Around the State: Howard Payne University student goes abroad

Howard Payne University student Bailey Nobles, a sophomore biomedical sciences major, spent two weeks in Hue, Vietnam as part of the FutureDocs Abroad. The FutureDocs Abroad program is an honors program that allows undergraduate students training in medicine before they attend medical school. The purpose of the program is to motivate and direct students who aspire to have careers in the medical field.

Texas Baptists will host a Higher Education Fair from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 18 at Churchill Baptist Church in San Antonio. The event is open to middle and high school students, parents and church leaders.  The fair will feature keynote speaker Fabian Ramírez, a national communicator. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with representatives from nine Baptist universities and colleges. The event also will include workshops designed for all three groups. In addition to the informational sessions, the fair will offer giveaways and prizes. Lunch will be provided for the first 200 people who register. For more information and to register, visit educatetexas.org or contact Gabriel Cortés at gabriel.cortes@txb.org or 214-828-5375.

Hardin-Simmons University will host the Fletcher Lecture Series, bringing nationally recognized leaders to the institution to share ideas at the intersection of business, science, faith and public life. Speakers for the fall session will include Jim Mcingvale, owner of Gallery Furniture on Sept. 2; Dowell Stackpole, co-founder of Texas Quantitative and Cyber Forward on Oct. 2; Mayor Jeff Williams of Arlington, president and CEO of Graham Associates on Oct. 7; and Mark Lovvorn, chairman of Providence Bancshares on Oct. 28.

Wayland Baptist University is one of 60 institutions selected for membership in the prestigious FirstGen Forward Network for 2025-26. FirstGen Forward, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success, provides a three-phase framework designed to help institutions scale holistic first-generation student success, transforming the student experience, strengthening academic and co-curricular outcomes, and building inclusive institutional structures. Since its launch, 489 institutions—including two statewide systems—have joined the network, spanning 49 states and the District of Columbia. FirstGen Forward members engage in monthly workshops, peer learning opportunities, and professional development sessions while contributing to a nationwide knowledge-sharing community.

Baylor University’s board of regents now includes Joseph C. Parker, a Baptist General Convention of Texas regent, who has served for more than 30 years as senior pastor at Austin’s David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Parker earned his Master of Divinity degree from Baylor’s Truett Theological Seminary in 1997. He currently serves on the board of directors for the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America and previously served on the BGCT Executive Board.

Houston Christian University honored 183 students during its summer commencement ceremony Aug. 9. Among the graduates were students from several of HCU’s newest academic programs, including cybersecurity and learning, technology, and design. With this ceremony, the university has awarded a total of 27,577 degrees since its inaugural commencement in 1967.

Anniversary

First Baptist Church of Henderson will celebrate its 175th anniversary in September with a weekend-long festivities, displays of historical artifacts and the debut of a newly remodeled sanctuary.  A street party will take place Sept. 27 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. followed by an unveiling of the new sanctuary and plans for Sunday morning and evening celebrations and worship within the new facilities. David Higgs is pastor.