Presidential Perspective - May 1, 2025

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

Today is the National Day of Prayer, an annual day of observance designated by the U.S. Congress in which people are asked to “turn to God in prayer and meditation.” I want to share my prayer with you for this important day as our country faces so many challenges:

Heavenly Father, we lift our voices in prayer to You today, on this National Day of Prayer, asking for You to grant us the discernment and strength to follow the words of the prophet Micah in acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with You (Micah 6:8). We have witnessed the love of Your Son, Jesus Christ, transform our lives and bring healing to the communities surrounding us. Let us gladly serve as His hands and feet in the world, acting with compassion and never tiring.

Dear Lord, when we confront injustice, give us the courage to pursue righteousness. When angered or injured by others, help us to serve as instruments of Your abundant and unending mercy.

As members of the Baylor Family, dedicated to preparing men and women for lives of leadership and service, we pray that You will daily bend our hearts toward humility and faithful action. We ask that you fill our hearts with empathy for those around us who are suffering, broken, and in physical need so that, in surrendering our will to Yours, we might be daily engaged in making a difference in one another’s lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Here are a few updates for this week:

• SUMMER CAMP COMMISSIONING: If you are working at a camp this summer as a counselor, support staff, in a spiritual life role, as a sports specialist or in some other capacity, I hope you will join the First Gent and me this Monday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. in Barfield Drawing Room for food, giveaways and a time of encouragement. The opportunity to help commission Baylor students into service for the summer is a personal favorite for us, especially since Brad and I were both summer camp counselors. Be sure to register in advance for this moving experience, and I hope to see many of you there!
• TINY DONUTS FOR STUDENTS: Next Wednesday, May 7, is the last day of classes for the spring semester, and the First Gent and I will be passing out FREE tiny donuts from Well Rounded (while supplies last) to students before final exams begin. An end-of-semester food giveaway has become an annual Livingstone tradition, and I hope many of you will come by to fuel up for Study Day. We will be in the SUB beginning at 3 p.m. to share some food and extend our best wishes and support for the last week of the semester and through final exams.
• NEW INSTITUTE ON FLOURISHING: Yesterday – in conjunction with the release of the First Wave of findings from the Global Flourishing Study (GFS) – Baylor announced the launch of the Institute for Global Human Flourishing, positioning Baylor as a global leader for research on faith and human flourishing. The GFS is the largest funded research project in Baylor history at $43.4 million, and it represents one of the most comprehensive studies of human existence ever undertaken. Leveraging the knowledge and understanding gained from GFS research, the new Institute will extend Baylor’s reach and influence in the community, country and world – bringing to life the recently expanded Baylor motto of Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana, Pro Mundo.
• LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS: As we near the close of the spring semester, I hope you will join your fellow faculty and staff at Baylor’s regular Life Up Your Hearts  prayer and worship service on Thursday, May 8, at 11 a.m. in the Paul W. Powell Chapel at Truett Seminary. The message will be given by Jamal-Dominique Hopkins, Ph.D., associate professor of Christian Scriptures at Truett Seminary and Director of the Black Church Studies Program. Lift Up Your Hearts is led by various members of the Baylor community, and it complements our Faculty and Staff Chapel services, which provide an opportunity for us to experience different Christian worship traditions with pastors and churches from the Waco community. 
• MORE ESPORTS AT THE HURD: This weekend Baylor will host nearly 1,400 middle and high school students, coaches and guests from across the state for the TexSEF Undisputed State Championship Esports competition at the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center. Competition began today and ends Saturday. Building on last December’s Vanta competition, this spring’s event is another opportunity to demonstrate Baylor’s commitment to a robust esports program that includes different levels of engagement, from casual to competitive, while also showcasing the wonderful things Baylor has to offer for prospective students and their families. TexSEF is open to the public, so feel free to stop by and experience esports first-hand.
• 10 TITLES FOR ACROBATICS & TUMBLING: Please join me in celebrating Baylor’s unmatched acrobatics & tumbling team! The Bears won their 10th-straight NCATA national championship last Saturday, topping No. 2-ranked Oregon in the finals. In addition, the Bears set a new program record with nine individual national championships. The latest title extends the team’s winning streak to an astonishing 50 meets! With head coach Felecia Mulkey at the helm — who has won every single national title since the sport’s inaugural season in 2011 — our program continues to thrill a rapidly growing fan base from across the country. I hope we never take for granted the incredible talent and success of our A&T team as they continue to represent Baylor so well.

Be sure to get plenty of rest, food and water during this upcoming week as final exams begin. I am praying for all of you as the semester comes to a close!

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

A special Sic ’em to the 2025 Staff and Student Employment award recipients. Here is the complete list of this year’s winners!