Meet the SBU Class of 2024

The Class of 2024 has an amazing story to tell, and we are so excited to welcome ALL of our new Bearcats into the SBU family this fall!

Learn more about just a few of the members of SBU's Class of 2024. We want to hear from you, too! Share your SBU story on social media and tag us — @SBUniv and #SBUniv.

Student Spotlights

Ava Deutschmann Hometown: Ballwin, Missouri Major: Digital Marketing Why did you choose SBU? "I loved the environment the second I walked in! I wanted to pursue my relationship with God while learning, and the college I would choose needed to be a place that encouraged that relationship above all else. Everyone was so friendly - it felt like home. "

Drew Ross Hometown: Olathe, Kansas Major: Computer Science and Mathematics What do you like best about SBU? "I really like the campus and the overall feel of the school. All the instructors I’ve met with seem passionate about teaching, and all the current students I’ve interfaced with seem really happy and engaged in their learning. It feels very warm and accepting."

Grace Fisher Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri Major: Youth Ministry How did the campus visit influence your college decision? "I knew this is where I wanted to go to college even before I left campus that day. Everyone that I talked to was so nice and I felt like God was telling me that SBU was where I needed to be."

Deborah Yarick Hometown: Hume, Missouri Major: Organizational and Strategic Communication How did the campus visit influence your college decision? "My visit confirmed everything I had hoped and heard SBU would be. The campus is beautiful, the professors and staff are amazing, the food is remarkable and the overall college experience is outstanding."

Kristen Bownds Hometown: Lee's Summit, Missouri Major: Biblical Studies Why did you choose SBU? "I always told myself that in pursuing my call to ministry, I would walk through the open doors God presented. In receiving a scholarship to attend SBU, I knew I had encountered an open door. Choosing SBU for me meant that I was being obedient to God’s call and that I would find an amazing community and meaningful college experience, which I am so excited for."

Autumn Orbin Hometown: Pleasant Hope, Missouri Major: Web Systems and Design How did your SBU campus visit influence your college choice? "I have visited SBU twice with my parents, but it only took one visit for me to decide."

Katlynn McConville Hometown: Raymore, Missouri Major: Exercise Science Why did you choose SBU? "The campus is beautiful and they have a family like environment that makes me feel like I’m home. "

Bethany Hamilton Hometown: Douglas, Massachusetts Major: Cybersecurity and Computer Information Science Why did you choose SBU? "I wanted a smaller college with a close and godly community. SBU also had my preferred major at a fair price. It's really everything that I want in a college. "

Chloe Bedell Hometown: Blue Springs, Missouri Major: Organizational and Strategic Communication and Theatre Why did you choose SBU? "I chose SBU because the environment felt like it could definitely be my new home away from home. Everyone seemed so happy and proud to be a Bearcat. Continuing my education in a Christian environment, where I will be encouraged on my walk with Christ is very important to me."

Heather Mote Hometown: Iberia, Missouri Major: Commercial Art and Marketing Why did you choose SBU? "I was really impressed that SBU values visual art and has a Christ-centered community."

Caleb Mark Smith Hometown: DeSoto, Missouri Major: Instrumental and Vocal Music Education What do you like best about SBU? "I like the people the most. They are some of the most welcoming and kind students and professors I have ever seen."

Jacob Thomas Martin Hometown: Battlefield, Missouri Major: Sport Management or Exercise Science Why did you choose SBU? "I was offered a position as a pitcher on the baseball team and like the idea of a smaller school that isn't too far from home."

Andrea Duron Hometown: Houston, Texas Major: Psychology and Criminal Justice How did your SBU campus visit influence your college choice? "What influenced me was the student panel. It showed that not only is SBU a place where they care about students, but they push them to succeed."

Annabelle Kay Pursley Hometown: St. Peters, Missouri Major: Biology (pre-med) What do you like best about SBU? "The energy of the students really inspires me. I’m a very energetic and positive person, and I’m excited to go to SBU to see other people like me who know they’re not perfect, but smile anyways because what they do know is God is big. And no matter what happens, we have the best insurance known to man."

Hannah Steen Hometown: Cedar Hill, Missouri Major: Organizational and Strategic Communication Why did you choose SBU? "SBU is the only college I felt called to and the only school I applied for. I knew God would direct me to the right path for my life and the second I heard about SBU, I knew that’s where I needed to go."

Abigail Richards Hometown: Lebanon, Missouri Major: Elementary Education with a concentration in Early Childhood How did the campus visit influence your college decision? "As soon as I stepped foot on campus, I felt right at home."

Matthew McGlaughlin Hometown: East Moline, Illinois Major: Computer Information Science What do you like best about SBU? "I love the community that is at SBU and that it is a Christ-centered university where I can grow in my walk with Christ, while also pursuing my future career."

Allyson Lieber Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada Major: Nursing Why did you choose SBU? "SBU gives me a place that I can play soccer and study nursing. The campus is very welcoming and everyone there is so nice!"

Kaylee Durham Hometown: Fulton, Missouri Major: Elementary Education What do you like best about SBU? "My favorite thing about SBU is the family like feeling. Everyone is so kind and always willing to help. SBU just feels like home. "

Luke Mulbery Hometown: Ash Grove, Missouri Major: Music and Biblical Studies What do you like best about SBU? "I like that SBU is a university that stands on solid Biblical principles."

Brooke Clark Hometown: Olathe, Kansas Major: Social Work with a minor in Intercultural Studies Why did you choose SBU? "I chose SBU because after realizing they had my intended major and a great soccer program, I thought it was a perfect fit. After meeting with the director of the Social Work program, it made me really excited to be a part of, and hopefully fulfill my career dream. I also became interested in all the Bible classes and mission trips they offer."

Rachel Francis Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri Major: Undecided Why did you choose SBU? "SBU checked all the boxes for me and connected to my real passion for Jesus. I saw how diverse their offered majors are, how exciting the volleyball program is, the size of campus, and the strong faith-supporting community, and I knew I had to seriously consider SBU as my possible future college. Some prayer and time solidified SBU as my top choice."

Meadow Vassar Hometown: Harrisonville, Missouri Major: Finance Why did you choose SBU? "Coach Dalton Kelley reached out to me about the softball program and when I visited the campus, I fell in love. I’m excited about completing my degree at SBU and representing the school on the softball team!"

Braeden Bakos Hometown: Joplin, Missouri Major: Exercise Science Why did you choose SBU? "The first time I visited SBU, everyone was really nice, and I truly felt like they wanted me to choose SBU. And, they have their own physical therapy program."

Izabella Anderson Hometown: Stet, Missouri Major: Exercise Science How did the campus visit influence your college decision? "Every person I met and talked to was very accepting and had full care for my needs!"

Rebekah Rodgers Hometown: Siloam Springs, Arkansas Major: Social Work Why did you choose SBU? "I chose SBU because it has all of the programs and opportunities I am looking for at college and is a lot more affordable than most colleges."

Alyssa Williams Hometown: Moore, Oklahoma Major: Exercise Science What do you like best about SBU? "I love how close the community is with SBU. "

Cassidy Bauer Hometown: Dighton, Kansas Major: Discipleship What do you like best about SBU? "What I like best about SBU is that every professor and so many of the students love the Lord. That was something very important to me when searching for where I wanted to continued my education. It is evident that the Lord is alive at SBU!"

Keiton Johnson Hometown: Odessa, Missouri Major: Elementary Education Why did you choose SBU? "I chose SBU because they had AMAZING scholarship opportunities. SBU also feels like a family no matter if it is a text message from your admissions counselor to having a Zoom call for Bearcat Days. I also chose SBU because the professors actually care for their students. I met two professors during my visit and I could already tell that they were going to care about me as a person and a student."