Lubbock Christian University Receives $3 Million Gift
On Tuesday, August 24th, Lubbock Christian University announced that they had received a $3 million gift from Al and Pat Smith, longtime supporters of the University from Amarillo.
According to an LCU press release, this gift will be divided between 2 areas. $2 million of the funds will be used to establish the Jesse C. Long, Jr. Endowed Chair of Biblical Text. The other $1 million will be used to set an endowment for the Vocati Institute, which is a program meant for fostering spiritual formation in young people.
On having the chair named after him, Dr. Long had this to say:
To have an endowed chair bestowed on the College of Biblical Studies in my name is a great honor. It is an honor not because of personal recognition—the naming was not solicited—but because of the benefactors.
Dr. Long has been part of the LCU faculty for over 20 years, currently serving as a Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Archaeology. He previously served as the dean of the Smith College of Biblical Studies.
Dr. JoAnn Long, Program and Research Director for Vocati, said:
Supporters of all things good, and especially ministry, the Smith’s decision to come alongside the work being accomplished through Vocati will impact both church and community for decades to come. We are confident that God will multiply what they have done in the lives of the young people who will be blessed because of their generosity.