Presidential Perspective - March 27, 2025

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

Next Wednesday the entire Baylor Family is invited to join in Giving Day. One day each year – on April 2 for 2025 – we focus our collective attention on giving to support students, programs, schools and colleges and many other areas. Gifts big and small combine to make a significant difference for our University. For example, by giving just $5 during a power hour, challenge or gift match, you can double (or even triple) the impact of your support for Baylor, which as we all know has a distinct place and value in higher education.

A few months ago, Baylor officially launched the Extend the Line Scholarship Initiative, which aims to raise $250 million by 2030 for student scholarships. And of course, this is one of the initiatives you can support during Giving Day. (It’s one of the “University Priorities,” if you are looking for it among all the other great opportunities to give.)

Last year, Giving Day gifts from the Baylor Family totaled more than $2.2 million. Let’s top that this year! As you see promotional elements in social media and other channels next week, please share them with Baylor Bears in your network and consider joining me in giving to the areas that mean the most to you.

On to this week’s updates:

• BEARATHON IS BACK: Known as The Toughest Half in Texas, the Bearathon and Sic 'Em 6K return to Waco this weekend, with both races set for Saturday, March 29. This student-led event not only provides challenging courses for thousands of race participants but also contributes to the Baylor Student Foundation Scholarship Fund, providing crucial support for deserving students throughout their time at Baylor. The Bearathon half marathon has already reached full capacity, with a few spots remaining for the Sic 'Em 6K. Registration will close at noon tomorrow. For more details on race times, packet pickup and course information, visit the Bearathon And if you are on or around campus on Saturday, be sure to adhere to several road and parking lot closures.
• NEW AAAS FELLOW: As a preeminent Christian research university, our faculty impact the world through top-tier research that addresses society’s greatest challenges. The research of Julie A. Hoggarth, Ph.D., associate professor of anthropology and noted Maya archaeologist, contributes to the understanding of how the long-term dynamics of climate change affect the sociopolitical and demographic organization of ancient societies. In recognition of her work, this morning Dr. Hoggarth was elected to the rank of AAAS Fellow by the Council of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for her “major research contributions that improved our understanding of the linkages among ancient demography, climate, environmental change, precise chronology and Maya history through meticulous archaeological research.” This is an outstanding accomplishment for Dr. Hoggarth, and another example of the caliber of faculty who call Baylor home.
• NATIONAL LIBRARY LEADERSHIP: Congratulations to Bruce J. Evans, director of cataloging and metadata services in Baylor University Libraries, who has begun his service as president of the national Music Library Association. Founded in 1931, the MLA is the professional association for music libraries and librarianship in the U.S., and its members – including librarians, musicians, scholars, educators and members of the book and music trades – come from all over the world. Serving in top leadership roles with national academic organizations such as this provides Baylor with an important “seat at the table,” grows the University’s sphere of influence and plays a key role in increasing our academic reputation among peer institutions.
• CHERRY AWARD FINALISTS: At Baylor, we celebrate and inspire great teaching, not only at our University but at institutions across the country. Earlier this week, we announced the finalists for Baylor University's 2026 Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching, the only national teaching award – with the single largest monetary reward of $250,000 – presented by a college or university to an individual for exceptional teaching. We look forward to welcoming Lendol G. Calder, Ph.D., history professor at Augustana College, Melissa Gross, Ph.D., movement science professor at the University of Michigan, and James W. Rankin, Ph.D., German lecturer at Princeton University, to our campus this fall for a series of lectures. The Cherry Award winner will be announced in spring 2026 and he or she will teach at Baylor in fall 2026 or spring 2027.
• ESPORTS DIRECTOR NAMED: Earlier this week we announced Adam Stanley as Baylor’s first-ever esports director and coach. Adam’s hire continues the rapid development of Baylor’s esports program and underscores the distinct role we can play in the industry as a Christian university. In support of both enrollment goals and the commitments outlined in Baylor in Deeds, Adam will work across campus and with our existing club-level team – Oso Esports, while also launching a competitive team. To quote Adam, “As the scholastic esports ecosystem continues to grow, both collegiately and at the K-12 level, Baylor has a tremendous opportunity to inspire, guide and provide structure to students and programs eager for direction.” Last fall, Baylor hosted its first youth esports event, and in May we will host the Texas Scholastic Esports Federation’s Undisputed State Championships, which will attract more than 1,500 high school competitors to campus – providing a unique opportunity to showcase everything Baylor has to offer in esports-related academic fields and student life.
• FM72 BEGINS SUNDAY: We are so excited for the return of FM72, which since 2019 has truly become an integral part of the student experience at Baylor. Hosted this Sunday through Wednesday by our Office of Spiritual Life in partnership with multiple campus ministries and local churches, FM72 unites Baylor students with those from other colleges and universities for 72 hours of continuous prayer and nightly worship at 8 p.m. on Fountain Mall in the heart of campus. Just this week I heard from a student who said FM72 played a part in her deciding to attend Baylor! Today, ahead of another year’s services, we pray that FM72 will once again stir the hearts of countless students to passionately seek God together and experience the delightful surprise of the peace and presence of the Holy Spirit.

If you are in Fort Worth Saturday and need a bit of Baylor entertainment, the Baylor Wind Ensemble will perform at the College Band Directors National Association National Conference at 8:00 p.m. in Van Cliburn Concert Hall. As a result of the peer review process, Baylor was offered the final featured performance! 

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Students took full advantage of the spring weather with another Full Moon Float at the Pullin Family Marina on Tuesday. What a unique way to experience a full moon on campus!