It’s hard to believe, but this was move-in No. 10 for the First Gent and me. Even in the Texas heat, I never tire of this beautiful expression of who we are as a Baylor Family. We care deeply for each other, we bear one another’s burdens (in this case, boxes and belongings!) and we share in the joy of new beginnings.

Allow me to be among the first to congratulate the members of Baylor’s summer graduating class, which includes more than 700 students. This Saturday morning, 600 undergraduates, master’s and professional doctorate candidates will receive their diplomas, and in the afternoon, we will confer more than 100 research doctorates. Times and additional information for both ceremonies at the Ferrell Center can be found on the Commencement website.

Today is the first Thursday in August, which means I’m back to my regular weekly emails to you, and the countdown to the start of the new academic year is underway.

Texas country music legend Pat Green will kick off Baylor University’s Big 12 opener vs. Colorado as the headliner of the Baylor Backyard Live game day concert series on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Presale opens at 11 a.m. CT Aug. 13, with general public tickets on sale Aug. 14 for Third Day's 30th Anniversary Tour stopping in April 2027 at Baylor’s Foster Pavilion.

The start of another academic year is just around the corner, and we want to share an update with you from last week’s annual July retreat of the Baylor Board of Regents held on campus in Waco.

Baylor University has announced the exciting lineup of artists set to perform at Baylor Backyard Live, a new game day concert series at all six home football games this fall outside McLane Stadium on Touchdown Alley. 

Critically acclaimed indie rock/folk band Mt. Joy is headed to Waco, Texas, for Silobration, presented by Magnolia with Baylor University, Thursday, Oct. 22, at Foster Pavilion.