WACO, Texas (Aug. 10, 2022) – Baylor University today announced a gift from Katie and Jimmy Garrison of Boerne, Texas, to support the Give Light Campaign and provide support for the capital priorities of Baylor Athletics within the campaign. Baylor will recognize the couple’s philanthropic support through the naming of the Dimmitt Garrison Family Berm within McLane Stadium and the Dimmitt Garrison Family Lobby within the Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion.
“The Dimmitt Garrison family has truly established an inspiring legacy of family commitment at Baylor University,” said President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D. “The family’s commitment to Baylor’s Christian mission is exemplified in their generational support of Baylor’s students, faculty and staff. They understand the vision for the University, and their thoughtful, multi-generational approach to philanthropy is encouraging and inspiring. We are grateful for a family of Baylor alumni who value supporting Baylor’s current priorities to ensure the institution’s future growth and prominence.”
The majority of Katie (BSEd ’85) and Jimmy (BBA ’85) Garrison’s gift supports the capital priorities of the Give Light campaign, Baylor’s comprehensive fundraising campaign which has seen the Baylor Family give more than $1.21 billion to support Illuminate, the University’s strategic plan. A portion of their gift also will support student-athlete scholarships. The Garrisons’ gift honors their family’s legacy at Baylor, starting with Katie’s mother, Kate McLane Dimmitt (BBA ’56).
The Dimmitt Garrison Family Berm brings an attractive new feature to a well-loved space within McLane Stadium. The existing berm, located in the South End Zone in front of the video board, has long served as a family-friendly seating option for Baylor fans. This football season, fans will notice a new red brick retaining wall, capped in the University’s iconic white stone, distinguishing the berm from the John Eddie Williams Field.
The Dimmitt Garrison Family Lobby will be a central gathering place within the Foster Pavilion, a 223,547-square-foot facility that will serve as the new home for Baylor Basketball. The pavilion will hold a capacity of more than 7,000 fans, with improved sight lines and an integrated concourse that will allow fans to remain fully engaged in the game while accessing concessions. Improved concessions and two 2,000-square-foot video end boards will help cultivate a boisterous home-court advantage to rival other facilities in the conference.
"We are grateful for the transformational support Katie and Jimmy Garrison, along with their children Martha and Samuel, have provided for the student-athletes, staff and coaches of Baylor Athletics. The berm now serves as a striking reminder of the life and legacy of Kate McLane Dimmitt," said Mack B. Rhoades IV Baylor Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "Their most recent gift to the Give Light Campaign will significantly contribute to our various capital projects, including the Paul & Alejandra Foster Pavilion and the Fudge Football Development Center, all while furthering our mission of Preparing Champions for Life. Their thoughtful generosity will support our student-athletes at all levels, and we are incredibly thankful for their commitment and impact on our programs."
Preparation and ground work began on the Foster Pavilion in March 2022, with an expected opening of the Pavilion at the beginning of Big 12 play in January 2024. Construction will continue on the Development Center after the Pavilion’s completion, with a later opening expected in April 2024. The Foster Pavilion complex will be located along the Brazos River on the west side of Interstate-35, adjacent to Baylor’s Clifton Robinson Tower. The Pavilion will serve to further connect Baylor’s campus to Robinson Tower and downtown Waco. To view more renderings and learn additional details about the project, please visit the Baylor Athletics page.
“The Dimmitt Garrison family has truly established an inspiring legacy of family commitment at Baylor University,” said President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D. “The family’s commitment to Baylor’s Christian mission is exemplified in their generational support of Baylor’s students, faculty and staff. They understand the vision for the University, and their thoughtful, multi-generational approach to philanthropy is encouraging and inspiring. We are grateful for a family of Baylor alumni who value supporting Baylor’s current priorities to ensure the institution’s future growth and prominence.”
The majority of Katie (BSEd ’85) and Jimmy (BBA ’85) Garrison’s gift supports the capital priorities of the Give Light campaign, Baylor’s comprehensive fundraising campaign which has seen the Baylor Family give more than $1.21 billion to support Illuminate, the University’s strategic plan. A portion of their gift also will support student-athlete scholarships. The Garrisons’ gift honors their family’s legacy at Baylor, starting with Katie’s mother, Kate McLane Dimmitt (BBA ’56).
The Dimmitt Garrison Family Berm brings an attractive new feature to a well-loved space within McLane Stadium. The existing berm, located in the South End Zone in front of the video board, has long served as a family-friendly seating option for Baylor fans. This football season, fans will notice a new red brick retaining wall, capped in the University’s iconic white stone, distinguishing the berm from the John Eddie Williams Field.
The Dimmitt Garrison Family Lobby will be a central gathering place within the Foster Pavilion, a 223,547-square-foot facility that will serve as the new home for Baylor Basketball. The pavilion will hold a capacity of more than 7,000 fans, with improved sight lines and an integrated concourse that will allow fans to remain fully engaged in the game while accessing concessions. Improved concessions and two 2,000-square-foot video end boards will help cultivate a boisterous home-court advantage to rival other facilities in the conference.
"We are grateful for the transformational support Katie and Jimmy Garrison, along with their children Martha and Samuel, have provided for the student-athletes, staff and coaches of Baylor Athletics. The berm now serves as a striking reminder of the life and legacy of Kate McLane Dimmitt," said Mack B. Rhoades IV Baylor Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "Their most recent gift to the Give Light Campaign will significantly contribute to our various capital projects, including the Paul & Alejandra Foster Pavilion and the Fudge Football Development Center, all while furthering our mission of Preparing Champions for Life. Their thoughtful generosity will support our student-athletes at all levels, and we are incredibly thankful for their commitment and impact on our programs."
Preparation and ground work began on the Foster Pavilion in March 2022, with an expected opening of the Pavilion at the beginning of Big 12 play in January 2024. Construction will continue on the Development Center after the Pavilion’s completion, with a later opening expected in April 2024. The Foster Pavilion complex will be located along the Brazos River on the west side of Interstate-35, adjacent to Baylor’s Clifton Robinson Tower. The Pavilion will serve to further connect Baylor’s campus to Robinson Tower and downtown Waco. To view more renderings and learn additional details about the project, please visit the Baylor Athletics page.
