WINTER 2025 7 WINTER 2024 COMMENCEMENT Over 400 new undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral graduates joined the DBU Family in two December 2024 commencement services. Dr. Shellie Michael Greene received his Ph.D. in Leadership Studies with a concentration in Ministry at the morning commencement service and also delivered the commencement address. He serves as the pastor of THE ROCK Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, Dallas County’s oldest African American Church. Prior to serving at THE ROCK, Dr. Greene faithfully served 23 years at Concord Church in Dallas as children’s pastor, senior associate pastor of Next Generation Ministries, teaching pastor, director of ministry, and pastor of teaching, evangelism, and leadership. Dr. Greene holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from DBU. Dr. Randel Everett, senior fellow for religious freedom at DBU gave the commencement address at the afternoon ceremony. Dr. Everett is the director of the new Center for Global Religious Freedom at DBU (see story on page 9) and founder of the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative promoting religious freedom advocacy. He has also served as a pastor, chaplain, and as the former executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. In addition, Dr. Everett was the founding president of the John Leland Center for Theological Studies in Falls Church, Virginia. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas, his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He has received two honorary degrees, including a Doctor of Divinity from the University of Richmond and a Doctor of Humanities from DBU. Following each event, a reception was held for the graduates, their family, and special guests in the Hillcrest Great Hall inside the John G. Mahler Student Center. RECOGNITION FOR 35 YEARS OF MINISTRY DBU recently honored Rolando Rodriguez (’05,’17) at a special chapel service and reception held in his honor for his 35 years of faithful ministry service. Those who know Pastor Rolando know his passion for saving souls, his servant’s heart, and his infectious love of music. His leadership has built a lasting legacy impacting countless families and Baptist churches within the Hispanic community in Texas and far beyond. Colleagues and friends are quick to praise his leadership ability, his dedication to family, and above all his commitment to God. Pastor Rolando currently serves as the director of Texas Baptists en Español at Texas Baptists. He previously served in pastoral roles at Hampton Place Baptist Church and Cockrell Hill Baptist Church and has served on various committees for the Dallas Baptist Association and on the Board of Trustees at Baptist University of the Americas. A dear friend of the University, Pastor Rolando also completed a Master of Arts in Christian Education and a Master of Arts in Global Leadership at DBU. For the tremendous work Pastor Rolando has accomplished for the Kingdom of God, President Adam C. Wright noted, “If there is one quality I admire about Pastor Rolando, it is that he knows that God’s way is always better than man’s way. He is constantly putting God’s way forward and seeking God’s way and God’s vision.” Pastor Rolando and his wife, Angie, have three children.
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