Baylor Regents Approve Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship, Design and Construction of Simpson Strength and Performance Center
Board also approves 2015-2016 budget, elects new Regents
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WACO, Texas (May 15, 2015) – At its spring meeting today, the Baylor University Board of Regents voted to establish a new Ph.D. program in entrepreneurship in the Hankamer School of Business and approved $1.1 million for the design and construction of the Simpson Strength and Performance Center in the Simpson Athletics and Academic Center.
Already a nationally recognized leader in undergraduate entrepreneurship education, Baylor’s multifaceted entrepreneurship program – led by an outstanding core of faculty – encourages world-class research, cross-disciplinary collaboration and experiential learning. By offering a Ph.D. in entrepreneurship, Baylor will become only the seventh U.S. university accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) to offer a doctoral program specific to entrepreneurship.
“Entrepreneurship is increasingly seen as a dominant force shaping the landscape of communities, regions and nations and is seen by many as a beacon of hope for job creation and poverty reduction,” said Terry S. Maness, D.B.A, dean of the Hankamer School of Business. “The Baylor name has long been associated with research and teaching excellence in the field of entrepreneurship, which is uniquely positioned to apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems of business creation, business growth and economic development.
“With Baylor’s highly productive research faculty, an already strong undergraduate entrepreneurship program and the unwavering support entrepreneurship initiatives have received from alumni and outside agencies, we will be able to offer our Ph.D. students the distinctive knowledge, resources and capabilities to address systemic problems in our world and to do so in a way that is consistent with the principle of Christian stewardship,” Maness said.
Baylor's undergraduate entrepreneurship program was ranked No. 3 in the country by Entrepreneur Magazine and The Princeton Review in their 2015 survey. In its 2015 Best Colleges report, U.S. News & World Report ranked Baylor's entrepreneurship program No. 12 among the nation’s best entrepreneurship programs. In fall 2015, the Hankamer School of Business will move into the new $100 million, 275,000-square-foot Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation. The Ph.D. in entrepreneurship will begin in fall 2016.
As approved by Regents, the Simpson Strength and Performance Center will be located in the renovated and expanded weight room in the Simpson Athletics and Academics Center. The project will include new space dedicated to sports nutrition and applied performance along with equipment and technology upgrades. The Simpson Center Weight Room is the training home of the majority of Baylor’s championship athletic teams, including the two-time defending Big 12 champion football team.
“The renovation of the Simpson Strength and Performance Center is among our highest priorities in order to benefit our student-athletes as they train to perform at the highest level and win championships,” said Ian McCaw, vice president and director of athletics. “Moreover, the improvements to this facility will be another desirable recruiting asset for our coaches and programs as we attract the nation’s best prospective student-athletes to Baylor.”
Budget approved, new Regents elected
In other board action, Baylor Regents approved a 2015-2016 budget of $560.7 million that reflects an increase of 2.4 percent over the current year budget. It includes an additional $17.7 million to support scholarships for undergraduates, graduates and professional students and graduate assistantships. Personnel costs will increase by 4.6 percent, which will support 17 new full-time faculty positions, 53 replacement faculty positions and 44 new staff positions. The budget also supports merit raises for faculty and staff, more competitive stipends for graduate assistants and increased funding for student workers. The budget takes effect June 1.
The Board also elected two new Regents, re-elected six current members to new terms and confirmed three Regents appointed last fall by the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The new Board members who will begin their terms on June 1 are:
- William (Bill) S. Simon, of Rogers, Arkansas, former president and CEO of Wal-Mart U.S.
- Kim Wilson Stevens, B.S.Ed. ’93, of Waco, Texas, CEO of Blue Scout Media
“Baylor continues to be blessed by the remarkably talented and dedicated individuals who unselfishly commit their time, wisdom and resources to help Baylor University flourish in its mission of academic excellence with Christian commitment,” said Richard Willis, B.B.A. ’81, M.B.A. ’82, chair of the Baylor Board of Regents. “Our newly elected Regents bring additional experience and knowledge to the board, as well as a profound understanding of and commitment to the University’s mission and vision. We look forward to serving alongside them as Baylor continues to powerfully impact the world and the lives of our students.”
In addition, Willis was re-elected to serve another one-year term as chair, while Ronald D. Murff of Dallas was elected vice-chair. Six current Regents were re-elected to three-year terms: Robert E. Beauchamp of Houston; J. Cary Gray, B.A. ’79, B.A.C.C. ’80, J.D. ’83, of Houston; David H. Harper, B.B.A. ’88, of Dallas; Dan Hord III, B.B.A. ’89, of Midland, Texas; Christopher B. Howard of Hampden-Sydney, Virginia; and Murff.
Linda Brian, B.A. ’69, Joel T. Allison, B.A. ’70, and Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod, B.A. ’88, were re-elected by the BGCT to three-year terms and confirmed today by the board.
Elected by the board to serve one-year terms respectively as non-voting Faculty and Student Regents are Lori E. Baker, B.A. ’93, M.A. ’94, Ph.D., chair of the Faculty Senate and associate professor of anthropology in Baylor’s College of Arts and Sciences, and Jonathan Siktberg, a senior Baylor Business Fellow from Nashville, Tennessee.
Elected by the board to serve one-year terms respectively as non-voting Regent members of the “B” Association and the Bear Foundation are Debbie Bradley Mann, B.S.H.E. ’80, and Chris Manning, B.B.A. ’84, of Dallas.
The Board also expressed its appreciation to Regents who have completed their terms of service: Gary D. Elliston of Dallas; Todd D. Still, B.A. ’88, professor of Christian Scriptures and holder of The Charles J. and Eleanor McLerran Delancey Chair of the Dean of Truett Seminary; and Jay Fields, a senior University Scholar from Kingwood. Elliston served nine years on Baylor’s Board of Regents. Still served three one-year terms as Faculty Regent, while Fields completed his one-year term as Student Regent.
“We are deeply grateful for the thoughtful leadership our Regents have provided during this spring meeting,” said Baylor President and Chancellor Ken Starr. “Members of the Board of Regents serve selflessly as volunteers, and we are thankful for the tireless manner in which these dedicated servant leaders exercise their various gifts in service to Baylor University. Working alongside the administration, and with the Lord’s abundant grace, our Regents are helping to ensure that Baylor University continues to move forward boldly under our Pro Futuris vision.”
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.
ABOUT HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business provides a rigorous academic experience, consisting of classroom and hands-on learning, guided by Christian commitment and a global perspective. Recognized nationally for several programs, including Entrepreneurship and Accounting, the school offers 24 undergraduate and 13 graduate areas of study. Visit www.baylor.edu/business and follow on Twitter at @Baylor_Business.