Honoring President Kimbrow's Legacy of Leadership

By Jessica Faulkner, Director of Public Relations • Central Baptist College

Over 100 friends, family members, colleagues and community leaders gathered to honor Terry Kimbrow, who has served as president of CBC since December 2004. He is the ninth and longest-serving president of the college. This retirement celebration took place on Friday, May 9, in the Burgess Auditorium and was attended by several local college presidents and a representative from the Arkansas Independent Colleges and Universities (AICU). Lifeword’s Yalanda Merrell emceed the event, which was filled with heartfelt memories and meaningful tributes, highlighting key moments from Kimbrow’s two decades of transformative leadership.

Jason Kimbrow, President Kimbrow’s oldest son, shared about his family’s transition to Conway in 1987. Jason explained how Terry sold their bass boat, along with other belongings, and packed the family station wagon for the move to Conway to attend CBC as a student. He recounted Terry’s journey from being a grocery store manager to working as a grocery bagger and stocking shelves.

Jason emphasized the faith it took for his dad to heed the call to ministry. Over the next five years, the family made many sacrifices to enable Terry to complete his degree. They spent numerous Sunday mornings traveling to churches in Arkansas and Missouri so that Terry could preach. When Terry graduated from CBC in 1992, he had been serving as associate pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Conway for two years. CBC hired him in July 1993 as Vice President for Institutional Advancement.

Board of Trustees Member Jim Fink played a pivotal role in hiring Kimbrow as president. Fink shared, “Back in 2003, I remember there were seven or eight candidates who applied for the position of president. I recall Bro. (Charles) Atteberry mentioned that one more applicant was considering it but hesitated because he didn’t feel he had the necessary education for the position. Looking back, some might have questioned his credentials, but that is how God works. It was evident that your great love, devotion and commitment to the college couldn’t be matched by any other candidate.”

Brian Ratliff, a longtime friend of Terry, shared stories about their friendship that blossomed during the time when Terry’s other son, Justin, was enrolled at the elementary school where Brian worked. Their friendship would later intersect with campus projects that left a lasting mark on CBC’s identity. Brian discussed Terry’s first major project at CBC — the Ratliff Bell Tower. This project was initiated following discussions held in a series of focus groups conducted by Terry, which led to the decision to honor the history of Old Main by replicating one of its towers in the bell tower. This bell tower would also be incorporated into the college’s new branding and image. He shared, “I remember Terry asking my great-uncle, Doc Toland, to assist with the project. In fact, to honor my father, he named the bell tower after my family.”

Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and Conway Development Corporation President and CEO Brad Lacy discussed Terry’s significant involvement in the community. During his remarks, he highlighted Terry’s crucial role in the establishment of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce building, noting that without his involvement, it might not exist today. He also shared anecdotes about Terry surprising everyone by wearing a “toad” costume in one of the annual meeting videos.

Math and Science Department Chair Judy Gabbard shared insights about Terry both professionally and personally. “I first met Bro. Terry as a quiet, responsible student in my classroom,” she shared. “He tells everyone that I wrote on the board with one hand and followed with an eraser in the other! That is not true — I always finished two full boards before I erased the first one!”

Gabbard continued, “I remember when they hired Bro. Terry to work in Development. I wasn’t sure what his exact job was, but I was certain it was important. He was a very busy man.” Gabbard also discussed Terry’s success with the Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant, approximately $1.9 million, that enabled the establishment of several science degree programs and the construction of the Judy Gabbard Science Center.

During Terry’s tenure as president, Gabbard noted that he increased the number of majors and minors from 9 majors and 7 minors to 35 majors and 27 minors. The addition of courses, such as Organic Chemistry to the class offerings, led to the introduction of a Bachelor of Science in Biology (for medical school students), a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (for Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy school), a Bachelor of Arts in Biology (for medical sales or medical administrative roles) and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences (for research positions).

Gabbard continued, “This year, with all the personal challenges my husband and I faced, Terry listened to me, encouraged me and prayed for me. That was huge. He will always be a cherished friend, and I pray he takes the time to stop and smell the roses each day in his retirement.”

Former Vice President for Advancement Sancy Faulk spoke about Terry’s most significant and influential project — Vision 2020. “Before Vision 2020 launched, Terry and I led a group of students on a trip to Liberty University. When we returned, the students asked if we could pray before we all went our separate ways. We walked to the corner of College Avenue and Conway Boulevard, the current location of the David Watkins Building, which was then just a front lawn. We held hands in a circle and prayed for guidance and wisdom, and for a monetary gift that would transform the college.” In that quiet moment of prayer, God was already orchestrating something extraordinary.

Sancy continued, “A few months later, we stood on that same front lawn to publicly launch the Vision 2020 campaign — 10 projects in 10 years to accommodate an enrollment of 2,020 students. On that day, I stood with the same group of students as President Kimbrow announced a $5 million gift, which at the time was the largest in the institution’s history, to initiate the first Vision 2020 project — the David T. Watkins Academic Building. I know Terry would want us to remember Vision 2020, not as what he did, but as what God did through him and through the hundreds of people who prayed, donated and supported this transformational time in the life of Central Baptist College.”

Executive Vice President Dr. Jeremy Langley highlighted several other notable achievements of President Kimbrow, including one of the most impactful — the annual scholarship gala. He announced that, over the course of six years, Kimbrow had been instrumental in raising almost $4 million for scholarships through the annual gala proceeds. Langley also noted that Terry leaves some “big shoes to fill,” emphasizing Kimbrow’s legacy of generosity towards others, his ability to dream big and his faith in God.

As a thank you for his service to Central Baptist College, Langley presented President Kimbrow with several gifts: a caricature provided by artist and alum Gary Thomas (1980), a gift certificate for a hunt at Spring Creek Outfitters in Batesville and the announcement of the fully endowed (meeting the $10,000 threshold) Kimbrow Endowed Scholarship to continue President Kimbrow’s legacy of helping CBC students in their educational pursuits. The Kimbrow Endowed Scholarship ensures that Terry’s passion for equipping ministry-minded students will live on for generations. First priority for the scholarship will be given to a junior or senior Bible Major; second priority will be a junior or senior Missions Major; and third priority will go to a Bible or Missions Minor. Langley also indicated that, though the scholarship is fully endowed, additional gifts will help expand its impact for future ministry leaders. If you would like to contribute, please contact me at jfaulkner@cbc.edu.

Kimbrow’s closing remarks echoed the humility and faith that defined his leadership. “I’m truly humbled by the cards, letters, e-mails, texts and phone calls, as well as the responses to the social media posts. I feel very unworthy. It’s been so great to hear from so many current and former students, and I even heard from some parents.” He continued, “This retirement celebration was more than I could have ever imagined. I want to extend special appreciation to the committee members who worked tirelessly to make this happen: Jessica Faulkner, Sancy Faulk and my daughter, Jennifer Kimbrow. I know they had a lot of help, but these three worked so hard to personalize everything that was done and given. I love the gift certificate to Spring Creek Outfitters. However, the fully funded and endowed scholarship in my honor means more to me than you can imagine. The caricature, custom-designed by Gary Thomas, a CBC alumnus, is something I will treasure forever.”

At the conclusion of the event, Dr. Joel Slayton, the former chair of the Bible Department, invited several men to join him in surrounding President Kimbrow for a special prayer. In his prayer, Dr. Slayton thanked God for Terry’s loyalty and faithfulness to CBC.

After the event, guests were invited to enjoy a catered meal provided by Uncle Tim’s Catfish Catering, with dessert offered by CBC’s Dining Services staff. They also had the chance to view a memorabilia table showcasing many of Kimbrow’s accomplishments. Additionally, guests were encouraged to write a note of congratulations to Terry for his retirement. Notes of congratulations can still be sent to: Central Baptist College, Attn: Peggy Pillow, 1501 College Ave., Conway, Ark. 72034.

The legacy of President Kimbrow will continue to resonate in every classroom and in the lives of students transformed by the ministry he helped shape. Even as we celebrate his legacy, I believe Terry would say, “It has never been about what I could do, but what God could do through me,” and refer us to Eph. 3:20: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.”