Presidential Perspective - October 9, 2025

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

Tomorrow is Baylor’s Fall Break, and it is always a much-needed pause in the semester for students as the focus turns to midterms, which are right around the corner. Students, I pray you get the rest you need for your mind, body and spirit over the next few days. Remember that our Student Health and Wellness programs and services – including the Counseling Center, Health Services and Care Team Services, and our Pastoral Care staff in Spiritual Life – are always available to support you.

In addition to the many health and well-being resources, Baylor also has a range of safety resources available to keep our campus community safe. I encourage everyone to watch a new video, Awareness, Curiosity, Response, about the role each of us plays in safety – wherever we are on or off campus – by staying aware of our environment, being curious and responding if we see something that seems out of place, including the behavior of a friend or colleague who might need help.

Please be safe over this long weekend and be sure to look out for one another as a reflection of our caring Christian community.

Here are some updates for today:

• FAITH IN HIGHER ED DOCUSERIES: As part of Christian Higher Education Month, I am pleased to share a special docuseries produced by BYU-TV that explores the role of faith in higher education. The three-part series includes stories from students, faculty and staff with different faith traditions, and I was asked to speak not only about Baylor, but about the critically important role of Christian research universities in higher education. With 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students and a top research designation, Baylor remains distinct among our faith-based academic peers, so to have a seat at this table was invaluable. I hope you will watch each episode and find joy in hearing how our mission to “educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community” rings true.
• SAVE THESE DATES: The fall semester is always chock full of events and activities for all of us. I have these three circled on my calendar, and I hope you will plan to attend as well.
  • The Memorial to Enslaved Persons Dedication Ceremony will be on Friday, Nov. 7, at 1:30 p.m. on Founders Mall. The Memorial is one outcome from the Commission on Historic Campus Representations, and the outdoor dedication will provide a moment for the Baylor Family to peacefully gather as we reflect on this challenging period in the University’s history while we also look toward our promising future together.
  • For the first time ever, Baylor has been granted a license to organize an independent TEDx event. TEDxBaylor University on Saturday, Nov. 8, is a tremendous opportunity to bring Baylor’s interdisciplinary collaboration and ingenuity to a global audience. We will soon announce the roster of speakers and details on how the entire Baylor Family can join the virtual event live.
  • Baylor’s annual Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night is happening Saturday, Nov. 8, at 4 p.m. at McLane Stadium. Come enjoy activities for all ages as well as a showing of “How to Train Your Dragon” (2025) on the football field. You must register, but you only need your Baylor ID for admission.
• BLUEBONNET BATTLE BLOOD DRIVE: Our fierce rivalry with TCU in the annual Bluebonnet Battle is a proud tradition, but this year we are adding another way to channel that competitive spirit into a life-saving effort! Make plans to take part in the Baylor-TCU Blood Drive on Oct. 14-15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bobo Spiritual Life Center. Let’s compete with our Fort Worth neighbors to see which campus can make the greatest impact! Every donation is a win for both communities and shows that at Baylor, our mission of service leads us to action.
• FREE FARMERS MARKET: Baylor students are invited to enjoy a day of fresh food and community connection at Baylor’s Free Farmers Market on Wednesday, Oct.15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fountain Mall. Hosted once each semester by The Store, our on-campus food pantry, at the Market you can pick locally sourced fruits and vegetables and learn more about programs and organizations dedicated to promoting food access and healthy living at Baylor and beyond. The Free Farmers Market is open exclusively to Baylor students, so be sure to bring your Baylor ID to participate. Come with a bag, and be ready to fill it with healthy foods, meet new friends and discover ways to make a difference in the community.
• CHURCH HISTORY BOOK PRIZE: Each year, the American Society of Church History – one of the oldest historical societies in the U.S. – presents the Frank S. and Elizabeth D. Brewer Prize that recognizes exceptional scholarship in the history of Christianity by a first-time author. Congratulations to Paul Emory Putz, Ph.D., director of the Faith & Sports Institute and program director for the Master of Arts in Theology and Sports Studies at Truett Seminary, who has won the 2025 Brewer Prize for The Spirit of the Game: American Christianity and Big-Time Sports. Putz’s book provides a sweeping history of the American Christian athlete movement in the 20th century, a project that first took root while he was a history Ph.D. student at Baylor. We celebrate this national honor with Dr. Putz, which reflects the impact of his scholarship and the strength of Baylor’s commitment to advancing knowledge at the intersection of faith and learning.
• BAYLOR THEATRE PRESENTS “LITTLE WOMEN”: In “Little Women,” we get to follow the March sisters as they grow up in 19th century Massachusetts and navigate love, loss and new beginnings. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel, which is set against the backdrop of the Civil War, the musical captures the timeless themes of resilience, hope and the pursuit of one’s dreams. Baylor Theatre will perform the musical Oct. 15-26 in Jones Theatre, and tickets are still available.

In case you missed it, the 2025 Baylor Traditions Ornament is now available, and it is a reflection of our shared legacy – featuring the iconic opening lyric from Baylor’s beloved school song, “That Good Old Baylor Line.” Each ornament design is individually packaged in custom boxes with proceeds supporting the University. I’ve already ordered mine!

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Have a safe and restful Fall Break, and we’ll see you back on campus next week.