Central Baptist College announced today that it has been included on the 2019-2020 Military Friendly® Schools list, receiving the Gold distinction. This is the tenth consecutive year that Central Baptist College has been included on this nation-wide list published by VIQTORY. The Military Friendly® Schools with Gold distinction score within 10% of the 10th ranking school in their category and are setting the example with their programs and initiatives. Central Baptist College was recognized in the “Private Schools not offering a Doctorate” category.

Now in its 10th year, the Military Friendly® Schools list has come to set the standard for higher education institutions to provide the best opportunities for veterans and their spouses. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation are evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey completed by the school. This year 766 schools across the nation earned this prestigious designation. The full list is currently available online at www.militaryfriendly.com and will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine.

CBC President Terry Kimbrow said, “It is a privilege to be included on the Military Friendly Schools list for the tenth year in a row and to receive the Gold distinction. We recognize what U.S. military men and women do for our country, and the least we can do is offer them a pathway to higher education. We made a concerted effort many years ago to honor the service of our military veterans, and Central Baptist College employees are committed to helping our military students, veterans, their spouses and their families develop the skills and knowledge needed to pursue their educational dreams. To receive a distinction that recognizes these efforts, and to receive it for ten years in a row, is a great honor.” Currently, at CBC, 14% of the institution’s total student population are veterans or are receiving benefits from a veteran parent.

CBC offers an Associate of Science degree in Military Technologies with locations in Conway and in North Little Rock at Camp Robinson. To admitted students, CBC also offers the following benefits to our service men and women: Full time veteran advisers on staff, process enrollment certifications for VA GI Bill Education, Federal Tuition Assistance, tuition discounts of up to 25% for qualifying soldiers, free evaluations of AARTS/SMARTS military transcript, and participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Central Baptist College offers a special Veteran Tuition Discount for retirees and veterans of the armed forces. All veterans, active duty, guard or reserve members of the military that are receiving service related benefits are eligible for the tuition discount. The discount will waive the remaining tuition for most military service men and women in both the online & traditional programs.

In addition to the Military Technologies Associate’s degree, CBC offers over 40 degree programs. Twelve of these degree programs are offered in the Professional Adult College Education program and online. This program offers the working adult the opportunity to work full time and obtain their college degree.

Central Baptist College is a four-year, private, liberal arts college founded in 1952 by the Baptist Missionary Association of Arkansas. For information about CBC, go to www.cbc.edu/military or call 501-329-6873.

The Central Baptist College Math and Science Department recognized eleven students for their academic excellence by awarding them with white coats in a ceremony on Thursday, November 15, 2018. These students achieved academic excellence in very challenging courses at CBC and were part of the 8^th and largest White Coat Class.

In his welcoming remarks, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Gary McAllister shared the following, “At most institutions, the white coat ceremony is a rite of passage; it is a way of welcoming new students into the medical profession. At Central Baptist College, the white coat symbolizes the high expectations that science faculty have for their students. This ceremony is intended to impress upon our students the need to excel in their study of science, to love others and show compassion, and to pursue their profession with diligence and integrity.”

The ceremony also included an invocation by President Terry Kimbrow; a charge to the honorees by Dr. Joshua Kwekel, Associate Professor of Biochemistry; the presentation of the honorees and their white coats by Dr. Elizabeth Gomez, Natural and Social Sciences Division Chair and Professor of Chemistry, and 2017 White Coat Members; and a benediction by Dr. Mi-Seon Seong, Associate Professor of Biology.

The 2018 White Coat Class is listed below with their major:

Tyree Avery, Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biosciences
Kinley Burrows, Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
Michael Higginbotham, Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
Kymberlie House, Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
Kady Johnson, Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
Austin Kocher, Bachelor of Science in Biology
Kylee McClendon, Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
Destinee Marvel, Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
Averi Ratliff, Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
Austin Smith, Bachelor of Science in Biology
Hannah Tilley, Bachelor of Science in Biology

The ceremony was attended by members of the Central Baptist College faculty and staff as well as the friends and family of the honorees.

September is education month at the Rotary Club of Conway, and during this month the three college presidents from The City of Colleges each give a report to the Club and then the Club makes a donation to each college for their scholarship fund.

On September 27 I gave my state of the college address to the Rotary Club of Conway. This presentation has become an annual tradition and is a time to give Rotary members, who are Conway business leaders, an update on the great things that are taking place at Central Baptist College. At the conclusion of the presentation, Rotary Club of Conway President Ed Linck presented the College a $1,500 scholarship donation. Traditionally, this scholarship has gone to the President of the Central Baptist College Rotaract Club. Rotaract is a college affiliate program of Rotary International.

I am so thankful for the CBC employees who are members of and serve through the Rotary Club of Conway. Dr. Katya Ligon, Assistant Professor of Business, serves as the current Membership Chair. Rachel Steele, Associate Vice President for Student Services, serves the Rotaract Club Advisor. Sancy Faulk, Vice President for Advancement, is a past Club President.

Central Baptist College PACE Program Makes Connections at the Conway Business Expo
On October 11, Central Baptist College was one of 130 businesses who participated in the Conway Business Expo, hosted by the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. The Business Expo includes a breakfast, business-to-business trade show, lunch presentation, informative business sessions, and concludes with the Taste of Conway. According to the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, this all day event “provides businesses with varied opportunities to network with other professionals and exhibit their products and services to a diverse and captive audience.”

The Central Baptist College effort was led by Ryan Johnson, Vice President for Enrollment Management, and the PACE Enrollment team. Through the use of technology, visitors to the CBC booth were able to see and experience the online learning management system and online classroom that are utilized through the PACE Program. It was a great way for prospective students and employers of prospective students to see first-hand what being a PACE student will be like.

Endowed Scholarship Established for Central Baptist College WISH Circle
The Conway Corporation Board of Directors recently approved a grant request from Central Baptist College in the amount of $100,000 to establish an endowed scholarship for the WISH Circle. The scholarship’s priority will be for women enrolling in CBC’s PACE (Professional Adult College Education) Program. “We are so thankful to Conway Corporation for their very generous gift to affect lasting change for women in our community through higher education,” said Sancy Faulk, Vice President for Advancement.

The WISH Circle’s focus is on under-served women who may not have ever dreamed of a college education but have the capacity and the drive to succeed. The WISH Circle exists to foster generational change in women and their families through education, to catalyze others to make change in their lives, and to give women tools which make them more confident parents, employees, and citizens.

WISH stands for Women In Support of Hope, and the WISH Circle is a women’s initiative where women support women in one of the following three ways:
1. Scholarships- The WISH Circle provides scholarships for women to attend the PACE Program at Central Baptist College. The PACE program allows women the opportunity to attend class at night or online so that they can still work full time and take care of their families. Funding for the scholarships is provided through membership dues to WISH.
2. Mentoring- Members of the WISH Circle Mentoring Advocacy Group will be paired with WISH scholarship recipients or current PACE students to support students in the areas of professional dress, job interview skills, and resume writing.
3. Prayer- Members of the WISH Circle Prayer Partner Advocacy Group will be paired with a WISH scholarship recipient or a current PACE student to pray regularly for these women while they are enrolled in college.

The WISH Circle was formally launched on November 9, 2017. To date, approximately 50 individuals have either joined the WISH Circle or joined an advocacy group. Over $30,000 has been received or pledged for scholarship awards. Information about the WISH scholarship criteria and the application can be found online at www.cbc.edu/wishscholarship.

The WISH Circle is partnering with the United Way of Central Arkansas, The Salvation Army, the Women’s Shelter of Central Arkansas, and Y107.1-Crain Media Group, to bring the first designated Career Closet for women in the Conway area. The WISH Circle will be hosting a Come and Go Reception and Career Closet Drive on October 25 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm in the Community Room on the Central Baptist College campus. To RSVP for this event, visit www.cbc.edu/wishevents.

For membership information visit www.cbc.edu/joinwish or contact Sancy Faulk, Vice President for Advancement, at either sfaulk@cbc.edu or 501.205.8799.

Endowed Scholarship Established for Central Baptist College WISH Circle
The Conway Corporation Board of Directors recently approved a grant request from Central Baptist College in the amount of $100,000 to establish an endowed scholarship for the WISH Circle. The scholarship’s priority will be for women enrolling in CBC’s PACE (Professional Adult College Education) Program. “We are so thankful to Conway Corporation for their very generous gift to affect lasting change for women in our community through higher education,” said Sancy Faulk, Vice President for Advancement.

The WISH Circle’s focus is on under-served women who may not have ever dreamed of a college education but have the capacity and the drive to succeed. The WISH Circle exists to foster generational change in women and their families through education, to catalyze others to make change in their lives, and to give women tools which make them more confident parents, employees, and citizens.

WISH stands for Women In Support of Hope, and the WISH Circle is a women’s initiative where women support women in one of the following three ways:
1. Scholarships- The WISH Circle provides scholarships for women to attend the PACE Program at Central Baptist College. The PACE program allows women the opportunity to attend class at night or online so that they can still work full time and take care of their families. Funding for the scholarships is provided through membership dues to WISH.
2. Mentoring- Members of the WISH Circle Mentoring Advocacy Group will be paired with WISH scholarship recipients or current PACE students to support students in the areas of professional dress, job interview skills, and resume writing.
3. Prayer- Members of the WISH Circle Prayer Partner Advocacy Group will be paired with a WISH scholarship recipient or a current PACE student to pray regularly for these women while they are enrolled in college.

The WISH Circle was formally launched on November 9, 2017. To date, approximately 50 individuals have either joined the WISH Circle or joined an advocacy group. Over $30,000 has been received or pledged for scholarship awards. Information about the WISH scholarship criteria and the application can be found online at www.cbc.edu/wishscholarship.

The WISH Circle is partnering with the United Way of Central Arkansas, The Salvation Army, the Women’s Shelter of Central Arkansas, and Y107.1-Crain Media Group, to bring the first designated Career Closet for women in the Conway area. The WISH Circle will be hosting a Come and Go Reception and Career Closet Drive on October 25 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm in the Community Room on the Central Baptist College campus. To RSVP for this event, visit www.cbc.edu/wishevents.

Program Now 1 of 147 Providers in the U.S. Meeting New, Rigorous Standards to Better Prepare Tomorrow’s Teachers

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) has announced that the Central Baptist College Teacher Education Program is one of 46 providers from 22 states and Puerto Rico to receive accreditation for their educator preparation programs. The spring 2018 review by the CAEP Accreditation Council increased to 147 the total number of providers approved under the CAEP teacher preparation standards—rigorous, nationally recognized standards that were developed to ensure excellence in educator preparation programs.

Central Baptist College officials hosted a celebration on Thursday, June 21, 2018 in the Story Library to announce the national accreditation.

CBC President Terry Kimbrow said, “CBC’s mission is the integration of Christian faith and academic excellence. The Teacher Education Program at CBC exemplifies this commitment by producing Christ-centered servant leaders. Our students and instructors should be very proud of the work they are doing. We’ve set a very high bar for our teacher prep program and CAEP Accreditation validates the hard work we are doing.”

“These institutions meet high standards so that their students receive an education that prepares them to succeed in a diverse range of classrooms after they graduate,” said CAEP President Dr. Christopher A. Koch. “Seeking CAEP Accreditation is a significant commitment on the part of an educator preparation provider.”

CAEP is the sole nationally recognized accrediting body for educator preparation. Accreditation is a nongovernmental activity based on peer review that serves the dual functions of assuring quality and promoting improvement. CAEP was created by the consolidation of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. It is a unified accreditation system intent on raising the performance of all institutions focused on educator preparation. Currently, more than 800 educator preparation providers participate in the CAEP Accreditation system, including many previously accredited through former standards.

Educator preparation providers seeking accreditation must pass peer review on five standards, which are based on two principles:

Solid evidence that the provider’s graduates are competent and caring educators, and
Solid evidence that the provider’s educator staff have the capacity to create a culture of evidence and use it to maintain and enhance the quality of the professional programs they offer.

Work toward an accredited Teacher Education Program at CBC began in 2009, with the establishment of an Education Department. From 2012-2014, the program became a candidate for accreditation by CAEP’s predecessor, the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, and programs of study in five licensure areas were approved by the Arkansas Department of Education. In November 2017, the CBC Teacher Education Program hosted a team of peer reviewers for a 3-day site visit during which program data and outcomes were examined, which is the culminating accreditation activity. In April 2018, the CAEP Accreditation Council reviewed information collected by the site visit team and determined that the CBC Teacher Education Program had met all five CAEP standards.

“I’m very proud that we have achieved this significant milestone for our program and for CBC,” said Shanda New, Education Department Chair. “CAEP accreditation requires a huge investment, and yields both a validation for the hard work we’ve done over the last nine years, and direction for continuous improvement in the future. Our graduates prove the quality of our program in the excellent work they do in classrooms every day, and I’m thrilled that CBC can play a role in providing highly-qualified teachers for students in Arkansas and surrounding states.”

Central Baptist College (CBC) is pleased to announce an expansion of the Ministry Tuition Grant. Previously designated the Ministers Discount, the Ministry Tuition Grant has, for many years, been available to those in a traditional degree program who are licensed or ordained to the preaching ministry and actively attending or serving in a Baptist Missionary Association of America (BMAA), Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), or American Baptist Association (ABA) church. Wives and dependent children of those who met these qualifications were also eligible to receive the grant.

At the March 2018 Board of Trustee’s Meeting, the Ministry Tuition Grant was extended to those enrolled in the Professional Adult College Education (PACE) Department and to missionaries serving through the BMAA Missions Department or the International Missions Board (IMB). Wives and dependent children of those who meet the eligibility requirements will also be eligible to receive the grant if they enroll in the PACE Department, as will wives and dependent children of qualified missionaries.

“We are honored to be able to extend the Ministry Tuition Grant to students in our PACE Department and to missionaries serving around the globe,” said CBC President Terry Kimbrow. “Central Baptist College has supported those in the preaching ministry through higher education since the inception of the College in 1952. These changes to the Ministry Tuition Grant continue our support and allow prospective students the opportunity to choose the program delivery that best fits their current needs.”

The Ministry Tuition Grant ranges from a tuition grant of 20% to a tuition grant of 50%, depending upon the program in which students are enrolling and their denominational affiliation. In order to qualify, all eligibility requirements must be met and all required documentation must be submitted for verification. Full eligibility details, required documentation, and applications can be found online at cbc.edu/MinistryGrant.

For more information about enrolling at Central Baptist College, contact the Admissions Office at 501.329.6873 or admissions@cbc.edu.

Central Baptist College officials announced today that the college will begin a 4,000 square foot renovation of the Harold E. Cooper Educational Complex on Monday, October 2.  The remodel, anticipated to be completed by the start of the Spring 2018 semester, is to accommodate a new Band Rehearsal Hall.

The 2,600 square foot Band Rehearsal Hall is designed to accommodate up to 75 student musicians.  Additionally, new and renovated office space dedicated to the Fine Arts Department will be included in the renovations. An anonymous donation is covering the cost of construction.

“This is really an exciting time for us,” said Fine Arts Department Chair and Director of BandsTim Gunter.  “We are quickly running out of room and flexibility in our current location.  I am so thankful for President Kimbrow for his tireless efforts on our behalf and to the Lord for His perfect timing and opening this door.”

Gunter noted, “The band hall will provide our current and future band family a place to call home, not just for rehearsals and classes, but throughout the day to hang out.  That is a positive impact that is often overlooked, but I have had many students comment over the years about the comfort of our band halls and how much it meant to them.”

CBC band started in the fall of 2016 with 14 students, and has grown to 30 students for the fall of 2017. Gunter added, “Our band program may have officially started in the fall of 2016, but with the addition of a band rehearsal hall, we are off and running.  I am so thankful and excited about the road ahead!”

Gunter is most well-known for his tenure as Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., a position he held for 15 years. He has also served as Associate Director of Bands at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. and numerous bands across the state of Arkansas.  Gunter most recently has served as the Pastor of Worship and Discipleship at First Baptist Church in Camden, Ark. since 2012.  Gunter received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education in 1979 and a Master of Music Conducting degree in 1993, both from the University of Arkansas.

Liz Hamilton, AIA owner of H+N Architects in Conway, will be serving as the architect for the project.  Clark Construction, LLC of Little Rock will be serving as the contractor.

Central Baptist College is a four-year, private, liberal arts college founded in 1952 by the Baptist Missionary Association of Arkansas.  For more information about the band program contact Director of Bands Tim Gunter at tgunter@cbc.edu or 501-205-8914.

Central Baptist College has been added to the list of Best Regional Colleges in the South by U.S. News and World Report. CBC was selected number 48 on the list, tied with Kentucky Christian University.

CBC’s most recent ranking was 71^st in the 2016 list. The rankings are based off of the graduate experience and the broad range of programs offered in the liberal arts, such as business, nursing and education.

The U.S. News and World Report is an annual publication and the U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges 2018 guidebook includes rankings of 1,800 institutions nationwide. The rankings are based on peer assessment, first-year student retention rate, graduation rate from 2016, class size, student/faculty ratio, SAT/ACT percentile rating, freshman high school graduation class rank, acceptance rate and alumni giving. The full list of rankings can be found at usnews.com/colleges.