PLAINVIEW — Wayland Baptist University mourns the loss of a cherished friend, visionary supporter, and devoted servant of Christ with the passing of Ben Mieth on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, while also celebrating his remarkable legacy of Kingdom impact, generosity, and global mission leadership.
Most recently, Ben and his late wife, Bertha, provided a transformational $2.5 million gift to strengthen and enhance Wayland’s nursing education in San Antonio — leading to the naming of the Ben and Bertha Mieth School of Nursing in their honor. Their significant $1 million commitment to Wayland’s Plainview campus is also advancing the university’s multimedia capabilities and helping expand student opportunities in communication and technology.
“Ben Mieth was an extraordinary man whose life reflected deep faith, strong character, and servant leadership,” said Dr. Donna Hedgepath, President of Wayland Baptist University. “He and Bertha poured themselves into helping others know Christ and into strengthening Christian higher education. Wayland is a better place because Ben followed the Lord’s call with boldness and obedience. We praise God for his life and the eternal impact of his ministry.”
A respected businessman and ministry leader, Ben served on the Wayland Board of Trustees from 2018 to 2022. His global evangelism work is perhaps most visible through the founding of International Commission — a ministry that has, for more than 50 years, partnered with churches to share the Gospel and foster discipleship on six continents.
“Ben lived with a joyful commitment to expanding the Kingdom,” said Mike Hammack, Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “His partnership with Wayland was rooted in his desire to help students fulfill God’s purpose for their lives. We are deeply thankful for his leadership, his friendship, and the ministry he championed alongside Bertha for so many years.”
Ben and Bertha’s longstanding commitment to advancing Christ-centered higher education was recognized in 2014 when Wayland honored them with the Keeper of the Flame Award, celebrating their faithful stewardship and devotion to Wayland’s mission and to spreading the Gospel globally.
Wayland Baptist University extends its deepest condolences to the Mieth family. As we remember Ben, we give thanks for all that God accomplished through him and recommit ourselves to carrying forward the mission he so faithfully supported.
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