Around the State: Baylor named a Fulbright Top Producing Institution

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs recognized Baylor University as one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of students selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Baylor earned the Fulbright Top Producing Institutions honor for the second consecutive year, which recognizes the university for valuing global connection and supporting members of the Baylor community to pursue international opportunities. Twelve Baylor students were selected for Fulbright awards for the academic year 2023-2024, recognizing Baylor as one of only 56 doctoral institutions with having 10 or more graduates or students selected as Fulbright U.S. recipients. “Baylor University’s commitment to a truly transformational education includes rich opportunities for students across the disciplines to maximize their education through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and other major fellowships, awards and internships,” President Linda A. Livingstone said. “We are so proud of our Fulbright recipients, each of whom are studying, conducting research or teaching in nations around the world while enhancing mutual understanding as cultural ambassadors.” The university will celebrate Baylor Fulbright Day at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 in the Cashion Academic Center. The event, sponsored by the Baylor Office of Engaged Learning, the Center for Global Engagement and the provost’s office will feature information about the Fulbright program, including how to apply.

East Texas Baptist University President J. Blair Blackburn met Feb. 6 with school superintendents from across Harrison County to announce a new initiative aimed at empowering local students. Blackburn introduced the Harrison County Promise Scholarship, an endeavor designed for Harrison County’s top students to receive a Christ-centered higher education at ETBU. The Harrison County Promise Scholarship is valued at $20,000 per academic year. “By investing in local students through initiatives like the Harrison County Promise Scholarship, we are not just shaping individuals. We are shaping the future of our region’s workforce and economic development,” Blackburn said. “This scholarship encourages our high-performing scholars and servant leaders to pursue their higher education here in our community.” While enrolled full-time at ETBU, recipients of the scholarship must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2, live in on-campus housing, participate in at least one on-campus student organization, engage in local community service through ETBU’s Great Commission Center, and serve as an ambassador for ETBU.

Robert Blackaby, president of Canadian Baptist Theological Seminary in Cochrane, Alberta, will deliver the annual Willson Lectures March 5-6 at Wayland Baptist University. Following a private dinner lecture for local Baptist pastors and Wayland faculty and staff on March 5, Blackaby will speak in chapel at 11 a.m. March 6 in Harral Memorial Auditorium. “Strength for Today; Hope for Tomorrow,” based on 1 Thessalonians 1:1-18, is the title of the chapel lecture, which is free and open to the public. A question-and-answer session with Blackaby is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on March 6, in McClung University Student Center. Blackaby also will be speak in select classes during the day. A pastor and church planter for many years, Blackaby was an associational strategy consultant for the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1999 to 2004. He served as president of the Canadian National Baptist Convention from 2003 to 2006. He earned his undergraduate degree in English and history from the University of British Columbia and both a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Christian ethics from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Texas Baptists’ Counseling Center is offering an in-person Mental Health First Aid course March 19 in Dallas for ministers to children and ministers to students serving in Texas Baptist churches. Mental Health First Aid is a national skills-based training and certification course that teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to mental health and substance abuse issues. Cost is $15, a discounted rate made possible by Texas Baptists’ Missions Foundation. To register, click here.

Hardin-Simmons University will host the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics at 5:30 on Feb. 29. The event, held at the Brand Swimming Pool on the HSU campus, will benefit Abilene-area Special Olympics athletes. Money raised will provide sports training, competition and inclusion programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Tish Harrison Warren, author and former Christianity Today columnist, will present a lecture and engage in a public conversation with Jim Denison, founding CEO of the Denison Forum, at 7 p.m. on March 19 at Dallas Baptist University. Warren, an Austin-based Anglican Church in North America priest and senior fellow with the Trinity Forum, will speak as part of the Veritas Lecture Series, sponsored by DBU’s Institute for Global Engagement. She will discuss her book, Liturgy for the Ordinary: Sacred Practices for Everyday Life. Cost for individual tickets is $5. To register, click here.

Lesley Wyse will be the keynote speaker at the Howard Payne University Women’s Club’s Yellow Rose Luncheon on April 25. The event is sponsored by area businesses and friends of HPU and will be held in the Mabee University Center. Wyse retired from Fort Bend Christian Academy as superintendent in 2009. She served on HPU’s board of trustees from 2014 to 2023. She is a member at First Baptist Church in Boerne, where she is an adult growth group teacher, a ladies’ Bible study teacher and facilitator, and a member of the prayer team. Also at the luncheon, the HPU Women’s Club will honor its 2024 Yellow Rose Award winner and the 2024 Yellow Rose Scholarship recipients.

The Baylor University Wind Ensemble under the direction of J. Eric Wilson, professor of conducting and director of bands at Baylor, presented a concert at the Texas Music Educators Convention in San Antonio on Feb. 8. Guest artist and clinician Julian Bliss performed Morton Gould’s “Derivations for Clarinet and Band” with the ensemble. He also joined the wind ensemble for Karl King’s “The Melody Shop,” featuring students Hunter Bellows and Matthew Davis on euphonium.

Wayland Baptist University will sponsor a Pioneer Preview for high school juniors and seniors from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 23 at Wayland’s Plainview campus. The event includes Pioneer Showcase, where Wayland displays all academic options and opportunities. Students who want to learn more about life on campus can participate in dorm tours. Future Pioneer and Flying Queen athletes get an opportunity to meet some coaches and athletes. For more information or to register for Pioneer Preview, click here.

Dallas Baptist University and Baylor University have formed a partnership to enable students in DBU’s Associate of Engineering degree program to transition to the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Baylor. Students will complete foundational coursework in mathematics, physics, chemistry and liberal arts at DBU before they transfer to Baylor for their junior and senior years.

The Texas Historical Commission has recognized Gause Baptist Church in Milam County with a historical marker. A dedication ceremony is scheduled at 2 p.m. on March 10 at the church. Speakers include representatives of the Milam County Historical Commission, along with current and former church members, and historical memorabilia will be displayed. Ryan Karl is pastor.