Presidential Perspective - January 9, 2025

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

Happy New Year, Baylor Family! I hope you had a wonderful (and restful) Christmas break and are ready for all 2025 has in store for Baylor University. Winter has officially arrived in Waco, and based on recent forecasts, it looks like we are in for a couple of very cold and possibly even snowy days.

Central Texas is under a winter weather advisory, and Baylor’s emergency management team is working closely with the National Weather Service and state and local officials to ensure everyone’s health and safety. Classes have not started for the spring semester, but faculty and staff are on campus and in the local area, and many students often return to Waco this weekend.

If you are planning to return to Central Texas in the next few days, please check your local weather forecast before leaving, and take every precaution to avoid icy conditions if you decide to drive. The wintry weather is affecting a large part of the country and travel will be disrupted in many areas. Also, be sure to monitor your Baylor email and the University’s official social media accounts closely for weather-related updates.

On Wednesday afternoon we announced campus would transition to remote operations today and tomorrow, and we will return to normal operations on Saturday, weather permitting. I appreciate your understanding as we strive to make the best decisions for the safety and well-being of Baylor students, faculty and staff.

Speaking of safety and well-being, our hearts are heavy as we watch the devastating wildfires that continue to destroy property and displace people in southern California. The Baylor Family is made up of many students, faculty and staff who have deep roots in the area – some who are there now. We are praying with you, and I encourage anyone who has been impacted and is in need of support to contact our Care team or the university Chaplain.

Here are some updates for today:

• GRADUATION THANK YOU: More than 1,400 graduates walked across the stage in two ceremonies during Commencement last month, and it is always a joy to share in such a special moment for Baylor students and their families. Graduation is truly a labor of love for everyone involved – from the faculty ushers and marshals who faithfully volunteer, to the events teams who sometimes find themselves working after the University is officially closed (like last semester), to the Ferrell Center staff and audio/visual technicians who ensure the Baylor Family can experience the excitement from anywhere. Thank you all so much for creating a wonderful experience as we send off our graduates into the world as Baylor Alumni!
• VETERANS CHAPTER OF THE YEAR: I am thrilled to announce that our own Veterans of Baylor (VoB) student organization was recently named the Student Chapter of the Year by Student Veterans of America for the first time. The award was presented at the group’s national conference just a few days ago, and it is based on “remarkable contributions in enhancing their campus community.” VoB was chartered with the mission of supporting the continued pursuit of service-driven lives of our student veterans after service, while integrating within the larger Baylor and local community. This national honor demonstrates not only a commitment to their mission, but their resounding success as well. Sic’ Em, Veterans of Baylor!
• LAW PROFESSOR WINS: Christopher Jaeger, J.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Law at Baylor Law School, was recently recognized as a co-winner of the prestigious American Association of Law Schools (AALS) Scholarly Papers Competition for his insightful research paper, The Hand Formula’s Unequal Inputs. His work dives into how jurors think about “reasonableness” in tort law. The recognition by the AALS not only highlights Professor Jaeger’s impactful contributions to tort law but also Baylor Law’s commitment to blending meaningful scholarship with practical insights that resonate with students and legal professionals alike.
• BEARS NOMINATED FOR NFL AWARD: Our coaches and staff in Baylor Athletics work hard to prepare champions for life, both on and off the field. That work is reflected in this year's nominees for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award – a list that includes not one, but two of our former football student-athletes. All-Americans Andrew Billings (now with the Chicago Bears) and Jalen Pitre (of the Houston Texans) were each recognized by the league for their excellence on the field and in the community. We’ll be watching Feb. 6 to see if one of our Bears is named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
• NEW TOTAL COMP STATEMENTS: Before the Christmas holidays I mentioned that faculty and staff Total Compensation Statements are now available within Ignite. The personalized statements give a holistic view into the robust compensation package – including benefits and advantages – offered to Baylor employees. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to review your personalized statement and visit the Total Compensation Statement for more information. Also, don’t forget to complete the feedback form at the end of the statement. If you have any questions, our HR team is ready to assist you.

Until next week’s Presidential Perspective,

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Credit: Joaquin Torre, Senior, Communication Specialist and Journalism Double-Major

In a season full of memorable moments for the Baylor football team, this is without question my favorite – a spontaneous demonstration of our faith in action during the Kinder’s Texas Bowl. Although we did not secure a win on the field that night in Houston, we won off it!