Vol. 42, No. 20 March 21, 2013

A Weekly Update of Activities at Rust College

Campus NewsBriefs

Where Tomorrow’s Leaders are Students Today

Religious Emphasis Week 2013 ~ “We’ve Come This Far By Faith”

Students and faculty members celebrated Religious Emphasis Week, March 11th-15th, sharing stories of faith, leadership and

service through panel discussions, worship services, the weekly AEP assembly, and a performance by the Watoto De’Afrika

Memphis Performing Arts Academy, lead by Mr. Donald O’Connor.

Special guests included Elder Bobby Earl Dailey of Oxford, Mississippi, Rev. Dr. Elizabeth A. Williams of Nashville,

Tennessee and Rev. Mattie D. Gipson, also of Oxford.

Elder Bailey opened Religious Emphasis Week, speaking to students and faculty during the Opening Banquet and

candlelight vigil. Elder Bailey received his Master of Divinity in 1992 from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley,

California. He is an educator and former military police officer who is currently a pastor within the Mississippi Annual Con-

ference of the United Methodist Church (UMC). He is Senior Pastor of Providence UMC, Buford Chapel UMC and West St.

Peter UMC, of Oxford.

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth A. Williams is an associate professor in the Department of Public Health, Health Administration and

Health Services at Tennessee State University in Nashville. Dr. Williams has completed several fellowships, and is pursuing

a Master’s of Divinity from Vanderbilt University Divinity School. She is a licensed pastor and is currently seeking ordina-

tion as an Elder. Dr. Williams spoke to faculty and students during the interfaith discussion held Wednesday, March 13,

about becoming natural leaders and pursuing greatness.

Rev. Mattie D. Gipson is a native of Oxford, Mississippi, and a graduate of Rust College, in which she earned her Bachelor

of Arts degree in Music Education in 1967. Mrs. Gipson has been active in church from her early childhood years and has

served in offices in the local church and on the District and Annual Conference levels. She received a Master of Divinity

from Candler School of Theology (Atlanta, GA) in May 1997 and became a full-time pastor within the Mississippi Confer-

ence of the UMC the following June. In June 2011, she was appointed Superintendent of the Greenwood District of the

UMC.

Students and staff were able to participate in a panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Chandra Tummalapalli, an assistant

professor within the Division of Science and Mathematics. “Share Our Faith Stories Better Together” allowed the

audience to ask questions to the panel on the diversity of religion, offering overviews of Hinduism and Islam. Other panelists

included Dr. Mian Ashraf, Dr. Sujata Sinha, Dr. Margaret Delashmit, Mr. Abdoulie Cham, Mr. Emmanuel Bass, Ms. Jennifer

Washington and Ms. Danielle Caradine. (continued page 2)

“BY THEIR FRUITS… Page 2

Religious Emphasis Week Highlights

L-R: Mrs. Sharron Goodman-Hill, Dr. Chandra

Tummalapalli, Rev. Annie Travis, Dr. Sujata Sinha

Dr. Tummalapalli moderates the panel

discussion.

Rev. Travis with Dr. Elizabeth A. Williams

Students participate in the Walking Meditation from the BCS Building to the Chapel. Elder Bobby E. Dailey Rev. Travis presents a token of appreciation to

Rev. Mattie D. Gipson.

Performers with the Watoto De’Afrika Memphis Performing Arts Academy, led by Mr. Donald O’Connor (far right).

L-R: Joshua Stampley-Gardner, Darion Williams, Miss Elam Chapel Danielle

Wells, Rev. Travis, Rev. Mattie D. Gipson, Kenneth Hoggan, Larance Carter

Students having a little fun with Dr. Elizabeth Williams; L-R: Crystal

Bradley, Larance Carter, Tralitia Russell, Dr. Williams, Joshua

Stampley-Gardner, Amber Fenton, Asianna Fenton.

...YE SHALL KNOW THEM” Page 3

Anticipating Graduation By: Hope Green

As the spring nears, the Senior Fever can be felt in the air. Future doctors, lawyers, and leaders of to-

morrow will be leaving Rust College on April 28, 2013 to make an impact in society. For some this has

been a long journey and the feeling of anticipating graduation is spreading amongst Rust College’s sen-

iors like wildfire. However, through the excitement, graduation can be a bittersweet moment. The 2013

class will leave behind many memories, friends, instructors who have helped them along the way, and a

school which has groomed them to be scholars. Nostalgia will occur, but these graduating seniors will

have left a mark on Rust’s campus that will forever be embedded like footprints in the sand. When will

you leave yours?

Hope Green, who

will receive her

degree in English

from Rust College

in April.

Senior Yearbook Photos

Senior Graduation pictures will be taken

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 8:00am-4:00pm

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 9:00am-1:00pm

Any other student, faculty or staff member who

has not yet taken a yearbook photo may do so at

this time. Brown Mass Communications Building

Room 104 (beside the stairs)

For more information, contact the

Office of Public Relations

662-252-8000 ext. 4917

Class

of

2013 147th Commencement Convocation

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Graduation Invitations Available

Price: 50 cents each

If you would like to purchase

invitations, contact the Office of Public

Relations, 662-252-8000 ext. 4917 or

visit Oakview Mansion

Page 8 Announcements IN CASE OF EMERGENCY…

Emergency notifications for students, faculty and staff will be handled by mass email, Channel 19, WURC 88.1 FM, RC-TV 2, and

campus loud speakers. If you would like to receive emergency notifications by text message, please submit your cell phone number to

Mrs. Carolyn Hymon, Dean of Students. The numbers will be used for emergencies ONLY and will not be distributed.

Emergency Numbers:

Security office: 662-252-8090 Security guard on patrol: 662-216-3429

Dr. David L. Beckley, ‘67, President

Ms. Adrienne F. Phillips, Public Relations Specialist

Dr. Ishmell H. Edwards, ’71, Vice President for College Relations

The Home Depot “Retool Your School Project”

VOTE TO SUPPORT RUST COLLEGE! Vote for major and minor projects proposed by and for Rust College

Major Project

Rust College proposes to upgrade the present baseball field with a dugout, grading

and sodding and erecting a new fence.

Minor Project

Rust College intends to install wrought iron fencing on the east side of campus to

improve safety and appearance of the women's dormitories.

Campus Pride

The Campus Pride Grant will go to the school with the most votes and social media

activity. Follow @RYS_2013 on Twitter and tweet Rust College photos and events

using the hashtag #RustCollegeRYS2013 to earn points toward Rust College’s

social media activity.

To Vote: http://www.retoolyourschool.com

Click “Vote For Your School”

Scroll through to find Rust College, click and VOTE!

Schools with the highest votes are at the top of the list—

let’s put Rust College at the top of the list!

VOTING ENDS APRIL 15, 2013

Our Condolences…

...to Ms. Dorothy Lee Jones, whose brother, Mr. Eugene Peace, passed away February 19, 2013 in

Chicago, Illinois.

...to Dr. William Scott, on the loss of his mother who passed away Thursday, February 28, 2013. Mrs.

Mattie Taylor Scott Pace lived 102 years.

...to Mrs. Vernita Dailey, whose mother, Mrs. Verta Mae Sanford, was funeralized Friday, March 15,

2013 in Chicago, Illinois.

...to Mr. Sana Sise, whose brother Bamba Ceesay (c/o ‘97) passed away Wednesday morning, March 20 in Seattle,

Washington.

VOTE EVERYDAY!