News
President Livingstone joined Matt Mosely, ESPN1660, on Friday to discuss the University's response to the coronavirus.
I am glad to be writing again to you on a Thursday afternoon for our weekly Presidential Perspective. Like me, I hope you see this as a sign of a return to normalcy, although it is indeed a new normal for Baylor.
As we continue on this journey together forced upon us by the coronavirus (COVID-19), I continue to be impressed by the creativity, dedication and resilience of all of you. We have asked you to do the extraordinary for Baylor University over the past few weeks – all the while balancing family, church and community obligations during these unprecedented times.
During these difficult days of constant change and uncertainty, I want you to know that your future Baylor Family is thinking of you and praying for your health and safety. We know that your senior year doesn’t look like you had expected, but the stories of your strength and resilience have been remarkable.
We are doing our best to keep you informed during this rapidly evolving situation involving the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as we prioritize the health and safety of our campus community, the ongoing continuity of our academic mission and the continuity of business operations.
As I look out my office windows this morning, the campus looks so different with our students dispersed throughout Texas, the United States and the world. But I can assure you that Baylor University’s commitment to our Christian mission and academic excellence remains the same as it has for 175 years.
Earlier today, we learned from the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District that a student within our Baylor community has tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus).
During the rapidly changing circumstances of our nation’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19), I have reflected upon Baylor’s mission statement as a compass to guide the University’s actions and path forward. We continue to be a place dedicated to educating men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.
It is with great concern that I update you this morning with the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) information. A few minutes ago, the Waco-McLennan County Public Health Department and local officials held a press conference and announced five positive tests of COVID-19 in the Waco area. Two of those positive tests involved Baylor faculty members.
Yesterday President Livingstone shared a message with students, faculty, staff and parents that Baylor University will continue the spring semester through online instruction.
I write to inform you that as we follow the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and our federal, state and local health officials, Provost Brickhouse and I, based on the recommendation of Baylor’s COVID-19 Task Force and in conjunction with the President’s Council, have made the decision to extend online instruction at Baylor University for the remainder of the spring semester.
This is an unprecedented time for higher education, indeed for our country and community as well. I want to reassure you that our University leadership team, along with Baylor's COVID-19 Task Force, are constantly assessing this rapidly evolving situation and making decisions to ensure the continued health and safety of our students, faculty and staff.
As we all monitor the headlines regarding the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the actions of other institutions of higher education across the country, please be assured that Baylor University takes this rapidly evolving situation very seriously. We place a high priority on the safety and wellbeing of not only our students, but Baylor’s entire campus community.
As I mentioned last week, our COVID-19 Task Force continues to actively monitor guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health agencies to ensure the continued health and safety of our community. Let me reiterate that there are NO cases of coronavirus at Baylor, in Waco or Central Texas. Updates on any impact to the University – for example, the recent postponement of University-sponsored travel to Italy – are posted online at www.baylor.edu/coronavirus, along with important Baylor resources for students, faculty and staff.
Updates regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to evolve rapidly as its impact begins to circle the globe. I want to assure you that Baylor’s Department of Public Safety and Center for Global Engagement and other members of our University COVID-19 Task Force are actively monitoring the situation internationally and domestically.
Waco is Basketball Capital, USA! Both Baylor basketball teams are 24-1 overall and 13-0 in Big 12 play, with the men ranked #1 and the women #2.
Thank you to everyone who participated in Baylor Giving Day yesterday. With a theme of “One Day. One Family. One for Baylor.,” Giving Day was a wonderful way to celebrate Baylor’s 175th anniversary and to support areas of the University that you care most about.
I hope you have enjoyed the launch of Baylor’s 175th anniversary over the past week. From the banners and exhibits across campus to the many stories told on social media – and, of course, the birthday party with our Baylor Family at the men’s basketball game last Saturday – we have a proud history to share and a bright future ahead.
We will commemorate Baylor’s 175th on Saturday at the men’s basketball game vs. TCU, complete with party favors, special giveaways – including free popcorn – and the singing of “Happy Birthday.”
One of the distinct characteristics of our University is the dedication, service and passion of the Baylor Family. Today it is my honor and privilege to announce the recipients of the 2019-20 Baylor Alumni Awards.
Before the holiday break, I shared with the Baylor Family that one of our beloved live bears, Lady, had been diagnosed with a benign mass in her chest called a thymoma. Thanks to the proactive treatment of our bear caregivers and the wonderful veterinarian staff of our partners at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in College Station, we can happily report that Lady’s tomotherapy treatments appear to have halted any further growth of the mass.
STILLWATER, Oklahoma (Jan. 14, 2020) – Baylor University President Linda Parrack Livingstone, Ph.D., of Waco is one of four Oklahoma State University graduates who are being inducted into the OSU Hall of Fame.
Welcome to the first Presidential Perspective for 2020!
This is my last Presidential Perspective for 2019 – I can’t believe it! Looking back over the past 12 months, I have a great sense of honor and pride in our collective accomplishments as we continue to advance toward Tier 1/Research 1 status as the preeminent Christian university, as well as excitement for what 2020 holds.
I can’t believe that the fall semester has come and is almost gone. It was great seeing so many familiar faces yesterday afternoon as the First Gent and I passed out breakfast tacos at Moody Memorial Library and extended our well-wishes for final exams.
Baylor University celebrates many beloved traditions, but few bring as much joy to students, alumni and friends and as many rich opportunities to interact with and educate young people in Central Texas as our live bear mascots, Joy and Lady. They are a cherished part of the Baylor Family.
"It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas … everywhere you go." That’s certainly true on the Baylor campus, as we celebrate the birth of our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ.
Serving as President of Baylor University has provided many “firsts” for me. My latest “first” was pardoning a turkey at the beginning of last night’s All-University Thanksgiving meal!
There is so much buzz on campus about Saturday, and I am just as excited as all of you.
I can’t believe it’s been a year since the public launch of Give Light, Baylor’s $1.1 billion philanthropic campaign in support of our efforts to become the preeminent Christian research university.
WACO, Texas (Nov. 1, 2019) – At its regular fall meeting, the Baylor University Board of Regents approved phase 1 design and fees for the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center and the Baylor Basketball Pavilion and approved design and construction fees to fit-up shared research lab space for mechanical engineering in the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative (BRIC).
Happy Halloween, Bears … or I should say, Growl-O-Ween! I am looking forward to a special Thursday night football game at McLane Stadium as we face West Virginia in Big 12 play at 7 p.m.
I’ve been traveling this week, and I am currently en route to California to meet with several members of the Baylor Family and prepare for Saturday’s Give Light event at the Paramount Theatre in Hollywood.
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.
What a great Homecoming we had last week! I suspect my favorite moment is shared by many of you – Coach Matt Rhule and our Bears’ 33-30 Big 12 win over Texas Tech in double overtime.
Homecoming Week is off to a great start, as 2,200 students joined the First Gent and me on our front lawn for Dinner with the Livingstones Tuesday evening. The entire campus is decked out in green and gold and certainly abuzz with a full slate of Homecoming activities – and our annual fall invasion of Texas field crickets!
I can’t believe that Homecoming is next week – it’s so early this year! Here we have some Homecoming notes and other spotlights for this week.
Yesterday was certainly exciting as we celebrated our faculty and research community as part of National Research Administrator Day.
As Baylor University moves toward Research 1/Tier 1 recognition among the nation’s top research universities, tomorrow we will honor all staff who work behind the scenes to support research across the campus on National Research Administrator Day. This occasion offers an important and unique opportunity to celebrate the dynamic growth and passion for service at Baylor, and I want to let the entire Baylor Family know what we have planned.
The University’s official fall enrollment contains plenty of great news: Our freshman class of 3,307 students is the most academically qualified first-year class in University history and also among our most diverse freshman classes ever.
In a little more than a month, Baylor will welcome West Virginia to campus for an ESPN nationally televised football game at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, which is also the night of Halloween.
It’s hard to believe that 18 years have passed since the harrowing events of 9/11.
Earlier this week our President’s Council had a retreat in which we charted our priorities for the academic year and discussed our journey to become a Research 1/Tier 1 university. Our team is fully committed for Baylor to achieve recognition as the preeminent Christian research university and have a distinct, much-needed voice in higher education.
I am having a hard time determining what has been my highlight of the first week of the semester so far.
WACO, Texas (Aug. 28, 2019) – At today’s regular Fall Faculty Meeting, Baylor University officially announced plans to pursue Research 1/Tier 1 (R1/T1) recognition by building on Illuminate, the University’s strategic plan, which will guide Baylor towards joining the nation’s top research universities and achieving status as the world’s preeminent Christian research university.
Over the past several months, an increased number of questions have been raised regarding Baylor University’s stance on human sexuality and the support we provide our students who identify as LGBTQ.
Today is a great day in the life of Baylor University – the first day of class for the fall semester!
Today we live in a world in which it seems people struggle to get along with one another. Everyone has a “hot take” on current issues, opinions are at polar extremes and compromise is nearly non-existent. And while it may seem to the contrary, we embrace diversity of thought on university campuses, including here at Baylor.
Campus is abuzz with preparations for the fall semester, which begins Monday, Aug. 26.
In just a few weeks, after we cheer on our newest Baylor graduates during Summer Commencement, we’ll begin to see the exciting signs of the fall semester and the start of a new academic year.
As I spent some time this week reflecting and preparing for the upcoming fall semester, I was re-inspired and re-energized about what lies ahead for Baylor. I am glad that you are on this journey with me, as we shine our light boldly and brightly.
The excitement is building as we roll out our campus-wide Baylor United brand before the fall semester.
Each summer the Baylor University Board of Regents hosts a retreat in conjunction with its quarterly meeting. This time allows the Regents to discuss the strategic direction of the University, as well as issues that impact all of higher education.
WACO, Texas (July 19, 2019) – During its regular July retreat and summer meeting, the Baylor University Board of Regents celebrated the largest annual fundraising year in the University’s 174-year history, as members of the Baylor Family made $243 million in gifts and pledges during the 2018-19 fiscal year.
Greetings from Dallas! I am with our Regents today at Baylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing for our annual Board Retreat and Summer Meeting, which will conclude tomorrow.
It’s nice to email you again after a little hiatus as the First Gent, Shelby and I recently spent some time away from campus.
Father’s Day is Sunday, and it’s a day I remember my father, Doyle, who had an enduring impact on my life not only as my dad but as my coach and friend.
One of the joys of serving as Baylor’s President is being able to welcome incoming freshmen and their families – both officially and even unofficially over a hamburger.
It’s the time of year when we see a lot of new, young faces walking across our campus as either part of prospective student tours, summer camps or Orientation, which begins next week.
“Like many of the attendees at one of the May 18, 2019, Commencement ceremonies, I was caught off-guard during the Benediction as this prayer is intended to focus on the graduates as they leave Baylor University and make a mark around the world, not to communicate any kind of political statement..."
It was such a joy to celebrate our nearly 3,000 spring graduates during last week’s Commencement ceremonies.
WACO, Texas (May 17, 2019) – At its regular spring meeting, the Baylor University Board of Regents celebrated the historic $100 million gift for Baylor’s $1.1 billion Give Light comprehensive philanthropic campaign that undergirds Illuminate, the University’s strategic plan, and impacts every aspect of campus while also bolstering financial support for students and the priorities of Baylor’s 12 schools and colleges.
While campus has become quieter as the spring semester comes to a close, our Board of Regents has been quite busy this week as part of its quarterly meetings.
These gifts – and others to Baylor as part of the Give Light campaign – will have a long-lasting impact on our campus and reflect our steadfast commitment to our historic Christian mission, a transformational undergraduate education and an exceptional faculty dedicated to teaching and research in a Christian environment.
Last weekend, I joined the entire Baylor Family in celebrating the largest current gift ever received by Baylor University — a $100 million investment in the future of the University made by an anonymous donor as part of our $1.1 billion Give Light comprehensive philanthropic campaign.
WACO, Texas (May 4, 2019) – Baylor University today announced a transformational $100 million gift – the largest current gift in University history and the largest gift to date to the University’s $1.1 billion Give Light comprehensive philanthropic campaign. The gift is from an anonymous donor and will advance Baylor’s progress towards growth as a preeminent Christian research university, building on the University’s historic strengths and strategically investing in new areas of teaching, research and service.
Please join me in welcoming Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., to Baylor as our new Provost – the chief academic officer of the University.
Today was one of those historic days in the life of Baylor, as we held a signing ceremony to officially announce a $15 million leadership gift from The Sunderland Foundation to begin the renovation and restoration of the iconic Tidwell Bible Building.
Uniting us as a campus community, our Christian faith calls for us to love one another as Christ loves us. We are daily renewed in Jesus’ sacrifice, and as members of a Christian institution of higher education we are empowered by Christ’s compassion for all to lift up one another and serve the surrounding world.
We eagerly look to the dawn of Easter Sunday as an opportunity for the renewal of our spirit and of our commitment to providing the many students who call Baylor home with the best education possible as we bear witness to Christ’s redeeming grace.
Today is significant for Baylor University as we unveil a new graphic identity and unite our entire campus – all the colleges, schools, divisions and athletics teams – behind the historic and iconic "interlocking BU" logo.
It was great seeing so many of you around campus for Diadeloso, one of Baylor’s unique and most cherished traditions.
While Baylor is a university that supports and encourages free speech, we have an additional – and very important – responsibility as a Christian university, and that is to appreciate differing opinions and backgrounds in a respectful, compassionate manner that extends grace as Christ did.
As the pace of the spring semester picks up, please reach out if you need any assistance. We all need a little help sometimes, and Baylor has many resources available to you.
Spring has sprung on the Baylor campus, and it was nice welcoming everyone back to the University from Spring Break with warmer temperatures, tulips in full bloom and trees budding with green.
I hope everyone is enjoying Spring Break! For the First Gent and me – two former college basketball student-athletes – this may be the “most wonderful time of the year” as the college basketball postseason is fully underway.
As our students look to Spring Break next week, I hope that you will have a safe and relaxing time away from campus. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Yesterday we made a significant announcement with the appointment of Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., as Baylor’s next Provost.
I am currently in the midst of Baylor’s quarterly Board of Regents meeting, which will last through the end of the day tomorrow.
A national discussion is rightfully taking place today about bigotry and prejudice in our country, stemming from appalling and offensive images found in college and university yearbooks.
It’s been a great week to be a Baylor Bear, particularly as we celebrated Baylor Day at the Capitol in Austin on Tuesday.
It’s hard to believe that the first month of the spring semester has come and gone. We are blessed to have 16,550 students studying with us at Baylor this spring, which includes 13,290 undergraduates and 3,260 graduate and professional students.
WACO, Texas (Feb. 6, 2019) – Kelly R. Ylitalo, Ph.D., assistant professor in the department of public health in Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, has been awarded a prestigious career development grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the link between physical activity and healthy aging. The grant, valuing more than $626,000, will span a five-year project period.
Recent news articles about reported allegations of rape at two of our residence halls have, understandably, caused some concern and confusion on campus and in the media. We pledge to you that Baylor takes all allegations of sexual assault and interpersonal violence very seriously, has correctly followed its established policies and procedures, and thoroughly assessed every threat to assure the safest environment possible for our students.
WACO, Texas (Feb. 1, 2019) – On the 174th anniversary of its founding, Baylor University today presented the Baylor Founders Medal to the City of Waco for its decades-long support of and partnership with the University. As one of the University’s most distinguished awards, the Founders Medal was established in 1969 to recognize those whose service and contributions have been unusually significant to the life and future of the University.
WACO, Texas (Feb. 1, 2019) – Baylor University’s Campus Diversity Committee will host the eighth annual Cultural Connection Celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, in the Meyer Conference Center (Foster 250) in the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation, 1621 S. Third St.
Tomorrow is a special day in the life of Baylor as we celebrate Founders Day and the 174th anniversary of the University.
As we near the end of January, I’m wondering how many of you have kept your New Year’s Resolutions?
WACO, Texas (Jan. 23, 2019) – The John Templeton Foundation has awarded a $2.6 million grant to Sarah Schnitker, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology in Baylor University’s College of Arts & Sciences, and co-principal investigator Benjamin Houltberg, Ph.D., director of research at the University of Southern California Performance Science Institute. The grant aims to galvanize widespread scientific development of virtue interventions for adolescents across a diversity of contexts – such as athletic teams, religious organizations, youth community centers and online – that attend to spirituality and transcendent purpose.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’”
Those are powerful words from the late Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose life and legacy of service we will celebrate beginning tomorrow through next week.
WACO, Texas (Jan. 17, 2019) – Baylor University’s Center for Christian Music Studies in the Baylor School of Music has been awarded a four-year $1.2 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. as part of its Strengthening Congregational Ministries with Youth Initiative.
I am excited for the start of the spring semester on Monday, as 2019 already is shaping up to be noteworthy for Baylor.
I am already looking forward to our sleepy campus coming alive with students for the arrival of the spring semester on Jan. 14. Here’s to a great 2019!
My prayer for the Baylor Family this Christmas season is that you will behold the Light of the World that shines upon and within you by faith. This is a gift of grace to celebrate and share at Christmas and always.
WACO, Texas (Dec. 20, 2018) - Baylor University today celebrates generous philanthropic support for the recently launched Baylor Built program, a key component of the “Preparing Champions for Life” vision of Baylor Athletics. The gift coincides with the public launch of Give Light, a $1.1 billion comprehensive philanthropic campaign inaugurated under the leadership of Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
WACO, Texas (Dec. 20, 2018) – Baylor University is mourning the passing of longtime University benefactor Louise Herrington Ornelas, whose significant friendship and generosity has provided an enduring impact on nursing education – and on future generations of Baylor nurses – at the school that bears her name: Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing in Dallas.
WACO, Texas (Dec. 18, 2018) – Baylor University President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education (ACE), the major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities.
It’s always sad to peek out my office window and see the stillness of campus, signaling that another semester has come and gone. But I always look forward to Commencement, and this Friday and Saturday we will confer approximately 970 degrees, welcoming a class of new alumni into the Baylor Family.
WACO, Texas (Dec. 12, 2018) – Baylor University and George W. Truett Theological Seminary will celebrate graduation of its students with commencement ceremonies Friday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 15.
I am pleased to share with you the good news that Baylor University has received official reaffirmation of its 10-year institutional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the recognized regional accrediting body in 11 southern states and Latin America for higher education institutions that award associate, baccalaureate, master's or doctoral degrees.