Missouri Baptist University’s trustees took several important steps aimed at continuing the University’s pursuit for academic excellence at their regularly scheduled meeting Nov. 19.

The trustees unanimously approved the launch of MBU’s Honors Program, which will begin in the fall of 2016. The new program will be integrated throughout the MBU experience of those students selected into the program. Among other things, the program will require students to publish research and present a capstone project.

In addition, trustees directed University administrators to continue exploring the efficacy of launching a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and a RN to BSN completion program. Currently, the University offers an Associate of Science degree with a concentration in Pre-Nursing. Trustees are expected to review a formal proposal at their February 2016 meeting.

The Trustees adopted curricular proposals for four new online undergraduate programs. The programs fall under the newly created Division of Adult and Online Programs. That division is geared at offering higher education in a way that meets the challenges of busy adult learners, particularly those who have started and stopped their pursuit for a college degree.

The curricular proposals include the following undergraduate, online programs: The Bachelor’s in Professional Studies degree offers emphases in healthcare management, general studies and organizational leadership. The Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management—a program designed to assist students in developing the skills to organize, administer, and facilitate sport programs at the corporate, agency, professional and amateur levels.

In other business, trustees approved:

• The appointment of Mrs. Kasey Cox as instructor of communications and theatre. Cox holds a Master of Arts in Theatre from Fontbonne University and a Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Musical Theatre from MBU.

• Resolutions of appreciation to donors James and Doris Helvey and members of the President’s Club, a group of University friends who have given $1,000 or more during the last quarter.

• The 2014-2015 audit and variance report. Representatives from the auditing firm Clifton Larsen Allen found that the University’s internal auditing controls were in good operating order and are in full accordance with all governmental accounting standards.