Freed-Hardeman University

FHU's undergraduate enrollment for fall 2021 jumped 4% for a record 1,797, including the greatest number of first-time freshmen in 11 years. The full-time equivalent of 1,630 is also a record.

Freed-Hardeman University's annual ALUMination Day, Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, will feature a chapel address by Tony Miller, senior director of financial planning and analysis for CoreCivic, the nation's largest owner of partnership correctional, detention and residential reentry facilities.

Freed-Hardeman University held its spring graduation ceremony in mid-May where approximately 300 students received baccalaureate and graduate degrees. FHU alumnus and Board of Trustees member, John DeBerry served as the guest speaker and encouraged graduates to have goals and live their faith. DeBerry is also an FHU alumnus and a member of the university's Board of Trustees.

Freed-Hardeman University has released the names of students who made the President's and Dean's Lists for the 2021 spring semester. To be on the President's List, a student must be full-time and have a 4.0 grade point average. Students on the Dean's List have earned a minimum 3.4 grade point average for the semester. FHU congratulates all of the students honored during the spring 2021 semester.

Freed-Hardeman University recognized more than 40 students for their academic excellence during its annual awards day held this spring. Students from several fields of study received awards including nursing, history, journalism, math, Spanish, computer science, English, theatre, Biblical studies, sciences, business, and art.

FHU students Caleb Johnson and Jonathan Helton were awarded scholarships for their research and writing while John Parigger and Jewell July received cash prizes for giving the best scholarly, creative, or artistic presentations in their fields.

Freed-Hardeman University has announced finalists for the title of Mr. and Miss FHU. All nominees will be celebrated, and Mr. and Miss FHU will be announced in chapel Friday, April 23, at 10:30 a.m. Finalists were chosen from the senior class by a vote of students, faculty and staff. A time-honored tradition at FHU, the naming of two students who best represent the ideals of the university has been a part of student life for 80 years.

Freed-Hardeman University has released the names of students who made the President's and Dean's Lists for the 2020 fall semester. To be on the President's List, a student must be full-time and have a 4.0 grade point average. Students on the Dean's List have earned a minimum 3.4 grade point average for the semester. FHU congratulates all of the students honored during the fall 2020 semester.

Seventeen Freed-Hardeman University students were inducted into Alpha Chi National Honor Scholarship Society in March. Alpha Chi membership is by invitation only to juniors and seniors with a minimum grade point average of 3.75 on at least 80 credit hours. The top 10% of this year's inductees all earned a GPA of 3.92 or higher.

Freed-Hardeman University held its fall 2020 graduation ceremony Nov. 21, 2020, in Loyd Auditorium. Approximately 50 students received baccalaureate degrees, 21 students completed graduate degrees and six students received doctoral degrees.

Freed-Hardeman University students in Matt Barker's communication class raised $1,500 for Henderson's Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse by selling face masks that resembled the lower mustached-half of FHU President David Shannon's face. Funding for the project came from a $1,000 LEADS grant from Leaders Credit Union. Barker divided his 22 students into four groups. One group originated the mask idea. It was their responsibility to design the mask and get them manufactured. Oliver's Screen Printing and Embroidery in Henderson produced the masks. A second group produced the winning video to secure the grant. According to Leaders, their video had the most likes and shares of any entry. This group also recorded videos promoting the fundraiser. The public relations/marketing group promoted the grant application through social media and in chapel announcements. The final group organized the sale of the masks, including choosing a location and scheduling workers. They also served as a liaison between the class and the Perkins Center. In total, the students sold 125 masks. "This fundraiser would not have been possible without the hard work of all the students in my class," Barker said. "I cannot say enough about how proud I am of what they were able to accomplish through this project. I think this project provided students with a glimpse of the impact they have not only at Freed-Hardeman University but in the local community as well."

Freed-Hardeman University Theatre presents Little Shop of Horrors beginning Nov 5. "We're producing theatre safely and we can't wait for everyone to see to it," Dr. R. Cliff Thompson said, director of theatre. "The cast is terrific and has the best attitude, even with the restrictions of Covid. We can't wait for you to come and see this fun show November 5-7."

The Student Government Association has resumed its work with returning members and several new additions to its team. SGA President Cameron Miller and Vice President John Mark Page and the leadership team share in their excitement to work on behalf of FHU's entire student body. With Covid-19 health guidelines in place, this fall semester is unlike any other, but student leaders are encouraging everyone to continue to have a positive attitude.

Alpha Chi inducted 27 new members during two ceremonies held in October. FHU President David Shannon celebrated the new inductees on social media writing, "Congratulations to the students, who by the way, have a 3.9 GPA or higher! Alpha Chi was founded in 1922 to promote academic excellence and character. The Tennessee Iota Chapter of Alpha Chi was introduced to Freed-Hardeman in 1976. Membership is through invitation only to juniors and seniors. Inductees must have a minimum GPA of 3.9 or higher. Members have the opportunity to participate in academic and service projects, as well as attend the Alpha Chi convention. The convention gives students networking opportunities and a chance to present their research.

In the midst of a pandemic, Freed-Hardeman University has again set enrollment records. Total headcount for Fall 2020 stands at 2,188 students, with 1,727 of those being undergraduates. Both are all-time highs.

Approximately 274 students a part of the 2020 graduating class. The total includes nearly 70 students who completed graduate degrees. Freed-Hardeman University congratulates all graduates on their accomplishments and offer our prayers and best wishes in their future endeavors!

Freed-Hardeman University congratulates more than 700 students who were named to the Spring 2020 President's and Dean's Lists.

For the first time in Makin' Music history, the annual musical extravaganza did not take the stage this year due to the extended spring break caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, a livestream show premiered for one night only and generated the largest audience in the show's history.

FHU Lion Bryan Battle earned his way onto the NAIA Third-Team All-American list, the highest individual honor a player can receive, after just one season with the Lions. Junior Kortland Martin was named an NAIA All-American Honorable Mention after averaging 16.9 points per game.

For the second straight season, Freed-Hardeman University senior forward Haylee Croom was named an NAIA First-Team All-American the league announced recently.

Five Freed-Hardeman University senior nursing majors received awards recently for maintaining a good Christian attitude along with leadership, perseverance, compassion and academic achievement. FHU held the awards ceremony earlier than planned in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Each recipient received a Bible along with an animal figurine that represents the spirit of the award.

Eight members of FHU's senior class are vying for the 2020 Mr. and Miss FHU title. Since 1940, Freed-Hardeman students have selected the students who best represent the ideals of the university.

Freed-Hardeman University congratulates more than 600 students who were named to the Fall 2019 Dean's and President's Lists.

Approximately 120 students participated in the Dec. 13, 2019, graduation ceremony. The total includes 58 baccalaureate degree recipients and 71 who completed graduate degrees. Freed-Hardeman University congratulates all graduates on their accomplishments and offer our prayers and best wishes in their future endeavors!

FHU junior Garrett West met and befriended the Wilson family during their greatest time of need. Mark and Brandi Wilson, along with their sons Luke and Brett, have been warriors throughout Mark's fight against glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. When Mark passed away in October, West and the social club Xi Chi Delta organized a Fall Festival benefit for the Wilson family. With the support of local businesses, churches and community members, the event served as a reminder of the love and support that surrounds the Wilsons during their painful time.

With more than 30 Scholars' Day presentations and a variety of poster displays, FHU students had the opportunity to attend sessions most relevant to their interests and to learn more about their classmates' and teachers' endeavors. Some of the topics presented included, "A Student Perspective on Seoul: The South Korea Study Abroad Experience" by Sydney Smith, Naomi Racine-Rodriguez and Nolan Combs, "Vlogging for Jesus" by Zach Rominske and Evan Cox and "When They Come for Our Jobs: The Implications of an AI-Dominated Future" by Joshua Steward and Dr. Kenan Casey.

Seven Freed-Hardeman University students were selected for the Young Adult Honors Performance Series in August 2019 at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia. This year's participating students were Jacob Dowdy, Holden Mobley, Abigail Moore, Jacob Moseley, Parker Pearce, Hannah Weakland, and Alec Wimmer. An eighth student, Summer England, was named a finalist as well but was unable to travel. The FHU students were seven of 70 finalists selected from more than 14,000 auditions submitted from around the world. FHU students spent six days in Sydney working with renowned conductors and musicians to prepare for their group performance. While in Sydney, performers took a day trip to the Blue Mountains and a Finalist Celebration Cruise on Sydney Harbour. Singers worked with Dr. Jeffrey Redding, director of choral activities at West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Florida. As a conductor and clinician, Redding has led choirs in performances at state, regional, and national conventions of the American Choral Directors' Association (ACDA). For the Young Adult Honors Performance Series, Redding selected several songs including "Ave Maria" and "Hallelujah" from the Mount of Olives and "Berusa Er" (Drink Abundantly).