More than 2,315 digitized issues of the Baptist Standard—including some dating back to 1920— now are accessible online here. The digital archives project is made possible through a partnership involving Baylor University Libraries, the Baptist General Convention of Texas and Baptist Standard Publishing, and it is funded through the gift of an anonymous donor. The digital archives at this point include 15 indices, covering selected issues published between 1971 and 1994. Digitized issues include the complete set of published newspapers from 1925 to 1940, 1971 to 1978, 1981 to 1984, and 1991 to 1996, as well as some other individual years. Additional material will be added to the online archives as Baylor Libraries’ digitization and digital preservation team continues its work in cooperation with the Texas Baptist Historical Collection, which houses the only known complete run of the Baptist Standard.

STCH Ministries Family Counseling will host its fifth annual iCare Conference on Aug. 3 at Parkway Church in Victoria. The conference seeks to educate individuals on the front lines of caring for others. Educators and counselors can receive continuing education units for attending, but the event is open to any interested individual. Topics include “Behind the Screen: Social Media’s Impact on Behavior and Virtue,” “P.R.A.Y.—Reaching Out to Grievers,” “The Big Three: Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok” and “Conflict Communication Toolbox for Marriage.”  Rik Roberts will provide lunchtime entertainment. Kelly Litvak, founder and executive director of Childproof America, will teach the concluding session of the conference, “Human Trafficking—An American Pandemic.” For more information, including a full list of session topics, click here. A virtual option is available for those who cannot attend in person.

A recent study commissioned by the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas revealed East Texas Baptist University is making a profound impact on the economy in its area. The economic impact report showed ETBU—one of the largest employers in Harrison County—contributes $63,185,453 to the local economy. ETBU has produced $46,232,131 in direct spending and $16,953,322 in induced spending. Direct spending includes money spent on employee salaries and benefits, capital projects, university purchases, as well as student and visitor spending in the community. Induced spending is defined as employment and expenditures provided by local industries as a result of the direct spending by ETBU. Student enrollment has grown more than 33 percent in the last six years, prompting the construction of new facilities on campus and revitalization in downtown Marshall. “ETBU shares a vision for economic development through collaborative partnerships with local and regional business, industry, and education,” President J. Blair Blackburn said. “The university invests in the area economy to advance the community forward in creating employment opportunities, developing our workforce, and retaining talented people in our city and county. We strive to ensure that our faith integrated with our work adds value to the quality of life in East Texas as we unite hearts and minds for the betterment of our citizens and our community.”

Wayland Baptist University is launching its School of Creative Arts, essentially combining the existing School of Music and School of Fine Arts. The new school will promote a mentor-apprenticeship culture, focus on artistic excellence, entrepreneurial vision and Christ-centered servant leadership, university officials said. Curriculum for the new school will focus on immersion in the artistic process, giving students a well-rounded education in all aspects of art education, with a goal of preparing students to pursue viable careers following graduation. “Faculty are excited to bring revitalized and relevant arts experiences to Wayland and the surrounding region,” said Ann Stutes, Dean of the School of Creative Arts. “Through immersion in the artistic process—from design, to creation and finally exhibition—we believe our students are equipped to embrace evolving 21st century professions while providing platforms for creative expression that inevitably enrich the human condition.”

During a July 15 luncheon, Dallas Baptist University will recognize community partners that provide DBU students places to serve. This year’s luncheon honors Voice of Hope, an organization in West Dallas that offers biblical teaching, Christian character models, life skills coaching and educational support to children in after-school and summer camp programs. Keynote speaker will be Pastor John Durham of Highland Baptist Church in Waco, who also is a DBU trustee. In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, DBU students provided 110,000 community service hours in the past year, working with more than 500 community partners. For example, during the spring semester, more than 75 students served during lunch breaks with BridgeBuilders, Buckner International and Voice of Hope, writing more than 200 cards of encouragement, packing 400 pairs of shoes for children in Kenya, and filling more than 100 activity bags for children in local communities.

Baylor University is seeking artists and foundries to create life-sized bronze statues of the university’s first Black graduates—Pastor Robert Gilbert and Barbara Walker. The statues ultimately will be placed in front of Baylor’s historic Tidwell Bible Building. To be considered, an artist must have completed no less than three works in similar size, scale and method of fabrication within the last 10 years. Qualified artists have until Aug. 13 to submit a completed request for qualifications form. Finalists will be identified Aug. 27. The recommendation to erect statues of Gilbert and Walker, who graduated from Baylor on June 2, 1967, came from Baylor’s Commission on Historic Campus Representation. “There is much work to be done as we take measures to address all historical aspects of the Baylor story and celebrate the value of all members of the Baylor Family in fulfillment of our Christian mission,” said President Linda A. Livingstone. “These statues and physical representations are a key step to help us all celebrate the strength, courage and accomplishments of two very important people—and all people of color—in our university’s history.”

The renovation of Harral Auditorium on the Wayland Baptist University campus is on schedule for completion before the start of the fall semester. The 1,200-seat facility is being updated with new seating, as well as two retractable video screens, ceiling-mounted projectors and updated sound equipment. Work crews unloaded 50,000 pounds of seating from two tractor-trailers on June 24-25, and the assembly and installation of the new seats began June 28. More than 11,000 pounds of scrap metal was hauled off when the old seats were removed. Older seats that are still in good working condition are being stored.

Two young women from Texas Baptist churches were recognized for their achievements during the recent National Invitational Tournament for Bible Drill and Speakers. Since last year’s event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both 2020 and 2021 finalists competed. Savannah Green won first place in the 2020 speakers’ tournament, and Emily Cook won second place in the 2021 speakers’ competition. Both represented First Baptist Church at the Fields in Carrollton. Green is a member at First Baptist Church at the Fields, and Cook is a member of Cliff Temple Baptist Church in Dallas.

Hardin-Simmons University will offer a major in engineering, beginning in fall 2023. The university’s new engineering department will be housed in Abilene Hall. HSU Provost Chris McNair said employers already have been identified to help students secure internships, as well as employment after they graduate.

Hispanic Baptists recognized Bob Sena with the Gary Cook Servant Leader Award during a June 13 gathering in Nashville, held in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. Named for Dallas Baptist University Chancellor Gary Cook, the award honors those within the Hispanic Baptist community who have made an impact on church life. Cook was in attendance to present the award to Sena, noting his service to the Baptist General Convention of Texas and beyond. Sena earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Wayland Baptist University, a Master of Religious Education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Golden Gate Seminary in California. He serves as director of the Hispanic Doctor of Ministry program at Midwestern Seminary. In 2014, he was named Hispanic relations consultant to the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. Previously, Sena was director of the church planting group of the Hispanic resource development and equipping team of the North American Mission Board, was a NAMB national Hispanic missionary and was Hispanic evangelism associate for the BGCT. He has more than 50 years of leadership in Baptist life, including service as pastor of churches of varying sizes in Texas and Georgia. He and wife Priscilla have been married 55 years.

HighGround Advisors appointed Helge Rokenes as chief investment officer, effective Aug. 2. Rokenes served as the managing director of the Meadows Foundation since 2014. Previously, he was investment manager for ABH Capital Management and an institutional sales analyst for JP Morgan Asset Management. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Lutheran University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Baylor University. “Helge shares HighGround’s commitment to professional excellence and has the right combination of investment leadership and technical experience to fill this critical position,” said Jeff W. Smith, president and CEO of HighGround Advisors. “Leveraging his extensive knowledge, he will play a key role as we continue to build on HighGround’s 91-year history of providing financial services to nonprofit organizations and families dedicated to transforming lives.” Rokenes will serve alongside current HighGround CIO Joe Wright throughout the fall until Wright’s retirement on Dec. 31.

Ethan Thurston, a sophomore at East Texas Baptist University, and Cody Ross, a senior at ETBU, won the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic at Eagle Mountain Lake on June 14 with a four-fish bag that weighed 16 pounds, 6 ounces. It marks the third championship tournament won by the ETBU Tiger bass fishing program in the last year, having the top boat at qualifying tournaments on the Ouachita River in Louisiana and Lake Chickamauga in Tennessee. The Tiger bass fishing team was named Southern Conference School of the Year in 2019, and it earned the top title in collegiate fishing with the Fishing League Worldwide 2020 Tackle Warehouse School of the Year title in December 2020.

The Dallas Baptist University Patriots advanced to the NCAA Baseball Super Regionals for the second time in the program’s history. An 8-5 come-from-behind victory over the Oregon State Beavers allowed DBU to advance to its first Super Regional competition in 10 years. While the University of Virginia ended DBU’s hopes of advancing to the College World Series by defeating the Patriots in two out of three games at the Super Regionals, DBU was the only team in college baseball to have won 40 games in each of the last seven seasons.

The Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission established the Strickland-Davis Scholarship to benefit students pursuing a degree in a field of study related to the commands of Micah 6:8—“Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.” The scholarship honors the memory of Phil Strickland, who served the CLC 38 years, including a quarter-century as its director; and it recognizes Marilyn Davis, who recently retired after more than four decades of service to the CLC. The CLC announced the creation of the scholarship at her June 10 retirement reception. The CLC will award three $1,000 scholarships each school year to qualified students pursuing undergraduate degrees, master’s degree or doctorates. Applicants are required to be a member of a church affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas that contributes to the Cooperative Program and supports the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering. High preference will be given to students attending universities related to or affiliated with the BGCT. Among other requirements, applicants are expected to submit an essay that relates his or her field of study to the mission and charge of Micah 6:8. For more information and specific application guidelines, contact the CLC via the form here.

East Texas Baptist University’s clinical laboratory science program has achieved recommendation for accreditation with the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. The agency provides international accreditation and approval of educational programs in the clinical laboratory sciences and health care-related disciplines. The agency accreditation process is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Accreditation involves a process of external peer review, in which NAACLS grants public recognition to education programs that meet established education standards in clinical laboratory science disciplines. ETBU’s clinical lab science program prepares technician-level clinical laboratory professionals to complete advanced laboratory coursework in preparation for national certification. All accredited programs are required to submit a self-study and host a site visit in the cyclical review process. Accredited programs are eligible for a maximum award of 10 years. East Texas Baptist University’s program received the maximum accreditation period allowable for new programs at five years.

Wayland Baptist University received a grant to participate in COVID-19 vaccine education. Funded by the Interfaith Youth Core, the Faith in the Vaccine initiative is meant to educate those communities and demographic groups that have been hesitant to embrace COVID-19 vaccines. Through the Interfaith Youth Core program, college and university student ambassadors will focus educational efforts on those communities to which they have personal ties. Schools were required to apply for the grant program, answering questions about how they would approach educating the communities they serve. Each school selected to participate was allowed to choose 20 students to be Faith in the Vaccine ambassadors. Each student receives a $1,500 stipend for the work they will do promoting education about the vaccine. The grant is meant to fund projects and work completed between June and December 2021. Justin Lawrence, associate dean of the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences, applied for the grant and will serve as the faculty adviser to the group. “This is about service,” Lawrence said. “Students are able to get out there and serve their community, and maybe they can articulate something in a way that somebody else couldn’t. Sometimes people need to hear it from somebody else, and that is what we will be doing.”

East Texas Baptist University is partnering with the Cargill family to help facilitate the Polly Cargill Nursing Scholarship program. The Polly Cargill Endowed Nursing Scholarship at ETBU was established with an initial gift of $282,000, and a matching gift from an anonymous donor brought the corpus to $564,000. The scholarship will be awarded through application to students admitted into ETBU’s School of Nursing. Jack Cargill made a legacy gift to the ETBU Polly Cargill Endowed Nursing Scholarship. Jerry and Judy Cargill also made a contribution of $282,000 to the Polly Cargill Nursing Scholarship Fund held at a foundation in Dallas to benefit nursing students at ETBU, Kilgore College, Panola College, the University of Texas-Tyler and other schools in the area. Jerry and Jack Cargill founded the scholarship to honor their mother, Polly Cargill, and support nursing students in their journey to become competent, equipped and compassionate health care workers. Since its inception 19 years ago, the Polly Cargill Nursing Scholarship has provided financial aid to 60 nursing students from schools across the region. “We are deeply grateful for the Cargill family and their enduring generosity to provide scholarships for nursing students in East Texas and Northwest Louisiana,” ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn said. “Their legacy of love and support for health care education has given life and hope to many people—certainly here on the hill of East Texas Baptist University and in our School of Nursing in the downtown Marshall Grand. I praise God for the Cargill family, and look forward to what lies ahead in our shared kingdom educational partnership.”

STCH Ministries—formerly known as South Texas Children’s Home—is partnering with Bluebonnet Youth Ranch to use its Yoakum property as a Homes for Families campus. STCH Ministries Homes for Families at Bluebonnet Ranch will be a resource for single mothers and their children who are facing a crisis and need help transitioning into independent living. The four-phase program provides a safe, comfortable setting for mothers and their children to begin a new chapter, while the staff helps to address their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. “We are excited to be partnering with Bluebonnet Youth Ranch and look forward to continuing the legacy they established so many years ago,” said Eron Green, president and CEO of STCH Ministries.

Wayland Baptist University’s School of Music is offering a new online certification in piano pedagogy. The certification is primarily designed for piano teachers who want to increase their knowledge and understanding of pedagogy and instructional techniques. Offered completely online, students will participate in a 12 credit-hour program taken in four eight-week sessions. Teachers are Richard Fountain, professor of piano, and Kennith Freeman, associate professor of collaborative piano. Students enrolling in the 2021-22 academic year will benefit from a special discounted tuition rate. Students will take two classes at a time, beginning in August. The second class will begin in mid-October and conclude in early December. The spring sessions will begin in mid-January and conclude in mid-May. For more information on the program, call (806) 291-1076 or email fountainr@wbu.edu or Kennith.freeman@wbu.edu.

Howard Payne University has created the Diane Owens Excellence in Music Education Scholarship to honor the life and work of Diane Owens, director of the pre-college music program at the university. Owens has served as the director of the program for 20 years and has taught pre-college music for a total of 27 years. The scholarship will provide recipients $500 per semester or $1,000 per year. Eligible HPU students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and be a junior or senior student who has demonstrated high moral character, a heart for service, excellence in music education and exemplary course work. Students teaching in the pre-college music and art program will be given preference, if all other qualifications are equal. Scholarship recipients will be selected by the dean of the HPU School of Music and Fine Arts.

BaptistWay Press has changed its name to GC2 Press. “GC2 represents the Great Commission and Great Commandment and reflects Texas Baptists’ mission and heart,” said Bob Billups, publisher of GC2 Press. BaptistWay Press began under the leadership of Bill Pinson, then executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and Bernie Spooner in the Sunday School Discipleship team. BaptistWay Press launched in 2000 to provide Bible study curriculum to adults, students and children. Its curriculum currently is used in 40 states and numerous countries around the world. Adult Bible studies have been translated into multiple languages, including Cambodian, Korean and Spanish.

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary named three individuals to academic and administrative leadership roles—Travis H. Trawick as associate provost, F. Edward Upton as interim vice president for institutional advancement and Lucas Hahn as director of admissions. Trawick has been vice president for institutional advancement since 2018. Upton, who will be considered for election to his position by the seminary’s board of trustees at its fall meeting, came to Southwestern Seminary in 2020 as associate vice president for institutional relations. Hahn previously served in admissions roles at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Missouri Baptist University and Fontbonne University.

Howard Payne University presented its Outstanding Faculty Member Award to Dennis Gibson, associate professor of chemistry and department chair, and Outstanding Staff Member Award to Hunter Sims, athletic director. HPU’s Department of Athletic Training received the Outstanding Department Award, recognizing all members of the department for their service. The university presented certificates for excellence in teaching to Chuck Gartman, assistant professor of Christian studies and director of ministry guidance; and Jill Heupel, assistant professor of kinesiology and director of the Master of Education in Sport and Wellness Leadership program. HPU presented certificates recognizing excellence in service to Wendy McNeeley, assistant vice president for university records and dean of general education; and Bob Pacatte, director of HPU’s Department of Public Safety and chief of police.

Retirement

James Fuller after 27 years as senior pastor at Calder Baptist Church in Beaumont and 43 years in vocational Christian ministry, effective May 31.

David and Maxine King of Marshall, retired foreign missionaries, celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary on May 12. The couple met in Honolulu, Hawaii, at Olivet Baptist Church and were married there on Mother’s Day in 1946. After King completed his service in the U.S. Air Force, they moved to Brownwood where they earned degrees from Howard Payne College. While he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, King was pastor of churches in Angus, Star and Keller. The Kings were appointed by the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board in 1959 as missionaries to the Middle East and North Africa. During his time teaching at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Beiruit, Lebanon, they lived through 12 years of civil war. After retirement in 1989, he continued teaching Arabic in two-week summer seminars for pastors in Morocco and Algeria. He also taught Bible classes at East Texas Baptist University, where he served as adjunct faculty from 1990 to 1995. The Kings live at the Reunion Inn Assisted Living Facility in Marshall and are members of First Baptist Church of Marshall. A podcast interview with David King is available here.

The McLane family of Temple made a major gift to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor for a new 2,088 square-foot video board at Crusader Stadium. Drayton and Elizabeth McLane—along with their two sons, Drayton III and wife Amy of Salado, and Denton and wife Amy of Birmingham, Ala.—have been longtime supporters of UMHB. In 2012, when the McLane family learned the university was considering building an on-campus stadium, they immediately expressed an interest in the project and provided the largest gift in UMHB history to help build Crusader Stadium, which opened in 2013. “The university has been richly blessed by the friendship and generosity of the McLane family for many years, and we could not be more grateful to them for ensuring that Crusader Stadium remains one of the top venues in the country for NCAA DIII football and many other university programs and activities that take place there,” said UMHB President Randy O’Rear.

Residents, family members, and staff of Baptist Retirement Community in San Angelo recently celebrated the senior living community’s 70th anniversary. “Being able to celebrate 70 years of serving senior adults in San Angelo is even more special after last year,” said Aaron Hargett, executive director of Baptist Retirement Community. “We overcame so much together, and we did it through faith, compassion and perseverance.” Baptist Retirement Community opened its doors in 1951 as the Baptist Memorials Geriatric Hospital, a facility founded to serve patients suffering from tuberculosis that transitioned to senior residential living. In 2010, Baptist Retirement Community became affiliated with Buckner Retirement Services. Today, Baptist Retirement Community is home to more than 500 senior adults in its independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing residences and helping residents navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, Baptist Retirement Community completed renovations on 21,000-square feet of amenity spaces within the Henley-Mabee High Rise, part of the community’s $8.4 million renovation project. The renovation transformed the building’s main lobby and dining spaces to improve efficiency, enhance wayfinding and create elevated environments where residents can socialize and connect.

Retirement

Rick Erwin after 33 years as pastor of Proctor Baptist Church in Port Arthur and more than 50 years in the ministry. A reception is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. June 13 at Proctor Baptist Church.

The Dallas Baptist University Patriots claimed their first NCAA Division II Women’s Golf National Championship on May 15. With points tied at two apiece for DBU and Lynn University, the single stroke by WGCA Freshman of the Year Olivia Mitchell clinched the title to cap off the season, which included Lone Star Conference and NCAA championships. In addition to Mitchell, four other DBU players received All-American honors—Hannah Harrison, Faith DeLaGarza, Jaycie Stewart and Julia Garcia. Head Coach Kenny Trapp was named the West Region Coach of the Year by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association, and Josh Aguilar was named the NCAA Division II Golf Pride Women’s Golf Coaches Assistant Coach of the Year. The women’s golf team was the third DBU team to claim a national championship this year. The university’s dance team and cheer team also won national championships.

Hardin-Simmons University’s board of trustees approved the addition of a major in engineering and authorized financial support to begin renovations on Abilene Hall to house the engineering department. Emily Hunt, professor and dean of the College of Engineering at West Texas A&M University, is consulting with HSU in the development and launch of the program, scheduled to launch in fall 2023. “We are thrilled for the opportunities this program will allow to students, as well as industry employers who are in need of more qualified workforce applicants. It’s a win/win for the community and HSU graduates,” said Laura Moore, chair of the board of trustees.

Rosa Ramirez of Lubbock was named as a recipient of the Hispanic Christian Leadership Scholarship at Wayland Baptist University. Based on academic standing and leadership in church, the scholarship is designed to recognize an outstanding Hispanic student each year, offering full tuition, room and board throughout the student’s undergraduate years. She is the daughter of Celie and Robby Ramirez and attends Community Heights Church in Lubbock, where she is a member of the worship team, helps with the children’s ministry and teaches Bible study for youth. Her pastor, Daniel “Tiny” Dominguez, recommended her for the scholarship. “I’m very excited to go to Wayland, because I have been looking at this school for years now,” Ramirez said. “I really wanted to go to a Christian school, and I know going here that I will meet people who are really God-centered, and it will help me with my walk with Christ, as well.”

Howard Payne University recently recognized six students for their servant leadership on campus and in the community. Graduating seniors Xavier Haines of Early and Matthew Martin of Lampasas each were awarded the Nat Tracy Servant Leader Award. The award was established in 1998 to honor the life of the late Nat Tracy, a faculty member in HPU’s School of Christian Studies from 1950 to 1975. Haines, who majored in Christian education and history, was a pitcher on the Yellow Jacket baseball team and a small-group leader at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church in Brownwood. He also was involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the HPU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Martin, who majored in kinesiology, served as an FCA representative for the Yellow Jacket football team four years and on the FCA student government. HPU Servant Leadership Awards were presented to juniors Salina Ali of San Antonio, Jordan Givens of Rusk, Grace Hawkins of Stephenville and McKennah Randall of Lampasas. Nominations for the awards are solicited each spring from HPU staff, faculty and students. “When you look at the teachings and example of Jesus, serving is at the center,” said Gary Gramling, dean of the School of Christian Studies. “We are tremendously blessed at HPU to have students of such character.”

Retirement

David O. Dykes after five decades in ministry and 30 years as senior pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, effective Aug. 31.

Baylor University’s Give Light Campaign surpassed the $1 billion mark May 13 with a gift from Paula Hurd from Silicon Valley, Calif. The $7 million gift will be recognized through the naming of the Mark and Paula Hurd Floor at the Baylor Basketball Pavilion. Paula Hurd is a current Baylor regent, and her late husband Mark was a Baylor alumnus and regent. The Baylor Basketball Pavilion, which will serve as the new home for Baylor’s men’s and women’s basketball programs, is one of the priority capital projects within the $1.1 billion Give Light Campaign. “We are truly grateful for Paula’s continued commitment to Baylor University and our vision for building toward Baylor’s future,” said Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone. “Three years ago, Baylor University announced Mark and Paula’s leadership through a gift naming the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center, which effectively launched the public phase of fundraising for the Give Light Campaign. We are truly honored that the Hurd family’s generosity once again marks a significant milestone of $1 billion raised through the campaign. I am grateful for the Hurd family’s generous gift that is helping once again to ensure we have top-tier resources and facilities for our students and the Baylor Family.”

Kenzie Crews from Keller and Edward Funderburke from Austin were named the Citizenship Award winners for 2021 at Wayland Baptist University. Voted on by students and faculty, the Citizenship Award is the highest honor given each year to a Wayland senior male student and female student. Crews, who majored in English education, served as a President’s Ambassador and was a member of Student Foundation, the Baptist Student Ministry leadership team and Council of Student Organizations. Crews was also the student director of Koinonia in 2020. She will start her teaching career next fall at a high school in the Dallas area. Funderburke, who majored in music theater, served on the Student Union Board and was a member of the Wayland Show Choir and International Choir, and he was the president of Student Foundation. He will pursue a master’s degree in education and hopes to teach performing theater arts.

Dallas Baptist University awarded degrees to 554 graduates during four in-person commencement ceremonies May 13-14. The university conferred 333 bachelor’s graduates, 209 master’s graduates, and 12 doctoral graduates. Jurie Kriel of Austin, co-founder of the NXT Move initiative and catalyst for cities for the Lausanne Movement, spoke at two of the commencement services. Mike Simmons, pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Cedar Hill; and William Jan Daehnert, associate professor and interim director of the Master of Arts in Student Ministry program at DBU, spoke at the other ceremonies.

Three Howard Payne University students were recognized as Outstanding Delegates during a recent Model United Nations conference hosted in Montreal—Sierra Ross, a senior from Galveston; Joseph Lahmann, a senior from Killeen; and Hallie Burden, a sophomore from Nederland. Madison Tuck, a sophomore from Edgewood, N.M., also represented HPU at the conference and helped lead her committee to a win. The HPU delegation was led by Madeline DuPré, a senior from Leander, and Jacob Lehrer, a senior from Midland. Model United Nations is a diplomatic simulation that uses current world issues to allow students to practice problem-solving. Participants represent various nations as delegates and follow diplomatic procedure, including caucusing, writing position papers and presenting in formal settings, following the model of the United Nations. The international conference included more than 140 students in delegations representing 22 institutions in China, England, Germany, Indonesia and Uganda, as well as the United States and Canada. HPU’s three awards were of a total of six that were presented to the four American institutions represented at the conference.

Sarah Herrington has joined the faculty of the School of Music at Wayland Baptist University as director of choral studies. Herrington spent the last nine years at Lubbock Christian University as an instructor of voice and collaborative pianist. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Wayland in 2000, then went on to earn a master’s degree in vocal performance from Texas Tech University in 2005 and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from Texas Tech in 2008. She served Wayland previously as an adjunct professor of voice and was director of the Wayland Singing Women and the Spirit vocal ensemble. She has served as accompanist or choral director for area churches, including First Baptist Church in Shallowater and Second Baptist Church in Lubbock. She was director of the regional chapter of the Singing Women of West Texas for Texas Baptists. She also has taught public school and worked as an accompanist and collaborative pianist with the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Choral Directors Association and Texas Tech University. She and her husband Scott, former Wayland choral director, have two sons.

Pastor Michael Evans of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield, who also is mayor of Mansfield, will be the keynote speaker for the online Advocacy Day 2021 event at 10 a.m. on May 27. “Advocating for the oppressed” is the theme of the event, sponsored by the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission. Following the keynote address, 10 workshop videos will be available on topics ranging from “Why Pro-Life is Whole Life: Babies, Moms and So Much More” to “Mobilizing the Faith Community for Public Education Support and Advocacy.” To access all the videos, click here, visit the CLC YouTube channel here, or see the CLC Facebook page here.

About 200 COVID-19 vaccines were administered on the East Texas Baptist University campus during a free clinic hosted by ETBU in conjunction with the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Harrison County community members, as well as university friends and family, were encouraged to stop by the clinic for convenient and easy access to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Marion County Judge Leward J. LaFleur connected ETBU with the Texas Division of Emergency Management to secure the vaccines, and he later visited the COVID vaccine clinic on ETBU’s campus in support of the effort. Members of the Army National Guard administered the vaccines and handled all patient information and registration. “As a Christ-centered institution we strive to follow the example of Jesus and demonstrate love and compassion for members in our community,” said Scott Bryant, ETBU vice president for advancement. “An important part of our mission as a University is being a good neighbor and caring for the members of our community. Hosting the free COVID clinic was a unique opportunity for ETBU to demonstrate care for the physical needs of the citizens of Harrison County. Our prayer is that Harrison County will soon be free of the COVID-19 virus.”

South Texas Children’s Home Ministries dedicated facilities in Victoria and Goliad on May 5. The Jack Green Counseling Center in Victoria is named for the longtime president of STCH Ministries, who was instrumental in starting the family counseling ministry. The office will serve as a regional counseling office where STCH Ministries counselors can minister to children, families and individuals. The Petty Acres Children’s Center in Goliad will serve as a multi-purpose building for the STCH Ministries Homes for Families campus. It will include staff offices, a counseling office, play therapy room, commissary, gym and meeting spaces that will be used by the moms and children in care.

Howard Payne University conferred degrees on the first five graduates of its School of Nursing during its May 8 commencement—Adrien Barrientos of Lewisville; Hanna Crow, Josie McClung and Ashley Strong of Brownwood; and Kira Teel of San Antonio. The Texas Board of Nursing reaffirmed program approval for the baccalaureate nursing program at HPU in 2020. Nina Ouimette is dean of the HPU School of Nursing.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor awarded 415 baccalaureate degrees, 57 master’s degrees and 18 doctoral degrees at spring commencement on May 8. UMHB President Randy O’Rear presented the President’s Award for meritorious service to David Castles of Bullard. Miriam Osterlund of Midland and Stephen Rowe of Texas City received the Loyalty Cup, awarded to the students considered most representative of the ideals, traditions and spirit of the university.

East Texas Baptist University conferred 190 undergraduate degrees and 21 graduate degrees during three spring commencement exercises on May 8. ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn presented the President’s Award to Brock Garrison of Blossom, who graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Worship Studies degree. The award is presented to a graduate who is considered a Christian leader, scholar and servant within the campus and local community. Garrison, who maintained a 3.90 grade point average, has served as a leader on the worship team and as a youth ministry leader at Immanuel Baptist Church in Marshall. He participated in the marching band, symphonic band, concert choir, Hilltop Singers and Lampsato Worship Band. John Harris, dean of the School of Christian Studies and chair of the department of Christian ministry, was recognized as a Professor with Distinction for his service, scholarship, teaching and integration of faith and learning.

Thomas Kinnin, a junior from Early majoring in Christian ministry at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, was selected to give the message at the final chapel service of the 2021 spring semester. Kinnin is youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Holland. He urged students who have “fallen out of love with the church or even Jesus” due to a bad experience will give the church another chance and see the church for what it was meant to be. “If you’re struggling with the church, don’t run from it,” he said. Kinnin challenged students who are involved in church to be “devoted, authentic and loving,” wherever they are. “Even if you’re in a cashier job this summer, love people, be devoted to them, be authentic with them. Fellowship with them. Show them what the church is,” he urged.

Howard Payne University will offer a free six-part online seminar, “In the Beginning and Beyond: A Study of Genesis 1-4.” Donnie Auvenshine, vice president for academic affairs and professor of Christian studies at HPU, will teach the course. It is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on May 19 and 26 and on June 2, 9, 23 and 30 on Zoom videoconference. No academic credit will be granted, but the seminar will provide an in-depth study at no cost to participants. Registration is required. To register for the seminar, click here and complete the form.

A celebration of life service honoring Charles A. Tidwell is scheduled at 2 p.m. on June 5 at Agape Baptist Church, 3900 Southwest Blvd., in Fort Worth. Tidwell, professor of administration at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for 30 years, died Jan. 28. He was 89.

Hours after an F2 tornado struck Ellis County on May 3, Texas Baptist Men Disaster Relief volunteers were distributing water as well as cutting and removing fallen trees and limbs. The storm crumpled mobile homes, blew out windows and tore off parts of roofs. TBM volunteers from the Collin County chainsaw unit as well as Ellis County led the effort.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor presented the Gary and Diane Heavin Servant Leadership Award to seniors Emilee Peloquin, Hannah Bryant and Kaysie Sparks. The award recognizes time and energy students have devoted to ministry and community service during their years of study at UMHB. Each award winner receives a $1,000 cash award, a portion of which can be donated to an organization of her choice. Peloquin, a health science major from Keithville, La., is using a portion of her cash award to make a gift to the Andrus Family Mission, which helps orphans in Kenya. Bryant, a speech communication major from Plano, is giving a portion of her money to Hope House. Sparks, a mass communications/public relations major from Empire, Colo., is donating a portion of her award to the Child Advocacy Center of Central Texas.

Kathryn Pedroza, an East Texas Baptist University junior from Mansfield, was crowned as the 65th Miss ETBU on April 26. Pedroza was selected from nine contestants during the annual pageant sponsored by ETBU’s Student Government Association. Sophomore Leah Akridge was selected as first runner-up, and senior Anissa Mott was second runner-up. Pedroza has served on the Student Foundation and its traditions committee, worked in the marketing and communication department, and recently was inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, the communication honor society. She will serve as a resident assistant for the upcoming school year. She helps lead worship at Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview, where she also serves as a small-group leader and creates content for social media.

Howard Payne University will hold two commencement ceremonies, divided by major, for spring 2021 and fall 2020 graduates on May 8. The events will be held at the university’s L.J. Mims Auditorium. Graduates from the School of Business, School of Christian Studies and School of Education will be awarded diplomas during the 10 a.m. ceremony. Graduates from the School of Humanities, School of Music and Fine Arts, School of Nursing, and School of Science and Mathematics will be awarded diplomas during the 3 p.m. ceremony. Following the conclusion of each of the ceremonies, receptions for graduates and their families will be held in the Davidson Music Complex and the Jackson Room of the Faith and Life Leadership Center. The commencement ceremonies will be preceded on May 7 by Chime Out, an HPU tradition in which graduating seniors pass a chain of ivy to underclassmen, representing the passing of authority, responsibility and privileges to students who remain on campus to carry out the traditions of the university. Chime Out will begin at 7 p.m. in L.J. Mims Auditorium. Guests unable to attend either Chime Out or commencement can view livestreams of the events at www.facebook.com/hputx.

The Wayland Baptist University board of trustees approved a $57.2 million budget for the 2021-22 school year, which begins July 1. The budget included an additional $700,000 for merit-based scholarships. Last year, Wayland gave out nearly $1.5 million in merit-based scholarships. “Our administration felt it important to increase funding for merit-based scholarships in order to reward our best students, and to help more top achievers attend or remain at Wayland,” WBU President Bobby Hall said. Through Wayland’s Pioneer Scholarship, students can earn up to full tuition based on high school achievement and college entrance exam scores. Wayland also has several other merit-based scholarships that pay varying levels of support based on achievement.

Dallas Baptist University has launched a debate team with a vision “to inspire speakers for Christ using formal debate as a tool to strengthen civil skills and confidence in faith.” Largely student-run with a faculty sponsor, weekly evening meetings include lessons, drills and practice rounds to hone skills. Students plan to participate in state, regional and national tournaments in the International Public Debate Association league, competing against more than 600 student debaters. Jonathan Teat, vice president for administration and enrollment at DBU, is staff sponsor for the debate team.

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary will recognize Roy J. Fish, Thomas J. Nettles and D. Hance Dilbeck as distinguished alumni at the seminary’s alumni and friends luncheon during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn., on June 16. Fish, who will be honored posthumously, was professor of evangelism at Southwestern Seminary for nearly 50 years and formerly occupied the L.R. Scarborough Chair of Evangelism. During his time as a professor, he organized the annual Spring Break Revival Practicum (now called Reach This Nation), as the seminary each year sent out hundreds of student preachers across the United States to preach revivals in local churches. His wife of more than 50 years, Jean, will accept the award on his behalf. Nettles served on the seminary’s faculty in the church history department from 1976 to 1982. After leaving Southwestern, Nettles taught church history and historical theology on the faculty of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dilbeck has served as executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma since 2018. He was pastor of churches in Oklahoma more than 27 years.

Retirement

W.H. “Bill” Bellinger as the W. Marshall and Lulie Craig Chair of Bible and professor of religion at Baylor University, where he has been on the faculty since 1984. He has been chair of the department of religion since 2006, and he headed the department’s graduate program from 1991 to 2000 and from 2003 to 2006.

Howard Payne University’s Baptist Student Ministry is hosting an online art auction through May 3. All proceeds from the auction will be used to support students serving with Go Now Missions, a student missions program of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The auction features original artwork by Haleigh Clevenger, a senior from Brownwood majoring in studio art, and Sarah “Abi” Brown, BSM campus ministry intern at HPU. The pieces depict various iconic HPU buildings and architecture in gouache paintings and graphite drawings. Original and print versions of the pieces are available for purchase. Artwork can be viewed and bids placed at www.32auctions.com/hpubsm. Bryan Pate is BSM director at HPU.

Shelby Nallin of Bossier City, La., was recognized April 16 during East Texas Baptist University’s 74th annual Senior Girl Call-Out. Selected by a faculty and staff vote, an individual is “called out” each year for her exemplary Christian character, social consciousness, personal poise, academic achievement and spiritual vision. Senior Girl Call-Out is ETBU’s most longstanding tradition. Nallin, a senior worship studies major, has served as the chapel coordinator for two years, a Bible study leader for Titus Women’s Ministry, resident assistant for three years, and has been a member of Concert Choir. Shelby is the recipient of the Outstanding Choir Student Award and was the 2020 Homecoming Queen. She is a member of Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport, La., where she serves as the worship associate, and has served in community outreach, leads worship, disciples teen girls and gives voice lessons.

The Wayland Baptist University School of Business awarded a grant to Magline Incorporated, courtesy of the Plainview/Hale County Economic Development Corporation. Magline was the winner of the NexGen Spark competition, a business accelerator program that pairs Wayland students with local entrepreneurs to develop business plans. The program encourages local business owners and entrepreneurs to submit their ideas for growth. Students in the program work with the entrepreneur to develop a comprehensive plan. The teams then present their plans before a panel of judges. The winning team receives $5,000 for the business, and each student team member earns $500. Magline’s winning plan focuses on expanding offerings into more diverse agricultural areas, as well as landscape and reforestation markets. Through student leadership, Magline already has entered an agreement with Wayland to test the product on landscaping. Throughout the summer, a portion of Wayland’s landscaping will use Magline, while the remaining landscape will be treated through normal processes. The student group explained that Magline will focus on organizations such as schools to build its landscape business.

Brent Thackerson, former executive director of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children’s Boys Ranch Town in Edmond, Okla., has been named president of Miracle Farm in Brenham, an affiliate of Children at Heart Ministries, effective May 17. Thackerson has served on numerous boards including the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, the Oklahoma Child Care Advisory Licensing Board, the Association of Christian Childcare Administrators and the Oklahoma Children’s Agencies and Residential Entities. Thackerson was born in Kermit and graduated from high school in Eldorado. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree in education from the University of Central Oklahoma.

In three months, Texas Baptist Men volunteers provided more than 42,000 meals to health care professionals and military personnel who staffed the drive-through COVID-19 vaccination site at Fair Park in Dallas. Dallas County commissioners voted to begin the transition from a vaccination hub run by the U.S. military and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to a center operated by a private contractor under the continuing supervision of the Dallas County Health Department.

When H-E-B Grocery Company had excess fresh fruit and water after a canceled event, the company sent about 1,200 pounds of water bottles and 2,658 pounds of fresh fruit to the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid to serve Dallas-area families. H-E-B also provided Cornerstone Baptist Church in Dallas with produce and water to distribute to families in need. “We rarely have produce this fresh to distribute to our families,” said Steve Watson, director of aid and assistance for Buckner Children and Family Services. “The oranges, apples and water will also be shared with Compassion Center, All Saints Dallas, Wynnewood Fellowship and a few others.”

A $2.5 million gift from the estate of Eula Mae and John Baugh to Baylor University will create an endowed chair in physics. The Eula Mae and John Baugh Chair in Physics, which will receive matching funds through the Baylor Academic Challenge, will provide faculty funding within the department of physics and focus on research and teaching in the area of materials science. The Baylor Academic Challenge is a dollar-for-dollar matching program for faculty positions created through donor support. Recently, the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation provided a $488,000 grant that will enable Greg Garrett, professor of English, to study the roots, expansion and acceptance of “racial mythologies”—stories, anecdotes or legends that elevate one race at the expense of another. The grant also will fund the creation of publications and programming in higher education, church and government settings to spark meaningful conversations about race in America by helping participants develop a heightened consciousness of racist mythologies embedded in popular culture and conversation. “The Baugh family name is synonymous with support of and dedication to the Christian mission and vision of Baylor University,” said Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone. “John and Eula Mae were steadfastly dedicated to Baylor, and that commitment continued through their daughter, Babs (Baugh), over her lifetime. We are grateful for the Baugh family’s continued commitment through Babs’s daughters and their families. Their philanthropy continues to shape our campus and our future, and we are grateful for the Baugh family’s enduring generosity.”

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor named Rebecca O’Banion vice president of the newly formed advancement division, which merges development with communications and special projects. “This reorganization is a natural step since many of the divisional functions already align, and the staff work on projects together frequently,” said President Randy O’Rear. “The newly formed division will collectively share the UMHB story, plan and execute outstanding alumni and university-wide events, present opportunities for donors to help advance the mission and vision of UMHB, and elevate our brand both internally and externally.” O’Banion, who has served about 15 years in leadership positions at UMHB, was vice president for development since 2014. In recent months, she also was interim vice president of communications and special projects. Her previous leadership posts include director of alumni relations and associate vice president for development. O’Banion earned a doctoral degree in higher education administration from UMHB in 2014.  She also holds a master’s degree in human services-executive leadership from Liberty University and a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science from UMHB.

The Wayland Baptist University Enactus team installed a third water bottle filling station on campus as part of its go-green initiative, this year’s entrepreneurial project for the Enactus students. Made possible by a donation from Enactus alum Jason Rowe, the third station is in the Pete and Nelda Laney Student Activities Center. The other stations are located in the Nunn Business Building and the McClung University Center. While encouraging students to use their own drinking bottles, as opposed to disposable bottles, the stations also address safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to follow safety guidelines to combat the spread of COVID-19, the university had to cover the spouts on all water fountains around campus. The filling stations are touchless, limiting the possible spread of germs. Enactus is an international organization that fosters entrepreneurial action among college students.

Retirement

Lillian Hinds after 12 years as senior pastor of Meadow Oaks Baptist Church in Temple.