BOLIVAR (SBU) — The Peer Assessment Committee at Southwest Baptist University chaired by Dr. David Dockery began its work during a Bolivar campus visit Feb. 28-March 1. The committee visited with trustees, administrators, academic leaders, faculty and staff, including extensive conversations with faculty in The Courts Redford College of Theology and Ministry. “From our standpoint, the visit went extremely well,” Dockery said. “We had engaging conversations with individuals representing all … [Read more...]

BOLIVAR (SBU) – Southwest Baptist University’s Board of Trustees invites the public to the inauguration of Eric A. Turner, Ed.D., as the 25th President of SBU at 10 a.m. Friday, April 26, in Mabee Chapel on the Bolivar campus. A reception will be held in the Mabee Chapel lobby after the ceremony. The inauguration formally commemorates the beginning of Dr. Turner’s leadership at SBU, while celebrating the University’s rich history and reaffirming the University’s mission. Turner was named … [Read more...]

BOLIVAR (SBU) – The Peer Assessment Committee at Southwest Baptist University chaired by Dr. David Dockery began its work during a Bolivar campus visit Feb. 28-March 1. The committee visited with trustees, administrators, academic leaders, faculty and staff, including extensive conversations with faculty in The Courts Redford College of Theology and Ministry. “From our standpoint, the visit went extremely well,” Dockery said. “We had engaging conversations with individuals … [Read more...]

IRONTON — The Baptist Home board unanimously voted February 26, 2019 to cease further appeals in the 17-year civil case over the issue of governance. The board action to not appeal ends one of the longest civil cases in Missouri jurisprudence. The Missouri Western District Court of Appeals ruled February 19 in favor of the Missouri Baptist Convention. In 2002 the MBC brought suit against The Baptist Home over whether The Baptist Home had the legal right to change its charter without the … [Read more...]

BRIDGETON – Trustees for Missouri Baptist Children’s Home (MBCH) gathered Jan. 22 at the main campus here to conduct the business of the ministry, noting 46 children found permanent, Christian homes in the last quarter of last year, and 177 in 2018. In residential services, MBCH Children and Family Ministries  (CFM) reports an increase in the number of youth served in therapeutic group homes – 67 in 2018 compared to 55 in 2017. The numbers in MBCH transitional living programs – both group … [Read more...]

BOLIVAR – Southwest Baptist University trustees scheduled a special called board meeting for Jan. 22 to hear a report from the trustee board’s Executive Committee and from the Educational Policies and Personnel Committee. The executive session was scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Last month, the Educational Policies and Personnel Committee took under advisement the appeal of a tenured professor, Clint Bass, who disputes a notice of immediate dismissal that was issued by the administration, … [Read more...]

JEFFERSON CITY  – The Missouri Baptist Foundation Board of Trustees met for its regular annual meeting on Dec. 14.  The Board received and approved its fiscal year 2018 audit showing $143.9 million in assets under management, welcomed a new trustee, a new staff member, heard reports from its Outsourced Chief Investment Officer, Commonfund and closed with a recognition of Foundation Corporate Secretary, Diane Reed.  MBF President, Dr. Neil Franks and Board Chair, Larry Shoaf, welcomed … [Read more...]

BOLIVAR – Southwest Baptist University graduated 204 students at two winter 2018 commencement ceremonies in the Jane and Ken Meyer Wellness and Sports Center on the Bolivar campus. The SBU Mercy College of Nursing and Health Sciences held its commencement on Thursday, Dec. 13, and the ceremony for all other graduates was held on Friday, Dec. 14. “Our graduates are extraordinary people, working diligently to achieve this milestone,” said SBU President Eric Turner. “Our faculty, as you … [Read more...]

(Editor's note: This is one of two related stories. See SBU trustees weighing former professor’s appeal.) BOLIVAR – Amid expressions of doctrinal and confessional concerns about some faculty members in its Redford College of Theology and Ministry, Southwest Baptist University has commissioned an “external peer assessment committee” to foster “dialogue regarding faith and learning,” including “deeper conversations and evaluations regarding orthodoxy” within the university. David … [Read more...]