MBU Magazine Fall 2008

A mere 20 years ago, this institution, then called Missouri Baptist College, boasted an enrollment of 540 students. Chapel was weekly held in the basement of the Field Academic Hall. Resident students were housed in the University’s one and only residence hall. The MBU Athletic Department was composed of seven teams. And leaders of this institution wouldn’t launch the first graduate program for more than a decade.

A mere 20 years ago, this institution, then called Missouri Baptist College, boasted an enrollment of 540 students. Chapel was weekly held in the basement of the Field Academic Hall. Resident students were housed in the University’s one and only residence hall. The MBU Athletic Department was composed of seven teams. And leaders of this institution wouldn’t launch the first graduate program for more than a decade.

Today, Missouri Baptist University’s nearly 5,000 students from around the world pursue degrees in more than 40 majors at both the undergraduate and graduate level. The University’s five extension sites provide students from throughout the bi-state region—from Troy, Mo. to Godfrey, Ill.—the opportunity to pursue a degree close to home. The University boasts the biggest fine arts center in all of West St. Louis County, not to mention the largest college coffeehouse in the state.  The Spartan athletic programs compete and win nationally as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Such remarkable growth is the indisputable result of deliberate and, at times, improbable vision.  Faithful leaders, many who left long before their dreams were realized, dreamt big.  The following pages unveil big visions for the next 20 years.  If the past is any indicator, the 10 initiatives that follow illustrate only the brink of what’s to come.

1. A strengthened commitment to MBU’s distinctive Christian mission.

Missouri Baptist University’s Christian heritage and identity shape and direct the University’s entire mission.  A persistent culture that fosters rigorous academic pursuit within a framework of faith will make an MBU education both distinctive and excellent, bringing greater visibility to the University and its mission.  We will continue to become the Midwest’s university of choice for an increasing number of students seeking an education that incorporates a Christian worldview. MBU will become widely known as the best at integrating faith and learning.

2. Construct useful and aesthetically pleasing learning environments.

MBU will transform its 68-acre West St. Louis County campus into an environment that enriches world-class learning and is recognized as the pinnacle of collegiate campuses in the Midwest. Our 20-year site plan gives increased attention to creating an aesthetically pleasing campus while maximizing functionality through: 
  • - Added academic facilities
  • - Urban residential communities
  • - Faculty offices
  • - Athletic fields and recreational areas
  • - Interconnected walking plazas, water features, green space and facades that provide the framework for a cohesive campus community.
  • - Relocating roadways and parking to the University’s perimeter to more efficiently channel central pedestrian flow while promoting increased community activity at the center of campus.
  • - Establishing distinctive entries to campus and constructing a prominent welcome center that engages prospective students, alumni and various other University constituents.
These enhancements, coupled with the University’s current capital campaign to construct a 30,000 sq.-foot Sports and Recreation Complex, will model distinction in the landscape of collegiate campus design.

3. Attract and Support an Outstanding and Diverse Student Body.

The University will seek to recruit and retain a diverse student body that will complement academic programs, contribute to our Christian environment and impact the world through service and leadership. Building on a growing academic reputation and a dynamic resident life, the University will increasingly attract more students who recognize our main campus as a top-tier choice in residential learning. More than 7,000 students will enroll in the Missouri Baptist University system by 2012.   

4. Foster an environment of academic excellence.

Capitalizing on our strength and unique place as a Christian university, our faculty will have the reputation of excellence in both undergraduate and graduate classrooms. Under the tutelage of Christian professors, students will be challenged to think critically, communicate effectively, and serve their communities enthusiastically. Because we believe that Jesus Christ is the touchstone for all truth, the University will embrace a culture of academic inquiry, which encourages vigorous and open pursuit of truth through various methods of scholarship. MBU will seek to maintain a culture that fosters respectful dialogue, not dogmatic indoctrination.  Embracing our heritage as a Christ-centered institution, MBU is motivated by its Christian identity which draws a unique distinction in the character of our academic programs from other universities by fully integrating faith and learning.
Faculty at MBU will help students discover the answer to questions such as “what is my purpose?” and “how do I fulfill it?”  Through their continuing years of studies, students will be challenged to hone skills that will fortify them in living examined, integrated and offered lives. Such an experience will prepare them for their chosen careers and for a journey of lifelong learning.

5. Launch additional off-campus sites and develop a vibrant distance learning program.

MBU will emerge as a leader of higher education in a diverse range of communities with the addition of new off-campus sites. By 2012, the University will add five new sites, introducing new avenues of learning throughout the regions as communities demonstrate need. Fueled by current success in off-campus learning, these strategic moves will allow students to access learning in a way that couples convenience with affordability.
We will continue to place an increasing emphasis on technology-enhanced teaching and learning opportunities. With two academic programs and more than 100 courses offered exclusively online, the University’s Center for Distance Learning is positioned to lead in global education. 

6. Build a substantial resource base.

Through successful fund-raising and sound fiscal stewardship, Missouri Baptist University will accomplish its mission and realize its bold vision. We will secure a minimum of $18 million through The Campaign for Missouri Baptist University by 2012. Combined with annual gifts, an expanding endowment and more substantial revenue, this solid fiscal foundation will provide the resources for MBU to continue building beautiful campus facilities and offer a wide range of academic, cultural, and spiritual activities.
Elevating an already strong student scholarship program will enable the University to remain a great value, offering an excellent Christian liberal arts education at an affordable cost.  This dynamic vision will permeate the University, evoking widespread participation and increased support among all of its constituents.

7. Create a robust residential community on the main campus.

Residential learning communities will be developed for students seeking to live and learn at an excellent Christian university.  Campus life transformations will include the addition of apartment-style villages, enhanced sports and recreational opportunities and other amenities aimed at creating a culture of community. 
These enhancements will result in an increase in the number of students living in campus housing.  Specifically, MBU will aspire to have 50 percent of its main campus undergraduate population living in these vibrant communities, thereby creating the environment for a flourishing and engaged student life. 
As the number of resident students increases, dynamic student development programming will provide these communities with opportunities for increased spiritual formation, service learning and leadership training while fostering an array of activities for recreation and social interaction.  The physical design of these learning communities, paired with a relational environment, will serve as a catalyst to energize campus life at MBU.

8. Advance a student development program that challenges all students to become servant leaders.

The student development program at MBU will enhance the total educational experience by providing opportunities for personal growth, spiritual formation and the creation of lasting relationships. Such integral components of an MBU student development program will expand the leadership capacity of every student, further augmenting skills learned in the classroom.  A part of what distinguishes an MBU education is our firm belief that students are not here to merely prepare for their career.  We encourage students to participate in the task of contributing to the University by investing their talents, passions and service.  From the moment they arrive on campus for Welcome Weekend through their senior year, culminating in a World Citizen course, students are exposed to an environment that challenges their minds, enriches their souls and inspires them toward lives of purpose and service.
With the campus as the center of community life, students will be provided with dynamic student life programming.  This programming will be marked by a wealth of opportunities, including study abroad, international mission trips, student government, intramurals, community service, career services and ministry and an array of leadership development programs.  This programming will engender participation of students at all points in their academic careers.  MBU will continue to promote an inclusive atmosphere where formal and informal learning, social interaction, campus traditions and a Christian distinctive are created and fostered.

9. Enhance the involvement of the entire University family.

As Missouri Baptist University emerges as a leader in Christian higher education, we will involve a variety of groups in a meaningful relationship with the University.  We will strengthen connections with prospective and current students, faculty, staff and alumni. The University’s growing academic reputation will foster relationships within the Christian community, corporate partners and other educational entities.
As one of the region’s primary sources of Christian leadership, we will engage the broad University family through service-based community enrichment.
The Pillsbury Chapel and Dale Williams Fine Arts Center will grow in its reputation as a premiere place to attend concerts, plays, conferences and lectures. This fine facility will continue to welcome MBU and the broader community for years to come and will aid the University in the expansion of its influence. The Spartan Athletic Complex will serve as a venue to meet the health, fitness and education needs of the entire MBU community and beyond.

10. Build an outstanding athletic program that emphasizes character development.

Building on its winning tradition, the University will strive to be competitive in all areas of athletics while becoming a model of character development. Specifically we will instill respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship in each Spartan athlete. Increased commitment to academic achievement combined with athletic excellence will result in the University yielding a higher number of All-American athletes.  Combined with new sports and recreation facilities, these efforts will enhance athletic life on campus as a whole.