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The verse for Warner’s campus this year is “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” -Matthew 5:14-16
We have many in our alumni community who “let their light shine” within their own community and it is always a joy to welcome them to campus during homecoming! It is tradition to kick off homecoming festivities each year with our awards ceremony during chapel. This year, three alums were honored in front of our student body.
The Outstanding Young Alumni Award is presented to an alum who has graduated within the last 10 years. One who demonstrates notable accomplishment in their professions or involvement in civic, community or church participation. They practice and live out Christian principles, and they demonstrate loyalty to Warner and support the ideals set forth in its mission and vision.
Madison New, the 2023 Young Alumni Award recipient, graduated from Warner in 2019 with a major in communication. Since graduating, she has worked with CRU- Campus Crusade for Christ International whose mission is to win, build, and send Christ-centered multiplying disciples who launch spiritual movements. She has served on numerous mission trip teams and loves sharing the Gospel with all around her. During her time at Warner, she was on the cheer team, worked as the marketing and communication intern for the university, and worked with Dr. Craig on different projects in the communication department- like VinylThon and College Radio Day.
The Alumni Servant Award is given to an individual who has exemplified the commitment of leadership and servanthood to his/her alma mater and community. This year’s recipient, James Flaming, serves as the campus chaplain at Master’s Academy and as the youth associate and co-director of the Pathway School of Leadership at Pathway Church. While at Warner he majored in biblical studies and played on the men’s soccer team. In all that he does, he strives to build up the Kingdom and serve God to the best of his abilities. In his free time, you can find him watching sunrises at the beach or hitting the courts playing everyone’s favorite sport, pickleball!
The Distinguished Alumni Award is given to an individual who has distinguished themselves through professional and personal achievement, whose contributions have reflected well on the University, and who has demonstrated a continued involvement and interest in Warner University. The 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to an alum who has served Warner for multiple years. He graduated in the 80’s with a degree in communication arts and even scored a few goals on the soccer field during his time as a student. He serves his students well and pushes them to be their best selves, challenging them to self-reflect after almost any interaction with him. When he’s not teaching, you can find him kicked back in his office listening to vinyls, or in the Mac lab. If you have ever had him as a professor, you know he loves to close class by saying “Have a day”. Congratulations to Dr. Tim Craig on being this year’s recipient!
Following the awards, we welcomed two other alums, Eric Kidd and Charisa Watson, along with Dr. Bill Rigel to the stage to join James Flaming and student Joe Hiers to speak about their time as athletes at Warner, as we are also celebrating 50 years of royal athletics!
The panel took time to answer questions like “Who/what made the biggest impact on your life from your time at Warner and why?” And “How did your time at Warner help shape your career/life?”
Thank you to all of our alums who took the time to come back and invest in the lives of our students. We appreciate you! Go Royals!
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