Job Summary: The Financial Aid Counselor performs various duties necessary to support the delivery of financial aid to students in a diverse campus environment. The Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for counseling a caseload of students and parents on the financial aid process and can communicate complex financial aid information clearly and concisely. Program responsibilities include day-to-day processing of Federal Direct Loans, Federal Pell grants, and Georgia Grant. The Financial Aid Counselor will assist with coordination of internal procedures and efforts to ensure timely delivery of financial aid funds to students and exercise professional judgment under the supervision of the director to determine treatment of exceptional circumstances.
Specific Responsibilities:
Provide timely, accurate, and comprehensive counseling and advisement to all current and prospective students and families by video, phone, in person, text, and email to deliver exceptional service
Works closely with Admissions to ensure all prospective students have completed files and are properly awarded
Provide advice to students and their family regarding the financial aid process, including financial aid eligibility, award of financial aid packages, balance owed on the student’s account, how to set up payment plans, applying for additional loans, and other payment options
Responsible for timely responses and process of the Student Financial Aid email box
Responsible for answering all incoming calls to the Financial Aid Office and timely response to voice mail
Review of student’s account for adjustments to financial aid because of discrepancies with credit load, housing, budget, etc.
Research pending aid
Oversee scholarship awards and state-funded programs (HOPE, GTEG, etc.)
Reviewing a variety of the required verification documents, federal tax documents, and other documents that the financial aid office may request with the student data listed on the FAFSA and making the necessary corrections.
Follow up with students to complete financial aid files.
Work with students who are at or near aid limits regarding options to complete their education.
Counsel families and students regarding verification changes, the effects on their financial aid award, and the appeals process
Promoting an image of efficiency and courtesy throughout the university community and consistent with the department’s mission, attending staff meetings and training sessions as requested, communicating effectively with supervisors concerning pertinent departmental and university matters
Perform related duties as necessary to support the Thomas University mission
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree
Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office, specifically Access, Excel, and Word.
Exceptional customer service, problem solving and communication skills.
Preferred:
Experience working at a college/university, preferably in financial aid and with Adult Learners.
Understand financial aid awarding and Title IV eligibility for undergraduate and graduate students, the verification process, and Cost of Attendance components.
Knowledge of Title IV federal regulations.
Experience with Higher Education software platforms desired; knowledge of CAMS and CampusLogic preferred
Skills:
Must be detail-oriented
Excellent customer service skills
Professional oral and written communication skills
Excellent organizational skills
Process information quickly and accurately
Able to work independently and prioritize multiple tasks in a high-volume environment
Comments Off on Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) Scholarship
Thomas University is proud to nominate one international student to receive an ambassadorial scholarship from the Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) for the 2024-2025 academic year. The scholarship will be a minimum of $5,000 for the academic year.
MISSION
GRSP provides scholarships to advance cultural understanding and social experiences through friendship, develops potential global leaders, and expands the ideals of Rotary around the world.
Requirements
Applicants must be non-athletes accepted to Thomas University.
Applicants must be between 18 and 25 years of age and must not have previously studied in the United States for longer than four months.
Applicants who are married, or engaged to be married, are not eligible to be awarded a GRSP scholarship.
Candidates holding dual U.S. citizenship are not eligible.
Attend at least 25% of the club(s) weekly meetings, service projects, or fund-raising events.
Required by GRSP to attend at least three weekend conclaves: Orientation Conclave in August, the Leadership Weekend in January in Atlanta and the Rotary District Conference in the spring.
Interested in Applying?
After being accepted to Thomas University, interested candidates need to prepare a brief essay about how advancing their cultural understanding will help them achieve goals, both professionally and personally. The essay should be no more than one page.
Comments Off on Military Transition Football Program Takes the Field!
At approximately 12:03 PM on Saturday, September 2nd, the Night Hawks made history when toe was put to leather, as Thomas kicked off the Nations’s only military transition football program.
Thomas University, located in historic Thomasville, Georgia, invites applications for the position of Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA).
Reporting to the President, the Vice President for Finance and Administration is responsible for providing leadership and management of the financial resources of the University. Additionally, the VPFA serves as a member of the University’s senior leadership team and is responsible for financial planning and analysis, leading the budgeting process, cash management and the management of institutional debt, and risk management. The Business Office, Campus Store, Information Technology, Buildings and Grounds, Human Resources, and Food Services report to the VPFA.
Responsibilities:
Reports directly to the President;
Collaborates with the President and senior administrative team members in setting the direction of the University and achieving key strategic goals;
Works closely with the Board of Trustees and serves as the administrative liaison for the Finance and Endowment Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Property and Facilities Committee;
Serves as the Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for leadership and overall management of the University’s operating budget, financial accounting, audit, endowment management, risk management, and contract management;
Serves as the Chief Financial Officer and provides leadership and supervision for employees in the business office, information technology, buildings and grounds, and auxiliary enterprises.
Qualifications:
Required:
Master’s degree in business, accounting, finance, or a related field, and experience in financial management.
Demonstrated expertise in strategic financial planning, financial analysis, asset management, debt financing, and accounting.
Strong preference given for candidates with professional certification in accounting.
Desired Attributes and Skills:
Competitive candidates will meet or exceed the qualifications listed above and will, in addition:
Be prepared to take the lead in educating all key University stakeholders – especially the Trustees, but also employees, current and prospective donors, and alumni – about the finances of Thomas University.
Model a commitment to outstanding customer service for all who have financial interactions with the University.
Work proactively to ensure that budget managers and other key stakeholders are engaged in a collaborative process of building, monitoring, and complying with operating budgets.
Actively support strategic decision making about new University facilities, renovations and updates to current facilities, and effective deployment of IT for instructional and administrative purposes.
Be adept with use of pro formas and modeling to support evaluation of current operations and possible new program offerings and related investments.
Work effectively as a member of a senior leadership team that values and invites direct and candid discussion and debate as the key to effective, collaborative decision making.
About Thomas University:
Located in the beautiful historic city of Thomasville, Georgia, Thomas University is a regionally accredited, non-profit university with a rich history. TU’s highest goal is to provide an educational experience that explores and develops each student’s full potential. Situated on 75 acres just 30 miles north of Tallahassee, Florida, TU offers associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and education specialist degrees at its main campus and online.
Opening its doors in 1950, Thomas University is now a four-year co-educational university that serves the needs of Southern Georgia and Northern Florida by providing quality education through a dynamic learning environment and innovative models for reaching learners by its caring faculty and staff. TU has not only become the school of choice for this region but has also taken its dynamic educational programs worldwide. In addition to the hundreds of international students who have earned their degrees at the campus in Thomasville, GA, TU also offers programs through partnerships with respected schools and organizations around the globe.
TU’s student body includes traditional students, professionals returning to college, members of the military, and citizens from around the globe who study on the main campus in Thomasville and online. TU students participate in a wide variety of activities, including 14 varsity and junior varsity sports.
Recent Accomplishments:
In 2017, Thomas University opened the Center for Professional Learning offering customized training and certification preparation classes in a variety of areas including contracting, cyber security and project management.
The Center for Military Life was established in 2018 to support military personnel and their families’ service throughout the military from pre-enlistment to veteran status. TU is a proud partner with the Community College of the Air Force offering seamless transfer of CCAF associate degrees to TU bachelor’s degree programs. TU is also an approved General Education Mobile (GEM) provider for Air Force personnel. Thomas University is an active participant in voluntary education programs for all branches, providing access to quality education. The Veterans Services and Career Transition Center is available to all veterans and active-duty personnel on campus and in the surrounding area.
Accolades:
Ranked #1 on the “30 Top Hidden Gems Colleges in Georgia” by Online School Guide.
Educational Leadership Degree names TU’s Master’s Degrees in Educational Leadership “One of the Most Affordable in the South Atlantic Region”.
Ranked #2 in the “Top 10 List of Military Friendly Schools” by Viqtory Media.
Thomas University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees.
Why Consider the Opportunity:
Momentum. Under the accomplished leadership of President J. Andrew Sheppard, Thomas University has made significant gains in the scope and impact of its programs and is enjoying, as a consequence, enrollment growth, improved financial health, and strengthened community support.
Versatility and Relevance. The University’s comprehensive mission, practical focus on career preparation, and ability to excel in delivering programs to many kinds of students both on the main campus and online, is highly relevant for today’s competitive higher education marketplace.
Collaborative Leadership. The leadership team models collaboration, energy, creativity, discipline, and enthusiasm.
Impact. The Vice President for Finance and Administration/CFO will play an integral role in advancing the University and its beneficial impact in the region and beyond.
To Apply:
Thomas University welcomes employment applications of those who bring dimension and expertise to its students and administration.
Acceptance of inquiries, nominations, and applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and list of five professional references with contact information. Parties are encouraged to apply by September 24, 2023.
All applications and nominations will be held in confidence.
Thomas University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
What’s new at TU? There is a LOT going on this summer. Below are just a few of the exciting changes being made in time for Fall 2023.
+Pinetree Dormitory Remodeling
Pinetree Residence Hall is undergoing some renovations.The improvement project of the residence hall includes resurfacing the parking lot, interior painting, expansion of the dining hall, installation of showers, and upgrades to the common and laundry areas.
Maurice Blakely, director of facilities management at Thomas University, said the walls inside the residence hall, including in the common area, dining area, laundry room, gaming area and hallways, will be painted in an agreeable gray color, and the trims will be painted in an off-white color. The colors of the walls were previously white and green.
The parking lot has been resurfaced and expanded from 30 parking spaces to 45. The parking spaces will be at the front and behind the residence hall.
The dining area was expanded to include another 1,735 square feet. The expanded dining includes the area as you enter the residence hall from the front of the building. A common area is now located in back of the dining area and includes a gaming area with a pool table, TVs, and couches.
Two years ago, 15 showers were installed in the students’ dorm rooms. This summer, the remaining 18 are being replaced with new showers.
The laundry rooms will include two additional washers and dryers. In total, it will have six washers and six dryers.
+Football Practice Field
TU is in process of developing practice fields on the Magnolia campus for both men’s and women’s football.The two football fields will each be 110 yards. They will be located adjacent to each other in front of the gymnasium. The fields will be grass, and there will be huddle cameras above the fields to record practices. The field will be completed by the end of July.Stay tuned for updated pictures!
+Strength and Conditioning Room
TU has reconfigured the workout room to better prepare all our student athletes for their sport. Check out our new equipment! The strength and conditioning room has more than 400 pieces of equipment for all TU student-athletes who participate in a variety of sports, including baseball, basketball, swimming, track and field, flag football, football, soccer, and softball, among others.
“Our goal as a strength and conditioning staff is to get our athletes bigger, faster, and stronger while at the same time working on maintaining (or gaining) mobility/flexibility in the process, with the end goal of creating a more “complete & versatile” student-athlete based on the needs of each individual sport,” Corey Potter, director of strength and conditioning, said.
Athletes can do different exercises in the strength and conditioning room such as back squats, front squats, split squats, rear foot elevated split squats, deadlifts, hang cleans, power cleans, push presses, bench presses, incline bench presses, military presses, pull-ups, dumbbell bench presses, dumbbell incline bench presses, dumbbell rows, dumbbell rows, dumbbell military presses, and other things.
Types of equipment:
15 Olympic Racks & Platforms (each rack includes (1) adjustable bench, multiple pull-up bar attachments, landmine attachment, and multiple resistance bands)
2 Dumbbell Sections (each dumbbell section has 4 adjustable benches, 2 sets of 5 lbs.-50 lbs. dumbbells and 1 set of 55 lbs.–100 lbs. dumbbells)
For Injured Athletes/Athletes going through Rehabilitation
Programs:
2 Leg Press Machines
1 Leg Extension Machine
1 Leg Curl Machine
1 Iso-Lateral Chest and Back Machine
1 Hip & Glute Machine
1 Lat Pulldown Machine
Cardio Equipment:
5 Treadmills
5 Ellipticals
4 Stationary Bikes
+NEW! Learning Commons and Student Activity Room
TU has totally remodel the old library to provide a better place for students to do group work, receiving tutoring assistance and a place to just hang out with friends. Library materials are still available for research and class projects. Movies, virtual reality head sets, tons of games available!
“We wanted to make the Library space into a new Learning Commons, which will provide an environment for our students with the most comfortable atmosphere to assist with their studies,” Tiffeny McCardel, Learning Commons Technical Assistant, said.
The Learning Commons has 19 individual study carrels, 24 tables for collaborative work, and two private study rooms that have a smart TV, table,and chairs. There is also a comfortable seating area that has a couch and four comfy chairs, and four new oversized bean bag chairs.
There are two computer labs with 23 computers and two large printers.
Students can not only study, but they can play games. The Learning Commons has two MetaQuest VR headsets.
“We are really excited about these and they have become a hit among students, faculty, and staff,” McCardel said. “Patrons can play games such as Beat Saber, Space Pirates, and virtual golf or meditate using a guided meditation app. We also have an app to help with studying called Librarium, students can add flashcards and play games involving finding the hidden cards and then shooting the correct answer when they pop up.”
“MLK: Now is the Time” and “Anne Frank House” were recently added to the VR experience. Both of which bring history to life in a new and immersive environment.
Another new amenity that is available is a small coffee station that is sponsored by CAB. Students can grab a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
There are some books available in the Learning Commons, but the vast majority are in a storage area. Students can request books by visiting TU’s online catalog by clicking this link. The books will then be placed on hold. Staff will retrieve the books and notify the student when it is available for pickup. Students can also send an email to tulibrary@thomasu.edu to get any updates.
+Football Equipment Room
Nice to have a place to store all the equipment…and industrial-sized laundry equipment! The equipment room is where football helmets, shoulder pads, cleats, mouth pieces, girdles and more are stored. Field equipment such as footballs, tackle bags, and other practice gears are housed in that room as well. There are washers and dyers in the equipment room.
+NEW! Exercise Science Major Gets Lab
The Exercise Science and Sports Management majors will be able to get some ‘hands on’ experience with a new lab just for them! The facility is being built out on the second floor of the Gymnasium building.
+Men’s Football Locker Room
Our new locker room for men’s football looks awesome! The locker room was completed in May. It has 115 lockers where athletes can store their personal belongings. There are also 11 showers and 6 bathrooms. Players can listen to music while they are in the locker room.
+FIRST TU Men’s Football Camp
These are pictures of our first ever team practice. We are having our spring practice ‘late’ so that we could bring in our new recruits to practice with the players who started classes last year. Great opportunity to build teamwork!
+Women’s Flag Football Locker Room
The new Women’s Flag Football locker room looks awesome! There are 56 lockers, so each athlete can use two. There are three-bathroom stalls with two showers. There is also a head coaches’ office inside in the locker room.
+Success Advisors Move Offices to Magnolia Campus
The advising staff at Forbes Campus will be moving to the Magnolia Campus. This provides easier access to advising staff for on-campus students.
+New and Improved Conference Rooms on Magnolia Campus
There are two new conference rooms at the Magnolia Campus, a large room and a small room.The large conference room has a seating capacity of 72 people. It has a short-throw projector with a computer lectern and a six-speaker sound system connected to the lectern computer.
The small conference room has a seating capacity of about eight people. It can be used to host smaller meetings. It has a 75” Newline touchscreen panel with a built-in computer along with a Poly video conferencing device with AI tracking. The AI tracking allows the camera to track whoever the speaker is in the room as they move throughout the room.
“Anyone at TU that may need a space can use them,” Kurt Stringfellow, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Athletic Director, said.
+TU Rolls Out New Meal Plan
Thomas University is offering a new meal plan to all students.The new meal plan provides students with 19 meals per week at the Pinetree Residence Hall. The plan includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner on weekdays, along with brunch and dinner on weekends.
The meal plan is included in the housing package for Pinetree student residences. Other students can purchase the meal plan.
In addition to the new meal plan, students are required to swipe their new student ID cards to get meals at the Pinetree Residence Hall.
Previously, students were offered 10 meals per week — breakfast and dinner from Monday – Friday.
+TU Partners with Vet Center
Thomas University will be a satellite location for the Tallahassee Vet Center beginning this Fall.Stephen Ferguson, Vice President for Military and Corporate Relations at TU, said the Vet Center will provide resources and services to veterans in the area as well as those attending TU.
Ferguson said TU began its military and veterans’ program in 2017 when there were a small number of military-affiliated students enrolled. Now the program has ballooned to nearly 300 military-affiliated students. TU will also hold the inaugural season of its military transition football team with the first game on September. 2.
“We have grown our veterans and military programming to where there is a real need for Veteran’s Administration personnel to be on our campus to assist with mental health counseling, education benefits, disability benefits, referral to other resources or other veteran services organizations,” he said.
TU has had a longstanding relationship with the Tallahassee Vet Center. Since 2017, TU and the Tallahassee Vet Center have been working on different initiatives including referring TU vets or other area vets that have engaged with TU for assistance with services specific to homelessness, mental health issues, and childcare services. The Vet Center has also done numerous presentations at TU.
The Tallahassee Vet Center was using a facility in Thomasville to provide group counseling, group therapy, and one-on-one meetings with veterans and their families in the area. However, Ferguson said it was not conducive to the schedule of some veterans, so TU offered the Tallahassee Vet Center the opportunity to use the campus.
“This opportunity is great,” Ferguson said. “It does not only raise the profile of TU’s veterans programming, but allows TU to become a centralized hub for veterans in the surrounding areas. The VET Center provides a variety of services, including counseling and referrals to VA services and other resources.
After a 4 hour layover in Istanbul and 18 hours from take off, we arrived in Israel.
+Jaffa and Caesarea
After spending an easy day in Jaffa recovering from jet lag, our group set out for Caesarea.
Caesarea was the capital of Roman rule in the Judea. King Herod the great built it in honor of Caesar in Rome. The temple and complex are massive with an amphitheater, palace, hippodrome, pool, harbor and more.
The religious significance includes an artifact called the Pilate Stone. The Pilate Stone has an inscription referring to Pontius Pilate who was the governor of Judah during the time of Christ.
View from hotel in Jaffa
Shopping in Jaffa
Entrance to Caesarea
Caesarea complex
+Akko (Acre)
Traveling north, we visited Akko, also known as Acre. Here we saw a massive fortress built by the crusaders, including Knights Hall and Templar’s tunnel. The Templars used this tunnel to escape the castle during the crusades.
+Magdala and Sea of Galilee
We have stopped in Magdala for three days, next to the Sea of Galilee. This is where they believe Mary Magdalene got her name as she may have been from this city.
On Saturday, we sailed the Sea of Galilee. We saw an ancient boat that was from the time of Jesus, perhaps similar to one that He used to fish.
Zippori has a 5th century synagogue. We also saw a 1st century Jewish village that was close to Nazareth. It is more than likely that Jesus would have visited this village.
In Nazareth we visited the Church of Annunciation where the Angel appeared to Mary.
+Capernaum
On the north side of the Sea of Galilee is Capernaum. The house of the apostle Peter is here. Jesus and the other apostles where from there as well.
The dark stones are part of the foundation from the synagogue during the time of Jesus. Prayers are placed into crevices in the walls much like the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.
This is the synagogue built on top of the one Jesus would have visited.
+Caesarea of Philippi
Caesarea Philippi has been associated with a variety of religions and was known for the worship of Pan, the half man, half goat image of Greek and Roman mythology. There was also a shrine for both Zeus and Caesar.
Here in Caesarea Philippi is where Jesus said to Peter ‘On this rock I will build my church”. This has important symbolism because the Gates of Hell were believed to be here (pictured below). Therefore, Jesus was indicating that through Him death is overcome.
+Palace of Agrippa, II, Tiberius, Caesarea Maritima
Visiting the ruins of the Palace of Agrippa, II were very interesting. The information plaques with sketches helped to visualize what it must have looked like.
In Tiberius, we found the ruins of a theatre built during the time of Jesus. A theatre like this could have been where Jesus gave his beatitudes sermon.
Dr. Beth Sheppard stands in the inner harbor of Caesarea Maritima (grassy area). This is the city where the Apostle Paul was imprisoned before being tried by Governors Felix and Festus. The arched rooms in the background were used as storage warehouses when the harbor was in use.
And when you travel with TU, you eat well!
+Masada and Qumran
Masada…what an amazing place! This is a site of a battle at the end of the First Jewish-Roman War from 73 to 74 CE. Forty years earlier, Herod the Great had built two palaces for himself on the mountain and fortified the plateau.
Then, we are off to Qumran, the discovery site of the Dead Sea scrolls. We saw how Essenes, a Jewish sect, lived and visited Cave #4 where the first scrolls where found.
Finally, we stopped by the Dead Sea and took a dip. Well, kind of! It was fun to see everyone float!
Our tour of Jerusalem began at the Mount of Olives. Some of the olive trees are said to be 2,000 years old. You can see the dome of the Dome of the Rock in the background of the picture below.We then walked down to the Garden of Gethsemane. There was truly a Holy and spiritual feeling here!
At the Israel Museum, they had a scale replica of the old Jerusalem. The big square in the forefront is the second temple.
The Church of the Nativity was amazing! The small doorway in the first picture below is the entrance.
You can descend down a stairway to see the place of Christ’s birth which is under the Church. The silver star supposedly marks the place of His birth.
We started out today by visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Church stands over two holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem. The Great Basilica or Martyrium encloses the traditional site of Calvary in one corner. Across the way, the Anastasis (Resurrection) encloses the cave tomb of Jesus’ burial. The church was consecrated in 335 CE. The wooden doors of the church’s main entrance are still the original doors from 326 CE.
Three denominations share ownership of the Church: Greek Orthodox, Catholics and Armenian Orthodox. You can see in the picture below a small ladder near the top, left-hand window. This ladder is said to be 100 years old. It is still there because the three denominations cannot agree on whether or not to remove it.
It is difficult to see, but there is a man under the alter in the picture below. He is touching the possible place where Jesus was crucified.
This picture is to the entrance of the cave tomb said to be where Jesus was laid and resurrected.
We then walked part of the Via Dolorosa (the last 4 stations of the cross are located in the Church or the Sepulcher.) This is a processional route in the Old City that represents the path Jesus would have taken on the way to His crucifixion.
We also visited the Western Wall (also known as the Wailing Wall). This is a section of the old temple wall and is a holy place for the Jewish faith as it is the closest they can get to the Temple Mount. Men and women pray at opposite ends of the wall ( not together ).
Below is a picture of a vendor stand selling spices. Included is Frankincense and Myrrh. I’ve always heard of them but had no idea what they looked like!
We walked down to the City of David. This is considered to be the original settlement of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, so many streets are actually built above the old city streets. However, in a few places excavation allows us to actually walk on the where Jesus may have trod. This part has been excavated down to the streets of 2000 years ago.
Here’s a picture of our group sitting on the southern steps going into Jerusalem. At one time, there were gates in the wall, but they have been filled in. These steps date back 2000 years. Jesus may well have walked here!
Very thankful for Drs Beth and Riedel for helping us find true places where Jesus may have walked. At both locations, we were the only ones there as everyone was putting so much attention on the celebrated sites.
+Jerusalem Day 3
What an exciting day! We started out by visiting the Dome of the Rock. It is not actually a mosque. There is a mosque on the Temple Mount, but the Dome of the Rock is more of a historical place. It was built in the late 7th century CE. According to the Muslim faith, this marks the spot where the Prophet Muhammad was taken up into heaven for an encounter with God.
Below is the view of Old Jerusalem from the Temple Mount. The two gray domes in the background are the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
We had to go through a couple security checkpoints to reach Temple Mount. If you are not in the correct attire (if you are wearing shorts), they gave you a skirt to wear like the person wearing the green skirt with yellow stipe below.
The Bethesda pool–below is just a portion as most are now covered by other buildings. It was interesting to learn how accurate the Biblical description of the Bethesda pools are to the real thing! Clearly, whomever was writing that had personal knowledge.
We also visited the Antonio Fortress. This was built by Herod the Great and named for Mark Antony. It’s chief function was to protect the Second Temple. This may have been were Pontius Pilot’s tried Jesus for high treason.
The Garden Tomb. They make a compelling case that Jesus ‘could have been’ buried here, but were also clear that no one really knows for sure where he was entombed.
Taking a trip like this one with TU has been amazing! We are learning not only about our Christianity, but other faiths as well. We are understanding why we believe the way we do. As I mentioned yesterday, having New Testament scholars as our guides adds so much, providing a rich history with compelling narratives.
+Jericho, Hisham’s Palace
Today is our last day in Israel. It has been a wonderful trip!
In Jericho, there is a sycamore tree. It is meant to symbolize the story of Zacchaeus climbing a sycamore tree to see Jesus.
Hisham’s Palace ruins are close to Jericho. These ruins were built in the 8th century CE. Spreading over 150 acres, the site consists of three parts: the Palace, a bath complex and an agricultural estate.
This Palace has the largest display of Mosaic floors than any other ancient site. The camera here does not do it justice!
This beautiful mosaic is meant to represent the Tree of Life
On to Jericho! Jericho is one of the earliest and continuous settlements in the world, dating perhaps from 9000 BCE. Below are pictures of the ruins.
From Jericho, we travelled in to the Judean wilderness. The first picture below is one of a monastery that was built in the mountains where a river runs through the valley. The river runs from Jerusalem to Jericho and is more than likely the route used during Biblical times. This was our last day in Israel. Off to Turkey!
+Istanbul
After a very early morning flight from Israel to Turkey, (no, we didn’t arrive by camel!), we arrived at the Istanbul airport. Our first stop was the bizarre and spice market. It is an unbelievable market to say the least!
We also took a boat ride that allowed us to see the architectural differences between where Europe and Asia meet. The two differences can be seen on the opposite cost from each other. Istanbul has a population of more than 18 million people. Istanbul is important to Christianity because Constantine, the Roman Emperor, moved the capital of the Roman empire to Istanbul. With his conversion to Christianity, he helped spread the message world-wide.
On Sunday we visited an area that was once a Hippodrome. Roman horse and chariot racing took place here (think movie Ben Hur). The Hippodrome is a long oval using a little imagination you can see how the tree line on each side would be the outside with the obelisk in the center of the track. Many activities happened at hippodromes from races to community events, including public humiliation for conquered foes.
We visited a mosque that for many years was a church, then a museum. It is called the Hagia Sophia. It has recently been converted to a mosque and some of the important Christian mosaics on the upper level are no longer on display. This was quite disappointing to our group especially recognizing the important of the Byzantine Empire and it’s relation to Christianity.
We also visited a market for Turkish rugs and of course saw a demonstration of how they are made. It takes 6 months for a medium sized wool rug and 1-3 years, depending on the size, for those made of silk. The artist pictured has a true gift!
The Basilica Cistern is ‘off the chart’ amazing. It has been in James Bond movies and Dan Brown’s book movies. It has 336 columns, unbelievable square footage and incredible height and beauty. And it is just a cistern! The Basilica Cistern is the largest, ancient underground cistern in Istanbul. It was built by order from Emperor Justanian in 535 CE as a project of rebuilding the cistern after riots. Cisterns in general were spread everywhere around Istanbul during Byzantinian times and provided water for use of residents.
The ‘column of tears’ (above) is part of the cistern to recognize those that died during it’s construction.
So, with my final entry in this blog, I would like to share a quote from Dr. Griggs, one of our team members. “Meaningful memories are never about the places, but they are about relationships.” So yes, I visited incredible sites and history that was educational but I do agree with Dr. Griggs. The relationships formed through this experience will last a lifetime. We are taking about our next expedition. Join us and have your life changed!
Comments Off on Artificial Intelligence and National Security
Join us for a discussion regarding Artificial Intelligence and National Security on April 26th from 11 to 1 p.m. The speaker will be Dr. Blake Howald, Director of Data Science and R&D at Thomson Reuters Special Services (TRSS). Dr. Howald also serves as an expert in TU’s Center for Military Life Armed Services Institute.
With increasing sophistication and ease of use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like ChatGPT, it is essential to safely balance the power that these technologies provide with real world knowledge and understanding. Explore successes and limitations of balancing Artificial Inteligence and National Security with examples from data scientists and intelligence analysts related to supply chains, cybersecurity, and fraud.
Comments Off on TU Football Coaches Meet with Prospects
Thomas University’s football coaches have scheduled a series of meetings near select military bases in Florida and Georgia to meet with veterans interested in playing football at TU.
Last year, TU launched a unique veterans’ transition program centered around football. The goal is to provide military personnel exiting the service with a supporting environment to earn their college degree while playing college football.
“We see it as a win-win situation for everybody,” said Stephen Ferguson, TU’s Vice President for Military and Corporate Relations. “We know that service members learn how to operate as a team. We’re going to use that training and apply it to football as a team sport. This is more than just football. This is about preparing veterans for the next phase in their lives and using football as the vehicle to do that. Meanwhile, these veterans will set an example for our other students about the importance of dedication and team work.”
In addition to mentoring from coaches, including prior-service staff, TU will integrate its outstanding, nationally recognized counseling program to provide both mental health and career counseling services. TU’s Clinical and Rehabilitation Counseling program is the only dually accredited program in Georgia and one of just 13 nationally with dual designation through the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
If you are interested in learning more, please select a location from the list below for additional information. All meetings will be from 6 to 7 p.m.
The strength and conditioning room has more than 400 pieces of equipment for all TU student-athletes who participate in a variety of sports, including baseball, basketball, swimming, track and field, flag football, football, soccer, and softball, among others.
The equipment room is where football helmets, shoulder pads, cleats, mouth pieces, girdles and more are stored. Field equipment such as footballs, tackle bags, and other practice gears are housed in that room as well. There are washers and dyers in the equipment room.
The Exercise Science and Sports Management majors will be able to get some ‘hands on’ experience with a new lab just for them! The facility is being built out on the second floor of the Gymnasium building.
The locker room was completed in May. It has 115 lockers where athletes can store their personal belongings. There are also 11 showers and 6 bathrooms. Players can listen to music while they are in the locker room.
View from hotel in Jaffa
Caesarea complex
We then walked down to the Garden of Gethsemane. There was truly a Holy and spiritual feeling here!
This was our last day in Israel. Off to Turkey!
