Texas Tidbits_111504

Posted: 11/12/04

Texas Tidbits

Wayland sets homecoming schedule. "Run the Good Race" is the theme for homecoming weekend, Nov. 19-20 at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview. Featured events include presentation of distinguished alumni awards, a golden anniversary celebration for the class of 1954, a banquet, crowning the homecoming queen and a basketball doubleheader pitting the Wayland Flying Queens against the University of Texas Permian Basin and the Wayland Pioneers against Howard Payne University. For reservations or information about any homecoming activities, contact the alumni services office at (806) 291-3600.

HBU Founder's Day set. Houston Baptist University will celebrate its 41st anniversary during a Founders' Day convocation at 10:10 a.m. Dec. 2. David Self, a 1973 HBU graduate and executive pastor at First Baptist Church in Houston, will be the guest speaker at the convocation in the Sharp Gym. Russ Clark, a 1982 graduate of HBU and choir director at Elkins High School in Fort Bend, will present special music. During the celebration, 37 HBU faculty and staff members celebrating an anniversary will be recognized, as well as the winners of the Who's Who among students in American universities and colleges.

ETBU & Wiley College sponsor health fair. Nursing students from East Texas Baptist University and students from Wiley College will conduct a health fair at Mallileu United Methodist Church, Nov. 20. "Project Outreach" is a cooperative effort between the two schools to promote good health. The United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service under its Learn and Serve America Higher Education Program granted Wiley College a $90,000 three-year grant to conduct health fairs in cooperation with ETBU and Texas State Technical College of Marshall. Ten health fairs have been scheduled over the next six months, offering free blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and mammogram screenings, as well as information on how to live healthier lives. For information, call (903) 923-2210.

HBU Guild features Gloria Gaither. Songwriter Gloria Gaither will be the featured speaker for the Houston Baptist University Guild's Christmas luncheon at 11:30 a.m., Dec. 3, at Houston's DoubleTree Hotel-Post. Gaither has written the lyrics to more than 600 gospel songs, recorded more than 60 albums and written several best-selling books. Individual tickets may be purchased for $45 each or a table of 10 for $450. To order tickets, reserve a table or obtain additional information, call (281) 649-3006. Proceeds from the luncheon benefit graduate scholarships at HBU for career classroom teachers.

DBU establishes Pinson lectures. Dallas Baptist University has established the William M. Pinson Baptist History Lecture Series as an expression of gratitude for Pinson's service to Baptists throughout the United States. The university has placed $50,000 at the Baptist Foundation of Texas for this endowed lectureship. Pinson is the Baptist General Convention of Texas executive director emeritus, having served as executive director from 1983 to 2000. He currently is a distinguished university professor at DBU.

UMHB names music department chair. Lon Chaffin has been named chairman of the music department at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, effective June 1, 2005. Chaffin has been with the university five years as an associate professor of music, serving as coordinator of music theory, composition and technology. Before coming to UMHB, Chaffin served on the music faculty of Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., and was director of choral activities at Paris Junior College and Temple College. He is a graduate of Wayland Baptist University, and he earned his master's degree and doctorate from Texas Tech University. He and his wife, Susan, are members of First Baptist Church of Temple.