Presidential Perspective - January 18, 2024

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

Despite frigid weather in Waco this week, it’s been a great start to the spring semester. And by the looks of campus and the University calendar, we are certainly off and running! We have a few big, signature events to kick off the semester:

• CIVIL DISCOURSE PANEL: I am looking forward to moderating our Civil Discourse series kick-off panel on politics and faith this Monday, Jan. 22, at 3:30 p.m. in Foster 250. We have three distinguished guests joining us for this important event: Curtis Chang, an author, Executive Director of Redeeming Babel and consulting professor at Duke Divinity School; Justin Giboney, an attorney, political strategist and president of the AND Campaign; and Kaitlyn Schiess, an author, co-host of the Holy Post podcast and a theology doctoral student. If you cannot attend in person, the conversation will be recorded and available for later on-demand viewing.


• SPRING FACULTY MEETING: Don’t forget Tuesday’s Spring Faculty meeting, which will be held via Zoom at 3 p.m. All faculty and staff are welcome as Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., and I provide updates on strategic planning, the COACHE survey, the Cherry Award and more. A Zoom link will be emailed to all faculty and staff the day before the meeting.


• BAYLOR 101 IS BACK: Our informative Baylor 101 series continues next week with Vice Provost for Research Kevin Chambliss, Ph.D., leading a session on Baylor’s Research Commitment. Achieving Research 1 status was just one step in our journey to becoming a preeminent Christian R1 institution, and Dr. Chambliss will highlight strategic research initiatives, update us on our research investment and plans for growth of the University’s enterprise, and take time to answer your questions. I hope you can tune in to this special Zoom webinar from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24. Check your email next week for the Zoom link, and remember you can access previous Baylor 101 webinars on the dedicated webpage.


• SMART HUB: Baylor officially launched SMART Hub yesterday, a new research and innovation center which aims to revolutionize wireless communication methods for the U.S. Armed Forces. Directed by Charles Baylis, Ph.D., professor of electrical and computer engineering, SMART Hub is housed at Baylor and will support research across 17 different institutions. Baylis describes the spectrum as “the real estate of wireless communication” and says the exponential growth in wireless devices demands new approaches for reliable communication. SMART Hub was made possible through a $5 million congressional appropriation championed by Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17). We’re grateful for Congressman Sessions’ support and eager to see SMART Hub’s impact in the years ahead.


• FACULTY MATH AWARD: The Association for Women in Mathematics has honored Trena Wilkerson, Ph.D., professor and interim chair of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction in the Baylor School of Education, with its 2024 Louise Hay Award for outstanding achievements in mathematics education. The award recognizes Dr. Wilkerson’s national leadership, her transformational teaching and mentorship of students, and her broadened reach through global initiatives and programs. From 2020-22, Dr. Wilkerson was president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, leading during the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges it brought for K-12 educators and serving as a strong advocate for mathematics for every student during a challenging time. Congratulations to Dr. Wilkerson on this well-deserved recognition.

Be sure to check those men’s and women’s basketball schedules … We need you at Foster Pavilion!

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Thanks to the students who braved the cold on Tuesday morning for the first day of class and free Nightlight Donuts!