JUNE/JULY 2013 Seventh Annual Tom Landry Leadership Award Dinner honors Tillie Burgin DBU REPORT June/July 2013 1 R 2013 NNE DI Y DR N A L TOM Tom Landry Leadership Award Dinner honors Tillie Burgin allas Baptist University hosted dinner program chair. Ron Harris, for- brief welcome and invited guests to the seventh annual Tom Landry mer DBU faculty member and current proceed to Pilgrim Chapel after dinner DLeadership Award Dinner on president of MEDIAlliance Internation- for the continuation of the program. Saturday, April 27, on the Dallas Baptist al, served as the evening’s emcee. The DBU Grand Chorus, under the University campus. The annual event Dinner was held in the Hillcrest direction of Dr. Stephen Holcomb, recognized the lasting legacy of one of Great Hall of the John G. Mahler performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” North Texas’ most famous citizens, Tom Student Center on the Dallas Baptist with DBU student Aaron Jones as the Landry, with more than 400 guests in University campus, followed by the soloist. The Grand Chorus then per- attendance. award program held in the Patty and formed a musical medley of patriotic Honored that evening as the sev- Bo Pilgrim Chapel Sanctuary and a songs. enth recipient of the Tom Landry Lead- dessert reception in Sadler Hall. Mr. Harris gave introductions, and ership Award was Tillie Burgin, founder Dr. Dowd welcomed the guests in then Dr. Cook expressed a word of and executive director of Mission Ar- attendance to DBU and the dinner, fol- gratitude to those in attendance for lington, a non-profit organization that lowed by the Pledge of Allegiance led their support of DBU and student provides essentials for less fortunate by Dr. Judith Carrier, president emeri- scholarships that would be made pos- members of the Arlington community tus of Tarrant County College—South- sible through their generous gifts. He through a Christian atmosphere. east Campus. The evening’s invocation also asked Dr. Jim Denison, founder This year’s honorary chair of the din- was then led by Dr. Dennis Wiles, pas- and president of the Denison Forum ner was Alicia Landry, and Dr. Denny tor of First Baptist Church of Arlington. on Truth and Culture, to come to the Dowd, DBU provost, served as the DBU President Dr. Gary Cook gave a stage and lead in a prayer for the 2 DBU REPORT June/July 2013 2013 TOM LANDRY AWARD DINNER COMMITTEE Alicia Landry, Honorary Chair Denny Dowd, Chair Jan Barry Wes Goenawein Wayne Stevenson Terry Bertrand Ron Harris Aaron Vann Jerry Carlisle Carey Hendrickson Charla Hawkes Vinyard Judith Carrier Roy Lamkin Cherry Williams Gary Cook Debbie Musgrave Adam Wright Michael Glaspie Gary Smith victims of the explosion that had credit for all this success recently occurred in West, Texas. came from his faith, man- Following the prayer, Dr. Cook agement strategies, and introduced Dan Heefner, the head leadership style. coach of the DBU Patriot Baseball Tom Landry’s life epito- team, who came and spoke about mized the most exceptional the philosophy of the athletic dis- leadership and character cipleship program at DBU. qualities that DBU strives to Heefner explained how they have instill in its students every crafted a Christian baseball program day. His faith in God, devo- designed to glorify God both on the tion to family, dedication to field and off the field. To accomplish integrity, and service to oth- this goal, the team seeks to exem- ers has made Landry a lasting plify the attributes of God, including role model to this day. excellence, consistency, persever- The Landry Leadership ance, humility, and love. Award is given annually to “To me the great thing about DBU those individuals who use is that we get to talk about these their God-given talents and things and we also get to practice abilities to excel in their them,” said Heefner. “DBU is really chosen field of work, who on the forefront of service learning provide and exhibit excep- and helping students to see how tional leadership, who are they are gifted and then serving in those areas.” (Pictured from top to bottom) Specifically, the DBU baseball Dan Heefner, head coach of the team has participated in interna- Patriot Baseball Team, served tional mission trips through the as the keynote speaker, sharing Global Sports Mission Initiative about the DBU Athletic Depart- Program, as well as local service ment’s discipleship program. projects at places such as Mission Dr. Blair Blackburn (far left), executive vice president, his Arlington. wife, Michelle, and Shirley and Following Heefner’s remarks, Dr. Paul Piper, Jr. outside of Piper Dowd returned to the podium and Hall in the Sadler Global Mis- introduced a special presentation sions Center. The Pipers oversee recognizing Tillie Burgin as this the Christ is Our Salvation Foun- year’s Landry Award honoree. dation, founded by Paul Piper’s The Tom Landry Leadership Award parents, Paul, Sr., and Katy Piper. Dinner was inaugurated in 2007 to Wayne Stevenson, a former ensure that Landry’s legacy would Tom Landry Award recipient, live on and serve as an example to with his wife, Buena, a current DBU students and supporters. DBU trustee. As the coach of the acclaimed Richard Keathley (far left), former DBU trustee, and his Dallas Cowboys for 29 years, Tom wife, Ruth, a Women’s Auxiliary Landry and “America’s Team” be- Board member, with Dr. Gail came the stuff of which legends are Linam, academic dean, and made. Their success came because her husband Dennis, director of of character and a commitment to denominational and govern- excellence. In Landry’s mind, the mental relations. DBU REPORT June/July 2013 3 R 2013 NNE DI Y DR N A L TOM committed to serving others in their community, and who demonstrate integrity in their personal lives. In addition, the proceeds raised from this year’s dinner will go to provide scholarships for Dallas Baptist University students from Arlington. A native of Arlington, Tillie Burgin was born and raised in the city where she has dedicated so much of her life. A two- time graduate of the University of North Texas, she earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the institution, as well as several specialized certifications from TCU. In 1966, God called Tillie, her husband, Bob, and their two sons, Jim and Rick, to serve as missionaries in South Ko- rea. Upon returning to Arlington after a decade of service, Tillie’s heart was stirred by something her father said years earlier when he asked why they were doing missions over- seas when there was so much need in the city of Arlington. Convicted by the words of her father, Tillie founded Mission Arlington on August 1, 1986. For the last 27 years, countless lives have been touched by the unrelenting dedication of Tillie Burgin and Mission Arlington. In recognition of her servant’s heart, Tillie has received nu- merous honors and awards, including an honorary doctorate from Dallas Baptist University, being named “Pastor of the Day” for the Texas House of Representatives, and the Dr. Mar- tin Luther King, Jr. “Sharing the Dream” award for community service. She was also the recipient in 2006 of “The Yellow (Pictured from top to bottom) Dr. Gary Smith (left), senior pastor of Fielder Church in Arlington, and his wife, Sandra, with Michael Glaspie, an Arlington City Council member and minister of education at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Arlington. Dr. Dennis Wiles (center left), senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Arlington, and his wife, Cindy, with Carey Hendrickson (far right), senior vice president for Belo Corporation, and his wife, Stacie. Candice Wright (left), executive director of the Women’s Auxiliary Board, and her husband, Dr. Adam Wright, vice president and dean 4 DBU REPORT June/July 2013 of the Gary Cook School of Leadership, with Michelle Hanson, a DBU alumna and Miss Arlington 2013. Rose of Texas” award, which is presented annually by Governor Rick Perry to women who dedicate their lives to the betterment SUPPORTERS HELP PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS of their communities. The City of Arlington FOR DBU STUDENTS IN TARRANT COUNTY honored her with “Tillie Burgin Day” in 2000, 2004, and 2006, and she was named to the LEGACY COUNCIL Joe and Ann Ferrell “Texas Woman’s Hall of Fame” by former Wayne and Buena Stevenson Fielder Church, Arlington/ Governor George W. Bush in 2000. Paul and Charla Vinyard Friends of Tillie Burgin Wesley and Charlotte Goenawein “Thank you for this,” Tillie stated upon FREEDOM COUNCIL receiving the Landry Award. “It represents Dr. and Mrs. Dan Griffin Christ Is Our Salvation Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Hassler our Lord Jesus Christ, and I don’t know how Foundation long He is going to let any of us be here, Ted and Beth Hebert but as long as He does, we are going to CHAIRman’s BOARD Mr. and Mrs. Carey Hendrickson serve Him together.” Collin Bank Dr. Bill Hoit Tillie and Bob Burgin have been mar- Frost JCKPL, LLC ried for more than 50 years and have been Derrel and Dorothy Renfrow Ruth and Richard Keathley blessed with two sons, Dr. Jim Burgin and Lake Arlington Baptist Church/ Dr. Rick Burgin, and four grandchildren. PRESIDENT’S CABINET Dr. Eric Herrstrom Bob has served as professor of education City of Arlington/ Roy and Beverley Lamkin at Dallas Baptist University for the last 14 Mayor and Council Office Chris Liebrum/Texas Baptists years and currently serves as associate dean Baptist General Dennis and Gail Linam of the College of Education at DBU. Their Convention of Texas Dr. and Mrs.