Breaking ground for the first phase of our new entrance, then seeing Presidential Scholar and Music Performance Scholarship candidates on campus for their scholarship competitions on Feb. 6, has already made February an exciting month. And the month is not half over yet!
A concert tonight and a seminar on Christians and Darwinism at the end of the month demonstrate the range of experiences available for students and the community. The arts, rigorous academics and an unwavering allegiance to Christ Above All makes Bryan a special place where young men and women may be educated for a life of Kingdom service.
Thank you for reading this edition of E-Lumine. We invite you to take advantage of as many of the opportunities below as possible, and to visit us on campus at any time.
7:30 p.m., Duo Piano concert featuring Ann Pope and Valrie Kantorski, Rudd Auditorium.
Feb. 14-15
The Bryan College Debate Team will participate in the Tennessee Intercollegiate Forensics Association Tournament in Gallatin, Tenn.
Feb. 15
8 and 10:45 a.m., Chamber Singers Concert at First Baptist Church, Lenoir City, Tenn.
Feb. 19
Day of Prayer
10 a.m., Chapel presentation of the documentary film “With Open Eyes” about life and struggles in Sudan.
Feb. 25
4 p.m., Performance Repertoire, featuring students of the Bryan Music Department.
Feb. 26-27
Dean's Scholarship Event, for candidates for Dean’s scholarships.
Feb. 27-28
Bryan Institute Seminar: “War and Peace: 150 Years of Christian Encounters with Darwin.” See schedule and details at bryan.edu/darwin
Online Learning Spring Session II application deadline for online classes Biblical Foundations and US History II.
March 4
4 p.m., Senior Recitals for Lauren Page, vocal, and Amy Scripka, piano.
March 6
Spring Break begins after classes today. Classes resume March 16.
February 13, 2009
Articles in this issue:College breaks ground for new entrance - [ Article Below ] 85 vie for Presidential Merit Scholarships - [ Article Below ] 'Faith in Action' theme for Day of Prayer - [ Article Below ] Christians and Darwin seminar Feb. 27 - [ Article Below ] |
College breaks ground for new entrance
From a look back to the college’s namesake to a look toward Bryan’s expanding reach into the world, college and community leaders broke ground Feb. 6, for Bryan’s new entrance.
President Dr. Stephen D. Livesay called the occasion “a groundbreaking for what will be the next chapter in Bryan’s history.” He reminded the crowd that even before William Jennings Bryan came to Dayton in 1925, “he expressed a wish for a Christian liberal arts college that puts Christ first. I am pleased to say that at Bryan College, ‘Christ Above All’ is not just words on paper but is what we strive to live out every day.”He recounted former trustee Don Efird’s charge to him at his first trustee meeting after being named president in 2003: “He pulled me aside and said, ‘Young man, you have one assignment. I and others have prayed for 40 years that God would give us a new entrance.’”
State Sen. Ken Yager said, “This is a very historic event, not only in the life of the college, but in the community. While the face of the college is changing, the heart of the college is not.”
Dayton Mayor Bob Vincent acknowledged the cooperation between the college and city to win permits for the project, and said Dayton has traffic improvement plans of its own. “I hope it’s not 40 years for us, but this shows us not to give up,” he said.
Student Body President Rachel Welch said students are excited about the new entrance and are grateful to those who have made it possible. Echoing Sen. Yager, she called Bryan “a great marriage of academic excellence and authentic Christianity.”
85 vie for Presidential Merit Scholarships
Bryan College got a preview of the Class of 2013 this past weekend as some 85 prospective students gathered for the annual Presidential Scholars and Music Performance Scholarship weekend.
Michael Sapienza, vice president for enrollment management, said Presidential Scholar candidates interviewed with faculty members and Music Performance candidates auditioned for the nine Presidential Merit scholarships and one Music Performance scholarship that will be awarded.
By the time the last candidate left the college, about 65 had preregistered for fall classes and a number had paid their admissions deposits. “Preregistration was phenomenal,” Mr. Sapienza said. “Normally about half who attend preregister, so this was very encouraging.”
A new feature was a campus activities fair on Saturday. Twenty-four campus organizations showcased opportunities ranging from rugby to Students Stopping the Trafficking of Persons. “It was fantastic,” Mr. Sapienza said. “We appreciate so much the students giving up their time on Saturday to share what is available. It was a great opportunity for parents and students to see what is available at Bryan.”
At Friday night’s banquet, Student Government Association President Rachel Welch told the students and their families that Bryan “is an excellent place to attend. Bryan is a place that effectively balances academic rigor with authentic Christian values,” she said. “I can see the discipline I am studying in the light of the Gospel.”
'Faith in Action' theme for Day of Prayer
“Faith in Action,” theme for chapel services this semester, will resound throughout the Day of Prayer Feb. 19, as the Bryan community is challenged to respond to genocide going on in Sudan today.
Dwight Sell, student government vice president for men's ministry, said a special feature of the day will be a showing of the documentary “With Open Eyes.” The film, produced by Frank Harrison and Robert Walker of Charlotte, N.C., shows the ravages of war and the enduring faith of Christians oppressed by their Muslim countrymen.
Mr. Walker was on campus earlier this month and spoke to Dr. Ron Petitte’s Modern World class to assist in their efforts to creatively raise awareness for the problem. Mr. Harrison is scheduled to attend the Day of Prayer showing and to answer questions. Please join us for this special chapel at 10 a.m., Thurday, Feb. 19.
In addition to the documentary, Day of Prayer activities will include a 24-hour prayer and scripture reading marathon the day before, a sunrise hike, a prayer walk in Dayton with students praying for the community, and a worship and prayer service to conclude the day.
The Day of Prayer continues a longstanding tradition for the college to set aside one day each semester for students, faculty and staff to have an opportunity to pray for the needs of the college and community.
Christians and Darwin seminar Feb. 27
The past and present will come into focus in two programs this spring: the Bryan Institute for Critical Thought and Practice will present a seminar on Christian responses to Darwinism, and a former advisor to President George W. Bush will speak at a fund-raising banquet.
On February 27-28, The Bryan Institute for Critical Thought and Practice will present “War and Peace: 150 Years of Christian Encounters with Darwin,” a symposium directed by the Center for Origins Research. On April 16, Michael Gerson, assistant to President Bush from 2003-2006, will speak at the William Jennings Bryan Opportunity Program dinner in Chattanooga.
“War and Peace” will examine responses by Christians to Charles Darwin's Origin of Species, published in 1859, which began a transformation of biology, science itself, and ultimately all of Western culture. Some Christians reacted with outrage to his challenge to the biblical account of origins, while others welcomed Darwin's ideas.
Speakers include Dr. Todd Charles Wood, director of the Center for Origins Research; Dr. Jon H. Roberts, the Tomorrow Foundation Professor of American Intellectual History at Boston University; Dr. Edward B. Davis, professor of the history of science at Messiah College; and Dr. Stephen F. Matheson, associate professor of biology at Calvin College.
Click here for details about the seminar or call 423.775.7277.
Mr. Gerson, a senior fellow at the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations and a columnist for the Washington Post, will headline the William Jennings Bryan Opportunity Program banquet. The WJB Opportunity Program provides funds for academically qualified Tennessee students from low-income families to attend Bryan College.
For information or to register for the event, contact Steve Keck, director of development, by email or at 423-775-7581.