A decade ago...(Thursday, February 22, 2001)

John Terry (Class 1986) seen here at Homecoming 2009

Today marks one decade since Thursday, February 22, 2001. On that Pastor John Terry (Class 1986), a friend (Mike McCall), and I (Corey Adams) traveled down to Practical Bible College. It would be the first day I would step onto the campus of PBC. I was a sophomore at Southern Cayuga High School and Pastor Terry had invited Mike and I down to his Alma Mater. I had heard of Practical Bible College as several of the pastors I had known through the years had graduated from Practical. I still remember coming up to the campus from Riverside for the first time and getting the first view of the campus.

We pulled up to the administration building/admission building at that time, and met up with Suzanne Graham who was in admissions and she was going to take us on a tour of the campus. It was still in the early morning...like 9 AM...so the students were just waking up and getting ready for classes. As we were getting ready to go on the tour we met Dan Rathmell and Dr. George Miller III, the president of the college. The group of four of us walked over to the men's dorm, Patterson where the students were getting ready for classes and heading out. I saw a few of the guys I had attended with at Immanuel Baptist School in Auburn, NY.

The group of us heading to the Main Building and we were told there was a debate going on in the Acts Class over the Jerusalem Council. We decided that we would go to the bookstore before we headed to chapel in Lowe/Wagner Hall. There were two classes going on and the divide between the two class rooms had to be opened so there would be enough room for chapel.

After Chapel we sat in a class with Dr. Leigh Upchurch in Lowe Hall. Dr. Upchurch was speaking about Third Culture kids in a Missionary life class. We popped out of the class before it was done and headed down to lunch in the Klee dining hall and met up with some of the other professors and students. I remember I was very interested in the end times and I was told a good person to speak to was Dr. Parker in the Academic's building. It seems funny now, but I was getting lost trying to figure out how to find Academic's behind the Gym. The Cafe was under construction at the time and I remember seeing that being worked on during that visit.

I found Academics and asked someone where Dr. Parker's office was, turns out it was Dr. Parker I was asking. We had a good chat about Eschatology and he gave me a copy of a book about the Antichrist.

That afternoon before we headed back to the Finger Lakes I remember walking on sidewalk by the old administration building and knowing that God wanted me to go to Practical Bible College when I graduated from Southern Cayuga. I remember saying out loud to God, "So God this is where you want me to go? OK." One of best choices of life after accepting Christ as my Savior.

I would go to two Preview Days at the college during the next couple of years before finally going the college in August of 2003.

Thank You LORD for opening the doors to my Davis Family

Presidential Inauguration video from the presidents

Here is the video shown at Homecoming 2008 from Dr. Kroll, Dr. Linebaugh, and Dr. Miller. It is their messages to Dr. Dino J. Pedrone at his Inauguration on Thursday, September 25, 2008 in the Kenneth Robb Activity Center.

Homecoming 2008 Celebration (Thursday, September 25, 2008)

Dr. Pedrone and his wife Bobbi greeting people after the Inauguration

Don and Betty Hall. Don is the class of 1950 and wife Betty is the class of 1956

Myself with Dr. Pedrone

Homecoming 2008 went very well yesterday with the Inauguration of Dr. Dino J. Pedrone as the 9th president of Davis College. The message that Dr. Pedrone gave in the morning was right on. I will post it later on this blog along with the video I put together for the occasion with Dr. Kroll, Dr. Linebaugh, and Dr. Miller.

Dr. Marion C. Patterson (class 1926) and all 9 Presidents of Davis

Dr. Patterson (1934)

Dr. and Mrs. Patterson (1965)

One thing I have been thinking about for a few months, but more so as Dr. Dino Pedrone's installation as the 9th president of Davis approaches, is Dr. Patterson. Why Dr. M.C. Patterson you may ask, well I was thinking about it and something occurred to me that I thought was very cool. Dr. Patterson knew all 9 presidents of Davis College. Dr. Patterson graduated from PBTS in 1926 when Dr. John A. Davis was president (2nd president), but he also knew John R. Clements (1st) who was on the campus for many years. He served as a Vice President under Dr. Gordon Davis (3rd), and he obviously knew himself (4th). He knew Rev. Robb (5th) his successor, both when Rev. Robb was a student (class of 1942) and during the time they served together at PBTS. For Dr. Linebaugh (7th) he would have known him as a student as Dr. Patterson was working at the college when Dr. Linebaugh was a student graduating in 1949. Dr. Kroll class of 1965 (6th), Dr. Miller class of 1972 (8th), and Dr. Pedrone class of 1967 (9th) all had Dr. Patterson as President when they were students at PBTS.

All Nine presidents of PBTS/PBC/Davis were known by Dr. Patterson.

Dr. Miller called to Pastor North Syracuse Baptist Church

Dr. George Miller III has been called to pastor North Syracuse Baptist Church.

We are excited to announce that at a Special Business Meeting, held on Sunday, June 22, 2008, the members of NSBC overwhelmingly voted in favor (98%) of extending a call to Dr. George Miller III to become our new Senior Pastor. After prayerful consideration, Dr. Miller has accepted the call. He and his wife Elaine plan to begin their ministry here July 27th.

To read a letter from Dr. Miller and Elaine click here. Dr. Miller's instillation service will be on Sunday, September 14, 2008.

News Channel 34: Interview with Dr. Pedrone

News Channel 34 out of Binghamton interviewed Dr. Pedrone for today's newscast. It is a very well done interview. To read the article click here. View the video above or watch it by going to the same link. News Channel 34 did an excellent job. There was only one mistake in it by saying that Davis has had the same president for 27 years. It has in fact had three. The issue comes from Dr. Miller working at the college for 27 years since 1981 when he started with Dr. Kroll. Dr. Kroll, Dr. Linebaugh, and Dr. Miller have been the three presidents since 1981 (27 years ago).

Graduation 2008

Dr. Miller and Dr. Pedrone.

David Hall and Dr. Parker

Dr. Miller
Graduates

Graduation 2008 took place today (Saturday, May 10, 2008) in the Robb Activity Center. It was the last graduation with Dr. George Miller presided and Dr. Dino Pedrone's first as president. Dr. Larry Reesor, Founder and President of Global Focus was the speaker. It was a great day.

The New Touchstone is out!

The latest issue of the Touchstone Publication is now out. This issue discusses the Presidential transition from the Miller Administration to the Pedrone Administration. There are articles from and about both Dr. Miller and Dr. Pedrone.

Happy Birthday Dr. Miller

Today was President George Miller III's birthday. We had a little celebration in Chapel and two cakes were presented. Note the cake with the green frosting. It is a golf cart sitting on it. Happy Birthday Dr. Miller. Hope you had a great day!

Watch an interview between Dr. Miller and Dr. Pedrone

Pastor Bernie Diaz (host of the Gathering Place) and Dr. Dino Pedrone

Dr. Pedrone and Dr. Miller in the cafe loft Tuesday, February 15, 2008

On the day that Dr. Miller announced his resignation, Dr. Pedrone and Dr. Miller filmed an episode of The Gathering Place." The Gathering Place is a TV show is broadcast in Florida and on Satellite TV. This episode that was filmed in the Broadway Coffee Cafe on the Davis Campus. It was a great joy to work on this project with Pastor Stan Blair who is the Worship Pastor at New Testament Baptist Church's Broward, Florida location. You can now view the whole show at the Davis College website. Click here. You can choose between low, medium and high resolution videos based on your bandwidth. Enjoy.

Press and Sun Bulletin has an article on yesterday's announcement

Dr. Dino Pedrone and Dr. Carol Miller are interviewed by George Basler of the Press and Sun on Tuesday after Chapel.

The Press and Sun Bulletin, the local newspaper, has article on yesterday's announcement here at Davis College.

Binghamton native to lead Davis College
Practical Bible graduate is named new president

By George Basler
Press & Sun-Bulletin

JOHNSON CITY -- Increasing enrollment, expanding the number of degree programs and boosting the college's profile are three goals of the Rev. Dino J. Pedrone, who was announced Tuesday as the new president of Davis College.

"I'm coming here because I believe this is the call of God in my life at this time," said Pedrone, 62, who is currently senior pastor at the 2,000-member New Testament Baptist Church in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Davis College also means a lot to him, the Binghamton native said. He came to the college, then Practical Bible Training School, in the 1960s, directly from Binghamton's old North High School with little idea of what he wanted to do with his life.

"The Practical Bible years were transforming years for me," said Pedrone, who graduated in 1967. He found his calling at the college and also met his wife at the school on Riverside Drive. (to read the whole article click here)

I will do more about this Davis College: the Making of the 9th president in the days to come as I finish my write-ups about Dr. Kroll, Dr. Linebaugh, and Dr. Miller.

Dr. Pedrone introduced to the Student Body

What a wonderful yet very busy day at Davis College. Today was the day that Dr. Dino Pedrone was officially introduced to the Student Body as the 9th president of Davis College, and Dr. George Miller III read his resignation. I kept busy doing much IT work that I have never done before to help preserve this historic occasion. Stan Blair who is a cameraman and editor for Dr. Pedrone's TV show "The Gathering Place" and I filmed the announcement and along us all the TV stations in the area did also. As of this moment I know of two website that have information about the day. The Press and Sun Bulletin has an article. I am sure there will be something in tomorrows paper about it so the link might only be good for a day. And News 10 Now a Local Time Warner TV station for Upstate New York. On their website they also have a video with the link. Here is the link for the video and here for the article.

Some Photos from Today

(L-R) Elaine and Dr. George D. Miller III at Tuesday's Chapel

Dr. Pedrone being interviewed by the News Crew


Dr. Pedrone and Dr. Carol Miller (Board Chairperson) being interviewed by the Press and Sun Bulletin

Dr. Dino J. Pedrone (Class of 1967) is named the 9th President of Davis College!

Dr. Dino Pedrone's Senior picture from the 1967 Theologue

Today (Monday, January 14, 2008) the official announcement was made of who the nineth president of Davis College will be: Dr. Dino J. Pedrone a member of the class of 1967. The class of 1967 just celebrated their 40th class reunion back at the September Homecoming. Dr. Pedrone is currently the senior pastor of New Testament Baptist Church in South Florida. Here is his profile from New Testament Baptist Church's website:

Pastor Dino Pedrone has served as Senior Pastor of New Testament Baptist Church since 1995. He is married to Bobbie Pedrone and together they have four grown children, JoAnna, Jonathan, Adam, and Nathanael. He has one grandaughter, Mia Angelina.

Before making the move to South Florida with his family, Dr. Pedrone held the position of Senior Pastor of The Open Door Church in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania for over 25 years. Currently, Dr. Pedrone also serves as President of Dade Christian School and The Master’s Academy, and President of The Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (50,000 + members). As Senior Pastor, he oversees NTBC's multiple weekend services with over 2,000 members.

Dr. Pedrone received his D. Min. from Luther Rice Seminary and has gone on to receive several prestigious acknowledgments including listings in "Community Leaders And Noteworthy Americans," "Who’s Who in Religion," and "5000 Personalities of the World." He is also the recipient of "The Notable Americans Award."

Dr. Pedrone is author of sixteen books and booklets, contributor to various articles and magazines, Founder and Editor of Life@School Christian Journal of the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, and contributor to Directions, Family Life Devotional booklet, Hope Grows In Winter, and Looking Ahead.

His radio ministry includes “The Bible Speaks” radio ministry, which reached approximately one fourth of the known English speaking world, “Timely Truths” which currently broadcasts over WMCU 89.7 Spirit FM, and “The Caring Place" which can be heard on 1360 AM on Saturdays at 9 a.m. His television ministry includes fourteen years speaking on “The Open Door Hour” and ten years on “The Bible Speaks” network.

NTBC has a rich history of ministering to the lost in South Florida over the past 50 years. With this rich history and the passion Pastor Pedrone himself has for reaching the lost, NTBC's tradition of impacting the local community with the life-chaging message of Jesus Christ for decades to come will continue to be a reality for future generations that have and will call South Florida their home.

(L-R) Dr. Dino Pedrone (1967) 9th president, Corey J. Adams (2007), and
Dr. George Miller III (1972) 8th president

Both Dr. Miller and Dr. Pedrone addressed the Faculty and Staff body after registration today and they will both address the student body tomorrow in a special chapel.

Dr. Pedrone had been considered for the presidency between the Kroll and Linebaugh administration (1990-1991), yet had other plans and now it is coming full circle. God has His timing and His timing and plans are perfect.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) Dr. Miller and Dr. Pedrone will address the student body in Chapel.

Dr. George D. Miller resigns from presidency

Photo by Corey Adams Theologue 2007

The day before graduation 2007 Dr. George D. Miller III submitted his registration to the Board of Trustees. The Faculty and Staff learned of the registration a few days before Christmas in 2007. I did not want to post anything about it until it was made official. Today (Friday, January 11, 2008) both our Davis College website as well as the Press and Sun Bulletin had an article about the registration. And while I know whom the next president of the college will be a formal announcement has not been made public yet. I will post about that on Monday or Tuesday when that "official" announcement has been made.

The press release from www.davisny.edu reads:

In the May 2007 meeting of the Board of Trustees, Dr. George D. Miller III, president of Davis College, announced his resignation that will lead to the implementation of a transition plan and his leaving the presidency of Davis College.

Dr. Miller has held numerous positions at the College since 1981 and was appointed president in the spring of 1998 serving in that position for the last ten years. During his tenure, the College received regional accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and changed the institution’s name from Practical Bible College to Davis College. Dr. Miller has also helped develop numerous campus renovation projects and new academic programs, expanded financial support bases for the College, diversified the Davis College community, created additional recruitment markets, initiated numerous off campus teaching sites, and integrated the College with its local community more than ever before.

Though he announced his resignation, Dr. Miller will remain at the College until June 2008 to assure a professional transition beneficial to the College.

Just yesterday (Thursday, January 10, 2008) I was able to do an interview with Dr. Miller and so many of the details above will go into much more detail when I finish a write-up based off of the interview. Dr.Miller graduated from PBTS in 1972 and he returned to work under Woodrow Kroll in 1981 and served as Intern-President between Dr. Kroll and Dr. Linebaugh. He served during the Linebaugh administration also. In fact he has been serving at this college for 27 years. Now God has called him and his wife Elaine to a new journey.

I will keep this blog updated as more about this is made "official" and public. I also hope to do an interview with the 9th president of the college in the near future.

Introduction to Davis College Presidential Interviews

I have been thinking for some time about how I should begin the introduction to all the interviews with the presidents. As of this writing I have interviewed both Dr. Woodrow Kroll and Dr. Dale Linebaugh. From interviewing both of them and getting a small glimpse into their world I thought of a verse in Esther. Esther 4.14b says “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” When interviewing both Dr. Kroll and Dr. Linebaugh I have seen God’s hand at work. If Mordecai had been speaking to each of these presidents he would have said, “Yet who knows whether you have come to Practical for such a time as this?” By interviewing them I have seen how God has been involved in their lives from the moment of conception to this very day. Each life is precious in God’s sight and He uses men and women whom He chooses to use for His honor and glory. “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” (1 Corinthians 1.20). In each of these interviews you will see God’s hand at work in these men’s lives as He makes what seems foolish, wise.
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Interview with Dr. Woodrow Kroll coming up on Davis College History.

The New York Winter has arrived at Davis College

While I continue to work on the Presidential interviews I thought I would upload a picture of some of the snow on the campus. Early Sunday morning we received around 4 inches of the powder. This is a picture of the entrance sign this evening.

Last week I did my interview with Dr. Woodrow Kroll and it went very well. The whole interview was 2 hrs and 15 minutes in length. This coming week I have my interview with Dr. Dale Linebaugh. I hope to have the write-up about Dr. Kroll's interview on the blog this coming Friday. The write-up for Dr. Linebaugh will happen soon after the interview. I am still accepting questions for Dr. Linebaugh and Dr. Miller if anyone has any stories about them.

Presidential Interviews are about to begin late this week or early next

The Davis College Presidential Interviews are about to begin late this week or early next. I have received conformation from all three of the presidents and the questions are almost all finished. The final details of when the interviews will occur are being worked out. Soon after the interviews I will do a write up about each of the interviews. The pictures below are each president in their Senior Picture from the Theologue.

Dr. Woodrow M. Kroll (1965)

Dr. Dale E. Linebaugh (1949)


Dr. George D. Miller III (1972)

This Thanksgiving marks 85 years since the Students League of Many Nations was started

The picture above is from the 1934 Theologue

On Thanksgiving Day 1922 the Freshman class at Practical Bible Training School put on a presentation of all the different ethnic groups represented in the class.

With improvised costumes they presented an unusual, international flavored program to the school body on Thanksgiving Day. Rev. Davis seized upon this as a unique means of sowing the gospel and of advertising the school. (Dr. Barackman's History of PBTS)

On the afternoon of December 10, 1922 another program was created from the 17 nationalities took part and this program was repeat on January 21, 1923 in the Goodwill theater in Johnson City. A new organization at PBTS was born.

The Senior class of PBTS that same year created the name “The Theologue” for the school yearbook following in the footsteps of the previous class who started the yearbook in the first place. The class of 1923 also gave the school, the School Bell.

In May of 1923, Dr. H. H. Wagner gave them the name, “Students League of Many Nations.” On their first southern trip they were received by President Calvin Coolidge at the White House on February 2, 1925.[1] By 1927 the League had held their services in 28 states to almost a million people

In 1927 the League became two Leagues: The Junior League and the Senior League. The Senior League traveled around the country during the school year and they had their own teachers on the bus. The Junior League only ministered during the summer and weekends and still attended classes on the campus.

All 48 states (since Alaska and Hawaii were not states yet) and Mexico and Canada were reached with the League. PBTS was known far and wide because of the influence of the League.

Dr. and Mrs. M. C. Patterson were the League's dedicated directors from 1927 until 1958, when the organization was terminated.

Today though the League does not exist in person the influence still exists. Under the current administration of Dr. George Miller III the school has returned to what the League was all about: sharing Christ to our multi-ethnic world, by using multi-ethnic students.

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[1] 1926 Theologue, p. 66.

Questions or Stories about the three presidents

(L-R) Dr. George D. Miller III (8th president), Dr. Dale E. Linebaugh (7th president), Dr. Woodrow M. Kroll (6th president) at Practical's Centennial Celebration in 2000.

The research for the interviews with the three living presidents of Davis is nearing completion. I hope to do all three interviews in the week after Thanksgiving, Lord willing. Do you as an Alumni or friend of Davis have a question for one of them? I cannot promise being able to ask it, but if you do have one email it to me using the button on the side or the form. Do you have a story (appropriate please) that might be interesting to bring up in the interview I would be happy to hear from you about those too. This has been a great experience researching these three great men of God. I too am looking forward to hearing what they will say in the interviews.

Robert Miller's Memories of PBTS

As I continue to work on some items about Dr. Barackman and Miss Mary Baker I would like to post these memories of PBTS.
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The following are some memories of Robert J. Miller. Robert is the one of the sons of Pastor George Miller II, and the younger brother of Dr. George Miller III, the current president of Davis. Like Anita Harrower's memories several months ago, Robert never attended PBTS as a student, but was actively involved with the school when his parents attended. Enjoy his memories, I know I did.
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Growing up on the campus of PBTS

I remember the first day we moved onto the campus at “Practical Bible Training School”. How I enjoyed chasing all the squirrels and climbing up the tall evergreen tree in front of King Hall. I know my Mother was a nervous wreck with knowing I would be getting into everything and anything, the campus a field day of adventure. We had an apartment which was behind the old post office at one point. We lived, also at the married family housing which was completed in the earlier part of the sixties beyond the Knoll. It was there that I became friends with other student’s kids. It was my Brother George and I and My two Parents, George and Eleanor Miller. I loved it on the Campus, ridding my bike for hours on end and never having to leave the Practical grounds. I became good friends with Richard Robb (President Robb’s son) and he and I would always find lots to do as we were the same age. We always had a watchful eye out for President Patterson, who seemed to always be around patrolling the Campus on a hot summer’s eve or evenings during the school year. Dr. Patterson would always stop and take the time to talk to us boys. It always seemed like we had a sense of security with him around. It amazed me that he being President of a college would take the time to care about us boys.

My Father went to Practical and Graduated in 1965 and we stayed at the school with my Father and Mother both working on the staff. We lived in many different places from the “League Building” to another apartment in the old Post Office building, to finally “Clements Hall” before leaving Practical. We left when my Father was led by God into another ministry he started in Spencer, New York. When we lived on campus I had meet many godly folks who were both teachers at Practical, and Staff members. Even the “Head of Maintenance,” Mr. Conn was in my eyes a spiritual man; I would see him on occasion praying with someone. I also remember the students who would come over to our apartment and talk with my parents about there problems. I guess some of the students thought of my mother and father as taking the place of their parents which were farther away.

I live in the Myrtle Beach area now with my Wife Josephine, but we from time to time make the trip up North. We always take a ride through the campus of which is now Davis College and I am, in my mind, always taken back forty some years ago to a wonderful time in my life. I would have not missed it for the world, living on that campus, being amongst the very godly people who where there. Then there were wonderful picnics at Arrowhead, the wonderful guest speakers for the Alumni retreats (as they called it back then), and also graduations. I am very proud to say my Father and Brother both attended Practical (Davis College). From time to time my Wife and I will hear a speaker that graduated from PBTS. My wife always tells me you can see how they were trained just by hearing them preach. It is a wonderful thing that Practical-Davis College has always taken a stand to never waiver from teaching and professing the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Dr. Davis would be proud as to where the college has evolved in these modern times. I always remember and sing it from time to time, some lines from that song the Seniors would always sing at graduation , “on the bank of the Susquehanna, in God chosen place , stands our dear ole PBTS”. I did not attend Practical or Davis, but that precious College will be for ever in my heart as well as everyone in my family’s hearts as well. “PBTS How we love you and your teachers dear” those words will for ever ring out not only in my life but the Miller family. We know that it will only be a bright, blessed future for the countless others who will pass through and be a part of Davis College.