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ALUMNI | GI VE | ARCHI VES
Connexus The purpose of Connexus is for the ETBU community to join together and celebrate our pursuit of excellence as we grow and build God’s kingdom in love. Based on Ephesians 4:16, Connexus is a day of celebration designed to honor all members of our community as contributors to advance the mission of East Texas Baptist University. Students enjoyed a break from classes with a full day of togetherness including a donut wall, authentic lei making, lunch, fairgrounds (with games, food, and archery tag), and finally the 2022 Connexus Luau!
2022 Major League Fishing National Champions! East Texas Baptist University's Bass Fishing Team are NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. ETBU Bass Fishing Team members, Cason Ragsdale and Kaden Proffitt won the 2022 Major League Fishing Abu Garcia College Fishing National Championship, presented by YETI. Two other ETBU Bass Fishing Team duos qualified for the MLF national championship tournament and did exceptionally well among the competitive field of college teams from across the United States. Cannon Bird and Jacob Keith finished in seventh place, and Cody Ross and Ethan Thurston came in thirty-second place. East Texas Baptist is the only college program in the national championship tournament to have two angler boats in the top 10. ETBU has been a program on the rise since starting the bass fishing program in 2017, and
qualified several boats over the past four years for the MLF National Championships. Congratulations to Cason and Kaden on their Major League Fishing National Title! We are so proud of Head Coach Cameron Burger and Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Bryan Thomas for building a national championship program for East Texas Baptist University.
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The Legacy of Teaching and Learning at Harvey Daniel Bruce Hall Harvey D. Bruce Hall was dedicated in 1956 and originally was the home to the president’s and vice president’s offices as well as the library. Named in honor of Dr. Harvey Daniel Bruce who served as the President of the institution from 1942-1960. In 2021, University leadership transformed Harvey D. Bruce Hall into an innovative learning and training facility for ETBU’s School of Education.
ETBU Provost Dr. Thomas Sanders recently shared, "We celebrate the lives that have been and will be changed through H.D. Bruce Hall and the Holy Ground of the callings that will continue to be equipped within its walls. We are grateful to the many who have followed in the Great Teacher's footprints by answering His call to serve through being an educator. My hope is that Dr. Bruce and the generations of Tiger teachers would be proud of this new milestone for the ETBU School of Education."
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Alumni Spotlight: Mark Sorensen (‘96) Mark Sorensen (‘96) was named Senior Pastor at The Woodlands Methodist Church
in June of 2021, where he has been used mightily by God since coming on staff as Associate Pastor in 2013. God has been preparing Mark for this leading role since he taught Junior High Sunday School as a volunteer at First Baptist Church of Marshall while working at the Marshall radio station KCUL. Mark jumped at the opportunity to serve as the Youth Minister at Marshall’s First United Methodist Church in 1996 and has been preaching Jesus ever since. Mark is passionate about discipleship and devoted to impacting his community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He and his wife Nycki (‘93) have two children, Nic who is married to Kristen, and Gabbi. We are so grateful that God used ETBU to help shape Mark’s calling to ministry and truly proud of the work that he has done to spread the Gospel throughout East Texas and The Woodlands.
You are invited to a night of patriotic music performed by the East Texas Baptist University Symphonic Band, Combined Choirs, and the Hilltop Singers as we honor the life and legacy of 1942 College of Marshall graduate Sam B. Hall, Jr. Hall served as United States Representative for the Texas 1st Congressional District from 1976-1985 and as the federal judge of the Texas Eastern District court in Marshall from 1985-1994.
Pillars of ETBU The Pillars of ETBU are East Texas Baptist University’s group of core, faithful, and committed monthly donors. East Texas Baptist University’s monthly giving program allows your gift to be deducted monthly from your debit card, credit card, or drafted from your bank account. Why become a Pi l l ar of ETBU? •
Support what’s important to you, on a schedule that fits your budget and fits your lifestyle. Becoming a Pillar of ETBU makes giving easier and more convenient. Consistent monthly gifts sustain and advance the ongoing Christ-centered mission of the University.
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Monthly giving is a great way to create a big impact as monthly gifts amount to significant contributions over time.
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As an alumnus or friend, an ongoing gift ensures that no matter how much else is changing your life, your commitment to ETBU always remains strong.
In the same way that the pillars provide strength and support to the various buildings on campus, members of the Pillars of ETBU bolster and fortify the Christ-centered mission and on-going work of the University through monthly giving.
BECOME A PILLAR TODAY
ETBU in the News Tigers Making Headlines
Progress: Sy nergy Park to Bri ng Li f e Back to Unused Bui l ding i n Downtown Marshal l East Texas Baptist University and the Marshall Economic Development Corporation have teamed up to bring life back to the old downtown First National Bank of Marshall building, located at 100 N. Bolivar St., through a planned project to create the school’s new Synergy Park. Read more.
ETBU Al umnus Peter Muri ungi (’ 98) Di scusses the Auto I ndustry in “ Dal l as Busi ness Journal .” Fred Hale School of Business M.B.A. graduate Peter Muriungi currently serves as the CEO of Chase Auto, a division of J.P. Morgan Chase. Peter oversees 1,800 employees in the Chase Auto division and was recently asked about challenges in the auto industry by the “Dallas Business Journal.” Read more.
East Tex as Bapti st Univ ersi ty Presents Lecture on ETBU' s F ounding ETBU Provost and Vice President Thomas Sanders, in partnership with the Harrison County Historical Museum, presented the story of East Texas Baptist University and how it came to be at Memorial City Hall on Friday, March 25. The lecture was part of the Harrison County Historical Museum’s Journey Stories Lecture Series. Read more.
ETBU Students Hel p F ami l i es i n Gi l mer I mpacted by Recent Storms Members of the ETBU football team and the ETBU tennis teams recently traveled to Gilmer to help with storm recovery following a tornado that caused extensive damage in Upshur County. Read more.
Stay in touch and share your news with your ETBU Family. Send your career accomplishments and family updates to alumni@ETBU.edu or click here to update your information.
For more information Dr. Scott Bryant Vice President for Advancement 903.923.2069 | sbryant@ETBU.edu Cari Walker Johnson (`94) Director of Alumni Relations 903.923.2043 | cjohnson@ETBU.edu Keli Sparks Gifts Coordinator 903.923.2071 | ksparks@ETBU.edu