Petition for Reconsideration of Dr. Hetzel as Truett Professor

As a student in the English PhD program at Baylor, I've not had Dr. Hetzel as a professor. However, I can say that he pretty much single-handedly saved my husband's and my marriage. We had been separated for five months when someone recommended him as a marriage counselor. Dr. Hetzel is one of the most professional, insightful listeners I have ever worked with, who clearly values the sacrament of marriage. Baylor and its students have been so blessed to have Dr. Hetzel as an adjunt instructor. I can only expect that he shares his wisdom for protecting and nourishing marriage as part of his instruction to Truett students.

Rod has been one of the most influential individuals in my growth as a student affairs practitioner and a believer. To not allow him to teach is a travesty.

I can't speak to the quality of Dr. Hetzel's teaching or leadership at Truett, but I strongly disagree with a lack of contract renewal based solely on expressing an open and affirming belief in the context of his local faith community. He did not represent Truett or Baylor in any official capacity nor was he advocating an affirming position in the classroom, but rather expressed a personal belief and conviction within the "safety" of his church family. This should have no bearing on his eligibility for contract renewal. I have heard so many affirming words concerning his quality as a teacher and mentor. He sounds beloved and quite capable as a professor and leader.

While not a Truett student, I can attest to Dr. Rod Hetzel's compassion, wisdom, and integrity. In my own conversations about Christianity and homosexuality with him, he never tried to steer me toward a particular belief, but rather to understand my own beliefs more fully. Having attended Baylor and known many Truett students who learned and grew from classes with Rod, I cannot see how his presence is not an overwhelming good for this particular community.

Baylor University needs to stand up for equality and justice. One should ever be discrimated against because their beliefs are different from others. Baylor University if this goes through, you will have students like me who believe very passionately in LGBTQ rights very very very angry that you are telling us through your actions that you do not want us here.

Dr. Hetzel teaches with a compassionate heart and is a model example of what it means to live in faith. Thankful to have been his student. Baylor MSEd '10

Rod is a tower of spiritual depth, pastoral wisdom, and academic as well as personal integrity. I cannot conceive of a better professor to model, mentor, and shape young people called to vocation.

It saddens me that Baylor is considering not renewing Dr. Hetzel's contract. He is an amazing human being that brings such a great value to those he comes in contact with. His compassion towards others is an attribute that you don't find in many people. I hope Baylor reconsiders this, and a huge thanks to the Baylor students who support Dr. Hetzel and all he brings to the university.

10 years ago Featured

Dr. Hetzel provided a meaningful and unique perspective in class. I never felt pressured to believe as he believes. His class was one of my most significant at Truett. Future Truett students face a great loss if his teaching is not available to them.

I am not a Truett student, but I am a Baylor alumna. I would like to echo and reemphasize comments made earlier from Brittany Ramirez: "Dr. Hetzel shared his opinion in what was supposed to be a safe environment for discussion. This was not a Truett discussion... I also know that even though he does not agree with where DaySpring has landed he has invested in the conversation, helped keep the conversation in a peaceful manner even while disagreeing with others. I also want to note that he was a part of drafting the statement that DaySpring has now voted on that was written to bring stability and attempt unity. He has also committed to staying at the church." What an incredibly sad thing for Truett to discard an outstanding faculty member for comments made in the "safety" of his own church.

In my mind, Dr. Hetzel is, without question, an outstanding individual, teacher, and professional. I am honored to have learned from, and beside him.

10 years ago Featured

Dr. Hetzel is not only one of the greatest professors I've had, but also one of the greatest people I know. His kind spirit and passion for teaching set him apart from his peers in the best of ways. It would be an absolute shame for Baylor to lose him as he represents in the most genuine way the high academic standards and Christian heart of the university.

I support Dr. Hetzel.

As a Baylor alumnus, I am greatly disappointed by Truett's decision to not renew Dr. Hetzel's contract. It is true that Rod is my friend, and served as my Sunday School teacher at DaySpring Baptist Church for 5 years. Perhaps for some my friendship with Rod will discount the following comments. However, let me urge the administration to consider that the number of friends who are coming to Rod's defense in this petition is a sign of how fiercely loyal we are to him. When I suffered through my divorce last year, Rod was the first person I called. He has been my teacher, my mentor, and yes, my friend, and I know that Truett is a better school for having hired him as an instructor. I urge the administration to reconsider their decision, and to renew Dr. Hetzel's contract immediately.

While I did not have a Dr. Hetzel as professor in Truett, he was my professor in my Student Affairs graduate program. While I do not know the background, I can say that Baylor will devalue it's education if Dr. Hetzel is not a part of it. This man was a wonderful, caring, equitable, thought provoking professor. Baylor is truly taking a mis-step if they allow him to get away. Thank you for helping me become a better student and person Dr. Hetzel.

I can only echo so many of the comments posted here. It is deeply disconcerting to me that a personal belief voiced in a completely different setting would result in the discontinuation of what has been a very positive and rewarding professional relationship. Dr. Hetzel is a very thoughtful and ethical individual and I have admired him throughout my career for his ability to truly examine difficult topics critically, challenge his beliefs and seek the truth but then also function very appropriately within whichever context he has found himself. Never once have I seen him force his beliefs on a student or mentee, in fact, in his role as a teacher and supervisor his personal beliefs rarely were a part of the conversation. He challenges his students to examine their own lives and beliefs, as any great teacher would. Truett is truly losing an immense asset and I believe the students will be the ones suffering this loss the most.

I'm a Baylor graduate, a Baylor employee, a Truett student who has taken Dr. Hetzel's class, and a DaySpring church member. This decision by Truett deeply concerns me. I can vouch for Dr. Hetzel's utmost professionalism and outstanding teaching on the subject of spiritual formation through the lifespan. Dr. Hetzel never once voiced his opinion on this topic in the classroom, but I totally agree with others who have pointed out that having our beliefs challenged SHOULD be considered a valuable part of a minister's education and not be seen as a threat. I am dismayed by this decision. Please reconsider this action, Truett.

I am a criminal defense attorney in Waco, TX. My interaction with Rod Hetzel is as a former student in his Sunday School class. The preparation he would put in for the class was impressive and the lessons/discussions were always very insightful. I've often thought that if he was this fantastic for a Sunday School class, then the students at Truett must really be in for a treat. Reading previous comments on this petition confirms my hunch! As a criminal justice professional, I am moved by Hetzel's attention to social justice. Standing up for others is perhaps is the starkest example of Christlikeness of which I can conceive and no one I know embodies that quite like Rod. The decision not to renew Rod's contract is puzzling and does not seem to be consistent with the best interest of the students. I implore you to reconsider.

I am both an alumni and a member at the church where these conversations took place. Dr. Hetzel shared his opinion in what was supposed to be a safe environment for discussion. This was not a Truett discussion and I know that Dr. Hetzel is professional and keeps his teachings at Truett separate from his personal opinions. I also know that even though he does not agree with where DaySpring has landed he has invested in the conversation, helped keep the conversation in a peaceful manner even while disagreeing with others. I also want to note that he was apart of drafting the statement that DaySpring has now voted on that was written to bring stability and attempt unity. He has also committed to staying at the church. It is scary if this is the path Truett is going down. I hope and pray I do not have to refer to my seminary like my father refers to his seminary education at Southwestern that he was there "before". I pray that Truett stay true to being a safe place for people to come to study even if they do not agree completely. I hope Truett will reconsider and renew Dr. Hetzels contract.

As a Baylor graduate, I've had the opportunity to work with Dr. Hetzel as a professional mentor. He's been an excellent teacher and advisor. ive never seen him force his personal beliefs on any student engaged with him in a professional or personal environment. It's disheartening to hear that the program would deny such an excellent resource to their students based on his personal convictions which encourage compassion towards people of all walks of life.