We had two glorious spring days for our annual Board of Visitors meeting on campus April 29-30. This year we welcomed sixty members of the Board, a group of women and men from across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina who serve as Thornwell advocates in their local churches and communities. Friendships were renewed, new relationships were established, and a great spirit of energy and excitement about Thornwell’s ministry found expression.


During the two days, the Board of Visitors heard several presentations and experienced a kind of immersion in Thornwell. Lindy Scott and Susan Mattison described the application and admissions process, sharing information on the backgrounds from which children come to Thornwell and telling how admissions decisions are made. Board members visited the Learning Center and Norman Dover to see how academic support is provided to the children. Then they went to the Agriculture Education Center (the farm) to learn from Melanie Birchmore about the classes and animals and 4-H projects there.


Then on to the cottages, where our Visitors got to spend time with the children and the Family Teachers and to hear what life in the cottage families is like. From there, the entire campus gathered in the Turner Dining Hall for a delicious supper; and after supper, they celebrated the recognition of the Bailey Foundation of Clinton, SC, as 2010 Distinguished Benefactor. Accepting the award on behalf of the Bailey Foundation were Bob Link of Carolina First Bank, and Ann and George Cornelson of the Bailey Foundation. Thornwell Family Teachers, Jim and Becky Brown were the recipients of the 2010 Distinguished Service Award (click here to download the press release).


After dinner, Pastor Hayes Noble and Thornwell Christian Educator Finley Sutton talked with the Board about the life of the campus church and the work of Christian nurture here. They were aided in their presentation by students Jessica Haddad, Sheryl Richardson, and Randy Walthall.


On Friday morning, the Board enjoyed a conversation with Adam and Leah Hucks, Greg and Suzanne Humphreys, and Danny and Ashley Smith. These Family Teachers told how they came to Thornwell and talked about their sense of God’s call to this ministry with children. In response to questions they described how they work with the children and what they seek to teach them as they live together in the family setting.


The Board next spent some time in dialogue with Dr. William Weary, a strategic planning consultant who is assisting Thornwell’s Trustees in developing a vision and plan for the future. That discussion was followed by a presentation from members of the Development staff who described the important work of fundraising and public relations, especially on communication of the story and the opportunities for support of this ministry.


The annual gathering of our Board of Visitors on the campus is a time of genuine fun and excitement for all of us. We are deeply grateful for all that these wonderful friends and advocates do to bear witness to Thornwell’s ministry to God’s children.