Give Light | Baylor University

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Give Light

Give Light | The Campaign for Baylor University

Give Light is a $1.1 billion comprehensive campaign for the future of Baylor University. The campaign undergirds Illuminate, the University's Strategic Plan, and will impact every aspect of campus life, from academics and athletics to student life and global engagement.

CAMPAIGN PROGRESS

as of

CAMPAIGN GOALS OVERVIEW

Endowed Funds

Faculty Chairs and Professorships
Endowed Scholarships
Endowed Funds for Growth Priorities

Expendable Funds

Immediate Needs
Baylor Fund
Bear Foundation
Global Learning Experiences

Capital Projects

Capital projects add needed capacity for academic growth.

Endowed Scholarships

Endowed Faculty Positions

Campaign Donors

Campaign Priorities

Endowed Funds Endowment is critical to securing our future. Investment in endowment will lay a foundation upon which future generations will grow in their knowledge and pursuit of their life's calling. Learn More Capital Projects Critical resources are needed to support facilities and infrastructure for growth in research and programs that contribute solutions to problems facing an ever-changing world and prepare graduates as leaders in their fields. Learn More President's Excellence Fund Gifts to the President's Excellence Fund create the ability for the University to meet tangible needs beyond tuition support for students or programs that may need a boost of support. Learn More Initiatives Baylor stands apart as a Christian research university - a position that empowers our aspiration to become the world's preeminent Christian research university. Learn More

$3 Million Gift Received Toward Establishing New Chair in Christian Thought

The Jim and Sharon Harrod Endowed Chair of Christian Thought supports the Human Flourishing, Leadership and Ethics initiative within Illuminate, the University's strategic plan, and will qualify for matching support through the Give Light Campaign's Illuminate Chair Matching Program.

A Milestone We All Can Celebrate

Gifts and pledges to the Give Light Campaign have surpassed the initial goal of $1.1 billion, marking the campaign as the largest and most successful fundraising effort in the University's 177-year history.

Baylor Announces Dimmitt Garrison Family Berm at McLane Stadium

Katie and Jimmy Garrison of Boerne, Texas, have chosen to support capital priorities of Baylor Athletics within the Give Light Campaign. Baylor will recognize the couple's philanthropic support through the naming of the Dimmitt Garrison Family Berm within McLane Stadium and the Dimmitt Garrison Family Lobby within the Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion.

Baylor University Announces First Faculty Endowment for Nursing School

A gift of $1.5 million from the Deerbrook Charitable Trust of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Harris and Anne Clark of Dallas has established the Louise Herrington School of Nursing's (LHSON) first endowed faculty position.

Baylor University Announces Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion Naming

Baylor University today announced the naming of the Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion in honor of Paul (BBA '79) and Alejandra Foster, of El Paso, Texas. The naming is in recognition of Paul and Alejandra's gift of $100 million in 2019 to the Give Light Campaign, which launched the public fundraising campaign for the Basketball Pavilion, home to Baylor's National Championship basketball teams.

Support from Alumni, Donors Fuels Completion of the Foster Academic Challenge Program

In 2019, the Foster Academic Challenge, a dollar-for-dollar matching program, was established to fuel the University's academic enterprise. In September 2021, Baylor announced the successful completion of the Challenge, which generated significant support from alumni and donors to establish 14 new endowed faculty chairs and significantly advance the aspirations of Illuminate, the University's strategic plan.

Tidwell Bible Building Completes Renovations

During a ceremonial ribbon cutting, Baylor University celebrated the opening of the newly-renovated Tidwell Bible Building, one of many historic buildings that make up the core of the University's campus. The renovation and careful preservation of the 67-year-old building was planned as part of the $300 million in capital improvements to support the aspirations of the Give Light Campaign, the university's fundraising campaign intended to fund Baylor's efforts to become a preeminent Christian research university.

Baylor University Announces $30 Million Scholarship Challenge

Dan and Jenni Hord of Midland, Texas, both Baylor alumni, are passionate about student success, and through the Hord Scholarship Challenge, they are encouraging the collective Baylor Family to match their giving to Baylor by supporting merit-based scholarships to help deserving students bridge the gap between merit- and need-based financial aid and unmet financial need.

News

Baylor Honors College Eyes Start of HRC Renovation

Earlier this spring, the Baylor Board of Regents approved a budget increase of $22.75 million for the renovation of the Honors Residential College (HRC) bringing the total project budget to $57.75 million. The project, which is slated to begin in May, fulfills key commitments of Illuminate Forward to improve students’ residential campus experience and to improve the Honors College.

Baylor Announces Alan Jacobs, Ph.D., as Inaugural Holder of The Jim and Sharon Harrod Endowed Chair of Christian Thought

Alan Jacobs, Ph.D., a longtime Baylor Honors College faculty member, literary critic and author, has been appointed as The Jim and Sharon Harrod Endowed Chair of Christian Thought. In this position, Jacobs will build on decades of past scholarship to promote deep study of the relationship between faith and knowledge, while fostering rich avenues for transformational learning among Baylor’s students within the Honors College. The Harrod Chair also will further ensure Baylor is a national leader in dialogue concerning the intersection of faith and learning in higher education.

Baylor University Announces $1.5 Million Gift Establishing New Chair in School of Education

The Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities will receive support through the Illuminate Chair Matching Program equivalent to a $3 million chair.

Baylor University Dedicates Mary Jo Robbins Clinic for Autism Research and Practice

WACO, Texas (March 3, 2023) – Baylor University today dedicated the Mary Jo Robbins Clinic for Autism Research and Practice during an event honoring the clinic’s namesake, Mary Jo Robbins, and her husband, William K. “Bill” Robbins, of Houston, who made the lead gift in her honor. The event recognized the Robbinses, a couple who has spent their lifetimes championing excellence in health care.