Truett Seminary Sets Baccalaureate Service, Commencement
Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary will hold a baccalaureate service honoring its third graduating class at 6 p.m. Friday, May 14, in the sanctuary of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, 1300 Columbus Ave. in Waco.
Dr. Charles Wade, pastor of First Baptist Church of Arlington, will be the guest speaker. The sanctuary choir of First Baptist Church of Waco will sing in honor of two of its church staff members who are graduating, Scott Bryant of Hewitt and Andrew Jenkins of Montgomery, Ala.
Truett alumni members will also sponsor a "homecoming" luncheon May 14 at noon at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church to welcome graduates into the alumni family. Alumni also attend the baccalaureate service and honor the graduates with the traditional standing tribute.
"The graduates continue standing after they walk across stage in recognition of their fellow graduates," said Dr. Michael Morgan, assistant seminary dean. "The alumni members, who sit together behind the graduates, also participate in this tradition."
Approximately 11 Truett graduates will receive their master of divinity degrees during commencement exercises at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 15, in the Ferrell Center.
Among this year's graduates is James Tippit of Waco, who was selected by seminary faculty as Truett's Fall 1998 Outstanding Student. Tippit earned his bachelor of science degree in kinesiology from the University of North Texas before entering Truett Seminary in 1995, where he has maintained a 3.9 grade point average. In addition to his studies, he has served as the youth and college minister at Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Waco for two years. After graduation, Tippit plans to enter a doctoral program that combines the areas of philosophy, biology and theology.