Around the State: BWA president speaks at DBU

At his first stop in the United States after being elected president of the Baptist World Alliance, Argentinian Baptist leader Tomás Mackey delivered the T.B. Maston Lecture in Christian Ethics at Dallas Baptist University on Oct. 25. He spoke to students in chapel; addressed faculty, staff and guests at a luncheon sponsored by the T.B. Maston Foundation; and spoke to an evening dinner gathering of Hispanic leaders from across Texas. Mackey engaged the question “What Christian Thought Do We Need?” He spoke on the need for global Baptists to continue cultivating the development of Christian moral thought reflecting the character and love of Christ. DBU President Adam Wrightcalled it “a providential occasion” to have the BWA president on campus for the T.B. Maston Foundation-sponsored events. “DBU deeply cherishes our partnerships with both of these important organizations, and we remain committed to supporting the work of Baptist communities around the globe seeking to bring moral transformation through our redemptive hope in Jesus Christ,” Wright said.

The Wayland Baptist University board of trustees approved a plan to restructure several bonds to secure about $3 million to use for specified, tax-exempt projects such as capital and infrastructure improvements. The majority of the bonds originally were issued for the construction of Jimmy Dean Hall, the purchase of the Anchorage campus building and renovations made to the University Center. Wayland has retired about $18 million in debt in the last decade. This restructuring will not increase the amount of debt owed on construction projects nor extend the length of the repayment schedule. “This action is truly in the university’s best interest, and I’m pleased the trustees unanimously approved it,” Chairman Rick Breeden said. “Restructuring the university’s bonds reduces the interest rate we are currently paying, providing significant savings, and freeing up some additional funding allowing us to complete several much-needed capital improvement projects.”

Wayland trustees also celebrated the dedication of two newly endowed scholarships. The Tim and Stacie HardageEndowed Scholarship is named in honor of Trustee Tim Hardage and his wife Stacie, who both graduated from Wayland in 1989. His father, the late Bill Hardage, was a longtime coach and administrator at the university. The Hardages established the scholarship to provide financial support for students who desire to earn a degree in higher education in a distinctively Christian environment. Claude Lusk, senior vice president of operations and student life at Wayland, recognized President Bobby Hall and his family for creating the T.G. and Marie Hall Endowed Scholarship. T.G. and Marie Hall graduated from Plainview High School. While she attended Lippert Business College, he served three and a half years in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. They married in 1946 in Plainview. She worked 40 years for Farmers Home Administration. Upon retirement, she worked as a bookkeeper for Plains Federal Credit Union. He spent nearly 30 years in the automobile business and then worked for the Wayland Post Office in the 1980s. The endowed scholarship in their memory will ensure that the values they shared about the importance of higher education will continue to impact future generations of students at Wayland, Lusk noted.

Recipients of the 2021 Alumni Awards were announced during Homecoming chapel at East Texas Baptist University. Aubrey Sharpe, a 1967 graduate, received the J. Wesley Smith Achievement Award, First Baptist Church Longview was honored with the W.T. Tardy Service Award. Sherry Bustin, a 1993 graduate, was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award. David Mohn, a 1972 graduate, was recognized with the Unsung Hero Award. Oteka Jackson-Cenales, a 2007 graduate, received the Young Alumnus Award. Allen Reed, a 1966 graduate, received the Golden Lightkeeper Award, bestowed upon alumni who graduated 50 years ago or more and demonstrate continuing achievement in their vocation, church and community. In addition, nine members of the Class of 1970 and 16 members of the Class of 1971 were recognized at the Golden Lightkeeper luncheon following chapel. During halftime at the homecoming football game, seniors Jake Miller and Abigail Bath were named 2021 ETBU Homecoming King and Queen. Miller is a business administration major from North Richland Hills. He has been a member of the Tiger Baseball team four years, was named to the Dean’s List his sophomore year, and was named to the President’s List his junior and senior years. Bath is an elementary education major from Lake Charles, La. She was on the Tiger Women’s Soccer team two years and has been a member of Tiger Cheer since her sophomore year. Bath made the Dean’s List her sophomore year and was named to the President’s List her junior and senior years.

The Fellowship Southwest board of directors named its immigrant relief fund in honor of founding coordinator Marv Knox, who retires at the end of the year. The Knox Fund for Immigrant Relief helps provide support for the network of pastors along the Rio Grande who help provide food, shelter, clothing, transportation and other ministry to immigrants. The board elected as officers Chair Meredith Stone of Abilene, Chair-elect Michael Mills of Fort Worth, Vice Chair Amy Jacober of Phoenix, Ariz., and Secretary Kristin McAtee of Oklahoma City.