April 29, 2026
East Texas Baptist University honored 158 graduating seniors by presenting their official ETBU Class Ring. The Ring Blessing ceremony was held Wednesday, April 29, for the soon-to-be ETBU alumni who will walk the stage in May 2026. Inspired by Deuteronomy 6, the class ring allows ETBU Alumni to carry and display the love of Christ.
“We are honored to celebrate and pray over our graduates at the East Texas Baptist University Ring Blessing Ceremony,” Katy Roberts, Director of Alumni Relations and Development said. "Each ring carries meaningful symbols that reflect their time on the Hill, and it is a joy to share this special moment with their families.”
Each ETBU Class Ring features the seal of East Texas Baptist, surrounded by the cornerstones of the University – Veritas, Mores, and Scientia, which translate from Latin to Truth, Character, and Knowledge. Significant icons of ETBU and the Christian faith are inscribed in the ring, such as the historic Marshall Hall, the Light on the Hill, Max Greiner's Divine Servant Statue, and the Bible. These symbols are meant to remind alumni of God's work in their lives and their transformational experience at East Texas Baptist University.
“My time at ETBU has meant so much to me,” senior mass communication major Luke Lucas said. “I am grateful to not only gain a great education but to do so at a place that puts Christ first. The relationships that I have made with my friends, professors, and people around campus will last a lifetime. When I look at my ring it reminds me of all of the hard work that it took to get to this point and how much I have dedicated to get where I am. It also reminds me of the commitment and sacrifices that my family and I have made to allow me to be here today.”
The ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of students during their time at ETBU and serves as a milestone for students leading up to commencement. As a token and gift of appreciation from the University to graduating seniors, the ETBU Class Ring symbolizes the University's blessing over students as they commence from ETBU to pursue their career callings. Associate Vice President for Enrollment & Administrative Affairs Scott McCurdy delivered a charge to the students, encouraging them as they prepare to leave the Hill and begin the next chapter of their lives. McCurdy challenged graduates to build a meaningful, Christ-centered legacy through daily faithfulness, perseverance, and intentional impact.
“The majority of the work that you will do will go unnoticed,” McCurdy said. “The majority of the things that you will spend your time doing will seem tedious and they will seem small, and you will be tempted to wonder, where is this grand calling that God has put on my life? But the example of Paul is that when we do that house to house, office to office, cubicle to cubicle, when we do that personal, high investment, high touch ministry, we can impact people for all eternity.”