Around the State: HPU to host Currie-Strickland Lectures

Howard Payne University’s 17th annual Currie-Strickland Distinguished Lectures in Christian Ethics will feature guest speaker João Chaves, assistant professor of history of religion in the Américas at Baylor University. The lectures will be held on Jan. 29, at 10 a.m. during HPU’s chapel service in L.J. Mims Auditorium, and on Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. in the Richard and Wanda Jackson Conference Room of HPU’s Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center. The theme for Chaves’ lectures will be “Faith Crossing Borders: How Immigrant Churches are Shaping the Future of Christianity.” Chaves is co-director of the Baptist Scholars International Roundtable in the religion department at Baylor University and an affiliated faculty with the university’s Ethics Initiative. Both lectures are open and free to the public, but reservations are requested. To R.S.V.P, contact HPU’s School of Christian Studies by e-mail at currie-strickland@hputx.edu or by phone at 325-649-8403.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor announced 563 students were listed on the fall 2024 Provost’s Honor Roll. To receive this recognition, a student must achieve a 3.85 grade point average or better on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, 577 students were named on the Dean’s Honor Roll for fall 2024. To receive this recognition, a student must achieve a 3.5 to 3.849 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. To see a complete list of honor roll recipients, visit www.umhb.edu/news.

Baylor University has engaged Nashville-based entertainment and digital marketing agency Noise New Media to elevate the university’s concert programming and live event experiences at the Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion and other campus venues. The Foster Pavilion hosted its first basketball games in January 2024. The 7,000-seat venue officially became available in November 2024 for non-basketball events and external bookings. Noise New Media, under a three-year exclusive contract with the university, will lead strategic event booking, marketing and consulting efforts for the Foster Pavilion. The agency will work with Baylor to attract top-tier entertainment talent across music, comedy, artistic performances and non-NCAA-sponsored sports events. Noise New Media drives more than 11 million ticket sales annually for concert and entertainment events across the country. The City of Waco contributed $35 million to the construction of the $212.6 million Foster Pavilion. Under Baylor’s agreement with the city, the university will host at least 10 “performance” events at the pavilion over the next two years—ticketed entertainment events open to the public in the areas of music, theater, comedy or non-Baylor sports competitions. Baylor also is required to host at least 10 “university events” annually, or university-produced fine arts shows, performances or other events for the benefit of Baylor students and/or alumni as well as the Waco community. In addition to these economic and entertainment benefits developed by Baylor, the city receives at least 25 days per year to host “community events” at the Foster Pavilion.

Baptist University of the Américas will host Congreso Experience at BUA on March 1. This free event—with workshops, group activities and worship led by BUA students—offers an opportunity to equip and encourage those serving in ministry. Congreso Experience is designed with Hispanic students in mind, seeking to encourage them in their educational journeys and spiritual walks. Rudy Gonzalez will lead a preaching seminar for pastors and church leaders. Churches may register their youth at https://texasbaptists.tfaforms.net/4964194.

Hardin-Simmons University launched its inaugural on-campus nursing program this week, welcoming 30 first-year students who will begin clinical nursing experience and 45 pre-nursing track students. In contrast to many universities that introduce a nursing curriculum during a student’s junior year, HSU allows students to enroll in a nursing foundations course as early as their freshman year, providing a solid foundation in nursing education from the beginning of their academic journey. “Hardin-Simmons School of Nursing boasts over 50 clinical affiliation agreements,” said Katie Martin, instructor of nursing and simulation lab coordinator. The partnerships provide students diverse and comprehensive hands-on experience in various clinical settings. With state-of-the-art learning environments—including a six-bed simulation lab, an eight-bed skills lab and a cutting-edge virtual cadaver lab—HSU facilities are designed to replicate real-world healthcare settings and enhance nursing students’ anatomy and physiology instruction through advanced technology. To learn more about the HSU nursing program, visit hsutx.edu.

Retirements

Mark Newton, pastor at First Baptist Church in Lufkin, will retire after 42 years of ministry, effective Jan. 31. Newton served as associate pastor at First Baptist Church in Marlin, and held senior pastorates at First Baptist Church in Chilton, First Baptist Church in McGregor, Baptist Temple in San Antonio and First Baptist Church in San Marcos. He also served as director of church engagement at Baylor University before becoming pastor at First Baptist Lufkin in 2016.

Editor’s note: The column was revised on Jan. 22 to include Mark Newton’s retirement.