Thursday, November 29, 2012

Speaking Bearcats Bring Home Second Place Overall at Mahaffey Tournament


Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Office of Marketing and Communications
417-328-1803


BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Speaking Bearcats represented Southwest Baptist University very well in their recent trip to compete at one of the oldest tournaments, the Mahaffey Tournament, in Linfield, Oregon. The team brought home second place overall, despite only competing in one half of the tournament.

Team president Nik Fischer notes, “It was a great experience being in an unfamiliar and competitive area and made the success we had mean more because we had to come together to win.” The November tournament earned high rankings for the team thanks to the success of individual team members. Team vice-president Meg Burns shares, “Going to Portland helped us grow as a team and yielded wonderful victories.”

Sophomore Nik Fischer won first place in open impromptu speaking, third in open communication analysis, and fifth in open extemporaneous speaking. Sophomore Meg Burns earned second place in open dramatic interpretation, third in open program of oral interpretation, and fifth in open informative speaking. Sophomore Kaila Todd brought home second place in novice prose, third in novice persuade, and fifth in junior dramatic interpretation. Sophomore Catie Lathrop took home second place in novice persuasive speaking.

Though new this semester, all the speaking bearcat freshmen showed off their hard work with many individual successes. Leah Cleek won first place in novice prose, second place in open communication analysis, fourth in novice impromptu speaking, fifth in open program of oral interpretation, and sixth in novice persuasive speaking. Hannah Larino earned second in junior communication analysis, fourth in novice persuasive speaking, fifth in junior after dinner speaking, and sixth in open communication analysis. Maggie Thomas won first place in novice persuasive speaking, third in novice prose, and third in novice duo interpretation. Julie Strubinger brought home second place in novice impromptu speaking, second place in novice informative speaking, and third in junior after dinner speaking. Chad Bryant earned second place in junior after dinner speaking. Bobby Sterling took third in novice informative speaking and third in novice duo interpretation.

The Speaking Bearcats are preparing for their final tournament of the semester, the Cameron Christmas Classic in Lawton, Oklahoma on November 30 - December 2.


###
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.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

SBU Hosts Exhibition and Reception


Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Office of Marketing and Communications
417-328-1803


BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Driskill Gallery presents a showing of photography, digital imaging, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, graphic design, and painting from now through December 14 for the Senior Art Majors.

There will be a reception following graduation on December 14, in the Driskill Gallery, located in the Jester Learning and Performance Center of Southwest Baptist University for graduating senior art majors Rachel Johnston, Lydia Freeman, Jacob Williams, Emily Shrout, and Megan Rose. 

The gallery is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday thru Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

For more information contact Gallery Director Dianna Callahan, (417) 328-1651.


###
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.

Monday, November 26, 2012

SBU and Ministerial Alliance to Present 32nd Annual Festival of Christmas


Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Office of Marketing and Communications
417-328-1803


BOLIVAR, Mo. – Bolivar and area residents are invited to observe the Christmas season Sunday, December 2, at the 32nd annual Festival of Christmas. This year's special holiday program will begin at 6:00 p.m. in Mabee Chapel on the Southwest Baptist University campus in Bolivar.

The Festival of Christmas, sponsored by Southwest Baptist University and the Bolivar Ministerial Alliance, brings together the churches of Bolivar and surrounding communities for a spectacular Christmas celebration each year.

The program is free to the public, but as part of the festival tradition, the Bolivar  Area Ministerial Alliance will collect a special offering to be used for purchasing food for Christmas baskets and to help those in need throughout the year. Local ministries include emergency relief, utility, food, fuel, prescription assistance and transient aid.

Christmas music will be provided by the Festival Choir, SBU Wind Symphony and Chamber Orchestra. The Bolivar High School Concert Choir, directed by Anna Wooderson, will be performing “Gesu Bambino” and “Peace, Peace with Silent Night.” 

For more information about the Festival of Christmas, call 417-328-1630.


###
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 Concert Choir and Bolivar Community Chorus to Present Fall 2012 Concert


Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Office of Marketing and Communications
417-328-1803


BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Southwest Baptist University Concert Choir and the Bolivar Community Chorus will present their fall 2012 concert on Tuesday, November 27 at 7:30 p.m. The event will be held in Pike Auditorium on the Bolivar campus.

The nearly 100 voice ensemble will present works by Norman Dello Joio, John Ness Beck, Samuel Barber, and Joshua Shank. In addition, the chorus will present an arrangement of “To God be the Glory,” by SBU professor and composer Renee Waters, as well as a three movement setting of Psalm 150, 51, and 145 composed by SBU honor’s student and piano major, Michael Womack.

The concert is free and open to the public. 


###
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.

Monday, November 19, 2012

SBU Students Selected for Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges


Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Office of Marketing and Communications
417-328-1803

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University announced 88 of its students have been selected for inclusion in the 2012-2013 edition of Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges Students.

Students selected are:


Amanda Anderson
Brian Archer
Cayla Bagby
Sara Barton
Andrew Berhorst
Sarah Bottorff
Mandy Brady
Rachel Brown
Jade Burgess
Nicholas Burgher
Brandon Burns
Caitlin Campbell
Corie Chuning
Trevor Conner
Kiona Copeland
Courtney Copeland
Minda Cox
Kendra Crocker
Nikolai DeHaven
Aaron DeShazo
Carly Durst
Janette Elliott
Esther Fahim
Jennifer Faulkner
Ashleigh Fees
Jessica Ferkel
Lydia Freeman
Olivia Fritchey
Amanda Gasperson
Stuart Gipson
Margaret Goodman
Katie Goodson
Delia Groll
Gabrielle Hane
Jennifer Harmon
Caleb Harris
Andrea Hees
Katelynn Heimericks
Weston Herrington
Valissa Howe
Jordan Hull
Emilie Jackson
Kimberly Jennings
Rachel Johnston
Justin Joiner
Pearl Karamitros
Andrea Keedy
Christopher Kimberling
Lance Knight
Elise Luce
Rachael Martin
Patrick Mattia
Michael McAfee
Matthew McEwen
Deborah McGlasson
Lucas McLaughlin
Devon McNeal
Aaron Meusborn
Perry Misloski
Robert Mix
Molly Morgan
Todd Mueller
Amber Nelson
Sharie Nievar
Keith Noltkamper
Peggy Parks
Trevor Parrish
Jamie Penick
Samantha Phinney
Nicole Pinkley
Kristin Pulliam
Allison Raithel
Brittani Ready
Tony Roberts
Tyne Rose
Kara Safford
Abby Sanders
Kelci Schaal
Faiga Schmidt
Jordan Silman
Patrick Stevens
Heather Stewart
Sawyer Thompson
Maygen Ward
Aaron Williams
Keisha Williams
Mallory Williams
Kara Yohn

###
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 Student Receives Library Assistant Award


Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Office of Marketing and Communications
417-328-1803

BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Southwest Baptist University Libraries has announced that Kristi Martinez of Jerico Springs, Mo., was honored as the Outstanding Student Assistant of the Month for October 2012.

The University Libraries’ faculty and staff established the monthly award to recognize outstanding employment characteristics such as dependability, quality of work, motivation, attitude, and cooperation. Martinez, a student assistant in the circulation department, received an award letter from Dr. Edward W. Walton, dean of the University Libraries, a certificate of recognition, and a gift. 

The University Libraries employs 28 part-time student assistants through the University’s work-study program. Martinez is an Art Education Major in SBU’s College of Education and Social Sciences.


###
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.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

SBU Presents Wind Symphony Concert November 15

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Office of Marketing and Communications
417-328-1803


BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University Music Department presents the Wind Symphony in concert on Thursday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m.

Works by Shostakovich, Milhaud, and Ticheli will be performed by the 60-member ensemble. The free public performance will be held at Pike Auditorium on the SBU campus.

“A classic orchestral transcription, a cornerstone of wind band repertoire, and a new work destined for permanence in the repertoire…a program sure to please a variety of palates!” states Dr. Brian Hopwood, conductor and director of instrumental studies at SBU.

The concert will open with Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich’s "Festive Overture, Opus 96," a work originally written for orchestra in 1954 and transcribed for wind band by Eastman Wind Ensemble conductor (1965-2001) Donald Hunsberger in 1965. It is among the most-performed transcriptions for band and in addition to its distinctive Russian flavor, contains one of Shostakovich’s greatest attributes―the ability to write a long, sustained melodic line combined with a pulsating rhythmic drive.

Also included on the program is Darius Milhaud’s most significant work for full wind band, "Suite Francaise, op. 248" (1944). The five parts of this suite are named after French Provinces, the very ones in which the American and Allied armies fought together with the French underground for the liberation of France: Normandy, Brittany, Ile-de-France, Alsace-Lorraine, and Provence. Milhaud uses folk tunes of these Provinces and original folk-song material.

The concluding work, "Angels in the Architecture" by Frank Ticheli, is composed for soprano solo and wind band. The work unfolds as a dramatic conflict between the two extremes of human existence―one divine and one evil. The work’s title is inspired by the Sydney Opera House, the location of the premiere performance, with its halo-shaped acoustical ornaments hanging directly above the performance stage.

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


###
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.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Speaking Bearcats Post Strong Results in Busy October


Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Office of Marketing and Communications
417-328-1803


BOLIVAR, Mo. – The SBU Speaking Bearcats earned top ranks during their busy October schedule as they travelled back to back to University of Central Missouri’s Mule Tournament, October 19-21 and Longview’s Central States Swing Tournament, October 26-27.

At the Mule Tournament, the Bearcats earned third place in debate, bringing home numerous individual awards both in debate and individual event fields. Novice debaters Kaila Todd, Julie Strubinger, Maggie Thomas, Bobby Sterling, Catie Lathrop, and Micah Jordan closed out the novice competition in parliamentary debate. Open debate competitors Nik Fischer and Leah Cleek were parliamentary debate quarterfinalists.

In the first half of the Mule Tournament, freshmen Leah Cleek took home second place and top novice in persuasive speaking and second and top novice in communication analysis. Sophomore Nik Fischer earned fourth place in communication analysis and fifth in extemporaneous speaking. Sophomore Kaila Todd placed sixth in persuasive speaking.

In the second half of the Mule Tournament, Leah Cleek picked up third place and top novice in persuade, fourth and top novice in communication analysis, and fifth and top novice in impromptu speaking. Nik Fischer took sixth place in communication analysis and fourth in extemporaneous speaking.

At the Central States Swing, the Bearcats overcame the competition and brought home first place overall for the first half of the tournament. The Speaking Bearcats again posted strong results in parliamentary debate. In fact every one of SBU’s parliamentary debate teams reached elimination rounds. Nik Fischer and Meg Burns reached quarterfinals in open parliamentary debate. Chad Bryant and Hannah Larino reached quarterfinals in novice parliamentary debate. Maggie Thomas and Julie Strubinger reached the semifinals of novice parliamentary debate, while Kaila Todd and Leah Cleek finished in second place in the event.

In individual events, the SBU team members earned great success. Sophomore Meg Burns won first place in informative speaking, second in prose, and third in program of oral interpretation. Leah Cleek won first place in impromptu speaking and third in communication analysis. Freshmen Julie Strubinger brought home second place in informative speaking and sixth in impromptu speaking. Nik Fischer picked up second place in communication analysis and fifth in informative speaking. Kaila Todd took fifth place in impromptu speaking. Freshmen Hannah Larino and Chad Bryant broke into after dinner speaking, earning fourth and fifth place respectively.

The SBU Speaking Bearcats will be traveling to compete at the nation’s oldest multiple-event tournament, the 82nd Mahaffey Memorial Tournament hosted by Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, November 9-11.


###
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 Chamber Orchestra Presents Free Concert


Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Office of Marketing and Communications
417-328-1803


BOLIVAR, Mo. – The public is invited to attend a free concert featuring the Southwest Baptist University Chamber Orchestra, Dr. Brian K. Hopwood, conductor, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 13. The concert will be presented in the Meyer Recital Hall in the Casebolt Music Center on the SBU campus.

An eclectic mix of traditional and modern works is included in the concert program. Antonio Vivaldi’s “Concerto in G Major” for two solo violins, strings, and harpsichord will feature Elli Edwards and Molly Morgan. Two contrasting “serenades” will also be highlighted. Norman Leyden’s four-movement “Serenade” (1971) will be performed alongside the three-movement “Serenade” (1892) by Edward Elgar.  

As both works are considered standard repertoire, Leyden requires the orchestra to shift from one style to the next in each of the movements while Elgar’s Serenade is devoid of any special string effects but instead focuses on the simple yet beautiful sound of the strings. It was the earliest of Elgar’s compositions to become widely known and was described as one of his favorite works.

Another English work, “Folk Tune and Fiddle Dance” (1914) by Percy Fletcher fits into the same historical era as Holst’s St. Paul’s “Suite” (1913) and Hubert Parry’s “English Suite” (1914-15) filling an important niche in the British string orchestra repertoire. Also included is the incidental music “Farandole” from L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2 by Georges Bizet―an arrangement of the famous Provençal tune that Bizet used to accompany the play, “The Girl from Arles.” Jay Ungar’s Ashokan “Farewell,” referred to by Ken Burns as “the quintessentially American lament,” rounds out the program.

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


###
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.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

SBU Hosts Exhibition and Reception


Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Office of Marketing and Communications
417-328-1803


BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Driskill Gallery in the Jester Learning and Performance Center of Southwest Baptist University will host a reception for Pineridge Perspectives, an exhibit by Kurt Caddy. The reception will be held in the gallery from 5:30-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 13.

Works include portraits of the Lakota people and their homes in the landscape of South Dakota. Lakota inspired artwork captures some of the history of these great people. All artwork and photos are for sale and proceeds will be used to help the people of Pineridge.

The gallery is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday thru Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information contact Gallery Director Dianna Callahan, (417) 328 1651.

  
###
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 CIS Team Claims Fifth Place in U.S. Mid-Central Region Programming Contest



Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Office of Marketing and Communications
417-328-1803


BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University’s Department of Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) competitive programming teams received top honors at Missouri State University, Saturday, November 4. SBU's A team claimed the title of best team in Missouri, and finished in the top five in the IBM-sponsored Mid-Central Region Intercollegiate Programming Contest.

“This is the highest finish in history for any team from SBU,” Said Dr. Tim DeClue, chair of the SBU CIS Department. “We are truly blessed to have the caliber of program that can attract incredibly talented students. It is an honor to work with them to sharpen their God-given talent. It was just an amazing day.”  

The Mid-Central region is one of only 11 regions in North America and encompasses Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee. Only the University of Chicago, University of Illinois, and the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology finished ahead of SBU’s top competitive programmers in a field of over 150 teams.

The competition - called informally the “Battle of the Brains”- is held each year among leading colleges and universities with computing programs and is considered the most prestigious computational problem-solving contest in the world. Undergraduate and graduate-level students are allowed to compete together. According to Dr. DeClue, “allowing graduate students to compete is good because it certainly raises the level of problem-solving and analytical ability in the contest. It also makes our kids’ achievement even that much more remarkable. We [SBU CIS] only have an undergraduate program and all three schools that edged us out have graduate programs in computer science.”


Competing on SBU’s A team was Weston Herrington (senior, Carthage, Mo.), Luke Abbott (senior, Camdenton, Mo.), and Jason Jakusz (junior, Ava, Mo.). SBU’s B team finished in 58th position and was comprised of Maaura Stucky (senior, Kansas City, Mo.), Justin Stout (sophomore, Garden City, Kan.) and Bobby Sterling (freshman, Buffalo, Mo.). SBU’s C team finished in 115th place and consisted of Erica Stratton (senior, Branson, Mo.), Brady Kornrumpf (freshman, Jefferson City, Mo.) and Nate Schulz (freshman, Omaha, Neb.). Also practicing with the teams this fall were Cameron Euler (freshman, Camdenton, Mo.).   

The SBU Competitive programming teams are coached by Dr. Baochuan Lu and Dr. Tim DeClue.
The competitive programming teams will practice and compete again in the spring at the Consortium for Computing Sciences Central Plains Regional Programming Contest where they are the 2012 defending champions.


Top 25 Complete Results

Place
University/Team
Solutions
Time (minutes)
1
University of  Chicago - A
8
769
2
University of Chicago –B
8
832
3
University of Illinois-A
7
984
4
Rose-Hulman-A
6
382
5
SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY-A
6
672
6
University of Illinois-B
6
676
7
Rose-Hulman-B
6
689
8
University of Illinois-C
6
711
9
Illinois Institute of Technology-Chicago-A
6
754
10
University of Kentucky-A
6
848
11
Saint Louis University-A
6
948
12
University of Chicago-C
6
1030
13
University of Illinois-D
5
377
14
University of Kentucky-B
5
391
15
University of Arkansas-Little Rock-A
5
400
16
College of the Ozarks-A
5
443
17
Vanderbilt-A
5
472
18
Wheaton-A
5
514
19
Loyola-A
5
516
20
Illinois State University-A
5
522
21
Centre College-A
5
534
22
Wheaton-B
5
609
23
Murray State University-A
5
620
24
University of Arkansas-A
5
636
25
Webster University-A
5
640


  
###
PHOTO: Front Row (L-R): Erica Stratton, Maaura Stucky, Brady Kornrumpt, Nathan Schulz
Middle Row (L-R): Bobby Sterling, Justin Stout
Back Row (L-R): Jason Jakusz, Luke Abbott, Weston Herrington
Not Pictured: Cameron Euler

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.



Tuesday, November 6, 2012

SBU Science Department to Feature Dr. Keith Goeking


Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Office of Marketing and Communications
417-328-1803


BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University’s Darrell R. Strait Center for the Integration of Science and Christian Faith will feature Dr. Keith Goeking as part of the Strait Center’s biannual formal lecture series.

The public is invited to attend Dr. Goeking’s presentation on the topic of "Biblical Ethics in a Medical World" at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 13, in the Wheeler Science Facility Room W101 on SBU’s Bolivar campus.

Dr. Goeking is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College (BA), University of Virginia (MD), and completed his residency at Case Western Reserve University in obstetrics and gynecology. He is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has had a long-time practice at Heartland Women's Health associated with Heartland Hospital in St. Joseph, Mo. Dr. Goeking has spoken on many issues related to women's health as well as medicine and faith. He is married to Jane, and together they have four grown and married children, Rachel Rea, Becca Coney, Kenny Goeking and Danny Goeking. 


###
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.