Dr.
L.A. Foster (1966-1970)
Dr. Foster was serving as President of Hannibal-LaGrange College when
the St. Louis extension center was established at Tower Grove Baptist
Church in 1957. The original enrollment of sixty-eight students grew
as did support for the establishment of a Baptist college in greater
St. Louis. A building site was purchased in 1965, and in 1966 Dr.
Foster became the joint President of HLG and MBC. Groundbreaking ceremonies
were held in 1967, and in 1968, the campus opened for the first time
with 186 students. Dr. Foster continued leading the College until
his retirement in 1970.
Dr.
Frank Kellogg (1970-1974)
Dr. Kellogg, former pastor of Maplewood Baptist Church and first president
of MBC’s Board of Trustees, saw the College’s enrollment
grow from 304 to 437 students during the first year of his presidency.
Under his leadership, the College officially separated from HLG, expanded
its program to a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree, and graduated
the first class of twenty-nine students. During this time of growth,
however, the College experienced financial difficulty and was shut
down for a brief three days. The St. Louis community rushed to show
their support, quickly gathering $150,000 worth of pledges –
enough to reopen the College. In August of 1974, Dr. Kellogg resigned
from his position as MBC President.
Dr.
Robert S. Sutherland (1976-1981)
After filling the role of interim President for two years, Dr. Sutherland
was officially named MBC President in 1976. His focus on strengthening
academic growth and development brought about a strong liberal arts
curriculum, including a B.S. degree, and the attainment of North Central
Accreditation two years ahead of schedule. The Pillsbury-Huff residence
hall was also constructed during his presidency. Dr. Sutherland retired
in 1981 and was named President Emeritus with full honors by the Executive
Committee of the Board of Trustees.
Dr.
Patrick O. Copley (1982-1990)
With his background at a public institution, Dr. Copley understood
the value of quality academics and initiated three immediate goals
for his presidency: financial viability, clarification of the College
mission statement, and enhancement and expansion of the academic imagery.
Viewing the College as a “place of pure potential,” Dr.
Copley aided MBC in endeavors such as the EXCEL High School Dual-Enrollment
program and the establishment of the Troy/Wentzville Extension center.
His eight years in office also brought about the introduction of the
Courier magazine, the completion and naming of Bywaters student lounge,
and the construction of the Jung-Kellogg Library.
Dr. J. Edwin Hewlett (1990-1991)
Dr. Hewlett was appointed Interim President in December of 1990. He
spoke of the need for "MBC to be viewed as a place where our
students are reinforced and strengthened in their faith and Christian
walk during the years that they are growing intellectually."
Upon the launch of an international exchange program, two students
came to MBC from Kazakhstan. Dr. Morris Chapman, serving as the president
of the Southern Baptist Convention, visited campus in February. He
was the second SBC president to visit Missouri Baptist College during
his elected term. The first was Dr. Herschel Hobbs during the 1970's.
Dr. Hewlett left the College in August 1991.
Dr.
Thomas S. Field (1991-1995)
Dr. Field was called as Acting president late in 1991. He soon developed
a strategic plan charging MBC to “clarify its future,”
and began planning for a new 100-student dormitory. The opening of
the North residential hall in the spring of 1996 enabled a doubling
of growth in student housing. During Field’s presidency, the
College also saw growth in its extension campuses with the approval
of the 2+2 program at Jefferson College.
Dr.
R. Alton Lacey (1995- present)
Dr. Lacey initiated “A Time of New Beginnings” upon his
inauguration as President of MBC in October 1995. Dr Lacey saw an
immediate need for a place of student assembly, worship, and performance
activities. In 1996, he began the Spirit of Excellence campaign,
a five-year strategic plan to raise $10,000,000 for capital improvements
and endowment for the College. Construction on the Pillsbury Chapel
and Dale Williams Fine Arts Center began in the fall of 2000, and
the Center was officially opened in March 2002. The opening of new
Troy/Wentzville and Franklin County extension centers, ten-year NCA
accreditation, and the initiation of a Graduate program have marked
MBC’s academic growth during Lacey’s presidency.
During his tenure enrollment has doubled to over 4,000 students and the number of degrees granted has more than doubled. Many new programs including masters degrees in education, business, and Christian ministry have been added.
In August 2002, the College was officially renamed Missouri
Baptist University, marking the growth and improvement of the institution
over the years. President Lacey maintains an emphasis in strengthening
campus life and emphasizing the importance of global perspectives
in professional career choices and mission involvement.
