DBU Carter School of Business

Dallas Baptist University is honored to announce one of the largest gifts in DBU history from longtime friends and supporters Jim and Julie Turner in support of the Carter School of Business. Their transformational investment in DBU's STAND FIRM. STAND OUT. capital campaign establishes the future home of the Don and Linda Carter School of Business: Jim and Julie Turner Hall. Within the walls of Turner Hall, the next generation of Christ-centered business leaders will be shaped through academic innovation and hands-on learning opportunities. For decades, the Turners have faithfully supported Christian education, student scholarships, and the mission of DBU. Their legacy of generosity and servant leadership will continue to impact students, communities, and industries for generations to come. “This is a moment of profound gratitude,” shared DBU President Dr. Adam C. Wright. “Because of Jim and Julie Turner’s leadership gift, the impact of this campaign and this business school will be amplified for future generations of Christ-centered leaders.” We are deeply grateful for the Turner family’s unwavering faith, generosity, and commitment to advancing the Kingdom through Christian higher education. To learn more, visit standfirmstandout.com!

Dallas Baptist University is grateful to announce a transformative $2 million gift from The Mitchell Foundation to the Don and Linda Carter School of Business as part of DBU’s STAND FIRM. STAND OUT. capital campaign. As co-founders of Cinemark, the Mitchells have modeled visionary leadership marked by integrity and excellence. For more than two decades, they have faithfully invested in DBU through scholarships, the Ford Village Residential College, and the DBU Leadership Gala. Their legacy of generosity also includes support for ministries such as Bill Glass Prison Ministries, Young Life, Samaritan’s Purse, and Campus Crusade for Christ. DBU President, Dr. Adam C. Wright, shared that "this extraordinary gift will impact generations of business students who will go on to lead with integrity and influence for the glory of God."

We’re excited to announce that the Carter School of Business Advisory Board’s $25,000 Matching Gift has been met on this historic DBU Giving Day! On behalf of the entire DBU School of Business leadership, faculty and students – thank you for your generosity. Several spots remain so you can still help equip and empower the next generation of servant leaders by purchasing a brick for the new building’s plaza today at DBUbricks.com

The Don and Linda Carter School of Business Advisory Board has generously donated $25,000 as a Matching Gift in honor of 2026 DBU Giving Day. The CSB Advisory Board is comprised of industry leaders and experts who collaborate with the Dean – Dr. Cicely Jefferson – to guide the business school’s growth and connect classroom learning with the global marketplace to attract even more top-tier business students.We invite you to join the CSB Advisory Board to help equip and empower the next generation of servant leaders by purchasing a brick for the new building’s plaza. Each brick can be completely personalized to reflect the legacy you’d like to leave behind to inspire future generations of DBU students. Easily customize and purchase your brick today at DBUbricks.com.

This is what momentum looks like. Something big is unfolding at DBU, and this is only the beginning. The Carter School of Business is on the horizon, and the vision is already becoming reality.

This upcoming Giving Day, cement your legacy in DBU history. Be part of something lasting! To give today click here dbubricks.com

Meet the Dean of the Carter School of Business, Cicely Jefferson, whose story is a testimony to trusting God’s timing. A proud Dallas native, she discovered her love for law through a high school mock trial, earned her J.D. and a master’s in Criminal Law from Texas Tech, and began her career as a Dallas prosecutor before serving more than ten years with the Department of Homeland Security. When God unexpectedly called her into full-time ministry, she served as a connections pastor for seven years, helping people grow in their faith and find their place in the church. “One thing I’ve learned about following God,” she says, “is that when you follow Him, He gives you an affinity for what He’s calling you to, so you have no regrets.” Her connection with DBU began as an online adjunct professor. After a campus visit, Dr. David Cook asked if she’d consider teaching full-time. She expected it might happen in a year, but just one month later she interviewed, was offered the job, and began as a full-time professor in January 2022. In August 2022, she stepped into the role of Associate Dean in accreditation. When Dr. Mansfield stepped down, Dr. Jefferson was approached three times about becoming dean. After much prayer, the Lord made it clear this was her next assignment, and she has since served as Dean of the Carter School of Business. She shares, “Be on the great adventure with God because He can write a better script than you ever could.” Today, Dr. Jefferson leads with a mission to equip Christ-centered servant leaders who blend a Kingdom mindset with market knowledge—rooted in purpose, integrity, ethics, and leading with people, not apart from them. She encourages students, “If you don’t just say, ‘I want this,’ but instead say, ‘I want the heart of God,’ He will often give you something you never even imagined.” We are so blessed by Dr. Jefferson and how she leads the Carter School of Business!

Dallas Baptist University celebrated a major milestone on February 18, 2026, breaking ground on the new Don and Linda Carter School of Business building and launching an exciting new chapter in DBU’s mission to prepare Christ-centered servant leaders for the marketplace and the world. University leaders, faculty, students, alumni, and supporters gathered for a morning of worship and fellowship, beginning with chapel and culminating in the official ceremony, where prayers and remarks highlighted God’s provision and the shared vision behind the project. Planned as a five-level, 55,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility, the building will expand classroom and experiential learning opportunities with modern instructional spaces, offices, collaboration rooms, auditoriums, a simulated stock exchange trading floor, and more—strengthening DBU’s commitment to integrating faith and professional preparation. With construction underway and an anticipated opening in Fall 2027, the Carter School of Business building stands as a strategic investment in excellent Christ-centered academics and the next generation of purpose-driven, servant leaders.

Yesterday, we had the honor of celebrating a major milestone for Dallas Baptist University and the Carter School of Business with a groundbreaking ceremony that marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. This moment represents more than the start of construction—it reflects a vision for excellence, innovation, and faithful leadership in business for generations to come. “God is up to something big at DBU and yesterday was another example of His continued blessing and provision. We could not be more thankful for the Carter Family and every person that has helped make this dream a reality,” shared Dr. Adam Wright. We’re grateful for the students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, community partners, and friends who have helped make this day possible through their support, prayers, and commitment to DBU’s mission. As we break ground, we’re also laying a foundation for expanded opportunities: spaces that will foster collaboration, strengthen academic preparation, and equip future business leaders to serve with integrity and purpose. We look forward to watching this vision rise from the ground up—and to the impact it will have as the Carter School of Business continues to shape leaders who influence the marketplace who stand firm and stand out.

Dallas Baptist University is honored to announce a $2 million anonymous gift in support of the Don and Linda Carter School of Business. This remarkable act of generosity reflects the spirit of DBU’s faithful community, where donors consistently give out of gratitude and conviction rather than a desire for public recognition. Whether named or unnamed, every gift to DBU is rooted in a shared commitment to advance the mission of the University and to shape future generations for Christ. This significant contribution was made by an individual who deeply believes in DBU’s vision to prepare students to be Christ-centered servant leaders in the business world and beyond. Their quiet generosity stands alongside so many others whose giving is motivated not by personal credit, but by the hope that the Lord will use their resources to further His Kingdom through the work taking place at DBU. “We are continually humbled by the faithfulness of those who support DBU in ways both seen and unseen,” said DBU President Dr. Adam C. Wright. “This anonymous gift is a powerful reminder that the true measure of generosity is found not in recognition, but in a desire to see God’s work advanced through the lives of our students who come through the DBU Don and Linda Carter School of Business.” With this gift, the University’s STAND FIRM. STAND OUT. capital campaign surpasses $45 million toward its $60 million goal for the construction of a new home for the Carter School of Business, where students will be equipped to stand firm in their faith and stand out in their calling in the marketplace and across every sphere of influence.

Dallas Baptist University has received a challenge grant from the J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation. Through this challenge grant, the Mabee Foundation has committed a $2 million gift to the project, which will be awarded once DBU successfully raises the remaining $8 million in philanthropic support by July 2026. Meeting this goal will raise the $53 million needed to fully fund the construction of this transformational new facility that will serve as a vibrant hub for innovation, collaboration, and academic excellence, as part of DBU's $60 million STAND FIRM. STAND OUT. capital campaign. Take advantage of this opportunity to maximize your gift! Click the ”Invest Today” button at StandFirmStandOut.com and be sure to designate your gift as part of the Carter School of Business Capital Campaign as only gifts explicitly designated for this project will count toward the challenge. (All contributions must be made by July 8, 2026, to unlock the full grant).

By purchasing a personalized brick for DBU’s Carter School of Business plaza, you’ll be helping shape the place where the next generations of Christ-centered business graduates will learn to serve, lead, and steward with authentic purpose. Visit dbubricks.com today!

We are honored to share that Gretchen Minyard Williams has made a generous gift to support DBU’s Don and Linda Carter School of Business as part of the STAND FIRM. STAND OUT. Capital Campaign. Given in honor of her late husband, J.L. “Sonny” Williams (DBU ’70), this investment celebrates the Minyard family’s enduring legacy in Texas business and will expand opportunities for the next generation of Christ-centered, servant leaders in Dallas and beyond. “DBU is a place that develops those kinds of leaders,” Gretchen shared. We’re grateful for this legacy-driven generosity that will help students stand firm in faith and stand out in the marketplace—for the glory of God. Learn more about the impact of this gift and the campaign here: dbu.edu/news/2025/12/g…

Dallas Baptist University is grateful for a generous seed gift from Raymond and Marydel Harris to advance the Don and Linda Carter School of Business and support our STAND FIRM. STAND OUT. campaign.

What is unfolding on University Hill in these days is the powerful culmination of prayer, provision, and a God-sized vision. DBU is stepping forward with a $60 million commitment to launch the Carter School of Business. Visit StandFirmStandOut.com to learn more

We are about 2/3 of the way done in our demolition of the Strickland Building! We cannot wait for all that God will continue to do in this particular spot on campus. To God be the glory!

We are thrilled to announce that the J.E. And L.E. Mabee Foundation has issued the largest challenge grant in DBU’s history, providing significant momentum for the construction of the new Don and Linda Carter School of Business building. Through this challenge grant, the Mabee Foundation has committed a $2 million gift to the project, which will be awarded once DBU successfully raises the remaining $8 million in philanthropic support by July 2026. Meeting this goal will raise the $53 million needed to fully fund the construction of this transformational new facility, as part of DBU’s $60 million STAND FIRM. STAND OUT. capital campaign. To find out more, click this link: dbu.edu/news/2025/11/d… We are deeply grateful for faithful partners like the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, whose generosity continues to move this mission forward. The Mabee Foundation Challenge Grant invites DBU alumni, families, and friends to make designated gifts or pledges toward the Carter School of Business project. Join us in fulfilling this vision and advancing the mission of DBU through the STAND FIRM. STAND OUT. capital campaign! To learn more, visit standfirmstandout.com

DBU is honored to announce a transformational $2.4 million gift from Jay and Jenny Allison of Frisco, Texas, to the Don and Linda Carter School of Business. This remarkable investment in DBU’s STAND FIRM. STAND OUT. To read more, visit dbu.edu/news/2025/10/d…

Exciting things are happening on University Hill! Today we began demolition on the Strickland building. We're excited for what this means for the future of DBU and the Carter School of Business.

Our current business culture is in need of strong leaders. Help DBU empower tomorrow’s leaders by investing in the Carter School of Business while leaving a legacy for the next generation of servant leaders. We have made incredible progress to date but need your help!