A civil engineer and hydrogeologist, he spent much of his career collaborating internationally with students and colleagues to help provide groundwater resources for people in Haiti, Benin and East Africa. His work provided numerous opportunities to seek a reflection of God's creation in the people, nature and geology that he encountered.
Silliman passed away in late March from pancreatic cancer. During Trevecca’s inaugural nurse pinning ceremony in May, the University honored his memory by presenting the first Steve Silliman Nursing Excellence Award. A scholarship has been established in his name as well.
“Steve enjoyed being part of a God-centered community at Trevecca,” said his wife, Julie. “He always loved teaching and watching students grow in knowledge and confidence. He was dedicated to his job and fortunate to be able to draw on a wealth of past experience to help create positive outcomes for programs, students and the University.”
Welch serves as the dean of the School of Arts and Social Sciences, associate provost of traditional undergraduate programs and a professor of communication studies. Since joining Trevecca’s faculty in 1988, she has coached the speech team, taught a variety of communication classes and led the way in helping Trevecca complete its first Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), a project that established the University’s undergraduate research program.
Known for her leadership, mentoring skills and dedication to advocating for students, Welch’s perspective on teaching is intertwined with her determination to help young adults know themselves and their purpose.
“I firmly believe every student needs to find what’s most important to them and what they need to share with those around them,” she said. “That may be in a speech class, but it can also be in a writing, music or science class. It’s discovering how to confidently communicate the message they believe will most benefit others.”
That’s when she noticed an unmet need. Providers were paying a premium for software systems yet struggling to implement them and train their staffs. Lockhart started a software operation management firm, Evia Solutions, in 2016 to support providers in organizing data efficiently so they can meet compliance and regulation standards, file insurance and complete billing.
As her company grew, Lockhart earned her Doctor of Education in leadership (Ed.D.) with an emphasis in healthcare administration from Trevecca in 2023. She currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in Trevecca’s Master of Arts in organizational leadership (MOL) program and a dissertation advisor in the Ed.D. program.
Today, Evia Solutions manages a diverse client base, serving the two largest mental and behavioral government entities in Louisiana as well as health organizations in Tennessee, Illinois and Maryland.
“The best part of my work is that moment when I see clients take a deep breath or exhale in relief. Most of them come to us at a crossroads because they’re at risk of having to close their doors. It’s rewarding to give them hope and set them back on a path toward success so they can care for patients and bring healing to their communities.”
His time at the University sharpened his skill set and his understanding of vocation outside of the church. Applying his faith, knowledge and personal experience with Stargardt disease, which causes vision loss, he recently stepped into a leadership role as an accessibility coordinator for Tennessee State Parks.
Jolley is leading the charge to make outdoor spaces accessible for people regardless of age or disability. His team is investing in innovative projects like all-terrain wheelchairs, educational programming and trails with guide ropes to make Tennessee parks a model for accessibility nationwide.
Jolley approaches his job as Kingdom work: ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can experience the outdoors.
“At Trevecca, you learn the hard skills. You learn the competencies and the knowledge,” he said. “But I think it’s the character development and the rootedness in values Trevecca taught that shaped me to pursue my calling. I learned who I was in the context of my faith and then how to carry that out and lead and serve.”
“Trevecca became a place where I truly belonged,” he said of his time on campus. “I didn’t just find a school—I found a home. I came to Trevecca unsure of who I was or what I was capable of achieving. I was met by people who believed in me and saw things in me that I didn’t yet see in myself.”
Today, Jetton serves as a senior executive at Growve, a multimillion-dollar wellness platform where he oversees several top health brands and manages international sales across the company’s portfolio. His teams support more than 50 nonprofits and work with more than 15 million clients worldwide.
Inspired by Trevecca mentors like Tim Green and Matt Spraker, his team’s core value—“Healthy Things Grow”— directs its purpose. “When people feel safe, seen and valued, it changes how they engage,” he said. “We’ve built a team that genuinely enjoys the journey together.”
Courtney serves as senior pastor at United Church of the Nazarene in Orlando, Florida. His passion for ministry was shaped by his own experience as a “bus ministry kid,” where he witnessed firsthand the love and commitment of the local church through a mobile outreach ministry that regularly visited his neighborhood and shared Bible stories.
“We had nothing to offer but we were loved into the Kingdom of God by a missional church,” he said. “I am a Christian, a Nazarene and a pastor because of people who were driven by the Great Commission.”
Now, Courtney continues to pour into others the same way, helping lead people into lives of faith, service and love.
“Trevecca wasn’t just a place for me to learn and prepare. It was a family that I gained. I have seen the Church in action and it has motivated me to serve and love as many as possible into the Kingdom the way I was.”
Through his church, he’s served as a Sunday school superintendent, church board secretary, worship band director, small group leader, curriculum writer and chair of multiple committees. He also authored a book to serve as a resource for his church.
Diehl has a Trevecca heritage that goes beyond his instructor role. His father joined the University’s administrative team when he was a young child; his grandparents both worked on campus in the ’80s; he himself worked on the grounds crew and in the cafeteria during high school; and during his undergraduate years at Trevecca he met his wife, Judy. Their four daughters have all attended Trevecca as well.
“Trevecca taught me how to think, study, research, ask good questions and communicate well—in other words, I learned how to learn and express myself,” he said. “This place is simply part of my life and always has been. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
Ballard progressed from experimental design to overseeing modeling, fabrication and testing. He now serves as chief technical lead working on the development of an entire technology library. He has integrated expertise, leadership and strategic planning to grow into a leader skilled at managing people, technology and diverse interests, embodying Trevecca’s commitment to excellence and service.
“The grounding in faith I received at Trevecca was extremely important,” he said. “Getting to learn complex subjects like math and physics from professors who cared deeply about the connection between science and faith prepared me for entering a world where religion and science do not always see eye to eye. Having that foundation has helped me maintain my focus on what’s most important as a physicist and as a Christian.”