Around the State: Carl Trueman speaks at DBU

Carl Trueman, professor of biblical and religious studies at Grove City College, was the featured speaker at the Dallas Baptist University Institute for Global Engagement lecture. In his chapel address to students, Trueman asserted Western moral culture is eroding steadily. A world without God provides no grander, metaphysical purpose or a common ethic for human life and relationships, he insisted. In a luncheon address to faculty and staff, he discussed ways technology has diminished society’s view of external authority. Trueman is a graduate of the Universities of Cambridge and Aberdeen and has taught on the faculties of the Universities of Nottingham and Aberdeen and at Westminster Theological Seminary. Most recently, he was the William E. Simon Visiting Fellow in Religion and Public Life in the James Madison Program at Princeton University. He is the author of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution.

Eighty-five students attended the Congreso Experience—a one-day event featuring workshops, group activities and an evening of worship designed to encourage Hispanic students in their education and spiritual walk—Oct. 22 at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Eric Hernandez from the Baptist General Convention of Texas was featured speaker, and Robert Vasquez led worship.

East Texas Baptist University alum Irene Sisk received the Golden Lightkeeper Award during ETBU homecoming. The university presents the award to alumni who graduated 50 years ago or more and who demonstrate continuing achievement in their vocation, church and community. Through her gift to the university, the Sisk Health Services Clinic at ETBU was established in her honor and in memory of her husband. In addition, she designated funds for an endowed scholarship at ETBU for students pursuing a career in medicine. Her daughter, Suzanne Melhart, accepted a commemorative award on her behalf. Also at homecoming, ETBU presented the 2022 Golden Blazers to Linda Cliett, Lorre Kauffman, Stacy Kauffman and Sergio Ramos in recognition of their financial support and volunteer service to ETBU. Since the program’s inception in 2010, a total of 99 members have been presented with ETBU’s traditional Golden Blazers. Bob Metcalf received the J. Wesley Smith Achievement Award, Jerry and Judy Cargill received the W.T. Tardy Service Award and Janice Hearn received the Alumni Achievement Award. Justin Hayes was granted the Unsung Hero Award, and Leah Chiles Grant received the Young Alumnus Award. ETBU seniors RJ Miller and Abby Jones were named 2022 ETBU Homecoming King and Queen.

Shayden Spradley, a junior at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, was named Miss Mary Hardin-Baylor. At the Oct. 22 pageant, she also was named Miss Congeniality. She is the daughter of Bobby and Mindy Spradley of Belton. She is involved with the Student Government Association, Student Foundation and Hope for the Hungry.

C3—Christians Caring for Creation—honored Woodland Baptist Church in San Antonio as the Church of the Year for Faith-based Environmental Advocacy. “Woodland is the prototype for faith-based communities who want to grapple with environmental crises facing our world,” said C3 CEO Don Gordon. As part of an extensive educational project regarding ecology, Woodland conducted an energy audit and a campus-wide evaluation of its energy usage and environmental practices. The church currently is in the process of installing solar panels and electrical vehicle chargers on its campus and designing a rain-water collection system. Garrett Vickrey is pastor.