A Season of Thanksgiving

Greetings from Baylor University! With students pulling on warmer clothes and the leaves on trees changing color (as best they can in Central Texas), we find ourselves rapidly approaching the Thanksgiving holiday. In addition to offering our students a break from the academic rigors of their daily routines, this is a time filled with opportunities for rest and reflection amid family gatherings, good food and football games.

This year, as a way of emphasizing the importance of slowing down and growing in our appreciation of God’s tremendous grace in our lives, the University has encouraged the Baylor Family to join together in a month-long initiative called, “A Season of Thanksgiving.” It is an effort to practice intentional gratitude; to stop and give thanks to the people who have invested in us and for the blessings God has given us.

As people of faith, we understand that our words and acts of thanksgiving reflect God’s love for us. Putting our faith into action this Thanksgiving is taking many forms. After collecting notes of thankfulness at various locations across campus and online, we have created an exhibit in the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center that presents our collective expression of gratitude. In addition, during this final week of November, we are encouraging the Baylor Family to find ways of demonstrating their gratitude through acts of service in their local communities. Whether through your church, a local organization or as a family or group of close friends, I hope you will find a way to be the hands and feet of Christ.

There are many things to be thankful for at Baylor University. When I walk across campus to meet with students, faculty, and staff, I am reminded of the Baylor Family’s support through gifts to student scholarships and academic chairs and professorships. This generous support empowers Baylor to pursue our mission of educating men and women for worldwide leadership and service and has enabled the University to play a distinct role in American higher education as a Christian research university.

In Psalms 95:2 we read, “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving.” The psalmist also tells us, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord” (Ps. 92:1). This Thanksgiving week, I join the Baylor Family in lifting one another up in prayer and expressing gratitude to our Lord and Savior for the gifts of his love and mercy.

I am grateful for each of you and wish you abundant blessings,

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

ALL-UNIVERSITY THANKSGIVING

Baylor students joined together for a traditional Thanksgiving meal on Fountain Mall last night. This annual gathering is a wonderful time of community and fellowship before they enjoy a much needed break. This event served as our final opportunity to add notes of gratitude to our Season of Thanksgiving exhibit. You can see some of the things our students are thankful for in this collection of photos.