President Dockery and Senior Vice President for Church Relations Jerry Tidwell meet with TBC President Tom McCoy (center) and TBC Executive Director James Porch (right) Baptist leaders extend denominational lifeline to Union mong the first official visitors to cam- were encouraged by the rebuilding process, Baptist seminary made a contribution. moment. There has never been a more press- pus following the tornado was a dele- they were also surprised by the level of The Southern Baptist Theological ing challenge in Union’s 180-year history. The gation of concerned leaders from the destruction they found on campus. Seminary, GuideStone Financial Resources opportunity to move forward will only take TennesseeA Baptist Convention. That visit “I’m a little bit shell-shocked as I look and the Mid-South Baptist Association all place as Union’s friends become agents of marked the start of a strong and generous around,” Page said during a visit in late gave gifts of $100,000 or more. God’s grace in time of need. I thank you, I lifeline between the denomination and a February. “It’s unbelievable that this kind Substantial gifts came in from the North thank the board, I thank the LifeWay family recovering university campus – a lifeline that of devastation could occur, and yet not one American Mission Board and the Southern for an unbelievably kind and generous gift made much of Union’s recovery possible. single student lost their life. So for that, we Baptist Foundation. to us at this particular moment. Led by Union Trustee Morris Chapman, give thanks to the Lord.” LifeWay’s administration also authorized “We thank you from the depths of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Both Page and McCoy urged congregations the formation of employee relief teams to our hearts.” Committee gave $100,000 during its two- to take up special love offerings for Union. assist Union in disaster relief efforts as day meeting Feb. 18. Chapman’s positions “It is a simple thing that every church Union President David S. Dockery identi- of leadership with the SBC and Union President Dockery receives a check can do,” McCoy said. Many churches took fies needs. In a phone call to Union gave him a unique perspective on the crisis. from SBC Executive Committee up offerings on April 6, a day set aside University President David S. Dockery Chairman Bill Harrell Just before the gift was given, Chapman in Tennessee to pray for Union and broadcast live to all trustees, LifeWay visited campus for a trustee meeting and provide support. President Thom S. Rainer said, “We want was encouraged by what he saw. By the time of that offering, many to walk alongside our brothers and sisters “As I drove across the campus on that $144,000 for disaster relief, a gift repre- TBC Executive Director James Porch. The Southern Baptist entities had already in Christ at . We thank morning, things had already changed senting all of the entities in TBC life. message from the statewide leadership helped provided examples of sacrificial giving. In God that lives were spared, and we thank dramatically,” Chapman said. “Much of the “This combined gift from Tennessee inspire hundreds of local Tennessee congrega- addition to the SBC Executive Committee God for your incredible leadership. You SBC President Frank Page urged debris was already been hauled off. It’s going Baptist Convention entities, as an expression tions to move forward with contributions. and the entities in Tennessee Baptist life, have stood tall at a time when the pressure churches to become financial part- to be a new day at Union University.” of grace and care, will help sensitize Tennessee Within weeks, both SBC President LifeWay Christian Resources responded would have crushed other leaders.” ners with Union’s rebuilding effort. Just three days later, the TBC’s Executive to prepare to launch our statewide Frank Page and TBC President Tom with the very first significant gift on Feb. Dockery responded, “I am overwhelmed Board responded with a gift of more than Day of Prayer and Giving for Union, said McCoy made visits to Union. While they 11, a gift of $350,000; Each Southern by your kindness and generosity at this critical

36 Special Edition 2008 www.uu.edu 37 UNIONITE UNIONITE n the morning of Feb.6, the Fresno, California English Inn to the off campus housing com- nation awoke to the news that Pam Schock drove to work at Fresno plex now known as The Jett. tornadoes had spread across Pacific University, where she is director of In all, her volunteer tour of duty at several states, killing more than residence life and housing. But she couldn’t Union was 10 days. The reconnection was O50 people; 24 died in Tennessee alone. stop thinking about the call she received the powerful and her efforts were of great serv- Although no lives were lost at Union University, night before from her close friend and for- ice to her former colleagues. some of the most dramatic images of destruc- mer colleague, Kathy Southall. “People asked me there and here what I tion were found on campus, and network news Schock had been resident director at Hurt would have done if I hadn’t been able to shows were broadcasting live from along Walker from 1999-2004. Moments after the torna- come to Jackson,” Schock said. Road with the heavily damaged Hurt and do, Southall had called to tell her that all “Honestly, I don’t know the answer to that.” Watters complexes as a backdrop. her Union friends were unhurt. Although she showed up to work, she was Dallas, Texas The stories attracted more than distracted. Students at Criswell gave $500 just casual interest. “Over the next several days I continued during an offering in a campus chapel service to feel like I wanted to and needed to be Feb. 7. But that was only a starting point. Willimantic, Connecticut there to help,” said Pam. “Finally, I asked if The campus radio station, KCBI, hosted In a small New England town midway I could (take a leave of absence) and they a live broadcast the next day, urging listeners between Boston and New York, Andrew allowed me to do that.” to provide disaster relief. Among those at Powaleny was watching live national news cov- Her flight arrived at 4 a.m. on Sunday, the station was Union alum Kristen Ulmer erage of the Tennessee tornado aftermath when Feb. 10. It was a day when faculty and staff Cole: “To be in the studio and hear people he heard an interview with David S. Dockery. continued to recover student possessions call in to give their money and hear their Union’s president was praising residence from the debris. Within a few days, Pam response was really touching,” Cole said. life workers for following emergency proce- was involved in the work to convert the Old In the end, Criswell president Jerry dures and helping to save lives. Johnson presented Union with a Powaleny, himself a resident check for more than $50,000. assistant in Occum Hall at I was (surprised) but I should Eastern Connecticut State not have been, because God has University, said he felt an instant limitless resources,” Johnson said. connection with Union after “That is what you all believe, that hearing Dockery’s comments. is what we believe, that is what we “With the statements teach and that is what we pray.” (Dockery) made, it was as if Union University had come Springfield, Minnesota looking for me,” said Powaleny, Derek Tonn of the company who had never heard of Union Mapformation had never set foot prior to the tornado. “I had to on Union’s campus, but he and do something.” several of his designers knew the He went to ECSU President campus very well. They had Elsa Nuñez, who pledged worked for several months to administrative help. Next, help the university develop a Powaleny put contribution new 3-D map. envelopes in every campus resi- “I was stunned when I saw just dence hall. He did a live inter- how much devastation occurred to view of his own on a local radio your campus facilities as a result of station, urging townspeople to that tornado,” Tonn wrote in an give to Union’s disaster relief email to the Office of University fund. His effort attracted the Communications. “I personally had attention of the Hartford an encounter with a tornado grow- Courant, one of Connecticut’s ing up as a pre-teen in Minnesota in leading newspapers. the early 1980s, and that is not an “All too often people forget experience that I would wish on about devastation too quickly, anyone. I'm just thankful that no put it out of their minds and fatalities were reported as a result don't want to hear that bad side of the event.” of the news,” Powaleny said. He Tonn then offered to redesign helped raise nearly $5,000 for the map at no charge to reflect Union’s disaster relief fund. rebuilding.

www.uu.edu 39 UNIONITE Other schools respond to Union’s needs

ithin hours of the tornado • Dallas Baptist University • Ouachita Baptist University strike, schools across the • Dallas Theological Seminary • Palm Beach Atlantic University nation were offering work • Dordt College • Palm Beach Community College crews and collecting con- • Eastern Connecticut State University • Point Loma Nazarene (CA) • Freed-Hardeman University • Redeemer College (Canada) tributionsW to benefit students and the recov- • • ery effort. This partial list of responses is • Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary • Rhodes College alphabetized and shows the geographic • Gordon College • Rush University diversity of the response. • Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary • Seattle Pacific University • Grace College • Southern Association of • Grove City College and Schools Special “Thank You” to • Gustavus Adolphus College – MN • Southern Nazarene • Belmont University • Harrison Chilhowee Academy • Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary • • Hannibal-LaGrange College (MO) • Southwest Baptist University (MO) • Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary • Hampton University • Spring Arbor College • Southern Baptist Theological Seminary • Houston Baptist University • State of Tennessee Board of Regents oments after the tornado, Greater St. Luke Baptist Church, relief fund an additional $10,000. • Huntington University • Stetson University many churches in the Jackson, Tenn. We felt like we had some more income in • Indiana Wesleyan • Jackson area sent vans to Sherry Ingram knew she’d have Feb. 18 the checking account the past few months,” • Ansgar College, Kristiansand, Norway • International Association of Baptist • The Master’s College (Calif.) pick up some of the hun- off work for President’s Day. So she began Mallonee said. “It was impressed upon my • Asbury College Colleges and Universities • Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home Mdreds of students who needed a place to recruiting some other fellow school teach- heart that we use that to help Union.” • • Jackson State Community College • sleep. It was the start of a sustaining and ers and friends at her church to organize a Mallonee said when he presented his • • Jackson Christian School • Trevecca Nazarene University • Baptist College for Health Sciences • Jackson-Madison County Schools • Trinity Christian Academy inspiring partnership between congrega- day-long giving drive for Union University. idea to the church body, it was received • • John • Trinity International University tions and a ravaged campus. After a full day of standing in cold and approved with enthusiasm. • Bethel College • (AL) • Union College (KY) Churches of all sizes are providing finan- weather along Wallace Road outside the • Bethel University (MN) • (IL) • Union College (NY) cial help and sending work crews to help in church, volunteers collected 12 boxes of Bellevue Baptist Church, • • LaGrange College • University of the recovery and rebuilding efforts. toiletries, notebook paper, bottled water Cordova, Tenn. • Calvin College • Lambuth University • University of Colorado-Boulder A full listing of each church will be pro- and other supplies. The group also collect- The church sent two large busloads of • • Lane College • University of Houston-Clear Lake vided at a later date, but here are just a few ed more than $400 in cash and an addi- workers to campus to complete some diffi- • Campbellsville University • • University of Memphis examples of the work church members tional $100 in gift cards. cult work. One crew helped recover books • Carson-Newman College • Lincoln Memorial University • University of Missouri • • • have done at Union: Christian charity was the primary moti- from the R.C. Ryan Center in Jennings • Christian Brothers University • • University of Tennessee-Martin vation, but Ingram says it was remembered Hall, in an area near where the roof was • • Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary • University of Tennessee-Memphis First Baptist Church, that Union students provided help to torn away from the building. The team • College Success Program • Milligan College • Law School Camden, Tenn. church members when a tornado ripped carried hundreds of books down stairways • Corban College • College • University of Washington Soon after the tornado, the church took through Jackson neighborhoods in 2003. and prepared them for storage or restora- • Council for Christian Colleges • Moody Bible Institute • University School of Jackson up a love offering for three members who tion. The second team did cleanup work in and Universities • New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary • Virginia Intermont College are also students at Union. But the giving Faith Baptist Church, parking lots littered with shattered glass • • Northern University • Virginia Tech didn’t end with that initial gesture. Bartlett, Tenn. and other debris from wrecked vehicles. • Cox College • Oklahoma Baptist University • Wheaton College • On March 12, Pastor Chester Harrison Pastor Danny Sinquefield is a Union The church also presented Union with a • • Whitworth College (WA) presented a check to Union for $61,000. trustee, but the church’s connection with check for $100,000. That amount represents 11 percent of the Union goes far deeper than that associa- congregation’s entire annual budget. tion. Church members sponsor the Irwin Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, The church was given a gift of $100,000, Hayes Scholarship Fund at Union. This year, Bradford, Tenn. and following Harrison’s leadership decided to 11 students from Faith are attending Union. The church contributed $5,000 to Kansas tornado victims reach out to Union give half the money to missions and half to “We love Union and want to support it,” Union’s disaster relief fund, an amount that education. Church members voted to give the said Executive Pastor Todd Pendergrass. “We represents more than 3 percent of the education portion of $50,000 to Union for its are honored to participate in the recovery.” church’s total budget. oung students in Greensburg, Kan. few modest fund raisers for Tennessee torna- don’t have to learn about tornadoes do victims after watching television accounts disaster relief fund. Harrison told Dockery the Faith gave $50,000 to disaster relief and “In God’s economy, that’s the biggest gift in news accounts or textbooks. In of the destruction. A “change war” pitted church “wanted to invest it for eternity, so that sent a work crew to campus. to date,” Union President David S. May 2007, they got a first-hand look classes against one another in friendly com- generation after generation of students could Dockery said of the Mt. Pleasant gift dur- atY the destructive power of funnel clouds. petition, but soon spread to elementary be blessed by the gift.” Second Baptist Church, ing a Feb. 27 campus visit from Southern A tornado ripped through the community school students, too. The total amount raised “This is an absolutely amazing story. I Union City, Tenn. Baptist Convention President Frank Page, of 1,600, which is 110 miles west of Wichita, surpassed $5,000, of which nearly $2300 was was moved to tears as they presented the Pastor Eddie Mallonee watched reports of who urged churches of all sizes to become destroying an estimated 95% of the city and earmarked for Union’s disaster relief fund. check to us,” said Union President David the destruction at Union with a heavy heart. involved. killing 11 people. The severity of the losses “The students wanted to ‘pass on’ some of S. Dockery on the day the check was Not only is he a Union alum, but seven stu- “A special love offering, taken at the prompted a national outpouring of support, and the blessings that have been given to them,” received. “I don't know that we have seen dents from his church are students here. church’s timing and discretion would be provided a lesson in giving that school children said teacher Josh Dellenbach. “ I was very anyone respond with such a sacrifice in The church voted to give each of those most appreciated,” Page said. “And I call in Greensburg have applied to Union University. impressed with the reactions of the students response to our needs.” students $2,000, and then gave the disaster for that.” A junior high school teacher organized a and their generosity.”

40 Special Edition 2008 www.uu.edu 41 UNIONITE UNIONITE ssociate Professor of markings and smudges on it,” said “It’s amazing how far that sign trav- Communication Arts Wayne Johnson. “But it’s intact.” eled,” Laman told the Jackson Sun by Johnson lives a few miles Johnson reframed the degree without phone a few days after the storm. Tornado creates service learning opportunities from his office in Jennings changing its post-flight appearance. It will Other storm oddities were much clos- Hall.A That office suite suffered heavy become a conversation piece. er to home and captured the attention Sophomore Elizabeth Wood and the Cardinal & Cream staff contributed to this report. damage during the tornado. Many An EF-4 tornado is characterized by of photographers. One example is the items in his office were missing. winds of 166 to 200 miles per hour that heavy metal base for a parking lot sign fficially, class was not in session at were all able to find each other in the Chute and Jim Veneman quickly set up His house fared better, but more than cause widespread destruction such as found vertically imbedded in a tree Union University from Feb. 6-19. midst of the destruction and work a makeshift newsroom in the Office of half of the homes in his small neighbor- what happened at Union. But also pres- trunk across campus. Unofficially, many students together as a team, offering one another University Communications and filed hood were destroyed. Shortly after the ent in the funnel cloud are wind cur- As for Johnson, he’s still waiting for Ospent that time in the classroom of moral support.” stories distributed through the university, tornado, Johnson received a call from a rents and updrafts that frequently make the return of some items previously in practical experience. Kayla Clay, a sophomore social work , and even YouTube.com. neighbor living just a few doors down for unusual effects. his office—and they’re still arriving. A Journalism students covered the biggest major, helped organize recovered stu- “I learned a lot about videography, from his property. He remembers the Seventeen-year-old Colin Laman told contractor friend of his who is working story of their young careers. Social work dent possessions in the small gym. photography, writing and editing conversation this way: the Jackson Sun that he found a high- on Jennings Hall repairs approached and nursing students found opportunities “Just being there to help was such a through this process,” said Matthew “He said ‘I have your diploma at my way sign that had marked Union Johnson at church with another find. to serve the victims and their school. humbling experience,” Clay said. “It Kuchem, a sophomore majoring in house.’ University Drive. The sign landed in “He found family pictures in a field “After the storm hit, we had to put helped me as a social work major to political science and broadcasting. “I “I said ‘where did you get it?’ the pasture behind his family’s house outside of Jennings,” Johnson said. our nursing skills into immediate know how traumatic experiences affect am passionate about Union University “He said ‘it was in my front yard!’ near Huntingdon, about 40 miles from “They were nice pictures of my wife, action,” said Candace Cross, a senior people in many ways.” and was glad I had the opportunity to “It had a rough flight and it has some the Union campus. including one from our anniversary.” nursing major. “It was neat how we Communications professors Michael write stories from the inside.”

42 Special Edition 2008 www.uu.edu 43 UNIONITE UNIONITE Claire Yates ('09) and Kimberly Wilkinson ('08) contributed to this story.

any students in the Hurt and “The thing that has stood out to me box of Triscuits right next to it, but the Watters complexes were evac- most is that everyone has such a servant whole window right above it had been uated from their rooms with attitude – wanting to be here and help. blown in. The stuff hadn’t even moved. only the clothing on their Everyone just wants to serve,” Nettles said. “Some things are completely gone and then Mbacks. Some didn’t even have shoes on. “It sums up the idea of blessing.” other rooms look like (students) just left their Within 48 hours, some were allowed to Faculty and staff were charged with bag- desk – which they probably did. Seeing the return briefly to retrieve a few essential ging students’ belongings and then trans- damage, it has just been shocking.” items. Many others could only wait for porting those items to designated areas. Students were clearly moved when they word on what—if anything—had been After the student items were separated into realized faculty and staff had waded recovered from their ravaged rooms. individual rooms, students came to one of through debris in cold weather, often Enter dozens of faculty and staff volunteers. Union’s two gymnasiums and Fesmire Field working against deadlines imposed by They began working Feb. 7 to recover House to claim their belongings. darkness or incoming bad weather. belongings from damaged dormitories on “The reason things have gone so smoothly “I think it’s going to bring the students and campus. They saved all types of belongings, is because there are many people who have faculty closer,” said Stephen Capps, a fresh- from clothes to small refrigerators. Ben stepped up,” Ben Dockery said. “(The teams) man Christian studies major. “It already has.” Dockery, director of campus ministries, said are extremely organized and detailed.” Nic Spalviero, a sophomore Christian the bagging effort ran very smoothly. Alumna Stacy Storey, campus ministries studies major, said he didn’t expect to see Union physics professor Bill Nettles said he coordinator, helped recover students’ personal much of what was in his room as he pre- knew of one instance in which a student saw a effects among the destroyed dormitories. pared to return to campus. structural engineer crawling among the debris, “I’ve found passports, notes, rings, a lot “They emailed me and told me they got and said, “You’re right next to my room. Could of jewelry, a lot of electronics, guitars,” twelve bags out of my room,” Spalviero you go in my room and see if there is a purse Storey said. “I’m surprised by the random- said. “I’m pretty sure as of right now that sitting on the table?” The engineer went in the ness of what’s messed up and what’s not. I haven’t lost one thing. room and came out holding up the purse. The For instance, I walked into one room and “I really appreciate that they did some- woman was overjoyed. there was a book opened on a desk and a thing like that. It’s amazing.”

www.uu.edu 45 UNIONITE tudents who returned to campus to wreckage. This eliminated disposal hazards trucks, vans and cars that were totaled dur- assess damage to their cars and rooms at the landfill. ing the tornado. Jason Tipton, director of got one last look at what had been By Tuesday, Feb. 12, the $500,000 job development, was among those who coor- the Hurt and Watters complexes. demolishing the remains of Hurt and Watters dinated the evaluation of vehicle damage SSome pointed to bathtubs where they had begun. Lighting trees were installed so the and the removal of that wreckage. had sought refuge. Others looked at the crews could work into the night. “I did a walk around campus and count- rubble without saying a word. Dement crews hauled away debris from ed more than 250 cars that were totaled,” Crews from Hutcherson Metals, Inc. and the Hurt and Watters demolition – 16 Tipton said. Dement Construction carried out the prepa- buildings in all – in just five days. When In places, large piles of wrecked cars and ration work, demolition and removal of debris. all the weight of those truckloads is com- trucks were found amid other building debris. Hutcherson Metals crews had to remove bined, it totaled more than 26.4 million “There were cars underneath cars. A all appliances, hot water heaters, HVAC pounds (13,200 tons) of debris. couple of times I wasn’t sure how many units and a lot of the stairwells from the That figure does not include dozens of were piled up,” Tipton said.

www.uu.edu 47 UNIONITE Blogs lead communication efforts in aftermath of tornado arly on the morning of Feb. 6, one ents. The message was so well received their children at that time. of the hosts of national morning that Dockery continued posting a “daily In addition, some of the first prayer nion basketball teams had games at Jackson Christian School. “Page 2” section to the story of the torna- show “Fox and Friends” asked their message from the president” until Feb 17, requests and personal accounts of what been scheduled to play impor- Union personnel ran the clock and do and the team’s success on the court. Ecorrespondent at Union a tough ques- and then weekly, thereafter happened were posted on Facebook. tant conference games just the scoreboard. Volunteers from Jackson The Union men followed with a hard- tion: How could parents, students and Computing Services used a generator Within two days, uuemergency two days after the tornado. Christian took care of the concessions. fought contest that went down to the final the outside world follow developments to restore power to the Union Web site became uurecovery, and when ground UTrevecca Nazarene University was In the early going, the undefeated seconds. The No. 24 Cumberland men and announcements at the University? just one day after the tornado—a quick was broken for the new residence life scheduled to visit Fred DeLay gymnasium, and top-ranked Lady Bulldogs needed took a 62-61 lead with just :12 remaining Under normal conditions, Union’s recovery under trying circumstances. complex, uurebuilding was born. but the floor was needed to organize and to shake off some rust from the seven- on the clock, then hit a pair of free throws Web site, www.uu.edu, would be the But the uuemergency.com blog site con- The innovative approach drew national store student possessions recovered from day break, but went on to post a 92-75 to take a 64-61 decision. There were nine place for posting such information. At tinued to be popular with students and attention from communication experts. the tornado-damaged residence life area. win. They were 23-0 at that point, equal- ties and 16 lead changes in the game. that moment, the Web site was down parents because information was easy to Among those who noticed was Michelle P. Extra days are built into both the men’s ing a school record for consecutive wins. Both teams returned to The Fred on because of power outages. find and focused on the aftermath. B. Ferrier, a digital media specialist who and women’s schedules in the event of bad Union was led by Kaitlin Dudley with 20 Feb. 21 and posted wins over Freed- But a solution was in place, even at Power outages also prompted the use moderates a blog for the prestigious Poynter weather or other problems, so the Trevecca points. Lindsey Flynn, who returned to the Hardeman University. Union backers that early hour: uuemergency.com. of so-called social Web sites such as Institute, known worldwide as a resource for game was rescheduled for Feb. 25. gym where she played her high school bas- gave visiting fans from FHU a standing Union Web Development Agent Facebook.com. Immediately after the present and future journalists. The number of dates for rescheduling ketball, drained a three pointer late in the ovation after President Dockery Cam Tracy established the site on the tornado touchdown, student services “Media organizations might consider is limited, and Union’s teams also game. It brought a roaring cheer from the announced before the men’s game that blogspot.com service just a few hours volunteers used Facebook in lieu of the dusting off those emergency preparedness had a Feb. 11 date at home against Union fans and her former JCS classmates. crews from the school had been on after the tornado hit campus. The university’s inaccessible data manage- plans… to include how and when to use Cumberland (Tenn.) University. The Lady Bulldogs attracted national news Union’s campus doing volunteer work very first post Feb. 6 was a letter from ment software to contact parents, many current technologies -- using Union The solution? Play both “home” coverage from ESPN.com, which devoted its each day since Feb. 8. President Dockery to students and par- of whom had not made contact with University as a guide,” Ferrier wrote.

48 Special Edition 2008 www.uu.edu 49 UNIONITE UNIONITE ransforming the Old English ball and soccer players from Lambuth, along “The vendors from University Loft were Inn into an off-campus resi- with a couple of vans from Freed-Hardeman just blown away by the hard work of the dence life complex was a her- University and Asbury (Ky.) College. Belmont athletes in particular, who carried incredi- culean task that had to be University students joined us (the next day), as ble amounts of furniture on Friday.” accomplishedT in less than one week. did crews from Macy's in Jackson and First A recycler even donated trucks to haul In most rooms, an average of 22 items Baptist Church, Paducah.” away packing materials. had to be removed, including beds and Lambuth soccer players said they felt a By noon on Saturday, Feb. 16, Fant said all other heavy furniture. special connection to the project after that remained to be done was the installation of “That’s about 2,000 mattresses, box springs, learning that Union freshman soccer player about 50 light bulbs and a post-move cleaning bed frames, side tables, glass furniture tops, ice David Wilson had been seriously injured of each room prior to student arrival Feb. 19. buckets, coffee makers, lamps and paintings,” during the tornado. Fant credits David Taylor from Englewood said Arts and Sciences Dean Gene Fant, who “We’re keeping David in our thoughts and for securing literally hundreds of volunteers. helped organize and finish the effort. prayers,” said Austin White, a freshman soccer “We tried to keep track of the names and Fant said crews and trucks were supplied player at Lambuth. “Everybody comes togeth- numbers, but there was no way,” Fant said. by The Pictsweet Company and volunteers er whenever something happens like this.” “I would guess that at several points we had from Englewood Baptist Church. Together, “You all have a big need,” said Freed- more than 100 volunteers on the property at they managed to move out the material in Hardeman Associate Marketing Professor a time, probably peaking at about 140.” only seven hours. Rich Brown, who brought a group of vol- Fant said he and the volunteers enjoyed The next step: finding a company that unteers from his campus. “I think if we the hard work. could supply residence life furniture for up had a big need, you all would come and “I am the sorest I've been in many a to 300 students and ship it to The Jett in help us. It’s just the right thing to do.” year, I must say, but it was a blast to work time for installation. The vendor, Fant said volunteer crews from Englewood on this project,” Fant said. Indianapolis-based University Loft, had worked both days as furniture assemblers. “As I walked my final inspection of the furniture ready to ship and committed to “We almost were overwhelmed with rooms, I was glad to know that so many stu- meeting the tight deadline. hands at several points, which was neces- dents will have such a wonderful home for With just four days to go before students sary to unload and assemble six tractor- the rest of the semester. It’s exciting indeed.” started arriving, the move-in work began. trailer loads of material,” Fant said. “We But Fant added one final thought at that “Union's baseball and basketball teams off-loaded, assembled, and placed about moment: began the hard work with gusto,” said 100,000 pounds (50 tons) of freight into the “I have to admit, I am ready to go back Fant, “and were soon joined by a few foot- rooms on Friday and Saturday (Feb. 15-16). to being the dean on Monday!”

50 UNIONITE By Brittany Howerton (’08)

esponding correctly to challenges and moved for 336 hours will move again as we forward in faith would provide sustain- difficulties can result in a fresh and start afresh,” Dockery said in his greeting ment despite the difficulty. total dependence upon God, Union to the gathered body. “We start afresh because “For some of us, Feb. 5 has resulted in RUniversity President David S. Dockery said of God’s grace, his providence and the hard much confusion, causing us to struggle the night before classes resumed following work and determination of his people.” deeply with our faith,” Dockery said. “But the tornado. Provost Carla Sanderson expressed words faith is not free from complexity nor is it “Out of the rubble across this campus I of care and devotion over Union’s situation free from challenge.” am praying that we will see renewal in the through prayer. Dockery used Psalm 84 to relate Union’s lives of dozens, and hundreds, of students, “O Lord, thank you for providing a past and future to the prayers of the staff, faculty, administrators and trustees,” place of refuge in the rubble,” Sanderson psalmist, who longed for the place where Dockery said. prayed. “A perfect and strong refuge that he had met the living God. He emphasized Dockery addressed a standing-room-only saved our loved ones from death.” to Union students that it was the psalmist’s crowd of about 1,500 people who gathered Although the tornado that caused about displacement from that special location in the G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel. The $40 million in damages left many devastat- that created within him a longing for God service featured singing, Scripture reading, ed and displaced, Dockery said the Union and the things of God. prayer and a devotional address from Dockery. family continues to push forward with “It may well be that our current situa- “Blessed Be Your Name,” echoed hope in God’s sovereignty and provisions. tion may result in a new yearning and throughout the chapel as students, faculty “It is hard to imagine 14 days ago where hunger for God and the things of God for members and others in the Union community we stand,” Dockery said. “But by God’s many of us here tonight, Dockery said. gathered to praise the God who spared the grace, we are here tonight to enjoy one The university president identified two Union body from death. another’s fellowship, to reconnect together and things that students can know: that like Dockery noted that this is a time for stu- to focus on the God who has sustained us.” the psalmist, they must go through their dents to start anew as they, once again, Dockery said that although many stu- own “valley of tears,” but that through the begin university life at Union. dents may desire to return to life at Union difficulties “the one, true, living God is “The Miller Tower clock that has not as it was prior to the storm, he said looking both good and faithful.”

52 Special Edition 2008 UNIONITE Classes resume amid changes aylor Worley greeted his New Testament Survey students Feb. 20 by writing a three wordT message on the chalkboard: “We live again!” His was among the first morn- ing classes at Union following a ten-day suspension of instruction in wake of the tornado. Worley – and many other instructors that day – told classes Seniors grateful for that they would not just pick up where they left off Feb. 5. He wanted them to spend some time reflecting about how the tornado, on-time graduation the losses and the messages com- t the age most young people are Boston University after the storm. She ing from Union after the storm starting high school, Matthew says she was confident Union would take would affect the future. Dawson was a freshman at Union care of the seniors, but she didn’t know “We want to see what’s hap- University.A This year, he graduates with how it would play out. pened to us,” Worley told the a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. “I really thought we’d go into the class. “Judge it, interpret it, ana- As an 18-year-old, he accepted a full summer or graduate late or not have lyze it through the lens of faith.” scholarship from Louisiana State spring break, said Emerson. “I’m glad A new schedule had to be University and fielded similar offers from that we’ve been able to meet in classes devised to make up the lost graduate programs at the University of and everything is on time.” days while keeping the previous Nebraska-Lincoln, and “I received decisions back from the May 17 graduation date. So a the University of Tennessee. schools beginning a few days after the modified spring course schedule Senior Renee Emerson recently accepted tornado hit Union,” Watson said. “So Tornado damage expedites went into effect on Feb. 20. the top creative writing fellowship for the I am very thankful not to have been sig- Monday and Wednesday classes highly competitive Master of Fine Arts nificantly delayed by the tornado.” that previously met for 50 minutes program at Boston University. “When I was walking around with opening of campus coffee shop went to the 75-minute schedule Senior Katie Watson has been accepted President Dockery moments after the used for Tuesday/Thursday class- into M.A. programs in linguistics at tornado hit, one of the things we talked By Heidi Steinrock (’09) and Megan McMurry (’09) es. Selected Friday classes were also Georgetown University and Purdue about was our need to start classes as expanded to the 75-minute sched- University. soon as possible,” said Arts and Sciences arefoot’s Joe, Union’s redone dent and namesake for the lounge, and destroyed. Dean of Students Kimberly ule. Other Friday sessions were left Matthew, Renee and Katie are among Dean Gene Fant. student lounge, had its grand open- his wife Joyce mingled with students Thornbury recognized the immediate at 50 minutes to accommodate an many Union seniors with impressive “In the days that followed, we made it ing March 1 with students, faculty and addressed the crowd. An avid coffee need for students to meet and fellowship. abbreviated chapel schedule. plans after graduation. But all of their a priority to make sure everyone would Band staff members attending to celebrate drinker himself, he spoke about an Remodeling began Feb. 11, and a Many students lost textbooks plans started with the assumption of a May be able to graduate on time.” the new coffee shop as a symbol of additional benefit of the lounge. team of students, staff members and and class notes in the rubble. graduation from Union. A delay of that Deans and faculty advisers can name campus unity. “Who said the storm couldn’t blow in others worked 16-hour days to com- Faculty members revised lesson graduation until later in the spring or sum- dozens of other students who are already “It’s a very special night at Union something marvelous and good like this plete the project as soon as possible. plans with the textbook deficien- mer could have created serious problems for deep in the application process or University at the dedication of wonderful place for students to hang Barefoot’s Joe will serve coffee and tea cies in mind, and made arrange- students that are graduate school-bound. already accepted. Among them: Blake Barefoot’s Joe, which is the coolest place out?” Barefoot said. for a dollar, and flavored syrups can be ments to circulate class notes that “I had to reassure Matthew,” said Bryan Waggoner, who will study Aerospace on campus, that’s for sure,” Union “I know grades will just shoot up added for 50 cents. During the week, had survived the tornado. Dawson, Matthew’s father and a professor Engineering at the University of President David S. Dockery said. “We now,” he joked. the coffee shop will be open from 7 Students also had to adjust to a of mathematics at Union. “He was getting Washington; and Nathan Brewer, who dedicate this building for its use and The idea for a coffee shop on campus a.m. to 11 p.m., and at nights on the series of new classroom assign- pretty nervous.” has been accepted to study physics at enjoyment that all we do will be to the began last semester, and gained momen- weekend. Students can add money on ments. All classes that met in Emerson had a number of applications Vanderbilt University and the University honor and glory of Jesus Christ.” tum after the tornado because both the their Dawg Tag at Union Station, and Jennings Hall had to be relocated. out prior to Feb. 5, and heard from of South Carolina. Hyran Barefoot, former Union presi- Hurt and Watters commons areas were can swipe their card at the lounge.

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