01 Jun 2025 Person of the Month: Terry Kimbrow

Posted at 7:16 PMh in Neighbors by
Photo by Makenzie Evans

HOMETOWN: I was born in Kennett, Mo., and raised in Poplar Bluff, Mo. I have lived in Conway for the past 36 years.

Family: I married Tricia in 1976. We have three children: Justin, married to Sarah; Jason, married to Ashley, and Jennifer. We also have nine grandchildren: Kane, Kimbrow, Jada, McAllister, Pierce, Ava, Eve, Brielle and Knox. 

Education: I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Bible from Central Baptist College (CBC) and a Master’s degree in College Student Personnel Administration from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville.

Career retirement: I have worked at CBC for 31 years. For 11 years I served as Vice President for Advancement, and then as president for the past 20 years. I retired on May 26, 2025.

What CBC goals are you most proud? During the first few years of my presidency, we secured some transformational donations, most notably two $1 million unrestricted gifts that helped lay the groundwork for major changes for the future. Second, a $1.9 million Title III Strengthening Institutions Program Grant from the U.S. Department of Education funded the construction of the Judy Gabbard Science Center and the launching of several undergraduate degrees in Health Sciences. Third, in February 2011, we launched Vision 2020: A Miracle in the Making, a capital campaign with an initial goal of $5 million. Shortly thereafter, we received what was then the largest gift in the history of the institution — a $5,000,000 donation to help construct the 38,000 square foot. David T. Watkins Academic Building. The campaign was increased to $12 million and eventually to $18 million, which funded both the Story Library and the $7,000,000 Dickson Residence Hall. Finally, I’ve been pleased to see the Mustang athletic program grow to 16 NAIA intercollegiate sports competing in the American Midwest Conference. 

“What I enjoyed most in my time with Central Baptist College is seeing the transformation in the lives of students from the day they first set foot on campus until they walk across the stage to accept their diploma. It’s very fulfilling!” — Terry Kimbrow

Awards: I’ve been blessed to receive the Conway Rotary Club Rotarian of the Year for 2023-2024; Dan Nabholz Leadership Award, 2016; the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce Business Executive of the Year, 2013; the Central Baptist College Employee of the Year, 2001; and the Central Baptist College Alumnus of the Year, 2001. I’ve also been honored three times with the Paul Harris Fellow award from Rotary International and to serve as the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce Board Chair and the Conway Rotary Club President.  

Church activities: My family and I have been active members of Antioch Baptist Church for 34 years. I’ve enjoyed serving on the Conway Baptist Hospital Safety Committee since 2021. I am a graduate of both the Faulkner County and Conway Leadership Institutes. For ten years, I served as a Conway Police Department Chaplain. Most recently, I was selected to attend the FBI Citizens Academy in Little Rock, which was an amazing experience.

Special interests: I love to fish and hunt or do anything that gets me outdoors. 

What does retirement hold for you? I tell people I plan to work, but I don’t yet know what that looks like. However, I look forward to the flexibility that will allow me to spend more time with my family and get outdoors whenever possible.