On Thursday morning, Veteran's Day, November 11, 2010, I drove over to the campus of Southwestern Christian University from Holiday Inn Express, a mile or so west of the university. I was privileged to meet with the president, Dr. Ed Huckeby, and vice president for university advancement, Jonathan Chasteen. They are energetic, gracious, and intelligent men who are offering outstanding leadership to provide for the present and future growth of this great institution.
They took me on a tour of the camps. I rode with Jon Chasteen in a 4-wheeler while Dr. Ed Huckeby walked. I was pleased to see the beautification of the grounds with new sidewalks, sod grass, flowers, shrubbery, park benches, and parks. A new covered breeze-way has been constructed between the Roberson building and the building housing the Bell Cafeteria. This path is a short-cut to classrooms and the Minchew Auditorium.
The cafeteria has a new face lift with new ceiling tile and electric fans, and logos of the university on the walls. New booths that you will see in many restaurants are a welcomed addition and match the decor of the tables and chairs. It is apparent that attention is being given to the aesthetic beautification in every project.
The dormitory lobby has been beautified with new furniture, as well as the student center. The furniture in these two places, as well as in the lobby of the administrative offices, was donated by Bob Mills Furniture Company in Oklahoma City. We hope that more owners of companies will invest in our university from their profits.
Minchew Auditorium has been totally renovated. They have new cushioned chairs. The latest in television monitors with matching computers, and a new sound system is indicative of the technology being implemented in support of worship and concert experiences.
On Friday morning, November 12, I attended the chapel service in the Minchew Auditorium. There were approximately 300 students in attendance with 70 high school seniors present for the fall preview. The youth entered into the contemporary music. There were guitars, keyboards, drums, and singers to engage the students in worship. An atmosphere of celebration and freedom seemed to permeate the youth in their participation in singing. I sensed that the Holy Spirit was working in the hearts and minds of many of the students.
I set up a display table well in advance of the chapel service with literature about the Chaplain Candidate Programs for the Army, Navy and Air Force, with some give-a-ways. I was able to greet the students as they came into the chapel from the parking lot.
I had to leave before the chapel service was over. I went to the GMC offices to meet with a female senior from Oral Roberts University. She is scheduled to graduate from the undergraduate program in May of 2011. She has been accepted as a seminarian in the ORU School of Theology, and is making application to become a chaplain candidate in the Air Force. I took advantage of my trip to OKC to interview her. She brought a friend with her. Fortunately, she has a GPS and found our church headquarters, GMC, without any problem.
I am greatly impressed by the youth who are applying to become chaplains in the military.
[Editor's Note: I will report later on the Gospel Singing on Saturday morning, November 13, where some 150 people were in attendance, and the reception for Charlotte Iaquinta for her 27 years of dedicated service as a professor of psychology and counseling services. There was approximately 170 people who honored Charlotte Iaquinta.
You may contact me by sending an e-mail to hugh@hughsnews.com or call me at 770-725-1757.]
Posted on
Wed, November 17, 2010
by Hugh Morgan