UMHB Announces New $2 Million Challenge Grant for Science Lab Facility

BELTON, Texas-The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) is pleased to announce that a generous donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has offered a $2 million challenge grant to support the construction of the new science lab facility. The challenge requires the university to raise an additional $2 million by May 31, 2027, to receive the grant.

"The timing of this anonymous gift is such a blessing, especially after just meeting our initial challenge grant for this building. Meeting this new challenge will ensure that we open this $50 million facility debt-free, a tremendous accomplishment made possible by the generosity of donors who believe in UMHB's mission and vision and are investing in the future of our students," explained Dr. Randy O'Rear, UMHB president. "We are overwhelmed and humbled by what God is doing on the UMHB campus, and we give Him all the glory."

Construction continues 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.

"Our donors have shown tremendous support for this project, and we are grateful for the opportunity to build on that momentum with a second challenge grant," said Tucker Glaske, UMHB's vice president for Advancement. "This generous gift gives us another opportunity to double the impact of every dollar raised. We are excited about the progress we have made and look forward to working with our donors to meet this new challenge."

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.

To learn more about the new science lab facility or to give to UMHB, visit www.umhb.edu/giving or call 254-295-4600.