Around the State: Parade of flags welcomes UMHB students

Gilda Tchao leads the parade of flags at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Fall Convocation, symbolizing the 34 states and 31 countries and territories represented in this year’s UMHB student body. (UMHB Photo)

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Carol C. Holcomb, professor of Christian studies and director of the UMHB Center for Baptist Studies, addressed the UMHB Fall Convocation. (UMHB Photo)

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor marked the beginning of the school year and welcomed about 900 new freshmen to campus during its 176th Fall Convocation service on Aug. 11. This year’s student body includes 3,735 students ranging in age from 16 to 71, and UMHB President Randy O’Rear noted 607 students are the first in their families to go to college. A parade of flags symbolized the 34 states and 31 countries and territories represented in this year’s UMHB student body. Carol C. Holcomb, professor of Christian studies and director of the UMHB Center for Baptist Studies, urged students to ask questions about their vision, passions and purpose in life, and to look for those answers while at the university. “We know that anxiety and stress and worry can sometimes blind you and make it really hard to see. It can hinder our vision and make it really difficult to see what is important,” Holcomb said. “But I have some good news for you. Today is a new day. You can look up. You can dream. You have enrolled at a Christian university, and we specialize in possibilities. We are experts in new beginnings.”

In the aftermath of a 7.2 earthquake that rocked Haiti on Aug. 14, Texas Baptist Men is sending at least 200 family water filters and $10,000 to provide help, hope and healing in the region. The filters and funds will be used by a Haitian church TBM has had a relationship with since the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Church members will use the resources to meet immediate needs and share God’s love.

Baylor University announced on Aug. 13 updated COVID-19 protocols for the fall semester, including requiring facemasks to be worn in all classrooms and labs, as well as in some other indoor areas where social distancing may not be possible. Baylor continues to “strongly encourage all students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated as soon as possible.” Mandatory testing for unvaccinated individuals will be required twice weekly through at least the first four weeks of the semester.

Dallas Baptist University awarded 85 bachelor’s degrees, 76 master’s degrees and 15 doctorates at August Commencement ceremonies. DBU held two in-person ceremonies on Aug. 6 in Pilgrim Chapel, including one that provided a ceremony for earlier graduates not able to walk the stage prior due to COVID-19. Featured speakers at the ceremonies were David Reyes, dean of spiritual life at DBU, and David Lowrie, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Decatur.

Wayland Baptist University President Bobby Hall (left) and his wife Laurie (right) present Ben and Bertha Mieth with a decorated with the logo of the International Commission. Mieth started the nonprofit organization after a mission trip he took 50 years ago. (WBU Photo)

At their annual mid-summer retreat, Wayland Baptist University trustees recognized one of their own—Ben Mieth, who founded International Commission 50 years ago. International Commission is a nonprofit organization that focuses on church-based evangelism projects around the world. Its goal is to equip churches to send out short-term teams to work in evangelism and discipleship with host churches around the world. The commission focuses on developing relationships with churches in other countries to ensure each new believer is connected to a church for discipleship. Mieth developed the idea based on a mission trip he led with First Baptist Church in Seminole. Wayland President Bobby Hall noted the original leadership team for International Commission included both Mieth and Gene Hawkins, another longtime Wayland trustee, who died earlier this year.

Howard Payne University personnel in selected offices will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21, to help students who need additional assistance in advance of the fall 2021 semester, which begins Aug. 23. The registrar’s office and business office will offer the expanded schedule, along with the offices of admissions, information technology, financial aid and student life. “All of us at Howard Payne University have been eagerly preparing for a great new academic year,” said HPU President Cory Hines. “We’re happy to make these extra hours available to students who might have last-minute questions.”

“Fuel the Flame” is the theme for the current academic year at Wayland Baptist University. (WBU Photo)

With facemasks in place, Wayland Baptist University faculty, staff and administration gathered on Aug. 11 for the first time in two years. The meeting typically is held at the beginning of the academic year as employees prepare to welcome students back to campus. Speakers pointed to the theme for this academic year, “Fuel the Flame,” emphasizing the importance of spiritual development on campus. Donnie Brown, director of spiritual life, noted the theme is based on Leviticus 6:13, where God instructs Moses to make a sacrifice and tells him to keep the fire burning continually. “As our world grows more and more secular and moves further and further away from Christian principles, our Christian faith is even more important,” Brown said. “We need to fuel the flame.” As part of the emphasis, students and staff will participate in community service projects on Sept. 25.


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