Baylor Regents Approve New Ph.D. Program in School of Education, Announce Major Gift for Getterman Softball Practice Facility
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- Board also approves Baylor tennis renovation project -
The Baylor University Board of Regents today approved a new doctoral program in curriculum and teaching in the School of Education that will address the growing need for more high quality university-based teacher educators to prepare the next generation of teachers for public, private and Christian school service.
The board also announced a significant naming gift from Baylor alumni Ted and Sue Getterman of Waco, Texas, for the Getterman Softball Practice Facility. In addition, Regents approved the renovation of the Baylor Tennis Center building.
Students in the new Ph.D. program in Baylor's School of Education will be able to specialize in one of several fields within curriculum and teaching, such as mathematics education, social science education, science education, and other high need fields. Once they complete the program, the graduates will serve simultaneously as teacher educators and educational researchers whose work will impact local schools. Students will be able to enroll in the new doctoral program beginning in Fall 2009.
"Baylor's School of Education has a long history of commitment to and recognition for preparing highly effective teachers for Texas schools and beyond," said Dr. Jon M. Engelhardt, dean of Baylor's School of Education. "Logical next steps are to add the preparation of first-class faculty, who will provide leadership for teacher education at other universities, as well as join in Baylor's research efforts during their doctoral studies to study critical factors in high-quality teacher preparation and P-12 schooling. The addition of doctoral studies will not only meet Baylor's mission of providing worldwide leadership in selected areas of expertise, but the presence of doctoral students will add value to our undergraduate teacher education program and work with local schools."
Baylor's School of Education will continue to offer the Ed.D. program, which focuses on the advanced preparation of educators who plan to continue their practitioner-based positions in schools, such as curriculum directors, school principals, superintendents and classroom teachers.
Construction on the two athletics projects approved today by the board will begin in May.
The Getterman Softball Practice Facility will be constructed adjacent to Getterman Stadium, which the Gettermans made possible in 2001 with the largest gift to women's athletics in Baylor history. With the addition of the Getterman Softball Practice Facility, the Gettermans generously affirm their commitment to women's athletics at Baylor.
"The Gettermans are special friends of Baylor athletics and among our most generous supporters," said Ian McCaw, Baylor's director of athletics. "We are excited that this wonderful gift of an indoor training building will further enhance Getterman Stadium, the nation's finest softball facility."
"We extend our deepest thanks to Ted and Sue Getterman for their wonderful, real life example of servant-leadership, and for their desire to see women's athletics prosper, especially Baylor softball," said Dr. David E. Garland, Baylor's interim president and dean of George W. Truett Theological Seminary. "Their dedication to Baylor and to our students is an inspiration to all of us."
The Getterman Softball Practice Facility, a multi-purpose training facility, will feature retractable batting cages, pitching areas and other player development resources that will continue to help shape the Baylor softball program into a premier program in women's collegiate athletics.
"Because of the generosity of Ted and Sue Getterman, the top softball facility in the nation is getting better. We are moving the bar even higher with this generous gift," said Glenn Moore, Baylor's head softball coach. "This facility gives our athletes the opportunity to train year-round, both defensively and offensively. No program in the country will have better training facilities than the Baylor student-athletes will have, thanks to Ted and Sue Getterman."
The Baylor Tennis Center building project will include major renovations to the men's and women's locker rooms and lounges, the visitor's locker room and the video room, as well as other renovations to coaches' offices and the building foyer.
The new facilities and degree program represent the latest examples of Baylor's continued forward momentum in strengthening its leadership position as a top Christian university, said Dr. Howard K. Batson, chair of the Baylor Board of Regents.
"Even as we face a very difficult economy, regents heard multiple reports this week that demonstrate that Baylor is continuing to make remarkable progress on multiple fronts. We are optimistic about our future and have every reason to believe that Baylor's upward trajectory will continue," Batson said.