E-Lumine
May 9, 2008
Articles in this issue:
First graduate degrees to be awarded at commencement - [ Article Below ] Theatre now its own major - [ Article Below ] Catch Lions' Pride now - [ Article Below ] Cafeteria, 4th Huston to get makeover - [ Article Below ]
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First graduate degrees to be awarded at commencement
Bryan College will celebrate its 76th commencement May 10 with its first-ever Master’s degree candidates receiving their degrees.
The 140 undergraduates expected to march Saturday brings to more than 230 the number of degrees awarded since the May 2007 graduation.  In addition, 11 Master's of Business Administration degree candidates are to receive their degrees.
Academic Vice President Dr. Cal White pointed out that after the May 2007 graduation, with 200 degree candidates participating, the college added a December commencement service, when 89 graduates received their degrees. He said that December graduations are to be a regular feature of the academic calendar, reflecting Bryan’s growing enrollment.
During the graduation ceremony, the college will present P.A. Boyd Awards to the man and woman “whose principles and character have secured for them the highest degree of influence over their fellow students;” an award for the underclassman having the highest academic average; an award to the Aspire degree completion student for the best research paper; an award to the student judged to have made the most progress; and the Faithfulness and Loyalty Award.
Special guests for the event will be members of the Class of 1958, who will receive their Golden Anniversary diplomas during the ceremony.
Graduation is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on the Triangle lawn. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to Rudd Auditorium.
Theatre now its own major
Theatre has become Bryan’s newest—and 18 th—major following action by the faculty recently, Academic Vice President Dr. Cal White has announced. 
Formerly an option in the communication studies major, students will be able to receive a BA degree in theatre, a move major director Mr. Bernie Belisle expects to aid in recruiting and more carefully define expectations.
Students will take between 24 and 30 credit hours of theatre-related courses, along with three core classes in the communication studies department for their major. “We won’t require an off-campus internship because the experience majors will get in our productions is plenty,” Mr. Belisle explained.
“We had all the courses for the major in place; we just had to reorganize things a little bit. As the major grows, I hope we can hire another professor to further augment the major.” Long-term, he added, he would like to see an educational licensure program for theatre arts.
Mr. Belisle said an undergraduate degree in theatre will provide some opportunities for graduates to break into the professional ranks and to gain admission to graduate programs. The major also will provide carry-over skills valuable for other fields. “The number one skill employers want is people skills,” he said. “Because this is a field where dealing with people is critical, our graduates should have skills that will benefit them in any field of employment.”
Catch Lions' Pride now
 Through memorable interviews, illustrated with historic archival images and stunning new photographs, Bryan College: Lions' Pride brings to life the incredible story of the "little college that could."
This oversized coffee-table book chronicles the legacy of faith, determination and commitment to academic excellence that has transformed Bryan into one of the top-ranked colleges in the South today.
Whether you're a Bryan College alum, current student or other proud member of the Bryan family, you'll want to own this stunning piece of Bryan history.
Supplies are limited. Don't miss your opportunity--order NOW before it's too late!
To order your copies today, visit bryan.thebooksmithgroup.com or call 800-358-0560.
Cafeteria, 4th Huston to get makeover
The next three weeks will be busy for Bryan’s operations staff as they prepare buildings for summer conferences and the coming school year. 
Tim Hostetler, vice president of operations, said major renovations will be made to the student cafeteria, and the fourth floor of Huston residence hall will be reconfigured for each room to house three students instead of two.
“We’ll be reworking the food program and serving area in the cafeteria,” he said. “There will be new areas for sub sandwiches and other things, and we’ll add serving lines.” Work also will include removing the wall between the serving and dining areas and adding a raised seating area near the windows.
Work on the fourth floor of Huston will add about 14 beds, as the fixed furnishings are removed, the floor is retiled, walls are repainted and modular furniture is installed, duplicating work done on other floors of Huston and in Long halls a year ago.
Mr. Hostetler pointed out that these projects must be completed by the end of May, as two conferences are scheduled in the first two weeks of June. “We’ll have a week’s break, then we’ll have four weeks of Summit” he said. In all, more than 1,000 guests are expected on campus for conferences this summer.
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