March 29, 2016
MARSHALL, Texas (3/28//16) – East Texas Baptist University President Dr. J. Blair Blackburn announces the appointment of Dr. Tommy Sanders as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
"Dr. Sanders is a gifted academic leader, committed to Christian scholarship and successful student learning. Dr. Sanders has a heart for serving our students. Every Sunday night he personally tutors a group of about 20 student athletes,” said Dr. Blackburn. “Whether he's serving his church with children's ministry on Wednesday nights or sacrificing his spring break to remodel a local home with our ETBU students, Tommy has a passion for giving himself away in service to others.”
Dr. Sanders has served at ETBU since June 2013. He moves from his present position as Vice President for Academic and Graduate Programs to the Chief Academic Officer position of the University. The Vicksburg, Mississippi native will also have the faculty appointment as Professor of Leadership and Religion. Dr. Sanders replaces Dr. Lawrence Ressler, who has served as both Interim Provost and Vice President for Vice President for Academic Affairs and Interim President since arriving at ETBU three years ago. Dr. Ressler will remain at ETBU until May 31, 2016 serving as the Special Assistant to the President.
Dr. Sanders came to ETBU after serving at Dallas Baptist University for seven years. At DBU, he was the Director of two graduate programs, Children’s Ministry and Family Ministry and an Associate Professor of Christian Education, Leadership, and Research. From 1996-2003, he served as the Director of Childhood Ministry Publishing for LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tenn.
"For the past three years, I have been incredibility impressed by the Christian Scholars who serve as faculty and academic leaders at ETBU. Their commitment to Christ is demonstrated daily in their service to our students,” Dr. Sanders said. “I am honored to serve them, our students, and our President, Dr. J. Blair Blackburn. Under Dr. Blackburn's leadership, I expect for the University to have unparalleled days of equipping leaders to learn, serve, and follow Christ."
He has served in the local church as a minister at Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas; Hyde Park Baptist Church, Austin; First Baptist Church, Waco; First Baptist Church, Hewitt; and Calvary Baptist Church, Waco, in the areas of preschool, children, youth, and families ministry. Dr. Sanders is a sought after speaker on ministry topics related to preschoolers, children, student, family and leadership development.
“ETBU has been fortunate to have Dr. Sanders faithfully serving in senior leadership at the University for the past three years. He and Treva love their Marshall community. Treva who grew up in Marshall returned with Dr. Sanders to her hometown in 2013. Treva serves as an elementary MISD school teacher, " Dr. Blackburn said.
Dr. Sanders earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership Studies degree in 2009 from Dallas Baptist University. He completed his undergraduate study at Baylor University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion degree in 1987. He earned a Master of Arts in Religious Education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1990.
Dr Sanders, and his wife Treva, have three grown children Katie, Jayne Claire, and Kyle.
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.