July 2007 SOUTHERN I DI SpreadingNG Tidings of the Southern Union AdventistS Family is f Success 6 Recognizing Excellence 32 Separation of Church and Hate 33 A Cruise With a Mission Point The B-I-B-L-E: Yes, That's the Book for Me George Washington Carver, the African-American genius of Tuskegee Institute, has been called the world's greatest biochemist. He is best known for his discovery of hundreds of valuable uses for the peanut and sweet potato. I read that in 1921, Dr. Carver was invited to testify before the United States Senate Ways and Means Commit- tee on the possibilities of the peanut. Though initially given 10 minutes to speak, he so captivated the committee that the chairman gave him unlimited time, and Carver spoke for one hour and 45 minutes. At the conclusion of his presentation, he was asked, "Dr. Carver, how did you learn all these things?" Carver replied, "From an old Book." "What book?" the Senator continued. The famed scientist replied, "The Bible." "Does the Bible teach about peanuts?" The surprised Senator inquired. "No, Sir," Dr. Carver replied, "but it tells about the God Who made the peanut. I asked Him to show me what to do with the peanut, and He did." I believe every friend of God should read some portion of Scripture every day. No matter how many times we've read the Bible, it is still fresh for each day and still applicable for each person and circumstance. We all have different ways of studying Gordon Retzer Scripture and learning from Scripture. Southern Union In the past four years, I've found it quite revealing to read through the Bible from President Genesis to Revelation several times a year. That means that, in the past four years, I've read the Bible 14 times. Please, this isn't bragging, only testifying that when one reads through the entire Scriptures over and over again, it becomes clear what the main theme is. The theme is repeated in many ways, in many stories, in many forms, but it's the same theme. It's the same theme from beginning to end. It's an inescap- able message that really only comes through when looking at the whole. You know what the theme is, I'm sure. It's just that my Bible reading plan has seared this theme into my mind and heart. At the end of the day, there's one mes- sage: Humans beings are desperately wicked and selfish; God is infinitely good and merciful. And in Jesus, human beings can become righteous by the grace of God. "But Thou, 0 Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and plenteous in mercy and truth." Psalm 86:15 - Daily Bible reading is still a must for the Seventh-day Adventist Christian. If you've become a little lax, I invite you to begin again in the morning. It is the best part of the day—the time to listen to God speak. "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Psalm 119:11 2 TIDINGS • July 2007 JUUTHERN /V 115I NG S Contents Volume 101, No. 7, July 2007 FEATURES The Southern Tidings is the Official Publication of the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists SOUTHERN UNION CONFERENCE 3978 Memorial Drive • Mail Address Students Dream of Success 4 P.O.Box 849, Decatur, Georgia 30031 Telephone (404) 299-1832 www southernunion com Staff Editor R. STEVEN NORMAN, III Recognizing Excellence 6 Editorial Assistant IRISENE DOUCE Circulation ARDITH BEERS Production COLLEGE PRESS Layout BRIAN WIEHN Contributing Editors Welcome Home Evie Adventist Health System ANTHONY VERA CRUZ Carolina RON QUICK Florida MARTIN BUTLER Florida Hospital College DAWN McLENDON Georgia-Cumberland TAMMY FISHER Gulf States BECKY GRICE Peruvian Blessings Kentucky-Tennessee MARVIN LOWMAN 26 Oakwood College MICHELE SOLOMON South Atlantic JAMES LAMB South Central MICHAEL HARPE Southeastern ROBERT HENLEY Southern Adventist University LORI FUTCHER Into Russia 28 Conference/Institution Directory CAROLINA (704) 596-3200 gin God Has Placed a PO. Box 560339. Charlotte, NC 28256-0339 FLORIDA (407) 644-5000 P.O. Box 2626,Winter Park, FL 32790-2626 r-r BIG Project on Me GEORGIA-CUMBERLAND (706) 629-7951 30 P.O. Box 12000, Calhoun. GA 30703-7001 GULF STATES (334) 272-7493 Separation of P.O. Box 240249, Montgomery, AL 36117. KENTUCKY-TENNESSEE (615) 859-1391 P.O. Box 1088, Goodlettsville,TN 37070-1088 Church and Hate SOUTH ATLANTIC (404) 792-0535 32 P.O. Box 92447, M.B., Sta.,Atlanta, GA 30314 SOUTH CENTRAL (615) 226-6500 P.O. Box 24936, Nashville,TN 37202 SOUTHEASTERN (352) 735-3142 A Cruise With a Mission P.O. Box 1016, Mt. Dora, FL 32756-0056 ADVENTIST HEALTH SYSTEM (407) 975-1400 33 III North Orlando Ave.,Winter Park, FL 32789-3675 FLORIDA HOSPITAL (407) 303-6611 601 East Rollins St., Orlando, FL 32803 8 Carolina FLORIDA HOSPITAL COLLEGE OF 10 Florida HEALTH SCIENCES (800) 500-7747 671 Winyah Drive., Orlando, FL 32803 12 Georgia-Cumberland OAKWOOD COLLEGE (256) 726-7000 14 Gulf States 7000 Adventist Blvd., Huntsville,AL 35896 SOUTHERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY 16 Kentucky-Tennessee (800) SOUTHERN P.O. Box 370, Collegedale,TN 373 15-0370 18 South Atlantic 22 South Central SOUTHERN TIDINGS (USPS 507-000) Volume 101 Number 7, July 2007. Published monthly by the Southern Union. Free to 25 Southern Adventist University all members. Periodical postage paid at Decatur. GA. and at ad- ditional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send changes of address to Southern Tidings. P.O. Box 849. Decatur, GA 3003 I 38 Classified Advertising 41 Calendar COVER PHOTO: PAUL MARTIN Cover Caption: Julia Tkachuk, a student at Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences, is a tutor in the Student Success Center. July 2007 • TIDINGS 3 Stephanie Sa stand d kilt math chez is a success concep ifhe has story even thou a way aOplying she hasn't been the ma a4sign- cepted yet to t ments diily life nursing prograitn and m. ni it so at Florida Hosittal sy to ncter- College of e th Sci- nd," anie ences ( i But, his a Stephan am of great coming an RN—a Sometimes the third generation student bedtimes nurse in her family— the teacher Julia gets closer every day Tkachuk's success thanks to the Student story began:a new Success Center. ic chapter when she While a student = was accepted in at University High e nursing ,pro- School, Stephanie Julia Tkachuk, a second-year Nursin student tutors Navreet Kaur o has 'am in the fall first heard about just begun the nursing program.. em how challenging the first of 20010 semester of the program was and an't3167Frirrther students understand how "eBefore I Florida Hospital Col- to study the difficult concepts. 1"•c3 began nursing lege at the Orlando program, I was a Spanish church, her 4.00 s ent," Julia home congregation. She made the College, but she has ke contaet-4c reca Fed. "But the classe ere so dif- decision to attend FHCHS and began with me ever since, making sure that ferent from what I was used to, and I her first experience in an Adventist I have the resources I need to be started to have trouble academically." school the summer before her fresh- successful," Stephanie commented. Julia sought help from Susanool man year. Stephanie signed up for Another key to Stephanie's ey, professional program tutor and a Destination College, a three-week success is Patty Wooley, tutor- practicing nurse. "She was so:,great program offered at the College for ing coordinator. Patty trains tutors and helped me a lot,- Julia stated ap- students wanting to prepare them- that support the general educa- precialivOy. Nellw\ttiat Julia is in her selves for the rigors of collegiate tion courses offered at FHCHS, and third sera -stet M nursing-tiro life. Here Stephanie met Lenore also lends her expertise in math to sh utets greatsatisfactiOn from Brantley, Ed.D. "Dr. Brantley not aid struggl. g students. Stephanie ut ring f t-semester studentS and only helped me during Destination credits. P •r helping her Linder- sharing her experiences witlUhem. 4 TIDINGS • July 2007 and to apply is co ted to helping students re- those in their alize th ream:Wi fact, DREAMS academic and per- has beetthe Mt-Ara for the sonal lives." departm De • g Resources As coordina- that Emp A ivate Suc- tor of academic cess. Stud is w he Center advising and Des- are consta tly remin d of their tination College, own value and ability. "Success is a Lenore Brantley decision," one framed picture says. helps faculty Another char es: "Dare to dream. advisors learn the Choice, not • nce, determines best ways to as- destiny." sist their advi- "I believ hai Florida Hospital sees. Regular College is a b place for every- advisors'meetings, one because Student Success at. mentoring work- Center," state e Roche, vice shops, and president for s t services. "It The Student 'ucc m at Florida Hospital College: Patty Wooley (left), stud ker Alina Oramas, Lenore Brantley, instruction in is evident that h team member Neal SmA d Betty Varghese. strengths-based wants only the t for all of the tiftip advising make the students on cart is, whether they The Stu ccess Center is Student Success have visited the access Center or where many students' drearo spark, Center a place for faculty success as not." ow, and become realized. Karen well. An electronic tracking system Stephanie ar Julia are already ilstra, direcior of the Center for links at-risk students, their profes- success stories b ,cause of their tudent Success and Retention, is an sors, and the Center to track stu- own talents and strengths, but the • essential campus resk\urce.