A Decade in Review

As Truett Seminary enters its 31st year and Dean Todd D. Still celebrates a decade of leadership, the past 10 years have marked a season of demonstrable achievement, steady growth, and a deepening sense of identity. During this time, Truett has experienced record-breaking enrollment, growth in endowments, the establishment of new programs, an expansion of leadership roles, and strengthened national and global partnerships—a testament to God’s faithfulness and the enduring ties that bind Truett’s mission, community, and calling.

Student Growth: Equipping the Called 

Marked by extraordinary advancement, Truett has seen significant enrollment increases in recent years. Most recently, in the fall of 2025, 483 students enrolled at Truett, which eclipsed previous enrollment records by nearly 20 percent.

As an orthodox, evangelical, multi-denominational school in the historic Baptist tradition, Truett remains focused on expanding gender and racial diversity within its student body as well as welcoming like-minded denominational partners. Today, 40 percent of students are female, confirming Truett’s ongoing commitment to affirming women seeking preparation to embrace a variety of ministry roles to which God has called them. Truett's racial diversity continues to increase. Currently 36 percent of Truett students are non-majority. Meanwhile, at the present time, 53 percent of Truett's total enrollment is Baptist and nearly 20 percent are from Methodist and other Wesleyan denominations. The MDiv remains the Seminary’s top enrolled program on its main campus in Waco as well as at its additional instructional sites in Houston and San Antonio. The Houston and San Antonio campuses currently enroll 61 and 20 students respectively in courses leading to the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, and Master of Theological Studies degrees. These statistical figures reflect the importance of Truett’s commitment to making theological education as accessible as possible while continuing to underscore the necessity of quality.

Development: Strengthening Our Foundations

The momentum of growth and opportunity at Truett has been met with great support by those who invest in Truett’s mission. In 2015, Truett Seminary’s endowment stood at $52 million. Through generous giving and prudent investment, Truett’s endowment presently stands at over $132 million. Equally as important, the number of donors supporting Truett has since grown by 10 percent annually, reflecting a broader community of individuals and organizations that are committed to the Seminary’s mission. 

This financial growth has provided vital scholarships for students, faculty resources, and programmatic expansion, ensuring that Truett is able to remain affordable to its students while continuing to develop as a center of excellence. 

Connection: Denominational Ties and Global Engagement

In 2023, Truett Seminary raised its first Wesleyan Chair—the Wesley Endowed Chair of Christian Theology. This initiative expanded course offerings and emphasis in Wesleyan training, strengthening the work of the rapidly growing Wesley House of Studies, which was formed in 2020. Through this work, Methodist churches found support for theological training in Texas and a network of ministers engaged in gospel service in Wesleyan life.

As Truett Seminary celebrated its 30th academic year (2024-2025) of equipping God-called men and women to work in and alongside Christ’s Church, another significant partnership was established. Alongside Baylor University, Truett Seminary was approved as a full member partner of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA). As a part of the world’s largest Baptist university and premier Christian Research 1 (R1) university with nearly 2,000 graduates who lead and serve across the globe in countless contexts, this partnership deepens Truett’s Baptist and international reach. 

Other key denominational partners such as American Baptist Churches, the Ascent Movement, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship have also developed lasting relationships with Truett, creating important pathways for student placement and service.

Leadership: Service to the Church and the Academy

Under the leadership of Dean Todd D. Still and key faculty and staff, Truett Seminary expanded its leadership roles in both pastoral ministry and scholarship over the last decade. 

Faculty and staff engage in meaningful service by leading in denominational committees, serving as lecturers at universities across the United States and Europe, and providing pastoral leadership as guest preachers and interim pastors. Their contributions not only supported individual churches and institutions but have also reinforced Truett’s role as a resource for theological education and ministerial formation.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Truett Seminary

As Truett looks to the future of equipping students, the Seminary is eager and committed to build on this strong foundation, deepen and expand with its partnerships, and seek innovative ways to support the Church and be a key voice in theological education both in Texas and beyond, strengthening the tie that binds the Academy and the Church.