Around the State: Baylor commissions camp counselors

More than 500 Baylor University students were commissioned to serve as counselors at summer camps. (Photo / Baylor University)

Baylor University commissioned 500-plus students to serve this summer as camp counselors. The May 1 commissioning ceremony officially marked the university’s commitment to support and pray for all students, camp partners and the young people who will attend these summer camps, organizers noted. Baylor President Linda Livingstone talked to the students about her own positive experiences at Fellowship of Christian Athletes summer camps. Fourteen summer camps were represented at the commissioning service.

East Texas Baptist University recognized Mission Marshall Director Misty Scott (2nd from right) and City of Marshall Public Works Director J.C. Hughes (2nd from left) for their servant leadership at the inaugural Good Samaritan Luncheon May 1. ETBU Board of Trustees Vice Chair Keith Hill (left) and ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn (right) presented the award recipients with the award. (ETBU Photo)

East Texas Baptist University honored Misty Scott, director of Mission Marshall, and J.C. Hughes, director of the City of Marshall Public Works, at its inaugural Good Samaritan Luncheon, honoring their servant leadership to the community. Scott, an ETBU graduate, has led Mission Marshall since 2012. “Viewing all people as the children of God, she serves the community wholeheartedly,” said Wallace Watkins, retired pastor of Central Baptist Church in Marshall. Hughes is a Marshall native who attended Kilgore College and ETBU before beginning a career in the oil and gas industry. He began his public service career in 1981 by serving as Marshall’s assistant city manager for the next 18 years. Since 2010, he has served as the director of Public Works and Water Utilities.

Former President George W. Bush and his daughter, Jenna Bush Hager, were featured guests at the Buckner Hope for Children fund-raising dinner. (Buckner Photo)

At the Buckner Hope for Children fund-raising dinner in Dallas, May 1, Former President George W. Bush and his daughter, Jenna Bush Hager, talked about the importance of faith, family and service to people in need during a question-and-answer session with WFAA-TV news anchor Cynthia Izaguirre. Buckner International President Albert Reyes presented the Bush family folk-art depictions of Jesus washing feet, artwork crafted from banana leaves by a Kenyan artisan whose family was served by the Buckner Family Hope Center in Nairobi.

Diana Ellis, first lady of Howard Payne University and president of the HPU Woman’s Club, presented the Yellow Rose Award to Sharon Mitchell Guthrie of Stephenville. (HPU Photo)

The Howard Payne University Woman’s Club presented its Yellow Rose Award to Sharon Mitchell Guthrie, a member of First Baptist Church in Stephenville. The HPU Woman’s Club gives the award annually to a woman who has exhibited exemplary leadership within her sphere of influence, shown support for the university and represents Christian values and beliefs foundational to HPU.

Dick Ellis, 2018 Decatur Baptist College Honorary Alumnus, is pictured with Andrew Schaffer, professor of finance and business law at Dallas Baptist University. (DBU Photo)

Dallas Baptist University posthumously recognized Dewey and Bess Ellis as recipients of the 2018 Decatur Distinguished Alumni Award at the 30^th annual Decatur Baptist College reunion. He served as an elementary schoolteacher, claims agent with the M.K.T. Railroad and owner of a funeral home in Wellington. She was a homemaker. The honorees’ son, Dick G. Ellis, the first pediatric surgeon to practice in Tarrant County, received the Decatur Honorary Alumnus Award. The Decatur Baptist College Class of 1958 recognized Gary Cook, chancellor and former president of DBU, for his efforts to establish the reunion. Decatur Baptist College was founded as a junior college in 1898, moved to Dallas in 1965 and became Dallas Baptist University in 1985.

East Texas Baptist University senior Shelby Savoy and freshman Anton Clark help plant a tree on campus during an Arbor Day ceremony. (ETBU Photo)

East Texas Baptist University marked Arbor Day by planting three live oak trees in memory of James Morgan, a 2005 ETBU gradate and former Tiger baseball player who was killed in a 2012 plane crash at age 29. Each year, Tiger Athletics honors Morgan’s legacy by selecting a current student-athlete to wear his jersey number, 16. The recipient, chosen by a team vote, is selected for displaying athletic excellence, academic integrity, community service, leadership and overall Christian character. Senior Dylan Sumpter, who received the 2017 James Morgan Award and dons the No. 16 jersey each game, led in prayer at the tree-planting service, and ETBU Student Body President Reid Adams read the story of creation from Genesis 1:1-13.

Howard Payne University recognized Donnie Auvenshine, professor and dean of the School of Christian Studies, and Eydie Henderson, administrative assistant for the School of Christian Studies, for 25 years of service to the university. HPU also named Corey Ash, associate professor of music and director of bands, as Outstanding Faculty Member for the 2017-18 academic year and Martha Fothergill, coordinator of records and reports, as Outstanding Staff Member.