Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ

BOLIVAR, Mo. – Homecoming festivities at Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ will begin with Honors Chapel at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 1, in Pike Auditorium, when eight alumni will be recognized for living lives of service. 

Alumni Life Service Awards

Inspired by the Life Beautiful Award presented each year to one male and one female graduate, President John Dowdy suggested to the Southwest Baptist College Board of Trustees in 1955 that the Life Service Award be given annually to graduates whose lives have exemplified the principles which are upheld at Southwest. The award is the highest recognition that the University can bestow upon an alumnus or alumna. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic interrupting last year’s Homecoming activities, the 2020 recipients will be recognized along with the 2021 honorees.

2020 recipients

Jane Hood ’73: For 18 years, Jane Hood worked for the Missouri Department of Economic Development as an International Trade Specialist and Project Manager. Hood also has worked as a social worker for the Missouri Division of Family Services the past 10 years, and has served part time as the associate director of Southwest Missouri Council of Governments at Missouri State University for the last 12 years. Hood is a member of the Missouri Economic Development Council, RMI, Inc., Board of Directors, and the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. Hood earned bachelor of arts (B.A.) degrees in psychology and sociology from Southwest Baptist College (SWBC). She is a member of Second Baptist Church in Springfield, where she serves as a nursery volunteer and as a member of the choir and choir council.

Teresa Young ’82: Teresa Young worked in the Springfield Public Schools district for 31 years as an elementary and middle school librarian and classroom teacher, earning the librarian of the year award twice, as well as receiving state-wide recognition twice as the Bright Idea Award winner. Young has been a supporter of nonprofits in the Springfield area, including Pregnancy Care Center and Newborns in Need. She earned her associate of science degree from Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ, her bachelor of science degree from Cameron University and master of science from Missouri State University. Young is a member of Second Baptist Church in Springfield, where she has worked with the youth department on mission trips to St. Louis, and has taught sixth-grade girls.

Dr. William (Bill) Hooper ’51 (awarded posthumously): Dr. William (Bill) Hooper earned his certificate from SWBC, his B.A. from William Jewell College, master of arts from the University of Iowa and his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. Among his many places of employment, Hooper served as professor of music at SWBC from 1956-1960 and then as dean and professor of music at Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ from 1983-1998. He served as a pastor and worship pastor at several churches in the United States, including as the senior adult pastor of First Baptist Church in Bolivar. He is the author of 10 books and wrote many instrumental and choral compositions that were published by Concordia Press, Broadman Press, Carl Fischer and Word Music. 

2021 recipients

Wayne Garrison ’74: Wayne Garrison earned his bachelor of music from SWBC and a master of music from the University of Illinois. Garrison retired as minister of music after 38 years at Boulevard Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo., while also serving in the youth, education and administration areas. Garrison, who received the 2006 Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ Casebolt Award for Excellence in Church Music, just completed two years as interim music minister at First Baptist Church of Sedalia, Mo. He also has served as the director of the Missouri Music Men (seven years), as past Missouri Baptist Convention Worship consultant, and for several years with the Greene County Baptist Association as camp director and on the Baptist Hill Assembly Board.

Matthew Stinson ’97 and Chandra Stinson ’95, ’99: Matthew Stinson has worked at Jordan Valley Community Health Center since 2007 and serves as executive vice president, as well as in several other areas in the Springfield community and the state. He serves as executive board member of the Child Advocacy Center, medical director of the Child Advocacy Center, counselor at Missouri State Medical Association and board member of Home-State Health. He also has been honored as a Congressional Coalition of Angels in Adoption Recipient and Springfield Business Journal’s 2011 Clinic Administrators Healthcare Champion. Matthew earned his B.S. in chemistry from Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ, while Chandra earned B.S. degrees in elementary education and music education, as well as her master of education from Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ. The Stinsons are members of Second Baptist Church in Springfield, where they serve as ABF small group leaders. They have 11 children and have previously served as adoption and foster group directors at Second Baptist.

Edwin Lightfoot Distinguished Alumni Award

The Alumni Association presents the Edwin Lightfoot Distinguished Alumni Award annually to an alumnus or alumna who demonstrates the ideals personified by the late Edwin Lightfoot ’40. The award criteria include alumni leadership in the University, dedication to the education and welfare of youth, and demonstrated support for Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ. 

Robert (Bob) Glidwell ’86 – 2020 recipient: Robert (Bob) Glidwell began his studies at SWBC in 1969, eventually earning his B.A. in music in 1986 while also working for the University. For his final 36 years at Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ, Glidwell served as the director of Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ’s Physical Plant. He was a member of the Association of Physical Plant Administrators and the Missouri Association of Physical Plant Administrators. Glidwell is a member of First Baptist Church of Bolivar and is a charter member of the church orchestra. He also taught Sunday school, worked with children’s music groups for several years and served on the building and grounds committees.

Jack Tuckness ’68 – 2021 recipient: Jack Tuckness has served as speech and debate coach at Central High School in Springfield for 23 years and currently ranks second nationally, while Central ranks fourth. Tuckness was inducted into the National Speech & Debate Hall of Fame and was awarded the Seventh Diamond Key in 2018. Tuckness earned his B.A. in speech with a minor in English from SWBC and a master of education from Drury University. He is a member of South Haven Baptist Church in Springfield, where he serves as a Sunday school teacher and has served as deacon, youth director and youth choir director.

For more information and listing of events for Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ Homecoming, go to or contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at (417) 328-1806. 

*Published: 9-27-2021