impacta publication of regent university

F or 30 years, Regent University

has been changing the face of

education. Its School of Education

consistently turns out servant leaders

who are raising student achievement,

improving educational outcomes and

impacting school systems, not only across

the country but around the world.

Chancellor and founder Dr. M.G. “Pat”

Robertson says the command to start

Regent University was one he heard loud

and clear: “When God told me to build

a school for His glory, He impressed on

me that it was to train people in areas that

would most greatly impact society.”

Robertson explains that Communication

& the Arts and Education were the first

two schools founded under what was

then called CBN University: “Now, 30

years later, I am delighted that we have

c h r i s t i a n l e a d e r s h i p t o c h a n g e t h e w o r l d

inside:Finding Common groundpage 4

making the gradepage 5

vol. 1 issue 2 november 2010

A Force for changeaFter three deCades oF inFluenCe, regent’s sChool oF eduCation looks to the Future

teachers, counselors and principals

across this nation who demonstrate

Christian principles in their areas

of influence.”

Regent University’s School of Education

first opened its doors in 1980 and had

only one graduate a year later. For the

2010-11 academic

calendar, enrollment

has climbed to 728

students from 37 states

and 11 countries. By

the end of this year,

more than 2,800

alumni from the

School of Education

will have touched one

million lives.

Regent’s commitment to serving and

equipping teachers and administrators to

lead their schools is clear and unyielding.

Dean Alan Arroyo, Ph.D., says the School

of Education turns out highly skilled

professionals as teachers, principals,

professors and researchers.

But, more than that, they have a desire

for what’s called three-fold competency:

knowing their subject area, knowing how

to teach and caring about students.

“Those three things are an unbeatable

combination,” Arroyo explains. “We

wouldn’t have an education crisis in this

country if every teacher had those

three qualities.”

The School of Education

makes sure its graduates

do not move on with-

out this three-fold

competency. Arroyo says

that is what separates

Regent alumni from their

education counterparts:

“I’ve had principals

tell me, ‘Give me two or three Regent

graduates who are teachers, and I’ll turn

my school around.’ Every year about 50

of the 300 or so teachers-of-the-year in

Hampton Roads are Regent graduates or

have been affiliated with us in some way.”

In fact, Regent counts more than 400

teacher-of-the-year award winners in

the Hampton Roads, Va., area. Arroyo

says that success is grounded in who’s

teaching the teachers: “Our faculty and

a ForCe For Change — Continued From page 1

“...We have teaChers, Counselors and

prinCipals aCross this nation Who

demonstrate Christian prinCiples in their

areas oF inFluenCe.”

r e g e n t u n i v e r s i t y2

staff model servant leadership. They

model how to build people up in every

interaction. Other universities talk about

knowledge and wisdom and even service,

but very few emphasize that the purpose

of education is to edify, to build people

up.” Arroyo continues, “That’s what

our faculty and staff members do. That

foundation was laid in our founding

faculty members 30 years ago, and it has

continued. The Lord has really blessed us

that way.”

But the School of Education isn’t satisfied

with having a local, regional or national

impact. Its goal is to see its sphere of

influence stretch around the globe.

Arroyo explains, “We have at least three

or four countries asking us to come in and

train teachers.”

With alumni in more than 25 countries,

there’s no question that the School

of Education is highly successful in

fulfilling Regent University’s mission

to equip Christian leaders to change the

world. Looking back at how God has

used the School of Education to impact

culture on a global scale, Robertson says,

“I can say with great confidence that the

Lord has never let me down and never

gone back on His promises.” x

c h r i s t i a n l e a d e r s h i p t o c h a n g e t h e w o r l d 3

Dr. Gary Maestas, ‘09 Superintendent of Plymouth Public Schools, Plymouth, Mass.

Dr. Sharon Byrdsong, ‘08, 2006 National Middle School Principal of the Year.

r e g e n t u n i v e r s i t y

Regent University’s 2010-11

Executive Leadership Series got

off to a great start September 13, thanks

to the expertise and insight of Dr. John

Maxwell. A best-selling author with more

than 19 million books sold, the pastor-

turned-leadership-expert spoke to a lunch

audience of 800 men and women at The

Founders Inn Grand Ballroom. Sharing

principles from his latest book, Everyone Communicates, Few Connect, Maxwell

laid out five principles that are crucial to

every leader’s success.

“Connecting is all about others,” he told

those gathered. “It’s not about you. It’s

not about me. It’s about the person you’re

trying to reach.”

Sharing stories both from his personal

and professional life, Maxwell stressed

the importance of intentionally getting to

know a person—connecting with them—

before asking them to trust and follow

your leadership.

“A sign of immature leaders is that they

think about themselves first,” Maxwell

explained. Real leadership, he added, “is

always putting others first.”

Another Maxwell key to leadership is

finding common ground with those being

led. He pointed out that even something

as simple as learning a person’s name can

have a profound impact on our ability

to connect.

Quoting Dale Carnegie, Maxwell said,

“It’s a proven fact that the sweetest sound

to a person’s ear is the sound of their

own name.”

Maxwell finished by urging those

assembled to increase their efforts to

find common ground in order to be

more effective servant leaders, “It’s

you and me having the ability to go

beyond ourselves.”

Regent’s Executive Leadership Series

brings a wealth of knowledge and

experience to campus throughout the

academic year. These monthly luncheons

give local business and community

leaders the opportunity to gain insight

from some of the most innovative voices

of leadership in the areas of business,

politics, academia, entertainment,

government, the military and religion.

On November 16, Regent welcomes

business and communications expert

Susan RoAne; and in December,

best-selling author and political

satirist P.J. O’Rourke will bring his

wit and wisdom to campus. For more

information about Regent’s Executive

Leadership Series call 757.352.4141

or visit www.regent.edu/ELS. x

Finding Common Ground John maxwell kicks off regent’s executive leadership series

John maxwell shares important insights at regent’s september executive leadership series luncheon.

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A t a time when studies indicate

that American children are falling

significantly behind other countries

in math and science skills, Regent

University is equipping teachers to

change the world—one classroom

at a time. The School of Education’s

Martinson Center for Mathematics and

Science is committed to improving the

teaching of two key academic disciplines

in public and private schools. The

center offers workshops, professional

development courses and graduate

courses to equip and empower teachers

with information, materials and creative

ideas to bring math

and science alive

for students.

The Martinson

Family Foundation

has sponsored this important initiative

since it began in January 2008, recently

renewing its sponsorship to further the

program’s success. “Many teachers will

advance their math and science skills,

share best practices and bring creative

lessons back to their classrooms,” says

John Martinson Jr. “We enthusiastically

support expansion throughout Virginia,

regionally and even nationally.”

Dr. Jenny Sue Flannagan, director of the

center, says its intent is to take math and

science beyond the textbook and to make

connections with other classroom subjects

as well as with the world.

“We want to spark the love of learning for

the sake of learning,” Flannagan explains.

“We have to develop that curiosity in

students, that hunger for knowledge.

Then we have to maintain that passion.”

Dr. Alan Arroyo, School of Education

dean, points to the Martinson Center as

a high-profile vehicle that recognizes

the need for better math and science

teachers, “It’s no secret that by the time

American students reach high school,

they are toward the bottom of developed

countries when it comes

to scoring well on math

and science tests.”

So the center is focusing

on younger students,

reaching out to kindergarten, first- and

second-grade teachers. “Young students

are scientists,” Arroyo explains. “And

there are many great things they can learn

about God’s universe that will encourage

them and open their minds to the math

and science areas.”

To learn more about the Martinson

Center for Mathematics and Science

or to support this important initiative,

call 888.713.1595 or visit

www.regent.edu/mathandscience. x

c h r i s t i a n l e a d e r s h i p t o c h a n g e t h e w o r l d 5

the martinson Center equips teachers in two key subjects

Making the GradeMaking the GradeMaking

“We Want to spark the

love oF learning For the sake oF learning.”

r e g e n t u n i v e r s i t y6

A Message From the President

Dear Friends,

The impact that Regent’s School of Education has on

the culture of our nation and the world is startling. The

accolades, awards and accomplishments of the past three

decades are impressive—with more surely to come. By

being obedient to God’s call on their lives, this dedicated

faculty and staff are changing the very face of education—

because of their commitment to prepare teachers who

approach their profession with excellence and their

leadership with a solid Biblical foundation.

We profoundly appreciate your prayers for all of our

students, faculty and staff as we remain one of our nation’s

leading global centers for Christian thought and action.

Sincerely,

Carlos Campo, Ph.D.

2,821 soe alumni are serving in

schools around the nation.

398 alums have been named teacher of the Year in the hampton roads

area since 2004.

49 alumni are serving as

principals or assistant principals in virginia k-12 schools.

2006 dr. sharon Byrdsong ’08

was named the national middle school principal of the Year.

2010 Catherine Webb ’04

was named virginia teacher of the Year.

sChool oF eduCAtion

Check us out online at www.regent.edu/impact.

retraction: the october issue of Impact mistakenly named Cuba as the birthplace of dr. Carlos Campo. While his father was born in Cuba, Campo was born in Florida.

regent university’s impact is published monthly by the university’s office of advancement, free of charge, for alumni and friends of the university. regent university admits students without discrimination on the basis of race, color, disability, gender, religion or national or ethnic origin. regent university is certified by the state Council of higher education for virginia to operate campuses within the Commonwealth of virginia. regent university is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the southern association of Colleges and schools to award associates, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 southern lane, decatur, georgia 30033-4097 or call 404.679.4500 for questions about the accreditation of regent university. opinions expressed in impact are those of individuals and do not necessarily represent the views of regent university’s board, faculty, administration or staff. regent university accepts news submissions from readers but reserves the right to edit based upon clarity, length and content. the university may decline to print material at its discretion. adv100838

leave a legacyMake the most of the time and resources

God has blessed you with. Regent has

planned-giving opportunities that will

allow you to support the university today

and leave a powerful legacy tomorrow.

Qualified individuals can maximize tax

savings while enjoying increased income.

For more information, contact the Office

of Advancement at 800.335.4409 or

advancement@regent.edu. x

c h r i s t i a n l e a d e r s h i p t o c h a n g e t h e w o r l d

Mail it inImpact is centered on the activities and

accomplishments of Regent University

students, alumni, faculty and staff. But at the center of this newsletter is an envelope

that you can use to support us financially

by check or credit card. You also can donate

online at www.regent.edu/give. x

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