Homecoming Awards

Mr. Stephen Akin (’73) graduated from East Texas Baptist College with a Bachelor of Music degree, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey in ministry and service. It was on the Hill that he met the love of his life, Carla Greer, who earned her degree in Elementary Education and later pursued advanced studies in Special Education at Texas Woman’s University. The two were married in 1970 and began serving together at First Baptist Church Jefferson, where Stephen was minister of music while completing his studies.

After graduation, the Akins moved to Fort Worth, where Stephen earned his Master of Church Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Over the next several decades, he faithfully served as minister of music at Baptist churches across Texas—including congregations in Lubbock, San Marcos, Lewisville, and Athens—while he and Carla raised their three sons: Paul, Jacob, and Matthew.

In time, Stephen’s heart for missions deepened, leading him to transition from music ministry to become the Minister of Missions at First Baptist Church Athens, a role he fulfilled with joy and dedication until his retirement in 2023.

Akin credits East Texas Baptist College for nurturing his call to ministry and instilling a culture of service that shaped his life’s work. Influenced by professors such as Dr. Arlis Hiebert, Dr. Robert Wright, and Dr. Charles Sharp, he developed a vision for leading others in worship and mobilizing churches for missional service.

Reflecting on his journey, Akin offers this encouragement to today’s ETBU students: “Serve the Lord with gladness. Stand firm, let nothing move you, and give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Dr. Randal O’Brien (’85) describes his career as a series of “acts of faith,” each step guided by God’s provision and a willingness to pursue new horizons. A first-generation college student and the eldest of four boys, Dr. O’Brien was raised in Houston in a home that valued hard work, faith, and community service. After initially following in his father’s footsteps as a welder’s apprentice, a friend’s encouragement led him to consider college athletics. When ETBU Basketball Coach Dr. Jim Webb called to offer him a tryout, O’Brien felt immediately drawn to “the Hill,” where the care and encouragement of coaches and professors transformed the course of his life.

At ETBU, mentors like Dr. Brenda Morris, Dr. Rutledge McClaran, Dr. Bill Tankersley, and Dr. Jim Webb instilled in him a lifelong commitment to faith, perseverance, and servant leadership. Working multiple jobs while earning his business degree, O’Brien discovered that the lessons learned from the Marshall community were as formative as those found in the classroom.

Following graduation, he pursued education as his calling—earning his teaching certification, Master of Education, and Doctor of Educational Leadership. Now serving as Superintendent of a suburban Houston school district, Dr. O’Brien remains dedicated to empowering students to see life through a broader lens, believe in their own potential, and pursue their God-given purpose.

Reflecting on his time at ETBU, Dr. O’Brien shares, “It was more than going off to college—it was receiving an education about life.”

Mac Abney of Marshall Texas, received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University in 1973. He is a certified public accountant and the president of Abney and Company, PLLC. Mr. Abney is married to his wife Claudia, and together they have two children and five grandkids. He is a an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, Texas Association of Sports Officials, Texas Forestry Association, a board member of the Marshall Harrison County Joint Airport Zoning Board, the Harrison County Soil and Water Conservation District, USDA, and is in the TSTC Foundation representing East Texas and Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation as Chairman of Region III. Mr. Abney is a past president of the Harrison County Housing Finance Corporation, the Sabine River Authority, and the Harrison County Airport Advisory Committee, director and secretary of the Turney Foundation, the Slaughter Foundation, the Pelz Foundation, and secretary of the Fern Lake Cub.

Joshua Zamora (’10) is a corporate professional with nearly fifteen years of experience in the upstream and midstream sectors of the energy industry, serving both domestic and international markets. He and his wife of ten years reside in Cypress, Texas, where they are raising their three children.

Before transferring to East Texas Baptist University in 2009, Zamora attended Henderson State University and Tyler Junior College, playing football throughout his collegiate career. Drawn to ETBU through a conversation with Coach Zac Bryant, he found in the Hill not only the place to complete his final year of NCAA eligibility but also a university whose Christ-centered values and academic rigor would shape his life and career.

Zamora earned his business degree from the Fred Hale School of Business, where professors such as Dr. Scott Bryant, Dr. Kathleen Mays, and Dr. Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver made a lasting impact on his academic and spiritual growth. The university’s nurturing environment encouraged him to excel both in the classroom and on the field, culminating in his recognition on the Dean’s List.

Reflecting on his ETBU experience, Zamora credits the University with helping him cultivate leadership, integrity, and perseverance—qualities that continue to guide his professional journey. “The Hill created a pathway for me to harness and channel my work ethic,” he shares. “ETBU instilled in me the belief that I can accomplish anything I set out to achieve.”

To today’s students, Zamora offers this encouragement: “Believe in yourself. God has a unique plan for your life that cannot be replicated or replaced. The foundation you build at ETBU will empower you to transform your potential into a life of purpose and impact.”

Laura (Hopkins) Sammons (’98) has dedicated her career to excellence in both the legal and education fields. She and her husband, Nick, live in Pearland, Texas, where they are raising five children and serve actively in youth and music ministries at Parkway Church.

After graduating from East Texas Baptist University with a Bachelor of Music Education, Laura earned her law degree from the University of Houston. Over the next fifteen years, she built a successful career as an attorney, holding positions with major corporations and government entities. Most recently, she served as Head of Litigation Prevention and Management for CEVA Logistics, overseeing complex legal operations across North America.

In 2025, Laura followed a long-held calling to return to teaching. She now serves as Choir Director at Pearland Junior High East, sharing her love of music with students, including two of her own children.

Laura credits ETBU for shaping her faith, confidence, and work ethic. A University Scholars recipient, she recalls professors Henry Hood, Dr. Claire Rodgers, and James “Jim” Moore as key influences in her academic and spiritual growth. “ETBU wasn’t just a university—it was a community that shaped who I am today,” she reflects.

She encourages current students to trust God’s direction for their lives, sharing, “God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. Lean into His plan for your life—He will take you further than you can dream.”

Jeanne (Gibbs) Gray (’70) devoted more than four decades to shaping young minds as an elementary educator, teaching primarily first through third grades, with a special love for second grade. A lifelong learner, she earned her Master’s Degree in Library Science and spent her 41-year career fostering a love for reading and learning among her students.

Jeanne was married to the late Otha D. “Dee” Gray Jr., a respected math teacher whose own 49-year career reflected their shared dedication to education. Together, they raised two daughters who followed in their parents’ footsteps: Barbara Kunkel, who teaches alongside her husband, Dr. Curtis Kunkel, at the University of Tennessee at Martin, and Dee Anne Rivas, a preschool teacher married to Captain Andrew Rivas of the U.S. Navy. Jeanne is also the proud grandmother of three—Peyton, Cooper, and Raven—each a source of great joy.

Her journey to East Texas Baptist College began with a Young Women’s Auxiliary (YWA) meeting in 1966, which sparked her decision to attend. While at ETBC, she was profoundly influenced by Dr. Rutledge McClaran, who guided her through math courses with patience and encouragement. “He promised he would help me get through math,” she recalls. “Because of his support, I was able to have a career helping young students like he helped me.”

Jeanne cherishes lifelong friendships formed on the Hill and remains deeply connected to her classmates through reunions and the Hilltop News. Reflecting on her college years, she says ETBC provided both academic and spiritual growth in a nurturing environment.

To today’s students, Jeanne offers this advice: “Get involved and enjoy every moment. Your time at ETBU is short, but the memories and friendships you make will last a lifetime.”