Presidential Perspective - August 21, 2025

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

It’s hard to believe, but this was move-in No. 9 for the First Gent and me. Even in the Texas heat, I never tire of this beautiful expression of who we are as a Baylor Family. We care deeply for each other, we bear one another’s burdens (in this case, boxes and belongings!) and we share in the joy of new beginnings. There aren’t enough words to thank the more than 3,100 student, faculty, staff, church and community volunteers who offered an enthusiastic Baylor and Waco welcome to #BU29.

This week we also got to introduce our hometown during the official “A Waco Welcome” at the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center. It was so fun to see all the local eateries, community partners and businesses show what truly makes Waco special – blessedly in the air conditioning!

Right on the heels of move-in, we formally kick off Welcome Week tonight on Fountain Mall and move into Academic Convocation on Friday morning. Then, I love how students plug in with local churches and faith communities during Saturday’s Celebration of Community & Faith. There are so many wonderful activities happening right now, but if I had to choose, I’d say my favorite is the candlelight worship service Sunday evening on Fountain Mall, and I want to remind our faculty and staff that you are welcome to join alongside our students.

When the boxes are unpacked and goodbyes said, know our goal for the week is simple: We want our students, new and returning, to feel cared for and loved at Baylor.

Here are a few other updates:

• GLOBAL BEARS WEEK: I want to extend a special welcome to the international students who have made their way to Baylor. Ahead of Welcome Week, Baylor’s Center for Global Engagement hosts Global Bears Week – a special, extended orientation packed with helpful information, fun activities and plenty of opportunities to meet fellow international Bears, both new and returning. One of the highlights for me is the Green and Gold Dinner, which took place on Tuesday. Brad and I always have a great time connecting and building community with our newest international students and scholars.
• FIRST DAY PHOTOS: Students, start the new school year right by taking a “First Day of School” photo for Mom and Dad! We will have five locations across campus this year. Stations with backdrops and “chalkboard” signs will be inside the Baylor Sciences Building, Foster Campus for Business and Innovation, Moody Library, Bill Daniel Student Center (SUB) and Penland Dining Hall. Baylor staff will be available to take a picture with your cellphone so you can share it with your loved ones. If you decide to post on social media, be sure to tag Baylor.
• FIRST DAY POPSICLES: Also, students, be sure to stop by the front of Allbritton House – where the First Gent and I live on campus – this Monday at 2 p.m. for FREE popsicles from Helados La Azteca. I can’t wait to see you on the first day of classes!
• WELCOME, NEW FACULTY: As we warmly bring students to campus, I also want to offer a Baylor welcome to the 116 new faculty members joining us this fall. Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., and I had the opportunity to greet them during the opening session of New Faculty Orientation earlier this week. I also look forward to seeing them at this year’s Faculty and Staff meetings, which will both be on Thursday, Sept. 4, at the Hurd Welcome Center, and at the annual welcome reception hosted by the Office of the Provost on Thursday, Sept. 18. Be sure and save those dates.
• RECORD FUNDRAISING YEAR: The Baylor Family and friends of the University gave more than $192 million to support research, academic programs, scholarships and other initiatives during this past fiscal year. This marks the second-highest fundraising year in Baylor’s history, and a significant portion of the gifts and pledges were made to support the Extend the Line Scholarship Initiative. In fact, through the generosity of more than 26,000 donors, we have established 99 new scholarships – what a tremendous blessing for our students.

The fall semester is finally here, and it’s time to wear our green and gold on Baylor Spirit Fridays. Sic ’em, Bears!

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

What a Move2BU!