The following is senior art major Brayden Huskey's speech on behalf of the students of Shorter at the unveiling of the university's new logo on Tuesday, June 1, 2010.

When I look at or conceptually think about the word “university”, my impression of it can best be simplified in two words: “diversity” and “unity”. The “verse” of university, that is, would lend itself to become the suffix of the word “diverse”, and the word “unity” results from the first and last letters. I don’t know how much of this is intentional or how much of it is just the artist in me taking creative license to insist on an abstract concept, but it seems to make sense to me that a University is to be a home, per se, to diverse fields of study and life experience.

I believe Shorter already has what it takes to be a University. In the three years that I have studied and lived here, I’ve seen how Shorter nurtures students of different fields of study to finding common ground and common purpose. This probably explains why Shorter’s campus has seen such livelihood in clubs, societies, and organizations as these efforts are uniting those who possibly would not otherwise associate outside the classroom. But also inside the classroom I believe we are receiving a good education. It is my personal opinion that this is one place where the religious disposition of the school is evident in that the professors are careful to deliver a truthful and unrevised education. This is a huge comfort for me—and one for which I can only thank God.

Brayden Huskey speaking at unveiling ceremony

While the college experience is not always a joyride and most of us experience occasional growing pains, I can think of several reasons that Shorter has knocked my socks off over the years. When my dad and I first visited this campus together, we were immediately taken by the hospitality of the faculty and staff. To this day as a student I have seen only a continuing of this kindness. I’ve also witnessed Shorter’s efforts to enhance our learning experience in things like the newly implemented learning communities geared towards first year students, the elevating popularity of studying abroad, and how Shorter has provided ways for classes and organizations to attend nation-wide conferences. I’ll even admit that it knocked my socks off to experience first-hand with the student government association how Shorter gives real power to students in institutional decision making. I think I speak for most students when I say that we have received a great environment to grow and learn in at Shorter College.

Personally for me it is the quality of the professors and the rich community I experienced while living on campus that has left a lasting impression. I have learned profound truth in the humility of my professors as their love for their students and their passion to learn has enabled them to be such dynamic teachers. As for the community I experienced on campus, it was unprecedented as the total population of Shorter was HALF the size of my high school. I felt like I could be myself here and more than just a vaguely familiar face to other students and more than just a number to professors. I can honestly say it is not just me who feels this way—but, indeed, I know many students who share these sentiments with me.

I believe it is possible that these things contributing to the personal nature of Shorter’s community can and will be preserved against changes that come with the transition to a University. I believe this because the personal nature is not just a result of a small community, but more importantly, it is the result of valuing relationships. The faculty and administration here value the students’ relationship with learning, the students’ relationships with each other, and their relationships with God which makes for a rich community and also a rich University.