September 12, 2025
East Texas Baptist University held its annual Convocation Chapel service on Wednesday, September 10, welcoming students, faculty, and staff into Baker Chapel for a time of worship, prayer, and commissioning to officially launch the 2025-2026 academic year. Retired U.S. Navy Captain and retired NASA Astronaut Captain Barry E. “Butch” Wilmore delivered the keynote address to the campus community and friends of the University.
“This morning, we share our gratitude for one of America’s patriots and heroes in retired NASA Astronaut and United States Navy Pilot, Captain Barry E. “Butch” Wilmore,” President J. Blair Blackburn said. “We are honored today to welcome Captain Wilmore and his wife, Deanna, as he shares his testimony of faith and journey in life. Captain Wilmore is a man of profound Christian character, valiant and courageous service, and steadfast leadership. We are so happy to have the Wilmores’ daughter, Daryn as an ETBU Tiger student and leader among our campus community. Captain Wilmore often speaks how his strength comes from His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Captain Willmore’s life reflects the faithfulness of leading with integrity at home, in the field of battle, and in the exploration of space. As our nation approaches the 250th Anniversary of its founding, the sacrificial service of Captain Wilmore stands as a powerful reflection of the values and vision that have shaped America’s enduring legacy of freedom and liberty.”
Captain Wilmore is one of only two NASA Astronauts in the history of human spaceflight to fly aboard five different spacecraft (Space Shuttle, Soyuz, International Space Station, Boeing Starliner, SpaceX Dragon). To date, Wilmore has spent over 31 hours outside the International Space Station on his five spacewalks and a total of 464 days in space. He and his wife, Deanna, have two daughters, Daryn and Logan. Over the past decade, Wilmore has made numerous trips to Central and South America on mission trips spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ in cities, rural areas, prisons, and in villages along the Amazon River.
“The world wants to say you're a bunch of random molecules that came together by chance,” Captain Wilmore said. “That's what the world tells you. But this Book [Bible] says you are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of the Almighty God. This Book is true. This Book is all sufficient, and it leads you to the path of righteousness. You can believe it.”
Through Convocation, the University reminds students of the Christ-centered mission of ETBU and God's purposes for each Tiger student by sharing the values, core commitments, and traditions of the institution.
“Convocation, in its nature, celebrates a new beginning,” Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas Sanders said. “I want to challenge you to see this semester as a fresh start. Scripture reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that in Christ, we are new creations. This semester gives us the chance to embrace a new experience. This is an opportunity to honor God in new and meaningful ways.”
Convocation also included the annual dedication of ETBU's undergraduate classes. Overseen by Assistant Provost Ms. Elizabeth Ponder, this student-led commisioning featured Scripture readings over each class, encouraging them to embrace the year ahead with faith and perseverance. Students also joined together to recite a commitment, pledging to let their light shine and glorify God through their academic work and campus life.
“My hope and prayer for our students this year is that they would lean into the calling that God has placed on their lives by learning together, challenging their own thinking, serving their community, and loving God and their neighbors with their whole heart,” Ponder said.
Following Convocation, members of the campus community and friends of ETBU joined the Wilmore family for a special luncheon, where he reflected on his experiences with the U.S. Navy and NASA. During his remarks, Wilmore recounted a powerful moment from a spacewalk:
“I'm taking all of this in, I raised that visor, and that reflection I see, yep, it was really me in there. It's one of those moments you go, ‘Lord, how did I get here?’ I know that the Lord is the one who allowed me the opportunity to be in space, in that moment. He allowed me to have that desire in my heart, and it's a memory that has stuck with me, and it's a special, glorious, worshipful moment in my life, in a very unique place. I can't help but just give God the glory for every bit of it.”