Wayland research receives first patent. Wayland Baptist University’s School of Math and Sciences received final patent approval just before the end of 2010 for research in photo-catalytic water purification—the first patent for the university. The process to remove pollutants from water resulted from student summer research projects in the Wayland chemistry department, originally submitted for patent consideration in 2008. While the original researchers have moved on to advanced study and other positions, the research and future applications remain with Wayland.
Baylor Nursing School receives grant for scholarships. Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing has been selected for a grant from the Helene Fuld Health Trust that will provide scholarship funds for undergraduate nursing students. The grant—$600,000 over three years—will establish and maintain an endowed scholarship fund for current and future students enrolled in the program.
CLC chief honored. Capitol Inside named Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission Director Suzii Paynter Austin’s top lobbyist for causes. Paynter, who finished second in the rankings two years ago, leads the commission’s advocacy efforts in Austin. The commission has taken the lead for decades in fighting the expansion of gambling across the state. Despite the repeated efforts of throngs of pro-gambling lobbyists, the CLC and its coalition partners continue pointing to the economic and moral shortfall of expanding gambling across the state. Working with other groups, the CLC also is fighting to close a loophole that prevents payday lenders from charging exorbitantly high interest rates. The CLC also has pushed for efforts to care for children, especially hungry children across the state.
Scholarship endowed at UMHB. Members of the John Harold Shannon family dedicated an endowed scholarship in his memory at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Shannon was a member of First Baptist Church in Killeen, where he was a Bible study teacher, Sunday school superintendent and chairman of the deacons. His widow, Pat Shannon, is a 1953 UMHB graduate and trustee of the university.
Southeast Texas strategist named. The Baptist General Convention of Texas has enlisted Bruce Peterson to serve as congregational strategist in Southeast Texas. Peterson served as pastor of South Park Baptist Church in Alvin from 1991 to 2009. Prior to that, he served as associate pastor at First Baptist Church in Corpus Christi from 1983 to 1991. He served as interim pastor of First Baptist Church in Dickinson from Nov. 2009 to June 2010. Peterson has served in numerous roles for the Gulf Coast Baptist Association and ministered in a variety of ways through chaplaincy, including with the Alvin Police Department and following the 2005 Texas City BP explosion.
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