Missouri Baptist University
MISSOURI BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Fifty-Third Commencement
Keith L. Ross, Ed.D., President of the University
Presiding
Prelude Hymns and Marches
Processional
John Ford Highland Pipe Band Mrs. Clare Kujath, Pipe Major
“Highland Cathedral” Traditional John Ford Highland Pipe Band Graduates and faculty will please stand.
*National Anthem ........................... “The Star-Spangled Banner” ................................Francis Scott Key Led by Wesley Nichols, B.A., Class of 2025
*Invocation ...................................................................................................................................................... Dan Burns Chairman, Board of Trustees
Welcome and Recognitions ............................................................................................................................ Dr. Ross
Scripture Reading Psalm 121 (ESV) Jadyn Sanderson, B.A. Class of 2025
Introduction of Speaker Dr. Ross
Commencement Address .................................................................................................. David Hoag, Ph.D President of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities
Presentation of Candidates for Certificates & Undergraduate Degrees ........ Andy Chambers, Ph.D. Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Professor of Bible
Conferring of Certificates & Undergraduate Degrees ..................................................................... Dr. Ross
Presentation of Candidates for Master’s Degrees ................................................................ Dr. Chambers Lydia Thebeau, Ph.D. Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Accreditation Professor of Biology
Conferring of Master’s Degrees ................................................................................................................... Dr. Ross
HISTORY
Missouri Baptist College was founded during the 1950’s, through the desire of local pastors and laymen for an evangelical Christian institution in the St. Louis area. The idea of the founders was first expressed in the form of a seminary extension program teaching Bible classes followed later by an extension center offering liberal arts courses from Hannibal-LaGrange College. The written record shows that student influence and organizational work of St. Louis Baptist leaders, pastors, and laymen led the 1959 Missouri Baptist Convention to recommend the establishment of a college in greater St. Louis.
In 1964, Missouri Baptist College was chartered as an evangelical Christian four-year liberal arts college. Classes continued to meet at Tower Grove Baptist Church until the West County campus could be constructed. Four years later, the Missouri Baptist Convention approved the consolidation of Missouri Baptist College with Hannibal-LaGrange College. It was operated as two campuses: Missouri Baptist College, St. Louis and Missouri Baptist College, Hannibal-LaGrange. Classes began in the fall of 1968 on the new campus, with 189 students enrolled. In 1973, Missouri Baptist College was re-established as a separate institution and granted its first baccalaureate degrees on the thirteenth day of May.
In 1980, Missouri Baptist College moved to resident college status with the opening of Pillsbury-Huff Hall and in 1995 opened North Hall, doubling the housing capacity on campus.
Missouri Baptist College was first accredited by the North Central Association (now the Higher Learning Commission) in 1978. The University received reaffirmation of its ten-year accreditation in the 2016-2017 academic year, with no additional monitoring or conditions. In April 2000, the college received NCA approval to offer the Master of Science in Education in Counselor Education and Classroom Teaching. In April 2002, approval was given to add Educational Administration to the Master of Science in Education offerings beginning with the fall 2002 semester. On August 29, 2002, Missouri Baptist College formally became Missouri Baptist University. In April 2004 Missouri Baptist University received approval for the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and Master of Business Administration. In December 2005 approval was received to begin offering the Educational Specialist degree for the spring 2006 semester. In July 2008, MBU received approval to offer its first online degree program: the master of Science in Education degree with concentrations in Sports Management and Curriculum and Instruction. In April 2009, the University received approval to offer the Doctor of Education degree.
Through the years Missouri Baptist University has expanded its course offerings beyond its West County campus. Today, locations in Missouri include Plus-Two degree programs in cooperation with Jefferson College in Hillsboro and in Arnold. Online degree programs are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The University also maintains an active high school dual-credit program called the MBU Early College Partnerships.
Missouri Baptist University has been served by seven presidents: Dr. L.A. Foster (1964-1970); Dr. Frank B. Kellogg (1970-1974); Dr. Robert S. Sutherland (1974-1982); Dr. Patrick O. Copley (1982-1990); Dr. J. Edwin Hewlett (1990-1991); Dr. R. Alton Lacey (1995-2018); and Dr. Keith L. Ross (2018-present). Dr. Thomas S. Field served as Interim President (1991-1995).
THE SYMBOLS AND ACADEMIC REGALIA
The history of academic dress dates back to the Medieval European universities of the fourteenth century. European universities continue to follow varied patterns in cut and color of gown and type of headdress. In the United States, colleges and universities have standardized the academic dress so that its features are common and uniform throughout the country. The standard dress in the United States is as follows:
The Gown: The color is usually black; however, in keeping with MBU school colors, all gowns except doctoral are navy. The pattern varies with the degree held: pointed sleeves for the baccalaureate degree; oblong sleeve open at the wrist for the master’s degree; and a bell-shaped sleeve for the doctoral degree. Educational Specialist candidates wear a master’s gown and hood with a silver medallion on a navy and white ribbon. The doctoral gown is faced down the front with velvet and has three bars of velvet across the sleeves. The velvet edging signifies whether the degree is J.D., M.D., Ed.D., Th.D., or Ph.D. – purple for law, green for medicine, light blue for education, scarlet for theology, and dark blue for philosophy, which may be earned in a number of subjects.
The Hood: The hood is usually made of the same material as the gown, the length varying according to degree. All hoods are lined with silk in colors signifying the institution granting the degree, while the border of the hood, in velvet, indicates the academic discipline in which the degree was earned. MBU hoods are lined in blue and white. The standard colors, which represent the disciplines, are:
Associate Degrees ................................................................................................................................................................................ Blue & White Nursing Apricot
Behavioral Science, Human Services, Social Sciences, Social Work ........................................................................................ Citron Economics ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ Copper
Communication Studies, Broadcast Media, Journalism, Public Relations Crimson Philosophy ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... Dark Blue
Accounting, Applied Management, Business Administration, Management, Marketing, Organizational Leadership, Healthcare Management Drab
Speech/Theatre, Theatre, Worship Arts, Worship Arts Technology ....................................................................Fine Arts Brown Mathematics, Psychology, Forensic Psychology .................................................................................................................................... Gold
Library Science Lemon
Business Education, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Elementary Education, K-12 Education, Middle Childhood Education, Religious Education, Secondary Education, Special Education: Crosscategorical Disabilities Mild/Moderate, Studies in Teaching and Learning, Master of Arts in Counseling, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Educational Administration, Master of Educational Technology, Master of Science in Education, Educational Specialist, Doctor of Education ................ Light Blue Criminal Justice, Corporate Security Leadership Midnight Blue
Public Administration ...................................................................................................................................................................... Peacock Blue
Music, Music Education, Music Ministry, Music Performance, Musical Theatre, Worship Leadership ................... Pink Jurisprudence, Law Purple
Exercise Science, Fitness Management, Physical Education, Sport Management ................................................Sage Green
Public Health.......................................................................................................................................................................................... Salmon Pink
Christian Ministry, Religion, Ministry and Leadership, Theology Scarlet Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Health Education, Health Sciences, Information Technology ..........................................................................................................................................................Science Gold
Speech Silver
Child Development, English, General Studies, History, Liberal Arts ....................................................................................... White
The Cap: The standard cap is the mortarboard, usually black, except that the doctoral cap has a gold tassel; however, in keeping with MBU school colors, all except doctoral caps are navy. The cap is an essential part of the academic dress and is retained on the head throughout all academic exercises, except that men remove theirs during prayer. Undergraduate students are wearing tassels in the color of their academic discipline (major).
Stoles: Junior Class Marshals are wearing white stoles.
MISSION STATEMENT
Missouri Baptist University is an evangelical Christian, liberal arts institution of higher learning whose purpose is to offer programs of study leading to professional certificates, undergraduate degrees, and graduate degrees in an environment of academic excellence from a Biblically-based, Christian perspective. The University is committed to enriching students’ lives spiritually, intellectually, and professionally, and to preparing students to serve in a global and culturally diverse society.
CORE VALUES
• We are serious and intentional about our Christian faith.
• We freely and responsibly search for truth.
• We strive for excellence.
• We believe in the importance and cultivation of character.
• We believe in social change through service and leadership.
PINS
Graduates of the School of Teacher Education who have completed requirements for initial teacher certification receive a pin at the Commissioning Service held the Sunday prior to commencement. The pin signifies that graduates are commissioned to be reflective, problem-solving, professional educators of excellence who will work to enhance the lives of their students intellectually, spiritually, physically, and socially and to influence their students so that they may become positive change agents in their world.
Graduates of the Master of Arts–Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Master of Arts–School Counseling degree programs receive a pin at a commissioning ceremony held the day of commencement. The pin signifies the graduate counselor’s entry into and commitment to the helping profession. The pin is symbolically worn over the graduate’s heart to remind them of their calling to facilitate the personal growth, development, and empowerment of the diverse individuals they serve.
Graduates of the School of Nursing receive a nursing pin in a ceremony that marks the first time a nursing student finally becomes in name and title “graduate nurse.” As faculty award the School of Nursing pin to each graduate, the placement of the pin symbolically conveys the transfer of the faculty’s nursing knowledge, skill, attitude, and professionalism. The placement of the pin also represents the time-honored tradition of welcoming the new nurse into the profession of nursing.
MILITARY GRADUATES
Those who have honorably served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces are recognized for their dedication, sacrifice, and service. They are distinguished by wearing red, white, and blue cords.
MBU HONORS
MBU Honors engages a diverse population of highly motivated students with scholarly and creative challenges that empower and equip them to be expansive, innovative thinkers, conscious global citizens, and curious, committed followers of Christ. We ask that students take intellectual risks; that they hold themselves to high standards; that they act as servant leaders on campus and off; and that they engage the big questions of today and yesterday with rigor and charity. The program not only prepares students for careers and graduate school, but also trains them to become compassionate leaders, both in the Christian community and in the world. MBU Honors graduates wear navy blue and gold medallions. Dr. Julie Ooms is the Director of MBU Honors.
Lily Karase
Jordan Philip Notz
Sydney Marie Kardasz Savana Rodgers
Michelle Ryan
Meredith Ann Spratt
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
The Missouri Baptist University Student Government Association (SGA) exists to provide reasonable and coherent policies, leadership and unity for the MBU student body and to act as a medium between the students, faculty, and administration of the campus. To be eligible for executive officer positions, individuals must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above and show exemplary character. The MBU SGA works to better the University in many areas while doing so in a way that is professional and consistent with University values. Graduating SGA officers wear red and blue cords.
Emma Brandwein
Ashley Elaine Harris
Jordan Philip Notz