The Houston Baptist University Covenant Society was created to recognize and thank those who have invested in HBU鈥檚 future through a planned gift. For information, please visit or call 281-649-3407.
Universities like HBU depend upon the support and partnership of friends of the University. They are the heroes who make it possible for students such as HBU student Brenda Brocato to attend, and to receive the best education possible. Brocato addressed a group gathered for a Covenant Society Reception during a recent Sunday afternoon at Dr. Robert B. Sloan, HBU president, and Mrs. Sue Sloan鈥檚 home, Morris House.
鈥淐oming out of high school, I wanted to study humanities and liberal arts from a Christian perspective,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he education is even better than I thought it would be. The professors鈥� support and mentorship has been helpful, and I鈥檝e made so many amazing connections.鈥�
is comprised of University supporters who have arranged to leave a legacy gift through options including a will, charitable gift annuity, charitable lead trust, charitable remainder trust, life estate, living trust, life insurance policy or IRA/annuity/pension plan. Tommy Bambrick, vice president of the HBU Capital Campaign, said that, of planned gifts, wills which leave a provision to HBU make up about 60 to 70 percent of deferred gifts to the University.
鈥淩elationships are the most important thing for a university,鈥� Bambrick said. 鈥淲e are thankful for what our donors do for HBU. Our goal for planned giving is to fulfill our constituents鈥� philanthropic wishes in coordination with their overall financial and estate planning.鈥� Bambrick鈥檚 office has created a Wills Guide and a website, , to help facilitate the planning process. 鈥淧eople should always have a will,鈥� he said.
Dr. Rusty Brooks, Prince-Chavanne Chair in Christian Business Ethics for the HBU Archie W. Dunham College of Business, agreed. 鈥淵ou have to decide to do something or it will get decided for you,鈥� he said of leaving a will with one鈥檚 own directives. As an employee of three decades, Brooks said, 鈥淭his is my second home. The University has given me a lot of happiness.” Like other donors, Brooks and his wife elected to give to a specified area within HBU that is meaningful to them. 鈥淚鈥檓 one of these that says, 鈥楬ere鈥檚 what I want to give to.鈥� You can make your gifts very specific,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t will eventually benefit students. I went to school on scholarships myself. If it helps one kid go to school, it鈥檚 worth it.鈥�
Dr. Carol McGaughey, who served the HBU College of Education and Behavioral Sciences department for 16 years, retiring as associate dean in 2017, remembers her time fondly, and has also chosen to leave a legacy through planned giving. 鈥淗BU is a place where collegiality and faith supersede work. It鈥檚 a special atmosphere,鈥� she said. 鈥淏y giving, you鈥檙e blessing wonderful young people.鈥�
Friend of HBU, Ret. Col. Newt Cole, said, 鈥淚 love this school. I鈥檝e always believed in sharing what you have with the Kingdom of God because it鈥檚 His. Giving to student scholarships blesses my heart so much. We鈥檙e all blessed and privileged to be a part of a wonderful school.鈥�
Dr. Sloan expressed his appreciation to each donor. 鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful for you,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hank you for the difference you鈥檝e made.鈥�