Provost Search Update

Dear Faculty and Staff,

In January of this year, I asked a dedicated group of faculty and staff to join me in the search for Baylor University's next Provost. I charged the committee with identifying candidates who could serve this University and lead our quest to become a preeminent Christian research university. The members of the Provost search committee have faithfully pursued this charge, and I am tremendously grateful for their dedication and selfless service.

After thoughtful prayer and consideration, I feel led to continue the search. The candidates brought forward by the committee were accomplished academicians and leaders in their own rights whose experience and vision aligned with Baylor's mission. I would be honored to work alongside any one of them, but I believe our next Provost has not yet emerged from this search process. As we all know, Baylor has experienced significant transition in the Office of the Provost over many years. It is vital to our campus community that we take the time necessary to identify the right person who will lead our academic enterprise into the future under Illuminate, the University's academic strategic plan.

We have an excellent committee in place to continue this search, and I have asked them to stay on in their roles. The continuity of the search will be greatly enhanced by their previous experience on this committee. As we move forward, we will bring any necessary resources to bear in support of the committee's efforts.

As we continue during this interim period, both Gary C. Mortenson, D.M.A., dean of the School of Music, and Gary Carini, Ph.D., vice provost for graduate professional education, have graciously agreed to continue in their additional roles for the Provost's Office. Dr. Mortenson is serving as acting vice provost of administration, while Dr. Carini has assumed the additional responsibility of the completion and implementation of Illuminate. They have done an incredible job of providing stability in the Provost's Office and helping prepare the University for our next academic leader.

It has been my privilege to work with these devoted members of the Baylor faculty and staff. I look forward to the successful completion of this search process and to identifying and welcoming a new Provost who can help lead Baylor into a vibrant and bright future.

Thank you,

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President