News

WACO, Texas (July 13, 2023) – Baylor University researchers in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work have earned a significant federal grant to bolster mental health services to school children by preparing licensed mental health providers for work in schools.

WACO, Texas (July 12, 2023) – One of the most striking features of Baylor University’s new Mark & Paula Hurd Welcome Center is the four massive columns that start on the interior floor of Carlton Hall and extend 96 feet high, stretching through the building’s roof and into the sky. The columns are more than a striking architectural feature, though; they represent a deep symbolic connection to Baylor’s history while providing a unique technology-rich and interactive experience for the entire Baylor Family.

It is July and it is hot in Texas! With temperatures regularly above 100 degrees Brad and I are looking for ways to beat the heat. 

Did you know that a Waco hotspot appeared in Food & Wine’s list of the best coffee shops in America?

It’s true: in 2019, Pinewood Roasters turned heads nationally with a place on the elite list. Waco shined in the description as well: “Is Waco secretly one of the coolest places in Texas right now? This out-of-the-way find, where the house coffees are handled with care and there’s always a good record on the turntable, is one of the growing number of excellent small businesses making a very strong case.”

WACO, Texas (July 12, 2023) – Baylor University announced today the appointment of Felipe Hinojosa, Ph.D., as the inaugural Jackson Family Chair for Baylor in Latin America, expanding Baylor’s international footprint and providing additional leadership to advance the priorities of the Baylor in Latin America initiative. 

The conversation around autism has become more positive in recent years, thanks in part to efforts like Autism Acceptance Month. Sadly, churches have often struggled with how to welcome autistic individuals (and their families).

A new Baylor effort aims to help change that.

This week’s Major League Baseball All-Star game marks the unofficial midpoint of the baseball season, and for Baylor fans, there was plenty to cheer in the season’s first half. Major league debuts, starting spots, and elite power numbers were just a few of the highlights.

Four Bears have seen time in the big leagues already this year, and even more are waiting in the wings in Triple A, the highest level of minor league baseball.

Now that the calendar has flipped over to July, planning and preparations for the upcoming fall semester have ramped up considerably. 

Baylor University’s Mathematics for Early Learners Academy (MELA), sponsored by the Baylor School of Education (SOE), will be held at the Mayborn Museum on the Baylor campus July 5-28 for students ages 4 to 6.

I am back on campus following double-knee replacement surgery earlier this month - without a scooter, walker, crutches or a cane, thanks to an incredible medical team and your ongoing prayers. 

When Dr. Alan Keister (BA ’92) began offering free health screenings in Amarillo schools 10 years ago, the overwhelming response made it plain: People in his community were suffering and in need of health care resources. Those early services grew into what is now Heal the City, a healthcare organization with clinics providing free services to Amarillo’s uninsured.

When Keyonte George heard his name called last night in the 2023 NBA Draft, it fulfilled a lifelong dream for the former Baylor guard — and continued a recent trend for BU that no one else in college basketball can match.

Women represent the fastest-growing population in U.S. institutional corrections facilities. In the past four decades, the number of women incarcerated has increased by more than 475%, rising from 26,326 in 1980 to 152,854 in 2020. Because the majority of imprisoned women are mothers, a conservative estimate indicates that at least one million American children have experienced maternal incarceration, and a substantial portion of them are adolescents. 

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a political and economic partnership of 10 countries in Southeast Asia, together representing more than 660 million people — roughly 8.5% of the world’s population — and a combined GDP around $10 trillion.

The new leader of ASEAN? He’s a Baylor Bear.

Dr. David Hardage (BA ’79), winner of Baylor’s 2023 Pro Ecclesia Medal of Service, has spent a lifetime serving the church in Texas — from his call to ministry at the age of 10, to a decade of service leading the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Thank you for all of the prayers and notes of support as I recover from last week's double-knee replacement surgery.

Rock climbing began as a leisurely activity that Dr. Alexander Pruss could enjoy with his son. Now, the Baylor philosophy professor holds a Guinness World Record for his prowess — and it all began in the McLane Student Life Center (SLC).

There are many approaches to fighting food insecurity. Dr. Craig Gundersen brings an economist’s eye to the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty (BCHP), supporting the organization’s efforts to end hunger through his expertise on publicly funded nutrition programs. His highly impactful work made him a nationally recognized researcher; his faith made him a perfect fit when Baylor came calling.

“Cha” is the Chinese word for tea — and for Baylor alum Devin Li (BS ’12), it is far more than a beverage.

A Chinese immigrant who moved to Texas at the age of 13 and eventually came to Baylor as a mechanical engineering major, Li could have gone anywhere to build his business and career. He chose to invest in Waco — and has been rewarded for his choice.

A Baylor professor just hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts.

Yes, you read that right. Specifically, Baylor School of Music’s Kathleen Kelly, an assistant professor of vocal coaching, collaborated with soprano Emily Albrink on the recent release Force of Nature, which reached No. 1 on Billboard Magazine’s “Traditional Classical Albums” chart the week of May 13.

Stanford University recently compiled a database of the most cited researchers in higher ed history — specifically, those who ranked among the top 2% all-time. It’s an incredible undertaking — and one that found 34 Baylor professors among the honorees.

Baylor has accomplished a lot in President Linda Livingstone‘s six years at the helm: R1 recognition, a successful $1.1 billion fundraising campaign, faculty growth, campus updates, athletic success, and more.

Her leadership here at Baylor has attracted attention across higher education, leading to national leadership opportunities for President Livingstone — and incredible opportunities for Baylor University to have a seat at the table in helping shape the future of higher ed.

WACO, Texas (June 6, 2023) – Caleb Martin, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Baylor, and a team of international researchers set out in 2022 to determine first-ever challenge of elemental analysis validity, which has sparked conversations among journal editors and chemists about reevaluating this current threshold.

For the second straight year, a national survey has found Baylor among the nation’s top 10 “most trusted universities” — alongside such names as Johns Hopkins, MIT, Stanford and Notre Dame.

WACO, Texas (June 2, 2023) -- Heidi Pullmann-Lindsley, a doctoral candidate in biology, has been selected to make a presentation about her mosquito research at the Rising Stars in Entomology Symposium at the Entomological Society of America annual meeting.

I have enjoyed reading about the summer plans of many of you, whether it’s studying abroad, serving on a mission trip, getting ahead academically through our Summer of Discovery program or an internship or simply catching up with friends and family. 

Dr. Pack joins Baylor after seven and a half years as Dean of the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Previously, he was Mary Clarke department Chair and Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA). He became a full professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy and holds electrical engineering and engineering science degrees from Purdue, Harvard, and Arizona State.

This fall, Baylor’s new Mark & Paula Hurd Welcome Center is set to open as a new “front door” to the Baylor campus. Located at the intersection of I-35 and University Parks Drive, the Center — generously funded by a gift from Mark (BBA ’79) and Paula Hurd — will be an obvious first stop for anyone visiting campus.

But it’s not just for prospective students; current students, alumni, and faculty/staff will also find a home at the Hurd. Here are just some of the ways the new facility will serve the Baylor Family:

How did a Baylor professor play a role in adjusting what scientists thought they knew about Africa’s historic timeline — by 10 million years?!?

It all comes down to a lot of digging, a decade’s worth of research, and the definitive presence of warm-weather grasses.

WACO, Texas (May 31, 2023) – For the second year in a row, Baylor University has been named among the nation’s top 10 Most Trusted Universities, according to global research firm Morning Consult as part of its Most Trusted Brands project, the definitive measure of consumer brand trust across industries, including higher education.

Many BU graduates credit Baylor’s Career Center with the assist for helping them put that best foot forward. Here are three Bears — one headed into the workforce, one headed to grad school, and one headed for a summer internship — speaking about their Career Center experience:

Every year, U.S. News unveils its annual ranking of American colleges and universities to the world. Last fall, Baylor came in at No. 77 in the nation — again among the top 20% of national universities — and was one of just eight schools to make the outlet’s top 25  for both undergraduate teaching and undergraduate research opportunities. (Baylor was also named among the nation’s top 10 for first-year student experiences and top 20 most innovative schools.)

Based on the volume of responses and comments I have heard over the past few days, I know many of you have already seen and shared in my excitement over two of the newest additions to the Baylor Family: Judge Belle and Judge Indy!

The big news of the summer: Baylor has new bear cubs coming to campus!

Judge Indy and Judge Belle will make the transition to the AZA-accredited Bill & Eva Williams Bear Habitat on campus this summer. The rescue cubs are cousins, born just five days apart earlier this year, and come to Waco from a wildlife park in Idaho.

WACO, Texas (May 19, 2023) – During its regular May meeting, the Baylor University Board of Regents elected new leadership and approved the 2023-2024 operating budget, three renovation projects and two new degree programs – a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies and a Bachelor of Science/Master of Science degree in Biology of Global Health.

Campus sure is a little quieter this week! We’re in the midst of Baylor’s quarterly Board of Regents meeting, so I will get right to a few updates:

For the third time in the last six seasons, both Baylor men’s and women’s golf have reached the NCAA Championship!

Another academic year has come to its end: final grades posted, books returned, students graduated — and Baylor professors honored! Here’s a look at this year’s Baylor professors of the year:

All year long, Baylor Softball made it clear they deserved to be named among the nation’s best. Now, they’ll get the chance to prove it further in the NCAA tournament.

More than 4,000 new Baylor alumni — the largest class in BU history — crossed the Ferrell Center stage over the weekend as Baylor celebrated Commencement for the Class of 2023!

Growing up in the Metroplex, Dalton Capps’ circumstances didn’t exactly suggest college was in his future. No one in his family had gone to college, his family faced significant financial hardships, and not many friends and classmates were considering a four-year university, if they were considering college at all.

But Capps had one advantage: His parents.

It seems like just yesterday we began the spring semester, yet here we are – at Commencement! Tomorrow and Saturday, we will celebrate more than 4,000 graduates, which is the largest graduating class in Baylor history.

Sydney Duke came to Baylor in 2019 with the goal of eventually becoming a physician, where she could help save and better the lives of others.

She had no idea she’s have the chance to save a life before she even earned her undergraduate degree.

WACO, Texas (May 9, 2023) – Twelve Baylor University professors have been honored with Outstanding Faculty Awards for teaching, scholarship and contributions to the academic community for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Every spring, the Baylor Family bids happy retirement to professors and staff who have dedicated their professional lives to the university and its students. It’s always a bittersweet mix — sadness in seeing them go, happiness for a well-deserved next step — but we wish them all well in the next phase of their lives.

Here, we honor some of the longest-serving and most recognizable professors who are retiring this year — men and women whose faces will be missed, but whose impact will not be forgotten:

In case you haven’t heard — Lady is graduating!

Yes, Baylor’s beloved American black bear is preparing to move on — in this case, from her campus habitat to a new home off-campus (located on the enrichment site she and her sister, Joy, have enjoyed for years). There, she’ll continue to be taken care of by her Baylor Bear Habitat caregivers, staff and veterinary team.

WACO, Texas (May 4, 2023) – Baylor University today announced a $1.5 million gift from Charlie and Cindy Fuller of Woodway, Texas, and their family, establishing an endowed faculty chair position to support innovative research and teaching within the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work.

I hope you will join me tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the Paul Powell Chapel at Truett Seminary for “Lift Up Your Hearts,” a semester-ending service of prayer and worship not only for faculty and staff, but also for students and friends of the University.

In July 2021, Baylor announced it was seeking an artist to create statues of Rev. Robert Gilbert (BA ’67) and Barbara Walker (BA ’67), the university’s first Black graduates, honoring the pair for what they endured to open doors for countless other students who would follow in their footsteps. Less than two years later, Baylor […]

Last year, Baylor set a school record when 13 Bears earned prestigious Fulbright scholarships — almost twice the previous BU record! — as part of the nation’s flagship program for international graduate student and education. The year also included a Truman Scholar (BU’s first in 15 years), a Goldwater Scholar, a Churchill Scholar, and two Critical Language Scholars.

And yet — 2023’s student honors may be even more impressive.

WACO, Texas (May 3, 2023) – Baylor University today announced a $1.5 million challenge grant from the J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation of Midland, Texas, providing significant momentum and support for the renovation and construction of the Honors Residential College. The grant will fund a significant portion of the more than $7 million needed in philanthropic support to complete the project, one of many capital projects funded through the Give Light campaign.

WACO, Texas (May 3, 2023) – Noted Baylor University smartphone researchers Meredith E. David, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing, and James A. Roberts, Ph.D., The Ben H. Williams Professor of Marketing in the Hankamer School of Business, have investigated the correlation between the “flow states” – or happiness experienced by individuals – while using Instagram and TikTok and psychological well-being.

WACO, Texas (May 2, 2023) – Andrea L. Dixon, Ph.D., The Frank M. And Floy Smith Holloway Professor in Marketing and executive director of the Center for Professional Selling at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business, has been honored as a Piper Professor of 2023 for the state of Texas by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation.

When it comes to more fully understanding religion and faith in Latin America, Dr. Juan Carlos Esparza Ochoa bridges data, social work and theology — and at Baylor, he’s found a collaborative spot to continue decades of research in this area.

Baylor biological anthropologist Michael Muehlenbein, Ph.D., seeks to understand the medical, social and psychological factors involved in a long-term pandemic response.

On Saturday, Baylor Acrobatics & Tumbling won its eighth — EIGHTH!!!!!!!! — straight national title. At some point, a run of success like this becomes hard to even comprehend.

Fueled by the post-war boom, 1947 was a busy year at Baylor -- and an important year in our nation’s history, as President Truman enacted legislation that created the United States Air Force as a separate military service, breaking ranks from the U.S. Army. Mere months after that birthday — on July 1, 1948 — Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) was formed at Baylor, making our Detachment 810 one of the oldest in the nation.

As you are making plans for the summer, I encourage you to consider Baylor’s Summer of Discovery. This program offers tuition-discounted courses for students across multiple summer sessions. 

Whether it’s due to one’s learning style or schedule, for some people, reading news online just doesn’t work. They prefer an audible format — books on tape, podcasts, etc. If that sounds like you — and if you’re a dedicated Baylor Bear — then these Baylor podcasts are for you:

How does your body respond to stress? What is the impact of stress on heart health? When it comes to answering these and related questions, Baylor can rely on one of the top scientists in the field.

WACO, Texas (April 25, 2023) – Highlighted by the graduate entrepreneurship program breaking into the Top 10 nationally, several Baylor University graduate and professional programs were among those ranked in the 2024 Best Graduate Schools rankings, released today by U.S. News & World Report.

Last June, Dr. Ryan McManamay and his family planned to celebrate his parents’ 50th anniversary at Yellowstone National Park. Their plans were changed, however, by historic flooding in the park, which washed out portions of the park’s main road and forced a shutdown that impacted every surrounding community. For McManamay, the park’s closure wasn’t an […]

WACO, Texas (April 24, 2023) – Baylor University students from across the disciplines have continued their strong momentum into the 2022-2023 academic year by receiving some of the most prestigious – and highly competitive – scholarships and fellowships at the national and international levels for public policy and diplomacy, critical language study, STEM research and more.

he end of World War II brought with it a renewed sense of activity on the Baylor campus, as seen in the number of new facilities and traditions that opened or began in those first post-war years. The first decade at Baylor post-war included the debut of the Bill Daniel Student Center, Tidwell Bible Building, […]

Earlier this month, Baylor introduced a new high honor for faculty — the title of “University Distinguished Professor,” an accolade expected to be given out only once or twice every two years, and even then only after an extensive review process. The honor recognizes faculty members for outstanding achievement in scholarship and/or creative activity, national […]

I hope you had a chance to see the news about an exciting addition to our Spring Commencement roster – our very own Lady is graduating! 

WACO, Texas (April 19, 2023) – Baylor University is inviting students, alumni and all associated with the Baylor Family to join in celebrating the graduation of the University’s beloved American black bear, Lady, as she moves from the campus habitat to a private, auxiliary facility fully maintained by her Baylor Bear Habitat caregivers, staff and veterinary team.

We don’t stop learning just because we’ve finished college — and while podcasts and documentaries can be great, there’s just something about picking up a good old-fashioned book. Even better than that? Reading a book written by a fellow Bear! Baylor faculty and alumni authors have been busy this spring, writing on everything from history […]

WACO, Texas (April 19, 2023) –  Thomas D. McGrath, Ph.D., senior lecturer of chemistry and undergraduate program director in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Baylor University, has been selected as the 2023 Collins Outstanding Professor, an honor voted on annually by the senior class.

We’re full swing into Spring, and before the temperature gets unbearable this summer (pun intended), we’re here to share our top 5 places to hang out around campus this spring. Baylor Ballpark(s) — There’s no better way to spend a spring afternoon or evening than at Baylor Ballpark (or next door at Getterman Stadium). Whether […]

WACO, Texas (April 17, 2023) – Richard Rankin Russell, Ph.D., professor of English and graduate program director of English at Baylor University,  was presented with the 2023 Cornelia Marschall Smith Professor of the Year at the annual Academic Honors Convocation on April 14.

WACO, Texas (April 13, 2023) – Something as simple as a grass can fundamentally change the understanding of life in the prehistoric world. A pair of studies funded by the National Science Foundation and published in the journal Science document the earliest evidence for locally abundant C4 grasses in eastern Africa and how C4 grasses and open habitats influenced early ape evolution.

Greetings from a warm Washington, D.C., as I am beginning my first meetings today as the new chair of the American Council on Education.

Singers, speakers, performers — these “vocal athletes” all rely on their voices just as a pitcher relies on his or her pitching arm, or a runner his/her legs. To perform their best, many singers and actors seek to visit certified vocologists, but it’s not always easy to access one — only 20 each year are […]

As we approach the promise of Easter Sunday, our hearts anticipate its glory with great eagerness. 

WACO, Texas (April 4, 2023) – Before a celebratory crowd in front of the iconic Tidwell Bible Building, Baylor University today unveiled and dedicated statues honoring the University’s first Black graduates, the late Rev. Robert L. Gilbert, B.A. ’67, and Barbara A. Walker, B.A. ’67.

WACO, Texas (April 4, 2023) – Baylor University's collegiate recovery program, Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center, known as BARC, is celebrating National Collegiate Recovery Week and National Collegiate Recovery Day with a line-up of engaging activities for students April 11-15, including daily lunches, games, puppy therapy and a formal dance.

WACO, Texas (April 3, 2023) – Following a six-month internal candidate search, Baylor University Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., announced today that DeAnna Toten Beard, M.F.A., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Theatre Arts and professor of theatre history and dramaturgy, has been selected as vice provost for faculty affairs, effective July 1, 2023.

We’ve already got detailed studies that show the Baylor experience is among the best in the nation — whether you measure that in terms of first-year experience, engagement on campus, trust, or desirability.

Now, a new study adds to that list — ranking Baylor the No. 4 “happiest college in the U.S.”

This Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. will be a historic moment in the life of Baylor as we unveil and dedicate the statues honoring the first Black students to earn their undergraduate degrees from the University – the late Rev. Robert L. Gilbert, B.A. ’67, and Mrs. Barbara A. Walker, B.A. ’67. 

WACO, Texas (March 29, 2023) – Baylor University is again joining universities and communities around the country to increase public awareness and prevention education about sexual assault and interpersonal violence during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in April.

For almost a century now, Diadeloso has provided Baylor students with a much-needed day off just as the spring semester reaches its crescendo — a day to rest and relax, to have fun with friends, and to make memories on campus that will last a lifetime.

WACO, Texas (March 30, 2023) – Baylor University announced today that its Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies (CCMS) in the School of Music has been awarded a four-year, $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. as part of its Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative.

In the spring of 1945, a group of Baylor students prayed for spiritual renewal for 90 straight days. Their prayers led to a movement that helped inspire ministries on campus and around the world, from the Journeyman mission program to the Passion Conferences. This week, hundreds of Baylor students again gathered in Jesus’ name for […]

If you haven’t been following Baylor softball closely this season, now might be a good time to start paying attention. Few outside Getterman Stadium expected big things from head coach Glenn Moore’s team this year — the Bears began the season unranked, and were picked to finish fourth in the Big 12 by league coaches.

There are a lot of ways to know how students are feeling on campus – from formal means (like our campus climate surveys) to more informal methods.

From music to literature to television and more, Baylor women have elevated the game for more than a century.

Since 1956, Allen Hall has been home to thousands of Baylor Bears — but where did the hall get its name? Allen is one of at least a dozen Baylor buildings named for women — specifically, it was named in honor of Gladys Allen, a Baylor graduate, trustee and benefactor whose impact is still felt...

Like many sports fans, Deonte Epps (BA ’13) grew up watching SportsCenter, dreaming of someday being a part of the network. Unlike many sports fans, Epps has actually made it happen. Last year, Epps was accepted into the ESPN Next program for a competitive and coveted post as an ESPN production assistant.

The Fulbright Program is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious international education exchange programs in the U.S. Since its inception in 1946, it has helped hundreds of thousands of accomplished students conduct research, attend graduate school, and exchange ideas with other young professionals around the world.

It’s March Madness time at Baylor University! Did you know that Baylor is among only 26 universities that have BOTH their men’s and women’s basketball teams competing in the 2023 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships? That is some pretty select company.

This week’s NCAA basketball tournament announcements — with the Baylor women making their 19th straight appearance, and the men making their eighth appearance in 10 years — are only the latest in an ongoing series of honors for Baylor. Just how special is what’s happening right now in Waco? 

March Madness is finally here, and Selection Sunday once again delivered for Baylor basketball fans. Both Baylor’s men’s and women’s basketball teams fought through challenging schedules to extend their NCAA tournament streaks, with the men earning a No. 3 seed in the South Region and the women earning a No. 7 seed in the Seattle 3 […]

Baylor University has plenty of faculty members, across all disciplines, who bring an ethical foundation to their research and teaching; it’s one of the distinct benefits of a Baylor education. That doesn’t just happen on its own; it’s an intentional effort by the university, supported through efforts like the Baylor Ethics Initiative. The leader of […]

On Feb. 12, 2022, Baylor men’s basketball standout Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua took one bad step during a game against Texas. The injury was obviously and immediately significant, and doctors confirmed that in the days that followed. It wasn’t clear whether the man known as “Everyday Jon” would ever again be able to walk normally, much […]

It's hard to believe it’s already March and Spring Break is next week. I know many of you are looking forward to time away with family and friends and for rest and renewal during this busy time of year.

If it feels like Baylor’s showing up in more and more rankings of the top universities in the country — well, your feelings would be correct. Here’s a rundown of just some of Baylor’s recent honors: Looking for a great education? Top 20% of national universities — U.S. News “A” grade for core curriculum — […]

After countless hours of planning, practicing and performing, All University Sing returned this spring — and after all that work, this year’s shows are now complete, having entertained thousands of Baylor students, alumni and friends. [LINKS: Photos from this year’s performances || “Get Ready With Me – Baylor Sing Edition” || Go behind the scenes at […]

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the world’s largest general scientific society; you might know them best as the folks behind Science.org. Being named a Fellow by the AAAS is one of the most distinguished honors a scientific researcher can receive; the title is a career-spanning honor, recognizing individuals for their […]

The Baylor University Board of Regents is on campus today and tomorrow for its quarterly meeting. As the official governing body of the University, our Regents have in common a genuine love for Baylor and a commitment to our Christian mission and their fiduciary responsibility. As is our custom, we will provide a summary of the Board meeting late Friday to the Baylor Family.