BOLIVAR, Mo. — Nine students in Southwest Baptist University’s Gordon & Judy Dutile Honors Program
presented their Senior Honors Capstone Experience projects during an open house May
5.
“It is the mission of the Dutile Honors Program to serve high-ability students in
a manner that promotes healthy development and personal growth,” said Jodi Meadows,
director of the Dutile Honors Program. “The capstone experience does just that in
providing students an opportunity to be both challenged and supported as autonomous
and self-directed learners. The process of the capstone projects is as valuable as
the products.”
Students are admitted to the Dutile Honors Program before their freshman year through
a competitive process. The program includes nine honors-specific courses designed
to provide scholastic enrichment and opportunities for practical application and professional
development; honors colloquium for sophomores and juniors; and the Senior Honors Capstone
Experience that allows students to complete a project or research in the student’s
field of study, including the integration of faith and discipline.
Students who presented projects are:
- Nick Bettis of Nixa presented “Women and Their Roles: The Early Church and the Modern
Southern Baptist Convention.” He received a degree in Christian ministry: Pastoral
ministry and is the son of Randy and Sandy Bettis.
- Leah Cleek of Marshfield presented “A Universal English as a Second Language (ESL)
Teaching Template.” She received a degree in intercultural studies and is the daughter
of Alan and Linn Cleek.
- Nicole Duncan of Camdenton presented “Mental Health and College Students.” She is
a biology graduate and is the daughter of Robert and Angela Duncan.
- Spenser Farr of Steelville presented “The Blessing of Bible Study: How to Read and
Apply the Bible Effectively.” He is a Christian ministry: Youth ministry graduate
and is the son of Kevin and Jennifer Farr.
- Micah Jordan of Ponca City, Okla., presented “Selling the Binge: An insight into the
normalization of binge watching.” He graduated with a degree in communication and
is the son of Randall and Anita Jordan.
- Julia Lewis of Joplin presented “Culture Clash in the Classroom: A Study of the Difficulties
Faced by Burmese Refugee Parents and Children’s Educators.” She is an intercultural
studies and business graduate and is the daughter of Steve and Elizabeth Lewis.
- Courtney Munton of Greenfield presented “Teaching the Whole Student: Addressing Mental
Health Disorders in the Piano Studio.” She is a music graduate and the daughter of
David and Sue Hardage.
- Laura Sappington of Higginsville presented “Designing a More Efficient Database.”
She is an accounting and information science graduate and is the daughter of Jeffrey
and Sherrey Sappington.
- Thomas Strubinger of Auburn, Ill., presented “The Economic and Analytical Foundations
of Business Strategy: A Primer on Market, Competition, and Industry Analysis.” He
is a business management graduate and is the son of Thomas IV and Deborah Strubinger.
The Dutile Honors Program started during the fall 2005 semester. Including these students,
the program now has more than 100 graduates.
For more information, contact Meadows at (417) 328-1460 or jmeadows@SBUniv.edu.
