Snyder named interim vice president, A Sending Church Conference, Crossover registration open, and more

This Week on the Hill” is a weekly roundup of campus news, announcements, and events from Southwestern Seminary and Texas Baptist College.

Announcements

Snyder named interim vice president for enrollment and student services, acting dean of students

Effective immediately, Chandler M. Snyder, who has served as associate vice president for student services since August 2022, has been named interim vice president for enrollment and student services and has assumed the role of acting dean of students.

“I’m grateful for all Chandler Snyder has done since joining us last year to help Southwestern Seminary be student focused,” said Interim President David S. Dockery. “In his expanded position, which includes service on the Seminary Leadership Team, he will play a vital role ministering to our students as they seek to live their calling on Seminary Hill.”

Snyder, who is also a Doctor of Philosophy student at Southwestern Seminary, oversees the work of student life, admissions, recreation, residence life, and international student services. Student focused is one of the six core values of Southwestern Seminary. Prior to serving at Southwestern, Snyder and his family served for more than a decade with the International Mission Board in various countries in Africa. Snyder can be reached at csnyder@swbts.edu.

SCMW auditions to be held March 24

All Southwestern Seminary and Texas Baptist College students are welcome to audition for ensembles and worship bands through the School of Church Music and Worship on March 24. Please email auditions@swbts.edu for more information.

Center for Writing and Rhetoric open for student writing needs

The Center for Writing and Rhetoric is available to assist all students and faculty with writing resources, writing workshop schedules and paper templates accessible on the Canvas Center for Writing and Rhetoric. If you need assistance with any writing assignment, complete the request here.

Student Life Summer Ministry Fair to be held March 22

Free this summer and looking to gain ministry experience? Come to the Summer Ministry Fair on March 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Student Center Lounge to meet ministry leaders to learn more about summer camps, church internships, and summer ministry internships. These include paid and scholarship opportunities. Use the summer to be a light for Christ while learning from ministry leaders.

Prison Fellowship Dinner and Movie Preview

Join the Land Center for Cultural Engagement and the World Missions Center for a screening of Prison Fellowship’s documentary A New Day 1 and a panel discussion exploring the unique challenges of reentry for incarcerated individuals in Texas. This event will be on March 21 at 5:30 p.m. on the second floor of the student center.

More information and registration here.

March Metochai meeting to feature Dockery, Hawkins

Ministry wives are invited to join a Q&A session with Lanese Dockery, wife of interim president, David S. Dockery, and Susie Hawkins, wife of senior advisor and ambassador-at-large, O.S. Hawkins, during the March 27  Metochai meeting from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Seelig Banquet Room.

Upcoming Events

March 13-17 – Spring Reading Days
March 16 –  A Sending Church Conference

Reminders

Financial aid applications for 2023-2024 are open

Apply for Financial Aid for the 2023-2024 academic year. The application deadline for current students is May 1 and the deadline for new students is August 15.

Food Services announces changes for Spring Break, Easter

During Spring Break, the Food Hall will be closed and the Coffee House will be open 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The hours will return to normal on Monday, March 20. Food Services has announced it will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 9.

Volunteers needed for the NCFCA Speech and Debate Tournament

Texas Baptist College is hosting an NCFCA speech and debate tournament on March 16-18 and is need of volunteer judges. It isn’t high pressure, nor is skill required. It is a great opportunity to encourage young, thoughtful Christians!

Volunteers may judge as little as one round or several rounds. Each round is a three-hour commitment, which includes a brief judge orientation as well as complimentary refreshments. For more information, please visit the website.

Campus community Town Hall Gathering announced for March 23

All students are invited to the spring Town Hall Gathering on March 23 from 6:30–8:00 p.m. in Draper Auditorium in Mathena Hall. During this meeting, we will have a meaningful conversation about several topics including housing, student services, and the Food Hall. Please come and provide insights as we seek to improve and care for our student body.

To suggest topics for the Town Hall Gathering, complete the form here.

Women’s Center March fellowship breakfast scheduled for March 28

Female students, staff, faculty, and student wives are invited to join the Women’s Center in Price Hall for breakfast tacos on March 28 from 7:30-9:00 a.m.

Pickleball intensive announced for April 15

Members of the Southwestern community who are interested in learning how to play pickleball are invited to a free session at the RAC taught by Rodel Chiu and his team on Sat., April 15, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

More information and registration can be found here.

Applications open for Student Leadership Council

The Student Leadership Council encourages highly motivated students to bolster the Southwestern community to engage students and families by facilitating campus-wide events while building the kinds of relationships that promote discipleship and spiritual growth.

More information and application here.

Sign-ups for 2023 Crossover in New Orleans are open

Crossover, an evangelistic outreach, will be June 5-9 in New Orleans, Louisiana, before the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. Students interested in participating should contact Carl Bradford at cbradford@swbts.edu or the Roy J. Fish School of Evangelism and Missions at fishschool@swbts.edu with any questions.

Residence Life announces film festival competition

Fort Worth Hall and Barnard Hall residents are invited to participate in the Residence Life Film Festival by filming and submitting an original short film to be screened during the March 24 Residence Life Film Festival at 6:00 p.m. in Truett Auditorium. Awards will be given in the categories of action (including sub-genres: science fiction, western), mystery, comedy, documentary, thriller, musical/music video, and foreign. Videos must be between 3-5 minutes long. The deadline for submissions is March 16.

More information here.

Registration for Oxford Summer Study Program is open

Come experience the sights and sounds of historic Britain this summer! Learn about the Reformers, Baptists, C.S. Lewis, C.H. Spurgeon, British preachers, and Modern Missions. Study theology, experience church history, and engage in evangelism with SWBTS professors.

The Oxford Summer Study Program will beJune 19 – July 1, 2023 and the cost for the trip is $4,400. Sign up by March 15 in order to secure enrollment. Enrollment includes travel, accommodations, & tuition. You can earn up to 6 hours of class credit for completing the program. Various college and seminary courses will be available during the Oxford Summer Study Program including: Baptist Heritage– BPTST 3203, Church History II– CHAHT 3113, Systematic Theology III– SYSTH 3073, Baptist History & Heritage–HIS 2213 and Systematic Theology III– THE 4043.

More information and registration here.

WMC announces ‘A Sending Church Conference’

The World Missions Center is hosting “A Sending Church Conference” for pastors and leaders of local churches on March 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Riley Center. RSVP here.

The speakers include Stu Cocanougher, share strategy pastor of Southcliff Baptist Church; Michael Copeland, associate director of the World Missions Center and assistant professor of missions; and Ian Buntain, director of the World Mission Center and associate professor of missions.

SWBTS, SBTC women round table discussion scheduled for March

The World Missions Center values practical missional living. Join us on March 24 at 10:00 a.m. in M104 as we listen to Laura Taylor, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention women’s ministry consultant, along with SWBTS women for a round table discussion on what it looks like to minister to others with a missional mindset while living stateside.

Texas Baptist College Preview Day scheduled for March 31

Texas Baptist College Preview Day is March 31, 2023. Invite anyone you know who is looking to take their next steps in undergraduate education to Preview Day to meet professors, learn about degree programs and classes, and experience campus life.

Register here.

Refer a friend for Preview Day for chance to win $250 for textbooks

Do you know someone who is seeking theological education so they can live their calling? Refer them to Preview Day on March 31 at Southwestern Seminary or Texas Baptist College and you will be entered to win a semester’s worth of required textbooks, up to $250.

Refer your friend here.

Campus News

Yarnell exhorts Southwestern community to recover three-fold heritage in Founder’s Day address

Encouraging the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary community to recover the “three necessary strands” of its identity, including evangelical faith, soul-winning in all areas of ministry, and “Baptist family ways,” Research Professor of Theology Malcolm B. Yarnell III recalled the foundations of the Fort Worth institution during his Founder’s Day address on March 9.

Read more.

Southwestern Seminary faculty affirms scripturally grounded, confessionally guided core values

During his remarks at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s Founder’s Day chapel on March 9, Interim President David S. Dockery introduced a statement of the institution’s faculty that reflects on the seminary’s core values of being scripturally grounded and confessionally guided.

Read more.

Southwestern Seminary recognizes faithful donors with Carroll, Scarborough awards

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary recognized and honored two long-time ministry partners for their generosity and support during the annual Founder’s Day Awards Luncheon, March 9. Louie and Meifeng Lu received the B.H. Carroll Award, and David and Marcia McQuitty received the L.R. Scarborough Award.

Read more.