Husband And Wife Scholars Honored With Endowed Chairs In School Of Social Work, Truett Seminary

by Amanda Keys

Baylor University announced unrelated gifts from two separate anonymous donors on April 11 that will provide for the establishment of endowed chairs in the School of Social Work and George W. Truett Theological Seminary, in honor of Baylor husband and wife scholars Drs. Diana and David Garland.
The Diana R. Garland Endowed Chair in Child and Family Services was established to recognize the Baylor School of Social Work's growth and excellence under Diana's leadership. The David E. Garland Chair in Preaching acknowledges the leadership, vision and devotion to ministry that characterizes David's service in the pastorate and as a professor.
Under Diana Garland's leadership, the School of Social Work graduate program has grown 300 percent and was ranked 87th in the top 100 graduate schools in U.S. News and World Report, a significant achievement for a young program with a unique emphasis on integrating religion and spirituality in social work practice. Currently chair, Diana will become dean when the School of Social Work officially becomes a freestanding unit June 1.
"As the first dean of the School of Social Work, I am deeply honored by this gift and extremely grateful for the donor's generosity and commitment to the mission of this school," Diana said.
David Garland, associate dean of academic affairs at Truett Seminary, received the Christianity Today Award of Merit and a Silver Medallion last year for his commentary on 1 Corinthians. Though his specialty is in New Testament and he has published 12 books, he considers preaching to be the ultimate aim of biblical study, and has served as interim pastor of 15 churches in Kentucky, Indiana and Texas.
"We consider effectiveness in communicating God's word to today's world to be a major challenge and need in the life of the church and her mission," David said. "This extraordinary gift will allow Truett Seminary to push toward greater excellence in this vital area."
The School of Social Work and Truett Seminary will be raising money to fully fund the endowments for these chairs. For information about contributing to these endowed chairs, please contact Assistant Vice President Cindy Dougherty at (254) 710-2561 or 1-800-BAYLOR-U, option 4.