University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Raises $5 Million for New Science Lab Facility
BELTON, Texas—The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) has successfully met a $5 million fundraising challenge for its new science lab facility ahead of the year-end deadline.
The challenge, initiated in December 2025 by an anonymous donor, included a $1 million gift along with a $4 million challenge grant. This grant required UMHB to raise an additional $5 million in new donations by the end of 2026. The university’s alumni, friends, and supporters rose to the occasion.
Tucker Glaske, UMHB’s vice president for Advancement, expressed gratitude, stating, “This is a significant milestone for UMHB, and we are deeply grateful to the donor whose generosity made this challenge possible. That commitment inspired others to give, and our community responded.”
Construction of the new facility is currently underway at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and College Street, opposite the Davidson and Heard buildings. The $50 million, three-story facility is expected to welcome students for classes starting in fall 2028.
The lab will feature 13 science labs, conference rooms, and student gathering and study spaces, supporting hands-on learning, teaching, and research. It will benefit students in biology and health science programs, as well as those fulfilling the university’s general laboratory science requirement.
UMHB President Dr. Randy O’Rear remarked, “We are incredibly grateful for this investment in the future of UMHB. This new science lab facility will greatly enhance our campus, promoting learning, discovery, and academic excellence.”
The new facility represents a commitment to providing top-quality Christian higher education and preparing students to make a difference in the world.
