Presidential Perspective - December 8, 2022

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

This is our last Presidential Perspective of the semester as we begin final exams. This fall has just flown by, but what an exciting semester we’ve had together as we fully emerged from the long effects of the pandemic. Along with academic pursuits, we enjoyed Dr Pepper Hours, Family Weekend, Homecoming and all its festivities, All University Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas on 5th Street and opportunities to worship and gather as a Baylor Family. We are indeed blessed!

Some updates from across campus:

• Nearly 1,300 graduates will cross the stage at Commencement ceremonies next Saturday, Dec. 17, in the Ferrell Center as we celebrate 556 graduates during the morning ceremony and 741 attending in the afternoon, conferring a total of 1,398 degrees. That’s a lot of degrees to present and photos to take, but I am up for it! Check the Commencement website for additional information, including about how to access a livestream of the ceremony.


• For the 11th time in the past 13 years, the Bears are going bowling, and this one is close to home. I strongly encourage students and families from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to attend the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl as Baylor plays Air Force on Thursday, Dec. 22, at 6:30 p.m. at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Students should have a received an email yesterday about access to a limited supply of discounted $50 tickets. Additional ticket information for fans is available on the bowl website. See you in the Fort Worth on Dec. 22!


• Also, best wishes to Baylor Volleyball as our Bears make their fourth-straight Sweet 16 appearance this afternoon against Louisville. Sic ’em, Bears!


• Speaking of Baylor Athletics, we have a lot of holiday hoops ahead for our nationally ranked men’s and women’s basketball teams, including a doubleheader next Sunday, Dec. 18, at American Airlines Center in Dallas. As part of the Pac-12 US LBM Coast-to-Coast Challenge, Baylor WBB will face off against Arizona at 6:30 p.m., followed by MBB vs. Washington State at 9 p.m. Let’s get behind our defending Big 12 basketball champions as they prepare to open conference play in a few weeks.


• Baylor data scientists are partnering with colleagues from four other universities on one of the largest National Science Foundation grants for exploring new approaches to engage the next generation of data scientists through sports. The four-year $1.1 million NSF grant brings together Baylor’s Department of Statistical Science and School of Education, lead awardee Carnegie Mellon University, St. Lawrence University, the University of Pittsburgh and the United States Military Academy for the SCORE project, in which educators work with sports industry partners to introduce data science applications via sports analytics.


• Right before Thanksgiving, Baylor Law welcomed the return of McLennan County Adoption Day. With a Christmas theme of “Welcome Home for the Holidays,” Baylor Law’s Kronzer Courtroom was full of applause, laughter and tears of joy as 36 children in foster care realized their dream of finding a forever family. The event was created by Professor of Law Bridget Fuselier, who experienced the joy of Adoption Day as an attorney, and is supported by student volunteers. This celebration that brings of families together beautifully aligns with the University’s mission and our call to selflessly serve our community.


• We have another holiday gift to share with the Baylor Family, and that’s the broadcast premiere of the 2021 production of “A Baylor Christmas,” recorded last year by KWTX-TV from the performances of the Baylor Symphony Orchestra, the combined choirs of the Baylor School of Music and Baylor Bronze Handbells. The Christmas concert special will air on Gray Television stations in Texas and 27 other states during the holidays. If “A Baylor Christmas” isn’t airing in your hometown, the full program will be available for streaming beginning Dec. 19 on Baylor’s YouTube channel.

Best wishes to all our students on their finals. The First Gent and I pray daily for you. May you have a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

What a special time was had by all as we ushered in the holiday season during the Christmas on 5th celebration.