Dr. David Howard (’84) earned his Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Psychology here on the Hill, and would go on to also gain an MA in Theology with a Church History major from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and now holds a PhD from the University of Texas – Dallas in History of Ideas. Dr. Howard currently serves as a professor of History at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He and his wife, Shannon, class of ’85, have three children, all living their great lives. One is a software engineer in Toronto, another who just earned their MA in Library Science and currently serves in Washington, while the 3rd is fluent in Spanish and teaches English to medical professionals in Mexico. They enjoy living in the Valley now and traveling all around to visit family.
Since graduating in 1984, I have served on church staffs as an associate pastor at several churches. I returned to ETBU for about 5-6 years as Director of Admissions, Advising, and Retention. I then transitioned to full-time history faculty for one year. During these years, we restored the old Solomon family house on North Grove and converted it into a bed and breakfast.
Life then presented an opportunity to join a start-up centered on organic microbial agriculture products. The company makes crop inputs for farmers to replenish biological life in their soil and serve as a bridge to more environmentally responsible agriculture. I still consult for this company.
After about 10 years, I really missed the classroom and the field of education. I obtained my public-school teacher certification and served in Mesquite ISD for 12 years. While teaching in Mesquite, I also served as adjunct faculty at Dallas College and LeTourneau University (I still adjunct for LETU). While teaching in Mesquite, I earned my PhD, which then provided an opportunity to return to higher education in a full-time capacity. Then the door opened at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
My small hometown of Danbury had a train of students a few years older than me who went to ETBC, and I followed along. At that time, we had the "holy trinity" of Dr. Donald Potts, Dr. Franklin Atkinson, and Dr. Bruce Tankersley. I think I had at least 18 hours with each of them, and they all had a tremendous impact on me.
Dr. Tankersley had the greatest impact through his New Testament and Greek classes. One day, in his office in 1981, a long-term dream ignited in me. He made the comment, "David, you have the ability to go all the way and get a PhD." I had to ask him, “What is a PhD?” Throughout the years and especially in the trials of earning a PhD while working full-time in more than one job, his words rang in my ears. As I walked the stage for the hooding, Tank's words were in my head. I was fortunate to locate him and thank him personally after earning the degree. He said he told me that because someone had told him the same thing.
My main alumni connections remain through the Shuman family from Danbury, who sent all 6 of their family to ETBU. Two others, Rodney Woo and Mike Lawson, both remain two of my dearest friends after all these years. We enjoy an annual event when we get together and play some golf.
I remember the faculty most, and the life-changing worldview they helped create in me. I worked in the cafeteria for four years and enjoyed it immensely. A lot of camaraderie. Intramural sports and our BB40 versus the Danger Rangers! Of course, BB40 won! Then there were the pranks on campus when the security guard got off at 3:00 AM. Too many secrets there.
The religion faculty helped instill in me ways to think critically about something for which I cared deeply. This only strengthened my faith while opening my mind to looking at various perspectives of truth.
To current Tigers, the world is the world. Jesus even said that we will have trials in this world, but take heart because He has overcome the world. At this point in history, various competing diplomatic and political forces try to shape the world according to their perspective. I would encourage the students to remember the teachings of Christ. I sum up his teachings as "human first." All humans need food, water, shelter, and healthcare. No matter if others are our personal or philosophical enemies, they are human. Treating others within our social-relational realm, no matter who they are, as Christ did, will change us and potentially the person. Human first must become our approach to every social encounter throughout our day.