YORK UNIVERSITY

Brian Gilchriest, a 2001 graduate of York College, will return to his alma mater this summer as the newest member of the York University education department, according to recently appointed provost, Dr. Billy Lones.

Gilchriest has taught and coached for 10 years in public school systems in Keller and Cypress, Texas.  He has taught middle school earth science and high school integrated physics and chemistry as well as biology, both honors and advanced.  In addition he has served on the basketball coaching staffs at all the schools where he has taught.  Gilchriest earned a degree in secondary education with an emphasis in biology at YC and was a four-year letterman on the Panther basketball team.
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Soul Quest campers gather for the daily Morning Show.
Over 500 middle and high school students, counselors, sponsors, and teachers took part in this year’s Soul Quest with youth groups representing 14 states. One traveled as far as North Carolina to be a part of this encouraging and uplifting week. The singing, the classes, and the fellowship filled the campus with joy, praise, and a ton of laughter. With the week’s theme of Grow, around 20 campers made the decision to be baptized while others sought out a counselor or their youth group minister to pray with them about their faith walk and struggles they were facing.
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Dr. Ben Griffin, currently president of the board for Suncoast Christian Academy and minister for the Suncoast Church of Christ in Lake Worth (Palm Beach County), Fla., will take on a newly created position as York College's associate dean and director of the master's degree program in organizational and global leadership, according to an announcement from Dr. Shannon Leinen, dean of online learning and academic initiatives at the College.

​"This is an exciting time for York College as we begin our transition to York University, and Dr. Griffin fits perfectly into that transition," Dr. Leinen explained.  "York's online market is exploding with interest among various student groups, especially those who want to be fully prepared for job opportunities in organizational leadership.  The corporate world is looking for those who have the educational background, the training and the experience to fill such roles.  Dr. Griffin has the academic credentials and the corporate experience to facilitate this online training."

Dr. Garrett Best, former minister for the Oliver Creek Church of Christ in Bartlett, Tenn., will assume chair of the Bible Department faculty of York College this summer, according to President Sam Smith.
 
Best has been in ministry since 2010 when he first served as preaching minister for the Oliver Creek congregation.  He has also served as minister for the Nicholasville Church of Christ in Kentucky.  He has been in his most recent role at Oliver Creek since 2019. Best succeeds Dr. Frank Wheeler, who retired this year after 34 years as a York College faculty member and, more recently, chair of the Bible Department.
York College announced on Thursday, May 19th, plans to keep and restore the historic archway with the help of The Arch Project, as well as add a new York University arch. 

The original structure was a heartfelt project of the class of 1942. Their world was undone. The number of former classmates enlisted to fight a World War increased almost daily. Many would never return home or to a campus they loved.

In that war-torn moment so full of memories of friendships and partings, the York students banded together and created what would become one of the most iconic and photographed spots on the campus.
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York College announced the students named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2022 term. 101 students were recognized with this distinction. 

To be named to the Dean’s List, students must carry 12 or more graded hours and achieve a semester grade point average of at least 3.75 with no incomplete grades and no grade below “C” for the semester.
Dr. Billy Lones, who has served as associate professor of criminal justice and chair of that department at York College, has been named the next provost of York College as of June 1.

In his announcement to the campus, President Sam Smith shared, “I am pleased to announce that Dr. Billy Lones has been selected as the next Provost of York College. In a season of transition from college to university I felt it was important to select a highly qualified individual who also carried the trust of our outstanding faculty.
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President Smith congratulates Karla Chairez-Martinez, who graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in biology.
With its transition to university status this summer, York College held its final commencement ceremony Saturday morning. Hosted in the Campbell Activity Center, nearly 90 students crossed the stage to receive their degrees—the seats and bleachers filled with proud parents, excited family members, and friends. President Sam Smith welcomed everyone to the historic event and addressed graduates stating, “We’re celebrating the beginning of your new season in life. We celebrate that York College’s commitment to providing you with a Christ-centered education has indeed transformed you from a student to a teacher in your field of expertise. As president of York College it is my honor to welcome you to this amazing celebration.”

Commencement Photos         Commencement Video
The Brian Lemons Athletic Training Center is a desperately needed project. For Chad Karcher, our long-time athletic trainer, it is all about better care for the student-athletes he has served for 23 years. Thanks to the $200,000 Brian Lemons’ Challenge, we are close to making this dream a reality.

​One of the hundreds of YC students touched by Chad Karcher’s dedication and care is Dr. Jennifer (Witt) Martin who finished York College in 2009 with a B.S. in Biology and an Athletic Training minor. She played volleyball and basketball, and after graduating worked in admissions for a year prior to pursuing her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Now, back in her hometown of Flagler, Colorado, with her husband, Cody and sons, Coehn and Logan, she is a physical therapist with the local hospital and satellite clinics.
The York College chapter of Alpha Chi, the collegiate national honor society, inducted seven new members at a ceremony in the Bartholomew Performing Arts Center, April 14.

New members inducted included undergraduate students Riley Brown (Lincoln, Neb.), Samantha Crump (Newberg, Ore.), Laura-Kate Eckhart (York, Neb.), Eli Embray (St. Joseph, Mo.), Jordan Strong (Omaha, Neb.), Blayne Winkler (Lincoln, Neb.), and Bryce Winkler (Lincoln, Neb.).