The gentle spring air comforted my skin as I walked around the relatively small campus. My brother spoke about this place like it is literal heaven on Earth: nothing but good things about the students, the faculty, the atmosphere. By this time, my acceptance at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, was complete and my college plans were set. I was wrong. I did not go to Asbury University, the university both my parents attended as well as my sister and brother-in-law, as well as where I grew up for the first six years of my life. Instead, the greatness of Carson-Newman University pulled me in.
There is something different about Carson-Newman. Around campus, you would have a difficult time hearing otherwise. When I first came, I was completely skeptical. Two and a half years later and I am not skeptic; I am an enthusiast.
What is it about Carson-Newman? Why should someone pick a small Baptist university in small town Tennessee over a small Methodist university in small town Kentucky? Or a small Baptist university in Wisconsin? or a large Baptist university in Virginia? By no means do I intend to bash other universities; my intent is to show the outside world the greatness of Carson-Newman by my experiences.
What can I expect at Carson-Newman?
Family. I am the opposite of corny; "Jesus is the reason for the season" is probably the most annoying statement of all time. I'm not denying the validity of the statement, just the overwhelming feel of overuse. I say that to let you know that I am not simply repeating a rhetoric that I've heard about my school. I say that because I mean it.
Over this past summer, I got engaged to my girlfriend of two years. The two of us were so excited and I did not mind telling everyone. When I first got back to campus and met with my adviser, the first thing she did was ask about my summer. At Carson-Newman, those questions are genuine, so I answered genuinely. I told her it was amazing and that I got engaged. I saw very easily that her enthusiasm was not feigned. Don't tell her, but I saw a tear fall down her cheek. Within the week, I received emails and comments from other professors in the English department congratulating me on my engagement. For Sarah and me, that meant the world. Many people consider us too young to be engaged, but we received nothing of that sort from Carson-Newman. Only love and support.
Respect. The faculty at Carson-Newman believe in the capabilities and character of all students. You would be hard pressed to find a faculty member that does not deeply care for and love their students.
My fiance currently attends Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. By no means does she not enjoy her time there, but we decided as a couple that it would be better for our relationship if she transferred to Carson-Newman. For anyone who has not transferred, it is a grueling and long process, full of waiting and paperwork. For a lot of this time, Sarah and I were very stressed, having to make major decisions about our life, and were confused at points. [This is the only time I will name a faculty member by name.] Dr. Kim Hawkins in the Education department changed our lives. I went to the Education department one day looking for someone who could give me answers for Sarah and I am far too glad that I found Dr. Hawkins. This amazing woman of God went out of her way multiple times to help Sarah and I, often doing things that are absolutely not required by her. Never in my life have I seen someone act so selflessly and Sarah and I cannot thank her enough.
Example. What does it mean to be a good Christian? I do not know the answer to this question and I will never pretend to. However, I do know that there is a plethora of people at Carson-Newman who show me daily what it looks like.
Before the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four game between undefeated Kentucky and Wisconsin, I was walking down the sidewalk in front of Henderson Humanities Building. It had been a rough day for me and a million thoughts flew through my mind. I focused on the sidewalk in front of me and didn't dare look up in fear of seeing something else that would stress me out. My fear of being stressed out led to me (shockingly) doing something that stressed me out. I nearly leveled our president, Dr. Randall O'Brien. So everyone is aware, no amount of apologizing will make you look cool after you run very fiercely into your university's president. Luckily for me, I didn't have to apologize. The first words out of Dr. O'Brien's mouth: "John, you look upset." The president of my university knew my name and knew me well enough to know when something was off. We proceeded to have a conversation about stress and how God is the only stress reliever.
I want to end on a quote from Dr. Randall O'Brien:
"You can leave love out of your religion and keep your religion, but you will have lost your God."
Carson-Newman is America's headquarters for love. Welcome to a new world. Welcome to a new experience. Welcome to a new family. Welcome to the Newman.
