Baylor’s Give Light Campaign Impacts Every Area of the University
With the launch of the public phase of Give Light in November, the University celebrated the success of a silent phase of the campaign and laid the groundwork for strong philanthropic support for the growth priorities of the University. Fundraising during the silent phase began with the establishment in May 2014 of five-year goals connected to the strategic vision Pro Futuris. Since that time and through January 2019, members of the Baylor Family have given more than $560 million and positioned the University for success in raising a total of $1.1 billion.
Continued fundraising during the Give Light campaign will be focused on three critical areas of support: endowed funds to establish chairs and professorships, scholarships and funds for growth priorities; expendable funds to support immediate needs, athletics, and global learning experiences; and capital projects that add capacity for academic growth.
In addition to undergirding the initiatives contained in Illuminate, the University’s academic strategic plan, Give Light will impact every aspect of campus life—from academics and athletics to student life and service learning—while also bolstering financial support for students and the campus community.
“For more than 170 years, Baylor has served as a source of illumination and inspiration to communities close to home and around the globe,” said Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D. “In pursuing the goals of Illuminate, we will articulate and embody an exceptional vision for 21st-century Christian higher education and produce graduates with the wisdom, innovation, and leadership skills required to make a difference in the world.”
The Give Light campaign builds upon Baylor’s legacy of unwavering commitment to academic excellence, Christian character and cultivating a caring community by focusing on four pillars that will support future growth: an unambiguously Christian educational environment; a transformative undergraduate education; research and scholarship marked by quality, impact, and visibility; and nationally recognized programs in human performance through the arts and athletics.
A New Front Door
At the campaign launch, Baylor announced a lead gift from Mark and Paula Hurd of Atherton, California, one of the largest gifts in University history, to begin an important capital project that will create a new front door to the University. The Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center will be constructed along University Parks Drive alongside I-35.
The Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center is slated to be a 50,000- to 60,000-square-foot complex designed to create interest and enthusiasm in the University through a high-tech and interactive experience. Strategic development of the property surrounding the new facility is anticipated to include businesses that will solidify the center as a travel and visitor destination for both Baylor and the Waco community.
“Baylor University provides all of its students the skills necessary to succeed in academics, sports, business and life,” said Mark Hurd, a 1979 graduate of Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business and current CEO of Oracle. “From the unparalleled expertise of its professors to a culture that fosters integrity, service and excellence – Baylor University continues to transform its students into tomorrow’s leaders.”
Baylor welcomes more than 50,000 visitors to campus each year to explore the University. Additionally, the Baylor campus draws attention from more than 115,000 travelers a day – 40+ million annually, including 2.6 million visitors to Waco – along the I-35 corridor.
“As we celebrated the official launch of Give Light, we are filled with deep appreciation for Mark and Paula Hurd’s leadership as co-chairs for our campaign and for their inspirational gift that will transform the Baylor campus,” said President Livingstone. “As they have on many occasions, Mark and Paula have stepped forward as champions of excellence and as shining lights for the vital role Baylor plays in higher education as a Christian research university.”
“The Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center will become a beautiful landmark on our campus and a wonderful front door to Baylor University,” said Brett Dalton, chief business officer for Baylor. “This new facility will serve as a hub of engagement opportunities – from learning about Baylor past, present and future to enjoying vibrant activities, taking part in meaningful engagement opportunities that advance the work of the University and networking events that strengthen the Baylor-Waco partnership.”
“The Hurds embody the selfless service of the Baylor Family through the generosity of their time, leadership, gifts and experiences,” said David Rosselli, Baylor’s vice president for university advancement. “We could not be more appreciative of their significant support of the public launch of Give Light, as we look to strategically raise Baylor’s profile as the world’s preeminent Christian research university.”
Mark Hurd also serves as a member of the Oracle Board of Directors and the Baylor Board of Regents. Mark and Paula, a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, are Baylor parents and supported Baylor’s national championship tennis program by upgrading and renovating the Hurd Tennis Center, which was recently ranked by Tennis Magazine as the best facility in college tennis.
To learn more about Give Light: The Campaign for Baylor, visit baylor.edu/givelight.