At Dallas Baptist University, stories of transformation, calling, and global impact are more than anecdotes—they are testimonies of lives shaped by Christ-centered servant leadership. Matthew Johnston, a 2012 graduate with an MA in Global Leadership with a specialization in TESOL, is one such story, woven with faith, cultural engagement, and a lifelong commitment to literacy and service.
Dallas Baptist University proudly celebrates Dr. Norma Hedin, Provost, who has been named a 2025 Distinguished Alumna by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS). The recognition, announced by SWBTS, honors alumni who have made a lasting impact on Christian ministry and education.
This spring, Cora Moncibaiz (’23), a proud Dallas Baptist University alumna, was named one of the 2025 Future Texas Business Legend Scholars by the Texas Business Hall of Fame (TBHF). Selected from universities across Texas, Cora joins a prestigious cohort of 21 outstanding students recognized for their entrepreneurial drive, leadership, and vision for the future of business in the Lone Star State.
Rebecca Roush (‘18) has charted an inspiring path shaped by discipline, compassion, and a deep sense of purpose. A standout student-athlete, professional leader, and devoted wife and mother, her story is a testament to how God uses every season, setbacks and successes alike, for growth and impact.
Dallas Baptist University is pleased to share that Dr. Gary Cook, Chancellor of DBU, was honored with the 2025 Texas Baptists Legacy Award on Sunday, June 1, during a special service held at Independence Baptist Church in Independence, Texas. The award, presented by Texas Baptists, honors individuals who have demonstrated a lifetime of faithful Christian service and impactful leadership within Texas Baptist life.
Keely Boutwell has been a storyteller for as long as she can remember. From a young age, she’s been captivated by the power of stories—so much so that she would often rewrite Disney princess tales and recruit her sisters to perform in impromptu plays and musicals of her creation. What began as childhood play soon grew into a lifelong passion. Lining her shelves are notebooks, each one holding a world of her imagination. Some are half-finished, others complete, but all echo with stories Keely was compelled to tell. Now, she’s stepping into a new chapter: bringing one of her long-envisioned stories to life on screen.
This year at NCA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida, four members of the Dallas Baptist University Cheer team experienced a moment even bigger than competition — they were baptized in the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by their teammates, coaches, and family.
Ben Bolin (’05) has lived a life deeply rooted in both ministry and music. Growing up in Southern Illinois, he was immersed in church life from an early age, with his father serving as the Minister of Music at their local church. Surrounded by faith, family, and melody, Ben accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior during childhood. By the age of 12, he felt a clear call to ministry—a calling he actively pursued throughout his high school years. During that time, he was even given opportunities to preach, further affirming his passion for sharing the Gospel. From those formative experiences, it was clear that Ben’s future would be shaped by a lifelong devotion to ministry and music.
Dallas Baptist University has been awarded a Level 1 Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens. The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta at various levels of development, capacity, and professionalism. DBU is also now recognized as an accredited arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants.
From serving pancakes and driving vans on South Padre Island to touring the Stock Exchange in the heart of New York City, our Patriots were hard at work learning and serving across America this Spring Break. With over 150 participants spanning six trips, students across all disciplines embarked on transformational experiences alongside their peers.
The Arbor Day Foundation recognized Dallas Baptist University as a 2024 Tree Campus for its dedication to enhancing community well-being through tree education, investment, and community engagement.
For Tiffany Coleman, Dallas Baptist University was more than just a place of learning—it was a transformative chapter of faith, friendship, and purpose. A 2010 graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a 2013 graduate with a Master of Arts in Counseling, Tiffany's journey at DBU laid the foundation for a life devoted to service and faith.
This year marks Dr. Mike Williams' 30th anniversary at Dallas Baptist University, a milestone in a career dedicated to faith, education, and mentorship.
Dallas Baptist University is pleased to announce a new partnership with Cenergistic, a leading energy conservation company dedicated to optimizing energy consumption and promoting sustainability.
Since its opening in the fall of 2009, the beacon of hope that is Pilgrim Chapel has steadily drawn many people close to God’s heart. In honor of the chapel’s 15-year anniversary, we give God thanks for the great things he has done with anticipation for all He is yet to do. The construction of Pilgrim Chapel, the most iconic building on the DBU campus, was the culmination of answered prayers over a period of decades.
Mitch Bennett challenged himself to run a half marathon in every state. This summer, he finished his journey by running in Alaska.
DBU Chancellor Dr. Gary Cook and Dr. Mary Nelson collaborated to author a book chronicling the history of DBU during Dr. Cook's time as President.
DBU Students traveled the globe during spring break to New York City, Washington D.C., and Costa Rica. DBU's Women's Soccer and Volleyball teams served with the Costa Rica Soccer ministry and shared the Gospel throughout their trip.
Prolific author Tish Harrison Warren spoke to the DBU Family about the topics discussed in her best-selling book, Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life.
Daughter of Chick-fil-A founder Trudy Cathy White addressed DBU students in chapel. She shared her story of being the youngest franchise owner in company history and how the Lord has utilized her and her family to further the Kingdom.
Kimberley Montgomery graduated from DBU with her M.A. in Counseling and has a passion for serving those who suffer from trauma, child abuse, and sexual abuse.
Brent Leatherwood, President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, headlined Veritas in February. He challenged the audience to invest in our communities and have Jesus at the center.
Meet Kevin, Craig, Richard, David and Les. They met during their time at DBC in the 1970's and remain close friends to this day. They reunite every year to watch the Super Bowl together.
Brandon Matula graduated from the broadcast program in 2022 and had the amazing opportunity to work at this year's Super Bowl.
DBU Alumna Chloe Harris is currently attending medical school and plans to integrate the joy of the Lord into the medical field.
After just eight months at the organization, Dr. Reyes accepted the challenge of a new role in managing the Enterprise Leadership Delivery Team at Southwest Airlines.
At the beginning of this new year, Sara received the honor to step in as the next Executive Director of Good Samaritans of Garland food pantry.
Meghan Hendrickson is serving as DBU's new BSM Director.
Dr. Julie Leslie recently joined the DBU Faculty as Director of Research for the Ed.D., K-12 program. In 2016, she and her husband Gary began the difficult journey in a fight against his life-threatening pancreatic cancer.
The DBU Faculty Council recently voted Dr. Jodi Grimes to receive the 2023 Piper Outstanding Professor Award.
A '22 DBU graduate in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics and a minor in Biblical Studies, Lauren Hunskor is serving at Advocates for Community Transformation (Act) in Dallas, which works on behalf of residents to end drug-trafficking in their neighborhoods.
Jo Allen is a student worker in the Baptist Student Ministries office here at DBU. This summer, she joined Texas Baptists Go Now Missions as a summer missionary to Eastern Europe, where she spent 8 weeks spreading the gospel and growing in her walk with the Lord.
Hannah Adeoye is Mission Engagement Coordinator at Traffick911, an organization that exists to free youth from sex trafficking by building trust-based relationships. Hannah oversees the organization’s print and digital graphic design needs and assist with social media, photography, and email marketing.
Cade Bauer is following a calling into the field of computer science. This summer he interned with NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
DBU's Global Community recently hosted the Forum on International Education and Leadership from July 17-21. This event showcases the global influence of DBU and its commitment to empowering and encouraging other faith-based schools and educators.
Drawn to leadership and academic excellence in his youth, called into spiritual education as a young adult, and finally accepting his new role as Head of School and Upper Campus Principal of King's Academy Christian School, Dr. Aaron Glover (Ed.D. '20) inspires future generations towards their God-given callings.
Luisa Angel and Amin Calvo graduated from the MAGL program in May 2022 and currently serve at Park Cities Baptist Church.
Alumnus Jordan McKinney serves as Senior Associate Pastor at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Cedar Hill.
Since graduating, alumna Kathleen Sotomayor has been faithful and obedient in her calling as she serves as the Local Missions Minister at the Heights Baptist Church in Richardson, Texas.
From DBU to OU Law School, Faith Myers has been faithful in pursuing the calling the Lord has placed upon her life. Together, the DBU Family celebrates all the Lord has done and continues to do in Faith's life.
DBU's Veteran and Military Services Center hosts an annual Veterans Day Lunch to honor those who served. In 2022, Navy Seal Veteran Charles Crouch spoke.
On June 21, DBU had the opportunity to host William P. Barr on campus and learn from his years spend serving as the 77th and 85th Attorney General of the United States.
Long before Joelle Newton ever stepped foot on University Hill, the Lord had been paving the way for Joelle's life. Now, Joelle is heavily involved with the DBU Baseball team, is a faithful member of her sorority, and is currently pursuing her bachelor's in mathematics.
DBU welcomes Dr. Becky Morrison to the Patriot family as she serves as a new Associate Professor of Music Education in the College of Fine Arts.
This past year, DBU was home to two Texas Business Hall of Fame 2021 Scholar Award recipients.
Learning from his failures and using experience to guide him are 2 key reasons why Breon Dennis, Jr., is where he is today.
Family is an important part of Hispanic culture and the Ramirez family shows what it looks like to have family as community.
DBU Alumni Steve and Elaine Maddox first met on the DBC campus in the '70s. Now, the Maddox family has tirelessly served the Dallas community together through Dallas Fire Rescue for nearly 40 years.
Servant leadership is a principle that focuses on serving others before self and is a driving force behind all that Lenora Brown has done and still does in her career in the field of education.
Mitchell Cantwell learned many important principles while gaining a higher education at DBU and is thriving by continuing to use these principles in his career today.
DBU alumna Emily Reilly recounts her time as a student living on campus with multiple sclerosis and how the Lord has used her since she graduated in 2010.
Bishop Aaron Blake began to foster 6 high school boys while serving as a bi-vocational pastor and high school counselor. Little did he know how this decision would impact fostered and orphaned children in Texas today.
Student Matilde Lindner reflects on her past summer spent at home overseas.
This year's honorary recipient Voice of Hope that serves the West Dallas community. Established in 1982, the organization now serves over 300 students in after-school programs and summer camps.
Gala Wilson Milburn and Carolyn Stutts Henry went to the same elementary school, attended DBU together in the late 1960s, and remain best friends to this day. Read more of this true friendship story.
Breanne Jackson felt a calling to go serve children on mission. In Kijabe, Kenya, Breanne saw the Lord's hand working all throughout her trip.
DBU student athlete Faith DeLaGarza shows how being a student and athlete has helped prepare her for her calling.
Greyson Goebel, Gage Roberts, and Joseph Alcazar were 3 out of only 34 students nationally to be awarded $30,000 scholarships by the Sumners Foundation for 2021.
Elizabeth Ann Boyles, known by Ann, retired from teaching at DBU this past December. The former teacher and Intensive English Program Director now leads Bible studies for a group of students and is currently writing her fourth book while marketing her already published fiction series, the Dragonfly Trilogy.
DBU alumna Angela Hayward has witnessed amazing stories of God’s faithfulness and provision since she started with World Relief following her graduation with a degree in sociology.
DBU Alum Ranjita Kumar recently completed her Master of Science in Management and shares her story of God's faithfulness and provision throughout her time at DBU.
DBU faculty and staff Captain Lee Bratcher and Dr. Ross O'Brien hosted a Murph Challenge workout in honor of Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy for ROTC cadets at DBU's Soccer Field and Old Intramural Field.
Senior Hannah Sullivan is preparing for her career in education while student teaching during the pandemic.
This year, DBU introduced a new travel study trip to South Carolina. The trip, envisioned and led by Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Jay Harley, focused on South Carolina's role in both the Civil War and the Civil Rights Era.
Twenty-first century Christians often can’t take in the incredible impact of Christ’s triumphal entry on Palm Sunday, but when we reflect on its place within the larger story of God’s redemption, we stand in awe and anticipation of how God moves and crafts His grand narrative.
Dr. Uriah Rinzel recently joined the full-time faculty as Assistant Professor of music theory, composition, and songwriting in the College of Fine Arts.
In the fall of 2008, DBU alumna Joy Johnson, alongside her husband Jesse, opened the doors of Discovery School, a private Christian preschool, primary, and secondary school in Burundi, Africa.
Chandler Jacobs became the first player in DBU history to garner USBWA National Player of the Week honors. Seven days later, he became the first to do it twice.
Treasure Hunter Scott Pearce has found many rings and reconnected them with their owners, including the recent discovery of alumna Brittany O'Neal's lost DBU ring.
From Zimbabwe to Texas, Dr. Wilson brings a wealth of global experience and business insight to the MBA program, positioning the University for a great future ahead in one of DBU's most sought after degrees.
Camila Ramos received multiple scholarships from Zunta International, an organization devoted to empowering women around the world.
International student Exauce Madjibe reflects on his DBU experience and returning home for Christmas after two years of being away.
The pandemic has made Eric’s role as BSM Director unique and challenging, but it has not stopped his intent to actively engage students to become catalysts for changing the world.
The DBU Hispanic Student Union hosts special fellowship events and service opportunities to connect its growing population of Hispanic students while spreading appreciation for Hispanic culture and heritage throughout the DBU Family.
Meet two graduates of DBU's Master of Arts in Global Leadership program who are serving the Lord faithfully in their callings.
It's a fun and wholesome podcast that provides independent movie reviews of must-sees as well as just-skips in the world of cinema.
Jim Hutchinson's career in art has included illustrating maps for Abeka books as a college student to refining his art in New York to now serving at DBU.
The church's musical influence was what planted the seeds of an incredible and unexpected artistic career for Dr. Brooks.
Gracy shares about an opportunity she had to put her dream into practice after landing an internship with the Human Resources team at a large corporation in DFW during the summer.
Next to the Mahler Student Center on the DBU campus, a bronze sculpture depicts a man kneeling at a chair, bent over an open Bible, his head cradled in his hand as he fervently petitions God. Be it a prayer for guidance, for peace, or for healing; whichever his petitions may be, the man in the sculpture inspires the viewer with a sacred moment captured by Texas-based artist Bridgette Mongeon.
Anna Catherine’s story can be defined as one of passion and devotion to finding her calling in life. As she moved to DBU, she was expectant of what God would do throughout her college years, not knowing that God would exceed all her expectations.
Recruited by DBU to run for the cross country and track and field teams, Micaela Lamb has now crossed the finish line with her awarded degree but her race to continue growing in her relationship with God goes on in her new job starting this fall working for one of the four largest public accounting firms in the world.
When it came time to choose his dissertation research in DBU's doctoral program, Dr. Bryan Price considered the challenges of his own pastoral context and was inspired to study the leadership of the late Civil Rights activist and pastor Gardner C. Taylor.
Resident Director Wayne Briggs's story reflects the nature of intentionally seeking to serve others, after having been found, served and restored himself.
DBU Alum Dr. Cheryl Goodwin hopes that her research on leading relationship workers will contribute to a much larger conversation on leadership challenges and opportunities in a society steadily moving toward greater automation and machine learning.
On March 11, 2011, a magnitude-9 earthquake devastated northeastern Japan and unleashed a savage tsunami whose effects reverberated throughout the world. The impact of that earthquake was also felt in the hearts of people far away, including DBU alumni Andrew and Aubra Bulin, for whom the crisis served as God’s clear calling to send them to Japan.
In the wake of disruption, many organizations have been forced to adapt their approach so as to continue providing much-needed services while protecting the health of their staff and the people they serve. Among these are local non-profit ministries like Brother Bill's Helping Hand, which has been serving the West Dallas and Oak Cliff communities for many years.
Through their Coffeehouse fundraiser in February, featuring recording artist Chris Renzema, DBU's Zeta Chi sorority was able to raise $9,000 to donate to several non-profits.
A native of McKinney, Texas, Stuart Foister's calling to the field of law began to develop before he ever set foot on University Hill.
DBU Senior Mackenzie Lohnes shares how God's faithfulness has been a common theme throughout her time on the Hill and as part of the Patriettes dance team.
Faithful in every footnote is the phrase that was scripted above Dr. Christine Jones's desk as a doctoral student. While she worked on her dissertation, those words would morph into her personal outlook on education.
"My greatest passion is to inspire, train, and encourage new generations of musicians; more than anything else, this has driven me to become a better performer and teacher," DBU Alumna Meredith Tompkins shared. Born and raised in Midland, Texas, Meredith grew up in a musical family and eventually gravitated to studying music herself.
Dr. King’s call for racial equality and justice in America is far from fulfilled as we enter this new decade. That unfinished call goes beyond the starting point of awareness and a change of mind to move toward individual and collective accountable action, including participating in constructive dialogue, hiring without prejudice, conscientious engagement in civic life, and joining together to ensure a fair and impartial justice system, as well as ending cycles of poverty and educational disadvantages in underprivileged communities.
For current DBU graduate students, Shirley and Joyce Porto, the religious freedoms enjoyed by some are an urgent call to speak out for others around the world without them. Together they are working on campus to inspire students to give voice to the voiceless and make the world a more just place for all.
Belén Ramírez’s testimony of one incredible answered prayer for healing followed by several more that went unanswered for a long time illustrates a valuable spiritual lesson: “We are not God; we do not decide when God heals and when He doesn’t. You have to always ask for His will. And His will be done.”
For every anxious or drifting student who walks into Dr. Mary Nelson's office, ready to withdraw from their programs at any moment’s notice, she sees an image her younger self knew all too well.
It was a big decision, and it called for a family meeting. DBU Alumnus Brance Barker, then a fourth-grader, hopped on his parents’ bed and sat next to his sister, wondering why a family meeting had been called. His father, Dewain Barker, who had been leading a homeschool co-op at the time, shared he was feeling led to pioneer the concept of the “University Method of Education." And so Brance’s young life changed significantly.
Before she ever attended her first missions class at DBU, the Lord had already been working in Brindley Taylor's heart to help her see every lost person through the eyes of His redemption.
The theme of senior Connor Torre’s story can be told in the one realization he has constantly faced the last four years: “God is directing my steps.”
The Lord has given Shermain many experiences that have prepared her for her current role at DBU as the Director of Financial Aid.
Since 1898, DBU has been dedicated to providing a genuine, Christ-centered community and education. The result has been generations of servant leaders who transform lives for Christ.
To provide insight into MAGL, we asked Madison Houston, one of our new students, and Addison Zody, one of our Spring 2019 graduates, some questions regarding our program.
This May, a group of DBU students traveled to Hungary to minister to local schools throughout the country allowing faculty, staff, and students to build relationships with the Hungarian community as they served.
This year, one of DBU's own Ph.D. in Leadership Studies graduates, Dr. Brent Hutchinson, was recognized for outstanding leadership in his community and received the distinguished honor of being one of only twenty others around the world to be awarded a fellowship by the Obama Foundation.
This summer, DBU Senior Spencer Hamilton secured an internship in Washington, D.C. working for Colorado Senator.
“The doctor says I have cancer,” Dale Braswell’s father blurted out as they packed up his dorm room in Lange Hall on the Dallas Baptist University campus. Dale’s roommates had just taken a few boxes of out to the car, and in this brief moment alone, Dale’s dad dropped the bombshell. His father’s eyes welled up. “We’re gonna try to figure this thing out,” he said.
The diagnosis looked grim. Although Patricia had battled cancer and won, a new problem emerged-kidney failure. For two years she spent her mornings, driving to her dialysis clinic, sitting through the process, and knowing that in a couple of days it would start all over again, four hours at a time.
The sweet aroma of freshly brewed coffee is the perfect motivation for a groggy mind that clings to bed in the morning. And the incentive of coffee’s scent is second best only to the promise of coffee’s taste. It is this same coffee-instigated impetus to wake up in the morning that becomes an aid for the focus of mind in class later on. Either the same cup, or a fresh one is adequate company in the classroom.
Kayla Askey, a recent DBU MAGL graduate, encourages first-semester students in the program to hold the perspective that every course is presently equipping students with tools in life.
Sarah Estes, graduate of DBU’s M.A. in Global Leadership Program, states that she now has a stronger visual of what the integration of faith and culture looks like after going through this educational experience.
DBU alumnus Dr. Dionel Waters is known for a great length of educational achievements that have led and prepared him for his current role today as a principal in Arlington, Texas.
Birthed in the midst of the Harlem Renaissance, a period of unparalleled development in African American art, music, literature, theater, and politics, Negro History Week (which later became Black History Month) was founded in February 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the second African American to receive a Ph.D. in history from Harvard University. Woodson wholeheartedly believed that the immersive study of black history and culture would be the path to racial uplift and progress.
From the beginning of January to the middle of May 2018, DBU senior Katie Evenson studied abroad in Uganda, attending Uganda Christian University in a town called Mukono. For Evenson, this opportunity to learn in another country was something that has been on her heart for a long time.
Over winter break, DBU's campus was quiet as many students returned home to spend time with their families and prepare for the upcoming spring semester. Some, however, took the opportunity to join in DBU's global studies opportunities and travel abroad to locations such as Greece, Rome, Israel, and Spain.
Valentine’s Day serves as an annual challenge to intentionally care for those around us. Developing a servant’s heart and awareness for the needs of our surrounding community is difficult. Yet, teachers approach this task on a daily basis. Every day, teachers around the world spend hours in the classroom demonstrating love and a commitment to the development of upcoming generations.
We wrote the articles, but you especially fell in love with these stories. 2018 brought so much for the DBU Family – excitement, growth, challenges, and for some, even heartbreak. Yet, through it all, God has been good to us and we have seen His sovereign hand every step of the way. Thank you for reading along with us this year, and in case you missed them, here are the top 10 most-read articles from 2018!
Current DBU student Ranjita Kumar grew up in an Indian orphanage. Her biological family practiced Hinduism, and she herself was a professing atheist. At the young age of seven, her biological mother placed her in a Christian orphanage.
DBU is in the blood of freshman Ryan Wilson. His grandmother came to the school, as did both of his parents, and his older sister is a current student as well. There simply has not been a time in his life when DBU was not in the picture.
This evening will mark DBU’s 38th annual Mr. Big Chief talent show. In this all-male competition, contestants compete in three categories, swimwear, talent, and formalwear, as they set their sights on the coveted title of Mr. Big Chief! Campus has been buzzing in preparation for tonight’s event, so as we get ready to see the 2018 contestants take the stage, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane!
