Volume 46, #1 - November 2008 - Houston Baptist University

Bill & Mickey ArnoldHow a Sunday Drive Turned into aLife-long Love for a Universityby Justin LaceyFriends of HBU often are connectedto the University in a varietyof ways: family members whoattended HBU in the past,relationships with faculty or students,familiarity with or interest in a particularacademic program, etc. For Meyerlandresidents Bill and Mickey Arnold, theirconnection with HBU stemmed fromsomething less personal: the physicalproximity of the campus to their home.The Arnolds drove by the HBU campusquite frequently as they went about theirdaily business in southwest Houston. Oneday, fueled by their curiosity concerning thenearby university about which they knewvery little, they decided to turn into thecampus for an unannounced visit instead ofsimply driving by yet again.Bill and Mickey Arnold quickly fell inlove with HBU, a school with a mission thatthey saw a strong need for in the Houstonarea. As members of the President’sDevelopment Council, the Arnolds wereregular participants in and supporters ofthe annual Spirit of Excellence gala, andthey enjoyed attending as many campusevents as their schedule would allow. Theyconsidered the Christmas Open House inthe president’s home a highlight of eachyear.Friends of the Arnolds described themas quiet and unassuming people. Theyoffered consistent generosity and support,but they did so because they enjoyedknowing that they were benefiting aninstitution they held dear, not to receiveany public recognition or attention. Simplywalking around the HBU campus and seeingthe students hard at work and enjoying theacademic, social, and spiritual benefits of anHBU education were reward enough.Bill and Mickey have both passed fromthis life to the next, but their generosity liveson. Thanks to a significant bequest from theArnold estate, the Bill and Mickey ArnoldScholarship Endowment will benefit worthyHBU students in their pursuit of a qualityChristian higher education for years to come.Regardless of the nature of yourconnection to HBU, you too can ensure thatyou leave a lasting legacy for the Universitythat you know and love. Like many otherlong-time friends of the University, Bill andMickey Arnold were members of The CovenantSociety, which recognizes and honorsindividuals who wish to support Christianeducation by including HBU in their estateplans and other methods of planned giving.Becoming a member of the CovenantSociety is easy. Simply let the HBUBill & Mickey Arnold at an HBU event in 2005.Advancement office know that you have madeprovision for the University in your estateplan. By letting HBU know of your futuregift and desire for its designation, you make acommitment to the future of HBU and assistthe University with its long-range planningfor that future.While HBU expresses its sinceregratitude to Covenant Society members ina number of different public and privateways, the University always keeps the valueand details of each planned gift strictlyconfidential. All recognition of CovenantSociety members is designed to honortheir partnership with the University whileencouraging those who have not yet madesimilar plans to consider doing so as well.If you have questions about theCovenant Society or are interested inlearning more about how to make a plannedgift to the University, please contact PeggyPowell, Advancement Officer, at 281-649-3407.HBU 34 News