February 7, 2024
East Texas Baptist University President J. Blair Blackburn met with school superintendents from across Harrison County to announce a new initiative aimed at empowering local students during a meeting on Tuesday, February 6. President Blackburn introduced the Harrison County Promise Scholarship, an endeavor designed for Harrison County’s top students to receive a Christ-centered higher education at ETBU.
The Harrison County Promise Scholarship, valued at $20,000 per academic year ($10,000 per semester for fall and spring semesters), underscores ETBU's commitment to providing the resources and support students need to succeed academically and professionally, while remaining in the community for their college education. With a total value of up to $80,000 over four consecutive years of enrollment at ETBU, this scholarship aims to provide affordable and accessible high-quality Christian education to outstanding 2024 Harrison County high school graduates.
"The Harrison County Promise Scholarship embodies our University's core commitment of enhancing community and serves as a symbol of our belief in the transformative power of Christ-centered education,” ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn said. “At ETBU, we believe that education should not be confined to the boundaries of campus but should extend to the communities we serve. By investing in local students through initiatives like the Harrison County Promise Scholarship, we are not just shaping individuals, we are shaping the future of our region’s workforce and economic development. This scholarship encourages our high-performing scholars and servant leaders to pursue their higher education here in our community."
The Harrison County Promise Scholarship is open to May/June 2024 high school graduates from Harrison County schools, including Elysian Fields High School, Hallsville High School, Harleton High School, Marshall High School, Waskom High School, Marshall Christian Academy, or home-schooled students with a permanent address in Harrison County. Karnack resident students who graduate from a Karnack partner high school are also eligible to apply. To be considered for the Harrison County Promise Scholarship, applicants must have a recalculated high school GPA of 3.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale and demonstrate Christian servant leadership through involvement in church, school, and community service.
“As always, Marshall ISD is honored to be in partnership with ETBU,” Marshall ISD Superintendent Dr. Richele Langley said. “For our MHS graduates to be able to attend ETBU on this amazing scholarship is a win-win for our students and our community. The students attending ETBU are receiving a first-class education, and I am grateful that even more of our MHS graduates will have the opportunity to do the same."
Superintendent of Waskom ISD, Rae Ann Patty commented, “We thank ETBU for their support to Harrison County students. This is an honor to partner with ETBU and continue the education of the best students in Harrison County. I am pleased many of our students will be able to stay close to home and continue their higher education experience here in Harrison County.”
While enrolled full-time at ETBU, recipients of the scholarship must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2, live in on-campus housing, participate in at least one on-campus student organization, engage in local community service through ETBU's Great Commission Center, and serve as an ambassador for ETBU.
"With the Harrison County Promise Scholarship, we are investing in the future of our communities by empowering talented students to pursue their educational goals," Vice President for Enrollment Jeremy Johnston said. "We look forward to welcoming the inaugural cohort of Harrison County Promise Scholars to our campus and supporting them on their academic journey to bachelor’s degree completion."
To learn more about the Harrison County Promise Scholarship, visit www.ETBU.edu/Promise.