欧美视频

Two faculty members and a staff member were honored at 欧美视频鈥檚 annual convocation Wednesday, Aug. 24.

Convocation marks the formal beginning of the academic year and is a time when campus gathers to focus on 欧美视频鈥檚 mission and traditions.

鈥淎n important tradition at 欧美视频 is our commitment to stay focused on our mission, which has remained consistent down through the years鈥� that it has always been a Christ-centered institution,鈥� said 欧美视频 President C. Pat Taylor, Ed.D. 鈥溑访朗悠� never has wavered on its commitment to high academic standards and academic integrity. The University, from its very inception, has challenged students to become all that God has called them to be.

鈥淚f each of us will continue the tradition of living out the 欧美视频 mission statement in our lives, the 2016-2017 academic year, which is our 139^th, will be a great year.鈥�

Convocation Address

The tradition of the Orien B. Hendrex Distinguished Teacher Award delivering the convocation address continued with Stacy Soden, the 2016 recipient. The Distinguished Teacher Award is chosen by previous graduating classes and is presented annually to a faculty member for 鈥渙utstanding teaching ability and personal guidance.鈥�

Soden joined the 欧美视频 faculty in 2010 and is currently chair of the health sciences department, as well as an instructor in the radiology and health sciences programs on the Springfield campus. Prior to coming to 欧美视频, she worked for Mercy Health System for 16 years.

In her address, Soden encouraged students to embrace and reflect on three areas of life as they begin the new academic year: the past, the present and the future.

鈥淗onor the past. Recognize how your past experiences have shaped you into the person you are today.

鈥淐elebrate the present. Seize each moment in life now, and make it meaningful.

鈥淓mbrace the future. For some, that unknown is cause for excitement, rather than worry.鈥�

Soden reminded students, faculty and staff that they have a purpose at 欧美视频 鈥� 鈥渢he purpose of serving God.鈥�

鈥淪tudents, you enter college with dreams, what you hope for in the future. Faculty and staff, we have the privilege to work and guide these students to their future. We can embrace the future enthusiastically with a vibrant and energetic approach.

鈥淧ray, and know that our God wants the best for each of us.鈥�

Newcomer of the Year awards

The Newcomer of the Year awards began in 1995 to recognize one full-time faculty member and one non-teaching staff member who, in their first months of employment at Southwest Baptist University, demonstrate exceptional commitment to the University鈥檚 mission and make a positive impact as part of the 欧美视频 family. Faculty and staff members who have been employed full-time for no more than 18 months prior to the selection process are eligible. Committees of peers select the winners.

Faculty Newcomer of the Year:

Dr. Debbie Walker joined the University for the 2015-2016 academic year. Walker currently serves as assistant professor of psychology and the coordinator of counseling services.

鈥淪he has not only taken to the role, but she has taken to our students. Her concern is to help the campus as a whole provide the best possible environment in which learning and young adult development can take place,鈥� said Dr. Kevin Schriver, dean of the college of education and social sciences. 鈥淪he is a valuable and vital part of that word 鈥榗aring鈥� in our mission.鈥�

Walker, a 1987 欧美视频 graduate, and her husband Dwayne, the program director of the social work program at 欧美视频, reside in Springfield, and are active members of South Haven Baptist Church.

Staff Newcomer of the Year:

Alyssa Glasgow started working at 欧美视频 as the graphic designer in the office of Marketing and Communications in August 2015 during her last semester of classes.

"Alyssa quickly acclimated to her role as a staff member at 欧美视频 and brings a great level of creativity and professionalism to her position,鈥� said Charlotte Marsch, 欧美视频 director of marketing and communications. 鈥淪he is a wonderful example of being a servant leader as a part of our Marketing and Communications team and through her interactions with others all across campus."

Glasgow, a December 2015 欧美视频 graduate, worked as a graphic designer for Stephens Photography in Bolivar and has been a freelance designer and photographer for First Baptist Church of Bolivar, where she attends and volunteers in the children鈥檚 ministry and student ministry. Her father is a professor of mathematics at 欧美视频 and her sister, Melody, is a junior at 欧美视频.

---

 

PHOTOS:

1. Stacy Soden 鈥� Stacy Soden (right), chair of the health sciences programs on the Springfield campus, delivered the convocation address during the Aug. 24 chapel. 欧美视频 President C. Pat Taylor, Ed.D., presents Soden with a plaque recognizing her selection as the Orien B. Hendrex Distinguished Teacher. The winner is announced each year at graduation and then is the speaker at the next fall鈥檚 convocation.

2. Dr. Debbie Walker 鈥� 欧美视频 provost Dr. Lee Skinkle (right) presents Dr. Debbie Walker, assistant professor of psychology and the coordinator of counseling services, with the Faculty Newcomer of the Year Award.

3. Alyssa Glasgow 鈥� 欧美视频 provost Dr. Lee Skinkle (left) presents Alyssa Glasgow, graphic designer for marketing and communications, with the Staff Newcomer of the Year Award.