Truett McConnell University celebrates 75th year as Southern Baptist institution

Students, alumni, faculty and staff gathered for a chapel service commemorating the 75th anniversary of Truett McConnell University.

By Jenny Gregory

CLEVELAND, Ga. – Anyone looking for respite in these troubled times need only to look to the Lord, Truett McConnell University President Emir Caner reminded students, faculty, staff and alumni in a recent chapel service.

“You will never find rest if you try to find it in this world,” Caner said in the chapel service that was part of the school’s 75^th anniversary celebration. “True rest isn’t about the joys of this world but finding satisfaction in the God who created you in His image, for His purpose that you would know Him and then make Him known.”

Caner referenced Hebrews 4 in explaining how disobedience and unbelief can rob children of God of their joy.

“The only way to find rest is to be diligent and trust fully in God’s word,” he said. “That’s why we were founded. That’s why we are here. By the way, that’s why you are here.”

Caner told the crowd “the greatest way to celebrate these 75 years is to glorify the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the only One who can give you rest.”

During the chapel service, all new members of the faculty and staff signed their names to the Baptist Faith and Message, demonstrating their support for the guiding principles of the Southern Baptist Convention.

The public signing is an annual tradition at the private school affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention and controlled by a board of trustees elected by messengers from Southern Baptist churches across Georgia.

Faculty members who signed the statement of faith were Marty Carnes, assistant professor of business; Kimberly Downs, assistant professor of business; Coach Sheena Johnson, an instructor in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics department; Phillip Nott, director of library services and associate professor of Christian studies; Macy Slate, assistant professor of nursing, and Coach Matt Smith, instructor of business and head men’s golf coach.

Following the chapel service, Marty Carnes, associate vice president of advancement, addressed those in attendance with an opportunity to continue the legacy of Truett McConnell’s founders with a donation commemorating the 75^th anniversary.

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To learn more about this giving opportunity, visit: truett.edu/give75.