欧美视频

BOLIVAR, Mo. 鈥� Homecoming festivities at 欧美视频 will begin with Honors Chapel at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22, in Pike Auditorium, when seven 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. This year鈥檚 recipients include:

Joe Dillsaver 鈥�65, 鈥�67: Joe Dillsaver received his associate鈥檚 degree from Southwest Baptist College in 1965, and was part of SWBC鈥檚 first senior college graduating class of 1967. He is retired after having served as a professor of criminal justice at Northeastern State University from 2000-2009.  

鈥淚 was smart enough to realize that a large university was not for me,鈥� Dillsaver said of his decision to attend 欧美视频. 鈥淢y world abounded with new friends, many forming the first senior class of Southwest. These people are still friends and we cherish our time together. Yes, it鈥檚 about the people.鈥�

Dillsaver, who has had three novels published and six manuscripts completed, attends First Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, with his wife, Jackie. They have two children, Dr. Matthew Dillsaver and Carrie (Dillsaver) McCracken.

Bob and Leslie Marsden 鈥�73: Bob and Leslie Marsden were longtime residents of Bolivar, where Leslie owned and ran Leslie鈥檚 Craft Carousel for 20 years, and Bob was a member of the Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce.

鈥淲e have a great appreciation for SWBC and the wonderful memories we shared with so many like-minded individuals; both students and teachers,鈥� Bob said. 鈥淎s we entered SWBC, we were young and inexperienced, and here, we matured in body, mind and soul.鈥�

The Marsdens have been caring for Leslie鈥檚 sister, Monica Keathley, who was paralyzed from the neck down after contracting Transverse Myelitis in 2006. They sold their home and business and moved to North Little Rock, Ark., to care for Monica. The Marsdens attend Park Hill Baptist Church, where Leslie teaches Sunday School and leads the Celebration Choir, of which Bob is a member.

John and Linda Sheehy 鈥�65 鈥�67: John and Linda Sheehy both received their associate鈥檚 degrees from Southwest Baptist College in 1965, and were also part of SWBC鈥檚 first senior college graduating class of 1967. The Sheehys also were named Mr. and Miss Southwest during their time at SWBC.

鈥淲e were privileged to be a part of that unique and closely connected class during our time at 欧美视频,鈥� Linda said. 鈥淲e see our nomination as a representation of our class, and we are humbled to represent such an amazing group.鈥�

Linda, a retired teacher of 34 years, and John, a retired hall-of-fame basketball coach, live in Siloam Springs, Ark., and attend Fellowship Bible Church, where they have taught Sunday school to young married couples, off and on, for more than 35 years. They have two children, Dr. Tracy Manly and Clark Sheehy, head men鈥檚 basketball coach at 欧美视频.

Richard Wright 鈥�81: Wright, a Life Beautiful recipient in 1981, attends First Baptist Church of West Plains, where he was the lead pastor for 10 years. Since 1997, he has been chairman of the Missions Committee for the Baptist Convention of New England. Wright also served as the President of the Baptist Convention of New England from 1995-1997.

鈥溑访朗悠� has a special place in my heart,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淚t is here I not only received my education and degree, but more importantly, where I met my wife, learned about God and myself, and where a foundation was formed for a life of service.鈥�

He continues to live out his life of service as he works as a paraprofessional at West Plains High School for students with special needs. Wright is married to Jacklyn Wright 鈥�79, 鈥�14. They were blessed with three children, Nathan 鈥�05, Angela 鈥�07, 鈥�08, and Jonathan 鈥�12.

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 鈥�40. The award criteria include alumni leadership in the University, dedication to the education and welfare of youth, and demonstrated support for 欧美视频.

Steve Morrow 鈥�72: Steve Morrow is retired after working as the State of Missouri Director 鈥� Office of Child Advocate for five years. He also served at 欧美视频 as director of student life/vice president of student development for 12 years and as a faculty/staff member for 17陆 years.

鈥淚 am grateful to our Heavenly Father for 欧美视频,鈥� Morrow wrote. 鈥淭o my friends and former colleagues, I want to thank you for filling in the puzzle pieces of my life. Without you, the puzzle would be incomplete. I鈥檓 forever grateful that God saw fit for our paths to cross.鈥�

Morrow, who has authored five books, is a member and deacon of First Baptist Church in Bolivar, where he attends with his wife, Jean. They have two adult children, Matthew Morrow and Melissa Vestal.

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