Baylor in the News – Nov. 15-21, 2020

Media Contact: Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-710-1961
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WACO, Texas (Nov. 22, 2020) – Baylor University researchers and faculty experts were featured in national and local media stories as they shared their thoughts and expertise on what principals have learned from COVID-19's stress test, how cynical hostility may increase risk for heart disease while forgiveness can be good for your health, and the latest Baylor space research on the Moon and Mercury.

Nov. 16, 2020

MedicalXpress: How personality affects who follows COVID-19 rules
Individual personality traits make people up to a third more likely to adopt guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19, according to a new study led by Warwick Business School, Emlyon Business School in France and Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University. Gabriella Cacciotti, Ph.D., assistant professor of entrepreneurship, was among the study's authors.

Houston Chronicle: COVID cancels spring break for many Texas colleges
Wes Null, Ph.D., vice provost of undergraduate education, was interviewed for this article about how some Texas universities, including Baylor, Rice, and Texas A&M, who plan to eliminate spring break in 2021, opting to host off-days throughout the year or move to a condensed semester in hopes of preventing students from bringing the virus back to campus.

The Catholic Spirit/Catholic News Service: Catholics lead all Christians in number of racially diverse congregations
U.S. Catholics lead all Christian faiths in the percentage of racially diverse congregations in their parishes, according to a new study published by Baylor University. The study, led by Baylor sociologist Kevin D. Dougherty, Ph.D., also was published by the Catholic Sun and CRUX.

Baptist Standard: Truett Seminary highlights growth even during pandemic
In spite of the challenges 2020 presented, Baylor University’s Truett Seminary is not just surviving but is “thriving,” Dean Todd Still told a Friends of Truett virtual gathering before the BGCT annual meeting.

Nov. 17, 2020

Baptist Standard: Baylor study: Racially diverse churches increased in 20 years
Racially diverse congregations have nearly tripled in the United States over the past 20 years, and the percentage of all-white congregations has declined, according to a study by Baylor sociologist Kevin D. Dougherty and two colleagues.

Christian Post: Activist, academics divided on whether the social justice movement is biblical
This article reports on “Social Justice: Biblical and Secular,” a forum hosted by Baylor University’s Washington, D.C. program and the Christian nonprofit Faith & Law that discussed whether today's social justice movement squares with biblical justice.

The Daily Beast: We’re Back in the No-Toilet-Paper Phase of COVID-19
Grocery supply chain expert Pedro Reyes, Ph.D., associate professor of management, is quoted in this article about lessons learned – or not – about panic buying of such consumer goods as toilet paper.

University Business: How sensors are helping colleges monitor occupancy
Through technology called Occuspace, institutions like Baylor University are able to track foot traffic in their buildings and make safe decisions about limiting capacity.

Psychology Today: Cynical Hostility Can Take a Heavy Toll on the Heart
If cynicism triggers chronic fight-or-flight responses, it can strain the heart, according to new Baylor psychology and neuroscience research, led by Baylor doctoral candidate Alexandra Tyra.

Learn Smarter Podcast: The 5 M’s of Talent with Dr. Rishi Sriram
Rishi Sriram, Ph.D., associate professor of higher education & student affairs, discusses the 5 M’s of Talent (mindset, myelin, mastery, motivation and mentorship), digs into the old question of nature vs. nurture and explains what the research is showing in that age-old debate.

Nov. 18, 2020

Education Week: What Principals Have Learned From COVID-19's 'Stress Test'
Bradley Carpenter, Ph.D., associate professor of educational leadership, was among the researchers who interviewed principals for a series of briefs published by the Consortium for Policy Research in Education at the University of Pennsylvania that captured the principals' experiences in those early chaotic days of the coronavirus pandemic, and their preparation for the new school year.

KXXV-TV: Baylor's Planetary Research Group aims to answer questions beyond Earth
VIDEO: Peter James, Ph.D., geosciences professor and founder of Baylor's Planetary Research Group, is featured in this story about his recent Moon discovery and how he now has shifted his attention to Mercury in a collaborative research effort with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

VICE: People Who’re Cynical Are More Likely to Develop Heart Disease, Says Study
This article reports on new Baylor psychology and neuroscience research, which found that cynical people are more adversely affected by stressful situations than those who respond with anger.

Nov. 19, 2020

Upworthy: How cultivating an attitude of forgiveness is great for your health
Baylor research on forgiveness is cited in this article about how cultivating an attitude of forgiveness is great for your health.

Christian Post: Multiracial churches on the rise, Catholic churches lead in diversity: survey
New research led by Baylor sociologist Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., and colleagues from Duke and the University of Illinois at Chicago found that racially diverse congregations have more than tripled in the United States over the past 20 years, but the study does not conclude that diverse congregations necessarily promote racial justice.

Nov. 20, 2020

Baylor Connections: Robin Wallace
This year marks the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, and on this Baylor Connections, Baylor musicology professor Robin Wallace, Ph.D. celebrates his legacy by examining the ways Beethoven, as well as his late wife, Barbara, found wholeness and expression amidst deep physical challenges.

Nov. 21, 2020

Medical News Today: Cynical hostility might lead to cardiovascular disease
A Baylor study led by Alexandra T. Tyra, a doctoral candidate in psychology and neuroscience, found that cynical hostility may cause an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

ABOUT BAYLOR MEDIA & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Baylor's Office of Media and Public Relations (M&PR) supports the University's Illuminate strategic plan as a top Christian research university by proactively placing high-profile stories about faculty research and expert opinions, innovative teaching, major awards and recognition, and community involvement. The Baylor M&PR team develops faculty experts to effectively communicate the impact of their research or, as subject-matter experts, speak into national trends and conversations with media outlets, Hot Topics and on the Baylor Connections podcast. Our faculty expert directory is available on the M&PR website at www.baylor.edu/news/experts.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 19,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.