Bryan College hosted its annual Bryan Opportunity Scholarship Program dinner on the evening of April 7 at the Chattanooga Convention Center. The Bryan Opportunity Scholarship Program supports academically qualified Tennessee students with significant need. This year, 35 students are receiving support with an average family income of $19,676.
One student benefitting from this program is Zacchaeus “Zach” Harvey, who shared his story with attendees at the dinner.
A junior business major with focuses in accounting and human resources, Zach grew up in a Christian military family. He credits his family as being “the most consistent driving force” in his life and the reason he developed a strong work ethic and love for God.
Zach arrived at Bryan in fall 2019, and he is grateful for the experiences he has had: “Coming to Bryan has allowed so many opportunities of growth, of intense challenge, of fruitful relationships and a true assessment and formation of my relationship with God,” he said.
He went on to thank the Bryan community, "Each day, God continues to blow my mind through the dedication of all the faculty and staff, the motivation and willingness of the students, the sacrifices of our donors and daily showing of His character. There is nothing that I would trade for this experience, and I am sure that those who Bryan impacts would say the same thing. So I thank you for this opportunity and for being a part of my story."
Following dinner, guests enjoyed a performance by Wintley Phipps. Mr. Phipps is the founder, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Dream Academy, Inc., a national after-school program that offers skill-building, character-building and dream-building activities to children of incarcerated parents and those falling behind in school. He has sung for every living president and has been nominated for Grammy Awards twice. He serves as senior pastor of Palm Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church in Florida.
"Guests were wowed by Mr. Phipps’ rich bass voice and vocal stamina. They were treated to powerhouse renditions of It Is Well, How Great Thou Art and Amazing Grace, as well as spirituals such as Swing Low, Sweet Chariot and Down by the Riverside," officials said. "At the end of the evening, $240,715 was raised for our students."
Bryan College President Dr. Douglas Mann expressed his gratitude to donors, “This Opportunity Program now has more than a decade-long history of growth and success, which positively impacts our alumni–men and women who seek in all aspects of their lives to live in service to Christ and service to those around them. At Bryan we were privileged to play a part in God’s work in their lives. That is the success of the Opportunity Program. We are grateful for our sponsors and donors who enable us to transform lives."