Tiger Pride - August 2025

ALUMNI | GIVE | A RCHIVES

ETBU Celebrates Record Fall Enrollment

The 2025-2026 academic year is off to a great start as East Texas Baptist University celebrates the highest recorded student enrollment in the University's history with 1,944 total students! This year marks the first time to exceed 1,900 students and the undergraduate enrollment of 1,663 Tigers is the highest on record. The Fall 2025 enrollment also includes students enrolled at ETBU's new Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program and B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary which resulted in a record graduate enrollment of 281 students.

The start of the semester provided Tiger students the opportunity to participate in campus traditions including Move-In Day, Tiger Camp, Church Day with area congregations, and the first Chapel of the semester.

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ETBU Opens the William B. Dean, M.D. Center for Language and Literacy Development

East Texas Baptist University is proud to announce the opening of the William B. Dean, M.D. Center for Language and Literacy Development, a no-cost clinic offering speech-language pathology services to the East Texas community. Located at ETBU's Synergy Park in downtown Marshall, the clinic will begin serving clients on Monday, August 25, providing care for individuals of all ages with communication, language-literacy, speech, and cognitive challenges.

Made possible by a generous $500,000 grant from the Dean Foundation, the William B. Dean, M.D. Center for Language and Literacy Development honors the legacy of the late Dr. William B. Dean, a pioneer in the treatment of learning differences and advocate for children with dyslexia. The Center reflects Dr. Dean's lifelong mission to remove barriers to learning and supports both graduate training and vital services for the East Texas region.

October 17 & 18

Registration is now open for Homecoming 2025! Mark your calendar and make plans to return to your Home on the Hill! Visit the familiar places of your college home and tour ETBU's newest and recently refurbished facilities throughout campus. Reconnect with ETBC/ETBU friends while making new memories at Homecoming 2025.

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Alumni Spotlight James Bryant ('95)

Mr. James Bryant (’95) earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from ETBU, then went on to earn a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from Lamar University. For 30 years, he has faithfully filled various roles and positively impacted young lives through education, including teaching, administration, and coaching basketball. Currently, he serves as the Superintendent of Plemons-Stinnett-Phillips CISD in Stinnett, Texas.

James shares, "I chose East Texas Baptist University because of its Christ-centered focus and friendly atmosphere. There were so many faculty members who made a lasting impact on my life during my time at ETBU."

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Pillars of ETBU

In the same way that pillars provide strength and support to numerous buildings on campus, members of the Pillars of ETBU bolster and fortify the Christ-centered mission and ongoing Kingdom work of the University through monthly giving.

Pillars of ETBU choose the area of the University where their monthly contributions can have the most impact, including student scholarships, academic departments, athletics, student missions, or general support to the institution. Will you prayerfully consider becoming a Pillar of ETBU? To learn more about the Pillars program, visit www.ETBU.edu/pillars or contact Scott Bryant in the Office of Advancement at 903.923.2069.

in the News

B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary at ETBU Announces Five First-Year PHD Scholarships for 2026

B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary at East Texas Baptist University has received a gift from a generous donor to provide five full, first-year scholarships for students pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), beginning in Spring 2026. Read more.

B. H. Carroll Names Ritsema Assistant Dean

East Texas Baptist University President Dr. J. Blair Blackburn appointed Dr. David Ritsema ('00) as the new Assistant Dean for B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary. Ritsema, currently serving as Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church Waxahachie, Texas will officially begin his role at ETBU on September 1. Read more

Slade Austin Named ASC Man of the Year

For the second time in three years, East Texas Baptist University has been awarded the American Southwest Conference's Man of the Year Award. The 2025 recipient of the ASC award is men's tennis student-athlete Slade Austin. He joins Jake Miller as the only two ETBU male student-athletes to be given the award. Read more

ETBU has 270 Student-Athletes Named ASC All-Academic

East Texas Baptist University athletics continues its tradition of academic excellence in the American Southwest Conference. For the fifth year, ETBU has over 200+ student-athletes on the ASC All-Academic team, with 270, topping 247 from the 2023-24 academic year.