DBU Holds May Commencement

Six hundred forty-five degrees were conferred during Dallas Baptist University’s May Commencement services held on Thursday and Friday, May 10-11. Of the graduates, 365 received bachelor’s degrees, 275 received master’s degrees, and five received doctorates.

Commencement addresses were given by Dr. Nolan Estes, DBU distinguished adjunct professor; Dr. Cory Hines, vice president of external affairs; and Dr. Adam Wright, vice president of advancement. Hines and Wright received their doctorate degrees during the Commencement services on Thursday.

Dr. Estes is a lifelong educator, serving as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and then Associate United States Commissioner of Education under President Lyndon B. Johnson. After his time in Washington came to a close, the Dallas Independent School District asked Dr. Estes to serve as General Superintendent of Public Schools for Dallas, a position he maintained for more than 10 years. He then went on to teach at the University of Texas at Austin and then later began teaching courses for Dallas Baptist University. Dr. Estes and his wife, Mildred, attended First Baptist Church of Dallas, and he served as chairman of the deacons. Currently, they live in Austin and are members of Hyde Park Baptist Church, where he is a deacon.

Dr. Hines began his tenure at DBU as the director of alumni and community relations in 2009. Two years later, he was named vice president for external affairs, a position in which he provides leadership for DBU within its denomination, with graduates, lawmakers, and the surrounding community. Prior to coming to DBU, Dr. Hines served for 13 years on staff at Ferris Avenue Baptist Church (currently known as The Avenue Baptist Church) in Waxahachie as a student minister, then executive pastor. Dr. Hines and his wife, Melinda, have been married for almost 15 years and live in Waxahachie with their two children, Mackenzie and Caleb. They attend The Avenue Baptist Church in Waxahachie.

Dr. Wright is a three-time DBU alumnus, having previously received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University. As vice president for advancement, he has worked to secure funding for campus building projects including the Patty and Bo Pilgrim Chapel, Joan and Andy Horner Hall and the Jeanette and Cletys Sadler Global Missions Center, which is currently under construction. Dr. Wright and his wife, Candice, are active members of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas. They have one daughter, Abigail.