Centennial Homecoming a Great Success!
Author: Ashley Westbrook
During the weekend of October 17-20, Emmanuel College alumni from across the United States made their way to Franklin Springs, GA to celebrate a important year in the College’s history...the Centennial!
The festivities began with the third annual, Sherman Smith Memorial Golf Tournament on Thursday. Sherm (’61) was a faithful supporter of Emmanuel College and served as the president of the Alumni Association for many years. Sherm’s daughter, Sebring was in attendance to greet the golfers and open the tournament.
On Friday, the day began with the 72nd Annual Vision 4 Education celebration. The ladies from the IPHC Women’s Ministries Department were welcomed to campus. They presented $48,926.25 to the college to provide financial support and student scholarships. That evening alumni had two tracks to choose from. Many of the alumni, current Emmanuel students and staff made their way to the Quad for the annual Dirty Pig Feast where they enjoyed a BBQ meal, fellowship, and fun. Former and current Emmanuel athletes gathered at the Shaw Athletic Center for an Athletic Honors social followed by a Hall of Fame Induction.
EC Women’s Basketball alumna, Michelle Bryant Gregoire was inducted to the Emmanuel College Hall of Fame. She played for the Lady Lions from '85- ‘87 where she averaged 22 points and 13 rebounds per game. Michelle helped the Lady Lions to a 59-4 record during her time at Emmanuel. She was selected MVP in both Regional Conference Tournaments in which she participated and was selected Conference Player of the Year. Michelle still holds the single game scoring record by scoring 44 points in a game her sophomore year. After finishing at Emmanuel, Michelle went onto play at Clemson University where she was a starter for the Tigers and was named to the All-ACC team in her senior year. Following the Hall of Fame Induction, many alumni remained to catch a glimpse of the Emmanuel Women’s and Men’s Basketball teams as they scrimmaged.
Also, on Friday, alumni and friends were treated to an evening in Paris at the EC Fine Arts Café. Guests enjoyed coffee, deserts, and entertainment from the Emmanuel Chorale, ACTs, and the Emmanuel Players. Later that evening, alumni took a stroll down memory lane with a Walk Down Spring Street, a series of stops where they encountered historical figures from our past.
On Saturday, graduates from the class of 1969 were honored and inducted into the Golden Grads. The newest Golden Grads enjoyed sharing stories of former teachers and of warm memories of their time at Emmanuel. They also contributed a class project of two beautiful lion statues at the entrance to the Shaw Athletic Center.
At the annual Alumni and Friends Luncheon and Awards Ceremony, two alumni were recognized for their dedication to the college.
Bishop Preston Mathena was named the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year for his service to Emmanuel. He is a 1980 graduate of the Emmanuel College School of Christian Ministries where he earned his bachelor’s degree in pastoral studies.
Bishop Mathena currently serves as the superintendent and presiding bishop of the Appalachian Conference of the IPHC. He has over 35 years of pastoral and ministry experience.
Bishop Mathena earned a master’s degree in Church Planting and Revitalization from Southwestern Christian University, Bethany, Oklahoma, where he received the 2000 Southwestern Graduate School Distinguished Leadership award.
He serves on the IPHC Council of Bishops. For the last nine years, he has been a member of the Emmanuel College Board of Trustees where he serves as a member of the Executive Committee and chair of the Board Development Committee.
Brian James, Vice President for Advancement, was awarded the inaugural Heart of the Lion Award.
After graduating from Emmanuel, Brian worked for the college for 14 years in admissions, development, and alumni relations. He then spent seven years as a commercial lender in the banking industry
Since his return to Emmanuel, Brian has helped the college build new residence halls and supervised the completion of the new $10 million Shaw Athletic Center project. He has spearheaded several campus beautification projects including the entry ways to the College.
Following the luncheon, the 2018 Miracle Memorial was dedicated to commemorate Emmanuel’s deliverance from debilitating debt in 2018. This beautiful stone garden adorns the southwest corner of the quad and reminds us daily that God is our deliverer.
That afternoon, we were joined by four biographers who shared their research and knowledge in a panel discussion about the history of the IPHC and Emmanuel College.
On Saturday evening, more than 700 guests thoroughly enjoyed a delicious dinner followed by a powerful program celebrating the centennial. A cast of alumni and students presented A Doorway in Time, a drama written by Buck Hodge (’69) and directed by faculty member Jennifer Benson. The Centennial Homecoming Choir Reunion, under the direction of Tres Ward and comprised of past and present Emmanuel Singers, provided inspiring music to complement the drama and reinforce that God is with us..
Sunday morning guests attended the Franklin Springs PHC to hear a message from IPHC General Superintendent, Presiding Bishop A.D. Beacham Jr., to commemorate the Centennial year!
Thank you to all who joined us in celebrating EC and the work God continues to do on our campus! Please mark your calendars for October 2nd-4th as we celebrate 101!
Author: Ashley Westbrook
During the weekend of October 17-20, Emmanuel College alumni from across the United States made their way to Franklin Springs, GA to celebrate a important year in the College’s history...the Centennial!
The festivities began with the third annual, Sherman Smith Memorial Golf Tournament on Thursday. Sherm (’61) was a faithful supporter of Emmanuel College and served as the president of the Alumni Association for many years. Sherm’s daughter, Sebring was in attendance to greet the golfers and open the tournament.
On Friday, the day began with the 72nd Annual Vision 4 Education celebration. The ladies from the IPHC Women’s Ministries Department were welcomed to campus. They presented $48,926.25 to the college to provide financial support and student scholarships. That evening alumni had two tracks to choose from. Many of the alumni, current Emmanuel students and staff made their way to the Quad for the annual Dirty Pig Feast where they enjoyed a BBQ meal, fellowship, and fun. Former and current Emmanuel athletes gathered at the Shaw Athletic Center for an Athletic Honors social followed by a Hall of Fame Induction.
EC Women’s Basketball alumna, Michelle Bryant Gregoire was inducted to the Emmanuel College Hall of Fame. She played for the Lady Lions from '85- ‘87 where she averaged 22 points and 13 rebounds per game. Michelle helped the Lady Lions to a 59-4 record during her time at Emmanuel. She was selected MVP in both Regional Conference Tournaments in which she participated and was selected Conference Player of the Year. Michelle still holds the single game scoring record by scoring 44 points in a game her sophomore year. After finishing at Emmanuel, Michelle went onto play at Clemson University where she was a starter for the Tigers and was named to the All-ACC team in her senior year. Following the Hall of Fame Induction, many alumni remained to catch a glimpse of the Emmanuel Women’s and Men’s Basketball teams as they scrimmaged.
Also, on Friday, alumni and friends were treated to an evening in Paris at the EC Fine Arts Café. Guests enjoyed coffee, deserts, and entertainment from the Emmanuel Chorale, ACTs, and the Emmanuel Players. Later that evening, alumni took a stroll down memory lane with a Walk Down Spring Street, a series of stops where they encountered historical figures from our past.
On Saturday, graduates from the class of 1969 were honored and inducted into the Golden Grads. The newest Golden Grads enjoyed sharing stories of former teachers and of warm memories of their time at Emmanuel. They also contributed a class project of two beautiful lion statues at the entrance to the Shaw Athletic Center.
At the annual Alumni and Friends Luncheon and Awards Ceremony, two alumni were recognized for their dedication to the college.
Bishop Preston Mathena was named the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year for his service to Emmanuel. He is a 1980 graduate of the Emmanuel College School of Christian Ministries where he earned his bachelor’s degree in pastoral studies.
Bishop Mathena currently serves as the superintendent and presiding bishop of the Appalachian Conference of the IPHC. He has over 35 years of pastoral and ministry experience.
Bishop Mathena earned a master’s degree in Church Planting and Revitalization from Southwestern Christian University, Bethany, Oklahoma, where he received the 2000 Southwestern Graduate School Distinguished Leadership award.
He serves on the IPHC Council of Bishops. For the last nine years, he has been a member of the Emmanuel College Board of Trustees where he serves as a member of the Executive Committee and chair of the Board Development Committee.
Brian James, Vice President for Advancement, was awarded the inaugural Heart of the Lion Award.
After graduating from Emmanuel, Brian worked for the college for 14 years in admissions, development, and alumni relations. He then spent seven years as a commercial lender in the banking industry
Since his return to Emmanuel, Brian has helped the college build new residence halls and supervised the completion of the new $10 million Shaw Athletic Center project. He has spearheaded several campus beautification projects including the entry ways to the College.
Following the luncheon, the 2018 Miracle Memorial was dedicated to commemorate Emmanuel’s deliverance from debilitating debt in 2018. This beautiful stone garden adorns the southwest corner of the quad and reminds us daily that God is our deliverer.
That afternoon, we were joined by four biographers who shared their research and knowledge in a panel discussion about the history of the IPHC and Emmanuel College.
On Saturday evening, more than 700 guests thoroughly enjoyed a delicious dinner followed by a powerful program celebrating the centennial. A cast of alumni and students presented A Doorway in Time, a drama written by Buck Hodge (’69) and directed by faculty member Jennifer Benson. The Centennial Homecoming Choir Reunion, under the direction of Tres Ward and comprised of past and present Emmanuel Singers, provided inspiring music to complement the drama and reinforce that God is with us..
Sunday morning guests attended the Franklin Springs PHC to hear a message from IPHC General Superintendent, Presiding Bishop A.D. Beacham Jr., to commemorate the Centennial year!
Thank you to all who joined us in celebrating EC and the work God continues to do on our campus! Please mark your calendars for October 2nd-4th as we celebrate 101!