Southeastern Alumni Magazine
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SOUTHEASTERN ALUMNI AND FRIENDS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019 ALSO FEATURING Maxine Andrews Ray & Judy Rachels Melony Bell Kathryn Bishop A LIFETIME OF LOVE Brandon Hurst AND MINISTRY Jaymi Yamoah SOUTHEASTERN 1 SOUTHEASTERN TABLETABLE OF OF CONTENTS CONTENTS WINTER SUMMER 2019 2019 FEATURESFEATURES This issue features alumni from a variety of different colleges. 26 REMEMBERING DR. JAMES HENNESY As the longest-serving president of Southeastern, Dr. James Hennesy’s tenure included leading the university to gain regional accreditation, several building projects and spiritual revivals on campus. 28 RAY & JUDY RACHELS: A LIFETIME OF LOVE AND MINISTRY Ray and Judy (Homer) Rachels fondly remember meeting as students at Southeastern and their preparation for ministry. 32 BRANDON HURST: TREKKING THROUGH LIFE With an adventurer’s spirit, Brandon Hurst ’08 has hiked on both U.S. coasts, mountain climbed around the world and has run ultra marathons. 36 JAYMI YAMOAH: INSPIRING HOPE THROUGH THE CREATIVE ARTS Through a creative arts program, Out of Zion, Jaymi (Perez) Yamoah ’07 provides support and brings hope to families who have children with medical and special needs. 39 MELONY BELL: COMMITTED TO SERVICE With political aspirations, Melony Bell ’08 felt the importance of receiving an education while pursuing her career. Formerly a commissioner and mayor, Melony now serves her community as a member of the Florida House of Representatives. Photo: In the 2018-19 year, nearly 200 Southeastern students participated in more than 36 study abroad trips in 16 countries around the world. One of the summer trips was taken to Iceland, where the students were able to tour the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. 2 SOUTHEASTERN 26 36 42 MAXINE ANDREWS: COMMITTED TO GOD'S CALLING Fifty-seven years after first arriving in Taiwan, Maxine (Morrison) Andrews’ ’56 call to missions still hasn’t changed. 45 KATHRYN BISHOP: NURSING ON THE ROAD Traveling from the East Coast to the West Coast, Kathryn (Davis) Bishop ’11 shares the perks of being a travel nurse in a pediatric emergency room department. 62 THE MOSER FAMILY: HOOKED ON SOUTHEASTERN Since graduating in the ’70s, Lennie ’71 and Cheryl (Finch) ’72 Moser have continued to be involved and invest in the next generation of students at Southeastern. 45 IN EVERY ISSUE ON THE COVER 22 ATHLETICS RAY and JUDY (HOMER) RACHELS share how 49 FOCUS ON FACULTY Southeastern laid the foundation for their life in ministry. 53 CLASS NOTES 66 PERSPECTIVE SOUTHEASTERN 3 SOUTHEASTERN PRESIDENT Dr. Kent Ingle EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Dr. Chris Owen ’93, ’06 (M.A.) CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Dana Davis DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Priscilla (Pennington) Burr ’14 DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS Joel K. Johnson ’92 GRAPHIC DESIGNER Mabelle Ramírez-Ortíz CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Reed Burr ’15; Elena Espinoza; John Lai; Loree Rowland; Scott Wheeler CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Priscilla (Pennington) Burr ’14; Stephanie Curl; Dana Davis; Lenore Devore; Grace Jicha; Cheryl Roth; Donnie Smith; Gina (Hardman) Terry ’08, ’11 (METL); Skylar Worthington ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 863.667.5400 SEU.edu [email protected] Published two times a year by the Office of University Advancement for Southeastern University’s alumni, faculty, staff and friends. Please send comments and contributions to: SOUTHEASTERN University Advancement Southeastern University 1000 Longfellow Blvd. Lakeland, FL 33801 Submissions should be accompanied by the name, address, phone number and e-mail address of the sender. Contents of Southeastern may not be reproduced or redistributed in any manner, either whole or in part, without prior permission from Southeastern University. Southeastern reserves the right to edit and/or not publish content provided for submission into the magazine. Please send address changes or Class Notes updates to: [email protected], the address above, or online at SEU.edu/alumni. Telephone: 863.667.5400 Facebook.com/seuniversityalumni Twitter @seu_alumni Instagram @seu_alumni 4 SOUTHEASTERN Advanced degrees THAT FIT YOUR MINISTRY GOALS SEU offers relevant training designed to elevate your knowledge and support your current job or ministry GRADUATE DOCTORAL Master of Divinity Doctor of Ministry Master of Arts Doctorate in in Family Ministry Strategic Leadership Master of Arts PhD in Organizational in Ministerial Leadership* Leadership Master of Arts (Theological Studies) *Also available in an executive cohort format Learn more at SEU.edu/programs SEU.edu Lakeland, Florida 800.500.8760 | 863.667.5018 Follow us @seuniversity SOUTHEASTERN 5 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT reetings! I’m thrilled with them then, and coming full circle to share with you this now to be the president of the university Summer 2019 issue where Judy’s father paved the way, I am of the Southeastern honored to present their story with you magazine. here. Personally, I am grateful for their G incredible mentorship, their wisdom and We ended this academic year with influence in my life. Commencement and the celebration of our largest class ever. It has been amazing to see We are excited to reflect on the many the wide range of individuals Southeastern stories and successes of our alumni here reaches through programming on our at Southeastern. In the following pages, Lakeland campus as well as our extension you will read stories of those who have campuses throughout the country. gone on in their careers and callings to This summer, hundreds of our students many great achievements, from serving embarked on missions trips and study in the state capitol to running a 100- abroad trips, which was a transformative mile ultra marathon. We even share the season for them. As we prepare for fall story of one couple, whose compelling and expanding affordable and accessible faith through difficult trials and loss will educational opportunities, we will open inspire us all, as well as amazing current nearly 60 new extension campuses and student stories of those who have overcome project our total enrollment to approach great obstacles. We have been so blessed 10,000 students in all delivery formats. with such an excellent community of God has been faithful to our university! students and alumni whose lives fuel us to continue to recall the reason why our This issue, I invite you to learn the university exists. inspiring stories of our community. You will enjoy highlights of several alumni Lastly, we cover the latest updates on our who have gone on to be a light and serve new Welcome Center. I’m thrilled for you in their communities, businesses and to see the progress we have made so far, skilled fields. We also mourn the loss of Dr. as we prepare for its official opening this James Hennesy, who served as president of fall. Thank you to all of you who have what was then Southeastern College from contributed to this beautiful new building. 1980-1998. It will no doubt transform and elevate the college experience for our future students. Specifically, in this issue, you will learn of a special alumni couple who met on campus Thank you for being a vital part of our 62 years ago, Ray and Judy Rachels. Judy’s community. I consider it a great privilege dad was Dr. Cyril Homer, who served to serve as president of Southeastern, and I several terms as SEU’s president. I had am continually inspired by the marvelous the privilege of getting to know Ray and community here, all of our alumni and the Judy when he was the superintendent way your commitment to Christ so greatly of the SoCal District, where I was first impacts our world. appointed as a pastor. From working 6 SOUTHEASTERN Essential Advice on College Success Transitioning to college is hard. The Modern Guide to College walks students and their parents through everything from college visits to job searches to help students fi nd success in some of the most important years of their life. The Modern Guide to Essential Advice for the Most College Important Years of Your Life for students and parents SCAN HERE to be the fi rst to know when you can grab your copy of Your guide for scholarships, admissions, finances, the book and instantly receive a social life, learning, location, campus culture and FREE COLLEGE TOUR CHECKLIST! safety, determining your major, extracurricular activities, finding a job, what to do with your sum- mers, transitioning degrees, internships, steward- ship, making friends, building character, online degrees, good grades, graduation, lifetime-learning, faculty, graduate school, and self-discovery. Dr. Kent Ingle SOUTHEASTERN 7 2019 Ad-Dr. Ingle-New Book-Modern Guide.indd 1 6/17/19 3:29 PM LETTER FROM THE ALUMNI DIRECTOR In May, I had the chance to spend two days What can you expect moving forward? with a group of men who are all connected Be on the lookout for a relaunch of the to Southeastern. Seeing them share and SEU Alumni Association this fall. We are challenge each other in their careers was so developing some new programs, benefits, powerful. Hearing young men in ministry resources, and opportunities so our alumni learn best practices from established leaders can network with each other and support showed me how Southeastern continually the university and our students in a very impacts the world well after our time on direct way. Stay tuned. campus has come to an end. Homecoming 2019 (October 25-26) JOEL K. JOHNSON ’92 The goal of the Alumni Association at will be bigger and better than ever. Southeastern is twofold: Our annual alumni dinner will be held in the brand new Welcome Center. reetings to all the 1. Impacting the lives of our There are only seats for 380 guests at amazing alumni of current students by coming the dinner, so make sure you register Southeastern University! together as a body of alumni. It has been another early. We will have a campus-wide picnic incredible year.