Fall 2022 IMPACT – A Royal Reunion

Regent University celebrated nearly 45 years of equipping Christian leaders to change the world with its first-ever Alumni Weekend, October 7-8. This special two-day event rolled out the red carpet for alumni from as far back as 1984 and as far away as Arizona. Alumni and their families enjoyed a nostalgic time of fellowship and fun on our beautiful Virginia Beach campus and got to see what's happening at Regent today. Those attending the weekend experienced a full schedule of engaging and entertaining events. Friday’s “Royal Welcome” opening session included a time of praise and worship in the Library Auditorium along with a

A welcome reception followed on the Library Balcony, where attendees had the chance to connect with fellow alumni from their school. After the reception, they headed outside to participate in Regent’s annual Harvest Fest and a Dinner on the Lawn, where alumni were treated to a delicious chili dinner with all the “fixins.” Joining the alumni on the University Mall were nearly 400 current students, prospective students and guests, participating in a Regent Preview Weekend.

As the sun began to set, the campus bustled with energy and activity—including some intense cornhole competitions by the Regent Fountain. A live concert at Shaw Chapel, featuring music by We Are Messengers with special guests Jordan St. Cyr and Ryan Ellis, closed out day one of Alumni Weekend.

Juanita Weiss (COM ’92) attended Friday’s events with her husband, David. “I thoroughly enjoyed Alumni Weekend,” she told Impact. “Getting to meet alumni I had never met before and reconnecting with some I knew was priceless. The concert in the evening with We Are Messengers was fabulous! It was such a good way to end the first night of Alumni Weekend.”

Day 2 on Saturday started with breakfast at the Regent Ordinary and quickly transitioned to a special time of community prayer for our nation and the Regent family. Alumni gathered on the Library steps as “World Changers United for Prayer” and then commemorated the inaugural event with a group photo.

Alumni closed out their morning activities by attending “Classes Without Quizzes” sessions. Attendees heard from Regent professors who spoke about “Scripture, Art & Archeology,” “Christian Applications of the Business Roundtable” and “A Christian Understanding of Mindfulness Stress Management.”

Dr. Andrew Root (SBL ’94) was one of the professors leading the business roundtable discussion. “It was great to spend time with fellow alums from online and on-campus programs,” Root told Impact. “Being connected to alums can be motivational and part of a discipleship experience, as they go about changing the world in their own communities.”

After lunch in the Library Atrium, alumni attended a Meet the Deans forum in the Library Auditorium. The hourlong Q&A session provided an opportunity to hear from the deans and learn about the latest developments at Regent.

“Our alumni were very engaged and asked the deans great questions,” said Dr. Doris Gomez, dean of Regent’s School of Business & Leadership. “These events give us an opportunity to reconnect and renew. When God calls students to Regent University, this call does not end upon graduation. It remains the essence of our alumni's work and future.”

Dr. Tony Hughes (SBL ’07) “loved” the inaugural Alumni Weekend and hopes it becomes a yearly event. He told Impact, “The program was very good. I liked the effort everyone put in to make it work. It was nice to hear from the school leadership on what they have been doing with the school and where they hope to go in the future.”

Regent University Athletic Director Michael Allen led Saturday’s final classroom session inside Robertson Hall. “A Day in the Life of a Student-Athlete” gave alumni the opportunity to hear from several Regent Royals about the hard work and commitment needed to pursue both scholarship and athletic excellence.

Alumni Weekend 2022 ended on the highest of notes—with the Royals Celebration Dinner at the Founders Inn Ballroom on Saturday night. Lee Gwaltney (SBL ’94) attended the

closing banquet and the entire two-day event with his wife, Heather (SBL ’94).

“We enjoyed being back on campus,” he said. “It definitely brought back memories, and all the staff and Regent team members were very welcoming. Of course, one of our favorite parts about Regent is that everyone we meet and have met has a story of how God worked in their lives and brought them to Regent.”

Chris Lambert, Regent University’s vice president for Advancement, says a key goal for the two-day event was to empower graduates to forge new relationships while strengthening old ones. He also wanted the weekend’s activities to build a sense of community that would allow and encourage alumni to reconnect with the university fully.

“The Regent University family continues to grow,” Lambert explained. “There was a point in time when the Holy Spirit whispered into the ear of each alumnus, telling them: ‘Seek out a Christian education.’ Tens of thousands of Regent University students have answered ‘Yes’ to that call, and we want them to stay connected to each other.”

In 1978, Dr. David Gyertson was the first dean and campus chaplain for Regent University. He became the school’s fourth president nine years later. Gyertson and his wife, Nancy, were honored guests at Alumni Weekend 2022, attending several events. At the Royals Celebration Dinner on Saturday night, the Gyertsons presented

Regent with artwork depicting the Cape Henry Landing in 1607. They decided to return the historical painting given to them by the university in 1983.

“For the past 40 years, it's been a gift that Nancy and I have treasured as a remembrance that God always keeps His word,” Gyertson shared. “It's such a blessing for Nancy and me to come back and realize that the founding vision for Regent University and the Christian Broadcasting Network remains strong, vital and vibrant.”

Just a few miles from the Cape Henry Landing site, Regent University remains holy ground. A land dedicated more than 400 years ago to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ has served as a launch pad for World Changers over the past 44 years. The university has equipped more than 33,000 alumni as Christian leaders to impact nations for God’s glory.

But Regent won’t stop there. Lambert insists many, many more graduates are on the way: “Our alumni should be very proud of the students studying on campus today. They’re Spirit-led people who are going to make their mark for the Lord—just like the men and women before them. The entire Regent community is looking forward to watching it happen.”

For more information about enrolling in one of Regent's in-demand degree programs, call 800.373.5504 or visit regent.edu/apply. If you’re a Regent alumnus, go to regentalumni.org to connect with our Alumni Relations team.

Building a Case for Excellence

Since its founding two years ago, the Robertson Center for Constitutional Law has played a key role in landmark Supreme Court decisions.

When Regent University’s School of Law established the Robertson Center for Constitutional Law in 2020, the goal was to advance America’s first principles, including limited government, originalism, separation of powers, and religious liberty. Fast forward two years, and this academic center—that pairs scholarship and advocacy—is already making a historical impact on landmark Supreme Court cases.

“There has never been a better time to be a conservative, constitutional litigator. There’s a tremendous amount of opportunities,” says Brad Lingo, dean of Regent University School of Law and the first executive director of the Robertson Center for Constitu tional Law. “We launched the Center to do three things. One, train the next generation of advocates. Two, be a beacon of light to the legal academy. Three, influence the broader culture. The way we do that is by pairing scholarship and advocacy from a conservative Christian perspective. That’s really what makes our Center unique.”

Lingo adds that students can receive real-life experience and training by working on cutting-edge matters of constitutional law. Since its founding, the Robertson Center has already represented former members of Congress, Christian ministries, and others in seven briefs before the United States Supreme Court and federal appellate courts.

On July 28, 2021, the Center partnered with the Christian Legal Society and the late

Judge Kenneth Starr to file an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Dobbs was the most significant abortion-related case since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision legalized the procedure nationwide in 1973.

The Robertson Center’s second of four amicus briefs before the Supreme Court argued that states should be allowed to craft abortion policy through the democratic process rather than through the courts. In the Dobbs decision, the justices ruled 6-3 that a Mississippi law prohibiting most abortions after 15 weeks was constitutional, overturning Roe v. Wade

“This was a generational victory for the pro-life movement and the rule of law,” Lingo insists. “In the Dobbs case, we wrote the amicus brief and then wrote a scholarly article on some of the same topics. Our academic work helps reinforce and give credibility to our advocacy, and our advocacy work feeds into our scholarship. In all of that, a really important, underlying thing we’re trying to do is train students. They’re getting an up-close look working with us.”

The Center is named in honor of Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson, Regent University’s founder, chancellor and CEO. For more than half a century, the Yale Law School graduate has served as a strong, vocal advocate for religious freedom and the rule of law around the world.

“Regent University School of Law was established to train leaders to defend our Constitution and the principles upon which our nation was founded,” Robertson said in 2020. “The creation of the Center is one more step toward fulfilling that mission.”

In addition to serving as the Center’s executive director for the past two years, Lingo is a Regent Law faculty member and was named the 2022 Professor of the Year by the university’s student bar association. In June, the Harvard Law School graduate was appointed dean of the School of Law. This fall, new Regent Law Professor Erin Morrow Hawley joined the Robertson Center as a senior fellow.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for Regent students to contribute to the legal and academic debate,” Hawley told Impact “I think there’s a huge need for law schools like Regent that focus, not only on academic excellence but also on equipping Christians to live out their calling as attorneys, lawyers and policymakers.”

In addition to her new roles at Regent, Hawley serves as senior counsel to the appellate team at Alliance Defending Freedom and as senior legal fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum. She also holds impressive academic credentials and has litigated extensively before the Supreme Court.

“It’s fantastic to be able to teach students and especially to be invested in the Center, where they get hands-on experience in crafting and making arguments and making an impact on the legal system and on court cases,” Hawley said.

In addition to submitting four amicus briefs to the Supreme Court and three to lower federal appellate courts since its founding, the Robertson Center also has published five scholarly articles in respected law journals. And, through the Center’s internship program, Lingo, Hawley, and others are mentoring the next generation of attorneys who will defend the rights and principles enshrined in the Constitution.

“It has been an incredible learning experience to observe leading Christian constitutional lawyers strategize and craft a Supreme Court brief,” says Gabrielle Bruno (LAW ’23), a third-year student at Regent Law and Center intern. “My experience with the Center has deepened my understanding of appellate advocacy and sparked a passion for getting more involved in this work.”

Bruno adds, “The Center works tremendously hard to impact our country and influence our culture while simultaneously providing unique educational opportunities for the students at Regent’s School of Law.”

“This kind of academic environment— working on important constitutional issues and writing amicus briefs before courts of

appeals and the Supreme Court—was really exciting to me,” says Alex Touchet (LAW ’22), a former intern who will serve as a fellow for the Robertson Center this fall.

The Robertson Center for Constitutional Law is providing opportunities for Regent Law students like Bruno and Touchet to get real-world, firsthand experience working on Supreme Court and appellate court briefs.

“I think the Robertson Center is just going to be able to build upon the success it has enjoyed in a short time period under Lingo's leadership,” Hawley predicts. “We’re going to continue to present the courts with really strong arguments on why religious liberty, in

particular, is one of the core, and fundamental, promises of the First Amendment. That amendment—and its protection of both free speech and religious liberty—allow us to have all of the other freedoms and protections in the Bill of Rights.”

Lingo, who litigated pro bono and religiousliberty cases while in private practice, acknowledges that additional financial support is needed to continue university-led scholarship and advocacy to preserve, protect and uphold the Constitution.

“We’ve earned the respect of many in the religious-liberties bar. That’s been a successful phase one,” he explains. “For phase two, I would like to see us grow. What we’ve learned over the past two years is that there’s a tremendous need for this sort of work. There are not many people or organizations that are willing and able to participate in high-profile, religious-liberties matters. Our Center has demonstrated that we can do it right.”

Visit constitutionallaw.regent.edu to learn more about the Robertson Center for Constitutional Law and how you can support their work.

The Fall 2022 semester marks 40 years of Regent University’s School of Divinity, equipping Christian leaders to change the world as pastors, chaplains, church leaders, and ministers of God’s Word. One of the fastest growing seminaries in America, the School of Divinity is leading the way with excellence, influence, knowledge, impact, and service to support the mission and vision of the local and global church.

“Any seminary will always find it an uphill battle in the world that we live in,” explains Dr. Corné J. Bekker, the School of Divinity’s dean since 2015. “There’s so much theological and missional drift and so many opportunities to compromise on God’s Word.”

Under Bekker’s leadership, the School of Divinity stays true to its original mission and foundational purpose. The seminary continues to build on a tremendous four-decade legacy established by previous deans, past and present faculty members, and extraordinary students and alumni.

“As we enter our 40th year, we are excited to welcome the largest incoming class of students in the history of the School of Divinity,” Bekker tells Impact. “This fall, we are at 1,180 total students. So, from a numerical perspective, this is the biggest we’ve ever been.”

He continues, “Currently, higher theological education is experiencing a lot of stresses.

Leading the Way

The paganization of society, the secularization of the Church, and then, of course, the liberalization of so many other seminaries have caused a great contraction in numbers of students.”

Bekker adds that, by God’s grace, Regent has seen a different trajectory. Over the past nine years, the School of Divinity has grown 24%.

“We are incredibly grateful for that,” he says. “We believe this has happened because of our firm commitment to the supremacy, the primacy, and the inerrancy of God’s Word. We’ve also worked hard to ensure that all of our courses reflect a singular commitment to the Gospel of Jesus as the only vehicle of transformation in our world.”

Another School of Divinity goal is to serve the body of Christ. In a society that so desperately pursues “social justice” as an agent of change, Bekker insists only the gospel can transform our world.

“God’s first plan is the Church. God’s last plan is the Church. We are the servants of the Church,” he says. “All of our degrees—from our master’s to our doctoral programs—are offered to produce ministers for the church. That is our passion. That’s what we live for.”

Among the School of Divinity’s notable alumni is Mark Batterson (DIV, ’13), a New York Times bestselling author and senior pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. He chose Regent’s Doctor

Regent University’s School of Divinity enters its 40th year with a vision to reach the world.

of Ministry (D. Min.) program because he was drawn to the university’s theological perspective and respected the school’s faculty.

“The beginning stages of the program helped define my leadership gift and lay a foundation for what the Lord has done and what he’s going to continue to do,” Batterson explains.

The School of Divinity seeks to graduate students who are well-versed in Scripture, well-trained in ministry, well-grounded in God’s Word, and well-equipped to fulfill their unique calling to serve the Lord. Nina Anderson is the Family & Service Pastor at New Life—a missional, multiethnic, multisite church in Virginia.

“Regent was my final ‘yes’ to answering the call to ministry,” Anderson recalls. “Whether I’m preaching, counseling or coaching, I use my M.Div. degree in every facet of my career.”

After Regent’s Founder, Chancellor & CEO Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson answered God’s calling to “build a school for My glory,” the university began in 1978 as a School of Communications with 77 students and seven professors. Four years later, the School of Divinity would open its doors with the School of Business.

In reflecting on the divinity school’s 40th anniversary, Impact asked Dr. Robertson about the history behind that statement. He explained how the Lord spoke to him in the early days of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) when significant funds were needed to pay for a new office building and television studio.

“I was on my knees at a noon prayer meeting and crying out to God for the money,” Robertson remembers. “At that time, I had a clear revelation of Jesus. I saw Him holding the world in his hands. He said to me, ‘I don’t want you to pray for the money; I want you to pray for the world.’ At that moment, He put in my heart a vision to go far beyond our local community to reach out to the entire world. Needless to say, in short order, the money we needed came in. But the vision to reach the world for the Lord Jesus still remains to this day.”

“All of our degrees—from our master’s to our doctoral programs—are offered to produce ministers for the church. That is our passion. That’s what we live for.”

“The School of Divinity was always, I believe, at the heart of Dr. Robertson’s vision for the university.” Bekker admits, “I get very emotional when I think about him sharing something the Lord said to him many years ago: ‘Don’t ask for money; ask for the world.’”

“The celebration of 40 years is not a celebration, ultimately, of our accomplishments,” Bekker insists. “It’s not a celebration of individual leadership. It is a celebration of God’s faithfulness to the School of Divinity, our faculty members, our leaders, and our students. It is a time to celebrate His sovereign call on the school and the transformation that has happened when graduates have gone forth, in the name of Christ, to be laborers into His great harvest.”

The learn more about the School of Divinity’s exceptional degree programs, call 757.352.4016 or visit regent.edu/divinity

CALLED TO UVALDE

In the wake of one of the nation’s deadliest school shootings, Regent Master of Divinity student Mario Samaniego stood in the darkness of the night at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022, as one of many working the scene while fighting back the tears.

Samaniego noticed the rows of body bags holding what was left of the innocent children—aged 9, 10 and 11—each precious and too young to be gone.

In a frenzy beyond the crime scene tape, Samaniego could see the parents of the victims waiting for good news that wasn’t coming. Instead, they’d learn that an 18-year-old killer had slain their child before law enforcement could shoot him.

Nineteen little ones were taken away; two teachers were also gunned down. In that dark hour, God called Samaniego to be His hands and feet—to be a light that cannot be hidden—to speak life to those coping with death.

Cloaked in the full armor of God, Samaniego took a deep breath and went forth in Jesus’ name.

Hours Before, Miles Away

The day of the Uvalde mass shooting happened to be Samaniego’s first day on the job as a remote mental health clinician supporting unaccompanied minors at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Just four hours into his workday Samaniego, an ordained Baptist minister, received a

call from the head chaplain for the Texas Department for Public Safety (DPS) asking, “How far are you away from Uvalde?”

Samaniego was only 75 miles away, making him the closest volunteer chaplain with DPS. He detailed how quickly that call changed the course of his day and sent him into a situation in desperate need of God’s healing mercy.

“DPS shared the little that they knew with me about the mass shooting—and it was gruesome,” Samaniego recalled. When I hung up, I told my co-workers I had to go. They questioned, ‘Is what’s going on there worth you losing this job?’ I told them, ‘Yes, I’m going to do God’s work.'”

Samaniego raced home to say goodbye to his family and hit the road. During the drive, he recalled thinking, “I’m low on cash and out of a job.” Samaniego knew that as a DPS volunteer, he would have to pay for his own hotel and food. Still, he pressed on—certain that God would provide.

Finding God in Grief

Samaniego remembered being the first chaplain to arrive on the scene when the gunfire was over. He was unofficially

designated in charge of coordinating and tasking volunteers.

“A nearby funeral home was the command center,” explains Samaniego. “The media wanted answers, so did the community— especially the victims’ parents, who were in shock and disbelief.”

Day after day, Samaniego, along with other chaplains, ministers and priests, continued to provide prayer, Scripture, and the comfort of God’s love to a community as its members braced themselves for the unthinkable—the finality of death notifications.

Samaniego recalled that the academic and sacred instruction he received from Regent University strengthened and refreshed him spiritually so that he could continue to pour out everything he had on people who were experiencing the worse pain of their lives.

“My Spiritual Formation class acted as a daily guide for me. One of our books detailed Kingdom life; that instruction helped keep me protected and in God’s will in my devotional walk. The book also pointed out that the Kingdom of Heaven is wherever Jesus is. Because I am a believer, The Almighty was with me. At that tragic event, I was literally walking through the valley of the shadow of death. It was spiritual warfare. I needed God’s fullness with me at every moment,” shares Samaniego.

From Battle to War

I told her what God had spoken and left,” shares Samaniego.

Samaniego said his wife did as God asked. “I came home after a couple of weeks and curiously opened the door to that closet. The power of God hit me so hard that I was overcome with conviction. I fell to my knees in the hallway and surrendered to God’s will and recommitted to my marriage. Our restoration was underway when I got the call to minister in Uvalde.”

Samaniego became aware of how much he needed to stay close to the Lord to defeat the enemy and win back his marriage—a victory that helped ready him for a spiritual war he never imagined he’d have to fight.

“I was once away from God and wrestling with him,” Samaniego admits. “Regardless of how and what we feel, God still blesses us by showing us how mighty He is. A God of His word, and we must be lifetime students of His word.”

When Samaniego returned from Uvalde, he was pleased to find out that his new employer had held his job, despite the weeks away. Not long after, God blessed Samaniego with an even better job where he could grow in Christ and provide a more comfortable life for his family.

“At that tragic event, I was literally walking through the valley of the shadow of death. It was spiritual warfare. I needed God’s fullness with me at every moment.”

In the weeks leading up to the Uvalde tragedy, Samaniego said that the enemy came for his marriage.

“Right before I was to be used by the Lord, my wife and I were having real trouble, and I left the house. Before leaving, God told me to tell my wife to turn the hallway closet into her prayer closet, but I wasn’t to go inside.

Most importantly, the Lord continues to renew Samaniego’s marriage—even as these words are being read, Samaniego states that God is perfecting him and his beloved, Viola, for His glory.

This experience earned Samaniego a number of accolades for his leadership in the face of tragedy, and he says: “I wasn’t at all thinking about being a great leader. What I was doing was being obedient and serving the Lord. You see, I am still a sinner, and He still loves me. In Uvalde, I was just serving an awesome God.”

Court of Benefactors

Scripture tells us in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Members of the Regent Court of Benefactors have chosen to place their treasure in the form of their time, talents and finances with Regent University. As co-laborers who share our heart for equipping Christian leaders to change the world, these individuals and organizations play an active role in shaping both the history and future of Regent University. It is our honor and privilege to recognize the 2022 Regent Court of Benefactors.

INDIVIDUAL DONORS

Drs. Kenneth A. & Roberta E. Eldred

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph R. Gregory Dr. Kay P. Khoo

Mr. & Mrs. Howard W. Long Ms. Betsy N. McCormack

INDIVIDUAL DONORS

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Ahmanson

Mr. Arthur L. Allen

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey P. Anderson

Mr. & Mrs. John L. Bailey Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Richard M. Baker III

Mr. John Sainsbury & Ms. Susan Boarman-Sainsbury

Mr. Frederick D. Bornman

Mr. Kurt H. Broecker† & Mrs. Mary B. Broecker

Mr. & Mrs. Matthew J. Brown

Ms. Dianne Cash

Admiral & Mrs. Vernon E. Clark

Dr. & Mrs. Thomas W. Daugherty

Mr. Brian R. Dinning, Esq.

Mr. Ralph R. Domdey

Mr. William Dooner† & Ms. Eleanor L. Dooner

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald L. Fick

Mr. & Mrs. Michael D. Flynn, Esq.

Mr. & Mrs. William P. Fricks

Mr. Foster Friess† & Mrs. Lynette Friess

Mr. Joe M Gandolfo† & Mrs. Carol Gandolfo

Mr. Winthrop W. Gilman

Mr. & Mrs. G. Royden Goodson III

Mr. & Mrs. James M. Gregory

Dr. Harry Harvey† & Ms. Peggy L. Harvey

Ms. Joan L. Ingram

Mr. & Mrs. Keith L. LaFrance

Ms. Ruby C. Lawrence†

Mr. & Mrs. Terry Ledbetter

Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Levy

Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Lewis

Mr. & Mrs. Aubrey E. Loving Jr.

Mr. John H. Martinson Sr.

Ms. Cheryl P. McLeskey

Mr. & Mrs. Marvin E. Orr

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas M. Saltsgiver Mr. & Mrs. Jack E. Shaw

Anonymous Donors (4)

$1 Million+ Lifetime CHANCELLOR'S COURT $100,000+ Lifetime

Mr. William L. Maynard

Senator & Mrs. Jeffrey L. McWaters

Mr. & Mrs. David V. Melilli Mr. George W. Moffitt† & Mrs. Nancy Moffitt

Mr. B. F. Moomaw Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Lowell W. Morse Dr. Elizabeth Norman & Mr. Ronald Norman

Mr. & Mrs. Walter H. Pilcher Mr. & Mrs. William J. Quinn Dr. & Mrs. John E. Reese Mr. Carl R.G. Renoud

The Honorable & Mrs. E. Scott Rigell Dr. M. G. Robertson & Mrs. Dede Robertson†

Dr. & Mrs. William E. Rodriguez-Hirsch

Mr. & Mrs. Robert O. Snelling Sr. Captain & Mrs. Luther J. Stallings III

Dr. Joseph B. Stokes Jr. Mr. & Mrs. John J. Sullivan Mr. & Mrs. Nahum and Laura Tate

Mr. & Mrs. George E. Tragos Mr. & Mrs. R. Peter Vann Dr. & Mrs. Roger L. Visser Mr. & Mrs. Andrew J. Waites Mr. Robert C. Walker Dr. & Mrs. Don C. Warrington Mr. & Mrs. Fred R. Waugh Dr. Richard K. White† & Mrs. Lesley M. White Mr. Jack B. Burton & Ms. Jennifer L. Whitelaw

DONOR ORGANIZATIONS

American Center for Law and Justice, Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel Anonymous Donor

Mr. & Mrs. S. Tucker Yates

Mr. & Mrs. Benny L. Yount

DONOR ORGANIZATIONS

Allen Systems Group, Inc.

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Beazley Foundation, Inc.

Benny Hinn Ministries

Charles Koch Foundation

Chatlos Foundation, Inc.

Clancy & Theys Construction Company

Clapham Group, LLC

Cox Communications, Inc

Edgar & Elsa Prince Foundation

Fieldstead & Company

High Pressure Equipment Company

HON Foundation

Inventory Procurement Services, Inc.

Jamaica Broilers Group Foundation

John Templeton Foundation

Kingdom Oil Company

Kingdom School and Ministry

Life Enrichment Foundation

Lilly Endowment Inc

Maclellan Foundation, Inc.

McLeskey & Associates, LLC

Mychal Institute, LLC

Newington Cropsey Foundation

Office of Justice Programs

TowneBank

Warwick Plumbing & Heating Corporation

Unwavering Faith

A Regent alumna and her husband step out in faith to increase their giving in the midst of a grim health diagnosis.

When faced with a challenging medical situation, most people become introspective. They think about themselves, their loved ones, and what it will take to get better. A Regent alumna who recently found herself in that position is choosing to focus her vision outwardly. She wants to make an impact that will equip Christian leaders to change the world.

The alumna at the center of this inspiring story has asked to remain anonymous. We can share that she received both her Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership from Regent.

Following graduation, she stayed connected with Regent through on-campus events in Virginia Beach and through the local alumni chapter. In addition to donating hundreds of books to the Regent University Library, she met with the Office of Advancement staff several times over the years to discuss how supporting the university could align with her interests.

After much prayer and discussion, the couple felt led to establish an endowed scholarship for the School of Divinity. This type of scholarship is the gift that keeps giving, as donations are invested to produce an income stream that funds the scholarship in perpetuity.

At a meeting with Dr. Corné J. Bekker, dean of the School of Divinity, and Christopher Lambert, vice president for Advancement, the generous couple signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Regent University; and committed to donating $10,000 per year for three years to fund their scholarship.

“We strongly felt that the best investment we could make in God’s Kingdom would be to help a divinity student who will accurately teach the Bible—not make it politically correct,” she insists.

But shortly after mailing their first check to Regent, they received a chilling medical

diagnosis. The news was unwanted, unexpected and unnerving.

“I found a lump in my breast,” she recalls. “A mammogram disclosed that the lump probably was due to calcification. However, an ‘abnormal’ lump was found almost adjacent to that lump. I am pursuing follow-up treatment, but my husband and I have encountered many unusual and challenging situations that have caused us to seriously consider this might be spiritual warfare.”

Determined to win the battle they face, the couple refuses to waver in their faith or surrender to fear. In fact, they reached down deeper and decided to fight by increasing their support for Regent.

“While walking one morning, I felt a strong conviction that the $10,000 per year was to be increased to $12,000 per year,” she explains. “My conviction is that this is not about saving for our future but investing into God’s Kingdom work now. This is a strong faith walk, but we both have peace about the path we have chosen for financial support of Regent University.”

As the couple walks that path together, they pray daily for Regent University and other Christian schools at every educational level. They understand that the times in which we live require many well-trained workers for the Lord’s harvest.

“We hear of the battles Christian individuals, organizations, schools, and universities face daily,” she says. “We know God’s hand of favor is on Regent University and will continue to be there as long as we continue equipping Christian leaders to change the world. We are proud to do our small part to help equip a future spiritual leader to do his or her part in sharing the Gospel where they are planted.”

To learn more about endowed scholarships, visit regent.edu/support

1992

Melissa Fisher (SBL) has been named Esports Television’s global chief marketing officer. Previously serving as a C-suite leader at prominent media companies (Cox Media Group; Cox Media; Entertainment Promotions, formerly an IAC company), Fisher most recently served as co-founder and COO/CMO of Esports Tower, North America’s largest amateur training and development club.

1996

Richard Corcoran (LAW) was appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Board of Governors of the State University System. The Board of Governors oversees Florida’s 12 state universities and is tasked with such responsibilities as adopting regulations designed to carry out state laws related to higher education. Corcoran is a practicing attorney and former Florida Department of Education commissioner. He previously served as speaker of the Florida House from 2016-18.

James R. Mason (LAW) has been named president of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Mason’s promotion to president follows more than 20 years as HSLDA’s lead litigation attorney and seven years as vice president. He was responsible for key legal victories, including 4th Amendment cases that improved social services investigation protocol in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New Mexico.

2003

Abbylin Sellers (RSG) who currently serves as an associate professor at Azusa Pacific University, received the Fullbright Award for the 2022-23 Academic Year. The Fulbright Program awards only about 900 grants per year to university faculty and administrators out of thousands of applicants. From September 2022 through February 2023, Sellers will teach at two institutions in Japan: Yokohama National University and Hosei University.

2004

Kristen Redfield (SOE) was named co-director of the Forsyth Technical Community College Piedmont Hub. Co-directors play a critical role in shaping the hub’s content by providing insight from affiliate colleges’ faculty.

2005

Tracy Bear (SOE) was named superintendent for the Southeastern Career Center (SCC) in Indiana. The SCC serves 11 partner schools in six counties and their industrial partners and offers 15 programs in various skilled trades.

Veldesta Evans (SPC) was presented with the 2022 Black Engineer of the Year Award for Community Service for her leadership in science, technology, engineering/math (STEM) education, volunteer work, and other activities in the community. She is a cyber systems engineering manager for Northrop Grumman in the Washington D.C. area.

Emile Hawkins Sr. (SBL) was recently promoted to colonel in the Air National Guard. Chaplain Hawkins is the first African American chaplain promoted to the rank of colonel in the history of the Florida National Guard (Army and Air National Guard) and the Oklahoma National Guard (Army and Air National Guard), where he was a member of the 138th Fighter Wing (2001-13). He has been serving the Florida Air National Guide since 2013.

2006

Andrea Anderson Polk (SPC) released her first book, The Cuckoo Syndrome: The Secret to Breaking Free from Unhealthy Relationships, Toxic Thinking and Self-Sabotaging. She is a keynote speaker and licensed professional counselor, is nationally board-certified, and has served as president and vice president of the Northern Virginia Licensed Professional Counselors.

2009

Daryl Green (SBL), associate professor for Oklahoma Baptist University, has been named a regional recipient of the 2022 ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) recognizes individuals each year who exemplify teaching excellence in the classroom.

Dennis Rittle (SBL), was named Northwest Arkansas Community College's fourth president. Northwest Arkansas Community College is the largest two-year college in the state. His longterm vision is to create a culture where students not only get an education but also make a connection.

Jordan Sekulow (LAW) and his brother Logan Sekulow launched a new Podcast in September called “Sekulow Brothers”. The Podcast, which includes three new episodes each week and is filled with commentary and analysis of a wide variety of topics, is already becoming a huge hit with audiences on the Salem Podcast Network. In their third week alone, they hit over 100,000 combined downloads and views. Jordan is the Executive Director of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and cohost of Sekulow, a syndicated radio program providing cutting analysis of today's political and legal landscape with elected officials and conservative leaders.

2010

Timothy Downing (LAW) was appointed to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals by Governor Kevin Stitt. Currently, Downing is the first assistant attorney general of Oklahoma, where he serves as chief executive for the Attorney General. He is also an appellate military judge for the Oklahoma Military Court of Appeals, a position appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate. Downing also served as the 25th U.S. attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.

2011

Chris Free (SCA) won the 2022 Louisiana Marathon in January of this year. He completed the 26.2-mile race in two hours and 38 minutes, shattering his previous personal best by six minutes. This race was his 15th marathon run and first marathon win.

Shemeka Hankins (LAW) was selected as a Top 40 Under 40 recipient by Inside Business for 2021. Honorees are considered outstanding young professionals who are successful in their careers and involved in improving the Hampton Roads community. She works at Invictus Law in Virginia Beach as a senior associate attorney and director of the firm’s criminal law practice group.

2013

Ramon “Ray” Casey (SOD, SBL ’01, RSG ’97) has been appointed the new president of Westminster Christian Academy in Louisiana. The private school, founded in 1976, serves students in pre-K3 to 12th grade with campuses in Lafayette and Opelousas, each led by principals who will be under the leadership of the new president.

2014

Delceno Miles (SCA) has been appointed to the Virginia Beach City Council’s Bayside District seat. Miles is the president and CEO of The Miles Agency, a Virginia Beach-based marketing and public relations firm she founded in 1989.

2016

Barney Dill (LAW) has been promoted to the position of associate at the law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner—one of the longest-standing personal injury law firms in Texas. His current legal practice at the firm focuses on a wide range of personal injury matters, including petrochemical and refinery plant workplace injuries, motor vehicle collisions, aviation-related injuries, and premises liability.

Joshua Williams (CAS) and Michael R. Salas (CAS ’19) were nominated for an Ambie Award for Audio Excellence for their work on the podcast The Miseducation of John Mark. The Ambies® held in March 2022 in Los Angeles at The Mayan Theatre included nominations from Amazon, NPR, Apple TV+, and other top audio networks. The Miseducation of John Mark was nominated for Best Fiction Podcast and featured writing and producing work from fellow alumni Evan Carrington (CAS ’16), Aren Woods (CAS ’17), and Autumn Edwards (CAS ‘18). It also starred Trevon Foster (CAS ’17) as the main character, John Mark.

2017

Chantele Thompson (RSG, SOE ’14) has been appointed by Mayor Byron Brown to chief diversity officer of Buffalo, New York’s Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion by Mayor Byron Brown. She helps sustain Buffalo’s prosperity through inclusion, helping to ensure continued participation, leadership, innovation, and progress for all employees and residents. She previously served as Child & Family Services’ chief equity and inclusion officer, where she was the recipient of the Business First IDEA Award.

2018

Susan George (SPC), assistant professor in the Wright State University School of Professional Psychology, was named a fellow in the American Psychological Association’s Leadership and Education Advancement Program (LEAP) for her promising research related to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases mission. LEAP is an evidence-informed

mentoring and leadership development program for early career social and behavioral scientists from underrepresented racial/ethnic populations.

Frederick Kawuma (SBL), who retired in 2021 after serving two terms as secretary-general for the Inter-African Coffee Organization, was recently appointed as the organization’s goodwill ambassador to advocate for the African coffee industry. Kawuma has been instrumental in promoting Uganda coffee internationally and helping coffee exporters break into new markets.

Vicki Williams (SBL) is the new dean of students and associate vice president of engagement at Old Dominion University. Williams had been interim dean since February 2021, and this August marked her 18th year at ODU.

2019

Cora Dickey (CAS) took home a highly coveted plaque during the Colorado Broadcasters Association’s annual Awards of Excellence in April. She won first place in the Best Video Narrative with No Essay category for her natural sounds package highlighting Colorado Mesa University’s homecoming parade.

2021

Arielle Del Turco (RSG, CAS ’18) is the assistant director of the Center for Religious Liberty at the Family Research Council, advocating to promote and protect religious freedom across the globe. She recently co-authored a report with Regent professor Dr. A.J. Nolte that focuses on how agencies responsible for administering America’s foreign development assistance should promote religious freedom abroad.

Bill Harmon (SOD) was elected president of the Southeastern District of the Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod (LCMS)—North America’s secondlargest Lutheran church body, with nearly two million baptized members. The Southeastern District, based in Arlington, Virginia, includes about 215 congregations and 80 school ministries in Virginia, Delaware, North Carolina, South

Carolina, and Washington, D.C., as well as much of Maryland and portions of Pennsylvania.

Rickey Rogers (SOE) was recently promoted to vice president for Student Development at Ouachita Baptist University. As vice president, Rogers will lead several key areas of the university, including Residence Life, Campus Housing, Student Life, Student Conduct, Counseling and Disability Services, Health Services, Recreational Life, Summer Camps, and Campus Safety & Emergency Management.

Aaron Runzo (SOD) has been called to work full-time with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). He will be ministering to and discipling coaches, athletes, and families of all ages and stages of life in the Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads area.

Submit Your Career News

Alumni News is compiled using various sources, including information reported by our alumni through Class Notes. For a chance to be featured in the next edition, submit your career news in a Class Note at regentalumni.org/submitnote

College

Youth Mental Health: What Can We Do as Christian Leaders?

College of Health & Behavioral Sciences Special Report

Dr. Fernando Garzon, Associate Dean; Dr. Carletta Artis, Assistant Dean Dr. Jessica Guilfoyle, Program Director & Assistant Professor Dr. Shannon Kuschel, Core Faculty

The freeing words of Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope, may not be fully grasped by the hearts and minds of youth.

Adolescence is a time for healthy exploration of identity and independence. However, even under the best circumstances, mental health during this stage of life can be challenging due to rapid changes in the brain and body, changing roles within the family dynamic, and perceived societal and peer pressures.

In addition to these typical factors, emerging data suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has harshly affected the mental health of large numbers of children and youth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), prior to the pandemic, youth mental health was already a significant public health concern.

Disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, like school closures, isolation, economic hardship, food insecurity, housing instability, reduced access to healthcare, illness, and even death, raised concerns about their effects on the already strained mental health of youth.

Now, post-pandemic data is validating those concerns with reports of an increase in sadness, thoughts of suicide, or self-harm.

Why is the COVID-19 pandemic so hard on the youth?

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a stressor for us all. However, the underdeveloped minds of young people make them especially vulnerable.

According to the American Psychological Association, the loss of identity, autonomy, safety, and even the dreams and expectations of adolescents has raised youth concerns about the future in ways unlike that experienced by previous generations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a 41% increase in the demand for mental health services and pushed the therapy deficit to an all-time high. This increase makes it challenging for those in need of mental health services and therapy and is discouraging when youth reach out for help and cannot get it.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services projects that by 2025, we will see an increase in the need for more than 10,000 full-time clinicians. Furthermore, the acute stress caused by these strains has led to mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion.

Isaiah 40:29-31 reminds us: He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

How do we overcome obstacles caused by the pandemic?

The short answer: We overcome these obstacles with action.

Clearly, the concerning decline in our youth’s mental health over the last several years is complex and must be addressed quickly and comprehensively. In the 21st century, mental health issues have gained attention, especially among young people. Often, in crisis, many seek guidance from leaders within Christian communities before turning to general mental health specialists. Therefore, Christian community leaders must be prepared to answer that call.

Christian communities may support young people’s mental health by providing them with religious education in their churches. Establishing strong religious morals can aid in developing a healthy response to challenging circumstances.

Giving teens the opportunity to connect helps cultivate a feeling of togetherness that

can improve self-esteem and overall success. Furthermore, fortifying coping skills, especially in scholarly foundations, may reduce the effect of tensions, further develop hardship survival strategies, and support a less risky way of life.

Emotional well-being experts with experience dealing with dysfunctional behavior should be on-hand at these gatherings to provide immediate qualified support and practical solutions. These youths may even become empowered with the knowledge to helps others battling similar challenges.

Psychotherapy is also crucial for adolescents who are already dealing with mental illness and has been used for years to diagnose and treat mental diseases, including anxiety, mood disorders, traumatic disorders, depression, and others. When combined with Christian principles, psychotherapy may be enhanced to a new degree of impact.

What does the integration of faith and psychotherapy look like together?

The integration of Christian faith in clinical practice can be conceptualized as three legs of a tripod that include psychology, theology and spirituality as important elements in providing faith-based therapeutic services. Intentional and prayerful integration is the critical factor. It should be conducted in dependence on the Holy Spirit, in a profes sional, competent, ethically responsible, and clinically sensitive way, with clear, informed consent from the client.

The Christian therapist reflects biblical values and convictions without imposing them on the client. Typical tools include the use of prayer and scripture in concert with psychological theory and approaches within the context of the therapeutic environment.

Regent University specifically trains developing clinicians in the skilled use of Christian integration as a therapeutic approach, along with the current best practice standards of the use of psychological methodologies, according to the American Psychological Association. Here are a few Regent University alumni leaders who are advancing the mental health industry with methods that include the integration of psychology and faith:

Dr. Ana Maria Ojeda

PSY.D. IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY ’08

Dr. Ojeda works in Miami with the Department of Psychiatry at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and as an assistant professor for Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Board-certified in clinical psychology; she used her innovative medical and community outreach methods to launch UrbanPromise Miami, which later merged with Hope for Miami to provide at-risk youth a safe haven and invaluable family resources.

Dr. Nicholas Westers

PSY.D. IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY ’10

Dr. Westers provides service, education and training through UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. He specializes in treating child and adolescent non-suicidal self-injury, depression, suicidal behaviors, and anxiety.

Dr. Elissa Jarvis

PSY.D. IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY ’18

Dr. Jarvis provides outpatient therapy and supervision through Rawles Psychological Services, specializing in treating depression, anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms in adults. She primarily utilizes Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and other individualized, evidence-based approaches to best meet her client’s needs.

REGENT UNIVERSITY RESOURCES

Regent University’s Student Services, which houses Counseling Services and Disability Services, serves students, including adoles cents and young adults, many of whom are transitioning from home for the first time. Free counseling is currently available to any students within reach of Regent’s campus in Virginia Beach.

24/7 mental health support is now available to students nationwide through a partnership with Timely MD/TimelyCare Telehealth for Students. With an internet connection, students will have the power to access care at no cost that’s safe, qualified, and there when they need it.

Ultimately, a collaboration effort between faith-based leaders and community partners, using Christian principles and education with preventative and therapeutic approaches when interacting with teens, can help improve the current mental health condition.

As parents, guardians and mentors, we want to know that “our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace (Psalm 144:12).” Remember, in Christ—there is always hope. Be sure to lean on these instructions and that of Hebrews 11:6 and keep the faith.

Embracing a Royal Vision

Regent deepens its commitment to training scholar-athletes as Christian leaders both on and off the court.

The Regent Athletics program has experienced exponential growth since launching its first sport, a men’s and women’s track-and-field team, six years ago. In 2022-23, Royals scholar-athletes will compete in 11 men’s and women’s sports as part of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).

Regent Royals entered the starting blocks this fall, ready to sprint into a new era of success under the leadership of Michael Allen—the university’s newly appointed athletic director. The son of teachers, Allen knew from a young age that God was calling him to a career in athletics.

“To see how God has moved me from one position to the next, one level to the next, and one experience to another, he definitely had his hands in preparing me for this next chapter here at Regent,” Allen says. “The future is bright, and I look forward to building on our strong foundation of winning with character.”

The Royals’ winning with character philosophy seeks to equip strong Christian leaders on and off the court, field and track. Allen believes the sports program’s success is rooted in Regent’s ability to demonstrate to scholar-athletes and future recruits that the university is committed to providing a first-class, collegiate athletic experience.

“Our mission as Regent Royals is the same as our university. We will strive to do all

things with excellence, embrace innovation, and never waiver in our integrity,” Allen insists. “We want to continue to move the needle. Ultimately, if we’re not looking to advance our department, we’re only falling further and further behind our competition.”

“Allen is an accomplished leader with a proven track record in building and developing world-class athletic programs,” says Dr. Joseph Umidi, executive vice president for Student Life at Regent University. “He is dedicated to serving Regent Athletes, and we look forward to continued growth and expansion under his leadership.”

During the 2022-23 Academic Year, Regent scholar-athletes will compete in men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball. Allen’s future plans for the Royals are rooted in Proverbs 29:18: Where there is no vision, the people perish.

“I want to continue strengthening our foundation as a collegiate athletics department,” Allen explains. “But there’s a cost for doing business, and our first objective is to address our athletic facilities and operational needs. As we add and improve upon what is necessary to field competitive intercollegiate athletics, it is then my long-term vision to attract the best

possible scholar-athletes we can to train Christian leaders to change the world.”

Regent’s long-range plan includes the construction of an athletic complex on campus. In the short term, teams must travel off-site to access the facilities they need. Not having on-campus athletic facilities creates unique and significant challenges for Royals scholar-athletes, coaches and trainers.

“One hurdle we face is the current inability to create the kind of game-day environment for students, alumni and fans that can be found on most college campuses,” Allen says. “The lack of venue availability to host games and matches makes it extremely difficult to provide a consistent home for our scholar-athletes.”

But Allen has his eyes set firmly on the Regent Athletics “long game.” Through his efforts, Regent is partnering with a local church in Virginia Beach to establish a home gym for the next three years. To get the church gym game-day ready for our teams, Allen is now working to secure and install equipment like a collegiate volleyball net and an official’s stand system, scoreboard upgrades, basketball shot clocks, and seating for our spectators.

Joakim Marie-Joseph (CAS ’24), an interna tional business student from the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, plays on the Regent University Men’s Basketball team.

“I came from a two-year college, and the environment there was not the best. So, I made up my mind with my family to come to Regent,” Joakim recalls. “The student body, coaching staff and my teammates are amazing. It makes me strive to give my all.”

Joakim thinks having a “home court” will enhance Regent Athletics’ winning with character mindset. “It will show friends and families, the student body, staff, and alumni what Regent Royals scholar-athletes have been working so hard and practicing so long to accomplish.”

“On and off the court, we’re a brotherhood,” Joakim says. “We love each other. We care for each other. We look out for each other, making it easy to go out on the court and play basketball with one another.”

Jordan Banister (CAS ’25) plays on the Regent University Women’s Volleyball team. She says the best part about being a Royal is “definitely the people.”

“Everyone from the players to the staff and the coaches are like family. Everyone checks up on each other and supports each other so much.” Jordan adds, “Being a Regent Royal is much more than just being an athlete. Our job is to honor the Lord by the way we conduct ourselves in the classroom, on the court and in public.”

“Being a collegiate athlete and coach takes a special commitment,” Allen stresses. “As the University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban says, ‘The standard is the standard.’ Nothing more, nothing less. So, we need a commitment from everyone to achieve our goals and fulfill our vision.”

Allen wants to ensure the goals for Royals scholar-athletes align with Regent’s mission. He believes athletics is the biggest window to show the general public what a university is all about.

“I’ve found, when schools find the right balance, sports can bring many people together and enhance the university’s overall mission,” Allen explains. “In turn, our alumni can take pride knowing their athletic teams are honoring God and representing Regent well.”

“Athletics provide so many life-learning and leadership opportunities,” adds Allen. “Life is a roller coaster. But whether we are competing in our careers or our personal relationships, we should be drawing our hope and strength from Jesus Christ and living out our mission to change the world.”

Under Allen’s guidance, Regent Royals are charging into the 2022-23 season carrying the light of Christ into the world of intercollegiate athletics.

To get the church gym game-day ready for our athletes and fans, Regent Athletics needs to raise $20,000! To help us reach our goal, please go to regent.edu/gamedayready to make your donation. To learn more about Regent Athletics and how you can support our scholar-athletes, visit regent.edu/athletics

Empowering Student Purpose

Fundraising is a key requirement of any nonprofit organization, institution or ministry. Regent University is no exception. Equipping men and women to be Christian leaders and future world changers requires a significant financial investment from both students and the university.

During the 2021-22 Academic Year alone, 80% of graduate and undergraduate students received nearly $23 million in institutional scholarships and aid. As enrollment increases, so does the need to assist those called to pursue a degree at Regent.

“We need resources to provide the highestquality education to our students at the most affordable price,” says Regent’s Vice President of Advancement Chris Lambert. “The support from our donors propels our university from sustaining to thriving.”

reduces the financial burden on students and empowers them to pursue God’s call on their lives by studying at our university.

Regent alumnus Dr. Barry Doublestein (SBL ’09) is a faithful donor to the Regent Fund and an adjunct professor in the School of Business & Leadership, teaching doctoral and master’s degree courses. He says it’s heartbreaking to see a lack of funds derail a student’s academic goals.

“I have a number of students from around the world who, because of challenges in the global economy, are unable to continue in their programs,” Doublestein says. “Every one of these students wants to finish their education so they can be equipped to serve Christ in various industries and accomplish the good works He has planned for them.”

Student tuition and fees cover roughly half of the cost of attending Regent. That means the university has to make up the difference through additional sources of revenue. The financial support provided by the Regent Fund

By giving generously to the Regent Fund, you can help equip students to answer and fulfill God’s call to become Christian leaders to change the world. Faithful support from Regent alumni and friends makes a tremendous difference in overall student success and the financial health of the university.

“We give to ensure Regent has what it needs to continue. If you really believe in the university’s mission, why would you not want to support Regent as it does its work?”

TO THE REGENT FUND, ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF THE UNIVERSITY ARE HELPING EQUIP STUDENTS FOR LIVES OF SIGNIFICANCE.

“The benefit of the Regent Fund is that these gifts have nearly unlimited potential,” explains Stephen Bruce, vice president for Business Administration at Regent University. “They not only have an immediate impact but a ripple effect that can be felt years after the gift was made.”

Gifts to the Regent Fund help provide students with life-changing scholarships, exceptional faculty, world-class facilities, innovative technology, enhanced classroom resources, vital campus-life programs, and more. Those tax-deductible donations also enable Regent to meet staffing needs and access the resources required to operate and maintain campus facilities, equipment and the grounds.

“The benefit of the Regent Fund is that these gifts have nearly unlimited potential. They not only have an immediate impact but a ripple effect that can be felt years after the gift was made.”

Doublestein challenges alumni and friends of Regent to make supporting the university a top priority. He understands the need for resources to train future generations of believers who will fully engage in the significant cultural battles the world faces.

“Regent’s reputation as a global center of excellence continues to grow,” Doublestein insists. “We give to ensure Regent has what it needs to continue. If you really believe in the university’s mission, why would you not want to support Regent as it does its work?”

Every donation, no matter how small, plays an essential role in equipping students for success and keeping Regent financially strong. Supporting the Regent Fund reduces the need to draw resources from the university’s endowment and assures the long-term future of this institution of higher learning founded for God’s glory in 1978.

“Each gift is an investment in the future of this university and its students,” Lambert shares. “What better place than Regent? Our entire purpose is to send students beyond these walls to change the world.”

Empower students to answer God’s call to attend Regent! Visit regent.edu/RegentFund or call 800.335.4409 to make your tax-deductible gift today.

Changing Lives Through Scholarships

Liliya Boiko (SBL ’23) felt the Lord leading her to start an organization to minister to the elderly in her home country of Ukraine. Still, she knew she would need more education to make this vision a reality.

Thanks to a scholarship, Liliya is gaining the practical skills she needs to fulfill her calling in an encouraging, Christ-centered environment.

“Regent University is a place that not only provides technical principles of business but also creates an environment that mirrors the breadth and depth of Christian values,” said Liliya.

Liliya hopes to use her education to manage a nonprofit that will improve the well-being of Ukraine’s elderly population: To provide for their physical needs through medical and tech support and tend to their spiritual needs.

Liliya’s ultimate vision for her nonprofit would help those she serves toward an inner transformation and personal relationship with Jesus. “This scholarship will allow me to fulfill the vision God gave me. I will not forget your earnest investment.”

Ethel Servanez-Ligero has repeated the same prayer since becoming a Christian at age 12: “Lord, let it be. Wherever you want me to go, I will go.”

In her position as a resource development coordinator for the Asian Center for Missions (ACM) Mindanao Region— Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) Asia’s missionary training arm—she managed events, donor care, and fundraisers in support of the organization’s goal to send 7,000 cross-cultural missionaries into the field by 2030.

It’s the same place where, after marrying Pastor John Ligero, she began her career and first witnessed the power of multimedia to bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Ethel served for more than eight years in different capacities at ACM, where she helped mobilize churches as part of their cross-cultural mission. The vernacular media training of the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) inspired the couple to embark on a mission to spread the Gospel to Mainland Southeast Asia’s oral people groups—those who neither read nor write—by using their skills in multimedia production.

With Wycliffe Bible Translation Philippines and Faith Comes By Hearing, an audio Bible recording ministry, they connected with the oral cultures of the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand. In all, they recorded the New Testament audio Bible in 26 languages.

Ethel explained that “people speak to God in their mother tongue or heart language,” which is why audio versions of the Bible are so life-changing.

“Heart language is the language a person grew up with, and best understands. For example, my heart language is Tagalog, and if the Bible I am reading is in Cebuano, I can understand it, but it doesn’t have the same impact,” she said.

“With the audio Bible, people can hear the Word of God in their own language, and their faith will increase as Romans 10:17 says,” she said. “It is wonderful to see people listen to their

and grow their knowledge and understanding of God’s Word.”

In September 2020, after serving in various capacities in Vietnam and Thailand, the

led the couple back to the Philippines. John now works as the spiritual director of Tebow

Philippines). Ethel completed her ACM appointment on August 5, 2022, having come full

years in the mission field. What comes next, she said, is in God’s hands.

Make a Plan. Leave a Legacy!

Through Regent’s many planned giving options, you can lower your tax burden, maximize your income, and bless future World Changers—all at the same time. Learn how you can leave a legacy through annuities, trusts, bequests, and other gifts of cash, equity or property.

Dear Friend,

This adventure in Christian higher education began in 1977 after God told me: “Build a school for My glory.” Fast-forward 45 years, Regent University has become a leading center of Christian thought and action. By remaining true to our mission of equipping Christian leaders to change the world, we are providing excellent education through a biblical perspective and global context by integrating faith and learning.

The fall semester marks a special milestone in our history—the 40th anniversary of the School of Divinity. Since its inception in 1982, the school has trained thousands of pastors, preachers and ministers to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. By the grace of God, the school has become one of the fastest-growing seminaries in America.

What is even more exciting is the impact our School of Divinity students and graduates are having in their communities and around the world. Regent students like Mario Samaniego, an ordained Baptist minister who stepped out in faith to serve the families of Uvalde, Texas, in the wake of the horrific shootings at Robb Elementary. And pioneering leaders like alumnus Mark Batterson, the lead pastor for National Community Church (NCC) in Washington, D.C. With eight locations, Outreach Magazine has recognized NCC as one of the Most Innovative and Most Influential Churches in America.

Your faithful prayers and generous financial gifts help ensure that Regent remains one of the most influential and transformational Christian universities in the world. Alumni and friends like you make it possible for our faculty and staff to provide future Christian leaders with an outstanding, biblically grounded education so they can pursue lives of service, purpose and significance. Thank you for your friendship and support.

Sincerely, Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson Founder, Chancellor & CEO Regent University

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

LEADERSHIP TO CHANGE THE WORLD

Regent University’s Impact is published monthly by the university’s Office of Advancement, free of charge, for alumni and friends of the university. Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Regent University. Regent University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, age or veteran status in admissions, treatment or access to its programs and activities, or in the administration of educational policies, scholarships, loan programs, athletics or other University programs. In addition, Regent does not discriminate based on religion, except as necessary to comply with Regent’s Standard of Personal Conduct and Statement of Christian Community and Mission. View the full nondiscrimination policy at regent. edu/nondiscrim . Questions or concerns regarding discrimination based on sex may be directed to the University’s Title IX Coordinator at T9Coordinator@ regent.edu , or the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights at OCR@ ed.gov To learn more about Disability Services or to contact Regent's Section 504 coordinator, visit regent.edu/disability Regent University is authorized to operate in the state of Virginia and is exempt from the requirements of certification by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Opinions expressed in Impact are those of individuals and do not necessarily represent the views of Regent University’s board, faculty, administration or staff. Regent University accepts news submissions from readers but reserves the right to edit based upon clarity, length and content. The university may decline to print material at its discretion. ADV220814