Mercer University received a $2.5 million grant for a new center for Baptist leadership, officials announced Wednesday. The center will focus on Baptist history, theology, ethics and other areas.

Daniel Vestal, executive coordinator of the Atlanta-based Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, will lead the center starting July 1. Vestal, who will also serve as a professor, previously announced he would retire from the fellowship June 30.

The gift is from Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation and the center will be named after them.

About the Author

Featured

Thousands of UGA students enjoy during the annual “Frat Beach” party for the weekend of the Georgia-Florida football game on St. Simons Island, Friday, November 1, 2024. On the weekend of the Georgia-Florida football game, St. Simons Island’s East Beach becomes “Frat Beach,” an open-air party teeming with thousands of highly inebriated college students. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC