Ricky Skaggs Concert and Homecoming, 2016

Ricky Skaggs Accepts ASCAP Country Music Award at Ryman on October 31, 2016

  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Grammy-winning bluegrass and country artist Ricky Skaggs and bluegrass    singer-turned-country star Chris Stapleton were honored at the ASCAP Country Music Awards on     Monday night.

The performing rights organization honored their top country writers and singers during an awards show on Halloween night at the Ryman Auditorium featuring performances by Garth Brooks, Kelsea Ballerini and Trace Adkins.

A renowned mandolin player who has excelled at bluegrass, gospel and country music, Skaggs was presented with the ASCAP Founders Award and recognized for his pioneering contributions to music.

“I could have been born anywhere in the world, but God had a purpose for me to be born in Eastern Kentucky to hear the sounds of the mountains and the Stanley Brothers and Flatt and Scruggs and Bill Monroe,” Skaggs said.

Ricky Skaggs Concert to Benefit Women of Vision

Thursday, November 10 - 6:00 at Mill and Mine in Knoxville

It's not too late to buy your ticket to hear award winning country music artist Ricky Skaggs, Carson Peters, 12 year old fiddle phenomenon, and Emily Ann Roberts, Knoxville gal who was The Voice finalist.

Carson-Newman has a limited number of tickets available for half-price ($50).  
To purchase, go to:  Ricky Skaggs Discount Tickets 
Upon completion of your transaction, please email Leah Smith at lsmith@cn.edu with the number of tickets purchased in order to receive your tickets via email.

Carson Peters

Emily Ann Roberts

Homecoming, 2016 - Welcome Home!

Homecoming was a warm and gorgeous fall day - October 29, 2016

Many of you were on campus Homecoming Saturday to celebrate reunions, watch a great football game, and most importantly visit Women of Vision Showcase projects. What a great day!

Women of Vision Superwoman Leah Smith made sure everything was perfect for Homecoming!

It was difficult to see ALL the wonderful projects that Women of Vision has been working on during the past year. 

WOV Showcase: Education Classroom in Stokely

Remember the Education classroom  "Before" pictures?

                                                              Check out the "After" pics!

The classroom received beautiful new carpet and furniture from WOV

WOV Showcase: Campus Ministries House

Here's the Campus Ministries House "Before" 

The "After" is truly amazing!

 Campus Ministries House Living Area

                                  Campus Ministries Kitchen                                           Campus Ministries House

Fite Administration Building Staff Breakroom

The Fite Administration Staff Lounge received a makeover from Women of Vision. Look at this beautiful new space! A new picnic area and prayer garden space was created outside Fite. Even the restroom received a needed face lift.

 

Can you identify the "Before" and the "After" pictures???

 

This is a preview of plans for the restrooms in Stokely.  Construction is slated to begin in May after students leave. The official new name will be "Presidential Lounge!" 

Other wonderful Women of Vision projects will be featured in a future blog post. But please know that your donations are being used in an amazing way all across our Carson-Newman campus. 

This Bible verse, found in the Campus Ministries House, 
is a fitting one for Women of Vision members.

Fabulous Fall WOV Happenings

It's Fall in East Tennessee!

I don't know how your weather has been lately, but here in East Tennessee we've had an extended summer. But finally, the days are starting to get cooler, the skies are that brilliant autumn blue, and it's time to think about pumpkins, cider, and Carson-Newman happenings.

Football has already started and the Eagles are off to a good start with four games under their belts. 

Before we know it, it will be time for Homecoming. October 29 is the date, and the trees should be at their prettiest for a wonderful Mossy Creek Reunion. Make plans to come home to Carson-Newman.

"Come Back to Me" Homecoming Video

You can find out more about  Homecoming, 2016 here:   Homecoming Information         

Appalachian Celebration ~ Nov. 10

Ricky Skaggs Concert to Benefit 

Women of Vision 

Women of Vision is very excited about a big event that is happening November 10.  Ricky Skaggs has been a long time friend of Carson-Newman and has agreed to do a concert in Knoxville with proceeds going to Women of Vision to fund more projects. Ricky is an icon in the country music world, winner of multiple awards and honors during his long career. 

 In addition to Ricky, Carson Peters from Piney Flats, Tennessee, is going to be there. Carson often performs with Ricky, but has a following of his own. This incredible 12 year old is a master on the fiddle. He has appeared at the Grand 'Ole Opry several times, on the David Letterman Show, and most recently with Steve Harvey on the TV show Little Big Shots. 

Steve Harvey and Carson Peters on Little Big Shots

Watch this video.  You'll be amazed!

Ricky Skaggs and Carson Peters have performed together at the Grand Ole Opry

Appalachian Celebration is definitely a night you will not want to miss. The concert will be at Mill and Mine, a fabulous new venue in Knoxville. Area chefs will be cooking up tastes of the very best East Tennessee foods. It will be a fun night of great music, fabulous food, and wonderful fellowship.

For more information and ticket information: Click Here.  We want to see many of our Women of Vision members at this fun event. Don't delay.  Buy your tickets today! 

Back to the Creek

Back to the Creek participants

Saturday, July 9, was a busy day for Women of Vision. Thirty women spent the day cleaning, painting, stripping wallpaper, organizing supplies and cleaning out clutter at several locations on campus. Beverly Adams, Projects Coordinator, had the day well organized and lists prepared for each location so that volunteers knew what to do. Carol Strevel, Volunteer Coordinator, organized the work teams at each location.  Debbie Bean and Jennifer Bates arranged for a delicious breakfast and lunch and Susan Fendley had tee shirts available for everyone. Leah Smith, our campus WOV liaison did lots of behind-the-scenes prep work to make sure the day went smoothly.

                        Beverly Adams outlines the day                                   Debbie Bean kept everything flowing smoothly

 Dr. O'Brien came by to see the Back to the Creek participants and was immediately given a Women of Vision tee shirt! 

                                                                           "Is purple my color?"

Safety and Security Building: 

The campus security headquarters got a good cleaning throughout. A new bathroom is finished, and Women of Vision plans to add new curtains, shades, and other accessories to make the place look really spiffy.

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                                          Every student visits this building.                                                Kay O'Brien wields a mean vacuum! 

              Carol Strevel, Dot Gratz, and Vicki Butler clean the kitchen                     Robbie Pinkerton believes in bleach!

Campus Ministry House:

The Campus Ministry House is a work-in-progress for Women of Vision. On Back to the Creek day, wallpaper was removed from the kitchen, and supplies for the many BCM mission projects were organized and placed in a huge new closet. Furniture has already been recovered and placed in the main area and there is a list of needed items still to be provided.  (See the list in this blog post if you would like to donate an item)

Reception Area-Before

Reception Area-After

                                           Jennifer Bates, Kathy May, and  Carolyn Jensen work in CMH kitchen

Dr. Baumgardner's Office (Update)

Now that the 2nd floor of the Baker Building is looking wonderful following its renovation by Women of Vision, a small office formerly used by Dr. Baumgardner was in need of an update.  After a good cleaning, Beverly Adams built a table and added recovered furniture and lamps. What a difference! Here are some before and after pictures:

Terre Eldridge cleaned and decluttered

 

A Special Email:

Megan Wallace, a recent Carson-Newman graduate, wrote a heartfelt thank you to Kay O'Brien after working at Back to the Creek. Here is an excerpt from her email:

"Thank you so much for helping make events like the workday happen. Being young and still finding my way into the life long career it means so much for me to be able to give back to the place that gave so much to me. I'm not in a place where I can give money, but I can easily give of myself.

Yesterday was such a special day to me to be able to give back to campus ministries, which is a place that holds significant meaning to my time at CN. I served on the missions team of BCM during my four years there. The CMH was where I met some of my first friends at CN.  It was also the place where I could go and talk to Chad and Nenette as I went further in my spiritual walk during college. 

Then there are the wise words from Dr. Brummett, I can recall from my freshman orientation "Don't focus on God's will. Focus on God and you will know His will." Then his words from Systematic Theology my senior year "We pray with our understanding of God." Two simple phrases I live by today, and have helped me as I go about the journey of life. 

And finally there were the words from Dr. O'Brien from my first night on campus at the candlelight vespers: "Do we sing lies?" Yet another example of what CN has taught me as I have worked in Children's ministry, both on a church staff and as a volunteer. It is another phrase I think of as I am worshiping in church and reading each day. I question myself. Do I truly believe what God is telling me and the words I am singing, even when life hasn't gone as planned. I may not all the time but I should. 

And finally there was the time where my best friends were walking out of Swan in the pouring rain without umbrellas in our rain jackets walking to chapel and Dr. O'Brien was on the other side of the road and offered us his umbrella saying he could go back and get another.

Those are just a few of the things that have made CN such a special place to me and why it is so important for me to be able to give back to the place that has given me so much. 

I look forward to many more Women of Vision events in the future and I am trying to get my friends on board."

Megan Wallace

After "Back to the Creek" Wish List:

These featured projects were not the only ones tackled at Back to the Creek.  In addition to the projects listed above, painting began in the MSAC Exercise Science Study Room, the Yellow House, which Women of Vision uses for storage of donated furnishings, was cleaned out and reorganized. And the projects are not finished! This wish list contains items still needed for the various projects.

If you would like to donate something needed, please contact Leah Smith (lsmith@cn.edu) who serves as the Women of Vision campus liaison.  Leah will be glad to help you.  And Women of Vision thanks you in advance!

ADDITIONAL PROJECT NEEDS AND WISH LISTS

Campus Ministries House (Project Chair Sandy Presley)
1. Pots for cooking pasta and warming spaghetti sauce as well as 1 to 2 quart sauce pans
2. Donations towards blinds @ $50 each
3. Six photos enlarged (from mission trips) - $80 to $120 each
4. Donations towards new end tables and coffee table
5. Donations towards office quality shelving unit for Campus Ministries House Administrative Assistant

                                              Calling All Volunteers

Volunteers needed for upcoming events.  If you would like to help at one of these events, please contact Carol Strevel, WOV Volunteer Coordinator at carolstrevel @gmail.com. In addition to these events, volunteers are needed for the St. John Bible Gallery Reception, October 6. 

NEWS FLASH! STAY TUNED!

Ricky Skaggs Concert to Benefit WOV

  Date ~TBA

Ricky Skaggs is a fan of Carson-Newman and has agreed to perform a benefit concert for Women of Vision sometime in the near future. As soon as a date is selected, we will send out all the details!

A Busy Summer for Women of Vision

A Blast from the Past!

Who remembers what event might be depicted in this photo from the 1971 Carson-Newman Yearbook? That's right! It was a "panty raid" that was the bane of college officials during the 1960's. But if you ever lived in Swann, you remember how important that balcony was to everyone. It was a great place to study, read, or just watch who was coming and going at the dorm.

Sarah Swann Home for Ladies was built in 1904 and is now the oldest building on campus. It has served continually as a dorm for female students for 112 years! Col. A. R. Swann funded the building of the dorm, naming it in honor of his mother.  Initially, the young women participated in "the club plan of boarding with the young ladies assisting in the work and paying only the actual expenses of provisions," ranging from $6.00 - $6.50 per month for board, fuel, and lighting. It initially contained a kitchen and dining hall that were later converted into rooms. At one time, the Hypatian and Calliopean Literary Societies maintained their elegant halls there. 

Beautiful columns grace the balcony at Sarah Swann

Sarah Swann, while still a grand old building, is showing her age. The balcony has become unsafe to use, and students are not allowed on it.  To maintain the integrity of the building, a very expensive repair must occur. The Carson-Newman Class of 1971 is holding their 45th reunion at this year's Homecoming, and has decided along with Women of Vision,  to take leadership in raising funds for this important project. 

Temporary Balcony Supports in Place for Safety 

How can you help?  Attend the "Swann Experience!"

 A Swann Porch Party and Swann Slumber Party will be held July 8.  The Swann Porch Party will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m.  There will be delicious refreshments, games on the lawn, music, and plenty of rockers available to “sit a spell.”  Tickets are $50 and proceeds will go toward our goal to renovate Swann’s balcony.  The balcony is unsafe to use, and must be repaired at an estimated cost of $150,000.   Buy several tickets and bring your spouse or your friends. This will be a fun afternoon of remembering your days in the dorms, catching up with Carson Newman friends, and supporting a very worthy cause.  

Would you like the total "Swann Experience?" For $150, you will receive a ticket for the Swann Porch Party AND be invited to attend the Swann Slumber Party which begins at 6:30 p.m. that evening.  Just think of reliving those days when you called Swann home.  There will be evening activities including a Summer Salad Supper, a Movie Party, a Bountiful Breakfast served the next morning and each guest will receive a commemorative gift.  So contact your roommate, or a friend, and make reservations for our Swann Slumber Party.  Perhaps your daughter or granddaughter also has memories of Swann.  You can make it an intergenerational family event! Your spouse can even stay on a special “man on the hall” area in Swann. Click here to register for this event. Swann Experience

Remember those hall bathrooms in Swann?

All Swann residents used the same hall telephone back in the day!

Back to the Creek Annual Event 

 Saturday, July 9

On Saturday, July 9, Women of Vision will be hosting their annual Back to the Creek event. This is a day of service, working on Women of Vision projects all over campus.  You are invited to be a part of this wonderful event.  The day will begin at 9:00 with a continental breakfast.  You will be assigned to a work group somewhere on campus.  Lunch will be at 12:00, and the day will conclude at 4:00. Register for this event at the link above or by clicking here:Back to the Creek

Women of Vision is Making a Difference!

If there was any doubt that Women of Vision is making a significant impact on campus, this map proves otherwise. To date, Women of Vision has completed projects in 15 campus buildings, renovating 58 rooms and spaces. Be a part of the vision. Get involved today!