News - 2026

East Texas Baptist University held its annual Convocation ceremony on Wednesday, September 9, welcoming students, faculty, and staff to officially launch the 2026–2027 academic year. Dr. Donna Hedgepath, President of Wayland Baptist University and a fellow leader within Christian higher education, joined the ETBU campus community as the event’s keynote speaker.

East Texas Baptist University welcomes 2,024 undergraduate and graduate students for the Fall 2026 semester, marking the first time in history that total enrollment for the University has exceeded 2,000 students. The Fall 2026 enrollment growth represents ETBU’s commitment to providing a Christ-centered education that equips students to live out their calling for the glory of God.

East Texas Baptist University’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program has earned accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

After a summer filled with travel, work, ministry, and new experiences, East Texas Baptist University students returned to Marshall to begin a new year on the Hill. The ETBU community welcomed new and returning Tigers to campus for the 2026–2027 academic year, which officially began August 17.

For move-in day, ETBU faculty, staff, and returning students filled the residence halls to welcome freshmen and transfer students and their families. Volunteers helped unload vehicles, carry boxes and belongings, and make the transition to campus life a little easier for each new Tiger.

East Texas Baptist University will welcome Grammy Award-winning worship leader Chris Tomlin and New York Times bestselling author and pastor Mark Batterson for Ignite: Lighting the Way with Song and Truth on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in ETBU’s Rogers Spiritual Life Center.

Designed as an evening of worship, biblical teaching, and encouragement, Ignite will bring together one of Christian music's most influential voices with one of today's leading Christian authors and communicators for a night centered on faith, hope, and the truth of God's Word.