| Alumni News |
1970'sRenshaw, Donald “Bruce,” ‘79, BA in Music Education with a minor in Art is living in Forest Park, IL. Bruce is active at FBC of Oak Park as Director of the Divorce Care program, driving the church van, and volunteering at Joni and Friends family retreats. He has two sons, Franklin (17) and Alan (15). 1980'sLubbering, Stephen, ’82, BA in Psychology with a minor in Business Administration is Vice-President of Human Resources at Columbia Insurance Group in Columbia, MO. Stephen has two sons, Christopher (22) and Tanner (10). This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Hubbard, Mike, ’88, BA in Religion is serving as pastor of a church plant in Eureka, MO. Genesis Church was started on Easter Sunday in 2006 and is meeting in the old Eureka High School Auditorium. For more information go to their website: www.genesiseureka.com. Prior to this, Mike had served for 13 years as the Associate Pastor of Youth, Education and Missions at Ballwin Baptist Church. During his college days he played baseball at MBU and was active in Ministerial Alliance. Mike lives in Eureka, MO with his wife Heidi (Lahr), ’90, and their children Andy (16), Alexandria (10), and Josiah (3). Jones, Michael Dale, 88, BA in Religion with a minor in English has earned his PhD and is working at Cal State University – Fullerton. Mike and his wife Tiffany live in Pasadena, CA with their 2 year-old son Ian. 1990'sHubbard, Heidi (Lahr), ’90, BA in Business Administration and ’96 BSE in Elementary Education is teaching 5th Grade at Blevins Elementary in the Rockwood School District. Heidi lives in Eureka, MO with her husband Mike, ’88, and their three children, Andy (16), Alexandria (10), and Josiah (3). This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Williams, Melanie, ’90, BA in English recently published a book of poetry titled Between the Motion and the Act. This book has been receiving good reviews and is available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. Melanie had lived in Europe for nine years but recently moved back to the United States and is now living in Denver, Colo. Wells, Jeff, ’91, BA in Psychology is the Minister of Students and Evangelism at Parkway Baptist Church in Creve Coeur, MO. Jeff has a Master of Education in Counseling from the University of Missouri – St. Louis where he also serves as Teaching Assistant for Graduate Studies. Jeff has participated with Action Ministries International as an Olympic ministry missionary in the 2000 Sydney, Australia Summer Games, 2002 Salt Lake City, USA Winter Games, 2004 Athens, Greece Summer Games, and the 2006 Torino, Italy Winter Games. He is currently preparing to participate in the 2008 Beijing, China Summer Games. Jeff serves as Evangelism Trainer for all Olympic ministry missionaries with Action Ministries International. He has also lead numerous domestic and international mission trips including Chicago, IL, Mobile, AL, Nashville, TN, Bailey, CO, Philadelphia, PA, Indianapolis, IN, Moscow, Russia, and Guatemala City, Guatemala. Jeff also serves on the Board of West County Christian School, St. Louis, MO; Armor Bearer Ministries, Roswell, NM; and Action Ministries, West Point, GA. Jeff and his wife Kristine (Fox),’91 have a daughter named Bethany who is 8 years old. Kristy works for Pfizer Pharmaceutical. Johnson III, William L., ’92, BS in Business Administration became the pastor of St. Luke AME Zion Church in Wilmington, NC on December 17, 2006. William received his Masters of Divinity Degree from Hood Theological Seminary where he also received an award for Best All-Around Student. He then moved on to Duke University Divinity School where he received his Masters of Theological Studies on May 16, 1999. William is a member of the World Methodist Council’s Order of the Flame and served as an alternate on the National Council of Churches Special Commission on Relief and Recovery for the Gulf Coast. He is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Nu Alpha Chapter. William lives in Wilmington, NC with his wife Cassandra and their two children, William IV (12) and Ebonee (9). Foster, Diana (Biby), ’94, BS in Psychology and Sociology and a 2003 MSE in Counselor Education is the Coordinator of Assignments at Saint Louis University. Diana worked for MBU for many years serving as Administrative Assistant for Student Affairs (3 years), Residence Hall Director (7 years), Director of Special Needs (3 years), Director of Academic Advising (7 years), Cheerleading Coach (6 years), and Mission Team Leader (7 years). Diana has also served for 4 years as a group facilitator at RAVEN, a batterer’s intervention program. Diana and her husband Gary are expecting their first child in October of 2007. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Huenefeld, Lynda, ’94, BS in English is Senior Editor at Elsevier Publishing in St. Louis, MO. Lynda has recently started a new travel company specializing in escorted tours for women only, providing safety and companionship for women who don’t want to travel alone. The website is www.ladyofleisuretours.com. Lynda was a member of Spirit Wing and Sigma Tau Delta. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Huse, Paul, ’94, BA in Communications is the new Art Director at Joyce Meyer Ministries in Fenton, MO. Paul holds a Masters in Media Communications from Webster University. Paul lives in Manchester, MO with his wife Krista, ’97, and their daughters, McKenna (9) and Lexi (7). This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it DeShurley, Keith, ’96, BSE in Elementary Education is Head Baseball Coach at Fort Zumwalt South High School in O’Fallon, MO. He also teaches in the district. Keith is currently pursuing his MSE in Educational Administration at Missouri Baptist University. Hodges, Chad, ’96, BA in Religion is the Senior Pastor of Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church in Hillsboro, MO. He also serves as assistant football coach at Grandview High School. Chad and his wife Joann live in Hillsboro, MO with their four children, Nathaniel (8), Abigail (6), Noah (4), and Rebekah (3). While a student, Chad served as manager for the Men’s Basketball Team and was involved in Ministerial Alliance and BSU. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Soroski, Jason, ’96, BA in Church Music with a Writing Certificate in English is teaching English for the Katy Independent School District in Katy, TX. Jason received his MSE in Classroom Teaching from Missouri Baptist University in 2004. He is also serving as a worship leader at a Houston area church, a guitar teacher at a local school of performing arts, and is a contributing author to Katy Magazine. Jason was active in Choir, Ensemble and various musicals while a student at MBU. He also served as Senior Class President, Junior Class Vice-President, Sophomore Class Vice-President, Vice-President of SGA, Vice-President of Sigma Apple Pi, and was a member of Sigma Tau Delta. Jason and his wife, Jana (Yates), have five children: Rachael (10), Ruth (9), Hezekiah (5), Jena Grace (4), and Isaiah (1). Benny, Christy (Allen), ’97, BS in Mathematics and Chemistry and her husband Paul, ’96, are proud to announce the birth of their second daughter, Emily Eden on July 23, 2007. Emily was 7 lbs, 11 oz and was 19.5 inches long. Big sister, Elizabeth (3), is very busy helping out mom around the house. Paul is still serving as Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Washington State University. Isaacs, Karen, ’97, BS in Business Administration is an Account Executive at IKON Office Solutions in Wilmington, NC. Karen was a member of the Spartan Cheerleading squad. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Greenhagen, Christopher “Chris”, ’98, BA in Religious Education is the Minister of Students and Education at Ballwin Baptist Church in Ballwin, MO. In 2001, Chris received his MA in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with an emphasis in Youth and Educational Ministries. As a student he was a member of Spirit Wing and was active in Ministerial Alliance. Chris and his wife Jana (Coker), ’00, live in Ellisville, MO and have three children, Lydia (5), Reece (3), and Bennett (1). Tompkins, Anthony “Tony”, ’98, BS in Social Sciences has been appointed as the Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Judson College in Elgin, IL. Tony will be serving for one year under current head coach Jim Cook and then will be the Head Men’s Basketball Coach beginning with the 2008-2009 season. Tony had previously served as Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Missouri Baptist University. During his time at MBU, Tony led the Spartans to two American Midwest Conference titles and two trips to the NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Tournament. He was twice named the American Midwest Conference Coach of the Year (2004 & 2005) and coached four NAIA All-Americans. His record at MBU was 110-47 and included four 20 win seasons. Tony received his Master’s degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix in 2003. He and his wife Heidi have three children, Brooke (4), Haley (2), and Samuel (6 months). White, Cyndy, ’98, BS in English is in her forth stint working as a missionary at the United Pentecostal Church in Amman, Jordan. This ministry was founded by her uncle, the Rev. Gary Reed, who has been a missionary and pastor in Jordan for 27 years. Cyndy ministers mostly to workers from other countries and Jordanian Christians, because the Jordanian government forbids Muslim citizens from participating in Christian services. She reports that there have been some Muslims who have converted to Christianity, moving to other countries where they can freely practice their new faith. Manuel, Duane, ’99, BA in Communications just started seminary in Dallas, TX this fall. He is pursuing a Masters of Theology. Duane is a licensed minister through his home church, the Word Is Alive Ministries in St. Louis, MO. Duane had been working in the Information Technology field for the past 10 years. Pitts, Julia (Schmid), ’99, BS in Psychology is pursuing certification as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. Julia will still be working part-time in the EXCEL Office at Missouri Baptist University where she had previously served as Director of EXCEL Student Services. Julia was a member of Alpha Chi and Alpha Delta Omega. She and her husband Eric, ’03, live in Manchester, MO. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 2000's
Andrews, Holly (Imler), ’00, BS in Communications and her husband Brad, ’00, just celebrated the birth of their fourth child, Everett, on August 9, 2007. Everett joins big brother Cooper (6), and big sisters Margo (4) and Sloan (19 months) in the Andrews family, keeping Holly busy as a stay-at-home mom. Brad was recently appointed the new Worship Arts Coordinator at MBU. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Greenhagen, Jana (Coker), ’00, BSE in Elementary Education works as a parent educator for the Rockwood School District. Jana served as a Resident Assistant during her time at MBU. She lives in Ellisville, MO with her husband Chris, ’98, and their children Lydia (5), Reece (3), and Bennett (1). This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Thorn, Becky (Self), ’00, BA in Music Education and Music Performance is still running a private voice and piano studio out of her home in O’Fallon, MO. She also teaches part-time at St. Charles Community College and directs their evening community choir. Becky has a MA in Music from Webster University where she was awarded the Graduate Assistantship in Music Theory. She is still very active singing in the praise team at FBC of Harvester. Becky is also a member of the St. Louis Songwriters where she has written several songs. Becky and her husband Christopher live in O’Fallon, MO with their two children, Isaac Andrew (4) and Grace Eden (2). This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Evans, Kelly, ’01, BS in Human Services and her husband Alf, ’00, BA in Religious Education are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Schaefer Kay on May 24, 2007. Schaefer weighed 7lbs 9oz and was 20 inches long. Big brother, Trey (almost 5) is very excited to have a little sister to play with. Kelly and Alf founded Wakeboard Church in the Dallas/Forth Worth area at Grapevine Lake. This mission church reaches out to anyone involved in wakeboarding. They have recently been incorporated with the state of Texas and have filed paperwork with the federal government. There are currently two chapters up and running. For more information check out their website: Ortman, Amanda “Mandy”, ’01, BS in Mathematics and Communications is finishing her PhD in Hearing Science and Speech Perception at the University of Pittsburg. She is also working at the VA Hospital in Pittsburg. Mandy has a Master’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science from Washington University. She is engaged to be married to Matt Neatock in July of 2008. He is currently living in New York City and is a producer/editor for the show Best Week Ever which airs on VH1. Mandy hopes to move back to the St. Louis area to finish work on her dissertation. Mandy was a member of the Spartan Women’s Basketball Team and was active in FCA. Winkler, Mark, ’01, BA in Religious Education is now the Student Pastor at Green Valley Baptist Church in Henderson, NV just outside of Las Vegas. Mark had formerly served as Minister to Students at Bethel Baptist Church in Troy, IL. Mark is married to Deborah “Debbie” (Sheppard), ’00, BA in Communications. Barton, Nicole (Spruell), ’02, BSE in Elementary Education teaches 6th Grade at Grandview R-II Middle School in Hillsboro, MO. Nicole just completed her MSE in Education Administration at MBU this spring. She and her husband Matthew live in Festus, MO with their daughters, Kylee (5) and Claire (1). Chapman, Carrie (Wolford), ’02, BA in Communications has accepted the position of Director of Admissions at St. Louis Christian College. Carrie had been serving as Assistant Director of Admissions at Missouri Baptist University. Carrie attended St. Louis Christian College before transferring to MBU to complete her degree. Carrie’s father also served as Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach at St. Louis Christian. Carrie and her husband Bryce live in Florissant, MO. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Scharf, Amber, ’02, BS in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training is the Associate Women’s Athletic Trainer at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, TX. Amber is in charge of all women’s sport related injuries and injury prevention. She received her Masters in Secondary Education in 2004 from Abilene Christian University. Amber was a member of the Spartan Softball Team and the Student Ministry Team. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Harter, Traci (Miller), ’03, BM in Music Education is working at ITT Technical Institute as an Admissions Representative. Traci was involved in various music groups including the Chorale, Chamber Singers, and Allusion. She was also active in Opera Scenes and was a part of Rugged Cross Ministries. Jones, Jennifer Ann, ’03, BS in Sports Medicine with a minor in Athletic Training works as a pharmacy tech at Lake Regional Medical Management in Osage Beach, MO. She also works part-time as an EMT with Miller County Ambulance Service and serves as a volunteer firefighter. Jennifer worked as a student athletic trainer and with Cheerleading while attending MBU. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Kotthoff, Jonathan, ’03, BS in Human-Computer Interaction is the Director of User Experience for Encyclopedia Britannica in Chicago, IL. Jonathan’s wife, Theresa (Milz), ’04, BS in Chemistry is teaching at Mather High School. Newcomb, Jennifer, ’03, BS in Communications with a Writing Certificate in English is the Communications Coordinator for Children’s Hope International. Jennifer spent some time after graduation working for the Public Relations Office at MBU. Auld, Penelope “Penny”, ’05, BSE in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education is a Kindergarten teacher at Troy Primary School in the Troy R-III School District. Penny was active in SMSTA, SGA, and Band. Chappell, Denise, ’05, BS in Human Services with a minor in Kinesiology is now living in Florissant, MO. Denise was a member of the Spartan Women’s Basketball Team and was active in FCA. Inman, Colleen (Mulcahy), ’05, BS in Sports Medicine with a minor in Health Science and ’06 MBA and a Certificate in Sports Management has been appointed as the new Director of EXCEL Student Services at Missouri Baptist University. Colleen had been serving as Transcript Evaluator in the Records Department. Colleen and her husband Doug live in Florissant, MO. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Kruger, Brian, ’05, MSE in Classroom Teaching is teaching at Roosevelt High School in St. Louis, MO. Brian teaches business courses as well as a College Summit course – a nationwide college preparation program adapted by the St. Louis Public Schools. His work with students in that course has led several young men and women to pursue their dreams of a college education as reported in an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch this past May. Brian also completed his MBA at Missouri Baptist University in 2006. Merrick, Deno, ’05, BS in Computer and Information Systems with a minor in Business Administration has recently been appointed as Head Men’s and Women’s Soccer Coach at Missouri Baptist University. Deno had previously served as MBU Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach. He continues to play soccer as a member of the St. Louis Lions Soccer Team in the Professional Development League. Deno is finishing his MSE with a certificate in Sports Management at Missouri Baptist University. Roush, Nathan, ’05, BS in Sports Management is in his third year playing professional baseball for the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League. Nathan’s pitching is one of the reasons the Grizzlies are sitting atop of the Western Division of the league and are once again heading to the playoffs. Bondurant, Isaac, ’06, BM in Church Music has accepted the position of Records Office Assistant at Missouri Baptist University. Isaac and his wife Jennifer (Broombaugh), ’06, are expecting their first child in February of 2008. Jennifer is the assistant to the buyer at Wease Distributing. Both Isaac and Jennifer were involved with numerous musical productions, sang in Chorale and Chamber Singers, and played in the MBU Ringers Handbell Choir. Dunbar, Megan, ’06, BA in Religion is the new Varsity Cheerleading Coach at Lee’s Summit Community Christian School. Megan also still works for her family’s business, Dunbar Interiors. Megan recently received her Interior Design Certificate from Johnson County Community College. Megan lives in Raytown, MO. Johnson, Jessica (Arnold), ’06, BA in Public Communications has just joined the Admissions Office at MBU as a Freshman Admissions Counselor. Jessica married Brandon Johnson on August 4, 2007. Jessica was a member of the Spartan Cheerleaders, the MBU SIFE Team, was the President of the Spartan Activities Council, and served as the Student Activities Assistant under Lara Robey. Jessica was named Miss MBU in the Fall of 2005 and was awarded the 2006 MBU Campus Service Award. Kramel, Dianna (Daffron), ’06, BA in Communications is Coordinator of Student Services at Villa Duchesne High School in St. Louis, MO. Dianna and her husband Jeff live in Ellisville, MO. Jeff is employed by Centocor Biologics, Inc. Pratt, Adrienne (Francis), ’06, BSE in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology is serving as a 6th Grade Communication Arts/Social Studies Teacher for the Sikeston (MO) Public Schools. Adrienne was a member of the Spartan Women’s Volleyball Team. Rhodes, Katherine, ’06, BPS in Education works in the Service Division of Edward Jones in Creve Coeur, MO. Katherine chose to transfer to MBU in the Spring of 2004 because of the reputation of the Education Division. Yates, Daniel, ’06, BS in Religious Education is now serving as Associate Pastor of Youth and Children at FBC of Bethany, MO. Daniel married the former Kristen Burgdorf on August 20, 2006. Kristen also graduated from MBU in 2006 with a BSE in Elementary Education. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Brammer, Cindy, ’07, BPS in Music Education is working as an elementary music teacher for the Winfield R-IV School District. Cindy was a three year member of MBU’s women’s quartet, Faithful, as well as singing in the Chorale. Cindy stays active teaching Sunday School, Children’s Church, and Children’s Choir at FBC of Winfield. She also volunteers at El Shaddai Christian Ranch and the Pregnancy Resource Center. Cindy lives in Winfield, MO with her three children, Laney (8), Evan (6), and Liam (3). Henderson, Angela (Tritch), ’07, BSE in Elementary Education is working as a 5th Grade teacher at Rock Creek Elementary School in the Fort Zumwalt School District. Angela was active in SMSTA, Student Activities Council, and worked in the Office of Admissions. Angela also received the Educational Leadership Award. She and her husband Andy live in Maryland Heights, MO where they are members of Zion Lutheran Church. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Saxe, Meghan, ’07, BS in Business Administration and Marketing is working as a Financial Associate under Jerry Sackberger at AG Edwards in Chesterfield, MO. Woods, Amanda (Ward), ’07, BA in Business Administration with a minor in Public Communications married Jonathan “Scott” Woods, ’05, on July 6, 2007. Amanda has moved to Crystal Lake, IL where Scott serves on the staff of Willow Creek Community Church in their Jr. High ministries. Amanda is working as Front Office Coordinator at Express Personnel, an employment staffing company in Crystal Lake. Amanda was a member of the Spartan Cheerleaders, the MBU SIFE Team, University Ambassadors, served on Student Activities Council, and worked for a short time as an Admissions Counselor. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |