Presidential Perspective - December 5, 2019

December 5, 2019

Baylor Students, Faculty and Staff:

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas … everywhere you go.” That’s certainly true on the Baylor campus, as we celebrate the birth of our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Tonight marks one of the University’s signature traditions, as we join together for Christmas on 5th. The festivities – including choirs, horse-drawn carriage rides and a live nativity scene – begin at 5 p.m.

We also will host a special Advent service at 7 p.m. at Armstrong Browning Library. This is a wonderful way to begin your Advent observance, and also an opportunity to introduce family, friends, colleagues and students to this blessed season. The service will feature favorite Christmas carols, as well as Advent hymns from other cultures, led by more than 25 students, faculty, staff and friends from the Waco area. We will sing together, pray for our world and hear the Scriptures resonate in the beautiful Foyer of Meditation.

And, finally, you will not want to miss the Kappa Omega Tau Christmas Tree Lighting at 8:15 p.m. in Burleson Quadrangle. I hope to see you along 5th Street this evening!

A few additional items to spotlight this week:

  • I have started working on my Commencement address for Dec. 21, and I have a question for the Baylor Family –What is the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received? You can simply reply to this email to share stories of your favorite Christmas gifts throughout the years.
  • If you are looking for that perfect gift for someone (or even yourself), I have an idea for you –new Baylor vehicle license plates. The newly designed plates feature our updated interlocking BU on a field of Baylor Green and University Gold. And while you help promote Baylor while driving across Texas, a portion of the proceeds come back to the University for student scholarships. I installed B4YLOR plates on my car yesterday; what will yours be?
  • It was nice to read something about the positive effects of social media this week. New research by Baylor marketing professors Drs. Jim Roberts and Meredith David found that FOMO – the “fear of missing out” – coupled with active social media use that increases social connections can result in happiness and psychological well-being. Our hope is that Baylor’s social media channels spark positive social connection, engagement and happiness.
  • In case you missed it, we have set the 2020 dates for Homecoming (Oct. 22-24; TCU football game) and Family Weekend (Sept. 18-19; Incarnate Word football game).
  • If you’re a Baylor sports fan like the First Gent and me, it doesn’t get any better than this weekend. Our top-seeded volleyball team opens play in the NCAA Tournament against Sacred Heart Friday at 7 p.m. at the Ferrell Center. With a win, the Bears will play Saturday at 8 p.m. against either SFA or USC. I suspect you all know that we play in the Big 12 Football Championship Game against Oklahoma in Arlington Saturday at 11 a.m. If you can’t make it to AT&T Stadium, the No. 18 men’s basketball team hosts 12th-ranked Arizona at 11 a.m. Saturday as part of Christmas at the Ferrell Center. Tickets are FREE, and the football game will be shown in the arena during halftime, with a watch party following basketball.

What a great time to fling the green and gold!

Sincerely,

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President