Baylor University Young Alumni Give $38,913 to Win the Second Baylor-TCU Challenge
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WACO, Texas (Oct. 11, 2014) — For the second year in a row, Baylor University took the lead on the last day of the Baylor vs. TCU Young Alumni Challenge after a close race, raising nearly $39,000 from 1,011 Baylor young alumni. The fundraising competition, dubbed the I-35 Battle Royale, began Sept. 24 and ended Oct. 8.
“Baylor young alumni have proudly demonstrated that they believe in the Baylor mission and care for the next generation of students by participating in this year’s Young Alumni Challenge,” said Baylor President and Chancellor Ken Starr. “Though many of these young men and women are just beginning their career journeys, they have chosen to support the University by giving back financially. It is with a full heart that I congratulate them on a valiant effort and applaud their selfless generosity.”
Each University’s young alumni – graduates between 2004 and 2014 – were challenged to make a gift to any area of their respective University during the two weeks leading up to the Baylor vs. TCU football game on Oct. 11 at McLane Stadium in Waco. The gifts during the competition support numerous areas across Baylor’s campus, from student scholarships to academic programs to University missions and student activities.
“Rather than promoting one specific fund, this competition encourages young alumni to give back to an area they believe in,” said Davin Denk, B.A. ’08, assistant director of annual giving. “If they were a graduate of the school of business, they have the freedom to support business scholarships, the business building or something entirely different. We want to reinforce their passion and help them become accustomed to the idea that even $5 makes a difference. When everyone gives what they are able, it adds up to a lot.”
“Baylor is truly a special place for so many reasons, but none more evident than by seeing young alums give back during the I-35 Battle Royale challenge,” said former Baylor quarterback and Battle Royale volunteer Nick Florence, B.B.A. ’11, M.B.A. ’13. “We understand that many young alumni don't have a lot of disposable income as there are bills, car payments and loans to pay off. But by their giving, they are saying that Baylor has made a huge difference in their lives and they want to invest in the lives of others attending this great University. And that is our goal and vision: to impact our current and future students to make a lasting difference in the world around them. Our young alumni play a major part in seeing that vision become a reality.”
Football watch parties, hosted by the Baylor Young Alumni Network and volunteers, also joined the challenge by sporting Battle Royale gear to spread word of the competition and help Baylor gain momentum. More than 900 people attended the 54 nationwide events, many of whom made gifts to help battle TCU.
“Baylor football watch parties have been an incredible opportunity for Baylor alumni to showcase their Baylor spirit throughout the nation. For the second consecutive year, it was encouraging to see our Baylor Young Alumni rally behind both victories on the football field and an effort to give back to their University,” said Derek Stephens, B.A., ’04, director of Baylor Future Alumni, Young Grads and Social/Global Outreach. “The gifts that these young alumni have made to support Baylor will directly benefit future generations of Baylor students for many years to come. Our alumni are discovering that any gift, of any size, can make a significant difference in the lives of Baylor students.”
Baylor reached 39 percent of the participation goal, including 303 young alumni who made financial gifts to Baylor for the first time, while TCU finished the competition with 31 percent of their goal.
Plans are underway for future young alumni challenges. To ensure that you receive information about next year’s competition, please visit www.baylor.edu/alumni/directory to update your information.
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 16,000 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 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.