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Shorter University is honored to announce that filmmaker, author, and speaker Alex Kendrick will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2026 President's Gala. The event will take place on Thursday, December 3, and will benefit student scholarships at Shorter University.
Kendrick has dedicated his life to telling stories that point people toward faith, family, and redemption. As co-founder of Sherwood Pictures and one half of the Kendrick Brothers filmmaking duo, he has written, directed, and produced some of the most beloved Christian films of the past two decades, including Flywheel, Facing the Giants, Fireproof, Courageous, War Room, Overcomer, and most recently The Forge, released by Sony Pictures in 2024. His films have collectively earned hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office and have been used by more than 15,000 churches worldwide for ministry and outreach. He is also a co-author of the New York Times bestselling books The Love Dare, The Resolution for Men, and The Battle Plan for Prayer.
A graduate of Kennesaw State University with a degree in communications, Kendrick served in church ministry for 20 years before turning his full attention to film and speaking. He has addressed audiences at marriage, men's, and filmmaking conferences across the country and has been featured on Good Morning America, ABC World News Tonight, Fox News, CNN, and in The New York Times and The Washington Post, among many others.
The 2026 President's Gala will include dinner, entertainment, and a keynote address by Kendrick. All proceeds will support Shorter University's mission of Transforming Lives through Christ by providing vital scholarship funds for deserving students.
"We are delighted to welcome Alex Kendrick as this year's President's Gala speaker," said Shorter University President Dr. Don Dowless. "His work has moved audiences around the world, and his commitment to faith, excellence, and the power of story reflects everything we value at Shorter. This will be a truly memorable evening, and every ticket purchased directly impacts the lives of our students."
Tickets are available now at Shorter.edu/gala.
| | Hawks Family Grows: Three New Head Coaches | | |
Shorter Athletics welcomes three new head coaches to the Hill this year, and two of them are already familiar faces. Marcus Hunt is back on the Hill after serving as an assistant coach here from 2022 to 2025. Roberto Hernandez joins the Hawks after two seasons at Fresno Pacific University. Also, Jordan Coates returns as a Shorter alum, having played for the Hawks from 2014 to 2019.
Welcome (and welcome back) to the Hawk family!
Learn more: Marcus Hunt | Roberto Hernandez | Jordan Coates
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Orientation Brings New Hawks to the Hill
Orientation season is here, and it was wonderful to welcome our newest Hawks to campus this summer! Before the fall semester even begins, students had the chance to take their first steps toward becoming part of the Shorter community, a community rooted in faith and committed to walking alongside every student who calls the Hill home.
During orientation, students connected with student organizations, chatted with current students about what life on the Hill is really like, and met with academic advisors to talk through their class schedules. Counselors also sat down with financial aid to get their questions answered, making sure they felt prepared and supported before the semester begins.
At Shorter, we believe that college is about more than just academics. It is a season where students grow in knowledge, faith, and character. Orientation is just the beginning of that journey, a first glimpse of the community, mentorship, and Christ-centered environment that will shape their time here.
To our newest Hawks: this is the beginning of something great. Over the next four years, we believe you will grow, be challenged, and discover the purpose God has for your life. Welcome to the Hill. We cannot wait to see all that lies ahead for you.
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Join Us for Freshman Move-In Day!
There's nothing quite like the excitement of Freshman Move-In Day, and we'd love for you to be part of welcoming the newest Hawks to the Hill!
Join fellow alumni as we greet incoming students and their families, lend a helping hand with move-in, and share the hospitality that makes Shorter University feel like home. A friendly smile and warm welcome can make a lasting impact as students begin this exciting new chapter.
Volunteers are also invited to begin the morning with Prayer and Worship at 8:00 a.m. in the Front Circle as we pray over the Class of 2030 and the academic year ahead.
Whether you can stay for the morning or spend the day with us, we would love to have you back on campus for this special tradition.
Interested in volunteering? Register today using the link below!
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Welcoming our New Campus Minister
Jase Brown
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Shorter University is delighted to welcome Reverend Jase Brown as the University's new campus minister, a role that will place him right in the middle of students' everyday lives, walking with them through faith, growth, and all that college brings.
Brown spent 15 years at Richland Creek Community Church, the last nine as college minister, where he poured his life into young adults navigating that same season students find themselves in on the Hill. That heart for college students is exactly what makes him such a natural fit for Shorter.
A graduate of Truett McConnell University and a native of Comer, Georgia, Brown brings both deep roots in ministry and a genuine love for this next generation of students. He is married to Kim, and this coming May they will celebrate 20 years together. Kim shares that same calling to ministry, having served as preschool director at Richland Creek, and the Browns bring a shared heart for shepherding others well.
Please join us in welcoming Jace, Kim, and their family to the Hill!
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Shorter University is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards, and we want to hear who you believe deserves to be celebrated.
Distinguished Alumni Award
This is the highest honor Shorter University bestows on its graduates. It recognizes an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated outstanding personal achievement, public service, or accomplishment in service to the global community, success that goes far beyond average.
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
This award honors a graduate who has given back to the University in a meaningful way, whether through leadership, volunteerism, on campus service, recruiting efforts, or financial support.
Distinguished Young Alumni Award
Reserved for graduates of the past 10 years, this award celebrates a Shorter alum who has shown real promise through professional achievement, community service, and a continued commitment to the University's mission.
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Campus Broadcasting Partnership
Shorter University offers local businesses the opportunity to advertise through our campus broadcasting network, featuring digital displays placed strategically across high-traffic areas throughout campus.
Currently, nine televisions are positioned in key locations across the Hill, reaching students, faculty, staff, campus visitors, and event guests each day. Collectively, these screens generate more than 60,000 impressions monthly, providing consistent and meaningful visibility within a trusted university environment. Also, we will be adding two additional 100 inch TV's this fall.
From prospective students touring campus to families attending performances, athletic events, and academic showcases, your message is seen by a diverse and engaged community.
Advertising through campus broadcasting provides businesses with:
- Direct access to college students and emerging young professionals
- Exposure to families and community members attending campus events
- Consistent brand visibility in high-traffic campus spaces
- Alignment with a Christ-centered institution committed to leadership and service
- A meaningful way to invest in and support the local community
This partnership is more than advertising. It is an opportunity to connect your business with the next generation of leaders while strengthening relationships across Rome and Northwest Georgia.
For more information about advertising opportunities, please contact Bethany Brady at bbrady@shorter.edu.
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As we celebrate the stories and milestones shaping life on campus, we are reminded that the work happening at Shorter University is made possible by God and by the faithful people who believe in our students and our mission. Through His provision and your generosity, doors are opened through scholarships, programs are strengthened, and students grow in faith, knowledge, and purpose.
We are thankful for the ways God provides through faithful supporters like you. If you feel led, we invite you to prayerfully consider making a gift to help continue Transforming Lives Through Christ at Shorter. We look forward to sharing more stories and opportunities to connect with life on campus in the days ahead.
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