Southwest Baptist University Accreditation Complaint & Document Transfer: Letter to Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director Dr. David Tolliver

Monday, August 3, 2009

From the Desk of Marie Ann O’Hara
Mailing Address
Bolivar, MO 65613

The Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention
and MBC Executive Director David Tolliver Baptist Building
400 High Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Fax: (573)-635-0904

Dear Dr. David Tolliver and the MBC Executive Board:

This week, I am making arrangements with Rev. Billy Russell, the pastor of First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri and a current member of the Southwest Baptist University Board of Trustees, to receive information concerning my formal complaint against Southwest Baptist University filed with their accreditation agency, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

I have asked that Rev. Russell convey this information to you and
to each member of the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board as soon as possible.

If by the end of the business day on Monday, August 10,
Rev. Russell he has not communicated with you concerning the transfer of this documentation to your office, please call him.

Rev. Billy Russell will also be distributing copies of these documents to each member of the Southwest Baptist University Board of Trustees.

Thank for time and consideration.

Praying for Your Integrity,


Marie O’Hara


Tuesday, August 11 about 7:00 am --
Last week, Rev. Billy Russell was not available. (He was on vacation visiting his parents in Michigan.)

However, Rev. Russell will be "in the office" this week and will receive the information (detailed here) shortly.

Also, we extend our prayers to Dr. Ray Leininger, former pastor of First Baptist Church of Bolivar, for the illness and pending open-heart surgery of his wife tomorrow (Wednesday). [UPDATED here.]