Page 2 • April 30, 2014
The Collegian • www.centralmethodist.edu
Campus News
CMU students are honored for work in business, accounting and economics CMU’s Division of Business, Accounting and Economics honored 16 students during an awards ceremony April 22. Those honored have demonstrated outstanding work in the fields of accounting, finance, business management, international business, marketing and advertising, entrepreneurship, and leadership, according to Julie Bennett, chair of the Division of Business, Accounting and Economics and associate professor of business.
Carlos Ribera, Fayette, received the Estill Entrepreneurship Award. Erwin Sanchez, Fayette, received the International Business Excellence Award. Joseph Jefferies, Fayette, received the Marketing and Advertising Excellence Award. Melanie Wilmsmeyer, Franklin, received the Outstanding Senior in Accounting, Business & Economic Award. Julie Ramiso, a Fayette, received the ENACTUS Leadership Award.
Linn Memorial refurbishment will begin in mid-May
The sanctuary of CMU’s historic Paul H. Linn Memorial United Methodist Church, one of the school’s most iconic and beloved structures, will sport a new look for returning students next fall. The aim is to both modernize the steel-and-limestone structure to improve its utility for both CMU and the congregation. Work will commence in mid-May, with completion anticipated by late August. Driven in part by the United Methodist Church’s Healthy Church Initiative, pioneered by the Missouri UMC Conference, CMU officials and Linn UMC congregation representatives have been discussing the project for over a year. Various needs and wishes were identified by both groups, who then came together to chart a mutually beneficial strategy. “Much thought and consideration have gone into the planning of this renovation,” CMU President Roger Drake said. “Linn is truly sacred space, in the most literal interpretation of the word sacred. “While it’s important to meet the needs of the conference, the congregation, CMU performing arts, and campus ministry, all proposed changes had to be tempered with the preservation of the historic beauty of the space,” Drake said. “I think we’ve done that.” An artist’s rendition of a renovated sanctuary of Linn Memorial CMU owns and maintains the structure, United Methodist Church. with the Linn congregation paying a usage fee. the area, and the dark ceiling panels will be repainted in a lighter The sanctuary will maintain most of its “feel” and shade. A rest-room will be added on the west side of the main floor. classic look, but several changes will enable greatAt this time, the project does not affect the Assembly Hall er use by all entities. The university is incurring all costs. beneath the sanctuary, nor the adjacent Parish House and Wooden pews on the main level will be replaced by individ- Swinney Conservatory. During construction, Sunday worual seats, allowing for adjustments to seating capacity based on ship services will be conducted in the Kountz Recital Hall. need. The choir loft will be removed from the chancel area and Completed in 1931, the church was dedicated in 1946 to the that space opened up. The pews will be retained in the balcony memory of Dr. Paul H. Linn, an 1894 graduate of Central who and only cosmetic improvements made to that area of the church. became president of his alma mater in 1913. He led the college Carpet down the center aisle will be replaced, the wooden through World War I and its resultant drop in enrollment; he floor refinished and flooring tiles replaced, lighting/sound/media guided it through its merger with the former Howard-Payne Colwill be improved, handicapped accessibility will be improved, lege in 1922; and he is credited with increasing enrollment and glass doors will be installed in the interior foyer to brighten up building up the Central faculty, among other accomplishments.
Former CMU student charged in lock-down incident A former CMU student has been charged in connection with the April 3 emergency which resulted in a full campus lock-down. On April 9 the Fayette Police Department arrested Brian M. Baxter, 21, of Fayette for making a terrorist threat with reckless disregard for consequences, a Class D Felony. Howard County Prosecutor Deborah Riekhof had filed a warrant for Baxter’s arrest the previous day, April 8. He was jailed under a $20,000 cash-only bond April 9 and bonded out the same day. Police officers from Fayette, Glasgow, New Franklin, the Howard County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol had responded to a 10:03 p.m. anonymous phone call on Thursday, April 3, claiming that a white male with a gun was on campus.
The call came from a cell Street. It did not have a SIM phone that was either out of card or battery. But because minutes or did not have an ac- of the closeness to CMU and tive plan. The caller stated that the lock-down incident, the the gunman was recovered cell phone heading toward was immediately seen Burford Hall. as possibly being inIt was claimed volved in the crime. that the man Fayette Police was wearing a Chief Jeff Oswald white, hoodtook the phone to a ed sweatshirt. store in Boonville All student and was able to get housing was a battery installed. placed in lockThe charged phone down status unthen showed a contact til dormitories list. Oswald called a Brian Baxter were clear of saved number listed any threat. The as “Mom.” A lady ancampus was considered safe swered and told Oswald that by 12:45 a.m. Friday, April 4, her son’s name is Thomas and the lock-down was lifted. Backues and went on to proThe following Monday, vide the son’s cell number. April 7, a cell phone was Oswald then called Thomas turned into law enforcement Backhues, a CMU student, who that had been found on the cor- informed the police chief that ner of Linn Avenue and Cribb he’d given the phone to a fresh-
man friend earlier this semester. Later that day, Prosecuting Attorney Reikhof called Oswald and told him that Thomas Backhues and his father were in her office. Thomas explained to Oswald that he’d given the phone to Baxter a few days before the incident. Backhues also stated that he and Baxter had visited about the threat. Baxter also told Backhues that he was the person who called in the threat at CMU. Baxter is a former student at CMU, not currently enrolled. Reikhof said that Baxter’s preliminary hearing has been set for June 24 in the Howard County Courthouse before Associate Circuit Judge Mason Gebhardt. Baxter is being represented by Fayette attorney Greg Robinson. Jim Steele
The Collegian Founded in 1872, The Colle-
gian is Missouri’s oldest college newspaper. It is published by the Central Methodist student government and the university’s communications department in concert with the Fayette Advertiser and Deocrat-Leader. It is published every other Wednesday. Additional staff persons are needed in various capacities including news reporting, sports, special columns, and photography. Contact the editor or advisors. The Collegian welcomes your comments and letters to the editor.
•Kaitlyn Klapperich-Editor kklapper@centralmethodist.edu •Bailey Brown-Layout Editor •Lori Ann Addington •Andrea Borchardt •Kyron Davis •Thomas Gilson •Jamie Gisburne •Jane Gonzalez-Meyer •Brandon Justin •Alexandria Martin •Sabrina Severson •Sophie Wilensky •Jim Steele, Editorial Advisor jsteele@woodcreekmedia.com •Collin Brink, Faculty Advisor NOTE: The Collegian is dated every other Wednesday. Material intended for publication must be submitted on the Wednesday of publication (preferably earlier). This Collegian and all past issues for the 2011-12, 2012-13, and 201314 school years may be found on the CMU website.