Thursday night, Baylor announced the launch of “Give Light,” a $1.1 billion fundraising campaign to support the goals of the university’s academic strategic plan, Illuminate, across every area of campus life. What does that mean — for Baylor, for students, and for you? Read on:
The goal: To raise funds that will support new opportunities for Baylor students and faculty. That means everything from student scholarships (helping students access a Baylor education) to endowed faculty positions (helping attain the best professors for learning in the classroom and through experiential opportunities) to capital projects (providing spaces that support academic and campus priorities) to area-specific funds (for research and other efforts across the university).
What it will mean: In addition to supporting scholarships, endowed faculty positions and research, a successful campaign will also lead to building and renovating several notable parts of campus: Tidwell Bible Building, an expansion of Memorial and Allen halls to grow the Honors Residential College, a new welcome center, and new athletics facilities (including a new basketball fieldhouse).
It’s already happening: We’re already approximately halfway to our goal, thanks to many alumni and friends who have been extremely generous in recent years — major gifts that have already created new faculty positions, provided new space for students, and endowed programs for generations to come. The latest: a lead gift from Mark (BBA ’79) and Paula Hurd to help create a much-needed new welcome center for the university at the corner of I-35 and University Parks Drive!
Our part: Every gift matters. One person in a stadium clapping might not be noticeable, but if the whole stadium applauds, the noise can be deafening. It’s the same thing here; even a $20 gift, combined with many other such gifts, can add up to make a big difference for Baylor students. And — you can give to any part of the university, whether it’s one of the priorities mentioned above or some other aspect of Baylor life that is meaningful to you.
“Our commitment to position Baylor as the preeminent Christian research university in America has never been stronger,” President Livingstone wrote in an email to the Baylor Family. “For more than 170 years, Baylor has served as a source of illumination and inspiration to communities close to home and around the globe. In pursuing the success of Illuminate, we will articulate and embody an exceptional vision for 21st-century Christian higher education and produce graduates with the wisdom, innovation, and leadership skills required to make a difference in the world.”
Want to learn more about Baylor’s plans? Check out the Give Light website for more on these goals (including renderings of some of the projects) and to learn how you can help make all this reality for Baylor students today and in the future.
Sic ’em, Bears!