Representatives of Corteva AgriScience joined Wayland Baptist University students, faculty, staff and administrators Aug. 5 to dedicate a new recycled-material bench on the north side of the Mabee Laboratory Sciences Building. The bench was made possible through Corteva’s donation of plastic lids collected by employees at the Plainview facility, along with financial support to cover transportation and production costs. The project reflects a shared commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility between the university and Corteva.
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor announced a $1 million gift to establish the Marek-Smith Special Education Endowed Scholarship by donors who wish to remain anonymous. The scholarship will support UMHB Bachelor of Science in Education students seeking special education certification. The university opened the Marek-Smith Center for Teacher Preparation in spring 2024. This state-of-the-art facility houses innovative classrooms equipped with cutting-edge technology, resources, equipment and tools for training special education teachers.
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, UMHB is hosting the 10th annual Latino Fest on Friday, Sept. 19, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Luther Memorial on the UMHB campus. The Fiesta en la Calle event is hosted by UMHB Kingdom Diversity and Hispanic Student Association.
Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas has partnered with University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Baptist Student Ministry to host Career Coaching, an annual event where Park Cities members offer career guidance to students in both a classroom setting and one-on-one meetings. Some one-on-one sessions have resulted in mentorship after the students graduated. The Park Cities team will be on-campus for career coaching on Nov. 11-14.
Howard Payne University is pleased to announce the creation of the Center for Faculty and Student Research. This new center embodies HPU’s mission to equip the whole person for intellectual inquiry, integrity and service to God and humanity. Dennis Gibson, director of research and associate professor of chemistry, will oversee this new initiative. The Center for Faculty and Student Research is designed to elevate the student educational experience by cultivating a vibrant culture of critical thinking and innovation.
Hardin-Simmons University and Baylor University were recognized among the nation’s top academic institutions, earning a spot on The Princeton Review’s list of “Best Colleges: Region by Region” for 2026. They were among only 41 colleges in the Southwest—spanning Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas—to earn this distinction. In total, The Princeton Review recognized 631 colleges across seven zones (Northeast, South, Southwest, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, West and International), representing about 26 percent of America’s four-year institutions.
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