Phoenix Dubose
IN HER OWN WORDS
“I am from both Washington State and Alabama. Both are home,” Phoenix Dubose said. She explained that she had a blessed childhood, relatively free of worry or any kind of harm. In high school, she joined the women’s wrestling team, and it was immediately noticeable that she had the potential to compete at the next level.
It was during the college recruiting process that she learned about King. “Having one of the top programs in the country for women’s wrestling put King on my radar, athletically,” Dubose said. While visiting the school, she was impressed by the small size of the campus compared to other schools she visited. “I like that most of the buildings are so near to each other. It makes me feel much more comfortable because the small size brings a larger sense of community,” she said.
It was King that she thought would be the most conducive to her maturity and educational needs. “I chose to enroll at King based on both its academic reputation as well as having connections with the women’s wrestling team during my recruiting process,” Dubose said. She explained that King has lived up to its academic reputation and more. “I have found opportunities for personal growth and development not only academically, but also to expand beyond classroom knowledge into my general life skills.
Dubose’s favorite thing about King is the student life. She said that there are so many ways to be involved with other students, and it definitely makes it easy to build lasting relationships. She is a Psychology and English Literature double major with a minor in Exercise Science. Despite her busy academic and athletic schedule, she makes time to involve herself in the Black Student Union (BSU) where she holds the position of club President.
“The most rewarding aspect of being involved in the BSU is getting to know students during events and watching them get to know each other as well,” Dubose said. “The goals of the club are to help students strive for academic excellence, promote positive images of African Americans, and help students become an integral part of a college community.”
She explains that the BSU acts as a safe space for herself and her peers. As the year progresses with campus events upcoming, she is looking forward to providing for the cultural, educational, and political needs of African American students on campus. “I want the club to be a place that enables African American students to learn about their culture and embrace it with others around them.” The club promotes unity and encourages effective communication by acting as a liaison between students and the administration.
With this being February, we must recognize Black History Month and celebrate those that have worked so hard pushing for equal rights for all people. As the President of the Black Student Union, we asked Phoenix what is the most important way to celebrate Black History Month and honor those that have sacrificed so much?
“I think that the most important way to celebrate Black History Month is to share Black History. The saying, ‘history repeats itself,’ comes to mind in February because I can’t help but always notice how overlooked and disregarded the African American worth is. We have consistently made and continue to make history every day, and there is no reason for our accomplishments to be treated as separate. Black History is American History, and I can’t wait for the day that our endeavors are regarded as such.”
As for the future, Dubose doesn’t yet know where it is going to lead her. “With another year left until graduation, I haven’t yet figured out where the future will be taking me. But wherever it is, I’m only praying for success and happiness.”
King University is a school rich in culture and academic avenues, with numerous athletic programs and something for everyone. Dubose explains that “Most of the students who come to King are athletes so I can imagine that sports would play a big role in many students’ interests here. But outside of sports, King can offer students a lot in the way of academics and entertainment. Here you can make friends, find direction in your life, expand career options, and even see the world with our travel opportunities. The idea of college is to grow personally and professionally, meaning there is no one reason to commit. I say to just do what feels right!”
Phoenix’s energy, optimism, leadership qualities, and determination are carving out a successful college life for her and building her a foundation for equal success in the future. We are excited to see where it takes her.
Learn more about King University’s Women’s Wrestling Program CLICK HERE
Learn more about King University’s Psychology Program CLICK HERE
Learn more about King University’s English Program CLICK HERE
Welcome to King University
Useful Links
- Student Portal – Access your King portal, email, and Canvas.
- Campus Map – View a map of King University.
- Student Tutoring – See a schedule for student tutoring services.
- King University Social Media – View all King University Social Media accounts.
Are you a new student?
Here are a few can’t-miss activities.
- Launch: New Student Orientation
Meet your launch group and fellow students. - Experience DC – Washington DC Trip
In September, enjoy a freshmen class trip to Washington D.C. - Family Weekend
Each Fall, family, friends, and alumni gather on campus to celebrate Family Weekend at King University. - Coats for Kids
Each October you can volunteer to be a part of King’s big Fall service projects that helps to provide coats to children in the Bristol community. - Late Night Exam Breakfast
In Dec, you don’t want to miss this event that features breakfast, served by faculty and staff, with lots of giveaways and a Secret Santa. - Solid Blue
Put on your best blue and support King Athletics during this annual event. - Spirit Week during Dogwood
Each Spring, the week leading up to Dogwood weekend is called Spirit Week and filled with fun events. Dogwood weekend is when alumni return to campus for reunions. The Spring formal, Dogwood Ball, is also held this weekend. - Graduation
Attend graduation in the Fall and Spring to cheer on your classmates as they walk across the stage.
STUDENT PROFILES
Amanda Meadows '23
MUCH EFFORT, MUCH PROSPERITY
“I always knew that King had a prestigious name,” Bristol, Tennessee native Amanda Meadows said. “I grew up 20 minutes down the road, but also, my grandfather went there. What really sold her on the school, was during a high school field trip to campus to listen to a holocaust survivor speak. “It is such a beautiful campus. I love how it is so small. It really feels like home. I went to a small high school, so it gives me that same warm comfortable feeling. Plus, I love the view of the mountains, and you always get to see the sunset on clear days.”
Amanda is a self-proclaimed pseudo-nerd who dreams of earning a Ph.D. in genetics or molecular biology. “My major is cell and molecular biology with minors in mathematics and English. I am hoping to be a geneticist though I am also contemplating going to medical school where I can eventually pursue becoming a clinical genetics counselor or possibly an anesthesiologist,” Amanda said.
She feels very blessed to be able to attend King. “I didn’t come from a wealthy family. I pay my own way, so receiving the scholarship provided by generous donors helps so I don’t have to work as much outside of school.” I currently work in financial aid as a clerk and as an administrative assistant in biology, and I am working on a newsletter to send out to all the alumni about graduates of the STEM program. And with all of that, I also have a job off-campus.”
Amanda’s self-discipline and work ethic allow her to juggle so many different responsibilities, but now and then, she finds spare time and enjoys listening to music and visiting her family. “I am very family-oriented. I enjoy playing cards, particularly Rook, with my grandparents and taking my sister out to eat,” Amanda said.
Amanda is scheduled to graduate in 2023, and then she’ll enter a career with a future without limits. With her intelligence and work ethic, she can go as far as she wants. This has been made possible by the donations King receives from generous donors, and Amanda is unwaveringly grateful. “The support means everything to me. I feel like King has provided me an opportunity to make a difference in the world.”
Learn more about King University’s Biology program CLICK HERE
ALUMNI PROFILES
Ana Valente
DEDICATED TO SERVICE
Sao Paulo Brazil is a mega-metropolis that has more cars than Rio de Janeiro has people. It is a unique city that no matter how hard you look you probably won’t see a billboard…anywhere. This is because in 2006 the city outlawed “visual pollution.” It can also be argued that it is the pizza capital of the world with over 1 million pizzas consumed daily. And it was in Sao Paulo where Ana Valente first saw the light of day. But she was around a year old when her parents decided to relocate to Bristol, Tennessee.
Ana’s parents were returning to Northeast Tennessee from Brazil where they both were originally from. Both of her parents grew up in slums in Northeast Brazil. Both had been taken under the wing of a missionary named Charles Alexander who helped them escape their lives of poverty and enroll at King. And it was at King where Ana’s parents met and fell in love. They would both graduate and temporarily return to Brazil where they got married and gave birth to Ana.
At a year-old Ana began her life in Bristol and enjoyed a wonderful upbringing in a loving and supportive home. Her father was the soccer coach at Tennessee High School. When Ana was of age she too attended Tennessee High and played on the soccer team where she excelled. But along with soccer she was also an exceptional student and decided to pursue Pre-Med with a major in Cell and Molecular Biology, though her favorite class was Dr. Pickard’s organic chemistry. “I really loved it!” She said. “Dr. Pickard’s organic chemistry was my favorite class that I ever took.”
For Ana science just made sense. When she wasn’t studying or playing soccer, she worked in a neurotoxicology lab. “I loved working in the lab.” Her positivity and high energy helped her be proficient at everything she touched. Ana graduated from King and enrolled at the University of Tennessee for Medical School. “I loved Med School too,” Ana said with a smile. And it was in class at medical school that she met her future husband. Together they plunged into the world of medicine, supporting each other, both moving forward toward their dreams. They would graduate and get residency positions in New Orleans, together. Everything was working out. The hard work, the dedication, the belief in God’s guidance were paying forward.
Ana became an OBGYN and delivered many babies. She loved this work and found it to be very rewarding but there is a specialized field where she felt she could make the greatest impact, oncology. She wants to study and help women who are suffering from gynecological cancer. This pursuit requires specialized training and there aren’t very many programs that offer it and only about 58 openings per year nationwide. Ana was admitted into the program through the University of Oklahoma where she is currently studying. It has been a long road but a very rewarding one. “A lot of my success I owe to that great foundation I received at King,” Ana says. “My undergraduate education was so strong. I was very prepared for this difficult and competitive field,” Ana says.
She is nearly finished with her studies and looking forward to a career in service. And it is her work ethic, perseverance, strong Christian faith, and dedication to service that encompasses everything that it means to be a King graduate. King is so proud of all of her accomplishments and knows that each of her patients someday will be getting cared for by the best.
Kenneth McVey
CARING FOR A LIFETIME
Kenneth was born and raised in Richlands, Southwest Virginia. It is a small rural town situated along the Clinch River that became prosperous in the late 1800s because of the coal mining, ironworks plants, and timber business. Local officials even started calling it the “Pittsburgh of the South” until the 1893 stock market crash decimated the economy of the region. Kenneth liked the small-town life and dreamt of one day becoming a doctor for the good and hardworking people of Southwest Virginia.
By the time Kenneth reached high school, he was adamant about pursuing a career in medicine. “I knew then that I wanted to go into the medical field,” he said. Growing up, his aunt and uncle, Will and Rachel McVey had both attended King. During family gatherings, they would talk about the school, and it planted the seed in Kenneth’s mind. When it was time to apply for college King was on Kenneth’s list. “My first trip to the school was when I came to tour the campus. I really liked the beauty of the campus. I liked the size of the school, but it was the people that made me want to go. Everybody was so nice and welcoming, and I was impressed by how motivated they were to help everyone succeed,” Kenneth said.
“Another big factor for me choosing King was the high quality of the science program,” Kenneth said. Numerous students that have pursued medicine have commented on the excellent education they received at King. The science programs are challenging and prepare undergraduates for medical school. Many say that medical school doesn’t seem as tough as it might have had they had gone to another school with less difficult classes. Kenneth majored in Neuroscience. “There were two professors that I had where Neuroscience was their area of expertise. When I knew that major was an option, I decided to pursue it. I was previously exposed to that field in anatomy and found that I really enjoyed it, and I wanted to do something that I knew I would enjoy,” Kenneth said.
As a student at King, he lived on campus for three years. “It was a really good way to make friends. It was a good way to start my college career,” he said.
After graduating, Kenneth was accepted into the Liberty University School of Medicine and today is a practicing family physician. “What I like best about the medical field are the patients and forming long-term relationships with them. I like being able to care for them over their entire lives,” Kenneth said. Looking back on his experience at King. “King to me is a family environment that truly cares about the student and cares about their future.”