January 4, 2015
MARSHALL, Texas (12/20/14) - Fall Commencement for East Texas Baptist University was held on Saturday, December 20, 2014, in Baker Auditorium of the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center, with Dr. Lawrence Ressler, Interim President of the University presiding. Assistant Provost and Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Thomas Sanders, assisted by academic deans, presented the graduating class.
A total of 72 students were awarded degrees. Of those, 59 received baccalaureate degrees and 13 received master's degrees. The Fred Hale School of Business had its first ever graduates of the Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurial Leadership program with six. The new program began with fall 2013 semester. The Schools of Christian Studies, Education and Natural and Social Sciences also awarded degrees during commencement.
The invocation was given by Peecee Charuma. He is the father of Tafadzwa Charuma, who received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.
Panola County Judge David Anderson, Chair of the ETBU Board, gave greetings from the ETBU Board of Trustees. "Thank you to all who are here this morning to witness this," said Judge Anderson. "This is a huge milestone in the graduates' lives and a great accomplishment. I hope you as students will remember this day for a long time."
Suzii Paynter, former Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) Director of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Center and director for the Advocacy Care Center and current Executive Coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF), delivered the charge to the graduates.
Paynter finished her charge by saying, "today; take your diploma, take your degree, take your knowledge, but take God this one prayer, 'Use me. Amen.' "
The President's Award was presented to Payton Beggs. The Wichita Falls native graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication. The President's Award is given to a graduating senior judged by the faculty to be the best all-around student enrolled in the University. The award includes scholastic ability and development, the degree of involvement in activities which reflect the ideals of the institution, character, integrity, and general attitude. A crystal memento was presented to a surprised Beggs by Interim ETBU President Dr. Ressler.
Ashley Gonzalez, Bachelor of Science graduate in Biology did the scripture reading during the morning ceremony. She read the theme verse for ETBU this year which is Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will direct your paths."
Special music was performed by the University Singers directed by Dr. Justin Hodges and accompanied by Robert Wright. Dean of the School of Fine Arts Dr. Tom Webster directed the music during the ceremony. Bachelor of Science in Sociology graduate Davidson Skyler Womack voiced the benediction.
East Texas Baptist University offers graduate programs in business, counseling, religion and education, as well as 40 undergraduate degree programs. ETBU provides a Christ centered education that emphasizes the integration of faith and learning. The ETBU experience is known for "Embracing Faith, Engaging Minds, and Empowering Leaders." For more information, visit www.etbu.edu.
The following is a list of the fall graduates with degree and hometown.
Fred M. Hale School of Business
Dr. Scott Ray, Dean
Maigen Marie Chastain, Master of Business Administration-Entrepreneurial Leadership, Marshall, Texas
Joshua Wayne Hunter, Master of Business Administration-Entrepreneurial Leadership, Marshall, Texas
Bradley Cameron Keifer, Master of Business Administration-Entrepreneurial Leadership, Marshall, Texas
Jarrad Antwone Santee, Master of Business Administration-Entrepreneurial Leadership, Longview, Texas
Sara Kristine Slate, Master of Business Administration-Entrepreneurial Leadership, Marshall, Texas
Sade Keichel Stewart, Master of Business Administration-Entrepreneurial Leadership, Zwolle, La.
Lucy Burrows, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Mount Pleasant, Texas
Dewon Dewayne Davis, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bivins, Texas
Christopher Allen Frazier, Bachelor of Science in University Studies, Marshall, Texas
Mariah Nichole Frazier, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marshall, Texas
Haley Marie Hilton, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, North Richland Hills, Texas
Kaitlyn Erin Kent, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Mount Pleasant, Texas
Karson Emily Kent, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Mount Pleasant, Texas
Shana Taylor Midgley, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Hallsville, Texas
Juan Sebastian Ramirez, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Spring, Texas
Michelle Smith, Bachelor of Science in University Studies, Marshall, Texas
Jenesia Brianna Vallo, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Carrollton, Texas
Hannah M. Word, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Garland, Texas
School of Christian Studies
Dr. John Harris, Dean
Lucy Alice Elston, Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, Burleson, Texas
Kristian Leann Barnaby, Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Beaumont, Texas
Riley Don De La Cruz, Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Modesto, Calif.
Kalee May Long, Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Forney, Texas
Travis Christopher Nicks, Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Beaumont, Texas
Caleb Phillips, Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Mount Vernon, Texas
Landon Price, Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Mount Vernon, Texas
Calvin Neil Williams, Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Lufkin, Texas
School of Education
Dr. Donna Dooley, Dean
Dr. Joseph D. Brown, Associate Dean
Broderick Asa Basco, Master of Education in Sports and Exercise Leadership, DeBerry, Texas
Stefan Maurice Nolet, Master of Education in Sports and Exercise Leadership, Shreveport, La.
LeKisha Cason White, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Shreveport, La.
Kenneth William Adcock, Bachelor of Science in Speech Education, Cleburne, Texas
Dylan Todd Benge, Bachelor of Science in Education/All Level Kinesiology, Joshua, Texas
John Malachi Clark, Bachelor of Science in University Studies, Springtown, Texas
Brittany Lauren Conner, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Kilgore, Texas
Daniel Esposito, Bachelor Science in Kinesiology, Springfield, Ohio
Michelle Gallimore, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Allen, Texas
Gregory Richard Gaston, Bachelor of Science in University Studies, Marietta, Texas
Candice Camille Hamilton, Bachelor of Science in Education/Secondary English, McKinney, Texas
Thomas Bennett Jacobs, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, McKinney, Texas
Jessica Paige Mosley, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Logansport, La.
Kaela Dawn Prober, Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, Porter, Texas
Taryn Kate Reynolds, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Henderson, Texas
Amy Marie Schlebach, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Forney, Texas
Theresa Sinclair, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Tomball, Texas
Ryan Austin Stokes, Bachelor of Science in Education/Secondary Speech Communication, Nacogdoches, Texas
Mackenzie Alayne Tatum, Bachelor of Science in University Studies, Greenville, Texas
Cody Lawson Walker, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Athens, Texas
Harvey Christian Wiggins, Bachelor of Science in Education/Secondary History, Lancaster, Texas
School of Humanities
Dr. Jerry Summers, Dean
Payton D. Beggs, Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications, Wichita Falls, Texas
Onisha Bradshaw, Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, Garland, Texas
Sarah Naomi Diffie, Bachelor of Arts in English, Jefferson, Texas
Mara Shay Hartsell, Bachelor of Arts in English, Marshall, Texas
Jin Zhou Zhou, Bachelor of Arts in University Studies, Marshall, Texas
School of Natural and Social Sciences
Dr. Lynn New, Dean
Kurt William Bannert, Master of Arts in Counseling, Longview, Texas
Harold Glenn Robinson, Master of Arts in Counseling, Stonewall, La.
Shelby Laine Thomas, Master of Arts in Counseling, Gilmer, Texas
Christopher Abascal, Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, El Paso, Texas
Victoria Avyrl Aldrete, Bachelor of Applied Science in University Studies, Hallsville, Texas
Amanda Jean Burks, Bachelor of Science in University Studies, Marshall, Texas
Tafadzwa Brendon Charuma, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Garland, Texas
Sarah Naomi Collazo, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, San Antonio, Texas
Taylor Brooke Davis, Bachelor of Science in Biology, Bivins, Texas
Ashley Nichole Gonzalez, Bachelor of Science in Biology, Overton, Texas
Brandon Willis Henry, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Prosper, Texas
Folake Oluwatosin Ishola, Bachelor of Science in Biology, Lagos, Nigeria
Courtney A. Jones, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Lewisville, Texas
Christy Michelle Lopez, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Dangerfield, Texas
Robinann Jean Martinez, Bachelor of Arts in University Studies, Gilmer, Texas
Kyle Ray Nickolson, Bachelor of Science in Biology, Allen, Texas
Miranda Alyss Pippin, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Marshall, Texas
Alex Dalton Shetter, Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences, Winona, Texas
Jerritt Wayne Todd, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Carrollton, Texas
Megan Elise Walker, Bachelor of Science in Biology, Athens, Texas
Davidson Skyler Womack, Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Houston, Texas