Seminary Hill welcomes new class of students at spring orientation

New students and their families were welcomed onto the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Texas Baptist College (TBC) campus January 12 for spring new student orientation. Students followed in the footsteps of tens of thousands who came before them by walking onto the Fort Worth, Texas, campus through the rotunda of the B.H. Carroll Memorial Building, and finished the eventful day with a church fair and worship night.

Students beginning their academic journeys mingled with current students, faculty, and staff as they arrived on campus. Following a time to meet fellow students and professors a time of welcome and worship was led by the Cowden Hall Band.

“We are here to prepare you for your calling; that is our job,” said President David S. Dockery. “We not only want you to receive a degree, while we certainly want that, we want your life to become more like Jesus Christ and to be sanctified by the academic process.”

David S. Dockery, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, welcomed new Southwestern and Texas Baptist College students to the Fort Worth campus Jan. 12 for new student orientation. Dockery told the newest Southwesterners that the seminary community desires that they not only earn their degrees, but also that they “want your life to become more like Jesus Christ and to be sanctified by the academic process.”

Dockery encouraged the students to “involve” and “invest” themselves and “look for opportunities to serve in ministry as that is an important part of your growth as a student.” Dockery, a 1981 Master of Divinity graduate of the seminary, told the newest Southwesterners to “get to know one another and grow together to make lifelong relationships.”

Hannah Jay, a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities student at TBC from Lone Oak, Texas, heeded Dockery’s encouragement to meet new people and make friends as she made that her priority.

“When I was looking for a college, I looked for a place that had a small community where I could learn more about God and share that experience with others,” said Jay. “I love orientation because I was able to meet a lot of new people and get to know them a little.”

The number of students at orientation increased by 10 percent from the same time last year, according to Chandler Snyder, vice president for enrollment and student services and dean of students. The increase in students is due, in part, to the work of the Office of Admissions, Snyder added.

Armando Hernandez, director of admissions at Southwestern Seminary, helped welcome the students he and the admissions team helped recruit to join the seminary community.

“Every morning, our team gathers and prays to the Lord for Him to guide you in clarity as to what His will for you is,” said Hernandez. “Our desire and goal is that you are prepared to excel and flourish at this institution by giving you all of the insight and things you need to know to be ready for school here.”

Following the welcome time, students toured the campus with others in similar degree programs. During the tour, students met with Dockery, saw the different academic buildings on campus, and met with different faculty and staff members to understand their various roles.

Mikayla Wand (left) and Torri Ward, admissions counselors in the Office of Admissions at Southwestern Seminary, helped the newest Southwesterners become acclimated to the Fort Worth campus during new student orientation on Jan. 12.

During orientation, students attended a faculty panel over lunch to get to know different professors from both Southwestern and TBC. The panel, which was moderated by Snyder, included Terri Stovall, interim associate dean of the Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries and dean of women; Carl Bradford, interim associate dean of the Roy J. Fish School of Evangelism and Missions and assistant professor of evangelism; Joshua Williams, associate professor of Old Testament and director of Research Doctoral Programs; Marc Brown, assistant professor of church music and worship; Brian Berry, instructor of biblical studies at TBC; and Coleman Ford, assistant professor of humanities at TBC. The professors answered questions about how they support and care for the students and provided advice for students to succeed in their programs.

The students ate with professors and staff members to get to know them. W. Madison Grace II, provost and vice president for academic administration and dean of the School of Theology, encouraged students to study for future ministry, not for a grade.

“This is a special place, and you are here to follow the Lord’s calling,” Grace said. “Our faculty is here to help you follow your calling and I hope you take the time to understand that what you learn here will help you in your ministry throughout your life.”

Various on-campus organizations and offices hosted an organization fair following lunch. At the organization fair, students met with different groups including the Student Leadership Council, the library, and the campus health clinic, among others.

Alaina Travis, a Bachelor of Music in worship studies student at TBC from Argentina, said that she enjoyed orientation because she was able to “meet new friends and get to know the professors.” She also said that a part of the day she looked forward to was the worship night as she is a student in the School of Church Music and Worship. The “Ignite” worship night was hosted by Student Life to culminate the day of new student orientation.

“I like that they teach you the foundation of your worship and not just the surface-level things,” Travis said. “They teach you how to strive for excellence as a way to glorify God and Jesus and I really like that.”

Another student, Will Sandmann, a Master of Divinity student from Durant, Oklahoma, said he felt called to enroll at Southwestern through the encouragement and leadership of his pastor and Baptist Collegiate Ministries director, both of whom he said graduated from Southwestern.

“I’m excited to prepare for what the Lord has in store for me,” Sandmann said. “Scripture calls for people to prepare for their calling, so intentional study of the Word and practical application are ways to do that while I’m here.”

The day also allowed students to set up amenities, such as a student ID, campus mailbox, and parking pass. Students visited offices important to their academic life, including the Registrar’s Office, Student Housing and Residence Life Office, and the Student Financial Services Office.

Toward the end of the day, at a Church Fair hosted by Student Life, students and their families met with 24 churches in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to learn about the congregations they may serve during their time on Seminary Hill.

The evening closed with the “Ignite” Worship Night in the Naylor Student Center where students were able to worship God together through singing songs led by the TBC Band.

The spring semester at Southwestern Seminary and TBC began Jan. 16.