Presidential Perspective - February 20, 2025

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

I have said many times before that I believe our ability to fulfill our mission – to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community – is only possible when we value and embrace our differences. And since many of the recent decisions coming out of Washington, D.C., have caused great uncertainty, confusion, frustration and even fear for some within the Baylor Family, I want to be clear about what it means to belong to our caring community.

At Baylor, we rightfully turn to the Holy Scriptures when we need answers to difficult and sometimes controversial questions. We believe that as a Christian university we must first and foremost rely on the Great Commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves, understanding that this instruction from Jesus to His followers is undeniable. Secondly, we believe that we are all part of the beautiful mosaic of God’s creation.

I am proud of the fact that even in difficult times like these, Baylor has been unwavering in its commitment to fostering compassion and understanding. Baylor offers important opportunities for groups of like-minded students, faculty and staff to learn and work together, and we believe these opportunities not only comply with state and federal laws, but more importantly, they tangibly bear out our Christian mission. We are not aware of any Baylor programs that discriminate in an illegal way, nor do we know of any programs with illegal preferences. Baylor is intentional in striving to make each member of the Baylor University community know and appreciate that they are welcome in our community, regardless of their race or gender.

Being purposeful about building a caring campus community in which all members feel safe, respected and supported lies at the core of who we are as we seek to transform lives and serve others. Remember, we are strongest when we anchor our interactions with one another in the love of Christ.

Onto a few updates:

• BOARD OF REGENTS MEETING: The Baylor Board of Regents is on campus today and tomorrow for its regular February meeting, and the members are gathering during a time of great stress and uncertainty in higher education. I am thankful that our Regents remain focused on securing Baylor’s future as a Christian research university with a transformative educational experience. The decisions of the Board of Regents are critical to Baylor’s success and our upward trajectory, so please be on the lookout for the official Board announcement after the meetings conclude tomorrow afternoon.
• PLAY4KAY CANCER AWARENESS GAME: This Saturday afternoon’s women’s basketball game against Iowa State at Foster Pavilion is the Play4Kay game highlighting the continued need for research into cancers affecting women. Besides going out to support the team – wearing pink – I want to encourage the women in the Baylor Family (and men if you feel like something might be wrong) to get screened for breast cancer, in particular. I just had my annual mammogram, and the results were clear! We all know mammograms are an essential tool in breast cancer detection, but research is also crucial in the fight against the disease. At Baylor, we have faculty investigating breast cancer tumors and metastasis, as well as genetic predispositions. Their research is leading to deeper understandings of breast and other cancers while helping patients live longer and more fulfilling lives.
• COUNSELING CENTER AVAILABLE: The Baylor Counseling Center hosted its annual Hope, Peace, Love event yesterday – offering fun, snacks, prizes and, most importantly, awareness of an invaluable resource available for all Baylor students. With midterms, finals and graduation looming, many students may experience heightened feelings of stress and anxiety. If that is you or someone you know, I strongly encourage you to use the Counseling Center. The professionals there have a wide range of services to support almost all aspects of mental health. In addition, Baylor offers a 24/7/365 Unlimited In-the-Moment Mental Health Clinical Support Line through Uwill or by calling 833-969-3998.
• STUDYING PATIENCE: We all could use a little more patience, which is an essential component of human thriving and flourishing, but little is known about how we develop patience day by day and throughout our lifetime, especially when we face difficulties. Through a $4.71 million grant from Templeton Religion Trust, a team of interdisciplinary researchers in psychology, philosophy and education at Baylor and three other U.S. universities are set to begin a longitudinal study on patience and what we can learn about this virtue from those who experience adversity – particularly parents of adolescents. This study is a prime example of one of the central commitments in our Baylor in Deeds strategic plan: to broaden interdisciplinary research and impact, including building upon existing research and teaching strength around human flourishing.
• BAYLOR FACULTY EXPERTISE: Also happening yesterday, Baylor engineering professor Charles Baylis, Ph.D., was called to deliver expert testimony on spectrum communications before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Baylis appeared at a committee hearing examining U.S. approaches to spectrum usage as policymakers consider future changes. The spectrum is described as the “real estate” of wireless communications, and its growth has implications for both national defense and consumers. Dr. Baylis, who directs SMART Hub at Baylor, leads efforts to develop new technologies that could revolutionize the way the spectrum is used. It is important for Baylor to have a seat at the table to speak into these types of important national issues, and we’re grateful for Dr. Baylis’ opportunity and his expertise.
• UPCOMING I-35 CONSTRUCTION: The Texas Department of Transportation is gearing up for a major four-year expansion project on Interstate 35 to upgrade three miles of I-35 main lanes and frontage roads from 12th Street to South Loop 340 (Hwy 6). While construction won’t begin on the main lanes until this summer, you will start to see work begin on Monday along the frontage roads – weather permitting. Our campus won’t be right in the middle of the construction zone – thank goodness – as we were on the Waco 4B Project from 2019 to 2023, but we will experience its effects. As we did before, we will send regular updates about construction activities so you can plan ahead and always “Know Before You Go.” You can find out more about the project at my35wacosouth.com.
   

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Faculty and students from Baylor’s School of Engineering and Computer Science presented hands-on activities to students in several local school districts as a part of National Engineers Week.