BELTON, Texas—The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) is excited to expand educational opportunities to all incoming undergraduate students actively working to earn their four-year bachelor’s degree. Awarded automatically after completing 60 eligible credit hours toward their bachelor’s degree, embedded associate degrees are built-in milestones that are part of the UMHB bachelor’s degree plan.

“This new concept of a mid-degree academic credential sets UMHB apart in the landscape of higher education,” explained Dr. John Vassar, UMHB’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “Starting this fall, UMHB students can earn two degrees in their undergraduate journey. An embedded associate degree that students earn along the way to their bachelor’s degree is a significant value-add for our students and comes at no extra cost. We’re excited to offer this to all incoming UMHB undergraduate students.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as a worker’s educational attainment rises, their earnings increase. 2024 data shows that the median annual earnings for workers with an associate degree are $8,788 more per year than those of workers with only a high school diploma. The unemployment rate is also one-third lower for those with an associate degree compared to high school graduates. Completing a bachelor’s degree offers the greatest financial opportunity for students.

“While associate degrees are not the final destination,” Vassar said, “this new associate degree credential is an important demonstration of academic progress that our students will achieve during their educational journey with us. This addition enhances the value of a UMHB undergraduate degree and rewards our students’ progress and hard work toward graduating with a four-year degree.”

All incoming UMHB students will automatically follow a pathway that qualifies them for an associate degree after completing the required coursework, unless they choose to opt out. Each embedded associate degree will include 40 hours of general education and 20 hours of bachelor’s degree coursework, with at least 30 hours completed at UMHB.

BELTON, Texas—The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor's (UMHB) Kingdom Diversity Office invites local congregations and the general public to attend their annual Multicultural Festival on Friday, April 10, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will take place on the UMHB campus inside the Bawcom Student Union.

The event is free to attend and will include food trucks, games, dancing, live music, performances, and a culture showcase. To learn more about UMHB’s Kingdom Diversity office and events, visit www.umhb.edu/kingdomdiversity.

BELTON, Texas—Thousands of people turned out to see the reenactment of the crucifixion of Christ at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s 87^th annual Easter Pageant on April 1 in front of Luther Memorial.

The student-led tradition chronicles moments from the Gospel story, including Christ’s triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, Christ’s trial by Pontius Pilate, crucifixion, death, and resurrection.

The planning and production involved hundreds of students, children, and grandchildren of faculty and staff. This year’s three performances drew thousands of people to campus, and many more worldwide viewed via live stream. The video is still available to view on the UMHB Facebook page and on the UMHB website at www.umhb.edu. A Spanish version of the program is also available to view.

Each year, UMHB President Dr. Randy O’Rear selects a student to direct the pageant and two students to portray the key roles of Mary and Jesus. The students who play the two key roles are chosen based on their strong Christian faith and character.

Kinsley Jones, a senior educational advocacy major from Kingwood, took on the role of Mary. She said, “I have had the pleasure of being in the Easter Pageant every year I’ve been here. I got such different perspectives each year. Since I was eight years old, I’ve known the Gospel. But during one of those performances, I experienced the Gospel differently. I had so much joy! The Lord reminded me that we’re on this side of the Gospel – we get to walk in joy because yes, Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but three days later He rose from the dead! I’m just so grateful.” When talking about this year’s experience preparing to play Mary, she said, “A couple of weeks ago, the Lord reminded me that I can’t do anything without Him. I started clinging to Him, and that completely changed my heart’s posture.”

Jonathan Diaz, a senior accounting major from Lubbock, portrayed Jesus this year. When asked about serving in this role, he said, “I’m so pumped for today!” He went on to say, “I have been blessed to be part of Easter Pageant for three years in three very different roles, which reminds me that we all play such different roles in our own lives and with Jesus. He calls us to simply say yes to Him. Saying yes to being uncomfortable and going outside of our comfort zone.” He added, “I wish I could get to know each person who attends the pageant this year, but obviously I can’t. Where I fall short as a human, the most powerful thing is that He does not. He’s looking at each and every one of you, and He knows you by name.”

Brynne Loya, a senior religion and public life major from El Paso, served as this year’s pageant director. Alec Saltzman and Carson Leedy have served as Loya’s assistant directors. Saltzman is a senior cybersecurity major from Ponder, and Leedy is a junior transformational development major from Round Rock.

Easter Pageant has had a life-changing impact on Brynne. When sharing about her journey, she said, “I have the privilege of being the director this year. I’m truly honored and humbled by it because the Easter Pageant has been a huge part of my testimony. When I came to UMHB, I was not a believer. In fact, I was a pretty angry person who didn’t think I needed God. But over time, people began to pour into me, and I eventually gave my life to Christ. My freshman self really had no idea what that meant, though. While I was serving on the makeup committee for Easter Pageant that spring, I finally understood the weight and wonder of the Gospel. It was the first time anybody had explained the Gospel story. I’d never seen it played out before.”

She continued, “What a joy it’s been for the past 11 months to put all the pieces together! Easter Pageant is amazing. If I hadn’t seen the Easter Pageant my freshman year, I don’t know that I would have the faith I do today. The Gospel transforms. It will change you. It changed me.”

The tradition of the annual Easter Pageant at UMHB began in 1940 when it was held during the afternoon on Easter Sunday. At that time, Mary Hardin-Baylor was an all-female campus, so all of the roles were played entirely by women. Over time, the production expanded to include male students and additional performances.

BELTON, Texas—On Wednesday, April 1, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor will host its 87^th annual Easter Pageant. There will be performances at 12:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. in front of Luther Memorial on the UMHB campus. All three performances will be free and open to the public.

The pageant will be available live online on the UMHB Facebook page and at www.umhb.edu/live.

The Easter Pageant chronicles moments from the Gospel story, including Christ’s triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, and Christ’s trial by Pontius Pilate, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. This event has become a tradition for many Central Texas families and is expected to attract thousands of visitors.

Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Pageant organizers said the 5:30 p.m. show is usually the most popular, so visitors are encouraged to attend earlier performances if possible. Audiences are also encouraged to bring sunscreen and hats, as umbrellas are prohibited.

The production is student-led and features a cast of hundreds, including students, children, and grandchildren of university students, faculty, and staff. Each year, UMHB President Dr. Randy O’Rear selects a student to direct the pageant and two students to play the key roles of Jesus and Mary. The selection of the two roles is based on their strong Christian faith and character.

Brynne Loya, a senior religion and public life major from El Paso, has served as this year’s pageant director. Alec Saltzman and Carson Leedy have served as Loya’s assistant directors. Saltzman is a senior cybersecurity major from Ponder, and Leedy is a junior transformational development major from Round Rock. Jonathan Diaz is portraying Jesus this year. He is a senior accounting major from Lubbock. Kinsley Jones, a senior educational advocacy major from Kingwood, is taking on the role of Mary.

Daysha Covarrubias, a freshman music education major from Killeen, will sing “In the Name of the Lord.” The song “Arise My Love” will be performed by Avalyn James, a senior music major from Killeen, and Abby Russell, a sophomore music education major from Round Rock. Abby Russell will also sing “Via Dolorosa.” Natalie Crayton, a senior vocal performance major from Belton, will sing “Joy and Sorrow.”

The tradition of the annual Easter Pageant at UMHB began in 1940 when it was held during the afternoon on Easter Sunday. At that time, Mary Hardin-Baylor was an all-female campus, so all of the roles were played entirely by women. Over time, the production expanded to include male students and additional performances. 

BELTON, Texas— The 27^th annual spring revival, a three-day student-directed event, came to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) this week, where hundreds of students gathered inside a large white tent at the heart of campus. This year's theme was "The Potter and The Clay," and Shane Pruitt, the National Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board, was the featured speaker. Crescent City Worship, a collaborative team of students, staff, and alumni of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, led worship for the event.

"Revival 2026 invites our campus community into the clay and the potter journey, identifying the barriers that keep our hearts from being shaped by a loving Father through a life-changing relationship with Jesus," said UMHB's Dean of Students, Michael Burns.

Isaiah 64:8, this year's theme verse, says, "And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We are all formed by your hand."

Shane Pruitt opened the revival by defining our primary purpose: to know Jesus and to make Him known. He warned against the "playdough" tendency of modern faith, in which we try to mold Jesus into a shape that fits our personal preferences or social causes. Instead of a God who simply validates our existing lives, Pruitt challenged students to encounter the real, biblical Jesus. This authentic faith doesn't leave us as we are; it possesses the power to radically change our hearts from the inside out.

On the second night, the focus shifted to the identity of a Christ-follower and how Jesus' resurrection should shape our daily lives. Pruitt explained that because Jesus didn't stay in the grave, we don't have to live there either, urging students to leave their "grave clothes" behind. A sophomore UMHB student named Noah Britton moved the crowd by sharing how surrendering to God felt like being a piece of stone under a sculptor's hand. He described how God lovingly chipped away at his old self, revealing the person he was truly meant to be in Christ.

The final night centered on God's specific calling for each student to hope, to serve and share the Gospel, and to lead in ministry. Throughout the event, Pruitt consistently invited students to move beyond mere belief into a life of active surrender and ministry.

"The atmosphere was transformative as students began to minister to one another, choosing to follow and serve Jesus with newfound bold intentionality. Seeing a generation ready to live out their faith in Jesus by praying for each other and worshipping together was a beautiful conclusion to the revival," Burns said.

BELTON, Texas—The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) is excited to announce plans to build a new 56,032 square foot science lab facility located on the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and College Street, directly across from the Davidson and Heard buildings. Construction could begin as early as summer 2026, with the goal of opening in January 2028.

A generous donor, who asked to remain anonymous, has offered a $1 million gift plus a $4 million challenge grant to help fund the construction of this new state-of-the-art science lab facility. The challenge specifies that, to receive the grant, the university must raise an additional $5 million in new gifts for the project by the end of 2026. Together with the resources already secured, a successful challenge would make it possible for the $50 million facility to be fully funded.

“Praise God for His continued blessings on UMHB and for this generous donor! This amazing challenge grant supports our vision of becoming the university of choice for Christian higher education in the Southwest by continuing to invest in first-class facilities at UMHB,” said Dr. Randy O’Rear, university president. “I am grateful to our Board of Trustees for their vision for UMHB’s future, and I want to express a special thank you to the faculty and staff who have contributed to the planning of this project. They have ensured this facility will meet the ongoing needs of our students and academic programs.”

The new three-story science facility will feature 13 science labs, along with conference rooms and a student gathering space, creating a dynamic environment for both teaching and research. The first floor, totaling 20,259 square feet, will welcome students and visitors through a lobby that serves as a central hub for collaboration and connection. This level will include a student lounge and study rooms, as well as conference rooms and administrative offices, fostering interaction among students, faculty, and staff. The second floor, encompassing 16,275 square feet, will be dedicated to biology laboratories, providing flexible, modern lab spaces to support instruction and experimentation. The third floor, spanning 19,498 square feet, will primarily house chemistry laboratories. This level will also include dedicated research and collaborative areas, enhancing academic support and study opportunities.

Each lab will feature state-of-the-art technology for hands-on learning, and will directly serve the large population of biology and health science majors attracted to UMHB’s strong undergraduate and graduate health programs. The current lab science requirement in the university’s general education core means that this building will be used by the majority of UMHB’s undergraduate student body. The facility will also include approximately 40 new offices for faculty and staff.

“This new science lab facility will be a beautiful and modern addition to our campus that will open doors to countless learning opportunities for UMHB students,” O’Rear continued. “I am excited to see how God will continue to use the facilities, programs, and people of UMHB to impact the lives of college students for years to come.”

BELTON, Texas—In celebration of Black History Month, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor's (UMHB) Kingdom Diversity Office is hosting the 3^rd Annual Evolution of Black Music in America. This year's theme, "Ole Time Religion," is a tribute to gospel church music. The night of worship will feature gospel performances and testimonies from Central Texas choirs, ensembles, soloists, and spoken-word poets. This powerful gospel fest will be held in the Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026.

General admission tickets are $16.50 each for adults 18 and older, and $6.50 each for children under 18. UMHB faculty, staff, and students may pick up their free tickets by showing a valid CruCard at UMHB's Performing Arts Center box office. Special guests include Dr. Lillian L. Billie, Dr. Marcus Scott and His Sound Ministries, Prince Elven Camp, Jr., and Divine Messengers. To learn more about these special guests and for a link to purchase tickets, visit www.umhb.edu/kingdomdiversity.

"The unique soulful sound of Black music in America has been a cherished modality for expressing love, politics, and religion. The art of music is a conduit for giving praise to God and allowing those who hear it to feel the emotion evoked through Christian assembly and the worship of a loving God who is with us," explained Dr. Sanfrená Britt, director of UMHB's Kingdom Diversity Office. "I hope that our community, as a whole, will come and join us as we go back to the ole time way!"

BELTON, Texas—The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s (UMHB) athletics department received the National Association of Division III Athletics Administrators (NADIIIAA) Community Partnerships Award for its annual TOUCHDOWNS event. Leadership from UMHB athletics accepted the award on behalf of UMHB at the NADIIIAA reception at the 2026 NCAA Convention last month.

“We were honored to receive this award. TOUCHDOWNS is an extraordinary day that truly focuses not only on inclusion but also on celebrating individuals in our community with special needs. It is a blessing to share the field with them each year. Seeing all the smiling faces puts what we do in perspective,” said Dr. Hunter Sims, UMHB’s vice president for athletics. “We are extremely thankful for the work Sarah Harborth has done creating, designing, and organizing the hundreds of people who help accomplish such a wonderful event.”

UMHB hosted its eighth annual TOUCHDOWNS event last fall, honoring individuals with special needs. Participants enjoyed spirit stations, face painting, sign making, photo booths, and tailgate games with athlete volunteers from eight Crusader athletics teams. UMHB student-athletes helped facilitate games and served as buddies to participants. Guests with special needs were also given the opportunity to join UMHB’s cheer and dance teams on the sideline, while all participants had the chance to run on the field and score a touchdown during halftime. The event also celebrated an honorary captain who walked out with the team and joined them on the field for pregame activities.

“TOUCHDOWNS is one of our favorite days of the year,” said UMHB’s Sports Information Director Sarah Harborth. “We had no idea how things would go when we first introduced this idea nine years ago, but we have been so blessed to enjoy not only the smiling faces of our participants and families, but also our volunteers who return each year to help us pull it off. It is a day full of goodness, and I am honored to be part of it.”

The event, hosted and organized by UMHB’s Sports Information department in conjunction with a UMHB football game each October, began in 2017 and has grown in popularity each year. This year, more than 145 people registered and approximately 90 participated in the event activities, despite weather concerns. To ensure everyone felt included, student volunteers mailed more than 50 packs, including a TOUCHDOWNS shirt, a handwritten note, and other items, to those who could not attend the game.

“These awards celebrate the incredible impact Division III programs and administrators have on their campuses and communities,” said Laura Mooney, NADIIIAA president and assistant dean of athletics & recreation at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). “NADIIIAA is proud to honor these institutions and individuals for their commitment to service and leadership.”

NADIIIAA encompasses athletics administrators from more than 350 institutions and conferences competing at the Division III level. Each year, they award three community service awards and two athletic administrator awards.

BELTON, Texas—The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) is excited to announce a new free tuition program for eligible first-time freshmen and new transfer undergraduate students beginning with the incoming fall 2026 class. The UMHB Promise program is designed to minimize financial barriers so more students can pursue a transformative Christ-centered education.

“The UMHB Promise makes Christian higher education accessible to more people,” explained Dr. Gary Lamm, UMHB’s vice president for enrollment management. “We are investing in students who may think they cannot afford a private college education at Mary Hardin-Baylor. Interested students should visit our website at www.umhb.edu or reach out to our Admissions office at 254-295-4520 to find out more.”

Eligibility requirements for the UMHB Promise include:

• Annual family income of $65,000 or less;
• Federal Pell Grant eligible;
• Entering fall 2026 class;
• First-time freshmen or new transfer undergraduate students;
• Incoming freshmen must be in the top 50% of their high school class, or freshmen from non-ranking high schools must have a minimum 21 ACT or 1070 SAT or 67 CLT exam score;
• Incoming transfers must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA;
• Campus residency required.

“This program is about opening doors and changing lives,” said Dr. Brandon Skaggs, UMHB’s vice president for student life. “By minimizing financial barriers, we are inviting more students into a Christ-centered education. We see God’s work in our students’ lives every day, and we are excited to share that transformative experience with more students than ever before.”

Founded in 1845, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor prepares students for lives of leadership, service, and faith-informed discernment in a global society. Propelled by an unapologetically Christian commitment for more than 180 years, the university is dedicated to helping students deepen their faith and integrate Christian perspectives into every dimension of life. Located in the heart of Central Texas, UMHB offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 65 undergraduate majors, 12 master’s degree programs, and four doctoral degrees. The vibrant campus in Belton boasts state-of-the-art academic and athletic facilities. To learn more about the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and the UMHB Promise, call 254-295-4520 or visit www.umhb.edu.

BELTON, TX - The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) held commencement services for the summer and fall graduates on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Crusader Stadium. This was the university's 169th graduating class, and the 409 confirmed graduates are below.