JBU News & Information

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Feb. 24, 2023) – John Brown University awarded the final two Presidential Scholarships to Emma Sun from Shenzhen, China, and Gracein Moore of Locust Grove, Oklahoma, earlier this month.

Each year, JBU's hosts two Scholarship Competitions in November and February and invites qualifying prospective students based on academic performance. The competition includes rigorous interviews conducted by various faculty and staff on the JBU campus.

Over the two weekends, JBU awarded five Presidential Scholarships to five students who demonstrated great academic, social and spiritual enthusiasm. The scholarship is valued at $116,000 awarded over 4 years.

The other three Presidential Scholarship winners, announced in the fall were Danny Barajas from Rogers, Arkansas, Mayson Montgomery from Plano, Texas, and Melody Mathis from Fayetteville, Arkansas.

JBU also awarded more than $3 million in Chancellor's Scholarships to some of the students that participated in the competition.

For more information on scholarships at JBU, please visit jbu.edu/scholarships.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 48 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 40 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, kinesiology, engineering, biology, family and human services, and graphic design. Eighteen graduate programs are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, education and higher education.

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SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Feb. 15, 2023) – John Brown University's college of education and social and behavioral sciences is pleased to welcome Brenda Morton to campus.

Morton is an associate professor in the college of education at the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor and co-founder of the Trauma-Informed School Initiative at George Fox University.

Morton will offer a presentation on Monday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. in Simmons Great Hall-B and will present her extensive research in the area of trauma-informed instruction.

"We recognize that school districts and the entire NWA community is working hard to support children and teens who have experienced trauma," said Curtis Cunningham, chair of the department of education. "We are thrilled to welcome Brenda Morton to join the conversation. She is a researcher, scholar and teacher who will provide great insight into ways that we can help some of the most vulnerable members of our community."

The presentation is free and open to the public, but we ask that you register at this link.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 48 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 40 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, kinesiology, engineering, biology, family and human services, and graphic design. Eighteen graduate programs are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, education and higher education.

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Feb. 9, 2023) - John Brown University will host D.C.-based entrepreneur Marcus Bullock on Feb. 21 for the Soderquist College of Business speaker series "Working for the Common Good."

Bullock is the CEO of Flikshop, a company that works hard to keep prisoners connected to their family members and other community resources through low-cost postcards. Bullock has been featured in a TED Talk that has been viewed over 1.8 million times, and he was awarded Prison Fellowship's Charles Colson Advocate of Hope Award in 2020.

When Bullock was 15 years old, he was arrested and sentenced to spend 8 years in adult maximum security prisons. During his first two years, Bullock says he became very dark and depressed but was saved by the letters his mother wrote him for the remaining 6 years. Bullock's mother and those letters became the inspiration for Flikshop. 

"We're excited to host Marcus on JBU's campus to speak with our business and entrepreneurship students," said Brad Gatlin, associate professor of business at JBU. "Marcus' story of redemption and resilience is inspiring. His business Flikshop is an excellent model of how Christians can use business to honor God, serve others, and impact the world."

Bullock's keynote, "Faith and Resilience: What I learned While Growing a Startup After Prison," starts at 7 p.m. in Simmons Great Hall and is free and open to the public.

Bullock will also speak at noon on Feb 21 during the Office of Diversity's lunch series "Where I Come From," where he will share his life story with JBU faculty, staff and students.

The "Working for the Common Good" speaker series started in 2017 to engage the broader JBU community on the idea of business as a means of honoring God, serving others and impacting the world. Previous speakers include executives and CEOs from different companies around the world.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 48 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 40 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, kinesiology, engineering, biology, family and human services, and graphic design. Eighteen graduate programs are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, education and higher education.

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SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Jan 10, 2023) - John Brown University announced the addition of two undergraduate degrees, game design and robotics and mechatronics engineering, beginning in the fall of 2023.

The gaming industry, which includes tabletop, mobile, roleplaying and video games, continues to grow, with a projected market volume of $387 billion by 2026, according to Statista. Esports has become a spectator sport with a growing fanbase, amassing 532 million global viewers of professional tournaments and competitive play. JBU's Bachelor of Science in Game Design will prepare students to design games that integrate faith covertly or overtly and portray people and situations in their games. The major is designed for students to study literature, creative writing and psychology, which provides a strong foundation for designing both video games and tabletop roleplaying games.

"A game design major is an additional avenue to fulfill JBU's mission as we can prepare students to honor God and serve others in the gaming industry," said Ted Song, chair of the engineering, computer science and cybersecurity department. "Adding the major will allow JBU to attract a new student population interested in exploring the gaming field with a Christian worldview."

The new robotics and mechatronics engineering program incorporates content from electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science. This new interdisciplinary major will offer students real-world experience in collaborative engineering design and production.

"The engineering industry is more interdisciplinary than ever, and the global robotics market continues to grow at a high rate," Song said. "The robotics and mechatronics engineering major will equip students to thrive in a new era of the industry that encompasses both hardware and software."

For more information about the programs, visit jbu.edu/majors/game-design/ or jbu.edu/majors/robotics-mechatronics/ or email Ted Song at TSong@jbu.edu.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 48 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 40 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, kinesiology, engineering, biology, family and human services, and graphic design. Eighteen graduate programs are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, education and higher education.

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SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Dec. 14, 2022) – Anastasia Pace, a junior electrical engineering major at John Brown University, was recognized as a recipient of the PES Scholarship. The IEEE Power & Energy Society selected 75 students from the United States and Canada to be recognized as the most promising future engineers.

The IEEE PES Scholarship Plus Initiative is a national organization that provides scholarships and real-world experience to undergraduates interested in power and energy engineering careers.

The PES Scholarship is given to high-achieving electrical engineering students with strong GPAs and distinctive extracurricular work and who are committed to exploring the power and energy field.

"I am incredibly honored to be recognized as an IEEE PES Scholar," Pace said. "I want to give special thanks to my amazing professors, family, and friends who have encouraged me during my time as a JBU Engineering student. I would also like to thank Allgeier Martin for giving me the opportunity to explore a career in power engineering through a summer internship. Lord willing, I will use this recognition to further pursue a career in power and encourage young women to consider engineering as a career path.

Pace’s extracurricular activities include serving as the Society of Women Engineers treasurer and running sprints and hurdles for the JBU Track and Field team.

Pace also worked as the Marketing Coordinator for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and plans to pursue an MBA in engineering management and work for a power engineering consulting firm after graduation.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 48 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 40 undergraduate majors and 18 graduate programs.

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SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Dec. 1, 2022) – John Brown University announced today the appointment of Ryan Ladner, as the next vice president of enrollment management, after a national search. Ladner is slated to begin in the role on June 1, 2023, and succeeds Don Crandall, vice president of enrollment management, who retires in May 2023 after 30 years in the role and 38 total years of service to the university. 

Ladner, who holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, also becomes a member of the President’s Cabinet, an eight-person team that works with JBU President Chip Pollard to set the strategic direction for JBU and oversee and implement planning, major initiatives and policies. 

Ladner joined JBU in 2015 as a professor of business and has served as chair of the undergraduate business programs, chair of graduate business programs and currently as the dean of the Soderquist College of Business (SCOB). Ladner was instrumental in launching seven new undergraduate and graduate business programs, contributing to continued growth in business student enrollment. 

“John Brown University has been a huge blessing to my family and me for over eight years, and I am honored to be a part of this community,” said Ladner. “I have enjoyed working with our faculty and staff in the Soderquist College of Business to launch new programming and expand business enrollment. I am excited to continue at JBU, serving in a capacity that connects my professional, scholarly, and academic experience. It will be a daily privilege to honor God by collaborating with our enrollment team, administration, faculty, staff and students to shape the future of JBU and recruit students to this institution that means so much to so many people.”   

In April, Ladner was appointed as a special advisor to Kim Hadley, DBA, JBU’s chief operating officer, to direct the enrollment team and strategies for the graduate and online undergraduate programs during personnel transitions. Both programs have seen impressive new student enrollment growth under Ladner's leadership in the past six months. 

"Ryan is an innovative leader with expertise in higher education admissions and marketing," said Hadley. “Over the last several months, Ryan led the graduate and online admissions team to dramatically improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the admissions processes. I have personally watched that team thrive under his leadership, and I am confident that Ryan will excel in his new, expanded role as vice president for enrollment management.” 

With Ladner’s appointment, the enrollment teams for on-campus undergraduate, online undergraduate and graduate programs will be centralized under his leadership.

Before coming to JBU, Ladner was an assistant professor of marketing at Palm Beach Atlantic University. He also served as an assistant professor, director of online operations and director of enrollment at Bryan College.

Ladner obtained his Doctor of Business Administration from George Fox University, where he wrote his dissertation on “The lived experience of college choice.” He also has a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty University, an MBA from Mississippi College and a bachelor’s degree from The University of Southern Mississippi. 

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 48 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 40 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, kinesiology, engineering, biology, family and human services, and graphic design. Eighteen graduate programs are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, education and higher education.

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SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Nov. 9, 2022) – John Brown University announced today the addition of varsity esports to the Golden Eagles Athletics program, making it the 12th intercollegiate sport.

JBU will join 700 other institutions with teams playing in the National Association of Collegiate Esports and the National Esports Collegiate Conference. The varsity team is a natural extension of the athletics program after the continued popularity of the Esports Club, which began formally in the spring of 2021 and has more than 30 active members.

“Esports is exploding in popularity. More than 150 high schools in our state have sanctioned teams,” said Robyn Daugherty, JBU athletics director. “Research shows that 80-85% of these students don’t participate in other extracurricular or athletic activities. Offering varsity esports allows us to support and engage these students in the wider JBU community.”

JBU Esports will include multiple teams competing in games such as Rocket League, Overwatch, League of Legends, Super Smash Brothers and Chess.

University scholarships are available, and recruiting is already underway. Start-up coordinator Kim Johnson, Ed.D., hopes to recruit a team of approximately 20 men and women for the 2023-24 academic year.

“I’m excited to take the esports program at JBU to the next level and create additional opportunities for student-athletes who want to represent the university while receiving an excellent education,” said Johnson. “We are thrilled about the new esports facility at Bynum Theater and look forward to its completion.”

As part of its capital campaign, JBU is raising approximately $450,000 to convert and equip Bynum Theater, located in the Walton Lifetime Health Complex, into a practice and competition space for the team. The venue will include up to 20 competition-level computers, capacity for over 100 spectators and a broadcast booth for “shoutcasters” who provide game commentary.

JBU will continue to have an Esports Club for students who enjoy competing but want to avoid making the time commitment for a varsity sport. Intramural tournaments are also offered during the school year and are open to all students.

For more information, visit www.jbuathletics.com/esports

Download the esports media kit (fact sheet, bios, game summaries)

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 48 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 40 undergraduate majors and 18 graduate programs.

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Siloam Springs, Ark. (Oct. 12, 2022) – John Brown University and J.B. Hunt Transport Services will proudly co-host the 2022 Hackathon on Oct. 21 - 22 at Balzer Technology Center on JBU's Siloam Springs campus.

The J.B. Hunt Hackathon is a competition hosted by universities across the country. The competition consists of high school student teams competing against each other to develop a working prototype that is presented in front of a panel of J.B. Hunt representatives.

Hackathon is open to high school students in Northwest Arkansas who are interested in pursuing a career in computer science or engineering.

There will be $1,000, $750 and $500 scholarships for winners, and participants have opportunities to apply for internships. For more information or to sign up, visit https://www.jbhackathon.com/.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 36 states and 38 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, kinesiology, engineering, construction management, family and human services, and graphic design. Eighteen graduate programs are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, education and higher education.

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SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Sept. 30, 2022) – On Thursday, Sept. 22, John Brown University held a dedication for The Schmieding Foundation Commuter Student Lounge inside Walker Student Center.

The dedication featured presentations from the Coordinator of Student Success Rob Rostoni, former Coordinator for Commuter Life Yamilet Lopez, current Coordinator for Commuter Life Maribel Santillan, Vice President for University Advancement Jim Krall and a closing prayer by the Vice President of Student Development Steve Beers.

”The commuter lounge is a wonderful space for our current, and future, commuters to relax, fellowship, study and have a home away from home," Rostoni said. "We desire our commuters to thrive at JBU, and this space is an important part of our overall Commuter Life initiatives”

The space, made possible in part by The Schmieding Foundation, is available to the 405 commuters that attend JBU. The new space includes new furniture, a large group table, a charging station, lockers for students and a full kitchen area.

To learn more about the lounge and commuter life on campus, please visit jbu.edu/student-life/commuters/.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 36 states and 38 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, kinesiology, engineering, construction management, family and human services, and graphic design. Eighteen graduate programs are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, education and higher education.

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SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Sept. 26, 2022) – John Brown University announces the creation of the Intellectual Virtues Program, housed at JBU's Center for Faith and Flourishing, thanks to a $390,000 grant award from the John Templeton Foundation.

Intellectual virtues are qualities and character strengths required for good thinking and learning, such as curiosity, fairmindedness, honesty and courage.

The program provides resources to form communities of practice among faculty, revise curriculum, and provide training and resources that promote the cultivation of intellectual virtues among the university's undergraduate student body. The IVP aims to positively change the culture among students and faculty at JBU, so that intellectual virtue education is enthusiastically embraced at the university.

“I am excited about how this program will extend the intellectual virtues education begun in our new student Gateway seminar to other parts of the university," said Matt Wilson, assistant professor of philosophy and program director. "Our faculty are enthusiastic about forming communities of practice to explore how we can improve our curriculum and pedagogy together. The program’s other activities will support those curricular efforts and further embed the intellectual virtues into our institutional culture.”

According to their mission, "the John Templeton Foundation funds research and catalyzes conversations that inspire people with awe and wonder.”

”We are very grateful to the John Templeton Foundation for this grant," said Jay Bruce, director of the Center for Faith and Flourishing. "I’m confident this program will enhance the lives of JBU faculty and students and help us flourish.”

The Intellectual Virtues Program will kick off its first community of practice on Oct. 3 with JBU honors program faculty. More information can be found at www.jbuvirtue.org.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 36 states and 38 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, kinesiology, engineering, construction management, family and human services, and graphic design. Eighteen graduate programs are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, education and higher education.

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