News

As I spent some time this week reflecting and preparing for the upcoming fall semester, I was re-inspired and re-energized about what lies ahead for Baylor. I am glad that you are on this journey with me, as we shine our light boldly and brightly.

The excitement is building as we roll out our campus-wide Baylor United brand before the fall semester.

Each summer the Baylor University Board of Regents hosts a retreat in conjunction with its quarterly meeting. This time allows the Regents to discuss the strategic direction of the University, as well as issues that impact all of higher education.

WACO, Texas (July 19, 2019) – During its regular July retreat and summer meeting, the Baylor University Board of Regents celebrated the largest annual fundraising year in the University’s 174-year history, as members of the Baylor Family made $243 million in gifts and pledges during the 2018-19 fiscal year.

Greetings from Dallas! I am with our Regents today at Baylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing for our annual Board Retreat and Summer Meeting, which will conclude tomorrow.

It’s nice to email you again after a little hiatus as the First Gent, Shelby and I recently spent some time away from campus.

Father’s Day is Sunday, and it’s a day I remember my father, Doyle, who had an enduring impact on my life not only as my dad but as my coach and friend.

One of the joys of serving as Baylor’s President is being able to welcome incoming freshmen and their families – both officially and even unofficially over a hamburger.

It’s the time of year when we see a lot of new, young faces walking across our campus as either part of prospective student tours, summer camps or Orientation, which begins next week.

“Like many of the attendees at one of the May 18, 2019, Commencement ceremonies, I was caught off-guard during the Benediction as this prayer is intended to focus on the graduates as they leave Baylor University and make a mark around the world, not to communicate any kind of political statement..."

It was such a joy to celebrate our nearly 3,000 spring graduates during last week’s Commencement ceremonies.

WACO, Texas (May 17, 2019) – At its regular spring meeting, the Baylor University Board of Regents celebrated the historic $100 million gift for Baylor’s $1.1 billion Give Light comprehensive philanthropic campaign that undergirds Illuminate, the University’s strategic plan, and impacts every aspect of campus while also bolstering financial support for students and the priorities of Baylor’s 12 schools and colleges.

While campus has become quieter as the spring semester comes to a close, our Board of Regents has been quite busy this week as part of its quarterly meetings.

These gifts – and others to Baylor as part of the Give Light campaign – will have a long-lasting impact on our campus and reflect our steadfast commitment to our historic Christian mission, a transformational undergraduate education and an exceptional faculty dedicated to teaching and research in a Christian environment.

Last weekend, I joined the entire Baylor Family in celebrating the largest current gift ever received by Baylor University — a $100 million investment in the future of the University made by an anonymous donor as part of our $1.1 billion Give Light comprehensive philanthropic campaign.

WACO, Texas (May 4, 2019) – Baylor University today announced a transformational $100 million gift – the largest current gift in University history and the largest gift to date to the University’s $1.1 billion Give Light comprehensive philanthropic campaign. The gift is from an anonymous donor and will advance Baylor’s progress towards growth as a preeminent Christian research university, building on the University’s historic strengths and strategically investing in new areas of teaching, research and service.

Please join me in welcoming Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., to Baylor as our new Provost – the chief academic officer of the University.

Today was one of those historic days in the life of Baylor, as we held a signing ceremony to officially announce a $15 million leadership gift from The Sunderland Foundation to begin the renovation and restoration of the iconic Tidwell Bible Building.

Uniting us as a campus community, our Christian faith calls for us to love one another as Christ loves us. We are daily renewed in Jesus’ sacrifice, and as members of a Christian institution of higher education we are empowered by Christ’s compassion for all to lift up one another and serve the surrounding world.

We eagerly look to the dawn of Easter Sunday as an opportunity for the renewal of our spirit and of our commitment to providing the many students who call Baylor home with the best education possible as we bear witness to Christ’s redeeming grace.

Today is significant for Baylor University as we unveil a new graphic identity and unite our entire campus – all the colleges, schools, divisions and athletics teams – behind the historic and iconic "interlocking BU" logo.

It was great seeing so many of you around campus for Diadeloso, one of Baylor’s unique and most cherished traditions.

While Baylor is a university that supports and encourages free speech, we have an additional – and very important – responsibility as a Christian university, and that is to appreciate differing opinions and backgrounds in a respectful, compassionate manner that extends grace as Christ did.

As the pace of the spring semester picks up, please reach out if you need any assistance. We all need a little help sometimes, and Baylor has many resources available to you.

Spring has sprung on the Baylor campus, and it was nice welcoming everyone back to the University from Spring Break with warmer temperatures, tulips in full bloom and trees budding with green.

I hope everyone is enjoying Spring Break! For the First Gent and me – two former college basketball student-athletes – this may be the “most wonderful time of the year” as the college basketball postseason is fully underway.

As our students look to Spring Break next week, I hope that you will have a safe and relaxing time away from campus. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Yesterday we made a significant announcement with the appointment of Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., as Baylor’s next Provost.

I am currently in the midst of Baylor’s quarterly Board of Regents meeting, which will last through the end of the day tomorrow.

A national discussion is rightfully taking place today about bigotry and prejudice in our country, stemming from appalling and offensive images found in college and university yearbooks.

It’s been a great week to be a Baylor Bear, particularly as we celebrated Baylor Day at the Capitol in Austin on Tuesday.

It’s hard to believe that the first month of the spring semester has come and gone. We are blessed to have 16,550 students studying with us at Baylor this spring, which includes 13,290 undergraduates and 3,260 graduate and professional students.

WACO, Texas (Feb. 6, 2019) – Kelly R. Ylitalo, Ph.D., assistant professor in the department of public health in Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, has been awarded a prestigious career development grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the link between physical activity and healthy aging. The grant, valuing more than $626,000, will span a five-year project period.

Recent news articles about reported allegations of rape at two of our residence halls have, understandably, caused some concern and confusion on campus and in the media. We pledge to you that Baylor takes all allegations of sexual assault and interpersonal violence very seriously, has correctly followed its established policies and procedures, and thoroughly assessed every threat to assure the safest environment possible for our students.

WACO, Texas (Feb. 1, 2019) – On the 174th anniversary of its founding, Baylor University today presented the Baylor Founders Medal to the City of Waco for its decades-long support of and partnership with the University. As one of the University’s most distinguished awards, the Founders Medal was established in 1969 to recognize those whose service and contributions have been unusually significant to the life and future of the University.

WACO, Texas (Feb. 1, 2019) – Baylor University’s Campus Diversity Committee will host the eighth annual Cultural Connection Celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, in the Meyer Conference Center (Foster 250) in the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation, 1621 S. Third St.

Tomorrow is a special day in the life of Baylor as we celebrate Founders Day and the 174th anniversary of the University.

As we near the end of January, I’m wondering how many of you have kept your New Year’s Resolutions?

WACO, Texas (Jan. 23, 2019) – The John Templeton Foundation has awarded a $2.6 million grant to Sarah Schnitker, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology in Baylor University’s College of Arts & Sciences, and co-principal investigator Benjamin Houltberg, Ph.D., director of research at the University of Southern California Performance Science Institute. The grant aims to galvanize widespread scientific development of virtue interventions for adolescents across a diversity of contexts – such as athletic teams, religious organizations, youth community centers and online – that attend to spirituality and transcendent purpose.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’”

Those are powerful words from the late Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose life and legacy of service we will celebrate beginning tomorrow through next week.

WACO, Texas (Jan. 17, 2019) – Baylor University’s Center for Christian Music Studies in the Baylor School of Music has been awarded a four-year $1.2 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. as part of its Strengthening Congregational Ministries with Youth Initiative.

I am excited for the start of the spring semester on Monday, as 2019 already is shaping up to be noteworthy for Baylor.

I am already looking forward to our sleepy campus coming alive with students for the arrival of the spring semester on Jan. 14. Here’s to a great 2019!

My prayer for the Baylor Family this Christmas season is that you will behold the Light of the World that shines upon and within you by faith. This is a gift of grace to celebrate and share at Christmas and always.

WACO, Texas (Dec. 20, 2018) - Baylor University today celebrates generous philanthropic support for the recently launched Baylor Built program, a key component of the “Preparing Champions for Life” vision of Baylor Athletics. The gift coincides with the public launch of Give Light, a $1.1 billion comprehensive philanthropic campaign inaugurated under the leadership of Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.

WACO, Texas (Dec. 20, 2018) – Baylor University is mourning the passing of longtime University benefactor Louise Herrington Ornelas, whose significant friendship and generosity has provided an enduring impact on nursing education – and on future generations of Baylor nurses – at the school that bears her name: Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing in Dallas.

WACO, Texas (Dec. 18, 2018) – Baylor University President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education (ACE), the major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities.

It’s always sad to peek out my office window and see the stillness of campus, signaling that another semester has come and gone. But I always look forward to Commencement, and this Friday and Saturday we will confer approximately 970 degrees, welcoming a class of new alumni into the Baylor Family.

WACO, Texas (Dec. 12, 2018) – Baylor University and George W. Truett Theological Seminary will celebrate graduation of its students with commencement ceremonies Friday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 15.

I am pleased to share with you the good news that Baylor University has received official reaffirmation of its 10-year institutional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the recognized regional accrediting body in 11 southern states and Latin America for higher education institutions that award associate, baccalaureate, master's or doctoral degrees.

It’s Finals Week, so I promise not to take too much of your time with today’s Presidential Perspective!

It’s hard to believe that the fall semester is rapidly coming to a close. Tonight you have an opportunity to experience a special and memorable Baylor tradition – Christmas on 5th Street.

I enjoyed having the opportunity to visit with many of you last night at one of Baylor’s special traditions – our All-University Thanksgiving. We truly have so much to be thankful for as a community of faith here at Baylor.

WACO, Texas (Nov. 9, 2018) – A week after launching Give Light: The Campaign for Baylor, the institution’s $1.1 billion comprehensive philanthropic campaign, Baylor University today dedicated the Billy W. Williams Golf Practice Facility and Clubhouse, the newest addition to the University’s athletic facilities that provides the latest advances in training and support for Baylor golf student-athletes while preparing them as Champions for Life.

Our campus continues to be aglow from last week’s launch of Give Light, The Campaign for Baylor.

What a wonderful Homecoming Weekend and a momentous and historic occasion in the life of Baylor University.

WACO, Texas (Nov. 2, 2018) - Baylor University today announced a lead gift from Mark and Paula Hurd, which spurs the institution’s $1.1 billion comprehensive philanthropic campaign to create the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center. Efforts for the new center are the cornerstone of “Give Light: The Campaign for Baylor,” the University’s fundraising initiative announced on Nov. 1, 2018.

WACO, Texas (Nov. 2, 2018) – During its annual Homecoming meeting, the Baylor University Board of Regents celebrated the public launch of Give Light: The Campaign for Baylor, as the University moves forward under its first-ever comprehensive philanthropic campaign. Give Light undergirds Illuminate, the University’s Academic Strategic Plan, and impacts every aspect of campus life – academics, athletics, student life and service learning – while also bolstering financial support for students, faculty and the entire campus community.

I am pleased to report that the Big 12 Conference has completed its Verification Review of Baylor University’s 105 recommendations in response to past reports of sexual assault and interpersonal violence within our campus community and has confirmed all recommendations as complete and implemented.

Next week is shaping up to be both exciting and historic in the life of Baylor University.

WACO, Texas (Oct. 25, 2018) - Baylor University today announced a gift of $3.5 million from Mark and Jennifer McCollum of Houston to create the McCollum Family Chair in Data Sciences within Baylor’s nationally ranked School of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS). The $3.5 million gift is part of a larger $11.5 million commitment from the McCollums to Give Light, the University’s upcoming comprehensive philanthropy campaign.

This week reminds me of a popular nursery rhyme: "Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day …"

I am excited to report that interest among prospective students in attending Baylor continues to be incredibly strong. In fact, Saturday’s Fall Premiere event is “sold out” and is expected to be one of the largest Premiere days ever at Baylor.

Assembling the most dynamic, mission-focused group of senior administrators as we pursue our aspirations as a preeminent Christian research university is of vital importance.

Greetings from 30,000 feet somewhere between San Diego and Nashville! We are making a couple of stops this week with the Baylor Conversation Series as we visit with alumni, parents of current and prospective students, and friends about Baylor’s progress and Illuminate, our academic strategic plan.

Baylor University has been actively investigating an allegation that former Board of Regents Chair Richard Willis used extremely offensive and hurtful language in a private conversation in Mexico in 2014. Mr. Willis, who served as Chair from 2012-16 and left the Board in 2017, adamantly denies making the statements.

WACO, Texas (Sept. 30, 2018) – More than 80 Baylor University faculty who share their knowledge, research and expertise with the news media were honored Sept. 27 by Baylor Media Communications during the inaugural Newsmakers Luncheon.

I am looking forward to opening up our campus for Family Weekend this Friday and Saturday. This is such a special time now that the fall semester is in full swing and we have an opportunity to showcase several student performances, athletic competitions and the Waco community.

WACO, Texas (Sept. 21, 2018) – Inspired by the “Where Lights Shine Bright” campaign, Baylor University has unveiled its new institutional commercial that extends the #BaylorLights campaign tells the story of the Baylor Family is reflecting the light of God in the world as they pursue their callings.

Our campus community kicked off National Hispanic Heritage Month yesterday with a luncheon and special guest speaker. Suzette Quintanilla Arriaga, the sister of the late singer Selena, shared her family’s story and reminded those in attendance of the importance of celebrating one another’s cultures.

WACO, Texas (Sept. 20, 2018) – For nearly 100 years, Baptist Student Ministries has worked to equip college students across the country to follow Christ and transform the world. On Wednesday, Baylor University and the Baptist General Convention of Texas signed a cooperative agreement for a renewed vision of Baptist Student Ministries (BSM) as a chartered student organization on campus.

Yesterday we hosted our annual Fall Staff Forum over the lunch hour at the Ferrell Center, where I provided an update on Illuminate, our University’s strategic plan, and we also learned a few tips on how to receive feedback from others.

Baylor holds an unwavering commitment to fostering and nurturing the diversity of our students, faculty and staff. More than that, we celebrate our diversity, which lies at the core of our mission to transform lives and serve others.

WACO, Texas (Sept. 6, 2018) – Baylor University enrolled its highest-achieving freshman class ever and advanced undergraduate retention and graduation rates to record levels, according to 12th class day statistics from Baylor’s Office of Institutional Research and Testing (IRT).

Today I am up in Dallas for the dedication of an amazing, completely renovated building that will serve as the new academic home of Baylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing.

What a great start to the fall semester! It was so good to see our returning students and welcome our new freshmen, transfer students and graduate students to campus. So many smiling faces!

WACO, Texas (Aug. 20, 2018) – Hundreds of Baylor University students kicked off their first day of classes with a good breakfast – and a free one at that – served by the University’s President.

I cannot believe the fall semester is here! It is great to see our beautiful campus come back to life with the hope and excitement that a new semester brings. And to the Class of 2022, we are so excited to have you as part of the Baylor Family.

“Our glowing possibility comes to life in the hands of a craftsman who knows what He is doing, who made beauty and brightness with handpicked glass, a unique plan and His own breath. In our Creator’s hands, we burn brightly in a dark world.”

This is my prayer for all of you – that our lights will shine brightly this fall semester for the glory of our Creator.

WACO, Texas (Aug. 8, 2018) – Baylor University’s summer graduating class of 2018 will walk the stage at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Ferrell Center, S. University Parks Drive.

It has certainly been a busy, productive summer as the University community has continued building out our Illuminate Academic Strategic Plan, while also preparing for the upcoming fall semester. Baylor is definitely moving forward in a big way.

WACO, Texas (Aug. 1, 2018) — Eleven Baylor University faculty members have been selected to serve as 2018-19 Baylor Fellows for their excellence in teaching and desire to transform student thinking through innovation.

We are fortunate to have such a remarkable natural science and cultural history museum that engages our community and inspires learning through rich collections, vibrant programs and hands-on experiences.

WACO, Texas (July 20, 2018) – During its regular July retreat meeting, the Baylor University Board of Regents welcomed new Board members, heard an update from Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., on the Illuminate Academic Strategic Plan and other University initiatives and approved $1.24 million gift for renovations to the Umphrey Law Center and Charles and Sandra Wallace Courtyard. The Board also discussed higher education issues with state and national leaders and set tuition and fees for the 2019-2020 academic year.

We are experiencing nearly record-breaking temperatures in Waco, so I hope you are staying cool wherever you may be this summer!

Pastors from several denominations, religions and races throughout Waco and Central Texas joined me yesterday in the Powell Chapel at our Truett Seminary to gather in prayer for area students, families, teachers and faculty in preparation for the rapidly approaching fall semester.

DALLAS, Texas (July 12, 2018) – The Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) hosted a dedication ceremony Tuesday of its new Divine Servant® statue given by Dallas Baptist University and dedicated in honor of LHSON Dean Shelley F. Conroy.

WACO, Texas (July 11, 2018) – Baylor University today congratulates Bob and Laura Beauchamp of Houston on being named Recovery Philanthropists of the Year by the Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE) at a ceremony held Monday night at the University of Houston Student Center.

WACO, Texas (July 11, 2018) – As communities prepare for the upcoming school year, senior pastors and leaders of all faiths, denominations and races from throughout Waco and Central Texas joined Baylor University President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., to pray for students, families, teachers and faculty during a Community Prayer Breakfast on the Baylor campus.

I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July holiday yesterday! As many of you know, the First Gent is a history buff, and we’ve learned that two Baylor faculty members have done quite a bit of research on Benjamin Franklin, one of our Founding Fathers. Did you know that Franklin was a businessman, entrepreneur, inventor, journalist, author, printer, editor, politician, postmaster, statesman and ambassador, in addition to being a signer of the Declaration of Independence?

The Livingstone Family is already looking forward to the July 4 holiday next Wednesday and celebrating the freedoms we enjoy here in our great country. We should never take these for granted. I hope you will join us at Touchdown Alley on the banks of the Brazos River for the City of Waco’s annual Fourth on the Brazos Celebration. We thoroughly enjoyed last year’s event with all the music, food and fireworks, as well as the opportunity to engage with the Baylor Family and other community members.

WACO, Texas (June 26, 2018) – Baylor University President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., will welcome senior pastors and leaders of all faiths, denominations and races throughout Waco and Central Texas for a Community Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday, July 11, on the Baylor campus. The event will bring together faith leaders to pray collectively for students, teachers, faculty and families as communities prepare for the upcoming school year.

WACO, Texas (June 25, 2018) – Baylor University today announced a $1.6 million gift from the Waco Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation that will create a permanent endowment for Camp Success, a free intensive summer language and literacy intervention program for children through the department of communication sciences and disorders (CSD) in Baylor’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences.

As we near the midpoint of the summer break, I am longing for many things … the hustle and bustle of our students on campus, the engagement and interactions with faculty, the start of football season and a Dr Pepper Float!

WACO, Texas (June 20, 2018) – Baylor University today announced that the philanthropic support of students, alumni, parents and friends during the recently completed fiscal year (June 1, 2017, to May 31, 2018) – which coincided with the first year in office of Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D. – exceeded $113 million.

It’s exciting to see members of #BU22, our incoming class of freshmen, visiting the Baylor campus along with their families and friends throughout the summer. More than 1,200 students have already taken their first steps in joining the Baylor Family, including registering for classes, learning about and celebrating Baylor’s rich legacy and traditions, and even Running the Line at McLane Stadium.

I continue to be blessed each day to serve as Baylor’s President. Among the many highlights is being able to travel across the country to visit with alumni, current and prospective students, parents and friends of the University.

WACO, Texas (June 6, 2018) – Baylor Law has announced the creation of The M. Stephen and Alyce A. Beard Chair in Business and Transactional Law that will be funded through a generous gift from M. Stephen (B.B.A. ’71, J.D. ’73) and Alyce A. Beard (B.A. ’70). Proceeds from the endowment will support this faculty position in perpetuity, allowing Baylor Law to enhance practical training and scholarship in this critical discipline.

WACO, Texas (June 5, 2018) – Baylor University today announced the establishment of The Floyd F. Davidson Endowed Memorial Chair in Biology, made possible through a gift of approximately $2.5 million from the estate of Lorene Taylor Davidson, who died in 2013 at the age of 100. Lorene and her husband, Floyd Davidson, Ph.D., were longtime Baylor supporters who blended giving to Baylor during their lifetimes with the inclusion of a gift to Baylor in their estate. Floyd Davidson died in 1990.

Today marks exactly one year since I began serving as President of Baylor University. What a year it has been! This day offers a welcome occasion for me to express my extreme gratitude to the entire Baylor Family for your partnership and support as I have guided this great institution of higher education.