Mental Health | 7
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Religion | 8
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January 29, 2024 Collegedale, Tennessee
Southern Accent
Vol. 80 Issue 12
The student voice since 1926
Marty Hamilton announces retirement Advance Auto Parts opens at Collegedale's Four Corners Hayden Kobza Managing Editor On Jan. 23, 2025, Advance Auto Parts had its grand opening for business at Four Corners in Collegedale, according to store worker Hunter Landell and a Facebook post. The auto parts store is located in a building that once held a Rite Aid pharmacy. Christian Patino, an alumnus of Southern Adventist University who lived in the area from 2004 to 2020, said he thinks having new businesses come in will attract others. He used restaurants as an analogy to explain that once one business starts to attract a lot of customers, other investors will want to do the same. Marty Hamilton (right) and former Southern president David Smith (left) speak at the construction site for the Bietz Center in 2019.
Ana K. Zelidon Copy Editor Marty Hamilton, senior vice president of financial administration at Southern Adventist University, has announced his plans to retire in March 2025 after nearly 20 years in the department. Since 2005, Hamilton has worked on countless building projects and renovations, and directed Architectural Services, Campus Safety, Transportation, Landscape Services and Plant Services. Hamilton began working at Southern in 1998, initially serving as director of property
and i nd us t ry. Seven y ea r s l a t e r, he t ra ns itio ned to a s s o c i a t e v i c e pres ident o f F i na nc i a l A d m inis tra tio n. In an interview with the Accent, Hamilton expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
"I feel a strong kinship to what we do here. And I want to see it continue.” “The Lord’s really blessed me and given me wisdom on how to handle some of the circumstances that I’ve dealt with here,” he said. “So I feel really blessed. Even though I didn’t attend Southern Adven-
tist University, I feel a strong kinship to what we do here. And I want to see it continue.” Under his guidance, Southern completed building projects such as the Bietz Center for Student Life, Mountain Cottages and Southern Village. His teams also led structural renovations, including a complete change of the interior in Summerour Hall and Wright Hall and the addition of a second-floor extension in McKee Library. Bob Young, senior vice president of Academic Administration, works with Hamilton weekly and noted his extensive work on Southern’s campus.
“Marty wants to make sure that the things he oversees are meeting the needs of the campus."
"I think it’s a good thing overall, instead of it being like an empty building for so long, for so many years.”
“I’d say almost every building on campus has been touched in some significant way by the team of people that he leads,” Young said. “Marty wants to make sure that the things he oversees are meeting the needs of the campus. He cares deeply about his work, the people he leads and the students and staff who live and work here.”
“[The more] business starts coming, more interest grows in this plaza,” Patino said. “I think at the end, the citizens, the ones who live close [are the ones] who win, which I think it’s good for them. I think it’s a good thing overall, instead of it being like an empty building for so long, for so many years.” Collegedale resident Jeremy Beasley believes that having an auto parts store in the
See Hamilton on page 2
See Auto Parts on page 2
Black Christian Union welcomes new president following departure Eva Resz Reporter The Black Christian Union (BCU) at Southern Adventist University is ushering in a new era this semester, with Daniela Dreke, a sophomore psychology major, stepping into the role of president. Dreke, who was previously the club’s treasurer, is continuing the work of her predecessor, Sue Ondieki, who made the decision to resign from the position because she is transferring to Arizona State University. “One of the main reasons
I chose to step down was because I’m leaving Southern,” said Ondieki. “As much as I would love to stay and continue my term, it wasn’t my choice. However, I fully believe BCU is in the best hands with the new president. She is one of my closest friends, and I trust her leadership completely.”
"Sue was doing an awesome job, and we ensured that she knew that." According to Ayanna Eastman, lead faculty sponsor
Daniela Dreke (left) and Sue Ondieki (right). (Photo by Janelle Ko)
of BCU, Ondieki’s impact on the club remains significant despite her departure from the presidency. “Sue was doing an awesome job, and we ensured that she knew that,” Eastman said. “Daniela, being familiar with the club’s operations and finances, was the natural choice to step into the role. “It was a no-drama transition,” Eastman continued, “and everything is flowing smoothly so far.” Eastman said BCU serves as a cultural hub for students of African descent at Southern University, offering a
Club members perform on stage for BCU night. (Photo by Mila Bales)
s pa c e for fellow ship, cultura l exchange and spiritua l grow th. While the club initially focused on Black American students, she said, it has evolved into a space for students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. “I know that just like you have LAC (Latin American Club) and you have the Asian Club, BCU is the Black Christian club for students of color,” said Eastman. “And it doesn’t just have to be students of color; we have students of all different cultures and ethnicities.”
As Dreke steps into her new position as president, she remains focused on maintaining the foundation built by Ondieki. As Dreke steps into her new position as president, she remains focused on maintaining the foundation built by Ondieki. She said no significant changes are needed since BCU already has a solid flow and system. “While I’ve stepped up into a new role, I see this as an opportunity to build on the foundation we’ve established, strengthen our teamwork and explore ways to enhance member engagement and participation,” Drake said. Her primary goal this
semester is to lead her team purposefully, particularly as the club prepares for its main event of the year: BCU Night. “This event is important for us to share and celebrate the diversity within our club, so make sure to come to BCU Night on Feb. 22,” Drake said. “I also want to focus on strengthening connections with our members by creating opportunities for everyone to contribute and leave a lasting impact that inspires our cultural heritage.” Ondieki said her time as president was wonderful, and being part of the club gave her a sense of community while attending Southern. Some of her duties as president included sharing ideas with officers, organizing events, planning activities and supporting the club members. Reflecting on her time as president, Ondieki shared her gratitude for the experience and the support she received. “I especially loved it because of my sponsors, Dr. Eastman, Professor Dolcy, Dr. Johnson, Dean Willis, and Dean Pride,” Ondeiki said. “They were the best support system I could have asked for. Their encouragement and guidance helped me bring my visions for the club to life while working toward our motto, ‘Building Bridges.’ ”
See BCU on page 3