Around the State: ETBU meets challenge grant goal

East Texas Baptist University raised more than $6 million for its Great Commission Center campaign, meeting a challenge grant goal set last year. The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation presented the $1.5 million challenge to ETBU in summer 2020. To receive the challenge grant funds, the university was required to raise $6 million by mid-July 2021. With the goal met, the challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation brings the total amount raised for the campaign to more than $7.5 million. The 23,500-square-foot Great Commission Center will be home to the Fred Hale School of Business and the office of career development, as well as the Great Commission Center program, which connects students, faculty and staff with communities in East Texas, cities across the United States and cultures across the globe in missions.

Howard Payne University named Nathan Penland as vice president for student experience. He will lead HPU’s efforts in student life, housing, athletics and public safety. Most recently, Penland served nearly 12 years at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., as director of student leadership and engagement, where he provided organizational structure for student-led organizations, administered leadership development programs for student leaders, engaged in cross-departmental collaboration in the areas of recruitment and retention, and provided leadership in the creation and development of new student spaces across the university campus.  Penland earned a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry degree from Southwest Baptist University, a Master of Arts in Christian Education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership and administration degree from Liberty University. He and his wife, Kristina, have three children: Katelyn, Karaline and Noble.

Three Dallas Baptist University juniors—Greyson Goebel, Gage Roberts and Joseph Alcazar—were among only 34 students nationally to be awarded $30,000 scholarships by the Sumners Foundation in 2021. All three students are studying in the DBU politics, philosophy and economics program. The purpose of the Sumners Foundation is to encourage the study, teaching and research into the science and art of self-government. Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, civic engagement and leadership capacity.

Retirement

Danny Crosby after more than 24 years as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Cleburne and more than 47 years in the gospel ministry. He served previously at pastorates in Gatesville, Oglesby and Temple. He and his wife Diane now live in Gatesville.