PCI Leaders At Bryan Reach Out To The Community

Monday, January 14, 2013

Practical Christian Involvement at Bryan College is shifting gears just a little, seeking to be more responsive to the Rhea County community as it seeks to enhance its legacy of practical service. 

Ben Norquist, director of faith and mission, said that this week the 16 PCI ministry leaders will kick off the spring semester with a workshop, meeting with several community leaders to better understand the Dayton area.

“In the past, we have generated projects and taken them to the community,” Mr. Norquist said. “Now, our goal is to meet with community leaders first and allow projects to be generated in response to needs we are made aware of. This approach already has paid off this past semester with projects such as providing fruit for kids at the YMCA, and the canned food drive the for Women’s Care Center.” 

Students will meet with Dayton Police Chief Chris Sneed, who will talk about crime and its causes in Rhea County; Christine Ralph, director of the Rhea County United Way; and a representative of the Herald-News, Dayton’s newspaper, to discuss recent history of the county. Later in the semester, Mr. Norquist said he hopes to meet with a representative of the Rhea County Sheriff’s Department to introduce students to the Senior Citizens Awareness Network, a sheriff’s department initiative to assist seniors.

“My hope is that as students meet with community leaders relationships will grow and bridges will be built that will help better integrate Bryan into the community,” Mr. Norquist said.

Whitmore Embodies “Life Long Learner” Mentality

It was 1982 when Richard Whitmore took his first college class and embarked upon a career in what was then an emerging computer industry. Thirty years later, he has received his bachelor’s degree in operations management, crowning an academic career that has spanned four decades. In the intervening years, Mr. Whitmore built an impressive career as a computer programmer, ... (click for more)

Whitfield County Schools Participate In Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program

Students at six Whitfield County elementary Schools will benefit from healthier meals thanks to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. The program allows opportunities for students to enjoy a nutritious snack during the school day to help them stay focused on learning. Nancy Rice, director of the Georgia Department of Education School Nutrition ... (click for more)

Claude Ramsey To Retire As Deputy To The Governor

Governor Bill Haslam on Wednesday announced that Deputy to the Governor Claude Ramsey will retire at the end of August to spend more time with his wife, children and grandchildren in Chattanooga. He said the former Hamilton County assessor and then county mayor "has been integral to me on several key initiatives, including civil service reform, economic development efforts, workforce ... (click for more)

Westfield Gives Emotional Testimony About Fatal Shooting Of Friend Bernard Hughes; Niece Of Police Captain Denies She Set It Up

An emotional Timothy Westfield on Wednesday told a Criminal Court jury how he was shot and how his friend Bernard Hughes was murdered almost three years ago at the British Woods Apartments. And Myra "Booby" Collier, the niece of Chattanooga Police Capt. Edwin McPherson, denied that she was involved in setting up the robbery.  Westfield identified Harold Francis "Bam" ... (click for more)

Our Criminal Justice System Is Broken

Today’s news that after a man was shot while coming to the aid of a friend, four were arrested (including two 13-year-olds) for robbery and attempted murder, followed by additional news that one of those arrested had previously pled guilty to aggravated burglary and was given a three-year suspended sentence, is further indication that our system of criminal justice is absolutely ... (click for more)

Roy Exum: The Colonel: ‘Tell My Sons’

In the Broadway play, “The Civil War,” there is an emotional song called “Tell My Father,” the words that a dying Union soldier on a distant battlefield asked to be delivered when the other troops got back home. The reason Lt. Col. Mark Weber sang that very song with his oldest son Matt was because the highly-decorated officer was fighting Stage IV intestinal cancer at the ... (click for more)