SUMMER 2022 17 After more than 30 years of devoted service to DBU, Dr. Gail Linam officially retired as a full-time faculty member this year, stepping down from her current role as DBU’s Academic Dean and Institutional Accreditation Liaison. “Dr. Gail Linam is a true encourager and among the most gifted servant leaders in Christian higher education,” says Dr. Adam C. Wright, DBU President. “I am so grateful the Lord called Gail and Dennis Linam to serve at DBU more than 30 years ago, and I am grateful the Linams will remain an active part of campus life. DBU feels like home because of friends such as the Linams.” Dr. Linam’s tenure at DBU began in 1989 at the invitation of new president Dr. Gary Cook, who she and her husband, Dennis, knew from their years in Waco. Over the years, Dr. Linam excelled in various roles of academic leadership, including as Vice President for Undergraduate Affairs, Dean of the College of Education, Executive Director of the Women’s Auxiliary Board, and Provost. Most notably, she led in the procurement of DBU’s three successive 10-year SACS accreditation reviews for 1998, 2008, and 2018, as well as helped advance the University to become a Level V, doctoral-degree granting institution. Dr. Linam also collaborated in establishing DBU’s servicelearning initiatives and the Center for Mentoring. She is a recipient of the DBU Women’s Auxiliary Board Ruth Award in recognition of her outstanding servant leadership and also received an honorary doctorate from DBU. “Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Linam personally blesses each person she encounters. Her uncanny ability to know just when a comforting word or encouraging affirmation is needed is legendary,” says Dr. Mary Nelson, Director of the Ph.D. in Leadership Studies. “Dr. Linam’s commitment to the Greatest Commandment is not a matter of behavior but of identity, and from this identity flow all of the superlative personal qualities and incredible achievements that characterize her service to DBU,” adds Dr. Rebecca Dark, her colleague in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and current Academic Dean. Dr. Linam and Dennis, who retired from DBU after serving for many years as Vice President for External Affairs, have three children, Angela, Diane, and Brooks, and one grandson, Spencer, and are active members of First Baptist Church in Arlington. The Linams are pictured above with Dr. Gary Cook and his wife, Sheila (left). “Two of the Lord’s greatest gifts to Dallas Baptist University have been Dennis and Gail Linam,” reflects Dr. Cook. “They have served as a model for all of us in their love for the Lord and their love for each other. As Gail retires from her full-time position, I think of what a blessing she has been to our DBU Family. Look all the world over, and there’s no one like Gail Linam. What a joy it has been to serve with her for the last 34 years and to be her friend.” AFaithful Legacy Dr. Gail Linam Retires as A ademic Dean
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