Tuesday, December 21, 2010

SBU Visit Days for 2011 Announced

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Admissions Office  admitme@sbuniv.edu
800-526-5859

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University announced the following scheduled visit dates for 2011:

Monday, January 17 – “Monday at Southwest” visit day with registration at 8:30 a.m.

Saturday, February 19 – Scholars Competition Day

Monday, February 21 – “Monday at Southwest” visit day

Friday, March 11 – “Friday at Southwest” visit day

Monday, April 4 – “Fast Forward” visit day for high school juniors

Friday, April 15 – Saturday, April 16  Bearcat Days for Seniors and Transfer Students

Students and parents wishing to make a personal visit may do so by appointment throughout the year. For more information on how to visit SBU, go to www.SBUniv.edu/visit or call 1-800-526-5859.
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Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. Since 1878, the faculty and staff have created a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. The University has been named one of America’s Best Christian Colleges® for 13 consecutive years, one of America’s 100 Best College Buys® for 14 consecutive years, and it has been named among institutions with America’s Best College Scholarships ® for the past three years by Institutional Research and Evaluation, Inc. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing & Communications is available to news media 24/7 at 417-399-7918.

SBU Named Top College Buy for 15 Consecutive Years

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications
417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University has been named one of America’s 100 Best College Buys® for 15 consecutive years and by the Institutional Research & Evaluation, Inc. Over 1,400 colleges and universities nationwide were considered for these honors.

The award is given on the basis of documented evidence of affordability and the SAT/ACT scores and grade point average of incoming freshmen. This is the 15th consecutive year that SBU has received this honor and scored well above the national average.

SBU also been recognized as one of America’s Best Christian Colleges® for the 14th consecutive year and has been named among institutions with America’s Best College Scholarships ® for the past four years.

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Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. Since 1878, the faculty and staff have created a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. The University has been named one of America’s Best Christian Colleges® for 14 consecutive years, one of America’s 100 Best College Buys® for 15 consecutive years, and it has been named among institutions with America’s Best College Scholarships ® for the past four years by Institutional Research and Evaluation, Inc. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing & Communications is available to news media 24/7 at 417-399-7918.

SBU to Benefit from $5,000 FIHE Capacity-Building Grant

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications
417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University will benefit from a grant from the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), which has awarded a $5,000 FIHE Capacity-Building Grant to the Missouri Colleges Fund. 

The CIC announced recently a new Capacity-Building Grants program that has awarded $30,000 to six State Fund Members of CIC. State funds are fundraising associations for independent colleges in 32 states. They are members of the Foundation for Independent Higher Education (FIHE), which merged last month with CIC and continues to coordinate their activities.

The grants were awarded through a competitive grant program administered by FIHE. The state funds in Alabama, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, and Missouri were selected for the awards, and each will receive $5,000 grants as seed money to enhance their capacity to raise funds, particularly for student scholarships, and to coordinate collaborative projects on behalf of the private colleges and universities in their states. 
           
“These timely grants will help the state funds leverage additional funding to meet scholarship needs and other pressing priorities for private colleges and universities across the country,” said Ned Moore, executive director of FIHE.

Richard Ekman, president of CIC said, “We’re very pleased to have the opportunity to support our State Fund Members and the very good work they do raising money on behalf of the independent colleges and universities in their states.”

The grants will provide support for the state funds to launch fundraising campaigns for scholarships to make a private college education possible for students from underserved populations or who seek a career in specific fields, offer scholarships for students from rural areas, and provide support for lower-income and minority students, and for military veterans returning from abroad.

The State Fund Members were selected for the grants, and their projects, include:

Alabama Association of Independent Colleges and Universities—will use funding as leverage to secure additional grants from targeted local foundations and corporations to support programs for minority and low-income students.


Independent College Fund of Maryland—will create a new high-tech, high-touch “Canvas of Communication” network that will link the state fund, donors, colleges, and students.

Iowa College Foundation—will implement a new Rural Scholars Program.

Michigan Colleges Foundation—will launch a campaign designed to raise $300,000 in scholarships for veterans.

Missouri Colleges Fund—will use funding to produce professionally-designed brochures in support of three themed fundraising programs: Missouri Mathematics and Science Scholars, First Opportunity Scholars, and Teachers First Program.

Minnesota Private College Fund—will support a board/volunteer leadership retreat to plan and implement a new and extensive major gifts initiative.


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About The Council of Independent Colleges
The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of more than 600 independent, liberal arts colleges and universities and more than 70 higher education affiliates and organizations that work together to strengthen college and university leadership, sustain high-quality education, and enhance private higher education’s contributions to society. To fulfill this mission, CIC provides its members with skills, tools, and knowledge that address aspects of leadership, financial management and performance, academic quality, and institutional visibility. The Council is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.cic.edu.

About FIHE
Founded in 1958, the Foundation for Independent Higher Education (FIHE) is the national partner in a network of member state fundraising associations. The Foundation secures financial resources in support of America’s independent colleges and universities and their students; develops collaborative programs within its network and with other organizations; and, together with its members, is a primary voice of independent higher education to corporate and philanthropic communities. For more information, visit www.fihe.org.

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Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. Since 1878, the faculty and staff have created a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. The University has been named one of America’s Best Christian Colleges® for 14 consecutive years, one of America’s 100 Best College Buys® for 15 consecutive years, and it has been named among institutions with America’s Best College Scholarships ® for the past four years by Institutional Research and Evaluation, Inc. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing & Communications is available to news media 24/7 at 417-399-7918.


SBU's Dr. Hopkins Presents at Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications
417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University professor and chair of mathematics department, Dr. Kevin, Hopkins, recently presented at the Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Hopkins’ abstract for his presentation was as follows: "Geogebra is free, web-based software that does dynamic graphing. This allows for animations that illustrate topics in Pre-Calculus. This talk shows animations and instruction on how to create more. Come with ideas for dynamic illustrations you would like to create."

Hopkins was also honored as with the Post-Secondary Outstanding Teacher Award for 2010 as result of nominations.

In response to his award Hopkins said “I am amazed by and grateful to God for the many opportunities for service to students and teachers of mathematics that He has provided me in my twenty two years of service at SBU.”

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Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. Since 1878, the faculty and staff have created a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. The University has been named one of America’s Best Christian Colleges® for 14 consecutive years, one of America’s 100 Best College Buys® for 15 consecutive years, and it has been named among institutions with America’s Best College Scholarships ® for the past four years by Institutional Research and Evaluation, Inc. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing & Communications is available to news media 24/7 at 417-399-7918.


SBU Students Selected for Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications
417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University announced 88 of its students have been selected for inclusion in the 2010-2011 edition of Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges Students.

Students selected are:


Megan Anderson
Baylee Anderson
Caprice Applequist
Ardean Ashelman
Brooke Belisle
Annika Bergen
Jared Berman
Kasi Bland
Alyson Bland
Parker Bohm
Curtiss Brandt
Andrew Brantley
Nathan Brown
Amber Buffalow
Michael Conrad
Melanie Curlile
Kendra Daugherty
Katie Dawson
Ty DeClue
Callie Dewbre
Micah Elfrink
David Ezzell
Sandra Falter
Bethany Finch
Kara Finkenbinder
Ashleigh Gallio
Melissa Gargiulo
Sarah Green
Brandon Griffin
Mary Griffitts
Sarah Grisham
Sarah Haas
Holly Hackathorn
Jessica Hagan
Suzan Hamilton
Jordan Hart
Stephanie Hoover
Susan Inman
Jordan Jackson
Evan Johnson
Krista Johnson
Lindsey Johnston
Ashley Jones
Ruby Karamitros
Jessica Kaut
Jonathan Keedy
Krystal Keller
Haley Kennedy
Leeann Kline
Rebecca LaChance
Stephanie Maddux
Carrie Maloy
Alexa Martin
Ryan McGlaughlin
Lauren McGuire
Angie Messner
Heidi Michaelis
Elizabeth Munnell
Lydia Nebel
Heather Nelson
Kristy Noltkamper
Amanda Norman
Lindsay Pearson
Cassie Pettitt
Lacy Phillips
Alexander Rearick
Joanna Reekers
Steven Rogers
Kacey Sawyer
James Shawley
Sarah Simmonds
Doris Skaggs
Tammy Southards
Kevin Stewart
Amy Strickland
Mallory Stringer
Holly Stubbs
Courtney Tallant
Caleb Tiefenauer
Chelsea Toler
Joseph Trokey
Danielle Verschueren
Linda Vyrostek
Audrey Waddell
Lisa Warren
Justin Wessels
Amy Wilson
Kallie-Jo Wolf




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Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. Since 1878, the faculty and staff have created a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. The University has been named one of America’s Best Christian Colleges® for 14 consecutive years, one of America’s 100 Best College Buys® for 15 consecutive years, and it has been named among institutions with America’s Best College Scholarships ® for the past four years by Institutional Research and Evaluation, Inc. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing & Communications is available to news media 24/7 at 417-399-7918.

SBU Student Presents at Math Research Conference

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications
417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University alumni Chris Stucky ’10 recently participated in The Sixth MAKO Undergraduate Math Research Conference. Undergraduates from Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma presented short talks on their research. Stucky graduated in May, but his research was conducted in his senior year at SBU.  

Stucky’s abstract was “A Boolean Computational Approach to Finding Prime Numbers.” He presented the results of a semester of research involving a Boolean computational approach to finding prime numbers derived from a study of pattern formations in tables of multiplicative inverses.

Funding for this conference was provided by an NSF grant through the MAA Regional Undergraduate Mathematics Conferences Program.

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Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. Since 1878, the faculty and staff have created a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. The University has been named one of America’s Best Christian Colleges® for 14 consecutive years, one of America’s 100 Best College Buys® for 15 consecutive years, and it has been named among institutions with America’s Best College Scholarships ® for the past four years by Institutional Research and Evaluation, Inc. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing & Communications is available to news media 24/7 at 417-399-7918.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

SBU Students Present at Midwestern Psychology Symposium

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications
417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University Research Design and Methods class taught by Dr. Shelley Kilpatrick recently presented at the Midwestern Psychology Symposium at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark.


For the past three months the students compiled research and surveying SBU's student body regarding areas of love and helping behaviors. The students then gave detailed presentations of the studies performed by Dr. Kilpatrick's class as well as several presentations from JBU students and a solo presentation by SBU senior Brandon Griffin. Griffin, who interned at Polk County Drug Court this past semester, gave a presentation regarding methods of evaluating Drug Court programs. 

SBU's research class focused on areas such as correlations between college major and acts of altruism, love languages, and correlations between helping behavior and diversity. Some interesting findings were presented during the conference. The research performed here at SBU suggests that SBU students not only have the ability to identify other people's love languages, but are also willing to learn them. It was also found that SBU students are just as likely to report a willingness to help those who are different from them as those who are similar to them.

The conference was an enjoyable learning experience for all in attendance. It was particularly significant for those who gave so much effort this semester to finally see the fruits of the labor.

"It was rewarding to represent SBU and to be recognized for our hard work," said junior Kelsey Jaeger.


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Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. Since 1878, the faculty and staff have created a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. The University has been named one of America’s Best Christian Colleges® for 14 consecutive years, one of America’s 100 Best College Buys® for 15 consecutive years, and it has been named among institutions with America’s Best College Scholarships ® for the past four years by Institutional Research and Evaluation, Inc. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing & Communications is available to news media 24/7 at 417-399-7918.

Friday, December 17, 2010

SBU Winter Commencement Tonight

SBU Winter Commencement Tonight

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications
417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University’s winter commencement is scheduled for tonight (Dec. 17) at 7 p.m., in the Jane and Ken Meyer Wellness and Sports Center on the Bolivar campus.

The invocation will be led by Brett Rains, a 2001 SBU graduate and current youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Lebanon, Missouri.  The commencement address will be given by Dr. Harold Finch, a retired scientist, engineer, and businessman.

Dr. Harold Finch has had a long and distinguished professional career not only in the secular area but more importantly, as he states, “in the greatest business in the world: God’s business.” His current full-time work is in an evangelical ministry, Reaching People of Influence. He travels around the world spreading the Gospel and conducting evangelical “eternal success conferences” in places such as the University of Albania; the Federal Congress of Ecuador; a Socialist high school in Borisov, Belarus; Volkswagen’s western headquarters; and in many other venues. In the United States and abroad 55,000 have prayed with him to receive Christ.

Dr. Finch earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering at the University of Kansas, a master’s degree in engineering thermodynamics from Ohio State University and a doctorate in education administration at the University of Kansas. His professional career began as a project director in thermal control for NASA’s Apollo Spacecraft to the moon. He also was employed as a principal scientist at Midwest Research Institute, a research engineer at Shell Oil Company and the U. S. Air Force Advanced Systems Division. In addition, he is the founder and owner of Padgett-Thompson, the largest business training company in America, and CottageCare, which was one of 200 recipients of the United States Chamber of Commerce “Blue Chip” Award.

Dr. Finch has been a friend of Southwest Baptist University since the 1980s. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1986-1996, and in 1985 he was the recipient of an honorary doctorate from SBU. Other Baptist denominational activities in which he has been involved include serving on the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, as president of the Kansas-Nebraska Baptist Convention, and as the founder of Wellspring Foundation, which sponsored and coordinated 1,200 mission volunteers on more than 80 mission trips to over 30 countries.

Dr. Finch, and his wife, Peggy, have been married for 55 years. They have been blessed with three godly children, their spouses and six grandchildren. Their daughter, Susan Finch Ruiz, attended SBU, and their granddaughter, Bethany, will graduate tonight with a degree in education and will marry SBU student Christopher Lee next month. Harold and Peggy actively serve Abundant Life Baptist Church in Lee’s Summit.

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Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. Since 1878, the faculty and staff have created a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. The University has been named one of America’s Best Christian Colleges® for 14 consecutive years, one of America’s 100 Best College Buys® for 15 consecutive years, and it has been named among institutions with America’s Best College Scholarships ® for the past four years by Institutional Research and Evaluation, Inc.

For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu. SBU’s Office of Marketing & Communications is available to news media 24/7 at 417-399-7918.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

SBU Inducts New Members to Delta Mu Delta

SBU Inducts New Members to Delta Mu Delta Honor Society

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications
417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University’s Zeta Kappa Chapter of the National Delta Mu Delta (DMD) Honor Society recently inducted 14 new members. Presiding over the induction were the 2010-2011 chapter officers: President Lindsay Pearson, Vice-President Amy Wilson, Secretary Daniel Lancaster, and Treasurer Katelynn Hill.  Professor of Business Administration Dr. Ronda Credille is the chapter’s faculty advisor.

The guest speaker for the event was Provost Dr. William Brown.  Dr. Brown imparted advice that he had gleaned from his business-oriented family members regarding important lessons for those entering the corporate world.
See caption below.
 The new members are:

Juniors:
Jennifer Anderson
Christian Conner
Stephen Fuller
Joanna Granzow
Zachary Hurtt
Courtney Lawrence
Andrew McKnight
Sarah Pringle

Seniors:
Brooke Belisle
Michael Conrad
Matthew Copeland
Kristen Eagon

MBA: 
Olga Khlopina
Corrie Owsley

Delta Mu Delta is the national honor society in business administration.  Each year, nearly 300,000 students receive either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business—but only about 5,000 are elected to membership in Delta Mu Delta.

DMD was founded in 1913 to promote, recognize and reward scholarship in business subjects.  Candidates for DMD must be in the top 20% of their junior, senior or master’s classes.  Since 1992, only business programs accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) can establish DMD chapters.

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PHOTO:
Front row left to right:
Dr. Ronda Credille, Daniel Lancaster, Amy Wilson, Lindsay Pearson, Katelyn Hill and Dr. William Brown

Back row left to right:
Zach Hurtt, Michael Conrad, Stephen Fuller, Sarah Pringle, Courtney Lawrence, Kristin Eagon and Jennifer Anderson

Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. Since 1878, the faculty and staff have created a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. The University has been named one of America’s Best Christian Colleges® for 14 consecutive years, one of America’s 100 Best College Buys® for 15 consecutive years, and it has been named among institutions with America’s Best College Scholarships ® for the past four years by Institutional Research and Evaluation, Inc. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing & Communications is available to news media 24/7 at 417-399-7918.



SBU Seniors Display Art at Gallery

SBU Seniors Display Art at Gallery

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications
417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Southwest Baptist University Driskill Gallery presents an exhibit of work by graduating senior art majors.  Artwork includes paintings, photography, prints, graphic design, drawings, fibers, sculpture and ceramics by Mike Weeks, Tyrin Holt, Bettina Walton, Aleisa Mifflin, Tracy St. Clair, and Cassie Newton.

The exhibit will run through December 18, and is free and open to the public.  A reception will be held in the gallery on Saturday evening, December 18, following graduation ceremonies.

The gallery is located in the Jester Learning and Performance Center and is open Monday thru Friday, 9:00 A.M.– 4:00 P.M.  For more information contact Gallery Director Dianna Callahan, 417-328-1651

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Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. Since 1878, the faculty and staff have created a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. The University has been named one of America’s Best Christian Colleges® for 14 consecutive years, one of America’s 100 Best College Buys® for 15 consecutive years, and it has been named among institutions with America’s Best College Scholarships ® for the past four years by Institutional Research and Evaluation, Inc. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing & Communications is available to news media 24/7 at 417-399-7918.

SBU Ties for Fifth at Debate Tournament

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications
417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Southwest Baptist University Speech and Debate Team competed Nov. 20-21 at the Bowling Green tournament in Ohio and tied for fifth place in debate sweepstakes. This put the SBU team in front of tough competitors from McNeese State University, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of Cincinnati.

According to Director of Forensics Dr. David Bailey, “The Bowling Green tournament was a chance for the young team to get away from their traditional circuit and test their mettle against other schools from across the nation.”

Highlights included:

Jordan Hart finished in second place in International Public Debate, third place in Communication Analysis, fourth place in Editorial Impromptu, and fifth place in Persuasion

Chelsea Turner placed fifth place in Informative Speaking.

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Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. Since 1878, the faculty and staff have created a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. The University has been named one of America’s Best Christian Colleges® for 14 consecutive years, one of America’s 100 Best College Buys® for 15 consecutive years, and it has been named among institutions with America’s Best College Scholarships ® for the past four years by Institutional Research and Evaluation, Inc. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing & Communications is available to news media 24/7 at 417-399-7918.

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

SBU Library Announces Outstanding Student Assistant Award

SBU Library Announces Outstanding Student Assistant Award

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications
417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University Libraries recently honored Rex Ybanez, Bolivar, Mo., as the Outstanding Student Assistant of the Month for October 2010. Ybanez is a Bachelor of Arts in English major at SBU’s Geneva Casebolt College of Music, Arts and Letters.

The University Libraries’ faculty and staff established the monthly award to recognize outstanding employment characteristics such as dependability, quality of work, motivation, attitude, and cooperation. Ybanez, a student assistant in Media Services Department, received an award letter from Edward W. Walton, Dean of the University Libraries, a certificate of recognition, and a gift. 

The University Libraries employs 25 part-time student assistants through the University’s work-study program and one part-time graduate assistant.

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Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. Since 1878, the faculty and staff have created a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. The University has been named one of America’s Best Christian Colleges® for 14 consecutive years, one of America’s 100 Best College Buys® for 15 consecutive years, and it has been named among institutions with America’s Best College Scholarships ® for the past four years by Institutional Research and Evaluation, Inc. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing & Communications is available to news media 24/7 at 417-399-7918.


SBU Invites Faculty and Staff to Christmas Banquet

SBU Invites Faculty and Staff to Christmas Banquet

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications
417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University announces its annual employee Christmas Banquet will be held at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9, in the Mellers Dining Commons. Both current and all retired faculty and staff are invited to attend. The Faculty and Staff Life Beautiful Award and the Annual Service Awards will be presented.

For more information, contact Paula Livingston, director of major events at 417-328-1807

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SBU’s Office of Marketing & Communications is available to news media 24/7 at 417-399-7918.


Wednesday, November 10, 2010

SBU Speech & Debate Team Make Top Ten at Louisiana Tournament

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications
417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Southwest Baptist University speech and debate team finished in eighth place among the 28 schools in attendance at the Red River Swing Tournament Nov. 5-6, at Louisiana State University Shreveport. The Bearcats were quite efficient given that they had the fifth smallest entry at the tournament.

Junior Chelsea Turner and her debate partner senior Jordan Hart reached the semi-finals of Varsity Parliamentary Debate. Hart brought home a third place trophy in Persuasive speaking and earned a sixth place finish in Communication Analysis. Freshman Matt Adams just missed reaching the Octafinals of Public Debate by a few speaker points. Hart's successes in individual events competition were rewarded with a second place finish in pentathlon—meaning that he scored the second most in individual events points at the tournament.

Each member of the SBU team contributed to the team's success. Each member of the team placed in the Pilot Award standings, which honors the students who participate in both speech and debate and ranks them according to how many points they scored for their team over the weekend. In this category Hart was the seventh most productive competitor at the tournament. Turner finished in 16th place in this category while Adams was the 25th most productive competitor at the tournament this weekend. 

"We have much growing to do, but we are very proud of the way our team performed with style, skill, and grace throughout the weekend,” said Dr. David Bailey, director of forensics. “Our good results at the tournament were particularly impressive in light of how short-handed we were. The average team at this tournament had around 10 competitors each. We managed to hold our own and compete very well with only three." He added, "Perhaps our good results will encourage more talented SBU students to come be a part of our winning tradition."

The team competes next Nov. 19-20, at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.

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Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. Since 1878, the faculty and staff have created a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. The University has been named one of America’s Best Christian Colleges® for 14 consecutive years, one of America’s 100 Best College Buys® for 15 consecutive years, and it has been named among institutions with America’s Best College Scholarships ® for the past four years by Institutional Research and Evaluation, Inc. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing & Communications is available to news media 24/7 at 417-399-7918.

SBU CIS Team Places in Top 25 in Regional Competition

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications
417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – A team of three students from Southwest Baptist University’s Department of Computer and Information Sciences left their mark on the IBM-sponsored 2010 Battle of the Brains, Saturday, Nov. 6.  Senior Ashley Jones (Shawnee Mission, Kan.), Sophomore Weston Herrington (Carthage, Mo.) and Sophomore Jordan Hull (Greenfield, Mo.) claimed a spot for SBU at the prestigious competition among the elite top twenty-five teams in the Mid-Central region of the United States (Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee).


“Our team was doing well, but hadn’t made into the top 25 with about five minutes to go in the five-hour competition,” said Dr. DeClue, Chair of the CIS Department.  “One of the last correct solutions in the contest came from SBU and that grabbed a spot in the top 25. That’s a pretty amazing accomplishment given that any school with a graduate program in computer science can put their grad students on their teams.  Our kids were happy, and I know I was very satisfied with their performance.  They worked hard, they had fun, and God blessed their efforts. That’s a good day in anybody’s book.”

SBU’s finish among the elite top 25 in the region placed it in the top three from Missouri along with Washington University (5th), and Missouri State University (18th).  Other Missouri schools represented included St. Louis University (27th), University of Central Missouri (35th), the University of Missouri-Kansas City (43rd), College of the Ozarks (51st), Park University (57th), Northwest Missouri State University (74th), Drury University (76th), Maryville University (98th), Lindenwood College (119th) and Missouri Western University (136th).

Also competing for Southwest Baptist University was a team of freshmen who completed five problems and finished in 33rd place.

“These three freshmen finished higher than any team of freshmen I’ve ever seen,” said DeClue.  “It’s a real testament to their high school programs and to their work ethic since they’ve arrived on our campus.”

Competing on the freshman team were Luke Abbott (Camdenton High School, Camdenton, Mo.), Jacob Foster (Webb City High School, Webb City, Mo.) and David Haugh (Heartland High School, Belton, Mo.).

Finishing four problems and rounding out SBU’s effort in 94th place were juniors Maaura Stucky (Kansas City, Mo.), Matt Copeland (Springfield, Mo.), and Ryan McGlaughlin (Molene, Ill.).  Coaches for SBU this year included Dr. Baochuan Lu, Dr. Jim Cain, and DeClue.

The ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) is a multitier, team-based, programming competition operating under the auspices of ACM.  The contest involves several tens of thousands of the finest students and faculty in computing disciplines at almost 2,000 universities from over 80 countries on six continents.  It is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious programming contest in the world.

FINAL RESULTS
PLACE TEAM                                                        LOCATION                   SOLVED            MINUTES
1.       University of Illinois – A                          Urbana-Champagne, IL         9                                     948
2.       University of Chicago – A                   Chicago, IL                                   9                                  1175
3.       University of Chicago – B                    Chicago, IL                                   8                                     768
4.       Illinois State University – A                                  Normal, IL                                   7                                     488
5.       Washington University – A                                  St. Louis, MO                             7                                     496
6.       Wheaton – A                                                             Wheaton, IL                               7                                     634
7.       Washington University – B                                   St. Louis, MO                             7                                     708
8.       Loyola University – A                                              Chicago, IL                                   7                                     809
9.       Northern Kentucky University – A                    Highland Heights, KY               7                                     832
10.   University of Illinois – B                                         Urbana-Champagne, IL         7                                     849
11.   Middle Tennessee State University – A         Murfreesboro, TN                   7                                     864
12.   Northwestern University                                     Evanston, IL                                                                           7  867
13.   University of Louisville – A                                   Louisville, KY                              6                                     487
14.   Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology             Terre Haute, IN                         6                                     497
15.   Centre College – A                                                  Danville, KY                                 6                                     512
16.   Hendrix University – A                                           Conway, AR                                                                           6  522
17.   DePaul University – A                                            Chicago, IL                                   6                                     557
18.   Missouri State University – A                              Springfield, MO                        6                                     569
19.   University of Arkansas-Little Rock – A             Little Rock, AR                           6                                     624
20.   Tennessee Tech University – A                          Cookville, TN                              6                                     626
21.   University of Central Arkansas – A                   Conway, AR                                                                           6  643
22.   Principia College – A                                               Elsah, IL                                        6                                     646
23.   University of Chicago – C                                      Chicago, IL                                   6                                     660
24.   SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY – A           BOLIVAR, MO                            6                                     666
25.   Harding University – A                                           Searcy, AR                                   6                                     671
26.   University of Arkansas – A                                   Fayetteville, AR                        6                                     706
27.   St. Louis University – A                                          St.  Louis, MO                            6                                     939
-                                                                                      -                                                      -                                           -
32. University of Kentucky – A                                   Lexington, KY                             5                                     388
35.  University of Central Missouri – A                    Warrensburg, MO                   5                                     506
37.  Belmont University – A                                         Nashville, TN                              5                                     531
43.  University of Missouri-Kansas City – A            Kansas City MO                         5                                     594
51.  College of the Ozarks – A                                     Point Lookout, MO                  4                                     214
57.  Park University – A                                                  Kansas City, MO                       4                                     279
74.  Northwest Missouri State University - A        Maryville, MO                           4                                     384
76.  Drury University – A                                               Springfield, MO                        4                                     387
98.  Maryville University – A                                                                St. Louis, MO     4                                     610
119.Lindenwood College – A                                       St. Louis, MO                             3                                     261
136. Missouri Western University – A                     St. Joseph, MO                         2                                     390

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PHOTO:
L-R is Weston Herrington, Jordan Hull, and Ashley Jones

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