University News

SNAPSHOT

Thanks to generous donations from the former Atlanta Christian College Alumni Association and others, the Lanier Academic Center now features a display showcasing important moments in the history of the University. Join us in October for the dedication of this new addition to our campus! Email alumni@point.edu for more details.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Wilson to Retire This Fall

Alan Wilson, Point’s athletic director, announced he will be retiring this fall. Wilson has been a longtime coach at Point, leading both the baseball and women’s basketball teams during his tenure. For more details, visit pointskyhawks.com.

University News

To read the latest Point news, visit our website at point.edu/news.

Turner Helps Students Prepare for their Careers

Two-time best-selling author and acclaimed keynote speaker Dee Ann Turner traveled to Point University’s West Point campus on March 25 as part of the tour for her new book, Crush Your Career. The first large event held on campus since the pandemic began, the event included a limited in-person audience and a virtual audience via Zoom.

Turner was interviewed by President Dean Collins ’79. They discussed career-related topics, such as navigating relationships, performance, and things Turner wishes she had known. After the interview, Turner signed copies of her book and answered questions from attendees.

“The one quality that really has to grow within you to be a leader is trust,” Turner said during the event. “When I learned to trust and allowed people to do things the way they wanted to do them, I learned that they sometimes do those things a lot better than me.”

Turner advised the students, many of whom are graduating seniors, on how to “hit the ground running” with their careers.

“Servant leaders have five traits: they see and shape the future by casting vision, they engage others, they reinvent continuously, they value results and relationships, and lastly, they embody the values of their organizations,” Turner said.

Turner is a 33-year veteran of Chick-fil-A, Inc. Prior to her retirement in 2018, she served as vice president of talent and vice president of sustainability. Selected as the company’s first female officer in 2001, she was instrumental in building and growing Chick-fil-A’s well-known culture and talent systems.

Today, she leads her own organization, Dee Ann Turner & Associates, LLC, writing books, speaking to over 50 audiences per year and advising and coaching leaders globally. Learn more about Crush Your Career on Turner’s website, www.crushyourcareerbook.com.

KatieByron_Cartwright:

We still get to live close by and be a part of the Point community . . . retired! #togetherwefly pointskyhawks: #ICYMI...

your Point Skyhawks earned the NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution Award! ���� #togetherwefly

Share your tweets, Facebook posts and Instagram photos with the Point community! Tag your posts with #pointuniversity or #togetherwefly. pointadmissions: Every

year, we send out three teams to represent Point at different camps and conferences in the Southeast. Huge shout-out to the individuals representing Point this summer! #pointuniversity #togetherwefly

WHAT'S TRENDING

pointmbb: This morning we had the opportunity to encourage local children as they entered into school at West Point Elementary. We are continually grateful for the opportunity to pour into youth. #togetherwefly

POINT HOLDS FIRST IN-PERSON GRADUATION SINCE 2019

Point University graduated 152 students with associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees during a limited, in-person graduation ceremony held in May at New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. The first physical graduation ceremony since December 2019, the event was also live streamed on social media.

“This is a monumental achievement,” said Dr. Stephen Waers ’07, chief academic officer, as he addressed the graduates. “And it’s multiplied by the fact that you have finished in a pandemic.”

Dr. Lamar Hardwick, an Atlanta-based pastor, author and speaker, served as commencement speaker. In a message based on the Sermon on the Mount, he encouraged the new graduates to go above and beyond in serving Christ. “Graduation is not the end; it’s just the beginning,” said Hardwick. “In order for you to be salt and light, in order for you to stand out, Jesus is pushing all of us to do more than just what’s required. Go the extra mile.”

Reflecting on the uncertainty of the past year, as well as his own recent cancer diagnosis and treatment, Hardwick said, “Don’t you dare waste one opportunity or one single breath to passionately pursue all that God has called you to do and be. Tomorrow is not promised.”

Finally, Hardwick urged the Class of 2021 to use the gifts God has given them to stand out from the crowd. “If you just want to be good, then just do good enough,” he said. “But if you want to be great for God – if you want your years here not to be wasted – then do something great with what God has given you.”

Each year, the University recognizes an outstanding graduate from both the residential and online programs with the Hathcock Award, the highest honor given to a graduating Point student. Named for the University’s founder, the award is given based on academic achievement, character, and servant leadership. This spring’s Hathcock Award recipients were Mary Rimmer, of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and Kelli Buchanan, of Kathleen, Georgia.

To view this spring’s commencement ceremony, visit youtube.com/pointuniversityvids.

SKYHAWK GOLFER WINS PRESTIGIOUS NICKLAUS AWARD

This past season marked one of the most successful for the Point University men’s golf program, and to top off a remarkable year, Ruan Pretorius ’21 received national player of the year recognition, as he earned the 2021 Jack Nicklaus Award presented by True Spec Golf. This award recognizes top players at the Division I, II, III, NAIA and NJCAA levels.

“This award means so much, not only to Ruan, but to Point University,” former Head Coach Shannon Lipham said. “Ruan is the first Skyhawk golfer to win the Nicklaus Award. It is the biggest honor given in college golf, and it couldn’t go to a more deserving person. It has been my honor to be a part of his journey over the last three years. I’m so proud of the man he has become.”

Jack Nicklaus, a Big Ten and NCAA Champion at Ohio State University, is considered to be one of the greatest golfers of all time. He helped inspire and create the Jack Nicklaus Award in 1988. This year, Pretorius was joined by John Pak (Florida State, DI), Andrew Beckler (Washburn University, DII), James Mishoe (Guilford College, DIII) and Ben Partridge (Hutchinson Community College, NJCAA) in receiving the award. “If you look at the records of these recipients, each one put together dominating seasons and are very deserving of this honor,” Nicklaus said.

“I’m very fortunate to be able to get this opportunity,” said Pretorius, who is from Bloemfontein, South Africa. “Mr. Nicklaus is one of the greatest players of all time, and after meeting him in person, a great guy, too. This opportunity is very humbling.”

Along with garnering the Jack Nicklaus award, Pretorius was named the NAIA Men’s Golfer of the Year, according to the NAIA Men’s Golf Coaches Association. The association also named him a first team All-American, along with team members Ryan van der Klis ’24 and Cole Stevens ’24. The Skyhawks had the most first-team All-Americans in the NAIA.

“This is a testament to the quality of players that we have at Point University,” Lipham said. “These guys are not only fantastic golfers, but great people. They deserve every award they receive.”

Pretorius’ postseason accolades continued to accumulate, as he finished the season as the No. 1 NAIA golfer in Golfstat, earned a spot on the GCAA All-Region South team, and was named to the NAIA PING All-American First Team. Pretorius carried a 71.53 scoring average this season and was a combined 81-2 against Golfstat’s top 100 NAIA golfers.

Pretorius led the No. 1 Skyhawks to a fourth-place finish at the NAIA Men’s Golf National Championship in Silvis, Illinois, this past May, in which he finished individually in fifth place with a tournament score of 288, earning a spot on the All-Tournament team. Having graduated from Point in May with a degree in psychology, Pretorius has now signed to play for Division I Mississippi State, where he will pursue graduate studies.

WHAT WE’VE learned

FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS AND ALUMNI SHARE THEIR REFLECTIONS ON WHAT THEY’VE LEARNED FROM THE PANDEMIC THUS FAR

Want to read more?

Check out our Point University social media accounts for a series of posts with more detailed thoughts on the pandemic from these members of our Point community.

Because I started my educational journey during the onset of COVID-19, I experienced so many different emotions, and the strongest of those was fear. Fear challenged me in many ways, but it also pushed me to do things I normally would not have done otherwise. The COVID-19 pandemic helped me to realize just how much of our time is taken for granted. The most difficult adjustment for me during this pandemic was not being able to connect with family and church members in a personal way. Meeting virtually is a great way to stay in touch, however, it can never take the place of the faceto-face interaction that we need from each other. I have come to realize that whenever we are forced to do without something, we learn to adapt.

Samantha Groover ’25

EXERCISE SCIENCE MAJOR

I had the awesome opportunity to be on the PR team for Point this summer at Lee University. I was actually supposed to do this last year and was really looking forward it, so this year was very redeeming to me. If this experience as a whole has taught me anything, it’s that God moves even in the midst of chaos. We had our fair share of COVID scares during the five weeks, including having to move a session outside with only three hours’ notice. However, it was that night the most students gave their lives to Christ and walked into their new life. I am honored to have been there to see it all play out and be a small part that helped put it on. All in all, I’ve learned that instead of stressing about things out of my control, I just need to roll with the punches of this pandemic, because I know God is in control.

Jessie Davis ’09

HISTORY TEACHER, SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Being in the midst of a pandemic, as a middle school teacher, I found that students are often more resilient than I give them credit for. However, as an adult, it is important to be there, either in person or a video classroom session, to help them navigate difficult times in a healthy way. This includes striving to remember that God created and desired His people to be in community. Sometimes that community looks vastly different than I envision. So, finding creative ways to remain connected with those I care about, whether it is family, friends or my students, is one of the most important things I can do when facing a challenging time.

Julius Dixon

HEAD FOOTBALL COACH, POINT UNIVERSITY

I have come to appreciate what it means to not take life for granted. Live everyday to the fullest. As far as work, I learned to use extreme patience with everyone. We were able to add a team chaplain, Randall Hamer. He was instrumental in helping our team grow spiritually during that time. The most difficult adjustment had to be going from a very routine schedule to one full of flexibility. The one thing that I will continue to improve on as we move forward is growing stronger in my faith. This situation opened my eyes to understanding how to trust God unconditionally.

Working in ministry always comes with challenges, and as a college student minister at Auburn Christian Fellowship, these challenges seemed to double or triple in intensity when participating in ministry affected by COVID-19. However, we found that coming out of months of quarantining, the students we made connections with had a deep desire for community and corporate worship. I learned during that season that God is always in control: of our lives, of our ministry, of our world. No matter the changes we may face, God draws near to those who seek Him. We must have enough faith to trust in His promises that we might make it through any season.

Valarie Williams

DEAN OF POINT ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES, POINT UNIVERSITY

During quarantine, I was reminded of how precious the human connection is and how God designed us to be in constant fellowship with one another as a body of believers. I truly missed hugging one another for comfort, seeing human smiles instead of masks, going to church for corporate worship, and coming into the office to talk with students, faculty and staff in person. This picture was taken at my “home office” during the lockdown. It was during the time that we had the staff photo contest of our pets (pictured is my senior cat companion, Phoebe). I love my cat and my family fiercely, but we also need others to carry out our calling and purpose.

Diego Espino Olivares ’22

MANAGEMENT MAJOR

The year 2020 not only taught me, but the whole world. In March 2020, I had to return home [to Panama] because of all this uncertainty. Seeing how people around the world were dying taught me to value my loved ones even more. Quarantine taught me to have a lot of patience, since I am always in activities and sports away from home, but this time, it was the opposite. My relationship with God grew more. I consider that the most difficult thing – not only for me, but I believe for many people around the world – has been to adapt to this new reality in which we live. A habit that I hope I can keep is to go one day at a time and not worry about the future.

Trish Stuart

INSTRUCTOR OF SOCIOLOGY

AND SOCIAL WORK, POINT

UNIVERSITY

What I’ve learned since March 2020 is that the life we refer to as “normal” and routine can be disrupted at any time, and that we shouldn’t take even the simplest things for granted (like toilet paper!). The most difficult adjustment for me was the social isolation: being away from family, friends, colleagues and church. One thing I hope to continue is being intentional with staying connected to the people I’m blessed to have in my life.

Jim Donovan ’73, ’74

PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION, POINT UNIVERSITY

The pandemic experience was clarifying. I enjoy being with my students and missed the opportunity to rub elbows with them. Crisis causes many of the important issues of our lives to fade in significance and facilitates a reordering of priorities and values. I remembered and held onto the thought that we go nowhere where God is not already, and nothing we experience is a surprise to Him! I was reminded that courage is not the absence of fear, but action in the face of it.

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

MAJOR

I have personally learned that I cannot control the uncontrollable, no matter how hard I may try. In March 2020, my junior season of lacrosse was cut short, I had to quickly move off campus, and my classes were completely online. I believe the most difficult adjustment was the not knowing. I didn’t know what to expect next. I didn’t know how long people were going to go crazy over cleaning products and tissue. From this experience, I hope to keep the level of patience I have grown and acknowledge all the people and things to be grateful for.

COLLEGE PASTOR, NORTHRIDGE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Like most, this past year has been incredibly hard for all areas of life. Learning how to adapt to every changing aspect of the pandemic, like being locked in our home with a young one and one on the way, was very interesting, to say the least. I learned the importance of being present in every moment. It was a season that I needed to be saturated in God’s grace, kindness and mercy, and ultimately, every day had to be filled with His presence. It was a season, and still is, of pruning and removing things that just didn’t have to be there, both in life and ministry.

Kenyata Arnold ’12, ’14

REGIONAL HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER, RESCARE

I was so blessed to have a job where I already worked from home pre-COVID. A new meaning to servant leadership and work-life-balance was born in my spirit. Missing worshiping with my family and friends was difficult, but I came to learn that I can actually get the Word and get a better understanding of the message while watching online. Who knew a quiet space and place helps you gain a better understanding/perspective of what you hear? My only child went off to the Air Force in January of 2020, and it was awfully hard not being able to go see him graduate from military school in person. Watching online was just not the same. God is good; he is safely working in Nebraska now. We can’t complain at all!

Tim Stephens ’94

CONSULTANT, CHRISTIAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES

I learned the best way to not become in-grown is to keep serving outwardly. I served in more ways and in new ways in 2020 that I would not have done if not for the pandemic. It helped me stay in touch with humans, especially those who think differently than me, have different political leanings than me, and look different than me. I have learned in an amazing way how resilient the church and parachurch ministries are. Ministries literally met, worked and prayed, to take services, school and counseling online in a matter of days. The church is far from perfect, as it is made up of flawed folks like me and you, but it has been encouraging to see the church react quickly and strategically to challenges it never saw coming.

Chase Dial ’16

DIRECTOR OF RESIDENT LIFE, POINT UNIVERSITY

COVID-19 and everything that it shook up in our world today was a true test, but in that test, I also learned another level of His grace! Accepting God’s sovereignty was the most difficult. We wake up every morning having the choice to brush our teeth, take a shower, go to work, share a smile with others. Small aspects of our day like those can quickly form into a habit of believing we are in control of everything that happens in our life. COVID-19 was a solid antithesis to that belief I held, and deconstructing that lie was the most difficult truth I had to submit to. I hope that I remain humble and willing to submit to God and trust His plan over my own.

finding his footing

Life’s journey hasn’t always been easy for Jacob Marquart ’21. His inspirational story of perseverance offers lessons for us all.

BY AMBER RASMUSSEN

College students around the world constantly face increasing pressures. First, there is the pressure to choose the “right school,” one that will offer an assortment of classes and experiences which will leave the student perfectly well-rounded on graduation day — while also offering the opportunities to try new things and make new friends. Next, students must choose the “right major,” one that will provide them with enough training to allow them to get an acceptable job after college, while still guaranteeing that they will love whatever it is they decide to do.

Once they make these seemingly monumental decisions, they must then maintain an intense course load, network with professors, make friends, join extracurricular activities, get a part-time job, plan for the future and begin to establish themselves in economies that frequently do not have much capacity for new college graduates every spring. These pressures are enough to overwhelm nearly every college student, but add on to these an ongoing global pandemic and the ever-changing difficulties and uncertainties it creates, and it is clear to see that the college experience now is drastically different than ever before.

d ’ ann conroy seawright (’14-’15)

Marquart, a music major at Point, hopes to pursue a career in music production after graduation.

Some students might be paralyzed by the fear of the unpredictable world that lies before them, but that is not the case for Jacob Marquart, a senior music technology student at Point. A West Point native, Marquart decided to stay close to his home and the family he loves when he chose to attend the University nearly four years ago. Throughout his four years at Point, Jacob has conquered his fair share of obstacles, from succeeding in difficult classes, to making lifelong friendships, to navigating the intense changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, he is preparing to enter his final semester before facing a whole new set of challenges as a graduate.

Through it all, Marquart greets everyone he meets with a wide smile and his signature positive attitude. All of this is rendered even more remarkable, though, by the fact that when Marquart was in third grade, his doctors told his parents that it was highly unlikely that he would ever graduate high school. The following year, when Marquart was in fourth grade, he was officially diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome.

While no longer an official diagnosis, Asperger’s syndrome falls within the autism spectrum. Many individuals diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome are described as having “high-functioning autism.” According to the Autism Society, individuals with Asperger’s syndrome often have neurotypical language and cognitive skills, but tend to be more quickly overwhelmed by high sensory events and more socially awkward, frequently missing social cues. Such was the case with Marquart, who laughs easily about it now.

“I had to learn how to understand sarcasm,” he says, chuckling. “I just didn’t get it back then. It’s still a struggle, but I’ve gotten better.”

Throughout his childhood, Marquart’s most difficult social interactions were with his peers. “I always found it easier talking to adults,” he says. “It was that sense of security with them, but it was hard to talk to and relate to people my own age and for them to relate to me.”

Marquart did not learn to overcome these obstacles overnight, however. “I didn’t fully understand why I was so different until I talked to my parents about it when I was a little bit older. I knew I was in different classes than other kids and I knew other people thought I was different, but I didn’t know why,” he explains.

As a child during the early 2000s, an understanding of autism spectrum disorder was not present in the United States in the same way it is now; even today, the journey to full understanding and acceptance is still long. Additionally, Marquart was in fourth grade when he was diagnosed. Explaining such abstract concepts to a young child is difficult. Thankfully, the love and acceptance of Marquart’s family is what propelled him forward. When his doctors told his parents that it was unlikely he would ever graduate high school or be able to live independently from them, they did not give up on him. They continued encouraging and challenging Marquart to be better and to step outside his comfort zone.

“My diagnosis put a lot of pressure on my parents, but the acceptance and love I received from my family and friends is what helped show me that I have value and the potential to do anything,” Marquart says.

It was not until his junior year of high school that Marquart started to branch out and step into his personality. He felt compelled by a desire for individuals who are not on the autism spectrum to understand the qualities that make him different. That year, he gave a presentation at Auburn University about his experiences. Despite the nerve-wracking experience, Marquart discovered a talent for public speaking that he would continue to embrace as he began studying at Point. Today, Auburn has adapted some of Marquart’s ideas to help improve their accessibility office, and he

hopes to one day give a TED Talk about autism spectrum disorder and his personal experiences with it.

While in high school, Marquart began to develop strong relationships with some of his teachers, and he started to learn how to advocate for himself. “It was hard for me to advocate for myself for a long time. I didn’t always know what to ask for, or I was scared to death to ask. I’ve gotten a lot better at knowing what I need help with and asking for it,” he says.

This skill of advocating for himself has been beneficial during Marquart’s college experience. During his freshman year at Point, he had to begin the process over again by meeting his professors and determining the academic strategies that would work best for him.

“I learned pretty quickly how to be a self-advocate, because my parents wanted to prepare me for college. Reaching out in college was actually a big thing, and it really goes a long way,” he says. Marquart also praises the Disability Services Office at Point for helping ease the transition. “They advocate for students who need more accommodations, and it’s not just kids on the spectrum, either,” he points out. “It can be students with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, or just students who need more time to read. It can be anything.”

Last spring, the disability services team at Point invited Marquart to give a presentation on campus about his experiences. Students, faculty and staff were able to learn how to better understand individuals on the autism spectrum.

Now, at the beginning of his final semester at Point, Marquart sees endless opportunities before him. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in music technology, specifically music production. “I think I’d like to produce music and work in a studio, or even travel and tour with a band,” he says. “I haven’t gotten it copyrighted yet, but I just fully produced my first song for a class internship project, as well.”

In addition to music, Marquart also feels a calling to continue speaking, writing and educating audiences about Asperger’s syndrome and the experiences of individuals on the autism spectrum. “I’d like to keep speaking in front of people, because I think it’s easier to hear and understand the actual person’s experience instead of having a parent explaining about their child,” he says.

Marquart passionately encourages individuals who are not on the autism spectrum to work to better understand the experiences of those who are on the spectrum. “I think a lot of people need to learn what the symptoms are and how to address them,” he says. “Lashing out and yelling do not help, especially for a person with sensory overload. It just makes it worse.” Instead, Marquart believes people should learn to recognize what the problem is and solve it with words.

One such situation that often negatively affects individuals on the autism spectrum is an interaction with law enforcement. Traffic stops are highly sensory events. The flashing lights and loud commands are quickly overwhelming, and for many people on the autism spectrum, this sensory overload makes it difficult to communicate with police officers and can lead the individual to respond in ways the officer may perceive as threatening. Marquart, and many national advocacy organizations, favor states providing the option for an indicator on driver’s licenses that communicates to officers that the driver is on the autism spectrum. Currently, only a handful of states offer such an indicator, although an increasing number of bills have been proposed in the last year.

Marquart wants to remind people of the inherent dignity and worth of people on the spectrum.

“A lot of people will tend to push people on the spectrum off to the side because they don’t want to have to deal with it sometimes,” he explains. “What people don’t realize is how that can affect people, but if you show them love, support and encouragement, that can go a long way. It can help someone realize that they do have value and the potential to do something in the world.”

For those who are on the autism spectrum, Marquart wants them to remember that the world is going to be a challenging place, but that surrounding themselves with people who love and accept them will make all the difference. “I have to remind myself that things might be harder for me at times, but it’s about learning to love and accept myself for who I am, no matter who or what I encounter in life,” he says. “Just because I have a disability doesn’t mean I can’t do great in the world; it just means that it might take a little longer.”

The Pain of a Thorn

BY DR. GREGORY K. MOFFATT ’88

Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. Psalm 55:17

I stood in a small, dark room made of cinder block that measured less than 12 feet square. No electricity, water or furniture, except a small platform on which lay a worn and filthy mattress. A second mattress, just as filthy, lay on the floor at my feet. This little hovel housed an elderly woman and three children. One of those children spent most of her day sitting on the edge of the platform, her small face visible in the window about any time of the day.

Lying on the bed was an old woman, probably no more than 50, but she looked 70. Her hard life showed in the lines of her face and the leather of her skin, all from the years of exposure, bad diet and poor health care.

I was making rounds with a physician who attends to the needs of the indigenous people of the mountainous regions of Panama. He came to see this woman because he had heard she was in pain. Indeed, she was. She could scarcely move without great effort, and her voice quivered as she complained that every joint and muscle hurt.

My friend gave her several pills to at least temporarily ease her pain and hopefully fight whatever infection had afflicted her. As I watched this scene play out in front of me, I realized I had never felt more helpless in my life.

The Gospel — the truth — is what I brought with me, but what good can words do in a situation like this? For that matter, what good did my doctor friend do for her that day?

While her pain might ease temporarily, her life was lost. She was destined to live every day just as she had the day before — in pain, in hunger and in extreme poverty. There I stood, in my cheap blue jeans and hiking boots, realizing that my clothes, my watch and my camera were easily worth more money than she would see in several years. I brought the Gospel, but what did I really have for her?