Spring 2026 - Reagan Ramsower's decision to attend Baylor University was, in his words, almost inevitable. "I am a fourth-generation Baylor graduate. My great-grandmother, Ethel Lattimore Higginbotham, attended Baylor, and that legacy has continued through our family," he said.

Glenda Davis Ramsower - Reagan's "high school sweetheart" during their years growing up in Plainview, Texas - also earned a degree from Baylor, graduating with a B.A. in sociology in 1975. "Baylor is foundational to both of us, not just individually but as a family," she said.

The Ramsowers' two sons and their wives graduated from Baylor, and today three of their grandchildren are current students, representing the sixth generation of Baylor Bears in their family tree.

"Baylor has been part of our lives for as long as we can remember," Reagan said.

BAYLOR'S IMPACT

After graduating from Baylor with a B.B.A. and an M.S. in economics, in 1974 and 1976, respectively, Reagan studied at the University of Minnesota, where he earned a Ph.D. Both Reagan and Glenda said that their years at Baylor created a strong foundation for growth in their personal lives and in their careers.

"Baylor shaped both my faith and my intellectual direction," Reagan said. "My education led me into graduate study in economics, econometrics, and what was then the emerging field of management information systems. Baylor even made it possible for me to pursue a PhD by offering a stipend arrangement that allowed me to return and serve the University."

Reagan eventually earned tenure, became a full professor, and later served in various administrative roles before retiring from Baylor. Today, the Ramsowers reside in Waco, where they serve in leadership roles in Higginbotham Funeral Homes of Texas, a company that Reagan's great-grandfather founded in 1881.

VALUES-BASED PHILANTHROPY

Several years ago, to honor the central role that Baylor has played in their lives, the Ramsowers created the Reagan and Glenda Ramsower Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to Baylor students based on merit and need.

They recently made a commitment through their retirement plan assets to benefit this scholarship - a decision that Glenda said felt like a natural extension of their ongoing support of Baylor. "Our lives have revolved around Baylor as students, faculty, administrators, alumni, and fans," she said. "An estate gift allows us to ensure that our support continues beyond our lifetimes."

Both Reagan and Glenda said their passion for helping students who otherwise might not be able to afford a Baylor education is rooted in their values as Christians and their belief in the importance of higher education. They also said that making a planned gift commitment is a wonderful way to leave a legacy at their alma mater.

"Planned giving is a way to align your long-term values with the institution that helped shape your life," Reagan said. "It's not just about finances-it's about stewardship and gratitude. Even gifts that seem modest can have a lasting impact when they are thoughtfully planned."