East Texas Baptist University

East Texas Baptist University, (ETBU) is a private, coeducational Christian university in Marshall, Texas, associated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

History
ETBU is located on the site of the former Van Zandt Plantation at the highest altitude in Harrison County. ETBU was founded as the College of Marshall in 1912, after a campaign to create a Southern Baptist college in East Texas. The campus' first building, Marshall Hall, was completed in 1916. It was designed to house a gymnasium, library, chapel/theatre, administrative offices and classrooms. The College of Marshall opened the following year in 1917 as a two-year junior college and academy. The College was greatly enlarged during the aegis of President Frank Shelby Groner who served as president of the college from 1928 until 1942. It became East Texas Baptist College in 1944

In June 2015, J. Blair Blackburn, a native of Minden, Louisiana, was inaugurated as the 13th president of East Texas Baptist University. He succeeded Samuel "Dub" Oliver, who instead became in 2014 the president of Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. Blackburn received an Associate of Arts degree from Tyler Junior College, a Bachelor of Science in political science from the University of Texas at Tyler, Master of Science degree in higher education administration from Texas A&M University–Commerce, and a doctorate in educational administration from Baptist-affiliated Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Previously he was the executive vice president at Dallas Baptist University and held other administrative positions there dating back to 1995. He was formerly on the staffs of his alma mater, the University of Texas at Tyler and Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas, and Paris Junior College in Paris, Texas. Upon taking the presidency, Blackburn described himself as "excited and humbled that the Lord has called me to serve as president of East Texas Baptist University. Having been raised in northwest Louisiana and living in east Texas for many years, I have known and respected this institution for its unwavering commitment to stand as a beacon for Christ-centered education."

Faculty
The student to faculty ratio is 14:1 and the average class size is 22.

Accreditation
ETBU is fully accredited with the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1957, ETBU became an accredited member of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The accreditation was last reaffirmed in 2009, with the next reaffirmation due in 2019. ETBU also is accredited by The Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), the Commissions of Collegiate Nursing Education, and the National Association of Schools of Music.

ETBU ranked twelfth among forty-eight schools in the category of Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the West Region in the U.S. News & World Report's publication "America's Best Colleges 2008".

Security
During the day, the campus is patrolled by the on-campus security officer. Security cameras record 24 hours a day and are monitored from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Call boxes are placed in strategic locations around campus. At night, the campus is monitored by private security officers (off-duty Marshall City Police Officers).

Academic buildings



 * Marshall Hall
 * Scarborough Hall
 * Ornelas Spiritual Life Center
 * Ornelas Student Center
 * Dean Healthplex
 * Craig Hall
 * Harvey Daniel Bruce Hall
 * Murphy Science Center
 * Bennett Student Center
 * Redwine Instrumental Music Building
 * Jenna Guest Music Building
 * Fred Hale Business Building
 * Mamye Jarrett Library
 * Meadows Hall

Residence halls

 * Centennial Hall
 * Feagin Hall
 * Fry Hall
 * Linebery Hall
 * Mabee Housing Complex
 * Ornelas Residential Center
 * University Apartments
 * University Park Row Apartments

Men's athletics

 * Football
 * Basketball
 * Baseball
 * Cross Country
 * Track & Field
 * Soccer
 * Tennis
 * Ice Hockey
 * Bass Fishing
 * Golf

Women's athletics

 * Basketball
 * Cross-Country
 * Track & Field
 * Soccer
 * Softball
 * Tennis
 * Volleyball
 * Cheerleading
 * Pom
 * Aerobics and Tumbling

Intramural Sports
 * Basketball
 * Flag-Football
 * Kickball
 * Soccer
 * Softball
 * Volleyball

Mascot
The mascot for ETBU is a tiger, "Toby" and recently added, "Tabby." ETBU also has a live Tiger mascot named "Sarge" who is housed off campus.

Notable alumni

 * Rick Edmonds, Southern Baptist pastor and since 2016 the District 66 member of the Louisiana House of Representatives in East Baton Rouge Parish.
 * Chris Elrod, Christian comedian and writer
 * Sam B. Hall, member of the United States House of Representatives (1976–85) and United States District Judge (1985-94).
 * Cameron McCasland, Emmy-nominated film and television producer
 * Noe Garcia, Senior Pastor of North Phoenix Baptist Church, where John McCain attended, and a current Southern Baptist Convention 2nd Vice President nominee.