Presidential Perspective - July 2, 2020

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

We continue to closely monitor the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in the Greater Waco area. In conversations with our local public health and government officials, there is a strong collective commitment to taking appropriate mitigating measures and keeping our community safe during this pandemic.

Baylor’s plans for the fall semester remain unchanged, including the start of the fall semester on Aug. 24. Last week we announced revisions to the academic calendar that included the elimination of several breaks and ending on-campus instruction prior to Thanksgiving in an effort to limit travel during the semester.

Of course, many of our COVID-19 mitigation efforts are dependent on each and every one of us on a daily basis. Regardless of your age and where you live, you must social distance. You must wear a mask or other face covering when around others. And you must practice vigilant handwashing and hygiene.

We will address many of your most common questions regarding the fall semester in a separate communication next week. Additionally, I have scheduled a Facebook Live session with Vice President for Student Life Kevin Jackson for Tuesday, July 14, at noon as we will discuss student experiences, on-campus housing, move-in and student health for the fall semester. You may also want to go back and review my recent Facebook Live discussion with Provost Nancy Brickhouse regarding our academic plans.

In the meantime, we have a wealth of information posted on Baylor’s coronavirus website, including robust FAQs that are regularly updated with the latest information.

Some additional news to share for this week ...

• On Tuesday, we announced the funding of the ninth endowed faculty chair – and the first for the Honors College – as part of the Give Light campaign’s Baylor Academic Challenge. The James Robert Parker Endowed Chair in Health Science and Leadership – made possible by a $1.5 million gift from Dr. James Robert (JB) Parker, BS ’92, and matched dollar-for-dollar by the challenge – will further broaden and enhance the research and instruction related to the health sciences and healthcare leadership at Baylor and particularly in the Honors College. This significant resource continues Baylor’s rich legacy of leading researchers and transformational mentors serving as professors while advancing the priorities within our Illuminate strategic plan.

• Last week, we highlighted the exciting news of a school-record four professors who earned a prestigious CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation. This continues a trend of Baylor faculty winning prestigious career development awards in a number of areas. Baylor currently celebrates nine faculty members receiving significant funding from these early career development grants.

In addition to last week’s announcement: Dr. Kelly Ylitalo and Dr. Emeka Okafor of Public Health, along with Dr. Annie Ginty of Psychology & Neuroscience, earned the coveted K01 Mentored Research Scientist Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2019. Dr. Howard Lee of Physics and Dr. Caleb Martin of Chemistry & Biochemistry earned a pair of NSF CAREER Awards in 2018. At the time, it was the first instance of multiple Baylor professors winning CAREER grants in the same year. Dr. Curtis Hockaday of Geosciences, Dr. Lorin Matthews of Physics, and Dr. Bryan Shaw of Chemistry & Biochemistry are past recipients, receiving these honors early in their Baylor careers.

These professors and their colleagues across campus are conducting research that addresses significant global challenges, and we’re excited to see prestigious national organizations investing in their work.

• During these past months, I’ve been so thankful for Baylor faculty who have continuously stepped up to work with the media to share their expertise to help global and local communities navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. From experts on remote work and healthcare to our epidemiologists and economists, Baylor experts are featured daily in the media. One recent example is Dr. Pedro Reyes, associate professor of operations and supply chain management in the Hankamer School of Business, who is the featured expert in this hourlong CNBC documentary addressing America’s food supply.

• Each year, Baylor Alumni celebrates graduates of the University who live the mission of Baylor in outstanding and significant ways. Any member of the Baylor Family may nominate an alumnus for the Baylor Alumni Awards program. If you know someone whose contributions should be considered, please check out the nomination page and tell us their story.

• We will have our next Baylor Conversation Series on racial healing and justice on Wednesday, July 8, at 3:30 p.m. I will be joined again by faculty members Malcolm Foley, Dr. Greg Garrett and Dr. Mia Moody-Ramirez as we address the many questions you submitted during our discussion a couple of weeks ago. Access information will be provided on the Conversation Series webpage the day of this virtual event.

• Tomorrow’s Baylor Connections podcast features the First Gent, Brad Livingstone, and I have it on good authority that he shares some stories about our early days together and even weighs in on the best basketball player in the family. I’ll be curious to see if he mentions his record in HORSE against me… In all seriousness, his commitment to prayer for our family and for Baylor has long been an encouragement, and his stories about connecting World War II veterans and high school students are a great reminder of the sacrifices made for us to celebrate independence this weekend. I hope you’ll listen tomorrow at 11 a.m. on KWBU-103.3 FM, on Apple Podcasts or via the Baylor Connections webpage.

As we look toward the long July 4 weekend, let us be thankful for our country and the many freedoms we enjoy each and every day.

Praying for you daily,

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President