Warner Southern has reached its 40th anniversary! Have you seen the banners along President’s Drive? A 40th anniversary committee has been formed with representatives from trustees, alumni, donors, faculty, staff and students. An invitation has been extended to area schools and to the campus community for themed art to exhibit in 2008. Other activities include community receptions on campus, a history exhibit on display in the PLRC and special pages on the Web site. Go to Our 40th Anniversary home page to read more about our plans for the this special celebration. Please join us with a walk down memory lane by posting YOUR thoughts and experiences at Warner Southern College below . . .
Charlene Lawson, 2007/12/26 at 4:34 PM
How exciting that Warner Southern is celebrating 40 years of growth and providing a Christian higher education to thousands of students! We are looking forward to our 2008 events and activities.
Carla Clark, 2007/12/27 at 12:08 AM
It is a honor and blessing to be a sudent at at Warner. May GOD continually bless and keep all affiliates past, present, and future.
Doris Gukich, MSW 2008/02/01 at 6:23 PM
I began teaching Social Work classes at WSC in 1976. Dr. Ratzlaff scheduled my classes in 3 hour blocks so I could be home with my girls. In 1981 when the third daughter was born prematurely and almost died, I decided to not return second semester of that year. Dr. Ratzlaff asked if I would consider teaching one of the classes if I didn’t have to leave my children. I agreed and he had a college van deliver my class to my home each Tuesday night. It was a Group Process class that probably learned as much about child development as they did groups!
Art Clawson, M.S., 2008/02/05 at 7:18 PM
Suetta and I began as students in 1974 and I remember sitting in the cafeteria with the whole student body when we got the call that we had been fully accredited. We erupted into cheers. Now we are celebrating 40 years, nearly 1200 students and 3 graduate programs. WOW! God truly has blessed Warner Southern in this journey.
Terry Fasel, 2008/02/06 at 6:54 PM
My wife, Linda, and I began as adjunct professors shortly after we moved to Lake Wales in 1984. We moved to Lake Wales partly because of the college. You see, years ago, when I was attending seminary in Anderson, my Christian Education professor, Dr. Irene Smith Caldwell, suggested that I complete educational training in order to be prepared to teach at a new Church of God college that was being birthed in Florida. She encouraged me to consider this as a calling on my life and I never forgot her encouragement. Some twelve years later after having completed a graduate degree in education, teaching and administering programs in Africa and St. Louis, my family settled in Lake Wales. I have fond memories of taking my two children to watch exciting soccer games in the “yard” on the East Campus. Warner has been a blessing to me and my family!
Vernell Posey, 2008/02/15 at 9:01 PM
Since returning to Warner Southern in the fall of 2007, I have been sorting lots of old pictures and remembering many Warner Southern names and faces. This would be a great year for all graduates to touch base with campus. I would love to know where everyone is and what is going on in your lives. (I promise no blackmail with old pictures!)
Kathy Waldrep, 2008/03/17 at 3:57 PM
Warner Southern is never far from my mind. I spent 13 years of my life there (first as a student and then as Resident Director) and the experience was one of the best in my life. I miss those long nights of talking to students and the campus activities. My job now is far different from those days. I work with troubled children and teens as a therapist in a school setting. I currently live in West Palm Beach, a far different world than Lake Wales. To all my old friends and acquaintances, I would love to hear from you. Most of all I continue to pray for God’s blessing on the campus and am excited to see the growth.
Debbie Stanfield, 2008/03/25 at 12:54 PM
I am still carrying with me the wonderful blessings I received when I worked at Warner. I started out as office manager in the Advancement Office and then transferred as Dr. Greg Hall’s secretary. I am in awe at the progress and development that has taken place over the years at Warner. I wish Warner the best and my prayers continue to go up for the staff and students. Congratulations on 40 wonderful years.
Terri Stone Harry, 2008/04/17 at 4:46 PM
Happy Anniversary Warner! Unfortunately, I’ve only been back to the campus once since graduating in ‘92. I do hope to visit soon though!
Just as Kathy mentioned, I have MANY awesome memories of my years at Warner! Memories I cherish and think of often! I’d love to hear updates from all my buddies!
Take care all and may Warner have many more successful years ahead! Go Royals!
Kevin James Watler, 2008/04/26 at 8:10 AM
I am currently a senior, majoring in Communication and a minor in Education. I came to Warner Southern College from the Cayman Islands in 2005, after being inspired to do so by my father, James T. Watler (who attended WSC) and Mrs. Jan Robilard (former Dean of Students/family friend). I applied and was accepted, I qualified for several grants that made WSC more affordable. Due to getting these grants, I was inspired to work hard and do my very best. Also, I wanted to prove to some people that I could do it, and become somebody. I am happy to report that I am doing well and even made it on the Dean’s list. To add to that, I was even added to the “Who’s Who Among Students In American Universities and Colleges” this year. Warner Southern College has made my college education so interesting that I am now in the process of finding a university to do my master’s at. Ten years ago I would have never thought that I would be where I am. It took a small college like Warner Southern College to make me into who I am today. I even found my fiance at WSC. I thank God for Warner Southern College. I wish WSC success for the years to come.
Ron Mabry, 2008/05/27 at 4:04 PM
Warner Southern College and the great friends we made there, we feel a real joy whenever we think of you. I graduated in 1975 and am grateful for what I learned from Drs. Irene Caldwell, Robert Clark and Mac Rigel. They helped to shape me as a person and a pastor.
May the next forty years be as strong and fruitful as the past forty.
Robin Everhart Brickey, 2008/06/19 at 2:47 AM
The dream has come true!! When I was a student at Warner the administrators always spoke of the “dream”. What a blessing to see the dream come into reality. Sometimes it seems like I just left WSC yesterday even though I know it has been 27 years. I will always treasure the time I spent at Warner and the friends I made as well. Even though I have only returned to WSC once since graduating I have kept up with all of the progress through the years. I always enjoy communicating with friends from Warner and I even had the pleasure of singing in a choir directed by Dr. Darr once again. I am very proud to be a WSC graduate and know that I received an education in music that prepared me to be a successful Music Educator. I love sharing music with my students and I play the piano and direct the choir at my church. God blessed my life through my time at WSC and I will continue to pray for all of those who are connected with Warner Southern College.
