Wayland Baptist University announced winners of six Distinguished Alumni Awards: Tony Wagner, Pioneer Alumni Educator Award; Marisabelle Treviño, Distinguished Young Alumni Award; Chris Riley, Distinguished Alumni Award; Dana R. West, Pioneer Alumni Educator Award; Phillip Aday, Distinguished Alumni Award; and Randy and Carol Kaufman, Distinguished Benefactor Award. Wayland gives the award to graduates who make major contributions to their profession, show strong leadership in their community, or demonstrate deep loyalty to the university through service and financial support. All recipients will be honored at the Blue & Gold Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. Oct. 23, in the Trinity Building Chapel The banquet is part of Wayland’s Homecoming ’26 festivities set for Oct. 18-25 on the Plainview campus.
Howard Payne University student Bethany Blair, a junior biomedical science major from Zephyr, was recognized for her participation in the Joint Admission Medical Program. JAMP was established by the Texas Legislature to help students across the state achieve their goal of becoming physicians. The program offers financial assistance, academic advising, internships, and Medical College Admission Test preparation. Students who successfully complete the program are guaranteed acceptance into one of Texas’ 14 medical schools. Blair is among 100 students across Texas selected for the program this year. The students were divided into cohorts and will participate in on-site internships at medical schools throughout the state.
Houston Christian University participated last week in its annual Fall Ignite Spiritual Renewal Week, themed “Called Into Marvelous Light.” Pastors and worship teams from Sugar Creek Baptist Church led six worship services throughout the week, each highlighting a key aspect of discipleship outlined in 1 Peter: salvation, holiness, Christian community, perseverance through suffering, blessing others, and living with the confident peace of eternal glory in Christ. The week also featured student-led intercessory prayer and worship gatherings, along with workshops. When students were invited to share their spiritual responses, 28 students indicated they had made a first-time decision to follow Christ, while 114 students expressed a desire to rededicate their lives to following him more faithfully. Staff and student leaders from the HCU Baptist Student Ministry will follow up with these students.
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