Winter 2010 - Carson-Newman College

L to R: Randall and Kay,Kay’s parents Nell and EdgarDonahoe, daughter Elise and husbandNathan Syer, Randall’s sister SueWimberly, son Chris, mother IreneO’Brien, Randall’s sister Faye LePre.believed God and obeyed, with the might andmeekness of Moses…,” intoned the TruettTheological Seminary professor, going onto note several Biblical figures and howthe Lord worked in their lives. Ultimately,he asked that his friend would be blessed“with the mind of Christ, who came not tobe served but to serve, who emptied himselfand took the form of a servant… May thismind of Christ govern his every thought, hisevery word and his every action.”In keeping with the event’s “Future ofthe Past: Celebrating Our Heritage andHope” theme, O’Brien quickly reviewedthe institution’s 1851 founding by EastTennessee Baptists, its location on the banksof Mossy Creek, name changes and its moveto coeducation in 1889, when Carson andNewman Colleges became one.In his remarks (the full text of which canbe found in this issue), he called C-N “a starwithin a breathtaking galaxy,” citing it as oneof a host of colleges established before 1865that “came forth from church organizationsor devout Christians with intentionalChristian ends in mind.” His list includedHarvard, William & Mary, Yale, Princeton,Columbia, and Dartmouth, as well as Brownand the University of Chicago, both of whichwere founded by Baptists. He then noted thata sea change occurred in Christian highereducation in the previous century as manyschools slipped their foundational mooringsand drifted toward a worldlier course.He maintained that the role of Carson-Newman is therefore clear, saying, “I wouldlike to join the caravan of sages through theages, including the company of evangelicalconfessing scholars today, who hold to theunity of truth, and to the belief that faith andlearning, not faith OR learning, is the bestway to attain true erudition.”The day concluded with a reception in theMaddox Student Activity Center. As guestsenjoyed refreshments, punch and coffee, aline formed and ran much of the length of thethree-court intramural gym. It ended withthe first couple greeting friends new and old.The scene was fitting to both Dr. EricHolleyman, a friend since 1974, and C-N’sDean of the School of Education Dr. SharonTeets, who has worked with the presidentsince his July 2008 appointment.“In my opinion, what Carson-Newmangives them is the best venue I’ve ever seenfor them to truly share a ministry,” saidHolleyman, a Baylor professor who firstmet O’Brien at Mississippi College in 1974and watched him court and marry Kay. “Ibet there are more things that they work ontogether here than in any other place they’vebeen.”“I am very happy that Dr. O’Brien joinedus,” enthused Dr. Sharon Teets, one ofthose who had moved through the line tocongratulate the couple. “I find him to beencouraging, inspirational, and honest.”Teets said she found the theme of theinauguration to be consistent with theimpending All Saints Day on November 1.“Hebrews, Chapter 12, comes to mind,” shenoted, quoting, “‘Since we are surroundedby such a great cloud of witnesses, let usthrow off everything that hinders and the sinthat so easily entangles, and let us run withperseverance the race marked out for us.’Added Teets, “We understand that it is arace for us and I look forward to runningalongside him every step of the way.” nTo find out how to receive acommemorative inauguration DVDgo to www.cn.edu/dvd.Dr. J. RandallO’Brien FirstGenerationScholarship FundAt the conclusion of the inauguralceremony, and to the surprise ofDr. O’Brien, Board of TrusteesChair Dr. Marvin Cameron,revealed the establishment of ascholarship in honor of the newlyinstalled president: The Dr. J.Randall O’Brien First GenerationScholarship Fund.The scholarship is designed toassist students who, like theO’Briens, seek to be the first intheir families to earn a collegedegree. The goal is to raise enoughto permanently endow the fund,making it an enduring financialbridge between aspirations andreality for first generation students.If you would like more informationor to contribute to the scholarship,contact the Advancement Officeat 865-471-3459, or make checkspayable to: Carson-NewmanCollege. Please note your gift is forthe OFGS Fund.Mail to:Carson-Newman CollegeAdvancement OfficeC-N Box 72017Jefferson City, TN 3776012 JOURNEY winter 2010