Seasons

“If I didn't already have some idea about ‘Precious Memories,’ I definitely do now,” Winston Harless, former director of the Sonshine Singers, said as he thought about their reunion Feb. 5-6, 2016, in Sheffield, Alabama. “God certainly blessed us with a wonderful reunion,” he concluded.

 

The goal of this project was to expose students to biological topics such as diffusion, fermentation, metabolism, pH, plant biology, food source sustainability, muscle structure, blood viscosity, lipid transport, biomolecules, water, the scientific method and G protein coupled receptors in a novel way. To do this, students in BIO 110 explored these topics by performing experiments using the kitchen as a classroom and laboratory in the Fall 2016 semester. Student perception of learning gains in this course was assessed, and the results will be presented to the SENCER Summer Institute in 2017. 

Help-Portrait was founded by celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart and Kyle Chowning in 2008. Each December, photographers, hairstylists and makeup artists around the world find people in need and take, print and deliver portraits — free of charge.

In August 2016 FHU photography majors traveled to New York City where they learned from professionals at MILK STUDIOS located in the city’s artist-centered Chelsea neighborhood. The Engaged Learning Initiative (ELI) provided students enrolled in ART 299/399 Fashion Photography the opportunity to step outside of the classroom and experience the life of a professional photographer.

Giving and serving are a part of FHU students' DNA. This fall, numerous students have given of themselves to help others. From special needs children to senior citizens, from Henderson to the world, students have impacted the lives of those around them and those far away.

In August 2016, a group of Freed-Hardeman University students participated in a sports marketing course that gave them the opportunity to gain real world experience.

In July 2016, FHU students participated in the third FHU Abroad trip in Madrid since 2013. Excursions are a vital part of the immersion experience in Spain. Most of the excursions were guided tours, with one of the professors from the University of Madrid in attendance. Weekend excursions and day trips allowed for extended forays into the heart and soul of Spain. As a means of evaluation, students completed a reflective journal as part of the requirement for the immersion credit designated as SPA 367.

Whether ten watts or 3,000 watts, Freed-Hardeman University's campus radio station has served FHU and Chester County for a half-century. The station celebrated its 50th anniversary during Homecoming 2016.

A dedication ceremony for the newly renovated health sciences wing at FHU/Dickson was conducted Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, with approximately 100 persons in attendance.

FHU students inspire others and make their world better now. Faculty and staff provided feedback for FHU student Brandon Gosselin before he finished in the Top 300 speakers in the world through Toastmasters International.

After spending more than a decade building a collection of rare Bibles and other manuscripts, David and Paula Tarbet have chosen to give their collection to Freed-Hardeman.

N.B. Hardeman’s granddaughter and other relatives walk the paths family members did when their work began impacting the world from the small town of Henderson.

The FHU family celebrates the realization of a beloved librarian’s dream and thanks John and Rosemary Brown and other donors at the dedication of the Hope Barber Shull Academic Resource Center.

Freed-Hardeman University women’s soccer player Ana Aponte was named the 2016 Heart of a Lion Award recipient. The Charlie Smith Heart of a Lion Award is given annually to an FHU senior athlete who has demonstrated qualities of courage, determination, hard work, exemplary performance and service to others.

Faculty members Drs. Richard and Barbara England and learning center coordinator Connie Pritchard accompanied Freed-Hardeman students to Europe for the Spring 2016 semester. As the world woke to headlines about terrorists’ attacks in Brussels March 22, the three leaders implemented plans and maintained constant communication with students, families and administration, as events unfolded. The following pages contain excerpts from Barbara England’s journal during those days.

Four months into her second century (as she puts it) Bertha DeHoff Smith looks back at a life filled with hard work and hard times; however, thanks to friends and a family filled with love, she can say, "It all worked out just fine."

Years ago, in the Medieval Ages, ancient biblical manuscripts contained detailed illuminations –colorful drawings that filled the pages and supplemented the text. As time has passed, fewer and fewer illuminated manuscripts are being published with exception of children’s Bible storybooks. Fortunately, the lack of detailed illustrations has not slowed down spiritual growth of Christians everywhere. Freed-Hardeman students, in particular, are excited about journaling in their Bibles.

Nursing professor teaches students more than healthcare during mission trip to Haiti.

Freed-Hardeman University has named Jim Sanderson, former head coach at Faulkner University, the new head coach of the Lion basketball program. He began his duties June 1.

Freed-Hardeman University will add track and field to its intercollegiate offerings next spring, according to Mike McCutchen, athletic director. Derrick Spradlin, cross country coach, will also coach the track and field team.

Freed-Hardeman University has named the director of the university’s nursing program at Dickson scheduled to begin Fall 2016. Robert Spencer, a seasoned nurse educator and practitioner, began working with FHU Monday, Feb. 15, 2016.

With hard work and time management as their foundation, siblings Mitchell and Weston Keen, along with Mitchell's wife Jessica, discovered the perfect prescription for success. Freed-Hardeman University alumni and recent Pharm. D. graduates of the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences, Mitchell and Jessica are employed by Kroger pharmacies in Knoxville and Maryville. Weston is in his first year of study at UTCHS.

A new leadership team for Mid-South Youth Camp, operated by Freed-Hardeman University, will take the reins for Summer 2016. FHU President Joe Wiley made the announcement Monday night, Feb. 8, prior to the evening session of the university's annual Bible lectureship.

Freed-Hardeman University will host the 80th Annual Lectureship Series, “In My Place: The Servant Savior in Mark,” on the Henderson campus Feb. 7-11, 2016. While this year’s event will add new programs for the needs of today’s audience (http://fhu.edu/lectureship), it will build on a rich history.

"I love the building, my sons love the building, and I bet my grandchildren will love it when they get old enough to come," Dr. Don Shull, retired English professor, said of the Hope Barber Shull Academic Resource Center, named in memory of his wife, Hope.

Seven members of Mark Steiner's Business Strategies class answered the call to research a company, seeking to find the secrets to its success. They also sought to determine the role the chief executive officer played in that success. The company was Stryker Corporation and the CEO was John Brown, who, along with his wife Rosemary, are FHU alumni as well as the naming donors for the building in which the students are studying business.

They've Got Fish to Fry. For more than 30 years, folks in Lewis County, Tennessee, have been frying fish for a good cause. In 1982, two graduates of Freed-Hardeman, Jeff "Boo" Spears and Seth Chandler, returned to Hohenwald with the idea that other students should be able to enjoy what they had just experienced—a Christian education.

One-week mission trips during spring break can have a powerful impact. For some students they light a fire that leads them to full-time mission work. Sigma Rho’s annual trips to the Dominican Republic have done just that.

If FHU friends and alumni can raise $550,000 in “new money” this fiscal year, Howard and Janice Tibbals, along with two members of the Board of Trustees, have agreed to match that total. The challenge grant began June 1 and will continue through May 31, 2016.

Thirty-eight years and counting. Makin’ Music still dominates the spring landscape at FHU. Each year a new group of students learns the joy of costumed choreography while singing parodies of popular tunes. Thousands come to see the performance.

Trustee John Law urged approximately 250 graduates to lead lives of distinction as they embarked on their careers. The faculty presented its highest honor, the Faculty Scholarship-Leadership Medal, to Morghan Parker, a chemistry major from Portland, Tennessee.

Lion and Lady Lion teams won three conference championships this year. In only their second year of competition in the American Midwest, FHU teams proved a force to be reckoned with.

Interest is high for the 51st annual benefit dinner Dec. 4. People are eager to hear Dr. Kent Brantly, medical missionary and Ebola survivor, tell his story of faith and survival. Ticket sales and sponsorships are keeping pace with those of last year, according to Dave Clouse, vice president of university advancement.

It’s been a banner year at FHU—literally. Maroon and white banners featuring the new logo now fly in Heritage Commons as well as other places on campus. They herald a campus whose face is changing.