By Maegan Rocio
Staff Writer
Dr. Kenneth L. Hall, former president emeritus of Buckner International, has been named the new senior vice president for university development and strategic initiatives.
Hall’s new position will entail working with the President Ken Starr’s leadership team on strategic initiatives, such as Pro Futuris, and other university developments, such as new university projects on campus. Hall will begin his new duties on Jan. 1.
Hall, a Louisiana native, traveled to Texas to earn his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Tyler and his Master of Divinity and Doctor and Ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
Hall is also an honorary member of Baylor’s George Truett Theological Seminary, and received and honorary doctor of divinity degree from Dallas Baptist University.
Hall said his Christian faith and a desire to serve others was the connection between Buckner International and Baylor.
“My Christian calling has always dictated the roles I played in life as a volunteer and vocationally,” he said. “There is a definitive call to come to Baylor and serve. I want to be of assistance to both faculty and students to build upon the great things that are already happening at Baylor by finding more available resources.”
Hall said he has a strong affinity to the university and considers his family to be “a big Baylor family.”
“I’ve loved Baylor since I first arrived in Texas in 1981,” he said. I do not have a degree from Baylor, but both of our children graduated from Baylor.”
Hall served as a Baylor regent starting June 1, acting as the representative regent for the fundraising of the new stadium. However, Hall said, he resigned from the board last Thursday night before considering and accepting the position of senior vice president for university development and Strategic Initiatives.
Starr said in a press release Hall was appointed to the his leadership team because of his past success serving as CEO of Buckner International for 19 years until his retirement this past April.
“Ken took Buckner International global and was extraordinary successful in fundraising in a very challenging environment for all nonprofit organizations,” Starr said. “In his travels to extend the good work of Buckner, Dr. Hall has established a powerful network of contacts that reach around the globe. He is also completely and enthusiastically devoted to Baylor’s mission, including our developing students for worldwide leadership and service. He is totally committed to Baylor’s Christian mission.”
In the press release, Starr said Hall’s fundraising expertise has already benefitted the school.
“Over the past year, he has provided valuable counsel to my office, university development staff and the executive council as we moved rapidly in the fundraising efforts associated with Baylor Stadiun and other critical university initiatives,” he said.
In the release, Starr said he and the members of the president’s leadership team are excited about Hall’s appointment.
“We are pleased that Ken Hall has agreed to bring his years of experience and dynamic sense of servant leadership to Baylor,” he said.
Hall said he is also excited to work with Starr.
“I’m honored to work alongside Judge Starr and the executive council and all the deans at Baylor,” he said. “I’m very excited to be part of the team to help Baylor to find its place to be a Christian premier university in the United States.”
