Campus News

Ladner Named New VP of Enrollment

After a national search, JBU selected Ryan Ladner as the next vice president of enrollment management. Ladner, the current dean of the Soderquist College of Business, will succeed Don Crandall, who retired in May after 38 years of service. Ladner, who holds a doctorate in business administration, also becomes a member of the President’s Cabinet. With Ladner’s appointment, the enrollment teams for on-campus undergraduate, online undergraduate and graduate programs will be centralized under his leadership. 01

New Majors in Robotics, Game Design Announced

Beginning in fall of 2023, JBU will offer two new undergraduate degrees — game design and robotics and mechatronics engineering. JBU’s Bachelor of Science in Game Design students will study literature, creative writing and psychology, providing a solid foundation for designing effective and engaging video games and tabletop roleplaying games. The new robotics and mechatronics engineering program incorporates content from electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science and offers students real-world experience in collaborative engineering design and production.

Gatlin Named Dean of Business College

Brad Gatlin, D.B.A., has been appointed the new dean of the Soderquist College of Business (SCOB), effective July 1. Gatlin joined JBU in 2016 and serves as the department chair for undergraduate business and associate dean of the SCOB. Gatlin will be assisted in his duties by Eva Fast, D.B.A., who was named associate dean. 02

Faculty, Staff Honored with Awards

The 2023 Faculty Excellence Award was given to Eva Fast, professor of marketing and innovation. Past students conveyed that Fasts’ classes and projects most closely resembled their current work with a Fortune 1 company. Fast engages student groups in national competitions, and she maintains a vast business network that provides valuable experiences and networking for her students. 10

Kathy Hogan, senior instructional designer, was given the Faculty Appreciation Award based on nominations by faculty. Hogan has been instrumental in helping faculty with course design inside the learning management system, including redesigning courses for an upgraded platform. 03

Sonya Price, director of advancement services, received the Golden Eagle Excellence in Service Award, created to recognize a staff member who sets a worthy personal example, gives extra effort and gives other staff and/or students special encouragement. Price, who joined JBU in 2003, leads the team responsible for alumni, donor and scholarship data, advancement research and gift processing. 11

Employees Retire from JBU Service

Don Crandall has served at JBU since 1985 as the director of enrollment management, then, beginning in 1993, the vice president of enrollment management. Crandall has led the enrollment teams in recruiting over 15,000 new and transfer students to JBU, approximately 50-60% of JBU’s total students. 04

Ed Ericson, Ph.D., joined JBU in 1994 as a history professor. He later served as department chair and dean of undergraduate studies until being appointed vice president of academic affairs in 2002. Ericson’s systems and academic innovation skills have contributed to JBU’s success and the development of new programs. Approximately 90% of JBU’s current faculty were hired under Ericson’s tenure. 05

Gary Oliver, Ph.D., came to JBU in 1998 to create a resource center to promote healthy relationships. Oliver served as the executive director of the Center for Healthy Relationships for 24 years. During his tenure, the CHR was awarded over $8.5 million in grants and gifts and served over 34,000 people across the U.S. 06

Patty Kirk was hired in 1998 as an associate professor of English. Kirk worked hard to create a family of writers over her 25 years of service, conducting writing workshops in her classes. Several of her students have gone on to pursue master’s degrees in various fields. 07

Sue Daughtery was hired in 1998 and spent 25 years serving in financial aid, graduate admissions and the registrar’s office. Sue always put students first, making them feel valued and appreciated in every role she’s had. 08

Jan Lauderdale has been an integral part of the music department over her 18 years of service. Over her tenure as administrative assistant, she played a crucial role in the planning and execution of productions, Candlelight Services and choir tours both domestic and international. 09