The Hankamer School of Business (HSB) is closing in on a major Give Light Campaign milestone as the fall semester begins. With 92 endowed scholarships created since the Give Light Campaign’s silent phase began in 2014, the generosity of alumni and friends is building a strong foundation of support for our students.
“It’s an incredible milestone,” HSB Dean Terry S. Maness, DBA, said. “Part of our charge put forth in Illuminate—Baylor’s strategic plan—is to foster a truly transformational educational experience at Baylor and this is only possible if we have the resources to recruit and retain a vibrant, diverse student body. Scholarships are critical to the long-term health and growth of HSB. This fall, we hope to reach a milestone of 100 scholarships established through the Give Light Campaign in the School.”
In the earliest days of the Give Light Campaign, Ann Martin and her father, Don Blockhus, chose to honor Ann’s mother, Wanda Blockhus, through a scholarship for HSB students. The Wanda Alexander Blockhus Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 2015 to support Marketing majors within the School. The scholarship is already awarding funds to students, supporting the Baylor journeys of future business leaders.
“The Blockhus family commitment is a powerful example of how our Baylor families choose to honor one another through philanthropy,” Vice President for University Advancement Dave Rosselli said. “At the time this scholarship was established, the family described Wanda as a Christ-centered role model who believed it was better to give than to receive. They chose to honor her legacy through a scholarship fund that will continue to give to our business students for generations to come. It’s an incredible legacy.”
Wanda Blockhus graduated from Baylor in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in business, followed by a Master of Science in Marketing and Economics in 1954. She later earned her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, followed by a 42-year career in business higher education. While not a Baylor alum, Wanda’s husband, Don, became a proud Baylor Parent when his daughter, Ann Blockhus Martin, BBA ’84, chose Baylor. Wanda passed away in 2012.
Ann and her husband, Rick, live in Mountain View, California, where she serves as the national accounts manager for Wireless Communications at Golden State Communications, Inc. Ann and Rick have two children, Matthew and Sarah.
Rosselli said he hopes the Blockhus family’s story of generosity, of honoring the legacy of a loved one through scholarships will inspire other members of the Baylor Family to create their own legacies of support for HSB students.
There are now 355 endowed scholarships within the School, with a total value of $61,558,871. Funding requirements for these scholarships included a $50,000 gift funded through either a one-time gift or via a multi-year pledge commitment of up to five years. Donors may also create a scholarship by including Baylor in their estate through a planned gift.
If you would like to learn more about how you can make a difference through scholarships, please contact Managing Director of Development John Hillis at John_Hillis@baylor.edu or Senior Director of Development Trey Hagins at Trey_Hagins@baylor.edu.