Protect religious liberty, Pinson urges grads

Posted: 5/26/06

Texas Tidbits

Leeper appointed Baylor chief of staff. Baylor University President John Lilley has appointed Karla Leeper chief of staff, effective June 1. Leeper, associate professor and acting chair of the department of communication studies at Baylor, will succeed interim chief Michael Morrison, who returns to teaching duties at Baylor Law School. Leeper is a graduate of the Univer-sity of Iowa. She earned a master’s degree and a doctoral degree from the University of Kansas.

Levrets receive missions award. Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon School of Theology named Fred and Marylou Levrets recipients of the 2006 Jesse C. Fletcher Award for distinguished service in missions. The Levrets—both former Hardin-Simmons students—served 29 years in Africa as missionaries with the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board.

Baylor Center for Literacy conducts survey. The Center for Literacy in Baylor University’s School of Social Work is conducting a statewide survey in order to produce a directory of church-based literacy ministries in Texas. Project goals include documenting the faith community’s contribution to addressing the challenge of Texas’ low literacy levels, as well as promoting networking among local literacy programs, said Director Rob Rogers. The survey is for churches that sponsor classes in English-as-a-Second-Language, adult basic education, or tutoring programs for children and youth. The survey is online at http://www1.baylor.edu/surveys/Literacy_FaithBased/literacy_esl_survey.htm. A printed version of the survey also is available by calling (254) 710-3854. Data collection will continue through the summer, and the directory will be available online by early fall. For more information, contact the Center for Literacy at centerforliteracy@baylor.edu.

Gift establishes two scholarships at UMHB. A $440,000 gift from the Catherine Pirtle Howes estate enabled the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to establish two endowed scholarships—one in her name and the other in memory of her father, John William Pirtle.

Gilbert estate benefits DBU. Dallas Baptist University recently received more than $100,000 from the estate of Dorothy Gilbert, a longtime supporter of the school, to support the Russell H. Perry Free Enterprise Award. Since its inception, the Perry Award has honored many North Texas leaders, and in doing so has raised more than $2.4 million in scholarship funds for DBU students.

Truett Seminary receives gift for scholarships. Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary received $350,000 from Bonner and Clara Magness of Lufkin for scholarships to benefit students preparing for full-time Christian service. The Magnesses recently completed their fifth charitable gift annuity to benefit the seminary.

UMHB increases aid to students in military. The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has increased financial assistance offered anyone serving in the U.S. military. All active-duty personnel—entitled to military financial assistance to attend college—are eligible to receive an additional scholarship from the university in combination with the military waiver to offset completely the cost of tuition and fees. UMHB has a long-standing and unique relationship with Fort Hood. The university has held extension classes on post for nearly six decades, educating military student learners while they serve in the U.S. armed forces. Likewise, many military personnel and their family members drive the 20 miles to Belton to attend classes at the university campus. The military scholarship is available only to active- duty personnel; however, other scholarships are available to active reservists, veterans and their family members.