News
Rooted in faith, Baylor's School of Music demonstrates a commitment to uniting service and music to transform lives.
In August 2017, Dr. Lewis Lummer, senior lecturer of deaf education and American Sign Language, launched Christian Academy for the Deaf.
The following frequently asked questions (FAQ's) about the rescission of Deferred Action for Children Arrivals (DACA) is provided for the Baylor family. A list of Waco immigrant advocacy resources and non-profit legal providers is also enclosed.
Only a few months following the creation of a new student exchange agreement with Xavier University of Louisiana, junior biology major, Megan Washington, applied to be the program's first participant.
Work continues on a wide range of priorities to foster a climate of inclusion and support for Baylor students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds
Baylor's equal emphasis on outstanding research and academics and steadfast Christian faith is one of the many reasons Dr. Linda A. Livingstone was at once thrilled and deeply humbled to become the University’s 15th President
Having named Dr. Terrill Saxon interim dean for the School of Education, McLendon looks forward to applying his experience in building on Baylor’s academic reputation, positioning the University for a bright future
The Baylor University Counseling Center (BUCC) recently achieved a milestone for its doctoral internship program, when the American Psychological Association announced the accreditation of the program
Through “Service Learning,” Baylor interior design students are using their skills and training to serve the Waco community
Literary recommendations from Jon Singletary, Dean of the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
The Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) nears fundraising goal for new building
The Spiritual Life and Character Formation Task Force has implemented a number of new and updated programs focused around Baylor University’s Christian mission, including Baylor Young Scholars
Baylor University's School of Education launched a new Doctor of Education (EdD) in K-12 Educational Leadership in June, marking the School’s return to the field of superintendent preparation
Each spring, Baylor honors professors for excellence in the classroom, through scholarship and in the lives of students
In May, the University exceeded its goal under Pro Futuris of creating 10 Baylor Bound partnerships within five years
Baylor’s Office of Human Resources has revamped existing leadership skills training and plans to add new courses under Drexel King, manager, learning and leadership
From Waco to Cap-Haitien, Haiti, Baylor Engineering students are focused on implementing responsible and sustainable solutions for needy communities.
Effective April 1, Baylor University provides paid parental leave for staff and adoption assistance for faculty and staff.
Literary recommendations from Lee Nordt, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
Retiring in May, Baylor University’s manager of commencement and facilities planning, Lois Ferguson, looks back on her career at Baylor.
Dr. David Pennington, chemistry and biochemistry, and Dr. Tom Hanks, English, are retiring from Baylor in May.
An intense focus on training enables the Baylor University Police Department to stay prepared and to serve the campus community.
When finals are over in May, some Baylor students head home for rest and relaxation. However, many others choose to use the summer months to further their education and career or to serve those in need.
In April, the University announced a gift in excess of $1 million to the geosciences department.
Baylor faculty, staff and students are taking on the most challenging of the world’s problems to promote human flourishing
Honorees recognized for their exceptional service to the University
In February, a ceremony acknowledged individuals with 5 to 50 years of service to Baylor University

To help lessen the food insecurity that some students experience, a group of faculty, administrators, and community partners have combined efforts to offer a Mobile Food Pantry offering food for free. This event will be Thursday, March 2nd from 11 am-2 pm in the 7th and James paring lot.
Welch, who has served as associate general counsel at Baylor University since 2006, brings to this role more than a decade of experience, leadership and a deep commitment to the University’s mission.
Cook comes to Baylor from Texas A&M University where he served most recently as senior associate athletics director for external affairs, and, from 2008 to 2013, as vice president for marketing and communications.
Based on feedback from a series of external and internal listening sessions hosted during the fall, the Presidential Search Committee is utilizing a “composite sketch” of the professional and personal characteristics and experiences integral to the University’s next president in identifying potential candidates.
As the new year is underway, Baylor University will continue to deploy significant resources to prevent, respond to and support those who are impacted by sexual violence. Following on substantial progress, the Title IX Office is prepared to implement several long-imagined initiatives thanks to University-wide collaboration and institutional investment.
The Baylor University Staff Council, which meets monthly during the school year, aims to advance the exchange of information among Baylor staff members by providing a forum for the expression of ideas and concerns of staff. The Council is made up of representatives from each division of the University and a variety of departments across campus.
Under Pro Futuris, a robust set of five-year goals were approved in May 2014. Among these was a commitment to creating educational opportunities that benefit the surrounding community and Baylor alumni.
Baylor’s new multifactor authentication system is designed to better protect user accounts from being phished and used to access and exploit sensitive information.
Starting fall 2017, Baylor will launch the Science Research Fellows program, a new interdisciplinary academic major—BS Science Research Fellows—that aims to prepare students for a successful research career in fields like biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, psychology, neuroscience, environmental science, anthropology and geosciences.
Hired only last month, Baylor’s new head football coach has quickly illustrated his belief in Baylor’s mission and passion to lead and serve.
Baylor University was named one of the 100 “best values” among private universities, according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, which released its latest list of the Top 300 Best College Values of 2017 in January.
Baylor Human Resources offers new avenues for personal and professional development
A new office location and expanded programming better position the department to live out its mission.
Whether nurturing partnerships with the Office of Spiritual Life and Campus Living & Learning or the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, Truett Seminary is living out a mission to serve.
The Baylor family joined in the celebration as Tammy Havens, 44, and her daughter, Shandin Havens, 24 both earned their bachelor’s of business administration degrees in December.
When Rev. Robert L. Gilbert became Baylor's first African-American graduate 50 years ago, he had survived the battles with prejudice and misunderstanding that are common with cultural trailblazers. The challenges he faced as one of the few African-American students at a newly integrated school were only a fraction of the painful struggles that he overcame during his short but eventful life.
Minutes after Robert Gilbert became the university's first African-American graduate, Barbara Walker received her diploma and became Baylor's first female African-American graduate.
While Gilbert and Walker shared the stage at that historic commencement, their experiences at Baylor were quite different. Gilbert remembered his Baylor years as a time of struggle against both racial prejudice and physical disabilities, and he didn’t join in many campus groups or activities. By contrast, Walker looks back fondly on her Baylor years as a time of exciting personal growth when she found good friends among students of all races.
Baylor’s mission as an institution of higher learning compels us to embrace diversity – of ideas, ways of thinking, experiences, and, crucially, participation by the full spectrum of humanity. Its mission as a faith-based institution compels us to embrace diversity with love, compassion, charity, respect, and with the humility that comes from being equal participants in the shared human experience.
Our community is hurting as we learn more about, and begin our response to, a series of racially motivated incidents on campus. We strongly support Baylor University’s statement condemning this behavior towards members of our community while reaffirming our commitment to our values of diversity, safety, and civil discourse.
With the fall semester underway, Baylor University continues to implement the recommendations for improvement in the prevention, response and care for those impacted by sexual violence.
During the weekend of September 16-17, the Baylor community came together for Family Weekend, a University tradition since 1960.
For the sixth consecutive year, Baylor University has attained elite Honor Roll status as a “Great College to Work For,” according to a new survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Dean Brad Toben, Baylor Law School’s longest tenured dean, and Associate Dean Leah Jackson Teague are celebrating 25 years of leadership.
With the opening of the department’s new facilities in the renovated Cashion Academic Building this fall—thanks to the generosity of an anonymous $10 million gift—CSD now has the opportunity to push the boundaries of excellence to a new level.
Baylor’s Office of Career and Professional Development is working closely with students, faculty, alumni and employers to ensure more post-graduate career placements than ever before.
Partnership is a cornerstone of Baylor’s School of Education. As it continues to strengthen its long-standing ties with area school districts, Baylor faculty and education students support the University’s mission in serving their community while receiving hands-on experience in the classroom.
Baylor’s investment in new technological resources to strengthen efforts to help students determine their personal strengths, succeed academically and graduate in four years, has begun to show results.
The Baylor University Department of Public Safety (DPS) is absolutely committed to the success and well-being of Baylor students, faculty and staff.
This year, Baylor University’s aviation sciences program has achieved a milestone—the 25th anniversary of a degree program that produces innovative research in atmospheric and space sciences and trains the next generation of pilots and leaders in the aviation industry.
Baylor University recently announced the designation of Master Teacher, the highest honor granted to Baylor faculty members for sustained excellence in teaching.
Research grants awarded July and August, totaling $2,337,539.
Baylor faculty and staff publications, presentations and honors compiled in the Summer 2016 issue of BaylorNews.
Each semester freshman and transfer students begin their academic journey at Baylor University. Often adjusting to a new city, school, roommates and friends, they learn to balance new classes as well. It can be overwhelming, but with the right support it can also be a time of immense growth and development.
Two years ago, three anchor academic units – communication sciences and disorders (CSD), family and consumer sciences (FCS) and health, human performance and recreation (HHPR) – came together to form the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences. Together these three departments are united in a common focus – the application of health and human sciences to improve quality of life.
This column highlights books recommended by Baylor’s school/college deans. Challenging, compelling and thought- provoking, these literary selections are meant to inspire new ideas and encourage the Baylor community to invest in the habit of reading.
The parents of a current Baylor student have made a gift to the University that will make possible life-changing mission experiences for several Baylor students this summer, as well as for future students in the years to come.
In the coming issues of BaylorNews, we will highlight a community, statewide, national or international partnership that Baylor students, staff, faculty and alumni are actively engaged in supporting.
This summer, 20 members of Baylor’s faculty from across disciplines and across campus came together for the University’s longest running professional development program for faculty – the Summer Faculty Institute (SFI).
Each spring, Baylor honors professors for excellence in the classroom, through scholarship, and in the lives of students.
Baylor University officials named 2006 Associated Press National Coach of the Year Jim Grobe as acting head football coach and appointed Mack Rhoades as vice president and director of athletics.
Established in 1897, Baylor University Press has published books in the fields of religion and Biblical studies, contributing faithfully to the body of scholarship for well over a century.
Dr. Beverly Gaventa, distinguished professor of New Testament, was selected by her peers to serve as the 2016 president of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL).
Research grants awarded April 2016, totaling $814,072.
Research grants awarded June 2016, totaling $1,344,085.
L. Gregory Jones, Baylor's new executive vice president and provost, is looking forward to serving the University as he leads Baylor's academic enterprise.
At their regular summer meeting in July, Baylor University’s Board of Regents approved a new joint master’s degree program that links the degrees of a master of divinity and master of science in education/master of arts (MDiv/MSEd or MDiv/MA).
Two executive-level task forces are leading the implementation of recommendations made by Pepper Hamilton, LLP, following its independent investigation into the University’s handling of sexual assault.
On Thursday, July 14, the This Matters Committee will host a panel of experts to provide different perspectives on the growing racial and ethnic tensions in America with a follow up discussion of how we ought to understand the events and respond to them.
The University's emphasis on diversity and inclusion is enhanced through the work of the President's Advisory Council on Diversity (PACD) and the Special Assistant to the President on Diversity as well as through crucial dialogue with student leaders from diverse student organizations, including the NAACP. The May 2016 summary below outlines improvements and initiatives that have been undertaken across the University. The commitment is to build a strong foundation for a community of respect, character, cultural literacy and leadership. Through the coming months, the PACD and Special Assistant will continue to meet with faculty, staff, and students in order to collectively build upon these areas of progress and facilitate new initiatives that strengthen our community.
A love for the University and a passionate belief in the Institution’s mission define Baylor faculty and staff. For the fifth consecutive year, The Chronicle of Higher Education has awarded Baylor University with Honor Roll status as one of the country’s “Great Colleges to Work For.” This is Our Baylor, and faculty and staff are proud to give generously of their time, talent and treasure to support the programs that stir the University community’s passion.
Baylor University’s Board of Regents approved new degree plans and facility renovations at its regular meeting in February.
On Feb. 12, Baylor University’s Board of Regents approved an administrative
action plan, supported by $5 million in funding, to prevent acts of interpersonal violence on campus and to improve treatment and services for those impacted by interpersonal violence. In March, Baylor announced progress on these initiatives and additional actions to advance this important work.
In the coming issues of BaylorNews, we will highlight a community, statewide, national or international partnership that Baylor students, staff, faculty and alumni are actively engaged in supporting.
Each year, the University recognizes the extraordinary contributions faculty and staff make to the lives of our students and to the operation of the University. A ceremony, held in February, acknowledged individuals with 5 to 45 years of service to Baylor University.
This column highlights books recommended by Baylor’s school/college deans. Challenging, compelling and thought- provoking, these literary
selections are meant to inspire new ideas and encourage the Baylor community to invest in the habit of reading.
Baylor University is committed to helping students attain their degrees in the context of the exceptional Baylor experience. Two of the University’s most recent initiatives, First In Line and Baylor Summer, are doing just that – helping students find success by providing support that meets the diverse needs of the student body.
Over Spring Break, Baylor Missions sent 10 teams of 138 Baylor students, faculty, staff and alumni to five different countries where they integrated their faith with service and learning on discipline-specific missions projects.
Student Foundation has been giving back to the Baylor community since 1969 when 13 junior men and women received notification from President Abner V. McCall that they had been selected to serve as charter members of the organization’s Steering Committee. These students were the beginning of a new model with a novel goal – students serving students – and Bearathon is vital to the group’s ability to continue providing scholarships for current students.
Baylor University welcomed noted author and political analyst David Brooks to campus on March 2 for a conversation as part of the ongoing On Topic series with Baylor President and Chancellor Ken Starr.
Arguably one of the most compelling benefits offered by Baylor to its employees is the Tuition Remission Program. In addition to remission for spouses and children, full-time Baylor faculty and staff can receive a 100 percent tuition remission benefit for two courses (no more than eight
hours) during any semester that would apply to an undergraduate and/or graduate degree. This program has opened the door for Baylor employees to complete past, unfinished goals and also to pursue new dreams and career ambitions.
Eight Baylor staff members are recipients of the 2016 Outstanding Staff Awards, nominated by other Baylor faculty and staff for exemplary service to the University.
Dr. Elizabeth Palacios, dean for student development in the Division of Student Life and a Baylor faculty member, has been named as the special assistant to the President on diversity. With 35 years in higher education, Dr. Palacios has been instrumental in collaborating with students, faculty, staff and the community on a variety of diversity-related advancements.