Baylor University Mourns Passing of Faithful Alumnus, Donor

Prominent Dallas alumnus led fundraising campaign, served on advisory boards

WACO, Texas (March 3, 2023) – Baylor University mourns the passing of Danny Bowlin of Dallas, who was known and loved within the Baylor community as a longtime donor, alumnus, parent and community leader who advocated for student support as a member of the successful President’s Scholarship Initiative and through his service on the Hankamer School of Business Advisory Board.

A memorial service for Danny will be held Monday, March 6, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at First Baptist Richardson in Richardson, Texas.

“We are praying for Marsha, Mark, Sarah and the entire Bowlin family,” said Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D. “Danny was a man of deep faith who cared for others in word and in deed, and his impact at Baylor University has truly changed lives. From his years leading through volunteer roles with the President’s Scholarship Initiative to his time as an advisory board member for our Hankamer School of Business, Danny sought to lead and serve the students, faculty and staff of this institution to ensure Baylor held to our Christian mission and vision. He will be remembered as a champion for students through the many endowed scholarships that he and Marsha established. We honor his life as a wonderful example of the impact our alumni can have in this world, and we pray for his family at this time.”

Danny’s impact at Baylor can be measured in many ways – during their lifetime association with the University, Danny and Marsha established 11 endowed scholarships within four academic units, as well as three endowed scholarships to support student-athletes and two endowed scholarships supporting Baylor’s first-generation college students. More than 207 Baylor students have received scholarship support from Danny and Marsha’s eight non-athletics scholarships, and Baylor’s men’s and women’s basketball programs, as well as football, have received scholarship support from their three athletics endowments.

Danny Bowlin also believed in giving of his time to support Baylor and its students. As a co-chair with Marsha of the President’s Scholarship Initiative, Danny served from 2010-2013 on the initiative’s steering committee providing leadership, encouraging others to give and educating the Baylor Family on the impact of scholarships in the lives of Baylor’s students. Danny also was a member of the Give Light Campaign’s National Campaign Steering Committee, providing insight and support for Baylor’s current, successful fundraising campaign.

“Danny Bowlin made a lasting impact on the Hankamer School of Business, one that has been and will be felt for generations to come,” said Sandeep Mazumder, Ph.D., The William E. Crenshaw Endowed Dean of the Hankamer School of Business. “Many students have benefited from his generosity over the years, both through scholarships and physical spaces in the Foster Campus for Business and Innovation. We are grateful for his support and offer our deepest condolences to the Bowlin family.”

“Danny Bowlin was a committed supporter of Baylor’s student-athletes,” said Mack B. Rhoades IV, vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics. “His generous support through scholarships and capital projects demonstrated his commitment to sustaining our mission of Preparing Champions for Life. Through his scholarships, generations of Baylor student-athletes are seeing their lives changed, their paths shaped through their time here, and we are grateful for the Bowlins’ incredible legacy. We are praying for his family at this time.”

Danny is survived by his wife Marsha; his daughter Sarah Fifer, her husband Christman and their daughters Abby and Kingsley; his son Mark Bowlin, his wife Stephanie and their children Olivia, Jack and Ruthie. He is also survived by brother Joe Bowlin and wife Pat; sister Debbie Strate and husband Garland; brother-in-law Bill Shamburger and wife Lee; brother-in-law Jim Shamburger and wife Cheryl; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Ollie and Raymond Bowlin and sister-in-law Tere Bowlin.

He was the first-born son of Ollie and Raymond Bowlin and was raised in Amarillo, Texas, with his younger siblings, Joe and Debbie. He graduated from Tascosa High School in 1965 and Baylor University in 1969 with a BBA in accounting. He began his career as a CPA at Peat Marwick Mitchell in Dallas. In 1970, he married his college sweetheart, Marsha Shamburger. After 16 years and becoming a partner at PMM, Danny went to work for Hunt Petroleum in 1985. He served in various financial positions and retired as Vice President and CFO in 2008 and continued working part-time for Peregrine Group until his death.

Danny graduated summa cum laude from Baylor. While at the University, he was a member of Alpha Chi, Beta Gamma Sigma, Omicron Delta Kappa and Beta Alpha Psi honor societies and Sigma Tau Epsilon fraternity.

Danny and Marsha are members of First Baptist Richardson, and they have been active members there for more than 50 years, where Danny served on numerous church committees and was a deacon. The son of a Baptist preacher, Danny was raised with a love and dedication to God and His church.

“Danny has left an indelible impact at Baylor University – one that will continue to impact generations of Baylor men and women through the scholarships he established during his lifetime,” said David Rosselli, vice president for university advancement. “Even more humbling is the quiet, steadfast support and encouragement he brought to so many of us Baylor as we worked together to support Baylor’s mission. His leadership through pivotal moments and fundraising efforts at Baylor helped us to build this institution for the future, and we are grateful for his quiet leadership and wise counsel. We are grateful for his life of service and support.”

The Bowlin family has asked for gift and tributes in Danny’s memory to be directed to the Danny R. and Marsha L. Bowlin Endowed Scholarship Fund in Business in support of students within the Hankamer School of Business.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 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.

ABOUT THE HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business strives to further God’s kingdom through the realm of business, using God-given gifts and academic talents to do so. Faculty and students conduct purposeful research and participate in experiential learning opportunities, all while operating in a Christ-centered mission. Undergraduate students can choose from 13 major areas of study. Graduate students can earn their MBA on their terms, either through the full-time, online or a Dallas-based executive program. The Business School also offers three Ph.D. programs in Information Systems, Entrepreneurship or Health Services Research. The School’s top-ranked programs make up approximately 25% of the University’s total enrollment. Visit hankamer.baylor.edu for more information.