SBU SIFE in Nation’s Top 60 teams

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications

417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team participated in the SIFE U.S. National Exposition in Minneapolis, Minn., from May 11-13. In one of the largest collegiate competitions in the country, with more than 180 teams participated in the national competition, SBU SIFE was second runner-up in League 16, placing them among the top 60 teams in the nation out of almost 600 teams. 

To compete at the National Exposition, SBU SIFE was named Regional Champions at the SIFE U.S. Regional Competition in Rogers, Ark., on April 13. At the Regional Competition, SBU SIFE also became a Finalist for their work in Financial Literacy (sponsored by the Bank of Bolivar) working with the students at the Polk County Christian School about the basics of spending, sharing, and saving.

During competition, SBU SIFE’s team delivered a 24-minute presentation documenting their work impacting our campus, the community, and the world. Projects fall under the categories of market economics, success skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, environmental sustainability, and business ethics.

SBU SIFE President Rebekah Wright said, “The team is very excited with the competition results. They look forward to continuing to growing both their team and the impact they are having on the lives of the people in our community.”

To submit project ideas relating to positively impacting individuals, families, communities, businesses and the environment, please contact Angie Wright at 417-328-1754 or e-mail SBU SIFE at sife.sbu@gmail.com.

###

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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUnews

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

SBU Announces Life Beautiful Award Winners for 2010

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications

417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University Life Beautiful Awards for 2010 graduates were announced at Spring Commencement on May 22, 2010, 10 a.m., on the Merrill Burnidge Memorial Forum. Guest speaker was U.S. Congressman Roy Blunt.

Life Beautiful Presentations were made by President Pat Taylor and Provost Bill Brown

The Life Beautiful Award was established in 1937 by Rosalee Mills Appleby, a career missionary to Brazil. This award is given annually to an outstanding man and woman in the Southwest Baptist University spring graduating class. These individuals have demonstrated by their scholarship and character that they are living a “life beautiful.” The faculty selects the recipients, whose identities remain confidential until commencement.

The female recipient of the Life Beautiful Award for 2010 is: Marita McCampbell.

Marita is from Marshall, Missouri, and is graduating summa cum laude and receiving a Bachelor of Science in physical education.  She was recognized in Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.

Marita has been on SBU mission trips to Guatemala, Brazil, and Baja, and she led the trip to Baja over spring break this year.  She attends Southern Hills Baptist Church in Bolivar where she plays the piano and sings in the college worship service, and leads a women’s accountability group.  Marita teaches several aerobics classes at the Meyer Wellness Center and is very active in intramural athletics.

Dr. Taylor said, "Marita is a servant leader.  One faculty member described her as a great representative of the SBU mission statement.  She is caring, hard working, and very involved in her classes and community.  She consistently exhibits Christ-like character as she extends grace to others."

Marita’s parents are Roy and Margaret McCampbell.

The male recipient of the Life Beautiful Award for 2010 is: Micah Titterington.

Micah is from Tonganoxie, Kansas, and is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in biblical studies and communication, and a minor in biblical languages, with a 4.0 GPA.  He was recognized in Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, is a member of the Alpha Chi Honor Society, and has received the Baker Book Award, Greek Scholar Award, and Hebrew Scholar Award.

Micah has participated in SBU mission trips to Utah, North Africa and the Phillipines.  He was a welcome week volunteer from 2006-2009, was a member of symphonic winds for four years, and was a member of the SBU debate team.

Dr. Taylor said, "Micah is a member of South Haven Baptist Church in Springfield where he is a member of the praise band, youth worker, and Sunday school teacher.  He has been a Discipleship Now leader for the past four years.  A faculty member describes Micah as 'relentlessly pursuing academic excellence while maintaining an uncompromising commitment to Christ and His message.'  Micah is gracious, patient, and continually strives to spread the word of God."

Micah’s parents are Michael and Diane Titterington.

U.S. Congressman Roy Blunt gave the commencement address and it can be viewed at http://bit.ly/SBUCommencementRoyBluntspeech

  

###

PHOTOS to Media are available upon request.

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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUnews

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

SBU Faculty Present at Festival of Faith and Writing

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications

417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University Professor of English Dr. Holly Hill-Stanford and Linda Tappmeyer, assistant professor of English,  presented an academic session entitled “Joy, Heartache, and Friendship:  The Place of Romance and Sisterhood Novels in Christian Fiction“ at the Festival of Faith and Writing recently held on the campus of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

Participants from forty-four states and eight countries attended the biennial Festival.

###

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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUnews

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

Lawmakers Pass Access Missouri Bill Leaving SBU Student Aid Unchanged until 2014

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications

417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University students and other Missouri college students secured a victory with the passage of legislation to remove the sunset provision from the Access Missouri financial aid program.

This week Missouri lawmakers have sent Senate Bill 733 to Governor Jay Nixon, who has indicated he will sign it. Passage of the legislation was critical because the Access Missouri program was scheduled to end in 2013. This legislation ensures that financially deserving students will continue to be eligible for the state aid that they need to achieve their dream of a college education.

Under Senate Bill 733, the maximum award for four-year independent college and university students will remain at $4,600 through 2014, when it adjusts to $2,850. This plan allows students time to prepare for the change.

For more information, visit www.KeepMeInCollege.org.

###

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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUnews

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

Congressman Roy Blunt to Speak at SBU Commencement

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications

417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Southwest Baptist University spring commencement is scheduled for Saturday, May 22, at 10:00 a.m. on the Merrill Burnidge Memorial Forum on the main campus in Bolivar.  Approximately 400 undergraduate and graduate students will cross the stage and receive their diplomas.

The commencement address will be given by guest speaker Roy Blunt.  Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt came to the United States House of Representatives in 1997 with a background as a public servant, university president and administrator. He became the Majority Whip earlier in his career than any Member of Congress in the last eight decades and also served as Majority Leader. Blunt is now the second-highest Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is also a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.  The people of Southwest Missouri have overwhelmingly sent Blunt to Washington to represent them seven times, most recently reelecting him to Congress with 68 percent of the vote.

Before coming to Congress, Blunt was elected in 1984 as Missouri’s first Republican Secretary of State in more than 50 years, a position he held for two terms, and served four years as the president of  Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri.

Blunt was named Missouri’s Republican of the Year in 2001.  As Whip, the second highest Republican in the House, he led a team of deputies and assistants that columnist Robert Novak described as “the most efficient party whip operation in congressional history.”  In one of Novak’s last regular columns with the Washington Post he wrote about Blunt’s efforts to ensure that the votes of our military men and women serving overseas are counted. 

Other legislation Blunt championed in recent Congresses includes the Combat Meth Act, the Charitable Giving expansion and legislation to enhance transparency in federal spending by establishing a searchable database of all federal grants and contracts.  Blunt has become a recognized leader on energy issues and led the fight for more American-made energy in 2008.  He also played a key role in helping negotiate an update of our nation’s foreign intelligence surveillance laws.  Blunt is a member of the Smithsonian Council for American Art. 

The Congressman is married to Abigail Blunt. Blunt has four children: Matt Blunt, Missouri’s 54th Governor; Amy Blunt, an attorney in Kansas City, Mo.; Andy Blunt, an attorney in Jefferson City; and Charlie (age 5). Blunt has six grandchildren: Davis Mosby, Ben Blunt, Branch Blunt, Eva Mosby, Allyson Blunt, and Brooks Blunt.

In addition to recognizing the graduates, the 2010 Orien B. Hendrex Distinguished Teacher Award and the 2010 Life Beautiful Awards will be presented during the ceremony. The Distinguished Teacher Award is chosen by the current and three previous graduating classes and is presented annually to a faculty member for “outstanding teaching ability and personal guidance.”

Rosalee Mills Appleby, a career missionary to Brazil, established the Life Beautiful Award in 1937. This award is given annually to an outstanding man and woman in the Southwest Baptist University spring graduating class.  These individuals have demonstrated, by their scholarship and character, that they are living a “life beautiful.”  The faculty selects the recipients whose identities remain confidential until the announcement at spring commencement. 

For more information about spring commencement, please contact Paula Livingston at 417-328-1807.

###

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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUnews

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

Mike Pitts Named SBU Director of Athletics

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- Southwest Baptist University named Mike Pitts as director of athletics at a ceremony Tuesday at the Meyer Sports Center. Pitts had served as the interim co-director of athletics for the past year.

 

Pitts will officially take over as director of athletics immediately. He also has worked for the university as assistant athletics director for operations and prior to that, as media relations director.

 

"I am really pleased that Mike is our new director of athletics," said SBU President Dr. Pat Taylor. "He has served for almost four years in different capacities with athletics. He has provided good leadership over that time and will continue to do so. He has a tremendous love for Bearcat athletics and is an outstanding people person. He's a good communicator with coaches and student-athletes as well as with the general public. His finance background, especially in these challenging economic times, will be an integral part in athletics management."

 

Pitts was promoted to assistant director of athletics for operations in 2008, and promoted again to interim co-director of athletics in 2009.

 

"I am very grateful to serve SBU in this capacity," said Pitts. "I’d like to thank Dr. Taylor and the SBU Board of Trustees for the opportunity to work with our great coaches, to give our student-athletes a great atmosphere to develop athletically, academically, relationally, and spiritually."

 

Under Pitts’ leadership, SBU’s corporate sponsors have more than doubled. Pitts leads the athletic development committee and has secured funds for the Athletics Hall of Fame display, which is scheduled for completion this summer. He, along with Dr. Renae Myles, started the SBU Athletics Purple Club, which is the ‘all sports’ booster club of the SBU Bearcats.

 

Pitts and Myles shared the responsibilities of directing athletics over the past year. In that time, the athletics department released a new website, held another successful Honors Night for seniors and Athletics Hall of Fame, and saw the development of a new family of logos for Bearcat athletics.

 

Pitts has been involved with SBU athletics since 1983. That year, as SBU launched their football program, he was the head statistician for the Bearcats. He worked for Dr. Rex Brown, who was SBU’s director of athletics from 1969 through 1997. And although Pitts’ career has taken a few unusual twists, his love for the Bearcats has never wavered.

 

Pitts is a 1985 graduate of SBU, with a major in economics. Proving that you’re never too old to learn, Pitts will receive his MBA from SBU in the summer of 2010. In addition to his involvement with SBU athletics, Pitts also leads ‘Wednesday Night at the Esquire,’ a ministry of First Baptist Church, where Pitts is a member.

 

After his graduation in 1985, Pitts moved to Kansas City, to become a trading floor manager at the Kansas City Board of Trade for nearly nine years. Pitts moved to Princeton, New Jersey in 1994, as the founding pastor of Princeton Bible Church. In fall 2006, Pitts and his family moved back to Missouri, when he accepted the position of sports information director (media relations director) for the Bearcats.

 

“It’s like we never left,” said Pitts. “While we lived in Jersey, we came back to Bolivar several times each year. We would always catch a couple of basketball games over the holidays. The internet was a great invention, because it was easier to keep up with how SBU’s teams were doing.”

 

Mike has been married to Rhonda since 1991. Rhonda is a Bolivar native, and the couple has two sons: Jack (who loves to play basketball and the piano) and Brock (who loves to play baseball, football, and hockey).

Justin Wollard
Director of Athletic Media Relations
Southwest Baptist University
417-328-1799 office
417-298-2593 cell
jwollard@sbuniv.edu
Visit www.sbubearcats.com

SBU Bearcats Launch a New Logo

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- SBU President Dr. Pat Taylor and the SBU Department of Athletics launched a new logo for Bearcat athletics at a special ceremony Tuesday in the Meyer Wellness and Sports Center.

The previous Bearcat had been used in various forms for nearly 30 years, along with other representations of a Bearcat and the words SBU Bearcats. There was considerable discussion about changing the older logo to warrant Dr. Taylor to appoint a committee this past fall to review making a change. With input from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and fans, the SBU Cabinet made a final decision on the new look of Bearcat Athletics following recommendations from the committee.

The new look borrows some elements from the previous Bearcat but was updated for a more, modern design. Additional features were added including a cross built into the 'U' and other design elements incorporated into the lettering of SBU and Bearcats.

"I appreciate the committee's work, especially that of T.J. John, who chaired the committee, along with Renae Myles, Mike Pitts and many others," said Taylor. "The development of the new logo is good for athletics and entire university."

Jim Ward Design out of St. Louis completed the artwork which also included a new family of logo marks.  Strategic Marketing Affiliates (SMA) in Indianapolis will oversee the licensing of the new brand. “There is a lot of excitement and anticipation about the new logo,” added Myles, who coordinated the university's work with Jim Ward Design and SMA.

The athletic department and the SBU Bookstore hosted a one hour “Midnight Logo Launch” on May 11, prior to the unveiling. The bookstore opened at the late night hour for a special event where fans were able to pick apparel and items with the new look.

###

Justin Wollard
Director of Athletic Media Relations
Southwest Baptist University
417-328-1799 office
417-298-2593 cell
jwollard@sbuniv.edu
Visit www.sbubearcats.com

SBU to benefit from Donation from George H. Riedel Foundation

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 contribution of $25,000 from the George H. Riedel Foundation to the Missouri Colleges Fund. 

This grant underwrites the George H. Riedel Scholarship Program by providing 5/$5,000 scholarships.  The scholarships will be awarded by the member schools on the basis of financial need to outstanding qualified students. 

"The Missouri Colleges Fund is very grateful for this gift from the George H. Riedel Foundation," said Mike Backer, MCF president. "This contribution will be matched by other donor gifts to provide financial assistance to students.  The Riedel Foundation recognizes the importance of education and significant impact that an educated workforce has on Missouri's economy."

MCF member schools are independent baccalaureate degree-granting liberal arts and comprehensive colleges and universities in the state of Missouri.  Their income is derived primarily from private sources.

Missouri Colleges Fund member schools include: Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar; Avila University, Kansas City; Central Methodist University, Fayette; Columbia College, Columbia; Culver-Stockton College, Canton; Drury University, Springfield; Evangel University, Springfield; Fontbonne University, St. Louis; Hannibal – LaGrange College, Hannibal; Maryville University, St. Louis; Missouri Baptist University, St. Louis; Park University, Parkville; Rockhurst University, Kansas City; Westminster College, Fulton; William Jewell College, Liberty and William Woods University, Fulton.

The MCF was incorporated in 1952 as a partnership of private enterprise and the member independent colleges and universities in the Show-Me State. The Fund is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt corporation; therefore, all contributions to the Fund are tax-deductible up to the limits prescribed by the law. More information about MCF can be found online at www.mocollegesfund.org.

###

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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUnews

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

SBU’s Dr. Bob Derryberry Remembered Fondly

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications

417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – The late Dr. Bob Derryberry was remembered fondly at Southwest Baptist University during the recent annual banquet celebrating the Pi Kappa Delta (PKD) chapter’s award-winning season.

PKD is a forensics honorary for undergraduate speech and debate students, and SBU’s chapter has enjoyed many years of national, regional, and state recognitions under the direction of the beloved Dr. Derryberry. Faculty, students, and alumni honored Dr. Derryberry’s wishes for the banquet to be “about the team” and not about him, but it was evident that his influence on the SBU PKD chapter will be remembered for years to come.

Following are some remembrances of “Dr. D” from students, colleagues, alumni, and friends:

http://bit.ly/OmnibusDrD

http://bit.ly/FacebookDrD

Dr. Bob R. Derryberry

July 19, 1937~April 13, 2010

Dr. Bob R. Derryberry’s life was a celebration of words. While his life ended Tuesday, April 13, 2010, at the age of 72, the celebration continues in the lives of his family, his friends and colleagues, and his many students, past and present Bob invested in words — and words endure.

Bob was born July 19, 1937, in Wardville, Okla., to parents Byron and Trudie Elmore Derryberry.

His love of words led him to graduate school studies, and he earned an M.A. from the University of Arkansas and later, a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. This advanced study of speech communication honed his thinking, writing and speaking, and he delighted in opportunities to study with professors such as Loren Reid.

Bob Derryberry married Joyce Nettles on December 24, 1958. They had a 51-year marriage filled with words spoken in and with love.

Professor Derryberry inspired others to use words well during his 46-year career at Southwest Baptist University. As director of forensics, Bob “Dr. D.” Derryberry led speech and debate teams to more than 20 state championships in Missouri and more than 15 superior team ratings at national Pi Kappa Delta tournaments. As a speech professor, he devoted countless hours to hundreds of students at all levels of experience and confidence, guiding students toward better speaking, better thinking and better listening.

From his academic study of words to his lively interpersonal dialogues with colleagues and students, Bob Derryberry’s life was a celebration of words. But perhaps the most important words to Bob were those spoken in kindness — his standard for speech at its best.

Bob is survived by his wife, Joyce, of the home; his daughter and son-in-law, Marian Derryberry and Adam Ackerman, and grandson Miles Derryberry Ackerman, all of West Newton, Mass.; his daughter and son-in-law, Elisa and Jim Fish, and granddaughters Christy and Emme Fish, all of Morrisville, and Julie Reynolds of Ft Worth, Texas.

Bob was the last living child of Byron and Trudie Derryberry. Three brothers and four sisters preceded him in death, Buel, Byron Jr., Wallace Christopher, Janice, Betty Clarice, Jackie Williams and Inez Wilkins. Bob’s extended family, friends and students will miss him greatly.

Contributions may be made to the Bob and Joyce Tradition of Excellence Scholarship Fund or the Bob Derryberry Endowed Chair Fund at Southwest Baptist University, 1600 University Ave., Bolivar MO 65613.

A celebration of Bob’s life was held Saturday, April 17, in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Bolivar with visitation at 9:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 10:30. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Murray Funeral Home.

###

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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUnews

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

SBU SIFE Brings “Dollars and Sense” to Local Schools

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications

417-328-1803 / scsmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Southwest Baptist University Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team expanded one of its most successful outreach projects this year. Through the “Dollars and Sense” project, SBU SIFE had the opportunity to visit local high schools for a three-part activity designed to increase students' awareness of ethical issues and decision making.

The opening exercise of “Dollars and Sense” focused on short-term versus long-term consequences of ethical decisions. Presented with various scenarios, students had to decide what to do. Students who gave the unethical answer were given a piece of candy. However, in the end, all of the candy was taken away from the students who made the unethical choice and given to the students who gave the ethical answers the entire way through. Devastated from their loss, the students soon realized that making unethical choices might pay off at first, but in the long-run it is best to make ethical decisions.

For the second portion of the experience, students were divided into companies. Presented with ethical dilemmas, the companies had to decide what to do. Based on their proposed solutions, companies either gained or lost money.

The project was reinforced by the final component: the Ethics Essay Competition. Each participant in “Dollars and Sense” was asked to write an essay applying ethics to their lives. The top essays in this competition earned cash prizes of $75, $50, and $25 for first, second, and third place, respectively. This year's Ethics Essay Competition winners are: First Place - Caleb Cunningham (Bolivar High School), Second Place - Rachel Busiek (Central High School – Springfield), Third Place - Brooke Deckard (Hermitage High School)

SBU SIFE was able to reach six area high schools and over 275 high school students through the “Dollars and Sense” project. For more information or to support this or other SIFE projects, please contact SBU SIFE via email at sbu.sife@gmail.com or by phone at 417-328-2032.

###

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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUnews

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats