SAN ANTONIO—Baptist University of the Américas showed off its new home during a grand opening of the San Antonio facility Aug. 2.
Baptist University of the Américas President René Maciel and Babs Baugh, president of the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation, cut the ribbon to dedicate BUA’s new Baugh Building. (BUA photo)The 69-year-old university recently moved from 12 acres it had called home since 1965. Located off Interstate 35 in South San Antonio, the old campus included eight buildings that were too small to accommodate the school’s recent growth and too expensive to upgrade, BUA leaders said.
So, BUA bought and remodeled a nearby medical office building that had been foreclosed. The university named the 10-year-old facility the Baugh Building, in honor of the school’s largest benefactor, the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation. The Baughs, both now deceased, and their family have supported numerous Baptist causes.
The Baugh Building includes classrooms and offices, as well as a library, chapel and student union.
“It’s a turning point in our history,” BUA President René Maciel said of the move. “We are thrilled for our students to be able to experience modern facilities and for the university to have room to grow.”
The Baugh Building will be BUA’s home while the university raises funds to build a campus on 66 acres it owns on the opposite side of Interstate 35. The school’s leaders estimate the building is large enough to accommodate anticipated student growth until the larger campus is built.
BUA trains 300 students from more 20 countries.
The university focuses on preparing women and men for ministry—in congregations and through secular careers. It offers five bachelor’s degrees, in biblical/theological studies, business leadership, human behavior, music, and Spanish language and literature. It also offers an associate’s degree in cross-cultural studies.
BUA affiliates with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The Association for Biblical Higher Education has accredited the school. AffordableColleges.com has ranked BUA first among the most affordable private schools in Texas and also the most affordable Bible college in the state.
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BUA’s Baugh Building is located at 7838 Barlite Boulevard in San Antonio.
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