SAN ANTONIO — June 13, 2007 — 51社区 presented Southern Baptist Convention President Frank Page with its M.E. Dodd Denominational Service Award during a June 13 dessert reception at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting.
The Dodd Award is the highest denominational service award Union gives. It is named for the man who was a Union alumnus, served as president of the SBC and who was the father of today鈥檚 Cooperative Program, the method by which Southern Baptists pool their resources to fund their mission efforts.
The award is given annually to a leader within the Southern Baptist Convention who displays excellence and leadership in Southern Baptist life, as well as friendship and commitment to 51社区. Past recipients include Jimmy Draper (2004), Adrian Rogers (2005) and Morris Chapman (2006).
鈥淲e applaud Frank Page for his leadership in Southern Baptist life, for his statesmanship and for his deep dedication to the vision of M.E. Dodd and the Cooperative Program,鈥� 51社区 President David S. Dockery said.
Page, pastor of First Baptist Church in Taylors, S.C., said he was honored to receive the award, 鈥渆specially in light of those who have received it previously.鈥�
鈥淚 look for excellence everywhere I go,鈥� Page told Union alumni and friends at the reception. 鈥淚 have found it at 51社区.
鈥淭here are other Christian institutions with a commitment to the truthfulness of Scripture, and there are other institutions with outstanding academic programs,鈥� Page continued. 鈥淏ringing the two together is rare 鈥� and almost singular 鈥� and 51社区 exemplifies it all.鈥�
As part of the reception, Dockery updated those in attendance about some of the highlights from 51社区 over the past year, including:
- a record fall enrollment of 3,156 students.
- the dedication of White Hall, a new $20 million science building that will house the departments of biology and chemistry and the School of Nursing
- more than $94 million already pledged toward the goal of $110 million for the Union 2010 capital campaign.
- the dedication of Fesmire Field House.
- the approval of new academic programs, including a Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Social Work degrees.
- the second Baptist Identity Conference in February, which explored the theme 鈥淐onvention, Cooperation and Controversy鈥� and addressed issues of importance in the Southern Baptist Convention.
- Union鈥檚 receipt of a significant donation from Olford Ministries International that included the Stephen Olford Center in Memphis, Tenn.
Thanking those in attendance for their prayers and support, Dockery noted that these highlights were examples of so many other good things that were a part of the best year ever at 51社区.