Nursing school may acquire new building

By Ashley Pereyra
Reporter

Baylor is looking at the possibility of expanding the Baylor Louise Herrington School of Nursing in Dallas. The School of Nursing is located on the campus of Baylor University Medical Center, near downtown. Baylor University is not affiliated with Baylor University Medical Center.

“We believe that Baylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing will, in the coming years, occupy an increasingly important role in healthcare scholarship and the delivery of quality health care in Dallas and beyond,” said Lori Fogleman, director of Baylor media communications. “We also know that the current nursing school facilities are not optimal for the high future goals we have for our nursing faculty and students.”

Baylor recently made an offer on the $11.5 million Baptist Building and home office of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The location of the Baptist building is close to the School of Nursing and Interstate 30. The building was not for sale at the time of the offer.

“We weren’t looking to sell,” said Jill Larsen, treasurer of Baptist General Convention of Texas. “Since they approached us, we think we need to consider.”

In response to the offer, the convention appointed a committee that would specifically evaluate the potential of selling the Baptist building.

The purpose of the ad hoc committee is to examine whether the selling of the building would have advantages for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Relocation of the office and its employees will also be primary concerns for the committee to address.

However, it is still too early to know if Baptist General Convention of Texas will sell the building, Larsen said.

“We are engaged in a variety of conversations relative to our facilities. These have included discussion with the Baptist General Convention of Texas regarding the building they occupy in Dallas. Those conversations are continuing but no decisions have been made yet,” Fogleman said.

Baptist General Convention of Texas was created in 1886 through the consolidation of the Baptist State Convention and the Baptist General Association. The convention is actively involved in education, social ministries, evangelism and missions.

They support and helped establish many schools like Baylor and Southwestern Baptists Theological Seminary.