Fall Fundraiser, Week 4: The Faculty Trio

July 27, 2020

The Faculty Trio

The Faculty Trio was a group of musically-gifted faculty members who traveled the Midwest to minister to churches in music and to spread the word about the college as ambassadors of Omaha Baptist Bible College (OBBC). It was an All-Star cast of individuals whose historical impact on the school would prove immeasurable. Let’s meet our cast of characters.

Michael O’Doonan (standing to the right): Originally from Deep River, Iowa, Dr. O’Doonan joined the faculty at OBBC in 1962 and served the school for 30 years until his retirement in 1992. During his time with the college, he had an instrumental role in selecting the school motto, the design of the school seal, and also in the relocation and naming of the school from Omaha to Ankeny. Much more on that later.

Richard Fleming (standing to the left): Originally from Battle Creek, Michigan, Fleming attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and then transferred to Omaha. He served as an assistant pastor in Michigan before joining Omaha Baptist Bible Institute in 1957 in the music department. Over the course of his 30+ years of service to the school, he served as a full-time music instructor, Director of Public Relations, Alumni Coordinator, Director of Placement, Director of Extension, and Assistant to the President. He twice served as song leader at the National GARBC Conference and was named “Alumnus of the Year” in 1985. He passed away on September 10, 2017.

Charles Bergerson (seated): Born in Racine, Wisconsin, Mr. Bergerson joined the faculty at OBBC in 1961. Bergerson played piano with the Chicago Symphony, and nearly stayed full-time as their concert pianist, but decided to use his talents for ministry instead. He taught at the school from 1961 to 1988 and was Chairman of the Sacred Music Department. Bergerson won the Alumnus of the Year Award in 1979. He passed away on April 18, 2000, at the age of 82.

The summer of 1961 proved to be a significant time in Faith’s history. Joining Mr. Bergerson as a new-hire that summer was a lady who would become one of the most influential women in Faith’s time and would have a tremendous impact on the motto, “With the Word to the World.” Her name was Miss Bernice Inman, and she was about to join the Faculty Trio as a part of the committee that would ultimately decide the school’s motto.

TO BE CONTINUED…

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Would you like to be a part of our great story as we approach 100 years as an institution? Help us match the $160,000 that has been pledged by three separate donors. Give online or mail a check to:

FBBC&TS
Attn: Advancement Department
1900 NW Fourth Street
Ankeny, IA 50023