"Celebration" was the word May 7, as 161 graduates received their diplomas, 21 members of the Class of 1955 received certificates marking their class' golden anniversary, and Bryan continued its year-long observance of its 75th anniversary.

The college awarded 101 Bachelor of Science, 61 Bachelor of Arts and one Associate of Arts degrees including a BA and BS degree to Paul Downer of Signal Mountain, Tenn., who received degrees in Bible and business administration.

Paul and Anneli Horner of Aurora, Colo., received the P.A. Boyd Award, presented to a senior man and woman whose character has given them the highest degree of influence over their fellow students.

Eva Holder of Knoxville, Tenn., and Cheryl Goins of Cleveland, Tenn., were recognized for having the highest scholastic record in their class, Miss Holder for the traditional undergraduate program and Ms. Goins for the Aspire degree completion program.

Julie Daniels of Guthrie, Okla., was honored for having made the most progress during her years at Bryan.

Olivia Fessler of New Carlisle, Ohio, received the Faithfulness and Loyalty Award, recognizing her contribution to the college community.

Miss Horner and Harold "Bimbo" McCawley of Dayton, Tenn., delivered graduation addresses, representing their classmates in the traditional and Aspire programs, respectively.

DR. JAMES C. DOBSON, Focus on the Family: "I consider Summit Ministries to be one of the very best resources available, and I don’t say that lightly."

One of the staples of the summertime at Bryan College is the Summit Ministries Student Leadership Conference. Since 1995, Bryan has hosted these two-week conferences designed to prepare students, ages 16 and up, to defend their faith, love God with their hearts and minds, and emerge as leaders in the world. Every summer, the program continues to grow and change lives. While at the Summit students will learn about worldviews, apologetics, cultural issues, evangelism, and leadership.

One 2004 Summit student wrote: "Within the two weeks I was there I learned more than I ever thought I would be able to learn. One in two Christians lose their faith after their first year at college. I could have been one of those statistics if I had not gone to Summit. After being a college student for six months I can see how it would be easy for someone to lose their faith. Last year my parents forced me to go; this year I am going by my own free will. I want to go and learn more. I would recommend Summit to every young Christian."

Dates for the 2005 Summit-East programs are July 10-22, and July 24-Aug. 5. More information, including applications, can be found at www.summit.org, or by calling 719-685-9103

JOSH MCDOWELL, Josh McDowell Ministries: "My own son was one of those who came face to face with a biblical worldview at The Summit. It was by far one of the most significant conferences he has ever attended. The impact will affect Sean the rest of his life."

Bryan College said "thank you" to Dayton and Rhea County during the 58th annual Strawberry Festival with a miniature steam locomotive in the festival parade recognizing links between the college and community.

Dr. Richard Cornelius, co-chairman of Bryan's 75th anniversary planning committee, said the miniature locomotive was provided courtesy of alumni Ron and Lois Zartman of Grandville, Mich. Children of faculty and staff rode in the cars, which carried signs honoring Bryan’s heritage and ties to Dayton.

At the same time, Dr. Ron Petitte, associate professor of political science, rode the sulky at the end of the train, inviting the crowd to attend the 18th annual Scopes Trial Festival in July. Dr. Petitte plays the role of Judge John T. Raulston in the reenactment of the Scopes Trial, which led to the college's founding in Dayton.

Dr. Cornelius said the train was appropriate for the Strawberry parade because, when Rhea County was the strawberry capital of the world, trains carried thousands of cartons of berries to market. "In 1911 alone, Rhea County shipped out 454 boxcars of berries," he said.

Trains were significant in the life of William Jennings Bryan, as well, he said. "Mr. Bryan traveled chiefly by steam train—18,000 miles in his first presidential campaign—he came to the Scopes Trial by train, and his body left Dayton by train to go to Arlington National Cemetery for burial."

The college had intended to offer free rides for children following the parade, but that plan was rained out.

 

Warren Cole has hit the ground running as Bryan's new alumni coordinator, trying to learn his new responsibilities and put them into practice at the same time.

Warren, a 2003 graduate with a B.S. degree in business administration, came back to Bryan after working at UnumProvident, a Chattanooga-based insurance company, in the human resources area. He also started his own business, wcgallery.com, featuring his photography and ceramic works.

Coming back wasn't a tough choice for him. "Robert (Davis, vice president for advancement) presented me with a challenging position," he said. "I care a lot for the school and its graduates, so I was naturally attracted," he said.

Mr. Davis added, "Warren brings strong organizational skills to the position of coordinator for alumni relations. He possesses a passion for Bryan College and a desire for the continuance of the community spirit which so characterizes the college. Warren will be traveling to visit alumni and intent on developing a strong alumni association with chapters throughout the country."

Warren started the week before graduation, so he was involved with some of the last-minute preparations for that event, as well as for the Golden Graduates' 50th anniversary reunion. With those events behind him now, he is turning his attention toward outreach to alumni.

"I'm looking at what alumni need from Bryan College, and trying to find ways to meet those needs," he said. "I want to work on reconnecting alumni with one another and with the college, while encouraging alumni to become steadfast in Christ as they continue to make a difference in today's world."

Nearly 2,000 guests are expected on campus this summer – not including prospective students and their families – as Bryan hosts a number of conferences and special events.

Vice President for Operations Tim Hostettler said groups range in size from approximately 20 students participating in Coach Leo Sayles' volleyball camp to a total of about 600 high school and college students expected for the two Summit sessions.

Two youth camps, a family Bible conference and a weekend stop by bicyclists participating in a fund-raising effort for a Chattanooga cancer center round out the list of groups that will be using the campus.

Mr. Hostetler said opening the campus for summer events like these has a dual purpose. "First, it showcases our facilities and lets visitors meet some of our personnel, which has a positive impact on building relationships and attracting students to the college," he said. "Second, it provides additional employment opportunities for our students. For some of our students, work on campus during the summer provides an important financial boost to their being able to return to school in the fall."

At the same time, the summer schedule presents challenges, as the last conference leaves campus just three days before the first groups of student athletes are slated to return for pre-season workouts.

"Our maintenance staff and student workers are really busy in the days after Summit, because we want to make sure everything is ready, especially in the residence halls, when our students return in August," he said.