Texas Tidbits: BCFS dedicates Hill Country Resource Center

BCFS—formerly known as Baptist Child & Family Services—dedicated its Hill Country Resource Center and honored Babs Baugh, who was named BCFS board chair emeritus. BCFS commissioned artist Bill Nichols to paint a portrait of Baugh that was unveiled following the ribbon-cutting ceremony and will hang in the building’s entryway. The 20,000-square-foot facility is the cornerstone of Kerrville’s nonprofit block, offering comprehensive one-stop services to children, teens, young adults and families in need. The facility will house organizations including BCFS Health and Human Services, Art2Heart, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas, Families & Literacy, Goodwill Industries of San Antonio, Hill Country Ministries and New Hope Counseling. BCFS Health and Human Services’ transition center also will offer free space to organizations on a daily, weekly, monthly or as-needed basis. Under a single roof, individuals have access to counseling, case management, literacy and educational support, job training and placement with local businesses, housing location and more. The center also offers programs that strengthen families, providing parenting support groups and classes that help open communication and teach healthy ways to set boundaries and discipline, as well as creative art therapy and counseling for individuals of all ages.

Baylor University marketing VP bound for Richmond. The University of Richmond named John Barry, Baylor University’s vice president for marketing and communications and chief marketing officer for nearly a decade, its vice president for communications effective Jan. 18, 2016. Baylor President Ken Starr praised Barry as “a trusted adviser, a global strategic thinker and a man of immense faith and deep compassion who has left a lasting mark on Baylor.” Barry joined Baylor from the University of Connecticut in August 2006. Barry noted the move to Virginia allows him and his wife, Patty, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. As Barry transitions to his new post at Richmond, Karen Kemp, associate vice president for marketing communications, will serve as acting vice president. Baylor expects to launch a national search for a permanent vice president for marketing and communications.

Oncor Electric benefits HPU. Howard Payne University received the second of three installments toward its A Call to Send capital campaign from Oncor Electric Delivery Company. Oncor, which pledged $7,500 over three years to the campaign, provides an allocation of charitable funds for organizations in each of its service areas. Since 1988, Oncor—formerly Texas Power and Light Company, TU Electric and TXU—has given more than $119,000 to HPU in addition to the $7,500 pledge, including $78,000 to the annual scholarship fund.