SWAU Extends Longstanding Support of ECCC

CLEBURNE, TEX. – In 2018, the East Cleburne Community Center (ECCC), recognized Bill Kilgore, a religion professor at Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU), at their annual Barrett Awards Banquet with a Lifetime Service Award. He was again recognized in 2012.

Kilgore was given these awards because he had established a tradition of bringing SWAU international students to visit children at the ECCC every week to talk about their home cultures. Each week Kilgore and one or two international students would prepare a 15-minute slide show presentation about what it’s like to live in their home country. The students would often wear traditional clothes and bring things from their country for the children to see. Afterward, the children would have the opportunity to ask questions. The feature program was a huge hit with the ECCC children. 

Fast forward to 2025, and the Ignite Service community at SWAU is taking up the mantle to continue support of ECCC during their Kid’s Night Out initiative. The first Monday of every month, Ignite hosts the program and the meal at ECCC. When Pablo González, SWAU math and physical science professor, heard about the new opportunity to serve, he told Ignite Service coordinator Susan Grady that he wanted to lead out in planning the programming for each month. Grady arranges the meal, including soliciting food donations from other local programs. 

A recent program set the bar high for the future. Twenty SWAU students, plus faculty, attended the program. Select members of the SWAU Orchestra, led by Rogério Nunes,  performed several Christmas songs. Five education majors did a caroling sing-a-long with the children. Three nursing students helped Grady serve the food. 

Houston nonprofit El Salvador Foundation, at the request of Gonzalez, provided a present for each child. 

Building on a legacy that began decades ago, the partnership between Southwestern Adventist University and the East Cleburne Community Center continues to connect students, faculty and children through meaningful service. What started with one professor’s weekly visits has grown into a collaborative effort that blends education, culture and compassion—ensuring that the mission envisioned by D. L. Barrett and carried forward by Bill Kilgore remains a living, active presence in the Cleburne community.