Southwestern Today
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President's Perspective
These are exciting days! Over the last 6 months, we have been closely monitoring our application numbers, and we are anticipating one of our strongest enrollments ever. Compared to the same time last year, SAGU is up approximately 45% in undergraduate applications. We are up almost 53% in our distance education program. And we are up 44% in our graduate program.
Undoubtedly, much of the growth in undergraduate interest is due to the two new residence halls made possible through your generous financial support of the Momentum capital campaign. Early housing reports indicate that we have very few beds remaining in the new residence halls, so it is a joy to see the students benefiting from the investment you have made in their future.
I am especially reminded of several key individuals and churches that played a significant role in the financial success of the Momentum campaign. Darrel and Huberta Teeter, Dan and Bonnie Sheaffer, and James and Joyce Bridges deserve an abundance of gratitude. Broken Arrow Assembly of God (Pastor Michael Goldsmith) and Sherman Harvest Time Assembly of God (Pastor Irby McKnight) made tributes to H.A. Brummett and Andrea McKnight, respectively, through their gifts which now adorn the walls on designated floors in the new halls. And, to those individuals, churches, districts, and organizations who were able to give more than $10,000, we will soon have a donor monument in place in the new courtyard to provide a permanent, public record of their role in the success of the project.
However, a significant portion of the success goes to those of you who gave whatever you were able to give. For you, we have provided a special insert to show all 35,000+ people who receive this magazine how grateful we are for your support.
I look forward to what the Lord will do in the lives of our students this year. I pray that returning students come back more focused on their lifelong purpose than ever before. I am sure that many will return to campus with life-changing stories from mission trips to places around the globe this summer. I trust new students will arrive with hearts on fire and a desire to pursue God’s plan for their lives as a result of their involvement in local churches and district youth camps.
We fully recognize that Southwestern exists and is enabled to fulfill its purpose each year through a partnership with faithful supporters. This year, we celebrate 80 years of purpose. From those early days in 1927, when only 44 students graced the halls of the school, until now, we have remained committed to a single purpose—preparing men and women for their careers and callings in the service of Jesus Christ. Some of our alumni fulfill their calling in the mission field. Others fulfill their calling in the classroom. Still others fulfill their calling in a high-rise office building. SAGU has prepared thousands of alumni to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives throughout the world. Should the Lord tarry His coming, we will prepare and send thousands more.
If you have not already done so, I encourage you to make plans to attend SAGU Homecoming on October 25-27, 2007. We are shaking things up a bit to make it a fresh experience. Most importantly, former Davis Hall residents, you will want to join us for a Davis Hall Reunion. Many ladies made last October’s Collins Reunion one of the best-attended events. We hope that the men will do the same. Come prepared for a barbeque, fun, and many shared memories. You can read more about it in this issue of the Southwestern Today.
I am grateful for the blessing and direction of God as we pursue an exciting vision for the future of the university. Your prayers and financial support are making a difference in this Kingdom ministry and in the lives of the students we are privileged to serve.