IMPACT SPRING 2019
A P U BLICAT IO N O F R EGE N T UN I V E R SI T Y
A Call to Action
RETIRED NORTH CAROLINA CHIEF JUSTICE MARK MARTIN INSTALLED AS REGENT’S NEW LAW DEAN
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n March 1, the Honorable Mark Martin, retired chief justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, became the dean of Regent University’s School of Law. At a special installation service, hundreds gathered inside Robertson Hall’s Moot Courtroom to celebrate Martin — a highly respected jurist who brings a wealth of legal and leadership experience to Regent. Martin served North Carolina for more than 26 years as a judge, including 20-plus years on the state’s Supreme Court. In 1992, at age 29, he became the youngest superior court judge in the modern era. Two years later, he became the youngest judge in the Court of Appeals in North Carolina’s history. In 1998, Martin was elected to the Supreme Court of North Carolina (the youngest justice in the state's history) and became chief justice on Sept. 1, 2014.
Chief Justice Martin’s installation “a historic moment, not just for Regent University, but also for our nation and the world, as our School of Law continues to educate and train Christian leaders to change the world.” Moreno-Riaño then acknowledged the Honorable Marion R. Warren, Regent’s new senior associate dean for the School of Law, who also was installed on March 1. Warren previously worked alongside Martin as the director of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. The chief justice’s wife, Kym, attended the ceremony with three of their five children, as did his sister, brother and other extended family members.
INSIDE:
Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, Regent’s executive vice president for academic affairs, served as host for the ceremony. He called
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A Different Kind of Party In Spirit & Truth To Make a Difference A Message From the Chancellor
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Distinguished guests included several members of Regent’s board of trustees; the mayor of Virginia Beach, Bobby Dyer; Gordon Robertson, CEO of the Christian Broadcasting Network; members of the state court benches and courts of appeals for Virginia and North Carolina; justices from the Supreme Court of North Carolina; and members of the federal judiciary.
The chairman of Regent’s board of trustees, Phillip Walker, has known Martin for more than 25 years. While introducing and welcoming the chief justice to the Regent family, Walker said of his friend, “He is recognized as a tremendous leader in the state of North Carolina and has been for the past two decades. God has really used him with his intellect, character and integrity.”
"Judge Warren and I want
Regent’s founder, A video highlighting to listen; we want to learn, Chancellor and CEO, Martin’s contributions to and we want to move Dr. M.G. “Pat” the Tar Heel state followed Robertson, was also Walker’s introduction. forward in a collaborative in attendance and Afterward, the new dean way to make Regent the delivered a charge delivered his installation best law school it can be.” to the School of address. “To the faculty, Law that was clear, students and administrators CHIEF JUSTICE MARK MARTIN (RET.) bold and direct: at the law school, let me be DEAN, SCHOOL OF LAW “We will be the best clear,” Martin said, “Judge law school in the Warren and I want to listen; world!” He added, we want to learn, and we “My prayer is this: From this school, want to move forward in a collaborative way I want to have a member of the U.S. to make Regent the best law school it can be.” Supreme Court as one of our graduates.” Martin spoke at length about Scotland’s Robertson also said his goal is for Regent's Eric Liddell, an Olympic gold medalist law students “to become experts in and missionary to China, whose deep constitutional law.” Then he added, “I want Christian faith inspired the Academy this school to be the center of constitutional Award-winning film Chariots of Fire. At excellence and legal scholarship that will the 1924 Paris Games, Liddell refused to rival any school in the land.” compete on Sunday (the Sabbath), giving up
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REGENT UNIVERSITY
the opportunity to contend in the men’s 100 meters — a race he could have won. But a day later, he set a world record, finishing first in the 400 meters. “He [Liddell] has shown us that Christians can remain faithful to their convictions and be successful in their lives,” Martin explained. “The story of Eric Liddell, a person with a calling to excel in this life, holds special lessons for us here at Regent Law. This is an institution that holds such a calling in the highest regard.” Martin continued, “Let’s be a law school where our love for each other is readily visible to each and every person, placing the interests of others above our own. … Let's be a law school where our excellence, scholarship and commitment are so evident that even those who may disagree with our values concede that something good is happening here.” In his seven-point charge to Regent Law students, Martin challenged them to understand that God always has a greater purpose, noting, His plan “will not always be the one that everyone accepts or agrees with.” He encouraged future lawyers of Regent to value obedience and patience, use their gifts to benefit others, stand on principle and not compromise, and train with discipline. “And last, focus on others and their needs,” Martin said. “You will be a better attorney if you handle matters for your clients as if they were your own challenges and problems.” He closed his address with: “Let’s get started running this race together. Like Eric Liddell, with God’s help, we will have a great race.” A few days after the installation service, Impact sat down with Chief Justice Martin and Judge Warren to discuss their vision for the School of Law moving forward. “First and foremost, our goal is to help Regent go to that next level,” Martin said. “There are so many things here that have been done and have been done well. So, we’re standing on the shoulders of many who have labored in the vineyards for years. But our
"Let's be a law school where our excellence, scholarship and commitment are so evident that even those who may disagree with our values concede that something good is happening here.” CHIEF JUSTICE MARK MARTIN (RET.) DEAN, SCHOOL OF LAW
specific goal is for this law school to be on the rise, advancing the preparation for lawyerleaders, so they can make a positive impact in the United States and around the world.” “Look at what this law school has done to advance the rule of law. It's time for the world to recognize the impact of this university,” Warren added. “We’re not to be of the world but certainly to be in the world. ... Our lawyers are prepared to be in every type of case, in every walk of life, assisting men and women in their daily struggles.” “Every area of the law needs good people: competent, caring, ethical,” Martin explained. “Our goal is to have graduates go into all these areas.” For information about pursuing a law career through Regent’s School of Law, call 877.267.5072 or visit regent.edu/law.
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A Different Kind of Party REGENT STUDENTS TRAVEL TO FLORIDA FOR SPRING BREAK TO HELP HURRICANE VICTIMS
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ost college students who travel to Florida this time of year head there to party. But Regent students and staff members spent their spring break in Panama City for a different reason: To serve thousands of Hurricane Michael victims who were still suffering five months after the storm hit.
by so much damage and debris.” Over the next five days, the students handed out meals to hurricane victims in a FEMA trailer park, in destroyed homes, and at a local church. They also cleared debris from yards, cleaned out homes, prayed with people, and shared the love and hope of Jesus Christ.
On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael became the most powerful storm in history to strike the Florida Panhandle. A deadly and devastating Category 5, Michael was unprecedented in the region for its size, strength and destructive force. The massive hurricane caused more than $25 billion in damage, killed 57 people in the U.S., and wiped out entire communities.
Brenna McCormick (CAS ’20) attended the mission trip with the goal of helping a community that had experienced a natural disaster. “I wanted to be able to serve,” she said. “These types of trips are vital for college students, especially because we can get so caught up in our own problems and forget to look at the world outside of our dorm room.”
“Our team of 11 (nine students and two staff members) took the 15-hour drive to Florida to serve hot meals to storm victims, pray over families and the homeless, and clean up debris in some of the worst-hit parts of the city,” explained Liz Montgomery, manager of marketing projects for Regent’s Office of Alumni Relations & Events. During much of their eight-day mission trip, the team partnered with disaster relief organization Mercy Chefs. This frontline ministry, founded by Gary LeBlanc (husband of Ann LeBlanc, Regent’s vice president of Alumni Relations & Events), has been serving hot, chef-prepared meals in devastated communities since 2006. “They were amazing, walking out the gospel,” Ann said. “Hurting people need to see God’s love, not just hear about it; and they were definitely the hands and feet of Jesus that week, showing God’s love to everyone they met.” When the team hit the ground in Panama City, they saw a community that, Montgomery said, was “moving and alive, but still surrounded 4
“This trip is important for students because it really highlights what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus,” Ashli Hill (CAS ’19) explained. “We should love and serve others with an open, humble heart. These trips make you see the big picture, that all we do for one another is for the cause of Christ.” “Trips like this stretch us,” insisted student Patrick Rizzi (CAS ’20). “They pull us from our comfort zones, the bubbles we want to stay in. God uses these trips to break our hearts for those in suffering … to open our eyes to how we can serve. And how meeting people’s basic needs, like a hot meal, can open the door for ministry and the gospel.” “Panama City is not forgotten by Regent University,” Montgomery said. “So many people are still getting back on their feet. They need help. But more than anything, they need hope and support from their fellow Americans.” To learn about enrolling in an online or on-campus degree program at Regent, visit regent.edu/apply or call 888.718.1222.
REGENT UNIVERSITY
The RN to B.S. in Nursing at Regent University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
In Spirit & Truth REGENT’S NIGHT OF WORSHIP EVENTS UNITE THE CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY THROUGH MUSIC
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n John 4:24, Jesus said, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (NKJV). That’s the goal of Regent’s Night of Worship (NOW) music events held in the Regent Chapel. Led by well-known and respected artists who are passionate about worship, these free concerts have been uniting more than just students since September 2013. “I’m amazed by the impact NOW has on the Regent campus and the community at large,” says Ann LeBlanc, vice president of Alumni Relations & Events. “Watching young people come together to do nothing but worship almighty God, without constraints of denominations and church boundaries, is transformative.” The university invites the entire Regent/CBN family and the surrounding community, not just students, to attend. Regent’s Office of Alumni Relations & Events, which organizes, promotes and hosts NOW events, reports that interest in the concert series is more popular than ever. “In February, worship and recording artist Kim Walker-Smith performed at NOW,” recalls Lyn Kaiser, executive director of Alumni Relations & Events. “It turned out to be our most highly attended NOW event to date with over 1,700 in attendance between the main event in the Regent Chapel and our simulcast location in the Regent Theatre. Many more followed the event online with a recordbreaking 15,000 views of the live stream.” On March 29, Walker-Smith returned for a NOW encore — the first time an artist has performed twice in an academic year. The Grammynominated and Dove Award-winning artist spoke to Impact about her first Regent visit. “The last time I was here, it was really a room full of hungry people who were really ready to worship,” Walker-Smith remembered. “And for
me, as a worship leader, it made my job super easy. Because they were ready to be there and ready to go into the presence of God.” NOW concerts are 100% donor-sponsored events that are free and open to the public. The artists are compensated for their appearance, but that’s only possible through the generous and faithful support of NOW donors. “Fortunately, there are friends who are committed to financially support this opportunity for the students at Regent,” LeBlanc adds. “It wouldn’t be possible without their continued gifts.” Donations to NOW are making an impact in the lives of students and on attendees from the surrounding area. Regent undergrad Faith Ferrulli (CAS, ’21) insists the events are important to people both on and off campus. “They’re a reminder to praise the Lord in every aspect of our lives,” she explains. “They are full of empowerment and cause a reaction within us to seek the Lord more and more throughout each day.” Jason Montgomery (CAS ’15) will graduate from Regent’s School of Law this year. He calls the sense of community at NOW events “incredible” and sees them as an opportunity for the university to fulfill its vision. “If Regent University wants students to change the world, the school should and does lead by example,” he says. “NOW is one of the ways Regent is impacting those in and around the school, modeling what community impact looks like.” For more information about NOW events or to make a donation, contact Regent’s Office of Alumni Relations & Events at 800.335.4409 or visit regent.edu/now.
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To Make a Difference
Regent alum takes reins of leadership for Best Coastal Community on the Atlantic
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n the late 1990s, Bobby Dyer (SBL ’01) began investigating the possibility of attending Regent because he needed a Ph.D. to continue teaching physical therapy at Hampton University. What initially attracted him to Regent wasn’t the school’s academics or spiritual life. It was the university’s location. “I wasn't really walking with the Lord at that point,” Dyer admits. “I just went to Regent out of convenience. I lived less than two miles away. So, I applied and got in. But once I got in, I was immersed with some remarkable professors. … These folks were game changers. And then I was also immersed with students who did walk with the Lord, and I started growing into the environment.” Dyer endured significant learning challenges as a child growing up in New Jersey, so his ability to earn a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from the School of Business & Leadership (SBL) is really quite remarkable. “I actually had attention deficit disorder before they knew what it was. I was just known as a hyperactive kid with an overactive imagination,” he says. “As I got older, I got better. I did graduate from Regent with a good GPA, but it was a struggle and a journey.” Three years after graduation, in 2004, Dyer won his first election to serve on the Virginia Beach City Council. A dedicated and popular public
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servant, he ran unopposed in three election cycles. But after 14 years in office, Dyer realized that God had bigger plans for him. “In April 2018, the former mayor of Virginia Beach suddenly resigned,” he remembers. “And I honestly felt the Lord put His hand on my shoulder and tell me that I had to run. At the time, I had the safest seat in the city. … To run for mayor, I had to resign my seat. Had I lost, I would have had to vacate in December of last year.” But Dyer didn’t lose. He won and was sworn in as the mayor of Virginia Beach, to serve out the term of the previous mayor, which expires on December 31, 2020. “Regent was a very vital factor in not only my spiritual growth but my professional growth,” Dyer says. “Under the tutelage of SBL’s Dr. Bruce Winston, I learned what a healthy organization is. I learned effective communication, persuasion, conflict resolution and things of that nature. This is a job where you need a tremendous amount of emotional intelligence and people skills. … People can either complain about things or do something about them. That's why I wanted to get involved in government — to make a difference.” To sponsor a current or future Regent World Changer, call 800.335.4409 or visit regent.edu/ worldchanger. Make your tax-deductible gift to bless the next generation of Christian leaders today!
REGENT UNIVERSITY
A Message From the Chancellor Dear Friend, Spring is a time of rebirth and new beginnings. Regent University experienced this when the Honorable Mark Martin, retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, was installed as the new dean for our School of Law on March 1. Chief Justice Martin’s intellect, skill, integrity, and vision will be a tremendous asset, not only to the School of Law but to the entire student body, faculty, staff and graduates of the university. In these pages, we also highlighted Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer (SBL ’01). His plan for Virginia Beach is filled with vision and commonsense ideas, which ensure a bright future for the city Regent calls home. Mayor Dyer is another example of this university successfully equipping Christian leaders to change the world. The student activities featured in this issue of Impact illustrate that Regent is training up the next generation of servant leaders who are committed to the Lord. I’m so impressed by our students who spent their spring break helping hurricane victims in the Florida Panhandle. These students worked with the frontline disaster ministry, Mercy Chefs, to feed body and soul. It’s refreshing to know that our students also are feeding their own souls through the university’s Night of Worship (NOW) events. These free, on-campus concerts are a tremendous gift to the entire community from generous donors who make them possible. Without support from friends like you, NOW and so many other things we do at Regent simply wouldn’t be possible. Your faithful prayers and gifts are crucial to our success. You can help make it possible for more students to answer God’s call to attend this university. Last year alone, Regent awarded nearly $24 million in institutional scholarships and aid. Please use the enclosed postage-paid envelope to make your best tax-deductible donation by check or debit/ credit card today. Visit regent.edu/give to donate online or call 800.335.4409 for more information on giving to Regent. Thank you in advance for your generous support. Sincerely,
Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson Founder, Chancellor & CEO
Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. PSALM 78:1
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Regent University’s Impact is published monthly by the university’s Office of Alumni Relations and Special Events, free of charge, for alumni and friends of the university. Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Regent University. Regent University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, age or veteran status in admissions, treatment or access to its programs and activities, or in the administration of educational policies, scholarships, loan programs, athletics or other University programs. In addition, Regent does not discriminate based on religion, except as necessary to comply with Regent’s Standard of Personal Conduct and Statement of Christian Community and Mission. View the full nondiscrimination policy at regent.edu/nondiscrim. Questions or concerns regarding discrimination based on sex may be directed to the University’s Title IX Coordinator at T9Coordinator@regent.edu, or the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights at OCR@ed.gov. To learn more about Disability Services or to contact Regent's Section 504 coordinator, visit regent.edu/disability. Regent University is authorized to operate in the state of Virginia and is exempt from the requirements of certification by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Opinions expressed in Impact are those of individuals and do not necessarily represent the views of Regent University’s board, faculty, administration or staff. Regent University accepts news submissions from readers but reserves the right to edit based upon clarity, length and content. The university may decline to print material at its discretion. ADV190295
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