Presidential Perspective - September 5, 2024

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

The fall semester is certainly off and running at a brisk pace! I hope everyone is settling into new routines and becoming acclimated academically, physically and spiritually. As I mentioned last week, this afternoon we will unveil the University’s new strategic plan through 2030 for faculty and then on Friday for staff. I cannot wait to work alongside the entire Baylor Family as we fulfill the University’s expanded motto – Pro Ecclesia. Pro Texana. Pro Mundo. – for the church, for Texas, for the world. You will be learning more about the new strategic plan in the days and weeks ahead.

Some updates for this week:

• BAYLOR ALERT TEST: September is National Preparedness Month, which reminds us that preparing for emergencies and disasters now can keep us, our families and communities safe. For those of you who are new to Baylor, tomorrow at 10 a.m. – and on the first Friday of each month throughout the year – Baylor joins our City of Waco and McLennan County partners to test our Outdoor Warning System, which includes tornado sirens and voice activations. At the same time, we will conduct a required test of our multi-tiered Baylor Alert emergency notification system, which we use to alert our campus community of a significant emergency or threat on or near campus. Check your emergency contact information and make any updates by following the instructions on the Baylor Emergency Management website.
• EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING: Congratulations to our 10 Baylor faculty members across the disciplines, who have been selected by Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., as 2024-25 Baylor Fellows for their excellence in teaching and commitment to advancing transformational education at Baylor. Our Academy for Teaching and Learning launched the fellowship program in 2011, which includes the opportunity for outstanding teachers to implement new teaching approaches in Baylor courses. This year’s teaching theme is very timely as our Baylor Fellows will focus on “Facilitating Civil Discourse in the Classroom.” Join Provost Brickhouse and me in congratulating our Baylor Fellows:
  • Lauren Weber, M.F.A., M.M., senior lecturer of musical theatre/voice in theatre arts, College of Arts & Sciences, and the 2024-25 Senior Fellow;
  • David Corey, Ph.D., professor of political science in the Honors Program, Honors College;
  • Rebecca Flavin, Ph.D., senior lecturer in political science, College of Arts & Sciences;
  • Tara Foley, Ph.D., senior lecturer in English, College of Arts & Sciences;
  • Leah Witcher Jackson Teague, J.D., professor of law, Law School;
  • Jonathan Lawson, Ph.D., lecturer in biology, College of Arts & Sciences;
  • Kevin Magill, Ph.D., associate professor in curriculum & instruction, School of Education;
  • Michael Rodriguez, M.B.A., clinical assistant professor of accounting, Hankamer School of Business;
  • Janet Sanker, CCC-SLP, clinical associate professor in communication sciences & disorders, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences; and
  • Luke Winslow, Ph.D., associate professor of communication, College of Arts & Sciences.
• FACULTY AND STAFF OF COLOR RECEPTION: We are making significant progress in having our faculty and staff better reflect the diversity of our student body. The Office of the Provost will host a Faculty and Staff of Color Welcome Reception on Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 3:30-5 p.m. in Cashion 506 as we welcome these new members of the Baylor Family and build community across campus.All faculty and staff are welcome to attend; please register in advance here.
• NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE: Beginning at sundown Tuesday, Sept. 10, the lights of Pat Neff Hall and the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center will be lit red, white and blue as Baylor commemorates the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and remembers the countless lives lost that day and the heroic actions of the nation’s first responders. On Wednesday at 5 p.m., our University Carillonneur Lynnette Geary will offer a contemplative space to remember as she presents a memorial 9/11 recital on the McLane Carillon in the Pat Neff tower. As we remember this day, please join me in prayer for our nation.

• PREPARING FOR CAMPUS EVENTS: You have heard me mention before that I believe we are in the midst of another contentious election season, and at Baylor we will engage with one another respectfully and without hostility. We will be a marketplace of ideas and open dialogue that meets or exceeds the expectations for our caring Christian community. As we further the civil discourse seriesthat began last January, I encourage all faculty and staff to join the first Baylor 101 webinar of the semester on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 4 p.m. CT. Three members of President’s Council will discuss Baylor policies related to expressive activities, invited speakers and student and faculty engagement, and explain how communications around these activities are managed. If you cannot attend the one-hour Zoom session, it will be available afterward for on-demand viewing. I hope you will plan to participate.

  And don’t forget this coming Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 6:30 p.m., as we will host best-selling author, columnist and commentator David Brooks at Waco Hall. Tickets are required for admission and remain available. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Faculty/Staff: Free tickets are available online.
  • Students: Free tickets are available through your online student account.

While football is on the road this weekend, be sure to head over to the Ferrell Center as our #23 volleyball team will host #18 Minnesota at 7 p.m. Friday and #6 Wisconsin at 7 p.m. Saturday as part of the Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge. Sic ’em, Bears!

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

You are looking good, Class of 2028!