Presidential Perspective - August 22, 2024
Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:
What a Move2BU! It’s hard to believe, but this was move-in No. 8 for the First Gent and me. Even with the excessive August heat, I never tire of this beautiful expression of who we are as Baylor Family. We care deeply for each other, we bear one another’s burdens (in this case, boxes and belongings) and we share in the joy of new beginnings. Our new students and their families can’t say thank you enough to the more than 2,700 student, faculty, staff, church and community volunteers who offered an enthusiastic Baylor and Waco welcome as they helped #BU28 swiftly move into our residence halls. We want our new students to feel cared for and loved here at Baylor, and Move2BU proved to be a fabulous day of community on our campus.
Now that move-in is over, we kick off Welcome Week tonight on Fountain Mall. There are so many wonderful activities, but if I had to choose, I’d say my favorite is the candlelight worship service on Sunday night as we anticipate the start of the fall semester. I also love how students plug in with local churches and faith communities during Saturday’s Celebration of Community & Faith. We know from Baylor’s ongoing Faith and Character Study that involvement in a local church is the most powerful predictor of students’ faith formation while at Baylor.
We also had the opportunity to showcase Waco with new students and their families with “A Waco Welcome” in the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center (blessedly in the air conditioning!). It was so fun to see all the local eateries, community partners and businesses show what truly makes Waco special, and I’m so glad students and families experienced our hometown in this fun and creative way.
Some updates for this week:
- FIRST DAY PICS: Students, start the new school year right by taking a “First Day of School” photo for Mom & Dad! Stop by Traditions Plaza (outside Carroll Science) Monday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. to take your photo, suitable for sharing with loved ones – and posting to social media. Trust me, your parents will appreciate it!
- FIRST DAY POPSICLES: Plan to stop by the front of Allbritton House – where the First Gent and I live on campus – this Monday at 3 p.m. for FREE popsicles from Helados La Azteca. I can’t wait to see #BU28 and our returning students on the first day of class!
- *UPDATE* BROOKS IN WACO HALL: Due to high demand, the free evening lecture with David Brooks on Tuesday, Sept. 10, has been moved to Waco Hall. I mentioned a few weeks ago that we are excited to host Mr. Brooks on campus, and it is wonderful to see so many of you are planning to attend his lecture. Given his knowledge of politics and foreign affairs, we expect his visit will foster the spirit of respect and understanding that undergirds the Baylor Conversation Series on civil discourse. Faculty and staff can still access tickets online, and student tickets will be available starting next Wednesday, Aug. 28, through the student ticketing platform.
- “BAYLOR EATS” CAMPUS DINING: Since late last spring we have been looking forward to fully welcoming Chartwells Higher Education as our new campus dining and catering partner. Chartwells launched Baylor Eats this summer, and now we all get to try more creative, diverse and elevated culinary experiences. Personally, I am looking forward to a refreshed take on All University Thanksgiving, and I encourage you to explore the dining halls and the SUB to taste something new or to savor a favorite.
- FACULTY AND STAFF MEETINGS: We will host our annual faculty and staff meetings to kick off the fall semester on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 3 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 6, at 9:30 a.m., respectively. A 30-minute reception or breakfast, respectively, will begin each meeting. Watch your email for more details about these important meetings as we will be rolling out the University’s new strategic plan and accompanying brand campaign and providing updates on several key initiatives.
- NEW BAYLOR CONNECTIONS: If you would like some more information and context on the start of the fall semester, I recently joined Baylor Connections host Derek Smith for a 30-minute podcast on this and much more. As a Christian R1 university, Baylor is uniquely positioned to make an impact worldwide as we strive to fulfill our expanded motto – Pro Ecclesia. Pro Texana. Pro Mundo. – For the Church. For Texas. For the World. You can download the podcast here.
The fall semester is finally here. Let’s Sic ’em, Bears!
Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
A warm welcome to the 133 new faculty members who have joined the Baylor Family for the fall semester!