CELEBRATING OUR
FAMILY OF FAITH
Concordia College Journal
SPRING-SUMMER 2013
CONCORDIA COLLEGE ALABAMA
GRADUATION CAPS OFF EXCITING SCHOOL YEAR
Concordia is blessed with friends who give generously of their time and talents.
Distinguished Service Awards went to Ross and Gloria Edwards and Jane and Fred
Wittlinger, who give selflessly of their time and talents to the Concordia mission.
Concordia awarded Doctor of Letters to Kathy Helge and Doctor of
Laws to Rev. Mark Helge in recognition of their generosity of heart.
30 years after starting college, Mary Fields celebrates her Bachelor’s in
Childhood Education with her family. Mary started Concordia when
she graduated from high school. Life’s struggles slowed her down, but
she reached her goal—with her children and grandchildren cheering
her on. She will teach preschool in rural Wilcox County in the fall.
“For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the LORD, “plans to
give you hope and a future”
An all-night drive from Miami brought his five brothers and parents to Concordia to
see Edson Dorvil receive his two-year Associate’s Degree. Edson’s parents, from Haiti,
work low-paying jobs to support the family; Edson is the first to attend college.
He returns to Concordia in the fall to work toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Business.
Joshua Ste
wart rece
from Presi ives his Bachelor o
f
dent Rev.
Dr. TilahuScience in Educati
on
n Mended
o.
From the President’s Desk
W
It was a joyful 1000-mile journey for Kenjay Simmonds, center, to walk in Graduation
2013 with his soccer teammates. Kenjay, center, who completed classes in December,
drove to Selma from Brooklyn, NY, to graduate with his friends and teammates
Hyrone Brown-Baptiste of Trinidad, left, and Troy Bacchus of Midville, Ga., right.
The three were on Concordia’s National Championship Soccer Team in 2009.
Kenjay is in graduate school, studying business administration.
Jeremiah 29:11
S
eventy students earned diplomas at Concordia’s 87th Commencement
in May, capping off their successful college experience.
Speaker Dr. Patrick Ferry, president of sister Concordia University
Wisconsin, urged graduates to persevere in the marathon of life, while Rev.
Mark Helge, who received a Doctor of Laws degree, told graduates to
remember, “God loves you. He has long loved you, and He gave His only
Son to die and rise for you. I urge you to keep that at the center of your
life, for it will serve you well.”
Graduates came from small towns in Alabama including Dixons Mills,
Marion Junction, Pine Apple, Cuba, Jones and Tyler, and the cities of
Brooklyn, Miami, and Grand Rapids. An international student from
Laventille, Trinidad, received his degree.
Most students were the first in their family to graduate from college.
A grandmother received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood
Education 30 years after first starting courses, and a business graduate
who finished his coursework in December, drove 1,000 miles to
graduate with his classmates.
“Graduation for me has been the threshold of my future and a
reminder of my past triumphs,” said education graduate Joshua Stewart,
who begins his teaching career at Clark Elementary School in Selma in
August. “I am proud to be a Concordia College Hornet!”
CELEBRATING STUDENT SUCCESS
hat a joy it is to celebrate the pinnacle of success
for our students—college graduation. It is
hard not to get a lump in your throat as you
watch students who have grown and matured in faith and
knowledge walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.
Most of our students’ parents are watching the first college
graduation in their family. They drove hundreds of miles and
brought aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmothers, and more!
One student’s family drove all night from Miami to attend,
while another was cheered by her grandchildren.
This year we recognized special friends who helped pave
the path to success for our graduates by giving generously of
their time and treasures. It was a deep joy to award doctorates
to Rev. Mark and Kathy Helge for their ministry and their
generous support of Lutheran higher education. In February,
the Helges blessed our college with the largest single gift in
our history—$5 million. Their love of Christ shines clearly
in their hearts of compassion.
We were proud to give distinguished service awards to
Ross and Gloria Edwards and Fred and Jane Wittlinger.
The Edwards are generous givers; Ross provides invaluable
construction advice, and Gloria supports us at the national
level. Fred and Jane spent their 50th wedding anniversary in
sweltering Selma last summer fixing dorm rooms, and they
have given generously. Our Crest of Christ award went to
Rev. Dr. Dien Ashley Taylor, a former board member who
is such a great gift to our Church.
We are grateful for all our friends—alumni, prayer
warriors, brothers and sisters in Christ—who support our
educational ministry. I thank my God in all my remembrance
of you, always in every prayer of mine for you . . . because of
your partnership in the gospel.
—Rev. Dr. Tilahun M. Mendedo
PAGE 2 CONCORDIA JOURNAL SPRING-SUMMER 2013
STUDENT SCHOLARS
All in the Family Dominique Lacy
Cruz, a fourth-generation Lutheran, has fulfilled a family
tradition by graduating from Concordia College this May
with a Bachelor’s in Education. Dominique’s extended family
are first- and second-generation graduates of the college;
her cousin, James Wiggins, Jr., a second-generation alumnus
and LCMS pastor, was keynote speaker at Concordia’s 90th
anniversary celebration last fall.
A member of St. Philip
Lutheran Church in Cleveland,
Ohio, Dominique went through
a major adjustment to smalltown life with her move to
the college four years ago—
especially when she stayed with
her grandparents in Camden,
Ala., a town of 1,900. Her family
attends Holy Cross Lutheran
in Camden, one of the oldest
congregations that Concordia
Dominque Taylor Cruz celebrates
founder Rosa Young started in
Lutheran connection.
Wilcox County.
Dominique served as president of the Concordia Asso­­
ciation of Student Educators and was elected 2011 homecoming queen. Her education professors encouraged her whenever
she got down.
“They would get me back on track. They always wanted
you to keep going. They pushed us to be our best.”
This spring she soared, serving as student teacher to the
fourth grade at local Meadowview Elementary School. “I
loved it. I felt like I fit right in,” she said. “I loved going every
day and being engaged with students in the classroom.”
Dominique returned to Cleveland, where she begins
teaching this fall.
Academic All American All-
around athlete and academic scholar Marcus Sutton was
named United States Collegiate Athletic Association
National Academic All-American
this year, for his athletic ability
on the basketball court and his
scholastic achievements in the
classroom. A point guard, Sutton
has been playing basketball since
he was six years old. He was
recruited to Concordia two years
ago from a community college in
Florida. He lettered in the sport
while maintaining a 3.5 GPA.
“I came to Concordia because
Marcus Sutton
I
wanted
to be in a Christ-cen­tered
graduates with honors.
environment with small classes
where you get to know your professors, while not being too
far from home,” he said. “My professors and coaches have really inspired me to the best I could be.”
A 2013 graduate with a Bachelor’s in Business Management,
Marcus is pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration.
Students Enjoy New “Hornet’s Nest”
A new Interactive Student Learning Center and Cafe, “The Hornet’s Nest,” opened this
year, giving students a great space for meals, study, and relaxation.
Inspired by volunteer contractor Ross Edwards, Concordia turned a dull, unimaginative, and underused building into a dynamic and inspiring student center, with several
gathering areas and meeting rooms. “It means a lot to me, especially that we can bring
our computers here and study,” said Lekeshia Beasley from Opelika. “I love it.”
Joshua Stewart, who advocated for a center while serving as student government
president, said it was great to see a dream realized. “We waited, we prayed, we worked,
and God came through. What a blessing!”
Sophomore Paxton Chatora, from Zimbabwe, said he is pleased that Concordia continues to demonstrate its commitment to students. “This gives me great hope that things
will always get better, that everyone is trying to create something that all of us can enjoy.”
s
w
e
N
i
Alumn
CONCORDIA JOURNAL SPRING-SUMMER 2013 PAGE 7
C oncordia Celebrates Centenarian
With great joy, Concordia’s alumni celebrate the 100th
birthday of alumna Beatrice Lehman Green, born March
1, 1913, in Mansura, La. Beatrice, who studied to become
a teacher at Alabama Lutheran Academy, 1929–1932,
celebrated her 100th birthday with a proclamation from
the National Alumni Association.
After graduating from the Academy, Beatrice moved
to Houston, where, along with her two aunts, she helped
found Holy Cross Lutheran Church, the first black
Lutheran church in Texas. At Holy Cross, she served
in the choir, Lutheran Women Missionary League, and
Mrs. Beatrice Lehman Green at her home in Texas
Altar Guild, and she taught Bible classes and Sunday school.
She married Allie Charles Green in 1941, and they celebrated 60 years together before he died in 2001.
During the Depression, Beatrice began working for Mrs. James Baker, Jr., looking after her children. The son, James Baker III,
later became the U.S. Secretary of State. Mrs. Green was Mrs. Baker’s personal secretary for 40 years.
She also volunteered as Assistant Precinct Judge at Harris County Voting Precinct #247 for over 60 years, from the 1940s to
2006. She participated in the “sit-in” at the Texas State Capital during the Voting Rights movement.
In the community, Beatrice served as secretary for the Harris County Council of Organizations, Blue Triangle Branch YWCA
Board, Magnolia Garden Club, Third Ward Community Club, and Model Cities. Presently, she serves as Line Dance Mascot for
the Third Ward Line Dancers.
YOUR IRA CAN SUPPORT CONCORDIA’S
Educational Mission
Your gift from your Individual Retirement Account can provide
needed support to the educational ministry at Concordia College. IRA
charitable rollover legislation allows you to transfer lifetime gifts up to
$100,000 with funds from your IRA, without negative tax effects.
HOW TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDS:
u Age 70½ or older at the time of the gift.
u Transfer up to $100,000 directly from your IRA.
u Transfer the funds outright to a qualified charity, such as
Concordia College.
u Make your gift by Dec. 31, 2013.
By making a gift this year, you can see your philanthropic dollars supArtist Michael Gilles of Christ Lutheran Church in Perry, Ga.,
port campus improvements, new technology, and student scholarships.
with students from the Spiritual Life Team, shares “Descending
If you have not yet taken your minimum, the charitable IRA rollover
Dove Cross,” which he created for the new student center.
Rich in theological symbolism, the art is one of two canvases
gift can satisfy all or part of that requirement. You can give any amount
he created for Concordia, celebrating new life in Christ.
under this provision, as long as it is $100,000 or less this year. Your
spouse can also give from his/her IRA.
For more information, contact Concordia Major Gifts Officer Daniel Jenkins at 334-874-5700, ext. 19705, or
djenkins@ccal.edu.
PAGE 4 CONCORDIA JOURNAL SPRING-SUMMER 2013
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
ision for the Future
CIVIL RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
There is nothing more reputable to a race or nation than Christian service.—Rosa Young
C
Celebrating Literacy
Second graders celebrate their book gifts.
Over 400 second graders from local schools attended
Concordia’s first Literacy Fair this spring. Storybook
characters, songs from the marching band, snacks, gift
bags, and the drama club’s presentation of Snow White
filled the day, in what should be an annual event.
“This helps us build partnerships with local schools,
give back to our children, and encourage reading,” said
Dr. Bettye Hubbard, Chair, Division of Education
and Psychology. Hosted by the College of Education,
the Literacy Fair was supported by Zeta Eta Omega
Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Kappa Alpha
Psi Fraternity, and the Man Center.
Feeding the Hungry
V
oncordia College sponsored its first Civil Rights
Symposium this spring, coinciding with the 48th
anniversary of the Voting Rights march from Selma to
Montgomery, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1965.
Concordia welcomed keynoter Dr. Martin Marty, Lutheran
historian and theologian, to Selma for the first time since he
participated in the Voting Rights movement here in 1965.
“The Symposium engaged our campus community and
others in realizing our vision to be a diverse, global institution
of excellence and a leader in developing intellectual, spiritual,
English professors Victor Singingeagle
and Timeka Ross encourage reading as
Thing 1 and Thing 2 from Dr. Seuss’
The Cat in the Hat.
With helping hands from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Herndon, Va., hungry seniors,
children, and families in Selma got a gift of food this spring at a local Christian food pantry.
Concordia students helped unload thousands of pounds of food, which will feed Selma’s
hungry poor for several weeks.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the amount of food being donated,” said student Edson
Dorvil. “I’m thankful to Good Shepherd for letting me be part of the service to our community.”
“Our church just loves this project,” said Vicki Peter, from Good Shepherd. “The students
asked us to help, and we didn’t want to let them down. No one wants anyone to go hungry.”
Cleaning Up a Neighborhood
Giving back to the
community is the
focus of the Social
Work Club at Con­
cordia, and two
highlights were
helping at the Special
Olympics and raising
funds for the American Cancer Society.
“My goal is to
teach students to
Social Work Club with advisor
Dr. Angela Sullivan, center.
give back,” said Dr.
Angela Sullivan,
faculty advisor. “The ultimate experience in giving back is when
students feel a sense of pride for going above and beyond to
help someone else—and that person can sense that someone
cares about them as well.”
Cleaning out trash and weeds from a poor neighborhood
was a good experience for Concordia Hornet football players
this spring.
“We want to be able to cultivate young athletes to be
leaders of tomorrow,” said Coach Don Lee. “The ability to give
back to our community is what this program thrives on.”
“We were out cleaning up, making an effort to show the
community we care about Selma,” said quarterback Cameron
Mayfield.
“When no
one helps you,
you feel like
you have no
hope. We’re
trying to give
hope.”
Students join with faculty and staff to re-enact
the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
and moral leaders of Christ-centered justice. We look forward
to hosting this event annually,” said President Mendedo.
Other speakers:
uRev. Joseph Ellwanger, son of former Concordia
President Dr. Walter Ellwanger, who was pastor of St.
Paul Lutheran Church in Birmingham during the 1960s,
working with Dr. King to promote equality for all people.
uMrs. Diane Harris, who was a 10th grade student at
Alabama Lutheran Academy in 1965 and skipped classes
to attend the mass meetings.
uRev. Dr. Dean Lueking of Chicago, who reflected on the
50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I have a
Dream” speech in Washington, D.C., which he attended.
Students from Concordia College and from visiting
Valparaiso University participated; Valpo students said they
enjoyed hearing Dr. Marty and
learning the role of Lutherans,
black and white, in the Civil Rights
movement. “That was something
they had no idea about,” said Dr.
Alan Bloom, who brought 23
Valpo students and 5 faculty/staff.
Concordia junior Keiwan
Harris enjoyed interviewing Rev.
Ellwanger for the college’s civil
Bianca Spencer of Valparaiso and
Tomas Wais, a Concordia soccer
rights library. “I wasn’t expecting
player from Argentina,
to hear that he worked alongside
march together.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was
a distinct honor to hear his story!”
International Concordia student Brukty Shetta said she
liked seeing the past through the eyes of those who went
through it. “All of this helped me see and find out about the
background of the African Americans’ struggle.”
Mayor George Evans gave keys to the city to Dr. Martin
Marty and Rev. Joe Ellwanger, saying they weren’t welcome
in 1965, but they are surely welcome now.
Photos by Nate Pinkston, Class of 2012
Reaching Out to Others
CONCORDIA JOURNAL SPRING-SUMMER 2013 PAGE 5
Concordia drama club presents “Songs of Freedom.”
Ashley Snow, Vice President of the Rosa Young Women’s Center, moderates the panel
discussion with Rev. Joseph Ellwanger, Mrs. Dianne Harris, and Rev. Dr. Dean Leuking.
PAGE 6 CONCORDIA JOURNAL SPRING-SUMMER 2013
Concordia Hornets
M
en’s Basketball The men’s basketball team, under new head
Coach Fredrick Summers, finished the season 6–19. Season highlights
included senior player, Marcus Sutton, being named USCAA National
Academic All-American and the team posting notable wins over tough NCAA Division II
basketball programs, he said.
Before coming to Selma, Summers was head coach at Sacred Heart High School in
Hattiesburg, Miss. He also served as assistant basketball coach at three colleges and had a
distinguished career on the court.
F
CONCORDIA JOURNAL SPRING-SUMMER 2013 PAGE 3
ACULTY
OCUS
Coal Miner’s Daughter As a child, her favorite possession
was . . . a library card. Today Dr. Rebecca Montoya Bragdon hopes to instill the same love
of books in her students—and in the students they will be teaching when they graduate.
Bragdon joined the Concordia faculty last fall as Assistant Professor of Education.
When she was eight years old, her father was killed in a coal mine explosion in
Utah, and she began helping her mother with her three younger siblings, as they
struggled to get by.
“I have always been a good student and had great mentors growing up. I have
always believed that an education was something intangible that could never be taken
away,” she said.
“I believe God gives everyone the ability to learn and do many things. God has led
me here to do what I can to help Concordia students reach their goals. It is my chance
to give back what I was so graciously given.”
Bragdon has doctorates from the University of North Carolina Greensboro in
Educational Leadership, Curriculum, and Instruction and Cultural Studies.
W
omen’s Basketball The 2012 national champions women’s Hornets
finished this season 11–12 under new Coach Eric Jackson, Jr., in his first turn as
head coach. The star high school and college basketball player said he is rebuilding
the team, having signed five new players for the upcoming season, with four young women
from the national championship team returning.
A native of High Point, NC, Jackson served as an assistant basketball coach at Rust College
in Holly Springs, Miss.
W
omen’s Softball The women’s softball team—coming back after
a year’s hiatus—has some ground to cover after this year’s 0–11 scorecard.
“While we didn’t win games, I am still proud of the girls because they finished
the season with a lot of heart and tenacity,” said new softball Coach Venecia Eaton. “I
looked at this season as a time to rebuild, look at what we have, and see what we need to
be successful.”
A native of Selma, Eaton coached volleyball at Concordia last fall. She played softball
at Miles College, where she helped her team accumulate record wins.
B
aseball Coach Curtis Wimberly enters his first season as the head coach of
Concordia’s baseball program, which went through growing pains this season after a
one-year hiatus, starting with 18 freshmen out of 22 players.
“These guys are dedicated, not only on the baseball field, but also in the classroom. They
put their education first and still haven’t missed practices,” he said.
Coach Wimberly has coached Hornets football and softball teams, and he played baseball throughout his college career.
T
rack and Field Track and field Coach Timeka Ross fielded a smaller
Photos by Nate Pinkston
Class of 2012
but dedicated team for her fifth year since starting the sport at Concordia in 2008.
A full-time faculty member, Coach Ross focuses her team on maintaining the
characteristics of Christian student athletes.
Her team competes in javelin, discus, shot-put, long
jump, triple jump, 100-, 200- 400-meter dash, 800-,
1500-, 5000-meter run, 4x400 relay, and 4x100 relay.
Each year, the team works to improve throughout
the season and win their events, which they accomplished this year.
Assistant Professor of English Coach Ross was a
track athlete in college. “If it were not for God on my
side, I would not be where I am today,” she said.
Rebecca M. Bragdon
Bringing Business to College Professor Glenn
King brings extensive first-hand experience in the business world to his students to help
prepare them for the future.
A Concordia alumnus, King has experience in banking and retail sales, having
worked eight years at the local Regions Bank and seven years at the well-regarded Selma
jeweler, Butler Truax. Both jobs help him open the work world to his students.
“To succeed in the business world, it’s more than what you can learn in books,”
said King, Assistant Professor of Business. “It’s also learning to speak effectively, dress
appropriately, network with others, and treat your colleagues and your customers
well—because they are often leaders in the community.”
King also works hard to take students out of the classroom and into the business
world by setting up interactive engagements with local industries, as well as bringing
local employers to the classroom.
“There is a lot of competition. A piece of paper [diploma] is great, but experience
helps too. Students need the practical knowledge along with theoretical,” he said.
King sees his faculty position not as a job, but a ministry. “We see students from a
variety of backgrounds and walks of life. I believe God strategically placed me here for a
reason. I often tell students, ‘I sat in the same seat you are sitting in. I understand what
you are going through, and I know you can make this an excellent education.’”
King earned his master’s from Troy University in human resource management and
is completing his Doctorate in Management, with a specialization in Leadership and
Organizational Change.
Glenn King