ETBU’s Center of Excellence in Christian Scholarship Announces Spring Scholars Forum Schedule

MARSHALL, Texas (2/01/13)- The East Texas Baptist University Center for Excellence in Christian Scholarship (CECS) announces its schedule for the Spring 2013 Scholars Forum. Last April, the CECS awarded grants to four ETBU faculty members to allow them to design an instructional model for examining the intersection of faith, discipline, and applications outside the classroom and/or outside the regular limitations of classroom discourse. Grant winners received a $1,000 teaching stipend and an iPad to supplement resources and equipment needed to provide successful project implementation.

"Each of these faculty projects represents the impact that a Christian higher education academic experience can make on student development and vocational preparation. The value-added of studying a discipline within the context of a Christian worldview evidences through impactful discovery of truth, justice and authentic pursuit of the liberal arts,” said ETBU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Sherilyn Emberton.

Dr. Robert Benefield, Professor of Psychology, will be the first to present on Tuesday, February 5th. The title of his presentation is "An Introduction to Restorative Practices and Peace Studies: Training based on Biblical mandates, delivered using experiential learning strategies, and designed for community applications via service learning projects and internships.”

The presenters on Tuesday, March 5th, will be Associate Professor of English Dr. Cassandra Falke and Dr. Ellen Fineout-Overholt, Dean and Professor, School of Professional Studies & Chair, Nursing. Dr. Falke will present on "Love & Reading,” while Dr. Fineout-Overholt’s presentation is titled, "Preparing Nurses Who Are Excellent Clinicians: Inside and Out.”

On Tuesday, April 9th, the final presentation will be by Dr. Troy Ladine, Professor of Biology, titled "Changing the Perception that Scientific Findings Should Not be Accepted Through an Understanding of Biblical Directives Toward Environment Stewardship.”

All the presentations for the Spring 2013 Scholars Forum will be held in the Ornelas Student Center Edwards Governance Room on their respective dates with each beginning at 3:30 p.m.

The purpose of the Spring Scholars Forum is to promote thoughtful dialogue on the intersection of faith and learning.

Dr. Emberton added, "The CECS was established to provide an opportunity for Christian scholars at ETBU to be recognized for the quality of their work and contributions to their respective fields of study. The University’s faculty, staff and students look forward to hearing from these recognized scholars through events like the Scholars Forum.”

The Christian community is invited to attend. For more information, email cecs@etbu.edu.