Greetings from Bryan College.

The campus may be quiet today as this E-Lumine goes out, but the real Bryan College is hard at work. Our Break for Change teams are wrapping up a week of ministry in several locations in the U.S. and abroad, and the Worldview Teams and Chorale are about to head back to Dayton at the conclusion of their tours challenging and encouraging groups throughout the Southeast.

Now, sights are set on graduation, just about eight weeks away. Between now and then, there is much on the schedule – Heritage Week, Honors Day, the William Jennings Bryan Opportunity Program dinner, and groundbreaking for Phase II of the new entrance to name a few.

We invite you to join us for these programs as you are able, and to visit campus at any time. We’d love to see you!

Illuminate, an overnight campus preview event for prospective students.

Music Concert Series: Voices Uplifted, featuring Bryan choral ensembles. Rudd Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

E-Lumine

Bryan biographer to headline Heritage Week

Michael Kazin, author of the recent biography of William Jennings Bryan, A Godly Hero, will be the featured speaker for Bryan’s annual Heritage Week celebration March 23.

This year’s Heritage Week will focus on Mr. Bryan, with Dr. Kazin addressing the topic “The Great Commoner,” followed on March 25 by student presentations of a biographical sketch of the man for whom Bryan College is named, and by an examination of his Christian testimony.

“Far too many people think they know something about William Jennings Bryan because of the parody of the man they have seen in the play or movie ‘Inherit the Wind,’” said Tom Davis, Heritage Week committee chairman. “We want to make sure our students have the opportunity to learn what a remarkable man he really was, and to understand the influence he had on American life and the Democratic Party a century ago.”

Heritage Week annually is set near Mr. Bryan’s birthday, March 19, and features programs about some aspect of his life or the history of the college.

Dr. Kazin is professor of history at Georgetown University and a student of politics and social movements. Reviewer Jay Freeman said of A Godly Hero, “This superbly written biography greatly enhances our knowledge of the man and a recurring movement in American politics.”

New entrance taking shape

The first dirt was moved for Bryan’s new entrance on March 3, and by the end of the week, much of the road bed had been carved out and the new route was visible from U.S. 27.

“This is exciting to watch,” Alumni Director David Tromanhauser said standing at the construction site. “If I could, I think I’d spend all day down here; I’d really like to get on a dozer and help!”

While that hands-on effort may not be needed, officials with Dillard Construction Co., contractors for the project, said they hope to have the work completed within 60 days. When Phase I is completed, a new road will extend from U.S. 27 to just east (the campus side) of Richland Street. Work on the second phase is scheduled to begin after graduation in May.

The college is planning a campus-wide celebration for April 17, when ground is broken for the next phase of construction. Chapel will be held that Friday at the approximate location of the campus end of the drive, followed by a picnic lunch at the site.

“It has been such an encouragement to see alumni become excited about the entrance project and other elements of Vision 2020,” Mr. Tromanhauser said. “This truly has become a catalyst for alumni involvement. That enthusiasm, I believe, will help Bryan become all that God has in store for us.”

For regular updates on construction, visit the New Entrance Phase I Groundbreaking & Construction page of the Bryan web site.

Students assist Rhea Special Olympics

Special athletes were there to compete, and some two dozen Bryan students were on hand for Rhea County’s Special Athletic Games March 5, to help and to learn.

Micah Rheuling, director for the games and an adjunct instructor in Health and Exercise Science at Bryan, said he required his students to assist with the annual program for two reasons. “It’s great for our students from Bryan to see how a Special Olympics is run, but the most important thing is for them to see the effort special athletes give and the excitement they demonstrate for just finishing an event.”

About 100 special athletes participated in the Rhea County event, similar in structure to the national Special Olympics program, Mr. Rheuling said. Athletes ranged in age from preschool to adult, competing in the 50-yard dash, 100-yard dash, softball throw, standing long jump, assisted wheelchair race and unassisted wheelchair race.

Bryan students, including Hailey Swearingen, a junior exercise and health science major, helped by handing out programs, spotting, greeting and hugging. “It was so exciting to see how excited the participants were,” she said. “They would be jumping up and down when they were waiting to go, and then after they won, they would run around and cheer. They would cheer for each other and hug when they were done.”

While there were some emotional rewards for participating, there was work to do afterward, Mr. Rheuling said. “The Bryan students really seemed to enjoy it, but I assigned a two-page paper for them to write about their experience. I’m looking forward to seeing those after spring break.”

In the picture above, Josh Jones, background, watches as a special athlete celebrates after his event. Photo courtesy of the Herald-News.

Gerson featured at WJB Opportunity Program dinner

Michael Gerson, former speechwriter and assistant to President George W. Bush, will be the featured speaker for Bryan’s second William Jennings Bryan Opportunity Program dinner April 16.

Proceeds from the dinner support the William Jennings Bryan Opportunity Program, which provides financial aid to help deserving students from low-income families attend Bryan College. Some 30 students are enrolled at the college this year as a result of assistance through the program.

Steve Keck, director of advancement, said the dinner will be held at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo beginning at 6 p.m. College personnel are inviting interested persons to support the program and the dinner. For information or to register for the event,contact Steve Keck, director of development, by email or at 423-775-7581.

“We are particularly grateful for the response of trustees, alumni, and friends of the college who have agreed to underwrite the cost of the dinner or host tables,” Mr. Keck said. “We realize these are challenging economic times, and the willingness of individuals to help deserving young men and women attend Bryan College is especially gratifying.”

Mr. Gerson, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and columnist for The Washington Post, worked closely with President Bush to prepare speeches following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and the War on Terror. He is recognized as one of the key intellectual architects of the Bush presidency, particularly on issues of compassionate conservatism at home and the freedom agenda abroad.