My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1-2 WINTER 2008 HEADLINEPresident’s PersPECTIVE No matter what may come By David J. Spittal, president reality. Is it possible to trust Southern Wesleyan University in God completely, fully and without reservation even when ince the Coinage Act of surrounded by doubt and fear? 1864, our nation’s coins Sand currency have included There is a word, “Bitachon,” in the phrase “In God We Trust.” Hebrew that defines our trust in Treasury Secretary Salmon God as the confident assurance Chase directed the U.S. Mint to that even in distress and trouble insert the phrase and with this in this life, God does work for declaration, “No nation can be good. It suggests that God’s strong except in the strength people do not surrender or of God, or safe except in His resort to anger but instead draw defense.” In 1956, Congress strength from this assurance. passed a joint resolution which In the midst of the greatest established this phrase from disasters and troubles of this our national anthem which life, our God is always there with declared, “And this be us and actively working to take our motto, In God is our us beyond trouble and to reveal trust” as our national his goodness. In each moment of theme. Although there our lives, God desires to teach have been periods of us how to trust him more. Doubt strong debate and even and fear weaken, but faith in litigation through the Jesus Christ will strengthen us Supreme Court to even when faced with the most remove this phrase, difficult circumstances. The it remains as our strength of our trust is tested national motto and to increase faith, understanding a declaration of our and witness to God’s constant dependence on God. faithfulness in our daily lives. As Christians, we Whether a university, a church know that God or an individual believer, our frequently calls his trust in God does not come from people to trust in a strong will, positive thinking him alone. Proverbs or an inspiring motto on a coin. challenges us to trust Rather, our trust in God is the in the Lord with all constant theme of our lives, the our hearts and not solid rock upon which we stand to lean on our own and the basis for an inner faith understanding. that burns deeply in our hearts. God’s word When we discover that God can challenges us to be truly trusted with every aspect “not worry about of our lives, we can abandon a anything” which, “what if this or that comes” level in our frantic and of thinking and proclaim moment over-stressed world, by moment and day by day that seems to be strangely “no matter what may come,” our out of touch with God is faithful and true. 2 FOCUS Winter ’08 CONTENTS WINTER 2008 Focus Magazine is published four times a year 4 Board of Visitors get taste of 10 Alumni Spotlight No matter what may come by Southern Wesleyan University, Central, SC fine arts President’s Cabinet David J. Spittal, President 5 SWU dedicates Newton Hobson 12 High-flying homecoming at R. Keith Iddings, Provost Chapel and Fine Arts Center Southern Wesleyan W. Joseph Brockinton, V.P. for Student Life Marshall L. Atcheson Sr., V.P. for Finance James E. Wiggins, V.P. for Development 6 Promise Fund 13 Entertainment is in the air at Southern Wesleyan Board of Trustees Charles L. Joiner, Chair Marlin R. Hotle, Vice Chair Hispanic music, culture in FEATURE: Dr. Julius Scipio: Sherry Alloway, Secretary 7 14 Jerry G. Pence, Ex Officio spotlight at SWU ‘No one can take away William L. Benton my God’ Daniel A. Berry Louise H. Carlton 8 SWU ties for third in conference- Donald L. Carr wide academics 16 Honor Roll of Donors 2007-2008 E. Keith Carroll Thomas H. Cayce David M. Chambers 9 Volleyball heads to Costa Rica Joseph R. Dongell David M. Emery Richard L. Emery Darl L. Fowler J.D. Fralin Melvin L. Gentry, Emeritus Ronald L. Haithcock Ronnie L. Hamilton Kenneth R. Heer W.D. James, Emeritus Lowell E. Jennings, Chair Emeritus James H. Johnson, Emeritus Kerry Kind, Ex Officio Ronald D. Kelly Ray A. Lattimore Daniel E. LeRoy Dan Loggins Donald W. Milstead George I. Newton, Emeritus John Ott W. Marshall Rampey, Jr. Charles A. Ruff M. Lee Schenck Henry F. Shigley Herschel A. Smith At SWU’s new location in Columbia Keith W. Smith Joseph W. Stallings Southern Wesleyan University student Mary Holcomb of Columbia works D. Ken Whitener in a computer lab at the university’s new learning center at Pinnacle Point in Columbia. Holcomb, who teaches kindergarten at Bookman Road Alumni Association Officers Nancy Edwards, Past President Elementary School, will be graduating in December of 2008, with her Sue Rickman, President master’s degree in education. Janene Bryson, President-Elect Winnie Molloseau, Secretary Joy Bryant, Treasurer, Executive Director and Southern Wesleyan Constituent Relations OnUniversity’s the newest cover building, Newton Hobson Editorial Staff Chapel and Fine Arts Center, is decked out Janelle Montgomery for Christmas. This issue of Focus magazine Ed Welch Stephen Hoffmann highlights the achievements of those whose James Wiggins strength comes from their faith in the Lord. Winter ’08 FOCUS 3 Board of Visitors gets a taste of fine arts “Focusing on the Arts” was the theme of the recent meeting of Southern Wesleyan University Board of Visitors held on the university’s campus in Central. The meeting took place in the brand new 47,000-square-foot Newton Hobson Chapel and Fine Arts Center. The Board of Visitors is a newly- developed group of alumni and friends who can advise the university president and help advance the goals of Southern Wesleyan. Currently, there are 44 members and the number continues to grow toward a goal of 60 by February 2009. SWU’s Board of Visitors Members: • Assist in achieving the strategic goals of SWU • Provide feedback for new and existing programs • Recommend additional Board of Visitors members • Serve as ambassadors within their communities • Provide an annual donation of at least $1,000 to the SWU Promise Fund During the meeting, Professor Jane Dill, chairman of the Fine Arts Department, gave an overview of the fine arts program, students and faculty. A jazz quartet performed for the board members. Then university president David Spittal Southern Wesleyan University President David Spittal points out architectural details inside the lobby of the led an open discussion with the Newton Hobson Chapel and Fine Arts Center during a tour with board of visitors members. board members on how Southern Wesleyan University can promote offices, teaching studios, practice The next meeting of the Board of and expand its service as a center rooms, rehearsal halls, the spiritual Visitors is scheduled for Thursday, for the arts in the community. life offices and chapel. The group Feb. 26, 2009. attended a chapel service and The board was treated to a tour of enjoyed a luncheon in Founders’ To learn more about the Board of the Newton Hobson Chapel and Fine Hall, where they were treated to Visitors, please contact Jim Wiggins Arts Center, which includes fine arts music from fine arts students. at (864) 644-5013. 4 FOCUS Winter ’08 Southern Wesleyan University/www.swu.edu SWU dedicates Southern Newton Wesleyan University Hobson faithful Chapel in prayer, persistent and in herFine and ministryArts during Center his humble dedicated its Newton Hobson Chapel encouragement of others and a beginnings in rural Darlington and Fine Arts Center on Oct. 23 in a woman of action who seeks after County. He cited the influence of his ceremony that celebrated numerous God’s own heart,” Spittal said. parents and his wife Amanda, and individuals stepping forward in faith encouraged the audience to let God for what God can accomplish. The speaker for the ceremony was direct life’s path for them. Dr. Julius Scipio, a former SWU The new $5.6 million, trustee and pastor of Royal Baptist The university continued the 47,000-square-foot facility has a seating capacity of 1,200, Church in Anderson. Scipio received celebration that night with a including a spacious balcony and the Order of the Palmetto and the concert of celebration and praise stage. It is also the new home for Jefferson Award. He and his son in the chapel featuring all of the the university’s Fine Arts and Isaiah established the Elephant university’s musical ensembles, as Spiritual Life departments. Since Men, an organization that reaches well as special guests. opening in August, it has already out to troubled young boys. Scipio hosted several cultural events and received the Doctor of Divinity For details on upcoming events at campus chapel services. degree when he came to address Newton Hobson Chapel and Fine a commencement at Southern Arts Center, go to www.swu.edu or “All we had was a dream, no money Wesleyan University. call (864) 644-5408. and a brick,” said Dr. David Spittal, president of Southern Wesleyan Dr. Scipio shared his story of Please see pages 14-15 for a detailed University. “Now 147,153 bricks how God has blessed his life feature on Dr. Scipio. later, ponder anew what the Almighty can do when he works through men and women like you. We appreciate all those who gave financially and sacrificially to this project,” Spittal remarked in front of an auditorium filled with students, faculty, staff, SWU officials and members of the surrounding community.