• Skip to main content
  • Skip to main navigation
Baylor University
Give Light
  • About the Campaign
    • Foundation of the Campaign
    • National Campaign Steering Committee
    • Campaign Timeline
    • Campaign Events
      • Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion Ribbon Cutting - Jan. 2, 2024
      • Mark and Hurd Welcome Center Ribbon Cutting - Sept. 8, 2023
      • Tampa - February 10, 2023
      • Newport Beach - October 12, 2022
      • Nashville - April 28, 2022
      • Atlanta - February 3, 2022
      • Denver - October 22, 2021
      • Give Light Denver Video
      • Tidwell Ribbon Cutting - Aug. 25, 2021
      • Medal of Honor Statue Installation Ceremony
      • Mark & Paula Hurd Welcome Center Groundbreaking Video
      • Mark & Paula Hurd Welcome Center Groundbreaking
      • Southern California - October 26, 2019
      • Dallas - September 14, 2019
      • Dr. Annette von Jouanne Video
      • New York City - May 23, 2019
      • Benjamin Goff Video
      • Jeff Theiss Video
      • Houston - May 4, 2019
      • Dr. Dwayne Simmons Video
      • Dr. Ann Mirabito Video
      • Washington, DC - February 2, 2019
      • Dr. Lorin Matthews Video
      • Dr. Byron Johnson Video
    • Campaign Impact Report
  • Campaign Priorities
    • Endowed Funds
      • Faculty Chairs and Professorships
      • Endowed Scholarships
      • Endowed Funds for Growth Priorities
      • Endowment Impact
    • Capital Projects
    • President's Excellence Fund
      • Support Baylor Students Today
      • Why I Give: Donor Testimonials
    • Initiatives
      • Health
      • Data Sciences
      • Materials Science
      • Human Flourishing, Leadership and Ethics
      • Baylor in Latin America
    • Academic Units
      • Arts & Sciences
      • Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
      • Engineering & Computer Science
      • George W. Truett Theological Seminary
      • Hankamer School of Business
      • Honors College
      • Law School
      • Louise Herrington School of Nursing
      • Mayborn Museum
      • Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
      • School of Education
      • School of Music
      • University Libraries
    • Foster Academic Challenge
    • Hord Scholarship Challenge
    • Trailblazer Scholars Program
  • News
  • Illuminate Forward
  • Ways to Give
  • Make a Gift
Baylor BU Give Light Campaign Priorities Foster Academic Challenge
  • Endowed Funds
  • Capital Projects
  • President's Excellence Fund
  • Initiatives
  • Academic Units
  • Foster Academic Challenge
  • Hord Scholarship Challenge
  • Trailblazer Scholars Program

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

Baylor University Celebrates More than $1 Million Given to Celebrate Baylor Giving Day
April 23, 2021
GD2021

On April 14, Baylor University held its third annual Baylor Giving Day. For 24 hours, Baylor’s alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends came together to give back and shine a light on the things they hold dear here. Baylor saw 3,942 people, foundations and organizations give to every academic unit and to all areas of the University, with a total of more than $1 million given to celebrate Baylor Giving Day.

Read More

Give Light

Each of us has been entrusted with a great light that can illuminate the path for future generations. When the Baylor Family gives financially to support University priorities, we give light to Baylor's bright future.

GiveLight@baylor.edu
(254) 710-2561

Make a Gift Today

Give Light Mark
Baylor BU Give Light Campaign Priorities Foster Academic Challenge
  • About the Campaign
    Back
    • Foundation of the Campaign
    • National Campaign Steering Committee
    • Campaign Timeline
    • Campaign Events
      Back
      • Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion Ribbon Cutting - Jan. 2, 2024
      • Mark and Hurd Welcome Center Ribbon Cutting - Sept. 8, 2023
      • Tampa - February 10, 2023
      • Newport Beach - October 12, 2022
      • Nashville - April 28, 2022
      • Atlanta - February 3, 2022
        Back
        • Photo Gallery
        • Event Video
        • Press Release
        • Get Involved
      • Denver - October 22, 2021
      • Give Light Denver Video
      • Tidwell Ribbon Cutting - Aug. 25, 2021
      • Medal of Honor Statue Installation Ceremony
        Back
        • Event Video
        • Photo Gallery
        • About our Honorees
        • Press Release
      • Mark & Paula Hurd Welcome Center Groundbreaking Video
      • Mark & Paula Hurd Welcome Center Groundbreaking
      • Southern California - October 26, 2019
      • Dallas - September 14, 2019
      • Dr. Annette von Jouanne Video
      • New York City - May 23, 2019
      • Benjamin Goff Video
      • Jeff Theiss Video
      • Houston - May 4, 2019
      • Dr. Dwayne Simmons Video
      • Dr. Ann Mirabito Video
      • Washington, DC - February 2, 2019
      • Dr. Lorin Matthews Video
      • Dr. Byron Johnson Video
    • Campaign Impact Report
  • Campaign Priorities
    Back
    • Endowed Funds
      Back
      • Faculty Chairs and Professorships
      • Endowed Scholarships
      • Endowed Funds for Growth Priorities
      • Endowment Impact
        Back
        • Playing with a Vision
        • Founded on Heritage and Love
        • Q&A with Baylor Chief Investment Officer
        • Baylor University Endowment
        • Opening Doors, Inspiring Artists
        • C. Gus Glasscock, Jr. Endowed Fund for Excellence in Environmental Sciences
        • Sue Mayborn Endowed Scholarship Fund
        • Student Foundation
        • Inspiring Faithful Leadership
    • Capital Projects
    • President's Excellence Fund
      Back
      • Support Baylor Students Today
      • Why I Give: Donor Testimonials
    • Initiatives
      Back
      • Health
      • Data Sciences
      • Materials Science
      • Human Flourishing, Leadership and Ethics
      • Baylor in Latin America
    • Academic Units
      Back
      • Arts & Sciences
        Back
        • Baylor Model United Nations team
        • Illuminating the Sacred
        • Spotlight on Research
      • Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
        Back
        • Global Mission Leadership
        • Lake Family Endowed Chair in Congregational and Community Health
        • The Danny and Lenn Price Chair in Social Work
        • Dr. Helen Harris
      • Engineering & Computer Science
        Back
        • 3D Printing
        • Baylor Engineering Students in Haiti
        • Dr. Annette von Jouanne
        • Dr. Charles Baylis
      • George W. Truett Theological Seminary
        Back
        • Sports Ministry Programs
        • Truett in Houston
      • Hankamer School of Business
        Back
        • Data Sciences
        • John Pham
        • Mastering Ethics for Work & Life
        • Paul L. Foster Campus
      • Honors College
      • Law School
        Back
        • LL.M. in Litigation Management
        • Practice Court
        • Baylor Law Students Live Out the Call to Serve
        • Baylor Law Professor Elizabeth Miller
      • Louise Herrington School of Nursing
        Back
        • Simulation Laboratory
        • New State of the Art Facility
        • Scholarships
        • Chairs & Professorships
        • Missions & Research Programs
      • Mayborn Museum
        Back
        • The Waco Mammoth National Monument
        • Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
      • Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
        Back
        • Camp Success
        • Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
      • School of Education
        Back
        • Chair in Christian School Leadership
        • Doctor of Education in Learning and Organizational Changes
        • 100th Anniversary of Baylor's School of Education
      • School of Music
        Back
        • Baylor School of Music
        • Baylor Symphony Orchestra
        • Baylor Trumpeters
        • Semper Pro Musica Competition
        • Renovation of Waco Hall
      • University Libraries
        Back
        • Facility Enhancements
        • Supporting the Research Aspirations of Illuminate
        • Black Gospel Music Preservation Program
        • Dean of Libraries Priorities
    • Foster Academic Challenge
    • Hord Scholarship Challenge
    • Trailblazer Scholars Program
  • News
  • Illuminate Forward
  • Ways to Give
  • Make a Gift
  • General Information
  • Academics & Research
  • Administration
  • Admissions
  • Gateways for ...
  • About Baylor
  • Athletics
  • Ask Baylor
  • Bookstore
  • Calendar
  • Campus Map
  • Directory
  • Give to Baylor
  • News
  • Search
  • Social Media
  • Strategic Plan
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary
  • Graduate School
  • Hankamer School of Business
  • Honors College
  • Law School
  • Louise Herrington School of Nursing
  • Research at Baylor University
  • Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
  • School of Education
  • School of Engineering & Computer Science
  • School of Music
  • University Libraries, Museums, and the Press
  • More Academics
  • Athletics
  • Compliance, Risk and Safety
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Office of General Counsel
  • Office of the President
  • Office of the Provost
  • Operations, Finance & Administration
  • Senior Administration
  • Student Life
  • University Advancement
  • Undergraduate Admissions
  • goBAYLOR
  • Graduate Admissions
  • Baylor Law School Admissions
  • Social Work Graduate Programs
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary Admissions
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Virtual Tour
  • Visit Campus
  • Alumni & Friends
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Parents
  • Prospective Faculty & Staff
  • Prospective Students
  • Students
  • Anonymous Reporting
  • Annual Fire Safety and Security Notice
  • Cost of Attendance
  • Digital Privacy
  • Legal Disclosures
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Notice of Non-Discrimination
  • Report It
  • Title IX
  • Web Accessibility
 
Baylor University
Copyright © Baylor® University. All rights reserved.
Baylor University • Waco, Texas 76798 • 1-800-229-5678