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Victory Jonathan Lambach waves the U flag after the men’s soccer team wins 2-1 in overtime against Lindsey Wilson College.
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IV V V I I U V The Union University Magazine Fall 2006, Volume 58, Number 1
President David S. Dockery
Senior Vice President for University Relations What a Great Year! Charles A. Fowler CONTENTS Associate Vice President for University Communications he 2005-06 year has been an incredible year. Union’s nursing program. Dean Tim Smith Mark Kahler PRESIDENT It was a record year in almost every category. provides exceptional leadership for the School of T We saw increases in student enrollment, the Nursing. Union’s School of Nursing now enrolls Assistant Director number of donors, the number of alumni donors, more than 500 students in all of its programs. of University Communications total gifts to the university, and the annual budget. The graduates from this past year excelled on Juanita Cotner THE The athletic teams won the TranSouth Conference their state boards. Both undergraduate and Director of News all-sports trophy for the third straight year and the graduate programs are strong, in Jackson and in and Media Relations Lady Bulldogs were crowned NAIA Women’s Germantown. Tim Ellsworth Basketball National Champions for the second The new nurse anesthetist program is a giant straight year. God has blessed Union in so many step forward for the University. It will provide Director of University evident and significant ways. Union University with expanded opportunities Promotional Strategies Beverly Vos FROM to serve the healthcare community across this Fall 2006 region. The successful launch of this program Art Director We have seen even more exciting things take was led by many people. I want to begin by Todd Mullins place this semester. Fall enrollment is up 175 thanking Provost Carla Sanderson and the 7810 25 over this past year. We have a record total of academic leaders at Union. The University was Director of Visual Communication 3,156, an enrollment increase for the ninth blessed when Tim Smith joined the administra- Jim Veneman straight year. Residential housing is filled to tive team. He, along with program director Mark capacity. A great spirit is present across the cam- Kossick, and the nursing faculty have done a University Photographer Features pus. We have a strong freshman class and magnificent job. Tharon Kirk’s role in the inter- Morris Abernathy tremendous leadership among the juniors and im was strategic. Leaders from the Board of Web Development Agent seniors on campus. The University, for the tenth Trustees, Board of Regents, and alumni gave 8 Soccer as More than a Game Cam Tracy year in a row, was ranked in the top tier of insti- careful guidance to the entire process. Particularly When he started, every soccer scrimmage ended with fighting. But as his Kurdish tutions in the south by U.S.News & World do I want to thank Lisa Rogers, Mike Weeks, Editorial Office refugees began to observe Paul Farmer’s life, they learned about more than just Report. University programs were ranked in the Harry Smith, Louis Murphy and others. The Unionite corner kicks and goals. top ten among Universities in the South in six program partners at more than a dozen hospitals 1050 Union University Drive important categories. in the region were critically important. The Jackson, Tenn. 38305-3697 10 Move to White Hall Another Nursing Milestone Phone: (731) 661-5211 The completion of the Fesmire Field House entire process owes much to the influence of Fax : (731) 661-5177 From the mission fields of Uganda to the emergency rooms of Jackson, Union has added much to the campus. The facility is a Thad and Alicia Smotherman. The key to bring- Web site: www.uu.edu nursing graduates have been making a difference for nearly five decades. huge addition for our soccer, baseball, and soft- ing the program from dream to reality was the E-mail: [email protected] ball programs – and for the athletic department support and generosity from Jim Moss and the 25 Roll Call of Contributors Numbers to Know as a whole. The entire campus is excited about board members of West Tennessee Healthcare. With gratitude, Union acknowledges those who believe in our mission and the progress of the new science facility. The $20 We thank these and so many more who gave of (Area code 731) Admissions 661-5210 advance our vision for excellence. million White Hall project will provide state-of- themselves to this important process. You will Advancement 661-5050 the-art facilities for biology, chemistry, and nurs- enjoy the update on the School of Nursing in Alumni Services 661-5208 ing. Few things symbolize Union’s commitment this issue. Athletic Office 661-5130 Departments to academic excellence like the premier science God’s favor continues to rest upon this Univer- Church Services 661-5281 and health care programs that will be housed in sity that we love and serve. We thank God for Events/Info Dawg 661-5048 Financial Aid 661-5015 4 1050 u.u. drive: campus news this new building. the faithful friends of this University. What you LifeWay Bookstore 668-9492 We are pleased to report that Union’s engineer- are doing in behalf of the students, staff, and Switchboard 668-1818 52 alumni news ing program has now received accreditation from faculty of this University is greatly appreciated. old school: the Accreditation Board for Engineering and We pray for God’s ongoing blessings to Union Unionite is published bi-annually by Union 60 Technology. We salute the engineering depart- University in days ahead. University, 1050 Union University Drive, Jackson, final frame: photo essay ment and congratulate the academic leaders for Tenn. 38305-3697. Union University is an academic community, affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist their fine work. Soli Deo Gloria Convention, equipping persons to think Christianly and serve faithfully in ways consistent with its core About the cover Nursing Program values of being excellence-driven, Christ-centered, people-focused, and future-directed. ©2006 If you’ve been on campus the past 10 months, or if you’ve This issue of the Unionite not only provides been watching Union’s web cam on the Internet, you’ve the annual report for this past year, but gives a David S. Dockery seen a $20 million dollar dream emerge from the West glimpse into the wonderful accomplishments of Tennessee soil. White Hall is on schedule for a spring 2007 completion.
2 UNIONITE Fall 2006 www.uu.edu Fall 2006 UNIONITE 3 NEWSBRIEFS CAMPUS NEWS CAMPUS NEWS NEWSBRIEFS 1050
Union Achieves New Union University Top Tier Ranking for Foundation Streamlines Giving 10th Consecutive Year Union’s board of trustees has Union University has been named approved the creation of a new Union one of the South’s top tier universities University Foundation that allows bet- U.U. DRIVE ter resource development and asset for the 10th straight year by U.S.News Benny and Norma Fesmire, Jack and Zan said Churchill gave a “realistic view of management for donors. & World Report. Holmes, The Jackson Sun, Nortek Inc./ Lloyd where we are, where we’ve been and what Union University Foundation, LLC Union ranked 25th in the “Southern Hansen and West Tennessee Healthcare. we’re facing.
eliminates the need to transfer Union DRIVE Universities-Master’s: Top Schools” cat- Union University sophomore Megan Mc- “Hopefully it will be beneficial to Union
U.U. donations to a management entity out- egory, which includes those institu- Murry said Churchill’s speech was interesting. students who are preparing their informa- side the university. It will allow Union tions that provide a full range of “Just to know a little bit about the back- tive years in their life, shaping their world- to solicit and manage its planned and undergraduate programs and some ground of Winston Churchill and what was view and of what we’ve got to contend with deferred gifts more efficiently. master’s level programs. Union jumped going on during World War II — it was in the next 20-25 years,” Boston said. “This is a great step forward for the 13 spots in this year’s rankings, the sec- applicable information about the main Previous keynote speakers for the university and our friends who invest ond highest increase among universi- threats that we as a world are facing today,” Scholarship Banquet were Bob Dole, George 1050 in Union,” said Charles Fowler, senior ties in its region. McMurry said. H.W. Bush, Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail vice president for university relations. Among the top tier universities in Raymond “Buddy” Boston, pastor of Gorbachev, Rudy Giuliani, John Major, “It creates new opportunities for us on the South, Union ranked in the top 10 First Baptist Church in Covington, Tenn., Colin Powell, James Baker and Lou Holtz. in six subcategories: several important fronts.” Union was third in the “faculty The foundation will have its own resources” category, which measures separate board of directors. Union such components as the number of trustees will make those appointments, classes with fewer than 20 students, and in some cases serve in both places. faculty salary and the proportion of Churchill speaks of grandfather’s Engineering program The foundation board can include professors with the highest degree in people who want to provide leadership their fields. to Union but might not be available to Union was fourth in the “percent of legacy, warns of terrorism threat gets ABET accreditation serve on the board of trustees. classes with fewer than 20 students” Fowler says the foundation can also category, with 73 percent. adical Islam poses to Western civiliza- The former prime minister also spoke nion University’s bachelor’s degree pro- help expand Union’s already growing Union tied for fourth in the tion a threat similar to that of the about the dangers of Islamic fundamental- gram in engineering has been accredit- donor base. Union had nearly 4,200 SAT/ACT score category. R Nazis and the Soviets, Winston S. ism 85 years ago, and the younger U ed by the Engineering Accreditation donors in 2005-06, an increase of Union tied for fifth place in the Churchill told the audience at Union Churchill said recent events have proven his Commission of ABET Inc., the recognized 156% from 10 years ago. “student/faculty ratio” category, with a University’s 10th annual Scholarship grandfather to be prophetic. accrediting body of college and university ratio of 12/1, which placed it in the Banquet Sept. 26. Churchill concluded his remarks by programs in applied science, computing, SAE Marks 150th Anniversary top 18 southern universities in that Churchill – author, journalist, former examining the essence of leadership, as engineering and technology. The Union University chapter category. Member of Parliament and grandson of the embodied by his grandfather. The announcement in early September (Tennessee Eta) of the Sigma Alpha Union tied for seventh place in former British prime minister — spoke to a “It comprises many elements: knowledge, capped a process that began in 2001, when Espilon fraternity is celebrating its “selectivity rank,” which measures such crowd of about 1,800 at an event that wisdom, prescience, honor and courage,” Union hired Don Van to chair the university’s 150th Anniversary this year. Founded areas as test scores and class rank for raised more than $500,000 for student Churchill said. “As Winston Churchill him- new engineering department. July 4, 1857, the chapter is the oldest incoming students. scholarships. self declared, ‘Courage is rightly esteemed Under ABET policies, no school is able to on Union’s campus and is the fifth old- Union tied for ninth place in the “Together we have overcome far more the first of human qualities, because it is apply for accreditation until at least one class est chapter in the nation. “freshmen in top 25 percent of high powerful enemies than those that assail us the quality which guarantees all others.’” has graduated. The first class of engineering The Tennessee Eta Alumni Association school class” ranking, with 66 percent today,” Churchill said. “I have every confi- Union University President David S. students began in the 2001-2002 academic will be hosting a Sesquicentennial of its freshmen meeting that description. dence that, in confronting this new chal- Dockery called this year’s Scholarship year, and graduated in 2005. Union applied Founder’s Day celebration March 10, lenge, America and Britain – together with Banquet a wonderful event. immediately after that graduation. 2007, at the Old English Inn in Jackson. our allies – can prevail and shall prevail, just “The beautiful music and the powerful The ABET accreditation is retroactive to The event will begin at 6 p.m. and will accreditation is the requirement that pro- as together we have triumphed in the past.” video presentation helped to tell the Union 2004, so all Union engineering graduates include dinner followed by presentations grams continuously improve the quality of Churchill spoke about his grandfather’s story in a most effective way,” Dockery can say they completed an accredited pro- from the chapter, university and alumni education provided. As part of this continuous crusade against the Nazis and the Soviets, said. “Mr. Churchill’s address was historical- gram of study. association. improvement requirement, programs set spe- and his efforts to woo the support of ly informative and prophetically bold as he Union University President David S. Following the celebration, the chapter cific, measurable goals for their students and Franklin D. Roosevelt in the fight. addressed the issues of the present and the Dockery praised those who worked on the will host a reception on campus to unveil graduates, assess their success at reaching those “By the power of his oratory, he persuad- future.” accreditation process, especially Van, Carla the recently remodeled fraternity house. ed his fellow countrymen – though the sit- Lead sponsors for the event included Roy Sanderson, Union’s provost, and Barbara goals and improve their programs based on uation seemed hopeless – not to surrender L. White, Bancorp South, Carl and Alice McMillin, associate provost and dean of the results of their assessment. in those crucial weeks of late May/early Kirkland, Harry Smith/Schilling Enterprises instruction. Accreditation also helps students and their June 1940, when all effective resistance to and Black & Decker Industrial Products “Receiving ABET accreditation is a won- parents choose quality college programs, the Nazis on the continent of Europe had Group. Premier sponsors were Jack and derful affirmation of the quality of the engi- enables employers and graduate schools to come to an end and many, including the Faye Porter, Northwestern Mutual Financial neering program for both our current and recruit graduates they know are well prepared friends of Britain abroad, thought that we Network/Rod and Amy Parker, Mike and future students,” Dockery said. and is used by registration, licensure and were finished.” Trish Weeks, Curtis Mansfield/First Bank, One of the key elements of ABET certification boards to screen applicants.
4 UNIONITE Fall 2006 www.uu.edu www.uu.edu Fall 2006 UNIONITE 5 NEWSBRIEFS CAMPUS NEWS CAMPUS NEWS NEWSBRIEFS 1050
Teel Releases First Novel McMillin to Serve in New Post Jerome Teel (’89) has written a novel Barbara McMillin that tells a story about the impact has been appointed Christians can have on the political associate provost and landscape at the local, state and dean of instruction. U.U. DRIVE national levels. McMillin has Published by Howard Books, Mona Charen Juan Williams served on the Union “The Election” is Teel’s debut novel. faculty since 1992
According to a release from the pub- and has been dean DRIVE
U.U. lisher, Teel became motivated to write of the School of Arts and Sciences since the book when 1999. In her new role, she will oversee the he heard author Union Forum ‘07 to explore work of faculty development, curriculum John Grisham development, undergraduate research pro- speak in one of grams, and will serve as a liaison with his law classes at equality of opportunity many of the accreditation bodies to which 1050 the University the university relates. of Mississippi. he ninth annual Union Forum will focus for the Fox News Channel. During his 21-year Lady Bulldogs seek national Her work will include directing the “‘The on the theme “People Focused: Equality of career with the Washington Post, Williams cov- Center for Faculty Development, Election’ is a T Opportunity in America,” and will feature ered the White House, served as an editorial which has received national recogni- fast-paced, a nationally syndicated columnist as well as the writer and as a columnist. championship three-peat tion in recent years. highly readable author of a much-discussed new book. A critically acclaimed author, Williams’ McMillin has also served as professor of mystery filled with suspense, intrigue Columnist Mona Charen will address the latest book is entitled “Enough: The Phony ark Campbell’s Lady Bulldogs opened tance, consider that during the past two sea- English, and as chairperson of the English and political conspiracy,” President first forum Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007. Leaders, Dead-End Movements, and the season for the second straight year sons, Union lost a combined 11 games, and department during her tenure at Union. David S. Dockery said about Teel’s National Public Radio host and author Juan Culture of Failure That Are Undermining as the defending NAIA National Henson missed six of those losses due to injury. “Barbara McMillin is a skilled adminis- book. “In developing the exciting and M Williams speaks at the second forum Wed- Black America—and What We Can Do Champions. The 2006 national title is the But Union returns four leading scorers from trator who loves this institution,” President complex story, Teel skillfully weaves nesday, March 7. About It.” He also wrote the bestseller third for Union in eight years (1998, 2005, the 2006 national title team; Josephine Owino David S. Dockery said. “She is the con- together important themes like faith, Charen’s column is featured in more than “Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights and 2006). Only two other current NAIA (12.3 points per game), Ena Daniels (11.7), summate team player, and someone who family, suffering and providence in a 200 daily newspapers. She spent six years as a Years, 1954-1965,” and a biography of U.S. schools have won more women's basketball Natanya Smith (11.3), and Crystal Eason (8.3). is always working to advance the cause of way that not only compels, but even regular commentator on CNN’s “The Capital Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. national titles in the NAIA than Union Merideth Richardson suffered a season-end- Christ-centered higher education in her sup- enlightens.” Gang.” Charen remains a frequent guest on tel- Union Forum luncheons in 2006 drew large (Southern Nazarene has seven and Oklahoma ing injury in an early-season win over port of faculty and institutional programs. Teel is past president of Union’s evision and radio programs and has served as a crowds, and early table reservations are advised City University has four. Houston Baptist. Dockery also announced the appoint- National Alumni Association. He is an judge of Pulitzer Prize entries. for 2007. Individual seats are also available. For Union lost three seniors from last season, All-State player Kaitlin Dudley from ment of Gene Fant, current chair of the attorney in Jackson, where he lives with Juan Williams is a senior correspondent for more information, call the Office of University two of which were starters. Tiffany Fisher and Gibson County joins three other new play- department of English, as acting dean of his wife Jennifer and their three children. NPR news and a contributing political analyst Relations at 661-5050. Jennifer Henson combined for just 15.4 points ers to complete the Lady Bulldog roster. the College of Arts and Sciences. A search per game last season but the leadership will be Campbell is the NAIA's winningest process for a permanent dean will be greatly missed. To underscore Henson’s impor- active coach, with a .226-36 record. announced later in the fall. New Fesmire Field House gives Union top-notch athletic facility Bulldogs build on successful nion University dedicated the new Division II schools and right up there with square foot building, while MG 2005-06 regular season Fesmire Field House late this summer, some of the larger NCAA Division I Construction Co. built the facility. U adding a major facility that provides schools,” Blackstock said. “This definitely ead coach Ralph Turner’s Bulldogs will Corey Burket (12.6). But they have added student athletes with resources rarely found should help us in attracting good athletes build on an outstanding regular season some talented newcomers. at smaller universities. and maintaining an excellent program, as H last year in which they attained a top Transfer Tony Brown joins the team after The field house will support the soccer well as improving in many areas.” ranking in the NAIA Division I poll for the a year of junior college play. Turner thinks teams, the men’s baseball team and the The building is named in honor of first time in school history. In fact, Union Brown has the ability to play both guard women’s softball team. It includes a 9,374- Benny and Norma Fesmire, the lead donors was an impressive 9-4 against teams ranked positions for the next three years. Bolivar’s square foot turf room, locker rooms and for the project. in the final NAIA poll, and was the only Brian Lake transfers to Union from Middle showers for each home and visiting team, Other primary benefactors include the team to beat No. 1 Mountain State twice Tennessee State, where he averaged more coaches offices and an athletic training Union University Booster Club, West during the regular season. than six points per game in a dozen contests room. David Blackstock, Union’s athletic Tennessee Bone and Joint Clinic, Graham This season, Union is eyeing a ninth last year. director, said only one or two other colleges Snack Foods, James Wilson, Dan and NAIA national tournament appearance in Returning from last year’s 28-6 squad are of Union’s size in the South have compara- Brenda Davidson, Bruce and Melody the past 10 seasons. The Bulldogs lost two guards Marcus Cooper, Mack Bealim and ble facilities to the Fesmire Field House. Haltom and MG Construction Co. of their top three scorers from last year: Alan North; forward Dewayne Lee; and “This places us above most NCAA TLM Associates designed the 18,000- Kinley Sellers (14.2 points per game) and centers Ben Frederick and Pierry Valmera.
6 UNIONITE Fall 2006 www.uu.edu www.uu.edu Fall 2006 UNIONITE 7 By Tim Ellsworth
occer practices weren’t easy for the to a group of Muslims and have witnessed the It was an organization that used soccer to said he eventually felt God’s Smith talk about Jesus first year. In fact, they often resem- fruits of their labors. minister to refugees in Nashville, one of the call for him to focus on the Christ. Six of the Kurdish students bled nightmares. “He’s been a good motivator in my life,” nation’s largest refugee hubs. Farmer was a Kurds. His involvement with them have been faithful over the two-year peri- S Paul Farmer and his colleagues at said Azad Abdullah, 16, about Farmer. “I didn’t member of Union’s soccer team, and so it started when he saw a group of Kurdish stu- od, with attendance sometimes reaching as high Ultimate Goal Ministries, a soccer ministry in have the right attitude towards anything. I seemed like a perfect fit for him. dents hanging out one day, and he as 12 or 15 each week. Nashville, had been working with young Kurdish was a fighter. I had to have the last word in “I can stay in the U.S. and I can have an approached them with a soccer ball in hand. change in their lives. Farmer and Smith point to Christ as the refugees — youth some might mistake for thugs. everything. When I met him, I just kind of outreach to all these different international “You go anywhere outside the U.S., and soc- “It’s the word that’s going to change them,” only hope for salvation. If he went to Iraq to “One shove and it’s over,” Farmer said. calmed down. They taught other ways to deal people,” Farmer thought. cer is a god,” Farmer said. “It’s an icon. It’s a Farmer said. “It’s the Holy Spirit. He’s the one do the same thing, “I could possibly get my “Everybody’s fighting and they take sides and with some of the situations.” Ultimate Goal Ministries didn’t provide language that we can speak.” who convicts. That’s the first act of the Spirit, is head chopped off,” Farmer said. they’re all fighting on the field. We had to end Abdullah is just one of the Kurds that Farmer with a salary, so the Farmers moved Soccer opened doors for Farmer gradually to convict. What’s going to convict? The word. The results of the Bible study have been practice every single time for the first year.” Farmer now refers to as his brothers. It’s a fra- to Nashville on faith. They worked to raise to get more involved in their lives. He played How can we get them the word? Start a Bible positive, Farmer said. It’s not easy for Muslims Such was Farmer’s introduction to ministry ternity Farmer didn’t expect to find when he their own support, until Farmer eventually soccer with them regularly and coached them study and see if they come. And they came.” to convert because of how ingrained Islam is with the Kurdish refugees. But the troubles left Union in 2001 to join the staff of got a job as a graphic designer for Dave on a club team. He’d visit them in their neigh- They’ve been coming for two years now – in their culture. Conversion to Christianity didn’t stop him from befriending the Kurds. Ultimate Goal Ministries. Ramsey Ministries. His soccer ministry borhood. He loved them unconditionally. every Thursday night, to hear Farmer and often means being cut off from family. They didn’t stop him from loving them. If “To me, he’s been like a brother,” Make became something he did on the side. “These Kurdish guys, since I’ve narrowed in on But while Farmer has yet to see any public anything, they only made him more resolute. Said, 18, said. “That’s the best way I can Since Farmer was a graphic design major at them and I really feel like God has placed me in professions of faith in Christ, he thinks a few “We’re all about building their character and describe him. If it wasn’t for him, I would Union, it worked out perfectly for him as he’s their lives, they’re like my brothers,” Farmer said. of the players are close – and he fully expects shaping them,” Farmer said. “As they look at our probably be on the street or whatever, like now combining his professional abilities with “Every time I see them I don’t go preach the in a few years to see God using some of his lives, they’re seeing Jesus. It’s transformed them.” some of our other friends. Paul and them, his passion for ministry. gospel to them, but it’s like my life reflects it.” Muslim protégés as ambassadors for Christ After five years of investing in the lives of they just kept us straight.” “He was extraordinarily bright and consci- He does, however, preach the gospel to them through Ultimate Goal Ministries. Kurdish refugees, Farmer, a 2001 Union grad- Farmer and his wife, the former Nikki entious,” said Union graphic design professor every Thursday night at a Bible study. After That’s what keeps Farmer laboring for the uate, has seen God bless his ministry in Summers (a 1998 Union graduate) had been Chris Nadaskay about Farmer. “He’s a people getting to know the players, Farmer and Smith Lord. That’s what drives him. That’s what has countless ways. He and Matt Smith, also wondering if God was calling them to go person and seems to enjoy interacting with approached them about starting a Bible study. changed his life. associated with Ultimate Goal Ministries, overseas after college. At the Urbana confer- others. I think those are qualities that serve Farmer knew that his relationship with the “I grew up the whole time thinking that have led a weekly Bible study for the students ence one year, however, Farmer met Smith, him well in his ministry.” Kurds could only go so far when it came to ministry was working in church and missions for almost two years. who introduced him to the work of Ultimate Though Ultimate Goal Ministries worked winning them to Christ. He knew that God was being overseas,” Farmer said. “My perspective They’ve unashamedly proclaimed the gospel Goal Ministries. with a lot of different nationalities, Farmer was the only one who could bring about a has radically changed through this ministry.”
8 UNIONITE Fall 2006 www.uu.edu www.uu.edu Fall 2006 UNIONITE 9 he body of basic scientific knowl- edge has grown exponentially in the past half-century. Now more T than ever, it is crucial for colleges and universities to offer a top-notch science educa- tion to students. For years, Union University has built a nationally-recognized faculty in areas such shortages have been critical and even dangerous. Contents: as biology, chemistry and nursing. Union has committed itself to offering programs 12 A Message from Dean Tim Smith In 2007, these departments will also have designed to meet those needs while also pro- 13 Highlights: A Nursing Timeline at the very best available facilities in which to viding its graduates with knowledge that is in Union University train tomorrow’s leaders. White Hall is a $20 high demand. 14 A Nurse Anesthesia Overview million science building that will provide more As the School of Nursing moves into a new 17 Questions and Answers with Nurse than 80,000 square feet for classrooms, offices, home, it’s important to take stock of the invest- Anesthesia Professor Dr. Mark Kossick laboratories and storage space. More impor- ment Union has made in this discipline, and the 18 Studying with Lazarus: Union’s METI tantly, it will feature the latest innovations to dividends those investments provide to the univer- Human Patient Simulator help Union students keep pace with a rapidly sity, the community and the nation. The following 20 Union Nursing Teams with IMB changing scientific world. pages describe in more detail the growth and depth for a Mission Trip to Uganda Few fields offer more potential for growth and of Union’s nursing program. Faculty members have 22 Dr. Donna Sachse Describes Successes employment than nursing. For years, medical written these stories, bringing their unique per- at the Germantown Campus facilities have faced shortages of qualified nurses. spectives to the description of a field where Union 23 Tharon Kirk’s Reflections on Union’s Depending upon the time and situation, these University has excelled for nearly five decades. Undergraduate Nursing Program
WWW.UU.EDU/PROGRAMS/NURSING www.uu.edu Fall 2006 UNIONITE 11 Recent Highlights A Message from the Dean of the School of Nursing
elcome to the School of Nursing at Union addressing the needs of the nursing profession and January 2005 University! The school was established in community, now having more than 2,500 nursing the 1960s to provide an excellence-driven, alumni. In addition, the School of Nursing currently Dr. Tim Smith named the sixth dean of the School of Nursing. WChrist-centered, people-focused and future- has the largest RN-BSN and second-degree accelerat- directed educational process in preparing professional nurses ed BSN educational tracks in the state of Tennessee. Spring 2005 for meeting the health care needs of our society. Throughout With the implementation of new educational tracks the last 40 years, the School of Nursing has undergone sig- in the last year, the number of nursing majors at Onsite review by Council on Accreditation for Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) nificant educational paradigm shifts as the educational prepa- Union University has now grown to more than 480 without any recommendations for revision. ration and practice of professional nurses continues to change. students between the Jackson and Germantown cam- In the 1960s when the School of puses with a projected non-duplicating headcount of September 2005 Nursing was first established, the 520 students for the 2006-2007 academic year. Union University recognized as having the largest RN-BSN and Second-Degree Accelerated University offered an associate’s degree in Sounds exciting! We have only begun. In summer educational tracks in Tennessee. nursing. Based on the request of the com- 2007, the School of Nursing on the Jackson campus munity to further advance the educational will be moving into a 20,000 square-foot space in The total number of nursing majors is 400. preparation of nurses, the RN-BSN pro- White Hall with state-of-the-art classrooms, technology, gram was initiated in 1979. The first RN- labs and simulation environment. These efforts are October 2005 BSN class graduated on the Jackson cam- being supported by West Tennessee Healthcare and pus in May 1980 and in 1986, the RN- many others, thus allowing the School of Nursing the COA approval of nurse anesthesia track with the establishment of the first nurse anesthesia BSN program was established in opportunity to provide an excellent teaching environ- track at Union University. Memphis, later moving to the current ment and innovative educational methods through the Germantown campus in August 1997. In purchase of the METI Human Patient Simulator. December 2005 the early 1990s, the School of Nursing seized the opportuni- With the godly provision of a strong heritage of nurs- ty to support professional nursing by focusing on baccalaure- ing graduates, strong community support, a new build- Tennessee Board of Nursing reports that Union University School of Nursing has the highest ate nursing education. In 1992, the first traditional BSN ing, sophisticated educational tools and an excellent fac- NCLEX (licensure exam) pass rate of any baccalaureate nursing program in Tennessee during 2005. students were admitted on the Jackson campus. The offering ulty and staff, the School of Nursing is succeeding in pro- of baccalaureate nursing education was expanded in 2003 viding the community, state, nation and world with January 2006 with the establishment of a second-degree accelerated BSN graduates who can move professional nursing to a new track for individuals that are seeking a new career as a profes- level. All of these accomplishments would be impossible Purchase of Medical Education Technologies Inc. (METI) Human Patient Simulator and sional nurse. Then, most recently in the summer 2006, a without the ongoing support of hospitals, alumni and establishment of simulation lab in School of Nursing. new 14-month BSN degree completion track was established friends. For this reason, the School of Nursing is grateful in providing individuals the opportunity to become a profes- for your prayers, involvement and financial support in Spring 2006 sional nurse while previously lacking a baccalaureate degree. allowing us to serve God’s kingdom through the educa- Routine five-year onsite review by Tennessee Board of Nursing without recommendations for revision. In addition to the expanding baccalaureate nursing pro- tional preparation of nursing graduates that carry the gram, the School of Nursing established the Master of Science Christian worldview into the community and hospitals. Enrolled the first 14-month BSN degree completion students on Jackson and Germantown campuses. in Nursing program in 2000. The original offerings of the MSN program included a focus in nursing education and His Servant, Reaffirmation of Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accreditation status. No nursing administration. In January 2006, the MSN educa- Tim Smith, PhD, CRNA, APN verbal recommendations noted with final accreditation reaffirmation expected fall 2006. tional opportunities were broadened with the establishment of Dean and Professor, Union University School of Nursing a nurse anesthesia track and in the fall of 2006, the School of Nursing began two nurse September 2006 practitioner tracks with a focus in Enrolled the largest MSN cohort class since the origination of the program. nurse practitioner/clinical nurse specialist (adult or pediatric) The first cohort class of family nurse practitioner and nurse practitioner/clinical nurse and family nurse practitioner. specialist students enrolled. Thus, the School of Nursing has been busy October 2006