Around the State: HPU names Sumners Scholars, DBU and ETBU present honorary doctorates

Howard Payne University named four students in its Guy D. Newman Honors Academy as Sumners Scholars for the 2016-2017 academic year—Rachel Hughes, junior from Llano; Joel Justice, sophomore from Brownwood; Isaac Sommers, junior from Boerne; and Rachel White, junior from Arkadelphia, Ark. Students are accepted into the Sumners Scholar Program based on academic excellence, a sense of civic responsibility and leadership potential. The Hatton W. Sumners Foundation provides a $7,500-per-semester stipend for participating students to use for tuition, fees, books or room and board. Sumners Scholars are provided with opportunities to attend annual leadership and policy analysis conferences to supplement their learning and expand their growth potential. While receiving the scholarship, students are required to maintain a 3.25 GPA and be in good standing with the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy.

Dallas Baptist University conferred an honorary doctorate on Mitch Bennett (fourth from right). He is pictured with (left to right) family friends Mary Ann and Greg Vaughn; family members Amy, Peyton, Foster and John Bennett; DBU Chancellor Gary Cook; and relatives Phil and Deedie Hering and Marci Bennett.Dallas Baptist University awarded an honorary doctor of humanities degree to Mitch Bennett during the university’s spring commencement ceremony. A native of McGregor, Bennett has served DBU 28 years, currently as director of gift accounting and assistant to the chancellor at DBU.

East Texas Baptist University awarded honorary doctorate degrees to E. Leon Carter, a Dallas attorney, and D.M. Edwards of Tyler, founding chief executive officer and chairman of Edwards Investments. Carter played basketball for ETBU from 1977 to 1980 and was named a distinguished alumnus in 2010. Edwards has served 20 years on the ETBU board of trustees, along with service on other committees and boards related to the Baptist General Convention of Texas. During spring commencement ceremonies at ETBU, 149 students received degrees—132 undergraduates and 17 master’s degrees. BGCT President René Maciel, who also is president of Baptist University of the Américas, delivered the charge to the graduates. Summa Cum Laude graduate Joe Meadows of Mountain Home, Ark., received the Presidential Award, given to a graduating senior judged by the faculty to be the best all-around student enrolled in the university. John Sargent, dean of the School of Education, received Professor with Distinction honors. 

Wayland Baptist University named three new deans, effective July 1. Peter Bowen, professor of psychology and associate dean, succeeds Estelle Owens as dean of the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences. Clinton Lowin, associate professor of religion, succeeds Paul Sadler as dean of the School of Religion and Philosophy. Gene Whitfill, associate professor of education and associate dean, succeeds Jim Todd as dean of the School of Education.

Five members of Howard Payne University’s chapter of Phi Beta Lambda, an international business honor society, advanced from the PBL 2016 State Leadership Conference at the University of Texas in Dallas to the PBL National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Ga. They are Hannah Ball, junior from Justin; Allan Chehadi, senior from Austin; Jessica Harris, junior from Brownwood; Jody Loudamy, senior from Goldthwaite; and Rachel Mahagan, senior from Georgetown. Phi Beta Lambda is the university division of Future Business Leaders of America, the largest career student organization in the world.

San Marcos Baptist Academy Class of 2016San Marcos Baptist Academy presented diplomas to 57 graduates at the school’s 108th annual commencement. The Class of 2016 included students from five foreign countries, eight states other than Texas and 15 cities in Texas. Academy graduates received scholarship offers valued in excess of $1.3 million. William Henry “Hank” Shirley of Kyle was named class valedictorian and also received the President’s Cup, the highest award given to a student for overall excellence. Salutatorian of the class was Brendan Christensen of Kyle, who also received the Niel Cup, which recognizes leadership, academic achievement and demonstration of Christian living in daily life. Rounding out the top ten percent of the class were magna cum laude graduate Allee Potts of San Marcos and cum laude graduates Ife Dahunsi of Lagos, Nigeria, and Max Yoo of Seoul, Korea.

Anniversaries

Davilla First Baptist Church, Davilla, 150^th, May 22. David Cox is pastor.