News

WASHINGTON - Politics and lessons from lectures came to life for Barton senior Kyle Wrightenberry during his summer break as he interned in the office of Third District U.S. Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC), a 1968 Atlantic Christian/Barton College graduate.

Working as a patient-care advocate for a home medical equipment company, Wrightenberry traveled to Washington, to meet with a number of senators and representatives to discuss his concerns for the patients.

"I met Congressman Walter Jones, and he really made an impression on me. He really cared about what I had to say. He cared about people in his district," Wrightenberry said.

Wrightenberry applied for an internship in Rep. Jones' office and was accepted. During the four weeks of the internship, he served in the congressman's office answering phones, greeting visitors, and giving tours.

He also attended hearings including a round-table discussion on national health insurance. Attending this meeting with Rep. Jones, Wrightenberry was given the opportunity to address those present and share his concerns as a patient-care advocate.

Wrightenberry experienced more of the political process as he performed research work regarding the stop-loss policy in the military.

"Stop-loss is basically a back-door draft," he said.

According to Wrightenberry, the policy extends the service period of military personnel who have already served their contracts.

Wrightenberry explained, "What we're trying to do is actually limit the president's powers on stop-loss. Stop-loss can only be issued in a national emergency or time of war; and we're trying to draft a bill that limits the president's power, that makes Congress have the final say on whether there should be a stop-loss policy implemented or not."

Wrightenberry, a political science and business management double major, said, "In college, I really developed an interest in politics."

In fact, he hopes one day to become a congressman himself: "I want to be different, and I want to bring the concerns of my district to Congress."

When asked how Barton prepared him for the internship and his future beyond that, Wrightenberry said, "I have to give a lot of credit to Barton College. They provided me, of course, with the education I've needed and great teachers."

He also found Barton's size to be a positive factor in his educational experience: "The thing about Barton College is you can really interact with your professors."

Commenting further on Barton, Wrightenberry said, "I think it really gives students the opportunity to succeed because it's a private school, and you can get more stuff done in those smaller classes."

Clubs and organizations also enriched his college experience. In addition to being a double major, Wrightenberry served as president of Campus Conservatives, participated in Greek life, and worked as a student manager for campus food services. And, he did all of this while maintaining a 3.4 GPA.

Summarizing his experience at Barton, Wrightenberry said, "I'm ready for grad school. I've made connections for life. It's been an amazing experience!"

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Questions? Please contact Ken Dozier, web services manager at Barton College, at 252.399.6596 or email kdozier@barton.edu.

Barton College President Norval Kneten considers his new role as president of Conference Carolinas right up his alley.

"When you think about the ideal college athletic experience, you think about Division II," Kneten said in a telephone interview while traveling through Texas on Friday afternoon. "You think about a balance in athletics and academics.

"That's what we are all about (at Barton College)."

Kneten has been selected as the president of the NCAA Div. II conference for 2008-09 — as he approaches his sixth year as Barton's president.

Barton and 11 other colleges in North and South Carolina form the league — which was the Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference until being renamed, effective in 2007-08.

The CVAC exited with the Barton men's basketball team seizing the Div. II national championship, while Conference Carolinas was christened with the Mount Olive College baseball team capturing the national title.

"I am excited about the conference," Kneten commented, "and I am excited about its potential and what it's providing."

Kneten explains he's comfortable with the responsibilities because they blend with the Barton mission and its partnership with the Wilson community.

"The Div. II experience emphasizes a family-friendly environment for athletic competition," Kneten remarked.

He reasoned that Div. II best provides the athlete a balanced opportunity for athletics and academics, family involvement and the freedom to step away if choosing to do so.

Kneten proudly notes that Barton is already a "poster child" for the new campaign promoting the Div. II experience. NCAA Div. II, Kneten said, has committed approximately $1 million to its "I Chose Division II" marketing endeavor.

He pointed out the partnership between Barton and the Wilson community was featured in the first edition of "Champions," a new NCAA publication.

Barton was also prominent in the second edition with its incredible comeback in the last 45 seconds on the 2007 men's championship basketball game ranked No. 2 among all-time NCAA feats.

"This (guiding Conference Carolinas) is right up our alley," he contended.

Serving as a conference president will be a first-time experience. Does Kneten have time for the additional duties?

"Do I have time not to do it?" he responded with a laugh. "It's what Barton College is about. Twenty-two percent of our students are varsity athletes. Their average GPA (grade-point average) is actually higher than that of the overall student."

Kneten noted he has served in numerous capacities in the past, adding: "In some senses, I have been more involved in the athletic area."

Conference Carolinas, under Kneten's guidance, will continue its emphasis upon sportsmanship, promoting a game (family-friendly) environment and being attentive to athletes' travel time.

The intent is that the impact of the lessons in developing character and sportsmanship will last a lifetime.

"We have a strong conference," Kneten assured. "We have a good group of schools of comparable culture that are compatible. We have the right number for the way we do our scheduling."

However, the possibility of expansion is an issue, along with scheduling and the addition of recognized conference sports. The time spent traveling for league competition draws substantial attention.

Kneten confirmed the conference continues to be contacted by other institutions, but said expansion would probably necessitate the creation of divisions within Conference Carolinas.

The league is also moving forward, said Kneten, with its plans to establish a spring sports championship festival, beginning next spring.

Kneten welcomes the opportunity to guide the 12-school league.

"It's certainly an honor," he commented, "and I am pleased that Barton College can be represented and involved in this manner."

(Courtesy of Tom Ham, Wilson Daily Times)

For many in the Western Hemisphere, the magnitude 7.9 quake which struck China on May 12 was just another piece of bad news from somewhere on the other side of the world; but for Barton, the quake hit home.

Two days after the disaster, Dr. Zhixiong Cai, professor of mathematics at Barton College, emailed the campus community: "My home city, Chengdu, is just 60 miles from the epicenter, Wenchuan. After two days of trying, I was able to talk to my two brothers in Chengdu. They are all safe, but according to them Dujiangyan, a city where three Barton groups visited in the past few years, suffered great losses."

According to the information Cai received at that time, over 14,000 had died, nearly 26,000 were still buried beneath the rubble, and over 65,000 individuals suffered injuries. The structural damage was also substantial with more than 4.5 million homes suffering damage and 125,000 buildings having completely collapsed.

Immediately, Barton created a charity account to aid in the rebuilding efforts in Dujiangyan. Cai said the money, earmarked for the rebuilding of a school, will be sent to the Chinese Red Cross account established by the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.

On May 30, Cai once again emailed the Barton campus thanking everyone who had donated and informing readers that the original May 30 deadline for donations had been extended to June 10. As of May 29, "we’ve received donations of $5645.71!" said Cai.

Cai also said that he had spoken with Deputy Major Liao of Dujiangyan. "On hearing of the Barton fundraiser, Ms. Liao expressed her deepest appreciation" for Barton's help and "invited all to visit in the future."

Thanks to everyone who has participated in this effort! For those who have not contributed yet or those who would like to contribute more, you may make your check payable to:

Barton College
China Earthquake Relief
P.O. Box 5000
Wilson, N.C. 27893

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Questions? Please contact Ken Dozier, web services manager at Barton College, at 252.399.6596 or email kdozier@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. - Blue skies and a warm breeze welcomed families of 220 graduating seniors at Barton College’s 106th annual commencement exercises on Sunday, May 18. Dr. Norval C. Kneten presided over his fifth commencement program as president of Barton College. Dr. Terrence L. Grimes, vice president for academic affairs, presented the graduating class.

Participating in this year’s commencement ceremony were students who completed their baccalaureate degree requirements in December 2007 and May 2008, as well as candidates who expect to fulfill requirements over the summer.

Dr. Richard Ekman, president of the Council of Independent Colleges, delivered the commencement address. In his remarks, he reminded Barton’s graduating seniors of the benefits they had gained attending a small, private liberal arts college. "Barton College has, through its intense and caring atmosphere, helped you discover who you are, what your abilities are, and what is most important to you," said Dr. Ekman. "I hope that connecting the skills and values that you discovered you have with something that you want to do in the wider world has been a very satisfying experience, and will continue to be as you make other decisions in life."

He also emphasized to the graduating seniors that while they were now preparing to enter a "world dominated by large organizations in almost every aspect of our lives — as workers, consumers, users of health services, and as citizens," they also had one significant advantage, thanks to their Barton experience. "You have the advantage of seeing how well at least one small, flexible, and responsive institution can function. The question you face today is whether you will be able to bring this understanding to the other institutions in which you will be involved after graduation so as to make them as effective as Barton College."

He reminded them that they had learned the value of hard work, of diligence, and of collegiality, as well as the importance of honesty, integrity, and candor through their Barton experience — an experience that included class group projects, team sports, and daily interaction with fellow students and faculty members. Through examples in a series of predictions, Dr. Ekman further illustrated how these "life lessons" will help shape the graduating seniors’ personal and professional decisions. He concluded by telling them that personal integrity will "still be the best basis for decisive, well-informed judgment in the conduct of our lives."

The commencement exercises included the presentation of the Doctor of Humane Letters degree, honoris causa, to K.D. Kennedy, Jr., of Raleigh. The citation, read by Dr. Kneten, described Kennedy as "a driving force over the last two decades, [whose] dedication and commitment to higher education have significantly enhanced the life of Barton College. [Kennedy] has distinguished himself as a leader and benefactor with vision."

The three highest honors presented to Barton students during Sunday’s program included: the Coggins Cup, the Hilley Cup, and the Hemby Leadership Cup. The Coggins Cup, presented annually to the student voted best all-around by the Barton faculty and staff, was awarded to Hayley Elyse Stafford of Claremont, who graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The Hilley Cup, presented annually to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average, was awarded to Joseph Thomas Hamer of Clayton, who graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. The Hemby Leadership Cup, presented to the graduating senior, who in the estimation of the college community (including students, faculty and staff) has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout a career at Barton College, was awarded to Alexandra Renee Denton of Lucama, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.

The Jefferson-Pilot Faculty Member of the Year awards, presented annually to two faculty members, were awarded to Patricia Burrus, assistant professor of business in the School of Business, and Dr. Kevin N. Pennington, assistant professor of biology in the Science and Mathematics Department in the School of Arts and Sciences. The awards include a cash stipend for international study in conjunction with Barton's Global Focus international emphasis.

Lauren Prevatte, senior class president, shared memories of their Barton experience and encouraged her fellow classmates to excel in their future careers. Dr. Phillip H. Warren of Dunn, class of 1971, president of the Barton College Alumni Association and its Alumni Board, brought greetings to graduating seniors on behalf of the Alumni Association and emphasized the importance of staying connected to their alma mater through myriad opportunities available.

The Reverend Hollie Woodruff, chaplain of the college, delivered the baccalaureate sermon earlier Sunday morning. Other commencement festivities during the weekend included a luncheon for seniors and their parents on Saturday afternoon, hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Norval C. Kneten, at the Barton-Graves House. The pinning ceremony for the graduates of the School of Nursing followed on Saturday evening at First United Methodist Church.

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Questions? Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. - Beautiful weather coupled with time-honored traditions appropriately ushered in Barton College's annual May 1 Founder's Day celebration this year. The campus was brimming with guests who joined the campus community to honor the William W. Parish family from Wendell.

The Parish family includes Aileen and Bill Parish of Wendell; Patricia Parish of Raleigh (known as Tricia) and her children: Casey and Alex Ward; and Phyllis Parish Howard of Raleigh, her husband Seab, and their daughter Gabrielle.

Each year at Founder's Day, Barton College honors a family who has made significant contributions to the life of the institution. Longtime supporters of Barton College and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Parish family has provided alumni and trustee leadership for the College in addition to supporting its educational mission and providing financial support.

Among the day's activities was the dedication of the Phyllis Parish Howard Television Control Room in the Department of Communications and Performing Arts, honoring trustee Phyllis Parish Howard. This addition to the television studio on campus was made possible by a gift from the WRAL/Capitol Broadcasting Company Fund. Presented by Jim Goodmon, president and CEO of Capitol Broadcasting Company, the gift was made in honor of Parish Howard's significant contributions as Director of Local Production for WRAL-TV and Capitol Broadcasting Company.

Following the dedication ceremony, the campus community and guests enjoyed a buffet luncheon in Hardy Alumni Hall with a brief program focusing on the contributions and commitment to the College made by the Parish family for the past 60-plus years. The program included two longtime friends, the Reverend Gilbert Davis of Forth Worth, Texas, and Juanita Andrews of Rocky Mount, who regaled the audience with delightful stories of shared experiences with alumni Aileen and Bill Parish.

Dr. Norval C. Kneten, president of Barton College, spoke of the tremendous commitment of time, energy, and financial resources that this couple and their two daughters (also Barton alumnae), have made over the years in support of their beloved alma mater.

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Questions? Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252.399.6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. - May is always a busy month for a college, and Barton started the month with a bang. With a control room dedication, a Founder's Day luncheon, and a book signing, May 1 was bursting with activity at Barton College.

Family, friends, and members of the campus community joined Phyllis Parish Howard, director of local production for WRAL-TV and Capitol Broadcasting Company of Raleigh, at the morning dedication of Barton College's television control room, which was named in her honor.

"Jim Goodmon, president and CEO of Capitol Broadcasting Company, chose to recognize the contributions of Phyllis Parish Howard and, through his generous philanthropy, has made the Phyllis Parish Howard Television Control Room a reality," said Barton president Norval C. Kneten in his opening remarks.

Parish Howard, a 1979 alumna and current trustee of Barton College, said, "My career in television began here on this campus, and so I'm so honored today that this WRAL and Capitol Broadcasting gift will continue Barton's future in the broadcasting industry."

Offering her thanks for the gift, junior Brittany Creamer, a mass communications major with a concentration in video broadcast production, said, "The generous donation of equipment has had a tremendous impact on me personally and my fellow classmates, allowing us to utilize the most current technology in our field. We are grateful to receive this generous donation."

The day was special not just for Parish Howard, but also for her parents Bill and Aileen Parish, who were honored at the Founder's Day luncheon.

Friends of the Parishes, Juanita Andrews and Dr. Gilbert Davis spoke of their friendship with the couple and relayed humorous memories from their shared past, stories ranging from antics in college to trips abroad.

Bill Parish began attending Atlantic Christian/Barton College in 1943, but World War II called him away to Mississippi in 1944 for training in the Army Air Corps. Aileen Reel also started her academic pursuits at Atlantic Christian in 1943, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music in 1947. After marrying in 1951, the Parishes established their home in Wendell, rearing two daughters Patricia (always known as "Tricia") and Phyllis, both of whom became Atlantic Christian graduates in 1975 and 1979, respectively.

Late afternoon offered a book signing opportunity as the final activity of the day. Honoring former student-athlete, tennis coach, and athletic director Tom Parham, the gathering provided guests with the chance to meet the 1963 alumnus and have him sign their copy of his new book "Play Is Where Life Is." According to Parham's website http://tomparham.wordpress.com, the "stories range from the shenanigans of a preacher’s child, to the adventures of a freewheeling 1950s teenager; from a small college athlete to a National Hall of Fame tennis coach. Topics include crossroads, inventions called the automobile and television, tragedies, accidents, and plenty of drama from a cadre of small town characters."

With a control room dedication, a Founder's Day luncheon, and a book signing to start off one of the busiest months of the academic year, many at Barton will find themselves ready for the clichéd lazy summer days.

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Questions? Please contact Ken Dozier, web services manager at Barton College, at 252.399.6596 or email kdozier@barton.edu.

Exercises Scheduled for Sunday, May 18, at 1:30 p.m.

WILSON, N.C. - Some 220 seniors will participate in the 106th annual commencement exercises of Barton College, scheduled for Sunday, May 18 on center campus at 1:30 p.m. Wilson Gymnasium is the rain site. Dr. Norval C. Kneten will preside over his fifth commencement program as president of Barton College. Dr. Terrence L. Grimes, vice president for academic affairs, will present the graduating class.

Dr. Richard Ekman, president of the Council of Independent Colleges, will deliver the commencement address. Dr. Ekman has served in this national leadership role since 2000. He previously served as Vice President for Programs of Atlantic Philanthropies and, from 1991 to 1999, as Secretary of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. From 1982 until 1991, he was a member of the staff of the National Endowment for the Humanities, first as Director of the Division of Education Programs, subsequently as Director of the Division of Research Programs. He currently serves as a member of many boards, including the National Advisory Committee of the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute, the Advisory Board of the Johns Hopkins University Press, the Council of Harvard University's Graduate School Alumni Association, and the Board of Overseers Visiting Committee to the Harvard University libraries.

His previous experience includes service as Vice President and Dean of Hiram College, where he was also a tenured member of the history faculty. Earlier, he served as Assistant to the Provost at the University of Massachusetts at Boston, and as Associate Director of the Department of Expository Writing at Harvard University. Dr. Ekman holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University in the history of American civilization, the institution from which he also received his A.M. and A.B. (magna cum laude) degrees. Dr. Ekman also has been awarded honorary degrees by Marywood University, and Bethany, Georgetown, Hastings, Otterbein, Alderson-Broaddus, and Ursinus Colleges. He is co-author, with Richard E. Quandt, of Technology and Scholarly Communication (University of California Press, 1999).

He has previously been active as a member of a variety of professional boards including the Board of Directors of the American Association for Higher Education, the Educational Projects Advisory Committee of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, the Advisory Committee of the Council of American Overseas Research Centers, the Rackham Advancement Council of the University of Michigan, the Council of Harvard University's Villa I Tatti, the Board of Directors of the Society for Values in Higher Education, the Steering Committee of the Washington Higher Education Secretariat, the Board of Directors of the Council for the Understanding of Technology in Human Affairs, the Advisory Panel of the Consortium for the Advancement of Private Higher Education, the Boards of Trustees of Georgetown Day School and Collegiate School, and the Advisory Committee on Life-long Learning of the Ohio Board of Regents.

Participating in this year's commencement ceremony will be students who completed their baccalaureate degree requirements in December 2007 and May 2008, as well as candidates who expect to fulfill requirements over the summer. The three highest honors presented to Barton students: the Coggins Cup, the Hilley Cup, and the Hemby Leadership Cup, will be awarded. The Coggins Cup is presented annually to the student voted best all-around by the Barton faculty and staff. The Hilley Cup is presented annually to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average. The Hemby Leadership Cup is presented to the graduating senior, who in the estimation of the college community (including students, faculty and staff) has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout a career at Barton College.

The Jefferson-Pilot Faculty Member of the Year awards will also be presented. The awards, given annually to two faculty members, include a cash stipend for international study.

Dr. Phillip H. Warren, class of 1971, president of the Barton College Alumni Association and its Alumni Board, will bring greetings to graduating seniors on behalf of the Alumni Association.

Barton's Commencement Day program will begin with the baccalaureate sermon Sunday morning at 11 a.m. in Howard Chapel. The Reverend Hollie E. Woodruff, chaplain of the college, will deliver the address. Lunch will be served in the Hamlin Student Center Dining Hall from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at no charge for seniors and $5.00 each for family members and guests.

The Commencement festivities will include a luncheon for seniors and their parents on Saturday afternoon, May 17 from noon to 1:30 p.m., hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Norval C. Kneten at the Barton-Graves House. The pinning ceremony for the graduates of the School of Nursing will follow at 6 p.m. on Saturday evening at First United Methodist Church.

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Questions? Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

Wilson, N.C. - Members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina joined the Barton College community on Tuesday, April 29, as the College honored the institution's historical ties with its founding church during the 2008 Founder's Week celebration. The featured speaker for the luncheon program on Tuesday was minister, lecturer, and author Dr. Fred Craddock.

Craddock, who examined the relationship of the church and higher education, said, "We're here to reflect on the relationship of this school and other schools like it to the church.

"Whatever gap there is, whatever distance there is between the church and the academy is not in the nature of the case. It's simply the church in two different postures: the church at worship and the church at study. Same people; and in the early, beginning days, under the same leadership."

Craddock sought to remind the listeners that churches and schools once operated together. As an example, Craddock mentioned the Jewish synagogue and its role in education: "It was a school, it was a synagogue, it was a worship place, it was a school. It was a school, it was a worship place, it was all the same. 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your mind,' they said. 'Use your mind! Use your mind! Use your mind!'"

Craddock said, "Eventually the school was separated, in terms of building and geography, from the church."

According to the speaker, the idea of the church at study is not popular today. "The church at worship we can handle; the church at work, we're doing better; but the church at study is not an image that's comfortable anymore," Craddock stated.

In bridging the gap between church and academy, Craddock believes that, from the church's side, a study of Jesus as a teacher would help a student prepare for college, to prepare for the difference between a church's "hermeneutic of assent" and the academic world's "hermeneutic of suspicion."

For the academy's part in bridging the gap, Craddock feels students should be encouraged to express what they believe. "We're in such a time of disconnect and discontinuity and pluralism and multicultural activity that it is very easy, it's very easy for us to get away with total silence about our beliefs and call it being ecumenical. 'I erase myself; and, therefore, I fit in everywhere.' The point is I'm making no contribution to anybody."

Secondly, "the opportunity and the encouragement for a student to get involved in the town, in the community, in the city where the school is located" is another way he believes the academy can help.

Thirdly, he advocated a "strong chaplain service for the students, especially the students who fall victim to their own contradictions, fall victim to the depression that comes from seeing some distance between my head and my heart, for the students who make bad decisions and they accumulate to a suicidal level."

In closing, Craddock said, "I would like to know when one of my young people come to your college that there be somebody there who helps them to see that, even in an academy, starting over is not only possible, but encouraged. That's in the best of all possible worlds, and I think that's where we are today at Barton College."

About the featured speaker:

Dr. Craddock is the Bandy Distinguished Professor of Preaching and New Testament, Emeritus, in the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. He joined the faculty at Emory following an appointment as chair of the Darbeth Distinguished Professor of Preaching and New Testament at the Graduate Seminary of Phillips University in Enid, Okla. Dr. Craddock joined the Phillips University Department of Religion faculty in 1961, moving to the seminary in 1965 where he taught until 1979.

Dr. Craddock received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Johnston Bible College in Knoxville, Tenn., a Bachelor of Divinity from Phillips University, and a Ph.D. in New Testament from Vanderbilt University. Post-doctoral studies were completed at Tübingen, Germany, and at Yale University.

An ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Dr. Craddock has served pastorates in Tennessee and Oklahoma. In addition, Dr. Craddock has served on the General Board and Administrative Committee of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), on the Commission on Theology of the Council on Christian Unity, and has chaired the Commission on Ministry for the Christian Church in Georgia. He presently is serving on the Task Force on Ministry for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Dr. Craddock is a member of the Association of Disciples for Theological Discussion, the American Academy of Religion, the Society of Biblical Literature, and the Society for New Testament Studies. He has served on the Editorial Board of Quarterly Review and on the Advisory Board of Interpretation. Dr. Craddock is the founding pastor of Cherry Log Christian Church and Director Emeritus of The Craddock Center, a program for serving the needs of people of Southern Appalachia.

In addition to preaching and teaching widely at church assemblies and ministers' conferences, Dr. Craddock has served as a guest professor at other seminaries. He has delivered the Thedford G. and Woodrow W. Sprinkle Lectures at Barton College, the Lyman Beecher Lectures at Yale, the Scott Lectures at Claremont School of Theology, the Adams Lectures at Southeastern Baptist Seminary, the Schaff Lectures at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, the Cole Lectures at Vanderbilt, the Westervelt Lectures at Austin Presbyterian Seminary, the Mullins Lectures at Southern Seminary, the Earl Lectures at Pacific School of Religion, and the Mullins Lectures at Southern Baptist Seminary. He was selected by "Newsweek" as one of the 12 most effective preachers in the English speaking world.

Dr. Craddock has written a number of books, including "The Pre-Existence of Christ" (1968), "As One Without Authority" (1971, rev. 1974 and 1979), "Overhearing the Gospel" (1978), "The Gospels" (1981), commentaries on "John" (1982), ‘Philippians" (1984), "Luke, Preaching" (1985), "First and Second Peter and Jude, Preaching" (1985), "The Craddock Stories, Listening to the Word: Studies in Honor of Fred Craddock." In addition, he has prepared with Lee Keck the "Pentecost 3, Series B" volume of the "Proclamation" series; with Ernest Saunders the "Epiphany" volume; with Carl Holladay, John Hayes, and Gene Tucker, the three volume series, "Preaching Through the Christian Year, Year A, Year B, Year C," and he has provided the "Commentary on the Gospel of Luke" in "Harper's One-Volume Commentary" (1988). Dr. Craddock has also contributed a number of articles to various journals. Most recently he has co-authored with Eugene Boring "The People's New Testament Commentary."

A native of Humboldt, Tenn., Dr. Craddock is married to the former Nettie Lee Dungan. They have a daughter and a son.

END

Questions? Please contact Ken Dozier, web services manager at Barton College, at 252.399.6596 or email kdozier@barton.edu. You may also contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email kdaughety@barton.edu.

Wilson, N.C. - Broadway stars Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell joined with campus and community dignitaries on April 24, to break ground for the new Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre.

Granting more than just their names to the theatre, the husband and wife team hope to use their New York connections to bring fellow Broadway stars to Barton to enrich our students' educational experiences.

Seeking to enrich the learning experience of Barton’s theatre students, Campbell said that there are “plenty of directors and people we know” that could interact with the theatre program.

Kennedy remembered her early exposure to theatre professionals such as Terry Mann while she was at the North Carolina Theatre in Raleigh. She believed it helped prepare her for her professional career on stage.

"I already felt like I had a leg up," said Kennedy.

With the possibilities presented by partnerships with Broadway personalities, theatre students and supporters at Barton have much cause to celebrate.

In addition to professional relationships, the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre, as a structure, offers more cause for celebration. The new building, which is to be located between Moye Science Hall and the Case Art Building, will provide Barton's students and theatre-goers with a black-box-theatre experience.

A black box theatre accommodates a variety of staging styles, ranging from proscenium to thrust to theatre-in-the-round and more. Because of its intimate atmosphere, black box theatres can feature one-man shows or larger productions without the need for microphones.

"It truly is the most useful kind of space," said Campbell describing the versatility of this type of theatre.

However, the versatility extends beyond the performance space. The theatre will also house classroom space and workshops. It also benefits the campus chapel. Currently, theatre productions at Barton are performed in Howard Chapel; so having a dedicated theatre allows the reclamation of Howard Chapel as a sacred space.

The coming of the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre poises Barton to offer exceptional educational experiences to its students and enhanced entertainment to its theatre-goers.

Hot Summer Nights at Raleigh’s Kennedy Theatre will partner with Barton’s theatre program to provide students with great on- and back-stage experience.  This will give Barton’s theatre students the opportunity to interact with professional actors and stage engineers in Raleigh and Wilson.

"What we want to do from our end is try to also get the word out that Barton is a great place to come if you want to study," said Campbell.

To learn how you can become part of the theatre program at Barton College, contact the Office of Admissions at 1-800-345-4973 or email enroll@barton.edu.

If you would like to contribute toward the theatre campaign, contact Carolyn H. Brown, vice president for institutional advancement, about seat-naming and other giving opportunities by calling 1-800-422-4699 or 252-399-6598 locally. Email may be addressed to chbrown@barton.edu.

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Questions? Please contact Ken Dozier, web services manager at Barton College, at 252.399.6596 or email at kdozier@barton.edu.

Wilson, N.C. - Barton students and employees in conjunction with the Wilson Rotary Club joined forces with relief organization Stop Hunger Now to pack 10,000 meals for the world's hungry on April 23.

Hosted in Barton College's Hardy Alumni Hall, assembly stations buzzed with activity and laughter as volunteers filled, weighed, sealed, and boxed the food. Periodically loud cheers punctuated the clamor as a gong sounded for every fifth box completed.

Each box, containing 36 bags of food, provided enough for 216 meals. The food itself was a mix of rice, textured soy flour, dehydrated vegetables, and a chicken-flavored vegetarian powder.

With an efficient assembly system and enthusiastic volunteers, the group reached their 10,000-meal goal in just over an hour.

Boasting a low overhead and using an efficient method of assembly, Stop Hunger Now is able to quickly pack meals at a small cost. According to their website http://www.stophungernow.com, "Each meal costs Stop Hunger Now 20¢ to prepare."

Linda Mercer, a programmer in the academic computing office, helped fill food bags and was impressed with the difference that Stop Hunger Now is able to make.

"I think it's wonderful that they can do so much with so little, " said Mercer.

Peter Damroth, a senior majoring in elementary education, also filled bags at one of the assembly stations. He said he got involved with the event because he felt that it was a good cause.

"It's nice to help out; it's rewarding. But it was fun at the same time," said Damroth.

Barton chaplain the Rev. Hollie Woodruff, who was in charge of the event, said, "I think it was great. It really brought everyone together." Woodruff said she looks forward to the next packaging event and wants to see Barton package even more meals next time.

To learn more about Stop Hunger Now, visit their site at http://www.stophungernow.com.

To learn more about service opportunities at Barton College, contact the Rev. Hollie Woodruff at 252-399-6368 or email hewoodruff@barton.edu.

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Questions? Please contact Ken Dozier, web services manager at Barton College, at 252.399.6596 or by email at kdozier@barton.edu.