The unfinished walls of East Texas Baptist University’s new Chapel on the Hill were covered in heartfelt blessings of Scripture and prayers from ETBU faculty, staff, and community members on Monday, May 19. After an initial gift from the Ponder family of Marshall, the project, including Kenny Ponder Park, broke ground last August. Upon completion, the chapel and adjacent park will serve as a dedicated house of worship to focus on the power of prayer, the sanctity of biblical marriage, and the celebration of loved ones.

The University held a special “virtual” degree conferral for Spring 2020 ETBU graduates on Tuesday, May 19, at 10:00 a.m. The livestream event was available on all of ETBU’s social media accounts. Graduates also received a delivery of ETBU graduate gift boxes filled with regalia, and were encouraged to wear their cap and gown to take pictures commemorating their remarkable achievements of completing a bachelor’s or a master’s degree.

As East Texas Baptist University makes plans to begin the Fall 2020 semester, ETBU is striving to make quality, Christian education even more affordable and accessible amid the challenging economic times facing our country. East Texas Baptist is reducing the graduate tuition rate by 50% and expanding degree programs in order to serve and meet the increased needs for higher education in the East Texas region.

Several students from East Texas Baptist University’s School of Communication and Performing Arts were recognized as winners at the Dallas/Ft Worth Area chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).

Participants:

Haley Harmening, a senior worship studies major from Richmond, Texas, was crowned as the 64th Miss ETBU on Wednesday, April 22. Harmening, who is actively involved at ETBU and in the surrounding East Texas community, was selected from 8 contestants during the annual pageant sponsored by ETBU’s Student Government Association. Sophomore speech communication major Bailey Snow was selected as first runner up, and junior elementary education major Cayce Billingsley was selected as second runner up.