Presidential Perspective - April 11, 2019

Baylor Students, Faculty and Staff:

It was great seeing so many of you around campus for Diadeloso, one of Baylor’s unique and most cherished traditions. From the food and music to the giraffe, otters and kangaroo – and even the near 90-degree temperatures – Dia 2019 did not disappoint. For me, my favorite part was seeing the interaction between our faculty, staff and many of their families and our students. When we say we are the Baylor Family, we truly mean it. Now it’s time to hunker down for the last stretch of the spring semester!

Here are several items of note for this week:

• We continue to highlight Baylor’s strength and resilience as we move forward in our goal to be recognized as the preeminent Christian research university. We recently had some good financial news as the University’s A+ long-term bond ratings were affirmed with a stable outlook by both Fitch and S&P Global Ratings.

• Baylor will host the Big 12 Conference’s Chief Diversity Officers meeting beginning this evening through tomorrow. I am excited to welcome the group to our campus for a series of panel discussions, networking and tours. Baylor’s Mia Moody-Ramirez, Ph.D., incoming chair of our Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media, will provide the keynote address on “Trends in Gender, Race, Image and Media Coverage.”

• Mark your calendars for the spring installment of our campus Baylor Conversation Series, scheduled for Monday, April 29, at 3 p.m. in Cashion 506. I will lead a panel with several of our University leaders as we close out the spring semester, discuss Baylor’s state of affairs and provide an opportunity for your questions. More details to come as the date gets closer.

• It’s “awards season” in our academic community, and I have great news to share about the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program. A record seven Fulbright recipients from Baylor will participate in the flagship U.S. exchange program that offers opportunities for graduate study, advanced research and teaching worldwide. Congratulations to senior University Scholars Emma Weatherford and Jamie Wheeler, who will begin graduate studies in the United Kingdom, and to our four seniors and an alumna who will serve internationally as English Teaching Assistants: Lauren Barnes (International Studies, Taiwan), Kaitlyn Gibbens (German, Communication, Germany), Catherine Haseman (University Scholar, West Bank, Israel), Abby Miller (B.A. History/English ’16, Colombia) and Clay Parham (International Studies, Germany).

• This morning, I joined the Baylor Libraries and staff of the University Writing Center to celebrate the grand opening of the UWC’s new location in Moody Library. The collaboration between the Libraries, the Department of English and College of Arts & Sciences that moved the UWC from Carroll Science to Moody Library allowed it to extend its hours and provide a larger space to serve more students, faculty and staff. The UWC’s services are free, and you can learn more at www.baylor.edu/UWC.

• One of the five signature academic initiatives of Illuminate, Baylor’s strategic plan, involves Baylor in Latin America. Our Model Organization of States (MOAS) Team recently traveled to San José, Costa Rica, to participate in the 34th Modelo de la Organización Estados Americanos held at the Universidad Latina. Baylor’s team of nine students under the direction of Joan Supplee, Ph.D., The Ralph L. and Bessie Mae Lynn Professor of History, joined 25 other universities in this international learning experience.

• I’m sure you’ve seen the green and gold UNITED billboards and banners around Waco, as well as UNITED graphics on social media. We have a special event planned in conjunction with Nike for this Saturday, April 13, at 10:45 a.m. inside McLane Stadium’s Gate C, right before the noon kickoff of the football spring game. With rain in the forecast, note that the UNITED event and Nike Experience Center will be on the concourse and sheltered from the weather. Be sure to monitor Baylor and Baylor Athletics on social media for schedule changes related to any of the Green and Gold Weekend activities.

Let’s fling our green and gold tomorrow for Spirit Friday to kick off Green and Gold Weekend!

Sincerely,

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President