Distinguished HSU Alumnus President of Texas Baptists

René Maciel was elected President of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) during its 2015 Annual Meeting in November. Prior to his election as President, he served as First Vice President (2015) and Second Vice President (2014) of the Convention.

Maciel, who serves as President of Baptist University of the Américas in San Antonio. earned his Bachelor of Behavioral Science in 1981 from HSU and his Master of Science in Education from Baylor University. He later returned to HSU serving first as a recruiter and admissions counselor, then later as Director of Admissions.

Prior to joining Baptist University of the Américas, Maciel served as Chief Administrator of the New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home in Portales, New Mexico, and in several key positions at Baylor University’s Truett Seminary.

Maciel has received Distinguished Alumni Awards from both Hardin-Simmons University and HSU’s Logsdon School of Theology. An active student leader at HSU, Maciel was in Tau Alpha Phi, played varsity basketball, and lettered in varsity golf. René and his wife Sabrina (Dunham ’84) live in Castroville and have two grown children, Briana & Carmen.