The Fellowship of Christian Athletes named Scott Drew, head coach of the Baylor University men’s basketball team, as recipient of the 2019 John Lotz “Barnabas” Award. The award is presented annually to honor a basketball coach who best exhibits a commitment to Christ, integrity and encouragement to others, and lives a balanced life. Drew is the 17th recipient of the “Barnabas” Award, named for former North Carolina assistant and Florida head coach John Lotz. Drew’s father, Valparaiso coach Homer Drew, received the inaugural John Lotz Award in 2003. Drew began coaching at Baylor in 2003. Eleven years later, he became the program’s all-time wins leader. Drew has built Baylor into one of nine programs to be nationally ranked in each of the past 11 seasons and one of 14 programs to advance to postseason play in every season since 2012. “In his coaching, Scott Drew has exemplified integrity, serving, teamwork and excellence on and off the court,” said Shane Williamson, FCA president and CEO. “This outstanding leader guides his players in matters much more eternal than the game of basketball.”
Jacob Dellinger, a music education major at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and the UMHB chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, the honor society for band members, organized a special concert March 22 at the Beltonian Theater in downtown Belton for people who struggle with sensory issues. Dellinger, who has Asperger syndrome, said he wanted to “create an environment where they can come and listen to peaceful relaxing music, where the lights will be fixed to not trigger their sensory problems.” Dellinger curated all the musical selections at the concert on the basis of their gentleness. “What I’m hoping is that we provided a safe environment, and that, through these accommodations, [visitors] were able to be moved by the music,” Dellinger said. Additionally, the event featured an instrument petting zoo before and after the concert, allowing children to touch and interact with a variety of musical instruments.
Dallas Baptist University announced it will name its first residential college in honor of donors Herb and Barbara Pedersen. Herb Pedersen, a longtime Texas Baptist pastor and denominational leader, has been in ministry nearly 60 years. He has served on the DBU board of trustees and as adjunct professor in the Cook School of Leadership. Barbara Pedersen taught in local school districts for three decades prior to her retirement and now is an adjunct professor at DBU. Both have received honorary doctorates from DBU. “The Pedersens are the quintessential examples of servant leaders, and it is so fitting to know that students who will live in the Pedersen Residential College will be able to carry the Pedersens’ legacy of servant leadership into the world for generations to come,” said DBU President Adam Wright.
Houston Baptist University’s Archie W. Dunham College of Business and Center for Christianity in Business will host a networking luncheon and seminar for professionals featuring Scott B. Rae, dean and professor of philosophy and Christian ethics at Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology. Rae is the author of 12 books including Business for the Common Good: A Christian Vision for the Marketplace. The event will be held from noon to 2 p.m., May 3, in Dillon 2 of the Hinton Center on the HBU campus. To register, click here.
Hardin-Simmons University inducted four individuals into its Hall of Leaders at a March 22 luncheon. The Hall of Leaders provides permanent recognition of graduates, former students and former university employees who have distinguished records of achievement and good character. At the luncheon, HSU inducted Pete Ondeng, a 1982 HSU graduate, Kenya-based economic development strategist and founding president of the Lead Africa Foundation; and Cynthia K. Pearson, a 1985 HSU graduate and the president and chief executive officer of Day Nursery of Abilene. HSU honored two inductees posthumously—William Oswald Beazley Jr., a Baptist minister who served in a variety of administrative roles at HSU under six presidents, including service as director of the Six White Horses program; and Cydney Melinda Mizell, former HSU student who was killed in 2008 while serving as a Christian international aid worker in Afghanistan.
The East Texas Baptist University Symphonic Band and Concert Choir recently traveled to Austria as a part of the ETBU Global Study and Serve Program and the American Celebration of Music in Austria Concert Series. Led by ETBU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas Sanders, Department of Music Chair Justin Hodges, Assistant Band Director Douglas Lockard and collaborative artist and college organist Cathy DeRousse, the group of 56 students and faculty performed at and toured historical and cultural sites throughout Austria. In recognition of ETBU’s mission and artistic work across Austria, Hodges was presented a governmental certificate at the home of Jutta Unkart-Seifert, former Secretary of Education for Austrian Federal Ministry and current president of European Cultural Initiative.
Anniversary
15th for Christopher Keefer as pastor of First Baptist Church in Poolville.
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