Presidential Perspective - October 28, 2021

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

As we look forward to the next five years of our strategic plan Illuminate, we have so much to celebrate. Our faculty and students are advancing incredible research projects that set new standards here at Baylor and address some of our world’s greatest challenges, such as cancer, human trafficking, mental health and much more.

There are plenty of numbers we could share that highlight just how much Baylor’s impact has expanded and why we’re on pace to achieve our R1 goals by 2024. But it’s even more meaningful to hear the stories behind that momentum. In the most recent edition of Baylor Magazine, a number of students, faculty members, graduates and donors – in addition to Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D. – share how Baylor research has impacted them, and spurred them to impact the world. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read their stories as they fling their green and gold in ways that make us all BaylorProud.

Some updates for this week:

• We’re excited that Baylor will be part of a historic announcement tomorrow regarding the largest research grant in our University’s history, one that aligns with Illuminate, our Christian mission and our commitment to understanding the conditions by which humans, communities and societies flourish throughout the world. We invite you to tune in to the livestreamed announcement tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. CST at Global Flourishing Study Launch on YouTube.

• Baylor faculty consistently seek the best and most up-to-date ways to equip our undergraduates to take the next steps after graduation. Lauren Weber, M.F.A., lecturer of musical theatre, earned her Vocology Certificate this summer from the National Center of Voice and Speech through the University of Utah. Her certification makes Baylor one of a handful of undergraduate theatre programs whose faculty includes a certified vocologist who equips our students with deeper insights into vocal health, performance and pedagogy.

• Sunday is Halloween, and the entire First Family – including my mom, Mema, and First Pup BU – will be dressed up as we continue our special tradition of handing out full-sized candy bars made at Mars Wrigley here in Waco. Be sure to drop by Allbritton House from 7-9 p.m., and we can’t wait to see your costumes! Be sure to consult with “My Culture is Not a Costume” – part of a national awareness campaign through which Baylor has been involved for several years now.

• Baylor’s Energy Management Team has won the Association of Energy Engineers’ (AEE) prestigious Institutional Energy Management Award. The Baylor Energy Team has implemented many energy industry-proven saving methods throughout the years, leading to a reduction in electrical consumption by 17 million kWh in 2020. Since its inception in 2014, Baylor has captured energy savings of more than $13 million.

• I read in Baylor News Digest yesterday that Joy and Lady, our two American black bears, are stepping up their social media game. Baylor’s new social media influencers will live tweet from the Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat beginning Friday and into Saturday, and I understand they are getting excited – like all of us – about Saturday’s Big 12 matchup against the Texas Longhorns at McLane Stadium. Follow @BUBearHabitat and #BaylorHabiTweets on Twitter. This should be fun!

Campus is certainly abuzz in anticipation of Saturday’s football game against Texas. We need you at McLane Stadium and we need you to be LOUD! Our 6-1 Bears deserve an incredible home atmosphere as we enter the important stretch run of the season. And the weather forecast looks just perfect for fall football.

Don’t forget to wear green and gold tomorrow for Spirit Friday!

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President