Issue: Spring 2018
From The President
One of the joys of serving at Union University is seeing how so many students and alumni exercise Christ-centered leadership in a variety of ways.
Some students come to Union as natural leaders. They were leaders in high school, they continue that trajectory during college and they will likely fulfill that role for the rest of their lives. That's the way God made them.
Other students come in as first-generation college students who have not had many leadership opportunities. They are tentative and unsure of themselves. But through the guidance, instruction, coaching and opportunities they receive at Union, they gradually emerge as bona fide leaders who are ready to make a difference in the world for the cause of Christ.
Over nearly two centuries, Union University has certainly trained its share of leaders. Some of our graduates serve as university presidents. Many serve in all kinds of church leadership roles. Others are leaders in business, in health care, in education, in research, in serving their communities and in their homes.
You'll read about several leaders in this issue of the Unionite, from former Union President Robert Craig, who led Union during one of the most pivotal periods in its history, to current trustee chairman Lisa Rogers, to Union graduate Craig Dismuke. All of them are fine examples of what godly, Christ-centered leaders should look like — and at the center of that is the commitment to serve others.
Leadership is not about lording authority over others. Leadership, especially Christian leadership, comes fundamentally from service. As noted Christian author John Stott has observed, "The authority by which the Christian leader leads is not power but love, not force but example, not coercion but reasoned persuasion. Leaders have power, but power is safe only in the hands of those who humble themselves to serve."
That's why Union's mission is so important — to provide Christ-centered education that promotes excellence and character development in service to Church and society.
Please pray for us as we live out our mission on a daily basis. The Lord is gracious, and we know that he will guide us and sustain us as we pursue our mission for His glory.
Gratefully,
Samuel W. "Dub" Oliver, Ph.D.