ALUMNI | GIVE | ARCHIVES
Dedication of Carlile Hall East Texas Baptist University has renamed the largest student residence hall on campus in honor of Steve and Penny Carlile. Originally named Centennial Hall to mark the institution’s 100-year anniversary in 2012, the modern student residential facility will now be called Steve and Penny Carlile Hall in recognition of the Carliles’ Christian servant leadership and recent major gift to the University. The generous contribution and institutional investment from Steve and Penny Carlile supported building enhancements, lighting improvements, interior renovations, and landscaping additions throughout and around the 125,000square-foot freshman student residence hall. “I am so pleased that God provided this major gift of support to ETBU through Steve and Penny Carlile, and we look forward to having their legacies and names engraved on the campus of ETBU,” ETBU President Dr. J. Blair Blackburn said. “Steve and Penny Carlile Hall
will reflect the Christian commitment, community leadership, and Kingdom legacy of the Carlile family. We are grateful for the Carliles’ Christian faith, business history success, family relationships, and service in the community along with their generosity to ETBU.”
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Photo Gallery
ETBU Celebrates Record Spring Enrollment The Spring 2024 enrollment highlights include the highest spring enrollment in university history, with a total of 1,657 students, an increase of 6.2% surpassing the previous high of 1,560 enrolled in Spring 2023. "We are thrilled to witness such significant growth in our enrollment numbers for the Spring 2024 semester,” President J. Blair Blackburn said. “This record-breaking achievement is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, and the vibrant community here at ETBU. We remain committed to providing a transformative Christ-centered educational experience for all Tiger students."
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ETBU Hosts Annual Spiritual Renewal Event for Campus Community ETBU recently concluded its annual Spiritual Renewal 2024 event, held on campus from January 29 to January 31. The event featured guest speaker Lance Shumake, Teaching Pastor and Elder for Crosspoint Community Church in Rockwall, Texas, along with Music Minister David Berryhill (’94) from First Baptist Church of Kilgore, who led worship alongside ETBU’s student worship band. The event’s theme, "All Things New," drew inspiration from Isaiah 43:16-19.
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Alumni Spotlight | Panissa (Dor) Williams ('07) “I was looking for a university that focused on Christ,” Panissa (Dor) Williams (’07) reflects on the campus tour she took at ETBU in 2004. “The feeling of community” she experienced as a first impression proved to be exactly what she was looking for and continues to serve her today. “I am still friends with people who attended ETBU with me. My best friend and I still talk almost every day.” Mrs. Williams currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Product Development for Clavél Corporation, a cosmetic manufacturer of quality Health & Beauty products. “ETBU really taught me how to work hard and press forward. I was dedicated to my classes and I believe I took the same level of dedication into my career.” In her current fast-paced
environment, Mrs. Williams says she “believes in approaching everyone and every situation with the sincere kindness that was shown to her at ETBU.” During her years on the Hill, many individuals made lasting impacts. Panissa says this about her academic advisor, “He made me feel like I could exceed at anything I wanted to do, and I would go to him to seek advice about classes, grades, career choices, etc. He was so approachable and always willing to help where he could.” Reflecting back on all her experiences at ETBU, Panissa shares, “Everything seemed approachable. The professors, the dreams you may have, as well as being involved in various student organizations and clubs. At ETBU, you were really seen as an individual and everyone wanted to contribute to your success.”
Additional Spotlights
ETBU to Host Good Samaritan Award and Student Scholarship Banquet East Texas Baptist University will host the Good Samaritan Award and ETBU Scholarship
Banquet on Tuesday, February 27, at 6:00 pm at the Great Commission Center on ETBU’s campus. The event will be a celebration of community service and academic excellence, featuring the Thomas Whitfield Davidson Foundation as the 2024 Good Samaritan Award
recipient. The Honorable Dr. Rodney Gilstrap, Chair of the Thomas Whitfield Davidson Foundation, will accept the award and deliver the keynote address. Inspired by the parable in Luke 10:25-37, East Texas Baptist University bestows the Good Samaritan Award upon individuals and organizations that exemplify the spirit of the second greatest commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Honorees are selected and recognized with the Good Samaritan Award for their display of servant leadership in the community and beyond. Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are available to the public. For more information and to register, please visit www.etbu.edu/GoodSamaritan or contact the ETBU Office of Advancement at 903.923.2071. Learn More
Light the Way: ETBU Student Scholarship Initiative
ETBU is embarking on a new campaign to raise scholarship support for students who are called to be educated and equipped at ETBU. The Light the Way: ETBU Student Scholarship Initiative will provide dedicated Christian servant leaders, academic achievers, and aspiring students with demonstrated financial need the opportunity to receive a transformative Christ-centered education at ETBU. Through this initiative, alumni and friends of the University can partner with East Texas Baptist University by investing in the Christian Leadership Scholarship, Academic Scholarship, or Need-Based Scholarship programs. Learn more at www.ETBU.edu/LightTheWay.
ETBU in the News Tigers Making Headlines
CASL
ETBU recently hosted this year's annual Christian Association of Student Leaders (CASL) Conference. ETBU student leaders joined together with representatives from the University of Mary HardinBaylor, Hardin-Simmons University, Howard Payne University, Houston Christian University, Oklahoma Baptist University, and Dallas Baptist University for worship, breakout sessions, and round table discussions. Read more.
ETBU Baseball impacts the Dominican Republic
ETBU Baseball served the people of the Dominican Republic as part of the Tiger Athletic Mission Experience (TAME), December 10-16. Throughout the sevenday mission trip, the team showcased their passion for baseball and displayed God’s love by engaging with the local community through service projects. Read more.
ETBU Office of Advancement Dr. Scott Bryant Vice President for Advancement and Administration 903.923.2069 | sbryant@ETBU.edu Scott McCurdy Assistant Vice President of Advancement and Administration 903.923.2830 | smccurdy@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 Chad Cox ('11) ('16) Development Officer Director of Career Counseling and Placement Services 903.923.2330 | ccox@ETBU.edu