By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

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News outlets reported July 23 that Union University had rescinded an admissions offer to a graduate level nursing student after learning of the student’s sexual orientation.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

By Sarah Goff
Union University news office

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…]

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The Jackson Sun and other media outlets reported July 23 that Union had rescinded an admissions offer to a graduate-level nursing student after learning of the student’s sexual orientation.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nursing program on July 27 but received a letter nine days prior to the start of classes that his enrollment had been rescinded, the paper reported.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…]

By Sarah Goff
Union University news office

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…]

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…]