Presidential Perspective - February 23, 2023

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

The Baylor University Board of Regents is on campus today and tomorrow for its quarterly meeting. As the official governing body of the University, our Regents have in common a genuine love for Baylor and a commitment to our Christian mission and their fiduciary responsibility. As is our custom, we will provide a summary of the Board meeting late Friday to the Baylor Family.

• EXTENDING BAPTIST ROOTS: Earlier this week, Baylor and the Baptist General Convention of Texas renewed our special relationship agreement for the next 10 years. The BGCT provides valuable scholarship funds for students at our George W. Truett Theological Seminary and BGCT-affiliated pastors, ministers and their families, as well as financial support for Baptist Student Ministries on our campus. For 178 years, Baylor and Texas Baptists have served side by side to shine a light on God's Kingdom across Texas, the United States and worldwide. We remain firmly rooted in our shared history, and Baylor remains committed to maintaining our historic, mutually beneficial relationship with the BGCT and Baptists in Texas.

• PREPARING FOR EASTER: As we enter the season of Lent, our students, staff and faculty of Truett Seminary have blessed us with daily Lenten devotionals for our journey with Jesus – from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday and to the cross. Let us join together to deepen our experience this Lenten season – through contemplation, dedication and preparation – for Resurrection Sunday and the true splendor of Christ’s triumph over sin and death. You can download the daily devotional guide on the Truett website.

• A MUSICAL IMPACT: Earlier today, we announced an estate gift of approximately $6 million that will provide transformational support for the School of Music’s Center for Christian Music Studies. The late Harold W. Dunn of Ballwin, Mo., a 1954 Baylor graduate and retired elementary school music teacher, gave the entirety of his estate to the University, which is the largest gift in the School of Music’s 100-year history. In Baylor's newly named Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies, Mr. Dunn found a place where music, education and ministry merge in a powerful way as an academic hub that provides leadership in all aspects of Christian music. His gift honors the memory of his parents and sister and the Christian faith they all shared while making a difference in the lives of students – a legacy that will live on for generations of Baylor students to come.

• GIVING DAY MARCH 1: Baylor Giving Day is right around the corner on Wednesday, March 1. This annual 24-hour fundraising event offers an opportunity for the Baylor Family to give back to programs and funds they love most. On-campus faculty, staff and students: Be sure to stop by Fountain Mall anytime from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. for free food, DJ-spun music, games, a photo booth and MORE to celebrate Baylor Giving Day! Our campus shines bright because of the generous spirit of the Baylor Family. This is your chance to see and be a part of the impact. Click here to learn more.

I hope to see you in the Ferrell Center on Saturday for two big basketball matchups: MBB vs. Texas at 1 p.m., followed by WBB vs. Texas Tech at 5 p.m.

Sic 'em, Bears!

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

This year marks the 70th anniversary of Sing!, one of Baylor's most cherished and unique traditions. More than 2,300 Baylor students have worked tirelessly over the spring semester to perform in 19 acts in front of some 13,000 patrons in Waco Hall and via livestream. Congratulations, Sing!