Moon Mullins Award Recipient Says 'Baylor Changed My Life'
9/20/2018 3:20:00 PM | General
Alan Lefever Has Been Faithful Bear Foundation Supporter For 28 years
By Samantha Caldwell
Baylor Bear Foundation
Alan Lefever, this year's winner of the Baylor Bear Foundation's Moon Mullins Award, has served Baylor University in many capacities since graduating in 1984.
An adjunct professor of Church History at Truett Seminary for 19 years, Lefever has served as Director of the Texas Baptist Historical Collection since 1991, speaks annually at the Baylor Line Camp in Independence on the early years of the University, and also authored The History of Baylor Sports.
Lefever joined the Bear Foundation in 1990, while he was still in grad school, for two reasons: "I'm a sports fanatic," he said, "and I couldn't have gone to Baylor if I wasn't on scholarships." Knowing that every dollar he donates to the Bear Foundation goes toward the betterment of a student here at Baylor was the biggest motivating factor for him.
After earning his bachelor's degree from Baylor in 1984, Lefever realized how important the university was to him. He then set forth with the mission to help as many students as possible have the opportunity to have the same experience as he did. "Baylor changed my life," he said, "and it's going to change theirs, too."
Lefever, the permanent senior class president for 1984, also earned master's and PhD degrees from Southwestern and is a past president of the Association of Librarians and Archivist of Baptist Institutions. Previously, he has received two Davis C. Woolley awards in State Baptist History, a Texas Baptist Historical Society award, a Robert A. Baker Award in Church History and has received the Meritorious Service Award, Baptist History and Heritage Society.
Since joining the Bear Foundation, Lefever has been one of the organization's most active members, being elected to the Bear Foundation board in 2005, serving on the fundraising team every year of its existence and recruiting the most new members in 2009. He has been on the executive committee for the last two years and currently serves as the Vice President.
"Bear Foundation people aren't bandwagon people," he said, "we aren't the ones that jump on the wagon when Baylor is winning. We are the people that build the bandwagon."
Alan and his wife of 33 years, the former Sara Goode, have remained loyal supporters of Baylor Athletics through their Bear Foundation membership; as well as the Linebacker Club (football), Heart of the Order (baseball), Diamond Club (softball) and Tip-Off Club (women's basketball) and season tickets for football, men's and women's basketball, baseball and softball.
Created as a memorial to the late Moon Mullins, former executive director of the Bear Foundation, the Moon Mullins Award is presented annually to a current or retired faculty/staff member or dedicated member of the Baylor family who unselfishly gives of his or her time, talent and financial support to the Baylor Athletics program.
Additionally, honorees must be a current member of the Bear Foundation and committed to the education of student-athletes, as well as being dedicated to family, friends and colleagues and leading a Christian life.
"My overarching experience with being part of the Bear Foundation is that it makes me feel like I'm part of the team," he said. "I'm never going to be able to throw on should pads or throw on high-tops and go out there and take the court with the student-athletes. But, my work with the Bear Foundation allows me to contribute to their success, on the court, and I hope in the classroom.
"So, whether they win or lose here at Baylor, whether they are individually successful as competitors or not, I know that the Bear Foundation is in a position to allow them to experience a first-rate education that I think will impact not only them but everyone that they come into contact with after they graduate from Baylor."
Lefever sees a lot more success and winning in the future for Baylor Athletics. But, even in those moments when Baylor teams aren't having as much success, Alan will still be there, he said, "supporting Baylor until we die."
Baylor Bear Foundation
Alan Lefever, this year's winner of the Baylor Bear Foundation's Moon Mullins Award, has served Baylor University in many capacities since graduating in 1984.
An adjunct professor of Church History at Truett Seminary for 19 years, Lefever has served as Director of the Texas Baptist Historical Collection since 1991, speaks annually at the Baylor Line Camp in Independence on the early years of the University, and also authored The History of Baylor Sports.
Lefever joined the Bear Foundation in 1990, while he was still in grad school, for two reasons: "I'm a sports fanatic," he said, "and I couldn't have gone to Baylor if I wasn't on scholarships." Knowing that every dollar he donates to the Bear Foundation goes toward the betterment of a student here at Baylor was the biggest motivating factor for him.
After earning his bachelor's degree from Baylor in 1984, Lefever realized how important the university was to him. He then set forth with the mission to help as many students as possible have the opportunity to have the same experience as he did. "Baylor changed my life," he said, "and it's going to change theirs, too."
Lefever, the permanent senior class president for 1984, also earned master's and PhD degrees from Southwestern and is a past president of the Association of Librarians and Archivist of Baptist Institutions. Previously, he has received two Davis C. Woolley awards in State Baptist History, a Texas Baptist Historical Society award, a Robert A. Baker Award in Church History and has received the Meritorious Service Award, Baptist History and Heritage Society.
Since joining the Bear Foundation, Lefever has been one of the organization's most active members, being elected to the Bear Foundation board in 2005, serving on the fundraising team every year of its existence and recruiting the most new members in 2009. He has been on the executive committee for the last two years and currently serves as the Vice President.
"Bear Foundation people aren't bandwagon people," he said, "we aren't the ones that jump on the wagon when Baylor is winning. We are the people that build the bandwagon."
Alan and his wife of 33 years, the former Sara Goode, have remained loyal supporters of Baylor Athletics through their Bear Foundation membership; as well as the Linebacker Club (football), Heart of the Order (baseball), Diamond Club (softball) and Tip-Off Club (women's basketball) and season tickets for football, men's and women's basketball, baseball and softball.
Created as a memorial to the late Moon Mullins, former executive director of the Bear Foundation, the Moon Mullins Award is presented annually to a current or retired faculty/staff member or dedicated member of the Baylor family who unselfishly gives of his or her time, talent and financial support to the Baylor Athletics program.
Additionally, honorees must be a current member of the Bear Foundation and committed to the education of student-athletes, as well as being dedicated to family, friends and colleagues and leading a Christian life.
"My overarching experience with being part of the Bear Foundation is that it makes me feel like I'm part of the team," he said. "I'm never going to be able to throw on should pads or throw on high-tops and go out there and take the court with the student-athletes. But, my work with the Bear Foundation allows me to contribute to their success, on the court, and I hope in the classroom.
"So, whether they win or lose here at Baylor, whether they are individually successful as competitors or not, I know that the Bear Foundation is in a position to allow them to experience a first-rate education that I think will impact not only them but everyone that they come into contact with after they graduate from Baylor."
Lefever sees a lot more success and winning in the future for Baylor Athletics. But, even in those moments when Baylor teams aren't having as much success, Alan will still be there, he said, "supporting Baylor until we die."
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