Presidential Perspective - March 29, 2018

Baylor Students, Faculty and Staff:

"He is not here: He is risen, just as He said."
(Matthew 28:6A)

This is a powerful verse of meditation for this Easter season, as it boldly proclaims the victory that we have as Christians in our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!

Here are a few noteworthy items to share as we head into a long holiday weekend:

• Today is National Vietnam Veterans Day, and it was my honor to participate in a very moving ceremony that honored "These Final Seven" veterans -- all Baylor alumni who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War -- by adding their names to the Waco Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located at the corner of University Parks Dr. and Washington Ave. Before the ceremony, First Gent Brad and I shared breakfast at Armstrong Browning Library with the families of Air Force Capt. Robert Russell Barnett, Army Maj. Lowell E. Morgan, Marine Lt. Benjamin Steve Fordham, Army Lt. Jack A. Whetsel Jr., Marine Lt. William Thomas "Billy" Hale, Marine Lt. Richard E. Latimer Jr., and Marine Lt. Orville Curtis Rogers Jr. It was a beautiful and emotional time of fellowship and gratitude as these families returned to their loved ones' alma mater and the city that has honored them in such a meaningful way. We are deeply grateful for our Veterans and their service and sacrifice, and our prayers are with these families.

• We have had a great week celebrating some of Baylor's most talented and innovative undergraduate students during Scholars Week, a vital part of our successful Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Achievement (URSA) program. Guided by nearly 100 faculty mentors, 450 student researchers represented more than 30 academic departments, colleges and schools and showcased their research and scholarship during platform presentations in the SUB and poster displays in the Baylor Sciences Building. (If you missed it, take the time to read about our students' work here.) I look forward to recognizing the undergraduates whose projects are chosen as "most outstanding" as well as our exceptional faculty mentors at an awards reception April 19 in Barfield Drawing Room.

• Thank you to everyone who attended the on-campus Baylor Conversation Series event on Tuesday, in which Interim Provost Michael K. McLendon, Ph.D., and I gave an overview of Illuminate, Baylor's academic strategic plan. A video recording of the event and the associated slides have been posted online, along with a form for you to provide feedback. Our next on-campus session will be Friday, April 6, at 1:30 p.m. in Barfield Drawing Room. You can RSVP here.

• Baylor is proud to be one of the leading sponsors for Lemonade Day Waco on May 5, which is part of a national program to help kids from kindergarten through seventh grade learn fundamental principles of business and money management. You and your children are welcome to register and participate in this worthwhile event that invests in our future and prepares the business leaders of tomorrow.

• Baylor's newest tradition -- Green and Gold Weekend -- is just around the corner. April 20-22 will provide many fun activities and opportunities for the Baylor Family to gather and connect. Whether you participate in the Gut Pak Run, attend the President's Concert or cheer on Baylor Football at the Spring Game and Community Tailgate, we will have something for everyone. And speaking of Baylor Football, today is the final deadline to renew your season tickets, so now is the time to act. You can find more information about renewals and new season ticket purchases here: baylorbears.com/BThere.

Please be safe if you are traveling over the weekend, and I look forward to seeing everyone back on campus next Tuesday for the "stretch run" of the spring semester.

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President