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BOLIVAR, Mo. – ±«Óătv celebrated the inauguration of Eric A. Turner, Ed.D., as its 25th president in a ceremony Friday, April 26, in Mabee Chapel on the Bolivar campus.
The inauguration formally commemorates the beginning of Dr. Turner’s leadership at
±«Óătv, while celebrating the University’s rich history and reaffirming the University’s
mission of being a Christ-centered, caring academic community preparing students to
be servant leaders in a global society.
“Inaugurations are timeless traditions, reminding us of our strength as an academic community, and the continuity of our enduring values – chapter titles in our ±«Óătv narrative,” Dr. Turner said. “Our story is becoming a fairly large volume – rich with 141 years of stories, opportunities and challenges. Together, we embark on shaping new stories for ±«Óătv.”
±«Óătv’s Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni and other delegates took part in the event.
Dr. Allison Langford, vice president for strategic planning and initiatives at ±«Óătv, who also served on the presidential search committee, recalled her interactions with Dr. Turner – from her first phone call with him last spring to her pre-ceremony conversation.
“The Lord proved himself faithful to ±«Óătv, yet again, as He led our (search) committee
to Dr. Eric Turner,” Dr. Langford said. “I have seen the same Dr. Turner – authentic,
humble, confident, open, willing to listen, willing to admit mistakes, quick to laugh,
easy to talk to, loves the word of God, enthusiastic, unassuming and ready to work.”
Perspectives were given by the Mayor of the City of Bolivar, Christopher D. Warwick; John L. Yeats, executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention; Ryan Palmer, vice-chairman of the ±«Óătv Board of Trustees executive committee; Melinda Jones, ±«Óătv Faculty Senate President-Elect; Todd Earl, Staff Council president; and Samantha Martin, Student Association president.
The common theme spoke to Dr. Turner’s character and the Lord’s call leading him to
±«Óătv, as well as the excitement surrounding ±«Óătv’s future under Dr. Turner’s leadership.
Followed by a scripture reading from Matthew 5:1-10 by Jerol Swaim, president emeritus of Williams Baptist University, Dr. Turner was introduced by Kenneth Startup, professor emeritus of Williams. His former pastor, Eric Moffett from First Baptist Church of Pocahontas, Ark., delivered the inaugural message.
“I know that ±«Óătv is a place of Kingdom focus,” Moffett said. “What I know about Eric Turner is that he, too, is Christ-centered; that he, too, is deeply caring; that he is a man of rich compassion and exemplifies the spirit of a servant leader.
“For years, the undeniable call in his life has been to lead in Christian higher education. And so, it is no mistake that today you formalize what God has delegated.”
During the presidential investiture, Dr. Turner was presented with the presidential medallion and chain of office by Mark Rains, chairman of ±«Óătv’s Board of Trustees.
“By accepting the president’s medallion, you accept the charge to serve the Lord in this position with diligence, dedication, vision and integrity as you carry out the duties as the president of ±«Óătv,” Rains said.
In his inauguration speech, Dr. Turner stressed the importance of “Shaping a bold new chapter for ±«Óătv” and ±«Óătv’s fierce commitment to Christian higher education.
“Over the past 14 decades, ±«Óătv alumni have used their biblical worldview education
to change the world,” Dr. Turner said. “Missionaries, pastors, evangelists, social
work, physical therapists, business leaders, coaches, kindergarten teachers – these
caring Bearcats have used their education as powerful mechanisms for change. In Matthew
28, Jesus commands us to change the world with passion and compassion.”
And, while ±«Óătv’s history is rich and its core values have sustained the University for generations, Dr. Turner also described ±«Óătv as a “dynamic learning community, embracing new opportunities and challenges as we prepare students and the University for the future.”
He emphasized the importance of moving forward, and shaping ±«Óătv’s story together as a university by asking the ±«Óătv community, “What should never change about ±«Óătv,” and “What should we change.”
“Consistent themes quickly emerged – not surprisingly, the themes coincided with the University Core Values – values articulated many years ago: Christian Commitment; Baptist Heritage; Compassion and Care for the ±«Óătv family; Academic Excellence; Social and Spiritual Development; and Personal Wellness.
“Refreshingly, for ±«Óătv, these core values are not something we developed for this planning process – these core values were already here – the DNA of Southwest Baptist University. These core values are foundational to this university’s continued success.
Dr. Turner said as ±«Óătv writes a new chapter, the University will build upon its vibrant faith community, expand its initiatives in global learning and engagement, and renew the Bolivar campus through a facilities master plan.
“As we chart this chapter of ±«Óătv, what is the map going to look like? How are we going to get there,” Dr. Turner asked, citing six keys to ±«Óătv’s destination: Academics for the Future; Holistic Student Experience; Strategic Enrollment Growth; Financial Stability and Learning Environment; Distinctive Value; and Collaborative and Innovative Community.
“As your president, I commit to you today and every day, to serve our mission with all I have to offer: faith, integrity and love,” Dr. Turner said. “You have my fearless and faithful promise of resolve to all ±«Óătv is today and all she will be in the future.
“I ask you to join me on the journey – to work together – to dream together – to ask the Lord together – rooted in our core values, energized by our vision to achieve the transformation our mission promises.”
Dr. Turner’s brother, Jason Turner, gave the inaugural blessing.
Dr. Turner was named president-elect on July 20, 2018. He began his service as president-elect on Aug. 6, 2018, and assumed the presidency on Sept. 1, 2018. He brings to ±«Óătv from Black River Technical College in Pocahontas, Ark., where he served four years as president. Prior to this, he served 17 years in various administrative capacities at Williams Baptist University in Walnut Ridge, Ark.
Photo 1: ±«Óătv's Board of Trustees chairman, Mark Rains (right), places the presidential medallion on ±«Óătv's 25th president, Dr. Eric A. Turner.
Photo 2: The processional for the ±«Óătv presidential inauguration enters Mabee Chapel from the Burnidge Memorial Forum.
Photo 3: ±«Óătv Presidential Inauguration participants: Front row (from left) Samantha Martin, Jerol Swaim, ±«Óătv President Dr. Eric A. Turner and Billy Russell. Back row (from left) Eric Moffett, Kenneth Startup, Todd Earl, Dr. Allison Langford and Jason Turner.
View more event photos on the .
*Published: 4-26-19