Union University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni

Union University, a private Baptist university located in Jackson, Tennessee, has a rich history of producing accomplished graduates who have made significant contributions in various fields. Affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention (Southern Baptist Convention), Union University has been shaping leaders since its establishment in 1823. This article highlights some of the university's most notable alumni, showcasing their diverse achievements and lasting impact.

A Historical Overview of Union University

Originally founded as "Jackson Male Academy" in 1823, Union University has undergone several transformations throughout its history. In 1844, the academy was reorganized and rechartered as "West Tennessee College." The establishment of "Union University" in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in 1849 marked a significant step in the institution's development. In 1875, it was re-established as "Southwestern Baptist University" on the campus of the former West Tennessee College. The Tennessee Baptist Convention secured a charter in 1925, vesting the rights, authority, and property of Union University in the Convention. Accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools followed in 1948.

Union University's commitment to academic excellence and Christian values has attracted students from diverse backgrounds, fostering a vibrant community of scholars and leaders. With additional campuses in Germantown and Hendersonville, the university continues to expand its reach and impact.

Notable Alumni of Union University

EduRank Union University is 3080th in the world, 1057th in North America, and 1002nd in the United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Here are some of the notable alumni of Union University:

Andrew J. May: From Kentucky Attorney to Influential Politician

Andrew Jackson May was a Kentucky attorney, an influential New Deal-era politician, and chairman of the House Military Affairs Committee during World War II. As a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Kentucky, May served during the 72nd to 79th sessions of Congress. He played a key role as chief architect of the Peacetime Selective Service Act.

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Steve Gaines: Southern Baptist Pastor and Leader

John Steven Gaines is an American Southern Baptist pastor who has served as the president of the Southern Baptist Convention. He served as senior pastor at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova (a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee) until September 22, 2024. At the conclusion of the services on Sunday, July 10, 2005, the Pastor Search Committee of Bellevue Baptist Church presented Dr. Steve Gaines to the church congregation. The Bellevue family overwhelmingly voted to call Steve Gaines as the seventh Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church. Gaines succeeded the longtime Bellevue pastor Adrian Rogers.

Katrina Robinson: Former Tennessee State Senator

Katrina Robinson is an American former politician who served in the Tennessee Senate from the 33rd district from 2019 to 2022 as a member of the Democratic Party. She was the first sitting member of the state senate to be indicted since Operation Tennessee Waltz and later became the first person to ever be expelled from the state senate.

William Hicks Jackson: Confederate Brigadier General

William Hicks "Red" Jackson was a career United States Army officer who graduated from West Point. After serving briefly in the Southwest and resigning when the American Civil War broke out, he served in the Confederate Army, gaining the rank of brigadier general by the end of the war.

Joseph B. Palmer: Confederate General and Lawyer

Joseph Benjamin Palmer was an American lawyer, legislator, and soldier. He served as a Confederate general in the American Civil War, during which he was wounded four times. After the conflict he resumed his law practice in Tennessee.

Thomas Jefferson Murray: Tennessee Congressman

Thomas Jefferson Murray, usually known as Tom J. Murray, studied at Union University in 1914. He served as a U.S. Representative from Tennessee from 1943 to 1966.

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Howell Edmunds Jackson: Associate Justice of the Supreme Court

Howell Edmunds Jackson was an American attorney, politician, and jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1893 until his death in 1895. Republican President Benjamin Harrison appointed Jackson, a Democrat, to the Court. His brief tenure on the Supreme Court is most remembered for his opinion in Pollock v. Farmers' Loan & Trust Co., in which Jackson argued in dissent that a federal income tax was constitutional. His rulings demonstrated support for broad federal power, a skepticism of states' rights and an inclination toward judicial restraint.

Haywood Yancey Riddle: U.S. Representative from Tennessee

Haywood Yancey Riddle was an American politician, attorney, and educator who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Tennessee's 4th congressional district.

David Alexander Nunn: U.S. Representative and Diplomat

David Alexander Nunn was an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives from Tennessee's 8th congressional district.

Alumni Achievements and Recognition

Union University alumni have achieved remarkable success in various fields, earning recognition for their contributions to society. The university celebrates these accomplishments through various awards and honors.

Homecoming Awards

Each year at Homecoming, Union recognizes alumni for outstanding achievement in their respective fields. Recent honorees include:

2023: Clay Hallmark, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Lexington, Tenn., and Ryan Griffin, mayor of McKenzie, Tenn.
2022: Joshua B.
2020: Allen M.
2019: A. J.

Family of the Year Award

This award is presented to one family that has a strong tradition of attending Union University. The recipient must include a minimum of three generations of graduates. The family will have exemplified years of involvement and commitment to the university through extraordinary service, financial giving, and the intentional effort to influence others to attend Union as well. All generations will have attained an exceptionally high level of achievement in their respective career, chosen vocation and/or in areas of human service. and values that portray the core values of Union University.

2017: John C.
2016: James (J.

Other Notable Alumni Achievements

2025: Craig Dismuke serves as managing director and chief market strategist for Stifel's Fixed Income Capital Markets group.
2025: Fondra Magee serves in Spokane, Washington, where she developed an award-winning counseling program and was named Washington School Counselor of the Year in 2024.
2022: Chris Mathews is the vice president of academic affairs at Crown College in St.
2017: Linn M.
2025: Pam Andrews is an internationally recognized children's Christian songwriter and music educator.
2023: Sam Mizell is a composer, writer, and producer.
2025: Jerry and Becky Drace founded the Jerry Drace Evangelistic Association.
2018: Michael A.
2025: Steve Maroney was appointed chancellor of Tennessee's 26th Judicial District in 2021.
2025: Renee Emerson is an author and teaches online writing courses for Indiana Wesleyan University and Shorter University.
2023: Meredith Boggs works for Vanderbilt LifeFlight and as a sexual assault nurse examiner.
2015: M.
2025: Ward Howard is a NASA Sagan Fellow hosted by the University of Colorado Boulder.
2024: Jennifer Carson is an associate professor at the Washington University in St.
2022: Kerstin Ure is the manager of the University of Ottawa Behaviour and Physiology Core in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
2019: Vickie E.
2016: James H.
2025: Michele Walton serves as publishing director for seeJesus.
Robert E.
2022: Gary A. Taylor is the president of Gary A. Taylor Investment Co.
2016: William H.
2017: Norman O.
G.M.
2017 - George Guthrie, Benjamin W.

Union University's Impact on Various Fields

Union University alumni have made significant contributions to a wide range of fields, including:

Business and Finance

Gary Taylor is the president of Gary A. Taylor Investment Company in Jackson, Tennessee, and has developed approximately 3,000,000 square feet of commercial retail, office, hotel, banking, and restaurant space in his career. He has received numerous honors and awards, including the Jackson Exchange Club Man of the Year in 2007, and has served on Union University's Board of Trustees.

Ministry and Missions

Joshua B. Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, as the missions pastor. globe. church planting organization based in Birmingham, Alabama.

Education

Dr. Christopher W. academic affairs at Crown College in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota. Christopher and his wife, Dr. 28 years. Crown College as the chair of the Department of Teacher Education.

Science and Research

She then joined the lab of Dr. Behaviour and Physiology Core in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. behavioral testing of mouse and rat models of human disease. and analyzing, interpreting, and publishing their data. undergraduate courses and for public audiences. of Neuroscience, and Bone and Joint Journal.

Music and Arts

of blues, jazz, and rock music. with the world of classical music during his training in higher education. of Memphis. Boud, Mark Engebretson, Alejandro Rutty, Kamran Ince, and John Baur. possibilities yet maintains an accessibility for the 21st century listener. solemn orchestral song cycles on the theme of exile. for President George W. Bush. also written, produced, and engineered over 100 songs since 2014. he founded, directs, and composes for called Psallos. artistic quality into the contemporary Christian music scene. musical expressions. Best Christian Albums of the 2010s by The Gospel Coalition. been teaching music in higher education since 2009.

Athletics

High School before coming to Union as a student-athlete to play baseball. transitioned to a newly created position as the associate director of athletics. director of athletics in 2008. opportunities to serve at the conference and national level. serves as the Gulf South Conference baseball liaison. D2 National Baseball Championship Committee for four years. Committee in 2019. baseball conference and region tournaments. department from the NCAA. its current location. Delay Gymnasium. Best Pitcher Award and team MVP in 1975. games. Sadler held the school record for appearances in season for 37 years. sports management in 2012. country, as a sports manager. academies in Latin America. built to democratize opportunities in soccer by using technology. abilities.

Media and Communications

communications. radio at various stations in West Tennessee, most notably WZDQ-FM in Jackson. reporter/anchor for Live at 5 and Eyewitness News at 10. he served as news director in addition to being a report/anchor. Children's Miracle Network telethons.

Social Work

home since 2007. social work from Union University, where she met her husband Jon. They now have two daughters, Avery and Annie. Madison County. systems in West Tennessee. family advocate at Hands Up! that allowed for the first balanced budget in the nonprofit's history. University. Madison County Commission for District 2. in Madison County. In 2021, she was appointed to the Jackson-Madison County School System's ethics committee.

A Commitment to Academic Excellence

Union University offers a curriculum in liberal arts and engineering, with an emphasis on undergraduate education. The university's commitment to academic excellence is reflected in its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Union also has a 35-acre (140,000 m2) campus in Germantown, Tennessee, (suburban Memphis) offering graduate degrees in business, education, Christian studies & nursing. Union's newest location is in Hendersonville, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville.

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