Corpus Christi May 15, 2019: Stark College and Seminary is honored to highlight the accomplishments of those who have completed a sustained and rigorous course of study. At the Corpus Christi Graduation on Monday night, it was the pleasure of the faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees to confer an honorary Doctorate of Divinity upon SCS’s President Emeritus, Reverend Linn Self.
Reverend Linn Self has devoted his life to serving the local church and community. In 1961, he was ordained to gospel ministry in a Kansas church. Less than a year later, he was married and pastoring his first church. Dr. Self soon realized he needed to hone his craft by attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. With a Master of Divinity in hand, he went right back to answering the only calling he knew—pastoring a flock of God’s people.
Week-in and week-out, he prepared sermons, counseled members, and baptized converts. Over his 58 years in ministry, Dr. Self led 13 churches and founded Oak Ridge Baptist. After completing 16-years at Oak Ridge Baptist Church, he then heard another unlikely call by God to pastor the “called” by becoming President of Stark College & Seminary. “His 10-year tenure at SCS forever changed the direction of the institution,” shared current SCS President, Dr. Tony Celelli. “Linn envisioned having a graduate program and a Rio Grande valley presence. He worked tirelessly to ensure those who had a call to seminary had access to a high quality and affordable theological education.”
It was with this incredible legacy of pastoring and scholarship that SCS had the honor of presenting Rev. Linn Self with an honorary Doctorate of Divinity. This degree was well earned through his dedication to loving and leading God’s people. We are thankful for Rev. Linn Self’s leadership and sacrifice and look forward to seeing how God continues to use him here in South Texas.