FRANKLIN — Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, has issued a call for teams to respond to flooding in West Tennessee.

Jones said teams will be needed in Rives, located just below Union City.  

“We are going to need flood recovery teams, starting next week, and probably for three-to-four weeks after that to get homes cleaned up,” Jones said in an email released Thursday.

Jones noted that the DR teams will be setting up an Incident Command that will be housed at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Rives. [Read more…]

Jimmy Bledsoe, of the IMB, addresses attendees at Union University’s W.D. Powell Missions Lecture.

JACKSON — Jimmy Bledsoe emphasized the critical role of theological education in missions during his keynote address at Union University’s fifth annual W.D. Powell Missions Lecture on Jan. 30.

“The glory of God and the mission of God has to be our highest priority and our greatest occupation,” Bledsoe said. “Even if we are the senders and not necessarily the ones who are sent, we must still have a very high esteem for God’s mission. He is a missionary God.”

Bledsoe, of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, served with his wife Diana in East Africa for 13 years. He remains a member of the Kenya Theological Education Team as a theological education specialist. He is currently serving on a special assignment as seminary liaison at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Boyce College. [Read more…]

MORRISTOWN — In the wake of the floods that struck Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia, God’s Warehouse Ministries has mobilized a rapid response effort to deliver critical supplies to affected communities.

The multi-state flood hit on the weekend of Feb. 15, leaving at least 14 dead. This disaster not only comes after the region’s recent recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene but also amid severe winter weather conditions including snow and ice.

On Monday, Feb. 17, God’s Warehouse Ministries dispatched two truckloads of emergency supplies to Pikeville and Elkhorn City, Ky. According to Don Owen, director of the Nolachucky Baptist Association Disaster Relief and God’s Warehouse, the urgency of the situation became clear when the Pikeville response center reported that supplies were depleted within hours of delivery, with only a few cases of water remaining. [Read more…]

JACKSON — The Union University College of Pharmacy’s class of 2024 scored a 91.7 percent pass rate for first-time attempts on both the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination, giving Union the highest pass rate in Tennessee and 10th highest nationally on both exams.

It’s the fifth time in the last six years for Union to have the highest NAPLEX pass rate among Tennessee’s six pharmacy schools. The average pass rate in Tennessee was 77 percent in 2024, while the national average was 77.5 percent for all graduates from programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

Union was also the highest performing program among Christian universities nationally.

“The class of 2024 is a fine example of our desire to be excellence-driven in all things,” said Kim Jones, dean for Union’s College of Pharmacy. “Earning the highest NAPLEX and MPJE scores in the state of Tennessee and thereby securing a top 10 spot in the nation is no small feat.”

Jones said the Union scores affirm “that our students are educated by the finest faculty and clinical preceptors, professionals committed to developing compassionate pharmacists of distinctive character and committed to excellence.”

Union pharmacy students’ performance on the NAPLEX over the past decade ranks Union ninth nationally out of 139 programs.

JACKSON — Five members of the Cardinal & Cream staff earned recognition in the Southeast Journalism Conference’s annual Best of the South awards competition.

The Cardinal & Cream is Union University’s student publication, with daily news, sports, arts and entertainment and feature stories posted online at cardinalandcream.info A magazine issue is published once per semester.

Josiah Mancha won first place as best arts and entertainment writer, while Olivia Bell placed first as best opinion/editorial writer.

Abby Kraus finished second as best magazine designer. Amy DeGroot won third place as best sports writer. Faith Orr tied for fifth place as best artist/illustrator.

The Cardinal & Cream website placed fourth as best website.

“The SEJC membership seems to grow each year, with many large state schools competing for a few coveted awards,” said Ted Kluck, associate professor of communication arts and adviser for the Cardinal & Cream. “I’m so proud of how my students have excelled year after year against the best competition in the nation, and I’m especially proud of how they keep Christ pre-eminent and haven’t changed subject matter to appease cultural whims. Their continued success is a testament to their talent, and the joy we experience in our work.”

The awards were presented during the SEJC annual event held Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi.

The annual conference draws journalism students from 42 member colleges and universities in all states across the Southeast. These universities include both large state schools such as University of Memphis, Mississippi State, University of Alabama, University of Florida and University of Kentucky, as well as private institutions like Belmont University, Samford University and Harding University.

Assistant professor of exercise science Don Reagan talks with nursing professionals during a lab as part of Carson-Newman University’s MSN online program. Since January, Carson-Newman’s online Master of Science in Nursing program has been touted by both U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review.

JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is hailed by The Princeton Review as one of the best programs in the nation. The organization cites Carson-Newman’s program in its 2025 Best Online Nursing School Master’s Programs listing.

Carson-Newman’s MSN-FNP program is designed for nurses looking to advance their education and careers. Graduates are prepared with the skills necessary to be holistic and confident family nurse practitioners or advanced practice nurses. The online program allows students a flexible schedule that supports work-life balance. [Read more…]