East Texas Baptist University is partnering with the Cargill family to help facilitate the Polly Cargill Nursing Scholarship program. The Polly Cargill Endowed Nursing Scholarship at ETBU was established with an initial gift of $282,000, and a matching gift from an anonymous donor brought the corpus to $564,000. The scholarship will be awarded through application to students admitted into ETBU’s School of Nursing. Jack Cargill made a legacy gift to the ETBU Polly Cargill Endowed Nursing Scholarship. Jerry and Judy Cargill also made a contribution of $282,000 to the Polly Cargill Nursing Scholarship Fund held at a foundation in Dallas to benefit nursing students at ETBU, Kilgore College, Panola College, the University of Texas-Tyler and other schools in the area. Jerry and Jack Cargill founded the scholarship to honor their mother, Polly Cargill, and support nursing students in their journey to become competent, equipped and compassionate health care workers. Since its inception 19 years ago, the Polly Cargill Nursing Scholarship has provided financial aid to 60 nursing students from schools across the region. “We are deeply grateful for the Cargill family and their enduring generosity to provide scholarships for nursing students in East Texas and Northwest Louisiana,” ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn said. “Their legacy of love and support for health care education has given life and hope to many people—certainly here on the hill of East Texas Baptist University and in our School of Nursing in the downtown Marshall Grand. I praise God for the Cargill family, and look forward to what lies ahead in our shared kingdom educational partnership.”
STCH Ministries—formerly known as South Texas Children’s Home—is partnering with Bluebonnet Youth Ranch to use its Yoakum property as a Homes for Families campus. STCH Ministries Homes for Families at Bluebonnet Ranch will be a resource for single mothers and their children who are facing a crisis and need help transitioning into independent living. The four-phase program provides a safe, comfortable setting for mothers and their children to begin a new chapter, while the staff helps to address their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. “We are excited to be partnering with Bluebonnet Youth Ranch and look forward to continuing the legacy they established so many years ago,” said Eron Green, president and CEO of STCH Ministries.
Wayland Baptist University’s School of Music is offering a new online certification in piano pedagogy. The certification is primarily designed for piano teachers who want to increase their knowledge and understanding of pedagogy and instructional techniques. Offered completely online, students will participate in a 12 credit-hour program taken in four eight-week sessions. Teachers are Richard Fountain, professor of piano, and Kennith Freeman, associate professor of collaborative piano. Students enrolling in the 2021-22 academic year will benefit from a special discounted tuition rate. Students will take two classes at a time, beginning in August. The second class will begin in mid-October and conclude in early December. The spring sessions will begin in mid-January and conclude in mid-May. For more information on the program, call (806) 291-1076 or email fountainr@wbu.edu or Kennith.freeman@wbu.edu.
Howard Payne University has created the Diane Owens Excellence in Music Education Scholarship to honor the life and work of Diane Owens, director of the pre-college music program at the university. Owens has served as the director of the program for 20 years and has taught pre-college music for a total of 27 years. The scholarship will provide recipients $500 per semester or $1,000 per year. Eligible HPU students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and be a junior or senior student who has demonstrated high moral character, a heart for service, excellence in music education and exemplary course work. Students teaching in the pre-college music and art program will be given preference, if all other qualifications are equal. Scholarship recipients will be selected by the dean of the HPU School of Music and Fine Arts.
BaptistWay Press has changed its name to GC2 Press. “GC2 represents the Great Commission and Great Commandment and reflects Texas Baptists’ mission and heart,” said Bob Billups, publisher of GC2 Press. BaptistWay Press began under the leadership of Bill Pinson, then executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and Bernie Spooner in the Sunday School Discipleship team. BaptistWay Press launched in 2000 to provide Bible study curriculum to adults, students and children. Its curriculum currently is used in 40 states and numerous countries around the world. Adult Bible studies have been translated into multiple languages, including Cambodian, Korean and Spanish.
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary named three individuals to academic and administrative leadership roles—Travis H. Trawick as associate provost, F. Edward Upton as interim vice president for institutional advancement and Lucas Hahn as director of admissions. Trawick has been vice president for institutional advancement since 2018. Upton, who will be considered for election to his position by the seminary’s board of trustees at its fall meeting, came to Southwestern Seminary in 2020 as associate vice president for institutional relations. Hahn previously served in admissions roles at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Missouri Baptist University and Fontbonne University.
Howard Payne University presented its Outstanding Faculty Member Award to Dennis Gibson, associate professor of chemistry and department chair, and Outstanding Staff Member Award to Hunter Sims, athletic director. HPU’s Department of Athletic Training received the Outstanding Department Award, recognizing all members of the department for their service. The university presented certificates for excellence in teaching to Chuck Gartman, assistant professor of Christian studies and director of ministry guidance; and Jill Heupel, assistant professor of kinesiology and director of the Master of Education in Sport and Wellness Leadership program. HPU presented certificates recognizing excellence in service to Wendy McNeeley, assistant vice president for university records and dean of general education; and Bob Pacatte, director of HPU’s Department of Public Safety and chief of police.
Retirement
James Fuller after 27 years as senior pastor at Calder Baptist Church in Beaumont and 43 years in vocational Christian ministry, effective May 31.
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