February 25, 2025
Seven faculty members at East Texas Baptist University recently received promotions, including Dr. Patrick Antinone (Associate Professor of Music), Dr. Nathan Phillips (Associate Professor of Music), Dr. Kate Mead (Associate Professor of Communication), Mr. Dan Streety (Associate Professor of Communication), Mr. Jake Yenish (Associate Professor of Theatre Arts), Dr. Nicole Fant (Associate Professor of Nursing), and Dr. Ellis Purdie (Professor of Languages and Literature). These promotions reflect their contributions to ETBU’s academic community and are celebrated by students, faculty, and staff.
To receive a promotion, requirements established by the ETBU Faculty Promotion Committee must be met and evaluated. After reviewing the committee's recommendations, portfolios from the candidates, and recommendations from the Deans of the respective schools, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs provides the President with their recommendation. Then, under the authorization of the Board of Trustees, academic ranks are assigned by the President.
“These promotions are a significant milestone for our ETBU community,” Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas Sanders said. “I have had the privilege of walking alongside these exceptional faculty members, and their well-earned recognition speaks to the excellence they bring to our classrooms. This promotion process reflects the lasting impact they have had on both the university and our students.”
Dr. Patrick Antinone was promoted to Associate Professor of Music at East Texas Baptist University, brings 32 years of experience in Music Education. He previously served as Assistant Professor and Director of Choral Activities at ETBU and has taught at Southeastern Oklahoma State, UT Arlington, TCU, and Texas Tech. Before higher education, he spent 26 years directing choirs and overseeing fine arts programs in Texas public schools. Dr. Antinone holds degrees from Baylor, Texas Woman’s University, and Texas Tech. His choirs have performed at prestigious state, national, and international events, including the Beijing Olympic Music Festival and St. Peter’s Basilica. An active clinician, adjudicator, and scholar, he is passionate about mentoring the next generation of choral musicians.
Dr. Nathan Phillips was promoted to Associate Professor of Music. Dr. Phillips also serves as Director of Bands at East Texas Baptist University. Dr. Phillips earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. Shortly after, he began graduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He studied trombone with Dr. Randy Kohlenberg and earned a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Trombone Performance. Before joining the faculty at ETBU, Dr. Phillips taught at Elon University in North Carolina and Cameron University in Oklahoma. He and his wife, Rachel, are active members of Providence Church in Marshall.
Dr. Kate Mead was promoted to Professor of Communication at East Texas Baptist University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Olivet Nazarene University, a Master of Arts in Communication from Northern Illinois University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Communication at Liberty University, where her research focused on digital culture-building techniques in Christian nonprofit organizations. Prior to working as full-time faculty, her career focused on improving communication between organizational departments. At ETBU, she is the advisor for the local chapter of Lambda Pi Eta (National Communication Honor Society) and organizes the Howard C. Bennett Speech Contest, an annual speech competition for graduating seniors. She loves to engage with students academically and personally, helping them seek God's Truth both inside and outside of the classroom.
Mr. Dan Streety was promoted to Associate Professor in the School of Communication and Performing Arts, where he is also appointed as chair of the Communication Department at East Texas Baptist University. He started his career over 30 years ago in new business development, integrated marketing, new media, and brand-building. During that time, he created award-winning work for leading CPG brands and other Fortune 500 companies like Starbucks, Pepsi, Frito Lay, Hallmark, Power Bar, Walmart, BMW, and others. Mr. Streety has produced work in five countries, worked in London and Toronto, and sat on two different global leadership teams. He has received his Master of Fine Arts in Visual Narrative from the prestigious School of Visual Arts in New York.
Mr. Jake Yenish was promoted to Associate Professor of Theatre Arts. Mr. Yenish has over 17 years of experience in Christian higher education. He earned a Bachelor of Theatre Arts at Bethany Lutheran College and a Master of Fine Arts from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He is an active respondent for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), having previously served in Region VI as State Chair for Oklahoma and recently served Region IV as Response Coordinator for Alabama and Mississippi. Several of Mr. Yenish’s Lighting Designs have been recognized by KCACTF, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Oklahoma Baptist University, Tell it to the Wind, and Antigone at Bethany Lutheran College.
Dr. Nicole Fant was promoted to Associate Professor of Nursing. She joined East Texas Baptist University as Dean of the Teague School of Nursing and Assistant Professor in 2023. With a diverse background in nursing, she has worked as a staff nurse, house supervisor, and program manager in a rural acute care hospital. She has also held faculty and leadership roles in RN to BSN and MSN Administration programs. A Northeast Texas native, Dr. Fant earned her ADN from Texarkana College, followed by a BSN and MSN from Texas A&M-Texarkana, and a PhD in Nursing Science from Texas Woman’s University. She is deeply committed to nursing as a ministry, advocacy, and lifelong learning.
Dr. Ellis Purdie was promoted to Professor of Languages and Literature. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Mississippi College before pursuing his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Creative Writing at the University of Southern Mississippi. Additionally, he served as an Instructor of English at Southern Mississippi. Dr. Purdie has published many works over an eleven-year period. He desires to help his students better understand their God-given gifts and vocation.