by jowens | Jun 25, 2013
June 23, 2013. Head Coach Larry Bryan recently signed Ashton Johnson to a letter of intent to continue her basketball career at Welch College. The 5’8” guard/forward was a standout for Coach Mike Fike at Bying High School in Ada, Oklahoma. She averaged 13.3 points per game while shooting 53.4% from the field and averaged 3.76 rebounds per game during her senior year. Johnson will be majoring in Biology.
“Ashton has played against some pretty strong competition and is a very talented player,” said Coach Bryan. “But, what I really like about her is that she is a gym rat who loves to play the game of basketball. She is a great addition to our program and the type of player we need to move to the next level. She had several opportunities to play at other schools so we feel extremely blessed to get her.”
Pictured with Ashton are her parents, Drew and Tammy Johnson. The back row includes Welch College alum Jennifer Altom, her husband, Derek; and Lady Pirate coach Mike Fike.
by jowens | May 20, 2013
For Immediate Release
May 20, 2013
Welch President Writes Article on Carl Henry for Gospel Coalition
NASHVILLE, TN—On May 15, the Gospel Coalition published an article by Welch College President Matt Pinson entitled “Carl Henry: Not Just for Calvinists.” The article mentions longtime Free Will Baptist theologian and Welch College professor Leroy Forlines. “They wanted me to write an article on Carl F. H. Henry’s legacy for evangelical Christianity,” Pinson said. “But they wanted me to write it specifically from the vantage point of a conservative evangelical Arminian for their readers, of whom I assume most are Calvinists.”
The article can be found at: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2013/05/15/carl-henry-not-just-for-calvinists/
The article begins by saying, “I learned about Carl F. H. Henry at the feet of my mentor Leroy Forlines,” and goes on to say, “It was from my Arminian professor that I learned to love Henry, and that should be no surprise.”
The article follows on the heels of the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Henry, founding editor of Christianity Today magazine and professor at numerous evangelical seminaries, whom Christianity Today senior editor Timothy George recently described as the man who “invented” twentieth-century American evangelicalism. In the article, Pinson interacts with Union University Professor Greg Thornbury’s new book Recovering Classic Evangelicalism: Applying the Wisdom and Vision of Carl F. H. Henry.
“I’m encouraging our young ministers at Welch College, who are increasingly concerned about the relationship of doctrine and cultural engagement, to read this book by Thornbury,” Pinson said. “Behind the evangelical headlines, there’s a mighty moving of the Holy Spirit, in our denomination and elsewhere, toward the recovery of classic evangelical Christian teaching and practice, and bringing about renewal by retrieving the riches of our heritage. Understanding the legacy of Carl Henry can aid in that.”
by jowens | May 15, 2013
For Immediate Release
May 15, 2013
Welch College Graduates 37 in First Commencement Exercises Under New Name
NASHVILLE, TN—Welch College conferred degrees on 37 students from 14 states in commencement exercises at Memorial Auditorium on Friday, May 10, according to President Matt Pinson. Students completed degrees in multiple programs ranging from two-year associate’s degrees to four-year bachelor’s degrees. Forty percent of the class graduated with honors.
Dr. Timothy George, founding dean of Beeson Divinity School, delivered the commencement address, highlighting the importance of theHeritage, Message, and Mission of the graduating class as they go forward to minister in the Ecotone that is the post-modern world. George has served churches in four states and has written over 20 books. He is also senior editor at Christianity Today magazine.
Michigan pastor Rick Locklear presented Thursday evening’s baccalaureate message from 2 Timothy 2 encouraging graduates to take seriously their call to leadership and serve the Lord diligently and with excellence. Locklear, a 1980 Welch College graduate, has been involved in the work of Woodhaven Free Will Baptist Church in Woodhaven, Michigan for over 28 years and serves as a member of the board of directors of the Free Will Baptist Foundation.
Dr. James Stevens, program coordinator for the Music Department, was named Academic Advisor of the Year. President Matt Pinson presented plaques to Business Program Coordinator Dr. Rebecca Deel and Librarian Carol Reid for 25 years of faithful service to the Lord through the ministry of Welch College.
The college commends to you and to the work of the Lord the members of the 2013 graduating class.
2013 Graduates with Majors and Honors
Welch College
Associate of Science Degrees
Pamela Lynn Ham
Franklin, TN
Biology
Carol Spruill Holland
Waipahu, HI
Business
Russell Douglas Houske
Dover, TN
Ministry
Julie Marie Montero
Miami, FL
Biology
John Leonard Shamblin
Iuka, MS
Ministry
Wayne Thomas Smith †
Pamplico, SC
Ministry
Jesse Robert Timmons †
Florence, SC
Ministry
Gregory Allen Whitehead
Hampton, TN
Ministry
Christian Tyler Wilson †
Pleasant View, TN
Biology
Associate of Arts Degrees
Haylee Lanise Hubbard
Hot Springs, AR
Rebecca Jolene James†
Manor, GA
Bachelor of Science Degrees
Jacob Logan Culwell*
Springfield, TN
Business Administration
Amber Michelle Freeman
Glenwood, AR
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6
Nicholas Edward Hampton*
Pleasant View, TN
Psychology
Kelly Lynn Hicks
Taft, TN
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6
Rachel Ann Jackson**
Newport, TN
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6
Nicholas Blake Jordan
Iuka, MS
Youth Ministry
Stephan Alexander Knox
Ashland City, TN
Psychology
Matthew Jordan Looney***
Smithville, TN
General Christian Ministries
Catherine Lynn Pointer***
Russellville, AR
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6
Christen Paige Pointer***
Russellville, AR
Physical Education
Licensure K-6
Leigha Ruth Ramos*
Ashland City, TN
Early Childhood Education
Licensure PreK-3
Michael Anthony Shearon
Joelton, TN
Youth Ministry
Brittani Chari Sims**
Brighton, MI
Business Administration
Allison Leigh Wilkerson
Coker, AL
Psychology
Bachelor of Arts Degrees
Aaron Lee Pierce***
Tupelo, MS
Pastoral Ministry
Steven Christopher Reeder**
Doe Run, MO
Missions
Bethany Dawn Shope
Knoxville, TN
Missions
Gregory Mitchell Smith
Tawas City, MI
Pastoral Ministry
Robin-Lynn Marie Snow**
Tecumseh, MI
Missions
Kacy Rachel Stone
Morehead, KY
Missions
Montgomery Frank Thornsbury
Paintsville, KY
History
Bachelor of Music Education
Degrees
Brittany April Brown*
Woodbridge, VA
Licensure K-12
Kristina Nichole Clem**
Decatur, IL
Licensure K-12
Christian Elizabeth Cyrus**
Ashland, KY
Licensure K-12
Kayla Lynn Gaddis
Marion, NC
Licensure K-12
Rebekah Ayers Talbot***
Tuscaloosa, AL
Licensure K-12
*** Summa Cum Laude
** Magna Cum Laude
* Cum Laude
† Not Present
by jowens | May 7, 2013
NASHVILLE, TN—Pandora Internet Radio, the largest Internet radio service with over 150 million users, has accepted Dr. James M. Stevens’ piano CD, “Romanza of the Heart,” for inclusion in its song collection.
According to Dr. Stevens, “Romanza of the Heart” is a collection of 26 original songs for piano written in a relaxing and contemplative style. His CD is available at Amazon.com and iTunes. A PDF version of his piano book is also available for download on his website atjamesmstevens.com
Dr. Stevens said, “I was very surprised and excited when I received the letter from Pandora Radio. I hope that any notice this receives will bring favorable attention to the excellent program we have at Welch College.”
James Stevens is the Music Department Chair at Welch College. He is a published composer of over 200 songs with many publishing companies and is a frequent recipient of ASCAP’s Standard Award for Composition. He has been a faculty member at Welch College since 2004.
by jowens | Apr 30, 2013
Coach Larry Bryan has signed his first recruit of the 2013-14 season to a letter of intent. Tabitha Frady, a 5’8” guard/forward from Pikeville, Tennessee where she played her high school basketball at TN Christian Preparatory School in Cleveland.
Frady has some impressive numbers as she averaged 14.3 points per game while shooting 58% from the field. She also averaged 4.7 rebounds, 3.0 steals, and 2.1 assists per game and has the ability to shoot long range, making 80 three-pointers her senior year. Over her high school career, she made four all-tournament teams and received both the Leadership Award and Best Defensive Award.
“I think Tabitha will help us at the wing position,” said Flames’ coach Larry Bryan. “She has a lot of playing experience which should help her transition to the college game. I think she has a toughness about her as well. She will be a great addition to our program.”
Frady is the daughter of Anthony and Tina Frady and attends Calvary Free Will Baptist Church.
