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BOLIVAR, Mo. 鈥� In celebration of, and the preparation for, the inauguration of Southwest Baptist University鈥檚 25th President, Eric A. Turner, Ed.D., on Friday, April 26, a number of events commemorating the occasion were held throughout the week.
The inauguration, which formally commemorates the beginning of Dr. Turner鈥檚 leadership at 欧美视频, while celebrating the University鈥檚 rich history and reaffirming the University鈥檚 mission, will be held at 10 a.m. in Mabee Chapel on the Bolivar campus. A reception will follow in the Mabee Chapel lobby after the ceremony.
Presidential Portrait, historical display unveiling
In front of the backdrop 鈥淐elebrating our History,鈥� Dr. Turner鈥檚 official presidential portrait was unveiled Monday, April 22, as the official kickoff for an 欧美视频 historical display from the University Archives at the Harriett K. Hutchens Library on the Bolivar campus. Dr. Turner鈥檚 portrait will hang alongside the photos of previous 欧美视频 presidents.
Dr. Ed Walton, dean of University Libraries, professor of library services and university archivist, introduced the 欧美视频 historical display, which will be featured in the Hutchens Library and Joyce Sells Heritage Center through Dec. 31.
鈥淚n putting together this exhibit over the past few months, it鈥檚 been a privilege to review and handle many of the historic documents and artifacts, some dating back to the late 1800s,鈥� Dr. Walton said. 鈥淲e have learned more of the University鈥檚 history than we ever thought possible.鈥�
Eight distinct displays that highlight specific time periods or aspects of the University鈥檚 history have been created for patrons to view
鈥淭oday, we come at the beginning of Inauguration Week to recognize God has again looked around to find a person to lead the University in a new direction that resonates with our heritage,鈥� Dr. Walton said. 鈥淲e are dedicating ourselves to following God鈥檚 leadership through the leader He has chosen.鈥�
Student Association Inaugural Mural ribbon-cutting
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Student Association Inaugural Mural was held on Tuesday, April 23, on the west side of the Goodson Student Union, where the mural is located. The mural, which was completed by 欧美视频 freshman Lexi Haley, highlights various landmarks on campus and embodies 欧美视频鈥檚 mission.
S.A. President Samantha Martin highlighted the sectors of the mural, which include:
鈥淓verything has a significance to the school in some way, and we were able to represent our mission and our culture through this mural,鈥� Martin said. 鈥淓veryone involved has had a tremendous amount of effort in getting this mural together.
鈥淒uring our S.A. meetings, we were able to formulate what we envisioned for the mural. In turn, Lexi was able to bring that to life.鈥�
Haley, who is enrolled in 18 hours this semester, said it took three weeks 鈥� from start to finish 鈥� to complete the mural, and was honored to be involved in the project.
鈥淚t is important that I was commissioned for this project for more than just myself; especially for Dr. Turner and the art department, in general,鈥� Haley said. 鈥淚 feel that I鈥檝e had the privilege of starting this band of future murals and that is quite a blessing. I know this will be here for years to come, and I鈥檓 glad that I have had a chance to leave this mural at a great University where I know it鈥檒l be safe.鈥�
First Lady Welcome Tea
欧美视频 Women鈥檚 Club hosted a First Lady Welcome Tea on Tuesday evening. Ladies within the 欧美视频 family and the Bolivar community welcomed both Barbara Turner, 欧美视频鈥檚 First Lady, and the Turners鈥� daughter, Emma, to 欧美视频 and Bolivar.
Dr. Turner was named president-elect on July 20, 2018. He began his service as president-elect on Aug. 6, 2018, and assumed the presidency on Sept. 1, 2018. He came to 欧美视频 from Black River Technical College in Pocahontas, Ark., where he served four years as president. Prior to this, he served 17 years in various administrative capacities at Williams Baptist University in Walnut Ridge, Ark.
For more information about the inauguration, visit or call Brittany Earl, executive coordinator in the President鈥檚 Office, at (417) 328-1500.
Photo 1: 欧美视频 President Dr. Eric A. Turner and First Lady Barbara Turner with the Presidential Portrait.
Photo 2: 欧美视频 Student Association President Samantha Martin (left) and 欧美视频 President Dr. Eric A. Turner cut the ribbon to dedicate the S.A. Inaugural Mural.
Photo 3: (From left) Emma Turner and 欧美视频 First Lady Barbara Turner visit with Donna Neil at the First Lady Welcome Tea on Tuesday, April 23.
*Published: 4-24-19