91吃瓜网

91吃瓜网 conferred 290 undergraduate degrees and 156 graduate degrees during two ceremonies Friday, May 9 in the Jane and Ken Meyer Wellness and Sports Center on the Bolivar campus. 

President Rick Melson of SBU stated, 鈥�Commencement marks the most significant academic milestone for any university. I鈥檓 deeply proud of our graduates鈥攖heir dedication and perseverance have prepared them to lead as Christ-centered servant leaders in today鈥檚 global society.鈥� 

 

Life Beautiful Awards 

The 2025 recipients of the Life Beautiful Award are Kara Morey of Lamar, MO, and Logan Turner of Bentonville, AR. 

Kara came to SBU from Lamar, MO, and received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. She was very involved on campus, participating in intramural sports and the OCR club. She was also a member of the University Activities Council Marketing and Publicity Committee and Polk County KLIFE where she has discipled a group of girls over the past four years. Additionally, Kara attends First Baptist Church of Bolivar. She has completed the Gordon & Judy Dutile Honors Program at SBU and graduated Suma Cum Laude. 

One of Kara鈥檚 professors said, 鈥�Kara is always joyful, and this comes from her relationship with Christ. She is kind, empathetic, and strives to shine God鈥檚 light to all she encounters by building meaningful relationships. She leads by example and is humble in her achievements.鈥� 

Kara鈥檚 parents are Mr. Kent and Mrs. Melissa Morey of Lamar, Missouri. 

Logan came to SBU from Bentonville, AR, and received a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. Logan was an asset to the SBU football team, serving as the kicker, and has been GLVC鈥檚 special teams' player of the week numerous times and a 2023 GLVC Scholar-Athlete. Logan was also involved in campus ministries, including D-Groups and Dangerous Men. Logan worked as a teaching assistant for Chemistry and participated in undergraduate research for the past three years. He attends First Baptist Church of Bolivar and has completed the Gordon & Judy Dutile Honors Program at SBU. He graduated Manga Cum Laude. 

One of Logan鈥檚 professors said this about him: 鈥淟ogan Turner, despite his diminutive height, is a giant among students. His smile and laugh are contagious. He brings joy by showing up. Logan is a natural leader; one that does so by actions and deed, not just by words. His walk with Christ is evident by the way he encourages, interacts, teaches, guides and listens to his fellow students. He is a wonderful example of what we should expect from young Christian men.鈥� 

Logan's parents are Mr. Jeffrey and Mrs. Ina Turner of Bentonville, AR. 

Life Beautiful Award was established in 1937 by Rosalee Mills Appleby, a career missionary to Brazil. This award is given annually to an outstanding man and woman in the Southwest Baptist University spring graduating class. These individuals have demonstrated by their scholarship and character that they are living a 鈥渓ife beautiful.鈥� The faculty selects the recipients whose identities remain confidential until commencement. 

Orien B. Hendrex Award 

Dr. Julie Bryant is an alumna of SBU holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and Early Childhood Education. She also holds a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri 鈥� Columbia, and a Doctor of Education in Leadership from Liberty University.   

Prior to her employment at SBU, Dr. Bryant served as a kindergarten and first grade teacher at School of the Osage School District at Lake Ozark, MO. 

If you ask students and colleagues about Dr. Bryant, they will tell you that she loves teaching. She excels in her effectiveness of preparing students to serve as future teachers and missionaries in the classroom.  In addition, she is known for her Christ-like character. To sum it up 鈥� Dr. Bryant personifies SBU.   

Dr. Kevin Patterson, a colleague of Dr. Bryant鈥檚, stated, 鈥淛ulie Bryant is the essence of what SBU strives to be. She lives out our mission statement every day to prepare Christlike servant leaders. She loves her students and all of those with whom she works. Julie makes SBU a better and brighter place to learn and work because she shows up daily.鈥� 

Julie and her husband Robbie attend church at Bolivar First Assembly where Dr. Bryant uses her talents and serves as a greeter. They have a son, Jaron, who is a student at SBU and a daughter, 
Jaylee, who is a soon-to-be Senior in High School.   

In 1969, the Board of Trustees of 91吃瓜网 established an award to be presented annually to a faculty member regarded by SBU students to be outstanding in both teaching ability and personal guidance.  The 鈥淒istinguished Teacher鈥� award is selected by the current and the three previous years graduating classes of undergraduate students.  The Board of Trustees at 91吃瓜网 has designated this award in memory of former academic dean, Orien B. Hendrex.    

Honorary Doctorate 

Former SBU professor Ted Harris was awarded a posthumous Honorary Doctor of Musical Arts in recognition of his lifelong dedication to the advancement of music education, his steadfast loyalty to this university, and the enduring imprint he has left on our community. 

From 1967 to 1994, Professor Ted Harris devoted his life to the students and mission of 91吃瓜网. For nearly three decades, he poured his passion into the music department, shaping not just the musical abilities, but also the hearts and minds of all who had the privilege of learning under his guidance. 

Presidential Medal of Service 

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft was presented with the university鈥檚 inaugural Presidential Medal of Service for his extraordinary service to state, nation, and faith.  The Honorable John Ashcroft also served as the keynote speaker at both ceremonies. 

鈥淚n honoring Mr. Ashcroft with the Presidential Medal of Service, we recognize a man whose life鈥檚 work reflects the very heart of our mission at 91吃瓜网,鈥� said President Melson. 鈥淗e is a model of the kind of servant leader we seek to develop鈥攐ne who leads with excellence, courage, humility, and faith.鈥�