BELTON, Texas—The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) has successfully met the fundraising challenge for its new science lab facility, raising $5 million in new gifts ahead of the year-end deadline.
The challenge began in December 2025 when an anonymous donor offered a $1 million gift plus a $4 million challenge grant to support the new science lab facility. The grant required UMHB to raise an additional $5 million in new gifts by the end of 2026. The university’s alumni, friends, and supporters have now met that challenge.
“This is a significant milestone for UMHB, and we are deeply grateful to the donor whose generosity made this challenge possible,” said Tucker Glaske, UMHB’s vice president for Advancement. “That generous commitment inspired others to give, and our alumni and friends responded. We celebrate this achievement as we continue working to secure the remaining support needed to fully fund the facility.”
Construction is underway at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and College Street, directly across from the Davidson and Heard buildings. The new facility will be completed in time to welcome students for classes beginning in fall 2028.
The new $50 million three-story facility will feature 13 science labs, conference rooms, and student gathering and study spaces designed to support hands-on learning, teaching, and research. It will serve students in biology and health science programs, as well as students completing the university’s general education laboratory science requirement, making it a resource for the majority of UMHB’s undergraduate student body.
“We are incredibly grateful for this investment in the future of UMHB. Once again, donors are supporting UMHB’s commitment to offering the finest in Christian higher education,” said UMHB President, Dr. Randy O’Rear. “This new science lab facility will be a tremendous addition to our campus, providing modern spaces designed to support learning, discovery, and academic excellence. We look forward to seeing how God uses this facility to prepare and equip students to serve, lead, and make a lasting difference in the world.”
