by jowens | Jul 18, 2019
Pennsylvania State University Press’s Eisenbrauns imprint has published Welch College Provost Matthew McAffee’s book entitled, Life and Mortality in Ugaritic: A Lexical and Literary Study, according to Welch President Matt Pinson. Released in June, McAffee’s book represents a significant revision of his University of Chicago doctoral dissertation.
“We are so pleased to have this new book out from Dr. McAffee,” Pinson said. “He is distinguishing himself as the chief academic leader at Welch and also as Professor of Biblical Studies. He’s a tremendous communicator of biblical truth to all ages and to both general and scholarly audiences. I’m confident this will be the first of many books he will write that will defend the Bible and edify the Church in general and the Free Will Baptist Church in particular.”
The book provides a thorough study of the concepts of life and death in Ugaritic texts. The Ugaritic language is known from a cache of tablets discovered in 1928 in Ras Shamra on the Syrian coast. These texts are dated to the latter part of the second millennium B.C. and provide an important window into the Canaanite culture of the Old Testament world.
This study on life and death from this context provides important background for the beliefs exhibited in the Bible, demonstrating both similarity with and distinction from the biblical worldview. As McAffee explains, “It is clear the biblical authors were expressing these concepts within an ancient Near Eastern context, but they were doing so through the aid of divine revelation. In many instances, the biblical authors are challenging ideas that are found in these texts.”
McAffee is currently under contract for an intermediate textbook on Biblical Hebrew and is working on a book designed to introduce biblical studies to college students. He writes regularly for ONE Magazine. In addition to his most recent article published in Integrity: A Journal of Christian Thought, published by the Commission for Theological Integrity of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, he has authored a number of articles in publications such as Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, and Journal of the American Oriental Society.
McAffee is also a frequent preacher and conference speaker, preaching at churches and association meetings as well as teaching and lecturing on biblical and theological subjects. For more information on Welch College and its associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in theology and ministry, email jcockrell@welch.edu. For information about scheduling Dr. McAffee for a speaking engagement, email tcockrell@welch.edu.
by jowens | May 29, 2019
Welch College received notification that the Tennessee Department of Education’s Office of Educator Licensing and Preparation has approved Welch’s Special Education licensure program for Pre-K through 5th grade and as an additional endorsement for licensed teachers, according to Dr. Greg Ketteman, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Dean of Graduate Education at Welch.
“This represents a major expansion of teacher education offerings at both the graduate and undergraduate levels at Welch,” Ketteman said. “These new programs combine Welch’s commitment to quality and the desire to meet the needs of Christian schools and local public school systems.”
Welch will now offer special education degrees qualifying graduates to be licensed special education teachers. The licensure program is available to both undergraduate teacher education students and graduate students in the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program. The M.A.T. enrolled its first students in January of this year and anticipates its first master’s graduates in 2020.
The Special Education Track joins accredited M.A.T. tracks in Teaching and in Higher Education Pedagogy as a part of the 33-hour master’s program. Welch Teacher Education faculty are already seeking approval for newly developed M.A.T. tracks in English as a Second Language (ESL) and Instructional Leadership (IL) that will lead to licensure for classroom teachers and school leaders respectively. Enrollment in the M.A. (EL) track opens in the upcoming fall 2019 term followed by M.A. (IL) track enrollment soon thereafter.
Dr. Matthew McAffee, Provost at Welch College, said, “We are excited about this news from the Tennessee Department of Education. Adding special education to our degree programs at Welch, on both the undergraduate and graduate levels, continues our commitment to quality, affordable Christian education in a format easily accessible to full-time students and the working adult.”
For inquiries about enrollment or questions, contact Dr. Greg Ketteman at gketteman@welch.eduor Dr. Etta Patterson at epatterson@welch.edu. More information about the Master of Arts in Teaching is available at https://welch.eduma-teaching/
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TN Department of Education Approves Special Education at Welch College
by jowens | May 18, 2019
Welch College conferred degrees on 52 students in its second Commencement exercises on the new campus in Gallatin, TN, according to Provost Matthew McAffee. The Student Activities Center space was converted into a 700-plus seating auditorium for the Baccalaureate service on Thursday evening, May 9, and the Commencement ceremony on Friday morning, May 10. The college awarded degrees in multiple programs, including two-year associate’s degrees, four-year bachelor’s degrees, and the Master of Arts degree in Theology and Ministry. Fifty-two percent of the class graduated with honors.
Dr. Bruce Ashford, provost of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, delivered this year’s Commencement address. Ashford urged graduates not to withdraw from culture but to transform every square inch with the gospel of the kingdom of Christ. Dr. Mark Stripling, pastor of North Little Rock Free Will Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas, reminded the graduating class at Baccalaureate of God’s faithfulness, calling them to a life of thankfulness and service to Christ.
On Thursday afternoon, May 9, six graduate students received the M.A. in Theology and Ministry and participated in the hooding ceremony, held in the Presidents Dining Room of Celorio Hall. Dr. Jeffrey Cockrell, program coordinator of the M.A. in Theology and Ministry, reflected on their course of study throughout the program and the importance of scriptural exegesis and its faithful application to life and ministry in a secular age. A reception followed for graduates and their families.
President Matt Pinson recognized retiree Sandy Goodfellow on his retirement for thirty-nine years of faithful service as director of plant operations of Welch College. His work in this role was crucial to the successful relocation of the college to Gallatin from its West End campus. Martha Fletcher, executive assistant to the president, was honored for her ten years of distinguished service. Dr. Ron Callaway, Program Coordinator of Intercultural Studies, was named Academic Advisor of the Year for the second year in a row. President Pinson also honored Mr. John Carter by naming him Professor Emeritus of History. Mr. Carter recently retired from his decades of service as history program coordinator and is only the fourth retiree to receive this designation along with Mr. Leroy Forlines, Dr. Robert Picirilli, and Mr. Ralph Hampton (deceased).
The college congratulates the 2019 graduating class and commends them to the service of Christ’s kingdom.
Associate of Science Degrees
Kandace Joyce Ailworth
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Biology
Riley Malone Bell
Joelton, Tennessee
Biology
Alegna Leelaine Cochran
Cottontown, Tennessee
Business
Madelynn Grace Crawford†
Cave Springs, Arkansas
Biology
Victoria Jazmine Crook
Portland, Tennessee
Biology
Christy Lynn Harris
Greenville, North Carolina
Business
Anna Elizabeth Kear†
Mount Carmel, Tennessee
Early Childhood
Maggie Rae Parrish
Lake Butler, Florida
Biology
Meredith Ashley Parrish
Smithfield, North Carolina
Biology
Alexis Marie Saunders
Dover, Tennessee
Biology
Ashley Michelle Snipes
Jesup, Georgia
Biology
Christopher Devante Thompson
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Business
Associate of Arts Degrees
Daniel James DeCresie
Greenville, North Carolina
Kelsey Renée Horton†
Ashland City, Tennessee
Teaching
Victoria Elizabeth Thomsen†
Joelton, Tennessee
William Garry Walker†
Spruce Pine, Alabama
Savannah Grace Watts
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Bachelor of Science Degrees
Karlee Elizabeth Alberty*
Chouteau, Oklahoma
Exercise Science
Dalton Warren Alvis**†
Erie, Pennsylvania
General Christian Ministry
Caitlyn Rose Braxton
Greenville, North Carolina
Exercise Science
Adra McClellan Brown*
Nashville, Tennessee
Psychology
Erica Elizabeth Brown
Alma, Georgia
Psychology
Brenan Hardy Clyatt
Lake Butler, Florida
Pastoral Ministry
Haley Breanna Cole*
Killen, Alabama
Psychology
Michaela Lynn Cowart**
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Music Performance
Ashley Merritt Floyd
Turbeville, South Carolina
Psychology
Anna Grace Forlines
Hendersonville, Tennessee
General Christian Ministry
Baylea Renee Freeman***
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Psychology
Joshua Allen Hunter***
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Youth and Family Ministry
Brandon Scott Justice
Wellington, Kansas
Youth and Family Ministry
Dakota Kailyn Kron***
Knoxville, Tennessee
Early Childhood
Licensure PreK-3
Thomas Coveak Moody**
Nashville, Tennessee
General Christian Ministry
Hannah Caroline Morgan***
Cedar Hill, Tennessee
English
Licensure 6-12
Jonathon Gregory Reed
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Youth and Family Ministry
Elizabeth Kathryn Stevanus**
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5
Kimberly Mikayla Strickland
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5
Michael James Szabo†
Deerfield, Michigan
Business Administration
Erick Lee Werner
Norfolk, Virginia
Business Administration
Erick DeVaughn Wilson
Nashville, Tennessee
Business Administration
Joshua Randall Wright
McKinney, Texas
Business Administration
Bachelor of Arts Degrees
Jacob Alexander Austin**
Clarksville, Florida
English
Michaela Lynn Cowart**
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
English
Keren Delgado**
Russellville, Arkansas
Intercultural Studies
Corbin Garrett Madden
Crossville, Tennessee
Youth and Family Ministry
Emily Anne Petty
Beecher City, Illinois
Intercultural Studies
Ryan David Whiticker***
Westmoreland, Tennessee
History
Master of Arts Degrees
Joshua Ray Colson
Johnston City, Illinois
Theology and Ministry
Gregory Randall Fawbush
Greenbrier, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry
Matthew Douglas Honeycutt
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry
James Michael Keel
Dover, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry
Julie Marie Montero
Hialeah, Florida
Theology and Ministry
Cherish Christine Steigauf
Nashville, TN
Theology and Ministry
*** Summa Cum Laude – 3.75
** Magna Cum Laude – 3.50
* Cum Laude – 3.25
† Not Present
by jowens | May 14, 2019
Congressman Diane Black and Dr. David Black were presented the Strong and CourageousAward honoring their Christian faith and service in Sumner County, according to Dr. Charles Lea, Special Assistant to the President. The award was presented during the May 13 second annual Welch College Strong and Courageous Banquet, sponsored by Sumner Regional Medical Center and HighPoint Health System.
In introducing the award recipients, Lea noted the many accomplishments and Christian example of this special couple. Congressman Black has helped people through her service as a registered nurse, her instruction as an educator at Vol State Community College, and her work as a state representative, state senator, and member of the United States House of Representatives.
Dr. David Black, a nationally renowned toxicologist, is the founder of Aegis Science Corporation, which he led from its formation in 1990 until September 2016. Dr. Black is well known for his collection of Bibles and historical documents linking his love of country and the Christian faith.
Approximately 250 individuals attended the sold out community event on the Welch College campus. The evening began with a special rendition of the national anthem performed by State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver. Welch College ensemble Rejoice!provided music before Congressman John Rose presented a challenge and testimony.
The ancient leader of Israel, Joshua, portrayed by Greg Wilson, also made an appearing to share with the audience. Welch President Matt Pinson shared the college’s mission as a Christian community of faith and learning. Event patrons, along with event speakers, enjoyed an opening reception hosted by President and Mrs. Pinson in the Presidents Dining Room in Celorio Hall.
Although donations continue to be received, the Strong and Courageousevent has raised over $80,000 for student scholarships at Welch.
