by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
The opportunity to help our precious young people through service on the Board of
Trustees of Freed-Hardeman University has truly been one of the highlights of my life. On October
18th of 2024 I concluded my 5 years of service on that amazing board, and I want to share with
you some of the encouraging news from that important meeting.
Our day began with the introduction of Dr. LeAnn Davis, the new V.P. for Academics. Dr.
Davis is no stranger to the Freed-Hardeman family, and brings many years of valuable experience
into this important position. Next, we participated together in an enriching devotional, with a
lesson delivered by board member, Kyle Batte, on the value of introspection and keeping God first
in our lives. Next, my committee, the Spiritual and Student Development Committee, met for about
an hour with Dr. T.J. Kirk, Vice President for Student Affairs. We learned about the R.U.S.H.
program, chapel programming and attendance, dorm life and the Social Club Handbook. T.J.
appears to me to be making a very valuable difference in the lives of the FHU students! After this
meeting, I sat in on part of a class and had an encouraging meeting with Dr. Mark Blackwelder,
who continues to teach in the Bible department.
Our luncheon was an opportunity to meet and visit with about a dozen staff who have been
leading in the implementation of a new campus-wide computer system. The capabilities of this
new system are impressive, as are the people who are making it a seamless transition.
President David Shannon’s report was very encouraging. I believe he is doing an excellent
job as president, and has the respect and admiration of the student body. Some of the highlights of
his report are as follows: 10 years after obtaining her degree in nursing, Grace Alonso de Armiño
and her Spanish 3×3 women’s basketball team won the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics;
Mid-South Youth Camp closed out the year with 1,713 campers; “Welcome Home” and Interface
were conducted for new 2024 students, including hosting new students in faculty and staff
homes—an amazing feature of a Christian college.
FHU enjoyed a 90% fall-to-fall retention rate, with students from 39 states and 18 countries.
Total enrollment is 2,305, 83% of whom are members of churches of Christ. This is a 5.6%
increase in new students, and a 4.5% increase in graduate students.
The theme for daily chapel this year is, “Be the Person Who…” Renovations to girls’ dorm
Hall-Rowland Hall have now been completed. The Presidents Council has made gifts totaling
$3,882,786 to date this year. R.U.S.H. was a great success on September 27-29, with 1,100 in
attendance. Keynote speakers included Austin Johnson, Chase Burrell, Joe Wells, Jon Podein and
Philip Jenkins.
The annual Church Leadership Workshop was hosted on the FHU campus in September; A
Bachelor of Science in engineering has been added, as well as a concert band. The school now has
23 music majors. FHU scored 3rd best value in the southern region, per U.S. News and World
Report. Service Day was just completed, with 50 projects this year. Disaster relief student-led
response teams from FHU have gone out the last three weekends. These teams consist of about 30
individuals who assist in areas afflicted by the recent hurricanes. Recent repairs to the Memphis
campus have now been completed.
With an original goal of about $82 million, the FHU-Next Program has now achieved
$151,771,838 to date. A $3 million contribution was recently received from the Brown family.
The annual day of giving is scheduled for November 7th, and the school has received a $50,000
challenge gift for that day.
The new dining hall will be known as Jones Family Dining Hall, and is scheduled for
completion by December 2024. Renovations to Dryden Auditorium are proceeding, and are to be
completed by March, 2025. Saunders Center (student center) construction is to begin in January 2025. Upcoming projects include renovation of Gano Dining Hall, and construction of a new
pedestrian corridor across campus.
Conclusion: I have very much enjoyed my five years of service on the Freed-Hardeman
University Board of trustees. It has been exciting for me to hear and report to you the many
developments occurring for the benefit of our young people. Thanks to our elders, and to the
congregation for your interest and your support, which enabled Marvina and me to make these
trips, and helped us stay connected with important work in the brotherhood going on for the benefit
of the Lord’s church!
