Carson-Newman University Archives

DOCUMENTARY SHOWS ETERNAL IMPACT OF FORMER C-N COACH

January 26, 2022

By Scott Barkley
Baptist Press

Ken Sparks, who coached the Carson-Newman football team for 37 years and led the Eagles to five national championships, is the focus of a new documentary. Sparks, who compiled 338 career wins, died in 2017.

JEFFERSON CITY — For 40 years, Ken Sparks coached and led thousands of young men on football fields in East Tennessee. Over that time his impact led to wins and championships, but also innumerable lives changed for the gospel through the man referred to as “the Billy Graham of coaches.”

“Sparks — The Ken Sparks Story” continues in theaters a week after its debut, telling of the longtime Carson-Newman University coach who died in 2017. For 37 years, Sparks led the Eagles to five national championships and a 338-99-2 record, retiring fifth in all-time NCAA wins. In that time, he was also highly involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and an active member of Manley Baptist Church in Morristown.

Carson-Newman is a private Baptist university in Jefferson City and affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. [Read more…]

C-N HONORS LONG HOLLOW PASTOR WITH FIRST KEN SPARKS AWARD

December 8, 2021

Carson-Newman news office

Jonathan Akin, left, of Carson-Newman University, presents Robby Gallaty, pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church, Hendersonville, with the university’s inaugural Ken Sparks Award. Along with a certificate, Gallaty was given an Eagles football helmet in honor of C-N’s legendary coach whose name the award bears.

BRENTWOOD — Carson-Newman University presented Robby Gallaty, senior pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, with the inaugural Ken Sparks Award during its Alumni and Friends Dinner Nov. 16 at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood.

“It is such a pleasure to honor Dr. Gallaty with this award,” said Carson-Newman President Charles A. Fowler. “His commitment to ‘making disciples who make disciples’ is having a tremendous impact for the kingdom.

His journey and his passion of serving the Lord are truly inspiring. Ken Sparks’ legacy prioritizes evangelism, discipleship, and Christ-centered excellence. Gallaty certainly embodies all of those.” [Read more…]

FOWLER: THERE’S A GOOD PLAN IN PLACE

December 7, 2021

By David Dawson
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

Local police and firefighters responded to a fire at the Pederson Nursing Building on Friday morning, Nov, 26. Classes were not being held and no injuries occurred. — Carson-Newman University photo

JEFFERSON CITY — Leaders at Carson-Newman University are continuing to navigate through the recovery and assessment phases in the wake of a fire that damaged the school’s Pedersen Nursing Building on Nov. 26. (Story HERE).

“We are in the process of finalizing our plans for the (upcoming) semester so that our nursing students will have a consistent place where we can teach well and for them to have a home elsewhere on campus,” said Carson-Newman president Charles Fowler during a phone interview with the Baptist and Reflector on Dec. 1. “I think we have a good plan in place, and we are continuing to work out all the details.”

The fire occurred in the early morning hours of Nov. 26. Carson-Newman faculty and students were on Thanksgiving break at the time of the fire, and the building was empty. No injuries were reported. [Read more…]

FIRE DAMAGES NURSING BUILDING AT C-N

November 26, 2021

Baptist and Reflector

Local police and firefighters responded to a fire at the Pederson Nursing Building on Friday morning, Nov. 26. Classes were not being held and no injuries occurred. — Carson-Newman University photo

JEFFERSON CITY — An early morning fire on Friday, Nov. 26, damaged the Pedersen Nursing Building at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City.

According to a university spokesman, there were no classes due to the Thanksgiving break. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, he added.

The university released the following statement:

“A call was reported at 7:43 a.m. concerning a fire at Carson-Newman University’s Pedersen Nursing Building. There are no injuries. The fire is contained and the damage is being assessed. [Read more…]

C-N AMPHITHEATER HONORS O’BRIENS

November 15, 2021

Carson-Newman news office

Carson-Newman University celebrated the opening of the new Randall and Kay O’Brien Amphitheater on Oct. 30. Participating in the ceremony were current president Charles Fowler and his wife, Sandra, left, and Randall and Kay O’Brien.

JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University held a ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 30 for the Randall and Kay O’Brien Amphitheater.

The amphitheater honors former university president Randall O’Brien and his wife, Kay.

“Having the opportunity to honor Dr. Randall and Kay O’Brien is truly special,” said C-N president Charles Fowler. “We are thankful for them and have been blessed by their leadership and love for this university. I also recognize that it is upon Dr. O’Brien’s shoulders that I stand.

“He fulfilled the desire of every effective president. He left the university stronger than he found it. I pray I do the same.” [Read more…]

CARSON-NEWMAN FOOTBALL TEAM GAINS ‘TRUE’ VICTORIES

October 26, 2021

Eleven players baptized in Mossy Creek after recent professions of faith

Carson-Newman news office

Alan Duncan (left) and Marty Blakely baptize Carson-Newman football player Levi Myers in Mossy Creek as members of the football team watch from the creek bank. Meyers was one of 11 players who were baptized. — Photo by Charles Key

JEFFERSON CITY — Mossy Creek has held a special place in the hearts of Carson-Newman University students and alumni for generations. On Sept. 29, the creek became the scene of a life-changing event for 11 members of the Eagles football team.

Following afternoon practice, the 11 teammates walked from the University’s Burke-Tarr Stadium down the hill to the banks of the creek. They were accompanied by fellow players, coaches, administrators and staff, all gathering to witness and celebrate the athletes’ shared decision to make public professions of faith after accepting Christ. Historic Mossy Creek provided the appropriate backdrop.

Helping officiate the event were Marty Blakely, director of Lakeway’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Alan Duncan, who serves on staff at Morristown’s Manley Baptist Church. Over the last four years, the duo has baptized over 50 C-N players. Blakely noted that prior to his participation, Dr. Dean Haun, pastor of Morristown’s First Baptist Church, had helped with the team’s baptisms. [Read more…]

C-N DAY OF SERVICE ENABLES STUDENTS TO MINISTER IN JEFFERSON CITY AREA

October 22, 2021

Baptist Press

More than 500 members of the Carson-Newman University community banded together to take part in outreach projects across Jefferson, Hamblen, Blount, Grainger and Knox counties as part of the Operation Inasmuch day of service.

JEFFERSON CITY — More than 500 Carson-Newman University students, faculty and staff showed love and support for their community by participating in outreach projects across five counties during the annual Operation Inasmuch day of service.

Forty-three teams were sent to service sites Sept. 29 across Jefferson, Hamblen, Blount, Grainger and Knox counties. The projects included cleaning and organizing donation warehouses, collecting food donations, packing shelf-stable meals for food pantries, teaching lessons to elementary-aged students and cleaning homeless shelters among others.

More than 50 C-N student leaders from programs and organizations led teams and worked during the event.

In 2006, Carson-Newman was the first college or university to implement OI. Founded by former East Tennessee Baptist pastor David Crocker, OI has since been adopted by organizations across the country. [Read more…]

CARSON-NEWMAN FRESHMEN EXPERIENCE ANNUAL PRAYERWALK

September 1, 2021

Carson-Newman president Charles Fowler and his wife Sandra led incoming freshmen and their families in the University’s annual PrayerWalk on campus. During the event, members of C-N’s faculty, staff and orientation leaders line Russell Avenue in prayer as families walk from First Baptist Church Jefferson City to the Henderson Humanities Building on campus.

CARSON-NEWMAN ANNOUNCES AKIN FOR NEW POSITION OF VICE PRESIDENT FOR CHURCH RELATIONS AND CAMPUS MINISTRIES

July 14, 2021

Carson-Newman news office

Jonathan Akin has been named Carson-Newman’s new vice president for Church Relations and Campus Ministries.

JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University president Charles A. Fowler announced the hiring of Dr. Jonathan Akin as the institution’s new vice president for Church Relations and Campus Ministries.

Akin currently serves as the director of Leadership Development for the North American Mission Board. He also leads NAMB’s Timothy+Barnabas Institute, which has become one of the most effective equipping and mentoring ministries for young pastors.

In addition, Akin serves as the interim pastor at First Baptist Church, Naples, Fla. He will continue in this role until the church secures a pastor.

“Since I arrived in Jefferson City, I have been searching for a vice president for Church Relations and Campus Ministries,” said Fowler. “This position is such a critical role at Carson-Newman.”

Fowler explained that he had taken his time in filling the role to ensure the right person was found for the created position. “My desire for the person filling this role was for them to have a PhD and have enough scholarly work to be viewed as a colleague among our faculty,” said Fowler. “I wanted them to have served as a senior pastor so that area pastors would view them as a pastor and friend. I also wanted someone nationally recognized so their association would open doors with churches and attract students.” [Read more…]

C-N ANTICIPATES IN-PERSON CLASSES FOR FALL

June 16, 2021

Carson-Newman News Office

JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University announced plans to continue with in-person classes and increased student activities in the fall semester.

Understanding students’ need for fellowship and togetherness, C-N found alternative ways during this school year to meet in-person and online for classes, campus events, chapel and athletic events.

This fall, the University plans to return to the traditional college experience. [Read more…]

Eleven players baptized in Mossy Creek after recent professions of faith

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