{"id":21271,"date":"2018-11-07T10:29:06","date_gmt":"2018-11-07T16:29:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.baylor.edu\/baylorproud\/?p=21271"},"modified":"2019-04-16T20:07:49","modified_gmt":"2019-04-17T01:07:49","slug":"hurds-lead-gift-paves-the-way-for-new-baylor-welcome-center-along-i-35","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.baylor.edu\/baylorproud\/2018\/11\/hurds-lead-gift-paves-the-way-for-new-baylor-welcome-center-along-i-35\/","title":{"rendered":"Give Light projects: Hurds’ lead gift paves the way for new Baylor welcome center along I-35"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Hurd<\/p>\n

For years, the plot of land at the corner of University Parks Drive and I-35 that used to be the Ivy Square shopping center has sat vacant — a green field of grass, just waiting to be put to the perfect use.<\/p>\n

Now we have it.<\/p>\n

A generous lead gift from Mark (BBA ’79) and Paula Hurd<\/a> — one of the largest in Baylor’s history, and tied in\u00a0with the launch of #GiveLightBU<\/a> — will pave the way for the creation of a new welcome center at Baylor’s most prominent entrance.<\/p>\n

The Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center<\/a> will be a touchpoint for both alumni returning to campus and prospective students and their families visiting the Baylor campus. An approximately 55,000-square-foot “experience center”<\/a> will tell Baylor’s story through interactive exhibits and displays, serving as a front door to campus for visitors of all ages.\u00a0Future development on the property could add retail businesses (including a spirit shop), restaurants, even a boutique hotel; those decisions will be made as the project progresses.<\/p>\n