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“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.

EDITOR Billy Cannada (’11)

CONTRIBUTORS

C.

Mason Bayne (’17) Melissa Stuckey (’14)

As 2024 dawns, we are anticipating that God will do amazing things in and through North Greenville University during the new year. 2023 was a year of new beginnings with the launch of our new College of Allied Health and the work to transform Donnan Administration Building into a stunning, contemporary home for our College of Business and Entrepreneurship. Those achievements are outstanding, but they were eclipsed by the graduation, at spring and fall Commencements, of 449 NGU students – individuals who have been challenged and equipped to become transformational leaders.

NGU is in the construction business, whether it is constructing new academic units, renovating historic campus landmarks, or building up the skillsets for our students. We are blessed to witness these construction efforts. Like the pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem in the days of Solomon, we sing praise to God because we know, as they declared, “Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain.” The truth of Psalm 127:1 is a core conviction we embrace physically and spiritually on our Tigerville campus today … as a physical building is wholly transformed, and individually lives are transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit through mentors and professors.

In this magazine you will find stories about our Donnan/COBE

Project, along with news of facility upgrades that have happened over the past half-dozen years. You will see news of new senior administrators, and updates on missions work. You also will find other reports on the goodness of God, demonstrated in the lives of our graduates who are serving as transformational leaders in ways none of us could have scripted. God is at work in boundless ways through the outpost He built and blessed … and is building and blessing … in the Upstate of South Carolina.

Like those sojourning Israelites, we can declare that our work is useless unless God guides it. And if it is under His direction, it will be for His glory and our good. It will be for Kingdom Impact. Whether it is bringing the Gospel to people who live in the inner city, freely giving what we can to help heal others, learning from our

life experiences to serve and lead effectively, or providing resources that maximize preparation for Godhonoring careers, all of what we do should be part of the ongoing story of transformation.

I encourage you to pray for the students who will experience God’s construction work in their lives throughout the year as we pursue an unwavering Christ-centered mission to equip transformational leaders for church and society. I encourage you, also, to come back to campus during the new year. Great things are happening in Tigerville. Come back for Chapel, a ball game, or simply to visit campus. You will be glad you did.

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

Transforming for Tomorrow

NGU Opens

New Vistas with Donnan / COBE Project

Providing a home for the College of Business and Entrepreneurship and offices for North Greenville University’s senior leadership, the Donnan Administration Building will open in early 2024.

The Donnan/COBE Project will fully revamp the historic administration building, which was opened in 1955 and is situated at the highest point on campus at North Greenville.

The project will provide five contemporary classrooms; student gathering, meeting, and collaboration spaces; and faculty offices for the College of Business and Entrepreneurship, which enrolled nearly 500students in the Fall 2023 semester.

“We want our College of Business and Entrepreneurship to be a place where people interact,” said Dr. John Duncan, dean of NGU’s College of Business and Entrepreneurship. “We want to create a lot of space in this building for that purpose. We think that the relationships that are built in this new building are going to help students become all that they need to be, and they’re even going to help us as faculty get better in what we do.”

The new office suite for senior administrators will bring NGU’s chief executive, operating, academic, and financial officers, as well as general counsel, under one roof.

“The renovations are a perfect symbol of what we are doing university-wide: building on the past in ways that prepare for the future,” said NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “The design restores the building’s original mid-century modern aesthetic and the historic mural while adding contemporary features, translating the entire landmark for a new century of use as a place where transformational leaders are equipped. The restoration of the windows underscore the panoramic beauty of our campus and communicates that NGU is a special place, where access and opportunity combine to impact church and society.”

NGU hosted a beam signing ceremony for the project in March, giving students, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors an opportunity to leave their

mark on an 18-foot steel beam that now resides at the front of the renovated facility.

“The Donnan renovation is just one more opportunity to foster community here on campus,” said Marcus Hermanstyne, a May 2023 interdisciplinary studies graduate who was the university’s Student Body President. “When it’s all completed, it won’t just be a nice building, but a place where disciples are made, hearts are changed, and the Gospel is spread.”

Dr. Becky Thompson, 2022-23 Faculty Chair, who previously taught classes in the administration building, said the project will bring new opportunities to the Tigerville campus.

“I think it’s going to be extraordinary,” said Thompson, who serves as Professor of English and Coordinator of Secondary Education English Language Arts. “The renovated building will provide awesome space for faculty and students, and the project underscores why I believe in North Greenville. This is where God called me, and I can’t stress enough how invested I am in seeing the university succeed. To see others make that investment as well – it’s special.”

President Fant said the project offers both a roadmap to the future, and a connection to NGU’s past.

“This building is designed to elicit ‘wows,’ and it’s going to be a point of pride,” President Fant said. “That’s what it was when it was built. It’s a link to the past. We’re connecting the great heritage that we have with a high-tech interactive space that will allow folks to see what we have to offer.”

With large, open interior spaces, the building will allow for student and faculty gathering and collaboration spaces.

“This entire redesign has been structured around students,” President Fant said. “They’ll have spaces to hang out and collaborate, but they’ll also be able to meet with faculty members and mentors. This resource will connect ethical, hard-working students who will go on to become leaders in their fields.”

A full project timeline and photo gallery can be found at go.ngu.edu/donnan-timeline.

“We are very thankful for the donors who have stepped up to help us with the Donnan/COBE Project. We could not do what we’re trying to do without these gifts. We’re looking forward to how God is going to put this project on other people’s hearts to help us finish out the project.”

John Duncan, Ph.D. Dean College of Business and Entrepreneurship

The Donnan/COBE capital campaign began in 2022. To learn more about the campaign, visit go.ngu.edu/donnan-cobe.

Unwavering Commitment to an Unchanging Mission

Recognizing God’s blessings on the institution over the previous five years, the NGU community celebrated the first five years of Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr.’s presidency early in the 2022-23 academic year. The milestone offered the opportunity to reflect on a period of academic program expansion, facility upgrades, athletic achievement and enhanced ministry effectiveness. Here is a brief collection of highlights during that span.

2017-2018

• Dr. Fant officially becomes NGU’s eighth president on June 1.

• NGU’s academic programs on both the Tigerville and Greer campuses combined under single academic officer.

• The Center for Student Success is established to provide tutoring, transitional services, testing services, accommodations, and retention in one area.

• NGU claimed Conference Carolinas championships in Softball, Baseball and Men’s Golf.

• Field Turf was installed at Ray and Bea Dillard Field.

• Joyful Sound 40th Anniversary Reunion Concert is part of Inauguration celebration in April.

• The annual Read Through the Bible event is launched.

2018-2019

• NGU’s mission statement was adopted.

• NGU’s adopts four Core Values.

• The inaugural cohort of Physician Assistant Medicine students graduate in December.

• NGU2025: Foundations for the Future strategic plan is adopted.

• Most academic programs are condensed into five colleges: Business and Entrepreneurship, Christian Studies, Communication and Fine Arts, Education, Humanities and Sciences.

• Three academic units are created to coordinate programs at NGU’s Tim Brashier Campus

in Greer: The T. Walter Brashier School for Graduate Studies, NGU Online, NGU for Professionals.

• The Center for Faculty Excellence is established.

• The Institute for Global Leadership launched to house academic leadership and cocurricular missions programs.

• A Pre-Pharmacy 3+3 program is established with Palm Beach Atlantic University.

• Chick-fil-A opened in Tingle Student Center.

• The Division of Student Services is launched, combining Student Accounts, Financial Aid, and Academic Records and introducing NGUcentral.

• NGU wins Conference Carolinas championships in Baseball and Men’s Golf.

• Remodeled dorm spaces offer new campus apartments for married students.

• “Walter Brashier Drive” is named in Greer, leading to the Tim Brashier Campus.

• Hosted George Bomar Family Baseball Stadium groundbreaking in April at Ashmore Park.

2019-2020

• B.A. degrees launched in Communication and Physical Education K-12.

• Inaugural Paula and Ken Hemphill Denominational Service Award is presented to the award’s namesakes during SBC.

• The inaugural class for NGU’s Doctor of Education program graduates in December.

• NGU partners with Impact 360 Institute to offer graduate degree

through their Pine Mountain, GA, campus.

• All academic programs shift to virtual learning in mid-March due to COVID-19.

• Commencement is postponed for spring graduates and a drivethrough graduation event is offered.

• NGUleads leadership program for University middle management launches.

• Neves Hall renovations begin in February, creating home for NGUcentral and Student Services.

• NGU forms Covid-19 Task Force, which meets daily and creates protocols for campus during pandemic.

• Created Vice President for Campus Ministries and Student Engagement post.

• George Bomar Family Baseball Stadium is dedicated in February.

• Lights installed at Jan McDonald Softball Field.

• Bruce Hall men’s housing remodeled.

• Scholars Weekend for prospective students expanded.

2020-2021

• NGU’s Statement on Human Flourishing is approved by trustees.

• Master of Arts in Leadership program launched at Impact 360 Institute campus.

• Three new bachelor’s programs launched: Cybersecurity, Business Administration, and General Studies.

• Renovations in majority of campus housing and classrooms.

• College of Education receives 10-year reaffirmation from CAEP.

• Renovated Neves Hall is dedicated, including three large A/V-equipped classrooms.

• Received membership in the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

• Hosted Homecoming Commencement Ceremony for Spring 2020 graduates.

• Spring 2021 Commencement incorporated large video display panel, expanded grad seating.

• Conference Carolinas championships in Baseball, Women’s

Volleyball, Women’s Soccer.

• Younts Fitness Center is renovated.

• Launched Student Leadership Team, bolstering discipleship work.

• Todd Dining Hall renovations include new flooring, paint, artwork.

• Turner Chapel lobby remodeled, stage expanded.

• Received “Transparency Certification” from Excellence in Giving advisory firm.

• Tuttle Clinic renovated to house Information Technology Services.

• Opened new NGU Clinic on south side of Tigerville campus.

2021-22

• Launched B.A. in Theatre Education.

• Launched Master’s programs in Organizational Leadership and Human Resource Management.

• NGU’s first-ever Core Curriculum approved by faculty and trustees.

• The Donnan/COBE Project $9.7 million campaign launched.

• NGU received 10year reaffirmation from SACSCOC.

• Emery Hall renovated, upgrades completed in nine other housing facilities.

• McCormick House becomes home for

Advancement and Alumni Engagement.

• Lifeshape Scholarship created; first cohort of Lifeshape Fellows selected in Fall 2021.

• Ward Book Store becomes “The 1892 Place” convenience store and gathering space.

• Tigerville General Store renovated to serve as Campus Store and Helen Wood Post Office; renamed “Wood’s General Store.”

• Tim Brashier Campus classroom upgraded with advanced A/V technology to maximize online learning and meeting capabilities.

• Renovated CraftHemphill Missions Center is dedicated in April.

• Men’s Volleyball sweeps Princeton in first round of NCAA National Championship Tournament.

• NGU Baseball wins University’s first NCAA National Championship by winning Division II World Series in Cary, NC.

University Launches College of Allied Health

BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES GRAD PROGRAM ADDED

The University is building on the successes of the Physician Assistant program.

The College of Allied Health houses the Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant [PA] program), and NGU’s newest program, the Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences (MABS), which received approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) last spring.

“The launch of the College of Allied Health represents an important moment in North Greenville’s history,” NGU Provost Dr. Nathan Finn said.

“Under the able leadership of Founding Dean Dr. Jordan Hairr, the College of Allied Health will play

a strategic role in enabling the University to equip even more students to be transformational leaders in health care fields.”

North Greenville’s PA Program has produced more than 130 graduates over the past five years and maintains Accreditation-Continued status from The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA).

“Most people don’t realize how competitive physician assistant programs are. Nationwide, anywhere from three to five people are interviewed for one seat in a class,” Dr. Cathleen Ciesielski, who serves as the MABS program coordinator for NGU. “Programs like the Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences help strengthen applications and show competency, while providing students with a degree they can use in the field of healthcare. For those thinking about becoming a physician assistant or attending medical school, this program provides that majority of the science courses needed.”

The fully online, 33-credit-hour Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences program will offer bachelor’s degree graduates a path to take prerequisite courses for professional schools at a graduate level.

“NGU seeks to offer academic programs that allow students to be well-prepared for their chosen professions and callings,” said NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “This new program is excellent, providing an innovative, flexible approach to the curriculum. We look forward to adding these new students’ stories to NGU’s grand narrative of impacting students and our culture with distinctively Christfirst education. And we’re grateful for the leadership Dr. Hairr will give to both programs in his new role.”

The MABS program, which takes 12-13 months to complete. Those interested can apply at go.ngu.edu/bioscience-apply.

“This degree embodies North Greenville University’s commitment to academic excellence and service, through equipping the next generation of healthcare professionals with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to begin to transform the field of medicine,” Dr. Hairr said. “I’m excited about the direction the Allied Health professions are headed here at North Greenville. Our desire is to identify and develop programs that will allow North Greenville to have a transformational impact on our local communities through graduating well-prepared professionals.”

The College of Allied Health is North Greenville University’s sixth college, joining the College of Business and Entrepreneurship, the College of Communication and Fine Arts, the College of Christian Studies, the College of Education, and the College of Humanities and Sciences. ❚

Graduates Challenged to Use Their Gifts

Encouraged to make a difference by using their gifts and talents to glorify God, 281 North Greenville University students had their degrees conferred during Spring Commencement ceremonies on May 5 at Melvin and Dollie Younts Stadium on NGU’s Tigerville campus.

“The only chance we have to give a glimpse of glory to God on this Earth is to do something through him that causes people to ask ‘why,’” said Furman Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Richey (’06), who graduated summa cum laude, delivered the university’s commencement address.

“If you play it safe, you’ll never get there. This world needs people with conviction. We need courage. We need believers. We’re equipped to go make a difference because of the gifts God has given us, and he’s begging us to use them,” he said.

A processional led by Faculty Marshal Dr. Gerald Roe, retiring professor of intercultural studies, opened the ceremonies. Following a welcome by NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr., Dr. Brian Spearman (’00, ’10, ’14), chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees, delivered the invocation.

With graduating students seated on the football field and family and friends packing the home stands of the stadium, the evening ceremony capped the academic year. Concluding with a fireworks display, the event was the culmination of a four-year journey for bachelor’s degree students who saw Covid-19 sweep around the world during their freshman year.

“Congratulations to each of you on achieving this significant academic milestone,” said President Fant. “It is our prayer that today’s commencement will also be a commissioning as we send you out to be transformational leaders for church and society.”

Richey has been at the helm of the Furman men’s basketball program for six years, guiding the Paladins to a 139-54 overall record. His team made headlines in March when the Paladins knocked off Virginia in the opening round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament

“I made a convicted decision to chase a dream while I was at North Greenville,” he said. “I wanted to coach. I had a decent GPA and I had a lot of people telling me to continue to pursue academia, go to grad school, or just do something normal. I just remember making that scary decision on campus, but I knew I wanted to utilize my gifts to impact people.”

“We are created for a purpose,” Richey said. “We’re not to be ships in the harbor. We have to go through the storm and the turbulent waters to endure and show God’s glory.”

Following Richey’s address to the graduates, diplomas were presented to the graduates by the deans from NGU’s five academic colleges.

Graduates Joseph Wall Noyes and Caroline June Nelms led the singing of the Alma Mater. Ansley Welchel (’00), instructor of communication at NGU, delivered the benediction. ❚

LOVING THE WORD OF GOD

Seeking to Encourage Frontline Ministers

It’s been an eventful year for Dr. Daniel Dickard (’12), who used his platform as president of the 2023 SBC Pastors’ Conference to encourage those on the front lines of ministry.

“As pastors, our main task isn’t to prepare a sermon, it’s to prepare a soul,” Dickard said. “The scripture tells us to watch over our own life and doctrine, and we’re so quick to watch over doctrine—and rightfully so—but sometimes we neglect watching over our own soul. Through the exposition of scripture, we want pastors to be encouraged and have their souls nourished.”

Dickard was called to serve as senior pastor of Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia, SC. in February.

“The call to Shandon was not expected,” said Dickard, who had

served as senior pastor at Friendly Avenue Baptist Church for five years. “We were happy with where we were in North Carolina and did not expect this, but we sensed each step of the way that the Lord was in it,” said. “God does not educate us past the point of our obedience, and obedience occurs one day at a time, one moment at a time, and one ministry at a time. We saw the importance of obedience when God began to show us that he had a ministry for us here in South Carolina.”

The author of “Church Together: The Church of We in the Age of Me,” Dickard is a 2012 graduate of North Greenville University, and a two-time graduate (Ph.D. and M.Div.) of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

“We always bear the marks of the professors who have gone before us, and I proudly bear the marks today of those who poured into me at North Greenville,” he said. “North Greenville taught me to love the word of God and taught me to love the God of the word. They loved me for who I was and invested in me for who I could become.”

Dickard credits his professors at NGU for helping to shape his call to ministry.

“I am one of thousands to whom the professors invested in,” he said. “As I was in Dr. Horn’s Romans class, or Dr. Rankin’s Old Testament class, God was working in me what he would later work out as I minister to others. God called me to preach at the age of 15, and at North Greenville, he grew me in discipleship in ways that I had never been pushed.”

As his ministry continues at Shandon Baptist Church, Dickard he will remain focused on expository preaching, intercessory prayer, and the Great Commission.

“The foundation of ministry is the character of God lived out through us,” he said. “The Christian life is about denying yourself. When our confidences and charisma outpace our character, there surely will be a fallout in ministry. That’s the sad dilemma of our day. People are looking for a spotlight and a platform, but they’re not looking for an altar – and an altar where things die. Ministry is the life of Jesus lived through us for the betterment of others.” ❚

LETTING

GOD OPEN THE DOOR

Stuckeys Join SEND Relief in Chicago

Jason and Melissa Stuckey (both ’14) were sure of their calling, but they were following it during a very unsure time.

“We moved to Chicago without a job, in the middle of a pandemic, and on the first day of all the riots everyone was seeing on the news,” Jason recalled. “What a time.”

“I just knew the Lord had called me to ministry. I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do, but I knew God was calling me to be faithful to go to Chicago,” he said. “The story of my life has been: just be faithful with the next thing and let God open the door.”

Jason and Melissa both developed a heart for missions in high school before meeting in Spanish class at North Greenville University.

“My heart for ministry was refined in college,” Melissa said. “I joined a local church that showed me what being a part of the family of God really looks like.”

A Christian Studies major, Jason said NGU laid the foundation for his work to come.

“I ended up joining the Faith, Race, and Culture Committee with Dr. Paul Thompson,” he said. “The Lord really used that to equip me to think about how the Gospel relates to a plethora of cultures at the same time.”

“I started gathering students to meet every other Friday,” Jason said. “The only thing we were going to do was share about our week and how we could pray for one another. The goal was to make sure that group was as diverse as possible. It was very impactful in forming my time at North Greenville. During that time, I learned a lot of the balance of what it really means to implement biblical justice, instead of just giving the social justice that waters down the Gospel.”

Jason and Melissa became involved at The Church at Cherrydale (now Christ Fellowship Cherrydale), where Jason served as a pastoral resident from 2014-2020.

During that residency, Jason completed a Master of Arts degree in Church Planting from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The couple married in 2017 and began traveling to Chicago to visit churches and make connections in the city.

“On one trip in 2019, I felt a strong conviction from the Lord. Up until that point, I sensed I was just following Jason’s dream instead of allowing the Lord to give me a heart for Chicago,” Melissa said. “I prayed for the Lord to give me His heart for Chicago. A heart that wouldn’t change when it got hard, or cold, or dangerous. A heart that wasn’t dependent on Jason or circumstances. And He did.”

When the time came to make the move in 2020, the world was in chaos, but the Stuckeys had peace.

“The story of Esther came to mind. When she feared going before the king, Mordecai tells her, ‘It’s for such a time as this.’ She was to use her standing for God’s glory. To not fear,” Melissa said. “We’ve felt that same peace over the years. The Lord has provided assurance, new community, and grace along the way.”

Jason found a job working for a literacy company and continued to pursue his calling.

“The job I had was great, but I kept praying for opportunities to learn

about how pastors work in the city,” he said. “I just prayed once and told God I would trust him with the rest. Two weeks later, I got a call from one of our pastors saying that SEND Relief was interested in a partnership and buying a 50,000-square-foot building for one of their 20 ministry centers in the United States and Puerto Rico. He said, ‘They asked us who could be the director, and we gave them your name.’”

“The Lord has provided assurance, new community, and grace along the way.”

“It was crazy,” Jason said. “I went from moving to Chicago and not knowing what I was going to do ministry-wise to helping pastors love and serve their neighborhoods more effectively. I literally just prayed, and the Lord gave.”

SEND Relief is the compassion ministry for the Southern Baptist Convention.

“Through working with refugees, and responding to natural disasters, there are just a lot of things SEND Relief spearheads and helps to fund. Internationally, they work with missionaries. But nationally, they work with church planters and pastors at ministry centers to give them tools for serving in various contexts,” Stuckey said.

SEND Relief has five main areas of focus: fighting human trafficking, responding to crises, caring for refugees, protecting children and families, and strengthening communities.

“Each of the ministry centers takes on one of those focus areas to equip those serving in ministry,” Stuckey said, noting that the Chicago Ministry Center focuses on strengthening communities. “We get to partner with police departments and organizations that fight human trafficking. We also work with an organization that reaches at-risk youth and pairs them with young professionals at local churches to disciple and mentor them.”

Through his time in Chicago and serving in ministry, Jason said he is thankful for the Lord’s provision.

“In high school, I thought the Lord wanted me to be spectacular for him to use me,” Jason said. “But the older I’ve gotten and the longer I’ve been in ministry, I’ve learned that the most spectacular thing you can do is be faithful to what the Lord has called you to.”

Melissa now works as a full-time wedding and lifestyle photographer, pursuing her passion both in the United States and internationally. The two have one daughter, Mila.

“There are so many people and cultures in the city,” Melissa said. “It’s a city full of people that need to be seen and invited in. We simply wanted to be faithful to see and love people well.” ❚

CELEBRATING A GOSPEL BIG ENOUGH TO REACH ANYONE

Leaving Life of Crime for Life of Purpose

For Cary Sanders (’17, ’22), the path to a Doctorate in Christian Ministry began in a prison cell.

Arrested 17 times before the age of 17, Sanders spent his adolescent years pursuing a life of crime.

“I was in and out of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Mental Health tried to help me. There were just a lot of people who tried to warn me about the destruction I was headed for,” Sanders said. “I didn’t have any regard for the future.”

Just after his 17th birthday, Sanders committed an armed robbery that landed him in prison. Awaiting his sentencing and pondering the life choices that led him to ruin, he said he decided to open a Bible.

“I began flipping through it and there was an article titled: ‘How to

Have a New Life in Christ.’ It was a presentation of the Gospel – how God had created a good world, the disease of sin had entered in and humanity rebelled against God, and now there was a curse upon the whole world. Nothing could fix it except a healthy relationship with God. That made sense to me. I had felt my own powerlessness to make any lasting change in my life.”

Sentenced to 45 years with the opportunity to be released early, Sanders began living out his faith behind bars.

“I was fortunate enough to have members from local churches come in and disciple me. They helped me learn what it means to follow Christ and how to put sin to death,” he said. Sanders spent nine years in prison before being released. Making the

most of his second chance in life, he started school at North Greenville University in January of 2014. Sanders received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Studies from NGU in 2017 and returned in 2019 to pursue a Doctor of Ministry degree.

“I remember sitting in the classroom and I felt like a fish out of water. A common thought that I had was: ‘if they knew my story, what would they think,’” Sanders said. “But what I’ve found in dealing with people from North Greenville is that there’s been one common theme: Let’s believe what God says his children are. Let’s believe that people’s identities are found in Christ and let’s treat them that way.”

“What our society most desperately needs are individuals who are passionately pursuing Jesus with excellence,” he said. “North Greenville is a place that provides that and that is rare in today’s world. It’s a place where men and women are being equipped to be transformational difference makers for our Lord.”

Sanders now serves as the Chief Executive Officer of JUMPSTART, a nonprofit ministry dedicated to providing opportunities for incarcerated men and women and those re-entering society in a Christian environment.

“We have active programming in 17 different prisons,” Sanders said. “This is not jailhouse religion. It’s rigorous, intensive discipleship. Nationally, the rate of recidivism is 70 percent. JUMPSTART, over the past ten years, has a success rate of 96 percent. The Gospel works.” ❚

ALL BECAUSE OF NORTH GREENVILLE

God Gives Us Two Kidneys for a Reason

Ken Ward (’89) never thought he would be able to attend college after serving in the Air Force. He didn’t have college options because of his academic record, but he said North Greenville “gave me a shot.”

Ken began his college career in 1987. The first day he stepped on campus, he met Amy Jeffcoat (’90), who would later become his wife. The meeting would have never happened, he claims, if it wasn’t for North Greenville “taking a chance on me.”

The Wards, you might say, have a longstanding family legacy with North Greenville.

Don Ward (’58), Ken’s father, graduated from North Greenville and served on the school’s board of trustees for 16 years. He also encouraged many family members to attend NGU.

His dedication to the university’s mission also was reflected in financial support of scholarships and capital projects.

After Ken graduated from North Greenville, he joined his dad’s company, Benefit Controls of the Carolinas, working more than 30 years in the employee benefits and insurance industry.

This story begins with Ken’s daughter, Lea Ward (’16), who followed her parents in attending NGU. She and her suitemate, Randi McAda (’17), became best friends.

Within four years of graduation, at 26, Randi’s life came to a complete standstill. She learned that both her kidneys were failing and was placed on dialysis.

Leah’s family immediately went online to learn about the process of becoming a living organ donor.  “All of us felt that if Randi needs a kidney, we [each] have two,” Ken said.

They applied, and out of all the family members, Ken was the only match.

After several months of mental and physical screening, the surgery was scheduled.

“Two days before the surgery, they found a younger match for Randi in Utah. They asked if I would consider giving the kidney to someone I didn’t know,” he said.

He asked himself if he was a giver or a conditional giver. “I am a giver; no strings attached.”

That resulted in Ken donating a kidney to a Summerville, SC, man

who had been on dialysis and on the transplant list for three years.

The day after the surgery, in what Ken described as an awkward moment, he was able to meet the recipient.

“You have an odd connection with someone you have never seen before,” he said.

He receives accolade descriptors – such as “selfless,” “special,” or even “crazy” – but he isn’t comfortable with the continual compliments.

“I’m no one special,” he said. “There’s a lot of parts of your body that can help people. God gave you two kidneys for a reason. Others can do what I did. Check that box on your driver’s license registration.” ❚

NGU President Confirmed to South Carolina Higher Education Commission

The South Carolina Senate voted unanimously on last summer to confirm North Greenville University President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr., to serve on the South Carolina Higher Education Commission. Fant was nominated by the Hon. Henry D. McMaster, Governor of South Carolina.

Established in 1967, the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education is the coordinating board for the state’s 33 public institutions of higher learning.

According to the commission’s website, the entity “acts both as an oversight entity on behalf of the General Assembly, and an advocate for the citizens of South Carolina as they seek opportunities to improve their lives, and those of their families, through higher education.”

The commission is governed by a 15-member board appointed by the governor. Fant will serve a two-year

term, representing South Carolina’s independent higher learning institutions.

“It is an honor and privilege to be selected for the South Carolina Higher Education Commission,” Fant said. “I am deeply committed to promoting educational excellence and access for all students in our state. I look forward to collaborating with fellow commission members to address the challenges and opportunities facing higher education and to work together toward a brighter future for South Carolina’s students.”

With a 29-year career in higher education, Fant has served in faculty and administrative posts at both public and private institutions. His breadth of experience in the sector includes service on the boards of varied academic organizations.

Fant was one of the original curriculum developers of the Impact 360 Institute, an intellectually rigorous gap year program in service, leadership, and worldview sponsored by a foundation connected to Chick-fil-A. He currently serves on the institute’s board of education.

He also serves as commissioner for the South Carolina Tuition Grants Commission and is chair-elect for the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities, treasurer for the International Alliance for Christian Education, vice-chair of the Board of Directors and chair of the President’s Council for South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, and a member of the Conference Carolinas Board of Directors. He also has served on several accreditation review committees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools—Commission on Colleges.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Fant has been confirmed to serve on the South Carolina Higher Education Commission. This is a well-deserved recognition of his exceptional leadership and commitment to higher education,” said NGU Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Brian Spearman. “As chair of the Board of Trustees, I have witnessed firsthand his unwavering dedication to our university and his tireless efforts to advance academic excellence. We are confident that he will bring his expertise and passion to this role, shaping the future of higher education in South Carolina.”

NGU Appoints Thomas as VP for Campus Ministries / Student Engagement

Dr. Jared Thomas was named NGU’s Vice President for Campus Ministries and Student Engagement in June.

“Dr. Thomas brings unusual experiences to this important role at the university. He is an alum, he holds a doctorate in counseling from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, he is deeply involved in leadership in his local church, and he loves students,” said NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “We are excited to see how God’s preparation for his calling cultivates his leadership of this team that is integral to the equipping of transformational leaders for church and society.”

A 2009 NGU graduate, Thomas was promoted from assistant vice president of CMSE. He joined the university’s student life staff in 2014 and has filled a variety of posts during his tenure, including service as an adjunct professor of psychology and counseling. He moved to the vicepresidential post following the resignation of Jody Jennings, who has accepted a similar leadership role at another Baptist university.

As vice president, the Gastonia, NC, native oversees the university’s chapel program, coordinate worship services and spiritual events, and collaborate with academic departments to integrate faith and learning. He also is responsible for the Student Leadership Team.

“I am honored and excited to lead the incredible CMSE team as we continue to seek to serve our student body,” said

Thomas. “I look forward to continuing to invest in the lives of our students as they grow towards becoming the transformational leaders the Lord is calling them to be. I’m grateful to President Fant for this opportunity and am thankful for the influence Jody Jennings has had on my professional development.”

Thomas earned Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in Christian studies from NGU. He completed three advanced degrees from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary: a master’s degree in marriage and family, a master’s degree in theology, and a Ph.D. degree in psychology and counseling.

Thomas is a member of Christ Fellowship Northwest in Greenville, where he serves as a lay elder and missional community leader.

Baker Named Provost and Dean of the University Faculty

Noted evangelical scholar Hunter Baker was named Provost and Dean of the University Faculty at North Greenville University in October.

NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr., made the announcement to the university’s Board of Trustees during its fall meeting.

Dr. Baker will begin his NGU tenure on January 1, 2024, moving from Union University in Jackson, TN. He joined the Tennessee Baptist institution’s faculty in 2010, and has served as Dean of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Political Science since 2018, coordinating the work of more than 90 faculty in 15 academic units. He previously served in administrative and faculty posts at Houston Baptist University (now Houston Christian University).

“Hunter Baker is uniquely called and gifted to serve in this critical role at North Greenville,” said President Fant. “NGU’s academic programs and their reputations are ascendant, with fresh recognitions of excellence each year. Dr. Baker will lead our community to higher levels of achievement and innovation, all within the context of our Christ-first mission and our desire to serve church and society.”

Baker will fill the senior administrative position previously held by Dr. Nathan A. Finn, who is director of NGU’s newly created Institute for Transformational Leadership. In his five-year tenure as provost, Finn oversaw creation of the university’s core curriculum and a restructuring of the academic administration, creating six colleges to streamline NGU’s academic operations.

“I am excited to come to South Carolina and join the work and Christian mission of North Greenville University,” Baker said. “A conversion to Christianity as a college freshman completely changed the trajectory of my life. I am so glad that something that began back in 1988 has brought me to NGU where I can unite my efforts with a faculty and staff committed to the spiritual, intellectual, and physical flourishing of students rooted in the Gospel.”

A prolific writer and speaker addressing Christianity, religious liberty and public affairs issues, Baker holds two earned doctorates. He completed a juris doctorate from the University of Houston Law Center in 2000, and earned a Ph.D. degree in religion, politics, and society from Baylor University in 2007. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Florida State University in 1991, with a double major in economics and political science, and received a master of public administration degree from the University of Georgia in 1994.

University, he was chair of the curriculum review process with the faculty curriculum committee and provided programming for institutional faculty development.

Baker has written three books and contributed chapters to 20 other books. He has contributed numerous articles for journals in both academic and politics, culture, and religion arenas. He also is a regular columnist for World Opinions. He presented the President’s Distinguished Lecture at NGU during Dr. Fant’s inauguration week in April 2018. His lecture was titled “The Need for Christian Statesmanship.”

“Dr. Baker’s personal testimony of faith in Christ is truly amazing,” said Dr. Brian Spearman, chair of NGU’s Board of Trustees. “His expertise in Christian higher education is deep and beneficial. He has been a beacon of light in the academic world as well as very involved in the public policy world. I know that he will truly bring a level of excellence to North Greenville.”

Baker’s higher education career has included several roles involving administrative leadership. He was director of strategic planning at Houston Baptist University before being promoted to associate provost for academic affairs. He was responsible for writing the university’s mission, vision, and goals documents HBU’s long-range plan. At Union

“Since academic success – both in student growth and achievement as well as in the hiring and retention of excellent Christian faculty – had flourished under the leadership of Dr. Nathan Finn as Provost, there was some trepidation as to finding his replacement when he decided to step away to pursue other leadership interests. Well, NGU responded with a touchdown,” said Dr. Andrew Calcutt, chair of the academic committee for the NGU Board of Trustees. Dr. Baker’s training, experience, and expertise in politics, business, academics, law, and theology provide him a unique and amazing skill set. His diverse background, combined with a strong faith, give him the essential qualities necessary to lead and grow the academic faculty at a time when the education portion of ‘Christian education’ has never been more important or challenging.”

Baker’s earlier work included service with the Georgia Center for Opportunity/ Georgia Family Council, representing the council’s positions at the state capitol; work with Justice Fellowship, the public policy arm of Prison Fellowship Ministries; and work with The Rutherford Institute while pursuing his law degree.

Study Shows NGU’s Annual Economic Impact Exceeds $100 Million

A new economic shows NGU made a total impact of $101,851,206 on the region’s economy in 2022. That impact includes funding of 888 jobs through the institution and its business partners.

The fiscal footprint of the university will generate nearly $14.6 million in tax revenue for the year.

Those findings are part of a 2022 economic impact study completed by Lilly Consulting Group, LLC, in November. The analysis by the Sylva, North Carolina-based firm included multiplied economic impact of five factors: operations expenditures, labor expenditures, student spending, visitor spending, and capital expenditures.

“We, as a long-standing Upstate educational enterprise, are blessed to learn that providing a distinctive Christcentered educational environment is also providing a distinctive catalyst for economic strength in our region,” said

NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “This institution was started to meet a critical need for education in the late 1800s. To be thriving in producing graduates and to be a significant economic engine in our area nearly 130 years later is a testament to God’s provision as we seek to follow a clear, biblically faithful mission.”

With an overall enrollment of nearly 2,250, NGU operates its main campus for undergraduate students in Tigerville, with graduate and online programs operated through its Tim Brashier Campus in Greer. The university’s fall 2022 enrollment included students from 41 states and 25 other countries.

A total of 43 recent improvement projects on NGU’s campuses in Tigerville and Greer was part of the capital expenditures segment of the study. University officials said NGU anticipates being in “capital improvement mode” for years to come.

The economic impact study drew information from NGU’s 2020-21 Annual Report, financial statements spanning 2019-21, and information on capital projects, as well as data from questionnaires developed for students and visitors. Lilly Consulting Group worked with the university’s Economic Impact Study Steering Committee. The seven-person committee, which included faculty, administrators and staff representatives, was chaired by NGU Executive Vice President Rich Grimm.

“The university’s impact on the region’s economy, as demonstrated in the Lilly Consulting Group study, is noteworthy and underscores the vital role NGU plays in the area,” said Grimm, the institution’s chief operating officer. “As we produce transformational leaders for church and society, we also are contributing significantly to the economic wellbeing of the Upstate, for which we give thanks.”

Faith at Work Symposium Explores Ministry in the Marketplace

An FBI informant’s role in exposing an international price fixing scheme, and a businessman’s work which led to the end of slavery in Nepal highlighted North Greenville University’s Faith at Work Business Symposium in the spring of 2023. Students and guests from across the area gathered in Tigerville for the symposium which focused on Ministry in the Marketplace.

The event featured presentations from Mark Whitacre, Vice President of Culture and Care at Coca-Cola Consolidated and Executive Director of the company’s t-factor program; and Marian Noronha, President and Founder of TURBOCAM International.

Famous for being the highest-ranked executive of any Fortune 500 company to

become a whistleblower, Whitacre helped the FBI uncover one of the largest price fixing cases in U.S. history. These events in the early 1990s were the basis for the 2009 film, The Informant!, which starred Matt Damon as Whitacre.

Achieving success early in his career, Whitacre was hired by Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) in 1989, becoming the company’s youngest Divisional President at the age of 32.

Whitacre’s rapid ascent up the corporate ranks landed him in a precarious position when he learned that the company had been making a large percentage of its revenue from a price fixing scheme. Unsure of how to proceed, Whitacre told his wife, who encouraged him to go to the FBI. Over the next three years, Whitacre wore a wire to help the FBI with its investigation.

During the course of the investigation, authorities learned of Whitacre’s own fraud and tax evasion, and he was eventually sentenced to eight and half years in prison.

Upon his release, Whitacre vowed to use his time and skills to bring his faith to work.

“God gave me a second chance,” Whitacre said. “For 20 years now, I’ve been working in a faith-at-work environment, and there’s no better place.”

Marian Noronha is the founder of TURBOCAM, which has manufacturing operations in the US, the UK, Romania, and India, and sales offices in the Netherlands.

He led the company from a start-up in 1985 to 1,000 employees worldwide, and sales in the $150-200 million range.

In 1999-2000, Noronha redeemed 42 slave families in Nepal – by paying their debts to the slaveholders – and established villages for their settlement. His efforts helped spark the abolishment of slavery in Nepal in 2000. After abolition, Noronha continued to work with Nepali churches to establish and support six schools that educate more than 1,100 children.

“The mission is not money. This mission is the people,” Noronha said.

Board Affirms Core Statements

Affirming the University’s Statement on Human Flourishing and the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, NGU’s board of trustees joined in a prayer and dedication ceremony at the site of a major campus renovation project at their spring meeting the Tigerville Campus.

The University’s Statement on Human Flourishing, adopted by the NGU board in June 2020, underscores the institution’s deeprooted commitment to a biblical worldview. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 is the most recently approved version of a document designed to serve as Southern Baptists’ “statement of faith and message to set forth certain teachings which we believe.”

Following the meeting, board members participated in a “Prayer and Dedication Ceremony” in front of the university’s Donnan Administration Building, which is undergoing a $9.7 million renovation to become the home of NGU’s College of Business and Entrepreneurship. Approximately 100 people participated in the ceremony, which included writing Bible verses or short messages on a steel beam that will be used in the construction project.

NGU Celebrates Four Faculty and Staff Members

Four members of the NGU faculty and staff were recognized during the final spring Chapel service for university personnel in April. Honorees included Dr. Jill Branyon, distinguished professor of education and mathematics education coordinator; Dr. Gerald Roe, program director and professor of intercultural studies; Dr. George Hopson, professor of sport management and leadership and Deborah O’Gwynn, director of student accounts.

Prior to joining NGU, Branyon served in Kenya for more than 20 years with the International Mission Board. She also taught in Lexington School District One for three years. Branyon has spent 46 years in the classroom. She is a past recipient of NGU’s Lamar Chapman Meritorious Service Award and has received the Golden Gift Leadership Challenge Scholarship.

“I came to NGU at a time of transition in my life. I knew I needed to stay in the U.S. to help my parents. NGU became my new mission field and my new family,” Branyon said. “I have taught here for 20 years and enjoyed it very much. God has blessed my life here, and I have had the privilege to disciple many students. One of my favorite parts of working at NGU, along with the Christ-centered campus, has been working with Third Culture students, such as missionary kids. I will continue to teach a few courses and support the College of Education for a while longer.”

Prior to his role at NGU, Dr. Roe served as senior pastor of three churches and the Director of Missions for the Massachusetts Baptist Association. He was appointed by the North American Mission Board as director of associations for the Massachusetts Baptist Association. Roe joined the North Greenville faculty in 2003.

“I have not gone to work a single day in the last 20 years,” he said. “I have done exactly what I wanted to do in the very place I wanted to do it. Higher Christian education was last thing I envisioned myself doing. However, instructing the next generation of missionaries, pastors, and other church leaders has provided a joy and satisfaction I could never have imagined.”

Following a 35-year career in administrative roles at K-12 Christian schools, Dr. Hopson came to NGU in 2007 to serve as the director of institutional research and effectiveness and liaison to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Hopson later moved to a full-time faculty position, serving as a professor of sport management and leadership.

“I am thankful the Lord has given me the opportunity to be at NGU for all these years and that he has provided strength for the tasks and provided good friends over the years,” Hopson said.

O’Gwynn joined NGU in 2018 and is a member of the leadership team in the Office of Student Services. She has served in higher education for 25 years, previously working at Palm Beach Atlantic College, Oklahoma Baptist University, and Oklahoma City University.

“It has been a blessing to serve at NGU and to help students and their families move toward completing their degrees,” she said. “God has blessed the mission of this university, and seeing that in the lives of our graduates is a great joy.”

NGU Climbs in Annual Rankings for Third Consecutive Year

For a third consecutive year, North Greenville University (NGU) climbed in the annual rankings of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Regional Universities” in the South, jumping two spots in the 20232024 report.

U.S. News & World Report released its Best Colleges rankings in September, evaluating nearly 1,500 colleges and universities on up to 13 measures of academic quality.

NGU tied for 36th in the 2023-2024 rankings, marking the highest rating the university has received in its region.

“We are grateful to be recognized as one of the leading institutions in the South and in the Palmetto State,” said NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “We strive for academic excellence and continue our commitment toward preparing students to become transformational leaders for church and society.”

NGU moved into the upper tier of the 16 South Carolina institutions in the report, tying with Coastal Carolina University. NGU ranked fourth out of the private universities in South Carolina in this category. The Citadel and College of Charleston were the highest-rated public institutions.

North Greenville University remains a Top Performer for Social Mobility, according to US News & World Report, ranking 22nd out of 135 schools that were singled out for national recognition. Successful colleges in this category graduate large proportions of economically disadvantaged students who are awarded Pell Grants.

NGU is committed to helping students facing challenges, assisting first-generation college students through its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). The QEP aims to provide knowledge of university resources and connect first-generation students with a support system that will help students complete their degrees.

NGU finished inside the top 35 in multiple U.S. News and World Report academic quality measures, including SAT/ACT rank, Pell Grant graduation rate rank, percentage of faculty who are full-time rank, Pell Grant comparative graduation rate rank, and graduation rate performance rank.

“While rankings and accolades don’t tell the full NGU story, they are certainly an indication of the defining characteristics that set NGU apart from other universities,” President Fant said. A recent survey of incoming students identified NGU’s Christian atmosphere and affordability as top reasons the university was selected. “Coming to North Greenville helped expose me to a biblical worldview,” said Eddie Martin, a 2020 NGU graduate and Pell Grant recipient who now serves as a youth minister at Renfrew Baptist Church in Travelers Rest. “North Greenville’s focus on transformational leadership has shaped the way I lead my family, father my child, and view my role in the community. I will forever be thankful for NGU’s commitment to their students.”

White Hall Renovation Continues Legacy of Service

White Hall, the oldest building on the Tigerville Campus and originally named The North Hall Dormitory, was built in the summer of 1936 as a women’s dorm. Last fall, the house’s renovation was completed and serves as the home for faculty from the College of Humanities and Sciences. It received the name “White Hall” in 1952 when it was named in memory of Rev. Luther B. White, who served as a faculty member at North Greenville, the first pastor of North Greenville Baptist Church (Tigerville Baptist Church), and later as a trustee who oversaw the funding for construction of the new dormitory. Following the relocation of the College of Christian Studies to Craft-Hemphill Mission Center

in 2021, White Hall renovations began. “White Hall is home and an amazing place to be. We don’t need it to be prettier or fancier or shinier, but it is so encouraging to be at a place where people support us [faculty],” said Dr. Becky Thompson, English professor. “We are seeing the fruits of this labor with students and faculty coming in, having meetings and just finding a place to relax,” said Dr. Cheryl A. Collier, associate dean for the School of Humanities and Social Science.

Christian Worldview Week Focuses on Imago Dei

Expressing hope for methods that build deep, lasting roots through mutual accountability, Dr. George Yancey, professor of sociology at Baylor University proposed a “third way” to overcome racism in two presentations launching NGU’s Christian Worldview Week in March.

Drawing upon biblical concepts and reflecting on findings from his sociological research, Yancey said collaborative conversations in a mutual accountability model can reduce racial division, offering an option to what he cited as the controversial solutions of either colorblindness or antiracism.

“We have to be productive, not destructive in our conversations,” said Yancey. “To convince others, we have to build rapport, identify areas of agreement, admit when an opponent has a good point, understand their arguments, and look at what a person wants below the surface.”

He said efforts at colorblindness and antiracism have not been very effective in addressing racial tensions in the United States. Noting from his research the conclusions that colorblindness ignores the realities of race and the history of injustice, while antiracism centers racial concerns and in so doing, often alienates people who need to be involved in the process, Yancey proposed an alternative approach to racial relations where all parties contribute and are mutually accountable to one another for societal well-being.

He also explored a larger vision for a Christian educational institution like North Greenville, and how local churches can engage in the solutions that make the most sense for their unique congregations.

“Teach people of all races how to work through racial problems, model healthy handling of racial problems, and produce Christian leaders who chart a truly biblical path toward racial reconciliation that will eventually impact our society and prepare a multiracial church for a post-Christian world,” he said.

He added that history and societal complexity means that different participants may have different kinds of responsibility, but all are involved in seeking the common good for all to thrive, avoiding unilateral decisions that close off dialogue.

Yancey is the author of the book “Beyond Racial Division,” published by InterVarsity Press. He has published several research articles on the topics of institutional racial diversity, racial identity, academic bias, progressive Christians and anti-Christian hostility.

Joyful Sound Alumni Mark 45 Years

Joyful Sound singers from the last 45 years returned to NGU in April to participate in a reunion worship concert in Turner Chapel. The event offered former Joyful Sound members the opportunity to take the stage once again.

Hundreds of student musicians have used their God-given talents through the years to introduce others to Jesus Christ for the first time, encourage believers to deepen their relationship with Him, and comfort the brokenhearted; all for God’s glory through music and worship.

During the concert, alumni sang under the direction of Becky Kirby, whose husband, Rick, was the founding director of the group. The alums also were led by Josh Epton, current Joyful Sound director.

NGU’s annual Christian Worldview Week features a series of presentations from noted speakers, celebrating the foundational truth the school is built on: that God is the source of all truth.

Dr. David Entwistle, Distinguished Professor of Psychology at NGU, discussed the glory of God’s creation and how it shapes the Christian worldview during a presentation which was part of the week’s focus.

“Evangelical theology has often tended to focus more on the brokenness of humanity than on the glory of humanity,” Entwistle said. “Not surprisingly, this state of affairs has led to integrative efforts that concentrate on the darker side of human nature and tend to neglect what is admirable and noble in human nature. A more complete view is needed that celebrates humans’ positive features as creatures who bear the image of God, while simultaneously recognizing the pervasiveness of sin and its effects.”

Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr., took students through part of his own life story as he wrapped up the week’s emphasis, stressing that humanity’s ability to share experiences spanning time and place underscores our creation in the image of God.

“Each of us has a story to share. Each of us is human. Each of us is a creation of God, with a unique relationship with God,” he said, connecting to Genesis 1:27, that God created people in the image of God (Imago Dei).

Baseball Team Claims First NCAA Division II National Championship

The North Greenville Baseball team won its first NCAA Division II National Championship last June, knocking off Point Loma Nazarene University in the title game in Cary, NC.

NGU capped the season with a 54-10 record, and Head Coach Landon Powell was named Division II National Coach of the Year.

The Crusaders returned with a strong title in 2023, remaining No. 1 in the NCAA Division II polls for the entire regular season and finishing with a record of 50-11.

NGU returned to the College World Series for its second-straight appearance in June, ultimately falling to Southern New Hampshire University.

North Greenville baseball has now hosted five consecutive NCAA Regionals and has won the Conference Carolinas title five times.

NGU had two players, Michael Rodriguez and Jalen Vasquez, selected in the 2023 MLB Amateur Draft.

NGU Football Moving to Conference Carolinas in 2025

North Greenville University’s Football program will move to Conference Carolinas in 2025. The transition means all 20 NGU athletic teams will be aligned in one NCAA Division II conference.

With six varsity football member schools, Conference Carolinas meets the minimum number required to compete for a conference championship and NCAA Division II championship competition.

“This significant move allows NGU to reduce travel for our team and increase competition with institutions of similar size and mission,” NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. said. “CC is emerging as a powerhouse group of like-minded institutions, and we believe this is the right move for the conference and for NGU at this time.”

Conference Carolinas, which was formed in December 1930, now sponsors competition in 23 varsity sports. The conference sponsored football competition from 1931-1975. CC’s football history includes having Appalachian State as a founding member from 1931-67, and East Carolina as a member from 1947-61. The six football member schools starting in 2025 include North Greenville, Barton, Chowan, Erskine, UNC Pembroke and Shorter.

NGU Band Joins Neighbor Furman at NCAA Tournament

Led by NGU Band Directors Gary Rhoden and Dr. Darian Washington, 21 NGU students and seven Furman students joined the Furman men’s basketball team for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament in March.

The North Greenville band was filling in for Paladin’s band, which was scheduled to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Ireland during the same week. The 13th seeded Paladins managed to pull off the first round upset over the fourth-seeded Virginia Cavaliers in Orlando, putting an exclamation point on a memorable trip for NGU students and faculty.

“I’m so happy for the students,” Washington said. “It’s a wonderful experience for them.”

Become a Member of the Crusader Club

NGU student-athletes are making an impact on the national stage, and you can support their efforts by joining the Crusader Club. The Crusader Club was created to support the athletic programs at North Greenville University by raising funds for athletic scholarships, operations, and facilities for student-athletes who participate on the university’s 20 NCAA Division II sports teams.

Membership in the Crusader Club is open to individuals or organizations that support the overall educational mission of the institution and want to assist in transforming student-athletes in a challenging, Christ-centered environment.

For more information about NGU’s Crusader Club, contact Emily Owani at emily.owani@ngu.edu.

The Transformation Continues

Dear Alumni!

In Romans 12:2, Believers are encouraged to “be transformed.”

During our time, the campus community of faculty, staff, and university friends pushed us to live in a way that reflected God’s transformational work. They did this because they understood that shifting your patterns and focus can change your life and empower you to honor God consistently.

In this issue of 1892, you will read stories filled with transformational moments, stories detailing moments of success throughout the entire university. Additionally, you will read about alumni and friends who are experiencing the Lord’s transformational work in – and through – their lives.

The world and society have patterns that lead to a broken life. These patterns are easy to fall into and can be challenging to turn away from. Sometimes, these actions are repeated mindlessly, without considering our witnesses or the consequences that follow. We are challenging our community to break from that pattern. We continue to serve as a university fully committed to being a place where Christ Makes the Difference. We continue to be a university developing transformational leaders for church and society.

In athletics, we transformed.

In June of 2022, the NGU Baseball team transformed the landscape of Division II College Baseball when we went undefeated in College Baseball World Series and claimed our first National Championship in any sport in school history.

In ministry, we transformed.

This year, NGU student ministry teams invested in transforming the world. Teams served locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally to share the message of the Lord’s transforming power. Student mission teams gave their spring break, and invested their summer to serve others on six continents.

In academics, we transformed.

We announced the addition of a master’s degree in Biological Science. On campus, currently, we are transforming the historic Donnan Administration Building into an all-new home for the College of Business and Entrepreneurship. This will enable our business faculty to help develop and prepare students to be transformational professionals leading businesses in a way that honors God.

What about you? Are you living a life that reflects God’s transformational work? We would love for you to share your transformational stories. And, if you are not, start changing your patterns and focusing on Christ today. He will change your life. When we understand God’s love and mercy for us, we find the reason to transform our lives, renew our minds and live in a way that honors Him.

Lamont Sullivan (’98, ’13 MM) Senior Associate Vice President, Alumni Engagement & Athletics

AlumniNotes

In Memoriam

Josephine Breazeale Walker (’44) on Nov. 10, 2021

Dr. Veda Nell Bagwell Sprouse (’45) on March 3, 2022

Margaret Edna Hammett (’46) on Feb. 27, 2021

Nolen L. Brunson (’48) on Jan. 14, 2021

Royce Nelson Gillespie (’48) on Feb. 1, 2021

Nelma Williams Cowan (’50) on Feb. 4, 2021

Miriam Rudd Brown (’51) on Aug. 16, 2022

Helen Ruth Leopard Lewis (’51) on March 8, 2022

Sara Katherine Ross Clay (’52) on Feb. 28, 2022

Gladys Lee Smith Hall (’52) on June 7, 2022

Mendel Ray Masters (’52) on June 28, 2022

Fred Eugene Weathers, Jr. (’53) on Sept. 21, 2021

Bobby “Bob” Eugene Bishop (’55) on Dec. 27, 2021

Barbara Mann Maddox (’55) on July 9 2022

Hubbard (Hub) Norris (’55) on Dec. 29, 2020

Olin Franklin Williams (’55) on June 30, 2022

Margie Austin Gibson (’56) on Nov. 21, 2022

Rev. John Morgan Lynch, Sr. (’56) on Sept. 16, 2021

Dr. Barbara McCormick (’56) on Mar. 31, 2021

Rev. William Carey “Bill” Adams (’57) on Jan. 29, 2022

Henry Milford Vaughn (’57) on Jan. 7, 2023

Dr. Arnold E. Emery (’58, ’96) on Dec. 10, 2021

Rev. Ben Walker Rowland (’58) on Mar. 2, 2021

Kenneth LeGrand Crook (’59) on Nov. 11, 2021

Plyna Mae “Polly” Poole Arms (’60) on Dec. 20, 2022

Carolyn Corbin Sprouse (’60) on Jan. 31, 2022

Pat Hollifield Wheeler (’60 and former professor) on Dec. 4, 2022

Rev. Robert Kenneth Frederick (’61) on Oct. 19, 2022

Bill F. Mackey (’61) on July 14, 2022

Elizabeth Ann Brown (’62) on March 15, 2023

Dr. Frances Blackwell Smith (’62) on Oct. 12, 2022

Rev. Dr. Trenton Lavern

Connelly (’63) on Jan. 22, 2023

Rev. Felton Cox (’63) on Aug. 16, 2022

Dr. Robert “Bob” Marion Miller (’63) on Sept. 12, 2021

Betty Edna Reece (’63) on Oct. 17, 2022

Orin H. Garner (’64) on Nov. 5, 2020

Harriet Jones Major (’64) on Feb. 22, 2021

Carolyn Miller Smith (’64) on Nov. 1, 2020

M.Sgt. Jimmy “Bones” Ellis Wilson, Sr. (USAF) Ret. (’64) on Jan. 1, 2021

Thomas Gerald “Jerry” Sizemore (’66) on Nov. 8, 2020

Carolyn Merrill McKinney Bowers (’67) on March 7, 2022

Charles Dean Fleming (’67) on Nov. 14, 2022

Joseph “Joe” Porter Taylor (’67) on April 4, 2023

Rev. Earl Hartley (’68) on July 20, 2022

Doris Ann Carpenter Khoe (’68) on Oct. 29, 2020

Alice Lorraine Sullivan (’68) on Sept. 2, 2020

Janet Griffin Hopkins (’70) on Nov. 27, 2020

Isaac William “Ike” Brunson (’73) on Jan. 18, 2021

Rev. James Anthony Spencer (’75) on Feb. 11, 2023

Mary Lynn Thigpen Buddin (’76) on March 21, 2022

James William Fox (’79) on April 3, 2022

Rev. T. Mark Ferguson (’81) on Aug. 15, 2021

Joe Allen Wood, Jr. (’81) on May 1, 2021

Linda Dukes Geddings (’81) on Sept. 29, 2021

Kandy Denise Lantowsky (’83) on March 21, 2022

Debra Susan Royster (’83) on Oct. 22, 2020

Ricky Creech (’86) on July 16, 2022

Barbara Jane Babridge (’90) on May 8, 2022

Rev. Keith Derrick Coates (’94) on Sept. 26, 2021

Brian Earl Allen (’02) on Oct. 26, 2022

Brian Bishop (’04) on Jan. 16, 2021

Miriam Elizabeth Baker Cromer (’08) on April 6, 2023

Paul John Schumacher II (’08) on June 13, 2022

Rev. Mark Asbury Bowling (MCM ’14) on Oct. 20, 2020

Timothy Ray Ross (’14 and former instructor) on Feb. 24, 2021

David James Collins (’16) on Dec. 2, 2021

Jonathan “Jon” Carlisle Fulmer (’17 MBA) on Sept. 24, 2022

Emma Pepper (’20) on Nov. 16, 2020

Austin Derek Aldridge (’22) on June 21, 2022

Faculty, Staff, Trustees

James A. Black, Jr. (former trustee) on Feb. 27, 2022

Dr. Russell C. Ashmore, Jr. (former trustee) on August 21, 2023.

Rev. Dr. Thomas Esse Burns (former professor) on Oct. 31, 2022

Eleanor Gwen Cooper (former faculty) on Jan. 14, 2023

Dr. Betty Jo Craft (former trustee) on Nov. 25, 2021

Glenda Crain (retired Business Office) on March 14, 2021

Gwendolyn Cudd Duarte (former professor) on Aug. 23, 2022

Dr. Pauline H. Emery (honorary Doctor of Humanities ’17) on Jan. 11, 2022

Dr. Charles “Buddy” Freeman (former administrator) on Oct. 1, 2023

Dr. Robert “Bob” Eugene Gaddis (former professor) on July 30, 2022

Dr. Cline Edwin Hall (former professor) on Oct. 19, 2020

Dr. Shirley Ann Hickson (retired professor) on Apr. 25, 2021

Nancy “Bunny” Isgett (retired professor) on March 13, 2023

Dick Jenson (former professor) on Dec. 17, 2022

Steve Litton (former basketball coach) on Nov. 25, 2021

Dennie “Bubba” Marchbanks (retired staff) on Dec. 9, 2020

Carlene Lanford Miller (former staff) on July 25, 2022

Thomas Rhame Nelson (former professor) on Dec. 26, 2022

Rev. Steve Allison Rutledge (former professor) on March 5, 2023

Dr. Paul Alan Seibert (former professor) on April 8, 2022

Bob Shearer (former instructor) on Dec. 8, 2020

Dr. George Silver (former NGU president) on Jan. 29, 2021

Dr. Robert “Bob” Dewey Simpkin (retired professor) on Sept. 21, 2021

Dr. James Hunt Stovall, Sr. (Council of Advisors) on Oct. 7, 2022

Dr. John Strange (former biology professor and NGU physician) on Oct. 29, 2021

Dr. Paul Anderson Talmadge (former NGU president) on Nov. 20, 2020

Melvin K. Younts (former NGU trustee) on Aug. 27, 2022

Weddings

Rebecca Woodruff (’00) to J.P. Morgan on Aug. 21, 2021

Cory Truax (’08) to Nichole Tillotson (’08) on Nov. 4, 2022

Lauren Virginia Metts (’12) and Drew Lamar Miller on May 14, 2022

Megan Robertson (’17) to Caleb Adkins (’17) on Aug. 8, 2020

Laura Arden Andrews to Dustin Randall Lee (’18) on April 9, 2022

Parker Newman Foster (’20) to Graham Logan McDonald (’20) on July 18, 2020

Babies

Mandie Boyd (’05) and husband Justin (’05) welcomed Kate Morgan Boyd on Dec. 22, 2020. She weighed 6 lb., 5 oz.

Jennifer Rothenburg Barnes (’07) and husband Bryce welcomed Elijah Paityn Barnes on Feb. 18, 2023. He joins brothers William Edward (8), Kristopher Allen (6), and Jameson Chase (2).

Karla Kirby Simpson (’07) and husband Brandon welcomed their Callen Simpson on April 3, 2020.

Jessica Boulware Upchurch (’09) and her husband

Jared welcomed Jordan Matthew Upchurch, on Oct. 22, 2020, weighing 8 lb., 10 oz.

He joins a 4-year-old big brother, JJ.

Clayton Thornton (’12) and wife Lyndsey welcomed Daniel James Thornton on May 11, 2022. He weighed 7 lb., 10 oz., and measured 22 inches long.

Kali Smith Bailey (’13) and husband John welcomed Jack on Feb. 21, 2022.

Jessica Berryhill Massey (’13) and Jordan (’11) welcomed Daniel Elias Massey on Sept. 17, 2020, weighing 7 lb., 8 oz.

McKenzie Wells Gribble (MAT ’14) and Will (MAT ’18) welcomed Elliana Grace Gribble on Feb. 16, 2021 weighing 7 lb., 8 oz. NGU Student Services staff member Tina Wells is enjoying her first grandchild.

Victoria Elizabeth Pearson (’14) and her husband JJ (’16) welcomed John “Johnny” Carrel Pearson V, on May 1, 2020. He weighed 10 lb., 2 oz.

Emily Drake Baragar (’15) and her husband Jordan welcomed Josiah Marshall Baragar on May 5, 2020.

Deanna Pottorff Blackwell (’15) and Scott (’14) welcomed twins Eden Lee and Jocelyn Jo Blackwell on Dec. 6, 2020.

Rebecca Floyd (’17, MBA ’19) and Stuart (’16, MBA ’19) welcomed Nathaniel Price Floyd on Feb. 25, 2022. He weighed 8 lbs. and was 21 inches long.

1970

Dr. John J. McGraw has been appointed to the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners by Governor Bill Lee. The five-year term began Jan. 1, 2022. McGraw joins eight other physicians and three lay members on this board. The body is charged with the safety and protection of the citizens of Tennessee through granting and monitoring medical licenses.

1971

Alumni Notes

1967

James L. Harvey, Jr. wrote “The Civil War In My South Carolina Lowcountry.” His book pays tribute to his greatgrandfathers’ service in the war and the lives they shared with their families. He also shares his family’s Christian faith and the impact the church had during this time in history.

1969

John and Jim Ramsey received 30-year certificates for being members of the Darlington County Sheriff’s Department reserve unit. John is a lieutenant and Jim is a Sargeant. They both live in Darlington, SC, and operate Diamond Hill Plywood Company. These twin brothers were two of the first students to live in Bruce Hall when it was built in 1969.

1977

Mike Whitson celebrated his 40th anniversary as pastor of First Baptist, Indian Trail, NC.

1991

Alice Arrington was honored as a Community Hero by the Greenville News. The program honors the service of those who tirelessly work to make the community better. Arrington is the president of the Peach Patchers Quilt Guild in Greer and a member of both the Upstate and national Quilts of Valor organizations. She was nominated for the award for helping the Peach Patchers present more than 70 quilts to local veterans. Arrington, who retired in 2011, is a former principal at Sara Collins Elementary School and worked for Greenville County Schools for more than 30 years.

Cynthia Roberts was named to the Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness Board for 2023-24. Roberts is the regional technical school loaned executive and the deputy program manager of the Apprenticeship and Pipeline Training Programs for Savannah River Nuclear Solutions. She has 23 years experience at SRNS in a variety of roles.

1998

Josh Powell was called to Taylors First Baptist in Taylors, SC, as the lead pastor. He and his wife Allison (Koon) (’98) have four children.

AlumniNotes

1999

Carrie Buchanan is principal of Hall Fletcher Elementary School in Asheville, NC. She had served as the school’s interim principal since September 2020.

Demetral McIIwain

Butler is a member of the first Upper State Apartment Association Leadership Lyceum Class of 2022 along with 10 other multi-family industry leaders. She has been thriving in the multi-family industry of the Upstate for 10 years.

2000

Monica Bishop Bryant is the Assistant Real Estate Operations Manager at

United Housing Connections in Greenville, SC.

Michael Chapple is the principal of Indian Creek Middle School in Covington, GA. He has more than 15 years of experience in education. After college he pursued a career in television news as a production assistant and news photojournalist. With that experience, Chapple began his career in education, becoming a high school broadcasting teacher in the Clayton County School District. He later taught in the Cobb and Henry county school systems before returning to Clayton County as a digital learning specialist. In 2016, Chapple accepted the position as lead administrator for schoolwide personalized learning implementation at Woodland Middle School in Fulton County Schools before joining the Newton County School System team in 2017 as an assistant principal at Newton High

School. While at Newton High School, he served as the director of school operations, CTAE administrator, and assistant principal of ninth grade.

2001

Branton Burleson is an adjunct professor for the The College at Southeastern at the Fruitland Baptist Bible College campus.

classes in areas such as health and wellness, job skills, crafts, financial health, and more. Trey also serves as the coordinator for FoodShare at Greer Relief. FoodShare Greenville is a program that partners with local farms to provide fresh, healthy produce to the community, regardless of income.

Mary Evans Lane and her husband, Brant, along with their four children, served as missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators at JAARS in Waxhaw, NC, from 2016 to January 2023. They have moved to a different ministry, serving as missionaries with Teen Missions International in Merritt Island, FL.

Emily Benjamin Raines recently received the Sales Leader of the Year Award for DRB Group/Dan Ryan Builders. DRB Group is the No. 28 largest builder in the nation. Emily is the director of sales and marketing and broker in charge for the Greenville division. After marrying Tyler Raines (’02), Emily started her real estate career in new construction 17 years ago. She has sold homes throughout the Upstate and has been in management for the last six years. She currently sits on the board of directors for the Greenville Home Builders Association.

2002

Lauren Caldwell Price was chosen as a Cigna Community Ambassador Fellow to lead an initiative bringing clean water to Lirhanzo Mission School in Zimbabwe. She won the fellowship from Cigna, her employer, last summer. Cigna, which employs 70,000 worldwide, selects 12-15 employees to be Cigna Ambassador Fellows each year. Fellows receive up to 12 weeks of paid leave and funding to complete their project. Price connected with her local school district, two local high schools, and a teacher in Indiana, all of whom are using her project for STEM lessons for their students. The plan is for students to create a final product that can be shared to raise awareness of water scarcity and this project.

2003

Trey Austin is the community engagement coordinator for Greer Relief. He is responsible for the Empowerment program (RENEW) services. RENEW, which stands for Reaching Every Neighbor Every Way, was launched in 2015 and is an education, enrichment, and life skills program open to the public. Volunteers offer to teach

Dr. Chris Aiken recently was installed as the seventh senior pastor in the history of Englewood Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC. Previously, he served in churches in SC, NY, and FL. He also served as an adjunct professor of missions, evangelism, church planting, and biblical studies at the Baptist College of Florida.

Rev. Patrick Malphrus became moderator (president) of the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in June 2021. He is the youngest to date to be elected to this office. Patrick is a pastor of Old Providence ARP in Spottswood, VA.

Lee Richardson is the chief compliance officer (CCO) for Creative Planning, a $90 billion Overland Park, Kansas-based Registered Investment Advisor. Lee joined Creative Planning in March of 2020 and was promoted to CCO in July of 2021 after a five-year stint at the Securities and Exchange Commission. Richardson had worked as an auditor and later a compliance examiner at the federal regulator, which oversees the United States capital markets. He will now be responsible for overseeing Creative Planning’s compliance department in its entirety.

Mark Thomas joined New South Wealth Management, an investment consulting firm, in Charlotte, NC, as a financial associate.

Andy Vaughn is the associate athletics director for football player personnel and recruiting at Arizona State University. He spent the previous two years at the University of Miami in a similar capacity. Vaughn was instrumental in three straight Top25 recruiting classes at Miami. The highlight was the 2021 Miami signing class that ranked No. 11 nationally by 247 Sports. Vaughn also had previous stints at Arizona, Nebraska, Nevada, and Middle Tennessee State. Vaughn earned a master’s degree in physical education and sports administration from Florida State University in 2005.

2004

Philip Turner (MCM ’14) former pastor of discipleship at First Baptist Church of Columbia, SC, is the director for church engagement at Connie Maxwell Children’s Home in Greenwood, SC.

2006

He was the director of bands at Silver Bluff.

Laura Blanton was recognized by Working Mother Magazine as one of the 2020 Top Wealth Advisor Moms in the United States for her commitment to her family and her clients. The Working Mother’s Top Wealth Advisor Moms ranking algorithm is based on industry experience, interview, compliance records, assets under management, revenue, and other SHOOK Research criteria. This is the second time the national publication has ranked Laura.

2008

Dr. Tawana Scott (MBA) is academic partership coordinator at NGU’s Greer Campus. She serves as an assistant professor of educational leadership in the College of Education.

David Sons was chair of the 2023 Committee on Resolutions for the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, June 13–14, in New Orleans. Sons is pastor of Lake Murray Baptist Church in Lexington, SC, where he has served since 2015.

Nate Bramsen had his second book published in Feb. 2021, titled “Prosper: Enjoying Intimacy with God.” The book was written during his journey with cancer. Nate often returns to NGU to teach classes and has spoken twice at the Global Missions Conference.

Meredith McKey is a realtor and Gaffney Board of Public Works Commissioner for District 3.

2007

Kenny and Claire Hilliard spent the last several years modernizing and rewriting classic hymns to reintroduce them to the Church. They released an EP titled “Are You Weary” in 2021, which contains several modernized and rewritten hymns including “Approach My Soul,” and “For the Beauty.”

Josh Kimbrell was elected to a two-year term in the SC Senate, representing District 11.

Cora Flottman, a UNC Pembroke graduate student, was accepted to the 2022 Child, Adolescent and Family Behavioral Health Fellowship. The program recruits 10 students enrolled in an accredited behavioral health graduate program with a professional goal of becoming fully licensed to practice in North Carolina. The program, based in Cary, N.C., is administered through the Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation’s Center of Excellence for Integrative Care. Flottman is a professional school counseling student and is enrolled in the Play Therapy Graduate Certificate program.

Joseph Hudson is a member of the Board of Directors of the Travelers Rest Historical Society. He has become an expert on South Carolina railroads, especially the Swamp Rabbit Railroad. The trail is often credited with the revival of Travelers Rest, SC. Joseph has helped to create an exhibit on the Swamp Rabbit for the Travelers Rest History Museum. He also is choir director at Cleveland First Baptist Church in Cleveland, SC.

Nichole Tillotson Truax serves as a Veterinary Technician at Cleveland Park Animal Hospital in downtown Greenville, SC.

2009

Dustin Fuls (’11 MBA) was promoted to associate athletic director for internal operations and support in the NGU Athletics Department.

became one of the top 0.5% of all Kickstarter campaigns. The funds raised through the Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign will go toward product expansion – including a soon-to-be-launched line of loose-leaf teas.

Brandon Graves was recognized as the 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year at Hillcrest Middle School in Dalzell, SC.

Joshua “Lance” Stockton is the assistant principal at Silver Bluff High School in Aiken, SC.

Seth Montgomery has joined Indiana State Athletics as the Associate Athletic Director for Communications and Digital Content. Seth oversees the overall management, operations, and performance evaluations of Athletic Communications, while also ensuring Indiana State Athletics is meeting the communication goals of its 15 sponsored NCAA Division I sports.

Darrin Goss, Sr. (’09 MCM), is president and CEO of Coastal Community Foundation in Charleston, SC, the largest community foundation in the state. He was named to Charleston’s 50 Most Influential in 2022 by Charleston Business Magazine

John Logan Schell was a contributor to the publication “The Oxford Handbook of Comic Book Studies,” edited by Frederick Luis Aldama.

2010

Paul Davis founded Durhambased Mosi Tea four years ago. The company currently has a line of tea infusers. He raised almost $500,000 in 40 days which

Davin McRoberts joined Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty as an associate. McRoberts worked for several different businesses before returning to his family’s company, SC Tool Corp., as an equity partner in 2017. He helped grow the company into a multimilliondollar business with 41 employees. He serves as CEO of the Spartanburg-based firm.

2011

Jae Ellison is director of education for the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA-USA). IHEA–USA is the professional hunter education association affiliated with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the 50 state fish and hunter education programs. The programs employ 55,000 instructors, many of whom are volunteers, that teach hunting and shooting safety and responsibilities throughout the United States. Hunter Education courses train and certify more than 600,000 students annually. Jae’s background is centered in Outdoor Education, primarily in higher education. He went to the IHEA-USA from Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA, where he served as the Director

AlumniNotes

of Outdoor Leadership and Education.

James N. Haltiwanger, Jr., a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates in Greenville, recently earned the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation after completing the Exit Planning Institute’s intensive four-day executive MBA-style program. As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor, James helps identify, protect, build, harvest, and manage wealth to assist business owners and their families through an ownership transition.

Emily Pittman Owani (MBA ’13) moved from the NGU athletics department to the Office of Advancement and University Engagement. She serves as director of the Crusader Club.

2012

Will Broadus, pastor of Reconcile Community Church was named the Greenville News “Community Hero Greenville” for October 2021.

Kenneth Perkins was selected by Yamaha Music USA as one of 40 music educators under the age of 40 who are going above and beyond when instructing music programs. According to Yamaha, these young educators showcase action, courage, creativity, and growth in their schools and communities. Perkins is the music teacher at Joseph Keels Elementary School in Columbia, SC.

Suyash S. Raiborde joined Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. as Special Counsel. Suyash was an Associate with Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd from 2016-2019. Before rejoining the firm, he worked for a national law firm based in New York City.

Landon Senn was recently promoted to video production lead at Infinity Marketing in Greenville. He oversees all video production for the agency, including both videography and postproduction.

Steve Sokohl is the principal at Blythe Academy in Greenville.

Clayton Thornton has accepted a position as the AVL director at Alliance Bible Fellowship Church in Boone, NC.

Jake Morris was promoted from associate head coach and offensive line coach at Dorman High School in Spartanburg to head coach on March 13, 2023.

Shelley Windsor joined VantagePoint Marketing, a nationally recognized business-to-business marketing agency, as an account manager in their client services department. Windsor brings a background in marketing project management. Her role at VantagePoint will be as a lead consultant with clients for all marketing initiatives, including the development of annual marketing communications recommendations, scoping out client needs, and managing projects to help clients achieve business goals. She has volunteered with organizations such as ScanSource Charitable Foundation and United Way.

2014

Philip Black is planting Harbor City Church in Charleston, SC, out of The Summit Church in Raleigh, NC. He can be reached at philip@ harborcitychs.com.

Lauren Morris joined the South Carolina Woman’s Missionary Union staff as student consultant. Lauren brings six years of missions experience with the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board.

2015

Mason Bayne is videographer to NGU. He serves as part of the University Marketing and Creative Services team.

Joey Elledge graduated with his Ph.D. in organizational leadership from Columbia International University.

2016

Region First Team. He also was named Carolinas Conference All-Conference First Team and Pitcher of the Year and NGU Male Athlete of the Year. In 2019, Tucker was NCBWA Division II All-American First Team, as well as All-Region First Team. He was also named Southeast Pitcher of the Year by the NCBWA. The CCA named him All-American First Team, All-Region First Team, and Southeast Pitcher of the Year, along with being ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team, Carolinas Conference All-Conference First Team, and Pitcher of the Year.

Ashley Silvey published her first book, titled “HERcules: Empowering the Fierce and Feminine Inside Every Woman,” on March 12, 2021.

2017

Tucker Burgess (MBA ’18) was inducted into the 2020 Easley High School Athletic Hall of Fame. A 2013 graduate of Easley High School, Tucker was a member of the baseball team for five years. He was named All-Region and AllState in 2012 and 2013 and was selected to the South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association North-South All-Star Game in 2013. The baseball team was in the 4A playoffs for all five of the years Tucker was a member. He received an athletic scholarship to Clemson University in 2013 and transferred to NGU following the 2014 season. While at North Greenville, he was named Carolinas Conference AllConference in 2017. In 2018, he was the leader in NCAA Division II victories as a pitcher and ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team, Hero Sports Pitcher of the Year, NCBWA, and CAA All-

Walker Broad Areiza has been promoted from tax administrative assistant to strategic value coordinator with Elliott Davis, a top U.S. business solutions and consulting company located in Greenville.

Michael Bonifay is the Cincinnati Reds’ Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts team performance coach. He’s the son of Cam Bonifay, who is a special assistant to the GM and in his 21st season with the Reds. Michael was a college pitcher at UNC Charlotte, South Mountain Community College, and NGU before moving on to the coaching ranks. From 20182021 he was the pitching coach at Montreat College.

Ashton Heard has signed with the defending Serbian American football champions, the Kragujevac Wild Boars. Heard, a native of Abbeville, SC, spent the 2019 season with Denmark’s Copenhagen Towers, where he rushed for 743 yards in five games helping the team

reach the Danish final. A seasonending injury in the semifinals prevented him from playing in the championship. He arrived in Denmark after playing for NGU, where he was a first-team AllAmerican. In his four years playing for the Crusaders (20142017), he accumulated 2,926 yards while scoring 20 rushing touchdowns and catching 39 passes for 487 yards and three touchdowns. He holds the school single game rushing record, carrying the ball 31 times for 315 yards and two touchdowns against Tusculum University in 2015.

serving as senior team captain. Drafted in the 11th round by the Dodgers in the 2011 MLB Draft, Wingo spent three seasons in professional baseball before returning to USC in 2015 to serve as a student assistant. In 2016 and 2017, Wingo coached at NGU while earning his master’s degree, and he spent one season at Jacksonville before stepping away from coaching.

2018

Officer Matthew Bannister was named Rookie of the Year by the Greer Police Department.

Rachel Dickerson is an executive assistant with McConnell Real Estate Partners in Charleston, SC. After graduating from NGU she received her real estate license and worked in a marketing position with a boutique real estate company prior to moving to Charleston.

Chris Hayward is the commercial relationship manager at United Community Bank in Greenville. In this role, Hayward is responsible for developing and building relationships with business owners across Greenville County.

Richard J. Schuler II (PA-C) has joined St. Peter’s MS and Headache Center, a practice of St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates. A boardcertified physician assistant, Richard practices neurology, specializing in headache medicine. He previously practiced neuropsychiatry with Hudson Headwaters Health Network in Queensbury, New York. His professional interests include utilization of natural and pharmaceutical interventions for the treatment and management of debilitating neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Daniel Horn completed his dental residency in Asheville, NC, last summer and moved back home to the Upstate. He began his first post-residency job with ProGrin Dental, working at their North Greer office. Prior to residency, he spent four years in dental school at MUSC in Charleston.

Marc Reynolds, pastor of Little River Baptist Church in Penrose, NC, was named to an eightmember search committee to find the next editor of the Biblical Recorder, the Baptist newspaper of North Carolina. Marc began serving on the Recorder’s board of directors in 2022.

Allison Starling played Sister Amnesia in “Sister Amnesia’s Country Western Nunsense Jamboree” at the Hendersonville Theatre in Hendersonville, NC. She last appeared as Johnna in the 2019 production of August: Osage County.

Scott Wingo (M.Ed.) has joined the baseball coaching staff at his alma mater, the University of South Carolina. He was one of the key veterans behind USC’s back-toback national titles, winning the Most Outstanding Player of the 2011 College World Series while

Joshua Keith “JB” Bowen was ordained into the ministry on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, at First Baptist Church in Dillion, SC, where he is associate pastor of students. He has served as minister of youth at Covenant Baptist Church in Lancaster, SC; associate minister of music at Locust Hill Baptist Church in Travelers Rest; and as a counselor, worship leader, and assistant director at Camp Pinehill in Bennettsville, SC. He is married to the former Kelsey Allen.

Myrom (Gene) Roberts (D.Min.) is the new associational missions strategist for the Summerhill Baptist Association in Southwest Georgia.

Jessica Velasquez (MBA) is the senior integrated marketing coordinator for Infinity Marketing, a fully integrated marketing agency in the Upstate. Jessica manages projects and timelines; establishes budgets, goals and strategies for accounts; and functions as the day-to-day contact for clients. She moved to Infinity with experience as a marketing specialist for Reebok.

2019

Cole Bryson accepted a position in mobile marketing working with the Dallas Cowboys and Hollywood Productions.

Austin McQuaid is the senior integrated marketing coordinator for Infinity Marketing, a fully integrated marketing agency in the Upstate. Austin serves as the day-to-day contact for assigned accounts by project managing all agency deliverables. He collaborates with leadership to establish marketing budgets, goals, and strategies. Austin has prior experience in the hospitality industry.

Anna Catherine Middleton was named the 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year at McBee High School in Pageland, SC. She teaches Spanish I and II, and Honors Spanish III to ninth through 12th graders. She has taught at McBee for four years.

Gabriella Motter was hired by the Greenville Triumph SC as partnership marketing and community relations coordinator. She is responsible for fulfilling partnership agreements and for developing, implementing, and facilitating projects related to the organization’s commitment to the community. She has seven years of experience working in athletics, including youth sports programming, parks and recreation, and collegiate sports operations.

Kaliegh Roach is the head coach of the cross country and track program at UNC Greensboro.

2020

Julia Schoeffler Basha is teaching at Wade Hampton High School in Greenville.

Bethany Fowler has started work on her Master of Arts in Communication from Johns Hopkins University.

Regan King was selected as one of the teachers in Kershaw County District Outstanding First-Year Teacher recognition program. Regan is one of two Spanish teachers at Camden High and has served as Beta Club sponsor and Junior Varsity Volleyball coach.

Abi Waters is a middle school teacher at Legacy Early College in Greenville. She currently is working on her master’s degree.

Dr. Price Matthew “Matt” Watson joined the dental team at Crews & Mills in Hampton, SC, after graduating from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

Ariel Norris Wiebe received her master’s degree in history from Liberty University in May 2022. She has just completed her first year in the Ph.D. program in history at the University of New Mexico.

AlumniNotes

2021

Josh Byram joined Infinity Marketing, a fully integrated marketing agency in the Upstate, as Integrated Marketing Coordinator. A former Infinity intern, Byram is responsible for managing projects and timelines for a variety of clients, coordinating with team members across agency departments and supporting account leads.

Loring students to successfully obtain long-term employment in the industry sectors where they have received training. In addition to providing a bridge to employment, Kristen will lead the team training students in employability skills necessary to maintain long-term growth within any organization. She plans to attend the University of Maine in Presque Isle to pursue a master’s in organizational leadership.

Cameron Stepp is a supervised learning advisor and mentor at Riverside High School in Greer, SC.

Kasie Thomas and her MY40 team won second place at the Mississippi Association Broadcasting Awards for her High School Friday Night football show.

Zion Dendy completed his MBA in digital marketing and communication from Lander University while working fulltime as a photojournalist at Fox Carolina News in Greenville. He is now a student communications coordinator at Spartanburg Methodist College.

Ryan Fleming is a media coordinator with Infinity Marketing, a fully integrated marketing agency in the Upstate. Ryan supports Infinity’s media buyers by implementing digital advertising campaigns and maintaining all client deliverables. Prior to joining Infinity Marketing, he was a logistics account executive with Total Quality Logistics.

Taylor Faith Loughry is a first-time children’s book illustrator and a full-time graphic designer. Her first illustrated book is titled “An Octopus Named Olivia: What Could You Do With Eight Arms?” The book, illustrated by Taylor and written by Joli Oliver Elder, was released by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. Taylor works as a graphic designer for Altar’d State in Knoxville, TN.

2023

Graham Lee landed his first job as a multimedia journalist/reporter at WJBF News Channel 6 in Augusta, GA.

Parker Stalvey is a marketing operations specialist with Safeguards Consulting, a national security engineering and technical consulting firm headquartered in South Carolina.

Chase Garber was hired as operations manager for the Charleston RiverDogs baseball team. Chase earned a full-time role in the operations department after spending the 2022 season as a general intern with the RiverDogs.

Kristen Henry has joined the Loring Job Corps team in Limestone, ME, as the director of workforce development. Kristen will oversee the career readiness and the career transitions areas of the center, which provide the training as well as resources for

Jazzmyne Pipkins (MBA) is the owner of American Sign Language Studio and QuickBooks Services in Florence, SC. The studio offers sign language lessons.

Eduardo Prieto (Ed.D.) was named University of Mississippi vice chancellor for enrollment management. In his role at Ole Miss, Prieto is be responsible for designing and implementing the university’s master enrollment strategy, incorporating recruitment plans and strategic enrollment initiatives, and leading financial aid optimization efforts using data analysis, enrollment forecasting, and industry best practices.

2022

Merit Morgan joined WITN in Greenville, NC, as a multimedia journalist.

CampusNews

Administration

Dr. Jill Rayburn has moved into the role of NGU General Counsel. She had served as assistant provost for academic outreach and director of professional programs and Title IX coordinator since 2015. She came to NGU in 2015 as an adjunct professor with NGU Online, teaching Business Law, HR Management, and Ethics. In addition to teaching, she was responsible for developing NGU’s Certificate and Professional Development programs before being named assistant provost for academic outreach.

Michael Stowell, began serving as senior vice president for finance on Feb. 1, 2021. The

seasoned finance professional was introduced to NGU in 2020 when his services were engaged through the firm CFO Colleague to provide interim financial and operational guidance. Throughout his career, Stowell has successfully led project teams and organizations to achieve financial and operational objectives. He is a results-oriented leader working to develop, implement, and advance technologies and processes that produce organizational improvements, garner user buy-in, enhance overall business productivity, and control costs. Stowell works with leadership to assess the changing business environment, develop strategic financial plans, oversee the development and implementation of annual budgets, and implement improved customer-centric business processes. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, a master’s degree in business administration from Arizona State University, and a master’s degree in accounting and financial management from Keller Graduate School of Management. He is also an Arizona-certified public accountant and is a Six Sigma Black Belt.

College of Business & Entrepreneurship

Dr. Jon M. Rogers, Adjunct Professor, received the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants Founder’s Award. The award is given in honor of IARFC® Founder John J. Gargan to a past or present board director, officer or committee member. Recipients must achieve a high ethical and professional standard and expand the association’s visibility.

College of Communication and Fine Arts

Dr. Karyn Campbell, assistant professor of communication at NGU, was named a Distinguished Adviser by the College Media Association (CMA). Campbell has served as the adviser to The Vision, North Greenville University’s studentrun website, for over a decade. In addition, Campbell had an article published in the Journal of Media Ethics in 2021. The article is titled “Determinants of Attitudes toward Ethical Dilemmas in News: A Survey of Student Journalists.” This article was written with Dr. Bryan Denham.

College of Education

Dr. Robbie Adell joined NGU’s Greer Campus on May 1 as professor in the Master of Education program.

College of Humanities and Sciences

CampusNews

for his outstanding excellence in service to the Landrum Police Department.

Dr. David Cudd has been promoted to associate dean for the Cline School of Music.

Bess Park, Professor of Theatre Design, directed Abbeville Community Performing Arts’ play “Catfish Moon” in April at the Abbeville Opera House. The Laddy Sartin play about brotherhood, romance, and life incorporated reclaimed wood from a dock removed from Abbeville’s Lake Secession. Park is also the founder and executive director of Wild Hare Productions.

Dr. Darian Washington, Professor of Music, is NGU’s 2022-23 South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Excellence in Teaching Award recipient. The organization honored faculty leaders from each of its 21 member institutions at an Excellence in Teaching Awards Dinner on April 18 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, SC.

Dr. Linda Parker, Associate Professor of Education, joined the College of Education in 2020 as a member of the Early Childhood Education faculty. She taught kindergarten and elementary students in Ohio and Michigan before moving to South Carolina. Parker was a lead/master teacher at a private school in SC for nine years before taking a sabbatical from teaching to write the early childhood curriculum, Footsteps for Fours, for Bob Jones University Press. As an elementary author, she also contributed to preschool and reading curriculums. Parker taught and advised students in the School of Education at Bob Jones University for nine years. While at BJU, she was the department chair of the Childcare and Development program. As an educational consultant, she is the owner and president of SPEED LLC - Strategic Principles of Early Education. This role has allowed her to present educational workshops throughout the country. She has a BS in Music Education from Bob Jones University, an MEd from the University of South Carolina Upstate, and an Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education from Northcentral University.

Dr. Cheryl Abrams Collier, Associate Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Science, was named the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit representative to the South Carolina State Board of Education.

Dr. Nigel Basta, NGU’s program director for cybersecurity, has been selected to serve on the EC-Council CPENT Scheme Committee Board. His role on the committee will allow him to help write the Certified Penetration Tester (CPENT), a 24-hour examination that challenges candidates through realworld penetration testing and scenarios. Only 92 individuals have earned CPENT certification, and just 34 have achieved more than 90 percent on the exam. Basta holds the highest score on the exam to date. EC-Council, an official academic partner of NGU, offers an Ethical Hacker certification, which Basta invented in 2005.

Dr. Jan Foster has been appointed assistant provost for instruction and assessment. She will continue to serve as an associate professor of biology in the College of Humanities and Sciences. Dr. Foster is serving again as a Table Leader for AP Research this year.

Dr. H. Paul Thompson, Jr., Dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences, was a keynote speaker for the second annual conference of the International Alliance for Christian Education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. IACE, founded in 2020, is a network representing all sectors of Christian education globally. Membership is open to institutions, academic organizations, and partner entities. Thompson and NGU President Gene Fant are founding members. Thompson spoke on the importance of serious Christian thinking in the various disciplines. His speech title was “Christian Education, Christian Education, or Christian Education: How Clear, Emphatic, and Comprehensive is Your Vision?”

Office of Advancement and University Engagement

LaVerne Howell, who has served the University in numerous roles since 1996, is now the director of donor services. LaVerne is a 1987 graduate of the University of South Carolina and has served in positions in alumni engagement, communications, and development.

Dr. Marti Glass, director of adult and professional studies for the College of Humanities and Science and associate professor of psychology, was recognized as Reserve Officer of the Year

Kayla Morgan (’12, MBA ’18), former advancement operations assistant and administrative assistant to the vice president for advancement and university engagement, is now the director of advancement services.

CampusNews

Kimberly Morgan has joined the Office of Advancement and University Engagement as Hospitality Director

Matthew Thomas serves as NGU’s Major Gifts Officer.

Office of Campus Ministries and Student Engagement

Brittany Hendrix (’15) was promoted to Assistant Vice President, Student Life, having previously served as the Director of Campus Life.

Mary Mahan (’20) moved from Testing Center Coordinator to Coordinator for Student Calling.

Office of University Marketing

Billy Cannada (’11) serves as the Marketing Communications Manager for NGU. He graduated from NGU in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in print media and spent more than 10 years in the newsroom, serving as a reporter for The Easley Progress, and editor for The Greer Citizen. He and his wife have three children: Penny, Charlie, and Wade.

in Christian Ministry at NGU through the online program.

Matthew Dellinger serves as the Print Production Associate for North Greenville. Prior to joining the Marketing team at NGU, Dellinger taught Printing Graphics and Digital Media for 16 years in two high schools in North Carolina. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree

SaraBeth Evans joined the University Marketing team in October 2022 as content specialist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in public relations from Union University. Her resume includes stints in marketing and communications at a Top 150 accounting firm and in the public relations field serving faith-based clients. Evans moved to the Upstate last year with her husband Sawyer, a 2021 NGU graduate.

president for enrollment management and marketing. He joined IWU in 2019 after serving in the same role at Southern Wesleyan University from July 2012 to August 2019. A native of Ohio and graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University, Peters and his wife, Sherri, have lived in the Upstate for 14 years spread over two tenures at SWU. Peters provides leadership for admissions personnel at both the bachelor’s and graduate levels at NGU. He supervises marketing and communication efforts and the development of strategic admissions and marketing campaigns.

Brooke Mahon is the new academic advisor for adult and graduate academic services.

Tina Wells is the assistant registrar for online and graduate programs at NGU’s Greer Campus.

Madelyn Ferguson started at NGU in 2023 as the project manager. She graduated from Clemson University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in marketing. While at Clemson, she spent four years as a student athletic trainer, where she met her fiancé. Her claim to fame in college was that she was given a concussion by NFL quarterback Trevor Lawrence in a game.

Steven Guersch joined NGU in 2022 and serves as the staff photographer. He graduated from Biola University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in cinema and media arts. After graduation, he worked as the video production director at a church in California for five years. Then, he picked up and moved to South Carolina to pursue a career in photography.

Zane Trively serves as NGU’s Digital Marketing Associate. Trively is a web and graphic designer from Georgia. Graduating from Bob Jones University in 2022, Trively is excited to bring his experience to his role at North Greenville University.

Chad Peters was named vice president for Enrollment and Marketing/ Communications in late 2022. He moved to NGU from Indiana Wesleyan University, where he was vice

Office of The President

Kelly Hodge is serving NGU as Administrative Assistant to the Executive Vice President

Stuart Floyd (’16, MBA ’19) was promoted to Executive Assistant to the President, having previously served as the Director for Individual Services in the office of Campus Ministries and Student Engagement.

Office of Student Services

Angel Covington has transitioned into the role of graduation coordinator and senior academic advisor.

The Office of Student Success launched ONE, a new initiative in the Fall 2021 semester to support first-generation college students. The initiative, developed by a committee, is chaired by professor of English and coordinator of English language arts secondary education Dr. Becky Thompson and Vlad Sabou, assistant vice president for student success and retention. ONE comprises faculty and staff from various university departments as the next Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), an integral part of NGU’s decennial re-accreditation process.

The QEP, built around the creation and implementation of ONE, is a program that celebrates first-generation college students. The program is designed to connect students with the knowledge and support that will enable them to experience a great beginning to their college career, setting them on a path to success. ONE is part of the University’s Center for Student Success and directed by Alicia Hyatt, director of ONE and Academic Standing.

Faithfully Equipping Transformational Leaders

“Thank you, North Greenville–you taught me to love the Word of God. You showed me how to love the God of the Word. You loved me as I was, but you invested in me for who I could become.”

Dr. Daniel Dickard, Class of 2012 President, 2023 SBC Pastors Conference Senior Pastor, Shandon Baptist Church

North Greenville University: Equipping transformational leaders for church and society since 1892.

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Unshakable, biblically faithful foundation to pursue your calling

Seasons of Impact

As we step from Christmastime into a new year, it is a reminder that regardless of the season, transformation is always happening at NGU. Our students experience it in class, in worship, in missions, in athletics, and in a residential community. Our graduates celebrate transformation at Commencement.

We are equipping students to be transformational leaders, and your support makes a difference in that mission. In this special season of the year, make a gift today to support North Greenville.