Texas Tidbits

Posted: 5/11/07

Texas Tidbits

Joy Fenner

BGCT VP receives Truett Award. Joy Fenner, first vice president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, was slated to receive the George W. Truett Distinguished Church Service Award at Baylor University’s commencement, May 12. Fenner served as executive director of Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas for two decades. In the 1960s, she served as director of the Girls Auxiliary of Texas WMU. She later was appointed as a missionary by the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board, serving 13 years in Fukuoka, Japan.

Fletcher named Elder Statesman. Jesse Fletcher, president-emeritus of Hardin-Simmons University, will receive the Texas Baptist Elder Statesman award during a June 3 service at Independence Baptist Church, near Brenham. Fletcher was president of Hardin-Simmons University from 1977 to 1991, and he served as chancellor from 1991 to 2001. The program begins with a 10 a.m. Bible study and 11:10 a.m. worship service, followed by a covered-dish picnic on the grounds of the historic church. The Elder Statesman Award recipient is selected by the officers of Independence Association to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to Baptist education in Texas.

Registration deadline nears for literacy event. May 18 marks the registration deadline for the 2007 Conference for Internationals and Literacy Ministries, slated for June 14-16 at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. The conference, sponsored by the Baylor School of Social Work and its Center for Literacy, marks the 50th anniversary of the university’s connection to Baptist literacy ministries. It includes 25 breakout sessions, in addition to basic training workshops in adult literacy and English as Second Language. For more information or to register online, visit www.baylor.edu/ social_work/literacy or call (254) 710-3854.

Estate endows chair at Hardin-Simmons. Annuities and trusts left to Hardin-Simmons University by Lee and Lunelle Nix Hemphill enabled the school to endow a chair in the Kelly College of Business in their memory. The Hemphills were longtime members of First Baptist Church in Abilene and major benefactors of Hardin-Simmons.

DBU launches doctorate in educational leadership. May 18 marks the application deadline for candidates seeking admission into the new doctoral program in educational leadership at Dallas Baptist University. Classes begin in the summer for the research-based doctoral studies program, aimed toward adult practitioner-learners. The pilot program is designed to allow students to complete the degree in four years while working fulltime. For more information, visit www.DBU.edu/leadership/EdD.

Howard Payne campaign reaches milestone. Howard Payne University has reached the $22 million mark in its “Sharing the Vision” capital campaign. Funds generated through the campaign will be used for campus enhancements and renovations, as well as endowments and student scholarships. The university hopes to reach its $25 million challenge goal by the end of the year, President Lanny Hall said.