Summer 2005 - John Brown University

jbu in focusand community members collected the supplies to fill them.During a chapel service on March 29, JBU celebrated thecommunity relief effort as Global Action staff collected thefilled buckets.JBU Drops Diving and Men’s SwimmingAfter much consideration, the athletics department,along with JBU officials, has decided to dissolve the divingprogram, along with the menʼs swimming program, effectivewith the 2005-2006 season. The decision comes aftera steady decline in participation in these programs at JBUand in the NAIA organization, which gives NAIA swimmingan “at risk” status. The JBU womenʼs swimming programwill remain for the 2005-2006 season.“JBU has a long tradition of intercollegiate swimmingand has had a number of NAIA All-Americans inthe last four decades,” Dr. Bob Burns, Athletic Directorsaid. “The sport served JBU well, but with the declininginterest, it was my recommendation to the presidentʼscabinet that the programs be evaluated and appropriateadjustments made.”“It would be irresponsible on our part to recruit studentsfor the menʼs swimming program knowing thatparticipation is down and the future of swimming programsin the NAIA is uncertain,” said Dr. Ed Ericson,Vice President for Academic Affairs, including athletics.“It is a difficult decision and one that was made withcareful thought and consideration.” ■For more information about these and other news stories, visit www.jbu.edu/newsCrowd CutsNorth Hall RibbonTo celebrate the gift of North Hall,JBUʼs newest residence hall, studentsled a dedication ceremony on Friday,April 1. Rain chased the festivitiesindoors to Sells Gymnasium, wherestudents, faculty, staff, members of theboard of trustees, and a number of JBUfriends heard testimonies from NorthHall residents about their experiences inthe new building. (North Hall openedto residents in August 2004.)“As I think about the blessing thatmy home in North Hall has been thisyear and look forward to the future,my vision for North Hall is that it willbe a place where we see [Christ] moreclearly and learn to walk with Himmore intimately each day,” said NorthHall resident Rebekah Frazier duringthe ceremony.In the tradition of CaliforniaDorm, a framed photo of NorthHall residents was presented tothe university to be hung in thehall lobby.A break in the rain allowedthe ceremony to conclude outside,across the road at NorthHall. There, all the studentsin attendance, together withboard of trustee members andother special guests, wereinvited to cut the five-foot wide, redribbon stretched across the front of thebuilding.A lead gift from an anonymousdonor, along with generousgifts from the ChapmanTrusts of Tulsa, the J. E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation of Tulsa,and the Sunderland Foundationof Kansas City, made NorthHall possible. ■6 John Brown Bulletin Summer 2005