Presidential Perspective - August 15, 2024
Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:
Allow me to be among the first to congratulate our 979 Summer graduates, which include 350 undergraduate degrees, 395 master’s degrees, 98 professional doctorates and 136 research doctorates. I am proud to welcome you into your new status as Baylor Alumni this Friday and Saturday!
A reminder that the Friday Commencement ceremony for our research doctoral candidates has moved to the Ferrell Center to accommodate the overwhelming interest in this new Baylor tradition. Times and additional information for both Friday and Saturday ceremonies at the Ferrell Center can be found on the Commencement website.
Some updates for this week:
- CLASS OF 2028 HYMN: Did you know that each incoming class at Baylor gets its own unique hymn, written especially for them? It’s happened each year since 2008, and it’s one of my favorite traditions as we begin the new academic year. This year's hymn for the Class of 2028 – “In This Day,” written by University Chaplain Burt Burleson and Kathy Johnson – is both a welcome and an invitation to our newest Bears as they move through these moments of excitement, transition and possibility. You can watch and listen to this year’s class hymn (as well as past hymns) on Baylor’s YouTube channel and on iTunes.
- WELCOME TO WACO PERKS: If you are a new student at Baylor, a returning student or even a faculty or staff member, be sure to check out the Waco Perks program and explore the many eateries and activities our city has to offer. A host of Baylor-specific discounts are available for students, faculty and staff ranging from food and fitness to fun. Waco’s local businesses are excited to welcome you to town for the fall semester!
- BAYLOR SEND-OFFS: A special Baylor tradition is our Division of Advancement coordinating and hosting Send-Off Parties across the country each year prior to the start of the fall semester. Over the past 33 days, 79 events to prepare and celebrate incoming students and their families were held in 32 states from coast to coast – including Hawaii. My sincere thanks to the more than 160 volunteers and our alumni, parent engagement and development staff who made these incredible events happen as we continue to grow the Baylor Family.
- LATEST BAYLOR CONNECTIONS: The most recent episode of Baylor Connections features two members of the campus community whose research focuses on bridging different backgrounds and opinions – a timely addition to our ongoing civil discourse series. Professor of Communication Dr. Leslie Hahner and Dean of Intercultural Engagement Dr. Kevin Villegas offer practical insights to encourage interactions – even in today’s contentious environment – that are consistent with our call to love our neighbors as ourselves. I hope you will take a few minutes to listen to this important Baylor Connections podcast.
- NCAA LEADERSHIP ROLE: Thank you for the many notes of support and prayer as I have been selected to serve a third term as chair of the NCAA’s Board of Governors. These are certainly challenging times for collegiate athletics, and this is an appointment that I do not take lightly. As a former women’s basketball student-athlete, college sports played a transformational role in my own life, and as President of Baylor, I want to help ensure that “student” remains a priority for student-athletes attending colleges and universities across the country.
I can’t wait to see all the new and familiar faces on campus and around Waco beginning this weekend. The First Gent and I have been stretching, working out and hydrating as we will be helping with Move2BU this Wednesday and Thursday. See you soon!
Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
If you are looking for a quiet, peaceful place on campus either in the early mornings or late evenings, it’s hard to beat reflecting along the stream that flows in front of the Baylor Sciences Building.