Ministry Guidance Program Benefits From Estate Gift

Contact: Larry Smith, assistant vice president for gift planning, Baylor University Development, (254) 710-2561

Baylor University announced today an approximately $4 million gift from the estate of Allene Hubler that will establish an endowed chair, an endowed professorship and an endowed scholarship in the Ministry Guidance program within Baylor's department of religion.

"Endowed faculty positions and student scholarships enable Baylor to attract the best faculty and students," said Baylor University President John M. Lilley. "I thank Allene and Raymond Hubler for adopting Baylor and providing so generously for Ministry Guidance's continued excellence."

Though Allene lived in Victoria and Austin in recent years, she was a longtime resident of Ganado, Texas. With her husband, Raymond, an electrical engineer, the Hublers generously supported their local Baptist churches and developed an interest in Baylor through family friend Bill Russell (BBA '78, JD '80).

Their love for Baylor grew as they met Dr. David Slover, whom they first became acquainted with through his telecast sermons when he was pastor at First Baptist Church of Victoria. Slover later came to Baylor to teach and serve as the first full-time director of the Ministry Guidance program.

Though Raymond passed away in 1988, Allene remained close friends with Slover and became increasingly devoted to Baylor. She was recognized for her philanthropy to the university in 1991 as a member of the Medallion Fellowship with the James Huckins, Pat Neff and Presidents medallions. She passed away on May 16, 2007, at the age of 98.

"The Hublers not only enjoyed a new relationship during their latter years but also saw their funds used to benefit generations to come of future students," Russell said.

Though Russell suggested that Allene move closer to them in Victoria, she chose to stay in Austin to be closer to Waco, where she became part of the Baylor family.

"I have a feeling Mr. Hubler played a larger role in the thinking that produced all this. Mrs. Hubler was verbalizing what she was confident he would say," Slover said. "She was the kind of person who wanted her life and her estate to be used for good."

The Ministry Guidance program seeks to assist undergraduate students who feel called to vocational Christian ministry, including preaching, missions, music, religious education, youth and recreation, as well as various other ministries. In the 2006-07 school year, more than 2,200 Baylor students expressed interest in some form of ministry. Allene's gift establishes The Raymond O. Hubler Chair of Ministry Guidance, The J. David Slover Professorship of Ministry Guidance and The Raymond O. and Allene Breech Hubler Endowed Scholarship Fund, which will benefit ministry guidance students.

"When a program has endowed positions, that tells the world, 'This is an important discipline and we give priority to it at our university,'" said Dr. Jeter Basden, professor of religion and director of Ministry Guidance at Baylor. "Mrs. Hubler's gift will not only strengthen the work of Ministry Guidance at Baylor but will ultimately strengthen the work of churches, literally around the world. Her generosity is multiplied by this gift."

"I think her gift solidified a lot of dad's dreams and visions for the Ministry Guidance program," said Slover's son, David, also a friend of the Hublers. "This gift really substantiates the value of practical vocational ministry and the call of that vocation. Because of her gift, there will always be this emphasis for future students.

"Until the Lord comes back, the money will be there and that's a pretty exciting idea," Slover added.

This gift advances several Baylor 2012 imperatives, such as establishing an environment where learning can flourish, developing a world-class faculty, guiding students to understand life as a stewardship and work as a vocation, and attracting a top-tier student body.

For more information about supporting Baylor University through a planned gift, please contact Larry Smith at (254) 710-2561.