Presidential Perspective - September 26, 2019

Baylor Students, Faculty and Staff:

Yesterday was certainly exciting as we celebrated our faculty and research community as part of National Research Administrator Day. From the 357 digital billboards and airport screens in Dallas, Houston and Waco to the day-long spotlight on social media, we firmly inserted Baylor into the research conversation across the state of Texas as we move toward becoming the preeminent Christian research university. Be sure to check out this BaylorProud post that summarizes our activities around National Research Administrator Day and our refreshed and expanded research website that tells the story of our R1/Tier 1 aspirations.

Here are several other items of note for this week:

• I hope you will join me on Monday for a faculty panel on civil discourse as part of this fall’s Baylor Conversation Series. Joining us to discuss their research and expertise on this important topic are faculty members Drs. Elesha Coffman, David D. Corey, Greg Garrett and Leslie Hahner. The event will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the Mayborn Museum Complex Theater.
• One of the four pillars of Baylor’s strategic plan Illuminate is transformational undergraduate education. As the fall semester enters a rhythm, I encourage all students to seek out the expertise of the Paul L. Foster Success Center staff. The Success Center can help with time management, studying skills, advisement and much more before semester projects and tests sneak up on you. I also encourage our faculty and staff to remember the Success Center and advocate for its services for all students as we foster a truly transformational educational experience here at Baylor.
• Our thoughts and prayers have been with our students and their families who live in the wake of recent Tropical Storm Imelda. Baylor’s wonderful team in the Division of Student Life personally reached out to more than 2,400 students to check on them and their families, as well as to offer our support and assistance during this challenging time.
• The Apostle Paul writes in the first chapter of Romans about being mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. Beginning Tuesday, the Chaplain’s Office is offering an October lunch-hour Bible study for faculty and staff during which six Baylor Scholars will teach on one of their favorite texts. What a wonderful opportunity to gather and learn together from some of our outstanding faculty. If you’d like to attend, you can RSVP by emailing Ronda_Kruse@baylor.edu.
• Baylor’s 2019 Wellbeing Conference is coming up on Oct. 25, a time for faculty, staff and their spouses to focus on wellbeing, including mental health. This year’s keynote speaker is Kevin Curry, founder of Fit Men Cook, an online community that inspires men and women to eat healthy and stay fit with food that is never boring. Early registration is open at www.baylor.edu/hr/wellbeing.
• Given my love for volleyball through my daughter Shelby and our No. 2-ranked Bears, I had someone ask if I was married to the sport. Well, the answer is no, as my heart belongs to the First Gent! Brad and I celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary on Tuesday – complete with some wonderful photos Brad posted on Facebook! Thank you all for the well-wishes, support and prayers that you provide to the Livingstone Family.
• Students: Don’t forget to pull your tickets ASAP for Saturday’s Big 12 opener against Iowa State at 2:30 p.m. For our faculty and staff: four game tickets are available for the special price of $40. Be sure to wear University GOLD as we “gold out” McLane Stadium. Here’s a preview of Gold Out shirts hot off the press from @BaylorAthletics and available today at Baylor Bookstore.

Sincerely,

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President