Presidential Perspective - Nov. 5, 2026

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

What an awesome time the First Gent and I had welcoming students to “Dinner with the Livingstones” on Tuesday evening at Allbritton House! It is certainly one of our favorite parts of Baylor Homecoming 2026 … so far.

With Saturday’s football game against Iowa State slated for 11 a.m. at McLane Stadium, we did adjust a few things in the Homecoming schedule. The oldest and largest Homecoming parade in the country will step off at 7 a.m. in downtown Waco at Eighth Street and Austin Avenue, but make note of the new route to campus. The parade will turn onto Fifth Street rather than Fourth Street, and will enter campus around 7:30 a.m. If you can’t attend the parade in person, the livestream will be available on Baylor’s virtual events website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. I can’t wait to see the floats and student groups walking through the city and down the heart of campus. I also want to see you at the football game – and running the Baylor Line for freshmen – so secure your ticket now through the online portal.

The Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center will be open Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. for Homecoming at the Hurd, featuring historical Homecoming exhibits and a new custom cowboy experience with Rancher Hat Bar, but times have shifted for Saturday. The Hurd Welcome Center will be open from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. before closing so everyone can make their way to the stadium. It will reopen after the game from 2:30 to 6 p.m.

In addition to our longstanding traditions like Mass Meeting, Pigskin Revue and the Pep Rally and Bonfire, I hope you will attend this year’s Homecoming Festival on Third Street. On Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., kids of all ages will enjoy a free fall festival environment with games, prizes, photo ops, food and more. The entire Waco community is invited.

We have a beautiful fall weather forecast, and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in their green and gold this weekend!

Here are some other updates for the week.

• NATIONAL STEM DAY: National STEM Day is Sunday, Nov. 8, and Baylor will again partner in the days ahead with the Waco community to bring our researchers into local schools to spark interest in STEM fields and make college and research more accessible. Faculty and graduate students will visit Park Hill Elementary School, Lorena Middle School and La Vega High School to engage with students about magnetism, basic DNA principles and more. It’s our hope that all these students will pursue higher education, and that many of them will choose a career in science, technology, engineering and math – perhaps even at Baylor. I love this photo album from last year’s visits to Mart, McGregor and Midway!
• BEST IN HIGHER EDUCATION: For the second year in a row, Baylor has earned the top spot in higher education from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption in its 2026 list of Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces. Already noted by the Foundation as an Adoption Advocate, Baylor also earned two new certificates for being an Adoption-Friendly Workplace and a Foster-Friendly Workplace. These honors recognize the University’s best-in-class adoption and foster care benefits that are deeply rooted in our Christian mission and reflect our unwavering commitment to flourishing families. It is especially meaningful to see Baylor recognized during National Adoption Month.
• STRENGTHENING SCIENCE EDUCATION: I am excited to report Baylor has been selected for the National Science Foundation-funded Evolving the Culture of Biology Scholars program to strengthen graduate teaching in biology and other sciences. For many Baylor students, discovering their potential as scientists begins in the biology laboratory where they are guided by graduate teaching assistants and faculty researchers. This new research project is led by Dr. Tamarah Adair, Senior Lecturer of Biology and Director of Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences, and lab coordinators Amanda Bracey and Mindy Syharat. This team will develop tools to better equip teaching assistants to be more effective in the classroom and labs while also instilling greater confidence as they prepare to be the next generation of biology scholars and educators.
• NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH: Each November I look forward to joining all of you in celebrating Native American heritage and culture as we continue to learn and appreciate Baylor’s history with Native Peoples. For details on campus cultural events and performances, the calendar compiled by the Department of Multicultural Affairs will keep you informed. These and all Baylor heritage events are open to all students, faculty and staff as important opportunities for us to listen, learn and grow alongside one another.
• HONORING VETERANS: Wednesday is Veterans Day, and Baylor will hold several events in honor of veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. On Wednesday, everyone is invited to contribute to the Gratitude Wall in the lobby of Tidwell Bible Building from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. At 11 a.m., University Carillonneur Lynnette Geary will play a recital on the McLane Carillon in the tower of Pat Neff Hall. On Saturday, Nov. 14, Veterans of Baylor will host its sixth annual Battle of the Branches Flag Football Tournament at Touchdown Alley. Veterans Day is also a great time to learn about members of the Baylor Family who served our country. Did you know we honor them with more than 140 memorial lampposts across campus?

Waco’s annual Restaurant Week kicks off today with Green + Gold Day, a celebration of Homecoming. Participating is a great way to support local businesses and reconnect with many of the Baylor alumni who own and operate some of the city’s most beloved eateries, not to mention sampling today’s Baylor-themed specials!

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

PHOTO OF THE WEEK