UMHB dedicates Baugh Center for Visual Arts

Wednesday, 31 October 2012 by Matthew Girard

UMHB President Dr. Randy O’Rear spoke during the dedication ceremony of the Baugh Center for the Visual Arts on Friday. It was dedicated to the memory of Eula Mae and John Baugh. The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor is continuing to make a name for itself as the premier source of Christian higher education as the university held a special dedication ceremony of the newly built Baugh Center for the Visual Arts last Friday.

"Mary Hardin-Baylor has a wonderful vision and that vision is to be the university of choice for Christian higher education in the Southwest," UMHB president Dr. Randy O'Rear said. "This is the second, brand-new facility dedicated since the approval of the Master Plan in 2008."

The center is a two-story facility, encompassing more than 27,000 square fee of programmable space dedicated to art exploration and education. It also includes a gallery where regular exhibits will be held, as well as classrooms designed with specific art mediums such as ceramics, screen-printing and computer design.

The center was dedicated to the memory of Eula Mae and John Baugh. The Baughs were Houston philanthropists, who were supporters of higher education and Texas Baptist causes.

John Baugh was the founder of Sysco Corporation and served as chairman and CEO of the company, which became the world's largest food distribution service with 170 locations and more than 47,500 employees.

Under the direction of the Baugh's daughter, Barbara or "Babs," the Baugh Foundation stepped forward to make the lead gift for the construction of the $5 million facility.

At the ceremony, Babs charged the students to create something wonderful.

"God gave you a soul. And with that soul, he wants you to create beauty and love and caring for other people," she said. "We just wish for you, the most wonderful of opportunities to be doing whatever form of art you see fit to do."

The center was completed in time for classes to take place in during this semester and was designed by GSC Architects of Austin. Construction was overseen by Bartlett Cocke General Contractors.

"We want to express our appreciation for the tremendous amount of work and the devotion on the part of so many directly involved with this project," said Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts Ted Barnes. "We are so proud of our new facility and we know this building will be the home of creative ideas and grand adventures."

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