Presidential Perspective - November 20, 2025

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

Thanksgiving has arrived across campus and in our hometown of Waco! This is a wonderful season for rest and reflection with family, but it reminds me that holidays can be challenging times for many. Please join me in praying especially for those who are struggling during the next weeks.

If you are preparing to travel, remember to secure your homes and residence hall rooms. Take it slow on the roads, and give yourself plenty of time since traffic will be heavy. If you are flying, pack a little patience and extend a bit of Christian grace. Always remember the basic safety tips – lock up your belongings, check your surroundings and be careful what you post on social media about your plans.

For anyone staying on campus, note the Market at Penland Crossroads will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day while dining halls are closed. I encourage you to check out a local restaurant or food truck if you are able. Many of Waco’s top dining options are owned by your fellow Baylor Bears, and I am sure they would love to serve you next week.

In addition to dining local, there are lots of activities happening across the city. We keep a list of Waco-area events online, and it’s a good start for students who are not traveling and for faculty and staff who call Waco home. And speaking of activities, several of our Baylor Athletics teams are playing in the coming days.

Baylor Soccer will take on Wisconsin in the second round of the NCAA Tournament today at 2 p.m., and the final home game and senior night for Baylor Volleyball is tonight against Texas Tech at 7 p.m. on ESPN+ from the Ferrell Center. Then next Saturday, the football team hosts Houston at McLane Stadium in the “254 & Senior Day” game. (When the Big 12 Conference notifies us of the kickoff time, we will post it across Baylor’s official social and digital channels.) In the regular season finale, we will get to celebrate our city, our senior student-athletes and watch first-year and transfer students, as well as our graduating seniors, run the Baylor Line one last time.

On to a few updates for the week:

• LAW SCHOOL ADOPTION DAY: Tomorrow, Baylor Law School will host McLennan County Adoption Day, transforming a courtroom into a Paddington Bear-inspired adventure to celebrate children and families. Since 2008, Baylor Law has helped unite 430 children with 286 families through this heartwarming tradition, which is lovingly supported by the Steve B. and Penny Flowers Carlile Endowed Fund for Christian Initiatives. I am humbled to be a part of this year’s Adoption Day that so beautifully aligns with Baylor’s Christian mission and our call to selflessly serve our community.
• HONORS COLLEGE HIDDEN GEM: I am thrilled to share that Baylor’s Honors College has been designated by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni as a Hidden Gem, a nationwide initiative that spotlights programs that guide students through a high-quality education across the liberal arts. Established in 2002, our Honors College allows students to explore five distinct academic programs: Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, Great Texts, Honors Program, University Scholars and the Bachelor of Philosophy. The heart of the Honors College is a commitment to the integration of scholarship and teaching, faith and learning, and academic and student life. This is a well-deserved recognition and a testament to the dedication of the faculty and staff who make the Honors College such a vibrant academic community.
• MOST-CITED RESEARCHERS: Baylor is once again well-represented among the world’s leading scholars, with 42 current and retired faculty members named to a prestigious list of the top 2% most-cited researchers globally. Compiled by Stanford University, this recognition reflects the significant impact Baylor researchers have across 22 scientific fields and 174 subfields. In higher education, citations are one of the strongest indicators that others see a researcher’s work as meaningful. As a Christian Research 1 university, Baylor celebrates these individuals whose work not only advances knowledge but also positions Baylor among the best in the world.
• FACULTY/STAFF CHRISTMAS DISCOUNT: Beginning on Monday, Dec. 1, all Baylor Faculty and Staff will enjoy a 30% discount on clothing and gifts at the Baylor Bookstore and the Spirit Shop at the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center. The sale lasts until Saturday, Dec. 6. There will be extended store hours at the Bookstore until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, and if you go between 6-8 p.m., there will be extra goodies while supplies last! Special perks will also be available at the Spirit Shop on Friday, Dec. 5, from 5-7 p.m.
• BAYLOR CHRISTMAS CALENDAR: The Christmas season will be in full swing when we get back from the Thanksgiving holiday, and I want to make sure you have a few dates on your calendar. I will host my annual Christmas gathering for faculty, staff and retirees on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 5-6:30 p.m. Join me as we light the Bill Daniel Student Center Christmas Tree at 5:15 p.m. that evening and prepare to welcome friends and family to campus the next day for Christmas on 5th Street, which will feature activities for all ages at the Bill Daniel Student Center, on Fountain Mall and the Quadrangle, among other campus locations.

Note that there will be no Presidential Perspective next week as we all enjoy the holiday. Please have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Over the past two weeks we’ve asked you to write on a sticky note what you are thankful for this year. This one really touched my heart. All the messages are on display in the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center until Friday, Dec. 5.