Missouri Baptist University trustees took several important steps toward the University’s future at their regularly scheduled meeting Nov. 21.

Trustees adopted MBU’s five-year University-wide strategic plan. The living document, which outlines a plan to advance the University from 2019-2024, assesses the University’s current state while providing a comprehensive plan to accomplish the University’s vision and goals for the future.

Included in the Strategic Plan is the fall 2020 launch of the University’s new Master of Social Work (MSW) program, the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which is slated to begin in the fall of 2021, the expansion of the University’s online programs and a continued emphasis on the integration of faith and learning University wide. In addition, the Strategic Plan includes a fundraising initiative to renovate the University’s baseball and softball fields. The renovations set for this summer will include field enhancements, restrooms, a press box and concessions.

In other business, trustees approved:

• The University’s audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019. The audit, conducted by BKD Accounting, found the University to be in exceptional financial standing. The University’s increase in net assets was $1.1 million from last year. In addition, the Board approved bond refinancing, which will significantly reduce the University’s annual finance costs.
• Resolutions of appreciation recognizing the following donors who contributed to the renovation of the Jung-Kellogg Learning Center:

• • Deloris Petty
  • Mike and Linda Merrick
  • Nathan and Catherine Merrick
  • Clarence Jr (CJ) and Karen Duvall
  • FISH Window Cleaning
  • Drs Darrell and Donna Gwaltney
  • David Diehl
  • Wanetta Henry
• 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.