Truett News

New Seminary Staff Welcomed 

• Matthew Aughtry, Acting Director of the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies
• Wendy Cox, Online Certificate Program Coordinator
• Matt Cozart, Media and Digital Coordinator
• Stefene Lister, Administrative Associate at Truett Seminary in Houston
• Thomas Rho, Program Manager for the Kyle Lake Center for Effective Preaching
• Christy Rolf, Office Manager for the Wesley House of Studies 
• Amy Toney, Program Coordinator for the Theology, Ecology, and Food Justice Program

Truett Seminary announced Record Spring Enrollment

February 17, 2025 – Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary experienced growth, setting a new spring enrollment record by reaching 403 students. This surpasses the previous spring enrollment record of 399 set in 2009. The Seminary’s growth can be particularly noted in its Master of Divinity (MDiv) program and online Master of Arts (MA) in Theology and Sports Studies. In spring 2025, Truett enrolled 17 new MDiv students—six in Waco, nine in Houston, and two in San Antonio—tripling MDiv enrollment from spring 2024, when six MDiv students enrolled solely at the Waco campus. Meanwhile, enrollment in the online MA in Theology and Sports Studies nearly doubled, growing from 16 students in spring 2024 to 31 in 2025, with students representing 15 states and three countries. Truett’s Doctor of Ministry (DMin) saw a 10 percent increase in enrollment this spring compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the PhD in Preaching program, recently accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), enrolled 16 students this semester. 

Baylor University Announces Recipients of 2025 Baylor Alumni Awards

April 24, 2025 – Baylor University announced the recipients of the 2025 Baylor Alumni Awards, which honor individuals who embody the distinctive mission of the University and their remarkable achievements. Truett Seminary celebrated two of its own that were among the 2025 Baylor Alumni Award recipients! Elizabeth “BB” Sanford, MDvi/JD ’17, received the Young Alumna of the Year award. Joel C. Gregory, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Preaching, received the Pro Ecclesia Medal of Service award. 

Baylor’s Truett Seminary Recognizes First PhD in Preaching Graduate

May 21, 2025 – Truett Seminary recognized its first PhD in Preaching graduate at its spring 2025 commencement ceremony held at First Baptist Church, Waco, on Friday, May 16th. The first graduate of the program, Daniel Gregory entered the program in 2019 as a part of the first cohort. Gregory recently began to serve as the English pastor at the Chinese Church of Iowa City, Iowa. His graduation marked a significant milestone for a program that continues to grow in number and impact. This ceremony also marked a transition in program leadership as the program’s inaugural director, Scott M. Gibson, DPhil, retired and Matthew D. Kim, PhD, assumed the role of director of the PhD in Preaching program effective January 1, 2025. 

Truett Appoints New Holder of the David E. Garland Endowed Chair in Preaching 

June 1, 2025 – Truett Seminary announced the appointment of Tyshawn Gardner, PhD, to the David E. Garland Endowed Chair in Preaching on June 1, 2025. Gardner is succeeding Scott M. Gibson, DPhil, in this esteemed role. Gibson served as the Garland Chair from 2018 until the time of his retirement at the end of the spring 2025 semester. In keeping with University policy and practice, the recommendation for Gardner to be named to the Garland Chair was made by the Truett Seminary Dean, Todd D. Still, PhD. Following consultation with numerous others both within and beyond the Seminary, Dean Still’s decision was affirmed by Baylor University Provost Nancy Brickhouse.

Truett Alumni Take on the Camino de Santiago

June 18, 2025 – Eleven Truett alumni joined Dr. Michael Stroope on a pilgrimage walk in June along the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain. After months of preparation, including online group meetings and readings, they completed the final 90 miles of the Camino from Triacastela to Santiago while engaging in discussions on virtue and vocation. These alumni encountered new experiences every day, including as they walked the path, they met strangers from various backgrounds, including Taiwan, Germany, Canada, and even students from the University of Texas and Texas A&M.

Baptist World Alliance, Baylor University Establish Program at Truett Seminary

July 1, 2025 – Ahead of the 23rd Baptist World Congress in Brisbane, Australia, July 7–12, 2025, the Baptist World Alliance and Baylor University announced the establishment of a Baptist World Alliance Program, the first-ever university-based, graduate-level study center devoted specifically to the study of the life, history, and ongoing mission and ministry of the Baptist World Alliance. The BWA Program will be housed at Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. On July 10, President Livingstone and General Secretary Brown participated in a ceremonial signing of the BWA Program agreement. The BWA Program operated at Truett Seminary and stretched across the Baylor Family to offer multidisciplinary, academic, and scholarly education, research, support, and practical engagement. Anticipated activities included both non-credit and graduate-level certificates for current and future leaders, pastors, and students; collaborative learning opportunities including courses, workshops, conferences, and seminars; speaking opportunities at Baylor University and Baptist World Alliance events; and support for research and active scholarship.

$2.5 Million Gift to Baylor University Establishes a Truett Seminary Chair and Offers Supports Fund

July 10, 2025 – Baylor University announced a $2.5 million gift from alumni Susan and Lee Bush of Athens, Texas, establishing, in part, the Lampsato Endowed Chair of Baptist World Missional Engagement and the Lampsato Endowed Fund at Truett Seminary to advance Truett Seminary’s research and involvement in areas related to Baptist life and work worldwide. In addition, the Bushes established the Lampsato Endowed Fund at Truett Seminary to support the work of the new chair, who also will support Truett’s recently announced Baptist World Alliance global program.

The Bushes’ gift intentionally connects to and coincides with the July 1 announcement of a program agreement between the Baptist World Alliance and Baylor University, establishing the Baptist World Alliance program. The Lampsato Chair and Lampsato Endowed Fund will provide Truett Seminary with funding for a gifted scholar, researcher, and mentor who will enhance Truett’s academic profile and provide transformational learning opportunities for Truett students and Baylor’s varied Christian constituencies while extending the Seminary’s reach and fostering new areas of teaching, research, writing, and service in concert with Baylor University’s expanded motto: Pro Ecclesia. Pro Texana. Pro Mundo.