May 3, 2016
MARSHALL, Texas (5/03/16) – East Texas Baptist University announces that René Maciel, president of Baptist University of the Americas, will be the keynote speaker for Spring Commencement. Maciel also serves as the Baptist General Convention of Texas President. ETBU will hold two commencement ceremonies, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, May 7, in Baker Chapel of the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center.
Maciel has been president of BUA since 2007. BUA is the only university in the country specially committed to training cross cultural Christian leaders of the Hispanic context. He was elected BGCT President during the annual meeting held last November in Frisco. The BGCT has approximately 5,300 cooperating churches and more than 2 million members.
For more than 25 years, Maciel has invested his life to serve in higher education and administration with Baptist institutions such as Hardin-Simmons University, Baylor University, New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home, and Truett Seminary.
Maciel has been instrumental in the increases in enrollment and financial support at BUA. A decade ago the university had fewer than 50 students. Today, more than 300 men and women are enrolled in Biblical and Theological Studies, Spanish, Business Leadership, Music, and Human Behavior. Over 500 students are enrolled in the school’s Baptist Bible Institutes located primarily in Texas but also reach across the United States to South Africa, India, and Mexico.
The Tucumari, New Mexico native is a graduate for Hardin-Simmons University with a Bachelor of Behavior Science degree. Maciel earned his Master of Science in Education degree from Baylor University. His honors include the Religion Award, one of the Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Awards presented by the San Antonio La Prensa Foundation. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from both the Logsdon School of Theology at HSU and from the HSU Alumni Association.
The 10:30 a.m. ceremony will include the Fred M. Hale School of Business, School of Communication and Performing Arts, School of Natural and Social Sciences, and Nursing. The 1:30 p.m. ceremony will include School of Education, School of Christian Studies, School of Humanities, and Professional Studies.
A total of 149 students will be receiving degrees, 132 bachelor’s degrees and 17 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.