Texas Tidbits

Posted: 3/31/06

Texas Tidbits

BUA launches cross-cultural program for laity. Baptist University of the Americas has launched an associate’s degree program in cross-cultural studies designed for Christian laity. The two-year, 61-hour program will enable motivated lay people to enhance their theological foundations as well as their cross-cultural competencies at the earliest levels of their general education, said BUA President Albert Reyes. The degree especially is suited for future careers such as social work, education or human services, he noted.

Dawson Institute director resigns. Derek Davis has resigned as director of the J.M. Dawson Institute for Church-State Studies at Baylor University and editor of the Journal of Church & State. Chris Marsh, director of the Asian studies program and associate professor of political science and church-state studies, has been named interim director of the institute. Wallace Daniel, history professor and former dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, has been named interim editor of the journal.

Huesing named VP at ETBU. East Texas Baptist University has named Alan Huesing vice president for spiritual development. Huesing, who has been director of international education and will continue to fulfill that responsibility, succeeds Wallace Watkins. Huesing served seven years as a youth mission education strategist with the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board. He is a former math teacher and soccer coach with the Marshall Independent School District, and he held teaching positions in Southeast Asia. Huesing earned his bachelor’s degree from ETBU and master’s degree from the University of Texas at Tyler. He and his wife, Sheryl, have three children—Andrew, Jenna and Kyle. They are members of First Baptist Church in Hallsville.

Howard Payne receives $3 million gift. Howard Payne University has learned it will receive $3 million from the estate of Leona Muse—the largest gift in the school’s history. The gift will enable the university to restore its oldest campus building, the historic Mims Auditorium.

Three scholarships endowed at HSU. Three endowed scholarships have been established recently at Hardin-Simmons University—the Clara G. Campbell Scholarship in science and mathematics, the Hope and Howard Wilkins Endowed Scholarship in music and the Carl and Georgia Tefertiller Scholarship to benefit graduate ministerial students in the Logsdon School of The-ology. Campbell, a 1934 Hardin-Simmons graduate from Abilene, established a scholarship fund to benefit full-time students seeking degrees in sciences and mathematics, with a special emphasis in chemistry or biology. The Wilkinses, members of First Baptist Church in Abilene, previously had established the B.A. Duffy Endowed Memorial Scholarship, provided funding for the Duffy Theological Center in the university’s Richardson Library, assisted the nursing endowment program and made possible the Wilkins Choral Music Suite in the school’s Hemphill Music Building. Tefertiller, a member of Colonial Baptist Church in Snyder, established the ministerial scholarship to honor his wife, who died in 2003.

Texas church choirs invited to audition. Voices of Joy—an American Idol-style competition—has launched its search to find the nation’s most inspiring church choir. The competition will pit church choirs from 12 key markets—including Dallas—against one another in a series of regional events this spring, followed by nationally televised weekly programs this fall. More than $1.3 million in educational scholarships will be awarded to choirs as they advance in the competition, with the winning group receiving $500,000. Church music groups are invited to submit a tape or DVD of three songs by May 15. Entry information is available on www.voicesofjoytv.com.

Baylor development VP steps down. Richard Scott, vice president for development at Baylor University for 10 years and former dean of the Hankamer School of Business, stepped aside from his administrative role April 1, and he announced plans to retire Dec. 31. As vice president of development, Scott led Baylor in a $500 million endowment campaign and helped secure funding for major building projects, including the McLane Student Life Center, the Mayborn Museum Complex, the Baugh-Reynolds Campus of Truett Theological Seminary and several athletics facilities. Baylor President John Lilley has appointed Randy Lofgren, associate vice president for the Baylor Network, as interim vice president for development. Lofgren holds three degrees from Baylor. He and his wife, Jeanine, are members of Seventh & James Baptist Church in Waco.

Oxford professor presents DBU’s Gallup lecture. Oxford professor Paul Fiddes presented an interdisciplinary forum for faculty and staff as part of the fourth annual George Gallup Jr. Distinguished Lecture Series at Dallas Baptist University. Fiddes is a fellow in Christian doctrine at Regent’s Park College in the University of Oxford. He is the author of 14 books and numerous theological articles.

HSU Cowgirls charge into Final Four. The Hardin-Simmons University women’s basketball team received an unexpected bid into the NCAA Division III Final Four tournament. The Cowgirls defeated cross-town rival McMurry University and conference rival Howard Payne University en route to the sectional round. In the sectional tournament, HSU won games against Pacific Lutheran and defending national runners-up Randolph-Macon College. The four wins sent the Cowgirls to the Final Four for the first time in seven trips to the NCAA Tournament before they lost two games in the championship round.

Loutherback named UMHB chaplain. George Loutherback has been named chaplain at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor—a new post in the school’s student affairs division. He will continue to supervise and provide leadership to the Baptist Student Ministries, UMHB’s chapel programs and campus revival, as well as provide pastoral care for students, faculty and staff. Loutherback joined UMHB in 1997 as the director of student organizations and campus spiritual life. He has served as dean and as assistant vice president of spiritual life and dean to student organizations at the university. Loutherback is a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University. He earned a master of divinity degree from South-western Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctor of ministry degree from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary.

DBU preview event slated. Dallas Baptist University has scheduled Patriot Weekend—a one-day preview event for high school juniors and seniors—on Saturday, April 29. Prospective students and their parents are offered a series of informative seminars, as well as fellowship opportunities with other families and DBU faculty. Information on financial aid options, the admission process and campus life are highlighted. Students interested in DBU's Christian Leadership Scholarship can interview and apply during this time. The weekend concludes with a campus life fair that offers guests the opportunity to learn more about various aspects of student life. Cost for students for the event is $25 and includes two meals for both students and their parents. For more information, or to register for Patriot Weekend, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at (214) 333-5360, or register online at www.dbu.edu/patriotday.