Annual Fund Giving Profiles

Ryan ’78 and Boofie Crimmins

Occupation: Owners, Lawson Electric

Baylor Involvement
2003-2004 Annual Fund Parent Chairs
Ryan is a former Baylor Trustee
Boofie is a current Trustee and Parent Alliance President

What motivated you to get involved with the Annual Fund?
Ryan: When I graduated in 1978, a couple of board members and faculty gave a 30-minute presentation to our class about the importance of remembering Baylor in the future. They also explained the critical nature of the Annual Fund to the overall budget. It really made an impression that stayed with me.

Boofie: As a mother, you do what you think is necessary to help children. Church and school are the two most important things in our children’s lives—there isn’t a better way I could help.

Why should current parents support the Annual Fund?
Ryan: Since tuition only pays for 80% of each child’s education, everyone is on scholarship at Baylor. Asking for the other 20% should not be a problem. Our great volunteers, class leaders, (Director of Annual Giving) Susan Johnson and the huge commitment by (Annual Fund Chair) Ellen Moore made it possible to maintain the momentum started by parents the year before.

How do you gear up for phonathon nights?
Boofie: If people knew how professionally the phonathons are run, how great it feels to connect to people, the pride it makes you feel about Baylor, and just how much fun phonathans are, they’d be clamoring to do it. There is such a positive feeling in the room.

What is your philosophy of asking for a gift?
Boofie: We emphasize percentage of participation among parents. By giving anything, parents are showing a belief in Baylor. We tend to ask for money with an apology in our voices. But I feel we should ask people confidently and boldly because I believe in our children’s education. You only get a small window of time to make a difference in your child’s life. You get what you pay for and Baylor is worth it.

Ryan: Baylor did so much for me, it is natural that I want to help now. I’ve talked to people who worry about the size of their gift. Really, there is no gift too small. Just giving to the Annual Fund is important whether it is a $5 gift or a $5,000 gift. When parents, students, and faculty all pull in the same direction, there is nothing we at Baylor can’t do!

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