Presidential Perspective - December 12, 2024
Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:
It’s hard to believe the fall semester is coming to an end, and this will be our last Presidential Perspective of 2024! What an exciting, memorable semester it has been, and I cannot wait to see what the New Year has in store for Baylor in 2025.
I am praying for our students as finals continue through next Tuesday, Dec. 17, and I am looking forward to Commencement next weekend as more than 1,400 new graduates will walk across the stage at the Ferrell Center and officially enter into the Baylor Family.
Here are some updates for today:
- TEXAS ESPORTS LEAGUE FINALS: The Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center will be an exciting place to be this weekend as Baylor welcomes the state’s top middle- and high-school esports teams for the fall Texas Esports League Finals. This interscholastic video gaming competition – presented by Vanta in partnership with Baylor – takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and you and your families are welcome to attend this incredible event. Admission is free – just bring your Baylor ID. As a Christian Research 1 University, Baylor is taking a leadership role supporting these talented students and their families in the ever-growing gaming community that connects esports and educational opportunities across disciplines like computer science, entrepreneurship and more. We’re excited that they can tour our campus, visit with faculty like Daniel J. Pack, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Engineering and Computer Science, meet students on Baylor’s own OSO Esports team, and even experience some of Waco’s favorite food trucks.
- BEST COLLEGES FOR LEADERS: I am proud to share that, for the second year in a row, TIME Magazine has named Baylor one of the 100 Best Colleges for Future Leaders 2025! The recognition is based on an analysis of the resumés of 4,000 highly influential U.S. leaders to identify the universities that excelled in developing them. Leadership and service are an integral part of our Christian mission, and this honor reflects the outstanding work of Baylor alumni who dedicate themselves to a life of service in their professional fields. With special recognition given to the Hankamer School of Business, the Future Leaders list also highlights the transformational opportunities Baylor provides students to cultivate habits and virtues that orient their leadership toward human flourishing and a vision to change the world.
- KINDER’S TEXAS BOWL: Riding a six-game winning streak to finish the regular season, our Baylor Bears will play LSU in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl in Houston on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 2:30 p.m. It is our 12th bowl appearance in the last 15 seasons! Details for alumni, fan and student events will be posted to the Bowl Central website as they are finalized, so be sure to check back often. Tickets are available through the Baylor Athletics Ticket Office or the Texas Bowl ticketing site. I am looking forward to seeing the Baylor Family close out 2024 by spending New Year’s Eve cheering the Bears to a big win in Houston!
- FAFSA IS OPEN: Baylor’s Student Financial Aid office is happy to announce that the 2025-2026 FAFSA is open and ready to file. Visit Baylor One Stop’s FAFSA Tips and Updates page for helpful resources as you complete the form. Our students’ education is our priority, and we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way. If you are interested in federal aid for the 2025-2026 academic year, don't miss out – file your FAFSA as soon as possible!
- “A BAYLOR CHRISTMAS” NATIONAL DEBUT: One of the best things about this time of year is all the Christmas activities happening across campus. One highlight is always “A Baylor Christmas,” which for the first time is being televised nationwide throughout December on 113 Gray Media Group stations in 37 states – reaching 36% of U.S. television households! The annual concert was recorded by KWTX Television last year from performances by the Baylor Symphony Orchestra and combined choirs of the School of Music. You can check local listings for broadcast dates and times in your area or watch the more than 350 Baylor student and faculty singers anytime on Baylor’s official YouTube channel.
- ENJOYING A MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS: During this holiday season, several Baylor faculty have offered practical tips for enjoying a more meaningful Christmas – from navigating family dynamics with Dr. Allison Alford, to having a greener Christmas from Sustainability Director Gary Cocke and Dr. Joshua King, to giving with purpose with Dr. James Roberts and Dr. Andrew Hogue. Dr. James Kendrick even highlighted the must-watch Christmas movies! There are great tidbits mentioned by our outstanding faculty, and the First Gent and I are planning to add several to our routines this season – building on our tradition of watching the classic movie “White Christmas” while decorating our tree!
I want to thank the Baylor Family for your love, your care and your support of this institution, our students, and our faculty and staff. I’m grateful for the ways you come alongside and support us with your time, your talents and your prayers. The First Gent and I want to wish everyone a blessed and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and we look forward to seeing many of you in 2025.
Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
The splendor and excitement of the Baylor campus during this Christmas season!