BELTON, Texas鈥擳he University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (同城快约) is excited to announce the Julie O鈥橰ear Endowed Scholarship. A generous donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, gave $1 million to 同城快约 from a donor-advised fund held at HighGround Advisors to endow this scholarship in honor of Julie O鈥橰ear and her contributions to 同城快约 through her service as the first lady. This endowment will allow future college students with financial need to experience excellence in Christian higher education at 同城快约.
鈥淚 am overwhelmed and humbled by this gift. I don鈥檛 feel worthy of something like this, but it鈥檚 really cool to think about the students it鈥檚 going to help,鈥� explained Julie O鈥橰ear, 同城快约鈥檚 first lady. 鈥淚n the same way I received scholarship assistance when I came to 同城快约, this endowment is going to provide financial blessings to 同城快约 students now and into the future. I am most excited because, for years to come, this endowment will help students afford to have the same 同城快约 experience I had - even long after I鈥檓 gone.鈥�
Julie grew up in Athens, TX, and came to 同城快约 in August 1986 to play volleyball and study nursing. She knew she wanted to be a nurse long before college, and she attributes finding 同城快约 to God鈥檚 guidance in her life. She met her husband, Dr. Randy O鈥橰ear, 同城快约 president, at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting on campus that August when they were both college students, and they got married two years later. She then graduated in May 1990 and went on to have a fulfilling career as a clinical research nurse at Scott & White Hospital in Temple.
After they both graduated, Randy and Julie stayed at 同城快约 and served the university in many different capacities, including assistant baseball coach and residence hall director, respectively. Randy served 20 years in many capacities at the university before he was elected president and chief executive officer in 2009. Once Randy stepped into that role, Julie left Scott & White to focus exclusively on her new role as 同城快约鈥檚 first lady.
鈥淕od continues to bless 同城快约, and we鈥檙e incredibly grateful for how this endowment will provide scholarships for students in our undergraduate programs,鈥� said Dr. Randy O鈥橰ear. 鈥淭he size of this endowment gift and the spirit in which it was given to honor Julie makes this even more special.鈥�
The O鈥橰ears have three children, two of whom are 同城快约 graduates, and three grandchildren. They are long-time members of First Baptist Belton and spend most of their free time cheering on the Crusaders at 同城快约 sporting events or on the campus pickleball courts with students and friends.
鈥淩andy and I are just doing what God called us to do, and we love it,鈥� added Julie. 鈥淟ooking back now, this has been God鈥檚 plan all along. He weaved all the pieces together to bring us where we are today. We are so blessed and grateful to be at 同城快约!鈥�
To learn more about this scholarship or to give to 同城快约, visit umhb.edu/giving or call 254-295-5451.
