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ETBU To Inaugurate Dr. J. Blair Blackburn as President

February 18, 2016

MARSHALL, Texas (2/15/16) - Dr. J. Blair Blackburn will be inaugurated as East Texas Baptist University's 13th president on Friday, February 19, 2016. The inaugural ceremony will be held in Baker Auditorium of the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center at 10:00 a.m. A reception will follow the ceremony in the Huffman Activities Area of the Ornelas Student Center.

The Welcome and Opening remarks will be voiced by Dr. Ben Raimer, Chair of the ETBU Board of Trustees. Dr. Raimer is a professor in the School of Medicine and Senior Vice President, Health Policy and Legislative Affairs, at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

The ceremony will include times of prayer, scripture reading, and singing.  A Prayer of Adoration and Thanksgiving will be given by Dr. Gail Linam, Academic Dean and Past Provost Dallas Baptist University.  The Scripture Reading will be offered by Dr. Gary Cook, Chancellor, Dallas Baptist University. Parker Blackburn, son of Dr. J. Blair Blackburn, will offer a Prayer of Blessing. Dr. Thomas Sanders, ETBU Provost, will conclude with a Prayer of Commitment.

Dr. Raimer will present the Symbols of Authority. The Inaugural Charge will be presented by Rev. Sam Dennis, Senior Pastor of Parkway Hills Baptist Church, Plano, Texas. Rev. Dennis has served Parkway Hills for 27 years.    

The investiture of Dr. Blackburn as the 13th president of ETBU will be led by Dr. Raimer and President Emeritus Dr. Bob E. Riley.

Dr. Blackburn was elected by the Board of Trustees on April 7, 2015. Dr. Blackburn is a graduate of Tyler Junior College and the University of Texas at Tyler. He holds a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Texas A&M-Commerce and a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration from Baylor University.

Before coming to ETBU, he served 20 years at Dallas Baptist University, including his role as executive vice president from 2002-2015. In his career, Dr. Blackburn also served in leadership posts at three other institutions of higher learning in East Texas, including the University of Texas at Tyler, Lon Morris College, and Paris Junior College. 

Dr. Blackburn and Michelle have three children: Taylor (23), Elizabeth Blair (18), and Parker (16).