Baylor University — A Vibrantly Diverse Community of Faith

Dear Baylor Students, Faculty and Staff:

As Christians, we are called to honor and learn from one another in a manner that reflects God’s love for every person. His love shines upon all of creation, and the diversity of His created world is beautifully embodied by the Baylor Family. Indeed, our community’s diversity lies at the core of our mission to prepare men and women for worldwide leadership and service and to serve as salt and light to the world.

Our commitment to fostering diversity and belonging remains strongly woven into the fabric of the Baylor experience. The world needs a Baylor that follows the path of humility, repentance, courage and action. Our students, staff and faculty come from across the globe, rooted in communities, churches and families with a range of traditions and experiences. So, in our encounters and conversations with one another, each of us can choose curiosity over judgment.

We grow stronger as the Baylor Family when we are intentional about anchoring our interactions in love and understanding. As we advance toward our institutional aspirations, grounded in the Biblical command to love our neighbors as ourselves, we will continue to place great emphasis on being a compassionate community in which all individuals are accepted, valued and offered the resources to thrive.

As we live life together during the academic year, I ask that you join me in a commitment to engage one another in civil conversation – seeking to understand even in disagreement, and valuing others as children of God. We have an opportunity to be different than the world. Later in the academic year we will have several opportunities to learn more about embracing civil discourse.

I am reminded and encourage you to consider that Jesus said to love one another as He loves us. And because this is who we are as Christians, this is what we will do! In fact, we can show love in action next Wednesday when members of Primera Iglesia Bautista de Waco will join in leading this fall’s Faculty and Staff Chapel service.

Thank you for your love of Baylor University and for the vital role you play in helping Baylor glorify God and serve the world through your unique gifts.

Sincerely,

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President