Jesus at the Center: Fall Convocation Celebrates Ten Years of Dr. Wright’s Presidency

On September 9, 2016, in the Patty and Bo Pilgrim Chapel Sanctuary, Dr. Adam C. Wright was inaugurated as the sixth President of Dallas Baptist University. Ten years later, as DBU celebrated another year during the annual Convocation Chapel, Dr. Wright was honored for his faithful service and dedication to the Lord and the University.

The sanctuary was filled with students, faculty, and staff, all gathered for a morning of worship, led by DBU's Chapel Worship.

Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Jay Harley addressed students, sharing how the Scripture that would be read was a theme verse chosen during each year of Dr. Wright's tenure. The reading of the eleven verses, including the 2026 theme verses, Jeremiah 29:12–13, served as a reminder of God's continued faithfulness throughout the years of Dr. Wright's presidency.

Dr. Harley then gave the audience three words to focus on for the remainder of the morning and the semester ahead: faithful, protector, and provider. Each word was chosen to describe just a few of the characteristics of God that have been shown to DBU over the past ten years.

Focusing on these three words, students, faculty, and staff were invited into a time of prayer. The Chapel sanctuary filled with thousands of voices thanking God for His faithfulness to the University, its leadership, and its students; the Lord's constant protection throughout the years; and His presence in providing exactly what the University has needed.

Amid the Scripture readings, worship, and prayer, was the constant reminder to keep "Jesus at the center of it all," as Chapel Worship sang the lyrics from a song by Israel & New Breed.

Following this time of prayer, DBU's Senior Vice President Jonathan Teat captivated the audience with a speech reflecting on Dr. Wright's authentic and consistent leadership over the last ten years.

"This morning we celebrate the testimony of what God has done in and through Dr. Wright's life, and through and because of his leadership as President of DBU," Jonathan shared. "No one could have scripted the last ten years, yet we are thankful today that in large part because of Dr. Wright's committed Christian servant leadership, the mission of DBU remains clear to produce Christ-centered servant leaders who seek and strive to transform the world for the glory of God alone."

Concluding this year's Convocation, Dr. Wright addressed the DBU Family with humble gratitude, honoring his wife and DBU's First Lady, Candice Wright, for her faithful servant leadership over the last ten years. He then challenged everyone to keep Christ at the center, to seek Him wholeheartedly, and to trust His plans.

Kimberly Green, DBU's Assistant Professor of Music and Head of the Commercial Music Division in the Music Department, joined Chapel Worship to close the service with a final moment of worship.

Moving into another year, Dr. Wright prays that DBU will continue to be a place that gives glory and honor to the Lord, keeping Christ at the center of it all.