51�Թ�

Tigerville, SC—More than 45 academic awards were presented to 51�Թ� (51�Թ�) students on Wednesday, April 23, during the 2025 Academic Awards Day in Turner Chapel.

After a welcome from Provost and Dean of University Faculty Dr. Hunter Baker, awards were presented for excellence in education, communication and fine arts, humanities and sciences, Christian studies, business and entrepreneurship, scholar athletes, outstanding freshman, American Legion citizenship, and general excellence.

A complete list of award winners is provided below.

---

College of Education

��

Excellence in Social Studies Education

Kara Patterson

Excellence in Music Education

Asheton Howard

Excellence in Mathematics Secondary Education

Mabry Steele

Excellence in English Language Arts Education

SarahAnn Morgan

Excellence in Elementary Education

Matthew Williams

Excellence in Elementary Education

Julia Estes

Excellence in Early Childhood Education

Heather Cox

---

College of Communication and Fine Arts

��

Outstanding Digital Media Student

Seth Atkins

Outstanding Strategic Communication Student

Savannah Yopp

Outstanding Communication Student

Kayden Rowell

Theatre Student Leadership Award

Logan Stewart

Excellence in Theatre Award

Logan Stewart

The Zachary B. Bishop Ars Excellentia Award

Julia Estes

Excellence in Early Childhood Education

Heather Cox

---

College of Humanities and Sciences

��

Outstanding Student in Health Science

Ayden Baker

Outstanding Student in Health Science

Amelia Gregg

Teaching Excellence in Physical Education

Jakari Thompson

Excellence in Psychology

Karah Barry

Excellence in Biology

Caroline Sophia Smith

Outstanding French Student

Samantha Meyeres

American Sign Language Academic Excellence

Harrison Kunselman

Spanish Academic Excellence

Esperanza Williams

Spanish Academic Excellence

Harrison Kunselman

Outstanding Mountain Laurel Editor

Abby Matson

Outstanding Mountain Laurel Editor

Blake Petteway

The Veda B. Sprouse English Award

Abby Matson

Bielecki-Willard Interdisciplinary Studies Student of the Year Award

Savannah Cade

The Shirley A. Hickson History Award

Kelsey Wilkes

The Shirley A. Hickson History Award

Jennie McMurray

Behethland Butler Chapter of the D.A.R. Award

Abigail Young

Excellence in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies

Karah Barry

Cybersecurity Academic Excellence Award

Mikayla Woodard

---

College of Christian Studies

��

Excellence in Christian Studies

Dominick Terlizzi

Excellence in Youth Ministry

Angels Humphries

Excellence in Youth Ministry

Ethan Kolmus

---

College of Business and Entrepreneurship

��

Outstanding Academic Achievement in Marketing

Julia Babun

Outstanding Academic Achievement in Management

Camden Howell

Outstanding Academic Achievement in Accounting

Caleb Hodge

Sport Management Outstanding Professional Excellence

Erin Wheaton

Sport Management Outstanding Professional Excellence

Christian Hess

COBE Servant Leadership Award

Julia Babun

COBE Servant Leadership Award

Seth Pracht

---

General Awards

��

Female Scholar Athlete

Caroline Sophia Smith

Male Scholar Athlete

Ayden Baker

American Legion Citizenship Award

Carolina Mayer

American Legion Citizenship Award

Matthew Williams

Outstanding Freshman Award

Meagan Boulet

General Excellence Award

Julia Estes

Tigerville, SC—51�Թ� hosted the southeast regional meeting of the Evangelical Missiological Society on April 5.��

The conference was attended by more than 60 participants from universities and seminaries across the southeast region.��

“I think this was a huge success for 51�Թ�,” said Dr. Matthew Hirt, assistant professor of intercultural studies at 51�Թ�, who helped organize the event. “Everyone was incredibly impressed with the university’s hospitality, facilities, and location.”��

Dr. Travis Kerns, associational mission strategist for the Three Rivers Baptist Association, delivered the plenary address, speaking on the topic of “Unqualified Apologetics as the Framework for Connecting Ecclesiology to Mission.”��

“Over the last few hundred years, apologetics has morphed from a layperson’s pursuit into an academic specialization with hundreds of books, conferences, and academic degree tracts available,” Kerns argued. “When an untrained, ‘unqualified’ layperson sees the sheer amount of material available, he/she may feel completely overwhelmed and inadequate to engage in personal evangelism with family, friends, and co-workers due to a lack of knowledge. This necessarily leads to a lack of evangelistic zeal in our churches and slows, or stops, the movement from pew to field among everyday Christians.”��

Kerns said the key to reversing this trend is discipleship and emphasizing scripture.��

“Scripture alone is adequate to equip (you) for every good work (2 Tim 3:16-17), including giving a reason for their hope in Christ (1 Peter 3:15). As churches train laypersons in this way, and by following Paul’s example in Acts 17:16-33 of answering questions with Scripture, we will see a renewed confidence in gospel proclamation and an increase in movement from pew to field.”��

Following the opening talk from Kerns, dozens of missionaries and scholars presented papers spanning a broad range of mission topics in the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center.����

Regional universities represented at the conference included: Columbia International University, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Freed-Hardeman University, Samford University, Johnson University, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Liberty University, Charleston Southern University, and Asbury University.��

Kosovo—Traveling from Tigerville to Kosovo, a group from 51�Թ� will partner with a local church and missionaries to share the gospel overseas this week.

Led by Crystalyn Wyatt, Mobilization Coordinator of Campus Ministries and Student Engagement at 51�Թ�, the team will be working in community centers, teaching English, playing games with children, supporting youth groups within local churches, and organizing community events.

“Kosovo is a majority Muslim country in Eastern Europe, with less than two percent of the population identifying as evangelical Christian,” Wyatt said. “It is a beautiful country with a rich cultural history, but it’s also a place with great spiritual need. We are excited to serve the community and learn from them as we share the love of Christ.”

A total of 14 51�Թ� students are making the trip, and Wyatt said it provides the opportunity to see missions in a new light.

“Trips like this can open doors for students who feel called to cross-cultural ministry,” she said. “Experiences like these can completely change the trajectory of a student’s life.

“Many students who have participated in short-term trips have been inspired to dedicate their lives to pursuing the Great Commission overseas,” Wyatt continued. “Those who go on to serve long-term gain a broader worldview as they witness God at work in different cultures. Our hope is that each student gains a deeper understanding of God’s heart for the nations and takes seriously the call to make disciples of all nations.”

Wyatt said she is proud of all the teams using their Spring Break to make Jesus known across the globe.

“Missions are at the heart of everything we do at 51�Թ�. It’s not just an aspect of our programs; it’s the goal of the university and the purpose for which each of us is on this earth—to make God’s name known so that all people may worship Him,” Wyatt said. “True disciples of Jesus will transform the church and society. Through these trips, we aim to equip messengers who are ready to share the message of the Gospel.”

North Africa/Middle East—51�Թ� places an emphasis on being Mission-Focused and lives out the Great Commission by sending students, faculty, and staff to places that desperately need the gospel.

That is embodied in the team of 12 who recently traveled to the North Africa/Middle East region to minister to those in need.

“We can talk about being mission-focused, but if we are not proactively involved in joining God in that mission, and if we are not giving that mission priority in everything we do, then we are just giving lip-service to being mission-focused,” said Dr. Allen McWhite, department chair of Intercultural Studies at 51�Թ�. “This goes way beyond just taking ‘mission-trips.’ That is part of what we do, but this mission of taking Christ to the nations must permeate everything we do at 51�Թ�.”

This trip is one of many that 51�Թ� has taken to this region. McWhite said many meaningful relationships have been cultivated throughout the years.

The team will be teaching English, hosting a teacher appreciation banquet, visiting in homes, building relationships, and seeking opportunities to serve others and share their faith with those in the North Africa/Middle East region.

For students who are considering vocational missions, McWhite says participating in these types of trips will give them the exposure they need and develop a deeper appreciation for what God is doing among the nations.

“Any opportunity students have to be exposed to the wider world will be beneficial to them in whatever career path they choose. A genuine appreciation for other cultures and other people helps us gain a larger view and understanding of God because He has placed His image in all people and in all cultures,” McWhite said. “This kind of cultural exposure helps students avoid both egocentrism, ethnocentrism, and provincialism. Hopefully, it also gives them a burden for the majority world that is beyond our own carefully and culturally constructed borders.”

Ecuador—51�Թ� (51�Թ�) will be taking a team of eight to Ecuador on a short-term mission trip during Spring Break.

51�Թ� lives out its core value of being mission-focused by sending students out on mission trips each year to advance the gospel and ignite a passion for missions for those who are going.

“‘Faith without works is dead.’ A university that says missions is a priority but doesn’t provide students with opportunities to do missionary work is a contradiction. Year after year, 51�Թ� steps up to live out the values they profess by providing missionary opportunities for their students,” said Joshua Gilmore, director of Community and Ministry Mobilization at 51�Թ� and team leader for the Ecuador trip.

The team’s main goal is to share the gospel through Bible distribution and other evangelical efforts to the people of Ecuador on the Galapagos Islands.

“Bibles are very expensive on the islands [and] very few people have them,” explained Gilmore.

The Galapagos Islands are often associated with its connection to Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution, and these beliefs are still present today on the islands.

“The Galapagos Islands is one of the most remote places on earth.  Everything about the Galapagos is unique – the animals, the terrain, the worldview,” Gilmore said. “Getting God’s words to the people of Galapagos is truly needed. For too long, Darwinian evolution has been taught in this precious corner of God’s earth. Moving forward it will be God’s word!”

The Galapagos is considered sacred to Darwinists and the islands even celebrate Darwin Day each year on February 12.

“The Galapagos official motto is ‘Love Life.’  We want to introduce the people of the Galapagos to Jesus, the author of true life!” he said.

Gilmore hopes this trip will expose and equip students for cross-cultural missions as well as inspire them to pursue long-term mission opportunities in the future.

“I’ve never met a long-term missionary who didn’t first receive a call to missions on a short-term mission trip. Short-term missions is the gateway to long-term missions,” Gilmore said.

Comprising of students who are Spanish majors, this mission trip will give each team member a unique opportunity to use their gifts and skills overseas.

“They will get to use their gift of language to minister cross-culturally on this trip. They may even feel led to one day serve in a Spanish-speaking part of the world because of this mission and advance God’s kingdom in areas outside the USA,” he said.

Team members for the 51�Թ� Ecuador trip are Joshua Gilmore, Nicole Gilmore, Michelle Heard, Tiff Nguyen, Sebastian Seigler, Esperanza Williams, and Avery Shope.

“This is a trip that they will remember for the rest of their lives,” said Gilmore.

Portland, OR—Nine 51�Թ� students are traveling to Portland, Oregon during spring break to partner with Sojourn Church PDX in sharing the gospel.

The group is led by Dr. Matthew Hirt, who serves as assistant professor of Intercultural Studies at 51�Թ�.

“Portland has some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the U.S. and is home to the world’s largest independent bookstore. It is also one of the most spiritually needy cities,” Hirt said.

“Portland is the most unreligious city in the United States,” he said. “Many people express an indifference or hostility to the gospel as they pursue the values of the world. Sixty-four percent of the population does not have any religious affiliation. Everyone is very excited about the opportunity to serve in Portland.”

The team will be serving the community around Sojourn Church PDX, which includes the Portland Rescue Mission and Portland State University.

“While we seek to grow as disciples of Jesus as we engage in the mission He has given His church, we primarily engage in missions because Christ commands His disciples to make disciples,” Hirt said. “My hope is that the students who go with me to Portland will see that they are called to proclaim the gospel and make disciples regardless of whether they are called to the mission field, vocational ministry, or a marketplace career. Business leaders, teachers, scientists, musicians, and media figures are equally called to make disciples.”

Hirt said he is encouraging his group to see the importance of being mission-focused in their walk with Christ.

“Being Mission-Focused is more about who we are than what we do as a university. Mission is not merely a category for everything we do as Christians,” Hirt said. “Being Mission-Focused means that we are committed to making disciples who make disciples. Being Mission-Focused is the way that our students can have long-term lasting impact as transformational leaders.

“Mission trips are one aspect of our mission focus, and they can serve as a reminder to the rest of the university about this core value,” he continued. “When the teams return to campus, I encourage and equip the team to tell their stories well to cast vision to the entire campus.”

Clarkston, GA—A 17-member group from 51�Թ� is spending its Spring Break in Clarkston, Georgia serving those in need.

The group, led by Paden Lipe, Dr. Allyson Roberts, and Jayden Holder, consists of 14 undergraduate students from the university.

“Clarkston, Georgia is known as the most diverse mile in the United States,” said Roberts. “This community is home to many refugees and individuals facing poverty. Our team will be working with several impactful ministries, including English Oaks, Fountain of Hope Conyers, Sewing Society, and Blueprint Church. Each of these ministries plays a crucial role in supporting and serving the local refugee and low-income populations, and we’re excited to partner with them to provide assistance, build relationships, and share the love of Christ.”

Roberts said the team has been preparing for months and is eager to serve those in the Clarkston community.

“The students are incredibly enthusiastic, eager to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and ready to serve those in need,” Roberts said. “It’s been inspiring to see their excitement and passion for missions. This mission trip is an invaluable opportunity for our students to experience real-world ministry, especially in a diverse, underserved community. It gives them the chance to put their faith into action and develop practical skills that will benefit them in whatever career path or ministry role they pursue.”

Roberts said trips like these reinforce the mission of 51�Թ� and empower students to become leaders in their own communities.

“We are not just sending students out on a trip for the sake of travel. We are equipping them to be servant leaders who can make a real impact in the world,” Roberts said. “This trip is just one example of how 51�Թ� continues to empower students to be mission-driven leaders.”

“We trust that God will use this trip to grow each of us in unexpected ways,” she said. “We’re excited for the opportunity to serve, build relationships, and learn from the people we meet along the way.”

Tigerville, SC—Vocation, calling, and practical spiritual disciplines.

These were the topics covered during 51�Թ�’s (51�Թ�) Christian Worldview Week, which featured talks from keynote speakers Christina Crenshaw and Dan Darling.

Crenshaw opened the week on Monday with her lecture “Beyond the Sacred and Secular Divide: Christian Leadership for Every Vocational Sphere of Influence.”

Crenshaw is a speaker and author who focuses on the intersection of faith and culture. She has served in faculty or research roles at California Baptist University, Baylor University, and Dallas Theological Seminary.

“I want to encourage you guys to think about your calling as an opportunity to be light in the darkness because we know no matter how dark the world becomes that the darkness cannot overcome the light because of course there’s a spiritual element there and we know who wins in the end,” Crenshaw told students.

Crenshaw challenged students to view their vocational call through the biblical lens of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration and how their God-given calling has purpose as they seek to use their gifts to glorify God and serve others.

“Your worldview, knowing the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind, seeing the Lord through this creation, fall, redemption, restoration lens and looking at your life as vocation as identity in Christ as service to the Lord with the church, that is what a broken, hungry world needs and you have that light in you,” she said. “I’m so excited what you guys are going to do in the future because you are His ambassadors and carrying His light.”

Crenshaw also spoke on “Redeeming Justice: Reclaiming God’s Vision for Doing Good” Monday night in Hamlin Recital Hall.

On March 4, Darling presented “Created to Create: Why the Work of Your Hands Matters to God” in Hamlin Recital Hall. He concluded the week in Turner Chapel on March 5 with a talk entitled, “Inside and Outside: Intentional Formation for Your Life in The World.”

Darling is assistant professor of faith and culture at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he also directs the Land Center for Cultural Engagement. He is also the Church Engagement Strategist and a Research Fellow for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.

“Your life in the world, whatever it is God call you to do, however you serve your neighbors, serve God, whatever your vocation is, however you demonstrate your faith in the public square in other places, your life in the world is only ever as good as your life with God,” Darling told students during his second talk.

Darling’s message focused on giving students practical spiritual disciplines that they can put into practice today. The seven disciplines were Scripture reading, faithful church attendance, prayer, curiosity, forgiveness and repentance, generosity, and friendship.

Darling also addressed three postures that will hijack one’s future. These postures were isolation, entitlement, and insecurity.

“You can trust your future, your unknown future to the God that you know. You can trust your life to the One who promised to guide the steps of the one who follows Him,” said Darling. “And there are practices you can put in place today, empowered by the Spirit of God that will shape your life tomorrow.”

Tigerville, SC—51�Թ�’s (51�Թ�) School of Communication and Theatre Department will team up to produce a television sitcom in front of a live studio audience in the Billingsley Theatre on March 13-14.

The pilot episode of ‘Break’ is about a group of college age students who are working at a camp during Spring Break.

“It focuses on interpersonal relationships, growth, a little bit of snark, a little bit of practical jokes, general human interactions with some fun thrown in there,” said Dr. Andrew Stevens, Associate Professor of Communication.

This fully student-led production will feature the talents of many different 51�Թ� students.

“What’s certainly wonderful is that it’s been an interdisciplinary work,” said Stevens. “The actors are from theatre; the production team is from [the School of Communication]; the writing was done by our film concentration. It’s been very interdisciplinary.”

Chad Stratton, a senior digital media major with a film concentration, played key roles in the production process. He is the creative producer, the assistant director for the production team, and was a part of the writing team.

“Being part of the writing team and giving birth to the project last semester was wonderful. We shared many laughs in the writing room as we came up with funny jokes. I have taken on many roles this semester because I long to see this dream become a reality,” said Stratton.

The initial idea for the production came from Dr. Randall E. King, Associate Dean for the School of Communication, who has produced similar shows at other institutions. He found the key people needed and put the pieces together to make it happen at 51�Թ�.

“What’s exciting about this is the buy in we’ve had from multiple departments. I think what’s unique about how we’re doing it here at North Greenville is we have the full partnership with the School of Theatre,” said King. “We also took the process and broke it up, so we put it up on the School of Theatre’s regular schedule rather than having our own thing. We’re using their facility and we’re adapting their set, so that’s sort of best of both worlds in that regard. We have their support, their faculty, but we also had this class that did the writing. We had the class last semester that wrote the pilot.”

While the show is fully student produced, faculty from Theatre and Communication are serving as coaches to help guide the students and encourage them through the process.

“We, mainly as faculty, serve as coaches, helping guide the students,” said Stevens. “I’m primarily the technical lead. Professor Benet has been the story lead with his film students, and Professor Dunlap and all of the theatre faculty have been working with providing the location, actors, and supporting them. It’s been great to be a part of it.”

‘Break’ will be an educational experience for those who attend as it will show the audience how live sitcoms like ‘The Lucy Show,’ ‘All in the Family,’ and ‘The Cosby Show’ were produced through multicamera setups and live sets.

“We’re kind of recreating that through a viable production style. When people come, it will be different. It’s not going to be like going to a play. We will record a scene twice, then we have volunteers from the improv team come out and do some stuff while we reset and then we shoot another scene,” said Stevens.

For the students who are a part of this production, this show is already teaching them so much about their gifts and helping them hone their skills.

“I have learned that there is a lot more work that happens behind the scenes than I thought,” said Stratton. “I have also been able to grow and develop my skills in screenwriting, leadership, and work ethic. All three of these things are things I want to pursue as a career.”

��

Producers and directors for ‘Break’ includes Randall King (Executive Producer), Amy Dunlap (Executive Producer), Andrew Stevens (Coach), Kelechi Benet (Coach), Wyatt Hart (Director), Savannah Williamson (Lead Creative), Chad Stratton (Lead Creative).

The creative team includes Christian DeWalk, Adley Ellenburg, Colt Gouge, Seth Hilliard, Eliana Kelly, Morgan Madden, Callie Meyerholtz, Nate Reckelhoff, Isabelle Western.

The writing team includes Sadie Beaumont, Evan Bradford, Emily Bright, Noah Cruver, Josh Gaye, Jenna Hansard, Chad Stratton, Savannah Williamson.

The cast includes Dylan Thompson (Martin), Alyse Barrett (Cassandra), Sadie Beaumont (Skye), Fuller Finn (Chip), Seth Atkins (Ivan), Maddux Schmidt (Oliver), Ryleigh Ann Guyton (Sophie), Corrie Owen (Ophella).

The crew includes Christian DeWalk, Adley Ellendburg, Nathan Fillinger, Colt Gouge, Seth Hilliard, TJ Hills, Joseph Jordan, Anna Faith Major, David Monroe, Titus Rankin, Nate Reckelhoff, Grace Salter.

‘Break’ will run March 13 and 14 with showtimes starting at 7:30 p.m. nightly. General tickets are $15. Premium tickets are $20. Students are allowed one free ticket. All tickets must be picked up with a valid ID at the box office in the School of Theatre.

Tigerville, SC—51�Թ� (51�Թ�) will host the Colson Center for Christian Worldview’s second-ever Breakpoint Forum Live at 7 p.m. on April 3 in Turner Chapel. The free event, titled “A New Sexual Revolution: Living as Image Bearers, Male and Female,” features nationally recognized Christian worldview speakers John Stonestreet, Dr. Andrew T. Walker, and Dr. Katie McCoy.

The evening will include short talks by the three presenters and an extended Q&A with the speakers. Stonestreet will speak on “A New Sexual Revolution,” with Walker addressing “What Are Men For?” and McCoy talking on “What Are Women For?”

The Colson Center notes the event is “especially relevant for college students and young adults who want to recover a��Christian vision of sexuality and relationships in their generation.”

Stonestreet is president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview and the voice of Breakpoint, the nationally syndicated daily commentary on culture which was founded by the late Chuck Colson. He also has co-written five books including “A Practical Guide to Culture.”

Walker is Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and Public Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, an Associate Dean in the School of Theology and the Executive Director of the Carl F. H. Henry Institute for Evangelical Engagement at the seminary. He also is Managing Editor for WORLD Opinions. He is the author of several books related to Christian ethics and public theology.

McCoy holds a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where she served on the faculty for five years. She is the author of “To Be a Woman: The Confusion Over Female Identity and How Christians Can Respond” and co-author of “Humanity,” part of the Theology for the People of God series. She is a frequent contributor to WORLD Radio’s Culture Friday and is a writer at BlondeOrthodoxy.com.

for the event is open now. More information can be found at colsoncenter.org/greenville.

��