spring-2020

goodCOMPANY IN

Estela (’19) Earns National Recognition for Space-Themed Comic Page 14

Raiborde (’12) Named NGU’s Young Alumnus of 2019 Page 26 Pitman (’83) Voted to Board of Top Association for Municipal Officials Page 24

Experts Like Martinez Page 16

“1892” is published twice annually by North Greenville University, a private Christian liberal arts university often recognized as one of the most notable in the Southeast. Whether learning at our campuses in Tigerville, SC, and Greer, SC, or online from anywhere in the world, NGU students become equipped to serve as transformational leaders for church and society.

Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr.

Celeste Hawkins (’11)

LaVerne Howell

Celeste Hawkins (’11)

Sydney Taylor (expected ’20)

Charissa Garcia (expected ’20)

ADVISORS

Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr.

Rich Grimm

Marty O’Gwynn

Erin Wall (’00, MBA ’07)

Michael White

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Beka Epps

Jennifer Lynch

Matthew Carter (’02)

THE PRESIDENT ’ S PEN

As a child, I loved it when visitors would come to our house. Anytime Mom warned us, “Company is coming!” I got excited to find out who, exactly, was coming!

More often than not, the visitors were connected to my dad’s work as a pastor. I loved eavesdropping on their conversations, sometimes hiding around corners or sitting on the floor nearby, trying to look detached but in reality hanging on every word. In my eyes as a child, all company that came to our house was “good company”: the kind of people who made work lighter, conversations more enjoyable, and community better.

As I became a teenager and then a young adult, I began to understand that keeping good company in our lives is important. In 1 Corinthians, Paul warns us, “Bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33 Christian Standard Bible), and it is axiomatic that “Good company strengthens good morals.” Likewise, we know, “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).

The joy of serving in a Christian university like North Greenville University is seeing iron — believers who are seeking after God’s face and the mentorship of wise counsel — sharpen iron and prepare one another for God’s calling on their lives.

A mentor of mine once told me that good education is like the whetstone a lumberjack uses to sharpen axes before harvesting timber: it makes the work go easier and be accomplished more professionally. The hallmark of an effective learning institution, then, is the work of its sharpened alumni; the hallmark of a Christ-first university, specifically, is the work of transformational leaders who are impacting church and society.

In this issue, you will see examples of iron — faculty leaders, accomplished alumni, and university partners — whose sharpness is changing our world for good with the Good News that infiltrates all areas of calling: business, education, healthcare, the arts, and, of course, ministry.

So pull up a chair, and check out the stories in this issue of “1892.” You’ll be glad you were able to eavesdrop a bit and be encouraged that, no matter what our culture might want to tell us, “Christ Makes the Difference”!

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

A DRIVING

FORCE

Dick Brooks Honda Creates Scholarship for Greer Locals

Residents of Greer, SC, seeking an excellent Christian education now have expanded opportunities for financial aid at North Greenville University — due to the university’s strengthened partnership with Dick Brooks Honda.

The Greer-based automobile dealer announced its new Dick Brooks Honda Greer Community Endowed Scholarship, a scholarship opportunity exclusive to NGU, on Dec. 19, 2019.

Benefitting students from the Greer community, the new fund provides eight annual scholarships, split evenly between traditional undergraduate students at NGU’s Tigerville Campus and NGU’s graduate students, who are served at the university’s growing Tim Brashier Campus at Greer.

“We are pleased to announce this new scholarship and delighted that it demonstrates Dick Brooks Honda’s ongoing commitment to local residents,” says NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “Our success as a Christ-centered university is tied to strong local relationships. Our friends at Dick Brooks Honda epitomize that kind of relationship.”

Dick Brooks Honda Greer Community Endowed Scholarships will be awarded from the fund beginning with the Fall 2020 semester, according to university officials. A full slate of eight $1,600 scholarships will be awarded beginning with the Fall 2021 semester.

“Our dealership is proud to be part of the Greer community, and we are proud of our relationship with North Greenville

University,” says Bill Jackson, owner of Dick Brooks Honda. “NGU offers a distinctive kind of private higher education, with a Christ-honoring focus. We know the university will equip our scholarship recipients to be outstanding leaders in their careers.”

The Dick Brooks Honda Greer Community Endowed Scholarship gift fulfills a pledge Jackson’s dealership made several years ago; it redirects funds previously designated for a building project to the support of student scholarships.

“We want to invest in the lives of college students because we believe that is a way to invest in the future,” Jackson says. “This scholarship serves that purpose. We will see the results in our local community.”

The Dick Brooks Honda Greer Community Endowed Scholarship is open to all Greer residents who are new or current students enrolled in one of NGU’s more than 50 undergraduate- or graduate-level degree programs.

Requirements for the scholarship include enrolling as a full-time student at NGU, submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the current academic year, and maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher at NGU.

Greer residents interested in applying for the Dick Brooks Honda Greer Community Endowed Scholarship are welcome to apply online at ngu.edu/dickbrooks.

’RE #1 WE

Where can sports fans hoping to work behind the scenes in the field find the best program in the nation? According to the Sports Management Degree Guide, it’s at North Greenville University.

An online resource for the latest information about sports management degrees, the Sports Management Degree Guide released its inaugural list of “Top 30 Bachelor’s in Sport Management Degree Programs” for the 2018-19 academic year. Factors included accreditations, student-to-faculty ratios, net cost, and graduation rates.

NGU’s sport management program — accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) — rose to the #1 spot of the Sports Management Degree Guide ranking. It beat out similar programs at other southern schools like Louisiana State University, Troy University, and Winthrop University.

“Students gain hands-on experience through activities like writing a business plan and working a variety of sporting events,” the report reads, relating what makes NGU’s program stand out.

In fact, each of the courses in the sport management program at NGU includes a practicum; each semester offers numerous opportunities to volunteer with NGU Athletics; and each student completes a 600-hour internship that often leads to a job offer, says Dr. Jeff Briggs, professor of sport management at NGU.

“The sport industry has huge demand around the world — especially with the rise of the coaching profession,” says Briggs. “We are preparing high-caliber men and women who love the Lord to go straight into the marketplace.”

NGU’s sport management program places its graduates in the sport management profession at more than 85 percent annually, according to Briggs. The most common employers for NGU graduates include local recreation departments, private organizations, and sports ministries, as well as high school, collegiate, and even professional sports teams.

In their sport management roles, NGU graduates serve in coaching, facility management, and sports marketing, as well as planning, organizing, and managing the aspects of an organization focused on athletics or physical activities.

“I would definitely recommend the sport management degree [at NGU]. All of my professors were wonderful. . . . Their office doors were always open if we ever needed help. Every class pushed us to be and do the best that we could,” says alum Karli Taylor (’13), athletic coordinator at Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation. “My studies helped prepare me for every aspect [of] my career.”

Learn more at ngu.edu/sport-management

MOVING FORWARD

Howell (’19) Joins Semi-Pro Basketball Team in England

Just months after graduating, North Greenville University alum Roderick “Rod” Howell (’19) is already realizing his lifelong dream of playing big-time basketball.

Howell followed up the Spring 2019 semester, his last at NGU, by attending four different professional basketball camps, searching for a shot to continue his sports career.

“I heard from teams in Finland, Spain, Slovakia, and Kosovo, but none of those teams sent me a contract,” he says. “I just knew I wanted to keep playing.”

Then in August, Howell received a call from the Leicester Warriors, a league of basketball clubs from England and Wales that plays in Division One of the National Basketball League: they offered him a spot on the team, and the rest is history.

Originally recruited from Rock Hill High School, Howell majored in broadcast media at NGU and played all four years.

“I chose North Greenville because the coaches and the admissions staff were very welcoming,” he remembers. “Everyone started to feel like family.”

Howell maintained a reliable record during his tenure with the Crusaders as a forward, which made him stand out on campus and beyond. Earlier in 2019, he was even invited to participate in the College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships, featured live on ESPN.

“I CHOSE NORTH GREENVILLE BECAUSE THE COACHES AND THE ADMISSIONS STAFF WERE VERY WELCOMING”

In the Great Clips Slam Dunk Championship event, Howell competed alongside seven of his most talented peers, hailing from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I teams like Missouri State University and the University of Tulsa. He made it through the first round of the competition by tying for fourth place, with a score of 44.7 out of 50 possible points.

Now, he’s continuing the legacy started at NGU during his first year as a Leicester Warrior:

“I’ve been dreaming of this moment for as long as I can remember. Professional basketball has been the only occupation I’ve ever aspired to do, and now a little boy’s dream has come true,” Howell says. “I want to give all the glory to God.”

COMING UP NEXT

Ignite Conference

CampusMinistryandStudentEngagement

Turner Chapel, Tigerville, SC

Aug. 19-21, 2020

Write2Ignite Master Class: Fiction for Children and Young Adults

Write2Ignite

Hayes Ministry Center, Tigerville, SC

Sept. 19, 2020

Overnight at NGU Admissions

Hayes Ministry Center, Tigerville, SC

Oct. 8-9, 2020

Marion Moorhead Homecoming Classic Golf Tournament

AlumniEngagement

Cherokee Valley Course and Club, Travelers Rest, SC

Oct. 16, 2020

Homecoming Weekend and Spring 2020 Commencement

AlumniEngagement

North Greenville University, Tigerville, SC

Oct. 16-17, 2020

Overnight at NGU Admissions

Hayes Ministry Center, Tigerville, SC

Nov. 19-20, 2020

Fall Commencement

NorthGreenvilleUniversity

Turner Chapel, Tigerville, SC

Dec. 11, 2020

CAMPUS NEWS

ADMINISTRATION

NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr., has been asked to serve as treasurer for the International Alliance for Christian Education (IACE), which includes 50 charter institutions and seven organizations. The organization launched operations in January, seeking to unite Christian educators in every global region around their mutual commitments to Christ-centeredness and confessional solidarity.

Michael White has been added as a new member of the NGU executive leadership team. White, an innovative and strategic enrollment management leader with more than 15 years of higher education experience, joins NGU as the new vice president for enrollment and marketing/communications. He comes to NGU from Bluefield College in Bluefield, VA, where he served as vice president for enrollment management and student development. He and his team at Bluefield set the record in overall enrollment for the college.

ATHLETICS

NGU Athletics has announced its latest inductees into the 2019 NGU Athletic Hall of Fame and Hall of Legends Class. The distinguished group of alumni and donors are Sam and Angie Kelly, Zawaski Bateman (’69), Herbie Goodman (’95), Shawanda George Miller (’99), Rachel Glazebrook (’14), and Freddie Martino (’14). These selected individuals were

inducted at a banquet in November 2019.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Dr. Feliccia Smith, professor of business, is one of the 38 leaders from Upstate South Carolina who just completed the Riley Institute at Furman’s Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI). For five months, participants examined sensitive issues related to diversity and inclusion, explored “blind spots,” and discussed how to suspend assumptions. Each class is facilitated by Juan Johnson, an independent consultant and a former vice president of Coca-Cola.

Dr. Jon Boulet and professor David Entrekin attended Hillsdale College’s Free Market Forum in Philadelphia, PA, on Oct. 10-12, 2019. The Hillsdale College Center for the Study of Monetary Systems and Free Enterprise administers the Free Market Forum, which encourages the study of free enterprise by bringing scholars together for dynamic exchanges of ideas on topics related to free-market economics. This is a prestigious conference, and the attendees receive grants to pay for the conference and travel.

ate business programs, both made presentations at the Christian Business Faculty Association’s (CBFA) annual conference. The conference was held at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AR, on Oct. 17-19, 2019. At the conference, Duncan was elected to serve for his second term on the board of directors of the CBFA. Duncan served as board chair in 2017.

COLLEGE OF CHRISTIAN STUDIES

The College of Christian Studies held two faculty/student forums during the Fall 2019 semester to discuss a variety of theological and practical issues, as well as to build greater collegiality. The college also held a faculty/ student forum in the Spring 2020 semester to discuss the topic “Biblical Worldview and the Gender Identity Revolution.” Approximately 20 students and 10 faculty members attended each meeting.

NGU’s College of Business & Entrepreneurship appeared on the “2020 Best Online Programs” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, a recognized leader in college and graduate school rankings. NGU ranked for the first time in the “Best Online MBA Programs” list. Also for 2020, NGU’s online bachelor’s programs listed in the rankings.

Dr. John Duncan, dean of the College of Business & Entrepreneurship at NGU, and Dr. Rick Martinez, associate dean for undergradu-

Dr. Frankie Melton, assistant professor of Christian studies, presented a paper at the Evangelical Theological Society in San Diego, CA, during the organization’s 71st annual meeting on Nov. 20-22, 2019. The paper was titled “The Ethics of ‘Ethical Pornography.’” In his paper, Melton argues against the notion that porn can ever be anything other than addictive, sinful, and harmful — even if the performers are producing it legally and willingly, under good working conditions and for decent wages.

CAMPUS NEWS (CONT’D)

Dr. Adrian Pater, professor of Christian Studies, has retired after 18 years of service at NGU.

NGU’s School of Christian Ministry will now offer a new graduate-level program: Impact 360 Master’s. Contingent upon final approval from its accreditor, NGU will become the primary academic partner for graduate degrees offered at Impact 360 Institute beginning in Fall 2020. Impact 360 Masters will be a two-year residential program that builds on Impact 360 Institute’s core value of actively developing apprentices of Jesus.

COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION & FINE ARTS

Amanda Barrett has been hired as a flute adjunct in the Cline School of Music. She is also actively recruiting alongside NGU’s faculty as they visit area schools.

Steve Griner, formerly NGU’s collaborative pianist, has become a part of the Cline School of Music’s full-time faculty.

Megan Scruggs Hollifield joined the Cline School of Music in January 2019 as a full-time instructor.

Dr. Seth Killen attended the seminar “Building Literacy and Musicianship Skills into the Choral Rehearsal” presented by Dr. Carol Krueger at Furman University during summer 2019. The workshop challenged choral directors to develop fully independent musicians. Killen has already begun to implement what he learned at the seminar in his classroom, and he has witnessed improvements in his students’ ability to read at sight. Killen has been selected as the South Carolina All-State Chorus university adjudicator. In addition, he will be the tenor soloist in upcoming regional concerts at Anderson University, the Greater Anderson Musical Arts Consortium, and Presbyterian College.

Alumna Elizabeth Nelsen (’19) and four broadcast media majors — Connor Boulet (expected ’20), Autumn Lowry (expected ’20), Christian Rodriguez (expected ’21), and Justin Brown (expected ’22) represented NGU at the first Christian Music Broadcasters’ (CMB) University Conference in Nashville, TN, in November 2019. CMB is a professional organization of music broadcasters from leading Christian radio stations and music labels. The conference encourages and

educates college students who are interested in careers in Christian radio. Besides workshops, panel discussions, and a tour of Capitol Christian Music Group and WAY-FM studios in Nashville, students from eight Christian colleges and universities separated into smaller groups and created radio promotional plans for Compassion International during the event. A panel of professional broadcasters awarded Rodriguez’s group first place.

Fabio Parrini, NGU professor of music, performed with violinist Jennifer John at NGU on Oct. 11, 2019; at the Carolina Music Museum in Greenville on Nov. 8, 2019; and at St. John United Methodist Church in Atlanta, GA, on Nov. 17, 2019.

Mike Taylor joined the Cline School of Music faculty for Fall 2019 as a brass adjunct, teaching euphonium and tuba.

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES & SCIENCES

Dr. Marti Glass received his Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) credential in South Carolina. Glass serves as the director of adult and professional studies for the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at NGU.

Dr. Ronald Marks, professor of chemistry and chair of physical science in the School of Science and Math, published his book “Does It Matter?: Why Christians Should Care About the Young vs. Old Earth Debate.” In his book, Marks argues that since the Genesis account is a real account that occurred in space and time, it carries a greater authority.

The real events in Genesis 1-11 provide the authoritative foundation for doctrine, truth, and the gospel.

Dr. Victor Prieto, Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) professor, and the new NGU TESOL program are working with the Greenville Literacy Association (GLA), the largest community-based adult literacy organization in South Carolina. GLA aims to enrich “the Greater Greenville community by increasing the literacy and employability” of area citizens. Five NGU TESOL students — Ethan Hyatt (expected ’20), Gretta Maguire (expected ’20), Wynn Cross (expected ’21), Paola Martz (expected ’21), and Eden Santana (expected ’21) — and Dr. Prieto are teaching ESL every Friday morning to 25 to 30 internationals at the GLA campus in Greenville, SC.

Dr. Rachel Roberts, assistant professor of English, presented a paper titled “The Judith Narrative in Margaret Tyler’s ‘Mirror of Princely Deeds’” at the Southeastern Renaissance Conference held on Oct. 18-19, 2019, in Raleigh, NC. The paper highlights Roberts’ expertise in early modern British women writers. A version of this essay will also be published in the conference journal, “Renaissance Papers.”

Rosemary Nelson Thrasher, NGU history professor, and her husband, Steven Thrasher, made a significant gift to the Dr. Shirley Ann Hickson Endowment Fund. In recognition of this gift, NGU has amended the name of the fund to become the Dr. Shirley Ann Hickson and Rosemary Nelson Thrasher Endowment Fund. The new fund will be used to enhance the quality of teaching in the university’s History Department by providing financial assistance for faculty to visit pertinent historical sites and attend professional meetings connected to their upper-level course subjects. The fund can also assist in creating new courses or bringing guest speakers to NGU’s campus.

Dr. Liliane Toss, professor of Language, was the featured speaker for the spring faculty lecture in January 2020. Toss was selected by the Faculty Research and Scholarship Committee to share her conference presentation “1968 in French Novels: A Year of Refusal and Rupture.”

COLLEGE OF WELLNESS & SPORT PROFESSIONS

Dr. Jeff Briggs recently presented at the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation Annual International Conference held in Baton Rouge, LA. He participated in a panel discussion titled “From Faculty to Administration: Sport Management on the Rise.” Briggs also co-presented with Dr. Jason Lee from the University of North Florida on the topic “Examining the Importance of Professional Development: Promoting, Encouraging, and Developing Impactful Scholarly and Professional Activities.” Briggs and Lee additionally submitted this groundbreaking work in the field of sport management education for consideration with the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure, and Sport Studies and its 2020 conference.

STAY IN, pray up

Students and families interested in NGU could still dive in deeper during South Carolina’s shutdown when they met with their Admissions counselors through NGU’s virtual visits. These events highlighted financial aid opportunities at NGU, Q&As with current students, and even a live chat with NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. See current visit options at ngu.edu/visit

DiplomaDRIVE-THRU

Even though North Greenville University’s in-person Spring 2020 commencement ceremony was canceled due to coronavirus lockdown measures in South Carolina, the Office of Student Services had an idea to offer graduates a memorable way to pick up their commencement memorabilia and documents.

On May 6, 2020, the 276 spring conferrals were invited to pick up their regalia and diplomas through three drive-thru stations at NGU’s Tigerville campus, which included a check-in point, a regalia and diploma pickup, and a station to receive a gift from the Office of Alumni Engagement.

“Our Academic Records staff helped us think through how best to manage the day in light of social distancing guidelines,” says Vice President for Student Services Rachael Russiaky.

Several staff members from the Office of Student Engagement were on hand to help create a celebratory environment with music, photo ops, and cheering, as graduates made their way through the drive-thru route.

NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr., also joined the celebration to hand out regalia and diplomas and to offer words of encouragement and congratulations.

“What a joy it was to wish these graduates well in person as they transition into serving as transformational leaders for church and society. This year has been such a challenge to all of our students, but our graduates have had particularly daunting obstacles. It was so much fun to celebrate their accomplishments today,” says President Fant. “We hope to find additional ways to celebrate their achievements in the days and months to come.”

“The pomp and circumstance are a bit different this year, but these graduates’ memories at NGU will last a lifetime. The milestone still stands. They have completed the task and are now ready for the next step, whether that is work, graduate school, public service, or another path,” Sullivan says.

For James “JJ” Sherman — Spring 2020 marketing graduate and 2019 First-Team All-America track and field athlete — his next step will take him into familiar territory: he plans to attend graduate school at NGU while pursuing a dream to compete in the next Olympics, an international sporting staple that itself has already been postponed due to concerns about the pandemic.

Sherman attended NGU’s diploma drive-thru event along with more than 150 of his graduating classmates.

“Having faculty there during the pickup was a surprise and uplifting during this depressing situation the world is faced with,” says Sherman.

NGU officials announced in March that the university’s Spring 2020 commencement ceremony would be canceled amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the diploma drive-thru, graduates and their families are encouraged to participate in a special commencement ceremony during Homecoming 2020 or the regularly scheduled Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 commencement ceremonies.

Learn more at ngu.edu/graduation-celebration.

An Unusual Ending

2020 Grads Discuss COVID-19 Impact on Their Last Semester

MADISON BENNETT

As an outdoor leadership major, Madison Bennett (’20) was in a program which relied heavily on physical experiences. Switching to online during the COVID-19 crisis made for a very different last semester at NGU, but she was thankful for the adaptability of her professors.

“My professors did an excellent job being creative with assignments and lessons, allowing the students to interact with each other and have hands-on learning the best way possible,” she shares. “[They] were very good at communicating with the students daily and checking up to see how [we] were doing beyond academics.”

Bennett readily acknowledges the disappointments she faced during her last semester at NGU, but she says she has seen “much good come out of the season we are in.”

She plans to attend New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the fall to pursue her master’s in theological studies.

For Becca Garris (’20), COVID-19 meant leaving not only campus but also her housemates in “Chinq 12.”

“My housemates and I texted as much as we could to keep up with one another,” she shares. “We were able to encourage each other over text and make sure that we were all doing okay and staying strong with the intense workload that came with online school.”

Garris considers the friendships she’s made with her housemates one of the best parts of her time at NGU.

“I have experienced growth that has made me more like Christ and made friends I will cherish forever, even if our paths do not cross much in the future,” she says.

For Garris, her future includes taking two more classes at NGU in the fall and completing all the necessary steps to apply to medical school in Spring 2021, where she hopes to prepare to become a physician.

BECCA GARRIS

At the beginning of the Spring 2020 semester, Student Body Vice President Adam Kelly (’20) felt beyond excited to start his final semester at NGU. Due to COVID-19, however, he had to go back home to finish classes online.

When he returned to campus to move his things out, Kelly took the opportunity to do a graduation photoshoot in Younts Stadium, with a special appearance by NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr., himself.

“[I’m] blessed for all NGU has given and thankful for a president who continues to create and innovate,” Kelly shares.

Now that he’s completed his digital media degree, Kelly is working with the City of Charleston Recreation Department, assisting in media and marketing. The distance won’t keep him away from NGU.

“We’ve finished, and I cannot wait to participate in the December commencement,” he says.

for the stars REACHING

Estela Earns National Recognition for Space-Themed Comic

In 2019, Madi Estela (’19) placed in a national competition for her graphic design work in North Greenville University’s student-run magazine.

Estela first dabbled in creative projects as a teenager, when she joined her high school’s literary magazine. Even though classmates made her feel like “it wasn’t cool” to be part of that publication, she didn’t care, because even back then, she knew exactly what she wanted to do when she grew up: pursue a career in graphic design.

Once at NGU, Estela chose to major in interdisciplinary studies, with components in business and digital media. As a junior, she began contributing to the Vision Online, the online component of student media on NGU’s campus. In Estela’s senior year, “The Vision Magazine” adviser, Karyn Campbell, came to her personally and asked her to join the magazine staff, as well.

“I could tell that she had exceptional talent from her work in my Graphics Design II class, and I thought the magazine would be a perfect outlet for her,” Campbell explains.

Estela served as a graphic designer for the Spring 2019 issue of “The Vision Magazine,” designing the issue’s

cover and opening pages. She was also responsible for creating a comic strip feature.

At first, Estela felt like she was the “least qualified” to take on the comic strip assignment. She says that she had never tried her hand at an assignment quite like it. But with nudging from Campbell, she took it on.

Her feature “Hubble the Duck” illustrates the story of a duck who dreams of becoming an astronaut someday — even though his friends laugh at the idea. After working hard to earn his college degree, he goes on to fulfill his dream of traveling to space with NASA.

For Estela, the ultimate dream is to lead a team of creatives who partner with ministries to communicate the gospel in a clear way that makes others “stop and listen.” And bits and pieces of that dream are already unfolding for her.

Since graduating in Spring 2019, Estela’s landed a position at First Baptist North Spartanburg as a social media coordinator. She’s also continued running her own business, Estela Graphics. Her client list so far has included Gospel Through Music Ministries and NGU, to name a few. During her junior year, Estela interned with NGU’s Marketing and Communications Office, creating graphic designs featured on the university’s social media channels.

“My story still has a long way to go before I reach the stars,” says Estela. “But since the Lord’s done it before, I feel like all these things will continue to fall into place. One day, the big dream will become a reality, and I’ll see how these little detours were all building skills for that calling that I have.”

Her detour to space with “Hubble the Duck” gained national recognition in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s 2019 Gold Circle Awards, a competition that drew nearly 12,500 entries in all categories. In the category of Alternative Story Presentation, Estela snagged third place.

“This is a shock because I didn’t even know I got entered,” Estela exclaims. Campbell admits she was the one who submitted Estela’s piece to the competition.

“When they are working just here in Tigerville, it’s like working in a vacuum: they don’t know how their work stacks up against others who are doing the same thing,” Campbell says.

That’s why Campbell submits her students’ work to competitions just like the Columbia Scholastic Press one every year, hoping the recognition they receive will spur them on.

“My professors and classmates at North Greenville provided that safe space where I could have fun and see where my mind took me,” Estela adds. “And it took me to space.”

goodCOMPANY IN

Distinguished Professor Program Highlights NGU Experts Like Martinez

Over the past year, North Greenville University’s business college has started a complete revamp. Not only has the college branched out to become its own separate entity — now rebranded as the College of Business and Entrepreneurship (COBE) — but its leadership has also added even more seasoned experts to the college’s faculty.

One of those recent additions is Dr. Rick Martinez. And sure, he just joined NGU in 2019. But he’s already made a name for himself, becoming one of the first chosen for the Distinguished Professor Program at NGU.

This new program, designed to support the work of some of the most pioneering professors on campus, brings recognition to those who are at the top of their field — professors just like Martinez.

When Rick Martinez was nine years old, his whole world turned upside down.

After moves typical of military life, his family had settled down in Texas for several years. His father, formerly a member of the U.S. Air Force, was working on the Apollo program at NASA; his mother kept books. But in 1972, just before Martinez entered fourth grade, his parents divorced, and the family split in half. Martinez’s father, sister, and older brother eventually moved to Chandler, AZ.

Meanwhile, Martinez went with his mother and younger brother to live near his grandparents. When they arrived in Santa Rosa, CA, they found Martinez’s grandfather — who had struggled with alcoholism for decades —

“He’d been hospitalized, institutionalized; he’d been through every kind of rehab they knew of that day and age and could not stop drinking. He gave it up to the God he knew and said, ‘If You’re there and You take this away from me, I will follow You for the rest of my days.’ And he never wanted alcohol from that moment forward,” Martinez remembers. “He became saved and just wanted to tell everybody about his friend Jesus.”

Martinez’s grandfather wanted to tell him, too. One day as they were sitting in the living room together, he explained the gospel to Martinez for the first time.

“Not every 9-year-old can get that, but I understood it,” he remembers. “That’s how I came to know Christ.”

What Martinez remembers about the years in California that followed is “mostly surviving” — that and helping raise his brother.

Martinez says he was a “terrible student.” He even wanted to drop out, which is why his mother sent him to live with his father after his sophomore year of high school.

No one in Martinez’s family had ever attended college. So when he graduated from high school in 1981, Martinez felt his natural next step was to follow in his father’s footsteps and enter the military.

He spent two years moving through what would eventually become the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, and then he was stationed for four years on a nuclear-powered surface ship. Martinez says he was “relieved” by the routine of Navy life.

For the first time, he even had Christian friends who motivated him to grow in his faith.

“We all had that little orange Gideons Bible,” he remembers. “So I’d stand — we called it ‘standing watch.’ Five on and ten off. It was two o’clock in the morning, out in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It’s 140 degrees in the nuc plant engine room area, and not much to do. I had my little Bible, and God convicted me, ‘Alright, it’s time to stop playing around.’ And that was when I decided I was only going to live for Christ.”

Martinez excelled at his work. In fact, his Navy supervisors asked him to step up to train his peers for the last year and a half he was on the ship.

“I loved training right away. I mean, it wasn’t —” Martinez pauses. “I was going to say, ‘It wasn’t rocket science.’ But it was nuclear stuff.”

In the meantime, he also started taking a few college courses through a program offered to military members at sea. Then, when he left the Navy in 1987, he decided to work towards a college degree.

Martinez went on to study political science at Arizona State University, with intentions of going to law school. Before even graduating, however, he was offered a position with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He and his contacts at the CIA talked it over and decided it would benefit them both if he continued his education before joining the agency. So Martinez entered the Master of

Business Administration (MBA) program at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business.

While Martinez was in grad school, his path took yet another unexpected turn:

“The professors in my MBA program sat me down and said, ‘We think that you have a calling to be a teacher.’ My calling didn’t occur to me; it occurred to other people,” Martinez laughs. “God used these wonderful people to change the direction of my ministry into Christ-centered business education.”

Martinez set aside his plans for the CIA and landed a position in the business school at Baylor. After teaching there for two years, he began work on his Doctor of Philosophy in Management at Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School, consistently ranked one of the top business schools in the nation. He completed his degree in 2001.

Since then, Martinez has continued working in Christian higher education, formerly serving at Cedarville University, Charleston Southern University, Houston Baptist University, LeTourneau University, and, most recently, Oklahoma Baptist University.

During his time at Charleston Southern, Martinez served alongside Dr. John Duncan — now the dean of the College of Business and Entrepreneurship (COBE) at North Greenville University. The two had kept in touch for years.

As Duncan began to revise the COBE at NGU in 2019, he reached out to Martinez with a job offer.

“In my mind, Martinez is the top management professor in Christian higher education. He’s in a class by himself,” Duncan explains. “I can’t say enough about how fortunate we are that he has joined NGU.”

Martinez stepped in as the associate dean of NGU’s COBE because he loves to “build things.” What’s the COBE building at NGU?

“A culture of innovation and entrepreneurship,” he says proudly.

Working together, Duncan and Martinez have already updated the core curriculum for COBE programs and written proposals for both a new degree in management with an entrepreneurial focus and a course on innovation to be required for all business majors at NGU.

“The marketplace is changing so rapidly. There’s a chance that what I teach my students today, by the time they graduate, it will be outdated,” Martinez says. “That’s why I want to teach them how to think, so they can transition through these changes and keep up with the marketplace demands of tomorrow’s world.”

No matter which class he’s teaching — whether Business Ethics or Innovation and Entrepreneurship — Martinez’s main goal remains to help his students understand business from a biblical perspective.

“I want to dispel the notion that the purpose of starting a business is simply to earn money,” he says. “Businesses do have to be profitable to exist, but that’s not our purpose.”

Martinez goes on to explain that Christians are called to add value to others’ lives through the act of creating; this fulfills their ultimate purpose to reflect God. Martinez has been heralding this message for more than two decades, speaking at academic conferences and publishing work on the topic in all sorts of prestigious academic journals.

His work has appeared in publications such as “Business Horizons,” the “Christian Scholars Review,” and the “Journal of Management.” The list goes on. He’s also served on the editorial staff for the “Christian Business Review” and the “Journal of Biblical Integration in Business.”

IS TO

LEAD the way

YOU DON’T JUST WANT TO MAKE MONEY. YOU WANT TO LEAD.

That’s why North Greenville University’s business programs provide you with both hands-on learning experiences and the tools to integrate your Christian faith at work. Our alumni are ready to do more than a job; they’re prepared to serve, to transform, to lead.

LEARN MORE AT NGU.EDU

THAT’S WHY I WANT TO TEACH THEM HOW TO THINK, SO THEY CAN TRANSITION THROUGH THESE CHANGES AND KEEP UP WITH THE MARKETPLACE DEMANDS OF TOMORROW’S WORLD. “

In fact, Martinez’s notable expertise and extensive publication made him a prime candidate for the inaugural group nominated to the Distinguished Professor Program at NGU, a new program aimed at recognizing professors who are leading in their field.

Martinez will serve as the distinguished professor of management for up to three years, during which time he will receive an additional annual stipend and an annual budget for professional development.

Like his fellow participants in the Distinguished Professor Program, he can choose to spend that timeframe designing a project to promote the integration of faith and learning in his department or producing a work of scholarship that contributes to his discipline.

It’s no surprise what Martinez intends to do while in the Distinguished Professor Program. He’ll continue writing, presenting, and publishing scholarly articles on his favorite topic: how to integrate the Christian faith in the business marketplace.

“The influence I hope I have through my scholarship is helping believers to understand that there’s no separation between their business life and following Christ. Everything we do is an extension of our ministry,” Martinez explains. “And at NGU, I hope to bring that same perspective — so that we can begin thinking about what it means to represent Christ better and better every day in what we do.”

CHRIST AT WORK

Whether you work in business or ministry, you can find the professional development event made for empowering you to take your calling to the next level at North Greenville University.

NGU offers a year-round calendar of professional development events presented by industry leaders in fields ranging from business management to church leadership, from human resources to teaching.

The 2019-20 events are made possible by NGU’s Leadership and Professional Development partners for the year — a group of distinguished business leaders who support NGU’s work of equipping Christians to integrate their faith at work. More than that, these leaders model how to do that in their own local businesses:

His Way at Work Leadership Consulting Services

“At His Way at Work, we walk alongside Christian business owners and their teams, helping them to learn about how they can better integrate faith into their workplaces. We are passionate about informing these business leaders on how to design and implement a system for acting on their Christian principles, how to transform their company culture, and how to run their businesses with an eternal perspective. We offer the resources they need to help them spread their Christian values beyond their mission statements throughout their entire companies. This is the same purpose that drives NGU’s Leadership and Professional Development series.”

-Chris Patton, Global CEO

Jeff Lynch Appliance & TV Center Appliances and Electronics

“My business goal at Jeff Lynch is to use this workplace as a way to reach others for God. Over the years, many have commented that the type of workplace ministry we practice is the most beneficial at reaching people where they are. So I wanted to support the Christian Business Leaders seminars at NGU to help encourage other Christian business leaders to go boldly with love into their workplaces with some of the same ideas we have seen God bless at Jeff Lynch. God can work in mighty ways when we let Him truly have control of it all.”

- Mark Lynch, President

Ronald Blue Trust Financial Advising

Services

Styles Contracting Commercial Building Repairs

“Our team at Ronald Blue Trust helps Christians think about money from a biblical and prayerful perspective overall. We hope to become a trusted partner to help train the next generation in wise investment and strong biblical stewardship of their resources. By partnering with the Leadership and Professional Development series at NGU, we are better able to reach Christian professionals and business owners to help them focus their investments with a Christian worldview. Through our work and this partnership, we help others see that, when they are wise financially, they can live generously and leave a legacy.”

- Mike Miller, Founder

“As Christian business owners, we endeavor to see our business as a gift from God, challenging ourselves and others to ‘unwrap’ this gift daily in front of people in our sphere of influence, pointing them to Jesus. We financially support NGU’s Leadership and Professional Development series in hopes of providing relevant, powerful, and practical professional development based upon biblical principles to even more businesses in our community. We hope this series will equip others who recognize that their businesses are a gift from God. Together, we can implement Christian principles in our workplaces so lives can be transformed for God’s glory.”

- Ben and Julie Styles, Co-Owners

CITY CLERK SERVICE

Pitman (’83) Voted to Board of Top Association for Municipal Officials

North Greenville University alumna and city clerk for Greenville, SC, Camilla (Gibson) Pitman (’83) was recently elected to the board of directors for the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), a highlight in her more than 25-year career in local government.

Camilla was selected for this new position during the IIMC’s 2019 Annual Conference in Birmingham, AL. In her role, she’ll serve a three-year term as a director for the largest region in the U.S., representing the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

“God prepared me for this journey,” Camilla shares, as she reflects on her college and early professional career.

Growing up in the small town of Mount Croghan, SC, Camilla took lessons at the baton twirling and modeling studio her mother owned. Her goal was to attend college on a featured twirler scholarship with the marching band.

Even though North Greenville — still a two-year college at the time — did not yet offer that opportunity outright, Camilla found a creative way to live her dream.

“God prepared me for this journey."

“I had the best of both worlds. I could attend North Greenville and twirl for Furman University at the same time,” Camilla says. “I actually decided to complete North Greenville and receive my Associate of Arts degree before transferring to Furman.”

At North Greenville, Camilla focused on music and ministry. She was involved in Baptist Student Union, Concert Band, and the Etude Music Society. She also participated in deputation teams that traveled throughout the Carolinas and Georgia, serving as a pianist and soloist.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord and North Greenville while meeting new people,” she says.

She attributes North Greenville with assisting her in developing at the first level of leadership: teamwork.

“I learned how important it was to be part of a team first — whether through singing in the alto section of the Concert Choir, playing clarinet in the Concert Band, or serving as a musician for the deputation teams,” she says. “Anyone can attempt to lead. But if you have not experienced teamwork, you cannot effectively lead others.”

Her interest in city government also began while working for temp agencies as a college student. She filled in as a receptionist for one day for a local law firm, and they offered her the job before she left that day.

“I performed basic receptionist and secretarial duties and took the initiative to learn everything I could while I was there,” she says.

A few years later, Camilla ran into one of her former North Greenville classmates: Jeff Pitman (’83). They married in 1998 and welcomed their son, Drew, in 1999. As a new mom, Camilla started searching for job openings closer to their home in Greer, SC. She accepted a legal assistant position at the Duggan, Reese, and McKinney Law Firm.

“I worked directly for Ron McKinney, handling governmental matters for the cities of Greer and Travelers Rest and insurance litigation,” Camilla says.

When McKinney joined the City of Greenville as city attorney in 1995, he offered Camilla a position as a legal office coordinator.

Camilla left the City Attorney’s Office in 2007 to become the clerk of court for Greenville Municipal Court. Six months later, the city clerk passed away, and the city manager asked Camilla to serve as interim city clerk. She was officially appointed as city clerk in June 2008.

In her role as Greenville’s city clerk, Camilla serves as a liaison between City Council and its constituents. Over the years, she’s maintained her legal certifications as a professional legal secretary, as well as her certification as a master municipal clerk with the IIMC.

Camilla is thrilled that her new position on the IIMC board of directors opens the door for her to connect with other believers in her field. Through her involvement in IIMC, she has learned about Clerks for Christ, a group of prayer warriors that consists of more than 200 municipal clerks from around the world. She assists in maintaining the group through social media.

In addition to volunteering with her church music program, Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine, and the Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization, Camilla has remained involved at NGU long after graduation. She has previously volunteered with NGU’s women’s mission organization, Auxilio; the Music Alumni and Friends Association; and NGU’s Alumni Association Board of Directors, where she served as president.

“God is everywhere. Don’t forget that. And you never know what ministry He will bless you with,” she says. “Isn’t it amazing what God can do if you allow Him to use you for His will?”

FOR THE RECORD

Raiborde (’12) Named NGU’s Young Alumnus of 2019

The North Greenville University Alumni Association named law professional Suyash Raiborde (’12) Young Alumnus of the Year during the university’s 2019 Homecoming celebration.

Born in Mumbai, India, Raiborde spent most of his childhood in Greenville, SC. He originally heard about NGU from several students and professors he knew personally.

“I chose to enroll after visiting campus and learning more about NGU’s course offerings and competitive financial aid package,” he says.

When he enrolled, Raiborde still felt unsure about his career plans.

“I wanted to have a degree that would be flexible and allow me to pivot into multiple areas in the future,” he remembers.

He decided to major in international business at NGU. As a student, he participated in the Honors Scholar Program and served in the Student Marketing Association.

“ “

I chose to enroll after visiting campus and learning more about NGU’s course offerings and competitive financial aid package.

After graduating from NGU in 2012, Raiborde moved to Atlanta to study at the Emory University School of Law, where he served on the executive board of the Emory International Law Review. After his time at Emory, he returned home to Upstate South Carolina, passed the South Carolina Bar Exam, and began his legal career with one of South Carolina’s legacy law firms. He also served as a mentor with Mentor Upstate.

During his career, Raiborde has represented a wide range of clients, including governmental entities, individuals, and private companies. His experience has allowed him to represent major clients on large-scale real estate, finance, and merger and acquisition transactions, as well as help smaller businesses and individuals in the community with their legal needs.

Now, Raiborde practices law in New York City. His practice focuses on a variety of infrastructure projects, as well as real estate and finance matters. In his current

role, his practice primarily involves representing governmental and quasi-governmental entities throughout the country on their infrastructure needs, such as building transit systems, airports, roads/bridges, and other major public developments.

Raiborde says that he enjoys his practice because the projects he works on have a positive impact on communities throughout the country.

When asked why he chose law as a profession, he says, “I closely considered my academic strengths and interests, gained practical experience by working at a law firm for a semester, and evaluated my long-term professional goals.”

He is passionate about serving as a resource to NGU students who are also interested in law-related fields.

“Set achievable professional goals, identify people who can teach and mentor you, and come up with actionable tasks toward that goal” is a motto Raiborde lives by and recommends to current NGU students. He not only continues to be mentored but also invests his own free time in mentoring young people through his church and other organizations.

While he’s happy practicing law in “The Big Apple,” Greenville is still home for Raiborde. He says that he looks forward to the occasional visit back to NGU to enjoy the mountain views from Todd Dining Hall or to order a warm chocolate chip muffin at the Einstein Bros. bagel shop on campus.

Raiborde remains grateful for the opportunity he had to attend NGU and values the relationships with friends and professors that he has enjoyed over the years.

“I fondly think back to moments with several professors that impacted me positively,” he says. “Undoubtedly, all of my NGU professors truly cared about my growth and success.”

To nominate alumni for NGU’s 2020 alumni awards, visit ngu.edu/alumni-awards

ALUMNI NOTES

1981

Rev. Terry Fowler and his wife, Terri Fowler (’81), serve as directors of The Good Samaritan Colony, an eight-bed residential substance abuse treatment center in Ruby, SC. At the colony, men hear the gospel daily, and many have become Christians. At The Colony Cabinet Shop, the men in the program build professional-quality cabinets from solid wood and install in the client’s home or business. If a man completes the one-year program, he will receive a check for five percent of the profits from The Colony Cabinet Shop upon his graduation. If the shop clears $20,000 in profit during 2020, each man will receive a $1,000 check at his graduation to help set him up for success in his next chapter of life.

1983

Camilla (Gibson) Pitman — city clerk of the City of Greenville, SC — was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks on May 22, 2019, during the institute’s annual conference in Birmingham, Alabama. (See the full story on Page 24.)

1996

Curtis Johnson received the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award from the NGU Alumni Association. Johnson has served as senior pastor of Valley Brook Outreach Baptist Church in Pelzer, SC, since 1993.

John LeGrand was recently named the Southeast Learning Community Principal of the Year. He has served as principal of Butler High School in Matthews, NC, for the past six years. LeGrand taught for four years in Lancaster, SC, before beginning his tenure in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools as a social studies teacher in 2013. He served as an assistant principal at J.M. Alexander Middle School, Independence High School, and Bain Elementary School, where he became principal before moving to Butler.

Jose Rondon was the guest speaker at the 15th Annual Prayer Service for Missouri Government Leaders in January 2020. The event marked the first day of the new session of the General Assembly. Rondon gave the charge to the gathered lawmakers

and citizens. He formerly served as a chaplain at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, where he witnessed thousands of Army trainees and soldiers profess faith in Christ. Now, Rondon serves as a regimental chaplain at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY.

1998

Jason Ross (MBA ’08) was recently promoted to major and the new 2nd Battalion Commander for the Upstate with the South Carolina National Guard. His area of operation is 14 counties. Ross’ battalion was deployed in January to support local law enforcement and emergency management after a tornado hit North Central High School in Kershaw, SC.

1999

Andrew “Drew” Chisholm has been named athletic director at Berea High School in Greenville, SC. Chisholm played football for NGU from 1995 to 1999. He has spent the past 12 years as an educator, assistant football coach, and, beginning in 2013, head football coach at Blacksburg High School, with prior stops at Wren and T.L. Hanna High Schools.

2000

Jacob Frick is a fishing excursion guide and captain in Ocean Isle Beach, NC.

2002

Dr. Dawn (Montgomery) Hooker received the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award from the NGU Alumni Association. Hooker serves as principal of East North Street Academy of Mathematics and Science with Greenville County Schools.

2004

Chaplain Captain Adam Langley recently returned from his second combat deployment to the Middle East, where he ministered as a chaplain to U.S. service members as they liberated men, women, and children from terrorist control.

English Language Institute China (ELIC). O’Shields will be learning Arabic, as well as teaching English at a community center. She previously taught music in Cambodia from 2016 to 2018.

2005

Amber Harvey was named the varsity softball head coach at Hartsville High School in Hartsville, SC. Harvey’s experience includes serving as the Red Foxes’ varsity softball assistant coach last season, when the team won the Class 4A State Championship. She is a graduate of Hartsville High and the current Dixie Youth Baseball president for Hartsville.

2006

Ashley Bowers received the South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program’s Educator of the Month Award in January 2020 from the South Carolina State Treasurer’s Office. This statewide financial literacy initiative aims to educate more teachers about the importance of incorporating personal finance education into their classrooms.

Heath Ward has been named the new director of the Saluda County Library in Saluda, SC. Ward has 10 years of experience in public libraries, previously working in Spartanburg County and Pickens County. He received his undergraduate degree in Christian Studies from NGU and his Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of South Carolina.

2007

Hunter Conrad took the reins of local government in St. Johns County, FL, late last year as interim county administrator and then stepped up to fill the position permanently after a month on the job. Conrad completed his bachelor’s degree in accounting at NGU and his law degree at Florida Coastal School of Law.

Ashley O’Shields moved to Tunisia, North Africa, in September 2019 to teach English with the organization

Krystal Tucker Ribble has published her first book, “The Church’s Orphans: How the Church Can Protect Couples Longing for Parenthood,” which is geared towards church leaders, as well as family and friends who want to care for couples who are

You’re looking for more than another degree, career, or set of letters behind your name. What you want from your continued education is real-world training to help you grow professionally, personally, and spiritually. North Greenville University is here for people just like you — the ones who dream of more. Our graduate programs offer the same personal, Christ-centered, excellent preparation you’ve come to expect at NGU. So you can become an even more effective transformational leader. Learn

ALUMNI NOTES (CONT'D)

walking the road of infertility. In her book, Ribble tells real stories of ways the church has hurt these people and then offers simple solutions to love them better. After its release in November 2019, the book rose to the #1 spot in the Christian Church History category and the top five in Church Growth and Church Leadership categories on Amazon.

2008

David Richards serves as director of bands at Pickens High School in Pickens, SC.

2009

Elizabeth Killen Childers was recently promoted to director of public outreach on the Communications and Public Affairs team at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) in Columbia, SC. She’s been with DHEC since 2017, working on public outreach and communications strategies for the agency. Childers also recently graduated from DHEC’s Leadership Excellence and Achievement Program.

2010

Lauren Dorrity was named to the “2019 Best & Brightest 35 and Under” list published by “Greenville Business Magazine,” an annual list that celebrates the women and men who are rising stars in the business community. This year, more than 100 nominations were received, which the selection committee then narrowed down to 37 individuals. Dorrity is a senior project manager with Auro Hotels in Greenville, SC.

Barry Mullinax has accepted the position of assistant principal at Newberry Middle School in Newberry, SC.

2012

Suyash Raiborde received the 2019 Young Alumnus of the Year Award from the NGU Alumni Association. (See the full story on Page 26.)

Clayton Thornton has accepted a new job as a producer for RFD-TV in Nashville, TN. His new role includes producing the newscast “Market Day

Report” and the “Rural Evening News.” RFD-TV’s “Market Day Report” covers commodity markets and agricultural news as it relates to rural America. Thornton studied broadcast media at NGU.

Alex Zimmerman graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law on May 10, 2019. He graduated fourth in a class of 205 graduates, also being named to the Order of the Coif and the Order of the Wig and Robe. Zimmerman also received the Distinguished Student Award from the “South Carolina Law Review.” Following graduation, he began working as a law clerk for Judge H. Bruce Williams at the South Carolina Court of Appeals.

2014

Jordan Ferrell was named the producer and co-host of the longest running locally produced sports talk radio show, “Open Mic Daily,” on Fox Sports 1400 AM/98.3 FM in Spartanburg County. He will also be a co-host for “Just a Bit Outside” and “Victory Formation,” the station's high school baseball, football, and softball recap show.

Freddie Martino is a wide receiver with the Dallas Renegades, a professional football team based in Arlington, TX. The team is an owned-and-operated member of the new XFL American football league. Martino has previously played for the Arizona Hotshots, Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Tampa Bay Vipers.

Allie “Rachel” Outhouse has been a youth services coordinator for one year. In this role, she also serves unchurched families as a children’s librarian.

Bekah Quirin serves as the owner, director, and instructor of the Valley Forest School in Catawba, VA. Her passion for seeing children thrive outdoors grew stronger when she and her husband, Derek Quirin (’14), immersed their daughter, Ellie, in the outdoors shortly after her first birthday — thruhiking the Appalachian Trail. Additionally, Bekah is currently working towards becoming a Certified Virginia Master Naturalist. She has eight years of outdoor guiding experience across the country, with

more than 500 logged days and nights of backcountry travel.

Sarah Deane Shugars passed the South Carolina Bar Examination to become an attorney at the age of 22. She was sworn in on Nov. 19, 2019. Shugars graduated from NGU with a degree in psychology.

2015

Joey Elledge has been promoted to facility manager for Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission in Columbia, SC. Elledge earned his sport management degree at NGU.

Stephen Howard has accepted the position of assistant counsel with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Office of Chief Counsel.

Tucker MacDonald has been named the new men’s golf coach at Columbia International University (CIU) in Columbia, SC. A South Carolina native, MacDonald brings a wealth of experience as a player and golf instructor to the CIU program. He toured for two years as a professional golfer after college before becoming the golf camp director for TGA Premier Golf in Orlando, FL. There, he managed a children’s after-school program, which included leading on-course instruction and supervision of coaches. MacDonald also served as the tournament director of the Swing Thought Tour, a developmental professional golf tour.

2016

Zach McLean graduated with his master’s degree from Winthrop University in Spring 2019.

Ronald Keith Phillips (DMin) serves as the director of counseling ministries at First Baptist Spartanburg. He is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and a licensed professional counselor supervisor with a biblical worldview.

Christal Potter is fulfilling her lifelong dream of working with the Walt Disney Company. She works in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL.

2017

Amanda Ward has graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina with a Master of Occupational Therapy degree, passed the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, and accepted a full-time position at AnMed Health as an acute care occupational therapist.

2018

Jennifer Davis (MMEd) and Ben Miller (’10) have been hired as lead teachers for elementary music for Greenville County Schools for the 2019-20 school year. They will serve alongside Denise Thomas as a three-person team. Davis received her Kodály Certification from the Capital University Kodály Institute after completion of the three-level certification process. She also currently holds the position of president for the Kodály Music Educators of South Carolina.

Dusty Durbin serves as pastor of Big Level Baptist Church in Wiggins, MS, and he has been nominated for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Thomas Middleton teaches math at his alma mater, McBee High School in McBee, SC.

Jessica Pearce is the chorus teacher at Tanglewood Middle School in Greenville, SC.

Jennifer Pedersen (MMSc) has joined InterveneMD in Mount Pleasant, SC, as a physician assistant. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from Grand Valley State University and a master’s degree in medical science from NGU.

Tony Wright has started his own production company, Christ In Action Media. He is producing its first streaming television show.

2019

Leslie Turner Barksdale is teaching general and choral music at Abita Springs Middle and ChahtaIma Elementary Schools in the St. Tammany Parish Public School System in Louisiana.

Clay Blackwood is the assistant band director and director of percussion studies at Colleton County Middle and High Schools.

Madi Estela won third place in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s 2019 Gold Circle Awards in the category of Alternative Story Presentation for her comic strip “Hubble the Duck,” which appeared

in the Spring 2019 issue of “The Vision Magazine.” (See the full story on Page 14.)

Roderick “Rod” Howell signed to play his first season of semi-professional basketball with the Leicester Warriors, a union of basketball clubs from England and Wales that plays in Division One of the National Basketball League. (See the full story on Page 5.)

Anna Catherine Middleton teaches Spanish at her alma mater, McBee High School in McBee, SC.

Jordan Tesch is teaching strings and chorus at Lakeview Middle School in Greenville, SC. He also serves as an assistant director of the Greenville County Youth Orchestras and a cello and bass instructor with the NGU String Project.

2020

Luke Cullen is an information technology specialist with PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, based in Andalusia, AL. In his role, he ensures the company’s technology system runs smoothly to provide power to southern Alabama and northwest Florida.

Family milestones

BABIES

A. Valerie Schooling Brantley (’04) and Edward Brantley welcomed their baby boy, Donovan Carl, on Feb. 4, 2019.

WEDDINGS

1. Ashley Kannaday to Kinard Richie Pound (’02) on July 27, 2019

2. Valerie Schooling (’04) to Edward Brantley on July 27, 2018

3. Michelle Havener (’15) to William Francis, IV, on Nov. 16, 2019

4. Kassandra Lee Bennett (’18) to Jacob Ray Riley on July 27, 2019

5. Jessica Pearce (’18) to Lenny Piasano (’18) on June 29, 2019

6. Anna Catherine Wayne (’19) to Thomas Middleton (’18) on June 8, 2019

B. Jennifer Chamberlain McGuffee (’11) and Brian McGuffee welcomed their baby boy, Colton Renwick, on Sept. 3, 2019. He weighed 5 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 18.5 inches long.

IN MEMORIAM

Rev. Clarence Griffin (’52) on Oct. 11, 2019

Kenneth Dean Howell (’60) on Feb. 1, 2020

Virginia “Ginger” Chalk (’66) on Sept. 12, 2019

George West (’67) on Feb. 25, 2018

C. Shelby O’Neal Tyner (’13) and Timmy Tyner (’10) adopted their two sons, Zane and Milo, in November 2019 and a baby girl, Neesie, in December 2019 from foster care.

D. Kelsey-Ann Zimmerman (’13) and Alex Zimmerman (’12) welcomed their first child, Eliana Grace, on May 16, 2019.

E. Emina North and Micah Shea North (’15) welcomed their baby boy, Arata William, on May 28, 2019. He weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 19 inches long.

F. Elizabeth Chisholm (’16) and Daniel Chisholm (’13) welcomed their baby girl, Amelia Joy, on Nov. 7, 2019. She weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 20.75 inches long.

Milton Thales Mims (’83) on Jan. 19, 2020

Connie Alisa “Lisa” Wiggins Seawright (’83) on Aug. 29, 2019

John David Wallace (’87) on Oct. 7, 2019

Dallah Anderson Forrest, Sr., (former trustee) on Jan. 9, 2020

Rev. John Osborne “Joe” Reed, Jr., (’74) on Aug. 10, 2019

Remember :

You didn ’t have to choose between a college near outdoor adventure or vibrant city life. NGU ’s campus is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and South Carolina ’s most breathtaking parks. But we ’re also a quick drive to the award-winning downtown of Greenville, SC – named one of the in 2019 by Livability. best places to live You can send

P.O. BOX 1892

TIGERVILLE, SC 29688