ISSUE
01 FALL 2009
MyBHUNews ALUMNI EDITION
www.beulah.edu
From the BHU President >> Dr. Benson Karanja As an alumnus of Beulah Heights University, it is a unique privilege to serve as President of my Alma Mater. Being the President of where I was once a common student is so humbling. It puts me in a great position to understand each student’s experience in a unique way. BHU continues to grow and expand into new elements – not only demographically, but also in educational advancements, and literally, by building new additions to our campus. We strive to be a unique University with Christ always remaining at the core. Change is evident and transpires daily; but we know God is in charge and BHU has successfully embraced many changes in recent years. I am reminded of Psalm 23 that is a staple to remind us that we cannot do IT without HIM. Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 1
From the Alumni President >> Pastor Shell Osbon I am privileged to serve as the President of the Alumni Association as well as to be a member of the Board of Trustees for BHU. I received both my B.A. (2003) and my M.A. (2009) from BHU and I am currently enrolled in the M.Div. program. My future plans include pursuing my Doctorate as BHU further expands its graduate program. As you can tell, I love and believe in Beulah Heights University! One challenge that we face stems from not having current contact information for many of the alumni. We need your help! Please contact other alumni and have them provide their updated information by calling BHU (404.627.2681) or by sending an email (shell.osbon@beulah.org). Another way that you can help is by partnering with BHU through a financial gift. Some members of the Class of 2009 have already made a $25 monthly commitment and I encourage you to join them. Your gift will help to eliminate the mortgage on one of the beautiful new student residences and bless many others for years to come. The house will have a plaque with each name of those who participate in this project. Thank you so much for your assistance and I look forward to serving you!
Office ofFinancial Aid standards and expectations with high accountability. 3. Be accessible – phone, email, conferences, etc. 4. Stay abreast of trends in your fields. 5. Stay strong in your faith.
Need Money for School?
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Start here: www.fafsa.ed.gov
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(Federal School Code: 030763) Determine your dependency
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status Fill out the FAFSA worksheet on
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the Web Students & Parents apply for
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PIN Fill out FAFSA FAFSA may be saved and
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retrieved later Sign electronically with PIN and
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check for confirmation number Types of Aid available include: FPell Grants, FSEOG Grants, FFEL Stafford Loans & Federal Work Studies (FWS)
Various Lender Options
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AMS Education Loan Trust:
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833471 Regions Bank: 810612 Sallie Mae Education Trust:
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802218 Citibank, N.A: 826878 SunTrust Bank: 824135 Wachovia Education Financial:
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830005 Wells Fargo Education Financial
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Ser: 807176 Student Funding Group, LLC:
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834312 Edamerica: 831453
Useful Links:
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http://beulah.org/Content.aspx?
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page=dept_financial_aid www.fafsa.ed.gov www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/
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ope/ (US Department of Education) www.gacollege411.org (Hope Scholarship & other Georgia student aid programs)
Newsletter Team Sarah Matthews, Editor in Chief Deborah Chand, Supervising Editor Tenecia Fears, Contributor NaTanya Duffie, Contributor Moses Ngungu, Contributor Marcelo Silva, Graphic Designer *Articles and feedback may be submitted to events@beulah.org.
Who are some key people used in God fashioning you to be the woman you are today? My mother, Natilda Glover, instilled in me her incredible strength and gift of improvisation. A woman of incredible faith, she gave me wings to fly and became the wind beneath my wings.
BETTY PALMER Teacher of the Year
Professor Betty Palmer began her journey at Beulah Heights University over 6 years ago. Watching her in action proves that her life’s journey began long before that. A woman of poise and great wisdom, she graces the classrooms of Beulah Heights University with indispensable gifts and talents. Awarded Teacher of the Year 2009, Professor Palmer shares with us what has kept her going all of these years. Out of all the professions in the world, why did you choose teaching? I did not choose teaching necessarily. It seems to have chosen me. With a life dedicated to providing direction and resources to others, teaching was the by-product of equipping others for community economic development. Preparing others became an unquenchable passion and development requires instruction. What is your style of teaching? Great interaction - student to student and student to teacher. Always maintaining a student focused learning environment. Lecturing. Application. I want students to move beyond RECITING to understanding, absorbing and applying.
How has your style of teaching proven beneficial? The students have consistently demonstrated mastery of courses both in class and in the field. Additionally, accomplishments of current and former students continually confirm the impact of my style of teaching. God uses such instances to keep me encouraged. Why a sacred environment as opposed to a secular one? The calling of God made it very clear that my gifting was to be used for ministry with a subsequent prompting to leave a prominent position at a major university in Philadelphia. In this calling of over 25 years, God graced me with gifts that would impact the Body of Christ in a move towards excellence. Where do you see yourself down the road? I could see myself coaching. Yes, a professional coach, developing people that will change urban neighborhoods economically, socially and spiritually. What advice would you give to aspiring educators? 1. Have passion for what you teach. It does those under your tutelage well to know that you like what you do. 2. Set high
Dr. Amanda Blount, a former boss, instilled in me a sense of selfconfidence when I was her administrative assistant. She challenged me professionally in ways beyond my imagination by simply putting before me unfamiliar tasks and pointing me in the direction of success. She trained me and expected nothing less than the best from me. As a result of her encouragement, I enrolled in college. Dr. Samuel Chand, former president of Beulah Heights University, has always encouraged and modeled before me authentic appreciation of people and what it means to be a servant leader. He has the spectacular ability to make things happen. And so it is with me and those under my tutelage – we encourage others to climb to the highest of heights. Dr. Regina Anderson, Through her I learned to bring out the best in people. Her character always seems to point people in the direction of who they could be as opposed to who they used to be. Her faith was extraordinary. Patience and love are in her possession. Everybody needs somebody with such an impact on them that their lives would not be the same without them. Tenecia Fears Administrative Assistant for Graduate and Undergraduate Programs Class of 2007 tenecia.fears@beulah.org
Alumni spotlight >> Emilio Talamonte Uma Terra Que Mana Leite e Mel / A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey
When Emilio and Denise Talamonte (Class of 2003) came to the United States from Brazil, their goal was to finish their theological studies. Looking back, Emilio would say that “it was a time of preparation: God had a plan for their lives and around 1990, God gave them a great vision.” They returned to Brazil ready to establish what is now known as the Hebron Valley Educational EcoVillage. Its mission is to create an educational system that will develop the whole human being intellectually, with integrity and with his/her wholeness, according to world’s social globalized responsibility and needs. Located at the city of Morretes, Brazil, (about 50 km from Curitiba) twelve (12) villages will be developed – twelve different projects to help fulfill the human needs.
The Talamontes realized the progress was slow. Emilio recalls that “a long process had begun, and had tried to implant it in wrong places, being involved with the wrong people, with wrong purposes – a ‘desert’ time of preparation. Now, because of God’s grace and mercy, because the purpose that God has created, we know that the Hebron Valley is a reality in our lives. We know that this is God’s time to move forward – to cross the river. I know that this is the time to possess that land, not for our own self-possession, but a place to bless people.” Initially beginning with Pre-School ages up to Middle School grades, this private school (with no tuition charged) has an AgroEcological emphasis as well as traditional school courses, arts, music, foreign languages, sports, computer, and religious classes. It will eventually develop more academic levels to include High School and University level course-work, and practical training for adults. The twelve villages within this campus include a Residential Village, a Health Village and a Commercial Village. The Missionary Village will be a place to receive missionaries, attend to their health and allow them to rest & renew.
of the worldwide environment, how to live a healthy life, how to have a healthy production of food and how to be Christians in community. Says Emilio of their time at Beulah Heights, “My wife and I had this great opportunity of being at BHU because it was a God-centered school. The multicultural aspect of the school helped us to better understand our call, and of course, according to our environment at BHU, all families of the earth (a lot of) were represented there.” “The leadership training was so real and strong that helped us and specially worked in us as a healing process in our lives giving us the strength that we needed to go forward in our vision. The tools that BHU gave us were so advanced and strategic that even now we are going back and using all of those principles in our daily challenges.” “At BHU we were taught that our call for a God-centered life, our call to consider and live in our diversity, and our responsibility of being an agent of transformation in this world to the Glory of God were so clear that, for now – and we believed forever – a time of healing process in our lives and a time to better understand our call of being a blessing to all families of the earth, to the Glory of God.”
Through mentoring relationships, students will learn how to take care
Pillars are known for the support they provide to weighty Among BHU’s greatest pillars are Dr. James B. Keiller structures. The vision given to BHU founders Paul and
and Dr. Douglas Chatham. Dr. Keiller retires as Vice
Hattie Barth over 90 years ago was indeed weighty as
President and Dean for Academic Affairs, after having
they relied on God completely for students, instructors
served over 45 years at BHU in various capacities. Dr.
and resources. With a passion
Chatham was the founding
sustained by God, they knew
Director of Graduate Studies.
that prayer and discernment
Both of these men have
were needed as they prepared
displayed exemplary
future leaders for world impact.
character in helping to form Christian leaders. We salute them for providing Godly and
Beulah Heights have been
the utmost service to BHU.
blessed with so many gifted
We wish them well on their
instructors, each making their own unique contributions.
Dr. James B. Keiller Class of 1957
Dr. Douglas Chatham
Beulah Heights had a rule that, during class hours, you couldn’t speak to a person of the opposite gender. It is interesting, then, that there were three couples in my class that married, proving the truth of the saying, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Tell Us! Weddings, Births, Deaths Visit our website, register, & tell us what you have been doing since graduation: school, job, publications, etc.
In Memory
Retirement Tribute >> Dr. James Keiller & Dr. Doug Chatham
Through the years, the halls of
Submitted by Beulah H. Pruett, class of ~1936
continued journeys.
• Ernest Paul Pruett, Sr. Class of ~1936 Died on May 6, 2009
• Ollie Harris
Class of 1951 Died in August 2009
Births • David Assis Silva
born January 11, 2009 to Marcelo (Class of 2005) and Cristina Silva, of Atlanta, GA
Marriages Tell us of your recent marriage!
Did You Know?
PLACE YOUR AD HERE!
Advertisement Information The Beulah Heights University newsletter is offering advertisement space in the quarterly newsletters. This newsletter reaches potentially all alumni. They are also published online. The ad will be placed on the back of the newsletter and will be purchased quarterly or on demand. Ads we are interested in promoting will only be those of Christian value and positive language. Please contact Debbie Chand for more information at 404.627.2681 x128 or debbie.chand@beulah.org.
• BHU has an Associate’s Degree available completely online? (see Distance Learning on our website under Academics)
• That BHU is going to an Atlanta Hawks game? (November 7, 2009. See website Events for more info)
• The BHU community viewed the inauguration of Barak Obama in the chapel?
• Spring and Fall 2009 enrollment was Record Breaking? (712 & 808 students respectively!)
• The Class of 2009 has adopted a house, and is helping to pay the mortgage? (way to go, new grads!) There’s still time to participate.
Rates for Ad Business Card size 3.5 “x2” $20 black and white Business Card size 3.5 “x2” $25 full color Ads will be published on a quarterly basis.
• You can donate a book to the Library in honor or memory of someone? (see Library page, under Academics)
• You can easily update your information by going to www.beulah.edu , then, under Alumni, choose Join/Renew?
• You can contribute to this newsletter? (send news, updates, Past Blast posts to alumni@beulah.org)
• BHU is no longer officially associated with the International Pentecostal Church of Christ (BHU is now nondenominational)
• You can earn a Master’s level degree at BHU? (find out how at www.beulah.edu)
MyBHUNews Issue 01 - 10/2009 ALUMNI EDITION
BEULAH HEIGHTS UNIVERSITY 892 Berne Street, SE • P.O. Box 18145 • Atlanta, GA 30316
Upcoming BHU Events and Important Dates — Join us! • November 7, BHU Night @ the Hawks Game—for more information www.beulah.edu (EVENTS)
• November 12, Leadership Roundtable with Dr. Gerald Brooks, register at events@beulah.org
• November 22-27, Online registration for Spring 2010 Semester classes. Log in now!
• January 4, Classes Begin, Spring 2010 Semester • March 1-6, Discovery Days (Visit a class for free) • April 5-10, Spring Break • May 1, Commencement Exercise, New Birth Cathedral