News

East Texas Baptist University held its Spring 2019 Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn presided over the ceremonies as 156 students received undergraduate degrees and 11 received graduate degrees, for a total of 167 graduates.

East Texas Baptist University hosted alumni, donors, and friends of the University at the Grand Opening of the ETBU School of Nursing and the new Marshall Grand in downtown Marshall on May 4. The event consisted of facility tours, recognition of donors, and a dedication ceremony.

East Texas Baptist University recognized Dr. John Sargent as the 2019 J. Ward Walker Lecturer on Wednesday, April 24. Each year, the ETBU Integration of Faith and Learning Committee acknowledges a faculty or staff member as the J. Ward Walker Honoree to lead the lecture series. During the University’s chapel service, Dr. Sargent reminded the ETBU community that Christians have the power to change the world.

East Texas Baptist University held the second annual Good Samaritan Luncheon on Thursday, April 25 to recognize Marshall Convention and Visitor Bureau Board Chair George Carter and Marshall City Commissioner-District 1 Gloria Moon for their servant leadership in Marshall. ETBU selected Carter and Moon to receive the Good Samaritan Award, inspired by the parable in Luke 10:25-37.

Dr. Cole Franklin received the International Public Debate Association (IPDA) 2019 Bennett Strange Coach of the Year Award at the IPDA National Championship Tournament and Convention on Tuesday, April 17 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Determined by a vote of all university programs attending the national tournament, the Coach of the Year award is presented to a debate director annually and honors the coach for his or her dedication to students, mentoring, debate education and pedagogy, and service to the association and debate community.