Monthly archive: January 2014

On Tuesday, December 31, the $10,000 dollar for dollar matching gift challenge given by Richmont’s Alumni Advisory Council was officially fulfilled thanks to generous gifts from alumni and friends of the university.

“This matching challenge was an extraordinarily generous way to encourage and enhance end of the year giving,” said Richmont’s president, Bob Rodgers. “The Alumni Advisory Council has been incredibly generous and creative in their pursuit of Richmont’s mission. It was a blessing to watch so many committed individuals and families give sacrificially in order for Richmont to flourish.”

This year, based on current alumni association enrollment, the university is anticipating the highest level of alumni engagement in the history of the institution. Additionally, the university is preparing to graduate the second largest classes in Richmont’s 81 year history.

“”These gifts demonstrate a wonderful outpouring of generosity and commitment by the alumni,” said Alumni Advisory Council Chair, Lavinia Myers. “I am so pleased to see this initiative be fully realized.”

Atlanta, GA and Chattanooga, TN – (January 23, 2014)

This winter, clinical faculty member, Dr. Dan Sartor, and Richmont’s president, Bob Rodgers, co-authored a new book titled God is With Us. Offering daily reflections from the gospels of Matthew and Luke, God is With Us seeks to help individuals and families scripturally prepare their minds and hearts during the advent season as the church awaits the celebration of Christ’s birth.

“Nothing is as gripping as the majesty of God’s love for us—He longs to be with us and has chosen to be with us in the common and broken aspects of being human,” said Dr. Sartor. “It was a deeply rewarding experience to join Bob in reflecting on the profound ways that God came to be with us and continues to be present with us today. We pray this simple little book will stir each reader’s awareness of the comfort and joy of Emmanuel: God is with us!”

“It was an incredible privilege to work with Dan in order to compile this booklet,” said Richmont’s President, Bob Rodgers. “We hope this book will help friends and alumni of Richmont find peace and grow closer to Christ during the holiday season for many years to come.”

To receive a free copy of God is With Us, please connect with Christianna Luy in the Office of the President via email: cluy@richmont.edu or phone: 404-835-6118.

Atlanta, GA – (January 21, 2014)

On Saturday, January 25, Dr. Dan Sartor, licensed clinical psychologist, Nationally Certified Counselor, and Associate Professor of Counseling at Richmont Graduate University, will provide a one-day training called: “Attending to Sexual Crises: Triage 101 for First Responders.” Hosted by Cedartown Congregational Holiness Church, the event will help pastors, youth leaders, church staff and volunteers, lay leaders, counseling professionals, therapists, school teachers, caregivers and social workers to understand pornography and sexual addiction. It will also help them develop the ability to know what to say, what not to say, and what to do with individuals and families facing sexual crises.

“I’m honored to join forces with the True Intimacy Project in this event,” said Dr. Sartor. “The True Intimacy Project is a non-profit organization that works ardently to comprehensively address the issues of human trafficking in Atlanta and in Northwest Georgia. Their work has revealed under-addressed issues of sexual addiction and brokenness in our suburban communities and churches. We hope to provide information, resources, support, and encouragement to our pastors, ministers, and ministry leaders in our community as they labor toward the spiritual and relational well-being of our community with regard to human sexuality.”

Dr. Sartor will be joined by DeVon Mills as he currently serves as a pastor in northern Gwinnet County while also pursuing his Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Richmont. Throughout the one-day conference, Sartor and Mills will focus on the following: 

• What is sexual and/or pornographic addiction?

• How does sexual and/or pornographic addiction develop

• How can the Church best address sexual addiction?

• How does healing happen?

In order to register for this event, interested parties can visit www.ReclaimHopeGA.com. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude around 3 p.m. The cost of attendance is $20 and lunch will be provided. This workshop is made possible in large part thanks to the True Intimacy Project.

ATLANTA, GA – (January 13, 2014)

At the end of 2013, Lois Bushong, a 1990 graduate of the Psychological Studies Institute (now Richmont Graduate University), published her first book on counseling titled: Belonging Everywhere & Nowhere: Insights into Counseling the Globally Mobile. A licensed marriage and family therapist, Bushong’s book focuses on counseling the “globally mobile” or Third Culture Kids (TCK) and Third Culture Adults (TCA). Her book is the first of its kind on how to effectively counsel clients raised outside of their parents’ home culture. Additionally, with the rapid growth amidst the expat community, Bushong’s book provides incredibly helpful and timely insights for counselors who are working with the unique circumstances faced by TCK and TCA populations. Readers will discover the basic characteristics and counseling skills effective with Third Culture populations as well as practical examples, interesting stories, tips, charts, resources, theories, techniques and discussion questions for further study.

For more than 20 years, Bushong has worked with and presented to many mission agencies, military, diplomatic and corporate organizations. Several universities are also considering ways to incorporate her subject matter into current curriculum. Her book, which retails for approximately $17, is for purchase here on Amazon.com. When not writing, Bushong is an adjunct faculty member in the Graduate Counseling Department at Indiana Wesleyan University (Marion, Indiana). Fluent in Spanish, Bushong also serves counseling clients through her private practice, Quiet Streams Counseling, in Fishers, Indiana.

CHATTANOOGA, TN – (January 7, 2014)

Richmont Graduate University, in partnership with the Chattanooga Coalition Against Human Trafficking and Second Life of Chattanooga, will present the 3rd annual “Unite. Wear White” event on Friday, January 10, 2014. Serving as the local expression of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, the event will educate, inspire and mobilize organizations and individuals to partner together against human trafficking in Hamilton County.

“The Chattanooga Coalition Against Human Trafficking exits to create a community that is truly unified in the response to and prevention of human trafficking in all its forms,” said Jerry Redman, Managing Senior Partner of Second Life of Chattanooga, a co-founding member of the Coalition. “Unite. Wear White” is one of the ways that we highlight that unified response, as well as strengthen and grow the Coalition.”

This year’s free and public event will be held at the Chattanooga Choo Choo’s Imperial Ballroom. Doors will open at 9am and the program will begin at 9:45am. Additionally, the keynote speaker for the event is Ed Stanton, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.

“Hearing from Ed Stanton this year will be an incredible honor as his office is a national leader in addressing human trafficking crimes,” said Richmont’s President, Bob Rodgers.  “Those of us at Richmont look forward to partnering with the Chattanooga Coalition Against Human Trafficking and Second Life of Chattanooga as they are valuable voices calling for justice in our communities.”

For more information on this Friday’s event, please visit www.secondlifechattanooga.org/the-coalition or email contact@secondlifechattanooga.org.

ATLANTA, GA – (December 30, 2013)

Current Licensed Professional Counseling student Katie Rider’s thesis was published on December 30, 2013 by Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention. Titled: “Religious Coping Style as a Predictor of the Severity of Anorectic Symptomology,” Rider’s thesis was also accepted for presentation in March 2013 by the Southeastern Psychological Association’s (SEPA) annual conference, which was held in Atlanta, Georgia.

Preparing to graduate in May 2014, Rider has pursued Richmont’s Licensed Professional Counseling track with a specialization in addictions. Her impressive senior thesis, in particular, offers empirical data regarding anorexic patients’ views of God’s grace and religious coping styles.

Reflecting on her thesis research Rider said, “I’m excited about this research because it empirically demonstrates the importance and value of incorporating religion, and Christian religious themes in particular, into the anorexia treatment process.” 

Richmont faculty Drs. DeAnne Terrell and Timothy Sisemore supported Rider in her thesis efforts and serve as second and third authors on the accepted article. Additionally, Dr. Janet Hecht of Talent by Design Consulting provided valuable statistical assistance.

 “As Director of Research, I am most proud of Katie’s work.  She is a role model for researchers in her diligence, time management, clarity of thought, use of resources, and writing style,” said CBI Director and Richmont Faculty member, Dr. Tim Sisemore. “I am delighted for her to publish her thesis, though frankly I am not in the least surprised.”