Homecoming Awards

Jack Terell and his wife, Tammy, both grew up in the Houston area and attended the same high school. They reconnected after graduation at a singles skating event hosted by Sagemont Church and were married in 1981.

Jack cherishes his years as a “Tiger” at ETBU, for it was during those years from 1988-1991 that God shaped his heart to follow His Son and focused his calling upon reaching the next generation for the cause of Christ. Jack's passion for discipleship was shaped and developed while under Dr. Donald Potts, Dr. Bruce Tankersley, Dr. Bob Utley, Dr. David White, and Dr. Lynn New’s spiritual leadership. These men invited him into their lives to do ministry, and he considers it a turning point for him. His studies moved from hearing lectures to joining in and experiencing ministry. Jack is eternally grateful to all the faculty and staff, for he is what he is today, due in part to the love, care, and ministry of those who lived Jesus in the classroom, on campus, and in life.

During Jack's time on staff at First Baptist Church (FBC) Bossier in Bossier City, Louisiana, Jack and Tammy were blessed to adopt their only daughter, Kristen, in 1994. While serving as Minister to Children at FBC Bossier, they fell in love with the community and fondly refer to their years there as their time on the "foreign mission field." As a family, they enjoy snow skiing in the winter and taking walks on the beach in the summer. They are also avid skeet shooters.

In 2000, they moved to Euless, Texas, where Jack served as Pastor of Children and Preschool at FBC Euless. It was during this period that he felt called to take their children’s ministry beyond the church walls. In 2003, they piloted Beach Club®, an after-school preteen version of the Good News Clubs. With support and encouragement, they officially filed for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2005, and KiDs Beach Club® was launched in 2006 as an after-school Bible club designed to give every preteen boy and girl a "Jesus experience."

Since its inception, KiDs Beach Club® has reached over 119,900 children, equipped more than 25,900 adult volunteers, and distributed over 75,900 KiDs Beach Club Study Bibles—provided at no cost to the children. Partner churches have recorded over 10,020 professions of faith, all for the glory of God.

In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread school closures across the United States, the organization adapted by launching “Beach Club at HOME,” which garnered over 10,000 recorded views. The following year, KBC TV® was established, producing 55 episodes across three seasons and earning nineteen Telly Awards and three international accolades. Today, KiDs Beach Club® content is available to families across the United States and, by God's grace, is reaching kids and families worldwide.

Dr. Judson LaGrone grew up in Fannett, Texas. He is an experienced emergency and certified cardiac/electrophysiology nurse, educator, and leader. He recently graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch nursing Ph.D. program, earning recognition as an Interprofessional Scholar and receiving multiple awards, including the UTMB SON Alumni Student Leader Award, PhD Leadership Award, and PhD Scholarship Award. Dr. LaGrone is an Assistant Professor at Lamar University JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing, where he actively teaches and mentors students in leading and managing, evidence-based practice, integration to professional practice, and research courses. He is also a Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing member and a certified Cardiovascular Registered Nurse (CVRN-BC). His research background focuses on self-identified traumatic events among critical care nurses and the effects of the work culture.

In June 2024, Dr. LaGrone celebrated his tenth wedding anniversary to his wife, Dr. Frankie LaGrone. Together, they have an energetic and loving family with a three-year-old, Jude, and four fur babies, Daisy, Honey, Millie, and Ziggy. The family enjoys neighborhood and nature walks, beach time, fishing, and hunting. As a couple, the LaGrones enjoy traveling to experience new cultures, sites, and cuisines. They also take pleasure in finding good deals while antique and thrift shopping. 

After graduating from East Texas Baptist University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Dr. LaGrone began his nursing career as an Emergency Room (ER) nurse at St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital in Bryan, Texas. In 2014, Dr. LaGrone became a travel ER nurse in Southern California while his wife, Frankie, attended podiatry school. He later transitioned to becoming a Cardiac Catheterization and Electrophysiology (EP) nurse at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center in Pomona, California. He then completed the Nurse Educator track program at Texas A&M University in 2017. 

In 2019, he returned to Texas and began working as a Baylor Scott and White Medical Center - Temple staff nurse. Shortly after transitioning to Nurse Manager of the Cardiac Cath and EP Procedural Area, Dr. LaGrone was nominated by the department staff for the Daisy Nurse Leader Award.

Over the years, Dr. LaGrone has served as an adjunct and full-time faculty member for several nursing programs, including Texas A&M, Chaffey College, and Lamar State College-Orange. In 2022, he returned to Southeast Texas to educate nursing students and serve his community through the American Cancer Society’s Southeast Texas Cattle Baron Ball, the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Young Professional Association, the Hamshire-Fannett Education Foundation and FFA Alumni Association, Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, and the United Way Day of Caring.

Dr. Catherine (Cooke) Crawford knew that ETBC was the college for her from the first time she stepped foot on the campus as a high school junior. Dr. Crawford recalls that life was peaceful on the campus, and young people came to ETBC looking for an opportunity to learn from faculty and staff what it was to serve the Lord in all avenues of life.

Dr. Crawford retired from East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) in 2016, where she served as Vice President of Advancement. Over the course of her career, she has held various key roles in higher education and nonprofit organizations. She was the Director of Development for The Salvation Army and later served as Executive Director of Foundation and Development at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Additionally, Dr. Crawford worked at LeTourneau University as Supervisor of Student Accounts and was involved in accounting and tax services with Crawford & Co.

George Moore, a 1971 graduate of East Texas Baptist College (ETBC), has dedicated over five decades to education. He began his career as a biology teacher at Texas High School with the Texarkana Independent School District in 1971. Throughout his 47-year tenure, he served as Assistant Principal at Westlawn Middle School, Principal at Fifteenth Street (Theron Jones) Elementary School and Pine Street Middle School, and Assistant Superintendent for Campus Operations. In 2002, while serving in his role as Assistant Superintendent, he was asked to take on additional duties as Principal of Texas Middle School and later returned part-time to oversee Alternative Education after his retirement.

George credits his education at ETBC for preparing him for a career in education through a combination of a rigorous academic program, practical experience, and a strong emphasis on integrating faith with professional practice. He was equipped to approach his profession with a sense of mission, purpose, and a commitment to serving others in a Christ-centered environment.

George and his wife, Carolyn C. Moore, have been married since 1974 and will celebrate their 50th anniversary in December 2024, God willing. Carolyn, also an educator, retired after 38 years of service, during which she worked as a high school senior counselor and Coordinator of Student and Staff Advancement. The couple has one son, Chaddrick Preston Moore, who holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Stephen F. Austin State University and a master’s in business from Texas A&M University in Texarkana. Chaddrick currently serves as the Director of Multimedia Production and Services at Texarkana College.

  Harold and Mildred Sadler, from Henderson, Texas, believe in the mission of Christ-centered education.  The Sadlers are passionate about supporting students as they prepare for God’s call on their lives.  The Sadlers support Christ-centered education because they are convinced that all followers of Christ have a role to play in representing Christ in the world.  The Sadlers are active in mission endeavors throughout the world and support Christ-centered organizations working around the globe.

Linda Massey, a 1970 graduate of East Texas Baptist College (ETBC), was the first in her family to attend and graduate from college. Despite financial challenges and encouragement to pursue secretarial school, she paid for her education through her own hard work and savings. Linda chose ETBC for its Christian values and small campus environment, which she cherished from the moment she arrived.

With a lifelong passion for teaching, she went on to serve as an educator for 37 years at Seagoville High School in the Dallas Independent School District, where she taught U.S. History, Government, Economics, and Geography, with Advanced Placement U.S. History as her primary focus. She also sponsored the Student Council and Yearbook during her tenure.

Her time at ETBC, particularly under the guidance of Dr. Clarence Williams in Secondary Education, provided her with the tools and methods to succeed as a dedicated teacher. Linda’s career was not only about teaching content but also about mentoring students to reach their full potential. In retirement, she continues her passion for education and service as a docent at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, where she has been for over 13 years, engaging with visitors from around the world.