Foster Academic Challenge

The Foster Academic Challenge sparked the funding and creation of 14 new endowed faculty positions at Baylor University over the course of two years. Funded by Paul (BBA '79) and Alejandra Foster, of El Paso, Texas, the Foster Challenge was initially launched in May of 2019 as part of a $100 million gift in support of the Give Light Campaign.

In September 2021, Baylor announced the successful completion of the Foster Academic Challenge, which generated significant support from alumni and donors to advance the aspirations of Illuminate, the University’s strategic plan.

Prior to the Give Light Campaign, Baylor University had received funding for two endowed research chairs, which are enhanced chairs that provide additional funds for faculty research compared to traditional endowed chairs. The University’s total of research chair endowments grew to six with the launch of Give Light. The establishment of the Foster Academic Challenge then sparked transformational growth, nearly doubling the University’s total research chair count in two years through the creation of 14 additional research chairs. The University now holds 22 research chair endowments to advance R1-level research and enhance the University’s efforts toward top-tier designation.

Endowed Faculty Positions

Fourteen endowed faculty positions have been added to the University’s future academic ranks through the Challenge:

• The W. Grady Rosier Endowed Chair in Free Enterprise
• The Jackson Family Chair for Baylor in Latin America
• The Mearse Endowed Chair in Biological and Biomedical Engineering
• The William E. Crenshaw Endowed Chair
• The William E. Crenshaw Endowed Chair
• The Kenneth and Celia Carlile Chair in Materials Science
• The James Robert Parker Endowed Chair in Health Science and Leadership
• The James R. Schofield Endowed Chair in Biochemistry
• The James R. Schofield Endowed Chair in Biomedical Studies
• The Eula Mae and John Baugh Chair in Physics
• The Terry S. Maness Endowed Chair in Lab-to-Market Entrepreneurship
• The Lev H. Prichard III Chair in the Study of Black Worship
• The Vance Masteller Endowed Research Chair for Communication Sciences and Disorders
• The Jim and Tammy Snee Endowed Chair in Food Security

Learn More about the Foster Academic Challenge