Convocation gift will help first-generation students

Baker University’s 2017 convocation ceremony was held Oct. 17 in the newly renovated Rice Auditorium. The theme for the event, giving back, was inspired by keynote speaker Bob Carr, CEO and president of the Give Something Back Foundation.

During the ceremony, Carr presented a $1 million gift to Baker University, to be earmarked for scholarships specifically for first-generation college students. For every dollar raised by Baker University for this scholarship fund, Carr’s foundation will match it two to one.

As Baker University President Lynne Murray thanked Carr for his outstanding gift, she remarked that as a first-generation college graduate, she recognizes the unmatched value of an education and knows that his graciousness and support will be carried on by the Baker family.

“Just as Carr has shown through his Give Something Back Foundation, I want us all here at Baker to continue to embrace this notion of helping one another and of assuring more students receive equal footing in life,” Dr. Murray said. “We are so proud Baker has partnered with the Give Something Back Foundation as we continue to invest in and give back to our community.”

Carr was the founder and former chief executive officer of Heartland Payment Systems, a Fortune 1000 debit- and credit-card transaction company acquired by Global Payments for over $4.3 billion. He’s won praise for his technological prowess and ethical leadership from Businessweek and Jim Cramer, host of the television show Mad Money. Carr’s company, Give Something Back, is a nonprofit charity that provides academic mentoring, social guidance, and college scholarships for students from lower-income families throughout the nation. Since its inception in 2003, it has contributed more than $25 million for mentoring and scholarships.