Homecoming 2025
East Texas Baptist University celebrated Homecoming 2025 by welcoming alumni and friends to on-campus festivities Friday, October 17, through Saturday, October 18. Throughout the week, the University held a variety of events that engaged students in faith and friendship, including pumpkin painting, Conversations with the President, trivia Tuesday, Powder Puff games, and Western dancing.
ALUMNI | GIVE | A RCHIVES
“It’s always a joy to look across Baker Chapel and see generations of Tiger students, graduates, faculty, and friends gathered together in celebration, worship, and fellowship,”
President J. Blair Blackburn said. “Whether we reflect on times past in the days of the College of Marshall, or whether you studied at East Texas Baptist College or East Texas Baptist University, we are united today by the same Christ-centered mission that continues to shape minds and spirits here on this sacred Hill.”
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Riley Servant Leader Award
East Texas Baptist University recognized the dedication and Christ-centered service of two outstanding students during a special chapel service on October 8. Seniors Jamie Scott and Charles Guillot received the Dr. Bob and Gayle Riley Servant Leadership Award in honor of their exemplary commitment to servant leadership and faithful impact within the ETBU community
The award was presented by ETBU President Emeritus Bob Riley and his wife, Gayle. Each recipient received a replica of the renowned "Divine Servant" statue by Max Greiner, which symbolizes Christ washing His disciples' feet. A full-sized version of the statue, gifted to the University by Dr. and Mrs. Riley in 2009, is displayed at ETBU's Rogers Spiritual Life Center. The Bob and Gayle Riley Servant Leadership Award is an annual recognition bestowed upon two upperclassmen who exemplify the principles of servant leadership modeled by Jesus Christ. Award recipients are nominated by their peers, faculty, and staff for their commitment to living out their faith in service to others.
“We are thankful for Dr. and Mrs. Riley and their lasting impact on the ETBU community,” President J. Blair Blackburn said. “Their vision for a culture of servant leadership continues to shape campus
life today, and their gift of the ‘Divine Servant Statue’ stands as a daily reminder of our call to servanthood as Christ modeled."
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ETBU’s School of Communication and Perf orming Arts presents “The Women of Lockerbie”
The School of Communication and Performing Arts at East Texas Baptist University performed The Women of Lockerbie over two weekends in October
“The theme for our season is loving and truthful community,” Professor of Theatre Arts Katie Wampler said. “We cannot have love without truth, or truth without love. As a community, we are called to speak to one another with love and truth. The Women of Lockerbie demonstrates that grief and anger can be transformed into love.”
Honoring our Past, Investing in Our Future
Feagin Hall is a treasured part of our campus story. Thousands of alumni who made East Texas Baptist their “Home on the Hill” deepened their walk with the Lord, forged the bonds of friendship, and prepared for God’s calling within this residence hall. By preserving Feagin Hall’s heritage and modernizing its interior, we honor their legacy while preparing to welcome future Tigers who will write the next chapter of the building's storied history. Beyond a building, Feagin Hall is a cornerstone of our campus community, and today we have the opportunity to restore it to its past significance.
With your fervent prayers and generous support, we can shape the future of ETBU and the future of the next generation of Tiger students through the revival of Feagin Hall. We invite you to partner with us in shaping the future of ETBU. Together, we can restore Feagin Hall as a place where men are educated, discipled, and sent to impact people for Christ. Let us faithfully steward this opportunity for the development of Christian servant leaders to the glory of God. Learn More
Alumni Spotlight | Greg Lucas
Mr. Greg Lucas (’98) earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting and a minor in Economics during his time on the Hill. With over 25 years of experience in finance and accounting, Mr. Lucas has held roles ranging from Controller to Chief Accounting Officer at companies with sales from $65 million to $23 billion.
He has had the opportunity to live and work stateside in Houston, Fort Worth, and Austin, as well as internationally in Tokyo and Shanghai. Currently, he serves as the Chief Accounting Officer at Thermon, a publicly traded small-cap manufacturing firm specializing in industrial heating solutions.
Greg and his wife, Amie (Hoebel) (’98), are the proud parents of two sons, Ashton and Chase. In addition to spending time with them, Lucas enjoys playing golf. Greg and Amie are both actively involved as elders in their church, Life Family, where they also lead a life group for married couples.
Mr. Lucas shares, "Throughout my academic tenure, I was instructed by outstanding professors who equipped me with essential knowledge in accounting, economics, finance, business communications, and related disciplines. This comprehensive education provided a strong technical foundation for my subsequent career in accounting and finance. More importantly, my fellow students and teachers at ETBU also helped me grow closer to Jesus Christ. For that, I am eternally grateful."
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ETBU in the News
Tigers Making Headlines
ETBU Volleyball Finishes ASC Conference Play Undefeated
ETBU Volleyball holds a 25-0 record and is ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division III. The Tigers completed American Southwest Conference regular-season play undefeated for the second consecutive year. Read More
Tigers Host Fall Festivals for MISD Students
ETBU freshmen students organized and hosted Fall Festivals at all five Marshall ISD elementary schools
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Third Annual Lyceum Event Held at ETBU
ETBU recently hosted, Lyceum, a forum for Christian thinkers, writers, and scholars. The featured guest was retired pastor, campus minister, and professor Dr. Gerald Stevens who taught at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for 34 years. Read More
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ETBU
Office of Advancement
Dr. Scott Bryant
Vice President for Executive 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