Where Tomorrow’s Leaders are Students Today
Campus NewsBriefs A Weekly Update of Activities at Rust College Vol. 42, No. 20
March 21, 2013
Religious Emphasis Week 2013 ~ “We’ve Come This Far By Faith”
Students and faculty members celebrated Religious Emphasis Week, March 11th-15th, sharing stories of faith, leadership and service through panel discussions, worship services, the weekly AEP assembly, and a performance by the Watoto De’Afrika Memphis Performing Arts Academy, lead by Mr. Donald O’Connor. Special guests included Elder Bobby Earl Dailey of Oxford, Mississippi, Rev. Dr. Elizabeth A. Williams of Nashville, Tennessee and Rev. Mattie D. Gipson, also of Oxford. Elder Bailey opened Religious Emphasis Week, speaking to students and faculty during the Opening Banquet and candlelight vigil. Elder Bailey received his Master of Divinity in 1992 from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. He is an educator and former military police officer who is currently a pastor within the Mississippi Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC). He is Senior Pastor of Providence UMC, Buford Chapel UMC and West St. Peter UMC, of Oxford. Rev. Dr. Elizabeth A. Williams is an associate professor in the Department of Public Health, Health Administration and Health Services at Tennessee State University in Nashville. Dr. Williams has completed several fellowships, and is pursuing a Master’s of Divinity from Vanderbilt University Divinity School. She is a licensed pastor and is currently seeking ordination as an Elder. Dr. Williams spoke to faculty and students during the interfaith discussion held Wednesday, March 13, about becoming natural leaders and pursuing greatness. Rev. Mattie D. Gipson is a native of Oxford, Mississippi, and a graduate of Rust College, in which she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education in 1967. Mrs. Gipson has been active in church from her early childhood years and has served in offices in the local church and on the District and Annual Conference levels. She received a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology (Atlanta, GA) in May 1997 and became a full-time pastor within the Mississippi Conference of the UMC the following June. In June 2011, she was appointed Superintendent of the Greenwood District of the UMC. Students and staff were able to participate in a panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Chandra Tummalapalli, an assistant professor within the Division of Science and Mathematics. “Share Our Faith Stories Better Together” allowed the audience to ask questions to the panel on the diversity of religion, offering overviews of Hinduism and Islam. Other panelists included Dr. Mian Ashraf, Dr. Sujata Sinha, Dr. Margaret Delashmit, Mr. Abdoulie Cham, Mr. Emmanuel Bass, Ms. Jennifer Washington and Ms. Danielle Caradine. (continued page 2)
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“BY THEIR FRUITS… Religious Emphasis Week Highlights
L-R: Mrs. Sharron Goodman-Hill, Dr. Chandra Tummalapalli, Rev. Annie Travis, Dr. Sujata Sinha
Dr. Tummalapalli moderates the panel discussion.
Students participate in the Walking Meditation from the BCS Building to the Chapel.
Rev. Travis with Dr. Elizabeth A. Williams
Elder Bobby E. Dailey
Rev. Travis presents a token of appreciation to Rev. Mattie D. Gipson.
Performers with the Watoto De’Afrika Memphis Performing Arts Academy, led by Mr. Donald O’Connor (far right).
L-R: Joshua Stampley-Gardner, Darion Williams, Miss Elam Chapel Danielle Wells, Rev. Travis, Rev. Mattie D. Gipson, Kenneth Hoggan, Larance Carter
Students having a little fun with Dr. Elizabeth Williams; L-R: Crystal Bradley, Larance Carter, Tralitia Russell, Dr. Williams, Joshua Stampley-Gardner, Amber Fenton, Asianna Fenton.
...YE SHALL KNOW THEM”
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Anticipating Graduation By: Hope Green
As the spring nears, the Senior Fever can be felt in the air. Future doctors, lawyers, and leaders of tomorrow will be leaving Rust College on April 28, 2013 to make an impact in society. For some this has been a long journey and the feeling of anticipating graduation is spreading amongst Rust College’s seniors like wildfire. However, through the excitement, graduation can be a bittersweet moment. The 2013 class will leave behind many memories, friends, instructors who have helped them along the way, and a school which has groomed them to be scholars. Nostalgia will occur, but these graduating seniors will have left a mark on Rust’s campus that will forever be embedded like footprints in the sand. When will Hope Green, who will receive her you leave yours? degree in English from Rust College in April.
Senior Yearbook Photos
Graduation Invitations Available Price: 50 cents each
Class of Senior Graduation pictures will be taken WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 8:00am-4:00pm THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 9:00am-1:00pm Any other student, faculty or staff member who has not yet taken a yearbook photo may do so at this time. Brown Mass Communications Building Room 104 (beside the stairs) For more information, contact the Office of Public Relations 662-252-8000 ext. 4917
2013 147th Commencement Convocation Sunday, April 28, 2013
If you would like to purchase invitations, contact the Office of Public Relations, 662-252-8000 ext. 4917 or visit Oakview Mansion
Announcements
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY… Emergency notifications for students, faculty and staff will be handled by mass email, Channel 19, WURC 88.1 FM, RC-TV 2, and campus loud speakers. If you would like to receive emergency notifications by text message, please submit your cell phone number to Mrs. Carolyn Hymon, Dean of Students. The numbers will be used for emergencies ONLY and will not be distributed.
Emergency Numbers: Security office: 662-252-8090 Security guard on patrol: 662-216-3429
Our Condolences… ...to Ms. Dorothy Lee Jones, whose brother, Mr. Eugene Peace, passed away February 19, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. ...to Dr. William Scott, on the loss of his mother who passed away Thursday, February 28, 2013. Mrs. Mattie Taylor Scott Pace lived 102 years. ...to Mrs. Vernita Dailey, whose mother, Mrs. Verta Mae Sanford, was funeralized Friday, March 15, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. ...to Mr. Sana Sise, whose brother Bamba Ceesay (c/o ‘97) passed away Wednesday morning, March 20 in Seattle, Washington.
The Home Depot “Retool Your School Project”
VOTE TO SUPPORT RUST COLLEGE! Vote for major and minor projects proposed by and for Rust College Major Project Rust College proposes to upgrade the present baseball field with a dugout, grading and sodding and erecting a new fence. Minor Project Rust College intends to install wrought iron fencing on the east side of campus to improve safety and appearance of the women's dormitories. Campus Pride The Campus Pride Grant will go to the school with the most votes and social media activity. Follow @RYS_2013 on Twitter and tweet Rust College photos and events using the hashtag #RustCollegeRYS2013 to earn points toward Rust College’s social media activity.
To Vote: http://www.retoolyourschool.com Click “Vote For Your School” Scroll through to find Rust College, click and VOTE! Schools with the highest votes are at the top of the list— let’s put Rust College at the top of the list! VOTING ENDS APRIL 15, 2013
VOTE EVERYDAY! Dr. David L. Beckley, ‘67, President
Dr. Ishmell H. Edwards, ’71, Vice President for College Relations
Ms. Adrienne F. Phillips, Public Relations Specialist