Light from Baylor - May 14, 2026
May is always a little bittersweet across the Baylor campus as we say goodbye to the graduating seniors while preparing to welcome freshmen and transfers in the summer and fall. But in celebration of the graduating class of 2026, a video lookback was created for our Line to Legacy event, and I thought you might enjoy seeing the traditions and hearing the stories that transformed the lives of our more than 3,100 new Baylor Alumni.
As I reflect on this past academic year, I am reminded of how blessed we were – even amid turbulent times across all higher education. The demand for a Baylor education is high, the Baylor brand is strong and our graduation and retention rates are record-setting. The Lord was so faithful and gracious to our students, faculty and staff, and I am looking forward to seeing how He continues to bless us. But before turning the page on another school year, I want to share a few reflections with you.
We kicked off the year with a sold-out concert featuring two-time GRAMMY®, seven-time Billboard Music and 12-time GMA Dove Award winner, Lauren Daigle. It was so fun to see Baylor students and parents together enjoying Lauren’s music during Family Weekend. Baylor was then recognized as a “Best Employer for Women” by Forbes and named a “Great College to Work For” with Honor Roll recognition in every single category, based on faculty and staff responses to a national survey. The honors continued with a Time “Best College for Future Leaders” mention, and we finished in the Top 10 nationally and first in Texas – again – for our number of Fulbright Award winners.
The Lord certainly continues to shower Baylor with countless blessings, and the purpose of the Light From Baylor e-newsletter is to share some of those blessings with you – senior and lead pastors across Texas and beyond. As you read, I hope you will find a story that piques your interest or something you want to share with a pastor friend or co-labore
Sincerely,
Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President
Baptist Student Ministry Building
Since 1845, when Baylor was chartered by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, the University and the Baptist General Convention of Texas have labored together. Texas Baptists have provided scholarships for some of Baylor’s Baptist students for years. There is a scholarship for students who are preparing for careers in church-related vocational ministry, and there are BGCT scholarships for dependents of pastors and ministers currently serving or retired from a Baptist congregation or another leadership role.
Two years ago the University deeded a parcel of its land to the BGCT for a new Baptist Student Ministries building. After breaking ground last fall, in February donors and friends toured the construction progress and held a beam signing. Once complete, the BSM building will provide another sacred space on our campus for Baylor students to grow spiritually, know God and make Him known. We are looking forward to the grand opening, which is expected to be in August before the fall semester begins.
FM72 Prayer Vigil & Worship
Each spring since 2019, Baylor has hosted FM72, a three-day prayer vigil at the center of campus on Fountain Mall, as we prepare our hearts for the Easter season. This event has truly become an integral part of the student experience at Baylor. Our Office of Spiritual Life partners with multiple campus ministries and local churches to unite Baylor students with those from other colleges and universities in continuous prayer and nightly worship.
I will always remember the student who said FM72 played a part in her deciding to attend Baylor! This year, 60 Baylor students were baptized during FM72, and we are so thankful that FM72 once again stirred the hearts of students to passionately seek God.
Student Commissioning Celebrations
Each year the First Gent and I have the wonderful opportunity to celebrate and pray for Baylor students who serve others across the world on mission trips and at summer camps. The camp commissioning is always a special gathering for us since we were both camp counselors. We know first-hand how working at a summer camp in any capacity can be transformational for the camper and the staffer!
Using the camp commissioning as a guide, last year Baylor launched a similar celebration for students going on mission trips. In partnership with local churches and organizations, students with Baylor connections regularly demonstrate God’s love in places near and far. Facilitated by Baylor Missions, Service and Public Life, the missions commissioning is a real-world example of how we live out Baylor’s motto – Pro Ecclesia (For the Church), Pro Texana (For Texas), Pro Mundo (For the World). In either case, it is gratifying to be reminded that so many Baylor students choose to spend their university breaks serving others and sharing the Gospel.
Commitment to Community Prayer
Waco has been home to Baylor University since 1886. We have persevered and grown alongside one another through wars, economic downturns and wonderful seasons of prosperity. We partner regularly on a range of programs and activities, and one of my favorites is the Community Prayer events. These regular breakfast or lunch gatherings are an opportunity to start each semester praying with pastors, community leaders and school officials for the city, our colleges and universities, and area students of all ages.
The fall breakfast is centered around education, and in the spring, we schedule the lunch during the Easter season. Under the guidance of the Office of Spiritual Life, these prayer events bring together members of the Baylor campus and Waco communities to pray, deepen connections and foster new relationships. Pastors and church leaders from a range of Christian faiths are warmly welcomed and invited to pray, read scripture or speak.
Faculty & Staff Spiritual Wellbeing
Baylor intentionally supports the spiritual wellbeing of its faculty and staff. Three years ago, I established a Spiritual Wellbeing Task Force to explore the needs and opportunities that would help nurture their hearts and minds alongside local church involvement. One outcome of the task force’s work is Faculty and Staff Chapel. These services, conducted once per semester, bring a guest pastor and congregation to Baylor for a special time of worship, and they complement our Lift Up Your Hearts services, which are led by members of the Baylor community.
The Spiritual Wellbeing Task Force was also instrumental in designing questions about faith that we have added to the standard Great Colleges to Work For survey. It has been gratifying to see faculty and staff report Baylor is a place where they can authentically live out their faith and where we actively support their spiritual growth. One example of this support is Spiritual Wellbeing Leave, which was created in 2023 and gives eligible staff members one paid day per year to engage in spiritual renewal. More than 67 percent of Baylor staff used this leave time in the first year, and our goal is to reach 100 percent.
Truett Seminary Enrollment
George W. Truett Theological Seminary is one of the strategic ways we demonstrate a firm commitment to our Christian mission, and earlier this spring, Truett announced another record-breaking enrollment year. With 495 students in the spring 2026 semester, Truett surpassed its previous record of 476 students – set last fall. The record enrollment reflects growth in the Master of Divinity program, the most expansive of Truett’s various master’s programs, which includes students on the Waco campus and in Houston and San Antonio.
Regardless of the location or specific program, the Truett vision is the same, to be a leader in the training of thoughtful, faithful Christian ministers for a 21st century Church and world. Once example of this vision at work is a $9.76 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support Truett Seminary’s innovative Ministry for Life initiative. With the grant, Truett will continue to build rich relationships among partners in Texas and beyond with a focus on equipping healthy ministers to lead healthy churches. This work reflects Baylor’s deep, abiding commitment to the Church in North America and to preparing future leaders for vibrant, lifelong ministry.
A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.