黑料吃瓜

INSPIRATIONAL

Gladys Sheets Clay

Gladys Sheets Clay never entertained whether or not she would go to college. 鈥� She would. She never considered options. To her, there was only one choice. Carson-Newman. After all, her parents had worked at Carson-Newman since Gladys was a child.

She was the聽valedictorian of her graduating class at Nelson Merry High School, and yet her application to Carson-Newman was denied.

See, it was 1957.聽Fifteen-year-old Paul McCartney met John Lennon聽at a聽village festival.聽United States聽Marine pilot, later astronaut,聽Major聽John Glenn聽flew聽a聽supersonic jet from California to New York in 3 hours, 23 minutes and 8 seconds, setting a new transcontinental speed record.聽And the聽Soviet Union聽launched Sputnik.

But with all these聽moments in history and advancements in technology,聽segregation聽in 1957 continued to聽create hurdles that seem hard to imagine today. But unfortunately,聽they聽were聽all too real聽at that time.

Of聽course there was disappointment. Even hurt. But as determined聽as Gladys was as a student,聽she was even more so as a person聽and would not allow disappointment and defeat to define her.

Completing her undergraduate work at Knoxville College, Gladys pursued post-graduate studies at聽Virginia State University, North Carolina Central University and Union College in Kentucky.

For the next 50 years聽Gladys served聽as an educator聽who聽poured herself into her students, teaching聽and聽mentoring.

Through the years, Gladys served as chair of her high school鈥檚 English department in Laurel,聽Maryland. She was her high school鈥檚聽senior class聽sponsor and advisor of the both the school鈥檚 yearbook and newspaper. Her commitment was noticed. She earned such honors as 鈥淭eacher of the Year鈥� and 鈥淥utstanding Educator.鈥�

It was a life well-lived. But she felt a calling to do more.

In 1990, she and her聽late聽husband, George, returned to Jefferson City.聽Gladys still聽desired聽to help students.

By God鈥檚 grace,聽she聽became aware of a position at a local college. The institution was searching for an聽instructor of Development Education and supervisor of the Tutoring Lab.

The institution? Carson-Newman.

Gladys applied and was hired.聽She would teach聽Presidential Scholars, Developmental Education students in English and study skills. Her faithful service and effective teaching led her to become聽director聽of the Development Education Department and聽supervisor of the Tutoring Labsoon after.聽So, at the institution where she had been denied聽admission, Gladys Sheets Clay became the University鈥檚 first full-time, black faculty member.

She jumped into her role the way Gladys聽Clay does anything, straight ahead. She was serious about education, her students and their future. And she wanted them to be serious as well.

According to testimonies of some聽of those聽former students, when those methods did not work, Gladys employed 鈥渢ough love.鈥�

One day a student was sent to her by a coach, with the request that Gladys put the 鈥渇ear of God in him.鈥� After having a heart-to-heart talk, the student informed her he would not be coming back. To which Gladys replied. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 okay. See you tomorrow at 3:00.鈥�

The student returned the next day. 鈥淎t the end of the week,鈥澛燝ladys recalled,聽鈥渉e said to me, 鈥業鈥檒l see you Monday 鈥� Mom.鈥� And I鈥檝e been聽鈥楳om鈥櫬爀ver since.鈥�

Over the years Gladys became聽鈥楳om鈥櫬爐o many students. Supporting them during class and cheering for聽the student-athletes on聽game day. Her devotion impacted countless students, both on and off the field, blazing a trail that continues to inspire.

鈥淚 loved my students,鈥� said Gladys. 鈥淚 loved聽every last聽one of them 鈥� whether black, white, green or yellow 鈥� it didn鈥檛 matter to me. They were my students.鈥�

She resigned after 14 years but was asked the next year to come back on a part-time basis. She stayed another three聽terms, finally retiring after 17 years of service to Carson-Newman.

Upon moving to Florida, Gladys served as the聽director聽of Focused Academics Motivating Excellence (FAME) Program at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida. There聽she supervised the Tutoring/Learning Lab and Peer Tutors and served as a聽math specialist聽and聽writing specialist. Three times she was a co-presenter of a workshop at the National Association of Developmental Education.

A life dedicated to education and her students. A life dedicated to being a聽devoted follower of Jesus Christ. A life dedicated to overcoming challenges instead of choosing to be defeated by them.

For more than a half-century Gladys Sheets Clay has poured back into students, helping them advance their education.

Now, at 87, Gladys鈥� steps may be slower, but not her drive. She still handles everything the way she always has, straight on.

Her perseverance and determination聽were and remain admirable. Her dedication to the role of education and the commitment to her students聽was and is inspirational.

All of that and more is why in May at Spring Commencement, her University family paused to thank Gladys Sheets Clay. To honor her for that determination, dedication and commitment, Carson-Newman conferred upon her an honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree.

Dr. Gladys Sheets Clay, certainly an inspiration.

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MEANINGFUL

David Hyers

David Hyers probably would say he was not much different than a lot of other teenagers in 1953. He had his interests and his talents.

Some have mechanical intuitions; some are natural athletes. Others are more musically inclined.

That was David Hyers.

Growing up in Cincinnati the son of a Baptist pastor, the church was full of music. David loved music.

鈥淕od gave me an ear for music,鈥� he said, 鈥渁nd my parents gave me piano lessons.鈥�

Some of those lessons were taught by Frederick Wilhelm von Kappelhoff 鈥� the father of Hollywood icon Doris Day (born Doris Mary Anne von Kappelhoff).

David says he was a quiet child. Actually, he describes himself as 鈥渧ery timid and bashful for most of my childhood and youth.鈥�

His inspiration was his older brother, a student at a Christian university 鈥� not Carson-Newman. From his first year in high school, David was determined to follow his brother鈥檚 footsteps. If everything worked out, David and his brother would enjoy one year, David鈥檚 first and his brother鈥檚 senior term, on campus together.

But our plans are not always God鈥檚 plans. The summer of 1953, just a few weeks before the brothers were to head to school, things changed. David鈥檚 older brother felt, with just one year left, it was time to go somewhere else. There was not much time, and they had no idea what the next steps were. So they prayed.

Remember, these were days long before the internet where information was only a few keystrokes and search words away. In the end, he experienced a turn of events not unlike hundreds if not thousands of other fellow alums. Their new home found them as much as they found it.

鈥淲e prayed and looked at some Southern Baptist schools,鈥� David said. 鈥淎nd even though we knew no one who went there, we decided to go to Carson-Newman. All we knew was our dad knew another pastor in Cincinnati who had gone there. God will do anything to get us where He wants us.鈥�

Upon arriving at Mossy Creek, David found himself in the same situation as many students; he had no idea in what area he wanted to major. But, David said, God was at work laying the steps on the path even though he did not realize it.

One of the very early stepping stones was laid the first week of his freshman year 鈥� at orientation. A group was singing and another student standing beside David commented that he had a good voice and suggested he try out for the Carson-Newman Chorus, which he did. 聽Next, he was chosen to serve as the pianist for the Columbian Literary Society and to play for student groups traveling to churches and schools to promote 黑料吃瓜. He joined the Baptist Student Union Choir, and he and his brother started a musical trio that stayed busy the whole school session. 鈥� And that was just his freshman year.

His sophomore year he made the leap to try out for Charles 鈥淔essor鈥� Jones鈥� and the A Capella Choir. David said he barely made it in, but he did. He also joined the school鈥檚 鈥淒efinite Service Band鈥� organized around 30 years earlier for students committed to ministry and foreign missions.

For years David had enjoyed music, loved it actually. And after two years of joining nearly every group he could, and starting one of his own, along with some encouragement from Bible and Greek professor L. Dan Taylor, God had made it clear, music was not just a hobby for David, it was his calling.

David said it was clear. Already having used terms such as quiet, timid and bashful, he goes further and adds introverted. His only choir experience prior to coming to Mossy Creek was a Saturday afternoon Youth for Christ choir and the one at church 鈥� both focused mainly on hymns. The choir at David鈥檚 high school included about one-third of the student body 鈥� too many for the introvert.

鈥淕od had some catching up to do,鈥� David said. 鈥淎nd He could not have done more. Every year I gained more extra-curricular music opportunities.鈥�

Not just opportunities in music, but life as well. There is a lot that follows, as David states 鈥淣ow look how God works.鈥� There are lots of dots to connect. But it all comes full circle.

Early his junior year, David believed he needed some experience directing choirs and tried out at three area churches, one for three weeks. None called. As the semester neared the Christmas break, his advisor told David he had heard from the pastor of one of the churches and said he would have been called if he had sung a solo. He tucked away that nugget of information.

Another opportunity. Another tryout. This time, at a church in Johnson City. He sang this time and, wouldn鈥檛 you know it, the church called David.

He drove from one J City to the other 鈥� pre-Interstate 81 鈥� each week. A Carson-Newman student, a senior, was a member of the Johnson City church. Her fianc茅e was at seminary so she caught a ride home every weekend with David. Her dad even provided a place for David to stay.

They became friends. To the point, years later, when David graduated from seminary, he heard from one church. Only one. How did they get his name? From the senior鈥檚 former fianc茅e, now husband, Joe Stacker, Carson-Newman class of 鈥�54.

Three years into his service at that first church, David noticed a young lady. From Bessemer, Alabama, she was in town visiting cousins. This year they celebrate their 62^nd anniversary.

God is good isn鈥檛 He? There is more, of course. Much more. David has example after another after another of God鈥檚 handiwork in his life and career that occurred because of his experience at Carson-Newman 鈥� a school he was not originally going to attend; a school where this quiet, timid, bashful introvert was voted most popular his senior year of 1957.

The summer working with troubled youth in Crossville, Tennessee 鈥� which he calls three of the most rewarding months of his life. The various churches in which he had opportunities to serve. Being called to First Baptist Concord in Knoxville 鈥� again recommended by Joe Stacker — where he spent 30-plus years in ministry.

All of it important. All of it meaningful. All of it grown from a foundation formed at Mossy Creek.

鈥淗ow awesome is God?鈥� David asked.

Unbelievably awesome we believe.

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PURPOSEFUL

David Dale

Every decade is different, each having its own identity and share of impactful, even life-altering events.

It is easy to idealize a specific era; to think of a slower pace or simpler days. But it is not all make-believe or fantasy. The reason so many of those images and memories resonate is they were real. Times were different. And so were the way we viewed life.

The family doctor was one who held such a place of high regard. The general practitioner who would face everything from removing pebbles stuck in a young boy鈥檚 ear to delivering babies; from dealing with the common cold to cancer. He was stopped on the street, in the grocery store and outside the door after church.

Between 1943 and 1948 in the height of World War II and post-war society, 鈥淭he Saturday Evening Post鈥� dispatched famed artist Norman Rockwell on eight trips around the United States to gather ideas for a series of paintings that would capture the essence of America. At least one of the ensuing pieces of art featured Rockwell鈥檚 own family doctor.

Growing up in Knoxville, Tennessee, a young David Dale shared those views. And it grew into this purpose in life.

鈥淚 developed an interest in medicine in high school because I so admired the family doctor,鈥� David said. Pursuing that mindset, to see if it was a passion or a passing fancy, David worked as a hospital technician during college. 鈥淓verything followed from there,鈥� he said.

The college? Carson-Newman. A chemistry major, David learned under the tutelage of Carl T. Bahner, a nationally-recognized legend in the sciences at Mossy Creek.

And he excelled, in the classroom and out.

David was a member of the National Biological Honor Society and the Blue Key National Honor Fraternity. Not only a member of the German Club, he was president and served as president of the Science Honor Fraternity as well. Oh, and he played football three of his four years and ran track one year. His senior year he was named to the Little All-American Academic team.

Some memories are vivid. They stand the test of time. We often cannot remember why we walked into the kitchen but recall something from years, decades, before as if it just occurred.

David remembers exactly where he was standing 鈥� near the pool 鈥� when a campus representative tracked him down and notified him a telegram had arrived at the post office.

鈥淚t was my acceptance to Harvard Medical School,鈥� David said. 鈥淚 remember it like it was yesterday.鈥�

Everything certainly was following from there.

After medical school, Dr. Dale completed his residency at Massachusetts General in Boston. By the late 1960s, the height of the Vietnam War, he did the equivalent of a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. From there, he crisscrossed America a couple of times.

鈥淚 came west for one year as medical chief resident of Washington University Hospital (in Seattle),鈥� Dr. Dale said. 鈥淎fter that, I returned to the NIH.鈥�

Although he only had been on the West Coast for one year, his impact was obvious. After returning to the D.C. area, he was contacted by officials back in the other Washington. They wanted him to return. He did and became director of the student teaching program.

And that is where he has remained. Through the years he has served as professor of medicine at the University of Washington and dean of the University of Washington Medical School. Just like his time at Mossy Creek, Dr. Dale was not just a member of organizations, his peers placed him in leadership roles. Dr. Dale was president of American College of Physicians (ACP) and held the same role for the national medical honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha, for six years. He also served a stint as president of the American Clinical and Climatological Association in 2016.

The ACP has presented Dr. Dale with the Laureate Award, which goes to those who have rendered distinguished service to their chapters and community and have upheld the high ideals and professional standards. Six years later, the ACP bestowed upon him the title of Master.

Let鈥檚 put that in perspective.

ACP Bylaws state that MACPs shall be Fellows who have been selected because of 鈥渋ntegrity, impact in practice or in medical research, or other attainments in science or in the art of medicine.鈥� MACPs must be highly accomplished persons demonstrating impact in practice, leadership, health policy, or in medical research. Evidence of their achievements can come from many types of endeavors, such as renown within their field and/or ACP chapter, positions of honor, research, education, health care initiatives, volunteerism, administrative positions, care of patients, and service to their community. (Source: acponline.org).

The list is long.

Honored for outstanding work in science as related to medicine 鈥� ACP; named an Honorary Fellow at both the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland and the Academy of Medicine in Singapore; placed on the 鈥淏est Doctors in America鈥� list; Editor-in-Chief of 鈥淪cientific American Medicine鈥� and editor of the 鈥淛ournal of General Internal Medicine.鈥澛�

He has lectured and presented his research findings all over the world. The 鈥淛ournal of Oncology Practice鈥� states, among oncologists, Dr. Dale is 鈥減erhaps best known for his work on granulocyte colony-stimulating factor 9G-CSF for the treatment of cyclic and congenital neutropenia.鈥�

Wow. That is impressive without even knowing what it means.

We will explain, not because we know, but because we researched it.

Neutrophils are a specific type of white blood cell. All white blood cells, regardless of type, help our bodies fight infections. Neutrophils are important in fighting certain kinds of infections, especially ones caused by bacteria. Neutropenia means the body does not have enough neutrophils. The white blood cell count, low or high, are important indicators in detecting and treating cancer.

Dr. Dale鈥檚 research is renowned. But with all of the honors and accolades, the accomplishments and success, the opportunities to present to some of the smartest doctors in the world about subjects that affect us all 鈥� either specifically or in our circles of impact, Dr. Dale still applies the Carson-Newman mission of educated citizen and worldwide servant-leader in his pursuit.

Commitment to patients and their families dealing with a terrible disease. And working with others always willing to strive harder, reach further.

鈥淭hose would be my two points,鈥� Dr. Dale said. 鈥淐ommitment to people and to learning. Most of the rest will follow.鈥�

A purposeful path to follow indeed.

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APPRECIATION

Ann Porter

Everyone has a comfort zone.聽They come in all sizes. From聽being as large as any region that can fit on a map to a small circle around us comprising of our personal space and everything in between, we all have our comfort limits.

It is聽often聽difficult for extroverts to understand the struggles less 鈥渙utgoing鈥� folks have in 鈥渢eam building鈥� exercises; or for introverts to grasp how easily it is for some to have a five-hour conversation with a total stranger on a cross-country flight.

It could be for various reasons. As simple as the way we are wired or as complicated as our experiences.

But God knows of the things for which He has made us and through which we are capable.

Just ask Ann Porter.

A few years聽after she and her late husband, Walter, were married in 1966,聽their church, First Baptist in Jefferson City, launched a program to 鈥渁dopt鈥� students from Carson-Newman. The program did not stir a lot of interest in either Ann, a wired introvert, or Walter, a loner whose PTSD from World War II聽made him a little 鈥渉ard to get to know鈥澛燼ccording to Ann.

That was why Ann was surprised when Walter suggested venturing outside their comfort zone.

鈥淥ne Sunday morning after we got home from church, Walter shocked me when he suggested we adopt a couple of students,鈥� Ann told a reporter from聽The聽Standard Banner in Jefferson City. And聽so,聽it began.

It started with a lunch. It ended, and we will get to that, as so much more.

By all accounts, Dr. Tracy Hartman was the first. Dr. Hartman,聽who has held many positions in the ministry and Christian education,聽was a high achiever. Graduating high school a year early, she came to Mossy Creek from her Maryland home nine hours away. Younger than most of her classmates, she was looking for some stability.聽She found it with the聽Porters,聽although she does not really know how.

鈥淚 signed up,聽and I guess the church matched us up,鈥� Hartman told聽The Standard Banner. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 remember how I got to be a Porter Kid and not somebody else鈥檚 kid, but I assume the church made those matches,聽and that鈥檚 how it all started.鈥�

That is how it started, for Dr. Hartman and the聽Porters, small, simple, slow.

At first, it聽was Tracy聽Hartman and another student. Then, it grew from there. Roommates, friends, boyfriends would be invited for meals, to watch TV or do laundry.聽Grabbing lunch聽could turn into feeding eight or 10 students.聽Whoever showed up, the Porters welcomed them into their home.

Nearly five decades ago. It was a different time at Mossy Creek and in the world in general. Female students聽still were聽restricted in having their own聽cars,聽so Ann said Walter became a taxi service.

But it was more than lunch and laundry. While not tied by bloodlines, it was family. So much so, Ann and Walter discussed needing a bigger home 鈥� which they built a couple of miles further out between Jefferson City and New Market.

As often happens with God鈥檚 plans, Ann and Walter鈥檚 outreach had become much larger, and deeper, than they could have imagined that day Walter suggested adopting a couple of students. He聽is much more knowledgeable than we are of the聽things聽of which聽we are capable.

Word spread. Not just with students, but other members of the Carson-Newman family, including faculty.

Chemistry professor Frank Pinkerton, also a member at JCFBC, had multiple duties during this era, including serving as head coach of the Carson-Newman women鈥檚 tennis team. He had a student-athlete coming to Mossy Creek from France聽and the student鈥檚 mother had some angst with the distance. Dr. Pinkerton asked the Porters if they would add Patricia Rouchon to the fold. Of course, they said yes.

If it got too busy or noisy to study on campus, Patricia would head to the Porter home. As happens so often, people move in and out of our lives. But sometimes, even without our knowledge, foundations are laid.

Ann said, when Walter passed in 2013, Patricia, then living in Cincinnati, left at 4 a.m. to make it to Jefferson County for the noon funeral.聽Ann was greatly moved when she saw her former adoptee. Now living in North Carolina, it is not uncommon for Patricia, on trips to Knoxville to visit family, to drop in to visit her former house mother.

There were more. Many, many more. Mostly female students, but, occasionally, a male as well. What started as a thought, a 鈥渨hat if鈥� turned into much more. Walter enjoyed photography. On the wall of the Porter home is a tribute to those who came through the doors, particularly the ones who stayed 鈥� the 鈥淧orter Kids.鈥�

Reflecting聽a聽17-year period from 1975-1992, the wall holds 115聽photos. The images are of a different era. The faces in them, looking back at those viewing the wall, are younger, of course, with their world ahead of them.

Interesting things happen with time. Reflection often takes place, memories of another time. Sometimes, occasionally, the motivation arises to reach out. Ann has experienced it, receiving聽periodic聽contact from a Porter Kid. There are no former Porter Kids.聽Like a Marine, once one, always one. That is what the wall represents.

The notes, messages, calls and texts contain words like 鈥済rateful鈥� and 鈥渂lessing.鈥� They are full of appreciation for the decision Walter and Ann made all those years ago to provide a home away from home.

Virginia (Sullivan) Sims, Class of 1980 is one. She contacted Ann with an apology聽that聽it had taken so long. Life had taught her, she said, to tell people how much they mean to you. She said the Porters were special, a 鈥渂lessing from God,鈥� and that time in their house remained one of her favorite memories of Carson-Newman.

Ann considers the students, the Porter Kids, blessings as well. They helped with Walter鈥檚 PTSD. They provided more memories than can be counted. Saying 鈥淕od had a hand in our decision鈥� and in the hearts of every student who accepted the hospitality, friendship and love. She and Walter聽benefited聽as much as the students did.

A quote, or reasonable facsimile of it, attributed to author E.B. White fits here. 鈥淚 arise in the morning,鈥� White聽said,聽鈥渢orn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world.鈥�

For the Porter Kids, Ann and Walter did both. And the appreciation聽is mutual. All the way around.

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CHARACTER

Ken Sparks

Sports聽are driven聽by numbers.聽We聽count stats. How聽many聽shots聽were made聽versus the amount taken? How聽many聽passes聽completions versus throws?聽Of a certain number of pitches, how聽many were聽strikes?

In this聽age, information聽is聽virtually instantaneous聽and at our fingertips 鈥撀爎eportedly we聽carry more technology in our pockets with our smartphones than was in the computer that helped send men to the moon —聽it goes even deeper.聽How聽many聽of those strikes came on a 3-0 count with runners in scoring position? How聽many聽passes聽were completed聽on first down compared to third down? It is never-ending really.

The聽statistic most noticeable, however,聽is聽marked聽by the comparison of聽wins and losses. Afterall, that is why score聽is kept, right?

Ask most anyone about the accomplishments of a head football coach, and they instantly聽think ofnumbers: wins, losses, records聽as well as those other聽on-the-field stats.聽Even a coach who traditionally produces winning teams can have a period of his or her career viewed as 鈥渦nsuccessful鈥� based solely on if they lost more games than they won.

In reflecting on the career of聽former Carson-Newman聽Head Football Coach Ken Sparks,聽one gets an entire media guide of the聽aforementioned statistics. They include: five National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)聽National聽Championships;聽three聽NCAA聽Division II National Championship appearances;聽21 South Atlantic Conference titles. In聽37聽seasons at Carson-Newman,聽Coach Sparks collected聽338 wins.

Nearly a聽decade after his 2016 retirement and eight-plus years since his passing, Coach Sparks聽is ranked聽sixth among college football coaches in wins. He stands just behind names like Joe Paterno, Eddie聽Robinson聽and Bobby Bowden and ahead of Bear Bryant, Pop聽Warner聽and Nick Saban.

While football was Sparks鈥� platform, his success聽was not聽limited聽to the playing field. Prior to聽being named聽head football coach at Mossy Creek, Sparks聽oversaw the track program,聽which performed well enough to earn聽him Southern Collegiate Track Coach of the Year honors in 1977.

There is more.聽Lots聽more. Long lists of accomplishments, on the field and off. Coach-of-the-Year in first one category then another. Lifetime achievement honors.

And on and on.

But for those who knew Ken Sparks,聽who played聽for him, coached beside him, even across the field against him,聽such stats and records were secondary to the coach鈥檚 greater mission.

Teaching others about Jesus Christ.

鈥淵ou wonder why this man showed up in so many people鈥檚 lives,鈥� asked Jeff Joslin, who played for Coach Sparks at both Farragut High School in Knoxville, Tennessee and at Carson-Newman.

He showed up in Joslin鈥檚 life. Then and now. Years later, the impact Sparks had on Joslin led the latter, who, through his Double J Entertainment聽Company,聽produced a full-length film on the coach.

鈥溾�� It鈥檚 amazing where God will step in and do His work and he鈥檚 using a game called football to change people鈥檚 lives,鈥� Joslin said.

Mark Isom knows that fully. An All-American at Carson-Newman it was Sparks鈥� influence off the field, as well as on, that impacted Isom.

鈥淗e always wanted to know how your heart was,鈥� Isom said. 鈥�(He wanted to know) what you were doing and what was going on in your聽life.鈥�

鈥淗is faith was a big part of who he was,鈥� said his wife, Carol Sparks. 鈥淗e would always ask, 鈥淗ow鈥檚 your heart?鈥濃��

It was a simple question his players and assistants knew well. Before he passed away in 2017, one of America鈥檚 all-time winningest coaches would聽find time to focus on winning the most important game of all 鈥� salvation.

Jay Floyd was one of those, even before he became an Eagle. Visiting campus, Floyd cast an imposing figure walking the halls of the football offices at 6鈥�6鈥� and north of聽300聽pounds. As a player who drew attention from聽some of聽the biggest college programs in the country, Floyd could be a literal聽game-changer聽at Mossy Creek.

He did not know anything about Carson-Newman when he arrived. After more than an hour talking with Sparks, about聽nearly everything聽but football but聽mainly about聽Floyd鈥檚 relationship with Christ, he signed his papers to come to 黑料吃瓜, went back to聽Georgia聽and packed his things.

鈥淗e believed in his heart that if he was introducing Christ spiritually to his players, that they would become better people,鈥� Floyd said.

It聽is said聽the true definition of the character we possess聽is measured聽by who we are when no one is looking.

Serving Christ through his role at Carson-Newman was THE game plan for the legendary coach. To execute the plan, Sparks served聽many聽capacities: fundraiser, relationship聽builder, advocate, encourager 鈥� and for聽many聽young men donning the Orange and Blue, a father-figure.

鈥淗e wanted to show the players Christ-like love,鈥� said Carol. 鈥淪o many of them聽didn’t聽come from a very stable family situation. And he was聽very sensitive聽to that.鈥�

He understood what Billy Graham聽was credited聽with saying, that a 鈥渃oach will impact more people in one year than the average person will in a lifetime.鈥�

Former Carson-Newman chaplain Ken Smith saw it first-hand and often, saying Coach Sparks cared about his players鈥� lives and what they were going through.

鈥淗e knew what (a player) brings to practice is what he deals with off the field,鈥� Smith said.

Carol says it was her husband鈥檚 faith that made that possible.

To spend so many years in an occupation where everything聽is measured聽by wins and losses and the performances of young student-athletes, Sparks understood the big picture.

We serve an undefeated God.

To this day, a Sparks tradition continues each fall as football players make the trek from this stadium down the hill to the waters of Mossy Creek. There, each who has made a public profession of faith in Christ may聽be baptized聽in the presence of teammates 鈥� just one reminder of a coach鈥檚 eternal gameplan and the mission of聽Carson-Newman聽University.

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TRANSFORMATIONAL

Phil Young

It is not a typical college class on a normal campus. Anything but聽that,聽really.

If one looks closely, very closely, it contains the components: an instructor, students,聽textbooks and lively conversation.聽But a broader聽scan聽reveals聽in聽this setting聽with聽these students, well, there is something very different indeed.

No, this is not a typical college class on a normal campus. This is聽a聽prison.

But these are students, hungry to learn. Make no聽mistakes聽about that.

It is for that reason聽Dr. Phil Young鈥檚 morning routine聽in聽preparing for聽class looks a bit different than most college professors.聽He arrives on site around 7:45聽in the morning.

鈥淲e go through聽all the normal screening that all the staff goes through to make sure we鈥檙e not bringing anything in we shouldn鈥檛,鈥澛爃e says.聽鈥淲e聽get to the classroom between 7:45 and 8 a.m.Prepare the room for the day. Students begin arriving around 8:15.鈥�

It has been nearly two years, the fall semester of 2023 to be exact, since the 黑料吃瓜 launched its prison ministry program in coordination with the Tennessee Department of Corrections and the Morgan County Correctional Complex (MCCX). During that time, this structured process has become routine for Young, the former Director of Prison Ministry, and the students in the program. He now serves Director of the Tom Elliff Center for Missions.

The program offers a聽Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Studies, with an emphasis in Christian聽Ministry.聽Each interested student had to apply and meet certain criteria to be accepted. Fourteen inmates are currently seeking their degrees in the program.

鈥淭hey聽have to articulate a salvation experience in their life聽鈥� a time when they came to place their faith and trust in Christ as their聽savior,鈥澛爏aid聽Young, 鈥渂ecause聽it is an unapologetically Christian program聽coming out of Carson-Newman.鈥�

It is not the first time Carson-Newman聽and Morgan County have connected. Prior to the construction of MCCX, inmates were sent to Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary.聽In the late1960s, the warden of Brushy Mountain was Lake Russell, a 1925 graduate of Carson-Newman and, for a time, head football coach.

鈥淏rushy鈥� had quite the reputation. Known probably more for breaking men than building them.

This partnership, this program,聽exists聽for the latter.

The聽learning process is intense.聽Five days a week.聽Six-hour days. Focused.聽Intentional.聽Along with a sociology class, courses聽this fall span from聽鈥淚ntro聽to聽Old Testament鈥� to聽鈥淪ermon Preparation and Delivery.鈥�

Young聽admitted聽that聽as one of the program鈥檚 professors,聽it was initially intimidating.聽鈥淵ou think, 鈥榟ow am I going to possibly fill six hours of lecture time for a three-hour course?鈥櫬燘ut what you find is that the students are very engaged. The classroom聽typically is very interactive. They鈥檙e asking questions.聽They鈥檙e sharing聽opinions. They prepare their material. They鈥檙e very devoted and interested in learning.鈥�

He noted the group鈥檚 desire to perform at the highest level 鈥� going above and beyond聽basic expectations.聽The classroom engagement allows聽students聽to聽share their life聽stories.聽According to Young, the experience聽opens the door聽to something special鈥攕ometimes it鈥檚 the professors learning from the students.

鈥淲e get a chance to see how they view their spiritual experience聽in a very unique and different context than what we bring to the classroom,鈥� said Young.聽鈥淲e聽get to bring our perspective on Scripture and theological education, and they help us see it from their perspective.聽We get to see it through their eyes, and that helps us聽to see God in a way that may be bigger聽and broader聽than we鈥檝e seen God聽sometimes in our limited scope.鈥�

No stranger to ministry,聽Young聽pastored a local church for 20 years after his service in the聽United States Air Force.聽He has served聽in different roles within聽the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board,聽as well as聽director of聽missions for the Knox County Association聽of Baptists.聽Through those experiences he got to know the faculty at Carson-Newman, even serving as an adjunct professor. That is where God鈥檚 path for Young took a turn.

He was asked by聽Dr. David Crutchley, dean of聽黑料吃瓜鈥檚聽School of Biblical and Theological Studiesabout聽overseeing a new initiative聽for a Prison Ministry.聽Young was not moved by the idea 鈥� at least at first. But he promised Crutchley he would pray about it. Crutchley then asked Young if he wanted to travel to the prison with him, sit in on interviewing the first set of applicants for the program.

Young had been looking for an answer to his prayers. It came聽on聽this trip.

鈥淕od spoke to me very directly through that experience and through the stories of the prison students to tell me that this is where he wanted me聽in聽this season of my life.鈥澛燬uch聽clarity has offered peace in his decision.聽He has not looked back.

Not only moved聽by聽the program,聽Young聽is also聽moved by its students,聽impressed聽by their dedication and drive. Of聽the聽14聽students聽in the class,聽12 finished the聽first year with honors. Five students聽with聽a 4.0 GPA.聽Every member of the class聽qualified聽for membership in Tri-Alpha Honor Society for First Generation College Students.

As pleased as he is with how well the students are doing academically, Young聽points to a bigger picture聽that provides context to 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 program:聽some聽students will never聽step聽outside聽their current setting,聽spending聽the rest of their lives in prison.聽It is because of that, a different perspective comes into view.

鈥淭his is not just about getting a bachelor鈥檚 degree,鈥� he explained, noting that other educational programs聽within the state鈥檚 prison system聽already聽offer聽such opportunities.

鈥淲e want to give them a very solid biblical聽theological education,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut the ultimate goal is that they will be deployed and utilized in the聽Tennessee聽prison system as ministers.鈥�

The program鈥檚聽approach of meeting聽the聽inmates where they are聽and offering a Christ-centered聽education and聽sense of聽purpose聽is聽already聽yielding stories of impact,聽redemption聽and transformation.

Often asked to speak to groups on behalf of the University and provide updates on the progress of the program Young relates a story that impacts those in the room, at times to the point of tears.

Several months ago, one of the students was up for parole. At his hearing, he asked the panel if he could speak first. The request was granted.

鈥淗e asked the parole board to delay his parole hearing for another two and a half years so that he could complete this program,鈥澛爏aid Young. 鈥淗e said, 鈥業 need to finish this program,聽and then I will be the man society needs me to be, and I’ll be the father and the husband that I need to be when I go back home.鈥�

That request was granted as well.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 why Carson-Newman is a special place,鈥� Young said. 鈥淐arson-Newman聽is聽giving an opportunity for聽men聽like this to fulfill one of the values聽the University聽has identified鈥攁nd聽that is to produce聽servant-leaders.鈥�

Transformational experiences. For the students. For Dr. Young. And for many others touched by the work of Christ in a place where one may not expect.

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FUTURE

The Future of Mossy Creek

While the 175^th聽Anniversary of Carson-Newman coincides with the 2026/27 academic year, the history of this storied institution goes back even further than that. At least two years earlier, in 1849, conversations were held in earnest about an institution of higher learning somewhere in our area.

As we know, it was founded and remains on the banks of Mossy Creek.

The early curriculum of Mossy Creek Missionary Baptist Seminary was streamlined, rigorous and classical.

Course offerings聽were聽astronomy, chemistry, history, literature, mathematics, mental and moral sciences, natural philosophy聽and Latin, Greek and Hebrew.

Looking back through the window of time, daunting could be an apt description聽of this class schedule.聽From聽the perspective of the mid-19^th聽century,聽however, it was to be聽expected instruction in the few institutions of higher learning that existed in the country.

In 1851 only 31 states of the current 50 United States had been admitted to the union. There were, give or take, in the neighborhood of 250 colleges and universities in a country still officially less than 100 years old.聽Of those, less than 20 were聽fully classified聽as 鈥渟tate institutions鈥� or had at least connections or affiliations with a state government.

The rest,聽more than 90%聽of the institutions nationwide,聽were private, and launched, in large part, in conjunction with聽a church聽denomination. The focus was on developing leaders, especially in the ministry and education, but across the board. Critical聽thinking and聽problem solving were standards, designed to graduate students who could impact their communities.

That was the intent at聽what is now 黑料吃瓜. While the name has changed several times, the location 鈥撀燿espite聽a concerted effort聽in the early years聽to move operations to聽nearby聽Morristown聽鈥� and the mission have not.

And while there have been adjustments,聽they may not carry the same name,聽many聽classes or variations of those聽original聽offerings聽remain.

Sure,聽there are some places that聽now聽exist only in the memories聽of those who walked these paths during their time at Mossy Creek.

The 10,000-gallon silo聽鈥� later converted to an observatory 鈥斅爐hat was聽built to supply the campus with water from a local spring聽was torn down in 1966 to聽expand Butler Hall. The聽first two of the three Henderson Halls聽were聽both destroyed by fire,聽1916 and 1974.聽Blanc-Davis Hall, known聽affectionately (or not?) by many as 鈥淭he Barn,鈥澛爓as home to hundreds of male聽undergraduates through聽a 60-year history. Mentioning they lived in 鈥淭he Barn鈥� draws a wry smile and even a chuckle from many alums. But聽time spent there was endearing, or at least memorable, enough for an obituary for the facility to appear in聽The Orange and Blue campus newspaper when聽a barn razing (not raising) was held.

Two have lived, and still exist both physically and in our hearts,聽for more than half the life of the school. Sarah Swann Hall is 120 years young and Butler-Blanc聽opened more than a century ago as well.

The difference is what has been added through the years.聽Almost every decade has seen聽contributions聽to the Carson-Newman legacy聽intended to聽provide for the future.聽Buildings, academic and athletic facilities, programs and amenities all have聽been聽created or聽enhanced, growing聽opportunities for students聽while staying rooted in聽the聽foundation.

In just the last four years, the Drama and Ted Russell Health Sciences Center and the聽latest residence life facility West Campus聽Commons聽have been developed and built. An outdoor recreation park for students聽that provides space for more than a half-dozen activities聽now聽exsitsat West Campus and a聽new child development lab opens its doors this聽coming academic year.

New satellite education centers have聽been created in the Knoxville and Nashville聽markets.

New聽programs聽have聽launched聽to meet聽evolving needs of churches, schools and the business world聽and expand opportunities for our students once they leave Mossy Creek.

Programs offering a聽master鈥檚 degree in accountancy and business聽analytics,聽an MBA in聽entrepreneurial聽leadership聽and聽a聽master鈥檚 of聽divinity聽all have been launched in the last 24 months. The Moser Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership聽opened to work with our students on campus and聽business owners and operators in our region and state.

Meeting the needs of both our world and our region, bachelor鈥檚 degree programs in聽homeland聽security and聽emergency聽management, and聽hospitality and聽tourism聽management聽鈥� the second-largest industry in Tennessee bringing in more than $30 billion in revenue annually to the Volunteer聽State 鈥� start this fall.

Also, Artificial Intelligence in Business program has been launched, charged with teaching 鈥渢he importance of exercising biblical discernment to ensure that AI-driven insights and technologies are used ethically, responsibly, and in the service of Christ.鈥�

A program in supply chain management聽(Business)聽and a聽minor in聽archeology through our Department of Biblical and Theological Studies聽are聽exciting recent developments as well.

At the doctorate level, 2026 sees the聽launch of the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, one of聽the region鈥檚 most in-demand聽positions聽within the medical field.

Teaching for the future while never聽forgetting聽our past. Rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ,聽students at Mossy Creek have more academic offerings than ever. Assistance from alumni and non-alum stakeholders to financially support such programs is critical to their success.

On the occasion of聽the 100^th聽Anniversary of our beloved institution,聽1916 alum聽Dr. I.N. Carr was asked聽to chronicle the first century of our existence in a book. Weaving the responsibility through his other duties at Mossy Creek聽鈥撀爓here he served as professor, dean and head of the department of history and political science聽鈥� the manuscript was published in the summer of 1959.

It is an extremely detailed account, not only of our first 108 years, but our founding.聽As we look to the future here at Mossy Creek, the programs 鈥� both academically and athletically 鈥� that are needed and the buildings聽and facilities in which to house them聽are discussed,聽we look to the words of Dr. Carr and his evaluation of our founders. The ones, as our president, Dr. Charles A. Fowler often states, on whose shoulders we stand.聽Looking to our past as we plan our future.

Instead of summarizing Dr. Carr鈥檚 words, we will just relay them here. For they are as appropriate as anything we could pen ourselves聽nearly 70 years later.

鈥�It is very definite that the founders of Mossy Creek Missionary Baptist Seminary聽were not stargazers, emotional or ignorant men, following聽blindly聽some impractical聽daydream聽without knowing whiter it led. Rather they planned for the future.鈥� (Carr:聽History of Carson-Newman College, 1959)

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UNIQUE

Marcia McQuitty

It is interesting to begin a story, a story about a unique situation, with a very non-unique occurrence.

Marcia McQuitty was not going to attend Carson-Newman. In fact, she had never heard of it. That, by itself, is not unique. We hear frequently from alums that coming to Mossy Creek was not their first choice 鈥� if it was a choice at all.

But God鈥檚 plans often are not ours. And His usually are better. As a result, we also hear frequently from those same alums coming to Carson-Newman changed their lives.

So, Carson-Newman not being on Marcia McQuitty鈥檚 radar is not unique, especially considering her circumstances. But her journey was and now, 60 years later, remains so.

Attending a Christian school more than 12 hours away from home would have seemed ridiculous at best to a young lady growing up in Newport News, Virginia; in a home that, at least in her early years, did not have a strong Christian influence.

But even at the young age of seven, Marcia鈥檚 heart was convicted when a church was planted within walking distance of her home. She started praying for her parents to begin attending church. They did not at first. But that did not stop Marcia from going.

She went through what many young children experience, teasing, especially when it came to things like her family鈥檚 financial situation and the small size of their house. She prayed the prayer of a seven-year-old, for things a child of that age thinks will improve their circumstances.

She prayed for a brother. Simple logic in the mind of a seven-year-old. A bigger family might mean the need for a bigger house. But the family did have another child. And her dad added on to the home.

Her parents still were not attending church, but Marcia was. Sometime between the ages of eight and nine, Marcia made a public profession of faith and was baptized. She was concerned about what her parents would say. But that did change her mind. The church, says Marcia, 鈥渨as very mission-minded.鈥� So, the seeds of Marcia鈥檚 life as a missionary were sown.

While her parents still had not followed their daughter to church, Marcia received support from other avenues. Her grandparents, other members of the church and an uncle, Obed.

The name Obed means 鈥渢o serve鈥� or 鈥渢o worship.鈥� Various Obeds appear in Scripture. The most notable of them was the son of Ruth and Boaz, the father of Jesse and, thus, the grandfather of King David. So, his impact, obviously, was immeasurable.

Marcia鈥檚 uncle Obed, she said, had a large impact on her life as well. Most notably, he instilled in her the importance tithing which she started doing during her first job as a babysitter and continues doing to this day.

By the time Marcia was 11 more prayers had been answered. That was when she says her dad came to know the Lord and her parents started attending church 鈥渁nd never missed a day after that.鈥�

Unique, indeed, to find a prayer warrior in one so young.

Through her teenage years one of Marcia鈥檚 main concerns was where to attend college. Again, she turned to prayer.

鈥淚 prayed, 鈥楲ord, where should I go?鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淚 visited a few places that just didn鈥檛 fit. I saw a marketing piece from Carson-Newman and audibly heard the Lord say 鈥楳arcia, this is where you will go to school.鈥� I had never set foot on the Carson-Newman campus until my parents took me.鈥�

But she loved it. Marcia took advantage of the ministry opportunities on campus, including the volunteer band. Following her freshman year, she applied to be a home missionary and, again through fervent prayer, asked for God to send her to a place in need 鈥渁s far from Virginia as possible.鈥� She was called to go to California.

The next two summers she spent in the Pacific Northwest. A group Marcia refers to as 鈥淭he Baylor Boys鈥� were spending their summers on mission in Oregon. They had a vacancy for a pianist. Marcia got the call.

After her graduation from Carson-Newman, her experiences led her to enroll in Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth. She became the first female to graduate from the MDiv (Master of Divinity) program and she also met her future husband, David.

Her mission work has led her all over the country and all across the world. During those years, David returned to Southwestern to earn his doctorate. While there, Marcia finished her MRE (Master of Religious Education) and served as a pre-school minister. In addition to their biological son, they adopted two more. She even served on the faculty at Southwestern for 20 years as a Professor of Childhood Education.

Stories are often related of running into members of the Carson-Newman family all over the world. On mission trips to Alaska, on vacation in Canada in a hospital in Texas. During her teaching days at Southwestern, Marcia got to meet several other members of the faculty. One, in a different department, was Dr. David Crutchley. Now the long-time dean of Biblical and Theological Studies at Carson-Newman, Marcia and Dr. Crutchley stay in touch.

Marica鈥檚 life has come full-circle as well. After years of serving as a pre-school director and earning her Doctorate in Education, they are now back that at their original church, teaching Sunday School 鈥渨here it all started.鈥� They own a house used for missionaries to rest between assignments.

There are many thoughts and memories Marcia McQuitty has of her time at Mossy Creek. One of her major impressions was the various opportunities provided to students to serve in missions and evangelism.

Opportunities that remain today.

In fact, just this past spring, Marcia was in Hawaii for an advisory council meeting with the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention. During her stay she crossed paths with 14 college students, in Hawaii on a spring break mission trip. Oh 鈥� those 14 students were from Carson-Newman.

Full circle. The Lord continues to show up, time after time, answering prayer after prayer.

Which, with the faith of a child, should not be considered unique at all.

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LEGACY

Melvin Houston Baker

A legacy is a gift, something left聽behind聽for someone else聽for their benefit聽to enjoy聽or from which more can be learned.聽Sure, a legacy can be detrimental,聽the uncle no one mentions at Thanksgiving. But most often it is not.

Usually, a legacy leaves a positive impact on the recipient(s), something cherished, whether financially or just in memory, to be protected or, maybe,聽even聽then turned聽into something bigger.

Sevier County, Tennessee was a much different place in 1885聽than, say, 1985. But really, so was most of East Tennessee

Still a rural frontier,聽one of pioneers and mountain folk,聽it was聽nearly 60 years before the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, stood at Newfound Gap and dedicated聽the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was, in some聽cases, 100 years removed from聽that聽park,generating聽the large numbers of visitors聽annually that helped birth聽Ripley鈥檚聽Aquarium聽of the Smokies聽and Dollywood, The Titanic and聽Tanger, sky lifts and聽shopping.

It was into this聽late 19^th-Century聽Sevier County,聽the one of pioneers,聽August 11, 1885,聽Melvin Houston Baker was born.聽Little did anyone know the pioneer he would be, or the legacy he would leave.

Information on Melvin鈥檚 early years is scant. At least four sources list August 11,1885 as his date of birth. One says the same date in 1886. We will go with the majority.聽The rest states he was born聽鈥渋nto humble beginnings鈥� in聽Sevierville to聽Joseph and Amanda B. (Fox) Baker.聽And that is pretty much聽is聽it until聽his early 20s聽when we learn, from 1908 to 1912, he was a salesman for the Miller Manufacturing Company.聽He also, in 1911, graduated from 黑料吃瓜 鈥� then Carson and Newman College.

His business acumen was noticed聽when he moved from Miller Manufacturing to a sales position with the Beaver Board Company. 鈥淔or Better Walls and Ceilings鈥� use Beaver Board the advertisements proclaimed. In two short years, he became sales manager where he stayed for eight years.聽From 1922 to 1924聽Baker served as聽vice-president of the American Manufacturers Foreign Credit Underwriters.

Then it was time to strike out on his own. With two partners,聽he founded the National Gypsum Company, a supplier of building and construction materials. He started as聽vice聽president, where he spent three years. He then was elected president and CEO, posts he held for the next 37 years until he retired in 1965.

He grew his company and the communities he served. Through 鈥淭he Great Depression鈥� to the post-war building boom of the 1940s and 鈥�50s, National Gypsum moved from a company making one product in one location to a widely diversified organization聽with plants in a couple dozen cities and offices in at least 14 more.

Next month, National Gypsum celebrates its 100^th听础苍苍颈惫别谤蝉补谤测.

Melvin did not just invest his time and focus on his company. True to the Carson-Newman mission of helping our students reach their full potential as educated citizens and worldwide servant-leaders, Melvin followed suit.

He was very active in both social and聽charitable聽efforts. At different times in his career, he was a director of at least nine聽major business organizations and10 civic groups, including the Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce,聽American Cancer Crusade聽and war relief efforts in Russian and Britian.

For his accomplishments and patterns of 鈥済iving back鈥� Melvin was the recipient of five聽honorary university degrees聽and, to this day, a faculty position in American Enterprise at the University of Buffalo is the聽Melvin H. Baker professorship. He was named by the Harvard Business School one of the Great American Business Leaders of the 20^th听颁别苍迟耻谤测.

Even after retirement, he served on the Board of Directors for National Gypsum for nine more years and then as a consultant until his passing in 1976.

Melvin Baker鈥檚 legacy goes much deeper than that. All the way back to Mossy Creek in fact.

More than 72 years ago, Melvin Baker gave back to his alma mater in the manner of an endowed scholarship. Signed by Melvin and then-president Harley Fite, it remains in the Carson-Newman files as the oldest active scholarship at Mossy Creek. Through nearly three-quarters of a century, hundreds of students have received聽scholarships聽from Melvin Baker鈥檚 gift.

And they still do today.

It is very possible that neither Melvin Baker nor Dr. Harley Fite imagined students still receiving financial assistance going on 80 years after Baker honored his alma mater with a gift. Many of those recipients聽may not otherwise have been able to attend college at Mossy Creek. In fact, that was one of Baker鈥檚 concerns.

As we said,聽a legacy聽can聽leave a positive impact on the recipient(s), something cherished, whether financially or just in memory, to be protected or, maybe, even then turned into something bigger.

It is more possible, even probable, students receiving this assistance do not know the story of Melvin Baker.聽But they are part of his legacy, more than seven decades in the making.聽Maybe聽now they will聽know. Hopefully many others will too.

And with that,聽there may come聽an awareness of the impact a legacy like that can have on so many 鈥� even long after we are gone.