Truett Seminary Begins Move to New Complex
Beginning Thursday, Dec. 13, faculty and staff of Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary will begin moving into the new $17 million, 64,000-square-foot seminary complex on the Baylor campus.
The initial move is expected to be completed on Monday, Dec. 17, although furniture and additional items will continue to arrive during the next few weeks. Landscaping work also will continue throughout December. The seminary complex is located on Dutton Avenue across from Russell Hall.
"We're excited about our new home and having our community here on campus," said René Maciel, Truett's assistant dean for administration and academic services. "Truett Seminary will now have the space and the technology that we've not had as we have grown. This new building will be a tremendous asset for us as a seminary and for our student body."
Students, faculty and staff will gather Thursday night in the seminary's Great Hall for an "inaugural" Christmas get-together. Classes will begin Jan. 14, with the opening convocation set for Jan. 22. The official building dedication will be held Feb. 22.
The new Truett Seminary complex features a 550-seat chapel, named in honor of Truett Dean Paul W. Powell; a Great Hall; a 100-foot by 100-foot landscaped, enclosed courtyard; a teaching chapel named in honor of Baylor President Robert B. Sloan Jr., who was Truett Seminary's founding dean; classrooms and meeting rooms; and faculty and administrative offices. In May, workers placed the steeple and a nine-foot gold leaf cross on the chapel spire, which towers at more than 100 feet.
Longtime Baylor benefactors John and Eula Mae Baugh of Houston provided a $5 million lead gift in November 1997 for the seminary's construction. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held on Feb. 2, 2000. Actual construction began later that spring.
Since the first day of classes on Aug. 31, 1994, Truett Seminary's enrollment has more than quintupled from 51 students to a record 296 students in fall 2001. The seminary has conferred master's of divinity degrees on more than 150 students, while also offering a doctor of ministry degree, a joint master of divinity/master of music degree in conjunction with Baylor's School of Music, and a joint master of divinity/master of social work degree in conjunction with the School of Social Work.
TRUETT TIMELINE
Aug. 28, 1994 Truett Seminary holds its first opening convocation service in the worship
center of First Baptist Church of Waco
Aug. 31, 1994 Seminary classes officially begin with 51 students registered
November 1997 Longtime Baylor benefactors John and Eula Mae Baugh of Houston
provide a $5 million lead gift for Truett Seminary's construction
Feb. 2, 2000 Truett Seminary holds a ceremonial groundbreaking on the site of the new
complex
May 29-30, 2001 Steeple and nine-foot gold leaf cross placed on chapel spire
Dec. 13-14, 17 Faculty and staff move offices from First Baptist Church to Truett
Seminary
Jan. 14, 2002 Classes begin at Truett Seminary
Jan. 22, 2002 Opening convocation scheduled in Truett Seminary chapel
Feb. 22, 2002 Building dedication