35th Annual DBU-Oak Cliff Good Samaritan Dinner

DBU recently honored two outstanding individuals as a part of the 35th Annual DBU-Oak Cliff Good Samaritan Dinner held on May 18 on the DBU campus. This year's dinner honored Scott Coleman and Leigh Gettman-Allen for their Christian leadership and service to DBU's neighboring community of Oak Cliff.

Dr. Stephen Mansfield, Dean of the DBU College of Business, served as Chair for this year's dinner committee. After a welcome by Dr. Mansfield and an invocation led by Rev. Gannon Sims, Senior Pastor of Cliff Temple Baptist Church, introductory remarks were shared by Dr. Adam C. Wright, DBU President. Student Jeremiah Austin read from the Good Samaritan Story in Luke 10:25-37 prior to the presentations of the awards to the two honorees. Sheila Cook, wife of DBU Chancellor Gary Cook, introduced Leigh-Gettman Allen. Dr. Gary Cook introduced Scott Coleman.

Leigh Gettman-Allen was awarded Miss Oak Cliff in 1996 and 1998, serving as an ambassador for racial reconciliation. Her program “Racial Unity: It’s Up to Us” was shared in nearly every school in the Dallas Independent School District. An experienced emcee and moderator, she is also co-author of Modern Images of America: Oak Cliff and serves as a beloved adjunct professor of communications at DBU. She and her husband, Billy, attend Tyler Street Church in Oak Cliff and are co-ministry leaders for the young adult ministry, the Branch.

Scott Coleman is associate director of the Dallas Baptist Association and has served churches within this association for 25 years. He also previously served as Director of Servant Leadership at DBU and as an assistant to Dr. Gary Cook during his tenure as President. Scott and his wife, Kristi, are members of Cliff Temple Baptist Church. Kristi serves as Director of the Intercessory Prayer Ministry at DBU. Established in 1988, the DBU-Oak Cliff Partnership Dinner continues to benefit the Oak Cliff area and highlight DBU's special relationship with the community. All proceeds from this event provide scholarships for DBU students who are from this area.