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Jarvis: Pivoting from Excellence to Preeminence
It has been an exciting year at Jarvis Christian University in Hawkins, Texas. Marking its 110th anniversary since its founding in 1912, in affiliation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), this year also is the transition from College to University with the addition of two master level programs, one in business administration and one in criminal justice.
“In a year filled with transitions and transformation, our University’s theme of ‘Transformation: Pivoting from Excellence to Preeminence,’ is coming alive,” said Jarvis President Dr. Lester C. Newman. Jarvis was named one of 19 Fulbright Historically Black College and University Institutional Leaders for 2022; one of 25 educational gems in the State of Texas—the only HBCU listed; and JCU was selected in the second cohort of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Transformation Project. JCU is also embarking upon a $60 million capital campaign for need-based scholarships, the enhancement of academic programs and a multimillion dollar state-of-the-art student and community center.
“Academically and athletically, it’s been a busy year for students,” Newman said. Two freshmen math majors from Texas with 4.0 GPAs were accepted into the BRING MATH program with the Institute for Mathematical and Statistical Innovation at Argon National Laboratory. Cancer research on campus led to student papers being published in peer-reviewed medical journals. Jarvis’ student chapter of the National Association of Blacks in Accounting (NABA) is one of the largest in the country.
Augmenting its athletic program by adding men’s and women’s wrestling, Jarvis has made history as the only HBCU in the nation with a women’s wrestling program. Two of Jarvis’ women wrestlers are currently ranked in the top 20 nationally, placing 15th and 20th.
On the move to live out this year’s theme, JCU is racing from excellence to preeminence and elevating the city of Hawkins and all of Wood County—being the only institution of higher education countywide. In keeping with the words from the school’s alma mater, JCU can be “None but Great!”
Yale Divinity School Intensives Conducted by Leading Practitioners
Yale Divinity School students receive instruction from professors who are among the most
noted theologians and Bible scholars in the academy. But the academic experience does not
end there. Several times a year, students take for-credit, weekend-intensive courses from
leading practitioners as part of the School’s Transformational Leadership Program.
Launched as a key component of the Divinity School’s 2015 strategic plan, the program is now
in its seventh year. Guest instructors have included U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, Catholic Educator
Parker Palmer, Rev. Traci Blackmon, travel writer Rick Steves, and Bread for the World President
Eugene Cho.
In addition to teaching the two-day, one-credit courses, the guest instructors engage in public
conversations on the Friday evenings hosted by program leader, Bill Goettler, the Divinity
School’s Associate Dean for Ministerial and Social Leadership. The courses are also open to
students at Yale’s other graduate and professional schools.
YDS Dean, Greg Sterling, set the tone for the program, saying at the time of its launch: “We
have to rethink how we position ourselves—as a theological school, as churches, and as
individuals—in a changing world. The need for leadership is urgent.”
The aim of the Transformational Leadership program is to identify innovative leaders who are
working outside the walls of churches and to invite them to come to New Haven to share their
experiences and insights with students.
“Students find these weekend intensives with leaders to be a source of real encouragement for
their work, as they develop their own visions for building community and seeking justice,”
Goettler said. “Our graduates will serve in churches and in a range of other contexts. They find
encouragement and inspiration from these leaders’ case studies and stories as they move
toward their own unique forms of ministry.”
This fall, the program has offered two weekend-intensive courses. September’s course featured
Rev. Jennifer Bailey and Rev. Dr. Danielle Buhuro of the Faith Matters Network in an exploration
of emerging forms of chaplaincy. In November, YDS alum Sharon Damelio, Senior Director of
Development of the nonprofit WhyHunger, guest-taught a course titled, “Fundraising in a
Broken World: Exploring the Theory and Practice of Nonprofit Fundraising.”
Videos of many of the guest instructors’ public conversations are available on the YDS
YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/YaleDivinitySchool.
T.A. Abbott Award: A Call for Nominees
Each Spring the Board of Directors of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) selects an individual to be the recipient of the T.A. Abbott Award for Faculty Excellence. This is the most prestigious recognition that our church bestows upon members of faculties of the 15 colleges and universities in covenant with the church and it includes a cash award of $1,000. The cash award can be used by the recipient to expand their library, develop a new course offering, or continue their education or research.