Aug 21, 2015 - Union University’s history department launched the 2015-2016 school year with a spate of activities that began on August 6 when department faculty met for a working lunch at Dr. Stephen Carls’s home to discuss plans for the fall semester. On August 13, department members attended the annual fall faculty workshop where Provost Ben Mitchell talked about faculty responsibilities in fulfilling the school’s mission and President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver presented the framework of a Union University strategic plan for 2016-2020 that will be titled “United in Spirit, Grounded in Truth.” Dr. Carls hosted a history table at the school’s new student dinner on August 15; history majors Laura Beth Russell, Andrew Caldwell, and Cedric Davis sat with him for the meal and table conversation.
Two special events marked the week that classes began. One was the Student Organizations Fair on August 17. The history department prepared a display booth for the occasion, and Phi Alpha Theta officers Nicholas Hancock and Allen Bradley, along with Rutledge Honorary History Club President Kathryn Mitchell, talked to students interested in the history department’s programs and student organizations. The second event was Union University’s annual fall convocation on August 21, where faculty wore their academic regalia and President Oliver spoke on the topic of “Reflections on the Virtuous Life – Courage.”
History department faculty members get together for a working lunch at Dr. Stephen Carls's home on August 6, 2015. They are: (left to right) Dr. Stephen Carls, Dr. Keith Bates, Dr. Terry Lindley, Dr. Henry Allen, and Dr. David Thomas.
Dr. Stephen Carls (right) sits with incoming history students at the New Students Dinner on August 15, 2015. The students are (left to right) Laura Beth Russell, Andrew Caldwell, and Cedric Davis.
History student representatives at the Student Organizations Fair on August 17, 2015, stand together at the history department booth. They are (left to right) Kathryn Mitchell, Nicholas Hancock, and Allen Bradley.
A Peeps candy package adds color to the history display at the Student Organizations Fair on August 17, 2015.
Rutledge Honorary History Club President Kathryn Mitchell (right) stands with classmate Hannah Willis at the Student Organizations Fair on August 17, 2015.
Officers from the history department's student organizations talk to classmates at the history display table during the Student Organizations Fair on August 17, 2015.
Phi Alpha Theta President Nicholas Hancock (front) and Vice President Allen Bradley (back) embrace a classmate at the Student Organizations Fair on August 17, 2015.
Union students enjoy a light moment together at the history department display booth during the Student Organizations Fair on August 17, 2015. They are (left to right) Phi Alpha Theta President Nicholas Hancock, Nathan Van Neste, and Noah Miller.
History student representatives at the history department's display booth talk to an interested classmate at the Student Organizations Fair on August 17, 2015. The history students are (left to right, wearing red Phi Alpha Theta T-shirts) Kathryn Mitchell, Nicholas Hancock, and Allen Bradley.
Student Government Association President Holly Johnson (left), Faculty Member of the Year Dr. Ashley Fitch Blair (center), and President Dr. Samuel W. "Dub" Oliver (right) lead the processional at Union's annual fall convocation on August 21, 2015. Photo by Kristi Woody
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Ben Mitchell welcomes new students, staff, and faculty to Union at the school's fall convocation on August 21, 2015.
Union President Samuel W. "Dub" Oliver speaks on "Reflections on the Virtuous Life - Courage" at the school's annual fall convocation on August 21, 2015. Photo by Kristi Woody