Around the State: UMHB doctoral students visit BJC; new degree programs approved at HBU

Students in the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Doctor of Education degree program recently visited the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty offices in Washington, D.C., where staff discussed advocacy for the separation of church and state. Graduate students in the program participate in three summer institutes, each built around studying education from a different perspective—state, national and international.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges granted approval to Houston Baptist University to begin three new undergraduate programs and a master’s degree program. Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, HBU College of Engineering will enroll students for Bachelor of Science degrees in cyber engineering, computer science and electrical engineering. This fall, HBU’s Archie W. Dunham College of Business will offer a Master of Science in Management and Entrepreneurship.

Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio, in partnership with the Tenet Healthcare Foundation and Baptist Health System, has created a $2 million scholarship program to help make higher education accessible for economically disadvantaged high school graduates in the San Antonio area who want to pursue a career in healthcare. As part of the scholarship program it initiated in 2005, Baptist Health Foundation is providing the new initiative a $1,076,000 grant, and Tenet Healthcare Foundation will provide $1 million over the next five years. The program will give priority to graduates from six school districts—Edgewood, Harlandale, San Antonio, South San Antonio, Southside, and Southwest. Remaining funds will be awarded to graduates from other San Antonio-area districts. Scholarships will be offered to 12 universities and colleges in the San Antonio area with health-related academic programs such as nursing, pharmacology, social work, psychology, nutrition, dental, medical, counseling, therapeutic care, hospital administration and emergency medical technician training.

Dallas Baptist University awarded an honorary doctorate to Jorge Juan Pastor, lead pastor at the First Baptist Church of Dénia, Spain, at its summer commencement ceremony. Pastor was keynote speaker at the event. Pastor is director of the Protestant Pioneer Center of Camps in Spain and founder of the Alfa y Omega School in Dénia, Spain’s only private Protestant educational institution. He also is a co-founder of the Center for Theological Studies, an extension of the Baptist Seminary of Spain, where he was professor of missiology, leadership and social ministry. He is a past president of the Baptist Union of Spain and former vice president of the Baptist World Alliance.

Anniversary

15^th for Charles Redding as children’s pastor and administrator at Lamar Baptist Church in Arlington. The church invites friends and former members to join in celebrating his anniversary at 6 p.m., Sept. 9, at 1000 W. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, TX 76012.