Around the State: Collection dedicated at Wayland-San Antonio

Wayland Baptist University recently dedicated the Richard Hughes II Biblical Studies Collection at its San Antonio campus. The study space and dedicated research materials offer ministry students easy access to research material, spaces for collaborative learning and individual quiet study, computer and media resources, and access to electronic databases. The Richard Hughes Biblical Studies Collection was made possible through the primary gift of Michelle and Tracy Taylor, along with supporting gifts from family and friends, in memory of Richard Hughes, Michelle Taylor’s son, who died in a car wreck Christmas Day 2018.

Dallas Baptist University presented an honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree to Gail Linam, who has served in various academic administrative capacities at the university more than 30 years. Linam, currently academic dean and institutional accreditation liaison, led DBU through three of its last 10-year accreditation reviews by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and she helped establish the Center for Mentoring. Other roles in which she has served at DBU include provost, vice president for undergraduate affairs, dean of the College of Education and executive director of the Women’s Auxiliary Board. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She and her husband Dennis, a former vice president at DBU, have three children and one grandson. They are members of First Baptist Church in Arlington.

The Howard Payne University Women’s Club has scheduled its annual Yellow Rose Scholarship Luncheon for April 7 on the HPU campus. Kari Dingler of Midland will be the keynote speaker at the event. After receiving her Bachelor of Music degree from HPU in 1985, Dingler taught elementary music, led a select children’s choir and presented musicals for her church. She has served as pianist and worship leader more than three decades. She is involved with Court Appointed Special Advocates, serves on the board of High Sky Children’s Ranch and is a founding member of You Can Free Us India. The recipients of the Yellow Rose Award and Yellow Rose Scholarship will be recognized at the luncheon. Table sponsorships will be available for purchase Jan. 10.

The five ministry centers within the Baptist General Convention of Texas recently released a statistical summary for 2021. Through virtual and in-person consultations, events and meetings, the Center for Church Health trained more than 20,000 individuals. The Center for Missional Engagement worked with more than 100 new churches that recorded 7,769 professions of faith in Christ. Texas Baptists’ area representatives within the Center for Ministerial Health made more than 13,000 contacts, and the center contributed $30,000 toward the counseling needs of ministers and their families. Within the Center for Cultural Engagement and the Christian Life Commission, the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering enabled ministries to serve more than 21.7 million meals. The Center for Collegiate Ministry reported Baptist Student Ministries made an impact on the lives of more than 62,000 students, including 282 who made professions of faith in Christ.