Give Light Campaign: Creating a Bright Future

As Baylor University celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2020, the Baylor Family has provided tremendous momentum for the University’s $1.1 billion Give Light comprehensive philanthropic campaign.

Recent highlights include the funding, in mid-November, of a new endowed faculty position in the School of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS). The Mearse Endowed Chair in Biological and Biomedical Engineering, established by Bill and Tanya Mearse of Houston, will provide senior leadership for the emerging program within Baylor ECS.

A graduate of Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business with a B.B.A. in 1978 and M.B.A. in 1979, Bill Mearse serves as chair of the ECS Board of Advisors, and he and Tanya represent the ECS on the National Campaign Steering Committee for Give Light. Bill also serves on Baylor’s Board of Regents.

The Mearse Chair became the third faculty position funded as part of the Baylor Academic Challenge (BAC) matching program since its creation in May.

Established by a portion of the largest current gift in University history — an anonymous $100 million gift to the Give Light campaign — the BAC incentivizes donors to establish endowed funds for strategic academic initiatives and other priorities of the University.

The BAC will maximize Baylor’s investments in research and academic programs by matching dollar-for-dollar significant additional gifts from other donors.

In particular, the program seeks to endow up to 17 new faculty positions, helping Baylor generate additional funding to sustain and grow teaching and research in key areas by bringing additional outstanding scholar-teachers to campus.

The family who made the transformational $100 million gift passionately supports Baylor’s intercollegiate athletics program and recognizes the impact of investing in facilities for the long-term strength of Baylor Athletics.

As such, the gift includes a lead investment in the Baylor Basketball Pavilion, a state-of-the-art facility that will become the new home of the men’s and women’s basketball teams. With a capacity of 7,000 fans and to be located adjacent to the Ferrell Center along the Brazos River, the Pavilion will welcome thousands of alumni, students and friends.

Widespread Support

As of December 31, 2019, the Give Light campaign has garnered more than $783.1 million — more than halfway to the $1.1 billion goal. Gifts supporting the University’s academic enterprise have established endowed funds for 23 faculty chairs and professorships, and 463 endowed scholarships. More than 60,000 members of the Baylor Family have made gifts to the campaign.

“We are profoundly grateful to the many members of the Baylor Family who have come alongside the University as part of Give Light,” President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., said. “This is an important moment in Baylor’s history as we make strategic investments throughout our academic enterprise and across the campus, and everyone is serving an important role as we shape our future.”

Breaking Ground for the Hurd Center

February 21

As part of the public launch of Give Light during Homecoming Weekend in 2018, Baylor celebrated a lead gift from Mark and Paula Hurd to create the Mark and Paula Hurd Center, a new front door to the University at University Parks Dr. and I35. The Hurd Center is designed to be an innovative complex that creates interest and enthusiasm in the University through a high-tech and interactive experience. The University will welcome the Hurd family for a groundbreaking for the facility on February 21.

For more information or to support Give Light: The Campaign for Baylor, visit baylor.edu/givelight.