You’ve registered for courses and bought your textbooks, but you may not feel ready for the thrill of starting a new semester. That’s because being a student on the campus of one of the world’s largest seminaries presents a host of challenges in adapting to new surroundings and choosing extracurricular activities. To help you prepare for Fall 2015, the Towers team is mapping out 30 events and opportunities occurring throughout the semester. 

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With the world’s most renowned theological faculty, Southern Seminary offers a wellspring of learning inside the classroom. But a variety of lectures, conferences, and workshops will deepen your understanding of the faith once for all delivered to the saints.

Master a biblical language

Whether you’re enrolled in Elementary Greek or trying maintain to your skills, subscribe to SBTS professor Robert Plummer’s Daily Dose of Greek to receive daily videos of New Testament translation. More information is available at dailydoseofgreek.com, and Daily Dose of Hebrew (dailydoseofhebrew.com) launches in August.

Listen to The Briefing

Southern Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr.’s daily podcast examines current events from a Christian worldview. Also, check out his “Ask Anything: Weekend Edition” and “Thinking in Public,” conversations with leading thinkers on cultural and theological issues. Subscribe on iTunes or visit albertmohler.com.

Register for a free conference

Southern Seminary and Boyce College students are eligible to register for one free conference each semester through a general conference scholarship. Students must present their Shield Cards in the Event Productions office beginning Aug. 10. A limited number of scholarships is available for each conference.

  • Andrew Fuller Conference: “Persecution and the Church,” Sept. 15-16, 2015
    • Benjamin Hegeman, Jason Duesing, Thomas R. Schreiner, Brian Vickers, Steve Weaver, Nathan Finn, Bryan Litfin
  • Theology Conference: “The Five Solas,” Sept. 24-25, 2015
    • Carl Trueman, Bruce Ware, Thomas R. Schreiner, Stephen Wellum, David VanDrumen,
      Matthew Barrett
  • ACBC Annual Conference: “Homosexuality: Compassion, Care, and Counsel for Struggling People,” Oct. 5-7, 2015
    • R. Albert Mohler Jr., Stuart Scott, Heath Lambert, Rosaria Butterfield, Sam Allberry, Robert Jones
    • Pre-Conference, Oct. 5, 2015: “Transgender Confusion and Transformational Christianity” ($40 add-on)
  • The Expositors Summit, Oct. 27-29, 2015
    • R. Albert Mohler Jr., H.B. Charles Jr., Derek Thomas
    • Pre-Conference, Oct. 26, 2015: “The Pulpit and Reconciliation” ($40 add-on)

Catch up during fall break

Whether it’s sleep or reading, fall break (Oct. 5-9) is an excellent opportunity to catch up when you fall behind. Once you’ve completed some assignments, start exploring the city of Louisville.

Follow a shepherd

Learn practical wisdom as you meet in small groups with a Southern Seminary faculty member. School of Theology students meet in shepherding groups and Billy Graham School students meet in mentoring groups. Meeting times are 10 a.m. on Aug. 26, Sept. 16, Oct. 21, and Nov. 11. To sign up for a group, email theology@sbts.edu or bgs@sbts.edu.

Read the latest from Southern scholars

Keep tabs on the latest and best evangelical scholarship with Southern Seminary’s academic journals, which are available online for free at sbts.edu/resources.

  • The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology  
  • The Southern Baptist Journal of Missions and Evangelism
  • The Journal of Discipleship and Family Ministry

Improve your theological writing

Before turning in a research paper for class, email writingcenter@sbts.edu to schedule an appointment with the Southern Seminary Writing Center and receive feedback on grammar, style, and argument. The assistance in refining and editing research papers will improve both your grade and your writing skills.

Learn about Islam and the Quran

With the rising challenge of Islam around the globe, Southern Seminary’s Jenkins Center for the Christian Understanding of Islam provides excellent resources for students to equip themselves for ministry among Muslims. The second annual Jenkins Lectures will feature Islamic scholars Keith Small and Ayman Ibrahim on the history of the Quran, Sept. 3-4, in Heritage Hall. Giveaways include Small’s Holy Books have a History (Thursday) and J. Scott Bridger’s A Christian Exegesis of the Qur’an (Friday).

  • Sept. 3 Lecture 1 | noon (Chick-fil-A lunch for the first 75 students)
  • Sept. 3 Lecture 2 | 1:10 p.m.
  • Sept. 3 Lecture 3 | 2:10 p.m.
  • Sept. 4 Lecture 4 | 9:10 a.m.
  • Sept. 4 Panel discussion | 10:10 a.m.
  • Sept. 5 Q&A | 11 a.m.

Gain preaching experience

  • Ministry Connections will offer its annual Always Ready: Training for Pulpit Supply Sept. 17, 2-5 p.m., in the President’s Reception Room. To sign up and learn more about pulpit supply opportunities, contact Matt Haste (mhaste@sbts.edu).
  • The second annual Preach the Word, a Bevin Center initiative to mobilize students to serve Kentucky Baptist churches, takes place on Sept. 27. Students will preach sermons from select Great Commission passages. To register, visit missions.sbts.edu.
  • The Bevin Center sends students to preach at the Louisville Rescue Mission each Thursday morning for chapel services. Students can also find opportunities to preach at nursing homes and volunteer in chaplaincy. Email Dithson Noel (dnoel@sbts.edu) for more information.

Research like an expert: Library workshops

  • Get to know the Boyce Centennial Library
    • Sept. 1 | 1 p.m.; 4 p.m.
    • Sept. 2 | 10 a.m.
  • Library Research 101
    • Sept. 8 | 1 p.m.; 4 p.m.
    • Sept. 9 | 10 a.m.
  • Library Research 102
    • Sept. 15 | 1 p.m.; 4 p.m.
    • Sept. 16 | 10 a.m.
  • Proper paper formatting
    • Sept. 22 | 1 p.m.; 4 p.m.
    • Sept. 23 | 10 a.m.
  • Footnotes and bibliographies
    • Sept. 29 | 1 p.m.; 4 p.m.
    • Sept. 30 | 10 a.m.

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Mark your calendars for these upcoming events for opportunities to enrich your life with fellowship among Southern Seminary students and faculty. 

Get a job, find a bank

Students and spouses can apply for jobs and open accounts at local banks at the annual Job and Bank Fair Aug. 27, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., in the McCall Sesquicentennial Pavilion. Human Resources is hosting a resume clinic Aug. 25, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., outside Fifth and Broadway.

Refuel with a Study Cup

Buy a Study Cup from Fifth and Broadway for $2.92 and receive unlimited coffee refills throughout the day. All campus residents will receive one free Study Cup at the beginning of the semester.

Experience Fall Festival’s Adventures in Odyssey

Inspired by the classic Focus on the Family radio drama, Southern Seminary’s Sept. 11 Fall Festival will transport you to the beloved town of Odyssey. Experience the legendary Wod-Fam-Choc-Sod (World Famous Chocolate Soda) at Whit’s End, which will serve as the festival’s “imagination station” with games and crafts.

Students, faculty, and staff can receive free meal tickets by presenting their Shield Card at Event Productions or the Concierge desk beginning Aug. 10. Festival attendees can choose from Chick-fil-A, the Odyssey Grill, and Whit’s Pizza.

Also, make sure to participate in the Fall Festival’s cupcake decorating contest for a chance to win prizes. Contestants can submit entries in Vanilla/Yellow, Chocolate, and Wildcard categories and will be judged on creativity and quality.

More information is available online at events.sbts.edu/fallfestival.

Enjoy a date night with your spouse

One of the most important aspects in pursuing seminary education is maintaining a healthy marriage — and that means carving out time to spend with your spouse instead of your books. Southern Seminary offers six date nights this semester, which affords couples the opportunity to drop off their children at the HRC for childcare ($6-7 per child) and go on a date.

  • Date Night at SBTS:
    • Aug. 21
    • Sept. 4
    • Oct. 30
  • Date Night OUT:
    • Aug. 28
    • Oct. 2
    • Nov. 6

Fellowship for ladies only 

Koinonia is an opportunity for all the ladies of the Southern community to fellowship with one another, Aug. 18 and Nov. 3. Female students and student wives will get to know the wives of faculty and administration with a brief program and casual conversation to build upon a strong sense of community. For more information on Koinonia and other opportunities for women on campus, visit sbts.edu/women.

Be men and women of the Word

Men of the Word and Women of the Word are 10-week mentorship programs for students aspiring to serve the church. On Friday mornings, Sept. 4–Nov. 13, Jeremy Pierre will lead Men of the Word through the Pastoral Epistles and Candice Watters will lead Women of the Word. Visit sbts.edu/students/student-life/men-and-women-of-the-word to apply. Applications for the Fall 2015 study are due by Aug. 21.

Worship together

  • Nov. 6  | Boyce College Student Recital
  • Nov. 11 | Boyce Fall Concert
  • Nov. 13  | Department of Biblical
  • Worship Student Recital
  • Nov. 17  | Department of Biblical
  • Worship Fall Concert
  • Dec. 5 | Seminary Christmas Concert

Browse the Back-to-School sales 

Find Southern Seminary and Boyce College apparel, school supplies, formal attire, fountain pens, and more at Fifth and Broadway Campus Store and Edgar’s Gift Emporium. At Fifth and Broadway, all Southern Seminary and Boyce College apparel is “buy one, get one 50 percent off” during the month of August. Among the deals at Edgar’s, you can get the first month free in the Wet Shave Crew.

Run the Great Commission Race 5K

Take the challenge and participate in the Oct. 17 Great Commission Race to help raise support for Southern Seminary student missionaries. Registration for the event, which is sponsored by the Bevin Center for Missions Mobilization, is $30 for the 5K and $10 for the Kids’ Mile. The event will include live music, family activities, and prizes. For more information on the race and other Bevin Center events, visit missions.sbts.edu.

Need to get in shape first? Join the HRC’s 5K Run Club, beginning Sept. 1, or any of the HRC fitness classes. For more information, drop by the Health and Rec Center’s front desk.

Attend chapel

Join the Southern Seminary community each Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. for worship in Alumni Memorial Chapel. Tweet about the service with #SBTSChapel and tell your friends about the livestream at sbts.edu/live.

  • Aug. 25 | R. Albert Mohler Jr.
  • Aug. 27 | Jason Allen
  • Sept. 1 | Ligon Duncan
  • Sept. 3 | Randy Stinson
  • Sept. 8 | Nick Floyd
  • Sept. 10 | Ken Fentress
  • Sept. 15 | Nathan Finn
  • Sept. 17 | Hershael York
  • Sept. 22 | Ryan Fullerton
  • Sept. 24 | Carl Trueman
  • Sept. 29 | Bill Cook
  • Oct. 1 | Dan DeWitt
  • Heritage Week
    • Oct. 13 | R. Albert Mohler Jr.
    • Oct. 14 | R. Albert Mohler Jr.
      (Broadus Chapel)
    • Oct. 15 | TBA
  • Oct. 20 | Aaron Harvie
  • Oct. 22 | T.C. Taylor
  • Expositors Summit
    • Oct. 27 | Derek Thomas
    • Oct. 29 | H.B. Charles Jr.
  • McCall Leadership Lecture
    • Nov. 3 | Bob Russell
  • Nov. 5 | Victor Sholar
  • Nov. 10 | Jon Akin
  • Nov. 12 | Mike Pohlman

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Beyond our 84-acre campus is one of America’s greatest cities for family, food, and entertainment. We’ve provided 10 items to check off your list as you grow to love the ’Ville.

Visit America’s Best Coffeehouse

You won’t have to travel far to order a carefully poured latte from Quills Coffee, recently named America’s Best Coffeehouse. In fact, Quills Coffee at 930 Baxter Ave. is 2.5 miles away from the seminary campus. Enjoy the locally roasted coffee, meet the award-winning baristas, and be inspired by the creative atmosphere.

Cheer on your team at Louisville Slugger Field

One of the best minor league ballparks in America is home to the Louisville Bats, AAA-affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, and newcomers Louisville City FC, a United Soccer League team.

Be a cultural aficionado

Southern Seminary and Boyce College students can purchase $20 tickets to the Kentucky Opera and $10 tickets to the Louisville Orchestra if they present their Shield Card at the box office. This season’s opera performances include “Macbeth” (inspired by the Shakespeare tragedy) and “Three Decembers.” For information on performances and dates, visit kyopera.org and louisvilleorchestra.org.

Tour the Kentucky State Fair

See the best of the rest of Kentucky Aug. 20-30 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Enjoy daily shows, Pride of the Counties exhibits, livestock shows, and fair rides. Christian artists Casting Crowns, Family Force 5, Hawk Nelson, Matt Maher, and For King and Country will perform free concerts Aug. 24 and 30. And don’t forget to try legendary food items like the Donut Burger and Deep-Fried Hot Brown. For ticket prices and hours, visit kystatefair.org.

Explore Louisville Zoo

With more than 1,500 animals on 134 acres, the Louisville Zoo is surprisingly one of the largest zoos in the United States. The zoo features exciting exhibits like Glacier Run and Gorilla Forest and each year hosts “The World’s Largest Halloween Party.” Best of all? Southern Seminary and Boyce College students can purchase discounted tickets at the Concierge desk in the McCall Pavilion. For more information on the zoo, visit louisvillezoo.org.

Download the Keep Louisville Weird app

Equipped with a member directory, upcoming events, and the ability to search nearby shops and restaurants, Keep Louisville Weird (keeplouisvilleweird.com) is the best way to find local businesses.

Go to a park

Stay active this fall by taking a walk, riding your bike, or playing games with friends at any of Louisville’s city parks. Seneca Park resides on 531.5 acres of land and is close to campus. Cherokee Park includes 389.13 acres of land and is most known for the 2.4-mile Scenic Loop, with separate lanes for vehicle traffic (one-way) and recreational users. The park provides a pastoral setting amid rolling hills, open meadows and woodlands of the Beargrass Creek valley. For a complete list of Louisville’s parks, visit louisvilleky.gov.

Take a Deep Water Dive

Among the thrilling attractions at Kentucky Kingdom is the 121-foot water slide Deep Water Dive in the park’s Hurricane Bay. If the slide’s 70-degree drop makes you squeamish, hop on the refurbished T3 roller coaster which opened in July. Students, staff, and faculty can present their Shield Card at the Concierge desk in the McCall Pavilion to purchase tickets at a discounted price of $30. For more information, visit kentuckykingdom.com.

Become a barbecue connoisseur

Not known for its own special style of barbecue, Louisville is nevertheless home to vibrant smokehouses inspired by America’s great barbecue cities. Check out the Towers team’s top three spots for pull barbecue, tender brisket, and smoked wings.

  • Smoketown USA, 1153 Logan St.
  • Feast BBQ, 909 E Market St.
  • Momma’s Mustard, Pickles & BBQ, 102 Bauer Ave.

Find the best local bookstore
The LifeWay Campus Store on the ground floor of the Honeycutt Campus Center offers one of the largest selections of academic books in the United States. Students can purchase their required textbooks at a 20 to 30 percent discount and receive a price-matching guarantee on new book prices listed at competing retailers like Amazon and Christian Book Nook.

Louisville is also home to other great local bookstores, including: 

  • A Reader’s Corner, 2044 Frankfort Ave. (Students receive a 20 percent discount.)
  • Carmichael’s Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Ave.
  • Christian Book Nook, 2116 S Preston St.