Good News – May 2019

Good News Newsletter Headline

Southern Nazarene University Celebrates Its 116th Commencement

Southern Nazarene University’s Spring Commencement took place on Saturday, May 11, 2019. SNU’s president, Dr. Keith Newman, presided over the events of the day, conferring over 480 degrees in two ceremonies held on the main campus in Bethany, Oklahoma. Special guests included Dr. Carla Sunberg, General Superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene, and Rev. Daniel A.K.L. Gomis, Africa Regional Director for the Church of the Nazarene, who gave the Commencement Address in both the morning ceremony for traditional programs and in the afternoon for professional and graduate studies programs.

Rev. Gomis gives leadership to the church’s largest Region, Africa, where over 750,000 are members of the Church of the Nazarene and more than 1 million attend services on average. Having earned an undergraduate degree and teaching certificate in Senegal, Africa, he continued his education at Nazarene Theological Seminary (USA) where he earned the Masters of Divinity degree. Beyond the Church, Rev. Gomis works with international organizations to bring about humane and orderly migration of people in Africa.

After delivering an inspiring message that challenged the graduates to be authentic and relevant on their life journey, Rev. Gomis was recognized by the Board of Trustees of SNU with the conferring of the Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. Internationally known for his exemplary work for the Church of the Nazarene, Dr. Gomis’ passion in ministry is to see every nation in Africa transformed by Christ-like disciples, bringing peace, healing and restoration.

Prior to Commencement, traditional program graduates gathered for a Baccalaureate service on Friday, May 10, 2019. Dr. Blair Spindle, Dean of the Chapel and University Pastor, gave the Baccalaureate message. Following the service, members of the Class of 2019 took part in the university’s longest standing tradition, the Ivy Ring ceremony, circling the Lamp of Learning on the campus mall as the unbroken chain of ivy was cut by faculty between each graduate, signifying that, although they depart physically, they take with them a part of the life and spirit of the university.

 To watch the 116th Commencement at Southern Nazarene University, visit snulive.com and select “On Demand.”

Students Honored for Servant-Leadership

Students who demonstrated LiveLast servant leadership in exemplary ways this past year were honored at the 2019 Baccalaureate service.

The President’s Award is the highest recognition given to both a female and male traditional, undergraduate student by the faculty, staff and administration of the University. This year’s recipients were selected because they embody the SNU motto of Character, Culture, Christ and met the criteria for this award at the highest levels. Bradley Crouch, a Business Administration major from Denton, Texas, and Sadie Shaull Crouch, a Nursing major from Hamlin, Texas were involved in student leadership, ministry and service to the campus and community. Married in the summer of 2018, Bradley and Sadie have each made a distinct and lasting impact on the campus community and beyond. During their years at SNU, each of them participated in multiple mission trips, served in ministries at the local level, and have faithfully prepared to continue on the path to becoming missionaries.

Following graduation, Sadie and Bradley plan to live in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metro area where Bradley will work in business while Sadie continues her training and pursues advanced education in Nursing. President Newman said of the award recipients, “The Crouch’s have been such a vital part of the SNU community, and I couldn’t be more pleased that they were selected for this honor.” “They are true examples of LiveLast disciples,” he added, “and I’m really looking forward to seeing all the exciting ways God will use them in the future.”

A highlight of the evening was the inaugural presentation of the Ed and Eva Pope Servant Leader Award. Dr. Newman shared about the individuals for whom the award is named, recounting all the ways God had directed their paths and honored their constant willingness to put others first in everything they did. Their impact was such that their family felt led to establish the scholarship award in their names as a legacy of their service to their family, church and others throughout their lives.

The inaugural recipients of the Ed and Eva Pope Servant Leader Award were Emma Rhodes Schulteis, a multi-discipline major, with emphasis in civic engagement and business, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Madison Mullins, a Pastoral Ministry major from Mansfield, Texas. Dr. Newman noted that these students had seized the opportunity to put skin and flesh on their faith and were the tangible expression of God’s love as they partnered with local organizations, giving a significant amount of time each week in service to ‘the least of these.’

To learn more about student life at SNU visit https://www.snu.edu/snu-life/

Academic Innovator Appointed Provost at SNU

Recently, Dr. Keith Newman, President, announced the appointment of Dr. Tim Eades as the new university provost, effective in June 2019.

Dr. Eades comes to SNU from Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) where he has served as associate provost and executive vice president of Graduate and Continuing Studies since 2014. During his years on the TNU leadership team there was significant expansion of programs and enrollment, with a specific emphasis related to online education, ranging from the associate to doctoral level.

Prior to his assignment at TNU, Eades served at Ohio Christian University and in student recruitment at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Dr. Eades is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene and earned his undergraduate degree at Trevecca Nazarene University, a Masters at Mount Vernon Nazarene University and a Doctorate of Education in Ethical Leadership from Olivet Nazarene University.

“The selection of Dr. Tim Eades as provost at SNU represents a strategic commitment to our present and future,” said President Newman. “His experience and expertise as an innovative administrative and academic leader in Christian higher education over the last 20 years will prove to be invaluable. I believe he is uniquely prepared for this season in SNU’s history and I am excited that he and his wife, Dr. Kimberly Eades, will be joining the SNU community.”

Dr. Eades’ teaching interests include courses in leadership, organization change, ministry, and marketing. He and Kimberly have three daughters – Grace is a freshman film studies major at Trevecca, while Devin and Alison live in the Dayton, Ohio area.

To learn more about the academic programs at SNU visit https://www.snu.edu/undergraduate-academic-programs/ or https://pgs.snu.edu/.

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