Thursday, June 24, 2010

SBU HR Director Earns Senior Professional Certification

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

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University Director of Human Resources David Pierce recently was recognized for the successful completion of the Human Resource Certification Institute Examination and Certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources.

The Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR®) certification is designed for the HR professional who 
  • ·         designs and plans, rather than implements, HR policy
  • ·         focuses on the “big picture”
  • ·         has ultimate accountability in the HR department
  • ·         typically has six to eight years of progressive and increasingly complicated HR experience
  • ·         has breadth and depth of knowledge in all HR disciplines
  • ·         uses judgment gained with time and knowledge application
  • ·         understands the business beyond the HR function and influences the overall organization


For more information, visit http://www.hrci.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 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.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT SBU: June 2010

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

BOLIVAR, Mo.

College of Business and Computer Science

The Students in Free Enterprise team competed in the regional competition in Rogers, Ark., and has been named the 2010 SIFE USA Regional Champion.  SBU has been a regional SIFE champion for 26 of the past 27 years.

The accounting department, with faculty member Jenell Wagner (assistant professor) serving as faculty advisor, chartered the first student chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) at SBU.  The IMA is related to the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification.

Accounting Department Chair Wayne Clark, assistant professor, has will be writing CPA Exam questions again this summer for the American Institute of CPAs.

Jordan Jackson, senior accounting major graduating this May, was selected by the Missouri Society of CPAs as the January Student of the Month.  Jordan is a 4.0 GPA student (and All-District SBU Football Player) from Ozark, MO.

Dr. Susan Lynch, business administration department chair and professor, was chosen by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) to be a mentor for initial accreditation at the following schools: Lindenwood University in St. Louis, Mo; Lewisville University in Romeoville, Ill; and Jansons School of Business in Tamil Nadu, India.

Dr. Ronda Credille, professor of business administration, and John Credille, registrar, were the guest speakers on March 1, 2010, for a community seminar held at the Bolivar Middle School sponsored by Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE).

College of Science and Mathematics

Dr. Perry A. Tompkins, dean and professor of physics, presented his talk, “Instrumentacion Virtual,” in Spanish at the Sixth International Congress on Science Didactics in Havana, Cuba.

Dr. Perry A. Tompkins, dean and professor of physics, Dr. Stephen Bowling, associate professor of mathematics, Dr. Robert Klostermeyer, associate professor of political science, and Dr. Delta Cavner, associate professor of education traveled to Ecuador.  In Ecudaor, all four professors worked with The University of San Francisco of Quito where the new Consortium for Global Education Flagship program will be held starting during the spring of 2011.  Dr. Cavner will be the first professor-in-residence.

Dr. Robert Glasgow, professor of mathematics, gave four presentations at the Interface A and B conferences on February 20-21, 2010 at the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Mo.

Lewis E. Schollian College of Education and Social Sciences

Dr. Julie Bryant, assistant professor of education, has co-authored a children’s book with a former SBU department of education faculty member, Robin Koerber.

Dr. Timothy Wood, associate professor of history, will have the following article published soon: “Rhode Island, Maryland, and Pennsylvania: Three English Experiments in Religious Freedom,” in John E. Findling and Frank W. Thackeray, eds., What Happened? The Most Important Events in American History, Santa Barbara, CA, ABC-CLIO.

St. John’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Becky Miller, ASN Director, was elected to the Missouri League of Nursing Board of Directors.  She will serve on the board and as the Unit Chair of the Springfield district.

Dana Hunt, BSN assistant professor, took students to the January Adolescent Health Conference at St. John’s Cancer Center, and conducted a public health nursing educational workshop at Jordan Valley Community Health Center in March.

The Courts Redford College of Theology and Ministry

Dr. Zach Manis, assistant professor of philosophy, recently published reviews of two articles on Philosopher’s Digest, an online collection of reviews of current philosophy articles: “Kierkegaard and Natural Reason: A Catholic Encounter,” by Jack Mulder, Jr. and “The Sense of Deity and Begging the Question with Ontological and Cosmological Arguments,” by Daniel M. Johnson.

Dr. Jim Frost, professor of intercultural studies, is co-president of University Educators for Global Engagement, and led two presentations at the annual conference in Virginia, April 7-11, 2010.

Dr. Kelly Malone, assistant professor of intercultural studies, presented a paper at the North Central Regional Meeting of the Evangelical Missiological Society, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, in Deerfield, Ill., on February 26, 2010.

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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.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

SBU to offer MBA classes at First Baptist Church of Raytown

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

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University Master of Business Administration program announced that it will offer night classes for the Kansas City area beginning this fall with classes starting August 2 and August 23. The classes will be held in First Baptist Church of Raytown.

According to SBU’s College of Business and Computer Science Dean Dr. Ken Bandy, “These courses will take a hybrid approach; instead of meeting one night a week for 16 weeks, students will meet one night a week every other week and then utilize the online format for the students as well. This will allow the students to meet their peers and professors in person, while working around their families and work schedules.”

M.B.A. Director Shelly Francka said, “We are honored and humbled by the opportunity to work with First Baptist Church and Pastor Paul Brooks and the opportunity to reach out to the Kansas City community.”

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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.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Dr. Martha Hicks receives 2010 Parkway Distinguished Professor

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

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University’s Professor of Music and Music Department Chair Dr. Martha Hicks recently received the 2010 Parkway Distinguished Professor award.


Dr. Hicks is in her thirteenth year of teaching at SBU, serves as SBU’s Coordinator of Church Music, and directs SBU’s Higher Ground ensemble. She also is advisor to all church music majors. Dr. Hicks is well-known among church musicians across the state of Missouri, particularly for her work in hosting the annual SBU Church Music Workshop on campus where she organizes forums for the education and development of church musicians already in the field.   

Dr. Hicks has served Southern Baptists by her years as a music minister before coming to SBU, her frequent teaching at Glorietta and Ridgecrest Worship Conferences, her interim work as worship leader at numerous churches, and her leadership on the Southern Baptist Church Music Conference Executive Conference.  Dr. Hicks received her Doctor of Musical Arts from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1991.

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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.

Friday, June 18, 2010

SBU to Name University Success Center after Ed and Theo Clark

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

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University announced that it will rename its University Success Center after Ed and Theo Clark. The University Success Center, located in Mabee Chapel on the Bolivar campus, is a department that serves all first-year students to help them transition from high school to university life.

Dr. Clark began SBU’s accounting department and later served as chief financial officer at the University. Theo served the University as dean of women.

SBU Accounting Department Chair and Assistant Professor Wayne Clark and his wife Lee Ann, have generously given a lead gift in honor of his parents for the chapel renovation project.

Many of Dr. Clark’s former students also have given contributions in his honor. Following are quotes from two former students:

Nita Jane Ayres ‘79

“My teachers and instructors made a terrific impact on my life. But Dr. Ed Clark stands out above all others. He was the instructor for most of the upper level accounting classes I took to secure my degree in accounting. However, it was not an accounting class he taught that made the most impact on me. It was the way he conducted his life and the business ethics class he taught that made the most significant impact on me. He did not just teach; he set an example of how to conduct and operate a business with integrity. Dr. Clark’s influence has made a lasting impact on my life and it is a privilege to be able to give back to Southwest Baptist in his honor and more importantly to remind people to give praise and glory to God through the way we conduct our lives. “

Roger M. Driskill ‘71

 “It was my privilege to be a student of B.E. Clark in several courses at Bolivar. When you were in his class, you knew school was in session. Dr. Clark’s lectures were a model of clarity and structure in teaching complex topics and subject matter. He made the class come alive and generated in students a desire to perform quality work. I value highly the opportunity to have been one of his students. Any effort to honor his academic career is a very worthy objective.”

Any former students or colleagues interested in making a gift in honor of Ed and Theo Clark for the Mabee Chapel renovation project, please call 417-328-1528.

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PHOTO: Nita Jane Ayres ‘79

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 to benefit from $16,000 Mastercard Worldwide donation

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 donation made by Mastercard Worldwide which has contributed $16,000 to Missouri Colleges Fund (MCF).

This grant underwrites the MasterCard Math Teacher Scholars Program by providing 16/$1,000 scholarships at each of the 16 member schools. The scholarships will be awarded by the member schools on the basis of financial need to outstanding qualified students preparing to teach math.

“The Missouri Colleges Fund is very grateful for this gift from Mastercard Worldwide,” said Mike Backer, MCF president.  “This contribution will be matched by other donor gifts in an effort to make Missouri a national leader in math education.  Mastercard Worldwide recognizes the importance of education and the 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.

MCF 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.


MCF was incorporated in 1952 as a partnership of private enterprise and the member independent colleges and universities in the Show-Me State.  The MCF is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt corporation; therefore, all contributions to the MCF are tax-deductible up to the limits prescribed by law.

More information about the Missouri Colleges Fund can be found online at www.mocollegesfund.org or by calling Mike Backer at 573-893-3818.

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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 to benefit from $3,000 Solae Company donation

SBU to benefit from $3,000 Solae Company donation to The Missouri Colleges Fund

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 donation made by The Solae Company which has contributed $3,000 to the Missouri Colleges Fund (MCF). 

This grant underwrites the Solae Scholars Program by providing scholarships at the member schools.  The scholarships will be awarded by the member schools on the basis of financial need to outstanding qualified students majoring in business related studies. 

"The Missouri Colleges Fund is very grateful for this gift from The Solae Company," said Mike Backer, MCF president. "The Solae Company 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.

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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.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

SBU’s Dr. Julie Bryant wins Distinguished Teacher Award

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

BOLIVAR, Mo. – In addition to recognizing the SBU graduates, the 2010 Orien B. Hendrex Distinguished Teacher Award was presented to Dr. Julie Bryant during the May commencement 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.”


Dr. Bryant said, "I enjoy teaching at SBU for many reasons. One is that I am a graduate from here and now have the privilege of teaching with some of my former professors. I am surrounded daily by God-fearing men and women of integrity who continue to serve as role models and friends. Another reason I love SBU is that I get to teach the most wonderful students in the world. I love coming to work each day because I have the pleasure of helping to touch the future teachers and their future students. Because of the position I am in, I am able to influence more children through my students than I ever could have on my own in the public school classroom. A third reason I love teaching at SBU is that I am given some flexibility in scheduling so that I may go home between classes to spend time with my precious children."

Graduating from SBU in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary and early childhood education, Dr. Bryant then completed a Master of Education degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Missouri—Columbia in 1999.

In May, 2008, Bryant obtained a Doctorate in Education degree from Liberty University in the areas of educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, and reading. Her dissertation research included an analysis of the past decade of Newberry Award winning children's books for character traits. From the research, Bryant's dissertation outlines the character traits (positive and negative) that are revealed in each of the Newberry Award books from 1997 to 2007. Dr. Bryant has been given an opportunity to co-author a series of international discipleship curriculum for Global University that targets children ages 8-11. The first set of the three part series has been published and are available for purchase at www.globalkids.net.

Dr. Bryant and her family attend and are actively involved at Lakeside Assembly of God in Pittsburg, Mo. Her uncle is the pastor of the church, her husband plays various instruments in the worship team, and Dr. Bryant sings in the choir. Additionally, she is a "fill-in" singer at the Esquire ministry where her husband Robbie is a faithful member of the Esquire worship band.

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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.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

SBU's Terri Schmitt Featured in Article on Social Media & Nursing


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

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -Terri Schmitt, B.S.N., M.S.N., an assistant professor at Southwest Baptist University's St. John's College of Nursing and Health Sciences, recently was interviewed for a feature on social media and nursing.
The article may be found at: http://bit.ly/NurseTerri .

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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.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

SBU Announces Spring 2010 Graduates and Honor Roll Lists

BOLIVAR, MO -- Since its founding in 1878, SBU has enjoyed a legacy of excellence in academics along with an intense passion for building Christ’s kingdom.

Follow the link below to see the Spring 2010 graduation list.

Undergraduate students will graduate with honors according to the following GPAs. In order to be graduated with honors, students must have earned a minimum of 45 semester hours of credit at SBU prior to the semester of graduation.

Summa cum laude 3.850-4.00
Magna cum laude 3.700-3.849
Cum laude 3.500-3.699


SBU graduates have gone on to excel at Harvard, Notre Dame, Dartmouth, and other Ivy League schools. Our graduates have served and are serving in national, local, and state government. They have had successful careers with companies such as Smith Barney/CitiGroup, Hallmark, Proctor & Gamble, Dannon Inc., Cerner, New York Life, Bayer, Eli Lilly and Company, John Deere, Boeing, Motorola, Intel and Microsoft.

Many SBU graduates have been chosen to pastor churches, lead worship, and serve as missionaries in North America and around the world. SBU is a leader among private universities in the Midwest in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic community to prepare students as servant leaders in a global society. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

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SBU’s Office of Marketing and Communications is available to news media 24 hours a day at (417) 399-7918. Visit the SBU Office of Marketing & Communications online at www.SBUniv.edu/news.
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