Texas Tidbits: Lilly Endowment grants $500,000 to Truett

image_pdfimage_print

The Lilly Endowment awarded a $500,000 grant to Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary to strengthen the quality of preaching. The grant will fund two initiatives at Truett Seminary. The first involves new approaches to teach preaching. Through the use of a peer-coaching model, the student coaches who already have taken classes in preaching will work with small groups in each class. Coaching will make small-group work the primary in-class activity, creating a highly participatory educational experience for students. The second initiative focuses on peer- learning opportunities for seminary graduates who are serving in congregations. In particular, this initiative is designed for ministers who would like to develop preaching skills and deepen their understanding of preaching. Pastors will commit to a two-year intensive program in a peer-learning group led by a preaching coach. Each group will meet four times a year to assess their own preaching and to receive feedback from others. These groups will work through recent literature related to preaching. In addition, participants will be invited to two retreats focused on preaching and worship.

Stepanow named HPU vice president. Edward C. Stepanow Jr. has been named vice president for finance and administration at Howard Payne University. He will oversee business operations, including facilities, planning, finance and human resources. edward stepanow130Edward C. Stepanow Jr.Stepanow has more than 20 years experience in financial management and corporate administration, with specific expertise in education management, accounting, finance, treasury, risk management, financial planning and analysis, strategic development and investor/public relations. He most recently served as executive director of finance, treasury, risk management and strategic planning at American Heritage Charter Schools in San Diego, Calif. Stepanow is a certified treasury professional, certified professional for enterprise risk management and candidate for certified financial analyst. He received a bachelor of arts degree in economics from San Diego State University and is a graduate of the ITT Group School of Management and the CIT Group School of Credit and Administration.

Baylor University and Collin College sign transfer agreement. Baylor University President Ken Starr and Collin College Interim District President Colleen Smith signed a Baylor Bound transfer agreement that will help students transfer more easily between the two institutions and expand educational opportunities for young people. The Baylor-Collin College agreement is the university’s fourth partnership, along with McLennan Community College in Waco, Tyler Junior College in Tyler and Blinn College in Brenham. Students will be able to participate in Baylor Bound at Collin College starting in the fall of 2016, with the intent to transfer to Baylor in the fall of 2017.


We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.

Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.

More from Baptist Standard