Monday, August 6, 2012

SBU Alumnus Shane Schoeller Shared Life Lessons with Summer Graduates


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

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University’s summer graduates learned several lessons shared by 1994 alumnus, Shane Schoeller, who gave the commencement address on Friday, July 27, in Mabee Chapel.

Schoeller recounted the Bible story of Joseph from Genesis, Chapter 37, and shared life lessons he has learned from Joseph’s life. Schoeller said, “I believe that by keeping forgiveness, humility, and accountability front and center in all that we do, we will be able to have an impact for our Lord and Savior Jesus.”

Shane Schoeller '94
In his address, Schoeller also told stories from his early days in sales and from his political career, and reiterated that without the three intangibles of forgiveness, humility, and accountability, he “would have missed out on many opportunities. The Lord has helped me learn that [these intangibles] are powerful in helping us avoid the enemies’ plan for us.”

BIOGRAPHY FOR SHANE SCHOELLER
As the Speaker Pro Tem of the Missouri House of Representatives, Schoeller represents 39,224 citizens of Springfield and nearby Fair Grove, Walnut Grove and Willard. He is serving his third term in the 139th District.

Schoeller graduated from Branson High School in Taney County in 1990.   He earned the degree of Bachelor of Science in political science from SBU in 1994.  After graduation, he entered public and private service, including a leadership role in the Homebuilders Association of Greater Springfield that preceded his election as a legislator in 2006.

As a new graduate, Schoeller, an active Republican, worked as field representative for Senator John Ashcroft and Senator Kit Bond, later becoming a legislative assistant to Congressman Roy Blunt and later chief administrative aide to Secretary of State Matt Blunt.

Prior to his election to the House, Schoeller served as the Director of Government Affairs for the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Springfield. He was a leader in encouraging pro-jobs and pro-growth policies in home construction, helping make homeownership an affordable opportunity for current and new homebuyers.

In the House, he has served on committees that reviewed budget appropriations, utilities, taxation and revenue, and also disaster recovery “after the Joplin tornado of 2011”. He was unanimously chosen by his peers as the House’s second ranking official in 2011.

Prior to his work with the HBA, Schoeller raised funds for Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), a global non-profit organization serving more than 1,500 campuses worldwide, to help teach young people the principles of free enterprise.

Schoeller and wife, Mendie, are the parents of Emma, Dorthy, and Johnny. The Schoeller family makes their home in Willard, Missouri. Mendie is a practicing attorney in estate planning and probate law. Shane is a member of the NRA and Missouri Farm Bureau.  Schoeller, Mendie and their children attend Second Baptist Church of Springfield.

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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.