Southwest Baptist University 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, “Commencement marks the most significant academic milestone for any university. I’m deeply proud of our graduates—their dedication and perseverance have prepared them to lead as Christ-centered servant leaders in today’s global society.”
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’s professors said, “Kara is always joyful, and this comes from her relationship with Christ. She is kind, empathetic, and strives to shine God’s light to all she encounters by building meaningful relationships. She leads by example and is humble in her achievements.”
Kara’s 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’s 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’s professors said this about him: “Logan 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.”
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 “life beautiful.” 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 – 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 – Dr. Bryant personifies SBU.
Dr. Kevin Patterson, a colleague of Dr. Bryant’s, stated, “Julie 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.”
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 Southwest Baptist University 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 “Distinguished Teacher” award is selected by the current and the three previous years graduating classes of undergraduate students. The Board of Trustees at Southwest Baptist University 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 Southwest Baptist University. 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’s 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.
“In honoring Mr. Ashcroft with the Presidential Medal of Service, we recognize a man whose life’s work reflects the very heart of our mission at Southwest Baptist University,” said President Melson. “He is a model of the kind of servant leader we seek to develop—one who leads with excellence, courage, humility, and faith.”