Presidential Perspective - January 15, 2026

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

We are just days away from the start of a new semester, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone back on campus after what I pray was a wonderful holiday season. For our new students, faculty, staff and parents, you should know I send this Presidential Perspective regularly, usually each Thursday, and it gives me the opportunity to share important information about Baylor and our hometown of Waco in a digest format. I hope you take a few minutes each week to read it, along with other campus-wide e-newsletters like Baylor News Digest for faculty and staff on Wednesdays and What’s New BU for students on Mondays.

The start of the semester is often packed with meetings, events and, of course, classes. As you prepare for the next few weeks, please mark these dates on your calendar:

• Students, be sure to stop by the front of Allbritton House – where the First Gent and I live on campus – this Tuesday at 9 a.m. for FREE hot chocolate or lemonade apple cider from Pop’s. It’s our start of the semester First Day Giveaway – while supplies last!
• The Spring Faculty Meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 3 p.m. Staff members are welcome to join the meeting, and a Zoom link will be emailed to both faculty and staff the day before.
• The Spring Staff Meeting will also be held virtually on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 1:30 p.m. All Baylor faculty are strongly encouraged to join the meeting. A Zoom link will be emailed to staff and faculty the day before as well.

Here are some updates for today:

• TOTAL COMP STATEMENTS: Before the Christmas holidays I mentioned that faculty and staff Total Compensation Statements are now available within Ignite alongside a new interactive dashboard. The personalized statements give a holistic view into the robust compensation package – including benefits, retirement savings and other advantages – offered to Baylor employees. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to review your personalized statement today.
• NEW ARTS & SCIENCES DEAN: Yesterday Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., announced James R. Brockmole, Ph.D., as the next Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, effective July 1. Dr. Brockmole is Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Notre Dame, one of the few other Christian Research 1 institutions in the nation. He has held numerous academic appointments at Notre Dame, and he is an accomplished researcher with funding from the Templeton Religion Trust, National Science Foundation and European Research Council, among others. With a reputation as a builder and innovator, Dr. Brockmole will lead Baylor’s largest academic unit into the future, and I hope you join me in welcoming him into the Baylor Family.
• SOPHOMORE RETREAT: Baylor University is renowned for its first-year student experience, placing in the Top Five in the latest U.S. News & World Reportrankings. Building on that foundation, we have launched Year2@Baylor, an emerging second-year experience that provides opportunities, resources and programming for sophomores. In just a few days, we will hold Rooted: A Sophomore Retreat. During this overnight, two-day experience, students will hear from speakers, gather in small groups for meaningful conversation and enjoy time with new friends in a relaxed setting. Enhancing the experience for our returning students is crucial to meeting our retention and graduation goals and it is vital as we strive to prepare our students for worldwide leadership and service. No matter where you are on your journey, the Sophomore Retreat will give you tools to walk with purpose toward the person you are becoming.
• REMEMBERING DR. KING: This Monday is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day set aside to honor and celebrate the life, ministry and legacy of the late civil rights leader. The Baylor and Waco communities will join together for a variety of events honoring Dr. King, beginning tomorrow at noon with the annual Wreath Laying Ceremony. Other events include Monday’s Peace March and Gospel Extravaganza, plus Baylor’s annual Carillon Recital and MLK Celebration Luncheon. As we continue to navigate divisive times, I hope you will remember that while we may not always agree, we are called to treat one another with mutual respect and objectivity without hostility, demonstrating the love of Christ.

Travel safely back to Waco, and I can’t wait to see you soon somewhere on our beautiful campus.

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

We are so humbled by the generosity of Chip and Joanna Gaines, two members of the Baylor Family who through their most recent gift will help us to widen our welcome and offer unique experiences for fans of all ages at Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark!