News - 2025

On Saturday, December 6, East Texas Baptist University celebrated the achievements of 177 graduates at its commencement ceremonies in Baker Chapel of the Rogers Spiritual Life Center. Guided by the University’s President, Dr. J. Blair Blackburn, the ceremony marked the conferral of degrees to 113 undergraduates, 62 master’s graduates, and two doctoral graduates. The event was filled with Scripture readings, songs of praise and worship, heartfelt prayers, and blessings bestowed upon the graduates.

East Texas Baptist University participated in its tenth annual Operation Christmas Child, an outreach program organized by Samaritan’s Purse. This ministry involves filling festive shoeboxes with small toys, school supplies, hygiene products, and other items sent to children worldwide as Christmas gifts and tangible reminders of God’s love for them. This year, ETBU also served as a designated drop-off location, inviting the community surrounding the University to join in sharing joy and hope with the world.

East Texas Baptist University has been awarded a $5,000 Shutdown Relief Grant from the Texas Hunger Offering, through the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, to support community members experiencing financial hardship. ETBU designated the full grant award to Mission Marshall, a local nonprofit ministry dedicated to addressing food insecurity and meeting essential needs in the Marshall community.

Two East Texas Baptist University seniors, Dominick Williams and Mackenzie Lawrence, have been selected to receive scholarships provided by the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (ICUT) Foundation and its national partner, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC).

East Texas Baptist University honored 97 graduating seniors with the presentation of their official ETBU Class Ring. The Ring Blessing ceremony was held on Wednesday, November 19, for the soon-to-be ETBU alumni who will walk the stage in December 2025. Inspired by Deuteronomy 6, the class ring serves as a symbol for ETBU alumni to carry and display the love of Christ throughout their lives.

ETBU Director of Alumni Relations, Cari Johnson (’94), shared a powerful chapel message on the transformative power of change.