SBU Mathematics Professors Present at NCTM Annual Meeting

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications

417-328-1803 / ssmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University mathematics professors Dr. Kevin Hopkins and Dr. Bob Glasgow, presented at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Meeting (http://www.nctm.org/conferences/annual.aspx?id=29011) in Indianapolis, Ind., April 13-16.  Over 8,000 people attended the meeting and nearly 700 sessions were presented. 

Dr. Glasgow’s presentation was entitled “Variability Is the Spice of Life.” The session abstract read: “According to the American Statistical Association’s GAISE document, variability should be the focus of all statistics education. But how well do we and our students understand variability? This presentation will explore the pesky nature of variability while discovering important tools for or dealing with it as we organize, represent, and analyze data.”

Dr. Hopkins’ presentation was entitled “Calculus Animations with Geogebra.”  The session abstract read:  “Geogebra is a free, Web-based software that does interactive geometry and graphing. The dynamic feature of the software allows for animations that can illustrate a variety of topics in calculus. This talk will show some of the animations the speaker has used in calculus and feature some instruction on how to create such animations. Come with ideas for creating additional animations.”

Dr. Kevin Hopkins presenting during his session.  Since it involved showing a technology, he spent much of the session working with the laptop computer in front of him while attendees viewed the projected image next to him.

Dr. Hopkins and Dr Glasgow’s presentations have been accepted for the upcoming NCTM Regional Conference in St. Louis in October.  Dr. Hopkins’ presentation is specifically mentioned in the advertisement for the regional conference that has been sent out and is available online at http://www.nctm.org/flipbooks/stlouis/. 

Dr. Hopkins and Dr Glasgow also presented at the Interface Professional Development Event at Tan-Tar-A Resort and Spa near Osage Beach, Mo., Feb. 27 through March 1. The event was sponsored by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in cooperation with MU Conference Office.

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PHOTO: Dr. Kevin Hopkins presenting during his session.  Since it involved showing a technology, he spent much of the session working with the laptop computer in front of him while attendees viewed the projected image next to him.

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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUnews

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

SBU Creates Accounting and Information Assurance Major

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications

417-328-1803 / ssmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Southwest Baptist University Accounting Department announces the development of a new major, Accounting and Information Assurance (AIA), effective with the 2011-2012 academic year.  This new major is the only undergraduate major in the State of Missouri with a balanced emphasis in traditional accounting theories and practices and core concepts of information assurance.

The additional courses in information assurance focus on assuring that organizational information that is assembled, accessed, digitally stored, and electronically delivered is secure and reliable. Some of the courses in the AIA major include Systems Analysis and Design, Database Management, Principles of Information Assurance, and Digital Forensics.

Wayne Clark, CPA and chair of the SBU accounting department, referred to recent studies indicating the importance for accounting professionals to have relevant training in information technology and data security: “According to a 2011 survey from Robert Half Finance and Accounting, 27% of Chief Financial Officers said software/technology knowledge is the second highest trait they look for in a candidate.  Additionally, a Deloitte LLP whitepaper focusing on the role of internal auditors found that 90% of audit committee members surveyed felt internal auditors should have increased IT skills/knowledge by 2015.”

Dr. Tim DeClue, chair of the award-winning SBU Computer and Information Sciences Department that teaches the Information Assurance courses, commented that “any discipline which deals in information must at some level address security issues.  Information that cannot be secured also cannot be trusted for accuracy.  Unsecured information is worth very little and may, in fact, present a liability to the user, caretaker and/or owner.  Information assurance helps individuals who are professionally responsible for handling of sensitive information subject to accounting practices.”

Students completing the Accounting and Information Assurance major at Southwest Baptist University will also obtain their 150 hours of college credit needed to take the CPA exam in Missouri and most other states.

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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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUnews

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

SBU Chief Encourager Dr. Ellen Bell Passes Away

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications

417-328-1803 / ssmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – On April 19, 2011, at 2:45 p.m., Dr. Ellen Bell passed away and went home to be with her Lord and Savior. Dr. Bell enjoyed visitors up until the time of her death and had been visited by her pastor Billy Russell of First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Janet Juhlin, and Judy Taylor.

“Dr. Bell was 90 years old on December 27. She came to SBU in 1950 and has been an integral part of the SBU family. For the past 61 years, SBU also has been Ellen’s family. Ellen knew more about SBU and about generations of SBU graduates than any other individual. Ellen was very proud of the fact that she had worked at SBU for 50 years,” SBU President Pat Taylor said.

“SBU lost one of our heroes. SBU is a better University because of Dr. Ellen Bell. I will miss her and her encouragement as many of you will miss her,” Dr. Taylor said. “She loved students since she first arrived on campus in May of 1950.  She also loved our faculty and staff.  She committed her life to SBU. I thank God for the influence Ellen has had on all of us.”

Biography

Ellen Pauline Bell became a part of the Southwest Baptist College family on May 8, 1950.  Her early years at Southwest Baptist College were spent serving as secretary to six chief executive officers:  Dr. John Dowdy, Dr. J. E. Raines, Dean Orien B. Hendrex, Dr. Robert Craig, Dr. Courts Redford and Dr. James Sells.  For the remaining years served at the University, Miss Bell worked as an assistant in the office of university advancement until her retirement in May 2000.

A native of Sedalia, Missouri, she attended elementary school and high school, graduating from Smith-Cotton High School in 1938.  She attended Central Business College of Sedalia and completed a business program in 1943.  She also attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Central Seminary.  Prior to her employment at SWBC, she worked as a secretary at the Pratt-Whitney Aircraft Corporation and the War Assets Administration in Kansas City, and as a secretary at First Baptist Church of Clinton.

Dr. Bell’s association with SBU spans six decades.  Her dedication, loyalty and commitment to the University were only surpassed by founders Maupin and Ingman.  Her Christian example influenced the lives of thousands of students over the years.  At one time, Miss Bell was the pep club sponsor and cheerleaders’ advisor.  The University was honored to present Miss Bell with an honorary Life Service Award in 1990, the first Staff Life Beautiful award in 1992, the Trustees’ Medallion in 1995 and an honorary doctorate in 2005.

During her years in Bolivar, Dr. Bell served as secretary for the Polk County Unit of the American Cancer Society for more than 25 years, and was involved in the Bolivar Area Community Concert organization since 1956, having served as president and vice-president.  She was a member of First Baptist Church of Bolivar for more than 50 years.

After living in Bolivar for more than 60 years, Dr. Bell relocated to the Baptist Home in Ozark, Missouri, last July.  She made the transition very well and enjoyed living there.   She had numerous friends who visited her in the Baptist Home and continued to attend some of the SBU events she loved so much.

Services

Visitation for Dr. Ellen Bell will be Thursday, April 21, at 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Murray Funeral Home.  The funeral service will be at First Baptist Church of Bolivar at 10:00 a.m. on Friday (April 22).  Burial will be at the Laurel Oak Cemetery in Windsor, Missouri.

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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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUnews

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

SBU Music Department Presents Masterworks Concerts

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications

417-328-1803 / ssmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Music Department of Southwest Baptist University will present the annual Masterworks Concerts on Friday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pike Auditorium in Bolivar, Mo. and on Saturday, May 7, at 7:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo.  The concert is free and open to the general public.

Featured works for the program are “Testament of Freedom” and “The Last Invocation” by Randall Thompson and “Song of Democracy” by Howard Hanson. The Masterworks concert features the combined efforts of more than 120 musicians of the Chorale and Concert Choir of SBU, the SBU Wind Symphony, and local singers through the Bolivar Community Chorus. 

Dr. James R. Tarrant, professor of music and director of choral studies at SBU, is the artistic director for the concert. In his seventh year at Southwest Baptist, Dr. Tarrant holds degrees in conducting, piano, and sacred music from the University of Memphis, Eastern Kentucky University, and the University of the Cumberlands.  He studied conducting with David Greenlee and musicology with Kenneth Kreitner.

Dr. Tarrant’s ensembles have appeared nationally and internationally, garnering invitations to perform at such venues as the National Cathedral in Washington, D. C., the Salzburg Cathedral with the Dom Chor, and a command performance for the Royal Family of Great Britain.  Dr. Tarrant has conducted choirs in Great Britain and across central Europe, with performances at the massive Ulm Cathedral, Vienna’s Stephansdom, and rare performances in the Singers Room of Neuschwanstein and at the Dachau and Mauthausen concentration camps.  Dr. Tarrant also serves as organist for St. Paul United Methodist Church of Springfield, Mo.

“The Masterworks concert series has over the years seen the presentation of the large choral and orchestra works from the western European tradition. We are pleased to present these particularly American works by American composers and poets,” said Dr. Tarrant.  “We welcome the opportunity to share this capstone performance with the Springfield community as well.”

For more information, contact the SBU Music Department 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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUnews

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

SBU Wind Symphony 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. – Southwest Baptist University Music Department presents the Wind Symphony in concert on Thursday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. Works by Grainger, Hanson, and Ticheli are featured by the 56 member ensemble. The Chamber Winds will open the concert with the Petite Symphonie, Op. 90 (1885) by Charles Gounod. The free public performance will be held at First Baptist Church, Bolivar, Mo.

“Gounod was best known for his opera Faust, but devotees of wind chamber music are grateful to him for his contribution to that repertory of his charming Petite Symphonie,” states Dr. Brian Hopwood, conductor and director of instrumental studies at SBU. The classically conceived four-movement work is written for nine players (the Classical wind octet plus flute) and was composed for the Chamber Music Society of Wind Instruments, Paul Taffanel, founder and flautist.

The Wind Symphony will follow with Howard Hanson’s first work for band, Chorale and Alleluia, which was premiered in 1954 by the U.S. Marine Band at the convention of the American Bandmasters Association at West Point. Children’s March: “Over the hills and far away” is composer Percy Grainger’s first composition originally composed and scored for wind band and one of his few compositions that does not exist in any full-length version suitable for performance by symphony orchestra. It is also one of his earliest band scores to call for the piano, not as a solo instrument, but as an ensemble member.

The concert will conclude with Frank Ticheli’s Blue Shades (1996), the result of a consortium commission of thirty high school and university bands. The music grew out of a previous work, Playing with Fire, for traditional jazz band and orchestra. Ticheli states that “after completing it (Playing with Fire) I knew that the traditional jazz influences dominated the work, leaving little room for my own musical voice to come through. I felt a strong need to compose another work, one that would combine my love of early jazz with my own musical style.”

For more information, please call Dr. Brian K. Hopwood, department of music, at 417-328-1647 or email him at bhopwood@sbuniv.edu.

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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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUnews

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

SBU SIFE Team Wins Regional Competition

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications

417-328-1803 / ssmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team participated in a Regional Competition on April 4, in Atlanta, Ga., hosted by the SIFE World Headquarters. Competing against over 70 teams, SBU SIFE was one of 30 teams to make it on to the National Exposition. This is the 27^th year out of 28 that the SBU SIFE team will advance to the National Exposition.

Left to right First Row: Angie Wright, Lauren Smith, Lianna Larson, Brooke Dudley, Maxie Walker, Amanda Gilmore, Meg Goodman, Kristen Eagon, Courtney Lawrence.

Second Row: Steven Cox, Patrick McVey, Quinton Mitchell, Nathan Church, Drew Wilkerson, Jared Green, Alex Huff, Caleb Loya, Justin Wessels, Mike Conrad, Jake Ligon, Austin Tait, Jordan Taylor, Caleb Harris, Aaron Meusborn, Joey Argo, Troy Bethards, Daniel Lancaster.

The National Exposition will be held May 10 through 12 in Minneapolis, Minn. SIFE U.S. National Exposition is one of the largest collegiate competitions in the country with more than 180 teams said to be participating.

During competition, SBU SIFE’s team delivered a 24-minute presentation documenting their work impacting the SBU campus, the community, and the country. Projects fall under the new SIFE criterion of impacting people, planet and profit.  SBU SIFE was also recognized for their work with local business L&T Metal in conjunction with the Sam’s Club Environmental Challenge. The project leaders for this project will be presenting their work in Bentonville, Ark., on April 22.

The SBU SIFE team is very excited with the competition results and look forward to competing in the National Exposition. The team plans on continuing their hard work and striving to change the lives of the people in the 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. 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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUnews

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

SBU Jazz Ensemble in Concert

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications

417-328-1803 / ssmith@sbuniv.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Southwest Baptist University Jazz Ensemble will be featured in concert under the direction of Dr. Jeffery Waters on Tuesday, April 26.  The 18-piece Jazz Ensemble is dedicated to being the voice of American jazz in the campus community, and will once again feature SBU student performers in a program which includes the wide variety of styles associated with today’s big-band jazz ensemble.  

SBU Jazz Ensemble

The program includes Missouri’s own jazz composer Bret Spainhour’s compositions “Den of Inequity” and “Spellbound,” which are pieces written in the last decade and continue the big-band traditions in fresh new ways. The band will showcase a contemporary arrangement of Duke Ellington’s “Caravan,” as played by the band Chicago. The pace will relax a bit with Pat Metheny’s “Every Summer Night” and Jeff Jarvis’s rich ballad “Night Sky.”  Rounding out the program will be newer jazz charts with titles that are as catchy and engaging as their music:  be-bop styled “Chill Factor,” Egyptian flavored “The Dance of Denial,” funky “The Chicken,” and the swinging “Shuffle Puck.” 

“The jazz ensemble will play a little bit of everything from our bag of jazz styles and repertoire,” Dr. Waters stated. The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Meyer Recital Hall on the SBU campus, admission is free, and the public is invited. 

For more information contact: Dr. Jeffery L. Waters, department of music, jwaters@SBUniv.edu , 417-328-1632

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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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUnews

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

SBU CIS Team Earns Top Awards in Central Plains Region Programming Contest

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Sharina Smith, Office of Marketing & Communications

417-328-1803 / ssmith@sbuniv.edu

Warrensburg, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University’s competitive programming claimed first, third and fourth places at the Consortium for Computing Sciences Central Plains Region Programming Contest on Saturday at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri.   SBU’s top team, made up of  Senior Ashley Copeland (Shawnee, Kan.), Junior Maaura Stucky (Kansas City, Mo.), and  Senior Ryan McGlaughlin (Moline Ill.) was the only team in the contest to solve five of a possible seven problems in the three hour contest.

“The Central Plains contest is how the teams end their year, and it really couldn’t have ended any better.  It was incredible.  What a blessing just to be associated with kids like this.  We graduate Ashley, who will be teaching mathematics at Mack’s Creek High School next year, but everyone else will be back.  The coaches are already planning and getting ready for next season.  This is a huge accomplishment for our kids and our program.  We’ve won this contest before, but cleaning house like our kids did at the top is just unheard of.”

SBU’s third place team consisted of Freshman Jacob Foster (Webb City, Mo.), Freshman Jason Jakusz (Ava, Mo.), and  Freshman Nathan Toombs (Bolivar, Mo.).  Rounding out the SBU effort with a fourth place finish was Sophomore Weston Herrington (Carthage, Mo.), Sophomore Jordan Hull (Lockwood, Mo.), and  Sophomore Luke Abbott (Camdenton, Mo.)

The competitive programming teams are coached by Dr. James Cain and Dr. Baochun Lu, both faculty members in the SBU CIS Department.

Southwest Baptist University’s Department of Computer and Information Sciences is home to four full-time faculty and two faculty associates.  With approximately 70 majors, the SBU CIS Department is a nationally recognized leader among evangelical Christian schools in the production of computing

and software engineering professionals.   

The Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges is a non-profit organization focused on promoting quality computer-oriented curricula as well as effective use of computing in smaller institutions of higher learning.   

    

Place	Team	Location	Problems Solved	Time In Min’s
1	Southwest Baptist University-A	Bolivar, MO	5	587
2	Northwest Missouri State University	Maryville, MO	4	337
3	Southwest Baptist University-B	Bolivar, MO	4	356
4	Southwest Baptist University-C	Bolivar, MO	3	147
5	Park University-A	Parkville, MO	3	287
6	Northeastern State University-A	Broken Arrow, OK	3	331
7	Eastern Illinois University-A	Charleston, IL	3	337
8	Drury University-B	Springfield, MO	2	84
9	University of Central Missouri-A	Warrensburg, MO	2	90
10	Drury University-B	Springfield, MO	2	122
11	Northeastern State University-B	Broken Arrow, OK	2	129
12	University of Central Missouri-B	Warrensburg, MO	2	162
13	Park University-B	Parkville , MO	2	198
14	Eastern Illinois University-B	Charleston, IL	2	216
15	College of the Ozarks-A	Point Lookout, MO	2	225
16	University of  Central Missouri-C	Warrensburg, MO	2	263
17	College of the Ozarks-B	Point Lookout, MO	2	225
18	McKendree University-A	Lebanon, IL	1	43
19	College of the Ozarks-C	Point Lookout, MO	1	65
20	University of Central Missouri-C	Warrensburg, MO	1	71
21	Northeastern State University-C	Broken Arrow, OK	1	157
22	Drury University-C	Springfield, MO	1	160
23	University of  Missouri Kansas City-A	Kansas City, MO	1	162
24	University of Missouri Kansas City-B	Kansas City, MO	0	0

Front Row: Ashley Copeland, Maaura Stucky.

Second Row: Jacob Foster, Nathan Toombs (in red), Ryan McGlaughlin (holding trophy),Luke Abbott

Back Row: Jason Jakusz, Jordan Hull, Weston Herrington

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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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUnews

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats