On Wednesday, April 9, Central Baptist College recognized many of our students at the Academic Awards Ceremony in Burgess Auditorium. Every year, this ceremony is an opportunity to congratulate our hardworking students for their diligence and academic excellence and as an opportunity for each academic department to recognize students who stand out academically, professionally, relationally or spiritually in their respective department.
The event began by recognizing all of our students on the Dean’s and President’s lists last semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must be enrolled in at least 12 semester hours and earn a GPA of at least 3.5. To qualify for the President’s List, a student must be enrolled in at least 12 semester hours and earn a GPA of 4.0. This semester, we recognized over 95 students on the Dean’s List and over 85 students on the President’s List.
Following this, each department recognized students for their outstanding work:
• The Bible Department began by recognizing Jonathan Stewart with the Jesse Thomas Christian Service Award and Dillon Hall with the Outstanding Bible Student Award.
• The Business Department recognized Silas Kirchner, Tucker Koester and Jakub Slapal as Honor Graduates; William Palmer, Rebecca Hanry, Manuela Cruz Hernandez and Landon Hitchcock with Outstanding Graduate Awards; Manuela Cruz Hernandez also received the Servant Leader Award, and Kylie McGarrah was presented with an Arkansas CPA Scholarship.
• The Psychology Department recognized Tamara Christmas, Marina Crespi and Caroline Skinner with Outstanding Student in Psychology Awards.
• In the Communication Department, Tate Fletcher was recognized with the Outstanding Oral Communication Student Award. The editors of each staff in CBC’s student media outlet, The Tower, were then recognized for their roles. These editors were Audrey Krisell, Joy Murdock, Josh Ramirez, Lily Seaver, Kailey Sullivan and Grace Vandergriff. The Outstanding Student in Communication Award was then presented to Shaylee Carver.
• In the Kinesiology Department, Alexandra Jeter was recognized with the Outstanding Kinesiology Student Award.
• In the Literature and Language Arts Department, Mason Crymes was recognized with the Outstanding English Student Award.
• In the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Department, Silas Kirchner was recognized with the Outstanding Student in Mathematics Award; Madalyn Tubbs and Ashley Henderson were recognized with Outstanding Science Graduate Awards; and all the students who had been recognized at the White Coat Ceremony earlier in the week: Caroline Reams, Madeline Freeman, Christine Collins, Leilani Hanson, Donna Lozano, Halen Queen and Abbie Rusher.
• The Fine Arts Department recognized Ruthie Johnson with the Outstanding Musician Award, wrapping up the awards for the day.
Executive Vice President Dr. Jeremy Langley then delivered the benediction, reminding students that our number one goal is for everyone here to come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Academic excellence is central to our mission at CBC, so we love opportunities to commend our students for their academic achievements. The event was a great day of celebration, and we look forward to finishing the year strong.
Employee Awards Ceremony
On Monday, April 14, we continued the season of recognition with the Employee Awards Ceremony in Mabee Student Center. To kick off the event, many employees were recognized for their years of service:
• The three-year recognition of service was presented to Dr. Deandriea Bass-Carrigan, professor of Psychology and Counseling/Behavioral Science Department chair; Dr. Tim Brewer, professor of Bible; Sierra Carrier, Women’s Basketball assistant coach; Kory Heffentrager, Women’s Basketball head coach; Ryan McLaurin, Men’s Basketball assistant coach; Dylan Perdue, Men’s Soccer coach; Tim Richardson, maintenance assistant; Randy Truelove, softball assistant coach; and Carey Wise, Financial Aid counselor.
• The five-year recognition of service was presented to Ryan Guyton, personal admissions officer; Jennifer Jameson, Registrar Services coordinator; and Sam Kohnke, Men’s Basketball head coach.
• The 10-year service recognition service was presented to Steve Elder, vice president for Enrollment Management; Dr. Kateryna Pitchford, Business Department chair/professor of Business; and Dr. Delena Thompson, Education Department chair/professor of Education.
• The 15-year service award was given to Jessica Faulkner, director of Public Relations, and Ken Prophete, Wrestling head coach/Sports Information assistant director.
• The 20-year service award was given to Dr. Earl Johnson, associate professor of Music; Jim Turner, assistant professor of Music; and Rachel Whittingham, division chair of Learning Resources/Library director.
• Finally, the 25-year service award was presented to Assistant Director of Admissions Lisa Padgett.
Following these service awards, five employees were presented with a President’s Award, beginning with the Outstanding Achievement Awards. The three employees who received this award were Baseball Head Coach Dr. Aaron Brister, who achieved 500 career wins and 350 CBC wins; Softball Head Coach Keith Henson, who won his 100th game at CBC; and Basketball Head Coach Sam Kohnke, who secured 81 wins at CBC.
Next, Digital Communications Coordinator Mallory Guyton was presented the Behind-the-Scenes President’s Award for her diligent work to ensure CBC’s success, and Student Receivables Analyst Kylie Williams was presented with the C.A.R.E President’s Award for “Creating A Rare Experience” for students & visitors.
Next, we had the Faculty Awards with Dr. Blake Duffield and Dr. Kateryna Pitchford being Division Winners and Professor of Science/Natural Science and Mathematics Department Chair Judy Gabbard receiving the Outstanding Faculty Award.
To finish the awards ceremony, Director of Dining Services Billie Rodriguez was presented with the 2025 Employee of the Year Award. Judy Gabbard was also recognized for her 57 years of service to CBC as she prepares to retire.
We are very thankful to our wonderful employees for all their hard work making what we do at CBC possible.
