UMHB Life Fall 2016

UMHB Ato Z A look at what makes UMHB special

NEW OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR � UMHB E ARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION

B I G P I C T U R E | H e r m a n Wat t s , J r., J o e S u a r e z , D av i d H u g e e -Ja m e s , a n d W i l l i a m H a i r e s h ow o f f t h e r o b o t s t h e y d e s i g n e d , p r o g ra m m e d , a n d b ui l t f o r t h e i r e n g i n e e r i n g c o ur s e i n r o b o t i c s .

UMHBLIFE FA L L 2 016 | V O L U M E 3 6 , N U M B ER 1 PRESIDENT Randy O’Rear, Ed.D. EDITOR-IN- CHIEF Paula Price Tanner, Ed.D. EDITOR & SENIOR WRITER Kristi Humphreys, Ph.D. GR APHIC DESIGNER Lauren Mendias PHOTOGR APHERS Blair Dupre Sarah Minton Kristi Humphreys Jessica Rodriguez Matt Lester Randy Yandell ’99 CONTRIBUTORS James Stafford Jon Wallin UMHB LIFE IS PUBLISHED THREE TIMES A YEAR BY THE DIVISION OF COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS. UMHB Box 8431 900 College Street Belton, Texas 76513 1-800-727-UMHB life.umhb.edu

Letters and comments can be sent to: umhblife@umhb.edu

ALUMNI LIFE IS COMPILED BY THE OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS. Please send any information for publishing or change of personal information to: Alumni Relations UMHB Box 8427 900 College Street Belton, Texas 76513

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Or update online: alumni.umhb.edu alumni@umhb.edu

UMHBLIFE F A L L 2 0 1 6 | VOLUME 36, NUMBER 1

D E P A R T M E N T S

5| C A M P US L I F E Nursing program receives impressive ranking, plus bridge opens new entrance to campus 11| AT H L E T I C L I F E Baseball team earns academic honor, plus golfer excels on and off the course

F E A T U R E S U M H B A TO Z |14 Find out what makes UMHB so special, from A to Z I N Q U I R I N G M I N DS |22 Scientific inquiry course teaches students to assess competing claims in science

13| P H I L A N T H R O P Y Siblings establish scholarship to honor sister’s lifetime of giving 26| A LU M N I L I F E Check out what’s happening in the lives of alumni and their families

O N T H E COV E R | Taylor Schobey and the rest of the Cru Cheer Squad keep the game-day excitement alive at Crusader Stadium. Photo by Blair Dupre

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RANDY YANDELL

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y grandmother and two of her sisters attended UMHB. Grandma is still very involved in alumni events, and through her,

UMHB has always been a part of my life. I still considered other schools, but when I visited the UMHB campus and met some of the English professors, I knew I had found my home.

I wouldn’t be here without scholarships. The Townsend Memorial Scholarship, in particular, encourages us to get involved in campus activities. As an English major and writer, I had the opportunity last year to write and direct my first skit for Stunt Night, and I plan to do it again this year! My scholarship has enabled me to gain experience doing what I love.

My time at UMHB has been life-changing. Since both of my parents are teachers, I assumed I would study education as well. Our class sizes are small at UMHB, and one of my professors noticed my love of writing and took a special interest in me, encouraging me to pursue writing as a profession. I now hope to work in dramaturgy one day, and it is because of the generosity of donors and the attention of professors that I have an exciting new direction in life!

AUDREY McCAMBRIDGE

Senior Hewitt, Texas

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Campus comes alive rain or shine for record-breaking Welcome Week The rain poured, but it did not deter more than 350 faculty, staff, and students from assisting the largest freshman class ever on Move-in Day 2016.

The campus community welcomed about 750 freshmen to campus, more than 30% of whom are first-generation college students. Student housing is almost 98% full, which means approximately 1900 students reside on campus.

Along with student growth, the UMHB family continues to flourish with the addition of 62 new employees. The CRUniverse is expanding, and the excitement over growth was apparent throughout a multitude of Welcome Week activities.

The campus community got involved in all Welcome Week activities, including Move-in Day, the Color Games, Dubbing Ceremony, and the Big Fair. Photos by Blair Dupre and Jessica Rodriguez

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UMHB nursing program ranked highly among Southwest schools The Scott and White College of Nursing at UMHB was recognized as one of the most outstanding programs in the country in the 2016 rankings of Nursing Schools Almanac. The study collected data on over 3,200 nursing schools and campuses throughout the United States, and just 10% made the final list. UMHB ranked #34 in the Southwest region, which includes

Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Programs were evaluated on three dimensions: the institution’s academic prestige and perceived value, the breadth and depth of nursing programs offered, and student success, particularly on the NCLEX national licensure exam.

The study names features such as UMHB’s Clinical Simulation Learning Center and the school’s

notable NCLEX pass rate as reasons for the impressive ranking.

Each year, more than 150 students complete the traditional BSN track, and over the past eight years, the program has had a solid NCLEX first-time pass rate of 85%, including several years above 90%.

Nursing students train on state-ofthe-art equipment in the Clinical Simulation Learning Center.

Photo by Randy Yandell

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Community Service Fair, King Street South, 11 a.m.

Wind Ensemble/Jazz Ensemble in concert, McLane Great Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Family Weekend Senior Ring Ceremony, Manning Chapel, 7 p.m.

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Family Weekend Football vs. McMurry, Crusader Stadium, 1 p.m.

Business Job Fair, Lord Conference Center, 11 a.m.

Hillman Artist Series: “Lighting Moving,” Hughes Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Football at Howard Payne University, 1 p.m.

Nursing Job Fair, Nursing Education Center, 11 a.m.

Mariachi Los Gallitos, Hughes Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Betty Sue Craven Beebe ’61 receives Distinguished Alumni Award

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Betty Sue Craven Beebe ’61 and Dr. Brandon Skaggs ’03

and currently, she serves as part-time curator of the UMHB Museum. She is regarded by many as the resident expert in UMHB history and traditions.

“Betty Sue has faithfully served UMHB as a student, a full-time staff member caring for alumni for 28 years, and a part-time employee as museum curator,” said director of alumni relations Dr. Brandon Skaggs.

Social Work Career Expo, Bawcom Student Union, 10:30 a.m.

Football at East Texas Baptist, 6 p.m.

Teacher Job Fair, Lord Conference Center, 2 p.m.

Stunt Night Performances, Walton Center, 10 a.m.

Homecoming, Alumni Center, 10 a.m.

Football vs. Hardin-Simmons Univ., Crusader Stadium, 1 p.m.

Football at Sul Ross State, 6 p.m.

november

Betty Sue Craven Beebe ’61 was named the 2016 Distinguished Alumna in April by the UMHB Alumni Association. The award recognizes graduates who have distinguished themselves in their professions, vocations, or communities, and whose achievements have brought credit and honor to Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Betty Sue received her bachelor’s degree in home economics from UMHB, and she holds a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She returned to UMHB in 1981 to serve as Director of Alumni Relations for 21 years. In 2002, she began a seven-year stint as Director of Alumni Development,

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“She is a vital part of the university, and she has tremendous knowledge of UMHB history. Betty Sue has influenced so many lives, and countless alumni come back to campus and stop to visit with her because of the impact she has made on their lives. She has, and continues to be, an advocate and champion for UMHB wherever she goes.”

Fall Scholars’ Day, McLane Great Hall, 8 a.m.

Football at Bellhaven College, 1 p.m.

Football vs. Louisiana College, Crusader Stadium, 1 p.m.

Miss MHB Pageant, Walton Chapel, 7 p.m.

Thanksgiving Holiday (campus closed)

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Annual mission trip takes students to England Each May for the past nine years, University Chaplain Dr. George Loutherback, has chaperoned groups of UMHB students on mission trips to the Teeside area of Northern England. When asked why he remains committed to this travel-abroad opportunity, he says his reasons are simple. “Our goals are the same now as they were when we first started,” he said.

“We want the next generation of students to be introduced to Jesus Christ as Lord—to share with them that Jesus is the way to God and the way to peace. We achieve this by going into public schools and sharing our stories with different classes learning about world religions. We are a Christian voice in these classrooms.”

Although it is often difficult, these students understand that instantaneous results aren’t always part of the plan, but they remain motivated. “We remind ourselves that God called us to be faithful and leave the results to Him. We also want to create an awareness

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with the churches that youth ministry is very important to the life and future of the church.”

This past May, he took four teams with eight students on each team, and they were in England for two weeks. Though he recognizes that some people are surprised at the idea of practicing mission work in England, he has very specific reasons for choosing it as a location.

“Most people do not consider England as a mission field,” he said.

“Many do not realize that there are less than three percent evangelical believers in the entire country of England.” Regarding practical matters, he says England is also a very easy first mission trip for students.

“We have no language to learn, no worries about food, water, or living conditions,” he said.

Even without the barriers of a new language or poor living conditions, the mission trip is often challenging and edifying. “It is emotionally draining because there is not much openness to the gospel, and students experience a lot

Becky Sturdevant, George Loutherback, Cindy Loutherback, Dakota Armenta, Kylie Campbell, Falyn Fletcher, Rusty Pregeant, and Sarah Ford (left to right) served as members of the Nunthrope team.

of rejection and negativity, which is eye-opening to them. They return from this trip with a new picture of England: it is a beautiful country but is very cold spiritually.”

Loutherback did not anticipate this level of popularity when he began taking these trips. “The biggest surprise for me has been the number of students who return year after year. Some have gone every summer for four or five years. Since the beginning, there have been a total of ten students or graduates who have stayed beyond the two weeks for months or longer. It is exciting that UMHB students are concerned with the spiritual condition of northern England.”

UMHB earns recognition as College of Distinction National guide to colleges highlights innovative learning opportunities at top schools Innovative application of highimpact educational practices at UMHB earned the school a place with the 2016-17 Colleges of Distinction recognition program.

“We’re so happy to award UMHB for developing skills relevant to graduates’ lives,” said Tyson Schritter, executive editor for Colleges of Distinction. “High student engagement in college is one of the keys to a successful undergraduate education. With an increasing emphasis on hands-on learning techniques, Colleges of Distinction applauds UMHB for practicing methodologies that prepare students for their futures.”

To be included, schools must demonstrate results across the Four Distinctions—Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes. High school counselors and educators make nominations, and each school is evaluated on key indicators, including student engagement, student empowerment, and curricular innovation. Colleges that have distinguished themselves in each of the Four Distinctions and that have demonstrated dedication to enriching student outcomes through innovative learning opportunities are then invited to join Colleges of Distinction.

The annual process to select the

nation’s Colleges of Distinction also includes a review of each institution’s freshman experience, as well as its general education program, strategic plan, and alumni success and satisfaction measures.

“Colleges of Distinction is more than an annual ranking of colleges and universities. We only include colleges that offer every student a holistic and valuable experience,” said Schritter.

“The Colleges of Distinction have earned solid reputations for serving their students and nurturing success.

Like UMHB, our member schools provide the affirming undergraduate experience every student deserves.”

UMHB welcomed an impressive group of new faculty members this fall. Pictured above are (back row, left to right) Curtis Graham, Robert Pendergraft, Adam Winn, Peter Klosterman, Christopher Langford, Paul Ziegler, Dan Williamson, (front row, left to right) Julie Thompson, Patty Nelson, Tami Andrews, Shirley Boggs, and Carrie Lynn Mattei.

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Bridge opens new entrance to UMHB Much of the work of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor involves connecting students with a wider, global community. On Tuesday, July 12, UMHB became more closely connected to nearby, local roadways, as the City of Belton celebrated the completion of the bridge connecting Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue (formerly West Ninth Avenue) to Loop 121.

The new bridge, which spans Nolan Creek, boasts sidewalks, bike lanes, and scenic lookouts. Additionally, the

new Nolan Creek Nature Trail connects to the bridge. The area even features a new kayak entry point on Nolan Creek.

The bridge has been in the work for decades. It was seen as a necessary means to relieve traffic on Main Street.

“This project began in 1980 as a dashed line on our future street plan,” Belton City Manager Sam Listi said.

Following a dedication ceremony, City of Belton officials and community members cut a ceremonial ribbon, and a small parade of cars made the first

symbolic journal from one bank to the next.

For UMHB, it means a new route into and out of campus. It remains to be seen how the new connection will impact traffic during and following major campus events like game days and commencement.

—James Stafford Above: City officials and community members celebrate, as they allow access to the bridge for the first time.

College of Visual and Performing Arts presents Chagall exhibition The UMHB College of Visual and Performing Arts and the UMHB Art Department are proud to present the exhibition Marc Chagall & the Bible August 23 through September 30, 2016, in the Baugh Center for Visual Arts Gallery.

Marc Chagall (1887-1985) is considered a pioneer of modernism, known for his use of color and his desire to share his Jewish heritage through his work. He is also perhaps the foremost visual interpreter of the Bible in the 20th century. His art is filled with his own reoccurring symbols of visual memory and imagination. He said he did not see the Bible, but he dreamed it, even as a child.

Among the 45 pieces in this exhibition are 10 of the 105 etchings originally intended to be illustrations for the Old Testament and 28 brilliantly colored images from his 1956 and 1960 suites of Bible lithographs.

The exhibition is free and open to the public. Baugh Center for the Visual Arts Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information visit http://undergrad.umhb.edu/art.

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International student keeps scores low on the golf course but high in the classroom For Cru men’s golfer Mats Heien, the first step in putting his stamp on the program was easy. All the junior finance major from Royken, Norway had to do was show up on campus to become the first Norwegian golfer in program history.

But putting together the imprint Heien left during the 2015-16 school year took much more effort and hard work. He set a new school record by posting a 72.74 stroke average over ten tournaments. Heien won individual titles at two events, finished second in two others, and posted top ten finishes in nine of those ten tournaments. He was named First Team All-American by the Golf Coaches Association of America and

capped his season by becoming the first Cru men’s golfer to be selected as a Semifinalist for the Jack Nicklaus Award, presented annually to the top NCAA Division III golfer in the country.

Heien became just the second men’s golfer in UMHB history to earn an individual bid to the NCAA Division III National Championships. The twotime American Southwest Conference All-Conference First Team selection has matched that on-course production with his performance in the classroom, earning ASC All-Academic honors this past year, as well. Now there is more hard work ahead for Heien: coming up with an encore for his senior season in 2016-17.

— Jon Wallin

UMHB baseball recognized for achievements on and off the field

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor baseball team was honored with an inaugural American Baseball Coaches Association's (ABCA) Team Academic Excellence Award. To be eligible for the honor, teams must maintain a 3.00 team grade point average on a 4.0 scale. The Cru carried a cumulative 3.34 GPA at the end of the 2016 season to qualify for the award.

Mats Heien

"We are extremely proud to recognize the academic accomplishments of so many of our member coaches' programs this year," said ABCA Executive Director Craig Keilitz. "This award highlights our coaches' commitment to developing student-athletes that excel both on and off the field, and we're proud of these student-athletes for their success in the classroom."

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Stephen Lee hired as new offensive coordinator New faces on the field are a fact of life for the UMHB football team each season, but when the Cru offense hits the field in 2016 there will be a new face off the field calling the shots.

Stephen Lee was hired as UMHB’s offensive coordinator in the spring after a successful run at West Texas A&M University.

Lee joins the Cru after five years as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Buffaloes. WTAMU won a Lone Star Conference championship and earned two postseason berths in

those five years. The Buffaloes also set the NCAA Division II for passing yardage in a season under Lee’s guidance.

Lee spent five years as an assistant at ASC rival Howard Payne and had coaching stops at Western New Mexico University, Brenham High School, and Irion High School. The Angelo State graduate and his wife, Molly, have four children, and Lee’s son Jarrett was a standout quarterback at LSU. — Jon Wallin

Stephen Lee Offensive Coordinator

Student-athletes honored for academic achievements

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Eight UMHB student-athletes were voted American Southwest Conference Distinguished Scholar-Athletes for the 2015-16 season. Jarrod Brown (men’s golf), Mackenzie Coffey (women’s basketball), Elizabeth Davis (women’s golf), Karley Free (softball), Russell Green (men’s basketball), Seth Martin (baseball), Elizabeth Ostroff (women’s tennis), and Scott Wilding (men’s tennis) were named to their respective scholar-athlete teams.

The award, in its ninth academic year, recognizes student-athletes who achieve a 3.20 grade-point average or better, while competing as a starter or important reserve on

their team. From that list, which is limited to one nominee per school in each ASC championship sport, the sports information directors from the 13 ASC member institutions select a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete in each sport.

Davis is the second UMHB women’s golfer to earn Distinguished ScholarAthlete in the last three years, following Taylor O’Rear’s selection in 2014. Green earns his third selection to the Distinguished Scholar-Athlete team. Brown, Davis, and Ostroff earn their second nominations, while Martin, Coffey, Free, and Wilding are first-time honorees.

Siblings establish endowed scholarship in sister’s name

Edna Louise Provence Laine ’55 When siblings Joe Provence and Sarah Provence McCorkle decided to honor their older sister Louise, they knew an endowed scholarship at her alma mater would be the best way to do it. This summer, they established the Edna Louise Provence Laine Presidential Endowed Scholarship at UMHB. In 1955, Louise Provence graduated from UMHB and moved to Chicago to begin her first teaching position. Her brother Joe said she called him one day with some advice. “She wasn’t making much money as a teacher, but when she received her first paycheck, she figured up her expenses and found that she had two dollars left,” he said.

“So she sent a check for two dollars to UMHB. Every month, she would send another two dollars, and she was

eventually able to increase that to three and four dollars. She tried to send something every month, and there were some months she had no money left and couldn’t even ride the L train. But she still gave to UMHB.” Joe said those days inspired her to give him some good advice, when he became the director of alumni at Wayland Baptist University: “Never forget the ones who can only give a little.”

Later, Louise met and married her husband, Major Arthur J. Laine, and they enjoyed a life of travel for many years. She continued to increase her gifts to UMHB after she married, and one day, her husband asked her to write a check for $2000 to an organization of her choosing. She sent the money to UMHB. Joe recalled this gift as being a very significant moment for Louise because she reflected on the many months spent struggling to send even a few dollars. “She talked about how she would get a thank you note from UMHB each month she sent a two-dollar check,” he said. “But after the $2000 gift, she received personal letters from the president and the alumni director. She was so moved by their letters that she sat down and cried.”

After her husband passed, Louise maintained an independent lifestyle

“Louise loved UMHB so much that after she passed, we knew the first thing we should do is set up an endowed scholarship.”

—Joe Provence and continued traveling, completing at least 12 nationwide RV trips, from Maine to Washington. Last fall, one of her cousins enrolled at UMHB, and Joe recalls her excitedly saying, “We finally have another Provence at UMHB!” Joe and Sarah wanted to honor their sister in a way that would reflect her generous spirit. “Louise loved UMHB so much that, after she passed, we knew the first thing we should do is set up an endowed scholarship,” he said. “I know how important these endowed scholarships are because they will continue to give to students in need forever. I think that’s just great.”

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Athletics

Crusader Athletics boasts impressive teams in football, baseball, softball, and volleyball, as well as in men’s and women’s basketball, tennis, golf, and soccer.

As for Cru football, since joining the NCAA Division III in 1998, the program has established an exciting reputation, winning 9 conference championships in the past 14 years. Go Cru!

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Small-town charm meets big-city conveniences in Belton. Residents are particularly proud of its historic downtown and commitment to parks and recreation, but they also enjoy its central location within the state. The partnership between UMHB and Belton dates back to 1886, when the school decided to relocate from Independence, Texas. Both Temple and Belton put in competitive bids of $30,000 and $31,000 respectively, to become the new home of the college. Outbidding Temple by a mere $1000, Belton acquired one of its finest assets.

Crusader Stadium

It is no secret that the new stadium is extraordinary, and fans enjoy game-day experiences that include tailgating, great music by the Blackshirt Cru Spirit Band, and the largest scoreboard among Division III schools. With football games now within walking distance of all campus residences, the university enjoys an exciting new level of student participation in traditions like the “Cru Spirit Dance.”

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Fine Arts Experience

Each fall, new students are “dubbed” with ceremonial swords by the president and vice presidents as “Crusaders Forever.” This dubbing ceremony became part of Welcome Week in 1995, when students requested a ceremony to create closer emotional ties to the university. Each year, following the ceremony, sophomores ring the “sophomore bell” for each year the university has been in existence.

Easter Pageant Every year just before Easter, students stage an outdoor drama on campus depicting Christ’s final days. Children of faculty and staff take on roles as families in the days of Christ, and the president appoints students to portray Christ and Mary. Over the years, the production has grown from a set involving a few stones and tables to a complete village, temple, palace, and replica of Golgotha, with more than 5,000 in attendance.

UMHB is committed to broadbased education that prepares students for living full lives, in addition to having meaningful careers. The arts play a vital role in this approach, so UMHB implemented the Fine Arts Experience—a curricular component that requires all students to attend at least one approved fine arts event each semester. Students choose from a wide variety of events, such as zydeco music concerts, operatic performances of The Magic Flute, and gallery exhibits by outstanding artists.

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Graduation

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In May 2016, UMHB had a record number of graduates, awarding 460 degrees in total, with 340 on the undergraduate level and 120 on the graduate. In the past 5 years alone, the number of graduate degrees awarded each year has more than quadrupled.

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Independence

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The columns of Old Baylor Park in Independence, Texas, stand as a reminder of UMHB’s rich history. Given the name “Baylor,” the school opened in 1846 in Independence with a total of 24 students, and unlike most institutions of its time, it included departments for both men and women. Even Sam Houston’s daughters attended the school, and Houston’s subsequent support invigorated the growth of the female department. Today, a cluster of apartment complexes on the north end of the UMHB campus is named Independence Village; the sign at the entrance is a replica of the columns at Old Baylor Park.

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Homecoming

Up with the purple! The first UMHB Homecoming celebration dates back to 1909, and today, hundreds of alumni still return to campus each fall to reconnect with old friends, enjoy some football, and engage in numerous Homecoming activities, from the selection of the Homecoming court to evening fireworks.

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Knights

Judge Baylor As early as 1839, a Baptist missionary movement was inaugurated in Texas, and missionary Rev. William M. Tryon was sent to the Lone Star State. Soon after, Judge R.E.B. Baylor came to Texas as a teacher, lawyer, soldier, and preacher, and together with Tryon, inspired a desire for Christian education in the area. On February 1, 1845, a charter written by Baylor and Tryon was signed, and the long-anticipated Baptist university became a reality.

Today, Judge Baylor is buried on the UMHB campus, and on Charter Day each year, students honor his memory with a ceremonial placing of flowers on his grave.

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Crusader Knights began in 1993 as a fundraiser led by and for the senior class.

Men are selected by campus organizations to compete for the title of “Mr. Crusader Knight,” and they are judged on their unique video skit, group dance, individual walks, and ability to answer interview questions.

Likewise, the Miss Mary Hardin-Baylor Pageant provides female students the opportunity to develop leadership skills, theatrical training, responsibility, and confidence. Both events enable the university to showcase its students and their talents to family members and the community.

Luther Memorial

The memorial pays tribute to Luther Hall, the first building constructed on campus when UMHB moved from Independence, Texas in 1886. Luther Hall was considered one of the finest academic buildings in Texas, until it burned down in 1929.

Constructed in 1955 from the actual stones of Luther Hall, the memorial includes a bell tower with two historic bells: the Horton Bell, from the university’s first location in Independence, and the sophomore bell, which traditionally can only be rung by sophomores at the beginning of each school year.

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n o Nursing

Regularly among the most popular majors at UMHB, the Scott and White College of Nursing is one of the best nursing programs in Texas, and the NCLEX-RN exam pass rate by UMHB nursing graduates is consistently higher than the state and national average.

Organizations

Mascot Mascots have one goal: get fans pumped. The UMHB crusader mascot, CRUnk, does just that, game after game, performing as the face of UMHB school spirit. Being a mascot isn’t easy because it involves a heavy costume and stamina, but CRUnk makes it look easy . . . and a little fun, too.

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With over 50 student organizations, addressing everything from service and sports to films and professions, UMHB students have many ways to get involved around campus and beyond.

Toward the end of the academic year, students take a break from coursework and enjoy Play Day. Hosted each year by the UMHB Student Life office, the event includes music, sports, and even carnival rides.

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The quad is located at the heart of campus, and students use the beautiful outdoor space to relax, study, and convene. The quad is also home to the Senior Bell Plaza. The bell used to sit on the porch of the Ely Pepper dormitory, and it was rung whenever a senior left the campus for the last time. The plaza was a gift from the class of ’38, and was dedicated as part of the Sesquicentennial Convocation Celebration in 1995.

Revival

Each spring, just days after the university’s Easter Pageant, UMHB offers an annual student-organized revival, featuring speakers and bands. For three days, hundreds of students gather under a tent in the quad to fellowship, worship, and reflect on the meaning of Easter.

Stunt Night

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In 1909, physical education instructor George Rosborough initiated an event called Stunt Night, in an effort to provide an activity for campus residents who could not go home during the Christmas holidays. The event continues today and is sponsored by the sophomore class each spring semester. A judged competition between the four classes, Stunt Night requires students to create a skit and original song within a theme selected by the sophomore class.

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Teaching

The heart of any university is its faculty, and UMHB faculty members do not disappoint. They are a cut above the rest, not just because of their stellar professional credentials and genuine passion for teaching, but also because they are committed to modeling Christian behavior.

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Unapologetically Christian

UMHB is unapologetically Christian in its approach to education, seeking to foster a Christ-centered learning community. All students learn about the history and teachings of the Bible in Old Testament and New Testament courses, and the university’s faculty and staff work to help students grow spiritually, as well as academically.

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Volunteerism Life beyond the classroom is full and rich at UMHB, and that has much to do with a campus-wide passion for volunteerism.

Students find numerous opportunities to serve and care for others—locally, across the country, and around the world. Clubs and service organizations channel student energies toward areas of need, and Reaching Out days of service encourage faculty, staff, and students to get out and work side by side on community projects.

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Welcome Week

With everything from social mixers to sports challenges, Welcome Week is a chance for incoming freshmen to learn about school traditions, find their way around campus, and meet some of the people they will keep as friends for years to come. Welcome Week is a time for building relationships, so that new students walk away from the experience not feeling so new anymore.

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Yearbook

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The xylophone is just one of the many instruments to be found in UMHB’s exceptional band facilities.

Located on the second floor of the new Student Union Building, the Farris Band Hall, named in memory of alumna Martha White Farris ’42, provides a 9,600-square-foot space for students to rehearse, learn, and make music.

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For 109 years, student volunteers have published The Bluebonnet as an annual record of campus life at UMHB. As part of the team, students receive hands-on experience in areas such as photography, design, and writing. Through the years, the styles and themes of the yearbooks have changed, but all hold precious memories for the alumni pictured in them.

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Zillion

Zillion is the number of ways that UMHB is special to students and alumni. This list names 25, but for those who love the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, there are certainly a zillion more!

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Inquiring Minds A unique course prepares students for scientific evaluation and for life.

In an age of information overload, it often seems impossible to know what to believe. From gluten to vaccinations, media outlets abound with proponents and opponents weighing in from a multitude of perspectives. The consumer is left adrift to distinguish the proven claims from the hot air. A topic that is no stranger to this type of rhetoric is climate change, and a newly-developed course at UMHB addresses just that: how does one know what to believe?

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“A primary goal

of the course was to counter the idea that science is just for scientists.

“

— Dr. Bill Tanner

In 2008, a faculty committee was formed with representatives from each of the colleges to evaluate the core curriculum and recommend needed changes or additions. The co-chair of that committee, Dr. William Tanner, Professor and Chair of Computer Science, Engineering, and Physics, said committee members decided to be very expansive in terms of their thinking.

“We wanted to go beyond the typical cafeteria-style curriculum and design a course that would help our students be more successful in their upper-level courses,” he said.

Committee members knew critical thinking would be a priority of the course because it is a skill necessary for both classroom success and life. They recommended a course called “Scientific Inquiry”—a class designed to teach students how to use the scientific method. “We wanted a course that would demonstrate that critical thinking is important to scientific investigation, and that we become acquainted with our worlds through experimentation,” Tanner said. The course is taught by different professors in different ways: Dr. Cathleen Early’s course is oriented toward research in biology; Dr. Aaron Baggett’s course concerns research in psychology; and Dr. Isaac Gusukuma’s addresses research in social work. All of these options are for science majors.

Offered as an alternative to a lab science course, Tanner’s course for non-science majors is titled “Effects of Climate Change.” A primary goal of the course was to counter the idea that science is just for scientists.

Tanner takes the position that any student, regardless of strengths or interests, can engage in scientific inquiry, and that good critical thinking skills will underpin and strengthen faith-informed decision making, helping students know how to make good judgments about life in general. Understanding that many students are nervous about taking science courses, he says he begins each semester by breaking down the six steps of scientific evaluation: 1. Observe real world events.

2. Formulate a model to explain what is happening.

3. Use the model to create predictions.

4. Experiment to test predictions and analyze the data.

5. Determine whether the data support the model.

6. If the data reject the model, create a new model that fits the data.

“Once they understand those six steps, students can analyze almost any scientific article,” Tanner said. “They can go to a scientific document and make judgments

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on their own. Does the evidence cited by the scientist support the model that the scientist advocates? Can the evidence be repeated and observed by others? If the answer is yes to both questions, the scientist’s conclusions are more likely to be reliable.”

Students then use these steps in exploring a multitude of various real-world topics. “We talk about the double helix model of the DNA molecule, identifying both the claims and counterclaims involved in the process of its discovery. We examine Ptolemy’s theory of the universe, investigating why it was overthrown

by Copernicus: both scientists used the same data, but Copernicus’s model fit the data better.” Tanner believes this is an approach that empowers students to believe they are capable of reading anything that is scientific and becoming aware of the truth or falsity by its own standard. “The logic is designed within the theory itself,” he said. “It must hold. We work through that in a very legitimate way for several weeks, and then we say, ‘Okay let’s apply this to something we care about.’”

In Tanner’s course, students use the scientific method to investigate climate change. “There’s a lot of data

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out there and very good explanations about climate change, some pejorative and some outlandish,” Tanner said. He acknowledges that the life of a current student is one saturated with information; they can find answers to almost anything very quickly. He uses this to his advantage by encouraging them to go to the internet and bring information to class. “The students divide into groups and I assign a specific question. They discuss and then respond,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for them to look at the experiences they have had with a particular claim and then apply those six steps to see if the claim stands up.”

Students have responded positively to the course— something that is evidenced by enrollment numbers alone. Tanner began the course a few years ago with only eleven students. That number has grown to two sections totaling eighty this fall. Beyond numbers, students admit to being changed by the course. “Before the class, I believed in climate change, but not so much in global warming,” said one student. “This still holds true more than not, but I have a greater understanding of the human impact on climate change and the mis-

The six steps of scientific evaluation

conception of global warming in the way it is presented to the people.”

Tanner says this impression is typical, and he believes it is a result of the course’s direct approach to analysis. “We start with the natural climate change component, meaning there are things that naturally vary over 100,000 years, 40,000 years, and 20,000 years,” he said. “All of those variations can maximize at the same time. If you add up those naturally-occuring climate changes and compare them to the present-day earth, you see small measurable differences between the readings you would expect to see and the data that are actually being gathered today. That’s the human contribution, and it causes the predictions of climatologists to be less certain.”

Tanner attributes much of the course’s popularity to the ways students feel empowered. “Once they have completed the course, students indicate that their ability to read and understand science has been changed,” he said. “They believe they now have access to information that before seemed a little like alchemy to them. Things happen—and they may not know how

01

Observe real world events.

02

Formulate a model to explain what is happening.

03

Use the model to create predictions.

04

Experiment to test predictions and analyze the data.

05

Determine whether the data support the model.

06

If the data reject the model, create a new model that fits the data.

they happen or quite what the process is—but now they at least understand this is a very direct way to analyze the world.”

Tanner said they also tackle big-picture issues of science and religion. “Students want to discuss why, in certain circumstances, science seems to threaten religion,” he said. “The threat comes from the sense of the unknown. When they learn how science functions and see that it has limitations, science no longer seems threatening.”

He hopes this course, while specific to science and scientific evaluation, will provide training that helps students make good judgments throughout their lives.

“I think that’s the positive influence of science: it encourages one to aspire to be logically correct, skilled at making judgements, and experienced in good, faith-informed discernment,” he said. “It is important that we bring every possible source to bear on an issue, not just a single thread that persuades us. Affirming a legitimate claim . . . that takes a very careful examination.”

Opposite page: Dr. Tanner breaks down the process of scientific evaluation for students.

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S p r i n g 2016 g r a d u a t e s l e a v e th e c o m m e n c e m e nt c e r e m o ny p r o u d a n d h a p p y. P h ot o by R a n d y Ya n d e l l

A LUM N I LIFE ’85

Joyce Garcia has retired from Austin ISD after 31 years teaching Pre-Kindergarten Bilingual/Dual Language.

She did her student teaching under Dr. Edna Bridges and Dr. Trout. She received her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas Wesleyan University. She plans to enjoy life and continue to serve the Lord at Betania Baptist Church in Austin.

She may be reached at 1119 Tillery Street, Austin, TX 78702 or (512) 926-4056.

’08

Nini Mathurin is the founder of NexGen Strategic Consulting which promotes quality care by assisting organizations to accomplish goals of a better healthcare resulting in better healthcare experiences and outcomes for people and communities.

’96 ’12 Larryl Curtis is the new principal at G.L. Wiley Opportunity Center in the Waco ISD.

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Brittany Montgomery Duncan is Director of Community Ministries at Helping Hands Ministry. She oversees the daily operations of the organization and supervises volunteers in the food pantry,

clothing area, and front office. The mission of Helping Hands Ministry is to cultivate an environment in which individuals and families in the Belton and Academy school districts are empowered to work out of systemic poverty and toward wholeness.

’13

Jacob Hollatz, Ed. D. is principal of St. John’s Lutheran School in Orange, CA. St. John’s is a preschool through eighth grade Christian school that serves over 830 students throughout Orange County.

Got news?

Alumni Life reports news received May 1, 2016, through August 1, 2016. If you have news to share, submit online at life.umhb.edu or send it to: Alumni Relations, UMHB Box 8427, 900 College Street, Belton, Texas 76513 or alumni@umhb.edu.

To make a memorial gift, please contact: Development, UMHB Box 8433, 900 College Street, Belton, Texas 76513.

WEDDINGS

Alyssa Danielle Fincher ’14 and Blake Edward Lander ’15, March 19, in Cameron. Alyssa teaches at Cameron Heather Maust ‘10 to Jeff Maynard, June 25, ISD. Blake is employed by Oppose Gravity Performance Training as a personal trainer in Richmond. and is a soccer coach for the Liverpool FC International Academy America.

BIRTHS

Ryan Burgart ’08, MA ’11, to Meagan Elliott, June 11, in Fredericksburg.

Meagan is the daughter of Marla Frerichs Elliott ’83.

Anna Burnstad ‘13 to Dr. James K. Lee, Feb. 13, in Dallas.

Lauren Vander Laan ’09 to Brandon Henkes, Oct. 30, 2015. Kyle Tubbs ’08 officiated the wedding.

Lauren is the senior accountant for the City of Pflugerville, and Brandon works in sales at BMC Stock.

Kassidy Harris ‘13 to CheyAnne Butler, March 19, in Pittsburg, TX. Kassidy is the Minister of Students at First Baptist Church in Pittsburg, and CheyAnne is a Registered Labor and Delivery Nurse in Mount Pleasant.

John ’03 and Chaynie Isbell Borum ’05 announce the birth of their daughter, Berkley Rae, Feb. 24. John is the Dean of Spiritual Life at Dallas Baptist University, and Chaynie is an elementary music teacher in Midlothian ISD. Allison Peyton Boyd ’04 and her husband announce the birth of their son, Brantley Lee, May 18.

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Emily Mason Gibson ’04 and her husband, Travis, announce the birth of their son, Joshua Aaron, Dec. 21. He joins big sisters Zadie and Chloe, and big brother Michael.

Clayton ’08 and Lindsay Chapman Burris ’08 announce the birth of their son, Bryson Brandon, April 17.

Bobby ’04 and Kelli Mitchell Higginbotham ’06 announce the birth of their daughter, Hazel Joy, Aug. 31, 2015.

Stuart ’09 and Angela Hokanson Platt ’08 announce the birth of their son, Ryder Douglas, Feb. 1. He joins big brother Miles David.

Sara Kennedy Merkle ’04 and her husband, Ryan, announce the birth of their daughter, Kaylee Joy, March 14. She joins big sister Alexa, age 2.

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Meghan Bray Beilman ’09, MA ’11 and her husband, Daniel, announce the birth of their daughter, Charlotte Rose, May 21.

Paul ’09 and Whitney Picklo Dorton ’09 announce the birth of their son, Alexander, Feb. 15. He joins big sister Evelyn.

Mychal ’10 and Alicia Faulkner Gobert ’11 announce the birth of their son, Mychal Aaron Gobert, Jr., June 27.

Lauren Pearson Picard ’10 and her husband, Scott, announce the birth of their son Bennet Marshall, April 4.

D E AT HS

teaching aerobics and driving her car well into her 80s.

Liz Stefani Dillon ’41, June 24, in San Marcos. Liz was a USO volunteer when she met a navy officer, whom she married.

They led a life that took them to the four corners of the globe during his careers with the Navy and later as a petroleum engineer for Aramco. They retired in the 1980s to the Caribbean island of Montserrat. She kept busy at the Catholic church where she attended mass multiple times a week, volunteered for committees, and taught as needed at an island parochial school. Their villa was destroyed by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, forcing them to return to the United States. Her sons talked her into moving to San Marcos to be close to them. She was

Gertrude Eberhardt ’42, May 30, in Temple. Gertrude taught science in Temple High School and high schools in the area. She was a life-long member of First Lutheran Church where she was involved with the Altar Guild, Evening Missionary Circle and taught Sunday School for many years.

Mary Winn ’50, May 27, in Temple.

Upon completion of her degree at UMHB, Mary did an internship at Scott and White Hospital to become a licensed Medical Technologist. She was a loyal and faithful employee for Scott and White for 43 years.

During this time, she helped establish

the Cyto-Genetics Department. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Belton.

Memorials may be made to the Jim and Eunice Hamilton Winn Endowed Scholarship.

Mary San Miguel Collier ’52, May 10, in Wichita Falls. Mary was hired by Wichita Falls ISD where she taught at Reagan Junior High School, Fannin Elementary, and Bonham Elementary as a bilingual visiting teacher.

She was especially proud of being the Dance teacher at Reagan Junior High School.

A.D. Lagrone, May 28, in Milano. He was the husband of Ruth Turner Lagrone ’53.

Netta Lou Hubbard Jarrett ’56, July 5, in Comanche. Netta was a business teacher for 33 years at Borden ISD in Gail. She was a

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member of Delta Kappa Gamma and Salt Creed Baptist Church in Early.

Helen Trayler McNeely ex ’57, June 10, in Waco. Helen worked at First Baptist Church in Garland and Birchman Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth as an educational secretary and youth worker.

She became Youth Director of Central Baptist Church in Bryan in 1960. She married Don McNeely in 1960 and she joined him in his ministry of education in Washington, D.C., Birmingham, Alabama, and Houston, Helen taught Kindergarten in Birmingham and Houston. She served as Children’s Director at Second Baptist Church in Houston in 1976 before the McNeelys went to the mission field. In 1976 Helen and Don were led to apply for foreign missionary service and served fifteen years in Zambia. While there, Helen served in the communications ministry, first as a producer and leader of a weekly children’s TV program, “Clubhouse.”

Later she became Director of the Baptist Communications Ministry, which produced as many as 500 radio programs a year and several television specials. The McNeelys were transferred to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia where they helped begin Christian work and did home Bible studies. Helen once again produced and hosted a local television program featuring women in Mongolia. The couple changed to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and went to Berlin, Germany to coordinate volunteers in Europe and the former Soviet Union. The largest project was a three-year residential training school for pastors and church leaders in Irkutsk, Siberia. The McNeelys became global volunteer coordinators, living in Texas.

Kenneth Spradlin, July 24, in Salado. He was the husband of Rachel Ann Walker Spradlin ’60, and the father of Kenneth Spradlin ’87 and Kirk Spradlin ’89.

Adela Sanchez Watts ’60, May 8, in Oakland, CA. Adela spent three decades in education, was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and was a proud Native American Apache.

Leanna Lengefeld Bryson ’61, May, 5, in Temple. Leanna completed her master’s program at Tarleton State University. Her students christened her Granny B while she taught mathematics at Brock High School.

After retiring from teaching, Leanna pursued a very successful real estate investment business. When the county needed a name for her street, a neighbor suggested Granny B Road, and it was accepted.

Soveida Obregon ’61, May 9, in Dilley.

After graduation, Soveida received her master’s degree from West Texas State University and taught in New Mexico and San Antonio. In 1973, she moved to Alaska, where she taught in State Operated Schools and Eskimo villages. She then became the coordinator for the community college in the Copper River Valley and later for the Prince William Sound Community College. In 1986, she returned to Dilley, Texas, where she taught for several years, and then became the coordinator for Adult Education for 19 years. She also had her own quilting business and made many quilts for charity.

Ralph Higginbotham, Jr. ’80, July 28, in Killeen. He was a retired Killeen firefighter and paramedic.

Geraldine Corbin Peeples ’86, June 6, in Temple. She taught second and fifth grades in Temple and Rogers school districts.

Gloria Jones Moody ’03, May 3, in Killeen. Gloria was employed by Killeen ISD for 12 years as a substitute teacher.

She attended 19th Chapel, 1981-2005, Greater Vision Community Church, 20052012, and Christian House of Prayer, 2012-present.

Almond Hervey, May 16, in Belton. He was a former registrar at UMHB. Richard Mangum, July 6, in Georgetown.

He served as BSU director at UMHB from 1972 to 1976.

ME MO R I ALS Gary Bassler Carolyn Allison Owens Josephine Bartels Betty Jo Sanders Clarence Bell Mary LaGrone Kelley

Roy Kelley Walter A. Bradbury Paul & Gail Bradbury Vaudine King Bradbury Paul & Gail Bradbury Tony Brinegar Denise Karimkhani Betty Cowan Martha Shipp & Jerry Tyroch Jr. Ryan Dolgener Martha Shipp & Jerry Tyroch Jr. Mary Flores Martha Shipp & Jerry Tyroch Jr. Keith Ham Rusty & Robbie Arp A.C. Hervey Mark & Betty O’Hair Anderson Marietta Parker

Jimmie Jermstead Martha Shipp & Jerry Tyroch Jr. A.D. Lagrone Lucy Lin Hom Rebecca Fisher Lou Provence Laine Betty Sue Craven Beebe Minka Allen

Dr. Betty Thorn, June 3, in Round Rock. She served as Professor of Music at UMHB and retired in 1995.

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C AN ALSO BE READ ONLINE AT

http://life.umhb.edu Galen & Laela Jo Lindner Gayle L. Lindner

Nancy Salisbury Sullivan Russell & Dorothy Budd

Richard Mangum Merritt Johnson Dr. Rebecca O’Banion Dr. Randy & Julie O’Rear Don & Judy Owens Carolyn Roepke

Morris Sutton Rusty & Robbie Arp

Dr. Dorothy McConnell

Grace Hoy Joyce Mischtian Martha Shipp & Jerry Tyroch Jr. Yuri Nakayama Dan & Kelly Decker Frank O’Banion

Edna O’Banion Guy & Stephanie O’Banion Dr. Rebecca O’Banion Marlin & Louanna Robinson Martha Shipp & Jerry Tyroch Jr. Sam Smith Carolyn Allison Owens Kenneth Spradlin Shirley Cowan Sommer Stanley Stamps Lucy Lin Hom

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Grant Thompson Martha Shipp & Jerry Tyroch Jr. Herndon Wilson Marietta Parker Jackie Campbell Way Betty Sue Craven Beebe J. Campbell Wray Janie Minten Mary Winn Peggy Bartek Betty Sue Craven Beebe Joan Burton Cox Marjorie Ferrill Henry & Cheryl Garza Lucy Lin Hom Dr. Rebecca O’Banion Dr. Randy & Julie O’Rear Riley & Carolyn Allison Owens Nelda Cook Perry Pat Lockridge Shannon Shirley Cowan Sommer Jim & Athena Stinson Drs. Bob & Grace Richardson Whitis

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900 College Street • Belton, Texas 76513

Electronic Service Requested

JERRELL FREEMAN’S jersey to be retired at Homecoming

UMHB

will honor the accomplishments of Jerrell Freeman, linebacker for the Chicago Bears, by officially retiring his Crusader jersey number 8 at the 1:00 p.m. Homecoming football game on October 22. The ceremony will take place during halftime of the Cru’s game against Hardin-Simmons University at Crusader Stadium.

FOR TICKET INFORMATION, call (254) 295-4216 or email crutickets@umhb.edu.