Pi Kappa Delta presents student awards

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

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

Pi Kappa Delta presents student awards

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Five members of Southwest Baptist University’s Heartland Sigma Chapter of Pi Kappa Delta, the nation’s oldest collegiate forensic organization, received scholarships and awards during the chapter’s annual banquet May 4.

Students receiving awards are:

• Kaila Todd, a sophomore communication major and the daughter of Patricia Todd of Buffalo, received the D.J. Nabors Service Award. It is presented annually to a member of the squad who is judged by fellow team members to represent a Christian example in work and competition. Todd encourages others and contributes to SBU team cohesiveness and spirit. Todd also is secretary of the Heartland Sigma chapter of PKD.

• Meg Burns, a sophomore communication major from Buffalo and the daughter of Kathleen Hilmer of Buffalo and Stephen Burns of Springfield, received two awards. The Stephen E. Kilmus Scholarship is provided by the family and friends of Stephen and Marilyn Kulmus in memory of Stephen. A charter member of the Missouri Sigma Chapter of PKD, Stephen was a strong supporter of speech competition as an educational activity for developing scholars-speakers. The award is given annually to a student who deserves encouragement in forensics.

Burns also received the the Bob & Joyce Derryberry Tradition of Excellence Scholarship that is provided by Bob & Joyce Derryberry and Friends of the Forensics Program. The recipient must be an active team member who has competed for at least one year. The recipient shall demonstrate a Christ-like attitude, prove dedication to the forensics team, show a willingness to learn and consistently sacrifice for others. Burns also is vice president of the Heartland Sigma chapter of PKD.

• Hannah Larino, a junior management major and the daughter of Paul and Cathy Larino of Nixa, received the Claud J. & Ruth K. Mustain Scholarship that is provided by Paul A. and Carolyn Mustain Mott and family and friends. The award recognizes an outstanding forensics team member who demonstrates cooperation, a competitive spirit and the SBU Mission Statement. The Mustain scholarship represents qualities that are essential in the ideal competitor. Larino also is historian of the Heartland Sigma chapter of PKD.

• Maggie Thomas, a sophomore elementary education and middle school language arts major, is the daughter of Matt and Jill Thomas of Warrensburg. She received the Dunnegan Memorial Speech Scholarship that was established by the Dunnegan family in recognition of the centennial year of the Polk County Bank. The Dunnegan family's deep interest and involvement in the arts has served as the stimulus for providing this scholarship.

• Nikolas Fischer, a junior religion and philosophy major and the son of Terry and Priscilla Fischer of Maryland Heights, received the Alex Winston Moore Forensics Scholarship that is provided by Dr. and Mrs. Bill Little in memory of their grandson. Recipients are active forensics competitors who are committed Christians and support the SBU mission statement. Fischer also is president of the Heartland Sigma chapter of PKD.

The SBU forensics teams ended its season by winning third-place Overall Sweepstakes at the PKD Nationals. The remainder of the season included two first-place Debate Sweepstakes victories, three first-place Overall Sweepstakes victories and two second-place Overall Sweepstakes finishes. The team won overall sweepstakes at the Missouri Association of Forensics Activities state tournament.

Kendall R. Phillips, a 1990 SBU graduate, was the guest speaker for the annual banquet. He is Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the College of Visual and Performing Arts and Professor of Communication and Rhetorical Studies at Syracuse University. He currently serves as President-Elect of the Rhetoric Society of America.

For more information about Pi Kappa Delta and the SBU forensic team, contact Dr. David Bailey, Director of Forensics, at (417) 328-1697 or dbailey@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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Cavner receives Fulbright Scholarship to teach, study in Ethiopia

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Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

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

Cavner receives Fulbright Scholarship to teach, study in Ethiopia

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Delta Cavner’s life has been filled with long-term and short-term international mission projects, but receiving a Fulbright Scholarship to teach, consult and conduct research for 10 months in Ethiopia during the 2013-14 school is a new type of adventure for her.

“I feel stretched,” Cavner said. “I feel like God is putting me in places where He’s stretching and preparing me to better serve His purposes in my life.”

Dr. Cavner, an associate professor of education in her ninth year of teaching at Southwest Baptist University, will teach education classes at Addis Ababa University and conduct research from September 2013 through June 2014.

“For the research component, I am going to visit three K-12 schools in three different size communities, do surveys, interview teachers, and observe them in the classroom,” she said.

While in Africa, Cavner also will serve at two Bible schools — both in Kenya and Ethiopia — teaching a graduate-level Research and Writing class for area pastors.

Cavner said the Fulbright experience is giving her another opportunity for service.

“I am going there to serve,” she said, “but that’s what I do here at SBU, too. I serve the students. I serve the faculty. I serve my discipline through curriculum development.”

The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by then-Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Before venturing to Ethiopia in the fall, Cavner will have two overseas experiences this summer. She is leading an SBU faculty team to China for two weeks in May and then taking education major Haley Wech on to Thailand for a six-week internship. While Hailey studies the Thai language and helps with English as a second language classes, Cavner will work on program development at several Thai universities and conduct seminars for professional development of teachers. Together they will be working on other mission projects throughout Thailand. 

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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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUniv

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

Lewis receives SBU library award

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Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

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

Lewis receives SBU library award

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Lisabeth Lewis of O’Fallon, Ill., was honored as the Southwest Baptist University Libraries’ “Outstanding Student Assistant of the Month” for March 2013.

University Libraries’ faculty and staff established the monthly award to recognize outstanding employment characteristics such as dependability, quality of work, motivation, attitude and cooperation.

Lewis, a student assistant in the Media Services Department, received an award letter from Dr. Edward W. Walton, dean of the University Libraries, a certificate of recognition and a gift. She is an elementary education major in SBU’s College of Education and Social Sciences.

University Libraries employs 27 part-time student assistants through the University’s work-study program.

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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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUniv

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

SBU recognizes scholarship donors, retiring employee

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

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

SBU recognizes scholarship donors, retiring employee

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Private scholarship donors were in the spotlight during Scholarship Appreciation Day Tuesday, March 12, at Southwest Baptist University.

About 500 students receive private scholarships each year from the 351 private scholarship accounts established at SBU. Nearly 80 percent of those funds are endowed, which means they have been funded with at least $10,000. Endowed scholarship funds total about $11 million, nearly half of the university’s $23 million endowment.

“You are having a major impact on the kingdom by your generosity and your willingness to give,” President Dr. C. Pat Taylor told the donors.

Dr. Bill Little, senior professor emeritus of chemistry at SBU and a private scholarship donor, challenged donors to continue giving — and give more.

“What great joy my wife and I have had providing scholarship funds because the Lord has blessed us so much,” Dr. Little said. “It has been such a privilege to teach such good students, some now in top companies and at Ivy League universities. I want to challenge you donors to give more to help students. I would like to see a time come when we’ve doubled the number of students receiving private scholarships. Instead of $11 million, I’d like to see there be $100 million in scholarship endowment.

“If we are going to survive as a nation, it is going to require students who are well-educated and dedicated to the cause of Christ. These students deserve the best.”

Cindy Rice retiring

Cindy Rice, private scholarship development director and estate planning associate, is retiring at the end of March after working at SBU for 36 years. She graduated from SBU in 1973 and has filled a variety of roles, landing in University Relations in 1990 and becoming director of private scholarships in 1994.

“We had a few private scholarships then,” Dr. Taylor said. “We have a lot more now. Cindy has been dedicated to growing our private scholarships.”

A retirement reception for Rice is from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, in the Sells Administrative Center at SBU. Rice’s friends, family and former colleagues are welcome.

For more information about establishing a private scholarship fund, please contact Dr. Brad Johnson, vice president for university relations, at (417) 328-1805 or bjohnson@sbuniv.edu.

PHOTO CUTLINE: Vice President of University Relations Dr. Brad Johnson, right, presents Cindy Rice, private scholarship development director and estate planning associate, with flowers in recognition of her 36 years of service to Southwest Baptist University. Rice is retiring at the end of March. (Photo by Rollie Skinner, SBU Marketing and Communications)

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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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUniv

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats

SBU students to benefit from Commerce Bank grant

Southwest Baptist University News Release

Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications

417-328-1803/cmarsch@sbuniv.edu

SBU students to benefit from Commerce Bank grant

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University will benefit from a $16,000 grant from Commerce Bank to the Missouri Colleges Fund (MCF) to underwrite need-based scholarships at each of the 16 MCF member schools.

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.

www.Twitter.com/SBUniv

www.Twitter.com/SBUbearcats