Presidential Perspective - March 26, 2026

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

Baylor University has a deep history of prayer that reflects our mission in Christian higher education and our historic Baptist roots. In the spring of 1945, Baylor students prayed for revival for 90 straight days, and in 2015, more than 35,000 attended “The Gathering” service at McLane Stadium. Just a few years ago we reached even more people when Baylor served as the originating site for the 2024 Collegiate Day of Prayer evening service that was livestreamed around the world.

Each spring since 2019, we have 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, which begins this Sunday through Wednesday, 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! Today we pray that FM72 will once again stir the hearts of countless students to passionately seek God together and experience the delightful surprise of the peace and presence of the Holy Spirit.

Here are some updates:

• BAYLOR GIVING DAY: Baylor Giving Day is just a week away. On April 1, the entire Baylor Family will be asked to make a financial gift to the University to support an area of the institution that means the most to them. Whether it is a gift to an academic program, a club or organization, or to support scholarships for our students, each gift – no matter the size – will make an impact when added to the gifts of others. I hope you will join this celebration of Baylor’s influence in the lives of our students and in the world.
• BEARATHON IS BACK: The Bearathon Half-Marathon and Sic ’Em 6K are returning to Waco this Saturday morning. The student-led Bearathon not only offers challenging courses for thousands of race participants but also contributes to the Baylor Student Foundation Scholarship Fund, providing crucial support for students throughout their time at Baylor. For more details on race times, packet pickup and course information, visit the Bearathon website. And remember, if you are on or around campus on Saturday, be sure to adhere to road and parking lot closures.
• TOP 100 PATENTS: Baylor is again ranked among the Top 100 U.S. universities granted utility patents in 2025, according to the National Academy of Inventors – one of only seven Texas universities included in the report. The National Academy of Inventors is a nonprofit organization that recognizes and promotes innovation among researchers. The inclusion of Baylor in this year’s list is another indicator of our growing research enterprise and our distinct place in higher education as a Christian Research 1 university.
• TWO NEW AAAS FELLOWS: I am pleased to share that two Baylor faculty members, Dr. Dwayne D. Simmons, The Cornelia Marschall Smith Endowed Professor of Biology, and Dr. Samuel S. Urlacher, Associate Professor of Anthropology, were elected to the rank of AAAS Fellow – a lifetime honor – by the Council of the American Association for the Advancement of Science this morning. They are being recognized for distinguished scientific and socially notable achievements spanning their careers. This is an outstanding accomplishment for both Dr. Simmons and Dr. Urlacher, and another example of the caliber of faculty who call Baylor home.
• FREE FARMERS MARKET: The Baylor Free Farmers Market is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fountain Mall. To participate, students only need to bring their Baylor ID and a reusable bag. The farmers market provides students with free access to fresh fruits and vegetables, while also raising awareness about food insecurity. The event brings together local farmers, community partners, campus organizations and student volunteers to promote health, wellness and food justice. If you are interested in volunteering, you can still sign up online.
• BUDGET WEBINAR AVAILABLE: If you missed this week’s strategic financial repositioning webinar, it is now available online. Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Curtis Reynolds, Vice President of Business and Finance and Chief Financial Officer, and I presented an update on Baylor’s budget and financial stability in the face of external headwinds and a changing higher education landscape. You may access the webinar recording on-demand, and I encourage you to check back next week to see the frequently asked questions.

For faculty and staff, please remember to complete this year’s Great Colleges to Work For program survey, which was emailed to you by independent firm ModernThink. The response deadline is tomorrow.

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

I was thrilled to join this year’s celebration breakfast honoring the teaching and research contributions of women faculty!