Cory Barnes named dean of NOBTS graduate studies
By Timothy Cockes, NOBTS
NEW ORLEANS (BP) — Cory Barnes has been named dean of graduate studies for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS).
Barnes, associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, has served on the NOBTS faculty since 2021.
Jamie Dew, president of NOBTS and Leavell College, voiced his excitement for Barnes to step into the role of dean.
“Dr. Barnes has a long history of serving NOBTS and Leavell College with great faithfulness and skill,” Dew said. “He’s proven himself to be a strong administrator with pastoral wisdom. We’re very excited to have him in this role and confident that he will strengthen our graduate programs that serve the churches of our convention.”
NOBTS Provost Norris Grubbs spoke to what Barnes will bring to the position.
“We are pleased to be able to place someone like Cory in the graduate dean position,” Grubbs said.
“Dr. Barnes will make an excellent graduate dean. He has excellent administrative skills, the ability to think creatively, and the respect of the faculty. He’s a proven leader who has served NOBTS well. We are excited to have him in this role.”
Barnes and his wife Kayla originally moved to campus 11 days after they got married in 2011. The couple now has three girls, Zoey (11), Noel (9) and Rymie (2).
After many years as a student and faculty member, Barnes is thankful to continue to serve in a place that deeply impacted his own life.
“I am thrilled to be serving as the graduate dean at NOBTS,” Barnes said.
“As a three-time graduate of NOBTS, I know how much difference our school can make in someone’s life and ministry. God continues to call out men and women to serve His kingdom. He calls pastors to proclaim the Word, missionaries to reach the nations, women and men to serve the church in many roles, and counselors to bring gospel peace to a world marred by sin. I am blessed to serve alongside our outstanding faculty to equip those God has called.”
Liberty reaches settlement with Falwell
By Baptist Press Staff
LYNCHBURG, Va. (BP) — The Board of Trustees of Liberty University announced July 26 the university had reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought by its former president Jerry Falwell Jr.
Falwell brought a suit last year, accusing Liberty of misappropriating “for itself” the name and image of his father, Jerry Falwell Sr., the well-known pastor and evangelist who co-founded Liberty in 1971.
Falwell Jr. resigned as president in 2020 in the wake of a series of scandals.
In a statement on the Liberty website, trustees claim to have reached a “global resolution agreement settling all outstanding disputes on both legal and personal matters.”
The parties have agreed on retirement and severance details as well as “the conditions under which the University will make use of Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr.’s name, image, and likeness.”
“Both the University’s Board of Trustees and Jerry Falwell, Jr. sincerely regret the lengthy and painful litigation process, and each take responsibility for their part in the disputes,” the statement says. “Falwell acknowledges and apologizes for the errors in judgment and mistakes made during his time of leadership. The Board of Trustees acknowledge and apologize for the errors and mistakes made on their part as well. The Trustees and Falwell are committed to move forward in a spirit of forgiveness and with the hope of reconciliation in a Christ honoring manner.”
