President's Note

With the end of finals, the semester comes to a close with commencement tomorrow. I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support and encouragement as I have served my first semester as your interim president. I am fortunate that my position is permitting me to witness daily all across our campus and in every area of university life outstanding demonstrations of professionalism and commitment on the part of those who so faithfully serve here. Baylor truly is a special place and it is such, in large part, because of the dedication of those who work hard every day to make Baylor better.

Diana and I wish every one of you a blessed Christmas as you celebrate the profound and extravagant gift of grace that was lavished upon us in the birth of Christ. May joy and peace reign in your hearts and in your homes as you celebrate Christmas next week.

World News Person of the Year

You may remember from last spring the remarkable story about our incoming student Kristin Elliott on ABC World News Tonight. Combating a serious physical condition, Kristin was invited by the Make-a-Wish Foundation to describe a personal dream that the foundation might fulfill to bring comfort during her illness. Instead of focusing on herself, Kristen asked that the foundation help build a house for AIDS orphans in Zamia. ABC News got word of this and selected Kristen as their Person of the Week in May. Now a Baylor freshman, this young woman's story has raised to date about $200,000. ABC World News Tonight recently named Kristen one of their Persons of the Year and posted an update on her wonderful story.

• Baylor Proud
  
• World News Tonight "Persons of the Year"

Baylor Grad Makes History as First Vietnamese-American Member of Congress

Baylor alum Anh "Joseph" Cao made history this month when he was elected to Congress in New Orleans. In upsetting nine-term incumbent William Jefferson, he became the first Vietnamese-American member of Congress. Joseph was 8 years old in 1975 when he immigrated with his brother and sister to the United States three days before the fall of Saigon. He attended high school in Houston and earned a bachelor's degree in physics from Baylor University in 1990.

• Catholic News Service article
  
• New York Times article
  

Baylor Grad Elected President of Texas Trial Lawyers Association

Another successful alum, Nelson Roach, has brought positive attention to Baylor. Nelson, who earned his bachelor's degree from Baylor in 1981 and his law degree in 1984, has been elected president of the Texas Trial lawyers Association.
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Baylor Researchers: Car Parts From Coconuts Could Help Poor Farmers

A team of Baylor researchers are developing a technology to employ coconut fiber as a replacement for synthetic polyester fibers in compression molded composites that are used in the production of trunk liners, floorboards and interior door covers on cars. The Baylor team is led by Walter Bradley, a Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Baylor.

Since coconuts are an abundant, renewable resource in all countries near the equator, Baylor's team is working to create multiple products that could be manufactured from coconuts in those regions using simple and inexpensive technology. With an estimated 11 million coconut farmers in the world making an average annual income of $500, the hope is to triple the coconut farmer's annual income by increasing the market price for each coconut to 30 cents, which could have a substantial effect on the farmer's quality of life.
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Athletics Offices, Football Training Move to Campus

Baylor formally dedicated the Alwin O. and Dorothy Highers Athletics Complex and the Simpson Athletics and Academic Center last week during a ceremony in the center's Champions Gallery.

It is an impressive addition to our training and academic support programs for our student-athletes. It is only through the generosity of the Highers and Simpson families that we were able to build this facility.

The lead gift for the project, the largest single gift in Baylor's history, came from the estate of Alwin O. Highers Jr. of Alexandria, La. He graduated from Baylor in 1939 and was an ardent fan of Baylor athletics. His benevolent gift provided the initial vision for the complex.

Bob Simpson joined the effort and provided the support that enabled the expanded facility to include additional components such as the academic center. He graduated from Baylor with an undergraduate degree in 1970 and a master's of business administration degree in 1971.

Supporting several of Baylor's 2012 Imperatives, specifically Imperative 10 -- to build with integrity a winning athletic tradition in all sports -- the complex will integrate student-athletes more fully into Baylor campus life. Its presence also is projected to greatly impact recruiting for all Baylor athletes, especially in football.
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