Spring 2025 Commencement
East Texas Baptist University presented 218 graduates with degrees at its spring commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 10, in Baker Chapel of the Rogers Spiritual Life Center. During two ceremonies, 189 students received undergraduate degrees, and 29 received graduate degrees. The commencements featured Scripture readings, praise and worship through song, prayers, and blessings over the graduates
During the first ceremony, Dr. Warren Johnson, Professor of Christian Ministry,
ALUMNI | GIVE | A RCHIVES
delivered the keynote address. Dr. Johnson has served at ETBU since 2005 and received the ETBU's Professor with Distinction Award in 2020. ETBU alumnus Peter Muriungi ('98) returned to the Hill to deliver the charge to graduates during the second commencement ceremony. Peter is the Chief Executive Officer of Chase Connected Commerce and a Consumer & Community Banking Leadership Team member at JPMorgan Chase.
Read More
Senior Girl Call - Out 2025
Bailee Kitchen of Clovis, Ca., was recently recognized during East Texas Baptist University's 78th annual Senior Girl Call-Out. Selected by a faculty and staff vote, the senior student "called out" each year is distinguished for her exemplary Christian character, social consciousness, personal poise, academic achievement, and spiritual vision.
Kitchen, a Christian Ministry major, has poured into the East Texas Baptist University community through her extensive campus involvement. A member of the ETBU Beach Volleyball team, she also served as Vice President of Public Relations for the Student Government Association, Tiger Ambassador for the Office of Admissions, student worker in University Advancement, Thrive Peer Mentor, and Resident Assistant.
ETBU Ring Blessing
ETBU Spring 2025 graduates recently received their official ETBU Class Rings in a special chapel ceremony. Inspired by Deuteronomy 6, the class ring allows ETBU Alumni to carry and display the love of Christ. Each ETBU Class Ring features the seal of East Texas Baptist, surrounded by the cornerstones of the University – Veritas, Mores, and Scientia, which translate from Latin to Truth, Character, and Knowledge.
Significant icons of ETBU and the Christian faith are inscribed in the ring, such as the historic Marshall Hall, the Light on the Hill, Max Greiner's Divine Servant Statue, and the Bible. These symbols are meant to remind alumni of God's work in their lives and their transformational experience at East Texas Baptist University.
Read More
Alumni Spotlight | Dr. Jennifer (Yo ung) Collins ('97)
Dr. Jennifer (Young) Collins (’97) serves as the Deputy Superintendent for Arlington ISD (TX) and is married to ETBU alumnus Jason Collins (’98). They are proud parents of three children: Anderson, Hogan, and Ella
Jennifer shares, "When I was growing up, my dad worked for an oil company, which meant our family moved around the state of Texas following the oil business. We lived in Longview for a few years, and my family attended New Beginnings Baptist Church. While there, I learned about ETBU from my children's
pastor, Billy Foote, ETBC alumnus (’65). My dad was transferred to Houston before I started high school. When it was time for me to consider college options, I had several friends from my church who were already attending ETBU. After a college visit there, it felt like home, and I knew that's what God had planned for me." Read More
ETBU in the News
Tigers Making Headlines
ETBU Generates $120 Million in Economic Impact Across East Texas
A new report from the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (ICUT) reveals that East Texas Baptist University contributed $120 million to the East Texas regional economy, emphasizing the University’s role as a vital driver of local economic growth, job creation, and workforce development. Read more.
ETBU Campus Residence Halls
Ranked #2 in Texas
College review site Niche.com ranked ETBU Campus Residence Halls as the second best in the state. Based directly on student reviews and feedback, ETBU's
housing facilities ranked 25th best in the nation!
ETBU Office of Advancement
Dr. Scott Bryant
Vice President for Advancement and Administrative Affairs
903.923.2069 | sbryant@etbu.edu
Scott McCurdy
Assistant Vice President for Advancement and Administrative Affairs
903.923.2830 | smccurdy@etbu.edu
Cari (Walker) Johnson (`94)
Director of Alumni Relations
903.923.2043 | cjohnson@etbu.edu
Chad Cox ('11) ('16)
Director of Career Counseling and Placement/Development Officer
903.223.2330 | ccox@etbu.edu
Keli Sparks
Gifts Coordinator
903.923.2071 | ksparks@etbu.edu