Dallas Baptist University Launches $60 Million "Stand Firm. Stand Out." Capital Campaign to Advance Carter School of Business

Dallas, TX – May 22, 2025—Dallas Baptist University has officially launched its “Stand Firm. Stand Out.” capital campaign, a strategic initiative to elevate the growth and impact of the Don and Linda Carter School of Business and a new state-of-the-art facility to house the Carter School of Business on DBU’s campus. The campaign aims to raise funds for the new building, along with student scholarships, program development, and faculty support.

The launch event, held on Thursday, May 22, in Ford Foyer of Pilgrim Chapel, welcomed students, faculty, staff, DBU’s Board of Trustees, and various friends of the University. The program featured remarks from President Dr. Adam C. Wright, who emphasized the campaign’s role in preparing business students for ethical leadership in today’s marketplace.

“This campaign continues the legacy of faith and generosity demonstrated by the Carter family,” said Dr. Wright. “We have a bold vision at DBU to build a great university pleasing to God. Building the Carter School of Business positions DBU to make a lasting impact by producing Christ-centered servant leaders for the marketplace and beyond!”

Bryan P. Stevenson, a DBU alumnus and Chair of the Carter School of Business Advisory Board, commented on the marketplace’s need for “principled leaders who are equipped with integrity, business expertise, strong character, and a clear sense of purpose. This campaign is about more than a building—it’s about investing in the next generation of Christ-centered leaders who will influence business, transform communities, and lead with conviction.”

Program personalities for the launch event also included DBU Senior Vice President Jonathan Teat, Ryan Hefton, Vice President for Advancement, and Dr. Cicely Jefferson, Dean of the Don and Linda Carter School of Business.

About the Campaign

• Including the $20 million lead gift previously announced in November 2024 from Linda Carter, her son, Ron Carter, and her daughter, Christi Carter Urschel, DBU has received over $40 million to date in pledges and intentions toward the $60 million campaign goal. The Carters’ $20 million gift is the largest gift in DBU history and established the Don and Linda Carter School of Business at DBU.
• Investing in DBU’s Carter School of Business will play a vital role in shaping business education in the DFW Metroplex with a dynamic hub where gifted, Christ-centered business leaders are developed and empowered to lead with honesty, discipline, and excellence, reflecting the values taught at DBU and coveted in the marketplace.

About the Facility

• Approximately 55,000 square feet of education space across five levels.
• The building will feature student collaboration rooms, a simulated stock exchange trading floor, a fixed-seat, auditorium style lecture hall for events such as business symposia and guest speakers, a tiered lecture hall for day-to-day classroom use, student collaboration rooms, and a faculty and staff suite of offices that evoke corporate business aesthetics.
• Inspired by the early Georgian architecture of Massachusetts Hall.
• An exterior designed to complement the classical campus aesthetic, inspired by examples of Georgian and Colonial architecture, and an interior inspired by the present-day business environment.
• A commanding presence transforming the campus skyline from many vantage points, second in prominence only to the Patty and Bo Pilgrim Chapel.

The campaign offers naming opportunities such as engraved bricks and named auditorium seats. These gifts help advance the mission of the Carter School of Business to integrate faith and learning across its undergraduate and graduate programs. Additional naming opportunities are available with a minimum investment of $50,000. Those interested are encouraged to contact DBU’s Office of Advancement at (214) 333-5168 or advancement@dbu.edu.

Campaign URL: standfirmstandout.com

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