Office of Public Relations
Missouri Baptist University
One College Park Drive
Saint Louis, Missouri 63141-8698
314.392.2307 / fax 314.392.2265
www.mobap.edu / pr@mobap.edu
For Immediate Release
RE: Faculty/Staff Honored for Years of Service
Faculty/Staff Honored for Years of Service
August 30, 2006
Dr. Arlen Dykstra, provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Mr. Tom Puhse, assistant professor of biology, were both honored for thirty years of service at MBU’s annual President’s Party, Aug. 25.
Dykstra has served in multiple capacities at MBU, including: academic dean, professor of history, chairperson for the Social Science Division and director of student development.
Under his watch as MBU’s chief academic officer, the University has introduced a highly successful graduate program; enrollment has increased exponentially; and credentialed faculty has risen to an all time high.
This year alone classes began for the following new academic majors: Biotechnology, Speech/Theatre, Worship Arts and Musical Theatre.
In addition, Dykstra spearheaded MBU’s successful Excel program, a dual-credit offering that allows high school students to attain college credit in more than 50 local high schools. Also during Dykstra's tenure at MBU, the University's three extension sites have been formed.
Complementing his passion for history, Dykstra has also long been involved in the St. Louis County Historical Society, and is currently that organization’s president. In addition, he is a board member of the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Schools.
Dykstra holds a B.A. in behavioral science from Covenant Seminary, a M.A. in history and a Ph.D in American History from Saint Louis University.
Puhse, MBU’s longest tenured faculty member, has been an integral part of the exponential growth that MBU’s Natural Sciences Division has witnessed in recent years. Puhse has long taught one MBU's most popular and unique courses, Spring Wildflowers of Missouri. He is also MBU’s faculty marshal for all appropriate University-wide events.
Puhse holds a B.S. in zoology from University of Illinois and a M.S. in biology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
The following MBU faculty and staff were also honored for their years of service:
10 Years
Mary Ann Conaway, director of Graduate Counseling Program
Jerry Deese, chair of Natural Sciences Division, assistant professor of Physics and Math
John Shaw, director of maintenance
Tom Smith, athletic director, instructor of education, health and sciences
5 Years
Jim Beeman, financial counselor
Ben McNair, Head Athletic Trainer/ Instructor of Health & Sport
Michelle Milla, assistant to the President
Desiree Peters, program coordinator for the adult learner programs and assistant director of advising
Chris Sanders, director of CIS
Tony Tompkins, assistant athletic director, head men's basketball coach
Billy Ventura, maintenance technician
James West, instructor of Computer Science/technical director for Distance Learning
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Missouri Baptist University is a premier Christian university in Saint Louis, offering graduate and undergraduate studies in over thirty specialized fields and nine degrees. MBU's education and fine arts programs are nationally known in addition to business, religion, administration of justice, and more. MBU is one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in Missouri with an enrollment of over 4,500 students at five locations in the bi-state region — West County, Lincoln County, Jefferson County, Franklin County and the new Illinois extension at Lewis and Clark Community College.
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