April 29, 2015
MARSHALL, Texas (4/27/15) - East Texas Baptist University announces that Dr. Randel Everett, co-founder and President of the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative, will be the keynote speaker for Spring Commencement. Dr. Everett has spent four decades pastoring churches, most recently as the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Midland. ETBU will hold two commencement ceremonies, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Baker Auditorium of the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center.
Dr. Everett is a former Executive Director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. He served as Chaplain to the Arkansas Legislature during President Bill Clinton's term as Governor, as Chuck Colson's minister while pastor of Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, Virginia. Dr. Everett founded the John Leland Center for Theological Studies in Falls Church, Virginia.
Congressman Frank Wolf along with Dr. Everett founded the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative. The website for the initiative states "In the 19th Century, William Wilberforce led a slave abolition movement with great purpose and intentionality, and his work sparked revival. The 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative follows his model of theologically-rooted activism to stand with the persecuted and actively seek restoration of human dignity."
Dr. Everett earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas and his Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from the University of Richmond and Doctor of Humanities from Dallas Baptist University.
He resides in Texas with his wife, Sheila. They have two children and two grandchildren.
The 10:30 a.m. ceremony will include the Fred M. Hale School of Business, School of Christian Studies, School of Humanities, and the Frank S. Groner Endowed Memorial School of Professional Studies (Nursing). The 1:30 p.m. ceremony will include School of Education, School of Fine Arts, and School of Natural and Social Sciences.
A total of 126 will be receiving degrees, 111 bachelor's degrees and 15 master's degrees.
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 information, visit www.etbu.edu.