Donor Stories
An Enduring Legacy
As former missionaries, Dr. Wilson Tatum and Dr. Cheryl Tatum know all about enduring legacies. The Tatums served a total of twenty four years in Tanzania, East Africa, and the Middle East. It was their missionary service that connected them to East Texas Baptist University, serving as missionaries in residence at ETBU during two stateside assignments. In addition to their own positive experience at ETBU, Cheryl’s parents, Truitt and Nelda Green, attended Senior Adult Conference on the campus of ETBU and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The Tatums recently honored Cheryl’s parents by making a planned gift to establish the Wilson R. and Cheryl Green
" Truitt and Nelda Green, attended Senior Adult Conference on the campus of ETBU and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The Tatums recently honored Cheryl’s parents by making a planned gift to establish the Wilson R. and Cheryl Green Tatum Endowed Scholarship at ETBU in memory of Truitt and Nelda Green."
Tatum Endowed Scholarship at ETBU in memory of Truitt and Nelda Green. Truitt Green was a cotton farmer in Navarro County who had a profound experience with Christ on the farm as an adult, later serving as a deacon in Frost Baptist Church until his death. When asked the reason for making a planned gift to benefit East Texas Baptist University, Wilson replied, “A Charitable Remainder Trust is a way to give twice—once during the giver’s lifetime and then again when the person is gone.” In addition, the donor receives a stream of income from the Trust during the donor’s lifetime.
Wilson and Cheryl Tatum believe in Christian higher education and are pleased to help East Texas Baptist University fulfill its unique mission, while leaving an enduring legacy of their own.
(For more information concerning making a planned gift to benefit East Texas Baptist University, please contact one of our development professionals in the University Advancement office.)
By Dr. Dane Fowlkes, Director of Major Gifts
Learn more about Planned Giving.
A New Bottom-Line
Integrating faith and business occurs daily in the business practices of two brothers with strong ties to East Texas Baptist University. Chad Rippy (BBA ’94) and Dan Schochler, Jr.(BBA ’93) became brothers through the marriage of Chad’s father to Dan’s mother in 1981. Chad and Dan were already close friends by the time they became brothers, a relationship that continues to strengthen while serving as executives of the same business.
Dan first heard about East Texas Baptist University through an admissions counselor that came to Cypress Creek High School in 1988. He enrolled in the fall of 1989 and Chad joined him a year later. Both brothers earned the Bachelor of Business Administration degree and reflect that it’s the professors who invested in them that stand out among other positives from their time at ETBU. Each identifies the information gained through a course in business communication taught by faculty member Jane Knight as something that they call upon daily in their business. Upon graduation, Dan started to work in retail with the Houston Astros organization and Chad went to work with his father’s business, ATM Air Freight in Houston. Then in 1998, quite unexpectedly, their father became quite ill and was no longer able to manage the family business. Without preparation or specific training, Chad and Dan found themselves as president and vice-president respectively of the business. Both thank the Lord for growing and sustaining them through the rigorous transition that followed.
"Dan first heard about East Texas Baptist University through an admissions counselor that came to Cypress Creek High School in 1988. He enrolled in the fall of 1989 and Chad joined him a year later. Both brothers earned the Bachelor of Business Administration degree and reflect that it’s the professors who invested in them that stand out among other positives from their time at ETBU"
Chad and Dan credit ETBU with preparing them for leadership roles in business and for encouraging them in the pursuit of integrating faith and business. Dan states, “Our faith comes through in the way we deal with customers, agents and employees.” According to Chad, “Ultimately we know that this business is in the Sovereign God’s hands. The well-being of our business is not dependent upon our customers but on our operating according to God’s standards.” The brothers approach business with the primary goal of investing in the families God gives them as employees. “Our business is more about people than the bottom-line. This has not always been understood by others, and even some of our employees. For us, this business is more like a church and we see ourselves as counselors, teachers, mentors—we shepherd our employees,” Chad explains.
The relationship with East Texas Baptist University runs deep for Chad and Dan and ATM Freight Services. In addition to each graduating from ETBU, Dan met his wife Stacey (attended ’90-’91) on “the hill.” The Schochlers have three children. Chad’s wife DeAnna also attended ETBU from 1990 – 1991. The Rippys have three children as well. Dan’s college roommate of three years, James Puckett (BS ’94) joined the staff of ATM Freight Services in 2005 and currently works in operations.
Chad and Dan will be back on campus the end of February in order to share their story and perspectives on faith and business with current students. For Chad and Dan, the bottom-line is their faith in Jesus Christ.
By Dr. Dane Fowlkes, Director of Major Gifts