Central Baptist College Athletics Unveils New Logos

Central Baptist College athletics revealed a new set of logos and branding today, the College announced via a press release. This is the first update of CBC’s athletic logos since 2012 when they unveiled the former logo.

“Anytime you make changes, it starts a new chapter,” said Athletic Director Lyle Middleton. “While the logo is an exciting new change, it’s symbolic purpose is the same. The new logo marks the continuation of a commitment to success in all athletic programs and college endeavors.”

New Central Baptist College Athletics Logos

The rebrand comes with slight differences between the old logo and the new logo, as well sport specific versions of the logo, and a new alternate logo, a front-facing Mustang. The Central Baptist College Style Guide has also been updated to include the new athletic logos and guidelines for their use.

Because of the slight differences in the old and new versions of the athletic logo, both will be in use for a time as the college undergoes a transition period. The new athletic logo will start being used as digital and print media are redesigned and new purchases of items that bear the athletic logo are made. Expect to see the new logo soon on cbcmustangs.com and on Central Baptist College Athletics social media sites.

These new logos come at a time of unprecedented success for CBC athletics and will be in place by the beginning of the 2020-21 academic year. For the latest news and updates about the Central Baptist College Mustangs, visit cbcmustangs.com, like them on Facebook at Central Baptist College Athletics, and follow @gocbcmustangs on Twitter and Instagram.

Central Baptist College Named to Viqtory Media’s 2020-2021 Military Friendly® Schools List

Central Baptist College recently announced that it has earned the 2020-2021 Military Friendly® School designation.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,000 schools participated in the 2020-2021 survey with 695 earning the designation.

The 2020-2021 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found atwww.militaryfriendly.com.

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer) and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

CBC President Terry Kimbrow said, “It is an honor to earn the Military Friendly® School designation for the 11th year in a row.  Central Baptist College has a long tradition of working with students who serve or have served in the military. We are devoted to helping veteran students realize their goal of obtaining their college degree.  We will continue to do whatever it takes to honor their service to our country.” 

Military Friendly’s National Director Josh Rosen stated, “Our ability to apply a clear, consistent standard to colleges creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to invest in programs to provide educational outcomes that are better for the Military Community as a whole.”

For more information about Central Baptist College’s student veteran programs, visit CBC’s website at cbc.edu/military or contact Pam Sims, Associate Director of PACE Enrollment for Military Relations at psims@cbc.edu or 501-205-8807. 

About Military Friendly® Schools:

The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data­-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all post­secondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

About Central Baptist College:

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 and dependents of veterans and active duty servicemen and women, free evaluations of AARTS/SMARTS military transcript, and participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program. 

In addition to the Military Technologies Associate’s degree, CBC offers over 40 degree programs.  Twelve of these degree programs are offered in the (PACE) Professional Adult College Education program and in-class, online and hybrid format options are available.  The PACE program offers the working adult the opportunity to continue working full time and obtain their college degree. In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the PACE program, Central Baptist College is offering a one-time, 20% tuition discount for new students enrolling in the Spring 2020 semester.

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, visit cbc.edu or call 501-329-6873. 

About Viqtory:

Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands.  VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more about VIQTORY at www.viqtory.com.

Central Baptist College President’s Leadership Council Announces Class Project

The 2019-2020 class of the President’s Leadership Council has been announced. The PLC has been attending bi-weekly meetings since the beginning of the Fall 2019 semester, have completed a service project, and have decided on a class project. Their class project will be raising funds to furnish two areas in the Mabee Student Services Complex for student use.

The members of the 2019-2020 PLC class are: Allison Bisher, a General Studies major from East Prairie, Mo.; Marcela Bueno, a Kinesiology Sports Management major from Sao Paulo, Brazil; Olivia Farris, an Elementary Education major from Greenbrier; Lauren Hager, a History major from Millington, Ill.; Sydney Hawkins, a Middle Level Math and Social Studies major from Conway; Abigail Herring, a Business Administration Marketing major from Maumelle; Daniel Hopp, an Accounting major from Conway; Jarrett Maxwell, a Bible major from St. Clair, Mo.; and Tyler Spencer, a Secondary Education major from Lonoke.

Students on the council also serve as college ambassadors at various events, complete a class service opportunity and a class project. The service opportunity was held in October, as the PLC hosted a fall carnival for the Boys and Girls Club of Faulkner County. Their newly announced class project is to raise funds to provide new furniture and gaming tables for the Mabee Student Services Complex with the idea to make as former office suite into a student lounge.

To raise funds for their class project, the President’s Leadership Council is hosting a Battle of the Bands which will be held during Homecoming weekend The Battle of the Bands will take place, Saturday, Feb. 1 in the Burgess Auditorium, right after the men’s basketball game against Harris-Stowe State. Anyone that is an alumna, current student or CBC employee member can sign up to participate in the event, which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., by visiting cbc.edu/plc. Checks for the registration fee can be sent to Central Baptist College, 1501 College Ave., Conway, Ark., 72034 and admission prices are $5.00 for adults, free for kids 16 and under and free for CBC students with their IDs.

The President’s Leadership Council is a leadership program for students at CBC under the guidance of President Terry Kimbrow and Vice President for Advancement Sancy Faulk. Olivia Faris and Sydney Hawkins serve as co-class leaders. The program trains leaders through the use of books, guest lectures and hands on experience as well as including a professional development component such as professional dress, communication skills and etiquette training.

For further information about the Battle of the Bands event, you can contact Event Coordinator, Sydney Hawkins at 501-697-7887 or via email, sjhawkins@cbc.edu.

Central Baptist College Celebrates 20 Years of PACE

Central Baptist College President Terry Kimbrow has announced that the CBC Board of Trustees has approved a new student discount for the Spring 2020 semester of the PACE program to celebrate the program’s 20th Anniversary.

“We have been anticipating the 20th Anniversary of PACE, which stands for Professional Adult College Education. We wanted to be able to do something as a way of celebration of this unique program. Offering a 20% discount for the 20th Anniversary of the program in the year 2020 to allow new students to experience PACE seemed like a great fit!” said Kimbrow.

The board approved the following language for the discount: “In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the PACE Program (January 2020), we approve a 20% tuition discount for all first time entering, transfer, or readmit students to the PACE program for the Spring 2020 semester. This discount would be stackable with any other institutional aid they are eligible to receive.”

“So many people have put their dream of obtaining a college degree on hold because they find themselves place-bound, working during the day, caring for a family or facing other obstacles that hinder their ability to go to college,” said Dr. Gary McAllister, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “PACE can remove those roadblocks and give adults an opportunity to achieve their dreams. The time to enroll is now!”

Ryan Johnson, Vice President for Enrollment Management said that “the PACE Program began as a non-scholarship program with students being required to pay out of pocket for 100% of program costs. In recent years Central Baptist College has added multiple types of institutional aid available in the PACE program to assist students with covering program costs. This additional 20% discount should further assist students make their dream of beginning or completing a college degree a reality.”

In addition to available state and federal financial aid programs, Central Baptist College offers a Veteran’s Discount Grant, Ministry Tuition Grant, and BMAA Grant for students who attend a BMAA church. Most recently, the College has started a PACE Business Partner program where area businesses can partner with CBC to offer their employees a 25% tuition discount.

According to McAllister, the initial purpose of the PACE Program was to accommodate the educational needs of adults, which led to the development of a nontraditional program to assist them in completing their education. “Because of the flexible format of the degree completion program, adult learners, who found themselves hindered by a work schedule or other conflicts, could complete a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management by attending class once a week in the evening for 18 months.” Integration of new technology has further enhanced the flexibility of the program and kept it relevant in an ever-changing environment.

“Over the years, PACE has grown,” added McAllister. “Although it began with just one degree program, it now offers 12 different degree programs in areas such as Psychology, Human Resource Management, Leadership and Ministry and Management Information Systems. Students can begin these programs with no previous college experience. They also have more flexibility. They can still come to class once a week, if they choose, or they can take advantage of the hybrid and online programs that we offer and complete their degree from home.”

To take advantage of the one-time 20% tuition discount, first-time entering, transfer, or readmit students should apply for admission and complete the registration process during the Spring 2020 semester. There are four registration periods (blocks) for the Spring 2020 semester. The application deadline for the first block is December 6 with classes set to begin January 13. The application deadline for the second block is January 24 with classes beginning February 17. To learn more or to complete an application for admission visit cbc.edu/itsyourtime or contact the Admissions Office at 501-329-6873.

Central Baptist College Hosts Inaugural Scholarship Gala – Announces $510,000 raised

Central Baptist College hosted its inaugural Scholarship Gala on October 21. The black tie event featured keynote speaker, Governor Mike Huckabee, and was held at Legacy Acres in Conway. The proceeds from the event benefitted student scholarships, and Central Baptist College President Terry Kimbrow announced $510,000 had been raised to date through event sponsorships and private donations.

Governor Mike Huckabee delivers a keynote address at Central Baptist College’s inaugural Scholarship Gala Oct 21, 2019.

In his remarks, Governor Huckabee noted that “Central Baptist College is raising up leaders for the future that are not only academically prepared but also spiritually prepared.” He acknowledged the night’s financial contributors as supporters who not only lend their support to preparing students academically, but also preparing students to be moral leaders. According to Governor Huckabee, that focus on the spiritual is “singularly more important than anything [students] will learn in the classroom. It is all worthles unless they know Christ is the centerpiece of their lives.”

The theme of the event was “Shine His Light” and the entire program focused on the mission and ministry of Central Baptist College which is “the integration of Christian faith and academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment.” Highlights of the event included the introduction of Governor Mike Huckabee by CBC alumnus Cody Hiland who currently serves as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas; a video produced by Lifeword specifically for the event that highlighted a dozen Central Baptist College alumni and the work they are doing all over the world to Shine Christ’s Light; and a performance by the Central Baptist College Choir. Director James Turner, also a CBC alumnus, wrote an original song entitled Shine His Light, for the event.

In his announcement of the $510,000 total that had been raised through this event for student scholarships, President Kimbrow acknowledged an anonymous matching gift of $250,000, 35 table sponsors, and additional individuals and businesses who made contributions towards the total.  “I am truly grateful for the generosity of so many. The Central Baptist College Board of Trustees, businesses in the Conway and surrounding communities, and other individuals who are such faithful supporters of Central Baptist College all came together to make this an unforgettable night for the support of Christian Higher Education.”

Gordon Hired to Lead Central Baptist College’s Soccer Programs

Lance Gordon

Central Baptist College Director of Athletics Lyle Middleton has announced the hiring of a new Director of Soccer Operations. Lance Gordon will begin his duties at CBC on July 15.

“We’re excited about Coach Gordon and his experience coaching men and women” said Middleton. “We are also excited about the direction the program is headed.”

Gordon, who becomes the sixth head coach in program history, replaces Chris Murphy, who resigned in May and left the coaching industry at the collegiate level. Murphy led the women’s soccer program to four wins last season in his second season directing that program and also guided the men’s program to three wins in his only year.

Gordon comes to CBC from Presentation College, an NAIA school in Aberdeen, S.D. At Presentation, he led both the men’s and women’s programs to new heights academically, posting a 3.4 GPA collectively. The women’s program had a 9-25-1 record in Gordon’s two seasons with two players earned Daktronics NAIA scholar athlete awards in 2018 and two players earning All-Great Plains Athletic Conference honors that same season while three players earned All-North Star Athletic Association honors in 2017. The men’s soccer program went 2-32 in his two seasons but one athlete earned NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete honors and two players earned All-GPAC honorable mention honors in 2018 while two players earned All-Association of Independent Institutions honors in 2017.

Prior to arriving in Aberdeen, Gordon coached one season at AMC rival Stephens College. Gordon led the Stars to a 2-14-1 record in his lone season in Columbia with two players earning all-AMC honors for their performance on the field.

Prior to his gig at Stephens, Gordon was the assistant women’s soccer coach for one season at NCAA Division II Northwestern Oklahoma State. The Rangers went 3-14-1 in that one season with one player earning all-Great American Conference honors.

Before Stephens, Gordon coached six seasons at the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley, a junior college in the University of Wisconsin system. His first stint and UWFV was from 2006-2008 and his second stint was from 2012-14.

His first four-year college head coaching gig came at Ripon College, an NCAA Division III school in Ripon, Wis., from 2009-11. Gordon led the men’s team at Ripon to a 20-30-6 record in his three seasons and he had two players selected for the all-Midwest Conference team in his final season of 2011 while also earning Midwest Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2009 & 2010.

Gordon also has 15 years of experience coaching soccer at the club level and in camps all around the upper Midwest. He also has one year of coaching girls’ high school soccer in Wisconsin, leading the girls’ team at Menasha High School to a 15-5-6 record and their first conference title in school history in his lone season.

“I am grateful to be coaching at CBC,” said Gordon. “I want to thank Coach (Lyle) Middleton, Ryan Johnson and President Terry Kimbrow for this opportunity to be both the men’s and women’s head coach. I look forward to the challenge this opportunity gives me and we will strive for a lot of success.”

Gordon, a native of Wisconsin, earned his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Wisconsin in 2004 and completed his master’s in American Studies from Northwestern Oklahoma State. He is married to Dr. Cristina Gordon, the campus director at Mount Marty College in Watertown, S.D., and they have three children, Alex, 24, a 2017 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Miranda, 22, a 2019 graduate of the University of Wisconsin and Cameron, who will be a freshman on the Northwestern Oklahoma State football team this year; and three rescue dogs, Toby, Booboo and Truffles.

Central Baptist College wins awards at the Christian University Theatre Festival

Central Baptist College’s Fine Arts Department was recently honored at the Christian University Theatre Festival held at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas. Twenty-four students from the department participated in the performance of “Ugs; The Musical.” “Ugs: The Musical” is written and directed by Dr. Jana Jones, music is composed and the orchestra conducted by Jim Turner, and the music is directed and the musical produced by Suzanne Banister. Jones, Turner, and Banister all serve as faculty in the CBC Fine Arts Department.

CBC received several awards at the Festival. Dylan Bradley, Jarrett Maxwell, and Maxwell Sullivan were recognized for Outstanding Achievement for Acting. Laura Embry was recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Makeup Design. Allison Bisher and Josh Burns received Super Trooper awards, given to students who are outstanding helpers throughout the festival.

“Our students performed so well and got a really great critique as we premiered our musical at [the Christian University] Theatre Festival,” said Banister.

Ugs: The Musical” is inspired by the book, The Ugly Duckling, a literary fairy tale written by Hans Christian Anderson. This version of the play is about a swan who was born, thinking he is a duck. He is so completely different that he can’t fit in anywhere. He doesn’t find a place in the world because he was raised with people who are completely different from him. The swan then wanders off into a barn yard where he thinks he can find a family. They, too, reject him before the swan family, who lost the ugly duckling years ago, comes back to find him. The uncle of Ugs, the main character, serves as the Christ figure as he goes out to find the lost one. In the ugly duckling’s lowest moment, as in the actual story, they talk about suicide. Ugs contemplates this until his uncle, Steven, finds him and brings him home. He realizes then that he fits in and has a purpose because of what Steven has told him.

Ugs: The Musical” will be performed on the Central Baptist College campus Friday and Saturday, March 8-9. Performances will be held in the Burgess Auditorium at 7:00pm. Tickets are $5.00 and free with a CBC student or employee ID. For more information, contact Suzanne Banister at sbanister@cbc.edu or 501-205-4361.

The Fine Arts Department at Central Baptist College prepares students for careers in performance, teaching, music ministry, and other music-related careers. Within a Christ-centered environment, this department develops students’ overall musicianship through: (1) applied performance (private lessons on piano, voice, or guitar), culminating in the Senior recital, (2) group performance, (3) the practice of aural dictation, sight singing, harmonic analysis, part-writing and beginning composition exercises, (4) the study of classical and sacred music from all periods of music history, and, for those taking musical theatre courses, broadway-style music.

The Fine Arts Department offers two degree programs: the Bachelor of Arts in Music which requires a minor, and the Bachelor of Science in Worship Arts. The Fine Arts Department also offers a number of performance groups including Handbells, Chamber Singers, Singer, Women’s Chorus, Worship Band, and Worship Choir. Performance scholarships are available. For more information visit cbc.edu.

Irwin to Lead the Central Baptist College Volleyball Program

Central Baptist College Athletic Director Lyle Middleton has announced the hiring of a new volleyball coach to replace Sara Mitchell, who resigned April 10 after one season to take a job at a high school in Georgia. Stephanie Irwin, a Central Arkansas native, has been hired as the new volleyball coach and she will begin her duties August 1.

Stephanie Irwin

“Coach brings a lot of passion and energy to the program,” said Middleton. “I’m excited about her long term commitment to moving the program to the next level. I think we are very fortunate to have a coach that’s passionate not just about winning but about character and leadership and development of young women.”

Irwin will become the seventh volleyball coach since CBC joined the NAIA in 2009. A native of Beebe, she has been coaching club volleyball for 501 Volley since 2015. Coach Irwin also has extensive volleyball experience as a player. She spent two seasons with the inaugural University of Central Arkansas sand volleyball team from 2016-2018. She posted a 4-0 record in doubles and a 10-7 record individually in her first season, competing as both a number one and number two player for the Bears and earning the 2017 UCA Student Athlete Award. Last year, she was 14-7 in doubles play and 14-7 in singles as well, competing against players in the other five positions on their teams and going 6-0 in exhibition matches.

Prior to playing sand volleyball at UCA, Irwin competed on the court from 2013-15 at Ouachita Baptist. As a freshman for the Tigers, she competed in 27 matches and 89 sets, posting 118 kills, a .160 hitting percentage, seven assists, 21 aces, 40 digs and 70 blocks. The next season, she played in 16 matches and 57 sets with 101 kills, a .192 hitting percentage, three assists, 25 digs and 17 blocks. Her final season at Ouachita was her best season, as she played in 26 matches and 98 sets, posting a career-high 218 kills, a .241 hitting percentage, four assists, 11 aces, 58 digs and 38 blocks.

“I’m excited to be a part of CBC and to grow the volleyball program,” said Irwin. “My mission is to pour into the girls on the court in developing their athleticism and skill, but more than that, my mission is to build character through discipleship to be young women for Christ. Go Mustangs!”

Irwin graduated with bachelor’s degree in family & consumer science with an emphasis in nutrition from UCA in 2017. She is currently working on her master’s in nutrition from UCA and is planning to graduate this fall. She is married to Braden, a physical therapist in Conway and they are members of Second Baptist Church where she also helps lead on the worship team.

Lawrence Britton Memorial Endowed Scholarship Established at Central Baptist College

The Central Baptist College Advancement Office is pleased to announce the establishment of The Lawrence Britton Memorial Endowed Scholarship. The Lawrence Britton Memorial Endowed Scholarship will give first priority to active members of Park Avenue Baptist Church, West Race Baptist Church, or Foster’s Chapel Baptist Church, all Baptist Missionary Association (BMA) of Arkansas churches located in Searcy. Second priority will be given to active members of a church in the Mount Calvary Association of the BMA of Arkansas.

Lawrence Britton

Bro. Britton was a Baptist preacher and evangelist for 62 years, leading nine churches and speaking at many revivals throughout the state. His last pastorate was at Baptist Tabernacle Church in Searcy, Arkansas. Bro. Britton also owned and operated an accounting business, Britton Bookkeeping, in Searcy, and was a Central Baptist College alumnus, attending from August 1952 until May 1953.

Central Baptist College has over seventy endowed scholarships representing approximately $2.9 million in contributions. Endowed scholarships serve as a lasting tribute because for all of the endowed scholarships at the institution, the initial donation is placed in the permanent college endowment. The initial donation, or principal, will never be spent; only the interest will be awarded as scholarships. The scholarship will be awarded by vote of the CBC Scholarship Committee, taking into account the qualifications and eligibility of the applicants as detailed in the scholarship agreement.

Memorial gifts to the Lawrence Britton Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund can be sent to Central Baptist College, 1501 College Avenue, Conway, AR 72034. Checks should be made payable to Central Baptist College with “Britton Endowed Scholarship” indicated on the memo line. Gifts can also be made online at www.cbc.edu/endowed. Include “Britton Endowed Scholarship” in the comments box in the online donation form. If you have questions or need additional information please contact Sancy Faulk, Vice President for Advancement, at 501.205.8799 or sfaulk@cbc.edu.