news at free will baptist bible college     Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, TN, has been the official college of the Free Will Baptist Denomination since 1951. To find out more information about the school, visit their website at www.fwbbc.edu.

Peggy Jo McElhinney Dead at 69

Miss Peggy Jo McElhinney, long-time business employee at Free Will Baptist Bible College, died December 4, 2008, after a brief illness. She was 69. She began working at FWBBC in January 1959 as a 19-year-old bookkeeper, was promoted to bursar in 1968, and to assistant treasurer in 1986, a position she held until her retirement June 30, 2004. After retirement, she continued serving the college as a volunteer.

Tom Sass, vice president for financial affairs said, “Peggy Jo will be sorely missed. She was a ‘walking encyclopedia’ of knowledge when school-related questions arose.

“Always an efficient and hard-working individual, she was self-sacrificing in her ministry at FWBBC. What an impact she made—from accurately accounting for millions of dollars to making coffee for the staff or ‘un-jamming’ the office copier. Best of all, Jesus Christ was first in her life.”

A Missouri native, Peggy Jo served four FWBBC presidents—L.C. Johnson, Charles Thigpen, Tom Malone, and current president Matt Pinson. Before coming to FWBBC, she studied business at Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University) on scholarship and worked at the F.W. Woolworth Company.

Her ministry stretched beyond the walls of FWBBC. She served for many years as Sunday School secretary at East Nashville Free Will Baptist Church. She also served as treasurer of the Nashville chapter of Christian Business Women.

Martha Fletcher Named Executive Assistant to FWBBC President

Mrs. Martha Fletcher, a 1978 FWBBC graduate, has been named executive assistant to the president and began her new duties January 2, 2009. She succeeds Melissa Lewis who resigned in the spring of 2008.

President Pinson said, “Initially, Mrs. Fletcher will serve a dual role, as executive assistant to the president and relocation assistant. In addition to working closely with the President’s Office, she will assist Bob Bass (relocation project consultant) and FWBBC fundraisers Melvin Worthington and Bill Evans as they interact with donors.”

For the past nine years, Mrs. Fletcher has worked as front desk coordinator at Nashville Vision Associates, serving as liaison between patients, doctors, insurance groups, and more. This will be her second employment at FWBBC, having served as women’s dormitory supervisor 1975-1978.

A member of Cross Timbers Free Will Baptist Church in Nashville for 34 years, Martha has served in numerous capacities, including chairman of the church’s Christian Education Board. Her brother, John Carter, chairs the General Education Department at FWBBC.

Mrs. Fletcher said, “I love Free Will Baptist Bible College. I look forward to helping the school transition to a new campus through fundraising efforts, special events, and whatever else needs to be done to make the dream of a new campus a reality.”

The mother of three grown children (Bethany, Mary Beth, and Nathan), Martha enjoys mowing her four-acre yard, sewing, and cooking. She likes lighthouses and collects tea cups.

Phillips Accepts Tennessee Tech Position

Dr. Mike Phillips, exercise science program director and athletic director at Free Will Baptist Bible College, has accepted a position with Tennessee Technological University (Cookeville) to head up a new graduate program in Sport Management. He began his new duties in January.

Provost Greg Ketteman said, “We wish Mike well in his new role, and we will miss his influence on campus. He has been a vital part of the faculty and FWBBC family since 2002, and has been an example as a Christian gentleman and a professional in his field. We learned to trust and depend on him.”

Phillips completed a Ph.D. program in October 2007 at Middle Tennessee State University. His degree in Health and Human Performance included concentrations in Physical Education and Sport Management. Before joining the FWBBC faculty, he served as adjunct faculty member at Roane State University and Tennessee Tech.

Dr. Phillips said, “FWBBC has been my home for six years, and I consider the faculty, staff, administration, and students my family. It’s hard to leave FWBBC, but I feel that God is moving me in this direction.”

Eighty-Two Students Attend Welcome Days

Eighty-two students and sponsors from 10 states gathered on the Free Will Baptist Bible College campus November 6-8 for Welcome Days, according to Jeff Caudill, director of enrollment services. The group included 67 high school students and 15 sponsors.

Mr. Caudill said, “Students came from as far west as Arizona, as far east as Virginia , as far north as Michigan, and as far south as Alabama. What made this Welcome Days so special was the extensive interaction between our guests and our students, especially on Thursday and Friday nights. They had plenty of unstructured time to share common interests and respond to questions. The students really connected with each other.”

Twelve high school seniors were among the 67 who registered for the three-day event. The action-filled schedule included attending classes, a musical presentation by FWBBC ministry groups, and a reception hosted by President Matt Pinson—all topped off by a three-hour Fall Festival on the college’s front lawn.

Heath Hubbard, director of recruitment, said, “A number of students took the time to tell me how much they enjoyed the weekend, and that they are considering enrolling at FWBBC. The seniors had an opportunity to meet with faculty counselors and discuss enrollment at the college.”

Spring 2009 Welcome Days is scheduled March 26-28.

PHOTO: FWBBC alumni Aaron Pontious (L) and David Mizelle (R) enjoy the Welcome Days Fall Festival with North Carolina guest Kevin Stox (C).

Twenty-Two Attend Senior Days

Twenty-two students from eight states attended the second of four 2008-2009 “Senior Days” events at Free Will Baptist Bible College, November 20-22. Seniors came from Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Mr. Caudill said, “Three of the students are serious candidates to enroll in the spring. The guest students attended classes, met with academic advisors, participated in chapel, and enjoyed a luncheon with President Matt Pinson.”

The seniors stayed in FWBBC dormitories. Each guest had a personal guide to help navigate the campus and answer questions. They also attended a Flames basketball game, heard a presentation on financial aid, and interacted with the student body.

Applicant Chelsea Dorsey from Biloxi, Mississippi, said, “I chose FWBBC because I wanted a Christian environment where I can continue my growth in the Lord. I also want a good education and long-lasting relationships with students, and I think FWBBC is the place for that.”

Enrollment Management Secretary Lynsey Riggs said, “We were delighted that six of 22 students had already made application before visiting campus this weekend, and three applied during their visit. More applicants are expected in the coming weeks.”

96 Students Make President's / Dean's Lists

The fall 2008 semester at Free Will Baptist Bible College ended with 96 students earning academic recognition, according to Provost Greg Ketteman. Nineteen students made all A’s and were placed on the President’s List—six seniors, three juniors, six sophomores, and four freshmen. Seventy-seven students earned a B average or higher and were placed on the Dean’s List—14 seniors, 21 juniors, 15 sophomores, and 27 freshmen.

President’s List: “A” Honor Roll

Anderson, Cason (Jr.) Nashville, TN
Barrineau, Kristen (Sr.) Turbeville, SC
Benninghoff, Samuel (Soph.) Smyrna, TN
Burba, Joshua (Sr.) Nashville, TN
Carpenter, Elijah (Fr.) Church Hill, TN
Conner, Jacob (Sr.) Riner, VA
Duttine, Katie (Fr.) Sod, WV
Eller, Mary (Jr.) Nashville, TN
Ellis, Paige (Soph.) Florence, SC
Franks, Nathan (Soph.) Mount Olive, AL
Hill, Christa (Soph.) Norton, VA
Johnson, Tiffany (Sr.) Mayesville, SC
Lewis, Derek (Sr.) Cisne, IL
Munsey, Matthew (Fr.) Nashville, TN
Shearon, Michael (Fr.) Joelton, TN
Speer, Leah (Jr.) Nashville, TN
Swick, Stephanie (Sr.) New Boston, MI
Trimble, Nathan (Soph.) Greeneville, TN
Weeks, Bradley (Soph.) Nashville, TN

Dean’s List: “B” Honor Roll

Seniors:

Caudill, Allison, Kendallville, IN
Collier, Teddie, Fair Grove, MO
Corn, Paul, Ashland City, TN
Deckard, Matthew, Thayer, MO
Fisher, Megan, Morehead City, NC
Gladson, Ashley, Franklin, TN
Hajek, Samantha, St. Charles, MO
Hall, Allison, Rockingham, NC
Hulguin, Kevin, Norfolk, VA
Inman, Brett, Lebanon, MO
Mishler, Chad, Edwardsville, IL
Parks, Lindsey, Pleasant View, TN
Robinson, Daniel, Indian Trail, NC
White, Mallory, Bristol, VA

Juniors:

Baumann, Kristyn, Marietta, GA
Collins, Rachel, Harrisonburg, VA
Conner, Lindsay, Nashville, TN
Crozier, Megan, Lancing, TN
Driggers, Mary Kathryn, Turbeville, SC
Gibson, David, Florence, SC
Gilliken, Paul, Harkers Island, SC
Higgins, Miranda, Cookeville, TN
Jackson, Jacquelyn, Jacksonville, NC
Landing, John, Dearborn, MI
Kayla, Lynch, Joelton, TN
Mims, Bryce, Turbeville, SC
Owen, John, Chipley, FL
Owens, Bethany, Nashville, TN
Owens, Jesse, Franklin, TN
Pool, Elizabeth, Aulander, NC
Provow, Joshua, Nashville, TN
Provow, Lydia, Nashville, TN
Pugh, Karyn, Drummonds, TN
Ward, Kurston, Van Buren, AR
White, Randi, Florence, AL

Sophomores:

Bequette, Rachel, Marquand, MO
Bogart, Robin-Lynn, Adrian, MI
Brown, Rachel, Dearborn, MI
Clements, Tim, Durham, NC
Crozier, Joshua, Lancing, TN
Dennis, Nicholas, Vilonia, AR
Fawver, Rachel, Knoxville, TN
Forrest, Lauren, Ashland City, TN
Garner, Ashley, Homerville, GA
Harden, Kimberly, Kirksville, MO
Nelson, Megan, Old Hickory, TN
Peck, Christina, Carrollton, VA
Ramos, Leigha, Ashland City, TN
Richards, Shawn, Joelton, TN
Shaffer, Hannah, Saint George, WV

Freshmen:

Armstrong, Daniel, Wheelersburg, OH
Ashley, Tyler, Nashville, TN
Ayers, Rebekah, Moundville, AL
Bell, Kayla, Marietta, GA
Bradford, James, Silver Lake, IN
Brown, Christian, Ashland, KY
Cannon, Tyler, Mascoutah, IL
Davenport, Christopher, Chattanooga, TN
Douglas, Thaddeous, Macon, GA
Finley, Justin, Woodlawn, TN
Fitzgerald, Autum, Braselton, GA
James, Rebecca, Manor, GA
Jeffreys, Georgia, Red Bay, AL
Jones, Caleb, Olive Branch, MS
Kvatek, Dixie, Honolulu, HI
Lunsford, Benjamin, Midland City, AL
Martin, Jaclyn, Minford, OH
McCuin, Hanna, Wichita, KS
Munsey, Juliana, Nashville, TN
Nelson, Stephen, New Bern, NC
Phenicie, Judson, Navoo, AL
Reeder, Steven, Doe Run, MO
Rogers, Hannah, Beebe, AR
Shope, Bethany, Knoxville, TN
Smith, Gregory, Whittemore, MI
Stone, Kacy, Morehead, KY
Wilkerson, Crysta, Amory, MS