Tuesday, March 29, 2011

SBU COBACS Students Win Top Finishes at PBL State Conference

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

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Eleven Southwest Baptist University College of Business and Computer Science (COBACS) majors competed in the Phi Beta Lambda State Leadership Conference (PBL SLC) held March 25-26 in Jefferson City, Mo.  Nine of the eleven students are automatic qualifiers for the National Leadership Conference (NLC), which will be held June 23-26 in Orlando, Fla. 

The nine automatic qualifiers are Luke Abbott, Ashley Copeland, Matt Copeland, Jacob Foster, David Haugh, Jason Jakusz, Matt Peterein, Ryan Thomas, and Josh Wood.

SBU students entered a total of nine events. They won sixteen top-five finishes, including seven first places, one second place and three third places. (See Table below)

Phi Beta Lambda is the collegiate division of Future Business Leaders of America, which is the oldest and largest business student organization in the world, with a membership of over a quarter of a million.

For more than 20 years, the SBU chapter of PBL has earned top-five finishes at SLC events and has had numerous automatic NLC qualifiers. The faculty adviser for PBL is Dr. Ronda Credille.

Below is a list of the events in which SBU students earned places.


Computer Applications
1st         State Fair Community College                Hannah Bowen
2nd        Southeast Missouri State University       Megan Stackle
3rd         Southeast Missouri State University       Malli Tahghighi
4th        Southwest Baptist University                Brittany Glassock
5th         St. Charles Community College              Peggy Glenn

Computer Concepts
1st         Southwest Baptist University                Josh Wood
2nd        University of Central Missouri                 Aaron Hudspeth
3rd        Southwest Baptist University                David Haugh
4th        Southwest Baptist University                Ashley Copeland
5th        Southwest Baptist University                Jason Jakusz

Computer Gaming & Simulation Programming
1st         Southwest Baptist University                Luke Abbott

Cyber Security
1st         Southwest Baptist University                Ryan Thomas
2nd        University of Central Missouri                 Aaron Hudspeth
3rd         Northwest Missouri State University        Ryan Jackson
4th        Southwest Baptist University                Jacob Foster
5th        Southwest Baptist University    `           Matt Copeland


Database Design and Application
1st         Southwest Baptist University                Matt Copeland
2nd        University of Central Missouri                 Jake LaCombe
3rd        Southwest Baptist University                Matt Peterein

Information Management
1st         Southwest Baptist University                Jacob Foster
2nd        Cottey College                                      Pasang Sherpa
3rd        Southwest Baptist University                Jason Jakusz
4th         Three Rivers Community College            Melissa Marron

Network Design
1st         Southwest Baptist University                Ryan Thomas,
                                                                             Matt Peterein

Networking Concepts
1st         Southwest Baptist University                David Haugh
2nd        Southwest Baptist University                Ashley Copeland           
3rd         Mineral Area College                              Brandon Murphy


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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. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing and Communications is available to news media 24 hours a day at (417) 399-7918.

SBU CIS Students Earn Three National Awards


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

Orlando, Fla. – Students from the Southwest Baptist University Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) Department claimed three national top-ten awards at the Association for Information Technology Professionals (AITP) National Collegiate Conference (NCC) in Orlando, Florida. 

Senior Megan Burnett (Burlington, Vt.), brought home a second place trophy in the undergraduate research paper competition.  Burnett’s research presentation centered around issues unique to developing software systems for non-technical users.
Senior Megan Burnett (Burlington, Vt.)


 
In the Visual Studio Development category, seniors Aaron Bone (Kansas City, Mo.), and Levi Kemp (Bolivar, Mo.) finished in the top five teams at the national event. Seniors Rebecca LaChance (Park Hills, Mo.) and Jonathan Keedy  (Camdenton, Mo.) finished in the top seven.  Junior Sarah Skinner (Fayetteville, Ark.) also competed for SBU at the NCC.

“We are elated, of course,” said Dr. Tim DeClue, CIS Department Chair.  “These awards are a real blessing.  Receiving something like this on the national stage highlights the incredible quality of our students and our program.” 
             
AITP is the leading worldwide society of information technology business professionals and the community of knowledge for the current and next generation of leaders.  The AITP National Collegiate Conference is the single largest event sponsored by AITP.

Undergraduate Research Paper
1st           Mesa State University (Grand Junction, CO)                  
2nd         SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY (Bolivar, MO)
3rd          Mesa State University        (Grand Junction, CO)         

Visual Studio Development
1st           Gateway Technical College (Kenosha, WI)
2nd         Texas State University - San Marcos (San Marcos, TX)
3rd          Brigham Young University (Provo, UT)
HM         SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY (Bolivar, MO)
HM         Brigham Young University (Provo, UT)

Java Development
1st           University of West Florida (Pensacola, FL)
2nd         Brigham Young University (Provo, UT)
3rd          Georgia Gwinnett College (Lawrenceville, GA)
HM         SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY (Bolivar, MO)
HM         University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (Whitewater, WI)
HM         James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA)
HM         Brigham Young University (Provo, UT)

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PHOTO: SBU Senior Megan Burnett (Burlington, Vt.)

Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities 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 to be servant leaders in a global society. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing and Communications is available to news media 24 hours a day at (417) 399-7918.

SBU College of Music, Arts and Letters to Present The Casebolt Project

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

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University’s Casebolt College of Music, Arts, and Letters will present “The Casebolt Project – A Fine Arts Program” on Thursday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m. in Meyer Recital Hall. 

This is a joint venture of the Department of Language and Literature, the Bob R. Derryberry School of Communication Arts, the Department of Art, and the Department of Music. The event will feature original art works, poetry and other readings, short theatrical performances, and musical performances by SBU students and faculty members.

The program is free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact the Department of Music at 417-328-1644.

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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. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing and Communications is available to news media 24 hours a day at (417) 399-7918.

Friday, March 18, 2011

SBU Alumna and her Sister to Share Inspirational Story

SBU Alumna and her Sister to Share Inspirational Story

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

OKLAHOMA CITYIt was only supposed to take a few hours to scout out a good canoe route. But when James Brill and Scott Nesbitt weren't back in time for dinner, their wives, sisters Heather and Holly Wall, started to pray. They didn't stop—even when the bodies of their beloved husbands turned up a day later in the rushing river.

Southwest Baptist University alumna, Heather (Wall) Gilion, a 1999 graduate, and her sister, Holly (Wall) Snell, will be in Bolivar on Sunday, March 27, to share their story of faith in the midst of tragedy. They will be sharing at the 8:45 and 10:45 a.m. services at the First Assembly of God, and the public is invited to attend.

Holly and Heather

According to the publisher, their new book, Dancing On My Ashes is a true story that details the painful passage of two young widows out of the ashes and into their dance with the Almighty God. When tragedy strikes, we often discover that we have been living with a false sense of who God is. Dancing On My Ashes is a call to stop living wounded and accept the presence of God's hand in our lives.

Gilion, is a speaker, worship leader, and author. She lives in Ozark, Mo., with her husband, Dallas, and their precious sons, Noah and Zachariah. 

Snell and her husband, Aaron, have three children: Emma, Malachi, and Ava. She is a speaker, writer, and singer. Holly and Heather can also be heard on the Kids’ Left Behind Drama Series.

James Brill was a 2000 SBU graduate.

For more information regarding March 27, call the church office at (417) 326-6006. First Assembly of God is located at 1320 S. Springfield Avenue across from SBU’s main entrance in Bolivar, Mo.

Gilion also will be in the area for a book signing on April 16, at CPO (Christian Publisher's Outlet) in Springfield, Mo., from 11 ‑ 2pm.

For promotional inquiries, please contact Terry Cordingley, Marketing Representative, at (888) 361-9473 or send an email to terry@tatepublishing.com.

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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. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing and Communications is available to news media 24 hours a day at (417) 399-7918.

SBU CIS Professor is Spokesperson for Cerner STEM Event

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

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University’s Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) Chair Dr. Tim DeClue is a spokesperson for the upcoming STEM Conference: Technology event to be held on Sat., March 26, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Cerner Innovation Campus in Kansas City, Mo.

Dr. DeClue said the STEM Conference is for middle school and high school educators who want to learn more about preparing students for careers in science, technology, education, and math.
Dr. Tim DeClue

According to the Cerner website, a networking social will follow the event, with refreshments provided. Attendees will be eligible to receive a classroom grant and entered into a drawing that includes an iPad and $500 classroom grant.

Cerner Corporation, which employs over 8,000 and is the largest producer of electronic medical systems in the U.S. has partnered with Missouri schools to highlight ways STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education can be improved. 

Watch the video featuring Dr. DeClue at the link below. http://www.cerner.com/About_Cerner/Careers/STEM_Technology_Conference/?langtype=1033

For more information about the event, contact:

STEM Conference: Technology
Saturday, March 26
9 a.m. to noon (networking event to follow)
Cerner Innovation Campus
10234 Marion Park Drive
Kansas City, MO 64137


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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. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing and Communications is available to news media 24 hours a day at (417) 399-7918.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

SBU to Benefit from The George Riedel Private Foundation Grant


Southwest Baptist University News Release www.SBUniv.edu/news
Contact Sharina Smith, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications  
ssmith@SBUniv.edu - 417-328-1803 office - 417-399-7918 mobile

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- Southwest Baptist University will benefit from a recent grant to the Missouri Colleges Fund (MCF). A $25,000 grant from the George Riedel Private Foundation will underwrite five $5,000 student scholarships to five Hannibal High School graduates that attend one of the 16 MCF member schools including SBU. These scholarships will be awarded by the member schools on the basis of financial need to outstanding qualified students.
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 University, 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. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

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.

SBU Concert Choir to Perform Spring Concert at First Baptist Church

SBU Concert Choir to Perform Spring Concert at First Baptist Church

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

BOLIVAR, Mo.The Southwest Baptist University Concert Choir and Bolivar Community Chorus, Dr. Andrew Campbell, conductor, will present their spring concert at First Baptist Church in Bolivar, Mo. on Tuesday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m. 

The concert will be an eclectic blend of works by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Randall Thompson, Daniel Gawthrop, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Eric Whitacre, and many others.

The concert is free and open to the public. 
 
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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. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing and Communications is available to news media 24 hours a day at (417) 399-7918.

SBU Chorale to Perform at First Baptist Church

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

BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Chorale of Southwest Baptist University will present The Peaceable Kingdom by Randall Thompson on Tuesday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Mo.  The public is invited to attend and there is no admission charge for the concert.

The Peaceable Kingdom, established as a masterpiece of unaccompanied choral writing, was commissioned in 1936 and was inspired by a painting of the same name by the naturalist Edward Hicks, the preaching Quaker of Pennsylvania. The painting depicts Isaiah, Chapter XI, verses 6 to 9, one of Hicks' favorite subjects in preaching and painting, which begins: "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the wolf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them."

In Thompson's work, the selected verses are declaimed by the chorus and their meaning sets the stage for a variety of choral techniques: opposing choruses expressing the contrast between blessings bestowed on the righteous and woes inflicted upon the wicked; discordant harmonies depicting harsh punishments; soprano and bass lines mirroring each and double choruses whose fullness of parts embody overwhelming joy and gladness of heart.

The Chorale is a selectively auditioned mixed choir of 37 voices under the direction of Dr. James Tarrant, director of choral studies and professor of music 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. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing and Communications is available to news media 24 hours a day at (417) 399-7918.


Thursday, March 10, 2011

SBU Awarded Continuing Accreditation to Athletic Training Program

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

BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training (CAATE) recently voted to award continuing accreditation to the athletic training education program at Southwest Baptist University. 

The letter from CAATE President Greg Gardner indicated that SBU had met all of the nationally-recognized standards for entry-level Athletic Training Education.  SBU's next comprehensive review is scheduled to occur during the 2020-2021 academic year.

For more information about the athletic training program, visit http://www.sbuniv.edu/cosm/AT/Index.html

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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. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing and Communications is available to news media 24 hours a day at (417) 399-7918.

SBU Hosts Math Contests

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

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University’s Department of Mathematics recently hosted the 12th Annual Math Contests on Jan. 22, Feb. 5 and Feb. 26. On Jan. 22, approximately 232 students from 22 Missouri schools arrived on SBU’s Bolivar campus to compete in the math contest. On Feb. 5, approximately 88 students from 7 Missouri schools competed. On Feb. 26, approximately 154 students from 13 Missouri schools attended.

According to SBU mathematics department chair, Dr. Kevin Hopkins, teams represented schools including:

Barstow
Blue Valley
Blue Valley
Bolivar Intermediate
Bolivar Middle
Branson Jr. High
Camdenton Middle
Carthage
Cecil Floyd Elementary-Joplin
Century Elem-Nixa
Columbia Elementary-Joplin
Cottonwood Point
Espy-Nixa
Greenwood Lab School
Heartland Elem
Imagine Academy
Inman-Nixa
Lakewood Elementary
Lamar
Logan Rogersville
Marshfield
McCalla's Math Club
Neosho
Oak Ridge-Camdenton
Oxford Middle
Rolla
School of the Osage
South Middle-Joplin
Springfield Schools--Portland, Reed, Springfield Central, Wanda Gray, Watkins, Westport
St. Lawrence Catholic School
St. Patrick
Stapleton Elem-Joplin
Summit Prep
Sunset Ridge
Thomas Jefferson

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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. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

SBU’s Office of Marketing and Communications is available to news media 24 hours a day at (417) 399-7918.