Brown Bulletin - Summer 2014

Page 1

K-Love’s ‘Kank’ + Living water fountain + planning for dragons

SUMMER 2014

T he Official Magazine of John Br ow n Un iv ers it y

MILLENNIUM MOMENTUM A snapshot of all things Jbu since the turn of the century


{ president’s Letter }

Momentum: Establish the Work of Our Hands June 12, 2014

The changed lives of students are the work of our hands, and we pray that God will use JBU to establish students as his faithful and obedient servants in this world.

Dear Friends of JBU, Momentum is a fleeting thing. As Psalm 90 reminds us, human life is transient and difficult: “the years of our life are seventy or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.” Confronted with life’s brevity, the psalmist recognizes that the blessings of life and work are a result of God’s favor. He ends the psalm with a prayer for that blessing: “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” God has greatly blessed JBU in many ways over the last 15 years: over 35 percent growth in enrollment, more than doubling of our endowment to almost $95 million, over 65 percent of the facilities new or completely renovated, and a growing faculty and staff that continue to be deeply committed to academic excellence and lively faith. We even have a beautiful new fountain in the center of campus. However, we know from scripture that even our greatest sense of momentum is momentary, like grass that flourishes and is renewed in the morning but fades and withers in the evening. We are deeply grateful for the material Godspeed,

Dr. Charles W. Pollard President, John Brown University

blessings at JBU, but we also know that buildings and endowments are not the true “work of our hands.” At JBU, the changed lives of students are the work of our hands, and we pray that God will use JBU to establish students as his faithful and obedient servants in this world. In this issue, we present examples of how God has already done that in the lives of JBU alumni: Mike Kanklefritz as he broadcasts good news on K-LOVE, or Jeff Hendrix as he leads Pfizer’s Walmart team and chairs the chamber of commerce in Bentonville, or Shelby Blackmon who practiced law and helped to found the Union Rescue Mission in Little Rock. These examples encourage us to look to the future with hope that God will continue to establish the lives of JBU students: the new JBU nurse at the bedside of the sick and dying, the JBU counselor healing the emotional scars of children through play therapy, or the JBU construction professional designing temporary housing for people caught in a natural disaster. In other words, we long with hope for God to continue to establish JBU students to honor him and serve others in all areas of life, for we know that is the only momentum that will last.


{ co n t e n t s }

SUMMER 2014 The Brown Bulletin is published by University Communications for alumni and friends in the JBU community. Dr. Chip Pollard President Dr. Jim Krall Vice President for Advancement EDITORIAL STAFF Lucas Roebuck Editor and Director of University Communications Matt Snyder Creative Director Julie Gumm Managing Editor Contributors John E. Brown III, Jim Krall, Gary Oliver, Rod Reed, Richard Ellis, Lori Walker, Jerry Rollene Production Support Kelly Saunders, Rachel Fiet, Nichole Coats, Krista Musiime, Faith Lemmons, Rebecca Ridings Copy Editing Andy Klungland, Paul T. Semones Thanks All the faculty and staff who helped us gather records and statistics. Submissions of news items, story ideas, letters and corrections can be made via electronic mail to: lroebuck@jbu.edu or via U.S. postal service to Brown Bulletin 2000 W. University Siloam Springs, AR 72761

FEATURES COVER: MILLENNIUM MOMENTUM 11 | JBU in the New Millennium

A visual representation of the excitement and activity of JBU since 2000 with 46 infographics.

ALSO INSIDE 6 | ‘Living Water’ Fountain Makes a Splash By Julie Gumm - JBU’s Board of Trustees gifts new campus landmark

25 | ‘Kank’ Encourages Millions Over Airwaves

By Julie Gumm - K-LOVE Morning Show career a ministry for alumnus Mike Kanklefritz

DEPARTMENTS JBU News — The Latest JBU Headlines — Page 3 Center for Healthy Relationships — True Mark of Christian Life — Page 8 Donor Legacy – Shelby Blackmon: ‘Hearing God’s Call at JBU’ — Page 9 Chaplain’s Corner — A Two-Faced Faith? — Page 10 Degree Completion — Momentum Propels Alum to Success — Page 20 Advancement — Mission-Focused Growth Requires Six Foundations — Page 21 Athletics — News & Notes — Page 24 Alumni Director — Worth the Effort — Page 25 Alumni News — The Latest Milestones for JBU Alumni — Page 27 In Memoriam — Remembering JBU Friends — Page 28 Grad School — Family Therapy Conference — Page 31 From the Editor — Strategic Planning — Page 32 On the cover: JBU is reaching great heights. See Page 11 for a visual snapshot of the progress made since the turn of the century.

©2014 John Brown University

Summer 2014 | Brown Bulletin | 1


R E M E M B E R T H AT T I M E YO U

painted yourself blue?

Share yours and refer a student (or two) to JBU!

J B U. E D U / R E F E R


Soderquist Center Celebrates 15 Years of Service to Leaders On April 24, the Soderquist Center for Leadership and Ethics celebrated 15 years of service to leaders and organizations around the world with a dinner featuring several special guests. SCLE Founding Executive Don Soderquist, former COO of Walmart, panelists Doug McMillon (current CEO of Walmart), Steve Reinemund (former CEO of PepsiCo) and John Pepper (former CEO of Procter & Gamble) spoke to nearly 500 guests during the dinner held at the Simmons Great Hall on JBU’s campus. The panelists shared their thoughts on success, ethical leadership and “walking the talk.” They gave advice to their younger selves saying, “Remain humble, be a servant leader, and be willing to do whatever it takes, always. Keep your family a priority. Life is about choices.” JBU Teams Win Student Construction Competition Construction Management students brought home several awards from the Associated Schools of Construction Student Competition. The team placed first against 10 other teams in the Commercial Building category and second against seven other teams in the Heavy Civil category. Senior Logan Willard won the Best Presenter award in the Heavy Civil category. Each team was divided into separate construction categories, assigned construction project packages and spent 16 hours developing proposals and bids for their projects. Forensics Team Wins Arkansas State Speech Championship The Forensics team won the Arkansas State Speech Championship at the 2014 Southern Forensics Championship Tournament. The team consists of Josh McBride,

John Pepper, former CEO of Procter & Gamble, speaks at the 15 year celebration dinner for the Soderquist Center for Leadership and Ethics.

Justin Burchfiel and Broderick Wilson, won the Arkansas State Speech Championship. In addition, each won individual awards. McBride, junior, was named top Overall Speaker in the state of Arkansas and won state titles in the categories of Communication Analysis and Dramatic Interpretation. Burchfiel, junior, took home state titles in Extemporaneous Speaking and Informative Speaking. Wilson, senior, won the state title in Program Oral Interpretation. JBU Names Dr. Ellen Odell Director of Nursing Veteran nursing educator Dr. Ellen Odell joins John Brown University as the director of the new nursing program, which will begin admitting prenursing students fall 2014. Odell has nearly three decades of clinical experience and 15 years of experience as a nurse educator. Most recently, Dr. Odell taught nursing at

the University of Arkansas, and previously was director of the Har-Ber School of Nursing. “Dr. Odell has the Christian commitment, administrative and teaching experience, and entrepreneurial spirit required to launch JBU’s nursing program,” said Dr. Chip Pollard, JBU president. “I am pleased to have Dr. Odell leading our nursing effort because I know that she will help us educate quality nurses who will serve others for the glory of God.” Communication Students Win Top Awards Communication students received 11 awards from the Arkansas College Media Association. Senior Amy Perry was named TV Anchor of the Year for her work on EagleBreak, JBU’s student-produced Summer 2014 | Brown Bulletin | 3


{ J B U NE W S } TV newscast. First place awards went to senior Kelsey Gulliver (feature page layout), senior Jon Skinner (feature writing), and sophomore Elizabeth Jolly (art/illustration). Skinner also won third place in the feature page layout and art/illustration categories. Senior Sidney Van Wyk took second place in the meeting/speech coverage category. Olivia Morrow, senior, won third place in advertising; and senior Caleb Wanzer placed third in the in-depth news category. Honorable mentions went to freshman Carter Henson in the personality profile category and senior Hannah Wright for newswriting.

Front Row: Jacob Moore, Shantelle McHone, graduate assistant, Eva Fast, JBU instructor of business and team adviser, Andrea Good and Jeremy Enders. Back Row: Chris Hembree, Timothy Luff, Chase Skelton and Jake Wilson.

JBU Takes First and Third at Governor’s Cup John Brown University teams took home first and third place in the undergraduate division of the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup business plans competition, receiving $35,000 in prize money. The JBU business plans outlined enterprises in customizable dolls and new business funding. Arleesa, comprised of Jeremy Enders, Andrea Good, Chase Skelton and Jake Wilson, won first place. Arleesa seeks to provide families engaging 4 | Brown Bulletin | Summer 2014

ways to craft custom products with their children, centered on the core values of character, self-esteem, diversity, imagination and fun. Funding Fathers, comprised of Chris Hembree, Timothy Luff and Jacob Moore, uses the power of The Crowd to equip businesses with funding and customers. Their team took third place. JBU had three of the top six teams in the competition finals. The competition requires each team to complete a thorough business plan including a mission, vision, strategy, marketing, financials and investment opportunities for the first five years of business. Fulbright Fellowship Takes Professor to Prague Dr. Jessica Wilson, assistant professor of creative writing, received the prestigious Fulbright Fellowship to Charles University in Prague. Wilson, accompanied by her husband Jonathon and infant daughter Evelyn, spent January through June teaching two courses for the graduate program in American Studies — Religion and Twentieth-Century American Novels and Southern Culture. Yearbook Wins National Best Cover Award Nesher, the John Brown University yearbook, won Best Cover at the 2014 Dave L. Adams Apple Awards presented at the Spring National College Media Convention in New York. The 2013 Nesher cover was a joint effort of Editor Starla Koehler, responsible for art direction and hand lettering, and Jordan Kline, illustrator. Both Koehler and Kline graduated from JBU last May.

Pictured left to right: Meghan Kenney, Daniela Reyes, Rogvi Dragaberg, Andrea ‘Belinda’ Henriquez, Kristina Arge, Amanda Pittman, Laura Roller, Cesia Melendez and Carlos Lopez Sandoval.

Enactus Team Places in Top 16 at Nationals The John Brown University Enactus team (formerly Students In Free Enterprise) took fourth place in the Semifinal Round, placing them in the top 16 out of 207 teams at the annual Enactus National Competition held in Cincinnati, Ohio. The team also placed third out of 25 competing teams in the CocaCola Foundation grant for their work with Heather Lanker of Heather Hill Clothing in Siloam Springs, Ark. The JBU team also placed third of 100 competing teams in the Sam’s Club grant for their work with Mark Bray from Airship Coffee in Bentonville, Ark.

JBU Takes First in Disaster Shelter Competition John Brown University hosted the 3rd annual shelter design competition to build a transitional shelter for potential refugees living in camps along the Syrian borders of Lebanon,


{ J B U NE W S } The Soderquist College of Business invited JBU faculty and graduate students to “Lunch and Learn” at the Arkansas State Capitol. Secretary of State Mark Martin and his office staff, Kerry Baldwin, John Mann and Joseph Wood, spoke on the importance of having a mission, vision and value within an organization.Photo courtesy of the office of the Secretary of State.

Turkey and Jordan. Engineering, construction management and architecture students from several colleges and universities around the country competed. The JBU team of Jon Smith, David Carlson, Rick Campbell and Nathan Greathouse took home first place. Teams submitted preliminary plans for the competition in November and worked to refine their prototypes. Once at JBU, the teams assembled their shelters for inspection and testing by the judges. Each shelter underwent testing for habitability and heat retention, as well as the shelter’s ability to withstand an earthquake, wind and rain. Center for Healthy Relationships Announces Name Change The Center for Relationship Enrichment at John Brown University announced this week that it is changing its name to the Center for Healthy Relationships. While the name is changing, the CHR mission to equip people for healthy relationships through biblically-based consulting, education, enrichment, resources, research and assessment has not, said Dr. Gary J. Oliver, executive director. Since 2006, the CHR has conducted more than 2,800 special events,

community workshops and community classes that have impacted more than 25,000 people nationwide. JBU Art Students Collaborate with Second Graders Students in Chelsea Chandler’s second grade class at Allen Elementary School in Siloam Springs saw their drawings through the eyes of JBU art students in a unique collaborative effort. Students in Bob Martin’s Drawing II class took “Creature” drawings created by Handler’s 7- and 8-year-olds and reimagined them. The results were displayed in the Windgate Visual Arts East building this spring. JBU Hosts Christian College Admissions Professionals The National Association of Christian College Admissions Professionals held their annual conference at JBU June 1-4. Over 300 college and high school admissions professionals attended four days of sessions.

JBU Lunabotics Team Engages Community & Alumni A team of JBU engineering students competed in the 2014 NASA Robotic Mining Competition, one of six teams who have competed in every year of the annual competition. While in Florida for the contest the team presented their project at an alumni event. They impressed the alumni group as they explained the lunabot’s ability to scoop up lunar dust and rocks, transport them and dump them into a hopper. Prior to the competition, the team worked with Rusty Perkins, a sixth grader teacher at Siloam Springs Middle School, to include a robotics module in his classroom. The team worked with the students to build and program Lego Mindstorm robots. After building and programming their robots, students tested them through obstacle courses, mazes and a sumobot challenge. Summer 2014 | Brown Bulletin | 5


Living Water Fountain Brings New Life to Campus The sounds of campus — wind whistling through the trees, students laughing as they walk to class — are now joined by the soothing sound of bubbling water. Story by Julie Gumm ’95 Photography by Matt Snyder ’96

6

| Brown Bulletin |Summer 2014


S

ituated in front of the Cathedral of the Ozarks, the “Living Water” fountain is a stunning new landmark gifted to the university by the Board of Trustees. There’s been a desire to create a water feature somewhere on the campus for many years, said Jim Krall, vice president of advancement. In spring 2012, trustee Marvin Spees championed the idea and, supported by trustees Roger Cross, approached the trustees with the idea. Current and former trustees then donated the financial resources to make the fountain possible as a gift to the JBU community. “The fountain needed a spiritual focus that was reflective of our mission,” said trustee and president emeritus John Brown III. Just as the trustees began a conversation about the fountain’s theme, Brown received an email from Dr. Delia Haak, an adjunct professor in the graduate program and one-time administrative assistant to Brown. It contained “It’s Bubbling in My Soul,” a devotional from “Our Daily Bread.” In it, author Dennis Fisher related his experience hearing a young West African girl sing the popular Sunday School song “It’s Bubbling in My Soul” over a public address system in her community. The song draws a parallel between water and spiritual refreshment and reminded the author of John 7:37-38, “Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Brown said the trustees had already discussed the water being symbolic of the Holy Spirit and so the verse tied everything together. With the theme “Living Water” cemented, Siloam Springs artist Troy Anderson was commissioned to design the fountain. Working with Krall and

{ f e at u r e }

with input from JBU art professors Dave Andrus and Charles Peer the fountain went through more than a dozen design renditions before it was finalized. “In the end we agreed it should be simple with concrete that would blend in with the buildings,” said Krall. The three bowls that stand in the fountain symbolize both the Trinity and JBU’s threefold mission of Head, Heart, Hand. The location between the two Windgate art buildings seemed a natural fit and replacing the usually-wilted pansies was an easy choice. The site also sat on top of the steam tunnels which made some aspects of the construction easy, allowing the construction team to run electrical for lighting and install the pump without tearing up the plaza. But when construction began in fall 2013, the steam tunnels also presented some challenges. “The structural integrity became even more important so the fountain wouldn’t collapse into the tunnel,” said Krall. Waterproofing and precautionary

measures against flooding the nearby buildings meant the construction process took longer than anticipated. At the dedication ceremony on April 4, 2014, President Chip Pollard jokingly said, “it may have been the most complicated construction project we’ve ever had at JBU.” During the ceremony attended by trustees, faculty and students, Spees said, “On behalf of the board of trustees, we give this fountain to the students, the faculty and the staff to say thank you for all you do for JBU, for the mission and for your contribution to the kingdom.” Students have shown their appreciation with lots of pictures in their Twitter and Instagram feeds but, as any alumni might suspect, the fountain has also been home to a few pranks - suds, a shower chair and a various plastic floaty toys. The fountain is sure to be the site of many happy moments, perhaps a few marriage proposals and definitely a source of joy and beauty for everyone on campus. Summer 2014 | Brown Bulletin | 7


{ c e n t e r f o r H E A LT H Y r e la t i o n s h i p S — d r . g a r y ol i v e r }

Quality of Relationships True Mark of Christian Life As go marriages, so go families. As go families, so go churches. As go churches, so go communities. As go communities, so go states. As go states, so go nations. As go nations, so go entire civilizations. I first wrote that in the early ‘90s and it’s just as true today. In a recent Time magazine article on marriage in America, the writer Caitlin Flanagan observed, “There is no other single force causing as much measurable hardship and human misery in this country as the collapse of marriage. It hurts children, it reduces mothers’ financial security, and it has landed with particular devastation on those who can bear it least: the nation’s underclass.” It’s truly amazing how dramatically the marriage landscape has changed from the time I was a little boy. • In 1960 nearly 70 percent of American adults were married; now only about half are. • In 1960 two-thirds of 20-somethings were married; in 2008 only 26 perecent were. • In 1960 439,000 couples lived together. Today 7,500,000 couples live together including a 13 percent increase between 2009 & 2010 alone. One marriage scholar says that 7 out of 10 Christian kids will live with someone before marriage.” • In 1960 over 70 percent of American households consisted of a breadwinner father, a homemaker mother, and their kids. Today less than 15 percent of families make up this “traditional” profile, making many church programs irrelevant. • In 1960 five percent of babies were born out of wedlock; today 41 percent are. • In 1960 nine percent of kids lived in single-parent homes; today over 25 percent of kids do. 8

| Brown Bulletin | Summer 2014

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. America is a nation of disintegrating relationships that has led from the failure of marriages of Christians and non-Christians, to a significant rise in unwed childbirths and tragic levels of fatherlessness. In times like these, ministries such as The Center for Healthy Relationships (formerly The Center for Relationship Enrichment) are more important than ever. Since 1998, The Center for Healthy Relationships has invested in JBU, in other Christian colleges and universities, in the local community, across the nation, and even internationally by educating and equipping people to have healthy relationships and strong marriages.Years of research shows that programs developed by the CHR staff make a measurable difference in the lives of participants. So what difference is CHR making? In a recent six-month period we’ve impacted well over 3,000 individuals by providing: • Premarital education to over 250 people. • Relationship training to over 175 high school students. • Training in basic relationship skills to over 100 individuals living in generational poverty and over 500 prisoners. • Marriage enrichment to over 600 couples at our annual Valentine’s event. • Marriage education to over 400 couples at over 20 Christian colleges and universities around the country through our Growing Healthy Relationships weekend. • Promotions for our premarital program to hundreds of brides at several bridal fairs in Northwest Arkansas and Tulsa. God’s word has a lot to say about the importance of relationships. They are so important our Lord made the quality of our relationships with each

other the mark of being a Christian when He said, “by this the world will know that you are my disciples, by the love you have for one another.” John 13: 34-35 In Romans 8:29, Paul wrote that God’s purpose for our life is that “we might become conformed to the image of His son,” and according to Christ’s prayer in John 17 a part of what that means is that our relationships should mirror the quality of love that is shared by our triune God. At CHR we believe that, according to John 13:34-35 and John 17, one of the most powerful apologetics for the true claims of our Lord Jesus Christ is the degree to which Christians demonstrate strong, healthy, growing and loving relationships. Our goal is that when JBU students graduate they’ll have developed a spiritual, emotional and relational tool kit through which the reality of who they are in Christ will be visible to every person they come in contact with through what they say and do and the kinds of relationships they have. Dr. Gary J. Oliver is the executive director of the Center for Healthy Relationships and a professor of psychology and practical theology.


{ l e g acy D O n o r s — joh n b r ow n i i i }

Shelby Blackmon: “Hearing God’s Call at JBU” As John Brown University moves ever closer to our 100th anniversary in 2019, there are many great stories to be told and many exemplary alumni who epitomized the founding ideals of John E. Brown, Sr. One of those was Shelby Blackmon, a 1936 graduate and faithful JBU friend until his death in 2006. Blackmon was one of six children living in far southwest Oklahoma during the Depression. A high school friend told him about a college in Arkansas where “a poor man could get an education.” In 1933, Blackmon hitchhiked to Siloam Springs to enroll at JBU. He spent his first night on campus with a friend who loaned him a pair of pinstriped overalls—the work uniform used by JBU students in those early years. After the morning work detail, when it was time to register for classes, he “prayed that no one would mention the word ‘tuition’, and no one did!” Blackmon soon became a favorite of Joe Smith, Dean of Men and the legendary supervisor of work-study students for many years. But their relationship got off to a rocky start. Blackmon recounted that Mr. Smith called him into his office four times early in the first semester, chatted a bit, and then simply said, “Don’t do it anymore.” Shelby was too intimidated to ask, “Do what?” On the fifth occasion, when Shelby was summoned to his office, Dean Smith was smiling. There had been an error of identification, and it was another student that was the source of a problem. “As a result of this,” Shelby said, “I became very close to Joe Smith. I became Joe’s assistant, using his Chevrolet car to pick up students when they got off the train and run faculty errands. No other student got to touch Dean Smith’s car.” Through Shelby’s success at JBU, three brothers, two sisters, three cousins, and two high school friends all

attended JBU. After graduation, Shelby went to law school and also served in the Army during World War II. In 1943, he married Alva Askew, a home economics teacher. They settled in Little Rock where Shelby practiced law for over 40 years. Shelby gathered a long list of professional and Christian service citations over those years. He was a founder and lifetime board member of the Union Rescue Mission in Little Rock. He was a deacon and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church. He volunteered his time and talent to many ministries, including the Gideons and the Jack Hazelwood Evangelistic Association. In 1993, he received the JBU “Outstanding Alumnus” award. He once shared with me his testimony of a particular moment at JBU that confirmed his call to be a lawyer. “I thought I was supposed to be a preacher. My mother thought one of us should be a preacher. I was taking my degree in Bible, and my other three brothers were planning to be lawyers. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, and one day I had it out with the Lord in the red dairy barn.” Shelby said he decided to lie face down on the floor of the barn and just ask God for direction. “I prayed, ‘God, I don’t know what You would have me to do, but whatever You want, I will obey and give honor to You.” At that moment he heard a voice just as clear as a bell say to him, “That’s all I wanted to know—be a lawyer!” Shelby Blackmon not only heard, but faithfully followed that audible voice from God. And, as Shelby might also have said with a wink, there was no sign of Dean Smith in the red barn that day. John E. Brown III is president emeritus and served as JBU’s president from 1979-1993.

Shelby Blackmon hitchhiked to Siloam Springs the summer of 1933 to enroll at John Brown University.

Summer 2014 | Brown Bulletin | 9


{ C H a p la i n ’ s co r n e r — r O D REED }

A Two-Faced Faith?

Our faith, however, is not just forwardlooking. We are also called to be a people who remember the past and learn from its lessons.

10

| Brown Bulletin | Summer 2014

Being called “two-faced” is usually an insult. It implies that you are not what you appear to be, that you are one way with some people, and a different way with others. As people who are called to integrity and honesty, we certainly would not want to be twofaced. Would we? While integrity is very important, there is a very real sense in which we are called to be two-faced in the way we view life. Throughout the pages of scripture, God calls his followers to always be facing in two directions, forward and backward. The forward part of that statement is readily apparent to us. We know that we are promised “a hope and a future” and that Jesus is “preparing a place for us.” God’s messengers in both the Old and the New Testament call his people to anticipate the earthly and heavenly blessings that he prepares for them. Our faith, however, is not just forward-looking. We are also called to be a people who remember the past and learn from its lessons. We must reflect upon how God has worked, and how his people have responded, both faithfully and unfaithfully, to his commands. This “rear view mirror” approach to faith is not just a good idea; God commands it. Searching Scripture for such reflective commands yields a surprising number of cases. For example, the words “meditate,” “consider” and “remember” occur in the NIV a total of 266 times. That’s a lot of scripture focused on the past. Why would God make such a point

of having us look over our shoulders? As our Creator, he knows how easily we forget. The history of his people, particularly in the Old Testament, is one of forgetting and neglecting his commands. At virtually every place in which the nation of Israel strayed into disobedience, it is because they forgot God’s faithfulness and provision for them. Even near the beginning of the Exodus from Egypt, the people complained that God wasn’t taking care of them. Didn’t they remember the plagues, the Passover, the Red Sea? How could they forget God’s miraculous works? But do we remember any better than the ancient Israelites? I know that it is so easy for me to complain and get frustrated when life is hard. It is so easy for me to forget God’s countless blessings in my life, both long ago and recent. If today is hard, yesterday’s gift of grace is a distant memory. And so, God continually calls us to remember, consider, and meditate on his word, his character and his goodness to us. Even our most common practice in the church, celebrating communion, is an act of remembrance. When we take the bread and the cup, we remember that whatever our circumstances, God’s great love for us overshadows them. We see our present troubles in light of God’s overwhelming history of love and care for his people. When we forget, we fail. Let us be a people who remember. Rod Reed is university chaplain.


JBU IN THE NEW

MILLENNIUM John Brown University has always enjoyed God’s blessing, but we’ve been exceptionally blessed with rocketing momentum in the new millennium. Since 2000, the college with humble beginnings on the edge of a farm has become a cutting-edge university buzzing with God-honoring learning, service and scholarship. This momentum is propelling our students on a trajectory of world-changing careers of impact and eternal significance. How is that momentum quantified? We put together eight pages of infographics to help create a visual representation of the excitement and activity of JBU over the past 14 years as we fully move into the new millennium. Godspeed, JBU!

Graphics and Design by Kelly Saunders Research by Julie Gumm, Rachel Fiet, Matt Snyder, Rebecca Ridings, Faith Lemons, Krista Mussime, and Nichole Coates Editorial by Lucas Roebuck

Summer 2014 | Brown Bulletin | 11


ACADEMIC SUCCESS 326 46

GPA - 3.71

Average Incoming Freshman

SAT - 1167

Average Incoming Freshman

Authored Or Edited 55 Books

ACT - 25.6

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Average Incoming Freshman

Over the years, the rigor and quality of JBU academics has continued to improve, and exponentially so since 2000. We've also seen the quantity of JBU's academic output spike in the new millennium. For example, in the first 81 years of JBU's existence the university graduated 6,335 students. Since Since 2000: the turn of the millennium, JBU has already surpassed that Accepted into Grad number with 8,409 graduates. Students School Accepted into Medical Students School Since 2000 1 Accepted JBU Faculty 2 into Law Have Students School 3

11

U.S. News and World 2001

300 Students worked on science division cadavers

2002

2003

2004

2005

3,200 Works of Art

2006

2007

2008

2009

61,000 Square Feet

built by JBU construction management students

displayed

24,900 Visitors to JBU’s art galleries

65,000 Hours of Labor with


Percentage of JBU Professors with Terminal Degrees:

Graduate Program Enrollment 2000

2013

75%

68%

Student Awards 2000-2014 Enactus: 55 Governor’s Cup: 45 Entrepreneurial Competition

Forensics: 750

Business Plan Competition

Addy’s: 37

Speech and Debate Competition

Design and Fine Arts Competition

Arkansas College Media: 126

Journalism and Media Competition

#1

Southern Colleges

in 2012

Rogers (NWA) 1994- 102 students 2013- 174 students Fort Smith 1994- 14 students 2013- 47 students Little Rock New center opened in 2013

448

Degree Completion Program

349 2000

2013

students enrolled students enrolled Total of 3,629 students since inception

#1

Best Value

JBU Graduates from 2000 - Present

Southern Colleges

2013-Present

15 Years

Report Ranking 2010

2011

by students in the music department

2013

2014

JBU Graduates from 1919 - 2000

81 Years

290 Recitals, Concerts and Productions

2012

125,000+ Students

impacted by 642 JBU education graduates

= 100 Graduates Traditional Undergraduate Graduate Degree Completion


FISCAL BLESSINGS

The new millennium has brought a season of financial blessings for JBU, with both the endowment and the total assets of the university doubling post-2000. Generous donors have given more than $200 million since 2000, enabling thousands of students to attend JBU. These gifts have set a foundation to promote JBU's positive momentum deep into future years. $200,000,000

$198,921,120

$190,000,000

Since 2000, alumni and friends have given

$180,000,000

$233,002,059

$170,000,000 $160,000,000 $150,000,000

to the university.

$140,000,000 $130,000,000 $120,000,000 $110,000,000 $100,000,000

$80,000,000

$45,169,456

$30,000,000

$10,000,000

2000

2013

of new building and renovation costs since 2000 were paid for by gifts.

2005

$20,000,000

93.5%

2004

Endowment

$40,000,000

of donations are given online.

2006

$50,000,000

15%

$618,670

University Assets

$60,000,000

of alumni give to JBU.

$872,460

$70,000,000

47%

$756,610

$87,050,599

$93,137,206

Endowment University Assets

$90,000,000

Approximately

103

STUDENTS

95

STUDENTS


Since 2000, the JBU Scholarship Fund has raised

$10,514,527

EndowmentGenerated Funds

2012

214

STUDENTS

STUDENTS

Students Receiving Endowed Scholarships

$1,838,000 2014

$1,729,940 2013

$1,749,960

231

STUDENTS

203

2011

122

$1,668,320

156

143

2010

2009

2008

STUDENTS

STUDENTS

STUDENTS

$1,568,426

$1,334,660

$1,230,270

$1,070,000 2007

166

The Soderquist Business Center has hosted over

900 Executives at the Soderquist Leadership Summit since 2000.

= 10 Executives

Since 2000, leaders from over

480 Postal Codes

around the world were served by the Soderquist Business Center.

188

STUDENTS

181

STUDENTS

Endowed Scholarships

The Center for Healthy Relationships has impacted

35,000 People across the world.

The JBU endowment has been built by generous gifts from alumni and friends of the university. The interest from their gifts fund student scholarships in perpetuity.

Since 2006, the CHR has held

STUDENTS

Since 2000, JBU has been awarded

$76,315,755

in grants from private foundations.

1,500 Special Events and Community Workshops and Classes


STUDENT EXPERIENCE Many of a student's favorite college memories are made outside the classroom - during dorm competitions, across a table at the cafeteria and during missions and study abroad trips. Attending your first toilet paper game is an experience no student forgets and while some traditions remain the same, the increasing impact our students are having on the community and around the world is building momentum for the Kingdom.

299 Guest Chapel Speakers

presented at JBU, including Benjamin Netanyahu, Franklin Graham, Phil Vischer, Blake Mycoskie, and Jill Briscoe.

The cafeteria serves

38,712 lbs

of produce per year. That’s over three times the weight of an elephant!

77%

JBU Freshman Give 1,650 Hours of resident JBU students have a registered car on campus Each Year During Serve Siloam Day Since 2000 that’s the equivalent of a full-time employee working 11 years.

Since 2000, 170 acts

have performed

Candles

= 100 Hours of Volunteer Work

at the annual

Talent & Variety Show 52,000 candles =1000

lit up the cathedral during Christmas Candlelight services. Collectively that’s about 41,000 watts.


The number of JBU athletes has nearly doubled since 2000. 150

18,000 rolls of toilet paper

The current average GPA of JBU’s athletes is

3.04

85 2000

2014

thrown at JBU’s annual TP game since 2000. Rolled out and placed end to end, that would stretch from JBU all the way to New York City!

JBU athletic teams have qualified for

26

Tournaments Map Key Home countries of international students Study abroad trips Mission trips

Classes have only been cancelled

4 days

due to snow since 2000.

The top five states that

contribute to JBU’s student body are Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri.


CAMPUS TRANSFORMED JBU's historic, flagship Siloam Springs campus has been transformed in the new millennium. A 2000 graduate setting foot on campus after 14 years away might not recognize portions of campus, with more than 68 percent of the campus buildings renovated or completely new. The building momentum will continue with a state-of-the-art 20,000 square-foot nursing education facility opening in the fall of 2016.

New Buildings Renovated Buildings Windgate Visual Arts East 19,674 sq ft Central Plant 8,835 sq ft Northslope Apartments 22,290 sq ft

Cathedral of the Ozarks 49,000 sq ft

Balzer Technology Center 40,132 sq ft Kresge Dining Hall 16,914 sq ft

West Twin Springs Apartments 33,241 sq ft

Soderquist Business Center 35,910 sq ft

J. Alvin Brown Hall 49,280 sq ft

Berry Performing Arts Center 29,000 sq ft

68.1%

of JBU’s buildings are new or renovated since 2000.

Hutcheson Hall 53,815 sq ft

Broadhurst Village 8,960 sq ft

Bill George Arena 37,908 sq ft

Bell Science Hall 44,302 sq ft Windgate Visual Arts West 21,500sq ft

Mabee Center 21,030 sq ft

Honors House 4,331 sq ft

CARE Clinic 2,400 sq ft

Simmons Great Hall 16,675 sq ft

In 2000, JBU’s buildings totaled 511,937 sq ft

Walker Student Center 102,674 sq ft

+

Since 2000, JBU grew over 80% in size

=

Today, JBU’s buildings provide 922,599 sq ft


Power Consumption

16.2 KwH per sq ft 11.9 KwH per sq ft

1 KwH per Square Foot

2000

1,000 There are over

Recycling Bins

on campus. Stacked on top of each other they would reach higher than the Eiffel Tower!

2014

Cost of Waste Removal We now save $48,000 per

0 00 0 0

year in waste removal costs. In 2013, the sale of scrap metal paid for our waste removal and made a $5,000 profit.

$60,000 $50,000 $40,000 $30,000

= 55 bins

2000

Zero Landfill Campus

$10,000

2014

2012-2014 Amount of Waste Per Year

Until 2012, JBU sent over 9,000 cubic yards of waste to the landfill every year. Today, JBU sends 0.

2000-2011 Amount of Waste Per Year

Assisted by a new 100,000 watt signal, KLRC’s weekly audience grew from 26,100 to 86,000

2 6 ,12 in

Since 2000, campus square footage has increased by 80% yet power consumption only rose 32%.

= 10 garbage trucks/ 300 cubic yards

Number of KLRC Awards and Nominations Media “Best of the Best” 3 NWA Reader’s Choice Winner Arkansas “A List” 5 Celebrate Reader’s Choice Winner Association of 1 National Broadcasters Marconi Award Winner

Association of 3 National Broadcasters Marconi Award Finalist

Music Association 4 Gospel Radio Station of the Year Music 1 Christian Broadcaster’s Rob Gregory Community Service Award

Association of 4 National Broadcasters Crystal Award Finalist

Magazine “Best 2 Citiscapes of NWA” Reader’s Choice Winner


{ d e g r e e com p l e t i o n p r o g r am — L o r i wal k e r }

Momentum Propels Alumnus to Grad School, Professional Success Life happens. Whether it’s a personal or professional opportunity or simply a shifting of priorities, many don’t get the chance to finish their bachelor’s degrees as traditional-age students. That’s why John Brown University created the Degree Completion Program – so working adults could use the credit they previously earned to finish their bachelor’s degrees on a schedule that works with their busy lives. After graduating from high school, Jeff Hendrix attended six universities in three states while his burgeoning career moved him six times. He relocated to Northwest Arkansas in 2004 for a professional opportunity, and saw the chance to finish his degree at JBU. “John Brown University offered a seamless program for the working adult to sit with admissions counselors, evaluate existing credit hours, and quickly roadmap a program towards degree completion,” Hendrix said. After meeting with his admissions counselor, Hendrix enrolled in JBU’s Degree Completion Program as part of the NW49 organizational management cohort. The OM degree not only gave him the opportunity to expand his professional network by forming relationships with his professors and fellow classmates, the one-night-per-week format allowed Hendrix to maintain his personal and professional priorities while finishing his degree. “As a working adult, my greatest concern was having the time needed to attend classes and do out-of-class work,” Hendrix said. “JBU’s Degree Completion Program was perfectly structured with class one evening a week, and I could utilize other afternoons or weekend time to complete out of class work. I never felt over20 | Brown Bulletin | Summer 2014

Jeff Hendrix

whelmed by the experience, and with today’s technology, professors were always accessible.” Hendrix earned his bachelor’s degree from JBU in 2005, but has remained in touch with members of his OM cohort. “I still have very close connections with many of my classmates, several of whom are current business partners, customers, and friends whose counsel I often seek,” Hendrix said. Indeed, the cohort model utilized in the organizational management program was one of Hendrix’s favorite things about his time at JBU, and something he found to be practical for his career. “Grouping students in cohorts from start to finish promotes shared learning and the interaction skills necessary to succeed in real life situations,” he said. Because OM students are required to have relevant professional experience prior to admission, they not only learn from the academic and professional credentials of their professors, they also gain knowledge from the experience of their fellow classmates.

The goal is for OM students to be able to immediately apply what they learn in the classrooms to their careers. “The professors at JBU offered a combined academic and experiential approach in content delivery that I found to be tremendously applicable to my professional needs at that time,” Hendrix said. “In many cases, my real-world professional project list overlapped with my academic material, allowing me to apply learning as well as complete course work simultaneously.” In the past 10 years, Hendrix not only earned his bachelor’s degree, he continued on to receive his MBA from JBU, too. He currently serves as the Walmart Team Lead for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare. Additionally, Hendrix is chairman of the board of the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce. “I have the utmost respect for Jeff and his commitment to helping our Chamber grow,” said Krista Khone, vice president for leadership and special projects of the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber. “Jeff brings a passion to everything he does and that passion is contagious. He has a wonderful way of making everyone feel like they can be successful. His leadership is an asset not only to the Chamber, but to the entire community.” Hendrix is thankful for his time at JBU. “I am truly grateful to JBU for allowing me the chance to advance my career, create lifelong friendships, and most importantly, to have my children see their dad finish what he started 19 years earlier,” Hendrix said. Lori Walker is the director of marketing and corporate relations for the Degree Completion Program.


{ A d va n c e m e n t — D r . J I M KR A L L }

Mission-Focused Growth Requires Six Foundations It is amazing to see all that has happened at JBU since 2000. I trust you are encouraged as you look at this issue of the Brown Bulletin. It still surprises me, and I have had a front row seat to witness the growth and changes. This level of progress in this amount of time is unusual in organizations and especially in higher education. Some might wonder if JBU has changed too much, losing its small feel and more intimate culture, but I think the growth is positive. It provides more opportunities for impacting students and for fulfilling our mission — to provide Christ-centered education that prepares people to honor God and serve others by developing their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. So how does this growth happen? Many places want to see this kind of phenomenal quality growth in programs, facilities and financial strength while keeping mission focused, but it rarely happens. Why has JBU been successful? I think it is a number of converging activities and events that create a great forward moving momentum in the life of the university. God’s Blessing. First, the Lord is blessing JBU and giving good favor to us in this season, working through people to grow and strengthen this place. Firm Foundation. I like the imagery that we stand on the shoulders of those that came before us, and that is definitely true at JBU. The Brown family literally gave the family farm for the greater good of JBU – the place on which the campus now sets – and faithfully led JBU for 74 years. Faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends throughout JBU’s history have sacrificed and come together to give our students a great Christian education. Alumni Enthusiasm. Dave Shibley

’73 recently shared in a message to me, “I love my alma mater!” This is a typical summary of how many alumni feel about JBU. They deeply appreciate the opportunities they had at JBU when they attended, and the opportunities they have now because of their JBU education. Now many give back financially so that new generations of students can also benefit. Parent Involvement. Our parents see JBU as an investment in their child’s future and are involved in and committed to JBU. Many make great sacrifices to send their son or daughter here and many give beyond their own tuition bill to help other students. They find ways to get involved and serve the university, sometimes long after their children have graduated. Dedicated Faculty & Staff. The faculty and staff truly love our students and are dedicated to their success, starting at the top with President Pollard, all the way through the nearly 400 faculty and staff. They work here as a calling, sacrificing other opportunities and higher pay to serve the JBU students and this community. Many also invest in students by giving financially. Supportive Community. Northwest Arkansas and Siloam Springs are a wonderful home for JBU. The growth in this area of the country has helped provide some of JBU’s growth opportunities, but mostly this progress is about great people that love, nurture and care for this amazing university. As we celebrate the momentum, we also look ahead eagerly in anticipation of what God has in store for JBU and its students. If you have thoughts on this article, email me at jkrall@jbu.edu.

Some might wonder if JBU has changed too much, but growth provides more opportunities to impact students and fulfill our mission.

Dr. Jim Krall is vice president of advancement for John Brown University. Summer 2014 | Brown Bulletin

| 21


{ RETIRE M ENTS }

Don Balla – 29 years Don Balla has done everything. Before serving JBU as a professor of business, he earned a Masters of Music in music composition, became a Certified Public Accountant, obtained a Masters of Financial Services and acquired a Doctorate in Law. In 2004, he was voted Professor of the Year alongside Edward Klotz. Balla played an instrumental role in starting JBU’s faculty evaluation system, the psychology major and May Term course offerings at JBU. Retirement for Balla means the chance to do new things. He plans to immerse himself in immigration law work in Siloam Springs to fight for the constitutional rights of undocumented immigrants. He also plans to promote his two soon-to-be-published books: “How George Became Naked,” a theological book written in novel form, and “T*O*A*D,” a novel Balla describes as, “what ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ would have done for slavery if Harriet Beecher Stowe had been funnier.” Judy Balla – 25 years The ability to stay up late reading without worrying about work the next day is what Judy Balla most enjoys about retirement. Balla began working in JBU’s bookstore in 1986 before accepting a position as the administrative assistant in the Department of Education where she worked from 1988-1992. The Ballas left Siloam Springs so that Don could obtain his law degree. After returning and completing a house remodeling project, Judy returned to JBU in 2001 as the administrative assis22

| Brown Bulletin | Summer 2014

tant in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences. “It has been a great blessing to know the people at JBU,” Balla said. “It would be hard to find a more congenial, dedicated and professional group.” Balla has yet to decide how she will spend her newly acquired freedom, and is considering dabbling in business, craft activities and additional classes. Edward Klotz – 20 years Edward Klotz and his wife Kay came to John Brown University as the school’s first Missionaries in Residence in 1992, working with JBU missionary kids for two years. Klotz accepted a position as Professor of Intercultural Studies in 1996. Klotz graduated from JBU with a degree in Broadcasting before acquiring his Masters at Dallas Theological Seminary and his Doctorate in Missiology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife served as missionaries with Serving in Mission from 1974-1994, working in the African countries of Nigeria, Liberia and Eritrea. In 2004, he was voted Professor of the Year by the JBU student body. Klotz said the best parts of JBU have been, “helping to mold and shape the way students think about intercultural service, seeing students develop and mature over a four-year period, and then hearing about their stories of successes and failures they experience while living in an intercultural context.” “I take great pleasure knowing that my intercultural studies majors are making a difference for God’s kingdom all around the world,” Klotz said. Upon retirement, Klotz plans to visit his six grandchildren, build coffee tables, teach a class as an adjunct professor, cook exotic meals, cheer on

the New Orleans Saints, possibly work with international students and revel in the shortage of papers to grade. Carol Sullivan – 17 years Carol Sullivan resigned from her position as administrative assistant at JBU’s Little Rock office in January and began working in her church office the following day. “Retirement is not something I think I will ever do,” Sullivan said. “I’ll keep working and serving others as long as the Lord allows.” During her time at JBU, Sullivan managed the Little Rock Center’s operations and worked to meet student and faculty needs. Sullivan said the best part of working at JBU was bonding with her coworkers at the center. “They become not only friends, but family,” Sullivan said. John “Beaver” Blackfox – 13 years Many of JBU’s students have worked for John “Beaver” Blackfox during their time at JBU while he served as head of Grounds Crew. “Working with the kids was the best part of my time at JBU,” Blackfox said. “I got to know about their troubles and trials – some of which would break your heart. I just loved them. They worked so hard for me.” Beaver had shoulder surgery in April and has spent the first portion of his retirement recovering. After he heals, Beaver hopes to work at camping grounds and hold church services. “I want to do the best I can for the Lord,” Beaver said.


{ RETIREmENTS }

Pat O’Brien – 10 years Pat O’Brien served as a professor of business in JBU’s Graduate and Degree Completion programs for 10 years. His retirement does not mark the end of his education, however. O’Brien intends to make use of his retirement by furthering his learning – extending his research in migration, studying Russia’s movement in Eastern Europe and analyzing the expectations among second- and third-generation Hispanic immigrants in the United States concerning their enrollment in institutions of higher learning. He looks forward to teaching online classes, spending time with his family and traveling overseas.

years, and as a reading specialist for the program for four years. “I have loved my time at JBU,” Wright said. “The students are wonderful and watching them develop into more mature young Christian men and women during the four years they are here is very rewarding.” Wright looks forward to making time for the activities she put off during her career. “One of the best things about retiring, at least for a while, is not having any plans,” Wright said. “Waking up in the morning and seeing what the day has in store is a delight! She has planted her garden and already anticipates picking and preserving the produce for later use, as well as spending time with her grandchildren.

Jackie Wright – 9 years Jackie Wright served JBU as Director of Student Support Services for five

Judy Bethke – 5 years Judy began working at JBU when the Events Office was created in 2009.

>>>

>>>

ARE YOU A >>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

She worked hard to make sure events at JBU went off without a hitch. From big events like Homecoming and Family Weekend to small community meetings held on campus, her attention to detail and get-it-done attitude made her a popular resource around campus. When she wasn’t at work, Judy loved to volunteer at church, takes trips to see grandkids and learn new craft skills. Judy says that retirement is “a chance to get new tires for the rest of the journey.” She is looking forward to lots of time with grandkids and learning new crochet techniques. She and her husband Bob have been married for 45 years and have 3 children and 8 grandchildren.

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

TEACHER? COACH? YOUTH LEADER? PARENT? >>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

PLAN A TRIP TO JBU!

We’ll reimburse the gas for vehicles of 4+ prospective students! >>> sign up at www.jbu.edu/visit or call 1-877-JBU-INFO

Summer 2014 | Brown Bulletin | 23

>>>


{ g ol d e n e a g l e n e w s & n o t e s }

New Head Volleyball Coach Named Ken Carver has been tabbed as the seventh head coach in John Brown volleyball program history. Carver recently wrapped up his eighth season as head coach at NCAA III Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas. He took over the program in 2006 and became the winningest and longest-serving coach in the program’s history. During his career, Carver has coached 17 NCCAA All-Region players, six NCCAA All-Americans, 28 All-Conference players, two NAIA All-Region players and one NAIA All-American. He also was recognized as the NCCAA Regional Coach of theYear in 2001 and 2004. Sheehy Resigns as Basketball Coach Clark Sheehy, JBU head men’s basketball coach, resigned his position on May 20, 2014 after seven years at the helm of the program. He will take over the NCAA II program at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. The 1999 graduate of JBU led the Golden Eagles to a 154-77 record and to the program’s first-ever conference tournament title in 2010 before guiding the squad to a regular season championship in 2013, where the team finished 14-2 in SAC action, another program best. Women’s Basketball Competes in the Fab Four Beyond its appearance in the Fab Four, the Golden Eagles pieced together 28 total victories and 15 wins in 24

| Brown Bulletin | Summer 2014

The Golden Eagles celebrate after one of their NAIA tournament wins.

Sooner Athletic Conference play, both program records. At the 2014 NAIA National Championships, the Golden Eagles upended then-No. 1 Vanguard (Calif.) before completing an 18-point comeback in a narrow victory over Loyola (La.) in the Exclusive Eight. John Brown dispatched then-No. 17 Lyon (Ark.) in the Round of 32 to earn its first-ever win at the national tournament. In the postseason edition of the NAIA Coaches’ Poll, JBU landed its highest ranking ever, garnering the No. 7 spot nationally. Women’s Soccer Makes History The women’s soccer program captured its first-ever Sooner Athletic Conference tournament crown at Oklahoma City University on Nov. 15, 2013. Junior midfielder Casey O’Brien scored in the 19th minute and the second-seeded Golden Eagles used three saves from sophomore goalkeeper Kristen Morency in a tie-breaking shootout. In the opening round of the 2013 NAIA National Championships against No. 4 University of Concordia - Irvine (Calif.), the 22nd-ranked Golden Eagles fell in a final 2-0 score. Rogers Named Emil S. Liston Scholarship Award Recipient Junior women’s basketball guard Lauren Rogers was selected as the

national winner of the NAIA’s Emil S. Liston Scholarship Award. The award recognizes academic and athletic excellence by junior student-athletes in men’s and women’s basketball. Currently maintaining a 3.91 GPA, the sports medicine major is the first JBU student-athlete to receive the award. Rogers stepped into a starting role midway through the season. She contributed 61 points over three games at the Sooner Athletic Conference tournament, leading JBU to its first appearance in the tournament title game. She was named to the All-Tournament team after JBU fell 60-57 in the finals. At the NAIA National Championships, Rogers posted double-digit point totals in three of four games as the Golden Eagles pieced together an unprecedented run and an appearance in the Fab Four. Soccer Lights Installed at Alumni Field The new soccer lights are ready to light up the first home soccer game – a men’s match against William Woods University (Mo.) on Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m.


{ A L U M NI FE A T U RE }

By Julie Gumm ’95

‘Kank’ Encourages Millions Over Airwaves Each week over 12 million people hear the voice of JBU alumnus Mike Kanklefritz ’94 over the airwaves of Christian radio station K-LOVE. He’s the “Kank” of the morning show team “Craig, Amy & Kank” that encourages listeners six days a week. When Kanklefritz arrived at JBU in 1990 with high school radio experience, KLRC’s then program director Rick Sparks put him right on the air. Kanklefritz remembers the student disc jockeys holding a 24-hour radio-athon to raise money to attend a conference in Nashville. “After that many hours with no sleep we were on the air when we really shouldn’t have been,” Kanklefritz said. “I pity anyone who had to listen.” Unknown to them, they were being recorded and their off-air shenanigans landed them in some hot water. “Mike was clearly gifted and called to a career as a radio personality. Although (as he admits) Mike did sometimes push the envelope on the air,” said Sparks, who was also a JBU broadcasting professor at the time. “I’m proud of him for hanging in during the tough early days of his career and developing into the outstanding radio professional he is today. Mike does what every radio personality should do, and that is to make radio fun for the audience while

helping them get through their day.” Kanklefritz’s personable, easy-going nature has helped make him a successful radio DJ with a career spanning 25 years, a variety of genre’s, and a halfdozen cities. While at country station Kick 99 in Tulsa, Kanklefritz lived out his faith in the workplace, leading Bible studies with his on-air partner and sharing his faith on air as best he could. When the station was bought by new owners, Kanklefritz and several others were fired. “That’s when I had a real spiritual moment,” Kanklefritz said. “I began questioning a lot of things in my faith.” Those questions led him to Rhema Bible Training College in Tulsa where he got a two-year degree in pastoring. “When I got out I had no real direction — ‘do this, don’t do that, go there’ — from God,” Kanklefritz explained. Then it dawned on him that God still wanted him in radio — just Christian radio. He quickly landed at WJQ in Grand Rapids, Mich. Though he knew Christian radio was where God wanted him, the culture still took some adjustment. Kanklefritz’s career brought him back to Tulsa from 2003-2005 at KXOJ. There he met Craig West who, six years

later, joined him on the newly-formed K-LOVE morning show with Amy Baumann. More than just DJ’s, K-LOVE on-air personalities often wear many hats — pastor, counselor, encourager. “It’s a massive responsibility. People who are listening are going through a myriad of situations,” Kanklefritz said. The team has received suicide calls and calls from listeners in a variety of heartwrenching situations. “They’re hanging on to anything they can find. The cool thing about radio is that it doesn’t discriminate and anyone can listen.” That’s especially evident in stories like the Muslim convenience store owner who listens to K-LOVE because he likes the encouragement of Christian music. “K-LOVE is sewing seeds. They haven’t made a commitment but they need something positive, and K-LOVE is encouraging,” Kanklefritz said. Kanklefritz says he wants to “pinch himself ” for being part of such an amazing ministry. “I’m obviously part of something way bigger than myself. I really don’t understand how I got here, it’s just God.You have to point it back to him,” Kanklefritz said. “Sure, you have to be good at your craft, but promotion comes from Him.” Summer 2014 |

Brown Bulletin | 25


{ A L U M NI DIRE C T O R – J ERR Y R O L L ENE ’ 7 5 }

Worth the Effort In a few short months on October 3-4 weekend, JBU will celebrate another homecoming with a lot of opportunities for you to reconnect with your JBU friends. For many of you it may be a major commitment to take time off work and travel to the JBU campus, and you may be wondering “Is it worth it?” Let me answer that question with a few observations from one of the reunion groups from last fall, the class of 1963. Whether you graduated five or 55 years ago, there are some things to which we can all relate. Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days . . .” or as the NLT puts it, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Sandra (Roseberry) Glaser, ‘63 had to make a special effort to attend her class’ 50th reunion. Sandra (pictured third from the right in the first row) had been fighting cancer and, as you can imagine, her strength was waning last October. She passed away April 25th (you can read about her in the In Memoriam section). Sandra knew all too well the reality of the “brevity of life” and she chose to spend a few of her last days with her college and lifelong friends being blessed by the words, smiles and hugs of those who knew her when she was running around college hill. No reunion is complete, however, without some great laughs. Every class seems to have at least one person who livens up the conversation and ’63 is no exception. I had the delight of meeting Max and Dede Beebe. Only a guy like Max would burden a wife whose first name is Dede with the last name of Beebe. Can you imagine every time she introduces herself, the other person wonders if she is sending a message via Morse code or is from an alien planet?! I love to hear about dorm pranks. (Yes, for those of you younger alumni, 26 | Brown Bulletin | Summer 2014

“residence halls” used to be called “dorms.”) Apparently, in the early 60’s JBU men had a thing called “Stack Rooms.” Back then not many students had cars so they had to create their own entertainment. If someone left their dorm room for a while they might likely come back to an empty room.

Finding their furniture was not the problem . . . getting it back in their room was. It would be in the restroom, completely set up. It was always peculiar that while there wasn’t anyone willing to help you move your belongings back, there were plenty of observers cheering you on. The 50th year reunion had a great turnout (almost 50 percent of the class came) and a memorable time together because their classmates Lee Netherton and Skip Murphy reached out to everyone in their class and personally invited them to come. Homecoming is all about reconnecting. Attending provides a great opportunity to talk with friends and see the new look of J. Alvin. We hope you will join us and experience for yourself that it is “worth the effort” to be here at Homecoming 2014! Jerry Rollene ‘75 is director of alumni and parent relations.

Class of 1963 Reunion Back Row (left to right): Bob Kulvicki, Brian Moyer, Kent Davis, Max Beebe, Ken Simon, Jim Feaster, Ron Kuehn, Gerry Johnson Middle Row (left to right): Richard Dix, Lee Netherton, Skip Murphy, Clark Barnes, Bill Miller, Jim Weaver Front Row (left to right): Ted Weathers, Don Schultze, Nancy (Culberson) Netherton, Mary Ann (Sisco) Rush, Dennis Milgate, Ruth (Maynard) Miller, Sandra (Roseberry) Glaser, Martha (Ettinger) Munce, Joyce (Rogers) Poindexter


{ A L U M NI m i l e s t o n e s }

A lumn i N ews

Bill Smith ’81 and his wife Jan have

Aaron Elmore ’06 graduated with a Master of Divinity at Denver Seminary in May 2012. Since August 2013, he has served as the Assistant Pastor of Adult Discipleship at Kirk of the Hills Church in Tulsa, Okla.

been accepted as church planting missionaries with the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. They will serve alongside Washington Baptist Church in Washington, Vt. New contact information: PO Box 358, Washington, VT 05675. wrsmithjr.tx@gmail.com.

Allison Hamm ’06 graduated from

Ed Weaver ’83, CEO of T4 Global,

Duke Divinity School with a Master of Divinity in May 2014. She will be beginning doctoral work at Duke in the area of Old Testament/ Hebrew Bible in the fall.

Sarah Loewen ’10 graduated in 2013

with a doctorate in Physical Therapy from Southwest Baptist University. She has accepted a job at Hays Regional Medical Center in Hays, Kan.

Jake Naramore ’03 joined McCall Farms as Regional Vice President of Food Service leading their southwest sales, marketing and innovation efforts. Marcus Naramore ’08 was invited to

and a team will bike over 4,000 miles from Pacific Beach, Wash. to Wilmington, N.C. this summer to raise awareness of the plight of oral learners and funds to reach them. The Northwest Arkansas Business Journal named James Michael Smith ’09 to its “Fast 15” program which recoginizes young people on the fast track to sucess. Smith began making coffee tables in 2011 for extra cash. In 2013 online sales of James+James furniture reached $1 million and the company plans to open its first retail store later this year in Dallas.

and Christi is a stay-at-home mom and freelance graphic designer. Kyle Crosser ’12 and Stefanie (Stewart) Crosser ’14 welcomed

their first child Levi David Crosser on May 1, 2014. He weighed 8 lbs. 14 oz. and measured 20.5 in. long.

Nathan Fields ’09 and Anna (Neale) Fields ’06 announce the

birth of their baby boy, Owen Foster Fields. He was born on April 3, 2014.

Debbie Lind Friesen ’99 and hus-

band Ryan, along with big brothers Jaden, Nathan, and Josiah welcome twins Titus and Renee Friesen born March 6, 2014.

N ew A rr i v als Hause Brueckner ’13 and Megan Brueckner would like to announce

be the student speaker at the MBA commencement ceremony at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

the birth of their daughter, Ellie Fay Brueckner. She was born on December 20, 2013, weighing 7 lbs. 11 oz.

Dr. Carolyn Clark Pollan ’59 received the 2014 Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award. The award recipient is chosen by the 14 Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas to recognize those who work to prevent child abuse and help those who are victims. Dr. Pollan served in the Arkansas legislature from 1975-1999 and coauthored Arkansas Act 824.

Christi Vondrak Beem ’07 and her husband Eric welcome daughter Joanna Miriam Beem, who was born on January 28, 2014. The family lives in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where Eric is a high school social studies teacher

Mandy Campbell Moore ’04 and Bryson Moore ’03 recently adopted

their first child, Lydia Grace Qi Moore, from China.

Send your professional and family news for publication in the Brown Bulletin to jgumm@jbu.edu. Summer 2014 | Brown Bulletin | 27


{ I n m e mo r i am }

Michael Allen ’76, age 59, passed

away on November 14, 2013. He worked as a Civil Draftsman for Meshek & Associates in Tulsa, Okla. for over 14 years. Allen is survived by his wife, Karen Allen.

Mabel “Yancey” (Brooking) Birdsong ’26, age 108, passed away

on February 25, 2014. She obtained a B.S. in music from Longwood College and worked as a music supervisor of the Suffolk Public School from 19281931, serving as the founding president of the Louise Obici Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Suffolk School Board from 1956-62. She is survived by her children, Cabell and George Birdsong, and eight grandchildren. Jerry Carter ’54, age 81, passed away on February 13, 2014. After receiving a B.S. in Agriculture at John Brown University, he served in the U.S. Army from 1955-1959, going on to become the owner and operator of Jerry’s Auto. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Carter. Bruce Clark ’77, age 67, passed away on November 29, 2013. After receiving a B.S. in Electrical Engineering at John Brown University, he went on to serve as a missionary in Aruba. He is survived by his wife, Carol Clark. Loye Crenshaw ’45, age 89, passed

away on January 23, 2014. He received a B.A. in Bible at John Brown University. He served as a pastor and home missionary, as well as a teacher and administrator at Culture Academy in Los Angeles, Calif. and Phoenix Christian High School in Phoenix, Ariz. During his retirement, he worked as a professor of education for one year at JBU. He is survived by his wife, Faith Mielke; son, Daniel Crenshaw ’71; and two grandchildren. 28 | Brown Bulletin | Summer 2014

Roland Endres ’57, age 78, passed

away on November 22, 2013. He graduated from John Brown University with a degree in math and earned his master’s degree in education at the University of Arkansas. He taught high school math and physics for seven years in Indiana and worked for Rockwell International in California as an engineer for 26 years. He is survived by Ardus Beaty ’56; children Perry Endres, Craig Endres ’83, David Endres ’84 and Diann Boone; and nine grandchildren.

Orren Evans, age 89, passed away on February 10, 2014. He served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years. He retired from John Brown University in 1986. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Trammell; children, Ronald Evans ’04, Sylvia Evans ’76 and Wanda Evans ’96; and two grandchildren. Lea Facundus Jr., age 86, passed away

on December 26, 2013. He worked at John Brown University, and is survived by his children, Dennis Facundus and Carolyne Swaim; and five grandchildren.

Timothy Forget ’38, age 92, passed

away on November 3, 2013. He majored in English and served in World War II as a Data Processing Specialist for the U.S. Navy. He worked for 35 years at Lawyers Co-op Publishing as a Data Processing Manager and served as president of the Williamson Central School District Board of Education. He is survived by his wife, Marie Beaulieu Forget; children, Timothy Forget Jr., Mark Forget, Cheryl Forget, Jonathan Forget, Christopher Forget and Paul Forget; and numerous grandchildren.

Patty (Watt) Frantz ’62, age 74,

passed away on July 13, 2013. She majored in Bible, worked with Wycliffe Bible Translators and taught at Hamilton Junior High and Churchill High School in Canada. She is survived by Don Frantz; children, Lisa Jost, Tim Frantz and Jeff Frantz; and 18 grandchildren. Orrian Franz, age 90, passed away on May 18, 2013. She started the Nancy Craighead VerHoeven Memorial Endowed Scholarship and the Linda Craighead Bryant Memorial Endowed Scholarship, both in memory of her deceased daughters who were John Brown University alumni.

Margaret (Russell) Frye ’38, age 94, passed away on February 28, 2014. She graduated from John Brown University with a B.A. in mathematics and then taught school for 30 years. She is survived by her children, Robert Frye and Mary Lou Lawler; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Philip George ’68, age 66, passed

away on December 30, 2013. He graduated from John Brown University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and went on to serve on a Mennonite mission in Bolivia, later working for the Bureau of Engraving and the Department of the Navy. He is survived by his wife, Mary George; children, June Novotny, Loriann George and Rebecca George; and his six grandchildren.

Sandra “Sandy” Glaser, 72, died

Friday, April 25, 2014. Sandy taught English in the Irving Independent School


{ I n m e mo r i am }

District for 26 years. Survivors include her husband Don, four daughters, three son-in-laws, six grandchildren, a sister, brother and sister-in-law. Paul Hadley ’86, age 51, passed

away on January 11, 2014. He majored in business administration and later became the district manager for CiCi’s Pizza in Springfield, Mo. He is survived by his children, Allison Hadley and Erica Hadley.

Jerry Hopkins ’51, age 84, passed

away on March 19, 2014. He graduated from JBU with a degree in Christian Communication and went on to become the University pastor and assistant to the President. He hosted a daily radio broadcast at JBU for 15 years. He is survived by his wife, Lorene Livingston ’51; and children, Steve Hopkins, Stan Hopkins and Stacey Hopkins.

William Hulse ’79, age 56, passed

away on January 1, 2014. He graduated from John Brown University with a B.S.E in physical education and health, and was on the baseball team. He is survived by his wife, Joanna Hulse.

Charles Kester ’91, age 46, passed

away on March 3, 2014. He majored in interdisciplinary studies at John Brown University and wrote the first constitution and by-laws for the JBU Honors Program. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Goodwin ’91.

Donald Leetch, age 88, passed away

on February 19, 2014. He co-established the Friendship Fun Endowed Scholarship at John Brown University. His wife, Leola Main; children, Dona Brokke, David Leetch and Deanna Ryan ‘93; and 10 grandchildren survive him.

James “Scotty” Little ’59, age 77, passed away on February 23, 2014. He graduated from John Brown University with a degree in Christian Education. He is survived by his children, Relynn Little and Renee Johnson. Margaret “Pegi” McClure ’76 age

59, passed away in a traffic accident on December 18, 2013. She worked as a legal assistant for 30 years. She is survived by her son, Aaron Alford.

Norma Smith ’55, age 79, passed

away on October 30, 2013. She graduated from John Brown University with a degree in Bible and worked as a Wycliffe missionary for nearly 50 years, translating much of the Bible into the Pames language of Central Mexico.

Thomas Smith ’50, age 89, passed away on February 24, 2014. He graduated from John Brown University with a degree in English. He is survived by his children, Karen Berger, Paul Smith and Randy Smith.

R.D. “Mike” Milam, age 96, passed away on December 1, 2013. He established the Bill and Beulah Nemeth Endowment Scholarship, as well as the Mike and Helen Milam Endowment Scholarship at John Brown University. He is survived by his wife, Helen Milam; children, Judy Karr, Ron Milam and Mike Milam; and three grandchildren.

Ross Stout passed away on October 27, 2013. He played an instrumental role in establishing the Charles H. Stout Endowed Scholarship. He is survived by his wife, Frances Stout; children, Michael Stout, Donna Hillard and Charles Stout.

Robert Olney ’68, age 67, passed

Henry (Bud) Vander Wood, age

away on January 29, 2014 after battling cancer. He graduated from John Brown University with a degree in Business Administration.

Kathy Peterson ’94, age 42, passed

away on January 12, 2014. She majored in psychology at John Brown University.

Robert Porter ’42, age 93, passed

away on December 29, 2013. He graduated from John Brown University with a degree in electrical engineering, and later served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, as well as in the Korean conflict. He retired from the Naval Reserve with the rank of Commander. He is survived by his wife, Betty Porter; and son, Robert Porter Jr.

95, passed away on March 2, 2014 at his home in Redlands, Calif. Bud was a student at JBU but left to join the military after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Bud is survived by his wife of 65 years, June, his son Richard and two granddaughters.

Harley Walker ’43, age 91, died on

November 21, 2013. He graduated from JBU with a degree in electrical engineering and became an officer in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He later developed nuclear weapons, designing and testing radar fuses used to trigger bombs. Walker is survived by his stepchildren, Linda Nellist and Gene Watkins; and one grandchild.

Philip Ward Jr. ’56, age 80, passed away on January 17, 2014. He graduSummer 2014 | Brown Bulletin | 29


{ I n m e mo r i am } ated from John Brown University with a degree in agriculture and proceeded to serve in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Pearson ’56; children, Dan Ward, Norman Ward, Pauline McMillan, John Ward and Glenn Ward; and 13 grandchildren. Jane (Bucy) Whaley ’35, age

98, passed away on January 20, 2014. She graduated from John Brown University with an English degree and helped establish the

Roger F. and Annie Lee Cox Memorial Endowed Science Scholarship, and the Storm and Jane Bucy Whaley Endowed Scholarship. She studied Mandarin at the University of Arkansas and worked for Chevy Chase Bank in Maryland for 30 years. She is survived by her children, Carroll Jean Anderson, Ann Whaley and Rebecca Whaley; and seven grandchildren. Nancy Woolnough ’52, age 93,

passed away on October 25, 2013. She graduated from John Brown University with a degree in Bible and radio production. Woolnough served as a missionary for 25 years in Ecuador and helped compile the Operation Acua story of the

five martyred missionaries. She wrote a children’s radio series titled “The Adventures of Raindrop” and taught radio at Toccoa Falls Bible College. Kenneth Young ’42, age 95, passed

away on January 6, 2014. He majored in broadcasting at John Brown University and served in the U.S. Navy during Word War II.Young worked in radio with KCMO and KCTV for 50 years, and eventually took a job as a photographer for the U.S. Army Command School in Fort Leavenworth. His pictorial history of broadcasting has been used in several documentaries. He is survived by his children, Judy Knapp and Vicki Scott; and four grandchildren.

Amaelo Ezeonwuka celebrates after receiving his master’s degree in community counseling. His wife, Ruth Johnson Ezeonwuka also graduated this spring with the same degree.

30 | Brown Bulletin | Summer 2014


{ T H E GR A D U A TE S C H O O L — D r . r i cha r d e ll i s }

Family Therapy Conference Brings Counselors to Campus In April over 150 professional counselors, therapists and graduate students from across the region attended the first Family Therapy Conference, hosted by John Brown University’s Graduate Counseling department. It was reportedly the year’s largest gathering of counselors at a professional conference in Arkansas, and also drew attendees from Oklahoma and Missouri. The conference was made possible by JBU’s new facilities. The Graduate School has had an interest in hosting a professional conference of this scale for some time but we did not have the accommodations to do it well. The Simmons Great Hall is the perfect venue for a day-long conference. The Tucker Hill Play Therapy Wing of the CARE Clinic allowed us to showcase the fine work JBU’s Graduate Counseling department is doing in preparing counselors and serving the community. Attendees had the opportunity to tour the recently expanded CARE Clinic, which is just a short walk from the Simmons Great Hall. Conference presentations were made by JBU graduate counseling professors Dr. Nick Cornett, Dr. John Carmack and Dr. Charles Romig. Dr. Cornett’s presentation, entitled Family Play as an X-Ray: Revealing and Healing Broken Bonds, focused on family-centered treatment. He spoke about the quality of one’s family environment and how family members can be effective therapeutic agents. Dr. Carmack addressed the new ACA 2014 Code of Ethics and the ethical ramifications of distance counseling, technology, social media, values and referrals. Dr. Romig discussed the primary responsibility of counselors in terms of their personal values and their

Dr. John Carmack, Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy, speaks to conference attendees.

professional responsibility related to non-discrimination and ethics. He also discussed the premises of a hermeneutical approach to ethical decision making and factors to consider when using this approach. Since JBU is an Approved Continuing Education Provider of the National Board for Certified Counselors, professional counselors who attended the conference received continuing education credits toward meeting the educational requirements for counselor and therapist credentials. The success of the Family Therapy Conference reflects the growing reputation of John Brown University as a counselor education leader in marriage and family counseling, play therapy, clinical mental health counseling and school counseling.

The success of the Family Therapy Conference reflects the growing reputation of John Brown University as a counselor education leader.

Summer 2014 | Brown Bulletin | 31


{ F r om t h e e d i t o r — L uca s Ro e buc k ‘ 9 7 }

Planning for the Dragons “It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.” -J.R.R.Tolkien,The Hobbit

Whether in a fictitious realm or educational marketplace, strategic planning is critical to help any enterprise deal with the literal or metaphorical dragons that may threaten its mission.

32

| Brown Bulletin | Summer 2014

My 8-year-old son Max is currently reading a handsome edition of “The Hobbit” purchased for him by his Tolkien-fanatic Uncle Jacob. I have forbidden Max from seeing the Peter Jackson movie adaptation, not because I am concerned about the exposure to violent depictions, but rather I fear the sort of scarring that comes from cinematic malfeasance. In the book, the eponymous Bilbo and his dwarf company must plan how to get past the lethal dragon Smaug in order to reach their objective, in this case, avaricious amounts of golden lucre. Whether in a fictitious realm or educational marketplace, strategic planning is critical to help any enterprise deal with the literal or metaphorical dragons that may threaten its mission. Such dragons live in the neighborhood of Christian higher education: rapidly changing demographics, growing political hostility to faith-based institutions and increased pricing pressures from many quarters. The good news is, JBU is planning for these and other dragons, as we look for new and more effective ways to achieve JBU’s mission of training students to honor God and serve others. I have the privilege to sit on JBU’s strategic planning committee, where a cross-section of 20 or so members of the campus community come together to think critically about how JBU should strategically move forward, taking advantage of our institutional momentum to seize opportunities and prepare for potential threats. Dr. Pollard chairs the committee, tasked with creating priorities for the next five years. Strategic plans are not new for the university. Just over five years ago, JBU launched its last five-year strategic plan.

The fruits of that plan can be seen in, among other things, the newly-minted nursing program and JBU’s environmental sustainability efforts. In true plan-the-work and work-the-plan fashion, JBU leadership followed up with and measured our success against the last five-year-plan. But the world has changed in the last five years, and we know that addressing the growing challenges in an increasingly post-Christian world requires new planning of clever and winsome action. While the committee has a sense of optimism, a cloud hangs over our work. The members know that this rapidly-changing world will expose new dragons that must be a part of JBU’s calculations. The sunbeam breaking through those clouds is the knowledge that as we look at how we might transform to meet millennial challenges, we will implement change from a position of strength. Towers of books and libraries of articles have been written about change. We know that while all change is hard, changing from a position of weakness or crisis brings the most painful sort of change. Fortunately, as we’ve documented in the cover feature, more than any time in our 95-year history, JBU is in a place to consider appropriate changes within the framework of current success. All this comes with the humility of knowing that JBU’s progress is built on a great foundation, from decades of dedicated faculty to three generations of Brown family leadership. And beyond those who have come before us, we know, as the apostle Paul reminds us in his letter to the Cornithians, “But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.” Lucas Roebuck is director of university communications and editor of the Brown Bulletin.


Become a JBU Master Builder today! The Master Builders Society ensures that current and future generations of JBU students will benefit from a high quality Christian education.

Ways to join the Master Builders Society: • Bequest by Will or Testamentary Trust: Including JBU in your will or trust perpetuates your support of JBU and provides for future students.

• Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA): A CGA is a contract between you and JBU. In exchange for an irrevocable gift of cash or appreciated assets, JBU agrees to pay you a guaranteed fixed sum each year for life.

Member Benefits: • assurance that your gifts will be used to further Christ-centered education • Campus updates provided throughout the year

• Life Insurance: Life insurance policies with an accumulated cash value can be redirected to support JBU when the original purpose of the policy no longer applies due to changing life circumstances. A donor can name JBU as the primary beneficiary of an existing policy, or purchase a new policy and name JBU as the owner and beneficiary of the policy.

• special invitations to campus events

• Endowed Scholarships: A minimum of $10,000 is required to create an endowed scholarship. Funds are invested in JBU’s endowment and a fixed percentage is awarded each year in perpetuity to support current and future generations of students. Currently, matching funds are available to double the impact of your gift if you create a new endowed scholarship or support an existing scholarship with a gift of $10,000 or more.

• Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT): In the right circumstances, a CRT can provide you income, a federal income tax deduction and ultimately provide support to JBU.

• Charitable Lead Trust (CLT): If your goal is to provide an inheritance for your children, but you would also like to make a significant charitable gift through your estate, a charitable lead trust could help you satisfy both objectives.

call 1-800-446-2450 or visit www.jbu.edu/giving/planned for more information about general estate planning, planned Giving opportunities, tax-wise planning, and creative ways to support your family and favorite charities.


John Brown University 2000 W. University Street Siloam Springs, AR 72761

Non Profit Org US Postage PAID


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.