Baylor Regents Establish David E. Garland Scholarship Fund for Truett Seminary Students

May 15, 2017

“Lasting tribute” honors Dr. Garland’s sacrificial service and leadership to Baylor, including as interim president

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WACO, Texas (May 15, 2017) – Baylor University’s Board of Regents has established the David E. Garland Scholarship Fund in appreciation of Garland’s “unselfish and extraordinary” service to Baylor on two occasions as interim president (2008-2010, 2016-2017) and as interim provost (2014-2015).

The $5 million fund will be dedicated to scholarships for students at Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, where Garland will return to teach in spring 2018.

“In times of need, Dr. Garland stepped forward to provide exceptional leadership, steadfast commitment to the mission of Baylor and continued support for our students. His patience, wisdom and humble servant-leadership have provided vital support and stability for the future and progress of the University,” said Ronald D. Murff, B.B.A. ’75, chair of the Board of Regents. “On behalf of the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Baylor University, the Baylor Board of Regents established this lasting tribute to honor Dr. Garland’s sacrificial service and leadership that will provide scholarship assistance to students at Truett Seminary.”

“I am just overwhelmed that the Board would give $5 million in my honor to my home, Truett Seminary, to support the students and scholarships. This is what Baylor is all about: our students. The generosity of our Regents is just amazing,” Garland said.

Garland served as Truett Seminary’s fourth dean from June 2007 to June 2015. He joined the seminary faculty in 1997 as professor of Christian Scriptures, was appointed associate dean for academic affairs in 2001 and named The William M. Hinson Professor of Christian Scriptures in 2005. In addition to his research, teaching and administrative duties, he directed Truett’s self-studies for accreditation by the Association of Theological Schools from 2000-2002 and 2005-2007. He also was honored by an initial gift from an anonymous donor and subsequent contributions from others that established The David E. Garland Chair of Preaching at Truett Seminary.

“No one has served more ably or has given more sacrificially to Baylor University and her Seminary than Dr. David E. Garland,” said Todd D. Still, Ph.D., The Charles J. and Eleanor DeLancey Dean and William M. Hinson Chair of Christian Scriptures at Truett Seminary. “That the Board of Regents would establish a $5 million scholarship for deserving Truett students is a gracious tribute to him and a tremendous gift to us.

“On behalf of the Seminary and all who wish and work for her well-being, I would like to say a heartfelt ‘thank you.’ This generous gift, and others that will follow in Dr. Garland’s honor, significantly strengthens our ability to scholarship students we are privileged to form for Christian ministry,” Still said.

A magna cum laude graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and a U.S. Navy veteran, Garland received his master of divinity and doctoral degrees from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and completed postgraduate work at Eberhardt-Karls Universitat in Taübingen, Germany, and Macquarrie University in Sydney, Australia. He is an elected member of the prestigious Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas.

Before joining the Truett faculty, Garland served for 21 years as The Ernest and Mildred Hogan Professor of New Testament and chair of the Biblical Division at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He has authored, co-authored and edited 23 books and published more than 50 academic journal articles. He and his late wife, Diana, inaugural dean and namesake of Baylor’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, published “Flawed Families of the Bible: How God's Grace Works through Imperfect Relationships.” He currently working on a commentary on the Book of Romans.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 16,000 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 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.

ABOUT GEORGE W. TRUETT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary provides theological education leading to the Master of Divinity, the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, the Master of Theological Studies or the Doctor of Ministry degrees that are 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. Educational options for laypeople, bi-vocational ministers and church leaders are also available online through the Certificate Program. 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, Spiritual Formation, Sports Ministry and Youth/Family/Student Ministry. Truett Seminary also offers four Dual Degree programs – an M.Div./MSW and MTS/MSW through a partnership with Baylor’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, an M.Div./Master of Music through a partnership with the Baylor’s School of Music, an M.Div./MBA through a partnership with Baylor's Hankamer School of Business and an M.Div./J.D. degree through a partnership with Baylor’s School of Law. Visit www.baylor.edu/truett to learn more.