Baylor University Announces $1 Million Gift to Business School

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Baylor University today announced a $1 million gift that will provide additional scholarship support for students attending Baylor's Hankamer School of Business. Consisting of combined funds from the estate of recently deceased alumna and former faculty member Sadie Jo Black and from the family testamentary trust of her brother, W. Dial "Dub" Black, Jr. - also a Baylor graduate - the contribution is the latest in a long tradition of generous giving to Baylor by Sadie Jo and members of her family.

"It is both humbling and deeply encouraging to consider what rare and generous spirits Sadie Jo and her brother, Dub, manifested on behalf of Baylor during their lifetimes - and now through the legacies they have left behind," Baylor University President Ken Starr said. "It is because of the foresight of individuals like them that Baylor continues to grow in excellence and grow in care for her students. Sadie Jo is remembered as one who raised the standard of scholarship support for our students, a true advocate and faithful friend."

Before her death in December 2010, Sadie Jo's most recent giving was in avid support of The President's Scholarship Initiative, a three-year, $100 million campaign to provide increased scholarship support for Baylor's students - a mission that was very dear to her. The recent provision will continue the family's legacy in scholarships, as it will further fund the W. Dial (Dub) Black Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund in Business - established in memory of her brother, a Hankamer School of Business graduate, and made possible, in part, through the testamentary trust he preserved to take care of his loved ones until their passing. Throughout her lifetime, Sadie Jo held her brother in highest regard. "Any and all of the business savvy I may have today came from Dub," she is remembered to have said on more than one occasion.

"Every gift Baylor has received from Sadie had great meaning to her. And every one of her gifts was truly given from her heart, especially this scholarship to the business school because she did look up to Dub. He was a man of very high integrity. And he loved his Baylor," said Gary Parker, co-trustee for the Sadie Jo Black Family Foundation. "Sadie often told me, 'Every penny I get is a gift from God, and I will honor it.' And she did. Sadie was all about making a better Baylor - not forgetting the pioneers, but always having an eye on the future."

Support for Baylor business students

Each year, the merit-based scholarship provides full tuition for one outstanding business student during his or her senior year and also provides financial assistance to one deserving junior. Over the years, as other family members passed away, Sadie Jo established numerous endowed scholarships in their memory in various disciplines across the university.

"It's impossible to overemphasize the difference the Black family's love for Baylor has made and continues to make in the lives of countless Baylor students," said Bill Dube, director of Baylor's Endowed Scholarship Program. "I have met many of their scholarship recipients over the years, and this gift will continue their inspiring tradition by providing lasting support for future generations of excellent Baylor students. I believe Sadie Jo and her brother, Dub, would have been so pleased to have seen this day."

Along with furthering the impact of the W. Dial (Dub) Black Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund in Business and increasing the number of students who will benefit from the financial support it provides, a portion of the gift also will contribute toward the creation of a fund to provide an annual senior recognition event for scholarship recipients: the W. Dial (Dub) Black Jr. Hankamer School of Business Senior Recognition Banquet.

"It's wonderfully appropriate that the leadership and legacy of one of our own graduates is now providing these exceptional experiences for our business students today and in the future," said Dr. Terry Maness, dean of Baylor's Hankamer School of Business. "That is what we're about at Baylor. And I am truly grateful for the provisions that the Black family made so that we can continue to equip Baylor business students to lead with integrity in our world."

"Baylor...instilled in us..."

Loving and supporting Baylor University was always a family affair for Dub and Sadie Jo, who once recalled, "Baylor was just instilled in us as children." While growing up on a ranch in Teague, Texas, their parents faithfully brought them to Baylor's campus for numerous events every year. And any of their parents' efforts toward influencing the pair in favor of Baylor were duly rewarded, as Dub and Sadie Jo retained a lifetime of loyalty and service to their alma mater and enjoyed sharing their mutual love of Baylor.

After earning his bachelor of business administration degree from Baylor in 1946, Dub went on to become a banker, who was involved in ranching in Leon County. Active in soil conservation activities, his other business interests included land development, oil and gas. Dub was a member of the Development Council at Baylor. With a firm belief in the importance of establishing institutions of higher education founded on Christian faith, he and his wife, Betty, also gave generously to aid the initial development of Houston Baptist University, where Dub was a founding trustee.

During their lifetimes, Dub and Betty were involved in the lives of many young people, not only through their giving to Baylor, but also through their support of Future Farmers of America, the 4-H clubs of Leon County, youth participation in the Houston Livestock Show and many other activities.

Graduating from Baylor in 1950 with her bachelor of science degree in home economics, Sadie Jo went on to earn a master's degree in education from Colorado State University, in addition to completing coursework at Texas Woman's University and Southern Methodist University. After working for Mexia High School for seven years, Sadie Jo returned to Baylor as an assistant professor of home economics (now family and consumer sciences), where she remained for 35 years until her retirement in 1992.

Steadfastly committed to Baylor's future, she was a member of the Endowed Scholarship Society, Old Main Society and Baylor Bear Foundation. Additionally, she faithfully supported the Armstrong Browning Library Guardian Angels and Baylor/Waco Foundation. A fitting candidate to lend perspective to a cause she championed on a personal level, Black served on The President's Scholarship Initiative Steering Committee, which was established in 2010. For her exemplary service and philanthropy to Baylor, she was inducted into Baylor University's Medallion Fellowship, and in October 2010, Sadie Jo was among the first to receive the prestigious Baylor Legacy Award, uniquely merited by her foresight, deep affection for and generosity to the university.

ABOUT BAYLOR

Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, classified as such with "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, Texas, 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.

Media contact: Lori Fogleman, director of media communications, (254) 710-6275