Volume LXVI, No. 3 Second Quarter–2002 ASBCS Annual Meeting to Feature Continuing Education Opportunities for Seven Chief Administrative Disciplines orkshops and briefings designed Baptist College of Florida. Tom Kinchen been operational in several years. Wto provide continuing education is president. ASBCS Board members will meet opportunities for seven chief adminis- The pre-conference for marketing from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday. trative disciplines will be offered during and public relations officers is spon- Registration for the annual meeting and the annual meeting of the Association sored by the Association of workshops is from 1-6 p.m. on Sunday. of Southern Baptist Colleges and The meeting will begin with a legal Schools June 2-4 in Panama City In addition to presidents and affairs briefing on Sunday afternoon. A Beach, Florida. chief academic officers of the 55 bus trip is planned for spouses on Pre-meeting activities on Saturday ASBCS member schools, the Monday for lunch and shopping. Hotel reservations for the pre-confer- June 1 include a conference for public meeting is designed to benefit relations and marketing officers, a golf ence and the annual meeting can be scramble and various family recreation- chief admissions officers, chief made using the form posted on page 9 of al opportunities including sightseeing, student development officers, this issue or downloaded from the ASBCS boat tours, chartered fishing trips and chief marketing and public rela- Web site
2 The Educator Bridging Two Commitments: Christian Faith and Higher Education
by Fisher Humphreys haps to you also. Today I want to direct your attention to two other issues that, like these, concern relationships between Editor’s Note: This article is adapted from an address given by Christian faith and higher education. Fisher Humphreys, professor of Theology, Beeson School of Divinity, Samford University, to Baptists involved in higher How We Think about Our Students education. He welcomes responses and comments on this arti- The first concerns students. Given that we are Christians, cle by email at: [email protected] how should we think about our students? We may begin by observing that our Christian faith teaches us that all persons Introduction have been created by God, in God’s image, a little lower than I want to describe some relationships God, and are loved by God. between two sets of commitments that we This is, I think, the highest possible estimate of our students, as Baptist educators share. They are our and it is a fundamental and indispensable estimate. As profes- commitments to Christian faith and to sors we will be attentive to estimates such as, for example, higher education. whether or not students The relationships between the two sets are academically gifted, We believe because of commitments have been the subject of but we will not allow students are in God’s several public conversations. I will briefly that to blind us to the mention three of these in order to distin- Christian estimate of image, they need to guish my subject from them. students. outgrow thoughtless- The first is an ongoing conversation Because our students ness, carelessness, about the question: What is a Christian Fisher Humphreys bear the image of God college or university? Is it a college found- we respect them, we laziness, ignorance, ed by Christians, or financed by a denomination, or owned by appreciate them, and we and prejudice, and we trustees who have been elected by an ecclesial body? Is it a uni- take an interest in them. versity whose faculty, as the primary bearers of its institutional We appreciate them as who are professors can culture, create a Christian ethos in the institution? This seems persons before we know help them to do that. to me to be a very important conversation; it is certainly one anything about their from which I have learned a great deal. academic work, and we appreciate them as students when their A second ongoing conversation concerns the secularization work is good work. We also challenge our students. We believe of Christian colleges and universities. I suppose that everyone because students are in God’s image, they need to outgrow agrees that something that may be called secularization has thoughtlessness, carelessness, laziness, ignorance, and preju- happened to many colleges. Still, I have misgivings about some dice, and we who are professors can help them to do that. of the things being said in this conversation. On one occasion Respecting students is not a substitute for teaching them; in James Burtchaell offered as evidence for secularization the fact fact, teaching them is an ideal way to show respect for them. that some Catholic colleges and universities allow non-Catholic Last week my friend Philip Wise told me a story about a mother professors to teach religion courses. His example caused me to who asked her first grader how he was enjoying school. He doubt the secularization hypothesis, because I have taught reli- replied, “Oh, I love school. It’s great!” Then, after a brief hesita- gion at two Catholic institutions, Loyola University in New tion, he added, “Well, except for one thing. . . . I don’t really like Orleans and Spring Hill College in Mobile, and I feel confident it when Mrs. Decker tries to teach us stuff.” that my teaching did not carry forward the secularization of I believe that all human beings have a deep need to be those institutions. respected and to be appreciated, and for someone to take a gen- There is a third public conversation, one in which the con- uine interest in them, and for someone to challenge them nection between our Christian faith and our various disciplines appropriately. It is within our power as professors to help meet is discussed. This conversation, sponsored in large measure by those needs for our students. the Education Commission and more recently by the Various things can prevent us from giving our students the Association of Southern Baptist Colleges and Schools, has respect they need. To the extent that we are still scrambling to helped professors to integrate faith and learning and to see the get this for ourselves, we are hardly in a position to give it to importance of a Christian worldview. others. Another barrier is that students act in ways that seem to These three conversations have been helpful to me, and per- forfeit our respect. Sometimes some of them don’t study, or (continued on page 4)
Second Quarter–2002 3 Bridging Two Commitments... who, when returning to his cell from a swamp, was attacked by the devil. The devil struck at him several times with a scythe (continued from page 3) but was unable to hurt him. The Abba was puzzled and asked the devil why he could not hurt Macarius. The devil replied, they plagiarize, or they are chronically late with work, or they “Your humility. Because of that I can do nothing against you.”1 are contemptuous of any learning that will not equip them to Respect for persons is a good defense against evil. make money. How can we maintain our interest in students Humility is an appropriate response to reality. Other people whose lives are superficial and irresponsible? do matter, and God alone is God. One thing that helps us is to remember that much of their Humility also is a quality that is essential for a decent life. It behavior arises from fear or from igno- is indecent not to let God be God and rance. They are frightened by the chal- not to respect the lives of others. lenge of learning and of entering into Perhaps most important of all, Humility is indispensable to authen- adulthood, and they know not what we express respect by listening tic community. We may have superficial they do. attentively to our students. community simply by being in proximi- Another thing that helps us is our ty to others. We find that in classrooms faith. We trust the Christian doctrine The important thing is that we in which students are not meaningfully that tells us that, whatever this student be guided not only by the engaged in the learning process. has done or failed to do, she is loved by We may have more meaningful com- God. In the plainest possible words, we expectations of the academy munity by sharing in common tasks to intend to treat our students as Rabbi but also by what our Christian which we are all committed. We find Jesus treated his disciples. faith teaches us about the that in classrooms in which students Caroline and I have two adult chil- study the subject matter with a view to dren. When they were very young I meaning of persons. making good grades and getting well- noticed something anomalous. Before paying jobs. they had become responsible for their But community in the full sense comes only when we actions we had to begin to treat them as responsible in order to respect one another. We find that in classrooms in which pro- enable them to become responsible. Our treating them as fessors respect students and students respect one another. responsible helped them to behave responsibly. So it is, I think, Humility provides freedom from tedious, humorless efforts with our students, whatever their ages. As we treat them with to justify our own existence. A humble person recognizes that respect and appreciation and as we take an interest in them and the justification for her existence was given to her along with challenge them, we help them to behave as persons worthy of her existence. It is a gift of God’s grace. that treatment. How do we express humility, respect for students? There can The alternatives to respecting our students are to treat them be no comprehensive list, I think. We express respect for stu- with indifference or with contempt. Such treatment is a factual dents by being responsible in our teaching, by not imagining error–no human being is contemptible–, it is a moral failure, that friendship with students is a substitute for academic rigor, and it jeopardizes our work as teachers, because only the most by teaching that is informed and passionate, by beginning and superficial learning will take place when students feel that their ending our classes on time, by learning students’ names, by professors are indifferent to them or contemptuous of them. never talking down to students, by taking their questions seri- One of the most spiritually helpful questions we Christians ously even when they are not very good questions, by preparing can ask ourselves is this: “Upon what person or group do I feel syllabuses and study guides with care, by writing thoughtful, entitled to look with contempt?” We professors must struggle sincere comments on students’ papers, by testing and grading with the temptation to look with contempt or indifference on fairly, by giving special attention to those who find it difficult to students who do poor academic work, or who do not seem capa- keep up, by continuing to challenge as well as to affirm all of ble of good work, or who hold views that are politically or reli- our students. Perhaps most important of all, we express respect giously or morally reactionary. We will become better teachers by listening attentively to our students. The important thing is when we know clearly which groups we feel entitled to look that we be guided not only by the expectations of the academy upon with contempt. but also by what our Christian faith teaches us about the mean- In the Christian tradition there is a name for treating people ing of persons. with respect. It is an old-fashioned word, but retrieving it can help us to integrate our commitments to Christian faith and to How We Think about Our Teaching higher education. The second issue is how as Christians we are to think about The word is humility. Humility is not contempt for oneself the work of teaching itself. How are we to understand what we but respect for others as well as for oneself. It is the recognition are doing when we help students to gain knowledge, to develop that the lives of others are as important as my own. Humility is skills, and to express their creativity? also respect for God, accepting that God is the only divine being First, we recognize that teaching is an intervention. Though and that we are human beings. it is neither intrusive nor manipulative, it does affect students. Roberta Bondi says that among the desert mothers and After they have been in our classes they will never be quite the fathers humility was understood as “the master virtue that same persons they were before. includes all the others.” She tells the story of Abba Macarius There is a tendency, when professors’ influence upon stu-
4 The Educator dents is discussed, to attend to the large and dramatic effects is formative as well as informative. that professors make upon some students. We could call this But is this the case of all subjects? To take the hard case, is it the Tuesdays with Morrie effect. Its importance is easy to notice true when we teach a subject in which our primary objectives because students remember it and talk about it. But for every are for students to gain knowledge and skills that equip them to student who undergoes a conversion in our classes, there are earn a living? Can learning how to be an accountant be a matter dozens, perhaps hundreds, whose response to us and our teach- of personal formation? ing is less apparent but no less real. Our attitudes, our manner, I believe it is. Being In the journey toward our priorities, our integrity, our commitments, our example all an accountant is hon- shape the lives of the students in our classes. And students are orable work. It is a living life to its fullest formed by our faith: faith that life is worth living, faith that life good thing to be able professors become is morally serious, faith that persons are more precious than to support yourself in institutions, faith that rules exist for the welfare of persons not our world. To do splendid guides when the other way round, faith that it is possible to be aware of the accounting well you they recognize that they tragedy of human life and still to live a happy life, and faith that must discipline your- are shaping lives and there is enough love for everyone. From us students can learn self, and you must to avoid the cynicism and the bitterness that characterize so think carefully. when they treat stu- much of our culture. Accounting can con- dents with respect and In short, the education of students is effectively the forma- tribute to justice by tion of persons. I agree with Parker Palmer that “education is telling the truth about appreciation, taking an spiritual formation.”2 Chaucer’s Oxford clerk recognized the corporations. It is a interest in them and formative character of his work: “The thought of moral virtue collegial activity, challenging them to live filled his speech / And gladly would he learn, and gladly teach.” 3 bringing people to There can be no work together in a way their lives to the fullest. Our formative work in higher estimate of that contributes to teaching than that it community. It is indispensable for the operation of large corpo- students’ lives takes contributes to the rations, and on a planet with six billion people corporations can place whenever we are formation of persons. make important contributions to the commonweal. I can understand Someone may object that accounting is such ordinary work. teaching about anything that some professors Indeed it is. But the Christian faith calls us to love the ordinary, that is, to use St. Paul’s are reluctant to speak to carry out ordinary work responsibly, to feel fulfilled when we language, honorable, of their work in these do this, and not always to be scrambling desperately for some- terms, thinking them thing extraordinary. To use the language of St. Paul again, we just, pure, commend- to be grandiose or are to be people who do what their hands find to do, who do it able, and excellent unrealistic. They with all their might, who do it as unto the Lord, and having might assume that done it, who learn to be content. When we go to our classes (Phil. 4:8). the spiritual and filled with anxiety, our students are apt to interpret this as dis- moral formation of approval. When we go contentedly, our students will see that it persons is done only by religious professionals and only in is possible to be educated and contented. explicitly religious settings such as worship services. But the Christian faith is incarnational. It teaches us that “the world is Conclusion charged with the grandeur of God,” the whole world. God is At the end of the second century of the common era the present in classrooms as well as in churches. People’s lives are bishop of Lyons, St. Irenaeus, wrote these words: Gloria dei shaped by lectures as well as by sermons. homo vivens, the glory of God is a human being who is fully This does not mean that we must speak about religion in our alive. That is what God wants— human beings who are fully classes. Sometimes it is appropriate to do that, sometimes not. alive. Life is God’s good gift to us, but to become fully alive we One of the wonderful parts of our legacy as Baptists is our must learn to embrace the gift of life with gratitude, and we recognition that all Christians are called to give verbal witness must give ourselves to it with trust and abandon. In the journey to their faith. The flip side of that wonderful legacy is that we toward living life to its fullest professors become splendid may assume that, unless we give a verbal witness, we have not guides when they recognize that they are shaping lives and behaved as Christians. when they treat students with respect and appreciation, taking Nothing could be further from the truth. Our formative work an interest in them and challenging them to live their lives to in students’ lives takes place whenever we are teaching about the fullest. anything that is, to use St. Paul’s language, honorable, just, Endnotes pure, commendable, and excellent (Phil. 4:8). When we speak 1. Roberta Bondi, To Pray & To Love (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, the truth in love, our students’ lives will be shaped Christianly. 1991), 101. I realize that it is easier to see this with some subjects than 2. Parker J. Palmer, To Know as We Are Known (Harper San with others. It is obvious that we are contributing to the forma- Francisco, 1993), chapter 2. tion of a person’s life when we encourage her creativity, as in a 3. Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales trans. Nevill Coghill class in creative writing, and it is obvious that a class on Dante (Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1952), “The Prologue,” 25. ■
Second Quarter–2002 5 Program Agenda—ASBCS 2002 Annual Meeting June 1-4, 2002 ¥ Marriott Bay Point Resort ¥ Panama City Beach, Florida
PRE-MEETING ACTIVITIES JUNE 1: JUNE 3: MONDAY MORNING SATURDAY MORNING 7:30-8:45: Presidents’ Breakfast–speaker: Brent Walker, Executive Director, Baptist Joint Committee on 6:00-Noon: Deep Sea Fishing (Register on ASBCS Web site by May 5) Public Affairs 8:30 a.m-2:00 p.m.: Golf Scramble 7:30-8:45: Breakfast Roundtables for CFOs, CDOs, Admissions, Marriott’s Lagoon Legend Course (8:46 a.m. tee time) PR, & Student Development officers 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.: Public Relations Workshop–“How to Build 9:00-10:30: Second Plenary Session an Effective Public Relations Program” Presiding: Stan Lott, President, Chowan College Devotional: David Smith, President Brewton Parker, College 9:30-9:45: Welcome (Dr. Bob Agee) Announcements: Bob Agee Second Hester Lecture: Robert Benne, Roanoke College 9:45-10:55: “The Role of Senior PR Administrators in Benediction Institutional Planning and Decision Making” 10:30-10:45: Break 10:55-11:05: Break 10:45-12 noon: Workshops 11:05-12:15: “How Public Relations Must Change at Baptist Colleges” Legal Issues Workshop: Dealing with Faculty/Staff Employment Issues: SATURDAY AFTERNOON Jason Rogers, et. al. 12:15-1:30: Luncheon–“The President’s Role in Public Relations” “Changes in Annuity Board Products and Services” Barbara Medlin, Director of Retirement Marketing, 1:30-2:40: “We have a Web Site-–Now What? Southern Baptist Annuity Board. 2:40-2:50: Break “Organization and Management of an Effective Development Office” 2:50-4:00: “Communication Strategies to Reach Your State’s John J. Scales Baptist Constituency” “How Public Relations Must Change at Baptist Colleges” 6:30: Golf Awards Dinner (Dutch Treat) Panelists: Sharon Saunders, Assoc. V.P. for University Relations, Houston Baptist University; Marc Whitt, V.P. JUNE 2: SUNDAY MORNING for Communications, Campbellsville, University; 10:30-11:30: Worship Service—Stan Lott Presiding Andy Westmoreland, President, Ouachita Baptist University SUNDAY AFTERNOON 12:00-3:00: ASBCS Board Luncheon and Business Meeting “Effective Financial Aid Packaging: A Case Study” William J. Brown, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid at 1:00-6:00: Registration—Marriott Bay Point Lobby Lebanon Valley College, Pennsylvania. 3:00-4:30: Legal Affairs Briefing—Jason Rogers, et. al. “Faith and Disciplines/Faith and Learning: The State of the Conversation” SUNDAY EVENING Michael Beaty, Director of the Institute for Faith and Dinner on your own Learning, Baylor University. 7:00: First Plenary Session Presiding: Stan Lott, ASBCS Board Chairman MONDAY AFTERNOON Welcome: Stan Lott, President, Chowan College 12:15-1:45: Luncheons Welcome to Florida: Tom Kinchen, President, The Baptist College of Florida ASBCS Business Luncheon (Presidents & CAOs) Devotional: Tom Kinchen Luncheon for Chief Financial Officers Announcements and Review of Schedule: Bob Agee, Executive Director, ASBCS Luncheon for Chief Development Officers Introduction of the Hester Lecturer: Stan Lott Luncheon for PR, Admissions, and Student Dev. Officers: First Hester Lecture: Robert Benne, Roanoke College Speaker: Bob Sevier, President, Stamats: “Messages that Benediction Matter: New Ideas for Getting the Word Out”
6 The Educator Program Agenda—ASBCS 2002 Annual Meeting JUNE 4: TUESDAY MORNING MONDAY AFTERNOON (CONTINUED) 7:30-8:45: Breakfast 2:00–3:15: Workshops Chief Academic Officers’ Breakfast Legal Affairs Workshop: Dealing with Student Issues Speaker: Richard Ireland, President of Snowmass Institute (Recruiting and Student Life issues) Jason Rogers, et.al. Chief Development Officers’ Breakfast Speaker: “Changing from Mediocre to Magnificent as a “Public Relations Role and the Capital Campaign” Development Professional” - John J. Scales, V.P. for Panelists Alan Medders, V.P. for Development, Campbellsville Development, Baylor College of Medicine. University; Ruthie Critten, Director of Public Relations, Hannibal-LaGrange College; Stephen Cargill, President CFO Breakfast and CEO, Cargill Associates; Moderator: Sharon Saunders, Associate V.P. for University Relations, Houston Baptist PR/Admissions Breakfast University Student Development Breakfast “Using Institutional Web sites and Internet Services to Recruit Students” 9:00-10:15: Workshops J. Paul Crippan, President, J. Paul Crippan and Associates “Baptist Colleges vs. Public Universities: Tackling the Media “Digging Out of Deep Discounting: A Whole System Approach” Challenge” Thomas Bakewell, Management Consultant in Strategy, Panel: Mark Brown, Director of Public Relations, Carson- Transitions, and Financial Crisis. Newman College; Larry Brumley, Assoc. V.P. for University Relations, Baylor University; Arah Horn, Director of “Making Good Decisions in Designing Retirement Programs” News and Information, Union University Barbara Medlin, Director of Retirement Marketing, Annuity Board, SBC “Strategic Planning for College and University Executives” Richard Ireland, President of Snowmass Institute 3:20–4:45 Workshops “Strategic Recruitment Marketing for Higher Conversion Yields” “Building Bridges Between Academics and Student Life J. Paul Crippan, President, J. Paul Crippan and Associates Programs” Panel: Carla Sanderson, Provost, Union University.; “The Four Essentials of an Effective Brand” Richard Franklin, V.P. for Student Life, Samford Bob Sevier, President, Stamats Inc. University; Pat Taylor, President, Southwest Baptist University “Benchmarks for Assessing Financial Health in an Institution” Ron Watkins, CEO, Partners Associates, Inc. “Effective Use and Retention of Admissions Staff” J. Paul Crippan, President, J. Paul Crippan and Associates “The Trustee’s Role in Fund Raising” Panel of trustees: Arthur Hall, Chairman of the Board, “Admissions and PR: Friends or Foes” Brewton-Parker College; Joseph Hudgins, Trustee, Panel: Gary Sherman, Dean of Enrollment Management, Carson-Newman College; Doug Worley, Trustee, The Averett University; Susan Huckstep, Director of News & Baptist College of Florida Publications, Averett University; Kyle S. Luke, Director of Admissions, Baptist College of Florida; Heather Stewart, “Designing Effective Freshman Year Experiences” Director of Information Services, Baptist College of Florida Panelists: Panel of three student affairs directors “Developing an Effective Planned Giving Program” Panel: David Nowell, V.P. for Advancement, Carson- 10:15-10:30: Break Newman College; Rick Brown, CEO of Rick Brown & Associates, Inc. 10:30-11:45: Third Plenary Session: Stan Lott, Presiding
“Benchmarks for Assessing Financial Health of an Presentation of New Officers Institution” Announcements: Bob Agee Ron Watkins, CEO, Partners Associates, Inc. Introduction of Speaker: Stan Lott Third Hester Lecture: Robert Benne, Roanoke College “Digging Out of Deep Discounting: A Whole System Approach” Benediction Thomas Bakewell, Management Consultant in Strategy, Adjourn So Transitions, and Financial Crisis. of uthe on rn ti a B i a c p o t s i
s s t
ONDAY VENING A M E DRESS IS BUSINESS CASUAL
C AT ALL SESSIONS AND EVENTS. o ls 6:00-7:00: Reception: Provided by Baptist College of Florida l o leg ho es and Sc 7:00-9:00: Dinner: Baptist College of Florida in charge of program.
Second Quarter–2002 7 Association of Southern Baptist Colleges and Schools Annual Meeting and Workshops June 1-4, 2002 ¥ Marriott Bay Point Resort ¥ Panama City Beach, Florida for member Presidents, Chief Academic Officers, Chief Student Development Officers, Chief Admissions Officers, Chief Marketing and Public Relations Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Development Officers and spouses of all participants MEAL AND ACTIVITY RESERVATION FORM Please use separate form for each participant plus spouse PLEASE TOTAL $ AMOUNT FROM EACH SECTION (A-G) AND INSERT IN SECTION H Name for Badge: ______A. Golf Scramble–Saturday 6/1 Cost Qty Total $ First Name: ______8:46 a.m. Tee-Time Lagoon Legend Course $90.00 ____ $______Last Name: ______(limited to 40 players) Golf Awards Dinner Dutch Treat ____ Title/Position: ______B. Public Relations Pre-Conference Spouse Name for Badge: ______Luncheon–Saturday 6/1 Cost Qty Total $ $16.00 ____ $______Institution/Agency: ______C. Breakfasts–Monday 6/3 Cost Qty Total $ Mailing Address: ______Presidents $16.00 ____ $______City______Chief Financial Officers $16.00 ____ $______Chief Development Officers $16.00 ____ $______State:______Zip: ______Admissions $16.00 ____ $______Public Relations $16.00 ____ $______Telephone:______Student Development $16.00 ____ $______
Fax:______D. Luncheons–Monday 6/3 Cost Qty Total $ E-mail______ASBCS Business Meeting (for Presidents/CAOs) $16.00 ____ $______Arrival and Departure Information: Chief Financial Officers $16.00 ____ $______Chief Development Officers $16.00 ____ $______■ ■ Airline or Driving Admissions $16.00 ____ $______Arrival Date and Time: ______Public Relations $16.00 ____ $______Student Development $16.00 ____ $______Departure Date and Time: ______E. Banquet–Monday 6/3 Cost Qty Total $ Instructions to registrants: (All Participants & Spouses) $25.00 ____ $______
1. All fees are per person. F. Breakfasts–Tuesday 6/4 Cost Qty Total $ 2. ONLY ONE (1) PARTICIPANT (PLUS SPOUSE) Chief Academic Officers $16.00 ____ $______MAY REGISTER PER FORM. Please photocopy this Chief Financial Officers $16.00 ____ $______form for additional registrants – or download this Chief Development Officers $16.00 ____ $______and hotel reservation form at ASBCS website Admissions $16.00 ____ $______
3. Hotel reservation cut-off is April 29, 2002 H. TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED Questions? Contact Tim Fields, $______ASBCS Director of Communications 615-673-1896 MAIL COMPLETED FORM AND PAYMENT BY MAY 24 TO: Fax 615-662-1396 • E-Mail tim_fields @baptistschools.org Association of Southern Baptist Colleges and Schools 917 Harpeth Valley Place Nashville, TN 37221-1141
8 The Educator ASBCS Annual Meeting • June 2-4, 2002 • Panama City Beach, Florida Marriott Bay Point Resort Reservation Request Form To guarantee your group reservation, we require that you either: 1. Fill out the credit card number and expiration date, then sign below. All major credit cards accepted. OR 2. Enclose a check or money order in the amount of the first night’s stay.
We regret that we will be unable to hold your reservation without one of the above methods of payment. Deposits will be refunded only if cancellation notice is given 72 hours prior to arrival.
To make your reservations on the Internet, please go to the Marriott web-site (Marriott.Com) 1. 1. On the Marriott web-site under “find a hotel,” locate Panama City Beach, Florida. 2. 2. Then locate the Marriott Bay Point Resort web-site; enter your dates of arrival and departure. 3. 3. Place the room code (example BAPBAPA for Garden View etc.) where it asks for a group code. 4. 4. Then follow the instructions given to secure the reservation. (credit card required)
To make a reservation directly with the Marriott Bay Point Resort, please fax or mail the information below. FAX: 850-236-6153 (Mon-Fri 8am –5pm) CST MAILING ADDRESS: Attn: Reservations PHONE: 800-874-7105 Marriott Bay Point Resort 4200 Marriott Drive QUESTIONS? Call 1-800-874-7105 (Mon-Fri 8am –5pm) CST Panama City Beach, FL 32408
Name: ______Association of Southern Baptist Colleges and Schools Address: ______Cutoff Date for Reservations: April 29, 2002
City/State/Zip: ______Room Rate: $128 (single or double occupancy) Phone Number: ______ Garden View (Room code BAPBAPA) Features view of grounds & golf course # of Rooms: ______# of Guests: ______ Water View (Room code BAPBAPB) Arrival Day and Date: ______Features view of Grand Lagoon & pool decks Departure Day and Date: ______1 Bedroom Villa (Room code BAPBAPC) Features living room & separate bedroom. View of golf courses and gardens. BED TYPE REQUEST 2 Doubles King Nonsmoking rooms have been requested for ASBCS. Efforts will be Children under 18 stay free in room with parents. made to accommodate bed type requests as well, however due to the Additional adults $20.00 per person per day. limited number of non-smoking rooms, some bed type requests may not be honored. Please indicate which is more important: Meeting Dates: June 1 – June 4, 2002 Rates offered: May 27 – June 5, based on availability. Bedtype Non-smoking
Credit Card Number:______Exp:______I authorize Marriott Bay Point Resort to charge a deposit to my account for one night’s room and tax ($140.80 total). I understand that this is a non-refundable deposit, unless cancellation occurs prior to 72 hours prior to arrival.
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Second Quarter–2002 9 Legal Notes by Jamie Jordan New Case Deals Blow to Union Activity in Religious Schools ust a church-related university (or labor unions and to bargain collectively Catholic school, was “neither uniquely Mcollege) permit its employees to orga- with their employers. Through regulations Catholic nor primarily religious” and thus nize a labor union to act as their collective adopted and enforced by the National was not entitled to First Amendment pro- bargaining agent for employment matters? Labor Relations Board, the NLRA spells out tection. For example, the government “No,” says the U.S. Court of Appeals for the what employers must do in response to argued, the university admits non- DC Circuit in a recent ruling (University of employees’ attempts to organize as well as Catholics and allows non-Catholics to Great Falls vs. National Labor Relations what employer actions are unfair (and serve on the board of trustees. Board). The federal law which governs col- unlawful) employment practices. Wait just a minute, the court said! The lective bargaining in the workplace does In 1979, the U.S. Supreme Court found government has no business judging how not apply to a non-profit, religiously-affili- that Congress did not intend for the NLRA religious a university is, nor deciding ated university which holds itself out to to apply to religious organizations. If it whether the university is going about its the public as being a religious institution. did, there would be a significant risk that religious mission the right way. These are The ruling provides important protec- the NLRA would infringe on the First uniquely religious decisions, and must be tion for church-affiliated universities. Amendment rights of those organizations. left to the university. How can the govern- Absent such protection, a school might However, the door remained open for the ment decide what Catholics ought to be find itself second-guessed by the courts on NLRA to apply to a school which had edu- doing, or tell the university the right way issues crucial to the religious portion of cation as its primary purpose, even if the to make a school Catholic? the school’s mission - for example, the school also claimed a religious mission. Each Baptist school has the right to selection and retention of employees who The new ruling makes it clear that the determine its own mission; to decide the respect the school’s religious values and right of a university to fulfill a religious role religion will play in that mission; and the establishment of moral standards for mission is constitutionally protected, even to determine how it will accomplish the faculty or staff. Hundreds or thousands of if the school’s primary purpose is a secular, religious portion of its mission. The courts such issues could have been treated as educational one. are saying that the protection of these conditions of employment and made the The University of Great Falls decision rights under the First Amendment out- subject of collective bargaining under the stands for another important First weighs employees’ rights to collective bar- National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Amendment principal: a institution is free gaining. ■ The NLRA is the primary federal law to define its own religious mission and to governing relations between unions and determine how it will fulfill that mission. Jamie Jordan is a partner in the law firm of employers in the private sector. The NLRA The National Labor Relations Board had Guenther, Jordan & Price, P.C. in Nashville, assures employees of the right to organize found the University of Great Falls, a Tennessee, (615) 329-2100. Tuition Remission Provides Valuable Benefit for Dependents of Faculty and Staff he tuition remission agreement between A student may be required by the host College, Brewton-Parker College, Campbell T35 ASBCS member schools enables full institution to apply for any tuition grants University, Campbellsville University, Carson- time teachers and administrators whose (state, federal, or other) for which he or she Newman College, Charleston Southern dependent children are eligible to receive is eligible. Any such aid must be applied to University, Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, tuition benefits at their home institution to the cost of tuition at the host institution. Cumberland College, Chowan College, Dallas receive benefits at a participating institution. If a student can demonstrate need beyond Baptist University, East Texas Baptist Not all of the 35 participating colleges and tuition, he or she may be eligible to receive University, Gardner-Webb University, universities have exchange agreements with other forms of financial aid according to the Georgetown College, Hannibal-LaGrange all of the other participating schools. For a regulations of the host institution. College, Hardin-Simmons University, Howard list of each school’s pairings or other infor- In addition to the above requirements Payne University, Judson College (Alabama), mation contact Tim Fields, ASBCS director of each institution is protected by enrolling a Louisiana College, Mary Hardin-Baylor, communications by phone at 615-673-1896 combined total of only five students per year University of, Mississippi College, Missouri or by e-mail at under the plan; reviewing the program annu- Baptist College, Mobile, University of, North
10 The Educator Lee Royce Named 19th President of Mississippi College ee G. Royce, president All four schools are members of the Princeton Review of Colleges. Lof Anderson College, Association of Southern Baptist Colleges Prior to his assuming the presidency of Anderson South Carolina, and Schools. Anderson, Royce was vice president for uni- has been named the 19th Royce has been president of Anderson versity relations at Belmont University in president of Mississippi College since 1995. During his service as Nashville, Tenn. College effective July 1. president, the College experienced a 52-per- Royce’s professional background Royce holds a doctor- cent increase in enrollment, an 80-percent includes experience as an educator and a ate in higher education increase in the budget, endowment growth businessman. From 1975 to 1978, he Lee Royce administration from of 75 percent, and a doubling of funds taught business administration at Ouachita Vanderbilt University’s George Peabody raised for capital and annual purposes. The Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. College. He also holds two other degrees grade point average for entering freshmen From 1979 to 1985, he was director of from Vanderbilt—a master’s degree in busi- rose to 3.4. Campus ministry activities account services for Endata, Inc., where he ness management from the Owen Graduate more than quadrupled to include more was responsible for planning and imple- School of Management and a bachelor of than 350 students on a weekly basis. The menting fund raising campaigns for more arts degree with a major in history. number of resident students rose from 400 than 60 non-profit organizations, including Mississippi College is the fourth Baptist to 720. Anderson College received the dis- colleges, hospitals, political parties and reli- school Royce has served since 1975. In tinctive designation as a Teaching Fellows gious organizations. addition to Mississippi and Anderson program from the South Carolina Royce is married to the former Rhoda Colleges, he has held positions at Belmont Department of Education while obtaining Russell. Their son Mark is an honor student University and Ouachita Baptist University. the highest selectivity rating by the Time in the 12th grade. ■
athletic trainer and program coordinator, was sented a paper titled "Yeats and the elected president of the State Athletic Objective Alternative" at the meeting of the PeoplePeople Training Association. He also was selected as South Central Conference on Christianity 2002 University Athletic Trainer of the Year and Literature. Averett University: Octavius Pinkard, for North Carolina and was asked to serve on Louisiana College: Joe Aguillard, chair of adjunct instructor of political science, serves the board of directors by the National the division of education was selected to as a consult for the French presidential Athletic Trainer’s Association for Research participate in a national case study on edu- campaign of Jacques Chirac. Bethanie and Education. Melissa Johnson, a clinical cational initiatives. Tucker, professor of education, has had her assistant professor in the Department of Samford University: English professor math book Mr. Base Ten accepted for publi- Pharmacy Practice, received a "Mentored Janice Milner Lasseter is co-editor of a new cation by Aha! Publishing Company. Thomas Patient-Oriented Research Career book, Rebecca Harding Davis: Writing M. Vick, J.D., assistant professor and chair of Development Award," a five-year grant of Cultural Biography, published by Vanderbilt the university's Department of Aviation, has $762,205, from the National Institutes of University Press. Joseph O. Dean, Jr., Dean been re-appointed to the Virginia Aviation Health (NIH) to study a fungus known as of the McWhorter School of Pharmacy, and Space Education Forum (VASEF) Board Candida. Justice James Iredell, a book writ- received the 2001 Dean's Recognition Award of Directors. Campbell University: Steven R. ten by Willis Whichard, dean of the Norman from the American College of Apothecaries. Harmon, assistant professor of Christian the- Adrian Wiggins School of Law, was included Mary H. Hudson received the George Macon ology at the divinity school, was awarded a in the 38th annual Outstanding Academic Memorial Award for outstanding teaching. Lilly Theological Research Grant by the Title list in the January 2002 issue of Choice Ginger Frost, history professor, has received Association of Theological Schools for his magazine. a $24,000 residential fellowship for study at proposed research project “Gregory of Nyssa’s Campbellsville University: School of Music the National Humanities Center at Triangle Oratio Catechetica Magna and the faculty member Nevalyn Price Moore was Park, N.C. during 2002-03. Frost will use Theological Formation of Christians.” Lloyd selected as the 2002 Kentucky Music the highly competitive fellowship--only 35 Johnson of the department of government, Educators Association College/University were awarded to 474 applicants--to support history, and justice recently presented a Teacher of the Year. her work on a book-length study of cohabi- paper titled “Welsh Ethnicity on the Hardin Simmons University: Assistant biol- tation in 19th century England. Colonial South Carolina Frontier” at a meet- ogy professor Roy Vogtsberger, along with Southwest Baptist University: Assistant math- ing of the National History Honor Society fellow colleagues in Thailand, published a ematics professor Robert Glasgow presented a Phi Alpha Theta in San Antonio, Texas. B. research article entitled “Surface report entitled “The Many Paths Taken: A Donald Keyser and H. Wayne Ballard, Jr., Ultrastructure of the Third-instar Larvae of Report on Recent Graduates of Doctoral faculty members in the department of reli- Hydrotaea spinigera Stein (Diptera: Programs in Mathematics Education.” at the gion and philosophy, authored a new book, Muscidae), a Fly Species of Forensic Annual Conference of the Association of From Jerusalem to Gaza: An Old Testament Importance” in the December 2001 issue of Mathematics Teacher Educators. Theology, that was published by Smyth & The Journal of Vector Ecology. Larry University of Mobile: Intercollegiate athletics Helwys Publishing, Inc. Paul Plummer, head Brunner, senior professor of English, pre- (Continued on page 12)
Fourth Quarter–2001 11 Samford University: Former nursing profes- People sor Mary Sue Baldwin was named director of (Continued from page 11) TTransitionsransitions Samford’s Problem-Based Learning Center. Southwest Baptist University: Edward D. director Craig T. Bogar served as interim Campbell University: Allison Broome of Walton, former manager of information ser- commissioner of the Gulf Coast Athletic Buies Creek, N.C., was named director of vices for the consulting firm Gaffney, Cline Conference and was elected vice chair for out-of-state and international admissions. & Associates was appointed dean of the uni- region XIII of the NAIA. Carson Newman University: Mark Ortlieb, a versity library. Virginia Intermont College: English profes- New Haven, Ind. native, was named vice Union University: Wayne Johnson, associate sors, Dan Stryk, released his sixth nationally president of finance. professor of speech and theatre has been published book entitled Taping Images to East Texas Baptist University: David Jones named Executive Director of the Office of Walls in February of 2002. The book was has been promoted to vice president for University Relations. Jean Marie Walls, associ- released from Pecan Grove Press (St. Mary's institutional advancement after serving as ate professor of language, has been named University, San Antonio, Texas). ■ interim vice president since September. the new chair of the Language Department. ■ A Direct Impact
Consortium for Global from the Christian University Education by Carolyn Bishop, International Director
ost individuals have no direct impact Adams in 1772; “The preservation of liberty ture. If any group should step up to the Mon the primary actions or actors depends upon the intellectual and moral plate it should be a collective voice of involved in recent global events. Possibly character of the people. As long as knowl- those who have been led to teach and learn one’s response is only a thought, or more edge and virtue are diffused generally at Christian colleges and universities! often than not, we have more questions among the body of a nation, it is impossible The “business of learning” and applying than productive responses. Can the that they should be enslaved.” When John knowledge is hard. In a world bombarded Christian University have a direct impact Adams spoke about the study for knowl- by information, without a fearful longing on global issues? Can faculty and students edge, he said, “I must study politics and to do some good thing, there is often no listen, apply knowledge based on sound war that my sons may have liberty to study organized thought and plan for receiving principles, and respond to a course of mathematics and philosophy. My sons the onslaught of information. action? Robert Collyer said “God hides ought to study mathematics and philoso- The challenge is to process applied some ideal in every human soul, that some phy, geography, and natural history, . . . in knowledge with understanding of diversity time in our life we feel a trembling, fearful order to give their children a right to study in search for primary sources and then longing to do some good thing. Life finds paintings, poetry, music, and architecture.” using selected knowledge with conviction its noblest spring of excellence in this hid- Adams believed that knowledge should be to impact educational development. This den impulse to do our best.” channeled like a river to serve everyone. knowledge should broaden, not restrict Individual freedoms are still threatened The investment in acquiring knowledge to horizons and it should deepen commit- in the world today. What is the Christian impact society was crucial for the protec- ment. Educators and students must seek University response? tion of individual freedom for future gen- to study the world and current trends and On September 11, 2001, the individual erations. engage in a mental exercise of constant freedoms of thousands of Americans were Several weeks ago in Shanghai, a young truths driven by that hidden impulse to do threatened. With ensuing events, we have Chinese entrepreneur named Vincent our best. defended those rights by taking the war explained that he had the opportunity to If your heart is stirred to do your best against terrorism to the source of terrorist go to school. He did well in his studies and for a noble cause, get involved in interna- groups in Afghanistan. In October, a went to a university. He taught himself tional education. Christian universities reporter interviewed a 13-year-old girl near English from magazines and got a job in a should lead in partnerships with overseas Kabul who lost her mother in the fighting. factory of a southern industrialized zone universities, build bridges for cross cultur- She had not known where her father was near Hong Kong. Vincent made a lot of al consultation on curriculum and policies, for a long time. After his return, she money over the past few years, yet now he develop joint course for study and under- helped him piece together the rubble of felt empty. He had no satisfaction in the standing, train students for the challenge their home. During the interview, in the money and that there had to be more to of serving in the foreign services, design background was the compound wall, life than seeking his own pleasures. Over work/study placements with an overseas bloodstained, where many, including her coffee, he shared his thoughts and what he school, establish internships with interna- mother, lost their lives. When the inter- valued. Vincent said that his only hope was tional chambers of commerce, and take the viewer asked the young girl what she want- to have faith in something bigger than strength and value of faith-based education ed, she said, “I have no reason to live, himself. Vincent is feeling that tug to fill to make a direct impact for a searching there is no hope.” Where is the voice of that area of his heart with something world. hope in our world today for this girl’s free- noble and to respond in a notable way. ______dom? The hope of imparting and gaining Carolyn Bishop, International Director of David McCullough’s book, John Adams, knowledge for faculty and students at the Consortium for Global Education, works records part of an oratory presented by Christian universities is at a critical junc- in Marietta, Ga., phone (770) 321-4897. ■
12 The Educator The Baptist College of Florida: BCF estab- and a merit level award in newspaper ads in and Culture. The Board of Trustees has lished a Bi-Vocational Minister’s Institute to the Newspaper Advertising/Series category. appointed Hal Poe, Professor of Faith and provide instruction through a variety of sys- Union University: Union University has Culture, as the first Colson Professor of Faith tems including on-line courses, free training established the Charles Colson Chair of Faith and Culture. ■ videotapes, and courses offered at distance sites across the state. The institute provides free and reduced cost theological training to bi-vocational ministers in Florida. Mississippi College: The college’s water fit- ness program was ranked as the best college program of its kind in the country by the United States Water Fitness Association. The program also was ranked in the top five among all water fitness programs, whether based in a college, health and fitness club or public facility. The college’s aquatics director/instructor, Pamela Smith, was named as one of the top fitness coordinators in the country. Southwest Baptist University: The forensics team placed first in Debate Sweepstakes and second in Individual and Overall Sweepstakes at the second National Honorary Forensics Tournament. Missouri Baptist College dedicated Phase I of the new $10 million Pillsbury Chapel & Dale Samford University: The Samford Library Williams Fine Arts Center March 22, 2002. The new Center seats 965 guests and will be the received an extensive collection of books, College's preferred location to host musicals, chapel services, special lectures, business semi- papers, and other theological materials nars and other community events. Encompassing more than 58,000 square feet-larger than belonging to the late Frank Stagg, who a football field-the Chapel & Fine Arts Center is the largest building on the MBC campus taught theology and pastored churches over a and one of the most modern performance facilities in St. Louis. The Center incorporates 50-year ministry. Stagg died in June 2001 at gallery, instructional, and performance areas, providing a home for the growing undergrad- age 90. A program developed by the Alabama uate fine arts programs. Center for Law and Civic Education at Samford's Cumberland School of Law Bluefield Named Virginia's Most Affordable Private College received a top award from the American Bar luefield College in Bluefield, Va., is the of Trustees approved a $175,000 increase in Association (ABA). “Play by the Rules: Bstate's only private college affordable for its institutional financial aid. Alabama Law for Youth” was recognized as an low-income students, according to a nation- The school’s fall 2001 freshman class was Outstanding Law Day Activity during the ABA al study released in January 2002. the largest in 10 years. Most colleges in the national meeting The program teaches The Lumina Foundation for Education, a Lumina study were labeled unaffordable Alabama law to young people. private, non-profit foundation that seeks to because they did not offer enough financial East Texas Baptist University: East Texas promote access to colleges, recently surveyed aid to meet the needs of lower- or middle- Baptist has been recognized for its admis- tuition and financial aid at 28 private col- income students. More than 90 percent of sions advertising campaign by bringing home leges in Virginia and found only one— BC students receive financial aid each year. four awards in the 17th Annual Admissions Bluefield College, a private, liberal arts The average annual amount of aid per stu- Advertising Awards competition. ETBU won a Christian college—to be affordable for needy dent, including private and public grants gold award in the Imprinted Materials catego- students. and loans, is approximately $8,000. That ry for its ETBU Tiger mouse pad; a gold in Annual tuition for students at Bluefield covers more than 90 percent of BC's annual Logo/Letterhead Design for its athletic College is $8,690. Average annual tuition for tuition. department letterhead; a bronze in Imprinted Virginia's four-year private colleges is “We are not sacrificing quality in order to Materials for its student identification card; $12,682. The national average annual tuition remain affordable for students,” said Dan for private four-year colleges is $14,690. MacMillan, Bluefield president. “We still hold Correction in Baylor Tuition In 1997 in an effort to remain accessible one of the lowest faculty-to-student ratios The annual tuition for Baylor to students in its region, Bluefield College (1:16) in the state. Nearly 60 percent of our University for 2001-2002 was reported to became the only private college in Virginia to faculty hold terminal degrees. We are on the The Educator and listed in the First substantially reduce its tuition when it cut cutting-edge of technology with facilities and Quarter 2002 issue as $15,700. The cor- its prices by 23 percent. The school has since services like our award-winning on-line writ- rect tuition for 2001-2002 is $11,370. been named one of America's 100 Best ing lab, our access to computer information The higher figure is the rate for tuition in College Buys by Institutional Research and services and the Internet, and our state-of- 2002-2003. Evaluation, and last fall, the college's Board the art Visual Arts Center.” ■
Second Quarter–2002 13 Dallas Baptist University UMHB Receives $436,224 Gift DevelopmentDevelopment Receives $981,000 Gift for Endowed Scholarship Dallas Baptist University received The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor $981,000 from the Viola Burg Estate for received $436,224 from the estate of Helen Campbell University: Trustees of the Lettie the Viola and Kenneth Burg Christian Marie Smith Davis, class of 1932. The gift Pate Whitehead Foundation, Inc. approved a Education Scholarship Fund. In earlier was added to the already established Ralph grant of $90,000 to to be used for general years the Burgs gave $450,000 to help and Helen Smith Davis Tomorrow's scholarships during the 2002–03 academic build a gymnasium and fitness center Leaders Endowed Scholarship, bringing year. The foundation has donated nearly $1 named and prior to their deaths the the total of the endowed scholarship to million to the school since 1954. Burg’s had established several scholarships $536,224. ■ Campbellsville University: E. Bruce and and funds valued at more than $860,000. Betty Dobbins Heilman have given $50,000 toward future construction of a new student trustees for the National Automobile center. The gift was given in response to The Dealers Charitable Foundation, presented a Baptist Association of Philosophy Robins Foundation's challenge grant of $7,000 check to the school for the estab- $77,500 for the project. lishment of a student emergency fund. The Teachers Issues Call for Papers East Texas Baptist University: Pilgrim gift was made as part of the Joseph J. The Baptist Association of Philosophy Industries donated $100,000 to be used as Sanchez Memorial Fund that was estab- Teachers (BAPT) has issued a call for part of the Bo Pilgrim Scholarship Fund. lished in 1985 to honor the memory of the papers for its biennial meeting October 11- Other donations include $250,000 from the former vice president and general manager 13, 2002 at Wingate University, Wingate Andersen Foundation and $50,000 from W. of the Oldsmobile Division of General North Carolina. C. Edwards. Motors and the first president of the Saturn Papers should be less than 400 words North Greenville College: Charleston Corporation. According to Mallon, Sanchez and not exceed a reading time of 25 min- Heights Baptist Church, North Charleston, overcame many hardships, including child- utes. Deadline for submission of papers is SC recently established The Charleston hood polio, to attain a college education June 20. Mail submissions in triplicate Heights Baptist Church Endowed and to achieve great success in the auto with author identified on a separate title Scholarship with a gift of $50,000. industry. In honor of Sanchez, each year page to the BAPT President, Edwin Bagley, Samford University: Samford has received a the foundation presents $7,000 to four Department of Religion and Philosophy, $277,000 gift from the estate of alumnus accredited private/independent colleges or Wingate University, Wingate, NC 28174 Christine Murdock Wallace. universities to be used as an emergency (phone 704-233-8085). Southwest Baptist University: (Editor’s Note: fund for students. The schools select indi- David Solomon, director of the Notre the following donation does not meet the vidual student recipients, based on their Dame Center for Ethics and Culture, will $50,000 minimum limit for listing in The own criteria, for the student’s emergency give the keynote address at the meeting. Educator but this fund could be a source of needs. For more information on BAPT visit further gifts to ASBCS schools. Schools Union University: The David R. & Mildred their website at
14 The Educator So of uthe on rn ti a B OMMENT i a c CCOMMENT:: The Challenge of Increasing p o t s i
s s t
A
the Number of Baptist Students C o ls l o leg ho Bob R. Agee, Executive Director, ASBCS es and Sc
mong the many challenges we face is pare that to the pub- overcome the notion that bigger is better Athe task of finding those pools of lished total costs of and that the size of the school and the prospective students that we can target to most of our institu- prominence of the football team doesn’t attract to our institutions. tions, there’s not that have anything to do with the quality of When I arrived at Oklahoma Baptist much difference. When education that a student will receive. The University in 1982, I discovered that there you factor in the finan- data based on information provided by were 45,000 Baptist students in the state cial aid we tend to pro- graduates of Christian colleges and univer- university system within the state of vide based on need and sities is that the quality of education achievement, the differ- received in our type schools is better. The Oklahoma. That doesn’t count all those Bob R. Agee Baptist kids who went out of state or for ence in actual cost percentages of our students that go on to some reason chose to attend other private shrinks considerably. How do we get that earn graduate degrees, pass rates on licen- colleges in the state. It occurred to me message out? sure and certification exams, admission to that if I could get to and change the minds We have to address the lack of accurate medical and law schools, all indicate that a of at least 3% of those who had chosen to information about the difference in educa- student is going to get a superior educa- stay in state and go to a state school, I tional experience. It always amazed me tion at our type of schools. would make a tremendous impact on our when I heard parents and students voice It’s important for us to work at con- enrollment. their belief that it really didn’t matter vincing pastors and youth directors that a As I tackled the task over the years I where you went for a college education. Christian education is best for their young learned a lot about the forces that affect The Coalition of Christian Colleges and people. They really do have a role to play the decisions that students make regarding Universities and others have done a great where to go to college. Each of those deal of research on the difference in expe- forces called for thoughtful strategy to rience and outcome and the data is avail- We face the task of helping help them think that OBU ought to be on able to show that students who attend a parents and students come to their radar screen for consideration. After school that is serious about Christian edu- sixteen years of working at it I have to cation tend to persist and graduate at believe that a Christian report that we didn’t reach all of the 3% higher rates and tend to voice higher satis- education improves a but we made a significant dent in the faction with their education. student’s chance of fulfilling numbers. Prospective students in our churches their highest potential As you think about your student are often influenced more by the institu- recruiting in the churches let me offer a tional loyalties of parents, guidance coun- academically and spiritually. few things I’ve learned: selors in high school, pastors, youth direc- It occurred to me early on that reach- tors than you would imagine. The fact that ing the kids in our churches had to be a conditions on state university campuses in influencing students in their decision high priority for the university. Each of are dramatically different today than when about where to go to college. Those our institutions relates to its state conven- parents and grandparents attended doesn’t churches from which we were able to tion in its own way but all of us have tried seem to matter that much. We face the attract large numbers of students were to work cooperatively with and to serve the task of helping parents and students come those where a pastor, youth director, or Baptist people of our state. Building to believe that a Christian education music minister were sold on OBU and bridges with pastors and church staff and improves a student’s chance of fulfilling worked hard at directing students our way. finding ways to increase our visibility and their highest potential academically and It’s worth the effort to help church leaders involvement with the local churches needs spiritually. come to feel strongly about the value and to be high on our list of tasks that call for We face the challenge of helping importance of a Christian education and to our best thoughts and efforts. If the Christian young people see that praying help them see that a quality Christian edu- church leaders come to feel that the people about and seeking the will of God about cation is offered by your institution. of the church are important to your insti- where to go to college is important. I real- The list is much longer but hopefully tution, they are more inclined to feel that ize that God may not want every Baptist this will help stimulate our best thoughts your institution is worthy of support. kid to go to a Baptist college or university, about how to go about increasing the We have to tackle the misconceptions but I’ve tried hard to convince young peo- number of Baptist students who choose to about the cost factor. People tend to look ple that the choice of where to get your attend our schools. I really do believe they at and compare published tuition figures college education is one of the most are better off on our campuses than they and immediately conclude that a Christian important spiritual decisions we make. Far will be anywhere else. I really do believe education is too expensive. The fact is that too much happens between 18 and 22 for that if a Baptist student will seriously seek if you take the published total cost us not to want to be in the most nurturing the leadership of God about where to go to (tuition, fees, room, board and books) from Christ-centered atmosphere possible. school, far more of them will end up on major state university catalogs and com- We have to help students and parents our campuses. It’s worth the effort. ■
Second Quarter–2002 15 If the address on this label is wrong, please send it NonProfit along with your correct address to: Organization Association of Southern Baptist US POSTAGE Colleges and Schools PAID Attn: Southern Baptist Educator Permit No. 768 917 Harpeth Valley Place Nashville, TN Nashville, TN 37221-1141
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16 The Educator