Baylor Regents Announce Significant Gift from Drayton McLane Jr. for Nursing School Academic Building Renovation; Discuss Openness and Accountability
$18 million renovation project of former Baptist Building in Dallas will begin in January 2017
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WACO, Texas (Oct. 14, 2016) – At its regular Homecoming meeting, the Baylor University Board of Regents today announced a significant gift from Baylor Regent Emeritus Drayton McLane Jr., B.B.A. '58, his wife, Elizabeth, and the McLane family toward the renovation of Baylor's Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) in Dallas.
The board approved the project, which will cost $18 million, to renovate the former Baptist Building in Dallas, which will more than triple the space of the current School of Nursing campus. Active fundraising continues to raise the total amount needed to complete this important project.
In addition to conducting regular business, the board focused its discussion on the commitment to rebuild trust with the Baylor family, the community and the public.
"We believe passionately in the importance of integrity and clarity. Those values are at the core of our faith and of our University," said Ronald D. Murff, B.B.A. '75, chair of the board. "We know that many people have questions about decisions made over the past weeks and months. They want additional details and greater transparency, and they deserve that. We continue to look for ways to share more information while remaining true to our commitment to protect the survivors and spare them additional suffering. The board is committed to following through."
Nursing School Expansion
The gift from the McLane family will begin renovation of the four-story, former Baptist Building in Dallas in January 2017, with construction expected to be completed in fall 2018. The building, purchased with the help of a lead gift from Louise "Lou" Herrington Ornelas, is located adjacent to the current School of Nursing building, Baylor University Medical Center and the more than 80 professional nursing practice sites in Dallas communities.
Drayton McLane Jr. and his family have a long history of support for Baylor University and for investing in the health and wellbeing of this region in remarkable ways. For nearly 30 years, he has served on the boards of both Baylor Health Care System and Scott & White Healthcare, which merged in 2013 to form Baylor Scott & White Health. He also has served more than 14 years as chair of the board of trustees, including for two years after the merger of the health care organizations.
The renovation will add 111,000 square feet of expanded space to the Louise Herrington School of Nursing for active learning classrooms, student services, a new auditorium with the much-needed space for speakers, events and instruction, and offices for faculty and administration. The current School of Nursing building, which spans 46,500 square feet, will be used primarily for graduate students and research.
"Our family has been very committed to Baylor University because of its Christian commitment to higher education and also to health care, and this is why we were interested in helping with a gift that will begin the building renovation for Baylor's outstanding Louise Herrington School of Nursing," McLane said. "We are hopeful that many other alumni of Baylor University will want to assist in creating a brighter future for health care."
"Baylor's Louise Herrington School of Nursing is well known for its excellence in preparing nurses and health care professionals who heed the calling to learn, lead and serve," Interim President David E. Garland said. "The renovation of this space – located in the heart of Dallas' health care community – will allow the School of Nursing to continue to expand its influence in nursing education, build upon its commitment to strategic partnerships within the community and prepare leaders for whom the health professions are both a vocation and a ministry. We are grateful to the McLane family for their generous gift to support this important project."
"The Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing is grateful to expand into the Baptist General Convention of Texas building with its rich Texas Baptist heritage. We express our gratitude to the generous donors and our supportive Baylor Board of Regents who believe in the unique mission of LHSON to prepare caring Christian nurses who go out to serve locally and globally," said Shelley F. Conroy, Ed.D., M.S., R.N., C.N.E., dean of the Louise Herrington School of Nursing.
2016 Baylor Meritorious Achievement Awards
On Thursday night, Regents and special guests recognized the recipients of the 2016 Baylor Meritorious Achievement Awards at a dinner in the Meyer Conference Center in the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation, the home of Baylor's Hankamer School of Business.
"All of us in the Baylor family celebrate and continue to be inspired by the University's 165,000 remarkable alumni, who make significant contributions throughout the world that reflect Baylor's mission of excellence, service and faith," Murff said. "We are honored to take time at Homecoming to recognize a group of alumni with Meritorious Achievement Awards for their wonderful examples of the mission of Baylor University."
The 2016 Baylor Meritorious Achievement Awards recipients are:
Alumnus of the Year - Awarded to graduates who have demonstrated remarkable achievement in the previous year
- Tom Rosenbalm, B.A. '50, M.A. '51, Houston physician who was inspired by a childhood spent in doctors' offices to become a doctor himself and whose gift in honor of his late parents and sister provided for the renovation of Fifth Street and the addition of Rosenbalm Fountain
Young Alumnus of the Year - Awarded to a graduate age 40 or under who has demonstrated remarkable achievement in the previous year
- Jeremy Courtney, M.Div. '04, co-founder of Preemptive Love Coalition (PLC), a global coalition of peacemakers that addresses both emergency crises and the long-term needs of people in Iraq, Iran, Libya and Syria
Pro Ecclesia - Awarded to individuals whose broad contributions to Christian ministry have made an immeasurable impact
- Bob, B.A. '88, and Julie, B.S. '89, Mendonsa, founders of Naomi's Village, a children's home providing life-changing care for orphans in Maai Mahiu, Kenya
Pro Texana - Awarded to an individual whose contributions in furthering the mission of Baylor have made an immeasurable impact in the public or non-profit sector
- Melissa Rogers, B.A. '88, Special Assistant to the President and Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships since 2013
Distinguished Achievement Award - Bestowed on Baylor graduates who have made a distinct contribution to their particular profession, business or vocation and in doing so have brought honor to Baylor
- Takashi Kitaoka, L.L.B. '40, a war hero and trailblazing judge in his home state of Hawaii.
Contributions to the Professions: Research - Awarded to individuals for dedication to advancing their chosen fields and making significant impacts in our world
- Lisa Giocomo, B.A. '02, an assistant professor of neurobiology and researcher at the Stanford University School of Medicine
Contributions to the Professions: Christian Ministry - Awarded to individuals for dedication to advancing their chosen fields and making significant impacts in our world
- Tim, B.A. '71, and Janice, B.A. '71, B.M.Ed. '72, McCall, founders of Restoration Gateway, a beacon of hope in Uganda that includes homes, schools, a church, a dental center, mobile medical clinics and a 180-bed hospital nearing completion
Business Leadership Medal of Service - Awarded to an individual whose leadership has made a significant impact in our world and on future generations
- Kim Lubel, M.A. '87, president and CEO of CST Brands Inc.
W.R. White Meritorious Service Award - Presented in recognition of outstanding service to Baylor and continued loyalty to the University
- Roger E. Kirk, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Statistics and Master Teacher
Baylor Legacy - Awarded to individuals who demonstrate extraordinary service and philanthropy to Baylor or to causes that fit our mission as a Christian university
Steve, B.B.A. '73, J.D. '75, and Penny, B.A. '73, Carlile of Marshall, Texas
Claude and Becky Lindsey of Waco, Texas
Don, B.A. '60, and Jenny Riddle of Houston, Texas
Carroll, B.B.A. '47, and Aline, B.A '54, Webb of Waco, Texas
Baylor Founders Medal - Reserved for men and women whose service and contributions have been unusually significant to the life and future of Baylor
- Jane Meyer, Alumna Honoris Causa, president of The Paul and Jane Meyer Family Foundation
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Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 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.