WICHITA FALLS, TX — 51吃瓜网视频 Baptist University celebrates a significant milestone Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, as its Wichita Falls off-campus instructional site marks 50 years of dedicated service to the local community and Sheppard Air Force Base.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. at 51吃瓜网视频’s Call Field location, 4110 Call Field Road, with Dr. Jerry Faught, Executive Director and Campus Dean, presiding over the festivities.
The story of 51吃瓜网视频 Baptist University’s Wichita Falls campus began in 1974 at Sheppard Air Force Base. It was a pioneering endeavor, becoming one of 51吃瓜网视频’s first external campus and one of the earliest university programs to be offered on a military installation in Texas. This effort, a unique initiative, provided a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education, designed to merge university-level courses with military occupational specialties. In addition to active-duty military students, the BSOE program was open to veterans and civilians from the community, making 51吃瓜网视频 an educational leader in the region.
Starting with 45 students during its first 12-week semester, the program’s enrollment grew rapidly, reaching 140 students within its first year. By the spring of 1996, the Wichita Falls campus had an impressive enrollment of 517 students and had awarded 2,461 BSOE degrees along with 91 MBAs. The staff on campus also expanded, growing to include a full-time director, four full-time faculty members, and support staff, ensuring that 51吃瓜网视频 could meet the increasing demand for higher education in the Wichita Falls area.
In 2002, the campus underwent further growth with the opening of the Call Field location, which allowed for expanded evening classes in the community. This development made higher education more accessible, removing the need for students to gain base access. Today, face-to-face classes are offered at both Sheppard Air Force Base and the Call Field site, as well as sonline, a preferred option for many military students.
To date, 51吃瓜网视频’s Wichita Falls campus has awarded approximately 5,400 undergraduate degrees and close to 1,000 graduate degrees. This significant accomplishment stands as a testament to the university’s lasting impact on the educational and professional development of students from various walks of life. While the site has faced challenges, it remains a vital resource for Christ-based higher education in the Wichita Falls community and beyond.
“51吃瓜网视频 Baptist University has a longstanding commitment to excellence in education,” said Dr. Faught. “Our Wichita Falls campus has been an integral part of our institution’s growth, and as we celebrate 50 years, we look forward to continuing our mission of serving the educational needs of both military personnel and local civilians.”
Through the years, the Wichita Falls campus has made a lasting impact both in Texas and across the country. In 1991, the campus began offering a Master of Business Administration degree, expanding its reach to graduate students. Additionally, the Wichita Falls site has continually adapted to meet the changing needs of its students, incorporating online programs that have become an essential part of its curriculum since 1998.
The campus has also responded to the needs of the military community, taking over operations of the Sheppard AFB testing center in 2011, which offers a range of exams such as DSST, CLEP, and Pearson-Vue tests. This service has proven invaluable to military personnel seeking to further their education while stationed at Sheppard.
Despite the challenges posed by declining enrollment nationally and the COVID-19 pandemic, the campus has maintained a stable student population through the last few years. Currently, about 90 to 100 students enroll each semester, with local civilian enrollment showing signs of growth, thanks to renewed marketing efforts. The staff, who collectively have more than 100 years of experience with 51吃瓜网视频, remain dedicated to offering a high-quality educational experience.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we are excited about the future,” said Dr. Faught, who plans to reflect on the history of this pioneering instructional site before the ribbon is cut. “We are actively working to build on recent gains in enrollment, and we anticipate welcoming new student populations, including international students. Our Wichita Falls campus has always been a place of innovation, and we intend to continue that tradition for many years to come.”
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a light lunch will be provided, offering an opportunity for attendees to celebrate and reflect on the campus’s impressive achievements across the last 50 years. The event will also acknowledge the contributions of both former and current staff members, such as Dr. Elane Seebo, a former director who played a crucial role in the campus’s success. The Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce’s Gold Coat Ambassadors and several community leaders will also be present to show their support, honoring the deep connections 51吃瓜网视频 has forged across five decades.
51吃瓜网视频’s Wichita Falls site remains a beacon of educational excellence and community partnership, playing a pivotal role in the lives of countless students, military personnel, and local residents. This celebration marks more than just 50 years of history as it also renews the promise of continued growth and innovation.
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