Four SBU students receive Jack Henry scholarships

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

(417) 328-1803 / cmarsch@sbuniv.edu

Four SBU students receive Jack Henry scholarships

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Each spring semester, Jack Henry scholarships are awarded to Southwest Baptist University’s College of Business and Computer Science students for the following academic year.  

This year’s recipients are Rebecca Green, a marketing major from Springfield; Julie McGlaughlin, a computer information science major from East Moline, Ill.; Rebecca McNabb, an accounting and information assurance major from Clever; and Morgan Wohnoutka, an accounting major from Bolivar.

Jack Henry is a leading provider of products and services for processing transactions, automating business processes, and managing mission-critical information for more than 11,200 financial institutions and corporate entities. 

Students eligible for the Jack Henry scholarships must met the following criteria: major in accounting, business administration, marketing, management, economics/finance, public relations, international business, computer information science or computer science; have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better; and have junior or senior status at the end of the academic year.

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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.

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SBU students chosen for Small College Intercollegiate Band

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

(417) 328-1803 / cmarsch@sbuniv.edu

SBU students chosen for Small College Intercollegiate Band

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Four students from Southwest Baptist University traveled to the University of North Carolina in Greensboro to perform with The 2013 Small College Intercollegiate Band March 23.

The group included more than 80 auditioned musicians representing 46 schools from across the nation. More than 260 students representing 53 schools applied for admission into the ensemble. SBU was one of two small colleges representing Missouri. The concert on March 23 was part of the biennial convention of the College Band Directors National Association attended by their Wind Symphony conductor, Dr. Brian Hopwood.

Students participating were Lauren Asbery playing clarinet, a senior Music Education major from Bentonville, Ark.; Morgan Katz playing trumpet, a junior Music major from Hampton, Iowa; Lucas McLaughlin playing trombone, a senior Music and Math major from St. Joseph; and Matt Hopwood playing percussion, a junior Music Education major from Bolivar.

“It was an honor and a very rewarding experience,” McLaughlin said. “I've participated in a lot of honor bands, but I've never played in a group this good. Excellent musicians from small colleges around the country gathered together to make this band, and it was a great-sounding group.” 

The group was under the direction of Craig Kirchoff, Professor of Conducting and Director of University Bands at the University of Minnesota where he conducts the University Wind Ensemble and guest conducts in the University Opera Program.

The students were impressed with Kirchoff’s ability.

“It was an amazing experience to play with so many extraordinary players,” Asbery said. “I learned so much from working with Professor Kirchoff.”

Matt Hopwood added, “I've never played under a conductor with as much presence and expressivity as Professor Kirchoff. The music that he could summon from the ensemble with his facial expressions alone was astonishingly profound!”

Musical selections included “Armenian Folk Song and Dance” by Aram Khachaturian, “Olympic Fireworks” by David Stanhope, “Sheltering Sky” by John Mackey, “Danzón No. 2” by Arturo Márquez, “My Jesus! Oh, What Anguish” by J.S. Bach, and “First Suite in Eb, Op. 28 No. 1” by Gustav Holst.

Morgan Katz agreed that SCIB was “a wonderful experience. I learned a lot from Professor Kirchoff's direction, and I enjoyed attending the evening concerts put on by bands from other colleges.”

A video of the performance will be archived at http://www.banddirector.com/article/pg-concert-band/cbdna-2013-national-conference-/productguide/534 and will be available sometime in early May.

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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.

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SBU Enactus wins regional competition

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

(417) 328-1803 / cmarsch@sbuniv.edu

SBU Enactus wins regional competition

By Lauren Mitchell

Vice President of Projects for SBU Enactus

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Southwest Baptist University’s Enactus Team (formerly known as SIFE) won the Regional Competition in Chicago April 12, securing a spot for the National Competition in Kansas City in May.

Hopping on a bus for an eight-hour drive, 25 students from the 37-member Enactus team traveled to Chicago where they competed against multiple universities in their league.

“SBU Enactus performed exceptionally well at regionals,” SBU Enactus adviser Angie Wright said. “I saw five other teams present at regionals. Our team presented first, and I didn't see any other team come close to reaching the high bar SBU Enactus set.”

Many of the members on the Enactus team this year were freshmen who were competing for the first time.

“I expected to win regionals, but at the same time, it was such a rush to hear our name called,” freshman Enactus member Tori Jones said. “Competition was a great environment of students and businesspeople all striving for the same goal.”

Four speakers, who were chosen earlier in the semester, represented the SBU Enactus team at regional competition: Seniors Aaron Meusborn and Trevor Parrish, junior Meg Goodman and freshman Tori Jones. Meusborn, Parrish and Goodman also served on the SBU Enactus officer team this year.

“As an officer and a speaker, you really feel a lot of pressure to do well when we compete,” said Parrish, SBU Enactus president. “As an officer you feel responsible for the content in the presentation, and as a speaker you feel responsible for how well it's presented. Being able to carry on SBU's legacy for most regional competition wins was a huge accomplishment for our team.”

The SBU team won the Regional Competition for the 29^th time in 30 years.

These four students memorized a 17-minute speech covering three of the SBU Enactus team’s projects. Two of these projects were local businesses in the community of Bolivar, The Bean 3:16 and TMB Recycling. The last project was an international project in Zambia the team began this year.

“We were able to create a business that the orphanage could operate to produce a more sustainable source of revenue,” Meusborn said. “We cut their costs by switching power sources from expensive diesel fuel to inexpensive electricity, and we helped them create a self-sufficient environment that allows the orphanage to fully provide for their children, rarely having to leave the compound.”

Maxie Walker, Meusborn and Nathan Church traveled to Zambia to work with the New Day Orphanage during the Winterfest term in January.

“It was amazing to help such a loving and compassionate people group,” Meusborn said. “As soon as our team arrived at the orphanage, the local Zambians immediately made us feel loved. Once it was time to leave, only a week later, it felt like we were leaving our own family.”

The success of the SBU Enactus team and its Regional Competition win has been a team effort and the result of strong leadership.

“SBU Enactus has done an amazing job, and the results are a testament to the Enactus officer leadership,” said Dr. Troy Bethards, associate professor of business administration and academic adviser to the SBU Enactus team. “The officer team this year was the first officer team to take a long-term approach to setting the team up for future success.”

The team is expecting stiffer competition when competing for the title of National Champion next month.

“Nationals is an entirely different ball game,” Goodman said. “The majority of teams that advance are competitive and have a history of success. That being said, our team has been nationally ranked the past two years (top 40 in 2011, top 60 in 2012), and I expect nothing less for this year. As an officer team, we would be thrilled to make top 20 this year. I think that is definitely attainable and would be an accurate reflection of our team's successes for this Enactus year.”

For more information about SBU Enactus, contact Angie Wright at (417) 328-1754 or awright@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.

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SBU's Department of Language and Literature announces writing contest winners

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Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

417-328-1803/cmarsch@sbuniv.edu

SBU's Department of Language and Literature announces writing contest winners

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University’s Department of Language and Literature announced the winners of the 2013 writing contest on Tuesday, April 16.

The contest was opened to any student enrolled in SBU for the spring semester and accepted works in four categories: poetry, short story, non-documented essay, and critical literary essay. Winners received plaques, and the winning pieces were then published in “Scop,” the department’s literary journal named after the old English poet.

Winners of the 2013 writing contest were:

•       Senior Rex Ybanez, an English major from Bolivar, with the poem “The First of March.”

•      Freshman Tabitha Kohl, a writing major from Harrisburg, with the short story “The Seed.”

•      Junior Carlee Graham, a Health, Physical Education and Recreation major from Carlinville, Ill., with the non-documented essay “Inner Death.”

•       English major Brandon Burns from Seligman, Mo., with the critical literacy essay “He Done Taught Me de Maiden Language All Over.”

Those receiving honorable mention awards were:

•     Sophomore Heidi Dehn, a theatre major from Rapid City, S.D., with the poem “Perfect Storm,” and the short story “Mary Ruth’s Secrets.”

•      Sophomore Ariel White, a commercial art major from Brookline Station, with the poem “Ebonics.”

•       Senior Jeff Allen Young, a theatre major from Bolivar, with the short story “The Picnic.”

•      Junior Dalaney Blackard, an English major from Springfield, with the non-documented essay “Discipline Defined by a Runner.”

•      Junior Lauren Knutson, an English major from Lee’s Summit, with the non-documented essay “Creation” and the critical literary essay “The Roads to ‘Yes I would.’”

•      Freshman Emily Ziler, an English major from Reeds, with the critical literary essay “Hidden Behind the Veil.”

The Department of Language and Literature began the annual writing contest for SBU students more than 40 years ago to promote student interest in creative and academic writing. Open to university students of any major, the contest has given a venue to many aspiring writers and poets to share their unique voices in print. Entries were judged by the English faculty.

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Photo cutline: Students receiving first place and honorable mention in the Southwest Baptist University’s Department of Language and Literature Writing Contest are, from left, front row — Heidi Dehn, Delaney Blackard, Lauren Knutson, Ariel White; back row — Brandon Burns, Emily Ziler, Carlee Graham, Tabitha Kohl, Rex Ybanez.

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.

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SBU Theatre's spring play offers a new take on life, death and all the stories in between

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Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contacts: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

(417) 328-1803 / cmarsch@sbuniv.edu

Dr. Elissa Sartwell, SBU Theatre Director

(417) 328-1688

Note to media: A media preview performance is at 8 p.m. Monday, April 29, in Davis-Newport Theatre. This is after the Barnett-Padgett Literary Artist Series meeting with Christian author Robin Jones Gunn, which begins at 6 p.m. in the same location.

SBU Theatre's spring play offers a new take on life, death and all the stories in between

BOLIVAR, Mo. — If you read yourself to death, would he be impressed? SBU alumnus Zachary McCoy addresses this question in his quirky new play, “Down the Ladder,” which will receive its world premiere May 2-4 at the Davis-Newport Theatre on Southwest Baptist University’s Bolivar campus. The production will be staged by SBU Theatre faculty and students.

“We selected Zach’s play to be a part of our theatre season because we fell in love with the metaphor that he has brought to life on the stage,” said Associate Professor of Theatre Dr. Elissa Sartwell, director of the production. “We literally see a man read himself to death, and his choices have implications on the stories of the other characters, as well. It’s a comedy, a romance, a poetic drama and a Greek tragedy, mixed with a quirkiness that is all Zach’s.”

McCoy stated that “even in something as fantastical and allegorical as ‘Down the Ladder,’ the themes are incredibly personal, and those personal elements create the strength of the story.” 

Freshman Amelia Hicks portrays a dead woman in the production. Hicks maintains that although the play addresses heavy issues, it does so in a way that is filled with laughter and comedy.

“This play teaches you about life, love, and death, in a way that makes you reconsider what it means to live forever,” Hicks said.

The SBU Theatre performers are thrilled to be the first actors ever to embody these particular roles.

“It is an honor to be the first to breathe life into this role,” said Roger Abbott, an SBU employee who portrays the Old Man in the story. 

McCoy, a 2012 graduate of the university (B.A. English), has been on campus since February as an Artist-in-Residence. His presence in the rehearsal process has been a positive one.

“I’ve enjoyed watching the director and the actors create their own visions and interpretations of the story and its characters,” McCoy said. “The rehearsal process has increased my understanding and appreciation for playwriting and storytelling.

The production features a set and lights designed by Jonathan Wehmeyer, Instructor of Theatre, and costumes designed by Sartwell.

In addition to Hicks and Abbott, the cast includes four seniors: Jeff Young as Death, Samantha Phinney as Life, Lauren Schriver as the Young Woman and Jacob Carver as the Young Man. Freshman Hannah Rogg and sophomore Alexandra Phillips complete the chorus of dead women. 

Performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 2, through Saturday, May 4. Ticket prices are as $5 for adults; $3 for SBU alumni, senior citizens and students of other schools; $2 for SBU students; and complimentary for SBU faculty and staff.  For more information, call 328-1691 or visit www.sbuniv.edu/theatre.

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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.

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Dr. Clint Bass publishes “Thomas Grantham (1633-1692) and General Baptist Theology”

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

417-328-1803/cmarsch@sbuniv.edu

Dr. Clint Bass publishes “Thomas Grantham (1633-1692) and General Baptist Theology”

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Dr. Clint Bass, assistant professor of church history in the Redford College of Theology and Ministry at Southwest Baptist University, has recently published his first book, “Thomas Grantham (1633-1692) and General Baptist Theology.”

The book, based on Bass’s doctoral thesis, focuses primarily on the doctrine of the General Baptist leader, Thomas Grantham.

“The book was meant to give a full account of the life and thought of the most important General Baptist theologian of the later seventeenth century,” Bass said.

The book tells the life of Thomas Grantham in its first chapter, followed by an account of Grantham’s ecclesiology in its second chapter. Chapter three deals with Thomas Grantham’s view of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Chapter four explains the controversy over the laying of the hands, a divisive practice among Baptists of the period. Chapter five covers Grantham’s understanding of salvation. Lastly, chapter six focuses on Grantham’s role in opposition to the Christological deficiency adopted by a small party of his churchmen.  

In writing the book Dr. Bass addresses some of the misconceptions about the General Baptists, namely when and to what extent they became heterodox in their Christology. He also critiques what some recent authors have said about early Baptist views of the ordinances.

“There is a trend to attribute to Grantham a higher sacramentalism than what he actually held in baptism and the Lord’s Supper,” Bass said.

The book focuses on Thomas Grantham’s life and thought; however, by interacting with the wider context, Bass also explains how the General Baptists are to be understood in relation to the religious milieu of Restoration England. 

 The book is sold by the Centre for Baptist History and Heritage, Regent's Park College (Oxford). It can be purchased on the Web for 22 pounds (roughly $33.50 on today's rate).

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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.

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SBU’s graduating art majors display work

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

(417) 328-1803 / cmarsch@sbuniv.edu

SBU’s graduating art majors display work

BOLIVAR, Mo. — An exhibit of artwork by Southwest Baptist University graduating art majors, including photography, digital imaging, drawing, sculpture, graphic design and painting, is on display through Saturday, May 18, at SBU’s Driskill Gallery in the Jester Learning and Performance Center.

A reception will be after graduation on May 18 in the Gallery for graduating senior art majors Milayla Smith Tucker, Kalie Simpkins, Erin Hotchkiss, Perry Misloski, Jenn Morrison, Kellie Harris, Katelynn Heimericks and Laura Jesse.

Admission to the gallery is free, and it is open to the public. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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

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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.

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SBU Mathematics students present workshop sessions

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

(417) 328-1803 / cmarsch@sbuniv.edu

SBU Mathematics students present workshop sessions

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Two Southwest Baptist University students presented workshop sessions at the 30^th annual Rose-Hulman Conference on Undergraduate Mathematics April 19-20 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind.

Weston Herrington, a senior computer science and mathematics major from Carthage, presented “Analysis of the Impact of the ALEKS Learning Tool on Undergraduate Mathematics Students.”

“For several years, the ALEKS online learning tool has been used as part of the curriculum for PreAlgebra courses at my university, but it had not yet been proven as to whether this was beneficial for the students,” he wrote. “This semester, I analyzed the data that this professor and the ALEKS system had gathered about student behavior. Through this research, I was able to apply both correlation analysis and creation of statistical models to real world data in order to find the most important factors in student performance.”

Luke Abbott, a senior Computer Science and Mathematics major from Roach, presented “Generalizing of Complex Fractals.”

“The purpose of this presentation is to illustrate the generalizing of complex fractals, specifically the Mandelbrot Set, into hypercomplex space,” Abbott wrote. “This presentation will explain and illustrate how complex numbers in fractal expressions can be replaced with hypercomplex numbers (such as quaternions, bi-complex numbers, octonions, etc.) expanding the dimensions of the fractal far beyond the original two. Using dimensional slicing these hyper-dimensional shapes can be displayed in three-dimensional space, creating a wide variety of three-dimensional representations of any fractal. This generalization could very easily lead to the discovery of extraordinary hyper-dimensional fractals that have never before been encountered.”

Dr. Stephen Bowling, Professor of Mathematics, accompanied the students to the conference.  Dr. Bowling also served on the committee for deciding the three candidates for the Best Presentation Competition.

Some of the schools attending were Illinois College, Calvin College, Rose-Hulman, Illinois Wesleyan, Missouri Baptist, Purdue University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Taylor University, with 108 attendees and 33 student presentations.

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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.

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SBU math professors present at national conference

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

(417) 328-1803 / cmarsch@sbuniv.edu

SBU math professors present at national conference

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Southwest Baptist University mathematics professors Dr. Bob Glasgow and Dr. Kevin Hopkins presented programs during the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics annual meeting April 17-20 in Denver. The meeting is the world’s largest gathering of mathematics educators.

Dr. Glasgow co-presented “Doctorates in Mathematics Education: A shortage continues and jobs exist.” He presented research on job opportunities and suggestions of factors to consider when choosing a doctoral program, as well as challenges of K-12 classroom teachers returning as graduate students and then transitioning into a career in higher education. He presented with Robert Reys of the University of Missouri–Columbia and Christa Jackson of the University of Kentucky–Lexington.

Dr. Hopkins presented “Calculus animations with GeoGebra,” a session for 9-12 and higher education mathematics teachers. GeoGebra is a free, Web-based software that does dynamic geometry and graphing that can illustrate many topics in calculus. He showed some animations he has used and featured instruction on how to create animations that the audience suggests.

SBU’s Department of Mathematics pursues excellence and offers quality instruction from a Christian perspective to non-majors to broaden their mathematical skills and awareness and to majors to prepare them for career success or further study in mathematics. For more information, contact Hopkins at (417) 328-1675 or khopkins@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.

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SBU Masterworks concert is May 3

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

417-328-1803/cmarsch@sbuniv.edu

SBU Masterworks concert is May 3

BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Department of Music of Southwest Baptist University will present its Masterworks Concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, in Pike Auditorium. The department’s massed choirs and orchestra will present “Sunrise Mass” by Ola Gjeilo and “Toward the Unknown Region” by Ralph Vaughan Williams.  There is no admission charge.

Ola Gjeilo (pronounced Yay-lo) was born in Norway in 1978 and moved to the United States in 2001 to begin his composition studies at the Juilliard School in New York City. A full-time composer based in the U.S., Ola is also interested in film, and his music draws a lot of inspiration from movies and cinematic music.

“Toward the Unknown Region” is the poem by Walt Whitman that Ralph Vaughan Williams set to music early in his career. Working through a counterpoint of diminished harmonies, it concludes heroically with a hymn-like presence.

“Both of these works leave no listener untouched by a sense of anticipation,” said Dr. James R. Tarrant, professor of music and director of choral studies at SBU. “As with each Masterworks performance, the program requires the talents and numbers we are fortunate to have at SBU.”

In its fourth decade, the Masterworks presentation annually provides southwest Missouri audiences the opportunity to experience musical works that are best presented by the combined efforts of department, university and community. The repertoire has included the great classics, the unfamiliar pearls and modern compositions of significance.

For more information, contact the Music Office 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.

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Young, Evans win Mr. and Ms. Southwest pageant

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

(417) 328-1803 / cmarsch@sbuniv.edu

Young, Evans win Mr. and Ms. Southwest pageant

 

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Landon Young, a junior Biblical Studies major from Potosi, and Laura Evans, a junior Elementary Education major from Houston, Texas, were crowned Mr. and Ms. Southwest Friday, April 12, at Southwest Baptist University.

“Laura and Landon are fantastic examples of the type of servant leadership SBU strives to instill in each of its students,” said Anderson Gilberto, Major Events chair for the University Activities Council at SBU and one of the event emcees. “They will represent the school well as the reigning Mr. and Ms. Southwest.”

Faculty selected eight juniors to compete for the titles of Mr. and Ms. Southwest, an SBU tradition.

Other contestants were:

• Nathan Church, an Exercise Science major from Sedalia;

• Marshall Johns, a Biblical Studies major from Mountain Grove;

• April Lopp, an English Education major from Reedsburg, Wis.;

• Sam Sievers, a Biblical Studies major from Godfrey, Ill.

• Haley Wech, an Elementary Education major from Nixa; and

• Katelynn Zuercher, a Marketing and Public Relations major from Olathe, Kan.

Each candidate was introduced through a creative video biography and a talent presentation. During intermission, audience members voted by text messaging, and four candidates made it through to the final round.

The final contestants were asked three questions — one from a pre-selected list of questions, one submitted by an audience member through the UCA Twitter account and one “mystery” question.

The pageant was organized by the UAC as part of Bearcat Days, a two-day visit event for students who will begin attending SBU in the fall.

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Photo cutline: Landon Evans, left, received the title of Mr. Southwest and Laura Evans was crowned Ms. Southwest during the annual Mr. and Ms. Southwest pageant Friday, April 12, at Southwest Baptist University.

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.

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Christian author Robin Jones Gunn to speak at SBU April 29

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

(417) 328-1803 / cmarsch@sbuniv.edu

Christian author Robin Jones Gunn to speak at SBU April 29

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Award-winning Christian author Robin Jones Gunn is speaking from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 29, in the Davis-Newport Theatre in the Jester Learning and Performance Center at Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, as part of the Barnett-Padgett Literary Artist Series. A book signing will be afterwards.

Gunn is the author of the Sisterchicks® novels and several series — including Christy Miller, Sierra Jensen, Glenbrooke and Katie Weldon — for young adults. She has sold more than 5 million copies of her 82 books since her first book was published in 1988.

She began writing Christian young adult novels when she became concerned about what she saw girls in her church youth group reading. The girls then gave her ideas of what to write about, and she spent many mornings, beginning at 3 a.m., writing her books.

Copies of her books are available for purchase at the SBU Bookstore.

Admission is free and open to the public. The Jester Learning and Performance Center is the first building on the right after entering the campus from Springfield Avenue.

For more information, contact Dr. Holly Hill-Stanford, professor of English and director of the Barnett-Padgett Literary Artist Series, at (417) 328-1682.

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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.

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All Sons and Daughters in concert at SBU April 25

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

(417) 328-1803 / cmarsch@sbuniv.edu

All Sons and Daughters in concert at SBU April 25

BOLIVAR, Mo. — All Sons and Daughters will lead an evening of worship at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 25, in Pike Auditorium at Southwest Baptist University.

David Leonard and Leslie Jordan formed All Sons and Daughters in 2010 at Journey Church in the Nashville suburb of Franklin, Tenn.

Leslie Jordan has been leading worship since age 14, both in her own church and for churches and conferences across the United States. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2007 and was hired on staff at Journey as the worship designer in January 2008.

David Leonard grew up in Southeast Arkansas and attended college at John Brown University. While attending the university, Leonard began the Word Records band Jackson Waters. After disbanding in 2008, Leonard began touring with the Atlantic Records rock band NEEDTOBREATHE and completed his time with them in May 2010.

Admission to the concert is free, and everyone is welcome. The concert is organized by student leaders in SBU’s University Activities Council. For more information, call (417) 328-1828.

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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.

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