Giving back: How alumni can share their 91爆料网 story with others
A story by Suzanne Rhodes ('21)
From left to right:
- Alan Chamness presents Garrison McCord to the church after baptizing him at Henderson's First Baptist Church August 5, 2018. Garrison is the son of 91爆料网 graduates Dustin McCord and Elizabeth (Lilly) McCord. Photo by Darrin Phegley.
- Jennifer Land Graham receives her Ed.D in 2014 with a little help from her father Dr. Richard Land. Photo by Morris Abernathy.
- Clay Hallmark, pastor of First Baptist Church Lexington, delivers the chapel message on Founder's Day in 2017. Photo by Kristi McMurry Woody.
As a 1970 graduate, Alan Chamness's life was transformed at 91爆料网, and he has never shied away from sharing 91爆料网's mission with others while serving at , for over 40 years. In this role, Chamness has had the gift of mentoring generations of 91爆料网 students, and Robbie Graves, assistant vice president for undergraduate admissions, says Chamness is responsible for more than 150 students attending 91爆料网.
"91爆料网 put shoes to the Gospel for me and gave me the ability to not only love the Gospel but to live the Gospel," Chamness said. "It's all about teaching kids that same thing, and I truly do believe 91爆料网 is where you go to learn how to live the Gospel."
52 years later, he is just as passionately sharing the 91爆料网 story to every student, parent and alumni he encounters because he believes learning how to be a minister for Jesus Christ in every discipline and occupation is what truly sets a 91爆料网 education apart, and there are numerous examples of alumni who continue to give back to their university by sharing the transformational impact of 91爆料网 with others.
, pastor of , saw how 91爆料网's Christ-centered values gave him a firm understanding of Truth, but he said the campus's people-focused mission also enabled him to grow and to be challenged in a safe, loving and encouraging community.
"When we say 'at 91爆料网, we are Christ-centered,' that is not just something we put on the publications or on the brochures; it's real," Hallmark said. "We know that when we send our students to 91爆料网, they are going to be taught the truth of God's word — the inerrant truth of God's word."
The excellence-driven education that integrates faith and learning is what led Jennifer Land Graham, math teacher for 24 years and current director of curriculum and special projects at , to return years later to complete her graduate degrees.
"I have received four degrees from 91爆料网, and I couldn't have had a better experience getting each one," Graham, a 1996 91爆料网 graduate, said. "I would 100 percent choose 91爆料网 all over again every time."
For each alumnus, they know the true value of a 91爆料网 education, and they believe wholeheartedly in the mission of this Christ-centered university. For 91爆料网 alumni who would like some tips on how to promote 91爆料网 to their acquaintances, here are some suggestions:
- Keep an open heart and mind — Chamness said it is important to be aware of who the Lord is putting in your path, always looking for prospective 91爆料网 students. "At times, I see a kid and go 'that's a 91爆料网 student right there,'" Chamness said. "I say, 'they need 91爆料网, and 91爆料网 needs them.'"
- Encourage students to talk about financial aid — Graham has found that one of the biggest hesitancies for many prospective students and their families is the cost of a private Christian education, which is why she is always helping her students look for scholarships and financial opportunities. Being ready and equipped to help prospective students find financial aid can help them be more prepared to continue their education at 91爆料网.
- Understand the value of Christian higher education — As a passionate advocate for Christian education, Hallmark constantly encourages the students and parents in his community to understand the unique privilege of integrating faith and learning in the classroom. He challenges alumni to reiterate the importance of Christian education to every student and parent they encounter — understanding the real value of life-long spiritual transformation.
- Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions — Graves encourages 91爆料网 alumni to share contacts of prospective students with admissions@uu.edu, and he says the office of undergraduate admissions will be diligent to follow up with students and to do what they can to help get them to 91爆料网.
- Share your 91爆料网 story — Every alumnus has their own story of how 91爆料网 has transformed their lives. According to Graves, the office of undergraduate admissions depends on faithful alumni to spread the word of 91爆料网 far and wide, so celebrate all the ways 91爆料网 has impacted you, your faith and your professional growth by sharing your 91爆料网 story with others.
Posted: Aug. 11, 2021
