November 2, 2026
East Texas Baptist University celebrated Homecoming 2026 by welcoming alumni and friends to on-campus festivities Friday, October 30, through Saturday, October 31. Leading up to Homecoming Weekend, ETBU Student Life held a variety of events for students, including Pumpkin Painting, Spooky Silent Disco, and Powder Puff Games. Homecoming Weekend commenced on Friday with the annual Homecoming Chapel service in Rogers Spiritual Life Center.
“Homecoming is a special time to reflect on the history of East Texas Baptist University and reconnect with generations of alumni,” Vice President for Executive Affairs Dr. Scott Bryant said. “It’s wonderful to see so many people return to the Hill to meet current students, reunite with friends, and enjoy the places and experiences that shaped their lives. Each Homecoming reminds us that while our campus continues to grow and change, the relationships formed here and the Christ-centered mission that unites our Tiger Family remain a lasting part of ETBU’s story.”
On Friday morning, ETBU students and alumni gathered for the annual Homecoming Chapel service to honor the 2026 Golden Blazers, Alumni Awards recipients, and Golden Lightkeeper Award recipient. Since the program’s inception in 2010, 109 members have been presented with ETBU’s traditional Golden Blazer in appreciation for generous financial support and countless volunteer hours to ETBU. The 2026 Golden Blazers are Charles Ray (’66) and Martha (Sanders) Freeman (attended 1965-1967), and Don S. Preston (’76). This year’s Alumni Awards honored Josiah Jones (’06) with the Unsung Hero Award, Jessica (Delgado) Jakubowski (’15) with the Young Alumnus Award, Janae (Schlabs) Shirley (’05, ’16) with the Alumni Achievement Award, and Jason Bell with the Blue and Gold Award. Following the Homecoming Awards Chapel, the class of 1976 was honored during the Golden Lightkeepers Luncheon in the Great Hall of ETBU’s Great Commission Center.
"To be recognized by a university that has shaped who I am is truly an honor," Jakubowski said. "When I think back to my time here on the Hill, so many memories come to mind. But where I truly developed was in my relationship with God. For the students sitting here today, my encouragement is this: don't get so caught up in where you think your life should be going that you're missing what the Lord is trying to teach you right now. I'm incredibly proud to be an ETBU alum, and I will always be grateful for the role this university has played in my life."
Alumna Bonita Gail (Skelton) Graham (’68) was honored with the Golden Lightkeeper Award, a distinction reserved for alumni who graduated over 50 years ago and have made lasting impacts in their vocations, churches, and communities. Graham dedicated 30 years to teaching elementary students in public and private schools. Since 2011, she has continued her passion for education by writing curriculum and teaching adult English as a Second Language (ESL) classes through First Baptist Church Conroe’s Literacy Ministry. A published author, Graham uses her gifts in English and Bible teaching to serve individuals from around the world. A proud mother of two and grandmother of three, she reflected on the lifelong impact her years at East Texas Baptist College made.
"It is always such a pleasure and a joy for me to return to this Hill," Graham said. "I have come back to this campus many times for homecomings, conferences, and reunions, and I've always been reminded of the Light of the Hill. Students, while you're here, build lots of good friendships. Do your very best in your academics. But most of all, focus on your relationship with Jesus. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you be who God desires for you to be. His daily calling for all of us is to love the Lord God with all our heart, all our mind, all our soul, and all our strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. And that, my friends, is the Light on this Hill."
During the two-day celebration, the Tiger Family enjoyed a variety of activities, including Tiger Tales with Toby and Tabby, Tiger Family Carnival and Tailgate, Decade Reunion Brunches, an ETBU Jazz Band Concert, the annual Late Night Breakfast, and several Tiger athletic competitions.
“It’s fun to be back here. This place absolutely changed my life,” Judy (Littlefield) Taylor (’76) said. “I know everybody says that. I think I’m the only one, and then I hear stories from others of how they were transformed by this University. East Texas Baptist College helped me become who God intended for Judy to be.”
The 2026 Homecoming Court was revealed during halftime of the Tiger Football game against McMurry University. The court featured Freshman Duke Eric Pigott and Duchess Ja’Maiya Mack; Sophomore Duke Zion McFaddon and Duchess Reagan Eilers; Junior Duke Mason Stancliff and Duchess Catherine DeLotto; and Senior Duke Jagger Stutchmann and Duchess Claire Sherwood. ETBU senior Clayton Darby was crowned the 2026 Homecoming King, and Annsleigh Stewart was crowned the 2026 Homecoming Queen.
Clayton Darby, a senior psychology major, is actively involved in campus life through his leadership, ministry, and academic pursuits. He is a member of the University Choir and Illuminare Choir, serves on the Psychology Research Team, and is a member of Psi Chi. Darby also serves as a Resident Assistant in Carlile Hall, a Men’s Ministry Leader, and a Chapel Worship Leader. His involvement with Tiger Camp includes serving as a leader in 2024, team captain in 2025, and co-coordinator in 2026. With multiple family members who have graduated from ETBU, Darby continues a family tradition of calling the Hill home.
“Being crowned Homecoming King is something I never thought would happen—it means so much,” Darby said. “ETBU has been so supportive of me. Academically, socially, and spiritually, I’ve been built up here in a way I did not previously think was possible. This place feels like home to me.”
Annsleigh Stewart, a senior worship studies major, is involved in campus life through residence life, worship, and music ministry. She serves as a Resident Assistant in Carlile Hall and as a Chapel Worship Leader, while also participating in the Lampsato Worship Band and University Choir. Outside of campus, she serves as a music intern at Oakland Heights Baptist Church in Longview. As a legacy student, Stewart represents a family with multiple generations of connections to ETBU.
“To be voted for by my peers and supported by not only my friends, but also by my University that has poured so much into me and my call to ministry, is really special,” Stewart said. “It’s amazing to see the way I’ve been encouraged to grow in my relationship with Christ and other people throughout my time here. It’s great to be at a University that supports me as a whole person.”