April 2017 Impact – Entering the Arena

IMPACT

entering the arena

Regent’s new track & field team launches historic intercollegiate sports program

Several verses in the Bible describe a believer’s faith journey as a race. God’s Word tells us to “run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Cor. 9:24) and to “run with perseverance” (Heb. 12:1). Scripture also encourages us to “press on toward the goal to win the prize” (Phil. 3:14). At Regent University, those spiritual metaphors recently became physical reality.

For the first time in Regent’s nearly 40-year history, student-athletes are participating in intercollegiate sports. The university’s inaugural track & field team is competing this spring as part of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). Even though the starting gun only recently fired to kick off this new endeavor, Regent is already demonstrating a strong commitment to building a competitive sports program.

“In 2016, our chancellor had a vision of a track & field team made up of international students competing on our campus,” says Dr. Joseph Umidi, Regent’s Executive Vice President for Student Life.

“He was convinced that it was a compelling part of the university’s future.”

Regent Founder, Chancellor and CEO Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson sees the introduction of intercollegiate athletics as one of the next “big things” on campus. “We’re planning to build a beautiful sports complex that has athletic fields, a track, a basketball court and a field house,” Robertson explains. “Not only will students, faculty and staff have access to the facilities in the new field house, they’ll be expected to use them, so they can work on staying fit and healthy year-round.”

Umidi notes that his research on student retention shows that it’s important to have a

holistic approach to campus life that includes physical exercise. “With the subsequent work and planning for new athletic facilities and fields, we will be prepared for a major expansion to our campus population,” he says.

Over the next three years, Regent plans to field teams in 10 sports. “We’re scheduled to have soccer (men and women), volleyball (women), basketball (men and women), and wrestling (men) over the next 24 to 36 months,” explains Roger Cheeks, the university’s interim athletic director and director of Student Activities & Leadership. “Prayer may sound simple and cliché, but not for Regent. We really believe that fervent prayer for our athletes and for our teams is vital.”

Newport University’s Freeman Center, did more than make history. The events also featured outstanding performances by several Regent competitors.

“I think it will build a lot of character and a lot of camaraderie among the students. I think bringing sports into academics is really important.”

Head coach Ayanna Reece, a former All-American in the 400-meter hurdles at Ohio State, already saw marked improvement after the team’s first two competitions. “I can’t express how excited I am by the fact that they’re progressing every meet,” she says. “It’s amazing to see God do exceedingly and abundantly above all we can ask or imagine from the ground up.”

– Megan Gibson

Cheeks plans to establish an advisory board to help counsel the university’s up-and-coming athletic department: “I’d love to have some alumni chime in and help us craft and build this program on a global perspective. As you know, our chancellor and founder has a global vision, so we want to be right there with him.”

He continues, “We want to impact the sports and entertainment world. We started with a School of Communications that had 77 students. Now, we’re in all of these different spheres of influence. Why can’t we enter the athletics area and impact the world?”

While Regent’s student-athletes may not be changing the world just yet, the new track & field team is making great strides. Their first two meets of the spring semester, held inside Christopher

Reece wants the university’s students, alumni and friends to know that her athletes are working as hard as they can to win on and off the track: “They’re trying to represent not only Regent, but they’re also trying to represent the kingdom of God, which is first and foremost. And they’re doing a great job at making the Regent family proud.”

“We want sports to be excellent,” Cheeks adds. “But we also want excellent students in our sports program. I tell our athletes and coaches, ‘We want student-athletes. We don’t want just athletes. We want student-athletes who love God.’ That’s key.”

A former Division 1 college basketball player, Cheeks insists that, even though a sports program is uncharted waters for Regent, this historic team is laying the ground work for future success: “We started out with 43 students. They’re out working at six o’clock in the morning, getting up for practice every morning, coming to meetings. They’re not on scholarship. They just have a desire to be part of a team, and now we’ve developed a family. So it’s been great.”

Shot putter QuaNeisha Roberts (’19), a College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) sophomore from Suffolk, Virginia, is the first Regent student to compete in an intercollegiate athletic event for the university. “I was very nervous at first, seeing the competition,” she remembers. “It was my first time ever being on a track team. But as soon as I got up there, (my nervousness) was gone. I’m honored to be the first athlete to ever compete for Regent, and I just see a great future for this team.”

Sarah Golden (’20), a CAS freshman cinematelevision major from Nazareth, Pennsylvania, runs the 400 meters. She was the first Regent athlete to bring home a victory for the university. “Being the first to win for the team is exciting, but I don't see it as a huge deal,” Golden says. “I just go out and practice like everyone else and do the best that I can. I've been told that this team is very important, and a lot of people have been talking about us. It’s a pleasure to be a part of something new that matters to so many. I only hope that I can do my team and my school proud.”

The first male student-athlete to taste victory in intercollegiate competition for Regent is CAS junior Jonathan Kemp (’18). He also runs the 400 meters and has been amazed by the support he’s received from everyone at the university. “When I’m out there, it feels like I have the biggest fan base,” Kemp explains. “It really drives me, especially through the homestretch when you have nothing, but you hear everyone cheering you on.”

He adds, “My team has grown as a family, and we’re like best friends on campus now. The entire school has really been rallying around this team. It’s encouraging and cool to know that we have an entire school backing us.”

In addition to fellow students, faculty and staff, Regent track & field also has the support of

local alumni. Hampton Roads Chapter MBA Chair Scott McJunkin (’09) attended the team’s second meet with his wife Bonnie (’09) and their four-year-old daughter on February 4 in Newport News, Virginia.

“I wanted to show my support for the team and to meet other alumni from the area,” McJunkin says. “Having a sports team is a great way for alumni to form stronger ties with each other, as well as with the university. Also, as Regent grows their athletic programs, they will give current and potential students even more reasons to choose Regent.”

Elizabeth Rohr (’17) and Megan Gibson (’17) are both in their final semesters at Regent’s College of Arts & Sciences. They traveled to the team’s second meet in a school-sponsored “Fan Van” to cheer on their classmates.

“We’re Christian leaders to change the world,” Rohr points out, referencing Regent’s mission statement. “So, I think exhibiting Christian leadership on and off the field is important. It gives us a platform to exhibit that. I think it’s a really good thing. Sports bring people together.”

“It’s awesome,” Gibson beams. “I think it will build a lot of character and a lot of camaraderie among the students. I think bringing sports into academics is really important. It’s important to make a statement by competing well, showing good sportsmanship, and representing our school in a positive way.”

Cheeks agrees that a vibrant and successful athletic program will attract and retain quality students, while also creating a sense of community that will remain long after graduation: “You give people things to do outside of the classroom. You also provide a fan base and a family atmosphere for these kids. They’re creating relationships now that will last a lifetime. So when they come back as alumni and bring their families, they can say, ‘I played sports here, and I was proud to play sports here.’ It just adds to the great thing that Dr. Robertson started 40 years ago.”

For information about pursuing an undergraduate degree at Regent University’s College of Arts & Sciences, visit regent.edu/cas or call 888.718.1222.

Honoring a Lifetime of Achievement

The 25th Annual MOVIEGUIDE® Awards recognized Regent’s founder, chancellor and CEO

Faith and family values took center stage at the 25th Annual MOVIEGUIDE® Awards in Los Angeles, California, recently. The guest of honor for the black-tie gala was Regent Founder, Chancellor and CEO Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Communicating and Living the Good News.

Dr. Ted Baehr founded MOVIEGUIDE®, a twice-monthly magazine highlighting the best in family entertainment, in 1985. In addition to being Chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission® ministry and an accomplished author, media critic and lecturer, Baehr also has been a frequent guest on the Christian Broadcasting Network’s “700 Club.”

Robertson has served as host of the daily, inspirational news and talk program since its first broadcast more than 50 years ago.

“Ted Baehr is an extraordinary person who has been a pioneer in Hollywood to direct the film industry toward producing quality films that speak of faith and religious belief,”

Robertson says of his longtime colleague.

“I am grateful for the kindness of Ted and the MOVIEGUIDE® staff in giving me an award for CBN’s many years of television broadcasting.”

crossed several times in recent years. In 2016, Bernsen’s production company, Home Theater Films, partnered with Regent to produce and release the university’s first-ever, full-length, commercial feature film, In-Lawfully Yours Available for viewing on Netflix, DVD and Digital HD, the romantic comedy, based loosely on the biblical story of Ruth, received high marks from critics. MOVIEGUIDE® called it “one of the most entertaining and funny Christian movies.” Key production roles were filled by Regent students, which isn’t surprising given that the School of Communication & the Arts has won more than 400 film awards since the university’s founding in 1978.

During a red-carpet appearance before the event, Robertson spoke of Regent’s plans to continue producing feature films, "We're going to be doing more and more movies. We did a movie with (Corbin), and we're going to do some others. As we get warmed up, we'll have a full slate of movies."

"Tonight, we honor ‘Pat’ for that illumination, for that sharing, that kindness that he has shown to so many people who have crossed his path."

– Corbin Bernsen

According to their website, MOVIEGUIDE® has been giving Christian families the power to make wise choices through movie, TV, and game reviews and articles for more than 30 years. Presented from a biblical perspective, the reviews are aimed at helping parents use informed judgment when deciding what entertainment products are suitable for their families' enjoyment.

Actor Terry Crews (The Expendables, Everybody Hates Chris) hosted the silver-anniversary edition of MOVIEGUIDE’s® "Annual Faith & Values Awards Gala,” which has been recognizing the most inspiring and outstanding performances in film and television since 1993. "It's a great honor. MOVIEGUIDE® does such a superb job. It was a thrill for me to be part of their celebration," says Robertson.

Film and television star Corbin Bernsen (L.A. Law, Major League) presented Robertson with his lifetime achievement award on behalf of MOVIEGUIDE®. The two men’s paths have

While introducing the evening’s guest of honor, the actor, who has successfully transitioned to behind-the-camera roles of writer, producer and director, said of Robertson: "Tonight, we honor ‘Pat’ for that illumination, for that sharing, that kindness that he has shown to so many people who have crossed his path."

Robertson, who was also being recognized for his philanthropic efforts as the founder of Operation Blessing, received a standing ovation from those in attendance when he came forward to speak. “It’s been a thrill. It’s been a long journey: 55 years of broadcasting,” he began. “God has blessed me. In another month, I’m going to be 87 years old. Praise God for His blessing in my life. I can say, ‘Hitherto, the LORD has blessed me’ (Joshua 17:14, RSV).”

Choosing to Lead

Carly Fiorina visits Regent for ELS and shares lessons in leadership

Every month during the academic year, Regent University invites intriguing, innovative and influential men and women to campus so they can share what it takes to lead successful businesses and organizations. These Executive Leadership Series (ELS) luncheons are held in the grand ballroom of The Founders Inn and Spa, drawing hundreds of students, alumni and friends from the surrounding area to learn from and be inspired by some of today's best and brightest leaders.

On Tuesday, February 28, Regent welcomed 2016 Republican presidential candidate and former CEO of Hewlett-Packard Carly Fiorina as the featured speaker for ELS. Joined by her husband Frank, Fiorina met exclusively with Impact shortly before taking the podium to discuss why she accepted the university’s invitation to speak. “First, I’m here because Christian leadership can change the world,” she said. “Here’s a place where people are being taught the essence of leadership, the principles of leadership. They’re being encouraged to lead. And we can’t sit back as citizens, as Christians, as Americans, as people and say, ‘It’s someone else’s job.’

Actually, it’s our job to make the world a better place, and that’s what this university teaches.”

Fiorina added, “One of the things I’ll talk about today is how a leader, most importantly, sees possibilities in other people. And the highest calling of a leader is to unlock potential in other people. That’s an inherently Christian idea.”

She noted that Jesus saw and unlocked the disciples’ potential, empowering them to lead others. “If you don’t believe that every person has inherent value and purpose, it’s hard to lead as effectively as you might,” Fiorina explained. “If you don’t believe change for the better is possible, it’s hard to be a leader.”

Born in Texas, Fiorina received a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and medieval history from Stanford University in 1976, and in 1989, earned a Master of Science in management from MIT’s Sloan School of Management. A successful career at AT&T and its spinoff Lucent Technologies led Fortune magazine to name her "The Most Powerful Woman in American Business" in their October 12, 1998, issue — a distinction she held for five years. When named CEO of technology giant Hewlett-Packard in July of 1999, Fiorina became the first woman to lead a Fortune 20 company. She saved 80,000 jobs and grew HP to 160,000 workers during her tenure, which ended in February of 2005.

In 2010, she ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in California, challenging longtime Democrat incumbent Barbara Boxer. Then, in May of 2015, Fiorina “threw her hat into the ring” again, announcing this time that she would seek the Republican nomination for the presidency of the United States. Every bit of that corporate leadership experience and political expertise was on display when she addressed a packed house of more than 600 people at ELS.

“I cannot think of a better place to talk about leadership,” Fiorina told the crowd. “After all, this is a school that believes that Christian leadership changes the world, and I believe that as well. Christian leadership is necessary to change the world. I think that’s because of the nature of leadership and what our faith teaches us.”

Admitting that her rise to CEO was not as “smooth” as her résumé makes it look, Fiorina recalled how a defining moment in her life occurred at the age of eight: “My mother was my Sunday school teacher, and she looked at me and the rest of the class and said, ‘What you are is God’s gift to you. What you make of yourself is your gift to God.’ At the time, those words landed for me.”

Fiorina explained that her mother shared a promise: She had God-given gifts and received a challenge to find them. “Here’s the thing that I have learned over and over and over again in my life,” she stated. “Everyone is gifted by God. Everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has far more potential than they realize to make an impact and make a difference to solve a problem. … Everyone has the desire to live a life of purpose and meaning, and everybody has potential.”

The woman who started her career as a secretary in a nine-person real estate firm and later became the chief executive for a company ranked #11 on the Fortune 500 list captivated her audience during a half-hour ELS speech, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session. Fiorina delivered what amounted to a laser-focused thesis statement on leadership filled with real-world applications and practical takeaways.

“The role of leadership is always to change the order of things, to challenge the status quo,” she insisted. “But you can’t change things successfully unless you bring people along. Change always inspires resistance; it’s part of the process. So to have a change be sustained, you have to bring people along. You literally have to persuade people that the change is for the better and in their interest.”

Fiorina contended that having the big, corner office, the best parking spot, the biggest budget, the largest staff or any number of other corporate “perks” doesn’t mean that you’re leading: “A leader solves problems, and the only way you solve problems is to challenge the status quo. The status quo is a powerful thing. I like to say that change is a little bit like heaven: Everyone wants to go there; nobody wants to die.”

conversations and the actions be a bit more unifying and less polarizing. Obviously, that’s a tall order. Our politics have been very polarized for a very long time.”

Impact asked Fiorina what her advice as a former CEO would be for students and recent Regent graduates entering the workforce: “My first message to young people is get a job. Any job. Don’t worry about the perfect job. Don’t worry about the job having to use your degree. Just get a job. Because … in any job, you will learn something about yourself, you’ll learn something about other people, and you’ll learn skills that will help you get the next job.”

"… A leader challenges the status quo. A leader changes things for the better.”

– Carly Fiorina

She continued, “The status quo has enormous power because people are invested in it. And the people who have succeeded in the status quo

“Secondly, don’t be afraid to take a risk,” she warned. “The reason people are afraid to take a risk is because they’re afraid they’re going to make a mistake. … Thomas Edison, one of our great inventors and entrepreneurs in this country, said there’s no such thing as a mistake. There’s only learning what not to do a second time. Experience is the best teacher of all. So, don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. Don’t be afraid to take a risk. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake.”

want to preserve it. … A leader challenges the status quo. A leader changes things for the better.”

When her speech moved into the political realm, Fiorina shared how the campaign trail revealed the extent to which partisan divides are “fracturing” our nation and distressing the American people. “One of the things that I relearned running for president is that most people aren’t political. They don’t get up every morning and rush to the political news. … Most people are just trying to get on with their lives. I think politicians of both parties, leaders of both parties, have to lead and try to have the

But, most of all, Fiorina encouraged the Regent family to: “Choose to lead. Leadership, in the end, is a choice. It’s a choice to decide you’re going to make a positive difference. … Leadership takes courage; it takes character; it takes collaboration. A leader, to be effective, has to understand that nothing worthwhile happens with somebody acting alone.”

For tickets to an upcoming ELS luncheon on the campus of Regent University or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, call 757.352.4245 or visit regent.edu/els

Faculty Spotlight: Hearts to Serve

In order to fulfill its mission to equip Christian leaders to change the world, Regent University must ensure students have access to exceptional professors and instructors in a wide array of disciplines. For example, the School of Law faculty are consistently ranked among the top 10 “Best Professors” in America by The Princeton Review.

In fact, so many Regent professors are so highly accomplished in their fields that Impact wants to introduce readers to as many of them as possible. Our recurring “Faculty Spotlight” will feature the men and women who help ensure that Regent remains one of the most influential, transformational Christian universities in the world.

Two of Regent’s newest faculty members have long and exemplary careers as public servants at the highest levels of local, state and federal government. The Honorable J. Randy Forbes, former U.S. Representative for Virginia’s 4th District, joined Regent as a University Fellow in January. Forbes served in the House of Representatives from 2001 to 2016 and will hold a multidisciplinary role with Regent, teaching graduate and undergraduate students.

Seapower and Projection Forces, can only strengthen a bachelor’s degree program that began in 2016 and a master’s program that launched earlier this year.

“Congressman Forbes is a longtime friend of Regent University,” Robertson says. “He is a respected and noted expert on national defense and security, and our students will benefit greatly from his experience and insights. We are thrilled to welcome home the founder and former chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus to join the Regent community.”

One of the country's most forceful and accomplished advocates for faith, family, and freedom and for national security, during his time in Congress, Forbes will draw upon his considerable experience in the defense arena to support Regent’s cybersecurity institute and degree programs. “I am excited to assist Regent in their goal to become a nationally recognized strategic center and look forward to bringing some of the best minds in the country together to address the challenges of our nation,” he says.

A former senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and Senior Distinguished Fellow at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, the Chesapeake, Virginia native also will help launch the university’s new cybersecurity institute. Regent Chancellor, Founder and CEO Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson has led the university’s strategic investment in the increasingly vital field of cybersecurity over the past few years.

Adding a national defense expert, who served as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on

“Adding Congressman Forbes to Regent’s faculty roster aligns well with our university’s strategic goals,” adds Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, Regent’s executive vice president for academic affairs. “His many years of faithful and distinguished public service in the House of Representatives and our local community will be a tremendous asset as we collaborate on new initiatives to position Regent as a significant participant in the cybersecurity domain.”

Forbes began his career in private law practice and, prior to serving in Washington, D.C., was a member of Virginia’s General Assembly from 1989 to 2001. At Regent, he joins another former state legislator for the Old Dominion — one who served in the House of Delegates before becoming

Attorney General, and then, the state’s chief executive.

Former Virginia Governor and Regent School of Law alumnus Robert F. “Bob” McDonnell (’89) began serving the university as a distinguished professor at the start of the current semester. McDonnell, who served as the 71st governor of the Commonwealth from 2010 to 2014, will teach in the School of Law and the Robertson School of Government, as well as the undergraduate capstone course in Christian leadership. He will also help establish a Governors Center for the Restoration of Federalism, which will be a forum for federal, state and local leaders to contribute ideas to generate a blueprint for restoring the constitutional federal-state balance in the American system of government.

political career as a member of Virginia’s House of Delegates, representing the 84th District in Virginia Beach.

Moreno-Riaño expects McDonnell’s public and military experience to translate well into the classroom: “The Governor’s commitment to public service will extend to our students, as he serves them with excellence through teaching and sharing. We anticipate robust discussions around issues of leadership, governance and policy.”

“We are delighted to welcome Governor McDonnell back to Regent University,” Robertson explains. “As we train students to serve in government, law and other disciplines, Governor McDonnell will bring his extensive public service experience as an Army officer, prosecutor, state legislator, attorney general and governor.”

McDonnell was raised in northern Virginia and attended the University of Notre Dame on an Army ROTC scholarship. He served on active duty (five years) and in the Reserves (16 years) until retiring in 1997 as a lieutenant colonel. McDonnell also earned his MSBA in Business Administration from Boston University in 1980, while still on active duty. Two years after graduating from Regent with a law degree and a master's degree in 1989, he launched his

The law and public policy alumnus served on the University’s Board of Trustees from 1997 to 2005, and to date, is the first and only Regent graduate to be elected governor, winning more votes than any candidate for governor in history in November 2009. He says teaching is something he often considered throughout his years of public service.

“During my painful journey through the justice system after I left the Governor’s office, I understood more deeply that politics and polls are much less important than people and policies,” McDonnell explains. “I’m eager to engage with Regent students and faculty in and out of the classroom, and I hope that my experiences can inspire others to consider careers in public service.”

For information about applying to become an on-campus or online student in one of Regent University’s eight schools of study, call 800.373.5504 or visit regent.edu/admissions

REGENT WORLD CHANGER

Justin Haskins | The Heartland Institute

For nearly 40 years, Regent University’s mission has been to equip Christian leaders to change the world. Justin Haskins is an alumnus who hit the ground running.

“I first came to Regent University in fall 2010 to pursue a master's degree in government from the Robertson School of Government (RSG),” Haskins recalls. “I graduated from that program in 2011. I returned to Regent a few years later to get a master's degree in journalism from the School of Communication & the Arts (SCA) and finished that program in 2015."

Today, Haskins is the executive editor at The Heartland Institute, a national free-market think tank dedicated to promoting and developing pro-liberty ideas to improve America and the world. In addition to writing articles and overseeing Heartland's four publicpolicy newspapers, he’s a columnist and contributor for several influential publications, including The Washington Examiner, The Hill and Townhall.com. The New Hampshire native also has been published by The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Forbes and FOX News.

As a result of his high-profile success, Haskins has been named to several “Top 30 Under 30” lists of influential Republicans and conservatives. He’s one alumnus who’s boldly fulfilling Regent’s mission and his calling to be a Christian leader to change the world. “Christians need to take this responsibility more seriously,” he says, “and understand that, in order to improve the world, we need to commit ourselves to serving others in whatever way we can and in whatever opportunities God presents to us.”

Surprisingly, Haskins says he wasn’t a Christian when he first arrived at Regent. He enrolled at RSG while waiting for his then-fiancé, now wife, to graduate from a different university nearby. “At best, I could have been classified as a deist,” he explains. “I took a course called ‘Christian Foundations of Government’ with professor James Davids. In that course, I was challenged to reevaluate my beliefs, which led me on a path to becoming a Christian.”

As a result, Haskins calls his time at Regent “spiritually transformative” and says, “I benefited greatly from being taught by a number of truly remarkable professors, including former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.” He adds that those “incredibly talented and brilliant” instructors taught him “to think, write and study with commitment, courage and love.”

Haskins insists that the university deserves much of the credit for his current success: “Perhaps most importantly, my Regent education reinforced the importance of always seeking the truth.” He continues, “We’re called to live every aspect of our lives, including our jobs, as compassionate truth seekers and servant leaders. If every Christian were to adopt these principles, the world would not only be a happier, healthier, more prosperous place for all people, it would be a place where those who do not believe could clearly see the Church as the shining city on a hill it was always intended to be, drawing more people to God and fulfilling Christ’s commandments."

Please join the entire Regent University community in praying for the work of Justin Haskins, this month’s Alumni World Changer.

MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE

Your faithful prayers and generous financial support are urgently needed to equip Regent students to become future World Changers. To give online, visit regent.edu/ worldchanger, or use the postagepaid envelope provided at the center of Impact to donate by check or debit/credit card. Your 100-percent, tax-deductible gift to Regent University today can make a world of difference.

GET ON THE FAST TRACK

As a new Regent student, you can go from initial application to registered for classes in about two hours. Whether you’re interested in joining our vibrant and exciting on-campus community or you want to earn your diploma online, Regent can put you on the “fast track” to a degree. Simply call 800.373.5504 or visit regent.edu/apply today to start moving in the right direction!

For more information about Regent's Robertson School of Government or School of Communication & the Arts, call 800.373.5504 or visit regent.edu/apply.

A Message from the Chancellor

Do you know what Regent is? This university is a miracle of God. As a student, alumnus, faculty member, staffer or friend of this university, you are part of that miracle. Whether you’re here to attend class, go to work or visit our campus, you need to recognize that you are walking on holy ground. You’re part of a fulfillment of a prophetic word. When I founded this institution, I had no conception in 1977 of what God had in mind. I had no idea where the world was going to be. But when the Lord called this school into being nearly 40 years ago, He knew what the state of the world would be right now. He knew how important it would be to have a witness and to have a strong, stable educational organization to raise up a standard and train Christian leaders to change the world. The Bible says that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord will raise a standard against him (Is. 59:19). Regent University is God’s standard.

In today’s world, higher education is in shambles. It’s a travesty what has happened to so many once-great institutions. But we’re not going to follow that course. Regent University is going to do what we initially set out to do. This school is meant to be like Oxford or the Sorbonne in the Middle Ages. It has been called to be a tower of intellectual excellence in the world in which we live. Regent has a responsibility to be an influence throughout the globe. I believe that’s coming to pass, and I am thrilled to see it.

We’re the fastest-growing, higher-educational institution in the United States. Not just “one of the fastest growing,” Regent is THE fastest growing. As you’ve read in these pages, the university introduced intercollegiate athletics this semester. But again, we’re not stopping with track & field. We expect our sports program to grow exponentially over the next three years. As a result, Regent plans to build a sports complex, additional on-campus living facilities, and new academic buildings to accommodate our increasing enrollment.

That’s why your financial and prayer support are so crucial right now. I want you to know that the Lord has His hand on this place. This is His institution, His ministry, and you are part of God’s plan. Thank you for your continued friendship and support.

Sincerely,

Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson Founder, Chancellor and CEO Regent University

“I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

Phil. 3:13-14 (NLT)

Christian Leadership to Change the World 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464

Regent University’s Impact is published monthly by the university’s Office of Alumni Relations and Special Events, free of charge, for alumni and friends of the university. Regent University admits students without discrimination on the basis of race, color, disability, gender, religion or national or ethnic origin. Regent University is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to operate campuses within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404.679.4500 for questions about the accreditation of Regent University. Opinions expressed in Impact are those of individuals and do not necessarily represent the views of Regent University’s board, faculty, administration or staff. Regent University accepts news submissions from readers but reserves the right to edit based upon clarity, length and content. The university may decline to print material at its discretion. ADV170069