Missouri Baptist University’s Board of Trustees approved the search committee for the University’s next president and the launch of an RN to BSN program at its regularly-scheduled meeting Aug. 25.

The presidential search committee includes the following members: Trustees Ven Houts (chair), Travis Brown, Kristen Pelster, Dr. Steve Phillips, Lee Thurman, John Roland, Board Chairman Dr. Bill Miller (ex officio) and faculty member Dr. Lydia Thebeau.

After nearly 24 years at the helm of MBU, President R. Alton Lacey announced on May 25 his plans to retire at the end of the 2017-2018 academic year.

The Board paved the way for the RN to BSN program to be offered face-to-face and online beginning in January.  The program is designed to accommodate the working RN. Students will be eligible to receive up to 90 credit hours in transfer credit for proficiency validated by their RN licensure. The face-to-face cohort will be located at the Southeast Missouri Mental Health Center.

In other business, the board:

• Received encouraging preliminary enrollment news.  MBU began classes this week with what is likely to be the largest freshman class in its history. In addition, the University’s online programs continue to experience significant growth at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  The official census for the fall 2017 semester will be released Oct. 15.
• Approved the faculty appointments of Dr. David Buenger as associate professor of accounting and business administration; Dr. Mark Duerr as assistant professor of biology and biochemistry; and Robin Murray as assistant professor of nursing.
• Elected four new trustees. They are Ven Houts, Stephen Wu, Melissa Payton and Kristen Pelster.
• Approved resolutions of appreciation for Theodore Boldin, Nationwide Mutual Insurance and those who contributed $1,000 or more to MBU in the past year.