Message from the President There was a time in America when Hunter Baker on the integration of conventional wisdom held that faith faith and learning which addresses the was private and shouldn’t be discussed perennial question “What does Athens outside the four walls of a church have to do with Jerusalem?” as well as or perhaps in Bible studies held in a a feature on the work of friend’s home. During that same period, Dr. Alice J. Rowlands, professor of much scholarly opinion proclaimed mass communication and adviser to the privatization of the faith was a The Collegian. prelude to its complete disappearance Use your faith to help you in a modern, scientific age. I can recall evaluate the claims and promises one sociologist telling the New York of politicians. Dr. Chris Hammons, I’d like to use this space to thank those Times that the 21st century would find associate professor of political science, of you who took the time to read, only small groups of religious believers contributes his thoughts to help us consider, and respond to the vision huddled against the onrushing future. understand that politics is really about document. Just as the participants Now that we are actually living in deciding “what type of people we want in the original envisioning sessions a religiously vibrant 21st century, those to be and what types of lives we want provided extraordinary ideas for use in ideas of privatization and decline seem to live.” setting out a vision for the University, quaint. The opposite has happened. Allow your faith to help you we have also been blessed with Religious persons of all types are develop your sense of wonder at God’s productive feedback. bringing their faith into the public creation. Dr. Brenda Whaley and As we continue to make progress square. Christians are visible in public Dr. Bobby Towery from our College of on our campus with new facilities, a affairs and in Hollywood. Instead of Science and Mathematics share their growing student body, membership quietly cloistering ourselves in holy joy of discovery in plumbing the depths in Division I of the NCAA, the huddles, we are working out what of the Lord’s masterwork. Honors College, and a variety of new it means to be salt and light in our Engage in good-natured discussion initiatives, I look forward to seeing culture. with people of other faiths. When we the HBU family come out in support This issue of the HBU News deals believe different things, we should of these efforts. Your participation with the topic of the integration of feel free to talk about what we in attending events, praying for us, faith and learning, but it could just as believe rather than shutting the most recruiting students, and giving to the well be about the integration of faith important parts of our lives off into University is all part of what will take and life. What we believe should have a drawer marked “private.” Read us strongly into the next half-century. an impact not only on how we worship how a philosophy of openness and With your help, we will continue in our and study the Bible but also on how we engagement characterizes the work efforts to shine. live and what we think. So, if one takes of Dr. David Capes, interim dean of the path of integration rather than the Honors College, who broadcasts privatization, the Christian life involves discussions with Jewish and Catholic Blessings, engagement. counterparts on a weekly radio show. Take your faith with you to the By the time you receive this classroom, whether you are a professor magazine, we will have received or a student. Consider how your beliefs feedback from faculty, staff, trustees, Robert B. Sloan Jr. and the Scriptures interact with the alumni, and students with regard to academic discipline at hand. This HBU our proposed vision for the University. News includes a definitive essay by Dr. HBU NEWS In This Issue Vol. 45, No. 3 Winter 2008 Rick Bailey ’69 Editor Serving the Lord and others through education ............................. 4 Dr. Leslie Kennedy Adams ’86, MLA ’87 Meritorious Service Award .............................................................. 6 Design & Graphics Distinguished Alumnus Award .......................................................... 7 Nan Donahoe Hallmark Award Editorial Assistant Campus Reports .............................................................................. 8 Kristy Wright Building a foundation on Faith and Learning ................................... 10 Dr. Hunter Baker Athletics Dr. David Capes Jacque Cottrell Dr. Chris Hammons University Photographer Dr. Alice J. Rowlands Michael Tims Dr. Brenda Whaley Dr. Robert Towery Contributing Photographers Leslie K. Adams, Regina Arendt, Holocaust survivor shares story ..................................................... 20 Martha Morrow, Anthony Vasser School of Music hosts Jordan and Forrest HBU partners with Houston Chamber Music Society...................... 21 Contributing Writers Rizwanah Ashraf, Alexandra El-Lahham, HBU celebrates groundbreaking for new Dr. Chris Hammons, Geoffrey Lawrence, University Academic Center ........................................................ 22 Dr. Alice J. Rowlands, Dr. Robert Towery, Dr. Brenda Whaley ’79 Founders’ Day ................................................................................ 24 MBA celebrates 30 years Contributing Artists COBE hosts first annual Rex Baker Lecture ................................... 26 Sheila Swift Hurst ’04, Linda Joyce Renz ’03 The Guild Christmas Luncheon ....................................................... 27 Special Thanks Sloans host Christmas Open House ............................................... 28 Veronica Cantu, Alexandra El-Lahham, Linda Hammack, Peggy Powell, Mary Weber New buildings taking shape ........................................................... 30 HBU celebrates diversity Vice President of Advancement HBU receives national recognition ................................................. 31 Brian L. Hurd Admissions team celebrates milestone Assistant Vice President HBU implements emergency response system .............................. 32 of University Communications Homecoming ................................................................................. 33 Martha Morrow Sports ........................................................................................... 36 HBU NEWS (USPS 252-660) is published quarterly Alum-a-Gram .................................................................................. 39 by the Office of Advancement, Houston Baptist MLA alumni, professors share love of books .................................. 41 University, 7502 Fondren Road, Houston, Texas 77074-3298 and printed by SOUTHWEST PRECISION PRINTERS. Periodical postage On the Cover: paid at Houston, Texas. POSTMASTER: send In Matthew 5: 14-16, Jesus says, “You are the light of the world. A address changes to HBU News, 7502 Fondren city on a hill cannot be hidden ... Let your light shine before men, Road, Houston, Texas 77074-3298. that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.” (NIV) In 1630, John Winthrop, speaking to those who would settle the Contact Us: Massachusetts Bay Colony, echoed the words of Jesus, proclaiming, University Communications “We shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon 281-649-3403 us.” This is the vision of HBU: to be that guiding light, that “city upon [email protected] a hill,” a place where faith and learning are intertwined as steel is intertwined with concrete to build a solid foundation for the future. www.hbu.edu - Photo by Michael Tims HBU complies with all applicable federal and state non-discrimination laws and does not engage in prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, Founded in 1960, Houston Baptist University, a Texas Baptist institution, is a co-educational, color, nationality or ethnic origin, gender, age, or independent university with a growing national reputation for offering academic excellence disability in either employment or the provision of through more than 40 undergraduate and nine graduate programs. HBU has been ranked services. Inquiries concerning this notice or the in the top tier among the “Best Universities” offering master’s degrees in the Western application of the laws referenced herein should be region by U.S.News & World Report in its America’s Best Colleges for 2007 edition. referred to the vice president and general counsel. HBU NEWS Rick Bailey ’69 andServing others the through Lord education Rick Bailey ’69, a former teacher the commitment of trustees, the for a long time,” Bailey said. “I had a and coach, is a true servant of the commitment of staff and faculty; the great experience while I was a student Lord. He continues to minister to and tireless efforts of those in the leadership playing basketball. I am just glad I serve others through his leadership in just trying to do the right thing for the was here and that I had teachers who the community and as chairman of the students.” took the time with me. I made friends Board of Trustees at Houston Baptist The Bailey family has many and am still friends with those people University. connections to HBU. Bailey met today.” Bailey attributes his interest in his wife Avie ’68 at the University. When asked to articulate his education to his mother, who was Although his daughter Spring chose vision of the University’s future, Bailey a counselor at Eisenhower High to attend another Baptist school, she replied, “I would like other people to School, and his