Baylor in the News – Nov. 29-Dec. 5, 2020

Media Contact: Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-710-1961
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WACO, Texas (Dec. 6, 2020) – Baylor University researchers and faculty experts were featured in national and local media stories as they shared their thoughts and expertise on combatting COVID-19 misinformation in a creative way, supporting children’s math learning and providing emergency meals amid a pandemic, the virus's effects on great apes and other wild animals and on the film industry and Baylor research on the use of digital tools on historical floor plans, phone snubbing and racially diverse churches.

Nov. 29, 2020

Waco Tribune-Herald: Baylor philanthropy class
The work of Baylor University's class that studies the art of giving means seven local nonprofits will share $90,000.

Nov. 30, 2020

Baptist Standard: Baylor student musicians create ‘Countdown to Christmas’
Because of COVID-19, the Baylor School of Music had to cancel “A Baylor Christmas”—a nearly 50-year tradition that draws sellout crowds to hear nearly 500 musicians in Baylor Symphony Orchestra and Baylor combined choirs. From Dec. 1-24, Baylor music students will present "A Countdown to Christmas," daily music videos leading up to the TV premiere of the 2019 production of "A Baylor Christmas" concert.

Dec. 1, 2020

Baptist Standard: Baylor Collaborative helps deliver 38.7 million meals
The Baylor University Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and public and private organizations, served more than 38.7 million meals between March and August to more than 270,000 children impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the Emergency Meals-To-You program.

Dec. 2, 2020

Interiors and Sources: How Automated Floor Plan Detection Supports Historical Analysis of Interiors
Elise King, assistant professor in interior design, writes about her work with colleagues in computer science to use digital tools to extract information from scans of historical floor plans and make that information accessible to researchers, designers and the public.

Baptist News Global: Understanding Black theology, white fragility
Greg Garrett, Ph.D., professor of English at Baylor and author, writes about the Republican criticism of the faith of the Rev. Raphael Warnock, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, a Democrat who since has been elected as a U.S. senator from Georgia.

The Robesonian (Lumberton, N.C.): Initiative sends more than 17,000 boxes of food to PSRC students affected by pandemic
This article mentions the role of Baylor University Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty in fighting childhood hunger in North Carolina schools.

Education Week: How Parents and Schools Can Work Together to Keep Math Learning on Track
Trena Wilkerson, Ph.D., a professor of math education at the Baylor School of Education and president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, is quoted in this article about the importance of parents and teachers working together to support their children’s math learning during the pandemic. Wilkerson says where parents can lend “critical” support is in helping their children develop a positive math identity, meaning they believe they are capable of success in the subject.

Charleston (SC) Post and Courier: Charleston County school program provided over 100,000 meals during coronavirus pandemic
A Charleston County School District program provided more than 100,000 meals at no cost to families around the county this summer through the Emergency Meals-to-You program, run in partnership with the Baylor University Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Dec. 3, 2020

Waco Tribune-Herald: Baylor program delivers 38.7 million meals
The Baylor University Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and key public and private organizations, said that it served more than 38.7 million meals between March and August to more than 270,000 children impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the Emergency Meals-To-You (eMTY) program.

Baptist News Global: More churches defined as racially diverse, but that doesn’t necessarily lead to racial justice work
Evidence that American churches have become more racially diverse doesn’t mean they have become increasingly active in promoting racial justice causes, according to a study co-authored by Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology at Baylor University, and published in The Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.

People Magazine: How Your Smartphone Can Ruin Your Relationship
A survey conducted by Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business found that 46 percent of respondents had been phubbed (phone-snubbed) by their partner, and 23 percent said this behavior created conflict in their relationships, as well being an indirect link to depression.

Knowable Magazine: Protecting great apes from the unknown effects of COVID-19
Enforcement of safeguards about COVID-19 must be vigilant among sanctuaries and research groups who with apes and other wild animals, some of whom may be vulnerable to the disease, says Michael Muehlenbein, Ph.D., professor and chair of anthropology at Baylor University.

WFAA-TV (Dallas): Plano-based Cinemark responds after Warner Bros. decides to stream new films in 2021
Chris Hansen, professor and chair of film and digital media, comments about the pandemic and its effect on the future of movie theaters after Warner Bros. announced that it would debut its entire 2021 theatrical release slate on HBO Max, its streaming service.

Dec. 4, 2020

Baylor Connections: President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
AUDIO: As the year draws to a close, President Livingstone reflects on the factors that led to a successful in-person semester. In this Baylor Connections, she shares takeaways from the fall, looks ahead to the Spring Semester, and examines new programs like the Hord Scholarship Challenge and Trailblazer Scholars Program, which will open the Baylor experience to greater numbers of future students.

Waco Tribune-Herald: New Baylor statues recognize WWII Medal of Honor recipients
Larger-than-life statues of two Baylor University World War II heroes now stand outside McLane Stadium on the Brazos River, downstream from a statue and memorial honoring another Waco WWII hero.

Dec. 5, 2020

Waco Tribune-Herald: ‘Love your neighbor’ approach to pandemic a focus of Waco-based expert behind Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist’
Baylor University epidemiologist Emily Smith, Ph.D., an expert on global health, is the blogger behind the Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist page on FaceBook, focusing much of her attention on COVID-19.

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.