E-Lumine

May 12, 2006

Articles in this issue:

Bryan celebrates 73rd commencement - [ Article Below ]

Construction projects rolling on campus - [ Article Below ]

Golden Grads celebrate at commencement - [ Article Below ]

Tennessee Senate honors Bryan - [ Article Below ]

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Bryan celebrates 73rd commencement

Nearly 1,800 friends and family members gathered on Bryan’s Triangle to celebrate commencement for the Class of 2006 on May 6.
 
Bryan President Dr. Stephen D. Livesay remarked that the Lord had answered prayers for good weather because the area had rain the day before graduation and storms rolled in the next day.
 
During the ceremony, 164 graduates received their diplomas, and 33 members of the Class of 1956 received certificates marking their class’s golden anniversary. The college awarded 99 Bachelor of Science degrees and 66 Bachelor of Arts degrees, as Keelan Diehl of Little Falls, Minn., received both a B.A. degree in communication arts and a B.S. degree in business administration: economics-finance and management.
 
Timothy St. John of Anniston, Ala., and Kimberlee Storey of York, Pa., 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.
 
Mr. Diehl and Michelle Ehmling of Hixson, Tenn., were recognized for having the highest scholastic record in their class, Mr. Diehl for the traditional undergraduate program and Ms. Ehmling for the Aspire degree completion program.
 
Susanna Gordon of Athens, Tenn., was honored for having made the most progress during her years at Bryan.
 
Matthew Henderson of Pinehurst, Texas, received the Faithfulness and Loyalty Award, recognizing his contribution to the college community.
 
Amanda Held of Dayton, Tenn., and Jeffery Tanner of Chattanooga, Tenn., delivered graduation addresses, representing their classmates in the traditional and Aspire programs, respectively.
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Construction projects rolling on campus

Summers Gymnasium is getting a new floor, Rhea House will get a makeover and new occupants, and work on North Hall is racing ahead of schedule.
            Tim Hostetler, vice president of operations, said the 36-year-old floor in the gym “to quote the man putting the new floor in, is just worn out.”
            The new floor is designed differently from the old, Mr. Hostetler said. A construction technique will be used to give better support and is designed to prevent “dead spots,” where balls don’t bounce consistently, from developing.
            Alumni Coordinator Warren Cole said anyone wishing to purchase a piece of the old floor should contact him at alumni@bryan.edu. Details are being worked out.
            Across campus, operations staff members are beginning to convert Rhea House from a residence to the new home of the college Advancement Department. When renovations are completed in July, the former home of college presidents will house offices for the vice president for advancement, alumni coordinator, development director and director of public information and support staff.
            A new main entrance will be developed on the building’s lower lever and a residential elevator will be installed to assist alumni and other guests who will visit.
            Mr. Hostetler said work on North Hall is ahead of schedule, with the contractor hoping to begin putting finishing touches on rooms about June 1.
            Furniture is scheduled to begin arriving July 24, and workers will assemble and install that before students arrive in mid-August.
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Golden Grads celebrate at commencement

Thirty-three members of the Class of 1956 returned to Bryan for their Golden Grads Reunion May 5 and 6.
 
While the reunion class had its own schedule they played two important roles in the graduation weekend for the Class of 2006, according to Alumni Coordinator Warren Cole. On Friday night, in the middle of their dessert social, the Class of 1956 moved to the balcony of the Student Life Center to pray for Bryan’s newest graduates as they left their Vespers service in Rudd Auditorium. Then, on Saturday as part of the graduation program, Bryan President Dr. Stephen D. Livesay presented each Golden Grad with a Golden Anniversary Diploma.
 
Friday’s activities included a campus tour and an informal social time during registration in the Grand Lobby of Mercer Hall. “Some of these people hadn’t seen each other since their own graduation,” Mr. Cole said. “They had a good time catching up with each other.”
 
At their banquet that evening, Dr. Livesay talked about his vision for the school and his appreciation for the members of their class, which includes two Bryan trustees. “The class members were encouraged by Dr. Livesay’s talk and were particularly grateful that the school still embraces our motto of 'Christ Above All,'” Mr. Cole said.
 
Mr. Cole added that this was the largest Golden Grad reunion, with nearly half the 76 members with whom the college has contact able to attend.
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Tennessee Senate honors Bryan

Tennessee Sen. David Fowler recently presented a framed copy of a Senate resolution honoring Bryan College on its 75th anniversary to Bryan President Dr. Stephen D. Livesay.
 
The resolution recounts briefly the history of the college and acknowledges its recent accomplishments including recognition by U.S. News & World Report as a “Top Tier” comprehensive college, and accreditation by regional and national agencies.
 
Sen. Fowler, Sen. Tommy Kilby whose district includes Bryan College, and Sen. Rosalind Kurita sponsored the resolution, which was signed by the speaker of the Senate, the speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, and Gov. Phil Bredesen.
 
Sen. Fowler recently announced he would not seek reelection and would work to initiate the Family Action Council of Tennessee, a family policy advocacy chapter under the auspices of Focus on the Family.
 
Sen. Fowler is pictured at left, with Dr. Livesay.