Houston Baptist University (HBU) celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Doris C. Warren, the longest-tenured Dean of HBU鈥檚 College of Science and Mathematics (COSM) who passed away on May 22, 2022.聽 She earned a bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree in chemistry from Baylor University and earned a doctorate in analytical chemistry from the University of Houston.
鈥淒oris Warren is one of the truly iconic figures in the history of HBU. Her high academic standards, commitment to students, and generous faith have been hallmarks of her 53 years of service. She will be greatly missed, but we remain inspired by her example, touched by the memories of her care for students and colleagues, and comforted by the clear testimony of her faith in Christ,鈥� said Dr. Robert Sloan, HBU President.
In her years of service to HBU, she was committed to excellent scholarship and ongoing learning in her field. She served in numerous roles, beginning as a part-time chemistry instructor for the, then, Houston Baptist College, and continuing in a range of roles at HBU from assistant professor to full professor before being chosen in a national search to serve as the Dean of the COSM in 1997. She was lauded as a 鈥渢reasure-trove of history at HBU,鈥� and as an administrator who knew 鈥渉ow to get things done鈥� and offered 鈥渟ensible wise advice.鈥�
She was a champion for her students, securing a National Science Foundation Grant for scientific instrumentation, and a Robert A. Welch Foundation Grant that provided more than $750,000 for the Chemistry Department, in all securing more than one million dollars for her program. In 1991, she was recognized as the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation鈥檚 Piper Professor for superior teaching at the college level in the state of Texas. The HBU Alumni Board of Directors created an endowed scholarship in Dr. Warren鈥檚 honor and in 2019 she was awarded the rank of 鈥淒istinguished Professor.鈥� In addition to her scholarly accolades, Dr. Warren was a strong woman of faith who sought God鈥檚 sustenance through weekly worship.