Around the State: Nativity scenes on display at Wayland

This Nativity scene from India is one of 50 on display at Wayland Baptist University's Mabee Regional Heritage Center. (WBU Photo)

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This Nativity scene from Zimbabwe is from the collection of Carolyn Cunningham of Lockney and is on display at Wayland Baptist University. (WBU Photo)

Wayland Baptist University’s Mabee Regional Heritage Center offers an exhibition of 50 of the more than 900 Nativity scenes from around the world Carolyn Cunningham of Lockney has collected through more than three decades. Admission to the display in the center’s foyer is free. “The cultures of the different countries are easily seen in each set. They are made from all different types of materials like straw, rolled newspaper, gourds and interesting things like that,” said KayLyn Bean, director of museums at Wayland. The Nativity scenes will be available for public viewing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 16 and again from Jan. 4 to Jan. 31. The center is closed from Dec. 17 to Jan. 3 for Wayland’s Christmas break.

Stephen Mansfield

Dallas Baptist University named Stephen Mansfield as dean of the College of Business and senior adviser to the president for special initiatives. Mansfield was president and CEO of Methodist Health System in Dallas from 2006 to 2019. The $2 billion nonprofit health care provider tripled in size during his tenure. Previously, Mansfield served seven years as president and CEO of St. Vincent Health System based in Little Rock, Ark., and for 23 years in various executive roles with Baptist Memorial Health System in Memphis. “We are thrilled beyond words that Dr. Mansfield has agreed to join the DBU family in this strategic role,” DBU President Adam Wright said. “Having personally known Dr. Mansfield for many years, I can tell you without hesitation that he is one of the finest individuals and leaders in the Dallas area and beyond. He will bring to DBU a wealth of leadership experience, business insight and proven Christian character into his new calling, which will prove to be such a wonderful asset for our students who are aspiring business leaders in the years to come.” Mansfield holds a Ph.D. in organizational leadership from Regent University, a Master of Business degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin, and a bachelor’s degree in health care administration from Ottawa University.

Landon Chenault

Landon Chenault of Denton, a junior at Howard Payne University, won the varsity division of the individual International Public Debate Association competition during a tournament at Union University. Chenault, a social science jurisprudence and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy major, also participated in team competition with debate partner Devin Schurman, a senior strategic communication, social science jurisprudence and Guy D. Newman honors major from San Antonio. The pair advanced to quarterfinals and both earned speaker awards in team IPDA competition. Schurman was named second place speaker, and Chenault was named third place speaker. Freshmen Katelyn Sims, strategic communication major from Cleburne, and Cora Raub, nursing major from Celina, also ranked in the top 10 speakers in team IPDA competition. Freshman Adrielle Sloan, strategic communication major from Blue Ridge, ranked fourth place novice speaker. The HPU team was one of 28 universities from 11 different states competing at the Union University Debate Tournament.

Gary Blackmon, pastor of Crossway Christian Fellowship in Houston

Garry Blackmon, senior pastor of Crossway Christian Fellowship, a Texas Baptist congregation in Houston, is the newly elected chair of the board of trustees for Houston Christian University, formerly Houston Baptist University. Blackmon served on the board of trustees from 1999 to 2008 and from 2017 to the present. President Robert Sloanpraised Blackmon as “an outstanding Christian leader” who was selected for the leadership role by fellow trustees “as a reflection of his leadership, integrity and commitment to the mission of HCU.”

Thomas Henderson of Keller received the Loyalty Cup from University of Mary Hardin-Baylor President Randy O’Rear. (UMHB Photo)

Thomas Henderson of Keller received the Loyalty Cup from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor at the fall commencement ceremony. The Loyalty Cup is awarded to the student considered most representative of the university’s ideals, traditions and spirit. Henderson was president of Student Foundation and received the Commandant’s Trophy from the U.S. Marine Corps. Madison Lewis of Forney was the Honors Program Magna Cum Laude recipient. The Provost Medal for highest overall grade point average was awarded to 11 students who each graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA: Rachel Coday of Greenville, Julia Dewitt of Temple, Meghan Ditty of Fort Worth, Tyler Fowler of Mineral Wells, McKennah Harden of Boerne, Sarah Luper of Waco, Allison Pierce of Fort Worth, Tatum Stover of Forney, Jodie Taylor of Elgin, Mackenzie Vela of Harlingen and Hannah Wolfe of Murphy. UMHB awarded 320 baccalaureate degrees, 106 master’s degrees, and 35 doctoral degrees. UMHB President Randy O’Rearcommended students for their dedication and determination, noting 56 were the first in their families to graduate with a college degree.

Breckenridge Village in Tyler, a Christian residential community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will receive an $800,000 grant from the San Antonio-based FirstDay Foundation. The grant will fund the installation of a water main for the new Douglas R. Mehling II Center. Initial construction on the center began in 2021. Doug and Patti Mehling of Tyler gave $2.4 million toward the project in memory of their late son, Douglas R. Mehling II. Their daughter, Alex, has been a Breckenridge Village resident since 2006. Breckenridge Village opened in 1998 as a ministry of Baptist Child and Family Services, now BCFS. Texas Baptist Men provided much of the labor to construct the original buildings.

Anniversary

30th for Joseph C. Parker as senior pastor at David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Austin. The Austin City Council and Mayor Steve Adler will present Parker the “key to the city” on Dec. 8.

Ordination

Eli Garza to the gospel ministry at Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen.


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