southeastern university viewbook
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Southeastern University ViewbookTRANSCRIPT
Be strong. Be good. Be salt.
You are the salt of the earth. Matthew 5:13
What does it really mean to be salt?
At Southeastern, our students, faculty,
and staff are committed to Christ’s calling
that we be salt. Here’s a sampling of their thoughts:
When you use salt to cook, you can either add just the right amount,
or add too much. But if you don’t use any, you’re not going to be able
to taste the food as well. That’s what Jesus talked about when he said
to be salt, to be light. Once you’re salt, you’re also the light that shines.
– William Jonathon Morgan, theology major
Learning to be a servant leader equips us to be salt and preserve
these beliefs in our professions and throughout our lives.
– Ashley Sauls, secondary education major
Being salt is what God called us to be. He could have
saved us and taken us immediately to Heaven, but He left
us here to cast seed on the earth and raise Godlike people.
– Patty LeBlanc, Associate Professor of Education
You are the salt of the earth. Matthew 5:13
Being the salt of the earth means not staying off in a corner by ourselves.
If we are to season this life, we must be present in the world–not compromising
our faith, but actively using it to make a difference.
be salt.How will you be salt? How can you shine?
At Southeastern, your possibilities are endless.
Christ tells us that we already are salt.
At Southeastern, you discover the
saltiness within you, and learn how best to
You stand at a crossroads, faced with a decision that will alter the
course of your life. Where will you go to college? What path of study
will lead to your career? What can you do today–and in the coming
years–to help you live your best life?
If you are looking to apply your Christian faith in a strong academic
setting, Southeastern University could be the homecoming you’re
looking for. It feels like home to Carlos Santiago. The vocal performance
major wanted to attend a good school with a strong Christian
foundation to develop his God-given talents. His commitment to
excellence, along with his inspirational voice, is taking shape here.
For Carlos and thousands of other undergraduates, Southeastern fills
the niche that larger public universities–and even other Christian
colleges–cannot fill.
Who will you be?
To Enhance
Southeastern, stepping upOver the last ten years, Southeastern has experienced
tremendous growth. From a college to a university,
from 1,000 to 3,000 students, to a host of new
programs and majors, Southeastern has become
a thriving university. And we’re still building on
that success.
The experience for many Southeastern students
setting foot on our campus has been akin to love
at first sight. It could be the physical beauty of
our Florida campus, the genuine goodness of the
people you meet here, a strong calling from God,
or some combination of the three that connects
with so many students.
Business-management major Elizabeth Santangelo
felt that immediate pull to campus. But it hasn’t
worn off. Once she truly came to know this campus,
her classmates, and her professors, she knew her
decision to attend Southeastern was a perfect one.
“Our professors truly care about us as students–
not just about our grades and schoolwork,”
Elizabeth says, “but also our personal well-being.”
Just like the students they teach, every Southeastern professor has
a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ, cutting across all
denominational lines. Many open up their classes with a short
prayer before discussing current events and beginning a lecture.
Like many of the young people in their classrooms, these professors
often consider their arrival at Southeastern a journey of faith.
Integrated Faith and Learning
This “higher calling” has recently brought several high-profile
professors to Southeastern. As top professionals and authorities in
their various fields, these educators welcome the chance to show
how faith can have a positive influence in a variety of ways in
subjects throughout the curriculum.
And you find these caring teachers all over Southeastern. From
renowned business, music, and ministerial programs to the academic
excellence that continues to build in the education and science
programs, we are attracting the best and the brightest to lead those
classroom discussions. To lead you to your personal best.
As a Southeastern music professor, I understand we are training musicians to be salt. Music ministers and worship leaders inside the church, and singing actors and recording artists outside the church. Talk about responsibility! Few occupations can potentially touch the heart and spirit of
individuals so deeply. Knowing that I have been called by God to take part in training and equipping these
talented young people is very exciting. – Ed Bryant, Associate Professor of Music
It’s another beautiful Wednesday afternoon in
mid-September. Inside Dr. Rickey Cotton’s
Contemporary Literature class, students have
broken into small groups to discuss a Denise
Levertov poem that’s just been read aloud. “We
look at the poem in a few ways,” Dr. Cotton
says of his teaching philosophy. “We look in
terms of general artistic analysis, bringing the
same perspectives to it as you would in a rigorous
secular environment. But I also want to bring
the students’ personal lives into conversation
with the literary text. And since we’re in a
Christian environment, we also bring that
perspective into the dialogue.”
Whether the students are discussing Levertov,
Bernard Malamud, or Raymond Carver,
Dr. Cotton wants to see how these artistic
works can affect everyday lives. “One of the
things we’re studying is cultural literacy,” he
says. “Our students are learning how to read
and engage the culture.”
And in Dr. Cotton’s classroom, learning is
a two-way street. “I always learn from my
students,” he says. “I tell them they must be
a co-teacher and I will be a co-leader.”
A Southeastern classroom
make Christian movies in Hollywood
start non-profit businesses
go to medical school, then go on medical missions
work in forensic psychology
become certified public accountants
teach high school history in a public school
work behind the scenes in television
pastor churches
embark on worldwide missionary work
work as Christian psychologists
perform music ministry for inner-city children
become professional singers
earn advanced business degrees
become lawyers
manage Spanish-speaking radio stations
write books
open daycare centers
become photographers
work as high school counselors
and honor God in a myriad of careers
Some Southeastern students have goals to:
All things are possible through God.
The opportunity to share her faith is perhaps the best thing about
Southeastern for Professor Patty LeBlanc. She’s teaching others how
to teach in the College of Education. But how often those tables get
turned! “My students really inspire me,” she says. “They are just so
focused and they love the Lord so much.”
From the chapel through the classroom to the day-to-day activities of
the Southeastern experience, students, faculty, and staff grow richer in
the spirit of Christ. Education continues to be a discovery process–for
everyone on campus.
We also can be effective witnesses for Christ by helping to make things better; we can be good to all people. If we learn to exhibit the core Christian values and develop skills in terms of cultural literacy, I believe we can more effectively be
salt and light for our society. I tell my students to be different and make a difference.”
– Dr. Rickey Cotton, Professor and Chair, Department of English
Inspiration everywhere
Have you ever visited a place for the first time and instantly
knew you belonged there?
Kristopher Harless–Topher to his friends– had that very experience at Southeastern.
I was born in Birmingham and raised in Alabaster, Alabama.
I might easily have attended Auburn, Alabama, or any of the half-dozen
schools that accepted me after high school. But then my mother convinced me
to visit Southeastern. As soon as I got to campus I knew I was meant to be
here. It wasn’t any particular person I talked to. I simply walked the campus
grounds and realized: this is the place for me.
There’s an authenticity to Southeastern. These are people who genuinely love
Christ, but not in a pious, overwhelming way. Everyone is striving to be
professionals in their fields, while maintaining that relationship with Christ.
I really thrived in Southeastern’s welcoming and supportive atmosphere.
As a senior double majoring in Television/Radio Broadcasting and Practical
Theology, I was a host on the nationally aired R.A.W. TV program,
which caters to a ‘real and willing’ college crowd. Whether I was singing, acting,
playing guitar, or performing standup comedy, I put myself out there to show
that Christians can be entertaining and life should be enjoyed.
Now that I’ve graduated, I want to spread that message through the
entertainment business in Los Angeles, eventually making my own films.
Not movies about Christ, but movies that share Christ and help bring
morals back to Hollywood. I realize these are lofty goals and a long way
from my Alabaster roots. But I believe all is possible through God and the
professional experience I gained at Southeastern.
Topher Harless ’09
Whether you plan to major in music, go into business, or teach from
the pulpit or in a classroom, Southeastern prepares you for a life of
service. Just ask alumnus Seth Ready about how his time on campus
prepared him for a gospel music career. He has sung alongside some
of the world’s best gospel singers, including Donnie McClurkin,
Kirk Franklin, and Yolanda Adams. Seth has also joined Southeastern
as the Worship Director.
Seth credits Southeastern with sharpening both his musical abilities
and his faith. The “Life in Christ” course taught him how to meditate
on God. And communicating a Christian message is central to his
singing career. As Seth leads the student body in worship, he implores
them to be people of character and to worship God through daily
obedience to Him. When he sings for unbelievers, Seth tries to
persuade them that absolute truth exists and that through Christ they
can have an abundant life now and eternal life when they die.
To Serve
Kennedy Mkutu’s long journey to Southeastern began in fall 1987
when, while walking the streets of Kenya, he snatched a windswept
newspaper out of the air. It was the Southeasterner. “I still wonder how
the paper got all the way to Kenya,” Mkutu says, though he believes
God sent it to him. Reading the paper he found an application that
claimed, “Southeastern can change your life.” It certainly changed
his, and now he is serving the world through his own unique talents.
His 2008 book, Guns and Governance in the Rift Valley: Pastoral Conflict
and Small Arms, examines how guns now dominate conflicts in the
Horn of Africa where the AK-47, Mkutu says, “has replaced the
traditional spear.”
Expect to receive a well-rounded education here. With a myriad
of courses and program options, Southeastern prepares you for
professional work in any secular field. But you still stay connected
to the spiritual world. You could be reading biology or psychology
books, or crunching numbers in an accounting course. There’s one
book, however, that everyone studies in great detail: the Bible. Biblical
principles help shape the content of every course on campus.
Bible-based
as camp counselors
through prison ministries
as tutors
in youth shelters
as part of improv comedy teams
through musical groups
by providing writing lab assistance
as FX percussion and dance team members
as crisis counselors
by offering story hours
on volunteer preaching teams
on buddy programs for disadvantaged children
through cross-cultural ministries
by helping the elderly prepare their income taxes
through chaplaincy programs
through homeless ministries
by visiting hospitals
by going overseas on mission trips
by creating budgets for single-parent
and low-income families
Southeastern students serve the community:
Christianity in action.
Community service is part of your education
at Southeastern. You may help build homes
for Habitat for Humanity. You may lend your
growing expertise to help educate and train
everyone from grade-school children to senior
citizens. Or you may become part of a touring
group that spreads Christ’s love through music
and the arts. But whatever your calling is, you
have the chance to share it.
Having made such service trips, Amber
Stephens, a practical theology major, has
embraced the opportunity to take her faith
on the road. She’s traveled with the tour teams
to churches, youth conventions, conferences,
and district councils around the nation.
“Getting hands-on experience while earning
a degree is amazing,” Amber says. “And the
religion courses I’ve taken have allowed me
to grow so much more, especially in my
knowledge of the Bible.”
Your service opportunities could be right
on campus. For La Nita Thomas, a double
major in general communications and
interdisciplinary studies, Southeastern had
long been a dream. From the age of ten,
she knew this was the school she wanted
to attend. She has witnessed firsthand the
tremendous physical transformation of
campus. As a resident assistant, she helped
younger classmates transition into college life.
In her role as a resident assistant, La Nita
“played half mother and half counselor” to the
girls in her residence hall. It was just another
form of community service for this former vice
president of the Habitat for Humanity Club.
Let it begin with you
You need to understand the importance of servant leadership at Southeastern. To me, ‘being salt’ is showing
the world Christ through you. And that is something that directly relates to community service.
– La Nita Thomas ’10, general communications and interdisciplinary studies
Ashley Sauls ’10
After a campus visit during her junior year of high school,
Ashley Sauls felt deeply connected to Southeastern University.
But she opted to stay closer to home. For a while.
Our family tradition has always been to attend Florida State.
My grandparents and parents did, and everyone just assumed I would head
there, too. And so I did, but soon regretted it. I just knew I wasn’t where
I was supposed to be. I transferred to Southeastern after one semester in
Tallahassee. It was the right decision for me, and my family saw that when
they would visit me in Lakeland.
The people are so genuine at SEU. Servant leadership isn’t just talk,
it’s actually how people act on campus. As a Secondary Education major,
I worked to make service part of my life as well. My sophomore year
I served with the First Year Experience, leading a group of freshman girls in
devotionals.On Monday mornings, I gave tours to prospective students and
their families as a Southeastern Ambassador. I was able to do community
work through a group called Young Life, where we ministered to kids at
local high schools. And I was also a team leader on the cheerleading squad,
which won a competitive national championship.
The opportunity to be involved with so much in a Christian atmosphere is
what made Southeastern great for me. Now that I have graduated, I want
to teach high school history, and I feel like God wants me in a public-school
setting. Through faith-integration courses we learned how you can set a
Christian example in any classroom. And we got a great education to
prepare us for teaching careers.
I still cheer for Florida State, as well, which makes for fun holidays back
home. But Southeastern has my heart.
At Southeastern, you honor Christ in your daily life. Whether you’re
rejoicing with the spirited music of a Wednesday morning chapel
service, or reflecting quietly near the statue of Jesus washing the feet
of an apostle, everything you do here is centered upon building on
that Christian faith and philosophy.
If you come to Southeastern to specifically study music, you will be
taught by some of the finest music faculty in the nation. “Our faculty
members have degrees from Juilliard, Eastman, UCLA, New England
School of Music, Michigan State, Indiana University, Florida State
University, Crane School of Music, and elsewhere,” says Danny Tindall,
a professor of music and department chair. “You receive all the
advantages of a large university in a smaller, more intimate setting.”
You could feel a calling to music–or psychology, elementary education,
or science. If you can see yourself here, you owe yourself a visit. For
many, those first steps on campus really are life-changing.
To Honor
Dr. Sam BennettDean of the College of Education2006 Florida Teacher of the Year; 2005 Polk County Teacher of the Year
Dr. Edgar LeeVice President for Academic AffairsA veteran of Christian higher education administration; helped lay the foundation of Southeastern’s Christ-centered academic program; shepherded Southeastern through its first accreditation process; has taught and preached around the globe with a 50-year devotion to prayer and scripture
Dr. Pam CrissAssistant Professor of Social WorkCentral Florida’s 2003 Social Worker of the Year
Dave DeBordeAssistant Professor of CommunicationAssociate producer for The Least of These, an independent film that won 27 awards; debuted his film Success Story, Part I at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival; worked with producer William S. Gilmore (A Few Good Men) and actor Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ, The Count of Monte Cristo)
Dr. Paul HarlanAssistant Professor of Music (music technology/church music)Designed Southeastern’s music technology lab, patterned after the music technology lab at UCLA, which he previously supervised on an interim basis; served as minister of music for more than ten years at a Vineyard Church in Southern California; has composed music for film and numerous TV and radio commercials, including a Super Bowl ad and a series of film documentaries narrated by Morgan Freeman
Dr. Brittany McConchieAssistant Professor of BiologyPost-doctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health focused on allergies and inflammation; second post-doctoral fellowship at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida focused on natural killer cells and their role in cancer
Dr. Stephen KingAssociate Professor of Public PolicyEarned his MA and PhD in political science at University of Missouri; served as Research Vice President at Public Interest Institute, an Iowa-based conservative policy think tank; department chairman at Patrick Henry College; coordinator for Oral Roberts University’s government program; director of MPA program at Regent University
John SeybertAssistant Professor of Music (jazz studies and music education)Published and presented articles for the International Association of Jazz Education; research on file in the Duke Ellington Archive at the Smithsonian Institute and the Mary Lou Williams Archive at Rutgers University; presented at the Oxford Roundtable for Arts and Humanities; President, Florida College Music Educators Association
Dr. Gordon StorholmAssociate Professor of MarketingEarned his MBA and PhD in business administration at Wharton University and previously taught graduate business studies at Rutgers, Fordham and St. John’s universities; worked in marketing management at IBM and Xerox; former manager of the Eastern Hockey League’s Jersey Devils hockey team; authored two Prentice-Hall textbooks on sales management
Dr. Paul van der LaanProfessor of ReligionRenowned international scholar on Pentecostalism; author of five books; former president of the Dutch Assemblies of God Bible College
Irv ZiemannAssociate Professor of English and Foreign LanguagesFulbright Teacher in Greece for two years; translated the novel, The Life in the Tome by Stratis Myrivilis, a well-known Greek writer, as well as a volume of his selected short stories; authored the book, Gaylord DuBois: King of the Comics
Our Southeastern faculty includes:
Bringing Christ to the center of the classroom.We offer music students a unique opportunity:excellence integrated with faith and anointing.
– Dr. Danny Tindall, professor and chair, Department of Music
Is there a typical day at Southeastern? Most days will surely start with
some sort of spiritual awakening, or maybe just a blessing of thanks.
You may opt for a swim in the outdoor pool, a workout in the gym,
or a jog through the neighborhoods by campus. You can attend the
different chapels based on your mood. Feeling the need for shared
Bible study? Visit one of the student-run groups in a smaller chapel.
Of course, the rousing music and motivational speaking draw most to
our main chapel.
Students learn quickly how to balance a schedule of classes, community-
service obligations, study hours, and leisure. Throughout your day, you
might even share a cup of coffee with a professor in the Mi Casa Café.
Southeastern professors pride themselves on their approachability.
Many students and alumni talk about the friendships they have with
their professors. As the sun sets over our Lakeland campus, you may
have a moment to reflect on your whole day, thanking God for the
beauty of it all.
A day in the life
Snowflakes in Florida
Since arriving at Southeastern, I’ve learned to be more mission-minded and more aware of people and their
different situations. I want to someday work in the public education system and maybe even go to medical school if
the Lord allows me to. I would really like to teach healthcare in third-world countries.
– Karim Belle ’12, elementary education
You may be surprised by the diversity of our Lakeland campus.
Southeastern students come from virtually every state in the U.S. and
some 40 countries. Those wonderful differences add to our collective
calling–to celebrate in Christ. And from how you strive for your own
individual excellence to how you treat others is simply another
reflection of Christ. And a way to honor Him on a daily basis.
Matthew Madison ’13
In his first steps toward medical school, Matthew Madison is developing the confidence to ace the tough courses .
Preparing to serve Christ at Southeastern means
you are also preparing to succeed.
I came to Southeastern with high academic expectations.
I had scholarships lined up at both private and public universities, but knew
I wanted the strong spiritual component that Southeastern offers. I am not,
however, sacrificing anything on the academic side.
With the pre-med major, you jump right into your science courses at
Southeastern. In my first year, I took biology, human anatomy, and physiology.
We use the same books as the larger public research universities, and the
curriculum is as demanding as any undergraduate program out there. So
I know I’m being prepared for the challenges of medical school.
Classes are smaller here, and professors are always available for one-on-one
meetings. We pray together and really become a family. The Southeastern focus
on servant leadership also goes hand-in-hand with the compassionate service I
hope to provide as a doctor someday. I’m even looking at gaining some hands-on
experience with a medical internship in India over an upcoming summer break.
It’s a long haul through medical school, so sound scientific footing and an
ethical, Christian focus are keys to my success. At Southeastern, I’m looking
to keep my grade point average up so I can apply to medical school at places
like the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Colorado University, maybe
even Johns Hopkins.
I’m fascinated by the human eye, so I might be an ophthalmologist someday;
maybe an immunologist. But that’s too far away to see now. To be able to
serve Christ and serve the community around me are important stepping
stones for a professional future where I do more of the same in the larger
world. So for me, Southeastern is where that pursuit of excellence begins.
In his first steps toward medical school, Matthew Madison is developing the confidence to ace the tough courses .
There’s no sin in success. However altruistic you are, or hope to someday
be, you must develop your own excellence–your personal strong
suits–to help you better serve Christ and others. Southeastern prepares
you for professional success.
Not sure of a career path? No need to worry; you can figure it out along
the way. Courtney Dean, now majoring in social work, had originally
planned on majoring in ministry. But she had a change of heart when she
discovered her role in the church would be best served by helping families
and individuals in need. With her sights set on an eventual master’s degree,
she plans on making a Christian difference in her own way.
“The professors show us how to integrate faith into our education and
our professions,” says Courtney, who is also gaining professional experience
as a student worker in the school’s Student Development Office.
From the community-service organizations that provide real-world
experience to paid internships, Southeastern students have many
opportunities to build resumes that go beyond classroom learning.
To Become
At Southeastern, 2006 grad Trey Herron fused his personal faith
with his love of the social sciences and found direction for his future.
When Herron transferred to Southeastern in 2005, he wasn’t
planning to go to law school. He liked political science and
the history of public policy, but he thought secular law schools
didn’t mesh with his goal of working for conservative, Christian
organizations. It was at Southeastern, however, that Herron
underwent a process of spiritual and intellectual discovery that
showed him how studying law could help him achieve his goal.
Alongside Christianity, we preach professionalism and openness
from day one at Southeastern. Should you be worried about those
initial days, you’re likely to be pleasantly surprised about the
welcome you receive here.
Through a host of events, including barbecues, concerts, and
other gatherings, you meet friends who are just beginning the
same journey at Southeastern. You become part of a First Year
Experience as one of eight to twelve members led by a returning
student. Within this new circle of friends, you share stories about
where you came from, ask questions, pray, study the Bible, and
simply get to know each other.
From your “Fi r s t” days on campus
Beyond the shining lakes and the fountains, the music lifting its way
through the Florida breeze is something you cannot quite put your
finger on. It’s the welcoming community, perhaps seen in the smile of
a passerby, but really felt in the energy, honesty, and underlying goodness
of a place that can truly feel like home. Or maybe that’s just God’s way
of telling you that you are home.
Southeastern’s Judeo-Christian education prepares graduates to choose the right path
toward their Christ-destined purpose.-Dr. Stephen M. King, Associate Professor of Public Policy
Coming home
While students feel an emotional pull to campus, the business world
demands professional preparation. And employers across Florida and
the southeast are aware of our growing reputation, as well. Companies
arrive on our campus each semester, specifically interested in
hiring our ethically trained graduates. In tough economic times,
employers are especially interested in finding the best hires for their
dollars. Rockwell Collins, one of the world’s leading aerospace and
defense companies, has hired ten Southeastern business majors in
the last couple of years. And as our programs continue to build, the
employers will continue to recruit.
Professional preparation
a producer, Univision Network, Miami
a development director, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
an accountant, KPMG, Tampa
a medical doctor, Afghanistan
a television host, ABC affiliate, Tallahassee
an orbiter planner for the shuttle Discovery, NASA
an editor, NYTV, New York
a manager, Hispanic Affairs, Orlando Magic
a physician’s assistant, Emory University, Atlanta
an executive director, Salt Lake Pregnancy Center
a recording artist and Dove Award winner
a former mayor, Lakeland, Florida
a human resources coordinator, Office of the Governor, Texas
a budget analyst, State of Alaska
a producer, WFLA-TV (NBC), Tampa
a Russian linguist, Department of Defense
a musician, winner of the International Jazz Guild
Trumpet Solo Competition
the National Youth Director, Assemblies of God
the Superintendent of the Polk County School Board
Some Southeastern alums have careers as:
For professional success.
She found both at Southeastern University.
Anna Vuong ’09
Having attended a small, Christian high school,
Anna Vuong wanted a similar setting for college–
without having to sacrifice academic excellence.
One of the most important things I learned at Southeastern is that you can
incorporate biblical principles into an accounting class. Nowadays, with the
current economy, so much depends on business ethics. The professors do a great job
of focusing on both corporate and social responsibility.
Beyond the classroom, I worked an internship at a local accounting firm and was also
the membership coordinator of Southeastern’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) club.
SIFE is a student-led, nationwide organization that works in the surrounding
community. Our projects ranged from financial literacy and business ethics to
environmental sustainability and entrepreneurship.
In just one year we grew from 20 to 60 club members. We taught fourth graders
about buying and selling in the marketplace, showed senior citizens how to email,
and partnered with Sam’s Club to talk to different corporations about going green.
At the end of the year we competed against other SIFE schools in competitions
where our team was judged on how well we created an economic opportunity by
helping others. One year our team was named “Rookie of the Year” and received
first runner-up in regional competition. But winning, placing, or showing was less
important than our ability to give something back.
Beyond the great education I received in the classroom, SIFE has allowed me to
pick up the communication and teamwork skills that will serve me now that I’ve
graduated. As membership coordinator, I wanted to increase membership, but also
ensure team members were properly qualified and had their hearts in the right place.
Now that I’ve graduated, I plan on working in public accounting, but would like to
eventually teach at a university–to pass on what I’ve learned both at Southeastern
and in my work.
She found both at Southeastern University.
The best graduates stay open to learning. Whether you plan to go
straight into the marketplace or attend graduate school, you have the
opportunity, after leaving Southeastern, to make a world of difference.
To flex that servant leadership muscle you have developed here.
In his job as a crime reporter for the Columbia Daily Herald in
Tennessee, Chris Graham, a 2007 graduate, is exposed to true tragedies
in life. Yet because of his Christian education at Southeastern, he
knows his job is more than just recording and writing facts. Covering
a tornado story, Graham interviewed people whose houses were
obliterated and had lost everything. “I just had to tell them that sooner
or later things were going to get better,” he says.
Southeastern graduates are committed to making the world
a better place. You don’t have to be a missionary preacher or a
physician working in a poor part of the world to make a difference.
Though plenty of our graduates have chosen those paths. Some
demonstrate a higher calling through ethical business practices.
Others look to teach and demonstrate Christianity in almost any
profession. And Southeastern prepares you to deliver your best as
both a professional and a person of God.
To Heal
Southeastern is not only preparing professionals,
but healers for tomorrow. Jason Vaillancourt, now
a pre-med major, knows that his Southeastern
experience has helped transform him into the
young man he is today–educated, determined,
and goal-oriented. After he graduates, he plans on
going to dental school. But he also feels a
calling beyond simply setting up a successful
family practice. He wants to share his faith
and expertise worldwide.
“I grew up with a heart for missions,” Jason
says. “After I finish school, I really want to do
a lot of missions.”
But you don’t have to go overseas to help heal
the world. As a teacher in a secular setting,
you can provide a shining example of Christ’s
love in any classroom. You build a business–
not out of greed–but based on ethical and
biblical principles. You can spread Christianity
as a journalist, a scientist, or a psychologist.
And you can get your secular and sacred
training at Southeastern.
Auburn University
Baylor University
Columbia University
Duke University
Emory University
Florida State University
Harvard University
The Juilliard School
Los Angeles Film School
Michigan State University
Princeton University
Regent University
Temple University
University of Florida
University of Ohio
University of South Florida
University of Texas
Vanderbilt University
Wake Forest University
Yale University
Lifelong servant Some Southeastern alums have gone on to graduate school at:
Desiree Montgomery ’12
She could have attended any university in the country.
But after stepping onto Southeastern University’s campus,
she knew she didn’t belong anywhere else.
Desiree Montgomery received a scholarship from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Growing up in Los Angeles, I survived some pretty tough circumstances.
My mother passed away when I was seven; my father was incarcerated.
After middle school, I moved to Lakeland and grew up in foster care in
Florida Baptist Children’s Home. When I visited Southeastern for the first
time in high school, I felt at home–and at peace–the moment I stepped on
campus. That’s why I’m here now.
Eventually, I plan on returning to inner city Los Angeles to teach history. Even
though Southeastern is a Christian university, the program trains us to teach in
public schools where the need for educators is so great. We’re learning we can be
Christians in a public setting without explicitly mentioning Jesus. It’s just a matter
of being there for students and loving them.
On top of all that, I’m really enjoying my college experience. The Southeastern
academic programs are amazingly interesting and challenging. We have wonderful
professors who hold doctorate degrees and have real experience in their chosen fields.
Because of my professors, I know I’m prepared for grad school, which I hope
will be at the University of Southern California. They have a highly regarded
urban education program that aligns perfectly with my professional goals.
On the service front, I’ve mentored at a local elementary school and returned
to the Baptist Children’s Home to offer high school students a workshop on
applying for college and financial aid.
In addition to being the Messiah and the healer, Jesus was also a teacher.
So Christianity and academics go hand in hand. At Southeastern, I’m
getting the most out of my education, but I’m also growing spiritually.
And that’s the best combination you can ask for.
our universitySoutheastern, a university of the Assemblies of God, welcomes students from a variety of denominations. Through graduate and undergraduate degree programs–and on a beautiful Mediterranean-style campus–we offer a vital, Christ-centered education that equips students for a life of world-changing leadership, a variety of professional careers and ministry-related fields.
our campusThink palm trees, orange groves, wide sunsets reflected in sparkling lakes. That’s the setting for our 87-acre campus, where we bask in a semitropical climate with an average annual temperature of 72 degrees. Since 1946 (11 years after the school’s founding in Alabama), our home has been Lakeland, Florida, a city of about 100,000 located midway between Tampa and Orlando.
our peopleMen and women who care about Christ and a career come from all over. Southeastern currently enrolls more than 3,000 students representing 48 states and 40 countries. Our most recent entering class included an ethnic minority population of approximately 25 percent. More than 65 percent of our current faculty hold doctoral degrees in their respective fields.
our daily livesEvery academic program at Southeastern includes biblical studies, professors who care about students’ academic and spiritual growth, and a campus full of people committed to Christ. As a freshman, you belong to one of our small, interactive First Year Experience groups, which gives you 8-12 new friends right away and helps you ease into our academic community. Three mornings each week, our community gets a spiritual boost from chapel–a service enlivened by campus choirs and bands, ensemble groups, college musicians, and an interesting range of well-known guest speakers.
our athleticsA new member of the NAIA Division II, and current member of the NCCAA Division I, Southeastern fields teams in men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, and cheerleading; men’s baseball and golf; and women’s volleyball and tennis. Our varsity teams–nicknamed the Fire–have won recent NCCAA Division II national championships in men’s soccer (2006), men’s baseball (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008), men’s basketball (2005, Final Four in 2006), men’s golf (2007, for the fifth straight year), and cheerleading (2008, 2009).
our graduatesLong after commencement, our graduates remain a part of the Southeastern community. Today, throughout the United States and around the world, Southeastern graduates are living Christ’s message in positions of leadership as teachers, attorneys, clergy, social service and mental health professionals, missionaries, musicians, and business men and women.
our work in the worldAt Southeastern, we consider every kind of work an opportunity to serve and minister. To help you explore your individual calling in the context of your professional goals, we’ve designed our academic programs so that each major field incorporates a variety of career-relevant choices for student ministry and community service. The newest expression of this commitment is our International Studies Program in Jerusalem, offering our students a unique perspective on the historical background of Christianity and its implications for servant leadership in the wider world.
our athleticsA member of the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) and current member of the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association), Southeastern fields teams in men’s and women’s basketball and soccer; men’s golf and baseball; and women’s volleyball, tennis, and cheerleading. Our varsity teams–nicknamed the Fire–have won recent NCCAA Division II national championships in men’s soccer (2006), men’s baseball (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008), men’s basketball (2005, Final Four in 2006), men’s golf (2007, for the fifth straight year), and cheerleading (2008, 2009).
our graduatesLong after commencement, our graduates remain a part of the Southeastern community. Today, throughout the United States and around the world, Southeastern graduates are living Christ’s message in positions of leadership as teachers, attorneys, clergy, social service and mental health professionals, missionaries, musicians, and business men and women.
our work in the worldAt Southeastern, we consider every kind of work an opportunity to serve and minister. To help you explore your individual calling in the context of your professional goals, we’ve designed our academic programs so that each major field incorporates a variety of career-relevant choices for student ministry and community service. The newest expression of this commitment is our International Studies Program in Jerusalem, offering our students a unique perspective on the historical background of Christianity and its implications for servant leadership in the wider world.
On a yearly academic calendar of two semesters plus summer sessions, Southeastern offers programs of study in the following areas:
our programs
College of Arts & SciencesBiologyBroadcastingChurch MusicCommunicationsEnglishEnglish & Intercultural StudiesFilm StudiesHistoryJournalism/Public RelationsMathematicsMusic (B.A.)Music BusinessMusic EducationMusic Performance (Instrumental)Music Performance (Piano)Music Performance (Voice)Pre-Medicine/BiologyPsychologySocial WorkTheatre
College of Business & Legal StudiesAccountingCriminal JusticeFinanceInternational Business LeadershipManagementManagement Information SystemsMarketingPre-LawPublic PolicySports & Recreation Management
College of Christian Ministries & ReligionChurch MinistriesInterdisciplinary StudiesMissional MinistriesPractical Theology
College of EducationElementary (K-6)Exceptional Student Education (ESE)Music EducationSecondary (Biology, English, Mathematics, Social Sciences)
Other ProgramsArmy ROTCThe AcademyTeacher Certification
Graduate ProgramsM.S. Professional CounselingM.S. School CounselingM.Ed. Education (Elementary, Educational Leadership, Teaching and Learning)M.A. Human ServicesM.A. Ministerial LeadershipExecutive M.A. Ministerial LeadershipMaster of Business Administration (MBA)
Online ProgramsB.S. Criminal JusticeB.S. Elementary EducationB.S. Human ServicesB.S. LeadershipB.S. Practical TheologyMaster of Business Administration (MBA)M.A. Ministerial LeadershipM.Ed. Education (Elementary, Educational Leadership, Teaching and Learning)M.A. Human Services
Evening & Weekend ProgramsB.S. Human ServicesB.S. LeadershipB.S. Practical Theology
Southeastern, a dynamic, Christ-centered university,
fosters student success by integrating personal faith and
higher learning. Within our loving Pentecostal community,
we challenge students to a lifetime of good work. We also
prepare them professionally so they can creatively serve
their generation in the spirit of Christ.
A life of preserving, covenant, sharing, seasoning, and healing starts with one call: yours.
If you’ve heard that call, you may be ready to call us.Southeastern University800-500-8760 or 863-667-5018www.seuniversity.edu
Gathered in the Spirit. Equipping for every good work.
And the possibility for your future greatness already resides inside you.
Southeastern may just help you discover that better you.
Your commitment to Christ,
combined with your calling to higher education,
positions you to do better work in this world.
To be that guiding light that makes a Christian difference.
Feeling called? Call Southeastern.
Salt is not what you do. It’s what you are. -James Robison, evangelist
You are the salt of the earth.
1000 Longfellow Blvd.Lakeland, Florida 33801-6034