hispanic_51903

Posted: 5/19/03

Hispanic School OKs 2008 plans

SAN ANTONIO–Trustees of Hispanic Baptist Theological School approved final preparations to purchase an 82-acre tract across I-35 from the school's current facilities.

Meeting May 6, the board also elected a vice president for advancement, approved the first graduating class with bachelor of arts degrees, approved a strategic plan for 2003-2008 and granted the first sabbatical leave in the school's history.

The property purchase previously was affirmed by the Baptist General Convention of Texas Christian Education Coordinating Board.

Arnie Adkison was named vice president for advancement.
Since 1996, he has been director of the Far West Texas Fellowship of Christian Athletes in El Paso, where he carried primary fund-raising responsibilities.

Adkison has served as pastor of Loma Terrace Baptist Church and Pueblo Nuevo Church in El Paso for 11 years and has served on the student ministry committee of El Paso Baptist Association.

The school's first-ever sabbatical leave was granted to Fermin Flores, who has taught at HBTS for 32 years.

The new strategic plan outlines six focus areas related to governance, institutional advancement, academics, student services, facilities and administration.

The plan builds on previously announced goals to enroll 500 full-time equivalent students by 2008 and build a new student center, learning resource center and other facilities.

Other goals of the strategic plan call for:

Increasing the annual fund to $1 million in contributions by 2006.

Raising $18 million in two capital campaigns by 2008.

Increasing endowment to fund 10 percent of the annual operating budget by 2008.

Hiring an alumni director.

Adding degrees in general studies, leadership, media arts and education.

Developing language programs in Spanish, French and Arabic.

Creating off-campus classrooms in other Texas cities.

Mobilizing all students on annual mission trips.

Establishing a campus child-care center, clinic and counseling center.