AlumniNotes 2023
Kipper Ackerman (MMEd.) was named assistant director of
admissions for fine arts and choir director at Presbyterian College. Kipper, a seasoned musician and music educator with more than 25 years of professional experience, began her new position on Aug. 1.
Justin Brown is a reporter for WTVM, a CBS affiliate in Columbus, GA. During his time at NGU,
he developed an interest and passion for storytelling and was the Station Manager for NGU’s Vision TV. Throughout his senior year, he worked for WSPA 7News in Spartanburg, SC, as a news intern. Justin started with WTVM in summer of 2023 as the east Alabama reporter.
Sarah-Parker Martin works for Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA.
2024
Shane Martin Amerson is a staff accountant with Greene, Finney, Cauley LLP in Mauldin, SC.
Marek Chlup played his second season with the Lake Country DockHounds. The Lake Country DockHounds are Wisconsin’s newest professional baseball team located in the lake country area. They are a member of the American Association of Professional Baseball, the Premier MLB Partner League.
CampusNotes
Dr. Marti Glass, director, Adult and Professional Studies, was selected to participate in the Greer Chamber’s 45th Leadership Greer class. Participants will take part in a nine-month leadership- development program exploring various topics and completing a philanthropic project together.
Dr. Nathan Finn, executive director, Institute for Faith and Culture, was reelected recording secretary for the Southern Baptist Convention at the Annual Meeting in Indianapolis last summer.
Jacob Johnson adjunct instructor of guitar, garnered recognition as the Don Gibson Songwriter Award Grand Prize Winner, Nashville Connection Songwriter of the Year, and a Finalist for the Freshgrass No Depression Songwriter Award. His ability to craft captivating and heartfelt songs has earned him performances at prestigious music festivals such as the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in New York, the Walnut Valley Festival in Kansas, the Wildflower Music Festival in Texas, and countless others. He released an album titled “Surviving The Dream” in October. It is streaming on all platforms.
In October, Dr. Paul Thompson dean, College of Humanities and Sciences, presented a
paper at the biennial meeting of the Conference on Faith and History titled “Transhistorical uses of Ethnoracial Discourse by Christians on the Margins.” Thompson was also elected chair of the Board of Directors of Christian Freedom International, an international organization committed to “Unshackling the
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persecuted church to survive and thrive.” The organization ministers to persecuted Christians in 10 nations around the world.
Dr. David Entwistle, distinguished professor of psychology, was elected vice chair of the Board of Directors of Christian Freedom International.
Dr. Shannon Dobson, department chair of psychology, was elected to the Board of Directors for Canterbury Counseling Center, a Christian counseling practice located in downtown Greenville adjacent to Christ Church.
Dr. Nicholas Higgins, department chair of political science, criminal justice, and legal studies, gave a research presentation at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute American Government Summit in Wilmington, DE, in the fall. Higgins presented a paper titled “Undermining Obligation to God: John Locke on Property, Inheritance, and Honoring God.”
Dr. Rachel Roberts, department chair of English, presented a paper titled “‘Many Excellent Books’: Reading and Study in Hester Pulter’s The Unfortunate Florinda” at the 81st Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Renaissance Conference.
Dr. John Duncan, dean of College of Business and Entrepreneurship, received the Barnabas Award
at the Christian Business Faculty Association’s annual conference in November. This award recognizes individuals who have served CBFA by “serving and participating joyfully and enthusiastically and contributing to CBFA’s effectiveness.”
Will Lowrey Named NGU Athletics Director
Will Lowrey was named Director of Athletics at NGU last summer. Lowrey moved to NGU from Blue Mountain Christian University, where he had served as Athletic Director since June 2018.
In his role with NGU, Lowrey provides oversight for the university’s NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletic program, which includes 20 varsity sports teams, with 575 student- athletes. He fills the post of longtime NGU coach and administrator Jan McDonald, who had served as Director of Athletics for more than three decades.
“We are excited about Will continuing to build on the strengths of our athletic programs,” said NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “He is stepping into a critical position in working with our coaches and the broader campus community. Will has repeatedly demonstrated a commitment to honor God in his leadership, building relationships and creating opportunities for student- athletes and their coaches to excel in all areas of life.”
Lowrey had directed a program with 18 varsity sports at Blue Mountain Christian, a private university affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention. Before joining Blue Mountain Christian, he was head baseball coach and director of development at Tupelo Christian Preparatory School in Tupelo, MS, for eight years.
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