Baylor University Mourns the Passing of Baylor Alumnus and Baptist Statesman Russell Dilday
Russell H. Dilday, Ph.D., a 1952 graduate of Baylor University, passed away on June 21, 2023. Dilday served as distinguished professor of homiletics in Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary from 1994 to 2000 and briefly served as acting dean of Truett Seminary in 1995-1996.
Contact: Shelby Cefaratti-Bertin, Baylor University Media & Public Relations, 254-327-8012
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WACO, Texas (June 22, 2023) – Russell H. Dilday, Ph.D., a 1952 graduate of Baylor University, died June 21, 2023. The son of a Baptist minister, Dilday faithfully served the Baptist denomination and his alma mater across his storied career. From 1994 to 2000, Dilday served as distinguished professor of homiletics in Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Dilday also briefly served as acting dean of Truett Seminary in 1995-1996.
“Dr. Russell Dilday was a servant leader whose impact on the Baptist denomination, Texas Baptists and Baylor University will long be remembered. His legacy as a pastor and in the preparation of thousands of church leaders will be felt for generations across the denomination,” Baylor University President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., said. “He was a devoted advocate of the vital role of the Baptist church in the lives of individuals and communities, poured generously into the education of our students and served with integrity as he helped shepherd the early years of Truett Seminary. We are grateful for his commitment to Baylor and the work of God’s people, and we pray that God will comfort his family as they mourn his passing.”
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Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 18,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.