Missouri Baptist University’s Trustees were greeted with some notable changes when they arrived on campus for their regularly-scheduled meeting Aug. 22.

With the beginning of the fall 2013 semester, the University opened Phase II of Spartan Village, an innovative, 106-bed residential complex featuring suite-style community living. Each suite includes living rooms and kitchens. The University also completed a comprehensive renovation to its dining hall this summer, complementing other recent campus additions including a new bookstore, sports and recreation complex and apartments.

Initial enrollment data for the fall 2013 semester points to a year of record growth. MBU saw a 9 percent increase in the number of new students who attended class the first week of the semester compared to the same time last year. In addition, the University continues to see exponential growth in its online programs and cohort programs for the Doctorate of Education remain at capacity. The official census for the fall 2013 semester will be released Oct. 15.

Even with the recently completed Spartan Village Phase II, on campus housing is at capacity with a more than 30 percent increase of students living on campus compared to just last fall.

During the meeting, Trustees approved the following measures:

• A resolution of appreciation recognizing Phyllis Eck for her recent charitable gift annuity designated to MBU. Members of the President’s Club, which is comprised of donors who have given $1,000 or more to MBU in the last year, were also recognized.
• The nominations of Leonard Jacobs and former trustee Bob Miller to the Board for three-year terms.
• The appointment of Mary Ann Bouas to Instructor of Education.

Missouri Baptist University is a Christ-centered university located in Saint Louis. MBU offers more than 40 undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees in education, business and religion and its new terminal degree, the Doctor of Education. In addition to its 66-acre West St. Louis County campus, MBU offers degree programs at 10 regional learning centers throughout Saint Louis, in Southern Illinois and online. For more information, go to www.mobap.edu or call 1-877-434-1115.