Over the summer, Freed-Hardeman University brought in several new faces and appointed two new deans on campus. Dr. LeAnn Self-Davis, dean of the School of Sciences and Mathematics, and Dr. Jenny Johnson, dean of the Honors College, look to be two promising additions to the school’s leadership. 

A favorite of students and faculty alike, Self-Davis has already played a vital role in the School of Sciences and Mathematics. Joining the department of chemistry and engineering sciences in 1998, she developed three new courses, served as the departmental student advisor, worked as the environmental compliance officer and served on a number of committees. In 2005 she became the director of undergraduate research at FHU where she began to develop the unique program that provides graduate level research for undergraduate students. During her tenure as director of undergraduate research, Self-Davis also began and created Conservation Nation, an award winning science program for junior high-school students. Self-Davis will be replacing the retiring Dr. Allen Walker.

Michael Watson, a graduate of FHU and current medical student at Des Moines University, had this to say: “ Dr. Self-Davis’s appointment as dean is certainly a boon to the School of Sciences and Mathematics. Her academic experience and love for students make her an excellent, and challenging, teacher and advisor. She played a vital role in my preparation for medical school and her appointment as dean is sure to raise the bar on what is already an excellent program,” said Watson.

The Honors College also welcomed a new dean to their program this year. Another favorite among students and faculty, Dr. Jenny Johnson will be replacing Dr. Rolland Pack in spearheading the work of the Honors College. Apart from her work with the Honors College, Johnson has also accepted the position of Director of International Studies. 

Celebrating her tenth year as a professor at FHU, Dr. Johnson has taught in the history department, served as international studies director for the Italy program, is a board member of West Tennessee Community Health Centers, is on the Admissions Policy Committee for FHU, acts as a sponsor for the FHU Pre-Law Legal Society as well as the social club Chi Beta Chi and is a AYSO soccer coach. 

Shelly Tilton, a senior Philosophy major and vice-president of the FHU Honors Council excitedly welcomes Johnson’s appointment. “Her previous involvement with both the honors program and Pre-Legal Society have had a huge impact on my education. Dr. Johnson is a wonderful teacher and I believe she will make an even better dean. I think this was a smart move for the University.”

Several new additions have also been made to the faculty this year. Amy Brewster from Claremore, OK will be joining the communications department as a French instructor. She will also be serving as Director of the International studies program in Belgium and is teaching there this semester. 

Brewster is a 1999 Graduate of FHU and holds a Masters of Arts in Linguistics from Indiana University. As part of her language training, Brewster has lived and studied in Montreal, Quebec. Before her arrival at FHU, Brewster taught overseas in Shanghai, China and Strasbourg, France, and in the U. S. at DePauw University and Indiana University. 

FHU has welcomed Forrest Doddington of Tallahassee, FL to the communications department. Doddington holds a Masters in Marketing Communication from Florida State University. Prior to joining the FHU faculty, Doddington was an instructor at Florida State University and operated his own web design business. Doddington’s work as a technical communicator for Publix Supermarkets, Inc. is also particularly notable. He not only managed and updated training documents, but also worked as a database designer and systems administrator. His exposure to marketing and communication in the workplace is sure to be an asset in the classroom.

Dr. Ernest Jobe will be joining faculty in the School of Business as a finance instructor. 

Jobe formerly served as a professor at the University of North Alabama and Northeast Community College, an associate professor at the University of South Alabama and an assistant professor at Mississippi State University. Jobe has worked in marketing and communication apart from teaching and is the proprietor of Dr. Ernest D. Jobe and Associates Financial and Management Consulting. 

Dr. Paul Helton of Medina, TN will be joining the faculty as an assistant professor of psychology. Helton is a 1986 and 1998 graduate of FHU. Twenty-plus years of counseling experience along with a doctorate in Psychology make him a promising member of the Psychology department. 

Christopher White of Jackson, TN and Rhonda Woodham of Henderson, TN will be joining FHU’s nursing program. White has served at the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital as the Director of Emergency Services from 2007-2009 and as Director of Nursing Education from 2005-2007. He is a retired major of the United States Army. A graduate of Union University, Woodham’s 20 years of nursing experience is sure to make her another valuable asset to the nursing program. 

The communication department has welcomed Dr. Garvis Semore of Kosciusko, Mississippi to the faculty. Semore is the former president of Magnolia Bible College and served as minister for 15 years.  He is a 1992 graduate of David Lipscomb University, is a 1995 graduate of Freed-Hardeman University’s Graduate School, and holds a doctorate in Ministry from Southern Christian University.