Baylor Honors Benefactors
In his final letter to the senior class of 1931, President Samuel Palmer Brooks entrusted the care of Baylor University to seniors of the past, present and future when he famously wrote "to you I hand the torch."
At the Philanthropy Gala on April 18, Baylor recognized benefactors who picked up that torch and demonstrated their commitment to furthering the University's mission through their generous financial support.
Baylor President John M. Lilley inducted seven honorees into the Judge R.E.B. Baylor Society of the Baylor University Medallion Fellowship. Members of the Society are those whose cumulative gifts to the University have exceeded $2 million. This circle of supporters has faithfully supported numerous areas across the University.
Joe (BL '49) and Barby Allbritton
Houston, Texas
Students who come through the ranks of Baylor's Law School, debate program or Allbritton Art Institute have experienced first-hand the generosity of the Allbrittons. In addition, they have supported the Moody Memorial Library, George W. Truett Theological Seminary and provided for the Allbritton House--home for Baylor presidents since Abner McCall.
Dr. Ken (BA '69, PhD '96) and Celia Carlile
Marshall, Texas
The Carliles have long been supporters of the educational experience offered at Baylor University. In particular, the Carliles and their family have provided significant support for the department of geology, the Packard Lecture Hall in Physics, Baylor Law School and several endowed scholarships.
Ted (BBA '49, JD '51) and Sue (BA '50)
Getterman
Waco, Texas
The philanthropy of the Gettermans continues to bridge the gap for many. Through seven endowed scholarships, they have honored friends and loved ones while supporting students in business, music, education, communication sciences and disorders, seminary and athletics. In addition, they provided the largest gift to women's athletics in the history of the university, which resulted in Getterman Stadium.
Gary Keller (BBA '79) and Mary Pfluger (BA '77)
represented by Suman Olney and Alice Nguyen (MBA '07)
Austin, Texas
Thanks to the vision and generosity of Gary Keller and Mary Pfluger, the Keller Center for Research in Residential Real Estate and Marketing was established at Baylor's Hankamer School of Business. Through the Keller Center, the couple hopes to make Baylor a hub for research in the little-addressed area of buyer-seller relationships and engage Baylor students in innovative research that will be invaluable when they enter the business world.
Dr. Faber F. McMullen, Jr. (BS '53, MD '56) and Roxanna Connally McMullen
Houston, Texas
The McMullens coupled their passion for art and their desire to support Baylor faculty when they generously provided the funds to construct the McMullen-Connally Faculty Center. In addition to serving as a faculty meeting place, the center will house the McMullen-Connally Family Collection, featuring significant artists from the California School of Watercolor. Construction of the McMullen-Connally Center is expected to be complete this fall.
Hope Pierce Tartt Scholarship Fund
represented by Rev. Joel McMahon and Sharon McMahon
Marshall, Texas
The Hope Pierce Tartt Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to students attending private institutions who exhibit financial need and are from Marshall or the surrounding counties. Since the fund's inception in 1980, Baylor University alone has received 1,532 awards totaling more than $2.2 million from the fund--all benefiting Baylor students.
Richard (BBA '81, MBA '82) and
Karen (BBA '85) Willis
Colleyville, Texas
Thanks to the support of the Willis family, students are competing in collegiate athletics, answering the call to ministry, preparing to become world-class business leaders and creating new legacies as they become first-generation college graduates. In addition to establishing four endowed scholarships at Baylor, the Willis family has supported Baylor athletics and provided the lead gift for the Willis Family Equestrian Center.