Point Magazine Summer 2014 by Point University

Summer 2014

M A G A Z I N E

HIGHER EDUCATION FROM THE BRINK Back Meet the Class of 2014 PAGE 10

an honor graduate’s story of recovery and hope

PAGES 16-24

how they're chaNgiNg the world for Christ

homecoming october 4

DETAILS AT POINT.EDU

THINGS TO DO IN

MILWAUKEE PAGE 27

The Future of Christian Higher Ed

Wye Huxford ’73 shares his conversation with Dr. LeRoy Lawson about the challenges facing Christian colleges, both now and in the future.

Back from the Brink

Mindy Shelnutt ’14 wasn’t sure she’d be alive at 35, much less graduating from college with honors.

Meet the Class of 2014

adam pope

Learn how this year’s graduating class is preparing to change the world for Christ.

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From the President Campus News Class Notes

CONTENTS

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Point University graduates get ready to walk across the stage at their commencement ceremony this spring. The University awarded more than 180 degrees in two ceremonies. To meet some of the most outstanding graduates in the Class of 2014, turn to page 21. SUMMER 2 014 | 3

FROM THE PRESIDENT POIN T M AG AZ I NE Volume 53, Number 1 Summer 2014

EDITOR/DESIGNER Sarah G. Huxford

here is a natural rhythm to the life of a college. The familiar pattern of classes beginning in late summer and early fall, seasonal breaks for holidays, exam weeks, sports seasons, commencement, a summer of planning — and then we start again. Each of these events brings with it varying amounts of energy, excitement and stress.

In the midst of these ordinary patterns in higher education, winds of change are blowing. In fact, in this issue, you’ll read a seasoned educator’s opinion about some of these changes. Though change is inevitable, Point University is committed to finding ways of staying true to our foundation of Christ-centered education. We will continue to train kingdom workers for the church and the workplace, while seeking to keep up with the fast-paced changes in the world of higher education. As expectations of controlling costs, embracing technology, and teaching practical skills grow, we will find ways to balance acquiring solid biblical content with relevant, real-world experiences. As we begin our third year on our West Point campus, we anticipate another record enrollment in our traditional and dual-credit enrollment programs. And in the near future, look for new sites that will allow us to continue to grow Access, our accelerated degree program for busy adults. Thank you for your interest in Point University. We are thankful for your prayers as we begin another academic year. God is with us! Gratefully,

Dean C. Collins ’79 President

Point Magazine exists to tell Point University’s stories. It is intended to serve as a vehicle for connecting the University’s alumni and friends. For the first 49 volumes of its existence, Point Magazine was known as The Gold & Blue. The magazine is published by the Communications Office, which retains the right to determine the editorial content and presentation of information contained herein. Articles or opinion pieces contributed by guest writers do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of Point University and its board of trustees. Point Magazine welcomes reader responses to its content.

On the cover: Illustration by Sarah Huxford. Point University’s mission is to educate students for Christ-centered service and leadership throughout the world. Point University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, at http://www. sacscoc.org, or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Point University.

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billy howard photography

“We will continue to train kingdom workers for the church and the workplace, while seeking to keep up with the fast-paced changes in the world of higher education.”

CONTRIBUTORS Weslynn Biggers Mandy Cook ’01 Austin Penny Adam Pope William Warren ’14

CAMPUS NEWS

Celebrating

adam pope

oint University awarded more than 180 degrees on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 at two separate commencement ceremonies, a record number for the University, which has had record enrollment in recent years. The Friday ceremony for traditional graduates was held at Church of the Highlands in Auburn, Alabama, and the Saturday ceremony for Access adult students was held at New Hope Baptist Church’s North Campus in Fayetteville, Georgia. Dr. Darryl Harrison, chief academic officer and vice president for adult and professional studies, and Dr. Jim Street ’74, minister of North River Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia, addressed the graduates on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Harrison encouraged graduates to open their eyes and look for human need in their communities, and then to help meet those needs. “Don’t make the mistake when you leave this place of being like everyone else,” Harrison said. “To do that, you have to get out of your comfort zone.” At the ceremony for traditional graduates, Dr. Barry Blackburn read a passage of Scripture and had a prayer. His participation in the ceremony this

Top of page: One of Point’s two commencement ceremonies from the spring semester; Above: Hathcock Award recipients Kaitlyn Groover ‘14 (left) and Stacie Whalen ‘14 (right) with President Dean Collins ‘79.

spring was a fitting end to his decades as a full-time faculty member at Point. This summer, Blackburn and his wife, Kathy, relocated to Johnson City, Tennessee, where Blackburn is preaching at the Locust Street Church of Christ. He will continue teaching some courses online at Point, but will be sorely missed by traditional students on the West Point campus. During the commencement ceremo-

nies, two students were presented with the prestigious Hathcock Award, named after Judge T. O. Hathcock, founder of Point University. The award is the highest honor the University awards to a graduating senior, recognizing the student’s scholarship, character, and servant leadership. This year’s recipients were traditional graduate Kaitlyn Groover, of Pooler, Georgia, and Access graduate Stacie Whalen, of Lithia Springs, Georgia. SUMMER 2 014 | 5

Beyond the Classroom This spring, six Point University science majors had the rare opportunity to get hands-on experience with what they’ve learned in the classroom. The Hughston Foundation, which is the research branch of The Hughston Clinic in Columbus, Georgia, played host to the Point University seniors and provided the chance to explore a human cadaver knee. Dr. Allison Kemper, associate professor Summer is usually a time when college students take a break from a challenging of science, was honored to have her stuschool year. But Hannah Blount ’15, a senior at Point University who will receive her dents participate. “Our undergraduates B.B.A. in marketing in May, is spending her summer working hard as an intern for the had the opportunity to witness and Pittsburgh Steelers. participate in a procedure that’s usually “I love going into work, because the view [of Heinz Field] never gets old,” Blount said. A reserved for graduate school students,” typical day at the Steelers’ marketing office usually entails assisting staff, answering phone Kemper said. “Our science programs partner with The Hughston Foundation calls and helping with events. The Point senior said many factors, like being a lifelong fan, and its clinic, and their expertise and played a part in her aspiration to intern for the six-time Super Bowl Champions. generosity to provide future doctors, She also credited her Point University education for preparing her for this experience of a lifetime. “I’ve taken marketing classes that have given me the opportunity to nurses, physical therapists and other science practitioners this unique opwork with different businesses,” she said. “This past fall semester, I was able to work portunity is invaluable in preparing our with a Chick-fil-A in LaGrange and prepare a social media marketing strategy, which students for their careers.” was a great experience.” Dr. Jared Brummel, pictured above Dr. Todd Weaver, professor of business, is excited that Blount has such a great op(left) with Jason Johnson ’14, is an portunity to gain experience and put her classroom knowledge to the test. “Hannah is orthopedic surgeon at The Hughston one of the first students to pursue our new B.B.A. in marketing, and this internship with Clinic. He demonstrated an arthroscopic knee procedure and allowed the the Pittsburgh Steelers is enabling her to apply what she has learned in her classes to students to practice on artificial knees, the real-world challenge of marketing professional football to new audiences,” Weaver then the cadaver knee. said. “We’re very proud to have her representing the Department of Business and Point Johnson was excited to see a real-life University, and her selection for such a competitive internship is a testament to the efapplication of what he has learned from fort she invests in her classes and her many extracurricular activities.” his classes. “Dr. Brummel showed us a Blount said that the most important thing she has learned so far is to always be lot of the knee you typically hear about, thinking on the job: “Not everything thrown your way is covered in a textbook, so you but he also allowed us to get hands-on, just have to be quick on your feet.” using different tools to remove pieces of cartilage and tissue,” Johnson said. After graduation, Blount has her sights set on graduate school and becoming an “It’s been an amazing experience. It’s event planner. definitely something I don’t think you can get anywhere else. Being able to see stuff that parallels what we’ve been learning the past four years is really interesting, and it has definitely impacted F O U N DAT I O N F O R T H E F U T U R E the outlook I have on medicine.” Point University offers degrees in biology and exercise science, as well $15,241,456 as pre-professional programs in premedicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, veterinary medicine and $0 $5M $10M $15M $20M dentistry.

C AMPA I GN P R O GR E SS

Contributions received as of July 31, 2014; total does not include unfulfilled campaign pledges. Find out more about Point Forward at point.edu/give.

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adam pope; hannah blount ’16

Blount Interns With NFL Team

SCENE ON CAMPUS

Professor Pat Graham of the Pitts Theology Library at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology shows some of the earliest copies of the New Testament to Dr. Barry Blackburn, Bryant Stinson ’16 and Tim Mitchell ’14.

adam pope; william warren ’14; other photos courtesy of barry blackburn and sarah huxford

Faculty members Sarah Huxford and Dr. Susan Ryan led a group of traditional students and family members on a tour of Europe this June. The group is pictured here in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Students, alumni and friends packed a soldout panel discussion at the Peachtree City location after a screening of the film Noah.

Point Community Participates in Campus-Wide Ministry Day On Wednesday, March 26, more than 300 Point University students, faculty and staff served at 39 different sites throughout the Greater Valley Area and beyond as part of the University’s Impact Day. The Point community built fish attractors, harvested a community garden, made repairs to local buildings, and completed numerous other service projects in the Greater Valley Area, as well as in other communities across Georgia and Alabama. Some of the organizations served during Impact Day included East Alabama Food Bank, Haddie’s Home, Emmaus West Point Food Closet, Refuge Point Church, Twin Cedars and Woodland Christian Camp. Impact Day has been a Point University tradition since spring 2008, when the entire student body could serve in one place together. Since then, thousands of hours of volunteer service have been completed by students, faculty and staff at the University’s semiannual event. Dr. Jennifer Allen Craft ’07 (left) and Claire Stinson ’16 served together on Impact Day. “It was an honor for me to watch our community set aside the self and serve the wonderful people who have accepted us into their communities,” said Chris Beirne, director of student life. “It has been so rewarding to become a part of the Greater Valley story. Students’ eyes were opened to the opportunities for partnership with other local organizations doing some great work.” Women’s basketball player Lindsay Patton ’16 also enjoyed her Impact Day experience this spring. “Impact Day builds campus-wide community by all of us going out with a mission to be servants for Christ,” Patton said. “It’s amazing to see the effect we can have as students. My group went to clean up trash that had washed up on the shore of West Point Lake, and what seemed like a small, tedious task meant so much to the park rangers, who personally came out to thank us and get to know us. Moments like this make me proud to be a Skyhawk.”

In the Classroom COURSE NAME MIN 317/CHS 317, Pastoral Counseling INSTRUCTOR Dr. James C. Donovan, Chair, Department of Education

Christian singers and songwriters Jamie Grace Harper ’12 and Morgan Harper Nichols ’10 returned to campus this spring for a concert and meet-and-greet with fans.

COURSE SUMMARY Donovan says, “A believing man who identifies as gay and is struggling with his lifestyle and his faith; a separated man having a relationship with another woman; a Christian octogenarian “mercifully” shooting his wife, then turning the gun on himself ... these events are just a small sample of the situations that bombard ministers today. I want our student ministers to be as prepared as possible for the multiplicity of experiences they will encounter in our pluralist, postmodern culture. This thinking is at the heart of the Pastoral Counseling course.” SUGGESTED READING Kollar, Charles Allen, Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling, Zondervan; Worthington, Everett L., When Someone Asks for Help, InterVarsity.

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Smith Lanier was known for many things by the residents of the Greater Valley Area. He was an entrepreneur recognized for leadership and integrity in the business community and a model of community service, driven by his values to serve others through many of the area’s civic organizations. Lanier, who died in late 2013, was a generous philanthropist. Lanier and his wife, Betty, supported many of the Greater Valley Area’s leading nonprofit organizations. In 2012, the couple once again blessed the community with their generosity by providing the initial seed gift to Point University to enable construction to begin on its new West Point campus. Today, Point University is working to honor the man who spent so much of his life improving the lives of others by naming the Academic Center in West Point in Lanier’s memory. More than $3.4 million has been pledged to date to honor the man who served more than a quarter century on the University’s board of trustees, was a Founder’s Award recipient in the 1990s, and was a key player in relocating Point University from East Point to West Point. J. Smith Lanier & Co. recently gave $1 million toward the effort, and 100 percent of the company’s employees have pledged and given a total of more than $220,000. “Smith Lanier loved college students and the fact that Point University students are being equipped to be points of influence in the workplace and in all areas of their lives,” said President Dean Collins ’79. “We believe the best way to honor this humble Christian servant is by further blessing our community through an initiative that was dear to his heart and that he strongly believed in: the Point Forward capital campaign.” Before his death, Lanier served as honorary campaign chairman. 8 | POIN T M AG A ZI N E

Kaitlyn Groover ’14 got to know the Laniers at Spring Road Christian Church. “I enjoyed eating dinner with them at the church on Wednesdays,” she said. “They loved me, brought me into their family, valued me, and I loved that.” Groover now serves as director of children’s ministry at Spring Road Christian Church. Paul Leslie ’87, a Point trustee and senior minister at McDonough Christian Church, considers naming the Point academic building in memory of Lanier as J. Smith Lanier II a most appropriate honor. “It’s deserved for so many reasons,” Leslie said. “His character and integrity had a tremendous influence on the community and the college.” He characterized Lanier as a “true gentleman who treated everyone fairly and with an incredible amount of respect.” “I felt blessed to be in his presence,” Leslie continued. “I knew I would receive wisdom, and I never heard him waste words.” Leslie said it seemed to him that when he went to talk to Lanier, it was obvious “he had had an earlier meeting with God that day.” The Academic Center will be officially renamed in the next few months. This story from The Valley Times-News reprinted with permission.

dc communications; lanier photo courtesy of j. smith lanier & co.

University to Name Academic Center in Lanier’s Memory

Point Welcomes New SID, Volleyball Coach

M E ET A S KY HAWK:

billy howard photography; point university athletics

Rodrick Tolen ’15

by William Warren ’14

The Point student-athlete experience is about more than an education and a chance to play sports. It is about learning to make a difference, and that difference is one focused on sharing the characteristics of Christ in everything he or she does. Roderick Tolen, called Rod by his peers, is an example of how Point students in all areas of study can take their education from the classroom into the real world and impact the culture around them. Tolen will be a senior this fall, and is majoring in counseling and human services with a minor in biblical studies. Tolen also plays safety on the Point Skyhawks football team and served as a Campus Life Minister last year, providing spiritual guidance and encouragement to the men who resided within his apartment building. For Tolen, Point is more than a place to learn. His favorite thing about Point, he said, is not just the professors or the extracurriculars, but the sense of family — not only on his team, but among his peers, both student-athletes and nonathletes. Both on the field and off, the faith that Tolen has learned about in class, and embraced on his own, spills over. Asked about how he incorporates his faith into his life on campus, Tolen talked about the idea of trust. Just as he is able to trust his teammates to do their own jobs, he is able to tell his residents to trust in Christ through sharing his testimony. “Being able to see someone I have poured time into start to take strides in the right direction is an unbelievable feeling,” he said. “The way I feel when someone says thanks — on or off the field — for being a person they can count on, is something words can’t explain.” While at Point, Tolen said he has seen growth in himself, as well. Where he used to show cockiness on the field, he now worships and praises God while practicing or playing in a game. Beyond athletics, Tolen said the faculty and staff of Point have helped him grow into a future counselor aiming to change the world. “Taking courses with Dr. Moffatt has taught me to be more than a Christian counselor, but to be a counseling Christian,” he said, “meaning that whether or not the client knows what a Christian looks like, I should make the impression of Christ with each of my clients — showing love, grace and mercy, since that’s what Christ is all about.” As Tolen transitions from campus to counselor next spring, he will join the ranks of other alumni making points of impact in every segment of today’s multfaceted world.

Point University recently added Austin Penny as sports information director. Formerly a staff writer for 247Sports.com/AuburnUndercover.com, Penny covered Auburn football, basketball and recruiting. Before his time at 247Sports, he served as a play-by-play radio broadcaster for Auburn women’s softball and soccer. Penny is a 2013 graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in radio, television and film. “I am thrilled to begin my journey at Point University,” Penny said. “The opportunity to be a part of such a great university and spiritual message is an incredible blessing.” Point has also named Paige Wetzel as its head women’s volleyball coach. Wetzel recently served as a volunteer assistant for Auburn’s women’s volleyball program. Before Auburn, Wetzel was an assistant coach for Metro America Volleyball’s 17 travel team. She is a graduate of Jacksonville State University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s in sports management. Wetzel, a captain her senior year, helped guide the Gamecocks to an Ohio Valley Conference Championship and Jacksonville State’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win in 2009. “I’m very excited to join Point University Athletics,” Wetzel said. “I love the community support from the city of West Point, and I’m excited to work with the administration and athletes here.” Wetzel is married to retired Army Sgt. Josh Wetzel, who was wounded in Operation Enduring Freedom, resulting in the loss of both legs. They have a 10-month-old daughter, Harper.

FIND SPORTS SCHEDULES, NEWS AND MORE AT POINTSKYHAWKS.COM SUMMER 2 014 | 9

THE FUTURE OF

CHRISTIAN

higher education B Y WYE HUX FO RD ’ 7 3

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Cost. Technology. Mergers. Faculty. The liberal arts. Spiritual formation.

photo courtesy of emmanuel christian seminary

IN THE 21ST CENTURY, CHRISTIAN HIGHER EDUCATION FACES CHALLENGES RELATED TO THESE ISSUES AND MANY MORE. IN AN ERA OF CONSTANT CHANGE, HOW CAN WE ENSURE THAT A CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY — LIKE POINT — REMAINS VIABLE? IN A WIDE-RANGING CONVERSATION ABOUT THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE OF CHRISTIAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, DR. LEROY LAWSON ASSURES THOSE WHO LOVE THESE INSTITUTIONS THAT THERE’S REASON TO BE HOPEFUL.

On a beautiful afternoon in late winter, I had the privilege to spend an afternoon in a conversation with Roy Lawson about the challenges facing higher education in general, and Christian higher education in particular. Lawson is currently distinguished professor of Christian ministries at Emmanuel Christian Seminary in Johnson City, Tennessee. He has been a regular guest on the campus of Point University over the past several years, speaking in chapel services and interacting with students in conversations about life, ministry and the kingdom of God. In his long and fruitful life in ministry, Lawson has taught humanities at Milligan College in Tennessee; pastored a thriving church, East 38th Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, and a megachurch, Central Christian Church in Mesa, Arizona; and served as president of Pacific Christian College in California, which became Hope International University during his tenure, from 1990-2003. During nine of the years he was president at Hope, he continued to serve as senior pastor at Central Christian, which grew to a membership of more than 4,500 people under his leadership. Lawson’s life and ministry have been lived in the intersection of the church and higher education, and his experiences Dr. LeRoy Lawson uniquely qualify him to speak about the vital issue of the future of Christian higher education. His words have relevance for all of us who care about the future of Christian colleges and universities, as we seek to meet the challenges of the present and create hope and optimism for the future.

THE COST OF EDUCATI ON

One of my first questions to Lawson addressed the issue of the cost of higher education. I noted that everyone — from the President of the United States to admission counselors at private, Christian colleges — is concerned about the costs associated with four years of higher education. Lawson’s response began, “It’s too high, but it will go higher.” He then added, “The cost of education is relatively low. The cost of parental and societal expectations is too high.” Lawson went on to explain that the big issues in driving up tuition, room, board and related expenses for a four-year college education really are not the expense SUMMER 2 014 | 11

of putting a teacher in said. He then noted that colleges and universities a classroom who is an with great endowments — the Harvards and Yales “We don’t need college expert in a particular of our world — can survive without a lot of concern for information, but area. In Lawson’s mind, about delivery systems, but “the poor ones must be the expensive nature willing to adapt, or they won’t survive.” as an opportunity to of a college education become acquainted with a R E A L E D U C AT ION has more to do with community of scholars who One of the hottest topics in higher education co-curricular issues than right now is competency-based learning (see curricular ones. inspire us to explore.” sidebar, page 13). “The challenge here is, how do Complicating the -Dr. LeRoy Lawson we measure competency?” Lawson asked. “We issue, according to can only start from our own sense of competency, Lawson, is the fact that which will always be subjective.” He further sugin much of Western culture, and perhaps especially in American culture, “we’ve made education gested that even when we create rubrics and other measuring devices for competency, we still create an industry and the primary accreditor for many them out of our own subjective understanding of vocations.” Throughout our conversation, we what is or isn’t a sign of competency. kept coming back to the idea that in our current Our conversation naturally flowed into an cultural context, part of the cost of education is attempt to define “real education” and what the that we have to “accredit” the student for the job “real job” of a teacher was. In Lawson’s mind, real market. Nothing in our conversation suggested education happens when you “have teachers who any devaluing of a college education, but we love their subjects, have a zest for life and are able agreed that part of addressing the challenges of to inspire their students, infusing energy in the the cost of getting a degree was to recognize the student’s life for learning.” He then asked, “How significant changes we now associate with such do you measure that?” an education. Lawson noted that for people his age (and DELIVERY SYSTEM S mine), during the college years, the standard One of the ways that many institutions — from reference for information was Encyclopedia Brihuge state-funded universities to smaller, private tannica. If you wanted to know something from a colleges — are attempting to address the cost of reputable source, you went to the library, found education is to find creative approaches to the the correct volume of this massive reference work, delivery of knowledge. Online classes and deand looked it up. He noted, “Today, there is no grees, hybrid classes that include both online and hard copy of Encyclopedia Britannica.” in-class time, competency-based programs, and a That analogy is crucial to understanding how host of other approaches to delivery are found in a education must be approached. “This has trevariety of educational contexts. mendous implications for education in the 21st “It’s the future,” Lawson said. “If education is century,” Lawson said. “We don’t need college what we think it is, there can’t be one delivery for information, but as an opportunity to become system.” He noted that most smaller, private colacquainted with a community of scholars who leges are “tuition-driven, not endowment-funded,” inspire us to explore.” which will require careful planning on the part of such institutions when it comes to delivery systems. T HE LIBE R A L A R TS Many Christian colleges, especially those “Tuition-driven institutions will not survive whose approach to education was once more without multiple delivery systems as a part of their business plan for the future,” he said. I men- “Bible college” in approach than “liberal arts,” are faced with the challenge of determining the role tioned that, at least in some circles, there seems the liberal arts should play in education. It isn’t to be a belief that in-class instruction is the only unusual to hear criticism about the increased role legitimate approach to delivering knowledge. To liberal arts play in education, as though somehow that, Lawson replied, “Education is not in the that will detract from Scripture. I asked Lawson delivery system.” to speak both to those whose plans are vocational Lawson doesn’t believe the traditional, residenministry and those whose plans are different — tial approach to higher education in the United not unlike throwing a soft pitch to a .400 hitter! States will disappear, though he noted that such “Whatever vocation you are called to, it is residential approaches are rare in Europe. “The important to associate yourself with the best kind residential college won’t die — the need for comof friends you can — some of whom are dead,” he munity is too important — but it must adapt,” he

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said. “We need to hear from our intellectual and spiritual ancestors. Liberal arts allow you to appreciate the finer realities of a bigger world — not as a stranger, but as one acquainted with those who were there before you. Liberal arts expand your soul, challenge your soul, keeping you from being contented with clichés.” Echoing Scripture that focuses on relationships and their importance, Lawson said, “Liberal arts prevent you from thinking your silo is the only silo on the farm. Liberal arts can keep you company in solitude and allow you to ask the big questions about God without answering them prematurely.” The study of liberal arts, he added, “infects you with a kind of discontentment that precedes enlightenment and that is essential to enlightenment.” Lawson was emphatic about the influence the liberal arts can have on preaching. He believes that one of the great challenges of preaching in the current world is predictability. He said, “The liberal arts allow you to approach truth and Scripture ‘aslant,’ which enables good preachers to preach truth in less predictable ways.”

B I B L I C A L I L L I TERACY

world?” He went on to say that thinking biblically means that we take Jesus seriously when he said, “It is all about these two things: love God and love your neighbor.”

EXPANDING ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

Small Christian colleges and universities across the United States have dramatically expanded their athletic programs in recent years. Lawson noted that the liberal arts, in their ancient historical setting, placed great emphasis on “the physical arts.” He also noted that athletics were a natural part of the American residential approach to traditional college education. Lawson cautions Christian colleges not to allow athletics to become “the tail that wags the dog.” In making sure that doesn’t happen, there should be concern about “proportion — what is the ratio between athletes and non-athletes; and about not thinking that an athletic program in a small Christian college has to ‘professionalize.’” Christian colleges must be careful that they don’t establish different admission and academic standards for athletes, he said, and “have a Christian enough program that those who are anti-Christian won’t come and those who are intrigued with Christianity will come to explore what that means.”

Today, both preachers and biblical studies professors lament the biblical illiteracy of those they are teaching — another issue about which Lawson FAC U LT Y Both Christian and secular institutions of had much to say. “We live in a biblically illiterhigher education have lately found themselves in ate age,” he said. “Even in the church, a preacher can’t assume biblical literacy and should sense the the midst of determining what role adjunct need to explain every biblical allusion found in a COMPETENCY-BASED LEARNING: faculty should play in sermon.” Focused on demonstrating competency as a Lawson believes that the church, in its preach- the educational process. means of earning credit, this approach offers Lawson was quick to ing, teaching and programming, should view this students more flexibility in both the pace and a serious problem. “My concern, at the moment, is note the value of fulltime faculty, but noted that so much preaching is topical, highly illustratlocation of their education. According to the that full-time faculty ed, and of little substance when it comes to conU.S. Department of Education, competencycan become entrenched tent,” he said. He wondered aloud if the church based learning: in their positions as prohas placed enough value on biblical education. • Helps students save time and money; fessors, and become less In the midst of that discussion, I asked him • Allows students to progress at their and less aware of the about the difference in “thinking biblically” as own pace; opposed to “knowing biblical facts.” While he was world around them. • Better utilizes technology; One of the ways colquick to point out that you cannot think biblically • Takes learning outside the classroom; and leges and universities if you don’t know some biblical facts, he noted • Personalizes learning to individual needs. can make sure full-time that “thinking biblically makes us less legalistic faculty and various and less categorical in what we think.” As an example, a student might pass an educational programs “The more we learn to think biblically, the assessment test based on his or her prior remain relevant, he said, more we will cherish our freedom in Christ, and learning and thereby earn credit for a course. is through the use of the less we will try to adhere to rules and the tenCompetency-based learning measures the adjunct faculty memdency to proof text our way through Scripture.” student’s skills and knowledge, rather than bers in strategic ways. When I asked him to define “thinking biblicalmeasuring time spent sitting in a classroom ly,” Lawson said, “Thinking biblically comes from “I applaud this move (as with credit hours). [toward increased use adopting a biblical worldview — what was God of adjuncts],” he said. up to in Jesus and what was Jesus up to in the

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photo courtesy of emmanuel christian seminary

Lawson in the classroom at Emmanuel Christian Seminary

“It puts people engaged in community,” he said. “It loses its power when it in the discipline and withdraws from the world and is kept in isolation.” on top of their game in When the study of the Bible becomes isolated in the classroom. Adan academic classroom, detached from the world juncts live in the real around it, Lawson believes problems ensue. world and bring real“Words are designed for communication, comism to the classroom.” munity and communion,” he said. “They can’t live I asked Lawson to in isolation.” pretend, for a moM E R GE R S ment, that he were the Many smaller colleges, both within the world president of a small of Christian higher education and outside it, are Christian college in exploring mergers. Point recently spent a year early August, just beexploring that possibility, though it ultimately fore the beginning of a new academic year. He proved not to be the right move. The challenge of how to have a sustainable program of education was coming to the faculty retreat to give a pep talk has much to do with this tendency among smaller of sorts to the faculty for the year about to begin. colleges. I asked Lawson what he thought about What would he say? this trend. With no hesitation, Lawson replied, “I would “We should have more mergers,” he said. “Most ask them three questions. The first question would small colleges don’t have a sustainable business be ‘What is your mission as a professor?’” He went plan. With the dying out of the builders generaon to explain that he would want faculty members tion and the taking over of the boomers, there is to answer that question in the context of their own less loyalty to what the builders built, and that dilives, as well as the context of the institution’s misminished loyalty will not keep institutions going.” sion. “Before finishing their answers,” he said, “I I noted that this was similar to the kinds of trends would want them to describe how their approach people like Gabe Lyons (The Next Christians) and helps the institution achieve its mission.” David Kinnaman (You Lost Me) are noting about His second question for faculty members was, issues like denominational loyalty among younger “What is your attitude toward your students?” adults. Lawson agreed and suggested that the How a faculty member views the people sitting institutions that survive in the future will be those in his or her classroom says much about a professor’s ability to inspire them to explore knowledge. who find ways to address these realities. I noted that often, when I read about potential Lawson believes that faculty members must mergers, I see a lot of resistance to the idea of two “constantly think about what they want to do with colleges becoming one. Lawson’s response was, their students.” “Refusal to merge has more to do with control isLawson’s third question may have been the sues than it does with advancing the kingdom.” hardest. “How can we de-institutionalize the institution?” He noted that there is a difference C HA N GE between “following the handbook on education Because I have been a part of Point for a long and education.” While not suggesting anarchy on time, I’ve seen lots of change from what Atlanta the part of faculty members, Lawson insisted that Christian College was when I first started work“learning happens when teachers inspire their ing here to what it is now as Point University. I students to want to explore knowledge. Good speculated to Lawson how challenging that must teachers can’t be bound by bureaucracy.” be for Point alumni who haven’t been on campus for years and come back for a visit to a place that BIBLICAL STUDIES is hard for them to recognize. I asked him what Given my position at Point, where every student is required to have at least a minor in biblical he would say to a Point alumnus who graduated a while back, when the institution was Atlanta studies, I wanted to ask Lawson a question or two about how biblical studies professors can do a bet- Christian College and had a significantly smaller student body, smaller faculty and a much smaller ter job of inspiring students to explore. athletic program. Lawson said it is important “to keep one foot “First, I would tell them to take pride in the in the Bible, one foot in the world.” He noted that diversity of Point’s student body,” he said. “I biblical studies faculty face a serious struggle when it comes to not being isolated from the world certainly do.” We agreed that one of the unique contributions Point University can make to the around them. “Scripture was born in and cradled

An article on the future of Christian higher ed by President Dean Collins ’79 was recently featured in Christian Standard. Scan this code with your smart phone to read it!

world of Christian higher education is the simple fact of our diversity. Lawson went on to note, “Students and alumni should understand how much our world needs them, their sets of skills and their acquaintance with the ethical standards they have adopted because of their time at Point University.” He added that “your sense of importance has less to do with the job you hold than it does with the way you function and the spirit you exhibit in that job. Be the real thing — be Christian.” I pressed that question a little further, noting that a student in 2014 looks and acts so differently from a student from the 1960s that it almost seems surreal. Lawson said, “When I was a student in the 1950s, Eisenhower was president, and we now call that time ‘the tranquil years.’ Society was more ordered, predictable, and conforming.” That world, he said, is virtually gone. “And there are mixed results,” he said. “We have less hypocrisy, but a greater sense of insecurity, a lesser understanding of right and wrong.” He noted the contrast between what he described as “a sense of belonging, community, and patriotism” that was generally true of believers and nonbelievers in his generation, versus our “very individualistic understanding of self, the idea that there really is no prescribed standard of right and wrong, and grave questions about who we are” that characterize the present age. Today, Lawson said, “individual expression trumps who I work for, where I go to church, and what nation I belong to.”

HO P E A N D O P T IMIS M

I started our conversation by asking a question about the future, but it was a topic we kept coming back to from aslant, to use one of Lawson’s words about the value of the liberal arts. Anyone aware at all of what is going on in higher education, including small Christian colleges, knows that many institutions are struggling to stay open and are looking for a sustainable business plan to give hope that there will be a future. I asked Lawson what gave him hope or optimism about the future of Christian higher education. “We are in a crisis, and we know it,” he said. “Higher education in general has been in trouble for decades. Our rapidly changing culture meant that we didn’t know where we were going, but now we know it.” Lawson noted that sometimes it seems that Christian church-affiliated colleges

were slow to catch on this reality. “What gives me hope,” he said, “is that we are finally facing that reality.” But more than that, Lawson noted that he has hope because of our students. “They have, for the most part, grown up in what is often described as the postmodern world,” he said. “They also are asking the hard —and good — questions, ‘Why is this a good curriculum?’ and ‘Is the education I am getting the education I need?’” Lawson believes that current college students are asking different kinds of questions than previous generations did. He believes these students will ask the same questions of the world and, through that, help transform the world around us.

When I think about the time I spent with Lawson and the conversation we had, the one word that keeps appearing in my mind is encouraged. Lawson first stepped into a college classroom at Milligan College in fall 1965. Since that time, he has taught as a professor, led as a president, preached in megachurches, served Christian Missionary Fellowship as an international consultant, and is now teaching at Emmanuel Christian Seminary, leading their doctor of ministry program. In the midst of all of that, he has a great marriage, a great family, and a number of what he calls “Velcro kids.” At a time in his life when no one would be critical if he were to say, “I think I’ll sit back and take it easy,” Lawson hasn’t said that — and certainly isn’t doing that. The very fact that he continues to invest in the lives of students in Christian colleges and seminaries says much about his hope for the future. That he was willing to give me an afternoon of his time to talk about education in general, and Point University in particular, speaks with that same voice of optimism. Wye Huxford ’73 is vice president for spiritual formation and dean of the chapel at Point, where he has taught since 1976. He also serves as chair of the Department of Biblical Studies.

Jo i n th e c onve r s ati on Want to share ideas or ask questions about where Christian higher ed is going? Tweet @PointUMag with #AskPointUMag.

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adam pope

16 | POIN T M AG A ZI NE

HONOR GRADUATE MINDY SHELNUTT ’14 SHARES HER JOURNEY FROM METH ADDICTION TO HOPE AND RECOVERY BY SARAH HUXFORD

APRIL 26, 2009.

It’s a date Mindy Shelnutt ’14 will always remember. It’s the day she decided life was no longer worth living. She’d been on the run from the police for a little more than a year. She was deep in the grip of methamphetamine addiction. She’d given temporary custody of her daughter to her parents. And she just knew everyone would be better off without her. By the grace of God, Shelnutt’s story didn’t end on that night more than five years ago. And now she can celebrate another important date: May 10, 2014. On that day, she walked across the stage at Point University’s commencement exercises, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in counseling and human services. But Shelnutt’s road to graduation was not an easy one. She grew up in what she calls a “fairly normal” family, an only child until her brother was born when she was ten years old. But she did experience some childhood trauma, such as when her mother was hospitalized for encephalitis during Shelnutt’s teen years. “I remember bits and pieces of going to see her in the hospital and seeing her in a coma,” Shelnutt says. “When she finally started to get better, she had to be taught how to walk and talk again, because the sickness had caused her to lose pieces of her memory.” Going through that difficult time put a strain on the family, and not long after her mother’s illness, Shelnutt’s parents split up. Shelnutt says she had always pushed the envelope. “I had no fear of anything, and there was a curiosity about me that always tried to do whatever it was that I wasn’t sup-

SUMMER 2 014 | 17

posed to do,” she says. She was smart and didn’t promise them that he would show, but never did.” have to try very hard to do well in school — so Shelnutt was released from academics weren’t automatically a priority. After treatment, she was seven her father moved out of the house, Shelnutt and and a half months pregnant. And like a typical her brother lived with their mother. Shelnutt teenager, she thought she could do it all hersays she immediately started acting out: “skipself. “I really thought that I could handle being a ping school, sneaking out, doing drugs a little mother,” she says. “And I did really well for the from time to time.” first years of my daughter Taylor’s life.” It wasn’t long before Shelnutt was spending After her daughter was born, Shelnutt found time with a much older crowd, staying overnight a job and began studying for the GED, which she with a female friend in a neighboring county. “It earned before Taylor’s first birthday. She tried was during this time that I started getting high repeatedly to get Taylor’s father involved in her most consistently,” she recalls. “I eventually got expelled from my county high school for fighting life, but focused on taking care of her daughter. and was sent to the new alternative school in my “I still meddled with drugs from time to time on area. I wasn’t there for very long before I also got the weekends when my parents helped me with Taylor,” she says. “But I was always functional expelled from the alternaand hid my usage from my parents.” tive school for smoking pot A few years later, Shelnutt decided it was out the window of one of the time to grow up. She met another older man and classrooms.” hoped he’d be able to give Taylor the family and her stability she hadn’t yet had. After just six months mother of dating, the couple got married and moved in still recovering, Shelnutt felt next door to Shelnutt’s grandmother. “Immedishe could get away with “just ately after we were married, the abuse started,” about anything.” While hang- she remembers. “I had too much pride to tell my ing out at the friend’s house family, because they had warned me that I was where she often spent the getting married too fast.” night, she met a much older Shelnutt had decided to stop doing drugs man. He was selling drugs, when she got married, so she was sober when and once they started dating, she learned, early on in the marriage, that she Shelnutt’s substance abuse was pregnant. Yet even this news didn’t stop problem began to escalate. the abuse. Instead, the abuse eventually caused “At one point, my parents Shelnutt to suffer a miscarriage. The situation were trying to get through to continued to worsen, until one day, Shelnutt’s me, so they took me to the local hospital and had husband threw something at her — and barely me tested to see what drugs were in my system,” missed hitting Taylor. “I decided I would not she says. Once the tests came back, revealing the put my daughter at risk,” she explains. “I filed a toxins in Shelnutt’s body, the hospital told her temporary protection order against my husband parents to get her into treatment. At age 15, she to get him out of the house, and then started the went through a seven-day detox program, then divorce proceedings.” was sent to Inner Harbour, a treatment center in “The abusive marriage was the straw that Douglasville, Georgia. She hadn’t been allowed broke the camel’s back,” Shelnutt continues. “As to see her family for the first week in treatment, soon as my husband left, I started right back and right before her first visit with them, she where I had left off with drugs.” She needed was told of yet another test result: she was pregmoney to support her habit, so she started selling nant. “The first time I was sober in front of my methamphetamine. parents was when I told them I was pregnant,” Shelnutt says, “I don’t think I sobered up for Shelnutt says. “Their reaction was similar to the the next ten years. I caught my first charge in reaction of most parents upon learning their teen 2001, when I was arrested for trafficking methdaughter is pregnant.” amphetamine. But even after my arrest, I didn’t But Shelnutt’s parents continued to try to slow down.” help, reaching out to the baby’s father. “My parThe charges were dropped to possession with ents went above and beyond to try to get him inintent to distribute, and Shelnutt was sentenced volved by inviting him to the counseling sessions to probation. As her drug habit spiraled out of at the treatment center,” she says. “He would control, Shelnutt and her young daughter had to

WHEN

Mindy Shelnutt and her daughter, Taylor, on Taylor’s second Halloween.

18 | P OINT M AG A ZI NE

photo courtesy of mindy shelnutt ’14

WITH

move in with her grandmother. “Taylor had a front-row seat as time and time again, I would come home high,” Shelnutt says. “If anything, the charges and the probation fueled my addiction even more. I couldn’t pass drug tests, and violated my probation over and over again.”

AFTER

she’d been hiding out and stopping her from committing suicide. She was alive — but she was in a lot of trouble. She spent six months in the county jail, her body wracked with seizures as she withdrew from the methamphetamine. When she went to court, the judge sentenced her to a prison rehabilitation center in Alto, Georgia, but there was a waiting list for a bed in the facility. During the wait, God intervened again. This time, it was in the form of an unexpected visitor: the founder of a Christian treatment center in McDonough, Georgia, called Shining Light Ministries. “Much to my amazement, she LEARN MORE ABOUT fought to get me resentenced to SHINING LIGHT MINISTRIES her program,” Shelnutt says. “BeSLM is a 12-step Chrisfore I knew it, I was released to tian-based recovery her custody.” home for women. The Shelnutt found herself in an Mission of Shining Light intense year-long therapy program. During that time, she could Ministries is to lead women from the bondage of drug, alcohol and talk to her family for 15 minutes each week and had visitation with related addictions to a new life of freedom in Jesus Christ. them for an hour a month. Other

a probation violation, Shelnutt was sentenced to a treatment center in Clayton County, Georgia, where she was taught to work the steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. But the treatment didn’t take. “Within months, I was back to living the only life I knew how,” she says. “My drug of choice was methamphetamine, and I got to a point where I didn’t think I could live without it.” Soon Shelnutt violated her probation yet again, but decided that this time, she wasn’t going to turn herself in. “I packed my things, left Taylor with my grandmother — who had rapidly progressing Alzheimer’s — and took off,” she says. “I was so selfish.” More than a year later, Shelnutt finally decided to stop running — and end her life. Taylor than that, patients were shut off had been sent to live with Shelnutt’s father and from the rest of the world, attending AA meetstepmother. While she’d been on the run, Shelings, receiving counseling and getting biblical nutt had had only minimal contact with them. instruction from local church volunteers. As she “My dad once told me that he would check the began to deal with all of the trauma she’d expepapers every day to see if I had been arrested,” rienced in her life, Shelnutt says her faith — in she says. “When he finished looking at the arboth God and herself — began to grow. rests, he’d flip over to the obituaries to see if my “Slowly, I started to believe that I could actuname was listed there too.” ally live a life that didn’t involve drugs,” she says. On April 26, 2009, Shelnutt decided she was “The treatment center was the hardest thing I tired of hiding from the police. She knew she had ever done, but bit by bit, I started to gain couldn’t live with drugs, but she was convinced hope that I could lead a normal life.” she couldn’t live without them, either. “AddicDuring her monthly visits with family, Sheltion is a disease!” Shelnutt says. “Many people nutt was able to start rebuilding her relationship who have never experienced it think that you can with her daughter. “The thing about Taylor was just lay the drugs down and walk away. I often that she never gave up on me,” Shelnutt says. heard people say that I didn’t love my daughter “We’ve always had a unique relationship, because because I couldn’t stop using for her. But no mat- I had her so young. Even when I was at my worst, ter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop. she still loved me — even though I had caused “I had decided that suicide was the only opher so much pain.” tion, because then I wouldn’t be causing my family any more harm. I convinced myself that able to see the light everyone would be much better without me.” at the end of the Growing up, Shelnutt says, she never paid tunnel of her addiction, Shelnutt began to think much attention at the Methodist church her about the future. This included her dream of family had attended: “I knew the basics of the attending college and, ultimately, working with biblical stories, but I was in no way whatsoever other people who were battling addiction. “With interested in the Bible.” my newfound faith, I wanted to attend a school that would help me continue to learn about God, in the wee hours of that April Jesus and the Bible,” she says. “I found what was morning, Shelnutt believes God then Atlanta Christian College, and a close friend intervened in her life. The police caught up to offered to take me to the East Point campus for her, swarming the apartment complex where

FINALLY

BUT

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a tour. When I stepped out of the car onto the campus, I immediately started crying and had goose bumps all over my arms and legs. I had never experienced anything like this, but it was like I knew that this was where I belonged. The college chose me just as much as I chose it.” After eight months in treatment, Shelnutt was moved to the transition phase, which allowed her the flexibility to work and go to school. She enrolled at what is now Point in August 2010, two months before she completed her treatment program. At the same time, Taylor began her freshman year of high school.

during that commute, from which she still suffers neck and back issues. She credits the faculty and administration of Point with encouraging her to keep going. “When I got close to my professors, I would tell them a little bit about myself,” she says. “Each of them was willing to work with me when I was having to commute. And Professor Simone Alexander and Dr. Greg Moffatt had a huge part in pushing me to start believing in myself.” “Dr. Kim Macenczak worked miracles for me after the school moved to West Point,” she adds. “When I opened up to her and told her my story, she pushed me when I started to grow weary. From my sophomore year until I graduated, she Shelmade it her personal goal to help me set up my nutt’s schedule for the next semester.” instinct that Point was the right Through all of these challenges, Shelnutt place, the transition wasn’t easy. pushed on. In April 2014, she celebrated five She didn’t immediately feel like she years of sobriety. Less than a month later, she fit in and feared failure after not graduated from Point with highest honors (and a having been in school in 14 years. “I 3.92 GPA!). A few weeks after that, Taylor graduwas very reclusive and reserved,” ated from high school. she says. “This has been a year of celebration for my As she began to do well in her whole family,” Shelnutt says. “It was during classes, Shelnutt’s confidence my time at Point that I was able to rebuild my also increased. “I saw the fire for relationships with them. My family didn’t think Christ in the eyes of the students I would be alive at 35, but I managed to graduaround me, and that fire became ate from college at 35. I never really thought, contagious,” she says. “My faith journey started when I started this journey, that I would actually at Shining Light Ministries, but it started to achieve it.” mature at Point.” Shelnutt wants to share her story in hopes Shelnutt initially felt nervous about opening of helping others who suffer from addiction. “I up to her classmates, even as she got to know the want the world to understand that addiction other women in her discipleship group, led by is a disease, and just like any other disease, it Deena Taylor ’12. “I struggled with social anxiety requires treatment,” she says. She is already enin the beginning, because most of my social skills rolled at Argosy University, pursuing a master’s were learned during my usage,” she says. degree in counseling. “I was ashamed to tell my peers that I was in “Point will always be home for me,” Shelnutt the transitional phase of a treatment center, but says. “I’ll always be grateful for the faculty, for one day, in my discipleship group, I told them a believing in me even when I didn’t believe in little about myself. The group remembered that myself. Point changed my life, because I was able my graduation from Shining Light was coming to see what a community of believers looks like up in October, and they threw me a party for my and how biblical principles apply to day-to-day accomplishment. In fact, Jamie Grace Harper circumstances. During my time here, I was able ’12 even drove down to McDonough and attendto feed my spirit and grow as a Christian.” ed my graduation celebration.” Shelnutt says that with each semester, her “passion for helping hurting people” grew. There MEET MORE 2014 GRADS ON were times she didn’t think she’d be able to reach THE FOLLOWING PAGES! >>> her college goal — such as when the University relocated to West Point halfway through her studies. “I almost gave up, but for two years I commuted 92 miles from Stockbridge, Georgia, to West Point, three times a week,” she says. In January 2013, she was in a serious car accident

Mother and daughter graduated together this spring — Taylor (left) from high school and Mindy (right) from Point.

20 | P OI N T M AG A ZI NE

photo courtesy of mindy shelnutt ’14

DESPITE

MEET the CLASS of 2014 Get to know a few of this year’s outstanding graduates stories by sarah huxford | photos by adam pope

ELSIE AQUINO, B.S. in Christian Ministries HOMETOWN: MIAMI

LOCATION: EAST POINT

It only took one visit to Point University for Elsie Aquino to know God wanted her here. Having grown up in Guatemala, Aquino was attending high school in Florida, where her family was living, when she found Point during a web search for Christian Colleges. Unsure of whether she wanted to be so far from her family, she didn’t apply right away. “God had a plan,” Aquino says, “and my entire family ended up moving to Georgia. As I walked around campus at Point, I felt at home. I felt the presence of God. I got to spend the night, and when morning came, I didn’t want to leave! That’s how I knew I had found the place God wanted me to be.” Finding the major to which God had called her proved a little more challenging, Aquino says. “I felt a calling in my life, but I let fear and the voice of other people lead me to another way,” she explains. “I changed my major three times before I got to Christian ministries, but I have never felt so much joy, conviction and excitement in my studies.” In the future, Aquino plans to pursue a degree in higher education at Mercer University. “I want to be able to work and teach biblical studies classes in universities and colleges,” she says. After the main campus relocation, she felt that God wanted her to help people on the East Point campus, so she stayed, switching from the traditional to the Access program. Not long after, she was hired as enrollment coordinator for the Access program in East Point. She says, “Point has been my hands-on experience in what trusting God looks like and how he blesses us every single day.”

KENYATA ARNOLD, B.S. in Organizational Leadership HOMETOWN: ATLANTA

LOCATION: EAST POINT

A human resources professional for more than 13 years, Kenyata Arnold knew she needed to pursue a degree in order to advance to the management level. She started out attending a state technical college, but just didn’t feel it was the right fit. “What I experienced was just being another student,” she explains. “I had class three nights a week, and the professor had little knowledge and life experience when it came to the business course.” After hearing that Point offered adult classes just one evening a week, Arnold attended an info session. When Doug Johnson ’11, site director for the East Point location, opened the info session with prayer, she knew she was in the right place. “My experience at Point is so much more favorable,” Arnold says. “I have been taught by some of the most experienced and knowledgeable professors. The spiritual connections, friendly and family atmosphere, and life lessons were outstanding. And to only have class one night a week makes for a better educational experience for me, being a working adult.” Arnold hasn’t slowed down a bit since graduation. She’s already enrolling at Central Michigan University to pursue a master’s degree in human resources administration. “After graduating from CMU, I plan to sit for the Society for Human Resource Management certification and come back to teach at Point,” she says. “Not only did my experience at Point allow me to gain the knowledge I needed to get a promotion, but it has also sparked in me a desire to give back and enlighten others.” SUMMER 2 014 | 21

EBONEE COOK, B.S. in Psychology HOMETOWN: GORDON, ALABAMA

LOCATION: WEST POINT

Ebonee Cook initially chose Point because of basketball, but once she came to campus and met the faculty and staff, she knew the West Point campus was the right place for her. She attended another college prior to Point and knew that she preferred a small campus over a larger one. “I enjoy the one-on-one connection that you have with your professor,” she says. “At Point, I found myself getting to know Christ more and actually having meaningful relationships with my professors, friends and other staff members.” Cook chose her major based on an experience she had growing up: “After my brother got sick while I was in high school, I saw how the many different social workers helped my family. I wanted to go into a major that allowed me to help people more.” She says that her courses at Point helped her further explore that passion: “I learned more about why people act the way they do, and the different disorders children and adults may have.” Cook hopes that one day she can help others the way her own family was helped in the past. “I want to get a master’s degree in clinical psychology,” she says, “and one day open my own private practice.”

SHAUN HORNE, B.S. in Biblical Studies & Preaching Ministry HOMETOWN: DUBLIN, GEORGIA

LOCATION: WEST POINT

After attending another, larger college, Shaun Horne felt he wasn’t where God wanted him to be. “I was new to the Christian faith, and I knew I needed to be at a school that could pour into me spiritually,” he explains. Point’s small size and affordable tuition caught his attention, and a campus visit sealed the deal. “The presence of God was evident in each student I interacted with, and every faculty and staff member I met,” he says. Horne came to Point set on majoring in counseling, but arrived to find he’d been enrolled in the biblical studies major. His roommate, Casey Hall ’14, was also a biblical studies major. Horne figured he’d take those things as a sign and quickly found himself thriving in his biblical studies courses. Reflecting on his Point experience, Horne says, “The Point community has really become my family. It’s going to be really hard leaving, but I’m positive that God is calling me to stay true to the mission of Point and transform the culture for Christ.” After one last summer spent traveling as a student ambassador for Point, Horne has now relocated to Peoria, Arizona, to serve at Christ’s Church of the Valley as part of a residency program with fellow Point graduates Gerardo Mancilla ’13 and Zach Tyler ’13. During the residency, he’ll be working toward a master’s degree in strategic ministry from Johnson University. “I’ve found my place in this world, and Point played a huge part in helping me find that reality,” he says.

JASON JOHNSON, B.S. in Biology HOMETOWN: CHATTAHOOCHEE HILLS, GEORGIA

LOCATION: WEST POINT

Jason Johnson originally attended Point on a baseball scholarship, unsure what he wanted to major in. During his freshman year, he began to consider the field of dentistry. “At the time, the prerequisite classes were not yet offered,” he explains. “As I was looking for another place to go to school, Dr. Kim Macenczak met with me, found out which classes were required for dental school, and had them in place for me as they were needed. Point invested in my calling and dream, and I’m now able to graduate having been accepted into three different dental schools.” Of his major, Johnson says, “It is just awesome getting to see how God works by learning about what has been created.” He feels academically prepared for dental school, but believes the spiritual life at Point has had an even greater influence on him. Johnson and his wife, Sydney, a dental hygienist, have relocated to Augusta, Ga., where he will begin dental school at Georgia Regents University (formerly the Medical College of Georgia) this fall. “Sydney and I plan on becoming involved in missions, both domestic and foreign, as soon as we can,” he says. “We plan on taking our knowledge and skills in the field of dentistry and using them as tools to change lives.” 22 | POIN T M AG A ZI NE

JOSHUA LONDON, B.S. in Biblical Studies & Preaching Ministry HOMETOWN: MADISON, ALABAMA

LOCATION: WEST POINT

When Joshua London first enrolled at Point, he wasn’t sure he was ready to answer the call to ministry. Now, having earned a degree in biblical studies and preaching ministry with a business minor, he’ll be continuing his studies in the M.Div. program at Duke University’s Divinity School. Looking back on his time at Point, London reflects, “Even though four semesters of blood, sweat and tears taking Greek with Dr. Blackburn is a time of my life I’d rather forget, I feel like surviving Greek is one of my highest life achievements.” London’s interactions with professors had a huge influence during his years at Point. “I only had two classes with Mr. Huxford, but he’s had a huge impact on my life outside of the classroom,” he points out as an example. “The discipleship groups, mentoring sessions and academic help he has provided me have transformed my life.” Ultimately, London feels Point has prepared him for a life of ministry. “Point has taught me how to cultivate a culture of people from very different social, religious and ethnic backgrounds. Through this, I’ve learned how to minister to many people by understanding their stories and doing my best to allow Jesus to meet them where they currently are,” he says.

AMY MCGIVNEY-SMITH, B.S. in Human Relations HOMETOWN: FAIRBURN, GEORGIA

LOCATION: PEACHTREE CITY

“My original decision to attend Point was purely selfish,” Amy McGivney-Smith explains. “The Access program fit well into my personal and professional schedules. I needed a hybrid-type program that offered online and in-class instruction. After attending a few classes, I knew the fit was perfect.” After graduating high school in 1995, McGivney-Smith attended Georgia State University. “GSU is a wonderful school, but my smallest class was 85 students,” she says. “It was overwhelming. I have never felt like a number at Point. I’ve always been a person with a face and a story.” McGivney-Smith came to Point with a career change in mind. “After 15 years in business, I am ready to move into a more ‘human’ aspect of the business world. I enjoy coaching and developing people,” she says. Her future plans include pursuing a master’s degree in conflict management. One of the benefits of a Point education, says McGivney-Smith, is the opportunity to grow in both her spiritual faith and her faith in herself. “I now have a deeper respect for those who view religion, politics and life differently than I do,” she says, “because no matter how passionate our differences were in class, we were able to discuss them intelligently, respectfully and with an attitude of grace. Everyone had an opinion, but most importantly, everyone’s voice was heard. This concept was very foreign to me before Point.”

ALEXANDRA ROBISON, A.A. in Christian Ministries HOMETOWN: INDIANAPOLIS

LOCATION: BIRMINGHAM

Alexandra Robison has a distinction among the graduates profiled in this issue: she attended classes at the University’s newest location, in Birmingham, Ala. Established through a partnership with Church of the Highlands, this location currently offers degrees in Christian ministries. “I thought it would be a great opportunity to receive a degree while studying where I knew the Lord had called me,” Robison explains. Even though she attended another Christian university before attending Point, Robison says that her time at Point still stands out: “What I love about Point is the flexibility they have with my schedule and the accessibility to a higher level of education in a busy lifestyle.” Reflecting on her favorite academic experiences, Robison remembers a biology course taken with Dr. Kendra Rigdon. “She has an incredible knowledge of the sciences and the Bible; I was able to learn not only a great deal of biology, but how a biblical worldview fit into the subject,” she says. Robison’s future plans include pursuing another degree or entering into vocational ministry with the knowledge and skills she has gained from Point.

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PHILIP TISDALE, B.S. in Organizational Leadership HOMETOWN: NEWNAN, GEORGIA

LOCATION: PEACHTREE CITY

Philip Tisdale tried several times in the past to complete his degree, but life kept getting in the way. He attended Columbus State University right out of high school, but was injured playing intramural sports and missed several quarters. “When I was able to return to school and work, I was offered a full-time position, and school took a back seat,” he recalls. “I returned to another local university after I married, and was doing well, but was offered a promotion that required significant travel. Needless to say, I did not finish school.” Although he has built a successful career, currently working in the life and health insurance industry, Tisdale says he always wanted to finish his degree for personal reasons. After moving to Newnan, he heard ads for the Access program on local Christian radio station WVFJ The Joy FM. “Every time I heard a spot, I would ask God if it was really OK to go back to school,” he says. “I prayed about it, and my wife encouraged me to go ahead and check into it. The biggest difference between Point and other programs was the ministry emphasis, regardless of your chosen career.” Tisdale says he’s enjoyed taking business courses which emphasized “applying our calling in our work.” He says, “My favorite class was Business as Mission, taught by two of the toughest professors Point has, John and Emma Morris. Seeing how entrepreneurs and business leaders have stood firm on trusting Christ in all their business decisions and using their businesses to serve and reach others was inspiring.” “One of the biggest changes to my life since attending Point University is the knowledge and pride that I finally completed my degree and maintained a high GPA,” Tisdale says. Next, he plans to continue working toward becoming a financial planner. “I enjoy serving others, and want to help people avoid financial mistakes and use their resources to take care of their families and serve others, as well,” he says.

MICHAEL WOODS, B.S. in Christian Ministries HOMETOWN: ATLANTA

LOCATION: EAST POINT

Michael Woods has spent most of his career in the construction industry, owning his own business since 2001. But he says that the “pull of the ministry” was so strong, he had to take notice. “When visiting my sister, who lives in East Point, I would see the college sign all the time,” he says. “I had even had dreams of that sign at night! My wife and I were in a Christian bookstore one day, and I heard God speak plainly, ‘What are you giving your time to?’ That’s when I knew I should enroll at Point.” Woods says his Point experience was completely different from his past college experience, when his primary focus was advancing his career. “At Point, God began to redirect my focus,” he explains, “and in doing so, changed my desires as well. I no longer made business my priority. Now it’s all about helping win souls for Christ; everything else is a distant second.” “Sometimes we go our whole lives defining ourselves by where we come from, what our last name is, our education, our jobs, even our bank accounts,” he continues. “I know this to be true, because I defined myself with many of these. But Point allowed me to search the deeper things of God, helping open my eyes to who I am in Christ and what he would have me to do.” Woods dreams of one day teaching on the college level. In the short term, he says, he plans to attend seminary and focus on the two nonprofit ministries God has called him to start: one that focuses on helping men mend broken family relationships, and another that provides food, clothing and bus passes for families in need.

WHAT’S your STORY?

Graduation isn’t the only time of year we’re interested in telling alumni stories! If you have an interesting story to tell, or you know of a fellow Point graduate who does, email us at editor@ point.edu or tweet @PointUMag. You never know — we just might interview you next!

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CLASS NOTES

Congratulations to Johnie ’54 and Patra Giles Marion (’52-’55), who recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary! They also celebrated their 60th year in ministry this summer. The Marions have served in churches throughout South Carolina, Kentucky, Australia and New Zealand.

Phil Kouns ’71 recently graduated from Argosy University with a master’s degree in clinical counseling. He is COO of the Children’s Village at Christian City in Union City, Georgia.

Major James Gazaway ’80 retired from the U.S. Army on April 24. He served as a chaplain, with a career spanning three continents, including multiple deployments to the Balkans and Iraq. He continues to serve as senior minister at First Christian Church in Pensacola, Florida.  Dr. Clay Perkins ’80, president of Mid-Atlantic Christian University and a graduate of Regent University, was honored by Regent on May 2. The faculty of the School of Business and Leadership (SBL) at Regent named him the SBL Alumnus of the Year.

Cindy Everett ’82 married Henry Chambers on May 24.

Jamie Sutton ’83 played in the Skyhawk Club Golf Tournament in Peachtree City, Georgia, on May 20. Next year we hope to see even more of our alumni play!

James A. Johnson ’90 was recently installed as pastor of the Protestant chapel at the Naval Air Station in Norfolk, Virginia.

Robbie Hudson ’94 is serving as senior minister at Shady Grove Christian Church in Opelika, Alabama.

Congratulations to Stephen ’97 and Heather Chastain Bain ’98 on the birth of their newest son, Peter Augustine, on June 30.  Nina Dye Faix ’97 recently graduated from Grand Canyon University with a master of science degree in leadership. She was cheered on by her husband, Jonathan ’99, and their son, Jon-Paul.

photos courtesy of point university alumni

facebook.com/pointuniversity #pointclassnotes @PointUMag #pointclassnotes Point University Alumni Group classnotes@point.edu

sity of Phoenix with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Congratulations to Kerala Christian Mission in India upon the completion of the building for their new orphanage, dedicated on May 29 and pictured above. This ministry is run by Cindy Rajan Martin ’04, her husband, and her father, Rajan Ipe (’75-’76).

Jesse Dyar ’06 was honored as baseball Coach of the Year by the NCCAA this spring. Dyar recently left his position at Point to coach high school baseball in South Carolina.

Harrison ’06 and Lindsay Raynor Huxford ’06 welcomed their third child, daughter Callie Jo, on May 21.

Mac ’99 and Allison Green Cregger ’00 welcomed a daughter, Etta Lee, on June 23.  Mandy Cook ’01 has relocated to Milledgeville, Georgia, where she is serving as campus minister at Kudzu, the college ministry of Northridge Christian Church.

Michael and Donna Pope Burns ’08 were married on June 28 at Galilee Christian Church in Jefferson, Georgia.  Nic ’09 and Candice Brown Campbell (’06-’07) welcomed their second child, Lilly Abigail, on Feb. 27.  Congratulations to Jessica Smoot ’09, who was named Teacher of the Year for Feed My Lambs School in Atlanta.

Eddy Sanders ’01 and his wife, Cheryl, recently welcomed a daughter, Emery Carolina.

Jake and Heather Lamb Didier ’02 were married on April 12 at First Christian Church of Mableton, Ga.

Congratulations to Amy and Michael Frost ’02 on the birth of their son, Alden William, on Feb. 18. The Frost family lives in Hazelwood, Missouri.

S E N D U S YO U R N E W S ! Tell us about your new job, baby, spouse ... you get the picture. And send us pictures, too – we’ll include them when possible. Point Magazine’s policy is to wait until anticipated events have become reality to print them in Class Notes.

Congratulations to Jenny Echols Walker (’82-’84), who was named Teacher of the Year at Eastside Elementary School in Senoia, Georgia, this spring. Jenny is married to Blair ’83, who is West Point site director for the Access program at Point.

Chris and Rachel Bellmoff Holohan ’02 welcomed a son, Foster Roan, on March 24.

Paige Raynor Dees ’03 and her husband, Jason, had a son, John Kellis, this spring. He was welcomed home by his big sister, Emery Anna. Ben Thames ’03 writes that he and his wife, Adrienne, would like to announce the birth of their first son, Zade Allan, on Feb. 23.

Judith Arnold (’03-’04) recently graduated from the Univer-

Jimmy ’10 and Alexandra Pennington Webb ’11 welcomed their first son, Liam James, on April 23. The Webbs both work at Point, where Alex is admission office coordinator and Jimmy is assistant men’s soccer coach.

Congratulations to DeVaughn Huff ’11 on his graduation from Liberty University with a master’s degree. He is currently enrolled in a doctoral program at Northcentral University.

Looking for the hidden campus store coupon? You found it! Use code FA105014 for $10 off your $50 order. Storey Brown Stauffer ’11 was ordained at West Rome Christian Church in Georgia this spring. She is student minister at St. Clair Christian Church in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Jesse, and daughter, Lori.

point.edu/classnotes SUM MER 2 014 | 25

Fred Berkeley ’12 graduated with honors with an MBA from Shorter University on May 2. Fred serves as director of safety and security at Point.

Glenn Burton ’12 recently received a job offer from Apple, Inc.

IN MEMORIAM The Point family grieves with and prays for the families of those members of our community who have recently passed away. Eva Hoffman, longtime friend and supporter of the University, died June 6 in Johnson City, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Hoffman, former pilot for the University. Roy ’43 and Viola Miller ’43, of Salem, Virginia. Viola died Nov. 13, 2013, and Roy died three months later, on Feb. 13, after 72 years of marriage. They are survived by many family members, including Roy’s sister, Ruth Miller Groover (’41-’43), and Roy and Viola’s children, Beverly Miller Ball ’66 and Byron Miller ’69. Roy served on the University’s board of trustees for 50 years, one of only two trustees to do so.

Tameka Cooksey Horton ’12 was honored in the area of business and entrepreneurship at the Black Women Rock event in Atlanta on May 3. She is CEO of Authentically U, LLC.

Krystle Henderson ’13 was recently accepted at the New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts, where she will begin studying this fall.

Gerardo ’13 and Morgan Tyler Mancilla ’13 were married June 28 in Cashiers, North Carolina. The couple is relocating to Arizona, where Gerardo will serve as an intern at Christ’s Church of the Valley. They are pictured here with Pam Hopson Ross ’78, director of alumni relations, who attended the wedding. Congratulations to Tiffany Ross-McCurtis ’13 on her marriage on Feb. 2. Her fiancé proposed to her during an Access class at Point in December 2012! Rebekah Rubin ’13 is back from a year as a missionary in Kenya with CMF International. She is currently serving as a student life intern at Point.  Sam ’13 and Jerilyn Price Webb ’13 welcomed their first son, Michael Samuel, on Jan. 13.

Shali McCampbell ’14 recently accepted a position at Timber Ridge Elementary in McDonough, Georgia. She will teach technology to students of all grade levels.

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Ella Mae Register Muniz ’63, of Jacksonville, Florida., died June 17. She served as the secretary at Starratt Road Christian Church, and is survived by her husband of 41 years, Luis, and many other family members. Terry Plowman (’86-’96), of Locust Grove, Georgia., died April 16. He was a former pastor at Jackson Christian Church. Alene Wall Roebuck (’46-’48) died March 21 in Marietta, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Roebuck ’51.

TE! A D E H T SAVE

4 2 R E OCTOB

ALUMNI WEEKEND EVENTS INCLUDE: • Fifty-Year Club Luncheon – For those who graduated from or last attended the University in 1964 or earlier.

• Alumni Basketball Game – Third annual game for players

from the ’70s, coordinated by Bobby Gibson ’73. • Performing Arts Concerts – The Department of Fine Arts will present a concert at three different times on Friday. • Skyhawk Club 5K Walk/Run – Saturday morning at 8:30, so you can finish in time for the tailgate! • Tailgate – Begins at 10:45 with a cookout. Alumni will be joined by students and prospective students attending the fall Open House. • Football – The Skyhawks take on Warner University at noon. Contact Pam Hopson Ross ’78 for details: Pam.Ross@point.edu

photos courtesy of point university alumni and by adam pope

Jamie Grace Harper ’12 received the KLOVE Fan Award at a ceremony in Nashville in June. She’ll appear on four million 7UP cans throughout the Midwest this fall!

5THINGS TO DO IN

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN BY STEPHEN WAERS ’07

photos courtesy of stephen waers ’07 and wikimedia

1. Watch the racing sausages before the bottom of the sixth at a Milwaukee Brewers game. If you really want to embrace Milwaukee, you could even enter the Famous Racing Sausages 5K at Miller Park. Folks up here are serious about the Brewers, and they love to throw a good sausage on the grill. Milwaukee is home to two major sausage producers, Klement’s and Usinger’s, and Johnsonville Sausage isn’t too far down the road in Watertown, Wisconsin. Sausage is serious business in Milwaukee. 2. Check out the statue of the Fonz on the Milwaukee Riverwalk. Even if you aren’t a big fan of Arthur Fonzarelli or Happy Days, the Riverwalk is well worth your time. There are plenty of great restaurants along the Riverwalk. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent a kayak from the Milwaukee Urban Ecology Center and kayak your way down to the Riverwalk for a nice meal. Restaurants have “parking spots” for customers who arrive by boat. 3. Spend every moment of the three warm months outside. When Katie and I moved up here, we were amazed at the number of people out in the neighborhood parks during July. Being lifelong Southerners, we were used to taking it easy during the summer and enjoying the air conditioning on warm summer days. After three winters up here, we finally realize why people are outside so much once the temperature gets above 45 degrees. The winters

seem to drag on well into May, and everyone wants to milk the warm weather for all it is worth. 4. Go ice fishing “up north” (“up north” is Wisconsinspeak for basically anything north of Milwaukee. If you try to ride out the long winters indoors, you will almost assuredly begin to go crazy when April rolls around and there seems to be little hope of a thaw. The best way to make it through winter up here is to procure the proper clothing, and then try your hand at some outside winter activities. I have had a blast ice fishing on Green Bay and on smaller lakes way “up north.” Fortunately, folks up here have heated ice-shacks for protection from the elements. This winter when I went fishing, it was -4 degrees with a 25 mph wind. I definitely didn’t experience anything like that growing up in Tallahassee, Florida. 5. Enjoy the beauty of Lake Michigan. The waters of Lake Michigan are a beautiful blue, and they offer no shortage of fun activities. In the summer, people flock to the beach to soak up the sun. From the Milwaukee Air Show to the professional beach volleyball circuit, there is always something going on at the beach in the summer. If the outdoors aren’t your thing, you can visit the Milwaukee Art Museum (pictured

above), which extends out into the Milwaukee Harbor. Lake Michigan is too big to freeze over completely, but in the winter, there is a surreal beauty to the unexpected ways the ice forms on the shore. Stephen ’07, his wife, Katie, and their daughter, Vivian, live in Milwaukee. Stephen is a doctoral student at Marquette University. Want to tell us about your hometown? Email us at editor@point.edu or using the QR code at left.

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