JBU News & Information

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Sept. 5, 2024) – For the fifth year, John Brown University was named to The Wall Street Journal's Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, claiming the highest score of private schools in Arkansas and ranked No. 2 overall in the state.

JBU ranked No. 358 on the journal's 2025 America's Best Colleges in the U.S. list, securing a spot in the top 10% of U.S. colleges and universities.

The list ranks the top 500 undergraduate institutions by the value they provide to students based on the learning environment, years to pay off the net price, degree completion rates, the likelihood of higher salaries post-graduation and diversity.

JBU was also ranked No. 1 in Arkansas in the Social Mobility category which lists colleges in order of how much they enhance their students’ social mobility. The ranking reflects universities that take in the highest proportion of students coming from lower-income families, while maintaining high graduation rates and having a positive impact on graduate salaries and minimizing the costs of attending college. 

“We are grateful that The Wall Street Journal has recognized JBU as one of the top schools in our nation," said John Brown University President Chip Pollard. “This ranking reflects the quality and dedication of JBU’s faculty and staff as well as the talent and commitment of JBU students. However, we see the true measure of JBU’s mission in the changed lives of JBU graduates who leave the institution better prepared to honor God and serve others.” 

The overall rankings were based on three factors: student outcomes (70% of the score), the learning environment (20%) and diversity (10%). To analyze the learning environment, College Pulse surveyed students and recent alumni to ask about the quality of learning opportunities, career preparation, satisfaction with facilities and overall recommendation score. The diversity score combined metrics on racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds and disability status of students and faculty along with student experiences garnered from the survey.

Four other Arkansas schools were listed: the University of Arkansas (No. 233), Harding University (No. 368), Arkansas State University (No. 486) and Arkansas Tech University (No. 491).

JBU was ranked highest of the schools in Arkansas in 2020, 2022 and 2024 and ranked second in 2021. The Wall Street Journal did not create a Best Colleges list in 2023.

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 (Aug. 22, 2024) – John Brown University welcomed a record-setting 455 new students to the Siloam Springs campus on Wednesday, Aug. 21, to begin five days of orientation before classes start on Aug. 26. This total includes transfers and students returning after one or more semesters away, as well as a record-breaking freshman class of 386 students, surpassing the previous record of 376 freshmen in 2023.
 
Several student population groups saw marked increases, including students from Northwest Arkansas, which saw a 15.56% increase, while the overall student population from Arkansas grew by 18.63%. Additionally, the university experienced a notable 16.95% rise in Latino-American students.
 
Hannah Bradford, executive director of admissions, attributed the increase to several key factors, including expanded recruitment efforts in Northwest Arkansas and proactive financial aid initiatives during a year marked by a frustrating governmental overhaul of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
 
To help families, JBU offered early tentative financial aid offers based on an innovative institutional aid calculator, enabling students to plan for college despite the FAFSA delays and uncertainties. 
 
“Families recognize that while JBU may cost more than other schools they're considering, the value of our Christ-centered, liberal arts education is a good investment, reflected in high graduation rates and strong starting salaries for our graduates in Arkansas,” said Ryan Ladner, D.B.A., vice president for enrollment management. “Families also appreciate the care our community showed during the enrollment process. We are eager to see how theses students live out the mission of JBU to honor God and serve others."

Ladner said he is grateful to the enrollment team, faculty and staff for recruiting the record class.
 
Total undergraduate enrollment for the fall is currently 1,353 students. Final enrollment numbers are officially reported after the 11th day of classes.

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 (May 6, 2024) – John Brown University has named Corey Carey the university’s next dean of residence life beginning July 1.

As dean, Carey will manage all aspects of traditional undergraduate campus residence life, including supervising residence hall staff, hall programming, facilities management, housing processes and community expectations.

“What an amazing opportunity it is to serve the students, faculty, and staff in this exciting role as the dean of residence life,” Carey said. “I am passionate about discipleship, loving people well, and working to foster a community that empowers people to honor God and serve others. I look forward to engaging in ministry with the JBU community.”

Carey will also work closely with Anne Tohme, the vice president for student development, and supervise student activities and other areas of student development based on team needs and fit.

 “I am excited about all Corey will bring to the position, Student Development, and our students,” said Tohme. “Corey’s humility, discipleship focus, experience, collaborative spirit, love for students, and commitment to the mission of JBU all position him well for this important leadership role. I look forward to working with Corey and welcoming him to the student development team.”

Carey was a missionary at Rift Valley Academy Boarding School in Kijabe, Kenya, for 10 years as residence life coordinator and dorm parent. He also served, with his wife Tiffany, as missionaries in residence at JBU, counseling missionary kids and international students. Carey holds a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Western Colorado University and will finish his Master's in Organizational Management and Leadership from JBU in August 2024.

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 (May 1, 2024) – The JBU Construction Management team was awarded the top position in the written report category of the virtual Ethics competition hosted by the American Institute of Constructors on April 12. The JBU ethics team also secured third place in the oral presentation segment.

The ethics team members were junior Bryce O'Dell, sophomore Amanda Riedy, junior Benjamin Vaughn and junior Nick Ware.

During the event, JBU's team addressed various ethical and industry-related issues before a panel of AIC Collegiate members representing institutions nationwide.

The ethical concerns were framed within a case scenario, allowing the JBU team to dissect and explain why such industry practices were deemed unethical.

"I thought it was a pretty awesome opportunity to practice approaching a new problem with a solid team," said Vaughn. "It was especially fun to figure out how to compartmentalize the problem and divvy out the work in a manner that played to each member’s respective strengths."

Participation in the competition was open to accredited schools in the U.S. offering construction management programs.

The team first submitted a response paper for the initial round of the competition, followed by the virtual presentation against three other teams.

"Participating in the ethics competition was a fantastic opportunity to bring diverse perspectives to the table," said Riedy. "It underscored the importance of considering varied viewpoints in ethical decision-making processes while representing women in construction."

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 (Mar. 1, 2024) – JBU construction management seniors and juniors traveled to Dallas, Texas this past weekend and made a strong showing in the Regional Associated Schools of Construction (ASC)/TEXO Student Competition.

The TEXO Student Competition is an annual competition between CM programs in the region, including Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Texas A&M and others.

The Competition begins with development of a project proposal over a 16-hour period (at the home school) with final presentations to the judges in Dallas, Texas.

The JBU Heavy Civil team placed second and the Design Build team placed third in their respective divisions.

"I’m very proud of our students and the hard work they put in for the TEXO competition and we thank God who gives the victory," said David Martin, Ph.D., department chair of construction management.

JBU students also garnered individual awards, as junior Sam Green received first place for best presenter in the heavy civil division, and seniors Matt Bowden and Christopher Burgess won third place for best presenter in the heavy civil division and the design build division, respectively.

This is the 11th year in a row that JBU construction management students have placed in at least one division of the competition.

"JBU's construction management continues to prove that our program belongs in the construction management major leagues," Martin said. "Our programs success is a reflection of the quality of our students, the dedication of its faculty and staff, the support of JBU's administration, and the involvement of our industry partners."

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. 14, 2024) – John Brown University has named Anne Tohme the university’s next vice president for student development. Tohme, an alumna of JBU, is slated to begin the role on July 1 and succeeds Steve Beers, Ph.D., who is retiring after serving as VPSD since 1998.

As VPSD, Tohme will lead JBU’s residence life program, the student counseling center, health services, career development, the Office of Christian Formation, student activities and campus safety.

“I look forward to contributing to a mission I resonate with so deeply. It is sweet to return to a place that so profoundly impacted my own life and be able to give back and foster that growth and transformation in the lives of today’s JBU students,” said Tohme. “I am passionate about holistic education, discipleship and Christ-centered community. It is with great gratitude and excitement that my family and I join the work and ministry of JBU.”

Tohme will also serve on the President’s Cabinet, a nine-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. 

“Anne’s extensive experience in student development, her heart for students, and her commitment to discipleship will be an asset to JBU’s holistic approach to developing students spiritually, emotionally, mentally and academically,” said Pollard. “We’re excited to welcome her back to the JBU community, and I look forward to working with her.”

Tohme has been vice president for student life at Warner University in Lake Wales, Florida, since 2020. Before that, she served for 17 years in various student development roles at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. She holds a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with a concentration in educational ministries and a bachelor’s in business administration from JBU.

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.