President's Note

I hope you were encouraged and refreshed as you celebrated the birth of Christ with family and friends during this break between semesters. Diana and I certainly were. As I look ahead to 2009, I pray that the atmosphere of respect and collegiality that took root in the fall semester will continue to manifest itself in the form of a renewed spirit of unity across our campus. It is a new year, a new semester, and a great time to be a part of Baylor University.

Two meetings are coming up that will enable all members of our faculty and staff the opportunity to hear from others and me about the coming year. Our annual Spring Faculty Meeting will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, January 14 in Roxy Grove Hall while our annual Spring Staff Forum will last from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20 at the Ferrell Center.

In addition to my comments, there also will be updates on spring enrollment and the 2008/2009 operating budget.

Next Big Idea Conference at Baylor

Baylor University is proud to host the first Next Big Idea Conference Feb. 9-11. In what may be the first attempt of its type, we are bridging the worlds of academic research and practical application of that research to the church and its leadership to discover "the next big ideas" in transforming communities locally and globally.

George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor School of Social Work and The Leadership Network are co-sponsoring this three-day conference that faculty and staff, alumni and friends are invited to attend. Special guests include Kay Warren of Saddleback Church, Lynne Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church, Rick McKinley, the originator of "Advent Conspiracy," and Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson of the Externally Focused Church. Joining them in more than a dozen workshops will be several of our Baylor professors involved in mission, social work, economic development, environmental ministry, poverty alleviation and care for the world's most vulnerable children.

Faculty and staff of Baylor will get a half-off discount on the registration fee through Jan. 16: $75 for individuals and $50 each for groups of 3 or more. Go online now and register at www.baylor.edu/bigidea or call 254-710-3854.

Search for New Vice President for Student Life

With Dub Oliver leaving Baylor later this year to become president of East Texas Baptist University in July, we are beginning the process to hire a new vice president for student life. Jon Engelhardt, Dean of the School of Education, will chair the search committee. Other members of the committee are:

• Jim Bennighoff
  
• Burt Burleson
  
• Tommye Lou Davis
  
• Tisha Emerson
  
• Cynthia Fry
  
• Karen Hall
  
• Tara Hickman
  
• Aaron Jean
  
• Kelley Kimple
  
• Paul Larson
  
• Patricia Martinez
  
• Brandon Miller
  
• Martha Lou Scott
  
• Nicole Yeakley
  

Baylor Regent Focus of D Magazine Article

Albert C. Black Jr. of Dallas is the subject of an excellent article in the January issue of D Magazine. Albert has been a member of the Baylor University Board of Regents since 2004.

• D Magazine Article

Athletics Update

Both our men's (13-2) and women's (16-1) basketball teams have done well during the first half of the season, with both teams being ranked nationally. Now, Big 12 action begins Saturday for both teams. The women play at Colorado while the men host Texas Tech in the Ferrell Center at 12:45 p.m. Fan support is important to all our student athletes, especially for home games. Wear your gold and come out to see some great basketball whenever your schedule allows.

In case you haven't heard, our women's tennis team is ranked No. 4 nationally while our men's team is ranked No. 7. Our baseball team is ranked No. 15 in preseason polls.