Taking HBU to New Heights
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Message from the President What a wonderful time it is to new classrooms, studios, exhibition be part of the living, growing family space, and offices. that is HBU! This fall has ushered All this new construction is just in a number of historic events on an outward symbol of the growth we campus. First, we have been blessed are experiencing. The HBU family with the largest freshman class in and I are also at work on construction the University’s history. Thanks to of a long-range plan, a blueprint if the hard work of many key people at you will, for the University’s future. HBU and the support and vision of Students, faculty, staff, and alumni our Board of Trustees and donors, we have participated vigorously in a have 70 percent more freshmen on series of envisioning sessions in campus than last fall! which they have offered answers to The newly completed Morris the question, “What should HBU Cultural Arts Center played host to look like in 2020?” The responses and its first Commencement in May and suggestions have been outstanding, its first Convocation in September. and I look forward to hearing The first wedding, a marriage of from board members and other as we go forward. It is our mission to two HBU alumni, was held in the stakeholders as we consider our goals. make HBU one of the finest Christian beautiful Belin Chapel on July 28th, I have little doubt that we will be universities in America. followed by a reception in stately able to build an innovative plan for Everything I have learned during McNair Hall. Though it has been said HBU’s future thanks to the creativity my tenure as the president of this before, we simply cannot thank our and wisdom of our friends and co- institution tells me that we have donors and Dr. Hodo enough for their workers. people with the requisite talents, drive, work in bringing the Morris Center to A number of themes have already and good will to go after something completion. emerged. Many support the shift to a wonderful in the kingdom of God. The University has also just more traditional residential campus Thanks to the sacrifices of the approved the establishment of a new and a return to a strong core that donors, staff, faculty, alumni, and Honors College. The Honors College emphasizes primary sources or great presidents of our past, we have a solid will expand our ability to attract books. One of the most gratifying foundation upon which to build. HBU highly motivated students. It will notions to emerge in our envisioning has the best accreditation available, a enhance the reputation and visibility sessions has been that of helping gifted faculty, dedicated staff, prime of the school and meet the needs of our local community. Our people at real estate in one of the largest cities academically gifted students who HBU want to see this university do in America, and a founding preamble are seeking a distinctively Christian great things for the Sharpstown area that holds us tightly on course as we university. I especially appreciate in terms of economic development, seek to set a new standard in Christian the work and diligence of the faculty ministry, and social work. higher education. I’m grateful to be committee, chaired by Dr. David What I have shared here are here doing this work with people Capes, professor in Christianity. only a few of examples of the like you. These “firsts” offer just a glimpse kinds of innovative thinking we of what is to come. Our plan is for have witnessed in our envisioning Blessings, HBU to grow. I anticipate that this work. There is an imaginative, year’s freshman class of more than entrepreneurial, and servant spirit at 450 students will be the smallest class work among our faculty, staff, and we enroll during the next decade. We students. Robert B. Sloan, Jr. have already received more inquiries I want to strongly encourage for 2008-2009 than we received you to share your own thoughts and during the entire previous year. Big dreams for HBU. We will be more new student numbers mean we need successful and will be an ever greater more facilities for living and learning. blessing to the city of Houston and Construction of a six-story residential to our world if you are involved college is well underway, and we have and helping with the work of this broken ground on the new University university. We seek your prayers, Academic Center, which will provide your help, and your special giftedness HBU NEWS In This Issue Vol. 45, No. 2 Fall 2007 Editor We’re growing . 4 Dr. Leslie Kennedy Adams ’86, MLA ’87 Design & Graphics Morris Cultural Arts Center Gala . 7 Nan Donahoe Editorial Assistant Jeannette Clift George “Connecting the Bridges” . .10 Kristy Wright Celebratory Worship held in Belin Chapel. .11 Athletics Jacque Cottrell Ron Stone Jr. revisits Houston landmarks . 12 Photographers Dr. Leslie Kennedy Adams ’86, MLA ’87; Regina Arendt; Bruce Bennett; Dan Cathy shares experiences, values Matthew Crawford; John Everett; at Prince-Chavanne Lecture . 13 Sheila Swift Hurst ’04; Michael Tims Contributing Writers School of Music, University Theater wow audience . 14 Vivian Camacho ’91, Candace Desrosiers ’94, Linda Renz ’03, Sheila Swift Hurst ’04, Matthew Crawford, Dr. Don Looser, HBU hosts Pastor Appreciation Luncheon . 15 Noelle Marchand, Sandra Methoslah, Rick Ogden ’98 The Guild. .16 Special Thanks Patti Bailey, Veronica Cantu, First wedding ceremony celebrated in Belin Chapel . 17 Alexandra El-Lahham, Linda Hammack, Tricia Pogue, Sharon Saunders, Mary Weber Welcome Days ... a freshman reports . 18 Vice President of Advancement Brian L. Hurd Campus reports . 19 HBU NEWS (USPS 252-660) is published quarterly Faculty/students shine on local and by the Office of Advancement, Houston Baptist international art scene . .28 University, 7502 Fondren Road, Houston, Texas 77074-3298 and printed by SOUTHWEST PRECISION PRINTERS. Periodical postage paid at Houston, Texas. Faculty & Staff. .34 POSTMASTER: send address changes to HBU News, 7502 Fondren Road, Houston, Texas 77074-3298. Alum-a-Gram . 37 Contact Us: Marketing & Communications 281-649-3403 On the Cover: [email protected] A sapling grows between the roots of a stately oak on the HBU www.hbu.edu campus and reminds us of the relationship between old and new. - Photo by Michael Tims HBU complies with all applicable federal and state non-discrimination laws and does not Founded in 1960, Houston Baptist University, a Texas Baptist institution, is engage in prohibited discrimination on the a co-educational, independent university with a growing national reputation basis of race, color, nationality or ethnic origin, for offering academic excellence through more than 40 undergraduate and gender, age, or disability in either employment nine graduate programs. HBU has been ranked in the top tier among the or the provision of services. Inquiries “Best Universities” offering master’s degrees in the Western region by concerning this notice or the application of U.S.News & World Report in its America’s Best Colleges for 2007 edition. the laws referenced herein should be referred to the vice president and general counsel. HBU NEWS HBU Grow We’re growing hat a fall quarter it has been! HBU is growing in every sense of the word. This fall’s freshman class was the largest on record. The Morris Cultural Arts Center has been the site of numerous celebrations, including a week Wof dedicatory events, Commencement, Vespers, orchestral performances, and several weddings. SMITH PIPE ORGAN THE WILLIAMS FOUNTAIN A gift from Jim and Sherry Smith has enabled the The recently University to contract for the construction of a magnificent completed Williams pipe organ to be installed in the Belin Chapel. Planned Fountain, given by the and built by the Orgues Létourneau Limitée of Quebec, Dr. Diane ’93 and Stanley the new instrument will take approximately two years Williams family to honor for fabrication and installation. Létourneau will create a the mission and purpose three-manual 55-stop, 58 rank pipe organ. The organ is of Houston Baptist designed to serve both the worship and solo performance University, graces the needs of the University community. Installation is expected space between the Morris sometime in 2009. The Belin Chapel was designed to Cultural Arts Center accommodate the 2,500 pipes and console for the organ and and the Hinton Center. is acoustically engineered to maximize the beauty of the Designed to provide instrument for all in attendance at Belin Chapel events. a place of beauty and tranquility, it attracts visitors day and night for a moment of reflection and peace. LAWRENCE PARK The Lawrence Park project is made possible by a gift from Dr. Tracy and Lee Lawrence. Lawrence Park will encompass the area between the Belin Chapel, Atwood II, the Hinton Center, and the new Cultural Arts Center Boulevard. Construction will take place during the winter months with landscaping to follow in the spring. The Lawrence Park will be a part of the campus master plan and will feature benches, lighting, landscaping, and walks that unite the east campus facilities into an integrated whole. The Park extends the function of the Williams “For 40 years, HBU leaders and supporters have Fountain. A dedication is planned for the spring. dreamed of a grand pipe organ to grace our chapel and few contributions to the University promise such a rich legacy,” Dr. Rhonda Furr, professor in the School of Music, said. “A well-constructed instrument like the one given by the Smiths can provide literally hundreds of years of beautiful music to train musicians, guide worship, and accompany musical performances.