East Texas Baptist University conferred 108 undergraduate degrees and 50 graduate degrees at its fall commencement ceremony. Chief U.S. District Judge James Rodney Gilstrap received an honorary doctorate and delivered the keynote address. President J. Blair Blackburn presented the President’s Award to Mollie Marie Dittmar of Buffalo. Dittmar, a member of the ETBU women’s basketball team, graduated with a 3.97 GPA, was named the 2023 American Southwest Conference Community Service Athlete of the Year, was on the leadership team for Fellowship of Christian Athletes and served as a Tiger Camp leader each fall. She participated with her teammates in a mission trip to Ireland, volunteered at Mission Marshall, served at Mobberly Baptist Church and was a tutor at Marshall Junior High.

Following a nationwide search, Baylor University selected Kevin Sanders, director of the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis, as dean of the Baylor School of Music, effective July 1, 2024. At the University of Memphis, Sanders oversees a program that produces 300 events per year with more than 80 faculty and staff, more than 400 students and a satellite campus in Jackson, Tenn. He led the Scheidt School of Music through the planning, construction and grand opening of a $40 million, 82,000-square-foot performing arts center. Previously, Sanders served the University of Memphis as the Dean’s Fellow for Research Development, where he created cross-campus initiatives that supported research and creative activity in the arts, and as the associate director for graduate studies and professor of tuba and euphonium. Prior to that, he taught at the Crane School of Music at SUNY-Potsdam and the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. Sanders graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy and earned his bachelor’s degree in music from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, a Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University.

Howard Payne University’s Student Speaker Bureau speech and debate team earned awards at three tournaments during the fall semester. At the Mendoza Debates in Baytown, team captain Landon Chenault, a senior from Denton, advanced to quarterfinals in the varsity division. Katelyn Sims, a sophomore from Cleburne, won third place junior varsity speaker and was an octofinalist. In the Bowling Green State University Cyber-Falcon online tournament, Chenault won second place in varsity International Public Debate Association debate and advanced to the final round. Sims won second place overall speaker, and Adrielle Sloan, a sophomore from Blue Ridge, was third place overall speaker. At the Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association Fall Championship tournament in Tyler, Chenault was top speaker in varsity IPDA debate and went undefeated in preliminaries. Chenault and Sloan both advanced to the quarterfinals round, in which HPU represented one-fourth of students advancing to that level. Cora Raub, a sophomore from Celina, and Sims both advanced to the octofinal round. Julie Welker, professor of communication and chair of the department of communication at HPU, coached the team, who also recently competed in Oxford, England, at the world’s third-largest debate tournament. The HPU teams placed higher than in past years, ahead of teams from Harvard, Cambridge and Colgate University. Following the debates, the group traveled to historic sites in Normandy, France, and to Paris, where they visited French Parliament and learned more about international governments and politics.

In a collaborative effort between Houston Christian University’s College of Science and Engineering and Archie W. Dunham College of Business, about 200 Houston-area high school students involved in Junior Achievement on their campuses visited the university campus to learn about college and career readiness. The day included a campus tour, guest speakers, tours of HCU’s Bible Museum and presentations from the colleges. “The goal is to expose these students to a university campus and to provide information about college life and studies. We want to give the students resources to begin their college search, as well as how to access college resources,” said Greggory Keiffer, executive associate dean of the Archie W. Dunham College of Business.

To Be a Woman by Katie J. McCoy received an award of distinction from The Gospel Coalition in the “Public Theology and Current Events” category of its annual book awards. McCoy is director of women’s ministry in Texas Baptists’ Center for Church Health.

First Baptist Church in Abilene marked the opening of its Hope Center on Dec. 5. The facility is home to City Light Community Ministries, which seeks to meet physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs in downtown Abilene; GLO (God’s Little Ones), a licensed day care center for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years that serves families on a sliding scale based on income; and the church’s ministry of counseling and enrichment, which offers affordable individual counseling and marriage and family counseling. The Hope Center project began five years ago when First Baptist purchased property previously belonging to First Christian Church. Under the leadership of former pastor Phil Christopher, First Baptist Church subsequently raised the funds necessary to complete a $10 million renovation of the building. Brandon Hudson is senior pastor.

Dallas Baptist University recently hosted its annual Herb Robbins Research Symposium, featuring student and alumni presentations of scientific research. The two-day event is named in memory of Herbert Robbins, who was dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at DBU from 1979 to 1994, and sponsored in partnership with the Beta Beta Beta Biological Society. Keynote speaker Jonathan Cooper, chair of the biology department, discussed the importance of scientific research in general and his own research about exploiting intracellular communication for cancer treatment. Cooper completed his undergraduate degree at DBU before earning his Ph.D. in cancer biology from UT Southwestern Medical Center in 2016. Student presenters this year included Grace Hayworth, Caroline Hudson and Yun Chen.

Curtis Reynolds, vice president for business affairs at the University of Florida, will join Baylor University as vice president of business and finance and as chief financial officer, effective March 1, 2024. Reynolds will oversee all budgeting, business development, financial management, procurement, real estate operations, enrollment management, facilities, information technology and the office of investments. He also will spearhead the development, communication and implementation of innovative initiatives intended to grow institutional revenue in an ever-evolving higher education landscape. “I am thrilled to welcome Curtis Reynolds to Baylor University and our leadership team,” President Linda Livingstone said. “I am confident Curtis will bring a new entrepreneurial spirit and energy and sound financial principles to this crucial university function. He is a man of faith with a deep understanding of academia at the highest levels, and his leadership and contributions will only serve to deepen our position as a preeminent Christian research university.” Reynolds holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Alabama and is a member of the National Association of College and University Business Officers, the U.S. Green Building Council and the Association of Higher Education Officers. Reynolds and his wife Keisha have a blended family of eight children and 13 grandchildren.

Jonathan Luna was named Wayland Baptist University’s Title V project director, taking the lead on Wayland’s $3 million U.S. Department of Education grant funding for the “Pioneering Greater Access for Hispanic Students through Enhanced Student Support” program. The program is designed to improve support for Hispanic students, expand information systems, improve student success, increase fall-to-fall retention, and improve four-year graduation rates. As a bilingual higher education professional, Luna said he hopes to create strategic initiatives that specifically target the Hispanic community and provide in Spanish the proper resources and information needed for students to be successful in the college process. “One of the reoccurring issues across the nation is the continued dropout rate of Hispanic students after their first year in college,” Luna said. “For the students that attend our campus, I would love to create an environment and community that provides an opportunity for them to stay plugged in and want to continue because they feel involved and cared for.” Luna holds three degrees from Wayland—a Bachelor of Science in fitness management, a Master of Education in sports administration and management, and a Master of Education in secondary education certification. He served as an admissions assistant at Wayland from 2016 to 2019 before becoming an enrollment coach. In January 2023, he became the university’s Title V La Familia outreach specialist, one of several student support positions included in the grant.

The B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary board of governors named Greg Tomlin as director of the seminary’s Ph.D. program. At the same time, Tomlin was promoted to professor of church history. Tomlin’s appointment as director follows the retirement of Karen Bullock, who led the Ph.D. program since 2007. Tomlin has served the past four years as Carroll Fellow for Faith and Heritage and as director of the seminary’s institutional effectiveness program. Previously, he held positions in administration at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Liberty University’s Rawlings School of Divinity and the University of North Texas at Dallas. He earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and he completed his master’s degree and his Ph.D. at Southwestern Seminary. He also studied at Baylor University and at Boston University’s Institute on Culture, Religion and World Affairs.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor awarded degrees to about 460 students ranging in age from 19 to 72, including 132 graduate students, at fall commencement. UMHB President Randy O’Rear noted 64 students were the first members of their families to graduate from college. Catherine Burk of Sunnyvale received the President’s Award, presented to a graduating senior who has provided meritorious service to the university. Two students—Caden Steubing of Groveton and Ange Rugira of Fort Worth—received the Loyalty Cup, awarded to students deemed most representative of the university’s ideals, traditions and spirit. UMHB presented the Provost Medal for highest overall grade-point-average to eight students who each graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA—Olivia Grace Byle of Round Rock, Melody Grace Carl of Garland, Katherine Elizabeth Snyder of Temple, Jacob Warren Svare of Killeen, Rylie Nicole Torres of Mathis, Jon-Avery Solon Welch of Waller, Kelsey Maree White of Keller and Mackenzie Lois Worthy of North Richland Hills. One graduate, Alexia Brown, was commissioned as an officer in the military.

Houston Christian University freshmen have been donating nonperishable food items to the Husky Storehouse, the university’s on-campus food pantry, as a service-learning activity in their Freshman Year Seminar classes. The campus-wide project addresses student food insecurity and the challenges related to concentration, academic performance and overall mental health that frequently accompany food insecurity. The generosity of these first-year students will help provide for the basic needs of others throughout the spring semester.

Ordination

Ryan Crowe ordained to the gospel ministry by First Baptist Church in Floydada, where he is worship leader.

East Texas Baptist University participated in its eighth annual Operation Christmas Child, an outreach program organized by Samaritan’s Purse. The ministry involves filling shoeboxes with small toys, school supplies and other items that are sent to children all over the world as a Christmas gift and a tangible reminder of God’s love for them. Prior to boxing the gifts, ETBU faculty, staff and students shopped for kids ages 2 to 14, picking out toys, clothes and various necessities for the children. ETBU collected a record number of more than 350 boxes. During National Collection Week, all 23 ETBU athletic teams gathered to put the boxes together. The student-athletes prayed over the boxes and for the children who will receive them.

The Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities within the Baylor University School of Education will join With Ministries in a new program, “Worship as One: Learning with Children with Disabilities about Worship and Prayer.” The Lilly Endowment is supporting the program with a $300,000 grant to With Ministries through its Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative. The aim of the national initiative is to support faith-based organizations as they help children grow in faith and deepen their relationships with God. “We want every church to be faithful in welcoming and embracing children with disabilities and their families in worship and life together,” said Erik Carter, executive director of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities. “This much-needed project will invite, equip and support churches and families to re-envision the ways in which children with developmental disabilities participate in worship and prayer—both on and between Sundays.”

Houston Christian University held its annual Missions Convocation and Missions Fair on Nov. 15. At Convocation, students, faculty and staff heard from Anne Alaniz, a Houston gynecological oncologist. Alaniz founded Pothawira (Safe Haven) Christian to bring transformation to her home community in Malawi through expanding access to quality medical care, building schools and meeting basic human needs in Jesus’ name. She told how a Baptist family unexpectedly sponsored her after meeting her on a mission trip to Malawi. The family provided the way for her to come to Texas during high school, to attend university and then begin her medical career. “When I look at my life, it’s been a series of people who have used what is in their hands to fulfill a higher purpose and to obey God’s calling for them,” she said. “Life takes us through different seasons even when we think we have nothing to give. Don’t worry about what you don’t have, but be courageous, be hopeful, be obedient, and be willing to stretch beyond your imagination because God will take care of the rest.” At the missions fair, students had the opportunity to connect with more than a dozen local and global missions organizations.

Tiffany Davis, a Howard Payne University student from San Francisco, Calif., has been selected as a recipient of a Council of Independent Colleges/UPS Scholarship. The scholarship is provided by Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas and its national partner, the Council of Independent Colleges, through its CIC/UPS Educational Endowment. Davis is majoring in nursing because she sees it as a career in which she can work closely with people and serve them. “I love people. Nursing is God’s call on my life,” she said. “Knowing that the nursing program [at HPU] is faith-based and being in that type of environment have been great and inspiring for me. Being here has brought me closer to God.”

On International Students Day, Nov. 17, Wayland Baptist University recognized the 77 international students enrolled at Wayland Baptist University—and noted the challenges many had to overcome to pursue their education. “It takes tremendous courage and faith to be an international student,” said Debbie Stennett, coordinator of international student affairs at Wayland. “I’m still amazed that 17- to 19-year-old kids fly across the globe alone or drive down from Canada or up from Central America without knowing anybody here except maybe a coach and the person on the other end of their emails. Wayland currently serves 54 undergraduate and 23 graduate students from 39 countries. Sixty-three international students attend classes on the Plainview campus, while 14 are served at one of Wayland’s external centers.

Howard Payne University students Layton Pratt and Ryan Robertson spent two years designing and developing what would become AuroraGuard, a wearable device for antiviral and antibacterial disinfection, as part of a project-based design course in engineering design. Pratt and Robertson presented their paper on the design project at the International Conference on Electrical, Computer, Communications and Mechatronics Engineering in Tenerife, Spain. The conference was sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Pratt is a junior from Spicewood majoring in engineering science and the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy, and Robertson is a senior from Euless majoring in engineering science.

East Texas Baptist University honored 91 graduating seniors with the presentation of their official ETBU class ring during a Ring Blessing ceremony Nov. 15. Each ETBU class ring features the university seal, surrounded by the cornerstones of ETBU—Veritas, Mores and Scientia, Latin for truth, character and knowledge. Images inscribed on the ring—historic Marshall Hall, the Light on the Hill, Max Greiner’s Divine Servant statue and the Bible—are meant to remind alumni of God’s work in their lives and their transformational experience at ETBU.

Howard Payne University at New Braunfels held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of its new location in the Veramendi community. The event hosted donors, New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce representatives, HPU students and officials, and other friends of the university. The new location offers “a unique opportunity to broaden our program offerings, encompassing student and community engagement activities,” said Cynthia Ferguson, assistant vice president for HPU’s New Braunfels Center. “In addition to our graduate and undergraduate degrees, dual credit courses and tuition reimbursement collaborations through local businesses, we are eager to host community wellness classes and special interest group gatherings, designed to cater to the educational and social interests of the Central Texas community.”

Debbie Chou, who graduated from Baylor University in May, become the fifth Baylor student teacher in the last seven years to receive the statewide Clinical Teacher of the Year award from the Texas Directors of Field Experience, an organization of faculty members within university teacher-education programs who supervise field experiences. The award honors senior-level, teacher-education students for classroom teaching excellence during the student-teaching experience. Chou was a student teacher for first graders at Hillcrest Professional Development School in the Waco Independent School District. “Teaching became my passion and professional aspiration when I discovered that it combined two of my driving factors—to love others and to impact the next generation,” Chou said. Darlene Bolfing, Chou’s intern supervisor in the Baylor School of Education, described her as “an excellent young educator who brings warmth and enthusiasm into the classroom, creating a very productive environment for her first-grade students.”

The John M. O’Quinn Foundation committed to give $2.5 million to Houston Christian University to endow a chair in counseling. “We believe that our counseling area is highly capable and truly prepared to tap into the deep roots of the broken and restless hearts all around us, and it’s the O’Quinn Foundation’s generous gift that is enabling us not only to speak to these needs individually but to provide opportunities for healing and restoration—the restoration of persons, families and ultimately culture,” HCU President Robert Sloan said.

Mia Hanks, a junior studio art major at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, was named Miss Mary Hardin-Baylor 2024 at the annual pageant Nov. 4. She is the daughter of Shawn and Heather Hanks of Nashville, Tenn., both graduates of UMHB. She is involved in the Baptist Student Ministry, Student Foundation, Welcome Week and Crusader Knights. She is a student worker in the UMHB alumni office and museum. The Miss MHB Pageant recognizes young women who demonstrate self-confidence, personality and inner beauty. Each of the 19 pageant competitors represented a campus organization or residence hall. All contestants participated in individual interviews, a group dance number, talent presentations and an evening gown stroll. In addition, the women were called on to talk about their individual platforms, highlighting issues of particular concern to them. Hanks’ personal platform is creating supportive community for siblings of those with special needs. “It is a very personal issue to me, being an older sister to a brother with special needs,” she said. “I would love to foster a community or even a physical space for the siblings of special needs kids to gather together. That would be so meaningful to me.”

East Texas Baptist University faculty, staff and students gathered on the university grounds to plant trees and contribute to the beautification of campus on the official Texas State Arbor Day. While National Arbor Day occurs in late April, Texas Arbor Day takes place on the first Friday in November. ETBU observes Texas Arbor Day to provide students the opportunity to be involved with the tree-planting process. Students planted two live oak trees on the front lawn of campus across the street from ETBU’s historic Marshall Hall. “It is my prayer that each student’s experience at ETBU is like a young tree purposefully placed in a manicured landscape,” said Derek Royer, assistant professor of biology. “I pray our students experience a firm sense of belonging and grow deep roots socially, spiritually and vocationally. May the fertile soil of a Christ-centered education and the transformational power of the Holy Spirit cultivate growth and faithfulness in their lives so that they bear fruit wherever God calls them to serve.”

Enrollment in the undergraduate program at Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing in Dallas is the highest of any undergraduate major at the university, which has 126 undergraduate degree programs. “We are excited to educate nurses from all over the country to impact healthcare from the perspective of the nurse. The undergraduate program is part of the solution to meet the significant nursing shortage,” said Brandy L. Brown, associate dean of prelicensure programs and clinical assistant professor of nursing at Baylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing. Total nursing enrollment at Baylor is 1,950, with undergraduate enrollment of 948. Dean Linda Plank said the nursing school’s mission is “to educate and prepare both baccalaureate and graduate-level nurses within a Christian community for professional practice, healthcare leadership and worldwide service.”

Derek Schurrman, professor of computer science at Calvin University, delivered the Brabenec Lecture Nov. 2 at Houston Christian University, sponsored by the Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences. His lecture, “Artificial Intelligence and the Biblical Story,” reflected on cutting-edge developments in AI in light of Scripture and identified their ethical implications.

Anniversary

125th for Cliff Temple Baptist Church in Dallas. Gannon Sims is pastor.

Baylor University announced a $2 million gift from Scott and Susan Orr of The Woodlands establishing the Orr Family Endowed Chair in Medical Humanities and Christian Faith. The gift supports teaching, mentorship and research in the medical humanities program within the College of Arts and Sciences. The Medical Humanities Program is intended to pair foundational science curriculum with courses in history, literature, Christian philosophy and other disciplines to inspire discussion and critical thinking. “We are truly grateful for Scott and Susan Orr and for their family’s generous support of the faculty of Baylor University,” said Baylor President Linda Livingstone. “The Orr Chair provides significant resources with which to support our faculty within the department of medical humanities and to foster strategic growth within the department. We are truly grateful for this family’s commitment to Baylor’s Christian mission and vision, and we are grateful for the support this provides to our faculty, who invest of their time and talents in our students through transformational teaching and mentoring.”

East Texas Baptist University welcomed donors and friends of the institution to celebrate the opening of the newly constructed Billy and Winky Foote Hall at Tiger Yard and ETBU Tiger Ballpark on Oct. 13. Foote Hall at Tiger Yard is a multi-purpose facility that houses loft-style student residences, the ETBU baseball clubhouse and the Blue Bengal Grocery Company, ETBU’s branded micro-market grocery store. The newly renovated ETBU Tiger Ballpark features 535 permanent seatbacks and holds up to 1,500 fans with standing-room areas. A new press box, two radio booths and two suites were added to the stadium. “Billy and Winky Foote met each other on this Hill, and it’s amazing what God sewed together and continues to bless,” ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn said. “The Footes have committed their lives to Jesus Christ, their ministry, their family and their alma mater. … We are so grateful for their ministry, their love for the institution, their love for the Lord Jesus and the contributions to the kingdom they have made through their Christian spiritual leadership.”

The Center for the Foundation of Ethics at Houston Christian University is sponsoring a yearlong interdisciplinary “Foundations of Morality” faculty lecture series. Randy Hatchett, professor of theology in HCU’s School of Christian Thought, will present a lecture about “Theological Foundations for Morality: Reflections Concerning the Need for Revelation” at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 14 in Hinton 125 on the HCU campus. Presentations already have been offered on “The Nature of Literature and Ethics” with Matthew Boyleston, “How the New Testament Redirected the Foundations of Morality” with Robert Gagnon and “The Ethical Conflict Between Worldview Communities within the Field of Psychotherapy/Counseling” with Eric Johnson. Nine additional lectures, spanning the full range of academic disciplines taught at HCU, are planned, and the collected lectures are slated for publication.

As part of 2023 homecoming at East Texas Baptist University, the university recognized alumni for their contributions. Frances Aguilar Salazar, a 1951 graduate of what was then East Texas Baptist College, received the Golden Lightkeeper Award, a recognition reserved for alumni who graduated over half a century ago and have continued to excel in their vocations, contributions to their church and outstanding service to their communities. In addition to her career as an educator, she supported her late husband Epifanio in his pastoral ministry, and she served as a leader in Woman’s Missionary Union. Orlando Salazar accepted the Golden Lightkeeper Award on behalf of his mother, who is 96. Recipients of the 2023 Alumni Awards included Larry Hemenes, the J. Wesley Smith Achievement Award; Bill and Anita Runnels, the W.T. Tardy Service Award; Alton Holt, the Alumni Achievement Award; Sadé Stewart, the Unsung Hero Award; and Katie Balfe; the Young Alumna Award. Since inception of the Golden Blazer program in 2010, ETBU has honored more than 100 alumni for their financial support and countless volunteer hours to ETBU. The 2023 Golden Blazers are Laura Coursey, Glenn Hambrick, Robin Rudd and Michael Tandy.

When a member of Cartwright Baptist Church near Winnsboro gave an offering designated to “benefit and bless the community,” Pastor Cody Mize mobilized members to buy food for shoppers at a local grocery store in nearby Quitman and gasoline for customers at a local service station. Members at the grocery store paid up to $100 per shopper until funds were exhausted. When they called the pastor to let him know, he sent more money with instructions to continue paying for groceries up to $50 per customer. “The gift of groceries and gas through the people of the church and the member who made it possible by their donation is God’s work,” said Debbi Davies of Quitman. “Those who gave and those who received were blessed.”

The Department of Education awarded Hardin-Simmons University a five-year development grant equaling $2.1 million, the first-ever DOE grant HSU has received. The funds are from the competitive Strengthening Institutions Program authorized under Title III and will impact student and post-graduation success directly. “This grant will fund two big initiatives to drive students’ academic success at Hardin-Simmons, allowing our professors to maintain the rigor in their courses and to deliver the excellence in education that is the university’s promise,” said Mike Monhollon, associate provost and chief data officer at HSU. The grant will support HSU’s Strategic Learning Initiative and its Guided Pathways initiative, both part of the university’s Forward Together program. Funds from the Strengthening Institutions Program grant will go toward hiring faculty and staff to oversee the Strategic Learning Initiative and Guided Pathways program and construction costs to create designated spaces for meetings.

East Texas Baptist University hosted its annual Calling Conference for students who sense God’s call to vocational ministry. The conference gives students the opportunity to learn from current ministers serving in various ministry fields as they discuss the call on their own lives and how that calling is informing their current ministries. Raquel Contreras, CEO and publisher of the Baptist Spanish Publishing House in El Paso, was the keynote speaker for the conference and spoke in ETBU’s weekly chapel service. “God calls us and guides us,” Contreras said. “He takes us to places we cannot imagine. What are you going to do with your life? In whatever field you choose, when Jesus calls you, he will give you what you need. So, you must get up and go.” Other conference leaders included Randal Lylefrom Meadowridge Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Walter Ballou from Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, David Butts from First Baptist Church in Arlington, Kyle Grizzard from New Beginnings Baptist Church in Longview and Stephen Stookey, Texas Baptists’ director of theological education.

Howard Payne University welcomed alumni and other guests to campus for Stinger Spectacular, an annual event that includes homecoming, Yellow Jacket Preview and family weekend. Mitsue Rodriguez, a kinesiology major from San Antonio, was crowned as homecoming queen, and Ethan Cortez, a biomedical sciences and Honors Academy major from Bangs, was named homecoming king. Jack Shackelford, a finance major from Midlothian, was named homecoming prince, and Rachel Baergen, a middle school English education major from Rockport, was named homecoming princess. HPU also recognized alumni honorees: Dale Fisher, distinguished alumnus; Micaela Espiricueta Camacho, coming home queen; Natalia Lopez, outstanding young graduate; Robert and Cheryl Mangrum, grand marshals; L.J. and Lori Clayton, HPU Medal of Service; Rubén Hernández, the José Rivas Distinguished Service Award; and Doug Holtzclaw, the Jacket Alums in Ministry Faithful Servant Award.

Cody Harrington, assistant director of international and veteran student services at Houston Christian University, was named a “2023 Veteran Champion of the Year in Higher Education” in the fall edition of G.I. Jobs 2023-2024 Military Friendly Schools. Each year, the magazine recognizes 40 individuals who go above and beyond to help student veterans and their families succeed in education. “This recognition serves as a reminder of the incredible privilege and responsibility that comes with advocating for the well-being of our veterans. I am committed to continuing my efforts to support and uplift those who have served our country,” said Harrington, an HCU alumnus and U.S. Army combat veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. “Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our veterans,” said Harrington in response to his selection.

Poet, author and National Endowment for the Arts fellow Tania Runyan was selected as the speaker for the inaugural forum Lyceum: A Forum for Christian Thinkers, Writers and Scholars at East Texas Baptist University. The new academic forum is designed to provide the ETBU community an opportunity to hear from a prominent Christian scholar whose work is presented and discussed in the context of Christian humanities. Runyan talked about how the evolution of her poetry has positively impacted her walk with Christ and understanding of the Bible. “At some point, I began to change how I approached creativity,” she said. “Instead of writing poetry in order to fall in line or make some sort of evangelical statement, I began to look at it with a sense of honesty and curiosity. I began to write poetry as a way to know God myself, and to work through doubts and questions I had.”

Anniversary

50th for Teresa Wells as church pianist at Northview Baptist Church in Lewisville on Oct. 22.

40th for Dwight McKissic as pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington.

East Texas Baptist University awarded the Bob and Gayle Riley Servant Leadership Award to seniors Avery Abshierand Abraham Contreras. Each year, ETBU presents the award to two upperclassman students who are nominated by their peers, faculty and staff in recognition of their commitment to the Christ-centered model of servanthood. Abshier, a Christian ministry major, has served as a resident assistant, Tiger Camp leader, Baptist Student Ministry Kid’s Club leadership team member, Christian Association of Student Leaders planning committee participant, and Sunday School leader at Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview. Contreras, a Christian ministry and mental health major, has served as a BSM Leader, resident assistant, Tiger Camp co-leader and CASL co-leader. He is a youth apprentice for Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview and a behavioral analyst intern at Community Healthcore

Dallas Baptist University appointed Raymond H. Harris as senior fellow of entrepreneurship for the Institute for Global Engagement, a nonpartisan Christian think tank dedicated to addressing issues in the public square. Harris is the founder of one of the largest architectural firms specializing in corporate architecture. He is the author of The Anatomy of a Successful Firm, The Heart of Business and Business by Design. He is also an executive producer for numerous movies distributed by Sony Pictures and Lions Gate Entertainment and an executive producer for a music company label.  

Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Samaritan’s Purse relief organization and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, delivered the McLane Lecture at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor on Oct. 11. “We’re all on a journey called life. You only have one shot at life. You don’t want to miss it. You don’t want to mess around. You want to get it right,” Graham told a crowd of more than 2,500. “Make your life count.” Graham challenged students, faculty and guests to apply Proverbs 3:5-6. “You have to trust the Lord. Acknowledge him. And then, start moving,” he urged. Graham was the featured speaker for the 19th McLane Lecture, sponsored by Elizabeth and Drayton McLane Jr.

The Hispanic Higher Education consortium is sponsoring a college fair at the east campus of Del Sol Church in El Paso from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 22. Representatives from eight universities affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas will be present, awarding up to $24,000 in scholarships in $2,000 increments to prospective students in attendance.

Two East Texas Baptist University students were named as recipients of scholarships granted in partnership with the national Council of Independent Colleges and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas. Haylie Stum, an undergraduate student from Cypress majoring in Sports Communications, was chosen to receive the CIC/UPS Scholarship. She was named the Texas Association of Journalism Educators Journalist of the Year in 2023. Areli Estrada-Lopez, a junior business administration major from Marshall, was selected to receive a PACCAR Scholarship provided by the ICUT Foundation. “Year after year, these scholarships leave an indelible mark on the lives of deserving students,” said ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn. “Aligned with ETBU’s mission to offer students an accessible path to Christian education, we are equipping and empowering students to prepare for God’s calling on their lives.”

Anniversary

170th for First Baptist Church in Plano on Oct. 22. Craig Curry is pastor.

140th for Primera Iglesia Bautista in Laredo. Dorso Maciel is pastor.

East Texas Baptist University’s Learning and Leading classes hosted fall festivals for Marshall’s David Crockett Elementary, Sam Houston Elementary, William B. Travis Elementary, Price T. Young Elementary schools and the Marshall Early Childhood Center on Oct. 2. ETBU students served nearly 1,000 elementary students and their families. ETBU’s fall festival events have become a tradition for the university’s students and the elementary students and families of the Marshall Independent School District, with more than 350 ETBU freshmen planning and organizing the event during their Learning and Leading courses and the freshman Honors Program. “Our students get to take what they have learned in class about Christian servant leadership and apply that knowledge by collaborating with each other to plan, build, and host booths at the fall festivals,” said Vanessa Johnston, ETBU Learning and Leading coordinator. “Hosting the fall festivals for the families in Marshall ISD allows them to see the impact they can make in the community in a tangible way. We hope this experience positively affects not only the families of Marshall, but also our students who will see the importance of loving and serving our neighbors as Christ has called us to do.”

Wayland Baptist University has launched the search for the school’s 14th president, creating a webpage with updates about the search, said Tyler Topper, chair of Wayland’s presidential search committee. President Bobby Hallannounced in September plans to retire effective June 30, 2024. The search committee and consultants “have developed a job ad and position profile describing the key institutional needs and priorities, as well as a related set of desired characteristics for our next president,” Topper said in a letter sent to Wayland students, faculty and staff. The search committee welcomes the suggestion of candidates who could serve effectively as the next president or the names of persons who might recommend potential candidates, he added. “When nominating, please complete the confidential online nomination form on the website or forward the name(s) and contact information, including email address, to our consultants at WBUPresident@academicsearch.org,” Topper said. The search committee plans to begin reviewing applications in late October with the goal of identifying a small group of candidates. Semifinalist interviews are expected in late-November, with finalists being interviewed in early January.

Lance Shumake, president of iGo Global, spoke in chapel at Dallas Baptist University at the beginning of Missions Week. Shumake’s Rockwall-based organization partners with churches to help train and mobilize the next generation to spread the gospel internationally. Shumake challenged students to think beyond self-interested hopes and focus instead on God’s will. He urged them to be on mission with God as instruments of blessing, sharing the hope of God’s love. In addition to iGo Global, representatives from Greater Europe Mission, Cafe 1040, Africa Inland Mission and other organizations participated in an outdoor mission fair, introducing students to missions opportunities. In another chapel service during DBU Missions Week, Izabella McMillon of Samaritan’s Purse told how—as a 13-year-old girl in Romania—she received an Operation Christmas Child gift box that changed her life.

The board of directors of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty elected Anyra Cano of Fort Worth as chair. She is the first Latina to serve in that role. Cano is director of programs and outreach for Fellowship Southwest. She previously was coordinator of Texas Baptist Women in Ministry and served 12 years as youth minister at Iglesia Bautista Victoria en Cristo in Fort Worth.

Members at Ventana, a Buckner senior living community in Dallas, volunteered recently at the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid. They spent the afternoon sorting shoes and stuffing them with encouraging notes to support Buckner’s Shoes for Orphan Souls program. “This is our first outing of this type,” said Holly Yates, director of lifestyle services at Ventana. “But members have been involved in volunteering with Buckner through Pajamas for Seniors and by providing supplies to families in the Buckner Family Hope Center or Buckner Family Pathways programs.”

Baylor University will serve as the originating site for the 2024 Collegiate Day of Prayer broadcast. The Collegiate Day of Prayer is an evening worship and prayer service focused on college-aged students, traditionally held on a university campus and live-streamed around the world. The broadcast will air at 7 p.m. Feb. 29 from the Baylor campus and will be arranged in cooperation with local churches and college ministry leaders. The Collegiate Day of Prayer organization operates as a coalition of collegiate ministries and church networks and is led by a representative steering team of these partner organizations. “Baylor University is humbled to serve as a conduit for Christians from around the state, nation and world to connect in prayer as a part of the 2024 Collegiate Day of Prayer, and we look forward to showcasing the beautiful diversity of the kingdom of God in this global moment,” said Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone. “We believe college-aged students near and far will be strengthened and encouraged during this season of prayer.” In addition to the evening broadcast, which will be primarily focused on Baylor students, Waco-area churches and college ministries have committed to praying together in advance of the broadcast as well. Churches and college ministries will join “Last Thursdays,” a Collegiate Day of Prayer tradition in which believers gather on the same day each month to intercede for the nation’s college-aged students. Also, Waco-area congregations will work though the Collegiate Day of Prayer’s 40-day prayer guide, which is available in digital formats. Baylor also will offer ways for members of the Baylor Family to get involved, such as organizing prayer sessions, promoting the evening broadcast and including the Collegiate Day of Prayer in the university’s longstanding Parents in Prayer program.

Wayland Baptist University named Timothy Pierce as dean of its School of Christian Studies. He assumes his new role in January. Currently, Pierce is associate professor of Christian studies at East Texas Baptist University and bivocational pastor of Port Caddo Baptist Church in Marshall. He earned his undergraduate degree in religion from Wayland and his Master of Theology and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife Kristy have three children—Lauren, Will and Jonathan.

Howard Payne University appointed Michael Rosato as dean of the university’s School of Education and professor of education. Rosato returned to HPU prior to the beginning of the fall 2023 semester, having served at the university from 2006 to 2015 before going to Houston Baptist University. At HBU—now Houston Christian University—he served as provost and vice president for academic affairs, as well as professor of education. Rosato holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carson-Newman University, a Master of Education degree from Texas Wesleyan University and a Doctor of Education degree from Indiana University.

Students in East Texas Baptist University’s Teague School of Nursing recently received the Polly Cargill Nursing Scholarship, awarded by brothers Jerry and Jack Cargill in partnership with ETBU. Students Alison Carrion, Brittany Denton, Ta’Lena Johnson, Meleni Luviano, Bailey Munch, Noah Pecory, Abigail Powell, Meredith Salazar, Angela Sanchez, Kennedy Tucker and Brianna Younger each were awarded a Polly Cargill Nursing Scholarship. Jerry and Jack Cargill awarded a special scholarship this year to ETBU junior nursing major Joseph Maique in honor of former nurse and a longtime friend of the Cargill family, the late Patty Smith.

Student government organizations at Baylor University and Texas Christian University formalized their decades-long rivalry. Baylor’s Student Senate and TCU’s House of Student Representatives unanimously passed a joint resolution to recognize the rivalry. In creating the resolution, both student government organizations agreed on the importance of longevity, tradition and sportsmanship. Baylor and TCU first met on the football field in 1899. The Nov. 18 Baylor-TCU game will mark the 119th matchup between the schools, making it the most-played college football rivalry series in the state. The joint resolution outlines each student body’s desire to recognize the annual football game as a protected rivalry game, to commit to playing one another, and to commemorate it with honor. Lily Davis, Baylor student body external vice president, called the formalizing of the rivalry “an endeavor that honors the past, shapes the future and celebrates the present.”

Howard Payne University junior Emily Moran of Coleman is the second HPU student to be accepted into the Joint Admission Medical Program. Moran came to HPU to study biomedical science in preparation for medical school, with the ultimate goal of becoming a surgeon. The Joint Admission Medical Program helps undergraduate students who want to enter the medical field by preparing them for medical school. The state-funded program provides Texas students with academic and financial support through scholarships, summer internship experiences, dedicated mentoring and comprehensive preparation for the Medical College Admission Test. Moran recently finished a summer internship at the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine.

East Texas Baptist University hosted a luncheon celebrating the achievements of 17 paraprofessionals from Marshall Independent School District enrolled in the MavPATH program. MavPATH is an initiative that paves the way for these individuals to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in education from ETBU with a focus in elementary education. The MavPATH program serves as a bridge, allowing district paraprofessionals to gain job-embedded classroom experience as they work toward their college degree through ETBU, all while pursuing teacher certification. The school district covers tuition and course fees for each student in the program. Paraprofessionals commit to full-time educational service during their college enrollment and as teachers in the district upon completion of their undergraduate degree in education. “With this revolutionary teacher training model established and effectively working, we are thankful for the support of the school district board and administrative leadership and excited about the program’s success,” ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn said.

Anniversary

150th for First Baptist Church in Schulenburg. David Thompson is pastor.

120th for Oplin Baptist Church in Clyde. Joe Boney is pastor.

Hundreds gathered at East Texas Baptist University’s annual Great East Texas Hymn Sing on Sept. 22, in Baker Chapel of the Rogers Spiritual Life Center. ETBU welcomed students, faculty and staff, alumni, community members and churches from around the East Texas region and neighboring states for an afternoon of worship, fellowship, and celebration of Christian faith. “ETBU has produced phenomenal worship leaders over the years, and it is a rich opportunity to have them return and lead us in song,” said Cari Johnson, director of alumni relations. Worship leaders included David Berryhill, music minister at First Baptist Church in Kilgore; Austin Anderson with Mundt Music in Longview, former pastor of worship arts at Highland Terrace Baptist Church in Greenville; and Aaron Perkins, minister of music at Woodland Hills Baptist Church in Longview; along with Debbie Stevens, director of admissions, and Jonathan Kaan, assistant professor of music. Pat Antinone, director of choral activities, led ETBU’s Concert Choir during the worship service.

The 8th annual Latino Fest is scheduled Sept. 29 at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. The university’s Hispanic Student Association, College of Visual and Performing Arts, and the Kingdom Diversity Office will host the event. UMHB’s string and wind ensembles will perform works by Astor Piazzolla, Rafael Hernandez, Michelle Fernandez and others at 7 p.m. in the Baugh Performance Hall of the Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center. The concert is free, but a ticket is required. To secure a free ticket, call the box office at (254) 295-5999 or click here. Following the concert, a street festival on the plaza of the Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center will showcase food, dancing, carnival games and face painting reflecting Hispanic culture.

Howard Payne University will honor nine individuals for achievements and service during the Stinger Spectacular Oct. 13-14. The honorees for 2023 are Dale Fisher of San Angelo, Distinguished Alumnus; Micaela Espiricueta Camachoof Kopperl, Coming Home Queen; Natalia Lopez, an attorney with offices in Brownwood and Fort Worth, Outstanding Young Graduate; Robert and Cheryl Everett Mangrum of Early, Grand Marshals; Pastor LJ Clayton of Missionary Baptist Church in Cuero and educator Lori Hassel Clayton, Medal of Service; evangelist Rubén Hernández of Richardson, the Dr. José Rivas Distinguished Service Award; and longtime pastor Doug Holtzclaw of Goldthwaite, recipient of the new Jacket Alums in Ministry Faithful Servant Award. The honorees will be recognized at the HPU Alumni Banquet on Oct. 13 and included in the Stinger Spectacular Parade and the halftime show at the homecoming football game on Oct 14.

Wayland Baptist University secured $9.96 million in gifts and grants during the 2022-2023 fiscal year, a record amount for the 115-year-old institution. The record total includes $6.37 million in gifts plus $3.58 million in federal grants benefiting veterans, as well as Hispanic and first-generation students. “It is absolutely remarkable how the dedication and passion of our donors, as well as the work of our Wayland family, has been on display during this record year,” Wayland President Bobby Hall said. “We now prayerfully and diligently seek to utilize that which has been entrusted to us.”

Senior Pastor John Ogletree of First Metropolitan Baptist Church in Houston will be the featured speaker at a “Save Texas Schools: Boot Vouchers” rally at the Texas Capitol. The rally, sponsored by Texans for Public Education, will be held at noon on Oct. 7 on the south steps of the Capitol. Ogletree, president of Pastors for Texas Children, served 18 years on the school board of Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District.

Buckner Retirement Services hired Hannah Culp as healthcare administrator for Ventana by Buckner, effective Sept. 18. Culp will provide leadership and oversight for Ventana’s assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing levels of care at the Dallas senior living community. She most recently served at Life Care Services, where she was associate executive director for Autumn Leaves and health center administrator for Walnut Place, two senior living communities in Dallas. Prior to that, she worked in Kansas as an administrator and executive director for several health care and assisted living focused communities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in human development and family science from Kansas State University and a Master of Arts degree in aging studies from Wichita State University. She is a licensed nursing home administrator in both Kansas and Texas.

Julio Guarneri, executive director-elect of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, preached in chapel at East Texas Baptist University on Sept. 25. Guarneri, lead pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen and first Hispanic individual to serve as executive director for the BGCT, challenged the campus community to reclaim the insurmountable peace only found through faith in Christ. “The struggle for peace is real,” Guarneri said. “College students need peace. We all need peace. Our world needs peace. And the Bible tells us that peace is a product of the Spirit, and peace comes to us when the Spirit is in control of our lives. It’s not something we produce or fabricate. It is something that God alone gives to us.”

Elizabeth Espinoza is the new director of the Buckner Family Hope Center in Midland. Espinoza will lead the Family Hope Center’s team in managing day-to-day operations, providing strategic oversight to the Midland Family Hope Center as it continues to expand its community impact, and serving vulnerable children and families in the community where she was raised. Espinoza began working for Buckner International in 2021 as foster care case manager, then she transitioned to the Family Hope Center as the community coordinator. Before coming to Buckner, she was an adolescent case worker with the El Paso Department of Health and Human Services. She earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Colorado State University—Pueblo.

Anniversary

150th for First Baptist Church in Hamilton. The sesquicentennial celebration begins Sept. 30 with a “meet-and-greet” event from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the church’s youth and family center. On Oct. 1, a potluck dinner will immediately follow the 11 a.m. worship service. After lunch, the church will gather at 1:30 p.m. for a service of commemoration and dedication. Drew Dabbs is pastor.

75th for Chinese Houston Baptist Church on Oct. 8. Kai Yuen Choi is interim pastor.

Hardin-Simmons University reached its $5.6 million goal to cover initial construction costs on its Newman-Richardson Science Center. The fundraising goal was reached after receiving a $600,000 grant from the Mabee Foundation. Construction is underway to renovate and revitalize the entire Newman-Richardson building. Already, the building’s HVAC systems have been updated and multiple lab spaces have been renovated. After meeting initial construction costs, HSU’s next goal is to create a building endowment for the Newman-Richardson Science Center to help solve future expansion and capital renewal needs.

Wayland Baptist University presented Bibles to 225 freshmen at its Plainview campus and made plans to distribute another 275 to freshmen at the university’s external campuses. Each Bible is a gift from a former student, faculty, staff member, administrator or friend of Wayland. This is the second year the university has raised funds to ensure each freshmen student starts their journey through higher education with a copy of the Scriptures.

East Texas Baptist University crowned senior humanities major Sarah Resendez from Shreveport, La., as the 67th Miss ETBU on Sept. 16. The Miss ETBU Pageant, sponsored by ETBU’s Student Government Association, is a long-standing tradition that showcases the exceptional qualities of female students and their commitment to Christian values, poise and scholarship. Resendez has served as a resident assistant, student worker for the School of Christian Studies and Humanities, and Thrive peer mentor. She also is involved in the university’s Honors Program. She attends First Baptist Church in Marshall and spends her summers working for the international nonprofit Hope 4 El Salvador, founded by her parents Erik and Susan Resendez.

Howard Payne University hosted its inaugural Health Science Enrichment Workshop this summer. The two-day program was sponsored by the Joint Admission Medical Program and provided participating high school juniors and seniors hands-on learning opportunities on the HPU campus and onsite at Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood. Through health care simulations, participants received instruction in suture/staple removal, basic EKG interpretation and emergency resuscitation. Through science labs, they performed DNA extraction and anatomy dissections. Students also earned their “Stop the Bleed” certification, presented by Laci Sutton, dean of HPU’s School of Nursing.

Anniversary

175th at First Baptist Church in Round Rock. Dustin Slaton is pastor.

140th at First Baptist Church in Bandera. Chris McLain is pastor.