Lawrence Park

In 2008, long-time supporters Tracy and Lee Lawrence translated their love for students into the new Lawrence Park, which unites the Belin Chapel, the Hinton Center, the Atwood II Building, and the Cultural Arts Center boulevard. The Park also connects the Cultural Arts Center with the Rockwell Plaza and the Morgan Prayer Garden. With its benches and lighting, Lawrence Park provides a place of tranquility and beauty on the east side of campus.

The couple’s first major gift to Houston Baptist College in 1964 was an organ for Sharp Gym to be used for chapel services and for instruction. The Lawrences gave a second major gift to the Hinton Center in memory of one of their daughters, Sandra Lee Lawrence, whose name can be seen above the main entrance to the Center. The Lawrences have also given the Karon Lynn Lawrence Jeliff Endowed Academic Scholarship, the Sandra Lawrence Endowed Academic Scholarship, and the Thomas Lee and Lillie Elma Martin Endowed Academic Scholarship to support outstanding students attending HBU.

Tracy, who passed away in June 2012, was a member of the University Board of Trustees from 1985 to 1994, and received an honorary doctorate from the University in 2007. Lee has served as an active member of the College Auxiliary, the American Museum Society, and as an officer of The Guild, serving as president in 1989.