Seasons

Love one another as I have loved you, by this all men will know you are my disciples.  John 13:34

Seven Freed-Hardeman University students, all members of the Brown Legacy Research Team, and faculty advisor Brandon Lanciloti traveled to Atlanta this fall to interview major university donors, John and Rosemary Brown. Students were seeking to learn more about the Browns’ success and their contributions to the university.

Freed-Hardeman University is a special place. It doesn’t take long living as a student on this campus to notice that Freed-Hardeman’s blessings are life-changing and lifelong. These blessings are seen through the memories of past and current students, from national championships to making memories with a social club.

Long-time minister David Tarbet and his wife Paula have placed on loan to FHU a 1522 Erasmus New Testament, third edition, and two Paraphrases (commentaries) by Erasmus. The Tarbets were recognized for their generosity during the Graduate Theology Research Symposium Nov. 2, 2018.

The 2017 benefit dinner at Freed-Hardeman University Friday night, Dec. 1, 2017, generated more than $1.3 million for scholarships at FHU. The event featured Tim Tebow, Heisman trophy winner, professional football player and football analyst for the SEC network. This marked the 18th consecutive year the FHU benefit has raised more than $1 million.

The sounds of music are emerging from a space originally used as a gymnasium on the campus of Freed-Hardeman University. New life has been breathed into the 90-year old Draughon Center.

Social club Xi Chi Delta swept the 2018 Makin’ Music awards Saturday night, April 7, 2018. Their “A Venture with the Vikings” won the sweepstakes award, placing first in every category of judging. Second and third place in the sweepstakes went to Phi Kappa Alpha’s “Rather Be in Hollywood” and Chi Beta Chi’s “Somewhere in My Memory,” respectively. Theta Nu won the Spirit of Makin’ Music award which was presented Friday night to the club who best embodies the spirit of the event.

Beau Caviness, an exercise science major from Memphis, and Eden Clouse, a nursing major from Jackson, Tennessee, were named Mr. and Miss FHU during the spring 2018 semester. The honorees were chosen from the senior class by a vote of the faculty and staff based on the nominees’ character, influence, involvement, leadership and academic ability.

Freed-Hardeman University business majors, both past and present, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Clayton Investment Team last fall. More than half of the investment team’s alumni returned to FHU’s campus to attend the reunion, which included an evening reception and program, a panel discussion with alumni and current students and the opportunity for alumni to observe a financial strategy meeting with current members of the team.

The inaugural graduates of Freed-Hardeman/Dickson nursing program recently passed their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

FHU alumni and friends gathered to celebrate the school's impact in Memphis, as they spent an evening at the Memphis zoo.

Efforts to restore Old Main, Chester County’s oldest public building are well underway after reaching its $5.5 million fundraising goal to bring the building close to its original condition.

“I believe God wants Freed-Hardeman to be here, and with Him nothing is impossible,” Freed-Hardeman University President David R. Shannon told the large crowd gathered Thursday morning, Oct. 19, 2017, in Loyd Auditorium for his inauguration. The preacher-turned-president based that assertion on the number of times the future of the almost 150-year-old school looked bleak but helping hands appeared to assure the school would live on.

“I am grateful for the full plate God has given me, and I try to handle it all with care,” Chris Graber, graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts in New Testament, said about his very busy life. Minister of the South Twin Cities Church of Christ in Rosemount, Minnesota, he balances his care of his family, his work with the church, a separate part-time job he does before his family awakens and his studies in FHU’s Graduate School of Theology.

Four Freed-Hardeman University computer science majors and their instructor designed a virtual reality game that takes fun to new heights.

At the request of President David Shannon, FHU Vice President Dave Clouse has accepted a broader role, moving from vice president for university advancement to vice president for community engagement. In addition to overseeing university advancement, Clouse now leads enrollment management (admissions and student financial services) and marketing (Bramblett Group).

Dr. Joe DeLay has left a lasting impression on thousands of students since the fall of 1982. In 2016, DeLay retired after 34 years of teaching chemistry and physical science; however, his FHU journey isn’t over yet. This spring he returned to FHU — as a student.

 

FHU Dickson began offering classwork leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in the Fall 2016 semester after a 7,000 square feet renovation. The state-of-the-art environment is now a place where students can learn the art and science of the nursing profession. Twelve students enrolled in the first cohort and are expected to receive their degrees in May 2018.

Dr. Richard England and his newest piano student, Coleman Dove, a Chester County teenager with autism, have begun a relationship in which they learn to community through music. Dove learned the names of notes and found them on a keyboard — with no prior experience and in only a half-dozen informal sessions.

Freed-Hardeman University professor Richard England worked with Doori Na, an artist-in-residence for the pianoSonoma Music Festival in collaboration with The Juilliard School Evening Division in New York City the first week of June.

 

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. Two Freed-Hardeman University students and a recent graduation put in countless hours of rehearsals to prepare for the Young Adult Honors Performance Series in New York City. The trio memorized 80 pages of music for the nearly hour-long performance.

As part of the Freed-Hardeman University Engaged Learning Initiative, English and music students traveled to Dark Horse Studios in Franklin, Tennessee to learn more about the process of writing and recording a song. Lyricists and composers were paired, and they immediately began what would be a year-long journey. Lyricists were Amanda Menter, Branson, Missouri; Megan Breece, Lyles, Tennessee; Madison Darby, Selmer, Tennessee; Nic Moon, Huntsville, Alabama; and Karly Cross, Grove City, Ohio.

Freed-Hardeman University Head Coach Dale Neal was named the 2017 United States Marine Corps/WBCA National NAIA Coach of the Year. Neal was selected by his peers after leading his team to an exceptional season. This marked his 47th year in coaching.

The university administration has announced that men’s and women’s tennis will return to FHU beginning Spring 2018. Stark Davis, FHU criminal justice professor, has been named coach of the teams and has recently begun preparations for the Spring 2018 season.

 

The Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lion Softball Team advanced to the NAIA National Tournament opening round in Bowling Green, Kentucky in May as an at-large qualifier.

 

Freed-Hardeman University athletics hosted American Midwest Conference championships in both softball and baseball in May.

 

The Lady Lion basketball team closed out their season at 35-1 after a 73-70 quarterfinal loss to No. 3 Campbellsville University in the NAIA national tournament in Billings, Montana.

Freed-Hardeman University’s men’s soccer player Nassar Ssempa was honored April 27 at the Sports Advisory Council Benefit as the 2017 Charlie Smith Heart of a Lion Award recipient.

Rick Barnes, head coach of the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team, spoke at Freed-Hardeman University Thursday, April 27. FHU’s Sports Advisory Council hosted the dinner to raise funds for the university’s intercollegiate athletic program.

A generous donor helped make it possible for a select group of Freed-Hardeman students to go on a 10-day journey to Israel as part of the university’s Engaged Learning Initiative (ELI). Mark Blackwelder, Bible professor, led the cultural and educational tour. In addition to FHU representatives Mark and Dana Blackwelder and Dave and Eve Clouse, former President Milton Sewell and his wife, Laurel, also accompanied the students on their journey.

Thousands of alumni, students, family members, and friends celebrated Makin’ Music’s 40th anniversary April 7-8, 2017. Alumna Peggy Weaver directed dozens of former hosts and hostesses as they returned for a reunion on Loyd’s stage. Xi Chi Delta received the Spirit of Makin’ Music Award, and sweepstakes winners were Phi Kappa Alpha (first), Xi Chi Delta (second), and Sigma Rho (third). The show was dedicated to Vice President Wayne Scott for his love of the FHU family through the years.

In January 2017, nine FHU nursing students and two nursing faculty members traveled to Thomazeau, Haiti, for seven days to serve on a medical mission team with LiveBeyond. 

“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.