Students were greeted with a change this semester that just might help them stay informed in current events. Representative and legislator junior Brian Verslues worked with SGA to make Southwest Baptist University part of the Collegiate Readership Program.
A story that has haunted the Southwest Baptist University athletic department for almost four years took another turn this past week. Former SBU football player Rony Saintil, 27, from Del Ray Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty Jan. 25 to a second-degree assault charge in the 2006 beating of a Bolivar man outside of Springfield nightclub Cowboys 2000.
Pages in the student handbook covering Chapel Behavior were often overlooked until Jan. 26. For the first time, Southwest Baptist students are escorted out of Chapel for being disruptive and using electronic devices. "We have an expectation for students already regarding maturity and its common courtesy to engage in listening to speakers," said Dean of Students Rob Harris.
One might wonder why some students were sporting swimming trunks and lei necklaces Friday night while several inches of snow fell. That is because they did not let snow and freezing temperatures outside dampen their fun at the Welcome Back Luau hosted by the University Activities Council Friday, Jan.
The United States is providing much food and health aid to Haiti after the devastation of the earthquake on Jan. 12, yet Haitians are calling for more. Patients have been evacuated to the United States to receive medical care. Flights transporting critically injured Haitians into the United States were temporarily suspended because of multi-faceted logistical issues.
President Barack Obama spoke to the nation Wednesday, Jan. 27 with his State of the Union address. The President's speech was delivered in a seemingly free, almost casual tone. The speech was easy on the ears but had some interwoven fight and spark. Obama challenged his opposition, the Republicans, again and again.
Head Tennis Coach John Bryant doesn't remember much about the speech he gave at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony Sunday night. "I don't know if I have a clue over what I said," said Coach Bryant the next day. As one of the 15 individuals being inducted with former Kansas City Chiefs Coach Marty Schottenheimer, and NFL Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow Sr.
A bill that may prove harmful to students' ability to get an education is going before the Missouri Senate. Senate bill 784 will amend a program called the Access Missouri, which assists in providing students with grants. Currently, the maximum amount given to students attending public school is $2,150 and the maximum given to students attending private institutions is $4,600.
The Southwest Baptist University Department of Athletics announced they are looking at changing the SBU Bearcat logo. In a campus e-mail, L. Renae Myles, interim athletic director, stated "The SBU Department of Athletics believes now is the time to launch a more bold, modern look…" T.