Union University Archives - Baptist & Reflector

STANDING FOR GOD’S TRUTH CAN’T BE AN OPTION

August 5, 2020

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

In today’s world, anyone who stands boldly on the Word of God will be ridiculed and criticized.

Yet, it’s really not an option to not stand firmly on God’s Word. As Christians, we really don’t have a choice if we have truly given our lives over to God.

Acts 16:13 (HCSB) reminds us, “Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave and strong.”

James 4:17 (HCSB) says the same thing, but even stronger, “So, for the person who knows to do good and doesn’t do it, it’s a sin.” [Read more…]

MILAN PASTOR LAUNCHES EFFORT TO SUPPORT OLIVER, UNION

July 29, 2020

By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Union University president “Dub” Oliver.

MILAN — A West Tennessee pastor has launched an effort to show support of Union University and its president, Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver, in the wake of the university’s recent stand for Christian values.

News outlets reported July 23 that Union University had rescinded an admissions offer to a graduate level nursing student after learning of the student’s sexual orientation.

The student went public on social media outlets which led to a flurry of both negative and positive comments about Union University. [Read more…]

TOGETHER SINCE FIRST GRADE, TRIO WILL ATTEND UNION THIS FALL

July 29, 2020

By Sarah Goff
Union University news office

Friends Kaitlyn Waites, Leah Crews and Sarah Middlebrook from Union City, Tennessee, attended New Student Orientation together June 4-5. — Photo by Kristi Woody

JACKSON — Friends Kaitlyn Waites, Leah Crews and Sarah Middlebrook have always been in each other’s lives.

They grew up in the same church, attended the same elementary, middle and high school, and this fall, all three will room together as freshmen at Union University.

These three incoming freshmen are from Union City and attend Second Baptist Church. They graduated from Obion County Central High School at the end of May.

“We’ve always been friends through church and everything,” Waites said. “We did Bible drills together and children’s choir and we’re in the same youth group, and just everything — we’ve just done everything together.” [Read more…]

UNION HOLDS FIRM TO UNIVERSITY STANDARDS AND VALUES

July 23, 2020

Baptist and Reflector

JACKSON — Union University, a Christian educational institution affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, is receiving both criticism and support for holding true to its Christian convictions and values.

The Jackson Sun and other media outlets reported July 23 that Union had rescinded an admissions offer to a graduate-level nursing student after learning of the student’s sexual orientation.

Alex Duron told the Jackson paper he was to begin the three-year nursing program on July 27 but received a letter nine days prior to the start of classes that his enrollment had been rescinded, the paper reported. [Read more…]

VIRTUAL GO TRIP HELPS PROMOTE PRAYER APP FOR MISSIONS

July 17, 2020

By Sarah Goff
Union University news office

Despite the fact that Union University’s GO Trip travel was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one GO Trip team participated in a missions project via Zoom in late May.

JACKSON — Though Union’s Global Opportunities Trips this spring were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one team was able to conduct its trip to Southeast Asia “virtually” May 25-29.

The original plan was for the GO Trip team to travel to Southeast Asia May 18-29 to work alongside an International Mission Board media team to provide media products and creative strategy. This was the first time the office of university ministries offered a trip specifically for marketing, communication and digital media majors, said Song Kim, graphic design specialist at Union.

Kim was the GO Trip leader for a team of four Union students and one alumnus: Jenna Mincy, sophomore graphic design major; Callie Teague, junior public relations major; Callie Wright, senior social work major; Keely Vaughn, sophomore public relations major; and Ally Drotar (’19), a freelance graphic and web designer. [Read more…]

UNION PROFESSOR MAKES PRAYER FOR STUDENTS A PRIORITY

June 15, 2020

By Tim Ellsworth
Union University news office

JACKSON — A three-ring binder sits on the corner of Steve Halla’s office desk at Union University.

That binder contains prayer requests that he has collected from his students. Every morning when he arrives at the office, Halla sits at his desk and opens the binder. Whichever student is on top becomes Halla’s prayer focus for the day.

“One of the great joys and blessings of teaching at a Christian university is that the students and faculty have a shared faith in common,” says Halla, associate professor of art.

“While there is that student/teacher relationship, there’s also the reality that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. So, one of the greatest things I could ever do for a brother or sister in Christ is to lift them up in prayer before the Lord.” [Read more…]

UNION TO RESUME IN-PERSON CLASSES FOR FALL SEMESTER

May 29, 2020

Union University news office

JACKSON — Classes for the fall semester at Union University will meet on campus and in-person, with the university taking necessary safety precautions to protect students, faculty and staff from COVID-19.

“We’re excited to welcome new and returning students back to campus in the fall,” Union president Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver said. “Our students thrive in the Christ-centered community they find at Union, and we’re looking forward to seeing that community re-established as we continue to provide students with an excellent education.” [Read more…]

OLIVER SENDS PERSONALIZED VIDEO TO ALL 595 UNION GRADUATES

May 19, 2020

Union University news office

Union University president “Dub” Oliver recorded videos for each of Union’s graduates.

JACKSON — Spring graduates from Union University received a special message on Saturday on what was supposed to be their graduation day – a personalized video greeting from Union President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver.

Oliver recorded videos, typically between one and two minutes in length, for each of Union’s 595 graduates. The videos were sent to each student by email and text message May 16, the day Union’s spring commencement ceremonies were originally scheduled. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, commencement has been rescheduled for June 20. [Read more…]

UNION UNIVERSITY SPRING COMMENCEMENT SET FOR JUNE 20

May 15, 2020

Union University news office

JACKSON — Union University’s spring commencement ceremonies, originally scheduled for May 16, will be held June 20 on the university’s Great Lawn.

To comply with social distancing guidelines, the university will hold three separate ceremonies that day – at 10 a.m. for students receiving graduate degrees, at 2 p.m. for non-traditional undergraduate students and at 6 p.m. for traditional undergraduate students.

Union University President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver said each graduate will likely be limited to six guests, but that decision will come after determining how many students plan to return for the festivities. [Read more…]

UNION DONATES SUPPLIES TO ASSIST IN COVID-19 EFFORTS

March 31, 2020

Union University news office

Union University

JACKSON, Tenn. — Union University is doing its part to assist health care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic by donating N95 face masks and medical supplies and by 3D printing components of face shields that help reduce risk of exposure.

Kelly Harden, dean of Union’s College of Nursing, said the university had donated more than 800 N95 masks and that all three campuses – Jackson, Germantown and Hendersonville – were involved.

“We’re health care providers,” Harden said. “We want our colleagues to be protected. We’re doing what we can do to help.”

The donation followed Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s executive order asking for donations of medical supplies, Harden said. Paul Mayer, Union’s director of health services, also contributed N95 masks. [Read more…]

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