ACU to receive $10 million for graduate ministry scholarships

Gift by the Harbers called one of the largest in ACU history, and is the largest-ever scholarship endowment gift.
Lacy and Dorothy Harber of Denison,have made provisions for a $10 million gift to Abilene Christian University’s GraduateSchool of Theology, said Dr. Royce Money, ACU president. The $10 million is oneof the largest gifts in ACU’s history, and is the largest-ever scholarshipendowment gift.

The Lacy and Dorothy Harber Endowed Scholarship Fund willbe used to provide 50 full-tuition scholarships for graduate ministry students.

“The gift from Lacy and Dorothy Harber is generousbeyond words,” said Dr. Jack Reese, dean of the Graduate School of Theology anddean of the College of Biblical Studies. “Itwill have a deep and immediate impact on students within the Graduate School ofTheology.”

Lacy and Dorothy Harber met in 1953 when she was a studentat Abilene High School, and he attended Wylie High School.Lacy later attended ACU, and he and Dorothy have now been married 47 years. TheHarbers have had a successful business career in banking, oil and gas, resortproperties and other interests. They own Abilene-based G&L Tools, thelargest oil field service company in the nation.

“We are honored to be able to do this,” Lacysaid. “We are just stewards of this money for a short time. It’s notreally ours. It belongs to God.”

In addition to the scholarships, the funding will helpdefray living expenses for students who have special needs, including severalinternational students studying in the Graduate School of Theology, and willincrease support for graduate assistants.

“The greatest impact of this gift will be on ministrystudents who often graduate with significant debt,” Reese said. “This gift willallow these students to enter ministry fully focused on their work rather thanburdened by their educational debt. For that reason, the generosity of theHarbers will literally change these students’ lives.”