Trent Gainey of Kermit named Young Maston Scholar

BROWNWOOD , TX (04/26/2013)(readMedia)-- Trent Gainey of Kermit, a junior biblical languages major at Howard Payne University, was recognized recently as a 2013 Young Maston Scholar during the T.B. Maston Lectures in Christian Ethics, an annual conference hosted by Hardin-Simmons University's Logsdon Seminary.

Gainey was nominated for the honor by Dr. Donnie Auvenshine, dean of HPU's School of Christian Studies, and other HPU faculty members.

"Trent is an outstanding example of the caliber of those studying through HPU's School of Christian Studies," Dr. Auvenshine said. "He daily lives out his commitment to Christ in everything he does. We could not be prouder of his accomplishments."

The Young Maston Scholar designation is awarded by Hardin-Simmons University in conjunction with nominations made by HPU and other Texas Baptist-partnering universities in an effort to recognize outstanding undergraduate students for their interest in, engagement with and integration of Christian ethics.

Nominations are based upon a student's demonstrated faithfulness to the ethical example of Christ; a commitment to Christian ethics lived out in theological inquiry and academic excellence; an established reputation among peers for ethical Christian leadership; and an articulated clarity in an occupational expression of ministry, though it is not required to be in a congregational setting.

In addition to receiving formal recognition during this year's lectures, Gainey participated in an auxiliary ethics retreat sponsored by the T.B. Maston Foundation, as well as an exclusive ethics roundtable with this year's Maston Lecturer, Dr. Molly Marshall, president of Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Shawnee, Kan.

Both the Young Maston Scholar designation and the T.B. Maston Lectures in Christian Ethics seek to honor the legacy of Dr. T.B. Maston, longtime professor of Christian ethics and pioneering Baptist ethicist, known for his writing and teaching in the areas of biblical ethics, race relations, family life, the Christian life and vocation, church and state, and character formation.

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Founded in 1889, Howard Payne University is a Christ-centered academic community dedicated to excellence by developing and equipping the whole person for intellectual inquiry, personal and professional integrity, and service to God and humanity.

Located in Brownwood, Texas, HPU offers a full array of undergraduate programs and a limited number of graduate programs in a traditional residential academic community. The university also offers selected undergraduate and graduate course work by electronic means and at extended learning centers in El Paso, Texas, and New Braunfels, Texas. HPU maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio, which contributes to the university's reputation of being "a place where everybody is somebody."