By Lori Fogleman
Baylor University has announced a $2 million gift from Jerry and Susie Wilson of Dallas that will establish an endowed chair in religious freedom to support the university’s educational mission and its Institute for Studies of Religion.
The future holder of the endowed chair will lead Baylor’s efforts to affirm congressional support for the defense of religious freedom on Capitol Hill. In addition, the chair will collaborate on projects involving international religious freedom through diplomatic engagement and integrating religious freedom into broader foreign policy.
Fostering the understanding of Christianity as a liberator of pressing social issues, such as human trafficking, women’s rights, refugees and other human suffering both domestically and internationally, will be another objective of the Wilson Chair.
“The Jerry and Susie Wilson Chair in Religious Freedom will help ensure that Baylor University vigorously and effectively addresses the significant issues of freedom of conscience and worship and, in particular, Christianity’s enduring role in promoting human freedom,” said Baylor President and Chancellor Ken Starr.
Byron R. Johnson, director of the Institute for Studies of Religion, said, “The Wilsons are keenly aware that religious freedom is one of the most important issues of our time, and we are grateful their generosity will allow us to play a critical role in advancing religious liberty.”
Jerry Wilson is a retired senior executive and a former owner of Titan Specialties Ltd., a manufacturer of oilfield perforating products. His career also included public practice as a CPA, serving as CFO of a chain of discount centers and founding a chain of retail stores. He and Susie Wilson are graduates of Texas Tech University. She holds bachelor, master and doctororal degrees in music.