Endowed Scholarship Honoring Baylor Staff Reaches Milestone

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Contact: Lori Fogleman, (254) 710-6275

WACO, Texas (Aug. 22, 2012) -- Baylor University's Staff Council announced today the Endowed Scholarship Fund Honoring Baylor Staff has reached its goal and will begin disbursing funds to students in fall 2012.

"We commend the leaders of Staff Council for their vision and give thanks for all who have stepped forward to support Baylor students through this endowed scholarship honoring the great work of our talented staff members," Baylor University President Ken Starr said. "As we continue to broaden support for our students, we are grateful to those who choose to come alongside us in The President's Scholarship Initiative. This scholarship will be a blessing for students for generations to come."

Initiated by Staff Council, fundraising efforts for the scholarship began in 2008 as a public show of support for students. The group reached their goal in only four years - one year earlier than their original timeline.

"Over four years, we have watched every dollar donated honor the work and dedication of Baylor staff. With each dollar, we have moved closer to our goal," said Paulette Edwards, immediate past chair of Staff Council and assistant to the dean of the Honors College. "We are all Baylor - staff, faculty and administrators combined - and we recognize that the University needs all of us working collaboratively to make a difference in the lives of our students. Staff Council has been proud to join in with the University's unified effort to provide enhanced means by which students may fulfill their educational dreams."

Support through payroll deduction, honoraria and one-time donations makes up the more than 1,000 gifts from University staff members, faculty and others in the Baylor family. Many have made gifts in honor of specific staff members, creating a special way to honor staff and support students who aspire to obtain a Baylor education.

"I truly believe this fund represents the essence of what we are trying to accomplish through The President's Scholarship Initiative," said Angela Funai, research coordinator of the Gerontology Initiative at the Baylor School of Social Work and former chair of Staff Council. "It is by no means a sole effort. Several Staff Council chairs - not to mention dozens of Staff Council members - have invested time, energy and resources to see this vision through to fruition. This effort is the definition of grassroots, and I couldn't be prouder to have played a small role in seeing it happen."

The mission of Baylor's Staff Council is to advance the exchange of information among University staff by providing a forum for the expression and exchange of ideas and concerns of Baylor employees throughout every division of the University. Visit the Staff Council website at www.baylor.edu/staffcouncil for current news and information about how to support the scholarship and other projects.

For more information about supporting Baylor University students through endowed scholarships, contact Bill Dube, director of the Endowed Scholarship Program, at William_Dube@baylor.edu or 254-710-2561.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.