Richmont Graduate University Dev

Desire for Excellence

Jeff Terrell — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:42:39 +0000

As a university, Richmont is constantly seeking to be excellent. To produce quality. There are many metrics of success and we have seen exceptional performance in almost all: student performance on national tests, faculty impressions of students, graduates’ work in their communities, faculty evaluations. The list is long—and important to us.

However, it helps occasionally to consider, What are our goals? Our targets? St. Augustine said, “Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being.” We normally think of excellence as doing, not being. How seldom we are encouraged to begin with who we are. I believe it is good to pause and reflect on what makes us who we are.

In one his newer books, Soulful Spirituality (www.amazon.com/Soulful-Spirituality-Becoming), Dr. David G. Benner writes:

The human journey—particularly our spiritual journey—is profoundly shaped by our longings. More often than we expect, we get what we most desire. One way or another, our desires form our spirits and direct our lives. For good or for bad, we are made in the image of what we desire.

Remember the words of the psalmist’s, “Content yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). I’ve often heard this passage preached that God will change our desires before giving them to us—and perhaps that is true. However, if Dr. Benner’s words ring true, then an occasional pause for reflection can be life-affirming.

Recently the leadership at Richmont spent some time reflecting about the vision God has given us for the university. Though still something of a work in progress, here’s where we are at the moment:

Richmont Graduate University is a community characterized by authenticity, excellence, innovation, diversity, formation, and fun.

You may be surprised by some of these descriptors, particularly “fun.” But each represents something critical about who we are. We’ll talk more in the days ahead about these attributes, since each of them capture something important about us. If you’re considering joining us, as a student, staff member, or faculty member, we look forward to welcoming you into our community.

Evening With Jeff Foxworthy – Save the Date!

Brooke Blews — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:26:37 +0000

Richmont Graduate University Presents an evening of entertainment with Jeff Foxworthy on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at the Piedmont Driving Club. The Reception is at 6:00 p.m. and Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Advance Tickets Required.

For more information click here:

http://richmont.edu/events/evening-with-jeff-foxworthy/

Call inquiries go to:

Bob Rodgers, Executive Vice President

brodgers@richmont.edu Phone: 404.835.6132

Brooke A. Blews, Advancement Coordinator

bblews@richmont.edu Phone: 404.835.6134

Jennifer Cooper, Assistant to the President

jcooper@richmont.edu Phone: 404.835.6117

Dr. Tim Sisemore, Dr. Amanda Blackburn, and students Rachel Smith and David Re presenting in CAPS 2012

Brooke Blews — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:47:08 +0000

Congratulations to Dr. Sisemore, Dr. Blackburn, and Richmont students Rachel Smith and David Re are the primary presenters and first author of a seminar/paper that has been accepted for live (face-to-face) presentation at the CAPS 2012 conference next March in Washington DC!

The conference dates are Thursday March 29, 2012 thru March 31, 2012. The conference theme is: “Hope and Forgiveness as Mediators of Applied Grace in Christians: A survey with Implications for Psychotherapy.”

Celebrating 25 years at Richmont – Dr. Evalin Rhodes Hanshew

Brooke Blews — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:31:03 +0000

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Evalin Hanshew for 25 years at Richmont. Dr. Hanshew, who serves as Dean of Clinical Affairs and Professor of Counseling, has been greatly instrumental in preparing generations of counselors for service. We are grateful for her ongoing contribution to the University and her investment in so many lives through the years. We are honored to have her as a member of the Richmont family.

Excerpt from “Connecting” Fall 2011

Why do you serve…?

Brooke Blews — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:20:31 +0000

Roxanne Shellabarger ’08, Director of Records – Serving God by serving others (whether they are students or faculty) is what gets me out of bed every morning. I love working with students and helping them find their way through the program. I am so thankful to find a place where I can service in this amazing ministry and use my administrative talents for God’s purposes.

Ashley Harris, SGA Social Officer Atlanta – From the moment I knew that there was a school which offered an integration degree of counseling and Christian principles, I knew it would become the perfect place for me. My overall experience has been amazing. Not only do I receive a first class education with clinical experience, but I am also part of a loving community which seeks to empower me as a Christian woman. I believe Richmont has been a catalyst for transformation in my life. I have been blessed to be a part of the RGU family and look forward to uplifting the people of God’s kingdom upon completing my matriculation at Richmont.

Excerpt from “Connecting” Fall 2011

Disappointed?

Jeff Terrell — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:18:56 +0000

We recently had to make the decision to postpone the launch of our School of Ministry. I’ll admit, it was a little hard. Someone asked me if I was disappointed. My initial reaction was “Of course I am.” I had (and honestly still have) a strong belief that a new model of training is critically important in order to prepare leaders in the contemporary church.

However, the more I’ve had time to reflect on our decision and the timing of this launch, the more I see God’s hand providentially guiding us. (Isn’t that the way it always is? Proverbs 3:5-6 never tells us that God will show us in advance where we’re going…just that he will direct our paths.) In this case, we did need more time to reflect on more flexible models of pedagogy, to reach out to those serving in ministry who have never considered higher education, to connect more broadly with local churches around us, and finally to raise funds to support the programs. (By the way, our current planning does involve a launch of the School of Ministry for next fall.)

The culture around us is changing. We have some difficulty now considering ourselves a “Christian nation,” and this is particularly true when you consider the Millennials—or the “unchristian generation” as some have alleged. In addition, market forces in higher education are changing as well. Tuition outpaces inflation, accreditors demand ever more specificity in data collected, and government wants our institutional assessment tied to salaries earned and loans received.

For us, the question is not one of quality. I just received the results from our most recent students’ National Counselor Examinations. Once again, our average score in every area is higher than the national average and higher than schools that are CACREP accredited. We know how to train counselors. I am so intensely proud of our graduates. Not only their performance on standardized testing, but in the thousands of ways they are serving the world and the Kingdom.

No, the question I’m convinced we must answer is about the future. I’m concerned about the debt graduate students accumulate. I’m concerned about the availability of good jobs for graduates (in all fields, not just counseling). I’m concerned about universities finding ways to meet student needs, instead of doing things the same old way and expecting (demanding?) that student change.

What kind of university is Richmont going to be? We’re working hard to examine who we are and where we’re going. We’ve engaged Dr. Donald Crump (formerly VP at the University of Alabama and later with SACS) to lead us through a strategic planning process. I would ask that you keep us in your prayers as we focus on preparing for the future. I know that our path will always involve simplicity, quality and service. But how those values are implemented will be fun to watch.

So, disappointed? Occasionally. But my job is really the most fun, exciting and meaningful thing that I can imagine doing. Watching the Kingdom develop through you, our students, alumni, staff and faculty…it really is a blessing.

Excerpt from Dr. Jeff Terrell in “Connecting” Fall 2011

Spotlight on New Trustee – Jane Steward

Brooke Blews — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:58:09 +0000

Jane Hamilton Steward was born in Savannah, Georgia and is the daughter of the deceased Pawling Schryver Steward of Chattanooga, Tennessee and Helen Reid Steward of Savannah, Georgia. Jane makes her home Atlanta. She earned degrees from St. Mary’s College, the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and Georgia State University. She worked on the bid and organizing committees for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta for six years and has been doing national marketing for Verizon Wireless for the past fourteen years. She is involved with the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Colonial Dames of America and the High Museum of Art. She enjoys traveling, movies, cooking, needlepoint, tennis, skiing, and spending time with family.

Excerpt from “Connecting” Fall 2011

Congratulations to Our Grant Recipients – Ani Hernandez Johnson & Shana Campbell

Brooke Blews — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:46:01 +0000

Ani Hernandez Johnson – is a 2011 alumna of Richmont. Throughout the course of her internship at Richmont’s Community Cousneling Center, Ani worked to provide biligual services to Chattanooga’s Latino community. Recogizing a need, Ani desired to contiue working with this population even after graduation, and through the combined efforts of Ani, Donna Morris (2007 Richmont alumna), and Jana Pressley (Founding Director of the Community Couseling Center), Ani was able to see her dream become a reality. In spring of 2011, the RCCC was awarded a grant through the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga. This grant provided an opportunity for Ani to become a full-time staff member of the RCCC. In addition, the RCCC recieved additional funding through Partnership for Families, Children and Adults. This funding has allowed the RCCC to expand its Parent-Child Interation Therapy (PCIT) program by providing Ani with the necessary training at the Cindinnati Children’s Hospital. Ani’s new position will allow her to contiue working with individuals, couples, and families through PCIT with a special emphasis on outreach to meet the needs of Chattanooga’s Latino population.

Shana Campbell – is a Richmont Graduate Univeristy student and is the recipient of the 2011 Christus Powell Fellowship. Each year, the Christus Powell Fellowship is awarded to one or two minority students pursing licensure and showing commitment to the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. The Multicultural Committee of GAMFT reviews all applications, and Shana Campbell was this year’s only recipient, receiving a fellowship of $1,500. As the recipients, Shana had the opportunity to attend the GAMFT spring conference on St. Simons Island held April 30-May 1. At the conference, Shana was presented with this award and was able to meet many seasoned therapists in the MFT profession. Shana had a wonderful time and was truly grateful for the experience. Shana knows that it will lead to many more opportunites as she pursues her career in MFT. Shana is in her final year of education at Richmont and is currently serving as an intern at the Good Samaritan Health Center. After graduation, Shana hopes to work with military families and establish a non-profit organization.

Excerpt from “Connecting” Fall 2011

From the Desk of the Dean, The School of Minstry

Brooke Blews — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:36:30 +0000

I often say, “In life, we’re far better off trying something, even if we don’t suceed, than not to try at all.” By the time we had recived permission by the states of Georgia and Tennessse to publicize the program, it was already Februrary. While several wonderful candidates were ready to enroll immediatley, the time line was not sufficient for people to rearrange their schedules in order to enroll for this fall.

So we moved the start-up date of the degree to fall of 2012. Part of the challenge s to get the word out to those who feel called to quip themselves for ministry. Whenever we decribe the degree to committted leaders who want to be more prepared, the feedback is encourgaing. They say that we have devloped a program that appeals to them because it is high quality, accredidted degree that is both substantive and practical. There’s flexibility in the schedule. Tuition is much lowwer than many other programs. professors are outstanding. Internships ensure hands on learning. Integration of heart and mind, theory and practice, and mission within culture permeate the program.

Excerpt from Leland Eliason, Th.D.

CBI Update: Young at Heart

Brooke Blews — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:46:56 +0000

Greetings from CBI! I hope this article finds all of you doing well and hopefully cooling off a bit after one of the hottest summers I remember in a LONG time. We are getting geared up for our fall semester, which began on September 8. We have two new classes on the docket for this year: The Beloved Disciple (a study on John) offered in the fall and Jonah (a life interrupted) offered in the winter/spring and summer. We are also continuing to offer a class on Tuesdays in the fall and winter/spring semesters as it was such a tremendous hit with our participants. I hope all of you who are interested received the 2011-2012 CBI class schedule. If you did not receive one and wish to do so in the future, please e-mail me at aconroy@richmont.edu or call me at (423) 266-4574. I’d be delighted to add you to our mailing list. As always, I am deeply grateful to all of our dedicated facilitator/teachers who give so generously and passionately. We couldn’t do it without you!

I have started teaching a Women’s Bibl study at St. Barnabas, one of our retirement homes, and I LOVE IT! These women are so precious and have such a wealth of knowledge. It is truly a pleasure for me to have the opportunity to spend time with them. They are super sharp, have great insight, and are really funny! We laugh a lot. I hope they will continue to let me come and discuss the Bible with them. (I learn a whole lot more from them than they do from me!) I will be producing and mailing the fall Legacy Newsletter in early October. We had cut out the spring edition to stay in budget, but I hope to continue with the fall version to keep all our participants and patrons up-to-speed on what we’re doing here at CBI. Until next time, peace be with you.

Excerpt from Angie Conroy, the volunteer director of Chattanooga Bible Institute.