This week Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) welcomed its board of trustees and Southeastern Society (SES) to campus for the annual fall meeting, during which the visitors heard student testimonies, resounding reports of Southeastern’s growth and an announcement about its undergraduate program.

During his presidential report to SES members and later to the board of trustees, President Danny Akin shared institutional updates of growth and continued Great Commission focus.

In his report, Akin gave updates regarding Southeastern’s ongoing efforts to train strategically positioned global church leaders in hard-to-reach countries. In addition, Akin commended Southeastern’s students and staff who responded to the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Akin highlighted the two separate Southeastern teams sent out this month to serve those affected by the flooding and destruction in western North Carolina.

Concerning institutional growth, Akin shared that enrollment at the end of the previous academic year stood at 5,078 students and continues to significantly increase across undergraduate, graduate, and advanced degree programs with semester applications. This fall the number of enrolled credit hours has grown by 10.5%.

Not only that but also charitable giving has continued to increase with two consecutive years of $1.5 million growth. In the last year, institutional giving exceeded $8.5 million. This was only possible because of the continued generosity of Southeastern’s donors who are deeply invested in furthering Great Commission ministry.

“The school,” Akin said, “has never been healthier in terms of the spirit of the campus. It’s never been healthier in terms of the morale of the faculty and students. It’s never been healthier financially in the time that I have been here. And again, it’s because of brothers and sisters like you who believe in what we’re doing and, again, step up and put feet to your faith.”

Akin also gave updates on the completed first phase of the renovations of the Ledford Student Center, renovations which have expanded the dining hall and kitchen and, in the second phase of building, will include increased event seating and communal space.

During their first plenary session, trustees recognized two new members to the board: Dustin Rudolph, from California, and Travis Southern, from Washington state.

In their session, Akin commended the board as well, stating, “This school stands on your shoulders, and your leadership is greatly appreciated by me and by our administration and beyond.”

Following the morning report, the Southeastern Women’s Fellowship Lunch celebrated the academic scholarship of female students at Southeastern; for the 2024-2025 school year, 12 women were awarded scholarships totaling $34,933.

Southeastern Family Banquet

At the Monday evening Southeastern Family Banquet, attendees were greatly encouraged by the testimonies of Southeastern alumni and donors as well as a video from faculty member Jim Shaddix.

SES members Jim and Ruth Ann Dyer shared their testimony with the banquet attendees, explaining how they have seen the impact of Southeastern graduates and faculty on their lives for the past 60 years — for Jim, before they were married, a total of 70 years. Looking back over their lives, Jim traced the influence of different people they had met, Southeastern graduates who were pastors and mentors, members of their church, and close friends.

“Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a force multiplier,” Jim said. “You can go places that we will never go. You will see people we will never see. You can share the gospel with people I’ll never know about. ‘Go,’” he explained, “is a force multiplier. We’re here to thank you for the influence that you have had on our lives.”

Following the Dyer’s testimony, banquet attendees heard from two-time alumnus Thomas West who currently serves as the senior pastor of Nashville First Baptist Church. He narrated his story, explaining how God prepared him for ministry through his time at Southeastern as he completed an MDiv and a PhD. He described the church plant that he and his wife felt called to be a part of in London, England, and how God greatly blessed and multiplied those efforts. He then connected the story back to his present calling of church revitalization in Nashville.

To SES members, West said, “Years ago, when you were praying for this school and when you were giving your money into this school to train up ministers and to make disciples, I didn’t know that’s what was being sown into me, but here’s the real thing. You didn’t know what you were sowing into as well.”

He explained, however, that God knew exactly what he was doing. Through the sacrifice and ministry of Southeastern donors, God multiplies not just students, but the impact those students have, the churches they plant, and the gospel conversations they have across the world.

“Friends, it is because you sow into this seminary,” West told his listeners, “that people can go from this seminary. Because you sow, other people are equipped to go.”

The banquet concluded with worship, and attendees left encouraged by the work that God is doing through the Southeastern community.

Faculty Talks

Tuesday morning, over breakfast, SES members heard from two of Southeastern’s college faculty, Craig Williams and Bryce Hantla, who narrated how God has been at work in their lives and their time at Southeastern.

Both professors serve the undergraduate program at Southeastern, Williams as the business program coordinator and professor of business, and Hantla as associate professor of education, associate vice-president of institutional effectiveness and director of the education program.

Both men are graduates of Southeastern, and they each shared how God brought them to the institution and how they became involved in their current roles. Hantla and Williams have a great desire to train up Christian men and women who see it as their calling to act as witnesses for Christ in the workplace.

In his talk, Williams highlighted how much time an average person spends at work and the opportunity it presents for Great Commission ministry.

“For me, thinking about my experience in the business world, my experience in academia” Williams told his listeners, “that represents one of the largest mission opportunities we have.”

Similarly, Hantla spoke to the desperate need in education for Christian educators to be light in the darkness.

“Carrying our Christianity into a space such as our public educational system right now is a crucial task and a crucial assignment for future educators,” he said. He went on to speak about the many opportunities that Southeastern’s college students have after graduating with a state licensed teaching degree, both at home, in the school system, and overseas in closed countries.

The business and education degrees of The College at Southeastern equip and prepare students to give their lives for the cause of Christ in these aspects of society which are greatly in need of the hope of the gospel.

Trustee Recommendations

Tuesday morning, the board of trustees met for their second and final plenary session.

During the session, the trustees established two endowments. The Dr. Adrianne Cheek Miles Women in Scholarship Endowment was created in honor of Adrianne Miles, a beloved professor of The College who passed away in the spring of 2024 after a faith-filled battle with cancer. Miles was a strong proponent for women’s scholarship to the very end of her life. This endowment will support Southeastern’s Society for Women in Scholarship program, as well as select events and programs that further scholarship, helping equip women for the academy and the church.

In addition, the Business as Missions Student Aid Fund was established to support students enrolled in and pursuing the Bachelor of Business Administration who are in good academic standing.

During the session, Provost Scott Pace introduced Southeastern’s two newest faculty, Craig Williams and Deanna Rogers, Assistant Professor of English.

Finally, Akin presented the trustees with a long-anticipated recommendation regarding The College, which they proceeded to vote on.

In chapel, following the session, Akin announced to the Southeastern community the board’s unanimous vote of approval to rename The College at Southeastern after pioneer Baptist missionary, Adoniram Judson. It is now known as Judson College.

Judson College Celebration

In his life, ministry and sacrifice, Judson embodied the mission of Southeastern’s undergraduate students: to give their lives for the cause of Christ in the church, among the nations, and in every aspect of society.

“As we began to pray and think,” Akin told chapel attendees, “we came to the conclusion that there is no better name that represents our theological commitment, missionary passion, and our willingness to ask the question, ‘Lord, not why should I go? Lord, with so many lost, why should we stay?’ Judson asked that question, and he went, and the results are nothing less than supernatural.”

Following the chapel message presented by Thomas West, the Southeastern community gathered outside on the quad for a celebration lunch and the reveal of the official Judson College sign.

Southeastern is immensely thankful for the community of generous supporters and alumni who continue to invest in and uphold the institution and its mission. It is because of the men and women of the Southeastern Society that the students of the seminary and Judson College are able to whole-heartedly pursue God’s calling on their lives, from their ministry training to their mission field.Over the last year, donations from Southeastern Society members comprised 63% of the total charitable gifts to Southeastern. To learn more about the Southeastern Society and ways you can support the Southeastern community and our mission, visit the SES website here.