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.

Ten worship leaders from Texas Baptist churches and several others joined Tom Tillman, director of music and worship for Texas Baptists, for a listening session in Dallas with three executives from Lifeway regarding the future of the lifewayworship.com website. In July, Lifeway announced plans to discontinue the website but postponed that action due to concerns expressed by ministers of music about losing access to the digital music library. Lifeway held listening sessions in Georgia/Alabama, North Carolina and Kentucky prior to the meeting in Dallas. Lifeway representatives at the Texas listening session were Scott Arvay, senior vice president and chief revenue officer; Brian Brown, director of worship; and Carol Pipes, director of communication. Tillman noted Brown told him Texas worship pastors use the website far more than any other state. During the listening session, Texas Baptist worship leaders emphasized how the website has been an important tool in their ministries. They consistently noted in contrast to some other popular sites, which offer only chord charts, Lifeway also makes available full instrumentation in keys appropriate for congregational singing, Tillman observed. “We left very encouraged today. Scott Arvay was very heartfelt in his explanations to the group about getting this right,” Tillman said. Arvay noted the high cost of cloud-based technology and information technology upgrades that factored into the original “business decision” to discontinue the website, but he emphasized Lifeway wants to focus on serving churches, Tillman reported.

Baylor University dedicated the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center, a 136,000-square-foot building at the corner of Interstate 35 and University Parks Drive. The university recognized donors Paula Hurd and her late husband Mark for their lead gifts. Designed by global firm Populous—which also created Baylor’s McLane Stadium—and built by Vaughn Construction, the Hurd Welcome Center will serve as a central hub for prospective students, families, alumni and visitors, as well as current students, faculty and staff. “This is where many prospective students will realize they belong at Baylor. It will play a pivotal role in fostering connections within the Baylor Family and beyond,” President Linda Livingstone said. “It will be a place where future students and their families can connect with current students, faculty and alumni, and this is where alumni will rekindle their love for Baylor and strengthen their connection to the Baylor Family.” In addition to thanking the Hurd family, Livingstone also expressed gratitude to Drayton and Elizabeth McLane for their leadership and continued investment in projects at Baylor, including the McLane Family Alumni Center, located on the second floor of the Hurd Welcome Center.

The Stinger Spectacular at Howard Payne University—combining homecoming, family weekend and the Yellow Jacket Preview for prospective students—is scheduled Oct. 13-14. Key events include an alumni banquet, “Cobbler on the Campus,” an alumni and family breakfast, the Stinger Spectacular parade, a family picnic, a football game featuring the HPU Yellow Jackets facing the Austin College Kangaroos, and various class reunions and receptions. The weekend also includes a performance of “Virtue Is Its Own Reward” by the HPU School of Music and Fine Arts, a concert featuring the HPU Alumni Choir, a presentation by the HPU Marching Band and an alumni art exhibit. For a complete schedule of events or to register for Stinger Spectacular, click here.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor chapter of the Young Conservatives of Texas planted 2,977 United States flags at the Luther Memorial on the UMHB campus to honor the lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The organization began planting the flags Sept. 7, so they would be in place all day on Sept. 11. They removed the flags on Sept. 12.

Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio has launched a new radio program and podcast to provide a platform for local nonprofit organizations to tell their stories. “Together for Good” airs at 8:30 a.m. each Saturday on 630-AM, a local Christian radio station, and then is released as a podcast on streaming platforms. Cody Knowlton, president and CEO of Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio, hosts the program, in which he interviews leaders of churches and nonprofit organizations within the foundation’s eight-county service area. Topics focus on health issues in South Central Texas and how nonprofits are addressing those issues. “We want to see these nonprofit organizations grow and build on the great work they’re already doing, and we’re offering an opportunity to tell the public about that work,” Knowlton said. Since its inception in 2004, Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio has awarded more than $100 million in grants to nonprofits in Bexar Country and the surrounding area.

Lynn Cohick, distinguished professor of New Testament and director of Houston Theological Seminary at Houston Christian University, will be the keynote speaker for B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary’s Frank and Pauline Patterson Lecture Series. She will speak on second century martyrs and what they might say to the American evangelical church today. The lectures and question-and-answer sessions will be from 1:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 13, and from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14. The lectures are free and open to the public. Guests can participate in person at First Baptist Church in Arlington or online. To register, click here.

Anniversary

10th for Darrin Moore as senior pastor at Truevine Missionary Baptist Church in Spring.

100th for First Chinese Baptist Church in San Antonio on Oct. 8. John Lee is pastor.

150th for First Baptist Church in Schulenburg. David W. Thompson is pastor. The church will observe the anniversary Oct. 8 with a 9:30 service of remembrance, followed by a brief continental breakfast. A service of worship and celebration is scheduled at 10:45, followed by a luncheon on the grounds. Guest speakers include former pastors Tim Edwards and Mike Zimmerman.

Philip E. Dearborn, president of the Association for Biblical Higher Education, delivered the official charge to students at the East Texas Baptist University convocation chapel service, focusing on Ephesians 2:10. “You are God’s masterpiece. He created each and every one of you for this moment in time,” Dearborn said. “Step into your calling with all your strengths, gifts, abilities, talents, words and weaknesses, and experience all the good things that he has planned for you.” Before assuming his post at the Association for Biblical Higher Education, Dearborn was provost of Lancaster Bible College, Capital Seminary and Graduate School. He has more than 26 years of higher education leadership experience.

Linda Adkins, granddaughter of James Henry Wayland, spoke of her childhood with “Mamaw and Papaw” during Founders Day at Wayland Baptist University. Adkins was joined by Estelle Owens, emeritus professor of history and university historian, at the celebration of Wayland’s 115th anniversary. James Henry and Sarah Frances Tucker Wayland gave the modern equivalent of $2.5 million in their lifetime to establish the university, Owens said. “That’s an enormous amount of money from a pioneer doctor who was often paid in chickens or a side of beef, because that was all his patients had,” Owens said. “The Waylands showed us what it looks like when we do all we can do and then do more; when we pray as hard as we can and then pray more; when we care all we can and then care more; when we give all we can and then give more; when we’re being all we can be and then becoming even more.”

Prior to the start of fall semester classes, Dallas Baptist University professors participated in workshops on “Igniting Engagement: Empowering Faculty and Students for Academic Success.” DBU Provost Norma Hedin and Justin Gandy, associate dean of the College of Business, led plenary sessions that addressed the lagging engagement of students across the country following the pandemic. Other faculty led breakout sessions on topics such as enhancing faith integration and teaching methodology. In one session, a panel of professors shared from their own strategies for success in the classroom while engaging Robert Marzano’s book The New Art and Science of Teaching. Several sessions focused on the effective and ethical classroom use of digital technology, including a breakout titled “ChatGPT and AI for the Curious and Cautious.”

Hardin-Simmons University dedicated Abilene Hall as the retrofitted home for the university’s engineering program. One new addition is the Dick and Martha Brooks Conference Room. Dick Brooks is retired CEO of Central and South West, parent company of West Texas Utilities, and served as an HSU trustee. Martha Garrett Brooks is former assistant principal of Abilene High School and also served as an HSU trustee. Another addition is the Brian Cargile Data Center, named for the late Brian Cargile, who served 35 years with HSU technology services. Abilene Hall also includes the George and Carolyn Newman Dean’s Suite. George Newman was former president of the HSU faculty, professor emeritus of biology and former chair of the board of trustees. Carolyn Calvert Newman retired from Dyess Elementary School after 29 years with the Abilene Independent School District.

Madison Brown, a Dallas Baptist University graduate student from Round Rock who competed in both women’s cross country and track and field, will represent the Lone Star Conference on the ballot for the 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year award. The conference award nominees will be reviewed by the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee with the Top 30 list—10 women from each of the three Divisions—announced in October. Nine finalists will be introduced in November and celebrated at the Woman of the Year Award presentation during the NCAA Convention in Phoenix in January. The NCAA Woman of the Year award recognizes graduating female student-athletes for excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership throughout their college careers. Jacob Phillips, DBU head coach of cross country and track and field, praised Brown as “an extremely hard worker and an even better teammate.”Brown received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a minor in psychology from DBU in May 2023. She received both the DBU Distinguished Biology Scholar and Scholar Athlete of the Year awards for 2022-23. While an undergraduate, Brown volunteered at the food pantry and the Grand Prairie ISD. She was named to Lone Star Conference Academic All-Conference lists and earned LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll citations in each undergraduate semester. In addition, she was twice recognized for her academic achievements by the Division II Athletic Directors Association, and she was a 2022 Division II All-American in cross country.

The faculty of Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon School of Theology selected Austin Seekins, a senior from Abilene, as recipient of the 2023 Hancock-Potter Award for Vocational Ministry. The award recognizes a Baptist student who has a commitment to vocational ministry, excellence in academics and an understanding of historic Baptist principles. Seekins, the son of Travis and Jennifer Seekins, served two and a half years as a youth intern at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene and now works with the church’s college leadership team. He also serves on the service team for “The Gathering” contemporary worship service at Pioneer Drive. “The Logsdon School of Theology faculty sees Austin Seekins as a good example of an undergraduate student who combines academic excellence and church-related ministry,” Associate Dean Larry McGraw said. “His consistency in the classroom and service to others as a practical way of sharing the gospel reflect a student who is deserving of receiving the Hancock-Potter Award.”

Representatives from more than 30 Marshall-area churches participated in the annual Church Day at East Texas Baptist University on Aug. 16. The event takes place the first week of class each fall to introduce students to area churches. This year, local churches set up booths and tables in the university’s Quad to offer free t-shirts, snacks and promotional items, and share information about the heart of their ministries. Prior to the event, Bobby Contreras, chair of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board, addressed students in the morning chapel service. Contreras, pastor of Alamo Heights Baptist Church in San Antonio, told students: “One of the most important decisions that you will make during your time here at ETBU is the community of people that you connect yourself to, knowing that you cannot and should not do life on your own. Something happens when we get together in crowds for Jesus’ name.”

As a part of Student Welcome and Transition (SWAT) week at Dallas Baptist University, 520 students spread throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area for a day of service. One group packed 580 boxes and wrote encouraging messages to support mothers with unexpected pregnancies. Another group of student volunteers painted houses with 6 Stones, an organization committed to constructing and refurbishing residences for underserved families. Other student groups served at Mission Arlington, Cornerstone Baptist Church in Dallas and Cliff Temple Baptist Church in Dallas, along with more than a dozen other ministries and community service organizations.

Wayland Baptist University President Bobby Hall addressed the university’s annual convocation chapel service, encouraging students to recognize the treasure God has stored in them. Basing his message on 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, Hall called on students to recognize the potential God has placed in them. “Within us—within these clay jars—resides a divine treasure, making us capable, not merely of ordinary deeds, but of extraordinary deeds if we have the courage and conviction to harness this all-surpassing power,” he said. “Scripture clearly implies that we are made for more.”

The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty named Abigail Villagrana, a Master of Divinity degree student at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary, to the BJC Fellows 2023 class. BJC Fellows completed an intensive training seminar over five days in Colonial Williamsburg, Va., to equip them for advocacy to protect religious freedom. BJC staff and other legal and theological experts, plus Colonial Williamsburg’s own historic interpreters, provided instruction in the historical, legal and theological underpinnings of religious liberty during the seminar. Villagrana is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University. She is a resident chaplain in a Baylor residence hall and a volunteer chaplain for asylum seekers at the Naomi House, operated by DaySpring Baptist Church in Waco.

Texas Baptist Men disaster relief volunteers served meals to about 340 students during a back-to-school event on the Dallas Baptist University campus. Volunteers with the Dallas-based Dixon Unit set up the TBM food truck on the perimeter of the DBU Quad, serving hot pulled-pork sandwiches and treats to students. Gaylan Mathis of Forney was on-site coordinator of the 14-member TBM team.

Wayland Baptist University marked the dedication and grand opening of the Ben and Bertha Mieth School of Nursing on Aug. 21. Wayland named the school for Ben and Bertha Mieth in recognition of their $2.5 million gift, which made possible the school’s relocation from New Braunfels to its Live Oak location in suburban San Antonio.

As a part of the celebration, Wayland Baptist University President Bobby Hall announced Wayland posthumously was conferring an honorary Bachelor of Nursing degree on Irene Wilson George, Bertha Mieth’s mother. Hall noted she left school “one class short” of completing her degree, and the university “would like to help her complete that journey.” The Mieth’s gift also established the Irene Wilson George Endowed Scholarship in Nursing at Wayland. Patricia Hough was named as the first recipient of the scholarship. Hough said she had to defer her acceptance to another nursing school in 2003 when she found out she was pregnant. “Twenty years and three kids later, I decided it was finally time to fulfill my lifelong dream,” she said.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor marked the beginning of the school year and welcomed about 800 new freshmen to campus during its 178th fall convocation on Aug. 9. A parade of flags represented each of the 30 countries and territories and the 40 states from which UMHB students have journeyed to campus this year. “Students, you are here for a reason, and we hope that you will use this time to grow closer to God, earn a great education, and explore the remarkable purpose God has for your life,” UMHB President Randy O’Rear said. Keynote speaker Adam Winn, associate professor in the College of Christian Studies, talked about becoming God’s new creation. “Our purpose is to be a new creation,” Winn said. “Our heart’s desire will be found when we are reconnected to the God who made us. Here at UMHB, we want to help you understand how your discipline, field of study, or program fits with the larger purpose of being a new creation.”

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham will be the featured guest speaker at the Hardin-Simmons University convocation, 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 29 in Behrens Auditorium. A seventh-generation Texan, Buckingham is a medical doctor, earning her degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She is the first female commissioner of the General Land Office, Texas’ oldest state agency.

Buckner International named Jennifer Mann as vice president and chief human resources officer. Mann will oversee human resources for the nonprofit’s more than 1,300 domestic employees, including Buckner International, Buckner Children and Family Services, and Buckner Retirement Services. The position is effective Aug. 21. Prior to Buckner, Mann served as the vice president of human resources for Bassett Healthcare Network, headquartered in Cooperstown, N.Y. She also worked as chief human resources officer for Damar Services, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit focused on serving children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Several congregations in Caprock Plains Baptist Association participated in events to prepare students, teachers and administrators for the new school year. First Baptist Church in Lockney reported more than 60 people from several churches in the community gathered to pray for faculty and students prior to the first day of classes. First Baptist Church in Hale Center hosted a luncheon for employees of the Hale County School District. First Baptist Church in Floydada provided a drive-by breakfast for teachers and staff to help them start their first day of classes. First Baptist Church in Crosbyton joined other churches in several back-to-school activities, including donating backpacks filled with school supplies and providing fun activities for families to enjoy together to mark the end of summer and the beginning of school.

Dallas Baptist University will present the Tom Landry Leadership Award to Bob Lilly, the first Dallas Cowboy inducted into the national Professional Football Hall of Fame and the first inductee in the Cowboys Ring of Honor, at its 36th annual Leadership Gala. Lilly anchored the “Doomsday Defense” during his 14-year career with the Cowboys and played in 11 Pro Bowl games. DBU also will present the Russell H. Perry Free Enterprise Award to Jim and Sally Nation of Dallas during the gala. They are founders of the Nation Foundation, which helps provide grants to institutions of higher education and civic organizations. Both Jim and Sally Nation have served on the DBU board of trustees, and she was president of the DBU Women’s Auxiliary Board. The DBU Leadership Gala will be held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 6 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. For more information about the event, which provides scholarship fund for DBU students, click here.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor will name the university’s golf practice facility in honor of former UMHB golf coach Mac Hickerson and in memory of his late wife Jane to recognize their lead gift for the project. The Jane and Mac Hickerson Crusader Golf Club complex includes a four-hole practice course and a clubhouse and locker room. In addition, the practice course will be officially called “The Mac” Golf Practice Course. Hickerson coached the men’s golf team at UMHB from 1980 to 1999. The complex’s clubhouse and locker room will be named the Conner Golf Performance Center, in honor of university friends Mary Kay and Jerry Conner of Sugar Land.

More than 350 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor students participated in a Love CTX community service project as part of Welcome Week. Students packed 18,000 meals to support One More Child of Belton, which provides Christ-centered services to vulnerable children and struggling families. The One More Child meals will go to Belton Independent School District’s Project Heartbeat program and will be distributed throughout the school year to help students who lack food at home. UMHB student volunteers also wrote encouraging notes to Belton ISD students.

The East Texas Baptist University women’s soccer team ministered in New Zealand during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup as part of the Tiger Athletic Mission Experience. The Tigers volunteered at the South Auckland Christian Food Bank, packing and delivering boxes of groceries for families. The ETBU student-athletes served at Papatoetoe High School, meeting with the high school girls’ soccer team, visiting with students in classrooms, and competing with the faculty and staff in soccer games. They also walked the streets of downtown Auckland around the FIFA World Cup FanZone, praying with individuals they met. “God opened doors for our team to minister and share the gospel throughout the trip,” ETBU Head Women’s Soccer Coach Kristin Cox said. “These 12 days on the ground in New Zealand have left everlasting memories, not only in the lives of people we encountered, but in the lives of our ETBU students. It was amazing to see the women on our team gain confidence and become bold about sharing their faith throughout the experience.”

Hardin-Simmons University will dedicate three refurbished facilities in the near future. Abilene Hall, the renovated home of HSU’s new engineering program, will be dedicated at 11 a.m. on Aug. 29. Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham and U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington will speak at the dedication. The refurbished Parramore Field at Shelton Stadium will be dedicated at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 1, prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff of a gridiron matchup between the HSU Cowboys and the Albright College Lions. The newly remodeled and expanded Moody Center Dining Hall will be dedicated at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 7.

Dallas Baptist University awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree to Richard Chang, a licensed engineer and leader in the global semiconductor industry for more than four decades. Chang worked at Texas Instruments more than 20 years, establishing and managing multiple semiconductor research and development facilities all over the world. In 1997, he founded WSMC in Taiwan, and three years later, he extended his business mission to Shanghai. He founded Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, which became the largest semiconductor foundry in China. After retiring from SMIC, he established companies devoted to providing new energy solutions. Since 2021, Chang has overseen the start of several semiconductor-related companies and continues to serve as a consultant in the development of the semiconductor industry.

Dallas Jenkins, creator of “The Chosen” series, will be the keynote speaker at Houston Christian University’s 2023 Spirit of Excellence Gala. The event, which benefits student scholarships, will be held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 28 on the HCU campus. Deborah Duncan, host of the “Great Day Houston” program on KHOU-TV, will emcee the gala, where President Robert Sloan will present its Spirit of Excellence Award to three couples—Dan and Cindy Wiliford, Benny and Nichole Agosto, and Randall and Alex Sorrels—for their support of the university. Gloria and Wiley Biles will be named the posthumous recipients of the President’s Award. For more information or to secure tickets, click here.

Ordination

Alberto Aguirre to the gospel ministry at Mission Bautista El Calvario in Kress.

Thirty 9th grade and 10th grade students from local schools recently participated in the CompassRN Student Nurse Summer Camp, hosted by Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing. The camp allowed students to hear from nursing faculty, nursing students and tour the School of Nursing and its Clinical Simulation Building. Campers learned about nursing school programs and admission requirements, and they observed basic nursing skills in the simulation lab. “The students learned all about the different opportunities offered within the profession of nursing. We encouraged them to take care of themselves, do well in school and consider being a part of our Baylor family,” said Lisa M. Jones, associate dean for the prelicensure program and clinical assistant professor at the Louise Herrington School of Nursing. CompassRN—geared toward underserved and underrepresented middle and high school students—seeks to create awareness of nursing career opportunities, facilitate access to the nursing community, and provide long-term mentorship from high school to nursing licensure. “Closing the gap between what students imagine nursing to be and receiving firsthand knowledge is a key priority of CompassRN,” founder Renée G. Omoyeni said.

Dallas Baptist University’s Global Community recently hosted the Forum on International Education and Leadership. The week-long itinerary was packed with conferences, local school visits, the opportunity to network and connect with others, and a plethora of plenary sessions led by both DBU faculty and guest lecturers. Guest speakers included administrators and faculty from Newman International Academy, McKinney Christian Academy, Association of Christian Schools International and the Network of International Christian Schools. Participants included representatives from Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Curacao, Panama, Brazil, China, Mexico, Nigeria and Colombia.

Baylor University announced the second-highest fundraising year in its history, with more than $179 million given by alumni, parents and friends during the 2023 fiscal year. Since launching the Give Light campaign, Baylor has seen more than $1.37 billion given by more than 94,000 donors to support the university’s endowment, capital priorities and current funds. “I am grateful for the alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, fans and friends who have contributed to support Baylor University in the past year,” said Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone. “Baylor’s mission as a Christian research university relies on the support of our Baylor Family, and it is humbling to witness the philanthropy of this community as our donors have responded to our call for support in truly transformational ways. We speak of a bright future for Baylor University, and that future is reliant upon the resourcing and prayerful commitment of our donors. We are truly grateful for their generous and continued support.”

Retirement

Karen Bullock as distinguished professor of Christian history and director of the doctor of philosophy program at B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary, effective Oct. 1. She has served with B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary since 2007. She previously was on faculty at Dallas Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Bullock also has taught as a guest professor at Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary, Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary and Uganda Baptist Seminary. She will continue to serve with the Baptist Center for Global Concerns.

Seven University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Global Outreach teams served domestically and abroad this summer to spread the gospel and provide vital services to populations in need. More than 50 students participated in Global Outreach, including three teams that conducted medical missions in Belize, Kenya and the Dominican Republic. Teams also delivered supplies in the mountains of Nepal, worked with safe homes in Spain, and ministered to youth in Montana and Alaska. Tiffany Horton is director of Global Outreach at UMHB.

Baylor University appointed civil rights historian Felipe Hinojosa as the inaugural Jackson Family Chair for Baylor in Latin America, expanding Baylor’s international footprint and providing additional leadership to advance the priorities of the Baylor in Latin America initiative. Hinojosa comes to Baylor from Texas A&M University, where he serves as professor of history, assistant provost for Hispanic Serving Institution initiatives and director for the Carlos H. Cantu Hispanic Education & Opportunity Endowment. His appointment as the Jackson Family Chair is effective Aug. 1. Born and raised in Brownsville, Hinojosa earned an undergraduate degree in English from Fresno Pacific University, a master’s degree in history from the University of Texas Pan American and his Ph.D. from the University of Houston in 2009. He joined the faculty at Texas A&M in 2009. The Jackson Family Chair was established through a $1.5 million gift fromJohn and Nancy Jackson as part of Baylor’s Give Light Campaign’s Foster Academic Challenge matching grant program.

Researchers in Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work have been awarded a significant federal grant to bolster mental health services to school children by preparing licensed mental health providers for work in schools. The Department of Education awarded the project, Partnering for Heart of Texas Mental Health, more than $2.5 million in funding over a five-year period. The funds provide for internship positions, training and certificate program development and Spanish-language training. Carrie Arroyo, senior lecturer of social work at Baylor, serves as the project’s principal investigator and is joined on the grant by Mary Zane Nelson, co-principal investigator and project director, and Stephanie Boddie, project evaluator and associate professor of church and community ministries.

Dallas Baptist University recognized Beautiful Feet Ministries in Dallas at its Community Partnership Luncheon. Beautiful Feet has served more than 135,000 meals to the homeless, and its facility is open 359 days a year. Within the past year, 3,800 volunteers have served with the ministry. Beautiful Feet holds daily worship services in the inner-city and serves two meals a day, seven days a week. Showers and laundry services are offered to the homeless, and clothing is given to the needy every Sunday. Beautiful Feet also offers no-cost dental and medical clinics each week. DBU students have served with Beautiful Feet since 2005. Mike Myers, a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, is pastor, director and co-founder of Beautiful Feet.

Baylor University President Linda Livingstone will chair the Big 12 board of directors for the next two years. She succeeds Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec, whose two-year term expired June 30.

Buckner International and Andrews University signed a memorandum of understanding to provide university students with experiential learning opportunities through Buckner volunteer and humanitarian aid projects. Beginning in September, Students will participate in community service and learn about ministry and service in the context of Buckner’s mission-driven outreach to vulnerable children, families and seniors. Opportunities may include advertising employment opportunities with Buckner, creating credit and non-credit opportunities for students, mission trips and involvement with Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls. The collaboration also will offer professional development and graduate study and degree options for Buckner staff.  “This initiative allows both organizations to excel at what we do best,” said Albert Reyes, CEO and president of Buckner International, who earned his doctorate in leadership from Andrews University in 2009. “Buckner will support Andrews University with opportunities for its students to follow the example of Jesus through service to others, while Andrews will offer Buckner employees the chance to grow their leadership skills through an exceptional program. Our Buckner leaders are definitely ready for this. Andrews is uniquely poised to help Buckner develop its talent and build leadership capacity for the future.”

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President David Dockery named W. Madison Grace II as provost and vice president for academic administration and as dean of the School of Theology. Grace has served as interim dean since January. Dockery also named former missionary Dean Sieberhagen, associate professor of Islamic studies, as interim dean of the Roy J. Fish School of Evangelism and Missions, and he named Carl J. Bradford, associate professor of evangelism, as interim associate dean of the Fish School of Evangelism and Missions.

East Texas Baptist University was named to Phi Theta Kappa’s 2023 Transfer Honor Roll. Phi Theta Kappa, an honor society for two-year colleges, recognizes the importance of institutional commitment and investment of resources to support transfer students. The Transfer Honor Roll was based on analysis from the National Student Clearinghouse, and on data submitted through the institution’s profile on PTK Connect, Phi Theta Kappa’s online tool designed to help students find their best-fit colleges and career pathways. The profile includes information about the university’s admissions practices, cost of attendance, campus life, recruitment practices, bachelor’s degree completion and student reviews. This year, Phi Theta Kappa named only 208 colleges and universities to its 2023 Transfer Honor Roll from across the United States. ETBU was selected as being among the most transfer-friendly colleges in the nation. This year’s PTK Transfer Honor Roll awarding for ETBU is the institution’s 6th consecutive recognition since 2018.  “God has a unique path for each of our students, and our role is to help students follow that path,” said Jeremy Johnston, ETBU vice president for enrollment “The Transfer Honor Roll affirms the work the transfer admissions counselors are doing to help students enroll at ETBU. We have been intentional in reaching transfer students and it’s an honor to be recognized by Phi Theta Kappa.”

During a Foster Care Appreciation Month event for Dallas-area families at First Baptist Church in McKinney, Buckner Foster Care and Adoption recognized Troy and Bekah Webster as Foster Parents of the Year. Five other families were honored with awards inspired by Buckner organizational values: Faith, Megan and Jason Homan; Integrity, Matt and Kristen Allcorn; Respect, Stephanie and Buck Baskin; Service, Katie and Kyle Madison; and Teamwork, Brian and Julie Price.

Students gathered in Pilgrim Chapel at Dallas Baptist University recently to be commissioned for missions service. More than 260 students will serve with Go Now Missions this summer. During this year, 441 students will serve through Go Now Missions, including summer or semester missionaries, spring break or Christmas break teams, special impact missionaries and campus missionary interns.

Hardin-Simmons University will offer Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events training beginning at 9 a.m. on July 6 in the HSU Houston-Lantrip Center. The training is offered in cooperation with the HSU Police Department and Sgt. Marc A. Couch of the Texas Department of Public Safety. To register, click here