Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center Established

Houston couple steps forward to foster students’ well-being

Baylor’s continued commitment to meeting the needs of students took another step forward in January with the creation of the Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center. Made possible by a $2.5 million gift from Bob and Laura Beauchamp of Houston, the Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center, referred to on-campus as the BARC, is part of a broad effort at Baylor to advance the well-being of its students. The Beauchamps’ lead gift launches the first phase of the Christian Character Initiative coordinated through the University Provost’s Office. With an initial $20 million fundraising goal, the Initiative reinforces Baylor’s long-standing commitment to a Christ-centered education, bringing together a range of programs and experiences in a coordinated and powerful endeavor to help students thrive and flourish.

“Laura and I strongly believe that young men and women who are struggling with addiction should be supported and treated with compassion and grace,” said Bob Beauchamp, chairman of BMC Software and a member of the Baylor Board of Regents. “We believe Baylor, as a Christian University, should be the best in the world at supporting its students who are struggling.  Removing the stigma of addiction is crucial to ensuring that students feel they can seek out resources to help them overcome their challenges and fully realize all that God is calling them to become. Our family is honored to help Baylor raise awareness about substance use disorders and support addiction recovery, and we hope others in the Baylor family will come alongside us in supporting this effort.”

Baylor has consistently sought to educate its almost 17,000 students about the negative consequences of alcohol and drug use and to care for those in recovery from compulsive behavior and addiction. The Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center will provide support services for students who are in the initial stages of identifying an addiction, including counseling and possible referral to off-campus rehabilitation, as well as continued support for students who have completed rehabilitation programs. The program also provides reintegration support for students who may have left school and for students who are already in recovery.

“Our students desire well-being and possess a hope to flourish in life and a drive to become leaders in their communities and professions. For those in recovery from addiction, this will be an invaluable resource,” said Baylor Interim President David E. Garland.

The Beauchamps’ gift will fund the Addiction Recovery Center and an endowment to support the Center’s staff and operations. The BARC, to be located in East Village Residential Complex, will create a friendly recovery culture for students to connect between classes, to study, to host community and recovery support events and to hold meetings. Therapy dogs from local non-profit Angel Paws will even visit regularly to provide companionship.

The endowment will support increased staff and a wide array of programming, including weekly support and community recovery meetings, recovery coaching and conversations with mentors as well as campus-wide educational outreach efforts that identify social environmental influences, provide education on the support services that are available at Baylor and encourage peer-to-peer support. Future initiatives will include merit- and service-based scholarships awarded to students in recovery and the creation of housing space on or near campus that will allow Baylor to match students in recovery with others who are committed to supporting their success.