MBU Magazine Spring 2020

President | Dr. Keith Ross ‘87

Provost & Senior VP for Academic Affairs | Dr. Andy Chambers

Senior VP for Business Affairs | Ken Revenaugh

VP for Enrollment, Marketing & University Communications

Bryce Chapman

VP for Student Development | Dr. Benjamin Lion

Editor | Coral Christopher ‘14

Art Director/Graphic Designer | Jenny Sinamon

Graphic Designer | Christine Kenney

Photographers | Jenny Sinamon & Lisa Hessel ‘04

Staff Writers | Sebastian Munoz Castellanos ‘17, Erin Roach ‘19, Kati Brummet

Contributors | Jill Hanna & Mary Enloe www.mobap.edu

The mbu Magazine is published by the University Communications Office of Missouri Baptist University, One College Park Drive, Saint Louis, Mo. 63141-8698. Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. Issues are published in summer and winter. Send change of address notification at least a month before effective date, including both old and new addresses. Postmaster send address changes to mbu Magazine, Missouri Baptist University, One College Park Drive, Saint Louis, Mo. 63141-8698. Articles and letters to the editor are welcome. Email submissions to editor@mobap.edu

All submissions are subject to editing and will not be returned. Free subscriptions are provided to University alumni, donors and friends. Contact 314.392.2304 or editor@mobap.edu for details.

We are serious and intentional about our Christian faith. We will freely and responsibly search for truth. We strive for excellence. We believe in the importance and cultivation of character. We believe in social change through service and leadership.

MBU’s new School of Nursing is raising up nurses whose work is informed by their faith. pg. 14

News pg. 5

mbu’s latest happenings and updates.

A New Adventure pg. 11

Meet Dr. Ben Lion, mbu’s new vice president for student development.

My Moment to Shine pg. 12

Under the bright lights, mbu new minor is allowing our students to tell stories through the art of dance.

2020 What Time Is It? pg. 26

Dr. Matt Easter, mbu’s new director of Christian studies, explains why the beginning of a new decade isn’t the only time to evolve and grow.

Where Are They Now? pg. 28

Updates on the successes of mbu’s ever-growing alumni community.

Dr. Keith Ross mbu President

A hope-filled institution

Dear Friends,

This past July, I attended a conference for Christian college presidents. During our time together, there was robust discussion among the presidents regarding the challenges that lie ahead for higher education institutions—more specifically, for Christian liberal arts schools similar to mbu.

Along the same lines, there was an article written about this subject this past December by Michael Horn, a fellow at the educational think tank Clayton Christensen Institute. In the article, Horn poses this question: “Will half of all colleges really close in the next decade?” It’s a sobering thought and one that catches the attention of any university president. Horn quotes Harvard business school professor Clayton Christensen, who asserts that as many as 50 percent of colleges and universities will close or go bankrupt in the next decade.

His prediction is based on several factors. First, demographics are changing and the pool of 18 year olds is beginning to decline. Secondly, there is a natural pressure in higher education for operational costs to continually increase, such as salary and benefits, facility costs and technology. Add in growing tuition discount rates, and it’s most certainly an uphill battle, Christensen contends.

Today, there are 4,600 public, private and for-profit higher learning institutions in the U.S. While there is not a general consensus among educational leaders that half of these institutions will face bankruptcy or close, Christenson does raise legitimate concerns.

One college president said it this way when describing his own institution: “We have to exit an ocean of sameness and enter a lake of differentiation and, ultimately reside in a pool of distinction.” In the midst of these challenges, what is mbu’s pool of distinction? As a Christian liberal arts university, what do we offer that sets us apart from secular schools that will help ensure we flourish in the days ahead?

Simply stated, we offer hope! And hope is what everyone is searching for in a world full of uncertainty. It’s what our faculty members impart every day to our students in the classroom. mbu has the unique opportunity to provide both an exceptional educational experience and the hope only found in Jesus Christ. So, what does it mean to be a “hope-filled” institution?

First, we must confidently lean into our Christian liberal arts mission and our Baptist identity and never turn from it. This is our clarion call and the message we should shout from the rooftop. What makes us a hope-filled institution is the meaningful investment that our Christian faculty and staff make in students’ lives daily. It prepares mbu students to be redemptive voices in the careers and communities in which they will serve.

This edition of the mbu magazine will reach all 50 states and will arrive in numerous countries across the world— from Brazil to Bulgaria. Today, more than 15,000 alumni are fulfilling the Great Commission around the globe in whatever is their chosen career.

As a Christ-centered University, we enrich our students’ souls and help them to discover a hopeful optimism about their vocational calling and inspire them to a bright future. At our best, mbu offers the hope that is only found in the good news of the gospel. This is what makes this Baptist institution distinct. The world and our students are longing for hope and at mbu we offer that every day. I love the words of the old hymn, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the Solid Rock I stand.”

I am grateful for your support, prayers and for sending students to mbu. This is a great responsibility and one that we do not take lightly. ■

Many Blessings,

MBU’s Christian mission is the difference our students desire

THE PRESIDENT

MBU dedicates Jung-Kellogg Learning Center

In conjunction with Homecoming 2019, Missouri Baptist University celebrated the completion of the Jung-Kellogg Learning Center on Oct. 18 with a formal dedication and ribbon cutting.

The new Learning Center, formerly the Jung-Kellogg Library, is aimed at empowering the 21st-century student to engage in innovative learning. As part of the project, the University worked to significantly downsize its print collection to provide space for the project. The Learning Center includes collaborative workstations, ideation labs equipped with state-of-the-art technology, a state-of-the-art pitch room complete with video conferencing capabilities, and the mbu Makerspace, an area designed to encourage creativity and teamwork. The recently-aligned Office of Alumni Engagement and Career Development is also housed in the Learning Center, emphasizing the University’s priority to prepare students for a life of service and success upon graduation.

“Today, we take the next step as we add the resources of tomorrow to the resources of yesterday,” said President Ross. “This renovation will support our continual transformation in the way we create, preserve and disseminate knowledge.”

The donor-funded project was led by alumni and a planning committee of faculty, students and staff. Construction began in summer 2019; the space opened for student use earlier this fall.

Clockwise: President Ross greets guests at the dedication of the Jung-Kellogg Learning Center. // Trustees, donors and members of the committee pose for a picture. // Students explore and socialize in the new Learning Center. // Marshall and Betty Jung, whose name is on the Learning Center, pose for a picture in the Learning Center’s living room. // Dr. Darrell Gwaltney, ‘83, dean and chair of Biblical Studies and Preaching at Belmont University, addresses guests. The quiet room is named in recognition of Gwaltney’s support of mbu

THE FISH MAKERSPACE

The FISH Makerspace is a creative space where students can participate in collaborative and innovative learning. This flexible learning space includes Apple computers with creative software and high-top whiteboard tables, so students can sketch out ideas, notes and designs. The space includes overhead outlets and a retractable glass “garage door” wall that can be easily opened or closed for multifunctional use.

THE PETTY COMMONS

The Petty Commons is an inviting open area complete with a fireplace, comfortable couches and chairs, custom-made trestle tables and a four-screen TV wall. The TV wall broadcasts multiple news and entertainment sources throughout the day. Each screen can be used independently or combined into one large, single image. Students can also wirelessly cast their device to any of the screens for presentations.

Clockwise: The Makerspace invites students to collaborate together with whiteboard tables, outlets and state-of-the-art computers. // The Petty Commons invites students to study in a comfortable yet inspiring environment. // Students have direct access to career and alumni support inside of the new Learning Center. // The Petty Commons is a brightly-lit space for students to focus on homework.

THE GWALTNEY QUIET ROOM

This set-apart space allows students a quiet place to focus on their studies. Students can work at tables or use provided Apple computers.

THE DUVALL PITCH ROOM

This technology-rich space utilizes the latest technology and transforms the classroom into an industry-like setting. The Duvall Pitch Room is optimized for video conferencing and open to students when not reserved.

THE DIEHL FAMILY IDEATION LAB AND THE HENRY IDEATION LAB

The ideation labs provide small groups to collaborate and study together. The spaces include the ability for students to cast their devices to a television, fostering further collaboration.

THE CONFERENCE ROOM

The Conference Room provides a space for organizations and teams to meet in a collaborative environment. The 75-inch screen allows easy wireless screen sharing and a quiet space for concentration. ■

Clockwise: Students can focus on their studies in the comfortable Quiet Room. // The Pitch Room provides a space for classes to meet and is equipped with state-of-the-art conferencing capabilities. // Students can collaborate and utilize the screen-sharing capabilities in the ideation labs. // The conference room provides a space for seamless presentations and simulcasts.

MBU School of Nursing receives CCNE accreditation

Missouri Baptist University’s School of Nursing received the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accreditation for its baccalaureate degrees for the next five years. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is the national nursing accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The autonomous accrediting agency ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing, contributing to the improvement of the public’s health.

The University received the maximum accreditation for an initial program and also has initial approval by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.

“Receiving CCNE accreditation is an indicator of the quality of our School of Nursing programs,” said Dr. Amber Pyatt, mbu’s founding dean and associate professor of nursing. “It shows that mbu meets the rigorous standards set for programs in nursing. Having this accreditation will allow students to demonstrate the quality of the program in the nursing community and assist them as they move forward in their education.”

The School of Nursing currently offers three programs: BSN (pre-licensure), RN to BSN (online), and Pre-Nursing (online and on-ground). ■

MBU School of Nursing graduates first class with 100 percent career placement

mbu’s School of Nursing graduated its inaugural class of Bachelor of Science in Nursing students this past December. All of the graduates have accepted full-time jobs in the field of nursing.

“We’ve worked hard to develop an innovative program that prepares our nurses to succeed in the nursing profession,” said Dr. Amber Pyatt, founding dean of mbu’s School of Nursing. “Our success is validated in the fact that all of our graduates have already accepted positions in hospitals across the area.” Students recently participated in a traditional pinning ceremony, a symbolic welcoming of new nurses into the nursing profession.

At the pinning ceremony, Rachel Garcia, ’19, was awarded the first DAISY Award for Outstanding Nursing Student from mbu. The DAISY Award is a highly-regarded national nursing award program that recognizes nurses and nursing students who exemplify nursing leadership and compassion. Recipients of mbu’s DAISY award exemplify the University’s Christian mission.

mbu’s nursing program incorporates clinical learning opportunities across the St. Louis area at leading healthcare facilities beginning the first semester, and requires a service-learning project. This experience further exposes students to a diverse range of patients.

Garcia and other graduates completed their project at Nurses for Newborns and Oasis International.

Oasis International’s mission is to care for those who seek refuge from war-torn countries. Garcia worked with refugee families and provided the individuals in the community with resources and commodities.

“ mbu has felt like home since the moment I stepped on campus,” Garcia said. “There is no place I would rather be to obtain my BSN.”

Garcia recently accepted a job at SSM St. Clare Hospital working on the orthopedics floor.

mbu’s nursing program admits 24 students into the pre-licensure BSN program every August. ■

mbu’s state-of-the-art facilities allow life-like learning and practice so students are prepared to enter the workforce

The mbu School of Nursing celebrated the graduation of the first class of nursing students with a formal pinning ceremony. Pictured are graduates and faculty from the nursing program.

MBU adds 11 new programs and certifications beginning this fall

Missouri Baptist University is preparing to launch 11 new degree programs and certifications for the 2020-2021 school year.

In February, the University’s Board of Trustees approved the new undergraduate programs and certificates, along with curriculum for the Master of Social Work program and concentrations to the mbu program. These new programs will offer the students the opportunity to pursue careers that are in high demand.

DATA ANALYTICS MAJOR & MINOR

The Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics, along with an accompanying minor, will equip students with the tools to make critical decisions based on the collection and analyzation of mass amounts of data from complex data sources. With the boom of big data, the program will help fill the increasing demand of data analytics specialists throughout many industries. This program will also be offered online.

FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR

The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology will challenge students to apply their research skills, psychological knowledge and critical thinking abilities to a variety of issues facing the legal system. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the forensic psychology major is in high demand and jobs within the field are expected to grow much quicker than average over the next decade.

MBA CONCENTRATIONS

The University’s long-standing MBA program is expanding to offer two in-demand concentrations: project management and accounting. Both programs will help prepare students to receive professional certifications in their respective programs.

MASTER IN SOCIAL WORK

Missouri Baptist University is now accepting

applications for the first cohort of the University’s Master of Social Work program for the fall of 2020.

The MSW program is designed so full-time students can complete the program in two years while students completing the program part time can do so within four years. mbu is the only evangelical Christian institution to offer the degree in the St. Louis area, and one of only four schools in the region to offer the degree overall.

In addition, the Board approved an Associates of Arts degree and undergraduate certificates in Accounting, Healthcare Management, Information Technology, Management and Marketing.

The University will also begin to offer a minor in stage management, supplementing mbu’s successful theatre program. All of the new undergraduate programs are set to begin in the fall of 2020. ■

Dr. Laura Rauscher receives 2019 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award

Dr. Laura Rauscher, mbu assistant professor of counselor education, received the 2019 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award.

Emerson, which has its world headquarters in St. Louis, has sponsored this program since 1989 as part of its commitment to promote quality education throughout the St. Louis area.

This is the only public recognition event of its kind in the state of Missouri.

Rauscher has worked at mbu since 2011. She currently serves as the clinical director of field experience at the University, which offers an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling as well as an M.A. in School Counseling (MA-SC).

Rauscher’s dedication to counseling goes beyond the classroom, as she has maintained a private practice, Rauscher Therapeutic Group, LLC., since 2007. In the clinical areas

of counseling, she specializes in therapy for adults and children, including marital counseling, grief counseling, PTSD, drug and alcohol abuse, suicidal behaviors and ideation, and more.

“Dr. Rauscher is highly involved in the field of counselor education, both as a faculty member and a practitioner,” said Dr. Andy Chambers, provost and senior VP for academic affairs. “She is an outstanding professor with extensive knowledge, an obvious love for teaching, and a reputation as an encourager to her students.”

She holds three degrees from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, which include a Doctorate of Philosophy in Education with an emphasis in Counseling, a Master of Education with an emphasis in Counseling and a concentration in Couples and Family Counseling and a B.A. in

is an assistant professor for mbu’s counseling program.

Psychology with a minor in Communications.

Rauscher is a certified Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS).

Rauscher frequently holds presentations at the University on topics such as resolving interpersonal conflicts, suicide prevention and effective communication. ■

Dr. Laura Rauscher, left,

MBU theatre students nominated for prestigious Irene Ryan Scholarship

mbu theatre students were selected to participate in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival’s Region Five Conference in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, from Jan. 19-25. The 19 students spent their week in workshops, classes and competition. The conference is reserved for exceptional collegiate theatre majors for each region.

Additionally, students were nominated for the prestigious Irene Ryan Scholarship, the highest honor in theatre higher education. mbu’s nominees included Rachel Yarbrough, Tyler Gruen, Cameron Tyler, Greggory Carr, Eliana Steele, Daniel Dilworth, Alle Head, Bradley Bliven, Olivia Leek and Nathaneal

Pezzo. The students performed alongside 312 elite individuals in the region. Leek, and Pezzo were two of the 16 students invited to the finalist round.

Students from the theatre program competed for a spot in the musical theatre intensive dance group. Cameron Tyler and Lindsey Peters were among the 20 students, out of 70, selected to perform. On the final night, Tyler and Peters performed a dance choreographed by a Broadway artist in front of hundreds of students at the festival.

“The work ethic of mbu theatre students is incomparable,” said Kasey Cox, mbu instructor of theatre. “We did not have to

put aside our Christian values to be very successful. Students performed pieces where they got to be their true and authentic self. In a profession where it can be easy to compromise your values, students made the choice to pick pieces that were lined with truth.”

The Kennedy Center American College

Theater Festival began in 1969 by founding chairman Roger L. Stevens. The national theater program involves more than 20,000 students in eight geographic regions across the nation from college, and universities annually to encourage and celebrate the most diverse work produced on campuses. ■

MBU Theatre performs entertaining show lineup

mbu students act in the student-directed play “The Birds,” which was directed by senior Tyler Gruen.

mbu seniors Lindsay Peters and Daniel Dilworth play opposite in “39 Steps.”

The cast of “Into the Woods” tells a story of a fairytale misadventure for the University’s spring musical.

mbu student Nathanael Pezzo portrays Harold Hill in the “Music Man,” which was the first musical of the 2019-2020 season.

Photography by David Ayres

A new adventure

DR. BEN LION | Missouri Baptist University’s Vice President for Student Development, Dr. Benjamin Lion, joined mbu in the summer of 2019. He holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Calvin University, a Master of Education in College Student Affairs from Azusa Pacific University and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama.

FAMILY MAN | The charm of Queeny Park provides the perfect setting for weekend family walks. Dr. Lion and his wife, Lori, love to go for strolls with their children, Isabella, William, and Eleanor, as well as the newest addition to the family, their Labradoodle, Sadie.

ZOO | Since moving to Saint Louis from Orlando, the Saint Louis Zoo has become Dr. Lion’s family’s favorite STL attraction. He compares this attraction to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, minus the roller coasters.

DISNEY AFICIONADO | Dr. Lion and his family are quite the Disney fans. So much so, that they have visited Disney World well over 200 times. On any given workday, you can catch Dr. Lion sipping some tea from his Epcot mug.

5 IN 10 | For Dr. Lion, the past decade has been eventful with a thing for the number five. He lived in five cities—St. Louis, Orlando, Jacksonville, Nashville and Azusa—he worked at five universities, and his family grew from two to five. He also received his fifth diploma, his doctorate degree. The first four were his master of arts, bachelor of arts, high school and, of course, his kindergarten diploma.

I AM DR. BENJAMIN LION, AND YOU ARE NOT INVITED TO MY TED TALK | Don’t worry; it’s nothing you’ve done. Although Dr. Lion is a big fan of TED Talks, presenting one is not one of his goals. The idea of creating a space where ideas and research are freely shared is what drew his attention to TED Talks. To date, Dr. Lion estimates he has watched hundreds of them.

FULLY BOOKED WEEKEND | One of Dr. Lion’s favorite pastimes is books. Some of his top choices are Dare to Lead by Brene Brown, Start With Why by Simon Sinek, and for fun, the classic Dune by Frank Herbert.

HIGHER ED’S #1 FAN | Dr. Lion’s many positive experiences as an undergraduate student sparked an interest in higher education, especially student affairs. Dr. Lion sees his position as an opportunity to invest in the lives of students and help them become who God intended them to be. ■

My Moment to SHINE

Offering one of the few Christian dance minor programs in the country, mbu provides students the opportunity to pursue a career in dance within a supportive Christian environment. mbu juniors Alle Head and Daniel Dilworth, pictured here, will be among the first students to graduate with a dance minor. ■

Not only do nurses face impossible hours in a high-risk environment, but the word on the street is that a nursing degree is among the most difficult undergraduate degree to earn.

So why sign up for a career in nursing?

The answer is simple: compassion. For Missouri Baptist University’s School of Nursing, the essence of compassionate care is emphasized by the University’s Christ-centered mission. Caring for one another is not just a societal expectation, but service is rooted in the example set forth by Jesus Christ. As the only evangelical Christian university in the St. Louis area, mbu takes this calling seriously with a nursing program that trains students to use their faith as a guiding force in their careers.

“Treating patients isn’t always easy,” said Dr. Amber Pyatt, mbu’s founding dean of nursing. “As Christians and nurses, we are called to the next level of compassion and caring for one another.”

Through courses like Spirituality and Diversity in Healthcare, Ethics in Healthcare and the service-based senior capstone, students learn that their Christian faith can be an integral part of the nursing profession. Empowered by their faith, mbu students discover how to best care for patients of varying backgrounds. The senior capstone requires student nurses to serve their community with volunteer projects across St. Louis including the refugee resource organization, Oasis International.

As of this spring, the mbu’s first nursing graduates are beginning their careers in hospitals across St. Louis, and the vision of the mbu

A career in nursing isn’t for the faint of heart.

School of Nursing is coming to fruition, led by Dr. Pyatt.

In 2015, University leaders gave Dr. Pyatt the opportunity to build the program from the ground up. With this mission, she not only created a vision for the location, class size and atmosphere of the School, but she also contemplated how mbu’s future nurses could be prepared for an ever-changing and in-demand industry.

In fact, the United States is experiencing a nursing shortage as the baby boomer generation ages, causing the career path to be in high demand. According to the MI Annual Nurses Survey of 2019, the need for RNs is expected to further grow by 15 percent, and it is predicted that the shortage will accelerate as 1 million current nurses will retire by 2030. This will greatly impact under-served areas where healthcare is already scarce.

The School of Nursing uses an innovative learning approach called concept-based curriculum. This strategy focuses on how students organize and categorize “big ideas,” across content areas, Pyatt said. Traditional curriculum style is contentbased and focused on learning and obtaining facts within specific subject areas. The concept-based curriculum teaches not only facts, but how to use them in real-life scenarios. By using the conceptbased curriculum method, students are not only taught how to pass the licensing exams, but also how to think critically when caring for a patient.

The concept’s success is evident and a draw for mbu nursing students.

“The professors want us to understand the body systems involved, and to think critically about what can go wrong in any given situation,” said Tyler Burke, a senior nursing student. “We can’t prepare for everything, so we need to be able to work on the fly. When I go into a patient’s situation where I don’t know what’s going on, I can identify key factors

fairly quickly and establish priority interventions that need to be performed for that patient.”

By the time of the first nursing class’ pinning ceremony in January, every graduate had accepted a full-time job as a nurse—in locations ranging from St. Louis Children’s Hospital downtown to SSM St. Clare in Fenton.

In fall 2021, many of those graduates have indicated they hope to return to mbu again—this time to build on their careers by earning a Master of Science in Nursing. The MSN is still being developed, but will likely prepare students to become family nurse practitioners and is a degree that will allow graduates to diagnose and treat patients of their own.

One of a team of faculty members working alongside Pyatt is Assistant Professor Tara Hommelson, a pediatric nurse practitioner.

“There is a strong need for good nurse practitioners in the St. Louis area,” said Hommelson. “When you look at the research, the care that an NP provides is equal to the care that an MD provides. So that’s reassuring to me, that the quality is there, and that there’s a need for it.”

One of the reasons the need for nurse practitioners has grown exponentially in recent years is because the baby boomers are aging, and they need more access to care. “This is where nurse practitioners can help reduce the burden on the healthcare system,” Hommelson added.

In fact, there is an expected shortage of 122,000 physicians by 2032 as demand for physicians continues to grow faster than supply, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Because nurse practitioners can diagnose and treat their own patients, they will serve a crucial role in filling the gap in healthcare. In fact, nurse practitioner jobs are projected to grow by 28 percent by 2028, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “ mbu nurse practitioners will be able to do more than reduce the burden,” said Hommelson. “We can become leaders in healthcare across St. Louis.”

Dr. Amber Pyatt joined mbu as the founding dean of the school of nursing in 2016.

To care for one another is not just a thing to do, but the service is rooted in the example set forth by Jesus Christ.”

DR. AMBER PYATT, DEAN OF NURSING, MISSOURI BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

Samantha Greminger

It was just another headache. Or so she thought.

This head pain would eventually lead her to the neuroscience floor of St. Louis Children’s Hospital. First as a patient, and, beginning this June, as a nurse.

For Samantha Greminger, head pain from migraines was a common occurrence. But one morning during her sophomore year of high school, she had a headache that was a little different.

“It felt like an ice pick was stabbing my head,” she recalled.

She tried to treat her headache like a normal migraine, but a day later in math class, she had a feeling that something still wasn’t right.

“When I went up to the front of the class to complete a math problem on the board, I literally could not write,” said Greminger. “I had no idea what was happening to me; it was scary.”

The next morning, her hands stopped working so much that she couldn’t even brush her teeth.

For her parents, this was the final straw. They consulted her pediatrician, and he sent her to the hospital for a CT scan. As her parents drove her from the imaging site, the doctor phoned to tell Greminger some startling news—she was having a stroke.

“The doctor told my mom I had a blood clot behind my right ear, and I needed to be driven to Children’s without delay, and they needed to remove it before the damage went any further,” said Greminger.

When she arrived at Children’s, the neurosurgeon

ordered an MRI that suggested a different diagnosis.

“The doctor told us, ‘We don’t see a blood clot, but we see a mass. She definitely has a tumor,’” recalled Greminger. “They thought it was malignant. They thought I was going to die.”

After a rushed brain biopsy, the radiologist re-read the MRI. She didn’t have a tumor. She was, indeed, having a stroke.

Greminger had Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis, a type of stroke so rare that it affects only six in one million children. Because of the rarity, Greminger had to be rushed to Barnes-Jewish Hospital after a new surgeon was flown to the hospital. When she woke up, her neurosurgeon told Greminger that they wouldn’t know the extent of the damage until the next morning.

“When I woke up that Sunday morning, it was horrible,” said Greminger. “It was as if my left side was paralyzed. I’m left-handed. I was scared and only a sophomore in high school; no one wants that.”

But it didn’t stay like that. After continual intensive physical and occupational therapy, Greminger grew stronger, and most of her motor skills came back.

“I taught myself to be right-handed, and the rest you can’t tell by looking at me,” said Greminger. “You have to look for it in my smile, and I only remember that I have numbness and tingling in my face when thinking about the stroke.”

Because of this experience, Greminger decided to become a nurse. And this June, she will be living out her dream of being a nurse on St. Louis Children’s

neuroscience floor.

“My neurologist continues to inspire me, motivate me and he even wrote my recommendation letter,” Greminger said.

When Greminger first planned to attend mbu, she thought she would need to transfer to Goldfarb since mbu didn’t have a nursing school.

“I wanted to go to a Christian school where I could focus on my studies,” said Greminger. “My mom earned a counseling degree from mbu, so I decided to check it out. I enrolled and was elated to find out that mbu was starting a nursing program. I knew mbu was where I wanted to become a nurse.”

Greminger’s experience at mbu’s School of Nursing has empowered her to bring her whole self—particularly her Christian faith—into her work.

“The foundation of Christian faith has really helped me, and they teach that we can bring our own perspectives and how we feel into being a nurse,” said Greminger. “We don’t push patients, but it helps us as nurses. The faculty teach us how to approach our work as our whole self, and how to overall be advocates for our patients.”

Greminger plans on applying to mbu’s nurse practitioner program and to continue to use her experiences to serve her patients.

“I’ve been told a lot that it was kind of a blessing,” said Greminger. “I feel like I can relate to patients more because I was in that spot. I can think, ‘How did I feel as a patient? What did I want my nurses to do for me, and how did I want them to treat me?’ As a patient you want your nurses to treat you as a whole patient and not what’s happened to you.”

I feel like I can relate to patients more because I was in that spot. I can think, ‘How did I feel as a patient?’

Tara Hommelson

Assistant Professor Tara Hommelson is teaching her future colleagues. At any given moment, her office can be filled with students learning insights on how they, too, can become a pediatric nurse.

Hommelson’s experience as a pediatric nurse practitioner provides a wealth of knowledge in a variety of pediatric areas to mbu’s School of Nursing. She’s worked in adolescent medicine, research, medicalsurgical, pediatric hematology, oncology and plastic surgery.

During her career, she has worked for three major hospitals—Children’s, Cardinal Glennon and St. Louis University Hospital—but always felt a desire to become a nursing professor.

“When I was practicing, I was always working with medical students, residents and precepting new nurses or nurse practitioners,” said Hommelson. “I really loved it; I really loved having a student with me. Every week we would have new residents in our clinic, so I feel like I would learn a lot from them, and I could teach them

some things about more specialized adolescent medicine. Students are also just so passionate, so excited to be there and learn, so that made it easy. So I just felt drawn to education.”

Hommelson started teaching at a different university, but when a colleague and friend, Dr. Ashley Bell, joined the nursing faculty at mbu, Hommelson knew she too wanted to join the mbu School of Nursing family.

“When I interviewed, I said it just felt more like a family, and I’ve never had that experience at a job,” said Hommelson. “Here, when I leave my home in the morning, and I take my daughter to daycare, it’s like I’m coming from one home to the next, which I don’t think you can say about many work cultures.”

The students are significant members of that family.

“I feel like students work into that family as well, especially where my office is, right here in the hallway; we always laugh, just because they’re in and out all the time,” said Hommelson. “My group that’s graduating in April, I’ve really kind of been closest with them because I’ve had them now each semester since I’ve started here.”

Hommelson was also encouraged by the innovative concept-based curriculum approach at mbu

“With concept-based curriculum, as we present the concept each time, or give a refresher if they’ve seen the condition a couple times, students take what they are learning in the class and translate it in a clinical setting,” said Hommelson. “They go into clinicals with a solid understanding and a strong foundation of that concept. It’s so different; I love it.”

Hommelson is working with Pyatt to launch a Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner, the first of potentially three master’s degrees in nursing coming to mbu. As nurse practitioners, graduates will be able to diagnose and treat patients of their own.

“Most of the students want to come back and become a family nurse practitioner at mbu, and that’s special to me,” said Hommelson. “It speaks a lot about our program that they want to come back and continue their education.”

mbu offers the only evangelical Christian nursing program in the St. Louis area.

“While there are restrictions, nursing is an extension of us living out God’s call for us to care for those in need,” said Hommelson. “We’re teaching our students that our Christian faith makes us strong and compassionate nurses.”

When I interviewed, I said it just felt more like a family, and I’ve never had that experience at a job.

Tyler Burke

When Tyler Burke was little, he essentially lived in a hospital. Now he wants to spend most of his time there again, but this time working as a nurse.

Burke grew up with asthma and chronic illnesses that landed him in the hospital two to three times a month. His experiences led him to pursue a career in healthcare, an interest that developed during his time in the hospitals.

“I had a really cool male nurse and that kind of stuck with me,” said Burke. “He blew up a glove and knotted it and drew a face on it when I was about 5 or 6, and I thought that was the coolest thing, and I want to be able to do that for another kid.“

After graduating high school, Burke enrolled in St. Louis Community College and enrolled in the EMS program. During one of his clinical experiences, he was assigned to St. Mary’s Emergency Department and was enamored with the acuity and fast-paced nature of a hospital.

“I had a lot of cardiac patients, so I saw doctors placing central lines, along with a lot of renal patients with kidney stones, where they have to break up the stones and place stents,” recalled Burke. “Being able to help so many people within a little time nudged me to find a career in the hospital.”

He transferred to mbu, believing he would eventually apply to medical school. But after realizing what he could do with a nursing degree, he applied and was accepted

into the second cohort of mbu’s School of Nursing. He plans to eventually become a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist.

Because of the concept-based curriculum, Burke was confident going into clinicals.

“The program develops critical thinking,” said Burke. “Because of the curriculum, I can identify key factors fairly quickly and establish priority interventions that need to be performed for that patient. Other schools in the area aren’t doing that.”

A clinical experience at Mercy Hospital St. Louis confirmed that his confidence and experience as a patient would help children who, like himself, are growing up in a hospital.

There, he cared for a 17-year-old male patient who had been diagnosed with leukemia.

“He didn’t really have any male nurses, and he was on a pediatric floor. For him to have another guy at least somewhat close to his age to relate to, and explain things to him, and even be able to talk about other things that guys like to talk about, I really liked that,” recalled Burke. “Since I was frequently in hospitals as a child, I have realized that I have a special gift to be a light in these patients’ lives. So I will.”

Robin Murray

It’s been more than 15 years since Dr. Robin Murray worked as a nurse inside the Burn Unit at Mercy Hospital St. Louis. It was there that she cared for some of the most vulnerable of patients—and where she came to fully understand the intrinsic dignity and inherent worth of every life.

She’ll never forget caring for a patient, a male in his twenties, who had been badly burned after a methamphetamine lab he had built had blown up inside an apartment building. Across the hall from that man’s hospital room, she cared for another burn patient—a young girl—who Murray learned was an innocent victim of that meth lab explosion.

“It was my job and responsibility to take care of him with the same level of respect that I took care of that child,” Murray recalled. “Despite his actions, he still had the light of God.”

It’s on-the-job experiences like that one that Murray, now an associate professor of nursing at mbu, shares with her students to get them to begin wrestling with the many ethical challenges they will confront in the nursing industry.

Murray, who was one of the first faculty hired to teach at the mbu School of Nursing when it launched in 2018, is today part of a team of professors who not only have

extensive experience working in the nursing industry, but whose belief in Jesus Christ informs the way they care for their patients—and teach their students.

“Here, not only can I talk about Jesus and make reference to scripture, but I am encouraged to do so,” Murray said. “Truly, the rewarding piece is realizing that I can impart those values and ethics into students who will work in literally the most trusted profession.”

Murray came to mbu after a seasoned career in the nursing profession. And though she first developed a passion for healthcare as a candy striper when she was just 13, before pursuing her nursing degree, Murray served her country in the U.S. Airforce after graduating high school at 17. In the Airforce, Murray worked as a cryptologic intelligence specialist—a position responsible for transcribing intelligence from other countries—for three years during Desert Storm.

Through the G.I. Bill, Murray’s service eventually paid for her Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, which she completed while also serving in the Airforce Reserve, at Indiana University. As soon as she began nursing school, she knew she would one day teach.

“I loved everything about it,” Murray recalled. “I loved the academic setting and the idea of preparing students to become nurses.”

After graduating with her BSN, Murray spent decades working in the nursing industry—whether it was as a home healthcare nurse, working in the Intensive Care Unit, or as a professor and administrator at two other nursing schools—building up invaluable experiences. While working, she completed a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Educational Leadership, which she earned this past October from American Sentinel University.

Perhaps not surprisingly, Murray’s doctoral capstone project addressed “civility in nursing and how to use education to promote it.” Since graduating, she has been asked to discuss the topic on a Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society podcast series, along with other experts on the topic.

It’s an important conversation in today’s nursing industry, Murray believes. And, for her, the reason is driven by her faith.

“It is a great comfort to recognize that God is with you even during the hard conversations,” Murray said. “God guides us to self-reflect, ‘take out the beam in our own eye’ and then approach the person with whom we have conflict. Addressing incivility is easier said than done and it takes reflection, prayer, practice, and intentionality.” ■

What Time Is It?

We Baptists (and Evangelicals in general) have never been very good at keeping time. Our Separatist-Puritan ancestors were allergic to anything that smelled Roman, such as priestly garments, incense, prescribed prayers, and the liturgical calendar. Although most Baptist churches today celebrate Christmas (which the Puritans abhorred) and Easter, many continue our ancestors’ suspicion of the rest of the Christian calendar. Few Baptists organize their year around Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Ordinary Time. Instead we often arrange our lives by a different calendar: New Year’s Day, Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. There is nothing inherently wrong in observing this alternative calendar, but let us not deceive ourselves into believing we are following a “neutral” timetable.

Let us explore the oddity that is New Year’s Day. Wedged in the middle of the 12 Days of Christmas (between Christmas Day and Epiphany), we celebrate a “new beginning” on January 1. In preparation for the new year, we spend the final week of December awash in news articles reviewing the year that was: the best movies, the sloppiest celebrity breakups, the champions of sport (let’s go Blues!), the technological breakthroughs, and so on. We usher in the New Year resolute to make the forthcoming year better than the one before. With the New Year comes new hopes, new dreams, and new beginnings. The turn of a decade – such as 2020 – escalates these hopes of a new creation. How have we been deceived into thinking that the arrival of January 1 heralds new hopes, dreams, and beginnings? Had we so quickly forgotten the advent of the Messiah only seven days earlier?

The authors of the New Testament would be confounded by our hopeful celebration of another new year. Most likely, the fact that the world is seeing another passing year would have shocked, or even horrified, the apostles. To be sure, they almost certainly never expected the world to see the year 2020. The concept of AD 2020 would be as foreign to them as AD 4040 is to us. Our planet and its occupants labor beneath the threat of global pandemic, total nuclear annihilation or ecological disaster from climate change. Those of us who follow Jesus, though, likely expect never to see AD 4040 for the same reason that the New Testament authors found AD 2020 inconceivable: we believe Jesus will return any day now. The New Testament authors consistently speak as though they were living in “the last days.” Take Paul, for example: “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come ” (1 Cor 10:11). Or the author of Hebrews: “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son” (Heb 1:1-2). Or John: “Children, it is the last hour ; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18). So also Jude: “But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, ‘In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts’” (Jude 17-18). The authors of the New Testament knew, channeling R.E.M., “It’s the end of the world as we know it.” In fact, some early Christians were so sure that Jesus was coming back any moment that they quit working

(1 Thess 4:11-12; 2 Thess 3:10).

Despite the universal anticipation of Jesus’ imminent return, Jesus did not come back as soon as the early Christians expected. This is likely what led them to author the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Jesus had not returned yet, so they wrote the story of Jesus down on papyrus for future generations. Some Christians probably started to doubt. Whatever the case, we know that by the close of the apostolic era, outsiders were teasing Christians for expecting Jesus to return. Second Peter 3:3-4 records such scoffers: “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’” These scoffers are promoting a new calendar: “Stop ordering your lives around the hope of Jesus’ return. He didn’t bring anything new.” The scoffing has not ceased.

So, here we are: finishing the first quarter of yet another year. This is a big one: 2020 … a new decade. For many this brings hope of new beginnings and new expectations. But, for those of us who follow Jesus, we do not look at 2020 for new beginnings. We look backward to 4 BC (the birth of Jesus) and 30 or 33 AD (the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus). The new beginning of creation begins not now, not at Y2K, but with the life, death, and resurrection of the incarnated Son of God who is making all things new. This, then, is the strangeness of celebrating another “New Year.” Sure, it is a “new year” on a calendar, but God is operating on a different timetable.

We are a people who live in the interim. We live in the odd tension of a new creation inaugurated already in Christ, but not yet fully realized. We live in the tension of saying that Jesus can come back any moment, and yet have nearly two thousand years mitigating against our claim. Despite this, we stubbornly insist on viewing time differently than the rest of the world. Sure, this is another “new year” on a calendar, but it is in fact simply more of just the same. This year is “new” in the same way that each season of The Simpsons is new: same town, same characters, same tropes, but, sure, some new storylines. This year is “new” in the same way that a new calendar is new: same dates, same months, same holidays, but, sure, a few new pictures of hotrod cars or Anne Geddes babies to distract us on each page. Barring the return of Jesus (for which we continue to long and pray), the year 2020 will be more of the same. Yet we remain faithful. Those of us who follow Jesus operate by a different calendar: we know the true “new creation” began two millennia ago. And so, let us stubbornly live by a different timetable, as we “go and make disciples of all nations” with the confidence that Jesus “will be with us always, to the end of the age ” (Matt 28:19-20).

AUTHOR’S BIO Dr. Matthew Easter is the director of Christian studies and assistant professor of the Bible at mbu. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Otago, his M.Div. with a Certificate of Baptist Studies from Duke University Divinity School and a B.A. from Southwest Baptist University.

Where Are They Now?

Patrick Winning

(B.A. in History ’74)

lives in St. Peters, Missouri. He serves as an attorney for the Winning Law Firm, LLC. He was inducted into the Spartan Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986. Winning recently became recognized as a published author in April of 2019. He formerly served as the assistant professor of business at mbu

1 Theresa Bauersachs

(McCrary)

(B.A. in Sociology ’86)

lives in Pinckneyville, Illinois, with her husband and two sons. She works as a medical coder for MedStar Ambulance, Inc. Bauersachs serves as the pianist for her church.

Ken Parker

(B.A. in Church Music and Vocal Performance ’88) lives in Kearney, Missouri, with his wife. He serves as the senior pastor for First Baptist Church. Parker is an adjunct professor of pastoral care and counseling at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. He has two sons and three grandchildren.

2 Lyle Witcher

(B.A. in Religion ’94)

lives in Thomasville, Georgia, with his wife and two children. He works for Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serves as the area director for South Georgia and regional international coordinator for the state of Florida.

3 Sonya Taylor

(Warren)

(B.S. in Early Childhood Education ’95) lives in Fenton, Missouri, with her husband and three sons. She works as a kindergarten teacher for North Side Community School. Sonya and her husband pastor Freedom Church in St. Louis.

4 Misti Menchaca (Brown)

(B.S. in Mathematics ’99) lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with her husband and two children. She works as a teacher and coach for Castleberry Independent School District.

5 Brad Andrews

(B.A. in Church Music ’00) lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his wife, Holly. He serves as the pastor for Mercyview Church. Andrews recently celebrated his 20th wedding anniversary in June of 2019.

6 Lisha Ewing (Hasty)

(B.S. in Behavioral Science ’03, MSE in Counseling ’07, MS in Sports Management ’10) lives in Overland, Missouri, with her husband. She serves as an educational support counselor for the Francis Howell School District. Ewing was recently named support staff of the year.

7 Greg Lawrence (B.A. in Music Education ’03) lives in Wentzville, Missouri, with his wife. He works as the director of technology for the Wentzville School District.

8 Jodi Schulte (Obrecht)

(B.S. in Human Services ’04) lives in Foristell, Missouri, with her husband and three children. She works as a stay-athome mother and online fitness coach.

9 Constance Ditto (Pulliam)

(B.S. in Psychology ’05) lives in Wyatt, Missouri, with her husband and four children. She serves as a community support professional for Bootheel Counseling Services.

10 Kristina Curnutt

(Steen)

(B.A. in Psychology ’06) lives in Florissant, Missouri, with her husband and three daughters. She is a LCSW and serves as a stay-at-home mother.

11 Kendall Tanner (Vawter)

(B.S. in Elementary Education ’07) lives in Sullivan, Missouri, with her husband and four children. She serves as a student nurse for Missouri Baptist Hospital. Tanner recently re-enrolled in the nursing program at East Central College and was elected student representative for the class of 2021.

Erin Crockett

(McDermott)

(B.S. in Sports Management ’09, M.A. in Christian Ministry)

lives in Maplewood, Missouri, with her husband and four children. She is selfemployed and works as a childcare provider.

12 Rossano Deal

(B.A. in Broadcast Media ’10) lives in Nassau, New Providence. He serves as a videographer and coordinator for Ministry of Tourism.

Bradley Perry

(B.S. in Worship Arts 10’)

lives in Sullivan, Missouri, with his wife and four children. Perry attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and received his master’s degree in divinity. He serves as an associate pastor for Temple Baptist Church.

Dustin Brooks

(B.S. in Applied Management ’11) lives in DeSoto, Missouri, with his wife and son. He works as an electrician for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Ryan Krupp

B.S. Business Administration ‘15

Ryan Krupp’s drive for competition, strategy and high stakes, combined with his desire to use his talents to serve others, allows him to be a great lawyer for those in need. In addition, Krupp recently began teaching constitutional law at MBU, inspiring students to strive for success.

Krupp chose to pursue law because he knew it was the most effective way to use his talents to serve others. Krupp’s biggest accomplishments are simply seeing the faces of clients after he settles their cases. Looking toward the future, Krupp desires to continue providing justice to those who need a great lawyer, as well as to expand his roles in the community and to give back to mbu, as it impacted such a great part of his life.

On top of pursuing a career in law and teaching at mbu, Krupp is the Pro Bono Committee Chair for the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, is a member of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, and is a co-host of the “Outside the Law Podcast.” He is on the mbu Alumni Board and is currently working on developing the mbu Mock Trial Program with the help of a few of his colleagues.

Krupp values his education and his career, and he uses both as an outlet to encourage others to also strive for success.

“My number one piece of advice for young adults is be relentless in every aspect of your life,” Krupp said. “Trust God and be a light.”

1 Amer Abu-Houran (Dababneh)

(M. Ed. In Educational Administration ’12) lives in Amman, Jordan. He works as a middle school principal for Modern Montessori School. Abu-Houran serves as a Harvard University fellow and country convener.

2 Hayley Barnfield (Robinson)

(B.S. in Elementary Education ’12) lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with her husband and daughter. She serves as a lead teacher for Siskin Children’s Institute. Barnfield graduated this year with a M. Ed in Curriculum.

Cameron Courtois

(B.S. in Behavioral Science ’12) lives in Desloge, Missouri. He works as a registered nurse for Davita. Courtois currently works in the dialysis clinic.

3 Justin Madden

(B.S. in Psychology ’12)

lives in St. Clair, Missouri, with his wife and three children. He serves as a youth pastor at Roots Church.

4 Chelsea Young (Roggeman)

(B.S. in Biology ’12, M.A. in Teaching ’15) lives in Winfield, Missouri, with her husband and three children. She serves as a teacher for the Winfield R-IV School District. Young recently was chosen by Winfield City Mayor to be on the board of adjustment for the city. She aids in teaching chemistry through the mbu achieve program alongside Dr. Mary Vedamuthu.

5 Danielle Bayer

(B.S. in Exercise Science ’13) lives in O’Fallon, Missouri. She works as a registered nurse at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Bayer was elected into the mbu Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.

6 Lauren Foley (Maniaci)

(B.S. in Elementary Education ’13) lives in Schaumburg, Illinois, with her husband. She works as a kindergarten teacher at Kensington School.

7 Brittany Peterson (Wilson)

(B.S. in Christian Ministry ’13) lives in St. Charles, Missouri, with her husband and two sons. She works as a real estate agent and stay-at-home mother. Brittany and Casey (‘12) are expecting a third child in June of 2020.

8 Molly Eime (Carver)

(B.A. in Public Relations ‘14) lives in Robertsville, Missouri, with her husband. She works as a public relations consultant for SSM Health. She is pursuing her MBA at Webster University.

9 Katie Green

(B.A. in Sports Management ‘14, M.S. in Sports Management ’16) lives in Kansas City, Missouri. She works as the manager of athletic communications for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. She recently started coaching club volleyball with Legacy Jr.’s.

Dr. David Collum

(Ed. D. ’15)

lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with his wife. He serves as the accreditation and data coordinator at Missouri Baptist University. Collum recently celebrated 43 years of marriage and celebrated his first grandchild in January of 2020.

10 Barrett Dodd

(B.A. in Ministry and Leadership ’15) lives in Silex, Missouri, with his wife, Lacey. Dodd graduated from Covenant Seminary in 2018 with a master’s degree in divinity. He serves as a pastor at Mill Creek Baptist Church in Lincoln County, Missouri.

11 Stacy Emerson (Russell)

(B.S. in Behavioral Science ’15) lives in St. Clair, Missouri, with her husband. She serves as a children services supervisor for the State of Missouri. She completed her master’s degree in counseling in 2017.

12 Christopher Williams

(B.A. in Ministry and Leadership ’15) lives in Granbury, Texas, with his wife and three children. He works as a resident parent at North Central Texas Academy. Williams recently graduated with his M.A. in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

13 Emma Cabello (Stokes)

(B.A. in Human Services ’16) lives in Maryland Heights, Missouri, with her husband. They recently welcomed their son into the world in July of 2019. She works as a stay-at-home mother.

Shane Howell

(B.S. Business Administration ’16) lives in Charleston, Missouri, with his wife. He serves as a college advisor at Three Rivers College. Howell welcomed his first-born child in 2019.

Kaitlyn Winter

(B.S. in Exercise Science ’16) lives in St. Peters, Missouri. She is a first-year physical therapy student at Washington University in St. Louis.

14 Ragan DuBoise (Briggs)

(B.A. in Human Services ’17) lives in St. Charles, Missouri, with her husband. She served as a family foster care specialist before changing roles. DuBoise currently works as a preschool teacher for Sunshine Ministries.

15 Windsor Eaves

(B.A. in Sports Management ‘17)

lives in Wentzville, Missouri, with his wife and two sons. He works as a branch manager in equipment sales. Eaves is pursuing a career in cyber security and completed his master’s degree in 2019. The couple is expecting a child this year.

16 Caleb Heitmann

(B.A. in Christian Ministry ’17) lives in Fenton, Missouri, with his wife, Ashley. He serves as the student pastor for First Baptist Church. Heitmann is excited to serve Jesus in any way that He leads.

1 Ashleigh Hummel (Poteete)

(B.S. in Human Services and Psychology ’17) lives in St. Charles, Missouri, with her husband, Kevin. She works as a family service worker for Bringing Families Together. Hummel will be returning to mbu to complete her graduate degree in the social work program.

2 Ariel Liker

(B.S. in Sports Management ’17)

lives in Lake Villa, Illinois. Liker recently received a promotion to customer relations associate for Bass Pro Shops.

3 Dan Mollet

(B.A. in Accounting ’17)

lives in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee, with his wife. He works as a staff accountant at LBMC-W Squared. Mollet recently graduated with his master’s in accounting.

4 Mackenzie Moore

(B.S. in Psychology ’17)

lives in Kansas City, Missouri. She recently accepted a position at one of the top five financial firms in the country.

5 Kayla Rupprecht (Glyshaw)

(B.A. in Communications ’17)

lives in Chesterfield, Missouri, with her husband. She works as the marketing and communications coordinator at Miriam Foundation.

6 Maria Rupprecht (Dugo) (B.S. in Psychology ’17)

lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband. She works as a nanny and mental health advocate. Rupprecht recently launched a podcast about her inspiring recovery journey.

Joshua Sheets (B.S. in Secondary Education ’17) lives in Potosi, Missouri. He works as a children services supervisor for the Missouri Children’s Division. Sheets works to protect the state’s most vulnerable children and was recently promoted to investigation supervisor.

7 Ashley Van Camp (B.A. in Communications ’17) lives in Leavenworth, Kansas. She works as

the head coach for the women’s lacrosse team at the University of Saint Mary. Van Camp recently graduated with a master’s degree in science.

8 Kayla Wood (Mierisch) (B.S. in Early Childhood Education ’17) lives in Belle, Missouri, with her husband and son. She works as a second-grade teacher for Maries County R2 schools.

9 Ben Carril

(B.S. in Psychology ’18) lives in St. Charles, Missouri, with his wife and son. He works as a freshman admissions counselor for Lindenwood University. Carril is pursuing a master’s in school counseling at Lindenwood University.

Caleb Smith

(M.A. in Education ’18) lives in St. Louis, Missouri. He serves as a first-grade teacher at SLPS. He is pursuing a doctoral degree and has visited his 32nd country. Smith was recently named teacher of the month.

10 Alisha Albregts

(B.S. in Behavioral Science ’19) lives in St. Peters, Missouri. She works as a court advocate for Turning Point. Albregts is a single mom who finished her degree with high honors.

11 Nicole Bono (Weiss)

(B.S. Elementary Education ’19) lives in Festus, Missouri, with her husband and two children. She serves as a substitute teacher in Festus.

12 Maddison Boyd (Click)

(B.A. in Elementary Education ’19) lives in Maryland Heights, Missouri, with her husband. She works as a fourth-grade teacher for the Wentzville School District.

13 Shelby Femmer (Poropat)

(B.A. in Human Services ’19) lives in O’Fallon, Missouri, with her husband. She works as a paraprofessional for the Fort Zumwalt School District. Femmer enjoys working with special education students.

14 Robert Grider

(B.S. in Biology, Unified Science and Secondary Education ’19) lives in Mount Vernon, Illinois, with his wife, Sierra (‘19). He serves as a teacher at Mount Vernon Township High School. Grider serves as a track coach at the high school.

15 Sierra Grider (Benedict)

(B.S. in Elementary Education ’19) lives in Mount Vernon, Illinois, with her husband, Robert (‘19). She works as a substitute teacher and cheerleading coach for District 80 Schools.

Erika Guynn

(M.A. in Counseling ’19) lives in Florissant, Missouri, with her husband. She serves as a behavioral specialist for Great Circle.

Austin Hale

(B.S. in Behavioral Science ’19)

lives in Kansas City, Missouri. He serves as the assistant tennis coach for the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

16 Hannah Huff (Smith)

(B.A. in Information Technology ’19)

lives in St. Peters, Missouri, with her husband. She serves as an infrastructure coordinator for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

17 Kristina Magruder (Buffington)

(B.S. in Accounting ’19)

lives in Eolia, Missouri, with her husband. She works as a loan teller for Bank of Louisiana. She welcomed her firstborn daughter in July of 2019.

18 Shannon McAndrew

(B.S. in Biochemistry and Biology ’19) lives in St. Peters, Missouri. She works as an educator for the Saint Louis Zoo.

19 Emily Schnefke

(B.S. in Elementary Education ’19) lives in St. Louis, Missouri. She works as a fourth-grade teacher at South City Community School. Schnefke is passionate about integrating the Gospel into her teaching.

Andrea Scott

M.S in Teaching ‘16

Following dreams from a young age has always been an important part of success for

1 Artrea Smith (Gross) (M.A. in Counseling ’19)

lives in Chicago, Illinois, with her husband and three children. She works as a clinical counselor for ComPsych Corporation. Smith was recently promoted to working full-time from home. She is able to care for her husband who is recovering from a massive stroke.

Andrea Scott. Growing up, she took inspiration from her ancestors who pushed toward their dreams, regardless of hardship. Her dreams became a reality through hard work, perseverance and her education at mbu

Andrea Scott is a two-time, award-winning children’s author, business owner, bilingual instructor, educator and entrepreneur — accomplishing all of this while still under the age of 30. She holds a master’s degree in teaching and currently teaches higher education, but she also has experience teaching many other grade levels, from pre-K through college.

When Scott was young, she did not have any role models to push her dreams toward reality. She was told she could not do things many times in her life. Growing up in a neighborhood with a high crime rate, Scott’s school became her “safe zone,” and her education became her priority.

“This mentality helped me to become the first in my family to graduate college,” Scott

2 Zachary Tobey

(B.S. Marketing ’19) lives in Wildwood, Missouri, with his wife. He works as an admissions counselor at Webster University in St. Louis. Tobey is pursuing a master’s degree in management.

3 Jessica Wallace

(B.A. in Special Education ’19) lives in St. Charles, Missouri. She works as

said. “The first person in my family to live in a different country, learn a different language, and start my own business from scratch.”

Scott founded a bilingual tutoring service, Smile Big, Dream Bigger LLC, to support her community and give tribute to her ancestors. Her business is St. Louis’ first and only blackowned bilingual tutoring program. It landed her the honor of being on the St. Louis Business Journal 2019 “30 Under 30” List.

Scott teaches Spanish at Harris Stowe State University and is the youngest faculty member at St. Louis’s only HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). She is also an award-winning bilingual author. One piece of advice she hopes to leave her students and all young adults with is to never stop dreaming, even when things are going wrong.

Scott plans to turn her business into a global tutoring program to bridge the educational gap between African American and Hispanic scholars.

a special education teacher for the Special School District.

4 Emmeline Williamson (Garrett)

(B.A. in Exercise Science ’19)

lives in Fenton, Missouri, with her husband. She serves as a graduate assistant at mbu. Williamson is pursuing a master’s in fitness management. Her most fond mbu memory is meeting Kyle, her now husband, at Welcome Weekend.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “

— Matthew 25:34-40

Do you have a heart for service? MBU is launching its Master of Social Work (MSW) degree in the fall of 2020. Learn more at mobap.edu/SocialWork.