MEDIA ADVISORY
For Release On: Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010 (after 1:30 p.m.)
Contact: Lori Fogleman
254.710.6275
Baylor University Announces $100 million Scholarship Fundraising Initiative
What: Baylor University will host a media event announcing a $100 million scholarship fundraising initiative. The initiative, officially titled How Extraordinary the Stories: The President’s Scholarship Initiative, is the first fundraising priority announced by Baylor President Ken Starr, who will be installed on Friday, Sept. 17.
When: Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. media event
Where: Baines-Fentress Room, Bill Daniel Student Center, Baylor University (1311 S. 5th Street)
Who:
Judge Ken Starr, President
Baylor University
Richard S Willis (BBA ’81, MBA ’82) and Karen Y. Willis (BBA ’85), Co-Chairs
Scholarship Initiative Steering Committee
Michael Wright, Student Body President and senior
Baylor University
Why: This fundraising initiative, the first announced by Judge Ken Starr in his role as president, focuses on building a robust scholarship program that will help in recruiting to Baylor some of the best and brightest, provide access to those with need, attract the most talented student-athletes and extend opportunities for students who can benefit from academic enrichment opportunities beyond the borders of Baylor’s campus in Waco.
Background: While more than 80 percent of Baylor students receive some form of financial assistance and Baylor is ranked a “best buy” by numerous college guides, the cost of higher education continues to rise across the nation and students and their families struggle to afford a quality education.
To assist Baylor’s students, President Starr has established an immediate goal to reduce the negative impact that family finances can have on student access to a distinctive Baylor education.
The Baylor Board of Regents authorized the President’s Scholarship Initiative, a
$100 million, 3-year initiative, as a first step to addressing the need within Baylor’s student body.
Four priorities have been identified as key areas of the scholarship initiative:
· University Endowed Scholarships (Primarily Need-based): Providing broad, need-based endowed scholarships allows Baylor to recruit and retain exceptional students who otherwise would not have access to a Baylor education.
· Leadership Endowed Scholarships: Baylor plans to introduce a prestigious program that will help in recruiting and recognizing exceptional students across all fields of study. Candidates will participate in a rigorous application and interview process before being selected to receive the Leadership Scholarship, which will offer opportunities such as full tuition, room and board; enrichment such as a study abroad stipend; and engagement with the president, campus executives and their scholarship donors at various University events.
· Athletics Endowed Scholarships: Providing student-athlete scholarships and recruiting top student-athletes is imperative to Baylor’s position as a Division I school.
· “Out-of-the-Classroom” Enrichment Endowed Scholarships: Educating students to understand global issues is as important as ever, and international study experiences are critical to a holistic education. In addition to study abroad programs, Baylor is the home of distinctive discipline-specific missions opportunities that allow students to serve other populations while incorporating skills relative to coursework and their area of study. Scholarships will support students choosing to participate in study abroad or discipline-specific mission trips.
Overall alumni participation is a key priority of the fundraising initiative. Alumni giving is important to Baylor’s future as a university and also is important as the University is compared to peer institutions. All are asked to give, as they are able, to support scholarships and Baylor students.
Scholarship Initiative Steering Committee
Richard (BBA ’81, MBA ‘82) and Karen (BBA ’85) Willis, Colleyville, TX Co-Chairs
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
Sadie Jo Black (BS ’50), Waco, TX
Marsha (BA ’70) and Danny (BBA ’69) Bowlin, Dallas, TX
Ed (BBA ’73) and Denise Crenshaw, Lakeland, FL
Kate Dimmitt (BBA ’56), Temple, TX
Ted (BBA ’49, JD ’51) and Sue (BA ’50) Getterman, Waco, TX
David (BBA ’78, JD ’81) and Karyn (’80) Hill, Henderson, TX
Hope (BBA ’97) and Kevin Koch, Temple, TX
Fred and Nancy (BA ’62) Logan, Waco, TX
Drayton McLane (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 ’62) 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
Jeff (BBA ’84) and Cindy (BBA ’85) Reeter, Houston, TX
Harold (BBA ’51) and Dottie Riley, Austin, TX
Bill (BBA ’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
Kirk and Carol Townsend, Houston, TX
Bill (BBA ’75, MBA ’77) and Eva (BSEd ’75) Williams, Dallas, TX
Ron (BA ’71) and Betty (BA ’72) Wilson, Waco, TX
For more information about this release, please contact Lori Fogleman at 254.710.6275.
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