Centennial Seminars

An exceptional line-up of Centennial Seminar presenters will be joining us for our Centennial Celebration this year. Centennial Seminars will take place at 9am on Friday, November 2nd.

Speaker Seminar Bio
Dr. Kelly Arnold
Medical Director of Clinica Medicos
What is Clinica Medicos?
This seminar will introduce the mission and services of Clinica Medicos, a private family medicine practice, established in 2015 to provide full-spectrum care for the underserved and uninsured Latino population in Chattanooga. 

Location: SON 200

Kelly Rodney Arnold, MD, was born in Los Angeles, California, where she was introduced to Latino culture. Dr. Arnold pursued a Spanish major through study and travel and received her medical degree at UTHSC Memphis. Her collective experiences inspired Clinica Medicos for the Latino community of Chattanooga. She serves as Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at UT COM/Erlanger, where she practices Family Medicine/Obstetrics, and provides educational resources for physicians inclined to care for underserved, uninsured populations.
Randall Brandt
Attorney, Mediator, Consultant
What does the Sermon on the Mount have to do with Washington DC?
Randy will share from his experience   working for both the legislative and executive branches of the federal government over the last three decades.  His work as a legislative assistant, Senate committee attorney, and State Department official has given him unique experiences to work out his own faith and his belief in both mediation and reconciliation. 

Location: EDU 105

In 2017 and 2018 Randall served as a representative, advocate, and spokesperson for college professor, Tony Kim’s family. Tony was one of 3 Americans detained in North Korea for more than a year. He worked closely with Tony’s eldest son, Sol Kim, advocating together for the release of all three Americans through private and public advocacy and a social media #USA3 and traditional media campaign. All three Americans were released on May 9, 2018. Randall also served as a Senior Advisor to the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the U.S. State Department from 2007 to 2009. He was a Senate leadership staffer serving as Deputy Staff Director and Counsel for the U.S. Senate Republican Conference in 2005 and 2006. He has worked as a Counsel and Legislative Assistant in the congressional offices of Sen. Rick Santorum, Rep. Phil English and Rep. Mark Souder. He served as an Adjunct Instructor in Public Policy for the American Studies Program of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities and as the Policy Director for Rick Santorum’s presidential campaign, where he provided strategic advice on policy and political matters as part of the senior leadership team. Randall was the Program and Policy Director for the Program to Promote and Protect America’s Freedom at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, and he served as a Senior Fellow for Convergence, now the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, a non-profit focused on consensus building efforts to find solutions to public policy challenges. He has also served as a mediator in more than 550 cases in the court system.
Kevin Brooks
Mayor, City of Cleveland, TN
From Medlin Hall to City Hall
Mayor Brooks will share the story of being ‘called to serve’ and public service. His story began in Medlin 104; it took him from Medlin Hall to City Hall with a few interesting stops in between.  And it all began with a Dream. 

Location: HUM 104 Johnson Lecture Hall

Having served as a local Planning Commissioner, State Representative and now Mayor of Cleveland, public service and serving others have been a lifelong calling. Kevin Brooks came to Lee in 1986, the same year as Dr. Paul Conn’s inauguration. He married his high school sweetheart and graduated in 1990 with a BA in History. And the rest, as they say… is history.
Elicia Brown
Singer and Speaker
Free to be ME in Worship
Learning how to bring all that you are into your expression of worship.Sometimes as Worship Leaders, Praise Team Members or even Congregants, it can be difficult to worship with reckless abandon. We want to give God our all, but somewhere along the way we’ve learned how to “tidily” present our offering.We aren’t called to “save face”, we’re called to worship in spirit and in truth. Let’s talk about ways to offer all that we are and all that we have in our worship to The Father. 

Location: CAB 212

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. Elicia Brown graduated from Lee University in 2002. As a student there she sang 1st soprano in Voices of Lee, Co-founded Umoja, was a member of Sigma Nu Sigma and a Little Sister for Upsilon.

Since graduation, Elicia has been a performer for Walt Disney World at EPCOT Orlando as a member of the Voices of Liberty. Currently working as the Vocal Director and principle performer in the Seasonal show, Joyful: A Gospel Celebration of the Season.

Elicia has been a member of Living Proof Live Worship Team led by Travis Cottrell, that ministers with Beth Moore at all of her events for the past 13 years.

As a professional background vocalist and vocal arranger, Elicia has traveled with and repeatedly recorded for with some of the best in the music business, including Wynonna Judd, Bill Gaither, Gaither Vocal Band, Martha Munizzi, Vickie Winans, Michael McDonald, BeBe Winans, Babbie Mason, Natalie Grant, William McDowell, Travis Cottrell, Javen, Detrick Haddon, Brian Littrell, Damita Haddon and many more.

Fully committed to local ministry, Elicia Brown has served as the Minister of Music at New Beginnings Church in Orlando Florida for the past 7 years.  Prior to that, she served as the Minister of Music at Gulf Meadows Church a large multicultural church in Houston, TX.

Elicia regularly travels, ministering across the United States and has been to Africa, Asia and Europe.

Matthew Brumlow
Actor
So You Want to be an Actor?
Lee alumnus Matthew Brumlow discusses the life of the professional actor from preparation to performance. 

Location: CAB 114 Screening Room

A proud member of Actors Equity Association, Matthew Brumlow has played lead roles with some of the finest regional theatres in America during his twenty year career including Actors Theatre of Louisville, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, Long Wharf Theatre, and many others. He has been a resident company member of Chicago’s award winning American Blues Theater company since 2001 where he has sixteen production credits. Matthew is a three time Joseph Jefferson Award nominee and recipient of Chicago’s 2014 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actor as well as Best Supporting Actor at the 2017 Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival. Matthew graduated from Lee as the F.J.Lee Award winner with a BA in English in 1996. He is also a graduate of University of Idaho (MFA Directing) and Northwestern University (MA Acting.)
Genie Byrd
Educator
Potholes, Pimples, Pressures, and Other LIFE STUFF as Teachers Head to School
Beginning teachers give 100% as they attend classes, accept their well earned degrees and begin the interview process. But how much ‘real life stuff’ is possible to know? During this informative session layered with humor, facts and helpful information will be shared as well as tips for success, unbelievable stories (often on the way to school) and inspiration for our beginning teachers.  Encouragement, warmth and sensitivity to fears of the unknown will be blended as I share my first years as teacher, counselor and administrator. 

Location: EDU 124

Genie Byrd is a retired teacher, counselor and administrator, and presently a children’s book author, motivational speaker and encourager. Genie and James live in Augusta, Georgia where Genie enjoys teaching piano, traveling, hosting small church groups, teaching writing tips at local schools and celebrating family near and far. Genie and James are part of four- generation Lee alums supporting and encouraging their growing family to attend Lee University. She presently has one granddaughter at Lee.
Stacey Isom Campbell
Associate Professor of Creative Writing, Lee University
How to Write a Play in 8 Short Years
Stacey Isom Campbell and guests will perform a reading of excerpts from her play The Loophole. The reading will be followed by a narrative of the 8-year process of developing The Loophole from a first draft to a professional production. The presentation will include a short Q&A. 

Location: VEST 305 EMC

Stacey Isom Campbell’s plays include Buffalo Creek, When Mountains Move, The Loophole, Laundry at the Coin & Spin, Memory of Ice, On the 8’s, Smokin’ Devils, and others. Her work has been seen at The Collective: NY, the Great Plains Theatre Conference, the Barter Theatre, Pittsburgh New Works Festival, L.A. First Stage, EstroGenius Xtended, Red Clay Theatre, and others. She is a Fellow of The Hambidge Center, the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico. Currently, she is an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Lee University.
Vanessa Carey
Vice President, Women’s Services for Atlanta Mission
Atlanta Mission and Women’s Services
This seminar will present the services provided to women through the Atlanta Mission, such as The Atlanta Day Shelter and My Sister’s House. It will foster an understanding of how to serve and support the homeless. The Mission serves 250 women and children daily. 

Location: HUM 103

Vanessa has a Master of Education in Counseling and has spent the past twenty years in corporate America with companies such as Cox Communications in the areas of training and development, leadership development, and organizational development. Her experience and education along with her passion for missions, ministry, and desire to serve have perfectly prepared Vanessa to serve at Atlanta Mission. Vanessa is a 1985 graduate of Lee.
Dr. Dale Coulter
Associate Professor of Historical Theology, Regent University
Trump, Populism, and Middle America Since the election of Trump, writers and pundits have been trying to grapple with how to understand the populist wave that gave him the White House. This has been of particular concern to Evangelical Christians since 81% voted for Trump. Trump’s ascendency has led to fractures in evangelicalism as people seek to understand how evangelicals could support a man of dubious character. In this presentation, I offer an explanation for the populist wave by explaining in greater detail the subcultures of Middle America. Too often major media outlets have allowed those on the West coast or the Northeast to dictate the terms of democracy without giving due attention to the way of life in Middle America. I will try to explain that way of life and why it is causing a populist surge. 

Location: SOR 147

Dale M. Coulter is associate professor of historical theology in the School of Divinity at Regent University and an ordained minister in the Church of God (Cleveland, TN). In addition to four books, he has published numerous articles for outlets such as The Washington Post, The Stream, Seed Bed, and Christianity Today. He is also a regular contributor to the online and print publication First Things, which is published by the Institute for Religion and Public Life. For the past four years, he has served in various positions on the executive committee of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, including co-editor for PNEUMA: The Journal of the Society for Pentecostal Studies (2010-2015). He has been involved in numerous ecumenical dialogues, including Evangelicals and Catholics Together, a group started by Charles Colson and Richard John Neuhaus.
Bruce Deel
Founder and CEO of City of Refuge
Social Justice from a Kingdom Prospective
The story of City of Refuge and its social justice impact in Atlanta and other cities is founded and based on scriptural principles that continue to be relevant in today’s society. 

Location: SOR 113 Jones Lecture Hall

Bruce Deel is a graduate of Lee University, husband for 31 years to his wife Rhonda and father to 5 daughters. Bruce founded City of Refuge 21 years ago and has been recognized by local, state and national leaders for his work with those marginalized. Bruce serves as a consultant to multiple non-profits and speaks in both religious and secular settings on the subject of compassionate care.
Dr. Carolyn Dirksen
Distinguished Professor Emeritus
100 Years of Lee
From its humble beginning on January 1, 1918 to the present, Lee has been guided by the hand of God. Although much has changed, Lee is still a Christ-centered entrepreneurial enterprise that reaches a wide range of students and sends graduates out to change the world. 

Location: SMC 201

Coming to Lee in 1968, Carolyn Dirksen has been a full-time faculty member for half the life of the institution. She participated in Lee’s development from a junior college, worked on the first regional accreditation, saw the rapid growth of the late 1980s, and witnessed the transformation from a small, sectarian college to a world class university.
Andrew and Marbi DiPastena
Owners, Can Do It Solutions, LLC
Creating Custom Props and Design Experiences
Join us as we present how creative designers bring themes, stories and experiences from imagination and concepts to reality. We will explore how to weave and create narratives into compelling environments and unique spaces. Get ready to ride the roller coaster from conceptualization and collaboration to creation and implementation. 

Location: CAB 211

Marbi and Andrew DiPastena have been creating some of the most exciting themed environments since graduating from Lee University in 1995. They initially began design work for churches across the US and quickly their innovative reputation afforded them opportunities to sculpt and build creations in all types of business venues. They use a myriad of techniques from foam sculpting, structural framework, painting, faux finishing and other fine arts to produce unique objects and creative environments.

Marbi established Can Do It Solutions, LLC in 2015 which took her designing of unique sets, props, and environments to a new level in providing services for theme parks, trade shows, parades, schools, churches, camps and residential homes. Marbi and Andrew consider it an honor to partner with their alma mater, Lee University on several of the Centennial Celebration projects you see here today.

Dr. Johnny Evans The Importance of Rural Communities and Medicine
Rural America provides the bulk of America’s food, fiber, and wood products. Census data shows that rural populations are steadily declining to, in some areas, levels below 1970 census levels. A common issue in rural communities is a lack of access to grocery stores, health care, technology, WiFi, and education.  Some people have labeled these areas as food deserts or health care deserts.  It is critical that we focus on changing this trend and recognizing a rural community not as a desert but as an oasis.  The opportunities for careers in healthcare and technology are abundant and will change rural communities for generations. 

Location: SCM 257

Johnny Evans began his academic career at the University of Florida and then served at Lee University for 13 years as a professor of chemistry and physics. Now serving as the Dean of Arts and Sciences at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, he is committed to preparing students for careers that can impact rural communities while teaching them to be leaders through service to others.
Ellis Hall Fire Panel
Rob Alderman Jayson Hopkins Dave Webb Phil Cook Moderator
We Survived the Ellis Hall Fire
This panel will share their personal stories of the horrific experience of waking up to find their dorm engulfed in fire. Homecoming weekend will mark 25 years since the Ellis Hall fire. 

Location: SCM 255 Walker Lecture Hall

Rob Alderman is Senior Partner and President of the Alderman Group.  Rob is an award winning communications strategist and a senior partner at The Alderman Group, a South Eastern based creative firm that serve clients throughout the United States.  Rob has a passion for the places where new digital media channels and old school communication theories collide, helping brands connect with their audiences by crafting stories that resonate in meaningful ways.  Alderman is also the VP of Digital Strategy for Social Joey, a social media company that provides franchise organizations with the ability to compete in the digital world.  He is a devoted and loving husband and father.

Jayson Hopkins is the Director for Human Resources at Hamilton Health Care Systems, Inc., located in Dalton, Georgia.  Originally from Dover, Delaware, Jayson attended Lee University and obtained a B.S. in Business Administration in 1996.  Soon after graduating, he relocated to Dalton, GA to begin working for Hamilton Health Care System, Inc. (HHCS).  He has been privileged to serve HHCS for the last 20 years of which the last 14 years as Director, Human Resources.  He is a National Member of the Society for Human Resources Management and certified as a Professional in Human Resources.

Jayson serves on the Northwest Georgia District Junior Achievement Board of Directors. Additionally, he serves on the Board of the Georgia Society for Healthcare Human Resources Association.

He is blessed with his wonderful wife, Traci, and to have an amazing step-daughter, Tayler.  He is a member of Rock Bridge Community Church and is most thankful for his relationship with Jesus Christ.

Dave Webb is Pastor of New Covenant Fellowship in Tazewell, Virginia.

Phil Cook has been employed at Lee University since 1993 and his tenure in Admissions began in 1997. He currently serves as the Vice President for Enrollment in which capacity he is responsible for Admissions, Graduate Enrollment, Financial Aid, International Students, Veterans Affairs, and the Kingdom Players.

Traci Fant
Corporate Counsel McCoy Management Company, LLC
Legal and Ethical Conundrum: Resolving the Tension Between In-house Legal Practice and My Faith
A discussion of the legal and ethical issues present in the practice of law, and how to retain your spiritual focus and faith while practicing law. This session will provide real-life examples of ethical issues in business legal practice. 

Location: SOB 300

Traci is a native of Cleveland, Tennessee and is currently employed as an in-house, corporate attorney with a financial services company based out of Cleveland, Tennessee.  In addition to her legal practice, Traci has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, teaching in the Paralegal Studies department.

Receiving her B.A. degree in 1995 from Vanderbilt University and her Juris Doctorate from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri in 1998, Traci is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association and also the State Bar of Georgia.  Traci has served on the board of directors of several local, non-profit organizations, including the Craniofacial Foundation of America, Youth Counseling Center, and the Distinguished Young Women of Tennessee scholarship program. Traci has also completed training as a special education advocate to provide assistance to families who are navigating the public education IEP and Section 504 plan processes. Her background and experience as an attorney and as a mother of two (2) sons with special needs led her to assist other families who are dealing with similar issues.

Traci and her husband, Charles, reside in Cleveland, Tennessee with their 3 boys, James Ryan (a senior at Cleveland High School), Samuel (a 6th grader at Candies Creek Academy) and Solomon (a 6th grade home schooled student). Traci is passionate about sharing her experiences as a Christian, a mother, a wife and attorney with others as they plan and prepare for their future.

Film Panel
Julia Denton Vincent Graziano Grayson Russell Hal Whiteside
Beecher Reuning, Moderator
Atlanta is the New Hollywood: A Filmmakers’ Panel
The motion picture industry has migrated east making Atlanta a hotbed for moviemaking and a home for production crews and actors. This panel will discuss the film industry’s move to Atlanta and the challenges of breaking in to the industry. The panel includes Julia Denton, Hal Whiteside, and Grayson Russell who have all acted in major studio films including Baby Driver, Geostorm,  Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and the spring 2019 release Greyhound. The panel also includes Vincent “Chenzy” Graziano who has worked in various production roles on Black Panther, Thor: Ragnorok, Baby Driver, and First Man. Professor Beecher Reuning, an Emmy award winning writer and director, will moderate the panel. 

Location: DIXON CENTER

Julia Denton has been a working actor for 18 years. She began dabbling in the tv and film industry while looking for work to help pay expenses through grad school. Since that time, Julia has lived and worked out of Orlando, New Orleans, Los Angeles and Atlanta respectively. After moving to Georgia in 2011, she found her career taking root in the competitive industry growing in Atlanta and New Orleans via such films as the Fundamentals of Caring with Paul Rudd, In Dubious Battle with James Franco, Geostorm starring Gerard Butler, and upcoming releases Dumplin’ with Jennifer Anniston, The Reliant with Kevin Sorbo, When We Last Spoke with Melissa Gilbert, and Christmas on the Coast with Julie Ann Emery.

Vincent Graziano began pursuing his Film and Television like many before him, as an Office Production Assistant. He filled his resume up with low budget indies to projects like the CW hit The Originals (2016), Game Night (2018), and Black Panther (2018). However, Vincent would not stay in that position for very long. He then transitioned from seasoned Production Assistant to Assistant to high profile cast, directors, and producers who know him on a first name basis. His latest credits include last year’s box office smash Thor Ragnorak (2017), the soon to be released First Man (2018), and Boss Level (2019) where he served as the personal assistant to Mel Gibson. Currently, he is the Assistant to the Line Producer on DC’s Doom Patrol (2019) working closely with Berlanti and Warner Brothers TV.

Grayson Russell was born and raised in Alabama and landed his first role in a feature film at the age of seven acting as Will Ferrell’s youngest son, Texas Ranger, in the NASCAR comedy Talladega Nights. Aside from his role opposite Ferrell, he is most well-known for his role as Fregley in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Trilogy. Since beginning his professional career he has acted in twelve feature films, as well as various network episodics, working closely with acting veterans such as Danny Glover, Jason Sudeikis, Jane Lynch, Kevin Pollak, and has most recently starred opposite Tom Hanks in his upcoming WWII Navy drama, Greyhound, scheduled to release in March of 2019. Grayson is a Junior and plans to graduate with a B.S. in Cinema, using his major to further his career in the film industry.

Hal Whiteside was born and raised in Tuscumbia, AL, birthplace of Helen Keller. He graduated from the University of North Alabama, majoring in Management. Hal worked in corporate America in logistics for 25 years before coming an actor. He has been a full-time actor for 6 years and is based in Atlanta. He enjoys building characters.

Beecher Reuning currently teaches part time at Lee University as a Digital Media Studies instructor.  Here he taught students the basic principles and terminology associated with video production in the modern digital environment.  Prior to this, he served as an Adjunct Professor for Regent University teaching single camera directing.  This involved a hands-on course in directing narrative feature film and television using single-camera style shooting.  He has served in various capacities outside the classroom such as Production Director for Community Church International creating video content for broadcast, online and in services.  He served as a freelance videographer and producer for BeecherFeature Productions marketing, producing, writing, and editing video content for online, television, radio, and broadcast all over the United States. He has worked with many media projects and productions and specializes in film production, film directing, cinematography, screenwriting, film shorts, pre-production, and post-production.  Not a stranger to Lee, Beecher shares his ideas for launching Lee’s cinema program forward by submitting student films to festivals across the country, regularly bringing in guests from the film industry and increasing the emphasis on the Lee University Film Festival.

Karen Hanks Folino
Sr. Executive with Cargill Protein Division; Group Lead
The Sole of a Leader
Whether male or female, one of our most impactful pursuits is finding our footing as a leader. Now more than ever, as our political and social landscape changes, women seek to develop their capacity for influence in business while bringing their own unique, inherent and soulful strengths to the table. In this seminar, long-time business woman, Karen Folino, invites you to walk in her shoes as she shares about how highs and lows, successes and failures, in her personal and professional journeys have changed her trajectory and informed her leadership in corporate America. Together, you’ll explore foundational principles for the sole of a leader based on Karen’s SHOES methodology:
S – Sure-Footed: How to be comfortable in our own shoes.
H – Hopeful: We wear our dreams on our feet, giving reality to our aspirations.
O – Open: As Cinderella demonstrated, new shoes can change a life.
E – Empathetic: The importance of walking awhile in another’s shoes.
S – Situational Leadership: How to slip on the right shoe for the job.*This seminar will particularly target women, but men are welcome. 

Location: SOB 238

Karen Folino is a Sr. Executive with more than thirty years in Corporate America. Her experience has been concentrated in Technology, Consumer Product companies, Customer Success, Supply Chain and Transportation. A significant focus of her career has been in progressive management, leadership and customer experience Fortune 100, midsize and start-up companies.

Karen is currently Group Transportation & Logistics Leader, Protein North America in Business Operations & Supply Chain for Cargill Protein Division, headquartered in Wichita, KS. She joined Cargill and made a move to the Midwest from the East coast in June, 2017.

Karen graduated from Lee University in 1978 with a BS in Business Education. She holds advanced degrees from both Harvard Business School, the University of Tennessee.

Indyasia Johnson Fowler
Teacher
Teaching to Save Lives
This session is all about how the calling of being an educator shaped my entire vision for my life. The Lord has placed me right where he wants me to be and it’s nothing I’ve ever imagined. He has given me the highest privilege of stewardship of the minds of little people. It is my own personal mission field. 

Location: SMC 205

Indyasia is the recipient of the 2017 F.J. Lee Award.   While at Lee, she has served as a chemistry teaching assistant and tutor, peer leader, Alternative Chapel coordinator and speaker, Student Development Office worker and tour guide, Summer Honors Program assistant and resident assistant, and Leonard Center student worker, among others.

She has been involved in both on-campus club and service opportunities, such as founding the Black Student Advancement Council, chairing the Student Leadership Council, and serving with Urban Outreach, Operation Christmas Child, and the Lee University Block Party. She majored in Chemistry Education and Biochemistry. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Indy is currently living in Alpharetta, Georgia where she teaches 7th and 8th grade students Physical and Life Sciences at Wesleyan School. She is married to Kenneth Fowler, also a Lee alumnus.

Dr. Dudley Gardner
Provost and Professor
Archaeological Findings from One of the Oldest Rock Shelters in the US: Lee University’s Decade of Involvement
In west-central Colorado there is a rock shelter that sits in a gorge along the Gunnison River. From this shelter we have found basketry, sandals, and leather that date from 7,000 to 8,000 years ago. Also found were burned remains of grouse, pygmy rabbit, mountain sheep, mountain martin, and jack rabbit that had been processed by the site’s first occupants about 13,000 years ago. Lee University students began working at this shelter in collaboration with Western Wyoming College in 2009, and from then until now, their efforts have yielded information about how individuals lived and worked in this shelter. Lee students found bone beads, projectile points, basketry, cordage, and leather that contributed to our understanding of this significant site. This presentation will focus on what was found at the site and show the artifacts recovered that contribute to helping us understand changes in the ways First Nations lived and adapted to their environment over time. 

Location: HUM 203

A. Dudley Gardner, professor of history and political science at Western Wyoming Community College, earned his Ph. D. from the University of New Mexico in 2000. He has written several articles and books on Wyoming—including, with Vera Flores, Forgotten Frontier: a History of Wyoming Coal Mining, (Boulder, Colo.: Westview Press, 1989).
Harry Hargrave
Museum of the Bible
The Development of the Museum of the Bible Washington DC
The presentation will describe the development of the 430,000 square foot museum from concept stage to the grand opening of the completed museum. Q & A will take place following the presentation. 

Location: SOB 232

Harry Hargrave is President of HMH Capital Group located in Dallas, Texas. He served as the Owner’s Representative for the MOTB Board of Trustees for seven years. His responsibilities for the project included the City selection, site selection within Washington, DC; and the oversight of planning design and construction of the project.
Mark Harris
Songwriter, Artist
A Life of Music and Worship
Mark Harris will share stories and lessons learned from his experiences in songwriting, singing and recording, and leading congregations of all sizes in worship. 

Location: HUM 108 Squires Recital Hall

For more than 15 years, Mark Harris was a member of popular Christian pop quartet 4Him. With 22 No. 1 hits to the group’s credit and eight Dove Awards, 4Him was one of the most successful groups in Christian music history. As 4Him’s primary songwriter in the past, Mark relished the challenge of communicating his heart for God in new ways. While serving as the Head of Worship Ministries at his home church in Alabama, Mark was inspired to write songs with congregations specifically in mind. He now serves at Worship Pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas. Mark is a graduate of Lee and a former member of Lee’s Board of Directors.
Mitch Harris
Merrill Lynch, Financial Advisor Former: St. Louis Cardinals, Pitcher United States Navy, Lieutenant
Impossible vs. Improbable
Throughout life you will face obstacles that seem impossible. Through courage, perseverance and strength you can transform a seemingly impossible challenge into something that is merely improbable. 

Location: EDU 114 Rose Lecture Hall

Mitch grew up in Georgia and then attended high school in North Carolina. Upon graduation, Mitch received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Following his four years in Annapolis, he would go on to serve five years on active duty going on three deployments. After several passages through the Strait of Hormuz, drug operations in South America, and visiting over thirty countries Mitch would go on to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals. He would become the first pitcher to complete his service and make it to the big leagues and only the second Naval Academy graduate to play in the MLB.
Drs. Suzanne and David Holt
At the Crossroad of Religion and Politics: Middle East Portraits
On the surface, study abroad can seem like a bundle of fun and unique experiences. Yet properly engaged, such experiential learning has led many Lee University students to discover challenging differences between themselves and others about the things that matter. This is especially so at the crossroad where politics and religion meet. Join our presenters who will give us a glimpse into their travels as they share several portraits of individuals they have met at this crossroad who taught them much about themselves and the world we live in. 

Location: SOR 247

Suzanne Hamid Holt is currently the Director of LEAP (Learn, Engage, Achieve Program), a TRIO Grant program through the US Department of Education. She has serves in many capacities at Lee, but most notable, Suzanne was instrumental in establishing First Year Programs and the Global Perspectives Program at Lee University.

Before returning to the US in 2013, Dr. David Holt directed the Cairo based Middle East Studies Program for the CCCU DC. where students studied Islam, Arabic, the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, and traveled to countries like Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Tunisia, Morocco, After experiencing the revolution in Egypt with nearly 30 American students, David moved the program to Jerusalem. Dr. Holt facilitated speaker engagements with US and local diplomats, authors, journalists, religious and political leaders, and youth groups–Israeli-Jewish, Eastern Christian, and Muslim. More recently, David has written and taught online graduate and undergraduate courses in international relations,US national security, global governance, US foreign policy, US foreign policy of the Middle East, Middle East Politics, and other political science courses.

Trained in comparative and international politics (PhD. U of Chicago), political philosophy (MA Claremont), theology (M Litt. St. Andrews UK), and history (U Calif. San Diego), David loves to probe the boundaries at the intersection of religion, politics, and history. He continues to act as a consultant and speaker on Middle East issues and to plan (and lead) tour groups interested in learning more about the region.

Dr. Tammy Johnson
Director of LUDIC (Lee University Developmental Inclusion Classroom)
LUDIC: Lee University’s School for Children on the Autism Spectrum
Not only is Lee celebrating its 100 year anniversary, LUDIC is celebrating its 20 year anniversary. Join this seminar to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorders, Applied Behavior Analysis, and LUDIC’s journey and successes. 

Location: EDU 121

Tammy Bilbo Johnson is a doctoral level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) with over 30 years of experience in exceptional education, including 20 years of experience in the field of Autism. Tammy completed her undergraduate studies at Lee College, received her master’s degree in special education from UTC and her doctorate from Vanderbilt University. She is part of the graduate faculty of Lee University. Her passion, and primary responsibility, is oversight of LUDIC, a private school for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, housed on the Lee University. She has served as the director of LUDIC since 2001.
Dr. Eric Moyen
Department Head of Educational Leadership Mississippi State University
Higher Education and Big Time Athletics
This seminar will examine the historical roots of athletics in American higher education, and discuss the ways in which it has impacted colleges and universities. The seminar will further address challenges currently facing big time athletics and discuss possible solutions. Finally, the session will consider the value of athletics at institutions like Lee University. 

Location: EDU 105

Eric Moyen spent thirteen years at Lee University where he served as a professor and department chair in the Helen DeVos College of Education, director of First-Year Programs, and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs. He currently works at Mississippi State University as Department Head of Educational Leadership. His research interests include higher education as well as the role of athletics at colleges and universities.
Tripp Phillips Lee Phillips
President of Le-Glue LLC
Le-Glue
Tripp Phillips: I wanted to let you know about a new invention that I created. I was tired of my LEGO creations falling apart as I played with them. I told my dad (who is a scientist) that I wanted a glue that would hold the pieces together but would release if I wanted to get them apart. NO EVIL KRAGGLE (permanent Glue). He came up with a formula in his lab that holds the blocks over 12 times stronger but the best part is, just soak them in water and the pieces release like magic. That is how Le-Glue was created. You can see my story on our YouTube Channel by clicking this link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-dOy2prYpKLtJOEKs-C_pQ or just visit our website www.Le-Glue.com . You can also view our Shark Tank appearance in Episode 1 of Season 10. We are now partners with Mr. Wonderful! https://abc.go.com/shows/shark-tank/episode-guide/season-10/1-season-10-premiere-episode-1 

Location: SOB 236

Tripp Phillips is a 7th Grader at Dalton Middle. He developed Le-glue while in the 3rd grade. He manufactures, packages and sells Le-glue all over the world and Just made an appearance and a deal on Shark Tank.

Lee Phillips is a graduate of Lee University 1990. He is the director of Professional Testing Laboratory servicing the flooring and textile industry. He is the Managing director of Le-glue.

Drew Privette
Deputy Director of International Projects, Samaritan’s Purse Lauren Peterson Campus Relations
Discussion of humanitarian efforts by Samaritan’s Purse

 

Location: SON 202 Pat Carroll Lecture Hall

Samaritan’s Purse is an evangelical Christian humanitarian aid organization that provides aid to people in physical need as a key part of Christian missionary work. The organization’s president is Franklin Graham, son of Christian evangelist Billy Graham.

Drew Privette is currently the Deputy Director for International Projects Department for Samaritan’s Purse based in Boone, North Carolina. Some of the areas he directs are the International Disaster Response Unit and the International Health Unit.

Samaritan’s Purse Project’s department has offices in 18 countries around the world and regularly responds to Natural and Manmade Disasters around the globe in many sectors such as Water, Sanitation, Food, Nutrition, Shelter, Protection, Livelihoods, and Health projects.

Mr. Privette has served with Samaritan’s Purse for 7 years and has been in the Relief and Development field for over 15 years.  He has overseen Samaritan’s Purse work in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.  Prior to his time with SP, Mr. Privette and his family lived in Southeast Asia implementing Wash and Sanitation, Health, and environmental projects for over 5 years.

Mr. Privette received his undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University and his Masters of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Mr. Privette has 4 children and he and his wife have been married for 20 years.”

Dr. Mark Scully
Assistant Professor of Political Science, Lee University
Barack Obama and the Three Traditions of Executive Power
In this presentation, I discuss some of my research on President Obama and his use of executive power. I will use this example to address broader social and political themes, such as the persistence of shared Constitutional values amidst the tension caused by sharp competition between political parties. 

Location: HUM 205

Dr. Mark Scully joins Lee’s Department of History, Political Science and Humanities as an assistant professor of political science. He comes to Lee from University of the Ozarks where he served as assistant professor of political science, teaching classes such as American national government, American presidency, congress and the legislative process, and political parties. He also served as the NCAA faculty athletic representative, faculty advisor to Model United Nations, on the Professional Development and Student Enrichment Committee, and as a member of the Assessment Committee. He received the Bagwell Outstanding Faculty Award in 2016 and was listed in “40 Under 40: Professors Who Inspire” in 2015. Scully received his PhD and MA from Baylor University, and his BA from St. Johns College.
Dr. Mae Adams Shirley
Doctor of Psychology
Stress and Resilience in Today’s Student
Today’s college students face unique stressors that can negatively impact their academic performance in addition to their overall mental well being. This presentation will explore many contributors to the mental health crisis on college campuses, as well as the factors that promote resilience and success in stress management. Finally, examples of outreach initiatives that have proven successful for supporting student mental health on college campuses will be reviewed. 

Location: HUM 101

After completing the BA in Psychology and the MS in Mental Health Counseling from Lee University. Mae continued her studies at George Fox University, earning a second Masters degree and a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology. In her young career, Mae has served in various counseling and treatment centers and provided consultation and professional development to several university campuses.
Dr. Jodi L. Southerland
Communications & Fund Development Of One Accord Inc.
Of One Accord Ministry: Building A Solid Base for Well-Being in Appalachian East Tennessee
Participants will learn about the state of health in Appalachia compared to the U.S., and the role faith-based non-profit organizations can play in addressing health disparities in the region. The presentation will highlight alumna Jodi Southerland’s journey from Lee University to Of One Accord Inc, a Christian service organization that is actively working towards creating a culture of health in East Tennessee. 

Location: SOR 148

A native of Northeast Tennessee and graduate of Lee University’s Intercultural Studies Program (2002), Jodi L. Southerland, DrPH brings several years of experience in school-based health promotion planning, research, and practice. Jodi is now in her 9th year as Clinical Instructor of Community Health at the College of Public Health at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), teaching courses in health promotion program planning, research methods, grant writing, and community organizing. She has published and presented extensively on issues related to adolescent health outcomes in Appalachia. In 2018, Jodi transitioned to a new role as Communication and Fund Development Director for Of One Accord, Inc, a Christian service organization serving Appalachian East Tennessee.
Kevin Ung
Director of McNair Scholars Program, Lee University
From Cambodia’s Killing Fields to American Academia: An Intergenerational Story of God’s Redemptive Power
Kevin Ung will share the intergenerational story of his family’s journey from the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia to American college academia. Come hear about God’s redemptive and restorative power in the midst of cultural, societal, and academic influences. 

Location: SMC 258

Kevin Ung currently serves as Director of the McNair Scholars Program at Lee University. His professional work consists of student engagement research, academic program development, and socio-cultural educational initiatives serving primarily underrepresented and underserved communities at faith-based institutions. Previous areas of service include Union University, East Texas Baptist University, and Wheaton College. Kevin is married to Carly and they have a 17-month old game changer named Jubilee.
Dr. Ruth Wienk
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Language as Problem and Hope
This talk will showcase a participatory action research project with a Haitian community who are primarily working in agriculture in South Florida. The project highlighted ways that language is used to exclude the Haitian population of the community and then justify that marginalization. Through the process of completing the research, resources held by the Haitian community members were identified and a plan to address their specific vulnerabilities was outlined and implemented. 

Location: HUM 201

Dr. Ruth Wienk joins Lee’s Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences as an assistant professor of sociology. She was previously an instructor and graduate teaching assistant at South Dakota State University, where she taught introduction to sociology, introduction to sociology honors, courtship and marriage, and teaching sociology. Wienk was also an adjunct at Black Hills State University College of Education teaching linguistics and language assessments as hybrid courses.

Wienk earned her PhD in Sociology and Rural Studies from South Dakota State University. She and her husband, Rusty, have two daughters, Violet and Zoe.