Scarborough Hall begins new chapter at ETBU_112403

Posted: 11/24/03

Scarborough Hall begins
new chapter at ETBU

MARSHALL–An old building has a new look and a new name at East Texas Baptist University.

Scarborough Memorial Chapel opened in 1948 as both a chapel and home to the music department. It was named by its benefactor, Evelyn Scarborough Linebery, as a memorial to her parents, W.F. and Kara Scarborough, and her uncle and aunt, L.R. and Neppie Scarborough. L.R. Scarborough was president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.

Over the past two years, the structure has been gutted and refitted as an academic center at a cost of $2 million. The exterior remains essentially the same in appearance.

The Nov. 14 rededication service was held on the front lawn of Marshall Hall, facing the neo-gothic landmark building. The ceremony kicked off homecoming activities.

Scarborough Hall has four floors of academic space. The first floor will house the Advising and Career Development Center and the communications department. The School of Religious Studies will occupy the second floor. The history/political science department will occupy the third floor, and the fourth floor will be home to the English department.

The English writing lab features a large picture window overlooking the campus. Each floor has office space and classrooms.

Rita Storie Turner, a 1948 graduate of East Texas Baptist College, was present at the original dedication service. She gave the keynote address at the rededication.

“My stay on the hill was one of the happiest times of my life,” she said. “I came at the age of 16. The names have changed–College of Marshall, East Texas Baptist College, East Texas Baptist University–but the vision remains the same, the continuity of Christian education.”