Around the State: Student Athlete Mental Health Endowment at Baylor

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Baylor University announced a gift from Jarred and Kay Nan Sloan of Houston supporting Baylor Athletics and resourcing Athletics Mental Health Services, which ensures access for Baylor’s student-athletes to mental health services. The Sloans’ gift provides seed funding to establish the Student Athlete Mental Health Endowment, as well as immediate-use funds to provide critical, upfront support for the Athletics Mental Health Services program. “Baylor Athletics is committed to fostering a caring community, free of stigma, where our student-athletes’ mental health is given the same care as their physical wellbeing,” said Mack B. Rhoades IV, Baylor vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics. “We celebrate the generosity of the Sloans, and we hope other members of our Baylor Family will follow their lead in giving to the Baylor Student Athlete Mental Health Endowment.” Jarred Sloan is the president and a trustee with Clayton Foundation for Research, a nonprofit medical research organization. Kay Nan Wilkerson Sloan is a former speech therapist within the Houston Independent School District.

East Texas Baptist University students, faculty and staff gathered Sept. 28 for the annual See You at the Pole event, a global day of student-led prayer. (ETBU Photo)

East Texas Baptist University students, faculty and staff gathered Sept. 28 for the annual See You at the Pole event, a global day of student-led prayer. The tradition that started in 1990 at a high school in Burleson has since grown to see about 3 million students in the United States and more than 20 countries gather to pray at their school’s flagpole. The Baptist Student Ministry coordinates the event at ETBU. This year, the BSM focused on adoration of God, confessing sin to God, being thankful to God, and offering prayers of supplication to God.

Donnie Brown, director of spiritual life at Wayland Baptist University, presents an award to David Hardage, who retires at the end of the year as executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. (WBU Photo)

During a recent chapel service, Wayland Baptist University recognized David Hardage, who will retire at the end of the year as executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Donnie Brown, director of spiritual life at WBU, presented Hardage with an award in appreciation for his support of Wayland. “During Dr. Hardage’s decade of service, Texas Baptists have created greater opportunities of service for Wayland, most recently bringing Super Summer back to our campus. For that we are thankful,” Brown said.

Irene Gallegos

Dallas Baptist University hosted a Sept. 18 commissioning service for Irene Gallegos as specialist with the Christian Life Commission to oversee the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering and Community Care grants. Guest speaker was Sergio Ramos, church engagement officer at Buckner International and president-elect of the Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas. Gallegos earned her undergraduate degree from DBU. She holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center and a Ph.D. in health studies from Texas Woman’s University. She and her husband Estaban have one son, Caleb, and are members of Iglesia Bautista Getsemini in Fort Worth.

Participants at Howard Payne University’s Community Leadership Lunch and Learn event included (left to right) Nate Penland, vice president for student experience; Shannon Sims, assistant professor of kinesiology and director of the SWELL program; Dale Meinecke, vice president for development; James Wunderle Jr., assistant professor of psychology; Jill Heupel, associate vice president for academic affairs; HPU President Cory Hines; and Megan Froese, HPU student. (HPU Photo)

“Wellness in the Workplace” was the theme of the third Community Leadership Lunch and Learn event at Howard Payne University. The program included presentations by Jill Heupel, associate vice president for academic affairs, and James Wunderle Jr., assistant professor of psychology. Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood was the title sponsor for the event.

The Hardin-Simmons University board of trustees voted not to increase tuition costs for the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year. The HSU administration also agreed to increase academic scholarships by an additional $2,000 per student for 2023-2024 first-time freshmen. HSU continues to provide an affordable and excellent education enlightened by Christian faith and values. “Hardin-Simmons University recognizes folks’ desire to receive an excellent value in education. Not increasing its tuition and fees while increasing scholarship opportunities is one-way HSU is working to provide that desired value,” said Jodie McGaughey, vice president for finance at Hardin-Simmons.

East Texas Baptist University seniors Colton Berryhill from Bullard and Annie Walker from Montgomerywere honored on Oct. 3 with the Bob and Gayle Riley Servant Leadership Award for consistently displaying Christian servant leadership on campus and in the community. (ETBU Photo)

East Texas Baptist University seniors Colton Berryhill from Bullard and Annie Walker from Montgomery received the Bob and Gayle Riley Servant Leadership Award on Oct. 3 for consistently displaying Christian servant leadership on campus and in the community. ETBU President Emeritus Bob Riley and former ETBU First Lady Gayle Rileypresented the honorees with a miniature replication of the “Divine Servant” statue, created by Max Greiner, which can also be found on campus at the entrance to the Rogers Spiritual Life Center. Two students are selected each year for the award. Fellow students, professors, and other members of the ETBU campus community submit nominations recognizing their dedication to pursuing a Christ-like practice of servanthood. Berryhill, a Christian ministry major, has served as a Tiger Camp leader, a Thrive mentor, resident assistant, Baptist Student Ministry leadership team member and Leadership Fellow who worships and volunteers at Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview. Walker, an elementary education major, is a member of the Boys and Girls Club ministry, Baptist Student Ministry leadership, Leadership Fellow and Student Foundation participant who worships and volunteers at New Beginnings Baptist Church in Longview.

Retirement

Frank Pomeroy as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, where he has served 20 years.

Anniversaries

150th for Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Gholson, where Darrick W. Ervin is pastor, and First Baptist Church in Gholson, where James Stevens is pastor. The neighboring congregations—one historically Black and the other predominantly Anglo—celebrated their sesquicentennials together. Members of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church worshipped at First Baptist Church on Sept. 11. A group from First Baptist joined Pleasant Grove for an afternoon celebration service on Sept. 18, where Pastor Melvin Petty of Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church in Waco was guest preacher.


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