Vyrsity presented Mrs. Odom with a plaque that acknowledged her service, reading:

“The Mary L. Odom Library is dedicated on this first day of November, 2023, in honor of the selfless service  and example of Mary L. Odom, who continues to inspire us, and who has made this place of learning a reality.”

In her gracious acknowledgment of those who also worked to make the library a reality, Odom added that, “This honor means more to me than you’ll ever know…to finally see the beautifully finished labor of love is a joy beyond words. And to see it dedicated in my name is an unexpected honor that I give all the glory to God for allowing me to be a part…My prayer is that the library will continue to grow, and…will reach a multitude of lives for Christ…”

The Agathon Research Library now has two partnering branches: Vyrsity’s Mary Odom Library and CBU’s Earl Radmacher Library. The Agathon Research Library also has a growing digital collection to serve students of partnering institutions.

The JTLL is is a twice-per-year, peer review academic journal, for the advancement of understanding and applying transformative learning to educational and leadership contexts in diverse disciplines. The JTLL serves as a scholarly forum for the refinement and dissemination of research pertaining to interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary implications of transformative learning and its applications for leadership in diverse contexts.

The second call for papers will be circulated in coming weeks.

Submissions to the JTLL should be submitted publish-ready in the style (Chicago, Turabian, APA, MLA) typical for work in the discipline(s) that the article addresses. As a multidisciplinary journal, the JTLL evaluates style on a per-article basis. The JTLL Editorial Board will prioritize research and article submissions that demonstrate alignment with the JTLL Mission and Core Values. Submissions must be received by published call for papers due date to receive consideration for the upcoming issue, and no guarantee of publication is made. Proposals and Articles may be submitted at jtll@vyrsity.com.

The JTLL espouses the essential idea that learning that transforms is best understood through Biblical descriptions and processes. The JTLL is thus committed to refinement and dissemination of research and applications from the platform of the Biblical worldview in every discipline engaged. The JTLL also is rooted in the idea that those engaging in transformative learning ought also to be well equipped and active in transformative leadership – the application of transformative learning principles in the processes of assisting and guiding other individuals and communities in their own transformative growth.

The JTLL Editorial Board will prioritize research and article submissions that demonstrate alignment with the JTLL Mission and Core Values, and the inaugural Editorial Board includes:

Christopher Cone, ThD, PhD, PhD
Jamie Ervin, EdD
Allan Henderson, EdD
S. Michael Houdmann, Th.M, DMin (Studies)
Paul Miles, DMin
Mike Stallard, PhD
Christine Tan, PhD, PhD

The JTLL issued its first call for papers, noting that submissions to the JTLLL should be submitted publish-ready in the style (Chicago, Turabian, APA, MLA) typical for work in the discipline(s) that the article addresses. As a multidisciplinary journal, the JTLL evaluates style on a per-article basis. Submissions must be received by published call for papers due date to receive consideration for the upcoming issue.

Four values are identified with the Warpack idea:

Focus (on our Creator and His design to understand who He is and who He has designed us to be).

Faith (in our Creator as the One who saves and sustains us).

Fight (for Him and each other, recognizing that we are in constant battles and we must engage them with endurance).

Finish (the task at hand without wavering by maintaining the right focus, standing strong in the faith, and fighting as faithful soldiers).

The Warpack name and the wolf logo are emblematic of Vyrsity’s commitment to excellence in preparing Learners through transformative learning and for transformative leadership.

AgathonEDU and the Vyrsity Innovation Center will welcome likeminded ministries, businesses, and partners, and are committed to provide an incubator environment, a community of resources, ideas, and mentoring to help others fulfill their stewardships and maximize their impact on and benefit to the communities they serve.

Vyrsity officials confirmed that the acquisition is expected to close in early May, and the tentative date for the launch of the Vyrsity Innovation Center is Spring of 2023, as Vyrsity plans to host a conference and course on Systems of Counseling. Vyrsity leadership has not yet determined whether the university will retain portions or all of its current campus in Independence, Missouri, and expects to make an announcement in coming months on plans for the Missouri location.

Dr. Christine Tan has two earned Ph.D’s (Higher Education, Bible Exposition), and serves as President of Grace Christian College in the Philippines. Dr. Ray Pritchard serves as president of Keep Believing Ministries, is an accomplished author, longtime pastor, ministry leader, and has been involved in education around the globe. J. Shelby Sharpe has served as an attorney for more than fifty years, and has focused on Media Law, Insurance Defense, Constitutional Litigation, and Complex Litigation. Jim Henson has an accounting and entrepreneurial background, including long-time leadership and support in non-profit education.

Vyrsity’s Board of Advisors will assist the Executive Leadership of Vyrsity by collectively and individually advising the President.

Spurlin kicked off the course with an intro to the history of the New Testament era, Cone covered the Gospels and their significance, Weaver covered the history of the Book of Acts and the setting for Paul’s earliest letters. Cone, Oglesby, and Fankhauser covered the other Pauline epistles. Spurlin and Fankhauser taught through the general epistles, and Oglesby capped of the course with  a walk through the Book of Revelation and the historical importance – past and future – of the culminating book.

Dr. Roger Fankhauser, Professor of Transformative Learning and Leadership, earned his doctorate from Phoenix Seminary and he has served as a senior pastor, executive leader, and author, recently completing a seven year tenure as the President of the Free Grace Alliance. Dr. Fankhauser currently serves as a Victim Assistance Coordinator with the Burleson (TX) Police Department.