Congratulations to professor Shelly Hartzell, M.S.M., CPA, CMA, for being awarded the President’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership at Commencement this spring! The Presidents’ Award for Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership honors not only the excellence, but also the professor who models inspiring and motivating transformational leadership we strive to teach our students. Professor Hartzell has brought over 20 years of accounting experience to Bushnell as Associate Professor of Accounting. She has worked to develop innovative programs in the School of Business, Leadership, and Technology and to grow the accounting program enrollment. She is known for integrating faith and ethics into her teaching, making accounting accessible to all learners, and mentoring students with care and purpose. Congratulations, Professor Hartzell! We are incrediblely thankful for all you have done for our students!

Seeing some new faces during our Early Registration event for our incoming new Beacons made our Friday even brighter!

We want to give a very special recognition and thank you to the one and only Jocelyn Hubbs, our Thirty Years of Faithful Service award recipient!   🔹 Jocelyn Hubbs - Vice President for Student Development and Title IX Coordinator   We are incredibly grateful for Jocelyn and her strong commitment to our University throughout her years of faithful service. Her impact on campus has been felt by an immeasurable amount of people that have been and are a part of our Bushnell community. Here’s just a few of the many testimonies on Jocelyn:   “She is a gift to Bushnell in her tireless work to help us fulfill our mission, impacting the lives of our students through her direct engagement with those in the most difficult of circumstances and in her leadership in student development overall today. So very much appreciate you, Jocelyn!”   “Your love for this place and these students is always on display... You have continued to believe that this place is more than we can see just yet, and you remind us all that paying attention to the details today will bring results tomorrow.”   “In all seriousness, I can’t imagine NCC/NCU/Bushnell without Jocelyn... you lead with grace while having a strong vision for the future, knowing full well what our past looked and felt like.  Thank you for all that you do for so many…and for so many years!  You are appreciated and respected by all, who have worked with you and for you!”   Thank you, Jocelyn, for all that you have done for our University!

Bushnell is blooming! 🌹

We want to give a special recognition to our Twenty Years of Faithful Service award winner, Michael Fuller! 🔹 Michael Fuller - Vice President for Enrollment & Special Assistant to the President for Strategic Planning Michael exemplifies the qualities of a true servant leader. His leadership is not only impactful—it reflects a deep, genuine commitment to empowering others and fostering a strong, collaborative community. Micheal loves serving Bushnell and it shows in his work through leading by example through his heart and consistent effort. Thank you for all you have done for our Bushnell community, Michael!

John 15:13 - "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." Wishing our Bushnell community well as we honor and remember the courage, bravery, and memory of those that we have lost their lives in service for our freedoms this Memorial Day.

We want to give a very special thank you to our award recipients for Fifteen Years of Faithful Service to our University! 🔹 Troy Dean - Campus Pastor & Assistant Professor, Christian Ministry Our Pastor Troy has taught us about discipleship, spiritual formation, and most importantly to love Jesus and others. He has not only embodied the role of pastor but also coach, friend, foodie, advocate for those less fortunate, and ambassador of growth - pushing us all to move beyond our comfort zone to lead and serve. 🔹 Dr. Pete Diffenderfer - Professor of Business Dr. Diffenderfer is a positive role model and mentor for students and faculty alike. He shares his wisdom and experience freely to make everyone around him better. We are always impressed with Dr. Diffenderfer's love for Jesus, enthusiasm, kindness, and leadership both in and out of the classroom. 🔹 Dr. Joseph Womack - President Our own President Womack steps up to the plate every day with a heart for the University’s mission and the core values of Christian higher education. His unwavering faith, loyal friendship, strategic vision, and personal investment in students and colleagues alike have not only shaped the trajectory of our institution, but also the lives of those in our Bushnell community. We are incredibly grateful for his leadership!

Last week marked our official Duke Commons Groundbreaking! Located on the 1000 Alder Street property acquired late last year, the new student commons building will allow our Beacons to have a place of their own where they feel free to ideate, fellowship, and enjoy their college years to the fullest, including spaces such as a new dining hall and community areas. Attendees were able to hear from University leadership plans for the future construction and witness the breaking of the ground in front of the former Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. We are grateful to the generous donors who have made this dream a reality. Thank you for all who joined us to celebrate and anticipate the meaningful growth of our campus! You can read more details for Duke Commons at news.bushnell.edu