The Association of Business Administrators of Christian Colleges (ABACC) recognized Welch College Vice President for Financial Affairs Craig Mahler as the 2018 H. G. Faulkner Distinguished Business Officer of the Year, according to President Matt Pinson. ABACC, a professional society of 183 Christian colleges in the United States and Canada, recognizes outstanding individuals in the field of Christian Higher Education business and financial management. Mahler was presented the award February 15 during ABACC’s annual conference in Orlando, Florida.
“It is clear from Craig’s staff’s nomination of him for this award that he goes above and beyond his job description to serve his institution and that his colleagues hold him in great respect,” said Bruce Hoeker, Executive Director of ABACC.
Mahler was named Vice President for Financial Affairs at Welch College in January 2012. He previously served six years as the college’s comptroller (2006-2012). Mahler oversees the Business Office, Financial Aid Office, and Plant Operations.
In addition to his duties as chief financial officer, Mahler has been an essential part of the campus relocation effort, serving on the Transition Planning Committee and Relocation Task Force. Mahler was crucial in executing the campus transition from Nashville to Gallatin, volunteering significant time after hours. The Welch Student Body recognized Mahler as the 2017 recipient of the Bert and Dianne Tippet Award in honor of his diligent work.
Pinson stated, “We could not have faced the challenges of relocation without Craig Mahler’s integrity, work ethic, and expertise. He is wholeheartedly committed to the ministry of Welch College, and we are so proud of him for receiving this singular honor.”
Mahler graduated with honors from Tennessee Technological University, receiving a B.S. in business administration in 2004, and he received his Master of Business Administration from Trevecca Nazarene University in 2016. Mahler spent several years in TTU’s Internal Audit Division while a student at the university and was involved in specialized management training at DeKalb Community Bank, now Wilson Bank & Trust, in Smithville, Tennessee.
Craig and his wife Sabrina have two daughters, Lily and Madeline. He and his family live in Carthage, TN.
GALLATIN, TN— On October 10, Reader’s Digest named Gallatin, Tennessee, “Nicest Place in America 2017,” according to President Matt Pinson.
Reader’s Digest launched the “Nicest Place in America” contest in April 2017 in partnership with the private social network, Nextdoor. Hundreds of communities were nominated, with only ten locations chosen for voting. These ten cities received almost 80,000 votes, with more than 30,000 cast for Gallatin.
Reader’s Digest cites Gallatin’s faith communities and racial unity as the main reasons for Gallatin’s “Nicest Place” title. This was specifically showcased in the city’s reaction to a tragic police shooting, when nearly 100 community members gathered for a prayer vigil.
Founded in 1802, Gallatin has been transformed from a farm community to a booming suburban city. Despite its fast growth, Gallatin continues to maintain the traditional hospitality of a southern town. “Gallatin’s southern charm is one of its remarkable traits,” Pinson said. “Its commitment to the well-being of its citizens, its friendliness to the Christian community, and its support of nonprofit charity and service work make it a great fit for Welch College.”
“There’s no doubt that the Welch campus community both contributes to and benefits from Gallatin’s positive reputation. With over 10,000 hours of annual community service, local church involvement, and student job placement, Welch College will continue to serve Christ, His Church, and His world in Gallatin.”
To read more about the “Nicest Place in America,” pick up the November issue of Reader’s Digest or visit www.rd.com/nicest.
Dr. James M. Stevens, chairman of the Music Department at Welch College, recently received the New Year’s Selling Contest Award at Sheet Music Plus for his bestselling Prelude to a Wedding book in the piano solo category. This collection contains 28 original songs drawn from his highly successful Relaxing and Romantic Piano books, Volumes I – IV.
Sheet Music Plus is the world’s largest sheet music dealer representing over one million print and digital titles and over one thousand music publishers. This is Stevens’s third award in the last year at Sheet Music Plus. He also won the Steinway Music Composition Contest in December 2015.
Stevens is one of the most prolific composers for Sheet Music Plus. He currently has more piano solo compositions published there than any living composer and is only surpassed in numbers by Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Chopin, and Liszt.
His The Sacred Flute book for solo flute and piano is currently the number-one bestselling flute solo book in both the print and digital categories. His compositions can be found at Sheet Music Plus under his publishing company, James M. Stevens Music ASCAP.
Dr. Stevens is a graduate of Samford University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and has a doctorate in Music Composition from the University of Kentucky. He is beginning his thirteenth year as the Music Department chairman at Welch College.
