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   The King's College Alumni E-Newsletter     

May 2007   

As many of you know, President Oakes had surgery last week to remove a malignant tumor on the left side of his brain. The surgery went well and he was released from the hospital last Friday and is resting at home. His doctor is very positive and optimistic as to his prognosis. He’ll undergo both radiation and chemotherapy over the next several months. Please keep him, his wife Ginger, and their daughter Amy in your prayers. In President Oakes’ absence Andrew Mills, Chairman of the Board, has assumed day-to-day responsibilities for the college.

In this issue you will hear from your Alumni President Lynn Mitchell ’86, read about commencement, a new face at The King's College, Homecoming and commencement 30 years ago.

Meeting with the graduates always gives me a renewed sense of commitment to the mission of The King’s College because there is no doubt they have been equipped to assume leadership roles in government, commerce, law, the media, civil society, education, the arts, and the church. What I didn’t realize before is that the feeling is mutual. More than one student has commented to me that, “we love having you (the alumni) here.” It reminds them that there is a long and distinguished history to their alma mater. It emboldens them to know others have successfully gone out before them armed with the truths of Christianity and a biblical worldview. It is proof the “old alumni” support and pray for the “new alumni”. Special thanks to all of the distinguished alumni who came out to meet and celebrate with the graduates.

The King's College proudly graduated 26 students in its Fifty-Ninth Annual Commencement. Mr. Andrew Mills, Chairman of the Board, welcomed graduates, families, alumni and distinguished guests and conferred the degrees. Provost Peter Wood gave the charge to the graduates. We were also honored to have John Spier ’72 give the invocation.

The King's College awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws to Mr. Joe T. Ford, chairman of Alltel Corporation in Little Rock, Arkansas, for his great accomplishments in both the business world and political arena. Mr. Ford addressed the students as the commencement speaker.

He also endowed the Joe T. Ford Excellence in Business Award which was awarded to Elizabeth Schroeder Lindow during the ceremony. Mr. Ford’s strategic leadership at Alltel coupled with numerous contributions to the economic development of Arkansas and selfless public service as a State Senator serve as a shining example for business leaders of tomorrow.

There were also three other awards given. The first was the William R. Bright Award presented to Brittany Beckenhauer who embodies a similar vision, passion and commitment to that of Dr. Bright in reaching people for Christ. The second was The Wilberforce Award presented to Sharon Nolt who best exemplifies the mission and vision of The King's College. The final award was The William Holmes McGuffey Award which was presented to Jill Donnelly. Jill has demonstrated knowledge of and love for the heritage of Western literature and civilization, an understanding of its fundamental role in American education, and excellent communication skills.

The President and Trustees of The King's College are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Marvin Olasky as Provost. He will begin on June 25th, 2007.

Dr. Olasky currently serves as the editor-in-chief of World magazine and as a professor of journalism at the University of Texas. He also has authored numerous books, including Compassionate Conservatism and The American Leadership Tradition.

Dr. Olasky received his B.A. in American Studies from Yale University in 1971 and in 1976 he graduated with a Ph.D. in American Culture from the University of Michigan.

The dates have been announced! Homecoming will take place Friday and Saturday October 5-6. Start making plans now to attend and participate in varied activities throughout the weekend.

This year’s honored classes are:
’47, ’52, ’57, ’62, ’67, ’72, ’77, ’82, ’87, ’92, ’97

Stay tuned for more details!

The 2006 alumni soccer team and TKC students pray before the annual soccer game

In celebration of graduation and this year’s 30th class reunion the following story was taken from the 1977 Crown.

The long anticipated day arrived. Seniors remained themselves amidst the pomp and circumstance of graduation. The Spirit will always remain the same. Each attributed a special meaning to the ritual of graduation. All could testify to the meaning and growth of the previous our years. One by one graduates claimed their own Great Commission and left for new fields of service.