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Good News, Great Challenges Abound at Erskine As Erskine College prepares for a record-breaking fall semester,


Provost Tom Hellams is counting his blessings—several hundred of them. “It’s exciting,” he says. “This is the largest incoming class we


have ever welcomed. It should be more than 400 students.” The in- coming class is made up of this year’s freshmen and transfer stu- dents, who will join returning sophomores, juniors, and seniors. An alumnus of Erskine College, Hellams has spent much of his


career with the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, and LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, TN, both many miles away from Erskine. Now that he and his wife Tena have moved to South Carolina,


Hellams is focused on his alma mater. He brings to his work the ex- perience he has accumulated in higher education and business op- erations, as well as several years of experience as an Erskine trustee. “I have learned things to do and things not to do along the way,” he says with a smile. Hellams describes the challenges accompanying Erskine’s en-


rollment increase as “opportunities.” Erskine professors seem to share his optimistic outlook and he praises their dedication. Serving as an administrator has given him a “very positive perspective” on the faculty. “I have found here scholars who are absolutely dedicated


to Erskine students,” he says. “I have found men and women of faith who are called, I believe, to teach at a Christian institution. Many have sacrificed, particularly financially, to continue to teach at Erskine.” Faculty morale is on the upswing along with enrollment, the pro-


vost believes. “Our faculty members have jumped right in to pre- pare for this challenge. We are gearing up for the main thing, which is teaching these students in the classroom.“ As for adjustments to the size of the faculty to accommodate a


larger student body, he says, “I think it is significant to point out that we are not adding any new faculty positions this year. Current fac- ulty are teaching overloads and additional adjuncts are being used.” Student numbers for 2019-20, once retention is taken into


account, “will determine how many new faculty positions we need for 2020-21.” Meanwhile, new faculty members have been hired to replace retiring professors and fill existing open po- sitions, and Hellams is enthusiastic about these new members of the Erskine community. ”We’re adding some outstanding professors to the faculty,” he


says, mentioning hires in biology, education, music, political sci- ence, and other areas. “We have been able to secure some outstand- ing scholars who are also men and women of faith.” Faith keeps both Hellams and the institution he serves


moving forward. Glorifying God as a Christian Academic Community September/October 2019 11 Erskine’s emphasis on vocation—marked by initiatives de-


signed to guide and encourage students as they bring faith to bear on decisions regarding major, profession, graduate school, or min- istry—resonates well with the college provost. Having spent time in pastoral ministry, education, and denominational service, he has spent more than a year in his current role and looks back in wonder on how the Lord has led him. “If I think about my life and ministry, what comes to mind, over


and over, is thanksgiving because of what the Lord has allowed me to be a part of,” he says. At Erskine, he has played a major part in crafting an enrollment


plan incorporating the addition of football and a number of other sports. “The key point at this time is that test scores for student ath- letes are comparable, whether SAT or ACT, with those of students who are not athletes,” he says. In fact, at the 2019 commencement, Hellams’ first as college pro-


vost, the college student with the highest GPA was Rachel Berkey, a business administration major and tennis player recognized as the outstanding scholar-athlete in Erskine’s athletic conference. In addition to carrying out an enrollment plan focused on un-


dergraduate students, the provost, along with other hardworking members of the faculty and staff, is planning new graduate pro- grams, including a five-year Bachelor of Arts-to-Master of Divin- ity program; a master’s degree in Athletic Training; and a master’s degree in Christian Counseling. A generous grant from the Kern Family Foundation will boost


the B.A.-to-M.Div. program. Erskine students called to pastoral ministry will be able to trim two years off the time normally re- quired to finish the two degrees. The master’s program in Athletic Training will enable Erskine to


offer the master’s level of credentialing now required in the field. The proposed master’s degree in Christian counseling will offer


students an opportunity to become licensed professional counselors with a strong grounding in Bible and theology. As he continues his work with undergraduates and professors this fall, Erskine College Provost Tom Hellams can anticipate an- other set of challenges, opportu- nities, and blessings as graduate programs are launched during the coming months.?


Dr. J. Thomas Hellams, Jr., received the A.B. degree from Erskine College and the M.A., M.Div., and D. Min. degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.


Erskine


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