Around the State: Wayland campaign tops $43 million

Wayland Baptist University announced the completion of its Impact2020 fund-raising campaign, totaling more than $43.1 million in six years—surpassing both its original $30 million goal and its $40 million challenge goal. “We are thankful that Wayland’s donors have been so loyal in supporting the university during one of the most challenging times in our history,” President Bobby Hall said. The revitalization of Gates Hall, Wayland’s administration building, already has begun, and plans are being made to construct a new wing for the School of Mathematics and Sciences, along with a new athletic training center. The updates to Gates Hall will cost nearly $1 million. The projected cost of the athletic training facility is $2.5 million, and the addition and renovation of the science building is estimated at $7.5 million. The remaining money is earmarked for student scholarships and operational costs benefitting all Wayland campuses.

Baylor University and Compassion International announced the Christian Collective for Social Innovation, a new initiative within their partnership to bring about global human flourishing for children and families in poverty. It is designed to provide a Christian platform where innovators receive the capital, know-how, relationships and publicity to solve significant challenges. The first phase of the initiative is the Social Innovation Challenge, which invites innovators and entrepreneurs across the world—including Baylor students and Compassion International youth and alumni—to focus specifically on problems introduced into the educational systems in Central and South America during the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants will be invited to compete in a multi-phased review process. Finalists will be organized in a cohort, where they will receive funding, mentorship and implementation support for viable solutions to these problems. The second phase of the initiative will be completed with Compassion International and local church staff in Central and South America, where solutions from the Social Innovation Challenge will be implemented in a local context. “Our aim is to change the world—and to empower people who know the problems, who know the issues, who’ve lived them and had that experience,” said Jeremy Vickers, associate vice president of external affairs at Baylor. “The Christian Collective for Social Innovation embodies the vision of connecting God’s people across the globe by leveraging our collective resources, sourcing innovations, and mentoring and empowering change-makers. When Christians engage in the work of solving the most pressing and complex issues around the globe, we believe the good news of God’s hope will spread throughout the world.” To learn more or to apply for the Social Innovation Challenge, click here.

The inaugural ARC (Athletics, Race, Christianity) Talks, hosted by the Faith & Sports Institute, Baylor Athletics and the Black Church Studies Program at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary, will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 25. The online panel discussion will feature Esau McCaulley, assistant professor of New Testament at Wheaton College and author of Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise of Hope; Sam Acho, founder and president of Athletes for Justice and vice president of the NFL Players’ Association; Simone Charley, forward for the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League; and Dani Price, assistant softball coach for Georgia Southern University and former volunteer assistant softball coach at Baylor. The conversation will be moderated by John Maurer, associate chaplain and director of sports ministry for Baylor Athletics, and Malcolm Foley, special adviser to the president for equity and campus engagement at Baylor and director of the Black Church Studies program at Truett Seminary. ARC Talks is a free virtual event and is open to the public. Registration is available at baylor.edu/truett/ARC.

Howard Payne University recognized six students as Currie-Strickland Scholars during the 14th Annual Currie-Strickland Lectures in Christian Ethics. They are Taylor Cox, a senior from May majoring in Christian education; Grace Hawkins, a junior from Stephenville majoring in youth ministry; Brenden Hough, a senior from Aubrey majoring in practical theology; Kylie Johnson, a senior from Abbott majoring in cross-cultural studies; Ryan McCord, a senior from Round Rock majoring in Bible; and Mark Sisemore, a junior from McKinney majoring in Christian education.

Houston Baptist University named Kristie Cerling as dean of its College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. Cerling came to HBU in 2017 to serve as associate dean for the college. As a first-generation college student, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Education degree from Bethel College, a Master of Education degree from Indiana Wesleyan University, and a Doctor of Education degree from Oakland City University.

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