Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
Dr. Livingstone is a strong voice for the role of faith-based institutions in American higher education. She is a scholar and extensively published author in the areas of organizational behavior, leadership and creativity. Dr. Livingstone has set the University on a course that integrates academic, teaching and research excellence with an uncompromising Christian identity and positions the University to have a transformative impact on our students, on higher education and the world.
Conversations hosted by President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., examine issues of importance to the campus community and beyond. From panel discussions and dialogues to roundtable sessions, these events address challenges and opportunities facing higher education and American civic life.
The plan, developed through a campuswide strategic planning process launched in July 2023, sought answers for the question: “What does the world need Baylor for?” Thousands of faculty, staff, students, alumni and others participated in the process through listening sessions, interviews, online submissions and the development of white papers.
The Extend the Line Scholarship Initiative will strengthen affordability efforts by securing funds to address student needs. Donors can support Extend the Line in multiple ways, including giving to existing general scholarship funds across the University, establishing new named single-year or multi-year expendable funds or even endowing funds that cover full-tuition scholarships.
From the President
MoreFor those of us who have lived in Waco awhile, we know it’s a special place. When our city is featured in national publications like Southern Living Magazine and receives statewide recognition by Austin Travels, it’s clear others understand what makes the city unique, too. Waco has been Baylor’s hometown since 1886, and I believe we are in the middle of another exciting chapter in our story.
Baylor University President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., released a statement today regarding the death of former Baylor President and current HCU President Robert B. Sloan Jr.
In the midst of challenging economic times and ongoing pressures on higher education, the Baylor Family continues to support the University in historic ways, particularly in contributions toward endowed funds. Today we are announcing the highest fundraising year in Baylor's history, with a significant amount of these gifts and pledges dedicated to support student scholarships, academic programs, research and other important initiatives for generations to come.
A tradition at Baylor since 1960, Family Weekend strives to help families of Baylor students become better acquainted with the University and its beloved traditions, and I hope you are planning to return to Waco for this special time of connection Sept. 18-19. Preparations are well underway for After Dark, Taste of Waco and the Family Weekend Tailgate, and you can purchase a ticket package to these events plus the Bears’ football game against Louisiana Tech until July 31 – before individual tickets go on sale.
The first session of New Student Orientation and Baylor Line Camp starts Monday, and over the next two months, Baylor will welcome thousands of students and their families to campus to prepare for the fall semester. Attendees get to meet other new Bears, learn about their major, meet with academic departments and take their first steps as part of the Baylor Line. All experiences are available to new first-year and transfer students. Parents or guests are encouraged to attend as well, with special programming for them woven throughout the day.
The Baylor Board of Regents celebrated the University’s second-best fundraising year ever, a growing endowment and continued success of the Extend the Line scholarship initiative.
It seems like just yesterday we began the spring semester, yet here we are – at Commencement! Tomorrow and Saturday, we will celebrate more than 3,100 Baylor University graduates who will walk across the Ferrell Center stage during four ceremonies, including the first-ever graduates from the newly renamed Moody School of Education. While at Baylor you have worked hard, persevered through challenges, and although the end of this chapter in your story is near, there is an exciting next chapter to come.
May is always a little bittersweet across the Baylor campus as we say goodbye to the graduating seniors while preparing to welcome freshmen and transfers in the summer and fall. But in celebration of the graduating class of 2026, a video lookback was created for our Line to Legacy event, and I thought you might enjoy seeing the traditions and hearing the stories that transformed the lives of our more than 3,100 new Baylor Alumni.