February 16, 2016
MARSHALL, Texas (2/16/16) - Officials with East Texas Baptist University and Marshall Independent School District, in partnership with the Marshall Educational Foundation announced on Thursday, Feb. 11, at Marshall High School the creation of "Maverick University." Beginning Fall 2016, ETBU will be offering nine dual credit college courses on the campus of MHS, which adds to the regular dual credit courses offered on the University campus.
"Maverick University is going to expand our current dual credit program, the availability and affordability for students to earn college credit, and this program will help reduce the barriers to college access for students," said Marshall ISD superintendent Dr Marc Smith.
MHS and ETBU have worked together for several years on providing dual credit opportunities for students but they had to go to the ETBU campus for classes. "Maverick University" will allow MHS students to remain on the high school campus where ETBU Faculty will come to teach the courses.
"This program is all about the students," said ETBU president Dr. Blair Blackburn. "We want to see the students lives changed. We want to see life transformation."
"These courses ETBU is offering will transfer to higher education institutions across the state of Texas. If the students achieve credit in the 27 hours that will be available, it will reduce the cost of their education, and will prepare them earlier for graduate school or the work force," added Dr. Blackburn.
Marshall High School principal Tina Brown sees Marshall University as a great opportunity for MHS students. She sees the program as removing some of the barriers that would keep a student from attending college.
"Many of our students have never had a parent go to college so they are a little intimidated of walking on a college campus. Maverick University is for them because they will be with their peers here on campus," Brown said. "Most of our junior and seniors don't have cars. Even if they truly wanted to go to the ETBU campus to take classes they could not. Maverick University allows them to get off the bus and go to their college class. Some students work to help provide for their families and this allows to take college classes at a very reasonable cost."
Under the Maverick University program, the classes will be offered to MHS students at $50 per semester hour, meaning the cost of a three-hour course is just $150. Through the new program, students will have the opportunity for a payment plan which will provide more opportunities for students who may be economically disadvantaged to participate.
Marshall Attorney Sam Baxter of McKool Smith, P.C. spoke on behalf of the Marshall Education Foundation. He recognized that the community had two giant educators in Marshall, Texas at the same time in Dr. Smith and Dr. Blackburn.
"This could not have happened if we alone at MISD had the vision to get it done unless ETBU bought in to the vision. ETBU not only said that they would help but will help financially and every way they can to make Marshall High students successful," said Baxter
In the Fall, four college courses will be offered, English 1301-Rhetoric and Composition, History 1301-U.S. History to 1877, Math 2301-Calculus I, and Math 1314-College Algebra. Five courses are on the schedule for Spring 2017. The five are English-Rhetoric and Composition II, Speech 1311-Speech Communication, Math 2302 Calculus II, Math 1342-Elementary Statistics, and History 1203-U.S. History since 1877.
ETBU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Tommy Sanders said, "We will evaluate the course offerings as juniors become seniors, we might make changes. The MHS student can take 27 hours on their campus but we will also work with them about taking courses on the ETBU campus as well."
"Maverick University is truly an example of community partners, with community stakes holders, and ETBU all coming together to improve the quality of education for the students of Marshall, Texas," said Dr. Smith.
ETBU will be partnering with other school districts and Christian schools to offer dual credit opportunities.