Baylor University Mourns Death of Oracle CEO Mark Hurd, B.B.A. ’79, Vice Chair of Baylor Board of Regents

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WACO, Texas (Oct. 18, 2019) – Baylor University is mourning the death of distinguished Baylor alumnus Mark V. Hurd, B.B.A. ’79, CEO of Oracle and Vice Chair of the Baylor Board of Regents.

Hurd attended Baylor University on a tennis scholarship, lettering for two years in the sport, and graduated in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He began his service on the Baylor University Board of Regents in 2014 and was elected Vice Chair of the Board in 2017. He has been recognized for his contributions to the University and its tennis program with a Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2008 and a Baylor Legacy Award in 2012, as part of the Baylor Meritorious Achievement Awards, for his philanthropic and personal involvement with the University. Hurd also received the Baylor Business Legend Award from the Houston Baylor Business Network.

In November 2018, Mark and Paula Hurd gave a lead gift to launch the public phase of Give Light, a $1.1 billion comprehensive philanthropic campaign for the future of Baylor and for which the Hurds served as campaign co-chairs. Their gift, one of the largest in Baylor history, will create a new entry point to the University – the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center. In 2009, Baylor named its tennis clubhouse the Hurd Tennis Building in recognition of the Hurd family’s role in improving the facilities, and in 2011, the University’s larger tennis complex was named the Hurd Tennis Center, which was ranked by Tennis Magazine as the No. 1 college tennis facility in the United States.

Jerry K. Clements, J.D. ’81, chair of the Board of Regents, Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., and Mack B. Rhoades IV, vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics, released statements today regarding Hurd’s extraordinary service and support for Baylor:

Chair Clements:
“On behalf of the Baylor Board of Regents, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Oracle CEO and our Board’s Vice Chair Mark Hurd,” said Jerry K. Clements, J.D. ’81, an Austin attorney and chair of the Board of Regents. “For the past five years Mark Hurd served tirelessly and selflessly on his alma mater’s Board. He genuinely loved and cared for Baylor and contributed his time, strategic leadership and treasure to help achieve Baylor’s vision for the future as the preeminent Christian research university. Our Board will miss greatly his presence, wisdom and leadership. To the Hurd family, our thoughts, prayers and support are with you at this difficult time.”

President Livingstone:
“The Baylor University Family extends its deepest sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Oracle CEO and Baylor Board of Regents Vice Chair Mark Hurd, whose love and support for his alma mater and our students never wavered throughout his lifetime,” Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., said. “Many on our campus know Mark because of his lifelong love of tennis as a student-athlete and a generous supporter of Baylor’s national championship tennis program, which is housed in the building that bears his name, the Hurd Tennis Center. Most recently, Mark and his wife, Paula, served as co-chairs for our Give Light philanthropic campaign, and it was the Hurds who stepped forward with an inspirational gift for the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center, which will transform the campus and provide a welcoming front door to Baylor for generations to come.

“In November, he told the Baylor Family, ‘From the unparalleled expertise of its professors to a culture that fosters integrity, service and excellence – Baylor University continues to transform its students into tomorrow’s leaders.’ And he is right,” President Livingstone said. “We give thanks for Mark’s leadership and his generosity of time, gifts and experiences. Our deepest prayers are with Mark’s wife, Paula, and their daughters, Kelly, B.B.A. ’14, and Kathryn, as they mourn his passing.”

Vice President/AD Rhoades:
“Today, we are deeply saddened at the passing of a dear friend, leader and pioneer. Mark Hurd and his family have served as longtime champions of Baylor Athletics and our vision of Preparing Champions for Life. Many former and current Baylor student-athletes have been inspired by his generosity, vision and leadership,” said Mack B. Rhoades IV, vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics. “In addition to his support of facilities like the Hurd Tennis Center, Mark and Paula have gone above and beyond in their generosity to Baylor as “B” Association members and Bear Foundation Championship Club members, and across many areas of Baylor’s campus. Personally, I am grateful to Mark for being a trusted friend and advisor in recent years. In addition to his inspiring legacy, we will continue to remember and celebrate his wonderful heart and love for others. We offer our deepest prayers to Paula, Kelly and Kathryn now and in the days ahead.”

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.