Fall 2025 - Warner Croft describes himself as a fortunate man. He also acknowledges that, during the course of his life, he has been the beneficiary of what some may view as good luck but which he sees as God's guiding hand.

As a student at Mexia High School, near Waco, he applied for the Citizens National Bank scholarship to attend Baylor University. After not receiving it, he enrolled at a junior college and then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he said he got a bit lost in the crowd.

Warner soon realized that he needed a change in direction if he wanted to have a good career after college. He decided to make a detour on his way home during Christmas Break of his junior year. Warner had met Dr. Aldon S. Lang, then serving as dean of Baylor's Hankamer School of Business, back during his scholarship application process. Maybe he would be around?

Warner drove down Fifth Street and parked in front of the entrance to the business school.

"I knew the odds of anyone being around were low, but I went in the front door of the business school, which surprisingly was open," Warner remembered. Noticing that the dean's office was open, he went in and introduced himself to the dean's assistant. As he stated his name, Lang heard him and said, "Warner, come on back into my office." Warner was quite surprised that the dean remembered him after two-plus years.

During their conversation, Lang asked Warner what he was doing now. Warner stated he was attending the University of Texas. Lang then said he wished Warner would come to Baylor. "Dean, I can't afford Baylor," Warner said. Lang then said, "If I gave you a half scholarship, could you afford the other half?" To that Warner replied, "I'll be here in January."

Today, Warner describes that day as life-changing. "I have enjoyed a lifelong benefit from my days at Baylor," he said.

A SUCCESSFUL PATH

After earning a B.B.A. in finance and marketing in 1967, Warner was recruited by the CPA firm Arthur Andersen & Co. He subsequently earned an M.B.A. from Baylor in 1973 and was hired by Arthur Andersen & Co. to be part of its new consulting practice. "It was pretty much the dawn of the automation of business systems," he said. His career path followed the company's transition to becoming first Andersen Consulting and then Accenture in 2001. Now retired, aside from owning the 1,900-plus-acre SO3 Ranch in Milford with his brother, Warner has dedicated himself to financially supporting organizations that align with his Christian values and make positive impacts on other people's lives.

One of the most important of those organizations, he said, is Baylor. In 2024, Warner established the Warner Croft Endowed Fellowship in Business and the Warner Croft Endowed Fund in Business at Baylor. In addition, he has committed to leaving Baylor more philanthropic support through his estate plans.

"I'm trying to return the gift," Warner said. "I mean, what are the chances of me walking in the business school during the Christmas holidays and the dean being there and then him remembering who I was and giving me a half scholarship?"

A LASTING IMPACT

Warner said that, having been blessed by God with financial success, he wants to use this gift to make a difference in other people's lives. "By giving Baylor help to pursue its mission, I believe I'm fulfilling the mission of Christianity."

When asked what he would say to other Baylor donors who are considering adding a planned gift to their current giving, Warner said that it's a beautiful way of being able to both see the fruits of your philanthropy and to create a legacy of generosity that will never end.

"I want to do all I can as long as I'm alive," he said. "I also want to do all I can after I'm gone. Baylor changed my life when I needed it most, and I want to do my best to create that same opportunity for others."