Baylor University Launches Presidential Search with Joint Meeting of Committees

March 24, 2009

The two committees involved in selecting the next president of Baylor University kicked off their efforts today in a joint session held on Baylor's campus.

The Presidential Search Committee and the Presidential Search Advisory Committee got to work immediately, discussing responsibilities of the committees and developing a comprehensive plan for forthcoming listening sessions with members of the Baylor family, including those represented by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee: Baylor faculty, alumni, staff and students, Texas Baptists and the Waco community.

The plans developed by the committees for the listening sessions include more than a dozen separate meetings to be held in Waco and around Texas. Plans call for separate sessions to help ensure that each group has the opportunity to provide equal input.

"These listening sessions will provide an organized forum for those who love Baylor to provide input early in the search process," said Joseph B. Armes, chair of the Presidential Search Committee and member of the Board of Regents. "During these sessions, key stakeholders will have the opportunity to tell us about the most important qualities the search committee should look for in Baylor's next president."

"There is a common sense of purpose among the committees because the process is inclusive and thorough, and this was an excellent first meeting," Dr. Kenneth L. Hall, chair of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee and president and CEO of Buckner International, said. "We ask for the prayers of the entire Baylor family as we embark on this important search to identify the 14th president of Baylor University."

Additional topics of discussion included the selection of the Atlanta-based firm of Baker and Associates which has been chosen to assist with the national search for Baylor's next president. Baker and Associates has earned an outstanding reputation for academic executive searches. The firm has provided executive search services to universities such as Cornell, Georgetown, Harvard, Rice, Texas A&M, Tulane, Wake Forest and Yale and academic medical institutions such as Partners Health System/Massachusetts General Hospital/Brigham and Women's Hospital, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. The firm also has worked with academic-related organizations such as the American Council on Education, Business Higher Education Forum, Law School Admissions Council, NCAA and NACUBO, the National Association of College and University Business Officers.

"In consultations regarding search firms, Baker and Associates emerged as a clear choice due to its extensive experience and excellent reputation," Armes said. "With experience in providing services to more than 100 academic institutions and organizations, Baker and Associates' higher education practice is one of the most highly regarded in the country."

Armes also expressed appreciation to the committee members as they began their work. "The Baylor Family is blessed to have two committees populated by thoughtful servant leaders who are prepared to commit a great deal of time and effort because they want to ensure Baylor's continued preeminence in Christian higher education. This process will benefit greatly from the wisdom and diligence of these committee members," he said.

The committees recommend the Baylor Presidential Search web site at www.baylor.edu/president/search for updates as the search process moves forward. The web site also features information on the full membership of both committees and an online form where the Baylor family is invited to provide input.