Students, alumni and friends of the University can expect several new events during this year’s Homecoming celebration. Held every November, Homecoming is always a special occasion for the University.

I recently read through the Treveccan and found myself amazed and filled with pride when I noticed what an amazing difference our TNU alumni are making in our world. From beekeeping to the political arena, the Trevecca experience has influenced our alumni to continue the upward trajectory of their lives. We are continuing to build legacies.

Have you ever had a conversation with a 13-year-old? Interesting, isn’t it? So the question comes to mind, How do you guide a child from age 13 to 30 and keep him or her in a Christ-centered lifestyle? Right in the middle of that span of time comes the tipping point: age 18! 

Recently the Lord gave our family an incredible gift in the form of a little person. His name is Emmett Lee Hastings. Emmett has a bigger story than what I’ll delve into here, but ask me about it someday—I’d love to share it with you.

The title of this blog is a question Emmett’s doctors posed to us as his adoptive family—“How’d you get involved in this tragedy?” In other words, why in the world would anyone who already has four children choose to take on another, especially one with medical challenges?

So, this is Christmas! It’s an enchanting time of the year, full of reflection and time with family. I’m grateful for a wonderful life. I’m grateful for Trevecca Nazarene University which has played such an important part in my family’s life. It was at Trevecca that I began the journey of being rather than seeming… and the journey continues.

My family and I received a Christmas card years ago that still rings true today. It reads:

The Trevecca Family traveled home to the Hill this month to enjoy the community who call themselves alumni and friends of Trevecca Nazarene University. As president of the Alumni Association, I attended many reunions throughout the weekend, and it was interesting to see all the “catching up” that was going on at these gatherings. One alumnus I spoke with graduated many years ago, and this was the first time he had been back on campus – the excitement he felt was infectious. With all the activities going on, it was definitely a non-stop weekend. Looking back, I’m so glad my parents gently nudged me to attend Trevecca – not only for the eternal friendships I have made here, but also for the quality education I received.

This coming year, the Alumni Association will be putting forth a concerted effort to plan gatherings in our region, mini-Homecomings of sorts. Since our board members are located in many areas around the country, they will be planning and coordinating these events alongside the Office of Alumni Relations. That being said, look for an event in your area, and even offer to help plan it if you’d like to get involved. Trevecca is in its greatest days, and the future is as bright as the Promises of God.

Today marks a special day as we dedicate this bell tower and remember Dr. Millard Reed. We, the student body of Trevecca, are grateful for this beautiful addition to our campus. While I never had the privilege to meet Dr. Reed, my father recalls his deep faith in God, his sensitive heart to the needs of those around him, and the ability to sing joyfully even as the years progressed. Song was such an important part of Dr. Reed's life. Music would bring him to tears and to a worshipful laughter as he recalled how great God's love was for this world. Many of you to this day can still hear him sing the hymn, Love Of God. So in the same spirit, this tower sings. It offers with each chime a reminder that life is precious and that each moment should be lived for the glory of God.

It’s common knowledge that molding and influencing children must start at a very early age. So that’s exactly what my wife and I decided to do with our grandchildren. As each one turned 7, they joined us in on our annual Homecoming adventure to our Alma Mater, Trevecca Nazarene University, in Nashville.

We had very few rules— chocolate cookies for breakfast, no set bedtime, and having fun was a must. Our goal for this trip was to encourage them to attend Trevecca when it came time to choosing a college.

When I was a student at Trevecca, there was a program on the radio sponsored by a local company—a funeral home, I believe—called “Something to Think About.” I always listened because of the catchy title, so today, I thought I’d borrow it myself.

Something to Think About:

1. Among the “50 Most Affordable Christian Colleges in the U.S.,” Trevecca Nazarene University was recently listed as #13. (Full list here.)
2. Trevecca is ranked #15 among the fastest growing universities with doctoral programs. It’s nice when others recognize Trevecca’s attempt to make it affordable while also being academically strong.
3. As alumni, all of us know that there is value at Trevecca that cannot be quantified.
4. This year, Trevecca has set new enrollment records for both incoming freshmen and total traditional undergraduate students. (More here.)
5. Parents will sacrifice, save money, and be inconvenienced to send their elementary children to a faith-based school through high school, but get this…
6. 96% of evangelical Christians never think about sending their children to a Christian university.

So I read a list on Facebook of the best… well, you name it. One list I recently came across shared the Best Christian Universities. I’m not sure what yardstick they were using to measure colleges against, but for me, the following list came to mind.

The Best Christian University should…