Presidential Perspective - July 6, 2017

Baylor Students, Faculty and Staff:

I trust everyone had a safe and enjoyable July 4th holiday, celebrating the many freedoms that we enjoy individually, as well as being part of an institution of higher education and a faith-based organization. Tuesday night, Brad and I ended the holiday enjoying the beautiful fireworks over the Brazos River along with our new Waco community. Here are a few items of interest for this week:

• If you've ever wondered about the religious backgrounds and ideas of our country's Founding Fathers, Baylor’s own Dr. Thomas Kidd, Distinguished Professor of History and Associate Director of the Institute for Studies of Religion, has written a new book about Benjamin Franklin and his "complicated faith."

• After 15 years away from Baylor, I am glad to say that the University's dedication to service and missions is still strong and permeates our entire campus. I recently received a report that 291 students, faculty and guests have completed summer mission trips to three domestic and 11 international locations, with another 84 participants scheduled for six additional international locations before the end of the summer.

• Congratulations to our student-athletes who continue to prove that success in competition and in the classroom is not mutually exclusive. Baylor finished in the top 25 in the recent Learfield Sports/NACDA Director's Cup standings for the fourth time in school history after recording our highest point total ever, while our Athletics Department led the Big 12 Conference in Graduation Success Rate for the third straight year. Read more about how Baylor is Preparing Champions for Life (http://www.baylorbears.com/ot/championship-process.html).

• Since assuming the presidency last month, I've been asked many times about my favorite Scripture verse or passage. One that keeps coming back to me is Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (NIV) As I've walked around campus, I have found Micah 6:8 inscribed in a few places. I know the Lord is speaking through His Word.

Thank you for your commitment to Baylor,

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President