Pinky Pampell donates to HBU online expansion

Mrs. Pinky Pampell recently donated the catalyst gift of $5 million to dramatically expand Houston Baptist University’s online academic programs. Her generosity was honored in the naming of the HBU Pinky Pampell Online Division.

HBU intends to duplicate its 1,007 residential courses as online courses over a ten-year period. This digital expansion is expected to increase student enrollment by a minimum of 10,000 students and unprecedentedly increase the resident student enrollment by extension digital marketing. Recognizing the digital transformation of our culture and potential for international influence, Dr. Robert B. Sloan, Jr., president of HBU, led the initiative by appointing a task force in October 2014, approved by the Board of Trustees. The ensuing online business plan predicted a start-up need of $7 million. The remaining $2 million has been provided through other generous donors.

Pinky Pampell funded the construction of the Pampell Family Chapel at Houston Christian High School, a music conservatory in Dallas, Pinky’s Place at Star of Hope ministries, The Point youth building and wedding chapel at Tallowood Baptist Church, among others.

Dr. Jerry Johnston, vice president of Innovation and Strategic Marketing at HBU, stated, “Pinky’s gift to HBU and the naming of the HBU Pinky Pampell Online Division means that thousands and thousands of young people and adults are going to be trained with the same academic distinction characteristic of HBU. In time, that online school will build many buildings at HBU.”

President Sloan said, “We are so grateful to Pinky Pampell for her generosity and farsightedness in making this commitment to online work at HBU. The new Pinky Pampell Online Division will be not only excellent in its academic delivery, but faithful in its preservation of HBU’s Christian distinctiveness.”

HBU is an independent Christian university that offers enriched academic and student life experiences in a major metropolitan area. By fostering the intellectual, moral, and spiritual development of its students, the University provides “A Higher Education,” one that prepares students to succeed not only in their careers, but also in life.