Around the State: Wayland prof produces face shields for medical personnel

With medical personnel in West Texas facing a possible shortage of personal protective equipment, Scott Franklin, professor of mathematics and computer science at Wayland Baptist University, came across the idea to print face shields on a 3D printer. The face shield design Franklin is using comes from UCLA, with a few modifications he made to the original plan to make it more adaptable to Wayland’s equipment. The five-hour production process involves using old transparency film the university had in storage as the see-through plastic guard. Franklin is contacting doctors’ offices in the region to determine the level of need. If there is an increasing demand, Franklin said he will need donations of materials such as elastic bands that can be used to hold the shield in place around the head. He also will accept any additional transparency or report cover materials that can serve as a guard. To report a need—or to donate materials or funds for the project—email [email protected].

Although social distancing guidelines and restrictions on gatherings due to COVID-19 demanded adjustments from the typical format, East Texas Baptist University observed its most longstanding tradition April 17. Emily Hicks of Marshall was recognized during ETBU’s 73rd annual Senior Girl Call-Out. Selected by a faculty and staff vote, the individual “called out” each year is distinguished for exemplary Christian character, social consciousness, personal poise, academic achievement and spiritual vision. Hicks, a senior child development major, has been on the President’s List every semester throughout her time at ETBU. She served as a resident assistant, a Baptist Student Ministry Ignite Worship Leader and as a member of Lampsato Singers and Concert Choir. She has been a chapel team member and was an ETBU Rec Team member two summers. At Immanuel Baptist Church in Marshall, she is a member of the youth worship team, serves as an office assistant and previously led a small group for sixth-grade girls. While the Senior Girl Call-Out looked different this year, 21 young women participated in the event. “While I wish we could have come together on our campus for the traditional ceremony, I am grateful for the technology that allowed us to honor these senior girls in a virtual format,” said Heather Hadlock, vice president for student affairs at ETBU.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor appointed Sean Benson as the Frank W. Mayborn Chair of Arts and Sciences, effective June 1. Benson, a Shakespeare scholar, comes to UMHB from the University of Dubuque, where he chaired the department of language and literature and directed the liberal studies program. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Iowa and earned his Ph.D. from Saint Louis University. He and his wife, Jennifer, are the parents of two children.

Julie Welker, chair of Howard Payne University’s department of communication and coach of the HPU speech and debate team, was named the Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association Educator of the Year. Award nominees are selected by members of the association’s executive council and voted on by the organization’s membership. TIFA is the college-level forensics organization affiliated with the Texas Speech Communication Association.

Marcus “Goodie” Goodloe is joining the Dallas Baptist University’s Institute for Global Engagement as senior fellow for ethics and justice. Goodloe is a DBU alumnus and has served as an adjunct professor in the Gary Cook School of Leadership and frequent speaker at Veritas Lecture Series and DBU chapel services. In his new role as senior fellow, Goodloe will provide written material, lectures and webinars for DBU and its Institute for Global Engagement. He will specialize in matters of leadership through influence, social justice and research regarding the life of Martin Luther King Jr.