Belton, Texas – With construction underway on a new performing arts center, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor officials have announced that a donor, who asked to remain anonymous, has offered a $5 million challenge grant to help fund the construction of the building. The challenge specifies that, to receive the grant, the university must raise an additional $5 million for the project. Together with funding already secured, a successful challenge would make it possible for the $20 million facility to be fully funded when it opens in August 2017.
“This amazing challenge grant gives us the momentum we need to complete our performing arts center debt-free,” said Dr. Randy O’Rear, university president. “This is the final project in a bold $100 million campus master plan approved by our Board of Trustees in February 2011. I am grateful for the incredible generosity of our donors whose investments move us even closer to our vision of becoming the university of choice for Christian higher education in the Southwest.”
First to respond to the challenge were James and Kim Fikes, who stepped forward with a substantial gift for the performing arts center. James Fikes is chief executive officer of Fikes Wholesale, Inc., and Kim Fikes is chief administrative officer of the business, which serves as a holding company for CEFCO Convenience Stores, Fleet Fuel, CORD Financial Services, JF Air Traffic, and Group Petroleum Services. The company began when James’ father, Clarence E. Fikes, opened a Texaco service station in 1952 in Cameron, Texas. When James became president in 1988 there were four stores, and today the CEFCO Convenience Stores brand boasts more than 250 stores in seven states.
The Fikes’ gift is not their first to UMHB; in 2006 they established the C.E. Fikes (CEFCO) Endowed Scholarship in memory of James’ father. Subsequent gifts to that endowment have made it possible to help many students earn a degree at UMHB.
“The friendship that Julie and I have enjoyed with James and Kim is one of the greatest blessings we have experienced as Mary Hardin-Baylor’s president and first lady,” said O’Rear. “The Fikes have a strong belief in Christian higher education, and this leadership gift exemplifies their commitment to investing in UMHB students. Thanks to the generosity of James and Kim, we are well on our way to meeting this fundraising challenge for the performing arts center.”
“We are overwhelmed by these gifts and are optimistic that other friends and alumni will step forward and help us meet this challenge,” said Dr. Rebecca O’Banion, vice president for development at UMHB. “The performing arts center is going to be an impressive addition to our campus and will offer the performance and classroom space our students need and deserve.”
The 40,725-square-foot building will feature a 554-seat performance hall with a proscenium stage, fly space, and orchestra pit. The design also includes an intimate 2,000-square-foot performance space, which will be named Fikes Chamber Hall. In addition to concerts and recitals, this area will be used as a reception space for social gatherings. Construction is currently underway on the corner of Main Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, with the facility scheduled for completion by the fall of 2017.
