Family Support Still Strong

As communities around the world and across the United States have been challenged by the global health and economic crisis, the Baylor Family has responded with ongoing financial support of Baylor students and the University’s institutional mission through the Give Light campaign. 

“The giving of Baylor alumni and friends has always been one of the University’s strongest sources of support, and it is even more vital now as we navigate a path forward through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Baylor Vice President for Advancement David Rosselli said. “The Give Light campaign is very active and growing with widespread participation as many people rally around Baylor’s commitment to making a difference in the world and providing a transformational education to the next generation of leaders.”

Building Momentum

The pandemic’s impact on higher education has been profound, disrupting many things once taken for granted on campus. However, Baylor has continued to benefit from philanthropic gifts in support of its aspiration to become America’s preeminent Christian research university. 

The transformational gift that created the Baylor Academic Challenge (BAC) in support of Give Light continues to encourage other members of the Baylor Family to step forward in establishing endowed funds for strategic academic initiatives. These include increasing the number of endowed faculty positions and other priorities of the University. 

A dollar-for-dollar matching fund, the BAC seeks to endow as many as 17 new faculty positions. This helps Baylor generate additional funding to sustain and grow teaching and research in key areas by bringing additional outstanding scholar-teachers to campus. By Spring 2020, nine endowed faculty positions had been added to the University’s academic ranks through the BAC. 

Joining Together

As Baylor looks to the future and adapts the emphases of the Give Light campaign during changing circumstances, University leaders encourage members of the Baylor Family to continue their participation in funding student scholarships, supporting faculty research and endowed chairs, and participating in annual giving.  

Helping Students 

Creating resources that can be used to quickly address emerging needs is important to the success of Baylor and its students. Gifts to the President’s Excellence Fund create the ability for the University to meet tangible needs beyond tuition support for students or programs. 

During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, students were awarded more than $1.5 million to help cover basic needs such as groceries, rent, utilities and medical supplies, and to purchase technology equipment and enhanced internet services as classes were moved online. This fund was supported by numerous gifts from alumni, parents and friends from all generations, including a significant number of young graduates. 

Your gifts help students continue to engage in the rich academic experience at Baylor. Already, the University has identified the following as needs for the upcoming academic year: 

• Providing emergency funds for student success 
• Equipping students with technology  
• Investing in wellness and mental health services

“Give Light provides Baylor with the means to continue serving as an ever-growing beacon of hope and a source of Christian achievement,” Rosselli said. “The unwavering support of the Baylor Family allows us to strengthen the distinctive role that Baylor plays in joining faith and academic excellence.”