Freed-Hardeman's alumni make a difference in their congregations and their communities:
Julie Robbins Collins' Music and Education Major has prepared her for her mix of everything job: K-4 Music Instructor; 5-6th Grade Band Instructor; 7-9th Grade Band Instructor; Kindergarten Teacher; and Private Vocal/Piano Instructor at the Northwest Christian School in Clayton OH! "The most valuable classes in my major were Voice, Conducting, and Educational Strategies. Those were my weakest areas before, and now they are much stronger. My favorite class, other than Sonshine Singers/Chorale, was Voice."
Julie says her most valuable class outside of her major was English II with Dr. Becky Cargile. "She improved my writing skills. Over Christmas Break, I graded the 7-8th grade research papers for the semester as a side job. I was also recently offered a job at Northwest Christian teaching 7-8th grade English. English II was also my favorite class outside of my major. GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS ARE SO IMPORTANT IN THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD!
Julie says she definitely believes that FHU helped to prepare her for this chapter in her life. "It helped deepen my faith and Biblical knowledge, and it also gave me tools to encourage weaker members of northern U. S. churches. (Special thanks to Dr. Gary McKnight, Dr. Terry Edwards, Dr. David Lipe, and Dr. Mark Blackwelder)"
Their involvement with the Mid-County Church of Christ in Troy, OH, includes youth group activities, Bible teaching, and a singing ministry. Julie is working with VBS, ladies' prayer groups, teacher resource materials, Bible studies, planning committeess and micellaneous service groups.
We ask anyone who is considering FHU along with other schools to consider why Julie says a state school would have discouraged her from pursing her dream. "The low student-teacher ratio and the faculty encouraged me to go beyond what I dreamed that I could do. They pushed me to do my best, and I am so thankful for that now. As a current teacher in a Christian school system, I now see the imporatance of this atmosphere. It can make or break a student, his success, and his spirituality. For the record, did not go to FHU because of its renowned music department. However, I believe that the atmosphere is unmistakably the best a school can offer. I have great memories there and I miss the hundreds of hours spent in OLD MAIN, my home away from the dorm."
Sasha Growns Gott is utilizing her Music and Secondary Education majors in teaching music to students Pre-K through 4th grade, with some classes in Special Education, in the Jackson Madison-County School in System in Tennessee. She says the experience of Student Teaching was the most vauable in preparation for the classroom. "Conducting was my favorite class in my major. The atmosphere was good and the assisgnments were enjoyable. I always looked forward to that class."
But her most "valuable" class all around was Biology, "I sat by my husband-to-be in there." FHU DOES have a lot to offer!
FHU IS GOING TO GIVE YOU AN EXPERIENCE NO WHERE ELSE ON EARTH CAN. Sasha says that outside of her major, her fav class was Leviticus-Numbers-Deuteronomy with Dr. David Powell. "I never thought those books of the Bible could be as interesting as they were with Dr. Powell."
"I was able to open up a lot more when I came to FHU. It was amazing being surrounded by so many Christians. I felt comfortable to be myself there. I learned and I grew a lot as a person and a Christian. One special thing about FHU when compared with other schools is the atmosphere. I don't know of any other University where you can walk out of your dorm room and literally say "Hello" or nod to every person you meet and they will greet you too. Going to FHU was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I truly miss being there."
"While I was at FHU, I had many social experiences which helped me not to be scared to participate in things after college life. I'm assisting now in teaching 2nd grade Bible classes and helping out wherever I can at the Henderson Church of Christ."
WE WANT YOU TO HAVE THAT FHU EXPERIENCE TOO. DON'T YOU WANT TO BE WHERE YOU CAN GROW ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND IN THE LORD? CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY, BE A PART OF FHU'S FINE ARTS ALUMNI!