The Inauguration

of

DR. NIEL B. NIELSON

FIFTH PRESIDENT OF COVENANT COLLEGE

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2002

.. . add to your Jaitkc5rHJdxf;J1;

and to !!odx(';J'J; hww!ec/Je;

and to hww!e1J~ 1e!J-coxtrol·

and to 1e!f coxtro l Jer1everaX£e;

axd to Jer1everaJtC~ c5od!ix(';J'J;

axd to !/d!ixf;JJ; brotfu:r/y kindxf;JJ;

and to brotfu:r/y kindxf;JJ; !011e.

2 r:Peter f:S-7

THE INAUGURATION OF DR. NIEL B. NIELSON

PRELUDE

Fifth President of Covenant College Ten o'clock, Friday morning, October 4, 2002

Dora Maclellan Brown Memorial Chapel Covenant College

Lookout Mountain, Georgia

PROGRAM

Toccata in F .... .. ..... .... ...... .. ........ ............... ......................... ........ ........ J. S. Bach Mr. David Friberg, Organist

Inaugural Fanfare ... .. ................................... .... ...... ..... ...... .. ................... Friberg Covenant Brass and Organ

PROCESSIONAL

Highland Cathedral ..................... .... .............................. Pipe and Drum Corps Mr. Daniel Adams '04, Miss Abigail Duncan '06

Mr. Jared Farquhar '04, Mr. Matthew Fray '05

WELCOME ............................................................................. Mr. Robert Avis Chair, Board of Trustees

INVOCATION ............................................................. ...... ...... .. Dr. Jeffrey Hall Dean of Faculty

HYMN

PRAISE, MY SOUL, THE KING OF HEAVEN

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven, to his feet your tribute bring; Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, who, like me, his praise should sing? Praise him, praise him, praise him, praise him, praise the everlasting King.

Praise him for his grace and favor, to our fathers in distress; Praise him, still the same forever, slow to chide and swift to bless; Praise him, praise him, praise him, praise him, glorious in his faithfulness.

Father-like he tends and spares us; well our feeble frame he knows; In his hands he gently bears us, rescues us from all our foes; Praise him, praise him, praise him, praise him, widely as his mercy goes.

Frail as summer's flow'r we flourish, blows the wind and it is gone; Bue while mortals rise and perish, God endures unchanging on. Praise him, praise him, praise him, praise him, praise the High Eternal One.

Angels, help us co adore him; you behold him face co face; Sun and moon, bow down before him, dwellers all in time and space, Praise him, praise him, praise him, praise him, praise with us the God of grace.

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER FOR THE PRESIDENT ............. .. .. ... .. ... .. Mr. Avis

LEADER:

Written by Dr. James Wildeman '73 Associate Professor of English

Members of the Covenant College community, on this auspicious day in the history of the college, we lay the mantle of leadership on Niel Nielson, knowing full well that he cannot, in his own strength, meet all the demands that his position requires of him. Consequently, it is only fitting that we ask that he be granted divine help as he pursues his tasks among us. Let us pray.

Father of all mercies, pour out your grace on Niel Nielson this day. Grant him the qualities of heart and mind he will need to lead Covenant College in the years ahead.

Give him zeal for your Holy Word. May the decisions he makes for the college community be grounded in your revealed truth.

PEOPLE: May it be a lamp to his feet and a light to his path.

LEADER: Grant him discernment co apply the truth he knows co the problems and opportunities of daily life.

PEOPLE: Give him the wisdom of Solomon. May he know how to bring forth good in every situation.

LEADER: As Niel lives before our community and the world, may his actions be consistent with his doctrine.

PEOPLE: May he be a shining example of holiness to us. Burn your commandments on his heart, so that he may set a high standard of right action for every member of the Covenant community.

LEADER: Give him a clear vision of what you have called him here to do, and

make him a faithful laborer in this part of your kingdom.

PEOPLE: In good times and bad, may his only concern be to hear You say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

LEADER: Give him compassion for those he leads. May he always remember

that he works among finite and fallible creatures.

PEOPLE: Help him to deal gently with those who have been placed under his authority.

LEADER: Grant him humility. May he put the needs of others before his own

needs, the glory of your kingdom before his own glory.

PEOPLE: May he follow the example of our Savior Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve.

ALL: Finally, 0 Lord, we pray for ourselves, those of us who serve with him as trustees, faculty, administrators, staff, and students. May we support Niel with our words and actions, so that his labor among us might be a joy and that, under his leadership, Covenant College might be blessed.

We pray these things in the name of our gracious Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

CHARGES TO THE PRESIDENT

FROM HIS FAMILY ............................................................. Dr. Kathleen Nielson

Wife of Dr. Nielson

FROM THE STUDENTS ............ ... ......................... ........... .... Mr. Jason Luther '03

Student Body President

FROM THE FACULTY ................................................ . Dr. Stephen Kaufmann '69 Professor of Education

FROM THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA ............ ............. Dr. Joseph Ryan Moderator, General Assembly 2002

Senior Minister, Park Cities Presbyterian Church

Dallas, Texas

HYMN

LEAD ON, 0 KJNG ETERNAL

Lead on, 0 King eternal, the day of march has come; Henceforth in fields of conquest thy tents shall be our home: Through days of preparation thy grace has made us strong, And now, 0 King eternal, we lift our battle song.

Lead on, 0 King eternal, till sin's fierce war shall cease, And holiness shall whisper the sweet amen of peace; For not with swords loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums, But deeds of love and mercy, the heav' nly kingdom comes.

Lead on, 0 King eternal: we follow, not with fears; For gladness breaks like morning where-e'er thy face appears; Thy cross is lifted o'er us; we journey in its light: The crown awaits the conquest; lead on, 0 God of might.

SCRIPTURE READING

II Peter 1:2-21 ................................................................ .. .... Dr.John Buswell Pastor and Educator

CEREMONY OF INAUGURATION ................................................... .. .. Mr. Avis

WITNESSES:

Dr. Robert S. Rayburn '72, son of founding president, Dr. Robert G. Rayburn

Dr. Marion Barnes, second college president Dr. Martin Essenburg, third college president Dr. Frank Brock, fourth college president

PRAYER OF D EDICATION ....... .. ... ......................................... .. ... . Dr. Rayburn

INAUGURAL ADDRESS

Secretary, Board of Trustees Senior Pastor, Faith Presbyterian Church

Tacoma, Washington

The Only Way Forward ........................................................... Dr. Niel Nielson

CHORAL RESPONSE

Arise, Your Light Has Come .................................................................. Danner The Covenant College Chorale

Dr. Ken W Anderson, Conductor

BENEDICTION ...................................................... The Rev. Rodney Stortz '72

COLLEGE HYMN

ALL FOR JESUS

Member, Board of Trustees Senior Pastor, Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church

Ballwin, Missouri

All for Jesus! All for Jesus! All my being's ransomed pow'rs, All my thoughts and words and doings, all my days and all my hours.

Let my hands perform his bidding, let my feet run in his ways; Let my eyes see Jesus only, let my lips speak forth his praise.

Worldlings prize their gems of beauty, cling to gilded toys of dust, Boast of wealth and fame and pleasure; only Jesus will I trust.

Since mine eyes were fixed on Jesus, I've lost sight of all beside; So enchained my spirit's vision, looking at the Crucified.

Oh what wonder! how amazing! Jesus, glorious King of kings, Deigns to call me his beloved, lets me rest beneath his wings. Amen.

RECESSIONAL

The Green Hills of Tyrol ........................................... Mr. Adams, Miss Duncan, Mr. Farquhar, Mr. Fray

POSTLUDE

Toccata .from Organ Symphony V ............................................................. Widor Mr. Friberg, Organist

1 l

1 }

COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY, AND AssoCIATION DELEGATES As of September 19, 2002

1831 LaGrange College Mr. David Cook Alumnus

1848 Rhodes College Mr. David Brock Alumnus

1854 Wheaton College Dr. Hudson Armerding President Emeritus

1867 King College Dr. Jack Snider Senior Vice President

1871 Bethel College and Seminary Dr. Stanley Anderson Professor of Philosophy

1883 Belhaven College Dr. Roger Parrott President

1886 Young Harris College Mrs. Peggy Newman Alumna

1892 Southern Adventist Universiry Dr. Gordon Bietz President

1895 Commission on Colleges, Southern

Association of Colleges and Schools Dr. Bruce Conn Georgia Commission Representative

1897 Lincoln Memorial University Dr. Fred Bedelle Dean of School of Graduate Studies

1902 Berry College Dr. Bruce Conn Dean of School of Mathematical and

Natural Sciences

1918 Lee University Dr. Carolyn Dirksen Vice President for Academic Affairs

1919 John Brown Universiry Dr. David Vila Assistant Professor of Religion and

Philosophy

1930 Bryan College Dr. David Masoner Senior Vice President

1937 Westmont Dr. Michael Rulon Alumnus

1955 Dordt College Dr. Carl Zylstra President

1956 Covenant Theological Seminary Dr. Bryan Chapell President

1858 University of the South Mr. Tom Watson Universiry Librarian

1959 Triniry Christian College Dr. Mark Jones Assistant Professor of English

1966 Reformed Theological Seminary Rev. Frank Hitchings Alumnus

1979 Westminster Theological Seminary in

California Rev. Dennis Johnson Professor of Practical Theology

1987 Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary Dr. Joseph Pipa President

INAUGURAL LECTURES

2:00 p.m. Mills Hall 270/280

God and Nature: Reflections on Sovereign Sustenance.

DR. DONALD PETCH ER '74, professor of physics and chair of the Department of Physics, holds a bachelor of arts degree from Covenant College, a master of science degree from the University of Georgia, and a doctorate from Indiana State University. Before returning to Covenant, he held post-doctoral research positions in Switzerland, The Netherlands, and Florida and was on the research faculty at Washington University in St. Louis. He has published numerous papers in the fields of elementary

particle and computational physics and is writing a book with Dr. Timothy D. Morris '83, associate professor of biology, on theology and science. Dr. Petcher and Dr. Morris attended the Templeton Seminars on Science and Christianity at Oxford University during the last three summers.

2:00 p.m. Sanderson Hall 215

The Faithful lmagi,nation.

DR. TIMOTHY STEELE is associate professor of music, chair of the Department of Music, and dean of arts and letters at Covenant College. He holds a bachelor's degree in music education and a master of music degree from Temple University. He received his doctorate in music history and theory from the University of Chicago. Dr. Steele is a musicologist specializing in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. He is working with other musical scholars in the American Musicological Society to establish a forum

on music and Christian scholarship. He remains active as an instrumental performer and is director of the Covenant College Chamber Orchestra. He is a ruling elder at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga.

3:30 p.m. Mills Hall 270/280

A Christian Philosophy of Education and the Challenge of Post-Modernism, or "Say it ain't so, Stanley. Say it ain't so."

DR. REGINALD M CLELLAN D is professor of philosophy and chair of the Department of Philosophy at Covenant College. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Western Carolina University, both a master of arts degree in English and a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Georgia, and a master of divinity degree from Reformed Theological Seminary. His teaching concentrations are in philosophy of religion, philosophy oflanguage, ethics, and philosophy of art. He has lectured

extensively in Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. In addition to intellectual pursuits, Dr. Mclelland runs more than one hundred miles each month.

3:30 p.m. Sanderson Hall 215

°Wading through Dawson's Creek: Vocation, Virtue, and the Challenge of College Teaching.

DR. JAY GREEN is associate professor of history at Covenant College. He received a bachelor of arts degree in history from Taylor University, a master of arts degree in the history of Christian thought from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a doctorate in history from Kent State University. His principal teaching areas include American religious and cultural history and various areas of modern non-Western history. He serves on the Executive Board of the Conference on Faith and History

and coordinated faculty research last summer for a grant proposal with the Lilly Endowment. Dr. Green is a ruling elder at Sc. Elmo Presbyterian Church.

DR. NIEL B. NIELSON D R. NIEL B. NI ELSON was born and raised in a pastor's home in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from Wheaton College with honors in 1975. He continued his education at Vanderbilt University, earning both a master's degree and a doctorate in philosophy. In 1980, he joined the faculty of Bechel College in Minnesota and taught philosophy there until 1984.

Dr. Nielson then moved his family to the Chicago area and began a thirteen-year career in the financial markets. During this time the Nielsons lived in London for two years, and Dr. Nielson traveled

extensively throughout Europe, the former Soviet Union, and Asia. Dr. Nielson was ordained as a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church in

America at Naperville Presbyterian Church in Illinois in 1985. The Nielsons began attending College Church in Wheaton, Illinois, in 1990, and Dr. Nielson joined the staff as pastor of outreach in 1997.

Dr. Nielson's father, Dr. Robert Nielson, was pastor of senior adults at Park Cities Presbyterian Church, PCA until his death in July. Niel's brother, Mr. Stephen Nielson, is a ruling elder and charter member at the same church.

Dr. Nielson is on the board of directors of Good News Publications/Crossway Books and several other businesses. Rounding out his accomplishments, Dr. Nielson plays the piano, sings, plays tennis, and enjoys outdoor activities.

Kathleen Buswell Nielson, Dr. Nielson's wife, is also a graduate of both Wheaton College and Vanderbilt University with a doctorate in literature. She is the daughter of Dr. John Buswell and granddaughter of Dr. J. Oliver Buswell, both former professors at Covenant Seminary. Kathleen's sister, Elizabeth (Buswell) Stortz '75, is the wife of Rev. Rodney Stortz '72, a member of the Covenant College Board of Trustees.

The Nielsons have three sons: Jonathan, a college sophomore; Daniel, a high school junior; and David, a high school freshman.

ABOUT COVENANT COLLEGE COVENANT COLLEGE was organized in 1955 under the Bible Presbyterian Synod. Covenant opened that fall in the Pasadena City Church in Pasadena, California, as a Christian liberal arts college acknowledging Christ's pre-eminence to help Christian students learn to live as active, reforming members of a complex society.

In 1956, the college moved near St. Louis, Missouri. Covenant became a four-year liberal arts college and a three-year theological seminary operating under one board and administration.

The college and seminary increased in size, and soon a new residence hall was needed. Mr. Hugh Smith, a member of the board of trustees, heard that the "Castle in the Clouds" hotel, near Chattanooga, Tennessee, was for sale. The hotel, built in 1927, was purchased by the college in 1964.

The college moved to Lookout Mountain, while the seminary remains in St. Louis. In 1982 Covenant became the denominational college of the Presbyterian Church in America.

Today Covenant's enrollment is more than 1,225, with students from across the country and around the world. Approximately eighty percent of the teaching faculty members have earned doctoral degrees. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities and the Georgia Foundation oflndependent Colleges. The college consistently receives a high ranking in its region by US. News & World Report.

Covenant offers associate of arts, bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, bachelor of music, master of education degrees and several pre-professional programs.

The foundation of all college endeavors can be found in the words, "In all things ... Christ pre-eminent," based on Colossians 1: 18. Christ is acknowledged as the creator of all things, as the redeemer of people fallen into sin, as the touchstone of all truth, and as the sovereign ruler over all areas oflife. Covenant seeks the mind of Christ as the biblical perspective from which we view and respond to reality and strives to define all areas of its structure and program according to this understanding of Christ's pre-eminence.

COVENANT COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Dwight L. Allen John L. Armstrong

Robert G. Avis Joel Belz '62

Stephen Briggs Arthur C. Broadwick J. Render Caines '69 Charles R. Cox '64

James A. Dodd Bruce R. Fial

Mark C. Good John B. Harley III '73

Mark W Harris J. Thomas Holton

G. Richard Hostetter Dennis E. Johnson

James Jolly C. Al Lutz

Michael N. Malone Larry G. Mininger

William J. Montgomery E. Marvin Padgett

Timothy Pappas '79 Robert S. Rayburn '72

Donald E. Rieder George W Robertson '88

T. David Rountree Rodney D. Stortz '72

PRESIDENTS OF COVENANT COLLEGE

Dr. Robert G. Rayburn 1955 - 1965

Dr. Marion D. Barnes 1965-1978

Dr. Martin Essenburg 1978 - 1987

Dr. Frank A. Brock 1987 - 2002

Covenant College 14049 Scenic Highway

Lookout Mountain, Georgia 30750 www.covcnant.edu