THE FIFTH GOSPEL: THE ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL

From June 25 to July 5, 2023, Spring Hill will host its second biblical tour to the Holy Land where participants will visit the sites where significant historical events occurred during the first three decades of Christianity.

As in last year’s tour, Sister Nélida Naveros Córdova, CDP, graduate theology program director, is organizing the tour in conjunction with Tutku Tours, an educational/archaeological travel company based in Turkey. Last year, Sister Nélida noted that “the experience of being at the archaeological sites of major biblical events deeply impacted the hearts of many Christians."

The tour lasts for 11 days and includes notable locations such as the Garden of Gethsemane, Galilee, and the Church of the Nativity. Spring Hill is inviting participants to join this year’s tour, which we promise will be an unforgettable and transforming experience. The cost of the tour is $4,290, which includes plane tickets, hotel rooms, breakfast and dinner, as well as entry fees to all sites and museums. Registration is required and the tour group will be limited to a small number. Participants outside the College and of any religious background are welcome.

The experience of being present at the foundational sites of our faith brings Christians closer to their own identity in Christ. All are encouraged to take this once in a lifetime opportunity!

For cost, itinerary, & more information email: theology@shc.edu or contact Sr. Nélida nnaveroscordova@shc.edu.

Julia Ponquinette Joyner, M.D. ‘58

American students admitted to Spring Hill College, passed away in January. Joyner and her seven other classmates bravely desegregated the College in September 1954 by quietly joining the student population.

“We fully appreciate that Julia was a trailblazer at Spring Hill, opening doors to the transformative experience of higher education for women and people of color across the South and the United States,” said Mary H. Van Brunt, PhD, president of Spring Hill College. “As a student, her example communities. We are grateful for Julia for being a part of our lasting legacy of providing academic excellence to all people.”

Father Stephen F. Campbell, S.J. died in January. He was a Jesuit for 48 years and a priest for 37 years. For more than 30 years, he was a prominent member of the Spring Hill College faculty, as associate professor and chair of the department of visual and performing arts. Father Campbell was missioned to Spring Hill College as a professor of theater in 1991. During his time at Spring Hill, he also served as rector of the Jesuit community 2003-09, as well as acting rector for much of 2015 and 2017-18.

Legendary tennis coach, dies at the age of 91. He pioneered the concept of a tennis boarding school and founded the Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Bollettieri helped produce 10 No. 1-rated players. Among the standouts are Monica Seles, Jim Courier, Andre Agassi, Marcelo Rios, Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, and Jelena Jankovic.