From the Dean

We are grateful to be the recipients of the generosity of the late Dr. Bill and Janie Dukes in the form of a $29 million endowment, the largest academic gift in Abilene Christian University’s 117 year history!

This has sparked numerous conversations across campus and throughout our alumni community. How does such a gift come about? As you read the story here in our 2023 Dean’s Report, my hope is you will be inspired by this long-lasting friendship.

Our 2022 Strategic Plan articulated a vision for lifelong relationships in support of our commitments to faith and academic excellence. This report summarizes progress on key initiatives under our recently-completed plan, including:

• Strengthened academic programs (Initiative 1), including the most substantial curricular changes to the business degree in decades, expanded the lab for the nationally-ranked digital entertainment technology program, and launched online undergraduate business majors for adult learners.

• Enhanced lifetime connections and support, bolstering holistic learning and development for residential students (Initiative 2) and increasing engagement with alumni and other stakeholders (Initiative 3).

• Upgraded resources (Initiative 4), including substantial renovations of the Mabee Business Building and growing endowments by $53 million.

Cultivating mutually-beneficial, lasting relationships is key to our future. Your active engagement now and into the future will help us bring our business and technology programs to the next level of excellence, as we strive to honor God and bless the world.

With gratitude,

Dr. Brad Crisp (’93) Dean, College of Business Administration

Connecting students in lifelong relationships and creating a community of partners and mentors for the journey.