Presidential Perspective - April 10, 2025

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

We eagerly look forward to this weekend, the beginning of Holy Week for Christians (or as many Christians around the world know it, Pascha) and the beginning of Pesach, or Passover, for our brothers and sisters of the Jewish faith on Saturday evening. In both sets of high holy days, we celebrate a God of liberation. We rejoice that the God who graciously heard the cries of His people in Israel and saved them from slavery in Egypt is the same God who graciously hears us today. We rejoice that God extended that same salvation to the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the One who reconciles all things to himself, “whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:20)

During this season at Baylor, we have provided several opportunities for the Baylor Family to learn and reflect. For example, next week there are three Stations of Holy Week Chapel services in Powell Chapel at the George W. Truett Theological Seminary as well as a Seven Last Sayings of Christ service. In addition to these special gatherings, many in the Baylor Family have also embarked on a journey of reflection through daily devotionals authored by Truett students, faculty and staff. You can still read along to Easter Sunday, and I pray you will be blessed by these and other Easter season activities happening on campus and across the Waco area.

Here are a few updates:

• FACULTY AND STAFF CHAPEL: This spring’s Faculty and Staff Chapel is being facilitated by the Wesley House of Studies at Truett Seminary and will provide a unique opportunity for faculty and staff to worship in the Wesleyan tradition. Bishop Kenneth Levingston is the presiding bishop for the MidTexas Global Methodist Church Conference, which includes Waco, and he is also a senior pastor in Houston. Bishop Levingston will deliver the message, and individuals from the Wesley House and local churches will be a part of the program. The service will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 16, in Powell Chapel at Truett. I hope to see you there.
• ASIAN AND PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE: Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month, celebrated each May across the United States, recognizes the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders while celebrating the group’s heritage and culture. At Baylor we acknowledge this month in April so more students, faculty and staff can join, and we offer a range of events and activities for everyone to enjoy. One of the highlights is always Gateway to India – a South Asian cultural dance showcase – and this year’s slate also includes the Hawai’i club’s lu’au and a marketplace at Cha Community, which is a campus and local favorite restaurant owned by Baylor graduates. Everyone is welcome at these events to learn more about the cultures of the Asian and Pacific Island members of the Baylor Family.
• U.S. NEWS BEST GRADUATE SCHOOLS: The latest U.S. News & World Report rankings for Best Graduate Schools were released earlier this week, and Baylor graduate and professional programs excelled again. This year’s rankings are highlighted by Top 30 programs in disciplines like physical therapy, nursing, entrepreneurship and trial advocacy, among others. The recognition by U.S. News reflects the growth – and high quality – of Baylor’s graduate and professional programs, showcasing the critical role our exceptional faculty and nearly 6,000 graduate students play in advancing Baylor as a Christian R1 university.
• GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP RECORD: It is gratifying to see Baylor’s growing research presence reflected in a record number of undergraduate students being named recipients of the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship, which supports undergrads interested in pursuing STEM research careers. Our four Goldwater Scholars are conducting research alongside faculty mentors who encourage their interests in electrical engineering, biology, biochemistry, and psychology and neuroscience while preparing them for the future – a hallmark of the transformational undergraduate educational experience at Baylor. These and thousands of other students and faculty are supported admirably by the Office of Engaged Learning. Below is a little more about our newest Goldwater winners:
  • Ava Frescura, junior biology major with a concentration in cell and molecular biology from Houston;
  • Kiera Griffin, junior Science Research Fellow from Conroe;
  • Aliyah Ogden, junior Science Research Fellow with a focus on neuroscience from Algonquin, Ill.; and
  • Nicholas Storti, senior electrical and computer engineering major from East Norriton, Penn.
• PREMIERE THIS WEEKEND: This Saturday we will host more than 6,000 prospective students and families for Spring Premiere on campus in Waco. With the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center as the Premiere hub, students and families will be able to learn about the admissions process and experience Baylor through campus tours, meetings with academic departments, visits to residence halls, and student group activities and performances. Please join me in showing our guests a warm welcome as they consider joining the Baylor Family.
• EARTH DAY IS APRIL 22: One of the strategies outlined in Commitment IV of the Baylor in Deeds strategic plan is to “Expand existing and develop new expertise to support our responsibility to stewardship of the natural world.” One of the ways we move this commitment forward is through the work of Baylor’s Office of Sustainability, and ahead of Earth Day, our sustainability staff and administrators are spotlighting several campus and community partners who are essential to our current and future success. Throughout the month of April there are several events designed to highlight the various ways we can all be good stewards of God’s creation. Don’t miss the Baylor Free Farmer’s Market, Global Revive: Earth & Agriculture Symposium, a clothing swap and more!
• LAUREN DAIGLE CONCERT: Earlier this week we announced Lauren Daigle, a two-time GRAMMY®, seven-time Billboard Music, four-time American Music and 12-time GMA Dove Award winner, will perform at Foster Pavilion on Friday, Sept. 12. The concert will kick off Family Weekend, which includes our home football game against Samford University – a fellow Baptist institution. Public tickets for Lauren Daigle go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. online at baylor.edu/fosterevents. And speaking of tickets, we are getting close to a sellout of the Forrest Frank concert on Tuesday, April 22. A few of those concert tickets remain, and you will not want to miss out on the incredible production Forrest is bringing to Foster Pavilion. I’m looking forward to these concerts on our campus and in our hometown.

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

It was wonderful to see so many students out at Diadeloso this year – enjoying the fun, food and fellowship that marks our beloved “Day of the Bear.”