Enrollment up 61 percent at BGCT's Hispanic Sch

October 15, 2001

Enrollment up 61 percent at BGCT's Hispanic School
___SAN ANTONIO--Fall enrollment climbed 61 percent this year at Hispanic Baptist Theological School, with 121 students now attending classes.
___Last year, fall enrollment was 75, according to Daniel Rivera, vice president for institutional advancement. This year's number reflects a "dramatic increase from the 43 students who were enrolled at the school two years ago," he added.
___In August 2000, HBTS gained candidate status for membership with the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges, Rivera said. Approval to grant a bachelor's degree also is pending with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
___Those two circumstances have "caused a welcome awakening in students who desire to study for the ministry" at HBTS, he said.
___School officials have prepared for the increased student population by offering more courses in the four-year program and by streamlining the two-year diploma programs at off-campus centers for biblical studies.
___The school also has added four new faculty members. HBTS President Albert Reyes said he is "immensely proud" of the additions to the teaching staff. The new faculty are:
___ David Maltsberger, former pastor and director of missions, who received his doctorate from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
___ Della Kathleen Shore, specialist in English as a second language and cross cultural studies, who holds a master's degree from the University of Oklahoma.
___ Victor Martinez, former pastor/evangelist, catalytic missionary and church planter, who earned his doctorate from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.
___ Edith Pequeño, librarian, who is an HBTS alumnus and holds a master's degree from the University of North Texas.
___"There is a renewed sense of excitement among the students and staff of the school as they recognize that God has his hand upon this ministry as manifested by increased enrollments, relevancy of cross-cultural studies, a significant outpouring of financial resources and a strong spirit of unity," Rivera said.

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