Allbrittons Receive Founders Medal

Longtime benefactors Joe L. and Barbara Balfanz Allbritton received Baylor's most distinguished award, the Founders Medal, at ceremonies Jan. 29 commemorating the anniversary of the University's charter in 1845.

The medal is given to those whose service and contributions have been significant to the University's growth and prosperity. Joe Allbritton earned his bachelor's of law degree from Baylor in 1949 and was bestowed an honorary doctor of law degree in 1964. Named a distinguished alumnus in 1974, he is chair and chief executive officer of Riggs Bank, N.A., in Washington, D.C., and is former chair of Houston International Bank of Luxembourg, S.A., and former chair of the executive committee of First International Bancshares Inc. in Dallas. He is owner of several network-affiliated television stations and is the former publisher of the Washington Star.

Barbara Allbritton has served as vice president of Allbritton Communications, a director of Riggs Bank, N.A., a director of Houston Financial Services and vice president and director of Perpetual Corp. She also has been recognized for her leadership among arts and cultural organizations in Washington, D.C., and Houston. The Allbrittons' philanthropic support of Baylor includes projects such as the Moody Memorial Library, the Baylor Ballpark, the Robert B. Sloan Jr. Teaching Chapel at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, the Allbritton House, the Allbritton Art Institute and many others.