Grace Betry: A Journey of Musical Excellence

College of Arts and Sciences>Department of Music, MBU News

The mission of Maranatha is to develop leaders in the local church and the world to the praise of God’s glory. This mission is shaped every day not only by the university’s programs, but also by the graduates who continue to develop their God-given talents for His...

Practical Publishing Considerations for Aspiring Composers

College of Arts and Sciences>Department of Music, MBU News

Navigating the publishing market can be challenging, particularly for those unsure about what to expect. Professional guidance can provide valuable insight and help composers avoid common pitfalls. Dr. David Ledgerwood, former chair of Maranatha’s Department of Music,...

Hailee Butler: A Student Voice at the State Capitol

MBU News

Communications arts junior Hailee Butler was honored recently to represent the “youth voice” before the Wisconsin Assembly Task Force on Protecting Kids. The session examined effects of parental communication, social-emotional issues of digital addiction, online...

MBU Fall Festival Highlights – Dan Forrest Requiem for the Living

Fine Arts

“Come unto me all ye who labor. Come unto me all ye who are heavy laden. Come unto me and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28; as set in Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living This fall, the combined Madrigal Choir and Chamber Singers, with several alumni, under the...

An Unsuspecting Scrooge: Mr. Butler

Fine Arts

Author: Ryleigh Bill It is September 11. Evening has descended over the Maranatha campus. In Fine Arts Hall, a group of students await Mrs. Morris and a chance to audition for a part in the upcoming MBU production of A Christmas Carol. Amid the would-be student...

Alumni Spotlight – Nathan Ledgerwood

Alumni

Author: Joseph Greene Music alumnus Nathan Ledgerwood studied Music performance for his undergrad at MBU. After his graduation in 2003, he received a scholarship from the University of Texas at Austin, earning an MM degree in Cello Performance. Studying with many...

The Department of Humanities Welcomes Diane Westphall

Humanities

MBU’s Department of Humanities announces a new faculty member—Diane Westphall. It wasn’t until Diane was sixteen, that her parents realized something was “missing” in their lives and began searching. To her “horror,” they started attending a Baptist church where she...

Samuel Robertson Trombone Recital Highlights

Fine Arts

Author: Joseph Greene On the afternoon of October 17, Sam Robertson performed his Senior Trombone recital in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education. Sam’s recital showcased his natural talent with the trombone as well...

Student Miriam Spencer & Professor Dr. Judith Leary Present at Midwest Criminal Justice Conference

MBU News

MBU sophomore Miriam Spencer had the recent honor of presenting at the Midwest Criminal Justice Association 48th Annual Meeting in Chicago. The Midwestern Criminal Justice Association (MCJA), affiliated with the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, fosters...

Special Needs and a Special Field Trip

MBU News

Five MBU students recently enjoyed a field trip to Zachariah’s Acres (ZA), a faith-based ministry in nearby Oconomowoc whose mission is “to connect children with special needs, and their families, to the miracles of nature so they may know their Creator.” Offering...

Alumnus Caleb Armstrong Earns PhD in Nursing

Alumni

The Maranatha family extends its warmest congratulations to Dr. Caleb Armstrong (’19) for earning his PhD in Nursing from UT Tyler School of Nursing. This distinction is not merely a degree, but the culmination of dedication, perseverance, intense study, and...

Saluting Professor Timothy Johns for Earning a DMin

College of Bible and Church Ministries

Congratulations are due! MBU Professor Timothy Johns recently earned a Doctor of Ministry degree with an emphasis in biblical counseling from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, home to the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, “the oldest and largest...

Private Piano Instructors Riffel and Willson Join Music Department

College of Arts and Sciences>Department of Music

Maranatha’s Department of Music is pleased to welcome two part-time piano instructors: Jennifer Riffel and Amber Willson. These highly qualified musicians have similar backgrounds. Both were raised in Christian homes and came to know the Lord as Savior at a young age....

Alumnus of the Year: Mark McKeee

Alumni

Mark McKee was born to Gerry and DeAn McKee in August 1965 and made a profession of faith at a young age. As a freshman in high school, he confronted his doubts, gained assurance of faith and was baptized shortly thereafter. Mark attended Maranatha Baptist Bible...

MBU Director of Financial Aid John Brandt Earns FAAC®

MBU News

John Brandt, Director of Financial Aid at Maranatha Baptist University, recently earned the FAAC® designation from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’ accredited Certified Financial Aid Administrator® (CFAA) Program. The CFAA...

Continuing Contribution: The Ongoing Impact of Global Encounters

Student Interests

Have you ever wondered about the merit of mission trips? Is there any continued impact? In 2023, Maranatha’s Global Encounters (GE) sent the Men’s Soccer Team to Kyrgyzstan to join national Samat in conducting soccer clinics. (Read the original post.) Though there...

The Department of Humanities Welcomes Victoria Hinman to Faculty

College of Arts and Sciences>Department of Humanities, MBU News

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Victoria (Kirby) Hinman as a new Teaching Assistant in the Department of Humanities. Victoria grew up in church and accepted Christ as Savior at age five. Like many who have known Christianity from infancy, she glibly...

MBU to Present Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living with Alumni

Alumni

Maranatha Baptist University’s Music Department is proud to invite MBU alumni to perform Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living alongside MBU choirs and orchestra! The Requiem is a five-movement choral work written for choir and full orchestra. Using the traditional...

Kenney Hedrick Euphonium Recital Highlights

College of Arts and Sciences>Department of Music, Department of Music, Fine Arts, MBU News, Music

On May 2, 2025, Kenney Hedrick performed his Senior Euphonium Recital in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music. Kenney’s recital featured solo and collaborative works from all style periods, as well as sacred music. Two pieces...

Welcome Miss Reagan Bill to the Applied Science Faculty

College of Arts and Sciences>Department of Applied Science, MBU News

We are pleased to announce Reagan Bill as the new Teaching Assistant in the Department of Applied Science. Reagan hails from Ringgold, Louisiana, where she grew up at Southland Christian Ministries. As a staff child, she heard the gospel from infancy and was saved at...

Maranatha Baptist University and Answers in Genesis Establish New Collaboration 

MBU News

Maranatha Baptist University (MBU) is delighted to announce a new collaboration with Answers in Genesis (AiG). Known best for their Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter, Answers in Genesis uses apologetics and creative media to defend the Christian faith, to expose...

MBU School of Business Appoints Interim Director

MBU News

Seeking continuity and expertise that reflects Maranatha’s philosophy and standard of excellence, the Board of Trustees has approved appointment of Steve Board as Interim Director of the School of Business. Dr. Tracy Foster has proficiently served as Dean of the...

MBU School of Nursing Welcomes New Dean

MBU News

Maranatha Baptist University’s Board of Trustees recently approved the appointment of Dr. Sarah Urban as Dean of the School of Nursing. Dr. Urban, a PhD-prepared Certified Nurse Educator, joined the MBU faculty in the fall of 2024. Sarah’s earliest desire was to serve...

2025 Outstanding Musician | Alissa Foerster

Department of Music, MBU News

Maranatha Baptist University’s Department of Music announces Alissa Foerster as the 2025 Outstanding Senior Musician. Every year, the music faculty choose a graduate they believe exhibits the spirit of Maranatha through music. Considerations include the student’s...