Truett Seminary to Hold Spring Commencement May 11 at First Baptist Church, Waco

Follow us on Twitter: @BaylorUMediaCom

Contact: Lori Fogleman, (254) 710-6275

WACO, Texas (May 10, 2012) - Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary will confer degrees upon 50 graduates and present special awards during the seminary's commencement ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, May 11, at the First Baptist Church, Waco, 500 Webster Ave.

Forty Truett students will receive the Master of Divinity degree, including 10 graduates who will earn a dual degree: MDiv/Master's of Social Work. Five Truett students will receive the Master of Theological Studies degree while five will receive the Doctor of Ministry degree.

Truett Seminary Dean David E. Garland, Ph.D., professor of Christian Scriptures and holder of The Charles J. and Eleanor McLerran Delancey Chair of the Dean, will preside over the commencement ceremony. Bearer of the Mace will be William F. Cooper, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Degrees will be conferred upon graduates by Baylor President Ken Starr. Candidates will be presented by Elizabeth Davis, Ph.D., executive vice president and provost, assisted by Garland and W. Dennis Tucker Jr., Ph.D., associate dean for academic affairs and associate professor of Christian Scriptures.

The message to the graduates - "Gratitude" - will be given by Andrew Arterbury, Ph.D., associate professor of Christian Scriptures.

In addition to the conferral of degrees upon students, the ceremonies will include the presentations of special awards for 2011-2012:
• The Dr. Abda J. "Chip" Conyers Outstanding Male Student Award, Spring 2012: Arbra L. Bailey
• The Dr. Ruth Ann Foster Outstanding Female Student Award, Spring 2012: Monica Marie Followell
• The George W. Truett Theological Seminary Outstanding Professor Award: Dr. Ronald L. Cook, Ph.D., associate professor of Christian Scriptures and director, Doctor of Ministry Program

President Starr will recognize Truett Seminary faculty who have been honored with Outstanding Professor Awards from Baylor:
• 2011-2012 Baylor University Outstanding Professor Award - Teaching: Michael W. Stroope, Ph.D., associate professor of Christian missions and holder of The M.C. Shook Chair of Christian Missions
• 2011-2012 Baylor University Outstanding Professor Award - Scholarship: Todd D. Still, Ph.D., The William M. Hinson Professor of Christian Scriptures

Truett Seminary also recognized graduates who were presented with special awards during the seminary's final spring Chapel service:
• The Robert Jackson Robinson Preaching Award, Spring 2012: Arbra L. Bailey and Aurelia Dávila Pratt
• The Association of Youth Ministry Educators Award, Spring 2012: Elizabeth Anne Underwood
• The Zondervan Publishing House Annual Student Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Study of Biblical Greek: Stephanie Rachelle Peek
• The Zondervan Publishing House Annual Student Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Study of Biblical Hebrew: Nicholas Richard Werse

About George W. Truett Theological Seminary

Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary provides theological education leading to the Master of Divinity, the Doctor of Ministry or the Master of Theological Studies degree that is centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ and consistent with historic Baptist commitments to prepare persons to carry this gospel to the churches and the world. Within the M.Div. degree program, students can choose concentrations in Biblical Studies and Theology, Christian Education, Ministry Leadership, Missions and World Christianity, Worship Leadership and Youth/Family/Student Ministry. Truett Seminary also offers two Dual Degree programs - M.Div./MSW and MTS/MSW - through a partnership with Baylor's School of Social Work and an M.Div./Master of Music through a partnership with the Baylor University School of Music. Visit www.baylor.edu/truett to learn more.

About Baylor University

Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.