JBU News & Information

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (April 7, 2025) — John Brown University and 90.9 KLRC have launched a new radio station called 100.3 Real FM in Northwest Arkansas.

100.3 Real FM is a unique contemporary hit radio format playing a mix of refreshing mainstream and Christian pop and hip-hop from artists like NF, Forrest Frank and Lecrae. The station has been serving listeners as an online stream and mobile app since September 2017 but has now made the jump to terrestrial radio.

“We are thrilled to bring 100.3 Real FM to the airwaves of Northwest Arkansas,” said Ansen Bayer, program director for 100.3 Real FM. “This expansion will help us reach a new audience in Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale and beyond, including parts of northeast Oklahoma and southwest Missouri, all in service of KLRC’s mission to share hope in Jesus with as many people as possible.”

Bayer will also host afternoons on 100.3 Real FM. The syndicated Brant Hansen Show with Brant and Sherri will air during mornings. Isaac Weaver, who previously worked at KLRC, will return to host middays, and Zoe Moody, who spent time at KLRC while a student, will host evenings. John Brown University work-study and practicum students will be heard from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.

90.9 KLRC hosted a special one-day, on-air fundraiser for NWA Gives Day on Thursday, April 3, to help fund the launch of the new station, and KLRC listeners generously donated over $61,000 in just a 12-hour period.

For more information on Real FM, listeners can tune in to 100.3 FM, download the Real FM App or visit real.fm. 90.9 KLRC and 100.3 Real FM are ministries of John Brown University.

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 and cybersecurity.

90.9 KLRC is a top radio station in Northwest Arkansas that shares hope in Christ through positive and uplifting contemporary Christian music. A seven-time winner of the Christian Music Broadcaster's national "Station of the Year" award and a winner of the National Association of Broadcaster's Marconi Award for Religious Station of the Year, KLRC has been making a Positive Difference in Northwest Arkansas since 1983. KLRC can also be heard at 101.1 FM in Fayetteville, Van Buren, and Fort Smith, 99.1 in Bentonville, 103.5 in Springdale, and online with the KLRC App and at KLRC.com.

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (March 18, 2025) – Sarah Grace Smith, a senior English major and honors student at John Brown University, has been recognized with an academic prize for exceptional academic performance during the Fall 2024 Scholars’ Semester at Oxford University in England.

Run by Scholarship & Christianity in Oxford, the highly competitive program requires students to be enrolled in a university honors program and have a minimum 3.7 GPA. Through JBU’s partnership with Scholarship & Christianity in Oxford, Smith participated in the semester-long program in the university’s acclaimed tutorial system.

Each year, JBU sends two to three honors students to participate in the Scholars’ Semester at Oxford. The program is made up almost entirely of students from institutions within the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU).

As a registered visiting student of Oxford University, Sarah Grace received weekly, one-on-one instruction from expert scholars in disciplines including history, literature, languages, philosophy, musicology, art and science. Smith was one of six students who received an academic prize after being nominated by their tutors.

"It was truly a joy to study alongside wonderful peers in such a beautiful city," said Smith. "The time and investment I received from Oxford tutors was a true gift that helped refine my thinking and writing. I am incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement from JBU professors that allowed this experience to happen."

SCIO is a research and educational institute in Oxford, producing and supporting scholarship in a recognized centre of international educational and scholarly excellence. It offers semester and summer undergraduate programs, organizes large-scale pedagogical projects, manages research initiatives and supports the research work of scholars.

Through partnerships with North American and international institutions, including JBU, SCIO advances the scholarly development of undergraduates, graduates and faculty.

"The award was not a surprise for those of us who know her," said Ryan Butler, Ph.D., director of the Honors Scholars Program. "Sarah Grace is such an excellent thinker and student, and we're delighted that she's received recognition."

For more information about JBU's Honors Scholars Program, please visit jbu.edu/academics/honors/.

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.

Siloam Springs, Arkansas (March 11, 2025) – Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson will visit John Brown University on Tuesday, March 18 to speak on the relationship between faith and public service. The event, hosted by JBU’s Center for Faith and Flourishing, will include remarks from Hutchinson followed by a Q&A session with the audience.

The event is free and open to the public.

What: Discussion on Faith and Public Service, including Q&A
Who: Gov. Asa Hutchinson
When: Tuesday, March 18, at 7 p.m.
Where: John Brown University, Simmons Great Hall A/C

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.

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Feb. 17, 2024) – John Brown University has named Emily Moore, Ph.D., the university’s next dean of the College of Education and Social and Behavioral Sciences, effective Feb. 1.

As dean, Moore will supervise the academic programs within the college—teacher education, psychology, family and human services, political science, and graduate counseling—as well as teach courses.

“I am excited to move into the role of dean of the College of Education and Behavioral and Social Sciences," said Moore. "The college has an amazing faculty and academic staff. I look forward to the opportunity to serve each one of them as they continue their excellent work, both in our traditional undergraduate student body and in our phenomenal, recently CACREP-accredited graduate counseling program.”

During the spring semester, Moore will transition into her new position while transitioning out of her current roles as dean of student care and director of the JBU student counseling center.

“Dr. Moore has been a dedicated member of the JBU community for many years, and her extensive experience, leadership, and vision make her the right choice to lead the college,” said Norwood. “Emily brings a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to JBU's mission, and a collaborative leadership style that I am confident will benefit the college's students, faculty, and staff.”

Moore has served in various roles at JBU, including as the dean of student care and the director of the JBU student counseling center since 2018. Moore's 29 years of experience in the mental health field include serving in a variety of private practice settings and providing care to students as a counselor for the JBU Student Counseling Center for 10 years.

Moore has a bachelor's in psychology from the University of Tulsa, a master's in marriage and family therapy and community counseling from JBU, and a doctorate from Denver Seminary in counselor education and supervision.

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.

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Feb. 10, 2025) – John Brown University awarded the final four Presidential Scholarships on Feb. 5 to Abby Irwin from St. Louis, Missouri; Jenna Perea from Midland, Texas; Caia Underwood from Pleasant Hill, Missouri; and María Paz I Hernández Gómez (Gómez).

Each year, JBU hosts a Scholarship Competition in the fall and spring, inviting prospective students to participate based on their academic performance. The competition includes rigorous interviews conducted by various faculty and staff.

From the two weekends, JBU awarded Presidential Scholarships to seven students who demonstrated great academic achievement as well as social and spiritual maturity. The scholarship is valued at $120,000, awarded over four years.

The three Presidential Scholarship winners announced in the fall were Emerson Bailey from Little Rock, Arkansas; Micah Baggett from Houston, Texas; and Elijah Strait from Laurens, South Carolina.

JBU also awarded more than $4 million in Chancellor's Scholarships to some of the students who 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 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.

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Jan. 16, 2025) – Charles “Chip” W. Pollard III, president of John Brown University, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation. He replaces Mark Simmons, owner and chairman of Simmons Foods, who retired from the board after 30 years of service.

“Chip Pollard is an excellent choice for the foundation’s board of directors,” Simmons said. “His proven track record in educational leadership and deep understanding of the Northwest Arkansas region will be invaluable to the foundation’s mission.”

During Pollard’s 20 years as president of JBU, the university has received over $365 million in gifts, grown its endowment from $50 million to over $185 million, and completed 23 major building projects.

Pollard also serves on the boards of Arvest Bank in Siloam Springs, Mercy Northwest Arkansas Communities, The Council of Independent Colleges, the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities and Wheaton College.

“I am honored to be asked to serve on the foundation’s board because its good work tremendously enhances the quality of life in Arkansas, particularly through education,” Pollard said. “Mark has served our community in so many ways through his work leading Simmons Food and on boards such as this foundation, John Brown University and the Northwest Arkansas Council. I am grateful for his service and will strive to follow faithfully his example.”

Established in 1987, the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation supports education initiatives and community initiatives in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.

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.

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Oct. 26, 2024) — In a wild explosion of white, thousands of John Brown University fans launched the traditional toilet paper storm after junior guard LePra George Jr. netted the Golden Eagles' first bucket of the season, marking the raucous start of the school's 41st annual Toilet Paper Game.

What began as a spontaneous celebration in 1984 has evolved into a nationally recognized spectacle, with USA Today, ESPN, CBS Sports and Bleacher Report all hailing it as one of college basketball's premier fan traditions. The first basket of the season's home opener triggers thousands of fans to shower the court with toilet paper, drawing an automatic - and worth it - technical foul.

"We've got a lot of new guys who haven't experienced this," said head coach Jason Beschta.

In his first game with the Golden Eagles, George, a transfer from Northeastern Okla. A&M, not only scored the TP toss-inducing basket, but tallied 16 points and collected 11 rebounds.

"We knew he was really special when we first had him in," said Beschta. "We feel like we got really fortunate in adding LePra."

Kimberly-Clark continued its partnership with the Golden Eagles for the eighth year, donating 4,000 rolls of toilet paper. Fans exchanged canned food items for half the rolls, with all donations and remaining toilet paper benefiting the Manna Center, a local food bank in Siloam Springs.

The Barclay Bears of Kansas returned to Bill George Arena for their fourth consecutive appearance in the crowd-favorite matchup.

The Golden Eagles won the game with a final score of 87-53.

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.