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: MBU Board approves three new majors in communication
MBU Board approves three new majors in communication
February 28, 2008
Missouri Baptist University Trustees approved new academic majors in Broadcast Media, Public Relations and Communications Studies at their regularly scheduled meeting Feb. 28.
The new majors will replace the University’s longstanding major in Communications, which featured modules in technical and public communications. The shift from one to three majors is aimed at providing coursework specific to intended professions while more aptly preparing students for the current business market.
Students pursuing the Public Relations major will become acclimated to the current landscape of the public relations industry, develop strong writing skills and understand key components of journalism. The Broadcast Media major will prepare students to work in TV, radio and other broadcast-related industries. The Communications Studies major is a hybrid of the two majors, providing students the opportunity to combine coursework from both areas to emerge as well-versed candidates for employment in the broad mass media industry.
In other news:
• The Board approved the largest annual operating budget in the University’s 43-year history. The $30.5 million budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, which begins July 1, provides a wide array of strategic advances—from additional faculty positions and classroom upgrades to overhauls in technology and safety infrastructure.
The new budget anticipates a 6.3 percent increase in undergraduate enrollment and a 11.3 percent increase in graduate enrollment. Since 2000, the University has seen record enrollment every year—far outpacing industry averages.
With the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, undergraduate tuition will increase 6.9 percent on the main campus. The University has continued to maintain relatively low tuition increases, with the average student receiving more than 35 percent of total tuition in institutional aid. In a cost comparison study of private Missouri colleges, MBU places 15 of 22—ranking well below the average institution’s cost of tuition.
• The Board extended resolutions of appreciation to the 219 philanthropic members of the 2007 President’s Club. The 2007 President’s Club, which is comprised of donors who have given the University at least $1,000 last year, is the largest in the University’s history. The board also extended a resolution of appreciation to longtime MBU benefactors Raymond and Dorothy Hassler for their establishment of the Etta Cranor and J.O. Hassler Scholarship.
• The Board unanimously approved the faculty appointments of Dr. Diane Denney, professor of Education, and Mr. John Sheldon, instructor of Sport Management. Denney, who has vast experience in both public and higher education, holds a doctorate in education from St. Louis University, a master of arts in education from University of Missouri-St. Louis and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Harris Stowe State University. Sheldon, who has spent the last 32 years in administration and classroom teaching, holds a master of science in educational administration from University of Missouri-St. Louis and a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Missouri State University.
• The Board approved the promotion of Dr. Kevin Cox from assistant professor of music to associate professor of music; Dr. Carol Dolan from assistant professor of education to associate professor of counseling and human services; Dr. Lydia Theabeu from assistant professor of biology to associate professor of biology; Dr. Van Vaughn from assistant professor of counselor education/human services to associate professor of counseling and education; and Dr. Wei-Cheun Tai from assistant professor of mathematics to associate professor of mathematics.
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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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