footprintsSpring 2010 The WriteStuff Alumni authors let talents shine Inside: Homecoming Wrap w Haiti: A First-Hand View w Looking Back at Medicine Zxà çÉâÜ vÉÑç ÇÉã4 Footprints Spring Special: $25 each through June The Wayland Century: 100 Years of Presidents, Policies and Pictures is still available for purchase. This coffee table version of the Wayland history book includes a narrative of the highlights of the school’s first 100 years. It also includes memories from former and current students, a timeline of both Wayland and national events, and more than 400 images from the last 100 years. The book sells for $40 and proceeds benefit student scholarships. Available at the University Store or through the Office of Public Relations: (806) 291-3586 or [email protected] FOOTPRINTS - Volume 56, No. 3 Editorial Board Danny Andrews, BA’72 Features Publisher Teresa Young, BA’94 2 The Write Stuff Editor Alumni are sharing their talents as Jonathan Petty, BA’95 published authors in a variety of fields. Assistant Editor Four share how they got where they are in the writing world. Alumni Officers Kevin Carter, BBA’93 President Rockin’ Weekend Sally Dillman Eaves, BS’75 10 Vice President Homecoming 2010 welcomed alumni to a Danny Andrews, BA’72 weekend of traditional events with a new Director, Alumni Development twist in the form of the first alumni- Susie Vera, AAS’84 student dance held on campus. Secretary Executive Board 14 Haiti: A Firsthand View Dr. Gary Abercrombie, BS’73 Wayland ex Paul Thompson opens his pri- Bryan Bishop, BS’94 vate journal from the events in Haiti to Dr. Barbara Allen Carr, BA’89, MEd'92 share his heart and God’s grace during his Rose Ann Chavez, BSOE’06 jailtime experience there. Tyke Dipprey, BSOE’96 Brenda Gonzalez, BA’73 Mike Manchee, BS'94, MEd’97 Joseph Mares, BA’98 Departments Richard Miller, BS’87 Daleyn Schwartz, AAS’85 Faculty Spotlight Caren Smith, BA’92 On the cover: 19 Dion White, BA’92, MBA’96 Alumni authors (from left) Cathy 20 News in Brief Danny Wrenn, BA’84 England Bryant, Syl Allred, Pam 22 Athletics Review Roy Gibbs and FOOTPRINTS is published by the Association of Former Gary Rinker are 28 President's Pen Students at Wayland Baptist University. No outside advertising is just a few from the accepted. Wayland Baptist University is affiliated with the Baptist Thinking Out Loud General Convention of Texas. Wayland is accredited by the Wayland family 29 Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of who have added Colleges and Schools to award degrees at the associate, baccalau- 30 Development Feature reate and master’s levels. Contact the Commission on Colleges at writer to their life 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call 404-679- resume. 4500 for questions about the accreditation of Wayland Baptist 32 Class Notes University. Non-profit rate postage paid at Lubbock, Texas 79404. Telephone (806) 291-3600. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to FOOT- PRINTS, Wayland Baptist University, 1900 West 7th St. CMB If you have any questions or comments about Footprints, drop an e-mail to 437, Plainview, TX 79072. Wayland Baptist University does not discriminate on the basis Danny at [email protected], Teresa at [email protected], or write to us in care of race, color, religion, age, sex or national origin in administra- of the Wayland Alumni Office. tion of its policies, admission policies, scholarships and loan pro- grams, athletic and other school administration. The The power of pen on paper, computer screen and keyboard, is not lost on those who have taken on writing as part of their WriteStuff job description. Here, four alumni share their stories of publishing and how they got started in the craft of writing. Ministry career gains breadth through writing, editing role at Lifeway NASHVILLE, Tenn. – From her days as a religious education stu- dent at Wayland, Pam Roy Gibbs has known she wanted to make an impact in the lives of young people. In 1993 when she received her degree, she expected that to take on the more tra- ditional role as a youth minister. But along the way, things changed as another of Gibbs’ loves – writing – kept coming to the forefront. Now in her current role as girls’ ministry specialist for Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, Gibbs is able to combine both her passions and make the difference for which she always hoped. “I have always loved to write, and it just kind of comes natu- rally to me,” said Gibbs, who added a major in psychology while at Wayland due to her interest in studying people. It was a presentation by a Lifeway consultant in one of Dr. Gary Manning’s classes the spurred the idea of writing as a side- line for Gibbs. The representative specifically mentioned how to write for the Baptist group, and Gibbs tucked away that informa- tion. When she got to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for her master’s degree work, she made extra money on the side by contributing articles for a few devotional maga- Stories by Teresa Young zines and some teaching plans for youth. Courtesy Photos During her work on the Master of Divinity degree, Gibbs 2 footprints “I knew I wanted to impact the life of students and out of my own history, I knew the importance of investing in the life of girls. I do what I do today because someone invested in me. ” Pam Gibbs That has led to four books so far: to know what to do about it,” Gibbs “Complete,” a book for teens on puri- said. “The scary thing is that some ty; “Designed by God,” on teens and parents don’t think their kids are homosexuality; “Girl Talk” about girls dealing with these issues. The church and their speech; and one on does not need to usurp the the character of Esther. All parents, but if parents aren’t are Bible study-based willing to deal with it, the books. church needs to step up. Besides the writing, “We are trying to cham- went into youth ministry and enjoyed Gibbs is busy with editing pion and empower parents to working with students. She called a other work and traveling all be the primary spiritual Lifeway editor for whom she had writ- around the country speaking developers themselves.” ten and asked about requirements to and helping with Lifeway’s Gibbs said while she work for the organization. A few years “You and Your Girl” events may not be in “traditional” later, the same editor called her for mothers and daughters, ministry these days, she about an opening in the Sunday involving different topics at each of feels she is in the right place to help school resources area and asked her the four gatherings held annually. influence lives with a breadth that is to apply. She did, and the rest, as She also leads conferences for girls’ far wider than she would have in a they say, is history. ministry leaders, equipping them to single church setting. “I never really sought much of work with teen girls. One seminar “I knew I wanted to impact the this out. It’s been a God thing all deals with girl drama, called “Queen life of students and out of my own along,” said Gibbs. “This whole thing Bees.” She recently held her first history, I knew the importance of is going in places I don’t even know; forum for leaders of girls’ ministry, investing in the life of girls. My youth I’m just along for the ride. It can get with more than 200 teen girls and minister and his wife invested in me overwhelming because there is so adult leaders in attendance. and loved on me, even much need out there.” She said that and the reg- when I got into youth min- Gibbs said when she joined the ular feedback from church istry myself,” Gibbs said. “I Lifeway staff in Sept 1999, “there leaders is evidence that her do what I do today because wasn’t anything for girls even on the ministry talents are being put someone invested in me. radar at the time. It just came about to good use in the Lifeway That’s why I’m passionate because of necessity.” She worked arena and that the need for about this. There is a whole primarily in the area of general disci- resources to deal with girls’ generation that has no pleship materials in the early years. issues is still present. So why sense of family, no connect- With requests for Bible study the great need in just the last edness, no one to tell them resources for girls coming regularly, decade? that their lives matter in the Gibbs asked to edit any of the publi- “I think it’s cultural. We’ve gone larger story.” cations that came along in that arena. from being an immoral cultural to an Pam and her husband Jim, a Eventually, she began writing some amoral culture. Then you combine high school teacher, live in a small resources of her own to add to the that with parents who are seeing that, town outside Nashville with their limited offerings. are scared to death and are wanting daughter, Kaitlyn, 4. footprints 3 Once upon a squirrel... Research becomes basis for series of children’s books FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Some might say that Sylvester Allred is kinda squirrely. He’d proba- bly agree. But it is the squirrel that has not only taken Allred all over the region for speak- ing engagements and research but also led to his writing venture.