July 15, 2016
MARSHALL, Texas (07/12/16) - East Texas Baptist University awarded the first four winners of the ETBU Hispanic Christian Servant Leadership Scholarship on June 28. The four scholarships are a partnership between ETBU and the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas. These scholarships cover 50 percent of the recipients' tuition and full room and board throughout the student's undergraduate degree.
"I am so excited about this new collaboration between East Texas Baptist University and the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas," Executive Director of the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas Jesse Rincones said. "The new Hispanic Christian Servant Leader Scholarships are a timely investment that will not only help our students to 'love the Lord their God with all their mind,' but will bless the lives of those who are increasingly having an impact in Texas and beyond."
The inaugural recipients of the ETBU Hispanic Christian Servant Leader Scholarship are Esteban Chairez, from Primera Iglesias Bautista de Athens, Mirtha Mendoza from Central Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Josue Morales from First Baptist Church in Marshall, and Cleopatra Olivarez from Hillcrest Baptist Church in Cedar Hill.
"I am beyond blessed and honored to be a representative of my heritage and my faith through this scholarship," ETBU Senior and scholarship recipient Mirtha Mendoza said. "I thank God for His direction and the University for finding me worthy."
According to the Texas Comptroller, Texas Hispanics account for over 95 percent of the state's population growth under age 18 in the last fifteen years. This scholarship represents a collaboration to aid these youth to become leaders in their community.
"This scholarship is designed to help outstanding young Hispanic students continue their education as they prepare for God's call on their lives," ETBU Vice President for Spiritual Development Scott Bryant said. "This is the first year of what we hope will be a long standing partnership between ETBU and the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas."
University Provost Dr. Tommy Sanders and Dr. Bryant introduced the scholarship recipients, two male and two female students for 2016-2017 academic year, to the crowd at the introductory session of the annual meeting of the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas held at Park Cities Baptist Church at the end of June.
"The churches of the Hispanic Baptist Convention are making a big impact in their communities across the state," ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn said. "We are thrilled to offer the ETBU Hispanic Christian Servant Leader Scholarships to four students who have been active servant leaders in their congregations. We look forward to the contribution Esteban, Mirtha, Josue, and Cleopatra will make on the ETBU campus and in our community."