Around the State: Ring Blessing held at ETBU

East Texas Baptist University honored 87 graduating seniors with the presentation of their official class ring during the ETBU Ring Blessing ceremony Nov. 16. “The ETBU ring is filled with significant and inspiring symbols of your transformative experience here on the Hill,” Scott Bryant, vice president for advancement, told senior ring recipients. Each class ring features the ETBU seal, surrounded by the cornerstones of the University—Veritas, Moresand Scientia, Latin for truth, character and knowledge. Inscribed in the ring are significant icons of ETBU and the Christian faith, such as the historic Marshall Hall, the Light on the Hill, Max Greiner’s Divine Servant Statue, and the Bible.

Wayland Baptist University’s ESports raised $1,260 for UMC Children’s Hospital Lubbock and Children’s Miracle Network during a marathon 12-hour game night, exceeding the team’s goal. Wayland ESports teamed up with Extra Life, a fund-raising program of the Children’s Miracle Network, to play from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Nov. 4-5, with a goal of raising $1,250—more than the $1,084 donated from a similar event last year. “I was amazed by both the motivation of the students and the generosity of the donors watching our livestreams,” Coach Duncan Sweeney said.

East Texas Baptist University welcomed retirees, Legacy of 1912 Society members and endowed scholarship donors to campus Nov. 9 for the annual Legacy of 1912 Society Luncheon. The Legacy of 1912 Society is comprised of alumni and friends who, through estate planning and other forms of planned giving, ensure resources will be available to support ETBU far into the future. Clint Davis, pastor of First Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant, was guest speaker.

Of the 22 art majors from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor who submitted 34 pieces to the 43rd annual Central Texas Art Competition held at Temple College, 19 UMHB students had 27 pieces selected for the juried show. Alexis Pertuis, a sophomore from Alvin, won an award of excellence for her photograph titled “Cracked Valley.” Two UMHB students received honorable mention awards—Tiera Flores, junior from Georgetown, for an oil painting, and Timothy Jiang, junior from China, for a charcoal piece.

With the completion of Interstate 35 through Waco, the Church Under the Bridge returned Nov. 20 to its home beneath the I-35 and 4th Street overpass, where it began 30 years ago. Until the Texas Department of Transportation completed what Pastor Jimmy Dorrell called the “sanctuary renovation,” the multicultural congregation for Waco’s marginalized has been meeting the past 44 months at the Magnolia Market at the Silos. After a communion service, members of the Midway High School band played “When the Saints Go Marching In” as the congregation walked from the Silos to their home beneath I-35.

Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary named Jason Vickers, a professor at Asbury Theological Seminary, as professor of Christian theology and holder of the William J. Abraham Chair of Wesleyan Studies. Vickers holds a Ph.D. from Southern Methodist University, where he studied under the late William J. Abraham, founding director of Truett’s Wesley House of Studies.

East Texas Baptist University’s Children Ministry class is developing a guide for families and churches for Advent titled “Christmas Joys.” The guide will feature daily devotions for each day during the four weeks leading up to Christmas. The devotions will focus on age-appropriate Bible verses and stories to prepare children for this important day as well as simple crafts and activities, and will also include mission prayer requests. “Our students are very excited to be providing a resource for churches and families during advent” said Thomas Sanders, ETBU provost and vice president for academic affairs. “This experience will allow them to put their education, training and experience into a tangible tool to help engage children and their families in the Bible at Christmas.” The guide will be available as a digital magazine/booklet that churches can share on their website or print for families. The free resource can be downloaded at www.ETBU.edu/Advent beginning Nov. 22.