ACU dinner features ‘The Traveling Grannies‘
“The Traveling Grannies,” AKA Eleanor Hamby and Sandra Hazelip, will be featured speakers at ACU’S Paul and Gladys Faulkner Center for Marriage and Family spring dinner on Feb. 17. Tickets are $35 for individuals or $280 per table and should be purchased by Feb. 11. The newest book by Hamby and Hazelip, Here We Go, was published by Penguin Random House and chronicles their adventures and friendship that took them around the world in 80 days while turning 80 years old. Click here for tickets.

Join HSU alumni at TMEA convention
Hardin-Simmons University invites friends of the university to join alumni in San Antonio for a fajita buffet lunch during the Texas Music Educators Association convention on Feb. 13. Tickets are $20 per person. Registration is due by Feb. 6. Click here to register and purchase a ticket. Guests will hear updates from current HSU students in the College of Arts and Media, connect with faculty, and listen to remarks from Dr. Bob Brooks, Dean of the College of Arts and Media.

McMurry sets record for spring enrollment
McMurry University announced a record Spring 2026 enrollment of 3,948 students, including students who are in high school and have dual enrollment status. Click here to read full news release.

John Litzler guest speaker at HPU’s Currie-Strickland Lectures 
Howard Payne University’s 18th annual Currie-Strickland Distinguished Lectures in Christian Ethics will feature guest speaker John Litzler, director for public policy at the Christian Life Commission (CLC) and general counsel for Texas Baptists. The lectures will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m. during HPU’s chapel service in L.J. Mims Auditorium and at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Richard and Wanda Jackson Conference Room of HPU’s Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center. Both lectures are free and open to the public. Click here to read HPU news release.

John Litzler

Feb. 3 deadline to make a reservation of HSU’s Fletcher Lecture Series
A reminder that Feb. 3 is the deadline for reserving a free ticket to hear retired Supreme Court of Texas Justice Craig Enoch speak at the Fletcher Lecture Series, sponsored by Hardin-Simmons University. He will speak at 11:30 a.m. in HSU’s Houston-Lantrip Center, 2241 Pine St. Click to read full article, including how to register.

Dr. Jori Sechrist promoted to associate VP at McMurry
Dr. Jori Sechrist, a sociology professor at McMurry University, has been promoted to Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Institutional Effectiveness, and Student Success. Click here to read McMurry news release. 

Dr. Jori Sechrist

Baptist Women In Ministry announces scholarships
Baptist Women In Ministry is accepting applications for Addie Davis Scholarships, which offer support to Baptist women taking the next step toward fulfilling their calling in ministry and leadership. Deadline to apply is March 27. Multiple scholarships will be awarded to honor the legacy of Addie Davis, the first Southern Baptist woman ordained to the gospel ministry. Learn more about the requirements and apply online at: www.bwim.info/addie-davis-scholarship 

Maston Foundation scholarship deadline
The T.B. Maston Foundation for Christian Ethics is accepting applications through Jan. 31 for its scholarship to cover the 2026-2027 academic year. The Maston Foundation provides a $5,000 scholarship annually to a graduate student whose study focuses on Christian ethics. Eligible candidates are Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Theology students writing dissertations that deal with ethical implications and Doctor of Ministry students whose projects include an ethical focus. Click here to apply.

Howard Payne museum gets grant to expand educational opportunities
Howard Payne University’s Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom museum will soon expand its educational offerings to area schoolchildren due to an $881,000 grant recently awarded by the United States Department of Education. The grant will fund the facility’s rollout of a wide range of interactive learning opportunities for students in Brown County and surrounding counties. Click here to read HPU news release

REMINDERS

Hear Bonhoeffer scholar at AAC meeting
Cole Jodon was 17 when Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book, The Cost of Discipleship, was recommended to him at a pastoral conference. He didn’t know then that he was on his way to becoming a Bonhoeffer scholar. Jodon will share his scholarship at the Abilene Association of Congregations meeting on Jan. 28 at First Christian Church, 5125 Antilley Road. The public is invited to the meeting, which begins at 11:45 a.m. with lunch. Click here to read full article.

Cole Jodon