Scholarship initiative nears 20% of its goal

As it always does, the Baylor family is responding to the call. Just six months in, The President's Scholarship Initiative had raised more than $18 million in gifts as of March 1.

The call is clear -- President Ken Starr has challenged the entire Baylor Nation to rally together to support Baylor students and ease the financial burden of higher education for our students. There are many bright, qualified and eager students who struggle to afford a Baylor education; some make it through, while others are unable to overcome the financial strain. With the announcement of the three-year, $100 million President's Scholarship Initiative, Starr hopes that future students will benefit from the much-needed scholarships.

"All of this is, above all, for our students -- those now on campus and those destined to come," said Starr. "We seek to foster and nourish future generations, well equipped with truth-seeking skills -- intellectual competence, leadership and character, an integrated life, and a perspective that is grounded in hope -- secure in the knowledge that they can make a difference through service to their local, national and international communities. Our work is focused on our students -- and the impact that Baylor has had and must continue to have in our hurting world."

The support and leadership of faithful alumni and friends is critical to the success of Baylor, especially those who have championed Baylor and her students as their cause. The President's Scholarship Initiative steering committee is led by Richard (BBA '81, MBA '82) and Karen (BBA '85) Willis, a couple whose own story would not have been possible without scholarship support when they were students. The Willises have been continually inspired by student stories throughout their nearly three decades of giving to scholarships.

"When we do things for Baylor, it's because we want to make sure Baylor gives the best education possible to these students," Richard Willis shared. "Then, in leaving Baylor as Christians, they can go out and make an impact in the world."

To find out more about The President's Scholarship Initiative or to make your Initiative gift to endowed scholarships, contact University Development at 254-710-2561. Every gift, no matter the size, is important to the Scholarship Initiative.

Steering Committee Co-Chairs:

Richard, BBA '81, MBA '82, and Karen, BBA '85, Willis, Colleyville, TX

Steering Committee:

Joe, BBA '83, MBA '84, and Kelly, BBA '84, Armes, Dallas, TX Babs Baugh, '64, San Antonio, TX Bob and Laura Beauchamp,Houston, TX John, BBA '81, and Meredith, BBA '82, Bentley, Scottsdale, AZ Mark Bielstein, BBA '77, Darien, CT Sadie Jo Black, BS '50, Waco, TX, In Memoriam Marsha, BA '70, and Danny, BBA '69, Bowlin, Dallas, TX Bill, BA '74, JD '74, and Carol, BA '73, Brian, Amarillo, TX Ken, BA '69, DDS '73, PhD '96, and Celia Carlile, Marshall, TX Ed, BBA '73, and Denise Crenshaw, Lakeland, FL Kate Dimmitt, BBA '56, Temple, TX Gary and Molli, BS '75, Elliston, Dallas, TX Ted, BBA '49, JD '51, and Sue, BA '50, Getterman, Waco, TX David, BBA '78, JD '81, and Karyn, '80, Hill, Henderson, TX Anita Jones, BA '61, Dallas, TX Hope, MBA '97, and Kevin Koch, Temple, TX Fred and Nancy, BA '62, Logan, Waco, TX Drayton McLane Jr. , BBA '58, Temple, TX Bill, BBA '78, MBA '79, and Tanya Mearse, Houston, TX Mark, BA '63, and Linda, BA '63, Murdock, Lubbock, TX Robert, BBA '93, and Robin, BBA '93, Nitsche, Giddings, TX Bob and Joyce, BA '52, MSEd '57, Packard, Waco, TX Jamie, BBA '57, and Carol Parker, Marble Falls, TX Brian Pennington, BS '84, Greenwich, CT Russ and Betty Pilcher, Highlands Ranch, CO Danny, BA '73, and Lenn Prince, Ruston, LA Jeff, BBA '84, and Cindy, BBA '85, Reeter, Houston, TX Harold, BBA '51, and Dottie Riley, Austin, TX Bill, BA '52, LLB '54, and Mary Jo Robbins, Houston, TX Clifton, BBA '63, and Betsy, BA '71, Robinson, Waco, TX Randy, BBA '76, and Stacy, BBA '76, Sharp, Amarillo, TX Joe, BBA '48, and Joan Spivey, Waco, TX Phil, BA '73, JD '76, and Cheryl Stewart, La Jolla, CA Grant and Donell Teaff, Waco, TX Kirk and Carol Townsend, Houston, TX Bill, BA '75, MBA '77, and Eva, BSEd '75, Williams, Dallas, TX Ron, BA '71, MD '77, and Betty, BA '72, Wilson, Waco, TX Charles, BA '55, and Mary Alice, BA '54, Wise, Gatesville, TX