Diana Gallamore, director of the Center for Global Connections, and Dr. Troy Bethards, dean of the Robert W. Plaster College of Business and Computer Science, received the Staff and Faculty Life Beautiful Awards during the annual employee Christmas banquet Dec. 10 at Southwest Baptist University.
“The designation ‘life beautiful’ is the highest honor a person can receive at Southwest Baptist University,” said Dr. C. Pat Taylor, SBU president. “Each year during spring commencement, we honor two graduating seniors who are chosen by the faculty as best exemplifying a ‘life beautiful.’ And, each year during the employee Christmas Banquet, we honor a faculty member and a staff member who exemplify a ‘life beautiful.’”
The Faculty Life Beautiful Award was established in 1987, and the Staff Life Beautiful Award was established in 1992.
Staff Life Beautiful
Diana Gallamore has worked in the University Ministries area of SBU for 15 years and currently serves as the director of the Center for Global Connections. She attended Poplar Bluff High School, Three Rivers Community College and SBU, where she received her bachelor of science degree in religious education. She attends Livingstones Baptist Fellowship, is a member of a family group within Alliance Christian Fellowship, and leads a noon Bible study on campus.
“Diana has a genuine interest in the welfare of her University colleagues, students and all the nations,” said Dr. Rob Harris, vice president for student development. “Her love for the Lord is demonstrated by the way she cultivates relationships, affirms community, inspires hope, and equips individuals to share the Gospel.”
While in Poplar Bluff, she was an active member of First Baptist Church Poplar Bluff, where she met her husband, Rick, whom she married in 1981. Rick passed away in 2011. They have two children, Amanda and Lance, and one grandchild, Hayden.
Faculty Life Beautiful
Dr. Troy Bethards has been a member of the SBU faculty since 1996. Before coming to SBU, he was owner and investment advisor of Preferred Asset Management. He is currently associate professor of business administration and dean of the Robert W. Plaster College of Business and Computer Science. He also serves as the Ruby Letsch-Roderique Chair of Finance. He is a Sam Walton Fellow and received the Orien B. Hendrex Distinguished Teacher Award in 2008.
He has a bachelor of science degree in economics and business administration from SBU, an MBA degree from Missouri State University, and a doctorate of business administration from Anderson University of Indiana.
“It is a true joy to serve SBU with him,” said Dr. Tim DeClue, professor and chair of the department of computer and information sciences. “He is a first-rate scholar who supports faculty and students in their academic pursuits, yet his leadership exhibits the selflessness of one who delights in Christ’s model of love and service. I can think of no one better to recognize as living a life beautiful.”
He is a member of Wellspring Baptist Fellowship in Bolivar. He and his wife, Monica, also an SBU graduate, have two children, Alyssa and Mason.