New Baylor President wants $100 million for scholarships

15. Sep, 2010 0 Comments

Baylor University Announces $100 million President’s Scholarship Initiative
Baylor President Ken Starr to spoke Wednesday at Bill Daniel Student Center

What: Baylor University President Ken Starr announced a $100 million scholarship fundraising initiative, officially titled How Extraordinary the Stories: The President’s Scholarship Initiative. This is the first fundraising priority announced by Starr, who will be inaugurated as the university’s 14th president on Friday.

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 Baylor’s president, focuses on building a robust scholarship program that will help recruit to Baylor some of the best and brightest students, 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, three-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.