fall-2020

2020 VISION

Danielle

THE PRESIDENT’S PEN

Recently, I reviewed photos on my phone and noted so many carefree moments back in January and February of this year. What a dramatic shift occurred in March as COVID-19 swept the world! The 2019-2020 academic year had gone so smoothly; little did we know that just around the corner change was looming.

As the spring semester moved forward, we pivoted to online learning, with our faculty performing incredible work to provide quality instruction. Staff enthusiastically launched new initiatives for communicating with students and preparing for the next year. While our annual Fuge summer camp which typically brings 7,500+ students to campus was cancelled, the Board of Trustees’ foresight meant that we had funds saved up to take advantage of the pandemic lull for significant renovation projects. Neves Hall was reconstructed for student services and academic classrooms. Bruce Hall was overhauled significantly, as were several women’s dorms. We spruced up other areas, preparing—we hoped—to welcome students back in August.

Additionally, we spent the summer preparing COVID-19 protocols and procedures. Every activity of the university was scrutinized and prepped for success. On August 10, we began welcoming students and faculty back to campus. To date, the protocols have been effective, and the year’s new academic term is moving forward quickly and safely.

I should add that NGU has always been a place of prayer and providence, where “Christ makes the difference,” but this year, we have felt the spiritual needs of campus more keenly. There is more prayer on campus. More discipleship. More intentionality in what we do in every part of the university. And once again, we started the year by reading the entire Bible aloud, cover to cover, so that God’s Word blanketed Tigerville and infused our work.

One of humanity’s great temptations is to look at the past and exclaim, “Look how far we’ve come!” It can be a valid observation, noting progress, improvement, and victories. But we must avoid the temptation to focus on the past too much. God’s vision for North Greenville has been thriving for more than 125 years now, and that vision is not merely for 2020. God’s vision for this special place will burn brightly until Christ returns! May He bless the work of our hands, the thoughts of our minds, and the strength of our mission until that sweet, blessed day.

Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. President North Greenville University

2020 VISION offers an up-close, crystal-clear look into the future as we follow a handful of stories from Class of 2020 graduates. After an unusual time of COVID-19 challenges, we want to commemorate this senior class and our university, as both have bright futures.

These stories will connect you to different life elements at NGU, including scholarship, specific ministries, internships, life-callings, and transformative experiences. We hope that for alumni, reading these testimonials will be reminiscent of your time here as a student.

Whatever differences these students had before coming to NGU, they all leave with life-changing experiences, equipped to be transformational leaders for church and society.

HANDLING HURDLES

When Emily Beisecker (’20) first came to NGU, she loved the small school feel and the tight-knit community that permeates the campus. But even though she played intramural sports her first semester and attended several student-life activities, she still felt she was floating around.

“I was having a difficult time finding a core group of friends or feeling like I had a place to belong,” she shared.

Emily grew up running cross country and track, but when her family moved to South Carolina right before her freshman year of high school, her new school didn’t have either of those sports. During her high school years, she played other sports and considered running, but felt like it had already been too long since she had participated in it. “I loved playing other sports,” Emily said, “but decided not to pursue playing any of them in college.”

While at NGU, Emily became friends with some track and field athletes. When they found out Emily used to run, they were determined to convince her to join the team.

“At the time, there were no female hurdlers at NGU, which happened to be the event that I was best at,” Emily shared. “After some discussion, I agreed to give it a shot if the coaches were willing to let me try.”

Emily met with the coaches, and they decided to let her join the team and began working with her as a sprinter and hurdler.

“It was very difficult at first and took some time to get back into the swing of things,” Emily admitted. She had no idea how she would be able to compete with people who had been training for years, but her coaches poured into her and began developing her into the athlete they knew she could be.

“The track and field coaches are phenomenal,” Emily stated. “They have every ounce of my respect and have become lifelong mentors. While they coached me on the track, they also assisted me in figuring out my future plans and achieving the goals I have set for my own life. I did a substantial amount of growing, changing, and learning while at NGU. Much of this can be credited to the experiences from being a part of the track and field team and the influence of my coaches.”

“Being on the track team gave me a family, challenged me, encouraged me to be healthier, made me stronger, and equipped me with tools that I will use for a lifetime,” she said.

It is not easy to be a full-time college student and an athlete, but Emily relished the chance to grow.

“The challenges that come with being a student-athlete are character-building,” she explained. “While I enjoyed being a student at NGU before joining the track and field team, I cannot imagine missing out on the experiences that I was blessed to have as an athlete as well.”

Emily’s experiences as an athlete will not be left on the track when she moves on in her career. On the contrary, Emily knows that what she has learned as an athlete will make her an even better occupational therapist.

“That’s the thing about sports,” she shared. “It is so much more than just sports. It’s building relationships, overcoming challenges, and learning real, applicable life lessons. Balancing school, work, athletics, family, and social life requires intentionality and planning. Athletics involves adversity and learning how to persevere through the various obstacles a team must face together.”

“I did not originally plan to be a part of an athletic team at NGU,” Emily shared, “But it was the best decision I ever made during my time there.”

After graduating with her bachelor’s in health science this past spring, Emily married in August and started working as a registered behavior technician at Hope Reach in Greenville. She took classes this fall towards her Master of Education degree at NGU while participating in her final season of track since the spring season was canceled due to COVID-19. Starting in May of 2021, Emily plans to begin her Master of Occupational Therapy degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC.

“The challenges that come with being a student-athlete are character-building.”

The best is yet to come

As Bethany Lipscomb (’20) prepared to attend college, she was at a phase in her life where she wanted something different than a small private Christian school that was close to home and to everything she had always known. But God had other plans.

One thing after another kept leading her to NGU. “No matter how hard I tried to fight it,” she said, “This was the place God clearly wanted me [to be].”

Even though Bethany had never envisioned herself at NGU because it was so close to home, her feelings began to shift.

“Many people overlook NGU because it's not flashy and glamorous from the outside looking in,” she stated. “But once you get put in the culture, and you see it for yourself, you fall in love with the ‘view.”’

Attending NGU impacted Bethany in more ways than she ever imagined. While on campus, she was given an opportunity to do sideline reporting, a type of sports reporting on the field that closely observes what is happening during the game, and she interviewed players and coaches over the course of the match.

As a broadcast media major, participating in this form of broadcasting allowed Bethany to get a taste of what she wants to do for the rest of her life. “NGU gave me the opportunity to see a glimpse of my future,” she stated.

After graduating this spring, Bethany is the first person in her family not only to graduate, but even to attend college, a remarkable achievement. Because sports were halted due to the COVID-19 virus, Bethany’s plans of sideline reporting were also delayed. This did not deter her and she has stayed busy working as a secretary for the Poinsett Club in Greenville.

Although her future career has been put on hold for the time being, Bethany married this past August and is ready to start working as a sideline reporter as soon as sports start again.

“At this point, I am going with the flow,” Bethany says. “But I do know the best is yet to come.”

FOLLOWING A NEW PLAYBOOK

When Jewl Bell (’20) first came to NGU, his main reason was to play football. Being at a school that enabled him to play the sport he loved meant everything, as football was a large part of his life.

Soon, however, the stress of football began to get to Jewl. The good grades he had always been careful to maintain began to take a hit because of how exhausted and stressed he was from practice and training. The stress affected not only how he played on the field but also his work in the classroom. He didn’t know how to fix all the things that were falling apart around him.

At one of the final games of the fall season, Jewl’s coach shared a devotional from 2 Samuel about Shammah, one of King David’s mighty men who singlehandedly defeated a troop of the Philistines by himself after the rest of the army of Israel had run away.

The story of Shammah stood out to Jewl. “I wasn’t really meant to play college football, but in some way, I made it,” he said, “So I really resonated with Shammah.”

Later in his freshman year, he met Chris, a fellow freshman who was a friend of a friend.

One day, while Jewl was studying in the library, Chris found him and told him he felt he was called to lead Jewl to Christ. Jewl was somewhat skeptical, but Chris was persistent, so Jewl eventually agreed to participate in a Bible study.

Jewl and Chris met every Sunday for their Bible study. They began by studying David and the mighty things that he had done. Chris told Jewl, “‘All the great feats David performed he didn’t do it by himself, it was by the power of Christ.’”

Jewl was intrigued. “What could I do if I had that same power of Christ?” he wondered.

Jewl and Chris continued to meet, and before long, rather than Chris having to reach out to Jewl, Jewl was the one reaching out to double-check that they were still meeting for their weekly Bible study.

One day, Jewl was in the Prayer Chapel reading the homework Chris had given him for their Bible study when he suddenly got the feeling that he should call his mom. Jewl’s mother had not been able to be a big part of his life after he was 11 years old, but as he spoke with her, he told her, “I love you,” something he hadn’t said to her in years. While on the phone, he also confronted her about some bad habits she had that negatively affected her health.

“I was always the soft-spoken guy,” Jewl said. “The passive-type person. But the way I was talking that night, I just knew, those weren’t my words.”

“I was hearing all these stories of David and Shammah,” he said. “And it wasn’t even by action, but by the power of words. I just never encountered that before, so I just gave God the glory.”

Since then, Jewl’s entire college experience, and life, changed. Although football was still a big part of his life, he found himself filling his time reading the Bible, studying Scripture, and talking about Jesus with others. Sharing the gospel with those who desperately needed to hear it and even those who thought they didn’t need to listen to it became a large part of Jewl’s time both on and off-campus at NGU.

The summer before his sophomore year, Jewl and his best friend Eddie went to New Orleans to do mission work, sharing the gospel with kids in a poverty-stricken area who had no guidance and help in their lives.

When they returned to school in the fall, they began a Bible study for the football team. “As soon as we got back, we were trying to share the gospel with the team,” Jewl said, “Because this is good news.”

“NGU is the place where I gave my life to Christ,” he said as he reflected on his time spent there. “I wouldn't change this college experience for anything in the world.”

“Your salvation is more important than anything,” Jewl asserts, “And the people around this campus can help to lead you in the right direction.”

Jewl graduated with his bachelor's in health science this spring and continues to help with gospel ministries at his church. He is currently serving at Family Gate Church in Greenville, helping to build their church and reach out to the community around them.

When asked what his future plans are, Jewl said, “To serve the church is my current plan, everything else is up in the air, but my main goal is serving this church.”

ALIGNING WITH OUR AND OUR

historyfuture

By LaVerne Howell

Organizations, including universities, periodically restructure as they work to maximize effectiveness in fulfilling their mission. Over the past two years, North Greenville University has restructured the University’s eleven colleges and schools into five colleges. NGU is working to effectively steward academic resources to offer students an education consistent with the University’s historic identity and relevant to the realities of a changing job market.

“The restructuring of our colleges has been in service to our four core values of being Christ-centered, biblically faithful, academically excellent, and mission-focused. Our new structure better aligns our academic programs and streamlines our academic leadership. The reorganization was in service of more efficiently pursuing our mission to equip students to be transformational leaders for church and society,” said Dr. Nathan A. Finn, NGU Provost and Dean of the University Faculty. “We believe we have the right leaders and the right structure for all our programs to live out those values and to thrive during the next chapter of NGU’s history.”

Finn says that, in all academic programs, the University is aiming for excellence without elitism.

“We want to raise the bar academically, but we also want to continue to be an ‘opportunity university’ that makes a Christ-centered higher education

accessible to as many students as possible, especially in our region,” Finn said.

In November 2018, the Office of Academic Administration began the restructure with the announcement that the College of Humanities and the College of Science and Mathematics were being combined. Dr. Paul Thompson, then dean of the College of Humanities, was named founding dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences effective January 1, 2019.

The College of Humanities and Sciences (COHAS) includes four schools. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences offers academic programs in English, history, political science, criminal justice and legal studies, criminal justice (online), general studies (online and traditional), and modern languages and linguistics. The School of Science and Math includes programs in biology, chemistry and physical science, computer science, cybersecurity, and math. The School of Health and Wellness includes programs in psychology, psychology-applied (online), health science, outdoor leadership, and physical education. The School of Allied Health Professions is home of the graduate program in PA Medicine. In addition to these schools, the College also is the home for the Interdisciplinary Studies program.

“After serving as dean of the College of Humanities since 2015, I am honored that President Fant has appointed me as the founding dean of the College of

Humanities and Sciences. I am excited to build on the solid programs and quality faculty I am inheriting from Dean Tom Allen, of the former College of Science and Math, and to work to advance Dr. Fant’s vision for the University,” said Thompson.

NGU next consolidated its undergraduate and graduate academic business programs into a new College of Business and Entrepreneurship (COBE) led by a new dean, Dr. John B. Duncan. An experienced academic administrator, Duncan was dean of the College of Business at Charleston Southern University for more than a decade earlier in his career.

“The restructuring of our colleges has been in service to our four core values of being Christ-centered, biblically faithful, academically excellent, and mission-focused.”

Traditional undergraduate majors offered in this College include accounting, general business, management, marketing, and sport management, as well as an online major in business and leadership.

COBE also offers a Master of Business Administration degree both online and at NGU’s Tim Brashier Campus in Greer.

In February 2019, NGU announced its third major academic reorganization, involving the College of Christian Studies (COCS). With this move, the University brought all biblical, theological, and ministry programs together in one unified College that includes traditional undergraduate, non-traditional undergraduate, and graduate programs. Dr. Walter Johnson serves as the dean of this College.

“NGU’s College of Christian Studies is recognized in Baptist and evangelical circles as one of the best undergraduate programs in the country,” said NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “Dean Walter Johnson's long-standing leadership and his faculty colleagues’ commitment to excellence serves the church in many ways. We believe that our new configuration will both streamline their work and provide a refreshed platform to serve the South Carolina Baptist Convention and the churches of our region and Kingdom work around the world. We are grateful for the opportunity to prepare our students at all levels, undergraduate and graduate, to be thoughtful practitioners wherever their callings may lead them.”

Within the COCS, Dr. Jeff Rankin serves as the associate dean of undergraduate programs, incorporating the traditional programs in Christian Studies offered on the Tigerville campus. Dr. Matt Wireman serves as associate dean of the School of Ministry, which provides both non-traditional and graduate programs aimed at adult learners already serving in ministry or making a mid-career transition into ministry. The COCS also houses the University’s Doctor of Ministry program.

“Dean Walter Johnson is a respected theologian and preacher among Baptists throughout the Carolinas, and he is the perfect person to lead the College of Christian Studies,” said Finn. “Drs. Rankin and Wireman are exemplary scholars, gifted classroom teachers, and dedicated Baptist churchmen.”

In March 2019, the College of Communication and the College of Fine Arts were combined to form the College of Communication and Fine Arts (COCFA), led by the founding dean, Dr. Webster F. (Web) Drake, who came to NGU from Union University in Jackson, TN. The new College of Communication and Fine Arts includes three schools: The School of Communication, The Cline School of Music, and the School of the Arts. The School of Communication houses all communication programs and is led by Associate Dean Dr. Randall King. The Cline School of Music is home to all music programs and is led by Interim Associate Dean Dr. David Cudd. The School of the Arts houses degree programs in theatre and art and is led by Associate Dean Amy Dunlap.

North Greenville has long been associated with the fine arts, both through strong academic programs and outstanding musical and dramatic performances. In recent years, communication programs have become some of the most popular programs on campus. Dr. Jackie Griffin and Dr. Linwood Hagin, respectively, led both areas with distinction.

Also in March, the reorganization of the University’s College of Education was announced. The College now includes all education programs, including traditional undergraduate, online undergraduate, and graduate programs.

“One of the most important professions in the world is that of a teacher. At North Greenville, our faculty understands this profession as a strategic calling from the Lord,” said Finn. “Our undergraduate programs in education have a track record of producing excellent public and private school teachers, and our graduate programs are doing a fine job of preparing educational leaders at every level.”

Dr. Constance Wright was named dean of the restructured College of Education Dr. Shelley Dugle was appointed associate dean of graduate programs and Dr. Nancy Caukin was later hired as associate dean of undergraduate programs. President Fant says the education programs have been a part of the school’s distinctive DNA since its beginning more than a century ago, and graduates from the program are highly sought-after.

Since 2016, NGU’s College of Education has had a 100% employment rate for education undergraduates seeking teaching positions after graduation.

The goal for all academic programs is to be taught from a perspective that is Christ-centered, academically rigorous, and vocationally practical. NGU is

educating students to think Christianly about their vocation and to flourish once their boots hit the ground in the real world of their field. Finn says the University owes students this holistic vision of education.

NGU is excited about the newly announced Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity offered in the College of Humanities and Sciences. (See program details on page 22) This program will launch officially in Fall 2021 but is already attracting new students.

Cybersecurity is a booming field all over the world and in NGU’s region. Cybersececurity also embodies the Christian virtues of love for neighbor and protecting the vulnerable. Brad Hamlett, lead professor in the program and the director of NGU’s new Center for Cybersecurity, is working to build a program that will equip many students to be transformational leaders in the industry.

NGU has made significant moves to enhance its academic quality with this visionary restructuring of its programs. Alumni should rightly be proud of their NGU degree(s). By God’s grace and the hard work of hundreds of faculty and staff, NGU is becoming a healthier institution with every passing year. Not only did alumni receive an excellent education, but the value of their degree is increasing all the time.

NGU academics is ready to serve its students, community, nation, and the next generation.

To learn more about NGU’s nationally recognized academic programs, visit ngu.edu/academics

Christ-centered equipping for culturally divided times

You’ve seen it your community, your church, and perhaps your own family. Our culture divides us on everything from global pandemics and social justice to personal convictions and back-to-school decisions for our children. So, how do you lead with Christian unity in such a divided world?

You turn to experienced ministry experts who have walked such roads before. You turn to God’s word, which remains steadfast through such turbulence. You turn to NGU –with 423 years of leadership experience represented in the Christian Studies faculty.

Complete your bachelor’s degree or advance your calling through NGU’s graduate programs and learn to lead as God has called you to lead.

BACHELOR’S OF CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

M.A. IN CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

MASTER’S OF DIVINITY

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY

Knight, McCall, and McGraw were honored on campus in October.

Grads Celebrated for Leadership Success

Homecoming 2020 offered the chance to honor three outstanding North Greenville graduates, despite the challenges of a global pandemic. On October 17, the NGU Alumni Association hosted the Alumni Awards and Reunion Luncheon in Hayes Ministry Center’s Moore Hall.

Dr. John J. McGraw (’70), and Jayne Lyons McCall (’70) received the Distinguished Alumni Award, which is the highest honor bestowed by the NGU Alumni Association. Given to recognize outstanding lifetime service which has brought honor to the individual’s alma mater, the award recognizes alumni who reflect “the University’s core values through effective servant leadership.”

Dr. McGraw joined the Knoxville Orthopedic Clinic in 2003, after more than 14 years of practice in Laurel, Mississippi. He anchors the KOC Jefferson City, Tenn., office, where he sees patients exclusively and performs surgery at Tennova/Jefferson Memorial Hospital. He has served in multiple medical staff positions including Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery and Board of Directors.

Dr. McGraw and his wife Ann make their home on a cattle farm in East Tennessee. They have two grown children and three grandchildren. He is co-owner of WJFC AM/FM in Jefferson City and received the Community Patriot Award from Jefferson County High School in 2010 where he serves as team Orthopedic Surgeon. He continues to help the KOC physicians that serve as team doctors for the Tennessee Smokies baseball team. He also helps student-athletes at Carson Newman University.

McCall currently serves as vice president of Hughes Development Corporation. Her career in commercial real estate began 36 years ago. Today, she leads a division that manages more than 230,000 square-feet of medical office space. Recently, she helped develop and construct the $31 million Clemson University School of Nursing building, managing the design bidding, financing, and construction. The 80,000 square-foot project was complete on time and under budget. Jayne serves as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and a Board Member at the YMCA Judson Community Center. She was married to the late Donnie McCall, a fellow North Greenville classmate. Jayne has two adult children and three grandchildren.

Carmen Knight (’93) received NGU’s Alumni Service Award, which honors “an alumnus who dedicates personal time and energy towards their community and uses their education and experiences gained at the university to promote public service causes, advance university efforts, promote student success, or positively contribute to the university culture. After North Greenville, Knight continued her studies at the University of South Carolina-Spartanburg and Converse College. Carmen has been an educator for more than a decade, serving as a Special Education Teacher at Swofford Career Center in Campobello, SC, since 2016. Since she graduated from North Greenville, she has personally referred more than 90 students to NGU. Twenty of her referred students are presently enrolled at NGU, including her son Clay, a junior. She and her husband Robbie have been married 25 years. The Knights also have a daughter, Kara, who is a junior at Landrum High School.

CAMPUS NEWS

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Dr. Martin Jones serves as an assistant professor of business in the College of Business and Entrepreneurship. Originally from Manchester, England, Martin lives with his wife Fiona and children Nathan and Olivia in Asheville, NC. He obtained his Law Degree and Doctor of Jurisprudence in the United Kingdom, before being admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales. He became a partner in a corporate law firm and served as a lecturer of business law at Lancashire Law School. He moved to the U.S. to pursue additional graduate studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He served in leadership roles with churches in Dallas, Chicago, and Asheville, and offered legal consultancy services to non-profit organizations. He transitioned back into academia in 2017 and currently teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, including the Legal Environment of Business, Business Ethics, and Professional Ethics. He also is working on a second terminal degree: Doctor of Philosophy, with a research concentration in ethics. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys traveling with family and cheers for the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys.

The Benham Brothers, identical twins David Benham and Jason Benham, headlined the plenary sessions for NGU’s Fifth Annual Business Symposium in February. The brothers, best-selling authors, speakers, real estate entrepreneurs, and former Minor League baseball players, along with a host of local and national Christian business leaders, were presenters for the “Courage to Create” event.

The Symposium is designed for NGU students to hear from Christian leaders who are changing the world and glorifying God through business and entrepreneurship.

“You were created to create. God put creativity inside us so we could glorify Him,” the brothers said

to the room full of future Christian business leaders. “The primary form of worship is the work that you do.”

The Benham brothers also discussed their experience with HGTV. The channel canceled plans for the twins to host their show in 2014 after they spoke openly about their Christian values.

“It’s going to take courage to bring a voice to [your Christian] values,” they explained. “But the blessings of God are found within His boundaries. And when you remove those boundaries, the blessings are replaced with burdens.”

The brothers recommend that Christians do their work “with a heart to please God” and then leave the results to Him.

COBE Dean John Duncan said the Benhams “captivated the audience and challenged students to apply four foundational principles in their work: be an appetite creator; be faithful in little things; be a fountain, not a drain; and give more in value than you take in payment.”

Exodus Aircraft was the door prize and VIP lunch sponsor. Premier Sponsors were His Way at Work, Jeff Lynch Appliance, Ronald Blue Trust, and Styles Contracting.

COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION & FINE ARTS

She has performed on four continents where she has sung leading roles with prominent opera companies and orchestras. Amongst several awards, Angela was named one of New York City Opera's Outstanding Artists of the Year. She also has appeared as a soloist with many leading orchestras.

With a desire to mentor aspiring young artists, Horn-Barrett has directed multiple vocal institutes, scene programs, and full-length productions, and has been in demand nationally as a master class clinician. She lives in Greenville with her children Andrew and Alyse, and husband, Rev. Tom Barrett. After a 17-year career singing professionally, Tom and Angela were called to vocational ministry, and have served in ministry together since 2006.

Kelechi J. Benet (’02) is an assistant professor of Mass Communication. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communication at NGU, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in film-television at Regent University. He has worked as a freelance producer, where he has worn many hats as producer, scriptwriter, camera operator, and editor. Benet has worked in radio as an announcer, and has many years of video and audio production experience. He is passionate about educating, cultivating, inspiring, and encouraging students to become the best at their craft with the purpose of bringing glory to God.

Angela Horn-Barrett serves as an associate professor of voice. She received a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from the University of MissouriKansas City Conservatory and an artist diploma in advanced vocal studies from

the New England Conservatory. She is a graduate of the Juilliard Opera Center program. Previously, Horn-Barrett served on the voice faculties of Birmingham Southern University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and the University of Memphis.

Dr. Seth Killen was invited to teach with the InterHarmony International Music Festival during the summer of 2020. Based in Acqui Terme, Italy, the virtual music festival allowed singers to study music intensively for two weeks while learning the Italian language and culture with native speakers. Students performed several live-streamed concerts of art song and opera.

CAMPUS NEWS

Dr. Randall E. King brings more than 30 years of professional communication experience to the School of Communication as associate dean and professor. He began his professional career in 1984 at WPDE-TV in the Florence/Myrtle Beach market as a reporter, anchor, and producer. In 1987, he was hired by WYFF-TV in Greenville as a news producer. He then transitioned to media ministry as a staff director with Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth, TX, and a marketing and media ministry consultant at First Baptist Church in Dallas, TX. King began his tenure in higher education at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, MA, as a communication instructor. While working on his doctorate, he was a graduate research assistant and adjunct instructor at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. In 1997, he became chair and faculty member of the Department of Communication and Theatre at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA. Before NGU, King served from 2005-2019 at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN, where he was the Communication and Theatre division chair, the university’s WIWU-TV station director, and communication professor. King earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Olivet Nazarene University, a master’s degree in communication from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. degree in communication from the University of Tennessee.

Gary Rhoden is the Director of Athletic Bands and an Instructor of Music Education for the Cline School of Music. Rhoden holds both a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master of arts degree in school leadership from Furman University. He most recently taught at James F. Byrnes High School in Duncan, SC, serving as the associate director of bands. Prior to that,

Rhoden served in the same role at Boiling Springs High School. His band programs have achieved numerous accomplishments including being named South Carolina Band Directors Association 5A State Champions, SCBDA 5A Upper State Champions, Bands of America Grand National Semi-Finalists, and Bands of America Regional Class 4A Champions. Rhoden lives in Duncan with his wife Ashley (M.A. ’19) and daughter Emilia.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Dr. Nancy Caukin joined NGU as associate dean for undergraduate programs in the College of Education. She began her education career in 1998 at Eagleville High School in Eagleville, TN. She moved to higher education in 2013 at Middle Tennessee State University. She served as an associate professor in the College of Education Womack Department of Educational Leadership and as program coordinator for the secondary Ready2Teach program. She and her husband have three children and seven grandchildren.

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES & SCIENCES

Dr. Allison Bridges (’13) is an assistant professor of biology. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from NGU, and her doctorate in biochemistry and cancer biology from Augusta University in 2019. Before coming to NGU, she taught at Augusta University. She is very interested in using the study of science to transform students into lifelong learners. She said she uses teaching to help students see the wonders of Creation in the world around them. When she is not teaching, she enjoys running, reading, and listening to music.

Dr. David Entwistle joined the faculty of NGU as a Distinguished Professor of Psychology in 2020. Entwistle earned a B.A. degree in psychology from Taylor University, and master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University. He is a licensed psychologist who spent the first decade of his pro-

fessional life providing psychotherapy in residential and outpatient settings. More recently, he provided clinical services to residents of a long-term care facility who suffered from chronic medical and psychological conditions.

Entwistle is emeritus professor of psychology at Malone University, where he taught courses in undergraduate psychology, graduate counseling, and graduate Christian ministries programs from 1996 to 2020. He has been a visiting professor in Poland and is an inveterate traveler. His publications include Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity, soon to be released in a fourth edition, and The Service Learning Book, designed to help prepare individuals for cross-cultural service-learning and short-term missions teams.

He has led eight service-learning teams working in Poland, Albania and Hong Kong. As a child, he spent several summers on mission stations in equatorial Africa. He is a frequent presenter at conferences in the U.S. and overseas and has spoken in churches on four continents. His primary areas of professional interest are coping and chronic illness and integrating faith, learning, and living.

He and his wife Debbie enjoy spending time with their children, spread over three states. David enjoys bike riding, reading, and hiking in his spare time.

Brad Hamlett is the cybersecurity program director and assistant professor for cybersecurity and computer science. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Furman University and a master of science in cybersecurity from the University of Maryland. Before teaching at NGU, Hamlett worked as a senior intelligence analyst and senior information technology specialist for the U.S. Army and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He holds numerous industry certifications in information technology and project management.

CAMPUS NEWS

Hamlett is passionate about sharing how the gospel has transformed his life and how Christianity offers the best social framework for human flourishing.

Dr. Nicholas Higgins is an associate professor and chair of the Government, Criminal Justice & Legal Studies Department. Higgins comes to NGU from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA, where he served as an assistant professor of government since 2014. He previously served as an editorial assistant for the American Political Science Review, an adjunct professor with North Central Texas Community College, and as a teaching fellow/ assistant for six years at the University of North Texas. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Government from Patrick Henry College, a master’s degree from the University of Dallas, and a Ph.D. degree in political science from the University of North Texas. He is married to Anita, and they have six children, five of whom are adopted.

Dr. Jieun Lee joined the Mathematics Department in the fall semester as an assistant professor. She received a B.S. degree in mathematical sciences from Carnegie Mellon University in 2013, and a Ph.D. degree in mathematics from the University of Connecticut in 2020. Her research interests are in theoretical PDE and pattern formation. More specifically, her research concerns the existence and qualitative analysis of PDE solutions associated with pattern formation using variational methods. In her spare time, she enjoys playing Christian music with her husband, Goh. She also loves outdoor activities, including cross-country and hiking. She is excited to explore the Blue Ridge Mountains.

and Maggie Beth.

CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

Brynna Bower is an academic support coordinator. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from Southern Wesleyan University and is currently working on her master’s degree at Liberty University. Bower and her husband recently moved back to Greenville so he could work with a new church plant. Her primary responsibilities will be overseeing the tutoring program, working with transitional students, and monitoring the attendance alert system.

Alicia Hyatt is in a new role in the Center for Student Success, as Director of ONE and Academic Standing. The University’s new Quality Enhancement Project, ONE, will be launched in Fall 2021 and will support NGU’s first-generation college students. Hyatt will oversee the project's implementation, the collection and reporting of data related to the QEP for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and assist students working to regain good academic standing.

DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY & SECURITY

Dr. Sarah Little joined NGU in the fall as an assessment coordinator and associate professor in the College of Education. Born and raised in Greenville, SC, Little is married to Daniel Little, a physical education teacher and head baseball coach/assistant football coach at Landrum High School. They have three children: Zane, Addy Mae,

Tony Eigner is the new Director of Safety and Security. He comes to NGU after serving with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office since 2000. He has held positions of a deputy sheriff, civil process officer, sergeant-investigator in the investigations division, lieutenant-investigator in the support services division, and most recently, inspector-administrative officer. Eigner is a 1991 graduate of the Joint Degree program with Stillman College and the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in History and certification in Social Gerontology. He currently is working on completing a Master of Public Administration degree from Strayer University’s Columbia campus. His law enforcement career began in 1994 as a patrolman with the Newberry Police Department. In 1995 he became a crime scene investigator and latent print

examiner with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). He then served the City of Newberry Police Department as an investigator until 1999. He was a patrolman with the Prosperity Police Department before joining the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office. His sister, Iris Eigner McNeil (’03), and her husband Wilbur McNeil, Jr. (’05), are NGU former student-athletes. Iris played basketball and volleyball, and Wilbur was a member of the football team.

OFFICE OF CAMPUS MINISTRY & STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Justin Brown, director of athletic ministry since 2018, is now associate vice president of campus ministries. In addition to this role, he will also serve as an adjunct professor for NGU’s College of Christian Studies.

Joshua Gilmore, Baptist Collegiate Ministries director, had several articles and commentaries published. “The Christian Post” published “Campus ministry preparation in a COVID-19 context.” A column, “COVID-19: Will we adapt, migrate or hibernate?” was posted in The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC). The Baptist Press published “Considering homeschooling in a COVID-19 world,” The Greenville News published the opinion piece “COVID-19 has stepped up to a hot microphone,” and The Baptist Standard published his column “COVID-19, and I'm feeling the loss.”

Connor Graves has been named Campus Ministries Associate. Graves, originally from Decatur, A.L., attended Auburn University, where he received his bachelor's degree in marketing.

CAMPUS NEWS

He is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Previously, he worked with the LifeWay students team as an event director for Student Life Camp.

OFFICE OF MARKETING & CREATIVE SERVICES

Jackson Bailey serves as the Web Developer for the Office of Marketing and Communications. He graduated from North Greenville University in 2016 with a B.A. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with a primary concentration in Linguistics secondary concentration in English. After graduation, he worked in sales for four years. He also ran his own eCommerce company and taught himself front-end web development. In his free time, Jackson enjoys spending time with his wife Alicia, practicing martial arts, going to the gym, and gaming.

Adam Knechtel has joined NGU as the content specialist for the Office of Marketing and Communications. Shortly after graduating from California Baptist University in 2013, Adam and his wife, Amber, moved from Southern California’s deserts to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Prior to NGU, Adam worked as the media director for Camp Highlander, overseeing social media, website, blog, magazine, and various digital/ print operations. He and his wife enjoy exploring the Carolinas offer, especially local dining, entertainment, endless outdoor activities. The Knechtels have a newborn daughter, Lettie Mae.

T. WALTER BRASHIER GRADUATE SCHOOL

Dr. Bill Cashion, an international missionary, pastor, and professor of evangelism and missions,

You want to thrive academically AND spirtually—we’ve got you! Our commitment to a Christ-centered education will deepen your faith and expand your knowledge.

You want to pursue an impactful career—we’re one step ahead! NGU’s extensive network of students, faculty, and alumni connect you to purposeful professions across the globe.

has completed his new book “The Winning Season.” The work imparts resounding teachings on biblical genuineness by using baseball stories as efficacious references to strengthen the spiritual perspective. There are 162 games in the Major League schedule.

“No team in history has won them all,” said Cashion.

There are 162 devotionals in “The Winning Season.” They deliver biblical truth, illustrated with stories from baseball history, to help the reader see that every day of the season of life can be victorious when guided by faith in Jesus Christ and him alone. Published by Covenant Books of Murrells Inlet, SC, Cashion’s new book is designed to instill enriching wisdom to readers as they learn and understand the true essence of the Word of God by way of analyzing baseball strategies that result in victory. Readers can purchase “The Winning Season” at bookstores or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.

Honoring AN EDUCATOR’S LEGACY

Designed to equip high school students with college course credits, a new scholarship for Legacy Early College students will honor the legacy of a life-long South Carolina educator.

North Greenville University’s Dual Credit Program with Greenville’s Legacy Early College High School will be bolstered by the Dr. Herbert Tyler/Chick-fil-A Legacy Early College Scholarship. The funds will assist LEC junior and senior who seek to complete dual-credit courses on the charter school’s campus in northwest Greenville.

William “Bill” Tyler, the operator of the Greer Chick-fil-A, funded the scholarship, honoring his late father, Dr. Herbert Tyler. The long-time education leader died in March 2020 at the age of 86.

“Dr. Tyler was a legendary educator, whose influence and passion for young people influenced not only our region but the entire state,” said NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant., Jr. “This new scholarship program connects his long-standing vision with the unique opportunities afforded by Legacy Early College, which serves students and families in a historic part of Greenville. We are grateful to Chick-fil-A of Greer for their support and their encouragement to our entire community.”

NGU officials see the scholarship support for the expanded dual credit program as a step in expanding opportunities for first-generation college students. While the university has partnered with LEC to offer dual-credit classes on NGU’s Tigerville campus, the move this fall to offer accredited courses at the LEC campus allows more high school students to benefit from the opportunity. The Dr. Herbert Tyler/Chick-fil-A scholarship is designated to undergird expenses for the courses.

NGU and LEC offer six college-credit courses for the students each semester, with up to 10 students participating in each course.

Tyler sees the fund as strengthening LEC’s stated mission to “offer a quality, rigorous, and relevant educational program leading to college graduation and empowering underserved urban students to become productive, healthy, principled citizens in a changing society.”

“Over my 33 years as a Chick-fil-A operator, we have partnered with schools on character education and leadership development,” Tyler said. “I have always believed that teaching students at a young age how important the strength of a person’s character affects a lifetime of decisions that one will make.”

“This new scholarship program connects his long-standing vision with the unique opportunities afforded by Legacy Early College.”

A native of Dillon, SC, the elder Tyler began a career in public education after serving as a captain in the U.S. Army. Beginning as the band director and assistant principal at Chester High School, he later was associate superintendent and superintendent of Schools for Richland School District Two in Columbia. After retiring from public schools, Tyler served at Furman University for 12 years, as chair of the department of education and professor of school administration. He was named professor emeritus at Furman. He was an active Baptist, serving as a deacon, director of music ministry, choir member, and Sunday School teacher.

Bill Tyler said the scholarship commitment fits with his family’s dedication to education.

“My dad was a career educator,” he said. “My sister also followed in his footsteps and is a recently retired public school administrator. I have had opportunities to be involved in education locally, and these partnerships help me fulfill my mission of “People are my purpose. Chicken is my platform.”

Tyler currently is serving in his second term as a trustee of the NGU Board and is the worship pastor at Riverside Baptist in Greer.

By Adam Knechtel

January 2020

NGU formed Covid-19 Response Team, which began weekly meetings.

Before Spring Break, a Coronavirus Medical Summary and Recommendations were sent to the community.

Covid-19 Alert webpage was launched and available for the community to receive official information regarding the University’s response to the virus. Also announced were the several channels through which the campus would be communicating whenever updates were available. Conference Carolinas suspends all athletic competitions for the spring. Feb. 27, 2020 March 5, 2020 March 12, 2020

When the entire world seemingly came to a screeching halt in the midst of an emotionally paralyzing pandemic, we spent the same spring and summer months building a different story – one of brightness, hope, and a positive vision of our collective future at NGU highlighted by the renovation to house NGUCentral and Student Services in Neves Hall.

Every year and at all times, we commit ourselves to a higher standard of excellence by reviewing, renovating, and renewing every aspect of the NGU experience – from academics and student life to our physical property and facilities.

As part of that effort in 2020, our physical renovation projects included updates to Turner Chapel, the Craft-Hemphill Center, Bruce Hall, Trustees and Self Residence Halls, Crusader Court, the NGU Clinic and Counseling Services, various classrooms, and the outdoor basketball court, among others.

The largest and most significant renovation, however, was the all-new NGUcentral in the historic Neves Hall.

NGUcentral is the main service area for the University’s Student Services Division, which includes Financial Aid, Academic Records, and Student Accounts. The three offices are coordinated through the NGUcentral hub, allowing students to address academic, aid, and billing matters in a one-stop setting instead of crisscrossing campus to visit various offices.

Rachael Russiaky, NGU vice president for student services, worked with architects to develop a format where the three administrative offices could utilize the main floor of Neves Hall to work cohesively in optimizing NGUcentral services. With office and meeting spaces designed to bring the unified services concept to life, the University has taken a major step forward with efficient structure which supports overall student success, strengthening NGU’s mission effectiveness.

From payment plans, to schedule changes, scholarship and loan assistance, and degree audits, we can better help students check-off their to-do lists through enhanced internal collaboration and improved communication with our students and their families.

In addition to the reorganization of the interior and substantial landscaping upgrades, significant technology upgrades were installed in the three Neves classrooms. The equipment supports 4K LCD displays and multichannel audio. It includes support technology to give instructors an immersive platform that is engaging and supportive of student learning outcomes. One classroom and the Wood Conference Room are fitted with the Lifesize suite of video conferencing solutions that allows for flexible meetings, remote instruction, and the recording of sessions that can be packaged for future distribution. The upgrades and the integration with the latest in cloud technologies will set the standard for instructional enablement and excellence for many years to come.

March 16,

University opens the NGU Clinic staffed by a licensed Nurse Practitioner with part-time hours. Chapel canceled, and no gatherings of more than 100 people. All off-campus, University-related trips canceled until further notice.

With the creation of NGUcentral, the University is demonstrating professional efficiency in a logical structure. We are showing students and their families that we see them as members of our greater NGU family. Perhaps most importantly, we are showing these future alumni that living out “Christ Makes the Difference” means we strive to operate with excellence.

As Russiaky – who helped merge various departments together into the NGUcentral hub – observes, “If you want to maintain a level of excellence, then you never stop improving.”

And that’s been the defining feature of Neves Hall ever since its original construction – to better serve our NGU students and their families with the level of excellence modeled for us in Christ.

Currently the second-oldest building on campus (after White Hall), Neves was constructed from 1944 to 1945, when North Greenville’s board voted to construct a “new building for the dining room and kitchen.”

It was officially named “Neves Dining Hall” in memory of long-time benefactor Benjamin F. Neves. The recognition celebrated Mr. Neves’ legacy of support for North Greenville students, dating back to 1891, when he gave 10 acres of land and $500 to help launch our institution. He also assisted with tuition, provided employment opportunities for students, and even relocated his family from a large home to a smaller house to provide additional housing space for students.

From its founding, Neves Hall blended together historic tradition with an innovative future. And although it has been remodeled and repurposed several times over the years, it has never lost its central identity as a cherished NGU landmark and constant hub of activity.

Nearly 130 years ago, Mr. Neves committed himself to meet the needs of his community while striving toward a more excellent future. The recent renovation effort links this invaluable part of NGU’s history to the hopeful future we envision today. The work demonstrates our commitment to keeping Neves Hall – and the Neves name itself – an integral part of the NGU campus and story. While the new purpose is different, it is built upon a history of dedicated service and faithful stewardship.

But Neves isn’t the only name that played a crucial role in this story. Dan and Martha Boling, both of whom are NGU alumni (1957) and Alumni of the Year (1989), proudly took up Neves’ mantle of selfless giving to see this project come to fruition.

“Dan and Martha, once again, you have supported your Alma Mater in a way that creates opportunities for our students to excel,” President Gene C. Fant, Jr., said at the Neves Hall dedication in September. “You have faithfully strengthened our mission throughout your lives, by supporting construction projects, investing in our alumni association’s programs, and by providing home-cooked meals and

21,

Tigerville and Greer Campuses closed, and staff began working remotely through March 31.

23,

University Contingency Operations Plan was initiated and available on the University’s website. Online instruction began. Residential housing remained open. Students who wished to move home were permitted to do so.

encouraging words to students across the generations.

“It is fitting that when NGU sought to make a major step forward in serving students in a practical and meaningful way, Dan and Martha Boling were the first to step up with leadership support,” said the president.

The Bolings, who have a long and storied legacy of service to NGU, met on North Greenville’s Tigerville campus in the mid-1950s. Both graduated from North Greenville Junior College in 1957. Dan founded the Daley Corporation and operated the Greenville-based construction equipment rental company for three decades. He has served five terms on the NGU Board of Trustees. Martha taught third-grade students before her retirement. She is a past president of the North Greenville University Alumni Association. The daughter of Rev. Charlie and Lorene Candler, Martha was born on the North Greenville campus while her father was a ministerial student at the college.

Including our alumni, friends, businesses, employees, and more, the Bolings are the only people recognized in both the top ten in lifetime giving and the top ten in transactional giving. Simply put, no one gives more, or more often, or to more areas of need than Dan and Martha Boling.

Their first gift to the North Greenville community came in 1973 ... and they haven’t stopped giving since! Their donations include gifts for the Fine Arts Center and the Tigerville Master Plan, as well as scholarship endowments to the Christian Ministry Scholarship Fund, and the Charlie F. and Lorene O. Candler Endowment Fund (a need-based scholarship for students pursuing a Christian vocation). They’ve also supported NGU’s Cline School of Music, the alumni association, and varied academic and athletic programs.

But their largest and perhaps most impactful gift to date was toward the recent Neves Hall renovation. In fact, their generosity and selflessness helped make the entire project possible.

And so, the NGU story continues, filled with a God-honoring blend of cherished tradition, rich history, a commitment to excellence, and the innovation required to envision and secure a brighter future for the entire NGU family.

This is the new (and old) Neves Hall, now housing the purposeful and innovative NGUcentral. This is where NGU remains both familiar and fresh, constant and ever-changing, historically remembered and innovatively reimagined.

UNIVERSITY COVID-19 RESPONSE TIMELINE

Contingency Operations Plan continued through May 3. All public events, including May Commencement, canceled. Degrees scheduled to be conferred on May 1 to candidates completing requirements. Graduates given the opportunity to participate in a special commencement ceremony during Homecoming 2020, the Fall 2020 Commencement service, or the Spring 2021 Commencement service.

Announced that Summer Term courses would be offered online.

The residential student move-out process began.

University Contingency Operations Plan continued through May 12, 2020. NGUcares introduced.

Shining BRIGHT

As a high school graduate in a foreign land, Rut Soto Rivera had dim prospects for a shining future. Four years later, with an NGU degree, her prospects were bright.

This year, “Greenville Business Magazine” has named the 2008 NGU alumna to its annual “Best & Brightest 35 and Under” issue. The issue celebrates the women and men who are rising stars in the Greenville business community. Rivera currently shines as the Perinatal Awareness for Successful Outcomes (PASOs) program director for Prisma Health in Greenville.

Born in Venezuela, Rivera moved to the United States at the age of 15. Even though it was challenging, she says, “Greenville took me as one of their own, and I cannot see myself living somewhere else.”

She came to NGU in 2004 to study psychology. She graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with concentrations in psychology and Spanish.

“After graduating from high school, I went to interpret for my dad, who is a pastor, at the yearly South Carolina Baptist Convention meeting in Columbia. During the break, we went to look around the exhibition tables in the lobby and met an NGU representative who told me everything I needed to know to attend college,” she said.

“NGU teaches with compassion and love, and that is something I have carried with me throughout my years as a leader and an advocate.”

Because Rivera and her family were new to the U.S., she did not even have a Social Security number. She couldn’t apply for financial aid, and other universities were charging her international student fees, which

her family could not afford. She was discouraged and thought that she would not be able to attend college. “North Greenville not only gave me an International scholarship, but they also provided me with other scholarships and financial assistance where my out-ofpocket expense was small. That was a huge push for me to go to NGU, but what really made it special was how everyone made me feel like part of the family,” she said.

When Rivera started at NGU, she was only four years into her move to the U.S. Moving to a new country where she did not understand the language or its culture was not an easy transition for her.

“I went through a serious time of depression and anxiety that shaped me into who I am. At that time, I wanted to know more about the brain and how it functioned during adversities, and decided to study psychology,” she said.

“Little did I know how much of an impact it would

make in my personal life and career.”

Rivera says NGU not only gave her the education she needed to succeed but also allowed her to grow as a leader.

“I was a resident assistant and then a coordinator, which gave me plenty of practice to lead others with love, respect, and compassion. I am forever grateful for the professors and staff who were patient with me,” she said. “NGU teaches with compassion and love, and that is something I have carried with me throughout my years as a leader and an advocate.”

Being a first-generation immigrant led her to do what she loves: helping others like her overcome barriers and obstacles to be able to reach their goals and dreams.

“Working for the Latinx community in Greenville has taught me to stay humble and resilient and never to forget my roots and culture. It has also taught me that no matter what difficulties come my way, I can achieve anything I put my mind and heart into,” Rivera said.

As a working mom, she plans to continue being an example for her children so they can see how gratifying it is to help community members work for a better future.

“To me, giving back to the community means being able to pay forward what others did for me when I moved to the United States. I plan to continue to advocate for our wonderful Latinx community in Greenville County and South Carolina,” she said.

Rivera is a shining example of fulfilling North Greenville’s mission of living out transformational leadership and making a difference in her local community.

Elevate your perspective, explore our programs that produce greatness at ngu.edu/academics

May 12, 2020June 1, 2020 August 15-17, 2020August 18-19, 2020August 20, 2020

Phased plan announced regarding employees resuming campus-based work.

The University announced that in-person class instruction would resume for Fall 2020 on August 20.

We are family

You might say Kaleb Collom (’20) comes from a North Greenville University family. Six of his siblings attended NGU before he decided to follow in their footsteps. Seeing the impact NGU had on their lives, Kaleb never even considered attending anywhere else.

“I knew NGU would be a great environment for any follower of Christ [to receive] an excellent education,” he said, as his siblings had shared some of the great benefits of NGU with him. “One of the deciders for me was the beautiful campus,” he remembered. “The sunrises and sunsets over the mountain were amazing.”

While at NGU, Kaleb studied in the digital media program. Because of the tight-knit community in the School of Communication, he even landed a student worker position for one of his professors for three years, assisting her with graphic design classes and taking on special projects for the school.

“At NGU, the professors actually know your name and care about each student; they’re willing to find time outside of class to help you,” he said. “[Because of] the smaller class sizes, you get a more personal relationship with the professors, [rather than] a lecture hall where the professor doesn’t know your name due to the large class size.”

Kaleb feels the one-on-one attention at NGU has helped to prepare him for his career. He and his wife were married soon after he graduated this past spring, and he has a potential job lined up once things have settled down from COVID-19. For now, he works in an essential business and is looking forward to seeing what the future holds.

From Student to Teacher

When Nicolas Garzone (’20) started his college search, he had several public South Carolina schools on the list. But the more he thought about it, the more he worried about what going to a university like that would mean for his spiritual life.

“As a high school senior, I was far away from the Lord. But I knew that if I went to a secular university, I would drift farther away from Christ, and my faith would most likely be compromised.”

That’s when he decided to apply to North Greenville University. He was accepted and entered as a mathematics major.

At NGU, part of Nicolas’ general education requirements included classes like Old Testament Survey and New Testament Survey.

“The best part of my experience at NGU has been what I’ve learned through the Christian studies faculty. Those professors taught me how to study the Bible properly, which is unparalleled by any other skill. Even though I’m not in a ministry-related major, they made the most impact on me by far — both in terms of my education and my personal and spiritual life.”

Because of the impact NGU’s professors had on his faith, Nicolas decided he would love to become a professor someday as well, teaching math to future students just like him.

“I realized this passion through my time tutoring students in math, as well as learning from my professors,” he shared. “I get a special kind of joy when I am able to help a student understand a concept they are wrestling with.”

What Nicolas learned in his Old and New Testament survey classes will carry over into how he teaches his future students.

“[One] influence on my teaching would simply be the life of Christ. Of the many roles that Jesus carried out, one of those was a teacher,” he explained. “Jesus traveled and taught the people about the kingdom of God. He spoke to people in a way that was familiar and understandable to them. As a teacher, I see that I must teach and speak in a way that is familiar to my specific audience; I also have to speak clearly, and with simplicity.”

Nicolas hopes to further his education by going to graduate school to pursue a doctoral degree in math. He hopes to find work as a math teacher and is considering using his mathematical skills in other avenues. Whatever doors the Lord opens, Nicolas feels that his time at NGU has well-prepared him for what God has in store for him.

CYBER SECURE

NGU LAUNCHES NEW DEGREE PROGRAM

North Greenville University is stepping into Cybersecurty, as it will begin a bachelor’s degree program in 2021. Students can study in a traditional in-person format or enjoy the flexibility of going 100% online starting in the Fall 2021 semester, pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Students that study and graduate from the program will have an opportunity to provide Christ-centered leadership in one of the highest-demand, fastest-growing, toppay labor sectors in America.

Today, cyber-attacks can affect anyone, but some of them are designed to leave global damage. A cyber-attack is an internet attack intended by individuals or entire organizations that targets computer information systems, networks, or infrastructures. When they appear, they come from a seemingly anonymous source that will attempt to destroy its victim through hacking into its system.

There have been many worldwide cyber-attacks, and some are happening right now. The latest statistics say that security breaches have increased by 11% since 2018 and 67% since 2014.

Cyber-attack maps are valuable tools that give information on how to stay ahead of attacks. Even though we’re talking about enormous amounts of damage that cyber criminals cause, the maps themselves can be fascinating to watch.

“Every 39 seconds, a cyber-attack occurs. While some of these are manually targeted cyber-attacks, some are also botnets intent on shutting down infrastructure and destroying computers and information systems of major organizations,” said Brad Hamlett, cybersecurity program director and assistant professor of cybersecurity and computer science.

Hamlett holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman University, and a Master of Science degree in Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland. Before teaching at NGU, Hamlett worked as a senior intelligence analyst and senior information technology specialist for the U.S. Army and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He has worked highly sensitive intelligence operations and large IT projects for the nation, managing a $34 million portfolio of IT projects. He holds numerous industry certifications in information technology and project management. Hamlett is passionate about sharing how the gospel has transformed his life and how Christianity offers the best social framework for human flourishing.

Hamlett says the framework for NGU’s Cybersecurity courses is designed to map to

industry standards. Students in the program will learn to protect the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of information and information systems that support modern organizations.

“The NGU cybersecurity major will develop students to be leaders in the growing cybersecurity field and employed by prominent organizations worldwide."

“The curriculum will focus on both the fundamentals of information systems as well as advanced topics in areas such as network security, cryptography, risk management, security governance, business continuity, security architecture, physical security, and critical infrastructures,” he said.

A key feature of NGU’s Cybersecurity program is equipping students to take and pass many industry certification exams, which certify an individual’s knowledge in the information security profession, including Network+, Linux+, Security+, and other exams to obtain these globally recognized credentials.

“Demand for certified security professionals is expected to rise as global commerce and modern society become increasingly dependent on information systems and related technologies,” said Hamlett. “The NGU Cybersecurity major will develop students to be leaders in the growing cybersecurity field and employed by prominent organizations worldwide.”

The leading-edge program will appeal to students passionate about justice, and can

provide top pay and excellent career opportunities. The skills can be used in varied forms of law enforcement.

“I am very excited to be offering our new Cybersecurity degree to NGU students. Graduates with this degree will be able to enter some of the most vital and significant careers available for the next 30 years. Like all fields, cybersecurity needs leaders trained in Christ-centered institutions, and I am happy to begin training just such leaders,” said Dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences Dr. H. Paul Thompson, Jr. “I am convinced that Professor Hamlett will provide excellent leadership and maintain high academic standards for the program. Young people will be blessed to study under him.”

Topics of study will include application development, information technology infrastructure, information security principles, information security standards, risk management, compliance, network security and cryptography, physical and operational security, penetration testing and ethical hacking, professional certification test preparation, and a Cybersecurity capstone.

Some of the Cybersecurity positions available on the job market include Artificial Intelligence Security Analyst, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Counter-espionage Analyst, Cyber Intelligence Specialist, Cybersecurity Attorney, Ethical Hacker, and Forensic Computer Analyst.

The program is part of NGU's College of Humanities and Sciences. To learn more, visit www.ngu.edu/cybersecurity or contact Brad Hamlett at brad.hamlett@ngu.edu.

2020 HANDS-ON INTERNSHIP

Charissa Garcia (’20) came to NGU as a transfer student. Having recently moved to S.C., she was looking for a college to finish her bachelor's degree. But she was mainly wanting to find a Christian university to attend, as she didn't want to have to go through another two years of being taught secular worldviews in her classes.

DECEMBER 2020 GRADUATE

“As a Christian, I wanted to be at a school that had the same values and beliefs that I did,” Charissa shared. “At the very least, I was hoping for a school that would not be teaching things like evolution as scientific fact, and that would not actively mock students who believed in God.”

When she attended her first class, and her professor asked if there were any prayer requests before they started, Charissa realized that NGU truly is a place where Christ makes the difference.

Having come to NGU with her associate’s degree in communications, Charissa felt ready for a change. “After talking with the transfer advisor and telling her my hesitation to stick with being a communications major, she encouraged me to pick a major that I enjoyed and would be interested in studying for the next two years,” she stated.

Charissa discovered that being an English major is precisely what she wanted during the two years at NGU. “My transfer advisor’s advice was some of the best advice I ever received during my college career,” she explained. “I absolutely love being an English major.”

Intending to become an editor for a publishing company, Charissa could hone her writing and editing skills over the two years she attended NGU. Getting feedback from professors and classmates on her writing and how to improve it, having the opportunity to help tutor students, and being a work-study for one of her favorite professors were all things that she was able to accomplish during her time as a student at NGU.

One incredibly helpful step in Charissa’s career was the opportunity to complete an internship with the Marketing and Communications Team on campus during her senior year.

“My internship with the MAC Team has definitely solidified my career choice and made me even more excited to become an editor,” she shared. “I went into the internship expecting maybe to do some proofreading and that kind of thing. I was able to not only edit and proofread but also have my content published, which is something I have never done before!”

Charissa gained hands-on experience during her internship and was blown away by the things she learned. “During my internship, I was introduced to different aspects of the editing world that I will take with me into my future career and that I know will prove invaluable,” she said. “All of these things have contributed to helping me feel equipped for my future career.”

After graduating this fall, Charissa hopes to find work as an editorial assistant somewhere close to Greenville, SC. She also is interested in teaching English as a foreign language online and is in the process of completing her certification to do so.

ALUMNI NOTES

1969

Dan Lee Grubbs and LaNelle Dow Grubbs celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 22, 2020, at Harris Baptist Church in Greenwood, SC, with a celebration hosted by their children. They started dating in January of 1969 at the drive-in theater in Greenville on a double date in a Volkswagen. Dan was in the military for 33 years. He is a member of the Lions Club and is the chaplin for the American Legion. Dan serves as a deacon, a greeter, and a senior adult director at South Main Baptist Church. He currently works at the Index-Journal. LaNelle worked at Self Memorial Hospital in the medical records department for 15 years. She has been a part of United Ministries for 27 years, sold Mary Kay for 29 years, and has played the piano at Harris Baptist Church for more than 49 years. She also is the WMU director at the church. This November marked her 31st year of working for David Crotts and Associates.

1979

Dolphus Pinckney ran for sheriff of Colleton County. He is a retired lieutenant of the Colleton County Sheriff's Office with 28 years of law enforcement experience, 21 years served at the Colleton County Sheriff's Office.

1986

Ricky Creech is the new president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina non-profit organization in Lake Waccamaw, NC. He previously served as president and CEO at Southstone Behavioral Health Center in Virginia and as president and CEO of Buckhorn Children and Family Services in Kentucky. A graduate of the South Carolina Fire Academy, he received his associate’s degree from NGU and his bachelor’s degree from Furman. He holds a certificate in theology, and a master's degree

in social work from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and several certifications ranging from abuse and neglect to disaster planning. An ordained minister, Creech was executive director for the District of Columbia Baptist Convention and Birmingham Baptist Association, among other church leadership positions. Creech and his wife Donna are currently residents of Ringgold, VA, and have three daughters.

1991

Israel Miguel Koger is employed with Koger’s Mortuary Service, LLC, with 25 years of experience in the funeral service industry. He recently ran for Colleton Coroner.

1997

Shane McDaniel has published his first book, Nihon Koryu Karate-Do. He met his wife Jessica while at North Greenville and taught karate to hundreds of people while on campus. He currently is pastor of Broadacres Baptist Church in Cayce, S.C.

1999

Bryan Lark has just finished publishing his new book, One Kid, One Dollar: Radically Impacting the Future of Christianity One Kid and One Dollar at a Time. The book was written as a resource for parents, kids, and teens to learn the right character traits and the incredibly practical steps of growing wealth for maximum kingdom investment. One Kid, One Dollar, has already become a No. 1 Amazon bestseller, and many have already found it to be a beneficial tool in their homes. Bryan is the Planting and Lead Pastor of CHURCH180 in Montrose, CO.

2000

Carrie Buchanan is serving as interim principal at Hall Fletcher Elementary School in Asheville City Schools [NC]. She has been in education since 1999. She began her career as a fourth-grade teacher at Graham

Elementary in Shelby, NC, before joining Vance Elementary School in 2003. For nine years, Carrie taught math, reading, science, and social studies, served as her school’s PBIS Coach, mentored new teachers, and was the summer reading/parent involvement committee chair. From 2012-2016, she transitioned to Asheville Middle School, teaching 6th grade English Language Arts.

Jason Young has written and published two new books. The Volunteer Effect: How Your Church Can Find, Train, and Keep Volunteers Who Make a Difference was released on Sept. 1, 2020. The Volunteer Survival Guide: Your Question-and-Answer Resource for Volunteering was released on Oct. 27, 2020. Baker Books published both. Before NGU, Jason was not a big reader or writer. Because of the influence of Dr. Catherine Sepko, he says he became a voracious reader and intentional writer. The books mentioned above are his third and fourth works.

2001

Joey Goldsmith is the co-owner of The Vertical Engineering Team (VE). With more than 20 years of experience in ropes course and zip-line creation, VE is a locally based, family-owned company working to align construction abilities with course dreams. Learn more at theveteam.com.

ALUMNI NOTES

Shannon Murray is the athletic director for Lakewood High School [SC]. She is a 1997 graduate of Sumter High, where she played soccer. Shannon played collegiate soccer at NGU before earning a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of South Carolina and completing the PACE alternative certification program to become a business education teacher. She earned a master’s degree in educational administration from Western Governors University and multiple certifications from Central Carolina Technical College and Florida Atlantic University.

Dwayne Robinson was recognized by the National Basketball Association (NBA) as the Junior NBA Coach of the Year.

Pierre Salmon has opened a restaurant, Pierre’s, in Spartanburg, SC. Pierre works in partnership with The Butterfly Foundation, a Spartanburg area non-profit 501(c)(3).

2002

John Polk was elected as an at-large delegate to the 2020 National Democratic Convention.

2004

Devin Liferidge is the Greer High School boy’s basketball coach. He played at NGU from 1999 through 2004 and started his career as a junior varsity coach at Blue Ridge High School in 2005. He became a varsity assistant coach and the head junior varsity coach at Greer in 2006. In 2007, he took over the Class A Williston-Elko program, which had gone 0-21 the season before. In his second season, the Blue Devils made it to the third round of the playoffs. By his third year, they were playing in the Upper State championship. In 2011, he went to Fairfield Central and made the playoffs each season he was there. He returned to the Columbia area in 2016,

taking a job at White Knoll. The rebuilding job was more challenging in Class AAAAA, but last season the Timberwolves won the second-most games in school history and made the playoffs.

2007

Hunter Conrad, St. Johns County Administrator, St. Johns, FL, was the guest speaker at the St. Johns County Civic Roundtable on Monday, Sept. 14. Conrad was appointed by the St. Johns County Board of Commissioners in November 2019 as the Interim County Administrator; and was selected as St. Johns County Administrator on Feb. 4, 2020. He previously served as St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, having been appointed to office by Governor Rick Scott in October 2015 and elected to the office in 2016.

Before his position as Clerk, Conrad practiced law in St Augustine with the Canan Law firm, where he focused his practice on criminal law and family law litigation. Conrad also has served as an Assistant State Attorney for the 7th Judicial Circuit of the State of Florida. While working at the State Attorney’s Office, he prosecuted cases ranging from simple thefts to attempted murders to sex crimes. In addition to several years of practicing law, Conrad worked in banking and finance.

Most recently, in 2019, Conrad was sworn in as a member of the United States Air Force Reserve as a Judge Advocate General Corps Officer (JAG). After graduating with honors from NGU, Conrad pursued his Juris Doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law.

Robert Hampshire is the lead pastor at Village Church in Churchville, VA.

2008

Audrey Toscano-Davis and her husband, Donovan “Coach D” Davis, are the owners of The CORE (Challenging Ourselves Reaching Excellence) Sports Performance in Mint Hill, NC. Donovan was a defensive back while at NGU and is CORE Sports Performance’s lead trainer and coach. Aubrey is

an international business graduate and earned her MBA degree from Pfeiffer University. She once led the Lady Crusaders basketball team in scoring and rebounding.

2009

John Logan Schell was a contributor to the publication The Oxford Handbook of Comic Book Studies by Frederick Luis Aldama, a Distinguished University Professor at The Ohio State University. Schell is author, co-author, or editor of 48 books, including his recently published children’s book, The Adventures of Chupacabra Charlie. In 2018, Latinx Superheroes in Mainstream Comics won the Eisner Award for Best Scholarly Work and the International Latino Book Award. He is editor and coeditor of eight academic press book series and editor of Latinographix, a trade-press series that publishes Latinx graphic fiction and nonfiction. He is the creator of the first documentary on Latinx superheroes history in comics (Amazon Prime) and director of SÕL-CON: Brown, Black, & Indigenous Comics Expo in Columbus, OH.

2011

Andrew Renfroe is senior pastor at First Baptist Church, Belmont, NC.

2014

James Farnham was named teacher of the year at Landrum High School in Landrum, SC.

2015

Joshua Caviness graduated with his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO.

2016

Dr. Stephen Cannon (DMin) has been named senior pastor at Millbrook Baptist Church in Aiken, S.C. He has served as a member of the Southern

ALUMNI NOTES

Baptist Convention Committee on Nominations, vice chairman of the board of the Parson’s Pantry ministry, and a member of the Executive Board of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Stephen holds a Master of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from North Greenville University. He and his wife, Julie, have three children, Natalie, Tyler, and Ruthie.

Marlin Ketter (MMEd) won the 2020 SCMEA Outstanding Young Music Educator award. Ketter is a music teacher at Hartsville Middle School in Hartsville, SC. He is NGU’s fifth graduate to receive this prestigious award from the South Carolina Music Educators Association.

2017

Troy Blyden is a member of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters.

Mitchell Plumer is the assistant director of student involvement for recreation at Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. He was a competitive sports graduate assistant at West Virginia University before joining PC. He earned his master's degree in sport management from WVU in May. Plumer’s officiating experience includes being a Division II volleyball official, along with being a high school and recreation basketball and volleyball official,

baseball umpire, and an official in the NIRSA Region I Regional Basketball Championships in 2019.

2019

Carson Myers is now working for American Airlines in Knoxville, TN.

2020

Blake Thompson has joined Ernst & Young LLP in their audit and assurance practice, working in their Pittsburgh, PA office.

He won the 2020 Elite 23 award, in addition to the 2019 award.

Ruby Lee started graduate school at Louisiana State University.

Rob Weber recently started a new position with The United States District Court for The District of South Carolina as a case administrator to The Honorable Jacquelyn D. Austin. In this role, he manages the prison inmate cases.

NGU’s Johnson passes at 78

Dr. Ralph L. Johnson, creator of NGU’s nationally recognized sport management program, died June 8 after a months-long illness. He was 78. The lifelong educator was dean of the university’s College of Business and Sport Professions for 23 years. He was named Dean Emeritus by NGU’s Board of Trustees upon his retirement.

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“Dr. Johnson has left an incredible legacy in the lives of his students and colleagues. For so many, he was not merely a professor but a second father and mentor,” said NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “His desire for the professional training of his students was exceeded only by his desire to see them grow spiritually.”

The McKeesport, PA, native had a career spanning more than five decades. He worked in administrative, coaching and teaching positions at Youngstown State University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Clemson University and NGU. He wrote more than 100 textbooks and manuals for The American Red Cross, the YMCA of USA and AAHPERD. He was the founder and CEO of Professional Aquatic Risk Management Associates, LLC, and traveled extensively testifying as an Expert Witness for water-related accidents.

“His leadership, deep love for sport management, and sincere academic discipleship led to developing the number-one-ranked sport management program in the country,” said Dr. Jeff Briggs, professor of sport management.

Family MILESTONES

BABIES

WEDDINGS

1. Lauren V. McGee (’19) to Taylor A. Lindner (’18) on May 17, 2019

2. Kennedy Tucker (’19) to Logan Bryant (’19) on Feb. 9, 2020

C

IN MEMORIAM

Patterson S. Johnson (’47) on Aug. 9, 2020

Rev. Marvin W. Lynch (’57) on May 29, 2020

Harvard Keith Riddle (’57) on March 18, 2020

Rev. Doctor Buddy Wallace Moore (’59) on Aug. 25, 2020

Larry Nelson Brewer (’69) on April 23, 2020

Jacks B. Tingle (’69) on Aug. 22, 2020

Joe Charles “Charlie” Vaughn, Jr. (’72) on May 25, 2020

A. Katie Lynn Cleveland Marshall (’09) and her husband Curt (’09) welcomed their daughter, Oakley Joy, to the world on May 16, 2020. She weighed 7 pounds and 13 ounces.

B. Kendra Epting Nobles (’15) and Austin Scott Nobles (’18) welcomed their son, Evan Scott Nobles, on April 29, 2020, weighing 8 pounds and 13.8 ounces.

C. Jennifer Bramel Schaaf (’15, MMED ’19) and Joshua Schaaf welcomed Oliver James on March 3, 2020. He was 7 pounds, 4 ounces, and 21 inches long.

Larry Manning Dodgens (’73) on Aug. 22, 2020

Ronald Eugene “Ron” Minton (’76) on June 17, 2020

Jesse “Roc” Frierson IV (’96) on April 16, 2020

Michael Burrell (’05) on Sept. 26, 2020

Melissa Brown Comstock (’07) on Sept. 24, 2020

Kenny Comstock (’08) on Sept. 24, 2020

William “Bill” D. Baddorf (former professor) on Sept. 1, 2020

Dr. Ralph L. Johnson (former professor) on June 8, 2020

Carey June (McGee) Roper (former professor) on Aug. 1, 2020

William “Bill” Whitfield (former trustee) on March 27, 2020

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