East Texas Baptist University Alumni

05/28/2026

Did you know? The children of ETBU graduates can receive undergraduate tuition assistance through the Spraberry Alumni Scholarship—made possible by generous gifts from alumni, for alumni. This is a powerful way our Tiger family continues to invest in the next generation of students and leaders!

✨ Want to make an impact?
Support the children of ETBU alumni by giving to the Spraberry Alumni Scholarship:

https://bit.ly/4tEcxLe

Select designated my gift for SCHOLARSHIPS, and in the Describe how you want your gift to be used type: Spraberry Alumni Scholarship.

📚 Are you an ETBU graduate?
Your child may be eligible to apply for this scholarship. Learn more at:

https://bit.ly/4tEcxec

05/27/2026

Leslie Scrivener, a proud East Texas Baptist University graduate from the Class of 1999, recently stopped by to pick up an ETBU Alumni lapel pin for a creative project close to her heart!

Leslie transformed her alumni pin into a beautiful needle minder to proudly showcase her ETBU spirit during a recent needlepoint retreat in Galveston, Texas. 🧵💙

We love seeing the creative ways our alumni continue to celebrate and support their ETBU family wherever life takes them!

Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger!

05/26/2026

🐯 ROARING ON: Class of 2007 Edition🐯

Meet Dr. Andrew (’07) & Cortney O’Kelley (’07), faithfully serving in Tyler, Texas.

🏥Andrew serves as a hospice physician at Hospice of East Texas, where he walks alongside patients and families during life’s most sacred moments. Through offering comfort and dignity at the end of life, he’s been given the profound privilege of caring for believers as they enter the presence of Christ while sharing the hope of the Gospel with those who need it most.

⛪ He also serves as Lead Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, faithfully shepherding his congregation for the past five years. Through steady, intentional ministry, Andrew is witnessing God at work—one person, one day at a time—seeing lives changed, the lost saved, and believers growing in their faith.

Alongside his wife, Cortney, and their four children, the O’Kelleys are living out a calling marked by service, humility, and unwavering faith.

At East Texas Baptist University, Andrew and Cortney built lifelong relationships and developed a strong, thoughtful approach to life and ministry—tools that continue to shape their calling today.

✨ From hospital rooms to the pulpit, this Tiger family is ROARING for the Kingdom!

05/21/2026

Join us for an ETBU Alumni Coffee Break at Campfire Coffee Co. on Thursday, June 4, from 2–3 PM! Stop by for coffee, fellowship, and a chance to reconnect with your ETBU alumni family. We'd love to see you there! 💙

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

Mrs. Shantel (Nobles) Patt (’07) found her place at ETBU, earning her bachelor’s degree in English, language arts, and reading.

“Two incredible women who made a lasting impact on my time at ETBU were Dr. Karen Gentsch and Dr. Donna Dooley. Their guidance, encouragement, and unwavering belief in my potential shaped not only my academic growth but also my confidence and sense of purpose. They modeled what it means to lead with grace, integrity, and faith, and their influence continues to inspire me in my personal life, teaching, and writing.”

Read full spotlight at: https://bit.ly/4eee1H9

05/16/2026

Performing Tuesday, May 19th, 2:30PM
ETBU, Bakers Chapel | Rogers Spiritual Life Center.
Purchase Tickets here: https://www.etbu.edu/form/event-tickets

Mark Bishop is a Grammy-nominated, Dove Award-winning Christian music artist who resides in east-central Kentucky with his wife Carolyn. 2024 marked 40 years in the Gospel Music industry as a recording artist and songwriter. In 1984, along with his father and brother, formed The Bishops and began a recording and touring career that spanned seventeen years, reaching millions for Christ. The family enjoyed appearances on popular TV programs including TNN’s Nashville Now, The Grand Ole Opry, and The Bill Gaither Homecoming video series. They were blessed with twenty-seven Top 40 songs, numerous #1 songs, along with countless awards and industry recognitions. Mark’s solo career began after the family group retired in 2001, with that yielding more chart-topping and #1 songs. Mark was voted “Soloist of the Year” in 2005 at the Singing News Fan Awards. In 2020, Mark’s “Beautiful Day” album was a Top-5 Grammy nominee for “Best Roots Gospel Album”. In concert, his love for God is evident. His songs weave stories of family and faith.

05/15/2026

We spotted a pack of TIGERS IN THE WILD!

Tigers gathered together to learn about ETBU Church planters Tyler Martin ('15) and Ashley (Pollard) Martin ('15) serving in Bar Nunn, Wyoming!

Pictured below:
Kirby Moore ('15), Colton Sherwood ('17,'19) and Maddie (West) Sherwood ('20), Rhonda (Chappell) House ('89), Bonnie (Gordon) Jones ('80), Philip Johnson ('18) and Cari (Walker) Johnson ('94), Ashley (Pollard) Martin ('15) and Tyler Martin ('15), Jeremy Roberts ('04) and Katy (Dison) Roberts ('06), Ardyn (Johnson) Proffitt ('22) and Cub Clubber, Hank Proffitt.

05/12/2026

⚽️So happy to have ETBU Soccer alumni return to the Hill for a fun and memorable day. It was great to see alumni reconnect and play alongside one another again!

The event was full of great memories, laughter, and Tiger pride. Looking forward to the next alumni match!

💙Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger!

05/07/2026

🐯 Roaring On: Class of 1960 Edition

Anna (Madison) Long, a 1960 graduate of ETBC, exemplifies a life of commitment, service, and faith. During her time on the Hill, she was actively involved as a member of the Student Government and the Young Women’s Auxiliary. She was voted “Best Personality” and recognized in Who’s Who—a reflection of the joy and leadership she brought to campus.

It was also on the Hill where Anna met her husband, Troy Long (’59), beginning a beautiful journey of family, ministry, and service. She later earned her master’s degree, faithfully served alongside her husband in ministry as a pastor’s wife, and raised a family rooted in faith.

Recently, Anna returned to campus for a special visit, taking a meaningful trip down memory lane. Now living near her son, she continues to impact those around her with her kind spirit, love for others, and devotion to Jesus Christ.

ETBU helped shape who she is, and decades later, Anna’s Tiger spirit is still roaring on!

Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger. 🧡