Issue: Summer 2014 | Posted: June 2, 2014
What People Are Saying About Dub Oliver
Dub Oliver is an amazingly gifted leader.
Because he is an educator by calling, he is
committed to excellence in teaching and
learning. Because he is highly relational,
he is a student magnet. Because he is a
convictional Christian, he leads with his
theological foot forward. Because he has
been a bivocational pastor, he is a faithful
churchman.
C. BEN MITCHELL
Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy and
Search Committee member, Union University
He came and got some buildings built and
some projects completed that had kind of
stalled here at ETBU’s campus. His energy
and his enthusiasm were really a breath
of fresh air for this institution and, quite
honestly, our city.
CHASE PALMER
Attorney, Marshall, Texas
Dub Oliver is a man who, every time you
see him, you feel propped up. He’s an
encourager. Dub is always the same.
BOB SMITH
The Olivers’ Sunday School teacher at Crossroads
Baptist Church, Marshall, Texas
His beliefs are clear and he is decisive in
communicating what he believes. He’s
taught Sunday School and he’s preached
for us. (Dub and Susie) have been faithful
supporters and have become part of the
family in our community of faith.
DAVID RICE
Senior pastor, Crossroads, Baptist Church,
Marshall, Texas
He agreed that the executive of the faculty
senate should give a report every time
that the board of trustees met. What that
helped do was create a climate here on
campus of openness, transparency and of
shared governance. Every step along the
way, Dr. Oliver has worked to raise those
qualities within our community.
ELIJAH BROWN
Assistant professor of missions,
East Texas Baptist University
He’s got so much on his plate, and yet he
still takes the time to speak to students
by name and ask them how they’re doing.
We’ve all talked about how he and Susie
are so personable and how they want to
get to know us.
JENAYE WHITE
Union University senior, public relations major and
SGA president, Paducah, Ky.
(Dub) is a person of great integrity,
faith, strong theological commitments
grounded in Scripture and a love for
students. He has served in Christian
higher education for many years, and his
proven experience will be a strong factor
in his ongoing success and leadership at
Union University.
ROBERT SLOAN
President, Houston Baptist University and a former
Oliver colleague at Baylor University
I had a niece who decided to attend college
(at ETBU), and my sister was just so
impressed when he met with parents and
told them, “If ever you have a concern, a
problem or a question, do not hesitate to call
me,” and gave out his cell phone number. My
sister and her husband were so excited that
there was someone in charge who took such
a personal interest in students.
PAULA NICHOLS
Member, Crossroads Baptist Church,
Marshall, Texas
Through periodic encouragement,
individuals and groups prayed and God
answered those prayers in many ways
as the committee worked on. His most
important answer to prayer is evidenced
by the unanimous and enthusiastic
recommendation we bring to you today.
NORMAN O. HILL
Chairman of Union University’s Presidential Search
Committee, describing how the group arrived at
recommending Oliver as the next president.
Prior to his coming to ETBU, the postgraduate
schools here were not really
excellent. He was instrumental in creating,
with the help of the board of trustees,
four post-graduate schools. Another one
is under consideration. He has grown the
university. I think that’s an important part
of the job of a college president.
RICHARD ANDERSON
Former county judge and ETBU donor,
Marshall, Texas
He handles difficult situations with grace.
He cares about how difficult decisions
impact people. He handles it with a
measure of sympathy and care. He doesn’t
make promises he can’t keep, and he
builds trust in people because he does
what he says he’s going to do.
TOM WEBSTER
Dean, School of Fine Arts,
East Texas Baptist University
Dr. Dub auditioned for Pride and Prejudice
in the fall, and it was just cool to see that
our president was involved. He always
shows up to the fine arts events, but it
was the first time that we really got to be
in close contact. He was in the show and
involved with us. We got to see into his life.
It was really cool to be able to get to see
who the president is on a personal level.
ZACH BEARDEN
ETBU sophomore music and worship major and
cast member for the fall 2013 production of
Pride and Prejudice
He did excellently well. For someone
who wasn’t brought up in the arts, he fit
right in and had great energy and great
presence. We all had a great time.
TRACI LEDFORD
Director of the campus production of Pride and
Prejudice, in which Dub Oliver portrayed the character
Edward Gardiner
I met him one time, and the next time
I saw him, he knew my name. He’d
remembered where I was from, my
parents’ names; he’d remembered to ask
me about my sister.
RACHEL FRANK
ETBU sophomore secondary education and
mathematics major
I met him during the cookout we had
during Homecoming weekend. He met
five or six girls all at once and a short time
later, he remembered all of our names. I
thought that was very impressive.
HOPE LEWIS
Union University senior, elementary education
major, Memphis
Whenever you engage him in deep
conversation, he tells you a lot of things
that you wouldn’t have known that
he knew. He’s so humble about his
intelligence, and he’s extremely wise.
HADEN HOLLIS
ETBU senior business major, Kingsport, Tenn.
