Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ and The Grace Museum will host visiting Chinese artists and dignitaries from Jan. 15-17 for collaborative exhibitions, a public dialogue and a live painting experience, all part of an intercultural project conceived by Robert Green (’79), department chair and professor of art and design at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½.

The show in Ä¢¹½´«Ã½’s Shore Gallery, titled ¡°Boundless: A U.S.-China Collaborative Exhibition,¡± features works by Chinese artists: Zhai You, Gao Yun, Fan Lei, Shao Lian, Wang Ping and Wei Dong, alongside American artists: Dallas-area artist Bonny Leibowitz; Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ adjunct instructor of art and design Hollie Brown; Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ art and design professor Kenny Jones (’82); Abilene artist Polly (Compton ’82) Jones; and Green. A smaller companion exhibition entitled ¡°Boundless: Origins¡± will be in the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Brown Library, featuring works by Green and Chinese artist Sheng Dongqiao. Zhai, Gao, and Fan will be in Abilene for the openings and events. In addition, Chen Chunmei, minister-counselor for cultural affairs for the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Washington, D.C., will attend the opening of these exhibitions on Jan. 17.

Three main events are planned:

• Public Dialogue: A public dialogue between American and Chinese artists, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 15 at The Grace Museum. A piano recital by Hanqiu Xu, visiting college assistant professor of piano and collaborative arts at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½, will follow at 8 p.m. in the Williams Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.
• Opening Reception: The opening reception for ¡°Boundless: A U.S.-China Collaborative Exhibition,¡± 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Jan. 17, at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½’s Shore Gallery. This event will include a poetry reading by Dr. Steven Moore, professor of language and literature at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½; a musical performance by Austin-based actor Ryan Chu (’24); and opening statements by Green and Zhai. Zhai is vice president and secretary general of the Jiangsu Chinese Painting Society.
• Collaborative Live Painting: A public collaborative painting experience where Chinese and American artists will create two works together from 2-4 p.m., Jan. 17, at The Grace Museum.
  

All events are free and open to the public.

Green¡¯s project ¨C ¡°Boundless: An Intercultural Exhibition and Dialogue¡± ¨C centers around exhibiting Chinese and American art, along with public dialogue, in both China and in the U.S. The Chinese exhibition, ¡°Connecting Hearts Through Art: A China-U.S. Artistic Exchange¡± took place in May and June at the Yuan Contemporary Art Museum in Nanjing, China. Green and Kenny Jones traveled to China for the opening of the show. They were joined by Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ alumnus Allen Smith and Chinese-American artists Kiki Liu (a ceramicist from Los Angeles), Zhao Jianmin (from San Francisco), and Wang Qingxiang (from Brooklyn, New York). Two other American artists¡¯ works were included in the exhibition ¨C Leibowitz and Abilenian Jingyi Teng, although they did not make the trip to China.

¡°The greatest benefit of this exhibition is that it appears in China and America,¡± Green said. ¡°Though it will speak differently in each setting, it will amplify the importance of cross-cultural dialogues and creative initiatives on both sides of the Pacific.¡±

The concept for this project emerged about two years ago when Green connected with Sheng to discuss shared interests in Chinese art, and their conversations sparked the idea of exhibiting works together.?

¡°I was motivated to reach out to him because our paintings were indebted to traditional Chinese landscape painting styles that date back to the 18th century and beyond,¡± Green said. ¡°It seemed to us that as we were in dialogue with one another, so, too, were our works. Our paintings carried on a conversation with the past and with each other.¡±

The two collaboratively planned both events, developing a catalog of works and agreeing on exhibition titles.?

¡°We were also convinced that having the artists attend the exhibition, come to the opening reception, sit for a public dialogue with local audiences and include interactive elements were necessary to promote mutual understanding and respect,¡± Green said. ¡°The public dialogue will allow us to discuss our different approaches to artmaking and the things that we admire in the art of our respective cultures. Additionally, it will emphasize a theme of respect between Chinese and American people during an era marked by distrust and sometimes demonization.¡±

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The inaugural event will take place October 19-21, 2026. The three-day tournament will feature nine men¡¯s and nine women¡¯s golf teams with three rounds of stroke play at the new Halbert National in Granbury, Texas. Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ will host the tournament with both the men¡¯s and women¡¯s teams competing annually in the field alongside some of the country¡¯s top collegiate golf programs.

Early commitments on the women¡¯s side include 2025 NCAA semifinalist University of Oregon in addition to Baylor University and Purdue University. Initial teams on the men¡¯s side feature Southern Methodist University, University of Houston and Texas A&M University.

Located 40 miles southwest of Fort Worth on 170 acres along Lake Granbury, Halbert National is a private 18-hole golf course in Granbury, Texas, owned by medical biotech entrepreneur and founder of Caris Life Sciences David D. Halbert and designed by legendary golf designer Tom Fazio. Halbert, an Abilene native and Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ alumnus opened the 7,542-yard, par-72 course in 2025.

¡°Partnering with Golf Channel and competing at one of Texas¡¯ most remarkable courses gives us an incredible opportunity to showcase college golf at its highest level. We¡¯re proud to launch an event that we believe will grow into one of the sport¡¯s premier traditions,¡± said Zack Lassiter, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ vice president for athletics. ¡°This tournament highlights the national profile of Ä¢¹½´«Ã½, the excellence of our student-athletes and the power of collaboration with our partners at Halbert National. It¡¯s a celebration of what¡¯s possible when vision and commitment come together, and we¡¯re excited to see it become a signature moment on the college golf calendar.¡±

Golf Channel will present live coverage of all three rounds of the Abilene Christian Intercollegiate from October 19-21.

¡°We¡¯re thrilled to partner with Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ and HNS Sports Group to present the inaugural Abilene Christian Intercollegiate at Halbert National live on Golf Channel in 2026,¡± said Glenn Grimshaw, Golf Channel vice presidnet for programming and partnerships. ¡°Golf Channel has introduced viewers to future PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour stars through our comprehensive college golf coverage for more than a decade. We¡¯re proud to add the Abilene Christian Intercollegiate to our robust college golf portfolio as we continue to showcase the stars of the future.¡±

The event will honor the late Johnny Perkins, a Granbury native and standout wide receiver at Abilene Christian from 1974-76, where he became the program¡¯s all-time leader in receiving yards and earned All-American honors. His record-setting career at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ helped launch him to the NFL, where he was drafted by the New York Giants in 1977 and went on to play seven seasons. As a member of the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Sports Hall of Fame and the university¡¯s All-Century Team, Perkins remains one of the most celebrated athletes in Wildcat history.

¡°I¡¯m honored to host the Abilene Christian Intercollegiate at this premier golf course. The event unites the innovative spirit of Caris Life Sciences with my Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ heritage, all while celebrating my friend and Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ classmate, Johnny Perkins,¡± Halbert said. ¡°I look forward to welcoming the Golf Channel and a national TV audience to experience competitive collegiate golf at Halbert National.¡±

HNS Sports Group, an Ohio-based event management LLC specializing in golf, will manage the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Intercollegiate.

For more information on the Abilene Christian Intercollegiate, please visit: . For the latest news and updates on social media, follow the Intercollegiate on Instagram at and on .

ABOUT ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Competing at the NCAA Division I level as a proud member of the Western Athletic Conference, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ fields 17 varsity sports and has built a strong tradition of athletic and academic excellence. The Wildcats are known for championship performances, competitive spirit, and a commitment to developing student-athletes who excel in the classroom, in competition, and in life. The Wildcats boast 62 team national championships and 226 conference championships.

Abilene Christian serves a diverse student population of about 7,200 with world-class teaching in a Christ-centered community. Founded in 1906, this Carnegie Research 2 university is nationally recognized for undergraduate teaching and undergraduate research. Students choose from 90 baccalaureate majors that include more than 186 areas of study, 77 areas of study in master’s degree and specialist programs, and five doctoral programs. Ä¢¹½´«Ã½¡¯s mission is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world.

Learn more at or .

ABOUT GOLF CHANNEL¡¯S COLLEGE GOLF COVERAGE
Golf Channel is the television home for college golf, currently providing live coverage of 11 college golf championships throughout the spring and fall seasons. Golf Channel deploys its comprehensive portfolio of news, digital and social media coverage year-round in covering collegiate golf, including season preview shows, signing day specials, regional and national qualifying coverage, serving as the exclusive media partner of PGA TOUR University and exclusive annual coverage for the Haskins and ANNIKA Awards Presented by Stifel.

Following its announcement in 2013 as the exclusive television provider of the NCAA Golf Championships, Golf Channel has provided live coverage of the men¡¯s NCAA Championships since 2014 and the women¡¯s NCAA Championships since 2015, which are hosted at the same venue in consecutive weeks at Omni La Costa, San Diego, Calif. Golf Channel also annually televises the three-day East Lake Cup at historic East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia; the Western Intercollegiate Presented by Titleist, one of the longest-running college tournaments in the U.S. taking place at Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz, Califfornia; the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate Presented by Principal Financial at Long Cove Club in Hilton Head, S.C.; the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship; the Jackson T. Stephens Cup; the NB3 Match Play at Twin Warriors; the St Andrews Links Collegiate and the Folds of Honor Collegiate at American Dunes in Grand Haven, Michigan.

Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Jennifer Kupcho, Rose Zhang and Maria Fassi are just a few of the professional golfers who appeared on Golf Channel while competing in college.

ABOUT CARIS LIFE SCIENCES
Caris Life Sciences is a leading, patient-centric, next-generation AI TechBio company and precision medicine pioneer that is actively developing and commercializing innovative solutions to transform healthcare. Through comprehensive molecular profiling (Whole Exome and Whole Transcriptome Sequencing) and the application of advanced AI and machine learning algorithms at scale, Caris has created the large-scale, multimodal clinico-genomic database and computing capability needed to analyze and further unravel the molecular complexity of disease. This convergence of next-generation sequencing, AI and machine learning technologies, and high-performance computing provides a di erentiated platform to develop the latest generation of advanced precision medicine diagnostic solutions for early detection, diagnosis, monitoring, therapy selection and drug development.

Caris was founded with a vision to realize the potential of precision medicine in order to improve the human condition. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Caris has offices in Phoenix, New York, Cambridge (MA), Tokyo, Japan and Basel, Switzerland. Caris or its distributor partners provide services in the U.S. and other international markets.

ABOUT HNS SPORTS GROUP
HNS Sports Group is well positioned to assist companies that find value in the golf industry and build and execute comprehensive golf branding or sponsorship strategies. E ectively understanding the golf marketplace today is a significant challenge, and the HNS Sports Group team possesses over 125 years of collective experience that is applied to lead companies in their e orts to maximize value from golf sponsorship and event participation. To learn more about HNS Sports Group, visit .

MEDIA CONTACT
Ashley J. Grimmer
Communications Manager, HNS Sports Group
agrimmer@hnssports.com
(513) 349-3389

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Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ has received

Lilly Endowment made the grant through its Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, which is intended to help theological schools across the United States and Canada strengthen their educational and financial capacities to prepare and support pastoral leaders for Christian congregations both now and into the future.

¡°This initiative, and the resources it makes available, represent a transformational opportunity for the GST as we seek to live out our mission to equip men and women for effective missional leadership for ministry in all its forms and to provide strong academic foundations for theological inquiry,¡± said Dr. Mason Lee, interim dean of the Graduate School of Theology.

Ä¢¹½´«Ã½¡¯s Ministry Residency Program is a strategic initiative within the Graduate School of Theology to strengthen collaborative partnerships with experienced practitioners and churches. The year-long ministry residency undertaken by GST students and the other aspects of the program bring together accomplished ministers, faculty within the GST and local congregations in a process of mutual enrichment.

¡°We¡¯re seeking to form and prepare the next generation of ministers for the life of the church,¡± Lee said. ¡°Through partnerships with local congregations and ministry practitioners, this program provides holistic training and formation for those called to congregational ministry. It grounds that formation within a local congregation, and partners the GST with working preachers to develop systems of support for students that begin during their theological education but last a lifetime.¡±

Ä¢¹½´«Ã½¡¯s Graduate School of Theology is one of 163 theological schools whose programs have received funding since 2021 through the Pathways initiative. Together, the schools serve a broad spectrum of Christian traditions in the U.S. and Canada. They are affiliated with evangelical, mainline Protestant, nondenominational, Pentecostal, Orthodox, Catholic, Black church, Latino, Asian American, Indigenous and historic peace church traditions.

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Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ announced the appointment of Blair Schroeder as vice president for advancement and external affairs, effective Oct. 13.?

Schroeder has worked in Ä¢¹½´«Ã½¡¯s leadership since 2021, serving as chief planning officer and then chief strategy officer. He also took on the role of interim vice president for marketing and communications during the 2022-23 academic year.

As part of the transition, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½¡¯s Advancement division will expand to include not only fundraising, alumni relations and university events, but also strategic communications and government and community relations.?

¡°This role represents an important step forward,¡± said Dr. Phil Schubert, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ president. ¡°This expanded model will allow us to tell our story with greater impact, strengthen alumni and donor engagement, and build even stronger relationships with community and government partners.¡±

Schroeder has nearly 20 years of professional experience in higher education, business, communications and public affairs. Before coming to Ä¢¹½´«Ã½, he served in leadership roles at Duke Energy and Cincinnati Children¡¯s Hospital in Ohio and was recognized as one of Cincinnati¡¯s ¡°Great Leaders in Business Under 40.¡± He also served as a district director in the U.S. Congress, managing district operations and constituent services. Schroeder attended Lipscomb University and is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati.

¡°Since joining Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ in 2021, Blair has provided invaluable leadership in advancing our strategic plan and strengthening university partnerships. His efforts were instrumental in Ä¢¹½´«Ã½¡¯s success during the last Texas legislative session, helping secure more than $100 million in support of the NEXT Lab research initiative,¡± Schubert said. ¡°I¡¯m thrilled to see him step into this expanded role where he will help advance our mission and continue building relationships.¡±

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Why Resilience is a Part of the Christian Walk?

Resilience, or the ability to withstand or recover from difficult situations, is not just a psychological trait; it is a spiritual necessity for every believer. Throughout Scripture, the Christian life is portrayed as a journey, a race and often, a battle. None of these metaphors is easy or effortless. They all imply struggle, endurance and perseverance. Resilience, then, is not merely helpful for the Christian walk¡ªit¡¯s essential.?

However, demonstrating resilience doesn¡¯t mean a person is unaffected by hardship or indifferent to life¡¯s changes. Rather, it is the capacity of the human heart to endure deep suffering and emerge stronger because of it. We¡¯ve seen this on a national scale, as in the United States¡¯ collective strength following catastrophic events, as well as on a personal level. In many ways, resilience is evident every day; in individuals facing physical disabilities, grieving the loss of loved ones, or navigating significant setbacks. When people continue to believe in themselves and in the goodness of life despite adversity, they embody the true spirit of resilience.

The Biblical Foundation for Resilience

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is filled with examples of individuals who endured hardship through faith. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused and imprisoned¡ªyet He remained faithful and ultimately rose to power in Egypt. Job lost everything¡ªhis wealth, his family, even his health¡ªbut still declared, ¡°Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him¡± (Job 13:15). The apostle Paul was shipwrecked, beaten, imprisoned and stoned, yet he called these ¡°light and momentary troubles¡± compared to the eternal glory to come (2 Corinthians 4:17).?

Jesus Himself, the author and perfecter of our faith, endured the cross. Hebrews 12:2 reminds us to fix our eyes on Him, ¡°who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame.¡± Christ¡¯s example is the ultimate demonstration of resilience. He pressed forward in obedience, trusting in the Father¡¯s plan even when it led to suffering and death.

Why Christians Must Expect Resistance

The Christian life is not a promise of comfort, but a call to commitment. Jesus warned His followers, ¡°In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world¡± (John 16:33). Peter echoed this in his letter to the persecuted church: ¡°Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you¡± (1 Peter 4:12).

Suffering and resistance are not signs of failure¡ªthey are part of the refining process. They develop character, deepen faith and produce hope. Romans 5:3¨C5 says, ¡°We glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.¡± This is resilience in action: suffering leading to strength, weakness turning into witness.

One of the greatest obstacles to resilience is the mistaken belief that we already know how a situation will end. When circumstances feel chaotic or appear to be headed in the wrong direction, we¡¯re often quick to declare ¡°The End¡± over a story that God is still writing. Instead of persevering, we may surrender to discouragement or try to take control of ourselves. But Scripture reminds us that our understanding is limited. All in all, choosing to place our trust in the Lord, especially when we cannot see the outcome, is one of the most faithful ways to cultivate resilience. It shifts our strength from self-reliance to divine guidance, allowing us to endure with hope and confidence.

Faith as the Engine of Resilience

What sets Christian resilience apart from worldly grit is the source of our strength. Our resilience is not self-made; it¡¯s Spirit-empowered. Philippians 4:13 says, ¡°I can do all this through him who gives me strength.¡± Resilience in the Christian life comes from a deeply rooted trust in God¡¯s promises, not in our circumstances. When we believe that God is sovereign, that He works all things for good (Romans 8:28) and that He never leaves us (Hebrews 13:5), we are able to endure what otherwise would break us.

This faith is not passive¡ªit requires intentional cultivation. Prayer, Scripture reading, fellowship and worship are all practices that build spiritual stamina. The more we fix our eyes on Christ and not on our struggles, the more resilient we become. As Isaiah 40:31 promises, ¡°those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.¡±

Resilience as a Witness

Another key to resilience in the Christian walk is community. God never intended us to walk alone. The early church ¡°devoted themselves to the apostles¡¯ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer¡± (Acts 2:42). Hebrews 10:24-25 urges believers to ¡°consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… encouraging one another¡ªand all the more as you see the Day approaching.¡±

In times of trial, isolation can breed despair. But community¡ªauthentic, Spirit-filled fellowship¡ªbuilds resilience. It reminds us that we¡¯re not alone, that others are praying for us, and that we belong to a body that suffers and rejoices together (1 Corinthians 12:26).

As we mentioned before, resilience is not only personal, it¡¯s missional. In a world that is quick to quit, the quiet, unwavering endurance of the believer shines like a beacon. When Christians respond to trials with peace, hope and perseverance, it raises questions: ¡°How can you still trust God after everything you’ve been through?¡± And that question is really a gospel opportunity. Paul told the Corinthian church that believers carry ¡°this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us¡± (2 Corinthians 4:7). Our weakness, our cracks, our hardships¡ªthey all point to the God who sustains us. Our resilience is a testimony to His faithfulness.

Called to Endure

Across scripture, we are called to endure resilience, which means it¡¯s not optional for Christians; it is a fruit of faith. To walk with Christ is to walk a road that includes hardship, discipline and sacrifice¡ªbut also joy, purpose and eternal hope. The call of Christ is not to comfort, but to faithfulness. And through His Spirit, He equips us to stand firm, to press on and to endure to the end.

So let us not grow weary in doing good, for ¡°at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up¡± (Galatians 6:9). Resilience isn¡¯t just about surviving¡ªit¡¯s about thriving in the will of God, trusting Him through every valley and emerging on the other side as more faithful, more Christlike and more prepared to glorify Him in all things.??

At Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Online, the Center for Vocational Formation has played a meaningful role in nurturing resilience by helping individuals explore their God-given purpose through seasons of both clarity and uncertainty. By providing space for reflection, spiritual direction and intentional community, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ equips people to persevere through life¡¯s disruptions with faith and focus. In moments when calling feels clouded by hardship or change, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ offers encouragement grounded in Scripture and formation practices that foster deep trust in God¡¯s ongoing work through various means, including mentoring and vocational formation.?

If you find yourself wanting to be in a community with fellow faith-based professionals, there¡¯s no better place than Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Online. Contact us today at 855-219-7300 to learn how you can step into a fulfilling, innovative future at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Online.??

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Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ continues to be one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to the latest survey by the

The 2025 Great Colleges to Work For results were announced Sept. 19 at and in a special insert of the The Chronicle of Higher Education. The selections are based on an annual survey of administrators, faculty members and professional support staff at colleges and universities in the U.S. who are asked to evaluate their employer on various qualities and characteristics. In 2025, 199 institutions participated, and 76 were recognized as a Great College to Work For.

Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ was specifically honored for achievements in four categories:?

• Job Satisfaction and Support
• Professional Development
• Supervisor/Department Chair Effectiveness
• Faculty and Staff Well-being

¡°The Great Colleges to Work For survey and recognition is an important tool to ensure we are meeting high standards of excellence in workplace culture and employee well-being,¡± said Dr. Phil Schubert, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ president. ¡°Our administration and Board of Trustees recognize that Ä¢¹½´«Ã½¡¯s staff and faculty are at the heart of our mission, and we¡¯re committed to supporting and honoring them.¡±

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For the seventh consecutive year, the student experience at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ is one of the nation¡¯s best, according to the 2026

According to U.S. News & World Report¡¯s methodology, the are a?national benchmark of ¡°outstanding examples?of academic programs that are believed to lead to student success.¡± In the 2026 report, U.S. News recognized Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ in four categories ¨C and in the top 15 nationally in three of them. The university has been recognized in multiple categories each year since the benchmark¡¯s debut in 2020.

• #11 in Service Learning [highest-ranked Texas university]
• #11 in Learning Communities
• #13 in First-Year Experiences
• #36 in Study Abroad

One of the pillars of is to ¡°provide a vibrant student experience that strengthens Ä¢¹½´«Ã½¡¯s commitment to spiritual formation and leverages Ä¢¹½´«Ã½¡¯s national leadership in student success.¡±

The rankings come on the heels of an eighth consecutive year of record enrollment, with the university topping 7,000 for the first time. In the spring, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ was designated as a Research 2 university by the Carnegie Institute for Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education ¨C a milestone that reflects the university¡¯s intentional commitment to research growth and academic excellence.

¡°A national research university that is intentional about spiritual formation, impactful co-curricular experiences and forming lifelong relationships is unique in the higher education marketplace, and we¡¯re thrilled when others recognize the value of what we see happening every day here at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½,¡± said Dr. Phil Schubert, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ president.

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More than 7,200 students enrolled at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ this fall, marking the university¡¯s largest-ever student body and an eighth consecutive year of record enrollment. The student total of 7,274 reflects an increase of 787 students or 12% over last year, 37% over the past five years and 60% over the past 10 years.?

A large class of residential freshmen, an intentional focus on retention and continued growth in Ä¢¹½´«Ã½¡¯s online programs have all contributed to the eight consecutive years of record enrollments, said Dr. Phil Schubert, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ president.

¡°The high numbers we¡¯re seeing this year, and for the past seven years, confirm that students are attracted to our unique offering: a world class academic education delivered in a Christ-centered community,¡± Schubert said. ¡°We are committed to welcoming each of them as an integral part of our mission to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world.¡±

This fall¡¯s record enrollment includes 1,031 new freshmen who come from every region of Texas, the continental United States and across the world with 22 valedictorians, one National Merit Finalist, two National Merit Semifinalists and 31 international students. Among the top programs of interest for incoming students are nursing, kinesiology, finance, psychology and management.

Ä¢¹½´«Ã½¡¯s overall undergraduate enrollment is up 10% compared to last year. Among residential undergraduates, first-year to second-year student retention hit a record 82%, and the university’s four-year graduation rate recorded an all-time high.

Demand continues to be strong for Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Online offerings as well, with online enrollment up 25% compared to last year. Undergraduate enrollment in online programs is up 39%, and graduate enrollment is up 13%.

Fall 2025 Quick Facts

• Total enrollment: 7,274
• Undergraduate students: 5,101
• Graduate students: 2,173
• Abilene campus: 3,675
• Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Online (Dallas):? 3,599
• International students: 212

This university-wide enrollment growth is supported by key institutional achievements, including the university’s new Research 2 (R2) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and the recent completion of a $300 million comprehensive fundraising campaign.

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Ä¢¹½´«Ã½’s 119th annual Summit, a three-day conference for Christian leaders and church members, will take place Oct. 8-10 with the theme “Encounter: Spirit of the Living God.¡±

The annual three-day conference, part of the university¡¯s , offers ministers, church leaders and other believers the opportunity to gather for teaching, worship and fellowship. Attendees share practices, discuss ministry challenges and encourage one another, all while building relationships that extend beyond Summit.

The Fall 2025 event features several communities built around specific areas of practice: adult formation, Hispanic ministry, intergenerational ministry, preaching ministry and small/rural church ministry. Facilitators will craft each group¡¯s discussions and learning experiences specifically toward the needs of the group. There will also be two general interest communities: one will focus on the Old Testament and specifically examine Isaiah 40-66, and another will dive into the worldwide phenomenon of The Chosen.?

¡°Summit is open to everyone, whether a person serves formally in ministry or not,¡± said Dr. Jennifer Schroeder, Summit director. ¡°While we are focusing on specific areas of ministry, our general interest communities maintain a more traditional lectureship model for those who simply want to dive more deeply into the word of God.¡±

Worship throughout the event will be led by United Voice Worship, a bridge-building a cappella music ministry composed of diverse worship ministers and praise leaders from Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas.?

Keynote speakers for Summit include:

• Dr. Naomi Walters, dean of the School of Theology and Ministry at Rochester Christian University
• Dr. Jerry Taylor, associate professor emeritus of Bible, missions and ministry at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½
• Dr. Nathan Burrow, preaching minister at Hillcrest Church of Christ in Abilene
• Dr. Nijay Gupta, author and? Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary

On Thursday evening, Oct. 9, the entire Summit community will come together for Anchor Point, which includes dinner, worship led by United Voice Worship and a plenary session with Gupta. Attendees will also receive a copy of his book, Strange Religion: How the First Christians Were Weird, Dangerous, and Compelling.?

Attendance is limited, and is open through Sept. 23. Learn more at .

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has a plan to provide high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) to Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ and its partner, , for their cutting-edge nuclear research. This crucial fuel allocation will support the university’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing (NEXT) Lab in the development of a next-generation molten salt reactor.

Ä¢¹½´«Ã½¡¯s research reactor will be the first deployment of the Natura MSR-1 ¨C a 1-megawatt thermal molten salt reactor system. Access to HALEU is essential for advancing the design and testing phases of this pioneering project.

Because HALEU is not yet commercially available from domestic suppliers, the DOE established a process for nuclear developers to request the material. Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ is one of just three new entities selected to receive an allocation, following an initial round of awards to five companies earlier this year. The DOE is expected to finalize the contracting process and potentially deliver HALEU to recipients later this year.

This announcement follows another significant milestone as the DOE recently named Natura Resources as one of only 11 projects nationwide to participate in the new . This federal initiative is designed to fast-track the development and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors by 2026.

These recent federal announcements propel Ä¢¹½´«Ã½’s NEXT Lab into the national spotlight, solidifying the university’s position as a key contributor to U.S. nuclear energy innovation. The Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ research reactor project is the only university-led reactor project in the country with a construction permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It also marks the first time a liquid salt-fueled reactor has been licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

¡°Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ is grateful to the Department of Energy and Secretary Wright for their leadership in advancing America¡¯s nuclear energy future, and we deeply appreciate Congressman Jodey Arrington, Senator John Cornyn and Senator Ted Cruz for their continued support of our groundbreaking nuclear research,¡± said Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ president Dr. Phil Schubert. ¡°This access to fuel enables Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ and our partners at Natura Resources to take the critical next steps in designing and testing advanced nuclear technology ¨C paving the way for safe, clean and reliable energy while creating extraordinary opportunities for our students and faculty to contribute to innovative research with global impact and strengthening our nation¡¯s energy security.¡±

The project has also received significant support at the state level, as the 89th Texas legislature¡¯s recently approved budget directed $120 million to benefit the NEXT Lab and Natura partnership, in conjunction with Texas Tech University and the Texas Produced Water Consortium.

— Wendy Kilmer
Aug. 28, 2025

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