Around the State: HPU opens center in New Braunfels; ETBU hosts hymn sing

Howard Payne University marks the grand opening of its New Braunfels center at 4101 Loop 337.

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Howard Payne University will mark the grand opening of its New Braunfels location at 4101 Loop 337, Suite 100, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sept. 8 at an event sponsored by the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce. Bob Knoll, an HPU alumnus and chief executive officer of Millennium Packaging/Supplize, offered the use of the facility until the university can build a permanent residential campus in New Braunfels. HPU has maintained a presence in New Braunfels since March 2012, serving more than 100 students in its graduate and undergraduate programs with classes offered at New Braunfels High School. The newly remodeled facility includes the McKenna Foundation Computer Center, administrative offices, classrooms, a conference room and study areas.

The sixth annual Great East Texas Hymn Sing will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 9 in the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center’s Baker Auditorium on the East Texas Baptist University campus. Leaders will include Paul Buchanan, minister of music at First Baptist Church in Coldspring; Ricky Hall, minister of music at Immanuel Baptist Church in Marshall; Kermit Tandberg, pastoral care minister at First Baptist Church in Lewisville; Justin Hodges, director of choral activities at ETBU; and Tom Webster, dean of ETBU’s School for Communication and Performing Arts. There is no cost to attend the hymn sing. A reception will follow in the Edwards Conference Center, adjacent to Baker Chapel in the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center. For more information, call (903) 923-2158 or email [email protected].

Cindy McClenagan 200Cindy McClenagan Wayland Baptist University named Cindy McClenagan as vice president for academic affairs. She has served as the dean of the School of Languages and Literature at Wayland since 2008. She completed her undergraduate education at Luther College in Iowa, earned one master’s degree from the University of Iowa and another from Texas Tech University, where she received her doctorate in English. She arrived at Wayland in 1993 to be a collection development and reference librarian and progressed through the ranks as an assistant professor, associate professor and professor of English. She and her husband, Brian, a psychology professor in Wayland’s School of Behavioral and Social Sciences, have two sons—Kyle, 15, and Jackson, 11.

Ben Curry HighGround 200Ben CurryHighGround Advisors, formerly Baptist Foundation of Texas, named Ben Curry chief operating officer. He served previously as the asset management and trust services company’s senior vice president for finance and administration. In his new role, Curry is responsible for the daily operations of the company and will oversee the human resources, marketing and communication, and information systems departments. He also will lead strategic planning initiatives and other large-scale projects designed to improve services and communications with institutional partners. Prior to joining the company in 1996, he worked three years with GuideStone Financial Resources, formerly the Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Curry is a graduate of Baylor University and a certified public accountant.

South Main Baptist Church in Pasadena will observe Patriot Day on Sept. 11 by honoring first responders at 10:45 a.m. Featured guests include M.W. Thaler, chief of the Pasadena Police Department; Lanny Armstrong, chief of the Pasadena Fire Department; and Phil Sandlin, constable in the Harris County Sheriff’s Department, Precinct 8, along with many of their officers. Pastor Ron Lyles will present a $5,000 check from the church to each of their departments in appreciation for their service.

Anniversaries

Mary Anne Thurman 200Mary Anne ThurmanDial Baptist Church in Honey Grove honored Mary Anne Thurman for more than 50 years service as pianist. She joined the church in 1956 and filled in as an interim pianist before she assumed the role on a regular basis in 1966. Her husband, Bill Thurman, is a longtime deacon in the congregation. Denny Tompkins is pastor.

FBC Robinson 350First Baptist Church in Robinson will celebrate its 150th anniversary Sept. 10-11. Events begin at 3 p.m. Saturday with a reception and conclude that evening with a proclamation presented by Robinson Mayor Bert Echterling and a concert featuring Holly Tucker, a finalist on “The Voice.” On Sunday, the anniversary celebration continues with a church family gathering at 9 a.m. Expected guests include Tim Randolph, director of missions of Waco Regional Baptist Association, and several former pastors. Tickets are $20, which includes meals on Saturday evening and Sunday noon, as well as the concert. For more information, call (254) 662-6803. Brooks Kimmey is pastor.


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