The 'Earl' of persistence

New TBC grad marks a first in school's Distance Learning program

By AMY DAVIS
TENNESSEE BIBLE COLLEGE

COOKEVILLE — A model of persistence.

That's how Tennessee Bible College Dean Kerry Duke describes one of the school's newest graduates, 62-year-old Earl Alverson of Sparta, who received his preaching diploma June 15 on the TBC campus in Cookeville.

As he graced the commencement stage that Friday evening, he also marked a first for the college — he's the only student to have started from scratch and earned a diploma through Distance Learning, having come into the program with zero credit hours under his belt.

"Most people who enroll in Distance Learning have had some training at some other school and transferred hours," Duke said. "But Earl had nothing. He started at ground level and has worked all the way through. He's worked really, really hard."

It's a feat, says Duke, that requires extreme persistence on the part of a student — especially for one such as Alverson who holds a full-time job and preaching position.

"Distance Learning requires a lot of self-discipline and initiative because the classes don't meet regularly on campus," Duke said. "You have to make your own schedule. You have to decide when you're going to listen to the lectures or do your assignments or take the tests. And so you have to set your own pace. Distance Learning has a high dropout rate because of that. Few people actually see it through to the end."

At a time when many his age consider retirement, Alverson has kept busy over the past four years, pursuing his TBC preaching diploma while also putting in a full work week at Lowe's in Cookeville and delivering his Sunday sermons at Mt. Della Church of Christ near Fall Creek Falls. 

Whatever time in between has been devoted to his TBC studies — and, at long last, his diligence has paid off in the form of a beloved "sheepskin" conferred in his honor.

The diploma is so meaningful to him, in fact, that Alverson has left instructions with his family that it is to be buried with him when the time comes.

"I told my son, 'Make sure that goes in with me!'" he said.

Alverson's TBC journey began in the fall of 2003, when he signed up for the course Prophecy of the Prophets I, followed by parts II and III.

He had learned about Distance Learning while watching the TV program Bible Questions and Answers, which airs on Cookeville Cable Channel 7 every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. Malcolm Hill, co-host of the show and president of TBC, explained the opportunities.

"When they offered Distance Learning, I jumped up and said, 'My prayers are answered.' I had known about Tennessee Bible College, but I didn't know they offered the Distance Learning program. As soon as I found out I enrolled within two or three days," Alverson said.

While he would have enjoyed being in the classroom with his instructors and fellow classmates at TBC, Alverson said his busy schedule would not permit it. That's why Distance Learning had such an appeal to him.

"I had to work and support my family," he said. "I didn't have any other choice but to take Distance Learning courses."

It was a big step for Alverson.

Being a 1962 graduate of White County High School, it had been quite a while since he'd hit the books to make the grade.

"I had to learn how to study again," he said.

And that he did, getting up as early as 5:30 many mornings and staying up as late as 11:30 to keep up with the demands of his schedule — which, in addition to his job, included preparing two sermons and two Bible class lessons each week... not to mention time with family.

"It takes a lot of time commitment," Alverson said. "Desire and commitment — and I've had both.

"I've used all my lunch breaks at work to study because when you're holding down a full-time job, going to college and preaching full-time, you've got to use every minute you can."

But staying motivated hasn't been a problem.

"I've enjoyed every minute of it," he said. "I've really worked hard, and I've had a sponsor [to cover tuition], and that has really made me try harder. I wanted to do it not just for the diploma, but so I could learn as much as I can to teach others."

It's that strong desire to gain more biblical knowledge — and teach it to others — that motivated Alverson, a preacher for the past 15 years, to pursue his diploma in the first place.

"I figured if I'm going to be responsible for the souls of people listening to what I say, I want to make sure I'm not teaching error," Alverson said. "I want to make sure I know all I can to persuade people to become children of the Lord. And that's why I wanted to learn as much as I can, to go out there and be a soul-seeker. That's what Jesus came to do — seek and save — and that's what I want to do."

Distance Learning: How it works

TBC's Distance Learning program began in 2000 as a way for students who either live too far from campus or those with busy work schedules to earn a college degree from home at their own pace.

That way, advanced Bible education would be available to all people, near or far, whatever their situation in life.

People like Earl Alverson.

TBC is approved by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to award a bachelor's degree in religious education, master's and doctorate degrees in theology and a two-year preaching diploma.

Alverson pursued the two-year preaching diploma, which, in actuality, took him four years to complete.

But that's not to say he took his time.

As soon as the daily job obligations were met — "I'd go straight to my studies," he said. "My wife said I was really committed, and you've got to be committed to do it. I just loved doing it."

TBC Dean Kerry Duke, who monitored Alverson's progress, said, "Earl is a very sincere student and a very passionate speaker, dedicated Christian and a humble man — genuinely humble."

TBC's Distance Learning students are scattered throughout the world, with four of the latest graduates being from Africa and China.

Like Alverson, they correspond with TBC via mail, e-mail and phone calls and complete assignments, text book readings, term papers and tests at their own pace. A syllabus is provided, detailing all course requirements.

Much of Alverson's spare time has been spent in front of his television, watching his instructors teaching their respective courses.

"I feel like I know those men, even though I really don't," he said. "They've been in my home day in and day out for four years on DVDs."

It's a process that's worked well for him. In one sense, it's been an advantage over the classroom.

"I could stop the DVD and write more thorough notes," he said. "I practically wrote my own commentaries on everything they taught, where I wouldn't have had that much time in the classroom."

A look ahead

Moments before graduation on June 15 at Tennessee Bible College, Alverson said, "Other than the night my wife and I got married, this will probably be one of the most delightful nights of my life."

Donning a blue cap and gown and a broad smile, Alverson proudly crossed the stage before a host of family, friends and well-wishers. He shook a line of hands, accepted his diploma and moved his tassel to the other side of his cap.

Now he's talking about doing it again — next time, though, he hopes the prize will be a bachelor's degree in religious education. Having already earned a preaching diploma, he's halfway there.

"I can't wait to start," he said.

But this time he plans to slow the pace for the sake of his family.

"It's taken a lot of time away from my wife, son and grandchildren," he said. "So I'm not going to hit this next one as hard as I have before."

But his thirst for knowledge is as strong as ever.

"I want to know more," he said. "Just like that song, 'I want to know more about my Savior, I want to know more about my Jesus.'"

And there's still much to know.

For more information about Tennessee Bible College and the Distance Learning program, call (931)526-2616 or visit www.tn-biblecollege.edu.