Campbell Earns Distinguished Adviser Recognition from CMA

Tigerville, SC (November 15, 2023) Dr. Karyn Campbell, assistant professor of communication at NGU, was recently named a Distinguished Adviser by the College Media Association (CMA).

Campbell has served as the adviser to The Vision, 91’s student-run website, for over a decade.

“I was honored to be named one of the Distinguished Advisers for 2023,” Campbell said. “In the end, it’s about the students and helping them grow as journalists and achieve excellence in what they do.”

NGU’s Mary Margaret Flook, Nelson Shwe, and Olivia Hupfauer also earned recognition at CMA’s 2023 Pinnacle Awards.

Flook placed second in the category of Best Arts and Entertainment Story, third in Best Photo Package, and earned an honorable mention in Best Coverage of Faith. Shwe took home two third-place awards for Best Feature Photo and Best Infographic, also placing second for Best Photo Package. Hupfauer earned an honorable mention in the Best Comic Strip category.

“Our students consistently win state and national awards for writing, photography, graphic art and video,” Campbell said. “It’s not just about getting awards, but it is about doing your work to the best of your ability so that you can glorify Christ in what you do.

Campbell said The Vision has adapted to a changing media landscape in hopes of preparing students for careers in communications.

“When I first started, we had a yearbook, a website and a physical newspaper,” she said. “In 2014, we consolidated into a more robust website with a physical magazine. When we did that, it was just becoming a trend in the world of journalism, and we were one of the first schools in the nation to do it successfully. That excellence has continued through a lot of ups and downs.”

“The biggest way The Vision prepares students for journalism careers is giving them clips on a real website read by real people,” Campbell added. “When you’re interviewing for a professional job, employers don’t care that much about a paper you wrote for a class. A story that is published where everyone can see it carries more weight and demonstrates that the student can compete in the real world.”

Although The Vision is offered as a one-credit practicum course for students majoring in communication, it is open to anyone.

“We would love for anyone who loves writing, graphics or photography to join us for COMM1113,” Campbell said. “We have had students from other majors join us in the past, and they make the experience all the richer with a fresh and unique viewpoint. You don’t have to be a journalist to join the Vision, but you’ll be one when you leave.”

Tigerville Christmas Parade Set For December 2

Tigerville, SC (November 10, 2023) The fourth annual Tigerville Christmas Parade will ring in the holiday season on Saturday, December 2.

“This is a great event for our community,” said Matt Jennings, event organizer and Owner of Cherokee Valley Course and Club. “It’s a family atmosphere, and it represents what Tigerville is all about. We love supporting our community churches and NGU.”

The parade begins at 11 a.m. and will travel north from the Highway 414 and Highway 253 intersection to Tigerville Elementary School Road, then back east and south to Highway 414. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Tigerville Fire Department.

The event is organized by various businesses in the local community, with 91 (NGU) as the lead sponsor. The main stage area for the parade will be just east of the Tigerville Road and Chinquapin Road intersection, with food trucks, and craft vendors in an 91parking area directly south of the university’s McCormick House on Tigerville Road.

The parade will include various entries, including church groups, classic tractors and sports cars, 91student organizations, the Blue Ridge Youth Association, and the 91Marching Band. It will conclude with the arrival of Santa Claus.

Following the parade, families will have the opportunity to have photos taken with Santa.

to enter the parade will be open until November 25. There will be a vote for Best Overall Float and Best Ensemble at the judges’ booth. The cost for entry is $30, and one winner in each category will be chosen.

The 2023 Parade Committee includes Matthew and Michelle Lindsey, Matt and Renee Jennings, Joe and Kayla Gilreath, Pastor Tim McConnell, and 91President, Dr. Gene Fant, and First Lady, Lisa Fant.

For more details, follow the Tigerville Christmas Parade on .

91to Present ‘The Last Night of Ballyhoo’ Through Nov. 18

last-night-ballyhooTigerville, SC (Nov. 8, 2023) 91Theatre will present Alfred Uhry’s Tony award-winning play ‘The Last Night of Ballyhoo’ on November 9–11 and November 16–18 at The Billingsley Theatre in Tigerville.

Directed by Joshua Scott, assistant professor and theatre education program coordinator at NGU, the charming family “dramedy” deals with issues of loyalty, prejudice, and faith.

“The selection of Alfred Uhry’s ‘The Last Night of Ballyhoo’ for 91Theatre was a result of a deliberate process,” Scott said. “The objective was to curate a production season that would engage and enthrall our audience while offering valuable educational opportunities for our students.”

Uhry’s play won the Tony Award for Best Play in 1997.

“In the world of Ballyhoo, set against the backdrop of Atlanta in 1939, we witness how individuals grapple with their identities in the face of cultural expectations and societal pressures,” Scott said. “The characters you will meet are all on their own personal journeys to discover who they truly are. They face questions of ethnicity, religion, and social status, which challenge their very sense of self. It is a timeless exploration, one that mirrors our own struggles with identity in today’s world.”

The Cast features Dylan Thompson (Adolph Freitag); Rebecca Panagiotacos (Boo Levy); Jenna Hansard (Lala Levy); Anslee Johnson (Reba Freitag); Sadie Beaumont (Sunny Freitag); Elijah Scott (Joe Farkas); and Chappie Stanley (Peachy Weil).

The production team includes MJ Greene (stage manager); Liam Riley (assistant stage manager); Cyndi Lohrmann (costume design); David Vierow (scenic design); Dr. Bess Park (lighting design); Isabelle Western (lighting assistant); Grace Turner (light board operator); Jaylan Brinson (scenic charge); Alyse Barrett (master electrician); Renee Drake (props master); Carmen Wells (hair/make-up crew); Anna Faith Major (house manager); Joshua Scott (sound design); Payten Anderson (soundboard operator); Daniel Johnson, (crew); Rachel Forester (crew); and Isabelle Western (crew).

“The Last Night of Ballyhoo” is one of four 91Theatre mainstage productions during the 2023–24 school year. Other selections include “A Year with Frog and Toad,” “On the Verge,” and “Jane Eyre the Musical.”

“All four of the mainstage productions being produced at 91share central themes of family, faith, friendship, and forgiveness. Among the four productions, Alfred Uhry’s script for ‘The Last Night of Ballyhoo’ stands out as an exceptionally realistic portrayal of everyday life,” Scott said. “Uhry’s story digs down deep into the themes of family and faith, and it has been a joy to see the actors find elements of relatability, perhaps recognizing aspects of themselves or their own family members within the characters on stage.”

Scott said, “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” offers a challenge to audiences.

“Having the capacity to view ourselves the way our Heavenly Father sees us and championing a healthy identity can become twisted by lies when fear overcomes our faith. In the characters’ pursuit of truth, they confront the consequences of deceit, the destructive power of fear, and the profound impact it can have on their own identities and relationships. Through laughter, tears, and self-discovery, ‘The Last Night of Ballyhoo’ invites each audience member to examine the roles we play and the truths we hold onto in the face of fear.”

Camilla Pitman Named 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award Winner

Tigerville, SC (Nov. 1, 2023) Camilla Pitman (’83) was named 91’s 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award winner last week during NGU’s homecoming celebration.

With nearly three decades of experience in local government, Pitman has been serving the City of Greenville since 1995. Beginning as the Legal Office Coordinator for the City Attorney’s Office, Pitman took over as City Clerk in 2007. Pitman served as President of the 91Alumni Association from 2013-2015. She also serves on the university’s Christian Ministry Scholarship Fund (CMSF) Board of Directors.

“Camilla is a shining example of what it means to be a transformational leader in the community,” said 91President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “Her years of dedicated service in the Upstate have made an impact here in Tigerville and beyond.”

During her career, Pitman has served the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in various roles, including representing Region III on its Board of Directors. She received the IIMC Program Excellence in Governance Award for innovative customer service in 2014 and was named as an Athenian Fellow and Dialogue Facilitator for the Athenian Leadership Society in 2017. Pitman currently serves as a mentor for IIMC members interested in becoming Dialogue Facilitators.

“It’s nice to receive recognition,” Pitman said. “Awards like this mean a lot to me, but I am grateful for the journey and the people I’ve served with along the way. I just look for the doors that God opens. I try to live my life doing what he wants me to do and not what I want to do.”

Pitman attended North Greenville when it was a two-year college, focusing on music and ministry. She was involved in Baptist Student Union, Concert Band, and the Etude Music Society. She also participated in deputation teams that traveled throughout the Carolinas and Georgia, serving as a pianist and soloist.

Her interest in city government began while working for temp agencies as a college student. She filled in as a receptionist for one day for a local law firm, and they offered her the job before she left that day.

“There have been so many times where God put me in a certain place at a certain time to do something meaningful,” Pitman said. “It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve tried to take the pen out of his hands and write my own story. God has had a plan.”

Her career has opened many doors, and Pitman has tried to view it all through the lens of a ministry.

“I’ve been able to pray over mayors and governors. I’ve been able to use my musical gifts to serve others. I don’t know why God has used me in so many ways, but it has been such a blessing,” she said. “Your mission field doesn’t always have to be within the boundaries of a church. My mission field is my profession.”

Pitman said she wants to continue to use her knowledge to mentor others.

“The major areas of focus in my professional life have been networking, engaging with others, mentoring, and serving,” she said. “I don’t think we do enough to train and develop future leaders. We don’t teach them to get to know one another and get involved with the things that are going on around them. Those are the things that have been valuable to me and I want to help others in any way I can.”

Experts Offer Advice to 91Students During Women in Sports Panel

“Be able to evolve and adapt.”

That was Suzanne Lowry’s message for more than 100 91students studying Sport Management during a special “Women in Sports” panel on Oct. 23.

Lowry is one of the top female volleyball officials in the world. She has officiated on six continents and in 18 countries. She has officiated in the FIVB World Championships and is also the Head Referee for the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) beach volleyball tour. A native of Due West, SC, Lowry played volleyball at the College of Charleston and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2009.

“If you’re involved with a sport, the rules are going to change each year,” Lowry told the students. “If you’re doing graphic design, the software programs you know inside and out right now are not going to be the same programs you’re using in 10 years. As the job changes, as the sport changes, and as your role within an organization changes, you have to be able to change with it.”

Lowry was joined on the panel by Teri Johnson, Director of Branding and Fan Experience, Greenville Swamp Rabbits; Nikki Malpass, Director of Event Production at Bon Secours Wellness Arena; and Ashley Schmidt, Assistant Director of Sport Programs at Clemson University Campus Recreation.

“You can always do something better,” Malpass said. “You have to be able to look at your work and assess how you can provide better service.”

“There are not a lot of women in live entertainment production,” she continued. “When I started, I didn’t have a woman to look up to as a mentor. You have to have thick skin. You can’t take anything personally. You have to learn to lead with grace—dig your heels in and let them know you know as much or more than they do.”

Johnson, who described her job as the “Director of Fun” for the Swamp Rabbits, said she had barely gotten her career off the ground when she found a sport she loved.

“My first day on the job was a game day,” she said. “They threw me to the wolves and it was crazy, but right after it was over, I called my mom and told her I wanted to work in hockey for the rest of my life. It’s been a process of taking on new responsibilities and building trust with my mentors.”

Schmidt told students to have confidence in their abilities and to not be afraid to try new things.

“Have confidence in your knowledge,” she said. “You might not have experience in what you’re going to be doing, but you can have confidence in your ability to learn and work hard. That will take you very far.”

Prior to the panel discussion, Lowry gave a presentation on her career highlights, detailing her experience as a referee at two NCAA women’s volleyball matches held outdoors on Wednesday, August 30 at the University of Nebraska’s football stadium. The matches attracted a women’s world record crowd of 92,003 attendees.

Lowry, who recently returned from the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) World Beach Championships in Tlaxcala, Mexico, encouraged students to pursue their dreams in sports.

“This is a fantastic time to get involved with sports and sports administration,” she said. “We’re seeing a lot of growth across the board, and especially in women’s sports, so there are opportunities there.”

91to Celebrate Homecoming Oct. 27-28

Tigerville, SC (Oct. 24, 2023) Alumni awards, class reunions, and a football tailgate are on the schedule as 91 (NGU) celebrates Homecoming in Tigerville on Oct. 27-28.

“Homecoming at 91is special,” said Lamont Sullivan, NGU’s senior associate vice president of Alumni Engagement and Athletics Development. “It’s an incredible moment that showcases how amazing this place is. It’s a time to honor the past, celebrate the present, and embrace a brighter future together.”

The celebration opens with the 35th annual Marion Moorhead Golf Classic on Friday (Oct. 27), beginning at 9 a.m. at Cherokee Valley Country Club. Proceeds of the tournament will benefit 91’s General Scholarship Fund.

An alumni awards and class reunion dinner will be held on Friday night at Moore Hall at Hayes Ministry Center. The event will honor the graduating classes of 1973, 1983, 1993, 1998, and 2013 as well as NGU’s Distinguished Alumni award winner.

A class reunion brunch will take place from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday in the President’s Dining Hall, and campus tours will be offered at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. from Hayes Ministry Center.

An All-Alumni Tailgate will begin at 11 a.m. in front of Melvin and Dollie Younts Stadium, as the 91 football team gears up to take on Mississippi College at 2 p.m. The event will also feature a Kids Zone for young attendees and families.

“While you are here this week, take a moment to walk the campus, and reconnect with friends, faculty and staff, and enjoy all that God is doing at our Alma Mater,” Sullivan said.

More information on Homecoming events is available online. For more information, email alumni@ngu.edu.

Noted Evangelical Scholar Hunter Baker Named 91Provost

Tigerville, SC (October 19, 2023) Noted evangelical scholar Hunter Baker has been named Provost and Dean of the University Faculty at 91, 91President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr., announced to the university’s Board of Trustees on Thursday morning, October 19, during its fall meeting. Dr. Baker was introduced at the board’s plenary session on the Tigerville campus, and also met with 91academic leadership Thursday afternoon.

Dr. Baker will begin his 91tenure on January 1, 2024, moving from Union University in Jackson, TN. He joined the Tennessee Baptist institution’s faculty in 2010, and has served as Dean of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Political Science since 2018, coordinating the work of more than 90 faculty in 15 academic units. He previously served in administrative and faculty posts at Houston Baptist University (now Houston Christian University).

“Hunter Baker is uniquely called and gifted to serve in this critical role at North Greenville,” said President Fant. “NGU’s academic programs and their reputations are ascendant, with fresh recognitions of excellence each year. Dr. Baker will lead our community to higher levels of achievement and innovation, all within the context of our Christ-first mission and our desire to serve church and society.”

Baker will fill the senior administrative position previously held by Dr. Nathan A. Finn, who is director of NGU’s newly created Institute for Transformational Leadership. In his five-year tenure as provost, Finn oversaw creation of the university’s core curriculum and a restructuring of the academic administration, creating six colleges to streamline NGU’s academic operations.

“I am excited to come to South Carolina and join the work and Christian mission of 91,” Baker said. “A conversion to Christianity as a college freshman completely changed the trajectory of my life. I am so glad that something that began back in 1988 has brought me to 91where I can unite my efforts with a faculty and staff committed to the spiritual, intellectual, and physical flourishing of students rooted in the Gospel.”

A prolific writer and speaker addressing Christianity, religious liberty and public affairs issues, Baker holds two earned doctorates. He completed a juris doctorate from the University of Houston Law Center in 2000, and earned a PhD degree in religion, politics, and society from Baylor University in 2007. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Florida State University in 1991, with a double major in economics and political science, and received a master of public administration degree from the University of Georgia in 1994.

Baker has written three books and contributed chapters to 20 other books. He has contributed numerous articles for journals in both academic and politics, culture, and religion arenas. He also is a regular columnist for World Opinions. He presented the President’s Distinguished Lecture at 91during Dr. Fant’s inauguration week in April 2018. His lecture was titled “The Need for Christian Statesmanship.”

“We are thrilled that Dr. Baker has answered the call to serve at North Greenville in this strategic position,” said Dr. Brian Spearman, chair of NGU’s Board of Trustees. “His personal testimony of faith in Christ is truly amazing. His expertise in Christian higher is deep and beneficial. He has been a beacon of light in the academic world as well as very involved in the public policy world. I know that he will truly bring a level of excellence to North Greenville.”

Baker’s higher education career has included several roles involving administrative leadership. He was director of strategic planning at Houston Baptist University before being promoted to associate provost for academic affairs. He was responsible for writing the university’s mission, vision, and goals documents HBU’s long-range plan. At Union University, he was chair of the curriculum review process with the faculty curriculum committee and provided programming for institutional faculty development.

“Since academic success – both in student growth and achievement as well as in the hiring and retention of excellent Christian faculty – had flourished under the leadership of Dr. Nathan Finn as Provost, there was some trepidation as to finding his replacement when he decided to step away to pursue other leadership interests. Well, 91responded with a touchdown,” said Dr. Andrew Calcutt, chair of the academic committee for the 91Board of Trustees. “The hiring of Dr. Hunter Baker to become the new Provost is a huge win for the University. Dr. Baker’s training, experience, and expertise in politics, business, academics, law, and theology provide him a unique and amazing skill set. His diverse background, combined with a strong faith, give him the essential qualities necessary to lead and grow the academic faculty at a time when the education portion of ‘Christian education’ has never been more important or challenging.”

Baker’s earlier work included service with the Georgia Center for Opportunity/Georgia Family Council, representing the council’s positions at the state capitol; work with Justice Fellowship, the public policy arm of Prison Fellowship Ministries; and work with The Rutherford Institute while pursuing his law degree.

Baker was a doctoral fellow with the J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies at Baylor University, and was the Inaugural HEB Faith and Learning Dissertation Fellow at Baylor.

“Dr. Baker champions the Christian Intellectual Tradition,” said Dr. Fant. “He is deeply committed to apologetics and evangelism. He is a dedicated and engaged churchman.”

“At its best, a Christian university models the kind of integrity that comes from bringing thought, belief, speech, and action into a consistent whole under the lordship of Christ,” said Baker. “Proceeding from a place of clear conviction, we will work together to find new ways to fulfill our mission in the dynamic world of higher education.”

Several evangelical leaders endorsed Dr. Baker’s move to NGU:

“I offer heartiest congratulations to President Gene Fant and the 91 community regarding the appointment of Hunter Baker as University Provost. Dr. Baker is a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, a conscientious administrator, a thoughtful scholar, and a gifted writer and classroom teacher, who will bring his many good gifts, talents, and experience to bear on the fine work already taking place at North Greenville. Dr Baker’s commitments to distinctive Christian higher education, Christian worldview thinking, academic seriousness, and the importance of a learning community working together will benefit the overall efforts at North Greenville for many years to come.”

– Dr. David S. Dockery, President, International Alliance for Christian Education, and President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas

“Congratulations to 91. Hunter Baker is a great choice as your next Provost. He is a knowledgeable, experienced, and very personable leader who is thoroughly versed in both the academic dimensions of a strong Christian University and the operational support and practicalities vital for enabling its mission.”

– Dr. Robert Sloan, President, Houston Christian University, Houston, Texas

“The appointment of my friend Hunter Baker as Provost at 91 signals that North Greenville is unafraid of its Christian commitments. I’ve known Hunter for well over a decade and in that time, he has courageously put himself forward time and time again as a model of unwavering Christian conviction and Christian statesmanship. An articulate spokesman for the evangelical mind within the public square and a regular contributor to the conservative intellectual movement, Hunter is a man of warmth and welcome and will undoubtedly foster an atmosphere of charity and intellectual rigor on NGU’s campus.”

– Dr. Andrew T. Walker, Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and Public Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

“Hunter Baker is a gifted, thoughtful, reliable, and distinctly Christian academic leader. I’m grateful for the way he has consistently demonstrated the ability to think from and apply a Christian vision to his teaching and writing. I am confident that he will be a tremendous asset to the people of 91.”

– John Stonestreet, President, The Colson Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado

“Hunter Baker is one of the most compelling thought leaders in Christian higher education today. He is a devoted follower of Christ who brings his faith commitments to bear on the challenges and issues of our day. I am pleased for my many friends on the 91faculty as Hunter transitions to the provost role there. You will find a very fine academic leader who listens well and cares deeply.”

– Dr. Carla Sanderson, Provost, Chamberlain University, Downers Grove, Illinois

“Congratulations to 91 for its appointment of Hunter Baker as its new Provost. Dr. Baker is a highly accomplished scholar and a dedicated and effective academic leader. Any university would be fortunate to have him in a top position.”

– Dr. Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey

“Hunter Baker is a gentleman, a scholar, and a leading voice for evangelicals on important issues of faith and public policy. He has a passion for raising up a generation of courageous and compassionate Christians who go into the world and make a difference for the Kingdom of God. Dr. Baker’s keen mind and servant’s heart make this appointment a win for the faculty and students at an already extraordinary institution.”

– Dr. Daniel Darling, Director of The Land Center for Cultural Engagement, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas

“God has richly blessed 91with the most capable of leaders. That He would add Dr. Hunter Baker to their team as provost is a sign of his special favor. Having worked closely with him for a long time, I cannot think of anyone better to lead NGU’s intellectual discipleship efforts in the next season.”

– Dr. John Basie, Director of Impact 360 Residency, Impact 360 Institute, Pine Mountain, Georgia

“Hunter Baker is a wonderful classroom teacher, an insightful scholar, and proven academic administrator. He is also a great friend and colleague. So, while I will miss having him here at Union, I am excited for this new opportunity for him and NGU. I look forward to hearing the good things which will come from his leadership at NGU.”

– Dr. Ray Van Neste, Dean of the School of Theology and Missions, Union University, Jackson, Tennessee

Donnan Renovations in Home Stretch on NGU’s Tigerville Campus

Tigerville, SC (Oct. 16, 2023) Construction continues at 91’s (NGU) historic administration building, as The Donnan/COBE Project nears completion on the Tigerville campus.

“We’re very excited about the progress,” said 91President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “We’re in the last stages of The Donnan/COBE Project, and we’re hoping to wrap up construction within the next two months. It’s been a massive overhaul, and it’s exciting to see it all taking shape.”

The administration building is now sporting its new look, as crews completed work on the main entrance in September.

Additional exterior work included the installation of HVAC units and construction of the building’s second floor balconies. Inside, crews installed drywall, bathroom tiles, lights and HVAC venting, and a drop ceiling.

“This building is designed to elicit ‘wows,’ and it’s going to be a point of pride,” President Fant said. “That’s what it was when it was built. It’s a link to the past. We’re connecting the great heritage that we have with a high-tech interactive space that will allow folks to see what we have to offer.”

With large, open interior spaces, the Donnan Administration Building will allow for student and faculty gathering and collaboration spaces.

“This entire redesign has been structured around students,” President Fant said. “They’ll have spaces to hang out and collaborate, but they’ll also be able to meet with faculty members and mentors. This resource will connect ethical, hard-working students who will go on to become leaders in their fields.”

President Fant said the project offers both a roadmap to the future, and a connection to NGU’s past.

“The number one thing I hear from people who visit is how beautiful our campus is,” he said. “This building was not a beautiful building, but it used to be. It’s been incredible to restore the building’s ‘wow’ factor with lots of glass, lots of steel, and lots of vistas. We look at the past and we celebrate what is good, but we build on the great things. North Greenville has a tremendous history and this building offers a glimpse of that history, while pointing to the future.”

The Donnan/COBE Project was designed by Greenville’s Equip Studio and is managed by Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL). Hood Construction is providing general contractor services. 

The Donnan/COBE capital campaign began in 2022. To learn more about the campaign, visit go.ngu.edu/donnan-cobe. 

A providing a glimpse of the progress of the project is now available, and a photo timeline will be updated throughout The Donnan/COBE Project at go.ngu.edu/donnan-timeline.

NGU’s Abigail McGillis Named 2023 SCICU Student of the Year

Tigerville, SC (Oct. 11, 2023) South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities has selected 91’s (NGU) Abigail McGillis as its 2023 SCICU McLean-Smith Student of the Year.

McGillis, a senior elementary education major, was honored at SCICU’s Board of Trustees meeting on October 10. The recognition provides a $3,000 scholarship.

“We are proud of Abigail McGillis for being named the 2023 McLean-Smith SCICU Student of the Year,” said 91President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “This is a significant achievement, and it exemplifies the leader that she is becoming on our campus and in her community.”

The scholarship program is named after J. Lacy McLean and Sterling L. Smith. McLean advocated for independent higher education in S.C. for over 34 years. Smith was instrumental in the development of the S.C. Tuition Grants program.

“It was very surprising and very exciting to be named Student of the Year,” McGillis said. “I am so honored to be able to represent 91in this way. I love learning and want to impart that love to the next generation.”

Along with maintaining a 4.0 GPA each semester at NGU, McGillis has demonstrated significant personal and professional leadership in the classroom, student leadership roles, and the community.

“The College of Education is extremely proud of Abigail McGillis,” said Dr. Constance Wright, dean of NGU’s College of Education. “Abigail is an exceptional student who is highly involved in our education program. She serves as a co-president in the Teacher Education Association and participates in other organizations, such as the Young Americans for Freedom. She is an outstanding representative of 91 and the College of Education.”

In addition to her leadership roles with the Teacher Education Association and Young Americans for Freedom, McGillis has also served as the secretary for NGU’s Student Body Council.

Earlier in 2023, McGillis taught English in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Locally, Abigail serves her church by leading worship, teaching Sunday School, helping with Vacation Bible School, working with youth retreats, and more. McGillis is also involved with the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Abide, and the 91Homeless Ministry.

“Abigail is an outstanding student in her education cohort,” said Dr. Jan Foster, associate provost for administration and accreditation at NGU. “She exemplifies a student who is passionate about education, her community, her country, and her faith. She is so well deserving of his honor.”

91’s College of Education offers traditional and online bachelor’s programs in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Secondary Education. 91also offers three graduate programs: Master of Education, Education Specialist and Doctor of Education. Graduates with education degrees from 91consistently secure employment in roles that align with their studies.

McGillis said she plans to continue her education upon graduation from NGU.

“I want to pursue educational leadership,” she said. “Going on to get my doctorate and studying classical education are things I’d love to accomplish down the line.”

Each year, the McLean-Smith SCICU Student of the Year scholarship recipient is selected from rising junior or senior applicants attending one of SCICU’s 21 member colleges and universities. All applicants must also be S.C. Tuition Grant recipients. Applications are accepted by the Center for Scholarship Administration in Greenville, and an independent three-person panel annually selects the student who will receive the SCICU Student of the Year scholarship.

“SCICU is proud to honor Abigail with the Student of the Year scholarship,” L. Jeffrey Perez, Ph.D., SCICU president and CEO. “Her academic achievements and leadership in the community are an inspiration to all of us and demonstrate the superior preparation students receive at North Greenville and all SCICU member institutions.”

Retired 91Vice President and CMSF Founder Buddy Freeman Dies

Tigerville, SC (October 3, 2023) Dr. Charles W. “Buddy” Freeman, a retired 91 (NGU) administrator who launched the university’s Christian Ministry Scholarship Fund died Sunday, October 1, 2023. He was 83.

Freeman’s ministry career spanned more than six decades. He served as a pastor in North Carolina before becoming Campus Minister at Gardner-Webb College in Boiling Springs, NC, in 1968. He spent the next 11 years at the Baptist institution, actively discipling students who would enter careers in ministry leadership. Following seven years as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Marshall, NC, he returned to Gardner-Webb as Dean of Admissions in 1987, serving in that role until he joined 91as Vice President of Admissions in 1997. He retired in 2007, but returned to 91in 2011 as director of the Christian Ministry Scholarship Fund until 2013. After departing NGU, he served another tenure as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Marshall.

Freeman founded NGU’s Christian Ministry Scholarship Fund during the 1997-98 academic year to provide an avenue for donors to support students pursuing careers in full-time ministry. In 2022, 91celebrated the fund’s 25th anniversary and announced that the CMSF endowment had eclipsed $5 million.

“Buddy Freeman invested his life in creating opportunities for college students to use their gifts and abilities to glorify God,” said 91President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “He discipled students, he prayed for students, he prayed with students, and he encouraged others to support ministry students. His influence is greatly multiplied because of how he consistently invested in the lives of students.”

“We are blessed to be part of Buddy’s legacy of faithfulness,” President Fant said. “His ministry will continue to yield fruit through 91.”

Born in Conover, NC, Freeman graduated from Bethware High School in Kings Mountain, NC, and earned an associate’s degree from Gardner-Webb Junior College in 1962 before completing a bachelor’s degree from Carson-Newman College in 1964. He earned a master of divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1967. 91awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Christian Leadership in 2008.

“Buddy Freeman walked with God and spent his life investing in people, particularly students. I was blessed to be one of those students,” said Dr. Steve Crouse, 91Senior Campus Minister, who has served as an administrator at 91since 1991.

“I met Buddy when I was 14 at the North Carolina Baptist assembly. I was drawn to his walk with God, his personality, and his sense of humor. He recruited me to go to college,” said Dr. Crouse, a 1976 Gardner-Webb University graduate. “What a joy it was to serve at 91with Buddy for 13 years. For the last 50 years, he has been a mentor in my life, teaching me how to love God, invest in students, grow in my prayer life, and enjoy the gift of laughter. I pray that God will use me to continue to invest in students as Buddy invested in me.”

A noted storyteller with a keen sense of humor, Freeman was a popular banquet speaker across the Carolinas. He wrote and spoke extensively on the subjects of prayer and pastoral care.

Freeman collected numerous books on the subject of prayer, and donated more than 1,000 books on prayer to 91in November 2017. The Buddy Freeman Prayer Library is housed next to the Miller Bible Museum in the university’s Averyt-Wood Learning Center.

“In conversations with Buddy through the years, you didn’t talk with him long before he got around to something about prayer. Prayer was on his heart, and that is a great motivation in his life,” said Dr. Walter Johnson, dean of NGU’s College of Christian Studies, during a ceremony celebrating the donation.

Dr. Freeman was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Coley Freeman along with his two sisters and two brothers. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Dr. Gayla Lowery, his son, Charles Freeman and wife Becky, his daughter, Deborah Harris, grandson, Michael Harris, granddaughter, Mikaila Hopper, great grandsons, Knox and Kreed Hopper as well as a sister-in-law and several nieces. 

A service of worship in celebration of Buddy’s life will be held in the sanctuary of Patterson Grove Baptist Church 301 Oak Grove Rd. Kings Mountain, NC 28086 on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 11:00 am. Burial will follow the service. The family will receive friends after the graveside service. 

In recognition of Dr. Freeman’s life and legacy, President Fant has directed that all 91flags be flown at half-staff through sundown Friday, October 6, 2023. A commemorative wreath has been placed ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­at the entrance of Hayes Ministry Center on NGU’s Tigerville campus.

91 Adds Education Specialist Degree

Tigerville, SC (Oct. 2, 2023) 91 continues to expand its graduate offerings for educators, adding an Education Specialist (EdS) degree with concentrations in Higher Education Administration and K-12 Administration.

Designed for educators pursuing expertise beyond a master’s degree but cannot commit to doctoral study, the fully online, 36-credit hour program can be completed in two-and-a-half years.

“The EdS is relevant for education professionals or those in leadership who are trying to expand their knowledge in the field,” 91College of Education Dean Constance Wright said. “It creates further professional opportunities for those that go through the program, but it also helps you become a better researcher and writer.”

Students in the EdS program will complete courses in Leadership Foundations and Leadership Competencies before choosing a track in K-12 Administration or Higher Education Administration.

All courses will be taught at a doctoral level and will count toward North Greenville’s EdD degree, should students wish to continue.

“Part of our conceptual framework in education is being lifelong learners,” Wright said. “We know there are always ways to improve and acquire more knowledge, and we want to provide our students with opportunities to continue to learn and grow.”

91’s College of Education also offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Master of Education (MEd), and Doctor of Education (EdD), as well as graduate and undergraduate certificate programs.

The Master of Education consists of six concentrations combined to create four different tracks. Those tracks include Gifted and Talented/Teaching Children of Poverty, Learning Disabilities, Literacy Coach/Literacy Specialist, and Teacher Leader.

Each of NGU’s education certificates can count toward Continuing Education Units (CEU) or add endorsements to a teacher’s license.

For more information on Education Specialist (EdS) degree, visit .

University Leaders Celebrated During NGUleads Graduation

Tigerville, SC (Sept. 28, 2023) Twelve 91 (NGU) faculty and staff members were recognized for their leadership qualities during a graduation ceremony for the university’s third NGUleads cohort on Friday.

NGUleads is a year-long internal leadership development program in which nominated members participate in monthly meetings, learn from leaders inside and outside of NGU, and develop and implement a service project to enhance the university.

“91is better because of the faculty and staff members in this room,” said 91President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “We are equipping transformational leaders for church and society with our students, but with NGUleads, we are also carrying out that mission with our faculty and staff.”

The third graduating class of NGUleads consists of Staci Rollins, assistant professor and program coordinator of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies; Martin Jones, chair of the Department of Accounting and Business; Emily Staggs, director of student accounts; Cory Truax, CRM systems administrator; Thomas Willoughby, assistant professor of Christian Studies; Kayla Morgan, director of advancement services; David Eubanks, director of desktop services; Joshua Milner, assistant athletic director for external operations and facilities; Jeffrey French, associate dean of the School of Science and Mathematics; Donny Mathis, dean of faculty development; Ansley Welchel, communication instructor; and Deborah Entwistle, senior accountant.

Professional development topics covered in the program include becoming a leader in Christian higher education, faith integration in higher education, emotional intelligence, innovation, decision making, conflict resolution, team building and design, effective communication, strategic and organizational planning, and community/political engagement.

The service project for this year’s class was to create awareness around the topic of sexual harassment. The group designed an initiative around the platform, developed print materials that linked to the university’s Title IX webpage, and worked with Campus Ministries and Student Engagement to distribute the information across the Tigerville campus.

“It’s a beautiful thing to see how God places diverse personalities, talents and training together to accomplish his purposes and fulfill his plans,” said Welchel. “The most impactful part of the experience for me was spending dedicated time with our university leadership team on a monthly basis to learn more about the overall vision for 91and developing relationships among our cohort to collaborate and implement that vision in strategic ways through our various roles.”

Members of NGUleads were nominated by their supervisor and approved by a unanimous vote of the 91’s Executive Leadership Council. The program is led by Dr. Tracy Kramer, associate dean for graduate programs, and Dr. Jill Rayburn, university general counsel.

“This initiative introduced me to a realm of fresh experiences that I might never have stumbled upon otherwise,” Morgan said. “It forged enduring bonds with colleagues I otherwise would not have crossed paths with, leading to friendships that will endure a lifetime. I am profoundly grateful for the chance to participate in NGUleads.”

Milner said participating in NGUleads was an encouragement to the work he is doing on campus.

“I enjoyed getting the opportunity to sit in the same room as individuals from each department across our university and being able to learn and understand how each area on campus is working towards the common mission of NGU,” he said. “The personal and career development that came along with the program was very valuable, and it was great to learn from both leaders inside the North Greenville community and outside in the private business sector.”