Paul L. Foster Makes Historic $35 Million Gift to Baylor to support New Business School Building and Baylor Stadium

In June, Baylor University received a $35 million gift from Paul L. Foster, BBA '79, of El Paso, which represents the largest gift from a living alumnus in Baylor's history. Foster's gift will support the University's campaign to construct a new 275,000-square foot facility - to be named the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation - which will house Baylor's Hankamer School of Business. His gift will also support Baylor Stadium.
"My family and I believe strongly that we have an obligation to give back to the people, the organizations and the communities that have given so much to us," said Foster, who serves as Chairman of the Board and Executive Chairman of Western Refining Inc. "Like so many other graduates, the education I received at Baylor prepared me for personal and professional success. That's why Alejandra and I couldn't be more pleased to come alongside the University to support the new building for Baylor's Hankamer School of Business, which will provide a transformational and innovative education for Baylor business students, and Baylor Stadium, which will benefit the University and the Waco community for generations to come."
Foster hopes his gift will inspire others to support the business school project. If private philanthropy goals can be reached in the coming months, construction on the new business school facility could begin as early as December.
The architectural design for the new Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation building features a highly corporate and sustainable business environment, including a centerpiece atrium that will showcase some of the school's signature classrooms, such as the Southwest Securities Financial Markets Center. The design also includes a 350-seat auditorium to accommodate guest lectures and special events, and a variety of classroom spaces that will incorporate the latest classroom technology for collaborative learning, innovation and problem solving.