JBU News & Information
John Brown University
2000 W. University St.,
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
479-524-9500
jbuinfo@jbu.edu
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SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (April 3, 2025) – John Brown University announced today the addition of a Bachelor of Science in professional flight beginning fall 2025. The new academic offering is available through a partnership between JBU and Springdale-based flight school Airo (formerly ARH) and will help meet the growing demand for skilled pilots.
The new degree program combines a business-focused liberal arts education through JBU with flight and ground instruction from Airo at the Springdale Municipal Airport. As they progress through the professional flight program, students can earn their private pilot license, instrument flight rating, commercial pilot license and flight instructor certification after the completion of coursework and flight time and successfully passing required industry exams.
“This new degree program will equip students with technical skills and business and general knowledge in ways that will enable them to be excellent pilots in a variety of professional contexts,” said Chip Pollard, president of JBU. "Our partnership with Airo is particularly meaningful because we share a Christian commitment that infuses our mission to serve students well."
Graduates will help fill the growing demand for pilots, driven by retirements and increased demand in both commercial and private sectors. According to Boeing, more than 670,000 new pilots will be needed globally over the next 20 years. The Federal Aviation Administration estimates the U.S. alone will need 130,000 pilots by 2043.
“At Airo, our passion is to train pilots and help them fulfill their dreams of a career in aviation. We provide a great technical trade foundation and our partnership with JBU will expand the potential for our students,” said Camron McAhren, president of Airo. “Having a bachelor’s degree will put students above other candidates that don’t have that same educational foundation.”
With a degree in professional flight, students can pursue a variety of career paths — including piloting commercial, corporate, private, air ambulance or search and rescue flights, missionary aviation and flight instruction.
JBU is the only Christian college in Arkansas to offer an aviation program and one of two programs in the state. Across the U.S., approximately 15 Christian colleges offer degrees in the aviation industry
“There is high demand and limited options for students who want a Christian college experience and a degree in aviation,” said Ryan Ladner, JBU vice president for enrollment. “JBU is known for its academic excellence and hands-on career preparation. We anticipate that our professional flight graduates will be highly sought after.”
JBU will admit up to 20 students to the program in the first year. Students in the program will incur flight school fees in addition to JBU tuition and fees. For more information about the program, visit jbu.edu/flight. Interested students can email Sydney Frager, admissions counselor, at sydney@jbu.edu.
About JBU
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. As Arkansas’ top-ranked private university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 36 states and 44 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs.
About Airo
Founded in 2005, Airo is a hub for flight operations and networking, making aviation accessible to all. From pilot training and tours to business solutions, it offers services tailored to diverse needs nationwide.
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April 3, 2025
SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Feb. 19, 2025) — John Brown University will offer a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering starting in the fall of 2025, preparing students to meet the growing demand for infrastructure development and improvement.
“Civil engineering plays a critical role in shaping the infrastructure that supports modern life, from safe transportation systems to sustainable water management," said John Lee, Ph.D., department chair of engineering. "JBU’s Christ-centered education will prepare students to approach their work with both technical excellence and a heart for serving their communities.”
As the U.S. faces increasing challenges with aging infrastructure, the demand for civil engineers is growing.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% job growth in civil engineering from 2023 to 2033, outpacing the average for all occupations. In Northwest Arkansas, where rapid population growth is driving new development, the need for skilled civil engineers is even greater.
JBU’s civil engineering program will provide students with a strong technical foundation while emphasizing ethical leadership and sustainable design. The program will cover areas such as structural engineering, transportation networks, geotechnical engineering, and environmental sustainability.
Students will also benefit from collaboration with JBU’s construction management and mechanical engineering programs, leveraging shared resources like the university’s high bay lab.
"This new major won’t just benefit engineering students—it’s also going to be great for the CM program. Many of the areas in civil engineering, like soil mechanics, environmental engineering, and geotechnical engineering, are closely related to construction management," said Rick Faust, department head of the construction management department. "The addition of this major will promote collaboration across disciplines, enrich the student experience, and better prepare our graduates for the complexities of the industry."
Graduates from JBU’s civil engineering program will be prepared for careers in structural, transportation, environmental, geotechnical, and water resource engineering.
For more information about the program, visit jbu.edu/majors/civil-engineering or email Dr. John Lee at jlee@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 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, business, computer science, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.
February 19, 2025
SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Oct 16, 2024) - John Brown University’s Music & Theatre department invites you to the Fall Choir Concert on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the newly renovated Cathedral of the Ozarks on the JBU campus. This evening of worship and reflection will feature performances by the Cathedral Choir, University Chorus, and Community Choir.
Inspired by the tradition of Vespers – an evening prayer service from early Christian tradition – this concert offers music that fosters peace and worship. Each piece encourages reflection and helps create a reverent atmosphere for everyone attending.
With the newly restored organ in the Cathedral, the concert aims to provide a peaceful experience that invites the audience into a time of quiet spiritual reflection.
"I am thrilled to invite our community to our first Fall choir concert," said Seung-Won Cho, director of choral activities at JBU. "We believe this concert will be not only exciting and inspirational, but you will experience the power of music that glorifies our God and resonates our souls and hearts."
Doors open at 7:10 p.m. with free admission, and all are welcome to attend.
For more information about JBU’s music programs and upcoming events, visit jbu.edu/academics/music/ or call (479) 524-7382.
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 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, business, computer science, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.
October 17, 2024
Julie Gumm, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
479.524.7211
cmco@jbu.edu
Media Relations
John Brown University
2000 W University St
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
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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 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.