Dyer Hopes to Fill Void Left by Taylor

Carson-Newman lost one of its highly regarded and beloved professors over the summer. Dr. Doug Taylor, Director of Academic Support and Career Services, had an untimely death May 11 when he was killed in a car wreck in Mississippi en route to his daughter's graduation from Ole Miss. In the years that he taught at C-N, Dr. Taylor put his heart into assisting students who needed support and guidance, whether it is with academics or finding the right career path. "He was a fine example of 'Truth, Beauty, and Goodness.' We were lucky to have had Doug Taylor on this faculty" said Ann A. Jones, associate professor of music.

"I suppose all the people at C-N thought they had a special connection to Doug Taylor," said Sharon Teets, professor of education. "He made everyone feel that way. He and I discussed everything from international policies to leaking ceiling tiles. Doug had a way of putting things into perspective," said Teets.

Although Dr. Taylor is no longer here, his legacy will live on not only thorough all of the stories but also through Rodney Dyer, the new Director of Academic Support and Career Services.

Rodney Dyer came to C-N in June from Lincoln Heights Middle School to begin his journey of following in Dr. Taylor's footsteps and it is a journey that he is embracing with open arms. "Dr. Taylor was a beloved professor and the tragedy makes it somewhat awkward following someone who had such a highly regarded reputation and untimely death," Dyer said. "However, I look at this as an opportunity to continue what he was doing."

Although Dyer never knew Doug Taylor personally, he has met Darby, Dr. Taylor's widow. "Darby commented that Doug and I shared a lot of traits and that made me feel comforted," said Dyer.

One connection that Dyer has made between Dr. Taylor and himself was the same desire that they shared for their jobs. "Dr. Taylor has been here for years and he had a heart for assisting students. I know that it existed with him because of the vast numbers of students, faculty, and staff that held him at such a high regard.," said Dyer. " I share that; I have a heart for this job just as he did. It feels good to share common goals with him."

Dyer does not want to come in and completely change the Academic Support Center. "I don't want people to have the feeling of the new guy coming in and changing things," he said. "This department is still going to grow stronger as it would have if he was still here and its purpose is still going to go on."

According to Dyer, everyone has a certain number of God-given spiritual gifts. "When people come to a college-like Carson-Newman, our responsibility is to help students reach their career goals/calling. It's my hope in students early years at C-N to determine their strengths and goals to assist them in finding their chosen career path. If they already know that path, then it's our duty to help reaffirm them and help them reinforce their spiritual paths."

He also advises students to allow the Academic Support and Career Center, which is located on Branner Avenue beside Stokely Memorial Cafeteria, to be a part of their Carson-Newman experience. He said that no student has to be in the career search alone and that is what the department is there for, to make the job search more bearable. For seniors preparing to graduate, whether it is in December or May, "let us help you find a career, and for the freshmen, "let us help you find your strengths in order to help make the transition from graduation to career go smoothly."

"This year we want to make students more aware of the big number of services that we offer," Dyer said. The Academic Support Center is sponsoring a Career Emphasis Week in which each grade level will be spotlighted and the website contains an up to date list of job openings that come through the department.

"I believe that God places us in various positions in our lives and this one has been very pleasant and gratifying. I love that I am doing.