President's Note

In my role as acting president, it is my pleasure to continue this regular communication to faculty and staff.

I want you to know that while Baylor Regents believed that a change in leadership was necessary, there is general consensus that Baylor is on the right track and that we are taking significant steps forward in many, many areas. An annual report documenting our progress was presented to the board at its recent meeting and can be viewed on the web.

I'm told that nearly 40% of our incoming students are participating in Baylor Line Camp this year and that the program is receiving rave reviews from parents and students alike. We have a talented, new class of incoming students who are eager for their first year at Baylor to begin in less than a month. They will join a community of students of whom we are already so proud.

On our campus, students will find a University that has a strong leadership team in place, along with an excellent faculty and professional staff who are actively working to fulfill the mission of the University, which is to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.

I have spent my first few days as acting president in meetings with a variety of university groups including the executive council, dean's council, executive committee of the Faculty Senate and staff council. I've visited with staff of the provost's office, student government leadership, and representatives of our retired professors and administrators program. I can tell you that among all of those with whom I have spoken there is tremendous confidence in Baylor and support for the progress we are making in areas across the University.

While I will be serving as acting president until an interim president is named, it is the desire of the Board of Regents to move as swiftly as possible to fill the vacancy. But regardless of when either an interim or permanent president are chosen, I simply encourage you to continue the good work you are already doing serving Baylor. Our forward progress is dramatic and I am confident that as we work together Baylor will continue on its upward trajectory.

Elizabeth Davis Named Interim Provost

I am pleased to tell you that I am appointing Elizabeth Davis as interim provost, effective immediately. I made the decision at the conclusion of numerous on campus meetings in which I heard comments and received recommendations to fill the position.

You should know that during the process of discussing this interim appointment, Elizabeth Davis was the consensus choice to provide leadership in our academic area during this period of transition.

I am grateful to the officers of the Board of Regents, executive council, dean's council and the executive committee of the Faculty Senate for their guidance regarding this appointment.

Dr. Davis earned her bachelor of business administration degree in accounting cum laude from Baylor in 1984, and joined the Baylor faculty in 1992 after completing her doctorate in accounting at Duke University. In addition to her vice provost duties, Davis is professor of accounting in the Hankamer School of Business. She has served the provost's office as vice provost for financial and academic administration since 2004.

Leadership Summit August 7-8

Regardless of where we have been called to serve, each of us have leadership responsibilities of one form or another. As a result, we must continually look to sharpen both our abilities as leaders and our understanding of leadership within a community of faith. We have an effective tool for honing leadership skills in the annual summer Leadership Summit which will take place on our campus next Thursday and Friday at Waco Hall. I encourage faculty and staff at all levels to consider attending this two-day conference.

• Conference Registration

Move-In Day...Volunteers Needed

With several thousand students descending upon our campus Wednesday, August 20 and Thursday, August 21, we are in need of volunteers to assist families with their move into our on-campus facilities and to welcome these newest members of the Baylor family. Please sign up as a group or individually. There is a wide variety of volunteer opportunities that ensure that there is a place for everyone, regardless of personal circumstance or physical limitation. Please sign up for one or more of the shifts available. If you can only volunteer a couple of hours, there is a place on the registration form for additional information.

• Volunteer Information