ETBU Celebrates "Home on the Hill" Keeping the health and safety guidelines put in place to protect the well-being of our students, East Texas Baptist University refashioned its traditional Homecoming celebration into a “Home on the Hill� week of festivities. Each day of the week-long event included engaging student life activities that provided on-campus ETBU students with fun ways to safely celebrate what it means to be a Tiger. Read more.
ETBU Students Thank Donors During
Fourth Annual TAG Day ETBU hosted its fourth annual Thank-a-Giver (TAG) Day on Wednesday, October 14, in conjunction with Home on the Hill week. "TAGs" marked campus landmarks and buildings to serve as a visual reminder to students, faculty, and staff of donors' generosity throughout the life of East Texas Baptist. "We are incredibly appreciative of our ETBU donors every day, but TAG Day gives our students the opportunity to take to social media and share their gratitude," Vice President for Advancement Scott Bryant said. “ETBU is the Christ-centered institution that it is today due to the faithful donors over the years who have provided financially with student scholarship support, new facilities, and sacred spaces for our campus. TAG Day is a dedicated time to express thanksgiving for God's work through ETBU's supportive donors.� Throughout the day, students found their favorite spot on campus with a TAG and posted the photo on social media using the hashtag #ETBUTAGDAY with a few words of gratitude. "The donors who have contributed to student scholarships made it possible for me to attend ETBU," senior Grace Lott said. "God used a speaker in Chapel to bring me to Christ and without donors' generosity I would not be where I am today."
Enjoy a Virtual Tour of the Marshall Grand The ETBU School of Nursing has called the Marshall Grand home since 2019 after the University raised over $4 million to renovate the historic hotel. Since moving into the stateof-the-art facility, the ETBU Nursing program was ranked as the #1 BSN program in Texas by the Annual RegisteredNursing.org Registered Nurse (RN) Program State Rankings. This renovation would not have been possible without significant contributions from
foundations, alumni, and donors. Click the button below to enjoy a virtual tour of this incredible facility.
Tour the Marshall Grand
The Great Commission Center Building Campaign Earlier this year the ETBU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to launch a fundraising campaign to construct a 23,000 square feet facility, the Great Commission Center. This iconic building will stand at the forefront of ETBU’s campus and be the new home for the Fred Hale School of Business, Great Commission Program, and the Office of Career Development. Aligned with ETBU’s mission and Christ’s Great Commission call in scripture to TEACH and GO make disciples, the Great Commission Center will become the focal symbol for quality Christian education throughout East Texas and beyond. This multifaceted facility will serve as the epicenter for ETBU mission training and deployment while also helping bridge students from academic study through career preparation and help connect them to their vocational calling. The cornerstone project will cost $7,500,000. With over $3,100,000 already raised, we are almost halfway there. ETBU recently received a $1,500,000 challenge grant from the J. E. and L. E. Mabee Foundation, and we need your help to meet that challenge. We have until July 2021 to raise an additional $2,900,000 to meet the Mabee challenge. This goal will require broader participation and greater support from our ETBU community than ever before. Please join us in prayer that God will draw individuals, families, and businesses to partner with us to create an iconic space for academic learning, spiritual discipleship, and career development. Will you GO with us in this vision for our Great Commission call?
Learn More About the GCC Campaign
Enjoying a Good Year in the Stock Market? Consider making a gift of securities to ETBU. Donating appreciated securities is one of the most tax effective ways to make a charitable gift. By donating appreciated securities to ETBU, you do not have to pay capital gains taxes and you are also eligible to deduct the full fair-market value of the securities donated. For example, if you originally invested $5,000 in Facebook when it was $100 per share, you would own 50 shares. Your 50 shares today would be worth $13,500 (based on market close 10/22/2020). You could donate the shares to ETBU and you would avoid paying the capital gains tax and could claim $13,500 as a charitable donation. If you sold the stock, you would have to pay capital gains tax on the $8,500 market appreciation. Contact your financial advisor or Scott Bryant at 903-923-2069 or sbryant@etbu.edu to learn more about tax efficient ways to give to ETBU.
Get to Know Alumnus Stephen Duck ('92) During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stephen Duck found himself busier than he has ever been in his 27 years of healthcare accounting. "When COVID hit, nursing homes stopped admitting patients and hospitals canceled all elective surgeries," Duck said. "The main revenue generators for my clients was gone overnight, and it was my job to walk alongside them to figure out the next steps. It was the craziest season I have ever had professionally." Duck is the President of Stephen Duck, CPA, PC in Longview, Texas. Duck's practice provides financial services for hospitals, nursing facilities, home health agencies, and other healthcare entities. Stephen first discovered his love for accounting as a senior at Marshall Hall School. "I thought for a long time that engineering would be my path; however, by the end of high school, I knew accounting was the direction I wanted to go in professionally," Duck said. "I have always enjoyed the numbers side of things, and thankfully this career has done well by me." According to Duck, attending ETBU was the natural choice for him as a Marshall native. "Financially, ETBU was a no brainer," Duck said. "I received great scholarships, I already had a community of friends that I knew from Port Caddo Baptist Church, and I was able to commute. It was a great decision for me." The ETBU Business Department more than prepared Stephen for graduate school and his career in accounting to follow. "I cannot say enough about the professors, especially Dr. Eddie Hamby, that I had as a
business student," Duck said. "They were good, moral business professionals, who did a phenomenal job preparing us for the real world." Today, Duck and his wife, Shanna, and their daughter, Sarah, reside in Gilmer. To read more of our alumni spotlights, click here.
ETBU in the News NCAA Selects ETBU as Site for 2023 NCAA Division III National Softball Championship East Texas Baptist University has been selected to host the 2023 NCAA Division III National Softball Championship at Taylor Field. “We are honored that the NCAA selected ETBU and the city of Marshall to show hospitality for championship teams that will travel and have the best quality championship experience,” Tiger Softball Head Coach Janae Shirley said. Read more.
The Rotary Club of Marshall Donates $20,000 to East Texas Baptist University ETBU received a $20,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Marshall to put towards the renovation of the 8th floor of the historic Marshall Grand. “This is a really unique opportunity, and we are very excited to see what the University is doing here in Marshall. The difference ETBU is making in the lives of young adults is tremendous,” Marshall Rotary District Liaison Ted Huffhines said. Read more.
ETBU Provides Prospective Students Opportunities to Visit Campus ETBU hosted a group of prospective students and their families on Monday, Oct. 12, for the first Preview Day of the 2020-21 academic year. Students interested in attending ETBU can visit campus and receive a comprehensive overview of life at ETBU through admission and financial aid sessions, academic showcases, campus tours, student life panels, and a chapel worship service. Read more.
For more information please call: Dr. Scott Bryant Vice President for Advancement 903.923.2069 | sbryant@etbu.edu Emily Roberson Director of Alumni Relations and Advancement Communication 903.923.2043 | eroberson@etbu.edu Reid Adams ('19) Advancement Officer 903.923.2070 | reida@etbu.edu
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