News

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.

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.

“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.

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!

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.

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 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!