Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds

Union University celebrates 200 years, ‘Christ-centered’ convictions

  • February 28, 2023
  • Tennessee Baptist and Reflector
  • Latest News, Tennessee
Union University senior Stephen Williams, left, interviews president Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver during Union’s Founders Day chapel service Feb. 3 that marked the university’s 200th birthday.
(Photo courtesy of Tennessee’s Baptist and Reflector and taken by Suzanne Rhodes.)

Union University celebrates 200 years, ‘Christ-centered’ convictions

Union University turned 200 on Feb. 3, with celebrations including a special chapel service, bicentennial birthday party, documentary release and more.

The event began in the G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel with a service featuring interviews from each living Union president.

David Dockery, president from 1996–2014, began the service by wishing Union a happy 200th birthday and celebrating the university’s Christ-centered convictions. 

He joined Tim Ellsworth, associate vice president for university communications, through a video interview. 

“The university has rallied for almost three decades now around some core values that hold the institution together,” Dockery said, “excellence-driven, Christ-centered, people-focused and future-directed.” 

Remain true

He urged the Union community to remain true to those core values as they continue to give thanks to God, care for each other and pursue academic excellence.

Hyran Barefoot, Union president from 1987–96, and Bob Agee, Union alumnus and president emeritus of Oklahoma Baptist University, were interviewed by Ethan Voss, current Union student and SGA president. 

They recalled memories from the old campus, located in downtown Jackson, and noted the tremendous growth the university has experienced over the past 50 years. 

Barefoot said while the former Union campus was small and poor, the people were what made the university special, citing a gift of attracting excellent students and faculty who were outstanding in their specific fields. 

Agee noted, “Union is on the threshold of its greatest days today. We’ve got a voice, we’ve got a message, and that makes the future even more exciting.” 

Finally, Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver, current Union president, was interviewed by senior Steve Williams. Oliver said the 200th anniversary is a testament to the students and alumni who love and continue to invest in the university’s Christ-centered mission.

“I hope that you will come back when Union turns 250 years old … and you’ll reminisce about the people you met here, the faculty who influenced you here and how good God has been to you,” Oliver said. 

The service ended with three generations of Union alumni — Wayne (’81), Jeff (’89) and Brett Perkins (’12) — leading the audience in singing, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” 

In addition to the chapel service, the university hosted a birthday party for Union students, staff, faculty and alumni with food, games, giveaways and more. During the celebration, A.J. Massey, Madison County mayor, read an official proclamation declaring Feb. 3 as Union University Day in Jackson and Madison Counties.  

Union also released a special bicentennial documentary of its rich history, told through the voices of key leaders.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Union University and published by Tennessee’s Baptist and Reflector.

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • First person: Steps to victory over pornography
    First person: Steps to victory over pornography
    July 9, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Study: Pastors less engaged with counseling resources, more isolated
    Study: Pastors less engaged with counseling resources, more isolated
    July 8, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Lifeway’s Ben Mandrell to preach in view of a call July 13 at Bellevue
    Lifeway’s Ben Mandrell to preach in view of a call July 13 at Bellevue
    July 8, 2025/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

First person: Steps to victory over pornography

Like every year for the past several years, I watched in 2024 as more church leaders fell into the trap of pornography. Here are some steps to defeating it.

Study: Pastors less engaged with counseling resources, more isolated

Compared to a decade ago, pastors have less training in counseling but are more hesitant to refer church members to professionals.

Lifeway’s Ben Mandrell to preach in view of a call July 13 at Bellevue

The pastor search committee at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tennessee, has unanimously recommended that Ben Mandrell, CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources become the church’s next senior pastor.

‘It breaks your heart’: Texans continue search for loved ones amid flood damage

“It breaks my heart,” said Ashton Bolton, who grew up in Kerr County, Texas. “I’ve lived here my entire life. This is my home and I don’t know what to call this place anymore. It hurts. We just got to rebuild.”

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2025 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel