Southwestern marks ‘Jack D. Terry Jr. Day,’ expresses gratitude to longtime seminary leader
During a reception prior to the President’s Club Dinner on Nov. 15, members of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary community, friends of the institution, and family and friends of Jack D. Terry gathered to honor the longtime seminary leader on “Jack D. Terry Jr. Day,” thanking him for his 55 years of uninterrupted service to Southwestern.
“In many ways, there is no single individual who embodies the mission and core values of this place better than Jack Terry,” said President David S. Dockery in a video tribute shared during the opening of Friday’s Prelude to Christmas. “He has given so much to this institution as professor, dean, vice president, and leader in a variety of ways. He and Barbara are gifts to this institution. We celebrate them, their life, and on this day, we are so grateful to God for His blessings and allowing them to be a part of this marvelous community.”
In gratitude for his service, Southwestern and the City of Fort Worth issued separate declarations designating Friday, Nov. 15, Jack D. Terry Jr. Day.
David S. Dockery read the Jack D. Terry Jr. Day proclamation during a special tribute prior to Prelude to Christmas.
The Southwestern declaration encouraged “Southwesterners worldwide to congratulate him and express to him our gratitude to God for the leadership and Kingdom impact he has had as an educator, leader, and administrator.”
“Dr. Terry, along with his wife of 70 years, Barbara, has exemplified an unwavering commitment to the Southwestern community, earning them the L. R. Scarborough Award in 2004, and he leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire through his ongoing role as senior professor and special assistant to the president for institutional advancement,” the proclamation issued by Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker states.
Duane and Becky Perkinson traveled a couple hours to attend the reception for Terry and said they have been friends with he and Barbara for more than 40 years.
“He’s really one of my few mentors,” said Duane, a Southwestern alumnus who has served churches for more than 50 years and is currently serving as pastor at First Baptist Church in Byers, Texas. “… I’ve served with him on staff, I’ve known him for 40 plus years, and I can tell you he was an encouragement to me as a young minister.”
A reception was held for Jack Terry and was attended by many from the Southwestern family and Terry’s own friends and family.
The video tribute to Terry featured individuals such as former Southwestern president Kenneth Hemphill and his wife Paula; alumna, former faculty, and now Dallas Baptist University Provost Norma Hedin; James T. Draper Jr., alumnus, former president of Lifeway Christian Resources, and Southern Baptist Convention president; and others who served with or studied under Terry. Following the video and Dockery’s reading of the seminary’s Terry Day proclamation, Terry received a standing ovation.
“Fifty-five years at Southwestern Seminary is a remarkable legacy,” Draper said in the video. “Who would have thought when we were in our younger years, newlyweds, 68 years ago, that we’d have nearly seven decades of friendship and then the opportunity to serve with the seminary that we love. Thank you for your testimony.”
Terry first came to Southwestern as a student in 1956, graduating with a Master of Arts in Religious Education degree in 1962. He would also complete his Doctor of Education in 1967 and Doctor of Philosophy in 1994.
Southwestern hosted a reception to thank Jack Terry for his 55 years of service to the institution.
In 1969, he joined the faculty as professor of principles of teaching and philosophy and history of education. From 1973 until 1996, he served as the dean of the School of Religious Education, which in 2009 was renamed the Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries in his honor. The Jack D. and Barbara Terry Chair of Religious Education was also established in his and his wife’s honor in 2007.
After those more than two decades holding the position of dean, Terry was named the vice president for institutional advancement, and over the next 10 years of his serving in that position, the Riley Center was constructed and more than $100 million was raised for the seminary. Terry continued to serve in institutional advancement in emeritus and interim roles through 2024.
“They are an institution within an institution,” Dockery said during his remarks at Prelude to Christmas, calling Terry and his wife two of the most special people in Southwestern’s history. “When you think about Southwestern Seminary, you think of Jack and Barbara Terry. They represent the very best of this place.”
