story. What I will say about it is that a few short years before, at the age of 16, I had made a commitment to Christ and been transformed from a wild young man without much hope of a bright future to a committed follower of Christ. I came to TNC with a purpose and goal to serve and follow Christ and the hope of a bright future. That change came about because of the redeeming power of God. The rest of the story is that I found a church that loved and accepted me for who I was and loved me into the kingdom of God. Had it not been for dedicated Christians of First Church of the Nazarene in Louisville, Ky., I may have never made it to Trevecca. My days at that church were really the beginning of my Trevecca experience. The love and acceptance I found with the people of that church helped me believe and dream that a college education was something I could achieve. With that support and encouragement, I made my way to Trevecca.

My first year at Trevecca was more than I imagined it could be. I made lots of new friends and really enjoyed being a part of the Trevecca community. My professors took interest in me and helped me through some of the difficult adjustments to college life. What I found in that process was the heart of Trevecca, caring and serving people with a heart for God. This set the tone for the rest of my time on Trevecca’s campus.

The years passed quickly, and I soon found myself making my place in the world.

Reflecting on my time at Trevecca, I can see the real value of the experience. There was a foundation for my spiritual life that was forged over those four years. I learned much about leaning on Christ and His guidance and the disciplines of prayer and study of Scripture. These things were caught more than taught.

This is the spirit of the Trevecca experience.

It comes through the professors you get to know. The classmates you develop friendships with and share the struggles and joys of those years with.

The binding tie of Trevecca is Christ.

That doesn’t mean it’s a perfect place filled with perfect people.

As one who has fallen short many times, I can testify to that. It is far from that. The most significant thing I’ve come to know is that the Trevecca experience is learning to depend on Christ and no one else.

One of the greatest benefits of the Trevecca experience is relationships. The relationships forged over my Trevecca years are still strong today. After 40 years we still gather at Homecoming and other times through the year to do life and remember our Trevecca experience. This benefit is priceless.

I didn’t fully appreciate how valuable my Trevecca experience was when I was there.

Looking back, it’s clear to me that God had a hand in it and Trevecca was the right place for me. I’m grateful for my years at Trevecca.

When I see our president, Dr. Dan Boone, during Homecoming, his greeting is “welcome home.” I’m always happy to get to come home.

My Trevecca Story is a place for you to share special memories of Trevecca, as well as big realizations and special moments you experienced on campus. Submit your essay for consideration to Mandy Crow, 333 Murfreesboro Road, Nashville, TN 37210-2877 or at Treveccan@Trevecca. edu. Please limit yourself to 700 words and include your name, class year, address, email address and phone number.

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ACADEMIC RIGOR

Research Methods B Y J E S S Y A N N E W A LT E R S , ’ 1 6

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Each year Trevecca students have the opportunity to participate in FacultyLed Academic Research Experience (FLARE) projects, and this fall is no exception. From historical research to creative writing and public health issues, students will have the chance to follow their passions and pursue research in their own fields of study.

According to Dr. Sam Green, Trevecca director of undergraduate research, the benefit of FLARE projects will last long after the academic year ends.

“Trevecca seeks to emphasize the process of acquiring research skills, not just the outcome of the research,” Green said, stressing that students will be well prepared for future endeavors and study.

FLARE was first implemented in 2015, as part of the Quality Enhancement Program, or QEP. A QEP is required of any university seeking accreditation or reaccreditation and is intended to enhance the student learning experience.

Trevecca’s QEP is focused on undergraduate research.

During the 2017-2018 academic year, Trevecca students will be engaged in the following projects:

Stephens

GRASSROOTS VOICES

Dr. Erica R. Hayden will lead students in long-term oral and digital history as they work to understand the history that literally surrounds Trevecca—the neighborhoods. Students and faculty will chronicle the heritage of the Promise Zone neighborhoods bordering the University’s campus, including the J.C. Napier Homes and Sudekum Apartments.

THE FIRST FIVE YEARS

Professor Graham Hillard’s research project will allow students to experience firsthand the work and creativity that goes into producing a national literary journal, Trevecca’s own Cumberland River Review. Commemorating the first five years of literary review, the project will span the first semester of the academic year. Students will select poems, short stories and essays from The Cumberland River Review’s first five years to create an anthology, while simultaneously continuing the work of running the online journal. It is a research experience unique to Trevecca that no other school in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) can claim.

L E T ’ S C R E AT E A N O P E R A !

After the success of a similar project during the 2015-2016 academic year, Dr. Eric Wilson and other faculty members will guide students to create an opera in its entirety—from the beginning stages of writing and composing to the final stages of producing and performing. Students from a wide range of studies and majors will have the opportunity to play a part in creating this opera, including writing the songs and storyline, creating the set and directing the cast.

I N T R O D U C T I O N T O P U B L I C H E A LT H

Dr. Aaron Hall, assistant professor of exercise science, and Dr. Yanice Mendez, associate professor of biology, will lead a group of students to Jinotega, Nicaragua, where the students’ work will center on injury and infectious disease prevention in a rural population. The goal of the project is to introduce students to the field of public health and its relationship to various other careers in the health sciences, including physical and occupational therapy, nursing, medicine and research careers. Students will minister to a rural population served by the Misión para Cristo.

WELCOMING THE STRANGER

A joint project between the University and The Salvation Army, this FLARE project will center on a local Salvation Army church in South Nashville and the immigrants and refugees whose lives intersect with that church. Led by Jamie Casler and Curtis Elliott, this project will encourage students to listen to and document the migration stories of recently arrived immigrants and refugees while also considering the implications these stories have for the church.

BUSINESS CASE STUDIES IN BELIZE

Dr. Roy Philip will lead a group of Trevecca business students with various academic concentrations to research the unique factors that impact business operations outside the United States. The project will also include a spring break trip to Belize to visit the businesses the students study during the project.

“We are experiencing cross-discipline research taking place throughout the campus,” Green said in reference to this year’s slate of FLARE projects. “Having students from various majors collaborating with peers and professors on a common goal is also helping to inspire more faculty members to become active in research.”

Undergraduate research at Trevecca is a unique experience that students from all areas can take part in. To learn more about FLARE projects, contact Sam Green at SGreen@trevecca.edu.

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Turnin DEGREE-COMPLETION STUDENT JACKIE CULLOM’S STORY OF HOPE

BY MANDY CROW 17 TREVECCAN

oints

Every good story—at least the ones that keep you turning the pages or thinking about them long after you’ve heard the tale—contains a few key components.

The setting. Characters you can relate to and empathize with. Structure and a plot that holds everything all together.

But one of the most important parts—the one you never forget when you recount the narrative—is the turning point. That moment when truth is revealed, when the plotline shifts.

That moment when everything changes.

For Jackie Cullom, the turning point was a baby, Caesar. And when her son was born, something inside Jackie changed.

Eventually, that changed everything.

TA K I N G T H E F I R S T S T E P For years, Jackie had lived in an abusive relationship she felt powerless to leave. She’d given everything to the relationship and couldn’t see a way out. More than that, she didn’t even know if she was worth it.

“When you’re in an abusive situation, you believe what [the abuser] tells you,” she said. “I didn’t have anyone to turn to. Everything I had came through him. I just gave my whole life to him. I was in a situation that I felt like I would never be able to walk away from.”

After Caesar was born, Jackie says he got caught in the middle of some of the abuse. That was a big turning point for her.

“It was the first time I felt like I would really die for something,” she said. “I remember saying, ‘You have done this to me, but I’m not going to let you do it to him.’ Before Caesar was born, I never had the courage or the strength to come up with those words or anything to leave him.”

At that point, Jackie and Caesar left with just the clothes on their backs. She immediately went to the police and got some support through the Metro Nashville Police Department’s resources. But then Caesar, who’d been born with a variety of health issues and developmental delays, got sick.

Jackie’s son, who’s now 5, spent the majority of his first three years going in and out of the hospital. Later, when Jackie added up all the hospital stays, she realized Caesar had spent nearly one entire year as an admitted patient.

With limited resources and lacking a strong support system, Jackie knew she had to figure out her next steps.

“It was really taking its toll on me,” she remembers. “I was dealing with the whole situation of us being on our own. Because of all the medical bills and the challenges I was going through with his father to get insurance and things we needed to be in place to sustain his medical care, I ended up having to sell everything I had other than my car. I didn’t have anything or anywhere to go.”

That car soon became home for Jackie and Caesar.

“It was a situation I didn’t see coming,” Jackie says. “Now, I’m homeless and I’m sleeping in my car with my son who has disabilities and was extremely ill most of the time.

“I didn’t think I could really tell anyone what was going on because I felt like if they knew that we didn’t even have a place to live, they would separate us,” she continues. “I knew I needed him, and he needed me. I just kept praying, ‘Lord, you’re going to have to show me how to make this all work, because I can’t see it.’”

As Caesar transitioned out of the hospital and into therapy, Jackie came to another turning point in her life. She realized that to support Caesar, she needed to get a better job— and that meant getting a bachelor’s degree.

So, Jackie started researching programs.

She had three prerequisites for the program: a flexible schedule so she could care for her son,

an accelerated pace, and it needed to be a faceto-face program at a local Christian university.

Jackie found what she was looking for at Trevecca.

“When I walked through the door, I just felt like this was the place I needed to be,” she says.

“Christen [Bugarin] in admissions took my hand and walked me through.”

While Jackie was still hesitant—“Can I do this with everything else going on in my life right now?” she remembers asking—but says Bugarin, an enrollment counselor, and Myron Parks, a student success advisor in Trevecca’s School of Graduate and Continuing Studies (SGCS), helped her to understand the process and listened to her fears and concerns.

“Everybody was willing to fight the fight with me to help me get the degree I wanted,” Jackie says.

By March 2016, she was enrolled in her first class in the bachelor’s program in management and human relations (MHR).

WA L K I N G O N FA I T H While starting the MHR program was a big step in Jackie’s plan to provide a better life for Caesar, it wasn’t an easy goal to pursue. After three months of living in her car, Jackie and Caesar had moved to a homeless shelter.

“After about three months of being in the car, we ended up in a homeless shelter,” Jackie said.

“That was difficult, but at least we had a roof over our heads.”

18

with this. No one said anything at first, and then they just said, ‘Look, Jackie. You don’t have to worry about anything. We’re not going to let you go hungry.”

MOVING FORWARD

At the same time, Jackie continued taking classes at Trevecca—and did well—but it wasn’t easy.

“I didn’t have access to a computer all the time,” she recalls. “I would have to come up here to campus to use a computer. There were certain times when I would have to explain what was going on because it wasn’t easy to get everything done. But I was never willing to be defeated.”

Money was always an issue. Because of Caesar’s hospitalization and ongoing care, Jackie hadn’t been able to work much since he’d been born. One of the biggest hurdles she had to jump was figuring out how to pay for the program.

“How am I going to pay for this?” she remembers asking. “I got through this whole program by stepping out on faith.”

God also answered Jackie’s prayer, the one she’d prayed back when she decided to go back to school that He would show her how this was going to work. Loans, donations and scholarships all combined to pay Jackie’s tuition as she progressed throughout the program.

Last March, Jackie was named one of the 2017 recipients of an MHR endowment

19 TREVECCAN

scholarship. Created by a previous cohort, the MHR endowment scholarship is designed to ease the financial burden of adult students. The scholarship allowed Jackie to finish her final classes without having to worry about where the money would come from.

But just because her tuition was paid didn’t mean that finances were easy. Jackie budgeted every bit of the little money she had. Caesar’s care, gas, tuition, groceries—every dollar she earned was allotted. While the budget worked, it left her with little spending money.

And that sometimes made life a little uncomfortable. Trevecca’s MHR program is built on a cohort model, meaning students progress through the curriculum as a group.

The model is designed to build community, camaraderie and support—and Jackie’s cohort quickly bonded. During their one-night-aweek class sessions, they’d often pitch in to bring or buy dinner for the whole group.

“We all had our challenges in that class, but they have been amazing,” Jackie says. “I remember that we were going to take up $5 a week for food, and there I was. In my mind, I was like, ‘I don’t have $5.’ They saw me dealing

Jackie’s story would be a good one—maybe even a great one—if it stopped there. But in a way, finishing her bachelor’s degree became another turning point in Jackie’s life.

For Jackie, finishing her degree was the path to making a better life for her son. But her story included a few plot twists she didn’t see coming.

One of the biggest was the confidence she gained in herself and her own worth that began to grow as she marched ever closer to finishing her bachelor’s degree.

“I just did not have the confidence that I needed to see what Trevecca saw in me until I came here,” she says. “I realized I really do have something that is meaningful and can contribute to society in a positive way.”

Jackie also realized that her studies had ignited a desire to go even further. She finished her bachelor’s degree on August 5 and began working toward her master’s on August 15. Her ultimate goal is earning her doctorate.

“My end goal is my doctorate,” she says. “I can dream that now because I didn’t believe I could do it on my own. But now I realize I don’t have to do it alone.“ And that—the fact that Jackie’s not alone anymore—is maybe the biggest plot twist she never expected. While Jackie’s struggles aren’t over—Caesar still needs care and Jackie continues to look for more permanent housing and fulltime employment—she has found something she never expected at Trevecca: family.

“God answers prayers because we didn’t have a family, and He gave us one,” Jackie says.

“Trevecca is my family. He gives us the family He wants us to have, and this is my family. “[Trevecca] made the difference for me,” she continues. “It’s a population of people that has tremendously changed what I thought about myself, what I can do with my life and definitely how I want to give back in my life.”

MHR 30TH ANNIVERSARY C E L E B R AT I O N Join Jackie and other graduates of Trevecca’s MHR program for a come-and-go reception celebrating the 30th anniversary of the program during Homecoming 2017. Details on page 42.

Make your dreams a reality

It’s never too early to start thinking about your goals for 2018.

Whether you’re just beginning a degree, finishing what

you started or taking your education even further, Trevecca has a path for you.

Online programs starting early next year include: Bachelor’s in Psychology | January 16 Bachelor’s in Computer Information Technology | February 6 Master’s in Healthcare Leadership and Innovation | February 27

One class at a time • Asychronous format • Access class anywhere, anytime, 24/7 • Entirely online

online.trevecca.edu | 844-TNU-GRAD

all in the

family

C E L E B R AT I N G A D E C A D E O F L I N K Trevecca has long valued the role of small groups and mentors in helping incoming students acclimate to college life. This fall, the LINK program celebrated its tenth anniversary. To mark the occasion, we sat down with Megan McGhee, director of first year programs, to learn more about LINK, its history and the program’s future.

How would you describe the LINK program to someone who’s unfamiliar with it?

The LINK program exists to help students in their transition to Trevecca and college life. We chose the word LINK because we feel that transition is complete once they feel like they have a place here at Trevecca, that they’ve formed some sort of link with the institution and feel like they belong. We do that through our LINK groups, which are our small mentoring groups. Those groups are important because if you don’t know anyone else, at least you know the people in your LINK group.

Why is this kind of program important to students?

The transition from high school to college—that major milestone that 18-year-olds hit—is jarring for multiple reasons. For our residential students, they’re living away from home and having to take care of a lot of their own things that maybe their parents used to do for them. And then academically, there’s the shell shock that students receive when they realize what it takes to be in college. All of that combined, if students don’t have a place that is safe for them, that is comfortable, where they can be themselves and ask questions and feel it’s OK to not know everything,

then I think that makes the transition harder. We provide that space knowing that this transition is jarring, and that they have a desire to be successful and succeed, but knowing they don’t have to do that alone and that they’re able to do that with a group of their peers is something that makes them feel more confident.

How have you seen the program grow and change over the years?

I think one of the big ones is our name shift [from LEAP to LINK]. Before it was LEAP, we had Freshmen Family Groups. We have some mentors now who remember being a part of those Freshman Family Groups when they were students here. The name has shifted as need has shifted and as we have found more of a focus of what this is and what we want it to represent. When it was LEAP, it was very much about making the leap from high school to college. Now, with LINK, we’re trying to make it more about Trevecca and forming the connection here. As all students have to go through this program, it’s fun to hear the stories of people who have gone through the different iterations of what this has been.

But every person you talk to about it talks about how meaningful it was to them. Our programs for our new students have woven themselves through our history.

This is my sixth fall doing this. The number of peer mentors I work with has doubled. The number of mentors I work with has doubled. The number of freshmen has doubled practically. It’s been a challenge to still provide the same quality of that small group experience while doing it for twice as many people as when it started. I give a lot of credit for that to our peer mentors and mentors because they are really the ones who are able to embody that mission of helping our students feel connected. Our peer mentors and mentors really believe what those LINK groups do, so even if the group size is bigger, they’re still able to provide hospitality and a place for those new students to connect. The size really does change things, but the heart really is still the same.

Another significant change would be the addition of transfer students last year. Transfers never really had an official program for them, and now we have transfer peer mentors. There isn’t a class that they take, but they have people who are assigned and intentionally there to connect them

to the University. All of our transfer peer mentors were transfer students themselves, so they understand the unique place our transfer students are in.

What are some hopes or plans you have for the future of LINK? I’d really love to take the TREK portion [a section of the LINK program centered on adventure activities, such as camping and hiking] and expand that—not only to have more of our LINK groups that do the trip, but also just to expand our rental program, our offerings and our activities for any student. Just to find more ways for the entire student population to connect more to the outdoors and nature.

Every year we have returning mentors, and I would love to take those third year peer mentors and let them have more ownership of the program. They would be helping to plan training and orientation so we have more of a student voice in the planning of our first-year program. I always debrief them … but they don’t ever get to have input on the front end. Being able to have student voices as we’re planning things is only going to help [fulfill our] desire to better serve the needs of our diverse population of students.

I’d love to get to the point—we’re probably at 90 percent—where 100 percent of our mentors are Trevecca grads, so that all of the people pouring back into our students have Trevecca history and love for the institution, so that we’re really creating that history and legacy.

With the continuing growth of our institution, there are still some practical things to consider. … The Trevecca of the future directly impacts orientation and first-year programs of the future. Knowing where Trevecca wants to go and the type of students Trevecca wants to recruit directly affects what I do. I exist to provide space and resources for the success of our students. That’s my whole job. So being able to adapt to the changing needs of our students is at the forefront of what I have to think about. The same thing doesn’t work every year!

Want to know more about the history of LINK? Visit www.trevecca.edu/ LINKturns10.

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At Face

T H E V A L U E O F A C H R I S T I A N L I B E R A L A R T S E D U C AT I O N I N T O D A Y ’ S W O R L D

23 TREVECCAN

4 er W he ts to ne , ’1 by Ty l The vaunted business publication Forbes Magazine publishes a list of the “Least Valuable College Majors’’ every year—and every year it looks like a page out of the catalog of a liberal arts university.

Fine arts, video, photography, music and religious studies—Forbes’ current list is filled with the courses and topics that comprise the very bedrock of a Christian liberal arts degree.

Many read lists like this and see a liberal arts degree as a laundry list of excessive courses and rising tuition costs. Wouldn’t it be better to learn specific skills for a specific profession, rather than a broad curriculum? they ask.

For others, a liberal arts education is a more well-rounded approach that creates learners for life. With so many viewpoints on the value of a liberal arts education in our changing world, is a liberal arts education at a Christian university like Trevecca still worth it?

In a word, yes.

BUILDING FOR LIFE One of the most popular arguments levied against liberal arts universities is that students would be better served—and better prepared for our technology-driven, globally-connected economy—with an education more focused on their chosen career paths. Instead of the hallmarks of liberal arts education, which focus on a broad-based understanding of the humanities, natural and social sciences and analytical skills, students should focus solely on their majors from day one.

Why spend time in gen ed classes when students can be well on their way to becoming an expert in their chosen field?

It’s an argument Dr. Dan Boone, Trevecca president, is familiar with. And his response, the one he shares with prospective students and their parents, to churches around the region and to local business leaders remains the same: a Christian liberal arts education is needed in today’s world.

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Business leaders get it, he says. Leaders across Nashville tell him Trevecca doesn’t need to teach program X or course Y, but that it needs to continue to pump out intelligent, broadthinking graduates.

“I think the complexity of the world today needs graduates who are able to think in multiple categories and then synthesize what they’re thinking for the particular career field they might be in,” he says. “[They say], ‘We need you to give us people who can read, write, think conceptually, who stand on their own two feet … who can solve problems … who can think outside the narrow, compartmental thinking. If you give us that person, we can do everything else,’” Boone says. “They’re describing the liberal arts graduate.”

Boone says that managers in today’s world will need to have business skills and the ability to think critically about social justice and cultural diversity issues all while being servant leaders.

Many times, those boxes don’t all get checked at a state school.

Parents get it, especially when Boone has a chance to explain his point of view. College is about more than developing a qualified employee, he says; it’s about building a person.

Academic rigor and industry are paramount, but Boone is also deeply concerned with what kind of people Trevecca students will become.

“We’re actually building the person that your son or daughter is going to be the rest of their lives,” he says to parents. “Our sense is that we’re forming a person for a city and community and a company and a family and a neighborhood.

We’re forming the kind of people that will build the world in a way that brings honor to God.” Students get it—maybe even more so after they’ve graduated, Boone says. After they’ve sweated through math and English courses

25 TREVECCAN

and speech classes that have nothing to do with their majors, graduates begin to see how those classes have helped them down the road.

Dr. Morris Stocks is a Trevecca graduate and former Trevecca professor who recently served as the interim provost at the University of Mississippi, a public liberal arts school, before returning to a full-time faculty position in January.

“I believe strongly in a liberal arts education in that it teaches us to think and analyze and write and speak and critically look at issues and understand a path in trying to plan the future,” Stocks says.

Of course it is Trevecca’s Christian environment that separates it from other liberal arts institutions. Trevecca teaches that a graduate’s faith is not a compartmentalized part of his or her life, but rather is his or her whole life, Boone says.

“It stains how they read history,” he says.

“It stains how they understand the news, how they deal with diverse peoples and it stains their whole ethic about dealing with the neighbor.”

MONEY IN Ask higher education leaders from any school, public or private, and one of the biggest problems for students is price. Christian liberal arts institutions are usually more expensive than state schools, and programs like Tennessee Promise, which gives two free years of community college to high school graduates, complicate things.

Angela Boatman is an assistant professor of public policy and higher education at Vanderbilt University. She said schools like Trevecca (and Vanderbilt for that matter) won’t be able to compete with cost with Tennessee Promise.

“We’re forming “But they can still compete on the unique educational experience offered on their campuses, such as the learning environment, access to a wellrounded liberal arts education, the facilities, oncampus residential experience, etc.”

Trevecca has baked-in advantages. The small classes allow for professor-student relationships to flourish, which can help lead to jobs postgraduation, and the faith formation is key to a healthy life.

Boone agrees and said Trevecca doesn’t even try to compete with free. He asks parents if they want cheap or deep.

Those advantages aren’t just marketing ploys.

Gallup and Purdue University released the Gallup-Purdue Index 2015 report, which is based on a web survey of more than 30,000 graduates from across the U.S. who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The report seeks to answer one question: is college worth it?

“You’ve got all those cheap options out there that you can want, but you don’t have too many good, deep options that are at the price point of Trevecca,” he said.

the kind of people that will build the world in a way that brings honor to God.”

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“Our life’s work is different and working with students to find more than just a job, but a vocation of life is important for what Christian higher education does.”

The key findings? The elements of the college experience that had the biggest impact— that made college worth it—included close mentoring relationships, meaningful internships, opportunities for leadership in clubs and organizations as well as occasions for in-depth, long-term projects and research. All are hallmarks of the Trevecca experience.

Rising student debt weighs heavily on Boone and Trevecca administrators. Boone acknowledges that student loans are often unavoidable, but cautions that students should be conscientious about how much they borrow. He wants to find ways to reduce the need for loans and better educate students and their families about financial aid options.

This mindset is why the University has started programs like iWork, Boone says, which allows students to use their earnings from on- and off-campus jobs to offset the cost of their education. While the average Trevecca graduate leaves the University with about $20,000 in debt, Boone is hopeful the

“sweat equity” of iWork and other programs and efforts will help to reduce the need for student loans.

MONEY OUT When it comes time to create their “Least Valuable College Majors” list each year, Forbes Magazine turns to a very specific set of data: initial unemployment rates and initial earnings of graduates who study those subjects.

But life is more than the sum of money you make, especially when considered from the Christian point of view. These lists fail to take into account callings rather than careers or obedience to God. That’s why Dr. Bob Brower, Trevecca graduate and president of Point Loma Nazarene University, says lists like Forbes’ don’t deter him.

higher education only on a paycheck I think that’s a challenge.

“Our calls are different,” he continues. “Our life’s work is different and working with students to find more than just a job, but a vocation of life is important for what Christian higher education does.”

Tyler Whetstone is a 2014 graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University. He covers politics and government for the Knoxville News Sentinel and lives in Knoxville with his wife, Kristen.

“Life is about more than only just the paycheck,” Brower says. “Income is important and the paycheck is important, but it’s not the sole major (focus) … whenever groups and agencies attempt to measure the worth and value of

O N L I N E O N LY Read Tyler’s personal essay about why a Christian liberal arts education matters to him at www.trevecca.edu/TylerWhetstone.

27 TREVECCAN

BY BAILEY BASHAM, ’17

Freedom Rider How Trevecca Alumnus Reggie Tiller is helping us learn from the past M AY 4 , 1 9 6 1 , B I R M I N G H A M , A L A .

Snarling dogs, police officers with batons extended and segregationists with unbridled hatred for people with dark skin and their sympathizers.

These are the things the Freedom Riders knew they were heading toward when they boarded a bus in 1961 headed for Birmingham.

Anniston, Ala., was a stop on the way for the group—a chance to rest, refuel and escape the confines of the bus after riding for 90 miles.

Once in Anniston, the group was met by a mob of locals who lay in wait for the arrival of the riders.

Shortly after the bus met the mob, terror ensued. A bomb was thrown into the bus. Flames began to engulf the bus. Smoke billowed out of windows forced open by passengers inside, desperate for air. Echoes of slurs and threats reverberated throughout the mob.

The terror the riders experienced that night was immeasurable— but the fight was long from over.

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“The Civil Rights Movement many times, is not spoken about in terms of being American history because of its negative connotation. The Civil Rights Movement was a leadership movement that led to other rights for women and other groups.”

J U LY 2 0 1 7 , A N N I S TO N , A L A .

The alarm clock reads 4 a.m., but Reggie Tiller doesn’t wait for it to sound. He is already up and getting to work. He has a busy day ahead as the National Park Service administrator in charge of developing the Freedom Riders National Monument.

Because Tiller works in both Birmingham and Anniston, Ala., in addition to working as an online instructor for Bethel University, he has to keep a tight ship.

tone,” Tiller continues. “I think that’s probably the reason why I have the United Nations as a group of friends—friends from all over—to make sure that I understand how people live and to embrace other cultures. It’s so critical to mending some of the past faults that our country has been a part of.” __________________

also served as superintendent of the George Washington Carver National Monument.

Tiller was well prepared, both from his experience working with the park service and also from his education at Trevecca, when he volunteered as the superintendent and administrator in charge of developing the Freedom Riders National Monument.

Tiller, Trevecca Class of 1987 and 1998—what “My experiences at Trevecca were priceless in he calls a double dose of Trevecca—began his helping me develop as a person,” Tiller says. career as a public servant after graduating with “I joined the National Parks Service, whose “I try to ensure that I have a pretty tight schedule an undergraduate degree in athletic training. mission was to protect natural resources. with my meetings and tasks. My wife tells me He earned a master’s degree in organizational “When I heard that Birmingham and Anniston all the time that I’m doing too much. What else management in 1998. were going to be two new parks, I made sure can you do with your waking hours? I never “I had this thought that I would be an athletic our staff knew I had the experience and was pictured myself [doing this work]. I think that trainer or an orthopedic specialist. Things like interested in participating,” he continues. “I has more to do with evolving as a person and that change when you graduate from school and may not be the long-term superintendent making sure that I’m giving back,” Tiller says. people offer you a position doing something for either park, but I’m making sure we are At the time of the Freedom Rides in 1961, else,” Tiller says. “That’s probably where my life continuing planning and making sure that both Tiller had yet to be born. But action behind was heading any way—serving people, working communities engage the park and support it.” the cause he would champion for the next 30 in the inner cities and outreach programs. That __________________ was pretty much my initial ministry,” said years was brewing.

Tiller. “I grew up as a Baptist kid from Erin, In addition to his work with the national His own experiences with discrimination Tenn., where my mom was in the nursing field monument development, he also serves as began when he was just 11 years old. and serving others. It prepared me to continue the deputy superintendent in Atlanta for the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic “I was away playing basketball [for school] in an service for others.”

Site and supervisor of the Birmingham Civil area that didn’t have many minorities,” Tiller Tiller’s first taste of working for the National Park Rights Monument. recalls. “The crowd was chanting obscenities to Service was in 2005 when he started working us, and when I got home, I asked my mom what as a park ranger at Rocky Mountain National The Freedom Riders National Monument was some of the words meant. They were basically Park in Colorado. Nearly 10 years later, he established by President Barack Obama in chanting for us to go home. They used the moved on to lead the formation of the Charles January 2017 to honor the stories and efforts of ‘N-word,’ of course. My team won, and we had Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument those who participated in the rides. to go back there and play again. in Wilberforce, Ohio, while also serving as Pete Conroy, co-chair of the Freedom Riders “It was interesting to know that these people superintendent of the William Howard Taft Monument committee and director of had such a dislike for me because of my skin National Historic Site in Cincinnati. Tiller has environmental policy at Jacksonville State

29 TREVECCAN

University, said they spent almost a decade thinking of the best way to honor the Freedom Riders stories. Conroy acted as a liaison between United States Congress, the White House and local elected officials in putting together the unit.

are placed in history prominently so people can learn from them.”

Steve Harris, dean of students and associate provost at Trevecca, said that, throughout the years and in spite of the distance, Tiller has kept in contact with him, sharing his work and continuing to reminisce over his love of Trevecca.

“Any time an outsider comes to a small town in a leadership role, it’s a challenge,” Conroy says.

“He tells me over and over how Trevecca “Reggie is disarming, humble, knowledgeable changed his life. He’s one of those students and vastly experienced in working with diverse that because of his work ethic and his desire groups of people. I had the honor of taking to excel and make a difference, if he went him from the Chamber of Commerce to City anywhere, he would still accomplish the same Hall to the County Commission offices, and things,” Harris says. “It’s really phenomenal to everywhere he goes, he makes friends and see what he has accomplished and that he still connections. Reggie has become not only a has a servant heart. God’s opened the door colleague but an extraordinary friend. Now that for him to serve with the parks service and Reggie is here, we’re hoping he can stay.” the millions of people that come there. Even Tiller said history has always been one of his as I talk about him, I start getting choked up. favorite subjects. Working to honor civil rights I’m extremely proud of him. He’s a wonderful history—both the gains made and the abuse person of high character.” endured during the fight—was a natural fit.

Tiller said Trevecca will always hold a special “In both communities, I have heard from visitors, place in his heart.

‘Why should we be telling these stories? It was “Trevecca is and always will be that shiny a negative part of history.’ I think that’s one place on the hill that protects, educates and of the main reasons. It’s American history. I illuminates a person’s life,” said Tiller. always love asking people, ‘What do you think __________________ of when people talk about American history?’

Some people will go to our first mission to the moon. Some people would go to the Civil War, but not in the context of slavery or civil rights.

The Civil Rights Movement many times, is not spoken about in terms of being American history because of its negative connotation.

The Civil Rights Movement was a leadership movement that led to other rights for women and other groups. It’s critical that these stories

Bailey Basham is a recent Trevecca grad working at a small newspaper in Sewanee, Tenn. She enjoys watering her plants, keeping organized, journaling and scoping out where to find the best chicken biscuit.

The Freedom Riders National Monument is expected to take a year to complete, according to Tiller. To read more about the project and support the work, visit www.freedomriderspark.org.

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H o mecom i n g 201 7 November 2-4 Welcome home.

There’s a reason those words greet our traditional undergraduates as they return to campus each year. Those two words whisper through cohort conversations as students start degree-completion, graduate and doctoral programs. It’s the phrase that most often welcomes alumni back to campus each November for Homecoming. This university, here on the Hill overlooking the heart of Nashville, is a special place. At Trevecca, we find out who we are and discover our callings. We achieve things we never thought possible, navigate setbacks and often discover the people who will be our closest friends for life. Trevecca is a community, a family, a bond that lasts long after we leave its hallowed halls. This November, no matter where the path of life has taken you, follow the road home to Trevecca.

31 TREVECCAN

For more information: www.trevecca.edu/homecoming 32

NOVEMBER 2

HOMECOMING

4 p.m.

Alumni Service Project This first-of-its-kind event will invite alumni and friends to serve the Trevecca community.

Learn more on page 40.

7 p.m.

The Secret Garden* Benson Auditorium Trevecca students will perform Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon’s highly acclaimed Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of the beloved children’s classic.

SCHEDULE 33 TREVECCAN

REGISTER NOW! Visit www.trevecca.edu/homecoming for the most up-to-date Homecoming information.

Events marked with an asterisk (*) require a ticket or payment.

NOVEMBER 3

NOVEMBER 4

10 a.m.

Founder’s Day Chapel The Courts, Trevecca Community Church (TCC)

8 a.m.

The Challenge TCC Lobby Register at www.crossbridgeinc.org/ thechallenge.

1:30 p.m.

Bachelor’s of Management and Human Relations (MHR) 30th Anniversary Celebration | President’s Dining Room Class of 1977 | Waggoner Library Rotunda 3 p.m.

The Secret Garden* Benson Auditorium

2 p.m.

Author Talk Waggoner Library Rotunda

9 a.m.

Various Reunions Trebletones 1995-2005 | Cierpke Choral Hall, Jackson Center* Class of 1967 50th Reunion | Waggoner Performance Hall, Jackson Center

5 p.m.

Homecoming Family Dinner* The Quad/Jernigan Student Center

9:45 a.m.

Department of Business 50th Year Celebration | Boone Business Building

7 p.m.

Town and Country Showcase* The Courts, TCC

11 a.m.

Parade and Street Fair The Quad

7 p.m.

The Secret Garden* Benson Auditorium

11:30 a.m.

Various Reunions Cheerleaders 1968-1992, former Super Trojans and Mascots Reunion | Tarter Student Activity Center* Class of 1982 | Reunion Tent on Quad

1:30 p.m.

NTS Reunion Fireside Room, Bud Robinson Building

9 p.m.

Trojan Madness and Pep Rally Grassy area between Waggoner Library and TCC

1 p.m.

Women’s Basketball Game v. Mount Vernon Nazarene University* Trojan Fieldhouse

3:15 p.m.

Men’s Basketball Game v. Mount Vernon Nazarene University* Trojan Fieldhouse 7 p.m.

The Secret Garden* Benson Auditorium 7 p.m.

Your Kingdom Come Premiere The Courts, TCC Be one of the first to see Your Kingdom Come, a documentary written, filmed, directed and produced entirely by Trevecca students. The documentary was filmed on location in Israel last spring. University Chaplain Shawna Gaines and Dr. Tim Green will host the Holy Land experience.

More on page 40.

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Ho norable Men ti on s 2017 Alumni Award Winners Trevecca alumni aren’t bound together just by a shared alma mater, but rather a shared mission: to go out into the world as servant leaders and make a difference. This shared mindset is one of the reasons Homecoming is so special on the Hill. We gather together to celebrate our alma mater and recall our shared experiences, but also to refocus on how Trevecca and our graduates are striving to make the world a better place. Each year, we take a moment to honor a few alumni who have lived out that mission in noteworthy ways. Get to know this year’s Alumni Award recipients over the next few pages.

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The T-Award The T-Award recognizes Trevecca alumni who have devoted their lives to serving and ministering to others. The honor is presented to one minister and one layperson each year.

DR. ESTHER SWINK

T- A W A R D , L A Y P E R S O N

HOWARD WILSON

T- A W A R D M I N I S T E R I A L Ask Howard Wilson (’81) what’s most important to him, and the answer is simple: investing in the lives of others. Wilson who graduated from Trevecca in 1981 with a degree in accounting, first began working with Nazarene Youth International (NYI) while attending Nashville’s First Church of the Nazarene. That eventually led to a long career with NYI ministries. He currently serves as the treasurer and represents the Alabama North District on the SE Field NYI Council. Wilson and his wife, Freda, have been married for 36 years. Wilson currently serves as the pastor of Sheffield First Church of the Nazarene in Sheffield, Ala.

“The highlights of my life are first getting saved and sanctified, meeting Freda Weber who would become my wife 36 years ago, having our daughter 31 years ago, and the privilege it is to take care of her, transferring to Trevecca—which changed my life— going to seminary, and entering the ministry.”

—Howard Wilson

Esther Swink (’69) grew up on Trevecca’s campus, attending the University’s elementary and high schools before graduating from Nashville’s Central High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education and English from Trevecca. In addition, she holds a master’s degree in library science from Peabody College and a doctorate in leadership from Vanderbilt University. Swink served in the Metro Nashville Public School (MNPS) system for 30 years, working as a teacher, school librarian, administrator and president of the Metro Nashville Education Association. After retiring from MNPS in 1999, Swink returned to Trevecca, creating a master’s program in library and information sciences. She served as the director of that program for two years before becoming the director of libraries for the University. She was then named dean of Trevecca’s School of Education. Swink served in this role until 2012 Honors & Acheivements • Partners in Excellence Award, Opera Volunteers International, 2017 • Leadership award, Tennessee Association of School Librarians • Co-wrote Navigating Leadership: Tools for Leading Effective Organizations with Trevecca colleague Dr. Ruth Cox, published in 2014.

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Mackey Leadership Award The Mackey Award is presented to Trevecca alumni who have excelled in leadership.

DR. MARDON AND RICHELLE DAY Drs. Mardon and Richelle Day are 1990 graduates of the University. After leaving Trevecca, both went on to complete their training in podiatry at the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa. They are the founding partners of Nashville Family Foot Care in Nashville, Tenn., and have been providing podiatric services to the Nashville community for more than 20 years. “[Howard Wall] was my first contact at Trevecca during the application and admission process. I was always impressed with his devotion to Trevecca and, in retrospect, I realize that that was his ministry and presented a model of what integration of faith and vocation looks like.”

—Dr. Mardon Day

LAWRENCE HALL JR.

DR. RONDY SMITH

A Nashville native, Lawrence Hall (’93) currently serves as the vice president of external affairs and business development at Meharry Medical College, where he oversees government and community affairs as well as some business development efforts for the institution. After earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration at Trevecca, Hall received a master’s degree in public administration from Tennessee State University. He has previously served as the assistant director of governmental affairs, assistant vice president and vice president at Meharry. Prior to his work in higher education, Hall worked as a research analyst for the Tennessee General Assembly.

For four years, Hall served as a member of the Nashville City Council, representing the 5th Council District of East Nashville.

Dr. Rondy Smith (’85) has a long Trevecca history. After graduating from the University with her bachelor’s degree, she worked as the assistant director of the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies degree completion program, the Bachelor of Arts in Management and Human Relations. After working in the corporate world for a number of years and completing a doctorate at Vanderbilt University, Smith returned to Trevecca in 1991, developing the curriculum for, and then serving as the founding director of Trevecca’s master’s program in organizational management. After about 10 years, Smith experienced a call into ministry. She served in her local congregation, Hermitage Church of the Nazarene, for 14 years.

During that time, Smith founded Rest Stop Ministries, a long-term residential restoration program for women survivors of sex trafficking.

She left the church to become the first CEO of Rest Stop Ministries in 2015.

Membership & Honors Hall has served on the Margaret Maddox YMCA Board of Directors as well as the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Citizens Academy.

“We opened our doors in the fall of 2015 and have been home to eleven women as they have found hope, healing and wholeness in Jesus. This has by far been the hardest thing I have ever done, but one of the most rewarding. When I look back on my career path I marvel at the beauty and mystery of God’s plan. Everything I have ever done has led me to and prepared me for this season.”

—Dr. Rondy Smith

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First Chapter The First Chapter Award is presented to a young alumnus or alumna who has distinguished him- or herself in a chosen career.

McClurkan Award JASON UNDERWOOD

The McClurkan Award is presented to those whose lives and service reflect Trevecca’s values but who did not graduate from the University.

CHARLES FINCHUM JR. A long-time Nashville resident, Charlie Finchum attended East Nashville High School and is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University. For the past 35 years, he has served with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee, including 20 as the organization’s president and CEO. He previously served as the program executive and facility director of the Nashville Salvation Army Area Command for nine-and-a-half years. Finchum and his wife, Carolyn, have been married for 53 years and have two children and three grandchildren.

A 2003 graduate of Trevecca, Jason Underwood serves as the youth pastor at Gateway Community Church in Brentwood, Tenn., a position he has filled since 2007. Underwood and his wife, Stephanie, are both graduates of Trevecca. Since graduation, Underwood has devoted his life to training, equipping and encouraging others to make a lifelong commitment to Jesus Christ. In addition to his ministry at Gateway, Underwood currently serves as the district NYI president for MidSouth NYI and serves on the MidSouth SDMI council. From 2009-2015, he served as the director of TNT@TNU. He has also directed summer camps for Tennessee, Florida and MidSouth NYI and led several mission trips both inside and outside the United States.

He and Stephanie (’01) have three daughters, Ashtyn, Avery and Addyson.

Memberships and Honors Finchum is a member of the Nashville Downtown Rotary Club, the Nashville Sertoma Club and the Woodbine Jaycees. In 2012, Finchum was named “As a child I had Trevecca T-shirts and pennants the recipient of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle hanging in my bedroom. TNU was a special place in Tennessee Sydney F. Keeble Jr. Distinguished our home. My parents met at Trevecca, and I grew Service Award and inducted into the Tennessee up listening to them share stories of how the school Boys and Girls Clubs’ Hall of Fame. The Boys shaped their life, faith and friendships. When my time & Girls Clubs of America previously honored Finchum as the Southeast Regional Professional came to join the Trevecca family, I found what they had always said to be true ... It is easy to look back of the Year in 1993. and see the ways God was shaping me through TNU.” —Jason Underwood

WA N T TO K N O W M O R E ?

You can learn more about this year’s alumni award winners at www.trevecca.edu/alumniawards2017.

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Homecomi n g Hi gh li gh ts At Trevecca, the first weekend of November is synonymous with Homecoming. It’s a time to reflect, reconnect with your Trevecca family and reminisce about the place and the people who have shaped, mentored and supported you all these years. Homecoming weekend will be filled with special moments, from unexpected meetings with friends you haven’t seen for years to long-standing Trevecca traditions. As you make your plans to attend this year’s celebration, here are a few of the events you won’t want to miss!

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ALUMNI SERVICE PROJECT A new addition to the Homecoming schedule, the alumni service project is a chance to make Homecoming a special time for our next door neighbors at the Trevecca Towers.

Homecoming Week sets into motion a flurry of events and activities around campus that the residents often watch but don’t get a chance to participate in. In the midst of all the preparations and the atmosphere of heightened celebration, Trevecca Towers residents may even feel a little lonely.

This year at Homecoming, alumni can help make the weekend more festive for the residents.

Penske Nashville has provided care packages for the residents, which alumni participants will deliver with a message of cheer as well as an offer to do some basic cleaning.

To participate in the event, register at www.trevecca.edu/homecoming. Alumni are invited to meet at the Hardy Alumni Center at 4 p.m. on Nov. 2 for the service project. Following the project, participants will reconvene at the Hardy Alumni Center around 7 p.m. for a meal and discussion.

November 2 | 4 p.m. | Hardy Alumni Center

YOUR KINGDOM COME PREMIERE Join Trevecca students, faculty and alumni for this one-time-only premiere of Your Kingdom Come, a documentary on Jesus’ teachings about the kingdom of God. Shot on location in Israel last spring, the documentary features wellknown speakers and scholars, Dr. Tim Green, Dr. Tim Gaines and Shawna Gaines, University chaplain. Part of a Faculty-Led Academic Research Experience (FLARE) project led by Professor Seth Conley, the documentary was scripted, filmed, edited and produced entirely

by Trevecca students. At the premiere, you’ll get a chance to meet the students and faculty members who took part in the project and be among the first to view the completed documentary. Don’t miss this!

November 4 | 7 p.m.

The Courts, Trevecca Community Church

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STREET FAIR AND PARADE Trevecca’s one-of-a-kind Homecoming parade and street fair are perennial Homecoming favorites.

Join current students, alumni, family and friends to watch the parade, then enjoy food trucks, music and fun on the Quad. You’ll get to catch up with old friends, enjoy the Trevecca community and meet alumni of all generations. The family-friendly event will also feature inflatables and games for kids. A new addition this year is the Alumni Market. Students and alumni are invited to reserve a table where they can inform and sell crafts, goods and services. The market will last from 9-3 p.m.

November 4 | 11 a.m. | The Quad

REUNION CENTRAL Trevecca is a family, and our Homecoming reunions celebrate that fact.

Various reunions are scheduled throughout Homecoming weekend, so you’ll have plenty of chances to renew relationships and reconnect with friends, faculty, staff and alumni. Want more information about this year’s reunions? Read on!

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NOVEMBER 3

Nazarene Theological Seminary

1:30 p.m. | Fireside Room, Bud Robinson Building Trevecca alumni who are also graduates of the Nazarene Theological Seminary can reconnect on Friday afternoon as the Homecoming weekend kicks off. There is no cost for this reunion.

NOVEMBER 4

Trebletones Reunion 1995-2005

9 a.m. | Cierpke Choral Hall, Jackson Center Members of the Trebletones from 1995-2005 will gather for a Saturday morning reunion in the Cierpke Choral Hall in the Jackson Center for Music and Worship Arts. The cost is $5, and you can register at www.trevecca.edu/homecoming.

Class of 1967 Reunion

9 a.m. | Zelma Waggoner Performance Hall, Jackson Center Marking 50 years since graduating from Trevecca, the Class of 1967 will mark the milestone in style.

Join your classmates in the Zelma Waggoner Performance Hall in the Jackson Center for Music and Worship Arts to reconnect and remember your “glory days” at Trevecca. You can register for the event at www.trevecca.edu/homecoming, and the cost is $10.

Department of Business 50th Anniversary 9:45 a.m. | Boone Business Building

The University will mark the 50th anniversary of Trevecca’s Department of Business with tours of the Boone Business Building beginning at 9:45 a.m. Business alumni of all generations should stop by during the event. A group picture will be taken at 10:30 a.m. The celebration will continue on the Quad as business alumni watch the parade and enjoy the street fair and food trucks.

Cheerleaders, Super Trojans and Mascots Reunion 11:30 a.m. | Tarter Student Activity Center

Meet up with former Trevecca cheerleaders (1968-1992), Super Trojans and mascots before the Homecoming parade to reminisce, remember and reconnect. The cost is $10, and you will need to register beforehand. Learn more at www.trevecca.edu/homecoming.

Class of 1982 Reunion

11:30 a.m. | Reunion Tent in the Quad Class of 1982, join your classmates in the Quad following the Homecoming Parade. Food trucks will be available, so you can reconnect, eat and chat the afternoon away. A class picture will be taken at noon. There is no cost for this event, but please register at www.trevecca.edu/homecoming.

Class of 1977 Reunion

1:30 p.m.| Waggoner Library Rotunda The Class of 1977 will celebrate their 40-year reunion on Saturday afternoon. Visit with old friends, reminisce about Trevecca Nazarene College and share your favorite memories of classes, professors and campus fun. Refreshments will be available in Nineteen|01 if desired. There is no cost at this reunion, but the organizers ask you to register at www.trevecca.edu/homecoming.

30th Anniversary of Trevecca’s MHR program

1:30 p.m. | President’s Dining Room, Jernigan Student Center When Trevecca’s Bachelor of Arts in Management and Human Relations program began in 1987, it quickly became one of the premiere degree-completion programs in Middle Tennessee. Make sure you set aside some time to meet fellow alumni, past and present faculty and celebrate the program’s storied past and promising future. There’s no cost for the event, but please register at www.trevecca. edu/homecoming if you plan to attend.

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Athletics News S C H O L A R AT H L E T E S

As the 2017-2018 season begins, the Great Midwest Athletic Conference recently released their academic All-Conference Team for the previous season. Seventy-one Trevecca scholar-athletes were named to the team, with the University ranking third in the conference, following Cedarville University with 118 selections and Alderson Broaddus University with 82. To be named to the Great Midwest Academic All-Conference Team, the student-athlete’s grade point average must be a minimum of 3.30 based on the 4.0 system, the GPA shall be cumulative for the studentathlete’s entire collegiate career and the student-athlete must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing while completing at least one full academic year at the nominating institution. All 71 of the Trevecca scholar-athletes selected to the team maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher, while nine of those athletes turned in a 4.0 GPA. More than 100 athletes earned a 3.0 GPA or higher. To see the full list of Trevecca scholar-athletes, visit www.trevecca.edu/GreatMidwest.

In addition to those honors for the 2016-2017 season, Trevecca women’s golfer Alexa Rippy was named Great Midwest Athlete of the year in her final season, while Jacob Williams was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court. Runners Ben Moroney, Danielle March and Sierra Flemming were named to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team.

PRESEASON PICKS

The Great Midwest Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches’ polls are out, and Trevecca’s athletics teams once again look to be contenders. The Trevecca women’s soccer team leads the 12-team field, ranking first in the preseason poll. The Trevecca volleyball team is ranked fourth in Great Midwest’s newly formed West Division, while women’s cross country is ranked fifth, men’s soccer is sixth in an 11-team field and men’s cross country is seventh. Learn more at tnutrojans.com.

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Alumni News 2010S

Dr. Bryan Johnson (Ed.D. ’10) was selected in June to serve as the superintendent of Hamilton County School system. Johnson will lead nearly 3,000 teachers as they seek to meet the diverse needs of the students in the large Chattanooga school district. Johnson previously served as the chief academic officer of the Clarksville-Montgomery County School system. (4) (2) (1) (4)

Tim (’15) and Jessy Anne Scott (’16) were recently approved to head to the mission field through the Church of the Nazarene’s Mission Corps.

They will serve in the Eurasia region and use their gifts to tell the stories of how God is working in that part of the world. You can learn more at jessyscott.wixsite.com/euraisa. (5)

ACCOLADES (3)

(5) (6)

A L U M N I C E L E B R AT I O N S

David Klimkowski and Sarah Crane (’15 and ’MOL 17) were married on July 8. David works in both the Audio/Visual and Sports Broadcast departments at Trevecca. (1)

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS 1970S

Patricia Jepsen (’77) recently garnered attention as an artist when her painting of the sun was used on CBS’ long-running show, “CBS News Sunday Morning.” After being noticed by the owner of London’s Park Theatre, Jepsen was contracted to produce more paintings for her own art show. She was then commissioned to paint a portrait of famed British actor Sir Ian McKellen, one of the theater’s primary patrons. McKellen hung Jepsen’s oil painting in his house. Jepsen took art classes at Trevecca while a student in the 1970s. (2, 3)

Trevecca alumnus Robert Craft (’87), president of Reach A Village, recently announced a new partnership between his organization and CrossTies Asia. A common vision and a burden for an estimated one million villages worldwide that have no churches or access to God’s Word brought the two organizations together. “This partnership joins together time-tested biblical missiology and the latest technology,” Craft said in a press release about the partnership. “It could really be a game-changer in our work to fulfill the Great Commission.”

Leaders of both organizations believe that indigenous Christians are the most effective in reaching their own nations for Christ. Both organizations are committed to equipping and empowering local Christians to share the gospel in their own communities. Reach A Village provides training, Bible study materials and mobilizes believers to share the gospel, disciple and start churches in unreached villages. CrossTies Asia specializes in supplying Christian literature and resources in local languages, as well as research, data and technology that enables church and mission leaders to collaborate and formulate strategic ministry plans.

CrossTies Asia will now operate as a ministry of Reach A Village. To learn more about Craft’s work, visit www.reachavillage.org. (6)

BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS LUNCHEON

The Trevecca Association of Business Professionals is planning a networking luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on October 26. Hosted

by Dr. Dan Boone, the panel will include Metro Nashville officials and community leaders, including Mayor Megan Barry and City Council Member Colby Sledge. The discussion will center on Nashville’s recent growth and its expected impact on the Trevecca community. Learn more and register at www.trevecca.edu/businessprofessionals.

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ALUMNI & FRIENDS WE WILL MISS

George D. Ferguson (’49) of Pulaski, Tenn., August 12, 2017. George served both the Nazarene and the United Methodist Churches for more than 50 years. He was director of recruitment for Point Loma College in San Diego, Calif., and Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tenn.

Billy K. Jared (’50) of Goodlettsville, Tenn., August 5, 2017.

Billy served in the United States Navy during World War ll.

He earned a master’s degree from George Peabody College and taught elementary school in the Metro Nashville Public School system for 33 years. Billy loved the outdoors, was an avid gardener and served as an assistant scout master with the Boy Scouts of America. He believed in giving back to others and donated more than 16 gallons of blood to the Red Cross.

The Rev. W. Gene Shelton (’58) of Columbia, Tenn., July 7, 2017. Gene earned a master’s degree in divinity and served for many years as a minister in the Church of the Nazarene. He was an accomplished golfer who also enjoyed playing softball, basketball and was a golden glove boxer.

Archie Randal Biggs (’63) of Nashville, Tenn., June 19, 2017. Before moving to Nashville in 2016, Randal resided in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Randal served for two years in the United States Air Force. He was an outstanding piano player and was a sales representative for a national piano company.

William L. Rhodes (’63) of Bowling Green, Ky., July 20, 2017. William served for 29 years as a minister in the Church of the Nazarene and the United Methodist Church, primarily in Kentucky. He served on the District Advisory Board, as youth camp director and on the Board of Trustees for Trevecca Nazarene University. His love and passion was serving the Lord through preaching.

Warren Edgar Foxworthy (’64) of Nashville, Tenn., July 8, 2017. Warren received a master’s degree in divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary and was an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene for 45 years. He served as a minister to churches in Indiana, Missouri, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

Patricia (Pat) Lynn Warman (’73) of Fort Myers, Fla., July 23, 2017. Pat lived and worked in Nashville, Tenn., Washington, D.C., Guatemala City, Guatemala, and Jakarta, Indonesia, where she served as the executive director of the United States American Chamber of Commerce. She loved her diverse experiences and friends from across the world.

John Stephen Morgan (’97) of Nashville, Tenn., July 3, 2017.

John attended John Overton High School and the University of Tennessee, before graduating from Trevecca in 1997. Services were held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Aug. 2.

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IN MEMORIAM ELMER HEABERLIN

Elmer Heaberlin, (’54) coach of Trevecca Nazarene University’s first intercollegiate team, passed away on August 31 at his home in South Carolina. He was 84.

Coach Heaberlin is largely remembered on Trevecca’s campus for leading Trevecca’s first intercollegiate men’s basketball team. The 2017-2018 season will mark the 50th season of intercollegiate sports at Trevecca.

The University honored Heaberlin and members of the 1968-1969 men’s basketball team during Homecoming 2008, the 40th anniversary of intercollegiate athletics at Trevecca.

Heaberlin initially returned to his alma mater in 1965 when then president William Greathouse hired him to build the University’s Department of Physical Education and Athletics. Heaberlin eventually guided the program from mostly intramurals to intercollegiate athletics.

Originally from Kentucky, Heaberlin was born to Elmer Heaberlin Sr. and Maureen Scott Heaberlin. He was father to four children. In fact, Heaberlin’s own son, Mac, later played for Trevecca’s basketball team and is now a member of Trevecca’s Athletics Hall of Fame. Mac was a member of the 1986-1987 men’s basketball team, the first Trevecca team to advance to a national tournament. The team made it to the Elite Eight of the 1987 NAIA National Championship before being eliminated.

Heaberlin was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings. He is survived by all his children and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service was held in Columbia, S.C., at Heaberlin’s home church, the First Church of the Nazarene, on September 3.

—Hilda Elvir

S H A R E YO U R N E W S W I T H U S !

From career achievements to new baby announcements, we want to celebrate with you. We also want to remember treasured Trevecca family members who have passed away, yet left their mark on our hearts. Share your news with us by emailing Treveccan@Trevecca.edu or mailing the information to Mandy Crow, Treveccan editor, at 333 Murfreesboro Road, Nashville, TN 37210-2877.

POSTSCRIPT

“Home is the nicest word there is.”

—Laura Ingalls Wilder

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www.trevecca.edu

USPS No. 394470

Treveccan

FALL 2017

The Magazine of Trevecca Nazarene University

The Trevecca Association of Business Professionals

Nashville 2020: The Future of Our Neighborhood LUNCH & PANEL DISCUSSION

The Trevecca Association of Business Professionals invites you to a lunch and panel discussion focused on Nashville’s growth and future, especially the Murfreesboro Road corridor. Panelists include Mayor Megan Barry, Council Member Colby Sledge, business owner and community organizer Bobby Joslin and real estate professional Tom Smith, with Trevecca’s own Dr. Dan Boone serving as moderator.

Thursday October 26, 2017 11:30AM - 1PM

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Trevecca Nazarene University Boone Convocation Center